Pusher Assembly and Pusher Assembly Rack System
A pusher rack system is provided. The system includes a rack and one or more pusher assemblies removably attached to the rack. The rack includes one or more wire support frames supported by vertical supports. The pusher assembly includes a connection arrangement for removably attaching the pusher assembly to the wire support rack to longitudinally fix the position of the pusher assembly relative to the rack while simultaneously allowing for lateral adjustment of the pusher assembly relative to the rack.
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This invention generally relates to shelving systems, and more particularly to shelving systems which incorporate one or more pusher assemblies thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPusher assemblies are generally known in the art as a viable way to automatically front face product in a variety of settings. While pusher systems are typically employed in the conventional retail environment for facing cosmetic items, etc., they may also be utilized refrigerated cases or the like. An exemplary embodiment of such a pusher assembly may be seen at U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/288,058 filed on Nov. 3, 2011, assigned to the instant Assignee and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Walk-in coolers, which may be employed in the food service setting to store bulk food supplies for later preparation, or be employed in the warehouse setting for the storage of refrigerated or frozen goods, etc., typically employ a rack system therein. Unfortunately, the conventional pusher assembly is not readily configured to mate with the rack system of a walk-in cooler. As a result, one must either forego the use of a pusher assembly and its attendant advantages of front facing product toward a leading edge of a shelf, or alternatively undergo a complex retrofit of existing shelving to ensure that it will adequately and securely receive a pusher assembly. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a pusher assembly rack system that may be readily employed in the context of a walk-in cooler or otherwise.
The invention provides such a pusher assembly rack system. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, a pusher assembly rack system is provided. Embodiments of the pusher assembly rack system advantageously provide for the use of one or more pusher assemblies in a rack of a walk-in cooler or otherwise. Embodiments according to this aspect include a plurality of vertical supports and at least one wire rack mounted to the plurality of vertical supports. The at least one wire rack includes an outer peripheral wire formed into a generally rectangular shape having a pair of longitudinally extending edges in opposed-spaced relation and a front edge and a back edge in opposed-spaced relation and extending laterally between the pair of longitudinally extending edges. A plurality of laterally extending wires are joined to and extend between the longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire. A first connection element is joined to an underside of the at least one wire rack adjacent one of the longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire. A second connection element is joined to the underside of the at least one rack adjacent the other one of the longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire. The pusher assembly rack system also includes at least one pusher assembly for front facing a linear row of products toward a front edge of the at least one rack. The at least one pusher assembly includes a connection arrangement operable to connect the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack such that the at least one pusher assembly is laterally adjustable between the pair of longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire of the at least one wire rack, and longitudinally fixed between the front edge and the back edge of the outer peripheral wire of the at least one wire rack.
Each of the plurality of vertical supports include the plurality of slotted openings formed through a back wall thereof for attaching the at least one wire rack to the plurality of vertical supports.
The first and second connection elements each include front and rear forwardly facing pins. The plurality of vertical supports includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth vertical support. The front forwardly facing pin of the first connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the first vertical support. The rear forwardly facing pin of the first connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the second vertical support. The front forwardly facing pin of the second connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the third vertical support. The rear forwardly facing pin of the second connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the fourth vertical support. In certain embodiments, the plurality of slotted openings of each vertical support includes two linear rows of slotted openings.
The at least one pusher assembly includes a base structure for supporting items loaded into the pusher assembly. The base structure includes a pair of support bars in opposed-spaced relation, and a pair of support elements extending laterally between the pair of support bars. One of the pair of support elements is proximal to a front end of each of the pair of support bars. The other one of the pair of support elements is proximal to a back end of each of the pair of support bars. A wire support frame is mounted to the pair of support bars and extends over a top of each of the pair of support elements.
The connection arrangement includes a connection portion of each of the pair of support bars. The connection portion of each support bar includes a plurality of discreet connection points for connecting the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack. The plurality of discreet connection points of each connection portion of each support bar includes a forwardly opening notch, a downwardly opening notch, and a shoulder.
In another aspect, a pusher assembly for a rack is provided. The pusher assembly is advantageously adapted to quickly mate with a rack that includes a plurality of vertical supports and at least one wire rack mounted to the plurality of vertical supports. The pusher assembly is configured for front facing a linear row of products toward a front edge of the at least one wire rack. The pusher assembly includes a connection arrangement operable to connect the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack such that the pusher assembly is moveable in a direction parallel to the front edge of the at least one wire rack and fixed relative to movement along a direction perpendicular to the front edge of the at least one wire rack.
The pusher assembly also includes a base structure having a pair of support bars in opposed-spaced relation. A pair of support elements extend laterally between the pair of support bars. One of the pair of support elements is proximal to a front end of each of the pair of support bars. The other one of the pair of support elements is proximal to a back end of each of the pair of support bars. A wire support frame is mounted to the pair of support bars and extends over a top of each of the pair of support elements. A pusher is slideable along the base structure toward and away from a front stop connected to a front end of the base structure. A pair of side barriers are moveable in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of movement of the pusher.
The connection arrangement is provided by a connection portion of each of the pair of support bars. The connection portion of each support bar includes a plurality of discreet connection points for connecting the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack. The plurality of discreet connection points of each connection portion of each support bar includes a forwardly opening notch, a downwardly opening notch, and a shoulder. The pusher of the pusher assembly includes a locking arm for selectively locking the pusher relative to the base structure to prevent movement of the pusher relative to the base structure.
Each one of the pair of side barriers includes a divider wall and front and back wire extension elements connected to the divider wall. The front wire extension element of each side barrier is received in the support element mounted proximal to the front end of each of the pair of support bars. The rear wire extension element of each side barrier is received in the support element mounted proximal the back end of each of the pair of support bars. Each of the pair of support elements includes a pair of tension clips for holding the respective front or rear wire extension element in a fixed position.
In certain embodiments, each divider of each side barrier is a metal plate element. In yet another aspect, a method for installing a pusher assembly on a rack is provided. The rack includes a plurality of vertical supports and at least one wire rack mounted to the plurality of vertical supports. The pusher assembly is configured for front facing a linear row of products toward a front edge of the at least one wire rack and includes a connection arrangement for connecting the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack. The method comprises receiving a wire of the at least one wire rack in a forwardly opening notch of the connection arrangement, and rotating the pusher assembly about the wire received in the forwardly opening notch in order to receive a second wire of the at least one wire rack in a downwardly opening notch of the connection arrangement and also abut a third wire of the at least one wire rack with a shoulder of the connection arrangement.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONTurning now to the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of a pusher assembly rack system is shown at
As stated above, rack system 20 includes a rack 22 with a plurality of pusher trays 24 mounted thereto. All four pusher trays 24 are shown on an upper-most shelf of rack 22, and four pusher trays 24 are shown on a lower-most shelf of rack 22. It will be readily recognized that fewer pusher trays 24 may be included on any of the shelves of rack 22. Furthermore, the number and location of the shelves shown in
Rack 22 includes a plurality of vertical supports 26 which are generally spaced apart at the four corners of a rectangular pattern. A plurality of shelves in the form of wire support frames 28 (also referred to herein as wire racks) are supported by vertical supports 26. The location of wire support frames 28 may be readily reconfigured as described below. Each pusher tray 24 is configured to carry a linear row of products 30 as schematically represented in
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Base structure 60 includes a pair of support bars 70. Support bars 70 are in an opposed-spaced relation as shown in
Base structure 60 also includes a wire support frame 86 (See
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As described herein, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a pusher assembly rack system that may be readily implemented in walk-in coolers or other areas it is desirable to incorporate one or more pusher assemblies on a rack-style shelving unit.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Claims
1. A pusher assembly rack system, comprising:
- a plurality of vertical supports;
- at least one wire rack mounted to the plurality of vertical supports, the at least one wire rack including: an outer peripheral wire formed into a generally rectangular shape having a pair of longitudinally extending edges in opposed spaced relation and a front edge and a back edge in opposed spaced relation and extending laterally between the pair of longitudinally extending edges; a plurality of laterally extending wires joined to and extending between the longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire; and a first connection element joined to an underside of the at least one wire rack adjacent one of the longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire; and a second connection element joined to the underside of the at least one rack adjacent the other one of the longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire;
- at least one pusher assembly for front facing a linear row of products toward a front edge of the at least one rack;
- wherein the at least one pusher assembly includes a connection arrangement operable to connect the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack such that the at least one pusher assembly is laterally adjustable between the pair of longitudinally extending edges of the outer peripheral wire of the at least one wire rack and longitudinally fixed between the front edge and the back edge of the outer peripheral wire of the at least one wire rack.
2. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of vertical supports includes a plurality of slotted openings formed through a back wall thereof for attaching the at least one wire rack to the plurality of vertical supports.
3. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 2, wherein the first and second connection elements each include front and rear forwardly facing pins.
4. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of vertical supports includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth vertical support, wherein the front forwardly facing pin of the first connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the first vertical support, the rear forwardly facing pin of the first connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the second vertical support, the front forwardly facing pin of the second connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the third vertical support, and the rear forwardly facing pin of the second connection element is received in one of the slotted openings of the fourth vertical support.
5. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of slotted openings of each vertical support includes two linear rows of slotted openings.
6. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pusher assembly includes a base structure for supporting items loaded into the pusher assembly, the base structure comprising:
- a pair of support bars in opposed spaced relation;
- a pair of support elements extending laterally between the pair of support bars, one of the pair of support elements proximal to a front end of each of the pair of support bars, the other one of the pair of support elements proximal to a back end of each of the pair of support bars;
- a wire support frame mounted to the pair of support bars and extending over a top of each of the pair of support elements.
7. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 6, wherein the connection arrangement includes a connection portion of each of the pair of support bars.
8. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 7, wherein the connection portion of each support bar includes a plurality of discrete connection points for connecting the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack.
9. The pusher assembly rack system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of discrete connection points of each connection portion of each support bar includes a forwardly opening notch, a downwardly opening notch, and a shoulder.
10. A pusher assembly for a rack, the rack including a plurality of vertical supports and at least one wire rack mounted to the plurality of vertical supports, the pusher assembly configured for front facing a linear row of products toward a front edge of the at least one wire rack, the pusher assembly comprising a connection arrangement operable to connect the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack such that the pusher assembly is movable in a direction parallel to the front edge of the at least one wire rack and fixed relative to movement along a direction perpendicular to the front edge of the at least one wire rack.
11. The pusher assembly of claim 10, the pusher assembly further comprising:
- a base structure including: a pair of support bars in opposed spaced relation; a pair of support elements extending laterally between the pair of support bars, one of the pair of support elements proximal to a front end of each of the pair of support bars, the other one of the pair of support elements proximal to a back end of each of the pair of support bars; a wire support frame mounted to the pair of support bars and extending over a top of each of the pair of support elements;
- a pusher slidable along the base structure toward and away from a front stop connected to a front end of the base structure; and
- a pair of side barriers movable in a direction that his perpendicular to a direction of movement of the pusher.
12. The pusher assembly of claim 11, wherein the connection arrangement is provided by a connection portion of each of the pair of support bars.
13. The pusher assembly of claim 12, wherein the connection portion of each support bar includes a plurality of discrete connection points for connecting the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack.
14. The pusher assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of discrete connection points of each connection portion of each support bar includes a forwardly opening notch, a downwardly opening notch, and a shoulder.
15. The pusher assembly of claim 11, wherein the pusher of the pusher assembly includes a locking arm for selectively locking the pusher relative to the base structure to prevent movement of the pusher relative to the base structure.
16. The pusher assembly of claim 11, wherein each one of the pair of side barriers includes a divider wall and front and back wire extension elements connected to the divider wall.
17. The pusher assembly of claim 16, wherein the front wire extension element of each side barrier is received in the support element mounted proximal to the front end of each of the pair of support bars, and wherein the rear wire extension element of each side barrier is received in the support element mounted proximal the back end of each of the pair of support bars.
18. The pusher assembly of claim 17, wherein each of the pair of support elements includes a pair of tension clips for holding the respective front or rear wire extension element in a fixed position.
19. The pusher assembly of claim 16, wherein each divider of each side barrier is a metal plate element.
20. A method for installing a pusher assembly on a rack, the rack including a plurality of vertical supports and at least one wire rack mounted to the plurality of vertical supports, the pusher assembly configured for front facing a linear row of products toward a front edge of the at least one wire rack and includes a connection arrangement for connecting the pusher assembly to the at least one wire rack, the method comprises:
- receiving a wire of the at least one wire rack in a forwardly opening notch of the connection arrangement;
- rotating the pusher assembly about the wire received in the forwardly opening notch;
- receiving a second wire of the at least one wire rack in a downwardly opening notch of the connection arrangement; and
- abutting a third wire of the at least one wire rack with a shoulder of the connection arrangement.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 17, 2013
Publication Date: Jun 18, 2015
Applicant: SOUTHERN IMPERIAL, INC. (Rockford, IL)
Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel (Rockford, IL)
Application Number: 14/109,029