Patent Publication Number: US-2010108624-A1

Title: Spring feed shelf display with lateral adjustment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/104,004 filed Oct. 9, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to shelf displays and more specifically spring feed shelf displays. 
     Prominent display of and easy access to a product are desirable features in a retail display. When attempting to market a product, the seller typically wants consumers to easily recognize the product and remove the product from the display. Merchandise can be most easily recognized if located in an upright position maintained in close proximity to the visible edge of the merchandise shelf. It is also desirable for the display to be adaptable to changes in merchandise or packaging size. Standard merchandise displays such as single shelves or racks have difficulty maintaining proper orientation and position of the products. Shelves can leave tall, thin objects unstable, while both shelves and racks often leave merchandise highly inaccessible to a consumer once the front packages have been removed. Spring feed shelf displays maintain proper orientation and location of the merchandise by urging products toward the front of the shelf while holding the product in a generally upright position. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates generally to a product display including a base having a longitudinal axis, a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base, a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly, a second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base opposite the first side wire, and a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base. 
     In one embodiment, the product display may include a base assembly having a longitudinal axis, a first base member defining a first support cavity, and a second base member defining a second support cavity and a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base assembly. The product display may also include a first side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly, the first side wire having a first extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a second extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity, and a second side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assembly and positioned opposite the first side wire, the second side wire having a third extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a fourth extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity. The product display may also include a stop member coupled to the first base member and engagable with the first and third extension rods to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a spring feed shelf display. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a base assembly of the spring feed shelf display of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the base assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the base assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the base assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a pusher of the spring feed shelf display of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the pusher of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the pusher of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a back view of the pusher of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a side rod of the spring feed shelf display of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the side rod of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the side rod of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the spring feed shelf display positioned on a display shelf. 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the spring feed shelf display of  FIG. 1  including an alternative pusher embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the alternative pusher embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the alternative pusher embodiment of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or embodiments, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a spring feed shelf display  10  for displaying and supporting a product or plurality of products. The display  10  includes a base assembly  11 , a pusher  26  longitudinally slideable along the base assembly  11 , and a pair of side wires  18  laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly  11  and disposed on opposite sides of the pusher  26 . The base assembly  11  includes a pair of spaced-apart lateral supports or base members  14  that slidably receive portions of the side wires  18 . The base assembly  11  also includes a plurality of longitidudinally extending rods, including a pair of outer rods  22  and a pair of inner rods  23 , that are coupled to and extend between the base members  14 . The pusher  26  is slidably coupled to the outer and inner rods  22 ,  23  for longitudinal movement between the base members  14 . At least one biasing member  30  (the illustrated construction includes a pair of biasing members  30 ) extends between the pusher  26  and a forward one of the base members  14  and biases the pusher  26  towards a forward one of the base members  14 . A front stop  51 , defined by portions of the outer rods  22 , extends upwardly from the forward one of the base members  14  to limit forward movement of products held by the display  10 . 
       FIGS. 2-5  illustrate the base assembly  11 . The outer rods  22  are spaced from each other by a distance D and are flanked by the inner rods  23 . The inner and outer rods  22 ,  23  are substantially parallel to each other and define a direction of translation N for the pusher  26 . In the illustrated construction each rod  22 , 23  is formed from a substantially rigid material, such as stainless steel or another suitable metal. The inner and outer rods  22 ,  23  are substantially cylindrical in cross-section, but may also have oblong or polygonal cross-sections, provided the rods allow for translation of the pusher  26  in the direction N while supporting the products in the storage volume. 
     The front stop  51  extends upwardly from the forward ends of the outer rods  22 . In the illustrated construction the front stop  51  is generally arcuate and is formed of the same elongated rod as the outer rods  22 . The front stop  51  generally includes two uprights  50  and a substantially semicircular connector  54  to support and restrict the motion of a product or plurality of products held by the display. The front stop  51  may also be parabolic, elliptical, linear, or have another shape sufficient to stop movement of articles in the display. A placard  34  ( FIG. 1 ) coupled to the front stop  51  provides a display surface for signage or indicia relating to the merchandise. For example, the placard  34  may include labeling, advertising, and/or pricing information relating to merchandise being displayed. 
     The base members  14  are fixedly coupled to the ends of the inner and outer rods  22 ,  23 , for example by welding. The base members  14  extend substantially perpendicularly to the inner and outer rods  23 ,  22 , spanning at least the distance D. Additional base members may also be provided along the length of the inner and outer rods  22 ,  23  to provide additional support. In the illustrated construction, each base member  14  is formed from a substantially flat, rigid, for example metallic, blank. The blank is generally formed by bending and/or extrusion into a substantially “C” shape resulting in a substantially flat upper portion  66  and a pair of arcuate side portions  67  ( FIG. 6 ). The side portions  67  cooperate with the flat upper portion  66  to define a pair of support cavities  68  that receive the side wires  18 . The upper portion  66  also defines a plurality (e.g. two) of elongated slots  58 . The elongated slots  58  are configured to receive and secure an end of the biasing member  30 , as discussed further below. The upper portion  66  also defines a central positioning hole  46  configured to receive a stop member  70  (e.g. a rivet,  FIG. 6 ) for retention of the side wires  18 . Preferably, each base member  14  is identical to simplify manufacturing and thereby reduce the cost of the display  10 . 
       FIGS. 7-11  illustrate the pusher  26 . In the illustrated construction, the pusher  26  is formed of a single sheet of rigid yet formable material ( FIG. 8 ), such as, for example, polyethylene. The sheet is creased along line  82  to form the pusher  26  as a substantially triangular prism having a front panel  38  and a rear panel  39 . Adjacent bottom edges  84 , the pusher  26  defines a plurality of inner slots  74  that are configured to receive one of the inner rods  23 . The inner slots  74  extend inwardly from the bottom edge  84  and include a substantially “U” shaped perimeter. In other constructions, the perimeter of the inner slots  74  may include a different profile that compliments differently-shaped inner rods  23 . 
     A pair of outer slots  75  are spaced outwardly from the inner slots  74 . The illustrated outer slots  75  of the pusher  26  extend inwardly from side edges  83  to define a substantially “U” shaped slot that receives the outer rods  22 . By opening outwardly, the outer slots  75  define a pair of stability tabs  77  adjacent the bottom edge  84  of the front and rear panels  38 ,  39 . The stability tabs  77  engage the undersides of the outer rods  22  to stabilize the pusher  26  when the pusher  26  is coupled to the base assembly  11 . 
     The front panel  38  of the pusher  26  also defines a plurality (e.g. two as illustrated) of elongated slots  76  that extend substantially parallel to the bottom edge  84 . Each slot  76  is configured such that a portion of a respective biasing member  30  extends through the slot  76 , as discussed further below. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 12-14 , the illustrated side wires  18  are formed from a single, substantially rigid rod. Each side wire  18  includes a central portion  94  having a length that substantially corresponds to the distance between the forward and rearward base members  14 . Uprights  98  extend substantially perpendicular from each end of the central portion  94 , and terminate in curved foot members  90 . Extension rods  99  ( FIG. 12 ) extend from the foot members  90  substantially parallel to each another and perpendicular to the upright rods  98 . The extension rods  99  include insert ends  102  each of which defines a stopping hook  86 . Each stopping hook  86  extends generally perpendicularly, in a common direction, from its respective insert end  102 . The side wires  18  are configured such that substantially identical side wires  18  can be used on both sides of the display  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 , the pusher  26  is slideably coupled to the outer and inner rods  22 ,  23  by manipulating the outer rods  22  into the outer slots  75 . This may be accomplished by a combination of bending the pusher  26 , angling the pusher  26  relative to the rods  22 , and outwardly bending the outer rods  22 . Similar manipulation is also used to position the inner rods  23  within the inner slots  74 . When the outer rods  22  are positioned in the outer slots  75  and the inner rods  23  are positioned within the inner slots  74 , the stability tabs  77  extend beneath the outer rods  22  to restrict vertical displacement of the pusher  26  relative to the rods  22 ,  23 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the biasing members  30  are coupled to and extend between the pusher  26  and the forward base member  14 . Each biasing member  30  is positioned between one of the inner and one of the outer rods  22 ,  23 . Biasing members  30  include a coiled end  64  and an anchor end  62 . The coiled end  64  is generally captured between the front and rear panels  38 ,  39  of the pusher  26 , while the anchor end  62  extends through and is captured by the elongated slot  58  of the forward base member  14 . A plurality of bends  63  in the anchor end  62  aid in coupling to the forward base member  14 , although other fastening methods may be used. An exposed portion  31  of each biasing member  30  extends through the slots  76  in the front panel, which guide forward and rearward movement of the pusher  26 , and maintain positioning of the biasing members  30 . The biasing members  30  provide a biasing force that urges the pusher  26  toward the front stop  51 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  15 , the side wires  18  are slideably coupled to the base member  14  by inserting the extension rods  99  into the support cavities  68  of the base members  14 . The extension rods  99  are inserted such that the stopping hooks  86  extend past the positioning hole  46 . With the extension rods  99  so positioned, the stop member  70  is inserted and secured within the positioning hole  46 . In the illustrated construction, the stop member  70  is a rivet. The stop member  70  permits lateral adjustment of the side wires  18  relative to the base members  14 , while preventing removal of the side wires  18  from the support cavities  68  by restricting outward movement of the stopping hooks  86  beyond the stop member  70 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the spring feed shelf display  10  can be positioned on substantially any type of shelving  106  for the display and dispensing of a product. In the illustrated construction, the shelving  106  includes a plurality of apertures  108  near a forward edge of the shelving  106 . Cable ties  104  or other coupling devices may therefore be used to secure the spring feed shelf display  10  to the shelving  106 , while still allowing the side wires  18  to be laterally adjusted for display and dispensing of differently-sized products. 
     In use, the pusher  26  is moved rearwardly, against the biasing force provided by the biasing members  30 , and a plurality of products is positioned between the pusher  26  and the front stop  51 . The products are supported from below by the outer and inner wires  22 ,  23 . The side wires  18  may then be adjusted to a width that is appropriate for supporting the sides of the products. The biasing force provided by the biasing members  30  urges the pusher  26  forwardly, toward the front stop  51 , thereby holding the products in an upright position. When a forward-most product of the plurality of products is removed, the pusher  26  urges the remaining product or products forwardly such that the next product engages the front stop  51  and is positioned for subsequent removal by the customer. In this way, the spring feed shelf display  10  maintains the product in a forward-most position for prominent display and ease of removal by customers. 
       FIGS. 17-20  illustrate a second embodiment of the pusher  26 ′. The pusher  26 ′ includes a wire-frame body  114 ′ having multiple bends that provide a first pusher portion  118 ′ for contacting and supporting the product, and a second pusher portion  122 ′ angled relative to the first pusher portion  118 ′ for stabilizing the pusher  26 ′. The first and second pusher portions  118 ′,  122 ′ each include rod engaging portions  126 ′,  130 ′, respectively, that receive one or more rods  22 ,  23  of the base assembly  11  and permit the pusher  26 ′ to laterally slide along the base assembly  11 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 20 , the rod engaging portions  130 ′ of second portion  122 ′ are formed to open to the outside of the pusher  26 ′, thereby forming substantially C-shaped portions that engage the inner rods  23 . The rod engaging portions  126 ′ of the first portion  118 ′ are formed to face inwardly and engage the outer rods  22 . During manufacturing, the portions  122 ′ and  126 ′ are formed and the resulting pusher blank is bent about the dashed line of  FIG. 20  to form the completed pusher  26 ′ illustrated in  FIGS. 17-19 . In the illustrated embodiment the pusher  26 ′ is formed from a single elongated rod. In other embodiments the pusher  26 ′ may be formed from a wireframe weldment or assembly, or from a combination of wireframe and plate elements.