U.S. patent application number 10/486614 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for pusher-type display system.
Invention is credited to Csak, Louis R., Howerton, Gary N., Marsky, Mikhail L..
Application Number | 20050218094 10/486614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35053148 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050218094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howerton, Gary N. ; et
al. |
October 6, 2005 |
Pusher-type display system
Abstract
A display device has a spring-biased pusher (20) carried on an
elongate track (24). A sample carrier may be located at a front end
of the track. A number of such tracks and pushers may be arrayed
side-by-side with one or more pitch(es) corresponding to the
products (500) being displayed in a number of columns or lanes
(510-A-510-N) associated with each track and pusher. The sample
carrier may include a principal portion (220) unitarily formed with
the track and one or more additional portions (250;272) securable
thereto to retain the sample (236).
Inventors: |
Howerton, Gary N.; (Memphis,
TN) ; Marsky, Mikhail L.; (New York, NY) ;
Csak, Louis R.; (Old Greenwich, 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: |
35053148 |
Appl. No.: |
10/486614 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 12, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US02/25587 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60366497 |
Mar 21, 2002 |
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/059.3 |
International
Class: |
A47F 001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display device comprising: an elongate track extending from
back to front ends; a pusher carried on the track for reciprocal
sliding movement between rearward and forward positions; a spring
biasing the pusher forward; and a sample carrier at the track front
end.
2. A combination of a plurality of devices of claim 1 wherein: each
such device is positioned in a side-by-side array on an upper
surface of a common shelf; and there are a plurality of
product-carrying lanes, each lane associated with one said pusher
so that the pusher presses forward on a column of products in such
lane to bias such column against a stop surface proximate the
sample carrier.
3. The combination of claim 2 further comprising an end member at
the extreme first end of the array and cooperating with the
adjacent device to define the extreme first end lane.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the spring is a negator
spring.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein an outer end of the spring is
secured to a forward portion of the track and a coiling portion is
carried by the pusher.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the carrier includes: a base,
unitarily formed with at least a major portion of the track; a
cover having first surfaces positioned to engage with mating
surfaces of the base when installed thereon; and a sample-holding
insert installable to the cover via a sliding translation prior to
installation of the cover to the base but not nondestructively
removable while the cover is in an installed condition.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the insert carries a sample of
hair or a hair simulant.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the sample is permanently adhered
to the insert.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein: the cover comprises a single
piece of molded plastic; the insert comprises a single piece of
molded plastic; the cover is at least for a partial area
transparent; and the track member has a plurality of predefined
relieved areas permitting predetermined rearward portions of the
track to be broken off to shorten the track to accommodate a shelf
having a particular depth onto which the track is placed.
10. The device of claim 1 including said sample and wherein the
carrier comprises: a base portion unitarily molded with a portion
of the track; and means for mounting the sample to the base
portion.
11. A device comprising: a hair or hair stimulant sample; and a
molded sample holder to which the sample is secured having: means
for slidably guiding insertion of the sample holder into a mating
cover member.
12. A display device comprising: an elongate track extending from
back to front ends; a pusher carried on the track for reciprocal
sliding movement between rearward and forward positions; a first
spring biasing the pusher forward; and a second spring biasing the
pusher rearward in at least a first condition.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein the second spring is
nondestructively disengageable by a user to place the display in a
second condition wherein the second spring does not bias the pusher
rearward.
14. The device of claim 12 wherein: the first and second springs
are negator springs, each having a coiling portion carried by the
pusher and a distal end portion secured to the track.
15. The device of claim 12 wherein: the first spring exerts a bias
force of between 120% and 300% of a bias force exerted by the
second spring at least along a majority of a distance between said
rearward and forward positions.
16. A display device comprising: an elongate track member extending
from back to front ends; a pusher carried on the track for
reciprocal sliding movement between rearward and forward positions;
and a first spring biasing the pusher forwardly, wherein the pusher
has first and second conditions presenting relatively narrow and
wide contact spans for articles being displayed.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein said pusher has a face plate
portion rotatable between first and seconds orientations about a
front-to-back axis in said first and second conditions,
respectively, to present said relatively narrow and wide contact
spans.
18. A display device comprising: an elongate track member extending
from back to front ends; a pusher carried on the track for
reciprocal sliding movement between rearward and forward positions;
a first spring biasing the pusher forwardly; and a mounting element
having depending mounting prongs for engaging mounting holes of a
shelf supporting the device and held relative to the track for
transverse movement governed by a detent mechanism.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein: said mounting element comprises
a single molded piece with said prongs depending from an underside
of a body plate; and said detent mechanism comprises a plurality of
transversely arrayed detents on an upper surface of said body plate
and a flexible catch engaged thereto.
20. The device of claim 18 wherein said detent mechanism has a
detent pitch of 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) or less.
21. The device of claim 18 in combination with a support shelf, the
mounting holes of which are at a first pitch and wherein said
detent mechanism has a detent pitch less than the first pitch.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Ser. Nos. 60/311,499 and
60/366,497, filed Aug. 10, 2001 and Mar. 21, 2002, respectively and
both entitled "PUSHER-TYPE DISPLAY SYSTEM," the disclosures of
which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein as
if set forth at length.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to display systems, and more
particularly to pusher-type shelf displays.
[0004] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0005] Myriad pusher-type shelf displays exist. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,830,201 (the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety herein) shows an exemplary system. In
many such systems, a plurality of pushers are respectively
slidingly mounted on tracks for longitudinal reciprocation and
spring urged into a forward position such as by a negator spring.
When installed in a retail environment, each pusher can drive a
longitudinal column of product toward a stop member at the front of
the shelf. As the leading product in the column is removed, the
pusher increments the remainder one step forward.
[0006] One particular field in which pusher-type displays may be
utilized is the sale of hair coloring products. In such a use, each
column of products may represent a different color of colorant.
When used in that field, samples of colored hair may be located on
the shelf, stop member, or other location near the front of the
column to readily identify the contents of that column.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect, a display device has an elongate track
extending from back to front ends. A pusher is carried on the track
for reciprocal sliding movement between rearward and forward
positions. A spring biases the pusher forward. A sample carrier is
positioned at the track front end. A number of such devices may be
combined. Each such device may be positioned in a side-by-side
array on an upper surface of a common shelf There may be a number
of product-carrying lanes, each lane associated with one of the
pusher so that such pusher presses forward on a column of products
in such lane so as to bias such column against a stop surface
proximate the sample carrier. The combination may include an end
member at the extreme first end of the array and cooperating with
the adjacent device to define the extreme first end lane. The
springs may be negator springs wherein an outer end of the spring
is secured to a forward portion of the track and a coiling portion
of the spring is carried by the pusher.
[0008] The sample carrier may include a base, unitarily formed with
a major portion of the track. A cover may have first surfaces
positioned to engage with mating surfaces of the base when
installed thereon. A sample-holding insert may be installed to the
cover via a sliding translation prior to installation of the cover
to the base. The insert may be formed so as to not be
nondestructively removable while the cover is installed to the
base.
[0009] The cover may comprise a single piece of molded plastic. The
insert may also comprise a single piece of molded plastic. The
cover may be, at least for a partial area, transparent. The track
member may have a number of predefined relieved areas permitting
predetermined rear portions of the track to be broken off to
shorten the track to accommodate a shelf having a particular depth
onto which the track is placed.
[0010] Other aspects may involve features of the sample holder. For
example, the holder may have a hair (e.g., human hair) or hair
stimulant (e.g., plant or artificial fiber) sample secured thereto,
may have means, such as rails, for slidably guiding insertion of
the sample holder into a mating environmental cover member.
[0011] Another aspect involves a pusher-type display device in
which an elongate track extends from back to front ends. The pusher
is carried on the track for reciprocal sliding movement between
rearward and forward positions. A first spring biases the pusher
forward and a second spring biases the pusher rearward at least in
a first condition. The second spring may be nondestructively
disengaged by a user to place the display in a second condition
wherein the second spring does not bias the pusher rearward.
Advantageously, the first spring may exert a bias force of between
120% and 300% of a bias force exerted by the second spring at least
along a majority of a distance between the rearward and forward
positions.
[0012] Another aspect involves a pusher which has first and second
conditions respectively presenting relatively narrow and wide
contact spans for articles being displayed. The pusher may have a
face plate portion rotatable between first and second orientations
about a front-to-back axis to present the narrow and wide contact
spans in the first and second conditions.
[0013] Another aspect involves the pusher display device mounting
mechanism. The mechanism includes a mounting element with depending
prongs for engaging mounting holes of a shelf. The mounting element
is held relative to the track for transverse movement governed by a
detent mechanism. The mounting element may comprise a single molded
piece with the prongs depending from an underside of a body plate.
The detent mechanism may include a number of transversely-arrayed
detents on an upper surface of the body plate and a flexible catch
on the track engaged thereto. The detent mechanism may
advantageously have a detent pitch of 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) or less.
Such pitch is advantageously less than a pitch of the mounting
holes.
[0014] 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
[0015] FIG. 1 is a view of an installed product-holding display
system according to principals of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a view of the system of FIG. 1 without
product.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a view of a first base element of the system of
FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3A is a view of a portion of the base element of FIG.
3.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top view of the base element of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the base element
of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the base element of FIG.
4.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the base element of
FIG. 4 taken along line 7-7.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the base element of
FIG. 4 taken along line 8-8.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view of a lane of the
system of FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a view of a spring retaining clip of the lane of
FIG. 9.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of an alternate
lane.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a view of a body of a pusher of the system of
FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a view of the body of FIG. 12.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a front view of a faceplate of the system of FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a side view of a locked pusher.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a view of an adapter.
[0032] FIGS. 17 and 18 are bottom views of a track with the adapter
of FIG. 16 in respective rightmost and leftmost positions.
[0033] FIG. 19 is a view of a base element including a sample
holder.
[0034] FIG. 20 is a view of the base element of FIG. 19.
[0035] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of a sample and insert
assembly.
[0036] FIG. 22 is a partially exploded view of an assembly of the
assembly of FIG. 21 and a cover.
[0037] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 22 and
base element.
[0038] Like reference numbers and designations indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIG. 1 shows an installed display system for displaying and
dispensing products 500 on a shelf 502, rack, or other support
surface or structure. The products are arranged in back-to-front
columns, each column being associated with a given lane 510A-510N.
The columns are retained laterally in their associated lanes via
inboard surfaces of a pair of associated walls (described below)
and driven in a forward direction 520 by an associated pusher
element 20. FIG. 1 shows the pusher elements 20 at or near a
rearmost extreme of their range of travel. For purposes of
illustration, FIG. 2 shows the system of FIG. 1 empty of product
and with the pusher elements positioned as if held near the
forwardmost extreme of their range of travel.
[0040] A principal component of the system is the combination of
one pusher element 20 mounted on a base element or unit 22 or 23.
Each base element is advantageously configured to be mountable
directly atop the support surface/structure. Advantageously, a
number of these combinations are mounted side by side on the shelf.
An exemplary base element is unitarily molded (e.g., of
polystyrene) comprises a longitudinally-extending track 24 to which
the pusher 20 is mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement
between aft and fore locations. The exemplary track is oriented
substantially horizontally and includes longitudinally-extending
convolutions or channels 25 (FIG. 3A) receiving complementary
features of the pusher (described below) to hold the pusher and
restrict its movement to the longitudinal reciprocation. The base
element further includes a longitudinal wall 26 upstanding from one
side (e.g., the left side of the example--from the point of view of
a user facing the front of the rather than of the track and an
outboard floor portion 28 (FIG. 4) on an opposite side of the wall
26 from the track. The base element further includes front wall
portions 30 and 32 (FIG. 3) projecting upward from the track 24 and
floor portion 28 on either side of the wall 26. In the illustrated
embodiment, an inboard edge of the front wall portion of 30 is
coincident with a forward edge of the wall 26 along the vertical
height of the wall 26. As is described below, in the exemplary
embodiment, the wall portion 32 is separated from the wall 26 by a
gap permitting the wall portion 32 and floor portion 28 to be
severed from the remainder of the base element along a predefined
rupture zone 33 (FIG. 7).
[0041] A primary spring 34 (FIG. 9) biases each pusher 20 forward
along the associated track 24. An exemplary spring is a coiled
steel constant-force or negator spring having one end 36 secured
proximate a forward end of the track and an accumulation 38 carried
within the pusher. An exemplary force is eight ounces (2.2 N) with
the pusher drawn by a user to a rearmost position, the accumulation
is largely expended as a major portion of the length of the spring
extends along one of track convolutions. Recoiling of the spring
toward a natural state biases the pusher forward. When forward
movement is permitted, such as by the removal of product from the
front of a column of product associated with that pusher, the
accumulation increases to drive the pusher forward. An oppositely
oriented second spring 40 is also carried by the pusher, having an
accumulation 44 and a free end 42 extending rearwardly therefrom
and secured to the track toward a rear end thereof. The second
spring 40 is advantageously somewhat weaker than the first spring,
exerting a force typically between about 25% and 75% of the force
of the first spring. When heavy product is to be carried by the
unit, the free end 42 may be decoupled from the track, so as to
eliminate the rearward force provided by the second spring and
provide a greater net forward force on the column.
[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, the free end 42 is mounted to a
clip 44. An exemplary clip is advantageously molded of plastic
(e.g., polypropylene). A foot 46 of the clip depending from a base
48 is provided for engaging a mating mounting feature of the track.
FIG. 9 shows three such mounting features 50A, 50B, and 50C at
three distinct longitudinal locations along the track. The
provision of three such alternate features facilitates shortening
of the track to a desired depth. The clip further includes an
upstanding frame portion 54 extending up from a rear portion of the
base. A finger 56 extends forward and downward from a front of an
upper portion of the frame portion 54. In the exemplary embodiment,
the finger 56 is provided for interaction with the pusher.
Specifically, when the clip is disengaged from the track, the
spring 44 may be allowed to relax, drawing the clip toward the
pusher whereupon the clip may be hung by its finger from a mating
hook feature 60 (FIG. 11) on a back wall 62 of the pusher.
[0043] The exemplary pusher 20 is advantageously formed having a
molded plastic body piece 68 (e.g., of polypropylene) that includes
a base portion 70 having depending legs 72 for engaging the track
convolutions and carrying the spring accumulations. An upstanding
frontal portion 74 serves for mounting a molded plastic (e.g.,
polystyrene) faceplate 76, the forward surface 78 of which engages
the back surface of a rearmost product in the associated column.
The faceplate and body have interengaged features permitting the
faceplate to be rotated about a longitudinal axis 512 at least
between a first orientation or other condition, (such as that of
lane 510A of FIG. 2), in which the faceplate presents a relatively
narrow contact surface and a second orientation (such as that of
lane 510B of FIG. 1) wherein the faceplate presents a relatively
wide contact surface. In the exemplary embodiment, this is achieved
having the faceplate extending eccentrically of the axis 512.
[0044] FIGS. 12 and 13 show further details of the exemplary pusher
body piece 68. The frontal portion is generally rectangular. A left
wall 80 extends rearward from a left edge of the frontal portion
74. A right wall 82 extends rearward from the frontal portion
slightly inboard of the right edge thereof. Both these exemplary
walls reinforce the frontal portion. An intermediate wall 84
extends rearward from the frontal portion 74 spaced apart from the
left wall 80 by a distance effective to create a compartment for
accommodating the spring accumulations. Along rear edges, the walls
80 and 84 are joined by the pusher back wall 62. FIG. 12 further
shows the faceplate interengagement features of the body piece 68
as including exemplary axle shaft 90 extending forward from the
faceplate along the axis 512 and a pair of diametrically opposed
fingers 92 projecting forward from the faceplate and inward toward
the axle shaft. FIG. 14 shows further details of the faceplate 76
as having a semicircular first end 94 and a second end 96 formed as
a rectangle with rounded corners. Relatively close to the first
end, an aperture 98 is dimensioned to receive the axle 90 of the
body piece. The exemplary faceplate is advantageously unitarily
molded (e.g., of polystyrene) having a generally flat rear surface
and the generally flat forward surface 78.
[0045] A flange 100 extends radially beyond a hub portion of the
faceplate surrounding the aperture 98. The flange has interruptions
102 which permit passage of the body piece fingers 92 when the
faceplate is installed to the body piece 68. After such
installation, the faceplate is rotated about the axis 512 to bring
the flange 100 within the grasp of the fingers 92. A series of
radial projections 104 along the flange provide detents for
engaging sides of the associated fingers 92 to selectively hold the
faceplate in either its narrow (vertically-extending) or wide
(horizontally-extending) orientations.
[0046] For loading of product, the pusher may be pushed back to an
appropriate location above a depressed area 120 (FIG. 3A) of the
track 24 having a generally vertical frontal surface 122 and a
rearwardly inclining surface 124. When above this depressed area,
the pusher may be rotated downward so that a lower front edge
portion 126 (FIG. 15) abuts the surface 122 so as to retain the
pusher against the force of the primary spring. The product may
then be loaded, whereupon the pusher may be rotated back to
disengage the pusher body from the surface 122.
[0047] The shelf 502 advantageously includes one or more arrays of
mounting apertures 504 (FIG. 2). Such arrays are usually adjacent
at least the front edge, are often adjacent a rear edge, and are
occasionally at intermediate locations along the shelf. The arrays
are often of a standard pitch, such as 1 inch (2.5 cm) on-center or
1/2 (1.27 cm) inch on-center or similar metric dimensions.
Depending on the transverse dimensions of the articles being
dispensed, it may be advantageous to more finely transversely
position the base units so that the space between adjacent wall
surfaces more closely corresponds to such width. To provide such
fine adjustment, the exemplary system includes an adapter 140 (FIG.
16) for mounting each track member to the shelf The adapter is
advantageously molded plastic (e.g., polystyrene) and includes a
plate-like body 142 having an upper surface 144 and a lower surface
146, from which a plurality of legs 148 depend. The legs are
positioned to mate with the mounting apertures of the shelf. The
body 142 is captured within a transversely-extending slot 150 (FIG.
5) in the underside of the track near the front thereof. The
exemplary slot 150 is open to both the sides of the track. On
forward and rear extremities of the body, the lower surface 146 is
recessed upward, allowing the extremities 151 to be captured above
complementary rails 152 at the sides of the bottom mouth of the
slot to maintain vertical engagement between adapter and track. The
adapter includes a pair of self-sprung barbs 154 that permit the
adapter to be inserted in the slot (e.g., from the right side of
the track) but, once inserted, engage blocking surfaces 160 (FIG.
17) to prevent the adapter from being fully withdrawn from the
slot. A right end wall portion 162 extending below the recessed
extremities of the lower surface may similarly engage a blocking
surface 164 to define a maximum insertion of the adapter. The
adapter has a transverse range of movement within the slot that is
advantageously at least equal to half the shelf mounting aperture
pitch, but, in the exemplary embodiment, is substantially equal to
that pitch. Movement within this range is subject to influence of a
detent mechanism provided by a transverse array of detent grooves
180 in the adapter upper surface 144 (FIG. 7) and a mating flexible
catch portion 182 (FIG. 5) of the track depending into the slot.
The detent grooves 180 are at a relatively fine pitch (e.g.,
one-sixteenth or 0.063 inch (1.6 mm)) allowing a correspondingly
fine lateral positioning. A broader advantageous pitch range is
from 1 mm to 2.3 mm.
[0048] The pitch of the tracks and thus the width of the associated
lanes accommodating the column of products will largely be
determined by the size (width) of the products. At one extreme end
of the array of units (e.g., the right extreme in the illustrated
embodiment), the associated lane may be bounded at its outboard
side by an additional wall element 190 (FIG. 2) separate from any
track on which a pusher rides. The exemplary additional wall
element advantageously consists essentially of portions 192, 193
and 194 similar to the wall 26, floor portion 28, and front wall
portion 32 of the main base units and may be secured by a similar
adapter or by integral mounting legs.
[0049] The front walls 30 and 32 advantageously may serve as a stop
preventing forward movement of products in the column of products
supported along the track. Leftward movement of the products is
restrained by the right face of the associated wall 26. Rightward
movement of the products may be restrained by the left face of the
wall 26 of a similar base unit to the right of the subject base
unit or of the wall 162. On the leftmost base unit in the array of
base units on the shelf, the wall 32 and floor 28 may be removed by
breaking along the rupture zone 33 (FIG. 7) to create an orderly
appearance.
[0050] The front of the base unit may include the body or base of a
sample-holding fixture (sample carrier). FIG. 19 shows a base unit
23 to which a pusher 20 is mounted. The track and side wall of the
base unit are unitarily molded with the body 220 of a sample
holder. Extending from the opposite side, the base unit 23 may
include a frontal wall portion 222 analogous to the frontal wall
portion 32 of base unit 22, with the body 220 extending generally
in place of the frontal wall portion 30. The right side portion of
a rear end of the body 220 is provided with a recessed area 226
dimensioned to accommodate the frontal wall portion 222 (or 32) in
a minimum pitch configuration. The exemplary body 220 has a width
approximately equivalent to the width of the pusher in its narrow
orientation.
[0051] An exemplary sample 236 comprises a swatch 238 of hair in
which ends 240 of the swatch (and associated hairs) have been glued
or otherwise secured with adhesive to form a loop. Hair samples are
typically associated with display of hair colorant or other hair
care products. In displaying hair color products, each lane of
product may have therewith associated a different color of hair
sample. The presence of a variety of hair sample colors poses
particular pilferage problems in that such samples are particularly
useful in the manufacture of fishing lures. Thus, it is
advantageous to provide a relatively secure yet convenient
structure for holding hair samples. When used in the retail
environment, it may be advantageous that hair colorants or other
hair care products of more than one manufacturer utilize an
identical or similar display system so as to provide a consistent
appearance on the shelves of a given retailer.
[0052] An insert element or nest 250 is molded (e.g., of
polystyrene) with an exemplary U-shaped cross-section having a
floor portion 252 and two side portions 254, the interior 256 of
which may accommodate the proximal portion of the swatch. The
proximal portion may be secured to the insert such as via hot melt
glue, epoxy, or other adhesive. The insert may include features for
engaging the sample such as a pair of legs 260 upstanding from the
floor portion and around which the sample may be looped. A distal
portion of the sample may extend out beyond the insert. The sample
may be secured to the insert offsite of the retail environment, for
example, by the manufacturer of the hair colorant or a third party
contractor, and may be mated to the remainder of the system during
its installation or subsequently for update or similar
purposes.
[0053] The exemplary insert is molded with a pair of rails 266
protruding from outboard sides of the respective side portions 250.
The rails may be accommodated by complementary channels 270 in a
cover member 272 (FIG. 22) into which the insert is inserted. With
the insert mated to the cover, the assembly may be secured to the
sample-holding fixture base portion. As the assembly is pressed
downward into a mating compartment 280 (FIG. 23) of the
sample-holding fixture base portion, a barb or projection 282 (FIG.
22) projecting rearward from a back plate portion 283 of the insert
becomes captured by an aperture 284 in the back of the fixture base
portion. A downwardly open channel 290 also receives an upwardly
directed wall 292 of the base portion.
[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the distal portion 294 (FIG.
19) of the sample is draped over a curved support surface 296 at
the front of the fixture bounded by divergent lateral walls 298 to
help locate and protect the sample while still providing customers
with a direct view of the sample and even the ability to touch the
sample. However, casual pilfering of the sample is difficult due to
the need to disengage the insert from the fixture. This, however,
can be done by inserting a finger or tool behind the fixture to
flex the barbed projection 282 out of engagement with mating
aperture surface of the fixture to permit upward removal of the
assembled insert and cover. This possibility, however, is not
readily apparent to the casual pilferer. In the exemplary
embodiment, the cover member 272 covers only a proximal portion of
the sample as may be appropriate for security. In alternative
embodiments, the cover member may cover more or even all the
sample. In such cases, it may be desirable that the cover be all or
at least partially transparent. Other sample holders are possible,
such as for alternate samples. For example, in manufacture, a
special mold tool for the base of the alternate holder may be used
with an existing mold for the remainder of the base element.
[0055] In the exemplary embodiment, the sample carrier is
immediately in front of the pusher at the front end of the subject
track and extends to one side (i.e., the right of the sidewall in
the exemplary embodiment).
[0056] In the exemplary embodiments, the pushers extend laterally
beyond the outboard extreme of their associated tracks. This
permits a minimal pitch configuration where desired for small
(narrow) products in which the floor portion of each base unit or
the additional element is brought closely adjacent to the track of
the next unit and an outboard portion of the pusher of the such
next unit extends above such floor portion. The sample-holding
fixtures may be shaped so that, in this pitch, the short frontal
wall of the next base unit or additional element is located behind
an outboard portion of the fixture. The sample-holding fixture may
alternatively be particularly narrow so as to cover only a portion
of the associated lane. This may be similar to the span of the
illustrated frontal walls 30 wherein the minimal pitch
configuration the frontal wall 30 of one base element is closely
adjacent to the frontal wall element 32 of the next element to the
right or to a similar frontal wall of the additional element.
[0057] To provide for longitudinal adjustment to accommodate the
desired depth of shelf, the base units and the additional element
are advantageously provided with apertures 300 (FIG. 2) or other
relieved areas 302 which define predetermined preferential rupture
locations for breaking off predetermined rear lengths to shorten
the units accordingly. In the exemplary embodiment, there are two
such sets of features associated with two different longitudinal
locations, permitting: a long initial length; an intermediate
length provided by breaking at the rear of the two sets; and a
shortest length provided by breaking at the front of the two sets.
From rear-to-front the exemplary track is also provided with three
stop portions 310A, 310B, and 310C (FIG. 5). Each stop portion
extends rearward from a root 312 to a tip protuberance 314. A tip
protuberances have a relatively vertical front surface and a
rearwardly tapering rear surface. The rear surface taper permits a
pusher to be slid forward over the protuberance, downwardly camming
the protuberance and downwardly flexing the elongate body of the
stop until the pusher has passed over the protuberance and the stop
snaps back into place. If the pusher is pushed rearward until its
body contacts the forward surface of the protuberance, an absence
of camming interaction may prevent further rearward movement of the
pusher unless the protuberance is manually depressed such as by a
user's finger. In the exemplary embodiment, the three stops are
associated with the three possible lengths. If the base element is
to be left in its longest length, the forward two stops may be
broken off at their roots. If shortened to the intermediate length,
the shortening will remove the rearward stop and the user may then
break off the forward stop. A corresponding process could be
provided if there are more sets of rupture locations and stops.
[0058] 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, for wider products alternate
versions may be made wherein each base unit includes two pushers on
either side of a wall so that each column may be supported on both
sides by a pusher. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the
scope of the following claims.
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