Merchandise display case featuring open sub-frame and interchangeable panels

Abstract

A merchandise display case having an open sub-frame or exo-skeleton and one ore more interchangeable side panels is provided. The display case includes a lower base section and an upper display section. The base section includes a skeletal sub-frame. One or more interchangeable wall panels are releasably attached to the sub-frame.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A merchandise display case comprising: 
 a lower base section; and    an upper display section mounted on said base section and being at least partly transparent; said base section including a skeletal sub-frame and at least one vertical wall panel that is releasably attached to said skeletal sub-frame.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said skeletal sub-frame has a configuration generally defining a rectangular parallelepiped.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said sub-frame includes an upper frame portion having an interconnected plurality horizontal frame pieces, a lower frame portion having a second interconnected plurality of horizontal frame pieces, and a plurality of generally vertical frame pieces interconnecting said upper and lower frame portions and further defining forward and rearward frame portions and a pair of side frame portions.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  in which a respective wall panel is releasably attachable to each of said forward and side frame portions.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  in which said lower frame portion including generally parallel horizontal front and back pieces and a pair of generally parallel and horizontal transverse support pieces that interconnect said front and back pieces.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which at least one of said front and back pieces includes a gap between said transverse support pieces.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which a floor panel is connected to said lower frame portion above said support pieces.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said base encloses a plurality of drawers that are operably mounted within said base and selectively opened and closed through said rearward portion of said sub-frame.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which said base encloses a merchandise lift mechanism that is disposed at least partly between and at least partly supported by said transverse support pieces.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further including an intermediate vertical panel mounted in said base section and extending between said forward and rearward frame portions.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further including a skeletal kick plate sub-frame that depends from said lower frame portion and at least one kick plate releasably attached to said kick plate sub-frame.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  in which said kick plate sub-frame includes a forward component depending from said lower frame portion proximate said forward frame portion and a rearward component depending from said lower frame section proximate said rearward frame portion.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  in which said kick plate sub-frame carries a plurality of feet for engaging a floor or other supporting surface.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  in which said feet are adjustable relative to said kick plate frame to selectively adjust the height of the case relative to the floor or other supporting surface.