Storage Rack Sliding Frame Apparatus

Abstract

A storage rack apparatus incorporating a sliding frame apparatus. The frame apparatus is adjusted in a generally vertical direction by the application of vertical force and secured in position by the removal of such vertical force.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a generally vertical member;   a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and   a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame and adapted to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning fixture comprises a biasing element. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning fixture comprises a magnet. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a rack assembly;   a generally vertical member attached to the rack assembly;   a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and   a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame and adapted to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the positioning fixture comprises a biasing element. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the positioning fixture comprises a magnet. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a generally vertical member;   a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and   a positioning fixture adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning fixture is constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame so as to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , where the positioning fixture comprises a magnet. 
   
   
       27 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a rack assembly;   a generally vertical member attached to the rack assembly;   a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and   a positioning fixture adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force.   
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the positioning fixture is constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame so as to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , where the positioning fixture comprises a magnet. 
   
   
       35 . A method comprising the steps of:
 providing a display shelf within the storage rack;   providing a storage shelf within the storage rack vertically spaced from the display shelf; and   providing a screen that is movable between a first position at least partially hiding the storage shelf from view and a second position providing access to the storage shelf, wherein the screen is movable solely by application of a generally vertical force and stops moving anywhere between the first and second positions upon the cessation of the generally vertical force.   
   
   
       36 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a rack assembly having a generally vertical member;   means for slideably engaging a frame with respect to the generally vertical member for generally vertical movement between a first location and a second location;   means for fixing the position of the frame at any position between the first and second positions.   
   
   
       37 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a generally vertical member;   an upper standoff member and a lower standoff member connected to the vertical member; and   a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction defined by the upper and lower standoff members, wherein the frame comprises:   a generally vertical guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends; and   a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the vertical member and adapted to allow the frame to be continuously adjustable within a defined range of vertical movement, wherein the positioning fixture comprises a magnet and biasing element and is adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force and to fix the position of the frame in the absence of the force.