Universal merchandiser and methods relating to same
First Claim
1. A universal front-facing merchandiser comprising:
- a front rail having a first mating structure;
a plurality of integrated pusher and divider assemblies, each including a second mating structure that corresponds to and mates with the first mating structure to couple the integrated pusher and divider assemblies to the front rail, the mating structures of each pusher and divider assembly being movable between a first position wherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly is coupled to and laterally movable about the front rail and not removable from the front rail without force being applied to the integrated pusher and divider assembly, and a second position wherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly is secured to the front rail in a desired position in a manner that hinders lateral movement of the integrated pusher and divider assembly,wherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly includes an integral pusher track and damper rack, the damper rack positioned between outer surfaces of the pusher track to linearly align the damper with the pusher track so that no racking forces are exerted on the pusher, andwherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly is laterally movable to any number of positions along the front rail.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A universal front-facing merchandiser is described having a front rail having a first mating structure and a plurality of integrated pusher and divider assemblies. Each divider assembly includes a second mating structure that corresponds to and mates with the first mating structure to couple the integrated pusher and divider assemblies to the front rail. The mating structures of each pusher and divider assembly and the front rail are movable between a first position where the integrated pusher and divider assembly is coupled to and laterally movable about the front rail and is not removable from the front rail without force being applied to the integrated pusher and divider assembly and a second position where the integrated pusher and divider assembly is secured to the front rail in a desired position in a manner that hinders lateral movement of the integrated pusher and divider assembly.
601 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A universal front-facing merchandiser comprising:
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a front rail having a first mating structure; a plurality of integrated pusher and divider assemblies, each including a second mating structure that corresponds to and mates with the first mating structure to couple the integrated pusher and divider assemblies to the front rail, the mating structures of each pusher and divider assembly being movable between a first position wherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly is coupled to and laterally movable about the front rail and not removable from the front rail without force being applied to the integrated pusher and divider assembly, and a second position wherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly is secured to the front rail in a desired position in a manner that hinders lateral movement of the integrated pusher and divider assembly, wherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly includes an integral pusher track and damper rack, the damper rack positioned between outer surfaces of the pusher track to linearly align the damper with the pusher track so that no racking forces are exerted on the pusher, and wherein the integrated pusher and divider assembly is laterally movable to any number of positions along the front rail. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A product display apparatus comprising:
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a product divider assembly comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the product divider assembly further comprising a divider configured to divide a plurality of displayed products into rows; a pusher operatively coupled to the product divider assembly to assist in moving the plurality of displayed products from the rear portion of the product divider assembly to the front portion of the product divider assembly, the pusher being configured to be engageable with the rear portion of the product divider assembly such that the pusher is retained at the rear portion of the product divider assembly; and an integral forward structure and pusher locking release mechanism coupled to the front portion of the product divider assembly, the integral forward structure and pusher locking release mechanism configured to be actuated by effecting a force on a portion thereof to disengage the pusher from the rear portion of the product divider assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A product display apparatus comprising:
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a product divider assembly comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the product divider assembly further comprising a divider configured to divide a plurality of displayed products into rows; a pusher having a center axis and being operatively coupled to the product divider assembly to assist in moving the plurality of displayed products from the rear portion of the product divider assembly to the front portion of the product divider assembly; and a damper attachment having an axis and being configured to be coupled to the pusher to dampen movement of the pusher from the rear portion of the product divider assembly to the front portion of the product divider assembly; wherein the damper attachment is coupled to a rear portion of the pusher such that the damper attachment axis is collinear with the pusher center axis so as to limit an amount of torque generated by the pusher during movement from the rear portion of the product divider assembly to the front portion of the product divider assembly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A product display apparatus comprising:
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a product divider assembly comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the product divider assembly further comprising a divider configured to divide a plurality of displayed products into rows and an integrally formed track assembly; a pusher having an axis and being operatively coupled to the integrally formed track assembly to assist in moving the plurality of displayed products from the rear portion of the product divider assembly to the front portion of the product divider assembly; and at least one of a damper attachment coupled to a rear portion of the pusher to dampen movement of the pusher from the rear portion of the product divider assembly to the front portion of the product divider assembly and a pusher locking release mechanism configured to be actuated by effecting a force on a portion of the product divider assembly to disengage the pusher from the rear portion of the product divider assembly.
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22. A product display apparatus comprising:
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a product divider assembly comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the product divider assembly further comprising a divider configured to divide a plurality of displayed products into rows and a damper rack; a pusher being operatively coupled to the product divider assembly to assist in moving the plurality of displayed products from the rear portion of the product divider assembly to the front portion of the product divider assembly; and a compound gear comprising a first gear portion and a second gear portion, wherein the first gear portion comprises gear teeth configured to engage the damper rack, wherein the second gear portion is configured to engage a locking device for locking the pusher at the rear portion of the product divider assembly.
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23. A dual engagement product display apparatus comprising:
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a stabilizer having a length extending between at least a portion of a product display; a product divider assembly comprising a front portion and a rear portion, wherein upon moving the product divider assembly in a first direction, a clearance between the stabilizer and the product divider assembly is created allowing for lateral movement of the product divider assembly with respect to the stabilizer, wherein upon moving the product divider assembly in a second direction, lateral movement of the product divider assembly with respect to the stabilizer is hindered, wherein the product divider assembly includes an integral pusher track and damper rack, the damper rack positioned between outer surfaces of the pusher track to linearly align the damper with the pusher track so that no racking forces are exerted on the pusher, and wherein the front portion of the product divider is laterally movable to any number of positions. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification