KR101895354B1 - Product management display system with rail mounting clip - Google Patents

Abstract

The product management display system for selling products on a shelf includes a rail mounting clip structure for removably coupling the front rail 9404 to the shelf 9202, the shelf having a channel structure (9304). Upon removable engagement with the shelf, the front rail 9204 may be used to engage pusher devices and one or more dividers 9208 configured to display products on shelf 9202. [

Description

{PRODUCT MANAGEMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH RAIL MOUNTING CLIP}

This application claims priority to U.S. Serial No. 14 / 332,088, filed July 15, 2014, now U.S. Patent No. 9,060,624, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / U.S. Patent No. 8,978,903, which claims benefit of U.S. Application No. 13 / 542,419, filed on July 5, 2012, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 61 / 530,736, 61 / 542,473, filed October 3, 2011, and 61 / 553,545, filed October 31, 2011, and also U.S. Patent No. 8,739,984, No. 12 / 639,656, filed December 16, 2009, now part of U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 357,860, filed January 22, 2009, and U.S. Patent No. 8,322,544, Partial continuation application of commonly assigned U.S. Application Serial No. 11 / 760,196 U.S. Patent No. 8,453,850, U.S. Patent No. 8,312,999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Serial No. 11 / 411,761, filed on April 25, 2006, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 716,362, and U.S. Patent No. 7,823,734, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 734,692, filed November 8, 2005, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[02] Exemplary embodiments generally relate to shelf assemblies for use in selling products and more particularly to shelf assemblies with improved mechanisms for displaying and pushing products on shelves.

[03] It is known that retailers such as convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores, discount stores, and wholesalers require large shelves to store products and display products to customers. When displaying a product, it is desirable that the product on the shelves be located on the front side of the shelf so that the product is visible and accessible to the customers. In the case of coolers or refrigerators used to store and display such products as soft drinks, energy drinks, bottled water, and other bottled or canned drinks, And is visible and accessible to customers.

To achieve this product placement, the known systems may include inclined trays or fl ools that allow the product to move towards the front of the shelf through gravity. Many of these systems include floors or shelves made of plastic materials such as polypropylene that allow the product to slide along sloping floors or surfaces due to its low frictional forces. Over time, however, these surfaces may be disturbed by debris or sticky substances that inhibit the product from properly sliding, and sometimes some products are turned over, Blocking from moving to the front.

[05] Other systems include the use of a pusher system that will push the product to the front of the shelf when the product on the front of the shelf is removed. Known pusher systems typically include pusher paddles and coiled springs mounted on a track and forcing the product forward. Occasionally, when the system is used, and over time, the track is disturbed by dust or sticky materials that interfere with proper operation of the pusher system in the track. In addition, depending on the size, shape and weight of the product to be sold, known pusher pads can sometimes be tilted or bent backward, thereby causing binding of the pusher system in the track. In these situations, the pusher mechanism can not properly push the product toward the front of the shelf.

[06] One exemplary embodiment provides an improvement to existing sales systems by providing a trackless pusher system that works with gravity-based sales systems (i.e., tilted lathes or trays) and non-gravity sale systems Lt; / RTI >

[07] One exemplary embodiment relates to a product management display system for shelf-mounted products. This embodiment includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that moves along the surface on which the article is placed. Trackless systems overcome known problems with the use of tracks to hold and guide known pusher mechanisms. It should be understood, however, that the guidelines of this embodiment can be used in systems including tracks for mounting pusher mechanisms and the like.

[08] The pusher mechanism may include pusher paddles and floors extending forward of the pusher paddles. A flat coil spring or other biasing element can be operably connected behind the pusher paddle and extends across the floor of the pusher mechanism to the front of the shelf. Alternatively, a flat coil spring or biasing element may extend across the divider to the front of the shelf assembly. With this configuration, the pusher paddles are prevented from tilting or bending backward during operation.

[09] The exemplary embodiment also relates to systems for using gravity as a mechanism for forcing gravity use systems or products to the front side of a shelf, as well as selling products on horizontal or inclined shelves or surfaces Including the use of an agitated pushing mechanism.

[10] According to an exemplary exemplary embodiment of the present invention, pusher paddles can define a concave pushing surface for pushing cylinder products, such as soft drink bottles or candles, and centering on the track and holding paddles behind the product have. Alternatively, the pusher paddles may also define a flat pushing surface, which may further include, at its upper edge, a curved rib or similar structure that may be used to push the cylinder products.

[11] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floor of the pusher mechanism may include a notched or cut-out portion to align the pusher mechanism with respect to the coiled spring have. In addition, the floor of the system may also include a notch or cut-out portion for receiving the flat end of the coil spring and for mounting to the floor. A spring tip may be disposed on the end of the coiled spring to mount the coiled spring to the floor of the system. Alternatively, the end of the coil spring may be mounted to the divider of the assembly.

[12] According to another exemplary embodiment, an adapter for a product management display system may be positioned on a floor surface of a display system. The adapter may include a flat surface with at least two ribs extending across the flat surface outwardly and in a substantially parallel manner from the flat surface. The coiled spring may be positioned between the parallel extension ribs. With this configuration, the product to be sold may be placed on ribs that are not directly coil-spring-like to enhance forward movement of certain types of products, such as beverage candles.

[13] In yet another alternative aspect, the mounting member may be used to mount the end of the coiled spring to the floor of the system. For these systems, including spaced glide rails joined by connecting the ribs together, the mounting member may be snap-fit or otherwise mounted between the floor and the glide rails .

[14] In yet another alternative aspect, the trackless pusher system is retrofitted to an existing shelf assembly. This allows the placement of trackless pusher systems in conventional shelf systems as a low cost alternative to purchasing an entire trackless pusher assembly.

[15] In another exemplary embodiment, the coil spring may be mounted to a retainer. The end of the coil spring may be mounted directly to the retainer, or alternatively the end may be mounted to the retainer through the adapter. The adapter may have a curved portion received in a curved slot in a corresponding shape in the retainer to secure the end of the spring to the display assembly.

[16] In another exemplary embodiment, the trays may be attached through a dovetail connection to form a shelf assembly. Additionally, the dividers can be adjusted so that the widths of the product rows can be adapted to accommodate different sized products.

[17] According to another exemplary embodiment, the product management display system may be arranged in a stackable arrangement. The assembly may have a first tray and a second tray each having a first wall and a second wall. The first and second trays are each adapted to receive a pusher mechanism, and a retainer mechanism. The first and second spacers are mounted to the first and second trays to stack the first and second trays on top of each other. The first and second spacers may have a plurality of detents, and the first tray and the second tray may each have a plurality of correspondingly shaped receptacles to accommodate a plurality of detents.

[18] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a product management display system for selling shelf-based products includes a trackless pusher mechanism moving along a surface on which the product is placed, and one or more And using dividers. One or more of the dividers may be attached to the front rail and releasably engaged. One or more of the dividers and products positioned on the display system may be moved laterally or lifted off the front rail when one or more of the dividers are not positioned and held in position on the front rail It can be lift away. This allows for ease of replanogramming of shelf-based products. One or more of the dividers may be attached to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, elastic surfaces, locking tabs, locking bars, cams and / or through friction or press fit. It can be engaged in a releasable manner.

[19] In an example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to engage a front rail and a front rail. The at least one divider includes a barrier and the at least one divider further includes a divider wall. The at least one divider also includes a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and the divider floor is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider, and the cam is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is configured such that at least one of the dividers engages the front rail and (b) is vertically fixed to the front rail when the cam is in the first position (a) laterally parallel to the front rail. At least one of the dividers is configured such that at least one of the dividers engages the front rail and (a) is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail and (b) is vertically fixed to the front rail when the cam is in the second position.

[20] In one example, the sales display system includes a plurality of dividers attached to the front and front rails and configured to separate the products into rows. Each of the plurality of dividers includes a divider wall extending perpendicularly to the front rail, a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, a divider floor configured to hold the product, and a cam coupled to the divider, And to move between the first position and the second position. Wherein each of the plurality of dividers is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when each of the plurality of dividers engages the front rail and the cam for each of the plurality of dividers is in the first position, It is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail. In addition, each of the plurality of dividers may be configured such that each of the plurality of dividers engages the front rail, and when the cam for each of the plurality of dividers is in the second position (a) is fixed laterally parallel to the front rail and ) It is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail.

[21] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to attach to a front rail and a front rail, wherein the at least one divider includes a barrier, a divider wall extending in a vertical direction to the front rail, Wherein the divider is configured to separate the divider floor into a first position and a second position and each of the first and second portions holding the product. The sales display system also includes a first pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion, a second pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion, and a cam coupled to the at least one divider , The cam may be configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one divider is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and along the front rail when the cam is in the first position and at least one divider is disposed parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position, Thereby preventing movement in the lateral direction along the rail.

[22] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to attach to a front rail and a front rail, wherein the at least one divider includes a barrier configured to engage a front rail, a divider Wall, a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and the divider floor is configured to hold the product. The display system may also include an elastic tab coupled to the divider, and the elastic tab is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail when the elastic tab is in the first position. The at least one divider is laterally movable parallel to the front rail when the resilient tab is in the second position.

[23] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail-to-front rail comprising at least one first projection and at least one second recess, and at least one divider Wherein at least one divider comprises a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, wherein at least one divider further comprises at least one second recess and at least one second protrusion, And one second projection is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one second recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the divider is in the first position, And (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail. The at least one divider is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one second recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the divider is in the second position, (B) is fixed in a vertical direction to the front rail.

[24] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail, the front rail includes at least one first projection and at least one second projection, and at least one second projection of the front rail includes a first position And the second position. The sales display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and at least one divider further includes at least one recess . The at least one divider is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the front rail is in the first position, And (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail. At least one of the dividers is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the front rail is in the second position, Direction and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail.

[25] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail, and the front rail includes a first projection and a second projection. The sales display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and at least one divider includes a recess and a third protrusion . At least one of the second projection or the third projection is a movable projection movable between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is configured such that when the first projection of the front rail engages the recess of the divider and the movable projection is in the first position (a) is laterally parallel to the front rail and (b) And is fixed in the vertical direction. The at least one divider is configured such that (a) when the first projection of the front rail engages the recess of the divider and the movable projection is at the second position, (a) is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail, and Direction.

[26] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail, and the front rail includes at least a first engagement member. The sales display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and at least one divider further includes at least a second engaging member . The sales display system also includes a third engagement member configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is movable laterally parallel to the front rail when the first engaging member of the front rail engages the second engaging member of the divider and the third engaging member is in the first position, b) Fixed vertically to the front rail. At least one of the dividers is configured such that (a) when the first engaging member of the front rail is engaged with the second engaging member of the divider and (b) when the third engaging member is in the second position, It is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail.

[27] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to engage a front rail and a front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a barrier, and at least one divider further comprises a divider wall, The at least one divider further includes a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and the divider floor is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider, and the cam is configured to move between the first position and the second position. The at least one divider may be fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail when at least one of the dividers engages the front rail. The cam may inhibit movement of at least one divider laterally parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the first position and the cam is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position, As shown in FIG. The sale display system may include a handle to rotate the cam between the first position and the second position. The sales display system may include a handle to slide the cam between the first position and the second position.

[28] In an example, the sales display system may include a front rail having a rail mounting clip secured to the front end of the front rail. The rail mounting clip may have at least one flexible structure configured to engage with a channel extending along at least a portion of the front edge of the shelf. At least one of the dividers may be configured to engage the front rail. The at least one divider may include a divider wall, and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall. The divider floor may be configured to hold the products and at least one of the dividers may be laterally parallel to the front rail when at least one of the dividers engages the front rail. The rail mounting clip may be removably mounted to the front rail. The rail mounting clip can be connected to the front rail by interference fit. The elbow bracket structure of the front rail can be received in the channel on the rail mounting clip to removably couple the rail mounting clip to the front rail. A channel on the rail mounting clip may be formed between the hook structure and the tongue structure. The removable coupling of the rail mounting clip to the front rail may allow the rail mounting clip to slide relative to the front rail in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the rail mounting clip. The rail mounting clip may further include at least one flange structure extending along the longitudinal length of the rail mounting clip for structural rigidity. A removable coupling may be provided between the front rail and the rail mounting clip such that the flat surface of the front rail is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall structure of the rail mounting clip. A removable coupling may be provided between the front rail and the rail mounting clip such that the flat surface of the front rail has an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the rear wall structure of the rail mounting clip. Upon engagement of the rail mounting clip with the channel of the shelf, one or more of the front rail and rail mounting clips may be flexible to allow the flat surface of the front rail to lie flat on the top surface on the shelf. The flexible structure can be configured to be compressed upon engagement of the rail mounting clip with the channel of the shelf. The channel of the shelf may have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The rail mounting clip may further include a rear wall structure, wherein the flexible structure may further include a contact surface, wherein when the channel of the shelf and the rail mounting clip are engaged, the interference fit is effected by a contact surface of the flexible structure, And a back wall structure of the channel, and between the front wall and the rear wall of the channel. The front rail and rail mounting clips may be formed as a single piece.

[29] In another example, the sale display system may include a front rail coupling system, and the front rail coupling system may have a rail mounting clip section and a single front rail section formed thereon. The rail mounting clip section also includes at least one flexible structure configured to engage with a channel extending along at least a portion of the front edge of the shelf; And at least one divider that can be configured to engage the front rail section. The at least one divider may also include a divider wall, and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall. The divider floor may be configured to hold the products and at least one of the dividers may be laterally parallel to the front rail when at least one of the dividers engages the front rail. The rail mounting clip section may also include at least one flange structure extending along the longitudinal length of the rail mounting clip section for structural rigidity. The flexible structure can be configured to be compressed upon engagement of the rail mounting clip section with the channel of the shelf. The channel of the shelf may have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The rail mounting clip section may also include a rear wall structure and the flexible structure may include a contact surface and upon engagement of the rail mounting clip section with the channel of the shelf, A rear wall structure of the rail mounting clip section, and a front wall and a rear wall of the channel.

[30] In another example, the sales display system may include at least one divider configured to engage the front rail and the front rail. The at least one divider may include a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall. The divider floor may be configured to hold the products. The rail mounting clip may be secured to the front end of the front rail and the rail mounting clip may have at least one flexible finger structure configured to engage a channel extending along at least a portion of the front edge of the shelf. The at least one divider may be laterally parallel to the front rail when at least one of the dividers engages the front rail. The at least one flexible finger structure can be configured to form interference fit with the channel of the shelf. The rail mounting clip may be removably coupled to the front rail. The elbow bracket structure of the front rail can be received in the channel on the rail mounting clip to removably couple the rail mounting clip to the front rail.

[31] Figure 1 depicts an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.
[32] Figure 2 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary pusher mechanism mounted on an exemplary tray or product channel of the present invention.
[33] FIG. 3 depicts another isometric view of the system of FIG. 2 with products disposed in the system.
[34] FIG. 4 depicts another isometric view of the system of FIG. 2 with multiple products disposed in the system.
[35] Figure 5 depicts an isometric rear view of the system of Figure 4;
[36] Figure 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of a tray or product channel of the present invention.
[37] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary tip for the end of a coiled spring that may be used with the product management display system of the present invention.
[38] Figure 8 depicts the exemplary tip of Figure 7 mounted on the surface of a tray or product channel.
[39] FIG. 9 depicts the exemplary tip of FIG. 7 mounted on the end of a coiled spring.
[40] FIG. 10 depicts the exemplary tip of FIG. 7 mounted on the end of a coiled spring.
[41] Figure 11 depicts an isometric view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.
[42] FIG. 12 depicts another isometric view of the system of FIG.
[43] Figure 13 depicts a front view of the system of Figure 11.
[44] FIG. 14 depicts a top view of the system of FIG.
[45] FIG. 15 depicts a rear view of the system of FIG.
[46] Figure 16 depicts an isometric view of an adapter that may be used in the present invention.
[47] Figure 17 depicts a front view of the adapter of Figure 16;
[48] Figure 18 depicts an exemplary installation of an adapter of the present invention.
[49] FIG. 19 depicts an isometric view of an installed adapter of the present invention.
FIG. 20 depicts a front view of a provisioned adapter of the present invention.
[51] Figure 21 depicts an isometric view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of the present invention.
[52] Figure 22 depicts an isometric top view of an exemplary mounting member that may be used to mount the end of a coiled spring to the floor of a display system.
[53] FIG. 23 depicts an isometric top view of the exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 depicts the exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 mounted to the end of a coiled spring, and the coiled spring is mounted to the exemplary pusher paddle.
FIG. 25 depicts another view of the exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 mounted on the end of a coiled spring, and the coiled spring is mounted to the exemplary pusher paddle.
[56] FIG. 26 depicts an exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 having an attached coil spring mounted to the floor of the system.
[57] FIG. 27 depicts an exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 mounted on a floor of a system.
[58] Figure 28 illustrates an isometric view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of the present invention.
[59] FIG. 29 depicts an enlarged isometric view of the tray of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.
[60] FIG. 29A depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 28 illustrating a first fastening method.
[61] FIG. 29b depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 28 illustrating a second fastening method.
[62] FIG. 30 depicts an enlarged isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 28 illustrating a rivet to which a spring is attached to a tray.
FIG. 31 depicts an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 28 assembled to a conventional wire shelf.
[64] Figure 32 depicts an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 28 assembled to a conventional wire shelf.
[65] Figure 33 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[66] Figure 34 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[67] FIG. 35 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an adapter.
[68] FIG. 36 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a retainer.
[69] Figure 37 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[70] Figure 38 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[71] FIG. 39 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[72] FIG. 40 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[73] Figure 41a depicts a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a divider.
[74] Figure 41b depicts a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
FIG. 41C illustrates an enlarged view of FIG. 41B.
[76] Figure 41d depicts a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a divider.
[77] Figure 42 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[78] Figure 43 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[79] Figure 44 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.
[80] Figure 45 depicts another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system having a product in a system.
[81] Figure 46 depicts a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a product management display having a product in the system.
[82] Figure 47 depicts an isometric rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system in a system in a system.
[83] Figure 48 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a pusher mechanism mounted on a divider.
[84] Figure 49 depicts another isometric view of a pusher mechanism dispenser assembled in a product management display system.
[85] Figure 50 depicts an isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.
[86] Figure 51 depicts another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of Figure 50 without a product.
[87] Figure 52 depicts an exploded and assembled isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of Figure 50.
[88] Figure 53 depicts an isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.
[89] Figure 54 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of Figure 53;
[90] Figure 55 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of Figure 53;
[91] Figure 56 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of Figure 53.
[92] Figure 57 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of Figure 53;
[93] Figure 58 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[94] Figure 59 depicts an isometric view of the exemplary product management display system of Figure 58.
[0064] FIG. 60 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[96] Figure 61 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[97] Figure 62 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary divider and pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[98] Figure 63 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary frontal portion of a divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[99] Figure 64 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary frontal portion of a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[100] Figure 65 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary connection between a divider and a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[101] Figure 66 depicts a side view of an exemplary divider and front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 67A-67C depict side views of exemplary dividers attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 68A-68C depict side views of exemplary dividers attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIG. 69A depicts an isometric view of exemplary rail mounting clips for a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
[105] Figure 69b depicts an isometric view of an exemplary front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[106] FIG. 70 depicts an isometric view of exemplary front rail and rail mounting clips in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[107] FIG. 71 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[107] FIG. 72 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary divider and pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[109] FIG. 73 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary divider and pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[110] Figure 74 depicts a partial de-axial view of an exemplary divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[111] Figure 75 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[112] Figures 76a and 76b depict partial isometric views of exemplary front rails and cam bar levers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 77 depicts a front exploded view of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIG. 78 depicts a rear exploded view of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
79A-79C depict side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[116] Figure 80 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
81a-81b depict partial side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 82a-82c depict partial side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIGS. 83A-83C depict partial side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
[120] Figures 84a-84f depict rounded views of an exemplary product management display system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 85 depicts a side view of an exemplary divider and front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 86A-86L depict views of components of an exemplary product management display system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
87a-87c depict side views of exemplary dividers and front rails in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[124] Figures 88a-88b depict the isometric views of an exemplary divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 89A-89C depict side views of an exemplary divider attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIGS. 90A-90F depict drawings of exemplary dividers attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIG. 91A depicts an illustration of an exemplary divider and back rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[92] FIG. 92 depicts one exemplary implementation of a sales display system in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.
FIG. 93 schematically depicts one exemplary implementation of a shelf coupling system that may be utilized in the sale display system of FIG. 92.
FIG. 94 schematically depicts one exemplary implementation of a cross-sectional view of a shelf structure.
FIG. 95 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a front rail structure in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.
FIG. 96 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a rail mounting clip in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.
[0093] FIG. 97 schematically depicts an alternative implementation of a front rail coupling system.
FIGS. 98 a - c schematically depict an isometric view of an implementation of a rail mounting clip.
[135] Figure 99 schematically depicts an isometric view of a front rail coupling system in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.
[100] Figure 100 schematically depicts a front rail coupling system according to one or more aspects described herein.
FIG. 101 schematically depicts an isometric view of a front rail coupling system according to one or more aspects described herein.
FIG. 102 schematically depicts an alternative implementation of a rail mounting clip in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.
FIGS. 103 a - d schematically depict various stages of assembly of a shelf coupling system according to one or more aspects described herein.
FIGS. 104 a - b schematically depict a graphics holder system according to one or more aspects described herein.
Before embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of construction and that the arrangement of the components is set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention may be other embodiments and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "comprising" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to include additional items and their equivalents as well as subsequently listed items and their equivalents. In addition, the use of the term " mounted ","mounted",or" mounting "refers to any technique or method of mounting, attaching, splicing, or coupling a part to another part, .

The present invention can be implemented in various forms. Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, an isometric exploded assembly view of an exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. The exemplary sales system 10 includes a product dispensing tray 12 and an exemplary trackless pusher mechanism 14 is mounted to the product dispensing tray 12. As will be described in more detail below, the pusher mechanism 14 will fit into the tray 12 and will include tracks, rails < RTI ID = 0.0 > , Or along the surface of the tray without the use of guides. The pusher mechanism defines a pusher paddle and a pusher floor extending forward of the pusher paddles. The coiled spring may extend across the pusher floor and be operably connected to the tray at a tray-front position. In one aspect of the invention, the product to be sold may be placed in the tray at the front of the pusher paddles and may be located on the coiled spring as well as the pusher floor. With this configuration, the weight of the product will prevent the pusher paddles from tipping to ensure proper pushing of the product. In addition, problems associated with debris or sticky materials that hinder the efficiency of known pusher systems using tracks, rails, or guides have been eliminated. Other aspects, embodiments and features of the present invention and their teachings are set forth in further detail below.

The exemplary tray 12 may define a surface 16 and one or more dividing panels or dividers 18 to separate the tray into a plurality of rows for placement of the product. In an alternative aspect, the tray 12 may be a shelf or any other surface on which the products can be placed for sale. Surface 16 may be a solid surface or a surface defining a plurality of spaced apart apertures 20 separated by a plurality of support ribs 22. The apertures 20 and ribs 22 allow slidable movement of the product disposed on the surface and also prevent the liquids and dust from entering the aperture 16, (20). ≪ / RTI > The surface 16 may be made of any suitable material that allows for slidable movement of the article on the surface 16. Other surface or floor configurations are known and may be used with the principles of the present invention.

As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the surface 16 may define a rounded end portion 24 that includes a notch or cut-out portion 26. The end portion 24 may be rounded to match the shape of the product disposed on the tray. For example, the depicted end portion 24 defines a rounded or semicircular shape to match the outline of a bottle or can that may be placed on the tray and end portion 24. Other shapes of the end portion may be used in the present invention depending on the product to be sold.

The notch 26 may be used to receive and mount the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 or similar biasing element. The notch 26 may define opposing angled edge surfaces 32 joined by the edge 34. The edges 34 are preferably centered over the width of the product rows formed in the tray 12 and extend perpendicularly to the length of the tray. This configuration will center the coiled spring 30 with respect to the tray 12 and will allow the spring to extend in a substantially parallel manner with respect to the length of the tray. In other words, the depicted edge 34 of the notch 26 will allow the spring 30 to extend along the length of the tray 12 at or near the center of the product row formed by the tray. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the location and configuration of the notches may vary depending on the desired arrangement of the springs.

The coiled spring 30 may define an end 29 that is configured to be disposed across the notch 26 and on the edge 34. In one aspect, the end 29 of the coiled spring may be V-shaped and an edge 29 may be formed at a portion of the end 29 of the coiled spring that extends below the end portion 24 of the surface 16. [ (34). This configuration allows easy installation of coiled springs in the tray.

In another aspect, and with reference to FIG. 7, the spring tip 60 may be added to the end 29 of the spring 30 to assist in mounting the spring on the system. The spring tip 60 may define a number of shapes and configurations depending on the configuration of the tray and the surface to which the spring ends need to be attached. The spring tip 60 may be permanently attached to the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 or may be removable to permit replacement or replacement of the spring tip 60. The spring tip 60 may be made of plastic and may define one or more apertures. The aperture 61 may be used to accommodate the end 29 of the coiled spring 30. The second aperture 63 may be used to accommodate a mating tongue or mounting member 65 that extends from the surface 16 of the tray 12, as discussed below. In this configuration, the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 can be operatively connected to the tray 12.

In another aspect, the end 29 of the coiled spring may snap-fit into an aperture formed in the surface 16 or may otherwise be inserted and fixed in an aperture or opening in the tray So that the end 29 of the coil spring 30 is fixed in place.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the dividers 18 may also be used to separate products into rows. The dividers 18 extend substantially upward from the surface 16 and can be positioned on opposite sides of the surface 16, as illustrated in FIG. Alternatively, the dividers 18 may be positioned at the desired position on the tray 12 or on the surface 16. [ The dividers 18 may be formed as an integral structure with the surface 16 or the dividers 18 may be separable to provide added flexibility to the system. The dividers may be attached to the front or rear rails depending on the system. The dividers 18 may define multiple configurations and may extend any desired distance upward to provide the desired height of the dividers between the rows of the product to be sold. This height can be adjusted by adding divider extender or the like.

It may be one or more product-retaining members 44 located on the front of the tray 12 and extending between the dividers 18. The product-retaining members 44 serve as a front retaining wall or bar to hold the product in the tray 12 and prevent the product from falling out of the tray 12. [ These members are also configured to allow easy removal of the frontmost product positioned in the tray 12. [ The product-retaining member 44 may be one or more curved-shaped retaining ribs as depicted in Fig. These illustrated retaining ribs can be extended from one divider to another to thereby bond the dividers. The retaining ribs may also extend part-way between the dividers, as also shown in Fig. 1 as ribs 46, to help retain the product in the tray. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 6, the product-retaining member 44 may be a curved-shaped solid retaining wall 48 extending between the dividers. The retaining wall 48 may be transparent or translucent to allow visualization of shelf-based products. In another aspect, the retaining wall 48 may also be partially extended between the dividers 18. In another embodiment depicted in Figures 11-15, the retaining wall 100 may be attached to the surface of the tray and may not be connected to the dividers. In this embodiment, the retaining wall 100 includes an upper member 104, opposing curved side walls 106 defining an additional angled edge 108, and an opening defined by the floor member 110 102 can be formed. The sidewalls 106 may also be straight, not curved, depending on the system. The end of the coiled spring may also be snap-fitted to the floor 110 or otherwise attached to the tray using any of the techniques described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that there are a number of shapes and configurations possible for the product-retaining member 44 and that the depicted arrangements are merely exemplary embodiments of these multiple arrangements.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the exemplary trackless pusher mechanism 14 defines a pusher paddle 50 and a pusher floor 52. The pusher paddle 50 and the pusher floor 52 may be formed as a single integrated structure or may be separate structures joined together using known techniques. In addition, pusher paddles 50 and pusher floor 52 may be made of any suitable plastic or metal material. The pusher paddle and pusher floor may be reinforced using any known reinforcing techniques.

In an aspect, the pusher paddle 50 may be a curved pusher surface or face (not shown) configured to match the shape of the product to be sold, such as plastic bottles or cans, including beverages, as depicted in FIGS. 3-5 54 are formed. The curved pusher surface 54 allows the pusher to be centered with the end product of the tray. This configuration reduces friction and air resistance between the pusher and the divider walls. In an alternative aspect, the pusher surface or surface may be a flat surface. In another aspect, a flat pusher surface can be used to align and center the product of the tray on or near the top of the pusher paddles, in a manner similar to the curved pusher surface 54 depicted in FIG. 1 It can be accompanied by a curved shape rib. Curved ribs may define other shapes and configurations that allow cylinders or similar shaped articles to be properly pushed in the tray. Advertisements, product identification or other product information may be placed on the pusher surface 54.

Behind the pusher surface or surface 54, one or more support members 58, such as ribs, walls, or gussets, may be positioned. The support members 58 are configured to support the pusher surface 54 and further connect the pusher paddle 50 to the pusher floor 52. As can be seen in Figure 5, there is a coiled spring 30 between the support members 58 and, more specifically, forwardly of the tray 12 as understood in the art and along the tray 12, The coiled end 57 used to force the coil spring 50 is positioned. Any technique used to operatively connect a coiled spring to the pusher paddle 50 may be used with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pusher floor 52 may be positioned below the pusher paddles 50 and extend forward of the pusher surfaces 54 of the pusher paddles. The pusher floor 52 may extend at any predetermined distance and at any predetermined angle. For example, the pusher floor 52 may extend substantially perpendicular to the pusher surface 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the pusher floor 52 may extend a sufficient distance to allow one product, such as a single bottle or can, to be placed on the pusher floor. In another aspect, the pusher floor 52 may be configured to allow more than one product to be placed on the pusher floor. The pusher floor 52 may define any shape including the depicted round shape and may include any product retaining features, such as ribs, walls, etc., so as to further hold the product on the pusher floor, . ≪ / RTI >

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the pusher floor 52 is sized and shaped to accommodate the coiled spring 30, and has an elongated channel, groove or recessed portion 59 formed and configured Can be defined. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel or groove 59 may extend across the floor 52 and in a substantially vertical manner with respect to the pusher paddle 50. In an alternative aspect, the groove or channel may extend across or partially across the entire pusher floor 52, as shown in FIG. Such a configuration allows proper alignment and positioning of the pusher paddles 50 of the tray. The groove 59 may define a depth that matches or exceeds the thickness of the coil spring 30. With this configuration, the coiled spring 30 will not be positioned directly on the coiled spring, but rather on or below the pusher floor surface so that such product is positioned on the pusher floor surface. As shown in FIG. 19, the pusher floor may include apertures and apertures through which debris or other items may pass. Alternatively, the floor may be a solid surface.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, adapter 180 may be positioned on surface 16, as shown in FIGS. 16-20. 16 and 17, the adapter 180 may include one or more raised ribs 182 on which the article may be placed. The raised ribs 182 may extend longitudinally along the length of the adapter 180. The adapter 180 may be a flat extruded number of plastic materials (or any other suitable material) defining a flat surface 184 having one or more ribs 182 extending outwardly from the flat surface 184. [ have. The adapter 180 may define a rounded end 185 and may include a notch or cut 186 into which the coiled spring extends. The rounded end 185 may be configured to match the shape of the product disposed on the tray. Other shapes of end 185, notch 186 and adapter 180 may be used in the present invention depending on the product being sold. The adapter 180 may be a separate insertable piece or alternatively a piece integrally formed with the surface 16.

Referring to FIG. 18, the adapter 180 can be easily inserted on the surface 16 and between the dividers 18. 19, when the adapter 180 is installed, the pusher mechanism 14 can be positioned on top of the adapter 180 and can slide freely across the ribs 182 of the adapter 180 . The coiled spring 30 may extend in a parallel manner between the ribs 182 and may be located at or below the top surface of the ribs 182, as more clearly shown in FIG. With this arrangement, the product to be sold is located on the ribs 182, rather than on the coiled spring 30, and can slide along the ribs 182.

In an alternative aspect, the ribs 182 may be raised beads or raised beads or a series of fingers that may be used to enable movement of the product on the surface 16 . In another alternative embodiment, the ribs 182 may be runners that allow the product to traverse the rolling members and rotate toward the front of the product display system, or one or more rollers or rollers, Or the like. Exemplary roller assemblies include those disclosed and described in U.S. Serial No. 11 / 257,718, filed October 25, 2005, and assigned to RTC Industries, Inc., which is incorporated herein by reference. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are many possible techniques that can be used with the described pusher mechanisms to enable movement of the product on a shelf or floor.

The lower side of the pusher floor 52 may be a smooth, flat surface that will slide freely along the surface 16. Alternatively, and similarly to the above, the pusher floor 52 includes beads, runners, rollers, etc. that will cause the pusher floor to slide along the surface, but not to cause the pusher floor to be lifted off the surface 16 can do. In another alternative embodiment, the lower side of the pusher floor may be constructed of rail mounting members to permit mounting of the pusher on the track or rail, as is understood in the art.

The pusher floor further defines a notch or cut-out portion 62 through which the coil spring 30 will pass. The end 29 of the coiled spring 30 will pass through the notch 26 in the surface 16 and through the notch 62 and will be mounted to the tray using any of the techniques described above .

In use, when the pusher mechanism 14 is forced backwardly from the tray 12, the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 will be held in position as described above and the coil 30 of the spring 30 The mold end 57 will begin releasing behind the pusher paddle 50. When the pusher 14 is allowed to move forward in the tray 14, such as when the product is removed from the front of the tray, the coiled end 57 of the spring 30 is wound and pulled from the tray 12, (50), thereby forcing the product toward the front side of the tray.

In an alternative embodiment, the coiled spring 30 may extend opposite and below the pusher floor and across the pusher floor, as opposed to above the pusher floor, as depicted in the drawings. With this configuration, the groove 59 and the notch 62 may not be needed.

The coiled spring 30 may be any biasing element, including, without limitation, a flat coil spring commonly used with pusher systems. The present invention may use one or more coiled springs to force the pusher mechanism 14 forward depending on the desired application. The coil tension of the spring 30 may also vary depending on the particular application.

Referring to FIG. 2, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 is shown mounted to the tray 12. As illustrated, the pusher mechanism 14 pivots the tray 12 between the dividers 18. The end 29 of the coiled spring 30 extends through the notch of the pusher floor as described above and is mounted to the tray. In use, the pusher mechanism 14 will slid along the surface 16 of the tray 12 without the use of tracks, rails, or guides. As depicted in FIG. 2, the forward position of the pusher mechanism 14 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 3, the pusher mechanism 14 is shown to sell one product 70 in the sales system 10. The product is prevented from falling off the tray by the product-retaining member 44. The product 70 may be any product to be sold, including a depicted soft drink bottle. As shown in this figure, the product 70 rests on the pusher floor 52 and the coiled spring 30 which extend under the product. The weight of the product on the floor 52 and the positioning of the product across the spring 30 prevent the paddle 50 from falling off the tray 12. [

Referring to FIG. 4, a pusher mechanism 14 is shown for selling a plurality of products 70 in a sales system 10. As shown in this figure, the product immediately adjacent to the pusher paddle 50 rests on the pusher floor 52 and the coiled spring 30 extending below the product. Other products will be placed on the coiled spring 30 to extend under these products. Alternatively, the adapter 180 may be positioned in the system and in this case the product may be positioned on the ribs 182 of the adapter opposite the coil spring. Again, the weight of the product on the pusher floor 52 and the positioning of the product across the spring 30 prevent the paddle 50 from falling off the tray. In use, the pusher mechanism 14 (via the force of the coiled spring 30), when one product is removed from the front of the tray near the product-retaining member 44, Will push the remaining product forward in the tray 12 until it contacts the member 44. When the additional products are removed, the pusher mechanism 14 will continue to push the remaining product towards the product-retaining member 44.

Referring to FIG. 5, a rear view of the pusher mechanism 14 illustrates a pusher mechanism 14 for selling a plurality of products 70 in the sales system 10. Again, the product immediately adjacent to the pusher paddle 50 rests on the pusher floor 52 and the coiled spring 30 extending below the product. Other products will sit on coiled springs that will extend below these products. Alternatively, the adapter 180 may be positioned in the system and in this case the product may be positioned on the ribs 182 of the adapter opposite the coil spring. The coiled end 57 of the spring 30 is positioned such that the frontmost product contacts the product-retaining member 44, as one product is removed from the front of the tray near the product- The pusher paddles 50 of the pusher mechanism 14 will be forced forward in the tray 12. [ As can be seen in this figure, the coiled end 57 can be positioned between the two support members 58. The support members will hold a coiled spring between these members. As can be seen in this figure, the pusher floor 52 may also extend below the support members 58.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a pusher tray is depicted. In this embodiment, the plurality of trays 12 may be formed of a single multi-tray assembly 80. The multiple-trays may have a common floor with dividers 18 extending upwardly from the floor to create multiple trays or rows. In this embodiment, the product-retaining member 44 may be a solid member that extends between the two dividers, as discussed above. One or more of the multiple-tray assemblies 80 may be coupled or joined together in a side-by-side manner using any known technique, including clips, dovetailing, fasteners, . With this configuration, multiple rows of product can be provided for sale of multiple products.

As mentioned above, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 may be used with gravity utilization systems, ie with systems having product channels or trays mounted on a slope to allow gravity to assist in the sale of the product Can be used. Alternatively, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 can be used in systems that are not tilted or mounted horizontally, where gravity provides little or no help in selling the product. The trackless pusher mechanism 14 may also be used to push various shaped products.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary tip 60 for an end 29 of a coiled spring 30 that may be used in the vending system 10. The tip 60 defines an aperture 61 for receiving the end 29 of the coiled spring and an aperture 63 for mounting to the surface 16 of the tray. As can be seen in Figure 7, in an aspect of an alternate embodiment, extending below the surface 16 is paired with an aperture 63 and is formed on the tongue 65 so that the surface 16 has a tip 60 Or a tongue or mounting member 65 that can be configured to snap-fit.

Referring to FIG. 8, the exemplary tip 60 of FIG. 7 is shown mounted to a tongue or mounting member 65. The tongue 65 may include an elongated outwardly extending rib 67 that is used to snap-fit the tip 60 onto the tongue 65. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other techniques are used to mount the tip 60 on the surface 16 and that the described technique is only one exemplary embodiment of such a technique.

9, the exemplary tip 60 is fully mounted in a snap-fit manner to the surface 16, and more specifically to the end portion 24 of the surface 16 of the tray 12 . The attachment of the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 to the aperture 61 of the tip 60 is also depicted. As shown in Fig. 9, the end 29 of the coil-like spring can be inserted into the aperture 61. Fig. The aperture 61 receives the end 29 of the coil spring and holds the end 29 in place and also separates the coil spring from the tip to permit removal of the pusher mechanism 14 from the system Shaped spring 29 from the aperture 61 in those environments where it is desirable to remove the end 29 of the coil spring.

Referring to FIG. 10, an end 29 of a coiled spring fully seated in the exemplary tip 60 is shown. The coiled spring 30 is now operatively connected to the surface 16 of the tray 12, as illustrated in this figure. As a result, the pusher mechanism 14 is now mounted to the tray 12.

Referring to FIGS. 21-27, an alternative technique for mounting the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 on the sale display system is shown. The mounting member 130 may be used to mount the end 29 of the coiled spring to the floor 131 of the system. 26-22) for these systems, including spaced glide rails 132 joined together by connecting ribs 134, the mounting member 130 is mounted on the floor 131 and on the glide rail 132. [ 132 may be snap-fitted or otherwise mounted. The mounting member will thus hold the end of the coiled spring in place and in the floor of the system.

Referring to Figures 22 - 23, mounting member 130 may include one or more legs 136 on one or more sides of member 130. The legs are configured to snap-fit under the rails 132 and thereby hold the mounting member 130 in the floor of the system. The legs 136 are configured to contact the lower side of the rail 132 and to prevent the mounting member 130 from being lifted from the floor except for the intentional bending of the legs outwardly from the lower side of the rail 132. [ - leg ends 137 that define shaped or angled surfaces. The legs 136 may contact the connecting ribs 134 to prevent slidable movement of the mounting member 130 relative to the floor. 26, the mounting member 130 is shown mounted on the floor of the system, and more specifically, on the rails. Figure 27 illustrates that the mounting member 130 is in position when the pusher paddle 141 begins to move at the front of the system. The mounting member 130 may be connected to this type of system floor 131 using other techniques. For example, a separate mounting clip, one or more fasteners, adhesives, or other techniques may be used to secure the mounting member 130 to the floor 131.

22-23, the mounting member 130 may also include an aperture or aperture or slot 138 to receive the end 29 of the spring. The spring may be mounted using any of the techniques described herein, or other techniques. The configuration of the aperture 138 and the mounting member 130 will hold the spring in place on the mounting member 130, similar to the technique described above.

The mounting member 130 also includes upper surface-side glide ribs 139 that allow the product placed on the upper surface to be more easily slid across the mounting member after the mounting member is installed in the floor of the system can do. The mounting member 130 may also include an elongate, flat body 140 that extends forward of the location of the legs 136 to provide stability to the mounting member 130 after being mounted to the floor of the system .

Referring to FIGS. 24-259 and 27, the pusher paddle or pusher mechanism 141 may include a pusher surface 143 configured to match the shape of the article to be pushed. As illustrated, the pusher surface 143 may be a curve shaped to match the shape of the bottle or other cylinder object. The pusher paddle 141 may also include a pusher floor 145 similar to the pusher floor configurations described above. The pusher floor 145 may further include a spring sleeve 147 to receive the coiled spring 30 to block and protect the spring. The spring sleeve 147 may extend partially or completely across the pusher floor 145 in the direction of the spring 30. The spring sleeve 147 may have a relatively short height and flat surface 149 to allow the product to reside thereon without significant inclination or inclination of the product.

[179] The pusher paddle 141 may be positioned on top of the floor 131 to glide on top of the surface, as described above. The pusher paddles can be positioned between the two product divider walls 153 joined together by the product retaining member 155. Additional product retaining members 157 may extend outwardly from the product dividers.

28 and 29, another alternative technique for mounting the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 to the sales display system is shown. In this embodiment, the end 29 is re-etched into the tray 216.

28-32 of an alternative embodiment, the trackless pusher system may retrofit an existing shelf assembly 230 that may have already built in product dividers. For example, in one example, a trackless pusher system may retrofit an existing wire shelf assembly. Referring to Figures 30-32, the tray or adapter 216 may have a glide floor 222, which may be a single lane size of the shelf 234 or an entire shelf width size. The glide floor 222 may include several raised ribs 224 which assist in reducing the friction of the products sold on the tray 216. It should be appreciated that one or more raised ribs 224 may be used with the glide floor 222. Alternatively, the glide floor 222 may be a flat, planar surface without elevated ribs. The tray or adapter 216 may be configured similar to the adapter 180 of FIG.

28 and 30, the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 can be riveted to the front end 228 of the tray 216 through the rivet 229, But may be attached by any other attachment technique. The tray 216 may be held on the shelf by any suitable attachment technique to the particular shelf. In one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 29-32, the tray 216 may include one or more individual wires (not shown) of the shelf 234 to hold the tray 216 on the shelf 234 232 or one or more outwardly extending fingers or snaps 220 that can engage with the tabs 232, The fingers or snaps 220 may extend longitudinally along the length of the tray 216 or may be spaced along the length of the tray. Snaps 220 can be used to snap-fit tray 216 to an existing wire shelf. As depicted in FIGS. 29A and 29B, snaps 220A and 220B may define a number of configurations that allow the tray 216 to snap fit to the shelf. The embodiment depicted in Figures 28-32 permits placement of a trackless pusher system in an existing shelf system, such as a wire shelf system, as a low cost alternative to an entire trackless pusher assembly. In this embodiment, it should be understood that any pusher mechanism described herein can be used.

As depicted in FIGS. 33 and 44, in another exemplary embodiment, the display management system may include one or more pusher mechanisms 286, one or more dividers 266, one or more pusher mechanisms 286, Trays 306 of greater than one, and one or more retainers 250. The pusher mechanism 286 may be formed of a pusher paddle 287 and a pusher floor 288. The product is placed on the pusher floor 288 and guided to the front of the display management system through the dividers 266 and the pusher paddles 287. The coiled spring 30 biases the pusher mechanism 286 toward the retainer 250 to move the product to the front of the system.

In one exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 33, the coiled spring 30 may be mounted to the retainer 250. Alternatively, the coiled spring 30 may be mounted to the divider 266 (also shown in Figures 48 and 49). The coiled spring 30 may be mounted directly to the retainer 250 as depicted in Figure 33 or may be mounted to the retainer 250 through a separate adapter 252 as depicted in Figure 34. [

As depicted in FIG. 35, the adapter 252 has a wall 254 closest to the first end 256. The first end 256 has a curved portion 262 that bends upwardly. The middle portion of the adapter 252 may have a curved slot 260 adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped spring end (not shown).

[186] At one end, the coiled spring 30 may be secured to the middle portion of the adapter 252. In an exemplary embodiment, the curved slot 260 corresponds to the shape and size of the first spring end. Additionally, the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 may be crimped or bent to provide additional fixation. Nevertheless, any adequate fastening method may be used to secure the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the adapter 252. [

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the retainer 250 has a curved slot 284 in shape and size corresponding to the curved portion 262 of the adapter 252. The curved slot 284 extends the length of the retainer 250 to permit unrestricted positioning of the adapter 252 along the length of the retainer 250.

The curved portion 262 of the adapter 252 is disposed in the curved slot 284 of the retainer 250 to secure the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the retainer 250 . The curved slot 284 secures the adapter 252 and the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the retainer 250 and provides a quick and easy assembly of the display system. The wall 254 provides additional stability of the connection between the retainer 250 and the adapter 252. However, other methods may be used to secure the adapter 252 and / or the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the retainer 250.

Alternatively, the coiled spring 30 of the pusher paddle 287 may be mounted directly on the front of the tray 306, as depicted in FIGS. 33 and 44. The first spring end 290 of the coil spring 30 has a curved portion. The curved portion is adapted to be curved downwardly from the pusher floor 288 and received in the recess 316 defined by the retainer 250 and the lip 318 of the front surface of the distribution tray 306 33). The vertically oriented surfaces of the lip 318 and the retainer 250 are spaced such that a gap is formed between the front edge of the lip 250 and the vertically oriented surface. The first spring end 290 is inserted into a gap formed between the front edge of the lip 318 and the vertically oriented surface of the retainer 250 to secure the coiled spring 30 and the pusher mechanism 286 to the assembly Is disposed in the recess 316 defined by the retainer 250 and the lip 318 of the dispensing tray 306.

[190] In another exemplary embodiment depicted in Figures 38, 39, 48 and 49, a coiled spring 30 may be mounted directly to the divider 266. In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the coiled spring 30 may be mounted vertically to the pusher floor 288 such that the axis on which the coil spring 30 is wound is perpendicular to the pusher floor 288. [ This orientation has the benefit of preventing the pusher pads from tipping back. The first spring end 290 may have an angled portion 292 and a tip portion 296. In one exemplary embodiment, the angled portion 292 can be bent perpendicularly to the coiled spring body 294. The divider may have a slot 298 adapted to receive the tip portion 296 of the first spring end 290.

In order to fix the coil spring to the divider, the tip portion 296 is inserted into the slot 298. When the tip portion 296 is fully inserted into the slot 298, the angled portion 292 engages the slot 298 to secure the first spring end 290 to the divider 266.

[192] As depicted in FIG. 33, various pusher mechanism designs can be implemented. The pusher paddles 287 may be formed flat to accommodate correspondingly shaped articles. Alternatively, the pusher paddle 286 may have a curved first end and a flat second end. This serves to accommodate various cylinder products having a variety of different size diameters and to enable operation of the pusher mechanism 286. During operation, the product of the pusher mechanism 286 and the curved first end together force the pusher mechanism toward the divider 266 so that the coil spring 30 is in tension or holding the first spring end 290 during operation And is flat relative to the divider 266. This allows smoother operation of the pusher mechanism and ensures that the product is properly dispensed when users remove the product from the system.

In another exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 40-41D, the distance between the dividers 266 may be adjusted to accommodate different size containers. The dividers 266 may have connecting portions 272. The connecting portions 272 may have a first elongated angled surface 268 and a second elongated angled surface 270. Additionally, connecting portions 272 may have a plurality of protrusions 274. As depicted in FIG. 41B, the rails can be formed with teeth 278 having surface surfaces 280 and side surfaces 282.

When assembled as depicted in FIG. 41 c, the connecting portions 272 are received between the teeth 278 of the rails. Additionally, elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 and protrusions 274 are sandwiched between the teeth 278. The elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 also engage the surface surfaces 280 and the protrusions 274 engage the lower surfaces of the teeth 278 as shown in Figure 41C. The side surfaces 282 contact the connecting portion 272.

[195] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 42, the trays 306 have dovetail connections. The first side 308 of the trays 306 has tongues 312 adapted to fit within the grooves 314 located on the second side 310 of the trays 306. In order to connect the trays, the grooves 314 are aligned with the tongues 312 such that the tongues 312 are securely fixed within the grooves 314.

In an exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 43, trays 306 are configured to receive a retainer 250 at a front end. The retainer may have rectangular holes 300, and the retainer has correspondingly shaped and resized protrusions 302. In order to secure the retainer 250 to the tray 306, the protrusions 302 fit into the holes 300 to lock the retainer in position on the tray 306.

As depicted in FIGS. 45-47, after the product management display system is assembled, the product is loaded into the system. By adjusting the dividers 266, a wide variety of product sizes and shapes can be loaded into the system. 46 and 47, the coil spring 30, together with the pusher paddle 287, pushes the product toward the retainer 250. When the user receives the product from the system, the pusher paddle 287 pushes the remaining product so that the product slides along the floor 264 into the retainer 250. This ensures that all products are on the front of the display system.

As depicted in FIGS. 50-52, the product management display system 400 may be arranged such that the trays 402, 404 may be stacked on top of each other. This embodiment may generally consist of a first tray 402, a second tray 404, a first spacer 406, and a second spacer 408.

The trays 402 and 404 are each arranged to house the product to be dispensed. The first tray 402 and the second tray 404 may each have a secure retainer 410, a pusher mechanism 412, first and second guiding walls, and a coil spring 414.

The pusher mechanism 414 is arranged in a manner similar to the embodiments discussed above to slide the product along the surface of the trays 402, 404 while the product is being removed. Additionally, any of the alternate arrangements of the pusher mechanism discussed above may be implemented with stackable tray arrangements.

[201] To provide easy assembly and disassembly, the stackable product management display system may have a dovetail connection, such as a snap-fit connection, a screw-thread connection, or an rivet connection, or any other suitable connection. The first and second trays have detents 416 to assemble the first and second spacers 406,408 to the first and second trays 402,404. Each of the first and second trays 402,404 may have their respective outer surfaces 406,408 to accommodate correspondingly shaped detents 416 located on the first and second spacers 406,408. Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 418 < / RTI >

To assemble the stackable product management display system, detents 416 located on the first and second spacers 406 and 408 are disposed on the first and second trays 402 and 404 Lt; / RTI > are positioned in the locking arrangement on the corresponding shaped receptacles 418 on the outer surfaces. This provides a stackable arrangement that can be implemented with any of the embodiments discussed above.

In another exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 53-57, the pusher paddle 500 may be mounted directly to the shelf 508 and held on the shelf by the end of the coiled spring 504 . The pusher paddle 500 will slide along the surface at the top of the shelf. One or more dividers 502 defining a T-shaped configuration may be positioned next to the pusher paddle 500. In an alternative aspect, the base of the divider 502 may be positioned on the shelf such that the base is positioned below the pusher paddle 500. With this arrangement, the pusher paddle 500 can slide along the base of the divider. Once the dividers 502 are positioned far enough away from the paddle 500, the paddle 500 will slide directly on the surface of the shelf 508. The dividers 502 may define a number of configurations including those described herein and may be secured to the shelf using any known technique, including push pins, rivets, fasteners, adhesives, .

In an aspect, the end 510 of the coiled spring 504 is positioned within a hole or aperture 506 located on the shelf 508. End 510 may define a spring tip that may further define any suitable configuration that allows the spring end to pass through hole 506 and be secured in the hole. For example, the spring tip of the end portion 510 may define a hook-shaped configuration that allows the end portion 510 to surround the edges of the hole 506. Alternatively, the spring tip may define one or more catches that hook into the edges of the hole 506. [ Other spring tip configurations are possible.

As shown in FIG. 54, fasteners 512, pins, rivets, etc. may be used to further secure the spring 504 to the shelf 508. The fastener 512 has a second spaced anchoring point for the spring to hold the spring in the desired alignment when the paddle 500 moves back and forth on the shelf 508 during full operation of the spring 504. [ . ≪ / RTI > It will be appreciated that more anchoring points are possible, depending on the shelf type and the number and spacing of existing holes on the shelf.

Referring to FIGS. 55-57, an exemplary mounting technique for mounting the spring 504 of the paddle 500 to the shelf is depicted. As shown in FIG. 55, the end 510 of the spring 504 is inserted into the shelf-shaped hole 506. End 510 may define a spring tip as described herein to hold end 510 at the edges of hole 506. [ 56, a spring 504 including a rivet or stud 514 in this embodiment is positioned such that a rivet or stud 514 fits into another hole 506 located on the shelf It is lowered on the shelf. This rivet or stud provides different anchoring points for the spring. 56 and 57, the spring 504 may define an aperture 516 for receiving another rivet or stud 518 to further secure the spring 504 to the shelf have. Due to these multiple anchoring points, the spring 504 will be secured to the shelf, and thus the paddles will be secured to the shelf. Also, due to these multiple anchoring points, the spring will maintain the desired alignment when the paddle moves back and forth on the shelf during full operation of the spring. It is to be understood that other anchoring techniques may be used to secure the end of the spring 504 to the shelf, including any of the techniques described herein, or any combination of the techniques described herein. It should be appreciated that one or more holes may be drilled into the shelf at the desired locations unless the shelf has existing holes that can be used to anchor the spring 504.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 53-57, it can be appreciated that trackless pusher paddles can be retrofitted directly onto existing shop shelves with minimal effort or additional mounting pieces. Additionally, this embodiment is readily removable to allow repositioning of the pusher paddles at any location on the shelf to accommodate any size and type of product to be sold on the shelf. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that any of the pusher paddles described herein may be mounted directly to the shelf using techniques described herein, or by using any combination of the techniques described herein.

In an alternative embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 58, the display management system may include one or more pushers 520, one or more dividers 550, and a front rail 580 . The dividers 550 and the front rails 580 may be located on the shelf. The pusher 520 may include a pusher surface 522 and a pusher floor 524 as illustrated in FIG. The pusher surface 522 can be divided into a non-adjustable portion 526 and a pusher extender 528. Both the non-adjustable portion 526 and the pusher extender 528 may define a surface that can be used to contact the shelf product. Both non-adjustable portion 526 and pusher extender 528 may define similar heights and depths. The pusher extender 528 is adjustable from a position that is adjacent to and coplanar with the non-adjustable portion 526, as shown in FIG. Pusher extender 528 may be oriented downward toward pusher floor 524, as in FIG. The pusher extender 528 includes a position parallel to the pusher floor 524 and a position oriented downwardly from the pusher floor 524 and a position directed downwardly toward the pusher floor 524, And can be adjusted to various positions as well. In this manner, the width or height of the pusher 520 can be effectively extended for larger or larger products.

The pusher extender 528 may rotate about an axis on the upper portion of the pusher 520. The notched wheel 532 (see FIG. 77) may be positioned behind the pusher extender 528. Pusher extender 528 includes a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 530 of FIG. 77) that fits into the notches of notched wheel 532. As the pusher extender 528 rotates about an axis, the protrusion rotates at various intervals within the notches of the notched wheel 532, similar to the pawl and ratchet mechanism. Each notch exhibiting a different position relative to the pusher extender 528. In each separate position, the pusher extender 528 can be held stationary and force is required to move the pusher extender 528 to a different position. In an exemplary aspect of an embodiment, the pusher extender may rotate from one of a first position adjacent the non-adjustable portion 526 to one of a plurality of second positions that may be located within a range of approximately 180 degrees relative to the first position have. The adjustment angle can vary depending on the number, size and spacing of the notches on the notched wheel. The pusher extender may define a lightener aperture through the wall of the pusher extender to reduce the weight of the pusher extender and to reduce the moment created about the axis of the pusher extender. The pusher extender may define a soft or textured pusher surface.

Referring again to FIG. 59, a biasing element, such as a coil spring 534, may be retained in the rear portion of the pusher 520. In an embodiment, the coiled spring 534 may be positioned adjacent the non-adjustable portion 526 of the pusher surface 522. The coiled spring 534 may extend across the pusher floor 524 as shown in FIG. In an embodiment, the pusher floor 524 may include a channel 536 in which the coiled spring 534 resides. The channel 536 allows the product to have a spring and limited contact on the pusher floor 524. The weight of the product lies on the pusher floor 524 in this embodiment. The pusher floor 524 may also include a channel-free surface.

In an embodiment, the divider 550 may be comprised of a divider wall 552, a floor 554, and a barrier 556, as illustrated in FIG. In an example, the divider 550 may not include a barrier. In the example, the divider 550 may not include a floor. The divider wall 552 can divide the divider floor 554 into two portions 559 and 551 (see FIG. 78), with one portion on each side of the divider wall 552. The divider wall 552 may also have a divider floor 554 on only one side of the divider wall 552. As illustrated in Figure 77, the divider wall 552 may extend vertically from the divider floor 554. The divider floor 554 may be a flat surface. In an embodiment, the divider floor 554 may include a channel in a portion of the divider floor 554. A coil spring 534 may extend across the divider floor 554. In an embodiment, the coiled spring 534 may extend across the divider floor 554 in the channel of the divider floor 554. In this embodiment, the product is not located on the coiled spring 534 but instead will rest on portions of the divider floor 554 adjacent to the channel of the divider floor 554. In another embodiment, the divider floor 554 does not include a channel. In one example, a single pusher 520 may be positioned on a portion of the divider floor 554 and a second pusher (see FIG. 84F) may be positioned on a second portion of the divider floor 554. Thus, one divider 550 may include two pushers 520, one on each side of the divider wall 552.

The barrier 556 may be configured to block the pusher 520 and the product being pushed by the biasing element contained therein. The barrier 556 may be positioned in front of the divider wall 552 as illustrated in FIG. The barrier 556 may also be located on the back of the divider wall to prevent over-storage of the product on the shelf. 59 and 77, the divider wall 552 may divide the barrier 556 into two parts. The barrier 556 may be perpendicular to the front of the divider wall 552. In an embodiment, barrier 556, divider wall 552, and divider floor 554 are single integrated devices. These three elements may also be integrated with each other. In the example, the barrier is separated into a divider. In the example, the barrier is not integrated with or integrated with the divider. In another example, the barrier is configured to engage the divider. In the example, the divider wall and divider floor are devices that are separate from one another and do not integrate with each other or are a single integrated device. In the example, the divider wall and the divider floor are configured to mate with each other. In further examples, the barrier may be connected to the front rail 580 or may include a portion of the front rail 580.

As illustrated in FIG. 61, the end 557 of the coiled spring 534 may be positioned within the barrier 556. The end portion 557 of the spring can be folded at an arbitrary angle to the retainer of the spring. This angle may be 90 degrees or any other suitable angle that may be smaller or larger than 90 degrees. The end 557 of the coiled spring may then be disposed in the slot 558 in the barrier 556. If it is in slot 558, it will be in place of spring 557 and the end will help bias pusher 520 toward barrier 556. The end portion 557 of the coiled spring 534 may include a plurality of portions and each of the plurality of portions may be configured to position a subsequent portion of the end of the coiled spring at an angle relative to a previous portion of the coiled spring Have bends (not shown). The plurality of bends may engage the plurality of slots or apertures of the barrier 556 or other connection points on the divider 550 or the front rail 580. The plurality of slots or apertures may conform to the shape of the plurality of bends of the end portion 557 of the coil spring 534. The coil spring 534 may include a catch (not shown) at one end. The catch of the coiled spring 534 may be configured to prevent the coiled spring 534 from being disengaged from the pusher 520, such as when the coiled spring 534 is extended.

The pusher 520 may be connected to the divider 550 only by a coiled spring 534. The pusher 520 may be located on the top of the divider floor 554 and may slide across the divider floor. The pusher 520 may be configured to be fully positioned above the divider floor 554 rather than proceeding below the divider floor 554 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the pusher 520 may be picked up to the divider floor 554 as shown in FIG. The gravity and weight of the product resting on the pusher floor 524 maintains the pusher 520 on the divider floor 554. The product located on the coiled spring 534 also holds the pusher 520 on the divider floor 554. The only unified connection between the pusher and the divider may be the end of the coiled spring 557 held in the slot 558 of the barrier 556. The divider wall 552 can be used to guide the pusher 520 when the pusher 520 is moved up and down on the divider floor 554 (and vice versa).

[215] The divider 550 may define a groove 560 or other recess in the lower portion of the divider. Such a groove 560 or other recess may be a shape that is "u" as shown in Fig. 61 or may take a different shape. The groove 560 or other recess may extend across the entire width of the lower portion of the divider 550. In an example, the groove 560, or other recess, may extend along only a portion of the width of the lower portion of the divider. Groove 560 or other recess may be used to engage the front rail, the front wall of the tray, or other structures. The term recesses as used herein may mean grooves, slots, channels, indentations, depressions or other recesses extending inwardly.

[216] The divider 550 may also define a plurality of teeth 562 or other protrusions. The teeth 562 or other protrusions may be located in the front portion of the barrier 556. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 63, teeth 562 may define a series of outwardly extending angled surfaces that meet or join at apexes. As used herein, the terms teeth are any uniform, non-uniform, continuous, non-continuous, evenly spaced or otherwise unstretched, non-wrinkled, non-wrinkled, , And non-uniformly spaced outwardly extending surfaces. Additionally, the teeth can be pointed at the apex, defined as smooth, rounded, flat, polygonal ends, or any other suitable shape. Also, the surfaces defining the shape of the teeth can be flat, convex, concave, soft or textured, or any other suitable configuration. In an embodiment, teeth 562 are positioned on the extension from the front portion of barrier 556. The divider 550 may also define an elastic tongue or tab 564. The teeth 562 or other protrusions may be located on the elastic tabs 564. When a force is applied to the elastic tabs 564, the teeth 562 or other protrusions can move in the direction of the force. When the force is removed, the teeth or other protrusions will move back to their original position. The term protrusion as used herein can mean an outwardly extending protrusion, an elastic tab, a tongue, a bump, teeth or a plurality of teeth, ridges, knobs or other protrusions. The plurality of teeth may include a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions and a plurality of recesses extending inwardly between portions of the plurality of outwardly extending teeth.

The front rail 580 includes a flat surface 582, a ridge or tongue 584 or other projection or engagement member, a channel or groove 586 or other recess or engagement member and a plurality of teeth 588, Other engagement members can be defined. The ridge or tongue 584 or other projection or engaging member of the front rail 580 may be configured to engage a groove 560 or other recess or engaging member of the divider. The ridges 584 or other projections or other engaging members may fit within the grooves 560 or other recesses or engaging members and the dividers 550 may be attached to the ridges 584 or the front rails 580 in a vertical direction or in a ridge 584) or the front rail 580 at any angle (i.e., not vertical). The teeth 588 of the front rail 580 or other engaging members can be spaced apart. Front rail rails 588 or other engaging members may be secured to the teeth 562 of the divider 550 to prevent lateral movement of the divider in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 ) May be engaged with another engaging member or illustrated in Figure 63. [ The teeth 588 or other engaging member of the front rail 580 is engaged with the teeth 562 or other engaging member of the divider 550 and the divider 550 is engaged with the side shown by the arrow "A & Direction. The term engaging member as used herein may refer to protrusions, recesses, flat surfaces, approximate planar surfaces, or other items of construction that can engage other items of the structure. The front rail may be a separate structure attached or coupled to the shelf. Alternatively, the front rail may be part of a tray defining one or more of the front, back and opposite side walls. In this configuration, the front rails, as described herein, may be formed as part of the front or back wall of the tray and still accomplish the objects of the present invention. That is, the front rails may be formed as part of the tray walls (or attached to the tray walls) and may be received and engaged with the dividers and pusher mechanisms using any of the various techniques described herein. The front rail also need not be placed on the full front of the shelf. The front rail may be located near the front of the shelf or at a rear distance from the front of the shelf. In the example, the front rail may be located off the front of the sales display system, on the back side of the shelf, or near the rear side. The front of the shelf may not include rails in one example.

When the elastic tabs 564 of the divider 550 are pressed or pressed against the elastic tabs in a direction away from the teeth 588 of the front rail 580, And can be disengaged from the rail top portions 588. [ The dividers 550 are spaced laterally in the teeth 588 of the front rail 580 when the front rail upper teeth portions 588 and the elastic tabs 564 on the dividers 550 are disengaged from the upper teeth portions 562. [ (I.e., the direction shown by arrow "A" in Fig. 65). Through the use of these elastic tabs 564, the products included on the sales system 10 can be reflowed. When the divider 550 is moved in the lateral direction, the divider does not need to be rotated. Instead, the divider 550 is in a plane parallel to the flat surface 582 of the front rail 580. In addition, the divider 550 need not be lifted. The divider 550 can be moved simply in the direction noted by the arrow "A" of Fig.

In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider 550 and a front rail 580 configured to engage the front rail 580. The at least one divider 550 includes a barrier 556 and the at least one divider 550 further includes a divider wall 552. The at least one divider also includes a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, wherein the divider floor 554 is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, wherein the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 is in the first position, (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 is moved in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction.

[220] In one example, the cam 720 includes a handle to rotate the cam 720 between the first position and the second position. In another example, the cam 720 may include a handle (not shown) that allows the cam 720 to slide between the first position and the second position. The cam 720 may also include one or more cam walls configured to engage one or more of the groove walls of the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The cam 720 may also include a plurality of cam teeth configured to engage a plurality of front rail teeth on the surface of the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The front rail clamps may be on the inner surface of the front rail 580. The sales display system may also include a pusher surface, a pusher floor extending forwardly from the pusher surface, and a pusher mechanism having a coiled spring with a coiled end and a free end. The coiled end of the spring may be positioned behind the pusher surface and the pusher mechanism may be attached to the sale display system only by a coiled spring. The barrier may be configured to receive the free end of the coiled spring. The front rail can define the front rail grooves and the dividers can define the dividers that are configured to engage the front rail grooves.

[221] In one example, the sales display system includes a plurality of dividers 550 attached to the front rail 580 and the front rail 580 and configured to separate the products into rows. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 includes a divider wall 552 extending vertically to the front rail 580, a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, and a divider floor 554, And a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, and the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 is configured such that when a plurality of dividers 550 each engage the front rail 580 and the cam 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the first position a) is laterally movable parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 is configured such that each of the plurality of dividers 550 engages the front rail 580 and the cam 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the second position (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail 580. [

In one example, each of the plurality of dividers 550 is configured to move laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the product is positioned on the divider floor 554. The outermost divider force of the plurality of dividers 550 is such that when the cams 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 are in the first position each of the plurality of dividers 550 is positioned on the front rail 580, and the force is in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 and perpendicular to the divider wall 552 of the outermost divider.

In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and the front rail 580, at least one divider 550 is disposed on the barrier, A vertically extending divider wall 552 and a divider wall 552 perpendicular to the divider wall 552 and the divider wall 552 separates the divider floor 554 into a first portion and a second portion Each of the first and second portions is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a first pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion, a second pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion, and a cam coupled to the at least one divider (550) (720), and the cam (720) is configured to move between a first position and a second position. At least one divider 550 is movable laterally parallel and following the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the first position and at least one divider 550 is positioned between the cam 580 and the cam 580, When in the second position, follows the front rail 580 and prevents parallel lateral movement.

In one example, each of the first and second pusher mechanisms of the sales display system includes a pusher surface, a pusher floor extending forwardly from the pusher surface, and a coiled spring having a coiled end and a free end, The coiled end is positioned behind the pusher surface. The first and second pusher mechanisms are attached to the sale display system only by a coiled spring. At least one of the dividers may define a divider engagement member, at least one of the front rails may define a front rail engagement member, and the divider engagement member may be configured to engage the front rail engagement member. The divider engagement member may define divider teeth portions on at least one surface of the divider engagement member and the front rail engagement member may define front rail teeth on at least one surface of the front rail engagement member. The divider teeth can be configured to engage the front rail teeth.

In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and the front rail 580, and at least one divider 550 includes a front rail 580, A divider wall 552 extending perpendicularly to the front rail 580 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 554 is adapted to hold the product . The display system may also include an elastic tab coupled to the divider 550, and the elastic tab is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one divider 550 is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail 580 when the elastic tabs are in the first position. At least one divider 550 is laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the elastic tab is in the second position.

In one example, the divider 550 includes a plurality of teeth that are configured to engage the front rail 580. The divider teeth can be configured to engage corresponding teeth on the front rail 580. The dividing teeth of the sales display system can be configured to engage the resilient surface on the front rail 580. [

In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580-the front rail 580 includes at least one first projection and at least one first recess-to attach to the front rail 580 At least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 perpendicular to the divider wall 552 and at least one divider 550. The at least one divider 550 includes at least one divider 550, Further comprises at least one second recess and at least one second projection, and wherein at least one second projection of the divider (550) is configured to move between a first position and a second position. At least one first protrusion of the front rail 580 engages at least one second recess of the divider 550 and at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 engages the first (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail 580 when in position At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one second recess of the divider 550 and at least one second projection of the divider 550 is at a second position (A) inhibits lateral movement parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. [

In one example, at least one second projection of the divider 550 may include a cam 720. At least one first recess of the front rail 580 may include a groove. At least one second projection of the divider 550 may include an elastic tab. At least one first projection of the front rail 580 may include a tongue. At least one first projection of the front rail 580 may comprise a plurality of teeth. At least one second projection of the divider 550 may include a tongue. At least one second projection of the divider 550 may include a plurality of teeth. The sales display system may also include a plurality of teeth on at least one first projection of the front rail 580 and a plurality of teeth on at least one second recess of the divider 550. [

In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580, the front rail 580 includes at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion, and at least one of the front rails 580 And one second projection is configured to move between the first position and the second position. The sales display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 and a divider floor vertically to the divider wall 552 554), and at least one divider (550) further comprises at least one recess. At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that at least one first projection of the front rail 580 engages at least one recess of the divider 550 and at least one second projection of the front rail 580 engages the first position (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that at least one first projection of the front rail 580 engages at least one recess of the divider 550 and at least one second projection of the front rail 580 engages the second position (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail 580.

In one example, at least one first projection of the front rail 580 may include a tongue, and at least one recess of the divider 550 may include a groove.

[231] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580, and the front rail 580 includes a first projection and a second projection. The sales display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 and a divider wall 552, (554), and at least one divider (550) further includes a recess and a third projection. At least one of the second projection or the third projection is a movable projection movable between the first position and the second position. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when the first projection of the front rail 580 engages the recess of the divider 550 and the movable projection is in the first position (a) parallel to the front rail 580 (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when the first projection of the front rail 580 engages the recess of the divider 550 and the movable projection is in the second position, (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction.

[232] In one example, the movable projection of the sales display system may be a cam 720 or an elastic tab. The first projection of the front rail 580 may be tongued and the recess of the divider 550 may be a groove.

[233] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580, and the front rail 580 includes at least a first engagement member. The sales display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall , And at least one divider (550) further comprises at least a second engagement member. The sales display system also includes a third engagement member configured to move between the first position and the second position. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when the first engaging member of the front rail 580 engages the second engaging member of the divider 550 and the third engaging member is in the first position (a) the front rail 580 (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that when the first engaging member of the front rail 580 engages the second engaging member of the divider 550 and the third engaging member is in the second position, (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. In one example, when the first engaging member of the front rail 580 engages the second engaging member of the divider 550 and the third engaging member is in the first position, at least one divider 550 engages the front rail (Such as shelf 596 shown in Figs. 70 and 71) only in a lateral direction parallel to the shelves 580 and 580; At least one divider 550 is fixed in all directions other than the direction parallel to the front rail 580 in the plane of the shelf; At least one of the dividers 550 can not twist, splay, or fish tail in the plane of the shelf; At least one divider 550 is perpendicular to the front rail 580.

In one example, the third engagement member may be part of the front rail 580 or part of the divider 550. In one example, the third engagement member may include a cam 720 or an engagement surface. In one example, the first engagement member of the front rail 580 is a projection. The sales display system also includes a pusher surface 528, a pusher floor 524 extending forward from the pusher surface 528, and a pusher mechanism 520 having a coiled spring 534 having a coiled end and a free end . The coiled end can be positioned behind the pusher surface 528 and the pusher mechanism 520 is attached to the sale display system only by the coiled spring 534. [ The sales display system may also include a barrier configured to receive the free end of the coil spring 534. [

In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to engage the front rail 580, and at least one divider 550 includes a barrier 556 Wherein the at least one divider further includes a divider wall 554 and the at least one divider further comprises a divider floor 552 perpendicular to the divider wall 554, . The sales display system also includes a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, wherein the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. At least one divider 550 may be fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580 when at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580. The cam 720 can prevent movement of at least one divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the first position. The cam 720 may allow movement of the divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The sales display system may include a handle to rotate the cam 720 between the first position and the second position. The sales display system may include a handle (not shown) to slide the cam 720 between the first position and the second position.

FIGS. 67A-67C illustrate an example of a step-by-step approach to placement of a divider on the front rail. To begin, the divider 550 is lowered to the channel 586 defined by the front rail 580, as illustrated in Figure 67A. The force of lowering the divider 550 to the channel 586 causes the teeth 562 on the divider 550 to contact the top of the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 67B, And in a direction away from the front rail 580. The teeth 562 on the divider 550 may be inclined teeth as shown in Fig. The front rail 580 includes recesses 589 shaped to engage the teeth 562 of the divider 550 as illustrated in Fig. These recesses 589 are spaced apart by teeth 588 provided on the front rail 580. When the divider 550 is further lowered to the channel 586 on the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 67c the teeth 564 of the divider 550 are moved past the top of the front rail 580 And into the recesses 589 of the front rail 580. When the divider 550 is in the recesses 589 of the front rail 580, the divider 550 will be in the engaged position and will not move laterally under the amount of normal force.

[237] In one example, FIGS. 68A-68C illustrate a step-by-step approach to placement of a divider on a front rail in another embodiment. In the initial stage, the resilient tongue or tab 564 is manually pushed backward, as illustrated in Figure 68A, to allow the tab 564 top teeth 562 to move back toward the divider 550. The axial style pivot causes the elastic tongue or tab 564 to be in the pushed rear position and the teeth 562 to be positioned toward the divider 550. The divider 550 is then placed in contact with the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 68B. Groove 560 of divider 550 engages ridge or tongue 584 of front rail 580. At this point, the divider 550 can be moved laterally along the front rail and allow for ease of reflow graining. However, the divider 550 is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 (i.e., parallel to the divider 550), and the groove 560 of the divider 550 and the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580, Can not be moved in this direction except for a negligible amount of motion. (The vertical direction to the front rail is noted by the arrow "B" in Figure 86h). This insignificant amount of motion may not be noticeable to the user of the system. While the divider 550 is in contact with the front rail 580 and the groove 560 of the divider 550 engages the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 68B, 550) move in the plane of the shelf (the shelf is noted as 596 in Figures 70 and 71) only laterally parallel to the front rail 580 (i. E., The direction noted by arrow "A" . The divider is fixed and immovable in the plane of the shelf under vertical operating forces in all other directions except the direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ The divider 550 can not twist, splay, fish tail, or otherwise move in a direction other than the direction parallel to the front rail 580. However, the divider 550 can move in a direction out of the plane of the shelf, such as the direction noted by the arrow "C" in Fig. 87b. The divider 550 with or without the product on the divider floor 554 can slide in the direction previously noted by the arrow "A" of Figure 65 without requiring the divider 550 to be lifted have. In the final step, as illustrated in Figure 68C, the elastic tongue or tab 564 is manually pulled away from the divider 550 forwardly. This movement causes the top portions 562 of the front divider 550 to fit within the recesses 589 of the front rail 580. The recesses 589 of the front rail 580 are spaced apart by teeth 588 from the front rail. When the teeth 562 of the divider 550 are in contact with the teeth 588 and the recesses 589 of the front rail 580 the divider 550 is engaged and moves laterally under the amount of normal force I can not.

In another example, the resilient tongue or tab does not include an axial style pivot that causes the resilient tongue or tab 564 to be in the pushed back position. Instead, the resilient tongue or tab 564 automatically retracts the tongue or tab 564 to its rest position when the force of manually pushing the resilient tongue or tab 564 backward is removed and the front rail 580 Away from the divider 550, so as to engage the front rail 580. In this way,

In one example, the divider 550 is positioned in contact with the front rail 580. The engagement member of the front rail 580 engages the engagement member of the divider 550 which secures the divider in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 (the direction noted by arrow "B" in Figure 86h) The divider 550 can not move vertically to the front rail 580, except for a negligible amount of movement or spacing between the engaging members that may not be noticeable. The divider 550 is also fixed in the plane of the shelf in all directions except the direction parallel to the front rail 580 (the direction noted by the arrow "A" The dividers 550 can move in the plane of the shelf only in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ The divider 550 is fixed in the plane of the shelf in a direction out of the direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces and conditions. However, the divider can move in a direction out of the plane of the shelf, such as the direction noted by the arrow "C" in Fig. When the divider is "fixed" in the vertical direction to the front rail 580, this results in a significantly smaller amount of motion between the engaging members that the divider 550 may not notice to the user under normal operating forces and conditions Or in the vertical direction to the front rail 580, in addition to the spacing. The vertical direction to the front rail is noted by the arrow "B" The second engagement member of the front rail 580 or the divider 550 is in the first position and the divider is moved laterally parallel to the front rail. The second engaging member is then moved to the second position, which causes the divider 550 to move laterally parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces (indicated by the arrow "A" Direction). When the divider 550 is "fixed" laterally parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 will not be able to move laterally parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces.

In one example, a plurality of dividers 550 are mounted on the front rail 580 while being secured to the front rail 580 in a direction perpendicular to the front rail (the direction noted by arrow "B" in FIG. 86h) As shown in FIG. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 may be disposed in contact with the front rail 580. The engagement member or a plurality of engagement members of the front rail 580 engage with the engagement members for each of the plurality of dividers 550 and this engages the front rail 580 in the vertical direction Each of the plurality of dividers 550 is fixed to the front rail (not shown), and in addition to a nonsmallly small amount of movement or spacing between the engaging members that may not be noticeable to the user, 580 in the vertical direction. The second engagement member (or a plurality of second engagement members) of each of the front rail 580 or the dividers 550 is in the first position and the plurality of dividers 550 are parallel to the front rail 580 To move to the side. The plurality of dividers 550 may form rows between the dividers 550 configured to hold the product. The product may be disposed between two of the plurality of dividers 550 as shown in Figures 45-47. A force may be applied to the first divider in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ This force may move the first divider in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 and cause the divider 550 to contact the product adjacent to the first divider 550. (The product can be taken as a candle or boxes as shown in Figures 45-47 and in different shapes). The divider 550 can then force the product to travel in the same direction as the first divider 550, that is, parallel to the front rail 580. The force may move the article to be in contact with the second divider 550 adjacent to the article. The product can then force the second divider 550 to move in the same direction as the first divider 550 and the product, i.e., parallel to the front rail 580. The second divider can then force the second product adjacent to the second divider 550 to move in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. The second product may force the third divider 550 adjacent to the second product to move in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ In this manner, both the series of dividers 550 and the products are parallel to the front rail 580 with a single force acting on the dividers 550 or only one of the products in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 Can be moved in one direction. The second engaging member or members for one of the front rail 580 or the plurality of dividers 550 are moved to the second position which causes the divider 550 to move to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces And the dividers 550 can not move in a direction parallel to the front rails 580 and the dividers 550 can move in directions parallel to the front rails 580 Will not force you to move to.

In one example, when the second engaging member is moved to the second position, the second engaging member suppresses the movement of the divider 550 in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. Under a force less than or equal to the predefined positive force, the second engagement member prevents the divider 550 from moving in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. When the amount of force exceeding the amount of the predefined force is applied to the divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 moves laterally parallel to the front rail 580 .

In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 66, the thickness of the divider floor 554 is variable. The thickness of the front portion of the divider floor 554 adjacent to the flat surface 582 of the front rail is less than the thickness of the rear portion further back of the divider floor 554 not adjacent to the flat surface 582 of the front rail. As shown in FIG. 67, the portion of the divider floor 554A is thinner than the portion of the divider floor 554B. In one example, the thickness of the front portion of the divider floor adjacent to the flat surface 582 of the front rail 580 is greater than the thickness of the back portion of the divider floor 554, which is the non-adjacent flat surface 582 of the front rail 580 Gt;

An embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 69A and 69B includes rail mounting clips 590 for the front rail 580. As illustrated in Figure 69 (b), the front rail 580 includes an aperture 592. This aperture 592 can be adjusted to be positioned at the positions of the apertures 595 on the shelf 596 in the retail environment, as shown in FIG. The rail mounting clips 590 may be curved. The rail mounting clips 590 also include a narrow portion 594 at one end of the rail mounting clips 590. The rail mounting clips 590 are inserted into the wider rounded portion of the aperture 592 of the front rail 580 and into the shelves 596 on the apertures 595 in a retail environment, . The rail mounting clips 590 may then be laterally shifted to a narrower portion within the aperture 592 of the front rail 580. By shifting the rail mounting clips 590, the wider rounded portion of the rail mounting clips 590 will engage the narrower portion of the aperture 592 of the front rail and lock in place. Whereby the rail mounting clips 590 hold the front rail 580 in place and prevent the front rail 580 from moving laterally. If the shop shelf is known to have holes before shipment, the rail mounting clips 590 may be inserted and locked into the front rail 580 prior to shipment. Inserting the rail mounting clips 590 prior to shipment can add ease of installation of the sales system in a shop environment.

In at least one embodiment, the height of the divider wall 552 may be greater than the height of the barrier 556, as shown in FIGS. 72 and 73. 74 further displays the end 557 of the coiled spring 534 held within the barrier 556. [ The end 557 of the spring 534 is bent at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the rest of the spring body 534. [ End 557 is disposed within slot 558 held within barrier 556.

In one embodiment, the divider 550 includes teeth 600 as illustrated in FIGS. 72 and 73. These teeth may be molded to integrate with the divider 550. Teeth portions 600 are not held on elastic taps or tongues in other embodiments. The teeth portions 600 are spaced apart from each other. A plurality of teeth portions 600 may be disposed on the divider 550 at the bottom of the front portion of the divider 550 and the front portion of the barrier 556.

As illustrated in FIG. 75, the front rail 610 may include a plurality of teeth 612. The teeth 612 of the front rail 610 can be used to secure the teeth 600 of the divider 550 using the use and camming action of the cam bar 622 of the front rail 610, Can be designed to be releasably engaged. The front rail 610 also includes a substantially even or flat flat surface 614 and a tongue or ridge 616 perpendicular to the flat surface 614, as illustrated in FIG. The front rail 610 further includes a cam bar lever 618 that moves the cam bar 622 in the front rail 610, as shown in Figs. 76A and 76B. 76A, the cam bar lever 618 is in a first position in which the teeth 612 of the front rail 610 are retracted toward the front rail 610 away from the divider. 76B, the cam bar lever 618 is in the second position in which the teeth 612 of the front rail 610 extend toward the divider 550. [

FIG. 77 shows an exploded view of some aspects of an embodiment. The front rail 610 is shown to include an extruded shell 620, a cam bar 622, and a tooth bar 624. The tooth bar 624 includes a plurality of teeth 612. The extruded shell 620 includes a cam area 626 that is designed to house the cam bar 622 and the tooth bar 624. The cam bar 622 is positioned on the base of the front rail 610 adjacent the extruded shell 620. The cam bar 624 contacts the cam bar lever 618. The cam bar lever 618 may be operable to move back and forth the cam bar 622 laterally. The cam bar 622 further includes elongated cam reservoirs 628. The cam reservoirs 628 are diagonally from the front end of the cam reservoir 628 closer to the front end of the front rail 610 and the rear end of the further reservoir 628 from the front end of the front rail 610 .

The tooth bar 624 may include cam studs 630. The tooth bar cam studs 630 are disposed in the cam bar reservoirs 628 during operation of the front rail 610. When the cam bar 622 and the cam bar reservoirs 628 move sideways, the tooth bar cam studs 630 move in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the cam bar 622. The cam follower studs 630 are configured to move toward the front of the front rail 610 (and away from the teeth 600 of the divider) when the cam bar 622 moves sideways in the cam area 626 And toward the front of the front rail 610 (and towards the teeth 600 of the divider). As the tooth bar cam studs 630 move, the teeth bar 624 also moves. Thus, when the cam bar lever 618 is moved from the first position to the second position, it moves the cam bar 622 laterally along the inside of the front rail 610. This lateral movement of the cam bar 622 causes the tooth bar 624 and the teeth 612 thereon to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the cam bar 622; That is, the tooth bar 624 moves toward or away from the front of the front rail 610 and toward or away from the teeth 600 on the divider 550. 78 shows a rear exploded view of some aspects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 77;

FIGS. 79A to 79C show examples of a stepwise guide for the placement of the dividers 550 on the front rail 610. The divider 550 including the teeth 600 on the divider is lowered to the channel 640 of the front rail 610 as illustrated in Figure 79A. The tooth bar 624 is initially in a position closer to the front of the front rail 610 and the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 550. The cam bar lever 618 is in a first position to hold the tooth 612 of the tooth bar 624 away from engagement with the divider teeth portions 600 as illustrated in Figure 79B. In this position, the divider 550 can be laterally moved along the ridge or tongue 616 of the front rail 610. The divider 550 may have a product positioned on the divider floor 554 when the divider 550 is laterally moved along the front rail in the direction shown in Figure 77 by the arrow "A ". The ridges 584 or other projections of the front rail 580 can engage the grooves 560 or other recesses of the divider 550 to secure the divider 550 and can be engaged with the ridges It is possible to prevent the divider from moving in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 in a meaninglessly small amount of movement (for example, less than 3 mm) between the grooves 560 and 584 and the groove 560. The cam bar lever 618 is then moved from the first position to the second position. The movement of the cam bar lever 618 causes the cam bar 622 to move laterally within the extruded shell 620. Movement of the cam bar 622 includes movement of the diagonal cam bar reservoirs 628 in a lateral direction. The movement of the cam bar reservoirs 628 in turn is as illustrated in Figure 79C so that the cam bar cam studs 630 are positioned perpendicular to the direction of the cam bar 622 and towards the teeth 600 side of the divider 550 Direction. The tooth bar cam studs 630 may be coupled to and integrated with the tooth bar 624. Thus, movement of the tooth bar cam studs 630 causes the tooth bar 624 and the teeth 612 included therein to move toward the teeth 600 of the divider. This movement causes the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 to engage with the teeth 600 of the divider. When the teeth 612 of the tooth bar are engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider, the dividers 550 are releasably engaged and move to the side shown by arrow "A" of FIG. 77 under normal operating forces and conditions You will not be able to move in the direction.

The tooth bar 624 is fixed on its ends such that the tooth bar 624 can only move in a direction toward or away from the teeth 600 of the divider. The tooth bar 624 can not move in the lateral direction shown in Fig. 77 by the arrow "A ". The cam bar 622 operates in an opposite manner. The cam bar 622 is fixed so that the cam bar 622 can move only in the lateral direction shown in Fig. 77 by the arrow "A ". The cam bar can not be moved toward or away from the divider upper teeth portions 600.

FIG. 80 provides an isometric view of aspects of an embodiment. When the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 engage the teeth 600 of the divider, the entire sales system 10 is locked. The front rail 610 and the dividers 550 are releasably engaged with one another and will not move relative to one another. In addition, the pusher 520 is engaged with the divider 550. In this position, the entire sales system 10 can be moved. The sales system 10 may be set up at a remote location and then locked according to a particular planogram. The sales system 10 may then be shipped to a storage location. At the storage location, the vending system 10 may be removed from the shipping container and placed on a shelf such as a mat. While the plano grading of the dividers 550 is intact, the sales system 10 is locked.

In one example, the display system is assembled at a remote location away from the shelf and then moved to the shelf as a unit and secured to the shelf. The plurality of dividers 550 engage the front rail 580 in such a way that they are fixed and do not move significantly in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. The plurality of dividers 550) is adjusted laterally parallel to the front rail 580 according to a pre-planned planogram or other arrangement. The plurality of dividers 550 includes engagement members and the front rail 580 includes engagement members. The engagement members on the plurality of dividers 550 and / or the engagement members on the front rail 580 may be arranged in a plurality of dividers 550 so that the plurality of dividers can not move in any direction with respect to the front rail 580. [ Is adjusted from the first position to the second position to fix the front rail 580 to the front rail 580. [ The front rail 580 and the plurality of dividers 550 are then moved to the shelf as a unit. The front rail 580 is then secured to the shelf.

In order to change the plano-grading of the sales system at the storage location, the dividers 550 and the product need not be removed from the shelf. The cam bar lever 618 or other engagement member for each of the dividers 550 can be moved to its initial position. By moving the cam bar lever 618 or other engaging member to its initial position, the teeth 612 of the teeth bar 624 are unwound from the teeth 600 of the divider (or one engaging member is engaged with another engaging member) Lt; / RTI > In this position, the dividers 550 can be moved laterally in the direction indicated by the arrow "A" The product may be in place on the divider floors 554 and the pusher floors 524 and the dividers 550 are moved. The cam bar lever 618 or other engaging member for each of the dividers 550 can be moved to its second position if the dividers 550 have been moved to the new planogram position. The teeth 612 of the tooth bar 622 will then engage teeth 600 of the divider 550 (or one engaging member will engage the other engaging member) Lt; / RTI >

[254] In one example, the operation of the camming operation is further illustrated in Figures 81a and 81b. 81A shows the teeth 600 of the divider that are not engaged with the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624. FIG. In an embodiment, the cam bar 622 is adjacent to the front wall of the front rail 610. 81b, the cam bar lever 618 has been moved to the second position and the cam bar 622 has been moved laterally and the tooth bar cam studs 630 have been moved towards the divider 550. [ The teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 are also moved toward the divider 550 and engaged with the divider teeth 600.

In one embodiment, a tender rubber pad may be used at the location of the teeth 612 on the tooth bar 624 and may function as an engaging member. In this embodiment, when the tooth bar 624 is adjacent to the front portion of the front rail 610, the soft rubber pads and the dividing teeth portions 600 are not in contact with each other. When the cam bar lever 618 is moved to its second position and the cam bar 622 moves the tooth bar 624 in the direction of the divider teeth portions 600, And is engaged by the contact. This contact provides resistive interference and keeps the divider teeth 600 in place and the divider 550 prevents lateral movement in the direction noted in Figure 77 by the arrow "A ".

In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 82a-82c, the divider 550 is held in place by contacting the front rail 580 through the use of a clamp. 82A-82C illustrate a step-wise process for inserting the divider 550 into the front rail 580. FIG. Initially, as illustrated in Figure 82a, the divider 550 is lowered to the channel 640 formed in the front rail 580 (or 610). In addition, the ridge or tongue 644 of the front rail 580 contacts the channel 645 of the divider 550. The divider 550 includes bumps or outwardly extending ridges 650 in the front portion of the divider 550. The clamp 652 on the front rail 580 is rotated to engage the bump 650 of the divider 550. Clamp 652 snaps over bump 650 and locks bump 650 and divider 550 in place. When releasably engaged, the divider 550 can not move in the lateral direction noted in FIG. 80 by the arrow "A ". To move the divider 550, the clamp 652 must be engaged to pull the clamp 652 from the divider bump 650.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 83A-83C, the divider 550 is held in place by contact with the front rail 580 through the use of a rotary rod 660 including teeth. Figures 83A-83C show a step-by-step process for inserting the divider 550 into the front rail 580. [ Initially, as illustrated in FIG. 83A, the divider 550 is lowered to the channel 640 formed in the front rail 580. The front rail 580 includes a rotatable rod 660 that itself includes teeth. When the divider 550 is first lowered to the channel, the teeth of the rotary rod 660 are in a first position where they are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 550, as illustrated in FIG. 83B. The handle 662 is coupled to a rotatable rod 660. When the handle is in the first position 664, the teeth of the rotary rod 660 are in a first position where they are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 500. When the handle 662 is moved to the second position 668, the handle 662 rotates the rotatable rod 660 and the rotatable rod 662 rotates so that the teeth on the divider 550 And moves the upper portions of the rotary rod 662 to a position engaged with the teeth portions 600. In this position, the load portions are in interference condition with the divider teeth portions 600. When the rod teeth portions and the divider teeth portions 600 are engaged with each other, the divider 550 can not move in the lateral direction noted in FIG. 80 by the arrow "A ". To move the divider 550 the rod 660 has to be returned to its first position 664 and the teeth of the rod 660 have moved out of engagement with the divider 600 in the divider 550.

In one embodiment, a plurality of pushers 520 and dividers 550 may be used with a single front rail 580. 84A-84E illustrate the use of two pushers 520 and two dividers 550 to push the product of the shelf toward the front side. The use of multiple pushers 520 may allow pushing of a wide product, as schematically shown in the figures. In addition, placing the pusher extender 528 in its upwardly extending position may allow the pushers 520 to push larger products or more products as shown in Figures 84d and 84e . In one embodiment, the divider 550 may be coupled to the two pushers 520. One pusher 520 may engage portions of the barrier 556 on each side of the divider wall 552 as shown in Figure 84f. In other examples, the divider may be coupled to one pusher or the divider may not be coupled to any pusher.

In another embodiment, the divider 550 is partially secured to the front rail 580 through the action of the cam 720, as illustrated in FIG. 85. 85 illustrates the cam 720 in a side perspective view coupled to the barrier 556. FIG. Cam 720 includes a rounded portion 722 configured to rotate within cavity 740 (see Figure 86g) of barrier 556. The cam 720 also includes a tongue 724 comprised of a first cam wall 726, a second cam wall 728, and a third cam wall 730. In Figure 85, the cam is in a position not engaged with the front rail. In this position, the first cam wall 726 may be in a substantially vertical alignment. In this position, the second cam wall 728 and the third cam wall 730 may also be substantially in horizontal alignment. The first cam wall 726 is connected to the second cam wall 728. The second cam wall 728 is connected to the third cam wall 730. The cam also includes a handle 732.

In another embodiment, the tongue 724 has only two cam walls. A first cam wall, such as a first cam wall 726, and a second cam wall. The second cam wall is straight and spans the length shown by the cam walls 728 and 730. In this embodiment, there is no bend in the second cam wall. The cam walls may extend to one or more portions of the width of the divider 550 or may extend the entire width of the divider 550.

In one embodiment, the cam 720 fits within the cavity 740 of the barrier 556 as illustrated in Figure 86g. In one embodiment, cavity 740 is bounded by side walls 742. The side walls 742 make the front surface of the cavity 740 slightly narrower than the width of the cam 720. The amount of force is required to push cam 720 through sidewalls 742 and into cavity 740. After the cam has passed the side walls 742, it snaps into position in cavity 740. The cam 720 may then rotate in cavity 740 and will not escape from cavity 740 or detach from cavity 740 during normal use. The cam 720 is rotatably fixed within the cavity 740. In one embodiment, cavity 740 is also bordered (not shown) at its front portion by a front wall.

In another embodiment, the side walls 742 do not make the front surface of the cavity 740 narrower than the width of the cam 720. In this embodiment, the cam 720 can be located in the cavity 740 and can be removed from the cavity 740 without having to overcome the resistive forces caused by the side walls 742.

In one example, FIGS. 86E and 86F illustrate enlarged portions of the cam 720 and the front rail 580. Cam 720 may include texturing. The cam 720 may include teeth or other engagement members. In one embodiment, the first cam wall 726 is textured with teeth 736 and 738. The teeth 736 may form a bottom row of teeth. The teeth 738 may form an upper row of teeth. In one embodiment, teeth 736 and teeth 738 are rounded. In at least one embodiment, teeth 736 and teeth 738 form one vertical row of teeth. Removing tooth top image points can provide better operation and longer life for the cam teeth. Cam 720 can also be textured in other ways than teeth, such as roughness or other texturing.

In one example, the front rail 580 includes a groove 750 as illustrated in FIG. 86f. The groove 750 may include a first groove wall 752, a second groove wall 754, and a third groove wall 756. The first groove wall 752 is connected to the second groove wall 754 and the second groove wall 754 is in turn also connected to the third groove wall 756. In another embodiment, the groove 750 has only two groove walls. A first groove wall, such as a first groove wall 752, and a second groove wall 754. The second groove wall 754 is straight and spans the length shown by the groove walls 754 and 756. In this embodiment, there is no bend in the second groove wall 754.

In one embodiment, the groove 750 may be textured. The groove 750 may include teeth. In one embodiment, it includes teeth 766 and teeth 768 of the first groove wall 752. Teeth 766 can form the bottom row of teeth. Teeth 768 may form the top row of teeth. In at least one embodiment, teeth 766 and 768 form one vertical row of teeth. The teeth 766 and 768 may be round. The teeth 766 and 768 may be disposed along the entire length of the groove 750. In addition, the teeth 766 and 768 may be disposed in the sections along the groove 750 with additional sections of the soft, toothless groove 750. [ Groove 750 may also be textured in other ways than teeth, such as roughness or other texturing. In one embodiment, the second groove wall 754 is smooth and the third groove wall 756 is smooth. In one embodiment, the second cam wall 728 is smooth and the third cam wall 730 is smooth.

In one embodiment, the sales display system 10 includes a divider 550 and a front rail 580, as shown in FIGS. 87A-87C. The divider 550 includes a divider wall 556, a divider floor 554, and a barrier 554. The cam 720 is rotatably coupled to the front portion of the barrier 556. The cam 720 includes a cam tongue 724 and the cam tongue 724 includes a first cam wall 726, a second cam wall 728 and a third cam wall 730. The cam 720 also includes a handle 732. The front rail 580 includes a groove 750 comprised of a first groove wall 752, a second groove wall 754 and a third groove wall 756. Cam 720 is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position and when cam 720 is in the second position cam tongue 724 engages front rail groove 750 and engages with divider wall 5560 Is inhibited from moving in the lateral direction. The cam 720 may also be configured to slide between the first position and the second position.

FIGS. 87A to 87C show the progression of the coupling of the divider 550 to the front rail 580. The cam 720 is moved between the first position in Fig. 87B and the second position in Fig. 87C. As described below, the cam 720 is configured such that when the cam 720 is in the first position shown in Figure 87 (b), the divider 550 is moved laterally along the front rail 580, To be moved in parallel. 87B, the divider 550 is vertically fixed to the front rail 580 and moves in a vertical direction, in addition to a negligible amount of movement that may exist between the front rail and the divider, which may not be noticeable to the user of the system Can not. The cam 720 restrains the divider 550 from moving laterally along the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position shown in Figure 87c. In one example, under normal operating conditions and forces, the cam 720 is moved such that the divider 550 is laterally moved along the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position shown in Figure 87c (And the divider 550 is not movable along the front rail 580). In another example, cam 720 is configured such that when a force less than or equal to a predefined amount of force is applied to divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580, The movement of the divider 550 is prevented. When the amount of force exceeding the amount of the predefined force is applied to the divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 is moved laterally parallel to the front rail 580 do.

FIG. 87A shows a divider 550 raised above the front rail 580. In Figure 87B, the divider 550 has been lowered and placed in contact with the front rail 580. The groove 560 is disposed over the ridge 584 and the ridge 584 is disposed with the groove 560. Grooves 560 and ridges 584 may be in contact with each other at this position. Grooves 560 and ridges 584 may also not always contact each other at this position. The gap may be between the surfaces of the groove 560 and the ridge 584 at some positions. The front portion of the barrier 556 is also disposed within the channel or groove 586. [ In Figure 87B, the tongue 724 of the cam 720 does not engage the groove 750 of the front rail 580. In Fig. 87B, the divider 550 can move in the lateral direction shown by the arrow "A" in Figs. 86F and 86H. The divider 550 need not be raised over the front rail 580 to enable such movement. The dividers 550 can be in contact with the front rail 580 and can move in the direction "A ". The product may be placed on the divider floor 554 during the process of moving the divider 550. The ability to move the divider 550 without detaching the divider 550 from the front rail 580 or removing the product provides ease of reflow glowing. In Figure 87b, the divider 550 is only in the lateral plane parallel to the front rail 580 shown by arrow "A" in Figures 86f and 86h, ). ≪ / RTI > In Fig. 87B, the divider 550 is immovable in all other directions in the plane of the shelf, such as the orientation shown by arrow "B" in Fig. 86h, under normal operating forces and conditions. The divider 550 can not swing, rotate, splay or fishtail in the plane of the shelf and the divider 550 is perpendicular to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces and conditions. 87B, the divider 550 can move in the direction shown by the arrow "C" of FIG. 87B and thereby fall off the front rail 580. The direction shown by the arrow "C" in Fig. 87B is not in the plane of the shelf.

In FIG. 87C, the cam forces 732 have been rotated toward the front rail 580. In one embodiment, the cam handle 732 contacts the front rail 580. The cam tongue 724 is brought into contact with the front rail 580 and the front rail 580 is brought into contact with the cam tongue 724 from the cam tongue 724 when the cam 720 is rotated from its position in Figure 87b to its own position in Figure 87c. It deforms slightly to fall. The cam first wall 726 can be in contact with the third groove wall 756 when the cam 720 is rotated from its position in Figure 87b to its position in Figure 87c.

As the cam moves to the position shown in FIG. 87c, the tongue 724 snaps into place in the groove 750 and the tongue 724 engages the groove 750. In one embodiment, the tongue 724 may be fully fitted with the groove 750. This complete fitting involves the engagement of the tongue 724 and the groove 750. The front rail 580 is not deformed and the cam 720 and the front rail 580 are not in tension with each other. The first cam wall 726 is adjacent to the first groove wall 752. The second cam wall 728 is adjacent to the second groove wall 754. The third cam wall 730 is adjacent to the third groove wall 756. In one embodiment, the cam walls and the groove walls contact each other. For example, the first cam wall 726 contacts the first groove wall 752; The second cam wall 728 contacts the second groove wall 754; And the third cam wall 730 contacts the third groove wall 756. In at least one embodiment, while the cam walls and the groove walls are in contact with each other, they are not substantially in tension with each other. In another embodiment, one or more of the cam walls are in tension with one or more of the groove walls versus the cam walls and the groove walls contacting each other.

In embodiments in which the first cam wall 726 is disposed in contact with the first groove wall 752, the teeth of the first cam wall 726 engage the teeth of the first groove wall 752 . The teeth 736 engage teeth 766 and the teeth 738 engage teeth 768. As shown in FIG. The engagement of the teeth of the first cam wall and the teeth of the first groove wall engages the jaws against the dividers that move sideways along the front rail laterally as shown by the arrow "A" (as shown in Figure 86H) to provide.

When the cam tongue 724 is fully fitted with the groove 750 and laterally disposed along the front rail in the lateral direction shown by the arrow "A" (as shown in Figure 86h), the divider 550 And the divider 550 will not move sideways under normal forces placed on the divider during operation.

When it is desired to move the divider 550 again along the front rail 580, the cam may be un-snapped from the front rail. The handle 732 can be rotated away from the front rail 580. [ The tongue 724 can be disengaged from the groove 750 and return to its position in Figure 87b.

In one embodiment, the divider wall 552 has sections of different widths (see FIG. 85). The front section 770 of the divider wall 552, which may be an adjacent barrier 556, may have a greater width than the back section 772 of the divider wall 552, which is an adjacent barrier 556. The front section 770 may be connected to the rear section 772 by an intermediate section 774. The width of the intermediate section 774 gradually changes from the width of the divider front section 770 to the width of the divider rear section 772. [ The width of the portion of the intermediate section 774 that is the adjacent section 770 is equal to the width of the section 770 and the width of the portion of the intermediate section 774 that is the adjacent section 772 is the width of the section 772. In one embodiment, . The smaller width of the rear section 772 of the divider wall 552 helps to prevent the product from being tied between the two divider walls 552 when it creates a gap between the divider walls 552 and is pushed, Help to provide a flow of product along the divider wall 554 when removed from the front of the system 10. In one example, the width of the front section 770 of the divider wall 552 is at least 25% greater than the width of the rear section 772 of the divider wall 552.

In embodiments shown in FIGS. 85- 87C, one or more of the dividers 550 may be arranged to be in contact with the front rail 580. When the cam 720 or other engaging member is not engaged with the front rail 580, the dividers 550 are parallel to the length of the front rail 580 in the lateral direction shown by arrow "A" Can move. The divider 550 can then be secured in place by snapping the cam 720 or other engagement member into engagement with the front rail 580. [ The divider 550 will remain stationary under normal operating forces until the cam 720 or other engagement member is snapped or otherwise released out of engagement with the front rail 580. [

In one embodiment, the front wall 561 of the groove 560 is textured, as shown in FIG. 86K. Such texturing may be in the form of roughness or small teeth. The tessellation prevents the surface of the front wall 561 of the groove 560 from becoming soft. In one embodiment, the front wall 585 or other projection or engaging member of the ridge 584 is textured as depicted in Figures 86i, 86j, and 86l. Such a tessellation can be rough or in the form of small teeth and makes the surface of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 non-smooth.

In at least one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 86i, the barrier 556 is a separate component and may be removably attached to the divider 550. In at least one embodiment, the barrier 556 may snap on to the front of the divider 550. In at least one embodiment, the barrier 556 is movable. The entire barrier 556 may be movable, or a portion or portions of the barrier 556 may be movable. For example, a portion of the barrier 556 positioned on the front of the product on the sales display system 10 may be movable. In at least one embodiment, a portion of the barrier 556 positioned at the front of the article may be configured to slide. In an alternative embodiment, a portion of the barrier 556 positioned at the front of the article may be configured to rotate about an axis to cause the portion of the barrier 556 to be opened and closed. In this embodiment, the shaft may be a hinged connection. Additionally or alternatively, a portion of the barrier 556 can be a spring mounted on the divider 550 such that a portion of the barrier 556 requires an amount of force to move away from the divider 550. In this embodiment, upon release of force, the portion of barrier 556 will close or return to its original position. Exemplary methods for mounting the barrier 556 are described in further detail in U. S. Patent No. 8,056, 734, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[278] In one example, the divider 550 does not include a barrier. Alternatively, one or more of the barriers may be included in the front rail 580.

In one embodiment, when the divider 550 is placed in contact with the front rail 580, the front wall 561 of the groove 560 is positioned in front of the ridge 584, as shown in Figure 87B, The cam 720 is in the position shown in FIG. 87B and the tongue of the cam 720 is not engaged with the groove 750 of the front rail 580, while the cam 720 is not in contact with the wall 585, When the cam 720 is moved from the first position shown in Figure 87b to the second position shown in Figure 97c and the tongue 724 engages the groove 750 the tongue will move the divider 550 backward You can force it. In one embodiment, the tension between the tongue 724 and the groove 750 forces the divider 550 to move in the backward direction. The front wall 561 of the groove 560 contacts the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 when the cam is moved to the second position shown in Figure 87c. The front wall 561 is engaged with the front wall 585. The texting ring on the front wall 561 of the groove 560 engages the texting ring on the front wall 585 of the ridge 584. The engagement of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 with the front wall 561 of the groove 560 causes movement of the divider 550 along the front rail 580 in the direction shown by arrow & . The engagement of the texting ring on the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 and the front wall 561 of the groove 560 along the front rail 580 in the direction shown by the arrow "A & Thereby further suppressing movement of the divider 550.

In one example, an elastic strip or bead may be included on the top surface of the ridge 584, or other protrusion, of the front rail 580. When the cam 720, or other engaging device, is in the first position, the elastic strip or bead is not compressed. In the first position, the divider 550 can move laterally parallel to the front rail, but not vertically to the front rail. When the cam 720, or other engaging device, is moved to the second position, the resilient strip or bead is compressed with the groove 560 of the divider 550, or other recesses. When the elastic strip or bead is compressed with the grooves 560, or other recesses, the divider 550 is fixed under normal operating forces in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. In one example, grooves 560, or portions of other recesses, that are in contact with the resilient strips or bits of the front rail 580 may include roughness or teeth (not shown).

In one embodiment, the barrier 556 is not molded at the same time as the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 554. The barrier 556 is molded as a separate piece from the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 556 as shown in Figure 88A. The barrier 556 may be molded of a transparent material, while the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 554 may be molded of an opaque material.

In one example, the divider 550 includes an engaging member that includes a flat surface. The front rail 580 may include an engaging member that includes a flat surface. The flat surfaces of the divider and / or front rail-engaging members include smooth or substantially smooth surfaces. The flat surface may comprise an elastic surface. The flat surface may comprise rubber strips or neoprene strips or otherwise compressible materials. In one example, when the engagement member of the divider 550 is in the first position, the divider 550 is not laterally engaged with the engagement member of the front rail 580 and is laterally movable parallel to the front rail. When the engagement member of the divider 550 is in the second position, it is engaged with the engagement member of the front rail 580 and the divider is fixed and not movable sideways parallel to the front rail under normal operating conditions and forces. In one example where the engagement members of the front rail 580 and the dividers 550 are smooth or substantially smooth surfaces and do not include teeth or other protrusions, the divider 550 may have additional side adjustability and an infinite or nearly infinite side It can have controllability. The side adjustability of the divider 550 is not limited by physical dimensions such as the width of the protrusions or teeth. The infinite side adjustability is advantageous because it effectively utilizes the side space and limits or minimizes the unused or lost space between the product rows, thereby potentially increasing the unstable space and side products facing on the shelf, to provide.

In one embodiment, the barrier 556 may snap fit or otherwise engage the divider 550 as shown in FIG. 88B. The engagement between the barrier 556 and the divider 550 is such that the barrier 556 is removed from the divider 550 under normal operating conditions and without adversely affecting the structure of the barrier 556 or the divider 550. [ It can be so that it can not be.

FIGS. 89A-89C illustrate an example of a step-by-step approach to the placement of a divider on the front rail. In a first step as illustrated in FIG. 89A, the divider 550 can be lowered to make contact with the front rail 590. The rotary "T" lock 900 can be rotated to snap over the front rail 580. The rotary "T" lock 900 may be attached to the front portion of the divider 550. The rotary "T" lock 900 is rotatable about an axis 903. The divider 550 can be lowered and disposed to be in contact with the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 89B. Groove 560 or other recess of divider 550 engages ridge or tongue 584 or other projection of front rail 580. At this point, the divider 550 can be moved laterally parallel to the front rail and allows for ease of reflow glazing. In one example, the divider 550 can move along the front rail. The divider 550 with or without the product on the divider floor 554 can slide in the direction previously noted by the arrow "A" of Figure 65 without requiring the divider 550 to be lifted have. In the final stage as illustrated in Figure 89c, the rotary "T" lock 900 can be pushed forward and downward toward the front rail 580. The rotary "T" lock 900 can engage with the lip 901 on the front portion of the front rail 580. In at least one embodiment, the front rail 580 includes an upper front surface 902. The upper front surface 902 may include a texture or may be a rubbery elastic surface. Alternatively, the upper front surface 902 may include one or more teeth. The upper front surface 902 can engage a surface 904 on the rotary "T" lock 900. Surface 904 may also include a texture or may be a rubbery elastic surface. Alternatively, the surface 904 may include teeth that are configured to engage teeth on the upper front surface 902. When the rotary "T" lock 900 engages the lip 901, the divider 550 engages the front rail 580 and can not move laterally under the amount of normal force.

FIGS. 90A-90F illustrate embodiments of a divider 550 and a front rail 580. 90A, the divider 550 may include a wall 552, a floor 554, and a barrier 556. [ The divider wall 552 can divide the divider floor 554 into two portions 559 and 551 and one portion is on each side of the divider wall 552. As illustrated in Figure 90B, the divider wall 552 may extend vertically from the divider floor 554. The barrier 556 may be located on the front face of the divider wall 552. The bottom surface of the divider floor 554 may include a groove 560 or other recess, tongue 941 or other protrusion, and a front wall 561, as illustrated in Figures 90c and 90f. In at least one embodiment, the front wall 561 of the groove 560 is textured. Such texturing may be in the form of roughness or small teeth. The tessellation may make the surface of the front wall 561 of the groove 560 not smooth.

90D, the front rail 580 includes a flat surface 582, a ridge or tongue 584 or other projection, a first channel or groove 586 or other recess, and a second channel Or grooves 950 or other recesses. The front wall 561 of the divider 550 may engage the first groove 586 of the front rail 580. The ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 can engage the groove 560 of the divider 550. The tongue 941 of the divider 550 can engage the second groove 950 of the front rail 580. In one embodiment, the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 is textured. Such a tessellation can be rough or in the form of small teeth and makes the surface of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 non-smooth. The tessellation of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 may engage with the tessellation of the front wall 561 of the groove 560. The engagement of the front wall 561 of the divider 550 with the first channel 586 of the front rail 580 and the engagement of the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 with the groove 560 of the divider 550 And the engagement of the protrusion 941 of the divider 550 with the second groove 950 of the front rail 580 can maintain the divider wall 552 perpendicular to the front rail 580, Thereby preventing the portion from being splayed. In at least one embodiment, the divider 550 may be laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and / or along the front rail 580 when the divider 550 receives a lateral force.

The front rail 580 may include apertures 951 and apertures 952 as illustrated in FIG. 90e. The apertures 951 may be configured to engage corresponding engaging projections (not shown). In one example, the engagement protrusion may be a flat splicer. The corresponding engagement protrusions can connect together one or more of the front rails 580 in series. The connection of the apertures 951 and the engagement protrusion allows one or more rails 580 to be connected in series, even if the front rails 580 are not perfectly aligned with each other. The openings 952 may be configured to receive fasteners that secure the front rail 580 to the display shelf. The front rail 580 may include any number of openings 952 suitable for securing the front rail 580 to the display shelf. Any type of fastener may be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 91A, the sales display system 10 may include a rear rail 810. The rear rail 810 may be located on or near the back of the shelf. The rear rail 810 may be similar in construction to the front rail 580 and the present disclosure of the front rail 580 is equally applied to the rear rail 810. For example, the rear rail 810 may include a recess 804, which may be generally of the "u" shape. In this embodiment, dividers 550 may be coupled to divider blocks 802. [ The divider blocks 802 may then engage the rear rail 810. The rear rail 810 may be a second rail of the sales display system along the front rail 580. The rear rail 810 may also simply be a rail of the sales display system. As noted above, the front rail 580 can be positioned at the rear of the sales display system and thereby function as a rear wall 810. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of divider blocks 802 has a cam 710 (not shown in Figure 91A) in the position indicated by the arrow in Figure 91A. This cam 720 can rotate from the first position to the second position and can have the same effect as the cam 720 of the divider that engages the front rail 580. The divider blocks 802 may also include other engagement devices that engage the back rail 810, including the engagement devices described herein with respect to the divider 550. The use of the rear rail 810 can keep the backside of the dividers 550 in place and prevent the product from moving to the position behind the pusher 520. [ To unlock the dividers 550 from the rear rail 810, the cam 720 or other engaging device is rotated away from the rear rail 810 and is otherwise disengaged from the rear rail 810.

In one example, the divider 550 may be placed in contact with the front rail 580. The groove 560 may be disposed over the ridge 584 and the ridge 584 may be disposed within the groove 560. [ Grooves 560 and ridges 584 may be in contact with each other at this position. The dividers 550 may also be disposed in contact with the rear rail 810. Grooves or other recesses in the dividers 550 may be disposed over the ridges or other protrusions of the rear rail 810 and ridges or protrusions of the rear rail 810 may be disposed within the grooves or other recesses of the divider 550 have. The dividers 550 may be in contact with the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810 at the same time. An engagement device such as the cam 720 on the front face of the divider can move sideways parallel to the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810 while the dividers 550 can move laterally In a direction perpendicular to the rail 810 (the direction between the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810). The divider block 802 may also include an engagement device (not shown), such as the cam 720 or other engagement devices described above with respect to the front rail 810. The engagement device on the divider block 802 may be configured such that the divider 550 can move sideways parallel to the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810 while the dividers 550 are positioned on the front rail 580 or the rear rail 810 (In the direction between the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810).

[290] In one example, the engagement device on the front face of the divider 550 may be moved to the second position. In the second position, the divider 550 is fixed in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces. The engagement device on the divider block 802 may also be moved to the second position. In the second position, the engagement device on the divider block 802 causes the divider 550 to be fixed in a direction parallel to the rear rail 810 under normal operating forces. The front rail 580, the dividers 550 and the rear rail 810 can form a rigid tray that can be moved as a unit from one position to another. The front rail 580, the rear rail 810 and the plurality of dividers 550 may be preassembled and formed in a rigid tray at a location away from the shelf. The front rail 580, the rear rail 810 and the plurality of dividers 550 may then be moved to and latched on the shelf by one or more fasteners.

FIG. 92 depicts one exemplary implementation of a sales display system 9200. In one example, the sales display system 9200 may be similar to system 10 and / or system 400 as described throughout this disclosure. Thus, in one implementation, the sales display system 9200 may include a front rail 9204, a divider 9208, and a shelf 9202 coupled to one or more pushers 9206. In one example, the front rail 9204 may be similar to the front rail 580 described in particular with respect to Figures 58, 64, 67, 85, 86 and 90. In another example, the pusher 9206 may be similar to the pusher 520 described in connection with FIGS. 58, 59, 72, 73, and 84 in particular. In addition, the divider 9208 may be similar to the divider 550 described in connection with Figures 58, 59, 65, 72, 84-86, and 91 in particular. As such, in the following description, the front rail 9204, the pusher 9206, and the divider 9208, in addition to those features described in the following disclosure, include a front rail 580, a pusher 520, 0.0 > and / or < / RTI >

FIG. 93 schematically depicts a shelf coupling system 9300 that may be utilized in the sale display system 9200 from FIG. 92. The cross section of the shelf coupling system 9300 is coupled to the shelf 9202 by a rail mounting clip 9302 (otherwise referred to as a rail mounting adapter) at the front end 9306 of the front rail 9204 Front rail < RTI ID = 0.0 > 9204 < / RTI > In one example, depicted shelf coupling system 9300 further includes a channel structure 9304 configured to enable removable coupling between front rail 9204 and shelf 9202. [ Therefore, the geometry of the shelf 9202 is described in further detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 94 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a shelf structure 9202. Thus, the shelf structure 9202 includes a channel (not shown) having a top surface 9416, a front surface 9418, a hook surface 9420, and a front rail 9410 and a rear rail 9412 and a bottom surface 9414 9304). ≪ / RTI > As depicted in FIG. 94, the channel 9304 may include a substantially rectangular cross-section and may be positioned substantially at the front edge of the shelf 9202. As such, the channel 9304 may extend along at least a portion of the front edge of the shelf 9202. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shelf structure 9202 can be implemented with different geometries without departing from the scope of the disclosure described herein. For example, these roughly-depicted lengths 9402, 9404, and / or 9406 may be of any length. Similarly, angle 9408 may be implemented with a value of approximately 30 degrees. However, in other implementations, angle 9408 may have an angular value in a range between approximately 0 ° and approximately 90 °, without departing from the teachings described herein. 94 depicts the front portion of shelf 9202 and shelf 9202 is not depicted in Figure 94 and may be one or more of those not used in shelf coupling system 9300 from Figure 93. [ Additional geometry features of the < / RTI >

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shelf 9202 may be particularly adapted for use with one or more metals, alloys, polymers, fiber-reinforced materials, wood materials, ceramic materials, ≪ / RTI > and may include more than one structural material. In one example, the depicted geometries of the shelf 9202 may include one or more of the following geometries, particularly including blank (flat) metal sheets, such as cutting, bending, and / or stamping processes performed on steel / And may be formed by excess hot and / or cold working processes. Additionally or alternatively, the depicted geometries of shelf 9202 may be formed by one or more extrusion and / or molding processes.

FIG. 95 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a front rail 9204. In one implementation, the front rail 9204 includes a flat surface 9502 that may be similar to a flat surface 582 as described in connection with Fig. Additionally, the front rail 9204 may include a channel 9508 that may be similar to the channel 586 described in connection with FIGS. 64 and 67. In addition, the channel 9508 may include a groove 9510 similar to that groove 750 described with reference to Figures 86f and 87a-c, the ridge 584 described with reference to Figures 65 and 67, And a second channel 9504 that may be similar to the second channel 950 described in connection with FIG. 90D. Thus, the features 9502, 9504, 9506, 9508, and / or 9510 of the front rail 9204 can be used to provide a more detailed view of the features described with respect to the front rails 580 and / May be substantially similar. In this manner, the front rail 9204 may be described in detail throughout this disclosure, particularly including one or more pushers 520 and / or one or more dividers 550, or combinations thereof. May be configured to interfere with one or more of the components. The front rail 9204 includes an elbow bracket structure 9514 and a channel 9512 configured to removably-couple the front rail 9204 to the rail mounting clip 9302 (described in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 96) ). ≪ / RTI >

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the depicted front rail 9204 may be formed using any known material molding technique, including injection molding, extrusion, die-casting, cutting, bending, drilling, and / or forging, As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the front rail 9204 can be made of any known material, including metals, alloys, polymers (including rubbers), fiber-reinforced materials, woods, ceramics, As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 96 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a rail attachment clip 9302. Thus, the rail mounting clip 9302 includes a tongue structure 9602, a channel 9604, a flange 9606, a flange 9608, a hook structure 9610, a flexible structure 9612, a contact surface 9614, Wall structure 9616 as shown in FIG. In one example, and as depicted schematically in Figure 93, the rail mounting clip 9302 is configured to receive the elbow bracket 9514 of the front rail 9204 into the channel 9604 of the rail mounting clip 9302, Gt; 9204 < / RTI > This removable-coupling between the rail mounting clip 9302 and the front rail 9204 is schematically depicted in Figure 93 and the hook structure 9610 of the rail mounting clip 9302 is secured to the elbow bracket 9204 of the front rail 9204. [ And the tongue structure 9602 of the rail mounting clip 9302 is received within the channel 9512 of the front rail 9204. [ Thus, in one example, the elbow bracket 9514 of the front rail 9204 is removably-coupled to the channel 9604 of the rail mounting clip 9302 by forced fit.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mounting clip 9302 is particularly suitable for use with any known (including known) materials, including metals, alloys, polymers (including rubbers), fiber-reinforced materials, woods, ceramics, ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > materials. ≪ / RTI > In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the relative sizes of the depicted elements of the rail mounting clip 9302 can vary with respect to each other without departing from the scope of the disclosure herein.

In one example, and as depicted schematically in FIG. 93, the removable coupling between the front rail 9204 and the rail mounting clip 9302 includes a rear wall 9616 of the rail mounting clip 9302, Is substantially perpendicular to the flat surface 9502 of the front rail 9204. The relative angle between the rear wall 9616 and the flat surface 9502 when engaging the channel structure 9604 of the rail mounting clip 9302 with the elbow bracket structure 9514 of the front rail 9204, The resulting front rail coupling system, such as system 9700 from Figure 97, may be less than 90 ° when not yet engaged with shelf 9202. 97, the front rail coupling system 9700 is shown with a front rail 9204 removably coupled with the rail mounting clip 9302 so that the depicted angle 9702 is 90 °. do. In one example, an angle 9702 results from the interference fit between the elbow bracket 9514, the hook structure 9610 and the tongue structure 9602. As such, those skilled in the art will recognize various configurations of interference fit that can be utilized to apply one or more materials such that compression and / or tension occurs on one or more surfaces. 96, the angle 9622 between the tongue structure 9602 and the rear wall structure 9616 of the rail mounting clip 9302 may be less than 180 占 and the rail mounting clip 9302 may be attached to the front rail 9204 to create an angle 9702 of less than 90 [deg.].

Advantageously, the angle 9702 is selected such that when the front rail coupling system 9700 is removably-coupled to the shelf 9202 (depicted in FIG. 93), the front rail 9204 and / Can be configured to be less than 90 degrees to flatten the flat surface 9502 on the top surface 9416 of the shelf 9202 by the bending of one or more of the rail mounting clips 9302. [ Designing the rail mounting clip 9302 as removably coupled to the front rail 9204 provides a simple way to form the angle 9702 with less than 90 degrees.

[301] Figures 98a-c schematically depict an isometric view of an implementation of a rail mounting clip 9302. [ In one example, the rail mounting clip 9302 includes a first tongue structure 9602a and a spaced hook structure 9610 between the second tongue structure 9602b. The depicted rail mounting clip 9302 further includes a first flexible structure 9612a having a first contact surface 9614a and a second flexible structure 9612b having a second contact surface 9614b. Additionally, the rail mounting clip 9302 is depicted with flanges 9606 and 9608 extending along the rail mounting clip length 9802 (otherwise referred to as the rail length of the rail mounting clip 9302) . In one example, one or more of the flanges 9606 and 9608 are configured to provide structural rigidity to the rail mounting clip 9302 along the longitudinal length 9802. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that length 9802 may have any value without departing from the scope of these teachings. In one example, the various elements (e.g., elements 9602a and 9602b, 9610, 9612a and 9612b, 9614a and 9614b) depicted in Figures 98a and 98b are periodically spaced apart by length 9802 of rail mounting clip 9302 Can be repeated.

98C, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rail mounting clip 9302 may provide one or more of the tongue structure 9602 and / or the hook structure 9610 as depicted in Figure 95 to the front rail 9204 (Particularly metal, alloy, polymer, fiber-reinforced material) having material properties (robust and broad characteristics) configured to be flexible to form interference fit with bracket structure 9514 and channel structure 9512 , Ceramics, or one or more of wood). Additionally or alternatively, the geometry and material properties of the flexible structure 9612 may be modified such that when the flexible structure 9612 is inserted into the channel 9304 (FIG. 94) of the shelf 9202, the flexible structure 9612 Flex and / or flexible along its direction indicated by the arrow 9804 and substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 9616 of the rail mounting clip 9302. As shown in FIG. In this manner, the flexure of the flexible structure 9612 along the direction 9804 causes the contact surface 9614 to be interference fit with the front wall 9410 of the shelf structure 9202, as depicted in Figures 93 and 99 And to force the rear wall 9616 against the rear wall 9412 of the shelf 9202. [

[303] Figure 99 schematically depicts an isometric view of a front rail coupling system 9700 similar to the system of Figure 97. Thus, in one implementation, the front rail coupling system 9700 includes a rail mounting clip 9302 that is removably coupled to the front rail 9204, As will be described in further detail. In one example, interference fit coupling of the rail mounting clip 9302 to the front rail 9204 is accomplished in a direction between the front rail 9204 and the rail mounting clip 9302 along the direction indicated by arrow 9902 Lt; / RTI > Removably coupling the rail mounting clip 9302 to the front rail 9204 provides an adaptable front rail 9204 that can be mounted to various types of shelves. Often there are many different shelf types in stores. For example, certain shelves may not have a channel structure 9304 and in this case the rail mounting clip 9302 may be removed to secure the front rail 9204 to the shelf, e.g., by adhesive, tape, or magnetic connection. In addition, the hook structure 9610, the tongue structure 9602, and the channel 9604 are provided on any coupling device for attachment to the shelf so that the front rail 9502 can be attached to any shelf type .

[304] Additionally, the sliding connection and arrangement of the rail mounting clip 9302 provides for the adaptation of the rail mounting clip 9302 and the front rail 9204. For example, certain shelves may include certain components, such as bolts or studs, that may interfere with rail mounting clip 9302 by securing it in channel 9304. However, the sliding capability of the rail mounting clip 9302 on the front rail 9304 provides controllability for positioning the mounting clip 9302 on the front rail without interference by bolts or studs on the front rail.

FIG. 100 schematically depicts an alternative front rail coupling system 10000. As such, the front rail coupling system 10000 may be similar to the front rail coupling system 9700 from FIG. 97, but the front rail coupling system 10000 may include a rail mounting clip section 10004, And a front rail section 10002 (formed as a single structure). In this manner, and in contrast to the front rail coupling system 9700 from FIG. 97, which includes a separate front rail 9204 coupled to the rail mounting clip 9302, the front rail coupling system 10000 includes one (I. E., Formed as a single piece using one or more of injection molding, die-casting, extrusion, forging, and stamping, in particular). However, the geometries of the various subcomponents of the front rail coupling system 10000 may be similar to one or more of those described in connection with the front rail coupling system 9700. As such, the front rail section 10002 includes a flat surface 9502, a channel 9508, a ridge 9506, a second channel 9504, a groove 9510, a channel 9512, and an elbow bracket 9514 . In addition, the rail mounting clip section 10004 may include a rear wall structure 9616, a flange 9608, a flexible structure 9612, and a contact surface 9614. In addition, the front rails 9502 and 10002 can be formed using the same mold, wherein a blank or insert can be provided in the mold to form the rail 9502. [

[306] FIG. 101 schematically depicts an isometric view of a front rail coupling system 10000. In one example, and as illustrated in FIG. 100, the front rail coupling system 10000 includes a flat surface 9502, a channel 9508, a ridge 9506, a second channel 9504, an elbow bracket 9514, A back wall structure 9616, a flange 9608, a flexible structure 9612, and a contact surface 9614. Additionally, the flat surface 9502 may include one or more openings 10102a and 10102b that may be similar to the openings 952 described with respect to Figure 90d.

FIG. 102 schematically depicts an alternative implementation of a rail mounting clip 10200. In one implementation, the rail mounting clip 10200 can be configured to interference fit (removably couple) with the front rail 9204, as described in connection with FIG. Thus, the rail mounting clip 10200 may include one or more elements similar to those described in connection with the rail mounting clip 9302 to enable coupling to the front rail 9204. As such, the rail mounting clip 10200 may include a tongue structure 9602, a channel 9604, a hook structure 9610, a flange 9606, and a rear wall 9616. [

The rail mounting clip 10200 may include one or more flexible finger structures, such as structures 10202a-10202c. Thus, the flexible finger structures 10202a-10202c may each be configured to be bent and / or flexible about these points 10204a-10204c. As such, finger structures 10202a-10202c similar to flexible structure 9612 can be configured to couple front rail 9204 to shelf 9202 using interference fit with shelf channel 9304 And thereby the surfaces 10206a-10206c of the elements 10204a-10204c, respectively, can be configured to be in contact with the front wall 9410 of the shelf 9202. [ The flexible structures 10202a-10202c are configured such that when the finger structures 10202a-10202c are inserted into the shelf channel 9304, the finger structures 10202a-10202c are placed on the shelf 9202, So as to provide a compression resistance to maintain the compression force. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rail mounting clip 10200 can be made of any known suitable material as discussed above and can include any number of finger structures 10202 without departing from the scope of these teachings I will recognize. For example, in other implementations, the rail mounting clip 10200 may include a single finger structure 10202, two finger structures 10202a-10202b, four finger structures 10202a-10202d, and the like.

FIGS. 103 a - 103 d schematically depict various stages of assembly of a shelf coupling system 10300. In particular, FIG. 103A schematically depicts a rail mounting clip 10200 that is inserted into the front rail 9204. Referring to Fig. 103B, the removably-coupled front rail 9204 and rail mounting clip 10200 are schematically depicted coupled to a shelf 9202 similar to the description given in conjunction with Fig. 93. 103c schematically depicts the isometric view of the assembled shelf coupling system 10300. As shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 103d schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of an assembled shelf coupling system 10300.

[310] Figures 104A-104B schematically depict a graphics holder system 10400. Thus, in one implementation, the graphics holder system 10400 includes a front rail 9204 that is removably coupled to the linear graphic holder structure 10401. In one implementation, the linear graphic holder 10401 includes a tongue structure 10402 configured to make interference fit with the elbow bracket 9414 and channel 9512 of the front rail 9204, and a hook structure 10404 . In this manner, the hook structure 10404 and the tongue structure 10402 can be similar to the hook structure 9610 and the tongue structure 9602 of the rail mounting clip 9302 from FIG. 96. Additionally, the linear graphic holder 10401 may include one or more labels (in one example, the label may be a paper / card that carries information associated with one or more items to be displayed on the shelf 9202, Graphics channels 10406a and 10406b and graphics retaining surface 10410 configured to accommodate cardboard / glass / polymer / wood marked / printed areas. Thus, linear graphic holder 10401 can be maintained in linear graphic holder 10401 by graphic channels 10406a-10406b and graphic holding surface 10410 with a linear dimension approximately equal to length 10412 The length 10412 is set to be equal to the length 10412.

FIG. 104B schematically depicts a graphics holder system 10400 coupled to a shelf 9202. In particular, the hook structure 10408 of the linear graphic holder 10401 may be loosely or alternatively constrained to fit between the hook structure 10408 and the hook surface 9420 of the shelf 9202.

The above variations and modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of the described components may be used in shops and various configurations. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a single system, nor to the upright pusher configuration depicted in the figures, as the system simply illustrates the features, guidelines and principles of the present invention. It should further be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or apparent from the text and / or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein will describe the best modes known to practice the invention and will enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

Claims (23)

As a sales display system,
A front rail having a rail mounting clip secured to a front end of the front rail, the rail mounting clip having at least one flexure structure configured to engage a channel extending along at least a portion of the front edge of the shelf; -; And
At least one divider configured to engage the front rail, the at least one divider further comprising a divider wall and a divider wall perpendicular to the divider wall, the divider floor configured to hold products,
/ RTI >
Wherein the at least one divider is laterally movable parallel to the front rail when the at least one divider engages the front rail,
Wherein the rail mounting clip is removably coupled to the front rail such that the flat surface of the front rail has an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the rear wall structure of the rail mounting clip,
One or more of the front rail and the rail mounting clips at the time of engagement of the rail mounting clip with the channel of the shelf is flexible to allow the flat surface of the front rail to lie flat on the top surface on the shelf. ,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Said rail mounting clip being removably mounted to said front rail,
Sales display system. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the rail mounting clip is connected to the front rail by an interference fit,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
An elbow bracket structure of the front rail is received within the channel on the rail mounting clip for removably coupling the rail mounting clip to the front rail,
Sales display system. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the channel on the rail mounting clip is formed between a hook structure and a tongue structure,
Sales display system. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the removable coupling of the rail mounting clip to the front rail allows the rail mounting clip to slide relative to the front rail in a direction parallel to the longitudinal length of the rail mounting clip,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the rail mounting clip further comprises at least one flange structure extending along a longitudinal length of the rail mounting clip for structural rigidity,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the rail mounting clip is removably coupled to the front rail such that the flat surface of the front rail is perpendicular to the rear wall structure of the rail mounting clip,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
The flexible structure being configured to compress upon engagement of the rail mounting clip with the channel of the shelf,
Sales display system. 10. The method of claim 9,
The channel of the shelf has a rectangular cross section,
Sales display system. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the rail mounting clip further comprises a rear wall structure and wherein the flexible structure further comprises a contact surface and wherein upon engagement of the rail mounting clip with the channel of the shelf the contact surface of the flexible structure, And an interference fit is formed between the front wall and the rear wall of the channel,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the front rail and the rail mounting clip are formed as a single unit,
Sales display system. As a sales display system,
A front rail coupling system, wherein the front rail coupling system has a rail mounting clip section and a single front rail section, the rail mounting clip section comprising:
At least one flexible structure configured to engage a channel extending along at least a portion of the front edge of the shelf; And
At least one divider configured to engage the front rail section, the at least one divider further comprising a divider wall perpendicular to the divider wall and the divider wall, the divider floor configured to hold the products,
Further comprising:
Wherein the at least one divider is laterally movable parallel to the front rail when the at least one divider engages the front rail,
Wherein the rail mounting clip section further comprises a rear wall structure, wherein the flexible structure further comprises a contact surface, and upon engagement of the rail mounting clip section with the channel of the shelf, the contact surface of the flexible structure, A rear wall structure of the mounting clip section, and an interference fit between the front wall and the rear wall of the channel,
Sales display system. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the rail mounting clip section further comprises at least one flange structure extending along a longitudinal length of the rail mounting clip section for structural rigidity,
Sales display system. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the flexible structure is configured to compress upon engagement of the rail mounting clip section with the channel of the shelf.
Sales display system. 16. The method of claim 15,
The channel of the shelf has a rectangular cross section,
Sales display system. As a sales display system,
Front rail;
At least one divider configured to engage the front rail, the at least one divider further comprising a divider wall perpendicular to the divider wall and the divider wall, the divider floor being configured to hold the products; And
A rail mounting clip secured to a front end of the front rail, the rail mounting clip having at least one flexible finger structure configured to engage a channel extending along at least a portion of a front edge of the shelf,
/ RTI >
Wherein the at least one divider is laterally movable parallel to the front rail when the at least one divider engages the front rail,
Wherein the rail mounting clip is removably coupled to the front rail such that the flat surface of the front rail has an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the rear wall structure of the rail mounting clip,
One or more of the front rail and the rail mounting clips at the time of engagement of the rail mounting clip with the channel of the shelf is flexible to allow the flat surface of the front rail to lie flat on the top surface on the shelf. ,
Sales display system. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the at least one flexible finger structure is configured to form interference fit with the channel of the shelf,
Sales display system. 18. The method of claim 17,
Said rail mounting clip being removably coupled to said front rail,
Sales display system. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the elbow bracket structure of the front rail is received within a channel on the rail mounting clip for removably coupling the rail mounting clip to the front rail,
Sales display system. delete delete delete

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