U.S. patent application number 11/639809 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for pusher assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Excell Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael Medcalf.
Application Number | 20080142458 11/639809 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39525870 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080142458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Medcalf; Michael |
June 19, 2008 |
Pusher assembly
Abstract
A pusher assembly is positionable on a shelf for maintaining
product on the shelf. The pusher assembly includes a pusher frame,
a pusher plate assembly, at least one stop member, and a pusher
plate biasing assembly. The pusher frame has a front end, a rear
end, a first sidewall, a spatially disposed second sidewall and at
least one product receiving space formed between the first and
second sidewalls. The pusher plate assembly is disposed in the at
least one product receiving space and is selectively movable
through the at least one product receiving space for moving product
through the at least one product receiving space. The at least one
stop member is connected to the front end of the pusher frame for
stabilizing product in the at least one product receiving space.
The pusher plate biasing assembly biases the pusher plate assembly
forward toward the at least one stop member.
Inventors: |
Medcalf; Michael; (Harrah,
OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUNLAP CODDING & ROGERS, P.C.
PO BOX 16370
OKLAHOMA CITY
OK
73113
US
|
Assignee: |
Excell Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39525870 |
Appl. No.: |
11/639809 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/59.3 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/12 20060101
A47F001/12 |
Claims
1. A pusher assembly positionable on a shelf for maintaining
product on the shelf, the pusher assembly comprising: a pusher
frame having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a spatially
disposed second sidewall and at least one product receiving space
formed between the first and second sidewalls for receiving a row
of product; a pusher plate assembly disposed in the at least one
product receiving space, the pusher plate assembly selectively
movable through the at least one product receiving space for moving
product through the at least one product receiving space when the
forward most product is removed from the at least one product
receiving space of the pusher frame; at least one stop member
connected to the front end of the pusher frame for stabilizing
product in the at least one product receiving space and for
preventing discharge of product from the at least one product
receiving space as the product is caused to move forward through
the at least one product receiving space of the pusher frame; and a
pusher plate biasing assembly for biasing the pusher plate assembly
forward toward the at least one stop member, the pusher plate
biasing assembly comprising: at least one roller having a
circumferential groove, the at least one roller rotatably connected
to a portion of the pusher frame; and a bungee cord disposed along
the base of the pusher frame so as to operably engage the at least
one roller rotatably connected to the portion of the base frame,
the bungee cord engaging the pusher plate assembly so as to bias
the pusher plate assembly in a forward direction to ensure that
product is moved forward in the product receiving space of the
pusher assembly when the forward most product in the row of product
supported in the product receiving space is removed.
2. The pusher assembly of claim 1 wherein the pusher frame further
comprises: a base assembly for supporting and stabilizing the
pusher plate assembly as the pusher plate assembly travels along
the product receiving space of the pusher frame.
3. The pusher assembly of claim 2 wherein the base assembly
comprises: a pair of spatially disposed guide tracks extending
along the base assembly of the pusher frame.
4. The pusher assembly of claim 3 wherein the pusher plate assembly
comprises: a pusher sled assembly slidably mounted on the pair of
guide tracks of the pusher frame, the pusher sled assembly operably
connected to the bungee cord of the pusher plate biasing assembly
for selectively moving the pusher sled assembly along the at least
one product receiving space when product is removed from the
product receiving space.
5. The pusher assembly of claim 4 wherein the pusher sled assembly
comprises: at least one pusher plate; and a pusher sled supporting
the at least one pusher plate, the pusher sled having a pair of
spatially disposed track followers for operably engaging the pair
of guide tracks extending along the base assembly of the pusher
frame.
6. The pusher assembly of claim 5 further comprising: a stop plate
assembly removably connected to the front end of the pusher
assembly for preventing forward movement of the pusher plate
assembly past the stop plate assembly.
7. The pusher assembly of claim 3 wherein the base assembly of the
pusher frame assembly has a slot formed between the pair of
spatially disposed guide tracks.
8. The pusher assembly of claim 7 wherein a post is connected to a
portion of the pusher plate assembly, the post extending
longitudinally in a downward direction so as to be substantially
disposed in the slot such that the post travels along the slot.
9. The pusher assembly of claim 8 wherein the bungee cord is
operably connected to the post of the pusher plate assembly whereby
the pusher plate assembly is biased in a forward position in the
product receiving space of the pusher frame.
10. A method for displaying and storing merchandise on a shelf
comprising the steps of: providing a pusher assembly wherein the
pusher assembly comprises: a pusher frame having a front end, a
rear end, a first sidewall, a spatially disposed second sidewall
and at least one product receiving space formed between the first
and second sidewalls for receiving a row of product; a pusher plate
assembly disposed in the at least one product receiving space, the
pusher plate assembly selectively movable through the at least one
product receiving space for moving product through the at least one
product receiving space when the forward most product is removed
from the at least one product receiving space of the pusher frame;
at least one stop member connected to the front end of the pusher
frame for stabilizing product in the at least one product receiving
space and for preventing discharge of product from the at least one
product receiving space as the product is caused to move forward
through the at least one product receiving space of the pusher
frame; and a pusher plate biasing assembly for biasing the pusher
plate assembly forward toward the at least one stop member, the
pusher plate biasing assembly comprising: at least one roller
having a circumferential groove, the at least one roller rotatably
connected to a portion of the pusher frame; and a bungee cord
disposed along the base of the pusher frame so as to operably
engage the at least one roller rotatably connected to the portion
of the base frame, the bungee cord engaging the pusher plate
assembly so as to bias the pusher plate assembly in a forward
direction to ensure that product is moved forward in the product
receiving space of the pusher assembly when the forward most
product in the row of product supported in the product receiving
space is removed; securing the pusher assembly to a shelf; moving
the pusher plate assembly in a rearward direction to provide access
to the product receiving space defined by the pusher assembly;
aligning product within the product receiving space to form a row
of products; and releasing the pusher plate assembly such that the
pusher plate assembly is biased in a forward direction and engages
a rearwardly disposed item in the row of product whereby as product
is removed from the row of product the pusher plate assembly causes
the row of product to move forward in the product receiving space
whereby product present in the product receiving space remains
visible and accessible to a customer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a pusher assembly supported
on a store shelf, and more particularly but not by way of
limitation, to a pusher assembly for feeding a row of merchandise
forward through a merchandise bay of the pusher assembly as
merchandise at the front of a row or column of merchandise is
removed. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a pusher
assembly mounted on a store shelf such that the pusher assembly is
selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended
position.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0005] Products or merchandise of various types and sizes are
commonly stored on shelves in retail and wholesale outlets so that
customers can see the product or merchandise and select product or
merchandise for purchase. In some instances, the shelves are
inclined downwardly from the rear of the shelf to the front of the
shelf so that the merchandise can be gravity fed to the front of
the shelf. However, the use of downwardly inclined shelves is often
unsatisfactory because the merchandise at times does not slide
smoothly down the shelf and the merchandise can fall over, thereby
jamming the row or column of merchandise from feeding properly or
causing the merchandise to be discharged onto the floor. Also,
customers may have difficulty in viewing merchandise on lower
shelves when the shelves are downwardly inclined.
[0006] To overcome this problem, various prior art devices have
been proposed for use on store shelves for feeding merchandise to
the front of the shelf as merchandise is removed from the shelf. In
most instances, spring loaded pusher systems have been employed.
However, many of the prior art spring loaded pusher systems have
suffered from the disadvantage in that it is difficult to adjust
such spring loaded pusher systems so that such systems can
accommodate merchandise of different sizes and weight, and it is
difficult to load such spring loaded pusher systems with
merchandise. In addition, the prior art pusher systems have
suffered from the inability to stack merchandise within the
merchandise bay or product receiving space of such systems because
of the restricted distance between adjacent shelves.
[0007] Thus, a need exists for an improved pusher assembly which
can be readily adjusted to accommodate merchandise of different
sizes and weight, which enhances loading of merchandise into
merchandise bays of the pusher assembly, which permits stacking of
merchandise in the merchandise bays of the pusher assembly, which
is economical to manufacture, and which is substantially
maintenance free. It is to such a pusher assembly that the present
invention is directed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway pictorial representation of a
pusher assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the pusher assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the pusher assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation of a pusher plate
assembly of the pusher assembly of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the pusher assembly of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2, shown therein is a pusher assembly 10 constructed in
accordance with the present invention. The pusher assembly 10
functions to feed a row of merchandise or product forward on a
store shelf as merchandise or product at the front of the row of
merchandise is removed by a customer. The pusher assembly 10
includes a pusher frame 12 and a pusher plate assembly 14. The
pusher frame 12 is characterized as having a front end 16, a rear
end 18, a first sidewall 20, a spatially disposed second sidewall
22, a product receiving space 24 formed between the first and
second sidewalls 20 and 22 for receiving a row of merchandise or
product 26, and a base assembly 28. The pusher assembly 10 may be
constructed of any material having sufficient strength and
durability to enable the pusher assembly 10 to function in the
manner described herein. Suitable materials include metals such as
aluminum, steel, titanium, magnesium or alloys containing these
metals. Other suitable materials for construction include plastics,
polymeric materials, and other composite materials. The pusher
assembly 10 may be any size provided that the pusher assembly 10
functions in the manner described herein.
[0014] If the pusher assembly 10 is used in combination with a wire
shelf, the pusher frame 12 may also include a bottom 29 for
providing a smooth surface over which the product 16 is moved
through the product receiving space 24 of the pusher assembly
10.
[0015] The base assembly 28 has a first guide track 30, a spatially
disposed second guide track 32 and a slot 34 formed between the
first and second guide tracks 30 and 32 and which terminates a
distance from the front and rear ends 16 and 18 of the pusher frame
12.
[0016] A pair of stop members 36 and 38 are removably connected to
the first and second sidewalls 20 and 22 proximate the front end 16
of the pusher assembly 10 for preventing forward movement of the
product past the stop members 36 and 38 to secure the forward most
merchandise or product in the row of merchandise or product in a
stable position. A stop plate assembly 39 is removably connected to
the front end 16 of the pusher assembly for preventing forward
movement of the pusher plate assembly 14 past the stop plate
assembly 39.
[0017] In order to move the pusher plate assembly 14 forward along
the pusher frame 12 as merchandise or product is removed from a row
of merchandise or product supported in the product receiving space
24 of the pusher assembly 10, the pusher assembly 10 also includes
a pusher plate biasing assembly 40. The pusher plate biasing
assembly 40 includes at least one roller 42, having a
circumferential groove, connected proximate the front end 16 of the
pusher frame 12.
[0018] The pusher plate biasing assembly 40 of the pusher assembly
10 further includes a bungee cord 44. The bungee cord 40 has a
first end 46 and a second end 48. The first end 46 of the bungee
cord 44 is anchored proximate the rear end 18 of the pusher frame
12. The second end 48 of the bungee cord 44 is anchored to a
portion of the pusher plate assembly 14. The bungee cord 44
operably engages the roller 42. As will be described in more detail
hereinafter, the bungee cord 44 operates to bias the pusher plate
assembly 14 in a forward position relative to the pusher frame 12
of the pusher assembly 10.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the bungee cord 44 is connected
to the base assembly 28 of the pusher frame 12 near the rear end 18
of the pusher frame 20 and extends around the roller 34, and is
anchored to a post 50 connected to a portion of the pusher plate
assembly 14. The post 50 extends longitudinally in a downward
direction so as to be substantially disposed in the slot 34 of the
base assembly 28 so as to travel in and along the slot 34. It
should be noted that while the bungee cord 44 has been shown as an
elongated member connected to the base assembly 28 of the pusher
frame 12 via a connection post 52, the bungee cord 44 can be a
continuous member such that the bungee cord is disposed around a
post or roller having a circumferential groove formed thereon
rather than being connected to the base assembly 28 via the
connection post 52. The only requirement in the operation of the
bungee cord 44, and its connection to the roller 42, is that the
bungee cord 44 is interconnected to the pusher plate assembly 14 so
as to bias the pusher plate assembly 14 in a position towards the
front end 16 of the pusher frame 12 when merchandise is removed
from a row of merchandise supported in the product receiving space
24 of the pusher assembly 10.
[0020] The pusher plate assembly 14 is slidably mounted on the
pusher frame 12 so that the pusher plate assembly 14 moves through
the product receiving space 24 towards the front end 16 of the
pusher frame 12 when merchandise or product is removed from the
product receiving space 24 of the pusher assembly 10.
[0021] As more clearly shown in FIGS. 1-4, the pusher plate
assembly 14 includes a pusher sled assembly 60 slidably mounted on
the first and second guide tracks 30 and 32, respectively, disposed
along the base assembly 28 of the pusher frame 12. The pusher sled
assembly 60 includes a first pusher plate 62, a second pusher plate
64, and a pusher sled 65 such that the first and second pusher
plates 62 and 64 are supported by the pusher sled 65. As more
clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the first pusher plate 62 is
provided with at least one and desirably, two spatially disposed
substantially parallel tubular members 66 and 68 on a rear side
thereof; and the second pusher plate 64 is provided with at least
one, and desirably two tubular members 70 and 72 on a rear side
thereof. The spatially disposed, substantially parallel tubular
members 66 and 68 are alignable with the spatially disposed tubular
members 70 and 72 whereby the first and second pusher plates 62 and
64 can be connected via a pair of connector members 74 and 76
extending therebetween. The connector members 74 and 76 can be
connected to the first and second pusher plates 62 and 64 by any
suitable connector, such as thumb screws, adhesive, or may be
telescopingly connected, so that the first and second pusher plates
62 and 64 are secured in a stable position on the connector members
74 and 76.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the pusher sled 65 of the pusher
sled assembly 60 is provided with a pair of spatially disposed
track followers 80 and 82 which operably engage the first and
second guide tracks 30 and 32 extending along the base assembly 28
of the pusher frame 12. Thus, the track followers 80 and 82
cooperate with the first and second guide tracks 30 and 32 and the
pusher plate biasing assembly 40 to permit the first and second
pusher plates 62 and 64 to be selectively moved through the product
receiving space 24 of the pusher frame 12.
[0023] The pusher assembly 10 of the present invention can be
constructed of any material. However, desirable results can be
obtained wherein the first and second sidewalls 20, 22 and the
pusher plate assembly 14 of the pusher assembly 10 are constructed
of plastic materials. Further, in order to provide a view of the
row of merchandise 26 provided in the product receiving space 24 of
the pusher assembly 10, the stop plate assembly 30 is fabricated of
a clear, transparent polymeric material. Furthermore, in order to
enhance movement of the pusher sled assembly 60 along the first and
second guide tracks 30 and 32 of the base assembly 28, it is
desirable that at least the track followers 80 and 82 of the pusher
sled 65 be constructed of a self lubricating polymeric
material.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, to employ the pusher assembly 10 to
display merchandise or product on a store shelf, the pusher
assembly 10 is assembled such that the first and second sidewalls
20 and 22 are spaced a predetermined distance apart to define the
product receiving space 24 adapted to receive and support the
products or merchandise therein. The bungee cord 44 of the pusher
plate biasing assembly 40 is operably connected to connection post
52 of the base assembly 28 of the pusher frame 12 such that the
bungee cord 44 operably engages the roller 42 rotatably mounted on
the front end 16 of the pusher frame 12. Thereafter, the bungee
cord 44 is operably connected to the post 50 of the pusher plate
assembly 14 whereby the pusher plate assembly 14 is biased in a
forward position in the product receiving space 24 of the pusher
frame 12. Once the pusher assembly 10 has been assembled, the
pusher assembly 10 is desirably connected to a shelf by any
suitable means, such as bolts, screws, clamps, wires and the like.
In connecting the pusher assembly 10 to the shelf, it is desirable
that the front end 16 of the pusher frame 12 be disposed
substantially adjacent the front edge of the shelf.
[0025] In those situations where the shelf is constructed of wire,
the pusher frame 12 will desirably contain the bottom 29 for
providing a smooth surface over which the merchandise or product
can travel as the merchandise or product is moved through the
product receiving space 24 of the pusher assembly 10.
[0026] In order to position the merchandise or product in the
product receiving space 24 defined between the first and second
sidewalls 20 and 22 of the pusher frame 12, the pusher plate
assembly 14 is moved toward the rear-end 18 of the pusher frame 12
and held in place while the desired amount of merchandise or
product is aligned in a row within product receiving space 24 of
the pusher assembly 10. Once the desired amount of merchandise or
product has been positioned within the product receiving space 24
of the merchandise display 10, pressure is removed from the pusher
plate assembly 14 whereby the pusher plate assembly 14 is biased in
the forward direction in the pusher frame and frictionally engages
the product disposed within the product receiving space 24 of the
pusher assembly 10.
[0027] As product or merchandise is removed from the product
receiving space 24 of the pusher assembly 10, the pusher plate
assembly 14 moves in a forward direction along the pusher frame 12
and thus moves the remaining merchandise or product in the product
receiving space 24 of the pusher assembly 10 in a forward direction
toward the stop members 36 and 38 connected to the front end 16 of
the pusher frame 12 of the pusher assembly 10 for preventing
forward movement of the merchandise or product past the stop plate
assembly 39 and thereby secure the forward most merchandise or
product in the row of merchandise or product in a stable position
within the product receiving space 24 of the pusher assembly
10.
[0028] As additional merchandise or product is removed from the
product receiving space 24 of the pusher assembly 10, and as the
pusher plate assembly is moved forward along the pusher frame as
merchandise or product is removed from the row of merchandise or
product supported in the product receiving space 24 by the pusher
plate biasing assembly 40, the pusher plate assembly 14 engages the
stop plate assembly 39 to restrict forward movement of the pusher
plate assembly 14 through the product receiving space 24 so as to
provide the last row of merchandise or product to be disposed
adjacent the stop plate assembly 39. Once the last item of
merchandise and/or product has been removed from the pusher
assembly 10, additional product can be placed within the product
receiving space 24 formed between the first and second sidewalls 20
and 22 of the pusher frame 12. However, if merchandise or product
of different sizes are to be positioned within the product
receiving space 24 of the pusher frame 12, the pusher assembly 10
is removed from the shelf and the height of the product receiving
space 12 is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first
and second pusher plates 62 and 64 of the pusher sled assembly
60.
[0029] When desired, additional sidewalls can be combined with the
first and second sidewalls 20 and 22 of the pusher frame assembly
12 so as to provide the merchandise display rack with a plurality
of product receiving spaces 12 which may have the same width as
that formed between the first and second sidewalls 20 and 22, or
different widths in order to accommodate merchandise and product
having different widths.
[0030] From the above description, it is clear that the present
invention is well-adapted to carry out the objects and to attain
the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the
invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention
have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be
understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily
suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are
accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed.
* * * * *