Shelf allocation and management system

• US 5,469,976 A
• Filed: 04/30/1993
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smart Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sam Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Burchell, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US08/055,679
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.3, 211/184, 211/51, 312/61, 312/71
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device

Abstract

A shelf allocation and management system for allocating shelf space among rows of products and for moving the rows of products towards the front of the shelf is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of adjacent side rail assemblies positioned along the shelf extending from front to back. Each side rail assembly includes a generally flat base rail and a rigid divider attached to and extended away from the base rail, wherein at least one row of products may be positioned between the dividers of adjacent side rail assemblies. An unbiased backstop assembly is positioned between dividers of adjacent side rail assemblies, wherein the backstop assembly is movable between the front and back of the shelf and is adapted to advance at least one row of products toward the front of the shelf. A rigid puller member positioned between the dividers of adjacent side rail assemblies is associated with the backstop assembly. The puller member is adapted to be manually moved to advance the backstop assembly least towards the front of the shelf, but to leave the backstop assembly undisturbed when the puller member is pushed towards the rear of the shelf. A loader is also disclosed which is adapted to align with the shelf allocation and management system to provide for efficient and rapid restocking of product.

Claims

1. A shelf allocation management system for allocating shelf space among rows of products and for moving the rows of products towards the front of the shelf, said shelf allocation and management system comprising:

(a) at least two adjacent side rail assemblies positioned on the shelf extending from the front of the shelf to the back of the shelf, each said side rail assembly including a generally flat base rail and a rigid divider attached to and extending upwardly from said base rail, wherein at least one row of product may be positioned between said adjacent side rail assemblies, each side rail assembly being removably attached at appropriate positions on the shelf so as to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the said side rail assemblies to accommodate products of varying dimensions;

(b) an unbiased backstop assembly positioned between said dividers of said adjacent side rail assemblies, said backstop assembly moveable between the front and back of the shelf and adapted to engage and advance at least one row of products which may be positioned between said dividers of said adjacent side rail assemblies towards the front of the shelf;

said backstop assembly to include a channel adapted to slideably receive a puller member; and

(c) a rigid puller member positioned between said dividers of said adjacent side rail assemblies and associated with said backstop assembly, said puller member adapted to be manually moved towards the front and the back of the shelf to move said backstop assembly towards the front of the shelf, said puller member extending through the channel in the backstop assembly such that when said puller member is advanced towards the front of the shelf it simultaneously advances the backstop assembly towards the front of the shelf, but such that the puller member, when pushed towards the back of the shelf, does not disturb the position of the backstop assembly and leaves the backstop assembly in contact with at least one row of product.

2. A shelf allocation management system for allocating shelf space among rows of products and for moving the rows of products towards the front of the shelf, said shelf allocation and management system comprising:

(a) at least two adjacent side rail assemblies positioned on the shelf extending from the front of the shelf to the back of the shelf, each said side rail assembly including a generally flat base rail and a rigid divider attached to and extending upwardly from said base rail, wherein at least one row of products may be positioned between said adjacent side rail assemblies, each side rail assembly being removably attached at appropriate positions on the shelf so as to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the said side rail assemblies to accommodate products of varying dimensions;

(b) an unbiased backstop assembly positioned between said dividers of said adjacent side rail assemblies, said backstop assembly moveable between the front and back of the shelf and adapted to engage and advance at least one row of products which may be positioned between said dividers of said adjacent side rail assemblies towards the front of the shelf;

(c) a rigid puller member positioned between said dividers of said adjacent side rail assemblies and associated with said backstop assembly, said puller member adapted to be manually moved towards the front and the back of the shelf to move said backstop assembly towards the front of the shelf; and

(d) a loader which enables a restocking clerk to transfer product from the loader directly to the shelf allocation and management system with a single forward push against the product.

3. The shelf allocation and management system of claim 2 wherein said backstop assembly includes a channel adapted to slideably receive said puller member.

4. The shelf allocation and management system of claim 3 wherein said puller member extends through said channel and includes a backstop plate engaging portion which is adapted to be abutted against the backstop plate to move said backstop assembly by said manual movement of said puller member.