Automatic feed device for merchandise display
First Claim
1. An automatic article feed device having a spring loaded feed assembly powered for the duration of its travel by a primary spring to move articles along a track and comprising a secondary spring to augment the spring force exerted on the feed assembly during an initial part of its travel whereafter the feed assembly is powered solely by the primary spring, said primary and secondary springs forming coiled strips when unrestrained and each spring being mounted to propel the feed assembly whilst that spring is seeking to establish its unrestrained condition, characterized in that said primary and secondary springs are mounted on the track at longitudinally spaced locations to push the feed assembly along the track.
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Abstract
An automatic feed device (10) for a merchandise display rack has a feed assembly (18) powered for the duration of its travel by a primary spring (16) to move articles along a track (11) and includes a secondary spring (17) to augment the spring force exerted on the feed assembly (18) only during an initial part of its travel, thereby producing a feed having a low uniform speed.
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Citations
8 Claims
- 1. An automatic article feed device having a spring loaded feed assembly powered for the duration of its travel by a primary spring to move articles along a track and comprising a secondary spring to augment the spring force exerted on the feed assembly during an initial part of its travel whereafter the feed assembly is powered solely by the primary spring, said primary and secondary springs forming coiled strips when unrestrained and each spring being mounted to propel the feed assembly whilst that spring is seeking to establish its unrestrained condition, characterized in that said primary and secondary springs are mounted on the track at longitudinally spaced locations to push the feed assembly along the track.
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3. An automatic article feed device comprising:
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(a) a track having a back end and a delivery end; (b) a spring loaded feed assembly mounted for travel from said back end to said delivery end of the track to move articles towards said delivery end of the track; and (c) a primary spring mounted adjacent said delivery end of the track and a secondary spring mounted parallel to said primary spring intermediate said back end and said delivery end of the track;
said feed assembly being powered during an initial part of its travel by both said primary and said secondary springs, whereafter the feed assembly is powered for the remainder of its travel solely by said primary spring. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A merchandise display rack incorporating at least one automatic article feed device, each device comprising:
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(a) a track having a back end and a delivery end and mounted in the rack at an incline such that the track slopes downwardly towards said delivery end; (b) a spring loaded feed assembly mounted for travel from said back end to said delivery end of the track to move articles towards said delivery end of the track; (c) a primary spring mounted adjacent said delivery end of the track and a secondary spring intermediate said back end and said delivery end of the track; and (d) stop means provided at said delivery end of the track to limit forward feed of articles disposed in the track;
said feed assembly being powered during an initial part of its travel by both said primary and said secondary springs, whereafter the feed assembly is powered for the remainder of its travel solely by said primary spring.
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Specification