KR20110015636A - Device and system for securing a shelf accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

An extended profile element 6 having a lower base plate 8, configured to be fixed to the top surface of the shelf, parallel to the shelf length direction, and having a constant cross-sectional profile along the entire length, protruding upward from the base plate; Apparatus for securing a rear end of a shelf accessory (3) comprising a first arm (9a) and a second arm (9b) protruding from the first arm. The device also includes a friction rail 10 made of elastic material and extending along the entire length of the profile element and protruding downward from the second arm.

Description

DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR SECURING A SHELF ACCESSORY}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing the rear end of a shelf accessory to a shelf. The invention also relates to a system for securing a shelf accessory to a shelf, the system comprising such a device. The invention is particularly suitable for the fixing of shelf dividers, feeders and other shelf accessories for use with shop shelves.

In typical stores, goods are often displayed on shelves, for example. In order to promote the display of goods and to facilitate loading and unloading of goods, a series of different parts are used, such as shelf dividers, various types of feeders and various types of product trays. Such parts are often fastened to the shelves.

According to the prior art, the accessories can be fixed to the shelf in various different ways on the shelf, for example mechanically with screws or the like, by snap coupling or by gluing with double-sided adhesive tape or the like. .

Arrangements used to secure the accessories to the shelves should have some basic characteristics. One important feature is that it must be possible to fit the accessories in any position along the length of the shelf in order to allow the distance between the accessories to be made arbitrarily long to fit different quantities of different packages and articles. In addition, the accessories must be securely fixed to the shelf to prevent them from being inadvertently removed or displaced from their intended positions. Fastening of the accessories should also ensure that the accessories are erectly erect and not tilted. In this situation, it is very important that the fastening device allows the accessories to be easily fixed and removed while at the same time ensuring a secure fastening.

The accessories must be secured to the shelf at both the front and rear ends of the accessory to prevent the front or rear end of the accessory from being lifted off the shelf. In particular, if the accessory comprises a faceplate or a front faceplate against, for example, the placing of the goods on an inclined shelf or feeder, the force of the goods on the faceplate creates a rotation moment on the accessory, from the shelf Try to lift the back of the. Such lifting of the rear end of the accessory is naturally undesirable because it can cause confusion on the shelf, and furthermore, the front end of the accessory will result in disengagement with the front fasteners, in which case , All of the accessories and goods can be removed from the shelf.

The desired characteristic is to arrange the shelves in a single operation by first fitting the desired number of accessories to the shelf and then displacing them along the shelf to the final position of each accessory, to finally secure the accessories in their positions. It is possible.

Even once the shelves are arranged and the shelf dividers are located in their individual locations, it is sometimes necessary to reorganize the shelf with one or several shelf dividers moved, removed or fixed. This is the case, for example, when the distance between two shelf dividers has to be adapted to packaging a new product or a product of a different size. It is therefore desirable to allow individual accessories to be displaced along the shelf to a new position in order to facilitate reorganization of already aligned shelf parts.

In the alignment of the new shelf and in the realignment of the already aligned shelf, it is desirable to be able to displace the accessories along the shelf by holding the front edge of the accessory and by transporting the entire accessory while guiding the front edge in either direction. Do. This eliminates the need to reach one arm and hand toward the rear end of the accessory to simultaneously displace both ends of the accessory along the shelf with both hands. In particular, if the distance between the stacked shelves is small and if the goods on the shelf make it difficult to access the rear end of the accessory, the simultaneous displacement of both ends of the accessory is not only excessive to perform, but also ergonomically inconvenient. And complicated.

In addition, the device for fixing the accessories must be aesthetically appealing, not unnecessarily prohibit loading or unloading of goods on or off the shelf or from adjacent shelves, and should be simple and inexpensive to produce and assemble. .

Moreover, it is desirable for the device for securing the accessories to the shelf so that it can be applied directly to the existing shelves without the need to change or modify the existing shelves.

DE 299 02 933 Ul describes a device for fixing a shelf divider. Shelf dividers include jaws pretensioned with each other at the front and rear ends, which can hold the front and rear T-rails. In order to allow displacement of the shelf divider along the shelf, both the front jaw and the rear jaw are required to be separated by the application of a separating force to the members arranged in the front and rear jaws and erected for special purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to reach the rear end of the divider to allow the divider to separate and displace.

International Publication No. 03/005862 and U.S. Patent No. 5,803,276 describe systems for securing shelf accessories. In such systems, the rear end of the accessories is kept fixed to the shelf by snap engagement means having rails protruding from the shelf. Also in these systems, it is necessary to reach the rear end of the shelf accessory to obtain release of the rear end to allow displacement of the accessory.

International Publication No. 2005/084498 describes a system for the fastening of a shelf accessory, in which the rear end of the accessory has a first hook that engages an opposingly oriented second hook disposed on the shelf. The second hook is configured as a profile element extending in the longitudinal direction of the shelf. According to this system, the rear end fixation of the shelf accessory is obtained in a direction perpendicular to the shelf plane. On the other hand, this solution does not provide for the back end fixing of the accessory in the longitudinal direction of the shelf.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for securing the rear end of an accessory to a shelf.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus in which the rear end of the shelf accessory is firmly fixed in all directions while allowing the simple repositioning of the accessory in an assembled state.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is simple in manufacture and relatively inexpensive and which can be easily used with different types of shelves.

These and other objects are achieved with an apparatus defined in the preamble of claim 1 and having special technical features defined in the features of that claim. The device according to the invention is configured to secure the rear end of the shelf accessory to the shelf. The device includes an elongated profile element configured to secure to the top of the shelf parallel to the shelf longitudinal direction. The profile element has a constant cross-sectional profile along its entire length, having a lower base plate, a first arm projecting upwards from the base plate, and a second arm projecting from the first arm. According to the invention, the device further comprises a friction rail made of elastic material and extending along the entire length of the profile element and protruding downward from the second arm.

By means of the friction rails arranged on the second arm, a firm fixation of the rear end of the shelf accessory is ensured, which at its rear end has a corresponding engagement member both in the direction upwards from the shelf and in the longitudinal direction of the shelf. The corresponding engagement member of the shelf accessory may be constituted by any front protruding member that can be inserted between the second arm and the base plate of the device. Through this frictional interaction with the engagement member, the friction rail allows friction between the engagement member and the device sufficient to prevent displacement of the rear end of the accessory along the profile rail during normal use. At the same time, by agitating the front end of the accessory, by slightly displacing the accessory to the rear so that the engagement member is free of frictional engagement with the friction rail, and then displacing all the accessory in the longitudinal direction of the shelf, Allows for very simple relocation of shelf accessories. It is thereby possible to fix, remove and reposition shelf accessories without having to reach out to the shelf to grab a part of the shelf accessory or the rear fixation device.

The friction rail is disposed at the free end of the second arm. The device can thereby be configured in a small size perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the profile element and at the same time ensure a satisfactory fastening of the accessory in a direction perpendicular to the shelf plane.

The friction rail is arranged parallel to the first arm and perpendicular to the base plate and the second arm. While the friction rail can be provided with a small cross-sectional dimension, it provides a relatively high degree of deformation of the friction rail and thus high friction between the device and the accessory.

The friction rail extends downward from the second arm by a distance corresponding to half the height of the first arm. While the engagement member of the shelf accessory is allowed to facilitate frictional engagement with the device, a good frictional interaction between the device and the shelf accessory is thereby obtained.

A double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on that side of the base plate away from the first arm to secure the device to the shelf.

The invention also relates to a system for securing a shelf accessory to a shelf, as defined in claim 6.

According to the present invention, there is provided an improved device for securing the rear end of an accessory to a shelf, and a device that allows the rear end of the shelf accessory to be firmly fixed in all directions in the assembled state while at the same time allowing simple repositioning of the accessory, and manufacturing It is possible to provide a device that is simple, relatively inexpensive, and readily usable with different types of shelves.

1 is a perspective view of a system for securing a shelf accessory according to the present invention to a shelf when the system is placed on a shelf.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view from the side of the device for securing the rear end of the shelf accessory, which forms part of the system shown in FIG.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear part of the system shown in Figure 1 when the shelf accessory is in the first position.
Figure 4 is a perspective view corresponding to the rear part in Figure 3 showing the shelf accessory in the second position.

In the following detailed description, directional terms and location terms are used, such as top, bottom, front, back, top, bottom, front, back, top, bottom, front and back, and the like. These terms relate to the directions and positions of the horizontal shelf or component when they are secured to the shelf. Here the edge of the shelf towards the person during normal use of the shelf is intended as the front edge of the shelf. The terms are used to provide increased clarity in this description and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection.

1 shows a standard store shelf 1 with a system according to the invention. In the conventional manner the top surface of the shelf defines the shelf plane, which in the example shown is horizontal. However, the present invention is not limited to horizontal shelves, but may also be usefully used for shelves in which the shelf plane is angled with respect to the horizontal plane. The shelf 1 is equipped with a front fastening device 2 for fastening any accessories member 3, which parts form part of the system. In the example shown, the accessories are constituted by shelf dividers. However, it will be appreciated that the accessories are also constructed by, for example, feeding devices, trays or other accessories secured to both their front and back ends. The front fastening device 2 comprises an elongated profile element with a rail protruding upward from the shelf, the rail having a T-shaped cross section. The front fastening device 2 is fixed to the front end of the shelf 1 with the double-sided adhesive tape. The front fastening member 4 of each accessory 3 is snap-coupled around the T-shaped rail.

In addition to the accessories 1 and the front fastening device 2, the system also includes a device 5 for fastening the rear ends of the accessories 3. The device 5 consists of an extended profile element 6 and a double sided adhesive tape 7 (FIG. 2), with the double sided adhesive tape the profile element 6 adjacent the shelf rear edge and the shelf 1. Is fixed to the shelf in parallel to the longitudinal direction. The accessories 3 have rear couplings on their rear ends, which engage with the profile element 6 such that the movement of the rear end of the accessory 3 in the upward direction from the shelf plane is restricted.

In figure 2 the device 5 is shown in a side view. The device 5 comprises an extended profile element 6 and a strip of double-sided adhesive tape 7. The elongated element 6 comprises a base plate 8, wherein the tape 7 is attached to its bottom surface. The tape 7 may conveniently be provided with a protective film (not shown), which is applied to the side away from the base plate 8 and removed prior to mounting of the base plate 8 on the top surface of the shelf. do. The hook 9 extends upwards from the base plate 8. The hook 9 comprises a first arm 9a, which projects vertically from the base plate 8. The second arm 9b of the hook extends in one direction away from the base plate 8 from the end of the first arm 9a. The angle between the first arm 9a and the second arm 9b is 90 so that the second arm 9b is gently inclined toward the base plate 11 in the direction away from the first arm 9a. Less than ° The first arm 9a and the second arm 9b are joined by the bent portion 9c. The free end of the second arm 9b has a bent section 9d. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device 5 is mounted on the shelf in order to direct the hook 9, ie the bent section 9d, towards the rear edge of the shelf.

The device 5 also comprises a friction rail 10, which is made of an elastic material and projects from the free end 9d of the second arm 9b in the direction of the base plate 8. The friction rail 10 constitutes part of the profile element 6. While the friction rail 10 is formed from soft PVC, the base plate 8 of the profile element 6 as well as the first arm 9a and the second arm 9b are formed from conventional PVC. The profile element 6 is produced by co-extrusion of these two materials, which provides for the production of a simple and relatively inexpensive device 5.

In Figures 3 and 4 the rear of one of the accessories shown in Figure 1 is shown. The accessory 3, which constitutes a shelf divider, comprises a divider wall 31 extending vertically upwardly from the shelf plane in the assembled state. On the rear of the divider wall 31, the divider wall has several material reducing portions 35 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the divider wall, which constitute a weak coupling. With the aid of these weak bonds, the divider can be easily cut at points for the desired length by breaking. In the rear lower corner of the divider wall 31, the rear coupling portion 32 is integrally formed with the divider wall 31.

The divider wall 31 has a lower, rear cutout 33 here. The engagement portion 32 has a forward facing hook 34 which projects downward from the divider wall 31. The hook 34 includes a first portion 34a protruding downward from the divider wall 31 and a second portion 34b protruding forward from an end of the first portion 34a away from the divider wall. The second portion 34b projects vertically forward from the first portion 34a. In order for the divider wall to have a join in the lower, rear corners for each length of the divider wall where the divider wall is cut by tearing in the material reducer 35, the corresponding joining member 32 ′ is provided in each material reducer. It is arranged at the front of 35.

FIG. 3 shows the shelf accessory 3 in the assembled state shown in FIG. 1. Here the front fastening member 4 of the accessory 3 is snap-coupled around the T-shaped rail of the front fastening device 2. The rear engagement portion 32 of the accessory 3 is in engagement with the device 5. The second part 34b of the hook 34 is placed with its base faced against the base plate 8. In order for the elastic friction rail 10 to be somewhat deformed when the hook 34 of the accessory is inserted into the hook 9 of the device 5, the height of the second portion 34b and the height of the friction rail 10 are Match each other. This results in friction between the friction rail 10 and the second part 34b of the hook 34, which prevents the rear end of the accessory from being displaced along the profile element of the device 5. At the same time, in mechanical interaction with the second arm 9b of the hook 9 of the device, the second part 34b prevents the rear end of the accessory from lifting in the direction away from the shelf plane. This secures the rear end of the accessory to the shelf in the assembled state.

4 shows the accessory 3 when the front fastening member 4 is released from the T-shaped rail of the front fastening device and when the accessory is pushed back slightly. This release and rearward displacement is easily accomplished by holding the accessory near its front end, then lifting it first and then pushing the accessory backwards. Once the accessory has the position shown in FIG. 4, the hook 34 of the accessory is wholly separated from the friction rail 10 and the hook 9 of the device 5. The shelf accessory can then be easily removed or displaced longitudinally of the shelf to a new desired position where it is relocated to the shelf. As will be appreciated, such removal or displacement of the shelf accessory can be easily performed by simply squeezing the shelf accessory 3 near its front end, as a result of which the shelf is held to catch the rear end or other part of the accessory of the device 5. There is no need to reach out for it.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the above described embodiments, but may vary within the scope of the following claims. For example, instead of being configured by a shelf divider, the accessory can be optionally replaced by any other shelf accessory that must be secured to the shelf by the rear end. The system according to the invention may also comprise a number of different types of accessories which are secured by their rear end to the device according to the invention. The rear fastening device having a friction rail may be formed of a material other than those described above, as long as the friction rail is formed from an elastic material having a relatively high friction during deformation. The rear fixation device may further comprise a hook directed forward instead of rearward. The corresponding engagement member of the accessory is then directed backward to allow engagement with the hook of the rear coupling device.

1: shelf 2: front fixture
3: accessory 4: front fixing member
5: device 6: profile element
7: double sided adhesive tape 8: base plate
9: hook 9a: first arm
9b: second arm 9c: bend
9d: bending section 10: friction rail
31: divider wall 32: rear coupling
33: rear cutout 34: hook
34a: first part 34b: second part
33: material reduction part

Claims (6)

An extended profile element 6 having a lower base plate 8, configured to be fixed to the top surface of the shelf, parallel to the shelf length direction, and having a constant cross-sectional profile along the entire length, protruding upward from the base plate; In the device for fixing the rear end of the shelf accessory (3) comprising a first arm (9a) and a second arm (9b) protruding from the first arm,
And a friction rail (10) made of elastic material and extending along the entire length of the profile element and protruding downward from the second arm. The method of claim 1,
The friction rail (10) is arranged at the free end (9d) of the second arm (9b) for fixing the rear end of the shelf accessory to the shelf. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The friction rail (10) is parallel to the first arm (9a) and perpendicular to the base plate (8) and the second arm (9b), characterized in that the device for securing the rear end of the shelf accessory to the shelf. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And the friction rail (10) extends downwardly from the second arm by a distance corresponding to half the height of the first arm (9a). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Fastening the rear end of the shelf accessory to the shelf, comprising double-sided adhesive tape 7 disposed on that side of the base plate 8 away from the first arm 9a to secure the device to the shelf. Device for. In the system for fastening the shelf accessory (3) to the shelf (1),
Front fasteners (2) configured to fasten to the front edge of the shelf,
Apparatus 5 according to any of the preceding claims, and
Lathe accessory comprising a lathe accessory 3 having a rear engagement member 32 configured for frictional engagement with the friction rail and a front engagement member 4 for retentive engagement interaction with the front anchoring device ( 3) system for fixing to the shelf (1).

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