Product securement and management system

• US 7,497,341 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2007
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Syvuk, Max, Ward, John, Gold, Adam, Hardy, Stephen, Swafford, John
• Primary Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US11/945,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20080135507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.2, 211/4, 211/189, 211/184, 211/187, 211/8, 211/9, 211/119.003, 312/215
• US Class Current: 211/59.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/04 of buildings

Abstract

A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred. In another embodiment, an alert device may be configured to detect and monitor movement of the moveable barriers and may provide an alert signal corresponding to the management of product on the shelf or corresponding to a potential theft situation. In an embodiment, the alert device may communicate with a security camera to monitor the vicinity and provide a notification to the potential thief that his actions are being monitored and recorded, or provide a notification to store computer, pager, cellular telephone, or the like. In yet another embodiment, lock mechanisms may be used to further secure high-risk theft items. Also, clips or clip members may be incorporated to further secure the product dividers to the shelves. In addition, an adjustable power bar may be included that is adjustable to accommodate the height adjustments made to the shelves.

Claims

1. A product management and securement system, comprising:

a first shelf and a top wall, the first shelf having a first front edge;

a plurality of vertical dividers positioned between the first shelf and the top wall;

a plurality of pushers for urging items toward the front of the system,

a retaining wall positioned adjacent the first front edge and extending toward the top wall, the retaining wall having a height for obstructing access to the items placed between the first shelf and the top wall; and

a barrier mounted to the system above the first shelf, wherein the barrier is configured (a) to pivot between an open and closed position and (b) to substantially obstruct access to items placed between the first shelf and the top wall when in the closed position,

wherein the system is configured to urge the barrier to pivot toward the closed position, and,

wherein the retaining wall and the barrier substantially block access to items placed between the first shelf and the top wall when the barrier is in the closed position, and wherein the barrier permits the removal of a single product when the barrier is in the open position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the retaining wall and the barrier provides an effective wall that is sufficiently transparent so as to allow a user to see through the effective wall, whereby a user may see items placed between the first shelf and the top wall.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting that the barrier is not in the closed position.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an alert device configured to indicate that the barrier has not been in the closed position for a predetermined period of time.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor is configured to detect that the barrier is in a position selected from the list consisting of a position in between the closed and open position and the open position.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a signal indicating that the barrier is not in the closed position, the system further comprising a notification device configured to provide an indication that the barrier has not been in the closed position for a predetermined time period in responsive to the signal received from the sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first shelf is configured to be translatable between an open and a closed position, the open position being suitable for restocking purposes.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the retaining wall includes a hole and the system further comprises a locking member configured to be positioned in the hole, the locking member configured to selectively lock the barrier wall in the closed position, and wherein the locking member is a key-actuated mechanism.

9. A product management and securement system, comprising:

a display system for displaying product, the display system including a shelf with a front edge and a top wall above the shelf;

a plurality of dividers positioned between the shelf and the top wall;

a retaining wall mounted near the front edge of the shelf;

a barrier mounted at least partially above the retaining wall, the barrier positionable between an open and a closed position, wherein the barrier includes a handle to assist in moving the barrier from the closed position to the open position to permit the removal of a single product from the shelf, and the barrier, when in the closed position, is configured to substantially obstruct access to the shelf;

a sensor configured to detect that the barrier is not in the closed position and to provide a signal in response to the detection that the barrier is not in the closed position; and

a notification device configured to be responsive to the signal and to indicate that the barrier has not been in the closed position for a predetermined time period, wherein the indication the notification device is configured to provide is an audible sound.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of dividers substantially extend the distance between the shelf and the top wall and substantially extend to the retaining wall.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a spring-urged pusher positioned between two of the plurality of dividers, the pusher configured to urge items toward the front edge of the shelf.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor is configured to detect that the barrier is in the open position.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor is selected from the list consisting of a push-button switch, a motion sensor and a magnetic switch.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the indication the notification device is configured to provide is a transmission of a signal indicating the barrier has been moved from the closed position for a predetermined time period.

15. A product management and securement system, comprising:

a shelf with a front edge, the shelf including a plurality of tracks;

a pusher positioned in at least one of the plurality of tracks;

a divider positioned between two of the plurality of tracks;

a top wall positioned above the shelf;

a retaining wall;

a barrier pivotally mounted above the shelf, the barrier pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the barrier comprises a handle configured to assist in moving the barrier from the closed position to the open position and the barrier blocks access to the shelf when in the closed position;

a sensor configured to provide a signal in response to detecting that the barrier is not in the closed position; and

a notification device, the notification device is configured to be responsive to the signal and to provide an indication that the barrier has not been in the closed position for a predetermined time period, the indication including an audible sound.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the retaining wall is supported by the shelf and the barrier is supported by the top wall and is configured to extend toward the shelf.