INTEGRATED SHELF ALLOCATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

• US 20090057254A1
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Systems Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smart Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: BURCHELL, James R., MOSS, Edward J., BURCHELL, John C., CRAWBUCK, Cynthia A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/162
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device

Abstract

Apparatuses for the efficient and safe organization of product on shelves. The present invention encompasses shelving allocation units that are adjustable in a longitudinal direction to accommodate varying shelf depths. The present invention also provides for shelving allocation units that are adjustable in both the longitudinal direction, but also along an orthogonal axis. By being adjustable along an orthogonal axis, the shelving allocation units of the present invention may be adapted to accommodate various sizes of product. The present invention also includes novel backstop assemblies that may be adapted for use in shelves of various dimensions.

Claims

1. An integrated shelf allocation management system for allocating space among rows of products comprising:

a first component comprising a base, at least two side walls, and a barrier element, wherein said base is disposed along a longitudinal axis, wherein said at least two side walls are located on opposing edges of said base and extend vertically from said base such that said base and said side walls form an integrated unit, and wherein said barrier element is located at a front end of said first component;

a second component comprising a base, at least two side walls, and a barrier element, wherein such base runs along a longitudinal axis, wherein said at least two side walls are located on opposing edges of said base and extend vertically from said base such that said base and said side walls form an integrated unit, and wherein said barrier element is located at a rear end of said second component; and

wherein said second component is adapted to telescopically engage a rear portion of said first component to form an integrated assembly, wherein said integrated assembly is adjustable along said longitudinal axis.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a coupling mechanism by which said first component may be coupled to said second component to form said integrated shelf allocation management system.

3. The system of claim 2, where said coupling mechanism is located along said base or along said side walls.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said base is telescopically adjustable in a direction along an orthogonal axis to accommodate products of varying widths.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a backstop assembly positioned between said side walls, said backstop assembly comprising a base and a back plate located at a distal end of said base, wherein said base includes a central channel.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said backstop assembly further comprises a puller member adapted to slideably engage said backstop assembly base.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said puller member is disposed within said central channel.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said puller member comprises an engaging portion at a distal end of said puller member, said engaging portion adapted to engage a front portion of said backstop assembly base.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said puller member is adapted to disengage from said backstop assembly when said puller member is pushed along the longitudinal direction toward the rear of said system.

10. An integrated shelf allocation management system for allocating space among rows of products, comprising:

a first component having a first base, a first side wall at approximately 90 degrees to said first base, and a first barrier at a front end of said first component, wherein said first base and said first side wall form an integrated unit, said first base further comprising at least one first coupling mechanism and a first track, said first component having a longitudinal axis and an orthogonal axis, wherein said first side wall is on an exterior edge of said first base, further wherein said first track is disposed along said longitudinal axis;

a second component having a second base, a second side wall at approximately 90 degrees to said second base, and a second barrier at a front end of said second component, wherein said second base and said second side wall form an integrated unit, said second base further comprising at least one second coupling mechanism, and a second track, said second component having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first component and an orthogonal axis parallel to said orthogonal axis of the first component, wherein said side wall is on an exterior edge of said second base, further wherein said second track is disposed parallel to said first track, said second coupling mechanism adapted to telescopically engage said first coupling mechanism.

11. The integrated shelf allocation management system of claim 10, wherein said first coupling mechanism and said second coupling mechanism are telescopically adjustable such that the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall may be changed.

12. The integrated shelf allocation management system of claim 10, further comprising:

a third component comprising a third base disposed parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first component, a third side wall at approximately 90 degrees to said third base, and a third barrier disposed parallel to said orthogonal axis of said first component at a rear end of said third component, wherein said third side wall is on an exterior edge of said third base, wherein said third base and said third side wall form an integrated unit, said third barrier further comprising a third coupling mechanism; and

a fourth component comprising a fourth base disposed parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first component, a third side wall at approximately 90 degrees to said fourth base, and a fourth barrier disposed parallel to said orthogonal axis of said first component at a rear end of said fourth component, wherein said fourth side wall is on an exterior edge of said fourth base, wherein said fourth base and said fourth side wall form an integrated unit, said fourth barrier further comprising a fourth coupling mechanism, wherein said fourth coupling mechanism is adapted to selectively engage said third coupling mechanism;

wherein said third base adapted to be disposed in said first track to form an integrated assembly, wherein said integrated assembly is adjustable along said longitudinal axis;

wherein said fourth base adapted to be disposed in said second track to form an integrated assembly, wherein said integrated assembly is adjustable along said longitudinal axis.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said first coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of stop indications at regular intervals along said first base and said second coupling mechanism comprises a raised element along said second base that selectably engages said stop indications.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said third coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of stop indications at regular intervals along said a third barrier and said second coupling mechanism comprises a raised element along a portion of said fourth barrier that selectably engages said stop indications.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising a backstop assembly positioned between said side walls, said backstop assembly comprising a base and a back plate located at a distal end of said base, wherein said base includes a central channel.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said backstop assembly further comprises a puller member adapted to slideably engage said backstop assembly base.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said puller member is disposed within said central channel.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said puller member comprises an engaging portion at a distal end of said puller member, said engaging portion adapted to engage a front portion of said backstop assembly base.

19. A backstop assembly, comprising:

a base, wherein said base includes a central channel;

a back plate located at a distal end of said base; and

a puller member, wherein said puller member is disposed within said channel.

20. The backstop assembly of claim 19, wherein said puller member is adapted to slideably engage a front end of said base.

21. The backstop assembly of claim 20, wherein said puller member further comprises an engaging portion located at a distal end of said puller member.

22. The backstop assembly of claim 21, wherein said engaging portion engages a front portion of said backstop assembly base.

23. The backstop assembly of claim 22, wherein said puller member further comprises a gripping element.