The present invention relates to display racks, and more particularly, to display racks for displaying a plurality of business cards.
The use of business cards for identification and networking purposes is centuries old. With the growth of modern organizations, including businesses, government agencies and other entities, there are sometimes dozens or more individuals within the organization having their own business cards. It is often desirable to keep business cards for each of these individuals at a central location, such as a front desk or reception desk. Using currently available devices, this frequently results in a clutter of business cards and card racks, and a generally unprofessional appearance.
Referring to
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular display rack and related methods that allow great flexibility in determining the number of holding slots for business cards and the like that are to be included in the display rack.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a modular display rack includes a frame having a plurality of frame elements, and a first holding unit having a plurality of holding slots. The first holding unit is supported by the frame. By selecting appropriate frame elements, the frame is readily dimensionable to accommodate one or more holding units therein.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the frame includes first and second sidewalls and a first holding unit support element extending between the first and second sidewalls. The first holding unit support element supports the first holding unit. The first holding unit can be dimensioned to accommodate multiple holding units side-by-side. Also, second or subsequent holding units can be accommodated between the first and second sidewalls to accommodate additional holding units, for example, in a stepwise fashion.
According to a method aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a modular display rack includes determining a minimum number of holding slots for inclusion in the display rack. One or more holding units are selected to supply at least the minimum number of holding slots. Prefabricated frame elements, including at least sidewalls and a holding unit support element, are selected to accommodate the holding units, and are assembled to form a frame. The holding units are then disposed within the frame.
These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be understood in view of the drawings and following description of preferred embodiments.
Referring to
Referring to
The frame elements are preferably formed from wood or a composite wood product, fiberboard or the like. A veneer can be applied to the frame elements. In the embodiment shown, banding 36 is arranged on upper surfaces of the sidewalls 20, 22 and the rear and front walls 30, 32. The banding 36 has, for example, a metallic gold finish.
Referring to
To optimize the viewing angle for items in the holding slots 16 (see
When assembling a modular display rack according to an aspect of the present invention, a minimum number holding slots is determined. For example, a business with ten business card carrying employees may want at least ten holding slots. A number of holding units is selected to supply at least the minimum number of slots. For instance, two six-slot holding units could be selected to supply twelve slots, two more than the minimum.
Frame elements are then selected that can be combined to accommodate the selected number of holding units. The frame elements are then assembled into the frame and the holding units are disposed therein. Advantageously, the frame can be assembled with cam lock, or other, connection elements not fully tightened. The holding units can be disposed within the frame and then the connection elements can be fully tightened with close engagement between frame elements and holding units maintaining the holding units in place due to friction, engagement of complementary surfaces, or the like.
It will be appreciated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment. Rather those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications, and adaptations for particular circumstances, are possible within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described.
For instance, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a particular size, design or number of holding units, or a particular material of construction thereof. Likewise, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a particular size, design or number frame elements, or a particular material of construction thereof. In fact, the present invention allows great flexibility in selecting a number, size or design of holding units to be used, with advantageously pre-fabricated frame elements being combinable to accommodate the holding units.
For example, referring to
Referring to
In the display rack 210, the holding units 214 include front panels 250 and a plurality of dividers 252. The front panels 250 extend along the support elements 224, 226 between the sidewalls 220, 222 seated in grooves 254 formed in sidewalls 220, 222 and the respective support elements 224, 226. The dividers 252 extend along the support elements 224, 226 between the front panels 250 and respective rear walls 230, 248 seated in grooves 256. The holding units 214 are dimensioned to accommodate business cards with a vertical orientation. It will be appreciated that additional holding units 214 can be readily accommodated, for instance, by selecting frame elements dimensioned to accommodate additional holding unit support elements, or by selecting longer holding unit support elements, such that longer front panels and additional dividers can be included.
Additionally, the present invention is not necessarily limited to connections using the cam lock elements 40. For example, adhesives, screws, nails, pins, dowels, biscuits or other connection elements could also be employed. However, the cam lock elements advantageously facilitate visual concealment of the connection points and readily enable partial assembly of the frame, such that holding units can be disposed therein before fully tightening the cam lock elements.
The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of modifications or adaptations that are possible within the scope of the present invention. Instead, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these and other modifications and adaptations fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/916,394, filed on May 7, 2007, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60916394 | May 2007 | US |