Merchandising system

Abstract

A merchandising system is disclosed. The merchandising system provides for the presentation and storage of articles comprising a frame comprising a plurality of generally horizontal members configured for attachment of a holder and at least one frame member provided to rigidify the plurality of horizontal members so that the frame is resistant to deformation when the holder is attached to one or more of the plurality of horizontal members.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles comprising: 
 a grid comprising a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members arranged in a generally planar configuration and oriented so that one or more tray systems may be attached to the grid at select locations; and    members coupled to the grid and providing support to the grid to maintain the generally planar configuration of the grid when the one or more tray systems are attached to the grid.    
     
     
         2 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the members comprise at least one of the following structures: (a) a square tube, (b) an L-channel, (c) a C-channel, and (d) a U-channel.  
     
     
         3 . The merchandising system of  claim 2  wherein the members comprise about a one inch square tube of about 11 gauge steel.  
     
     
         4 . The merchandising system of  claim 3  wherein the members are coupled to the vertical members so that the grid resists deformation in one or more directions.  
     
     
         5 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of vertical members and the plurality of horizontal members are generally perpendicular to one another when the one or more tray systems are attached to the grids.  
     
     
         6 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the members provide support to the grid so that articles may be presented and stored along generally linear lines.  
     
     
         7 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the grid is configured to support tray systems of different sizes interchangeably.  
     
     
         8 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  further comprising a base for supporting the grid.  
     
     
         9 . The merchandising system of  claim 8  wherein the base comprises one or more vertical members.  
     
     
         10 . The merchandising system of  claim 9  further comprising brackets for coupling the grid to the one or more vertical members.  
     
     
         11 . The merchandising system of  claim 10  wherein the vertical members comprise apertures for engaging with the brackets.  
     
     
         12 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  further comprising a tray system for presenting and storing articles, wherein the tray system is coupled to the grid.  
     
     
         13 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the vertical members have a diameter of about 0.30 to 0.425 inches.  
     
     
         14 . The merchandising system of  claim 13  wherein the vertical members have a diameter of about 0.375 inches.  
     
     
         15 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal members have a diameter of about 0.285 to 0.35 inches.  
     
     
         16 . The merchandising system of  claim 15  wherein the horizontal members have a diameter of about 0.306 to about 0.312 inches.  
     
     
         17 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of grids.  
     
     
         18 . A merchandising system for supporting tray systems comprising: 
 a support assembly having vertical members and horizontal members and configured so that the tray systems may be attached at select locations; and    at least one member fixedly attached to the support assembly and configured to resist deformation of the support assembly.    
     
     
         19 . The merchandising system of  claim 18  wherein the at least one member is attached to the vertical members.  
     
     
         20 . The merchandising system of  claim 19  wherein the support assembly is configured to support the tray systems in a generally linear orientation.  
     
     
         21 . The merchandising system of  claim 20  wherein the support assembly is configured to support tray systems of different sizes interchangeably.  
     
     
         22 . The merchandising system of  claim 21  wherein the at least one member comprises one of the following structures: (a) a square tube, (b) an L-channel, (c) a C-channel, and (d) a U-channel.  
     
     
         23 . The merchandising system of  claim 22  further comprising a base for supporting the support assembly, the base comprising one or more vertical elements.  
     
     
         24 . The merchandising system of  claim 23  further comprising a plurality of tray systems coupled to the support assembly.  
     
     
         25 . A merchandising system for storing and presenting products on a shelf or display case comprising: 
 means for supporting a plurality of tray systems at select locations; and    means for providing strength and rigidity to the merchandising system and configured to resist deformation of the means for supporting the plurality of tray systems.    
     
     
         26 . A merchandising system for supporting products comprising: 
 a plurality of vertically oriented members;    a plurality of horizontally oriented members coupled to the vertically oriented members in a grid formation; and    frame members coupled to the vertically oriented members such that the grid formation resists deformation.    
     
     
         27 . The merchandising system of  claim 26  wherein the frame members comprise at least one of the following structures: (a) a square tube, (b) an L-channel, (c) a C-channel, and (d) a U-channel.  
     
     
         28 . A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles comprising: 
 a frame comprising a plurality of generally horizontal members configured for attachment of a holder; and    at least one frame member provided to rigidify the plurality of horizontal members so that the frame is resistant to deformation when the holder is attached to one or more of the plurality of horizontal members.    
     
     
         29 . The merchandising system of  claim 28  wherein the holder is removable.  
     
     
         30 . The merchandising system of  claim 29  wherein the holder is a tray system.  
     
     
         31 . The merchandising system of  claim 28  wherein the frame is configured for attachment of a holder by way of hooks.  
     
     
         32 . The merchandising system of  claim 28  wherein the frame further comprises a plurality of generally vertical members arranged in a grid with the plurality of horizontal members.  
     
     
         33 . The merchandising system of  claim 28  wherein the plurality of horizontal members are arranged in a grid.  
     
     
         34 . The merchandising system of  claim 33  wherein the plurality of horizontal members are arranged in a generally planar configuration.