Pusher apparatus for merchandise

• US 20060163272A1
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nigel Francis Gamble
• Original Assignee: Nigel Francis Gamble
• Inventors: Gamble, Nigel Francis
• Application Number:
  US10/527,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20060163272A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/227
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

A pusher apparatus comprises a track, a pusher mounted on the track for movement along the track; a spring mounted on the pusher for urging the pusher along the track; an axle rotatably mounted on the pusher; and at least one wheel fixed to the axle for positively engaging the track. In one aspect of the invention, two of the said wheels are fixed to the axle to avoid canting of the pusher as it moves along the track. In another aspect of the invention, the spring is a coil spring contained within the pusher unit for driving rotation of the axle. Preferably, a rotary damper regulates the operation of the coil spring.

Claims

1. Pusher apparatus comprising:

a track;

a pusher mounted on the track for movement along the track;

a spring mounted on the pusher for urging the pusher along the track;

an axle rotatably mounted on the pusher; and

at least two wheels fixed to the axle for simultaneous rotation, wherein each wheel positively engages the track.

2. Pusher apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the track includes at least one line of slots along the track;

and wherein each wheel is a cog bearing teeth that positively engage the slots of the track.

3. Pusher apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the track includes at least one line of teeth along the track;

and wherein each wheel is a cog bearing teeth that positively engage the teeth of the track.

4. Pusher apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring is a coil spring.

6. Pusher apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a first end of the spring is attached to a front end of the track and a second end of the spring is attached to the pusher, whereby coiling of the spring draws the pusher along the track.

7. Pusher apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a second axle mounted on the pusher, wherein the second end of the spring is coiled about the second axle

8. Pusher apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a rotary damper mounted on the pusher for regulating the rate of coiling or uncoiling of the spring.

9. Pusher apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rotary damper includes means for adjusting a damping effect of the rotary damper

10. Pusher apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a latch for retaining the pusher at a desired position along the track

11. Pusher apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising trigger means located at the front end of the track, wherein the latch is mounted on the track and is operable by the trigger means to release the pusher from the desired position.

12. Pusher apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the latch is mounted on the track and is operable to release the pusher from the desired position by applying rearward pressure to the pusher.

5. (canceled)