Modular display case

Abstract

A modular display unit that includes a center section having a vertically disposed frame for supporting a series of shelves and a display counter on either side thereof and having cabinets secured to the frame at either end of the end section which also contains a series of shelves and a display counter. The cabinets are secured to the frame by universal fasteners so that the end cabinets can be removed from the frame and mounted in a back-to-back configuration using the universal fasteners. A pair of end walls are also provided for closing both ends of the center section when the cabinets are removed, again employing the universal fasteners.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A modular display unit that includes: 
 a center section containing a vertically disposed frame extending between two opposed ends of the central section;    a pair of open faced cabinets having identical back panels, and    universal fastening means for removably securing the back panels of said cabinets to opposite ends of said frame in perpendicular alignment with said frame wherein said cabinets can be removed from said center section and joined together in a back-to-back relationship with said universal fastening means.    
     
     
         2 . The modular display unit of  claim 1  that further includes a pair of end walls that are interchangeably mountable at opposite ends of said frame by said universal fastening means to close the ends of said center section when the end cabinets are removed from said frame.  
     
     
         3 . The modular display unit of  claim 1  wherein said frame further includes vertically spaced support means extending outwardly to either side thereof and a series of horizontally disposed shelves mounted upon said support means.  
     
     
         4 . The modular display unit of  claim 3  that further includes a horizontally disposed display counter mounted upon said support means over said shelves.  
     
     
         5 . The modular display unit of  claim 4  wherein each cabinet contains vertically disposed side walls connected to said back panel and a series of horizontally disposed shelves extending between said side walls.  
     
     
         6 . The modular display unit of  claim 5  wherein each end cabinet further includes a horizontally disposed display counter mounted over said cabinet shelves that extend between the side walls of the cabinet.  
     
     
         7 . The modular display unit of  claim 1  wherein said vertically disposed frame further includes vertical spaced apart columns mounted within a base and horizontal members for interconnecting the vertical columns.  
     
     
         8 . The modular display unit of  claim 7  that further includes a display board mounted upon the top of said frame.  
     
     
         9 . The modular display unit of  claim 8  wherein each of the removable end cabinets further includes a display board mounted upon the back panel thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The modular display unit of  claim 5  wherein each shelf contains a series of side by side open top trays, each tray having opposed side walls, a back wall and a front wall for containing a stack of boxes between the front wall and the back wall of the tray.  
     
     
         11 . The modular display unit of  claim 2  wherein said universal fasteners include bolts arranged to pass through horizontally disposed arms mounted at either end of said frame and threaded inserts mounted in the back panels and the end walls for threadably receiving said bolts wherein the cabinets and end walls can be interchangeably secured to the frame or the end cabinets can be secured in a back-to-back relationship to establish different unit configurations.  
     
     
         12 . The modular display unit of  claim 5  wherein one of said shelves contains at least one compartment for storing inventory.  
     
     
         13 . The modular display unit of  claim 5  wherein one of said shelves contain at least one drawer for storing inventory.