U.S. patent application number 13/625333 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-14 for track and divider assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Fasteners For Retail, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gregory M. Bird, Paul Mueller, Gerald Szpak.
Application Number | 20130062295 13/625333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47828880 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130062295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bird; Gregory M. ; et
al. |
March 14, 2013 |
TRACK AND DIVIDER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A merchandise display system includes a base and divider
assembly, wherein the base and divider assembly includes a base
portion adapted for operative coupling to a front rail and a
divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise into rows,
wherein the divider portion protrudes from the base portion. A
pusher track is defined on one of the base portion and the divider
portion and accommodates a spring urged pusher. A flange protrudes
away from the divider such that the flange extends in a direction
away from the track.
Inventors: |
Bird; Gregory M.; (Solon,
OH) ; Szpak; Gerald; (Brecksville, OH) ;
Mueller; Paul; (Wadsworth, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fasteners For Retail, Inc.; |
Twinsburg |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.
Twinsburg
OH
|
Family ID: |
47828880 |
Appl. No.: |
13/625333 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10348306 |
Jan 21, 2003 |
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|
13625333 |
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|
61538521 |
Sep 23, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/005 20130101;
A47F 1/12 20130101; A47F 1/126 20130101; A47F 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/59.3 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/00 20060101
A47F001/00 |
Claims
1. A merchandise display system comprising: a base and divider
assembly which includes a base portion and a divider portion that
protrudes from the base portion such that the divider portion is
located along a side edge of the base portion; a pusher track
defined on one of the base portion and the divider portion; a
spring urged pusher mounted to the pusher track; and a flange
protruding from a side of the divider such that the flange extends
in a direction away from the track.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion is of one
piece with the base portion.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion is selectively
detachable from the base portion.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the flange extends in a plane
located above a bottom surface of the base portion.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein a top surface of the flange
extends in a plane coincident with a top surface of the pusher
track.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the top surface of the pusher
track is defined by at least one rail.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein a bottom surface of the flange is
located above the bottom surface of the base portion.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion and the base
portion are made of different materials.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion is
transparent.
10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a front rail to which
the base and divider assembly can be selectively secured.
11. The system of claim 1 further comprising an end member
including a base and a divider protruding from the base.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the track is defined on the base
portion.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion forms one
side edge of the base and divider assembly.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/348,306 which was filed on Jan. 21, 2003
and is still pending. This application claims priority to and the
benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/538,321 filed Sep. 23,
2011.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure pertains to an adjustable
merchandising system. More specifically, the disclosure relates to
an adjustable forward feeding display merchandising system for
storing and displaying merchandise of a variety of shapes and sizes
and automatically delivering the merchandise to the front of a
shelf. The merchandising system can be removably attached to an
associated shelf and is configured to organize merchandise on the
shelf.
[0003] Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing
products or merchandise in a variety of stores. Most consumer
product stores contain immovable shelving which is arranged back to
back between aisle ways. The nature of the fixed shelves makes
difficult the rotation of the products on the shelf, which involves
moving older stock to the front of the shelf and positioning newer
stock behind the older stock. For a number of important
merchandising considerations, it is desirable that merchandise be
displayed at the front of the shelf so that a customer is induced
to purchase the forward most such article. For example, if the
goods are perishable or subject to becoming stale (e.g.,
cigarettes, fruit juices, dairy products or any item with an
expiration date or a freshness date), it is important that the
articles be removed following a first in, first out system to
maintain freshness. Moreover, if merchandise is not displayed at
the front of the shelf, it may not catch the shopper's eye which
may cost the merchant sales.
[0004] In order to automatically move an item forward as the one
before it is removed from the shelf, numerous forward feed devices
have been devised. These devices generally fall into three
categories. The first category is inclined tracks which rely on
gravity to feed, slide or roll products forward. Gravity feeding
may be unpredictable in that various materials slide easier than
others because of different weights and frictional interfaces
between the products and the track. The second category employs
conveyor belts which still use gravity to effect forward movement.
These devices are typically cumbersome, expensive and complicated
due to the need to properly tension the track and conveyor belts.
The third category uses spring biased pusher paddles to feed the
product forward. Such paddle based forward feed devices have been
found useful for certain types of merchandise.
[0005] In the third category, generally speaking, separate dividers
and tracks containing pusher paddles are employed, along with end
dividers. It is sometimes advantageous to provide an integrated
track and divider system because an integrated track and divider
makes assembly of the system easier for store personnel, as there
are less components to handle. However, in the known integrated
track and divider, the portion of the base supporting the
divider--which portion is on the opposite side of the divider from
the track--can comprise a significant amount of material which may
not be necessary, as that portion of the base only has the function
of supporting the opposite side of a column of packages from the
side which is supported by the track and is urged forward by the
pusher. Also, if there are rails on which the pusher rides which
rails extend above the surface of the track, the base second side
also needs to include such rails or be thicker so that the product
packages do not become canted as they are urged forward by the
pusher.
[0006] In other embodiments, it is advantageous to provide a track
and divider system in which the divider can be selectively detached
from the track. Such a two-piece assembly provides for better
manufacturability. It also allows the manufacturer to mold the
divider and the base from dissimilar materials. This can be done to
minimize unit cost. It is also advantageous to be able to produce
the divider from a transparent material or from colored materials,
as may be required by the merchant using the base and divider
assembly. Further, it is advantageous to be able to detach the
divider from the track under certain circumstances, such as for
wider products.
[0007] Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a
new and improved base and divider assembly which would overcome the
foregoing difficulties and others, while providing better and more
advantageous overall results.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] In accordance with the present disclosure, a new and
improved merchandise display system is provided. In one embodiment,
the display system includes a base and divider assembly for
supporting displayed merchandise, wherein the base and divider
assembly includes a base portion adapted for operative coupling to
a shelf and a divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise
into rows. The divider portion protrudes from the base such that
the divider portion is located adjacent one side edge of the base.
Defined on one of the base portion and the divider portion is a
pusher track. A spring urged pusher is connected to the pusher
track for pushing merchandise along the base towards the front of
the shelf. A flange protrudes away from an opposite face of the
divider for supporting one side edge of a column of merchandise
being held between two base and divider assemblies.
[0009] In one embodiment, the divider portion is integral with the
base portion. In another embodiment, the divider portion is
selectively detachable from the base portion. The flange can extend
in a plane which is located above a bottom surface of the base
portion. A top surface of the flange can extend in a plane which is
coincident with a top surface of the pusher track. The top surface
of the pusher track can be defined by at least one rail. A bottom
surface of the flange can be located above the bottom surface of
the base portion. In one embodiment, the divider portion and the
base portion are made of different materials. In an embodiment, the
divider portion can be transparent. The system can further comprise
a front rail to which the base and divider assembly can be
selectively secured. The system can further comprise an end member
which includes a base and a divider protruding from the base. In
one embodiment, the track is defined on the base portion. In
another embodiment, the track is defined on the divider
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present disclosure may take physical form in certain
parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will
be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein;
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system
according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged front elevational view of an
integrated base and divider according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the
integrated base and divider of FIG. 1 from below;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the base and divider
of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the base and divider of
FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base and divider of FIG.
1 on an enlarged scale;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system
according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged perspective view from below of
an integrated base and divider of the second embodiment of the
present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 7; and,
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system
according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating several embodiments of the disclosure only
and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a first
embodiment of a shelving system A. The shelving system of this
embodiment includes an integrated base and divider 10 which
includes a base 12 and a divider 18. Located on the base is a track
20. With reference now also to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the
divider 18 protrudes from a side edge of the base. The track 20
includes a top surface 22. Extending upwardly from the top surface
are spaced first and second rails 26 and 28. These define a slot 30
between them. Extending towards each other from facing side edges
of the tracks 26 and 28 are a pair of flanges 31 and 32. A top
surface of a respective track is identified by the numerals 34 and
36. The divider 18 can be planar and includes a first side 40 which
faces the track 20 and a second side 42 which faces away from the
track.
[0021] A flange 44 protrudes from the divider second side 42. It
can be seen that the flange 44 in this embodiment is located above
the top surface 22 of the track. Moreover, a top surface 46 of the
flange can be located above the top surfaces 34 and 36 of the rails
26 and 28 to some extent. Moreover, a bottom surface 50 of the
flange 44 is, in this embodiment, located above the top surface 22
of the track. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a plane
passing along the bottom surface 50 of the flange would intersect
the flanges 31 and 32 of the tracks 26 and 28. Put another way, the
flange can be relatively thin in comparison to the thickness of the
base 12. In this way, a significant savings can be had on the
material necessary for constructing an integrated or one piece base
and divider according to this embodiment of the present disclosure.
The width of the flange 44 is designed to be adequate to support
the opposing sides of a column of packages or product being held on
an adjacent track so that the products do not cant or tilt as they
are supported on a track. It is for this reason that there is a
general alignment of the top surface 46 of the flange and the top
surfaces 34 and 36 of the two rails along a plane 48. The flange
top surface can, however, be located above the rail top surfaces by
one or more hundredths of an inch, if so desired.
[0022] The flange 44 can be collinear with the length of the track
20. It can be oriented in a direction which is generally transverse
to the second side or face 42 of the divider 18. The flange 44 can
be continuous along the length of the divider 18. However, it
should be appreciated that a flange with one or more slots or
openings could be provided instead. Moreover, while the flange is
illustrated as being generally planar so that it has a constant
thickness along its length, other flange designs or forms are also
contemplated, such as a flange having a generally triangular cross
section with a thickened area near the divider and a thinner,
tapered area near its distal end.
[0023] With reference now also to FIG. 4, the pusher includes a
pusher wall 56 having a front face 58 (FIG. 2), as well as a pair
of gussets 60 and 62. These are generally angled from the top of
the pusher wall 56 to a base 70 of the pusher. Defined on the base
70 is a spring carrier surface 72. Also defined in the base are a
pair of slots 74 and 76 which accommodate the flanges 31 and 32 of
the rails. In this way, the pusher 54 is constrained to ride in the
track 20 defined on the base 12. Extending beneath the slots are
respective legs 80 and 82 of the pusher. With reference now also to
FIG. 6, a coil spring 86 is supported on the spring carrier surface
72. As shown in FIG. 4, a front end 90 of the coil spring can be
fastened to the base 12 with most of the remaining portion mounted
on the spring carrier surface, as is known in the art. The coil
spring can extend through a slot 92 (FIG. 2) in the base 70 of the
pusher 54.
[0024] With reference now to FIG. 5, the base includes a bottom
surface 98 which can rest upon an associated shelf. Located on the
bottom face 98 is a transversely extending slot 104. The slot is
defined by a front face 106, a roof 108 and a rear face 110. The
front face is defined by a rear edge of a flange 112. The flange
112 extends transversely along the bottom face 104. The flange 112
is meant to be accommodated in a suitable slot of a front rail 120,
as illustrated in FIG. 1. The front rail includes a slot 122 which
accommodates the flange. The front rail also includes a raised area
or plateau 124 which accommodates the slot 104 of the integrated
base and divider 10. The cooperation of these two members is
discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,623 which is owned by
the assignee of the instant application. The subject matter of the
U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,623 is incorporated hereinto by reference in
its entirety.
[0025] With continued reference to FIG. 1, also provided in the
shelving system A is an end member 130 which may be fastened to a
subjacent shelf near the left hand side of the shelf. A mirror
image end component would be provided on the right hand side of the
shelf. The end member can include a base portion 132, as well as a
divider portion 134. A suitable fastener 136 can be employed to
secure the end member to the shelf.
[0026] The front rail 120 can be mounted to a subjacent shelf via
suitable mounting members 126.
[0027] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the base bottom surface
98 can define a chamber 148. Selectively mounted in the chamber is
an engaging member 150. In the embodiment illustrated, the engaging
member is resilient and comprises a face 152 on which are defined a
plurality of spaced protrusions 154, these can cooperate with
suitable protrusions or teeth (not visible) located on a rear
surface of the raised area 124 of the front rail 20. Such
cooperation is discussed in detail in U.S. application Ser. No.
11/809,862 which was published as U.S. Patent Publication No.
2008/0017598. That application is owned by the assignee of the
instant application and is incorporated hereinto by reference in
its entirety.
[0028] Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, an elongate mounting
member or front rail 120 cooperates with a cooperating member
which, in this embodiment, is the integrated base and divider 10,
such that the cooperating member is received on the mounting member
and extends rearwardly past the mounting member over the associated
shelf. In this embodiment, the engaging element or engaging member
150 is movably mounted to the cooperating member (although it could
alternatively be mounted to the mounting member) with the engaging
element being movable to selectively contact the mounting member in
order to selectively retard relative movement between the
cooperating member and the mounting member. Put another way, the
face 152 of the engaging member 150 can move back and forth in the
chamber 148.
[0029] With reference now to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of a
shelving system B is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the
shelving system includes an integrated base and divider 210 which
includes a base 212 and a divider 218. Defined on the base is a
track 220 to which is mounted a pusher 254. Also provided in the
system is a front rail 320 which cooperates with the integrated
base and divider 210. Further provided is an end member 330.
[0030] With reference now to FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the
integrated base and divider 210 does not include an engaging member
such as the engaging member 150 illustrated in FIG. 1. Rather, a
chamber 348 is left empty. A rear face 310 of a transverse slot 304
in a base bottom surface 298 includes a plurality of teeth 352
which are rigidly mounted to the base and divider 210. In other
respects, the base and divider is very similar to the first
embodiment illustrated in that it contains a flange 312 which helps
define a front face 306 of a slot 304.
[0031] As with the first embodiment, a flange 244 protrudes from a
second face 242 of the divider 218. The flange 244 is spaced
upwardly from a bottom surface 298 of the base 212. In fact, the
flange 244 has a top surface which is generally aligned with top
surfaces of a pair of rails 226 and 228 comprising a track 220
located on the base 212.
[0032] With reference now to FIG. 9, a base and divider assembly in
which the divider is selectively removable or separable from the
base is disclosed. In this embodiment, there is provided a base and
divider assembly including a base 400 and a divider 402. Defined on
an upper face of the base are a pair of spaced rails 410 and 412.
The rails extend along a longitudinal axis of the base and define a
channel between them. The pair of spaced rails and the channel
disposed between them define a track on the base. The track
accommodates a pusher assembly 420.
[0033] Selectively connected to the base is the divider 402 which
can be in the form of a generally planar wall 430 that includes a
top edge 432 and a bottom edge defined by a plurality of spaced
fins 434. Each pair of fins can be separated by a slot or gap 436.
The divider includes a first side wall 440 and a second side wall
442 from which protrudes a flange 446. The flange may extend at a
generally 90.degree. angle from the divider second side wall. The
relationship between a top side of the flange 446 and the upper
surfaces of the two rails 410 and 412 is such that they are
generally coplanar. The connection joint between the divider 402
and the base 400 can be such that the one or more fins 434 are
accommodated in one or more slots (not visible) located in the base
so as to selectively connect the divider to the base. The number of
fins and slots can be varied to suit the particular requirements of
the merchandising installation in which the base and divider
assembly are meant to be used. While cooperating fins and slots are
illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 9, it should be appreciated
that other means for selectively securing the divider to the base
are also contemplated herein.
[0034] Disclosed has been a base and divider assembly which locates
a divider portion along a side edge of a base portion, such that
only a flange extends from the opposite side of the divider. One
benefit of the disclosed designs is that the amount of material
necessary to construct the base and divider assembly is reduced,
since only a flange needs to be provided on the opposite face of
the divider in order to hold an edge of each product in a column of
merchandise which is disposed on a track located between a pair of
dividers.
[0035] The disclosure has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations
will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations
insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *