Patents by Inventor Stephen N. Hardy

Stephen N. Hardy 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).

  • Product Management Display System
    Publication number: 20170172316
    Abstract: A product management display system has a surface of the display system, a pusher mechanism having a pusher surface, the pusher mechanism configured to slide across at least a portion of the surface of the display system, and at least one divider for dividing product into rows. The display system further has a front retaining wall configured to attach to the front portion of the display system. The front retaining wall has a bottom surface comprising detents. The front portion of the surface of the display system has correspondingly shaped sockets for receiving the detents when the front retaining wall is attached to the front portion of the display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Stuart Parsons
  • PRODUCT MANAGEMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170119174
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a tray on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The tray may include a notch for accessing the merchandising product from below and the product management display system may be thin to minimize vertical height. The trays may also be engaged with the shelf and may be, locked and unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    Publication number: 20170119175
    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. The low product indicator device may be visible when an amount of product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9635957
    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: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Securement and Management System
    Publication number: 20170099959
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System
    Publication number: 20170086601
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Stuart Parsons
  • Product Management Display System with Trackless Pusher Mechanism
    Publication number: 20170071361
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System with Trackless Pusher Mechanism
    Publication number: 20170042344
    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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Multi-Component Display and Merchandise Systems
    Publication number: 20170020304
    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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    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
  • Product securement and management system
    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
  • Product management display system with rail mounting clip
    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
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    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
  • Product Management Display System with Trackless Pusher Mechanism
    Publication number: 20160338508
    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: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Joel Barenbrugge
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    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
  • Product management display system
    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
  • Multi-component display and merchandise systems
    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
  • Product Securement and Management System
    Publication number: 20160270559
    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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Tony Dipaolo, John Wildman, Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System
    Publication number: 20160270558
    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 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 said 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Collapsible Insulating Device
    Publication number: 20160223243
    Abstract: A portable insulating device kit may be configured to fit within a smaller container for easier shipment. In one example, the assembly may include a base, a top wall having an opening, an inner liner configured to extend into the opening of the top wall to form an interior cavity defining a volumetric storage capacity and an exterior wall. The container can have a flat configuration defining a length, height, and width. The base, the top wall, the inner liner, and the exterior wall may be configured to be assembled into a portable insulating device. The volume of the container may be less than the volumetric storage capacity of the assembled portable insulating device, and the base, the inner liner, and the exterior wall are configured to be detached from one another and shipped in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Gideon Schlessinger, Fred Geiger, Julio Lozano