U.S. patent application number 14/806179 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for secure merchandising display with blocker mechanisms.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas A. Lockwood, Roger K. Miller.
Application Number | 20150321827 14/806179 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45351571 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150321827 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lockwood; Thomas A. ; et
al. |
November 12, 2015 |
Secure Merchandising Display With Blocker Mechanisms
Abstract
A system for controlling advancement of and access to product
housed within a device. Systems and devices include a pushing
assembly having a track, a pusher, and a stop for restricting
forward movement of the pusher when the stop is engaged. The device
also includes a door assembly that has an open position and a
closed position, an engaging mechanism that engages the stop when
the door assembly is in the open position, and a blocker mechanism
that restricts consumer access to product located behind the door
assembly.
Inventors: |
Lockwood; Thomas A.;
(Clemmons, NC) ; Miller; Roger K.; (East Bend,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC |
Norcross |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45351571 |
Appl. No.: |
14/806179 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13111235 |
May 19, 2011 |
9119488 |
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14806179 |
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|
12792252 |
Jun 2, 2010 |
8353425 |
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13111235 |
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12567370 |
Sep 25, 2009 |
8190289 |
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12792252 |
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61346211 |
May 19, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/265 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/126 20130101;
A47F 3/002 20130101; B65D 83/00 20130101; G07F 9/026 20130101; G07F
11/42 20130101; G07F 9/002 20200501; G07G 3/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00; A47F 3/00 20060101 A47F003/00; A47F 1/12 20060101
A47F001/12 |
Claims
1. A controlled access device, comprising: a base for supporting a
plurality of products; a hood surrounding the base for restricting
access to the plurality of products, the hood including a door
opening; a door assembly positioned at the door opening, the door
assembly having a dispensing region for accepting one of the
plurality of products, wherein the door assembly is pivotable about
an axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the
dispensing region is externally accessible when the door assembly
is in the open position, and wherein access to the dispensing
region is blocked when the door assembly is in the closed position;
and a cover of the door assembly positioned adjacent the dispensing
region, wherein the cover restricts access to a remainder of the
plurality of products when the door assembly is in the open
position.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is positioned to
restrict access to the plurality of products when the door assembly
is in the closed position.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the cover is positioned to
restrict access to the plurality of products when the door assembly
is in a position between the open position and the closed
position.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the base includes a feature for
biasing the remainder of the plurality of products towards the
dispensing region.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the door assembly includes a
bottom plate for accepting the one of the plurality of products,
wherein the cover extends approximately halfway around a
circumference of the bottom plate and extends generally from the
bottom plate to a top of the door assembly.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is positioned to block
access to the dispensing region when the door assembly is in the
closed position.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the door assembly is biased
towards the closed position.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the door assembly includes a
handle for pivoting the door assembly.
9. A controlled access device, comprising: a base for supporting a
plurality of products; a hood coupled to the base for restricting
access to the plurality of products, wherein the hood includes a
door opening; a door assembly positioned at the door opening, the
door assembly comprising a bottom plate for accepting a first of
the plurality of products and a cover restricting access to an
interior region defined between the base, the hood, and the cover,
wherein the door assembly is pivotable about an axis between an
open position and a closed position, wherein the first of the
plurality of products is accessible when the door assembly is in
the open position, and wherein the cover blocks access to the first
of the plurality of products when the door assembly is in the
closed position.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the cover blocks access to the
interior region when the door assembly is in the open position, in
the closed position, and in a position between the open and closed
positions.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the base includes a feature for
biasing the remainder of the plurality of products towards the
dispensing region.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein the cover extends approximately
halfway around a circumference of the bottom plate and extends
generally from the bottom plate to a top of the door assembly.
13. The device of claim 9, wherein the door assembly is biased
towards the closed position.
14. The device of claim 9, wherein the door assembly includes a
handle for pivoting the door assembly.
15. A controlled access product dispenser, comprising an interior
region for storing a plurality of products, the interior region
defined between a cover of a door assembly and a hood, wherein the
door assembly is pivotable about an axis between an open position
and a closed position, and wherein the interior region is blocked
from access; and a dispensing region of the door assembly adjacent
the cover, wherein the dispensing region is located within the
interior region when the door assembly is in the closed position,
and wherein the dispensing region located outside of the interior
region when the door assembly is in the open position.
16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the interior region is
further defined by a base for supporting the plurality of
products.
17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the base includes a feature
for biasing the plurality of products towards the dispensing
region.
18. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the dispensing region is
defined in part by a bottom plate, wherein the cover extends
approximately halfway around a circumference of the bottom plate
and extends generally from the bottom plate to a top of the door
assembly.
19. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the dispensing region is
located opposite the cover from the interior region when the door
assembly is in the open position.
20. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the cover is positioned to
block access to the interior region when the door assembly is in a
position between the open position and the closed position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/111,235 filed May 19, 2011 (Allowed), which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/346,211
filed May 19, 2010, the entire contents of all of which are hereby
incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/111,235 is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No.
12/792,252 filed Jun. 2, 2010 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,425), which is a
continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/567,370 filed
Sep. 25, 2009 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,190,289), the entire contents of all
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments generally relate to systems for advancing and
controlling access to product on a shelf.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Theft of small items in retail stores is a common problem.
Items that are in high demand by thieves include over-the-counter
(OTC) products such as analgesics and cough and cold medications,
razor blades, camera film, batteries, videos, DVDs, smoking
cessation products and infant formula. Shelf sweeping is a
particular problem for small items. Shelf sweeping occurs when
individuals or groups remove all the shelf stock and exit the
store, similar to a "smash and grab" shoplifting technique. Shelf
sweeping relies on excessive quantities of product being available
on the shelf. Retailers must keep substantial inventory on shelf or
incur the cost, including labor costs, of constantly
restocking.
[0004] In addition to preventing theft, retail stores may want to
limit the purchase of certain items. For example, to make
methamphetamine, large quantities of cold medication are needed.
Pseudoephedrine, the sole active ingredient in many cold medicines
and decongestants, is also a key ingredient in methamphetamine, a
powerful and highly addictive stimulant.
[0005] Retailers are challenged to balance the needs of legitimate
consumers' access to high theft items with measures to minimize the
incidence of theft. Because theft has become so rampant in certain
product categories, such as razors and infant formula, many retail
stores are taking the products off the shelves and placing them
behind the counter or under lock and key. Customers must request
the products to make a purchase. This requires additional labor
costs to provide individual service to customers who would normally
not require it. It also makes it difficult for customers to compare
products. Furthermore, it might not be feasible where the space
behind the counter is limited and is needed for prescription
medications. In some cases, products are simply unavailable due to
high pilferage rates. Therefore, a device or dispensing apparatus
that minimizes the incidence of product theft is needed.
SUMMARY
[0006] The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and
"the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer
broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent
claims below. Statements containing these terms should not be
understood to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit
the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the
invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below,
not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various
aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that
are further described in the Detailed Description section below.
This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features
of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in
isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The
subject matter should be understood by reference to the entire
specification of this patent, all drawings and each claim.
[0007] Systems of this invention relate to controlled access
devices that house product and that have a door assembly having an
open position and a closed position. When the door assembly is in
the open position, a consumer has access to a limited number of
product while a blocker mechanism restricts access to remaining
product housed in the device. The devices also include a pushing
assembly that provides controlled advancement of the product housed
in the device. As a first product is removed from the device, the
products located behind the one that was removed must move forward.
In some embodiments, the pushing assembly includes a resistance
mechanism that is coupled to the track and the pusher and that
controls forward movement of the pusher along the track and thereby
controls the speed at which product is advanced for access by the
consumer. The pushing assembly also includes a stop mechanism that
is engaged when the door assembly is in the open position. When
engaged, the stop mechanism prevents the pushing assembly from
advancing product forward.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three assembled controlled
access devices positioned between shelving units according to one
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of one of the
controlled access devices of FIG. 1, shown with the door assembly
in the closed position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the door assembly
and the pushing assembly of one of the controlled access devices of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one of the controlled access
devices of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is perspective view of one of the controlled access
devices of FIG. 1, with the pushing assembly shown in ghosted
lines.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the controlled access
devices of FIG. 1, shown in the open position and shown with
product.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a rear view of one of the controlled access
devices of FIG. 1, shown with product.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the door assembly of FIG. 3,
shown in the open position.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hood of one of the
controlled access devices of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base of one of the
controlled access devices of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the pushing assembly
of one of the controlled access devices of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the pushing assembly
of FIG. 11.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the pushing assembly
of FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the resistance mechanism of
the pushing assembly of FIG. 11.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the pusher of the
pushing assembly of FIG. 11.
[0023] FIG. 16 is another rear perspective view of the pusher of
FIG. 14.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the pusher of FIG. 14.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the track of the
pushing assembly of FIG. 11.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of the stop of the
pushing assembly of FIG. 11.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the shaft of the pushing
assembly of FIG. 11.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a controlled access device
according to another embodiment, shown positioned between shelving
units and shown with product and the pushing assembly in ghosted
lines.
[0029] FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 21, taken at inset circle B.
[0030] FIG. 23 is a side plan view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 21, shown in the closed position.
[0031] FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 23, taken at inset circle C.
[0032] FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 21, shown in the closed position.
[0033] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 25, taken at inset circle D.
[0034] FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 25, taken at inset circle E.
[0035] FIG. 28 is a side plan view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 21, shown in the open position.
[0036] FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 28, taken at inset circle F.
[0037] FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 28.
[0038] FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the controlled access device
of FIG. 30, taken at inset circle G.
[0039] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the door assembly of the
controlled access device of FIG. 21.
[0040] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the divider of the
controlled access device of FIG. 21.
[0041] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the first blocker of the
controlled access device of FIG. 21.
[0042] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the second blocker of the
controlled access device of FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Certain embodiments comprise a controlled access device that
houses product and that includes a blocker mechanism that restricts
access to product housed within the device when a door assembly of
the device is in the open position. One embodiment of a controlled
access device, device 10, is shown in FIGS. 1-7. In some
embodiments, one or more controlled access devices 10 fit between
two shelving units 18, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, one or
more controlled access devices 10 may be positioned on a single
shelving unit, or placed on any surface such as a countertop.
[0044] As described in more detail below, controlled access device
10 comprises a pushing assembly 100 for controlled advancement of
product and a door assembly 12 having a cover 28 that acts as a
blocker mechanism. Controlled access device 10 also includes a hood
14 that cooperates with a base 16 and with door assembly 12.
Controlled access device 10 has an open position and a closed
position. Specifically, door assembly 12 is configured to revolve
about its longitudinal axis L (FIG. 8) between an open position and
a closed position. Whether in the open or closed position, consumer
access to products stored within the device 10 is restricted by the
cover 28.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3-4, door assembly 12 and pushing assembly
100 are assembled with the base 16, and the hood surrounds the
pushing assembly 100 and a portion of the door assembly 12 to
prevent side and top access to the interior of the device 10.
Specifically, the hood 14 interfits with the base 16 in any
suitable manner, and also attaches to the top portion of the door
assembly 12 in any suitable manner. As shown in FIGS. 4-5, base 16
is sized and shaped to receive the pushing assembly 100, described
in more detail below.
[0046] In some embodiments, the top of the hood 14 includes an
aperture 18 that aligns with an aperture 20 in the top of the door
assembly 12 (FIG. 4), and through which a screw or other suitable
fastener (not shown) may pass to secure the hood 14 to the door
assembly 12. Similarly, the base 16 may include one or more
apertures 22 (FIG. 4) that aligns with an aperture 26 (FIG. 8) in
the bottom plate 24 of the door assembly 12 and through which a
screw or other suitable fastener (not shown) may pass to secure the
door assembly 12 to the base 16. Door assembly 12 may be coupled to
hood 14 and base 16 in any suitable manner, so long as the bottom
plate 24 of the door assembly 12 is free to revolve about its
longitudinal axis L. Door assembly may be spring-loaded. For
example, a spring may be located on the underside of bottom plate
24 or in any other suitable location to urge door assembly from its
open position to its closed position. In addition, a damper feature
may be included so that the door assembly does not slam shut.
[0047] In some embodiments, the top of the hood 14 and/or the base
16 includes one or more grooves (such as groove 50 shown in FIG.
10). In these embodiments, the door assembly has one or more
projections (such as projection 48 shown in FIG. 8) configured to
be received within the one or more grooves and traverse along the
one or more grooves as the door assembly 12 revolves between its
open position and its closed position. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and
6, bottom plate 24 of door assembly 12 also includes an engaging
mechanism 44, which can be a notch, aperture, elongated/offset
surface, cam, protrusion, or other suitable mechanism, that
interacts with pushing assembly 100, as further explained below. As
illustrated, engaging mechanism 44 is an offset surface.
[0048] Door assembly 12 has any suitable geometry. As shown, the
bottom plate 24 of door assembly 12 is sized and shaped to receive
a round product, such as a bottle, although bottom plate 24 could
have other shapes and sizes depending on the dimensions of the
product(s) to be housed in the device. As shown in FIG. 8, bottom
plate 24 is circular and has a diameter Q that is slightly larger
than the diameter of the product housed in device 10. Diameter Q of
the bottom plate 24 is also slightly smaller than the width X of
the hood 14 (FIG. 9) so that the hood 14 snugly fits around the
door assembly 12.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 and as mentioned above, door
assembly 12 includes a cover 28, which in some embodiments is
formed of any suitable plastic or other material, that generally
extends between the top of the door assembly 12 and the bottom
plate 24 of door assembly 12 and that extends around a portion of
the periphery of the bottom plate 24. Since bottom plate 24 is
circular, cover 28 is therefore curved. In this way, cover 28 and
door assembly 12 form a semi-cylindrical hollow assembly. In some
embodiments, cover 28 is clear or translucent so that a consumer
can see product housed within device 10.
[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, cover 28
extends from a first point 30 along the periphery of bottom plate
24 to a second point 32 along the periphery of the bottom plate 24,
where the first point 30 is spaced about 180 degrees from the
second point 32 (in other words, first point 30 and second point 32
are at opposite ends of diameter Q of the bottom plate, or on
opposite sides of the bottom plate). As explained above, diameter Q
of the bottom plate 24 is slightly smaller than the width X of the
hood 14. Thus, the cover 28 is dimensioned so that, when the door
assembly is the closed position, the left side 34 of the cover 28
abuts the left side 38 of the hood and the right side 36 of the
cover 28 abuts the right side 40 of the hood and so that the cover
28 blocks access to product housed within device 10, including any
product received on the bottom plate 24. Moreover, in the closed
position, the convex side of curved cover 28 is facing the
consumer.
[0051] As mentioned above, the door assembly 12 is coupled to the
base 16 and the hood 14 so that it is free to revolve about its
longitudinal axis L from the closed position to the open position.
As the door assembly 12 revolves, the bottom plate 24 revolves,
which in turn revolves the cover 28. As door assembly 12 moves from
its closed position to its open position, cover 28 revolves so that
the left side 34 of the cover 28 abuts the right side 40 of the
hood and the right side 36 of the cover 28 abuts against the left
side 38 of the hood 14. In the open position, the concave side of
cover 28, which is located behind any product housed on bottom
plate 24, is facing the consumer so that a consumer has access to
any product housed on bottom plate 24 (see FIG. 6), but does not
have access to product located behind cover 28 within the device
10. In particular, although a consumer now has access to the bottom
plate 24 (and any product received on bottom plate 24), cover 28
still extends across the width X of the hood 14 to block access to
the interior of the device 10 (see FIG. 6, for example). In this
way, the cover 28 acts as a blocker that restricts access to any
product housed inside the device 10 even when the door assembly 12
is in the open position.
[0052] Moreover, because cover 28 extends along the periphery of
the bottom plate 24 from generally a first end of diameter Q to
generally a second end of diameter Q (diameter Q being only
slightly smaller than width X of the hood 14), cover 28 at least
partially blocks access to the interior of the device regardless of
the door assembly's degree of revolution. Moreover, because width X
of the hood is only slightly larger than the diameter and/or width
of the product housed within the device and because cover 28 always
extends at least partially across the width X of the hood, the
cover 28 acts as a blocking mechanism regardless of the orientation
of the cover. In other words, even when the cover is rotated to a
point between the door assembly's open and closed position, product
is not able to fit beyond the cover 28 for removal out of device
10.
[0053] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, cover 28
includes a lip 46 that a user can grasp to facilitate the opening
and closing of door assembly 12. In the embodiment illustrated, lip
46 extends from the top of the door assembly 12 to the bottom plate
24 of the door assembly 12. In other embodiments, lip could be
positioned elsewhere along the cover and/or may extend only
partially along the height of the cover.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, product, such as a bottle or
other product, is received on bottom plate 24 of the door assembly
12 so that a consumer may access the product when the door assembly
is in the open position. As a first product is removed from device,
pushing assembly 100, in certain circumstances, causes products
located behind the one that was removed to move forward toward the
bottom plate 24 of the cover.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 11-12, in some embodiments, pushing
assembly 100 comprises a pusher 114, a track 116, a resistance
mechanism 130, a stop 118, and an optional shaft 120 (FIG. 20).
Pusher 114 includes a pushing ram 138 that engages product and
pushes product forward. Pushing ram 138 includes a front surface
140 for engaging product and a rear surface 142. The pushing ram
138 is illustrated as a rectangular plate, although other suitable
shapes and geometries may also be used.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 16, extensions 148 of pusher 114 extend
beyond the bottom portion of pushing ram 138 to engage track 116 so
that pusher 114 is in sliding engagement with track 116. In certain
embodiments, pushing assembly 100 also includes a shaft 120
(further discussed below) that extends through an aperture 103 in
the pusher 114.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 18, track 116 includes a shaft channel 133,
as well as a resistance channel 134 having gear teeth 128 that
project into resistance channel 134 and engage external gear
component 144 of the resistance mechanism 130, further described
below. The gear teeth 128 may be positioned in various other
manners along the resistance channel 134 and maintain the
functionality of the device.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 19, in some embodiments, resistance
channel 134 receives stop 118. As shown in more detail in FIG. 19,
stop 118 includes a plurality of engagement surfaces 156, which
form generally a sawtooth shape in cross section. Stop 118 also
includes a front face 158, which may extend beyond the resistance
channel 134. Front face 158 may have any suitable configuration:
one such configuration is shown in FIG. 4 and another suitable
configuration is shown in FIG. 11. Engagement surfaces 156 are
positioned to engage projection 162 extending from brake 146 of
pusher 114 (described below and shown in FIGS. 15-17). Stop 118
also includes one or more protrusions 160, which may be located on
the side of stop 118, as shown in FIG. 19. As described below,
these protrusions are shaped and sized to fit within one or more
slots 132 in the side of track 116 (shown in FIGS. 12-13).
[0059] As shown in FIG. 15, one end of spring 150 is attached to
the pusher 114 in any suitable manner, such as, but not limited to,
by a screw. Movement of pusher 114 towards the back end of the
track 116 unwinds spring 150 so that when released, spring 150
urges pusher 114 in the forward direction. Spring 150 may be
positioned anywhere along track in relation to pusher 114, so that
spring 150 is capable of either "pushing" or "pulling" pusher 114
forward. The spring preferably may be a constant force spring, such
as those sold under the trademark Conforce.RTM., but many other
types of springs, such as a variable force spring, may also be
used.
[0060] In embodiments including a resistance mechanism 130,
resistance mechanism 130 is attached to pusher 114. As shown in
FIG. 14, resistance mechanism 130 includes external gear component
144. As shown in FIG. 15, resistance mechanism 130 is positioned on
pusher 114 so that external gear component 144 extends into
resistance channel 134 of track 116 and engages gear teeth 128.
According to certain embodiments, one such resistance mechanism is
a conventional resistance motor, such as used in toys, such as the
resistance motor Model #w217 sold by Vigor, although other types of
motors may also be used. In other embodiments, resistance mechanism
130 is a rotary damper.
[0061] As one product is selected from the front of pushing
assembly 100, the winding of the spring 150 causes the pushing ram
138 to move forward and the external gear component 144 to rotate
along gear teeth 128 of track 116. The movement of pushing ram 138
advances remaining product along track 116 and toward bottom plate
24. The speed of this forward movement is controlled and reduced by
resistance mechanism 130. The internal gears of the resistance
mechanism 130 are configured to provide resistance to the forward
movement by limiting the rotation of the external gear component
144. Because the external gear component 144 engages gear teeth 128
of track 116 and the external gear rotation is limited, the
movement of pushing ram 138 and therefore the remaining product to
the front of track 116 is slowed.
[0062] Product can be loaded in pushing assembly 100 by forcing
pushing ram 138 backwards along track 116 and placing multiple
units of the product against the pushing ram 138. As described
above, spring 150 pulls the pushing ram 138 to exert force on the
products towards the front of the track 116. Resistance mechanism
130 preferably allows pushing ram 138 to be forced backwards freely
for loading of the product.
[0063] In the embodiments having a shaft 120, shaft 120 is
configured to rotate as the pusher 114 moves. Shaft 120 may be
positioned to engage a position sensor, such as a potentiometer or
other suitable device, as shaft 201 rotates, as described in U.S.
Ser. No. 12/567,370 filed on Sep. 25, 2009, the contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference. Shaft 120 may be helix shaped
(or have other suitable shapes) and is positioned in relation to
track 116 so that the shaft 120 is free to rotate without
obstruction. As shown in FIG. 16, pusher 114 includes an aperture
103 cut in a shape corresponding to the shape of shaft 120 (i.e.,
helix geometry plus a small amount of tolerance if the shaft 120 is
helix shaped) so that when the pusher 114 moves in a forward or
backward direction, the linear motion of pusher 114 is converted
into a rotary motion of the shaft 120.
[0064] Pushing assembly 100 includes a stop 118 that prevents the
pusher 114 from advancing product forward when the stop is in an
engaged position. When stop 118 is in the engaged position, the
engagement surfaces 156 of the stop 118 engage the projections 162
of the brake 146 that extend into resistance channel 134. When
projections 162 of the brake 146 engage the engagement surfaces 156
of the stop 118, stop 118 prevents forward movement of the pusher
114 and thus prevents the pusher from advancing product
forward.
[0065] In some embodiments, when stop 118 is engaged, the pusher
114 can move in increments of a predetermined amount, such
increments corresponding to the depth of the product. As explained
above, the stop 118 includes engagement surfaces 156 that form
generally a sawtooth shape in cross section. Stop 156 is positioned
within resistance channel 134 so that protrusions 160 of stop 118
are received in ramped slots 132 on the side of the track 116
(shown in FIGS. 12-13). When sufficient force is applied to the
front face 158 of stop 118, stop 118 moves from its engaged
position to its disengaged position as the protrusions 160 on the
side of the stop 118 move from one end of slots 132 to the other
end of slots 132. Because slots 132 are sloped at an angle along
track 116, the application of force to the front face 158 of stop
118 moves protrusions 160 downward in slots 132. In this way, when
horizontal force is applied to the front face 158 of stop 118, stop
118 moves both horizontally toward the rear of the track 116 and
downward at the same time so that stop 118 moves to its disengaged
position. An additional spring 164 (shown in FIGS. 23-26, for
example) may be used to slow the speed at which stop 118 returns to
its disengaged position; this speed can be adjusted to correspond
to the amount of time needed for the pusher 114 to move a
predetermined increment, such increment corresponding, for example,
to the depth of one product. Additional spring 164 may also be used
to help pull the stop 118 from its disengaged to its engaged
position.
[0066] Pushing assembly 100 is assembled with respect to door
assembly 12, which, as explained above, has a cover 28 that blocks
access to the product housed on the bottom plate 24 when the door
assembly 12 is in the closed position, and that blocks access to
product stored on track 116 within device 10 when door assembly 12
is in both the closed and open position. As shown in FIGS. 2-3,
engaging mechanism 44 of the door assembly 12 is configured to
cooperate with stop 118 when the door assembly 12 is in the closed
position. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, engaging surface 44
applies force to front face 158 of stop 118 when the door assembly
12 is in the closed position so that stop 118 is in its disengaged
position and permits forward movement of the pusher 114. As door
assembly 12 revolves into its open position (which allows a
consumer to access product located on the bottom plate 24, but
blocks access to product housed on pusher track 116), engaging
mechanism 44 of the bottom plate 24 no longer engages the front
face 158 of the stop 118 and stop 118 moves from its disengaged
position to its engaged position and thus prevents forward movement
of the pusher 114. In particular, when door assembly 12 is in the
open position, edge 52 of bottom plate 24 (see FIG. 3) is
positioned with respect to front face 158 and does not apply force
to front face 158.
[0067] In an alternate embodiment, when sufficient force is applied
to the front face 158 of the stop 118, the protrusions 160 on the
side of the stop 118 move upward from one end of slots 132 to the
other end of slots 132 to move the stop 118 from its disengaged
position to its engaged position. Because slots 132 are sloped at
an angle along track 116, movement of the protrusions 160 upward
along the length of the slots 132 raises the stop 118 vertically
from the disengaged position to its engaged position. In this way,
when horizontal force is applied to the front face 158 of stop 118,
such as by opening door assembly 12, stop 118 moves both
horizontally toward the rear of the track 116 and upward at the
same time. When stop 118 is raised to the engaged position, the
engagement surfaces 156 of the stop 118 raise to engage the
projections 162 of the brake 146 that extend into resistance
channel 134. When projections 162 of the brake 146 are engaged with
the engagement surfaces 156 of the stop 154, forward movement of
the pusher 114 is restricted.
[0068] Another embodiment of controlled access device, controlled
access device 300, is shown in FIGS. 21-35. As shown in FIG. 21,
controlled access device 300 may be positioned between shelving
units 318. In other embodiments, controlled access device 300 may
be positioned on a single shelving unit 318 or another type of free
standing shelf such as a countertop.
[0069] Device 300 includes a door assembly 312 having an open
position and a closed position, and at least one blocker that
prevents access to remaining product housed within the device 300
when the door assembly is in the open position. A pushing assembly,
such as pushing assembly 100 described above, is assembled with
respect to door assembly 312, shown in FIG. 32.
[0070] In certain embodiments, door assembly 312 is a tip bin style
door that pivots between an open and closed position around pivot
324. When door assembly 312 is closed, access to product located
behind the door assembly is blocked to a consumer (FIGS. 23-27). As
door assembly 312 pivots to its open position (FIGS. 28-31), a
consumer has access to product housed within door assembly 312. As
door assembly 312 pivots to its open position, protrusion 326 (FIG.
28) and protrusion 340 (FIG. 35) traverse generally upward along
slot 328 in divider 320. Dividers 20 (FIG. 13) may be included on
one or both sides of the devices to separate adjacent devices 300.
Moreover, projection 330 of first blocker 314 (FIG. 34) traverses
generally laterally and downwardly along slot 334 of divider 320 as
door assembly 312 pivots to its open position (FIG. 28). At the
same time, projection 332 of second blocker 316 (FIG. 35) traverses
generally laterally along slot 336 of divider as door assembly 312
pivots to its open position (FIG. 28). After such movement, first
and second blockers 314, 316 block access to the interior of device
300 when door assembly 312 is in the open position (FIG. 30). When
door assembly 312 is released, spring 338 urges door assembly 312
back to its closed position. Door assembly 312 may also include a
damper that prevents door assembly 312 from slamming shut.
[0071] As mentioned above, the door assembly 312 includes a
projection 326 (shown in FIGS. 24 and 26). Projection 326
cooperates with stop 118 (described in detail above) so that when
the door assembly 312 is closed, the projection 326 applies
sufficient force to the front face 158 of the stop 118 to lower the
stop 118 into its disengaged position to allow forward movement of
the pusher 114 (described in paragraph 0041 above). When the door
assembly 312 moves to its open position, as shown in FIG. 29, the
projection 326 traverses generally upward along slot 328 so that
the force is no longer applied to the front face 158 of the stop
118 and the stop 118 raises to its engaged position to prevent
forward movement of the pusher 114 (as described in detail above).
As the door assembly 312 is opened, spring 164 (FIG. 29) helps pull
the stop 118 to its engaged position.
[0072] While the invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be affected within
the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein.
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