AU2014100791A4 - Product pusher rack - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A product rack comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the rack comprises catch means configured to prevent the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position. rN 26 612 1 N'~j 13

Description

1 PRODUCT PUSHER RACK Field of Invention The present invention relates to a product pusher rack. More particularly, the present invention relates to a product pusher rack configured to hold a row of products and present the front product to customers. Background of the Invention Products on display in stores, especially supermarkets, are sometimes placed in individual rows in racks that are designed to hold the single row of products. Each single row of product extends backwards into shelving in which the racks are mounted, such that the first product in the row is presented to customers at the front of the shelving. Some of these shelves are designed with useful features. One feature is automatically pushing the row of products forwards when the front product is removed. Another feature is the ability for the shelf to slide out of the display, to facilitate easy restocking. One attempt which has been made to provide a product pusher rack with features such as those previously described is a rack sold by the New Zealand company Lindstrom Foods. This rack has a spring loaded upright pushing surface which constantly applies a force on the back product in the row, such that if the front product is removed the row will be moved forward until the following product has filled the space previously occupied by the first product and it is on display at the front of the shelving. The above described shelf also has a stationary portion that is fixed in place in the shelving, and also a sliding portion that can be pulled away from the front of the shelving. As the products are held in the sliding portion, the ability to pull the sliding portion away from the shelving allows for product to be more easily added to the rack during restocking. The sliding portion is ordinary locked in place to prevent it being pulled outwards accidently. To pull out the above described sliding portion, a user needs to reach under the fixed portion of the shelf and deactivate a clip which retains the sliding portion, allowing it to be pulled out. The upright pushing surface is able to move forward only as far as the forward end of the fixed portion, even while the sliding portion is pulled out. It can be difficult to deactivate the clip of the above described product pusher rack when attempting to pull out the sliding portion, especially when there are products in the shelving underneath the rack. Additionally, when there are only a few products held in the sliding portion of the above rack, when it is pulled away from the fixed portion, the products may no longer be held in place against the front of the sliding portion, since the pusher is not able to follow the sliding portion past the front end of the fixed portion. The products may therefore fall over, making re-stacking the rack more difficult.

2 Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an improved product pusher rack. Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to address at least one of the foregoing problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the rack comprises catch means configured to prevent the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position. Preferably, the urging means is able to act as far as substantially adjacent the stop when the sliding portion is in the extended position. Preferably, the urging means comprises an urging member able to be selectively restrained relative to either of the sliding portion or the stationary portion in at least one predetermined position. More preferably, the catch means releasably mates the rear end of the sliding portion and the stationary portion. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and 3 urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the urging means is able to act as far as substantially adjacent the stop when the sliding portion is in the extended position. Preferably, the rack comprises catch means configured to prevent the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position. More preferably, the catch means releasably mates the rear end of the sliding portion and the stationary portion. Preferably, the urging means comprises an urging member able to be selectively restrained relative to either of the sliding portion or the stationary portion in at least one predetermined position. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the urging means comprises an urging member able to be restrained relative to the sliding portion. Preferably, the urging member is able to be selectively restrained in a first selectable position relative to the sliding portion and in a second selectable position relative to the stationary portion. Preferably, the urging means is able to act as far as substantially adjacent the stop when the sliding portion is in the extended position. Preferably, the rack comprises catch means configured to prevent the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position. More preferably, the catch means releasably mates the rear end of the sliding portion and the stationary portion. It will be understood that the following statements may apply to any one or more of the first, second or third aspects of the invention. Preferably, the sliding portion moves forwards in the direction of the front end to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

4 Preferably, the catch means comprises a snap fit connection releasably connecting the stationary portion and sliding portion. More preferably, the catch means comprises a male portion mounted on the stationary portion configured to snap fit within a corresponding female portion on the sliding portion, the catch means configured to hold the sliding portion in the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position with enough force to overcome a resistance provided by the snap fit connection. The male portion may alternatively be mounted on the sliding portion and be configured to snap fit within a corresponding female portion on the stationary portion. Preferably, the urging member is able to be selectively restrained relative to the sliding portion in a position proximate a rear end of the sliding portion. Preferably, the urging member is able to be selectively restrained relative to the stationary portion in a position proximate the front end of the stationary portion. Preferably, the rack comprises one or more hooks mounted to the urging member and configured to be hooked onto either the stationary portion or sliding portion in order to restrain the urging means. Preferably, the urging member comprises an upright planar member aligned substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the urging member acts. Preferably, the stationary portion comprises two parallel elongate stationary rails connected by one or more lateral connecting bars, the stationary rails configured to receive and support the sliding portion. Preferably, the stationary portion comprises two rear hooks open downwardly and configured to fit over a portion of the support structure. Preferably, the sliding portion comprises two parallel elongate sliding rails configured to slide relative to the stationary rails. Preferably, each of the sliding rails comprises two bearing inserts configured to slideably support the sliding rail in or on the stationary rail. Preferably, the sliding rails are connected by two lateral connecting bars. For example, one connecting bar may be positioned substantially at each end of the sliding rails. Preferably, the sliding portion comprises one or more longitudinal urging member rails, the urging member being supported on and configured to travel along the longitudinal urging member rails. Preferably, the stop at the front end of the sliding portion is an upright planar member connected to one or more of the sliding rails, lateral connecting bar, and/or urging member rails.

5 Preferably, the urging means comprises a spring in the form of a strip spring acting to urge the upright planar member forwards. More preferably, one end of the strip spring is secured to the front end of the sliding portion at or proximate the stop, and the other end is configured to wind up behind the urging member such that when the urging member is spaced from the stop, the strip spring is unwound and exerts a forwards force on the urging member. Preferably, the product rack comprises two side members, each at a lateral position relative to the length of the product rack, the side members configured to retain the products laterally. More preferably the lateral position of each side member is independently adjustable. Even more preferably the sides are able to move longitudinally with the sliding portion. Preferably, each side member comprises an upright planar member with a length substantially corresponding to the length of the sliding portion, and each comprising two side connection pins extending perpendicularly from the plane of the side member configured to be received by apertures in the sliding rails of the sliding assembly. Preferably one of the side connection pins of each side member is received by one of the bearing inserts in each side rail, and the other side connection pin of each side member is received by the other bearing insert in each side rail. Preferably, the stationary rails and sliding rails are formed of folded mild steel sheet. Preferably, the bearing inserts, urging member, hook(s), stop and/or catch means are formed of a plastics material. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the urging means comprises compression spring means configured to exert a pushing force on the row of products towards the stop. Preferably, the urging means further comprises an urging member, the compression spring means acting to push the urging member towards the stop. More preferably, the compression spring means acts between the urging member and a rear part of the sliding portion.

6 Preferably, the compression spring means comprises a compression spring. More preferably, the compression spring comprises a conical spring section. In some embodiments, the compression spring comprises two conical spring sections conjoined end-to-end. Preferably, the sliding portion comprises means for retaining a mid-part of the compression spring means relative to the sliding portion. More preferably, the sliding portion comprises one or more longitudinal rails, the urging member being supported on and configured to travel along the longitudinal rails, and the means for retaining retains the mid-part of the compression spring means relative to the longitudinal rails. More preferably, the means for retaining comprises a clip connected to one of the longitudinal rails and to the compression spring means. Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 a is a perspective view illustration of a product pusher rack according to an embodiment of the invention, from a front angle; Figure lb is a perspective view illustration of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1, from a rearward angle; Figure 2 is a perspective view illustration of the stationary portion of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view illustration of the sliding portion of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view illustration of a side of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view illustration of a catch of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1; 7 Figure 6 is a perspective view illustration of a rear bearing insert of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a perspective view illustration of a front bearing insert of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a perspective view illustration of the hook of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a perspective view illustration of a product pusher rack according to further embodiment of the invention, with some components removed for clarity; Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view illustration of the product pusher rack shown in Figure 9, with some components removed for clarity. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled product pusher rack according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figures 2-8 show perspective views of individual components found in the product pusher rack assembly shown in Figure 1. A common name for the type of apparatus to which the present invention relates is a "pusher rack" or other 'pushing" device because the apparatus includes a member that acts to push or otherwise urge product in the rack forwards. In the following description no distinction is made, unless clearly indicated, between a pushing mechanism and a pulling mechanism, i.e. mechanisms that differ by the position of the source of locomotion relative to the moved items. The term "pusher" is used in a general sense to mean any member that has a portion or part that acts to urge an item forwards, irrespective of the location of the origin of the motion. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of product pusher rack 100. Product pusher rack 100 comprises a stationary portion 10 and a sliding portion 20 slideably mounted on the stationary portion. One exemplary use of the rack is in a store. The stationary portion of the rack can be mounted to shelving and products can be held in the sliding portion which in a retracted position is positioned substantially directly above the stationary portion. As will be described, a pusher (or urging means) pushes products in the sliding portion of the rack forwards to keep them at the front of the store shelving. A worker restocking the rack can slide the sliding portion into an extended position away from the stationary portion such that the sliding portion protrudes from the face of the shelving, and a plurality of products can easily be added to the rack by moving the pusher backwards and placing the products in front of the pusher in the sliding portion. The sliding portion is then pushed back into the retracted position with a front end aligned with the front face of the shelving.

8 Stationary portion 10 comprises two rear hooks 11 open downwardly and configured to fit over a portion of a support structure (not shown) such as shelving adapted to receive and support product holder 100, which for example may be shelving in a supermarket. Extending forward from each rear hook 11 is a stationary rail 12, one of which is shown in Figure 1. The portions of the stationary rails 12 at the opposite (front) end of stationary portion 10 may rest or otherwise be supported by or mounted on another portion of the support structure. Two crossbars 13 join each side of the stationary portion 10. One crossbar 13 connects the rear hooks 11, and another crossbar 13 connects the stationary rails 12 at a position spaced back from the front end of the stationary rails 12 by approximately one quarter of their length. Sliding portion 20 comprises two parallel sliding rails 22 connected to each other at each end by front and rear crossbars 23. Within each sliding rail 22 are a rear bearing insert 24 and a front bearing insert 25, which in use connect the sliding rails 22 to the stationary rails 12. Side members 26 are upright generally planar members of substantially the same length as the sliding portion 20. Extending perpendicular from the side members 26 are side pins 27. There are two side pins 27 for each side member, one near the rear end and one near the front end to be received by rear bearing insert 24 and front bearing insert 25. Each of the bearing inserts 24 and 25 comprise two holes through which side pins 27 are able to be received. A portion of the end of each side pin 27 is crimped to prevent it from being removed from the hole, however each side pin 27 is free to move axially in the hole in the bearing insert and is long enough such that the spacing of the sides 26 from the sliding rails 22 can be independently adjusted by moving the sides 26 towards or away from the sliding rails 22. As would be apparent to a skilled addressee, the side members prevent products supported on the rack from falling off the sides. Advantageously, the independently adjustable lateral position of each side member 26 conveniently allows for the rack to be used with different sized products. In this embodiment each rear bearing insert 24 fits within a stationary rail 12. Each front bearing insert 25 is rests on top of a stationary rail 12while the rack 100 is in the retracted position. When the rack 100 is in the extended position the front bearing inserts 25 are spaced from the end of the stationary rails 12 as a result of their positioning proximate the front end of the sliding portion 20. At the front end of the sliding portion 20 is a front stop 28 which in this embodiment is an upright generally planar member with a cutout in the top portion. The cutout may be advantageous in some circumstances in allowing easy removal of products from the rack, but may not be included in other embodiments. In one embodiment the front stop 28 is formed from a substantially transparent plastics material, in order to avoid obscuring the view of the front product held by the rack 100. Furthermore, the plastics material allows for a snap fit connection to the front of the sliding portion 20. The rack comprises means for urging product forwards on the sliding portion 20. In the embodiment shown, the urging means comprises urging member or pusher 30 in the form of an upright generally planar member, which is able to move forwards and backwards along the length of the sliding portion. In the particular view in 9 Figure 1, the planar member 30 is located in an intermediate position proximate the middle of the length of sliding portion 20. Together, the pusher 30, front stop 28 and sides 26 act as four walls defining a space within which products can be held by the product holder 100. Not shown in Figure 1 is a further part of the urging means, which may be a strip spring for example, that applies a force on the pusher 30 towards the front stop 28. In a preferred embodiment in which the urging means comprises a strip spring in the form of a strip of an elastically deformable metal configured to have a tendency to wind up into a coil or spiral configuration such that, when unwound into a straight length, internal forces within the material of the strip spring, introduced by straightening the strip, cause the strip to return to the coiled or spiralled configuration. The strip spring is connected to the crossbar 23 at the front end of the sliding portion 20, passes through an aperture in the pusher 30, and is wound up behind the pusher 30. Moving the pusher 30 away from the front end of the sliding portion 20 will unwind the strip spring which has a tendency to wind itself back up into a spiral configuration. This applies a forwards force on the back of pusher 30, urging it towards front stop 28 and causing the pusher 30 to act on any products in a row in front of it until it brings the row of products into abutment with the front stop 28. Sliding portion 20 also comprises one or more rails on which the urging member is supported, i.e. urging member rails or pusher rails 29, extending parallel to the length of the sliding portion and attached to crossbars 23. Pusher 30 is supported on pusher rails 29 and able to move along them. Assembled with pusher 30 is a restraining means in the form of hook 31, which comprises crosspiece 32 connecting two hook arms 33. Two slots in pusher 30 allow for each hook arm 33 to pass through and be loosely retained therein by the combination of the slots in the pusher 30 and the crosspiece 32. The hook arms 33 can then, if desired, be hooked over either the front crossbar 13 of the stationary portion 10, or the rear crossbar 23 of the sliding portion 20. In other embodiments the sliding or stationary portions may comprise other crossbars or lateral members that the hook may be hooked to. This provides a user with the ability to restrain the pusher 30 relative to either the stationary portion 10 or the sliding portion 20, respectively. The ability to restrain the pusher 30 relative to these positions allows for easier restocking of the rack 100. For example, the worker can pull out the empty sliding portion 20, and the pusher 30 will remain positioned against the front stop 28 as a result of the action of the strip spring and the lack of products between the pusher 30 and the front stop 28. The worker can then push the pusher 30 backwards until it reaches the rear crossbar 23 of the sliding portion 20. The cam hooks 33 can then hook over or under the crossbar 23 (if necessary the worker can manipulate the crosspiece 32 to assist the cam hooks 33 to hook onto the crossbar 23). The worker can then fill up the space between the pusher 30 and the front stop 28 with a row of products without the pusher 30 getting in the way. After adding the row of products the cam hooks 33 can be unhooked and the pusher 30 can move forward to push the row of products into abutment with the front stop. The worker also has the option of hooking the cam hooks 33 onto the front crossbar 13 of the stationary portion 10 (enabling the sliding portion 20 to be pulled out without the pusher 30 following), which 10 may be advantageous if only a few products are required to be added to the product pusher rack 100, in which case it is not necessary to slide the sliding portion 20 out all the way. Mounted at a rear part of the stationary portion, for example on the inside of each rear hook 11, is a means to engage the sliding and stationary portions in order to hold them together. In the embodiment shown, the means takes the form of a catch having a male portion 14, the shape of which corresponds to a slot (or female portion) 21 of the catch at the rear end of each side rail 22. The male part of the catch 14 and catch slot 21 are sized to form a snap fit connection therebetween. This allows the sliding portion 20 to be more securely retained when in the retracted position. It will be understood that the position of the male part of the catch 14 and catch slot may be switched in other embodiments of the invention - i.e. the male feature catch 14 may be mounted or form part of the sliding portion 20, and the female member catch slot 12 may be mounted on or form part of the stationary member 10. The catch advantageously allows the sliding portion to be held in the retracted position by simply pushing the sliding portion into the retracted position - i.e. no manual retaining means has to be activated before the sliding portion is held in place. The catch also advantageously allows the sliding portion to be pulled out of the retracted position without having to manually deactivate a retaining means, aside from simply overcoming the retaining force of the catch by pulling hard enough initially (i.e. no button needs to be pressed, no clip needs to be deactivated, etc). The extension of the sliding portion can be effected by pulling the sliding portion forwards out of the hold or retention of the catch, retaining means or locking device. In some embodiments, this may be the only action that is required to pull the sliding portion outwards, i.e. no other mechanism needs to be disengaged as well. Advantageously, this makes pulling the sliding portion of the rack out a simple operation which may be suited to a store or supermarket situation where staff need to be able to re-stack shelves quickly and easily. In some embodiments, the sliding portion may be retained relative to the stationary portion with a mechanism that requires a degree of force to be applied to the sliding portion in a direction other than directly forwards. Some embodiments may include a friction fit mechanism clip or catch, or a protrusion whereby, for example, a small upwards force needs to be applied to the sliding portion in order to disengage the sliding portion and enable it to be pulled forwards. Figure 2 shows the stationary portion 10 in more detail, showing rear hooks 11, stationary rails 12, and crossbars 13. The structure of stationary rails 12 is visible. In this embodiment the rear hooks 11 and stationary rails 12 are of unitary construction formed from mild steel sheet. The steel is folded to form each stationary rail 12 in the form of a rectangular cross section with an upper slot left open extending along the top. A tab at the front end of the stationary rail 12 is folded upwards to close the slot and therefore limit the sliding portion 20 from sliding out of the stationary rail 12 by forming a stop which the rear bearing insert 24 is not able to pass. Catch holes 15 on the rear hooks 11 are also shown, and in this embodiment are in sets of three - a central hole through which a fastener such as a screw can secure the catch 14 in place, and two other holes in which spigots on the catch 14 can be retained to prevent the catch 14 from rotating. Crossbars 13 are in this embodiment formed from mild steel wire.

11 Figure 3 shows features comprised by the sliding portion 20 in more detail, showing in particular sliding rails 22, crossbars 23, pusher rails 29, pin holes 271, bearing insert mounting holes 272 and catch slots 21. Sliding rails 22 are each formed from mild steel sheet folded into a side with an inwardly extending top, with a lower tab near the rear end of each sliding rail 22 extending inwardly. The rear portion of each sliding rail 22 is taller than rest of the rail. The taller rear portion and the lower tab provides sufficient space and a lower surface for supporting the rear bearing insert 24. Furthermore, a sloped transition from the narrower length of each rail to the wider portion near the rear provides a steel edge for contact with the end of the stationary rail 12, protecting the rear bearing insert. There are also various holes in each side rail. In particular pin holes 271 are positioned to correspond to the side pins 27 extending from the sides 26, to allow the sides 26 to be connected to the sliding portion 20. Multiple holes may be included so that the side pins 27 on the opposite side rails can be offset from each other, allowing the side rails to be pushed close together (which may be desirable for narrow product racks to contain narrow products) without the ends of the pins obstructing each other. Bearing mounting holes 272, of which there are three for each rear bearing insert and one for each front bearing insert allow for the bearing inserts 24 and 25 to be mounted to the sliding rails 22. Pusher rails 29 extend along the length of the sliding portion 20, connected to both the front and rear crossbars 23. The pusher rails 29 support the pusher 30, which is mounted thereon and able to slide substantially along the length of the pusher rails 29. The pusher rails 29 also support any products on rack 100 in front of the pusher 30. The pusher rails are bent downwards at the front end over the crossbar 23. The front stop 28 is adapted to connect to the downwardly folded ends of the pusher rails 29, as well as clip onto the front crossbar 23. Not shown but present in some embodiments of the invention may be a third crossbar positioned slightly rear of the front crossbar 23. This third crossbar can be used to secure the strip spring (also not shown), by allowing one end of the strip spring to be wrapped around the front crossbar 23 and then over the third crossbar that isn't shown. The small diameter of the crossbar and the small spacing between the front crossbar 23 and the third crossbar that isn't shown requires that the strip spring is plastically deformed during assembly and therefore retained on the crossbars. At the rear end of each sliding rail 22 is a catch slot 21. The shape of the catch slot 21 corresponds to the shape of the catch 14 which is shown in further detail in Figure 5. The narrow opening of the slot forces the catch 14 to deform as it is inserted into the slot, as discussed in further detail with reference to Figure 5. Figure 4 shows a side 26. It will be appreciated that the side 26 shown may differ from the other side 26 used for the opposite side of the rack 100, to allow for reflection symmetry across the rack 100. It will also be appreciated that while some features of the sides may be symmetrical, for example the shape of the planar portion of the sides 26, the two front pins and two rear pins of two sides 26 when assembled in the rack 100 may be offset from each other. Side pins 27 in this embodiment are elongate lengths of mild steel wire extending away from the planar portion of the side 26, which in this embodiment is formed from mild steel sheet. In other embodiments the side pins 27 may comprise a 90 degree bend between a portion connected 12 to the side 26 in parallel with the planar portion of the side 26, and a portion extending away perpendicular to the planar portion. Figure 5 shows catch 14. Catch 14 comprises a body with two spigots 141 that extend from the side of the body and are received in two of the holes 15 in the rear hooks 11 of sliding portion 20. Catch fastener hole 142 is provided between spigots 141 and is sized to accommodate a fastener which secures the catch 14 to the sliding portion 20. Extending from the body are two flexing members 143 which are flexed together by the narrowed entrance to the catch slot 21 as the catch 14 enters the catch slot. Flexing members 143 are able to un-flex apart when they are substantially fully inserted in catch slot 21 so that the sliding portion 20 can be retained relative to the stationary portion 10. To retract the sliding portion 20, it is simply pulled outwards, causing the flexing members 143 to flex as they pass through the narrowed entrance to catch slot 21. In this embodiment the catch 14 is formed from a plastics material to allow for the flexibility and resilience required for the snap-fit connection. Figure 6 shows a rear bearing insert 24, which comprises a body portion with various features. Rear bearing pin holes 241 provide a passage through the rear bearing insert 24 through which side pins 27 of the sides 26 can pass (although in the preferred embodiment only one rear bearing pin hole 241 per rear bearing insert 24 is used). Also shown are rear bearing clip holes 243 through which clips can be inserted to retain the side pins 27. The end of the side pins in the preferred embodiment comprise a crimped portion that corresponds to a rear bearing cutout 245 in each rear bearing pin hole 241. When the side pin 27 is inserted into the rear bearing pin hole 241, the crimp passes through the rear bearing cutout 245. A clip is then inserted into rear bearing clip hole 243 to prevent the crimp from passing back through, thereby retaining the side pin 27 in the hole. Also shown in Figure 6 is a slot 244 that passes through the wider end portions of the rear bearing insert 24. After assembly a top portion of the stationary rails fits within slot 244, and the rear bearing insert 24 substantially retains the orientation of the sliding rails 22 parallel with the stationary rails 12. Figure 7 shows front bearing insert 25, which is very similar to the middle portion of rear bearing insert 24. Front bearing insert 25 comprises front bearing pin holes 251, front bearing clip holes 253 and front bearing cutout 255, which provide the same functions as rear bearing pin holes 241, rear bearing clip holes 243 and rear bearing cutout 245, respectively. As the front bearing insert 25 does not fit around any other part (and simply rests on the stationary rails 12 when the sliding portion 20 is in the retracted position) it does not need a slot like the slot 244 of rear bearing insert 24. Not shown is a hole in the side of the body of front bearing insert 25 through which a fastener such as a screw can penetrate to secure the front bearing insert 25 to a sliding rail 22. In this embodiment the rear bearing inserts 24 and front bearing inserts 25 are formed from a plastics material. Figure 8 shows hook 31, which comprises a crosspiece 32 connecting two elongate hook arms 33 which each comprise a slot at the end opposite the crosspiece 32. The spacing between the hook arms 33 is wider at the end proximate the crosspiece 32, with the wider spacing corresponding to the spacing between the 13 slots formed in the pusher 30 through which the hook arms pass. The hook 31 is retained in the slots of the pusher 30 as a result of the spacing between the hook arms 33 being narrower than the spacing of the slots in the pusher 30. The hook 31 is however preferably formed from a flexible material such as a plastics material, in order for the hook arms 33 to be deformed enough to pass through the slots of the pusher 30 when the rack 100 is assembled. Alternative Embodiments The materials described in relation to the embodiment shown in the Figures are not limiting, as other materials are also suitable to some extent. Likewise the general shape and size of each part may vary to the extent that the inventive concepts are attainable and the product pusher rack is useful. The particular means by which the sliding portion is moveably supported on the stationary portion also may vary. There may be various means in other embodiments, for example bearings formed by rolling members as opposed to the sliding bearing inserts shown in the Figures. Not every single feature of the preferred embodiment has been discussed, because many features will be known to a skilled addressee, for example the exact shape of plastics parts required to allow them to be manufactured and also to be assembled with other parts. In some embodiments the pusher may be able to be retained at further positions relative to the sliding portion and/or stationary portion, in order to provide more options for a worker restocking the rack. There are many possible embodiments of the present invention in which the catch and catch slot feature combination may vary, while still providing the functionality and advantages of easily retaining the sliding portion in the retracted position simply as a result of pushing the sliding portion into the retracted position. In some embodiments the catch may be an upstanding feature on the stationary portion to be received by a corresponding cutout or recess on the sliding portion. In other embodiments the holding mechanism that retains the sliding portion in the retracted position may be embodied such that the stationary portion comprises a slightly inwardly tapering portion that is configured to increase the friction acting on the sliding portion when the sliding portion is pushed into the retracted configuration. The features of the stationary portion and/or sliding portion that accomplish the advantages of hindering the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position arbitrarily (i.e. without user action) may be located at any suitable place on the rack. While the preferred embodiment is partially in the form of a wireframe, in other embodiments there may be further surfaces provided, for example on the sliding portion to support products placed thereon. Furthermore, surfaces shown in the preferred embodiment may vary on other embodiments - for example the pusher may comprise a curved surface, or even be formed by a wireframe itself.

14 The means to connect the stationary portion to a support structure such as shop shelving may vary to a great extent. In some embodiments the stationary portion may be secured by fasteners to the shelving, or comprise hooks at both the front and rear end. The direction in which the sliding portion slides on the stationary portion may be reversed in some embodiments, in order to allow for restocking from behind the support shelving on which the rack is installed. In some embodiments the sliding portion may be able to slide selectively from a central position substantially above the stationary portion into an extended portion either forwards or backwards from the retracted position, allowing the rack to be used in either shelving that is restocked from the front or shelving that is restocked from the back. In these embodiments the retaining means may be configured to retain the sliding portion in the retracted position above the stationary portion. The particular retaining means may vary, but in one example takes the form of a hump in the sliding portion that corresponds with an inverse cutout in the stationary portion, the hump and inverse cutout being positioned such that, when the sliding portion is pushed into the retracted portion from either the forward or backward extended position, the hump falls into the inverse cutout and the sliding portion is retained, at least until the sliding portion is pulled with enough force to free the hump from the inverse cutout. There may be other features included to improve the ability for the rack to be retained in the central retracted position while still allowing easy movement of the sliding portion between the extended and retracted positions. In some embodiments the urging means may act on the urging member or pusher from behind, for example by a coil spring acting between the rear end of the sliding portion and the opposite side of the pusher from the products. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a product rack 90 according to such an embodiment. Figure 9 is a perspective view illustration of the product rack 90 while Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view illustration of the same product rack 90. Figure 10 illustrates a compression spring 91 which is not shown in Figure 9. Many aspects of the product rack 90 are similar to those described above. A sliding portion 92 moves longitudinally relative to a stationary portion 93, the sliding portion 92 being mounted on rails of the stationary portion 93. The sliding portion 92 has a stop 94 at its front end, which retains product on the sliding portion. One or more side rails 95 may be mounted to the sliding portion 92 (or, in other embodiments, the stationary portion 93). Some of the features of the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 that differ from the features of the earlier described embodiments will now be described. In the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the means for urging products on the sliding portion 92 forwards against stop 94 takes the form of a compression spring 91 which acts between an upright member 96 mounted at the rear end of sliding portion 92 and urging member 97, which is an upright member having a substantially planar front face. The action of the compression spring 91, which tends to urge urging member 97 away from upright member 96 so that it moves forwards along the longitudinal rails of the sliding portion 92 on which it is mounted and thereby pushes any product in front of it towards stop 94.

15 The rear face of urging member 97 and the front face of upright member 96 (not shown in Figures 9 and 10 but similar to the rear face of urging member 97) comprises a structure for engaging with compression spring 91. In the embodiment shown, the rear face of urging member 97 has protrusion 98 extending outwards from it, protrusion 98 being configured so that one end of the compression spring 91 can fit around the protrusion 98 and be held in place by it unless the spring is pulled away from the urging member. The front face of upright member 96 has a similarly shaped protrusion. Product pusher rack 90 further comprises means for retaining a middle section or mid-part of compression spring 91 relative to the sliding portion 92. This prevents a central part of the spring (i.e. a part of the spring not proximate the ends) from being pulled or bent away from the sliding portion where it could tangle, impede operation of the rack or obstruct another part of a product display. In the embodiment shown, the retaining means takes the form of one or more clips 99 connected between the sliding portion 92 and the compression spring 91. Clips 99 comprise a first hooked portion adapted to hook onto longitudinal rails of the sliding portion and a second hooked, or ring, portion adapted to hook onto or encircle a part of compression spring 91. In the case of a ring portion of the clip 99, one end of the compression spring may be threaded through the ring. Clips 99 may be relatively loosely connected to the longitudinal rails of sliding portion 92 so that they can slide along the rails as the compression spring is extended and compressed. In another embodiment, another form of retention means may be provided such as a means for magnetically attracting the compression spring to the sliding portion. Compression spring 91 comprises two conical spring sections conjoined end-to-end. In the embodiment shown the two larger ends of the conical spring sections are joined so that the compression spring tapers from a relatively large middle diameter to relatively small diameter ends. In another embodiment, the middle part of the spring may have a smaller diameter than the ends. In another embodiment, the compression spring may have only a single conical section so that one end is larger in diameter than the other. The conical section in compression spring 91 means that the spring can compress to a smaller length than would be achievable if the spring had a constant diameter. This means urging member 97 can be pushed back closer to upright member 96, increasing the amount of product that can be stored on the rack compared to if a constant-diameter spring was used. Compared to the product rack described in relation to Figures 1 to 8, the rack described in relation to Figures 9 and 10 may be able to accommodate and work with larger and heavier products because the compression spring may be able to exert a greater force for a given size of product rack than the coil strip spring shown in Figures 1 to 8. The degree of force able to be exerted by the spring in either embodiment of the invention may be able to be selected to suit its purpose by selection of the size, design and materials of the rack and its components. Any compression spring means, i.e. means able to apply a resisting force on compression, may be used. The invention is not limited only to compression springs per se. In other embodiments, other forms of biasing structures are used such as a block of an expansive material (e.g. foam) or gas strut, both of which are 16 placed between the urging and upright members and apply a force pushing the urging member forward when the urging member is pushed back to deform or compress the respective biasing structure. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference. Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world. The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.

Claims (43)

1. A product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the rack comprises catch means configured to prevent the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position.

2. The product rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the urging means is able to act as far as substantially adjacent the stop when the sliding portion is in the extended position.

3. The product rack as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the urging means comprises an urging member able to be selectively restrained relative to either of the sliding portion or the stationary portion in at least one predetermined position.

4. The product rack as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the catch means releasably mates the rear end of the sliding portion and the stationary portion.

5. A product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the urging means is able to act as far as substantially adjacent the stop when the sliding portion is in the extended position. 18

6. The product rack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rack comprises catch means configured to prevent the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position.

7. The product rack as claimed in claim 5, wherein the catch means releasably mates the rear end of the sliding portion and the stationary portion.

8. The product rack as claimed in any one of claims 4-6, wherein the urging means comprises an urging member able to be selectively restrained relative to either of the sliding portion or the stationary portion in at least one predetermined position.

9. A product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the urging means comprises an urging member able to be restrained relative to the sliding portion.

10. The product rack as claimed in claim 9, wherein the urging member is able to be selectively restrained in a first selectable position relative to the sliding portion and in a second selectable position relative to the stationary portion.

11. The product rack as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the pusher is able to act as far as substantially adjacent the stop when the sliding portion is in the extended position.

12. The product rack as claimed in any one of claims 9-11, wherein the rack comprises catch means configured to prevent the sliding portion from moving out of the retracted position unless the sliding portion is pulled towards the extended position.

13. The product rack as claimed in claim 12, wherein the catch means releasably mates the rear end of the sliding portion and the stationary portion.

14. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the sliding portion moves forwards in the direction of the front end to move from the retracted position to the extended position. 19

15. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein when in the retracted position, the stationary portion and sliding portion are releaseably connected by a snap fit connection.

16. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the urging member is able to be selectively restrained relative to the sliding portion in a position proximate a rear end of the sliding portion.

17. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the urging member is able to be selectively restrained relative to the stationary portion in a position proximate the front end of the stationary portion.

18. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the rack comprises one or more hooks mounted to the urging member and configured to be hooked onto either the stationary portion or sliding portion in order to restrain the urging member.

19. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the urging member comprises an upright planar member aligned substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the urging member acts.

20. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the stationary portion comprises two rear hooks open downwardly and configured to fit over a portion of the support structure.

21. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the stationary portion comprises two parallel elongate stationary rails connected by one or more lateral connecting bars, the stationary rails configured to receive and support the sliding portion.

22. The product rack as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sliding portion comprises two parallel elongate sliding rails configured to slide relative to the stationary rails.

23. The product rack as claimed in claim 22, wherein each of the sliding rails comprises two bearing inserts configured to slideably support the sliding rail in or on the stationary rail.

24. The product rack as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the sliding rails are connected by two lateral connecting bars, one at each end of the sliding rails.

25. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, the sliding portion comprises one or more longitudinal urging member rails, the urging member being supported on and configured to travel along the longitudinal urging member rails. 20

26. The product rack as claimed in claim 25 when dependent on claim 24, wherein the stop at the front end of the sliding portion is an upright planar member connected to one or more of the sliding rails, lateral connecting bar, and/or urging member rails.

27. The product rack as claimed in claim 25, wherein the urging means comprises a spring in the form of a strip spring acting to urge the urging member forwards.

28. The product rack as claimed in claim 26, wherein one end of the strip spring is secured to the front end of the sliding portion at or proximate the stop, and the other end is configured to wind up behind the urging member such that when the urging member is spaced from the stop, the strip spring is unwound and exerts a forwards force on the urging member.

29. The product rack as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the product rack comprises two side members, each at a lateral position relative to the length of the product rack, the side members configured to retain the products laterally.

30. The product rack as claimed in claim 29, wherein the lateral position of each side member is independently adjustable.

31. The product rack as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the sides are able to move longitudinally with the sliding portion.

32. The product rack as claimed in any one of claims 29-31, wherein each side member comprises an upright planar member with a length substantially corresponding to the length of the sliding portion, and each comprising two side connection pins extending perpendicularly from the plane of the side member configured to be received by apertures in the sliding rails of the sliding assembly.

33. The product rack as claimed in claim 32, wherein one of the side connection pins of each side member is received by one of the bearing inserts in each side rail, and the other side connection pin of each side member is received by the other bearing insert in each side rail.

34. The product rack as claimed in any one of claims 22-24, wherein the stationary rails and sliding rails are formed of folded mild steel sheet.

35. A product rack, comprising: a stationary portion configured to, in use, be mounted on a support structure; a sliding portion comprising a length, the sliding portion connected to the stationary portion and configured to be moved relative to the stationary portion between a retracted longitudinal position and an extended longitudinal position, the sliding portion configured to support a plurality of products arranged in a row beginning at a front end of the sliding portion and extending backwards along the length of the sliding portion; a stop at the front end of the sliding portion; and 21 urging means acting along the length of the sliding portion to urge the row of products supported on the sliding portion into abutment with the stop; wherein the urging means comprises compression spring means configured to exert a pushing force on the row of products towards the stop.

36. The product rack as claimed in claim 35, wherein the urging means further comprises an urging member, the compression spring means acting to push the urging member towards the stop.

37. The product rack as claimed in claim 36, wherein the compression spring means acts between the urging member and a rear part of the sliding portion.

38. The product rack as claimed in any one of claims 35-37, wherein the compression spring means comprises a compression spring.

39. The product rack as claimed in claim 38, wherein the compression spring comprises a conical spring section.

40. The product rack as claimed in claim 38 or 39, wherein the compression spring comprises two conical spring sections conjoined end-to-end.

41. The product rack as claimed in any one of claims 35-40, wherein the sliding portion comprises means for retaining a mid-part of the compression spring means relative to the sliding portion.

42. The product rack as claimed in claim 41, wherein the sliding portion comprises one or more longitudinal rails, the urging member being supported on and configured to travel along the longitudinal rails, and wherein the means for retaining retains the mid-part of the compression spring means relative to the longitudinal rails.

43. The product rack as claimed in claim 42, wherein the means for retaining comprises a clip connected to one of the longitudinal rails and to the compression spring means.