Modular self-adjusting merchandise display system

• US 6,357,606 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hmg Worldwide In-Store Marketing, Inc.
• Inventors: Henry, Eric F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US09/495,750
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.2, 211/59.3, 211/175, 211/183, 211/184, 211/90.02, 211/90.04, 211/43, 211/51, 211/88.02, 211/128.1, 211/153, 312/61, 312/71, 312/42
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

A modular merchandise display system that is adaptable to accommodate various size products and shelves on which it is implemented. The modular merchandise display system includes a plurality of product pushing assemblies that are selectively connected to each other using adjustable connection devices. The selective connection of the product pushing assemblies provides the user with the ability to vary the size and spacing between product pushing assemblies and thereby enable the accommodation of products of varying size within the same merchandise display system. A break off system is also implemented into the respective parts of the display system to enable the depth of the system to be altered to accommodate shelves of varying depth.

Claims

1. A modular merchandise display system comprising:

a plurality of base trays each having a front end, a rear end, two opposing sides extending between said front and rear ends, and an elongated slot extending from proximate said front end to proximate said rear end, said front and rear ends defining a depth of the modular merchandise display system;

a product pushing assembly slidably disposed in said elongated slot of each of said plurality of base trays, said pushing assembly being biased toward said front end of said base tray to automatically urge products being displayed toward said front end;

a side wall extending upward from one of said two opposing sides of each of said plurality of base trays, said side wall being arranged substantially perpendicular to said base tray;

means for selectively connecting each of said base trays with an adjacent base tray, wherein said side wall of a first base tray acts as one side of the merchandise display system and the side wall of a second adjacent base tray is selectively spaced from said side wall of the first base tray so as to create a product receiving space between the respective side walls, wherein said connecting means enables the product receiving space between said side walls to be selectively changed such that products of different size may be supported and displayed by the modular merchandise display system, wherein said connecting means comprises

at least one adjustment wing extending outwardly from one of said two opposing sides of each of said base trays, said at least one adjustment wing having a plurality of holes extending along a length of said adjustment wing; and

at least one pin-like projection disposed on an underside of each of said plurality of base trays and positionally aligned with said adjustment wing such that said pin-like projection is engageable with one of said plurality of holes in the at least one adjustment wing of an adjacent base tray.

2. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for shortening the depth of the merchandise display system to enable the merchandise display system to be disposed on shelves of varying depth.

3. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means for shortening comprises:

at least one break point positioned on said base tray;

at least one break point positioned on said side wall and aligned with said at least one break point of said base tray; and

stopping means for limiting rearward movement of said product pushing assembly when said break points are used to shorten the depth of the modular merchandise display system.

4. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said stopping means comprises:

at least one hole disposed in said base tray and positioned in front of a corresponding one of said break points in said base tray and in said side wall; and

at least one push pin for inserting into said at least one hole for engaging and preventing the rearward movement of said product pushing assembly beyond the corresponding break point.

5. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising front support means for supporting and preventing the products being displayed from being pushed out of the display system by said product pushing assembly.

6. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said front support means comprises:

a lower slot disposed on an underside of said base tray and proximate said front end;

an upper slot disposed on an upper surface of said base tray and being proximate said front end;

a front rail having a lower portion for attaching said front rail to a shelf, a front angled face, and a flange extending upward from said lower portion and adapted to be received by said lower slot in said base tray; and

a front panel having at least one ridge for engaging under said angled face of the front rail and providing a support barrier for preventing the products being displayed from being pushed out of the front end of said base tray.

7. The modular merchandise display of claim 1, wherein said at least one adjustment wing extends outwardly from the opposing side opposite the side at which said side wall is located.

8. A modular merchandise display system comprising:

a plurality of base trays each having a front end, a rear end, two opposing sides extending between said front and rear ends, and an elongated slot extending from proximate said front end to proximate said rear end, said front and rear ends defining a depth of the modular merchandise display system;

a product pushing assembly slidably disposed in said elongated slot of each of said plurality of base trays, said pushing assembly being biased toward said front end of said base tray to automatically urge products being displayed toward said front end;

a side wall extending upward from one of said two opposing sides of each of said plurality of base trays, said side wall being arranged substantially perpendicular to said base tray;

means for selectively connecting each of said base trays with an adjacent base tray, wherein said side wall of a first base tray acts as one side of the merchandise display system and the side wall of a second adjacent base tray is selectively spaced from said side wall of the first base tray so as to create a product receiving space between the respective side walls, wherein said connecting means enables the product receiving space between said side walls to be selectively changed such that products of different size may be supported and displayed by the modular merchandise display system, and

an end cap for enclosing and creating the product receiving space between the side wall of a last base tray in said plurality, said end cap having adjustable connection means for adjustably connecting to a last of said plurality of base trays and enabling the product receiving space to be defmed between said end cap and said side wall of the last base tray;

wherein said connecting means comprises

at least one adjustment wing extending outwardly from one of said end cap and said last base tray, and having a plurality of holes extending along a length of said adjustment wing; and

at least one pin-like projection disposed on an underside of the other of said end cap and said last base tray and positionally aligned with said at least one adjustment wing such that said at least one pin-like projection engages one of said plurality of holes in said at least one adjustment wing.

9. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 8, further comprising means for shortening the depth of the merchandise display system to enable the merchandise display system to be disposed on shelves of varying depth.

10. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said means for shortening comprises:

at least one break point positioned on said base tray;

at least one break point positioned on said side wall and aligned with said at least one break point of said base tray; and

stopping means for limiting rearward movement of said product pushing assembly when said break points are used to shorten the depth of the modular merchandise display system.

11. A modular merchandise display system comprising:

a plurality of base trays each having a front end, a rear end, two opposing sides extending between said front and rear ends, and an elongated slot extending from proximate said front end to proximate said rear end, said front and rear ends defining a depth of the modular merchandise display system;

a product pushing assembly slidably disposed in said elongated slot of each of said plurality of base trays, said pushing assembly being biased toward said front end of said base tray to automatically urge products being displayed toward said front end;

a side wall extending upward from one of said two opposing sides of each of said plurality of base trays, said side wall being arranged substantially perpendicular to said base tray;

means for selectively connecting each of said base trays with an adjacent base tray, wherein said side wall of a first base tray acts as one side of the merchandise display system and the side wall of a second adjacent base tray is selectively spaced from said side wall of the first base tray so as to create a product receiving space between the respective side walls, wherein said connecting means enables the product receiving space between said side walls to be selectively changed such that products of different size may be supported and displayed by the modular merchandise display system; and

means for shortening the depth of the merchandise display system, comprising

a base tray break point positioned on said base tray;

a side wall break point positioned on said side wall of said base tray and aligned with said base tray break point of said base tray; and

stopping means for limiting rearward movement of said product pushing assembly when said base tray and side wall break points are used to shorten the depth of the modular merchandise display system, said stopping means comprising

a hole disposed in one of said base tray and said side wall and positioned in front of said base tray and said side wall break points; and

a push pin for inserting into said hole for preventing the rearward movement of said product pushing assembly beyond the base tray break point.

12. A modular merchandise display system comprising:

a plurality of base trays each having a front end, a rear end, two opposing sides extending between said front and rear ends, and an elongated slot extending from proximate said front end to proximate said rear end, said front and rear ends defining a depth of the modular merchandise display system for disposition on a shelf;

a product pushing assembly slidably disposed in said elongated slot of each of said plurality of base trays, said pushing assembly being biased toward said front end of said base tray to automatically urge products being displayed toward said front end;

a side wall extending upward from one of said two opposing sides of each of said plurality of base trays, said side wall being arranged substantially perpendicular to said base tray;

means for selectively connecting each of said base trays with an adjacent base tray, wherein said side wall of a first base tray acts as one side of the merchandise display system and the side wall of a second adjacent base tray is selectively spaced from said side wall of the first base tray so as to create a product receiving space between the respective side walls, wherein said connecting means enables the product receiving space between said side walls to be selectively changed such that products of different size may be supported and displayed by the modular merchandise display system; and

front support means for supporting and preventing the products being displayed from being pushed out of the display system by said product pushing assembly, said front support means comprising a lower slot disposed on an underside of said base tray and proximate said front end, an upper slot disposed on an upper surface of said base tray and being proximate said front end, a front rail having a lower portion for attaching said front rail to the shelf, a front angled face, and a flange extending upward from said lower portion and adapted to be received by said lower slot in said base tray, and a front panel having at least one ridge for engaging under said angled face of the front rail and providing a support barrier for preventing the products being displayed from being pushed out of the front end of said base tray.

13. A modular merchandise display system comprising:

a plurality of base trays each having a front end, a rear end, two opposing sides extending between said front and rear ends, and an elongated slot extending from proximate said front end to proximate said rear end, said front and rear ends defining a depth of the modular merchandise display system;

a product pushing assembly slidably disposed in said elongated slot of each of said plurality of base trays, said pushing assembly being biased toward said front end of said base tray to automatically urge products being displayed toward said front end;

a side wall extending upward from one of said two opposing sides of each of said plurality of base trays, said side wall being arranged substantially perpendicular to said base tray;

means for selectively connecting each of said base trays with an adjacent base tray, wherein said side wall of a first base tray acts as one side of the merchandise display system and the side wall of a second adjacent base tray is selectively spaced from said side wall of the first base tray so as to create a product receiving space between the respective side walls, wherein said connecting means enables the product receiving space between said side walls to be selectively changed such that products of different size may be supported and displayed by the modular merchandise display system, wherein said connecting means comprises

at least one adjustment wing extending outwardly from a side of each said base tray, and means for engaging said adjustment wing, said engaging means being disposed on an underside of said adjacent base tray, said adjustment wing and engaging means cooperating with each other to provide adjustment of the product receiving space.

14. The modular merchandise display system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said means for selectively connecting comprises:

at least one adjustment wing extending outward from the side of said base tray opposite said side wall, said at least one adjustment wing having a plurality of holes extending along a length of said adjustment wing; and

at least one pin-like projection disposed on an underside of said base tray and positionally aligned with said adjustment wing such that said pin-like projection engages one of said plurality of holes in the at least one adjustment wing of the adjacent base tray.

15. A modular merchandise display system comprising:

a plurality of base trays each having a front end, a rear end, two opposing sides extending between said front and rear ends, and an elongated slot extending from proximate said front end to proximate said rear end, said front and rear ends defining a depth of the modular merchandise display system;

a product pushing assembly slidably disposed in said elongated slot of each of said plurality of base trays, said pushing assembly being biased toward said front end of said base tray to automatically urge products being displayed toward said front end;

a side wall extending upward from one of said two opposing sides of each of said plurality of base trays, said side wall being arranged substantially perpendicular to said base tray;

said base trays in said plurality being disposed adjacent to each other on said shelf so that said side wall of a first base tray and said side wall of an adjacent base tray are selectively spaced from each other to create a product receiving space therebetween, each of said base trays including an adjustment wing extending outwardly from a base tray side, and an engagement region disposed on an underside of said base trays so that said adjustment wing of said first base tray engages said engagement region of said adjacent base tray, said adjustment wing and engagement region cooperating with each other to provide adjustment of the product receiving space.

16. A base tray module for use in a modular merchandise display system, comprising:

a base tray having a front end, a rear end, two opposing sides extending between said front and rear ends, and an elongated slot extending from proximate said front end to proximate said rear end, said front and rear ends defining a depth of the modular merchandise display system for disposition on a shelf;

a product pushing assembly slidably disposed in said elongated slot of said base tray, said pushing assembly being biased toward said front end of said base tray to automatically urge products being displayed toward said front end;

a side wall extending upward from one of said two opposing sides of said base tray, said side wall being arranged substantially perpendicular to said base tray; and

an adjustment wing extending outwardly from one of said base tray sides, and an engagement region disposed on an underside of said base tray so that said adjustment wing of said base tray engages an engagement region of an adjacent base tray having an adjacent base tray side wall for forming a product receiving space between said side wall of said base tray and said side wall of said adjacent base tray, said adjustment wing and engagement region cooperating with each other to provide adjustment of the product receiving space.