Information display rail system

• US 5,553,412 A
• Filed: 03/25/1993
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electronic Retailing Systems International, Inc. (Systems Holding, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Electronic Retailing Systems International, Inc. (Systems Holding, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ackerman, Marvin, Dobras, Alfred D., DeLuca, Raymond F., Briechle, George T., Lubowe, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Application Number:
  US08/036,950
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 40/642, 40/1.6, 40/447, 40/448, 40/463, 248/221.4, 345/1, 345/2, 345/3
• US Class Current: 40/124.01
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/201 Enclosures enveloping completely the labels G09F3/203 - G09F3/207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/204 specially adapted to be attached to a shelf or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/208 Electronic labels, Labels integrating electronic displays

Abstract

An improved electronic price display system has rails into which are installed price display labels. Ridges along the top and bottom of the rails are shaped to receive a label readily. A removal tool may be engaged to release the pawls of the label to extract the label. Ridges at the rear of the rails, together with a resilient insert, permit quick mounting to a shelf with a minimal number of fasteners. A hemicylindrical feature at the back of the rails permits generous area of contact with a mounting screw having a hemispherical head. Opposed groove features permit the concealment of the screw heads and provide a visual design element.

Angled ridges on the rear face of the label engage with knurls on the rails providing contact wiping, enhancing electrical integrity of the label-to-rail connection, and also fix the label in place.

A feature along an edge of the rail provides a cylindrical concavity. An optional clear plastic cover mounted with a cylindrical edge bead in the concavity provides a hinged connection therebetween. A protruding button on the face of the label is actuated by the pressing of the cover in the vicinity of the button.

A subassembly of the label provides a robust carrier for springy contacts providing electrical connection long conductors on the rails.

Claims

1. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed endwise, said rail defining an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, whereby a flexible insert can be held in place by said grooves;

means in front of said grooves for removably mounting an electronic price label; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible and further comprises a lengthwise extending ridge projecting from said inside face of said plastic cover whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position causes said ridge to engage and activate a button on an electronic price label if located under an area being pressed.

2. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed endwise, said rail defining an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, whereby a flexible insert can be held in place by said grooves;

means in front of said grooves for removably mounting an electronic price label; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible, whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position activates a protruding button on an electronic price label if located under an area being pressed.

3. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed endwise, said rail defining an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, whereby a flexible insert can be held in place by said grooves;

means in front of said grooves for removably mounting an electronic price label; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail defines a lengthwise extending cylindrically shaped open channel extending along the bottom of said rail, said channel being open on said front side of said rail, said opening being open less than 180°

, said plastic cover further comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bead, said cylindrically shaped bead being sized to be pivotally held within said cylindrically shaped open channel, said cylindrically shaped bead being pivotally held by said cylindrically shaped open channel.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said cylindrically shaped bead defines a substantially pie-slice shaped groove along its length whereby said cylindrically shaped bead can be compressed to fit through said opening into said cylindrically shaped open channel.

5. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed endwise, said rail defining an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, whereby a flexible insert can be held in place by said grooves;

means in front of said grooves for removably mounting an electronic price label; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail has a lengthwise extending concavely curved upper surface and said plastic cover has a cylindrically shaped upper edge and wherein said cylindrically shaped upper edge is pivotally coupled with said concavely curved upper surface.

6. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed endwise, said rail defining an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, whereby a flexible insert can be held in place by said grooves;

means in front of said grooves for removably mounting an electronic price label; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

wherein said rail further defines a lengthwise extending trough having an apex and upper and lower walls, said trough opening on said front side of said rail, said trough sized to accommodate substantially the head of screw whereby self tapping screws can be screwed through said apex from said front side without said screw walking in the vertical direction and whereby screws screwed through said apex can be substantially countersunk within said trough.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said trough is located vertically between said upper and lower grooves and wherein said grooves are located forward of said trough.

8. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail having a top ledge extending outward from said top and a bottom ledge extending outward from the bottom, said top ledge having a ridge projecting downward and said bottom ledge having a ridge projecting upward, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

whereby an electronic price label having a lengthwise extending slot on one side and means for selectively engaging a ridge on an opposite side can be mounted to said rail by placing one of said ridges in said slot and rotating said label about a horizontal axis coincident with said slot until said means for selectively engaging a ridge engages the other ridge thereby removably mounting said electronic price label to said rail,

wherein said rail further defines a lengthwise extending trough having an apex and upper and lower walls, said trough opening on said front side of said rail, said trough sized to accommodate substantially the head of a screw whereby self tapping screws can be screwed through said apex from said front side without said screw walking in the vertical direction and whereby screws screwed through said apex can be substantially countersunk within said trough.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said rail defines an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, said trough being located vertically between said grooves and said grooves being located outward of said trough whereby a plastic insert can be held in place by said grooves and whereby said plastic insert can obscure the view of the trough.

10. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail having a top ledge extending outward from said top and a bottom ledge extending outward from the bottom,

said top ledge having a ridge projecting downward and said bottom ledge having a ridge projecting upward, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

whereby an electronic price label having a lengthwise extending slot on one side and means for selectively engaging a ridge on an opposite side can be mounted to said rail by placing one of said ridges in said slot and rotating said label about a horizontal axis coincident with said slot until said means for selectively engaging a ridge engages the other ridge thereby removably mounting said electronic price label to said rail,

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

further comprising means for securing said plastic cover in said closed position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible and further comprises a lengthwise extending ridge projecting from said inside face of said plastic cover whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position causes said ridge to engage and activate a button on an electronic price label if located under an area being pressed.

11. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail having a top ledge extending outward from said top and a bottom ledge extending outward from the bottom, said top ledge having a ridge projecting downward and said bottom ledge having a ridge projecting upward, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

whereby an electronic price label having a lengthwise extending slot on one side and means for selectively engaging a ridge on an opposite side can be mounted to said rail by placing one of said ridges in said slot and rotating said label about a horizontal axis coincident with said slot until said means for selectively engaging a ridge engages the other ridge thereby removably mounting said electronic price label to said rail,

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

further comprising means for securing said plastic cover in said closed position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible, whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position activates a protruding button on an electronic price label if located under an area being pressed.

12. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail having a top ledge extending outward from said top and a bottom ledge extending outward from the bottom, said top ledge having a ridge projecting downward and said bottom ledge having a ridge projecting upward, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

whereby an electronic price label having a lengthwise extending slot on one side and means for selectively engaging a ridge on an opposite side can be mounted to said rail by placing one of said ridges in said slot and rotating said label about a horizontal axis coincident with said slot until said means for selectively engaging a ridge engages the other ridge thereby removably mounting said electronic price label to said rail,

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail defines a lengthwise extending cylindrically shaped open channel extending along the bottom of said rail, said channel being open on said front side of said rail, said opening being open less than 180°

, said plastic cover further comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bead, said cylindrically shaped bead being sized to be pivotally held within said cylindrically shaped open channel, said cylindrically shaped bead being pivotally held by said cylindrically shaped open channel.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said cylindrically shaped bead defines a substantially pie-slice shaped groove along its length whereby said cylindrically shaped bead can be compressed to fit through said opening into said cylindrically shaped open channel.

14. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail having a top ledge extending outward from said top and a bottom ledge extending outward from the bottom, said top ledge having a ridge projecting downward and said bottom ledge having a ridge projecting upward, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

whereby an electronic price label having a lengthwise extending slot on one side and means for selectively engaging a ridge on an opposite side can be mounted to said rail by placing one of said ridges in said slot and rotating said label about a horizontal axis coincident with said slot until said means for selectively engaging a ridge engages the other ridge thereby removably mounting said electronic price label to said rail,

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail has a lengthwise extending concavely curved upper surface and said plastic cover has a cylindrically shaped upper edge and wherein said cylindrically shaped upper edge is pivotally coupled against said concavely curved upper surface.

15. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end, said rail having a lengthwise extending knurled surface on said front side;

means for removably mounting electronic price labels to said front side; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

whereby when an electronic price label having corresponding knurls on its back side is mounted to said rail, said corresponding knurls engage with said rail knurls thereby preventing said electronic price label from sliding lengthwise on the rail.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

anvil means for supporting a portion of said rail on the back side of said knurled surface.

17. The system of claim 15 further comprising means for guiding a knurling tool along said knurled surface.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said knurled surface is formed by a pressing tool which does not remove any material.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said rail further defines a lengthwise extending trough having an apex and upper and lower walls, said trough opening on said front side of said rail, said trough sized to accommodate substantially the head of a screw whereby self tapping screws can be screwed through said apex from said front side without said screw walking in the vertical direction and whereby screws screwed through said apex can be substantially countersunk within said trough.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein said rail defines an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, said trough being located vertically between said grooves and said grooves being located outward of said trough whereby a flexible insert can be held in place by said grooves and whereby said plastic insert can obscure the view of the trough.

21. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

upper and lower lengthwise extending ribs on said back side.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said lower rib extends at least partially downward whereby said lower rib can better support said rail with respect to downward forces applied to said rail.

23. The system of claim 15 further comprising means for holding one edge of a carton whereby the opposite edge can be held against the midsection of a stocking person thereby increasing the stocking efficiency of said stocking person.

24. The system of claim 15 further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising means for securing said plastic cover in said closed position.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein said plastic cover is flexible and further comprises a lengthwise extending ridge projecting from said inside face of said plastic cover whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position causes said ridge to engage said activate a button on one of the electronic price labels if located under an area being pressed.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein said rail defines a lengthwise extending cylindrically shaped open channel extending along the bottom of said rail, said channel being open on said front side of said rail, said opening being open less than 180°

, said plastic cover further comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bead, said cylindrically shaped bead being sized to be pivotally held within said cylindrically shaped open channel, said cylindrically shaped bead being pivotally held by said cylindrically shaped open channel.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said cylindrically shaped bead defines a substantially pie-slice shaped groove along its length whereby said cylindrically shaped bead can be compressed to fit through said opening into said cylindrically shaped open channel.

29. The system of claim 24 wherein said rail has a lengthwise extending concavely curved upper surface and said plastic cover has a cylindrically shaped upper edge and wherein said cylindrically shaped upper edge is pivotally coupled against said concavely curved upper surface.

30. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail having a top ledge extending outward from said top and a bottom ledge extending outward from the bottom, said top ledge having a ridge projecting downward and said bottom ledge having a ridge projecting upward, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end, said rail having a lengthwise extending knurled surface on said front side, wherein knurls of said knurled surface extend in a direction between the horizontal and the vertical directions; and

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

whereby an electronic price label having top, bottom, front and back sides, and having corresponding knurls on the back side, the knurls being angled relative to the vertical, and having a lengthwise extending slot on one of said top and bottom sides and means for selectively engaging a ridge on the side opposite from said slot can be mounted to said rail by placing one of said ridges in said slot and rotating said label about a horizontal axis coincident with said slot until said means for selectively engaging a ridge engages the other ridge thereby removably mounting said electronic price label to said rail; and

whereby when said electronic price label is mounted to said rail, said corresponding knurls slidably engage with said rail knurls thereby moving said electronic price label slightly lengthwise along the rail.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

anvil means for supporting a portion of said rail on the back side of said knurled surface.

32. The system of claim 30 further comprising

means for guiding a knurling tool along said knurled surface.

33. The system of claim 30 wherein said knurled surface is formed by a pressing tool which does not remove any material.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein said rail further defines a lengthwise extending trough having an apex and upper and lower walls, said trough opening on said front side of said rail, said trough sized to accommodate substantially the head of a screw whereby self tapping screws can be screwed through said apex from said front side without said screw walking in the vertical direction and whereby screws screwed through said apex can be substantially countersunk within said trough.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein said rail defines an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, said trough being located vertically between said grooves and said grooves being located outward of said trough whereby a plastic insert can be held in place by said grooves and whereby said plastic insert can obscure the view of the trough.

38. The system of claim 30 further comprising means for holding one edge of a carton whereby the opposite edge can be held against the midsection of a stocking person thereby increasing the stocking efficiency of said stocking person.

39. The system of claim 30 further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position.

40. The system of claim 39 further comprising means for securing said plastic cover in said closed position.

41. The system of claim 39 wherein said plastic cover is flexible and further comprises a lengthwise extending ridge projecting from said inside face of said plastic cover whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position causes said ridge to engage and activate a button on one of the electronic price labels if located under an area being pressed.

42. The system of claim 39 wherein said plastic cover is flexible, whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position activates a button on one of the electronic price labels if located under an area being pressed.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein said cylindrically shaped bead defines a substantially pie-slice shaped groove along its length whereby said cylindrically shaped bead can be compressed to fit through said opening into said cylindrically shaped open channel.

44. The system of claim 39 wherein said rail defines a lengthwise extending cylindrically shaped open channel extending along the bottom of said rail, said channel being open on said front side of said rail, said opening being open less than 180°

, said plastic cover further comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bead, said cylindrically shaped bead being sized to be pivotally held within said cylindrically shaped open channel, said cylindrically shaped bead being pivotally held by said cylindrically shaped open channel.

45. The system of claim 39 wherein said rail has a lengthwise extending concavely curved upper surface and said plastic cover has a cylindrically shaped upper edge and wherein said cylindrically shaped upper edge is pivotally coupled against said concavely curved upper surface.

36. The system of claim further comprising:

upper and lower lengthwise extending ribs on said back side.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein said lower rib extends at least partially downward whereby said lower rib can better support said rail with respect to downward forces applied to said rail.

46. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label on the front side of said groove;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals; and

means for holding one edge of a carton whereby the opposite edge can be held against the midsection of a stocking person thereby increasing the stocking efficiency of said stocking person;

wherein said rail further defines a lengthwise extending trough having an apex and upper and lower walls, said trough opening on said front side of said rail, said trough sized to accommodate substantially the head of a screw whereby self tapping screws can be screwed through said apex from said front side without said screw walking in the vertical direction and whereby screws screwed through said apex can be substantially countersunk within said trough.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein said rail defines an upward opening groove on said front side, said upward opening groove extending substantially from end to end, said rail further defining a downward opening groove on said front side, said downward opening groove being located above said upward opening groove, said trough being located vertically between said groove and said grooves being located outward of said trough whereby a plastic insert can be held in place by said grooves and whereby said plastic insert can obscure the view of the trough.

48. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label on the front side of said groove;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals; and

means for holding one edge of a carton whereby the opposite edge can be held against the midsection of a stocking person thereby increasing the stocking efficiency of said stocking person;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible and further comprises a lengthwise extending ridge projecting from said inside face of said plastic cover whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position causes said ridge to engage and activate a button on one of the electronic price labels if located under an area being pressed.

49. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label on the front side of said groove;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals; and

means for holding one edge of a carton whereby the opposite edge can be held against the midsection of a stocking person thereby increasing the stocking efficiency of said stocking person;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible, whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position activates a button on one of the electronic price labels if located under an area being pressed.

50. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label on the front side of said groove;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals; and

means for holding one edge of a carton whereby the opposite edge can be held against the midsection of a stocking person thereby increasing the stocking efficiency of said stocking person;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail defines a lengthwise extending cylindrically shaped open channel extending along the bottom of said rail, said channel being open on said front side of said rail, said opening being open less than 180°

, said plastic cover further comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bead, said cylindrically shaped bead being sized to be pivotally held within said cylindrically shaped open channel, said cylindrically shaped bead being pivotally held by said cylindrically shaped open channel.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said cylindrically shaped bead defines a substantially pie-slice shaped groove along its length whereby said cylindrically shaped bead can be compressed to fit through said opening into said cylindrically shaped open channel.

52. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label on the front side of said groove;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals; and

means for holding one edge of a carton whereby the opposite edge can be held against the midsection of a stocking person thereby increasing the stocking efficiency of said stocking person;

further comprising a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail has a lengthwise extending concavely curved upper surface and said plastic cover has a cylindrically shaped upper edge and wherein said cylindrically shaped upper edge is pivotally coupled against said concavely curved upper surface.

53. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label in front of said grooves;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said plastic cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible and further comprises a lengthwise extending ridge projecting from said inside face of said plastic cover whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position causes said ridge to engage and activate a button on one of the electronic price labels if located under an area being pressed.

54. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label in front of said grooves;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said plastic cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said plastic cover is flexible, whereby pressing inwards on said plastic cover when it is in a closed position activates a protruding button on an electronic price label if located under an area being pressed.

55. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label in front of said grooves;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said plastic cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail defines a lengthwise extending cylindrically shaped open channel extending along the bottom of said rail, said channel being open on said front side of said rail, said opening being open less than 180°

, said plastic cover further comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bead, said cylindrically shaped bead being sized to be pivotally held within said cylindrically shaped open channel, said cylindrically shaped bead being pivotally held by said cylindrically shaped open channel.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein said cylindrically shaped bead defines a substantially pie-slice shaped groove along its length whereby said cylindrically shaped bead can be compressed to fit through said opening into said cylindrically shaped open channel.

57. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom and two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label in front of said grooves;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals;

a plastic cover having inside and outside faces, said plastic cover being pivotally coupled along a horizontal axis to said rail, said cover being sized and placed so that it closely covers electronic price labels removably mounted to said rail when in a closed position and provides substantially unhindered access to said labels when in an open position;

wherein said rail has a lengthwise extending concavely curved upper surface and said plastic cover has a cylindrically shaped upper edge and wherein said cylindrically shaped upper edge is pivotally coupled against said concavely curved upper surface.

58. A system for removably mounting electronic price labels to an edge of a horizontally extending shelf comprising:

a rail having a back side for mounting against said edge, a front side for mounting said electronic price labels, a top, a bottom end two ends, said rail being of substantially constant cross section when viewed from end to end;

means for removably mounting an electronic price label to said front side of said rail;

means for supplying electric power and signals along the length of said rail whereby an electronic price label mounted to said rail at any of a multiplicity of points can receive electric power and signals; and

upper and lower lengthwise extending ribs on said back side, and a protrusion between the upper and lower ribs, disposed so that the rearmost extent of the upper and lower ribs, and of the protrusion, are all substantially coplanar.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein said lower rib extends at least partially downward whereby said lower rib can better support said rail with respect to downward forces applied to said rail.

60. The system of claim 58 further comprising a resilient insert, the rail further comprising channel means adjacent one of the ribs disposed to receive the resilient insert, the resilient insert and the other of the ribs shaped for positive engagement with a "C" channel.