Patent Description:
Shelving assemblies are used to display retail products. One particular shelving assembly is a slant-back shelving system that provides a slanted back. These shelving assemblies find particular use for displaying produce within a refrigerated case. These shelving assemblies may also be referred to as rack systems.

One issue with these types of these types of shelving assemblies is that if an insufficient amount of product is located on the shelves thereof, the appearance to the consumer is diminished. As such, it is preferred to present the products on the shelving assembly in a "fully stocked" presentation.

However, different retail establishments have different amounts of consumer traffic and thus need to be able to display different amounts of product to meet the demands of the corresponding consumer traffic. Unfortunately, in the past, this required different sized retail establishments to purchase different sized shelving units to provide the desired fully stocked presentation.

<CIT> discloses a weight-driven pusher for product on a gravity-fed display shelf includes a weighted frame. A front plate is mounted on the frame and manually adjustable in upper reach relative to the frame to accommodate product of varying height and preclude product from tipping rearwardly over the pusher. A leg assembly is retractably mounted on the frame adjacent the bottom thereof and biased to project rearwardly from the frame to preclude product from tipping the pusher over backwards.

Embodiments of the invention provides improvements over the current state of the art. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.

Aspects of the present invention are set out in the appended claims, Optional features are set out in the dependent claims.

In one example, a rack system including a support frame, one or more shelves and a backing wall is provided.

In a first aspect, a rack system including a support frame, first and second shelves, and a backing wall is provided. The first shelf is mounted to the support frame. The first shelf has a first product support deck extending between a front end and a rear end. The second shelf is mounted to the support frame. The second shelf has a second product support deck. The first and second shelves are vertically spaced with the second shelf being vertically above the first shelf. The backing wall has a wall portion mounted to the first shelf. The wall portion extends vertically between the first and second shelves. Some gap is permitted in some embodiments. The backing wall is adjustably positionable between the front and rear end of the first product support deck to adjust a spacing between the wall portion and the front end of the first product support deck. The wall portion of the backing wall includes an array of apertures formed therethrough. The array of apertures is formed from a first portion of apertures laterally offset from a second portion of apertures. The wall portion has a column of second apertures positioned between the first and second portions. The apertures of the array of apertures have a first diameter. The apertures of the column of second apertures having a second diameter different than the first diameter. The wall portion includes a first panel portion and a second panel portion mounted adjacent the first panel portion. The first panel portion includes a column of mounting apertures. The second panel portion includes at least one positioning stud sized to be received in the apertures of the column of mounting apertures to adjust the positioning of the second panel portion relative to the first panel portion to adjust the vertical height of the backing wall.

In one embodiment, the wall portion extends at an angle of between zero and <NUM> degrees relative to vertical when the first product support deck is substantially horizontal.

In one embodiment, the angle at which the wall portion is positioned relative to vertical is adjustable.

According to the invention the wall portion includes a first panel portion and a second panel portion mounted adjacent the first panel portion. A position of the second panel portion relative to the first panel portion is adjustable to adjust a vertical height of the backing wall.

In one embodiment, the backing wall further includes a pair of opposed supports at opposed ends of the wall portion, the opposed supports maintaining the wall portion in an upright orientation relative to the first product support deck.

In one embodiment, the opposed supports have a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the supports extending at a non-zero, non-perpendicular angle relative to a front face of the wall portion.

In one embodiment, the backing wall includes a front lip positioned forward of the wall portion, a top surface of the front lip being substantially parallel to the first product support deck of the first shelf.

According to the invention, the backing wall includes at least one mounting hook that has a downward extending portion and a horizontal extending portion; and the product support deck of the first shelf includes a first aperture formed therein, the downward extending portion extending through the first aperture with the forward extending portion extending under the product support deck.

In one embodiment, the backing wall further includes a downward extending alignment post that extends generally parallel to the downward extending portion of the mounting hook. The product support deck includes a second aperture formed therein. The alignment post extending through the second aperture.

In one embodiment, the mounting hook is configured such that the horizontal extending portion extends through the first aperture when mounting the backing wall to the product support deck and then the backing wall is pivoted relative to the product support deck as the downward extending portion is positioned within the first aperture. The pivoting action positions the horizontal extending portion at least partially offset from the aperture.

According to the invention, the first panel portion includes the column of second apertures. The second panel portion includes at least one positioning stud sized to be received in the apertures of the column of second apertures to adjust the positioning of the second panel portion relative to the first panel portion to adjust the vertical height of the backing wall.

In one embodiment, the first and second shelves are mounted to the support frame in a cantilevered orientation.

In one embodiment, the support frame is substantially vertically oriented.

In one embodiment, the vertical spacing between the first and second shelves is adjustable.

In one embodiment, the second shelf extends between a front end and a rear end. The front end of the second shelf is positioned rearward of the front end of the first shelf.

In one embodiment, a product display zone above the product support deck of the first shelf is defined by the front end of the first shelf and the wall portion of the backing wall. The product display zone is adjustable by adjusting the position of the wall portion toward or away from the front end of the first shelf.

In one embodiment, a horizontal position of the backing wall relative to the first shelf is adjustable.

In one embodiment, at least one divider is positioned at least in part forward of the backing wall and vertically between the first and second shelves. The divider separates the product display zone into two separate product display zones.

In one embodiment, at least one divider extending at least in part forward of the backing wall and vertically between the first and second shelves.

In one embodiment, the support frame is mountable within a refrigerated case. The support frame is configured to be mounted in a vertical orientation or a canted orientation relative to the refrigerated case.

In one embodiment, a front stop is positioned adjacent the front end of the first shelf. A product display zone is formed between the front stop and the wall portion of the backing wall.

In one embodiment, the wall portion of the backing wall extends at an angle relative to the first product support deck of between ninety and fifty-five degrees.

In one embodiment, the first product support deck extends at an angle relative to horizontal such that the first product support deck slants upward from the front end toward the rear end.

In one embodiment, the support frame includes a hanger arrangement for hanging the support frame.

In one embodiment, a second backing wall having a second wall portion mounted to the second shelf is provided. The second backing wall is adjustably positionable between a front and rear end of the second product support deck to adjust a spacing between the second wall portion and the front end of the second product support deck.

In one embodiment, a divider is positioned laterally between the first and second backing walls.

In one embodiment, the divider has a main divider body and a pair of mounting feet. One mounting foot is positioned forward of the second backing wall and one mounting foot is positioned rearward of the second backing wall.

In one embodiment, the mounting feet laterally overlap with the second backing wall such that the mounting feet form a space therebetween in which an end portion of the second backing wall is positioned.

In one embodiment, the second backing wall has a base having a first depth in the front to back direction. The pair of mounting feet have a spacing in the front to back direction. The spacing is greater than the first depth to allow for front to back adjustment of the position of the second backing wall relative to the support deck between the pair of mounting feet.

According to the invention, a method of assembling a rack system is provided. The method includes attaching a first shelf to a support frame. The first shelf has a first product support deck extending between a front end and a rear end. The method includes attaching a second shelf to the support frame. The second shelf has a second product support deck. The first and second shelves are vertically spaced with the second shelf being vertically above the first shelf. The method includes mounting a backing wall having a wall portion to the first shelf. The wall portion extends vertically between the first and second shelves. The backing wall is adjustably positionable between the front and rear end of the first product support deck to adjust a spacing between the wall portion and the front end of the first product support deck.

In one method, the backing wall may be mounted to the first shelf in at least a first position and a second position, the first position locating the wall portion closer to the front end than the second position such that a smaller amount of the first support deck is exposed forward of the wall portion in the first position than in the second position. Mounting the backing wall includes mounting the backing wall in the first position.

In one method, the method includes mounting a second backing wall having a second wall portion to the second shelf. The second wall portion extends vertically upward from the second shelf. The second backing wall is adjustably positionable between a front and rear end of the second product support deck to adjust a spacing between the second wall portion and the front end of the second product support deck. The spacing between the front end of the first shelf and the wall portion is different than the spacing between the front end of the second shelf and the second wall portion.

In one embodiment, the method includes mounting a second backing wall having a second wall portion to the second shelf. The second wall portion extends vertically upward from the second shelf. The second backing wall is adjustably positionable between a front and rear end of the second product support deck to adjust a spacing between the second wall portion and the front end of the second product support deck. Spacing between the rear end of the first shelf and the wall portion is different than spacing between the rear end of the second shelf and the second wall portion.

In one method, the method includes mounting a divider to the first product support deck. The divider extends forward of the backing wall.

In one method, the method includes mounting a second backing wall having a second wall portion to the second shelf. The second wall portion extends vertically upward from the second shelf. The second backing wall is adjustably positionable between a front and rear end of the second product support deck to adjust a spacing between the second wall portion and the front end of the second product support deck. The method includes mounting a divider to the first product support deck. The divider extends forward of the backing wall and the second backing wall. The divider is positioned laterally between the first and second backing walls.

In one method, the divider includes a pair of mounting feet. Mounting the divider includes locating one mounting foot forward of the backing wall and locating one mounting foot rearward of the backing wall.

Turning now to the figures, <FIG> illustrates a racking system <NUM> for displaying merchandise. The racking system <NUM> finds particular use for displaying produce and even more particular use in displaying produce within a refrigerated case <NUM> (see <FIG>). The racking system <NUM> is configurable to tailor the system for displaying varying amounts of product while maintaining the appearance that the racking system <NUM> is fully stocked with product.

The racking system <NUM> includes a support frame <NUM> that supports a plurality of shelves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> operably mounted thereto. The shelves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are vertically spaced apart. While four shelves are illustrated more or fewer shelves may be incorporated into other racking systems.

The shelves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially identical except for their front to back depth (e.g. depth between a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM> as illustrated with reference bottom most shelf <NUM> in <FIG>).

The support fame <NUM> may be mounted in a substantially vertical orientation or in a canted orientation. When mounting in a canted orientation, a spacer bracket <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be provided that will push the bottom end of the support frame <NUM> outward away from any wall to which the support frame <NUM> is mounted, e.g. a wall <NUM> of the refrigerated case of <FIG> in front of which the racking system <NUM> is mounted. The spacer bracket <NUM> is not in use in <FIG>.

The support frame <NUM> can include mounting features for mounting. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting features are in the form of hangers <NUM>. Other embodiments could use pegs, fasteners, etc..

In this embodiment, the shelves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted to the support frame <NUM> in a cantilevered orientation. Optionally, the shelves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are vertically adjustable relative to the support frame <NUM>. This allows for adjusting the vertical spacing therebetween to better tailor the racking system for the various products being displayed.

Each shelf <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has a product support deck (see e.g. product support deck <NUM> of shelf <NUM>) extending between the front end and rear end of the corresponding shelf. Preferably, the product support deck <NUM> includes a plurality of apertures <NUM> formed therethrough.

The product support decks <NUM> may be mounted such that they slant upward when moving in a front to rear direction, substantially horizontal or with a slight downward slant when moving in the front to rear direction.

To provide for reconfiguration of the racking system <NUM>, a plurality of backing walls <NUM> are provided. In the illustrated configuration, each shelf <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> includes a plurality of backing walls <NUM> mounted thereon. In other embodiments, a single backing wall <NUM> having a width substantially equal to the width of the shelf <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided.

As the backing walls are generally identical, backing walls <NUM> on the bottom shelf <NUM> will be described. The backing wall <NUM>, and particularly a wall portion <NUM> thereof, extend vertically upward from support deck <NUM>.

The backing walls <NUM> are adjustably positionable between the front end <NUM> and rear end <NUM> of the shelves as illustrated by arrow <NUM>. By adjusting the front to back positioning of the backing walls <NUM> (e.g. toward or away from the front or rear ends <NUM>, <NUM>), a product display zone <NUM> above the support deck <NUM> defined between the front end <NUM> (and particularly front stop <NUM>) and backing wall <NUM> (and particularly wall portion <NUM>) can be adjusted.

This allows the product display zone <NUM> to be tailored to the particular amount of merchandise that will typically be displayed on the particular shelf. This finds particular use for low-volume retailers that want their shelves to appear fully stocked without a large volume of product on the showroom floor. For example, the backing wall <NUM> can be positioned closer to the front end <NUM> to reduce the size of the product display zone <NUM> such that less than the full possible product display zone <NUM> is exposed.

With reference to shelf <NUM> and the corresponding backing wall <NUM>, in a preferred embodiment, the wall portion <NUM> extends at an angle α of between about <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees (e.g. about <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees from perfectly vertical when the shelf is horizontal) relative to the product support deck <NUM>. In a preferred, but optional embodiment, the angle α is adjustable.

With reference to <FIG>, a backing wall <NUM> is illustrated. The backing wall <NUM> includes a base <NUM> that defines a bottom <NUM> that sits on the product support deck <NUM> when mounted to shelf <NUM>.

A pair of opposed supports <NUM> at opposed ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the wall portion <NUM>. The supports <NUM> help support the wall portion <NUM> in an upright position. As used herein, "upright" shall include orientations having a vertical component to its orientation and does not require being perfectly vertically oriented.

With reference to <FIG>, the wall portion <NUM> can be formed from a plurality of panel portions <NUM>, <NUM>. Panel portion <NUM> is attached to and extends laterally between supports <NUM>. Panel portion <NUM> is adjustably positionable relative to the first panel portion <NUM> to adjust a vertical height H1 of the backing wall <NUM>, represented by arrow <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment (see also <FIG>), an attachment arrangement is provided between the panel portions <NUM>, <NUM>. In this embodiment, the attachment arrangement is provided by a forward projecting stud in the form of attachment projection <NUM> extending forward from a front of panel portion <NUM> that cooperates with a plurality of apertures <NUM> formed through panel portion <NUM>. The plurality of apertures <NUM> are formed in a column and are vertically spaced. As such, the height H1 of the backing wall <NUM> depends on which aperture in which the attachment projection <NUM> engages.

With reference to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the apertures <NUM> have a central axis <NUM> extending through panel portion <NUM> that is not perpendicular to the front surface thereof. In this embodiment, axis <NUM> extends at a non-perpendicular angle α2 relative to the front surface of panel portion <NUM>. Angle α2 may be, in some embodiments, between zero (<NUM>) degrees and <NUM> degrees. More preferably, angle α2 is at least five (<NUM>) degrees. The angle α2 helps secure attachment projection <NUM> within the aperture <NUM>.

Stud <NUM> may have an enlarged head that is sized larger than the diameter of aperture <NUM> to further improve securement.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the height H2 of panel portion <NUM> is less than or equal to the height H3 of panel portion <NUM> such that panel portion <NUM> can stowed behind panel portion <NUM> when the backing wall <NUM> is in its shortest configuration, e.g. as illustrated in <FIG>. It is noted that attachment projection <NUM> is used to secure panel portion <NUM> to panel portion <NUM> even in this shortest configuration illustrated in <FIG> illustrates the backing wall <NUM> in its tallest configuration.

Further, width W1 of panel portion <NUM> is smaller than the width W2 formed between the opposed supports <NUM>. Again, this facilitates stowing the panel portion <NUM> when the additional height provided thereby is not needed.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the backing wall <NUM> defines mounting channels <NUM> in which the opposed ends <NUM> of panel portion <NUM> are received. The panel portion <NUM> is slideable within the channels <NUM> when adjusting the position of panel portion <NUM> relative to panel portion <NUM>.

Panel portion <NUM> has an outer rim that has a greater thickness than the rest of the panel portion <NUM>. This rim provides increased strength. The thickness is configured for easy sliding motion of the panel portion <NUM> within channels <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the outer rim extends substantially around the entire periphery of panel portion <NUM>, except at tab region <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the channels are formed by laterally inward extending flanges <NUM> that extend inward from inner surfaces of opposed supports <NUM>. The flanges <NUM> provide support to the rear of the panel portion <NUM> and prevent attachment projection <NUM> from inadvertently disengaging from the desired aperture <NUM>.

In some embodiments, panel portion <NUM> is flexible such that when the height is desired to be adjusted, the user can flex the middle region of panel portion <NUM> so that projection <NUM> does not engage apertures <NUM>. When in the desire position relative to panel portion <NUM>, the user can release the middle region and engage projection <NUM> with the corresponding aperture <NUM>. The slanted axis <NUM> helps secure projection <NUM> in engagement with aperture <NUM>.

In this embodiment, base <NUM> extends forward of the front surface of wall portion <NUM> and particularly panel portion <NUM> forming a front lip <NUM>. In other embodiments, the front lip <NUM> need not be included. In a preferred embodiment, the top surface of the front lip <NUM> is parallel to the product support deck <NUM> of the shelf on which the backing wall <NUM> is mounted.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the backing wall <NUM> includes a plurality of mounting hooks <NUM> for securing the backing wall <NUM> to the corresponding shelf and particularly the product support deck thereof. Mounting hook <NUM> includes a downward extending portion <NUM> and horizontally extending portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, horizontally extending portion <NUM> extends in a forward direction relative to downward extending portion <NUM>.

The downward extending portion <NUM> is generally perpendicular to the bottom of base <NUM> as well as product support deck <NUM>. However, this is not required. The downward extending portion <NUM> extends through apertures <NUM> formed through product support deck <NUM>. The horizontally extending portion <NUM> extends outward from the downward extending portion <NUM> and under the product support deck <NUM>.

Preferably, the horizontally extending portion <NUM> extends a sufficient distance from the downward extending portion <NUM> such that at least a portion of the horizontally extending portion <NUM> is offset from aperture <NUM> when in a mounted state. This is illustrated in <FIG> as distal end <NUM> of horizontally extending portion <NUM> is offset from aperture <NUM> and is positioned under a portion of product support deck <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a downward extending alignment post <NUM> may be provided to further secure the backing wall <NUM> to the shelf. With additional reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> may include one or more apertures <NUM> through which the alignment post <NUM> may extend. This is particularly useful if the alignment post <NUM> is in the form of a push pin that provides some engagement with the support deck <NUM> when inserted through corresponding holes <NUM> thereof when mounting backing wall <NUM> thereto.

Push pin <NUM> may have enlarged head sized larger than apertures <NUM> to provide increased securement. Alternatively, push pin <NUM> could be sized larger than apertures <NUM> to provide a press fit engagement.

To mount the backing wall <NUM> to the shelf <NUM>, with reference to <FIG>, the distal end of the mounting hook <NUM> is inserted through the corresponding aperture <NUM>. The backing wall <NUM> is then rotated as represented by arrow <NUM> as the mounting hook <NUM> is progressively inserted through aperture <NUM>. Once the bottom <NUM> of the base is resting on the top of product support deck <NUM>, the optional push pin may be inserted through aperture <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG> - pin not shown).

Preferably horizontally extending portion <NUM> extends forward, e.g. towards front end <NUM> of shelf <NUM>. As such, if product pushes against the front surface of wall portion <NUM> applying a rearward directed force (see e.g. arrow <NUM> in <FIG>), the forward extending portion <NUM> will push against the bottom of the product support deck <NUM>. Thus, the horizontally extending portion <NUM> should be sized such that the horizontally extending portion <NUM> is, at least in part, offset from aperture <NUM> when mounted.

Due to the inclusion of a plurality of apertures <NUM> spaced both front to back as well as side to side in the product support deck <NUM>, the position of the backing wall <NUM> can be both adjusted front-to-back as well as side-to-side relative to the shelf.

Because the racking system <NUM> finds particular use in refrigerated cases, the backing walls <NUM> include a plurality of apertures <NUM> formed therein. The apertures <NUM> allow cooled air or mist to pass therethrough to allow for proper climate control.

In this embodiment, the apertures <NUM> are arranged in two separate arrays that are separated by the column of apertures <NUM> for securing the first and second panel portions <NUM>, <NUM>. In this embodiment, the apertures <NUM> have a larger diameter than the diameter of apertures <NUM>. However, this is not necessary.

Further, it is desired that the pattern of the apertures <NUM> is such that the pattern is consistent when transitioning between panel portion <NUM> and <NUM> so that it reduces the visual appearance that multiple panel portions are used. As illustrated in <FIG>, the incremental vertical adjustability of panel portion <NUM> relative to panel portion <NUM> is directly correlated to the vertical spacing of the horizontal rows formed by apertures <NUM> (e.g. apertures <NUM> directly align with corresponding rows formed by apertures <NUM>).

The backing wall <NUM> may be adjustable between a vertical height H1 of between <NUM> and <NUM> inches and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> inches. The backing wall <NUM> are preferably configured such that they extend vertically between two vertically adjacent shelves at least <NUM> percent of the spacing between the vertically adjacent shelves (e.g. the vertical spacing between shelves <NUM> and <NUM>).

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, panel portion <NUM> includes knockout regions <NUM> that are designed to be easily removed from the remainder of the panel portion <NUM> to accommodate shelf brackets <NUM> that support the product support deck of the shelf vertically above the corresponding backing wall. For example, the knockout regions <NUM> could be bound by perforations, scores, creases, etc. to differentiate them from the remainder of the panel portion <NUM>. Arrow <NUM> illustrates a region where a knockout region <NUM> has been removed from panel portion <NUM>. The knockout regions <NUM> have been removed for shelves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>.

The backing wall <NUM> is easily removable for cleaning as well as easy display reconfiguration.

Preferably, the surfaces of the racking system <NUM> exposed to and/or come into contact with the displayed product contain anti-microbial additives.

<FIG> illustrates a further embodiment of a racking system <NUM> that is similar in many respects to racking system <NUM>. Only the differences therein will be described. All of the features of racking system <NUM> described above are equally applicable to racking system <NUM>.

In this embodiment, dividers <NUM> are provided. The dividers <NUM> extend forward of the front of the wall portion <NUM> of the backing wall <NUM>, at least in part. The dividers <NUM> separate the product display zone <NUM> forward of the backing wall <NUM> and rear word of the front <NUM> of the shelf into separate display zones <NUM> for a single shelf.

In this embodiment, the dividers <NUM> have a main divider body <NUM> that is generally vertically oriented and generally orthogonal to support deck <NUM>. The dividers <NUM> also include mounting feet <NUM> that extend laterally outward from the main divider body <NUM>.

Preferably, one mounting foot <NUM> is positioned in front of the backing wall <NUM>, e.g. proximate a front end <NUM> of the shelf (see <FIG>) while a second mounting foot <NUM> is positioned behind the backing wall <NUM>, e.g. proximate a rear end <NUM> of the shelf (see <FIG>).

With reference to <FIG>, the divider <NUM> preferably includes mounting pins <NUM> that extend downward from a bottom <NUM> of the divider <NUM>. The mounting pins <NUM> extend into apertures <NUM> in the support deck <NUM>. Preferably, the mounting pins <NUM> are radially flexible to provide an increased friction fit engagement with the support deck <NUM> when inserted into apertures <NUM>.

The mounting pins <NUM> of this embodiment or integrally molded with the rest of divider <NUM>. However, separate push pins could be provided.

Mounting pins <NUM> have a pair of legs <NUM> that are separated by a gap <NUM>. The legs <NUM> are connected at ends thereof. The spacing of legs <NUM> allows for them to be resiliently biased towards one another when mounting the divider to the support deck <NUM>.

Other mounting or push pins discussed above could have a similar design, e.g. structure <NUM> of the backing wall <NUM>.

Preferably, the spacing S1 between the mounting feet <NUM> (<FIG>) is greater than the depth D1 of the base <NUM> of the backing wall <NUM> (<FIG>). With reference to <FIG>, the difference between spacing S1 and depth D1 provides adjustment region <NUM> that allows for forward and backward adjustment of the position of backing wall <NUM> without the feet <NUM> interfering with mounting of backing wall <NUM> to support deck <NUM>.

The backing walls <NUM> have a width that is sufficient to provide a gap <NUM> through which the main divider body <NUM> passes. Each backing wall <NUM> on opposed sides of the divider <NUM> is independently adjustable in the forward and backward direction (e.g. illustrated by arrow <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates a further feature of panel portion <NUM>. In this panel portion, a pair of slits <NUM> separate a tab region <NUM> that carries attachment projection <NUM> (see <FIG>). The slights weaken the portion of the panel portion <NUM> from which the attachment projection <NUM> projects to allow for easier disengagement and engagement of the attachment projection with apertures <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A rack system (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a support frame (<NUM>);
a first shelf (<NUM>) mounted to the support frame (<NUM>), the first shelf (<NUM>) having a first product support deck (<NUM>) extending between a front end (<NUM>) and a rear end (<NUM>);
a second shelf mounted to the support frame (<NUM>), the second shelf having a second product support deck (<NUM>), the first and second shelves being vertically spaced with the second shelf being vertically above the first shelf (<NUM>); and
a backing wall (<NUM>) having a wall portion (<NUM>) mounted to the first shelf (<NUM>), the wall portion (<NUM>) extending vertically between the first and second shelves, the backing wall (<NUM>) being adjustably positionable between the front (<NUM>) and rear end (<NUM>) of the first product support deck (<NUM>) to adjust a spacing between the wall portion (<NUM>) and the front end (<NUM>) of the first product support deck (<NUM>), wherein the wall portion (<NUM>) of the backing wall (<NUM>) includes an array of apertures (<NUM>) formed therethrough;
wherein the array of apertures (<NUM>) is formed from a first portion of apertures laterally offset from a second portion of apertures;
the wall portion (<NUM>) having a column of second apertures positioned between the first and second portions;
the apertures of the array of apertures (<NUM>) having a first diameter, the apertures of the column of second apertures having a second diameter different than the first diameter, wherein:
the wall portion (<NUM>) includes a first panel portion (<NUM>) and a second panel portion (<NUM>) mounted adjacent the first panel portion (<NUM>);
the first panel portion (<NUM>) including a column of mounting apertures (<NUM>);
the second panel portion (<NUM>) including at least one positioning stud (<NUM>) sized to be received in the apertures of the column of mounting apertures to adjust the positioning of the second panel portion (<NUM>) relative to the first panel portion (<NUM>) to adjust the vertical height of the backing wall (<NUM>);
wherein the backing wall (<NUM>) includes at least one mounting hook (<NUM>) that has a downward extending portion (<NUM>) and a horizontal extending portion (<NUM>); and
the product support deck (<NUM>) of the first shelf (<NUM>) includes a first aperture (<NUM>) formed therein, the downward extending portion (<NUM>) extending through the first aperture (<NUM>) with the forward extending portion (<NUM>) extending under the product support deck (<NUM>).