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Support rack for a containerSupport rack for a container description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080035591, Support rack for a container. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]Not applicable. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002]Not applicable. TECHNICAL FIELD [0003]The invention relates to an improved support rack for a container placed within the rack. More specifically, the invention provides a support rack that receives a container such that consumers can access items stored within the container while the container is supported by the rack. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004]Support racks for containers and tools, including those that either internally or externally support the container, are known in the art. While such conventional support racks provide some beneficial features, they nevertheless suffer from a number of limitations. For example, conventional support racks are difficult to affix to the mounting structure, are costly to manufacture, and are aesthetically unappealing. The present invention is provided to solve the limitations of conventional support racks and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior support racks of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005]The present invention is directed to a support rack assembly for supporting a container in a substantially vertical orientation. The support rack assembly generally includes an arrangement of elongated frame members, including a first side frame member, a second side frame member, a front cross member assembly and a rear cross member assembly. An internal receiver is configured to removably receive the container and is defined by an extent of the first side frame member, an extent of the second side frame member, a front internal member and a rear internal member. The rear cross member assembly includes at least one connector that securedly connects the support rack assembly to a mounting structure. The mounting structure can be a peg board or display board, such as those found in retail stores or grocery stores. Once the support rack is secured to the mounting structure, the container is inserted into the support rack whereby customers can access the contents of the container. [0006]According to another aspect of the invention, the receiver's front internal member extends between a front portion of the first and second side frame members and the rear internal member extends between a rear portion of the first and second side frame members. In an installed position, the container is inserted into the receiver wherein a substantial extent of the container is positioned below both the first and second side frame members. Since the front and rear internal members overlie the first and second side frame members, an upper surface of both the front and rear internal members collectively define an engaging surface of the receiver. In the installed position, the engaging surface engages an upper lip of the container to prevent the container from slipping through the receiver. To move the container from the installed position to an uninstalled position, a substantially vertical force is applied to the container to disengage the lip from the engaging surface and elevate a lower edge of the container above the receiver. [0007]According to yet another aspect of the invention, the rear cross member assembly includes an upper cross member and a lower cross member, wherein each cross member extends between the first and second side frame members. The rear cross member assembly includes at least one connector that securedly connects the support rack assembly to a mounting structure. One type of connector has an eyelet for connection to the lower cross member, and a projection that engages an opening in the mounting structure. A second type of connector includes an eyelet for connection to the lower cross member, and a curvilinear engaging member that couples with the mounting structure. [0008]According to a further aspect of the invention, two support rack assemblies can linked in a tandem configuration, wherein the first support rack is positioned forward of the second support rack, such that the container in the first support rack is forward of the container in the second support rack. Among other potential advantages, the tandem configuration can increase the number of containers accessible to consumers while not consuming an inordinate amount of space. [0009]According to yet another aspect of the invention, the support rack assembly may include an insert assembly that allows for the reception of different sized containers. The insert assembly includes a first removable insert and a second removable insert that nests within the first insert. The first insert has a circular outer periphery that is cooperatively dimensioned with the receiver and an inner periphery that defines a central opening that corresponds to a smaller container. When installed, the first insert enables the support rack assembly to receive a container having a reduced diameter compared to the container received by the receiver. The second insert has a circular outer periphery that exceeds the inner periphery of the first insert such that the second insert overlaps the first insert. The second insert has a central opening that is smaller than both the opening of the receiver and the central opening of the first insert, whereby the second insert accommodates an even smaller container. When installed, the second insert enables the support rack assembly to receive a container having a reduced diameter compared to the containers received by the receiver and the first insert. Accordingly, the first and second inserts increase the utility and versatility of the support rack assembly. [0010]Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support rack assembly of the present invention, showing a container (broken lines) elevated above the rack assembly and the rack assembly coupled to a mounting structure (broken lines); [0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of the support rack assembly, showing the container positioned within a receiver of the rack assembly; [0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of the support rack assembly, showing the container elevated above the rack assembly; [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two support rack assemblies in a tandem configuration, wherein a first rack assembly is coupled to a mounting structure and a second rack assembly is coupled to the first rack assembly; [0016]FIG. 5 is a top view of the two support rack assemblies in the tandem configuration, showing a container positioned within a receiver of each rack assembly; and, FIG. 6 is a side view of the two support rack assemblies in the tandem configuration, showing each container elevated above the respective rack assembly; [0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the support rack assembly, wherein the rack assembly includes a number of removable inserts dimensioned to receive different sized containers; [0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support rack assembly of FIG. 7, showing two removable inserts and a smaller container elevated above the rack assembly; and, FIG. 9 is a side view of the support rack assembly of FIG. 7, showing two removable inserts and a smaller container elevated above the rack assembly. Continue reading about Support rack for a container... Full patent description for Support rack for a container Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Support rack for a container patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Support rack for a container or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Attractive tool holder Next Patent Application: Shelving system Industry Class: Supports: racks ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Support rack for a container patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.79632 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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