DISPLAY ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL ROLLER BASE

Abstract

A display assembly and shelving unit. The display assembly includes a base with one or more channels that extend between the front and back of the base. The back is higher than the front so that the base is retained at an angle to the horizontal within the shelving unit. A conveyor mechanism operable under force of gravity is provided across the channels. The conveyor mechanism includes roller assemblies that have rods with a plurality of small rollers thereon. The rollers are able to rotate about the stationary rod individually and independently. When a product for sale is removed from a front end of a first channel, then the products remaining in that first channel slide downwardly on the rollers until they engage a stop. Products in adjacent channels will remain stationary as the rollers in those additional channels will not rotate when product is removed from the first channel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to product displays. More particularly, the invention relates to a shelving unit for displaying products in a big box store. Specifically, the invention relates to a display assembly including a conveyor that operates under force of gravity to individually advance products in a first channel of the display toward a front end thereof when a product from that first channel is removed while leaving products in adjacent channels in place.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Retailers are always seeking innovative ways to display products in their stores. One of the biggest issues a retailer has is keeping shelves stocked and, especially in the case of big box stores, keeping products within reach of potential customers. Big box stores tend to have very large, deep shelving systems that can make it quite a challenge for a customer to access products. This is especially true of larger, heavier items that require a decent amount of effort on the part of the customer to reach in to the deep shelving system and pull a desired product off the shelf.

There is therefore a need in the art for a display assembly that aids in maintaining the front region of a shelving display fully stocked with product, especially larger, heavier items such as bottles of various liquids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention is a display assembly and shelving unit incorporating the same. The display assembly includes a base with one or more channels that extend between the front and back of the base. The back is higher than the front so that the base is retained at an angle to the horizontal within the shelving unit. A conveyor mechanism operable under force of gravity is provided across the channels. The conveyor mechanism includes roller assemblies that have rods with a plurality of small rollers thereon. The rollers are able to rotate about the stationary rod individually and independently. When a product for sale is removed from a front end of a first channel, then the products remaining in that first channel slide downwardly on the rollers until they engage a stop. Products in adjacent channels will remain stationary as the rollers in those additional channels will not rotate when product is removed from the first channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a display assembly in accordance with the present invention shown engaged with a shelving unit;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the shelving unit;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a divider used in the display assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an end divider used in the display assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the roller assembly of the display assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front view of the roller assembly taken through line 6-6- of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the front end of the roller assembly taken through line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the display assembly of the present invention showing the extension channels in an extended position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the display assembly taken through line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the extension channel assembly taken through line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the rear portion of the display assembly with the rollers removed for the sake of clarity and showing the expansion members in a partially extended position;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the display assembly with the extension channel shown in a collapsed position;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the display assembly with the extension channel in a fully extended position;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the rear end of the display assembly engaged with a rear support as highlighted in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the rear end of the display assembly engaged with a front support as highlighted in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-15, there is shown a display assembly in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 10. Display assembly 10 is configured to be engaged with a shelving unit 12 and to retain a plurality of products 14 for display thereon.

Only a portion of shelving unit 12 is shown in FIG. 1. Shelving unit 12 includes a plurality of uprights 16 between which a plurality of front beams and rear beams extend. Only a single front beam 18 and a single rear beam 20 are shown in FIG. 1 but it should be understood that additional uprights 16, front beams 18 and rear beams 20 are utilized in shelving unit 12. A number of cross-braces 22 extend between uprights 16 to stabilize shelving unit 12. Preferably, front and rear beams 18, 20 are positionable at selected locations on uprights 16. Shelving unit 12 thus has a front region disposed generally adjacent front beam 18 and a rear region disposed generally adjacent rear beam 20.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, front beam 18 is positioned at a slightly lower height on uprights 16 than is rear beam 20. This is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 where it can be seen that there is a height difference H1 between front and rear beams 18, 20. FIGS. 12 & 15 show that front beam 18 includes a top wall 18a, a front wall 18b, a rear wall 18c and a recessed back wall 18d, a ledge 18e, and a bottom wall 18f. Similarly, FIGS. 12 & 14 show that rear beam 20 includes a top wall 20a, a front wall 20b, a rear wall 20c, a recessed front wall 20d, a ledge 20e and a bottom wall 20f. Front and rear beams 18, 20 are spaced a distance apart from each other. Depending on the store and the product that is to be displayed on shelving unit 12, front and rear beams 18, 20 may be spaced a distance “D” (FIG. 12) from each other or may be spaced a distance “D1” (FIG. 13) from each other. A comparison between FIGS. 12 and 13 shows that “D1” is greater than “D”. In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, display assembly 10 is adjustable to fit a range of distances between front and rear beams 18, 20 with that range being a minimum distance of “D” apart and a maximum distance of “D1” apart. Additionally, depending on the length of front and rear beams 18, 20, a plurality of display assemblies 10 may be utilized on a single shelving unit. Two separate display assemblies 10 and 10b are illustrated In FIG. 1 as being disposed side-by-side on shelving unit 12. Display assemblies 10 and 10b are not connected to each other although they could be if that is desired. It will further be understood that there may be a plurality of front and rear beams 18, 20 spaced vertically above each other and display assemblies 10 may be engaged with each set of front and rear beams. The engagement of display assembly 10 on shelving unit 12 will be further described hereinafter,

Referring to FIG. 2, a single display assembly 10 for engagement with shelving unit 12 is shown in greater detail. Display assembly 10 comprises a base 11, at least two channels 13 provided on base 11, and a conveyor mechanism 15 provided in channels 13 for moving product 14 (FIG. 1) under force of gravity from the rear region of shelving unit 12 to the front region thereof. The various components of display assembly 10 will now be described in greater detail.

Base 11 comprises a frame that includes a front bar 24, a back bar 26 and four crossbars 28 that extend between front and back bars 24, 26. Each of the front bar 24, back bar 26 and crossbars 28 preferably are square in cross-sectional shape and are welded or otherwise secured to each other. Base 11 further includes a plurality of expansion members 46 and a securing assembly 50, both of which will be described further herein.

As shown in FIGS. 5 & 7, front bar 24 has a top wall 24a, a front wall 24b, a back wall 24c and a bottom wall 24d. Top, front, back and bottom walls 24a-24d define a bore 30 that extends from one end of front bar 24 through to the other end thereof, although this is not essential. Front bar 24 may be a generally solid member but the inclusion of the bore makes front bar 24 lighter and less expensive to manufacture. Front bar 24 further includes a L-shaped bracket 32 that is welded or otherwise secured to top wall 24a. A vertical flange 32a of bracket 32 is positioned generally midway between front wall 24b and back wall 24c. Vertical flange 32a defines a plurality of holes 34 therein that are spaced at intervals from each other.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, back bar 26 includes a top wall 26a, a front wall 26b, a back wall 26c and a bottom wall 26d. Top, front, back, and bottom walls 26a-26d define a bore 27 that extends from one end of back bar 26 through to the other end thereof although, again, this is not essential. Back bar 26 further includes a L-shaped bracket 36 welded or otherwise secured to top wall 26a. A vertical flange 36a of bracket 36 is positioned generally midway between front and back walls 26b, 26c. Vertical flange 36a defines a plurality of holes 38 therein that are spaced at intervals from each other. It should be noted that each hole 34 in bracket 32 is aligned with a hole 38 in bracket 36. The purpose for this will be described later herein.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 6, each crossbar 28 has a top wall 28a, a left side wall 28b, a right side wall 28c and a bottom wall 28d. Top, side and bottom walls 28a-28d define a bore 40 that extends from one end of crossbar 28 through to the other end thereof although, again, this is not essential. Crossbar 28 further includes a L-shaped bracket 42 that is welded or otherwise secured to top wall 28a thereof. A vertical flange 42a of bracket 42 is vertically aligned with one of the left and right side walls 28b, 28c. Vertical flanges 42a on each crossbar 28 in display assembly 10 preferably are vertically aligned with the left side wall 28b of each crossbar 28. Vertical flange 42a defines a series of notches 44 (FIG. 5) therein that are spaced apart at intervals along the length of bracket 42. As shown in FIGS. 8 & 10, the left and right side walls 28b, 28c of crossbars 28 define a pair of aligned apertures 29 therein. Apertures 29 preferably are positioned adjacent a free end of crossbar 28 and remote from front bar 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, front bar 24 is spaced a distance “L” from back bar 26. This distance “L” may not be sufficient to span the distance “D” between front and rear beams 18, 20 on shelving unit 12. Thus, in accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, base 11 of display assembly 10 includes a plurality of expansion members 46, as indicated previously. Expansion members 46 are configured to be able to extend the overall length of display assembly 10. Each expansion member 46 is configured to be telescopingly received in the bore 40 of one of the crossbars 28 as is illustrated in FIGS. 8 & 9. Preferably, each expansion member 46 is generally U-shaped in cross-section and includes a bottom wall 46a, a first side wall 46b and a second side wall 46c. Each of the first and second side walls 46b, 46c defines one or pairs of aligned apertures 48 therein. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, three pairs of aligned apertures 48 are defined in first and second side walls 46b, 46c. Apertures 48 are configured to be alignable with apertures 29 in crossbars 28. A locking mechanism is provided to lock expansion members 46 in the one of the collapsed, partially expanded and fully expanded positions. A suitable locking mechanism includes but is not limited to fasteners 31 which are inserted through aligned aperture 29 and one of apertures 48 in expansion member 46. When fasteners 31 are so engaged, the expansion member 46 cannot be moved inwardly or outwardly with respect to crossbar 28.

As indicated previously, base 11 further includes a securing assembly 50 (FIGS. 8 & 9) for engaging display assembly 10 on rear beam 20 of shelving unit 12. Securing assembly 50 comprises an U-shaped member 52 and a L-shaped bracket 54. Member 52 has a top wall 52a, a front wall 52b and rear wall 52c and is sized to be placed over a projection on rear beam 20. The projection is that portion of beam 20 defined by top wall 20a, rear wall 20c and recessed front wall 20d. Member 52 is retained on the projection by the weight of the display assembly and gravity. It will be understood that fasteners, clamps or other securement devices could, alternatively, be utilized to more permanently secure member 52 on rear beam 20. Member 52 is retained on rear beam 20 to a degree sufficient to resist display assembly 10 slipping off front and rear beams 18, 20. Member 52 resists both forward and rearward motion of display assembly 10. By contrast, and as shown in FIG. 15, front bar 24 merely rests on ledge 18e of front beam 18 and is prevented from sliding forwardly off front beam 18 by the rear wall 18d thereof being disposed in front of front bar 24. Display assembly 10 is therefore retained on shelving unit 12 by virtue of its weight and the force of gravity and interference by a portion of front bar 18.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, securing assembly further includes a bracket 54 that is welded or otherwise secured to top wall 52a of member 52. A vertical flange 54a of bracket 54 is substantially aligned with one of front and rear walls 52b, 52c of member 52. Preferably, vertical flange 54a is aligned with front wall 52b. Vertical flange 54a defines a plurality of apertures 56 therein. Apertures 56 extend between a front and back surface of flange 54a and are spaced at vertical intervals. Preferably, a first, second and third aperture 56a, 56b, 56c are vertically spaced and aligned one above the other. Additional groups of aligned first, second and third apertures 56a, 56b & 56c are provided in horizontally spaced intervals from each other along flange 54a.

Securing assembly 50 further includes a connector member 51 (FIG. 9) that connects securing assembly 50 and expansion members 46 together. Connector member 51 is engaged with the free end of each expansion member 46. Connector member 51 includes a rear wall 51a, a top wall 51b and a bottom wall 51c which define a space 47 therebetween. Side walls 46b, 46c of expansion members 46 are frictionally engaged in space 47 between top and bottom walls 51b, 51c of connector member 51. Rear wall 51a defines an aperture 53 therein. A fastener 58 is provided to secure connector member 51 to flange 54a when aperture 53 is aligned with one of the first, second and third apertures 56a, 56b, 56c therein as will be hereinafter described. A nut 59 locks fastener 58 in place. When a plurality of fasteners 58 secures connector member 51 and securing assembly 50 together, then expansion members 46 are able to move with securing assembly 50 toward and away from back bar 26 as a unit, provided fasteners 31 (FIG. 8) are disengaged.

As indicated previously and illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 11, display assembly 10 further includes a conveyor mechanism 15. Conveyor mechanism 15 extends laterally across substantially all of the channels 13 on base 11. Conveyor mechanism 15 comprises a plurality of roller assemblies 60 that extend from one side of base 11 to the other. In other words, roller assemblies 60 (FIG. 6) extend from end crossbar 28A (FIG. 11) to end crossbar 28B. Each roller assembly 60 comprises a rod 62, a pair of caps 64 and a plurality of rollers 66. Each rod 62 has a diameter that is complementary to one of notches 44 in wall 42a in brackets 42. The free ends of rod 62 engage in notches 44 on brackets 42 on the two end crossbars (28A & 28B in FIG. 11) and portions of rod 62 intermediate the ends are engaged in notches 44 on brackets 42 on the two center crossbars (28C & 28D in FIG. 11). A cap 64 is engaged with each end of the rod 62 after the rod has been seated in notches 44.

Each rod 62 is provided with a plurality of rollers 66. Each roller 66 is approximately 1 inch long and around ⅗ inch in diameter. Each roller 66 defines a bore 67 (FIG. 6) therethrough. Rod 62 is received through the bores 67 of the plurality of rollers 66 and is approximately 48 inches long and ¼ inch in diameter. Preferably there are forty-six rollers 66 on a single rod 62. Since rod 62 is 48 inches long, rollers 66 are able to slide along rod 62 to a certain degree.

Since each roller 66 is about 1 inch long, each roller is around 1/50th of the total length of the rod. Rollers 66 are able to rotate freely around rod 62 and if they are so rotated, they do not impart sufficient rotational motion to rod 62 to cause it to rotate. Rod 62 therefore remains substantially stationary at all times. Each roller 66 on each rod 62 is able to be rotated individually and independently of all the other rollers 66 on that rod. This arrangement makes it possible for rollers on different parts of the same rod to be rotating at different speeds. Furthermore, a roller may be stationary even if the roller right next to it is rotating. So, for example, in FIG. 5, roller 66a is able to rotate independently of rollers 66b and 66c and, in fact, is able to rotate independently of every other roller on roller assembly 60a. Roller 66a is also able to rotate independently of every roller on rods 60b and 60c as well. The rotational motion is not imparted to rollers 66 by a rotating rod 62. Instead, rotational motion is imparted to rollers 66 by one of the products 14 sliding down display assembly 10 under force of gravity as will be discussed further herein. Rollers 66 effectively reduce the frictional force that resists the movement of product 14 from a back end of base 11 toward the front end thereof under the influence of gravity.

As indicated previously, display assembly 10 further includes a plurality of channels 13. These channels 13 are created by engaging dividers with front and back bars 24, 26. Display assembly 10 utilizes a plurality of center dividers 68 (FIG. 3) and a pair of end dividers 70 (FIG. 4). So, for example, in FIG. 2, center and end dividers 68, 70 create five channels 13 on display assembly 10, namely, channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e. Conveyor mechanism 15, i.e., roller assemblies 60, extend laterally across all six channels 13. A different portion of conveyor mechanism 15 is disposed in each channel 13 and these different portions of the conveyor mechanism 15 are able to operate independently of each other. This is because all of rollers 66 are able to rotate independently.

As shown in FIG. 3, center divider 68 comprises an elongated tube 68a having a downwardly extending first arm 68b at one end and a downwardly extending second arm 68c at the other end. A substantially rectangular front stop 74 is secured to first arm 68b and a substantially rectangular back stop 76 is secured to second arm 68c. First arm 68b is secured to a middle region of front stop 68b and second arm 68c is secured to a middle region of back stop 68c. Front stop 68b includes first and second legs 78 which extend outwardly and forwardly away from a front surface thereof. First and second legs 78 are sized to be selectively engaged in holes 34 in bracket 32 on front bar 24. Back stop 68c includes first and second legs 80 which extend outwardly and rearwardly away from a back surface thereof. First and second legs 80 are sized to be selectively engaged in holes 38 in bracket 36 on back bar 26 (FIG. 8). As is evident from FIG. 3, both of front and back stops 68b, 68c are substantially identical in appearance to each other. Consequently, center divider 68 can be rotated through 180 degrees and will present exactly the same configuration at the end of channel 13.

FIG. 4 shows that end divider 70 comprises an elongated tube 70a having a downwardly extending first arm 70b at one end and a downwardly extending second arm 70c at the other end. A front stop 82 is joined to first arm 70b and a back stop 84 is joined to second arm 70c. Front stop 82 comprises a generally U-shaped frame member 82a and a pair of horizontal frame elements 82b, 82c that are secured to frame member 82c. Spaced apart frame elements 82b, 82c extend between first arm 70b and frame member 82a. It should be noted that first arm 70b is connected to the ends of frame elements 82b, 82c so that the frame elements and frame member 82a extend outwardly from tube 70a in a first direction. Frame member 82a is also provided with a pair of outwardly and forwardly extending legs 86 that are sized to be selectively engaged in holes 34 in bracket 32 on front bar 24. Back stop 84 comprises a generally U-shaped frame member 84a and a pair of horizontal frame elements 84b, 84c that are secured to frame member 84c. Spaced apart frame elements 84b, 84c extend between second arm 70c and frame member 84a. It should be noted that second arm 70c is connected to the ends of frame elements 84b, 84c so that the frame elements and frame member 84a extend outwardly from tube 70a. It should further be noted that frame elements 84b, 84c and frame member 84a extend outwardly from tube 70 in the same first direction as frame elements 82b, 82c. Frame member 84a is provided with a pair of outwardly and rearwardly extending legs 88 that are sized to be selectively engaged in holes 38 in bracket 36 on back bar 26. If end divider 70 is rotated through 180 degrees, the orientation of the frame elements and frame members is completely reversed. This feature is useful for creating narrower or wider channels 13 using the same end divider 70 and the same holes 34, 38 in front and back bars 24, 26. A first orientation of end divider 70g, shown in FIG. 2, creates a narrow channel 13e. If end divider 70g is rotated through 180 degrees, which is not illustrated, it will be understood that tube 70a thereof will then be positioned where it is adjacent the end row of rollers indicated as “R”. This change of orientation will increase the width of channel 13e substantially. In FIG. 2 this change in orientation of end divider 70g will increase the channel width by about five rollers 66—an increase of about 5 inches in width.

Display assembly 10 is used in the following manner. Firstly, the user measures the distance between front beam 18 and rear beam 20 on shelving unit 12. This information is necessary for the user to determine whether or not expansion members 46 need to be in a collapsed position (FIG. 12), a partially extended position (FIG. 8) or a fully extended position (FIG. 13). If it is decided that expansion members 46 need to be in a collapsed position, then fasteners 31 are withdrawn from aligned apertures 29, 48 on the four crossbars 28 and the user pushes securing assembly 50 inwardly toward back bar 26. This causes expansion members to slide further inwardly into bores 40 of crossbars 28. When the apertures 48a (FIG. 11) closest to securing assembly 50 align with apertures 29 in crossbars 28, then fasteners 31 are inserted through the aligned apertures and wing nuts 33 are engaged therewith to retain fasteners 31 in place.

If it is decided that expansion members 46 need to be in a partially extended position, then expansion members are pushed inwardly or pulled outwardly from bores 40 of crossbars 28 as required, until apertures 48b align with apertures 29. Fasteners 31 are then inserted through the aligned apertures and wing nuts 33 are engaged. Finally, if it is decided that expansion members 46 need to be in the fully extended position, then they are pushed inwardly or pulled outwardly relative to crossbars 28 as required until apertures 48c align with apertures 29 and then fasteners 31 are engaged therein.

In accordance with one of the specific features of the present invention, display assembly 10 is configured to be disposed at an angle “A” (FIG. 15) relative to the horizontal. Angle “A” is between 3° and 15° relative to the horizontal and preferably is 8° relative to the horizontal. The rear portion of display assembly 10 is disposed at a slightly greater height than the front portion thereof relative to a horizontal floor surface upon which the shelving unit 12 rests. The angle “A” is desirable to ensure that products 14 retained on display assembly 10 move toward the front portion of the display under force of gravity. There are a number of ways to ensure that display assembly 10 is maintained at the desired angle“A”. Firstly, rear beam 20 of shelving unit 12 can be secured in a location that is slightly higher relative to the floor surface that is front beam 18. Thus, as previously indicated with reference to FIG. 12, there is a height differential “H” between front and rear beams 18, 20. Secondly, front bar 24 engages front beam 18 at a different location on the beam relative to the location that securing assembly 50 engages rear beam 20. Front bar 24 rests on ledge 18e formed between recessed rear wall 18d and rear wall 18c. Securing assembly 50 engages the projection that extends upwardly beyond a similar ledge 20e on rear beam 20. The projection is created by recessed front wall 20d, rear wall 20e and top wall 20a.

It is desirable to maintain angle “A” when expansion members 46 are moved between the collapsed position, partially extended position and fully extended position. This is accomplished by changing the relative height of the connection between expansion members 46 and securing assembly 50. So, for instance, when expansion member 46 is in the collapsed position shown in FIG. 12, then fastener 58 is inserted through the bottommost aperture in bracket 54, namely third aperture 56c, and into aperture 53 in connector member 51. When expansion member 46 is in the partially extended position, shown in FIG. 8, then fastener 58 is inserted through the middle or second aperture 56b in bracket 54 and into aperture 53 in connector member 51. Finally, when expansion member 46 is in the fully extended position, shown in FIG. 13, fastener 58 is inserted through the uppermost aperture or first aperture 56a and then through aperture 53 in connector member 51. The raising or lowering of the free end of expansion member 46 therefore compensates for the changes in distance between front and rear beams 18, 20 and keeps the angle “A” in the desired range. Once the position of expansion members 46 on securing assembly 50 has been determined and the overall length of expansion members 46 has been set to ensure display assembly 10 will engage front and rear beams 18, 20 of shelving unit 12 correctly, then the user has to decide where to position center dividers 68 and end dividers 70. The positions of center dividers 68 and end dividers 70 are changed to accommodate the different sizes of products 14 that will be displayed on display assembly 10. Essentially, the size of each channel 13 is customized for each product 14. Wider channels, such as 13d (FIG. 2), are made to retain and display wider products 14a (FIG. 1) and narrower channels such as 13b are made to retain and display narrower products 14d. In order to make a single channel 13, the user needs to engage two dividers with front and back bars 24, 26. In order to change the width of the single channel 13, the user needs to move one or both of the two dividers. Dividers 68, 70 are engaged with front and back bars 24, 26 by inserting legs 78, 80, 86, 88 in the respective holes 34, 38. To disengage dividers 68, 70 from front and back bars 24, 26, legs 78, 70, 86, 88 are removed from holes 34, 38. End dividers 70 may be rotated to narrow or widen channel 13. Preferably, each channel 13 should be formed so that front stops 74, 82 on dividers 68, 70 are positioned so that at least a portion thereof will engage a front surface of the product 14 when the product rolls along rollers 66 and into contact therewith. Once display assembly 10 is fully assembled with the plurality of channels 13a-13e created therein, product 14 is loaded into each one of these channels.

Display assembly 10 is then ready for a consumer to remove a product 14 therefrom. When a first product 14a (FIG. 1) is removed from channel 13b, for example, then removal of that product 14a causes a gap to open up between second product 14b and the interior surfaces of front stops 74a and 74b. Because there are a number of small, individual rollers 66 disposed on a number of rods that extend across channel 13b, within which products 14a, 14b & 14c are displayed, the removal of product 14a, simply causes products 14b, 14c to roll forwardly and downwardly through channel 13b under the influence of gravity until the front surface (not shown) of product 14b engages front stops 74a, 74b. Removal of product 14b will again cause a gap to be created between the front surface of product 14c and front stops 74a, 74b. Product 14c with then roll down the plurality of small rollers 66 under the influence of gravity until the front surface of product 14c contacts interior surfaces of front stops 74a, 74b. The small rollers 66 also ensure that products in the adjacent channels 13a, 13c, in this instance, will remain stationary while the products 14a, 14b, 14c on channel 13b are rolling forwardly. Similarly, if product 14d is removed, the products behind product 14d in channel 13a will advance toward the front end of channel 13a and products 14a-14c in channel 13b will remain stationary.

It will be understood that display assembly 10 may be restocked from the rear or from the front. When restocking from the rear, the user will simply position products 14 one after the other in the appropriate one of the channels 13a-13e. The products will slide down the appropriate channel 13 under the influence of gravity and causing rollers 66 thereunder to rotate until the products engage other product already in channel 13 or abut the interior surfaces of front stops 74 and/or 82. When restocking from the front, the user will simply push the row of product 14 in any particular channel 13 rearwardly to make some space between the front stops 74 and/or 82 and the first product in the channel 13.

The size and location of the channels 13 can be changed very quickly and simply by removing center and end dividers 68, 70 from holes 34, 38 in front and rear bars 24, 26 and moving them to the appropriate new location. In the new location, the legs 78, 80, 86, 88 are inserted back through the appropriate aligned holes 34, 38.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A display assembly for use in a shelving unit; said display assembly comprising:

a base adapted to be positioned between a front region and a rear region of the shelving unit;

a first channel provided on the base and extending from a back end of the base to a front end thereof; and

a conveyor mechanism provided in the first channel; said conveyor mechanism being operable under force of gravity and being adapted to move products disposed thereon from the back end of the base to the front end thereof.

2. The display assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second channel provided on the base and extending from the back end to the front end thereof; and wherein the conveyor mechanism extends across both of the first and second channels.

3. The display assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the base is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal.

4. The display assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the angle is between 3° and 15° relative to the horizontal.

5. The display assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the conveyor mechanism extends laterally across both of the first and second channels.

6. The display assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein a first portion of the conveyor mechanism is disposed in the first channel and a second portion of the conveyor mechanism is disposed in the second channel, and the first and second portions operate independently of each other.

7. The display assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the conveyor mechanism comprises a roller assembly that extends from a first side of the base to a second side thereof, and wherein the roller assembly includes:

a plurality of rods that extend from the first side of the base to the second side thereof; and

a plurality of rollers disposed on each rod, said rollers being rotatable about the rod.

8. The display assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the rod remains stationary and the rollers rotate independently about the rod when the conveyor is operable.

9. The display assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the base is expandable.

10. The display assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein the base comprises:

a frame including: a front bar, a back bar, at least two crossbars extending between the front and back bars; and

at least two expansion members engageable with the at least two crossbars, the expansion members being movable between a collapsed position and an extended position.

11. The display assembly as defined in claim 10, further comprising:

a bore defined in each crossbar; wherein each of the expansion members is at least partially received in the bore of the crossbar with which it is engaged, and when the expansion member is in the collapsed position the portion thereof disposed in the bore is larger, and when the expansion member is in the extended position, the portion thereof disposed in the bore is smaller.

12. The display assembly as defined in claim 11, further comprising a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism being selectively engageable to lock the expansion member to the crossbar in one of the collapsed position, the extended position and a partially extended position.

13. The display assembly as defined in claim 11, further comprising a securing assembly 15 disposed rearwardly of the back bar, said securing assembly being adapted to engage the rear beam of the shelving unit, and wherein the expansion member is connected at a first end to the back bar and at a second end to the securing assembly.

14. The display assembly as defined in claim 13, further comprising:

a connector mechanism engaged with a free end of each of the crossbars;

an aperture defined in a rear wall of the connector mechanism;

a plurality of apertures defined in the securing assembly, said plurality of apertures being vertically spaced from each other; and

a fastener selectively receivable through an aligned one of the plurality of apertures in the securing assembly and the aperture in the rear wall of the connector mechanism.

15. The display assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the first channel and the second channel are adjustable in width.

16. A display assembly for use in a shelving unit, said display assembly comprising:

a front bar adapted to engage a front beam of the shelving unit,

a back bar adapted to engage a rear beam of the shelving unit,

at least one crossbar extending between the front and back bars;

a plurality of notches defined in the crossbar, said notches being oriented at right angles to the crossbar;

a roller assembly engaged in each notch;

a first divider engaged between the front and back bars; and

a second divider engaged between the front and back bars and spaced from the first divider; and wherein the roller assembly, first and second dividers define a channel for retaining one or more products for sale therein.

17. The display assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein each roller assembly includes:

a rod engaged in one of the plurality of notches; and

a plurality of rollers, each roller being individually engaged with the rod and being individually rotatable about the rod.

18. The display assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein each of the first and second dividers includes:

a tube having a first and a second end;

a first stop secured at the first end;

at least one leg extending outwardly and forwardly from the first stop and sized to engage the front bar;

a second stop secured at the second end; and

at least one leg extending outwardly and rearwardly from the second stop and sized to engage the back bar.

19. In combination:

a shelving unit including a plurality of uprights and: a front beam extending between some of the plurality of uprights; and a rear beam extending between other of the plurality of uprights, said rear beam being retained a spaced distance away from the front beam;

a display assembly engaged with the shelving unit, said display assembly comprising: a base positioned between the front beam and the rear beam of the shelving unit; a first channel provided on the base and extending from a back end of the base to a front end thereof, said first channel being adapted to retain a plurality of products for sale therein; and a conveyor mechanism provided in the first channel; said conveyor mechanism being operable under force of gravity and being adapted to move the plurality of products disposed thereon from the back end of the base to the front end thereof.

20. The combination as defined in claim 19, wherein the conveyor mechanism comprises:

a roller assembly that extends from a first side of the base to a second side thereof, and wherein the roller assembly includes:

a plurality of rods that extend from the first side of the base to the second side thereof; and

a plurality of rollers disposed on each rod, said rollers being individually and independently rotatable about the rod.