Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6679389
-
Patent Number
6,679,389
-
Date Filed
Monday, July 29, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 20, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Stodola; Daniel P.
- Novosad; Jennifer E.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 211 592
- 211 74
- 211 183
- 211 593
- 312 72
- 312 45
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A front panel for a display rack has a base, upstanding sidewalls connected along their bottom end portions to the base, face members connected to the front edges of the sidewalls, and an elongate connecting member connected to the top end portions of the face members. The base, face members and connecting member define a viewing window for the display rack through which a beverage container in a display rack in a refrigerator can be viewed. The base and connecting member curve outward to position a beverage container forward in the display rack. A pair of downwardly extending fingers fit into receiving slots in a front segment of the rack to fasten the front panel to the front segment of the display rack.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a adjustable length track device for a merchandising display shelf, and, more particularly, to a front piece for such a track device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display racks are used to shelve merchandise awaiting purchase by a consumer. Some items, such as beverages, are best when consumed chilled, and are consequently shelved in a refrigerator. Display racks are used in the refrigerator to keep beverage containers upright for easy viewing and to separate them for dispensing one at a time. Beverages are removed one at a time from the front of the rack and the remaining inventory is urged to the front of the rack by gravity or a pusher mechanism. Restocking conveniently occurs from the rear of the rack ensuring that beverages are chilled when they reach the front of the rack. The front of the rack is important for presentation of the beverage. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to have a display rack that promotes easy dispensing of beverage containers and promotes easy viewing of beverage container labeling.
A display rack unit is assembled from multiple track devices for merchandising articles such as bottled on canned drink products. The display rack unit includes a plurality of elongated track devices interconnected, often detachably interconnected, in side-by-side relationship. The number of track devices used to assemble the display rack unit is determined such that the size of the unit is suitable for placement onto an existing display shelf in a retail environment to fill the width of the shelf.
Track devices require a stop member on the front which is referred to as a front piece. An ideal front piece stops the forward motion of the articles to prevent inadvertent removal while allowing intentional removal by a purchaser, and provides a window for easily viewing the product label. A problem with the front piece is attaching it to the body of the display shelf. Some front pieces are integrally formed with the body as a single unit, but the intricate molds required increase manufacturing complexity and cost. Detachable font pieces present a problem also because it sometimes breaks or becomes deformed while being installed due to complicated fastening mechanisms. It will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to have an adjustable track device with a front piece that is easy to attach and detach.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a front panel for a display rack comprises a base, upstanding sidewalls connected along their bottom end portions to the base, face members connected to the front edges of the sidewalls, and an elongate connecting member connected to the top end portions of the face members. The base, face members and connecting member define a viewing window for the display rack through which a beverage container in a display rack in a refrigerator can be viewed. The base and connecting member curve outward to position a beverage container forward in the display rack for easy removal. A pair of downwardly extending fingers slip into receiving slots in the front segment to fasten the front panel to the front segment of the display rack.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a front piece attached to a front segment of a track device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a side view of the track device of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a side view similar to
FIG. 2
but showing the front piece detached from the front segment.
FIG. 4
is a front view of the front piece of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a front piece attached to a multi-channel front segment of a track device according to the present invention.
FIG. 6
is a front view of the front piece of FIG.
5
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to
FIGS. 1-5
, a display rack unit assembled from multiple track devices is designed to merchandise articles such as bottled or canned drink products. The display rack unit includes a plurality of elongated track devices interconnected in side-by-side relationship. The number of track devices used to assemble the display rack unit is determined such that the size of the unit is suitable for placement onto an existing display shelf in a retail environment. Adjacent tracks may be formed as a single unit, or the interconnection of two adjacent track devices may be achieved by connecting means such as connector slots cooperating horizontal connector elements. Track devices and connector elements are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,564, which issued Jun. 3, 1997 to Spamer et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Referring to
FIGS. 1-4
, there is illustrated a front panel assembly
10
for an elongated display track device
12
. Display track device
12
is composed of a number of sections or segments that are frangibly connected end-to-end to one another. Such track devices are more fully described in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/999,317 filed Oct. 31, 2001,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,995, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Front panel assembly
10
is preferably a unitary structure constructed of plastic using an injection molding process, but may be constructed of other materials.
A front track segment of track device
12
has a floor or base wall with opposed upstanding sidewalls
14
,
16
forming a channel for a single row of articles to slide along between the sidewalls
14
,
16
. The front track segment has a front end portion that will be disposed at the front of the display shelf and a rear end portion that defines a keyway or other means for connecting to an intermediate track segment or a rear track segment. The right sidewall panel
14
defines a notch
18
and an upstanding protrusion or arm
20
. The front track segment defines a slot
15
below right sidewall panel
14
. The slot
15
is preferably formed of a three sided loop of material attached to the base wall to accept a member forced into it. Similarly, the left sidewall panel
16
defines a notch
22
and an upstanding protrusion or arm
24
. The front track segment defines a slot
17
below left sidewall panel
16
similar to the slot below the right sidewall panel.
The front panel assembly
10
has a base member with a front edge that is preferably curved or contoured to fit the contour of a beverage container. Front panel assembly
10
is illustrated as having first and second upstanding sidewalls
26
,
30
with adjacent sidewalls forming partitions to hold a row of beverage containers therebetween. There may be as few as two sidewalls to accommodate a single row of beverage containers (
FIG. 4
) or as many sidewalls as are necessary for multiple rows to fill the width of a refrigerator unit (FIG.
5
). Each sidewall has a top end portion, a bottom end portion, and a front edge that extends between the top and bottom end portions of the sidewall. Preferably, each sidewall has a protrusion formed
30
on a rear portion thereof for resting in one of the notches
18
,
22
to help marry the front panel to the front segment of the track device
12
. Each sidewall
26
,
30
has a slot or opening to receive one of the upstanding arms
20
,
24
therein to help marry the front panel to the front segment of the track device
12
.
The first sidewall
26
is connected along its bottom end portion to the base. Second sidewall
30
is laterally spaced from first sidewall
16
and is connected along its bottom end portion to the base. Ideally, the lateral spacing between the first and second sidewalls
26
,
30
is slightly greater than the width of the beverage container to be displayed between the sidewalls to allow easy movement of the beverage container while preventing it from tilting askew.
A first face member
34
has a top end portion and a bottom end portion and is connected to the front edge of the first sidewall
26
. Face member
34
extends laterally a preselected distance from first sidewall
26
toward second sidewall
30
. Face member
34
extends a distance sufficient to interfere with a beverage container to thereby restrain the container from moving forward in the rack.
A second face member
36
has a top end portion and a bottom end portion and is connected the front edge of second sidewall
30
. Second face member
36
extends a preselected distance from second sidewall
30
toward first sidewall
26
. Face members
34
,
36
are preferably connected to base
12
but have sufficient structural integrity when only connected to the sidewalls
26
,
30
.
Still referring to
FIG. 1
, an elongated connecting member
38
has a first end connected to the top end portion of first face member
34
and has a second end portion connected to the top end portion of second face member
36
. By attaching the elongated connecting member
38
to face members
34
and
36
instead of the sidewalls, a stronger union is obtained because of the larger bonding area where the connecting member and face members meet. Of course, connecting member
38
may be attached to both the face members and sidewalls for the strongest bond. Connecting member
38
curves outward away from face members
34
and
36
, and is shaped to fit the contour of a beverage container in the rack. It extends outward over the curved portion of the base wall. Connecting member
38
, face members
34
and
36
, and the base form a viewing window through which the label of a beverage container can be viewed prior to selection of a beverage from the rack.
A first downwardly extending finger
40
fits into the slot below front segment right sidewall panel
14
. Finger
40
has a rearwardly projecting protrusion
42
positioned to engage the underside of the base wall forming a latch that holds the front panel and front segment together. Where the slot is rigid instead of resilient, a corner of the finger
40
opposite projecting protrusion
42
may be truncated so that the finger can fit through the slot and snap into latching contact with the base member. Similarly, a second downwardly extending finger
44
fits into the slot below front segment left sidewall panel
16
. Finger
44
has a rearwardly projecting protrusion
46
positioned to engage the underside of the base wall forming a latch that holds the front panel and front segment together.
A first front stop member
48
extends laterally a preselected distance from the first sidewall
26
toward the second sidewall
30
, and a second front stop member
50
extends laterally a preselected distance from the second sidewall
30
toward the first sidewall
26
. First stop member
48
is shorter than face member
34
and is preferably connected to face member
34
but may be attached to sidewall
26
or to the base wall. Second stop member
50
is shorter than face member
36
and is preferably connected to face member
36
but may be attached to sidewall
30
or to the base wall. The base, face members, connecting member and front stop members define a viewing window for the display track device.
Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, a front track segment of track device
52
has a floor or base wall with parallel upstanding sidewalls
53
,
54
,
55
,
56
, in this example, forming a three channels, each for a single row of articles to slide along between adjacent sidewalls. Each sidewall panel defines a notch
58
and an upstanding protrusion or arm
60
. The front track segment defines a slot below each sidewall panel. The slot is preferably formed of a three sided loop of material attached to the base wall to accept a member forced into it.
The front panel assembly
62
has a base member with a front edge that is preferably curved or contoured to fit the contour of a beverage container. Front panel assembly
62
is illustrated as having four upstanding sidewalls
64
,
66
,
68
,
70
with adjacent sidewalls forming partitions to hold a row of beverage containers therebetween. There may be as many sidewalls as are necessary for multiple rows to fill the width of a refrigerator unit. The sidewalls may be separate with several channels joined together or may be integrally formed with adjacent channels sharing a common sidewall. Each sidewall has a top end portion, a bottom end portion, and a front edge that extends between the top and bottom end portions of the sidewall. Preferably, each sidewall has a protrusion
72
formed on a rear portion thereof for resting in the notch
58
to help marry the front panel to the front segment of the track device. Each sidewall has a slot or opening to receive one of the upstanding arms
60
therein to help marry the front panel
62
to the front segment of the track device
48
.
The first sidewall
64
of the front panel assembly
62
is connected along its bottom end portion to the base wall. Second sidewall
66
is laterally spaced from first sidewall
64
and is connected along its bottom end portion to the base wall. Ideally, the lateral spacing between the first and second sidewalls
64
,
66
is slightly greater than the width of the beverage container to be displayed between the sidewalls to allow easy movement of the beverage container while preventing it from tilting askew. Third sidewall
68
is similarly laterally spaced from second sidewall
66
and fourth sidewall
70
. Second sidewall
66
lies intermediate first and third sidewall
64
,
68
, and third sidewall
68
lies intermediate second and fourth sidewalls
66
,
70
.
A first face member
74
has a top end portion and a bottom end portion and is connected to the front edge of the first sidewall
64
. Face ember
74
extends laterally a preselected distance from first sidewall
64
toward second sidewall
66
. A second face member
76
is connected to the front edge of second sidewall
66
. Second face member
36
extends from second sidewall
66
toward first sidewall
64
. A third face member
78
is connected to second sidewall
66
adjacent second face member
76
. Third face member
78
extends from second sidewall
66
toward third sidewall
68
. A fourth face member
80
is connected to third sidewall
68
adjacent a fifth face member
82
. Fourth face member
80
extends from third sidewall
68
toward second sidewall
66
. Fifth face member
82
extends from third sidewall
68
toward fourth sidewall
70
and sixth face member
84
. The face members are preferably connected to the base wall but have sufficient structural integrity when only connected to the sidewalls.
A first elongated connecting member
86
has a first end connected to the top end portion of first face member
74
and has a second end portion connected to the top end portion of second face member
76
. Connecting member
86
curves outward away from face members
74
and
76
, and is shaped to fit the contour of a beverage container in the rack. It extends outward over the curved portion of the base wall. First connecting member
86
, face members
74
and
76
, and the base form a viewing window through which the label of a beverage container can be viewed prior to selection of a beverage from the rack. A second elongated connecting member
88
has its ends connected to the top end portions of third and fourth face members
78
and
80
. Similarly, a third elongated connecting member
90
has its ends connected to the top end portions of fifth and sixth face members
82
and
80
.
Downwardly extending fingers
92
fit into slots below the front segment sidewall panels. The number of fingers is preferably equal to the number of face embers. Each finger
92
has a rearwardly projecting protrusion positioned to engage the underside of the base wall forming a latch that holds the front panel and front segment together. A corner of the finger opposite the projecting protrusion is truncated so that the fingers can fit through the slots more easily.
A first front stop member
94
extends laterally a preselected distance from the first sidewall
64
toward the second sidewall
66
, and a second front stop member
96
extends laterally a preselected distance from the second sidewall
66
toward the first sidewall
64
. First stop member
94
is shorter than its associated face member
74
and is preferably connected to face member
74
but may be attached to sidewall
64
or to the base wall. Second stop member
96
is shorter than face member
76
and is preferably connected to face member
76
but may be attached to sidewall
66
or to the base wall. The base, face members
74
,
76
, connecting member
86
and front stop members
94
,
96
define a first viewing window for the display track device. The base, face members
78
,
80
, connecting member
88
and front stop members
98
,
100
define a second viewing window adjacent the first viewing window. The base, face members
82
,
84
, connecting member
90
and front stop members
102
,
104
define a third viewing window adjacent the second viewing window.
It can now be appreciated that a front panel assembly for a display track device has been presented. A front panel for a display rack has a base with first and second upstanding sidewalls attached to the base. The sidewalls are connected along their bottom ends to the base. A first face member is connected to the first sidewall and extends laterally toward the second sidewall. A second face member is connected to the second sidewall and extends laterally toward the first sidewall. An elongate connecting member is connect to the tops of the first and second face members. A first front stop member is connected to the first face member and extends laterally a preselected distance from the first sidewall toward the second sidewall. A second front stop member is connected to the second face member and extends laterally a preselected distance from the second sidewall toward the first sidewall. The base, face members, stop members and connecting member define the viewing window for the display track device.
The front panel assembly is attached to the front segment using fingers depending from the front panel that engage slots formed on the front segment. It virtually snaps into position on the rack. The front panel holds a beverage container in position, first for viewing, and then for selection and removal from the rack by a consumer. The container is held upright and forward in the track so that a container is always ready for removal from the rack. The contour of the front panel allows the beverage container to fit forward in the track.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention. For example, a front piece for a multi-channel unit may be a unitary structure or may be several individual front pieces connected using depending gingers to fit into openings in the track device, and may receive arms of the track device into openings to connected the track device and front piece.
As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the examples illustrated, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the lateral dimensions of the face members may be increased to accommodate narrower containers. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A front panel for a display rack, said display rack having a front segment defining first and second slots disposed substantially adjacent a lower forward edge thereof, said front panel comprising:a base; a first upstanding sidewall having a top end portion, a bottom end portion and a front edge, said first sidewall being connected along a bottom end portion to said base; a second upstanding sidewall having a top end portion, a bottom end portion and a front edge, said second sidewall being laterally spaced from said first sidewall and connected along a bottom end portion to said base; a first face member having a top end portion and a bottom end portion and being connected to said front edge of said first sidewall, said first face member extending laterally a preselected distance from said first sidewall toward said second sidewall; a second face member having a top end portion and a bottom end portion and being connected to said front edge of said second sidewall, said second face member extending laterally a preselected distance from said second sidewall toward said first sidewall; an elongate connecting member having a first end connected to said top end portion of said first face member and a second end portion connected to said top end portion of said second face member; a first finger attached substantially adjacent a lower forward edge of one of said first sidewall and said base and extending downwardly therefrom, said first finger adapted to fit in said first slot to thereby fasten said front panel to said front segment; and a second finger attached substantially adjacent a lower forward edge of one of said second sidewall and said base and extending downwardly therefrom, said second finger being laterally spaced from said first finger and adapted to fit in said second slot to thereby fasten said front panel to said front segment.
- 2. A front panel, as set forth in claim 1, including:a first front stop member extending laterally a preselected distance from said first face member toward said second sidewall; and a second front stop member extending laterally a preselected distance from said second face member toward said first sidewall.
- 3. A front panel, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said base, face members, connecting member and front stop members define a viewing window for said display rack.
- 4. A front panel, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first front stop member is attached to said base.
- 5. A front panel, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elongate connecting member curves outward away from said face members.
- 6. A front panel assembly for a display rack, said display rack having a front segment defining at least first and second slots disposed substantially adjacent a lower forward edge thereof, said front panel comprising:a base; a first upstanding sidewall having a top end portion, a bottom end portion and a front edge, said first sidewall being connected along a bottom end portion to said base; a second upstanding sidewall having a top end portion, a bottom end portion and a front edge, said second sidewall being laterally spaced from said first sidewall and connected along bottom end portion to said base; a third upstanding sidewall having a top end portion, a bottom end portion and a front edge, said third sidewall being laterally spaced from said second sidewall and connected along a bottom end portion to said base, said second sidewall being intermediate said first and third sidewalls; a first face member having a top end portion and a bottom end portion and being connected to said front edge of said first sidewall, said first face member extending laterally a preselected distance from said first sidewall toward said second sidewall; a second face member having a top end portion and a bottom end portion and being connected to said front edge of said second sidewall, said second face member extending laterally a preselected distance from said second sidewall toward said first sidewall and extending laterally a preselected distance from said second sidewall toward said third sidewall; a third face member having a top end portion and a bottom end portion and being connected to said front edge of said third sidewall, said third face member extending laterally a preselected distance from said third sidewall toward said second sidewall; a first elongate connecting member having a first end connected to said top end portion of said first face member and a second end portion connected to said top end portion of said second face member, said base, face members and connecting member defining a first viewing window for said display rack; a second elongate connecting member having a first end connected to said top end portion of said second face member and a second end portion connected to said top end portion of said third face member, said base, face members and connecting member defining a second viewing window for said display rack; and at least first and second fingers, said first finger being attached substantially adjacent a lower forward edge of one of said base and first, second and third sidewalls, said first finger extending downwardly therefrom, said first finger being adapted to fit in said first slot to thereby fasten said front panel to said front segment, said second finger being attached substantially adjacent a lower forward edge of one of said base and first, second and third sidewalls, said second finger extending downwardly therefrom and being laterally spaced from said first finger, said second finger being adapted to fit in said second slot to thereby fasten said front panel to said front segment.
- 7. A front panel, as set forth in claim 6, including:a first front stop member extending laterally a preselected distance from said first face member toward said second sidewall; and a second front stop member extending laterally a preselected distance from said second face member toward said first sidewall; a third front stop member extending laterally a preselected distance from said third face member toward said third sidewall; and a fourth front stop member extending laterally a preselected distance from said fourth face member toward said second sidewall.
- 8. A front panel, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said base, first and second face members, first connecting member and first and second front stop members define a first viewing window for said display rack.
- 9. A front panel, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said base, second and third face members, second connecting member and third and fourth front stop members define a second viewing window for said display rack.
- 10. A front panel, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said front stop members are attached to said base.
- 11. A front panel, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said elongate connecting members curve outward away from said face members.
US Referenced Citations (20)