Adjustable track system for modular display systems

• US 6,484,891 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Burke Display Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Burke Display Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Burke, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Lev, Bruce A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US09/817,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20010035383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.2, 211/59.3, 211/51, 211/184, 211/134, 211/175, 312/61, 312/71, 221/279, 108/61
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

A display rack comprises a frame, at least one dividing base unit and a track. The track supports a follower arrangement. The base unit comprises a partition wall and a support surface. The track is positioned on the support surface and is capable of lateral translation relative to the support surface. The base unit itself is laterally displaceable relative to the frame. The base unit reinforces the track unit against generally vertical bending forces.

Claims

1. A display rack comprising a frame, a base unit and a track, said base unit comprising a generally vertical dividing wall portion and a generally horizontal support surface portion, said track being disposed on said generally horizontal support surface portion, said track carrying a pusher block, said pusher block being capable of translating along said track in a generally longitudinal direction there to and being biased to a forward direction, and said track being capable of translating along said support surface portion of said base unit in a generally lateral direction without removal from said base unit and said base unit being capable of translating along said frame in a generally lateral direction without removal from said frame.

2. The display rack of claim 1, wherein said base unit comprises a first pair of generally parallel vertical ribs extending upward from said support surface portion and extending generally parallel to said track, said track being disposed between said ribs and said ribs defining a range of lateral motion of said track, whereby the lateral motion is generally normal to said generally longitudinal direction that said pusher block is capable of translating along.

3. The display rack of claim 1, wherein said support surface portion comprises a top surface and a bottom surface and said track comprises a base plate having a contact surface, said contact surface and said top surface both being substantially smooth such that a low friction interface is achieved between said base plate and said support surface portion.

4. The display rack of claim 3 wherein said base unit further comprises a first pair of longitudinal ribs extending upward from said support surface portion, said first pair of ribs being separated by a first lateral dimension, said base plate having a second lateral dimension and said first lateral dimension being greater than said second lateral dimension.

5. The display rack of claim 4, wherein said ribs are continuous.

6. The display rack of claim 4, further comprising an additional rib disposed along a lateral edge of said support surface portion located opposite said dividing wall portion.

7. The display rack of claim 1 further comprising an end clip that is connected to said track and said end clip being slidably received within a portion of said frame.

8. The display rack of claim 7, wherein said base unit is secured in vertical position at least in part by said track and said track is secured in vertical position at least in part by said end clip and said frame.

9. The display rack of claim 1 wherein said base unit supports only a single track.

10. A display rack comprising a front panel, a rear panel spaced from said front panel, at least one divider generally extending between said front panel and said rear panel, said divider comprising a support surface and a partition, said divider being laterally slidable relative to said front panel, a track being laterally slidably positioned on said support surface, said track generally extending between said front panel and said rear panel, said track supporting a forward biased pusher block, said track being connected to at least one of said front panel and said rear panel such that said track is secured from substantial vertical movement and said track at least partially securing said divider from substantial vertical movement.

11. The display rack of claim 10, wherein said support surface is generally horizontally extending.

12. The display rack of claim 11, wherein said partition is generally vertically extending.

13. The display rack of claim 10, wherein said track is connected to said front panel and said rear panel.

14. The display rack of claim 10, wherein at least one of said front panel and said rear panel comprises a laterally extending groove, said track being secured in said groove for lateral movement.

15. The display rack of claim 14, wherein said groove is formed in said front panel and said rear panel also comprises a groove, said track being secured in both of said grooves for lateral movement.

16. The display rack of claim 10, wherein said support surface comprises a first generally vertical rib and a second generally vertical rib, said track being positioned between said ribs.

17. The display rack of claim 10, wherein said track has a first generally horizontal product supporting surface, said first generally horizontal product supporting surface of said track having a first height relative to said support surface of said divider, said first and second ribs extending upward from said support surface of said divider.