U.S. patent application number 10/922632 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for rack merchandising system.
This patent application is currently assigned to RTC Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Webb, Paul Hyten.
Application Number | 20050000924 10/922632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25408139 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050000924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Webb, Paul Hyten |
January 6, 2005 |
Rack merchandising system
Abstract
A rack merchandising system comprising a movable pallet base
having openings to receive lifting forks, and a central support
structure, the central support structure perpendicularly attached
to the moveable pallet base and having two vertically extending
sides. The central support structure may also comprise at least one
transverse support member extending between the two vertically
extending sides. The system further has at least two vertical
upright supports that are spaced apart from each other and are
located at or near a peripheral edge of a top surface of the
movable pallet base, each vertically extending side being aligned
with one of the vertical upright supports. The system further has
at least one inclined shelf having a first side, a second side, a
third side, and a fourth side, the first side and the fourth sides
being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second and
third sides. The system further comprises a first attachment means
for attaching the shelf to the central support structure, wherein
the central support structure supports the shelf at a first side of
the shelf, and a second attachment means for attaching the shelf to
the vertical upright supports at the second and third sides of the
shelf respectively, wherein the vertical upright supports support
the shelf at the second and third sides of the shelf, and wherein
the first attachment means is vertically higher than the second
attachment means.
Inventors: |
Webb, Paul Hyten;
(Alpharetta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
RTC Industries, Inc.
Rolling Meadows
IL
|
Family ID: |
25408139 |
Appl. No.: |
10/922632 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10922632 |
Aug 19, 2004 |
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10437534 |
May 14, 2003 |
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6783012 |
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10437534 |
May 14, 2003 |
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10173894 |
Jun 18, 2002 |
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6607083 |
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10173894 |
Jun 18, 2002 |
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09897622 |
Jul 2, 2001 |
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6405880 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2 ;
211/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/01 20130101; A47F
1/12 20130101; A47F 7/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/059.2 ;
211/187 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A rack merchandising system comprising a movable pallet base
having openings to receive lifting forks, a central support
structure, the central support perpendicularly attached to the
movable pallet base and having two vertically extending sides, at
least two vertical supports that are spaced apart from each other
and are located at or near a peripheral edge of a top surface of
the movable pallet base, each vertically extending side being
aligned with one of the at least two vertical upright supports, at
least one shelf having a first side, a second side, a third side,
and a fourth side, the first side and the fourth sides being
parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second and third
sides, whereby the shelf is supported by the central support
structure and the at least two vertical supports.
2. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the shelf is
divided into channels, each channel having dimensions to receive a
series of retail items.
3. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of shelves stacked in parallel.
4. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the shelf can
be positioned at various vertical locations.
5. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the central
support structure has two oppositely facing fronts, and the shelf
can be positioned at various vertical locations on either front of
the central support structure.
6. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
between the first side of the shelf and the central support
structure pivots to move the fourth side of the shelf to a desired
vertical point to achieve a desired angular orientation of the
shelf.
7. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, wherein a vertically
extending side is adaptable to contain promotional materials.
8. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, comprising a second,
third and fourth shelf, each of the first, second, third and fourth
shelves being substantially parallel to the other shelves.
9. The rack merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the central
support structure further comprises at least one transverse member
extending between the two vertically extending sides.
10. The rack merchandising system of claim 9, wherein the first
side of the shelf is attached to the transverse support member of
the central support structure.
11. A rack merchandising system comprising a movable pallet base
having openings to receive lifting forks, a central support
structure, the central support perpendicularly attached to the
movable pallet base and having two vertically extending sides, at
least two vertical supports that are spaced apart from each other
and are located at or near a peripheral edge of a top surface of
the movable pallet base, each vertically extending side being
aligned with one of the vertical upright supports, at least one
shelf having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a
fourth side, the first side and the fourth sides being parallel to
each other and perpendicular to the second and third sides, at
least one attachment between the first side of the shelf and the
central support structure, wherein the central support structure
supports the shelf at the first side of the shelf, at least one
attachment on the second side of the shelf, and at least one
attachment on the third side of the shelf, whereby the shelf is
supported by at least in part by the at least two vertical upright
supports.
12. The rack merchandising system of claim 11, wherein the shelf is
divided into channels, each channel having dimensions to receive a
series of retail items.
13. The rack merchandising system of claim 11, further comprising a
plurality of shelves stacked in parallel that can be positioned at
various vertical locations.
14. The rack merchandising system of claim 11, wherein the central
support structure has two oppositely facing fronts, and the shelf
can be positioned at various vertical locations on either front of
the central support structure.
15. The rack merchandising system of claim 11, wherein the
attachment between the first side of the shelf and the central
support structure pivots to move the fourth side of the shelf to a
desired vertical point to achieve a desired angular orientation of
the shelf.
16. The rack merchandising system of claim 11, wherein a vertically
extending side is adaptable to contain promotional materials.
17. The rack merchandising system of claim 11 further having a
plurality of non-inclined shelves at one front of the central
support structure.
18. The rack merchandising system of claim 11, wherein the central
support structure further comprises at least one transverse member
extending between the two vertically extending sides.
19. The rack merchandising system of claim 18, wherein the first
side of the shelf is attached to the transverse support member of
the central support structure.
20. A rack merchandising system comprising a movable pallet base
having openings to receive lifting forks, a central support
structure, the central support perpendicularly attached to the
movable pallet base and having two vertically extending sides,
wherein the central support structure has two oppositely facing
fronts, at least two vertical supports that are spaced apart from
each other and are located at or near a peripheral edge of a top
surface of the movable pallet base, each vertically extending side
being aligned with one of the at least two vertical upright
supports, at least one inclined shelf having a first side, a second
side, a third side, and a fourth side, the first side and the
fourth sides being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the
second and third sides, whereby the inclined shelf is supported by
the central support structure and the at least two vertical
supports, and the inclined shelf can be positioned at various
vertical locations on the first front of the central support
structure, at least one non-inclined shelf having a first side, a
second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the first side and
the fourth sides being parallel to each other and perpendicular to
the second and third sides, whereby the non-inclined shelf is
supported by the central support structure and the at least two
vertical supports, and the non-inclined shelf can be positioned at
various vertical locations on the second front of the central
support structure.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation application of application Ser. No.
10/437,534 filed on May 14, 2003, which is a continuation of Ser.
No. 10/173,894, filed Jun. 18, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,083
B1, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/897,622, filed Jul. 2,
2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,880 B1, all of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to rack merchandising systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Retail store locations, such as grocery stores, drug stores,
discount stores, and convenience stores, typically use shelving
both to store and display items, such as bottled or canned
beverages, to consumers. It is preferable that shelving be easy to
install and capable of organizing and displaying a large number of
items that collectively comprise heavy merchandise loads. To
satisfy these requirements, many retail store locations use
gondola-shelving systems. Gondola shelving systems typically employ
shelves that are supported by brackets, and hook formations of the
brackets are inserted into a support, such as conventional slotted
uprights. These systems are typically assembled, installed, and
stocked with retail items at fixed locations within a store, such
as along a store aisle.
[0004] To maximize retail store sales, retail stores typically run
seasonal and/or other promotions involving certain retail items,
and it is desirable during these promotions to provide shelving
systems to display those items at high traffic store locations,
e.g., near cash registers and/or near the end of a store aisle.
Conventional shelving systems that have been assembled, installed
and stocked with product at one store location are not thereafter
typically moved to a higher traffic store location to display the
items during certain seasonal and/or other promotions. The reason
conventional systems stocked with items are not typically moved to
another store location is that they bear a heavy merchandise load
and do not provide suitable structure to permit easy movement of
the stocked shelving systems using conventional pallet jacks or
fork lifts.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a rack merchandising system
that is readily, conveniently, and easily assembled and that, after
being stocked with product, can be readily, conveniently, and
easily moved to different store locations, e.g., as may be desired
for various promotions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a rack merchandising system
having suitable structure to permit movement of the stocked rack
merchandising system using a conventional pallet jack or forklift.
The present invention is a rack merchandising system comprising a
movable pallet base, a central support structure, at least two
vertical upright supports, and at least one inclined shelf. The
movable pallet base has openings to receive the forks of a forklift
(not shown) or otherwise be lifted by a pallet jack (not shown).
The vertical upright supports are preferably spaced apart from each
other and are located at or near the outer peripheral edge of the
top surface of the movable pallet base. The central support
structure comprises two vertically extending sides, each extending
side being spaced apart from and aligned with one of the vertical
upright supports. The central support structure is perpendicularly
attached to the base. The central support structure may also
comprise at least one transverse support member that extends
between the two vertically extending sides. Each central support
structure in combination with the shelf has a first attachment
means for attaching the shelf to the central support structure
wherein the central support structure supports the shelf. Each
vertical upright support in combination with the shelf has a second
attachment means for attaching the shelf to the vertical upright
support wherein the vertical upright support supports the
shelf.
[0007] The shelf has a first, second, third, and fourth sides. The
first and fourth sides of the shelf are parallel to each other and
perpendicular to the second and third sides of the shelf. The shelf
can be attached to the central support structure at or near the
first side. In addition, the shelf can be attached to the vertical
upright supports at or near its second, and third, and or fourth
sides. When the shelf is installed in the rack merchandising
system, the first side of the shelf is attached to the central
support structure at a point vertically higher than the point where
the shelf is attached to the vertical upright supports. Thus, the
shelf can have a forwardly inclined orientation so that when an
item is taken off the shelf, the items behind the removed item
slide towards the front of the shelf. Preferably, the shelf can be
removed and replaced as may be desired to facilitate the
merchandising of multiple bottled and/or canned beverages of
various types and sizes. Preferably, the shelves are divided into
channels, each channel allowing a column of beverage containers to
be stocked. Preferably, the floor of the channel is lined with a
slippery or friction resistant material to allow beverage bottles
to slide to their forward-most position for increased presentation
to and easier access by customers.
[0008] The present invention can further include a variety of
advertising graphics. For example, advertising graphics can be
placed on top of the central support structure and not be
obstructed from view by merchandise on the top shelf. In addition,
advertising graphics can be placed on the "C" shaped channel strips
on the front of the inclined shelves. Advertising graphics can also
be placed on vertically extending side panels located on the sides
of the rack merchandising system and attached to the movable pallet
base.
[0009] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following drawings and
detailed description. The following drawings and detailed
description afford a comprehensive understanding of the present
invention. However, it should be understood that the described
preferred embodiments are illustrative only, since various
modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who have
benefited from this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the rack system of the present invention without removable shelves
shown.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
FIG. 1, with advertising graphics.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
FIG. 2, with two installed shelves 18.
[0013] FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of a preferred first
attachment means for attaching the shelf to the transverse support
member 28.
[0014] FIG. 3C is an enlarged top view of a preferred second
attachment means for attaching the shelf to the vertical upright
supports.
[0015] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
FIG. 3A, wherein eight shelves 18 are installed.
[0016] FIG. 4B is an enlarged perspective view of another preferred
first attachment means for attaching the shelf to the transverse
support member 28.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a top view of a shelf 18 of a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side view of a shelf 18 of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention that is stocked with items.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention that is stocked with items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-11, the present invention is a rack
merchandising system 10 comprising a movable pallet base 12, a
central support structure 14, at least two vertical upright
supports 16, and at least one inclined shelf 18. The movable pallet
base 12 has openings 20 to receive the forks of a forklift (not
shown) or otherwise be lifted by a pallet jack (not shown). The
vertical upright supports 16 are preferably spaced apart from each
other and are located at or near the outer peripheral edge 22 of
the top surface 24 of the movable pallet base 12. The central
support structure 14 comprises two vertically extending sides 26,
each extending side being spaced apart from and aligned with one of
the vertical upright supports 16. The central support structure 14
is perpendicularly attached to the pallet base 12. In an example of
a preferred assembly, a brace 13, having holes that align with
holes in the pallet base, can be placed on opposite ends of the
movable pallet base 12, and the central support structure 14 can be
attached to the pallet base 12 by screws or bolts 15 that are
inserted into holes defined by the central support structure 14,
the holes defined by the brace 13, and the holes defined by the
pallet base. Screws or bolts 15 can be, for example,
1/2-20.times.1" hex head machine screws, and washers can also be
used. The vertical upright supports can be attached to the pallet
base 12 by screws or bolts 17. The central support structure may
further comprise at least one transverse support member 28 that
extends between the two vertically extending sides 26 of central
support structure 14.
[0025] Each central support structure 14 in combination with the
shelf 18 has a first attachment means 40 for attaching the shelf 18
to the central support structure 14 wherein the central support
structure 14 supports the shelf 18. An example of a first
attachment means 40 comprises a hook 42 as shown in FIG. 3B. As
further shown in FIG. 3B, when central support structure 14
includes a transverse support member 28, transverse support member
28 in combination with shelf 18 has a first attachment means 40 for
attaching the shelf 18 to the transverse support member 28 wherein
the transverse support member 28 supports the shelf 18.
[0026] Each vertical upright support 16 in combination with the
shelf 18 has a second attachment means 44 for attaching the shelf
18 to the vertical upright support 16 wherein the vertical upright
support 16 supports the shelf 18. An example of a second attachment
means 44 is a combination of a nut 46, a lock washer 48, a support
bar 31, a washer 50, and a screw 52 as shown in FIG. 3C. Screw 52
is inserted through washer 50, hole 30 of vertical upright support
16, support bar 31, lock washer 48, and nut 46.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4A, plurality of shelves 18 can be stacked
in parallel on either or both sides of the central support
structure 14. As shown in FIG. 4B, the top shelf 18 does not have
hooks, and can be attached to the central support structure 14 with
a bracket 45 and screw 47 combination. Screws 47 can be, for
example, 1/4-20.times.11/2" hex head machine screws. Nuts and
washers (not shown) can also be used in combination with the screws
47 and bracket 45.
[0028] The shelf has a first, second, third, and fourth sides,
which are respectively identified in FIGS. 3A and 3B as 32, 34, 36,
and 38. The first side 32 and the fourth side 38 of the shelf 18
are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second side 34
and the third side 36 of the shelf 18. The shelf 18 can be attached
to the transverse support member 28 at or near the first side 32.
In addition, the shelf 18 can be attached to the vertical upright
supports 16 at or near the second side 34, the third side 36,
and/or the fourth side 38. When the shelf 18 is installed in the
rack merchandising system 10, the first side 32 of the shelf 18 is
attached to the transverse support member 28 at a point vertically
higher than the point where the shelf 18 is attached to the
vertical upright supports 16. Preferably, the shelf can be removed
and replaced as may be desired to facilitate the merchandising of a
plurality of items of various types and sizes, e.g., bottled
beverages of various types and sizes. Preferably, the shelves 18
are divided into channels 54, each channel 54 allowing a column 72
of upright items 70 to be stocked. See e.g., FIG. 10. Shelves 18
can be comprised of wire 56 and/or slides 57. Slides 57 can be
snapped into channels 54. For example, at the back of each slide 57
clips (not shown) can be positioned that snap around the two center
wires defining each channel 54. In a preferred embodiment, the wire
56 and/or slide 57 is coated with a slippery or friction resistant
material to allow the stored items to move to their forward-most
position for increased presentation to and easier access by
customers.
[0029] As shown in the drawings, the rack merchandising system 10
of the present invention can have a plurality of shelves 18.
Further, shelves 18 can be positioned at various vertical locations
on either side of the central support structure 14. Those of skill
in the art will recognize that each shelf 18 can be moved to a
desired angular orientation by pivoting the shelf 18 about the
first attachment means 40 to move the fourth side 38 of shelf 18 to
a desired vertical point and the second attachment means 44 is then
used to fix the shelf 18 to the vertical upright supports 16. Those
skilled in the art will also recognize that shelves 18 can be
stacked in parallel at desired locations and angular
orientations.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, a plurality of inclined shelves
18 can be positioned on either oppositely facing front 82 of the
central support structure 14. This arrangement is particularly
desirable for storage and display of individual packages items 70,
e.g., two-liter beverage bottles. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
11, a plurality of inclined shelves 18 can be positioned on only
one side of the central support structure and horizontal shelves 19
can positioned on the other side of the central support structure
14. Horizontal shelves 19 can be used when it is desirable to store
and display relatively heavy packages of items, e.g., packages 90
of six, twelve or twenty-four beverage cans or bottles.
[0031] The present invention can further include a variety of
advertising graphics. For example, advertising graphics 60 and/or
flip charts 62 can be placed on a header 58 that is attached to the
central support structure 14, and not be obstructed from view by
merchandise on the top shelf 18. Advertising graphics 60 can be
inserted into channel 76 defined by extrusion 78. See FIG. 2.
Extrusion 78 can then be slid into channel 80 defined by header 58.
The attachment of header 58 to the central support structure 14 can
be made using screws or bolts 74. See FIG. 1. An example of screws
or bolts 74 are 1/4-20.times.2" hex head machine screws. Washers
and nuts (not shown) can also be used to attach the header to the
central support structure 14.
[0032] In addition, advertising graphics can be placed on strips 64
on the fourth side 38 or front of the inclined shelves 18. Strips
64 can be slid into channels defined by the fourth side 38 or front
of inclined shelves 18. Advertising graphics can also be placed on
vertically extending side panels 66 located on the sides of the
rack merchandising system 10. As shown in FIG. 6, side panels 66
can slide between channels 68 (shown in FIG. 3B) defined by
vertically extending sides 26 and vertical upright supports 16.
[0033] The present invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and
those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and
modifications are within the spirit and scope of the present
invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *