Patents Assigned to RTC
  • Patent number: 9532658
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure and a barrier that is moveable by rotation between a folded position and an upright position without a rotation biasing element. A product positioned in the system can contact the barrier when the product moves toward the forward end of the system and rotate the barrier from the folded position to the upright position. The system may include a rotational mounting structure to which the moveable barrier is connected. The rotational mounting structure may be removably connected to the forward end of the divider. The merchandise display system may be used in conjunction with a product tray which provides for product stored in the product tray to be slid from in the product tray into the product pocket of the merchandise display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Stuart Parsons
  • Patent number: 9526351
    Abstract: A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: RTC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9510677
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising products on a shelf includes a rail mounting clip structure for removably coupling a front rail to a shelf, the shelf having a channel structure extending along a portion of a front edge. Upon removable engagement with the shelf, the front rail may be used to engage with one or more divider and pusher devices configured to display products on a shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9504321
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam that may define a cam glide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9498057
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9486088
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure, a pusher to move product, a barrier, and a low product indicator device comprising a protruding portion. The protruding portion is configured to extend forward of the barrier when an amount of product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Tony DiPaolo, John Pirone, Stuart Parsons
  • Patent number: 9468310
    Abstract: A multi-component divider including a first divider component and a connection mechanism for a second divider component. The second divider component connects to the first divider component when the first divider component is connected to a base. The second divider component extends above the first divider component, thereby extending the overall height of the divider. The base and multi-component divider can be used in locations where there is limited space between shelves, such as a shelf in a freezer or refrigerated display, or in any application where a higher divider may be preferred, but cannot be installed. The base can additionally include a pusher moveable along a longitudinal direction of the base, wherein the pusher is also adjustable linearly along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9402485
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Joel Barenbrugge
  • Patent number: 9375100
    Abstract: A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall. The merchandise system may be configured to hold a number of products, such as cans (for example, baby formula cans) in the merchandise system that would be accessible to the customer one at a time out of the front of the merchandise system. The front of each merchandise system may include its own individual security window attached to the merchandise system that allows the customer to remove one can at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Dipaolo, John Wildman, Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9360196
    Abstract: A merchandise display system may include a low voltage power assembly may comprise a track that includes one or more conductive rods and one or more mechanical connections, wherein the track is powered from a power source; and a power connector assembly that connects to the track, wherein the one or more conductive rods connect to the power assembly providing a power connection, and further wherein the one or more mechanical connections connect to the power assembly providing a mechanical connection. The power connector assembly may be configured to provide low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device. The power assembly may include a configuration of mechanical connections and conductive material arranged in such a way as to provide power and/or signal distribution to a mating device, such as to a set of LED modules, other lighting sources, or powered track devices for use with a merchandise display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Nicieja, Thomas E. Hubley
  • Patent number: 9310117
    Abstract: A portable ice barrel system composed of collapsible components configured to form a cylindrical insulation layer that also forms an opening at the top of the barrel. The base includes a grid, a disc, a rim, and a series of wheels. An inner liner extends into the opening of the cylindrical insulation layer to form an interior barrel cavity and an exterior barrel wall. The portable ice barrel may include a plurality of clips for holding the inner liner onto the cylindrical insulation layer, an expandable bladder or an insulative material injected into a gap between an inside surface of the exterior wall and an exterior surface of the expandable bladder to form an insulative layer, a plurality of sections that form an inner cylindrical insulation layer, and/or a hinged top and a hinged base that can be collapsed when deconfigured and shipped in a flat configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gideon Schlessinger, Fred Geiger, Julio Lozano
  • Patent number: 9289078
    Abstract: A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9277831
    Abstract: An integrated “T” assembly combines into a single integrated assembly, a track portion along both sides of a divider. The T assembly may have a wide-base portion, which may include a spring-urged-pusher track, on one side of the divider and a narrow-base portion on the opposite side of the divider. An offset pusher may have an upper portion that is offset, via an angled offset portion, from a lower portion of the pusher. Additional supporting bases, any of which may include spring-urged-pusher tracks and/or a spring-urged pusher, may be used under a wide product. Left and right side finisher components may be paired with T assemblies near the sides of a merchandise-display shelf. The T assembly, base, and/or end finishers may be coupled to a front rail via a complimentary tongue and groove arrangement and/or a non-slideable engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9265362
    Abstract: A merchandise display system having a pusher structure slidably-coupled to a track. The pusher structure comprises a lock arm configured to selectively engage with a ratchet rack to allow for selective unidirectional motion of the pusher structure upon application of a manual force to a pusher face of the pusher structure. Further, selective disengagement of the ratchet rack from the lock arm is facilitated by a manually-actuated pull strip having a ramp structure that slidably engages with the lock arm to lift a pawl out of the ratchet rack. This selective disengagement allows for bidirectional sliding of the pusher structure along said track, thereby allowing displayed products to be moved towards a front of a display shelf, or for products to be reloaded into the merchandise display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9265358
    Abstract: A merchandise display system can include a pusher extender that increases the pushing surface of the pusher. The pusher extender may define an elongated pusher body having a cavity. The pusher extender may be configured to slide over the pusher wall via the cavity like a sleeve. The pusher extender with an enlarged, substantially planar surface thereby creates an enlarged pushing surface for pushing larger products toward the front of the display system. The pusher extender can also be provided with an angled pusher surface to accommodate larger products. The display system can be mounted to a rear hang bar located towards the back of the shelf. A hanger may be positioned within a cavity formed in the divider and extend the length of the divider. The hook end of the hanger may then be positioned on the hang bar and the entire system may cantilever out from the hang bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9259102
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes at least one tray having a front rounded portion and defining a plurality of apertures and having two sides. A lip may extend upward from the front rounded portion of the at least one tray. A front shelf may extend forward from the lip. The at least one tray may include one divider extending upwardly from each of the two sides and a front wall. The front wall may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side legs. The front wall, bottom wall, and two side legs may form a wall aperture and the front wall may include a plurality of projections configured to engage with the plurality of apertures on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Tony DiPaolo, Barry Hearn
  • Patent number: 9237816
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam that may define a cam glide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9232864
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf or tray includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. In one example, the tray or shelf can include a first product retaining member which prevents products from being pushed off of the tray. The pusher mechanism of an exemplary embodiment includes a pusher surface, a second product retaining member, and a pusher floor that extends forward of the pusher surface and between the pusher surface and the second product retaining member. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher mechanism. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the pusher floor. With this configuration, the pusher surface is prevented from pushing the last product off of the shelf and onto the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, John Pirone
  • Patent number: 9226597
    Abstract: A multi-component divider including a first divider component and a connection mechanism for a second divider component. The second divider component connects to the first divider component when the first divider component is connected to a base. The second divider component extends above the first divider component, thereby extending the overall height of the divider. The base and multi-component divider can be used in locations where there is limited space between shelves, such as a shelf in a freezer or refrigerated display, or in any application where a higher divider may be preferred, but cannot be installed. The base can additionally include a pusher moveable along a longitudinal direction of the base, wherein the pusher is also adjustable linearly along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: RTC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9225131
    Abstract: A low voltage power assembly may comprise a track that includes one or more conductive plates and one or more metal plates, wherein the track is powered from a low voltage power source; and a power connector assembly that connects to the track, wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the power assembly providing a low voltage power connection, and further wherein the one or more metal plates connect to the power assembly providing a magnetic connection. The power connector assembly may be configured to provide low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device. The low voltage power assembly may include a configuration of ferrous material, conductive material, and nonconductive materials arranged in such a way as to provide a method for power and/or signal distribution to a mating device, such as to a set of magnetic LED modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph C. Ernest, Thomas E. Hubley, John W. Swafford, Jr.