Rug storage and display unit

Abstract

The infrastructure of a shipping container for rolled rugs is described. It has an outer support frame with a series of metal rods extending from side to side across it, forming struts to divide and support the rugs.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATED-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a support structure for rolled rugs that can function as part of the shipping container as well as a display rack.

Rugs are frequently rolled for shipping and display, because in that relatively compact form they can be most conveniently handled and stored. Rolled rugs are often six feet or taller; so a container for shipping them must accommodate the heights. The rolled rugs are typically shipped in a “dump” box about two feet deep, having a wooden grid across its top. A rolled rug is contained in each segment of the grid. So the rugs are not easily accessible for examination, and must be lifted at least two feet to remove them from the container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support frame, which forms the infrastructure of a shipping container for rolled rugs. When the container arrives at its destination (e.g. a retail outlet), it can then function as a display rack.

(2) Description of Related Art

Applicant is aware of no prior patent directly relevant to the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE TION

In accordance with the present invention, the infrastructure of a shipping container has an outer support frame, with a series of metal rods extending from side to side across the support frame thereby forming struts to divide and support rolled rugs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the support frame

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the support frame, containing several rolled rugs

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the support frame is mounted on a standard wooden pallet 10. It comprises an outer frame 11 formed of one inch square metal tubing. The outer frame 11 includes a right rear upright 12 a left rear upright 13. They extend from the rear comers of the pallet 10, upwardly for four feet. Their upper ends are connected by upper rear brace 14, which is parallel to pallet 10. Six inches above the pallet 10, a lower rear brace 15 connects the uprights 12 and 13. Lower rear brace 15 is parallel to upper rear brace 14. A right front upright 16 and left front upright 17 extend upwardly from the front comers of pallet 10 for twelve inches. A front brace 18 connects the uprights 16 and 17, at a level six inches above and parallel to pallet 10. Right side support 19 and left side support 20 connect the upper ends of rear uprights 12 and 13 to the upper ends of front uprights 16 and 17. The side supports 19 and 20 are at an approximate angle of 45° to pallet 10.

Within the outer frame 11, are a series of divider struts formed of ¼ inch steel rods. Five parallel longitudinal divider struts 21 extend between lower back brace 15 and front brace 18. They are parallel to the pallet 10. Five corresponding diagonal divider struts 22, extend between upper back brace 14 and front brace 18. A right outer support strut 24 and a left outer support strut 25 extend from rear uprights 12 and 13 to front uprights 16 and 17, and are parallel to pallet 10. A rear divider strut 23 extends between outer support struts 24 and 25, at a point twelve inches from and parallel to lower rear brace 15 and transversing longitudinal divider struts 21. The space between the divider struts 21, within support struts 24 and 25, form seven parallel channels which correspond to the seven parallel channels formed between divider struts 22, within side supports 19 and 20.

When the support frame is functioning as a display unit, rolled rugs 26 stand upright in the parallel channels. Because of back divider strut 23, the bottoms of the rolled rugs 26 cannot go all the way back to lower rear brace 15. But the upper portion of the rolled rugs 26 can lean all the way back to rest against upper rear brace 14. Thus the rolled rugs 26 remain in a slight diagonal, leaning back position. This is important, because if they were leaning forward, they would tend to fall out of the support frame, which is open on its front end and except for front brace 18, which is only six inches above the pallet 10. The relative openness of the support frame, permits easy access so the rugs can be seen and closely inspected, while being contained in compact space. When it is desired to remove a rug from the display unit, the rug need only be leaned forward and lifted six inches over the front brace 18.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the device and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A storage and display unit for rolled rugs or other cylindrical merchandise comprising:

an outer support frame having two rear uprights and two front uprights, the rear uprights being taller than the front uprights;

an upper rear brace and a lower rear brace, extending between the two rear uprights

a front brace extending between the two front uprights;

diagonal side support members extending between the rear uprights and the front uprights

a plurality of longitudinal divider struts extending between the lower rear brace and the front brace; and

a plurality of diagonal divider struts open and extending between the upper rear brace and the front brace.

2. The storage and display unit of claim 1, which includes a back divider strut traversing, said longitudinal divider struts at a point nearer to the lower rear brace than to the front brace.

3. The storage and display unit of claim 1, which includes outer support struts extending between the rear uprights and the front uprights, adjacent to and parallel with said longitudinal divider struts.

4. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein the outer support frame is formed of metal tubing.

5. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein the divider struts are metal rods.

6. The storage and display unit of claim 1, mounted on a shipping pallet.