U.S. patent application number 10/389248 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-27 for merchandising system.
Invention is credited to Berglund, Terrence G., Johnson, Allen E..
Application Number | 20030217980 10/389248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29553321 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030217980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, Allen E. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2003 |
Merchandising system
Abstract
A merchandising system for storing and displaying at least a
first sized product and a second sized product includes a center
member, a first member adjustably coupled on a first side of the
center member and configured to be adjusted between at least a
first position and a second position, and a second member
adjustably coupled on a second side of the center member and
configured to be adjusted between at least a first position and a
second position. The products are configured to be received between
the first member and the second member.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Allen E.;
(Hartford, WI) ; Berglund, Terrence G.; (Hales
Corners, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth G. Lemke
Foley & Lardner
Suite 3800
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee
WI
53202-5306
US
|
Family ID: |
29553321 |
Appl. No.: |
10/389248 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60364233 |
Mar 13, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.3 ;
211/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/59.3 ;
211/175 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A merchandising system comprising: a first compartment having a
first width defined by a distance between a first side member and a
second side member; a second compartment having a second width
defined by a distance between a third side member and a fourth side
member; wherein the first width can be adjusted independently of
the second width by positioning of an interface, the interface
adjustably coupling the first side member and the second side
member.
2. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the interface
further comprises: a plurality of notches; and a projection that
selectively co-acts with one notch of the plurality of notches in a
first position, and selectively co-acts with another notch of the
plurality of notches in a second position.
3. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first side
member comprises a first wall portion and the second side member
comprises a second wall portion.
4. The merchandising system of claim 1 further comprising a guide
provided between the first side member and the second side
member.
5. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the interface
comprises a first interface and a second interface.
6. The merchandising system of claim 1 further comprising a base
provided between the first side member and the second side
member.
7. The merchandising system of claim 6 wherein the interface is
coupled to the base.
8. The merchandising system of claim 6 wherein the interface
couples the first member to the base, and wherein the interface
couples the second member to the base.
9. The merchandising system of claim 6 wherein the base comprises a
center member.
10. The merchandising system of claim 9 wherein the interface
further comprises a first interface and a second interface, wherein
the first interface couples the first member to the center member,
and wherein the second interface couples the second member to the
center member.
11. A merchandising system comprising: a first apparatus
comprising: a first member; a second member configured to be
adjusted between at least a first position and a second position;
and a third member configured to be adjusted between at least a
first position and a second position; a second apparatus
comprising: a first member; a second member configured to be
adjusted between at least a first position and a second position;
and a third member configured to be adjusted between at least a
first position and a second position; wherein the third member of
the first apparatus is coupled to the second member of the second
apparatus.
12. A merchandising system for storing and displaying at least a
first sized product and a second sized product, the merchandising
system comprising: a center member; a first member adjustably
coupled on a first side of the center member and configured to be
adjusted between at least a first position and a second position;
and a second member adjustably coupled on a second side of the
center member and configured to be adjusted between at least a
first position and a second position; wherein the products are
configured to be received between the first member and the second
member.
13. The merchandising system of claim 12 further comprising a first
interface provided between the center member and the first member,
and a second interface provided between the center member and the
second member.
14. The merchandising system of claim 13 wherein the first
interface and the second interface each further comprise: a
plurality of notches; and a projection that selectively co-acts
with one notch of the plurality of notches in the first position,
and selectively co-acts with another notch of the plurality of
notches in the second position.
15. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the first
interface further comprises: a first arm coupled to the first side
member; and a first projection provided on the first arm.
16. The merchandising system of claim 15 wherein the first
interface further comprises: a second arm coupled to the first side
member; and a second projection provided on the second arm.
17. The merchandising system of claim 15 wherein the first arm
comprises a first cantilevered arm and the second arm comprises a
second cantilevered arm, wherein the first cantilevered arm and the
second cantilevered arm each have a free end and a fixed end, and
wherein the first projection is provided near the free end of the
first cantilevered arm and the second projection is provided near
the free end of the second cantilevered arm.
18. The merchandising system of claim 15 wherein the first
interface allows for spacing adjustment between the center member
and the first member when the free end of the first arm is
moved.
19. The merchandising system of claim 18 movement of the free end
of the first arm comprises at least one of vertical motion and
deflection.
20. The merchandising system of claim 12 further comprising a
pusher assembly configured to bias products toward a front of the
merchandising system.
21. The merchandising system of claim 12 further comprising means
for coupling the first member to an adjacent second member of a
second merchandising system.
22. A tray for merchandising products having at least a first size
and a second size, the tray comprising: a center member; a first
member coupled on a first side of the center member; a second
member coupled to a second side of the center member; a first
interface provided between the first member and the center member;
and a second interface provided between the second member and the
center member; wherein the first interface comprises a first
plurality of notches configured to selectively co-act with a first
moveable projection and wherein the second interface each comprises
a second plurality of notches configured to selectively co-act with
a second moveable projection.
23. The tray of claim 22 wherein the first plurality of notches and
second plurality of notches are provided on the center member.
24. The tray of claim 22 wherein the first moveable projection is
provided on the first member and wherein the second moveable
projection is provided on the second member.
25. The tray of claim 22 further comprising a first cantilevered
arm coupled to the first member and a second cantilevered arm
coupled the second member and wherein the first moveable projection
is provided on the first cantilevered arm and the second moveable
projection is provided on the second cantilevered arm.
26. The tray of claim 22 wherein the first interface is configured
to provide for the selective size adjustment between the first
member and the center member and the second interface is configured
to provide for the selective size adjustment between the second
member and the center member.
27. The tray of claim 26 where the selective size adjustment is a
selective width adjustment.
28. The tray of claim 26 wherein the first member and the center
member may be adjusted between a first position and a second
position.
29. The tray of claim 28 wherein the first member and the center
member may be adjusted between a plurality of positions between the
first position and the second position.
30. The tray of claim 22 wherein the center member, the first
member and the second member comprise a surface to support
products.
31. The tray of claim 30 further comprising friction reducing ribs
provided on the surface.
32. A merchandising system comprising: a first member; a second
member adjustably coupled to the first member; and a first
interface provided between the first member and the second member,
wherein the first interface comprises: a first series of notches;
and a first arm having a first extension; wherein the first
extension is configured to selectively engage one notch of the
first series of notches and to disengage the one notch by actuation
of the first arm.
33. The merchandising system of claim 32 wherein the first
extension is configured to disengage the one notch by depression of
the first arm.
34. The merchandising system of claim 32 further comprising a third
member adjustably coupled to the first member.
35. The merchandising system of claim 34 further comprising: a
second interface provided between the first member and the third
member, wherein the second interface comprises: a second series of
notches; and a second arm having a second extension; wherein the
second extension is configured to engage one notch of the second
series of notches and to disengage the one notch by actuation of
the second arm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority as
may be available under 35 U.S.C. .sctn..sctn.119-21 from the
following application: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/364,233 ("MERCHANDISING SYSTEM") filed Mar. 13, 2002
(incorporated by reference herein).
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a merchandising system. The
present invention more specifically relates to a merchandising
system such as a tray or divider system for a shelf or the like
providing for the selective adjustment of the width of a shelf
division (or a facing or space division on a surface).
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is known to provide a merchandising system on a shelf of
a shelving unit so that some type of product or merchandise may be
stocked and presented to potential customers in a more orderly or
organized manner. According to one known arrangement, a
merchandising system will provide several dividers attached to a
front and/or rear connecting piece having slots to retain the
dividers. The dividers may be adjusted by repositioning the
dividers with respect to the connecting piece, allowing for the
system to accommodate variously sized products. However, in this
arrangement, when one display area or "facing" needs to be
adjusted, adjacent facings in the system will also have to be
adjusted in order to accommodate the same sized product in adjacent
facings. As a result, adjustments to the systems tend to become
more involved, even to resize only one product facing, because it
may be necessary to resize or adjust other (or all) of the facings
in the system. Also, adjustments in this arrangement become more
involved as the number of dividers increase. By way of example, one
known arrangement may be provided on a shelf, the arrangement
having fifteen dividers forming fourteen facings. Should one facing
require adjustment to accommodate a product of different size, all
the remaining facings will also require adjustment in order to keep
the same relative spacing of the facings. As a result, these
systems may require an increased amount of time and/or effort in
order to resize or reconfigure a merchandising system when products
and product sizes change.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a
merchandising system that provides for the merchandising of a
variety of differently sized products. It would also be
advantageous to provide a merchandising system that provides shelf
divisions that are selectively adjustable. It would further
advantageous to provide a merchandising system in which the width
of one shelf division could be adjusted without altering the width
of an adjacent shelf division, for example, a merchandising system
that provides a number of different adjustment positions to
accommodate a variety of sized products. It would further be
advantageous to provide a merchandising system that may offer
modularity in construction and assembly of the merchandising system
by allowing for the construction and assembly of one or more tray
systems and/or one or more tray system components. It would further
be advantageous to provide a merchandising system which may include
an interface configured to selectively engage and disengage as to
allow for selective positional adjustment and size adjustment of
the merchandising system.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a merchandising system that
provides any one or more of these or other advantageous
features.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention relates to a merchandising system for
storing and displaying at least a first sized product and a second
sized product. The merchandising system includes a center member, a
first member adjustably coupled on a first side of the center
member and configured to be adjusted between at least a first
position and a second position, and a second member adjustably
coupled on a second side of the center member and configured to be
adjusted between at least a first position and a second position.
The products are configured to be received between the first member
and the second member.
[0007] The present invention further relates to a tray for
merchandising products having at least a first size and a second
size. The tray includes a center member, a first member coupled on
a first side of the center member, a second member coupled to a
second side of the center member, a first interface provided
between the first member and the center member, and a second
interface provided between the second member and the center member.
The first interface comprises a first plurality of notches
configured to selectively co-act with a first moveable projection
and wherein the second interface each comprises a second plurality
of notches configured to selectively co-act with a second moveable
projection.
[0008] The present invention further relates to merchandising tray
system having a first member, a second member adjustably coupled to
the first member and a first interface provided between the first
member and the second member. The first interface includes a first
series of notches, and a first arm having a first extension. The
first extension is configured to selectively engage one notch of
the first series of notches and to disengage the one notch by
actuation of the first arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a merchandising
system according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the merchandising
system shown in FIG. 1A.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the merchandising
system shown in FIG. 1A.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a merchandising system
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4 is perspective view of the merchandising system shown
in FIG. 3 with products provided on the merchandising system.
[0014] FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate a size adjustment of a
merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along the line 6-6
shown in FIG. 5D.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a center member for use with
a merchandising system according to an alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to the FIGURES, exemplary embodiments of a
merchandising system are shown. The merchandising system may
provide for display, space division, and orderly presentation of
products. The merchandising system may provide for selective size
(shown as width) adjustment of a product display, "facing," cell,
compartment, or display area, while not requiring the width
adjustment of adjacent product displays, "facings," cells,
compartments, or display areas.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a merchandising system 10 may
provide any number of facings (shown as three facings 12a, 12b, and
12c). A single facing to be adjusted (for example, to accommodate a
differently sized product), may be readily adjusted without the
need to resize any (or potentially all) of the remaining facings
such as facings.
[0019] The merchandising system may further provide for modularity
in the construction and assembly of the merchandising system. For
example, product displays, "facings," cells, compartments, or
display areas may be added and/or removed to an existing
merchandising system by reconfiguring the number and arrangement of
merchandising systems or trays.
[0020] The merchandising system may be a shelf system, shelf
divider system, product facing tray system, product self-facing and
organization tray system, divider system, shelf tray system, pusher
system, dispensing system, tray system, etc. The merchandising
system may be provided for use on or attached to a structure such
as a shelving unit (or any portion of a shelf), rack, display, or
other merchandising systems; according to an alternative
embodiment, the merchandising system may be provided as a separate
or independent) merchandising system.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a merchandising system 10
comprises a center member 20, a first member 30 (shown as a side
member), a second member 40 (also shown as a side member), and
interfaces 60 between center member 20 and side members 30 and 40
respectively.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, center member 20 is a track, base, etc.,
and has an elongated shape. Center member 20 comprises a slot 22,
one or more interfaces 24, and one or more guides 26.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, slot 22 is a track, pusher track,
channel, etc. Center member 20 is provided with slot 22 along a
central portion of center member 20. Slot 22 is a channel, track,
etc., in which a pusher system 80 moves in order to urge or move
products towards a front of merchandising system 10. Slot 22 is
provided along a center axis of center member 20. According to
alternative embodiments, the slot is provided along a variety of
locations and placements on or in the center member as to allow the
operation of the pusher assembly.
[0024] Center member 20 is e provided with one or more interfaces
24 provided on the center member. Interface 24 comprises teeth,
notches, gaps, tabs, projections, connectors, connector pieces,
couplers, etc. Interface 24 provides for selective engagement with
an interface 34 of side member 30 or 40. (Generally, one or two or
more interfaces 24 and interfaces 34 comprise a single interface 60
referenced above which is provided between center member 20 and
side members 30 or 40). Interface 24 provides projections, tabs,
interconnects, recesses, apertures, teeth, gaps, notches, etc.
sized and configured to selectively engage interface 34 on side
member 30 or 40. As shown in FIG. 2, interface 24 provided on
center member 20 is a series or index of gaps or notches 90
provided along a protruding member 92. As shown in FIG. 3, member
92 extends away from center member 20, in a direction in which the
side members and center member will be adjusted relative to each
other. According to various alternative embodiments, the placement,
arrangement and position of interfaces, and the number of
adjustment positions may be varied.
[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, one or
more guides 26 are provided on center member 20. Guide 26 is a
slot, rail, guide, track, etc. Guide 26 interfaces with an
extension 46 provided on side member 30 or 40. Guide 26 may assist
to provide stability to merchandising system 10. Guide 26 may
further limit the movement or motion of side member 30 or 40
relative to center member 20. According to an exemplary embodiment,
guide 26 is formed between member 96 and member 92.
[0026] A cross member 1 02 is provided to rigidify or reinforce
center member 20. According to a particularly preferred embodiment,
cross member 102 couples to center member 20 by clips 104. Clips
104 have an engagement portion which couples or co-acts at
apertures 106 provided on center member 20.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, merchandising system 10 further includes
side members 30 and 40. Side members 30 and 40 are configured to
retain, hold, or divide product within merchandising system 10, as
well as between multiple merchandising systems. According to a
particularly preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, side members 30
and 40 comprise a divider panel 110, one or more end panels 112,
and one or more interfaces 34 configured to selectively engage and
disengage with interfaces 24 provided on center member 20. As shown
in FIG. 2, interface 34 is a cantilevered member or beam, having
projections 120 configured to selectively engage the gaps, notches,
etc., provided on interface 24 of center member 20. According to a
particularly preferred embodiment, two interfaces 34 are provided
on each side member 30 and 40. According to various alternative
embodiments, the arrangement and configuration of the interfaces
may be altered or reversed.
[0028] The interface may comprise teeth, notches, gaps, tabs,
projections, a connector, a coupler, etc. According to a
particularly preferred embodiment, interface 34 comprises a flange
or tab or arm that is configured to be movable (e.g. moved,
deflected, actuated, deformed, depressed, moved in a vertical
direction, etc.) and preferably will be flexible as to allow
temporary deformation when a load is applied (e.g. by depressing)
and will return to the original form (e.g. spring back) when the
load is removed. Interface 34 is shown as a cantilever member or
beam on side member 30 but may be provided in alternative
orientations. Projections or tabs or nibs 120 provided on the end
of the cantilever co-act with gaps or projections on interface 24,
thereby providing selective adjustability or movement, and also
retaining the position of side member 30 and 40 and center member
20 with respect to each other.
[0029] Members 30 and 40 also comprise guides or alignment
extensions 46 which interface with guides 26 on center member 20 as
shown in FIG. 2. The interface between these guides or alignments
facilitates the easy adjustment in width between center member 20
and side members 30 and/or 40, while also providing a track or
otherwise limiting the motion) of side member 30 or 40 and center
member 20 moving relative to each other.
[0030] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, guide 26
has one or more surfaces 116 on which extensions 46 coact (see FIG.
6). This arrangement assists in providing vertical support of side
member 30 or 40 when the cantilevered arm on side member 30 or 40
is depressed for adjustment. Other surfaces may be provided at
different locations to serve the same purpose.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, side member 30 or 40 further
include an additional interface 136 provided on the outside of the
member, configured to engage with a corresponding interface 138 on
an adjacent side member. According to one exemplary embodiment
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, interface 136 is shown as a dovetail
portion. The dovetail portion is configured to engage or co-act
with a corresponding dovetail portion provided on an adjacent
second side member of an adjacent merchandising system. Other
interfaces/engagement portions may be used to couple or attach side
members together (as shown in FIG. 3).
[0032] According to a particularly preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, side members 30 and 40 are generally symmetrical. However,
engagement portion 138 (shown as a dovetail portion) is configured
to receive corresponding dovetail portion 136 of side member
30.
[0033] Center member 20 and side members 30 and 40 may generally be
made from injection molded plastic. The interfaces may as well be
constructed, or assembled, from injected molded plastic. The
various members may be formed separately and then connected using a
sonic welding process (or other suitable attachment technique). A
variety of plastics may be used in constructing the center member
and the first and second side members. For example, these members
may be constructed from high-impact plastics, polymers, other
plastics, and the like. Using plastic offers several advantages
including that the elements are multiple in a variety of colors,
surface finishes, textures and other treatments, etc. Other
materials such as composites, metals, wood, etc. may alternatively
be used.
[0034] A merchandising system may be provided to display,
merchandise, organize, or dispense various products in an organized
and orderly fashion. According to an exemplary embodiment,
merchandising system 10 includes pusher assembly 80. Pusher
assembly 80 has a spring biased or spring urged member or pusher
face 82 to urge forward product towards the front of the
merchandising system. Product is retained by end panels 112 and a
front lens 132. (Front lens 132 is releasably coupled to center
member 20 via fingers 136 coupling to apertures 138 via a
snap-fit.) Members 20, 30 and 40 forms a surface 152 on which
product is supported. Friction reducing ribs 154 are provided on
surface 152 to reduce friction on the bottom surface of the
products, allowing them to be moved more easily. This configuration
results in an orderly, and neatly faced merchandising system and
overall shelf appearance. Pusher assembly 80 is generally
configured to automatically advance product towards the front of
the merchandising system. According to various alternative
embodiments, a wide variety of merchandising systems or tray
systems may be used, including pusher and non-pusher assembly
trays.
[0035] Merchandising system 10 may be placed on a top surface of a
shelf. Merchandising system 10 may additionally or alternatively be
attached to the top surface of the shelf using a low-bond adhesive
which would restrict motion of the merchandising system relative to
the top surface, but allow the merchandising system to be removable
with relative ease. Alternatively, merchandising system 10 may
comprise non-skid feet 1 86 (e.g. of rubber or another elastomeric
material or the like) as shown in FIG. 2.
[0036] According to one exemplary embodiment, the merchandising
system is intended to provide shelf dividers that may be
selectively adjusted to accommodate products of different sizes.
Products or merchandise will be placed between dividers (e.g. side
members 30 and 40) shown in FIG. 4. Pusher assembly 80 will be in a
position back from the front of the shelf when fully stocked with
products. As products are removed from the divider system, the
pusher assembly (e.g. urged forward by a coil spring) will push the
remaining product forward to the front of merchandising system. It
should be noted, however, that the pusher system is not required
for use in alternative embodiments, which may be used in
conjunction with other shelving dividers arrangements (such as
basic wall dividers).
[0037] One or more merchandising systems are interconnected to
provide modularity in the construction and arrangement of a larger
merchandising system (e.g. via connections shown as dovetail
portions) as shown in FIG. 3. According to various alternative
embodiments, a wide variety of interfaces may be used, including
clips, connectors, teeth, notches, or other connections or
interfaces.
[0038] Merchandising system 10 allows side members 30 and 40 (e.g.,
dividers) to be reconfigured and resized for divisions that
conveniently allow for the display of different sized products.
Furthermore, merchandising system 10 allows for the selective
adjustment of one merchandising system without the need to resize
adjacent merchandising systems. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
merchandising system 10 may be resized to accommodate differently
sized products (shown as product 200a having width "A", product
200b having width "B", and product 200c having width "C".
[0039] According to one exemplary embodiment, merchandising system
10 allows individual merchandising systems to be reconfigured and
resized for different divisions, thereby allowing for the display
of different and variously sized products. Merchandising system 10
generally comprises center member 20 and side members 30 and 40,
each of which selectively interface and are adjustably coupled,
providing for secure engagement.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the spacing or width between
center member 20 and side member 30 or 40 are adjusted by
depressing interface 34 (e.g. the cantilevered member), thereby
disengaging projections 120 from gaps or teeth 90 (see FIG. 5A).
Once disengaged, the relative spacing is adjusted between center
member 20 and side member 30 or 40 by moving or sliding center
member 20 and side member 30 or 40 with respect to each other (see
FIGS. 5B and 5C). When the desired spacing has been achieved, the
cantilevered member is released, thereby re-engaging projections
120 with the gaps or notches 90 (see FIG. 5D).
[0041] The interfaces and members shown in the FIGURES provides
certain advantages. The interfaces and members advantageously allow
for simple and convenient construction, being easier to mold,
costing less to mold, reducing production times, etc. Additionally,
the merchandising systems may be provided in variable lengths and
widths. This allows the merchandising system to accommodate
products and shelving spacing of even further varying dimensions.
As shown in FIG. 7, a center member 320 is shown having a lesser
width than center member 20.
[0042] According to another alternative embodiment (not shown), a
merchandising system may comprise a first member and a second
member, and one or more interfaces between the members. The
merchandising system may be similar in arrangement and construction
to the merchandising systems shown in the FIGURES, however the
center member and one side member may be constructed or assembled
as a single element. As such, the merchandising system would have
one width adjustment available, as opposed to two width adjustments
of the particularly preferred embodiments.
[0043] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the merchandising system as shown in
the preferred exemplary and alternative embodiments is illustrative
only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions
have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in
the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that
many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,
dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various
elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of
materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing
from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter
recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally
formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as
multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the
interface of the members of the merchandising system may be
reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the elements
of the system may be varied, the nature or number of discrete
adjustment positions provided between the center member and the
side members may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of
engagement points or size of the engagement points or type of
engagement). It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies
of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of
materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, including
any of a wide variety of moldable plastic materials (such as
high-impact plastic) in any of a wide variety of colors, textures
and combinations. It should also be noted that the merchandising
system may be used in association with a shelf (e.g. of a shelving
unit or the like) or any of a wide variety of other surfaces in any
of a wide variety of other applications. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and
omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and
arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments
without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *