Steel merchandising system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides an article merchandising system, particularly useful for storing elongated steel articles such as angle iron, square and round tubing, rods, etc.
However, although the present invention is described and shown in terms of a fairly large rugged system for storing articles found in typical hardware or building supply stores, the inventive aspects may be incorporated into devices for storing other long items as well.
The present merchandising system is designed to be a space-efficient unit having separate storage compartments for various items with a high level of visibility of the items and ready access thereto.
In addition to the improved storage and retrieval aspects, the merchandising system incorporates an enhanced display and item identification feature resulting in a clearly understandable, self-serve unit especially suited for large hardware and building supply stores having a minimum of sales personnel.
The merchandising system comprises a base, a rugged bearing, and a tall cylindrical upright storage rack rotatably mounted on the bearing, the storage rack having an upper central pipe sized to extend into a rotation support sleeve.
A cross bar may be provided having a rotation support sleeve for receiving the upper central pipe of the storage rack, the cross bar being adapted to mount between elements of a large storage scaffold, as commonly found in building supply outlets.
The base of the merchandising system is preferably bolted to the floor of the warehouse or retail outlet so that the merchandising system is rigidly attached at the bottom and is also bolstered at the top by the cross bar and scaffolding structure.
The cylindrical storage rack rotates about the lower bearing in the base and within the sleeve of the cross bar, defining a vertical axis of rotation along the central axis of the cylindrical rack.
The cylindrical storage rack comprises a lower circular platform on which bottom ends of articles rest, a plurality of upstanding legs mounted proximate the periphery of the platform, an upper support structure stage at the top of the legs, and at least one intermediate article brace for supporting the top ends of the articles upright