U.S. patent application number 11/773638 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for adjustable pusher tray.
Invention is credited to Enzo Vardaro, Nicola Vardaro.
Application Number | 20090008406 11/773638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40220655 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090008406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vardaro; Enzo ; et
al. |
January 8, 2009 |
ADJUSTABLE PUSHER TRAY
Abstract
An adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for
holding objects thereon. The tray includes a platform adapted to be
mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one pushing device
adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects
towards a front of the tray. Each pushing device has a longitudinal
plate adapted to be mounted on the platform, a pusher tab slidably
mounted on the longitudinal plate, and a coiled spring having one
end mounted on the pusher tab and another end mounted on the
longitudinal plate for biasing the pusher tab against the objects
positioned between the pusher tab and the front of the tray.
Inventors: |
Vardaro; Enzo; (Montreal,
CA) ; Vardaro; Nicola; (Montreal, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOUDREAU GAGE DUBUC
2000 MCGILL COLLEGE, SUITE 2200
MONTREAL
QC
H3A 3H3
CA
|
Family ID: |
40220655 |
Appl. No.: |
11/773638 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/126 20130101;
B65G 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/241 |
International
Class: |
B65H 31/20 20060101
B65H031/20 |
Claims
1. An adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for
holding objects thereon, the tray comprising: a platform adapted to
be mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one pushing device
adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects
towards a front of the tray; wherein each pushing device comprises
a longitudinal plate adapted to be mounted on the platform, a
pusher tab slidably mounted on the longitudinal plate, and a coiled
spring having one end mounted on the pusher tab and another end
mounted on the longitudinal plate for biasing the pusher tab
against the objects positioned between the pusher tab and the front
of the tray.
2. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a
plurality of modular platform units adapted to be attached
together, each modular platform unit having side protrusions
engaging into corresponding slots of an adjacent modular platform
unit.
3. The tray according to claim 2, wherein each modular platform
unit comprises a series of parallel longitudinal slots, and wherein
an underside of each longitudinal plate comprises protrusions for
lockingly engaging into a corresponding set of the slots.
4. The tray according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of
divider units, each divider unit comprises protrusions for
lockingly engaging into a corresponding set of the slots.
5. The tray according to claim 2, wherein each modular platform
unit includes one or more frangible links located at predetermined
distances for adjusting a width of the tray when each frangible
link is severed.
6. The tray according to claim 1, wherein each longitudinal plate
includes one or more frangible links located at predetermined
distances for adjusting a width of the tray when each frangible
link is severed.
7. The tray according to claim 4, wherein each divider unit
includes one or more frangible links located at predetermined
distances for adjusting a width of the tray when each frangible
link is severed.
8. The tray according to claim 2, wherein each modular platform
unit includes a magnet for retaining the tray onto the shelf.
9. An adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for
holding objects thereon, the tray comprising: a platform adapted to
be mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one pushing device
adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects
towards a front of the tray; wherein the platform comprises a first
plate and a second plate slidably mounted on the first plate for
adjusting a width of the tray.
10. The tray according to claim 9, wherein each pushing device
comprises a coiled spring mounted in spring receiving slots defined
in the first and second plates.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a pusher tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A pusher tray is used for pushing objects positioned thereon
towards the front of the pusher tray. Such trays are inclined with
respect of the horizontal and use gravitational force to move
forward objects on display when one such object is removed from the
tray. However, such pusher trays are of a predetermined size and it
is expensive to adapt these to different shelf sizes in stores.
Also, by depending on gravitational force one needs to set a
predetermined incline angle, which may not be suitable for
different kinds of objects having different friction coefficients
and different shapes.
[0003] There is therefore a need for an improved pusher tray, which
may overcome the above and other deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided an
adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for holding
objects thereon, the tray comprising: a platform adapted to be
mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one pushing device
adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects
towards a front of the tray; wherein each pushing device comprises
a longitudinal plate adapted to be mounted on the platform, a
pusher tab slidably mounted on the longitudinal plate, and a coiled
spring having one end mounted on the pusher tab and another end
mounted on the longitudinal plate for biasing the pusher tab
against the objects positioned between the pusher tab and the front
of the tray.
[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf
for holding objects thereon, the tray comprising: a platform
adapted to be mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one
pushing device adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing
the objects towards a front of the tray; wherein the platform
comprises a first plate and a second plate slidably mounted on the
first plate for adjusting a width of the tray.
[0006] The invention as well as its numerous advantages will be
better understood by reading the following non-restrictive
description of preferred embodiments made in reference to the
appending drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a left front perspective view of an adjustable
pusher tray, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 1B is an exploded left front perspective view of the
tray in FIG. 1A.
[0009] FIG. 2A, is a lower side perspective view of a partial tray
extended to maximum width, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2B, is a lower side perspective view of a partial tray
of lesser width than that shown in FIG. 2A, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a raised right rear perspective view of a partial
tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a right front perspective view of an adjustable
pusher tray, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded right front perspective view of a
modular portion of the tray in FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of a modular platform unit of the
modular portion of the tray in FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a lower side view of the modular platform unit in
FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side section view along line A-A in FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a more detailed view of circle B in FIG. 8.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a left perspective view of a pusher device of the
modular portion of the tray in FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a right front perspective view of an adjustable
pusher tray, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a right front perspective view of a modular
platform unit of the tray in FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a right front perspective and exploded view of
the modular platform unit in FIG. 12 and a divider unit of the tray
in FIG. 11.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a right front perspective view of the modular
platform unit of the tray in FIG. 12 with two divider units of the
tray being installed.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a right front perspective and exploded view of
the modular platform unit and divider units in FIG. 14 and a pusher
device of the tray in FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a right front perspective view of the modular
platform unit of the tray in FIG. 12 with two divider units and the
pusher device in FIG. 15 being installed.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a right front perspective view of three modular
units as in FIG. 16 being attached together.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a partial and perspective lower side view of two
modular units as in FIG. 16 aligned to be attached together.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a right front perspective view of the three
modular units in FIG. 17 with a price channel being inserted onto a
front part of the tray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an adjustable pusher
tray, generally referred to using the reference numeral 10, will
now be described. The tray 10, which is illustratively adapted for
placement onto a shelf S, is comprised of an upper plate 12 and a
lower plate 14. The upper plate 12 comprises a series of spring
receiving slots as in 16 moulded or otherwise formed therein. The
upper plate 12 also comprises a plurality of pairs of opposed
insert receiving protrusions as in 18 as well as a pair of opposing
lower plate receiving protrusions 20, 22 moulded or otherwise
formed at opposite ends of the upper plate 12 on a lower surface 24
thereof. Additionally, a rearward edge 26 of the upper plate 12 is
bevelled (as can be well seen in FIG. 3).
[0029] Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the lower plate 14
comprises a series of spring receiving slots 28 moulded or
otherwise formed therein which define a plurality of inserts as in
30. The lower plate 14 also comprises a raised backing plate 32
having a butted lower end 34. A series of springs as in 36 are also
provided and retained within the spring receiving slots as in 16,
28 projecting above the upper surfaces of both the upper plate 12
and the lower plate 14. A series of merchandise retaining display
plates 38 are arranged along the forward edge 40 of the upper plate
12. Additionally, an optional front display plate 42 is attached to
the forward edge 40 of the upper plate 12, illustratively by means
of a plurality of tongue like inserts 44 which are engaged by the
forward ends of the insert receiving protrusions 18.
[0030] Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, opposing side plates
each comprising a forward side plate 46 and a rearward side plate
48 are additionally provided. An inside surface 50 of each forward
side plate 46 further comprises a pair of opposing rearward side
plate receiving protrusions 52 moulded or otherwise formed
thereon.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2A in addition to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B,
in order to assemble the tray 10, a front portion of each of the
springs as in 36 is first placed in its corresponding slot as in 16
on the upper plate 12 and a rear portion of each of the springs as
in 36 is placed in its corresponding slot as in 28 on the lower
plate 14. A forward edge 54 of the lower plate 14 is then inserted
under the rearward edge 26 of the upper plate 12 between the pair
of opposing lower plate receiving protrusions 20, 22.
Simultaneously, the plurality of inserts as in 30 are inserted into
their corresponding pairs of opposed insert receiving protrusions
as in 18, thereby retaining the springs 36 in their corresponding
slots as in 16, 28.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2B in addition to FIG. 2A, as will now be
apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the width W of
the tray 10 can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the depth D
to which the lower plate 14 is inserted under the upper plate 12,
still while retaining the springs as in 36 within their positions.
Also of note is that the pair of opposing lower plate receiving
protrusions 20, 22 serve to hold the pairs of opposed insert
receiving protrusions as in 18 clear of the upper surface of the
shelf S, thereby allowing the springs 36 to be compressed freely by
the widening and narrowing action of the upper plate 12 and the
lower plate 14.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 3, as discussed above, the opposing
side plates each comprise a forward side plate 46 and a rearward
side plate 48 with the front end 56 of the forward side plate 46
flush with the forward edge 40 of the upper plate 12 and the rear
end 58 of the rearward side plate 48 abutting or flush against the
raised backing plate 32 of the lower plate 14. As will now be
apparent to a person of skill in the art, the rearward side plate
48 is inserted and able to slide between the pair of opposing
rearward side plate receiving protrusions 52 on the inside surface
50 of the forward side plate 46, and as a result, the length L of
each opposing side plate is adjustable with the width W of the tray
10.
[0034] Referring now back to FIG. 1B, each opposing forward side
plate 46, is held proximate to the side of the upper plate 12 by a
support plate 60 formed at right angles to the inside surface 50 of
the forward side plate 46 which is inserted between the upper plate
12 and the shelf S. Illustratively, the weight of the upper plate
12 and lower plate 14 retains the support plate 60 to the shelf S.
Additionally, the upper plate 12 is illustratively attached to the
shelf S by a fastening means (for example a plurality of pins or
the like, not shown, depending from the under side of the upper
plate 12 which engages the upper surface of the shelf S) which
prevents unwanted horizontal movement of the upper plate 12.
Similarly, unwanted horizontal movement of the lower plate 14 is
illustratively prevented by a wall or the like (not shown)
proximate to the rear edge of the shelf S and against which the
raised backing plate 32 of the lower plate 14 abuts as well the
butted lower end 34 of the lower plate 14 which abuts the shelf
S.
[0035] Referring back to FIG. 1A, items of merchandise (for example
books, CD jewel cases or the like, all not shown) are inserted
between the display plates 38 and the first coil 62 of each spring
36. The biasing forces generated by the spring as in 36 pressing
against the raised backing plate 32 force the merchandise forward
against the display plates 38. As a result, as merchandise is
removed from the tray 10, the remaining merchandise is shifted
forward.
[0036] An advantage of the pusher tray 10 is that it may be
adjustable in width so as to expand or contract to accommodate
different shelf sizes used in stores for example.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an adjustable pusher
tray 100, according to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The tray 100 includes a platform 102 adapted to be
mounted on the top of the shelf S, such as the one illustrated in
FIG. 1B. The tray 100 also includes at least one pushing device 104
adapted to be mounted on the platform 102 for pushing the objects
towards a front of the tray 100. The adjustable pusher tray 100 may
be formed of several modular units that are assembled together as
will be explained below.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, in addition to FIG. 4, each pushing
device 104 includes a longitudinal plate 106 adapted to be mounted
on the platform 102, a pusher tab 108 slidably mounted on the
longitudinal plate 106, and a coiled spring 110 having one end
mounted on the pusher tab 108 and another end 112 mounted on the
longitudinal plate 106 for biasing the pusher tab 108 against the
objects positioned between the pusher tab 108 and the front of the
tray.
[0039] Preferably, the platform 102 includes a plurality of modular
platform units 114 adapted to be attached together. Each modular
platform unit 114 has side protrusion receiving slots 116 lockingly
engaging with corresponding protrusions 118 of an adjacent modular
platform unit 114, as best shown in FIG. 8.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, each modular platform unit 114
includes a series of parallel longitudinal slots 120. Furthermore,
an underside of the longitudinal plate 106 includes protrusions 122
for lockingly engaging into a corresponding set of the slots 120.
The top of each modular platform 114 is provided with longitudinal
protrusions 115 defining channels that facilitate the alignment of
the protrusions 122 into the slots 120.
[0041] Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, the tray 100 may further
include a plurality of divider units 124. Each divider unit 124
includes protrusions for lockingly engaging into a corresponding
set of the slots 120 of the modular platform units 114.
[0042] Preferably, each modular platform unit 114 includes one or
more frangible links 128 located at predetermined distances for
adjusting a width of the tray 100 when each frangible link 128 is
severed.
[0043] Preferably, each longitudinal plate 106 includes one or more
frangible links 130 located at predetermined distances for
adjusting a width of the tray 100 when each frangible link 130 is
severed.
[0044] Preferably, each divider unit 124 includes one or more
frangible links 132 located at predetermined distances for
adjusting a width of the tray 100 when each frangible link 132 is
severed.
[0045] Preferably, a magnet 134 positioned in a magnet holder 136
is attached under each modular platform unit 114. Thereby, if the
shelf S is metallic, it may be easily attached thereto. Of course,
other means for attaching the modular platform unit 114 to the top
of the shelf S may be provided as those skilled in the art will
understand.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 19, there are shown preferred
sequential steps for assembling the pusher tray 100. The first step
usually begins with providing a modular platform unit 114 as in
FIG. 12. The second step is to provide at least one divider unit
124 having a series of protrusions 126 that are to be inserted into
a corresponding set of longitudinal slots 120 of the modular
platform unit 114, which are best shown in FIG. 18. The modular
platform unit 114 may also be provided with a set of parallel
longitudinal protrusions 115 which define channels where the
divider unit 124 is inserted. The series of protrusions 126 of the
divider unit 124 have ends being directed forward. Therefore, as
protrusions 126 of the divider unit 124 are inserted in the slots
120, the divider unit 124 is pushed forward of the tray to ensure a
locking thereof, as shown in FIG. 14. The next step is to mount the
pusher device 104 onto the modular platform unit 114, as shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16. The longitudinal plate 106 of the pusher device
104 is provided with a series of protrusions 122 having ends being
directed backwards. Therefore, once the protrusions 122 of the
pusher device 104 are aligned and inserted in the slots 120 of the
modular platform unit 114, the pusher device 104 is pushed
backwards of the tray to ensure a locking thereof, as shown in FIG.
16. The same steps as above are repeated to provide several modular
units as shown in FIG. 16. The modular units are then attached
together by means of side protrusion receiving slots 116 and
protrusions 118 as shown in FIG. 18 and explained above. In a next
step as shown in FIG. 19, a price channel member 138 is inserted on
a front portion of the tray 100. The channel member may bear price
or other type of information related on the merchandise or objects
positioned on the tray 100.
[0047] An advantage of the frangible links 128, 130 and 132 is that
they allow to adjust the tray to a particular size of shelf size.
Furthermore, the use of longitudinal slots 120 and protrusions 126
of the divider units 124 also allow a user to adjust the width of
each row where objects or merchandise are positioned depending on
their size. The protrusions 122 of the pusher device 104 also allow
to re-position the pusher device 104 in another lateral or
longitudinal position to adjust the tray 100 to the size of
particular objects. Of course, persons skilled in the art will
understand that the pusher device 104 may be permanently be mounted
or integrated into the modular platform units 114, but this would
diminish the adjustability of the tray 100.
[0048] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of an illustrative embodiment thereof, this
embodiment can be modified at will without departing from the
spirit and nature of the subject invention.
* * * * *