Hanger combination for displaying merchandise

Abstract

A hanger combination useful for the display of merchandise items has a base plate and a hanger rail. The hanger rail is attached to the base plate such that the hanger rail can be alternatively moved between a retracted hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is proximal to the base plate and an extended hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is spaced apart from the base plate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hanger combination suitable for displaying merchandise, the hanger combination comprising: 
 (a) a base plate for fastening to the back of an item of merchandise; and    (b) a hanger rail having at least one connection member indentation, the hanger rail slidably attached to the base plate such that the hanger rail can be alternatively moved between a retracted hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is proximal to the base plate and an extended hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is spaced apart from the base plate by a distance of at least about ½ inch.    
     
     
         2 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the hanger rail in the extended hanger rail position is spaced apart from the base plate by a distance of at least about 1½ inch.  
     
     
         3 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the base plate has one or more holes therethrough for fastening the base plate to the back of an item of merchandise.  
     
     
         4 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the base plate comprises an elongate strip having a pair of opposed ends and wherein a hole is disposed through the elongate strip at each of the opposed ends.  
     
     
         5 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the hanger rail is generally linear.  
     
     
         6 . The hanger combination of  claim 5  wherein the length of the hanger rail is between about 3 inches and about 3½ inches.  
     
     
         7 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the hanger rail has a pair of spaced apart connection member indentations.  
     
     
         8 . The hanger combination of  claim 7  wherein the pair of spaced apart connection member indentations are spaced apart by a distance between about 1½ inches and about 2 inches.  
     
     
         9 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the hanger rail is attached to the base plate by a pair of opposed base plate attachment members, each of the base plate attachment members being slidably attached to the base plate.  
     
     
         10 . The hanger combination of  claim 9  wherein the base plate comprises a pair of base plate indentations, each base plate indentation slidably retaining one of the base plate attachment members.  
     
     
         11 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the hanger combination is attached to the back of an item of merchandise.  
     
     
         12 . The hanger combination of  claim 11  wherein the item of merchandise comprises a picutre frame.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the merchandise item comprises artwork disposed within a picture frame.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the merchandise item comprises a mirror disposed within a frame.  
     
     
         15 . The hanger combination of  claim 7  wherein the base plate has an upper edge and a lower edge, and wherein the upper edge is sculpted to have a base plate horizontal depression sandwiched between a pair of base plate raised portions, each base plate raised portion being adapted to nest within one of the connection member indentations.  
     
     
         16 . The hanger combination of  claim 1  wherein the base plate defines a central elongate aperture.  
     
     
         17 . A method of shipping and displaying a plurality of merchandise items each having a merchandise perimeter, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) attaching to the back of each merchandise item to a hanger combination comprising: 
 (i) a base plate for fastening to the back of an item of merchandise; and  
 (ii) a hanger rail having at least one connection member indentation slidably attached to the base plate such that the hanger rail can be alternatively moved between a retracted hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is proximal to the base plate and an extended hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is spaced apart from the base plate by a distance of at least about ½ inch;  
   the hanger rail combinations being attached to each merchandise item, such that, in the retracted hanger rail position, the hanger rail is disposed within the perimeter of the merchandise item;    (b) moving the hanger rail on each hanger combination to the retracted hanger rail position;    (c) packing the plurality of merchandise items in a single container;    (d) shipping the container to a retail establishment;    (e) removing merchandise items from the container at the retail establishment;    (f) moving the hanger rail on at least one chosen merchandise item from the retracted hanger rail position to the extended hanger rail position; and    (g) hanging the at least one chosen merchandise item at the retail establishment by disposing the hanger rail over one or more generally horizontal rods projecting from a surface within the retail establishment.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the merchandise item comprises a picture frame.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the merchandise item comprises artwork disposed within a frame.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the merchandise item comprises a mirror disposed within a frame.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the hanger rail is generally linear and has a pair of spaced apart connection member indentations.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the hanger rail is attached to the base plate by a pair of opposed base plate attachment members, each of the base plate attachment members being slidably attached to the base plate.  
     
     
         22 . The hanger combination of  claim 17  wherein the hanger rail is generally linear and the base plate comprises a pair of base plate indentations, each base plate indentation slidably retaining one of the base plate attachment members.  
     
     
         23 . The hanger combination of  claim 21  wherein the base plate has an upper edge and a lower edge, and wherein the upper edge is sculpted to have a base plate horizontal depression sandwiched between a pair of base plate raised portions, each base plate raised portion being adapted to nest within one of the connection member indentations.  
     
     
         24 . The hanger combination of  claim 17  wherein the base plate defines a central elongate aperture.