Patent Publication Number: US-7216770-B2

Title: Adjustable shelving system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to adjustable shelving systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to adjustable forward feeding display shelving system for storing and displaying merchandise of a variety of shapes and sizes and urging such merchandise towards the front of a shelf. The shelving system is configured to organize merchandise on the shelf into rows. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing products or merchandise in a variety of stores. Most stores simply employ shelves on which merchandise is stocked. In such stores if the shelves are not at eye level, it is difficult for the customer to see the items being displayed unless they are located adjacent the front edge of the shelf. Such conventional shelves also make it difficult to rotate the product on the shelves, which involves moving the older stock to the front of the shelf and positioning new stock behind the older stock. This has to be done manually by an employee. Thus, for a number of important merchandising considerations, it is desirable that the merchandise be displayed at the front of a shelf so that the customer can see the merchandise and be induced to purchase such merchandise. For example, if goods are perishable or are subject to becoming stale (e.g. cigarettes, fruit juices, dairy products or any item with an expiration date or a freshness date) it is important that the articles be removed in a first in first out basis to maintain freshness. As mentioned, if the merchandise is not displayed at the front of the shelf, it may not catch the shopper&#39;s eye, which may cost the merchant sales. 
     In order to automatically move an item forward as the one before it is removed, numerous forward feed devices have been proposed. These devices generally fall into three categories. The first category is inclined tracks, which rely on gravity to feed, slide or roll products forward. Gravity feeding is somewhat unpredictable in that various materials slide easier than others because of different weights and frictional interfaces between the products and the track. A second category employs conveyor belts, which still use gravity to effect forward movement. These devices are typically cumbersome, expensive and complicated due to the need to properly tension and track the conveyor belts. A third category uses spring biased paddles in a pusher system to feed the product forward. Such pusher systems have been found useful for certain merchandise. 
     Forward feed devices are usually associated with divider walls. Normally, a divider wall is located on either side of, for example, a pusher system. Both the pusher system and the divider wall are mounted to at least a front rail or front mounting member in order to allow a spacing of the pusher systems and divider walls on a shelf. In some known systems, the divider walls are separate from the pusher systems. In others, the divider walls and pusher systems are of one piece. In either case, the divider walls and pusher systems can be slidably mounted on the front rail or mounting member. This, however, has some disadvantages. Such disadvantages have to do with the fact that as the merchandise is being urged forward by the pusher, the merchandise may urge the dividers to slide laterally away from each other along the mounting member thus interfering with adjacent rows of merchandise, possibly making such merchandise more difficult to retrieve. This is particularly true with cans and other merchandise having rounded sides, since with such merchandise one item can rotate in relation to another as it is being pushed forward. 
     Certain merchandising systems employ a design in which the divider wall and the pusher are locked to a front rail or mounting member so as to prevent a sideward sliding thereof. However, with these known designs, the dividers and the pusher systems have to be physically removed from contact with the front rail in order to provide lateral adjustability thereto. The known systems also have other disadvantages. 
     Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new improved shelf divider system which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved adjustable shelving system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a shelving system comprises an elongated mounting member operationally securable to an associated elf, the mounting member comprising an approximately vertically oriented wall and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A track is received on the mounting member in a non-sliding manner, wherein the track extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. An elongated rail extends longitudinally along the track. A spring urged pusher is slidably mounted in relation to the rail. A slot extends transversely along a bottom face of the track. A first smooth contact surface is located on the mounting member approximately horizontal wall and a second smooth contact surface is located on the track, in or near the slot. The second contact surface engages the first contact surface to retard a sideward sliding motion of the track in relation to the mounting member. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a shelving system comprises an elongated first mounting member operationally securable to a front portion of an associated shelf, the first mounting member comprising an approximately vertically oriented wall and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A track is received on the first mounting member in a non-sliding manner wherein the track extends rearwardly over the associated shelf. An elongated rail extends longitudinally along the track. A spring urged pusher is slidably mounted in relation to the rail. A slot extends transversely along the bottom face of the track. A first set of teeth extend at least partially from a rear face of the first mounting member approximately horizontally oriented wall and a second set of teeth extend from the track adjacent the slot. The second set of teeth engage the first set of teeth to retard a sideward sliding motion of the track in relation to the first mounting member. 
     According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a shelving system comprises an elongated mounting member operationally securable to an associated shelf, the mounting member comprising an approximately vertically oriented wall and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A cooperating member is received on the mounting member in a non-sliding manner wherein the cooperating member extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. A slot extends transversely along a bottom face of the cooperating member. A first contact surface is located on the mounting member. A second contact surface is located on the cooperating member in the slot. The first contact surface engages the second contact surface to retard a sideward sliding motion of the cooperating member in relation to the mounting member. The first contact surface includes a first mating face and the second contact surface includes a second mating face. The first and second mating faces are oriented at an acute angle in relation to each other. 
     According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, a shelving comprises an elongated mounting member operationally securable to the front portion of an associated shelf and extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. The mounting member comprises an approximately vertically oriented wall and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A cooperating member is received on the mounting member in a non-sliding manner wherein the cooperating member extends rearwardly over the associated shelf. A slot extends transversely along a bottom face of the cooperating member. A first set of teeth extend at least partially from a rear face of the mounting member approximately horizontally oriented wall and a second set of teeth extend from the shelf divider in proximity to the slot. The second set of teeth engage the first set of teeth to retard a sideward sliding motion of the cooperating member in relation to the mounting member. 
     Still other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of average skill in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shelving system including a shelf divider mounted on a front rail or mounting member in a non-slidable manner according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a reverse side elevational view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 2  along line  3 — 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 2  along line  4 — 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 2  along line  5 — 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a greatly enlarged reverse cross-sectional view, partially broken away, of a portion of the shelf divider of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a greatly enlarged reverse cross-sectional view of the front rail or mounting member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged reversed view of a front portion of the system of  FIG. 1  with the shelf divider in the process of becoming locked into place on the front rail or mounting member; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a rear end of the shelf divider of  FIG. 1  with a paddle thereof being shown in a fully retracted position; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an end divider mounted to the front rail of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting foot of the end divider of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the end divider of  FIG. 10 , without the mounting foot; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a shelving system with a shelf divider and a mounting member or rail according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the system of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a shelf divider system employing a rear mounting member or rail and a shelf divider according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged reverse side elevational of the system of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a rail or mounting member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a top plan view of a mounting member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a reduced side elevational view of the rail of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a side elevational view of a mounting member according to a sixth embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of a mounting member according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a reduced side elevational view of the mounting member rail of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a mounting member according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a mounting member according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a side elevational view of a mounting member according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a side elevational view of a mounting member according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 27  is a side elevational view of a mounting member according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating several preferred embodiments of the invention and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of a shelf divider system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a mounting member or front rail  10  includes a vertically oriented wall  12 . With reference also to  FIG. 7 , the vertically oriented wall  12  includes a first section  14 , a first groove  16  and a second section  18 . Also provided on the mounting member  10  is a horizontally oriented wall  20 . Disposed between the horizontally oriented wall section and the vertical wall section  12  is a second groove  22 . There is a recessed portion  26  with an opening  28  located in the horizontal wall  20 . The wall  20  includes a front face  30 , a top face  32  and a back face  34 . Defined at the intersection of the top face  32  and the back face  34  is a first row or set of teeth  36 . 
     Mounted in the first groove  16  is a front fence  40 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 8 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a suitable conventional fastener  42  can extend through the opening  28  in the horizontal wall  20  of the mounting member  10  so as to secure the mounting member in place on a subjacent shelf A, which has suitable apertures for this purpose. It should be appreciated that a plurality of such openings  28  may be provided on the front rail  10 . It should also be appreciated that the fastener  42  is located in the recessed portion  26  of the horizontal wall so as to not interfere with shelf dividers or pusher tracks secured to the front rail. It can be appreciated from  FIG. 1  that the mounting member  10  can be somewhat L-shaped in side view. Of course, the mounting member could also have other shapes, if so desired. 
     In this embodiment, a shelf divider and pusher track, which is of one piece, is disclosed. However, it should be appreciated that separate shelf divider walls and pusher tracks can also be employed with the mounting member or front rail  10  disclosed herein. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a shelf divider  50  is mounted on the mounting member or front rail  10 . The shelf divider includes a horizontally oriented base wall  52  and a vertically oriented divider wall  54 . Located on a bottom face  58  the base  52  is a transversely extending slot  60 . With reference now again to  FIG. 6 , the slot  60  includes a front face  62 , a roof  64  and a rear face  66 . Extending forwardly from the rear face are a set of rear protrusions  68 . Defined on such protrusions is a second row or set of teeth  70 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , the shelf divider base wall  52  has a first section  72  and a second section  74 . Defined on the second section is a flange or rail  76 . Positioned adjacent the flange is a channel or groove  78 . A pusher member  80  is slidably mounted on the base wall second section  74 . With reference now to  FIG. 4 , the pusher member  80  includes a vertically extending pusher wall  82  and a base wall  84 . Connecting the pusher wall and the base wall are first and second brace walls or gussets  86  and  88 . 
     Depending from the base wall  84  is a foot  90 . In this embodiment, a first portion  92  of the foot can be aligned with the first brace wall  86 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 . A second portion or flange  94  of the foot can be oriented approximately normal to the first portion  92  and can be parallel to a plane of the base wall  84 . Thus, a somewhat U-shaped section is formed for accommodating the flange or rail  76  extending from the base wall second section  74 . Protruding from a lower surface  96  of the base wall  84  is a rib or protrusion  98 . The protrusion includes a pair of side walls  100  and  102 . It should be apparent from  FIGS. 4 and 5  that the second side wall  102  is spaced a considerable distance from a first side wall  104  of the channel or groove  78  but that the protrusion first side wall  100  is located adjacent the groove second side wall  106 . Located on the base wall second section  74  are top rails  108  and bottom rails  110 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 3 , a coil spring  120  can be housed on the pusher member  80 . More particularly, the coil spring is supported on the base wall  84  between the pair of brace walls. A section  122  of the coil spring extends through a slot  124  in the pusher wall  82 . A front end (not illustrated) of the coil spring can be secured to a front portion of the shelf divider. In use, as the pusher  80  reciprocates on the track formed by a flange  76 , the channel  78  and the rails  108  and  110 , the pusher base  84  and foot  90  ride on the top and bottom rails  108  and  110  such that the lower surface  96  of the base wall contacts at least one of the top rails  108  while the second portion  94  of the foot or guide contacts the bottom rail  110 . Due to the cooperation of the foot  90  and the protrusion  98  with the base wall second section  74 , the pusher  80  can not be lifted away from the track. Rather, the pusher must be slid to an end of the track to be subsequently removed. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , it can be seen that when the pusher  80  is fully retracted, it can at least partially extend past a rear wall  130  of the shelf divider  50 . However, the pusher does not fall off the shelf divider as a rear edge  132  of the foot second portion  94  contacts a depending section  134  of the rear wall  130 . Since the pusher can be retracted past the rear end of the divider member  50 , a system of the present invention can be used on a shelf that is somewhat deeper than is the length of the divider  50 . Thus, the present system is capable of accommodating shelving of the varying depths. Of course, if the shelf is no deeper than the length of divider  50  then no part of the pusher will be able to retract past the end of the divider as the pusher will contact the rear surface of the shelf. In order to stiffen the two brace walls  86  and  88 , stiffening ribs  136  can be employed, as is shown in  FIG. 9 . Moreover, the pusher wall  82  can have an enlarged upper end  138  in order to better accommodate wider merchandise that is being urged forwardly on the track by the pusher member. 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it can be seen that the angle of the front face  30  in relation to a plane of the second groove  22  can be, for example, 71°. In contrast, the angle between the front face  62  and the roof  64  of the slot  60  located in the shelf divider  50  can be 70°. As a result, when the shelf divider is completely seated on the mounting member  10  a pinching action takes place between the front face  62  and roof  64  of the divider  50  and the front face  30  and top face  32  of the mounting member  10 . Such pinching action locks the shelf divider  50  onto the mounting member to retard a sideward sliding motion of the shelf divider on the mounting member. Such pinching action is possible due to the resilient nature of the materials from which the shelf divider and the mounting member are made. If desired, these two components can be made of suitable conventional resilient materials, such as known thermoplastic materials. These will allow some relative flexing between the two as the shelf divider is mounted on or detached from the mounting member or rail. The two components can be made from the same material or from different materials. It should, of course, be appreciated that other suitable angles could be provided on the interengaging surfaces of the mounting member and the shelf divider to provide the desired pinching action or locking action. 
     Of course, such sideward sliding movement is also retarded by the interengaging sets of teeth  36  and  70  on the mounting member and the shelf divider respectively. To this end, the back face  34  is angled forwardly by 5° from the vertical. Similarly, the rear protrusions  68  are angled forwardly by 5° from the vertical. Thus, there is a mating engagement of the mounting member back face with the rear protrusion  68  of the shelf divider  50 . In this embodiment, the pinch point occurs only at the engagement of the mounting member front face  30  with the shelf divider front face  62 . However, it should be appreciated that such pinch points could be located at other positions along the engagement surfaces of the mounting member and shelf divider. 
     As is best seen from  FIG. 8 , the locking action of the shelf divider  50  on the mounting member  10  takes place when the shelf divider is fully lowered onto the mounting member. However, when a rear end of the shelf divider is slightly lifted, the shelf divider is rotated in relation to the mounting member. This action unlocks the shelf divider from the mounting member, disengages the two sets of teeth  36  and  70  and allows the shelf divider to be moved along the mounting member to a desired location. To this end, the shelf divider can either be slid along the mounting member or simply pulled away from the mounting member and laterally moved to the desired location and then reconnected with the mounting member. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , an end wall  150  for the shelf divider system includes a base  152  and an upright portion  154 . With reference also to  FIG. 12 , a transversely extending slot  156  is located adjacent a first end of the end wall  150 . The slot  156  is adapted to accommodate the horizontal wall  20  of the mounting member  10 . A front edge  157  of the divider is seated in the second groove  22 . Also provided for the end wall  150  is a recessed area  158 . Located in the recessed area are spaced first and second sockets  160  and  162 . Cooperating with the end wall  150  is a flange  170 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The flange includes a first arm  172 , and, spaced therefrom, a second arm  174 . Each of these arms have a tooth  176  positioned on their distal end. The arms are adapted to extend through the sockets  160  and  162  so that the teeth protrude past the far edge of the base in order to clip or lock the flange  170  into place in the end wall  150 . Provided on the flange are a plurality of slots  178  and apertures  180 . These are meant to accommodate suitable conventional fasteners (not shown) in order to secure the end wall in place on the associated shelf. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 13 , a second embodiment of a shelf divider system according to the present invention is there illustrated. In this embodiment, a rail or mounting member includes a vertically oriented wall  192  having a first groove  194  and a horizontally oriented wall  196  as well as a second groove  198 . Selectively secured to the rail is a divider  210  having a base wall  212  and a vertically oriented dividing wall  214 . A transverse slot  218  extends across a bottom surface of the base. The base thus has a front edge  220  which is adapted to fit into the second groove  198  while the slot extends over the horizontal wall  196 , as best shown in  FIG. 14 . In this embodiment, no teeth are employed. Rather, a smooth set of engaging walls is disclosed in this embodiment. Thus, the set of engaging walls can be even, free from irregularities, roughness or projections. The locking feature is achieved by suitably configuring the engaging surfaces of the slot and the mounting member horizontal wall, along the lines discussed in connection with  FIGS. 6 and 7  hereinbefore. 
     In other words, a locking engagement can be achieved when the divider  210  is fully lowered onto the mounting member  190  because of the differing angles provided for the mating surfaces of the mounting member and the divider. Even a 1° difference in the angles of the front face  198  of the horizontal wall  190  and the front face of the slot  218  is adequate to provide the desired pinching or locking action. Such a 1° difference was disclosed in the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Of course, other suitable angular relationships between the mating faces could also be employed. In order to detach the divider  210  from the mounting member  190 , an installer merely has to raise a distal end  222  of the divider  210  thereby disengaging the locking feature. At this point, the divider can then be slid in relation to the mounting member  190  along the second groove  198 . Alternatively, the divider can be detached from the mounting member and then moved in relation to it. It should be appreciated that the mounting member or rail can be secured to a subjacent shelf adjacent a front edge of the shelf or adjacent a rear edge of the shelf. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 15 , a third embodiment of a shelf divider system according to the present invention is there illustrated. In this embodiment, a rear rail  230  is employed, instead of a front rail. The rear rail or mounting member includes a vertically oriented wall  232 , a groove  234 , and a horizontally oriented wall  236 . The horizontally oriented wall includes a top surface  238  and a front surface  240 . A first set of teeth  242  is located at the intersection of the top surface and front surface of the horizontally oriented wall  236 . Selectively secured to the rear rail  230  is a divider  250 . The divider includes a base wall  252  and a vertically oriented divider wall  254 . A transverse groove or slot  256  is defined in the base wall  252  adjacent a rear end of the divider. The location of the slot  256  is such as to accommodate a depending rear end  258  of the divider base wall. 
     With reference also to  FIG. 16 , the divider rear end  258  is shown as being seated in the groove  234 . Provided in the slot  256  of the divider is a second set of teeth  260 . These engage the first set of teeth  242  on the rear rail  230  so as to lock the divider in place on the rear rail. The divider  250  also includes a track  264  on which is mounted a pusher  268 . The pusher can reciprocate along the track from adjacent the rear rail  230  to a forward position on a shelf on which the system is mounted. In this embodiment, a front wall  270  is provided for the track  264 . The front wall can be of one piece with the divider  250  or it can be a separate element that is suitably connected to either the divider or to the shelf on which the divider is mounted. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 17 , a fourth embodiment of a mounting member  280  is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the mounting member includes a vertically oriented wall  282 , a slot  284  and a horizontally oriented wall  286 . The horizontally oriented wall includes a top surface  290  and a rear surface  292 . A first set of teeth  294  is located at the intersection of the top surface and the rear surface. In this embodiment, a second set of teeth  296  is located in the slot  284 . The teeth are spaced from a front surface  298  of the horizontally oriented wall and may contact a rear face  302  of the vertically oriented wall. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 18 , a fifth embodiment of a mounting member  310  according to the present invention is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the mounting member includes a vertically oriented wall  312 , a slot  314  and a horizontally oriented wall  316 . The horizontally oriented wall has a top surface  320 , a front surface  322  and a rear surface  324 . A set or row of teeth  328  is located in the slot  314 . In this embodiment, the set of teeth does not contact either the front surface  322  of the horizontally oriented wall or a rear surface  330  of the vertically oriented wall. Rather, it is spaced from both. This can best be seen in  FIG. 22  of the drawings. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 19 , a sixth embodiment of a mounting member  340  according to the present invention is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the mounting member includes a vertical wall  342 , a slot  344  and a horizontal wall  346 . The horizontal wall includes a top surface  350  and a front surface  352 . A set of teeth  356  is located in the slot  344 . In this embodiment, the set of teeth contact a rear surface  358  of the vertical wall  342 , but do not contact the front surface  352  of the horizontal wall  346 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 20 , a seventh embodiment of a mounting member  360  is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the mounting member includes a vertical wall  362 , a slot  364  and a horizontal wall  366 . The horizontal wall has a top surface  370  and a front surface  372 . A set of teeth  376  extend in the slot  364 . The set of teeth contact the front surface  372  of the vertically oriented wall but do not contact a rear surface  378  of the vertically oriented wall. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 21 , an eighth embodiment of a mounting member  380  is there disclosed. In this embodiment, the mounting member comprises a vertical wall  382 , a slot  384  and a horizontal wall  386 . The horizontal wall includes a top surface  390  and a front surface  392 . A set of teeth  396  extends along the slot  384 . In this embodiment, the set of teeth extend from the horizontal wall front surface  392  to a rear surface  398  of the vertical wall. Thus, the set of teeth span the entire width of the slot  384 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 23 , a ninth embodiment of a mounting member  410  according to the present invention is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the mounting member or rail includes a vertical wall  412 , a slot  414  and a horizontal wall  416 . The horizontal wall includes a top surface  420 , a front surface  422  and a rear surface  424 . In this embodiment, a set of teeth  428  is defined on the top surface  420  of the horizontal wall  416 . No teeth are defined on either the front surface  422  or the rear surface  424  of the horizontal wall  416 . Nor are there any teeth defined on the vertical wall  412 . 
     Finally,  FIG. 24  illustrates a tenth embodiment of a mounting member according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the mounting member includes a vertical wall  442 , a slot  444  and a horizontal wall  446 . The horizontal wall includes a top surface  450 , a front surface  452  and a rear surface  454 . In this embodiment, a first set of teeth  458  is located on the top surface  450  on the horizontal wall. A second set of teeth  460  is located at the intersection of the horizontal wall top surface  450  and rear surface  454 . A third set of teeth  462  is located in the slot  444 . The third set of teeth does not contact either the front surface  452  of the horizontal wall or a rear surface  464  of the vertical wall. Rather, as in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 22 , the third set of teeth is only connected to the base of the slot  444 . 
     It should be appreciated that the various mounting members illustrated in, e.g.  FIGS. 17–24  can be positioned at either the front edge of a shelf or the rear edge of the shelf, just as the mounting member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is positioned adjacent a front edge of the shelf and mounting member of the embodiment of  FIG. 15  is positioned adjacent the rear edge of the shelf. 
     In the previous embodiments, the mounting member is shown to have a vertical wall, a horizontal wall and a slot defined between these two walls. However, it should be appreciated that other types of mounting member designs are also contemplated. For example, as disclosed in  FIG. 25 , a mounting member  470  can have a somewhat different configuration as well. In this embodiment, the mounting member  470  includes a vertical wall  472  and a horizontal wall  474 . In this design, there is no separate slot defined between the vertical wall and the horizontal wall. Also, in this design, there is a raised area or plateau  476  located on the horizontal wall. Mounted atop the raised area  476  is a set or row of teeth  478 . As in the earlier designs, the teeth can cooperate with suitable teeth located on a divider element, a track element or a combination divider and track assembly, as previously disclosed herein. It can be appreciated that the cooperating divider, track or combination divider and track assembly would need to be suitably configured in order to be accommodated on the mounting member. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 26 , a yet twelfth version of a mounting member  490  is there disclosed. In this embodiment, the mounting member includes a vertical wall  492  and a horizontal wall  494 . A set of teeth  496  is disposed on an upper surface  498  of the horizontal wall. In this design, the cooperating divider wall, pusher track or combination divider wall and pusher track is seated on the mounting member horizontal wall  494  and engages the teeth on the horizontal wall so as to retard a sidewards sliding motion of the cooperating member. It can be appreciated that the cooperating member would need to be suitably configured for this purpose. 
     In  FIG. 27 , there is disclosed a yet thirteenth embodiment of a mounting member  510  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the mounting member includes a vertical wall  512  and a horizontal wall  514 . The horizontal wall is provided with a raised area  516 . In this embodiment, a row or set of teeth  518  are located on an upper surface  520  of the horizontal wall. The teeth are spaced both from the front surface  522  of the raised area  516  and a rear surface  524  of the vertical wall  512 . For this embodiment, the cooperating divider wall, pusher track or combination divider wall and pusher track is suitably configured so as to engage the teeth  518 . The cooperating member can also be configured to lockingly engage the raised area front surface  522 , as discussed in connection with several of the embodiments previously mentioned. 
     In the embodiments discussed hereinbefore, either a front rail or a rear rail was employed. However, it should be recognized that both a front rail and a rear rail can be utilized as mounting members for mounting a combination shelf divider and pusher track or separate shelf dividers and pusher tracks. The use of two rail designs in general is known in the art. Therefore, it can be appreciated that two rails or mounting members can be employed in the adjustable shelving system of the present invention. 
     In the various embodiments disclosed herein, the contact surface located on the divider member or track or member which cooperates with the mounting member or front rail is disclosed as being located in the slot. However, it should be appreciated that the contact surface, which can be a set of teeth, can also be located near the slot, adjoining the slot, in proximity to the slot, in the vicinity of the slot and the like. Thus, the second contact surface does not necessarily have to lie within the slot or be contiguous with or abutting, touching or in juxtaposition with the slot. Rather, it can be in the neighborhood of the slot. The location of the second contact surface, which can be a second set of teeth, is determined by the location of the first contact surface, which can be a first set of teeth, on the mounting member or track. All that is necessary is that the two engage each other and cooperate with each other in order to retard a sideward sliding motion of the divider track or cooperating member in relation to the elongated mounting member or rail. 
     While the embodiments disclosed herein illustrate the use of a slot, i.e., a transverse groove or opening, it should be appreciated that other types of openings could be provided along the bottom face of the cooperating member, track or divider assembly disclosed herein. Thus, any type of suitable aperture, way, path, channel, passage or other suitable gap could be employed. For example, a set of notches could be provided along the bottom face instead of a single slot if the mounting member or rail were suitably configured. Thus, the term “slot” as used herein is intended to include all such openings, apertures, holes, orifices, passages, grooves, troughs, channels, indentations and the like. 
     The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.