Universal floor/shelf organizer for product merchandising display units

A variable shelf organizer for merchandising products therefrom capable of being assembled to accommodate any shelf width and any product dimension including a substantially flat product supporting floor member having a plurality of channel-like spaces associated therewith for cooperatively receiving any one of a plurality of divider members, each divider member being selectively engageable with the channel-like spaces to form any number of segregated product guide channels for arranging products therebetween, the width of each such product guide channel being selectively adjustable by engaging the respective divider members forming the same with different pairs of the channel-like spaces thereby varying the distance between any two adjacent divider members. The product supporting floor member further includes a joinder mechanism enabling a plurality of similarly constructed floor members to be cooperatively engaged in side-by-side relationship with one another so as to form an assembled organizer unit capable of accommodating any particular shelf width

The present invention relates generally to shelf organizers for use in a 
wide variety of product merchandising display units including refrigerated 
display coolers commonly employed by supermarkets, convenience stores, and 
other wholesale and retail outlets and, more particularly, to various 
embodiments of a universal floor/shelf organizer which is capable of being 
assembled so as to accommodate any shelf width and includes divider 
members which are adjustably positionable so as to produce product guide 
channels of varying width to accommodate products of varying sizes and 
shape. The present shelf organizers can be conveniently supported in a 
flat horizontal position or in an inclined position for gravity feeding 
products positioned thereon and represent a one-inventory solution to a 
particular user's specific needs and applications. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
One of the problems typically associated with storing and displaying 
shelved products for sale to customers in a retail store setting is the 
inefficient use of available shelf space and the inability of the merchant 
to constantly provide an attractive arrangement of shelved products which 
are readily visible and easily accessible to the customer. Typically, 
articles of merchandise, especially products such as numerous bottled and 
canned soft drink products which are packaged in a wide variety of 
container sizes and shapes, are randomly distributed and stacked in 
segregated areas on a shelf or other display device in such a manner that 
the selection of a particular item, access to that particular item, and 
the removability of that item from the shelf or display device by the 
customer becomes, at times, difficult if not impossible. In the present 
day marketing of consumer products, it is important to maintain the 
display of products in a suitable and organized fashion. 
As a result, a wide variety of display devices and shelf organizers have 
been designed and manufactured for use in merchandising shelved products 
to consumers, and such devices are commonly utilized by supermarkets, 
convenience stores, grocery outlets, fast food outlets, and a wide variety 
of other wholesale and retail stores to show and focus attention on the 
particular products displayed therein. Although various shelf organizer 
constructions are known and have been utilized to alleviate some of the 
aforementioned problems associated with merchandising shelved products to 
customers, the known devices generally have limitations in their ability 
to be compatible with shelves of varying width and, more importantly, they 
likewise have limitations in their ability to adjust the segregated 
product channels associated therewith to accommodate products of varying 
shapes and sizes so that a wider variety of different products may be 
merchandised from the same units. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages and shortcomings 
associated with the known shelf organizer constructions and teaches the 
construction and operation of a universal type assembly which can be used 
in conjunction with any known shelf member, which assembly is specifically 
designed to accommodate varying shelf sizes as well as varying product 
dimensions. The present shelf organizer includes a plurality of similarly 
constructed, interlocking units which can be assembled in side-by-side 
relationship to accommodate any particular shelf width. When assembled to 
a desired width, the individual units form a smooth, flat and stable floor 
member upon which a wide variety of shelved products can be easily 
positioned thereon. Also, importantly, when assembled, the resulting shelf 
organizer includes a plurality of spaced channels extending the full 
length thereof from front to rear, each such channel being adaptable for 
cooperatively receiving and engaging a divider member which can be easily, 
slidably positioned therewithin. This enables a user to segregate the 
assembled floor structure into a plurality of parallel guide channels for 
supporting and guiding products positioned therebetween, each guide 
channnel being defined by a respective pair of divider members that extend 
the full length of the floor member between the front and rear portions 
thereof. Importantly, the respective divider members can be positioned and 
arranged on the resulting floor structure so as to accommodate products of 
varying sizes and shapes. This is particularly important because it 
enables a merchant to cross-merchandise different types of products in a 
side-by-side relationship on the same shelf. 
In addition, the present shelf organizer may likewise include a plurality 
of spaced longitudinally extending ribs or runners extending upwardly from 
the floor structure, the runners greatly improving the slidably of the 
products positioned thereon and moved therealong. This is particularly 
true when the present shelf organizers are utilized in a gravity feed type 
system. Several embodiments of the present shelf organizer are disclosed 
herein, some embodiments incorporating use of the upstanding ribs or 
runners as an intregal part of the upper surface of each individual 
interlocking floor member or element, and some embodiments providing means 
for optionally adding such upstanding ribs or runners to the assembled 
structure, if desired. Also, some embodiments disclose different means for 
interlocking the individual floor members with each other. All of the 
features and capabilities afforded by the present shelf organizers are 
particularly important to merchants because they provide simple and 
efficient means for effectively utilizing already existing shelf space; 
they provide for the orderly and attractive arrangement and display of 
products; they provide means for adjusting the overall width of the 
present devices so as to accommodate varying shelf widths; they maximize 
the use of available display space on any existing shelf unit; they 
provide a merchant with a greater range of possibilities for maximizing 
adjacent positioning of dissimilar products on such units by providing 
means for easily and conveniently forming product guide channels of 
varying widths to accommodate products packaged and sold in a wide variety 
of different sizes and shapes; and they enable a merchant to more easily 
display, organize and cross-merchandise goods to the general public. The 
selective adjustability of the present shelf organizers provides greater 
flexibility and versatility in using and orienting such organizers in any 
particular merchandising area and it allows a particular user to arrange 
such units accordingly to meet his/her specific needs and/or application. 
Also, importantly, the present shelf organizers are adaptable for use with 
all known, existing display units including display devices which utilize 
an open-grid type shelf structure. This is particularly true in many of 
the known refrigerated display coolers and other types of cold vaults 
commonly found in supermarkets, convenience stores, grocery and fast food 
outlets, and a wide variety of other wholesale and retail stores. In this 
regard, when used in conjunction with an open-grid type shelf member, the 
present shelf organizers provide a flat and stable floor structure able to 
hold and accommodate products packaged in containers having unique and 
unusual shapes including unusual shapes or contours associated with their 
bottom surfaces thereby eliminating the instability of such products when 
placed on an open-grid type supporting surface. Use of the present devices 
are also cost effective because they are adaptable for use on and with 
existing shelving equipment; they require n additional parts; they can be 
utilized either on a flat shelf or on an inclined support structure for 
gravity feeding products therefrom; they obviate the need for utilizing a 
plurality of different shelf organizers to both accommodate different 
style product containers and to achieve different product display 
configurations; and, because of their versatility and ability to achieve a 
wide variety of different product arrangements dictated by the particular 
needs of the user, they represent a one-inventory solution to a user 
enabling such user to organize and configure any particular shelf display 
to meet his/her specific needs and space requirements. 
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an 
improved shelf organizer unit which affords maximum flexibility to its 
user and more efficiently utilizes existing shelf space commonly found in 
supermarkets and other merchandising centers, including shelf space 
associated with refrigerated display coolers. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit wherein the overall 
width thereof is adjustable to accommodate varying shelf widths and the 
overall width of the respective product guide channels associated 
therewith are adjustable to accommodate products of varying sizes and 
shapes. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit that is structurally 
and operationally relatively simple and inexpensive to make and install. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit which is universally 
adaptable for use with a wide variety of known product merchandising 
display equipment including equipment utilizing an open-grid type shelf 
structure. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit which, when positioned 
on an inclined supporting structure, provides a gravity feed system 
whereby a supply of the shelved products is always maintained at the front 
of the unit. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit which attractively 
organizes the products positioned therein in convenient parallel rows for 
easy access and removal. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit which affords a user 
several different options when determining how best to display and arrange 
the sale of a wide variety of products therefrom. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit adaptable for use both 
on and with existing shelving equipment, either on a flat shelf or on an 
inclined support structure for gravity feeding products therefrom. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit which maximizes 
adjacent positioning of products on such unit. 
Another object is to provide a shelf organizer unit which affords a user 
the opportunity to cross-merchanise a wide variety of goods therefrom. 
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following 
detailed specification which discloses several representative embodiments 
of the present shelf organizer in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings wherein:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, wherein 
like numerals refer to like parts, the number 10 in FIG. 1 identifies a 
shelf organizer floor member constructed according the teachings of the 
present invention. The floor member or element 10 is of a sandwich-like 
construction as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and includes a substantially 
flat bottom wall member 12, a plurality of longitudinally upwardly 
extending rib or support members 14, and a plurality of members 16 spaced 
above the member 12 and extending longitudinally between the front and 
rear edges thereof, each member 16 being integrally formed with a 
corresponding upright support member 14 and each being horizontally 
arranged as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 so as to form the supporting surface 
upon which products can be positioned. The upper floor members 16 are 
horizontally arranged such that a longitudinal slot or opening 18 is 
formed between each respective pair, each slot 18 communicating with the 
space 20 formed by and between any two adjacent upright support members 14 
and the lower bottom wall member 12. The openings 18 and 20, in 
combination, form a channel-like space 22 between each respective pair of 
upright support members 14 extending the full length of the members 12 and 
16. 
The upper floor members 16 each include at least one longitudinally 
extending rib or runner 24 projecting upwardly therefrom as best shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 4. The upstanding ribs or runners 24 are substantially 
triangularly shaped in cross-section and, because of the materials and 
lubricants used in their construction, they reduce the friction between 
the upper floor surfaces 16 and the products positioned thereon thereby 
improving the slidability of such products therealong. This is 
particularly important when the present devices are used in a gravity feed 
arrangement since products positioned thereon must be able to slide under 
the force of gravity towards the front portion of the gravity feed unit 
when the forward most products are removed therefrom. The actual 
construction of the runners 24 as well as the materials and lubricants 
used to improve the slidability of products positioned thereon are more 
fully disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,801,025; 4,454,949; and 
4,416,380, all of which were issued to the present assignee. It is also 
important that the spacing between the runners 24 be such as to 
accommodate and support any and all of the various products that are to be 
positioned thereon regardless of the shape or contour of their bottom 
walls. Since many articles of merchandise are packaged in containers 
having unique and unusual shapes, it is usually preferred to have the 
spacing between the runners 24 substantially uniform and relatively small 
across the width of the organizer member 10 so as to accommodate and 
support products having many different bottom wall configurations. The 
specific spacing selected may be especially important for some products 
that have contoured bottom wall portions to properly support such products 
on the runners 24 to reduce the possibility that they will overturn. In 
this regard, each individual upper floor member 16 may include any 
plurality of runners 24 depending upon the spacing between each pair of 
runners 24 so selected. 
The entire shelf organizer member 10 including its lower and upper members 
12 and 16, its upright support members 14, and the friction reducing 
runners 24 is preferably of unitary construction and can be extruded or 
injection molded from a wide variety of plastic and other materials as 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,801,025; 4,454,949; and 4,416,380. Although 
not required, the impregnation of silicon or other lubricants into the 
plastic materials used to fabricate the floor members 16 and the runners 
24 substantially reduces the possibility that products stored thereon will 
jam or stick and not slide and it greatly enhances the reliability and 
effectiveness of the present shelf organizers 10 when they are employed in 
a gravity feed system. 
A plurality of upstanding wall partitions or divider members such as the 
divider members 26 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be utilized in 
conjunction with the shelf organizer member 10 in order to segregate 
products positioned on the member 10 into parallel rows. As best shown in 
FIG. 2, each divider member 26 includes an upright wall member 28 having a 
pair of spaced transverse members 30 and 32 associated with the lower end 
portion thereof. The transverse member 30 is preferably integrally formed 
with the wall portion 28 and extends substantially the full length of the 
member 28 along its lower edge surface as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The width of 
the member 30 is specifically dimensioned so as to be slidably receivable 
within the space 20 formed by and between each respective pair of support 
members 14, the member 30 frictionally engaging the respective upper and 
lower surfaces of the members 12 and 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The 
transverse member 32 is positioned and located in spaced apart 
relationship above the member 30 such that when the divider member 26 is 
engaged with the channel-like opening 22, the lower surface of the member 
32 will rest upon and frictionally engage the upper surface of the 
respective adjacent members 16 as best shown in FIG. 3. In this regard, 
the spacing between the members 30 and 32 should be such as to allow the 
divider member 26 to be easily moved along the full length of each 
respective channel-like opening 22 while at the same time providing 
sufficient frictional engagement with the members 12 and 16 such that the 
divider members 26 will be firmly held in engagement with the member 10 
and will not move or otherwise be dislodged therefrom during use when 
properly positioned and located within any one of the channel-like 
openings 22. Like the member 30, the transverse member 32 likewise extends 
substantially the full length of the member 28 on both opposite sides 
thereof as shown in FIG. 2 and is preferably integrally formed therewith. 
Also, importantly, the width of the wall portion 28, at least between the 
members 30 and 32, is likewise specifically dimensioned so as to be 
slidably receivable within the space 18 formed by and between each 
respective pair of members 16 when the member 30 is engaged with the space 
20 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
Because of the present construction, it is important to note that the 
divider members 26 may be selectively positioned within any plurality of 
the channel-like openings 22 in the member 10 depending upon the size, 
shape and overall dimensions of the particular products positioned 
thereon, each respective pair of divider members 26 defining therebetween 
a product guide channel for supporting and guiding products positioned 
therebetween in parallel rows. This enables a merchant to easily segregate 
any or all of the shelf organizer members 10 into a plurality of parallel 
guide channels for supporting and guiding products positioned 
therebetween, each guide channel being selectively adjustable to 
accommodate any product width. This substantially increases the 
flexibility and use of such devices and provides the merchant with a 
greater range of possibilities for both maximizing shelf space and for 
cross-merchandising a wide variety of products therefrom. 
Since the width of the shelves or other shelf areas upon which the present 
shelf organizer member 10 is to be employed may vary depending upon the 
particular type and style of product merchandising display unit being 
utilized, the shelf organizer member 10 is specifically designed such that 
a plurality of such members can be assembled in side-by-side interlocking 
relationship with each other to accommodate any particular shelf width. 
This is accomplished by providing cooperatively engagable means on the 
respective opposite side portions of the members 10 such that one side 
portion of one member 10 will interlock and engage with the opposite side 
portion of another similarly constructed member 10 positioned adjacent 
thereto. More particularly, such cooperatively engageable means includes 
one side end portion of the member 10 terminating with a support member 
14A extending upwardly from the lower member 12, while the opposite side 
end portion of the member 10 terminates with a support member 34 extending 
downwardly from the most endwardly located upper floor member 16 
associated with such side end portion as best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. 
The downwardly extending support member 34 is positioned and located 
inwardly from the terminal end of the affected upper floor member 16 so as 
to define a channel-like space 36 between such member 34 and the adjacent 
support member 14 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). The size and shape of the space 36 
is dictated by the size and shape of the terminal support member 14A such 
that, when positioned in side-by-side relationship as best illustrated in 
FIGS. 4 and 5, the terminal support member 14A will snap into and 
frictionally engage the space 36. This is made possible by having the 
member 12 extend beyond the most endwardly located upper floor member 16 
on the side of the member 10 where the terminal support member 14A is 
located and by having the most endwardly located upper floor member 16 
extend beyond the lower member 12 on the opposite side thereof where the 
support member 34 and space 36 are located. 
When two members 10 are interlocked with each other as illustrated in FIG. 
6, the terminal end portion of the support member 14A rests upon the 
bottom wall surface of the upper floor member 16 located thereabove and 
the terminal end portion of the support member 34 rests upon the upper 
wall surface of the member 12 positioned therebelow. This joinder 
arrangement continues the sandwich-like structure of the members 10 when a 
plurality of such members are joined together in side-by-side 
relationship. Such construction and joinder arrangement likewise provides 
additional strength, rigidity and stability at the point of joinder such 
that products may be positioned and arranged directly thereabove without 
fear of weakening or otherwise causing damage to the present floor 
structure at the point of joinder. In essence, the members 14A and 34 form 
a double-wall support member at the point of joinder sufficient to 
accommodate the weight of the particular products positioned thereon. In 
this regard, the size, spacing and strength of the various members 
comprising the shelf organizer member 10 including the members 14A and 34 
and the space 36 may be varied depending upon the particular use and 
application of the present devices as well as the particular types of 
products to be positioned thereon. Optional means in the form of a 
serrated edge associated with the outwardly facing surface of the terminal 
support members 14 and 14A associated with each respective side portion of 
the member 10 such as the serrated edge portions 38 and 40 as best shown 
in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be utilized to improve the joinder between two 
respective members 10. Use of the serrated edge portions 38 and 40 or any 
other similar means helps to prevent disengagement of the respective 
members 10 during use. 
As can be seen from a review of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, any plurality of the 
shelf organizer members 10 can be assembled in side-by-side interlocking 
relationship so as to accommodate any particular shelf width. In this 
regard, the overall length of the organizer members 10 can be varied to 
accommodate different shelf depths without departing from the teachings 
and practice of the present invention including fabricating a plurality of 
such members 10 having different or varying widths associated respectively 
therewith such that various combinations of the floor members 10 can be 
combined and assembled to accommodate any particular shelf width. 
FIGS. 7-9 illustrate various components of another embodiment of the 
present shelf organizer unit constructed according to the teachings of the 
present invention. More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates another 
embodiment 42 of the floor member 10, the floor member 42 having a 
substantially flat bottom wall member 44, a plurality of upright support 
members 46, and a plurality of spaced apart upper floor members 48 forming 
the same sandwich-like structure as the member 10. The floor member 42 is 
substantially similar in construction and operation to the floor member 10 
disclosed in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 except that the member 42 does not include a 
plurality of upstanding ribs or runners associated with its upper floor 
members 48 such as the ribs 24 associated with the members 16. Instead, 
the plurality of upper floor members 48 form a substantially smooth and 
flat floor surface for positioning products thereon. In all other 
respects, the floor member 42 is substantially identical to the floor 
member 10 including having a plurality of channel-like spaces 50 formed by 
and between each respective pair of upright support members 46 extending 
the full length of the members 44 and 48 similar to the channel-like 
spaces 22 associated with the member 10 (FIG. 1), and also having 
cooperatively engageable means associated with the respective opposite 
side portions thereof in the form of the members 46A and 52 and the space 
54 all of which are substantially similar to the members 14A and 34 and 
the space 36 associated with the member 10. Like the members 14A and 34, 
the members 46A and 52 are positioned and dimensioned on each respective 
opposite side portion of the member 42 so as to enable a plurality of such 
members 42 to be assembled and joined together in side-by-side 
interlocking relationship with each other so as to accommodate any shelf 
width in the same manner as previously described with respect to the shelf 
organizer floor member 10. 
Since the sandwich-like structure of the member 42 is identical to that of 
member 10, the divider members 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) may also be utilized in 
conjunction with the shelf organizer member 42 in order to segregate 
products positioned thereon into parallel rows. Engagement of the divider 
members 26 with the floor member 42 is identical to that previously 
described with respect to the engagement of the members 26 with the floor 
member 10. Use of the floor member 42 affords a particular user the 
opportunity to assemble a unit having a smooth, flat supporting floor 
surface for those applications where such a product supporting surface is 
desired. 
FIG. 8 illustrates the construction of a track member 56 specifically 
adaptable for use with the shelf organizer floor member 42. The track 
member 56 includes a substantially flat supporting member 58 having a pair 
of spaced opposed L-shaped parallel leg members 60 and 62 extending from 
the opposite end portions thereof as shown in FIG. 8. The leg members 60 
and 62 are specifically shaped and dimensioned so as to be slidably 
receivable into any one of the longitudinally extending channel-like 
spaces 50 associated with the member 42 as best shown in FIG. 10. The 
supporting member 58 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 
or runners 64 projecting upwardly therefrom, the runners 64 being 
substantially similar in construction and operation to the runners 24 
associated with the floor member 10. It is important to note that the 
supporting member 58 is dimensioned widthwise such that the respective 
opposite leg members 60 and 62 are positioned and located so as to 
slidably engage any two of the channel-like spaces 50 associated with the 
member 42. It is recognized that the overall width of the track member 56 
may be varied depending upon its particular use and application without 
departing from the teachings of the present invention so long as the 
respective leg members 60 and 62 are dimensioned and positioned so as to 
slidably engage any two of the channel-like spaces 50 as previously 
explained. The track members 56 are constructed so as to extend 
substantially the full length of the floor element 42 and the leg members 
60 and 62 should be dimensioned so as to be easily, slidably movable along 
the full length of each respective channel-like opening 50 while at the 
same time providing sufficient frictional engagement with such 
channel-like openings such that the track members 56 will be firmly held 
in engagement with the member 42 when properly positioned and located 
therewithin. Use of the track member 56 enables a user to easily add the 
use of the runners 64 to the organizer floor member 42 so as to improve 
the slidability of products positioned thereon in those applications where 
use of the runners 64 is advantageous and desirable such as in a gravity 
feed-type system. This provides greater flexibility and affords a user 
several different options when determining how best to display and arrange 
a wide variety of products on shelf space employing the present units. 
FIG. 9 illustrates the construction of another embodiment 66 of a track 
member which is specifically adaptable for use with the organizer floor 
member 42. The track member 66 is substantially identical in construction 
and operation to the track member 56 (FIG. 8) but differs therefrom in 
that it further includes an upstanding wall member 68 extending upwardly 
from the supporting member 70 at an intermediate location thereon (FIG. 
9), the member 66 further differing from the track member 56 in that it 
includes a different arrangement of runners 72 as compared to the 
arrangement of runners 64 utilized with respect to track member 56. In all 
other respects, the construction of the member 66 is substantially 
identical to the construction of the track member 56. 
The member 66 represents another embodiment of a divider member such as the 
divider members 26 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 which may be utilized in 
conjunction with the the track members 56 and 74 as will be hereinafter 
explained in order to segregate products positioned on the member 42 into 
parallel rows. Engagement of the member 66 with the shelf organizer 42 is 
likewise illustrated in FIG. 11. Use of the members 66 not only enables a 
user to selectively segregate any or all portions of the member 42 into a 
plurality of parallel guide channels for supporting and guiding products 
positioned therebetween, each guide channel being selectively adjustable 
to accommodate any product width, but use of the members 66 in conjunction 
with the members 56 and 74 also enable a user to incorporate use of the 
product runners into the product guide channels so as to improve the 
slidability of products positioned therewithin. 
FIG. 10 illustrates still another embodiment of a track member 74 
specifically adaptable for use with the shelf organizer floor member 42. 
The track member 74 includes a pair of spaced transverse members 76 and 78 
constructed and arranged substantially similar to the arrangement of the 
members 30 and 32 associated with the lower end portion of the divider 
member 26 illustrated in FIG. 2. Like the transverse members 30 and 32 
(FIG. 2), the members 76 and 78 are positioned, located and specifically 
dimensioned so as to be slidably receivable within and frictionally 
engageable with any one of the plurality of channel-like spaces 50 
associated with the member 42. The transverse member 78 includes a 
longitudinally extending rib or runner 80 projecting upwardly therefrom, 
the runner 80 being substantially similar in construction and operation to 
the runners 24, 64 and 72 associated with the members 10, 56 and 66. Like 
the members 26, 56 and 66, the track member 74 is constructed so as to 
extend substantially the full length of the floor element 42 and enables a 
user to easily add the use of product runners to the floor member 42 where 
the use of the members 56 and 66 do not provide sufficient coverage. Use 
of the member 74 in conjunction with the members 56 and/or 66 provide even 
greater flexibility in selectively assembling a product guide channel 
having runners associated therewith extending the entire width thereof. 
Engagement of the member 74 with the shelf organizer 42 is likewise 
illustrated in FIG. 11. 
As can be seen, the shelf organizer floor member 42 is adaptable for use 
with the members 26, 56, 66 and 74 in any combination thereof and as such, 
affords a user the most flexibility in determining how best to display and 
cross-merchandise a wide variety of products therefrom. For example, a 
plurality of the floor members 42 may be assembled to accommodate any 
particular shelf width and such members may be utilized in and of 
themselves to provide a substantially flat, smooth supporting surface for 
positioning products thereon; the divider members 26 may be utilized in 
conjunction with the member 42 to segregate the member 42 into a plurality 
of selectively adjustable product guide channels having a smooth, flat 
floor surface associated respectively therewith; the track members 56 and 
74 may be utilized in conjunction with the organizer member 42 to reduce 
the friction between the supporting floor surface and the products 
positioned thereon thereby improving the slidability of such products 
positioned thereon; and the members 56, 66 and 74 may be utilized in 
conjunction with the organizer member 42 to segregate the member 42 into a 
plurality of selectively adjustable product guide channels, each guide 
channel having a supporting surface comprised of a plurality of 
longitudinally extending runners 64, 72 and 80 to improve the slidability 
of products positioned thereon. It is also recognized and anticipated that 
any or all combinations of the above-identified various variations of use 
of the present shelf organizer member 42 in combination with the various 
components 26, 56, 66 and 74 may be utilized on any one shelf or in any 
particular display application. 
FIG. 12 illustrates still another embodiment 82 of the floor member 10, the 
floor members 82 being substantially similar in construction and operation 
to the floor member 10 (FIGS. 1 and 4) but differ therefrom in that the 
members 82 incorporate different cooperatively engagable means for joining 
such members together in side-by-side interlocking relationship with one 
another. In this regard, instead of utilizing the joinder arrangement 
associated with the members 10, namely, the members 14A and 34 and the 
channel-like space 36, the cooperatively engagable means associated with 
the floor elements 82 includes one side end portion of the members 82 
terminating with a substantially enclosed space 84 defined by the upper 
and lower members 86 and 88 respectively, the upright support member 90, 
and the downwardly extending projection member 92, while the opposite side 
end portion of the members 82 terminate with a sidewardly extending member 
94 as illustrated in FIG. 12. The member 94 extends substantially the full 
length of the floor element 82 and is shaped and dimensioned so as to be 
slidably receivable within the opening or channel 96 formed by and between 
the upper surface of the lower wall member 88 and the terminal end portion 
of the downwardly extending projection member 92. The terminal end portion 
of the member 94 likewise includes an upwardly extending projection 
portion 98, the projection portions 92 and 98 being sized and shaped so as 
to cooperatively engage each other when moved into contact with each other 
thereby forming stop means for preventing one floor element 82 from 
becoming disengaged or otherwise disconnected from an adjacent floor 
element 82. Insertion of the projection portion 98 of the member 94 
through the opening or channel 96 and within the space 84 as shown in FIG. 
12 is achieved by merely spreading apart the upper and lower members 86 
and 88 to allow passage of the projection portion 98 therethrough. The 
pointed or tapered shape of the leading edge portion of the projection 98 
facilitates passage of such portion through the channel 96. Also, 
importantly, the projecting portion 98 of the member 94 is slidably 
moveable within the space 84 to some extent thereby further facilitating 
easy joinder and positioning of adjacent floor members 82. Disengagement 
of adjacent floor member 82 is accomplished by again spreading apart the 
upper and lower members 86 and 88 while simultaneously retracting the 
member 94 and the projection portion 98 through the channel 96. 
Although the shelf organizer floor members 82 illustrated in FIG. 12 may 
likewise include a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs or runners 
100 projecting upwardly from the respective upper floor members 86, it is 
recognized that each member 82 could likewise be constructed without such 
upstanding ribs or runners. Instead, the plurality of upper floor members 
86 could form a substantially smooth and flat floor surface similar to the 
upper floor surface associated with the floor members 42 (FIG. 7). It is 
also recognized that since the sandwich-like structure of the members 82 
is identical to that of the members 10 and 42, the divider members 26 
(FIGS. 1 and 2) may also be utilized in conjunction with the shelf 
organizer members 82. Also, importantly, if the shelf organizer members 82 
do not include the ribs or runners 100, then the members 26, 56, 66 and 74 
may likewise be utilized in cooperation with the members 82 in an 
combination thereof. 
It is important to note that the present shelf organizers are adaptable for 
use with all known, existing display units including display equipment 
which utilize an open-grid type shelf structure. Such open-grid type shelf 
structures are commonly utilized in refrigerated display coolers and other 
types of cold vaults commonly found in supermarkets, convenience stores, 
and a wide variety of other wholesale and retail stores. When used in 
conjunction with such open-grid type shelf members, the present shelf 
organizers provide a stable, flat floor structure capable of holding and 
accommodating a wide variety of products including products packaged in 
containers having unique and unusual shapes associated with their bottom 
wall surfaces. This is particularly important because many products, 
depending upon the size, shape and configuration of the packaging or 
containers in which they are sold, are not supported in a stable condition 
when placed on an open-grid type supporting structure and such products 
have a tendency to lean to one side, overturn, or otherwise become stuck 
or trapped between the open-grid type structure during customer 
manipulation and selection of such products. In this regard, the present 
shelf organizers are adaptable for use with any type of shelf support 
structure or framework so long as sufficient framework exist to provide 
adequate support to the present shelf organizers based upon the weight of 
the products to be positioned thereon. 
It is also recognized that the present shelf organizers can be utilized 
either on a flat supporting surface or on an inclined support structure 
for gravity feeding products therefrom. Also, importantly, it is further 
recognized and anticipated that the present shelf organizers will be 
utilized for converting a substantially flat shelf display area to a 
gravity feed orientation by simply assembling and positioning the present 
shelf organizers on the flat shelf display area and thereafter elevating 
the rear portion thereof so as to impart the desired inclination to the 
present shelf organizers for a gravity feed operation. Various means for 
accomplishing this gravity feed conversion are known and some of such 
conversion means are disclosed and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,796 
issued to the present assignee. Still further, certain known types of 
shelving systems such as the ARDCO and ANTHONY load carrying rack systems 
are particularly adaptable for conversion to a gravity feed type operation 
by simply elevating the rear portion of the shelves associated with such 
systems to achieve a desired inclination such that when the present shelf 
organizers are positioned thereon, rows of products positioned on the 
present organizers will slide under the force of gravity towards the front 
portion of the unit. Means for accomplishing conversion of the ARDCO and 
ANTHONY display systems to a gravity feed type operation are disclosed in 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,337 likewise issued to the present assignee. When used 
in a gravity feed type orientation, it is also recognized that some type 
of stop means located adjacent the front portion of the present shelf 
organizers is generally preferred for holding and retaining products 
positioned thereon until such products are removed therefrom. Such stop 
means will typically include the front wall associated with the particular 
display shelf or unit upon which the present shelf organizers are placed. 
It is also recognized that other suitable stop means may be utilized in 
this situation either in conjunction with the present shelf organizers or 
in conjunction with the existing shelf structure upon which the present 
organizers are positioned. 
The various components of the present shelf organizers are preferably 
constructed from a relatively rigid plastic material able to withstand 
moderate impact and mishandling without breakage and such components are 
likewise suitable for fabrication by either a thermo-forming process, an 
injection molding process or an extrusion process. It is also recognized 
that other various acceptable materials of construction are available and 
could likewise be employed to construct the various components of the 
present invention. 
The present shelf organizer system therefore provides a user with a single 
system which is universally adaptable for use with a wide variety of 
product merchandising display units including units having open-grid type 
shelf structures associated therewith. In addition, the present shelf 
organizer units, as explained above, allow for a wide variety of 
configurations and this ability achieves flexible adaptation to any retail 
requirement and provides a convenient one-inventory solution to 
attractively arranging, organizing and cross-merchandising a wide variety 
of shelved products to consumers. The present organizer units comprise 
standarized and universal-type components which enable them to be 
assembled and arranged to achieve any desired product orientation as 
dictated by the particular needs of the individual users in the field. Use 
of the present shelf organizers obviates the need for a merchant or other 
user to stock and use a wide variety of different shelf organizers in 
order to achieve the different product display configurations discussed 
above, all of which arrangements are achievable through use of the present 
organizer system. 
Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a univeral 
floor/shelf organizer unit for use in storing and merchandising shelved 
products therefrom, which devices fulfill all of the objects and 
advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations, and 
other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, 
become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this 
specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, 
modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not 
depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered 
by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.