Shelf tray system

• US 6,409,028 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: DCI Marketing Inc (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Nickerson, Terry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harris, Erica B.
• Application Number:
  US09/815,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20010010302A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.2, 211/59.3, 211/175, 211/184, 108/61
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

A self-facing, add-on shelf system is made up of universal base, divider, front, and rear sections. Universal in the sense that these sections form basic building sections for constructing shelf systems of various sizes and operational mode. The front and rear track sections are identical and can be combined with various combinations of bases, dividers and end sections to provide systems of different, desired widths. The depth of the self-facing shelf is generally set by the depth of the shelf with which it is to be used. The individual sections can be selected and combined to provide center pusher, side pusher, and gravity feed types of self facing systems. The bases, dividers and end sections are configured such that they can be extruded and interlock in assembly.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising:

a shelf divider comprising;

a generally vertical panel having a longitudinal extension and defining a longitudinally-extending slot, wherein the slot is defined by a back wall and two L-shaped projections extending away from the back wall, wherein the back wall is non-coplanar with the vertical panel; and

a generally horizontal panel having a longitudinal extension and defining a horizontal support surface, the shelf divider configured to be slidable along a track;

a pusher assembly slidable along the slot on the vertical panel; and

a biasing element biasing the pusher assembly toward a first end of the shelf divider.

2. A shelving system comprising:

a shelf divider including a generally vertical panel having a longitudinal extension and defining a longitudinally-extending slot, and a generally horizontal panel having a longitudinal extension and defining a horizontal support surface, wherein the slot is substantially enclosed and defined by a back wall and two L-shaped projections extending away from the back wall, wherein the back wall is non-coplanar with the vertical panel;

a pusher assembly slidable along said slot on said vertical panel; and

a biasing element biasing said pusher assembly toward a first end of said shelf divider.

3. A shelf dividing system comprising:

a vertical panel having a longitudinal extension;

a slot provided on said vertical panel, said slot having a back wall non-coplanar with said vertical panel;

a horizontal panel having a longitudinal extension parallel to said longitudinal extension of said vertical panel, said horizontal panel being connected to said vertical panel;

a pusher assembly slidable along said slot on said vertical panel; and

a biasing element biasing said pusher assembly toward a first end of said vertical panel.

4. The shelf dividing system of claim 3, wherein the slot is defined by a back wall and two L-shaped projections extending away from the back wall.

5. The shelf dividing system of claim 3 wherein said vertical panel and said horizontal panel are integrally formed to define a shelf divider.

6. The shelf dividing system of claim 5 wherein said shelf divider is configured to be slidable along a track.

7. The shelf dividing system of claim 5 wherein said shelf divider is extruded.

8. The shelf dividing system of claim 5 further comprising a track having a longitudinal extension that is perpendicular to said longitudinal extensions of said vertical and horizontal panels of said shelf divider.

9. The shelf dividing system of claim 8 wherein said shelf divider is releasably interconnectable with said track.

10. The shelf dividing system of claim 8 wherein said track is extruded.

11. The shelf dividing system of claim 8, wherein said track includes a mounting structure formed integrally therewith, and wherein said shelf divider includes a mounting structure that is releasably secured to said mounting structure of said track.

12. The shelf dividing system of claim 11, wherein said mounting structure of said track includes a holding rib and a lip, and wherein said mounting structure of said shelf divider includes a slot receiving said rib and a portion received under said lip.

13. The shelf dividing system of claim 3 wherein said horizontal panel includes a horizontal support surface extending along said longitudinal extension of said horizontal panel.

14. The shelf dividing system of claim 13 wherein said horizontal panel includes a plurality of low-friction ribs provided on said horizontal panel.

15. The shelf dividing system of claim 14 wherein said ribs are integrally formed with said horizontal panel.

16. The shelf dividing system of claim 3 wherein said pusher assembly includes a substantially T-shaped tab positioned within and slidable along said slot, and wherein said slot is substantially T-shaped to correspond to the shape of said tab.

17. The shelf dividing system of claim 3, wherein said biasing element includes a coil spring having a first end anchored at said first end of said vertical panel and a coil portion positioned adjacent the side of said pusher assembly facing away from said first end of said vertical panel.