US2732160A - welhoefer - Google Patents

Description

desired vertical spaced relationship within the display counter.

After the several channel members have been properly secured in position, more particularly to the partition of the counter, it is desirable to pass a power drill through the aligned holes 13 in the channel members disposed on opposite sides of the partition 11 to form holes 16 therein adapted to receive anchoring means for releasably retaining the several supporting blocks 15 properly positioned within the channel members 10.

It should be noted at this time, referring more particularly to Figs. 6 and 7 that the several supporting blocks 15 each include a centrally disposed horizontal aperture 17 extending through the block 15. One end of the horizontal aperture 17 terminates in a flared or chamfered mouth 1S; while the other end of the horizontal aperture 17 terminates in a nut-receiving recess 19.

Referring more particularly to the left hand portion of Fig. 2, it will be noted that a stove bolt provides the anchoring means for releasably retaining a pair of supporting blocks 15 in selected position of vertical adjustment in the channel members 16 disposed on opposite sides of the partition 11. It should also be noted at this time that the supporting blocks 15 are applied within the channel members 10 in a manner such that the desired recess 18 or 19 lies outermost. After the selected elevation for any given tray support is chosen, a supporting block is applied to a stove bolt 20 by passing the same through the aperture 17 in the block 15 so that the head of the bolt will lie in the mouth 18 of the aperture 17; the end of the bolt 20 is then passed through the aligned holes 13 through the hole 16 in the partition 11 until its forward end is disposed within the channel 10 with the supporting block 15 on its head end disposed within the connes of its cooperating channel member 10. A similar supporting block 15 is then applied to the projecting end of the stove bolt 20 in a manner such that the nut-receiving recess 19 is outermost. A nut 21 is then applied to the end of the stove bolt 20 and is drawn into the recess by tightening the bolt 20 using a screw driver. In this way the supporting blocks 15 are releasably retained in tight position within their respective channel members 10. Referring more particularly to the right hand portion of Fig. 2, it will be noted that the supporting block 15 therein shown is secured in proper position by the application of a screw 22. Here again the chamfered recess 13 is outermost as the block 15 is applied between the anges 14 of the channel member 10 so as to provide a ilush seating for the head of the screw 22 which forms the anchoring means for the supporting block 15.

After the several supporting blocks 15 have been properly located and anchored in their respective channel members 10, care being taken that the individual supporting blocks of each set lie in a common horizontal plane, the several tray supporting rods or tubes 23 which are pre-cut to proper length whereby they may readily be positioned between opposite pairs of channel members 10 with their ends resting on the top surfaces of the aligned supporting blocks 15. The ilanges 14- of each of the channel members 10 serve to retain the rods or tubes 23 against lateral displacement and at the same time, the flanges 14 of the several channels 10 afford adequate protection against contact between the edges of trays T and the wall 12 or partition 11 of the counter to thus avoid marking or marring of the interior nish of the counter.

The several rods or tubes 23 provide adequate support for the trays and also permit their easy positioning in and removal from the counter.

In the event that the supporting structure of the present invention is intended to be used as a shelf support, the rods or tubes 23 may be eliminated as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 wherein shelves 24 are supported directly on the top surfaces of the supporting blocks 15. In instances where shelves 24 are mounted directly on the supporting blocks 15 suitable sawcuts 25 may be made in the ends ot' the shelves 24 to cooperate with the flanges 14 of the channel members 10 to prevent accidental displacement of the shelves on the supporting blocks 15 or to prevent relative lateral movement between the shelf and the channel members. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the use of pairs of channel members 10 arranged in back-to-back abutting relationship to serve as a partition between the ends of adjacent shelves.

From the foregoing detailed description of the present invention it will readily be understood that a simple and effective supporting structure has been provided for trays or shelves which permits the ready removal of the trays or shelves to permit the clearing of the counter or case to facilitate its easy cleaning and likewise the structure lends itself to quick reassembly so that the counter may be dressed with a minimum of effort.

The structure of the present invention also aords protection against the marring of the interior finish of the display counter through the operation of the flanges 14 on the channel members 10 which prevent contact between the edges of the trays and the wall of the counter.

Another marked advantage of the present shelf supporting structure resides in the fact that it is devoid of projecting portions and thus facilitates ready cleaning of the counter in a thorough manner without having the cleaning cloths or the hands caught upon sharp or projecting surfaces.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail in the foregoing specification, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its embodiment without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

l. A tray or shelf supporting Structure comprising a vertically disposed U-shaped channel member including a flat base portion provided with a series of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel side flanges, a supporting block for reversible selective positioning between the side flanges of said channel member, said supporting block including one face adapted for contact with the base of said channel member, a pair of sides disposed adjacent said flanges to precluded rotary movement of said block in said channel, an aperture extending through said supporting block from front to rear thereof, a nut receiving recess at one extremity of said aperture, and a flared recess disposed at the opposite extremity of said aperture, and anchoring means being received through said aperture and a selected hole in the base of said channel member for releasably retaining said channel member and said supporting block in associated relationship.

2. A tray or shelf supporting structure comprising a vertically disposed U-shaped channel member including a flat base portion provided with a series of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel side flanges, a supporting block for reversible selective positioning between the side flanges of said channel member, said supporting block including one face adapted for contact with the base of lsaid channel member and a pair of sides disposed adjacent said flanges to precluded rotary movement of said block in said channel, an aperture extending through said supporting block from front to rear thereof, a square nut-receiving recess at one extremity of said aperture, a flared recess disposed at the opposite extremity of said aperture, and anchoring means comprising a nut and bolt, said bolt being received through said aperture and a selected hole in the base of said channel member, and said nut being received in said square nut-receiving recess and contacting the sides thereof to preclude itsrotation and releasably retain said supporting block in desired position of adjustment in said U-shaped channel member when said bolt is tightened.

3. A tray or shelf supporting structure comprising a vertically disposed U-shaped channel member including a at base portion provided with a series of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel side anges, a supporting block for reversible selective positioning between the side anges of said channel member, said supporting block including one face adapted for contact with the base of said channel member and a pair of sides disposed adjacent said flanges to precluded rotary movement of said block in said channel, an aperture extending through said supporting block from front to rear thereof, a nut receiving recess at one extremity of said aperture, and a ilared recess disposed at the opposite extremity of said aperture, anchoring means comprising a threaded member being received through said aperture and a selected hole in the base portion of said channel, said threaded member having a head portion disposed in said ared recess in said supporting block, and a nut being received on said threaded member to releasably retain said channel member and said supporting block in associated relationship when said nut is tightened.

4. A tray or shelf supporting structure comprising a vertically disposed U-shaped channel member including a flat base portion provided with a series of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel side anges, a. supporting block for reversible selective positioning between the side anges of said channel member, said supporting block including one face adapted for contact with the base of said channel member, a pair of sides disposed adjacent the ilanges of said channel member, a top surface cooperating with said channel member to dene a compartment to house a portion of a tray supporting bar or shelf to retain the same against lateral movement, aperture extending through said supporting block from front to rear thereof, a nut receiving recess at one extremity of said aperture, and a flared recess disposed at the opposite extremity of said aperture, and anchoring means being received through said aperture and a selected hole in the base of said channel member for releasably retaining said channel member and said supporting block in associated relationship.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,039 Pollard Sept. 22, 1896 1,343,327 Leven June 15, 1920 1,880,179 Onions Sept. 27, 1932 2,044,642 Slater June 16, 1936 2,104,831 Dauskardt Ian. 11, 1938 2,236,044 Vanderveld et al Mar. 25, 1941 2,570,097 Carbary Oct. 2, 1951

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