Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electronic price label (EPL) systems, and more specifically to an electronic price label mounting apparatus. 
     EPL systems typically include a plurality of EPLs for merchandise items in a transaction establishment. EPLs typically display the price of corresponding merchandise items on store shelves and are typically attached to a rail along the leading edge of the shelves. A transaction establishment may contain thousands of EPLs to display the prices of the merchandise items. The EPLs are coupled to a central server from where information about the EPLs is typically maintained in an EPL data file. Price information displayed by the EPLs is obtained from a price look-up (PLU) data file and stored within an EPL price change record. 
     EPLs are typically mounted to a C-channel along a shelf edge, either in an attached rail or in the shelf itself. One problem with current shelf mounting methods is that they do not provide adequate security against accidental or unauthorized removal. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an EPL mounting apparatus which more securely holds EPLs in place. It would also be desirable for the mounting apparatus to be easy to use by store employees. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an electronic price label (EPL) mounting apparatus is provided. 
     The electronic price label mounting apparatus includes a frame member defining an aperture through which the electronic price label is inserted, and a top member extending from the frame member which is secured by a fastener to a mounting surface. The top member may be secured to a mounting surface, including a C-channel, wall, or sign. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the frame member includes a flange extending from a wall of the frame member and having a second aperture, and a first fastener which retains the electronic price label in the frame member when the electronic price label is in the frame member. The top member includes an inclined portion having a third aperture, and a second fastener which extends through the third aperture to secure the top member in a C-channel when the electronic price label mounting apparatus is in the C-channel. The mounting apparatus additionally includes a number of wall portions extending between the top member and the frame member, including an indent portion which helps to secure the wall portions to the C-channel. 
     The top member of the preferred embodiment may additionally include a back portion having a fourth aperture for mounting the electronic price label to a mounting surface instead of a C-channel. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an EPL mounting apparatus. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an EPL mounting apparatus which securely retains an EPL. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an EPL mounting apparatus which fits within C-channels of most types of shelves available today. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an EPL mounting apparatus for various shelf heights. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an EPL mounting apparatus which includes a bib retainer. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an EPL mounting apparatus which is versatile in design, being able to mount EPLs to locations other than shelf C-channels. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the EPL mounting apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the EPL mounting apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the EPL mounting apparatus; and 
     FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an EPL which uses the mounting apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, EPL mounting apparatus  10  primarily includes frame portion  20 , and top portion  22 . 
     Frame portion  20  includes front wall portion  26 , left and right wall portions  28  and  30 , bib retaining portion  32 , and flange  34 . 
     Front wall portion  26  retains EPL  12  through aperture  27 . Front wall portion  26  includes top portion  26   a , bottom portion  26   b , and side portions  26   c  and  26   d.    
     Left and right wall portions  28  and  30  provide rigidity, support mounting apparatus  10  in lower shelf lip  52 , and secure mounting apparatus  10  to lower shelf lip  52 . For this purpose, left and right wall portions  28  and  30  are oriented at substantially perpendicular angles between front wall portion  26  and back wall  24  of top portion  22 . Left and right wall portions  28  and  30  thereby resist inward movement of front wall portion  26 . Left and right wall portions  28  and  30  also resist downward compression of top portion  22  for defeating locking screw  50  by supporting adjoining back wall  24  of top portion  22 . 
     Left and right wall portions  28  and  30  include indent portions  29  which roughly correspond in shape to the shape of lower shelf lip  52 . Two indent portions  29  may be included to accommodate mounting in different sizes of shelf C-channels  16 . Left sides  31   a  of indent portions  29  establish an inward travel limit for EPL mounting apparatus  10  and right sides  31   b  establish an outward travel limit. Together left and right sides  31   a  and  31   b  snugly retain left and right wall portions  28  and  30  to lower shelf lip  52  when screw  50  is tightened. 
     Bib retaining portion  32  retains bib  33 , which contains special information about a product, such as special promotion or “sale” information. The presence of a bib distinguishes the product from other products. 
     Bib retaining portion  32  extends from front wall portion  26  in order to place a bib, when installed, in a position which is substantially coplanar with the front surface of EPL  12 . Alternatively, bib retaining portion  32  may be absent. If so, bib  33  may be inserted between front wall  26  and EPL  12 . 
     Flange  34  includes threaded aperture  36  through which screw  38  extends into EPL  12 . Tightening of screw  38  secures EPL  12  within EPL mounting apparatus  10 . 
     Top portion  22  extends from frame portion  20  into shelf C-channel  16 . Top portion  22  establishes an inward travel limit for EPL mounting apparatus  10 . 
     Top portion  22  also supports locking screw  50  which helps to retain EPL mounting apparatus  10  in shelf C-channel  16 . Top portion  22  includes threaded aperture  48  in an inclined portion  25  through which screw  50  extends towards upper portion  42  of C-channel  16 . Top portion may additionally include additional material  44  extending from aperture  48  to reinforce the strength of top portion  22  in that area. Tightening of screw  50  secures mounting apparatus  10  to C-channel  16 . Screwdriver access to screw  50  for installing and removing screw  50  is through aperture  27 . Screw  50  allows mounting apparatus  10  to be securely mounted in C-channels of different heights within a predetermined range of heights. 
     The illustrated embodiment places EPL  12  in a generally upwardly facing position, suitable for mid to lower shelves  14 . However, top portion  22  and left and right wall portions  28  and  30  may have different shapes for facilitating more upward or even downward viewing angles. 
     Additionally, EPL mounting apparatus  10  is versatile enough to be used in connection with other mounting surface besides C-channel  16 . Back portion  24  may include apertures  54  through which screws may be applied for fastening EPL mounting apparatus  10  to a sign, wall surface, or other structure. Thus, EPL mounting apparatus  10  is suitable for promoting special, “on sale”, or heavily promoted items at locations such as end aisle displays and checkout shelves. 
     EPL mounting apparatus  10  is preferably die-cut from steel sheet metal for strength and then bent to shape. Mounting apparatus  10  is rigid enough to prevent bending and removal of mounting apparatus  10  without tools. 
     Attachment of mounting apparatus  10  to shelf  14  is straightforward. With EPL  12  removed and screw  50  loosened, Indent portion  29  is placed against lower shelf lip  52  of C-channel  16 . EPL mounting apparatus  10  is then rotated inwardly towards shelf  14 . Screw  50  is tightened against upper portion  42  of C-channel  16 . EPL  12  is then inserted and secured in a manner discussed below. 
     Removal of mounting apparatus  10  proceeds in an opposite fashion. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, EPL  12  is shown in more detail, particularly portions which serve to secure EPL  12  within mounting apparatus  10 . 
     EPL  12  includes main portion  60  and battery storage portion  62 . 
     Main portion  60  contains a liquid crystal display and a printed circuit board containing control circuitry. Main portion  60  also includes rear surface  64  which abuts front wall portion  26  when EPL  12  is installed within mounting apparatus  10 . 
     Battery storage portion  62  fits within aperture  27  of front wall portion  26 . For this purpose, battery storage portion  62  has a shape which substantially coincides with the shape of aperture  27 , except that the height of battery storage portion  62  is larger than the height of aperture  27  in order to secure EPL  12  in place within aperture  27 . Side edges  66  and  68  pass along side portions  26   c  and  26   d  of frame portion  20  when EPL  12  is inserted. 
     Battery storage portion  62  includes channel  72  adjacent top edge  70  and rear surface  64 . Channel  72  has a width W substantially equal to the width of front wall portion  26 . Top portion  26   a  of frame portion  20  is located within channel  72  when EPL  12  is inserted. 
     Battery storage portion  62  further includes left and right retainers  74  and  76  which keep battery storage door  77  closed and which also retain EPL  12  within mounting apparatus  10 . 
     Left and right retainers  74  and  76  include spring members  78  and  80  and latches  82  and  84 . 
     Latches  82  and  84  retain battery storage portion  62  behind bottom portion  26   b  of frame portion  20 . 
     Spring members  78  and  80  connect to a common center at the bottom of battery storage portion  62 . Spring members  78  and  80  normally bias latches  82  and  84  to a position behind bottom portion  26   b  of frame portion  20 . 
     Attachment of EPL  12  to mounting apparatus  10  is straightforward. With mounting apparatus  10  installed in shelf C-channel  16 , top edge  70  of battery storage portion  62  is inserted through aperture  27  with top portion  26   a  in channel  72 . EPL  12  is then rotated towards aperture  27 . Left and right retainers  74  and  76  are temporarily biased in an upwards direction to allow latches  82  and  84  to clear bottom portion  26   b  of frame portion  20 . Left and right retainers  74  and  76  are then released to allow latches  82  and  84  to fall behind bottom portion  26   b  of frame portion  20 . Screw  38  is then inserted into aperture  36  through flange  34  to complete the installation. 
     Removal of EPL  12  proceeds in an opposite fashion. 
     Advantageously, the EPL retaining features of the prevention invention minimize the chance of accidental or unauthorized removal of both EPL  12  and mounting apparatus  10 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims. Mounting apparatus  10  may be made to different widths to accommodate mounting EPLs of different widths. Mounting apparatus  10  may also be formed to orient EPL  12  at other angles than those illustrated.

Technology Category: 3