U.S. patent application number 17/396338 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-10 for adjustable lane width product merchandizer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bruegmann USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher Peters.
Application Number | 20220039563 17/396338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220039563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peters; Christopher |
February 10, 2022 |
ADJUSTABLE LANE WIDTH PRODUCT MERCHANDIZER
Abstract
A merchandise display includes a display base and at least one
mounting bracket at the rear of the display base to support the
display base at a selected angle with reference to horizontal on a
support structure. A side barrier is coupled to each side of the
display base by at least one connecting member that is movably
engageable with the display base to enable lateral movement of the
side barriers with respect to the display base. At least one roller
track is disposed between the side barriers.
Inventors: |
Peters; Christopher;
(Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bruegmann USA, Inc. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/396338 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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63061814 |
Aug 6, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
A47F 1/12 20060101
A47F001/12; A47F 5/00 20060101 A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A merchandise display, comprising: a display base; at least one
mounting bracket at the rear of the display base to support the
display base at a selected angle with reference to horizontal on a
support structure; a side barrier coupled to each side of the
display base by at least one connecting member, the at least one
connecting member movably engageable with the display base to
enable lateral movement of the side barriers with respect to the
display base; and at least one roller track disposed between the
side barriers.
2. The display of claim 1 wherein each side barrier is connected to
the display base by a front connecting member and a back connecting
member.
3. The display of claim 2 wherein the at least one roller track
comprises at least one clip to releasably engage at least one of
the front and back connecting member.
4. The display of claim 2 wherein the at least one roller track
comprises at least one through passage to slidably engage at least
one of the front and the back connecting member.
5. The display of claim 2 wherein the at least one roller track
comprises two longitudinally separated clips proximate at least one
longitudinal end.
6. The display of claim 2 wherein the front and back connecting
members are in form of a front rod and a back rod that are affixed
to the side barrier in a respective rod pocket.
7. The display of claim 2 wherein the display base comprises two
longitudinally spaced apart through passages at each longitudinal
end, the two longitudinally spaced apart through passages arranged
to accept a respective one of the front connecting member and a
respective back connecting member from each of the side barriers on
each side of the display base.
8. The display of claim 7 wherein the front rod and the back rod
comprise a groove for receiving a retaining device proximate an end
of the rod.
9. The display of claim 1 wherein the display base comprises an end
stop at one longitudinal end.
10. The display of claim 1 wherein the at least one roller track
comprises an end cap at each longitudinal end.
11. The display of claim 10 wherein at least one of the end caps
comprises an end stop at one longitudinal end.
12. The display of claim 11 wherein the end stop and the side
barriers have a length selected to enable doubly stacked product
containers.
13. The display of claim 1 wherein each side barrier comprises at
least one end stop at at least one longitudinal end.
14. The display of claim 12 where the end stop longitudinally
extends beyond the display base to enable accessing a product
container from below over at least a portion of the lateral extent
of the display.
15. The display of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises
a mounting rail, the mounting rail comprising a bracket at each
longitudinal end for coupling the mounting rail to a vertical
support.
16. The display of claim 15 wherein the display base comprises
mounting tangs to engage the mounting rail.
17. The display base of claim 16 wherein the mounting rail is
shaped to enable the mounting tangs to engage the mounting rail to
support weight of the display and products disposed on the
display.
18. The display of claim 17 wherein the mounting rail comprises a
rectangular cross section.
19. The display of claim 18 wherein the bracket at each
longitudinal end minimally extends vertically over the mounting
rail to enable the straddling of the bracket by the mounting
tangs.
20. The display of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises
a mounting grid, the mounting grid comprising at least one bracket
at each lateral end for coupling the mounting grid to a vertical
support.
21. The display of claim 20 wherein the display base comprises
mounting brackets to engage the mounting grid.
22. The display of claim 1 wherein the selected angle to horizontal
is within a range of two to twelve degrees.
23. The display of claim 1, wherein the at least one roller track
is affixed to each lateral extremity of the at least one adjustably
engaging connecting member on each side of the display base.
24. The display of claim 23, wherein the at least one roller track
comprises an end cap on each longitudinal end, each end cap
comprising at least one mounting slot.
25. The display of claim 24, wherein the side barrier is releasably
engaged in the mounting slots of the end caps of the at least one
roller track.
26. The display of claim 1 wherein the at least one roller track
comprises a locking clip at each longitudinal end engageable with a
corresponding aperture in the display base.
27. The display of claim 26 wherein the at least one roller track
comprises at least one through passage to slidably engage at least
one of the front and the back connecting member.
28. The display of claim 27 wherein the front and back connecting
members are in form of a front rod and a back rod that are affixed
to the side barrier in a respective rod pocket.
29. The display of claim 1 wherein the display base is slidably
engaged to at least one slide rail extending from the support
structure.
30. The display base of claim 29 further comprising a latch
operable to hold the display base proximate the support structure
until the latch is operated to release the display base.
31. The display base of claim 29 further comprising at least one
friction reducer disposed between the at least one slide rail and
the display base.
32. The display base of claim 1 wherein at least one side member is
connected to the at least one roller track.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Application No.
63/061,814 filed on Aug. 6, 2020, which application is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0004] This disclosure relates to the field of merchandise
displays. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
merchandise displays having adjustable lane width for any of one or
more individual rows of product containers, and which may use
gravity to move product containers disposed in single layers and/or
vertically stacked products toward the front of the display.
[0005] Merchandise displays known in the art include devices that
hold rows of product containers such that as individual containers
are removed by shoppers, the remaining containers are moved forward
in the display. Such movement maintains ready access to the
remaining product containers. Devices used to move the product
containers forward include those with spring activated paddles
(called "pushers") for displays in the horizontal plane or with
higher angle inclines with respect to the horizontal plane when
gravity is used to assist the movement of such product
containers.
[0006] It is desirable to have a merchandise display using roller
tracks, such as one sold under the trademark FLEXROLLER, which is a
registered trademark of Bruegmann USA, Inc., Houston, Tex., and is
adjustable to provide variable width product "lanes", allows for
vertical stacking of product containers and enables attachment of
the display to conventional shelf upright supports.
SUMMARY
[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a merchandise
display. A display according to this aspect includes a display base
and at least one mounting bracket at the rear of the display base
to support the display base at a selected angle with reference to
horizontal on a support structure. A side barrier is coupled to
each side of the display base by at least one connecting member.
The connecting member is movably engageable with the display base
to enable lateral movement of the side barriers with respect to the
display base. At least one roller track is disposed between the
side barriers.
[0008] In some embodiments, each side barrier is connected to the
display base by a front rod and a back rod.
[0009] In some embodiments, the at least one roller track comprises
an end cap at each longitudinal end, each end cap comprising at
least one clip to releasably engage a respective one of the front
rod and the back rod.
[0010] In some embodiments, each end cap comprises two
longitudinally separated clips.
[0011] In some embodiments, the front rod and the back rod are
affixed to the side barrier in a respective rod pocket.
[0012] In some embodiments, the display base comprises two
longitudinally spaced apart through passages at each longitudinal
end, the two longitudinally spaced apart through passages arranged
to accept a respective front rod and a respective back rod from
each of the side barriers on each side of the display base.
[0013] In some embodiments, each front rod and each back rod
comprises a groove for receiving a retaining device proximate an
end of the rod.
[0014] In some embodiments, the display base comprises an end stop
at one longitudinal end.
[0015] In some embodiments, the support structure comprises a
mounting rail, the mounting rail comprising a bracket at each
longitudinal end for coupling the mounting rail to a vertical
support.
[0016] In some embodiments, the display base comprises mounting
tangs to engage the mounting rail.
[0017] In some embodiments, the mounting rail is shaped to enable
the mounting tangs to engage the mounting rail to support weight of
the display and products disposed on the display.
[0018] In some embodiments, the mounting rail comprises a square
cross section.
[0019] In some embodiments, the selected angle is within a range of
two to twelve degrees.
[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one roller track is
affixed to each lateral extremity of the at least one slidably
engaging connecting member on each side of the display base.
[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one roller track comprises
an end cap on each longitudinal end, each end cap comprising at
least one mounting slot.
[0022] In some embodiments, the side barrier is releasably engaged
in the mounting slots of the end caps of the at least one roller
track.
[0023] In some embodiments, the at least one roller track comprises
an end cap at each longitudinal end.
[0024] In some embodiments, at least one of the end caps comprises
an end stop at one longitudinal end.
[0025] In some embodiments, the end stop and the side barriers have
a length selected to enable doubly stacked product containers.
[0026] In some embodiments, each side barrier comprises at least
one end stop at at least one longitudinal end.
[0027] In some embodiments, the end stop longitudinally extends
beyond the display base to enable accessing the product container
from below over at least a portion of the lateral extent of the
display.
[0028] In some embodiments, the at least one roller track comprises
a locking clip at each longitudinal end engageable with a
corresponding aperture in the display base.
[0029] In some embodiments, the at least one roller track comprises
at least one through passage to slidably engage at least one of the
front and the back connecting member.
[0030] In some embodiments, the front and back connecting members
are in form of a front rod and a back rod that are affixed to the
side barrier in a respective rod pocket.
[0031] In some embodiments, the display base is slidably engaged to
at least one slide rail extending from the support structure.
[0032] Some embodiments further comprise a latch operable to hold
the display base proximate the support structure until the latch is
operated to release the display base.
[0033] Some embodiments further comprise at least one friction
reducer disposed between the at least one slide rail and the
display base.
[0034] In some embodiments, at least one of the side members is
connected to the at least one roller track.
[0035] Other aspects and possible advantages will be apparent from
the description and claims following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of a merchandise display
according to the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 1A shows another example embodiment of a merchandise
display.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the display shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show end views of the display in FIG. 1
with side barriers extended different lateral distances from a
mounting base.
[0040] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show, respectively, top oblique, bottom
oblique and side views of a roller track used in the display of
FIG. 1.
[0041] FIGS. 9 and 10 show bottom oblique views of the display of
FIG. 1 to illustrate adjustable attachment of side barriers to the
mounting base using rods and mounting the roller tracks to the
rods.
[0042] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show attachment of the roller tracks to
the rods.
[0043] FIGS. 14 and 15 show side views of the display to illustrate
attachment of the roller tracks to the rods.
[0044] FIGS. 16 and 17 show oblique views of one of the side
barriers with rods to illustrate coupling the roller track to the
rods.
[0045] FIG. 18 shows another example embodiment having an end
barrier ahead of and behind each of two roller tracks.
[0046] FIG. 19 shows another embodiment similar to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 18 wherein the end barriers are longer to accommodate
doubly stacked product containers.
[0047] FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 show, respectively, an exploded view, an
assembled view and a detailed view of an embodiment of a display
according to the present disclosure.
[0048] FIGS. 23 through 26 show various views of another example
embodiment having a slide out feature that may facilitate product
container restocking.
[0049] FIGS. 27 through 29 show various views of another embodiment
having side barriers coupled to the roller tracks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of an example embodiment of a
merchandise display ("display") 10 according to the present
disclosure. A support structure may engage the display 10 proximate
its back end. In the present example embodiment, the support
structure may be a mounting rail 18, although the form of the
support structure is not a limitation on the scope of this
disclosure. The mounting rail 18 may be a square, rectangular or
other cross-section rod or rail shaped to enable hanging mount of a
display base 16 on the mounting rail 18 to support weight of both
the display 10 and of any product containers or packages (not
shown, hereinafter product "containers" for convenience) disposed
on the display 10. The mounting rail 18 may comprise a bracket 20
affixed at each longitudinal end (only one such end shown in FIG.
1) to enable removably attaching the mounting rail 18 to
conventional shelf uprights (not shown). A length of the mounting
rail 18 may be chosen to enable fitment between suitably spaced
apart shelf uprights (not shown). The display base 16 may comprise
at least one mounting bracket (not shown) to couple the display
base 16 to the support structure, i.e., the mounting rail 18. In
the present example embodiment, mounting tangs (see FIGS. 9 and 10)
proximate the back end of the display base 16 may releasably couple
the display base 16 to the mounting rail 18, while enabling lateral
movement of the display base 16 as may be needed along the mounting
rail 18.
[0051] The example embodiment shown herein is only one example of
mounting the display base 16 to a support structure. Other
embodiments may comprise, for example and without limitation, pegs
for insertion into a perforated board (peg board) or hooks for
insertion into a wire grid. The display base 16 may itself comprise
at least one mounting bracket, for example, similar to the bracket
20 disposed on each end of the mounting rail 18, to enable mounting
the display base 16 directly to one or more shelf uprights.
[0052] A side barrier 12 may have a barrier face 12A extending in a
plane perpendicular to the plane of the display base 16 and a
barrier floor 12B in the plane of the display base 16. One such
side barrier 12 may be disposed on each lateral side of the display
base 16 to define lateral extent (width) of a product "lane" in
which product containers may be disposed for presentation by the
display 10. The side barriers 12 may comprise a connecting member
to movably connect the side barrier 12 to the display base 16. In
the present example embodiment, the connecting member may be a
mounting rod 22 proximate each longitudinal end of the side barrier
12 and extending perpendicularly to the plane of the side barrier
12. The mounting rods 22 enable coupling each side barrier 12 to
the display base 16 and the capability of moving, e.g., by sliding
in the present example embodiment, the side barrier 12 from a fully
"closed" lateral position proximate the mounting base 16, to a
fully "open" position at the maximum extent of the rods 22. The
side barrier 12 may also be moved to any intermediate position
between fully open and fully closed. A maximum length of the
mounting rods 22 may be defined by, for example, the size and
weight of the intended products to be displayed, and the width of
the display base 16. The example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 may
have "handed" side barriers 12, in that the barrier face 12A and
barrier floor 12B may be formed as a single part and therefore be
mountable to one specific side of the display base 16. Single part
side barriers may also be longitudinally symmetric, so as to
obviate the need for handedness. It is also possible to form the
side barrier 12 from a separate barrier floor 12B and barrier face
12A so that the barrier floor 12B can be mounted to either side of
the barrier face 12A, or the side barrier 12 may be longitudinally
symmetric so that is may be mounted to either side of the display
base. Such embodiments may be assembled for coupling to either
respective side of the display base 16.
[0053] The display base 16 may comprise a base track 16A, and in
some embodiments, an end barrier or end stop 16B to limit forward
movement (that is in the direction toward the observer in FIG. 1)
of product containers disposed on the display 10. The end stop 16B
may also provide a surface to be used, for example, to affix
labeling or data tags.
[0054] The display 10 may comprise one or more roller tracks 14
disposed between the side barriers 12. In the present example
embodiment, one roller track 14 may be disposed on each side of the
display base 16 between a respective lateral edge of the display
base 16 and the respective side barrier 12, and in some embodiments
one or more roller tracks may be mounted on top of the display base
16. The roller tracks 14 may be, without limitation, a type sold
under the trademark FLEXROLLER, which is a registered trademark of
Bruegmann USA, Inc., Houston, Tex. The roller track 14 may be
removably mounted to the mounting rods 22 as will be further
explained below. Although the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1
includes one roller track 14 on each side of the display base 16,
in other embodiments, more than one roller track 14 may be coupled
between the respective side (lateral edge) of the display base 16
and the side barrier 12, depending on the width of the roller track
14 and the fully extended length of the respective rods 22. In some
embodiments, and referring to a partial oblique view shown in FIG.
1A, there may be no roller tracks disposed laterally between the
display base 16 and the side barrier(s) 12. In FIG. 1A, the display
10 may comprise only one roller track 14 disposed on or proximate
the center of the display base 16. At least one side barrier 12 as
explained with reference to FIG. 1 may be movably attached to the
display base, such as by one or more rods 22. The embodiment shown
in FIG. 1A does not have a roller track disposed laterally between
the side barrier 12 and the display base 16.
[0055] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the example embodiment of the
display 10 as shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate an example embodiment
of mounting the display 10 to the mounting rail (18 in FIG. 1). The
view in FIG. 2 obscures the mounting rail (18 in FIG. 1), but
illustrates how the display 10 may be mounted such that the plane
of the display base 16 is oriented at a selected angle A, which may
be non-zero (zero angle being horizontal) with reference to
horizontal, in order to provide a suitable amount of
gravity-induced force to move product containers forward on the
display 10. It is contemplated that the angle A will be in the
range of 2 to 12 degrees, however, the particular angle is not a
limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The angle A may be
obtained, for example and without limitation, by the shape and/or
orientation of the mounting rail (18 in FIG. 1) with reference to
the brackets 20, or the orientation of the mounting tangs (see
FIGS. 9 and 10) with reference to the plane of the display base 16,
or any combination of the foregoing.
[0056] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show end views of the display 10 to
illustrate various amounts of lateral extension of the side
barriers 12 from the display base 16 to accommodate product
containers (not shown) of different sizes. In the example
embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the rods 22 may be fixedly attached
to the side barriers 12 so that lateral movement of the side
barriers 12 takes place by extending and retracting the rods 22
relative to the display base 16, as will be further explained with
reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In addition to lateral movement of the
side barriers 12, the roller tracks 14 may also be moved laterally,
within the extent of the rod 22 length between the display base 16
and the respective side barrier 12. As may be observed in FIGS. 3,
4 and 5, such rod length will be related to the chosen lateral
distance between the side barrier 12 and the display base 16.
[0057] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, show, respectively, a top oblique view, a
bottom oblique view and a side view of an example embodiment of the
roller tracks 14. The roller track 14 may comprise side rails 14C,
and rollers 14B disposed between the side rails 14C. An end cap 14A
may be disposed at one or each longitudinal end of the roller track
14, that is, at the longitudinal end(s) of the side rails 14C. The
end cap 14A may comprise one or more clips 14AA to engage one of
the rods (22 in FIG. 1). Thus, the roller track 14 may be supported
at or proximate to, and attached at each longitudinal end, to one
of the rods (22 in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the end cap 14A
may comprise two clips 14AA, as shown specifically in FIG. 7.
Having two clips 14AA in each end cap 14A may enable mounting the
roller track 14 so that the roller track (see FIG. 1) disposed on
each side of the display base (16 in FIG. 1) have approximately the
same forward and rear longitudinal positons with reference to the
display base (16 in FIG. 1). Such result is obtained by the
longitudinal offset between the two clips 14AA corresponding to the
longitudinal offset between opposed rods 22 at each longitudinal
end of the display base 16.
[0058] Although the clips 14AA are shown as an example embodiment
of mounting the roller track 14 to the display base (16 in FIG. 1),
it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the end caps 14A may
comprise one or more through bores (not shown) perpendicular to the
length of the roller track 14 through which the mounting rods (22
in FIG. 1) may extend to mount the roller track 14 to the display
base (16 in FIG. 1).
[0059] It is also within the scope of this disclosure for a side
barrier (12 in FIG. 1) to be attached to one side of the roller
track 14 so as to form a single component, that is, a combination
of side barrier and roller track that is attachable to the display
base (16 in FIG. 1) in a similar manner to how the side barrier (12
in FIG. 1) alone is attached to the display base (16 in FIG. 1).
That is, the single component may be attachable to the display base
(16 in FIG. 1) to enable lateral movement with respect to the
display base (16 in FIG. 1) of the side barrier and roller track as
a unit.
[0060] FIGS. 9 and 10 also show example embodiments of mounting
tangs 16D that enable coupling the display 10 to the mounting rail
(18 in FIG. 1) to further provide lateral mobility of the display
10 along the mounting rail (18 in FIG. 1) while supporting weight
of the display 10 and any product thereon. As explained with
reference to FIG. 2, the mounting tangs 16D may be formed to mount
the display 10 so that the plane of the display base 16 is oriented
at a desired angle with reference to horizontal.
[0061] The display base 16 may comprise an end cap 16C at one or
both longitudinal ends that has through passages 16CA for each rod
22. The through passages 16CA provide structural support for the
rods 22 (that is, the weight of the rods 22, the side barriers 12,
the roller tracks 14 and any product supported on the display 10
may be transferred to the display base 16) and enable the rods 22
to move freely with reference to the display base 16. Note that the
rods 22 passing through each end cap 16C are displaced from each
other along the longitudinal dimension of the display base 16.
Using the example embodiment of the roller track end cap (see 14AA
in FIG. 7) shown in FIG. 7, it is possible on each display 10 to
mount the roller tracks 14 so that they have the same front and
back longitudinal end positions with respect to the display base
16.
[0062] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate an example embodiment of how
the roller tracks 14 may be attached to the rods 22 when the side
barriers 12 are moved away from the display base 16 to expose
sufficient longitudinal space along the rods 22 for the roller
track(s) 14.
[0063] FIGS. 14 and 15 show side views of the display 10 on one
side of the display base (16 in FIG. 1) to show one embodiment of
attachment of a roller track 14 to the rods 22 at both front and
back longitudinal ends. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 14
and 15, the side barrier 12 may comprise a rod pocket 12C for
attachment of the respective rod 22 to the side barrier 12.
[0064] FIGS. 16 and 17 show an example embodiment of the side
barrier 12 of FIGS. 14 and 15 in more detail. The barrier floor 12B
may comprise the rod pockets 12C, which may be formed with the
barrier floor 12B or may be separate devices attached to the
barrier floor 12B. In some embodiments, the side barrier face 12A
may comprise an end barrier (not shown) to perform a similar
function to the end stop (16B in FIG. 1) on the display base (16 in
FIG. 1). The rod 22 may comprise a groove 22A for insertion of a
circlip, E ring or similar retaining device (not shown) after
insertion of the rod 22 into the respective end cap (16C in FIGS. 9
and 10) such that lateral movement of the rod 22 is stopped by the
retaining device (not shown) to prevent inadvertent disconnection
of the side barrier 12 from the display base (16 in FIG. 1).
[0065] As previously explained, the side barriers 12 may be
"handed" or may be assembled from separate parts to provide
handedness. In some embodiments, the side barriers 12 may be
longitudinally symmetric, such that they may be connected to either
side of the display base (16 in FIG. 1), thus eliminating the need
for handedness.
[0066] Another example embodiment will be explained with reference
to FIG. 18. The merchandise display may in most respects be similar
to other embodiments described herein, for example, with reference
to FIG. 13. In the present example embodiment, each roller track
may have proximate its longitudinal ends an end stop, 16B-1 ahead
of the front of each roller track, and 16B-2 behind each roller
track. FIG. 19 shows the embodiment of FIG. 18 wherein the side
barriers 112 and end stops 116B-1 and 116B-2 are longer to
accommodate double stacked product containers. Longer side barriers
and a longer single end stop may also be used in embodiments such
as shown in FIG. 13 for a similar purpose.
[0067] FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 show, respectively, an exploded view, an
assembled view and a detailed view of an example embodiment of a
merchandise display according to the present disclosure. The
display 10 may comprise a display base 16, roller tracks 14 and
side barriers (not shown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 for clarity) as
explained elsewhere in this disclosure. End stops 16B-1 may be
attached to the longitudinal ends of the roller tracks 14 as shown
or may be attached to the display base as explained, for example,
with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The illustrated end stops 16B-1
may be similar to those explained with reference to FIG. 18 for
singly stacked product containers, or may be as explained with
reference to FIG. 19 for multiply stacked product containers. The
display base 16 may comprise proximate its longitudinal ends
apertures 16D-1 for receiving a locking clip 14C-1 disposed on each
roller track 14. The locking clips 14C-1 may extend laterally from
the side of each roller track 14 and may be positioned as shown in
FIG. 20 proximate each longitudinal end of each roller track 14.
The locking clips 14C-1 engage and lock in each corresponding
aperture 16D-1 so that a roller track 14 may be coupled to one or
both sides of the display base 16. Each locking clip 14C may
comprise an opening 14C-1 for pass through of a respective mounting
rod (22 in FIG. 9) to enable movable engagement of the side barrier
(12 in FIG. 9) with the display base as in other described
embodiments. FIG. 22 shows assembly of the locking clip 14C-1 to
the display base 16 proximate the mounting tangs 16D in more
detail, wherein the opening 14C-1 is more clearly observable. The
embodiment shown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 may have improved
structural integrity compared with other embodiments described
herein.
[0068] FIGS. 23 through 26 show various views of another example
embodiment of a merchandise display 10. The display 10 may comprise
any or all of the combinations of features explained with reference
to FIGS. 1 through 22. In the present example embodiment, the
mounting tangs 16D may form part of or attach to one or more slide
rails 116. The one or more slide rails in some embodiments 116 may
be affixed to a vertical or other support by other means, as
explained above; the example of mounting tangs 16D is only for
purposes of illustration. The display base 16 may be slidably
engaged with the one or more slide rails 116 so that the display
base 16 is able to move longitudinally with respect to the mounting
tangs 16D. That is, the display base 16 can be moved away from the
vertical support (not shown) to facilitate access to the roller
track(s) 14 and any product container(s) present on the roller
track(s) 14. A practical use for such feature would be for
restocking product containers in the merchandise display 10 using a
"first in, first out" stocking technique. The display base 16 may
be slidably engaged to the slide rails 116 by wheels, rollers or
other friction reducer 116A, which may be disposed at one or more
longitudinal positions along the slide rails 116. A latch 116B may
lock the display base 16 in its in-use longitudinal position along
the slide rails 116 until movement is needed. The latch 116B may
comprise a pawl 116B-1 that engages a mating feature on the slide
rail 116. The pawl 116B-1 may be rotated out of such engagement to
release the latch 116B by, for example, movement of a lever 116B-2
operable by hand by the user. The latch 116B may be urged into its
locked position as shown in FIG. 26 by a spring (not shown) or
other biasing device. The pawl 116B-1 may be shaped to be deflected
when the display base 16 is moved to its rearwardmost position when
restocking or other operations are completed without the need for
the user to move the latch 116B separately.
[0069] The embodiment as shown in FIGS. 23 through 26 may comprise
two or more laterally spaced apart slide rails 116 for the purpose
of stabilizing the display base 16 on the guide rails 116. For
purposes of defining the scope of the present disclosure, however,
only one such slide rail is required.
[0070] In another example embodiment shown in various views in
FIGS. 27, 28 and 29, the display base 16 may comprise front and
back rods 22, for example, as explained with reference to FIGS. 9
and 10. One or more roller tracks 14 may attach to respective front
and back rods 22 using clips 14AA formed in the base of the roller
tracks 14 as explained with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The side
barrier 12 may attach to a side edge of the roller track 14, for
example, using pins or tabs 12A projecting from the bottom edge 12B
of the side barrier 12. Thus, the side barriers 12 shown in FIGS.
27, 28 and 29 have no handedness and may be mounted to the display
10 on either side of the display base 16. Lateral distance between
the side barrier(s) 12 and the display base 16 may be changed by
moving the roller track(s) 14 laterally toward and away from the
display base 16. The front and back rods 22 may slide with
reference to the display base 16 as explained with reference to
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
[0071] A merchandise display according to the various aspects of
the present disclosure may provide an adjustable lane width product
display that may use gravity to provide forward product container
feed; may provide the possibility to include multiple product lanes
of differing width between regularly spaced shelf uprights, and may
be vertically stacked for multiple products; and may enable
mounting to conventional shelf uprights without modification.
[0072] In light of the principles and example embodiments described
and illustrated herein, it will be recognized that the example
embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without
departing from such principles. The foregoing discussion has
focused on specific embodiments, but other configurations are also
contemplated. In particular, even though expressions such as in "an
embodiment," or the like are used herein, these phrases are meant
to generally reference embodiment possibilities, and are not
intended to limit the disclosure to particular embodiment
configurations. As used herein, these terms may reference the same
or different embodiments that are combinable into other
embodiments. As a rule, any embodiment referenced herein is freely
combinable with any one or more of the other embodiments referenced
herein, and any number of features of different embodiments are
combinable with one another, unless indicated otherwise. Although
only a few examples have been described in detail above, those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible within the scope of the described examples.
Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following
claims.
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