Patents by Inventor Shane Obitts

Shane Obitts 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).

  • Patent number: 11643850
    Abstract: An anti-theft merchandise hook that includes a top wire connected to a housing at a first end of the top wire, and to a mounting portion, used to mount the anti-theft merchandise hook to a stationary surface, at a second end of the top wire opposite the first end. A bottom wire is attached to the mounting portion and extends from the mounting portion towards the housing. The bottom wire is configured to hold retail merchandise. A hanger is at least partially disposed within the housing. The hanger is configured to move linearly between a closed position in which the hanger abuts the bottom wire, and an open position in which the hanger is spaced some distance from the bottom wire. A motor is configured to drive a rotary shaft in order to move the hanger between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. Eden, Shane Obitts, Brent O. Ewing, Chan Chor Man
  • Patent number: 11627818
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a track, a pusher, a biasing member, and a damper. The pusher is moveably coupled to the track. The biasing member is coupled to the pusher and the track and configured to move the pusher relative to the track in a first direction. The damper is coupled to the pusher and the track and configured to reduce a speed at which the pusher moves relative to the track in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Hua, Shane Obitts
  • Publication number: 20230114411
    Abstract: An adjustable rack system, a shelving system, and methods are provided. The adjustable rack system includes an adjustable frame and an adjustable rack. The adjustable frame includes a front rail, a rear rail and at least one longitudinally adjustable rail. The longitudinally adjustable rail interconnects the front and rear rails. The longitudinally adjustable rail is longitudinally adjustable in length to adjust the spacing between the front and rear rails along an adjustment axis. The adjustable rack is removably attached to the adjustable frame. The adjustable rack includes a first panel defining a rear edge of the adjustable rack and a second panel defining a front edge of the adjustable rack. The second panel is adjustably positionable relative to the first panel to adjust a spacing between the front and rear edge of the adjustable rack. The adjustable rack defines a top surface defined in part by each of the first and second panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie A. Smedley, William Joseph Mertz, Shane Obitts, William H. Walker
  • Publication number: 20220334323
    Abstract: An anti-theft merchandise hook that includes a top wire connected to a housing at a first end of the top wire, and to a mounting portion, used to mount the anti-theft merchandise hook to a stationary surface, at a second end of the top wire opposite the first end. A bottom wire is attached to the mounting portion and extends from the mounting portion towards the housing. The bottom wire is configured to hold retail merchandise. A hanger is at least partially disposed within the housing. The hanger is configured to move linearly between a closed position in which the hanger abuts the bottom wire, and an open position in which the hanger is spaced some distance from the bottom wire. A motor is configured to drive a rotary shaft in order to move the hanger between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. Eden, Shane Obitts, Brent O. Ewing, Chan Chor Man
  • Publication number: 20220287480
    Abstract: A shelving system is provided. The shelving system includes an upper rail, and optionally a lower rail, from which one or more upright supports extend. The upright supports are slidable within the upper and lower rails so that a user may vary their location. A shelf mounts to the upright supports. The shelf includes interlocking deck panels and selectively removable support bars so that it may be assembled onto the upright supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Obitts, Billy Mertz, Matt Grubbs
  • Publication number: 20220279941
    Abstract: A merchandising system includes a rail having a base. A first wall extends from the base and has a first engagement surface. A second wall extends from the base and includes a second engagement surface facing the first engagement surface and spaced apart from the first engagement surface by a channel. The merchandising system also includes a cooperating member including a first portion received within the channel and a second portion extending from the second wall of the rail. The first portion is operable to selectively engage the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Thaddeus Brej
  • Publication number: 20220265041
    Abstract: A retail management system includes a carriage base and an engagement mechanism. The carriage base includes a first end defining a front surface and a second end formed at an opposite end from the first end. The engagement mechanism is disposed at the first end of the carriage base and includes a plurality of carriage teeth extending from the front surface, the plurality of carriage teeth including at least one primary carriage tooth having a first configuration and at least one secondary carriage tooth having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Walker, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts
  • Patent number: 11369215
    Abstract: A shelving system is provided. The shelving system includes an upper rail, and optionally a lower rail, from which one or more upright supports extend. The upright supports are slidable within the upper and lower rails so that a user may vary their location. A shelf mounts to the upright supports. The shelf includes interlocking deck panels and selectively removable support bars so that it may be assembled onto the upright supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Obitts, Billy Mertz, Matt Grubbs
  • Publication number: 20220178175
    Abstract: An anti-theft merchandise hook that includes a top wire connected to a housing portion at one end of the top wire, and to a mounting portion, used to mount the anti-theft merchandise hook to a stationary surface, at another end of the top wire opposite the one end. A bottom wire is attached to the mounting portion and extends from the mounting portion toward the housing portion. The bottom wire is configured to hold retail merchandise. A moveable hanger is at least partially disposed within the housing portion. The hanger is configured to move linearly between a closed position in which the hanger abuts the bottom wire, and an open position in which the hanger is spaced some distance from the bottom wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. Eden, Shane Obitts, Brent O. Ewing, Chan Chor Man
  • Publication number: 20220133060
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a track, a pusher, a biasing member, and a damper. The pusher is moveably coupled to the track. The biasing member is coupled to the pusher and the track and configured to move the pusher relative to the track in a first direction. The damper is coupled to the pusher and the track and configured to reduce a speed at which the pusher moves relative to the track in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Hua, Shane Obitts
  • Publication number: 20220071413
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Gerald Matthew Szpak
  • Publication number: 20220047098
    Abstract: A product divider assembly includes a rail and a divider. The rail includes a front surface having a plurality of first teeth and a rear surface formed on an opposite side of the rail from the front surface. The divider includes a base having a bottom side including plurality of second teeth facing the plurality of first teeth of the rail and one or more biasing members engaging the rear surface of the rail to bias the rail in a direction towards the plurality of first teeth. The divider is operable to be pulled in an opposite direction from the biasing force to disengage the first teeth from the second teeth to allow the divider to be translated along the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ewing, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts, James Bacnik, William H. Walker
  • Publication number: 20220000278
    Abstract: An anti-sweeping hook that includes a display hook for storing retail merchandise. The display hook is substantially straight and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A helical coil is disposed about the display hook and extending along a lengthwise portion of the display hook. The helical coil has a first coil end proximate the first end of the display hook. Rotation of the helical coil in a first direction loads the retail merchandise onto the display hook. Rotation of the helical coil in a second direction opposite the first direction removes the retail merchandise from the display hook. A rotating handle is attached to the first end of the display hook and to the first coil end. The rotating handle is configured to determine an extent of rotation for the rotating handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent O. Ewing, Shane Obitts, Chan Chor Man
  • Publication number: 20210355715
    Abstract: A security tag holder and a security tag assembly is provided. The security tag holder may have a holder body that defines a security tag holding cavity. First and second band retaining fingers may attached to the holder body on an opposite sides of the security tag holding cavity. The fingers are used to secure the holder to a retention band. The security tag holder may have a contact lever that cooperates with an alarm button of a security tag when the security tag assembly is mounted to a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. Eden, Shane Obitts, Jeffrey A. Comstock
  • Patent number: 11160392
    Abstract: A product pusher assembly includes a rail, a divider, and a pusher. The rail extends in a first direction and includes a first engagement mechanism. The divider extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is coupled to the rail for translation in the first direction and the second direction. The divider includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a second engagement mechanism disposed between the front portion and the rear portion. The second engagement mechanism is configured to selectively engage the first engagement mechanism during translation in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ewing, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts, James Bacnik, William H. Walker
  • Patent number: 11154144
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Gerald Matthew Szpak
  • Patent number: 11154143
    Abstract: An anti-sweeping hook that includes a display hook for storing retail merchandise. The display hook is substantially straight and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A helical coil is disposed about the display hook and extending along a lengthwise portion of the display hook. The helical coil has a first coil end proximate the first end of the display hook. Rotation of the helical coil in a first direction loads the retail merchandise onto the display hook. Rotation of the helical coil in a second direction opposite the first direction removes the retail merchandise from the display hook. A rotating handle is attached to the first end of the display hook and to the first coil end. The rotating handle is configured to determine an extent of rotation for the rotating handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent O. Ewing, Shane Obitts, Chan Chor Man
  • Patent number: 11122915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Thaddeus Brej
  • Patent number: D919340
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Patent number: D956607
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. Eden, Gregory A. Mackey, II, Shane Obitts