Patent Publication Number: US-11659943-B2

Title: Product securement and management system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/876,543, filed May 18, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/383,118, filed Apr. 12, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/105,662, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,258,169, filed Aug. 20, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/637,941, filed Jun. 29, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,051,977, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/070,811, filed Mar. 15, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,723,934, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/188,359 filed on Feb. 24, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,289,078, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/858,574 filed on Apr. 8, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,526,351, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/544,363 filed on Jul. 9, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,413,823, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/230,362, filed on Sep. 12, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,227, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/872,721, filed Aug. 31, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,047,385, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/496,389, filed Jul. 1, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,601, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/858,545, filed Sep. 20, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,409, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/685,530, filed Mar. 13, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,881, which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/782,000, filed Mar. 13, 2006, now expired, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/685,530 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/612,210, filed Dec. 18, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,299,934, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/140,023, filed May 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,365, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/047,915 filed Feb. 1, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,545, which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/541,804 filed Feb. 3, 2004, now expired. Each of these patent applications, application Ser. Nos. 14/188,359, 13/858,574, 13/544,363, 13/230,362, 12/872,721, 12/496,389, 11/858,545, 11/685,530, 60/782,000, 11/612,210, 11/140,023, 11/047,915, 60/541,804, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to shelf assemblies for use in merchandising product and more particularly to shelf assemblies that improve the securement and management of merchandised product. The invention relates to a system for displaying, pushing, and dividing merchandise on merchandise-display shelves. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known that retail and wholesale stores, such as drug stores, grocery stores, discount stores, toy stores, and the like require and use a large amount of shelving both to store product and to display the product to consumers. In displaying product to consumers to promote and improve store sales, these stores situate or position the product toward the front of the shelf so that the product is visible and easily accessible to consumers. This desirable positioning has certain drawbacks. For instance, with this desirable “front-facing” of product, the stores are finding that relatively small products or packages of high value can be the target of thieves. Certain items can represent a high value to potential thieves who can either resell the items or use them for other illegitimate purposes, as in the case of certain pharmaceutical products. This theft is increasing and is now a significant cost to the retailer because thieves prefer to steal many products at once or in as short amount of time as possible. To do this, for example, thieves will “sweep” the shelf with their arm collecting the items into a purse, bag or coat very quickly and exit the store without drawing attention. 
     Theft can be the result of both customers and employees actions and has been difficult to eliminate. Attempts to deter and prevent theft have proven to be only partially effective. For instance, in-store cameras often do not observe the theft clearly enough to catch or prosecute the thief. In addition, in-store security personnel are rarely in the correct position to actually observe a thief in action. As a result, theft continues to be a significant problem and cost in the management of product inventory. 
     It is desirable to have merchandise on a shelf situated toward the front of the shelf so that the merchandise is visible and accessible to shoppers. Thus, as merchandise is removed from a shelf, it may be advantageous to push the remaining merchandise toward the front of the shelf. It may also be desirable to include dividing panels, also referred to as dividers, to separate merchandise into rows on a display shelf. 
     Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,720 (“the &#39;720 patent”) discloses a product management display system that may be used for dividing and pushing displayed merchandise 
     DE 299-02,688 U1 discloses a merchandise display system in which a base-and-divider assembly is constructed as two separate units that need to be connected to each other before being used. When this system is used with products having different sizes, product slider guides, also referred to herein as pusher tracks, of various widths need to be used to accommodate the different sizes of the products. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,738 discloses a merchandise display system with a pusher track that has an integrated divider wall on one side of the pusher track. Like the system disclosed by DE 299-02,688 U1, pusher tracks having different widths must be used to accommodate products of different sizes. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 of the &#39;720 patent, various components, such as pusher end device 150, pusher divider 152, and pusher 154 mounted on bases 166, 212, and 232, respectively, are disclosed for mounting onto either shelf frame 25 or standard dealer shelf 40. The pusher end device 150, the pusher divider 152, and the pusher 154, which are mounted to bases 166, 212, and 232, of FIG. 1 of the &#39;720 patent were designed with ultimate flexibility in mind. This flexibility allows these components to be assembled and used in many different ways depending on the particular product to be displayed. This presents store personnel with potentially confusing choices, which may lead to frustration, wasted time, and incorrectly installed parts. Three pusher components, namely, a full-width track, which can accept the pushing device, a divider, and a narrow track, are typically used together more often than other combinations of components. Therefore, a component that combines these devices into a single integrated assembly would be desirable. 
     The present invention is directed at overcoming these and other known drawbacks and problems with existing shelving systems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems by addressing the securement and management of product in a retail setting. As will become evident below, the invention has the ability to inhibit “sweeping” of product by a thief and to limit the taking of large amounts of product from a shelf in a short period of time. Using one or more methods such as placing the shelves closer together, using product dividers that extend from the front edge of the shelf and between the shelves, using a merchandising system that controls the speed of a pusher, placing front walls having a specific height that results in a smaller opening to limit access to product, using an electronic control unit and an electronic lock-out mechanism which locks the merchandising shelf and multiple shelves when too many products are removed at one time, the present invention will inhibit sweeping of product and the removal of numerous products at a time. The present invention also has the ability to alert store or security personnel and security cameras of a potential theft situation, while minimizing the impact on access to product by legitimate shoppers. 
     In an embodiment, a merchandising system, comprises a base configured to support product; a housing configured to be engaged with the base, comprising a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall; a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base; a rotatable door assembly that includes a door configured to hold one product, wherein the door moves from a closed position to an open position; a locking assembly that comprises a locking bar mounted to the base, wherein the locking bar moves from an extended position to an unextended position, and when the locking bar is in the extended position, the locking bar locks the door assembly and the spring-urged pusher; and an electronic control unit that triggers a lock-out mechanism engaged to the locking bar to move the locking bar from the unextended position to the extended position. The electronic control unit may trigger the lock-out mechanism when a preset number of products are removed in a preset time limit. 
     In other features of an embodiment of the invention, the locking assembly may further comprise a locking latch that engages the locking bar when the locking bar is in the extended position. Additionally, the locking assembly may further comprise a locking gear that includes a free end and a gear teeth end with a door spring attached to the door and the free end of the locking gear. Additionally, when the locking bar is in the extended position, the locking latch may engage the gear teeth end of the locking gear which may prohibit the uncoiling of the door spring and the door moving to the open position. The locking assembly may also comprise a ratchet shaft that is located in a slot on the base, wherein the slot extends longitudinally along the length of the base. The ratchet shaft may also include at least one section that has a plurality of teeth extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft and at least one section that is flat that extends along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The locking mechanism may also include a pusher lock that is attached to the spring-urged pusher. Additionally, when the locking bar is in the extended position, the ratchet shaft rotates such that the plurality of teeth face upwards towards the pusher lock and a pointed end of the pusher lock engages one of the plurality of teeth to prohibit the movement of the pusher. 
     An integrated “T” assembly, also referred to as a base-and-divider assembly, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention combines into a single integrated assembly, a full-width track, a divider, and a narrow track. A narrow and strong end-finisher piece may be used to provide a second divider-like partition and, optionally a wide or narrow track, for pairing with a T assembly&#39;s narrow-track or wide-track portion near an end of either side of a shelf. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a spring-urged offset pusher may have an upper portion that is offset, via an angled offset portion, from a lower portion of the pusher. The upper offset portion may advantageously extend farther out toward the center of various products to be displayed. Such an offset pusher may allow for using a minimal number of components while still pushing products relatively near to their centers, having the advantage of pushing them smoothly with less binding. When displaying a wide product, one or more supporting tracks, any of which may have a pusher, may be used under the product. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a T assembly and/or a full track may be coupled to a front rail via a complimentary tongue and groove arrangement. Any of the components having a divider panel, such as a T assembly, an end finisher, and a full-width track, may also contain any of various engagement mechanisms for non-slidably engaging with a front rail&#39;s corresponding engagement mechanism. For instance, teeth on a base may engage corresponding teeth on the front rail. Teeth of this type advantageously allow a T assembly, full-width track, and/or end finishers with corresponding teeth to be located at positions virtually continuously along the front rail and may prevent the components from being moved unintentionally from their intended positions during normal shopping activity and shelf re-stocking. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a T assembly may include a tear-off line and a break-off line. Such a tear-off line and break-off line combination may be used to advantage to produce one part that may be used for shelves having different depths, such as either 16 inches or 10 inches. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a pusher track may include a depression, which may be used while re-stocking merchandise to hold a pusher near the back of a full-width track or T assembly. To use the depression to hold a pusher at the back of the track, a person may move the pusher back to the depression and may tilt the top of the pusher toward the front of the track. Merchandise may be re-stocked without having to manually hold the pusher out of the way. To remove the pusher from the depression, the pusher may be pushed toward the back of the track, the pusher will then return to an upright position and move along the track in its usual way. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, front edges of the respective surfaces that the pusher travels along may automatically engage a bent portion of the pusher&#39;s coiled spring when the pusher is inserted onto the front of the track. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    depicts a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a product securement and management system of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a partial side elevation view of the exemplary securement and management system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    depicts a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of a pullout shelf that may be used with the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    depicts front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the product securement and management system of the invention incorporating the pullout shelf. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a side elevation view of an exemplary pullout shelf illustrating the product dividers and the restocking of product on the shelf. 
         FIG.  6    depicts a side elevation view of an exemplary mounting of a front retaining wall and a secondary retaining wall to the shelf in addition to an exemplary pusher mechanism. 
         FIG.  7    depicts a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a front retaining wall and a secondary retaining wall. 
         FIG.  8    depicts a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a front retaining wall and a secondary retaining wall with product displayed on the shelf. 
         FIG.  9    depicts a bottom view of an exemplary alert device mounted to the exemplary securement and management system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  10    depicts an exemplary lock mechanism that may be used with the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    depicts an exemplary embodiment of a movable barrier and barrier extension that may be used with the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    depicts a close up view of the movable barrier and barrier extension of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    depicts a close up view of an exemplary handle that may be used with the movable barrier or barrier extension of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  14    depicts a close up view of the movable barrier and barrier extension of  FIG.  11    defining an opening and mounting structure for receiving the lock mechanism of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  15    depicts a partial front elevation view of the exemplary securement and management system of  FIG.  1    including the use of a security camera. 
         FIG.  16    depicts a partial front elevation view of the exemplary securement and management system of  FIG.  1    including the use of a video monitor. 
         FIG.  17    depicts a diagram of an exemplary switching operation between a camera image and an image from a video player on the monitor of  FIG.  16   . 
         FIG.  18    depicts another exemplary lock mechanism that may be used with the present invention. 
         FIG.  19    depicts another view of the exemplary lock mechanism of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  20    depicts a back view of the exemplary lock mechanism of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  21    depicts yet another exemplary lock mechanism that may be used with the present invention. 
         FIG.  22    depicts another view of the exemplary lock mechanism of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  23    depicts a close-up view of the lock plate of the exemplary lock mechanism of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  24    depicts another view of the lock plate of  FIG.  23   . 
         FIG.  25    depicts an exemplary embodiment that includes the use of a clip that may be used to further secure a side wall to the shelf. 
         FIG.  26    depicts an isometric view of the clip of  FIG.  25   . 
         FIG.  27    depicts a close-up view of the mounted clip of  FIG.  25   . 
         FIG.  28    depicts an exemplary electrical power bar that may be used with the invention. 
         FIG.  29    depicts another view of the power bar of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    depicts an exemplary embodiment that includes a side wall that may be used to provide further security for product on a shelf or a portion of a shelf. 
         FIG.  31    depicts another view of the wall of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  32    depicts an isometric view of a clip that may be used to further secure a side wall to the shelf. 
         FIG.  33    depicts another view of the clip of  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  34    illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a box shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  35    illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment a box shelf with a slideable shelf in a second position in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  36    illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment a box shelf with a slideable shelf in a first position in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  37   a - 37   b    depict cross-sections of an embodiment of a hinge plate engaging a blocking lip in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  38    depicts an embodiment of two box shelves stacked on top of each other in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  39    illustrates a partial exploded view of an embodiment of a box shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  40   a - 40   d    illustrate various views of an embodiment a housing in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  41    illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a housing and a door in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  42 - 45    illustrate views of an embodiment of a box shelf with various features omitted to provide additional details in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  46    illustrates a cross-section of a slideable shelf with a divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  47    illustrates a partially exploded view of a slideable shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  48   a - 48   c    illustrate various view of an embodiment of a support surface of a slideable shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  49  and  50    depict cross-sections of a portion of an embodiment of support surface of a slideable shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  51    illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a slideable shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  52   a - 52   c    illustrate an isometric, partially exploded view of an embodiment of a hinge plate and construction in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  53   a - 53   e    illustrate a number of views of an embodiment of a hinge plate in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  54   a - 54   f    illustrate a number of views of an embodiment of a hinge base configured to couple with the hinge plate of  FIG.  53    in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  55   a - 55   d    illustrate a number of views of an embodiment of a shelf support in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  56    illustrates an isometric view of a portion of a shelf support configured to engage vertical rails in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  57    illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  58   a - 58   e    illustrate various views of an embodiment of a housing of a box shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  59   a - 59   d    illustrate various view of an embodiment of slideable shelf in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  60    is a side view of an exemplary low profile shelf support. 
         FIG.  61    is an exploded isometric view of a shelf system incorporating the low profile shelf support of  FIG.  60   . 
         FIG.  62    is another exploded isometric view of a shelf system incorporating the low profile shelf support of  FIG.  60   . 
         FIG.  63    is a side view of a shelf system incorporating the low profile shelf support of  FIG.  60    and an alert device and moveable barrier. 
         FIG.  64    is a partial enlarged view of the shelf system of  FIG.  63    further illustrating the moveable barrier in contact with a linkage which is also in contact with the alert device. 
         FIG.  65    is a partial enlarged view of the shelf system of  FIG.  63    further illustrating the alert device in contact with a linkage which is also in contact with the moveable barrier. 
         FIG.  66    is an isometric view of the shelf system of  FIG.  61    with a box shelf mounted to the shelf. 
         FIG.  67    is an isometric exploded view of the box shelf of  FIG.  66   . 
         FIG.  68    is a side view of the shelf system of  FIG.  66   . 
         FIG.  69    is a partial enlarged view of the shelf system of  FIG.  68   . 
         FIG.  70    is an isometric view of the shelf system of  FIG.  61    with signage mounted to the shelf. 
         FIG.  71    is a side view of the shelf system of  FIG.  70   . 
         FIG.  72    is an isometric exploded view of the shelf system of  FIG.  61    with multiple low profile shelf supports and with optional mounting brackets. 
         FIG.  73    is an isometric view of the shelf system of  FIG.  72   . 
         FIG.  74    is an isometric view of an adjustable wall that may be used to provide further security for product on a shelf or a portion of a shelf. 
         FIG.  75    is a side view of the adjustable wall of  FIG.  74   . 
         FIG.  76    is an end view of the adjustable wall of  FIG.  74   . 
         FIG.  77    is an isometric view of the adjustable wall of  FIG.  74   . 
         FIG.  78    is another isometric view of the adjustable wall of  FIG.  74   . 
         FIG.  79    is an isometric view of an exemplary merchandising system. 
         FIG.  80    is another isometric view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79   . 
         FIG.  81    front view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79   . 
         FIG.  82    is a side view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79   . 
         FIG.  83    is a partial side view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79   . 
         FIG.  84    is a top view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79   . 
         FIG.  85    is another front view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79   . 
         FIG.  86    is another front view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79    illustrating product being removed from the merchandising system. 
         FIG.  87    is another isometric view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  79    illustrating product being moved toward the front end of the merchandising system. 
         FIG.  88    is a bottom view of an exemplary merchandising system. 
         FIG.  89    is a partial bottom view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  88   . 
         FIG.  90    is a side view of an exemplary merchandising system. 
         FIG.  91    is another side view of the merchandising system of  FIG.  90    illustrating product being removed from the merchandising system. 
         FIG.  92 A  is partial exploded view of an embodiment of a merchandise system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  92 B  is an isometric view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  93    is a side view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  94    is a side view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  95    is a side view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  96    is a side view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  97    is a side view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  98 A  is a partial bottom view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  98 B  is a partial bottom view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG.  99    is a side view of the merchandise system of  FIG.  92 A  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention illustrating the opening of the door. 
         FIG.  100    is a isometric view of multiple merchandise systems with an electronic control unit in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  101 A-C  depict an alternative embodiment of the door spacer bar of the invention. 
         FIG.  102    depicts an integrated “T” assembly, also referred to as a base-and-divider assembly, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  103    depicts a right end component in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  104    shows an offset pusher in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  105    shows a full-width track, also referred to as a base, which may be used with or without a pusher, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  106    is perspective view of the bottom of a T assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  107    is a perspective view of a front rail in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  108    is an enlarged oblique side view of the front rail of  FIG.  107    in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  109    depicts a full-width track with a pusher between two T assemblies in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  110    is an enlarged view of the rear portion of the bottom of a T assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  111    depicts products of different sizes on multiple T assemblies. 
         FIG.  112    depicts an integrated end component in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  113    is a partial side view of a cross-section of a bent end of a pusher&#39;s coiled spring engaging the front edge of a pusher track in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Rather, the phrases and terms used herein are to be given their broadest interpretation and meaning. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. The use of the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “coupled,” “positioned,” “engaged” and similar terms, is meant to include both direct and indirect mounting, connecting, coupling, positioning and engaging. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the securement, management, and distribution of products in settings such as a retail setting and includes numerous embodiments. One embodiment involves a shelf management and display system that resides either on a standard or existing “dealer” shelf typically found in a retail store or on a shelf designed with certain advantages in securing products and deterring theft. The embodiment may include uprights of a pre-existing shelving system or may be a stand alone unit. The display system includes front-facing systems, which force product to the front of a shelf. Such systems may use various methods, such as gravity, friction, magnetism, or spring-urged pushers or paddles to bring product to the front of a shelf near the aisle. Many examples of spring-urged systems that orient products toward the front of a shelf exist and include the systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,720 to Hardy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,201 to Breslow, and International Application No. PCT/US02/15760 and corresponding International Publication No. WO 02/091885 A1 to Hardy, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , in one embodiment of the present invention, a shelf management and display system  100  includes vertical uprights  102  and product shelves  104  removably mounted to the uprights. The shelves  104  may be mounted at various positions along the uprights  102  depending on the desired positioning and spacing of the shelves  104 . Similarly, the shelves  104  may be moved or relocated to different positions along the uprights  102  as necessary. As shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the shelves  104  may be pull-out shelves that pull away from the uprights  102  like drawers. As illustrated by  FIG.  3   , the shelf  104  may incorporate a locking device  117  which involves cooperating catches that contact each other in the locked position and substantially release this contact in the unlocked position and that when released will permit the shelf  104  to pull-out and away from the uprights. The shelves or uprights may involve other locking devices, such as magnets, latches, notches, binders, tension or the like. Once pulled away, the store personnel can restock the shelf with product and then slide the shelf  104  back to its original position and relock the shelf. 
     A back wall  106  may be mounted to the uprights  102  through known mounting techniques to aid in containing the products and to prevent access to the products from the back of the display system  100 . A lock box  108  may be mounted to the uprights  102  also through known mounting techniques. The lock box  108  may be used for storing and locking additional product and shelving components for quick retrieval by the store personnel. The lock box  108  may be positioned at any position on the uprights  102 , including the depicted positioning at or near the top of the display system  100 . In an alternative embodiment, the lock box  108  may be secured to a shelf  104  as opposed to the uprights  102 . With either mounting location, the additional product and shelving components are located at the display system  100  and can therefore be readily retrieved by store personnel. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the invention may include a series of walls or dividers  110  that are placed between product rows, lanes or facings, and at the ends of the facings, to deter product “sweeping” by a thief. These walls  110  are sometimes referred to as “product dividers.” As used herein, the terms “vertical walls,” “product dividers” and “dividers” are meant to include any wall (including vertical and non-vertical), divider, barrier, or separator that may be used between product rows, lanes or facings. The product dividers  110 , when positioned in a spaced-apart manner on the display system  100 , form product lanes  112  for locating and separating product to be merchandised. 
     The product dividers  110  or side walls also are positioned at the sides of the product facing to prevent access to the product from the side of the display system  100 . In one embodiment, these dividers or side walls may include telescoping features that permit them to extend vertically or horizontally to provide additional product securement. Significantly, these dividers or side walls may be used in numerous applications as the size and extent of these can be adjusted to fit most shelves, shelving or display systems, or applications. 
     A pusher  126  can be used to urge product forward. This pusher can incorporate a coil spring to assist in urging product forward. The divider  110  in some embodiments can include a base or floor. In some embodiments this floor includes a pusher track  128 .  FIG.  6    shows the floor on one side of the divider wall. A second floor can be on the opposite side of the divider wall. With floors on both sides of the vertical divider wall, product can rest on these floors. In one such embodiment, a product can rest on one floor of one divider and a second floor of a second divider. 
     The product dividers  110  define a height, shape and configuration that deter the removal of product over the product dividers  110 . The dividers  110  extend in a vertical or non-vertical manner between the shelves  104  and from the front of the shelf  104  to the back wall  106 . The dividers  110  have a generally rectangular shape; however, other shapes and configurations of the dividers, such as non-rectangular, oval, repeating patterns or the like, may be used with the invention. Depending on the product to be merchandised and the desired degree of access to the products, the front edge  114  of the product dividers  110  may extend vertically between the shelves  104 , or may extend non-vertically to make the products more accessible to the consumer and easier to remove from the shelf. In one embodiment, the divider  110  defines a front edge  111  that includes a front edge portion  113  protruding outward from the front edge  111 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . The protruding portion of the front edge will assist in holding the retaining wall or tab  122  in position to prevent slidable movement of the retaining wall or tab  122 , as described below. 
     The product dividers  110  may be mounted to the display system  100  using numerous techniques. As an example, the dividers  110  may be inserted into tracks formed in the shelf  104  or tracks formed in a base that attaches to the shelf  104 . Similarly, the dividers  110  may be formed integral or as a unitary unit with a base that is mounted to the shelf. Also, the dividers  110  may be mounted to a rail, channel, or groove as understood by those skilled in the art. The dividers  110  should be sufficiently rigid to retain the product within the product lanes. Examples of dividers that may be used with invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,720 to Hardy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,201 to Breslow, and International Application No. PCT/US02/15760 and corresponding International Publication No. WO 02/091885 A1 to Hardy, which are incorporated herein by reference. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other dividers and techniques for mounting the dividers to the shelves are known and may be used with the teachings of the invention. 
     In one embodiment, the dividers  110  may have a step down or decline near its rear edge, or a decrease in wall height, to allow the wall  110  to be lifted and disengaged from the rail on which it is mounted. With this configuration, the dividers  110  may be moved laterally without interfering with the shelf above it. In one embodiment, the vertical wall or divider  110  has a step down beginning approximately ⅔ of the wall length from its front edge. 
     In an embodiment, it may be desired to provide enhanced security for items on only a portion of a shelf. These items may be located in the center of the shelf or on a side of the shelf. Security features such as those referenced herein can be added to only a portion of the shelf, while the remainder of the shelf contains fewer or none of the security features. Where high security items are placed in the center of a shelf, these items can be segregated from the remainder of the shelf through the use of walls. These walls can provide the side barriers for the high security portion of the shelf. These walls can be made of strong construction, such as metal, and can extend from the floor of a shelf to a distance fairly near the top of the shelf. These walls also can be attached to the shelf as well as the other security features to limit the possibility of the walls being bent, removed or otherwise thwarted and to assist in limiting access to the items being merchandised on the shelf. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  25 ,  30  and  31   , walls  340  and  350  are used to segregate a shelf into a higher security area and a lower security area. Walls  340  and  350  can be made from steel and can extend from at or near the floor of the shelf to an area at or near the ceiling of the shelf. The walls also can be adjustable. In an embodiment, the walls can be comprised of a top section  344  and a bottom section  346 . As shown in  FIG.  31   , these two sections can overlap to provide a continuous barrier. The top section  344  of wall  340  and the bottom section  346  of wall  340  can include apertures that align the two walls. A fastener  348  such as a screw, bolt, pin, rod or other fastener can be used to join the two walls at a particular height. The walls also can comprise a floor  342  which includes apertures and can be connected to the floor of the shelf through a fastener  349  such as a screw, bolt, pin, rod or other fastener. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  74 - 78   , in an alternative embodiment, the walls  340  and  350  may be in the form of an adjustable wall  702  that is slidably movable and repositionable. The wall  702  defines one or more elongated channels or slots  704  that permit movement of the wall  702  and adjustment of the location of the wall  702  to a desired position. In an exemplary embodiment, the channels  704  may be vertically and horizontally oriented on the adjustable wall  702 . The wall  702  may be moved and positioned, as desired, and secured to a lower wall portion  706  through the use of fasteners  708 , such as screws, bolts, pins, rods or the like. The lower wall portion  706  may include numerous holes  709  for receiving the fasteners  708  and may include a floor  710  which may include a plurality of holes  711  for mounting the floor  710  to the to the floor of the shelf as described above. For convenience in adjusting the wall  702  relative to the lower wall portion  706 , a tool  714 , such a hex key, wrench, screw driver, or the like, may be mounted to the lower wall portion  706  to be used by a user to make the desired adjustments of the location of the wall  702 . 
     As should be readily apparent, the elongated channels  704  provide for numerous mounting positions of the wall  702  relative to the lower wall portion  706 . In an exemplary position, the wall  702  is fastened to the lower wall portion  706  such that the fasteners  708  are located at positions  716   a  and  716   b  in the elongated channel  704 . In this position, as shown by  FIG.  75   , the wall  702  will be in an unextended position. In one of the numerous alternate positions, the wall  702  may be positioned and the fasteners  708  may be located at positions  716   c  and  716   d . In this position, the wall  702  will be in an extended position such that the wall  702  extends upward relative to the lower wall portion  706  and away from the lower wall portion. In this position, the wall  702  may serve as an additional barrier to inhibit access to the shelf and thereby further secure the products on the shelf. As yet another example, the wall  702  may be positioned and the fasteners  708  may be located at positions  716   b  and  716   e . In this position, the wall  702  will be in an extended position such that the wall  702  extends away from the lower wall portion and will be at the same height as the lower wall portion. It should be readily apparent that numerous other positions of the wall  702  relative to the shelf are possible depending on the desired level of security and the configuration of the shelf, and the tool  714  provides convenience and ease of adjustment of the wall  702 . It should be understood that the elongated channel may define numerous other configurations that still permit movement and adjustment of the wall  702  relative to the lower portion. The system illustrated by  FIGS.  74 - 78    may further be configured and mounted on either or both ends of the shelf, and if desired, to the front or rear of the shelf. Also, the wall may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  25 - 27 ,  30 - 33    a clip or clip member  320  or  360  may be used to further secure the wall  340 ,  350  to the shelf  104  and in particular the walls that separate secure products from non-secure products. The clip  320 ,  360  also can be used to secure divider  110  to a shelf  104  (embodiment not shown). The clip  320 ,  360  may be used to strengthen the wall  340 ,  350  to prevent the bending or moving of the wall. With the use of the clip  320 ,  360 , the wall  340 ,  350  may be made of a thinner, less costly material because the clip  320 ,  360  will prevent potential bending or twisting of the wall to access the product on the shelf. The walls  140 ,  150  also are known as side walls. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the clip  320 ,  360  is configured at one end to engage a hinge rail  322 , which is used to hinge the barrier  140 , discussed below, to the shelf  104 . The hinge rail  322  is mounted to a shelf. The clip  320 ,  360  mounts to the shelf through its interaction with hinge rail  322 . The clip  320 ,  360  is further configured at an opposite end to engage the wall  340 ,  350 . More particularly, the clip  320  includes a blade portion  324  that is configured to engage with the hinge rail  322  and at any of the multiple positions along the hinge rail  322 , thus providing flexibility in the placement of the clip  320 . The blade portion  324  may take on numerous shapes and configuration and may be connected to or joined with a clip body  328 . The clip body  328  is further connected to or joined with opposing wall mounting members  330 . The wall mounting members  330  are configured to be positioned on opposing sides of a wall  340  with the wall passing between the mounting members  330 . The wall mounting members  330  further define aligned holes  332  for receiving a mounting fastener  334  that may be used to secure the mounting members  330  to the wall  340 , as depicted by  FIG.  27   . The aligned holes  332  may be thru holes or threaded holes. As can be appreciated, any type of fastener or securement technique may be used to secure the clip  320  to the wall  340 . 
     Where a wall  340  or  350  is placed at the side end of a shelf, a clip  360  can be used to further secure the wall  340 ,  350  to the shelf  104 . At the edge of the shelf, the hinge rail ceases (not shown). Clip  360  includes a blade portion  362  that extends in only one direction from the clip body  364 . The blade portion  362  is configured to engage the hinge rail  322 . In an embodiment, the blade portion engages only a single hinge piece or knuckle of the hinge rail. For example, in  FIG.  27   , a single hinge piece or knuckle is designated by  323 . The blade portion  362  includes a first blade portion  363  and a second portion  366  that can be at an angle to first portion  363 . The second portion  366  can be configured to interact with the side  324  of knuckle  323 . The blade  362  may take on numerous shapes and configuration and may be connected to or joined with a clip body  364 . The clip body  364  is further connected to or joined with opposing wall mounting members  368 . The wall mounting members  368  are configured to be positioned on opposing sides of a wall  350  with the wall passing between the mounting members  368 . The wall mounting members  368  further define aligned holes  370  for receiving a mounting fastener (not shown) that may be used to secure the mounting members  368  to the wall  350 . The aligned holes  370  may be thru holes or threaded holes. As can be appreciated, any type of fastener or securement technique may be used to secure the clip  360  to the wall  340  or  350 . 
     A front retaining wall  116  may be positioned along the front edge of the shelf  104 . The front retaining wall  116  can serve as a “fence” to restrain the product in the product lanes  112  and assist in preventing the product from falling off the front of the shelf  104 . The retaining wall  116  stops the forward movement of product that is caused by the urging of the pushers, described below. As exemplified by  FIG.  6   , the retaining wall  116  may be mounted to a channel or rail  118  that extends along the front edge  119  of the shelf  104 . The channel or rail  118  may be mounted to existing holes in a standard dealer shelf, or secured by any other known manner to the shelf  104 . The retaining wall  116  may be mounted to or on the channel or rail  118 . The front retaining wall  116  may be made of a clear plastic to permit visualization of the product on the shelf and provide a more aesthetically pleasing organization to the merchandised product. The front retaining wall  116  can also be created from opaque or semi-transparent material, or from wire, and can be adaptable to display graphics. The front retaining wall  116  can have a variety of configurations, such as rectangular, oblong, repeating patterns or the like. 
     As more clearly shown in  FIG.  7   , the front retaining wall  116  may also include holes or openings  120  extending therethrough that are spaced along the wall  116 . The holes  120  permit the consumer and store personnel to push the product back and away from the retaining wall  116  for ease of insertion and removal of the product. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the retaining wall  116  can have a height that permits the removal of a single product at a time or, depending on the desired level of security, a couple of products or a few products at a time. In other words, the height of the retaining wall  116  can permit limited access to and removal of product from the display system  100 . Stated another way, the retaining wall  116  is not so tall as to prohibit any access to the product, but is sized to allow the consumer or store personnel to access and lift a limited number of product over the retaining wall  116  at one time. This limited removal of products is accomplished through the use of the retaining wall  116  and the close proximity of the shelf  104  positioned above the product. That is, in one embodiment, the shelf  104  located above the product will be positioned in close proximity to the top edge of the product, or the top edge of the product divider  110 , whichever is taller. The shelf  104  located above the product, the product dividers  110 , and the retaining wall  116  will form an opening or window  131  through which only a single, two, or possibly a few, product(s) can be removed at one time or in a single motion. This configuration also deters “sweeping” of product from the shelf  104 . The size of the window  131  can be adjusted by adjusting the location of the shelf  104  above the product, the dividers  110 , and/or the retaining wall  116 , or through the use of a second retaining wall  122 , barrier  130 , and/or barrier  140 , described below. This window  131  adjustment permits flexibility with the system and allows the store to set the window  131  size depending on the product size and how many products they want to permit consumers to remove at a time. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, if taller products are merchandised on the shelves  104 , or if a smaller window  131  is desired, a second retaining wall  122  may be positioned behind or possibly in front of the retaining wall  116  to serve as a retainer for the product. As used herein, the second retaining wall  122  may be referred to as a “tab” and may include any retaining structure or “fence” that can be selectively configured or mounted to the shelves  104  to provide selective theft prevention of specific products, such as high theft items. Consequently, the second retaining wall or tab  122  may have many configurations, shapes and designs, and may be used in front of individual rows of product or groups of rows of product. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the second retaining wall or tab  122  may be mounted to or on a second channel or rail  124  that extends parallel with the channel or rail  118 . The retaining wall or tab  122  may be slidable relative to the shelf  104  or rail  124 , or may be fixed relative to the shelf  104  or rail  124 . The tab  122  can be positioned between adjacent dividers  110  and held in position between the dividers  110 . In other words, the tab  122  may not be permitted much slidable movement in or on the channel or rail  124  because the dividers  110  will hinder such slidable movement. In some embodiment, the dividers  110  contain a portion that serves as a stop to prevent the tab or first retaining wall from moving laterally. Such configuration further prevents theft of the product as potential thieves will not be permitted to simply slide the tab  122  to the side and remove numerous products at a time. 
     The second retaining wall or tab  122  will have a height that permits access to and removal of a limited number of product. If desired, the tab  122  may have a height that permits removal of only one product at a time. With the use of tabs  122 , the display system  100  will have flexibility in that tabs  122  of varying height may be positioned in front of the product lanes  112  to accommodate various sized products. That is, if a row of product has a product height that is different than a product in an adjacent row, tabs  122  of varying height can be used to provide the proper level of security and access to the product. 
     In one embodiment, the tabs  122  may be sized to extend across one product lane  112  or in front of a single row of product. In an alternative embodiment, the tab  122  may be sized and shaped to extend across multiple product lanes  112 . In this embodiment, the tabs  122  could include slots or channels to permit the tabs to “straddle” the dividers  110  and thereby extend across multiple product lanes. In addition, the dividers  110  could extend through the slots or channels and thereby inhibit slidable movement of the tabs  122 . 
     The second retaining wall or tab  122  may also be used in place of the retaining wall  116 . In other words, the front “fence” on a product facing may be the tabs  122  of varying height, length and width, or of the same dimensions. In this configuration, the channel or rail  118  may be used to mount dealer-shelf accessories, such as clip-in signage, price tag holders, and the like. The tab  122  also can be attached to the divider  110  or can be formed such that the tab  122  and divider  110  are an integral piece. A wall or partial wall structure such as tab  122  can exist at the front of the divider  110  and can extend to the left or right or to both the left and right of the divider. This wall or partial wall can be used with or without a front retaining wall  116 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the tabs  122  may include holes or openings  125  through the tab  122 , similar to the holes or openings  120  in the retaining wall  116 , to permit the consumer and store personnel to push the product back and away from the retaining wall  116  and tab  122  for ease of insertion and removal of the product. In other words, the holes or openings  126  allow product to be replaced by a consumer who removes it and decides not to purchase the product. To this end, the holes or openings  120 ,  125  are constructed to allow finger access therethrough to push back the row of product. Once the products are pushed backward, the consumer or store personnel can replace the removed products back into the facing. It should be understood that tabs  122  also can be used that do not include the holes or openings  125 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the tab  122  may provide securement for an individual row of a product facing. That is, it may be desirable to provide additional theft deterrence for an individual row of product. In this configuration, the tab  122  having the desired dimensions may be positioned in front of a desired product row to provide additional securement for just that row of product. This embodiment will provide the stores with additional flexibility with their planograms and product facings in that individual tabs  122  of different dimensions may be placed at various locations across the facing to enhance the securement of particular products. 
     In an embodiment, retainer tabs  122  can be used on an individual facing basis for specific products. If a shelf is merchandised with product packages of variable height, the retainer wall  116  must be of a height that allows the shortest product package to be lifted over it. If a shelf  104 , barrier  130 , or barrier  140  is employed above the product, then the shelf  104  or barriers  130 ,  140  must be located at a height above the product to allow the placement of the tallest product below it. This may allow a thief easy access to the taller product by being able to easily lift the taller product in quantity over the relatively short retainer wall  116 . It can be desirable, then, to increase the height of a front barrier only in front of the taller product. The second retaining wall or tab  122  can be of a taller height than the retaining wall  116  and can be generally taller than required for the small product packages. The retainer wall or tab  122  can therefore be constructed and used to limit access to the taller product and removal of several taller products at a time or in one motion, further securing product and deterring theft. Similarly, the retainer wall or tab  122  can be constructed and used to limit access to smaller but deeper products and to limit the removal of several smaller but deeper products at a time or in one motion. The retainer tab  122  thus allows flexible placement of product on a shelf by the retailer and manufacturer, no matter the size, shape, and configuration of the product. 
     The retaining wall  116  and tab  122  may be mounted, directly or indirectly, to the shelf  104  using numerous techniques. The retaining wall  116  and tab  122  may be slidably mounted to or receivable in the channels or rails  118 ,  124 , which are secured to the front edge of the shelf through fasteners, adhesives, friction, tension, magnetism, or other restraining techniques and methods. The retaining wall  116  and tab  122  may also be directly mounted or connected to the shelf  104  also through the use of fasteners, adhesives, friction, tension, magnetism, or other restraining techniques and methods. The retaining wall  116  and tab  122  may be fixed to the shelf  104  or removably mounted to the shelf  104  to permit additional flexibility in the design and level of security of the system. 
     Pushers  126  may be placed behind product between the back wall  106  and the front edge of the shelf  104  to push the product forward so that it may be removed from the front of the shelf. The retaining wall  116  and tabs  122 , if used, in some embodiments can stop the forward movement of product that is caused by the urging of the pushers. Known pushers may be used with the invention, including the pushers and pusher systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,720 to Hardy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,201 to Breslow, and International Application No. PCT/US02/15760 and corresponding International Publication No. WO 02/091885 A1 to Hardy, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The pushers  126  may be spring-urged pushers that move along a track  128  to push product toward the front edge of the shelf  104 , as shown in  FIG.  6   . Track  128  can form a floor on one side of the divider. A second floor, with or without a track, can be located on the other side of the divider. 
       FIG.  102    depicts an integrated “T” assembly  500  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The “T” refers to the appearance of the T assembly  500  as viewed in the direction of arrow  502  in  FIG.  106   . T assembly  500  would actually look like an upside-down (and off-center) T, but for the sake of brevity, it is referred to simply as a T assembly. The T assembly may also be referred to as a base-and-divider assembly. The T assembly essentially combines into a single assembly, a first track, a divider, and a second track. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the divider portion  504 , the first portion  518  of the base, and the second portion of the base  520  may be manufactured as a single integrated component. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG.  102   , a divider  504  may divide the base of the T assembly  500  into a first portion  518  and a second portion  520 . The first portion  518  of the base may be referred to as a wide portion of the base and the second portion  520  may be referred to as a narrow portion  520  of the base  500 . As will be apparent any suitable ratio of widths may be chosen for the first and second portions of the base. For instance, the divider  504  may bisect the base such that the base&#39;s first and second portions are of a substantially equal width. 
     T assembly  500  may have a relatively thick and rigid divider  504  to prevent deflection that might occur when pushing round or triangular objects. Deflection of this type could cause those objects to slip by one another or not to push well in general. In  FIG.  102   , rigid divider  504  includes two parts,  514 - 1  and  514 - 2 , which are described below. 
     At either end of a shelf using the pusher components, a narrow and strong end-finisher component is desirable. Referring to  FIG.  103   , a right-end component  600   a  may be fastened to a shelf near the right-hand side of the shelf. The right-end component&#39;s divider  608  may act the right-most divider on the shelf. The right-end component  600   a  may be operatively coupled to a shelf by inserting pegs  604   a  and  606   a  through corresponding holes in a shelf. One or more fasteners, such as plastic push-rivets, may be used through holes  602   a - 1  through  602   a - 4 , and corresponding holes in a shelf, to securely fasten the right-end component to the shelf. 
     The right-end component shown in  FIG.  103    is intended to be placed at a fixed location near the right side of a shelf&#39;s top surface. Referring to  FIG.  112   , a left-end component  1500  may be similar to a T assembly  500  except that, for the left-end component  1500  the portion of the T assembly&#39;s base to the left of the divider is omitted. Accordingly, the left-end component  15  may include a divider  504  and a base portion  518 . Because the right-end component is intended to have a fixed location and the other components may have adjustable positions along a rail near the front of a shelf, components may be placed onto the shelf and the front rail from right to left to allow for maximum flexibility in adjusting the distances between the components. 
     The width of many products, such as deodorants, analgesics, antihistamines, would allow a minimum number of pusher and base components to be used, spaced laterally apart from each other along a shelf, but the pushers may undesirably end up sufficiently off-center such that the products do not get pushed well. For instance, referring to  FIG.  111   , multiple T assemblies  500 - 1  through  500 - 3  are shown operatively coupled to a shelf  1401  via a front rail. A relatively narrow product  1400  is shown being supported by the wide portion  518 - 2  of the base of T assembly  500 - 2  and by the narrow portion  520 - 3  of the T assembly  500 - 3 . T assemblies  500 - 2  and  500 - 3  are positioned relatively close to each other because product  1400  is relatively narrow. Product  1402 , however, is relatively wide. T assembly  500 - 1 , therefore, is spaced relatively far away from T assembly  500 - 2 . The product  1402  is supported by the narrow portion  520 - 2  of the base of the T assembly  500 - 2  and the wide portion  518 - 1  of the base of the T assembly  500 - 1 . Because the pusher track and pusher of the T assembly  500 - 1  are located relatively close to the divider  504 - 1  of T assembly  500 - 1 , an offset pusher, such as the offset pusher  700  ( FIG.  104   ) may be used so that the offset portion  702   a  may be positioned closer to the center of a relatively wide product, such as product  1402 . Offset pusher  700  has an upper portion  702   a  that is offset, via an offset portion  704   a , from a lower portion  706   a  of the pusher  700 . Upper offset portion  702   a  advantageously extends farther out toward the center of various products to be displayed. The offset pusher allows for using a minimal number of components while still pushing products relatively near to their centers. 
     Occasionally a product is too wide to use only T assemblies  500  on either side of the product. Under these circumstances, one or more supporting tracks may be used under the product. In addition, a product may be unusually dense and/or heavy such that the product requires another track with an additional pusher to move the product. Under these circumstances, a full-width track, such as full-width track  800 , shown in  FIG.  105    and also referred to as a base, may be used either with or without a pusher  700 . 
     For instance,  FIG.  109    depicts a full-width track  800  with a pusher  700 - 3  between two T assemblies  500 - 2  and  500 - 3  with pushers  700 - 2  and  700 - 4  to the left and right sides, respectively, of the full-width track  800 . 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, any of the components, which have a divider and/or a pusher track, may be coupled to a front rail via a complimentary tongue and groove arrangement as disclosed in the &#39;720 patent. The T assembly  500  and full track  800  may non-slidably engage each other. For instance, teeth  900 , shown in  FIG.  106   , may engage a corresponding non-slidable engagement detail in a front rail, such as front rail  1000  shown in  FIG.  107   .  FIG.  108    is an enlarged oblique side view of the front rail  1000 , viewed from the direction indicated by arrow  1002  in  FIG.  107   . Teeth  1100  allow a T assembly  500 , full-width track  800 , and/or a left-end component with corresponding teeth to be located at virtually continuous positions along the front rail. The mating teeth may be relatively thin and closely spaced to allow for precise placement of pusher-track components. The teeth advantageously prevent the components from being unintentionally moved from their intended positions during normal shopping activity and shelf re-stocking. 
     As will be apparent, other ways of positively engaging T assembly  500 , full-width track  800 , and/or a left-end component with the front rail may also be used. For instance, serrations on the front rail could bite into the bottom of the pusher-track components. A compression fit arrangement could be used in which a tongue of the pusher-track component snaps into the front rail. The front rail could have rubber in a groove that would receive a serrated tongue of a pusher-track component. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  102   , the T assembly  500  may optionally include a tear-off line, such as tear-off line  506 , and a break-off line, such as break-off line  510 . Such a tear-off line and break-off line combination may be used to advantage to produce one part that may be used for shelves having different depths, such as either 16 inches or 10 inches. Tear-off line  506  allows tearing of the vertically oriented divider pieces  514 - 1  and  514 - 2  as a first operation. This tearing operation may then be followed by a breaking operation to separate track piece  516 - 1  from track piece  516 - 2 . The combination of the tear-off line and the break-off line facilitates removal of the rear portion of the T assembly  500 . As will be apparent, a full-width track and/or a right-end finisher may also optionally include a break-off line analogous to the break-off line  510 . 
     After removing the rear portion of the T assembly  500  or any other base that may accept a pusher  700 , the pusher  700  may be prevented from sliding out of the back of the pusher track by inserting a pin into hole  508 . An exemplary pin  1300  is shown molded into the bottom rear portion of a base in  FIG.  110   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  105   , a depression  802  is shown. The depression  802  may be used, while re-stocking merchandise, to hold a pusher  700  near the back of a track  800  or a T assembly  500 . To use the depression  802  to hold a pusher  700  at the back of the track  800 , a person may move the pusher  700  back to the depression  802  and may tilt the top of the pusher  700  toward the front of the track  800 , for instance, in a direction opposite of arrow  502  in  FIG.  102   . The depression  802  then holds the pusher  700  so that merchandise may be re-stocked without having to manually hold the pusher out of the way while placing the merchandise on the track surface. To remove the pusher  700  from the depression  802 , the pusher may be pushed toward the back of the track  800 , the pusher will then return to an upright position and move along the track  800  in its usual way. 
     Front edges  804 - 1  and  804 - 2  of the respective surfaces that the pusher travels along may automatically engage a bent portion of the pusher&#39;s coiled spring when the pusher is inserted onto the front of the track  800 .  FIG.  113    is a partial side view of a cross-section of a bent end of a spring  806  engaging the front edge  804 - 1  of the track  800 . 
       FIG.  113    also shows a complimentary tongue and groove engagement between a component  1600 , which includes a pusher track, and a front rail  1602  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. A tongue  1604  of the component  1600  engages a groove  1606  of the front rail  1602 , and a tongue  1608  of the front rail  1602  engage a groove  1610  in the component. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In an embodiment, the pushers  126  may have a pusher face or paddle  129  that may extend laterally to increase the pushing surface of the pusher to thereby pusher wider product more effectively. In other words, the pusher  126  may have an extendable pusher face to push either narrow product or wide product. The pusher face or paddle  129  may be extendable from a retracted position to one of several extended positions. The extended pusher face locates the product pushing surface behind the center or near the center of the wider product, thereby greatly enhancing the pushing leverage on the wider product. Numerous other types of pushers and pusher faces may be used with the invention, including the systems and pushers described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/772,134 to Hardy, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The pushers  126  may be stand-alone units that are mountable to the shelf  104  using any known technique, including the channel mounting technique depicted in the figures. That is, in one embodiment, the pusher  126  may be mounted to a front rail or channel  133 , as shown in  FIG.  6   , and may be slidably adjustable within or on that rail or channel. Alternatively, the pushers  126  may be used in conjunction with dividers  110  and may be operatively mounted to the dividers  110 , as disclosed in the above referenced patents and application, or as known in the art. 
     In another embodiment, the pushers  126  may incorporate spring mechanisms, such as coil springs, that include an indicia strip. The indicia strip is provided on spring mechanism and contains data relating to the position of the pusher  126 . A sensor assembly may scan the indicia strip and transmit data representative of the product and the position of the pusher on the display system to a store computer or some other suitable device, such as a portable computer or controller. The transmitted data can be used to determine inventory levels and can be done so in real time. With this embodiment, the amount of product removed from a particular location in the store can be determined. This information can be used to determine the effectiveness of product placement and promotional displays, particularly when a product can be obtained from various places within the retail store. And with respect to deterring theft, a deviation in the typical purchasing habits of the consumer can trigger an alarm. That is, the alarm can be used to alert security personnel to the fact that too much product has been removed from the shelf at one time and thus a potential theft has occurred. The location of the incident can also be used to alert a security camera so as to focus the camera in the direction of the potential theft, as discussed below. With this embodiment, numerous types of sensors and detection techniques may be used to monitor the relative position and movement of the pusher  126 . For example, in an embodiment, the indicia strip may contain numerous types of patterns that can be optically readable or can be read using several different types of detection methods, such as passive variable capacitance, inductance, resistance, magnetics, or active signal detection. Numerous other types of sensors and detection techniques are possible with the invention for detecting unusual movement of the pusher  126  that may be indicative of a potential theft situation, including the systems and techniques described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/772,010 to Swafford et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In other exemplary embodiments, the merchandised product may be urged toward the front of the shelf  104  through other techniques, including friction, gravity and/or magnetism. Each of these techniques may be used with the display system  100  and the teachings of the present invention. These techniques may be used with or without dividers  110 , depending on the desired application. In one embodiment, the shelf is not completely horizontal but has an incline or decline from back to front. 
     In another embodiment, the merchandised product may be urged toward the front of the shelf  104  through vibration or quick movements that orient products in a particular direction on the shelf  104 . Vibration can cause products to move forward on the shelf  104  and prevent them from moving backward so that the product is front facing. This vibration may be applied through mechanical, electrical or other structures or designs. 
     In one embodiment, directed vibration moves product toward the front of the shelf. The directed vibration causes product to move in particular directions or in one direction and not to move in other directions. Through this vibration, which is instituted through the shelf  104 , upright  102 , floor, wall, ceiling or other structure, or through a vibrative pulse or signal traveling through the air, the product moves in a particular direction, such as frontward. 
     In another embodiment of the vibration technique for urging product forward on the shelf  104 , general undirected vibration is applied to the system. This vibration may be applied through the shelf  104 , upright  102 , floor, wall, ceiling, other structure or through vibration or a signal traveling through the air. Directors, such as small toggles, ridges, flanges, fingers, or the like, cause product to move in a particular direction depending on their configuration, shape, and orientation. These directors can channel the energy from unspecific vibration and force product in a particular direction, such as frontward. The directors can be placed on the shelf  104 , divider  110 , floors, walls or ceilings of the system and can be incorporated into the product itself. 
     In an embodiment of the vibration technique, product sits on a floor and friction moves product toward the front of the shelf. In one embodiment, the floor may be a flat surface panel operatively coupled to a motion providing device. In use, product is placed on the flat surface panel and a combination of gravity and friction hold the product in place on the flat surface panel. The motion providing device then slowly moves the flat surface panel toward the retaining wall  116  located at the front of the shelf  104 . After a preset amount of time, or through product position sensing techniques, the motion providing device quickly, in a jerking motion, pulls the flat surface panel in the opposite direction or, in other words, toward the back of the shelf. By doing so, the quick motion of the flat surface panel breaks the bond of friction between the product and the flat surface panel causing the flat surface panel to slide relative to the product and the product to remain at its location. The motion providing device will then repeat the previously described process and begin to slowly move the flat surface panel toward the retaining wall  116 . Examples of such vibration techniques for urging product forward on a shelf are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/541,859 to Hardy, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As indicated above, the dividers  110 , retaining wall  116  and tabs  122  assist in preventing a thief from sweeping a number of products into his or her coat or bag or from taking several products in the same facing. To even further limit the access to the product, in another exemplary embodiment, a horizontal barrier  130  ( FIG.  2   ) may be included above the product packages and secured to the front edge of the shelf  104  positioned above the product. The barrier  130  may be fixed to the front edge of the shelf  104  or may be fixed to uprights  102 . The barrier  130  further deters unobstructed access to the product in the product facing by reducing the area, window or opening through which product could be removed from the shelf. The barrier  130  may be constructed separate from the shelf or may be integral with the shelf. The barrier  130  may span one row of product on a facing, or may span multiple rows of product, depending on the desired level of security. Alternatively, the barrier  130  may comprise another shelf  104  positioned just above the product. In this embodiment, the shelf  104  above the product is positioned in close proximity to the product. The barrier  130  restricts access from the front of the shelf  104  to only one or a few products positioned behind the front product in a facing row to permit the removal of only a few products from a shelf, or a product pusher, at one time or in one motion. The retaining walls  116  and tabs  122  may be used conjunctively with the barrier  130  to prevent product from being easily removed from the shelf  104 . In other words, the present invention contemplates the use of one, two or multiple barriers or walls to prevent several products from being removed from the shelf at a time or in one motion. The barrier  130  may be made of various materials and may be secured to the front of the shelf  104  through any known technique. 
     A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a barrier  140  that spans across one or two, some, all or the majority of the top of the product on a shelf  104 . The barrier  140  functions similar to a door in that it may be hinged or movably mounted to the edge of the shelf  104 , or the barrier  130 , just above the product to be protected. As used herein, the term “barrier” is meant to include any structure that will prevent, inhibit or obstruct access to the product on the shelf  104 . The barrier can embody numerous shapes and configurations. The barrier  140  may be mounted to the shelf  104  using existing mounting holes on the shelf. The barrier  140  also may be mounted on the front edge of a front rail from the shelf above it. The front edge of the shelf can have hooks or “j” shapes on its underside. The barrier  140  can have apertures which fit within the hooks or “j” shapes. The barrier  140  defines a bottom lip or edge that may meet or overlap the top edge of the retaining wall  116  or tab  122 . Such meeting or overlap further closes off access to the product except with deliberate action. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  13   , the barrier  140  may include a handle  202  to assist in moving the barrier  140  from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa. The handle may be molded with the barrier  140  along the edge of the barrier as exemplified by  FIG.  13   , or the handle may be a separate component attached, mounted, secured, or adhered to the barrier  140  using any known technique. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited by a particular shape or configuration of the handle and that the handle may define numerous shapes or configurations. Moreover, the barrier  140  may be configured with a reinforcing rim that extends along the edge of the barrier  140 . The reinforcing rim provides additional structural integrity and rigidity to the barrier  140 . The reinforcing rim may also be equipped or configured with a handle. If the barrier  140  is configured with a locking mechanism as described herein the reinforcing rim will assist in preventing a potential thief from bending or breaking the barrier  140  and thus giving the thief access to the product that is intended to be locked and secured on the shelf. 
     A hole or opening  204  may be located in the barrier  140  through which may be mounted a cable lock or similar locking mechanism, as discussed below. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the product display system includes inverted features. The aspects of the invention that are placed on a floor or a shelf and extend upward can be placed on a ceiling or extend downward, and vice versa. For example, the barrier  140  and retaining wall  116 , the dividers  110 , and tabs  122  may be inverted. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the retaining wall  116 , the dividers  110 , and/or tabs  122  may be configured above the barrier  140  which would extend upwardly from the shelf  104 . The retaining wall  116 , the dividers  110  and/or tabs  122  may be placed on the underside of the shelf above the product and extend downward. Pushers  126  and/or tracks  128  can be secured to the underside of a shelf such that the pushers extend downward and the pusher springs are located near or behind the portion of the pusher that is near the underside of the shelf. 
     In some embodiments, to access product behind the barrier  140 , the barrier  140  must be moved or lifted, which requires a deliberate movement and the use of one hand to hold the barrier  140  in place. While the barrier  140  is lifted or moved, the product can be removed. A consumer or store personnel who uses one hand to hold the barrier  140  in place, will need to use the other hand to remove product from the display system  100 . This embodiment is constructed to inhibit the ability of a consumer to access product with two hands at the same time. While product is accessible to the consumer or store personnel, the removal of large amounts of product in a short period of time is deterred. The barrier  140  can be created from a clear, opaque or semi-transparent material and may be hinged or slidable in a variety of common ways. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11  and  12   , an adjustable and removable barrier extension  206  may be configured with the barrier  140 . The barrier extension  206  may be used to provide additional product security by creating a larger barrier to prevent or limit access to the product on the shelf. The barrier extension  206  may be selectively mounted to the barrier  140  through the use of mounting holes  208  and fasteners  210 . As shown in the figures, several mounting holes  208  can be located on either the barrier  140  or the barrier extension  206  or both. These mounting holes can be aligned vertically or non-vertically. The several mounting holes  208  permit the barrier extension  206  to be adjusted relative to the barrier  140  to permit the barrier extension  206  to extend a desired distance, depending on the application, the desired level of security, or the placement of the shelves. Other techniques for mounting or attaching the barrier extension  206  to the barrier  140  are possible with the invention, including techniques using other types of fasteners or adhesives. 
     The barrier extension  206  can define numerous shapes and configurations depending on the desired application and level of product securement. For example, the barrier extension  206  can be configured to extend across one row of product, one facing, or more than one row or facing. The barrier extension  206  may also be made of a clear, transparent, or semi-transparent material to permit or prevent the product on the shelf to be visible to a consumer or stock person. The barrier extension  206  may also include a handle similar to the handle  202  described above. 
     The barrier extension  206  may include a reinforcing rim  212  that provides additional structural integrity and rigidity to the barrier extension  206  to further provide additional product security. The reinforcing rim  212  may also be equipped or configured with a handle  214 . If the barrier extension  206  is configured with a locking mechanism as described herein, or configured to be in a locked position, the reinforcing rim  212  will assist in preventing a potential thief from bending or breaking the barrier extension  206  and thus giving the thief access to the product that is intended to be locked and secured on the shelf. 
     A locking mechanism may be further added to the barrier  140  to further hinder or prevent access to the product on the shelf. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  10   , a cylinder lock  200  may be used to secure and lock the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206  in a closed position to prevent access to the product. The lock  200  may be mounted to the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206 , through a opening or hole  216  ( FIG.  14   ), and may be configured to mount through the openings  120  in the retaining wall  116 . 
     In one embodiment, the lock  200  may engage an arcuate-shaped wall portion  117  configured in or formed with the retaining wall  116 . The arcuate-shaped wall portion  117  will further secure the lock  200  to the retaining wall  116  by permitting the locking tab of the cylindrical lock  200  to more securely seat on, or be held in place relative to, the retaining wall  116 . With the use of a lock, such as lock  200 , a consumer or store personnel will need to use a key, special tool, or access card to open the lock prior to moving or lifting the barrier  140 . 
     In one embodiment, the lock  200  may engage an arcuate-shaped wall portion  117  configured in or formed with the retaining wall  116 . The arcuate-shaped wall portion  117  will further secure the lock  200  to the retaining wall  116  by permitting the locking tab of the cylindrical lock  200  to more securely seat on, or be held in place relative to, the retaining wall  116 . With the use of a lock, such as lock  200 , a consumer or store personnel will need to use a key, special tool, or access card to open the lock prior to moving or lifting the barrier  140 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  18 - 20   , another exemplary lock mechanism is depicted. A lock  280  may be a key-locked rotating oval-shaped lock. The lock  280  is secured to the retaining wall  116  through a hole  282  formed in the retaining wall  116 . More specifically, and referring to  FIG.  20   , the lock  280  includes an anchoring bolt that defines a bolt head  284 . The bolt head  284  and washer, if used, will secure the lock  280  to the retaining wall  116 . As can be seen in  FIG.  20   , numerous holes  282  may be positioned along the retaining wall  116  to provide flexibility in the location and placement of the lock  280 , as well as providing for the use of numerous locks  280 . The lock  280  also can include flanges  290 ,  292  that interact with retaining wall  116 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  18  and  19   , the barrier  140 , or barrier extension  206  if used, defines an oval-shaped opening  286 . Similar to the flexibility provided by the numerous holes  282 , numerous openings  286  may be placed along the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206  to provide the same flexibility. As shown in  FIG.  18   , when the lock  280  is in a locked position, the opening  286  prevents the lock  280  from passing through the opening  286 . As illustrated by  FIG.  19   , when the lock  280  is moved to an unlocked position through the use of a key  288 , the oval-shaped lock  280  will to pass through the oval-shaped opening  286  thus permitting the opening of the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206 . With the use of the lock  280  and its mounting to the retaining wall  116 , as opposed to a lock mounted on the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206  and extending into the shelf, there will be no interference with product on the shelf, as may sometimes occur with the barrier-mounted locks. In addition, the lock  280  can, but need not, interact with the channels or rails  118 ,  124  and can leave these channels or rails substantially free to receive other objects such as a retaining wall or tab  122 . As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the depicted oval-shape lock  280  and opening  286  as well as the illustrated placement of the lock and opening; rather, many various shaped keyed or keyless locks may be used with similarly shaped openings formed in the barrier or barrier extension and placed in numerous locations and still achieve the benefits of the invention. 
     Alternatively,  FIGS.  21 - 24    depict an additional locking mechanism. A lock plate  302  can extend through an opening or slot  304  formed in the retaining wall  116  and through an opening  306  formed in the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206 . The lock plate  302  is configured to receive the padlock  300 . One or more of the openings or slots  304  may be formed in the retaining wall  116  at various positions along the retaining wall including the depicted positions between the holes or openings  120  in the retaining wall  116 . The openings or slots  304  are configured to receive the lock plate  302  and to secure the lock plate  302  onto the retaining wall  116 , as described below. While the openings or slots  304  are depicted as vertical slots, other shapes and configurations of the openings or slots  304  are possible with the invention. Padlock  300  may be used to secure and lock the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206  in a closed position to prevent access to the product. The padlock  300  may be any known keyed or keyless padlock and may be mounted to the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206  through the use of a movable lock plate  302 . 
     As can be appreciated, depending on the desired level of security, one or more lock plates  302  may be used to secure and lock the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206  in a closed position to prevent access to the product. The lock plates  302  are movable in that they can be positioned within any of the openings or slots  304  along the retaining wall  116 . Being movable also permits the barrier  140  or barrier extension  206  to be made in various widths to protect only those products on the shelf that must be protected. In addition, the lock plate  302  need not interact with the channels or rails  118 ,  124  and can leave these channels or rails substantially free to receive other objects such as a retaining wall or tab  122 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lock plate  302  may be made of any suitable metal or plastic material and may define a nose  310  that will extend through the retaining wall  116  and barrier  140  or barrier extension  206 , if used. The nose  310  further defines an opening or hole  312  for receiving the padlock  300 , as illustrated by  FIG.  21   . The nose  310  also defines a notch or cut-away  314  that, when assembled, will seat on the bottom edge of the opening or slot  304 , as shown in  FIG.  24   . Once in this position, the notch or cut-away  314  will prevent the lock plate  302  from being slid or pushed back out of the slot  304  and behind the retaining wall  116 . 
     The nose  310  is connected to or formed with a back plate  316 . The back plate  316  includes legs or retaining members  318  that, when assembled, will be positioned behind the retaining wall  116  and assist in holding the lock plate  302  on the retaining wall  116 . The back plate  316  and retaining members  318  may take on numerous configurations that aid in holding the lock plate  302  to the retaining wall  116 . The lock plate  302  may be configured to not only extend through the retaining wall  116  and barrier  140  or barrier extension  206 , it may also extend through and be used with the tab  122 . 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that any known locking mechanism can be used with the invention, including a cable lock that may be mounted with the hole  204  ( FIG.  13   ), and any known key, special tool, access card, electronic, magnetic or wireless means (for keyless locking mechanisms) can be used to open the locking mechanism. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  8   , an exemplary embodiment of the invention incorporates a system that causes an alert to store or security personnel that a potential theft situation exists. In one embodiment, lifting or moving the barrier  140  activates a mechanical or electronic alert device  142 , generally depicted in the figures, that provides a signal, such as an audible, inaudible, infrared, radio-frequency, cellular, ultrasonic or electronic signal (including digital and analog signals), or a combination of these signals. This alert signal may be a sound, tone or voice annunciation that alerts store or security personnel that the barrier  140  has been opened or has been opened for an unusually long period of time and potentially represents a theft situation. The alert device  142  also may send an electronic or other signal to play a voice message via the store paging system, to activate a local or remote strobe or annunciator light, or to send a signal to a receiver, such as a store computer, a pager, cellular device, or other portable device carried by store or security personnel. The alert device  142  may also activate a security video camera to monitor the particular area or vicinity, or activate a monitor that is placed in the area or vicinity which would show the camera image to the consumers and potential thief, or transmit the camera image to security or store management via a web connection, cellular telephone, personal data assistant, or any other signal receiving device. The alert device  142  also may activate an advertisement, informational announcement or other statement or display that is provided through voice, video or video and voice. This advertisement, announcement or statement can be directed to the particular product or product type associated with product behind the barrier that activates the alert device. The alert device can be located such that barriers of a width of no more than one product facing will activate the alert device when lifted. 
     As used herein, the term “alert device” is meant to include any device or component that may provide an alert, warning and/or signal concerning a condition, situation, and/or circumstance. The alert device  142  may be hard-wired to the store&#39;s security system or may be a wireless system. Wireless systems, if used, provide increased flexibility in installation and can be readily installed in existing shelves without the need to install wires for either power or communication. In addition, the use of a wireless system allows for the gradual installation of a system. For example, items of high value (and therefore suffering from an increased likelihood of being stolen) or items that tend to have significant variations in customer demand can be monitored first. With a wireless system, the alert signal may be sent to not only the store&#39;s security system or computer, but also any portable device or receiver, such as a controller, personal data assistant, pager or cellular telephone that may be carried by store personnel or security. Also with the wireless or wired system, the store&#39;s computer can process further the alert signal to determine whether a theft situation exists and can generate reports which can be analyzed to fine tune product placement, placement of cameras, alert devices, sensors, and so forth, as well as fine tune the delays and actions initiated by potential theft situations. As understood by those skilled in the art the store&#39;s computer can be configured with the network server and can be accessible remotely through the world-wide web or other network, and can be controlled remotely through the world-wide web or other network. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the alert device  142  is positioned on the shelf  104 , either underneath, as depicted in  FIG.  8   , or on top of the shelf. Existing mounting holes on the standard dealer shelf may be used to secure the alert device to the shelf. The alert device  142  may be positioned near to or adjacent to the barrier  140 . The alert device  142  may be operatively connected to the barrier  140  through numerous techniques. In one embodiment, the alert device  142  includes a switch  144 , such as a push-button switch, that will activate when the barrier  140  is moved or opened. That is, as the barrier  140  moves and comes in contact with the switch  144 , either directly or through the use of an activator plate  145 , the switch  144  is activated. Alternatively, in a closed-barrier position, the switch  144  is pressed, as the barrier  140  moves to an open position the barrier  140  moves away from the switch  144 , thereby releasing the switch  144  and thus activating the alert device  142 . 
     The alert device  142  may be operatively connected or coupled to the barrier to detect movement of the barrier through other methods or techniques. For instance, a motion sensor or similar sensory devices, such as a light-emitting diode sensor assembly, may be used to detect movement of the barrier and communicate that information to the alert device  142 . The sensor may be mounted in a variety of locations including on the barrier itself or next to the barrier to detect barrier movement. Alternatively, a magnetic switch may be incorporated to detect movement of the barrier. 
     The alert device  142  may include sensory components and time-delay features that will calculate how long the barrier  140  has been moved or opened. Upon reaching a predetermined time period, in other words, as the barrier  140  has been moved or opened for a certain duration, the alert device  142  will send a signal, such as the above-mentioned signals, to alert the store personnel, security and/or the consumer that the barrier  140  has been opened or moved for a long period of time, thereby indicating a potential theft situation. In an exemplary embodiment, upon the passing of the predetermined time period, the alert device  142  may send an audio alert signal, including a signal different from a previous audio alert signal, that would draw attention to the vicinity. The alert device  142  can therefore be designed to provide its alert for a fixed period of time before becoming silent. 
     In another embodiment of the alert device  142 , the audio alert signal is adjustable to provide a variety of alert tones of varying frequencies, or to announce that the barrier  140  has been opened or moved for too long and that the consumer needs to close the barrier  140 , or to send a silent alarm to the store and/or security personnel. Different signals or frequencies can be used as the length of time in which the barrier has been opened or moved increases. Numerous combinations of alert signals are possible with the alert device  142  depending on the desired level of security. The alert signal is adjustable and numerous combinations of signals may be used to provide the desired signal level and thus security level, yet avoid turning away legitimate consumers from selecting and purchasing the product. That is, for example, the alert device  142  can be programmed to provide an alert signal that will draw the attention of surrounding shoppers or store/security personnel, yet short enough to limit aggravation of the legitimate consumers or stock person. 
     Also, in another embodiment, a two-tiered response could be implemented. For example, if the barrier  140  is moved, a signal could be transmitted directly to the security camera, or via the store computer or both. In addition, an inaudible notification could be provided directly to security personnel. If the barrier  140  remains open or moved for a set period of time, more clearly indicating a potential theft, an additional audible alarm and flashing lights could also be activated, or any other alarm. Thus, the response could be configured to more carefully match the situation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , in an exemplary embodiment, a security video camera  260  may be placed in the vicinity of product that are high risk theft items, or other product of concern. As shown in  FIG.  16   , a monitor  262  also may be placed in the vicinity of the high risk product. The monitor  262  may be used to show the security camera image to consumers and any potential thief. Thus, a consumer or potential thief that removes product from the shelf  104  of the display system  100  may realize that their actions are being watched by a camera and potentially recorded. 
     As can be appreciated, the position of the potential theft relative to the security camera  260  would be beneficial to provide an instruction to the security camera to focus on a particular position. This positional information could be generated by a number of methods, including providing a store computer with the security camera coordinate system for the security camera. The location of the alert device  142  relative to the security camera could be determined during setup and during a potential theft situation; the location of the alert device  142  could be used to direct the focus of the security camera. Alternatively, the security camera could be configured to focus in several positions, such as three points along an aisle, and the store computer could indicate which position was the most appropriate for the particular situation. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the described methods are illustrative because of the numerous methods of controlling the security camera that exist. 
     In addition to the value of such system in loss prevention, the monitor can show video in the form of advertising or consumer information. As illustrated by  FIG.  17   , the monitor  262  can switch between the advertising or consumer information and the camera image through the use of a video switch  264 . This switching activity can occur on a periodic basis, such as every 30 seconds, or can occur when predetermined conditions are met, such as the lifting of the barrier  140 , the removal of product, the movement of a pusher, or input from a proximity sensor that a consumer has entered or approaches the area. By playing the video segment, the device not only reduces loss, but becomes a source of revenue when advertisers are charged to place their message on the system. 
     A secondary video source for the monitor on which advertising, consumer information or other content is shown can be a video player  266  such as a video cassette recorder, compact disk-video player, solid state digital video player, direct video, audio feed or other video sources. With respect to the switch  264 , the switching action between the camera image and advertising or other content can be effected by a hardware timer or a small microcontroller. In one embodiment, the secondary video source can contain a multitude of short video segments which are randomly or non-randomly selected by the timer or microcontroller. The camera  260  may be a small, stand-alone type, not connected to any part of an existing security system, or it may be any typical store security camera existing in the store&#39;s security network. The monitor  262  may be a small flat, color, LCD type monitor and can be placed at numerous locations on or near the shelf  104 . For instance, the monitor may be placed in overhead signage above the merchandised product or it can be attached to the shelf  104  edge. In some applications, a larger monitor, such as a CRT-type, plasma, LCD or projection monitor can be used. A preferred solid-state digital video player may comprise the secondary video source. The source may be housed in the same enclosure as the monitor or may be located remotely from the monitor. 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , in another exemplary embodiment, the shelf  104  on which the product rests may be a “pull-out” shelf. The “pull-out” shelf allows store associates or personnel access to the product to restock the shelf but prevents a thief from obtaining such access. The pull-out shelf allows easy access to all products on the shelf. This function, however, requires that the shelf not be movable by the consumer or thief and therefore the pull-out function must be protected by a key-lock, special tool, or other locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the product dividers  110  may be designed to be at least equal to the height of the tallest product package on the shelf. As the shelf  104  is pulled out, the product lane or dividers may cause the barrier  140  to rise. If the height of the dividers  110  is lower than the tallest product package, pushing the shelf back in may cause the barrier  140  to catch on the product packages and make it more difficult to return to its closed position. Additionally, pulling out the shelf  104  will raise the barrier  140  which may activate an annunciator or signal generator, as explained above. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , in an exemplary embodiment, a barrier placed on a top-most shelf  104  may include a lock-box  108  that may be used for storage of overstock product or additional display system  100  components. In an embodiment in which the top-most shelf  104  is a pull-out type, the shelf  104  will pull out while the horizontal barrier above it remains in place, allowing product to be easily accessed. As indicated above, the lock-box  108  may also be mounted to the vertical uprights  102 , through known mounting techniques, and may be mounted at any location on the display system  100 . The lock-box  108  may use any known locking mechanism that permits key or key-less entry to the lock-box  108 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that other security components may be mounted to the lock-box  108  including the security camera, monitor, and alert device  142 , to name a few. 
     In an embodiment, a stationary shroud  180  may placed toward the top of the product display system  100 . The shroud  180  provides security and graphic placement, and product may be stored within it. The shroud  180  provides security in that it functions as a top wall or barrier preventing access to the product from a point above the product. The shroud  180  may mount on or to an existing shelf. The shroud  180  may be fixed or adjustable. With an adjustable shroud, the shroud can be positioned at numerous locations on the product display system. In addition, the shroud  180  can be a pull-out shroud functioning in manner similar to the exemplary pull-out shelf  104  described above. Moreover, the shroud  180  can also serve as a shelf to hold product. In other words, the product display system  100  could include multiple shrouds  180  that function as shelves to hold or display product. Also, the shroud can be configured to mount the barriers  130 ,  140 , through numerous known mounting techniques. In an exemplary embodiment, the lock box  108  having a lockable door  109 , as shown in  FIG.  9   , may be placed on the shroud  180  for additional product storage and graphic placement. 
     The product display system  100  of the invention offers various levels of securement and theft protection. Each level described herein can be used separately and various or all levels can be used in conjunction with each other. Each level can also be added to or adapted with existing shelf systems or be provided as a stand alone system. The divider or retaining walls  110  provide securement. The front retaining wall  116  or “fence” provides securement, with or without the retaining tabs  120 . The barriers and access doors  130 ,  140  over the top of the retaining wall  116  provides securement. The close positioning of the shelf  104  over the product located on the shelf below provides securement. The audible or other signal that is generated by the alert device  142  when the barrier  140  has been open for a set period of time provides securement. The security camera and video and display devices provide securement. Each of these separable aspects of an embodiment of the invention can be used on its own in a retail setting, or can be used in conjunction with other aspects of the embodiment. Each separable aspect can be added to existing shelving or display systems to effectively retrofit and add one or more levels of security to such existing systems. 
     One embodiment of the invention features various levels of theft deterrent. One level assists in preventing sweeping of products. Pushers  126 , dividers  110 , and retaining walls  116  are coupled with a shelf  104  or barrier  130 , or both, above the product to provide securement to the product. The pushers, dividers, retaining walls, shelf, and barrier allow approximately one, two or three packages to be removed through an opening at one time from a facing of the display system. Second retaining walls or tabs  122  may be used to provide individual securement for specific rows of product. The front wall  116  and tabs  122  may also include holes or openings that extend therethrough that would require the consumer to push on the product through the holes or openings in order to remove the product from the shelf. 
     A second level of securement incorporates all of the features of first level with the addition of a barrier  140  or access door. To access the product, the consumer must utilize two hands, one to lift or slide the barrier  140  and the other to remove the product, thus adding a second layer of deterrent to the system. 
     A third level of securement builds upon the features of the first and second levels with the addition of a theft-warning notification device, such as an alert device  142 , or other signal transmission device. The alert notification or signal transmission is activated if the barrier  140  or access door is open a predetermined amount of time. This delay can be adjusted to any duration or eliminated. The notification provides an audible, inaudible, infrared, radio-frequency, electronic, or cellular signal that notifies consumers and/or store and security personnel that the barrier  140  has been open for a particular period of time. The signal transmission can send a signal to a store computer, store personnel or a security camera or monitor. The signal can alert the store computer or personnel that the barrier  140  or access door has been opened for a particular period of time and can activate the security camera and monitor to show the thief an image of himself or herself in front of the product. This image can be recorded. Additional alert notifications or signal transmissions can be activated as the amount of time the barrier or access door is open increases. 
     An additional level of deterrence of theft by consumers or store personnel is the use of a locking mechanism on the shelf  104  to limit unauthorized personnel from pulling out the shelf. The system can require the use of a key or an uncommonly or commonly shaped instrument to be inserted into a concealed access slot in the front or underside of the shelf. This method is designed to require someone with specific knowledge of the shelf operation to disengage the lock. In an embodiment, the barrier  140  or access door on the shelf  104  can be automatically raised for restocking purposes when the shelf is pulled out, then re-engaged once the shelf has been returned to the closed position. In this application, an audio alert may be incorporated that indicates that the shelf is being restocked with product. 
     In addition, in an embodiment, a stationary shroud  180  may be placed toward the top of the product display and management system. The shroud provides security by inhibiting access to the product from above the product. Also, a lock box can be placed anywhere on the system to store additional product that will be secured by a key lock or some other locking mechanism. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, various aspects of the invention are added to portions of existing shelves. In some environments, there are only one, two or a few potential high-theft products among a display of many products. Aspects of the present invention can be added solely to the portion of a shelf management and display system with respect to those high-theft products. For example, a barrier  140  could be placed solely over those products. In addition, side walls could be placed to cover one or more of the sides of the products to further deter sweeping or other theft. A front barrier, a locking mechanism or other aspects of the invention described herein could be used solely with the high-theft products or other highly relevant products in a display and not used with other products in the same display. In one embodiment, a particular set of relevant products can be effectively segregated from the other products within the same display. This particular set of relevant products can be subject to additional security aspects described herein that are not used with the remaining products in the display. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  28 - 29   , there is depicted an adjustable power bar  400  that may be selectively mounted to the back wall  106 . The power bar  400  will provide electrical power to various components mounted to the shelves, including any video monitors, security cameras, lighting, illuminated signage, overhead header lights, radios, stereos, or any other components that may be mounted to a shelf or the product display and require electrical power. As illustrated by the Figures, the power bar  400  is selectively adjustable between several positions to accommodate shelf height changes or adjustments without causing obstruction with the mounting or adjustment of the shelf. 
     Conventionally, power outlets were mounted to the shelf and were not easily movable. In fact, significant force was required to unlock the power outlets from the track on which they were mounted to then move the power outlets. In other known applications, the power outlets were mounted to conductive tracks, similar to track-lighting tracks which included embedded power tracks. With those track-type systems, the power outlets needed to be placed at correct locations and snap-fit into position. Once installed, the power outlets were not slidable. 
     The power bar  400  of the invention solves these problems and other known problems by providing a power source for a product display that is easily mountable to the display, such as the back wall  106 , and is easily adjustable to accommodate changes made to the positions of the shelves. The power bar  400  includes an elongated body  402  that may be attached to the back wall  106  of the display. As illustrated, the power bar  400  may be mounted in a vertical manner and the elongated body  402  may extend the entire height of the product display or alternatively less than the entire height of the product display. The power bar  400  may be slidably moved (as indicated by direction arrow  401 ) a sufficient distance to avoid interference with the product shelf that may be placed at approximately the same vertical height, or with the repositioning of the mounted product shelf. The power bar  400  includes one or more power outlets  404  that may be configured at numerous positions on the power bar  400 . Once in the desired position, a fastener, not shown, may be positioned through an adjustment slot  406  to secure the power bar  400  to the back wall  106  at the desired height. The adjustment slot  406  is elongated to permit further adjustment of the power bar  400 . 
     The elongated body  402  defines an elongated hollow cavity  408  through which may pass conducting wires  410  that are used to supply the power to the power bar outlets  404 . The elongated body  402  may also include a recessed channel  412  formed in the body  402  and along each side of the body  402 . The channel  412  may be used as a receptor for receiving and aligning the power bar  400  onto the body  402 . The power bar  400  may fit on or within the channel  412  in a tongue-and-groove manner, or any other suitable mounting connection that permits slidable movement of one component relative to another. Once installed, the power bar  400  will slide relative to the body  402  in or on the channel  412 . 
       FIGS.  34 - 59    illustrate an embodiment of a box-shelf that may be secured directly to an upright. Thus, as depicted, the box-shelf may be provided as a complete unit that provides theft-prevention benefits as discussed above while allowing for more straightforward installation in a retail location. As can be appreciated, in an embodiment the box-shelf may be configured to be self-contained so as to eliminate the need for a support shelf. 
     Looking first at  FIGS.  34 - 36   , a box-shelf  3405  includes a top  3420  and two sides  3422  that can be connected together to form part of a housing  3408 . A recessed portion  3421  is provided so that in the event that the box-shelf  3405  is mounted under a shelf, the recessed portion  3421  will aid in ensuring there is no interference with the brackets that support the shelf or other structure that may extend downward (not shown). One or more shelf supports  3430  are mounted to the box shelf  3405  so as to enable the box shelf  3405  to be mounted to a vertical support (not shown) in a traditional manner. 
     A slidable shelf  3410  is mounted to one or more tracks  3416 , which can be supported at least in part by the sides  3422 . As depicted, the slidable shelf  3410  can include a support surface  3412  that supports a divider  3418  (which may be a pusher or a simple divider) and includes a rail  3445  mounted to the front of the shelf  3410 . The rail in turn supports a retainer  3414 . 
     As depicted, a door  3424  with one or more handles  3426  can be mounted to the top  3420  via hinge system  4010  and is coupled to a control unit  3515  that may be configured to produce an audible tone (immediately or after some predetermined delay) when the door is opened and may further be configured to provide a signal to a remote device so as to trigger video capture or security personal. 
     Slidable shelf  3410  translates via a track  3416  when locking feature  3525  is actuated. As can be appreciated, to translate the slidable shelf  3410 , the door  3424  needs to be opened and in an embodiment, as depicted, the door may open up to 90 degrees. As can be appreciated, the rail  3445  can also be mounted on the top  3420  of the box shelf  3405 . 
     It should be noted that details such as discussed above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 33    may also be incorporated into the embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  34 - 59   , where appropriate. Thus, where desirable and/or convenient, the above details may be incorporated. 
       FIGS.  37   a - 37   b    show the locking feature  3525  in a locked or blocking position and an opening and non-blocking position. In an embodiment, an opening in the lip  3547  allows a key to be inserted so as to translate the locking feature  3525  from the locked to the open position. Thus, as can now be appreciated, the locking feature  3525  is shown in both the blocked and open position in a number of the Figures. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  38   , one or more box shelves  34 - 5  may be mounted on top of each other. In such a configuration, a path  3810  can allow the insertion of a key (not shown) to actuate the locking feature  3525 . 
     As can be appreciated from  FIG.  39   , the door  3424  can be pivotally mounted to support  3925 . Furthermore, a hat channel  3915  can be provided for additional strength and rigidity of the box shelf  3405 . The hat channel  3915  may also be used to support the locking feature  3525  and/or one or more tracks  3416 . As depicted, two shelf supports  3430  (sometimes referred to as brackets) are mounted to a rear panel  3940  and include slots so as to allow the box shelf to be mounted to vertical supports in an adjustable manner even if the position of the vertical supports include some degree of tolerance stack-up. The shelf supports  3430  can be connected to one or more vertical rails (not shown) of a shelving structure. 
       FIGS.  40 - 47    illustrate additional details of the depicted embodiment of the box shelf. It should be noted that the box-shelf may be constructed out of known materials, such as powder coated 18 gauge steel or some other appropriate material.  FIG.  48    illustrates an embodiment of the support surface  3412  and includes reference to cross-sections J-J and P-P. As can be appreciated from  FIGS.  49 - 51   , the lip  3547  can include a blocking lip  4910  in the center of the shelf (or in some other location aligned with the locking feature  3525 ) but the blocking lip may not be required in other locations, thus allowing (but not requiring) a reduction in the amount of material used to make the support surface  3412 . 
       FIGS.  52 - 54    illustrate details one embodiment of the locking feature  3525 .  FIG.  52    shows the hinge plate  5215  both in a partially exploded view and in an installed position. As depicted, the hinge plate  5215  is mounted to hinge base plate  5225  by a fastener  5230  that couples to a nut  5240 . A biasing element  5235  directs the hinge plate  5215  toward a first or locked position. Thus, hinge plate  5215   a  is a locked position and hinge plate  5215   b  is an open position. As can be appreciated, however, numerous other methods of mounting the hinge plate  5215  to the hinge base plate  5235  are possible. 
       FIGS.  54 - 59    illustrate additional details regarding embodiments of the locking feature  3525 , shelf support  3430  and other potential elements of the box shelf  3405 . In addition,  FIG.  59    depicts section H-H, from which  FIG.  46    is taken. It should be noted that any dimensional references are merely exemplary and are not intended to reflect any limitations to the present invention unless otherwise noted. 
       FIGS.  60 - 73    illustrate another aspect of the invention, namely a low profile shelf system that improves the merchandising of product. The low profile shelf system improves product merchandising by creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product. In some stores, there are large product sections wherein product management systems, such as those described above, are not the most ideal systems to use because there is not sufficient height (i.e., spacing) between shelves to add such a system. In these instances, the product is merchandised so tightly between shelves that adding a product management system, such as those described above, raises the product such that it may interfere with the shelf above. Occasionally, retailers are not willing to adjust the shelves to incorporate a product management system because such shelf adjustments typically must be done in fixed increments (e.g., one inch increments), and moving shelves by such increments can sometimes lead to the undesirable eliminating of a shelf, such as the top shelf. 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  60 - 73   , the invention solves this problem by using low-profile shelf supports  600 . Each low-profile shelf support  600  may define a back portion  602  and a front portion  604 . The back portion  602  may include a fastening plate  606  attached thereto ( FIG.  72   ), each fastening plate  606  having at least one hook formation  610  that can be inserted into a slotted upright (not shown). The fastening plate  606  may be fastened to the shelf support through the use of fasteners  623 . Alternatively, the back portion  602  may form the at least one hook formation  610  ( FIG.  60   ). As shown in  FIG.  60   , the back portion  602  of the shelf support  600  may have a thickness that is substantially greater than the thickness of the front portion, resulting in the front portion  604  having a significantly lower profile than the back portion of the shelf support  600 . This reduced profile of the front portion results in greater clearance between product shelves to accommodate larger product and/or the installation of the product management systems described herein. In one embodiment, the thickness of the back portion  602  may be 75% greater than the thickness of the front portion  604 . Other thicknesses of the front and back portions are possible to create the desired low profile shelf support configuration. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  61  and  73   , the shelf supports  600  may be positioned beneath and secured to a shelf  614 . A pusher system  616  may be mounted to the shelf  614 . The pusher system may include a pusher track  618  and a pusher  620 . Any of the pusher systems described herein may be used with the low profile shelf supports  600 . Additionally, a product divider  625  may be mounted to the shelf  614  or made part of the pusher system  616 , as described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  60 ,  63  and  64   , a pivotable barrier  640  and a front product retaining wall  642  may be mounted to a front rail  644 , which may be mounted to the front of the shelf  614 . The front rail  644  may include one or more channels  645  for receiving one or more retaining walls  642  or signage identifying the products being merchandised. The front rail  644  may also be configured to receive the pusher system  610  in either a slidable or non-slidable manner. The barrier  640  may be configured similar to the barriers described herein. Similarly, the retaining wall  642  may be configured similar to the retaining walls also described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  62 - 65   , an alert device  650  may be mounted to the shelf  614  at or near the back portion  602 . Similar to alert device  142 , the alert device  650  may be used to detect when the pivotable barrier  640  is moved or opened and send an appropriate alert signal, as illustrated above. With this embodiment, the alert device  650  may include a switch  652  that is activated by a linkage  654  that operatively contacts the pivotable barrier  640  ( FIG.  64   ). The linkage  654  may be a metal or plastic rod or flat stock of a suitable material. With this embodiment, the barrier  640  may include a cam-shaped end  641  mountable to the front rail  644 , as shown in  FIG.  64   , the cam-shaped end  641  configured to contact and cause movement of the linkage  654  when the barrier  640  pivots. The linkage  654  in turn may contact the switch  652  of the alert device  650  (as shown in  FIG.  65   ) to activate the alert device  650 , which will send or emit the desired alert signal. A linkage cover  662  may be mounted over the linkage  654  to cover and protect the linkage  654 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  66 - 69   , a security box-shelf  670  may be secured to the low-profile shelf support  600  (or to the vertical uprights) and over the pusher system  610 . The box-shelf  670  may be provided as a complete unit that provides theft-prevention benefits as discussed above and may be configured to be self-contained so as to eliminate the need for a support shelf. The box-shelf  670  may include a top  672  that may be made of clear material to permit products to be seen in the box-shelf  670 . The box-shelf  670  may also include two sides  674  and a back wall  676  that may be joined together to form the box-shelf  670 . A front security rail  678  may be mounted to the top  672  (as shown in  FIG.  69   ). The security rail  678  may also be configured to receive a pivotable barrier  640 . The barrier  640  may be similar to the barriers described above and may be opened to permit access to the products merchandised within the box-shelf  670 . An alert device may also be operatively coupled to the barrier  640 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  70 - 71   , optional signage  690  may be mounted to the shelf  614  that is supported by the low profile shelf supports  600 . One or more signage supports  692  may be used to support the signage  690 . The supports may be mounted to one or more horizontal mounting brackets  694  for added stability of the signage  690 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  72 - 73   , it should be understood that multiple low profile shelf supports  600  may be positioned underneath the shelf  614 , depending on the size and configuration of the shelf. It should further be understood that multiple pusher systems  616  and dividers  625  may be positioned on the shelf  614  to merchandise multiple rows of product on the shelf. 
       FIGS.  79 - 91    illustrate another aspect of the invention, namely a merchandise system  810 . Similar to the other embodiments, the merchandise system  810  improves product merchandising by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf by using various methods such as slowing the rate at which product can be pushed towards the front edge of a merchandising shelf. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  79 - 84   , in an exemplary embodiment, merchandise system  810  includes a base  812 . The base  812  defines a generally flat planar surface that may be configured to engage with or mount onto any known shelf used in a store, as well as any other merchandise system  810 , and in any known mounting configuration and orientation. The base  812  defines a front edge  826 , a back edge  828 , a first side edge  820 , a second side edge  822 , and one or more tracks  814 . As is further illustrated, a housing  850  can be mounted to the base  812  in any known mounting configuration and orientation. The housing  850  defines a top wall  852 , a first side wall  854 , a second side wall  856 , and a front retaining wall  876 . First and second side walls  854  and  856 , respectively, can be used such that when more than one merchandise system  810  is placed adjacent to another like merchandise system  810  on a shelf or stacked on top of another like merchandise system  810 , product resting on the base  812  of each respective merchandise system  810  remains separated or divided. In an embodiment, one merchandise system  810  can be stacked on top of another merchandise system  810  without need of a separate shelf between the two merchandise systems. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, front retaining wall  876  is mounted at an angle, (for example, approximately a 45° angle) relative to the base  812  and extends from the second side edge  822  to first side edge  820  towards the front edge  826 . Angles other than approximately 45° are possible, including angles of approximately 15°, 30°, 60° and 75°, to name a few. Front retaining wall  876  can define a channel  888  located proximate the base  812 . Channel  888  further can define a detent  886 . Front retaining wall  876  and first side wall  854  define an opening  878  through which, as will be explained below, product can be removed by a customer or employee. In an embodiment, front retaining wall  876  does not fully extend from the second side edge  822  to first side edge  820 . A lever  880  can be operatively coupled to the merchandise system  810  for ejecting product through the opening  878 . In an exemplary embodiment, lever  880  is slidably mounted within the channel  888 . The lever  880  can include a lever biasing element  882  and a lever hook  884  adapted to move product. As illustrated, lever biasing element  882  can be a coil spring positioned between lever hook  884  and detent  886 . The one or more tracks  814  extend along the base  812  from the back edge  828  to the front retaining wall  876 . As shown, a track  814  can be used with a pusher  816 . It should be understood that more or less than two tracks could be used with the invention, depending on the particular application. The base  812  further defines a rack aperture  988  for use with a rack  986  as will be discussed below. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  88  and  89   , in an exemplary embodiment, the one or more tracks  814  extend longitudinally along the length of the base  812  and define at least one rail  830  and an elongated aperture or channel  832  in the base  812 . The aperture  832  and rail  830  are sized and shaped to receive and mount a mating element of the pusher  816 . The pusher  816  is slidably mounted to the base  812  such that the pusher  816  does not lift out of the track  814 . The present invention contemplates the use of other shapes of rails and apertures to mount the pusher  816  to the base  812 . Other pusher mounting techniques are possible with the invention. 
     The pusher  816  also contains at least one pusher urging element  860  used to urge the pusher  816  toward the front of the shelf. The pusher urging element  860  may be any biasing element including, without limitation, a flat coil spring. The present invention may use one or more pusher urging elements  860  to urge the pusher  816  depending on the desired application. The pusher urging element  860  may be mounted to the pusher  816  and the base  812  using any known mounting technique. In the exemplary embodiment, one end of the pusher urging element  860  is secured to the base  812  near the front edge  826  of the base  812 , and the opposing end of the pusher urging element  860  is positioned behind the pusher  816  to urge the pusher  816  toward the front of the shelf. Further, pusher  816  includes an angled pusher face  892 . In an exemplary embodiment, angled pusher face  892  is positioned such that its angle relative to the base  812  corresponds to the angle of front retaining wall  876 . It should be understood, however, that angled pusher face  892  can be positioned at other angles and can have various dimensions and shapes. 
     Referring to an embodiment of the invention in  FIGS.  85  and  86   , pusher  816  will urge the product toward the front retaining wall  876 . When product is positioned between the front retaining wall  876  and pusher  816 , only a single product can be accessed by customers or employees because the opening  878  is equal in dimension to less than the width of two products. In an embodiment, the opening  878  is no more than approximately 50% wider that the width of a single product. In another embodiment the opening  878  is roughly the width of a single product yet wide enough to allow a single product to pass through the opening  878 . The positioning and dimensions of opening  878 , in combination with the positive pressure the pusher  816  places on product against the front retaining wall  876 , hampers a customer or employee&#39;s ability to remove products using solely digits (i.e., fingers) or digital force. To facilitate the removal of a single product, when product is positioned between the front retaining wall  876  and pusher  816 , a force can be applied to lever  880  such that lever  880  can be slidably translated. As lever  880  is slidably translated, lever hook  884  engages the most forward positioned product. When the customer or employee slidably translates lever  880  to a fully extended position, the single product is partially ejected from the housing  850  and can be easily removed by the customer or employee. Further, when lever  880  is in a fully extended position, lever biasing element  882  is compressed between lever hook  884  and detent  886 . Accordingly, when a customer or employee stops applying force to the lever  880 , lever biasing element  882  biases lever  880  back into its original position. 
     In the embodiment described below, when customers or employees reach and pull out the product available to them, the pusher  816  is slowly urged toward the front retaining wall  876  by pusher urging element  860  and, after a pre-determined period of time, a single product once again is positively pressured between the pusher  816  and the front retaining wall  876  such that the product is adjacent opening  878 . An attempt by a customer or employee to remove or urge the next product forward after a first product is removed is hampered because the product is positioned at an angle corresponding to angled pusher face  892  and thus, if a customer or employee attempts to tip the product forward, the product will be biased in a standing position by the second side wall  856 . The speed at which the pusher moves can be controlled by various devices including, without limitation, a dampened gear assembly discussed below. By providing a merchandise system that urges product forward at a slow rate of speed, a customer or employee can be inhibited from removing more than one product at a time and is assisted in removing product only once every pre-determined amount of time. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, to provide the desired slow rate of speed for the pusher  816 , an exemplary dampened gear assembly  980  may be mounted to the pusher  816 . The dampened gear assembly  980  may include a gear  982  and a gear housing  984  that can be filled with any dampening fluid known in the art. A portion of gear  982  is housed within gear housing  984 . A rack  986  can be mounted to rack aperture  988 . The rack  986  defines a plurality of teeth  990 . Gear  982  of gear assembly  980  is adapted to engage the plurality of teeth  990  of rack  986 . In operation, when product is removed from the base  812 , and pusher  816  is urged forward by pusher urging element  860 , gear assembly  980  acts to slow the rate at which pusher  816  is urged forward. This can be accomplished because rotation of gear  982  is regulated by the dampening fluid located in gear housing  984  which acts to resist movement of the gear  982  within gear housing  984 . Again, other dampening techniques may be used with the present invention to affect the desired slow rate of movement of the pusher toward the front of the shelf. 
     In an embodiment, front retaining wall  876  is made of a clear or transparent material that allows for the product to be viewed through front retaining wall  876 . In an embodiment, front retaining wall  876  enables advertisements or marketing materials to be placed on front retaining wall  876 . Base  812  also can include a display area  999  (see  FIG.  79   ) for advertising or marketing material as well as product information such as product pricing information. Because display area  999  can include product information, merchandise system  810  can be, as was discussed above, stacked on top of another like merchandise system  810  without the use of shelves. 
     In an embodiment, a locking device (not shown) can be used to prevent the removal of product. Such locking device may include a rotatable barrier, a door, or a locking clip. The locking device, for instance, could prevent product from fitting through opening  878  such that when the merchandise system  810  is not in use, neither employees nor customers can access the product. 
     It should be understood that the merchandise system  810  can be altered such that first side wall  854  and second side wall  856  are reversed and thus, opening  878  is on the opposite side. As can be understood by one in the art, in this embodiment, the angled pusher face  892 , front retaining wall  876 , and the lever  880 , among other things, are also reversed. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  90  and  91   , in another embodiment, a housing  950  defines a top wall  952 , a first side wall  954 , and an opposing second side wall. A front edge of the base  812  is configured to mount to or on a rail  924  in any known manner. As discussed above, the base  812  may include a rack and rack aperture wherein the rack defines a plurality of teeth  990  (as shown in  FIGS.  90  and  91   ) such that a gear of a gear assembly can be adapted to engage the plurality of teeth  990 . The rail  924  includes a front retaining wall  976  to retain product that is pushed toward the rail. Front retaining wall  976  and housing  950  define an opening  978  that is roughly equal to the width of a single product. The pusher  916  will urge the product toward the rail  924 . When one merchandise system  810  is be placed adjacent to another like merchandise system  810  on a shelf, product can only be removed through the top portion  979  of the opening  978 . Accordingly, when product is positioned between the front retaining wall  976  and pusher  916 , only a single product can be accessed by customers or employees. It will be further understood that a device, such as a lever trigger (not shown), may be used to facilitate a customer or employee to partially or fully eject product through the top portion  979  of the opening  978 . 
       FIGS.  92 A- 101 C  illustrate another aspect of the invention, namely a merchandise system  1010 . Similar to the other embodiments, the merchandise system  1010  improves product merchandising by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf by using various methods such as an electronic lock-out mechanism which locks the merchandising shelf and multiple shelves when too many products are removed at one time. The merchandise system  1010  may generally include a base  1012  and housing  1050 , a door assembly or door  1020 , a locking assembly, and an electronic control unit  1080 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  92 A , in an exemplary embodiment, merchandise system  1010  includes a base  1012 . The base  1012  defines a generally flat planar surface that may be configured to engage with or mount onto any known shelf used in a store, as well as any other merchandise system  1010 , and in any known mounting configuration and orientation. The base  1012  defines a front edge  1016 , a back edge  1017 , a first side edge  1018 , a second side edge  1019 , and one or more tracks  1014 . Additionally, the base  1012  may include a ratchet shaft slot  1015 . The ratchet shaft slot  1015  may be configured to accept the ratchet shaft  1066  as will be described below. The ratchet shaft slot  1015  may extend longitudinally along the length of the base  1012 . The ratchet shaft slot  1015  is sized and shaped to receive and mount the ratchet shaft  1066 . 
     As is further illustrated in  FIG.  92 A , a housing  1050  can be mounted to the base  1012  in any known mounting configuration and orientation. The housing  1050  defines a top wall  1052 , a first side wall  1054 , and a second side wall  1056 . The housing  1050  may also include a rear retaining wall (not shown in the figures). The first and second side walls  1054  and  1056 , respectively, can be used such that when more than one merchandise system  1010  is placed adjacent to another like merchandise system  1010  on a shelf or stacked on top of another like merchandise system  1010 , product resting on the base  1012  of each respective merchandise system  1010  remains separated or divided. In an embodiment, one merchandise system  1010  can be stacked on top of another merchandise system  1010  without need of a separate shelf between the two merchandise systems. 
     As shown in  FIG.  92 A , the one or more tracks  1014  may extend along the base  1012  from the back edge  1028  to the door  1020 . As shown, a track  1014  can be used with a pusher  1040 . It should be understood that more or less than two tracks could be used with the invention, depending on the particular application. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  92 A , the one or more tracks  1014  extend longitudinally along the length of the base  1012  and may define at least one rail and/or an elongated aperture or channel in the base  1012 . The track is sized and shaped to receive and mount a mating element of the pusher  1040 . The pusher  1040  may be slidably mounted to the base  1012  such that the pusher  1040  does not lift out of the track  1014 . The present invention contemplates the use of other tracks to mount the pusher  1040  to the base  1012 . Other pusher mounting techniques are possible with the invention. 
     The pusher  1040  also contains at least one pusher urging element  1044  used to urge the pusher  1040  toward the front of the shelf. The pusher urging element  1044  may be any biasing element including, without limitation, a flat coil spring or a spiral torsion spring. The present invention may use one or more pusher urging elements  1044  to urge the pusher  1040  depending on the desired application. The pusher urging element  1044  may be mounted to the pusher  1040  and the base  1012  using any known mounting technique. In the exemplary embodiment, one end of the pusher urging element  1044  is secured to the base  1012  near the front edge  1016  of the base  1012 , and the opposing end of the pusher urging element  1044  is positioned behind the pusher  1040  to urge the pusher  1040  toward the front of the door  1020 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the merchandise system  1010  also includes a product door assembly. The door assembly may include a door  1020 , a door pin  1030 , a door spring  1032 , a door stiffener  1034 , and a door spacer  1036 . The door  1020  may be designed to rotate outward while holding only one product and allow the consumer to remove only one product from the merchandise system  1010 . The door  1020  may be in a closed position or an open position. The operation of the door  1020  will be explained in more detail below. 
     The door  1020 , as illustrated in  FIG.  92 A  may include a handle  1022 . The handle  1022  as shown in  FIG.  92 A  is located on the upper section of the door  1020 , such that the door  1020  can be opened from the top of the door  1020 . The handle  1022  can be other configurations that allow a consumer to pull open the door  1020  from the upper section of the door  1020 . 
     The door  1020 , as illustrated in  FIG.  92 A  may also include a first roller  1024  and a second roller  1026 . The first roller  1024  may be engaged with an upper slot  1055  located on the first side wall  1054  of the housing  1050 . The second roller  1026  may be engaged with a lower slot  1057  located on the first side wall  1054  of the housing  1050 . Without departing from this invention, the slots  1055   1057  and rollers  1024   1026  may be located on either side of the housing  1050  and the door  1020  respectively. Additionally, without departing from this invention, there may be a pair of upper slots  1055 , with one slot located on the first side wall  1054  and a second slot located on the second side wall  1056 ; a pair of lower slots  1057 , with one slot located on the first side wall  1054  and a second slot located on the second slide wall  1056 ; and a pair of first rollers  1024  and a pair of second rollers  1026  that may engage the corresponding slots on each of the first and second side walls  1054   1056 . The rollers  1024  and  1026  are configured to slide from one end of its corresponding slot  1055   1057  to the other end of the corresponding slot  1055   1057  during the operation of the door  1020 . The specific operation of the door  1020  will be described more below. 
     The door  1020  may also include an opening  1028 . The opening  1028  may be located on the consumer side of the door  1020  and may allow the consumer or user to press or touch the product without opening the door  1020 . As will be described further below, the opening  1028  can be used during the restocking process. 
     The door assembly may also include a door pin  1030  and a door spring  1032 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  92 A and  93   . The door pin  1030  may be cylindrical in shape and may be any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. The door spring  1032 , as shown in  FIG.  92 A , is a spiral torsion spring or a flat coil spring that includes a first end or free end and a second end. The door spring  1032  may be other suitable spring types without departing from this invention. The door pin  1030  and the door spring  1032  engage both the door  1020  and the base  1012  to attach the door  1020  to the base  1012 . The door pin  1030  may be located at the base or bottom of the door  1020 . The first end or free end of the door spring  1032  may engage the door pin  1030  at the base or bottom of the door  1020 . The second end of the door spring  1032  may engage a portion of the locking mechanism of the merchandising system  1010 , such as a locking gear  1062  as will be described below. As the door  1020  is opened by providing downward and outward pressure on the handle  1022 , the door spring  1032  is pulled away from the locking gear  1062 , thereby uncoiling the door spring  1032  and providing a closing bias to the door  1020 . When pressure is released from the handle  1022 , the bias from the door spring  1032  causes the door  1020  to return to the closed position. The operation of the door  1020  with the door spring  1032  will be described more below. 
     Additionally, the door assembly may include a door stiffener  1034  as shown in  FIG.  92 A . The door stiffener  1034  may be located at the bottom of the door  1020 . The door stiffener  1034  may provide additional support, especially to the bottom of the door  1020  as the door  1020  is rotated from the closed position to the open position. 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIGS.  92 A and  93   , the door assembly may include a door spacer  1036 . The door spacer  1036  may be installed against the back side of the door  1020  to create a slot for the product when the door  1020  is opened. The door spacer  1036  may be required so that the door  1020  and merchandise system  1010  can accommodate different size packages of product. For example, a wide door spacer  1036  may be installed to the door  1020  for smaller or thinner packages and a thin or even no door spacer  1036  may be installed to the door  1020  for larger or thicker packages. Depending on the size and shape of the package, the door spacer  1036  may take on various different shapes to accommodate the different sizes and shapes of the packages. 
     In an embodiment, the door  1020 , and specifically the front of the door  1020 , is made of a clear or transparent material that allows for the product to be viewed through the door  1020 . Additionally, the door  1020  may enable advertisements or marketing materials to be placed on the front of the door  1020 . Additionally, the base  1012  can include a display area for advertising or marketing material as well as product information such as product pricing information. Because the display area can include product information, merchandise system  1010  can be, as discussed above, stacked on top of another merchandise system  1010  without the use of shelves. Additionally, instead of using a door  1020  as described above, the merchandising system may include a button-release system that includes a button to help access or dispense product. For example, when the button is pressed, the product may be released by the use of a pusher or a slow-moving pusher to discharge the product at a bottom opening for the customer to recover. 
     The merchandise system  1010  as illustrated in  FIGS.  92 A,  98 A, and  98 B  may also include a locking assembly. The locking assembly may generally include a locking bar  1060 , a locking gear  1062 , a locking latch  1064 , a ratchet shaft  1066 , and a pusher lock  1068 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  92 A,  98 A, and  98 B , the locking bar  1060  is an elongated bar that extends approximately the lateral length of the base  1012 . The locking bar  1060  may be located along the bottom or underneath the base  1012 . As illustrated in  FIG.  92 A , the base  1012  includes an opening  1018 A located along the first side  1018  and a second opening located along the second side  1019  (not shown). The locking bar  1060  may fit within this opening  1018 A. Additionally, the locking bar  1060  may include a locking member  1061  located on the side of the locking bar  1060  as illustrated in  FIG.  92 A . The locking member  1061  may be configured to engage the locking latch  1064  during locking operations as will be described further below. Additionally, the locking bar may include a slot  1063 . The slot  1063  may be configured to engage a locking end  1067  of the ratchet shaft  1066  during locking operations as will be described further below. The locking bar  1060  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. Additionally, the locking bar  1060  may be configured to attached to an adjacent locking bar  1060  when multiple merchandise systems  1010  are configured together adjacently. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  92 A,  98 A, and  98 B , the locking mechanism also includes the locking gear  1062 . The locking gear  1062  may include a set of gear teeth on one end and a rounded surface on the other end. The gear teeth of the locking gear  1062  may be configured to engage with the locking latch  1064  during locking operations as will be described further below. Additionally, the door spring  1032  may be located on the rounded surface end to provide the bias for the door to open and close. The door opening operation will be described further below. The locking gear  1062  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  92 A,  98 A, and  98 B , the locking mechanism also includes the locking latch  1064 . The locking latch  1064  may be configured to engage with the locking bar  1060 , and specifically the slot  1063  on the locking bar  1060 . The locking latch  1064  may also be configured to simultaneously engage with the locking gear  1062 . The locking latch  1064  may engage both the locking bar  1060  and the locking gear  1062  during locking operations as will be described further below. The locking latch  1064  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  92 A , the locking mechanism also includes the ratchet shaft  1066 . The ratchet shaft  1066  is sized and shaped to fit within the ratchet shaft slot  1015  in the base  1012 . The ratchet shaft  1066  includes one side with a plurality of teeth  1069 . The other sides of the ratchet shaft  1066  may be smooth. The ratchet shaft  1066  may also include a locking end  1067 . The locking end  1067  may be located at the approximately location of the locking bar  1060 , such that the locking end  1067  engages the locking bar  1060  and specifically the locking slot  1063  on the locking bar  1060  during locking operations as will be described below. Additionally, the plurality of teeth  1069  are configured to engage the end of the pusher lock  1068  during locking operations as will be described below. The ratchet shaft  1066  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  92 A , the locking mechanism also includes the pusher lock  1068 . The pusher lock  1068  may be connected to or engaged with the pusher  1040 . The pusher lock  1068  may have a pointed end opposite the side that is engaged with the pusher  1040 . The pointed end of the pusher lock  1068  may be configured to engage the plurality of teeth  1069  on the ratchet shaft  1066  during locking operations as will be described below. The pusher lock  1068  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. 
     The operation of the merchandise system  1010  includes both locking and door opening and these operations can be done simultaneously. As illustrated in  FIG.  93   , the merchandise system  1010  is shown in an unlocked condition with the door  1020  closed. In this configuration, the door  1020  is closed and the door spring  1032  is not extended or uncoiled. The locking bar  1060  is not extended. The locking latch  1064  is not engaged with the locking gear  1062 . The ratchet shaft  1066  is rotated such that one of the smooth sides faces upward toward the pusher lock  1068 . As annotated as reference letter “A” in  FIG.  93   , when the ratchet shaft  1066  is in the position as shown, the pointed end of the pusher lock  1068  rests on the smooth side of the ratchet shaft  1066 . This allows the pusher  1040  to move freely both forward and backward. As further annotated as reference letter “B” in  FIG.  93   , when the locking latch  1064  is in the position shown, the locking gear  1062  can rotate freely, thereby allowing the door spring  1032  to uncoil and the door  1020  to swing open when pressure is applied to the door handle  1022 .  FIG.  94    illustrates a similar configuration that includes product with the merchandise system  1010  in an unlocked condition with the door  1020  closed. 
       FIG.  95    illustrates a configuration with the merchandise system  1010  in an unlocked condition with the door  1020  open. In this configuration, the door  1020  is open with the door spring  1032  extended and uncoiled. The locking bar  1060  is not extended. The locking latch  1064  is not engaged with the locking gear  1062 . The ratchet shaft  1066  is rotated such that one of the smooth sides faces upward toward the pusher lock  1068 . As annotated as reference letter “B” in  FIG.  93   , when the locking latch  1064  is in the position shown, the locking gear  1062  can rotate freely, thereby allowing the door spring  1032  to uncoil and the door  1020  to swing open when pressure is applied to the door handle  1022 . 
       FIG.  96    illustrates a configuration with the merchandise system  1010  in a locked condition with the door  1020  closed. In this configuration, the door is closed with the door spring  1032  not extended and not uncoiled. The locking bar  1060  is extended. When the locking bar  1066  shift positions, the locking bar  1066  forces the locking latch  1064  to engage the locking gear  1062  and the locking bar  1066  rotates the ratchet shaft  1066 . The locking latch  1064  is engaged with the locking gear  1062 . The ratchet shaft  1066  is rotated such that the side with the plurality of teeth  1069  faces upward towards the pusher lock  1068 , thereby engaging the pusher lock  1068  with one of the plurality of teeth  1069  on the ratchet shaft  1066 . As annotated as reference letter “A” in  FIG.  96   , when the ratchet shaft  1066  rotates into the position shown, the pointed end of the pusher lock  1068  falls into one of the plurality of teeth  1069  on the ratchet shaft  1066 , thereby locking the pusher paddle  1040  at the current position. Additionally, as annotated as reference letter “B” in  FIG.  96   , when the locking latch  1064  is in the position shown, the locking latch  1064  engages the gear teeth on the locking gear  1062 . The locking gear  1062  cannot rotate clockwise and thus the door spring  1032  cannot uncoil. This locks the door  1020  from swinging open. 
       FIG.  97    illustrates a configuration with the merchandise system  1010  in a locked condition with the door  1020  open. In this configuration, the door is open with the door spring  1032  extended and uncoiled. As was previously described above for  FIG.  96   , when the locking bar  1066  shift positions, the locking bar  1066  forces the locking latch  1064  to engage the locking gear  1062  and the locking bar  1066  rotates the ratchet shaft  1066 . The locking latch  1064  is engaged with the locking gear  1062 . The ratchet shaft  1066  is rotated such that the side with the plurality of teeth  1069  faces upward towards the pusher lock  1068 , thereby engaging the pusher lock  1068  with one of the plurality of teeth  1069  on the ratchet shaft  1066 . As annotated as reference letter “B” in  FIG.  97   , when the locking latch  1064  is in the position shown, the locking latch  1064  engages the gear teeth on the locking gear  1062 . The locking gear  1062  cannot rotate clockwise and thus the door spring  1032  cannot uncoil. This locks the door  1020  from swinging open. However, the locking gear  1062  can ramp over the locking latch  1064  in a counter clockwise motion, thus allowing the door spring  1032  to recoil and the door  1020  to close. 
       FIG.  98 A  illustrates a bottom view of the merchandise system  1010  in an unlocked condition. As is illustrated in  FIG.  98 A , similar to the description above for  FIG.  93   , the locking bar  1060  is not extended. Because the locking bar  1060  is not extended, the slot  1063  on the locking bar  1060  presses against the locking end  1067  of the ratchet shaft  1066  and keeps the ratchet shaft  1066  in the position with the pusher lock  1068  resting on the smooth side of the ratchet shaft  1066 . Additionally, because the locking bar  1060  is not extended, the locking member  1061  is not engaged with the locking latch  1064 , thereby allowing the locking gear  1062  to rotate freely and allow the door spring  1032  to uncoil and the door  1020  to swing open. 
       FIG.  98 B  illustrates a bottom view of the merchandise system  1010  in a locked condition. As is illustrated in  FIG.  98 B , similar to the description above for  FIG.  96   , the locking bar  1060  is extended. When the locking bar  1060  extends, the slot  1063  on the locking bar  1060  presses against the locking end  1067  of the ratchet shaft  1066 , thereby rotating the ratchet shaft  1066  such that the side with the plurality of teeth  1069  faces upward and engages the pusher lock  1068 . Additionally, when the locking bar  1060  extends, the locking member  1061  engages the locking latch  1064 , thereby moving the locking latch  1064  to engage with the locking gear  1062  and the gear teeth. The locking gear  1062  cannot rotate clockwise, and thus the door spring  1032  cannot uncoil. This locks the door  1020  from swinging open. 
       FIG.  99    illustrates another feature of the merchandise system  1010 , namely the operation of the door  1020 . As is illustrated in  FIG.  99   , the door includes a first roller  1024  and a second roller  1026 . The first roller  1024  may slidably engage with an upper slot  1055  in the housing  1050 . The second roller  1026  may slidably engage with a lower slot  1057  in the housing  1050 . During the door operation, through the design of the first roller  1024 , the second roller  1026 , the upper slot  1055 , and the lower slot  1057 , the back end and the floor of the door  1020  keeps the next product behind the door from sliding forward. The door  1020  continually contacts the product along the same vertical plane throughout the door&#39;s motion. As is shown in  FIG.  99   , through reference letters “A” through “E”, the door operation is represented from the closed position to the open position, with “A” representing the closed position and “E” representing the open position. As illustrated by “A”, the first roller  1024  is positioned in the lower portion of the slot  1055 , the second roller is positioned in the lower portion of the slot  1057  and the door handle  1022  is closed. As the door  1020  moves to position “B”, as can been seen in  FIG.  99   , the first roller  1024  moves a longer distance along the upper slot  1055  than does the second roller  1026  along the lower slot  1057 . As the door  1020  moves to position “C”, the first roller  1024  has almost moved to the end of the upper slot  1055 , while the second roller  1026  has not moved much along the lower slot  1057 . As the door  1020  moves to position “D”, the second roller moves a longer distance along the lower slot  1057 , while the first roller  1024  moves a smaller distance along the upper slot  1055 . As the door  1020  moves to position “E”, the second roller  1026  again moves a longer distance along the lower slot  1057  to the final upper position in the lower slot  1057  and the first roller  1024  moves a small amount into the final upper position in the upper slot  1055 . The design and shape of the upper slot  1055  and the lower slot  1057  combined together with the geometry of the door  1020  allow the door to contact the product on the same vertical plane throughout the motion of the door  1020 , thereby keeping the next product behind the door from sliding forward. Once the product is removed from the door  1020  by the consumer, the pusher  1040  and pusher spring  1044  will push the next product into the door  1020  when the door  1020  returns to the closed position, thereby reloading the door  1020  with product. 
     As was described above, more than one merchandise system  1010  may be placed adjacent to other like merchandise systems  1010  on a shelf. Additionally, the merchandise system  1010  may include an electronic control unit  1080  to control the locking operations of all merchandise systems linked together. As shown in  FIG.  100   , multiple merchandise systems  1010  may be linked together. Additionally, an electronic control unit  1080  may be located at the end of the linked merchandise systems  1010 . The electronic control unit  1080  may be used to improve product merchandising by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from the merchandise systems  1010  by locking and/or alarming the merchandise systems  1010  when too many products are removed at one time. 
     For the present embodiment described above in  FIGS.  92 A through  99   , the electronic control unit may include a mechanical member (not shown) linked to the locking bars  1060  of the adjacent merchandise systems  1010 . This mechanical member may be activated to move based on the parameters set in the electronic control unit  1080 , thereby extending or moving the linked locking bars  1060  of the merchandise systems  1010 . When the linked locking bars  1060  extend or move, the locking bars  1060  lock the doors  1020  and the pushers  1040  on the merchandise systems  1010  as described above. 
     A number of parameters may be included or loaded into the electronic control unit  1080  to control the flow of product by alarming and/or locking the merchandise systems  1010  without departing from this invention. One such parameter may be the electronic control unit  1080  locking the merchandise systems after a certain number of consecutive door openings, such as three door openings. For example, if a consumer attempts to open any three doors consecutively on the merchandise system  1010 , the electronic control unit  1080  may then alarm and send a signal to the mechanical member, thereby extending and moving the locking bars  1060  and locking the doors  1020 . This parameter may be changed based on the needs of the store or consumers and products, such as after two times, four times, five times, or more. Additionally, the definition of “consecutive” may also be varied within the electronic control unit  1080 . For example, “consecutive” may mean three door openings within a 10-minute time period, or within a 5-minute time period. Additionally, “consecutive” could mean that time between individual or multiple door openings must be greater than two minutes, or greater than one minute, or greater than some other time variable. Multiple variations of number of openings and time variables may be used for the electronic control unit  1080  without departing from this invention. 
     Additionally, when the electronic control unit  1080  is triggered to lock or alarm, the electronic control unit  1080  may also be configured to send a signal to an alarm system or messaging system. For example, when the electronic control unit  1080  is triggered to lock or alarm, the electronic control unit  1080  may send a signal to an intercom system in a store the signals the store personnel to come to the merchandise system  1010  to either reset the system or to deal with a possible theft situation. Additionally, without departing from the invention, the electronic control unit  1080  can send an electronic signal to many other devices or systems, including, but not limited to, office phones, cell phones, cash registers, office computers, emails, etc. In addition to sending an electronic signal, the electronic control unit  1080  may light an alarm light  1082 , as illustrated in  FIG.  100   . 
     The electronic control unit  1080  may also include a key system  1081  as illustrated in  FIG.  100   . The key system  1081  may be utilized to reset an alarm or locked situation. Additionally, the key system  1081  may be utilized to override the locking system if a key is left in the key system  1081 . This override capability may be advantageous to store personnel when stocking or restocking the merchandise system  1010 . The key system  1081  may be utilized for various other functions without departing from this invention. 
     In an alternate embodiment the door assembly may also include a door spacer bar  1090  as illustrated in  FIGS.  101 A,  101 B, and  101 C . The door spacer bar  1090  may be used as an alternative to the door spacer  1036  illustrated in  FIGS.  92 A and  93   . The door spacer bar  1090  may include an attached end  1092  and a locking end  1094 . The attached end  1092  may be attached, pinned, or connected to the door  1020  near the front of the door  1020  such that the locking end  1094  of the door spacer bar  1090  can rotate away from the front of the door  1020 . The locking end  1094  may rotate away from the front of the door  1020 . The locking end  1094  may move and be locked into place in one of a plurality of door spacer bar teeth  1096 . The door spacer bar teeth may be configured to lock the locking end  1094  of the door spacer bar  1090  at the depth of the package. Additionally, the door spacer bar  1090  may include a door spacer bar locking tab  1098  located to lock in the top of the rotational door spacer bar as illustrated in  FIGS.  101 A,  101 B, and  101 C . The door spacer bar locking tab  1098  may slide from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the locking tab  1098  locks the attached end of the door spacer bar  1090 . 
     The door spacer bar  1090 , like the door spacer  1036 , may allow the user to adjust the door for different depths of packages in the display.  FIG.  101 A  illustrates the door spacer bar  1090  not adjusted for depth of packages. As illustrated in  FIG.  101 A , the door spacer bar  1090  is flush against the front of the door  1020  and the locking tab  1098  is in the locked position, thereby locking the door spacer bar  1090  in place.  FIG.  101 B  illustrates the door spacer bar  1090  being adjusted for a thinner depth of package. As illustrated in  FIG.  101 B , the locking tab  1098  may slide to the unlocked position and the door spacer bar  1090  is rotated away from the front of the door  1020 .  FIG.  101 C  illustrates the door spacer bar  1090  in the adjusted position and locked for a thinner depth of a package. As illustrated in  101 C, the locking tab  1098  is positioned back in the locked position and the locking end  1094  of the door spacer bar  1090  is seated in one of the plurality of door spacer bar teeth  1096 . 
     Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to the individual features and all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.