Modular display structure

Claim 1

A modular display structure comprising a plurality of shelves each adapted to be supported by sets of horizontal braces positioned at any desired horizontal level relative to a plurality of vertical corner posts defining the corners of the display structure, said corner posts each comprising an elongated member having a plurality of outwardly directed, angularly related equal width flanges extending throughout the full length thereof at equally spaced apart angles, a beaded enlargement extending along the outer edge of each said flange through its full length, the width of the flanges being greater than the width of the beaded enlargements, said horizontal braces each comprising an opposing pair of mating brace members having inner surfaces lying in face-to-face relation, mating vertically disposed channels spaced inwardly from the opposite end edges of the inner surfaces of said brace members positioned to engage about opposite sides of the beaded enlargement of a flange engaged therebetween, the portions of the inner surfaces of the brace members lying outwardly beyond said channels being of a width substantially equal to the width of said flange and adapted to enter into face-to-face engagement with the opposite sides of said flange when the channels engage the beaded enlargement, and threaded clamping means interconnecting said opposing brace members immediately inwardly of said mating channels, said threaded clamping means, when loosened, permitting said opposing brace members to be spaced apart by a distance such that a corner post flange may be freely engaged between the ends of opposing brace members and acting, when tightened, to draw the ends of the opposing brace members into clamping engagement with the opposite sides of the flange and with the mating channels in engagement with the beaded enlargement, said brace members having their outer end edges mitered at mating angles, whereby a plurality of horizontal braces may be secured to adjoining flanges of a corner post at the same horizontal level.