초록 ▼

A modular display system comprises a plurality of identical modules. Each module includes a vertical mounting surface, a pair of sidewalls, top surface and a bottom surface lying in planes which extend at right angles to the mounting surface. A pair of top rails lie above the top plane and form outw

A modular display system comprises a plurality of identical modules. Each module includes a vertical mounting surface, a pair of sidewalls, top surface and a bottom surface lying in planes which extend at right angles to the mounting surface. A pair of top rails lie above the top plane and form outward facing channels. A pair of bottom rails extend inward from respective sidewalls just above the bottom plane, each bottom rail engaging in a respective channel when two modules are assembled one above the other. The inner surfaces of at least one of the top rails and the bottom rails converge toward the top or bottom plane at an acute angle so that the inner surfaces of the top rails are received against the inner surfaces of the bottom rails in a press fit. The modules are latched in this position by a detent and shoulder arrangement.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A modular display system comprising a plurality of display modules which can be assembled together, each said module comprising: a vertical mounting surface lying in a mounting plane; a pair of parallel sidewalls having opposed outside surfaces lying in side planes extending

What is claimed is: 1. A modular display system comprising a plurality of display modules which can be assembled together, each said module comprising: a vertical mounting surface lying in a mounting plane; a pair of parallel sidewalls having opposed outside surfaces lying in side planes extending forward from said mounting plane at right angles to the mounting plane; a bottom surface lying in a bottom plane extending forward from said mounting plane at right angles to said mounting plane and said sidewalls; and a top surface lying in a top plane extending forward from said mounting plane at right angles to the mounting plane and the side planes; a pair of top rails lying above said top plane, each said top rail having an inner surface which faces said top plane to form a channel, said channels facing respective said side planes; and a pair of bottom rails extending inward from respective said sidewalls above said bottom plane, each said bottom rail having an inner surface which faces away from the bottom plane; wherein said inner surfaces of the bottom rails converge toward the bottom plane at an acute angle, whereby said inner surfaces of said top rails of one module are received against said inner surfaces of said bottom rails of another module in a press fit when said top surface of said one module is received against said bottom surface of said another module and said modules are slid together until their mounting planes are substantially coplanar. 2. A modular display system as in claim 1 wherein each said module is designed to be molded as a single piece in a straight draw mold wherein an injection molding cavity is formed by only two mold halves. 3. A modular display as in claim 1 further comprising a floor extending between said sidewalls and spaced from said bottom surface, said floor being inclined at an acute angle to said bottom plane, said floor being formed with an open area extending from said mounting plane forward, said bottom rails being formed by the floor between the open area and the sidewalls. 4. A modular display system as in claim 3 wherein said floor is formed with a tongue extending into said open area, said tongue being formed with a detent, said top surface being formed with a shoulder, said detent of one module engaging the shoulder of another module to latch said modules together when said top surface of one module is slid against the bottom surface of another module until said mounting planes are substantially coplanar. 5. A modular display system as in claim 3 wherein said floor extends forward to a front end, said module further comprising: a front wall extending upward from the front end of the floor; and at least one ledge extending between said sidewalls, each said ledge extending forward from said mounting plane to a support surface, whereby said at least one support surface, said floor, and said front wall can support a product at an angle to said bottom plane. 6. A modular display system as in claim 5 wherein said at least one ledge comprises a first ledge which is inclined at an acute angle to said floor, said mounting surface being open between said ledge and said floor and said acute angle converging toward said front wall. 7. A modular display system as in claim 6 wherein said at least one ledge further comprises a second ledge located above said first ledge and forming an acute angle with said first ledge which converges toward said mounting plane, said front wall ending below said first ledge. 8. A modular display system as in claim 1 wherein one of said sidewalls has a dovetail-shaped tenon standing proud of said outside surface and the other of said sidewalls has a dovetail-shaped mortise inset in said outside surface, wherein said dovetail tenon of one module is received in said dovetail mortise of another module in a press fit when the one sidewall of said one module is slid against the other sidewall of said another module until their mounting planes are substantially coplanar. 9. A modular display system as in claim 8 wherein said mortise and said tenon each diverge toward said mounting plane at an acute angle, whereby the one sidewall of said one module is slid forward against the other sidewall of said another module until the tenon is seated in the mortise and the mounting planes are substantially coplanar. 10. A modular display system as in claim 9 wherein said one sidewall has a recess extending into said one sidewall from said mounting plane and forming a shoulder below said outside surface and said other sidewall has a detent standing proud of said outside surface, wherein said detent of said another module engages said shoulder of said one module to latch said modules together when said modules are slid together until said mounting planes are substantially coplanar. 11. A modular display system as in claim 1 wherein one of said top surface and said bottom surface is provided with a detent and the other of said top surface and said bottom surface is provided with a shoulder, said detent of one module engaging the shoulder of another module to latch said modules together when said modules are slid together until said mounting planes are substantially coplanar. 12. A modular system as in claim 1 further comprising: a pair of intermediate walls located centrally of said sidewalls and extending forward from said mounting plane; and a subfloor extending between each intermediate wall and the adjacent sidewall, said subfloors being coplanar and spaced from said bottom plane to form a pair of recesses, said inner rails extending into said recesses. 13. A modular display system as in claim 12 wherein said bottom surface comprises a pair of edge portions formed by said sidewalls and a central portion extending between said intermediate walls, said mounting surface comprising a pair of edge portions formed by said sidewalls and a central portion extending between said intermediate walls. 14. A modular display system as in claim 12 further comprising a pair of platforms standing proud of said top surface, said top rails being formed by respective said platforms, wherein said platforms of one module are received in said recesses of another module when said top surface of said one module is received against said bottom surface of said another module and said modules are slid together until their mounting planes are substantially coplanar. 15. A modular display system as in claim 12 wherein said intermediate walls extend forward to support edges which lie in a common rear support plane, said system further comprising a pair of floors extending forward from said subfloors in a common bottom support plane which is inclined at an acute angle to said bottom plane and is substantially normal to said rear support plane, whereby products can be supported on said floors and against said support edges. 16. A modular display system as in claim 15 further comprising a pair of transverse walls extending between each intermediate wall and the adjacent sidewall, said transverse walls extending substantially normally of said subfloors and connecting respective said subfloors to respective said floors. 17. A modular display as in claim 15 further comprising: a pusher plate which is substantially parallel to said rear support plane and is spring-loaded away from said rear support plane; and a forward stop upstanding from each said floor, said forward stop limiting forward travel of product which is pushed forward by said pusher plate. 18. A modular display as in claim 17 further comprising a track plate positioned between said floors, said track plate guiding said pusher plate on a linear path as it moves forward.