Patent Publication Number: US-2015068991-A1

Title: Retail merchandise pusher

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/875,290 filed Sep. 9, 2013, the entire application of which, is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to retail merchandise displays. More particularly, the present invention relates to self-facing retail merchandise displays being used for biasing retail merchandise forward, wherein each self-facing retail merchandise display can be easily adjusted to accommodate a variety of merchandise widths. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing products or merchandise in numerous types of retail establishments, such as grocery stores and drug stores. Many stores simply employ shelves on which merchandise is stocked. In such stores, for the shelves which are not at eye level, it is difficult for the customer to see the items being displayed if they are not located adjacent the front edge of the shelf. Therefore, it is desirable for merchandise to be displayed at the front of the shelf so that the customer can see the merchandise and can be induced to purchase such merchandise. Also, such shelves make it difficult to rotate merchandise, i.e., move the older stock to the front of the shelf and position newer stock behind the older stock. Rotating merchandise is an important consideration if the merchandise is perishable or is subject to becoming stale. 
     Numerous forward feed devices have been proposed to automatically move an article of merchandise forward on a shelf, as the article is removed. These devices generally fall into one of three categories. The first category includes inclined tracks, which rely on gravity to feed, slide or roll articles of merchandise forward. A second category employs conveyor belts, which still use gravity to effect forward movement. A third category, that has become popular in recent years, uses spring biased paddles in a pusher system to feed the merchandise forward on a horizontally oriented shelf. Such pusher systems have been found useful in a variety of merchandising applications. 
     Some forward feed devices of the spring biased paddle category include a tray arranged to receive a plurality of merchandise items in a front-to-back column with a spring actuated pusher body arrangement at the back of the column for automatically moving the column of merchandise forward each time an article of merchandise is removed from the front of the display. This provides a more sales-attractive display by keeping the merchandise always available at the front of the display where it is easily seen and easily removed. Accordingly, when a customer removes the leading most item of merchandise from the linear row of merchandise, the pusher body arrangement will be drawn forward by the spring to index the row of merchandise forward so that the next item of merchandise in the row is positioned proximate the leading edge of the track in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Such automatic front facing eliminates the necessity for retail store employees to manually face the merchandise, and thus ultimately reduces the cost of labor of the retailer. 
     Typically, a plurality of pusher bodies and their corresponding tracks are arranged in a side by side manner along the shelf. Each pusher body and its corresponding track are separated by one or more divider walls to maintain a plurality of generally straight rows of merchandise that run from the front to the back of the shelf. In some prior art designs, the divider walls can be separate from the track. In other prior art designs, the divider walls can be integrated into the track to create a one piece design; for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,766 includes such a design. 
     Inasmuch as products or merchandise sold in such displays come in various sizes and shapes, some forward feed devices of the prior art provide for width-adjustability of the trays to accommodate different types of merchandise. In some prior art designs, the divider walls are slideably mounted on the rail or similar mounting member. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,367 and U.S. Patent Publication 2013/0112634, include such designs. 
     However, pusher systems of the prior art oftentimes require complicated assembly and maintenance by retail personal; a factor which inhibits efficient sales and results in added costs to consumers. Additionally, there are certain retail environments which present particularly harsh environments to mechanical components and can interfere with normal operation of forward feed devices. Accordingly, what is needed in the industry is a low cost, easy to operate, and relatively maintenance free apparatus for biasing retail merchandise forward in a retail setting, which is capable of operating in a wide range of environmental conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to a low cost, easy to operate, and relatively maintenance free retail merchandise pusher which allows a plurality of articles of merchandise aligned in a column to be displayed in a compact and orderly fashion at the point of sale. In operation, the retail merchandise pusher continuously biases merchandise forward to the front of a shelf or the like. A transparent stop provided by the present invention secures the merchandise in place while providing increased visibility and accessibility to potential purchasers. To aid in the ease of operation and low maintenance, assembly of the present invention can be assembled without the use of a screwdriver or any other tools. Additionally, because of the simplicity in design, the present invention is capable of operating a wide range of environments, including those of which are particularly harsh and could otherwise cause the sliding mechanism of the pusher system to seize. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention includes a frame assembly, one or more guide rails, a pusher paddle, a spring, a front stop, a first and second divider support, and at least one divider. The frame assembly has a front end, a back end and two sides, and provides a support surface to a plurality of articles of merchandise in a front-to-back column. The two sides of the frame assembly are each defined a by guide rail having a substantially “L” shaped cross-section. The pusher paddle is interposed between the front end and back end of the frame assembly and is mounted to the frame assembly in a manner in which it can slide back and forth between the front end and back end of the frame assembly. The pusher paddle has at least one “C” shaped slot, which is sized to accommodate a portion of the substantially “L” shaped cross-section of the guide rail within the slot. The pusher paddle further includes a spring of sufficient force to move the column of articles of merchandise forward on the frame assembly, so that when a customer removes the leading most item of merchandise from the column of merchandise, the pusher paddle will be forced forward by the spring so that the next item of merchandise in the column is positioned proximate the front of the frame assembly. The front stop coupled to the front end of the frame assembly provides a front stop to the column of articles of merchandise. The first and second divider supports are fixedly coupled to the frame assembly proximate the front end and the back ends of the frame assembly. The at least one divider is slideably coupled to the first and second divider supports. The at least one divider provides lateral support to the column of articles of merchandise along the side of the frame assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention includes at least one hole defined in the at least one of the guide rails. The hole sized to receive a locking device which prevents the pushing paddle from sliding off the back of the frame assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention has first and second divider supports with a plurality of ribs configured to allow the at least one divider to be selectively coupled and removed, while providing sufficient resistive frictional force to hold the at least one divider in position when coupled. In one embodiment, the ribs are shaped as alternating half cylinders to form a channel which provides sufficient resistive frictional force to hold the at least one divider in position when coupled, while still allowing for adjustment. In another embodiment, the divider support includes at least one boss that increase the friction between the divider support and a portion of the at least one divider at the slidable coupling. 
     The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a retail merchandise pusher providing support to one or a column of merchandise in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a retail merchandise pusher in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a retail merchandise pusher in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a retail merchandise pusher in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a retail merchandise pusher in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a retail merchandise pusher in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of a retail merchandise pusher in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed isometric view of a frame assembly and pusher paddle C-channel coupling in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed isometric view of the bottom of a frame assembly, divider and divider support as assembled in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed isometric view the divider support in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed isometric view of a frame assembly, divider and divider support as assembled in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed isometric view of a frame assembly, divider and divider support as assembled in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a frame assembly, pusher paddle, and dividers as assembled in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a pusher paddle in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 15-17  are detailed isometric views of the guide rails with a hole and locking device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a detailed isometric view of the front stop assembly in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have by shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  is a retail merchandise pusher  100  according to an embodiment of the invention as depicted. The retail merchandise pusher  100  provides a support surface to one or more articles of merchandise  200  in a front-to-back column  202 . The retail merchandise pusher  100  can include a frame assembly  2 , one or more guide rails  4 , a pusher paddle  6 , a spring  8 , a front stop  10 , one or more divider support  12 , and one or more divider  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-8 , in one example embodiment of the invention, frame assembly  2  is defined by opposing guide rails  4 A and  4 B, the guide rails being substantially parallel one another. Rails  4 A and  4 B can be constructed of any suitable material, such as sheet metal. In one embodiment, guide rails  4 A and  4 B can have a substantially “L” shaped cross-section. 
     In one embodiment, guide rails  4 A and  4 B are supported by end ties  16 A and  16 B. End tie  16 A fixedly couples guide rail  4 A to guide rail  4 B proximate the front  18  of frame assembly  2 , while end tie  16 B fixedly couples guide rail  4 A to guide rail  4 B proximate the back  20  of frame assembly  2 . One or more slide rods  22 A and  22 B can be interposed between guide rails  4 A and  4 B. In one embodiment, the invention can have two slide rods  22 A and  22 B. Slide rods  22 A and  22 B can provide an additional support surface to one or more articles of merchandise  200  and aid in aligning pusher paddle  6  while in use. The end ties  16 A and  16 B and slide rods  22 A and  22 B can be constructed of any suitable material, including a solid metal rod or hollow tubing. In one embodiment, end ties  16 A and  16 B, slide rods  22 A and  22 B and rails  4 A and  4 B can be welded together to form frame assembly  2 . 
     In one embodiment, guide rails  4 A and  4 B are spaced apart by a first divider support  12 A and second divider support  12 B. First divider support  12 A can be positioned proximate a first end of frame assembly  2  (for example, the front  18  of frame assembly  2 ), while second divider support can be proximate the opposite end of frame assembly  2  (for example, the back  20  of frame assembly  2 ). Divider support  12 A and  12 B can be constructed of any suitable material, including injection molded plastic. Retail merchandise pusher  100  includes at least one divider  14 . Divider  14  is configured to provide lateral support to merchandise  200  housed within retail merchandise pusher  100 . Divider  14  can be constructed of any suitable material, such as a solid metal rod. Divider  14  can be selectively slideably coupled to the first and second divider supports  12 A and  12 B. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-12 , each divider support  12  has a bottom surface  28 . Bottom surface  28  can be configured to accommodate mounting tape, magnets, Velcro, or felt for the purpose of providing attachment to a surface in a retail environment. The interior of each divider support  12  can be characterized by a plurality of divider support ribs  30 . In one embodiment, ribs  30  can be alternating half cylinders. Together the plurality of divider support ribs  30  and other portions of the divider support  12  form a channel  32 . Channel  32  is appropriately sized to receive a portion of divider  14 . Channel  32  allows at least one divider  14  to be selectively coupled to and removed from divider support  12 , while providing sufficient resistive frictional force to hold divider  14  in position when coupled, yet allow for adjustment. In one embodiment, the interior of divider channel  32  can also be characterized by a plurality of bosses  34 . Bosses  34  provide additional friction to hold divider  14  in position, yet allow for adjustment, when coupled. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , each divider  14  can have a top portion  35  two vertical spacing portions  36 A and  36 B, and two end portions  38 A and  38 B. In one embodiment, vertical spacing portions  36 A and  36 B can be orthogonally angled to top portion  35 , and end portions  38 A and  38 B can be orthogonal angled to vertical spacing portions  36 A and  36 B. End portions  38 A and  38 B can also be orthogonal angled relative to top portion  35 . 
     End portions  38 A and  38 B can be sized to be selectively inserted into channel  32 . For example, referring again to  FIG. 11 , end portion  38 A can be inserted into channel  32  on first divider support  12 A. Additionally, end portion  38 B can be inserted into channel  32  on second divider support  12 B. In one embodiment, top portion  34 , when coupled to frame assembly  2 , runs substantially parallel to guide rail  4 . Top portion  35  can be spaced vertically above guide rail  4  by vertical spacing portions  36 A and  36 B. In this manner, divider  14  can to provide lateral support to the column of merchandise  202  above frame assembly  2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-14 , pusher paddle  6  can be slideably mounted to frame assembly  2  and interposed between the front  18  of frame assembly  2 , and the back  20  of frame assembly  2 . Pusher paddle  6  can be constructed of any suitable material, such as injection molded plastic. Pusher paddle  6  can include a spring  8  appropriately sized and configured to apply pressure to the rear of a column of articles of merchandise, thereby urging the column of articles of merchandise forward in the retail merchandise pusher. In one embodiment, a portion of spring  8  can be mounted on the aft of pusher paddle  6  proximate slide rods  22 A and  22 B for the purpose of reducing binding friction and allowing pusher paddle  6  to slide easier along frame assembly  3 . In one embodiment, spring  6  can be coupled to pusher paddle  6  by one or more of spring retention slots  40 . The at least one spring retention slot  40  is positioned toward the back edge  42  of pusher paddle  6 , so as minimize any frictional binding between pusher paddle  6  and frame assembly  3 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , pusher paddle  6  can be configured with one or more substantially “C” shaped slots  44  for coupling to the guide rails  4  of frame assembly  2 . The “C” shaped slots  44 , have a interior surface  46 , which surrounds a portion of the cross-section of guide rail  4  on three sides, thereby providing vertical and lateral support for pusher paddle  6 . Accordingly, the “C” shaped slots provide guidance for the pusher paddle  6  as it moves along the guide rails by preventing the pusher paddle  6  from binding, seizing, or moving laterally too far to either side during operation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-17 , in one embodiment, pusher paddle  6  can be assembled with frame assembly  3  by sliding pusher paddle  6  onto guide rails  4 A and  4 B at the back  20  of frame assembly  2 . After assembly, the pusher paddle can be locked onto frame assembly  2 . For example, in one embodiment, frame assembly  3  can include one or more hole  24  formed in either or both guide rails  4 A and  4 B. Each hole  24  can be sized to accommodate a locking device  26  to prevent the pusher paddle  6  from sliding off guide rails  4 A and  4 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , front stop  10  is coupled to the front  18  of frame assembly  2  and provides a front stop to the column of articles of merchandise  202 . In one embodiment, front stop  10  is at least partially transparent to allow an improved visibility of articles of merchandise  200 . Front stop  10  can be coupled to frame assembly  2  by end tie  16 A. At least a portion of end tie  16 A can extend into holes  48  defined in front stop  10 . End tie  16 A can be held in position by boss  50  formed on front stop  10 . In one embodiment, this connection can be referred to as a bump-snap fit. 
     The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.