Multi-Component Display and Merchandise Systems

• US 20070158281A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Hardy, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,627,965 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/59.300
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/005 Partitions therefore horizontally adjustable A47B57/58; constructional details of drawers A47B88/90

Abstract

A multi-component divider including a first divider component and a connection mechanism for a second divider component. The second divider component connects to the first divider component when the first divider component is connected to a base. The second divider component extends above the first divider component, thereby extending the overall height of the divider. The base and multi-component divider can be used in locations where there is limited space between shelves, such as a shelf in a freezer or refrigerated display, or in any application where a higher divider may be preferred, but cannot be installed.

Claims

1. A multi-component divider display system, comprising:

a base for operative coupling to a shelf;

a divider for dividing displayed merchandise into rows comprised of at least two components, wherein the first divider component extends outwardly from the base and the second divider component is releasably connected to the first divider component.

2. The multi-component divider display system of claim 1, wherein the second divider component further comprises at least one flange, said flange positioned to slidably engage at least one cooperating groove in first divider component.

3. The multi-component divider display system of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises at least one pusher track

4. The multi-component divider display system of claim 3, further comprising a spring-urged pusher in the pusher track of the base.

5. The multi-component divider display system of claim 4 wherein the pusher track and the base and first divider component assembly form a unitary, one-piece construction.

6. The multi-component divider display system of claim 1, wherein the base portion is operatively coupled to shelf via a front rail.

7. The multi-component divider display system of claim 1, wherein the base portion is operatively coupled to a shelf via rail that is affixed to the shelf.

8. The multi-component divider display system of claim 5 further comprising a front barrier designed to deter products from being pushed beyond the front barrier by the spring-urged pusher.

9. The multi-component divider display system of claim 4, wherein the pusher is movable in a first direction, the pusher including a pusher face that is extendable in a second direction from a first position to a second position.

10. The multi-component divider display system of claim 9, wherein the pusher face is extendable in the second direction from the first position to one of a plurality of second positions.

11. The multi-component divider display system of claim 9, wherein the pusher face is extendable in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

12. The multi-component divider display system of claim 11, wherein the pusher face in the first position is located adjacent the divider, and in the one of the plurality of second positions is located away from the divider.

13. The multi-component divider display system of claim 9, wherein the pusher face is mounted to a pusher base.

14. The multi-component divider display system of claim 9, wherein the pusher base includes at least one flange for mounting the pusher base to the base.

15. The multi-component divider display system of claim 13, wherein the flange of the pusher base is mountable to the at least one track of the base.

16. The multi-component divider display system of claim 14, wherein the pusher base is operatively coupled to a pusher urging element.

17. The multi-component divider display system of claim 1, wherein the base defines a breakaway portion for reducing the length of the base, and wherein the divider components define a breakaway portion for reducing the length of the divider components.

18. A multi-component divider display system, comprising:

a base for operative coupling to a shelf, the shelf having a front;

a divider for dividing displayed merchandise into rows, the divider comprising at least a first divider component and a second divider component, wherein the first divider component extends outwardly from the base and the second divider component is releasably connected to the first divider component; and

a spring-urged pusher in the base for pushing merchandise toward the front of the shelf, wherein the pusher is movable in a first direction, the pusher including a pusher face that is extendable horizontally in a second direction from a first position to one of a plurality of second positions.

19. A merchandise-display system comprising:

an integrated base-and-divider assembly for supporting displayed merchandise, wherein the base-and-divider assembly includes a base portion adapted for operative coupling to a shelf, and a multiple component divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise into rows, wherein the divider portion protrudes from the base such that the divider portion separates the base portion into a first portion having a pusher track and a second portion;

a second divider component connected to the first divider component that increases the height of the multiple component divider; and

a spring-urged pusher in the pusher track for pushing merchandise along the first portion toward the front of the shelf, wherein the base-and-divider assembly is non-slidably engaged with a front rail that extends along and is affixed to a front portion of the shelf.

20. A merchandise-display system comprising:

a base portion adapted for supporting merchandise;

a multiple component divider, the first divider component extending from the base portion at substantially a right angle, a second divider component connected to the first divider component that increases the height of the multiple component divider; and

a pusher track comprising a top surface for supporting merchandise.

21. The merchandise-display system of claim 20 further comprising a plurality of mating teeth on the base portion;

a pusher;

a rail with a plurality of mating teeth; and

, wherein a portion of the plurality of mating teeth in the rail engage a potion of the plurality of mating teeth of the base portion to inhibit movement of the base portion in relation to the rail, and wherein the base portion and the first divider component define a unitary, one-piece construction.

22. The merchandise-display system of claim 20 further comprising a coil spring and wherein the pusher track defines a first elongated rail, a second elongated rail, an aperture between the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail and a plurality of ribs;

connecting the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail.

23. The merchandise-display system of claim 21 wherein the plurality of mating teeth of the rail are thin and closely spaced.

24. The merchandise-display system of claim 23 wherein the plurality of mating teeth of the base portion are thin and closely spaced.

25. The merchandise-display system of claim 23 wherein the plurality of mating teeth of the rail are located at substantially continuous positions along the rail.