Abstract:
A shelf clip having a first display holder and a second display holder is provided. The clip is configured to clip onto the lip of a shelf of shelving display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/180,840 filed Jun. 17, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N/A 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to a clip for a shelving display that can hold one or more graphic cards or other similar materials in one position, and one or more graphic cards or other similar materials in a second position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    There are limited places for positioning graphics associated with goods on a shelving system. Moreover, because goods are moved around or change, or aspects of the goods can change (such as pricing), it is beneficial to quickly and easily change any advertising or other product information associated with the goods. 
         [0005]    The present system provides an improved shelf clip for use with a shelving system for easily displaying graphics and other information. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a shelf clip for holding advertisements, pricing and other graphic displays. Additionally, the shelf clip can be used to hold a wall that acts as a barrier along the edge of the shelf to prevent goods from falling off the edge of the shelf. In some embodiments, a graphic display can act as a wall. The shelf clip can be a clear or translucent strip of plastic that includes a first holder and a second holder. 
         [0007]    In accordance with one embodiment, a shelf clip comprises a first holder for holding one of a display card and a wall, a clip portion for securing the shelf clip to a shelf, and a second holder for holding a display card. 
         [0008]    The first holder can include a first wall and a second wall connected to the first wall by an arcuate portion. The walls are separated a small distance and form a slot-like opening at the top. The first wall and the second wall of the first holder can be substantially parallel to each other. Alternatively, one or both of the first wall and the second wall of the first holder can be inclined toward the other in order to grip the display card or wall. The walls of the first holder can be substantially vertical when the shelf clip is secured to a shelf. 
         [0009]    The first holder is designed to hold one or more display cards or other similar materials. Alternatively, the first holder can be used to hold a wall to prevent goods from falling off the shelf. 
         [0010]    The second holder can also include a first wall and a second wall connected to the first wall by an arcuate portion. Similarly, the first wall and the second wall of the second holder can be substantially parallel to each other, or alternatively, inclined toward each other to better grip the display card. Unlike the first holder, the second holder can be inclined at an angle with respect to the first holder. Typically, the second holder is angled upward so that a consumer can read a price or label related to goods on the shelf. 
         [0011]    The clip portion can include a first wall and a second wall connected by a top wall. In some embodiments, the first wall of the clip portion is the second wall of the first holder. The first wall of the clip portion can include an upwardly inclined hook portion extending from a bottom portion of the first wall. Similarly, the second wall of the clip portion can include an upwardly inclined hook portion extending from a bottom portion of the second wall. The hook portions help the clip portion grip the lip of the shelf. 
         [0012]    The shelf clip can be formed from plastic or other similar materials. The plastic can be transparent or translucent. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another embodiment, a shelf clip for holding display materials comprises a first display holder for holding a first display card, a clip portion integrally connected to the first display holder for securing the shelf clip to a shelf, and a second display holder integrally connected to the clip portion for holding a second display card. The first display holder can be positioned to hold the first display card in a substantially vertical position and the second display holder can be positioned to hold the second display card at an angle with respect to the first display card. 
         [0014]    The clip portion can include a front clip wall and a back clip wall. The back clip wall can be the second wall of the first display holder. 
         [0015]    Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the Figures and are described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shelf clip positioned on a lip of shelf, with a partial perspective cross-sectional view midway on the shelf, with a graphic display in a first graphic holder of the clip in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shelf clip of  FIG. 1  with a graphic display in a second graphic holder of the clip; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shelf clip of  FIG. 1 , with a partial perspective cross-sectional view midway on the shelf, with a product blocking fence in the first graphic holder of the clip; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an end of the shelf clip of  FIG. 1  removed from the lip of the shelf; and, 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0023]    The present invention is directed to a shelf clip that can be used to hold a first graphic card or similar material, and a second graphic card or similar material. The clip is designed to connect to a lip of a shelf. The clip can hold advertising, pricing information or other information or graphics. Additionally, the clip can be used to provide a wall to contain goods on the shelf. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a clip  10  in accordance with the present invention connected to a lip  12  of a shelf  14 . The clip  10  is formed from a clear or transparent plastic, or similar material, and spans from one side of the shelf  14  to the other side of the shelf  14 . A first graphic card or display  18  is shown in a first holder  20  of the clip. The clip  10  can hold a plurality of graphic cards in the first holder  20 . Moreover, the graphic cards can be of various widths and heights. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a graphic card  18  in a second holder  22  of the clip  10 . As evident in the Figures, the first graphic card holder  20  holds the graphic card  18  in a vertical position, while the second holder  22  holds the graphic card at an angle with respect to the first holder. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates use of the first holder  20  of the clip  10  holding a wall or fence  24  of clear plastic (the wall  24  can be also be formed from another similar material) that spans the length of the shelf  14 . The wall  24  prevents goods  26  from falling off the shelf  14 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in end view of  FIG. 4  and the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5 , the first display holder  20  is positioned at the back of the clip  10 , and is formed from two substantially parallel walls  27 ,  28  connected at a lower end by an arcuate portion  30 . The first holder  20  includes an open top  32  where one or more displays  18  (e.g., cards, advertisements, pricing, etc.) or walls  24  can be inserted. The parallel walls  27 ,  28  are generally vertical (when properly positioned on a shelf lip). While the walls  27 ,  28  are shown as vertical and substantially parallel to each other, one or both can be positioned to slant toward the other. This enables the first holder  20  to essentially pinch or grip any materials inserted into the holder  20 . Typically, the clip  10  is formed from plastic or other similar material that has some flexibility. This flexibility allows for the walls  27 ,  28  to be pushed apart to insert a display or wall, and then flex back to hold the display  18  or wall  24  in place. 
         [0028]    The top of the inner wall  28  of the first holder  20  is connected to a first end of a generally horizontal top wall  34 . The top wall  34  extends away from the opening  32  of the first holder  20  to both an inwardly angled front clip wall  36  and an outwardly angled first wall  38  of the second display holder  22 . 
         [0029]    The first wall  28  of the second display holder  22  is connected to an arcuate portion  40  at a lower end which is in turn connected to a second wall  42  of the second display holder  22 . The first wall  38  and the second wall  42  of the second display holder  22  are shown as substantially parallel and form a top opening  44 . Again, one or both walls can be slanted toward the other to better grip any display positioned in the holder  22 . The entire holder  22  is angled or inclined outward (i.e., from top to bottom) from the clip  10 . 
         [0030]    The inwardly angled (again, from top to bottom) front wall clip  36  cooperates with the second wall  28  of the first display holder  20  and the top wall  34 , to fit over the lip  12  of the shelf  14  to clip or secure the clip  10  to the shelf  14 . To facilitate this, the front clip wall  36  includes a lower hook portion  46  extending upwardly and inwardly from the bottom of the front clip wall  36 , and the second wall  28  of the first display holder  20  includes a lower hook portion  48  extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom of the second wall  28 . A downwardly facing opening  50  is defined between the hook portions  46 ,  48 . Because the front clip wall  36  is angled toward the vertical first wall  28  of the first holder  20 , it can flex about the lip  12  of the shelf  14  to allow the clip  10  to grip the shelf lip  12  when in place. 
         [0031]    Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.