Display apparatus and method

Abstract

Apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising: two or more shelves arranged on an upright display frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject; wherein the two or more shelves are arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/469,625 filed May 8, 2003 for Display Apparatus and Method.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to display racks, bins, bays and the like and more particularly to upright display apparati for displaying objects for sale from a relatively high top end to a floor or bottom end wherein a series of objects are arranged in series from both top to bottom and from side to side and wherein an exterior and portion of the object that is not normally visible when mounted for normal use and an interior portion are both visible when mounted in the display apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Certain functional objects such as recessed lighting fixtures are normally intended to be mounted such that the exterior housing for the bulb of the fixture is embedded within a ceiling, wall, floor or other surface and is not visible. Retailers, particularly retail store operators who display such goods for viewing and inspection by prospective customers in a retail sale environment typically arrange the fixtures for display in a straight side to side fashion on a shelf or series of shelves arranged in vertical series one directly on top of the other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the invention there is provided an apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising: two or more shelves arranged on an upright display frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject; wherein the two or more shelves are arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame.

[0005] The shelves can be supported in the stepped arrangement on a bar, rod or strut, the bar rod or strut being disposed at an angle to the floor. Each shelf can be independently mounted on the bar, rod or strut such that each shelf is readily mountable to and dismountable from the bar, rod or strut. In such an embodiment, each shelf typically comprises a front portion and a rear portion independently mountable on the bar, rod or strut along a common generally horizontal front to back space. The upright display frame comprises a master frame having the bar, rod or strut attached to the master frame at an angular disposition relative to the floor.

[0006] In an embodiment where the shelves are independently mountable, one of the upright display frame and the shelves can have a connector and the other of the upright display mechanism and the shelves can have a receipt mechanism, the connector being readily receivable within and readily removable from the receipt mechanism.

[0007] In another embodiment, the two or more shelves can be fixedly attached to each other forming a unitary structure. The unitary structure can be readily mountable on and readily removable from the upright display frame. The unitary structure can also be fixedly attached to the upright display frame.

[0008] Preferably, each shelf comprises a subframe defining an interior shelf space, each subframe including a step frame for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that the exterior surface of the one or more objects is disposed substantially within the interior shelf space, the subframe including a window frame that defines a window for viewing the one or more objects mounted within the interior shelf space.

[0009] Preferably, one of the shelves is disposed at a vertically highest and horizontally most forward position relative to the other shelves, the other shelves being disposed in sequentially more rearward positions from top to bottom.

[0010] Each shelf preferably comprises a subframe that defines an interior shelf space for each shelf, the subframe supporting walls that enclose the interior shelf space. Each subframe defines an interior shelf space, each subframe including a step frame for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that the exterior surface of the one or more objects is disposed substantially within the interior shelf space, the subframe including a window frame that defines a window for viewing the one or more objects mounted within the interior shelf space.

[0011] At least one of the shelves includes a window frame that includes a receiving mount into which a window is readily insertable and readily removable. The window has upper and lower edges, the receiving mount having upper and lower flange mechanisms into which upper and lower edges of the window are readily receivable and removable. The window typically comprises a bendable polymeric material such that that window can be bent into receiving engagement with the receiving mount of the window frame.

[0012] Further in accordance with the invention there is provided, an apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising:

[0013] two or more shelves mounted on an upright display frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject;

[0014] wherein the two or more shelves are each separately readily mountable to and removable from the upright display frame in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame.

[0015] Further in accordance with the invention there is provided, an apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising:

[0016] two or more shelves mounted on an upright display frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject;

[0017] wherein the two or more shelves are fixedly attached to each other forming a unitary structure of shelves arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame.

[0018] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for displaying objects having an exterior surface and an interior surface on an upright display frame mounted on a generally horizontal floor surface, the method comprising:

[0019] mounting the objects on a series of platforms arranged in a series of stepped top to bottom and front to back shelves wherein the shelves are mounted or attached to the upright display frame and wherein the shelves have a window frame for viewing an interior space of the shelves along a generally horizontal orientation;

[0020] mounting the objects on the platforms such that the exterior surface of the objects are substantially disposed within the interior space of the shelves.

[0021] The invention also provides an apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects, the apparatus being mounted on a generally horizontal floor and comprising:

[0022] two or more shelves arranged on an upright display frame for mounting the one or more of the plurality of objects wherein the two or more shelves are arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame;

[0023] each shelf having a window frame for mounting a window of a selected length, the window frame having upper and lower window mounts each having interference extensions spaced apart a distance that is less than the length of the window. The upper and lower window mounts typically comprise flange mechanisms having slots defined by the interference extensions, the slots receiving upper and lower edges of the window, the interference extensions maintaining the upper and lower edges of the window within the slots by interference against movement of the window in a horizontal direction.

[0024] The upper and lower interference extensions each have a length, the length of the upper interference extension is preferably greater than the length of the lower interference extension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side isometric view of one embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a side isometric view of a subassembly of the FIG. 1 apparatus showing a top rail for mounting a lower hanging frame on which stepped shelves of the apparatus are removably mounted;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a side isometric exploded view of the frame and shelf components of the FIG. 1 apparatus;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a side isometric exploded view of a portion of the FIG. 1 apparatus showing mounting brackets for removably mounting front and back components of the shelf components of the apparatus;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the frame of the FIG. 1 apparatus showing the arrangement of the shelf mounting brackets relative to front and back components of a shelf when they are mounted on the brackets;

[0031] FIG. 5a is a side schematic cross-sectional view of a shelf having flange mounts for a window showing the relative lengths of the window and the interference components of the flange mounts;

[0032] FIG. 6 is longitudinal sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0033] FIG. 7 is a side isometric view of another embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention where a series of individual stepped shelves are formed as an integral structure for attachment to the upright supports of a display bay structure;

[0034] FIG. 8 is a side isometric exploded view of the FIG. 7 apparatus;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of the FIG. 7 apparatus;

[0036] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a rear portion of the FIG. 7 apparatus having an extension rail for mounting the shelf substructure in selectively variable front back spaced arrangement on the rail supports of a bay structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a display apparatus 10 according to the invention where the individual shelves 27, 37, 47, FIGS. 2, 3 are independently mountable on and removable from the apparatus 10. In an alternative embodiment described below with reference to FIGS. 7-10, the plurality of shelves are constructed as a unitary structure.

[0038] In the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment, planar shelve platforms 20, 30, 40 have a series of horizontally spaced apertures 21, 31, 41, FIG. 3, that respectively receive and mount recessed lighting fixtures 28 in horizontally spaced series. The shelves 20, 30, 40 are mounted on frames 23, 33, 43 respectively which are in turn mounted on or attached to a mounting bar 48 that is fixedly and mounted at a slanted angle R, FIG. 2, which is less than 90 degrees relative to a generally horizontal ground surface 12. Slanted or tilted mounting bar 48 is typically a component of a larger frame substructure 11 that is mounted within a larger retail store bay structure or master frame 5 via overhead mounting struts 50.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the shelves 20, 30, 40 are mounted and arranged such that the underside planar faces 24, 34, 44 of the shelves 20, 30, 40 are horizontally offset from each other in series and vertically spaced apart from each other in substantially vertically parallel serial arrangement such that the overall arrangement effect for viewing purposes is that the shelves are arranged in a “stepped” series from top to bottom and front to back thus allowing a consumer viewing the display apparatus 10 to readily view/see both the exterior housings 22 of the lighting fixtures 28, 38, 48 as well as the underside surfaces and/or interior recesses 290 of the fixtures or objects 28. As shown in the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment, the shelves are arranged such that the top shelf 27, FIG. 2, is disposed most forward relative to the other serially lower disposed shelves 37, 47, the lower shelves 37, 47 being serially or sequentially offset rearwardly as shown. In an alternative embodiment, the lowermost shelf 47 can be disposed or mounted forwardmost relative to the upper shelves with the upper shelves, 37, 27 being serially offset in a rearward direction in a similarly stepped manner.

[0040] The frame substructure 11, of the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment, is rigidly attached to the upright struts of the bay frame 5 by conventional means such as bolts, welding, brackets or the like (not shown) such that the entire assembly of stepped shelves is securely mounted as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the frame substructure can be mounted on the bay frame 5 by means of an overhead strut 50 that is bolted to frame struts 52, FIG. 2. Overhead strut 50 is mounted on top of cross beams 54 of bay frame 5 and attached to the beams 54 by conventional means such as bolts, welding or the like (not shown) such that the shelf assembly is securely mounted. Other means of securely attaching the shelf assembly to bay frame 5 may be employed, e.g. by attaching slanted strut 48 to the vertical beams of bay frame 5. In the embodiment shown, the use of overhead strut 50 to mount the subassembly of shelves on bay frame 5 better enables the apparatus to be constructed as a modular, readily portable and shippable subassembly (e.g. the subassembly of parts 11, 27, 37, 47) that is readily mountable by conventional bolt or other means on a bay structure 5 and readily removable therefrom.

[0041] In the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment each shelf comprises a front section and a rear section which when both mounted form an enclosed shelf 27, 37, 47 each having an enclosed interior space, e.g. 27m, 27mm enclosed by upper, lower and side walls (e.g. 27I, 27II, FIG. 4) and the bottom disposed mounting platforms 20, 30, 40. For example shelf 27 comprises front or forward section 27a and rear or back section 27b, FIGS. 3, 4, 5. The front and rear sections are each separately mounted to slanted strut 48 via pins 29a, 29b projecting from brackets 29c that are fixedly attached to strut 48. The pins 29a, 29b, FIGS. 4, 6, are slidably insertable through apertures 31a, 31b provided within flanges on the edges of the frames of sections 27a, and b respectively. The pins 29a, b each have cylindindrical neck sections 29aa, 29bb that slide through slots 31aa, 31bb such that the pin heads 29a, 29b hold the front and rear shelf sections 27a, b via the slots 31aa, bb in place on the brackets 29c. The flanges 27c are readily mountable on and dismountable or removable from the pins 29a, b and thus to and from the slanted strut 48 of frame 11. As best shown in FIG. 3, the front and rear sections of each shelf, e.g. 27a, b, occupy a common front to back horizontally extending space 27j when mounted such that when a subject is standing on the floor 12, the subject can view objects mounted within the interior of the shelves along a generally horizontal, front to back level or orientation. The same is true with respect to the unitary shelf structure embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 7-10.

[0042] Each shelf comprises a subframe structure, e.g. 27k, 27kk, FIG. 3 or 127k, FIG. 7 that supports side walls, e.g. 27I, 27II that surround and define an interior shelf space, e.g. 27m, 27mm in which the objects 28 are enclosed or housed when the apparatus is fully assembled. The subframe, e.g. 27k, FIGS. 3, 4, or 127k, FIG. 7 defines and includes a generally horizontally disposed step-like portion, e.g. 27p, FIGS. 3, 4 or 147p, FIG. 7, comprised of rails or struts that mount the platforms, e.g. 20, FIG. 4, that support the objects, e.g. 28 within the interior space, e.g. 27m, of the shelves, e.g. 27, FIGS. 1-6. As shown, e.g. in FIGS. 4, 5 the shelf platforms 20, 30, 40 are slidable into/onto flange portions of step frame struts 27p so as to be supported and arranged in a generally horizontal plane whereby the platforms are positioned to support an object within the interior space 27m of the shelf 27. The subframe structure of each shelf, e.g. 27, also includes a window frame, e.g. 27r, FIGS. 3, 4 or 127r, 147r FIGS. 7, 8 that defines a forward facing window area and includes struts 27r, 127r, 147r that support a window 70 that is mounted within upper 80a and lower 80b flanges that are attached to the upper and lower edges of each window frame as best shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 5a, 7. The window 70 is typically comprised of a bendable polymeric material such that the window 70 can be bent to a position 70a as shown in FIG. 5 whereby an upper or lower edge of the window can be first inserted within the space of a mounting flange, e.g. 80a, and the other edge then pushed inwardly 70c into position toward the window frame so that the other edge may be inserted into the space of another mounting flange, e.g. 80b, FIG. 5. The window frame, e.g. 27r, 127r, may be windowless or otherwise left blank, the window frame defining a forward or front most disposed aperture for viewing of the interior enclosed space of a shelf by a subject standing on the floor 12.

[0043] In embodiments that include a window, the mounting flanges 80a, 80b are of unequal depth, the upper flange 80a being deeper than flange 80b so that when the window 70 is fully seated within both flanges as shown in FIG. 5, the upper edge of the window 70 will not float or drift leftwardly (as shown in FIG. 5, 5a) and will be held within the upper flange 80a space, the lower edge of the window 70 being seated on the lower surface of flange 80b such that the window 70 is held and supported in a vertical position. As shown, FIGS. 5-7, the window 70 has a length Z that is greater than the distance X between the upper 80c and lower 80d lips or edges of the flanges such that when the window 70 is inserted within the flanges the window cannot drift leftwardly/forwardly out of its position within the mounting spaces 80e, 80f of the flanges due to the interference that flanges 80a, 80b present against the window 70 having a length Z that is longer than the interference flange distance X. As shown, FIG. 5a, The window 70 is insertable into the flange spaces 80e, 80f, by first inserting the upper edge of the window upwardly into space 80e to the uppermost edge 80g which enables the bottom edge of the window 70 to be moved rightwardly past bottom lip 80d because the distance Y is geater than the length Z of the window 70. Once so positioned, the bottom edge of the window 70 is then allowed to drop by gravity to the bottom support surface of lower flange 80b and the window is then held in ambient position from drifting or moving leftwardly out of the flange spaces 80e, 80f because the interference distance between the bottom support surface of flange 80b and upper flange lip 80c is less than the length Z of window 70. In summary Z<Y, Z>X and Z>T.

[0044] Each shelf structure is most preferably provided with access within its interior space to a distribution source of electrical power. As shown for example in FIGS. 2-5, an electrical power distribution mechanism 110 having plugs 110a is mounted in the rear half section, e.g. 27b, of each shelf so that an object can be readily electrically connected after mounting within the interior space of the shelf to a source of electrical power as shown for example in phantom in FIG. 5 by electrically conductive wire 110b or other conventional mechanisms that can electrically interconnect a power source and an object 22 that contains an electrically powered mechanism requiring power, e.g. a light bulb. The power strip 110 is preferably mounted in an inconspicuous location in a rearwardly disposed location of the interior space of a shelf. As shown in the FIGS. 7-10 embodiment, power distribution strips 111 are mounted on the interior surface of a rear wall 121 of the unitary multiple shelf structure 300, the single set of power distribution mechanisms being accessible for interconnection to objects mounted on the platforms 20, 30, 40 in all of the plurality of shelves 127, 137, 147 of the unitary shelf apparatus 300. As shown, the power distribution outlet or strip 110, 111 is typically interconnected by conventional wire or other means 112 to an external source of electrical power 302, FIGS. 5, 8, 9 that is physically located external to the interior space of the shelves 27-37, 127-147. Alternatively, the power distribution outlets 110, 111 may be battery powered where the battery is located or contained within the power outlet 110, 111 itself or otherwise within the interior space of the shelves.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 7-10, there is shown a multiple shelf assembly 300 that is unitary in structure where the subframes 127k, r, 137k,r, 147k,r of each of the plurality of shelves 127, 137, 147 are rigidly connected or attached to each other forming a single unitary structure that is mounted on or attached to the upright bay struts 5. As shown, the unitary structure 300 includes top 304, side 306 and back 308 walls attached or otherwise rigidly interconnected to the top and side edges of subframes 127k,r, 137k,r and 147k,r and rear wall plate 121, FIG. 8, that is attached to a rearward mounting flange extension 124 of the side and top walls. The walls 121, 304, 306, 308 enclose the unitary structure 300 such that each shelf has an interior space 127m-147m. Rear plate wall 121 typically includes ventilation apertures 123. Each shelf has its own subframe comprising a step 127k-147k and a window 127r-147r, FIGS. 7, 8 and each shelf has its own mounting platforms 20, 30, 40.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8, the unitary frame structure 300 is mounted on the upright bay frame 5a, 5b by attachment of the upper front edge of shelf 127 to a horizontal strut 250 by conventional means such as bolts 252, the strut 250 which is in turn attached by conventional means to the front upright strut 5a of the bay frame structure. The rear of the unitary frame 300 is mounted on a rear horizontal strut 254 via brackets 256 that are attached to the rear plate 308 by conventional means such as bolts 258.

[0047] The unitary frame structure 300 may alternatively be mounted to the upright bay frame struts 5a, 5b such that the structure 300 is selectively positionable both vertically and horizontally along the length of and between bay frame struts 5a, 5b. With reference to FIGS. 9, 10 the front upper edge of shelf 127 is attached to bracket 270 which is in turn attached to front bay strut 5a. Similarly rear wall 308 is attached to rear bracket 315 which is in turn attached to rear bay strut 5b. The front 270 and rear 315 brackets can be attached at any desired vertical position along the lengths of front 5a and rear 5b bay struts. In the FIG. 9 embodiment, the width or depth w1 of the unitary shelf structure 300 is about the same as the depth of the distance between bay struts 5a, 5b. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10, where the depth of the unitary shelf structure 300 and the depth between the bay frame struts w2 are different, the mounting brackets can be provided with a mounting bar, rod or strut 317 that is attached to and between the rear mounting bracket 315 and the rear wall 308 of the unitary shelf structure 300. The mounting bar, rod or strut 317 can be selected to be of any desired length so as to mount the unitary shelf structure 300 on the bay frame 5a, 5b such that the window frame of the forwardmost shelf, e.g. shelf 127, is disposed in approximately the same or a closely adjacent plane as/to the plane formed by the front bay struts 5a. As shown, the spacer mounting strut 317 is attached at either distal end by conventional means, e.g. welding, to intermediary mounting plates 322, 324 that are in turn attached by conventional means, such as bolt means 322a, 324a, to rear plate 308 and rear bracket 315.

[0048] In each embodiment of the invention, the shelves are disposed in a stepped arrangement on the bay frame structure where one shelf is both forwardmost and either lowermost or highermost relative to the other shelves, the mounting platforms of each adjacent shelf being serially set off from each other in the horizontal direction and serially set off from each other in the vertical direction.

Claims

1. Apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising:

two or more shelves arranged on an upright display frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject;

wherein the two or more shelves are arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shelves are supported in the stepped arrangement on a bar, rod or strut, the bar rod or strut being disposed at an angle to the floor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each shelf is independently mounted on the bar, rod or strut such that each shelf is readily mountable to and dismountable from the bar, rod or strut.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each shelf comprises a front portion and a rear portion independently mountable on the bar, rod or strut along a common generally horizontal front to back space.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each shelf comprises a subframe defining an interior shelf space, each subframe including a step frame for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that the exterior surface of the one or more objects is disposed substantially within the interior shelf space, the subframe including a window frame that defines a window for viewing the one or more objects mounted within the interior shelf space.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the upright display frame comprises a master frame having the bar, rod or strut attached to the master frame at an angular disposition relative to the floor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the upright display frame and the shelves has a connector and the other of the upright display mechanism and the shelves have a receipt mechanism, the connector being readily receivable within and readily removable from the receipt mechanism.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the shelves is disposed at a vertically highest and horizontally most forward position relative to the other shelves, the other shelves being disposed in sequentially more rearward positions from top to bottom.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each shelf comprises a subframe that defines an interior shelf space for each shelf, the subframe supporting walls that enclose the interior shelf space.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two or more shelves are fixedly attached to each other forming a unitary structure.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 where the unitary structure is readily mountable on and readily removable from the upright display frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the unitary structure is fixedly attached to the upright display frame.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each shelf comprises a subframe defining an interior shelf space, each subframe including a step frame for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that the exterior surface of the one or more objects is disposed substantially within the interior shelf space, the subframe including a window frame that defines a window for viewing the one or more objects mounted within the interior shelf space.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the shelves includes a window frame comprising a receiving mount into which a window is readily insertable and readily removable.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the window has upper and lower edges, the receiving mount comprising upper and lower flange mechanisms into which upper and lower edges of the window are readily receivable and removable.

16. Apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising:

two or more shelves mounted on an upright display frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject;

wherein the two or more shelves are each separately readily mountable to and removable from the upright display frame in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame.

17. Apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising:

two or more shelves mounted on an upright display frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject;

wherein the two or more shelves are fixedly attached to each other forming a unitary structure of shelves arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame.

18. Method for displaying objects having an exterior surface and an interior surface on an upright display frame mounted on a generally horizontal floor surface, the method comprising:

mounting the objects on a series of platforms arranged in a series of stepped top to bottom and front to back shelves wherein the shelves are mounted or attached to the upright display frame and wherein the shelves have a window frame for viewing an interior space of the shelves along a generally horizontal orientation;

mounting the objects on the platforms such that the exterior surface of the objects is substantially disposed within the interior space of the shelves.

19. Apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects having an exterior surface that is hidden from view when mounted for operational use and an interior surface that is exposed for view when mounted for operational use, the apparatus for displaying being mounted on a generally horizontal floor, the apparatus comprising:

an upright bay frame;

two or more shelves arranged and supported on the upright bay frame, wherein the shelves include a mounting platform for mounting one or more of the plurality of objects such that both the exterior and interior surfaces of the objects are readily visible to the eye of a subject;

wherein the two or more shelves are arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright bay frame.

20. Apparatus for displaying a plurality of objects, the apparatus being mounted on a generally horizontal floor and comprising:

two or more shelves arranged on an upright display frame for mounting the one or more of the plurality of objects wherein the two or more shelves are arranged in adjacent series in a stepped front to back and top to bottom arrangement on the upright display frame;

each shelf having a window frame for mounting a window of a selected length, the window frame having upper and lower window mounts each having interference extensions spaced apart an interference distance that is less than the length of the window.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the upper and lower window mounts comprise flange mechanisms having slots defined by the interference extensions, the slots receiving upper and lower edges of the window, the interference extensions maintaining the upper and lower edges of the window within the slots by interference against movement of the window in a horizontal direction.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the upper and lower interference extensions each have a length, the length of the upper interference extension being greater than the length of the lower interference extension.