Lug wrench merchandizing display rack

Abstract

A merchandising rack for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches is described, comprising, a plurality of ribs connected to each other; a plurality of upward support elements, for restraining a four-way lug wrench from moving downwardly and laterally; and a plurality of downward support elements, for restraining a first arm of the wrench from moving upwardly, laterally, and from moving away from the rack; and a plurality of stubs positioned to restrain the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench.

1 . A merchandising rack for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches, comprising:
 a plurality of ribs connected to each other by at least one connecting rod, each rib lying in a single plane;   a plurality of upward support elements, each upward support element positioned between two ribs, wherein each upward support element is configured:
 to restrain a four-way lug wrench from moving downwardly; and 
 to restrain the wrench from moving laterally; 
   a plurality of downward support elements, each downward support element positioned between two ribs, wherein each downward support element is configured:
 to restrain a first arm of the wrench from moving upwardly, and thereby being capable of preventing the wrench from pivoting without restraint about a corresponding upward support element; 
 to restrain the wrench from moving laterally; and 
 to restrain the wrench from moving away from the rack; and 
   a plurality of stubs, each stub being connected to the rack, and being positioned to restrain the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench.   
   
   
       2 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of stubs is connected to a rib. 
   
   
       3 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1 , wherein the ribs are formed from a metal wire, and are shaped to include a generally triangular shape. 
   
   
       4 . The merchandising rack of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of stubs is an extension of the metal wire forming a rib. 
   
   
       5 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of stubs extends horizontally. 
   
   
       6 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of upward support members comprise a single plate with a plurality of U-shaped slots cut into the plate, the plate being connected to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other. 
   
   
       7 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of downward support members comprise a single plate with a plurality of inverted U-shaped slots cut into the plate, the plate being connected to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other. 
   
   
       8 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1  further including a foot plate, configured to restrain a four-way lug wrench from moving toward the rack. 
   
   
       9 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1 , wherein each downward support element is positioned lower than the upward support element. 
   
   
       10 . The merchandising rack of  claim 1 , wherein the ribs are spaced between 2 inches and 3 inches apart. 
   
   
       11 . A method of displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches at a point of sale, each wrench lying in a single plane, the method comprising:
 in the case of each one of the plurality of wrenches:
 supporting the wrench with an upward force applied at a first point on a first arm of the wrench; 
 restraining the wrench from moving laterally by providing a first set of two lateral restraints at the first point; 
 holding the wrench in equilibrium with a downward force applied at a second point on the first arm of the wrench; 
 further restraining the wrench from moving laterally by providing a second set of two lateral restraints at the second point; 
 restraining the wrench from moving in a direction from the second point to ward the first point by positioning a bulbous end of the first arm adjacent the second set of two lateral restraints; 
 restraining the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench; 
 restraining the wrench from moving in a direction from the second point toward the first point by positioning a rod adjacent a second arm of the wrench that is perpendicular to the first arm; and 
 permitting a user to remove the wrench by rotating the wrench away from the first point, and away from the second point. 
   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein restraining the wrench from rotating about the first arm includes positioning a stub adjacent a second arm of the wrench that is perpendicular to the first arm. 
   
   
       13 . A merchandising rack for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches, comprising:
 at least two ribs connected to each other by at least one connecting rod;   at least one upward support element positioned between and connected to the ribs, wherein the upward support element includes an upwardly facing surface for preventing a first arm of the wrench from moving downwards, a leftward facing element positioned on the right of the upward facing surface, and a rightward facing surface positioned on the left of the upward facing surface, wherein the distance between the leftward and rightward facing surfaces is large enough to allow the first arm to fit between them;   at least one downward support element positioned between and connected to the ribs, wherein the downward support element includes a downward facing surface for restraining the first arm from moving upwards, a leftward facing element positioned on the right of the downward facing surface, and a rightward facing surface positioned on the left of the downward facing surface, wherein the distance between the leftward and rightward facing surfaces is large enough to allow a first arm of the wrench to fit between them, but small enough to prevent a bulbous end on the first arm from passing between them;   a stub connected to the rack and being positioned to restrain from movement a second arm of the wrench that is perpendicular to the first arm, and thereby to prevent the wrench from rotating without restraint about an axis extending along the first arm.   
   
   
       14 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 13 , wherein the stub is connected to a rib. 
   
   
       15 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 13 , wherein the ribs are formed from a metal wire, and are shaped to include a generally triangular shape. 
   
   
       16 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 15 , wherein the stub is an extension of the metal wire forming a rib. 
   
   
       17 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 13 , wherein the stub extends horizontally. 
   
   
       18 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 13 , wherein the upward support member comprises a plate with a U-shaped slot cut into the plate. 
   
   
       19 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 13 , wherein the downward support member comprise a plate with an inverted U-shaped slot cut into the plate. 
   
   
       20 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 13 , further including a foot plate, configured to restrain a four-way lug wrench from moving into the rack. 
   
   
       21 . The merchandizing rack of  claim 13 , wherein each downward support element is positioned lower than the upward support elements.