Sensors, devices, adapters and mating structures for merchandisers and related methods

• US 10,702,076 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2017
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atlas Bolt & Screw Co. LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Atlas Bolt & Screw Co. LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mercier, Michael William, Davenport, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, Nathan A
• Application Number:
  US15/409,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20170202369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/083 Grids; Article supports therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/16 for measuring distance of clearance between spaced objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

A product display merchandiser comprising a track, a pusher configured to move along the track, a biasing mechanism configured to apply a force on the pusher in one direction along the track, and a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the pusher and a fixed point. The distance sensor determines the number of products contained in the product display merchandiser based on the distance measured.

Claims

1. A product display position detection system comprising:

a support structure;

a product display having a rear portion supported on the support structure and a front portion angled downwardly relative to the rear portion, wherein the product display is configured for gravity feeding of one or more products in a direction from the rear portion toward the front portion;

a modular adapter having a mounting member and a mating structure, wherein the mounting member is configured for repositionable engagement with a corresponding mounting member of the support structure;

a position sensor removably engaged with the mating structure, the position sensor configured to detect a position of the product on the product display; and

an indicator configured to indicate a position of the product.

2. The product display position detection system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is one or more of a light, a wireless transmitter, and a wired transmitter.

3. The product display position detection system of claim 1, wherein the position sensor is one of an infrared sensor, a laser and light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a hall effect proximity sensor.

4. The product display position detection system of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates when a predetermined position is detected.

5. The product display position detection system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is one of a shelf, a wall, and a grid.

6. The product display detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of one or more of a track, a shelf, a wall and a grid and combinations thereof;

a plurality of position sensors removably engaged with a respective mating structure of a respective adapter, each position sensor configured to detect the position of a product on a respective one or more of the track, the shelf, the wall, and the grid; and

a central computing device having a processor, a receiver, memory, and a user interface, wherein;

the central computing device receives data indicating the position of the products from the indicators,

stores the received data in memory, and

calculates the amount of a product removed from the one or more track, shelf, wall and grid based on the position of the product over time.

7. The product tracking system of claim 6, wherein the user interface outputs a signal when the product is in a position indicating a need for more products.

8. The product display position detection system of claim 1 further including an indicator light.

9. A product display system comprising:

a support structure;

a product display having a rear portion secured to the support structure and a front portion angled downwardly relative to the rear portion, wherein the product display is configured for gravity feeding of one or more products in a direction from the rear portion toward the front portion;

a sensor device having a housing; and

a mount configured to removably couple the housing to the support structure,

wherein the support structure includes a plurality of sensor mounting positions configured to removably receive the mount, and

wherein in a first condition, the mount is coupled to a first sensor mounting position of the plurality of sensor mounting positions and in a second condition, the mount is coupled to a second sensor mounting position of the plurality of sensor mounting positions.

10. The product display of claim 9, further comprising an indicator, wherein the indicator is operated by the electrical device.

11. The product display of claim 9, wherein the mount comprises one or more magnets coupled to the housing.

12. The product display of claim 11, wherein the one or more magnets are configured to align with one or more corresponding magnets coupled to the support structure.

13. The product display of claim 9 further comprising at least one of a pin and a socket positioned on an exterior surface of the housing.

14. The product display of claim 13, the mount comprising the other of the pin and the socket, wherein the pin and the socket are configured to couple to form an electrical connection.

15. The product display of claim 13, wherein the at least one of a pin and a socket is configured to couple with at least one of a pin and a socket of the support structure to form an electrical connection.

16. The product display of claim 13 wherein the at least one of a pin and a socket is configured to conduct at least one of data and power.

17. The product display of claim 9 wherein the mount comprises:

a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection configured to abut a first side, second side, and third side of the housing respectively; and

a retainer snap configured to abut a fourth side of the housing, wherein the retainer snap is deformable to move from a first position in which the fourth side is abutted to a second position in which the fourth side is not abutted.

18. The product display of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first projection, second projection, and third projection form a channel into which a portion of the housing slides.

19. The product display of claim 9 wherein the mount is integral with the housing.

20. The product display of claim 9 wherein the mount is integral with the support structure.

21. The product display of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises at least one of a projection and a recess, wherein the mount comprises the other of a projection and a recess, and wherein the at least one of a projection and a recess of the housing is configured to couple with the other of a projection and a recess of the mount.

22. The product display of claim 9, the mount comprising an L bracket and at least one of adhesive, a magnet, adhesive tape, a screw, and a bolt.

23. The product display system of claim 9 further including a plurality of product displays each having at least two adjacent tracks or shelves and including a divider between adjacent tracks or shelves.

24. The product display system of claim 23, wherein the divider is removable.

25. The product display system of claim 9 further including an indicator light.