US2738605A - Changeable exhibiting rack - Google Patents

Description

March 20, 1956 D JQHNSQN CHANGEABLE EXHIBITING RACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1950 FIG.

IN VEN TOR.

D. M. JOHNSON ATTORNEY March 1956 D. M. JOHNSON CHANGEABLE EXHIBITING RACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1950 N w u MH mm M 0 AT ORNEY March 20, 1956 D. M. JOHNSON 2,738,612

CHANGEABLE EXHIBITING RACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 5, 1950 FIG.

FIG. 12

INVENTOR.

0. M. JOHNSON ATTORNEY March 20, 1956 2,738,605

D. M. JOHNSON CHANGEABLE EXHIBITING RACK Filed July 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

D. M. JOHNSON United States Patent CHANGEABLE. EXHIBITIN G RACK Darrell M. Johnson, Thomson, Ga..

Application July'5, 1950, Serial No. 172,157

19 Claims. (Cl. 40-124) This invention relates to the keeping of records and more particularly to the simplified handling of records, cards or slips as, for example, those employed in the assignment of work, the time begun and ended, the type of service, and the charge therefor.

The invention is directed specifically to a rack designed and constructed for supporting a plurality of record cards or slips in a particular arrangement forready access and which cardsmay or may not bear indicia.

Heretofore, numerous racks of this type have been proposed but these have possessed numerous disadvantages, such as relatively great weight, high cost, limitations as to the size of the cards possible to retain, as well as the failure to firmly grip and retain the cards and at the same time permit their convenient removal.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a card exhibiting rack of relatively light weight and inexpensive construction in which a relatively large number of cards of varying dimensions can be firmly supported with a portion of the card visible for inspection and convenient removal.

Another object of. the invention is to provide a, card exhibiting rack having a plurality of card receiving pockets and pockets being closed" at the bottom by yieldable means to permit. the insertion of a card. of greater length than the depth of the, pocket whereby the card will not project an excessive distance above the upper end of the pocket.

A further object of, the invention is to provide a card exhibiting rack having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally arranged. pockets which. pockets are divided into horizontally spaced. sections which may be suitably indexed in order to facilitate. the insertion of, a card in the proper pocket or to facilitate the location of any desired card.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a card exhibiting rack in which indiciabearing means; may be, provided to indicate the horizontally spaced sections of the card. receiving pockets and in: which removable,

or adjustable indicia bearing means may be provided for indicating the vertically spacedcard receiving pockets. it is. a further object, of, the invention to provide a sign adapted for theireception of specially designed letters and in which means; is provided for illuminating the letters from behind to present thegsarne in silhouette.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a:

and; rigidity which may be. economically manufactured A and installed and which may be adapted to a wide variety of uses as dictated by the needs of the purchaser.

Briefiy' stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a frame upon which are secured a plurality of horizontally arranged slats which are of concave-convex cross section with the concave face disposed outwardly, the spaces between the slats providing pockets for the reception of cards or letters and the resiliency of the slats providing: means for firmly retaining the cards or letters in position thereon. These slats are conventional, metallic Venetian blind slats and may be formed of continuous strip stock, the slats being cut off to any desired length to provide a sign or card exhibiting rack of the desired dimensions.

In using the device as. a sign the application of the specially designed letters to the slats provides a space therebetween through which light may shine to illuminate the letters and present the same in silhouette and,

. illustrating one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2, an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 illustrating one way in which tension is applied to the strips to retain cards therein; I

Fig. 3', an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 illustrating the card receiving, pockets formed between the strips;

Fig. 4, an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 illustrating the manner of securing in place an indicia bearing strip as well as the pocket forming strip;

Fig. 5', an enlarged section. on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 illustrating the card receiving pockets. and a central indicia bearing strip;

Fig. 6, a front elevation similar to that of Fig. 1 of another form of card exhibiting rack;

Fig. 7, an enlarged section on. the line 7-7 of. Fig. 6 illustrating, the manner of securing. the slats. forming the card receiving, pockets in place as well asv a portion. of a channel member for removably and adjustably receiving an indicia. bearing strip;

Fig. 8, an enlarged section: on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 showing the. card receiving, pockets;,

Fig. 9, an enlargedsection on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6 showing the channel for removably and adjustably receiving an indicia bearing. strip and the strip in position. therein;

Fig. 10, a further enlarged fragmentary section simi- Fig. 16, a fragmentary'perspective: of a supporting up-' right or bracket as utilizedin- Fig. 13

Fig. 17', a perspective of the letter ET shown on the signin Fig. 11-;

Fig. 18, a perspective ofv amodified supportingupright similar to that shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 19, a front elevation of a further modified form of sign; v

Fig. 20, a section on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21, a section on the line 21--21 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 22, an enlarged perspective of a letter having securing means slightly different from that shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 23, a perspective of a modified form of sign; and

Fig. 24, a perspective of a further modified form of sign.

With continued reference to the drawings there is shown in Fig. 1 a card exhibiting rack of a construction illustrative of the invention. This rack has a rear or foundation panel which may be of plywood or the like and of any desired configuration, but which, for convenience of illustration, has been shown as substantially square.

The rear panel 10 may have an edge molding 11 therearound to improve its appearance and protect the edges thereof and, if desired, this molding may have a protecting sheet or coating of metal, plastic or other desired material.

As shown in Fig. 1, the panel 10 may be divided into a plurality of vertically spaced recesses by ribs 12 nailed or otherwise secured to the front surface thereof and projecting outwardly any desired distance. Obviously, the configuration or spacing of these recesses may be changed, as desired, without in any way departing from the instant invention.

In order to support a plurality of cards on the front surface of the panel 10 so that they can be easily observed, strips or slats 13 are provided which, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, are of concavo-convex formation, these strips being preferably formed of resilient sheet metal similar to those employed in conventional Venetian blinds but, if desired, the strips may be constructed of certain plastics. The strips or slats 13 may be of any desired length corresponding to requirements and the foundation panel or back board will be of corresponding dimensions. In this manner, the rack may be very economically constructed by forming the strips from an endless length of stock and detaching the same in desired lengths for a particular size of rack.

As shown in Fig. 3, the strips 13 are arranged in parallel overlapping relation with their convex sides disposed rearwardly adjacent the front surface of the rear panel 10. The first or uppermost strip 13 may engage one of the ribs 12 and the second or next succeeding or lower strip overlaps the first and, due to its curvature, the upper edge thereof extends forwardly of and in spaced relation to the upper strip or slat 13, thus providing a space therebetween. On account of the curvature of the first or uppermost strip 13, the lower edge of the latter contacts the rear surface of the second or next succeeding or lower strip 13 along substantially the longitudinal center line thereof to provide a substantially closed pocket 14 capable of receiving a relatively thin object such as a card and this structure is repeated throughout the surface of the panel 10. It will thus be seen that a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced card receiving pockets 14 are thus formed by the strips or slats 13 disposed in the proper position just described.

The strips or slats 13 may be conveniently secured to the foundation or base panel 10 in any desired manner and may have vertically disposed horizontally spaced pressure ribs 15 firmly secured in contact with the outer surface of the strips or slats 13 by screws or other fastening means 16 anchored in the panel 10. The ribs 15 press tightly against the strips 13 and at the point of engagement therewith flatten these strips against the panel 10 to firmly secure the same thereto; however, immediately adjacent the ribs 15 the resiliency of the strips 13 is sufficient to restore the curvature thereof, thereby providing sufiicient space for the insertion of cards to be engaged and held on display.

As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1, the card exhibiting rack is divided into an upper section 17 and a lower section 18, these sections in turn being divided into a plurality of horizontally spaced sections 19 by vertically disposed lines 20 applied to the surface of the strips or slats 13 in any desired manner, such as by paint of a contrasting color.

For convenience in locating the desired card or pocket 14 in which a card is to be inserted, there may be provided in the upper recess 21 an indicia-bearing strip 22 having numbers or other indicia relating to the horizontally spaced pockets and conveniently the strip 22 may comprise one of the strips 13 preferably with the convex face thereof outermost, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The strip 22 may be secured in position by screws 23 or other desired fastening means.

A second indicia-bearing strip 24 having numbers or other indicia relating to the horizontally spaced pockets 14 in the lower section 18 may be disposed substantially midway of the height of the rack, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This strip 24 may be secured in position by the same ribs 15 which secure the strips 13 to the panel 10 and preferably with the convex face of the strip thereof outermost.

The uppermost recess 25 of the vertically spaced recesses may receive a strip 26 of the same material as the strips or slats 13 and preferably as shown in Fig. 9, the convex surface thereof is outermost. The strip 26 may carry on its face a title, advertising matter, or other indicia as may be desired in accordance with the intended use of the rack.

The lowermost recess 27 may receive indicia, spare cards, or other miscellaneous items which may be utilized in conjunction with the rack.

A somewhat modified form of the invention may be employed as is disclosed in Figs. 6 to 9, which differs from the disclosure of the preceding figures mainly in that it is substantially rectangular in shape, has marginal portions at the sides as well as at the top and bottom, and has vertical channels for receiving indicia-bearing strips instead of merely the ribs 15.

In Figs. 6 to 9 a panel 28 is provided with upper and lower horizontally disposed members 29 and similar vertically disposed end or side members 30, the panel being preferably provided with an edge molding 31 corresponding to the edge molding 11 of the preceding figures.

Card holding strips or slats 13 identical in construction to those utilized in the form of the invention previously described, are mounted in parallel relation as in the structure of the preceding figures, such strips being secured in position by vertically disposed horizontally spaced ribs 32 corresponding to but wider than the ribs 15 of Fig. 1. The ribs 32 are secured to the panel 23 by screws 33 or other fastening elements.

The vertically disposed ribs 32 in addition to fastening the strips or slats in place divide the rack into a plurality of horizontally spaced areas or sections with card receiving pockets 14 in each section, as previously described. There is provided on each rib 32 a channel 34 secured in place by screws 33 or other fastening means, channel 34 serving to removably receive and support an indicia-bearing strip 35 corresponding to strips or slats 13, but being disposed in the channel 34, preferably with the convex surface thereof outermost. The ribs 32 and strips may be disposed-at right angles each to the other.

The use of both forms of the invention is best illustrated in Fig. 10 in which a card 36 of any desired length is held securely after being inserted in one of the pockets 14. The lower portion of the card 36 extends below the bottom edges of one or more of the adjacent strips or slats 13. Cards of varying lengths may easily be retained in the device, a relatively short card extending slightly below the edge of the uppermost strip 13 forming the pocket in which the card is inserted with a relatively longer card extending below this point, as shown in Fig. 10. Due to the resiliency of the strips or slats 13, the card 36 is: firmly retained. in? the. pocket. 14: since the lower edge of; the. upper. strip. 13 resiliently engagestively easy insertion of. the card36 into-the pocket 14' without bending even with cards of relatively thin material. The pressure is varied in accordance with tension need for'thickness of card used. If desired, the panel -may be omitted and the slats13-supportedby a rectangular framework andthe ribs15 may= be duplicated on the rear in order to clamp the slats 13 therebetween.

It will be seen that by the above-described invention there is provided a relatively simple, economical card exhibiting'and holding rack which may be constructed to accommodate cards of any desired size and. said cards may be retained firmly in readily available position. and

in which insertion and removal of the card is simple and unimpeded, other indicia on the rack also providingmeans for quickly locating any desired cardreceiving pocket, or a card held therein;

The rack illustrated in Figs. 6 m9 may have many uses, but is particularly suitable to facilitate the scheduling of repair or service work in agarage or service station and serves to provide visual indication of the particular job on which a particular mechanic is employed and the probable time when this job will be completed. This is. accomplished by providing cards in duplicate to be inserted in the appropriate pockets 14 provided by the strips 13, these cards bearing the name or number of the mechanic, the repair order number and the work to be performed by this mechanic. The: original of this card is placed in the appropriate pocket to indicate the startingtime. and the duplicate is likewise placed in the appropriate pocket to indicate the. estimated time of completion of. the job. In the eventanother. customer comesinto" the service station,.the foreman, by. a glance atthe board, could-immediately. tell whatmechanic would be available for the required work and when. This system would hold true providedzthat the time estimates.

were reliable, but in the event unforeseen circumstances.-

arose which prolonged thetime of any particular job,

the clock strip 35 isrnerely' moved to properly adjust.

the time. In the present instance, .it. will. alignwith the appropriatepocket 14'holding.the duplicate which would indicate the correct time at which the job was expected to be completed. When the job isactually started the original card is removed from: theboard and when the job. is. completed, the duplicate is also removed. This.

provides at; a glance an. indication: of. thework. actually in progress.

It will thus be seen that by this. particular modification.

of the inventionthe complete working day of amechanic or any'part thereof in one-half hour or other desired intervals may be scheduled and the. rack with. the. job. card inserted therein provides a quiclcvisual.indicationv of the work being performed in the shop andpermi'ts the shop foreman at any time to accurately predict. when a job may be finished or when a. mechanic may be. ex-- ployed onarack which is somewhat similar tov the racks. illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. The sign is of the interchangeablebulletin type upon which issnpported letters 37 which the user may selectively employ to change the text of the sign at convenient intervals. As illustrated,

the managers name may occupy an important position thereon, but the use and location of the same is. optional.

The sign comprises upper and lower plate or shelf.

members 38 and? 39 respectively and may be maintained in: spaced relation by upright slat supportingand bracing;

members and 41. 'Iheuprightv 40-mayv have struck out.portions .42; from the slots. 43. so that such struck.

out portions or tongues; may engage, spaced stripsv or slats. 44 which form: the faceor letter-carrying portion of thesign.

If desired a.trim ormolding may be employed at.

the upper and lower portions of the sign to cover the joint-between the plate members-38 and 39 and thespaced strips or slats 44; said molding retaining. the uppermost portion of the topslatand thelowermost portion of the lower slat within the limits of the sign. The upright bracingand slat supporting members 40 may be employed to space and support the letter carrying strips or slats44 in: the manner previously described, the slats 44. being provided withspaced openings 46 through which the struck out portions or tongues 42 may extend. The slats 44 may be retained thereon by means of anangularly disposed tip or tongue extremity 47 onthe outward extremity of the tongue 42; thereby maintaining the parts in the proper assembled relation. The slats 44 like the slats 13 of Figs. 1 and 6 are preferably of transversely curved strips of sheet. metal. Also, as in the earlier figures, the slats 44 are spaced apart in a horizontal plane and therebyv tend tobowoutwardly spacing themselves apart between the upright bracing and slat'supporting members 40, which areconnected asshown in Figs..14 and 15. Where the slatsv 44 are engaged by the brackets 40 no horizontal spacing of the slats will be evident. However, tensioning and horizontal spacing of-the slats '44 may be accomplished by the arrangement. of the braces or brackets 40. For example, if the. brackets. 40 are spaced apart, as illustratedin the drawings, relative spacing between the slats.

will be appreciable, but if the brackets 40 are located closer. together as by using a greater number of the same, a lesser spacing of the slats will be had providing a more severe tension between the same.

A- modified formof uprightslat supporting or bracing member. is..shown: at 40' in Fig. 18. This member is provided withatstruckout tongue 42' having a downwardly extending lip or extremity 47. Member 40' is alsoprovided with a flange. 59. to facilitate. attachment to the frame of the sign or card exhibiting rack. Themanner of application of the modified supporting member 40 is shown .in Fig. l3a in which the slats 44 arev provided with perforations 46 disposed substantially along the longitudina1- center line. thereof with. the struck out portion or tongue 42 extending through. the perforation in each slat. and. with the downwardly depending lip 47 overhanging and engaging theupper: edge of the slat 44 disposed. immediately below the. opening 46. Thisstructure servesto support and retain the slats in proper operative position.

The location of. the brackets 40 is preferably proportionate to the lettering tobe supported and which forms the message. carriedbythe sign. Each of the letters 37 is. provided with one or morerearwardly extending arms 48: having downwardly depending legs 49, these legs to be inserted between the slats 44 for supporting the letters inproper position and allowing light to shine through the openingthus formed to illuminate the letters. brackets 40 may be ofv any desired height and likewise may be of any desired width and the number thereof may=besupplied in accordance with the customers particular'needs. Also, the brackets 44) and 41 may have.

angularly; disposed upper and lower flange portions. 50

' forrigid attachmentto the'upper and lower plate or shelf members 38 and 39. by means of a rivet 51 or other fastening: element extending through. openings 52 in the flange 5.0.

The supporting and embracing members 41 are similar to members 40-exceptthat the members 41 are provided The.

Due to the flexibility of the slats 44 and the manner in which they are connected by the brackets 40, there may be provided a sharp curve in the sign, as illustrated in Fig. 12 and it is in such curved portion that the uprights 41 are employed which permit the slats 44 to flatten in intimate contact with the same, as shown in Figs. 12 and 15.

On the lower plate 39 is a longitudinally arranged neon or other light 54 mounted on brackets 55 and powered by electrical energy from a source of supply by a transformer 56 also mounted on the lower plate 39 and deriving its energy through an electric conduit 57, such conduit having a plug 58 on the end of the same.

Rays of light emanating from the bulb 54 will shine between the spaced slats 44 and cause the letters 37 to be visible in silhouette or to be indirectly lighted. Legs 49 hold the slats 44 apart and permit such illumination giving the completed sign an unusual and artistic appearance as well as providing a distinctly legible and easily readable sign.

A further modified form of sign is illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20, such sign being of the simplest and most inexpensive construction and comprising upper and lower plate or shelf members 66 and 61 with a back 62. The slats 44 have their ends attached to forwardly extending extremities 63 and 64 of the back by suitable fastening means, such as rivets or the like, the slats 44 being substantially longer than the back 62 and such slats being bent adjacent their ends to space the intermediate portions of the same from the back and thereby provide a light chambet or housing. The slats are held in such bent relation by means of upright brackets 41 identical with those of Fig. 15, the horizontal extremities 50 of which are fastened by rivets 51 to the upper and lower plate members 60 and 61. a

On plate member 61 is preferably longitudinally disposed a light in the form of a tube or bulb 54, mounted on brackets 55, and powered by electrical energy from a source of supply by transformer 56 also mounted on the lower plate 61 and deriving its energy through an electric conduit 57, such conduit having a plug 58 on the end of the same. Rays of light from the tube or bulb 54 will shine between the spaced slats 44 so that the silhouette of any letters 65 will be visible, as described above, such indirect lighting giving the sign a very attractive and unusual appearance as well as providing a sign which is distinctly legible and easily readable.

The letters of the sign may be of the character of those disclosed in Fig. 17 or, if preferred, like those of Fig. 22 wherein the letter 65 is provided with a rear bracket 66 of relatively thin strip material welded or otherwise secured on its upper end to the upper portion of the letter 65 and having a reversely bent portion 67 at its lower end for hooking beneath the lower edge of a slat to which the same is applied. In applying the letter, rear bracket 66 is inserted between the slats and its lower end is hooked beneath a slat. The letter 65 is swung outwardly by its free lower end until the letter is substantially at right angles to the main portion of the bracket whereupon the bracket is snapped over the upper portion of the slat.

In Fig. 23 is disclosed a modified type of sign which consists substantially of a triangular housing including a top and bottom 68 and 69 with a back, not shown, having forwardly extending flanges 69 and 70 to which slats 44 are attached, the bracket 41 being employed for assisting in holding the slats 44 in bent position. Otherwise, the sign is similar to that previously described.

In Fig. 24 is a very simple modified type of sign consisting of a box or housing comprising upper and lower plate members 71 and 72 and end members 73 and 74, such box being mounted on a frame or supporting structure 75. Slats 44 are secured as described in the preceding figures at the front face of the box by means of brackets 40 having struck-out tongues with tip-turned portions 47 or downturned portions 47. This sign may be illuminated as previously described.

Each of the signs disclosed in Figs. 19, 23 and 24 may have an access opening 76 in its rear with a closure 77 slidably mounted in brackets 78 and with an operating handle 79.

While the above signs have all been described as having a back panel or board, if desired, it is only necessary to provide the rectangular or skeleton framework to which the slats are attached since the back panel or board performs no function in supporting the side, but merely provides a closure therefor and presents a finished appearance at the rear face.

It will be seen that by the above invention there has been provided a card holding and exhibiting rack of novel and economical construction which serves to receive and firmly retain cards of varying length with all cards exposed substantially an equal amount regardless of the size thereof.

The invention likewise provides a novel and pleasing sign which may utilize interchangeable letters and which may be illuminated, the illumination coming from the rear of the sign to present the letters in silhouette. The rack or sign may be constructed of readily available, relatively inexpensive materials and the installation thereof may be accomplished with a minimum of effort and expenditure of time, resulting in a sign having wide application and utility.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore this invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing or described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rack comprising a rear panel, top and bottom plates secured to said panel at substantially right angles thereto, the front edges of said plates being straight and located in substantially the same plane with the ends thereof being arcuate, supporting bars extending between said plates adjacent said ends, spaced projecting tongues on said bars, a series of concavo-convex flexible slats secured to said panel and disposed in overlapping relationship with the concave faces outermost and with their edges substantially parallel, said slats forming pockets with the lower edge of each slat contacting the rear face of the next lower slat along substantially the longitudinal center line thereof to provide a yieldable closure for the bottom of each pocket, whereby objects of varying length may be inserted in said pockets with a portion thereof projecting below said pockets, said object being engaged by said contacting edge and rear face to firmly but releasably retain said object in position, said object serving to space the contacting edge from said rear face for a limited distance on each side of said object, said slats engaging said bars and with their lower edges resting on said tongues, Whereby to provide a rack having a flat front face and arcuate ends, a source of illumination between said slats and said panel whereby light rays are projected between said slats to present objects supported thereby in silhouette, and an access opening in said panel.

2. A rack comprising a rear panel, top and bottom plates secured to said panel, the front edges of said plates being straight and with the ends thereof being arcuate, supporting bars extending between said plates adjacent said ends, spaced projecting tongues on said bars, a series of concavo-convex flexible slats secured to said panel and disposed in overlapping relationship with the concave faces outermost and with their edges substantially parallel, said slats forming pockets with the lower edge of each slat contacting the rear face of the next lower slat along substantially the longitudinal center line thereof to provide a yieldable closure for the bottom of each pocket, whereby objects may be inserted in said pockets with a portion thereof projecting below said pockets, said object being engaged by said contacting edge and rear face to firmly but releasably retain said object in position, said object serving gaaataos.

9.. to space said. contacting, edge; and. said rear face for! a= limited: distance. on each.- side. ofsaidlobjectgsaid slatsa'em gaginggsaid bars andwith. their lower. edges resting on.saidi tongue, whereby to providea rack having a: fiat. front face and arcuate ends, a source of illumination: between said slats and said panel, wherebylightrays are projected-be tween said slats to presentobjectssupportddthereby in. sil-- houette and an access openinginsaid panel.

3. A rack comprising arear panel, top andbottom' plates secured to said panel,.the' front edgesofsaidplates: being straight with the ends thereof'being arcuate,,supporting bars extending between said platesadjacent said ends, spaced projecting tongues on-said.bars,,aseries oficoncavoconvex flexible slats secured. tosaid. frameanddispo'sedinoverlapping relationship withthe concavefaces outermost and with their edges'substantially parallel, said slats forming pockets with the lower edge of. each slat contacting the rear face of the next lower slat along substantially longitudinal center line thereof. to provide a yieldable closure for the bottom of each p'ocket,,whereb.y objects may, be I inserted in said pockets with. aportion thereof projecting. below said pockets, said object being engaged: by saidtcontacting edge and rear faceto firmly but releasably retain said object in position, said slats-engaging; said bars and: with their lower edges resting on-saidtonguestwhereby to provide a rack having aflat frontface? and-arcuate ends.

4. A rack comprising a rear panel top and bottom plates secured tosaid panel, the front edges of said plates being straight and with the ends thereof being arcuate, supporting bars extending: between saidi plates adjacent said ends, a series of concave-convex flexible slatssecured to said panel and disposed in overlapping relationship with the concave faces outermost, said: slats; forming pockets with the lower edge of each slat: contacting, the rear face of the next lower slat to provide a yieldable closure for the bottom of each pocket,,-wherebyobjects may be inserted in said pockets with a portion thereof projecting below said pockets, said object being engaged by said contacting edge and rear face to firmly but releasably retain said object in position, said slats engaging said bars whereby to provide a rack having a flat front face and arcuate ends.

5. A rack comprising a rear panel, top and bottom plates secured to said panel, the front edges of said plate being tapered and with one end thereof being arcuate, supporting bars extending between said plates adjacent said arcuate end, a series of concavo-convex flexible slats secured to said panel and disposed in overlapping relationship with the concave faces outermost and with their edges substantially parallel, said slats forming pockets with the lower edge of each slat contacting the rear face of the next lower slat to provide a yieldable closure for the bottom of each pocket, whereby objects may be inserted in said pockets with a portion thereof projecting below said pocket, said object being engaged by said contacting edge and rear face to firmly but releasably retain said object in position, said slats engaging said bars whereby to provide a rack having a tapered flat front face and an arcuate end.

6. A rack comprising a base, a plurality of concavoconvex flexible slats secured to said base and disposed in overlapping relationship with the horizontally disposed edges substantially parallel and with the concave faces outermost, said slats forming pockets, the lower edge of each slat contacting the rear face of the next lower slat substantially along the longitudinal center thereof to provide a yieldable closure for the bottom of each pocket whereby relatively thin articles may be supported in said pockets, the contacting portions of said slats being maintained substantially flat through frictional engagement, the upper free edge of each slat being bowed outwardly, and vertically disposed securing strips disposed in horizontally spaced relationship transversely of said slats for fastening the latter in place relative to each other on said base and providing contact between the upper free edge of. each=sla1t and thefrontface-of. the next highen slat at the lateral extremities of each. of? said. pockets.

7. A racktas-iset-forthin clainr6 intwhich atlight sourceis positionedbehind. said slats, the light. rays from said source'beingprojected throughthe space provided when an article-isinserted in one of.saidpockets witha portion of. said article depending betweenth'e contacting edgeof one slatand therear' face of the next lower slat whereby said article is presented in silhouette.

8.- A rack as setlforth in claim 6 in which said articles comprise selectively usable letters, each of said letters having downwardly extending: and angularly disposed legs, said legs extending betweenv adjacent slats of said rack whereby said letters. are firmly maintained in adjusted position.

9. A rack as set forth in claim 6 wherein. said plurality of concave-convex slats are divided into two vertically spaced series, theslats off the uppermost of said series being confined between top andbottom plate-like supporting members and each of said-v slats in. said uppermost v projecting through an associatedaperture-in the'adjacent slat. is provided with. a downwardly directed lip on the free extremity thereof, said lip engaging the upper edge of the next. lower slat to retain. said slats in adjusted position-in saidtuppermost series.

1-1. A rackas set forth inclaim 9 wherethe top and bottom plate-like .supportingmembersare of substantially triangular conformation and are secured to the base at substantially right angles thereto, and a vertically disposed supporting bar positioned between said supporting members at substantially the apex of the triangular conformation thereof, the concavo-convex slats of said upper series being secured to said supporting bar between said supporting plate-like members to provide a rack having two relatively flat and angularly related faces.

12. A rack comprising a base, a plurality of concavoconvex slats secured to said base and disposed in overlapping relation with the horizontally disposed edges substantially parallel and with the concave sides forward of the base, said slats forming pockets, the upper free edge of each slat being bowed outwardly and the lower edge of each slat contacting the rear surface of the next lower slat substantially along the longitudinal center thereof and providing a yieldable closure for the bottom of each pocket whereby relatively thin articles may be frictionally retained in said pockets, and spaced vertically disposed bars engaging and exerting variable pressure upon said upwardly and outwardly bowed free edges and also exerting a pressure contactvbetween the lower edges of said slats and the intermediate portion of the succeeding next lower slats.

13. A rack comprising a base, a plurality of generally concavo-convex flexible slats mounted in overlapping relation on said base with their longitudinal edges substantially parallel and with their concave surfaces disposed forwardly relative to said base, said slats cooperating to form pockets, the upper free edge of each slat being bowed outwardly and the lower edge of each slat being in contact with the rear surface of the next lower slat intermediate the edges of the same and causing said pocket to be yieldably closed at the bottom whereby relatively thin articles may be frictionally retained therein, and means engaging and maintaining said slats in assembled contacting relation and exerting pressure between the lower edge portions of said slats and the intermediate portions of the next succeeding lower slats.

14. A rack comprising a base, a plurality of flexible slats mounted in overlapping relation on said base, each slat having a lower longitudinal edge disposed forwardly of the base in longitudinal engagement with the rear surface of the next lower slat along the intermediate portion of the same and means engaging and maintaining said slats in assembled contacting relation and providing a pocket between adjacent slats with a yieldable pressure between the bottom of the lower edge portion on one'slat and the intermediate portion of the next succeeding lower slat whereby articles may be frictionally retained in said pocket.

15. A rack as defined in claim 13 having a series of vertically disposed ribs dividing said rack into a series of horizontally spaced columns, each rib being provided with a channel having inturned flanges, a bowed strip slidably disposed in said channel between said flanges having indicia thereon, such strip being movable vertically to locate said indicia adjacent said pockets of said rack.

16. A rack as defined in claim 13 having a series of vertical ribs dividing said rack into a series of horizontally spaced columns, each of said ribs having a movable indicia bearing strip whereby said indicia may be disposed adjacent selected pockets.

17. A rack as defined in claim 13 in which articles comprising selectively usable letters provided with a downwardly extending angularly disposed leg, a reversely bent portion on the end of said leg, said portion being adapted to be received over the lower edge of one of said slats and a reversely bent portion on the upper end of said leg, said last-mentioned portion being received over the upper edge of the same slat to retain said letter in place on said rack.

18. A rack comprising a base, a plurality of concavoconvex slats mounted on said base in overlapping relation with the edges thereof in substantially parallel relation and with the sides of the concavo-convex slats similarly disposed on said base in a manner to provide receiving areas in which cards and other thin objects may be gripped, the free edge of each slat being bowed and the edge of each adjacent slat contacting the surface of the next succeeding slat substantially along the longitudinal center thereof and providing a yieldable closure for each receiving area whereby relatively thin articles may be frictionally retained therein, spaced members disposed in substantially parallel relation transversely of said slats in a manner to engage and exert pressure thereupon and also between the edges of the slats and the intermediate portion of the next succeeding slats.

19. A rack comprising a base, a plurality of flexible generally concavo-convex slats mounted in overlapping relation on said base with their longitudinal edges substantially parallel and with concave surfaces disposed generally alike on said base, said slats cooperating to form receiving areas, one longitudinal edge of each slat being bowed and the other longitudinal slat being in contact with the intermediate surface of the next succeeding slat and causing said receiving areas to be yieldingly closed at the innermost portion thereof whereby relatively thin articles may be frictionally retained therein, and means to engage and maintain said slats in assembled contacting relation with pressure exerted between the contacting edge portions of said slats and the intermediate portions of the next succeeding slats.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 139,298 Danforth May 27, 1873 1,414,721 Auerbach May 2, 1922 1,455,192 Dumont May 15, 1923 2,019,107 Weber Oct. 29, 1935 2,234,249 Hanford Mar. 11, 1941 2,508,553 Wagner May 23, 1950

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