Shelf item display accessory

• US 8,474,781 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2010
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IBT Holdings LLC (Western Union)
• Original Assignee: IBT Holdings LLC (Western Union)
• Inventors: Deguglimo, Joe, Robinson, Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): Michener, Joshua J
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARNETT, DEVIN K
• Application Number:
  US12/910,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20120097626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 982 Days
• Field of Search: 211/119.003, 211/59.3, 211/59.2, 211/4, 211/183, 211/90.01, 211/90.02, 211/90.04, 211/134, 3405681-5684, 248/551, 312/234.4, 108/97, 108/98, 108/108
• US Class Current: 248/551
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0068 Shelf extensions, e.g. fixed on price rail

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for displaying items of goods on shelving systems. A shelf display accessory unit can include a top panel with a top surface configured for displaying an item of goods, and a bottom surface which is opposite the top surface, that includes a module that houses a cable. The shelf display accessory unit further can include a front panel having a display surface that is configured to display a label, and a back panel having a supporting surface that includes means for coupling the shelf display accessory unit to a front portion of a shelf. In embodiments, the shelf display accessory unit can include a cable that has one end anchored to the module and the other end connected to the item of goods. In embodiments, the shelf display accessory unit further can include a flap coupled to the front panel and configured to secure a label to the front panel of the shelf display accessory unit.

Claims

1. A theft deterrent shelf display accessory unit for displaying an item of goods on a shelving system, comprising:

a shelf comprising a hollow bottom defining a storage space,

a top panel having a top surface configured for displaying an item of good and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having attached directly thereon a module that houses a retractable cable within the storage space;

a front panel having a display surface that is configured to display a label;

side walls and a back wall wherein the front panel, the side walls and the back panel conceal the module;

a spring loaded hinged flap rotably affixed to a front bottom edge of the front panel directly by a spring loaded hinge, wherein the flap secures a label to the front panel; and

, the back panel having a supporting surface that includes a channel bracket having a flange that is parallel to the supporting surface, wherein the channel bracket attaches the shelf display accessory to a front edge of a shelf by screwing the shelf display accessory unit onto a backside of the front edge of the shelf to secure the shelf display accessory unit to the shelf;

wherein the front edge of the shelf is wedged between the supporting surface and the flange;

wherein when displaying an item of goods on the top surface of the top panel of the shelf display accessory unit, one end of the retractable cable is anchored to the module and the other end is attached to the item of goods in order to prevent the item of goods from being stolen or misplaced.

2. A method for displaying an item of goods on a shelving system, the method comprising:

providing a theft deterrent shelf display accessory unit, the theft deterrent shelf display accessory unit including;

a shelf comprising a hollow bottom defining a storage space, a top panel having a top surface configured for displaying an item of goods and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having attached directly thereon a module that houses a retractable cable within the storage space;

a front panel having a display surface that is configured to display a label;

side walls and a back wall wherein the front panel, the side walls and the back panel conceal the module;

a spring loaded hinged flap rotably affixed to a front bottom edge of the front panel directly by a spring loaded hinge, wherein the flap to secures a label to the front panel; and

,

the back panel having a supporting surface that includes a channel bracket having a flange that is parallel to the supporting surface, wherein the channel bracket attaches the shelf display accessory to a front edge of a shelf by screwing the shelf display accessory unit onto a backside of the front edge of the shelf to secure the shelf display accessory unit to the shelf;

wherein the front edge of the shelf is wedged between the supporting surface and the flange;

displaying an item of goods on the top surface of the top panel of the shelf display accessory unit wherein one end of the retractable cable is anchored to the module and the other end is attached to the item of goods in order to prevent the item of goods from being stolen or misplaced.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising extending at least a portion of the cable outside the module coupled to the shelf display accessory unit.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising retracting at least a portion of the cable inside the module coupled to the shelf display accessory unit.