CA2889218A1 - Adjustable sliding pin assembly for shelving dividers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a shelf divider adapted for use in conjunction with a shelf having a plurality of spaced apart perforations or cavities, the shelf divider including as part of its construction, or alternately as an attachable adapter unit to the shelf divider, a displaceable, preferably slidable, locator shelf pin which is used to engage with or be engaged within one or more of the spaced apart perforations or cavities present within a shelf

Description

ADJUSTABLE SLIDING PIN ASSEMBLY FOR SHELVING DIVIDERS
The present invention relates to adjustable sliding pin assemblies for use with or which form part of shelving dividers particularly as maybe used in conjunction with commercial and/or retail shelving units.
Notwithstanding a growing use of on-line purchasing wherein products are visible only via computer displays, and shipped directly to a consumer without requiring the consumer to visit a retail establishment, the attractive presentation of vendible articles and packaged goods within such retail establishments form a substantial part of everyday commerce. Packaging of vendible articles and products plays a primary role in consumer purchasing decisions and thus an attractive presentation within a retail establishment is paramount to influencing a consumer's buying decision. Profitability of the retail establishments can be directly correlated to the availability of a variety of vendible articles and packaged goods as a broader selection, of such products, increases the likelihood of purchase by a consumer. Is thus optimal that a retailer make available and present to consumers a variety of vendible articles available for purchase at any time.
This however provides challenges as packaging of such vendible articles is not necessarily standardized, for example the configuration of such packages including their geometry can vary widely as no standards exist or are uniformly adhered to.
Yet, at the same time standardized retail (as well as wholesale) shelving units typically come in a variety of widths and lengths which are more standardized. Retail shelving typically have perforated holes, both in the front and rear for the purposes of mounting or affixing merchandising accessories including pushers, dividers, racks, accessory tracks, fences or fixtures. Standard retail shelf hole spacing is typically 1/2" or 1" center to center.
Common attachment methods utilizing said holes include hardware such as screws, bolts, plastic push pins etc. Accessories may also be affixed using adhesive or magnetic tape.
Each attachment method may have several drawbacks and issues pertaining to the look and organization of displayed product, ease of installation and realignment of merchandising components or ease of product purchasing by the consumer.
Divider systems utilizing screws, bolt, pushpins or other mechanical fasteners may restrict divider positioning or act as physical obstacles to product removal or restocking.
They also serve as visual eyesores directing attention away from the product being displayed.
Mechanical fasteners also make shelf plan-o-gram re-alignment and time consuming chore.
At the same time, shelf displayable retail packages (containing vendible goods) may be produced in any number of sizes and widths and seldom conform to the pre-set spacing provided by such dividers utilizing said pre-existing perforated shelf holes. Such potentially reduces the efficiency of the use of available surface area of any such shelf, where the density of retail packages which can be displayed upon such a shelf within a shelving unit. One need also take into consideration that the utility of available surface area a/o density of retail packages is also further reduced when a small space allowance is provided between a package retail product and adjacent shelf dividers present in order ot permit for the un-abraded product insertion and removal to or from the shelf, as well as the thickness of the divider itself Such factors further reduce efficient use of the available surface of a shelf. Improper divider spacing ultimately leads to the reduction of shelf holding capacity or the number of product facings a retailer can display within a given shelf or section. Proper divider spacing optimizes product quantity and variety displayable on shelf, maximizing exposure to the consumer.
Known to the prior art are track mounted divider systems, which a shelf divider is mechanically attached to a track mounted to and spanning the width of the shelf. While such track mounted dividers systems provide excellent divider adjustability, the presence of the required track itself may be a visual distraction as well as a physical impediment to the removal and restocking of products.
Also known to the prior art are magnetically mounted dividers which do not require a track, but rather, include one or more magnets which are present within or fixed to the base of the shelf divider. Such may be placed on a metal ferrous shelf, and are relatively easily adjustable to accommodate different widths between adjacent such mounted dividers. Unhelpfully however, such magnetically mounted dividers have a tendency to move or shift around on the shelf as products are removed or re-stocked, requiring constant straightening and maintenance by store employees. Such also provide an increased likelihood of unattractive product presentation of the packaged vendible goods, unless the shelving is constantly monitored, and misaligned such magnetically mounted dividers are straightened or realigned by store employees.
Thus, while the prior art proposes several types of dividers and divider systems, these are not without shortcomings. A real and urgent need in the arts continues for improvements in dividers and/or divider systems which are useful in the placement of and retention of retail packages displayable upon such a shelf within a shelving unit. The present invention in several aspects described below, and otherwise described herein, address this need in the art.
In a first aspect the present invention provides a shelf divider unit adapted for use in conjunction with a shelf having a plurality of spaced apart perforations or cavities along some, or all of its length thereof. Preferably the plurality of spaced apart perforations or cavities are (preferably) uniformly spaced. The shelf divider unit includes as part of its construction a displaceable, preferably slideable, locator shelf pin which is used to engage with or be engaged within one or more of the spaced apart perforations or cavities present within the shelf.
In a second aspect the present invention provides an adapter unit which includes a body which may be engaged upon part of a shelf divider, which together form a shelf divider unit, and which further includes a movable, preferably slide able locator shelf pin part which is used to engage with or being engaged within one or more spaced apart perforations or cavities present within a shelf. The adapter unit may be permanently or removably affixed to a part of a shelf divider.
A third aspect of the invention provides a method for adjusting the spacing between adjacent shelf dividers present upon a shelf having at least one, preferably having a plurality of spaced apart perforations passing therethrough and/or cavities present within, the method comprising the steps of: providing a shelf divider unit according to the first aspect of the invention, and/or providing an adapter unit according to the second aspect of the invention affixed to a shelf divider, and inserting the locator shelf pin of each into one of the perforations or cavities present within the shelf, and thereafter slidably repositioning the shelf divider unit relative to the ends of the shelf without requiring removal of the locator shelf pin from within the perforation or cavity within which it is present.
These and further aspects are described in more detail in the following specification, which is best understood when read in view of the several drawing figures.
Figure lA depicts in an exploded and perspective view a shelf divider unit comprising a shelf divider and a lecator shelf pin, according to the first aspect of the invention.
Figure 1B depicts the underside of the shelf divider unit, and the locator shelf pin part of Fig. 1A.
Figure 2 illustrates in a perspective view, (and including a partial cutaway) a section of a shelf and a plurality of shelf divider units with locator shelf pins mounted thereon, with a first linear array of a packaged vendible article, separated by shelf divider from a second linear array of a further package vendible article of a different packaging configuration than the former.
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate in a partial cross-sectional view, a detail of a shelf divider unit, and the locator pin of the first aspect of the invention, in three different configurations.
Figures 4A and 4B respectively depict in a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view part of an adapter unit according to a second aspect the invention.
Figure 4C illustrate in a perspective view an assembled adapter unit of Figs.

and 4B mounted upon a part of a divider shelf.
Figure 4D illustrates in a more detailed, perspective view of the placement of an assembled adapter unit of Figs. 4A and 4B prior to mounting upon a part of a divider shelf.
Figure 5A and 5B respectively depict in a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view part of a second embodiment of an adapter unit according to a second aspect the invention.
Figure 5C illustrates in a bottom perspective view the second embodiment of an assembled adapter unit of Figs. 5A and 5B, mounted upon a part of a divider shelf.

Figure 5D depicts a more detailed perspective view the placement of an assembled adapter unit of Figs. 5A and 5B, prior to being engaged upon a part of a divider shelf.
The shelf divider unit having as part of its construction a displaceable, preferably slidable, locator shelf pin part as described with reference to the first aspect of the invention, as well as the adapter unit useful with conventional or standard shelf dividers as described with a second aspect the invention are useful in providing adjustable, movable shelf dividers for separating groups of vendible articles, such as packaged goods and packaged products in generally linear arrangements extending from the front, towards the back, of standard shelving as is prettily encountered in retail and in wholesale establishments. Generally speaking, each shelf has a length between two ends which is greater than its transverse width which extends from a front or forward edge, to a rear or rearward edge of a shelf. Each shelf may also have a thickness or depth, and each shelf also has a surface defined as the area between the two ends, and the front and rear of a shelf. While the front and rear of each shelf may be parallel, this is not necessary to the practice of the invention as it may be used with shelves of virtually any configuration, including shelf having a convex or concave, arcuate or bowed front and/or rear edges.
The surface of each shelf also need not necessarily be planar, but preferably is flat or planar. Each shelf necessarily requires at least one perforation passing through the shelf, and/or at least one cavity or recess extending within each shelf from a top surface thereof each of which is necessarily suitably sized in order to accommodate the locator shelf pin part forming part of, or associated with a shelf divider. The perforations may be circular in cross-section or non-circular, i.e., square, triangular, parallelpiped, pentagonal, hexagonal, crescent-shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape. The cavity or recess may have any configuration as well, and its entry or opening may be as described above with reference to the possible shapes of the perforations. The dimensions and configuration of such cavities beneath their entry or opening may also be any configuration, i.e., hemispherical, straight-walled cylindrical, or tapered-walled cavities or recesses, or for that matter any other configuration. When present, the relative length or distance ratio of the widest dimension of the entry or opening of a cavity or recess to the maximum depth of the same is preferably in the range of 1:0.1 ¨ 10, more preferably about in the range of 1:0.5 ¨2.5. Advantageously, a plurality of such perforations and/or cavities are provided towards the front or forward edge of each shelf, and preferably are generally configured in a uniformly spaced array which is preferably at a uniform distance from the front or forward edge and especially preferably is parallel thereto. Preferably at least one linear array of such perforations and/or recesses is present within 25% of the width of the shelf as measured from the front or forward edge of each shelf. Such a linear array may be straight when the front or rear edge of a shelf is straight, or may be a curved linear array as may be the case wherein an edge of a shelf is curved, but in this latter case straight linear array may be provided between the ends of a shelf whether an edge of a shelf is curved or is straight.
While the distances between adjacent perforations and/or recesses may be variable, preferably the perforations and/or recesses are uniformly spaced by a uniform distance therebetween, such as may be measured keen edges, or the centers of each perforation and/or recess. Such distances may be, for example, between about 1/4 inch ¨

2 1/2 inches, but preferably less, i.e., about V2 inch ¨ 1 inch between centers. Alternately such distances may be, for example, about lcm ¨ 10 cm, preferably about 1 cm ¨

3 cm.
While a single array of such perforations and/or recesses may be present within each shelf, a plurality of arrays of such perforations and/or recesses may also be present within each shelf, and such are preferably positioned such that they are parallel with one another as they extend between the two ends of the shelf. For example a first array of such perforations and/or recesses may be present proximate to the front of the shelf, and a second array of such perforations and/or/recesses in be present proximate to the rear of the shelf and advantageously, corresponding perforations and/or recesses of the first and the second array are coincident, and perpendicular to an edge of the shelf such that when a shelf divider and/or adapter unit mounted on a shelf divider as respectively described with reference to the first and second aspects of the invention is mounted upon the shelf, that, the shelf divider is generally or substantially perpendicular to at least one edge of the shelf. Generally speaking it is preferred that the relative positioning of arrays of perforations and/or recesses are such that when a plurality of shelf dividers and/or adapter unit mounted on a shelf divider as respectively described with reference to the first and second aspects of the invention are mounted upon the shelf that adjacent shelf dividers can be positioned such that they are parallel with respect to an adjacent shelf divider, or, less preferably are positionable by offset of no more than about 5 of arc with respect to an adjacent shelf divider mounted upon the same shelf. The articles of the invention may be used with shelves having two or more parallel arrays of perforations and/or recesses may be present proximate to the front of the shelf as is illustrated in the drawing figures, which shelf may optionally include at least one array of perforations and/or recesses present and proximate to the rear of the shelf, as is also depicted.
Any or all of the parts or elements comprised in the shelf divider body 10, locator shelf pin parts 11, and/or adapter units 31 may be formed of any suitable material of construction, with synthetic thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers. Non-limiting examples include but not limited to: polyamides (e.g., Nylon), polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, I-IMWPE, LDPE) as well as polyalkyleneterephalates (i.e., polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate), polystyrenes, polysulfones, polycarbonates as well as copolymers formed from monomers of one or more of the foregoing being several nonlimiting examples of useful synthetic polymers.
Such may be blended or combined with other materials which may provide modifications to the appearance and or physical properties of synthetic thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, including but not limited to: impact strength modifying fillers including fibrous materials, carbon fibers, particulate materials including glass beads and other inorganic particulate materials, elastomers, colorants, and the like.
In the following drawing figures, common elements present amongst several drawing figures are identified by corresponding, alphanumeric designations, i.e. numerals, letters, or both.
It is also to be understood that parts or elements disclosed in one or more of the drawing figures may be used in conjunction with, or in place of, corresponding or similar elements in other of the drawing figures.
Figures lA and 1B depict a two views of a shelf divider unit having a shelf divider body 10, and a locator shelf pin part 11 according to the first aspect of the invention, illustrating the foregoing in an exploded configuration wherein of the locator shelf pin part 11 is separated from the shelf divider body 10. It is to be understood that the latter is fitted into the former, as is more clearly understood with reference to following figures 2, 3A, 3B and 3C as discussed in more detail hereinafter.
In Figs. lA and 1B, the shelf divider body 10 includes a wall 18 which depends from and extends upwardly from a top surface 20a of a divider base 20, and in the depicted embodiment approximately bisects the divider base 20 between two parallel edges 20c thereof. Each top surface 20a may also function as a product support surface upon which part of the package of a vendible article may be placed. The divider base 20 also comprises a bottom surface 20b which is preferably generally planar. The divider base 20 has two ends, a forward end 20d and a rearward end 20e, and proximate to the forward end 20d is further within the divider base 20 a channel 17 which is dimensioned so to permit for the placement of the locator shelf pin part 11 at least partially within.
Option, but preferably within this channel 17 is also present a travel limiter 15 which operates in conjunction with the locator shelf pin part 11 so to limit the relative sliding movement of the locator shelf pin part 11 and the shelf divider body 10. The travel limiter 15 may be, as illustrated in the figure an upstanding element which may be an integral part of, or may be added within the channel 17 of the divider base 20.
The locator shelf pin part 11 includes a pin shaft 12 which depends from a top surface 11 a. The pin shaft 12 extends outwardly from the top surface 11 a in a manner generally perpendicular thereto, and includes a sidewall 12a and a terminal end 12b. The configuration of the pin shaft 12 may be such that it has generally circular cross-section, with a constant diameter as it extends outwardly from the top surface 11a, such that it generally concentric along a central axis (not shown), or may be slightly tapered as it ends from the top surface lla as it extends towards the terminal end 12b which may be preferred to facilitate insertion within a perforation and/or recess present within a shelf The locator shelf pin part 11 further comprises a pair of parallel sliding rails 16 extending outwardly from the base llb of the locator shelf pin part 11 which are suitably dimensioned to be slidably engaged within the channel 17, a first ridge 13 at one end thereof extending between a pair a parallel sliding rails 16 and opted thereto, a second ridge 13a at the end of a flexible part 14 of the base llb which is slightly movable toward, or away from the pin shaft 12, and a cavity within the base 11 b between the first ridge 13 and second ridge 13a. The flexible part 14 is ideally sufficiently flexible such that when the locator shelf pin part 11 is engaged within the channel 17, the sliding rails 16 come into sliding engagement therewith such that the locator shelf pin part 11 moves in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the wall 18. During an initial insertion of the locator shelf pin part 11 within the channel 17, the flexible part 14 and its second ridge 13a may be momentarily dislocated such that the second ridge 13a passes over the top partner peak of the travel limiter 15and once passed, sufficient flexibility in the flexible part 14 returns the second ridge 13a to its prior position. The travel limiter 15is thus now contained between the sliding rails 16 and the first ridge 13 and the second ridge 13a such that removal of the locator shelf pin part 11 from within the channel 17 is strongly hampered yet at the same time, the relative position of the locator shelf pin part 11 may be varied, preferably infiniiely varied between the positions demonstrated on Figs.
3A and 3B.
Turning now to Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C, as is seen therefrom, the locator shelf pin part 11 may assume any position within the channel 17 in which the travel limiter 15is retained between the first ridge 13 and the second ridge 13a. In Fig. 3A the travel limiter 15is seen abutting the second ridge 13a, in Fig. 3B the travel limiter 15is seen to be intermediate the first ridge 13 and the second ridgel3a, and in Fig. 3C the travel limiter 15is seen to be abutting the first ridge 13. While Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C
illustrate three possible positions, does not list be understood that any position in between that of Fig.
3A and 3C may be established; thus the provision of the locator shelf pin part 11 with the = shelf divider body 10 provides for an infinite degree of adjustment.
Returning now to Fig. 1, further optional features of the shelf divider body include the provision of one or more stabilizer pads 21 proximate to or adjacent to the edges 20c of the divider base 20 and which extend outwardly from the bottom surface 20b. Preferably, the dimensions of these stabilizer pads 21 are such that there approximately equal to the thickness of the channel shoulders 17a, 17b which engage the sliding rails 16 of the locator shelf pin part 11. Further optionally, but also preferably is included a rear base pad 20f proximate to the rearward end 20e as well. The one or more stabilizer pads 21 may be used to accommodates and retained therebetween an (optional) holding means 19, e.g, a magnetic or adhesive material attached to the bottom surface 20a, which holding means 19 may interact with the surface of the shelf to provide an ancillary retention function such that the displacement of the shelf divider body 10 in a lateral direction is resisted.
Figure 2 illustrates in a perspective view, (which also includes a partial cutaway view) a section of a shelf 300 and a plurality of shelf dividers shelf divider body 10 each of which include a locator shelf pin part 11, the pin shaft 12 of each locator shelf pin part 11 engaged within a perforation x --,ear the front edge 301 of the shelf 300.
As is seen from the figure, the shelf includes a number several, parallel arrays of individual perforations x, a portion of such a linear array proximate to the front edge 301 designated as x', and while not essential to the invention, the shelf may also include one or more further parallel arrays of individual perforations x, a portion of such a linear array being designated as x" proximate to the rear edge 302 of the shelf 300. As will be appreciated from the partial cutaway view presented in the figure, the dimensions of the perforations x are of a suitable size to permit for the insertion of the pin shaft 12 therein. As is also best appreciated by a careful review of this cutaway section, each of the shelf divider bodies 10 may assume various configurations. For example, the shelf divider body 10 and its locator shelf pin part 11 labeled as "200" corresponds to the configuration according to Fig. 3B, the shelf divider body 10 and its locator shelf pin part 11 labeled "201"
corresponds to the configuration according to Fig. 3A and the shelf divider body 10 and its locator shelf pin part 11 labeled "206" corresponds to the configuration according to Fig. 3C. in this manner, it is appreciated that the accommodation of packaged vendible articles of different packaging dimensions and/or configurations. According to common practice, a plurality of a particular type of vendible product is provided on a shelf as a linear array, extending from the front edge of the shelf towards the back edge. As is seen in Fig. 2, different linear arrays of packaged vendible articles, such as the number of the first vendible article 400 having a generally rectangular package size, and a number of second vendible articles 401 having a generally rectangular package of a different size than the former can better easily accommodated with a closer fit established between the packaged vendible articles 400, 401 and their adjacent wall 18, than in the past. Such may be done by first engaging the pin shaft 12 of each shelf divider body 10 into the nearest available perforation x, and subsequently slidably displacing the shelf divider body 10 relative to its locator shelf pin part 11 to adjust the placement of each wall 18 for a close fit between the shelf divider body 10 and an adjacent packaged vendible article. In a manner then, the invention provides for a manner to maximize the efficiency of the shelf in displaying an increased quantity of a vendible articles, by providing lateral adjustments to shelf dividers which do not require a track as is necessary in prior art track mounted divider systems, and which are more stable than prior art dividers which only utilized magnets to retain them upon a shelf at a specific location. The slideable displacement of the wall 18 which may adjusted to any of the positions as discussed with reference to Figs.
3A and 3C provides for infinite degree of adjustability between these aforesaid positions, and at the same time the provision of the engaging pin shaft 12 of each shelf divider body 10 concurrently provides improved retention.
In a second aspect the present invention provides an adapter unit which includes a body which may be engaged upon part of a shelf divider, and which further includes a movable, preferably a slidable locator shelf pin which is used to engage with or be engaged within one or more spaced apart holes or perforations present passing through a shelf. The adapter unit may be permanently, removably affixed to a part of a shelf divider. Various embodiments of such adapter units are disclosed and discussed with reference to Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.
A first variant of the second aspect is depicted on Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D.
As seen in particularly on Figs. 4A and 4B, the adapter unit 31 includes a body part 31a having a receiving slot 25 configured to accommodate a part of a wall 18 of a shelf divider body 10. Visible from the bottom view of Fig. 4B, the adapter unit 31 includes a channel 17 dimensioned to receive the sliding rails 16 of the locator shelf pin part 11 having a pin shaft 12 depending from a top surface 11 a. Again the pin shaft 12 extends outwardly from the top surface 11 a in a manner generally perpendicular thereto, and includes a sidewall 12a and a terminal end 12b. The configuration of the pin shaft 12 may be such that it has generally circular cross-section, with a constant diameter as it extends outwardly from the top surface I la, such that it generally concentric along a central axis (not shown), or may be slightly tapered as it ends from the top surface lla as it extends towards the terminal end 12b which may be preferred to facilitate insertion within a perforation and/or recess 'present within a shelf. Opposite from the top surface 11 a is a base 11 b which includes two recesses 11c and a barrier wall 29 extending perpendicular to the two sliding rails 16 and being present at approximately a midpoint between the open ends lid of each of the recesses 11c. Within the channel 17 is present a first travel limiter clip 27 having at one end thereof a ridge 13, and a diametrically opposed second travel limiter clip 27a having it at one end thereof a further ridge 13a, with parts of each of the ridges 13, 13a extending within the channel 17. Each of the travel limiter clips 27, 27a are slightly flexible and resilient such during an initial insertion of the locator shelf pin part 11 within the channel 17, one of the first ridge 13 or the second ridge 13a may be momentarily dislocated such that the barrier wall passes over the ridge 13 or 13a, and once past, sufficient flexibility in the travel limiter clip 27, 27a returns the ridge 13 or 13a to its prior unstressed position. The movement of the locator shelf pin part 11 is limited by the abutment of the barrier wall against either ridge 13 or 13a, such that removal of the locator shelf pin part 11 from within the channel 17 is strongly hampered yet at the same time, the relative position of the locator shelf pin part 11 may be varied, preferably infinitely varied therebetween and generally in accordance with the principles discussed with reference to Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C. In the underside view of Fig. 4B there is also visible further optional elements of attachment means 32 which may be used to attach the adapter unit 31 more rigidly to the divider base 20. In the depiction, there is disclosed a pair of adhesive tape strips each having a removable cover film 32a, which may be removed before insertion of the locator shelf pin part 11 as illustrated on Fig. 4D, into the final position as shown on Fig. 4C. The provision of such an attachment means 32, is particularly advantageous as providing improved structural connection between the adapter unit 31 and part of the divider base 20, and preferably as shown between the locator shelf pin part 11 and the top surface 20a. While the pair of adhesive tape strips are illustrated, it is nonetheless to be appreciated and understood that any other composition, element or means, including but not limited to chemical (e.g, adhesive) means or mechanical (e.g, screw, pin, rivet, etc.) means which may be used to affix the to part of the shelf divider body 10 may also be used.
Figure 4D illustrates in a more detailed, perspective view of the placement of an assembled adapter 31 unit of Figs. 4A and 4B illustrating the insertion of the wall 18 within the receiving slot 25. As is seen therefrom, the dimensions of the receiving slot 25 are such that the wall 18 is accommodated therein. Subsequently, the locator shelf pin part 11 is positioned as depicted on Fig. 4C, where it is understood that the adapter 31 is affixed to parts of the divider base 20 proximate to the forward end 20d on each side of the wall 18. The adapter 31 includes product support surfaces 28 on opposite sides of the receiving slot 25 which rest upon and ramp down to the top surface 20a.
A second variant of the second aspect of the invention is depicted on Figs.
5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, which second variant is similar in many respects to the first variant of the second aspect. Similarly, the adapter unit 31 includes a body part 31a having a receiving slot 25 between two product support surfaces 28, which is configured to accommodate a part of a wall 18 of a shelf divider body 10. Visible from the bottom view of Fig. 5B, the adapter unit 31 includes a channel 17 dimensioned to receive the sliding rails 16 of a locator shelf pin part 11, the locator shelf pin part 11 having a pin shaft 12 depending from a top surface 11 a. Yet again the pin shaft 12 extends outwardly from the top surface 11a in a manner generally perpendicular thereto, and includes a sidewall 12a and a terminal end 12b. The configuration of the pin shaft 12 may be such that it has generally circular cross-section, with a constant diameter as it extends outwardly from the top surface 11a, such that it generally concentric along a central axis (not shown), or it may be slightly tapered as it ends from the top surface lla as it extends towards the terminal end 12b; the latter configuration is preferred so to facilitate insertion within a perforation and/or recess present within a shelf. Opposite from the top surface ha is a base llb which includes two recesses lie and a barrier wall 29 extending perpendicular to the two sliding rails 16 and being present at approximately a midpoint between the open ends lid of each of the recesses 11c. Within the channel 17 is present a first travel limiter clip 27 having at one end thereof a ridge 13, and a diametrically opposed second travel limiter clip 27a having it at one end thereof a further ridge 13a, with parts of each of the ridges 13, 13a extending within the channel 17. Each of the travel limiter clips 27, 27a are slightly flexible such during an initial insertion of the locator shelf pin part 11 within the channel 17, one of the first ridge 13 or the second ridge 13a may be momentarily dislocated such that the barrier wall passes over the ridge 13 or 13a, and once past, sufficient flexibility of the travel limiter clip 27 returns the ridge 13 or 13a to its prior unstressed position. The movement of the locator shelf pin part 11 is limited by the abutment of the barrier wall against either ridge 13 or 13a, such that removal of the locator shelf pin part 11 from within the channel 17 is strongly hampered yet at the same time, the relative position of the locator shelf pin part 11 may be varied, preferably infinitely varied therebetween and generally in accordance with the principles discussed with reference to Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C. This embodiment of the second aspect further differs from that of the first in that present as part of the 31 is a body recess 33 is present between opposing sidewalls 34 and extending into which are present attachment clips 26. The configuration of the body recess 33, and that of the attachment clips 26 are such that they facilitate the insertion of the adapter 31 upon the forward end of the divider base 20, such that the wall 18 is accommodated by the receiving slot 25 and concurrently a snap-type fit is formed between the attachment clips 26 and the 20d when the adapter 31 is fully inserted, and affixed to the 20d as depicted on Fig. 5C. The locator shelf pin part 11 includes product support surfaces 28 on opposite sides of the receiving slot 25 which rest upon and ramp down to the top surface 20a.

Claims (13)

Claims:

1. A shelf divider unit adapted for use in conjunction with a shelf having a plurality of spaced apart perforations or cavities along some, or all of its length thereof, which comprises:
a shelf divider body, and a locator shelf pin part located on the shelf divider body which is moveable with respect to the shelf divider body.

2. A shelf divider unit according to claim 1, wherein the shelf divider body comprises a channel within which the locator shelf pin part is slidably engaged.

3. A shelf divider unit according to claim 2, wherein the channel comprises a travel limiter.

4. A shelf divider according to claim 2, wherein the locator shelf pin part comprises a pin shaft which depends from a top surface of a base, and a pair of parallel sliding rails extending outwardly from the base, which are suitably dimensioned to be slidably engaged within the channel.

5. A shelf divider according to claim 3, wherein the locator shelf pin part comprises a pin shaft which depends from a top surface of a base, and the base further comprises a first ridge and a second ridge, adapted to contain a part of the travel limiter therebetween.

6. An adapter unit which comprises a body which engageable upon part of a shelf divider, which body further includes a movable, preferably slidable locator shelf pin part which is used to engage with or being engaged within one or more spaced apart perforations or cavities present within the shelf.

7. An adapter unit according to claim 6, wherein the body comprises a receiving slot configured to accommodate a part of a wall of a shelf divider body.

8. An adapter unit according to claim 6, wherein the body comprises a locator shelf pin part having a base, a pin shaft depending from a top surface of the base, the base further comprising two recesses and in intermediate barrier wall.

9. An adapter unit according to claim 6, wherein the body comprises a channel.

10. An adapter unit according to claim 9. wherein the channel comprises two ridges.

11. An adapter unit according to claim 9, wherein the channel comprises two travel limiter clips each having one of the two ridges.

12. An adapter unit according to claim 6, which further comprises attachment means useful in attaching the body more rigidly to a divider base.

13. A method for adjusting the spacing between adjacent shelf dividers present upon a shelf having at least one, preferably having a plurality of spaced apart perforations passing therethrough and/or cavities present within, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shelf divider according claim 1; and, slidably repositioning the shelf divider relative to the ends of the shelf without requiring removal of the locator shelf pin part from within the perforation or cavity within which the locator shelf pin part is present.