Patent Publication Number: US-2007108142-A1

Title: Merchandise display rack

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Ser. No. 60/737,819, filed Nov. 17, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      The present invention relates to a merchandise display rack, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to a merchandise display rack for feeding a row of merchandise forward on a store shelf as merchandise at the front of the row of merchandise is removed by a customer.  
      2. Brief Description of the Prior Art  
      Products or merchandise of various types and sizes are commonly stored on display shelves in stores so that customers can see the products or merchandise and select products or merchandise for purchase. In some instances, shelves are inclined downwardly from the rear to the front so that the merchandise can be gravity fed to the front of the shelf. However, the use of the downwardly inclined shelves are often not satisfactory because the merchandise at times does not slide smoothly down the shelf and can fall over thereby jamming the row of merchandise from feeding properly. Also, customers may have difficulty in viewing products on lower shelves when the shelves are downwardly inclined. To overcome this problem various prior art devices have been proposed for use on grocery store shelves for feeding each row of merchandise to the front of the shelf. In most instances, spring loaded pusher devices have been employed. However, the prior art devices have suffered from the disadvantage in that it is difficult to adjust such spring loaded pusher systems so that such systems accommodate merchandise of different sizes and weights.  
      Thus, the need exists for improved merchandise display racks which can be readily adjusted to accommodate merchandise of different sizes and weights, and which are economical to manufacture and substantially maintenance free. It is to such a merchandise display rack that the present invention is directed.  
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      In one aspect of the present invention, a merchandise display rack for feeding merchandise or products arranged in rows on a shelf to the front of the shelf is provided. Broadly, the merchandise display rack includes a pusher frame and a pusher plate assembly. The pusher frame is characterized as having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a spatially disposed second sidewall and a product receiving space formed between the first and second sidewalls for receiving a row of merchandise or product. If the merchandise display rack is to be used in combination with a wire shelf, the pusher frame may also include a bottom for providing a smooth surface over which the merchandise can travel as the merchandise is moved through the product receiving space of the merchandise display rack. A stop plate assembly is removably connected to the front end of the merchandise display rack for preventing forward movement of the product past the stop plate assembly and to secure the forward most merchandise in the row of merchandise in a stable position.  
      In order to move the pusher plate assembly forward along the pusher frame as merchandise is removed from a row a merchandise supported in the product receiving space of the merchandise display rack, the merchandise display rack also includes a pusher plate biasing assembly. The pusher plate biasing assembly includes a plurality rollers having circumferential grooves, a pair of the rollers being connected to each of the first and second sidewalls of the pusher frame such that the rollers are disposed between the stop plate assembly and the pusher plate assembly. The rollers on the first sidewall are vertically aligned; and the rollers on the second sidewall are likewise vertically aligned. Further, the rollers on the first sidewall are disposed in a facing relationship and aligned with the rollers on the second sidewall. Each of the sidewalls is further provided with a pusher stop member located near the front end of the pusher frame for engaging the pusher assembly when the pusher assembly is disposed in the forward most position.  
      The pusher plate biasing assembly of the merchandise display rack further includes a first bungee cord disposed along the first sidewall, the first bungee cord operably engaging the rollers disposed on the first sidewall, and a second bungee cord disposed along the second sidewall, the second bungee cord operably engaging the rollers disposed on the second sidewall. The first and second bungee cords cooperate to bias the pusher plate assembly in a forward position so as to insure that merchandise or product is moved forward in the product receiving space of the merchandise display rack when the forward most merchandise or product in the row of merchandise or product supported in the product receiving space is removed by a customer.  
      More specifically, the first bungee cord is connected to the first sidewall near the rear end of the pusher frame and extends around one of the rollers supported on the first sidewall, around a post or roller supported on the pusher plate assembly, around the second roller on the first sidewall and back to a connection point or roller attached to the first sidewall near the rear end of the pusher frame. Similarly, the second bungee cord is connected to the second sidewall near the rear end of the pusher frame and extends around one of the rollers supported on the second sidewall, around a post or roller supported on the pusher plate assembly, around the second roller on the second sidewall and back to a connection point or roller attached to the second sidewall near the rear end of the pusher frame.  
      The pusher frame further includes a rail assembly for supporting and stabilizing the pusher plate assembly as the pusher plate assembly travels along the product receiving space of the merchandise display rack. More specifically, the rail assembly includes a pair of first rail members extending along an inner side of the first sidewall of the pusher frame, a pair of spatially disposed second rail members extending along an inner side of the second sidewall of the pusher frame so as to be substantially aligned with, and in a facing relation with the pair of first rail members on the first sidewall of the pusher frame. The first rail members are spatially disposed such that the pair of rollers rotatably connected to the first sidewall and the first bungee cord are disposed therebetween. Similarly, the second rail members are spatially disposed so that the pair of rollers rotatably connected to the second sidewall and the second bungee cord are disposed between the second rail members on the second sidewall of the pusher frame.  
      The pusher plate assembly includes a pusher sled assembly slidably mounted on the first and second rail members disposed along the first and second sidewalls of the pusher frame. The pusher sled assembly includes a first substantially L-shaped pusher plate having a first leg and a second leg and a second substantially L-shaped pusher plate having a first leg and a second leg. Each of the second legs of the first and second pusher plates is provided with tubular members on a rear side thereof which permit the first and second pusher plates to be connected via a pair of connector members extending therebetween. If desired, the connector members can be disconnected and a divider plate positioned between the pair of L-shaped plate members so as to form two product receiving spaces between the first and second sidewalls.  
      The first legs of the first and second pusher plates of the pusher sled assembly are each provided with a pair or first and second of spatially disposed track followers which operably engage the first and second rail members extending along an inner surface of the first and second sidewall of the pusher frame. Thus, the first and second track followers cooperate with the first and second rails and the pusher plate biasing assembly to selectively move the pusher plates through the product receiving space of the pusher frame.  
      Exterior sides of the first and second sidewalls are each provided with a pair of spatially disposed guide tracks so that additional sidewalls can be incorporated into the pusher frame of the merchandise display rack of the present invention, whereby additional product receiving spaces are is formed, each containing a pusher assembly constructed in the manner hereinbefore described and which are properly connected between the sidewalls of the pusher frame in the same manner that the pusher assembly is connected between the first and second sidewalls of the pusher frame.  
      An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved merchandise display rack for merchandise display on shelves in retail and wholesale outlets and dispensing shelves in grocery stores and the like.  
      Another object of the present invention, while achieving the before-stated object, is to provide an improved method of displaying and dispensing merchandise in retail and wholesale outlets.  
      Another object of the present invention, while achieving the before-stated objects, is to provide an improved merchandise display rack capable of being adjusted to display products of various weights and sizes.  
      Another object of the present invention, while achieving the before-stated objects, is to provide a merchandise display rack which is economical to manufacture and substantially maintenance free.  
      Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which;  
       FIG. 1  is a fragmental, partially cutaway pictorial representation of a merchandise display rack constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the merchandise display rack of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the merchandise display rack of  FIG. 2  taking along line  3 A- 3 A thereof.  
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the merchandise display rack of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 B- 3 B thereof.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the merchandise display rack of  FIG. 2  taking along  4 - 4  thereof.  
       FIG. 5  is an elevational view of one side of the merchandise display rack, the view being from an outer side of the side.  
       FIG. 6  is a elevational view of the side of  FIG. 5  having a wedge disposed thereunder for providing a slope from the rear of the merchandise display rack towards the front end thereof.  
       FIG. 7  is a fragmental, top elevational view of the merchandise display rack of  FIG. 1  having a plurality of packages of paper plates supported within a product receiving space of the merchandise display rack.  
       FIG. 8  is fragmental, top plan view of a merchandise display rack constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein a divider has been positioned within the product receiving space thereof.  
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view illustrating two merchandise display racks of the present invention utilized together. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown therein is a merchandise display rack  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The merchandise display rack  10  functions to feed a row of merchandise or product forward on a store shelf as merchandise or product at the front of the row of merchandise is removed by a customer. The merchandise display rack  10  includes a pusher frame  12  and a pusher plate assembly  14 . The pusher frame  12  is characterized as having a front end  16 , a rear end  18  ( FIG. 2 ), a first sidewall  20 , a spatially disposed second sidewall  22  and a product receiving space  24  formed between the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  for receiving a row of merchandise or product  26  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). If the merchandise display rack  10  is used in combination with a wire shelf, the pusher frame  12  may also include a bottom  28  for providing a smooth surface over which the merchandise or product can travel as the merchandise or product is moved through the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 . A stop plate assembly  30  is removably connected to the front end  16  of the merchandise display rack  10  for preventing forward movement of the product past the stop plate assembly  30  and to secure the forward most merchandise or product in the row of merchandise or product in a stable position ( FIGS. 2-3B  and  7 - 8 ).  
      In order to move the pusher plate assembly  14  forward along the pusher frame  12  as merchandise or product is removed from a row of merchandise or product supported in the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 , the merchandise display rack  10  also includes a pusher plate biasing assembly  32 . The pusher plate biasing assembly  32  includes a pair of rollers  34  and  36  connected to the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  ( FIGS. 3B and 4 ) and a pair of rollers  38  and  40  connected to the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12  ( FIGS. 3A and 4 ). The rollers  34  and  36  are rotatably connected to the first sidewall  20  such that the rollers  34  and  36  are disposed between the stop plate assembly  30  and the pusher plate assembly  14 . In addition, the rollers  34  and  36  rotatably mounted on the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  are vertically aligned ( FIGS. 3B and 4 ). Similarly, the rollers  38  and  40  are rotatably connected to the second sidewall  22  such that the rollers  38  and  40  are disposed between the stop plate assembly  30  and the pusher plate assembly  14  and the rollers  38  and  40  on the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12  are likewise vertically aligned ( FIGS. 1,3A  and  4 ). Further, the rollers  34  and  36  rotatably mounted on the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  are disposed in a facing relationship and are aligned with the rollers  38  and  40  on the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12 .  
      The pusher plate biasing assembly  32  of the merchandise display rack  10  further includes a first bungee cord  42  disposed along the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 B) and a second bungee cord  44  disposed along the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 A). The first bungee cord  42  operably engages the rollers  34  and  36  rotatably mounted on the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  and the pusher plate assembly  14 ; and the second bungee cord  44  operably engages the rollers  38  and  40  rotatably mounted on the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12  and the pusher plate assembly  14 . As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the first and second bungee cords  42  and  44  cooperate to bias the pusher plate assembly  14  in a forward position relative to the pusher frame  12  of the merchandise display rack  10 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 3A  and  3 B, the first bungee cord  42  is connected to the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  near the rear end  18  of the pusher frame  20  and extends around the roller  34 , around a post or roller  46  supported on the pusher plate assembly  14  ( FIGS. 3B and 4 ), around the roller  36  and back to a connection post or roller  48  attached to the first sidewall  20  near the rear end  18  of the pusher frame  12  substantially as shown in  FIG. 3B . Similarly, the second bungee cord  44  is connected to the second sidewall  22  near the rear end  18  of the pusher frame  12  and extends around the roller  38  supported on the second sidewall  22 , around a post or roller  50  supported on the pusher plate assembly  14 , back around the roller  40  mounted on the second sidewall  22  and back to a connection post or roller  49  attached to the second sidewall  22  near the rear end  18  of the pusher frame  12  substantially as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4 . It should be noted that while the first and second bungee cords  42  and  44  have been shown as an elongated member connected to the respective first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame  12  via connection posts  48  and  49 , the first and second bungee cords  42  and  44  can be continuous members such that the first and second bungee cords are disposed around a post or roller having a circumferential groove formed thereon rather than being connected to the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  via the connection posts  48  and  49 , respectively. Similarly, the post  46  and  50  supported on the pusher plate assembly  14  around which the first and second bungee cords  42  and  44  extend can be a roller having a circumferential groove provided thereon rather than the post as described. The only requirement in the operation of the first and second bungee cords  42  and  44 , and their connection to the rollers  34  and  36 , and  38  and  40 , respectively, is that the first and second bungee cords  42  and  44  are interconnected to the pusher plate assembly  14  so as to bias the pusher plate assembly  14  in a position towards the front end  16  of the pusher frame  12  when merchandise is removed from a row of merchandise supported in the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 .  
      As previously indicated, the pusher plate assembly  14  is slidably mounted on the pusher frame  12  so that the pusher plate assembly  14  moves through the product receiving space  24  towards the front end  16  of the pusher frame  12  when merchandise or product is removed from the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 .  
      To restrict forward movement of the pusher plate assembly  14  through the product receiving space  24  of the pusher frame  12 , the pusher frame  12  further includes pusher stop members  52  and  54  (see  FIGS. 1, 3A  and  3 B). The pusher stop member  52  is connected to the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  such that the pusher stop member  52  is located between and rearward the rollers  34  and  36  of the pusher plate biasing assembly  32 . Similarly, the pusher stop member  54  is connected to the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12  such that the pusher stop member  54  is located between and rearward the rollers  38  and  40  of the pusher plate biasing assembly  32 .  
      The pusher stop member  52  and  54  are disposed opposite one another in a facing relationship and adapted to engage the pusher sled assembly  74  of the pusher plate assembly  14  when the pusher sled assembly  74  of the pusher plate assembly  14  is in the forward most position. Thus, the pusher stop members  52  and  54  prevent the pusher sled assembly  74  of the pusher plate assembly  14  from contacting the pair of rollers  34  and  36  rotatably mounted on the first sidewall  20  and the pair of rollers  38  and  40  mounted on the second sidewall  22 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the pusher frame  12  further includes a rail assembly  60  for supporting and stabilizing the pusher plate assembly  14  as the pusher plate assembly  14  travels along the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 . More specifically, the rail assembly  60  includes a pair of first rail members  62 ,  64  extending along an inner side  66  of the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  and a pair of spatially disposed second rail members  68 ,  70  extending along an inner side  72  of the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12  so as to be substantially aligned with and in a facing relation with the first rail members  62 ,  64 . The first rail member  62 ,  64  are spatially disposed so that the roller  34  and  36  and the first bungee cord  42  are disposed therebetween substantially as shown in  FIG. 3B . Similarly, the second rail members  68 ,  70  are spatially disposed so that the roller  38 ,  40  and the second bungee cord  44  are disposed therebetween substantially as shown in  FIG. 3A .  
      As more clearly shown in  FIGS. 1-3B , and  7 - 9 , the pusher plate assembly  14  includes a pusher sled assembly  74  slidably mounted on the first and second rail members,  62 ,  64  and  68 , 70 , respectively, disposed along the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame  12 . The pusher sled assembly  74  includes a substantially L-shaped first pusher plate  76  having a first leg  78  and a second leg  80  and a substantially L-shaped second pusher plate  81  having a first leg  82  and second leg  84 . As more clearly shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the second leg  80  of the first pusher plate  76  is provided with at least one and desirably, two spatially disposed substantially parallel tubular member  88  and  90  on a rear side thereof; and the second leg  84  of the second pusher plate  81  is are provided with at least one, and desirably two tubular members  92  and  94  on a rear side thereof. The spatially disposed, substantially parallel tubular members  88  and  90  are alignable with the spatially disposed tubular members  92  and  94  whereby the first and second pusher plates  76  and  81  can be connected via a pair of connector members  96  and  98  extending therebetween. The connector members  96  and  98  can be connected to the substantially L-shaped first and second pusher plates  76  and  81  by any suitable connector, such as thumb screws  102  and  104 , so that the first and second pusher plates  76  and  81  are secured in a stable position on the connector members  96  and  98 . If desired, the connector members  96  and  98  can be disconnected and a divider plate  104  positioned between the first and second pusher plates  76  and  81  so as to form two product receiving spaces  106  and  108  between the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame  12  substantially as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
      The first legs  78  and  82  of the first and second pusher plates  76  and  81  of the pusher sled assembly  74  are each provided with a pair of spatially disposed track followers  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  116  which operably engage the first and second rail member  62 ,  64  and  68 ,  70  extending along the inner sides  66  and  72  of the first and second sidewalls  20 ,  22  of the pusher frame  12 . Thus, the track followers  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  116  cooperate with the first and second rails  62 ,  64  and  68 ,  70  and the pusher plate biasing assembly  32  to permit the first and second pusher plates  76  and  81  to be selectively moved through the product receiving space  24  or  106  and  108  of the pusher frame  12 .  
      As more clearly shown in  FIG. 1 ,  4 - 6 , the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12  is provided with a pair of substantially parallel, spatially disposed guide tracks  110 ,  112  on an outer side  122  thereof; and the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12  is provided with a pair of substantially parallel, spatially disposed guide tracks  124 ,  126  on an outer side  128  thereof. Thus, a third sidewall  130  can be incorporated into the pusher frame  12  of the merchandise display rack  10  of the present invention, substantially as shown in  FIG. 9 . By incorporating the third sidewall  122  into the pusher frame  12  an additional product receiving space  131  is formed containing the pusher plate assembly  14  constructed in the manner hereinbefore described and which is slidably disposed between the second and third sidewalls  22  and  130  in the same manner that the pusher plate assembly  14  is slidably disposed between the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22 .  
      As previously stated, the pusher frame  12  of the merchandise display rack  10  can be connected to a conventional store shelf or, if the store shelf is fabricated of a wire mesh material, the pusher frame  12  is provided with a bottom  28  as hereinbefore described. As more clearly shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 , the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame  12  are provided with a foot portion  132  and  134 , respectively, which extends along the length of the first and second sidewalls  20 ,  22 . Thus, when the shelf is a solid shelf, the first and second sidewalls  20 ,  22  of the pusher frame  12  can be connected to the shelf via the foot portions  124  and  126  by any suitable means such as bolts, screws and the like. Further, when the stop plate assembly  30  is fabricated of two components substantially as shown in  FIG. 2 , the width of the product receiving space  24  formed in the pusher frame  12  can be readily adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first and second sidewalls  20 ,  22  of the pusher frame  12  and the distance between the first and second L-shaped pusher plate  76 ,  81  of the pusher sled assembly  74  as herein before described.  
      The merchandise display rack  10  of the present invention can be constructed of any material. However, desirable results can be obtained wherein the first and second sidewalls  20 ,  22  and the pusher plate assembly  14  of the merchandise display rack  10  are constructed of plastic materials. Further, in order to provide a view of the row of merchandise  26  provided in the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 , the stop plate assembly  30  is fabricated of a clear, transparent polymeric material. Further more, in order to enhance movement of the pusher sled assembly  74  along the first and second rail members  62 ,  64  and  68 ,  70  of the rail assembly  60 , it is desirable that at least the track followers  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  116  of the first and second L-shaped pusher plates  76  and  81  be constructed of a self lubricating polymeric material.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates the merchandise display rack  10  supported on a shelf such that the merchandise display rack  10  is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. However,  FIG. 5  shows the use of a wedge  136  in combination with the merchandise display rack  10  so that the merchandise display rack  10  is sloped in a forward direction towards a front edge of the shelf.  
      To employ the merchandise display rack  10  to display merchandise or product on a store shelf, the merchandise display rack  10  is assembled such that the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  are spaced a predetermined distance apart to define the product receiving space  24  adapted to receive and support the products or merchandise therein. The first and second bungee cord  42  and  44  of the pusher plate biasing assembly  32  are operably connected to the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame such that the first bungee cord  42  operably engages the rollers  34  and  36  rotatably mounted on the first sidewall  20  of the pusher frame  12 ; and the second bungee cord  44  operably engages the rollers  38  and  40  rotatably mounted on the second sidewall  22  of the pusher frame  12 . Thereafter, the first and second bungee cords are connected to the pusher plate assembly  14  whereby the pusher plate assembly  14  is biased in a forward position in the product receiving space  24  of the pusher frame  12 . Once the merchandise display rack  10  has been assembled, the merchandise display rack  10  is desirably connected to a shelf by any suitable means, such as bolts, screws, clamps, wires and the like. In connecting the merchandise display rack  10  to the shelf, it is desirable that the front end  16  of the pusher frame  12  be disposed substantially adjacent the front edge of the shelf.  
      In those situations where the shelf is constructed of wire, the pusher frame  12  will desirably contain a bottom  24  for providing a smooth surface over which the merchandise or product can travel as the merchandise or product is moved through the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 .  
      In order to position the merchandise or product in the product receiving space  24  defined between the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame  12 , the stop plate assembly  30  is moved toward the rear-end  18  of the pusher frame  12  and held in place while the desired amount of merchandise or product is aligned in a row within product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 . Once the desired amount of merchandise or product has been positioned within the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display  10 , pressure is removed from the pusher plate assembly  14  whereby the pusher plate assembly  14  is biased in the forward direction in the pusher frame and frictionally engages the product disposed within the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 .  
      As product or merchandise is removed from the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 , the pusher plate assembly  14  moves in a forward direction along the pusher frame  12  and thus moves the remaining merchandise or product in the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10  in a forward direction toward the stop plate assembly  30  connected to the front end  16  of the merchandise display rack  10  for preventing forward movement of the merchandise or product past the stop plate assembly  30  and thereby secure the forward most merchandise or product in the row of merchandise or product in a stable position within the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 .  
      As additional merchandise or product is removed from the product receiving space  24  of the merchandise display rack  10 , and as the pusher plate assembly is moved forward along the pusher frame as merchandise or product is removed from the row of merchandise or product supported in the product receiving space  24  by the pusher plate biasing assembly  32 , the pusher plate assembly  14  engages the pusher stop members  52  and  54  to restrict forward movement of the pusher plate assembly  14  through the product receiving space  24  so as to provide the last row of merchandise or product to be disposed adjacent stop plate assembly  30  while at the same time preventing the pusher plate assembly  14  from engaging the pair of rollers  34  and  36  and  38  and  40  of the pusher plate biasing assembly  32  so as to prevent contact of the pusher sled assembly  74  of the pusher plate assembly  14  from contacting such rollers and causing damage thereto. Once the last item of merchandise and/or product has been removed from the merchandise display rack  10 , additional product can be placed within the product receiving space  24  formed between the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame  12 . However, if merchandise or product of different size are to be positioned within the product receiving space  24  of the pusher frame  12 , the merchandise display rack  10  is removed from the shelf and the width of the product receiving space  12  is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first and second pusher plates  76  and  81  of the pusher sled assembly  74 .  
      When desired, additional sidewalls can be combined with the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22  of the pusher frame assembly  12  so as to provide the merchandise display rack with a plurality of product receiving spaces  12  which may have the same width as that formed between the first and second sidewalls  20  and  22 , or different widths in order to accommodate merchandise and product having different widths.  
      It should be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only, and certain changes may be made therein without departing from the teachings of the written description and the accompanying drawings.