U.S. patent application number 10/779976 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for shelf having an adjustable divider.
This patent application is currently assigned to Universal Display & Fixtures Company. Invention is credited to Donnell, Stephen, Flores, Marcelino.
Application Number | 20040256341 10/779976 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33519327 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040256341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donnell, Stephen ; et
al. |
December 23, 2004 |
Shelf having an adjustable divider
Abstract
A display fixture is described. The display fixture includes a
pair of frame members, and a shelf disposed between the frame
members, the shelf being able to receive a plurality of
substantially linear, movable dividers, and to store the plurality
of substantially linear, movable dividers.
Inventors: |
Donnell, Stephen; (Dallas,
TX) ; Flores, Marcelino; (Mesquite, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 3100
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
Universal Display & Fixtures
Company
Lewisville
TX
|
Family ID: |
33519327 |
Appl. No.: |
10/779976 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60479075 |
Jun 17, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/187 ;
211/181.1; 211/184; 211/59.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0056 20130101;
A47F 1/12 20130101; A47F 5/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/187 ;
211/184; 211/181.1; 211/059.2 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display fixture, comprising: a plurality of frame members
cooperating to define a plurality of display areas; and at least
one shelf disposed in at least one of the display areas, the shelf
comprising: a base member; a retaining member engageable with the
base member, the retaining member having a plurality of notches
formed in a first wall thereof, and a plurality of notches formed
in a second wall thereof; and a plurality of substantially linear
dividers spanning between and engaging the first and second walls
of the retaining member via disposal of the dividers within
corresponding notches defined in the first and second walls,
wherein the dividers are movable to various of the plurality of
notches.
2. The display fixture of claim 1 wherein the plurality of frame
members comprises a first frame member spaced from and extending
substantially parallel with a second frame member, the first and
second frame members being connected via a plurality of frame
connectors.
3. The display fixture of claim 2 wherein the plurality of frame
members further comprises a third frame member spaced from and
extending substantially parallel with a fourth frame member, the
third and fourth frame members connected to the second frame member
and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom.
4. The display fixture of claim 3 wherein the display areas are
defined between the first and second frame members and between the
third and fourth frame members.
5. The display fixture of claim 1 wherein the base member of the
shelf comprises a perimeter member and a plurality of holding
members extending from a first portion of the perimeter member to a
second portion of the perimeter member.
6. The display fixture of claim 5 wherein the base member further
comprises first and second hook supports each connected to and
extending transversely with the holding members, the hook supports
each having a pair of hooks at the distal ends thereof.
7. The display fixture of claim 6 wherein the retaining member
comprises a first pair of connector members and a second pair of
connector members, the first pair of connector members being
adapted to engage with the first hook support and the second pair
of connector members being adapted to engage with the second hook
support.
8. The display fixture of claim 7 wherein the first pair of
connector members each comprise a generally L-shaped slot formed
therein.
9. The display fixture of claim 8 wherein the first pair of
connector members engage the first hook support via the slot
defined in each of the first pair of connector members.
10. The display fixture of claim 7 wherein the second pair of
connector members each comprise a generally linear slot formed
therein.
11. The display fixture of claim 10 wherein the second pair of
connector members engage the second hook support via the slot
defined in each of the second pair of connector members.
12. The display fixture of claim 1 wherein the dividers comprise a
pair of grooved portions for engaging the first and second
walls.
13. The display fixture of claim 12 wherein the dividers are
generally circular in cross-section.
14. The display fixture of claim 13 wherein the notches are
generally U-shaped to receive the dividers.
15. The display fixture of claim 1 wherein the retaining member
further comprises a storage slot formed in the first wall of the
retaining member, and a storage slot formed in the second wall of
the retaining member, wherein the storage slots cooperate to
receive and store the dividers.
16. The display fixture of claim 15 wherein the retaining member
further comprises a generally C-shaped slot formed in the first
wall, and a generally C-shaped slot formed in the second wall,
wherein the C-shaped slots are in communication with the
corresponding storage slots.
17. A display fixture, comprising a pair of frame members, and a
shelf disposed between the frame members, the shelf having means
for receiving a plurality of substantially linear, movable
dividers, and means for storing the plurality of substantially
linear, movable dividers.
18. The display fixture of claim 17 further comprising means for
removing the dividers stored by the shelf.
19. A shelf for displaying merchandise, comprising: a base member;
a retaining member engageable with the base member, the retaining
member comprising a first wall and a second wall spaced from the
first wall, the first and second walls having a plurality of
corresponding notches formed therein and a pair of corresponding
storage slots formed therein; and a plurality of dividers, at least
one divider being adapted for disposal in corresponding notches in
the first and second walls, and at least one divider being adapted
for storage within the corresponding storage slots in the first and
second walls.
20. The shelf of claim 19 wherein the first and second walls of the
retaining member each include a C-shaped slot formed therein, the
C-shaped slots being in communication with the corresponding
storage slots.
21. The shelf of claim 19 wherein the base member comprises a pair
of hook supports.
22. The shelf of claim 21 wherein the retaining member further
comprises a plurality of connecting members, the connecting members
being adapted to engage with the hook supports.
23. A shelf for displaying merchandise, comprising means for
receiving a plurality of substantially linear, movable dividers,
and means for storing at least one of the plurality of
substantially linear, movable dividers.
24. The shelf of claim 23 further comprising means for removing the
dividers stored by the shelf.
25. A display fixture, comprising: two spaced, generally
vertically-extending frame members, each frame member having a
plurality of generally horizontally-extending support rods; a shelf
disposed between the frame members, the shelf having two hooks
extending toward each frame member, wherein one of the hooks
extending toward each frame member engages one pair of
corresponding support rods and the other hook extending toward each
frame member engages another pair of corresponding support rods;
and rod-like dividers disposed on the shelf and movable along the
shelf to define product display channels of adjustable size.
26. The display fixture of claim 25 wherein the one pair of
corresponding support rods is vertically-spaced from the another
pair of corresponding support rods.
27. The display fixture of claim 25 wherein the shelf further
comprises a base for supporting product, and a retaining member
disposed above the base, the retaining member having a first wall
and a second wall wherein each wall defines a plurality of aligned
notches for receiving the rod-like dividers.
28. The display fixture of claim 27 wherein the first and second
walls of the retaining member further define at least one pair of
corresponding slots for storing dividers not disposed within the
plurality of notches.
29. A method for displaying goods on a shelf, comprising providing
a shelf having a base member and a retaining member, the retaining
member being engageable with the base member and having a plurality
of notches formed therein, providing at least one substantially
linear divider associated with the shelf, disposing goods on the
base member, and disposing the at least one substantially linear
divider in corresponding notches formed in the retaining member,
thereby dividing goods disposed on the base member.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising providing additional
substantially linear dividers and storing the additional
substantially linear dividers via the shelf.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/479,075, filed on Jun. 17, 2003.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a shelf for
displaying goods and, more particularly, to a shelf having dividers
which are movable to accommodate goods of varying size.
[0003] Storage members, such as shelving assemblies, are often
provided for displaying goods. In a merchandising context, shelving
assemblies are provided for displaying articles of commerce such as
food items, health care products, and the like. Such shelving
assemblies sometimes include dividers in order to keep
adjacently-displayed products separate, such as in display
channels. However, shelving assemblies incorporating product
dividers may be inefficient in utilizing the space provided by the
display channels. For example, if a product is generally smaller
than the size of the display channel, then the use of shelving
space is not maximized. This problem is especially pertinent in
situations where the overall amount of display space is
limited.
[0004] Therefore, what is needed is a shelving apparatus having a
movable divider arrangement, which provides for the maximization of
shelf space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display fixture according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shelf of the display
fixture of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the shelf of FIG. 2.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a divider associated with
the shelf of FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of the shelf of FIG.
2.
DESCRIPTION
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, a display fixture for displaying
merchandise is generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The
display fixture 10 includes a pair of parallel,
vertically-extending frames 12 connected at their upper ends in any
conventional manner by a plurality of horizontally-extending frame
connectors 14. It will be understood that, for the sake of clarity,
substantially similar components are given the same reference
numerals such as the frames 12 and the frame connectors 14. The
display fixture 10 further includes a pair of parallel,
vertically-extending side frames 16 extending perpendicularly from
the front frame 12 (as viewed in FIG. 1). The side frames 16 are
connected at their upper ends in any conventional manner by a
horizontally-extending side frame connector 18. The frames 12 and
the side frames 16 are connected to and extend vertically from a
horizontal base 19, which provides an appreciable degree of
stability to the display fixture 10. It is understood that the
frames 12 and the side frames 16 are connected to the base 19 in
any conventional manner such as via bolts (not depicted), resulting
in a generally free-standing display fixture 10.
[0011] The frames 12 and the side frames 16 cooperate to define a
pair of side display areas 20 and a front display area 22 (as
viewed in FIG. 1). A plurality of shelves 24, 26 are adapted to be
housed within the display areas 20, 22, respectively, for
displaying merchandise thereon. To facilitate disposal of the
shelves 24, 26 within the display areas 20, 22, respectively, the
frames 12 and the side frames 16 each include a plurality of
support rods 28, 30, respectively, which receive the shelves 24,
26, respectively, in a manner to be described. While the shelves 24
differ in size from the shelves 26, it is understood that the
shelves 24, 26 are of substantially similar construct, and
therefore, for the sake of clarity, only one shelf 26 will be
described in detail.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shelf 26 includes a base
member 32 and a retaining member 34, which cooperates with the base
member to display merchandise (not shown). The base member 32
includes a perimeter rod 35 and a plurality of closely-spaced,
parallel holding rods 36 extending from a rear portion 38 of the
perimeter rod to a front portion 40 of the perimeter rod. The
perimeter rod 35 is completed by a pair of side portions 42, 44
that extend between the rear and front portions 38, 40,
respectively. The holding rods 36 are turned upward substantially
90.degree. adjacent to the front portion 40, thereby resulting in
the front portion being vertically-spaced from the rear portion 38
when the base member 32 is generally horizontal. Accordingly, the
front portion 40 of the perimeter rod 35 aids in retaining
merchandise on the base member 32 as will be further described.
[0013] The base member 32 further includes a pair of hook supports
46 attached to but extending beyond the side portions 42, 44 of the
perimeter rod 35 and extending beneath the holding rods 36. The
hook supports 46 are spaced between and parallel to the rear and
front portions 38, 40 of the perimeter rod 35 to provide support
for the shelf 26. The hook supports 46 have hooks 48 at the distal
ends thereof, which are adapted to engage the support rods 30 of
the side frames 16 (FIG. 1) to support the shelf 26 between the
side frames. A bracing rod 50 is additionally attached to the side
portions 42, 44 of the perimeter rod 35 beneath the holding rods 36
and extends parallel to and generally equidistant between the rear
and front portions 38, 40 of the perimeter rod 35 to provide an
additional degree of support for the shelf 26. It is understood
that the hook supports 46 and the bracing rod 50 are attached to
the perimeter rod 35 in any conventional manner, and that they may
be attached likewise to the holding rods 36.
[0014] The retaining member 34 is adapted to engage the base member
32, and as such, includes a pair of front connector members 60 and
a pair of rear connector members 62 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3).
As the front connector members 60 are substantially similar and the
rear connector members 62 are substantially similar, only one of
each will be described. A pair of retaining slots 64, 66 are formed
in the front connector member 60 such that the portion of the front
hook support 46 that extends beyond the perimeter rod 35 (as viewed
in FIGS. 2 and 3) can be received into one of the slots. The lower
slot 64 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) is generally L-shaped such
that the portion of the hook support 46 disposed therein may be
retained in the connector member 60 even should the shelf 26 be
housed in the display area 22 in a tilted manner as will be
described. The upper slot 66 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) is also
generally L-shaped to retain the portion of the hook support 46
disposed therein in a manner similar to that described with
reference to the lower slot 64. As can be appreciated, the
provision of lower and upper slots 64, 66 allows for adjustment of
the retaining member 34 relative to the base member 32.
[0015] Turning now to the rear connector member 62, a pair of
retaining slots 76, 78 are formed therein such that the portion of
the rear hook support 46 that extends beyond the perimeter rod 35
(as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) can be received into one of the slots.
The lower and upper slots 76, 78 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) are
generally linear in shape to retain the portion of the hook support
46 disposed therein. The provision of lower and upper slots 76, 78
allows for the adjustment of the retaining member 34 relative to
the base member 32.
[0016] The front connector member 60 and the rear connector member
62 disposed on the right side of the shelf 26 (as viewed in FIGS. 2
and 3) are integrally formed with and extend from a side portion 90
of the retaining member 34. Similarly, the front connector member
60 and the rear connector member 62 disposed on the left side of
the shelf 26 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) are integrally formed
with and extend from a side portion 92 of the retaining member 34.
The side portions 90, 92 are connected in any conventional manner
to a front wall 94 and a rear wall 96.
[0017] The front and rear walls 94, 96 include a plurality of
U-shaped notches 102, 104, respectively, defined therein for
receiving movable rod-like dividers 100 therebetween. The dividers
100 span the distance between the front and rear walls 94, 96 to
define with the front and rear walls a plurality of generally
rectangular display channels 106 of the shelf 26. As can be
appreciated, the size of the individual display channels 106 can be
altered by moving the dividers 100 relative to the side portions
90, 92 to extend between different notches 102, 104.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, the dividers 100 are generally
rod-like, or linear, in shape and include a pair of grooved
portions 108 formed proximate to the distal ends thereof. The
grooved portions 108 of the dividers 100 are adapted to engage the
surfaces of the front and rear walls 94, 96 defined by the notches
102, 104, respectively. Accordingly, the grooved portions 108 aid
in retaining the dividers 100 on the retaining member 34 when the
dividers are placed thereon.
[0019] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a pair of storage slots
110 are formed in the front wall 94 adjacent to the side portions
90, 92, respectively. Additionally, a pair of storage slots 112,
corresponding to the storage slots 110, are formed in the rear wall
96 adjacent to the side portions 90, 92. The storage slots 110 and
112 cooperate with one another to store unused dividers 100. More
specifically, the slots 110, 112 cooperate to receive the dividers
100 therein via the grooved portions 108 of the dividers. The
dividers 100 are retained within the slots 110, 112 due to the size
of the slots being smaller than the size of the portion of the
dividers 100 not defined by the grooved portions 108.
[0020] A pair of C-shaped slots 114, 116 are further defined in the
front and rear walls 94, 96, respectively. The C-shaped slots 114,
116 are in communication with the slots 110, 112, respectively, and
are sized larger than the diameter of the dividers to accommodate
longitudinal movement of the dividers 100 therethrough.
Accordingly, the dividers 100 stored in the retaining member 34 via
the slots 110, 112 can be removed from storage via the C-shaped
slots 114, 116.
[0021] In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
display fixture 10 is assembled to house the plurality of shelves
24, 26 incorporating the movable dividers 100. Since the shelves
24, 26 are assembled onto the display fixture 10 in a similar
fashion, only assemblage of a single shelf 26 will be described.
The base member 32 of the shelf 26 is first installed between the
side frames 16 by engaging the hooks 48 extending from the hook
supports 46 onto a pair of corresponding support rods 30. As shown
in FIG. 1, the front hook 48 engages a support rod 30'
vertically-spaced from a support rod 30" engaged by the back hook
48, thereby facilitating a gravity-fed arrangement as will be
further discussed.
[0022] The retaining member 34 is then assembled onto the base
member 32 by engaging the front and back connector members 60, 62
with the portions of the corresponding front and back hook supports
46 that extend beyond the side portions 42, 44 of the perimeter rod
35. The front and back connector members 60, 62 can be engaged with
the front and back hook supports 46 via either the lower slots 64,
76, respectively, or the upper slots 66, 78, respectively,
depending on the desired positioning of the retaining member 34
relative to the base member 32. Columns of merchandise, or goods,
such as C1 and C2 depicted in FIG. 1, are then placed onto the
shelf 26 in a desired orientation such that the columns of
merchandise rest on the base member 32 while being retained on the
shelf by the retaining member 34. During placement of the columns
of merchandise onto the base member 32, the dividers 100 are placed
between the columns of merchandise to engage the front and rear
walls 94, 96 via the U-shaped notches 102, 104, respectively.
Accordingly, the columns of merchandise are separated from one
another via the dividers 100, thereby effectively defining display
channels 106 for the columns of merchandise.
[0023] As can be appreciated, the dividers 100 are adjustable along
the notches 102, 104 to accommodate columns of merchandise having
differing widths. As the dividers 100 rest in the corresponding
notches 102, 104, the dividers are adjustable by picking up an
individual divider and moving the divider to rest in a different
pair of corresponding notches. Accordingly, the dividers 100 can be
adjusted to minimize excess space associated with each display
channel 106, which in turn, maximizes the amount of merchandise
that can be displayed on the shelf 26.
[0024] The shelf 26 facilitates a gravity-fed arrangement for the
display of columns of merchandise. For example, upon removal of an
item of merchandise from one of the display channels 106, the
remaining items of merchandise in the corresponding display channel
will slide forward via gravity with the forward-most remaining item
replacing the item just removed. The front portion 40 of the base
member 32 cooperates with the retaining member 34 to retain the
remaining items on the shelf 26.
[0025] It is understood that variations may be made in the
foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For
example, the specific arrangement of frame members 12, 16 and the
associated frame connectors 14, 18 can be altered to include
additional frame members and connectors. Moreover, the base 19 may
be removed or replaced with a base having an alternative
configuration.
[0026] Still further, although the shelf 26 is described as being
comprised of two elements, e.g. the base member 32 and the
retaining member 34, it is understood that the shelf may include
additional elements, or alternatively, may be unitary in nature.
Moreover, although described as hooks 48, the hooks 48 may take a
variety of other shapes other than a hook shape.
[0027] Furthermore, although the storage slots 110, 112 are
described as having a size smaller than the size of the dividers
100, it is understood that in some embodiments, the size of the
storage slots may be equal to or greater than the size of the
dividers.
[0028] Still further, the support rods 30 may be replaced with
supports having alternative configurations. In such embodiments,
the hooks 48 may be altered to correspond to the shape of the
alternative support rods 30. Furthermore, although described as
having two hook supports 46, it is understood that the base member
32 may include any number of hook supports, and thus a different
number of hooks 48. Similarly, although described as having one
bracing rod 50, it is understood that the base member 32 may
include any number of braces.
[0029] Moreover, although described as having a specific shape, the
retaining slots 64, 66 of the front connector members 60 and the
retaining slots 76, 78 of the rear connector members 62 may have
alternative shapes. The U-shaped notches 102, 104 may be formed to
take alternative shapes other than a U-shape. For example, the
notches 102, 104 may be formed as V-shaped notches, and the shape
of the grooved portions 108 of the dividers 100 can be altered to
accommodate the alternatively-shaped notches. Still further, the
C-shaped slots 114, 116 may be configured in other shapes other
than a C-shape.
[0030] It is also understood that all spatial references, such as
"horizontal, "vertical, "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left,"
and "right," are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied
within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention as defined in the following claims. Additionally, in the
claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the
structures described herein as performing the recited function and
not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent
structures.
* * * * *