Supports: racks – Special article – Stacked articles
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-23
2001-11-06
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Stacked articles
C211S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311852
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a fixture for displaying merchandise for retail sale. More particularly, this invention relates to a system of dividing the shelf of the fixture into separate areas for the merchandise. In addition, for fixtures having shelves that are inclined, this invention relates to a bracket which can display indicia regarding the merchandise while at the same time confining the merchandise on the inclined shelves.
BACKGROUND ART
When displaying merchandise for sale on the shelf of a fixture, it is often desirable to divide the shelf into discrete areas so that, for example, certain merchandise can be kept segregated from different merchandise, if desired. Of course, merchandise comes in many sizes and shapes and thus a permanent shelf dividing system is not practical since it could not be universally used for all merchandise. One solution to this problem in the past has been to provide a shelf with slots therein and then insert strips of material in selected of those slots with the space between the strips defining the discrete area for the merchandise. However, such strips were flimsy and if bumped, could often become dislodged from the shelf. Moreover, for those shelves that are inclined to allow the merchandise to slide down the shelf when the front item of a row of merchandise was taken by a customer, such a system was unworkable because the merchandise would not readily slide on the slotted shelf.
As a potential solution to these problems, it was proposed to put stabilizing wings on the shelf dividing strips which would extend into the discrete divided area and deter the accidental dislodging of the strips. While such a system helped to solve the dislodging problem, the merchandise for inclined shelves was still required to slide on these wings and the friction occasioned thereby impeded such sliding.
Thus, the need exists for a shelf dividing system for a merchandise display fixture which is stable and which can be used in the environment of an inclined shelf allowing the merchandise to readily slide to the front of the shelf to be stopped by a bracket having indicia-carrying capabilities.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a merchandise display fixture with a shelf dividing system whereby the shelf can be divided into discrete areas of a desired size.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf dividing system, as above, which is stably maintained on the shelf.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shelf dividing system, as above, which can be utilized with an inclined shelf which allows the merchandise to slide down the shelf.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a shelf dividing system, as above, with a unique front bracket which maintains the divided merchandise on the inclined shelf and which has the capability of carrying messages thereon regarding the merchandise.
These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
In general, a shelf dividing system made in accordance with the present invention includes a shelf having an upper surface which is interrupted by a plurality of spaced slots. The system also includes at least two inserts which are positionable in selected of the slots thereby being adjacent to each other to define a merchandise receiving area therebetween. The inserts each have rails such that the merchandise may be positioned on the opposed rails of the adjacent inserts.
A fixture for displaying merchandise includes a shelf having a back edge higher than a front edge so that merchandise on the shelf can slide toward the front edge. A bracket is mounted at the front edge of the shelf to stop the sliding movement of the merchandise and to provide a means to display indicia regarding the merchandise positioned on the shelf.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a divider is provided for a shelf which has an upper surface interrupted by a plurality of spaced slots. The divider includes a base member having at least one tab extending downwardly therefrom which is adapted to be received in a slot of the shelf. The base member thereby rests on the upper surface of the shelf when the tab is in the slot. A shelf dividing strip extends upwardly from the base member, and rails likewise extend upwardly from the base member and are spaced from the dividing strip.
A preferred exemplary merchandising display fixture and shelf divider incorporating the concepts of the present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
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Fasteners For Retail, Inc. “Your Supporting Cast of Display Accessories” brochure excerpt, p. 64 (1996).
Darko Company, Inc.
Novosad Jennifer E.
Renner Kenner Greive Bobak Taylor & Weber
Stodola Daniel P.
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