US 6,533,131 · Granted 2003-03-18
The Modular Display Rack Patent That Powers Retail Shelving
This patent covers a simple but clever shelving system made of two vertical rails connected by horizontal strips that snap together like building blocks. Stores use this design to quickly build and reconfigure product displays without tools or permanent fixtures.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a display system consisting of two spaced rails, each with positioning devices and snap-in connectors, combined with cross-piece strips that lock the rails together. What's protected here is the specific mechanical arrangement of how these components fit and secure—anyone making a competing modular display rack with the same positioning and snap-in mechanics would potentially infringe.
Why it matters
This patent protects a straightforward modular shelving design that retail stores rely on for flexibility. Rather than building permanent fixtures, stores can rapidly assemble, adjust, and reconfigure displays as inventory changes or seasons shift. The snap-together mechanics mean less labor and faster changeovers, which translates to lower operational costs for retailers.
Real-world use
Every time you walk into a department store and see shelving that's been rearranged to feature a new product line, there's a good chance that rack was assembled using this snap-rail system.
Original USPTO abstract
The system includes in combination two rails spaced for positioning and strips forming cross pieces adapted to secure together the rails. Each rail includes at least one positioning device and one snap-in device.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 6,533,131
- Filing date
- 2000-12-01
- Grant date
- 2003-03-18
- Assignee
- Plasti-Rapid
- Inventor(s)
- BADA ALAIN MARCEL
- CPC class
- A47F1/126
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