Abstract: A theft-deterring merchandise dispensing apparatus has a chassis configured to provide limited access to an interior space housing merchandise in a secure manner. A knob is secured to a front panel of the chassis. The knob is secured to one end of an elongate wire coil, the knob and coil rotational about a common axis. An elongate cantilevered rod is mounted on a rear panel of the chassis and extensive therefrom within the coil, the rod terminating at a free end in proximity to the front panel. Units of merchandise are slidingly secured on the rod and positioned between windings of the coil so that rotation of the coil by the knob moves the packages along the rod to exit proximate the front panel. A noise-maker creates a noise when the knob is rotated to alert store personnel that products are being dispensed.

Abstract: Shipping and storage containers, racks, and pallets including interlocking mechanisms are provided. An embodiment of the pallet includes openings, interface fittings aligned with the openings, respectively, and sized to fit into openings of identical sizes and configurations as the first and second openings, respectively, locking components operatively connected to one another, and an actuator for moving concomitantly the locking components into and out of the openings, respectively.

Abstract: A cover device is used to cover bolts and welded plate edges on a lumber stacking rack to prevent damage to the lumber when it is placed in the stacking rack.

Abstract: A board holder comprising a wall mounting bracket 1 supporting a curved steel bar 2. The bar 2 is able to pivot or swing up and down with respect to the bracket and will tend to swing downwards under gravity unless such swing is arrested. The bar 2 is curved so that it doubles back on itself in front of the bracket 1. This creates a space 3 between opposite portions of the bar with an entrance 4 opening into the space for receiving a snow board or surfboard, etc. The board, etc, is held between a first contact part 6 and a second contact part 7 of the bar. Gravity, coupled with the weight of the bar 2 and the board 5 serve to hold the board in position with a lower part 11 of the board 5 butting against the wall 12. The board 5 thus angles outwardly from the wall up towards the board holder.

Abstract: A drying rack comprises at least one substantially flat frame as well as slender bearing elements extending between mutually opposite sides of the frame. The mutually opposite sides of the frame each comprise a profiled section which determines a chamber which ends in a slot-shaped aperture. The bars are introduced into the slot-shaped aperture of each profiled section in such a manner that securing elements are provided in the chamber of each profiled section by means of which in each case one end of the bearing elements is fixed.

Abstract: Provided is a decorative item adapted to be suspended from a dwelling closure, including a hanger bracket that has an upper hook portion for placement over a top of the dwelling closure, a lower support portion, and an elongate suspension arm extending therebetween. A decoration is supported by the lower support portion and a self-contained power supply is mounted to the upper hook portion for providing power to the decoration.

Abstract: A method of merchandising a modular home storage container system includes providing a plurality of individual groups of containers adapted for use on standardized shelving. Each container has side walls extending upwardly from a bottom wall to an open top and a removable lid. The containers, in each group, have a uniform length which correlates with one of the shelving depths, a uniform width to provide a uniform footprint size to accommodate the use of a single size lid and a plurality of different heights to allow a consumer to optimize the use of the available shelf height space. The heights of the containers are graduated so that the overall height of two stacked shorter containers will approximate the height of a taller container. Preferably a chart correlating the lengths of the individual groups of containers with standard shelving depths is available at the display site.

Abstract: The display rack comprises a screen, connected to a control circuit, supports for products, furnished with RFID tags, and at least one radiofrequency antenna connected to the control circuit. When a product is removed from the display rack, a multimedia message corresponding to this product is broadcast. When a manager introduces an administration tag, of RFID type, into a zone covered by the antenna, its presence is detected and an administration interface displayed. This interface indicates a type of new product to be placed on the display rack. The identification code of the tag of a new product introduced onto the display rack is automatically detected and associated with the type of product considered. The control circuit can, moreover, cause the broadcasting of a comparative between two products when the latter are removed from the display rack in less than 20 s. A presence detector can allow the broadcasting of appropriate messages upon the approach of a customer.

Abstract: A tool rack includes a board, a tool receiving member, and a flap extending from the board. The board includes an opening and a first engaging member. The tool receiving member includes a tool receiving section defining a compartment for receiving a tool. The tool receiving member further includes a second engaging member. The tool receiving member is releasably mounted to the board and the tool receiving section extends through the opening of the board. The flap is movable relative to the board between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When the flap is in the engaged position, the tool receiving member is securely sandwiched between the board and the flap, a third engaging member on the flap is engaged with the first engaging member and the second engaging member, and the compartment is sealed by the flap.

Abstract: A compound adjustable garment supporting apparatus (100) is disclosed having first garment supporting assembly (102, 103, 104, 105) and second garment supporting assembly (121, 122, 123), each positioned at a different level above the floor. The first and second garment supporting assemblies are integrally connected together by a rod 112 for receiving external garment hangers.

Abstract: A point-of-sale dispensing rack for retail consumer goods includes a high definition liquid crystal display header system for showing a variety of preprogramable picture and/or written messages over an extended period of time. The system includes a high definition liquid crystal display header and a portable memory storage device housing for receiving a portable memory storage device with preprogramable messages thereon. A computer connected between the portable memory storage device housing and the header sends the messages to the header for display. The system allows for periodic automatic rotation of several messages e.g. throughout the day and month versus paper graphics that must be changed by hand. The system also enables programming of messages at different times or dates which enhances the ability of a brand of a particular consumer product to reach its unique audience.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shelf unit including a shelf having a box-like shape with an open front face and a plurality of modules having guide rails, the guide rail being engageable with a guide rail of a neighboring module. The module is inserted into the shelf through the open front face such that the guide rail slide along the guide rail of the neighboring module. The module is connected to the neighboring module with the guide rail being engaged with the guide rail of the neighboring guide rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of loading packaged merchandise onto a display peg. More particularly, the method includes the step of attaching a group of packages to a looped carrier such that the packages are gathered together with hanging holes provided in individual packages in substantial alignment with each other. The gathered packages are applied to a display peg together with the looped carrier by causing the display peg to pass through the aligned hanging holes of the gathered packages. The looped carrier is then removed from the gathered packages to thereby release them onto the display peg for individual dispensing therefrom.

Abstract: A support structure of the kind used in supermarkets and other self-service shops comprises a series of slotted upright members 12 and brackets 16 which are connected to the upright members by having teeth which enter into the slots. Conductor tracks 36 extend along passages 32 in the upright members, and electrical contact with conductors carried by the conductor tracks is established by means of electrical connectors 48 having tongues 50 which enter into the passages through slots which are unoccupied by teeth.

Abstract: A merchandise display system wherein the merchandise and the "gift" packaging for it are separately displayed on the same rack or in the same display, permitting a customer to select and package one or more products so as to create a "gift" collection or assortment, wherein the packaging or container for the various selected products is displayed in the same display as the products. Preferably, the packaging or container bears indicia such as a trademark or trade dress that is the same as, or visually complements, that of the products themselves.

Abstract: An inspection aid for use in the visual inspection, repair and repacking of parachutes including a pair of large opposed spaced side frame members of light tubular material having a shape approaching that of a cardioid. The frame members are parallel to each other and joined by a series of spaced transverse cross members which serve to maintain the shape and rigidity of the arch. In use, the parachute canopy is billowed open with a pedestal fan and the arch is carried into the open canopy and turned to the side. A person can then enter the open parachute and visually examine the canopy fabric and make required repairs after which the parachute is folded and reefed. The remaining gores are inspected and folded, the inspection arch is removed and the reefing is completed in the usual manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved steel racking apparatus characterized by a rack having tiers of open sided drawer-like receptacles on at least one side thereof operable from one end and an elevator on said end that moves up and down while carrying a laterally movable cage positionable to both actuate and observe the loading and unloading of the receptacles. The invention also encompasses the combination which comprises one such elevator equipped rack and at least a second rack without the elevator positioned in spaced relation alongside thereof in position such that the receptacles of both racks opening onto the aisle therebetween can be serviced from the cage.