Product management display system

• US 9,173,504 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Hardy, Stephen N.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US14/245,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20140217042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 211/151, 211/59.2, 211/59.3, 211/119.003, 211/4, 211/184, 108/61, 108/60, 108/71, 108/6, 312/126, 312/135, 312/61, 312/71, 312/128, 312/131, 312/132, 312/137, 414/276, 193/35.R, 193/35.J, 198/861.1, 221/227, 221/255, 221/279, 221/75, 221/76, 221/90, 221/242, 221/226, 221/229, 221/231, 221/232
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/585 with connection means slidable in a rail
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/005 Partitions therefore horizontally adjustable A47B57/58; constructional details of drawers A47B88/90
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/0014 for a horizontal stack of flat articles in an almost vertical position; Stabilising means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A merchandise display system can include a front rail, at least one divider configured to engage the front rail, the at least one divider including a barrier. The at least one divider may also include a divider wall, and a roller carriage extending along the divider wall. The roller carriage can be provided with a plurality of rollers, and the roller carriage can be configured to advance the product. Additionally a cam can be coupled to the divider. Additionally, the roller carriage can be tilted such that the product is configured to move toward the barrier. The roller carriage can be formed of a first portion and a second portion, and the roller carriage can provided with a plurality of axles that are configured to receive the plurality of rollers such that the plurality of rollers are configured to rotate on the roller carriage. A method for forming a merchandise display system is also contemplated.

Claims

1. A merchandise display system comprising:

a front rail configured to mount to a shelf;

at least one roller assembly configured to connect to the front rail comprising a roller carriage having a plurality of rollers, the plurality of rollers being configured to advance product;

a barrier located on the roller assembly; and

a cam coupled to the barrier, wherein the cam is configured to move between a first position and a second position,

wherein the roller assembly is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) secured in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the roller assembly is engaged with the front rail and the cam is in the first position, and

wherein the roller assembly is (a) fixed in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) secured in the direction perpendicular to the front rail when the roller assembly is engaged with the front rail and the cam is in the second position.

2. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the cam includes a handle to rotate the cam between the first position and the second position.

3. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the cam includes one or more cam walls configured to engage one or more groove walls in the front rail when the cam is in the second position.

4. The merchandise display system of claim 1 wherein the roller assembly is tilted relative to a horizontal plane such that the product is configured to move toward the barrier.

5. The merchandise display system of claim 1 wherein the roller carriage is formed of a first portion and a second portion.

6. The merchandise display system of claim 5 wherein the first portion and the second portion of the roller carriage are provided with a plurality of fingers that are configured to engage to secure the first portion and the second portion of the roller carriage together.

7. The merchandise display system of claim 5 wherein the first portion and the second portion are formed identically.

8. The merchandise display system of claim 1 wherein the roller carriage is provided with a plurality of axles that are configured to receive the plurality of rollers such that the plurality of rollers are configured to rotate on the roller carriage.

9. The merchandise display system of claim 8 wherein the axles are tapered to receive the rollers.

10. The merchandise display system of claim 1 wherein the roller carriage further comprises a scalloped floor having a series of rounded portions configured to receive the rollers during assembly.

11. The merchandise display system of claim 1 wherein the at least one roller assembly comprises a divider wall.

12. A method of assembling a merchandise display system comprising:

providing a front rail configured to mount to a shelf;

forming at least one divider having a first end and a second end and configuring the divider to engage the front rail, providing the at least one divider with a barrier, a divider wall, and a divider floor extending perpendicular to the divider wall;

forming a roller carriage with a plurality of rollers and configuring the roller carriage to connect to the divider floor to advance product; and

providing the divider with a cam coupled to the divider and configuring the cam to move relative to the divider between a first position and a second position.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising configuring the at least one divider to move in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and to be secured in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the at least one divider is engaged with the front rail and the cam is in the first position, and configuring the at least one divider to be fixed in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail and to be secured in the direction perpendicular to the front rail when the at least one divider is engaged with the front rail and the cam is in the second position.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing the cam with one or more cam walls configured to engage one or more groove walls in the front rail when the cam is in the second position.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising tilting the roller carriage relative to a horizontal plane such that product is configured to advance toward the barrier when in the merchandise display system.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising forming the roller carriage of a first portion and a second portion.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first portion and the second portion of the roller carriage are provided with a plurality of fingers that are configured to engage to secure the first portion and the second portion of the roller carriage together.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing the roller carriage with a plurality of axles that are configured to receive the plurality of rollers and configuring the plurality of rollers to rotate on the roller carriage.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising tapering the axles for receiving the rollers.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising forming a series of rounded portions in the roller carriage for receiving the rollers during assembly.