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 WITH RAIL MOUNTING CLIP
    Publication number: 20150366340
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9185999
    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: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product securement and management system
    Patent number: 9185995
    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: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System
    Publication number: 20150320237
    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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Tony DiPaolo, John Pirone, Stuart Parsons
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9179788
    Abstract: An adjustable tray for a merchandise display system may include a retainer for limiting the movement of products loaded in the adjustable tray, a pusher mechanism configured to bias product toward the retainer, a first divider extending from a first panel and second divider extending from a second panel. The spacing between the first divider and the second divider can be configured to be adjusted. The first panel and the second panel can be configured to move to provide additional surface area for the adjustable tray to accommodate different sized products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9173505
    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 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9173504
    Abstract: A merchandise display system can include a front rail, at least one divider configured to engage the front rail, the at least one divider including a barrier. The at least one divider may also include a divider wall, and a roller carriage extending along the divider wall. The roller carriage can be provided with a plurality of rollers, and the roller carriage can be configured to advance the product. Additionally a cam can be coupled to the divider. Additionally, the roller carriage can be tilted such that the product is configured to move toward the barrier. The roller carriage can be formed of a first portion and a second portion, and the roller carriage can provided with a plurality of axles that are configured to receive the plurality of rollers such that the plurality of rollers are configured to rotate on the roller carriage. A method for forming a merchandise display system is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product securement and management system
    Patent number: 9167913
    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: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9149132
    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: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9138076
    Abstract: An adjustable tray for a merchandise display system may include a retainer for limiting the movement of products loaded in the adjustable tray, a pusher mechanism configured to bias product toward the retainer, a first divider extending from a first panel and second divider extending from a second panel. The spacing between the first divider and the second divider can be configured to be adjusted. The first panel and the second panel can be configured to move to provide additional surface area for the adjustable tray to accommodate different sized products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9138075
    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: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Stuart Parsons
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9107515
    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: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System
    Publication number: 20150216324
    Abstract: An adjustable tray for a merchandise display system may include a retainer for limiting the movement of products loaded in the adjustable tray, a pusher mechanism configured to bias product toward the retainer, a first divider extending from a first panel and second divider extending from a second panel. The spacing between the first divider and the second divider can be configured to be adjusted. The first panel and the second panel can be configured to move to provide additional surface area for the adjustable tray to accommodate different sized products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • PRODUCT MANAGEMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150208830
    Abstract: An adjustable tray for a merchandise display system may include a retainer for limiting the movement of products loaded in the adjustable tray, a pusher mechanism configured to bias product toward the retainer, a first divider extending from a first panel and second divider extending from a second panel. The spacing between the first divider and the second divider can be configured to be adjusted. The first panel and the second panel can be configured to move to provide additional surface area for the adjustable tray to accommodate different sized products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9072394
    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 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product securement and management system
    Patent number: 9070261
    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 system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base and a dampener assembly mounted to the spring-urged pusher configured to control the rate of speed at which the spring-urged pusher is urged forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system with rail mounting clip
    Patent number: 9060624
    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: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System with Trackless Pusher Mechanism
    Publication number: 20150164245
    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: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System with Trackless Pusher Mechanism
    Publication number: 20150164242
    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: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Joel Barenbrugge
  • PRODUCT MANAGEMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH TRACKLESS PUSHER MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20150108075
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, John Pirone