ADJUSTABLE PUSHER TRAY
An adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for holding objects thereon. The tray includes a platform adapted to be mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one pushing device adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects towards a front of the tray. Each pushing device has a longitudinal plate adapted to be mounted on the platform, a pusher tab slidably mounted on the longitudinal plate, and a coiled spring having one end mounted on the pusher tab and another end mounted on the longitudinal plate for biasing the pusher tab against the objects positioned between the pusher tab and the front of the tray.
The present invention relates to a pusher tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA pusher tray is used for pushing objects positioned thereon towards the front of the pusher tray. Such trays are inclined with respect of the horizontal and use gravitational force to move forward objects on display when one such object is removed from the tray. However, such pusher trays are of a predetermined size and it is expensive to adapt these to different shelf sizes in stores. Also, by depending on gravitational force one needs to set a predetermined incline angle, which may not be suitable for different kinds of objects having different friction coefficients and different shapes.
There is therefore a need for an improved pusher tray, which may overcome the above and other deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the present invention, there is provided an adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for holding objects thereon, the tray comprising: a platform adapted to be mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one pushing device adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects towards a front of the tray; wherein each pushing device comprises a longitudinal plate adapted to be mounted on the platform, a pusher tab slidably mounted on the longitudinal plate, and a coiled spring having one end mounted on the pusher tab and another end mounted on the longitudinal plate for biasing the pusher tab against the objects positioned between the pusher tab and the front of the tray.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for holding objects thereon, the tray comprising: a platform adapted to be mounted on the top of the shelf; and at least one pushing device adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects towards a front of the tray; wherein the platform comprises a first plate and a second plate slidably mounted on the first plate for adjusting a width of the tray.
The invention as well as its numerous advantages will be better understood by reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments made in reference to the appending drawings.
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An advantage of the pusher tray 10 is that it may be adjustable in width so as to expand or contract to accommodate different shelf sizes used in stores for example.
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Preferably, the platform 102 includes a plurality of modular platform units 114 adapted to be attached together. Each modular platform unit 114 has side protrusion receiving slots 116 lockingly engaging with corresponding protrusions 118 of an adjacent modular platform unit 114, as best shown in
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Preferably, each modular platform unit 114 includes one or more frangible links 128 located at predetermined distances for adjusting a width of the tray 100 when each frangible link 128 is severed.
Preferably, each longitudinal plate 106 includes one or more frangible links 130 located at predetermined distances for adjusting a width of the tray 100 when each frangible link 130 is severed.
Preferably, each divider unit 124 includes one or more frangible links 132 located at predetermined distances for adjusting a width of the tray 100 when each frangible link 132 is severed.
Preferably, a magnet 134 positioned in a magnet holder 136 is attached under each modular platform unit 114. Thereby, if the shelf S is metallic, it may be easily attached thereto. Of course, other means for attaching the modular platform unit 114 to the top of the shelf S may be provided as those skilled in the art will understand.
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An advantage of the frangible links 128, 130 and 132 is that they allow to adjust the tray to a particular size of shelf size. Furthermore, the use of longitudinal slots 120 and protrusions 126 of the divider units 124 also allow a user to adjust the width of each row where objects or merchandise are positioned depending on their size. The protrusions 122 of the pusher device 104 also allow to re-position the pusher device 104 in another lateral or longitudinal position to adjust the tray 100 to the size of particular objects. Of course, persons skilled in the art will understand that the pusher device 104 may be permanently be mounted or integrated into the modular platform units 114, but this would diminish the adjustability of the tray 100.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of an illustrative embodiment thereof, this embodiment can be modified at will without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention.
Claims
1. An adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for holding objects thereon, the tray comprising:
- a platform adapted to be mounted on the top of the shelf; and
- at least one pushing device adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects towards a front of the tray;
- wherein each pushing device comprises a longitudinal plate adapted to be mounted on the platform, a pusher tab slidably mounted on the longitudinal plate, and a coiled spring having one end mounted on the pusher tab and another end mounted on the longitudinal plate for biasing the pusher tab against the objects positioned between the pusher tab and the front of the tray.
2. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a plurality of modular platform units adapted to be attached together, each modular platform unit having side protrusions engaging into corresponding slots of an adjacent modular platform unit.
3. The tray according to claim 2, wherein each modular platform unit comprises a series of parallel longitudinal slots, and wherein an underside of each longitudinal plate comprises protrusions for lockingly engaging into a corresponding set of the slots.
4. The tray according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of divider units, each divider unit comprises protrusions for lockingly engaging into a corresponding set of the slots.
5. The tray according to claim 2, wherein each modular platform unit includes one or more frangible links located at predetermined distances for adjusting a width of the tray when each frangible link is severed.
6. The tray according to claim 1, wherein each longitudinal plate includes one or more frangible links located at predetermined distances for adjusting a width of the tray when each frangible link is severed.
7. The tray according to claim 4, wherein each divider unit includes one or more frangible links located at predetermined distances for adjusting a width of the tray when each frangible link is severed.
8. The tray according to claim 2, wherein each modular platform unit includes a magnet for retaining the tray onto the shelf.
9. An adjustable pusher tray mountable on a top of a shelf for holding objects thereon, the tray comprising:
- a platform adapted to be mounted on the top of the shelf; and
- at least one pushing device adapted to be mounted on the platform for pushing the objects towards a front of the tray;
- wherein the platform comprises a first plate and a second plate slidably mounted on the first plate for adjusting a width of the tray.
10. The tray according to claim 9, wherein each pushing device comprises a coiled spring mounted in spring receiving slots defined in the first and second plates.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 5, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 8, 2009
Inventors: Enzo Vardaro (Montreal), Nicola Vardaro (Montreal)
Application Number: 11/773,638
International Classification: B65H 31/20 (20060101);