EP2194820A1

EP2194820A1 - Simplified and adaptable checkout counter for shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets or other trading premises

Info

Publication number: EP2194820A1
Application number: EP08803584A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Silver Sabbatani; Antonio Mugnoz
Original assignee: Cefla SCARL
Current assignee: Cefla SCARL
Priority date: 2007-09-13
Filing date: 2008-09-03
Publication date: 2010-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-03
Also published as: EP2194820B1; ATE532437T1; UA98668C2; ITBO20070621A1; WO2009033991A1; ES2372898T3; RU2476136C2; RU2010114592A

Abstract

The checkout counter for trading premises comprises: a frame (T) formed by a section (1) cut into portions of suitable length which are fixed together by means of bends (C1-C3), this section being provided on the inner side with a continuous longitudinal channel (2), being provided internally with continuous, upper and lateral, longitudinal weight-reducing channels (3,5,5') and being provided with at least one lower and also continuous channel (4) which opens outwards with a mouth (104) having a width (L) smaller than the maximum inner width of this channel; at least one pair of cross-members (8,8') which are fixed at the bottom of the said frame (T) at a suitable distance from each other and from the ends of the said frame and these cross-members being designed with the ends for fixing to the said bottom channel (4) and to the said inner side channel (2) of the said section (1) and these cross-members being designed so as to be able to fix there pedestals for resting on the ground; at least one intermediate frame (9) which is fixed inside the inner side channel (2) of the parallel sections (1) which form the said frame (T) and which is designed for mounting thereon the cash till (B) with the scanner (S) and any other parts necessary for commercial transactions; means which complete the end part of the said frame (T), which is usually in the form of a chute; means for arranging in the initial part of the said frame (T) a conveyor belt (36).

Description

TITLE:

"SIMPLIFIED AND ADAPTABLE CHECKOUT COUNTER FOR SHOPS, SUPERMARKETS, HYPERMARKETS OR OTHER TRADING PREMISES"

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a checkout counter for shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets or other trading premises, characterized in that it is of a constructionally simplified type which is easily and fully adaptable to the different market requirements. In addition to the advantages of its simple basic design, the checkout counter in question is extremely functional, highly versatile in terms of use and of a high quality from an ergonomic and aesthetic point of view.

The characteristic features and advantages of the checkout counter according to the invention are summarized in the accompanying Claim 1 and in the following dependent claims and will now emerge more clearly from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof provided purely by way of a non-limiting example in the figures of the accompanying sets of drawings in which:

- Fig. 1 is a schematic top plan view of the frame with the main cross-members and support pedestals of the checkout counter according to the invention;

- Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the main part of Figure 1 complete with the various initial, middle and end components consisting, respectively, of the product feeding conveyor, the station with cash till and scanner, and the splayed end chute which forms two areas for collecting the products handled by the cashier;

- Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the type of section used to form the perimetral frame of the checkout counter, which is shown here connected to one of the ends of one of the cross-members connected to the support pedestals;

- Figs. 4 and 5 show a perspective view of the various means which can be inserted in the open grooves of the perimetral section shown in Figure 3 and in the columns of the support pedestals so as to be able to fix there parts using special screw-type fixing devices; - Figs. 6 and 7 show a perspective view, from the upper side and bottom side, respectively, of the two main cross-members which join the perimetral frame of the checkout counter to the support pedestals;

- Fig. 8 shows a cross-section view of one of the columns of the support pedestals;

- Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a support pedestal with the base for resting on the ground and with the top conical head for engagement in a corresponding bottom conical seat of the said main cross-members as shown in Figures 6 and 7;

- Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the bottom part of the pedestal base according to Figure 9;

- Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the auxiliary cross-piece fixed onto the end of the frame of the checkout counter for slide-in mounting of the conveyor for feeding the products towards the middle station with scanner and cash till;

- Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the product feeding conveyor;

- Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the conveyor according to Figure 12 during insertion in the corresponding seat of the counter and shows the casing which can be fixed to the said seat in order to conceal the conveyor section which remains protruding from the said seat and which contains the actuating gear motor;

- Fig. 14 shows a perspective detail of the zone for connecting and fixing the projecting part of the conveyor to one of the ends of the corresponding receiving seat; - Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of one of the ends of the casing according to Figure 13 during mounting;

- Fig. 16 shows a perspective view, from above, of a checkout counter of the type in question, complete with some accessory parts;

- Fig. 17 shows a perspective view, from below, of the details of some accessory parts fixed to the main parts of the checkout counter.

From Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the checkout counter comprises a perimetral frame T formed by an extruded aluminium-alloy section 1 , as shown in

Figure 3, with a substantially U-shaped form, which forms, on the side directed towards the inside of the said frame, a rectangular groove 2 which is situated vertically with its larger dimension and is open towards the inner space of the counter, being delimited perimetrally by the said frame T. The section 1 has top parts 101 and bottom parts 201 substantially with a trapezoidal profile, having respective longitudinal, continuous, weight-reducing channels 3 and 4, the first of which has a closed annular cross-section, while the bottom channel 4 has a grooved - for example round - profile and is open outwards with a continuous mouth 104, the width of which is indicated by L. The outer side face 301 of the section 1 is suitably convex and in the middle part has an opening 104' of a continuous, inner, longitudinal, weight-reducing channel 4' similar or identical to the bottom channel 4 mentioned above. The part of the section 1 lying between the said convex surface 301 and the said inner side channel 2 has longitudinal weight-reducing channels 5 and 5', with a broad cross-section, which are substantially identical and symmetrical.

From Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the frame T formed with the said section 1 comprises two first straight portions T1 , T2, which are parallel to each other and of different length, and comprises a short straight portion T3 which is situated following the portion T1 of smaller length and joined to the latter by means of a bend C1 with an outer angle of about 160° and is situated opposite the portion of greater length T2 so as to define, with the latter, the splayed end zone of the checkout counter intended to form two areas where the customers stand and alternate in succession in order to collect and put into bags the products which have been checked by the cashier. By means of two further substantially 90° bends C2 and C3 the portions T2 and T3 of the frame T are joined together by a portion T4 of the section 1 which is slightly curved with an outwards convexity. The said bends C1 , C2 and C3 may be manufactured by means of injection moulding using aluminium alloy or a reinforced plastic which is very strong and has a colour similar to that of the said portions of the section 1 which form the frame T and the said bends have at least on the inner side a groove which ensures continuity of the channel 2 of the sections 1 and are provided at the ends, preferably integrally, with lugs of suitable length 6, 6' - visible in Figure 3 - which may be inserted inside the inner channels 5, 5' of the adjacent sections 1 and which are fixed to the latter by means of flared-head screws 7 which are mounted inside suitably countersunk holes formed in the side wall of the channel 2 of the sections 1 and which are screwed into corresponding holes formed in the said lugs 6, 6'. The scope of the invention also includes the variant of a checkout counter which has an end zone which is not splayed and hence formed by a frame T with two long longitudinal sections 1 parallel to each other and by an end transverse section which are joined together by only two 90° bends such as those indicated by C2 and C3 in Figure 1. Still with reference to Figure 1 it can be seen that the frame T is made rigid by two sturdy, intermediate, cross-members 8, 8' (see below) which are designed for rapid and simple fastening to two pedestal structures which stably and securely support the checkout counter in its operating position and is made rigid by an intermediate quadrangular frame 9 which is fixed with its two sides inside the channel 2 of the parallel portions T1 and T2 of the section 1 of the said frame and designed in any suitable manner so as to support the cash till, the so- called scanner, the keyboard and other accessory cash-till parts; the said frame T is also made rigid by a cross-piece 10 which joins together the free ends of the portions T1 and T2 of the section 1.

From Figures 3, 6 and 7 it can be seen that the cross-member 8 intended to join together the portions T1 and T2 of the section has a straight form, while the cross-member 8' which must join together the section portions T2 and T3 has a discontinuous form so as to be perpendicular to both these portions of the section. Whilst they have very different form in plan view, the cross-members 8, 8' have an identical constructional design with a body of identical length which consists, for example, of metalwork and terminates with ends for example of the dual-cavity type for receiving the shanks 111 of brackets 11 suitable for fixing to the bottom part and inner part of the sections 1 of the main frame T and made, for example, by means of pressure die casting using aluminium alloy or by means of sheet-metal pressing or using any other suitable method. The end seats of the cross-members 8, 8' which receive the shanks 111 of the brackets 11 have longitudinal eyelets 16 which are passed through by the shanks of screws 12 designed to be screwed into corresponding holes in the said shanks 111 so as to allow the formation of cross- members which can be adapted precisely to frames T with large machining tolerances and also of varying length. From Figures 3 and 7 it can be seen that the brackets 11 have a terminal part 211 with an L-shaped profile on which the bottom part of the section 1 of the frame T rests and which is provided with - for example discontinuous - reliefs 311 which engage with the mouth 104 of the bottom circular channel 4 of the said section 1 and is provided with through-holes 13 designed to be passed through by the shank of screws 14 screwed, for example, into corresponding threaded holes 115 of inserts 15 with a profile in the form of a circle segment, as shown in Figure 4, the thickness K of which is equal to or smaller than the width L of the said mouth 104 so that it may be easily inserted inside the channel 4 and stably secured inside the latter after rotation through 90° following which these inserts have their greater width V facing the mouth 104. According to a constructional variant, instead of the screws 14 it is possible to use stud bolts 14', as shown in Figure 5, provided with a flat head 114 which is circular or in the form of a circle segment and which has substantially the same dimensions K and V as the said insert 15 shown in Figure 4 so that it may be inserted and secured inside the bottom channel 4 of the sections 1 of the frame T. At least one suitable nut 214 will be screwed onto the stud bolt 14'.

With reference again to Figures 3 and 7 it can be seen that the bracket 11 is provided at the top with a recessed impression 17 having, formed therein, a suitable number of holes 18 designed to be passed through by screws 19 suitable for fixing onto the said bracket 11 jaws 20 which are arranged opposite the base of the projecting part 211 and which rest on the bottom wall of the inner channel 2 of the section 1 so as to form a proper clamping device which stably fixes the cross- member 8 and 8' to the bottom part of the said sections 1. It is understood that the arrangement of the various fixing screws considered above is shown purely by way of example in the drawings and may be greatly modified.

From Figures 6 and 7 it can be seen that the cross-members 8 and 8' have, in the central part and with its opening directed downwards, at least one respective seat 21 with a slight outwardly diverging conicity. The conical head 23 of a respective column 24 made of extruded aluminium alloy is inserted and fixed precisely inside each seat 21 by means of a connection substantially of the Morse cone type, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, said column having a central cylindrical core 124 connected by means of four radial arms 224 angularly equidistant from each other to a coaxial, outer, cylindrical sleeve 324 where the said radial arms have continuous seams or enlarged portions 424 with a continuous channel or hole 25. On the outside of the round sleeve 324 the column has, integral and coaxial therewith, a sleeve 524 with a fretted profile which forms in the same column longitudinal channels 4" having a round cross-section and open outwards with a mouth 104", similar to the said channels 4 and 4' of the section 1 for forming the frame T, so as to be able to use, also for the column, screw-type fixing devices 14 and 14' as shown in Figures 4 and 5. From Figure 8 it can be seen that, with removal of a portion of the said outer fretted sleeve 524, it is possible to form in the column 24 one or more channels for housing electric cables Z or other components and these channels may be closed by means of a special removable cover-piece 26. In the example of embodiment shown in Figure 8 at the time of manufacture of the column 24 provision was already made for forming therein channels D1 and D2 for containing electric cables Z, it being envisaged for this purpose that the said column has an interruption in a portion of the outer sleeve 524 along the section situated between two consecutive radial arms 224 and that it is provided with a central radial rib 624 which divides the space into two channels D1 and D2 inside which the corresponding cables Z may be housed, the said division 624 being provided with an enlarged outer edge onto which it is possible to snap-engage a corresponding clip-shaped lug 126 for the cover-piece 26 which may also be made by means of extrusion using aluminium alloy or a suitable plastic. From Figure 9 it can be seen that the conical head 23 is internally hollow so that it may be mounted on a section of the top end of the column 24 to which the same head 23 may be firmly fixed by means of screws 27 which with their flared heads are seated inside corresponding countersunk holes formed in the top hole of the head in question and which are screwed into the holes 25 of the column 24. As an alternative to the said screws 27 it is possible to use a single axial screw able to co-operate with a threaded section of the core 124 of the column 24.

From Figure 10 it can be seen that the columns 24 are inserted and centred with part of their core 124 inside a central hole 29 of a sturdy, rough-formed, steel plate 30, for example circular in shape, which is provided with radial holes 130 for receiving any cables or other components from the floor and which by means of screws 31 is fixed to the bottom holes 25 of the column 24. The base plate 30 is surmounted and concealed by an aesthetic finishing cover 32 provided with a conical, central, raised portion 132 (Fig. 9) which engages with the column 24 and the said base 30 is provided at the bottom with threaded holes 33 (Fig. 10) inside which adjustable feet (not shown) resting on the ground may be inserted.

From Figures 2 and 3 it can be seen that the splayed end part of the counter, situated downstream of the frame 9, is closed internally by means of a closing surface which is schematically indicated by means of 34 and which, with its pehmetral edge, may be fixed inside the channel 2 of the sections 1 , inside which channel a strip 35 of spongy material is then inserted and fixed. As can be seen from Figure 2, the closing surface 34 is arranged along a first section with a suitable downwards inclination in order to favour the downward movement of the products by means of gravity, while in the end part the same closing surface 34 has a horizontal arrangement. It is understood that the closing surface 34, as described, may be equipped with deviating guides, of the known type and for this reason not shown, for alternately sorting the products towards the two end areas formed by it and that it may be otherwise designed and provided with possible means for conveying the products towards the said collection areas. The parts associated with the intermediate frame 9 are also not considered here since they may be realized in a varying manner using any known solution. In the example shown in Figure 2, a cash till B and a scanner S for reading the bar codes of the products which pass over it (see below) are shown associated with the frame 9.

The motor-driven conveyor belt 36 is mounted slidably on the front part of the frame of the checkout counter, i.e. on the end where the said cross-piece 10 is situated, by means of an arrangement which is now described with reference to Figures 11 to 15. From Figure 11 it can be seen that the cross-piece 10 is made of sheet metal of suitable thickness, by means of cutting, bending and any other operations and is characterized in that it has a ribbed U-shaped profile and may be provided at the end with a horizontal flat lug 110 which forms an extension of its end wall and is arranged underneath the section 1 of the frame T and which may be fixed to the bottom groove 4 of this section by means of screw-type devices 14, 14' of the type shown in Figures 4 and 5. Alternatively, the said fixing lug 110', as shown in continuous lines, may have a vertical arrangement and may be fixed in the bottom part of the inner side of the section 1 by means of screws 38. From Figure 12 it can be seen that the conveyor 36 has a rectangular support frame 136 with an upper surface on which the belt of this conveyor rests and travels and this frame 136 has dimensions such that it may be slidably inserted into the channels 2 of the sections 1 which form the parallel portions T1 and T2 of the frame T. In order to facilitate this sliding movement the channels 2 or the frame 136 may be provided with suitable sliding runners (not shown) for example made of Polizene® or some other suitable plastic.

The front idle roller 236 of the conveyor 36 is mounted rotatably on the front end of the frame 136 and a substantially T-shaped section 41 may be fixed on the front cross-member of this frame either directly or via suitable supports 40, said section being arranged in the front gap which otherwise would be present between the conveyor 36 and the intermediate structure with the cash till and the scanner (see Fig. 2), being arranged with its head in a coplanar manner between the said conveyor 36 and the following means so as to facilitate the movement, towards the latter, of the conveyed products which must be checked by the cashier. On the other end, the frame 136 supports, projecting from and as an extension of its side walls, additional side walls 42 which support the roller 336 with internally the gear motor unit for actuating this roller and which support via suitable adjustment means arranged in between an idle roller 436 on which the bottom section of the conveyor travels and which allows adjustment of the longitudinal tension of the said conveyor 36. The electric power supply cable of the said gear motor (not shown) is guided in any suitable manner inside one of the side shoulders of the frame 136 and emerges from the other end of the said frame such that it can be connected to the electric console situated, for example, in the middle zone together with the cash till and the scanner. From Figures 12, 13 and 14 it can be seen that the said additional side walls 42 have at their ends, projecting laterally and directed forwards, hooks 43 which, when the conveyor 36 is correctly inserted inside the frame T, are introduced with an end-of-travel function inside the channels 5, 5' of the sections 1 of the frame T, as shown in Figure 14. Suitable means (not shown) are envisaged for being able to fix removably any part of the frame of the conveyor 36 to the support frame T, in order to fix the said conveyor in the correct position relative to the checkout counter. Subsequently, a U-shaped casing 44 which is made, for example, of suitable plastic is mounted on the portion of the conveyor 36 which is situated outside the frame T and between the additional side walls 42, said casing with its side walls 144 being joined to the sections 1 of the frame T which has lugs 45 for insertion inside corresponding free sections of the channels 3 and 4 (and/or other channels) of the said sections 1 and which with its cross-piece 244 is arranged coplanar with the upper section of the conveyor 36 and in front of the motor-driven roller 336. The bottom wall of this cross-piece 244 has holes 46 which are aligned with corresponding threaded holes 47 in small brackets 48 fixed projecting to the side walls 42 (Figs. 12 and 13) such that with a few screws (not shown) it is possible to fix the said casing 44 to the said complementary parts of the frame of the conveyor 36.

Figures 16 and 17 show how the checkout counter as described in its main parts may have, associated therewith, completion means which comprise, for example, a skirt 49 composed, for example, entirely or partly, of vertical modules hinged together in the manner of a shutter so as to form a bottom lateral closing wall of the said checkout counter, on the side facing the customers passing through and along the section situated between the two support pedestals with the columns 24. From Figure 17 it can be seen how this closing wall 49 may be fixed to the columns 24 by means of screw-type devices 14, 14', as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and by means of small quadrangular frames 50 which are in turn fixed to the closing wall 49 by means of screws and/or other suitable means 51. Still with reference to Figure 17 it can be seen how, by making use of the channels 4 and 4' and the screw-type fixing means 14, 14' shown in Figures 4 and 5, it is possible to fix laterally to the frame T, on the side facing the cashier, a shelf 52 useful as a surface for supporting equipment or objects and provided with a hole passed through, with sufficient precision, by a column 53 which is formed with the same section 24 as the pedestals and is provided with a small base 153 and a cover 253 and to the vertical grooves 4" of which it is possible to fix, using the same screw-type means 14, 14' according to Figures 4 and 5, support surfaces 55, 155 designed, for example, to support a credit card or bank card reader, a telephone and/or other suitable means. From Figure 17 it can also be seen how the column 53 may be stably fixed in its operating position by means of a cross-piece 56 fixed to this column and to the adjacent column 24 of the counter support pedestal and how, on this cross-piece 56, it is possible to fix an auxiliary surface 57 parallel to the upper surface 52. Still with reference to Figure 16 it can be seen how, opposite the set of surfaces 52, 57, again on the cashier side, at least another auxiliary surface 52' may be provided, being supported by an additional column 53' which does not project from this surface 52', the whole assembly being designed and fixed as already described for the parts of the said column 53, with the difference that the surface 52' may form the top of the small drawer unit 58 with sliding and/or pivotably hinged drawers. Laterally with respect to the initial part of the conveyor 36, again on the side occupied by the cashier, it is possible to arrange a display unit 59 which extends underneath the said conveyor with an open drawer unit 159 for storing shopping bags, this structure being stably fixed to the portion T1 of the section 1 of the frame T, making use of the longitudinal grooves 4 and/or 4' of the said section 1 and the said screw-type fixing devices 14, 14' according to Figures 4 and 5.

Still in Figure 16, 60 denotes, for example, the keyboard unit and 61 denotes the small transparent shelf for supporting money, the terminal for electronic payment cards and other parts, the whole assembly being arranged along the intermediate frame 9 and being fixed in any suitable manner to this frame and/or to the section 1 of the portion T2 of the frame T of the counter. In Figures 13 and 16, 39 denotes an insert which is made of suitable elastomer material and is inserted inside the external channelling 4' of the sections 1 of the frame T and which projects from the latter so as to act as protective impact-cushioning means. From the same Figures 13 and 16 it can be seen that the bends C1 -C3 and the casing 44 may be provided externally with a raised seam 39' aligned with the said impact-cushioning insert 39.

Claims

1. Checkout counter of the simplified and adaptable type for shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets or other trading premises, characterized in that it comprises:

- a frame (T) which is designed to define the perimeter of the top active part of the counter and which is formed by a section (1 ) for example made of extruded aluminium alloy cut into portions of suitable length which are fixed together by means of joints (C1 -C3), this section being provided on the inner side with a continuous longitudinal channel (2), being provided internally with continuous, upper and lateral, longitudinal, weight-reducing channels (3, 5, 5') and being provided with at least one lower and also continuous channel (4) which opens outwards with a mouth (104) having a width (L) smaller than the maximum inner width of this channel;

- at least one pair of cross-members (8, 8') which are fixed at the bottom of the said frame (T) at a suitable distance from each other and from the ends of the said frame and these cross-members being designed with ends for fixing to the said bottom channel (4) and to the said inner side channel (2) of the said section (1 ) which forms the frame (T) in question and these cross-members being designed so as to be able to fix there pedestals for resting on the ground, which ensure stable arrangement of the checkout counter on the floor of the trading premises where this counter is assembled;

- an intermediate frame (9) which is fixed inside the inner side channel (2) of the parallel sections (1 ) which form the said frame (T) and which is designed for mounting thereon the cash till (B) with the scanner (S) and any other parts necessary for commercial transactions;

- means which complete the end part of the said frame (T), which is usually in the form of a chute and into which the products which have been checked by the cashier and which usually must be placed in bags by the customer converge;

- means for arranging in the initial part of the said frame (T) a conveyor belt (36) for feeding the products towards the said intermediate zone with the cash till (B).

2. Checkout counter according to Claim 1 , in which the said section (1 ) which forms the main frame (T) of the counter has, on the outer side, for example in a substantially central position, a continuous longitudinal channel (4') open outwards with a mouth (104') having a width of less than the inner width of this channel which is preferably similar to or the same as in the channel (4) provided in the bottom part of the said section (1 ).

3. Checkout counter according to Claim 1 , in which the said joints (C1 -C3) have a curved form and may be made by means of injection moulding using an aluminium alloy or a reinforced plastic which is very strong and has a colour similar to that of the said portions of the section (1 ) which form the said frame (T) and the said joints have at least on the inner side a groove which ensures continuity of the said inner side groove (2) of the said sections (1 ) and are provided at the ends, integrally or mounted thereon, with lugs of suitable length (6, 6') which may be inserted inside the longitudinal middle channels (5, 5') of the adjacent sections (1 ) and which are fixed to the latter by means of screws (7) mounted inside holes formed in the vertical wall of the inner side channel (2) of the sections (1 ) and which are screwed inside corresponding holes provided in the said lugs (6, 6').

4. Checkout counter according to Claim 1 , in which the said cross-members (8, 8') are made for example by means of metalwork or by means of pressure die casting and terminate in hollow ends which seat the shanks (111 ) of brackets (11 ) suitable for fixing to the bottom part and inner part of the sections (1 ) of the main frame (T), the said end seats of the cross-members being provided with longitudinal eyelets (16) which are passed through by the shanks of screws (12) designed to be screwed into corresponding holes in the said shanks so as to allow the formation of cross- members which can be adapted with precision to frames (T) which have large machining tolerances and also varying widths, the said brackets (11 ) being provided with a terminal part (211 ) with an L-shaped profile on which the bottom part of the section (1 ) of the frame (T) rests and which is provided with reliefs (311 ) which engage with the mouth (104) of the bottom channel (4) of the said section (1 ) and is provided with holes (13) for receiving fixing screws (14 or 14').

5. Checkout counter according to Claim 3, in which the said fixing screws (14) are screwed, for example, into corresponding threaded holes (115) of inserts (15) with a profile in the form of a circle segment, the thickness (K) of which is equal to or less than the width (L) of the said mouth (104) of the channel (4), so that it may be easily inserted in this channel (4) and stably secured inside it after a rotation through 90° following which these inserts have their greater width (V) directed towards the said mouth (104).

6. Checkout counter according to Claim 3, in which the said fixing screws (14') are provided with a flat head (114) which is circular and/or in the form of a circle segment and which has substantially the same dimensions (K, V) as the said inset (15) so that it may be inserted and secured inside the bottom channel (4) of the sections (1 ) of the frame (T) and may be fixed to the said brackets (11 ) by means of nuts (214).

7. Checkout counter according to claim 4, in which the said bracket (11 ) is provided at the top with a recessed impression (17) having, formed therein, a suitable number of holes (18) able to be passed through by screws (19) suitable for fixing on the said bracket (11 ) plates or jaws (20) which are situated opposite the base of the said projecting part (211 ) and which rest on the bottom wall of the inner side channel (2) of the section (1 ) so as to form a proper clamping device which stably fixes the cross-members (8, 8') to the bottom part of the sections (1 ).

8. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , in which the said cross-members (8,

8') have, in their central part, with its opening directed downwards, at least one respective seat (21 ) with a slight outwardly diverging conicity, inside which the conical head (23) of a respective column (24) with a base (30-32) for resting on the ground may be inserted with a rapid and precise connection substantially of the Morse cone type.

9. Checkout counter according to Claim 8, in which the said column (24) is made using extruded aluminium alloy and has a central cylindrical core (124) connected by means of equidistant radial arms (224) to a cylindrical, coaxial, outer sleeve (324) where the said radial arms have continuous enlarged portions or seams (424), with a continuous channel or hole (25), it being envisaged that on the outside of and coaxially with the said sleeve (324), the column (24) has, integral therewith, a fretted coaxial portion (524) which forms channels (4") with a round cross-section and open outwardly with a mouth (104"), similar to the said channels (4, 4') of the section (1 ) for forming the perimetral frame (T) of the counter, so as to be able to use also the said screw-type fixing devices (14, 14') for the column.

10. Checkout counter according to Claim 9, in which the said column (24) has an interruption in a portion of the outer fretted sleeve (524) along the section situated between two consecutive radial arms (224) and in this zone is provided with a central radial partition (624) which divides the zone into two channels (D1 , D2) able to house cables (Z), the said radial arm (624) having an enlarged outer edge on which it is possible to snap-engage a corresponding clip-shaped lug (126) of a cover-piece (26) for closing the said channels (D1 , D2).

11. Checkout counter according to claim 8, in which the said conical head (23) is internally hollow so that it may be inserted in a section of the top end of the said column (24) to which the said head (23) is firmly fixed by means of one or more screws (27) which with their flared heads are seated in corresponding countersunk holes formed in the top wall of the head in question and are screwed into corresponding threaded holes (25 or 124) of the column (24).

12. Checkout counter according to claim 8, in which the said columns (24) are inserted and centred with a bottom section of their core (124) inside a central hole (29) of a sturdy, rough-formed, steel plate (30), for example with a circular shape, which is provided with slots (130) for receiving any cables or other components from the ground and which is fixed to the bottom holes (25) of the said columns (24) by means of screws (31 ), the said base plate (30) having, mounted thereon, an aesthetic finishing cover (32) provided externally with a conical central raised portion (132) for engagement with the column (24) and the said base plate has been provided at the bottom with threaded holes (33) in which it is possible to mount adjustable feet resting on the ground.

13. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , in which the end part of the said counter may have a linear or splayed form in plan view and is closed by a closing surface (34) which with its perimetral edge may be fixed inside the channel (2) of the sections (1 ) of the frame (T), inside which channel (2) a strip (35) of spongy material is then inserted and fixed, the said closing surface being provided with a first section with a suitable downwards inclination in order to facilitate the downward movement of the products by means of gravity, while the said closing surface has a horizontal arrangement in the end part, it being envisaged that this end part of the checkout counter may be provided with means for conveying the products and that, if it has a splayed plan-view form, this end part of the counter may be provided with deviating guides for alternately sorting the products towards the two end areas.

14. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , in which the conveyor belt (36) for feeding the products towards the middle area with the cash till (B) and the scanner

(S) is mounted slidably inside a corresponding end section of the main frame (T), making use of the inner side channel (2) of the sections (1 ) which form this frame which is reinforced at the free end by a bottom cross-piece (10).

15. Checkout counter according to Claim 14, characterized in that, in order to facilitate sliding travel of the frame (136) of the said conveyor (36) inside the said guide channels (2), at least one of the two parts which are movable relative to each other may be provided with runners which have a low coefficient of friction.

16. Checkout counter according to Claim 14, in which the said cross-piece (10) is made of sheet metal of suitable thickness, by means of cutting, bending and any other operations and is characterized by a ribbed profile and in that it has, at its ends, a lug (110, 110') which forms an extension of its bottom wall and is designed for fixing to the sections (1 ) of the frame (T) so as not to interfere with the said conveyor (36) when it is slidably inserted between these same sections (1 ).

17. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , in which the said conveyor (36) has a rectangular support frame (136) with an upper surface on which the upper section of the said conveyor belt rests and travels and this frame has dimensions such that it may be slidably inserted inside the inner side channels (2) of the sections (1 ) which form the parallel sections of the frame (T), the front idle roller (236) of the conveyor (36) being rotatably mounted on the front end of the said frame (136) and a section (41 ) may be fixed directly or by means of suitable supports (40) on the front cross- member of this frame, said section being arranged in the front gap which otherwise would exist between the conveyor (36) and the middle structure with the counter cash till and scanner, its top end being arranged in a coplanar manner between the said conveyor (36) and the following means in order to facilitate the movement, towards the latter, of the conveyed products which must be checked by the cashier.

18. Checkout counter according to claim 17, in which at the rear end the said frame (136) supports, in a projecting manner and as an extension of its side walls, additional side walls (42) which carry the rear roller (336) with internally the gear motor unit for actuating this roller of the conveyor belt (36) and which support via suitable adjusting means an idle roller (436) over which the bottom section of the said conveyor (36) travels, so as to allow correct longitudinal tensioning of this conveyor, it being envisaged that the electric power supply cable of the said gear motor is guided in any suitable manner inside one of the side shoulders of the said frame (136) and that it exits from the front end of this frame, for connection to the electric console situated, for example, in the middle zone together with the cash till and (B) and scanner (S).

19. Checkout counter according to claim 17, in which the said additional side walls (42) of the conveyor (36) have at their ends, projecting laterally and directed forwards, hooks (43) which, when the conveyor (36) is correctly inserted inside the frame (T) of the counter, enter with an end-of-travel function inside the channels (5, 5') of the sections (1 ) of the said frame (T), special means being envisaged so as to be able to fix removably any part of the frame of the conveyor (36) to the support frame (T) in order to fix the said conveyor in the correct position relative to the checkout counter.

20. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , in which a casing (44) made, for example, of suitable plastic is mounted on the section of the conveyor (36) situated outside the frame (T) and between the said additional side walls (42), said casing with its side walls (144) being joined to the sections (1 ) of the frame (T) and having lugs (45) for insertion inside corresponding free sections of the channels (3, 4) of the said sections (1 ) and with its cross-piece (244) being arranged coplanar with the upper section of the conveyor (36) and in front of the motor-driven roller (336) of this conveyor, the bottom wall of this cross-piece (244) being provided with holes (46) which are aligned with corresponding threaded holes (47) of small brackets (48) fixed so as to project from the said additional side walls (42) so that with a few screws it is possible to fix the said casing (44) to the said complementary parts of the frame of the conveyor (36).

21. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , which presents, associated therewith, completion means which comprise a skirt (49) composed entirely or partly of vertical modules hinged together in the manner of a shutter so as to form a bottom lateral closing wall of the said checkout counter, on the side facing the customers passing through and along the section situated between the two support pedestals with the said columns (24), said closing wall being fixed to the two columns (24) by means of screw-type devices (14, 14') and by means of small quadrangular frames (50) in turn fixed to the said closing wall (49) by means of screws and/or other suitable means (51 ).

22. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , characterized in that, by making use of the longitudinal channels (4, 4') of the section (1 ) which forms the frame (T) of the said counter and using the said screw-type fixing means (14, 14'), it is possible to fix laterally along said frame (T), on the side facing the cashier, a shelf (52) suitable as a surface for supporting equipment and provided with a hole which is passed through with sufficient precision by a column (53) formed with the same section (24) as the support pedestals of the counter, this column being completed with a small base and with a cover piece and it being possible to fix to its vertical grooves (4"), using the said screw-type means (14, 14'), support surfaces (55, 155) designed, for example, for a credit card or bank card reader, a telephone and/or other suitable means, this column (53) being stably fixed in its operating position by means of a cross-member (56) fixed to this column and to the adjacent column (24) of the counter support pedestal and it being possible to fix on this cross-member an auxiliary surface (57) parallel to the upper surface (52).

23. Checkout counter according to claim 22, in which, opposite the said set of said shelves (52, 57), again on the cashier side, at least one other auxiliary surface (52') may be provided, said auxiliary surface being supported by an additional column (53') which, for example, does not project from this surface (52'), the entire assembly being designed and fixed as already described for the parts of the said column (53), with the difference that the surface (52') may form the top of a small drawer unit (58) with sliding and/or pivotably hinged drawers.

24. Checkout counter according to claim 21 , in which the said lateral closing wall (49) may be fixed not only to the columns (24) of the support pedestals of the counter but also to the said auxiliary columns (53, 53').

25. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , in which a display unit (59) may be arranged laterally along the initial part of the conveyor (36), again on the side occupied by the cashier, said display unit extending underneath the said conveyor with an open drawer unit (159) for storing shopping bags, this structure being stably fixed to the section (1 ) of the frame (T) making use of the longitudinal grooves (4 and/or 4') of this section (1 ) and devices with the said fixing screws (14, 14').

26. Checkout counter according to claim 1 , in which an insert (39) made of suitable elastomer material and useful as protective impact-cushioning means may be housed partly projecting inside the longitudinal outer channel (4') of the sections (1 ) which form the frame (T) of the said counter.

27. Checkout counter according to Claim 26, in which the curved joints (C1 -C3) which connect together the sections (1 ) forming the frame (T) of the said counter and the said casing (44) which conceals the initial section of the product feeding conveyor (36) which would otherwise project from the said frame (T) are provided externally with a raised seam (39') aligned with the said impact-cushioning insert (39).