Display racks and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Racks for use in point of purchase displays of goods and methods of using the same are disclosed. The racks may be suspended from a generally vertical surface or placed on a generally horizontal surface.

1 . A display rack comprising:
 a frame having at least one rear wall member, at least one front wall member and at least two upright members connected to the at least one rear wall member and the at least one front wall member;   the frame having opposed ends;   at least one side panel connected to each of the respective opposed ends of the frame; and   a front panel connected to the frame.   
   
   
       2 . The display rack as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the display rack further comprises a hanger assembly connected to the frame. 
   
   
       3 . The display rack as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the hanger assembly further comprises at least one hook member. 
   
   
       4 . The display rack as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the hanger assembly further comprises a base that is connected to the frame. 
   
   
       5 . The display rack as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the hanger assembly further comprises at least one hook member connected to the base. 
   
   
       6 . The display rack as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one hook member further comprises at least one hook-shaped portion at an upper end of the at least one hook member. 
   
   
       7 . The display rack as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one hook member further comprises at least one sheet portion adapted for insertion into a slatwall. 
   
   
       8 . The display rack as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the hanger assembly further comprises a mounting tab. 
   
   
       9 . The display rack as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the hanger assembly further comprises fasteners adapted for connection to a planar surface having apertures therein. 
   
   
       10 . The display rack as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a single display tier. 
   
   
       11 . The display rack as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of display tiers. 
   
   
       12 . The display rack as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises at least one front guard member extending upward from said front wall member. 
   
   
       13 . A method of forming a display rack comprising:
 forming a frame having two opposed ends by connecting a plurality of upright members to at least one rear wall member and at least one front wall member;   connecting at least one side panel to each of the respective opposed ends of the frame; and   connecting a front panel to the frame.   
   
   
       14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein connecting a plurality of upright members to at least one rear wall member and at least one front wall member further comprises connecting wire segments by welding. 
   
   
       15 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein connecting at least one side panel to each of the respective opposed ends of the frame further comprises forming at least two side panels from sheet metal and welding the respective side panels to the opposed ends of the frame. 
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein connecting a front panel to the frame further comprises forming a front panel from sheet metal and welding the respective side panels to the frame. 
   
   
       17 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising connecting a hanger assembly to the frame. 
   
   
       18 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein connecting a hanger assembly to the frame further comprises forming a hanger assembly from wire segments and/or sheet metal and welding the hanger assembly to the frame. 
   
   
       19 . A method of arranging a display rack for a point of purchase display comprising:
 positioning adjacent a structural member having a vertical surface and having apertures therein a first rack having a frame, a pair of side members, and a hanger assembly having a hook member;   inserting at least a portion of the hook member through at least one of the apertures and allowing the first rack to be suspended by the structural member.   
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the display rack further comprises a mounting tab connected to the first rack and at least one fastener and the method further comprises removably connecting the mounting tab to the structural member via the at least one fastener. 
   
   
       21 . A method as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 positioning adjacent the structural member at least a second rack having a frame, a pair of side members, and a hanger assembly having a hook member;   inserting at least a portion of the hook member of the second rack through at least one of the apertures and allowing the second rack to be suspended by the structural member.   
   
   
       22 . A method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the first rack and the second rack are each single-tiered. 
   
   
       23 . A method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first rack and the second rack is multi-tiered. 
   
   
       24 . A method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first rack and the second rack is single-tiered and the other of the first rack and the second rack is multi-tiered.