US2692687A - Display device for rugs and the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 26, 1954 A H, BEST 2,692,687

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR RUGS AND THE LIKE Filed OCT.. 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. H. BEST DISPLAY DEVICE FOR RUGS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filedr Oct. 22, 1949 0d. 26, 1954 1 H. BEST DISPLAY DEVICE FOR RUG S AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001'.. 22, 1949 ct. 26, 1954 H BEST DISPLAY DEVICE FOR RUGS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 er? fol/'l' 60741: M 5652i- Fled OCT.. 22. 1 949 @Z2/gata M Patented Oct. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY DEVICE FOR BUGS AND THE LIKE Leon H. Best, Galva., Ill., assignor to John H. Best & Sons, Inc., Galva, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application October 22, 1949, Serial No. 123,038

8 Claims.

apparatus embodying the features of the invention, the device being shown with several rugs clamped in display position thereon;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the device shown in Fig. 1, with the device in an unloaded condition and with the clamp bar removed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken subpended from an elaborate over-hanging rack Starltally alOllg the line 4--4 0f Fig 3; structure, while in accordance with another ex- Fig. 5 is a fragmental View illustrating the way pedient the rugs have been stacked flat on the irl Which the Clamp bar iS Operated;

floor in a horizontal position. The present in- Fig. 6 is a fragmental t0n plan VeW Of a p0rvention relates to display devices wherein the tOn 0f the Clamp bar Operating means;

rugs are displayed in a generally horizontal posi- Flg- 'l 1S a Dlarl View 0f the frame Strneture tion, and in accordance with the present in- 0f the display device, the View being taken parvention, the rugs may be mounted upon a distially in seCtOn alOng the line l-l 0f Fig. 3; play device which is of such a character that it Fg- 8 i5 a iragmental Vertical Sectional View presents an attractive appearance and is capable taken Substantially alOng the line 3-3 Of Fig. 7; 0f holding and Clamping widely dierng num- 20 Fig. 9 iS a fragmental Vertical Sectional View bers 0f display rugs in a, stack 0n the display taken substalltally alOIig the line 9--9 O Figs. 7 device. and 8;

Another important object of the present inven- Fg- 10 iS an enlarged ragmental DOrtOn 0f tion is to afford a display platform for relatively Fg- 7, a pOltOn 0f the Structure being brOken large rugs so that such platform may readily be away to illustrate details of internal structure; assembled in a display room, and which, upon Fig. 11 is a fragmental Vertical sectional view assembly, is attractive in its appearance. A retaken Substantially along the line Il-Il 0f lated object is to enable the requisite structural Fg- 7; strength to be attained in a display device of the Fg- 12 iS a t0n-Plan View 0f one 0f the rear aforesaid character by means that are fully conleg StruCtureS; geaied when the display device is in use Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken sub- Another object of the present invention is to stentieliy along the line i3-i3 of Fig. 12; and facilitate the clamping of the rugs in position Fig- 14 iS a frOnt eleVatiOnal VeW 0f the leg on such a display device, thereby to enable rugs Structure ShOWIl in FgS- 12 and 13, the View beto be removed from or added to a stack of rugs lng taken frOln the left in Fg- 13- that may have been mounted on such a device, FOI' DurDOSeS Of dSClOSure, the invention iS and a ragged Object is to enable the effective herein illustrated as embodied in a display rack mechanical elements of suchaclamping arrange- 253 having a suppOrting platform 2| of a Size ment to be concealed Within portions of the sup- Somewhat larger than the drrleIlSOIlS 0f a pluporting Structure. 40 rality of rugs R that are to be carried and dis- Other and further objects of the present inplayed in a Stack on the platform 2|, and the vention will be apparent from the following de- DlatOrm 2l iS Supported at tS @OrrlerS by a Pair scriptum and claims and are illustrated in the 0f front les assemblies 22, and a pair 0f rear leg accompanying drawings which, by way of illusassemblies 23, the rear leg assemblies being sometration, show a preferred embodiment and the What higher than the front leg assemblies so that principles thereof and what I now consider to the platform slOlUeS gradually dOWnWardly in a be the best mode in which I have contemplated fOrWard dreCtOn. The rugs R are disposed 0n applying those principles. Other embodiments the platform 2| in a stacked position such that of the invention embodying the same or equivthe rear edges thereof extend over an anti-slip alent principles may be used and structural Cleat 24 and beneath a clamp bar 25, the clamp changes may be made as desired by those skilled bar being drawn downwardly by means of clamp in the art without departing from the present Operating deVCe 25, as Will be hereinafter eX- invention and the purview of the appended plained, to thereby clamp the rear edges of the claims, rugs downwardly against the anti-slip cleat 2li.

In the drawings: The present display device 2D is intended and Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rug display adapted to serve as a supporting and displaying means for relatively large numbers of large size rugs that are stacked thereon and clamped in position by the clamp bar 25, and in order that adequate structural strength may be aorded in the display device 20, this display device is provided with a sectional underframe 33 to which the leg structures 22 and 23 are secured, and this underframe 3U is covered and concealed about its edges by what may be termed a decorative covering structure 32.

The frame structure 3G is best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7 and comprises a pair of side frame sections 35 and 36 and a pair of end frame sections 37 and 38, these sections 35 to 38 being arranged in plan-form so as to be of trapezoidal form so that the four sections may be secured together to aord a frame structure 3G that is rectangular in its general outline, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. In aording the several frames 35 to 38, use is made of angle iron elements that are cut and bent to form, and secured together, as will be described in detail, to aord the four separate trapezoidal frame sections which may thereafter be bolted together in a relatively simple manner when the display device 2E) is to be assembled or erected in a sales room.

Thus, with respect to the frame section 3G, an inner frame element 38-i is formed from angle iron and has similar iron members mitered and welded to its ends to afford diver-ging end members 38-2 and 38-3 which form the end members of the trapezoidal frame section 38. At its other side and parallel to the frame element (iS-i, the frame section 38 has a side member 38-3 that is also formed from angle iron, and this element is secured at its ends to the ends of the frame elements 38-2 and 38-3, respectively. Such association is attained by cutting the ends of the members 38-2 and 38-3 at an angle as indicated at 46 in Fig. 7, so that these horizontal franges may butt against the adjacent side edge oi the horizontal ange of the side member 38-6, and below the horizontal flanges of the related members, connecting angles 62 are extended in directions perpendicular to the respective members 33-2 and 38-3. Each such connecting member 42 is formed from angle iron and is disposed with its horizontal ange parallel to but disposed downwardly from the horizontal flanges of the members 38-2, 38-3 and 38-li, Figs. *7, 8 and 9, and the ends of these members 42 are welded to the vertical flanges of the related members of the frame as at 43. Thus, one of the connecting members 42 rigidly associates one end or the member 38-4 with the member 38-3, while the other connecting member 42 rigidly associates the other end of the member 33-4 with the member 33-2, and this is accomplished in such a way that the horizontal flanges of the members 23S-l, 38-2, 33-3 and 38-4 are in a common plane. The members Q2 serve, as will hereinafter be described, in associating the leg structures with the frame St.

Parallel to the member 38-4, another angle iron structural member 38-5 is extended vbetween the members 38-2 and 38-3, and this member 38-5 has its horizontal flange cut at an angle as at dit so as to butt against the respective members 38-2 and 38-3, and the member 38-5 is connected to these members by welding. The vertical flanges of the members 38-4 and 38-5 are connected together adjacent opposite ends thereof by transverse angle iron members 38-6, and at their mid points, the members 33-4 and 38-5 are connected by an angle iron member 38-1, these transverse connecting members being associated with the parallel frame members 38-4 and 321-5 by disposing these transverse members beneath the horizontal flanges of the parallel members and extending the transverse members so as to engage the vertical flanges of the parallel members. The ends of the transverse members are then welded to the vertical members.

The transverse angle 33-1 has a downwardly extending bar 38-8 xed thereto as by welding, and a truss rod 32-9 is extended through an opening in the bar 38-3 as will be evident in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and the ends of this truss rod are extended gradually upwardly and through openings in the vertical flanges of the transverse members 38-6. Anchoring nuts t6 are threaded onto the ends of the truss rod 38-9 so that the truss rod serves to impart adequate strength 'to the edge portion of the frame 38 even though the leg structures are disposed at widely spaced points. In alignment with the transverse member 38-1, another transverse member Sil-H] is extended between the members SS-l and 38-5, this member 38-] also being an angle iron and being welded to the members 38-l and 33-5.

The frame section 3l is formed in precisely the same way as hereinabove described in respect to the frame section 38, and corresponding structural elements are identified by the reference character 31 with a numerical suiix that corresponds to the same structural element in the frame section 38, it being noted that similar connecting angle bars l2 are employed in the same relationship.

The frame 35 is also formed in the same gcneral manner as the frames 3l and 38, and where substantially identical structure is utilized, the corresponding parts are identied by the reference character 33 with an appropriate numerical suffix corresponding to the related part in the frames 3? and 38. Thus, the frame section 36 has an element 35S-i formed from angle iron and is connected at its ends to members S3-2 and SS-l, and these members 36-2 and 36-3 are connected by parallel angle iron members .3E-4 and 33-5 that are associated with the members 353-2 and 36-3 by the same means as hereinbefore described with respect to the frame sections 3l' and 33, it .being noted that connecting angles (r2 are also employed in this instance. The parallel members 36-4 and 36-5 are connected by transverse members 38-6 near the ends thereof, and on opposite sides of the mid point of the frame section, these parallel members are also connected by a pair of spaced transverse members 33-1, each of which has a downwardly extending bar 38-3 secured thereto as by welding. A truss rod 36-9 is extended through the bars 355-3 and through the Vertical flanges of the transverse members 38-8, and nuts 46 are fixed on the ends of the truss rod so as to impart strength to the side structure of the frame member 35. Between the two transverse members 36-1, an additional transverse member 33-I4 is also utilized while additional transverse members 36|5 and .3E-6 are extended between the members 33-6 and 33-5 just to the left of the left-hand member 36-1, and just to the right of the right-hand member 36-l'. Additional strut members formed from angle iron are also provided and are identied as members 33-Il', 36E-I8 and Sli-I9, these members being extended between the members 36-l and 36-5 in alignment with the members 35i-K4, BS-I 5 and Sli-I6, respectively. These additional transverse members are secured in place in the same manner as the strut members 3840 and 3140. On the other side of the frame element 354, mounting angles 35-21, 36-22 and 36-23 are secured to the vertical flange of the member 364 'so as to extend for a short distance in alignment with the respective strut members 3541, 3548 and 3649, and the spacing of these several members is such that the member 36-2l is disposed at the mid point of the member 364, while the members 36-22 and 36-23 are disposed substantially at the quarter-points of the member 354.

The frame section 35 is formed substantially like the frame section 36 but is in effect reversed so that it may form the left-hand side section of the frame 3U, and corresponding reference characters constituting the numeral 35 with an appropriate numerical suix are applied to corresponding elements.

It will :be observed that the several trapezoidal frame sections 35, 36, 31 and 38 may be fitted together to form a rectangular frame, and the various angular end members of these trapezoidal frame sections t together with the vertical flanges thereof in a face to face relation, and these vertical anges are provided with aligned holes through which fastening bolts 58 may be extended so that associated nuts may be placed on the fastening bolts to secure the frame sec-v tions together. After this has been done, addi.- tional transverse support members 51, 52 and 53 are extended between the frame sections 35 and 35, these members being made made from angle iron and being placed on top of the opposite supporting members such as the members 35-2i and 36-2I. When so positioned, each of these transverse members has one of its anges disposed in the plane that is common to the horizontal anges of the members 354 and 354, and these transverse members are secured in position by securing bolts 54 that are extended through the vertical flanges of these transverse members and the projecting supporting elements.

It will be noted that the frame element 354 has a pair of anchoring sockets 35e-25 fixed on its vertical flange at spaced points as shown in Fig. '7, and similar sockets 35-26 are disposed in corresponding locations on the frame element 354, and these sockets serve to position the upper ends of adjustable legs 554 and 55-2 that are engaged with these sockets at their upper ends and which have adjustable screw structures at their lower ends so that additional support may be afforded for the frame sections in concealed locations and spaced from the outer side edges thereof. A similar mounting socket 3843 is xed on the member 3840 so that a concealed adjustable leg structure `55-3 may be similarly associated with the frame section 38.

The front leg structures 22 and the rear leg structures '23 are somewhat similar in form, and for purposes of disclosure, the rear leg structures 23 will first be described. Thus, the rear leg structures 23 each embody three vertical legs 23A, 23B and 23C, and these two leg structures are susbtantially similar but are formed as right and left-hand leg structures, respectively. In Figs. 11 to 14, the right-hand rear leg structure 23 is disclosed, and it will be noted that this leg structure has an angular bottom plate 50 and an angular top plate 6|. The three legs 23A, 23B and 23C are each arranged to embody an inner tubular member 62 which actually connects and forms the load supporting element between the two plates 5U and 6l and an outer decorative tubular member 63 which merely serves as an enclosure for the inner tubular member 62. In affording the desired connection for the upper and lower ends of the legs 23A and 23B, a plu. rality of relatively small holes 64 are provided so as to be substantially aligned with the inner surface of the inner supporting tubular member 62, and the ends of the tubular member G2 are butted against the opposed surface of the plates 6l) and 5l and are welded thereto as at 65 by application of the welding material through the openings 54. It will be noted, of course, that the decorative tubular member 63 is in position when the final welding operation at one end of the inner leg member 62 takes place.

It will be observed that the display platform 20 is somewhat higher at its rear end than it is at its forward end, and therefore, the legs 23A and 23B are somewhat higher than the leg 23C. Therefore, the upper ends of all of the inner legs 62 are cut at an angle so that the upper plate 6l may slope downwardly in a forward direction at an angle corresponding to the desired slope of the display platform 20.

In mounting the forward leg 23C', the lower end of the inner tubular member 62 is connected to the lower plate 6U in the same manner as above described with respect to the other two legs, but at the upper end of the leg 23C it will be observed that the plate 6I has a circular opening 61 formed therein that is somewhat smaller than the internal diameter of the inner tubular member 62 and which has a plurality of lateral extensions 64E that correspond in location to the location of the holes 64. Thus, the upper end of the tubular member 64 may be welded as at 55 to the plate 5l in substantially the same manner as the other two legs. The leg 23C' in each instance serves to house a portion of the clamping structure whereby the clamp bar 25 may be tightened. Thus, an elongated screw 10 is extended axially down through the opening 61 and the internal tubular member 62, and at its lower end the screw 1D is extended into an opening 1I formed in the lower plate 5i). The lower end of the screw 1B is thus exposed within the hole 1i, and welding material is applied as at 12 from the lower face of the plate 5U so as to secure the screw 10 non-rotatively in the desired axial relationship within the leg 23C. The clamping device 25 is aiforded by an elongated tubular member 15 that extends downwardly through the clamp bar 25 and the opening 61 and into the leg 23C in surrounding relation to the screw 10. This tubular member 'l5 has an inwardly extended nut structure 15N at its lower end that is threaded onto the screw 15 so that by rotation of the tubular member 15, the vertical position of the member 15 may be adjusted on and with relation to the screw 10.

It will be observed that the clamp bar 25 is in the present instance in the form of a square tubular member that is closed at its ends, and adjacent to these ends suitable openings are provided in the top and bottom walls of the clamp bar 25 so that the tubular member 15 may be projected downwardly therethrough. At its upper end, the tubular member 15 has a collar 15C disposed in surrounding relationship thereto, and this collar is fixed in place by a transverse drive pin 15P that extends diametrically across the open upper end of the tubular member 15 so that this pin 15P may be utilized in applying the desired rotative force to the tubular member 15. It will be observed that an anti-friction Washer W is disposed between the collar 15C and the clamp bar 25. The sleeve 15 may conveniently be rotated by means of an operating tool T that comprises an axial sleeve 18 that is slotted upwardly from its lower end as at 19, and a transverse operating handle 80 is secured as by welding across the upper end of the tubular element 18. This tubular element 18 is of such a size that it may be inserted downwardly into the tubular member 15, thereby to dispose the pin 15P within the transverse slot 19 of the tool T, and the tubular member 15 may thus be rotated so as to apply releasing or clamping movements to the clamp bar 25. When the tool T is removed, the open upper end of the tubular member may be attractively concealed by means of a cap 82 that has a slotted tubular extension 83 which extends downwardly into the upper end of the tubular member 15 and about the transverse pin 15P, such cap being shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The front leg structures 22 are also formed as right-hand and left-hand members and embody upper and lower plates in the same general way as the rear leg structures 23, with the exception, however, that the legs 22A and 22B of each structure are located at the forward or lower end of the leg structure. The leg 22C is, accordingly, located at the rear end of each leg structure 22, and all three of the legs of each leg structure 22 are formed in the same manner as the legs 23A and 23B.

It will be observed in Figs. l2, 13, and 14 that the top plate 6| has a pair of openings S5 formed therein, and when a leg structure 23 is to be associated with the frame 30, these openings 85 are aligned with appropriately placed openings formed in the horizontal anges of the connecting angles 32. Bolts 86 are then extended down through the openings in the angles 42 and through the openings 85 in the plate 6|, and a nut 81 is threaded onto the lower end of each bolt 86. This secures the leg structure 23 against the lower faces of the horizontal fianges of the two angles 42 that are provided in each corner of the frame structure 39. In this respect, it should be observed that the vertical ilanges of the frame elements 38-2 and 38-3 are somewhat shorter than the vertical flanges of the outer frame members such as the frame members 38-ll, and the horizontal flanges of the connecting angles 42 are disposed in substantial alignment with lower edges of the vertical flanges of the members such as the members 38-3. This relationship is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 and enables the plate 6| to extend beneath the members 38-3 while at the same time engaging the angles 42 in a supporting relationship.

The preferred procedure so far as the setting up of the structural frame 3|) is concerned will be explained in some detail hereinafter, and after the framework 3B has been set up in the place in which the display device is to be used, the decorative covering frame 32 is put into position. As shown in Figs. l to 4 of the drawings, this covering framework 32 comprises left and right side frame elements 95 and 95 and front and back frame elements 91 and 98, and these frame elements are made from wood and are arranged to be disposed over or on top of the outer border portions of the frame sections 35 to 3B, inclusive. It will be noted that opposite ends of the frame members 95 and 96 have dowels 99 disposed therein so as to extend beyond the ends of these frame members, and these dowels 99 are arranged to extend into the side edge positions of the frame members 91 and 98, respectively, to assure accurate matching of these frame elements along the side edges of the display device.

Each of the frame elements 95 to 98 is provided with a downwardly extending skirt or apron, and these aprons are identified by the same reference character as the frame member to which they are attached, a suix A being added in each instance. Each such apron is arranged to extend downwardly from the lower surface of the frame member to which it is attached, and such attachment is accomplished by means such as screws |09 which, as shown in Fig. 9, extend vertically upwardly through the apron member and into the lower surface of the related frame or cover member. It will be observed in Fig. 8 of the drawings that the apron 98A extends downwardly for a distance sufficient to completely cover and conceal the vertical flange of the outer frame member 38-4, and this same relation obtains in respect to the other apron members 95A to 91A.

The several frame members 95 to 98 are secured in position by means of screws |02 that are extended downwardly through the several frame or cover elements adjacent to the inner edges thereof. These screws are preferably of the selftapping type and are arranged to pass downwardly into suitably positioned openings |03 that are formed in the inner frame elements 35-5 to 38-5, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

In addition to the fastening that is thus afforded, the skirt members 95A to 98A are secured at several points to the vertical flange members that are concealed thereby. Thus, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, screws |04 are extended horizontally through the aprons 96A and 91A and into the vertical flanges of the frame elements 36-4 and 31-4, these screws also being of a self -tapping type so that they may be screwed into openings formed in such flanges. It will be observed that screws |02 are related inwardly in such amount that when rugs R are of the proper size for the display device and are put into the position thereon, the screws |02 will be concealed beneath such rugs R.

The space between the frame members 95 to 9B is covered by a plurality of relatively large panels |96 that extend transversely across the frame 30 so as to completely fill the space between the bordering frame elements 95 to 98, and these panels |95 are held in position by selftapping screws |01 that extend downwardly through such panels and are threaded into spaced openings |08 formed in the horizontal flanges of the members 35-5 to 38-5 as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

It should be observed that the flanges of the frame members 35-4 and 38-4 are cut away so as to afford clearance for the clamping sleeves or tubular members 15, and that corresponding openings |09 are formed in the cover members 95 and 96, so that these tubular members 15 may extend upwardly through these cover members. In Figs. l and 4 it will be observed that a concealing plate l0 of relatively small size is put in position about each of the tubular members 15, and this enables a greater clearance to be used at the points where the members 15 pass through the cover members 95 and 96.

When it is desired to assemble the display device of the present invention, the leg structures 22 and 23 are secured in the proper position on the two side frame sections 35 and 36, and the supplemental legs 55-I and 55-2 are put into position on these frames. By this procedure, the two side frame sections 35 and 36 are rendered self-supporting and these frame sections may then be put in the desired space-relationship with respect to each other, and the two end frames 3l and 3'8 may be successively put into place and secured to the frame 35 and 35 by means of the fastening bolts 5i). rI he supplemental leg 55-3 may then be put into position and the transverse struts 5l to 53 may be secured in position by the fastening bolts 5G. The frame is then in condition for fastening of the upper or cover frame 32 thereon, and this may then be done in the manner hereinbefore described. The display device 20 is then in condition to have rugs R mounted in position thereon, and this is done by arranging the rugs R in a stack on the display device with the upper edges of the rugs extending upwardly over and beyond the antislip cleat 2li which is secured to the rear one of the panels 06. The clamp bar 25 is then put in position, and the tubular clamping sleeves 'l5 are inserted downwardly through the openings in the clamp bar and into position about the screws l0. The operating tool T then may be applied tothe sleeves 'l5 so as to move the sleeves downwardly in an amount suflicient to clamp the rugs against the platform and the anti-slip cleat 24. When the rugs are in this position, the salesman may fold the rugs rearwardly as required to properly display the successive rugs carried on the display device, and when these rugs are returned to their flat relationship, the clamping action of the clamping bar 25 assures that the rugs will be returned to the proper relationship on the display device.

In practice it is found that in many instances it is unnecessary to remove the sleeves 'l5 and the clamp bar 25 when rugs are being mounted on the device, since it is possible to insert the rear edge of a rug beneath the clamp bar 25, while the clamp bar is held in an elevated position.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention enables relatively large rugs to be conveniently and safely displayed, and that this result is attained through the use of a display device that has adequate strength and yet may be readily assembled in the display room in which it is to be used.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a rug display device, a sectional rectangular under frame comprising right and lefthand side frame sections and front and rear end frame sections, each of trapezoidal form affording inner and outer paralleled side elements and diverging end elements and adapted to be secured in an assembled relation with the adjacent end elements of the respective trapeaoidal sections secured together, means on the inner side elements of two oppositely located ones of said frame sections for supporting intermediate struts, and a plurality of struts removably secured to last mentioned means to extend between said two frame sections, and leg structures 10 secured to and extending downwardly from the corners of said underframe.

2. In a rug display device, a supporting platform of a size somewhat larger than the rugs to be displayed, a ilrst pair of leg structures supporting two adjacent corners of said platform at one elevation, a second pair of leg structures supporting the other adjacent corners of said platform at a somewhat higher elevation, said second pair of leg structures each having one hollow and vertically disposed leg, which legs are spaced apart from one another a distance greater than the width of the rugs to be displayed, a clamp bar extending across said platform over said second pair of leg structures, a stationary screw extending vertically upwardly within each of said hollow legs, elongated sleeves rotatively mounted at opposite ends of said bar and extending vertically downwardly into the associated hollow legs so as to iit about said screws in telescoping relation, nuts at the lower ends of said sleeves engaging said screws, the upper ends of said sleeves being adapted to be tool operated to rotate said sleeves and operate the clamp bar.

3. In a rug display device, a sectional rectangular underframe comprising right and lefthand side frame sections and front and rear end frame sections, each of trapezoidal form alfording inner and outer parallel side elements and diverging end elements and adapted to be secured in an assembled relation with the ends of the trapezoidal sections secured together, means on certain o said frame sections for supporting intermediate struts, a plurality of struts removably secured to the last mentioned means to extend between oppositely located frame sections, and a rectangular outer frame bordering said frame sections in assembled relation, the outer ends of said end elements being of chamfered V-shape to fit into the corresponding inner corners of said outer frame whereby the top side of the outer frame may be disposed in the same plane as the top side of said end elements, and means at said corners attaching the outer frame to the frame sections as a body.

4. In a rug display device, a sectional rectangular underframe comprising right and lefthand side frame sections and front and rear end frame sections, each of trapezoidal form affording inner and outer paralleled side elements and diverging end elements and adapted to be secured in an assembled relation with the adjacent end elements of the respective trapezoidal sections secured together, and a rectangular outer frame bordering said frame sections in assembled relation, the outer ends of said end elements being of chamfered V-shape to lit into the corresponding inner corners of said outer frame whereby the top side of the outer frame may be disposed in the same plane as the top side of said end elements, and means at said corners attaching the outer frame to the frame sections as a body.

5. In a rug display device, a sectional rectangular underframe comprising right and lefthand side frame sections and front and rear end frame sections, each of trapezoidal form affording inner and outer parallel angle-iron side elements and diverging angle-iron end elements and adapted to be secured in an assembled relation with the adjacent vertical flanges of the angle iron end elements of the respective trapezoidal sections secured together in face-toface relationship, means on the inner side elements of two oppositely located ones of said 11 frame sections for supporting intermediate struts, a plurality of struts removably secured to last mentioned means to extend between said two frame sections.

6. In a rug display device, a sectional rectangular underframe comprising right and lefthand side frame sections and iront and rear end frame sections, each of trapezoidal form affording inner and outer paralleled angle-iron side elements and diverging angle-iron end elements and adapted to be secured in an assembled relation with the adjacent vertical anges of the angle iron end elements of the respective trapezoidal sections secured together in face-toface relationship, means on the inner side elements of two oppositely located ones of said frame sections for supporting intermediate struts, a plurality of struts removably secured to last mentioned means to extend between said two frame sections, and a rectangular outer frame bordering said fra-me sections in assembled relation, the outer ends of said angle iron end elements being of chamfered V-shape to t into the corresponding inner corners of said outer frame with the top of the outer frame in the same plane as the top of said angle-iron end elements.

7. In a rug display device, a supporting platform of a size somewhat larger than the rugs to be displayed, a first pair of leg structures supporting two adjacent corners of said platform at one elevation, a second pair of leg structures supporting the other adjacent corners of said platform at a somewhat higher elevation, said second pair of leg structures each having one hollow and vertically disposed leg, a clamp bar extending across said platform over said second pair of leg structures, clamp screws disposed axially within the respective hollow legs and anchored at their lower ends against rotative and longitudinal displacement, rotatable operating sleeves extended into the respective hollow legs and having nuts at their lower ends threaded onto the clamp screws to permit said sleeves to be raised and lowered on the screws, said sleeves being open at their upper ends and being extended through said clamp bar near the opposite ends thereof for rotation therein, operating pins extended diametrically across the open upper ends of said sleeves whereby the sleeves may each be rotated relative to the clamp bar by a tool applied to the pins, and means fixed on said sleeves by said pins above said clamp Ibar for transmitting downward clamping force to said bar as the sleeves are raised and lowered on the screws.

8. In a rug display device, a supporting platform of a size somewhat larger than the rugs to be displayed, a rst pair of leg structures supporting two adjacent corners of said platform at one elevation, a second pair of leg structures supporting the other adjacent corners of said platform at a somewhat higher elevation, said second pair of leg structures each having one hollow and vertically disposed leg, a clamp bar extending across said platform over said second pair of leg structures, a pair of clamping screws disposed axially within the respective hollow legs and anchored at their lower ends against rotative and longitudinal displacement, and clamping sleeves rotatably mounted in said clamp bar and extended down into said hollow legs and having a threaded engagement at their lower ends with the respective clamp screws whereby the clamp bar may be drawn down in a clamping direction by rotating the clamping sleeves on the screws.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 817,374 Justus et al Apr. 10, 1906 1,241,768 Rush Oct. 2, 1917 1,299,783 Rush Apr. 8, 1919 1,329,357 Baxter Feb. 3, 1920 1,720,879 Best July '16, 1929 1,781,782 Kemp Nov. 18, 1930 1,807,158 Kemp May 26, 1931 2,137,748 Best Nov. 22, 1938 2,446,914 Fallert et al. Aug. 10, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 522,284 Great Britain June 13, 1940A

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