Information device for facilitating merchandise inventory control

• US 3,991,495 A
• Filed: 12/04/1974
• Issued: 11/16/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bobby G. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Bobby G. Wilson
• Inventors: Wilson, Bobby G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Louis G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolff, John H.
• Application Number:
  US05/529,280
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 40/64 R, 40/65, 40/10 R, 40/19.5, 40/128
• US Class Current: 40/375
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 11/30 the display elements being fed one by one from storage place to a display position
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/00 Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols vehicle registration number plates B60R13/10; Panels or boards show-cards G09F1/00; indicating arrangements for variable information G09F9/00, G09F11/00; illuminated signs G09F13/00; boards for notices or posters G09F15/00

Abstract

An inventory information device for facilitating merchandise inventory control in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing defining a chamber therein. Means is provided for retaining the housing in assembly with a merchandise display shelf in order that inventory information provided on the device may be inspected by inventory control personnel. An inventory information element is movably received within the chamber of the housing and is capable of being moved from a retracted position where the element is substantially fully received within the housing, to an extended position, where the element is at least partially extended from the housing and exposing indicia that is present on the inventory information element. A recess is formed in the housing that is aligned with an aperture formed in a portion of the inventory information element in the retracted position of the inventory information element. A stylus, pencil or any other suitably pointed element may be inserted through the recess of the housing into the aperture of the inventory information element and force may be applied through the stylus to impart movement of the inventory information element toward the extended position thereof. Means is also provided to prevent separation of the inventory information element from the housing in the fully extended position thereof.

Claims

1. An inventory information device for facilitating merchandise inventory control to maintain an optimum supply of merchandise for efficient operation of merchandising establishments, said inventory information device comprising:

a housing having a chamber formed therein and being formed to define opposed first and second openings to said chamber, said first opening being larger than said second opening, said housing definning stop elements on either side of said second opening, said housing defining a display surface means and rear surface means;

retention means being fixed to said rear surface means for retaining said housing in assembly with the front portion of a merchandise display shelf of a merchandising establishment;

an inventory information element being received in movable relation within said chamber of said housing and being linearly movable from a retracted position, where said element is substantially fully received within said chamber of said housing, to an extended position, where said inventory information element is moved at least partially through said second opening and is at least partially extended from said housing exposing indicia present on said element, said inventory information element having a body portion of smaller dimensions than the dimension of said second opening allowing said body portion to pass through said second opening and having extension portions on opposed portions of said body and cooperating with said body portion to define a stop portion of larger dimension than the dimension of said second opening and of smaller dimension than the dimension of said first opening, said stop portion being receivable within said first opening and defining opposed stop shoulders disposed for engagement with said stop elements in the fully extended position of said inventory information element;

an information element access opening is defined by said housing;

a portion of said inventory information element is exposed by said information element access opening in the retracted position of said information element; and

an aperture being formed in said exposed portion of said inventory information element, said aperture being adapted to receive a movement implement for moving said inventory information element to said extended position relative to said housing.

2. An inventory control device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

a single folded sheet of material defines said housing, said sheet of material being of generally T-shaped configuration defining a central portion and having rear flap portions extending from two opposed sides of said centraal portion, said sheet of material having a rear wall flap extending from a third side of said central portion, said rear flap portion and said rear wall portions being joined to said central portion at fold lines defined along edge portions of said central wall portion said rear wall flap being secured to said rear flap portions.

3. An inventory control device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said housing is molded from a moldable material.

4. An inventory control device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

an elongated opening is formed in said housing;

said elongated opening being communicated with said chamber;

projection means is formed on said inventory information element, said projection means being engaged for movement of said inventory information element relative to said housing; and

manipulating means for inserting through said elongated opening for manipulating engagement with said projection means of said inventory information element.

5. An inventory control device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said housing retains said inventory information element in the retracted position thereof by frictional contact between said inventory information element and said housing.

6. An inventory control device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

locking means is provided on said housing means and extends into said chamber; and

lock engaging means is formed on said inventory information element and engages said locking means in the retracted position of said inventory information element for retention of said inventory information element within said chamber.

7. An inventory information device for facilitating merchandising inventory control to maintain an optimum supply of merchandise for efficient operation of merchandising establishments, said inventory information device comprising:

housing means being formed to define an internal chamber and opposed first and second openings to said chamber, said first opening being larger than said second opening, said housing defining internal stop surfaces on either side of said second opening;

retainer means on said housing means for retaining said housing in assembly with a merchandise display shelf of a merchandising establishment;

an inventory information element being received in movable relation within said chamber of said housing means and being movable between a retracted position relative to said housing means, where at least a portion of said inventory information element is positioned within said housing means and an extended position, where said inventory information element is at least partially extended from said housing means through said second opening means exposing indicia present on said inventory information element, said inventory information element having a body sized to pass through said second opening and having opposed stop shoulders capable of passing only through said first opening, said stop shoulders engaging said internal stop surfaces in the extended position of said inventory information element to limit further extension movement;

an information element access opening is defined by said housing;

a portion of said inventory information element is exposed by said information element access opening in the retracted position of said information element; and

an extension aperture is formed in said exposed portion of said information element, said extension aperture being adapted to receive a movement implement to allow an extension force manually applied through the movement implement to impart movement to said inventory information element to said extended position relative to said housing means.

8. An inventory control as recited in claim 7, wherein:

a single folded sheet of material defines said housing, said sheet of material being of generally T-shaped configuration defining a central portion having rear flap portions extending from two sides thereof and having a rear wall flap extending from a third side thereof, said rear flap and rear wall portions being joined to said central portion at fold line defined along edge portions of said central portions, said sheet material being folded along said fold lines, said rear wall flap being secured to said rear flaps.