SPRING FEED SHELF DISPLAY WITH LATERAL ADJUSTMENT

Abstract

A product display for displaying and supporting a product or plurality of products. The product display includes a base having a longitudinal axis, a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base, a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly, and second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly. The product display may also include a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire. Further, the first side wire may be substantially identical.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/104,004 filed Oct. 9, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shelf displays and more specifically spring feed shelf displays.

Prominent display of and easy access to a product are desirable features in a retail display. When attempting to market a product, the seller typically wants consumers to easily recognize the product and remove the product from the display. Merchandise can be most easily recognized if located in an upright position maintained in close proximity to the visible edge of the merchandise shelf. It is also desirable for the display to be adaptable to changes in merchandise or packaging size. Standard merchandise displays such as single shelves or racks have difficulty maintaining proper orientation and position of the products. Shelves can leave tall, thin objects unstable, while both shelves and racks often leave merchandise highly inaccessible to a consumer once the front packages have been removed. Spring feed shelf displays maintain proper orientation and location of the merchandise by urging products toward the front of the shelf while holding the product in a generally upright position.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to a product display including a base having a longitudinal axis, a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base, a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly, a second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base opposite the first side wire, and a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base.

In one embodiment, the product display may include a base assembly having a longitudinal axis, a first base member defining a first support cavity, and a second base member defining a second support cavity and a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base assembly. The product display may also include a first side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly, the first side wire having a first extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a second extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity, and a second side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly and positioned opposite the first side wire, the second side wire having a third extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a fourth extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity. The product display may also include a stop member coupled to the first base member and engagable with the first and third extension rods to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a spring feed shelf display.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a base assembly of the spring feed shelf display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the base assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the base assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a pusher of the spring feed shelf display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a back view of the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a side rod of the spring feed shelf display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the side rod of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the side rod of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the spring feed shelf display positioned on a display shelf.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the spring feed shelf display of FIG. 1 including an alternative pusher embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alternative pusher embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the alternative pusher embodiment of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or embodiments, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates a spring feed shelf display 10 for displaying and supporting a product or plurality of products. The display 10 includes a base assembly 11, a pusher 26 longitudinally slideable along the base assembly 11, and a pair of side wires 18 laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly 11 and disposed on opposite sides of the pusher 26. The base assembly 11 includes a pair of spaced-apart lateral supports or base members 14 that slidably receive portions of the side wires 18. The base assembly 11 also includes a plurality of longitidudinally extending rods, including a pair of outer rods 22 and a pair of inner rods 23, that are coupled to and extend between the base members 14. The pusher 26 is slidably coupled to the outer and inner rods 22, 23 for longitudinal movement between the base members 14. At least one biasing member 30 (the illustrated construction includes a pair of biasing members 30) extends between the pusher 26 and a forward one of the base members 14 and biases the pusher 26 towards a forward one of the base members 14. A front stop 51, defined by portions of the outer rods 22, extends upwardly from the forward one of the base members 14 to limit forward movement of products held by the display 10.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the base assembly 11. The outer rods 22 are spaced from each other by a distance D and are flanked by the inner rods 23. The inner and outer rods 22, 23 are substantially parallel to each other and define a direction of translation N for the pusher 26. In the illustrated construction each rod 22,23 is formed from a substantially rigid material, such as stainless steel or another suitable metal. The inner and outer rods 22, 23 are substantially cylindrical in cross-section, but may also have oblong or polygonal cross-sections, provided the rods allow for translation of the pusher 26 in the direction N while supporting the products in the storage volume.

The front stop 51 extends upwardly from the forward ends of the outer rods 22. In the illustrated construction the front stop 51 is generally arcuate and is formed of the same elongated rod as the outer rods 22. The front stop 51 generally includes two uprights 50 and a substantially semicircular connector 54 to support and restrict the motion of a product or plurality of products held by the display. The front stop 51 may also be parabolic, elliptical, linear, or have another shape sufficient to stop movement of articles in the display. A placard 34 (FIG. 1) coupled to the front stop 51 provides a display surface for signage or indicia relating to the merchandise. For example, the placard 34 may include labeling, advertising, and/or pricing information relating to merchandise being displayed.

The base members 14 are fixedly coupled to the ends of the inner and outer rods 22, 23, for example by welding. The base members 14 extend substantially perpendicularly to the inner and outer rods 23, 22, spanning at least the distance D. Additional base members may also be provided along the length of the inner and outer rods 22, 23 to provide additional support. In the illustrated construction, each base member 14 is formed from a substantially flat, rigid, for example metallic, blank. The blank is generally formed by bending and/or extrusion into a substantially “C” shape resulting in a substantially flat upper portion 66 and a pair of arcuate side portions 67 (FIG. 6). The side portions 67 cooperate with the flat upper portion 66 to define a pair of support cavities 68 that receive the side wires 18. The upper portion 66 also defines a plurality (e.g. two) of elongated slots 58. The elongated slots 58 are configured to receive and secure an end of the biasing member 30, as discussed further below. The upper portion 66 also defines a central positioning hole 46 configured to receive a stop member 70 (e.g. a rivet, FIG. 6) for retention of the side wires 18. Preferably, each base member 14 is identical to simplify manufacturing and thereby reduce the cost of the display 10.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate the pusher 26. In the illustrated construction, the pusher 26 is formed of a single sheet of rigid yet formable material (FIG. 8), such as, for example, polyethylene. The sheet is creased along line 82 to form the pusher 26 as a substantially triangular prism having a front panel 38 and a rear panel 39. Adjacent bottom edges 84, the pusher 26 defines a plurality of inner slots 74 that are configured to receive one of the inner rods 23. The inner slots 74 extend inwardly from the bottom edge 84 and include a substantially “U” shaped perimeter. In other constructions, the perimeter of the inner slots 74 may include a different profile that compliments differently-shaped inner rods 23.

A pair of outer slots 75 are spaced outwardly from the inner slots 74. The illustrated outer slots 75 of the pusher 26 extend inwardly from side edges 83 to define a substantially “U” shaped slot that receives the outer rods 22. By opening outwardly, the outer slots 75 define a pair of stability tabs 77 adjacent the bottom edge 84 of the front and rear panels 38, 39. The stability tabs 77 engage the undersides of the outer rods 22 to stabilize the pusher 26 when the pusher 26 is coupled to the base assembly 11.

The front panel 38 of the pusher 26 also defines a plurality (e.g. two as illustrated) of elongated slots 76 that extend substantially parallel to the bottom edge 84. Each slot 76 is configured such that a portion of a respective biasing member 30 extends through the slot 76, as discussed further below.

Referring also to FIGS. 12-14, the illustrated side wires 18 are formed from a single, substantially rigid rod. Each side wire 18 includes a central portion 94 having a length that substantially corresponds to the distance between the forward and rearward base members 14. Uprights 98 extend substantially perpendicular from each end of the central portion 94, and terminate in curved foot members 90. Extension rods 99 (FIG. 12) extend from the foot members 90 substantially parallel to each another and perpendicular to the upright rods 98. The extension rods 99 include insert ends 102 each of which defines a stopping hook 86. Each stopping hook 86 extends generally perpendicularly, in a common direction, from its respective insert end 102. The side wires 18 are configured such that substantially identical side wires 18 can be used on both sides of the display 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the pusher 26 is slideably coupled to the outer and inner rods 22, 23 by manipulating the outer rods 22 into the outer slots 75. This may be accomplished by a combination of bending the pusher 26, angling the pusher 26 relative to the rods 22, and outwardly bending the outer rods 22. Similar manipulation is also used to position the inner rods 23 within the inner slots 74. When the outer rods 22 are positioned in the outer slots 75 and the inner rods 23 are positioned within the inner slots 74, the stability tabs 77 extend beneath the outer rods 22 to restrict vertical displacement of the pusher 26 relative to the rods 22, 23.

As shown in FIG. 1, the biasing members 30 are coupled to and extend between the pusher 26 and the forward base member 14. Each biasing member 30 is positioned between one of the inner and one of the outer rods 22, 23. Biasing members 30 include a coiled end 64 and an anchor end 62. The coiled end 64 is generally captured between the front and rear panels 38, 39 of the pusher 26, while the anchor end 62 extends through and is captured by the elongated slot 58 of the forward base member 14. A plurality of bends 63 in the anchor end 62 aid in coupling to the forward base member 14, although other fastening methods may be used. An exposed portion 31 of each biasing member 30 extends through the slots 76 in the front panel, which guide forward and rearward movement of the pusher 26, and maintain positioning of the biasing members 30. The biasing members 30 provide a biasing force that urges the pusher 26 toward the front stop 51.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 15, the side wires 18 are slideably coupled to the base member 14 by inserting the extension rods 99 into the support cavities 68 of the base members 14. The extension rods 99 are inserted such that the stopping hooks 86 extend past the positioning hole 46. With the extension rods 99 so positioned, the stop member 70 is inserted and secured within the positioning hole 46. In the illustrated construction, the stop member 70 is a rivet. The stop member 70 permits lateral adjustment of the side wires 18 relative to the base members 14, while preventing removal of the side wires 18 from the support cavities 68 by restricting outward movement of the stopping hooks 86 beyond the stop member 70.

As shown in FIG. 16, the spring feed shelf display 10 can be positioned on substantially any type of shelving 106 for the display and dispensing of a product. In the illustrated construction, the shelving 106 includes a plurality of apertures 108 near a forward edge of the shelving 106. Cable ties 104 or other coupling devices may therefore be used to secure the spring feed shelf display 10 to the shelving 106, while still allowing the side wires 18 to be laterally adjusted for display and dispensing of differently-sized products.

In use, the pusher 26 is moved rearwardly, against the biasing force provided by the biasing members 30, and a plurality of products is positioned between the pusher 26 and the front stop 51. The products are supported from below by the outer and inner wires 22, 23. The side wires 18 may then be adjusted to a width that is appropriate for supporting the sides of the products. The biasing force provided by the biasing members 30 urges the pusher 26 forwardly, toward the front stop 51, thereby holding the products in an upright position. When a forward-most product of the plurality of products is removed, the pusher 26 urges the remaining product or products forwardly such that the next product engages the front stop 51 and is positioned for subsequent removal by the customer. In this way, the spring feed shelf display 10 maintains the product in a forward-most position for prominent display and ease of removal by customers.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a second embodiment of the pusher 26′. The pusher 26′ includes a wire-frame body 114′ having multiple bends that provide a first pusher portion 118′ for contacting and supporting the product, and a second pusher portion 122′ angled relative to the first pusher portion 118′ for stabilizing the pusher 26′. The first and second pusher portions 118′, 122′ each include rod engaging portions 126′, 130′, respectively, that receive one or more rods 22, 23 of the base assembly 11 and permit the pusher 26′ to laterally slide along the base assembly 11. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 20, the rod engaging portions 130′ of second portion 122′ are formed to open to the outside of the pusher 26′, thereby forming substantially C-shaped portions that engage the inner rods 23. The rod engaging portions 126′ of the first portion 118′ are formed to face inwardly and engage the outer rods 22. During manufacturing, the portions 122′ and 126′ are formed and the resulting pusher blank is bent about the dashed line of FIG. 20 to form the completed pusher 26′ illustrated in FIGS. 17-19. In the illustrated embodiment the pusher 26′ is formed from a single elongated rod. In other embodiments the pusher 26′ may be formed from a wireframe weldment or assembly, or from a combination of wireframe and plate elements.

Claims

1. A product display comprising:

a base having a longitudinal axis;

a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base;

a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly;

a second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base opposite the first side wire; and

a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base.

2. The product display of claim 1, wherein the first side wire and second side wire are slideably received by the base.

3. The product display of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first side wire and the second side wire are retained within the base by the stop member.

4. The product display of claim 3, wherein the first side wire includes a stop hook to engage the stop member.

5. The product display of claim 1, wherein the stop member is a rivet.

6. The product display of claim 1, wherein the base assembly includes two base members each defining a support cavity, and wherein the first side wire is at least partially received by the support cavity of each base member.

7. The product display of claim 1, wherein the first side wire and the second side wire are substantially identical.

8. The product display of claim 1, wherein a biasing member is positioned to bias the pusher along the longitudinal axis of the base.

9. A product display comprising:

a base assembly including a longitudinal axis, a first base member defining a first support cavity, and a second base member defining a second support cavity;

a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base assembly;

a first side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly, the first side wire having a first extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a second extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity;

a second side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly and positioned opposite the first side wire, the second side wire having a third extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a fourth extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity; and

a stop member coupled to the first base member and engagable with the first and third extension rods to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly.

10. The product display of claim 9, wherein the first and third extension rods each include a distal end that defines a stopping hook.

11. The product display of claim 10,wherein the first extension rod extends into the first cavity from a first end of the first cavity, the third extension rod extends into the first cavity from a second end of the first cavity, wherein the stop member is positioned substantially mid-way between the first and second ends of the first cavity, and wherein the stopping hook of the first extension rod is positioned between the stop member and the second end of the first cavity and the stopping hook of the second extension member is positioned between the stop member and the first end of the first cavity.

12. The product display of claim 10, wherein the stopping hooks engage the stop member to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly.

13. The product display of claim 9, wherein the first side wire and the second side wire are substantially identical.

14. The product display of claim 9, wherein a biasing member is positioned to bias the pusher in a longitudinal direction relative to the base.