US20100108624A1 - Spring feed shelf display with lateral adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

A product display for displaying and supporting a product or plurality of products. The product display includes a base having a longitudinal axis, a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base, a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly, and second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly. The product display may also include a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire. Further, the first side wire may be substantially identical.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/104,004 filed Oct. 9, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to shelf displays and more specifically spring feed shelf displays.
• Prominent display of and easy access to a product are desirable features in a retail display. When attempting to market a product, the seller typically wants consumers to easily recognize the product and remove the product from the display. Merchandise can be most easily recognized if located in an upright position maintained in close proximity to the visible edge of the merchandise shelf. It is also desirable for the display to be adaptable to changes in merchandise or packaging size. Standard merchandise displays such as single shelves or racks have difficulty maintaining proper orientation and position of the products. Shelves can leave tall, thin objects unstable, while both shelves and racks often leave merchandise highly inaccessible to a consumer once the front packages have been removed. Spring feed shelf displays maintain proper orientation and location of the merchandise by urging products toward the front of the shelf while holding the product in a generally upright position.
SUMMARY
• The present invention relates generally to a product display including a base having a longitudinal axis, a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base, a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly, a second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base opposite the first side wire, and a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base.
• In one embodiment, the product display may include a base assembly having a longitudinal axis, a first base member defining a first support cavity, and a second base member defining a second support cavity and a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base assembly. The product display may also include a first side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly, the first side wire having a first extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a second extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity, and a second side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly and positioned opposite the first side wire, the second side wire having a third extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a fourth extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity. The product display may also include a stop member coupled to the first base member and engagable with the first and third extension rods to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a spring feed shelf display.
• FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a base assembly of the spring feed shelf display ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of the base assembly ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is a front view of the base assembly ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 5 is a side view of the base assembly ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 6 is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken along line6-6 ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a pusher of the spring feed shelf display ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is a side view of the pusher ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 10 is a front view of the pusher ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 11 is a back view of the pusher ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 12 is a top view of a side rod of the spring feed shelf display ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 13 is a front view of the side rod ofFIG. 12.
• FIG. 14 is a side view of the side rod ofFIG. 12.
• FIG. 15 is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken along line15-15 ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the spring feed shelf display positioned on a display shelf.
• FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the spring feed shelf display ofFIG. 1 including an alternative pusher embodiment.
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alternative pusher embodiment ofFIG. 17.
• FIG. 19 is a side view of the alternative pusher embodiment ofFIG. 18.
• FIG. 20 is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher ofFIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or embodiments, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a springfeed shelf display10 for displaying and supporting a product or plurality of products. Thedisplay10 includes abase assembly11, apusher26 longitudinally slideable along thebase assembly11, and a pair ofside wires18 laterally adjustable relative to thebase assembly11 and disposed on opposite sides of thepusher26. Thebase assembly11 includes a pair of spaced-apart lateral supports orbase members14 that slidably receive portions of theside wires18. Thebase assembly11 also includes a plurality of longitidudinally extending rods, including a pair ofouter rods22 and a pair ofinner rods23, that are coupled to and extend between thebase members14. Thepusher26 is slidably coupled to the outer andinner rods22,23 for longitudinal movement between thebase members14. At least one biasing member30 (the illustrated construction includes a pair of biasing members30) extends between thepusher26 and a forward one of thebase members14 and biases thepusher26 towards a forward one of thebase members14. A front stop51, defined by portions of theouter rods22, extends upwardly from the forward one of thebase members14 to limit forward movement of products held by thedisplay10.
• FIGS. 2-5 illustrate thebase assembly11. Theouter rods22 are spaced from each other by a distance D and are flanked by theinner rods23. The inner andouter rods22,23 are substantially parallel to each other and define a direction of translation N for thepusher26. In the illustrated construction eachrod22,23 is formed from a substantially rigid material, such as stainless steel or another suitable metal. The inner andouter rods22,23 are substantially cylindrical in cross-section, but may also have oblong or polygonal cross-sections, provided the rods allow for translation of thepusher26 in the direction N while supporting the products in the storage volume.
• The front stop51 extends upwardly from the forward ends of theouter rods22. In the illustrated construction the front stop51 is generally arcuate and is formed of the same elongated rod as theouter rods22. The front stop51 generally includes twouprights50 and a substantiallysemicircular connector54 to support and restrict the motion of a product or plurality of products held by the display. The front stop51 may also be parabolic, elliptical, linear, or have another shape sufficient to stop movement of articles in the display. A placard34 (FIG. 1) coupled to the front stop51 provides a display surface for signage or indicia relating to the merchandise. For example, theplacard34 may include labeling, advertising, and/or pricing information relating to merchandise being displayed.
• Thebase members14 are fixedly coupled to the ends of the inner andouter rods22,23, for example by welding. Thebase members14 extend substantially perpendicularly to the inner andouter rods23,22, spanning at least the distance D. Additional base members may also be provided along the length of the inner andouter rods22,23 to provide additional support. In the illustrated construction, eachbase member14 is formed from a substantially flat, rigid, for example metallic, blank. The blank is generally formed by bending and/or extrusion into a substantially “C” shape resulting in a substantially flatupper portion66 and a pair of arcuate side portions67 (FIG. 6). Theside portions67 cooperate with the flatupper portion66 to define a pair ofsupport cavities68 that receive theside wires18. Theupper portion66 also defines a plurality (e.g. two) ofelongated slots58. Theelongated slots58 are configured to receive and secure an end of the biasingmember30, as discussed further below. Theupper portion66 also defines acentral positioning hole46 configured to receive a stop member70 (e.g. a rivet,FIG. 6) for retention of theside wires18. Preferably, eachbase member14 is identical to simplify manufacturing and thereby reduce the cost of thedisplay10.
• FIGS. 7-11 illustrate thepusher26. In the illustrated construction, thepusher26 is formed of a single sheet of rigid yet formable material (FIG. 8), such as, for example, polyethylene. The sheet is creased alongline82 to form thepusher26 as a substantially triangular prism having afront panel38 and arear panel39. Adjacentbottom edges84, thepusher26 defines a plurality ofinner slots74 that are configured to receive one of theinner rods23. Theinner slots74 extend inwardly from thebottom edge84 and include a substantially “U” shaped perimeter. In other constructions, the perimeter of theinner slots74 may include a different profile that compliments differently-shapedinner rods23.
• A pair ofouter slots75 are spaced outwardly from theinner slots74. The illustratedouter slots75 of thepusher26 extend inwardly from side edges83 to define a substantially “U” shaped slot that receives theouter rods22. By opening outwardly, theouter slots75 define a pair ofstability tabs77 adjacent thebottom edge84 of the front andrear panels38,39. Thestability tabs77 engage the undersides of theouter rods22 to stabilize thepusher26 when thepusher26 is coupled to thebase assembly11.
• Thefront panel38 of thepusher26 also defines a plurality (e.g. two as illustrated) ofelongated slots76 that extend substantially parallel to thebottom edge84. Eachslot76 is configured such that a portion of a respective biasingmember30 extends through theslot76, as discussed further below.
• Referring also toFIGS. 12-14, the illustratedside wires18 are formed from a single, substantially rigid rod. Eachside wire18 includes acentral portion94 having a length that substantially corresponds to the distance between the forward andrearward base members14.Uprights98 extend substantially perpendicular from each end of thecentral portion94, and terminate incurved foot members90. Extension rods99 (FIG. 12) extend from thefoot members90 substantially parallel to each another and perpendicular to theupright rods98. Theextension rods99 include insert ends102 each of which defines a stoppinghook86. Each stoppinghook86 extends generally perpendicularly, in a common direction, from itsrespective insert end102. Theside wires18 are configured such that substantiallyidentical side wires18 can be used on both sides of thedisplay10.
• With reference toFIGS. 1,2, and7, thepusher26 is slideably coupled to the outer andinner rods22,23 by manipulating theouter rods22 into theouter slots75. This may be accomplished by a combination of bending thepusher26, angling thepusher26 relative to therods22, and outwardly bending theouter rods22. Similar manipulation is also used to position theinner rods23 within theinner slots74. When theouter rods22 are positioned in theouter slots75 and theinner rods23 are positioned within theinner slots74, thestability tabs77 extend beneath theouter rods22 to restrict vertical displacement of thepusher26 relative to therods22,23.
• As shown inFIG. 1, the biasingmembers30 are coupled to and extend between thepusher26 and theforward base member14. Each biasingmember30 is positioned between one of the inner and one of theouter rods22,23.Biasing members30 include acoiled end64 and ananchor end62. Thecoiled end64 is generally captured between the front andrear panels38,39 of thepusher26, while theanchor end62 extends through and is captured by theelongated slot58 of theforward base member14. A plurality ofbends63 in theanchor end62 aid in coupling to theforward base member14, although other fastening methods may be used. An exposedportion31 of each biasingmember30 extends through theslots76 in the front panel, which guide forward and rearward movement of thepusher26, and maintain positioning of the biasingmembers30. The biasingmembers30 provide a biasing force that urges thepusher26 toward the front stop51.
• As shown inFIGS. 1,6, and15, theside wires18 are slideably coupled to thebase member14 by inserting theextension rods99 into thesupport cavities68 of thebase members14. Theextension rods99 are inserted such that the stoppinghooks86 extend past thepositioning hole46. With theextension rods99 so positioned, thestop member70 is inserted and secured within thepositioning hole46. In the illustrated construction, thestop member70 is a rivet. Thestop member70 permits lateral adjustment of theside wires18 relative to thebase members14, while preventing removal of theside wires18 from thesupport cavities68 by restricting outward movement of the stopping hooks86 beyond thestop member70.
• As shown inFIG. 16, the springfeed shelf display10 can be positioned on substantially any type of shelving106 for the display and dispensing of a product. In the illustrated construction, the shelving106 includes a plurality of apertures108 near a forward edge of the shelving106. Cable ties104 or other coupling devices may therefore be used to secure the springfeed shelf display10 to the shelving106, while still allowing theside wires18 to be laterally adjusted for display and dispensing of differently-sized products.
• In use, thepusher26 is moved rearwardly, against the biasing force provided by the biasingmembers30, and a plurality of products is positioned between thepusher26 and the front stop51. The products are supported from below by the outer andinner wires22,23. Theside wires18 may then be adjusted to a width that is appropriate for supporting the sides of the products. The biasing force provided by the biasingmembers30 urges thepusher26 forwardly, toward the front stop51, thereby holding the products in an upright position. When a forward-most product of the plurality of products is removed, thepusher26 urges the remaining product or products forwardly such that the next product engages the front stop51 and is positioned for subsequent removal by the customer. In this way, the springfeed shelf display10 maintains the product in a forward-most position for prominent display and ease of removal by customers.
• FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a second embodiment of thepusher26′. Thepusher26′ includes a wire-frame body114′ having multiple bends that provide afirst pusher portion118′ for contacting and supporting the product, and asecond pusher portion122′ angled relative to thefirst pusher portion118′ for stabilizing thepusher26′. The first andsecond pusher portions118′,122′ each includerod engaging portions126′,130′, respectively, that receive one ormore rods22,23 of thebase assembly11 and permit thepusher26′ to laterally slide along thebase assembly11. As illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 20, therod engaging portions130′ ofsecond portion122′ are formed to open to the outside of thepusher26′, thereby forming substantially C-shaped portions that engage theinner rods23. Therod engaging portions126′ of thefirst portion118′ are formed to face inwardly and engage theouter rods22. During manufacturing, theportions122′ and126′ are formed and the resulting pusher blank is bent about the dashed line ofFIG. 20 to form the completedpusher26′ illustrated inFIGS. 17-19. In the illustrated embodiment thepusher26′ is formed from a single elongated rod. In other embodiments thepusher26′ may be formed from a wireframe weldment or assembly, or from a combination of wireframe and plate elements.

Claims (14)

1. A product display comprising:

a base having a longitudinal axis;

a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base;

a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly;

a second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base opposite the first side wire; and

a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base.

2. The product display ofclaim 1, wherein the first side wire and second side wire are slideably received by the base.

3. The product display ofclaim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first side wire and the second side wire are retained within the base by the stop member.

4. The product display ofclaim 3, wherein the first side wire includes a stop hook to engage the stop member.

5. The product display ofclaim 1, wherein the stop member is a rivet.

6. The product display ofclaim 1, wherein the base assembly includes two base members each defining a support cavity, and wherein the first side wire is at least partially received by the support cavity of each base member.

7. The product display ofclaim 1, wherein the first side wire and the second side wire are substantially identical.

8. The product display ofclaim 1, wherein a biasing member is positioned to bias the pusher along the longitudinal axis of the base.

9. A product display comprising:

a base assembly including a longitudinal axis, a first base member defining a first support cavity, and a second base member defining a second support cavity;

a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base assembly;

a first side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly, the first side wire having a first extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a second extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity;

a second side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly and positioned opposite the first side wire, the second side wire having a third extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a fourth extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity; and

a stop member coupled to the first base member and engagable with the first and third extension rods to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly.

10. The product display ofclaim 9, wherein the first and third extension rods each include a distal end that defines a stopping hook.

11. The product display ofclaim 10,wherein the first extension rod extends into the first cavity from a first end of the first cavity, the third extension rod extends into the first cavity from a second end of the first cavity, wherein the stop member is positioned substantially mid-way between the first and second ends of the first cavity, and wherein the stopping hook of the first extension rod is positioned between the stop member and the second end of the first cavity and the stopping hook of the second extension member is positioned between the stop member and the first end of the first cavity.

12. The product display ofclaim 10, wherein the stopping hooks engage the stop member to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly.

13. The product display ofclaim 9, wherein the first side wire and the second side wire are substantially identical.

14. The product display ofclaim 9, wherein a biasing member is positioned to bias the pusher in a longitudinal direction relative to the base.

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