초록 ▼

A free standing modular unit for storing, displaying, and selling merchandise is shown in the preferred embodiment including standarized parts which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools by unskilled labor. According to the teachings of the present invention, the unit is constru

A free standing modular unit for storing, displaying, and selling merchandise is shown in the preferred embodiment including standarized parts which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools by unskilled labor. According to the teachings of the present invention, the unit is constructed of non-combustible or fire treated material and includes a generally open top and sides which can be opened and closed by rolling up or down flexible coverings to maximize fire protection while minimizing expense. The unit includes a plurality of posts interconnected to and spaced by members locked thereto by visually hidden locking members. The open ceiling is formed by lattice grids resting on lips formed on the post separation and connector members. Merchandise storing, displaying, and holding members are provided in various forms including peg boards, shelf members, and cabinets. Dowels extending through apertures formed in the merchandise storing, displaying, and holding members and into apertures formed in the posts attach these components together without the use of tools. The corner posts include perimeter edge extenders for preventing the flexible covering from damaging the merchandise storing, displaying, and holding members and the merchandise thereon.

대표청구항 ▼

Free standing modular unit for storing, displaying, and selling merchandise comprising, in combination: a plurality of elongated posts having top ends and bottom ends, with some of the posts being perimeter posts and some of the posts being interior posts, with some of the perimeter posts being corn

Free standing modular unit for storing, displaying, and selling merchandise comprising, in combination: a plurality of elongated posts having top ends and bottom ends, with some of the posts being perimeter posts and some of the posts being interior posts, with some of the perimeter posts being corner posts; a plurality of members for separating and connecting the posts, with the post separation and connector members having first and second ends; means for providing visually hidden locking between the ends of the post separation and connector members and the elongated posts adjacent their top ends without the use of tools, with the visually hidden locking means comprising at least a first hook extending from either the end of the post separation and connector member or the post adjacent the top end and a complementary aperture formed in the other of the separation and connector member or the post for receipt of and interlocking with the hook; a generally open ceiling which allows water to pass therethrough, which presents an aesthetic appearance, and which can be assembled in the modular unit without the use of tools comprising: lattice grids formed of intersecting elongated strips having free ends, and with the post separation and connector members including lips for receipt of and supporting the free ends of the intersecting elongated strips forming the lattice grids; means for selectively closing the perimeter surface of the modular unit without requiring fire doors or draft curtains comprising: flexible coverings formed of non-combustible or fire treated materials; and means for rolling and unrolling the covering from an unrolled positioned closing the perimeter surface of the modular unit to a rolled position adjacent the top ends of the elongated perimeter posts; merchandise storing, displaying and holding members; means for attaching the merchandise storing, displaying and holding members to the posts comprising: apertures formed in the elongated posts between their top and bottom ends; apertures formed in the merchandise storing, displaying, and holding members; and dowels having a size and length for passing through the apertures of the merchandise storing, displaying, and holding members and into the apertures of the elongated posts to interlock the merchandise storing, displaying and holding members to the elongated posts; with at least two adjacent perimeter posts having a unit access opening; means for preventing the coverings from damaging the merchandise storing, displaying and holding members and the merchandise located thereon comprising perimeter edge extenders located at least on the corner posts of the unit having top and bottom cam contoured edges and an elongated side for engaging with the covering in its unrolled position; and the posts, the post separation and connector members, the intersecting strips forming the lattice grids, the merchandise storing, displaying and holding members, the dowels, and the perimeter edge extenders being formed of non-combustible or fire treated materials so that the modular unit is safe from fire.