U.S. patent application number 11/166530 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for gondola conversion apparatus and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to L&P Property Management Company. Invention is credited to Rafael T. Bustos.
Application Number | 20060016774 11/166530 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35656009 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060016774 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bustos; Rafael T. |
January 26, 2006 |
Gondola conversion apparatus and method
Abstract
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a rack
assembly adjustably coupled to another structure, which in some
cases can be a gondola-type product storage and display assembly.
In some embodiments, the rack assembly can be adjusted to define
different depths of the rack assembly, such as by moving one or
more rack shoes with respect to corresponding gondola shoes,
adjusting one or more shelf-supporting arms and/or product dividers
of the rack assembly to different lengths, and adjusting the depth
of the shelving within the rack assembly. The rack assembly can be
provided with one or more product fronting mechanisms to front
product in the rack assembly. Also, the rack assembly can be
provided with one or more adjustable or non-adjustable product
barriers separating rows of product in the rack assembly.
Inventors: |
Bustos; Rafael T.; (Inglis,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLC
401 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1900
CHICAGO
IL
60611-4212
US
|
Assignee: |
L&P Property Management
Company
South Gate
CA
|
Family ID: |
35656009 |
Appl. No.: |
11/166530 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60583120 |
Jun 25, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/186 ;
211/175; 211/189; 211/59.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/04 20130101;
A47F 5/10 20130101; A47B 45/00 20130101; A47B 96/1466 20130101;
A47B 96/025 20130101; A47F 1/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/186 ;
211/189; 211/175; 211/059.2 |
International
Class: |
A47B 43/00 20060101
A47B043/00; A47B 47/00 20060101 A47B047/00 |
Claims
1. A rack assembly for connection to a structure having a base and
a substantially vertical standard coupled to the base, the rack
assembly comprising: a foot adjustable to different positions with
respect to the base; an upright coupled to the foot and adjustable
with the foot to different positions with respect to the standard
corresponding to different depths of the rack assembly; and a shelf
at least partially supported by the upright, the shelf having
different surface areas corresponding to the different depths of
the rack assembly.
2. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shelf has a
first configuration in which the shelf comprises a single integral
unit having a first surface area, and a second configuration in
which the shelf comprises at least two separate parts collectively
having a second surface area larger than the first surface
area.
3. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an
arm at least partially supporting the shelf, releasably coupled to
the upright, and adapted to be releasably coupled to the
standard.
4. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the arm is
adjustable to different lengths corresponding to the different
depths of the rack assembly.
5. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the arm
comprises first and second pieces slidable with respect to one
another to define different lengths of the arm.
6. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the arm is
adjustable to different positions along the upright.
7. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
product divider releasably coupled to the shelf and adjustable to
different lengths corresponding to the different depths of the rack
assembly.
8. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot is a
first foot and the upright is a first upright, the rack assembly
further comprising: a second foot; and a second upright coupled to
the second foot and separated from the first upright by a distance,
wherein the shelf has a width at least as long as the distance.
9. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising at
least one of a header and a kick plate coupled to and extending
between the first and second uprights.
10. The rack assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot is
adapted to telescope with respect to base.
11. An adjustable-depth rack assembly, comprising: first and second
substantially vertical uprights separated from one another by a
distance; a shelf; and first and second arms extending from the
first and second uprights, respectively, each of the first and
second arms positioned to at least partially support the shelf and
adjustable to different lengths to change a depth of the rack
assembly.
12. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
wherein: the rack assembly has a front and a rear between which the
depth of the rack assembly is defined; and the first and second
uprights are located proximate the front of the rack assembly.
13. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the shelf has a first configuration in which the shelf
comprises a single integral unit having a first surface area, and a
second configuration in which the shelf comprises at least two
separate parts collectively having a second surface area larger
than the first surface area.
14. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the first and second arms are releasably coupled to and
adjustable along the first and second uprights, respectively.
15. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the arm comprises first and second pieces slidable with
respect to one another to define different lengths of the arm.
16. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
wherein; the distance is a first distance; and the shelf spans a
second distance between the first and second arms and is supported
upon the first and second arms.
17. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
further comprising a product divider releasably coupled to the
shelf and adjustable to different lengths corresponding to
different depths of the rack assembly.
18. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
further comprising at least one of a header and a kick plate
coupled to and extending between the first and second uprights.
19. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 11,
wherein: the first and second arms each have a first end coupled to
a corresponding upright of the first and second uprights; and a
second end opposite the first end; and the first end of each arm is
located at a height in the rack assembly different from that of the
second end of the same arm.
20. The adjustable-depth rack assembly as claimed in claim 19,
wherein the first and second ends of each of the first and second
arms are adjustable to different positions along the first and
second uprights.
21. A method of changing a depth of a rack assembly with respect to
a support to which the rack assembly is coupled, the method
comprising: moving an upright of the rack assembly to change a
distance between the upright and the support; adjusting an
adjustable arm to a selected length based at least in part upon the
distance; coupling the adjustable arm to the upright and the
support in a position in which the adjustable arm extends between
the upright and the support; and installing a shelf in a position
in the rack assembly in which the shelf is at least partially
supported by the adjustable arm.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein: the support
comprises a substantially vertical standard; and moving the upright
comprises moving the upright with respect to the standard to change
the distance.
23. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising sliding a
foot of the rack assembly with respect to a base of the frame while
moving the upright.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein sliding the foot
with respect to the base comprises sliding the foot in telescoping
relationship with respect to the base.
25. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein adjusting the
adjustable arm comprises coupling a first substantially elongated
piece of the adjustable arm to a second substantially elongated
piece of the adjustable arm.
26. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein coupling the
adjustable arm comprises coupling a first portion of the adjustable
arm to the frame at an elevation different from an elevation at
which a second portion of the adjustable arm is coupled to the
upright.
27. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising selecting
an elevation at which the adjustable arm is coupled to the upright
from at least two different elevations along the upright.
28. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein installing the shelf
comprises installing at least two pieces of the shelf in the rack
based at least in part upon the distance.
29. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the rack assembly
has a front and a rear defining therebetween a depth of the rack
assembly, the method further comprising coupling at least one of a
header and a kick plate to the upright proximate the front of the
rack assembly.
30. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:
adjusting a dimension of a product divider based at least in part
upon the distance; and installing the divider in the rack assembly
proximate the shelf.
31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein adjusting the
dimension of the product divider comprises sliding a first portion
of the product divider with respect to a second portion of the
product divider.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is hereby claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/583,120 filed on Jun. 25, 2004, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A large number of different merchandise storage and display
structures exist, most of which are designed to perform a limited
number of functions. However, the market for such structures
continues to change, and places increasing demands upon
manufacturers for merchandise display structures having increased
versatility. It is often desirable for a merchandise storage and
display structure to be configured in different manners at
different times. For example, the volume of soft drinks stored and
displayed in a particular area can change from time to time.
Therefore, the same conventional merchandise storage and display
structure may not always be well-suited to store and display soft
drinks at different times.
[0003] One solution to such problems is to use different
merchandise storage and display structures as different needs of
the user arise. However, this can require the purchase of
merchandise storage and display structures that are not always
used, and can require the user to move, assemble, and disassemble
structures from time to time. As another solution, some merchandise
storage and display structures can be configured in two or more
manners in order to store and display different types and amounts
of items. These structures can provide significant advantages over
their non-reconfigurable counterparts.
[0004] In light of the limitations of many existing merchandise
storage and display structures, new merchandise storage and display
structures capable of being configured in different manners would
be welcome additions to the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The present invention is further described with reference to
the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments of the
present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention
as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of
example only. The various elements and combinations of elements
described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and
organized differently to result in embodiments which are still
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional gondola
shelving system, shown with the decks, shelves, and shelf supports
removed;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the
gondola shelving system illustrated in FIG. 1 and parts of a rack
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the portion of
the gondola shelving system and the parts of the rack system
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, shown with the rack system in a first
state;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the portion of
the gondola shelving system and the rack system illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3, shown With shelving installed and with the rack system
in the first state;
[0010] FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the portion of
the gondola shelving system and the rack system illustrated in
FIGS. 1-4, shown with shelving installed and with the rack system
in a second state;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a shelf arm of the
rack system illustrated in FIGS. 2-5;
[0012] FIG. 7 is an assembled perspective view of the shelf arm
illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0013] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a shelf of the
rack system illustrated in FIGS. 2-5;
[0014] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a shelf divider
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of the shelf
divider illustrated in FIG. 9;
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective detail view of a rack system
according to the present invention, shown installed a gondola
system and with shelving dividers of the type illustrated in FIGS.
9 and 10 in a first state;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective detail view of the rack and gondola
systems illustrated in FIG. 11, shown with the shelving dividers in
a second state;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rack system according to
the present invention, shown installed in a conventional gondola
shelving system;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rack system illustrated
in FIG. 13, shown with additional rack system components
installed;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a perspective detail view of portion of the rack
system illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, shown with product fronting
mechanisms and product dividing mechanisms installed in a first
state;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a perspective detail view of the portion of the
rack system illustrated in FIG. 15, shown with the product fronting
mechanisms and product dividing mechanisms in a second state;
[0022] FIG. 17 is a perspective detail view of the portion of the
rack system illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, shown with the product
fronting mechanisms and product dividing mechanisms in a third
state;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a perspective detail view of the portion of the
rack system illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, shown with product
installed in the rack system; and
[0024] FIG. 19 is a perspective detail view of the portion of the
rack system illustrated in FIGS. 15-18, shown with product being
fronted in the rack system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, standard gondola-type shelving systems
typically have a number of bases (for example, gondola shoes 10 in
the illustrated embodiment) connected to uprights 12, a number of
lateral stretchers 14 connecting the uprights 12, a deck (not
shown) resting upon and spanning the gondola shoes 10 to provide a
lower surface upon which items can be stored and/or displayed, and
a kick plate (also not shown) connecting the gondola shoes 10 and
providing a front surface for each gondola bay (indicated generally
at 16). The gondola shoes 10, uprights 12, and lateral stretchers
14 can be tubular or solid and can have any cross-sectional shape.
By way of example only, the gondola shoes 10, uprights 12 and/or
lateral stretchers 14 can have a variety of hollow or solid cross
sections as may be required or desirable, such as rectangular,
C-shaped, round, or I- or L-shaped. These elements also can be
solid bars or rods or have other polygonal cross sections with
flanges, extensions, and other features as needed. The gondola
shoes 10, uprights 12, and lateral stretchers 14 can be made of any
resilient material such as metal, composites, high-strength
plastic, wood, and the like. In some embodiments, these elements
are made of a relatively high-strength material such as steel,
iron, or aluminum.
[0026] Each gondola bay 16 can have any number of elements adapted
to store and/or display items in the gondola bay 16, and in some
cases can define a frame such as that shown in the accompanying
figures. By way of example only, each bay 16 can have a panel 18
attached to the uprights 12 in an adjustable or non-adjustable
manner. Any number of shelf brackets, peg board elements, or other
fixtures can be mounted to the panel 18 in order to support items
upon the panel 18. As another example, each bay 16 can have one or
more shelf brackets or other fixtures connected directly to the
uprights 12 in an adjustable or non-adjustable manner.
[0027] With reference, for example, to FIGS. 4 and 5, in some
embodiments of the present invention, the gondola bay 16 is
modified into a rack (indicated generally at 20) by the
installation of a rack assembly 22. The rack assembly 22 includes
one or more feet (for example, rack shoes 24 in the illustrated
embodiment), and can also include a kick plate 28 and/or a header
30 connecting the rack uprights 26. In some embodiments (e.g., the
illustrated embodiments), the rack shoes 24 are permanently
connected to the rack uprights 26, such as by welding, brazing,
riveting, by adhesive or cohesive bonding material, by forming the
rack shoes 24 integrally with the rack uprights 26, and the like.
In other embodiments, the rack shoes 24 can be releasably connected
to the rack uprights 26 in a number of different manners. For
example, the rack shoes 24 can be connected to the rack uprights 26
by pins on the rack shoes 24 releasably inserted within one or more
mating apertures in the rack uprights 26 (or vice versa), can have
ends shaped to be received within one or more apertures, sockets,
or other receptacles in the rack uprights 26 (or vice versa), can
be connected to the rack uprights 26 by threaded connections or
inter-engaging elements, or can be bolted, pinned, clamped,
clipped, or secured to the rack uprights 26 with one or more
conventional fasteners in any other manner.
[0028] In some embodiments, the rack shoes 24 (also referred to
herein as "feet" of the rack assembly 22) are at least partially
hollow, or are otherwise each shaped to receive at least a portion
of a gondola shoe 10 as will be described in greater detail below.
In other embodiments, the rack shoes 24 have a substantially solid
cross-sectional shape.
[0029] As mentioned above, the rack assembly 22 can have a kick
plate 28 and/or a header 30 connecting the rack uprights 26. If
used, the kick plate 28 and/or header 30 can have any constant or
varying cross-sectional shape desired, including without limitation
rectangular, round, oval, triangular, irregular, or other
cross-sectional shapes. The kick plate 28 and header 30 can each be
permanently connected to the rack uprights 26 in any manner, such
as by welding, brazing, riveting, or by forming the kick plate 28
and header 30 integrally with the rack uprights 26. Alternatively,
the kick plate 28 and header 30 can each be releasably connected to
the rack uprights 26 in any of the manners described above with
reference to the connection between the rack shoes 24 and rack
uprights 26. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2-5, the kick
plate 28 and header 30 are riveted at opposite ends to the rack
uprights 26, wherein the rivets are passed through apertures in the
ends of the kick plate 28 and header 30 and through apertures in
the rack uprights 26. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2-5,
the kick plate 28 and header 30 are attached by headed pins 32 (see
FIG. 2) removably received within apertures 34 in the rack uprights
26. However, any combination of connection types can be used to
secure the kick plate 28 and header 30 to the rack uprights 26 as
desired.
[0030] In some embodiments, to install the rack assembly 22 on a
gondola bay 16, the rack shoes 24 of the rack assembly 22 can be
coupled to the gondola shoes 10 of the gondola bay 16. In some
embodiments, the rack shoes 24 and gondola shoes 10 are coupled in
telescoping relationship with one another (i.e., wherein the rack
shoes 24 are received in telescoping relationship within the
gondola shoes 10, or wherein the gondola shoes 10 are coupled in
telescoping relationship with the rack shoes 24). In the embodiment
of FIGS. 2-5, for example, the rack shoes 24 are shaped to receive
the gondola shoes 10. This telescoping relationship can be enabled
by using rack shoes 24 that are tubular or that otherwise have an
open elongated center dimensioned to receive the gondola shoes 10.
With reference to FIG. 2, for example, the rack shoes 24 can each
have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape into which the
gondola shoes 10 can be received. As shown in FIG. 2, some types of
gondola shoes 10 have adjustable leveling devices 36 attached
thereto. In such cases, the rack shoes 10 can also be dimensioned
to receive the leveling devices 36 of the gondola shoes 10.
[0031] Although U-shaped rack shoes 24 are used in the illustrated
embodiments, in other embodiments the rack shoes 24 can take any
other shape capable of receiving at least part of the gondola shoes
10 in telescoping relationship. For example, the rack shoes 24 can
have a closed cross-sectional shape (e.g., tubular rack shoes
having any cross-sectional shape), a C-shaped cross section, and
the like while still performing the telescoping function with the
gondola shoes 10 described above.
[0032] As mentioned above, in some embodiments the rack shoes 24
are instead dimensioned to be received in telescoping relationship
within the gondola shoes 10. In such cases, the gondola shoes 10
can take any of the shapes described above (with reference to the
illustrated rack shoes 24) for telescoping movement with respect to
the rack shoes 24. In still other embodiments, the rack shoes 24
and gondola shoes 10 can be coupled to permit relative axial
movement between the rack and gondola shoes 24, 10 in other
manners. For example, adjacent rack and gondola shoes 24, 10 can be
connected by one or more pins, bosses, flanges or other elements on
one shoe 24, 10 slidably coupled to one or more elongated recesses
in the other shoe 10, 24. Any other connection between the rack and
gondola shoes 24, 10 permitting relative axial movement
therebetween can be used, and falls within the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0033] With reference now to FIGS. 2-7 and 11-19, some embodiments
of the present invention have arms 38 extending between uprights 12
of the gondola bay 16 and the rack uprights 26. The arms 38 can be
used to support a deck 40 and/or shelves 42 of the rack 20 as will
be described in greater detail below. Also, in some embodiments the
arms 38 can provide further support for the rack uprights 26 in
their substantially vertical positions. The arms 38 can be
permanently coupled to the gondola and/or rack uprights 12, 26,
such as by welding, brazing, adhesive or cohesive bonding material,
rivets and other permanent fasteners, and the like. However, in
some embodiments, the arms 38 are removably coupled to the gondola
and rack uprights 12, 26.
[0034] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each arm 38 in the
illustrated embodiments includes two elongated pieces 44, 46 that
are adjustable to different positions with respect to one another.
The first elongated piece 44 of each arm 38 has a generally
hat-shaped cross-section, with a receptacle 48 located between
walls of the first elongated piece 44. The second elongated piece
46 of each arm 38 has an inverted generally T-shaped cross section
(i.e., having a main portion 50 and a flange 52 extending
therefrom). The flange 52 of the second elongated piece 46 is
received within the receptacle 48 of the first elongated piece 44.
By virtue of the mating shapes of the first and second elongated
pieces 44, 46, the first and second elongated pieces 44, 46 can be
adjusted to two or more different positions with respect to one
another, such as by inserting the flange 52 of the second elongated
piece 46 in the receptacle 48 of the first elongated piece 44, by
sliding the first elongated piece 44 with respect to the second
elongated piece 46 (and/or vice versa), and the like. Such
adjustment enables the arm 38 to be adjusted to two or more
different lengths.
[0035] Although hat and T-shaped elongated arm pieces 44, 46 are
used for the adjustable arms 38 in the illustrated embodiments,
other types of arms 38 having the same or similar length adjustment
capabilities can instead be used. By way of example only, each arm
38 can have a first elongated piece telescoping within a second
elongated piece (in a manner similar to the relationship between
the gondola and rack shoes 10, 24 described above). In other
embodiments, first and second elongated pieces of each arm 38 are
slidably engaged in any other manner, thereby enabling each arm 38
to be elongated and shortened as desired.
[0036] In some embodiments, the pieces 44, 46 of the arms 38 can be
secured in different relative positions (i.e., at different arm
lengths). For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the first
elongated piece 44 has apertures 54 at different locations
corresponding to different lengths of the arm 38. A screw, pin, or
other fastener (not shown) received within an aperture 56 in the
second elongated piece 46 can also be received within any of the
apertures 54 in the first elongated piece 44 to secure the first
and second elongated pieces 44, 46 in position with respect to one
another and at a corresponding length of the arm 38. In this
regard, any number of apertures 54, 56 at any number of different
positions along the first and second elongated pieces 44, 46 can be
used for this purpose. It will also be appreciated that the first
and second elongated pieces 44, 46 can be secured at two or more
different lengths of the arm 38 in a number of other manners, such
as by one or more clamps, inter-engaging elements, spring-loaded
detents, and the like on either or both elongated pieces 44, 46 of
the arm 38. Still other manners of securing the elongated pieces
44, 46 of the arm 38 at different arm lengths are possible, and
fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0037] The arms 38 can be attached at opposite ends to the gondola
and rack uprights 12, 26 in any manner. In the illustrated
embodiments for example, the arms 38 have strikers 60, 62 (see
FIGS. 6 and 7) at opposite ends thereof (i.e., one striker 60 on an
end of the first elongated arm piece 44 and another striker 62 on
an end of the second elongated arm piece 46). Such strikers 60, 62
can be used on any other type of arm 38 used with the present
invention. Both illustrated strikers 60, 62 are generally hook
shaped, and can be received within apertures 64, 66 in the gondola
uprights 12 and rack uprights 26 (see FIGS. 11 and 12),
respectively. In this manner, the strikers 60, 62 can releasably
connect the ends of the arms 38 to the gondola and rack uprights
12, 26. In some embodiments, the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26
have multiple apertures 64, 66 at different locations and/or ranges
or locations along the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26, thereby
enabling the strikers 60, 62 to be connected to the gondola and
rack uprights 12, 26 at different locations. Accordingly, the deck
40 and/or shelves 42 of the rack 20 can be installed at different
heights in the rack 20.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiments, the strikers 60, 62 are
integral with respective pieces 44, 46, respectively, of the arm
38. However, in other embodiments, the strikers 60, 62 can be
separate elements connected to the arm 38 in any manner, such as by
welding, brazing, or riveting, by adhesive or cohesive bonding
material, by one or more pin and aperture connections, by threaded
connections or inter-engaging elements, by bolts, clamps, clips,
screws, nails, or other conventional fasteners, and the like. Also,
any type of arm (e.g., adjustable-length arms 38 as shown in the
figures or non-adjustable length arms) can be provided with
strikers 60, 62 for connection to the gondola and rack uprights 12,
26.
[0039] Although striker and aperture connections are used to
connect the arms 38 to the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in the
illustrated embodiments, any other type of releasable connection
between the arms 38 and the uprights 12, 26 can be used. For
example, the arms 38 can have projections with any other shape
releasably connectable within apertures 64, 66 in the gondola and
rack uprights 12, 26. Similarly, the gondola and rack uprights 12,
26 can have apertures with any other shape adapted to receive
projections of the arms 38. By way of example only, the arms 38 can
have projections with enlarged heads received within apertures
having any shape capable of receiving the heads of the projections
(e.g., apertures having square, triangular, or other polygonal
shapes, keyhole-shaped apertures, irregularly-shaped apertures, and
the like). Alternatively, the locations of the projections and
apertures can be reversed, so that the arms 38 have apertured ends
receiving projections extending from the gondola and rack uprights
12, 26.
[0040] In some embodiments, the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26
have one or more pegs, fingers, hooks, or other projections coupled
to or integral with the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 and to
which the arms 38 can be releasably coupled. Such projections can
be integral with the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 or can be
coupled thereto in any manner, including those mentioned above with
reference to the connection between the strikers 60, 62 and their
respective arm pieces 44, 46. As yet another example, the arms 38
can be releasably coupled to the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26
by inter-engaging elements on the arms 38 and the gondola and rack
uprights 12, 26, by one or more conventional fasteners releasably
coupling the ends of the arms 38 to the gondola and rack uprights
12, 26, by any of the other releasable connection manners mentioned
above with reference to the connection between the strikers 60, 62
and their respective arm pieces 44, 46, and the like. Any type of
releasable connection can be used between the arms 38 and the
gondola and rack uprights 12, 26, and falls within the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0041] In some embodiments, one or more of the arms 38 can have a
lock 68 that helps to secure the arms 38 to the gondola and/or rack
uprights 12, 26. An example of such a lock 68 is illustrated in
FIGS. 6 and 7. In the illustrated embodiments, each arm 38 has a
lock 68 located at an end thereof. Depending upon the orientation
in which the arm 38 is installed on the gondola and rack uprights
12, 26, the lock 68 can releasably engage a gondola upright 12 or a
rack upright 26. The lock 68 can have one or more projections 70
that extend into an aperture 64, 66 of the upright 12, 26 to which
the arm 38 is coupled. By way of example only, the projection(s) 70
can extend into an aperture 64, 66 of the upright 12, 26
immediately below the aperture 64, 66 in which a striker 60, 62 is
received, thereby providing resistance against disconnection of the
arm 38 from the upright 12, 26. In such cases, the arm 38 can be
disconnected from the upright 12, 26 by pivoting the arm 38 until
the projection(s) 70 of the lock 68 are removed from an aperture
64, 66 in the upright 12, 26. As another example, the projection(s)
70 can extend into the same aperture 64, 66 as an adjacent striker
60, 62 (e.g., by pivoting the arm 38 after insertion of the striker
60, 62 into an aperture 64, 66 in the upright 12, 26, or in any
other manner). In still other embodiments, the lock 68 can
releasably secure the arm 38 to an upright 12, 26 in any other
manner, including those used to secure stretchers and other
elements to uprights 12, 26 in conventional rack assemblies.
[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the arms 38
can be releasably coupled to gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in a
number of different orientations. For example, an arm 38 can be
coupled to gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in locations at a
common elevation (e.g., for supporting a substantially horizontal
shelf 42). As another example, the ends of an arm 38 can be coupled
to the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 at different elevations
(e.g., one end coupled to a gondola upright 12 at an elevation and
another end coupled to a rack upright 26 at a lower elevation),
such as to support a shelf 42 at an incline. Depending at least in
part upon the available arm connection locations on the gondola and
rack uprights 12, 26, the arm 38 can be oriented in any desired
manner in the rack assembly 22 and/or can be coupled at any desired
height in the rack assembly 22.
[0043] It will be appreciated that different distances are spanned
by the arms 38 when the arms 38 are installed in different
orientations in a rack assembly 22 (in which the gondola and rack
uprights 12, 26 are separated by the same distance in the different
arm orientations). Accordingly, the adjustable-length feature of
the arms 38 according to some embodiments of the present invention
(described above) enables the arms 38 to be adjusted as necessary
to connect to the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in different
orientations. For example, for a given distance between a gondola
upright 12 and a rack upright 26, an arm 38 illustrated in FIGS.
3-5 can be adjusted to different lengths to connect the gondola and
rack uprights 12, 26 when the arm 38 is installed in different
orientations. In this example, the arm 38 can be adjusted to a
relatively short length as shown in the bottom of FIG. 5 in order
to connect to the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 at locations
having substantially the same elevation, to a longer length as
shown in the middle of FIGS. 3 and 4 to connect to the gondola and
rack uprights 12, 26 at an incline, and to an even longer length to
connect to the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 at an even greater
incline. Examples of different arm orientations (and corresponding
arm lengths) between gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 separated by
a constant distance are illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, 13, and 14.
[0044] As an alternative to the use of arms 38 having adjustable
lengths in order to span distances between gondola and rack
uprights 12, 26 in different arm orientations, some embodiments of
the present invention use two or more different non-adjustable arms
38 having different lengths. Accordingly, arms 38 to be installed
in the rack assembly 22 in a desired orientation can be selected
from arms 38 having different lengths. Of course, in those
embodiments in which the arms 38 are to be installed only in one
orientation in the rack assembly 22, non-adjustable arms 38
provided in only one length can be used.
[0045] With reference to the description above regarding the
relationship between the gondola and rack shoes 10, 24 of the
present invention, the gondola shoes 10 can be moved to different
positions with respect to the rack shoes 24. Accordingly, the
positions of the rack uprights 26 (and kick plate 28 and header 30,
if used) can be adjusted with respect to the gondola bay 16 in
which the rack assembly 22 is installed. In the illustrated
embodiments, for example, the rack shoes 24 can be moved through a
range of forward and rearward positions with respect to the gondola
shoes 10, thereby enabling the rack assembly 22 to be adjusted to
different depths. Once a particular rack assembly depth is
selected, adjustable or non-adjustable arms 38 can be installed on
the gondola and rack upright 12, 26 as described above. In this
regard, the use of arms 38 having adjustable lengths enables the
arms 38 to be installed in different depths of the rack assembly
22. For example, an arm 38 can be adjusted to a relatively short
length as shown in the bottom of FIG. 5 in order to connect to
gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in a particular orientation of the
arm 38 when the rack assembly 22 is adjusted to a selected depth,
to a longer length as shown at the bottom of FIGS. 3 and 4 to
connect to the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in the same
orientation of the arm 38 when the rack assembly 22 is adjusted to
a greater depth, and to an even longer length as shown at the
middle and top of FIGS. 3 and 4 to connect to the gondola and rack
uprights 12, 26 in the same orientation of the arm 38 when the rack
assembly 22 is adjusted to an even greater depth. Examples of
different arm lengths at different depths of the rack assembly 22
are illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, 13, and 14.
[0046] As an alternative to the use of arms 38 having adjustable
lengths in order to span distances between gondola and rack
uprights 12, 26 at different depths of the rack assembly 22, some
embodiments of the present invention use two or more different
non-adjustable arms 38 having different lengths. Accordingly,
non-adjustable arms 38 to be installed in the rack assembly 22 can
be selected according to the depth of the rack assembly 22.
[0047] In some embodiments, the arms 38 of the rack assembly 22 can
be installed at different depths of the rack assembly 22 and in
different orientations in the rack assembly 22 as described above.
In such embodiments, the use of arms 38 having adjustable lengths
can be used for increased rack versatility, although non-adjustable
arms 38 provided in different lengths can instead be used as
desired.
[0048] In order to provide additional stability and strength for
the rack assembly 22, some embodiments of the present invention
have one or more front-rear stretchers 88 (see FIGS. 13 and 14)
extending between the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26. The
front-rear stretchers 88 can be directly or indirectly coupled to
the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in any manner, including
without limitation those described above with reference to the
connection between the header 30 and kick plate 28 and the rack
uprights 26. The front-rear stretchers 88 can be coupled to the
gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 at any elevation and orientation
(e.g., horizontal or inclined) in the rack assembly 22.
[0049] With reference for example to FIGS. 4, 5, and 11-14, the
rack assembly 22 according to the present invention can also be
provided with one or more shelves 42. The shelves 42 can take any
form, such as planks, plates, grids, and the like, and can be made
of any material, such as metal, composites, high-strength plastic,
wood, and the like. The shelves 42 can each be a single element or
can be constructed from multiple elements assembled in any manner.
In some embodiments, the shelves 42 can have reinforcing elements
or features to provide additional strength to the shelves 42. For
example, the shelf 42 illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a reinforcing
beam 74 coupled to the underside of the shelf 42 by welding,
although the reinforcing beam 74 can be coupled to the shelf 42 in
any other manner, and can be coupled to any other location on the
shelf 42 (e.g., to a top surface of the shelf 42, adjacent any edge
of the shelf 42, and the like). If used, shelf reinforcing elements
or features can have any shape and form, including without
limitation beams, tubes, rods, bars, embossed or ribbed shelf
surfaces, and the like.
[0050] In some embodiments of the present invention, the shelves 42
are supported in the rack assembly 22 by one or more of the arms 38
described above. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 by way of example
only, the shelves 42 can be supported along opposite edges by
resting upon arms 38 located on opposite sides of the rack assembly
22. Accordingly, each shelf 42 can be supported at a desired height
in the rack assembly 22 by coupling the arms 38 to the gondola and
rack uprights 12, 26 at the desired height. Also, each shelf 42 can
be supported in a desired orientation in the rack assembly 22 by
coupling opposite ends of the arms 38 to the gondola and rack
uprights 12, 26 at heights to place the arms 38 in the desired
orientation. For example, the lowest arms 38 illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 5 support the lowest shelf (sometimes referred to as a deck 40
of the rack assembly 22) in a horizontal orientation, and the
higher arms 38 support higher shelves 42 at different inclined
orientations.
[0051] As described above, some embodiments of the rack assembly 22
enable the rack assembly 22 to be adjusted to different depths
and/or permit the arms 38 (and therefore, the shelves 42) to be
installed in different orientations within the rack assembly 22. In
such embodiments, shelves 42 having the same dimensions can be used
in different shelf orientations and/or in different rack depths.
However, in such cases, the shelves 42 may not extend fully between
the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in some shelf orientations
and/or when the rack assembly 22 is adjusted to some rack depths.
If desired, shelves 42 having different dimensions can be provided
in order to span different horizontal distances in the rack
assembly 22 based upon the desired orientation of each shelf 42
and/or based upon the depth of the rack assembly 22. However, in
some embodiments, adjustable shelves 42 can be used. Such shelves
42 can have two or more parts movable to different positions with
respect to one another in order to change the shelf depth. By way
of example only, an adjustable shelf 42 can have two parts that
telescope with respect to one another to change the depth of the
shelf 42. Other adjustable-length shelves 42 can instead be used,
are well known to those skilled in the art, and fall within the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0052] As an alternative to adjustable length shelves 42, some
embodiments of the present invention use one or more planks 76 to
span a distance not spanned by a shelf 42 in one or more shelf
orientations and/or in one or more rack assembly depths. Examples
of such planks 76 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 11-19. The planks 76 can
take any form, including those described above with reference to
the shelves 42 of the present invention, and can be supported
within the rack assembly 22 in the same manner as the shelves 42 as
described above.
[0053] The planks 76 can be provided in a single size (e.g., all
having a common length, width, and thickness), or can be provided
in multiple sizes (e.g., planks 76 having common lengths and
thicknesses, but different widths). For example, one of the two
planks 76 illustrated in FIG. 4 can be half the width of another of
the planks 76. Any number of different plank sizes can be provided
in different embodiments of the present invention to span different
distances between shelves 42 and uprights 12 or 26 (in different
shelf orientations and/or at different rack depths).
[0054] In some embodiments, two or more planks 76 can be used to
span a gap between a shelf 42 and uprights 12 or 26 of the rack
assembly 22. In embodiments having planks 76 of different sizes,
planks 76 having different dimensions can be combined as desired to
span different gaps between the shelf 42 and uprights 12 or 26.
[0055] Some embodiments of the present invention can have one or
more product dividers 78 supported within the rack assembly 22.
Examples of product dividers 78 are shown in FIGS. 912 and 14-19.
The illustrated product dividers 78 can be used to store items in
rows as is well known to those skilled in the art, although product
dividers 78 having other configurations and shapes can be used.
[0056] If used, the product dividers 78 can be supported upon
shelves 42, arms 38, and/or other elements of the rack assembly 22
(e.g., upon a kick plate 28, lateral stretchers (not shown)
extending between gondola uprights 12, lateral stretchers (also not
shown) extending between rack uprights 26, directly upon gondola
and/or rack uprights 12, 26, and the like). In some embodiments,
the product dividers 78 can be supported within the rack assembly
22 in different orientations, such as in horizontal and inclined
orientations. For example, the product dividers 78 can be supported
upon shelves 42 of the rack assembly 22, and therefore can have any
of the same orientations of the shelves 42 described above.
[0057] As also described above, some embodiments of the rack
assembly 22 enable the rack assembly 22 to be adjusted to different
depths and/or permit the product dividers 78 to be installed in
different orientations within the rack assembly 22. In such
embodiments, product dividers 78 having the same dimensions can be
used in different product divider orientations and/or at different
rack depths, in which cases the product dividers 78 may not extend
fully between the gondola and rack uprights 12, 26 in some product
divider orientations and/or when the rack assembly 22 is adjusted
to some rack depths. If desired, product dividers 78 having
different dimensions can be provided in order to span different
distances in the rack assembly 22 based upon the desired
orientation of each product divider 78 and/or based upon the depth
of the rack assembly 22. However, in some embodiments, adjustable
product dividers 78 can be used. Such product dividers 78 can have
two or more parts movable to different positions with respect to
one another in order to change the product divider depth. By way of
example only, an adjustable product divider 78 can have two parts
that telescope with respect to one another to change the depth of
the product divider 78. Examples of such product dividers 78 are
illustrated in FIGS. 9-12 and 14-19. In these embodiments, the
product divider 78 has a first part 80 with dividers 82 that
telescope within hollow dividers 86 of a second part 84 (see FIGS.
9 and 10). Therefore, the two parts 80, 84 can be moved to
different positions with respect to one another in order to
lengthen or shorted the product divider 78 (e.g., for different
product divider orientations in the rack assembly 22 and/or for
different rack assembly depths).
[0058] As an alternative to telescoping product divider parts,
product dividers 78 can be adjustable in a number of other manners,
including those described above with reference to the relationship
between the gondola and rack shoes 10, 24, by other types of
sliding connections between product divider parts, product divider
parts that can be coupled together in different positions using
clips, clamps, screws, pins, or any conventional fasteners, and the
like.
[0059] By enabling the rack assembly 22 to be adjusted to different
depths with respect to the gondola bay 16 (with accompanying
changes in the configuration of arms 38, shelves 42, and/or planks
76, in some embodiments), a user can easily adapt the rack assembly
22 to meet changing product storage and display needs. Also,
because the rack assembly 22 can be installed on an existing
gondola bay 16, fewer dedicated product storage and display
structures need to be purchased.
[0060] With reference now to FIGS. 14-19, some embodiments of the
present invention use product barriers 90 to separate product
stored in rows in the rack assembly 22. The product barriers 90 can
help prevent product in a row from interfering with product in
another row, such as when the product is being stocked and/or
removed from the rack assembly 22. The product barriers 90 can also
help retain product in desired rows in the rack assembly 22.
[0061] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 14-19, for example,
product barriers 90 are used in conjunction with product fronting
mechanisms 92 to prevent interference between product in different
rows when product is stocked upon shelves 42, fronted upon shelves
42, and/or removed from shelves 42, and can help retain products in
the rows. It should be noted, however, that the product barriers 90
can be used with or without product fronting mechanisms 92, and are
illustrated in FIGS. 14-19 in conjunction with product fronting
mechanisms 92 by way of example only.
[0062] Each product barrier 90 illustrated in FIGS. 14-19 has a
sheet of material 94 positioned between product rows 96 in the rack
assembly 22. The sheets of material 94 illustrated in FIGS. 14-19
are flexible, and can be made of any durable material, such as
plastic, fabric, flexible composite material, and the like. In
other embodiments, the sheet of material 94 is semi-flexible or is
substantially rigid, such as sheets of material 94 made of metal,
glass, and the like. In some embodiments, the material selected for
the sheets 94 is transparent or semi-transparent as shown in FIGS.
14-19 in order to increase product visibility. However, opaque
materials can instead be used for the sheets 94, if desired.
[0063] Each sheet 94 can be attached to a product divider 78 in any
manner. In the embodiments of FIGS. 14-19, for example, each sheet
94 is coupled to the dividers 82, 84 of a product divider 78 by
being looped about the dividers 82, 84 and heat staked, glued,
stitched, coupled with snaps, clips, or other conventional
fasteners, or coupled in any other manner about the divider 78 and
to itself. In this manner, the sheet 94 has a loop of material
through which the dividers 82, 84 are received. In other
embodiments, the sheet 94 can be coupled to the product divider 78
in other manners, such as by adhesive or cohesive bonding material,
by screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, clips, clamps, and other
conventional fasteners, and the like.
[0064] Each product barrier 90 illustrated in FIGS. 14-19 also has
a rod 98 to which the sheet 94 is coupled. The rod 98 can have any
cross-sectional shape and size, and can be hollow or solid. The
sheet 94 can be coupled to the rod 98 in any of the manners
described above with reference to the connection between the sheet
94 and the product divider 78. In the illustrated embodiment of
FIGS. 14-19, the sheet 94 is coupled to and wound about the rod
98.
[0065] Each product barrier 90 can also have at least one mount 100
used to couple the product barrier 90 to a shelf 42 above or at a
higher elevation than the product barrier 90. Two mounts 100 are
located at opposite ends of each rod 98 in the illustrated
embodiment of FIGS. 14-19, although any other number of mounts
(e.g., one, three, or more) can be coupled to or integral with the
rod 98 at any location on the rod 98.
[0066] The mounts 100 in the embodiment of FIGS. 14-19 are made of
or include magnetic material. The mounts 100 can therefore be
releasably coupled to a shelf 42 made of material attracted to the
magnetic material (e.g., a steel shelf 42) without damage to the
shelf 42, without tools, and without fastener and fastening
features on the shelf 42. In other embodiments, the mounts 100 are
coupled to the overhead shelf 42 in any other manner, such as by
welding, brazing, or riveting, by adhesive or cohesive bonding
material, by one or more pin and aperture connections, by threaded
connections or inter-engaging elements, by bolts, clamps, clips,
screws, nails, or other conventional fasteners, and the like.
[0067] The rod 98 can be coupled to the mounts 100 in any of the
manners just described with reference to the connection between the
mounts 100 and the shelf 42. However, in some embodiments, the rod
98 is rotatably coupled to the mounts 100, such as by being
received within apertures in the mounts 100 as shown in FIGS.
14-19. In such embodiments, any part of the sheet 94 of the product
barrier 90 can be wound about the rod 98, thereby enabling the
sheet 94 to be wound and unwound to a desired length corresponding
to a distance between the product divider 78 and an overhead shelf
42. In some embodiments, one or more of the mounts 100 includes a
reel mechanism (e.g., a ratchet and pawl mechanism, and the like)
capable of securing the sheet 94 at any desired length and/or of
exerting a spring force to coil the sheet 94 about the rod 98. Any
reel mechanism can be employed for these purposes, such as those
used for window blinds, tape measures, and the like. Such reel
mechanisms are conventional in nature and are not therefore
described further herein.
[0068] By using the rod and mount structure just described, the
product barriers 90 illustrated in FIGS. 14-19 can be adjusted to
fit between shelves 42 separated by a number of different
distances. For example, the sheets 94 of the product barriers 90
can be wound about their respective rods 98 sufficiently to be
received between shelves 42 that are relatively close together (see
FIGS. 15 and 16) or can be unwound sufficiently to be received
between shelves 42 separated by a greater vertical distance (see
FIGS. 14 and 17-19). In other embodiments, the sheets 94 are not
wound about the rod 98 in different amounts for different shelf
spacings, in which case different product barriers 90 can be used
for different shelf spacings.
[0069] In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 14-19, the sheet 94
of each product barrier 90 is looped about the dividers 82, 86 of
the product dividers 78 as described above. This manner of
connection enables the product barrier 90 to be coupled to an
adjustable product divider 78 as described above, wherein the
dividers 82, 86 are still adjustable while being coupled to the
product barrier 90. However, in other embodiments, the sheet 94 can
be coupled to a non-adjustable product divider 78 in any
manner.
[0070] Each product barrier 90 illustrated in FIGS. 14-19 is
coupled to a product divider 78 below the product barrier 90 and to
a shelf 42 above the product barrier (by the rod and mount
structure described above). In other embodiments, the product
barrier 90 can be coupled to a shelf 42 below and to a shelf 42
above by respective rod and mount structures. Alternatively, the
product barrier 90 can be coupled to the shelf 42 below by a rod 98
and mount(s) 100, and can be coupled to the shelf 42 above in any
other manner.
[0071] By using the adjustable product dividers 78 described above
(e.g., wherein the sheets 94 of the product dividers 78 can be
wound or unwound as needed), such product dividers 78 can be
adjusted to accommodate different spacings between shelves 42 in
the rack assembly 10. However, non-adjustable product dividers 78
can be used in other embodiments, if desired.
[0072] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the product fronting mechanisms
92 can be used to front product 102 on the shelves 42 of the rack
assembly 22. By pulling on a handle 103 of a product fronting
mechanism 92, a strip 104 attached to the handle 14 can be pulled
in a forward direction. In some embodiments, a pushing member 106
attached to the strip 104 can push the product 102 from a location
behind the product 102. The strip 104 can be positioned upon the
shelf 42 so that the product 102 rests upon the strip 104 (in which
case the product 102 can be pulled in a forward direction by
pulling the handle 103), or can be recessed within the shelf 42 so
that the product 102 is pushed in a forward direction by the
pushing member 106 when the handle 103 is pulled. After product has
been fronted by pulling the handle 103, in some embodiments the
strip 104 is wound into the handle 103 as the handle 103 is
returned to its at rest position at the front of the shelf 42.
[0073] During the product fronting procedure just described,
product 102 in a row of product 96 being fronted can be prevented
from interfering with product 102 in one or more adjacent rows 96
by the sheets 94 of product barriers 90. Also, the sheets 94 can
prevent product 102 from falling or otherwise moving from one row
96 to another row 96 in the rack assembly 22.
[0074] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended
as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present
invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their
configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the
appended claim.
[0075] For example, in some embodiments of the present invention,
non-adjustable arms can be used in place of the adjustable arms 38
described above and illustrated in the figures. In such cases,
non-adjustable arms can be provided in different lengths in order
to span different distances in the rack assembly 22 (e.g., when
different arm orientations between gondola and rack uprights 12, 26
are desired and/or when the rack assembly 22 is adjusted to
different depths).
* * * * *