Patents by Inventor Gregory M. Bird
Gregory M. Bird has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20160296038Abstract: A merchandising system includes an elongated mounting member having a wall with at least one tooth and a cooperating member having a front end receivable on the mounting member. The cooperating member can include a slot defined in the front end. A lock is received in the slot. The lock includes at least one tooth located at a first end and a resilient member located at a second end. The lock can selectively engage the mounting member so as to retard or permit a lateral movement of the cooperating member in relation to the mounting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: William H. Walker, Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Thaddeus Brej
-
Publication number: 20160296039Abstract: A merchandising system includes a first cooperating member having a first engagement structure for engaging the mounting member in order to restrict movement of the first cooperating member relative to the mounting member in at least one direction. A second cooperating member includes a second engagement structure for engaging the mounting member to restrict movement of the second cooperating member relative to the mounting member in at least one direction. A third engagement structure is provided for selectively connecting the first cooperating member to the second cooperating member. The first cooperating member and the second cooperating member are selectively independently mountable to the mounting member and are selectively attachable to each other and mountable as a combined structure to the mounting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Thaddeus Brej
-
Patent number: 9451836Abstract: A merchandising security system includes a support adapted to be secured to a first associated merchandising structure and at least one product barrier movably mounted to the support. The at least one product barrier extends away from the support so as to approach a second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure. The product barrier is at least one of slidably mounted in relation to the support and pivotably mounted in relation to the support, wherein the product barrier includes first and second members which cooperate to retard a forward movement of an associated object supported on the first associated merchandising structure. At least one of the first and second members is mounted in relation to the support via a hinge.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Matthew Szpak, Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Matthew Grubbs, Robert Govia, James J. Kopco
-
Patent number: 9433305Abstract: A retainer assembly for an associated merchandising structure includes a planar divider mounted to the associated merchandising structure with the divider including a first side, a second side, a front end and a rear end. A first retainer is pivotally mounted to a first side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. A second retainer is pivotally mounted to the second side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. The first and second retainers are biased into an orientation normal to the plane of the divider. Each of the first and second retainers is adapted to pivot omnidirectionally in relation to the plane of the divider.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke, Matthew Grubbs
-
Patent number: 9427095Abstract: An anti-tip guide for a merchandising shelf including an associated support member for supporting at least one associated object for display and/or dispensing, and a pair of associated dividers mounted to the support member and spaced from each other. The pair of spaced dividers define between them a longitudinal pathway along which the associated at least one object can travel from a rear position to a front position on the associated support member. The anti-tip guide includes a first section mounted to one of the pair of associated dividers and extending along a plane of the one of the pair of associated dividers. A second section of the anti-tip guide protrudes away from the first section. A third section extends from the second section. At least one of the second and third sections includes a material which is more resilient than is a material of the first section.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke
-
Patent number: 9357856Abstract: A latching system for a gravity fed merchandising apparatus includes a shelf slidably mounted between a first and a second side bracket, the shelf being adapted to move between a vending position and a stocking position. A first latch member is operably mounted to one of the shelf and the first side bracket and a second latch member is operably mounted to one of the shelf and the second side bracket. The first and second latch members are located adjacent opposed side edges of the shelf. Each of the first and second latch members is resiliently biased to an extended position. An actuating device is provided for moving the first and second latch members to a respective retracted position allowing the shelf to slide from the vending position to the stocking position.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Matthew Szpak, Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Matthew Grubbs
-
Publication number: 20160088935Abstract: A merchandising system can include an elongated mounting member selectively securable to an associated shelf and a cooperating member received on the mounting member. The cooperating member can extend rearwardly over the associated shelf. The cooperating member can include an elongated body having a front end, and a rear end. The elongated body can include a base portion and a divider portion protruding from the base portion. A latch can be movably mounted to the cooperating member. The latch selectively engages the elongated mounting member to retard a sliding motion of the cooperating member on the mounting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Applicant: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Thaddeus Brej, Shane Obitts, Gregory M. Bird
-
Publication number: 20150371482Abstract: A dispenser which deters theft of packaged items includes an ejector. The ejector is resiliently biased to an extended position, and is selectively retracted to a retracted position. When so retracted, it can be released so that it can translate a static package into a dynamic state as quickly as possible to minimize the effect of drag and friction between the package being ejected and the package immediately behind it in a column of packages, as well as between the package and the portions of the housing which are initially contacted by the package. The first package is ejected in a short impulse so as to minimize a transfer of kinetic energy to a second package, thus minimizing the effect of static inertia of the second package on the first package.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.Inventors: Gerald Matthew Szpak, Thaddeus Brej, Shane Obitts, Gregory M. Bird
-
Publication number: 20150096998Abstract: A merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft has at least one merchandise support module which includes a covering defining an interior space within the module. A support member and a dispensing member are mounted to the module, the dispensing member being mounted adjacent to the support member. A lockout device is also mounted to each module and connected to the dispensing member. The lockout device includes a housing with a user input member accessible from outside the housing. The user input member communicates with the dispensing member. A controller, which includes a memory and a processor, electrically communicates with the user input member. A sensor electrically communicates with the controller and senses the dispensing of an associated packaged item mounted on the support member. A signaling device electrically communicates with the controller to provide a notification upon the dispensing of the associated packaged item.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Gerald Matthew Szpak
-
Patent number: 8970369Abstract: A system which monitors a display of products includes a motion detection unit. The motion detection unit is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal from a sensor concerning a portion of a plane disposed between at least one product held in a display and an individual. Further, the motion detection unit determines whether the portion of the plane is breached based on temporal deviations in the electromagnetic signal and, in response to determining a breach, generates a notification of the breach.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Scott Arthur McMullen
-
Publication number: 20140299559Abstract: An anti-tip guide for a merchandising shelf including an associated support member for supporting at least one associated object for display and/or dispensing, and a pair of associated dividers mounted to the support member and spaced from each other. The pair of spaced dividers define between them a longitudinal pathway along which the associated at least one object can travel from a rear position to a front position on the associated support member. The anti-tip guide includes a first section mounted to one of the pair of associated dividers and extending along a plane of the one of the pair of associated dividers. A second section of the anti-tip guide protrudes away from the first section. A third section extends from the second section. At least one of the second and third sections includes a material which is more resilient than is a material of the first section.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke
-
Publication number: 20140263133Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a divider including an elongated base member having a first surface configured to abut a shelf and an opposite second surface. A divider wall extends from the second surface of the elongated base member. A recess portion is located along the first surface and is configured to be connectable to a first type of associated rail. An adapter clip is configured to be selectively inserted within the recess portion to allow the divider assembly to be connectable to a second type of associated rail. The adapter clip includes a base member having a first end and an opposing second end. A first support arm extends from the first end and a second support arm extends from the second end. A ridge profile of the clip is configured to be selectively received within a lip of the recess portion of the elongated base member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: William H. Walker, Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts
-
Publication number: 20140263112Abstract: A retainer assembly for an associated merchandising structure includes a planar divider mounted to the associated merchandising structure with the divider including a first side, a second side, a front end and a rear end. A first retainer is pivotally mounted to a first side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. A second retainer is pivotally mounted to the second side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. The first and second retainers are biased into an orientation normal to the plane of the divider. Each of the first and second retainers is adapted to pivot omnidirectionally in relation to the plane of the divider.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke, Matthew Grubbs
-
Publication number: 20140263134Abstract: A dual ended or reversible divider includes an elongated base member with a first end and an opposite second end. A divider wall extends away from the elongated base member. A first profile portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a first type of rail which can be mounted on a shelf. A second profile portion is positioned adjacent the opposite second end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a second type of rail which can be mounted on the shelf.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: William H. Walker, Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Matthew Grubbs
-
Publication number: 20140190917Abstract: A latching system for a gravity fed merchandising apparatus includes a shelf slidably mounted between a first and a second side bracket, the shelf being adapted to move between a vending position and a stocking position. A first latch member is operably mounted to one of the shelf and the first side bracket and a second latch member is operably mounted to one of the shelf and the second side bracket. The first and second latch members are located adjacent opposed side edges of the shelf. Each of the first and second latch members is resiliently biased to an extended position. An actuating device is provided for moving the first and second latch members to a respective retracted position allowing the shelf to slide from the vending position to the stocking position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.Inventors: Gerald Matthew Szpak, Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Matthew Grubbs
-
Publication number: 20140166598Abstract: A merchandising system includes a support adapted to be secured to a first associated merchandising structure and a tile mounted to the support. The tile extends away from the support so as to approach a second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure. The tile includes a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion and selectively slidable in relation to the first portion to change a size of the tile. A protrusion extends from the first portion. The protrusion is connected to the support to enable a movement of the tile in relation to the support thereby allowing selective access to any desired portion of at least one of the first and second associated merchandising structures. The tile front face can include a cut out section or a slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Paul A. Mueller
-
Patent number: 8752717Abstract: A base and divider assembly includes an elongated base portion and an elongated divider portion which is adapted to be selectively coupled to the base portion. The divider portion includes a plurality of spaced first connection elements extending along a longitudinal axis of the divider portion, and the base portion includes a plurality of spaced second connection elements extending along a longitudinal axis of the base portion. The first and second connection elements are adapted to cooperate so that the divider portion can be selectively mounted to the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Paul Mueller
-
Patent number: D748454Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventor: Gregory M. Bird
-
Patent number: D750468Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Fastners For Retail, Inc.Inventor: Gregory M. Bird
-
Patent number: D750469Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.Inventor: Gregory M. Bird