US20050150847A1 - Adjustable divider base for a display rack - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a display rack (100) having a base (103) that further includes a plurality of recessed troughs that form a plurality of slots (110) whereby each of the plurality of slots include a plurality of holes (108) therein. The display rack further includes a plurality of divider pieces (102) whereby each one of the divider pieces is adapted for insertion into a selected one of the slots of the base. The dividers also include a plurality of tabs (112) that are aligned with the plurality of holes within its respective slot so as to facilitate stability and rigidity of the dividers when mated and recessed within its respective slot of the base. The dividers take the form of a L-shaped configuration which allows the dividers to be recessed within a slot of the base in a first or a second orientation thereby allowing variable bin width adjustment with respect to adjacent dividers. The dividers may also take form of a T-shaped configuration which, when used in conjunction with L-shaped dividers, allow for even finer adjustment of adjacent bin widths.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates, in general, to a display rack having adjustable dividers and, in particular, to a display rack having a base with adjustable bin sizes for storing, allocating and managing shelf space among rows of products.
• In retail stores, such as in grocery stores, products are displayed on shelves for customer inspection and selection. It is therefore desirable that products be organized on the shelves to maximize the use of the shelf space since shelf space is very valuable in the grocery store. Accordingly, efficient use of the shelf space and the organized and appealing representation of the products displayed on the shelf are important for effective sale of products. Typically when displaying such products, an elongated shelf of a standard length (for example 3 or 4 feet) will be subdivided by vertical walls or dividers to provide appropriate bins of suitable widths to accommodate various products to be displayed. However, since the shapes and sizes of products vary greatly and since inventories, promotions, and sales are constantly changing, there is a need for efficiently and quickly adjusting of the width of the bins with increased variability.
• Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,694, there is described a shelf organizer that comprises a two element assembly; a front stop rail and a vertical divider whereby a plurality of such vertical dividers are adapted to be slidably and releaseably retained by the stop rail. However, although this shelf organizer is capable of bin width adjustability, the dividers are attached to the front stop rail thereby requiring it to be attached to existing conventional shelving.
• Hence, there exist a need for an improved adjustable shelf organizer having bin width adjustability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout,
• FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an adjustable divider base display rack in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the display rack ofFIG. 1 illustrating its use for storing a plurality of product types having different widths;
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged portion of a divider illustrating the locking clips;
• FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the display rack illustrating the front of the rack in more detail;
• FIG. 5 is a partial end view of the display rack illustrating in detail how the width between the dividers can be adjusted based on the orientation of the dividers with respect to the base;
• FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating an adjustable divider base display rack in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 7 is a partial end view of the display rack, similar toFIG. 5, illustrating in detail how the width between the dividers can be adjusted based on the orientation of the dividers with respect to the base and based on the selection of types of dividers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown an isometric view illustrating adjustable dividerbase display rack100.Display rack100 includesbase103 that includes a plurality of recessed trough regions that form a plurality ofslots110. Each of the plurality ofslots110 includes a plurality ofholes108 therein. Theholes108 typically start at the front ofbase103 and are spaced apart throughout its respective slot from front to back by a predetermined distance. However, it should be understood that a variety of hole patterns inslots110 may be utilized. Further, the plurality ofslots110 are positioned betweenfirst side114 andsecond side116 and are typically spaced apart by a predetermined distance. However, it should be understood that a variety of slot patterns withinbase103 may be utilized.
• Display rack100 also includes a plurality ofdividers102 for insertion into the plurality ofslots110.Dividers102 are typically pieces of plastic acting as a wall or divider for separating products on the shelf and keeping the products from hitting each other on their sides. The plurality ofdividers102 form a plurality of bins where each bin is typically defined by two adjacent dividers. It is understood thatdividers102 can be made at various heights to accommodate variable types of products.Dividers102 havelocking clips112 for mating withcorresponding holes108 ofbase103. In this manner,dividers102 are received by respective ones ofslots110 wherebylocking clips112 are designed to align with arespective hole108 of itscorresponding slot110. In a preferred embodiment, a pair oflocking clips112 are aligned to mate with one of theholes108 so as to provide increased stability and rigidity ofdivider102.
• As will be shown in more detail hereinafter,dividers102 may be inserted intoslots110 in at least two orientations. The first orientation may be represented bydivider102a,which takes the form of an L-shaped configuration, whereby theportion118 ofdivider102 is closer tofirst side114 ofbase103 than the outer edge ofportion120 ofdivider102a.A second orientation for insertion of adivider102 intobase103 may be represented bydivider102b,which takes the form of a reverse L-shaped configuration, whereby theportion122 ofdivider102bis closer tosecond edge116 ofbase103 than the outer edge (not visible inFIG. 1) of theportion124. As will be further explained hereinafter, the width of a bin that is formed between twoadjacent dividers102 may be adjusted based on the orientation of how adjacent dividers are inserted into the slots ofbase103.Portion120 ofdivider102atypically has a width that is substantially the same as the width of one of theslots110 to which it is to be inserted therein such that, when inserted,dividers102 are snapped intoslots110 forlocking dividers102 in place thereby giving it rigidity and stability.
• Display rack100 also includes afront stop104 for use in preventing products positioned behind it from falling off the front of the display rack when stocked. Thefront stop104 is typically needed with dairy cases that are stocked from behind to prevent the product from falling off the shelf. It is understood, however, thatfront stop104 is optional whereby the deli lip generally associated with a retailer's shelves may also serve as a stop for products. Thefront stop104 is designed to be removable and may be attached tobase103 in a similar manner thatdividers102 are attached. That is,front stop104 may include locking clips, similar tolocking clips112 ofdividers102, for insertion into a slot (similar to slots110) having corresponding holes (similar to holes108) onbase103. However, it should be understood thatfront stop104 may be secured tobase103 in other ways such as by a molded pin-and-boss arrangement.Display rack100 also includescurved member106, which is attached tofront stop104 for securingbase103 over the deli lip and for ensuring thatbase103 is in a more stable position.Front stop104 andcurved member106 will explained in more detail hereinafter with respect toFIG. 4.
• FIG. 1 also illustrates thatbase103 includesbreak point regions119 and thatdividers102 includesbreak point regions117. These break point regions are regions on the molded plastic where the plastic is typically thinner to allow the plastic to be snapped off fairly easily at such regions. In this manner, the break point regions allow the depth ofdisplay rack100 to be quickly modified for different retailer store space configurations. Thebreak point regions119 are located onbase103 starting near the front ofbase103 and extending to the back ofbase103 and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Thebreak point regions117 ondividers102 correspond to and align withbreak point regions119 so that thebase103 anddividers102 can be custom tailored for a variety of applications. It is understood that these break point regions may start at virtually any desired distance from the front ofbase103 and be spaced apart by any desired distance. Further, they may be randomly or unequally spaced apart. Althoughbreak point regions119 onbase103 are only illustrated as only running fromside114 toside116, it is understood that a similar set of break point regions could exist onbase103 that run from front to back thereby allowing the width ofdisplay rack100 to be quickly modified. Accordingly, these break point regions allow for easy modification of the width or depth of thedisplay rack100 for a variety of applications for the retailer.
• FIG. 1 also illustrates thatbase103 includes a plurality ofdrainage holes126. These holes provide a path to drain any leakage of products that are stored onbase103 thereby helping to keep the products cleaner and dryer. This drainage feature will be described in more detail when discussing the molded rails with respect toFIG. 5
• Display rack100 is typically formed from an injection molded flat piece of plastic but other materials may also be used. The dimensions ofbase103 may be, for example, 22 inches in depth and 24 inches wide and approximately ¼ inch in height. However, it should be understood that these dimensions may be different to accommodate a variety of applications and uses. Further, through the use of break point regions,display rack100 may be tailored for just about any application.
• Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown an isometric view ofdisplay rack100 ofFIG. 1 illustrating its use for storing a plurality of different product types having variable widths.FIG. 2 illustrates thatdividers102d,102e,102f,102gand102hmay be spaced appropriately within selected ones ofslots110 ofbase103 so as to provide bins of different width for accommodating product types having different widths. For example,dividers102dand102eare appropriately spaced apart to accommodate the width of afirst product type202. Similarly,divider102fis spaced appropriately apart fromdivider102eto accommodate asecond product type204. Also, divider102gis spaced appropriately apart fromdivider102fto accommodate athird product type206. Finally,divider102his spaced appropriately apart fromdivider102gto accommodate afourth product type208. Accordingly, it is clear that the present invention readily allows dividers to be placed withinbase103 in a plurality of different orientations and spacing differences so as to create a plurality of different bin sizes to accommodate a plurality of different product types having different widths.
• Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown an enlarged portion ofdivider102. As shown inFIG. 3, atypical divider102 is configured in an L-shaped configuration having first andsecond portions302 and304 whereby, when inserted intobase103,portion302 is typically perpendicular tobase103 andportion304 is typically parallel withbase103. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited toportions302 and304 being formed in these directions. As aforementioned with respect toFIG. 1,divider102 may be inserted into a selected one ofslots110 in at least two different orientations. The first orientation represents an L-shaped configuration and is characterized byportion302 being closer to edge114 (ofbase103 ofFIG. 1) thanedge305 ofportion304. The first orientation was generally shown inFIG. 1 bydivider102a.The second orientation represents a reverse L-shaped configuration and is characterized byportion302 being closer to edge116 (ofbase103 ofFIG. 1) thanedge305 ofportion304. The second orientation was generally shown inFIG. 1 bydivider102b.As should be observed, the second orientation is a 180-degree rotation ofdivider102 with respect to the first orientation. As a variation to divider102, it is understood thatportion302 may be rounded, as opposed to linear, so as to efficiently store circular products such as frozen pizzas, and the like. In such case,portion304 would remain the same as still be inserted into a selected one ofslots110 andportion302 would be integrally molded withportion304.
• FIG. 3 also illustratestabs112 in more detail. In particular,tabs112 include anglededges306 and308 for aligning with the first and second edges, respectively, of acorresponding hole108 of aslot110. This allows for easier insertion ofdivider102 intobase103 while still providing appropriate rigidity and stability of the divider when inserted and received byslot110. It should be understood thattabs112 could also be rounded at the edges, as opposed to having angledmembers306 and308, for easier insertion intoslots110. Further, it should be understood thattabs112 may take a plurality of different configurations to enable easier insertion intoholes108 while still providing appropriate rigidity and stability for thedivider102 when inserted into a selectedslot110 of thebase103.
• Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown a partial side view of the display illustrating the front portion in more detail.FIG. 4 illustrates thattop surface412 offront stop104 is coplanar withtop surface410 ofbase103. This feature allows products that are stored onbase103 to fully rest up against the vertical portion offront stop104 thereby efficiently utilizing as much shelf space as possible. Further, by not having a raised portion caused by the insertion of front stop intobase103, products easily slide to the edge of the front stop thereby minimizing damage to the products.FIG. 4 also illustrates thatcurved member106 is attached to base103 whereby such attachment may be accomplished by moldingmember106 withbase103 or by otherwise securingmember106 tobase103 by the use of glue, screws or the like.
• Referring now toFIG. 5, there is shown a partial end view ofdisplay rack100 illustrating in detail how the width betweenadjacent dividers102 can be varied based on the orientation direction that the dividers are inserted intobase103.Dividers102kand102lare recessed withinbase103 in a first orientation that represents an L-shaped configuration, as shown, On the other hand,dividers102jand102mare recessed withinbase103 in a second orientation that represents a reverse L-shaped configuration, as shown. Becausedivider102jis recessed in the first orientation and itsadjacent divider102kis recessed in the second orientation, the width of a first bin is represented bydistance502. Similarly, becauseadjacent dividers102kand102lare both recessed in slots ofbase103 in the first orientation, a second bin width may be achieved as represented bydistance504. Finally, because divider102lis recessed inbase103 in the first orientation and itsadjacent divider102mis recessed inbase103 in the second orientation, a third bin width may be achieved as represented bydistance506.
• It should be clearly observed thatdistance502 is a smaller distance than what the distance betweenadjacent dividers102jand102kwould be if either one of the dividers were recessed in their opposite orientations. For example, if the orientation ofdivider102kwas reversed, then the bin width would be similar todistance504. Likewise, if the orientation ofdividers102jand102kwere both reversed, then the bin width would be similar todistance506. It is in this manner that the widths of the bins may be adjusted.
• It is understood that although the adjacent dividers shown inFIG. 5 are placed in consecutive recessed troughs/slots for simplicity, it is understood that larger bin widths may be obtained by skipping one or more slots between adjacent dividers. Nonetheless, based on the orientation of each of the adjacent dividers, the bin width defined by such adjacent dividers may be finely tuned. Accordingly,FIG. 5 clearly shows that based on the orientation of insertion ofdividers102 into its corresponding slots ofbase103, a plurality of bin width offsets may be achieved. Further, since space on retail shelves is extremely valuable, savings of ¼ inch, ⅛ inch or even less in some bin widths is a tremendous selling point for use of the present invention.
• As is also shown inFIG. 5,base103 includes recessed troughs that form slots for receiving and mating with the plurality ofdividers102. Whendivider102 is fully inserted into a recessed trough ofbase103, thetop surface510 ofbase103 is substantially planar with thetop surface512 ofdivider102. This provides for a substantially planar bottom surface for each of the bins thereby providing a better storage space for products.
• FIG. 5 also shows moldedrails508 that exist on the bottom portion ofbase103.Rails508 function to raise theoverall display rack100 off the retailer's shelf that it typically rests upon thereby allowing potentially leaky products, such as milk and the like, to adequately drain below thatdivider rack100 throughholes126. Thus, rails508 along withdrainage holes126 help ensure that the products onbase103 are kept in a cleaner and dryer condition when customers remove them from the self.
• Referring now toFIG. 6, there is shown an isometric view illustrating adjustable dividerbase display rack600 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6 illustrates thatdividers102nand102pmay take the form of a T-shaped configuration. Generally, T-shaped dividers can only be inserted intoslots110 in one orientation, as opposed to the L-shaped dividers which could be inserted in two different orientations. However, as will be more clearly shown inFIG. 7, when using both T-shaped dividers and L-shaped dividers in selected slots of thesame base103, an even finer adjustment of bin widths may be achieved.
• Referring now toFIG. 7, there is shown a partial end view of thedisplay rack100, similar toFIG. 5, illustrating in detail how the width between the dividers can be adjusted based on the orientation of the dividers with respect to the base and based on the selection of types of dividers. As shown inFIG. 7, becausedividers102sand102uare T-shaped, a different bin width adjustment may be achieved with respect to its adjacent dividers. For example, the bin width betweenadjacent dividers102rand102smay be represented bydistance702 wherebydistance702 is slightly wider than distance502 (ofFIG. 5) sincedivider102sis T-shaped. Similarly, the bin width betweenadjacent dividers102tand102umay be represented bydistance706 wherebydistance706 is slightly narrower than distance506 (ofFIG. 5) sincedivider102uis T-shaped. Therefore, by the use of T-shaped dividers in conjunction with L-shaped dividers, it is possible to provide even finer adjustment of the bin widths.
• FIG. 7 also illustrates thattop surface712 of T-shapeddivider102uis coplanar withtop surface510 ofbase103 in a similar manner thattop surface512 of L-shapeddivider102mwas coplanar with the top surface ofbase103, as illustrated inFIG. 5. This coplanar feature provides for a substantially planar bottom surface for each of the bins thereby providing a better storage space for products.
• By now it should be apparent from the foregoing description that a novel display rack has been provided. The display rack includes a base having a plurality of recessed troughs that form a plurality of slots whereby each of the plurality of slots include a plurality of holes therein. The display rack further includes a plurality of divider pieces whereby each one of the divider pieces is adapted for insertion into a selected one of the slots of the base. The dividers also include a plurality of tabs that are aligned with the plurality of holes within its respective slot so as to facilitate stability and rigidity of the dividers when mated and recessed within its respective slot of the base. The dividers take the form of a L-shaped configuration which allows the dividers to be recessed within a slot of the base in a first or a second orientation thereby allowing variable bin width adjustment with respect to adjacent dividers. The dividers may also take form of a T-shaped configuration which, when used in conjunction with L-shaped dividers, allow for even finer adjustment of adjacent bin widths.
• It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that have been described are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present invention. However, numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A display rack, comprising:

a base having a plurality recessed troughs for forming a plurality of slots, each one of said plurality of slots having a plurality of holes formed therein; and

a plurality of dividers, each one of said plurality of dividers are adapted to be inserted into one of said plurality of slots of said base, each one of said plurality of dividers including at least one tab portion such that said at least one tab portion is aligned with a respective hole in said base for securing said one of said plurality of dividers to said base.

2. The display rack according toclaim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of dividers forms an L-shaped configuration having a first segment and a second segment, said first segment adapted to be recessed in one of said plurality of slots when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said base.

3. The display rack according toclaim 2 wherein a top surface of said first segment is substantially planer with a top surface of said base when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said base.

4. The display rack according toclaim 2 wherein said second segment is substantially perpendicular to said base when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said base.

5. The display rack according toclaim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of dividers forms an L-shaped configuration having a first segment and a second segment and wherein said at least one of said plurality of dividers may be inserted into one of said plurality of slots in either a first orientation or in a second orientation for adjusting a width between adjacent ones of said plurality of dividers.

6. The display rack according toclaim 5 wherein said first orientation forms an L-shaped configuration when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said base and said second orientation forms a reverse L-shaped configuration when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said base.

7. The display rack according toclaim 1 wherein said base further includes a plurality of rails on a bottom side of said base for elevating said base.

8. The display rack according toclaim 1 wherein said base further includes at least one breakpoint region for breaking off a portion of said base thereby adjusting at least one dimension of said base.

9. The display rack according toclaim 1 wherein said base further includes a front stop secured to a front portion of said base for preventing items stored on said display rack from falling over a front edge of said base.

10. A display rack having a plurality of bins for displaying items, the display rack comprising:

a base having a plurality of slots formed therein, each one of said plurality of slots having a plurality of holes formed thereon; and

a plurality of dividers for insertion into said plurality of slots thereby forming the plurality of bins of the display rack, at least one of said plurality of dividers being capable of insertion into a selected one of said plurality of slots in either a first orientation or a second orientation, wherein when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said selected one of said plurality of slots in said first orientation a first distance between said at least one of said plurality of dividers and an adjacent one of said plurality of dividers is achieved, and wherein when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said selected one of said plurality of slots in said second orientation a second distance between said at least of said plurality of dividers and said adjacent one of said plurality of dividers is achieved thereby allowing for adjustment of a width of a bin.

11. The display rack according toclaim 10 wherein said at least one of said plurality of dividers includes a first segment and a second segment, said first segment being recessed in said selected one of said plurality of slots such that a top surface of said first segment is substantially planer with a top surface of base when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said selected one of said plurality of slots.

12. The display rack according toclaim 10 wherein said at least one of said plurality of dividers includes a plurality of locking clips such that said plurality of locking clips align and mate with said plurality of holes of said selected one of said plurality of slots upon insertion of said at least one of said plurality of dividers into said selected one of said plurality of slots.

13. The display rack according toclaim 10 wherein said at least one of said plurality of dividers includes a pair of said locking clips that align and mate with at least one of said plurality of holes of said selected one of said plurality of slots.

14. The display rack according toclaim 10 wherein said at least one of said plurality of dividers has an L-shaped configuration.

15. The display rack according toclaim 10 wherein at least one of said plurality of dividers has a T-shaped configuration being capable of insertion into another one of said plurality of slots, wherein the use of said T-shaped configuration divider along with said L-shaped configuration divider allows for even greater adjustment of a width of a bin.

16. The display rack according toclaim 10 further including a plurality of drainage holes in said base and a plurality of rails on a bottom side of said base to allow leaky products displayed on said base to drain thereby maintaining said products in a cleaner and dryer condition.

17. The display rack according toclaim 10 wherein said base further includes at least one breakpoint region for breaking off a portion of said base thereby adjusting at least one dimension of said base

18. A display rack, comprising:

a base having a plurality of slots formed on a first surface of said base, each one of said plurality of slots having a plurality of holes formed thereon, said base further includes a plurality of rails on a second side of said base for elevating said base; and

a plurality of dividers for insertion into said plurality of slots thereby forming a plurality of bins of the display rack, at least one of said plurality of dividers having an L-shaped configuration and being capable of insertion into a selected one of said plurality of slots in either a first orientation or a second orientation, wherein when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said selected one of said plurality of slots in said first orientation a first distance between said at least one of said plurality of dividers and an adjacent one of said plurality of dividers is achieved, and wherein when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said selected one of said plurality of slots in said second orientation a second distance between said at least one of said plurality of dividers and said adjacent one of said plurality of dividers is achieved thereby allowing for adjustment of a width of a bin.

19. The display rack according toclaim 18 wherein said at least one of said plurality of dividers that forms an L-shaped configuration has a first segment and a second segment, said first segment adapted to be recessed in said selected one of said plurality of slots when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said base, and wherein a top surface of said first segment is substantially planer with a top surface of said base when said at least one of said plurality of dividers is inserted into said base.

20. The display rack according toclaim 18 wherein said base includes a plurality of drainage holes.

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