Merchandising system

• US 7,168,579 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: DCI Marketing Inc (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Richter, Gary M., Bryson, M. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US10/656,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20040079715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.3, 211/59.2, 211/59.4, 211/51, 211/184, 312/71, 312/61
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

A merchandising system provides for the presentation and storage of articles comprising a base having a front and a back, the base being configured to support the articles and defining a first space for containing the articles. In addition, the merchandising system comprises an assembly for advancing the articles toward the front of the base, wherein the assembly comprises a member configured to extend beyond the base to create a second space for containing the articles in addition to the first space.

Claims

1. A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles comprising:

a first base having a front edge, a back edge spaced apart from the front edge, a length between the front edge and the back edge, and sides and configured to support the articles;

an assembly movably coupled to the first base for advancing the articles toward the front of the base;

wherein a first side is configured to be coupled to the first base in a first position to define a first space;

wherein the first side is configured to be coupled to the first base in a second position to define a second space; and

wherein the assembly comprises a member movable along the length of the first base and configured to extend beyond the back edge of the base to create a third space for containing the articles in addition to the first and second spaces.

2. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first side is not integrally formed with the first base.

3. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first side is configured to directly couple to the first base in the first position and the second position.

4. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the member comprises a curved pusher.

5. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the member is integrally formed as one piece.

6. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the member comprises a substantially vertically oriented portion configured to longitudinally extend beyond the back of the first base to create the third space.

7. The merchandising system of claim 1 further comprising members that adjustably couple the first side to the first base.

8. The merchandising system of claim 7 wherein the members are integrally formed with the first side.

9. The merchandising system of claim 7 wherein the members comprise portions that releasably engage the first base.

10. The merchandising system of claim 9 wherein the portions that releasably engage the first base comprise connectors.

11. The merchandising system of claim 7 wherein the members are configured to be provided in a first configuration and in a second configuration.

12. The merchandising system of claim 11 wherein the members engage the first base in the first configuration and disengage the first base in the second configuration.

13. The merchandising system of claim 12 wherein the second configuration is vertically spaced from the first configuration.

14. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the assembly is slidably engaged with the first base.

15. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the assembly for advancing the articles further comprises a biasing mechanism that provides a biasing force to the member.

16. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first base has a beveled surface near the back for allowing the articles to advance smoothly.

17. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first base does not include a back wall.

18. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first base comprises one or more projections on at least one side.

19. The merchandising system of claim 18 wherein the projections are configured to couple to a side of a second base.

20. The merchandising system of claim 18 wherein the projections are configured to couple to apertures on a second base.

21. The merchandising system of claim 1 further comprising a panel for displaying article information.

22. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first space and the second space are storage spaces for the articles.

23. A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles comprising:

a first base having a front, a back and sides and configured to support the articles;

an assembly movably coupled to the first base and biased to advance the articles toward the front of the base;

a first side configured to be coupled to the first base in a first position to define a first space, wherein the first side is configured to be coupled to the first base in a second position to define a second space;

at least one member that adjustably couples the first side to the first base, wherein the members are adjustable in an at least partially vertical direction; and

wherein the assembly comprises a member configured to extend beyond the base to create a third space for containing the articles in addition to the first and second spaces.