A RISER AND DIVIDER CONSTRUCTION FOR A DISPLAY APPARATUS

Abstract: A riser or divider construction for fitting to a merchandising shelf comprises a longitudinal separating member (P) and a number of connectors (10) for engaging the member (P) to the shelf. Each connector has a carrier (15) located on the bottom edge of the member (P). A locating pin (16) depends from the carrier (15) for engagement with the merchandising shelf. The carrier (15) is movable along the lower edge of the member (P) so as to align the locating pin (16) with an appropriate orifice in the shelf.

Description: A RISER AND DIVIDER CONSTRUCTION FOR A DISPLAY APPARATUS The present invention relates to shelving and to risers and dividers for fitting thereto, for the purpose of subdividing the shelves, and more particularly to a riser for positioning adjacent the front edge of a merchandising shelf, and a series of dividers connecting with the riser and the back edge of the shelf. Our Irish Patent Specification No. 62407 discloses a riser and divider system for a display apparatus which includes shelves having pin receiving perforations. The apparatus also includes a plug member having a pin and a shouldered portion engageable with a corresponding formation in a riser. The plug is bonded to the riser for permanent fixture. A plurality of formations in the riser must correspond to pin receiving perforations in the merchandising shelf, thus creating a highly critical tolerance situation for fitting one to the other. Another known riser construction for use with merchandising shelves having pin receiving perforations comprises a riser, a plurality of pins each having a shaft and a head and a substantially H-shaped aluminium extrusion which receives the riser in a top portion and engages the head of the pin in a bottom portion. The H-shaped extrusion has a pair of inwardly facing opposing lips on the walls of the bottom portion to engage the heads of the pins therein. The H-shaped extrusion is an elongate extrusion running the required length of the riser. Consequently, for each length of the riser, a corresponding length of extrusion is required. This construction is not widely used as the aluminium extrusion is an expensive element, particularly in anodised form which is an industry requirement in the retail environment. Also, to engage the riser securely, the extrusion needs to be of a particular height which obstructs the customer's view of the product on display and the labelling details on small articles such as condiments. The movable pins can freely slide from one end of the riser to another and so the even distribution of pins to support the riser is generally left to chance thus rendering its stability and safely vulnerable. Additionally, the known riser construction does not facilitate the angled presentation of a riser or the upright presentation of a riser from an inclined merchandising shelf such as those used for gravity feed merchandising displays. In general, modular metal shelving systems have shelf perforations disposed at a given interval or frequency which is set by the manufacturer. Consequently, numerous unique shelving systems have evolved which are incompatible with one another in many ways including the perforation intervals for fixing risers and dividers. It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide a riser and divider construction which is flexible in its application, may be universally applied, has improved resilience and is easy to use. It is a further object of the invention to provide an economic construction utilising minimal amounts of material and efficient production techniques. It is to be understood that a reference to a pinned component for use with a riser also refers to a component that can be also used with a divider for connection to perforations at the back edge of a shelf unit. Accordingly, the present invention comprises a riser or divider construction for fitting to a merchandising shelf, the construction comprising a longitudinal separating member and at least one connector for engaging the separating member to the merchandising shelf, the connector comprising a carrier located on a lower edge of the separating member and being movable along the lower edge of the separating member with a locating pin depending from the carrier for engagement with the merchandising shelf, whereby the connector may be moved along the lower edge of the separating member, so as to align the locating pin with an appropriate orifice on the shelf. Advantageously, the range of linear movement of the or each connector is limited. Conveniently, a formation is provided in the longitudinal separating member so as to limit the movement of the or each connector. Preferably, each formation comprises a notch provided in the lower edge of the longitudinal separating member, whereby the length of the notches in the separating member and the interval between them is chosen to accommodate a range of distances between the hole centres on the shelf and to ensure maximum flexibility in the application of the riser or divider construction, particularly in respect of its use with display systems of various manufacturers. Advantageously, the depth and/or shape of the notch is selected so as to accommodate the connector so that the lower edge of the connector is level with the lower edge of the longitudinal separating member, whereby the separating member lies flush with the shelf on which it is mounted. Conveniently, a retaining groove is provided along one face of the separating member parallel to the lower edge of the separating member, with a complementary engageable element being provided in the carrier. The locating pin is releasably engageable in a receiving hole formed in a merchandising shelf. Preferably, the pin is disposed within the receiver which extends into the channel and the riser has at least one notch cut therefrom along one edge to accommodate the pin receiver with the connector being moveable longitudinally within the notch. The length of the notches and the interval between them is chosen to accommodate a range of distances between hole centres and to ensure maximum flexibility in the application of the riser construction, particularly in respect of its use with display systems of multiple manufacturers. In one arrangement the pin receiver is disposed on the outer face of one of the side walls in which case the underside edge notching of the riser can be simplified or eliminated altogether. Advantageously, a riser securing pin may be provided to prevent the riser being withdrawn from the connector means. An elongate aperture is provided in each of the channel walls for receiving the riser securing pin. The riser is also provided with a number of slots or elongate apertures along its underside edge length to receive the securing pin assembly. The relative length of the connector and the riser apertures provide maximum flexibility in the fitting of the riser construction to any merchandising shelf having the requisite perforations. Advantageously, the connector means comprises an injection molded or extruded element of a clear plastics material such as polycarbonate. The locating pin may be manufactured from metal such as stainless steel or a plastics material. Preferably, the locating pin is integrally molded with the pin receiver. The present invention further provides a riser construction suitable for fitting to a merchandising shelf, the construction comprising a riser and at least one connector means, the connector means comprising a base and a pair of walls extending from the base to define a channel for receiving the riser and a locating pin with one end of the locating pin integrally formed with the channel base. This arrangement obviates the requirement for a separate pin receiver. The connector means may include a reinforcing flange between the pin and the channel, with the flange being adapted to abut the shelf surface. The channel comprises a pair of walls resiliently biased towards one another and adapted to grippingly receive the riser. At least one of the channel walls includes an inwardly facing tab. The riser generally comprises an elongate riser rectangular panel but may include a slot adjacent one edge and parallel thereto along at least one side of the panel to accommodate the or each tab of the connector means. This arrangement allows a number of connector means to be attached to the riser and slidingly moved to facilitate easy installation of the riser to a shelf having pin receiver holes positioned along it. In one arrangement, the integrally formed pin accommodates a reinforcing element. In another arrangement, a reinforcing sleeve is provided over the pin. Conveniently, the connector means is moulded from a plastics material and most preferably is formed from a transparent plastics material such as polycarbonate. In a further alternative embodiment, the connector means is formed in two parts, the first part comprising a channel for receiving the riser and an integrally formed flange at the base thereof and the second part comprising a pin portion having a flange engaging member. Preferably, the pin portion comprises a metal such as stainless steel integrally formed with the flange engaging member which in use is pressed into gripping engagement with the flange along the length of the connecting means. Numerous alternative materials or combinations of materials could be used to create the same movable pinned connectors. The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, ten embodiments of riser construction and three embodiments of divider construction according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art riser construction; Figures 2a to 2c are a perspective view and a first and a second end elevation of the first embodiment of riser construction, respectively; Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of the first embodiment of riser construction in use; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a riser according to the invention; Figures 5a and 5b are a front elevation and an end elevation of the third embodiment of riser construction, for use with a sloping shelf; Figures 6a and 6b are a front elevation and an end elevation of the third embodiment of riser construction in use on a sloping shelf; Figures 7a to 7e show a number of elevations and perspective views of the fourth embodiment of riser construction; Figures 8a and 8b are an end elevation and front view of the fifth embodiment of riser construction; Figures 9a and 9b are an end elevation and front view of the sixth embodiment of riser construction; Figure 10 is a sectional end elevation of a connector means having a hollow pin and a reinforcing rod; Figure 11 is a sectional end elevation of a connector means having a reinforcing sleeve provided about the pin; Figures 12a and 12b are an end elevation and a front view of a seventh embodiment of riser construction in which the connector means comprises two components, respectively; Figures 13a, 13b and 13c are respectively an end elevation, a side view and a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a riser construction according to the invention; Figures 14a, 14b and 14c are respectively an end elevation, a side view and a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a riser construction according to the invention; Figures 15a, 15b and 15c are respectively an end elevation, a side view and a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a riser construction according to the invention; Figure 16a is a side view of an embodiment of a divider according to the invention with one type of end connector and Figure 16b is a perspective view of the divider without any of the fittings; and Figure 17a is a side view of an alternative connector that can be used with the divider and Figure 17b is a perspective view of a further alternative connector. Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 , a prior art riser construction comprises a riser P, a number of pins each having shaft SH and a head H and a substantially H-shaped retaining means R. The retaining means R has a top portion for receiving the riser and a bottom portion for engaging the head 11 of the pins to secure the riser P to a merchandising shelf (not shown). The H-shaped retaining means R is usually extruded aluminium. The shafts SI 1 of the pins are adapted to engage holes provided along the front edge of the merchandising shelf and the head H of the pins must slidingly engage the bottom portion of the H-shaped retaining means R. A pair of inwardly facing opposing lips L are provided on the walls of the bottom portion to engage the head H of a pin. For this arrangement of riser construction to work efficiently, the extruded retaining means R and the steel pins must be made to highly exacting standards so that tolerance variations do not result in a loosely fitting pin or cause restrictions of the movement of the retaining means R with respect to the pins. Additionally, if the pins are loosely fitting, the top edge movement of the risers thus created is unacceptable. Referring now to Figures 2a to 2c, the first embodiment of riser construction comprises a riser P, having a longitudinal slot S and a plurality of notches N cut therefrom at predetermined intervals along the bottom edge of the riser P, and a connector 10. The connector 10 comprises a base 12 and walls 13, 14 defining a channel 15 for accommodating the riser P and a pin 16 which penetrates the base and extends into the channel 15. One of the walls 14 is provided with a pair of inwardly facing tabs 18 operable to engage the longitudinal slot S of the riser. A single tab (not shown) running the length of the wall 14 can be used as an alternative to the pair of tabs 18 described above. Additionally, one or more tabs on the oppositely facing wall 13 can be formed to engage a second slot (not shown) on the riser. The pin 16 is bonded to the walls 13, 14 and the base 12 in the channel and presents an obstruction 19 to the passage of the connector 10 beyond the notch N in the riser P. The notches N in the riser are adapted to receive the obstruction 19 in the channel and to facilitate sufficient movement of the connector along the longitudinal slot S to facilitate the fitting of the riser construction to any merchandising shelf having the requisite perforations to receive the pins 16, as indicated by the arrows in Figures 3a and 3b. Each of the notches N has an optional step at either side to accommodate the thickness of the base 12 of the connector 10 so that its bottom face is flush with the base of the riser. The optional step at each notch N is not shown in Figs. 3a and 3b. The second embodiment of riser construction is shown in Figure 4 and includes a riser P, a connector 1 10 and an offset pin 1 16. The connector 1 10 includes a rib 1 1 1 which engages a groove G formed in the riser. A notch N is optionally provided in the riser P so that the base of the connector 1 10 is flush with the base of the riser P. Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the third embodiment of riser construction which comprises a riser P, having a slot S and a series of notches N cut therein, and a connector 20 for use with gravity-feed or sloped shelves. The connector 20 comprises a base 22 and walls 23, 24 defining a channel 25 for accommodating the riser P and a pin 26 disposed at a predetermined angle to the upright walls 23, 24. A flange 27 integrally formed with the base 22 provides a surface 27a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin 26 to present a flat face against a sloped merchandising shelf M. A pair of tabs 28 is provided on one of the walls 24 to engage the slots S. The pin 26 which penetrates the base 22 and extends into the channel 25 presents an obstruction 29 to the passage of the connector 20 beyond the notch N. As before, this obstruction 29 is accommodated within the notches N cut in the riser P. The positions and sizes of the notches N are selected specifically to incorporate the intervals between shelf perforations of other known merchandising shelf display systems. As illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b, the construction shown in Figures 5a and 5b is particularly suitable for use with gravity feed merchandising shelves M. Figures 7a to 7e show a number of elevations and perspective views of the fourth embodiment of riser construction comprising a riser P having a plurality of elongate apertures A cut therein and a connector 30. The connector comprises a base 32 and walls 33, 34 extending therefrom to define a channel 35 and a pin 36 retained in a pin receiver 37 bonded to or integrally molded to the outside surface of one of the walls 33. The longitudinal axis of the pin 36 is parallel but disposed laterally from the upright axis of the riser P. This arrangement spreads leverage forces away from the pin 36. Each wall 33, 34 of the connector 30 is provided with an elongate aperture 38 corresponding to the apertures A cut in the riser P to accommodate a retaining pin 39 to secure the riser P and connector 30 together. The lengths of the riser aperture A and the connector apertures 38 are selected to facilitate the fitting of the riser construction to other known merchandising displays which incorporate the requisite shelf perforations disposed at intervals along the shelf. In alternative embodiments the riser could have a hole matching the slot in the connector or visa versa. Referring now to Figures 8a and 8b, the fifth embodiment of riser construction comprises a riser P having a longitudinal slot S cut therein and a connector 40. The connector 40 comprises a base 42 and a pair of walls 43,44 extending from the base 42 to define a channel 45 for receiving the riser P and an integrally formed pin 46 which is profiled to engage a receiver hole in a merchandising shelf (not shown). A flange 47 is integrally formed with and extending from the channel base 42 and provides reinforcement to the pin 46 by attenuating leverage forces applied to the pin in use. The walls 43, 44 are optionally biased towards one another to grip the riser P. One of the walls 44 is provided with an inwardly facing tab 48 extending along the length of the channel 45 to engage the longitudinal slot S cut in the riser P. An oppositely facing tab (not shown) can be formed on the other wall 43 to engage a second slot (also not shown) on the riser P. The riser P is then securely held by the connector but the connector is movable along the riser slot S to facilitate fitting of the riser P to any merchandising shelf having the appropriate pin receiver holes positioned at any interval or even randomly. Figures 9a and 9b illustrate the sixth embodiment of riser construction for use with gravity- feed or sloped shelves. As before, the riser is provided with a longitudinal slot S. The connector 50 of the second embodiment comprises a base 52 and walls 53, 54 defining a channel 55 and an integrally formed pin 56. The pin 56 is disposed at a predetermined angle from the upright orientation of the walls. A flange 57 extends from the base as before and provides a sloped surface 57a to present a flat face to the sloped merchandising shelf. On one of the walls 54 a pair of inwardly facing tabs 58 is provided to engage the slot S cut in the riser P. Figures 10 and 1 1 illustrate modifications to the connector 40 shown in Figures 8a and 8b. In a first modification, the connector 60 comprises a base 62, walls 63, 64, a pin 66 and a flange 67 substantially as before. However, the pin is hollow to accommodate a reinforcing metal rod 69 which penetrates but does not protrude from the base 62 of the connector as shown in Figure 5. The rod 69 provides reinforcement against leverage forces applied laterally to the pin 66. In a second modification, the connector 70 includes a pin 76 having a slightly smaller outer diameter than normally specified so that a sleeve 79 can be provided over the pin 76 as shown in Figure 1 1. The metal sleeve 79 is adapted to engage receiving holes in merchandising shelves and reinforces the pin against leverage forces applied to the pin 76. With reference to Figures 12a and 12b, the seventh embodiment of riser construction comprises a riser P having a slot S cut therein and a two-part connector 80. The first part comprises a base 82 and walls 83, 84 defining a channel 85, and a flange 86 integrally formed with the base substantially as described in the fifth and sixth embodiments. The second part comprises a metal pin 87 having a flange engaging member 88 integrally formed therewith. The pin 87 and flange engaging member 88 are formed from a resilient material such as stainless steel. In use, the engagement member 88 is bent to grip the flange, as illustrated. The eighth, ninth and tenth embodiments of a riser according to the invention are shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15 respectively and all include a riser P having a slot S which is engaged by an offset connector 90, 91 or 92 all held in position by a locking device 93, 94 or 95 the details of which are clearly discernible in the figures. In a number of the embodiments described hereinabove, one or more inwardly facing tabs are provided on one or both of the connector walls to engage a corresponding longitudinal slot S cut in the riser P. It will be seen that, in each of these embodiments, the number, shape and length of the tabs are interchangeable without affecting the fundamental concept of the invention. The riser construction described herein above is also adaptable for use as dividers on shelving having the requisite perforations or receiving holes for the connector pins. Figures 16a, 16b, 17a and 17b show three embodiments of a construction according to the invention which can be used as a divider. Figure 16a shows a divider D connected to a riser P by means of a hook over clip 150 which is flush fitted over a tab 151 formed between a slot 152 and a cut out 153 on the divider D. A cut out 154 is formed at the base of the divider D so that it can pass by a connector supporting the riser P. Various connectors 160 can be used to support the rear of the divider. The connector 170 shown in Figure 17a comprises a body 171 which is a sliding fit over a tab 172 so that the pin 173 can be moved a short distance along the tab 172 for alignment of the pin 173 with a hole on the shelf. Because of the shape of the connector, the pin 173 can be brought right up to the edge of the divider. A slightly different connector 180 is shown in Figure 17b and is provided with a generally rectangular shaped retainer 181 which can engage in an appropriately shaped slot provided on the shelf. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A riser or divider construction for fitting to a merchandising shelf, the construction comprising a longitudinal separating member and at least one connector for engaging the separating member to the merchandising shelf, the connector comprising a carrier located on a lower edge of the separating member and being movable along the lower edge of the separating member with a locating pin depending from the carrier for engagement with the merchandising shelf, whereby the connector may be moved along the lower edge of the separating member, so as to align the locating pin with an appropriate orifice on the shelf. 2. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the range of linear movement of the or each connector is limited. 3. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 2, in which a formation is provided in the longitudinal separating member so as to limit the movement of the or each connector. 4. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 3, in which each formation comprises a notch provided in the lower edge of the longitudinal separating member, whereby the length of the notches in the separating member and the interval between them is chosen to accommodate a range of distances between the hole centres on the shelf and to ensure maximum flexibility in the application of the riser or divider construction, particularly in respect of its use with display systems of various manufacturers. 5. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 4 in which the depth and/or shape of the notch is selected so as to accommodate the connector so that the lower edge of the connector is level with the lower edge of the longitudinal separating member, whereby the separating member lies flush with the shelf on which it is mounted. 6. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a retaining groove is provided along one face of the separating member parallel to the lower edge of the separating member, with a complementary engageable element being provided in the carrier. 7. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 3, in which the formation provided in the longitudinal separating member comprises a slot formed in the member and a complementary pin is provided in the connector for engagement with the slot. 8. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 2, in which a slot is provided in a wall or walls of the carrier and a pin or other element engageable with the slot or slots is provided in the separating member. 9. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the carrier comprises a base, a pair of walls extending from the base to define a channel for receiving the longitudinal separating member, and a receiver for retaining the upper end of the locating pin, disposed within or laterally adjacent the channel. 10. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 9, in which the pin receiver is disposed on the outer side of one of the side walls. 1 1. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the connector comprises an injection moulded or extruded element of a clear plastics material such as polycarbonate. 12. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 1 , in which the locating pin is manufactured from metal or plastics material. 13. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12, in which one end of the locating pin is integrally formed with the connector. 14. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 13, in which the connector includes a reinforcing flange between the pin and the channel, with the flange being adapted to abut the shelf surface. 15. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the channel comprises a pair of walls resiliently biased towards one another and adapted to grippingly receive the longitudinal separating member. 16. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 15, in which at least one of the channel walls includes an inwardly facing tab for engaging the longitudinal separating member. 17. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 16, in which the longitudinal separating member includes a slot adjacent one edge and parallel thereto along at least one side of the panel to accommodate the or each tab of the channel walls. 18. A riser or divider construction as claimed in which the integrally formed pin includes a reinforcing element. 19. A riser or divider construction as claimed in Claim 18 in which a reinforcing sleeve is provided over the pin. 20. A riser or divider construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the pin of the connector is disposed at an angle to the carrier whereby the construction may be fitted to a sloping shelf so as to provide a generally vertically disposed riser or divider.

Inventors: CARROLL FRANCIS ALFRED, MCELVANEY OLIVER, CARROLL, FRANCIS, ALFRED, MCELVANEY, OLIVER
Applicants: CARROLL FRANCIS ALFRED, CARROLL PROD & DESIGNS LTD, MCELVANEY OLIVER, CARROLL PRODUCTS AND DESIGNS LIMITED, CARROLL, FRANCIS, ALFRED, MCELVANEY, OLIVER
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A47F5
IPC codes: A47F3, A47F5