U.S. patent application number 10/934715 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-23 for glide with product stops.
Invention is credited to Squitieri, Anthony C..
Application Number | 20050133471 10/934715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34682072 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050133471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Squitieri, Anthony C. |
June 23, 2005 |
Glide with product stops
Abstract
The present invention is a glide for holding products. The glide
includes a base, a number of wall members and at least two product
stops. The wall members are removably installed on the base and
cooperate to define one or more channels. Each channel is
dimensioned for accommodating a column of the products. The product
stops are coupled to one of the wall members and the base at a
forward extremity of each channel. A front edge of each wall
includes a vertically-extending projection, engagable to a
complementary channel of one of the product stops. When installed,
the product stop has surfaces cooperating with the base to prevent
removal of the installed walls unless the product stops are
partially removed. Additionally, the product stops have portions
extending from side surfaces of the walls to inhibit horizontal
translation of products along and past the forward extremities of
the channels. In a one-channel glide, the product stops include a
right and a left product stop. In a multi-channel glide, the
product stops include a right, a left and one or more intermediate
product stops.
Inventors: |
Squitieri, Anthony C.;
(Monroe, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WIGGIN AND DANA LLP
ATTENTION: PATENT DOCKETING
ONE CENTURY TOWER, P.O. BOX 1832
NEW HAVEN
CT
06508-1832
US
|
Family ID: |
34682072 |
Appl. No.: |
10/934715 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10934715 |
Sep 3, 2004 |
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10149357 |
Jun 7, 2002 |
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10149357 |
Jun 7, 2002 |
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PCT/US00/33248 |
Dec 8, 2000 |
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60563187 |
Apr 16, 2004 |
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60169606 |
Dec 8, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2 ;
211/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/059.2 ;
211/184 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A retail display glide for holding a plurality of products,
comprising: a base having an upper surface for supporting the
products and a bottom surface; a plurality of wall members,
removably installable on the base extending front-to-back so as to
cooperate with the base to define one or more channels, each of the
one or more channels dimensioned for accommodating an associated
front-to-back column of the products; and at least two product
stops, at least one of the product stops coupled to one of the wall
members and the base at a forward extremity of the one or more
channels; wherein: a front edge of each wall member includes a
vertically-extending projection, engagable via vertical translation
to a complementary channel in a supporting portion of a
corresponding one of the at least two product stops; the at least
two product stops, when installed to the base and to the installed
wall members, has surfaces cooperating with the base to prevent
removal of the installed wall members unless the product stops are
at least partially removed via upward vertical translation; and the
at least two product stops, when installed to the base and to the
installed wall members, have portions extending from side surfaces
of the wall members to inhibit horizontal translation of the column
of products along and past the forward extremities of the one or
more channels.
2. The glide of claim 1, wherein the base and wall members define
one channel and wherein the at least two product stops includes a
right product stop and a left product stop.
3. A retail display glide for holding a plurality of products,
comprising: a base having an upper surface for supporting the
products and a bottom surface; a plurality of wall members,
removably installable on the base extending front-to-back so as to
cooperate with the base to define a plurality of channels, each
channel dimensioned for accommodating an associated front-to-back
column of the products; and a plurality of product stops, at least
one of the plurality of product coupled to one of the wall members
and the base at a forward extremity of each channel; wherein: a
front edge of each wall member includes a vertically-extending
projection, engagable via vertical translation to a complementary
channel in a supporting portion of a corresponding one of the
plurality of product stops; the plurality of product stops, when
installed to the base and to the installed wall members, has
surfaces cooperating with the base to prevent removal of the
installed wall members unless the product stops are at least
partially removed via upward vertical translation; and the
plurality of product stops, when installed to the base and to the
installed wall members, have portions extending from side surfaces
of the wall members to inhibit horizontal translation of the column
of products along and pass the forward extremities of the
channels.
4. The glide of claim 3, wherein the plurality of product stops
includes at least one of a right product stop, a left product stop
and an intermediate product stop.
5. The glide of claim 3, wherein the plurality of product stops
includes at least a right product stop, the right product stop
comprising: a base portion having a plurality of projections
depending therefrom for engaging the base; a vertical extending
supporting portion having a vertical extending dovetail channel
complementary to the front facing projection of a corresponding one
of the wall members and a vertical and rearward extending portion
that, when installed to the corresponding one of the wall members,
flanks side surfaces of the wall member; and a vertical and
leftward extending stop portion, when installed to the
corresponding one of the wall members, the vertical and leftward
extending portion extends horizontally from a side surface of the
wall member into a corresponding channel such that the extending
portion impacts and inhibits product from passing freely down the
channel.
6. The glide of claim 5, wherein the projections from the base
portion includes a forward directed barb, disposed along a lower
extremity, for engaging the base.
7. The glide of claim 3, wherein the plurality of product stops
includes a left product stop, and the left product stop comprising:
a base portion having a plurality of projections depending
therefrom for engaging the base; a vertical extending supporting
portion having a vertical extending dovetail channel complementary
to the front facing projection of a corresponding one of the wall
members and a vertical and rearward extending portion that, when
installed to the corresponding one of the wall members, flanks side
surfaces of the wall member; and a vertical and rightward extending
stop portion, when installed to the corresponding one of the wall
members, the vertical and rightward extending portion extends
horizontally from a side surface of the wall member into a
corresponding channel such that the extending portion impacts and
inhibits product from passing freely down the channel.
8. The glide of claim 3, wherein the plurality of product stops
includes an intermediate product stop, and the intermediate product
stop comprising: a base portion having a plurality of projections
depending therefrom for engaging the base; a vertical extending
supporting portion having a vertical extending dovetail channel
complementary to the front facing projection of a corresponding one
of the wall members and a vertical and rearward extending portion
that, when installed to the corresponding one of the wall members,
flanks side surfaces of the wall member; a vertical and rightward
extending portion; and a vertical and leftward extending stop
portion; wherein when installed to the corresponding one of the
wall members the rightward extending portion extends horizontally
from a first side surface of the wall member into a first channel
such that the rightward extending portion impacts and inhibits
product from passing freely down the first channel, and the
leftward extending portion extends horizontally from a second side
surface of the wall member into a second channel adjacent to the
first channel such that the leftward extending portion impacts and
inhibits product from passing freely down the second channel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part and claims
priority of International Patent Application No. PCT/U.S.00/33248,
filed Dec. 8, 2000, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/149,357,
that was filed Jun. 7, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/169,606, that was filed on Dec. 8, 1999 and
60/563,187, that was filed on Apr. 16, 2004. The disclosures of
these patent documents are incorporated by reference herein in
their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to glides and, more particularly, to
retail display glides for holding a number of product and/or
product containers such as, for example, beverage and food
containers, and consumer products such as batteries, film and the
like.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There are a wide variety of devices for storing, displaying,
and dispensing products such as, for example, individual serving
sizes of beverages and foods. A broad genus of such devices are
known as glides. Such glides confine the products to discrete lanes
(often designated rows or columns), typically arrayed extending
front-to-back in a refrigerator, display case, or shelf unit. Many
such glides are configured or mounted so that the glide base
surface supporting the products inclines from front-to-back to
allow a back-to-front gravity feed. Glides may also include a
pusher mechanism that is located behind products to urge the
products from back to front in a lane.
[0006] U.S. Design Pat. No. 275058 discloses a basic glide. The
glide has a given footprint on the associated shelf or other
support surface.
[0007] Glides have been provided that are reversibly or permanently
alterable to accommodate an available shelf footprint. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,337 identifies a glide having front and rear
portions that slidingly interfit to permit adjustment of the
front-to-back length of the glide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,739
discloses a glide in which a rear portion is disjointably coupled
to a front portion to permit size adjustment by the addition or
removal thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,025 discloses a stackable
glide system wherein outboard lanes may be severed from the glide
to narrow it.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,256 discloses a system wherein
individual lane-defining members may be secured side-by-side to
form a composite glide. In addition to producing individual members
of a single lane in width, the assignee of that patent is believed
to make one-piece members that define multiple (e.g., three)
lanes.
[0009] The aforementioned commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/149,357 (hereinafter referred to as "the
'357 application") describes a glide system having a base and a
number of wall members at least some of which are removably
installable on the base. The wall members extend front-to-back so
as to cooperate with the base to define a number of lanes or
channels. Each channel is dimensioned for accommodating an
associated front-to-back column of the products. Front members are
installable to the base and to installed wall members to bound
forward extremities of the channels. A first front member engages a
first number of installed wall members to define a first width of
channels and a second front member engages a second number of
installed wall members to define a second width of channels that is
substantially different from the first width.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,738 discloses a display glide wherein
individual channel units are coupled in a side-by-side manner for
holding adjacent columns of product packages. Each channel unit
includes a divider wall and a pusher mechanism. The channel units
are described as having a length that is adjustable to a width of a
display shelf and widths that are selectively tailored to
accommodate different sized (different width) packages. In one
embodiment, the channel unit includes flexible side stops secured
to a forward end of divider walls. The stops are described as small
enough so as not to obscure legends on the products and
sufficiently resistant to stop the forward motion of the product as
it advances on the display under the urging of the pusher. The
stops are also described as being sufficiently flexible to permit
withdrawal of products by manual means, for example, so that a
customer may pull products through the stops.
[0011] U.S. Patent Application, Publication No. 2003/0132178 A1,
describes a depth and width adjustable display track unit with
removable partitions. In one embodiment, the partitions include
partitions whose front end terminate in a short, right angle stop
for placement at a right-most channel, partitions whose front end
terminate in a short, left angle stop for placement at a left-most
channel and intermediate partitions whose front end terminate in a
cathedral stop. These stops are described as serving as stabilizers
to respective partitions and are said to cooperate at the front end
of the channels to stop articles from sliding down the channel and
off the display track.
[0012] The inventor has realized that one perceived disadvantage of
conventional glides is that products tend to pass through partial
stops formed at forward ends of channels unless the stops are of
sufficient strength. Also, partitions of conventional glides can be
more readily dislodged as customers pull products through the
stops. Therefore, the inventor has realized that an improved glide
is needed which has secure and stable partitions and stops located
at forward ends of channels that stop products from sliding off the
glide.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a
glide apparatus for holding a number or group of products. The
glide includes a base, at least two wall members and at least two
product stops. The base has an upper surface for supporting the
products and a bottom surface. The wall members are removably
installed on the base and extend front-to-back so as to cooperate
with the base to define one or more channels. Each of the channels
is dimensioned for accommodating an associated front-to-back column
of the products. The product stops are coupled to one of the wall
members and the base at a forward extremity of each channel. A
front edge of each wall member includes a vertically-extending
projection, engagable via vertical translation to a complementary
channel in a supporting portion of a corresponding one of the
plurality of product stops. When installed to the base and a
corresponding wall member, the product stops has surfaces
cooperating with the base to prevent removal of the installed wall
members unless the product stops are at least partially removed via
rearward horizontal and upward vertical translation. Additionally,
the product stops have portions extending from side surfaces of the
wall members to inhibit horizontal translation of products along
and past the forward extremities of the channels.
[0014] In one embodiment, wherein the glide includes one channel
formed by two wall members and the base, the glide has product
stops including a right product stop and a left product stop. The
right product stop includes a base portion, a vertical supporting
portion and a vertical and leftward extending stop portion. The
base portion includes a plurality of projections depending
therefrom for engaging the base. The vertical extending supporting
portion includes a vertical extending dovetail channel
complementary to the vertically-extending projection of a wall
member and a rearward extending portion that, when installed to the
wall member, flanks side surfaces of the wall member. The leftward
extending stop portion, when installed to the wall member, extends
horizontally from a side surface of the wall member into a
corresponding channel such that the extending portion impacts and
inhibits product from passing freely down the channel.
[0015] Similarly, the left product stop includes a base portion, a
vertical supporting portion and a vertical and rightward extending
stop portion. The base portion includes a plurality of projections
depending therefrom for engaging the base. The vertical extending
supporting portion includes a vertical extending dovetail channel
complementary to the vertically-extending projection of a wall
member and a rearward extending portion that, when installed to the
wall member, flanks side surfaces of the wall member. The rightward
extending stop portion, when installed to one of the wall members,
extends horizontally from a side surface of the wall member into a
corresponding channel such that the extending portion impacts and
inhibits product from passing freely down the channel.
[0016] In one embodiment, wherein the glide includes two or more
channels, the glide has at least one of the right product stop, at
least one of the left product stop and an intermediate product
stop. The intermediate product stop includes, as with the right and
left product stops, a base portion and a supporting portion.
Additionally, the intermediate portion includes a vertical and
rightward extending portion and a vertical and leftward extending
stop portion. When installed to one of the wall members, the
rightward extending portion extends horizontally from a first side
surface of the wall member into a first channel such that the
rightward extending portion impacts and inhibits product from
passing freely down the first channel. At the same time, the
leftward extending portion extends horizontally from a second side
surface of the wall member into a second channel adjacent to the
first channel such that the leftward extending portion impacts and
inhibits product from passing freely down the second channel.
[0017] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a glide assembly,
constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the glide assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the glide assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4D depict a wall member of the glide assembly,
constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a pusher of the glide assembly, constructed
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 depicts a bull nose front member of the glide
assembly, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts a right product stop of the glide assembly,
constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 depicts a left product stop of the glide assembly,
constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 depicts an intermediate product stop of the glide
assembly, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 10 depicts a right, left and intermediate wall members
of a glide assembly, constructed in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] In these figures, like structures are assigned like
reference numerals, but may not be referenced in the description
for all figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an assembled glide 10, configured
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
including separately formed combination of a base 20, a plurality
of divider or wall members 30 and a plurality of product stops,
shown generally at 40. The base 20 and adjacent ones of the wall
members 30 cooperate to form one or more channels, for example, two
channels 50 and 52. Each of the channels 50 and 52 has a forward
end 54 bound by at least one of the plurality of product stops 40.
In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, the forward end 54 of the
channel 50 is bound by the product stops 40 comprising a right
product stop 42 and an intermediate product stop 44. Similarly, the
forward end 54 of the channel 52 is bound by product stops 40
comprising the intermediate product stop 44 and a left product stop
46.
[0030] While not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the plurality of
channels 50 and 52 has a width and length for accommodating a front
to back column of products (e.g., beverage and/or food containers,
as well as consumer products such as film, batteries and the like).
As is generally known in the art, in one embodiment, the base 20
and wall members 30 include features for adjusting the length and
width of channels such as, for example, break away portions for
shortening the length of the wall members and the length and/or
width of the channels, and slots and projections for inserting
accessory portions for adding to the length and/or width of the
channels. Additionally, while the glide 10 is shown as including
two channels 50 and 52, it should be appreciated that the base 20
and adjacent pairs of wall members 30 may cooperate to form any
number of channels. For example, it should be appreciated that the
glide 10 may include one channel formed by the base 20, two wall
members 30, and the products stops 40 including the right product
stop 42 and the left product stop 46. The glide 10 may also include
three channels formed by the cooperation of the base 20 and four of
the wall members 30. In the three-channel glide, a forward end of a
first, right hand channel (right being determined from the
prospective of a consumer facing a front of the glide 10 (FIG. 2))
is bound by the right product stop 42 and a rightward extending
portion of a first intermediate product stop 44. A forward end of a
second channel (moving from right to left across the glide) is
bound by a leftward extending portion of the first intermediate
product stop 44 and a rightward extending portion of a second
intermediate stop 44. A forward end of a third channel is bound by
a leftward extending portion of the second intermediate stop 44 and
the left product stop 46.
[0031] In one embodiment, the glide 10 includes a plurality of
pusher mechanisms 60. One pusher mechanism 60 being disposed in a
corresponding one of the channels 50. As illustrated in the
exploded assembly view of FIG. 3, the pusher mechanism 60 includes
a pusher 62 (FIG. 5) and a carriage 64, as are generally known in
the art. The carriage 64 includes a plurality of projections 66
extending down from a lower surface. The projections 66 are
suitably sized for engaging slot-like apertures in the base 20 so
that the carriage 64 can be coupled to the base 20. It should be
appreciated however, that it is within the scope of the present
invention to provide a glide without corresponding pusher
mechanisms located within respective channels. In this regard, it
is preferred to implement the glide with a back-to-front gravity
feed of products.
[0032] The base 20 is substantially identical to a base described
in the '357 application, and may include primary and auxiliary base
components to allow the glide 10 to be adjusted to a width of a
subject display areas such as, for example, a "cool" display area
of a refrigerator, display case or the like, or a "warm" display
area of a gondola display, shelf, counter or the like. In one
embodiment, the base 20 includes an upper surface and a lower
surface. The base 20 includes side walls, a plurality of
front-to-back rails and a plurality of cross-members spanning
between the sidewalls and combining with the sidewalls and rails to
form a grid of slot-like ventilation/drainage apertures extending
from the upper surface through to the lower surface as described in
the '357 application.
[0033] In one embodiment, a bull nose front member 70 has a
plurality of projections 72 (FIG. 6) for coupling the member 70 to
the base 20. The bull nose front member 70 is formed as a single
molded or extruded plastic piece such as, for example, a
polycarbonate, styrene or the like, may be transparent, opaque, or
employ a color scheme coordinated to the products displayed in the
glide 10. Preferably, the bull nose front member 70 provides
information such as, for example, product definition and notices,
labeling, pricing, promotional graphics and the like. It should be
appreciated that if fabricated using an extrusion process the bull
nose front member 70 may not employ the plurality of projections
72. In such an embodiment, conventional means of coupling the bull
nose front member 70 to the base 20 may be employed.
[0034] FIG. 4A is a side elevational view showing features of the
wall members 30. Each wall member 30 includes a plurality of
projections 32 extending down from a bottom surface of the wall 30.
As described in the '357 application, the projections 32 are
suitably sized for engaging the slot-like apertures and coupling
the wall member to the base 20. In one embodiment, each wall member
30 includes an array of ventilation apertures 34 permitting airflow
between the lanes 30. Advantageously, the wall members 30 are of a
height sufficient to maintain the products within their respective
channels 50. To achieve this, the height is advantageously
sufficient so that a top edge of the wall member 30 is near or
above a center of gravity of the products in the adjacent one or
two channels 50. The wall members 30 may have an exemplary height
of 5.0 inches (13 cm), which is advantageous for relatively tall
products such as, for example, one liter plastic carbonated
beverage bottles and thirty-two oz. (946 ml) glass juice bottles.
This height facilitates a three row high array of one inch diameter
ventilation apertures 34. For twelve oz. (355 ml) cans, a 3.5 inch
(9 cm) high wall with two rows of such apertures 34 is a
possibility. Each of the wall members 30 is advantageously molded
as a single plastic piece of, for example, opaque or translucent
polypropylene or the like. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the wall
members 30 may have one or more stepping down area 30A and 30B. The
step down areas 30A and 30B may be a material-saving compromise
and/or facilitate access to products in the channel 50, for
example, permitting easier loading and unloading of products in
front and rear portions of the channels 50. It should also be
appreciated that the wall members 30 may include break off areas
30C for shortening an overall length of the wall member to
accommodate dimensions of a subject display area.
[0035] In accordance with the present invention, each of the wall
members 30 includes a vertically-extending front facing dovetail
projection 36 along a front edge 38. As described in detail below,
the front facing dovetail projection 36 receives complementary
dovetail channels on corresponding product stops 40. As illustrated
in FIGS. 4A-4D, the dovetail projection 36 and a width of the wall
member 30 (e.g., between side surfaces 33 and 35) include an I-beam
feature 39 at the forward extremity of the wall member 30. As
described in detail below, rearward extending portions 87, 109 and
97 of the product stops 42, 44 and 46 receive the I-beam feature 39
and forward portions of the side surfaces 33 and 35 of the wall
members 30 providing integrity and strength to the ability of the
combined product stops 40 and wall members 30 to inhibit
translation of product beyond forward extremities of the channels
50.
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates the right product stop 42. In one
embodiment, the right product stop 42 is formed as a single molded
plastic piece of, for example, transparent polycarbonate, styrene
or the like. The right product stop 42 includes a base portion 82,
a vertical extending supporting portion 84, and a vertical and
leftward extending stop portion 86. The supporting portion 84
includes a vertical extending dovetail channel 88 complementary to
the front facing projections 36 of the wall members 30 (FIG. 4A)
and a vertical and rearward extending portion 87 that, when
installed to one of the wall members 30, flanks the side surfaces
33 and 35 of the wall member 30. In one embodiment, the rearward
extending portion 87 extends rearward about 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) from
the supporting portion 84. The base portion 82 includes a plurality
of projections 83 depending from the base portion 82. The
projections 83 are suitably sized for engaging the slot-like
apertures in the base 20. In one embodiment, at least one of the
projections 83 includes a forward directed barb 85, along its lower
extremity, for engaging the base 20. It should be appreciated that,
when installed to a corresponding wall member 30, the right product
stop 42 provides structural integrity to the wall member 30 and
prevents the wall member 30 from being shifted horizontally
rearward relative to the forward extremity of the base 20.
[0037] In accordance with the present invention, the vertical and
leftward extending portion 86 of an installed right product stop 42
extends horizontally from the side surface 33 of a wall member 30
into a corresponding channel 50 (e.g., extends about 1.0 inch (2.54
cm) into the channel 50) such that the leftward extending portion
86 impacts and inhibits product from passing freely down the
channel 50 (e.g., via horizontal translation along the channel 50).
Accordingly, at least a right forward extremity of the channel 50
is bound by the right product stop 42 when the stop 42 is installed
to the wall member 30 and the base 20. The inventor has discovered
that coupling the right product stop 42 to the base 20 and the wall
member 30 provides a greater degree of stopping ability than
conventional product stops. For example, the inventor has
discovered that improved structural integrity is realized by
coupling the leftward extending portion 86 to the base 20 and
coupling the rearward extending portion 87 about side surfaces 33
and 35 of the wall members 30. This novel combination of the
components is heretofore not employed in conventional glide
systems.
[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates the left product stop 46. In one
embodiment, the left product stop 46 is formed as a single molded
plastic piece of, for example, transparent polycarbonate, styrene
or the like. The left product stop 46 includes a base portion 92, a
vertical extending supporting portion 94, and a vertical and
rightward extending stop portion 96. The supporting portion 94
includes a vertical extending dovetail channel 98 complementary to
the front facing projections 36 of the wall members 30 (FIG. 4A)
and a vertical and rearward extending portion 97 that, when
installed to one of the wall members 30, flanks the side surfaces
33 and 35 of the wall member 30. In one embodiment, the rearward
extending portion 97 extends rearward about 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) from
the supporting portion 94. The base portion 92 includes a plurality
of projections 93 depending from the base portion 92. The
projections 93 are suitably sized for engaging the slot-like
apertures in the base 20. In one embodiment, at least one of the
projections 93 includes a forward directed barb 95, along its lower
extremity, for engaging the base 20. It should be appreciated that,
when installed to a corresponding wall member 30, the left product
stop 46 provides structural integrity to the wall member 30 and
prevents the wall member 30 from being shifted horizontally
rearward relative to a forward extremity of the base 20.
[0039] The vertical and rightward extending portion 96 of an
installed left product stop 46 extends from the side surface 35 of
the wall member 30 (e.g., extends about 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) into the
channel 50) such that the rightward extending portion 96 impacts
and inhibits product from passing freely down the channel 50 (e.g.,
via horizontal translation along the channel 50). Accordingly, at
least a left forward extremity of the channel 50 is bound by the
left product stop 46 when the stop 46 is installed to the wall
member 30 and the base 20. As with the right product stop 42, the
inventor has discovered that coupling the left product stop 46 to
the base 20 and the wall member 30 provides a greater degree of
stopping ability than conventional product stops.
[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates the intermediate product stop 44. In one
embodiment, the intermediate product stop 44 is formed as a single
molded plastic piece of, for example, transparent polycarbonate,
styrene or the like. The intermediate product stop 44 includes a
base portion 102, a vertical extending supporting portion 104, a
vertical and rightward extending stop portion 106, a vertical and
leftward extending stop portion 108 and a vertical and rearward
extending portion 109. The supporting portion 104 includes a
vertical extending dovetail channel 110 complementary to the front
facing projections 36 of the wall members 30 (FIG. 4A) and a
vertical and rearward extending portion 109 that, when installed to
one of the wall members 30, flanks the side surfaces 33 and 35 of
the wall member 30. The base portion 102 includes a plurality of
projections 114 depending from the base portion 102. The
projections 114 are suitably sized for engaging the slot-like
apertures in the base 20. In one embodiment, at least one of the
projections 114 includes a forward directed barb 116, along its
lower extremity, for engaging the base 20. It should be appreciated
that, when installed to a corresponding wall member 30, the
intermediate product stop 44 provides structural integrity to the
wall member 30 and prevents the wall member 30 from being shifted
horizontally rearward relative to the forward extremity of the base
20.
[0041] The vertical rightward and leftward extending portions 106
and 108, respectively of an installed intermediate product stop 44
extend from side surfaces of a wall member 30 (e.g., each extends
about 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) into the channels 50 and 52) such that the
respective extending portions 106 and 108 impact and inhibit
product from passing freely down respective channels 50 and 52
(e.g., via horizontal translation along the channels 50 and 52).
Accordingly, at least a left forward extremity of a first channel
50 and a right forward extremity of an adjacent second channel 52
are bound by the intermediate product stop 44 when the stop 44 is
installed to the wall member 30 and the base 20. As with the right
and left product stops 42 and 46, the inventor has discovered that
coupling the intermediate product stop 44 to the base 20 and the
wall member 30 provides a greater degree of stopping ability than
conventional product stops.
[0042] The inventor has discovered that in one embodiment wherein
the channels retain round products and/or product containers,
product traveling down the channels 50 and 52 may gain rotational
momentum. When the product strikes the product stops 40 a radius of
the product may tend to spread apart the product stops 40, which
are positioned to inhibit the product from passing through the
forward extremity 54 of the channels 50. Accordingly, the present
invention provides product stops 42, 44 and 46 having rearward
extending portions 87, 109 and 97, respectively. The rearward
extending portions 87, 109 and 97 flank side surfaces 33 and 35 of
corresponding wall members 30 to oppose the rotational force that
may otherwise tend to spread the product stops 42, 44 and 46.
[0043] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, to assemble the glide 10,
the base 20 is first assembled. As described in the '357
Application, this may include assembly of a primary and one or more
auxiliary base members. With the base prepared, the wall members 30
are installed to the base 20. To do this, a necessary number of
wall members 30 (for the base's width and desired widths of each
channel 50 and 52) are aligned at the appropriate width and lowered
onto the base 20 via downward vertical translation so that the
projections 32 of the wall members 30 pass into associated slots of
the base 20. The wall members 30 are then slide forward so that an
upper surface of the projections 32 rest against a lower surface of
the base 20, as described in the '357 application. When this is
completed, each of the wall members 30 is in its installed
position.
[0044] With the wall members 30 installed, at least one of the
product stops 40 may be installed to each of the wall members 30
(FIG. 3). Each of the product stops 40 are installed to the wall
members 30 via downward vertical translation such that the dovetail
channel 88, 98 and 110 of the product stops 42, 46 and 44 receive
the dovetail projection 36 of the wall members 30 and the rearward
extending portion 87, 97, and 109 of the product stops 42, 46 and
44 accept the I-beam 39 portion of each of the wall members 30. As
the product stops 42, 46 and 44 are installed, the projections 83,
93 and 114 of the product stops 42, 46 and 44, respectively, pass
into associated slots of the base 20. It should be appreciated that
the product stops 40 provide structural integrity to the wall
members 30 and prevent the wall members 30 from being shifted
horizontally rearward relative to the forward extremity of the base
20. The rightward and leftward extending portions of the product
stops 40 are suitably sized such that the product stops 40 extend
(e.g., about 1.0 inch (2.54 cm)) from respective right and left
side surfaces 33 and 35 of the wall members 30 to inhibit the free
flow of products from front extremities of corresponding channels
50 and 52 (e.g., via horizontal translation along a channel
50).
[0045] In one embodiment, the glide 10 may be distributed as a kit.
When distributed as a kit, the kit may include a primary base
member and sufficient auxiliary base members (as described in the
'357 application) to form a base of the maximum anticipated width.
The kit would include a plurality of wall members and at least one
product stop of each channel formed by the base and wall members,
and preferably two product stops (or portion thereof with respect
to the intermediate stop) for each channel. Optionally, the kit may
include a bull nose front member for exhibiting product
information.
[0046] One or more embodiments of the present invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, while illustrated with use of
a pusher mechanism, one skilled in the art would appreciate that
the present invention may similarly be implemented as a
gravity-feed glide. Moreover, while described as separately formed
components, it should be appreciated that in one embodiment of the
present invention the wall members 30 and product stops 40 may be
comprised of integrally molded components. For example, FIG. 10
depicts one embodiment of a left channel wall member 120, a right
channel wall member 140 and an intermediate channel wall member
160. In a glide employing these integrally molded wall members, a
one channel glide includes one of the right channel wall members
140 and one of the left channel wall members 120. A two channel
glide includes one of the right channel wall members 140, one of
the intermediate channel wall members 160 and one of the left
channel wall members 120. Additionally intermediate channel wall
members 160 may be affixed to the base to define additional
channels for carry product.
[0047] In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that
other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
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