Modular expandable merchandise display rack

Claim 1

In a multi-sided merchandise display rack for retail display of items to be selected by a customer, the combination comprising: a horizontally disposed base means at the bottom thereof; a plurality of pairs of module side brackets, each said pair defining a hinge removably supported by said base means, arranged horizontally spaced apart about the periphery of said base means, and extending generally upward and approximately co-extensive with the height of said rack, wherein each bracket of each said pair is pivotable and removable with respect to the other bracket of said pair; and display means connected between one module side bracket of one pair and the opposite module side bracket of an adjacent pair to form each side of said rack, such that the number of sides of said rack can be increased and reduced by insertion and removal, respectively, of one or more sides, and such that the remaining sides pivot at said hinge to adjust for said removed and inserted sides; each of said module side brackets of each pair including tube means having a C-shaped cross section co-extensive therewith and sized so as to engage the tube means of the opposite one of said pair, an inner tube being inside an outer tube, and so as to be slidable lengthwise and pivotable about the center axis of said tube with respect to said opposite one, so as to comprise said hinge; each of said inner tubes being tapped at least at the bottom thereof, allowing each of said pairs of module side brackets to be attached to said base means by means of screws inserted through said base means and threaded into said tapped inner tubes, thereby providing an attachment of said pairs of module side brackets to said base means.