Patent US4531646A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4531646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Product display rack
Assignee: Hillshire Brands Co
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Filing: 1984-10-05
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Granted: 1985-07-30
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Expires: 2004-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A product display rack having a series of vertically spaced tiltable tray assemblies movable simultaneously between a first inclined position to permit gravity-fed product package loading of the shelves and a second inclined position for display and gravity-fed product package dispensing. The rack includes a hinged header which is automatically displaced upwardly when the tray assemblies are in the first position to provide unobstructed access to the uppermost tray assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:54
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F5/00; A47F5/10; A47F5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A gravity-fed product display rack comprising a frame, support means cooperating with said frame, a plurality of superposed tray assemblies carried by said support means and movable between a downwardly inclined product package display and dispensing position and an upwardly inclined product package loading position, a header assembly mounted upon said frame for displacement relative thereto, and elevator means secured to one of said plurality of superposed tray assemblies for controlling the displacement of said header assembly relative to said frame as said tray assemblies are displaced between upwardly and downwardly inclined positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A gravity-fed product display rack comprising a frame, support means cooperating with said frame, a plurality of superposed tray assemblies carried by said support means and movable between a downwardly inclined product package display and dispensing position and an upwardly inclined product package loading position, a header assembly mounted upon said frame for displacement relative thereto, and elevator means secured to one of said plurality of superposed tray assemblies for controlling the displacement of said header assembly relative to said frame as said tray assemblies are displaced between upwardly and downwardly inclined positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A rack as recited in claim 1, said support means including a pair of vertically disposed members fixedly secured to said frame and a pair of movable vertically disposed members mounted for vertical displacement relative to said frame, coupling means interconnecting said pairs of vertically disposed members, and means pivotably mounting said tray assemblies upon said fixed and said movable vertically disposed members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A rack as recited in claim 2, each tray assembly including a shelf having dividers for defining a plurality of parallel channels, said channels corresponding generally in width to the width of product packages to be displayed and dispensed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said elevator means includes a wire bail mounted upon the uppermost tray assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A gravity-fed product display rack comprising a frame, a plurality of superposed tray assemblies, means coupled to said frame for supporting said tray assemblies for pivotable displacement between first and second inclined positions, a header assembly hingedly mounted upon said frame, and elevator means attached to one of said plurality of superposed tray assemblies for controlling the position of said header assembly as said tray assemblies are displaced between said first and second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A gravity-fed product display rack comprising a frame, a plurality of superposed tray assemblies, means coupled to said frame for supporting said tray assemblies for pivotable displacement between first and second inclined positions, a header assembly hingedly mounted upon said frame, and elevator means attached to one of said plurality of superposed tray assemblies for controlling the position of said header assembly as said tray assemblies are displaced between said first and second positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A display rack as recited in claim 5, wherein said elevator means includes an upstanding, angularly disposed member secured to the uppermost assembly of said plurality of tray assemblies and engaging said header assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A display rack as recited in claim 6, wherein said angularly disposed member comprises a bail.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A display rack as recited in claim 5, wherein in said first inclined position, said tray assemblies are inclined downwardly for displaying product packages and facilitating dispensing of product packages therefrom, and in said second inclined position said tray assemblies are inclined upwardly for facilitating the loading of product packages on said tray assemblies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A display rack as recited in claim 7, wherein said bail is selectively positioned to lift said header assembly when said tray assemblies are in the second inclined position to provide unobstructed access to said uppermost tray assembly, and to lower said header assembly as said tray assemblies are pivoted to said first inclined position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-29 | 1989-01-28 | 1989-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-29 | 1993-01-28 | 1993-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-01-28 | 1997-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |