KR20170016466A - Product management display system - Google Patents

Abstract

A sales display system having a slidably-coupled pusher structure on a track. The pusher structure includes a lock arm configured to selectively engage a ratchet rack to permit selective unidirectional movement of the pusher structure upon application of manual force to the pusher surface of the pusher structure. In addition, selective disengagement of the ratchet rack from the lock arm is enabled by a passive-actuated pull strip having an inclined structure that slidably engages the lock arm to lift the pawl out of the ratchet rack. This selective disengagement permits bidirectional sliding of the pusher structure along the track, thus causing the displayed products to be moved toward the front of the display shelf or allowing the products to be loaded into the sales display system.

Description

Product management display system {PRODUCT MANAGEMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM}

[01] This application claims priority to U.S. Serial No. 14 / 299,695, filed June 9, 2014, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 757,479, filed January 28, 2013, A continuation of part of U.S. Serial No. 14 / 166,552, filed January 28, 2014, which claims priority to Application Serial No. 61 / 861,843, and part of U.S. Serial No. 13 / 542,419 filed July, U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 639,656, filed December 16, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 13,839,674, filed December 15, 2013, U.S. Serial No. 14 / U.S. Patent No. 8,739,984, now part of U.S. Serial No. 11 / 760,196, filed June 8, 2007, U.S. Patent No. 8,453,850, U.S. Serial No. 11 / 411,761, filed April 25, 2006, 8,312,9 99, now U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 716,362, filed 2005, and U.S. Patent No. 7,823,734, filed November 8, 2005, which claims priority to Serial No. 60 / 734,692, all of which are incorporated herein by reference Lt; / RTI > U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 542,419 is also related to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61 / 530,736 filed September 2, 2011, 61 / 542,473 filed October 3, 2011, and 61 / 553,545 filed October 31, 2011 , All of which are fully incorporated by reference herein. All of the above applications are fully incorporated by reference herein.

[02] Exemplary embodiments generally relate to shelf assemblies for use in selling products and more particularly to shelf assemblies with improved mechanisms for displaying and pushing products on shelves.

[03] It is known that retailers such as convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores, discount stores, and wholesalers require large shelves to store products and display products to customers. When displaying a product, it is desirable that the product on the shelves be located on the front side of the shelf so that the product is visible and accessible to the customers. In the case of coolers or refrigerators used to store and display such products as soft drinks, energy drinks, bottled water, and other bottled or canned drinks, And is visible and accessible to customers.

[04] To achieve this product placement, the known systems may include inclined trays or fl ools that allow the product to move toward the front of the shelf through gravity. Many of these systems include floors or shelves made of plastic materials such as polypropylene that allow the product to slide along sloping floors or surfaces due to its low frictional forces. Over time, however, these surfaces may be disturbed by debris or sticky substances that inhibit the product from properly sliding, and sometimes some products are turned over, Blocking from moving to the front.

[05] Other systems include the use of a pusher system that will push the product to the front of the shelf when the product on the front of the shelf is removed. Known pusher systems typically include pusher paddles and coiled springs mounted on a track and forcing the product forward. Occasionally, when the system is used, and over time, the track is disturbed by dust or sticky materials that interfere with proper operation of the pusher system in the track. In addition, depending on the size, shape and weight of the product to be sold, known pusher paddles can sometimes be tilted or bent backward, thereby causing binding of the pusher mechanism in the track. In these situations, the pusher mechanism can not properly push the product toward the front of the shelf.

[06] One exemplary embodiment relates to improvements to existing sales systems by providing a trackless pusher system that works in conjunction with gravity-utilizing sales systems (i.e., tilted lathes or trays) and non-gravity sale systems .

[07] One exemplary embodiment relates to a product management display system for shelf-mounted products. This embodiment includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that moves along the surface on which the article is placed. Trackless systems overcome known problems with the use of tracks to hold and guide known pusher mechanisms. It should be understood, however, that the guidelines of this embodiment can be used in systems including tracks for mounting pusher mechanisms and the like.

[08] The pusher mechanism may include pusher paddles and floors extending forward of the pusher paddles. A flat coil spring or other biasing element may be operably connected behind the pusher paddle and extends across the floor of the pusher mechanism to the front of the shelf. Alternatively, a flat coil spring or biasing element may extend across the divider to the front of the shelf assembly. With this configuration, the pusher paddles are prevented from tilting or bending backward during operation.

[09] The exemplary embodiment may also be used to provide a pushing mechanism with gravity-utilizing systems, or systems that utilize gravity as a mechanism to force the product toward the front of the shelf, as well as to sell products on horizontal or non- ≪ / RTI >

[10] According to exemplary exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pusher paddles can define a concave pushing surface for pushing cylinder products, such as soft drink bottles or candles, and centering on the track and holding the paddles behind the product. Alternatively, the pusher paddles may also define a flat pushing surface, which may further include, at its upper edge, a curved rib or similar structure that may be used to push the cylinder products.

[11] According to another exemplary exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floor of the pusher mechanism may include a notched or cut-out portion to align the pusher mechanism with respect to the coiled spring. In addition, the floor of the system may also include a notch or cut-out portion for receiving the flat end of the coil spring and for mounting to the floor. A spring tip may be disposed on the end of the coiled spring to mount the coiled spring to the floor of the system. Alternatively, the end of the coil spring may be mounted to the divider of the assembly.

[12] According to another exemplary embodiment, an adapter for a product management display system may be positioned on the floor surface of the display system. The adapter may include a flat surface with at least two ribs extending across the flat surface outwardly and in a substantially parallel manner from the flat surface. The coiled spring may be positioned between the parallel extension ribs. With this configuration, the product to be sold may be placed on ribs that are not directly coil-spring-like to enhance forward movement of certain types of products, such as beverage candles.

[13] In yet another alternative aspect, the mounting member may be used to mount the end of the coiled spring to the floor of the system. For these systems, including spaced glide rails joined by connecting the ribs together, the mounting member may be snap-fit or otherwise mounted between the floor and the glide rails .

[14] In yet another alternative aspect, the trackless pusher system is retrofitted to an existing shelf assembly. This allows the placement of trackless pusher systems in conventional shelf systems as a low cost alternative to purchasing an entire trackless pusher assembly.

[15] In another exemplary embodiment, the coil spring may be mounted to a retainer. The end of the coil spring may be mounted directly to the retainer, or alternatively the end may be mounted to the retainer through the adapter. The adapter may have a curved portion received in a curved slot in a corresponding shape in the retainer to secure the end of the spring to the display assembly.

[16] In another exemplary embodiment, the trays may be attached through a dovetail connection to form a shelf assembly. Additionally, the dividers can be adjusted so that the widths of the product rows can be adapted to accommodate different sized products.

[17] According to another exemplary embodiment, the product management display system may be arranged in a stackable arrangement. The assembly may have a first tray and a second tray each having a first wall and a second wall. The first and second trays are each adapted to receive a pusher mechanism, and a retainer mechanism. The first and second spacers are mounted to the first and second trays to stack the first and second trays on top of each other. The first and second spacers may have a plurality of detents, and the first tray and the second tray may each have a plurality of correspondingly shaped receptacles to accommodate a plurality of detents.

[18] According to another exemplary embodiment, a product management display system for selling shelf-based products uses a trackless pusher mechanism moving along a surface on which the product is placed and one or more dividers for separating the product into rows . One or more of the dividers may be attached to the front rail and releasably engaged. One or more of the dividers and products positioned on the display system may be moved laterally or lifted off the front rail when one or more of the dividers are not positioned and held in position on the front rail It can be lift away. This allows for ease of replanogramming of shelf-based products. One or more of the dividers may be attached to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, elastic surfaces, locking tabs, locking bars, cams and / or through friction or press fit. It can be engaged in a releasable manner.

[19] In an example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to engage a front rail and a front rail. The at least one divider includes a barrier and the at least one divider further includes a divider wall. The at least one divider also includes a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and the divider floor is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider, and the cam is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is configured such that at least one of the dividers engages the front rail and (b) is vertically fixed to the front rail when the cam is in the first position (a) laterally parallel to the front rail. At least one of the dividers is configured such that at least one of the dividers engages the front rail and (a) is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail and (b) is vertically fixed to the front rail when the cam is in the second position.

[20] In one example, the sales display system includes a plurality of dividers configured to attach to the front and front rails and to separate the product into rows. Each of the plurality of dividers includes a divider wall extending perpendicularly to the front rail, a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, a divider floor configured to hold the product, and a cam coupled to the divider, And to move between the first position and the second position. Wherein each of the plurality of dividers is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when each of the plurality of dividers engages the front rail and the cam for each of the plurality of dividers is in the first position, It is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail. In addition, each of the plurality of dividers may be configured such that each of the plurality of dividers engages the front rail, and when the cam for each of the plurality of dividers is in the second position (a) is fixed laterally parallel to the front rail and ) It is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail.

[21] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to attach to a front rail and a front rail, wherein at least one divider comprises a barrier, a divider wall extending in a vertical direction to the front rail, a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall Wherein the divider is configured to separate the divider floor into a first position and a second position and each of the first and second portions holding the product. The sales display system also includes a first pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion, a second pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion, and a cam coupled to the at least one divider , The cam may be configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one divider is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and along the front rail when the cam is in the first position and at least one divider is disposed parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position, Thereby preventing movement in the lateral direction along the rail.

[22] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail and the front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a barrier configured to engage the front rail, a divider wall extending in a vertical direction to the front rail, And a divider floor perpendicular to the wall, wherein the divider floor is configured to hold the product. The display system may also include an elastic tab coupled to the divider, and the elastic tab is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail when the elastic tab is in the first position. The at least one divider is laterally movable parallel to the front rail when the resilient tab is in the second position.

[23] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail-to-front rail comprising at least one first projection and at least one second recess, and at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail Wherein the at least one divider comprises a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, wherein the at least one divider further comprises at least one second recess and at least one second protrusion, The two protrusions are configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one second recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the divider is in the first position, And (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail. The at least one divider is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one second recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the divider is in the second position, (B) is fixed in a vertical direction to the front rail.

[24] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail, wherein the front rail includes at least one first projection and at least one second projection, and at least one second projection of the front rail includes a first position and a second position, Position to move between the positions. The sales display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and at least one divider further includes at least one recess . The at least one divider is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the front rail is in the first position, And (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail. At least one of the dividers is configured such that when at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one recess of the divider and at least one second projection of the front rail is in the second position, Direction and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail.

[25] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail, and the front rail includes a first projection and a second projection. The sales display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and at least one divider includes a recess and a third protrusion . At least one of the second projection or the third projection is a movable projection movable between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is configured such that when the first projection of the front rail engages the recess of the divider and the movable projection is in the first position (a) is laterally parallel to the front rail and (b) And is fixed in the vertical direction. The at least one divider is configured such that (a) when the first projection of the front rail engages the recess of the divider and the movable projection is at the second position, (a) is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail, and Direction.

[26] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail, and the front rail includes at least a first engagement member. The sales display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, wherein at least one divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and at least one divider further includes at least a second engaging member . The sales display system also includes a third engagement member configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the dividers is movable laterally parallel to the front rail when the first engaging member of the front rail engages the second engaging member of the divider and the third engaging member is in the first position, b) Fixed vertically to the front rail. At least one of the dividers is configured such that (a) when the first engaging member of the front rail is engaged with the second engaging member of the divider and (b) when the third engaging member is in the second position, It is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail.

[27] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to engage a front rail and a front rail, wherein the at least one divider includes a barrier, the at least one divider further comprises a divider wall, The divider further includes a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, and the divider floor is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider, and the cam is configured to move between the first position and the second position. The at least one divider may be fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail when at least one of the dividers engages the front rail. The cam may inhibit movement of at least one divider laterally parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the first position and the cam is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position, As shown in FIG. The sale display system may include a handle to rotate the cam between the first position and the second position. The sales display system may include a handle to slide the cam between the first position and the second position.

[28] In another exemplary embodiment, the sales display system includes a front rail defining a rail groove and a divider configured to engage the front rail. The divider includes a barrier, a divider wall, and a divider floor extending vertically to the divider wall. The divider floor further includes a top surface and a bottom surface for holding the product. The sales display system also includes a cam rotatably coupled to the divider. The cam is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The cam defines a cam glide that extends below the bottom surface of the divider floor and contacts the front rail when the cam is in the first position. In operation, the divider is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the first position and the cam glide contacts the front rail, and the divider is positioned such that the cam is in the second position and in contact with the rail groove of the front rail, It is fixed laterally parallel to the front rail. In this embodiment, the cam always contacts the front rail irrespective of whether the cam is in the first position or in the second position, or in a position between the first and second positions.

[29] In an alternative aspect, the cam includes a handle for rotating the cam between the first position and the second position, the cam being configured to engage one or more groove walls in the rail groove when the cam is in the second position One or more cam surfaces. Additionally, the cam glide can define an elongated planar surface. The sale display system may also include a pusher mechanism having a pusher surface extending forwardly from the pusher surface and the pusher surface. A coiled spring with a coiled end can be positioned behind the pusher surface and a free end of the spring can attach the pusher mechanism to the sales display system. Alternatively, the barrier may be configured to receive the free end of the coiled spring. In yet another alternative aspect, the front rail may define a ridge configured to engage the groove of the divider.

[30] In another exemplary embodiment, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail and the front rail. The at least one divider may include a barrier and a divider wall extending in a vertical direction to the front rail. The divider may include a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall and the divider wall is configured to divide the divider floor into a first portion and a second portion and each of the first and second portions to hold the product. Additionally, the sale display system includes a first pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion and a second pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion. The sales display system includes a cam coupled to at least one divider. The cam is configured to define a cam glide and move between a first position and a second position. In operation, the at least one divider is parallel to the front rail and laterally movable along the front rail when the cam is in the first position and the cam glide contacts the front rail, and at least one divider, When in position 2 and the cam glide is not in contact with the front rail, it is parallel to the front rail and prevents lateral movement along the front rail.

[31] In an aspect, the first and second pusher mechanisms each include a pusher surface, a pusher floor extending forwardly from the pusher surface, and a coiled spring having a coiled end and a free end. The coiled end is positioned behind the pusher surface and the free end attaches the first and second pusher mechanisms to the sales display system.

[32] In an alternative aspect, at least one of the dividers may define a divider engagement member and at least one of the front rails may define a front rail engagement member. The divider engaging member is configured to engage the front rail engaging member. The divider engagement member may define divider teeth on at least one surface of the divider engagement member. The front rail engaging member may define front rail teeth on at least one surface of the front rail engaging member. The divider teeth are configured to engage the front rail teeth.

[33] In another exemplary embodiment, the sales display system includes at least one divider configured to engage the front rail and the front rail. The at least one divider includes a barrier, a divider wall, and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall. The divider floor is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider. The cam is configured to move between the first position and the second position. The cam defines a cam glide for lifting the divider of the front rail when the cam is in the first position. At least one divider is secured to the front rail when the cam is in the second position and the cam glide is moved away from the front rail. In an aspect, at least one of the dividers is movable in a plane of the shelf only in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail, and at least one of the dividers is movable in a direction parallel to the front rail when at least one of the dividers engages the front rail, And fixed in the plane of the shelf in the directions. In another aspect, the cam may include a handle to rotate the cam between the first position and the second position. Additionally, the cam glide can define an elongated planar surface with an edge that allows the slidable movement of the cam glide relative to the front rail.

[34] In another exemplary embodiment, the sales display system may include at least one divider configured to engage the front rail and the front rail. The divider may include a barrier, a divider wall, and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall configured to hold the product. The front lock can be coupled to the divider. In an aspect, the front lock may be configured to rotate, pivot, or move between the first position and the second position. When in the first position, the front lock can allow the slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail. In an alternative aspect, the front lock may lift the divider away from the front rail. When in the second position, the front lock locks the divider to the front rail and prevents slidable movement between the divider and the front rail.

[35] In another exemplary embodiment, the sales display system may include a divider fixed to the support structure. The divider may include a divider wall and a divider floor. The divider wall may extend upwardly from the divider floor and the divider floor may include the top surface. The system may further include a barrier that is moveable by rotation between a folded position and an upright position without a rotational biasing element. The product positioned on the upper surface of the divider floor may contact the barrier as the product moves toward the front end of the divider and rotates the barrier from the folded position to the upright position. The barrier may be configured to stop forward movement of the product when the barrier is in the upright position. The system may include a rotatable mounting structure to which movable barriers are connected. The rotatable mounting structure may be removably connected to the front end of the divider.

[36] In another exemplary embodiment, the sales display system may be used with a product tray to refill the system with the product. The product tray may include a bottom surface, a right wall, a left wall, and a alignment flap. The alignment flap may include a proximal end, a distal end, a right edge, and a left edge. The flap width of the alignment flap can be defined between the right edge and the left edge. The proximal end of the alignment flap may be connected to the bottom surface of the product tray and the alignment flap may be configured such that at least a portion of the flap width is approximately equal to the product width stored in the product tray. The alignment flaps can be positioned between opposing divider walls of a sales display system in which product pockets are defined between opposing divider walls. The alignment flap aligns the products stored in the product tray with the product tray and the product pocket so that the product stored in the product tray can slide from the product tray to the product pocket of the sales display system.

[37] In another exemplary sales display system, the display system may include a pusher extender that increases the pushing surface of the pusher. The pusher extender may define a slender and long pusher body with a cavity. The pusher extender may be configured to slide over the pusher wall through a sleeve-like cavity. A pusher extender having an enlarged, substantially flat surface thereby creates an enlarged pushing surface for pushing larger products towards the front of the display system.

[38] In an exemplary sales display system, the display system may be mounted to a rear hang bar located on the back side of the shelf. The hanger can be positioned within the cavity formed in the divider and extends the length of the divider. The hook end of the hanger can then be positioned on the row bar and the entire system can be cantilevered out of the row bar.

[39] In another example, the sales display system may include at least one divider including a barrier, and at least one divider further includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall. The divider floor may be configured to hold the product. An exemplary sales display system may also include a pusher surface, a pusher floor extending forwardly from the pusher surface, and a pusher mechanism having a coiled spring with a coiled end and a free end. The pusher mechanism may also include a pusher extender for increasing the pusher surface of the pusher mechanism.

[40] The exemplary sales display system also includes a hanger configured to be inserted below the divider or within a cavity formed in the divider. The hanger can be configured to be thin, long and substantially flat, and the hanger can be hooked at one end thereof and the hook can be mounted on the row bar to suspend at least one divider and pusher mechanism have. The pusher extender may further comprise a slender and long pusher body with a cavity. The pusher extender may be configured to slide on the pusher surface through the cavity to create an enlarged, substantially flat pushing surface for the pusher. The divider may include a notch portion on the back end of the divider floor, and the notch portion may allow the divider to rest on the flange of the row bar. The notch portion may extend the width of the divider floor to create a contact line that extends the width of the divider to stabilize the divider on the row bar. The divider extender may be configured to attach to the divider, for example, the divider extender may be configured to slide into a cavity formed by the divider. The coiled end of the spring can be positioned behind the pusher surface, and the pusher mechanism is guided in the track on the divider flow. The barrier may be configured to receive the free end of the coiled spring.

[41] In another example, the sale display system may include a pusher mechanism having a pusher mechanism with a pusher surface, a coiled spring with a coiled end and a free end, and a retainer configured to limit movement of the product. However, the pusher surface may be angled relative to the retainer. The pusher mechanism may include a pusher paddle and a pusher extender configured to be mounted on the pusher paddle, and the pusher extender may include a pusher surface. The pusher extender may also include at least one tab configured to help secure the pusher extender to rest on the pusher paddle. The pusher extender may also include at least one protrusion configured to align with a corresponding groove located on the pusher paddle to help secure the pusher extender by placing it on the pusher paddle. The pusher extender can also define a slender and long pusher body with a cavity. The divider may be provided and configured to separate the products and may be configured to attach the divider extender to the divider. For example, the divider extender may be configured to slide into a cavity formed by the divider.

[42] In another aspect, the sales display system is described as having a slidably-coupled pusher structure on a track. The pusher structure includes a lock arm configured to selectively engage a ratchet rack to permit selective unidirectional movement of the pusher structure upon application of manual force to the pusher surface of the pusher structure. In addition, selective disengagement of the ratchet rack from the lock arm using the full strip may be achieved by moving the displayed products to the front of the display shelf, or by pushing the pusher structure along the tracks to allow products to be re- Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > sliding.

[43] In another aspect, the sales display system is described as having a slidably-coupled pusher structure on a track. The pusher structure includes a lock arm configured to selectively engage the rack gear such that, when engaged, movement of the pusher structure relative to the track along both longitudinal directions of the track is prevented. In addition, the selective disengagement of the lock arm from the gear rack is enabled by a manual-actuated pull strip, which has an inclined structure configured to slidably engage the lock arm to lift the catch structure out of the gear rack , Causing the pusher structure to slide along the rack.

[44] Figure 1 depicts an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.
[45] Figure 2 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary pusher mechanism mounted on an exemplary tray or product channel of the present invention.
[46] FIG. 3 depicts another isometric view of the system of FIG. 2 with the product placed in the system.
[47] FIG. 4 depicts another isometric view of the system of FIG. 2 with a plurality of products disposed in the system.
[48] FIG. 5 depicts an isometric rear view of the system of FIG.
FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of a tray or product channel of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary tip for the end of a coiled spring that may be used with the product management display system of the present invention.
[51] Figure 8 depicts the exemplary tip of Figure 7 mounted on the surface of a tray or product channel.
[52] FIG. 9 depicts the exemplary tip of FIG. 7 mounted on the end of a coiled spring.
FIG. 10 depicts the exemplary tip of FIG. 7 mounted on the end of a coiled spring.
[54] Figure 11 depicts an isometric view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.
[55] FIG. 12 depicts another isometric view of the system of FIG.
[56] Figure 13 depicts a front view of the system of Figure 11.
[57] Figure 14 depicts a top view of the system of Figure 11;
[58] FIG. 15 depicts a rear view of the system of FIG.
[0064] FIG. 16 depicts an isometric view of an adapter that may be used in the present invention.
[60] Figure 17 depicts a front view of the adapter of Figure 16;
[61] Figure 18 depicts an exemplary installation of an adapter of the present invention.
[62] Figure 19 depicts an isometric view of an invented adapter of the present invention.
[63] Figure 20 depicts a front view of a provisioned adapter of the present invention.
[64] Figure 21 depicts an isometric view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.
[65] Figure 22 depicts an isometric top view of an exemplary mounting member that may be used to mount the end of a coiled spring to the floor of a display system.
[66] Figure 23 depicts an isometric top view of the exemplary mounting member of Figure 22.
FIG. 24 depicts the exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 mounted on the end of a coiled spring, and the coiled spring is mounted to the exemplary pusher paddle.
FIG. 25 depicts another view of the exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 mounted on the end of a coiled spring, and the coiled spring is mounted to the exemplary pusher paddle.
[69] FIG. 26 depicts an exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 with an attached coiled spring mounted to the floor of the system.
[70] FIG. 27 depicts an exemplary mounting member of FIG. 22 mounted on a floor of a system.
[71] Figure 28 depicts an isometric view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.
[72] FIG. 29 depicts an enlarged isometric view of the tray of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 29A depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 28 illustrating a first fastening method.
[74] Figure 29b depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 28 illustrating a second fastening method.
FIG. 30 depicts an enlarged isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 28 illustrating a rivet to which a spring is attached to a tray.
[006] FIG. 31 depicts an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 28 assembled with a conventional wire shelf.
[77] FIG. 32 depicts an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 28 assembled to a conventional wire shelf.
[78] Figure 33 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[79] Figure 34 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[80] Figure 35 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an adapter.
[81] Figure 36 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a retainer.
[82] Figure 37 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[83] Figure 38 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[84] Figure 39 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[85] Figure 40 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[86] Figure 41a depicts a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a divider.
[87] Figure 41b depicts a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[88] Figure 41c depicts an enlarged view of Figure 41b.
[89] Figure 41d depicts a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a divider.
[90] Figure 42 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[91] Figure 43 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.
[92] Figure 44 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.
[93] Figure 45 depicts another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system having a product in a system.
[94] Figure 46 depicts a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a product management display having a product in the system.
[95] Figure 47 depicts an isometric rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system in a system in a system.
[96] FIG. 48 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a pusher mechanism mounted on a divider.
[97] Figure 49 depicts another isometric view of a pusher mechanism dispenser assembled in a product management display system.
[98] Figure 50 depicts an isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.
[99] Figure 51 depicts another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of Figure 50 without a product.
[100] Figure 52 depicts an exploded and assembled isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of Figure 50.
[101] Figure 53 depicts an isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.
FIG. 54 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of FIG. 53.
[103] Figure 55 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of Figure 53;
[56] Figure 56 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of Figure 53;
[105] Figure 57 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary attachment of a pusher spring to the shelf of the product management display system of Figure 53;
[106] Figure 58 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[107] Figure 59 depicts an isometric view of the exemplary product management display system of Figure 58.
[108] Figure 60 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[109] Figure 61 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[110] Figure 62 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary divider and pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 63 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary frontal portion of a divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[112] Figure 64 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary frontal portion of a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 65 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary connection between a divider and a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 66 depicts a side view of an exemplary divider and front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
67A-67C depict side views of an exemplary divider attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[116] Figures 68a-68c depict side views of exemplary dividers attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 69A depicts an isometric view of exemplary rail mounting clips for a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
[118] Figure 69b depicts an isometric view of an exemplary front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 70 depicts an isometric view of exemplary front rail and rail mounting clips in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[120] Figure 71 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[72] Figure 72 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary divider and pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[73] FIG. 73 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary divider and pusher mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[123] Figure 74 depicts a partial de-axial view of an exemplary divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[124] Figure 75 depicts a partial isometric view of an exemplary front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
76A and 76B depict partial isometric views of exemplary front rail and cam bar lever in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[126] Figure 77 depicts a front exploded view of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 78 depicts a rear exploded view of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
79A-79C depict side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[80] FIG. 80 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary product management display system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
81a-81b depict partial side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
82A-82C depict partial side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 83a-83c depict partial side views of exemplary front rails and dividers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIGS. 84A-84F depict rounded views of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIG. 85 depicts a side view of an exemplary divider and front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
86A-86L depict views of components of an exemplary product management display system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 87A-87C depict side views of exemplary dividers and front rails in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
[88] Figures 88a-88b depict the isometric views of an exemplary divider according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 89a-89c depict side views of an exemplary divider attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIGS. 90A-90F illustrate views of exemplary dividers attached to a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIG. 91A illustrates a drawing of an exemplary divider and back rail according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
FIG. 92 depicts an exploded view of an exemplary divider and rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.
93A-93B illustrate views of exemplary dividers mounted on a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
94A-94C depict cross-sectional views of movement of an exemplary cam used with a divider and a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;
[145] Figure 95 depicts a top, right, perspective view of aspects of an exemplary component of a sales display system.
[145] Figures 96a and 96b are top right-side perspective views of aspects of an exemplary component of a sales display system.
[146] Figure 97 is a top right perspective exploded view of an exemplary component of a sales display system.
FIGS. 98a-98c are side views of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
FIGS. 99A-99C are side views of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
FIGS. 100A-100D are upper, left-side perspective views of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
FIG. 101A is a top, right side perspective view of aspects of an exemplary product tray.
FIG. 101B is a top view of aspects of an exemplary product tray.
FIGS. 101c-101f are top, left-side perspective views of aspects of an exemplary product tray used with exemplary components of a sales display system.
FIG. 102A is a top, right, perspective view of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
FIG. 102b is a top, right perspective exploded view of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
[155] Figures 102c and 102d are side views of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
[156] FIG. 103A is a top, front, and right perspective view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sales display system.
FIG. 103B is a top, rear, and right perspective view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sales display system.
[158] FIG. 103C is a rear view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sales display system.
FIG. 103D is a top view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sales display system.
[160] FIG. 103E is a right side view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sale display system.
FIG. 104A is a top, right perspective exploded view of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
[162] FIG. 104B is a top, right side perspective view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotating mounting structure of a sales display system.
FIG. 104C is a bottom, right-side perspective view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sales display system.
[164] FIG. 104D is a front view of aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a sales display system.
[165] FIG. 104E is a top view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sales display system.
[166] Figure 104f is a left side view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a sale display system.
[167] Figure 104g is a bottom view of aspects of exemplary components of a rotational mounting structure of a vending display system.
FIGS. 105a-105d are side views of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
106A is a top, right perspective exploded view of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
[170] Figure 106b is a side view of aspects of exemplary components of a sales display system.
107 - 135 depict perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a merchandise management display system.
[172] Figure 136 depicts a rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a product management display system.
FIGS. 137, 139, and 143 depict various perspective views of another alternative embodiment of a product management display system.
[138] Figures 138 and 140- 142 depict various perspective views of another alternative embodiment of a product management display system.
[175] Figures 144- 147 schematically depict various embodiments of other alternative merchandise display systems.
Before embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of construction and that the arrangement of components is set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention may be other embodiments and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "comprising" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to include additional items and their equivalents as well as subsequently listed items and their equivalents. In addition, the use of the term " mounted ","mounted",or" mounting "refers to any technique or method of mounting, attaching, splicing, or coupling a part to another part, .

[177] The present invention can be realized in various forms. Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, an isometric exploded assembly view of an exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. The exemplary sales system 10 includes a product dispensing tray 12 and an exemplary trackless pusher mechanism 14 is mounted to the product dispensing tray 12. As will be described in more detail below, the pusher mechanism 14 will fit into the tray 12 and will include tracks, rails < RTI ID = 0.0 > , Or along the surface of the tray without the use of guides. The pusher mechanism defines a pusher paddle and a pusher floor extending forward of the pusher paddles. The coiled spring may extend across the pusher floor and be operably connected to the tray at a tray-front position. In one aspect of the invention, the product to be sold may be placed in the tray at the front of the pusher paddles and may be located on the coiled spring as well as the pusher floor. With this configuration, the weight of the product will prevent the pusher paddles from tipping to ensure proper pushing of the product. In addition, problems associated with debris or sticky materials that hinder the efficiency of known pusher systems using tracks, rails or guides have been eliminated. Other aspects, embodiments and features of the present invention and their teachings are set forth in further detail below.

[178] The exemplary tray 12 may define a surface 16 and one or more dividing panels or dividers 18 to separate the tray into a plurality of rows for placement of the product. In an alternative aspect, the tray 12 may be a shelf or any other surface on which the products can be placed for sale. Surface 16 may be a solid surface or a surface defining a plurality of spaced apart apertures 20 separated by a plurality of support ribs 22. The apertures 20 and ribs 22 allow slidable movement of the product disposed on the surface and also prevent the liquids and dust from entering the aperture 16, (20). ≪ / RTI > The surface 16 may be made of any suitable material that allows for slidable movement of the article on the surface 16. Other surface or floor configurations are known and may be used with the principles of the present invention.

[179] As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the surface 16 may define a rounded end portion 24 that includes a notch or cut-out portion 26. The end portion 24 may be rounded to match the shape of the product disposed on the tray. For example, the depicted end portion 24 defines a rounded or semicircular shape to match the outline of a bottle or can that may be placed on the tray and end portion 24. Other aspects of the end portion can be used in the present invention depending on the product to be sold.

[180] The notch 26 may be used to receive and mount the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 or similar biasing element. The notch 26 may define opposing angled edge surfaces 32 joined by the edge 34. The edges 34 are preferably centered over the width of the product rows formed in the tray 12 and extend perpendicularly to the length of the tray. This configuration will center the coiled spring 30 with respect to the tray 12 and will allow the spring to extend in a substantially parallel manner with respect to the length of the tray. In other words, the depicted edge 34 of the notch 26 will allow the spring 30 to extend along the length of the tray 12 at or near the center of the product row formed by the tray. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the location and configuration of the notches may vary depending on the desired arrangement of the springs.

[181] The coiled spring 30 may define an end 29 that is configured to be disposed across the notch 26 and on the edge 34. [ In one aspect, the end 29 of the coiled spring may be V-shaped and an edge 29 may be formed at a portion of the end 29 of the coiled spring that extends below the end portion 24 of the surface 16. [ (34). This configuration allows easy installation of coiled springs in the tray.

[182] In another aspect, and with reference to FIG. 7, the spring tip 60 may be added to the end 29 of the spring 30 to assist in mounting the spring to the system. The spring tip 60 can define a number of shapes and configurations depending on the configuration of the tray and the surface that the spring end needs to attach. The spring tip 60 may be permanently attached to the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 or may be detachable to permit replacement or replacement of the spring tip 60. The spring tip 60 may be made of plastic and may define one or more apertures. The aperture 61 may be used to accommodate the end 29 of the coiled spring 30. The second aperture 63 may be used to accommodate a mating tongue or mounting member 65 that extends from the surface 16 of the tray 12, as discussed below. In this configuration, the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 can be operatively connected to the tray 12.

[183] In another aspect, the end 29 of the coiled spring may snap-fit into an aperture formed in the surface 16 or otherwise be inserted and fixed in an aperture or opening in the tray, And the end portion 29 of the coil spring 30 is fixed at a predetermined position.

[184] Referring again to Fig. 1, the dividers 18 may also be used to separate the products into rows. The dividers 18 extend substantially upward from the surface 16 and can be positioned on opposite sides of the surface 16, as illustrated in FIG. Alternatively, the dividers 18 may be positioned at the desired position on the tray 12 or on the surface 16. [ The dividers 18 may be formed as an integral structure with the surface 16 or the dividers 18 may be separable to provide added flexibility to the system. The dividers may be attached to the front or rear rails depending on the system. The dividers 18 may define multiple configurations and may extend any desired distance upward to provide the desired height of the dividers between the rows of the product to be sold. This height can be adjusted by adding divider extender or the like.

[185] It may be one or more product-retaining members 44 positioned on the front of the tray 12 and extending between the dividers 18. The product-retaining members 44 serve as a front retaining wall or bar to hold the product in the tray 12 and prevent the product from falling out of the tray 12. [ These members are also configured to allow easy removal of the frontmost product positioned in the tray 12. [ The product-retaining member 44 may be one or more curved-shaped retaining ribs as depicted in Fig. These illustrated retaining ribs can be extended from one divider to another to thereby bond the dividers. The retaining ribs may also extend part-way between the dividers, as also shown in Fig. 1 as ribs 46, to help retain the product in the tray. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 6, the product-retaining member 44 may be a curved-shaped solid retaining wall 48 extending between the dividers. The retaining wall 48 may be transparent or translucent to allow visualization of shelf-based products. In another aspect, the retaining wall 48 may also be partially extended between the dividers 18. In another embodiment depicted in Figures 11-15, the retaining wall 100 may be attached to the surface of the tray and may not be connected to the dividers. In this embodiment, the retaining wall 100 includes an upper member 104, opposing curved side walls 106 defining an additional angled edge 108, and an opening defined by the floor member 110 102 can be formed. The sidewalls 106 may also be straight, not curved, depending on the system. The end of the coiled spring may also be snap-fitted to the floor 110 or otherwise attached to the tray using any of the techniques described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that there are a number of shapes and configurations possible for the product-retaining member 44 and that the depicted arrangements are merely exemplary embodiments of these multiple arrangements.

[186] Referring again to FIG. 1, the exemplary trackless pusher mechanism 14 defines a pusher paddle 50 and a pusher floor 52. The pusher paddle 50 and the pusher floor 52 may be formed as a single integrated structure or may be separate structures joined together using known techniques. In addition, pusher paddles 50 and pusher floor 52 may be made of any suitable plastic or metal material. The pusher paddle and pusher floor may be reinforced using any known reinforcing techniques.

[187] In one aspect, the pusher paddle 50 includes a curved pusher surface or surface 54 configured to match the shape of the product to be sold, such as plastic bottles or cans, including beverages, as depicted in Figures 3-5 . The curved pusher surface 54 allows the pusher to be centered with the end product of the tray. This configuration reduces friction and air resistance between the pusher and the divider walls. In an alternative aspect, the pusher surface or surface may be a flat surface. In another aspect, a flat pusher surface can be used to align and center the product of the tray on or near the top of the pusher paddles, in a manner similar to the curved pusher surface 54 depicted in FIG. 1 It can be accompanied by a curved shape rib. Curved ribs may define other shapes and configurations that allow cylinders or similar shaped articles to be properly pushed in the tray. Advertisements, product identification or other product information may be placed on the pusher surface 54.

[188] Behind the pusher surface or surface 54, one or more support members 58, such as ribs, walls, or gussets, may be positioned. The support members 58 are configured to support the pusher surface 54 and further connect the pusher paddle 50 to the pusher floor 52. As can be seen in Figure 5, there is a coiled spring 30 between the support members 58 and, more specifically, forwardly of the tray 12 as understood in the art and along the tray 12, The coiled end 57 used to force the coil spring 50 is positioned. Any technique used to operatively connect a coiled spring to the pusher paddle 50 may be used with the present invention.

[189] 1, the pusher floor 52 may be positioned below the pusher paddles 50 and extend forward of the pusher surfaces 54 of the pusher paddles. The pusher floor 52 may extend at any predetermined distance and at any predetermined angle. For example, the pusher floor 52 may extend substantially perpendicular to the pusher surface 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the pusher floor 52 may extend a sufficient distance to allow one product, such as a single bottle or can, to be placed on the pusher floor. In another aspect, the pusher floor 52 may be configured to allow more than one product to be placed on the pusher floor. The pusher floor 52 may define any shape including the depicted round shape and may include any product retaining features, such as ribs, walls, etc., so as to further hold the product on the pusher floor, . ≪ / RTI >

[190] As can be seen in Figure 2, the pusher floor 52 is sized to accommodate the coiled spring 30, defining a slender channel, groove or recessed portion 59 that is shaped and configured have. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel or groove 59 may extend across the floor 52 and in a substantially vertical manner with respect to the pusher paddle 50. In an alternative aspect, the groove or channel may extend across or partially across the entire pusher floor 52, as shown in FIG. Such a configuration allows proper alignment and positioning of the pusher paddles 50 of the tray. The groove 59 may define a depth that matches or exceeds the thickness of the coil spring 30. With this configuration, the coiled spring 30 will not be positioned directly on the coiled spring, but rather on or below the pusher floor surface so that such product is positioned on the pusher floor surface. As shown in FIG. 19, the pusher floor may include apertures and apertures through which debris or other items may pass. Alternatively, the floor may be a solid surface.

[191] In an alternative aspect of the invention, adapter 180 may be positioned on surface 16, as shown in Figures 16-20. 16 and 17, the adapter 180 may include one or more raised ribs 182 on which the article may be placed. The raised ribs 182 may extend longitudinally along the length of the adapter 180. The adapter 180 may be a flat extruded number of plastic materials (or any other suitable material) defining a flat surface 184 having one or more ribs 182 extending outwardly from the flat surface 184. [ have. The adapter 180 may define a rounded end 185 and may include a notch or cut 186 to which the coiled spring extends. The rounded end 185 may be configured to match the shape of the product disposed on the tray. Other shapes of end 185, notch 186 and adapter 180 may be used in the present invention depending on the product being sold. The adapter 180 may be a separate insertable piece or alternatively a piece integrally formed with the surface 16.

[192] 18, the adapter 180 may be readily insertable on the surface 16 and between the dividers 18. 19, when the adapter 180 is installed, the pusher mechanism 14 can be positioned on top of the adapter 180 and can slide freely across the ribs 182 of the adapter 180 . The coiled spring 30 may extend in a parallel manner between the ribs 182 and may be located at or below the top surface of the ribs 182, as more clearly shown in FIG. With this arrangement, the product to be sold is located on the ribs 182, rather than on the coiled spring 30, and can slide along the ribs 182.

[193] In alternative aspects, the ribs 182 may be raised beads or raised beads, or a series of fingers that may be used to enable movement of the product on the surface 16. In another alternative embodiment, the ribs 182 may be runners that allow the product to traverse the rolling members and rotate toward the front of the product display system, or one or more rollers or rollers, Or the like. Exemplary roller assemblies include those disclosed and described in U.S. Serial No. 11 / 257,718, filed October 25, 2005, and assigned to RTC Industries, Inc., which is incorporated herein by reference. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are many possible techniques that can be used with the described pusher mechanisms to enable movement of the product on a shelf or floor.

[194] The lower side of the pusher floor 52 can be a smooth, flat surface that will slide freely along the surface 16. [ Alternatively, and similarly to the above, the pusher floor 52 includes beads, runners, rollers, etc. that will cause the pusher floor to slide along the surface, but not to cause the pusher floor to be lifted off the surface 16 can do. In another alternative embodiment, the lower side of the pusher floor may be constructed of rail mounting members to allow mounting of the pusher on the track or rail, as is understood in the art.

[195] The pusher floor further defines a notch or cut-out portion 62 through which the coil spring 30 will pass. The end 29 of the coiled spring 30 will pass through the notch 26 in the surface 16 and through the notch 62 and will be mounted to the tray using any of the techniques described above .

[196] The end 29 of the coiled spring 30 will be held in place as described above and the coiled end 30 of the spring 30 57 will begin releasing behind the pusher paddle 50. When the pusher 14 is allowed to move forward in the tray 14, such as when the product is removed from the front of the tray, the coiled end 57 of the spring 30 is wound and pulled from the tray 12, (50), thereby forcing the product toward the front side of the tray.

[197] In an alternative embodiment, the coiled spring 30 may extend opposite and below the pusher floor and across the pusher floor, as depicted in the drawings. With this configuration, the groove 59 and the notch 62 may not be needed.

[198] The coiled spring 30 may be any biasing element, including, without limitation, a flat coil spring commonly used with pusher systems. The present invention may use one or more coiled springs to force the pusher mechanism 14 forward depending on the desired application. The coil tension of the spring 30 may also vary depending on the particular application.

[199] 2, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 is shown mounted to the tray 12. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, the pusher mechanism 14 pivots the tray 12 between the dividers 18. The end 29 of the coiled spring 30 extends through the notch of the pusher floor as described above and is mounted to the tray. In use, the pusher mechanism 14 will slid along the surface 16 of the tray 12 without the use of tracks, rails, or guides. As depicted in FIG. 2, the forward position of the pusher mechanism 14 is shown.

[200] Referring to Fig. 3, the pusher mechanism 14 is shown to sell one product 70 in the vending system 10. The product is prevented from falling off the tray by the product-retaining member 44. The product 70 may be any product to be sold, including a depicted soft drink bottle. As shown in this figure, the product 70 rests on the pusher floor 52 and the coiled spring 30 which extend under the product. The weight of the product on the floor 52 and the positioning of the product across the spring 30 prevent the paddle 50 from falling off the tray 12. [

[201] Referring to Fig. 4, the pusher mechanism 14 is shown for selling a plurality of products 70 in a vending system 10. As shown in this figure, the product immediately adjacent to the pusher paddle 50 rests on the pusher floor 52 and the coiled spring 30 extending below the product. Other products will be placed on the coiled spring 30 to extend under these products. Alternatively, the adapter 180 may be positioned in the system and in this case the product may be positioned on the ribs 182 of the adapter opposite the coil spring. Again, the weight of the product on the pusher floor 52 and the positioning of the product across the spring 30 prevent the paddle 50 from falling off the tray. In use, the pusher mechanism 14 (via the force of the coiled spring 30), when one product is removed from the front of the tray near the product-retaining member 44, Will push the remaining product forward in the tray 12 until it contacts the member 44. When the additional products are removed, the pusher mechanism 14 will continue to push the remaining product towards the product-retaining member 44.

[202] 5, a rear view of the pusher mechanism 14 illustrates a pusher mechanism 14 that sells a plurality of products 70 in a sales system 10. Again, the product immediately adjacent to the pusher paddle 50 rests on the pusher floor 52 and the coiled spring 30 extending below the product. Other products will sit on coiled springs that will extend below these products. Alternatively, the adapter 180 may be positioned in the system and in this case the product may be positioned on the ribs 182 of the adapter opposite the coil spring. When one product is removed from the front of the tray close to the product-retaining member 44, the coiled end 57 of the spring 30 is positioned such that when the forefront product contacts the product-retaining member 44 The pusher paddles 50 of the pusher mechanism 14 will be forced forward in the tray 12. [ As can be seen in this figure, the coiled end 57 can be positioned between the two support members 58. The support members will hold a coiled spring between these members. As can be seen in this figure, the pusher floor 52 may also extend below the support members 58.

[203] Referring to Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of a pusher tray is depicted. In this embodiment, the plurality of trays 12 may be formed of a single multi-tray assembly 80. The multiple-trays may have a common floor with dividers 18 extending upwardly from the floor to create multiple trays or rows. In this embodiment, the product-retaining member 44 may be a solid member that extends between the two dividers, as discussed above. One or more of the multiple-tray assemblies 80 may be coupled or joined together in a side-by-side manner using any known technique, including clips, dovetailing, fasteners, . With this configuration, multiple rows of product can be provided for sale of multiple products.

[204] As mentioned above, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 can be used with gravity utilizing systems, that is, with systems having product channels or trays mounted on the ramp to allow gravity to assist in the sale of the product have. Alternatively, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 can be used in systems that are not tilted or mounted horizontally, where gravity provides little or no help in selling the product. The trackless pusher mechanism 14 may also be used to push various shaped products.

[205] Figure 7 depicts an exemplary tip 60 for an end 29 of a coiled spring 30 that may be used in the vending system 10. The tip 60 defines an aperture 61 for receiving the end 29 of the coiled spring and an aperture 63 for mounting to the surface 16 of the tray. As can be seen in Figure 7, in an aspect of an alternative embodiment, extending below the surface 16 is paired with an aperture 63 and is formed on the tongue 65 so as to provide a tip 60 Or a tongue or mounting member 65 that can be configured to snap-fit.

[206] Referring to FIG. 8, the exemplary tip 60 of FIG. 7 is shown mounted to a tongue or mounting member 65. The tongue 65 may include an elongated outwardly extending rib 67 that is used to snap-fit the tip 60 onto the tongue 65. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other techniques are used to mount the tip 60 on the surface 16 and that the described technique is only one exemplary embodiment of such a technique.

[207] 9, the exemplary tip 60 is shown to be fully mounted in a snap-fit manner to the surface 16, and more particularly to the end portion 24 of the surface 16 of the tray 12 . The attachment of the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 to the aperture 61 of the tip 60 is also depicted. As shown in Fig. 9, the end 29 of the coil-like spring can be inserted into the aperture 61. Fig. The aperture 61 receives the end 29 of the coil spring and holds the end 29 in place and also separates the coil spring from the tip to permit removal of the pusher mechanism 14 from the system Shaped spring 29 from the aperture 61 in those environments where it is desirable to remove the end 29 of the coil spring.

[208] An end 29 of a coiled spring fully mounted to the exemplary tip 60 is shown with reference to FIG. The coiled spring 30 is now operatively connected to the surface 16 of the tray 12, as illustrated in this figure. As a result, the pusher mechanism 14 is now mounted to the tray 12.

[209] 21-27, an alternative technique for mounting the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 on the sale display system is shown. The mounting member 130 may be used to mount the end 29 of the coiled spring to the floor 131 of the system. 26-22) for these systems, including spaced glide rails 132 joined together by connecting ribs 134, the mounting member 130 is mounted on the floor 131 and on the glide rail 132. [ 132 may be snap-fitted or otherwise mounted. The mounting member will thus hold the end of the coiled spring in place and in the floor of the system.

[210] 22-23, mounting member 130 may include one or more legs 136 on one or more sides of member 130. As shown in FIG. The legs are configured to snap-fit under the rails 132 and thereby hold the mounting member 130 in the floor of the system. The legs 136 are configured to contact the lower side of the rail 132 and to prevent the mounting member 130 from being lifted from the floor except for the intentional bending of the legs outwardly from the lower side of the rail 132. [ - leg ends 137 that define shaped or angled surfaces. The legs 136 may contact the connecting ribs 134 to prevent slidable movement of the mounting member 130 relative to the floor. 26, the mounting member 130 is shown mounted on the floor of the system, and more specifically, on the rails. Figure 27 illustrates that the mounting member 130 is in position when the pusher paddle 141 begins to move at the front of the system. The mounting member 130 may be connected to this type of system floor 131 using other techniques. For example, a separate mounting clip, one or more fasteners, adhesives, or other techniques may be used to secure the mounting member 130 to the floor 131.

[211] 22-23, mounting member 130 may also include an aperture or aperture or slot 138 to receive the end 29 of the spring. The spring may be mounted using any of the techniques described herein, or other techniques. The configuration of the aperture 138 and the mounting member 130 will hold the spring in place on the mounting member 130, similar to the technique described above.

[212] The mounting member 130 may also include upper surface on-glide ribs 139 that allow the product placed on the upper surface to more easily slide across the mounting member after the mounting member is installed in the floor of the system . The mounting member 130 may also include an elongate, flat body 140 that extends forward of the location of the legs 136 to provide stability to the mounting member 130 after being mounted to the floor of the system .

[213] Referring to Figures 24- 25 and 27, the pusher paddle or pusher mechanism 141 may include a pusher surface 143 configured to match the shape of the product to be pushed. As illustrated, the pusher surface 143 may be a curve shaped to match the shape of the bottle or other cylinder object. The pusher paddle 141 may also include a pusher floor 145 similar to the pusher floor configurations described above. The pusher floor 145 may further include a spring sleeve 147 to receive the coiled spring 30 to block and protect the spring. The spring sleeve 147 may extend partially or completely across the pusher floor 145 in the direction of the spring 30. The spring sleeve 147 may have a relatively short height and flat surface 149 to allow the product to reside thereon without significant inclination or inclination of the product.

[214] The pusher paddle 141 can be positioned on top of the floor 131 to glide on top of the surface, as described above. The pusher paddles can be positioned between the two product divider walls 153 joined together by the product retaining member 155. Additional product retaining members 157 may extend outwardly from the product dividers.

[215] 28 and 29, another alternative technique for mounting the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 to the sales display system is shown. In this embodiment, the end 29 is re-etched into the tray 216.

[216] 28-32 of an alternative embodiment, the trackless pusher system may retrofit an existing shelf assembly 230 that may have already built in product dividers. For example, in one example, a trackless pusher system may retrofit an existing wire shelf assembly. Referring to Figures 30-32, the tray or adapter 216 may have a glide floor 222, which may be a single lane size of the shelf 234 or an entire shelf width size. The glide floor 222 may include several raised ribs 224 which assist in reducing the friction of the products sold on the tray 216. It should be appreciated that one or more raised ribs 224 may be used with the glide floor 222. Alternatively, the glide floor 222 may be a flat, planar surface without elevated ribs. The tray or adapter 216 may be configured similar to the adapter 180 of FIG.

[217] 28 and 30, the end 29 of the coiled spring 30 can be riveted to the front end 228 of the tray 216 via the rivet 229, Or by attachment techniques. The tray 216 may be held on the shelf by any suitable attachment technique to the particular shelf. In one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 29-32, the tray 216 may include one or more individual wires (not shown) of the shelf 234 to hold the tray 216 on the shelf 234 232 and one or more outwardly extending fingers or snaps 220 that can engage with one or more outwardly extending fingers or snaps 232. [ The fingers or snaps 220 may extend longitudinally along the length of the tray 216 or may be spaced along the length of the tray. Snaps 220 can be used to snap-fit tray 216 to an existing wire shelf. As depicted in FIGS. 29A and 29B, snaps 220A and 220B may define a number of configurations that allow the tray 216 to snap fit to the shelf. The embodiment depicted in Figures 28-32 permits placement of a trackless pusher system in an existing shelf system, such as a wire shelf system, as a low cost alternative to an entire trackless pusher assembly. In this embodiment, it should be understood that any pusher mechanism described herein can be used.

[218] 33 and 44, in another exemplary embodiment, the display management system may include one or more pusher mechanisms 286, one or more dividers 266, one or more Trays 306, and one or more retainers 250. As shown in FIG. The pusher mechanism 286 may be formed of a pusher paddle 287 and a pusher floor 288. The product is placed on the pusher floor 288 and guided to the front of the display management system through the dividers 266 and the pusher paddles 287. The coiled spring 30 biases the pusher mechanism 286 toward the retainer 250 to move the product to the front of the system.

[219] In one exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 33, coiled spring 30 may be mounted to retainer 250. Alternatively, the coiled spring 30 may be mounted to the divider 266 (also shown in Figures 48 and 49). The coiled spring 30 may be mounted directly to the retainer 250 as depicted in Figure 33 or may be mounted to the retainer 250 through a separate adapter 252 as depicted in Figure 34. [

[220] As depicted in FIG. 35, adapter 252 has a wall 254 closest to first end 256. The first end 256 has a curved portion 262 that bends upwardly. The middle portion of the adapter 252 may have a curved slot 260 adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped spring end (not shown).

[221] At one end, the coiled spring 30 may be secured in the middle of the adapter 252. In an exemplary embodiment, the curved slot 260 corresponds to the shape and size of the first spring end. Additionally, the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 may be crimped or bent to provide additional fixation. Nevertheless, any adequate fastening method may be used to secure the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the adapter 252. [

[222] 36 and 37, the retainer 250 has a curved slot 284 in shape and size corresponding to the curved portion 262 of the adapter 252. As shown in Fig. The curved slot 284 extends the length of the retainer 250 to permit unrestricted positioning of the adapter 252 along the length of the retainer 250.

[223] The curved portion 262 of the adapter 252 is disposed in the curved slot 284 of the retainer 250 to secure the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the retainer 250. [ The curved slot 284 secures the adapter 252 and the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the retainer 250 and provides a quick and easy assembly of the display system. The wall 254 provides additional stability of the connection between the retainer 250 and the adapter 252. However, other methods may be used to secure the adapter 252 and / or the first spring end of the coiled spring 30 to the retainer 250.

[224] Alternatively, as depicted in FIGS. 33 and 44, the coiled spring 30 of the pusher paddle 287 may be mounted directly on the front of the tray 306. The first spring end 290 of the coil spring 30 has a curved portion. The curved portion is adapted to be curved downwardly from the pusher floor 288 and received in the recess 316 defined by the retainer 250 and the lip 318 of the front surface of the distribution tray 306 33). The vertically oriented surfaces of the lip 318 and the retainer 250 are spaced such that a gap is formed between the front edge of the lip 250 and the vertically oriented surface. The first spring end 290 is inserted into a gap formed between the front edge of the lip 318 and the vertically oriented surface of the retainer 250 to secure the coiled spring 30 and the pusher mechanism 286 to the assembly Is disposed in the recess 316 defined by the retainer 250 and the lip 318 of the dispensing tray 306.

[225] In another exemplary embodiment depicted in Figures 38, 39, 48 and 49, the coiled spring 30 may be mounted directly to the divider 266. [ In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the coiled spring 30 may be mounted vertically to the pusher floor 288 such that the axis on which the coil spring 30 is wound is perpendicular to the pusher floor 288. [ This orientation has the benefit of preventing the pusher pads from tipping back. The first spring end 290 may have an angled portion 292 and a tip portion 296. In one exemplary embodiment, the angled portion 292 can be bent perpendicularly to the coiled spring body 294. The divider may have a slot 298 adapted to receive the tip portion 296 of the first spring end 290.

[226] In order to secure the coiled spring to the divider, the tip portion 296 is inserted into the slot 298. When the tip portion 296 is fully inserted into the slot 298, the angled portion 292 engages the slot 298 to secure the first spring end 290 to the divider 266.

[227] As depicted in FIG. 33, various pusher mechanism designs can be implemented. The pusher paddles 287 may be formed flat to accommodate correspondingly shaped articles. Alternatively, the pusher paddle 286 may have a curved first end and a flat second end. This serves to accommodate various cylinder products having a variety of different size diameters and to enable operation of the pusher mechanism 286. During operation, the product of the pusher mechanism 286 and the curved first end together force the pusher mechanism toward the divider 266 so that the coil spring 30 is in tension or holding the first spring end 290 during operation And is flat relative to the divider 266. This allows smoother operation of the pusher mechanism and ensures that the product is properly dispensed when users remove the product from the system.

[228] In another exemplary embodiment depicted in Figures 40-41D, the distance between the dividers 266 may be adjusted to accommodate different size containers. The dividers 266 may have connecting portions 272. The connecting portions 272 may have a first elongated angled surface 268 and a second elongated angled surface 270. Additionally, connecting portions 272 may have a plurality of protrusions 274. As depicted in FIG. 41B, the rails can be formed with teeth 278 having surface surfaces 280 and side surfaces 282.

[229] When assembled as depicted in Figure 41c, the connecting portions 272 are received between the teeth 278 of the rails. Additionally, elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 and protrusions 274 are sandwiched between the teeth 278. The elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 also engage the surface surfaces 280 and the protrusions 274 engage the lower surfaces of the teeth 278 as shown in Figure 41C. The side surfaces 282 contact the connecting portion 272.

[230] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 42, the trays 306 have dovetail connections. The first side 308 of the trays 306 has tongues 312 adapted to fit within the grooves 314 located on the second side 310 of the trays 306. In order to connect the trays, the grooves 314 are aligned with the tongues 312 such that the tongues 312 are securely fixed within the grooves 314.

[231] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 43, the trays 306 are configured to receive the retainer 250 at the front end. The retainer may have rectangular holes 300, and the retainer has correspondingly shaped and resized protrusions 302. In order to secure the retainer 250 to the tray 306, the protrusions 302 fit into the holes 300 to lock the retainer in position on the tray 306.

[232] As depicted in Figures 45-47, after the product management display system is assembled, the product is loaded into the system. By adjusting the dividers 266, a wide variety of product sizes and shapes can be loaded into the system. 46 and 47, the coil spring 30, together with the pusher paddle 287, pushes the product toward the retainer 250. When the user receives the product from the system, the pusher paddle 287 pushes the remaining product so that the product slides along the floor 264 into the retainer 250. This ensures that all products are on the front of the display system.

[233] As depicted in FIGS. 50-52, the product management display system 400 may be arranged such that the trays 402, 404 may be stacked on top of each other. This embodiment may generally consist of a first tray 402, a second tray 404, a first spacer 406, and a second spacer 408.

[234] Trays 402 and 404 are each arranged to house the product to be dispensed. The first tray 402 and the second tray 404 may each have a secure retainer 410, a pusher mechanism 412, first and second guiding walls, and a coil spring 414.

[235] The pusher mechanism 414 is arranged in a manner similar to the embodiments discussed above to slide the product along the surface of the trays 402, 404 while the product is being removed. Additionally, any of the alternate arrangements of the pusher mechanism discussed above may be implemented with stackable tray arrangements.

[236] To provide easy assembly and disassembly, the stackable product management display system may have a dovetail connection, such as a step-pit connection, a screw-thread connection, or a rivet connection, or any other suitable connection. The first and second trays have detents 416 to assemble the first and second spacers 406,408 to the first and second trays 402,404. Each of the first and second trays 402,404 may have their respective outer surfaces 406,408 to accommodate correspondingly shaped detents 416 located on the first and second spacers 406,408. Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 418 < / RTI >

[237] The detents 416 positioned on the first and second spacers 406 and 408 are spaced apart from the outer surfaces of the first and second trays 402 and 404 in order to assemble the stackable product management display system. Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 418 < / RTI > This provides a stackable arrangement that can be implemented with any of the embodiments discussed above.

[238] In another exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 53-57, the pusher paddle 500 may be mounted directly to the shelf 508 and held on the shelf by the end of the coiled spring 504. The pusher paddle 500 will slide along the surface at the top of the shelf. One or more dividers 502 defining a T-shaped configuration may be positioned next to the pusher paddle 500. In an alternative aspect, the base of the divider 502 may be positioned on the shelf such that the base is positioned below the pusher paddle 500. With this arrangement, the pusher paddle 500 can slide along the base of the divider. Once the dividers 502 are positioned far enough away from the paddle 500, the paddle 500 will slide directly on the surface of the shelf 508. The dividers 502 may define a number of configurations including those described herein and may be secured to the shelf using any known technique, including push pins, rivets, fasteners, adhesives, .

[239] In one aspect, the end 510 of the coiled spring 504 is positioned within a hole or aperture 506 located on the shelf 508. End 510 may define a spring tip that may further define any suitable configuration that allows the spring end to pass through hole 506 and be secured in the hole. For example, the spring tip of the end portion 510 may define a hook-shaped configuration that allows the end portion 510 to surround the edges of the hole 506. Alternatively, the spring tip may define one or more catches that hook into the edges of the hole 506. [ Other spring tip configurations are possible.

[240] Fasteners 512, pins, rivets, etc. may be used to further secure the spring 504 to the shelf 508, as shown in Fig. The fastener 512 has a second spaced anchoring point for the spring to hold the spring in the desired alignment when the paddle 500 moves back and forth on the shelf 508 during full operation of the spring 504. [ . ≪ / RTI > It will be appreciated that more anchoring points are possible, depending on the shelf type and the number and spacing of existing holes on the shelf.

[241] Referring to Figures 55-57, an exemplary mounting technique for mounting the spring 504 of the paddle 500 to a shelf is depicted. As shown in FIG. 55, the end 510 of the spring 504 is inserted into the shelf-shaped hole 506. End 510 may define a spring tip as described herein to hold end 510 at the edges of hole 506. [ 56, a spring 504 including a rivet or stud 514 in this embodiment is positioned such that a rivet or stud 514 fits within another hole 506 located on the shelf It is lowered on the shelf. This rivet or stud provides different anchoring points for the spring. 56 and 57, the spring 504 may define an aperture 516 for receiving another rivet or stud 518 to further secure the spring 504 to the shelf have. Due to these multiple anchoring points, the spring 504 will be secured to the shelf, and thus the paddles will be secured to the shelf. Also, due to these multiple anchoring points, the spring will maintain the desired alignment when the paddle moves back and forth on the shelf during full operation of the spring. It is to be understood that other anchoring techniques may be used to secure the end of the spring 504 to the shelf, including any of the techniques described herein, or any combination of the techniques described herein. It should be appreciated that one or more holes may be drilled into the shelf at the desired locations unless the shelf has existing holes that can be used to anchor the spring 504.

[242] It can be appreciated that in the embodiment depicted in Figures 53- 57, trackless pusher paddles can be retrofitted directly onto existing shop shelves with minimal effort or additional mounting pieces. Additionally, this embodiment is readily removable to allow repositioning of the pusher paddles at any location on the shelf to accommodate any size and type of product to be sold on the shelf. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that any of the pusher paddles described herein may be mounted directly to the shelf using techniques described herein, or by using any combination of the techniques described herein.

[243] In an alternative embodiment, as depicted in Figure 58, the display management system is comprised of one or more pushers 520, one or more dividers 550, and a front rail 580. The dividers 550 and the front rails 580 may be located on the shelf. The pusher 520 may include a pusher surface 522 and a pusher floor 524 as illustrated in FIG. The pusher surface 522 can be divided into a non-adjustable portion 526 and a pusher extender 528. Both the non-adjustable portion 526 and the pusher extender 528 can define a surface that can be used to contact the shelf product. Both non-adjustable portion 526 and pusher extender 528 may define similar heights and depths. The pusher extender 528 is adjustable from a position that is adjacent to and coplanar with the non-adjustable portion 526, as shown in FIG. Pusher extender 528 may be oriented downward toward pusher floor 524, as in FIG. The pusher extender 528 includes a position parallel to the pusher floor 524 and a position oriented downwardly from the pusher floor 524 and a position directed downwardly toward the pusher floor 524, And can be adjusted to various positions as well. In this manner, the width or height of the pusher 520 can be effectively extended for larger or larger products.

[244] The pusher extender 528 may rotate about an axis on the upper portion of the pusher 520. The notched wheel 532 (see FIG. 77) may be positioned behind the pusher extender 528. Pusher extender 528 includes a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 530 of FIG. 77) that fits into the notches of notched wheel 532. As the pusher extender 528 rotates about an axis, the protrusion rotates at various intervals within the notches of the notched wheel 532, similar to the pawl and ratchet mechanism. Each notch exhibiting a different position relative to the pusher extender 528. In each separate position, the pusher extender 528 can be held stationary and force is required to move the pusher extender 528 to a different position. In an exemplary aspect of an embodiment, the pusher extender may rotate from one of a first position adjacent the non-adjustable portion 526 to one of a plurality of second positions that may be located within a range of approximately 180 degrees relative to the first position have. The adjustment angle can vary depending on the number, size and spacing of the notches on the notched wheel. The pusher extender may define a lightener aperture through the wall of the pusher extender to reduce the weight of the pusher extender and to reduce the moment created about the axis of the pusher extender. The pusher extender may define a soft or textured pusher surface.

[245] 59, a biasing element such as a coil spring 534 may be retained in the rear portion of the pusher 520. As shown in FIG. In an embodiment, the coiled spring 534 may be positioned adjacent to the non-adjustable portion 526 of the pusher surface 522. The coiled spring 534 may extend across the pusher floor 524 as shown in FIG. In an embodiment, the pusher floor 524 may include a channel 536 in which the coiled spring 534 resides. The channel 536 allows the product to have a spring and limited contact on the pusher floor 524. The weight of the product lies on the pusher floor 524 in this embodiment. The pusher floor 524 may also include a channel-free surface.

[246] In an embodiment, the divider 550 may be comprised of a divider wall 552, a floor 554, and a barrier 556, as illustrated in FIG. In an example, the divider 550 may not include a barrier. In the example, the divider 550 may not include a floor. The divider wall 552 can divide the divider floor 554 into two portions 559 and 551 (see FIG. 78), with one portion on each side of the divider wall 552. The divider wall 552 may also have a divider floor 554 on only one side of the divider wall 552. As illustrated in Figure 77, the divider wall 552 may extend vertically from the divider floor 554. The divider floor 554 may be a flat surface. In an embodiment, the divider floor 554 may include a channel in a portion of the divider floor 554. A coil spring 534 may extend across the divider floor 554. In an embodiment, the coiled spring 534 may extend across the divider floor 554 in the channel of the divider floor 554. In this embodiment, the product is not located on the coiled spring 534 but instead will rest on portions of the divider floor 554 adjacent to the channel of the divider floor 554. In another embodiment, the divider floor 554 does not include a channel. In one example, a single pusher 520 may be positioned on a portion of the divider floor 554 and a second pusher (see FIG. 84F) may be positioned on a second portion of the divider floor 554. Thus, one divider 550 may include two pushers 520, one on each side of the divider wall 552.

[247] Barrier 556 may be configured to block the pusher 520 and the product being pushed by the biasing element included therein. The barrier 556 may be positioned in front of the divider wall 552 as illustrated in FIG. The barrier 556 may also be located on the back of the divider wall to prevent over-storage of the product on the shelf. 59 and 77, the divider wall 552 may divide the barrier 556 into two parts. The barrier 556 may be perpendicular to the front of the divider wall 552. In an embodiment, barrier 556, divider wall 552, and divider floor 554 are single integrated devices. These three elements may also be integrated with each other. In the example, the barrier is separated into a divider. In the example, the barrier is not integrated with or integrated with the divider. In another example, the barrier is configured to engage the divider. In the example, the divider wall and divider floor are devices that are separate from one another and do not integrate with each other or are a single integrated device. In the example, the divider wall and the divider floor are configured to mate with each other. In further examples, the barrier may be connected to the front rail 580 or may include a portion of the front rail 580.

[248] As illustrated in Figure 61, the end 557 of the coil spring 534 may be positioned within the barrier 556. The end portion 557 of the spring can be folded at an arbitrary angle to the retainer of the spring. This angle may be 90 degrees or any other suitable angle that may be smaller or larger than 90 degrees. The end 557 of the coiled spring may then be disposed in the slot 558 in the barrier 556. If it is in slot 558, it will be in place of spring 557 and the end will help bias pusher 520 toward barrier 556. The end portion 557 of the coiled spring 534 may include a plurality of portions and each of the plurality of portions may be configured to position a subsequent portion of the end of the coiled spring at an angle relative to a previous portion of the coiled spring Have bends (not shown). The plurality of bends may engage the plurality of slots or apertures of the barrier 556 or other connection points on the divider 550 or the front rail 580. The plurality of slots or apertures may conform to the shape of the plurality of bends of the end portion 557 of the coil spring 534. The coil spring 534 may include a catch (not shown) at one end. The catch of the coiled spring 534 may be configured to prevent the coiled spring 534 from being disengaged from the pusher 520, for example, when the coiled spring 534 is extended.

[249] The pusher 520 can only be connected to the divider 550 by the coiled spring 534. The pusher 520 may be located on the top of the divider floor 554 and may slide across the divider floor. The pusher 520 may be configured to be fully positioned above the divider floor 554 rather than proceeding below the divider floor 554 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the pusher 520 may be picked up to the divider floor 554 as shown in FIG. The gravity and weight of the product resting on the pusher floor 524 maintains the pusher 520 on the divider floor 554. The product located on the coiled spring 534 also holds the pusher 520 on the divider floor 554. The only unified connection between the pusher and the divider may be the end of the coiled spring 557 held in the slot 558 of the barrier 556. The divider wall 552 can be used to guide the pusher 520 when the pusher 520 is moved up and down on the divider floor 554 (and vice versa).

[250] The divider 550 may define a groove 560 or other recess in the lower portion of the divider. Such a groove 560 or other recess may be a shape that is "u" as shown in Fig. 61 or may take a different shape. The groove 560 or other recess may extend across the entire width of the lower portion of the divider 550. In an example, the groove 560, or other recess, may extend along only a portion of the width of the lower portion of the divider. Groove 560 or other recess may be used to engage the front rail, the front wall of the tray, or other structures. The term recesses as used herein may mean grooves, slots, channels, indentations, depressions or other recesses extending inwardly.

[251] The divider 550 may also define a plurality of teeth 562 or other protrusions. The teeth 562 or other protrusions may be located in the front portion of the barrier 556. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 63, teeth 562 may define a series of outwardly extending angled surfaces that meet or join at apexes. As used herein, the terms teeth are any uniform, non-uniform, continuous, non-continuous, evenly spaced or otherwise unstretched, non-wrinkled, non-wrinkled, , And non-uniformly spaced outwardly extending surfaces. Additionally, the teeth can be pointed at the apex, defined as smooth, rounded, flat, polygonal ends, or any other suitable shape. Also, the surfaces defining the shape of the teeth can be flat, convex, concave, soft or textured, or any other suitable configuration. In an embodiment, teeth 562 are positioned on the extension from the front portion of barrier 556. The divider 550 may also define an elastic tongue or tab 564. The teeth 562 or other protrusions may be located on the elastic tabs 564. When a force is applied to the elastic tabs 564, the teeth 562 or other protrusions can move in the direction of the force. When the force is removed, the teeth or other protrusions will move back to their original position. The term protrusion as used herein can mean an outwardly extending protrusion, an elastic tab, a tongue, a bump, teeth or a plurality of teeth, ridges, knobs or other protrusions. The plurality of teeth may include a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions and a plurality of recesses extending inwardly between portions of the plurality of outwardly extending teeth.

[252] The front rail 580 includes a flat surface 582, a ridge or tongue 584 or other protrusion or engagement member, a channel or groove 586 or other recess or engagement member and a plurality of teeth 588, Can be defined. The ridge or tongue 584 or other projection or engaging member of the front rail 580 may be configured to engage a groove 560 or other recess or engaging member of the divider. The ridges 584 or other projections or other engaging members may fit within the grooves 560 or other recesses or engaging members and the dividers 550 may be attached to the ridges 584 or the front rails 580 in a vertical direction or in a ridge 584) or the front rail 580 at any angle (i.e., not vertical). The teeth 588 of the front rail 580 or other engaging members can be spaced apart. Front rail rails 588 or other engaging members may be secured to the teeth 562 of the divider 550 to prevent lateral movement of the divider parallel to the front rail 580 ) May be engaged with another engaging member or illustrated in Figure 63. [ The teeth 588 or other engaging member of the front rail 580 is engaged with the teeth 562 or other engaging member of the divider 550 and the divider 550 is engaged with the side shown by the arrow "A & Direction. The term engaging member as used herein may refer to protrusions, recesses, flat surfaces, approximate planar surfaces, or other items of construction that can engage other items of the structure. The front rail may be a separate structure attached or coupled to the shelf. Alternatively, the front rail may be part of a tray defining one or more of the front, back and opposite side walls. In this configuration, the front rails, as described herein, may be formed as part of the front or back wall of the tray and still accomplish the objects of the present invention. That is, the front rails may be formed as part of the tray walls (or attached to the tray walls) and may be received and engaged with the dividers and pusher mechanisms using any of the various techniques described herein. The front rail also need not be placed on the full front of the shelf. The front rail may be located near the front of the shelf or at a rear distance from the front of the shelf. In the example, the front rail may be located off the front of the sales display system, on the back side of the shelf, or near the rear side. The front of the shelf may not include rails in one example.

[253] When the resilient tabs 564 of the dividers 550 are pressed or urged on the resilient tabs in a direction away from the teeth 588 of the front rail 580, the teeth 562 of the dividers 562, As shown in FIG. The dividers 550 are spaced laterally in the teeth 588 of the front rail 580 when the front rail upper teeth portions 588 and the elastic tabs 564 on the dividers 550 are disengaged from the upper teeth portions 562. [ (I.e., the direction shown by arrow "A" in Fig. 65). Through the use of these elastic tabs 564, the products contained on the sales system 10 can be reflowed. When the divider 550 is moved in the lateral direction, the divider does not need to be rotated. Instead, the divider 550 is in a plane parallel to the flat surface 582 of the front rail 580. In addition, the divider 550 need not be lifted. The divider 550 can be moved simply in the direction noted by the arrow "A" of Fig.

[254] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider 550 and a front rail 580 configured to engage the front rail 580. The at least one divider 550 includes a barrier 556 and the at least one divider 550 further includes a divider wall 552. The at least one divider also includes a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, wherein the divider floor 554 is configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, wherein the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 is in the first position, (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 is moved in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction.

[255] In one example, the cam 720 includes a handle to rotate the cam 720 between the first position and the second position. In another example, the cam 720 may include a handle (not shown) that allows the cam 720 to slide between the first position and the second position. The cam 720 may also include one or more cam walls configured to engage one or more of the groove walls of the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The cam 720 may also include a plurality of cam teeth configured to engage a plurality of front rail teeth on the surface of the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The front rail clamps may be on the inner surface of the front rail 580. The sales display system may also include a pusher surface, a pusher floor extending forwardly from the pusher surface, and a pusher mechanism having a coiled spring with a coiled end and a free end. The coiled end of the spring may be positioned behind the pusher surface and the pusher mechanism may be attached to the sale display system only by a coiled spring. The barrier may be configured to receive the free end of the coiled spring. The front rail can define the front rail grooves and the dividers can define the dividers that are configured to engage the front rail grooves.

[256] In one example, the sales display system includes a plurality of dividers 550 attached to the front rail 580 and the front rail 580 and configured to separate the products into rows. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 includes a divider wall 552 extending vertically to the front rail 580, a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, and a divider floor 554, And a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, and the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 is configured such that when a plurality of dividers 550 each engage the front rail 580 and the cam 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the first position a) is laterally movable parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 is configured such that each of the plurality of dividers 550 engages the front rail 580 and the cam 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the second position (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail 580. [

[257] In one example, each of the plurality of dividers 550 is configured to move laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the product is positioned on the divider floor 554. The outermost divider force of the plurality of dividers 550 is such that when the cams 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 are in the first position each of the plurality of dividers 550 is positioned on the front rail 580, and the force is in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 and perpendicular to the divider wall 552 of the outermost divider.

[258] In one example, the sales display system includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and the front rail 580, and at least one divider 550 includes a barrier, And includes a divider wall 552 extending perpendicularly to the divider wall 552 and a divider wall 552 perpendicular to the divider wall 552. The divider wall 552 divides the divider floor 554 into a first portion and a second portion, And the second portion are configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a first pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion, a second pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion, and a cam coupled to the at least one divider (550) (720), and the cam (720) is configured to move between a first position and a second position. At least one divider 550 is movable laterally parallel and following the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the first position and at least one divider 550 is positioned between the cam 580 and the cam 580, When in the second position, follows the front rail 580 and prevents parallel lateral movement.

[259] In one example, each of the first and second pusher mechanisms of the sales display system includes a pusher surface, a pusher floor extending forwardly from the pusher surface, and a coiled spring having a coiled end and a free end, Is positioned behind the pusher surface. The first and second pusher mechanisms are attached to the sale display system only by a coiled spring. At least one of the dividers may define a divider engagement member, at least one of the front rails may define a front rail engagement member, and the divider engagement member may be configured to engage the front rail engagement member. The divider engagement member may define divider teeth portions on at least one surface of the divider engagement member and the front rail engagement member may define front rail teeth on at least one surface of the front rail engagement member. The divider teeth can be configured to engage the front rail teeth.

[260] The sales display system includes at least one divider 550 configured to be attached to the front rail 580 and the front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 to be engaged with the front rail 580. In one example, A divider wall 552 extending perpendicularly to the front rail 580 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 554 is configured to hold the product. The display system may also include an elastic tab coupled to the divider 550, and the elastic tab is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one divider 550 is laterally fixed parallel to the front rail 580 when the elastic tabs are in the first position. At least one divider 550 is laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the elastic tab is in the second position.

[261] In one example, the divider 550 includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the front rail 580. The divider teeth can be configured to engage corresponding teeth on the front rail 580. The dividing teeth of the sales display system can be configured to engage the resilient surface on the front rail 580. [

[262] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580, a front rail 580 including at least one first projection and at least one first recess, at least one At least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552 and at least one divider 550 includes at least one And the at least one second projection of the divider (550) is configured to move between the first position and the second position. At least one first protrusion of the front rail 580 engages at least one second recess of the divider 550 and at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 engages the first (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail 580 when in position At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that at least one first projection of the front rail engages at least one second recess of the divider 550 and at least one second projection of the divider 550 is at a second position (A) inhibits lateral movement parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) is fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. [

[263] In one example, at least one second projection of the divider 550 may include a cam 720. At least one first recess of the front rail 580 may include a groove. At least one second projection of the divider 550 may include an elastic tab. At least one first projection of the front rail 580 may include a tongue. At least one first projection of the front rail 580 may comprise a plurality of teeth. At least one second projection of the divider 550 may include a tongue. At least one second projection of the divider 550 may include a plurality of teeth. The sales display system may also include a plurality of teeth on at least one first projection of the front rail 580 and a plurality of teeth on at least one second recess of the divider 550. [

[264] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580, the front rail 580 includes at least one first projection and at least one second projection, and at least one of the front rail 580 The two protrusions are configured to move between the first position and the second position. The sales display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 and a divider floor vertically to the divider wall 552 554), and at least one divider (550) further comprises at least one recess. At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that at least one first projection of the front rail 580 engages at least one recess of the divider 550 and at least one second projection of the front rail 580 engages the first position (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that at least one first projection of the front rail 580 engages at least one recess of the divider 550 and at least one second projection of the front rail 580 engages the second position (A) laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) vertically fixed to the front rail 580.

[265] In one example, at least one first projection of the front rail 580 may include a tongue, and at least one recess of the divider 550 may comprise a groove.

[266] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580, and the front rail 580 includes a first projection and a second projection. The sales display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 and a divider wall 552, (554), and at least one divider (550) further includes a recess and a third projection. At least one of the second projection or the third projection is a movable projection movable between the first position and the second position. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when the first projection of the front rail 580 engages the recess of the divider 550 and the movable projection is in the first position (a) parallel to the front rail 580 (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when the first projection of the front rail 580 engages the recess of the divider 550 and the movable projection is in the second position, (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction.

[267] In one example, the movable projection of the sales display system may be a cam 720 or an elastic tab. The first projection of the front rail 580 may be tongued and the recess of the divider 550 may be a groove.

[268]  In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580, and the front rail 580 includes at least a first engagement member. The sales display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 includes a divider wall 552 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall , And at least one divider (550) further comprises at least a second engagement member. The sales display system also includes a third engagement member configured to move between the first position and the second position. The at least one divider 550 is configured such that when the first engaging member of the front rail 580 engages the second engaging member of the divider 550 and the third engaging member is in the first position (a) the front rail 580 (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. At least one of the dividers 550 is configured such that when the first engaging member of the front rail 580 engages the second engaging member of the divider 550 and the third engaging member is in the second position, (B) is fixed to the front rail 580 in the vertical direction. In one example, when the first engaging member of the front rail 580 engages the second engaging member of the divider 550 and the third engaging member is in the first position, at least one divider 550 engages the front rail (Such as shelf 596 shown in Figs. 70 and 71) only in a lateral direction parallel to the shelves 580 and 580; At least one divider 550 is fixed in all directions other than the direction parallel to the front rail 580 in the plane of the shelf; At least one of the dividers 550 can not twist, splay, or fish tail in the plane of the shelf; At least one divider 550 is perpendicular to the front rail 580.

[269] In one example, the third engagement member may be part of the front rail 580 or part of the divider 550. In one example, the third engagement member may include a cam 720 or an engagement surface. In one example, the first engagement member of the front rail 580 is a projection. The sales display system also includes a pusher surface 528, a pusher floor 524 extending forward from the pusher surface 528, and a pusher mechanism 520 having a coiled spring 534 having a coiled end and a free end . The coiled end can be positioned behind the pusher surface 528 and the pusher mechanism 520 is attached to the sale display system only by the coiled spring 534. [ The sales display system may also include a barrier configured to receive the free end of the coil spring 534. [

[270] In one example, the sales display system includes a front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to engage front rail 580, at least one divider 550 includes a barrier 556, The at least one divider further includes a divider wall 554 and the at least one divider further includes a divider floor 552 perpendicular to the divider wall 554 and the divider floor 552 is configured to hold the product . The sales display system also includes a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, wherein the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. At least one divider 550 may be fixed in the vertical direction to the front rail 580 when at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580. The cam 720 can prevent movement of at least one divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the first position. The cam 720 may allow movement of the divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The sales display system may include a handle to rotate the cam 720 between the first position and the second position. The sales display system may include a handle (not shown) to slide the cam 720 between the first position and the second position.

[271] 67A-67C illustrate an example of a step-by-step approach to the placement of the dividers on the front rail. To begin, as illustrated in FIG. 67A, the divider 550 is lowered to the channel 586 defined by the front rail 580. The force of lowering the divider 550 to the channel 586 causes the teeth 562 on the divider 550 to contact the top of the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 67B, And in a direction away from the front rail 580. The teeth 562 on the divider 550 may be inclined teeth as shown in Fig. The front rail 580 includes recesses 589 shaped to engage the teeth 562 of the divider 550 as illustrated in Fig. These recesses 589 are spaced apart by teeth 588 provided on the front rail 580. When the divider 550 is further lowered to the channel 586 on the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 67c the teeth 564 of the divider 550 are moved past the top of the front rail 580 And into the recesses 589 of the front rail 580. When the divider 550 is in the recesses 589 of the front rail 580, the divider 550 will be in the engaged position and will not move laterally under the amount of normal force.

[272] In one example, Figures 68A-68C illustrate a step-by-step approach to placement of the dividers on the front rail in another embodiment. In the initial stage, the resilient tongue or tab 564 is manually pushed backward, as illustrated in Figure 68A, to allow the tab 564 top teeth 562 to move back toward the divider 550. The axial style pivot causes the elastic tongue or tab 564 to be in the pushed rear position and the teeth 562 to be positioned toward the divider 550. The divider 550 is then placed in contact with the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 68B. Groove 560 of divider 550 engages ridge or tongue 584 of front rail 580. At this point, the divider 550 can be moved laterally along the front rail and allow for ease of reflow graining. However, the divider 550 is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 (i.e., parallel to the divider 550), and the groove 560 of the divider 550 and the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580, Can not be moved in this direction except for a negligible amount of motion. (The vertical direction to the front rail is noted by the arrow "B" in Figure 86h). This insignificant amount of motion may not be noticeable to the user of the system. While the divider 550 is in contact with the front rail 580 and the groove 560 of the divider 550 engages the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 68B, 550) move in the plane of the shelf (the shelf is noted as 596 in Figures 70 and 71) only in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 (i.e., the direction noted by the arrow "A & . The divider is fixed and immovable in the plane of the shelf under vertical operating forces in all other directions except the direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ The divider 550 can not twist, splay, fish tail, or otherwise move in a direction other than the direction parallel to the front rail 580. However, the divider 550 can move in a direction out of the plane of the shelf, such as the direction noted by the arrow "C" in Fig. 87b. The divider 550 with or without the product on the divider floor 554 can slide in the direction previously noted by the arrow "A" of Figure 65 without requiring the divider 550 to be lifted have. In the final step, as illustrated in Figure 68C, the elastic tongue or tab 564 is manually pulled away from the divider 550 forwardly. This movement causes the top portions 562 of the front dividers 550 to fit within the recesses 589 of the front rail 580. [ The recesses 589 of the front rail 580 are spaced apart by teeth 588 from the front rail. When the teeth 562 of the divider 550 are in contact with the teeth 588 and the recesses 589 of the front rail 580 the divider 550 is engaged and moves laterally under the amount of normal force I can not.

[273] In another example, the resilient tongue or tab does not include an axial style pivot that causes the resilient tongue or tab 564 to be in the pushed back position. Instead, the resilient tongue or tab 564 automatically retracts the tongue or tab 564 to its rest position when the force of manually pushing the resilient tongue or tab 564 backward is removed and the front rail 580 Away from the divider 550, so as to engage the front rail 580. In this way,

[274] In one example, the divider 550 is positioned in contact with the front rail 580. The engagement member of the front rail 580 engages the engagement member of the divider 550 which secures the divider in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 (the direction noted by arrow "B" in Figure 86h) The divider 550 can not move vertically to the front rail 580, except for a negligible amount of motion or spacing between the engaging members that may not be noticeable. The divider 550 is also fixed in the plane of the shelf in all directions except the direction parallel to the front rail 580 (the direction noted by the arrow "A" The dividers 550 can move in the plane of the shelf only in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ The divider 550 is fixed in the plane of the shelf in a direction out of the direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces and conditions. However, the divider can move in a direction out of the plane of the shelf, such as the direction noted by the arrow "C" in Fig. When the divider is "fixed" in the vertical direction to the front rail 580, this results in a substantially small amount of motion between the engaging members, where the divider 550 may not be noticeable to the user under normal operating forces and conditions Or in the vertical direction to the front rail 580, in addition to the spacing. The vertical direction to the front rail is noted by the arrow "B" in Fig. 86h. The second engagement member of the front rail 580 or the divider 550 is in the first position and the divider is moved laterally parallel to the front rail. The second engaging member is then moved to the second position, which causes the divider 550 to move laterally parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces (indicated by arrow "A" Direction). When the divider 550 is "fixed" laterally parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 will not be able to move laterally parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces.

[275] In one example, a plurality of dividers 550 are disposed parallel to the front rail 580 while being secured to the front rail 580 in a direction perpendicular to the front rail (direction noted by arrow "B & Can be moved as a group. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 may be disposed in contact with the front rail 580. The engagement member or a plurality of engagement members of the front rail 580 engage with the engagement members for each of the plurality of dividers 550 and this engages the front rail 580 in the vertical direction Each of the plurality of dividers 550 is fixed to the front rail (not shown), and in addition to a nonsmallly small amount of movement or spacing between the engaging members that may not be noticeable to the user, 580 in the vertical direction. The second engagement member (or a plurality of second engagement members) of each of the front rail 580 or the dividers 550 is in the first position and the plurality of dividers 550 are parallel to the front rail 580 To move to the side. The plurality of dividers 550 may form rows between the dividers 550 configured to hold the product. The product may be disposed between two of the plurality of dividers 550 as shown in Figures 45-47. A force may be applied to the first divider in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ This force may move the first divider in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 and cause the divider 550 to contact the product adjacent to the first divider 550. (The product can be taken as a candle or boxes as shown in Figures 45-47 and in different shapes). The divider 550 can then force the product to travel in the same direction as the first divider 550, that is, parallel to the front rail 580. The force may move the article to be in contact with the second divider 550 adjacent to the article. The product can then force the second divider 550 to move in the same direction as the first divider 550 and the product, i.e., parallel to the front rail 580. The second divider can then force the second product adjacent to the second divider 550 to move in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. The second product may force the third divider 550 adjacent to the second product to move in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. [ In this manner, both the series of dividers 550 and the products are parallel to the front rail 580 with a single force acting on the dividers 550 or only one of the products in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 Can be moved in one direction. The second engaging member or members for one of the front rail 580 or the plurality of dividers 550 are moved to the second position which causes the divider 550 to move to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces And the dividers 550 can not move in a direction parallel to the front rails 580 and the dividers 550 can move in directions parallel to the front rails 580 Will not force you to move to.

[276] In one example, when the second engaging member is moved to the second position, the second engaging member restrains movement of the divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. Under a force less than or equal to the predefined positive force, the second engagement member prevents the divider 550 from moving in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. When the amount of force exceeding the amount of the predefined force is applied to the divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 moves laterally parallel to the front rail 580 .

[277] In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 66, the thickness of the divider floor 554 is variable. The thickness of the front portion of the divider floor 554 adjacent to the flat surface 582 of the front rail is less than the thickness of the rear portion further back of the divider floor 554 not adjacent to the flat surface 582 of the front rail. As shown in FIG. 67, the portion of the divider floor 554A is thinner than the portion of the divider floor 554B. In one example, the thickness of the front portion of the divider floor adjacent to the flat surface 582 of the front rail 580 is greater than the thickness of the back portion of the divider floor 554, which is the non-adjacent flat surface 582 of the front rail 580 Gt;

[278] An embodiment as illustrated in Figures 69A and 69B includes rail mounting clips 590 for the front rail 580. [ As illustrated in Figure 69 (b), the front rail 580 includes an aperture 592. This aperture 592 can be adjusted to be positioned at the positions of the apertures 595 on the shelf 596 in the retail environment, as shown in FIG. The rail mounting clips 590 may be curved. The rail mounting clips 590 also include a narrow portion 594 at one end of the rail mounting clips 590. The rail mounting clips 590 are inserted into the wider rounded portion of the aperture 592 of the front rail 580 and into the shelves 596 on the apertures 595 in a retail environment, . The rail mounting clips 590 may then be laterally shifted to a narrower portion within the aperture 592 of the front rail 580. By shifting the rail mounting clips 590, the wider rounded portion of the rail mounting clips 590 will engage the narrower portion of the aperture 592 of the front rail and lock in place. Whereby the rail mounting clips 590 hold the front rail 580 in place and prevent the front rail 580 from moving laterally. If the shop shelf is known to have holes before shipment, the rail mounting clips 590 may be inserted and locked into the front rail 580 prior to shipment. Inserting the rail mounting clips 590 prior to shipment can add ease of installation of the sales system in a shop environment.

[279] In at least one embodiment, the height of the divider wall 552 may be greater than the height of the barrier 556, as shown in Figures 72 and 73. 74 further displays the end 557 of the coiled spring 534 held within the barrier 556. As shown in Fig. The end 557 of the spring 534 is bent at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the rest of the spring body 534. [ End 557 is disposed within slot 558 held within barrier 556.

[280] In one embodiment, the divider 550 includes teeth 600 as illustrated in FIGS. 72 and 73. In FIG. These teeth may be molded to integrate with the divider 550. Teeth portions 600 are not held on elastic taps or tongues in other embodiments. The teeth portions 600 are spaced apart from each other. A plurality of teeth portions 600 may be disposed on the divider 550 at the bottom of the front portion of the divider 550 and the front portion of the barrier 556.

[281] As illustrated in FIG. 75, the front rail 610 may include a plurality of teeth 612. The teeth 612 of the front rail 610 can be used to secure the teeth 600 of the divider 550 using the use and camming action of the cam bar 622 of the front rail 610, Can be designed to be releasably engaged. The front rail 610 also includes a substantially even or flat flat surface 614 and a tongue or ridge 616 perpendicular to the flat surface 614, as illustrated in FIG. The front rail 610 further includes a cam bar lever 618 that moves the cam bar 622 in the front rail 610, as shown in Figs. 76A and 76B. 76A, the cam bar lever 618 is in a first position in which the teeth 612 of the front rail 610 are retracted toward the front rail 610 away from the divider. 76B, the cam bar lever 618 is in the second position in which the teeth 612 of the front rail 610 extend toward the divider 550. [

[282] 77 shows an exploded view of some aspects of an embodiment. The front rail 610 is shown to include an extruded shell 620, a cam bar 622, and a tooth bar 624. The tooth bar 624 includes a plurality of teeth 612. The extruded shell 620 includes a cam area 626 that is designed to house the cam bar 622 and the tooth bar 624. The cam bar 622 is positioned on the base of the front rail 610 adjacent the extruded shell 620. The cam bar 624 contacts the cam bar lever 618. The cam bar lever 618 may be operable to move back and forth the cam bar 622 laterally. The cam bar 622 further includes elongated cam reservoirs 628. The cam reservoirs 628 are diagonally from the front end of the cam reservoir 628 closer to the front end of the front rail 610 and the rear end of the further reservoir 628 from the front end of the front rail 610 .

[283] The teeth bar 624 may include cam studs 630. The tooth bar cam studs 630 are disposed in the cam bar reservoirs 628 during operation of the front rail 610. As the cam bar 622 and the cam bar reservoirs 628 move sideways, the tooth bar cam studs 630 move in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the cam bar 622. The cam follower studs 630 are configured to move toward the front of the front rail 610 (and away from the teeth 600 of the divider) when the cam bar 622 moves sideways in the cam area 626 And toward the front of the front rail 610 (and towards the teeth 600 of the divider). As the tooth bar cam studs 630 move, the teeth bar 624 also moves. Thus, when the cam bar lever 618 is moved from the first position to the second position, it moves the cam bar 622 laterally along the inside of the front rail 610. This lateral movement of the cam bar 622 causes the tooth bar 624 and the teeth 612 thereon to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the cam bar 622; That is, the tooth bar 624 moves toward or away from the front of the front rail 610 and toward or away from the teeth 600 on the divider 550. 78 shows a rear exploded view of some aspects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 77;

[284] 79A-79C illustrate examples of a step-by-step guide for the placement of the dividers 550 on the front rail 610. Fig. The divider 550 including the teeth 600 on the divider is lowered to the channel 640 of the front rail 610 as illustrated in Figure 79A. The tooth bar 624 is initially in a position closer to the front of the front rail 610 and the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 550. The cam bar lever 618 is in a first position to hold the tooth 612 of the tooth bar 624 away from engagement with the divider teeth portions 600 as illustrated in Figure 79B. In this position, the divider 550 can be laterally moved along the ridge or tongue 616 of the front rail 610. The divider 550 may have a product positioned on the divider floor 554 when the divider 550 is laterally moved along the front rail in the direction shown in Figure 77 by the arrow "A ". The ridges 584 or other projections of the front rail 580 can engage the grooves 560 or other recesses of the divider 550 to secure the divider 550 and can be engaged with the ridges It is possible to prevent the divider from moving in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 in a meaninglessly small amount of movement (for example, less than 3 mm) between the grooves 560 and 584 and the groove 560. The cam bar lever 618 is then moved from the first position to the second position. The movement of the cam bar lever 618 causes the cam bar 622 to move laterally within the extruded shell 620. The movement of the cam bar 622 includes the movement of the diagonal cam bar reservoirs 628 in a lateral direction. The movement of the cam bar reservoirs 628 in turn is as illustrated in Figure 79C so that the cam bar cam studs 630 are positioned perpendicular to the direction of the cam bar 622 and towards the teeth 600 side of the divider 550 Direction. The tooth bar cam studs 630 may be coupled to and integrated with the tooth bar 624. Thus, movement of the tooth bar cam studs 630 causes the tooth bar 624 and the teeth 612 included therein to move toward the teeth 600 of the divider. This movement causes the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 to engage with the teeth 600 of the divider. When the teeth 612 of the tooth bar are engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider, the dividers 550 are releasably engaged and move to the side shown by arrow "A" of FIG. 77 under normal operating forces and conditions You will not be able to move in the direction.

[285] The tooth bar 624 is secured on its ends so that the tooth bar 624 can only move in a direction toward or away from the teeth 600 of the divider. The tooth bar 624 can not move in the lateral direction shown in Fig. 77 by the arrow "A ". The cam bar 622 operates in an opposite manner. The cam bar 622 is fixed so that the cam bar 622 can move only in the lateral direction shown in Fig. 77 by the arrow "A ". The cam bar can not be moved toward or away from the divider upper teeth portions 600.

[286] 80 provides an isometric view of aspects of an embodiment. When the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 engage the teeth 600 of the divider, the entire sales system 10 is locked. The front rail 610 and the dividers 550 are releasably engaged with one another and will not move relative to one another. In addition, the pusher 520 is engaged with the divider 550. In this position, the entire sales system 10 can be moved. The sales system 10 may be set up at a remote location and then locked according to a particular planogram. The sales system 10 may then be shipped to a storage location. At the storage location, the vending system 10 may be removed from the shipping container and placed on a shelf such as a mat. The sales system 10 is locked while the plano grading of the dividers 550 is intact.

[287] In one example, the display system is assembled at a remote location away from the shelf and then moved to the shelf as a unit and secured to the shelf. The plurality of dividers 550 engage the front rail 580 in such a way that they are fixed and do not move significantly in the vertical direction to the front rail 580. The plurality of dividers 550) is adjusted laterally parallel to the front rail 580 according to a pre-planned planogram or other arrangement. The plurality of dividers 550 includes engagement members and the front rail 580 includes engagement members. The engagement members on the plurality of dividers 550 and / or the engagement members on the front rail 580 may be arranged in a plurality of dividers 550 so that the plurality of dividers can not move in any direction with respect to the front rail 580. [ Is adjusted from the first position to the second position to fix the front rail 580 to the front rail 580. [ The front rail 580 and the plurality of dividers 550 are then moved to the shelf as a unit. The front rail 580 is then secured to the shelf.

[288] In order to change the plano grading of the sales system at the storage location, the dividers 550 and the product need not be removed from the shelf. The cam bar lever 618 or other engagement member for each of the dividers 550 can be moved to its initial position. By moving the cam bar lever 618 or other engaging member to its initial position, the teeth 612 of the teeth bar 624 are unwound from the teeth 600 of the divider (or one engaging member is engaged with another engaging member) Lt; / RTI > In this position, the dividers 550 can be shifted laterally in the direction indicated by the arrow "A" in Fig. The product may be in place on the divider floors 554 and the pusher floors 524 and the dividers 550 are moved. If the dividers 550 have been moved to the new planogram position, the cam bar lever 618 or other engaging member for each of the dividers 550 can be moved to its second position. The teeth 612 of the tooth bar 622 will then engage teeth 600 of the divider 550 (or one engaging member will engage the other engaging member) Lt; / RTI >

[289] In one example, the operation of the camming operation is further illustrated in Figures 81A and 81B. 81A shows the teeth 600 of the divider that are not engaged with the teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624. FIG. In an embodiment, the cam bar 622 is adjacent to the front wall of the front rail 610. 81b, the cam bar lever 618 has been moved to the second position and the cam bar 622 has been moved laterally and the tooth bar cam studs 630 have been moved towards the divider 550. [ The teeth 612 of the tooth bar 624 are also moved toward the divider 550 and engaged with the divider teeth 600.

[290] In one embodiment, the soft rubber pads can be used at the locations of the teeth 612 on the tooth bar 624 and can function as an engaging member. In this embodiment, when the tooth bar 624 is adjacent to the front portion of the front rail 610, the soft rubber pads and the divider teeth portions 600 are not in contact with each other. When the cam bar lever 618 is moved to its second position and the cam bar 622 moves the tooth bar 624 in the direction of the divider teeth portions 600, And is engaged by the contact. This contact provides resistive interference and keeps the divider teeth 600 in place and the divider 550 prevents lateral movement in the direction noted in Figure 77 by the arrow "A ".

[291] In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 82a-82c, the divider 550 is in contact with the front rail 580 through the use of a clamp and is held in place. 82A-82C illustrate a step-wise process for inserting the divider 550 into the front rail 580. FIG. Initially, as illustrated in Figure 82a, the divider 550 is lowered to the channel 640 formed in the front rail 580 (or 610). In addition, the ridge or tongue 644 of the front rail 580 contacts the channel 645 of the divider 550. The divider 550 includes bumps or outwardly extending ridges 650 in the front portion of the divider 550. The clamp 652 on the front rail 580 is rotated to engage the bump 650 of the divider 550. Clamp 652 snaps over bump 650 and locks bump 650 and divider 550 in place. When releasably engaged, the divider 550 can not move in the lateral direction noted in FIG. 80 by the arrow "A ". To move the divider 550, the clamp 652 must be engaged to pull the clamp 652 from the divider bump 650.

[292] In another embodiment, as shown in Figs. 83A-83C, the divider 550 is held in place by contact with the front rail 580 through the use of a rotary rod 660 including teeth. Figures 83A-83C show a step-by-step process for inserting the divider 550 into the front rail 580. [ Initially, as illustrated in FIG. 83A, the divider 550 is lowered to the channel 640 formed in the front rail 580. The front rail 580 includes a rotatable rod 660 that itself includes teeth. When the divider 550 is first lowered to the channel, the teeth of the rotary rod 660 are in a first position where they are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 550, as illustrated in FIG. 83B. The handle 662 is coupled to a rotatable rod 660. When the handle is in the first position 664, the teeth of the rotary rod 660 are in a first position where they are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 500. When the handle 662 is moved to the second position 668, the handle 662 rotates the rotatable rod 660 and the rotatable rod 662 rotates so that the teeth on the divider 550 And moves the upper portions of the rotary rod 662 to a position engaged with the teeth portions 600. In this position, the load portions are in interference condition with the divider teeth portions 600. When the rod teeth portions and the divider teeth portions 600 are engaged with each other, the divider 550 can not move in the lateral direction noted in Fig. 80 by the arrow "A ". To move the divider 550 the rod 660 has to be returned to its first position 664 and the teeth of the rod 660 have moved out of engagement with the divider 600 in the divider 550.

[293] In one embodiment, a plurality of pushers 520 and dividers 550 may be used with a single front rail 580. 84A-84E illustrate the use of two pushers 520 and two dividers 550 to push the product of the shelf toward the front side. The use of multiple pushers 520 may allow pushing of a wide product, as schematically shown in the figures. In addition, placing the pusher extender 528 in its upwardly extending position may allow the pushers 520 to push larger products or more products as shown in Figures 84d and 84e . In one embodiment, the divider 550 may be coupled to the two pushers 520. One pusher 520 may engage portions of the barrier 556 on each side of the divider wall 552 as shown in Figure 84f. In other examples, the divider may be coupled to one pusher or the divider may not be coupled to any pusher.

[294] In another embodiment, the divider 550 is partially secured to the front rail 580 through operation of the cam 720, as illustrated in FIG. 85 illustrates the cam 720 in a side perspective view coupled to the barrier 556. FIG. Cam 720 includes a rounded portion 722 configured to rotate within cavity 740 (see Figure 86g) of barrier 556. The cam 720 also includes a tongue 724 comprised of a first cam wall 726, a second cam wall 728, and a third cam wall 730. In Figure 85, the cam is in a position not engaged with the front rail. In this position, the first cam wall 726 may be in a substantially vertical alignment. In this position, the second cam wall 728 and the third cam wall 730 may also be substantially in horizontal alignment. The first cam wall 726 is connected to the second cam wall 728. The second cam wall 728 is connected to the third cam wall 730. The cam also includes a handle 732.

[295] In another embodiment, the tongue 724 has only two cam walls. A first cam wall, such as a first cam wall 726, and a second cam wall. The second cam wall is straight and spans the length shown by the cam walls 728 and 730. In this embodiment, there is no bend in the second cam wall. The cam walls may extend to one or more portions of the width of the divider 550 or may extend the entire width of the divider 550.

[296] In another embodiment, shown in Figures 92-94, the cam 720 can define a cam glide surface 733 (hereinafter referred to as cam glide) positioned on the bottom side of the opposite cam of the handle 732 have. Cam glide 733 serves as a low friction glide bump to improve the ability of the divider to slide about the rail. In operation, the cam glide 733 lifts the divider away from the rails to reduce friction between the divider and the rails, thereby improving the ability of the divider to slide about the rails. As can be seen in the figures, the cam glide 733 of the cam 720 extends below or below the bottom surface of the divider and is the contact point between the divider and the rail. In this configuration, when the divider is moved laterally with respect to the rails, the main contact between the divider and the rail is merely a cam guide, and most of the other parts of the divider and rail do not contact each other. This single contact point therefore reduces the friction between the divider and the rail.

[297] The cam glide may further define a flat surface extending outwardly from the rounded portion 722 of the cam 720. The cam glide 733 can be centered on the rounded portion 722 of the cam to provide stability and balance to the dividers with respect to the rails. However, it should be understood that the cam glide may be located at any other suitable location on the cam. The flat surface of the cam glide can be terminated with elongated edges that are sized and shaped to freely slide in the channels 586 of the rails 580, allowing for easier lateral movement of the divider relative to the rails. The elongated edges of the flat surface can define rounded or contoured edge surfaces to further assist the free movement of the cam glide relative to the rails. It should be appreciated that the cam glide may define other configurations that allow the cam glide to fit within or along the rails and also allow the slideable movement of the divider relative to the rails. For example, cam glides can define bumps or rounded protrusions or series of bumps or rounded protrusions that achieve the same purpose as flat surfaces defining elongated edges. While the cam 720 defining the cam glide 733 is depicted as being used with a divider, the cam and cam glide can be used with pusher or pusher assemblies or other components mounted on the rails.

[298] In another embodiment, the cam 720 defining the cam glide 733 may be mounted to the back of the divider or pusher and operably engaged with the rear rail mounted to the back of the shelf. In this embodiment, the cam 720 can be used to secure and prevent lateral movement of the divider or pusher relative to the rear rail, if used on the shelf. In other words, the cam and cam glide described herein can be used to secure the divider or pusher to the front rail or rear rail, or both, depending on the desired application.

[299] In an exemplary aspect, the cam 720 serves as a lock to lock the divider or pusher to the front rail or the rear rail, or both. When moved to the locked position, cam 720 will lock the divider or pusher to the rail and prevent lateral movement of the divider or pusher relative to the rail. In the unlocked position, cam 720 allows for slidable movement of the divider or pusher relative to the rail. In an exemplary aspect, cam 720 is rotatable or pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In another exemplary aspect, the cam 720 defining the cam glide 733 is configured to lock the divider or pusher to the rail and also to allow the side slide capability of the divider or pusher relative to the rail when the cam is in the unlocked position As a dual function to strengthen.

[300] As shown in FIG. 92, the cam 720 may define a rounded portion 722 configured to rotate within cavity 741 in the front face of the divider. The cam 720 may also define a cam surface 725 and a cam surface 727 to be engaged with the groove walls 754 and 756 of the front rail, as described below.

[301] In one embodiment, the cam 720 fits within the cavity 740 of the barrier 556 as illustrated in Figure 86G. In one embodiment, cavity 740 is bounded by side walls 742. The side walls 742 make the front surface of the cavity 740 slightly narrower than the width of the cam 720. The amount of force is required to push cam 720 through sidewalls 742 and into cavity 740. After the cam has passed the side walls 742, it snaps into position in cavity 740. The cam 720 may then rotate in cavity 740 and will not escape from cavity 740 or detach from cavity 740 during normal use. The cam 720 is rotatably fixed within the cavity 740. In one embodiment, cavity 740 is also bordered (not shown) at its front portion by a front wall.

[302] In other embodiments, the side walls 742 do not make the front surface of the cavity 740 narrower than the width of the cam 720. In this embodiment, the cam 720 can be located in the cavity 740 and can be removed from the cavity 740 without having to overcome the resistive forces caused by the side walls 742.

[303] Referring to Figure 92, in another embodiment, cam 720 defining cam glide 733 may fit within cavity 741 formed at the front end of divider 550 and may be bounded by side walls 743 Lt; / RTI > The side walls 743 make the front surface of the cavity 741 slightly narrower than the width of the cam 720. The amount of force is required to push cam 720 past sidewalls 743 into cavity 741. After the cam has passed through the side walls 743, the cam snaps into position in the cavity 741 and rests on the pair of cavity surfaces 747. The cam 720 may then rotate within the cavity and will not escape from the cavity or separate from the cavity during normal use.

[304] As depicted in FIGS. 92-94, cam 720 is rotatably secured within cavity 741. In this embodiment, cavity 741 also defines an opening or slot 745 that is sized and shaped to allow rotational movement of cam glide 733 within the cavity. The slot 745 is sized and shaped to allow the flat surface of the cam glide 733 to fit within the cavity and thereby cause the cam to rotate within the cavity 741. The opening 745 also allows the cam glide 733 to extend to the rail past the bottom surface of the divider. If present on the rails, the cam glide will lift the divider off the rails to allow the free slide capability of the divider relative to the rails, as described above, to free the contacts.

[305] The opening 745 also creates a gap for rotation of the cam glide away from the rail. As the handle 732 on the cam is rotated toward the front edge of the rail, the cam glide will eventually rotate away from the rail. The opening 745 formed in the cavity 741 allows this rotational movement.

[306] Referring to Figs. 93A and 93B, the divider 550 is shown lowered and disposed on the rails 580. More specifically, the front portion of the divider 550 is lowered to the channel 586 and the groove 560 is disposed above the ridge 584. [ The cam glide 733 contacts the channel 586 and supports the divider away from the rail 580, as shown in Figure 93B. In this embodiment, cam glide 733 supports the divider and allows freely slidable movement of the divider relative to the rail. There is a gap between the groove 560 and the ridge 584 and between the bottom side surface of the divider and the top surface of the rail, as shown in Figure 93B.

[307] Referring to Figs. 94A to 94C, which illustrate sectional views of the divider, cam and rail, the cam 720 always contacts the rail 580. Fig. 94 (a), when the divider 550 is first lowered onto the rail 580, the cam glide 733 contacts the channel 586 of the rail 580 and the divider is lifted up from the rail Up. 94 (a), cam 720 defines cam surfaces 725, 727, and 729. As shown in FIG. The cam further defines a cam handle 732 located opposite cam glide 733. 94A is a front rail 580 that receives a portion of the divider 550 and defines a rail channel 586 that is the contact surface for the cam glide 733. [ The rail 580 further defines a rail groove 750 that further defines the groove walls 752, 754, and 756 that contact the cam surfaces during operation of the cam, as described below.

[308] 94B, through the operation of the handle 732, the cam glide is in contact with the channel 586 and the cam surface 725 is in contact with the groove wall or surface 756 of the front rail when the cam is rotated, do. At this point, the cam 720 simultaneously contacts the rails at two points.

[309] 94C, the cam surface 725 contacts the groove wall or surface 754 and the cam surface 727 contacts the groove wall or surface 756 when the cam is further rotated through the operation of the handle Contact. In addition, the cam surface 729 will contact the groove wall or surface 752. The groove wall 752 serves as a stop for preventing further rotational movement of the cam 720. The handle 732 extends beyond the front edge of the front rail with the top and even the front edge of the front edge of the front rail. In one example, the front surface of the cam handle 732 is coplanar with the forwardmost portion of the front rail. There is a human finger gap between the handle 732 and the front rail sufficient for the human finger (i.e., finger or thumb) to access the handle. At this point, the cam glide 733 has been rotated up and away from the channel 586 of the rail 580 and rotated to the opening 745. The dividers are now in direct contact with the rails, the cams engage the rails and secure the dividers to the rails, preventing lateral movement of the divider. In an exemplary aspect, the cam 720 snaps to the rail with audible notification heard in standard adult human hearing when in the position depicted in FIG. 94C, indicating that the cam is locked to the rail.

[310] To release the cam from the snapped position or the locked position, the user simply lifts the handle 732 upward to release the cam surfaces 725 and 727 from the groove walls 754 and 756. When the cam is unwinding from the groove walls, the cam glide will rotate to contact the rail channel 586 again and lift the divider off the rail. The divider may then be placed on the rail via the cam glide and then moved laterally with respect to the rails, and the operation described above may be repeated. As indicated above, while locking and unlocking the cam with respect to the rail groove, the cam always contacts the rail and always contacts the divider.

[311] In one exemplary aspect, the sales display system may include at least one divider configured to engage the front rail and the front rail. The divider may include a barrier, a divider wall, and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall configured to hold the product, as described herein. Front locks, such as the exemplary cam 720 described herein, may be coupled to the divider. In an aspect, the front lock is configured to rotate, pivot, or move between the first position and the second position. When in the first position, the front lock can allow the slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail. In one embodiment, the lock lifts the divider away from the front rail. When in the second position, the lock locks the divider to the front rail and prevents slidable movement between the divider and the front rail. The cam always contacts both the first position and the second position, and the front rail at all positions between the first position and the second position.

[312] In one example, a lock for a divider, such as cam 720 or other locks, is located at the end of the divider. The lock may be located at the front end of the divider (i.e., the end of the divider that is closest to or contacts the front rail 580, which is always the end closest to the customer selected product). A lock, such as cam 720, may be in front of the divider wall 552. A lock, such as cam 720, may be in front of barrier 556. The lock is located on the divider floor 554 and when the divider floor 554 is located in the front of the divider wall 552 and the front of the divider wall 552 and the front of the barrier 556, (I. E., No additional product can fit on the divider floor), and is digitally accessible by the person refilling the shelf or reframing the shelf. (Such as cam 720) may be positioned on the divider floor 554 such that when the product is on the divider floor 554 and the product is on the divider floor 554, And may be located on the divider so as not to interfere with access. The cam handle 732 may be flush with the front end of the front rail 580 and extend beyond the front end of the front rail 580.

[313] In one example, the sales display system may include a front rail, at least one divider configured to engage the front rail, and at least one divider comprising a barrier. The at least one divider may further include a divider wall, the divider wall being perpendicular to the divider wall configured to hold the product. The sales display system also includes a front lock coupled to the front end of the divider. The front lock is on the front of the barrier and on the front of the divider wall. The front lock is configured to be digitally accessible when the product is on the divider wall. The front lock is shiftable between the first position and the second position. The front lock allows the divider to be lifted off and away from the front rail when in the first position and to permit the slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail. The front lock prevents the slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail when in the second position.

[314] In one example, Figs. 86E and 86F illustrate enlarged portions of cam 720 and front rail 580. Fig. Cam 720 may include texturing. The cam 720 may include teeth or other engagement members. In one embodiment, the first cam wall 726 is textured with teeth 736 and 738. The teeth 736 may form a bottom row of teeth. The teeth 738 may form an upper row of teeth. In one embodiment, teeth 736 and teeth 738 are rounded. In at least one embodiment, teeth 736 and teeth 738 form one vertical row of teeth. Removing tooth top image points can provide better operation and longer life for the cam teeth. Cam 720 can also be textured in other ways than teeth, such as roughness or other texturing.

[315] In one example, the front rail 580 includes a groove 750 as illustrated in Figure 86f. The groove 750 may include a first groove wall 752, a second groove wall 754, and a third groove wall 756. The first groove wall 752 is connected to the second groove wall 754 and the second groove wall 754 is in turn also connected to the third groove wall 756. In another embodiment, the groove 750 has only two groove walls. A first groove wall, such as a first groove wall 752, and a second groove wall 754. The second groove wall 754 is straight and spans the length shown by the groove walls 754 and 756. In this embodiment, there is no bend in the second groove wall 754.

[316] In one embodiment, the groove 750 may be textured. The groove 750 may include teeth. In one embodiment, it includes teeth 766 and teeth 768 of the first groove wall 752. Teeth 766 can form the bottom row of teeth. Teeth 768 may form the top row of teeth. In at least one embodiment, teeth 766 and 768 form one vertical row of teeth. The teeth 766 and 768 may be round. The teeth 766 and 768 may be disposed along the entire length of the groove 750. In addition, the teeth 766 and 768 may be disposed in the sections along the groove 750 with additional sections of the soft, toothless groove 750. [ Groove 750 may also be textured in other ways than teeth, such as roughness or other texturing. In one embodiment, the second groove wall 754 is smooth and the third groove wall 756 is smooth. In one embodiment, the second cam wall 728 is smooth and the third cam wall 730 is smooth.

[317] In one embodiment, the sales display system 10 includes a divider 550 and a front rail 580, as shown in Figures 87A-87C. The divider 550 includes a divider wall 556, a divider floor 554 and a barrier 554. The cam 720 is rotatably coupled to the front portion of the barrier 556. The cam 720 includes a cam tongue 724 and the cam tongue 724 includes a first cam wall 726, a second cam wall 728 and a third cam wall 730. The cam 720 also includes a handle 732. The front rail 580 includes a groove 750 comprised of a first groove wall 752, a second groove wall 754 and a third groove wall 756. Cam 720 is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position and when cam 720 is in the second position cam tongue 724 engages front rail groove 750 and engages with divider wall 5560 Is inhibited from moving in the lateral direction. The cam 720 may also be configured to slide between the first position and the second position.

[318] Figures 87A-87C illustrate the progression of the coupling of the divider 550 to the front rail 580. The cam 720 is moved between the first position in Fig. 87B and the second position in Fig. 87C. As described below, the cam 720 is configured such that when the cam 720 is in the first position shown in Figure 87 (b), the divider 550 is moved laterally along the front rail 580, To be moved in parallel. 87B, the divider 550 is vertically fixed to the front rail 580 and moves in a vertical direction, in addition to a substantially negligible amount of movement that may exist between the front rail and the divider, which may not be noticeable to the user of the system Can not. The cam 720 restrains the divider 550 from moving laterally along the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position shown in Figure 87c. In one example, under normal operating conditions and forces, the cam 720 is moved such that the divider 550 is laterally moved along the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position shown in Figure 87c (And the divider 550 is not movable along the front rail 580). In another example, cam 720 is configured such that when a force less than or equal to a predefined amount of force is applied to divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580, The movement of the divider 550 is prevented. When the amount of force exceeding the amount of the predefined force is applied to the divider 550 laterally parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 is moved laterally parallel to the front rail 580 do.

[319] 87A shows a divider 550 raised above the front rail 580. FIG. In Figure 87B, the divider 550 has been lowered and placed in contact with the front rail 580. The groove 560 is disposed over the ridge 584 and the ridge 584 is disposed with the groove 560. Grooves 560 and ridges 584 may be in contact with each other at this position. Grooves 560 and ridges 584 may also not always contact each other at this position. The gap may be between the surfaces of the groove 560 and the ridge 584 at some positions. The front portion of the barrier 556 is also disposed within the channel or groove 586. [ In Figure 87B, the tongue 724 of the cam 720 does not engage the groove 750 of the front rail 580. In Fig. 87B, the divider 550 can move in the lateral direction shown by the arrow "A" in Figs. 86F and 86H. The divider 550 need not be raised over the front rail 580 to enable such movement. The dividers 550 can be in contact with the front rail 580 and can move in the direction "A ". The product may be placed on the divider floor 554 during the process of moving the divider 550. The ability to move the divider 550 without detaching the divider 550 from the front rail 580 or removing the product provides ease of reflow glowing. In Figure 87b, the divider 550 is only in the lateral plane parallel to the front rail 580 shown by arrow "A" in Figures 86f and 86h, ). ≪ / RTI > In FIG. 87B, the divider 550 is immovable in all other directions in the plane of the shelf, such as the direction shown by arrow "B" in FIG. 86h, under normal operating forces and conditions. The divider 550 can not swing, rotate, splay or fishtail in the plane of the shelf and the divider 550 is perpendicular to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces and conditions. 87B, the divider 550 can move in the direction shown by the arrow "C" of FIG. 87B and thereby move away from the front rail 580. The direction shown by the arrow "C" in Fig. 87B is not in the plane of the shelf.

[320] 87C, the cam forces 732 have been rotated toward the front rail 580. [ In one embodiment, the cam handle 732 contacts the front rail 580. The cam tongue 724 is brought into contact with the front rail 580 and the front rail 580 is brought into contact with the cam tongue 724 from the cam tongue 724 when the cam 720 is rotated from its position in Figure 87b to its own position in Figure 87c. It deforms slightly to fall. The cam first wall 726 can be in contact with the third groove wall 756 when the cam 720 is rotated from its position in Figure 87b to its position in Figure 87c.

[321] When the cam moves to the position shown in FIG. 87C, the tongue 724 snaps into place in the groove 750 and the tongue 724 engages the groove 750. In one embodiment, the tongue 724 may be fully fitted with the groove 750. This complete fitting involves the engagement of the tongue 724 and the groove 750. The front rail 580 is not deformed and the cam 720 and the front rail 580 are not in tension with each other. The first cam wall 726 is adjacent to the first groove wall 752. The second cam wall 728 is adjacent to the second groove wall 754. The third cam wall 730 is adjacent to the third groove wall 756. In one embodiment, the cam walls and the groove walls contact each other. For example, the first cam wall 726 contacts the first groove wall 752; The second cam wall 728 contacts the second groove wall 754; And the third cam wall 730 contacts the third groove wall 756. In at least one embodiment, while the cam walls and the groove walls are in contact with each other, they are not substantially in tension with each other. In another embodiment, one or more of the cam walls are in tension with one or more of the groove walls when the cam walls and the groove walls contact each other.

[322] In embodiments in which the first cam wall 726 is disposed in contact with the first groove wall 752, the teeth of the first cam wall 726 engage the teeth of the first groove wall 752. The teeth 736 engage teeth 766 and the teeth 738 engage teeth 768. As shown in FIG. The engagement of the teeth of the first cam wall and the teeth of the first groove wall engages the jaws against the dividers that move sideways along the front rail laterally as shown by the arrow "A" (as shown in Figure 86H) to provide.

[323] When the cam tongue 724 is fully fitted with the groove 750, movement of the divider 550 laterally along the front rail in the lateral direction shown by arrow "A" And the divider 550 will not move laterally under normal forces placed on the divider during operation.

[324] When it is desired to move the divider 550 again along the front rail 580, the cam may be un-snapped from the front rail. The handle 732 can be rotated away from the front rail 580. [ The tongue 724 can be disengaged from the groove 750 and return to its position in Figure 87b.

[325] In one embodiment, the divider wall 552 has sections of different widths (see Figure 85). The front section 770 of the divider wall 552, which may be an adjacent barrier 556, may have a greater width than the back section 772 of the divider wall 552, which is an adjacent barrier 556. The front section 770 may be connected to the rear section 772 by an intermediate section 774. The width of the intermediate section 774 gradually changes from the width of the divider front section 770 to the width of the divider rear section 772. [ The width of the portion of the intermediate section 774 that is the adjacent section 770 is equal to the width of the section 770 and the width of the portion of the intermediate section 774 that is the adjacent section 772 is the width of the section 772. In one embodiment, . The smaller width of the rear section 772 of the divider wall 552 helps to prevent the product from being tied between the two divider walls 552 when it creates a gap between the divider walls 552 and is pushed, Help to provide a flow of product along the divider wall 554 when removed from the front of the system 10. In one example, the width of the front section 770 of the divider wall 552 is at least 25% greater than the width of the rear section 772 of the divider wall 552.

[326] One or more of the dividers 550 may be placed in contact with the front rail 580 in the embodiments shown in Figures 85- 87C. When the cam 720 or other engaging member is not engaged with the front rail 580, the dividers 550 are parallel to the length of the front rail 580 in the lateral direction shown by arrow "A" Can move. The divider 550 can then be secured in place by snapping the cam 720 or other engagement member into engagement with the front rail 580. [ The divider 550 will remain stationary under normal operating forces until the cam 720 or other engagement member is snapped or otherwise released out of engagement with the front rail 580. [

[327] In one embodiment, the front wall 561 of the groove 560 is textured, as shown in Figure 86k. Such texturing may be in the form of roughness or small teeth. The tessellation prevents the surface of the front wall 561 of the groove 560 from becoming soft. In one embodiment, the front wall 585 or other projection or engaging member of the ridge 584 is textured as depicted in Figures 86i, 86j, and 86l. Such a tessellation can be rough or in the form of small teeth and makes the surface of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 non-smooth.

[328] In at least one embodiment, as depicted in Figure 86i, the barrier 556 is a separate component and may be removably attached to the divider 550. In at least one embodiment, the barrier 556 may snap on to the front of the divider 550. In at least one embodiment, the barrier 556 is movable. The entire barrier 556 may be movable, or a portion or portions of the barrier 556 may be movable. For example, a portion of the barrier 556 positioned on the front of the product on the sales display system 10 may be movable. In at least one embodiment, a portion of the barrier 556 positioned at the front of the article may be configured to slide. In an alternative embodiment, a portion of the barrier 556 positioned in front of the article may be configured to rotate about an axis to cause the portion of the barrier 556 to be opened and closed. In this embodiment, the shaft may be a hinged connection. Additionally or alternatively, a portion of the barrier 556 can be a spring mounted on the divider 550 such that a portion of the barrier 556 requires an amount of force to move away from the divider 550. In this embodiment, upon release of force, the portion of barrier 556 will close or return to its original position. Exemplary methods for mounting the barrier 556 are described in further detail in U. S. Patent No. 8,056, 734, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[329] In one example, the divider 550 does not include a barrier. Alternatively, one or more of the barriers may be included in the front rail 580.

[330] In one embodiment, when the divider 550 is placed in contact with the front rail 580, the front wall 561 of the groove 560 is in contact with the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 The cam 720 is in the position shown in Figure 87B and the tongue of the cam 720 is not engaged with the groove 750 of the front rail 580. [ When the cam 720 is moved from the first position shown in Figure 87b to the second position shown in Figure 97c and the tongue 724 engages the groove 750 the tongue will move the divider 550 backward You can force it. In one embodiment, the tension between the tongue 724 and the groove 750 forces the divider 550 to move in the backward direction. The front wall 561 of the groove 560 contacts the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 when the cam is moved to the second position shown in Figure 87c. The front wall 561 is engaged with the front wall 585. The texting ring on the front wall 561 of the groove 560 engages the texting ring on the front wall 585 of the ridge 584. The engagement of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 with the front wall 561 of the groove 560 causes movement of the divider 550 along the front rail 580 in the direction shown by arrow & . The engagement of the texting ring on the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 and the front wall 561 of the groove 560 along the front rail 580 in the direction shown by the arrow "A" Thereby further suppressing movement of the divider 550.

[331] In one example, an elastic strip or bead may be included on the top surface of the ridge 584, or other protrusion, of the front rail 580. When the cam 720, or other engaging device, is in the first position, the elastic strip or bead is not compressed. In the first position, the divider 550 can move laterally parallel to the front rail, but not vertically to the front rail. When the cam 720, or other engaging device, is moved to the second position, the resilient strip or bead is compressed with the groove 560 of the divider 550, or other recesses. When the elastic strip or bead is compressed with the grooves 560, or other recesses, the divider 550 is fixed under normal operating forces in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. In one example, grooves 560, or portions of other recesses, that are in contact with the resilient strips or bits of the front rail 580 may include roughness or teeth (not shown).

[332] In one embodiment, the barrier 556 is not molded at the same time as the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 554. The barrier 556 is molded as a separate piece from the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 556 as shown in Figure 88A. The barrier 556 may be molded of a transparent material, while the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 554 may be molded of an opaque material.

[333] In one example, the divider 550 includes an engaging member that includes a flat surface. The front rail 580 may include an engaging member that includes a flat surface. The flat surfaces of the divider and / or front rail-engaging members include smooth or substantially smooth surfaces. The flat surface may comprise an elastic surface. The flat surface may comprise rubber strips or neoprene strips or otherwise compressible materials. In one example, when the engagement member of the divider 550 is in the first position, the divider 550 is not laterally engaged with the engagement member of the front rail 580 and is laterally movable parallel to the front rail. When the engagement member of the divider 550 is in the second position, it engages the engagement member of the front rail 580 and the divider is fixed and is not movable laterally parallel to the front rail under normal operating conditions and forces. In one example where the engagement members of the front rail 580 and the dividers 550 are smooth or substantially smooth surfaces and do not include teeth or other protrusions, the divider 550 may have additional side adjustability and an infinite or nearly infinite side It can have controllability. The side adjustability of the divider 550 is not limited by physical dimensions such as the width of the protrusions or teeth. The infinite side adjustability is advantageous because it effectively utilizes the side space and limits or minimizes the unused or lost space between the product rows, thereby potentially increasing the unstable space and side products facing on the shelf, to provide.

[334] In one embodiment, the barrier 556 may snap fit or otherwise engage the divider 550 as shown in Figure 88B. The engagement between the barrier 556 and the divider 550 is such that the barrier 556 is removed from the divider 550 under normal operating conditions and without adversely affecting the structure of the barrier 556 or the divider 550. [ It can be so that it can not be.

[335] Figures 89A-89C illustrate an example of a step-by-step approach to placement of the dividers on the front rail. In a first step as illustrated in FIG. 89A, the divider 550 can be lowered to make contact with the front rail 590. The rotary "T" lock 900 can be rotated to snap over the front rail 580. The rotary "T" lock 900 may be attached to the front portion of the divider 550. The rotary "T" lock 900 is rotatable about an axis 903. The divider 550 can be lowered and disposed to be in contact with the front rail 580 as illustrated in Figure 89B. Groove 560 or other recess of divider 550 engages ridge or tongue 584 or other projection of front rail 580. At this point, the divider 550 can be moved laterally parallel to the front rail and allows for ease of reflow glazing. In one example, the divider 550 can move along the front rail. The divider 550 with or without the product on the divider floor 554 can slide in the direction previously noted by the arrow "A" of Figure 65 without requiring the divider 550 to be lifted have. In the final stage as illustrated in Figure 89c, the rotary "T" lock 900 can be pushed forward and downward toward the front rail 580. The rotary "T" lock 900 can engage with the lip 901 on the front portion of the front rail 580. In at least one embodiment, the front rail 580 includes an upper front surface 902. The upper front surface 902 may include a texture or may be a rubbery elastic surface. Alternatively, the upper front surface 902 may include one or more teeth. The upper front surface 902 can engage a surface 904 on the rotary "T" lock 900. Surface 904 may also include a texture or may be a rubbery elastic surface. Alternatively, the surface 904 may include teeth that are configured to engage teeth on the upper front surface 902. When the rotary "T" lock 900 engages the lip 901, the divider 550 engages the front rail 580 and can not move laterally under the amount of normal force.

[336] 90A-90F illustrate embodiments of a divider 550 and a front rail 580. FIG. 90A, the divider 550 may include a wall 552, a floor 554, and a barrier 556. [ The divider wall 552 can divide the divider floor 554 into two portions 559 and 551 and one portion is on each side of the divider wall 552. As illustrated in Figure 90B, the divider wall 552 may extend vertically from the divider floor 554. The barrier 556 may be located on the front face of the divider wall 552. The bottom surface of the divider floor 554 may include a groove 560 or other recess, tongue 941 or other protrusion, and a front wall 561, as illustrated in Figures 90c and 90f. In at least one embodiment, the front wall 561 of the groove 560 is textured. Such texturing may be in the form of roughness or small teeth. The tessellation may make the surface of the front wall 561 of the groove 560 not smooth.

[337] 90D, the front rail 580 includes a flat surface 582, a ridge or tongue 584 or other projection, a first channel or groove 586 or other recess, and a second channel or groove (not shown) 950) or another recess can be defined. The front wall 561 of the divider 550 may engage the first groove 586 of the front rail 580. The ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 can engage the groove 560 of the divider 550. The tongue 941 of the divider 550 can engage the second groove 950 of the front rail 580. In one embodiment, the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 is textured. Such a tessellation can be rough or in the form of small teeth and makes the surface of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 non-smooth. The tessellation of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 can be engaged with the tessellation of the front wall 561 of the groove 560. The engagement of the front wall 561 of the divider 550 with the first channel 586 of the front rail 580 and the engagement of the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 with the groove 560 of the divider 550 And the engagement of the protrusion 941 of the divider 550 with the second groove 950 of the front rail 580 can maintain the divider wall 552 perpendicular to the front rail 580, Thereby preventing the portion from being splayed. In at least one embodiment, the divider 550 may be laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and / or along the front rail 580 when the divider 550 receives a lateral force.

[338] Front rail 580 may include apertures 951 and apertures 952 as illustrated in Figure 90E. The apertures 951 may be configured to engage corresponding engaging projections (not shown). In one example, the engagement protrusion may be a flat splicer. The corresponding engagement protrusions can connect together one or more of the front rails 580 in series. The connection of the apertures 951 and the engagement protrusion allows one or more rails 580 to be connected in series, even if the front rails 580 are not perfectly aligned with each other. The openings 952 may be configured to receive fasteners that secure the front rail 580 to the display shelf. The front rail 580 may include any number of openings 952 suitable for securing the front rail 580 to the display shelf. Any type of fastener may be considered within the scope of the present invention.

[339] In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 91A, the sales display system 10 may include a rear rail 810. The rear rail 810 may be located on or near the back of the shelf. The rear rail 810 may be similar in construction to the front rail 580 and the present disclosure of the front rail 580 is equally applied to the rear rail 810. For example, the rear rail 810 may include a recess 804, which may be generally of the "u" shape. In this embodiment, dividers 550 may be coupled to divider blocks 802. [ The divider blocks 802 may then engage the rear rail 810. The rear rail 810 may be a second rail of the sales display system along the front rail 580. The rear rail 810 may also simply be a rail of the sales display system. As noted above, the front rail 580 can be positioned at the rear of the sales display system and thereby function as a rear wall 810. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of divider blocks 802 has a cam 710 (not shown in Figure 91A) in the position indicated by the arrow in Figure 91A. This cam 720 can rotate from the first position to the second position and can have the same effect as the cam 720 of the divider that engages the front rail 580. The divider blocks 802 may also include other engagement devices that engage the back rail 810, including the engagement devices described herein with respect to the divider 550. The use of the rear rail 810 can keep the backside of the dividers 550 in place and prevent the product from moving to the position behind the pusher 520. [ To unlock the dividers 550 from the rear rail 810, the cam 720 or other engaging device is rotated away from the rear rail 810 and is otherwise disengaged from the rear rail 810.

[340] In one example, the divider 550 may be placed in contact with the front rail 580. The groove 560 may be disposed over the ridge 584 and the ridge 584 may be disposed within the groove 560. [ Grooves 560 and ridges 584 may be in contact with each other at this position. The dividers 550 may also be disposed in contact with the rear rail 810. Grooves or other recesses in the dividers 550 may be disposed over the ridges or other protrusions of the rear rail 810 and ridges or protrusions of the rear rail 810 may be disposed within the grooves or other recesses of the divider 550 have. The dividers 550 may be in contact with the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810 at the same time. An engagement device such as a cam 720 on the front face of the divider can move sideways parallel to the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810 while the divider 550 can move laterally In a direction perpendicular to the rail 810 (the direction between the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810). The divider block 802 may also include an engagement device (not shown), such as the cam 720 or other engagement devices described above with respect to the front rail 810. The engagement device on the divider block 802 may be configured such that the divider 550 can move sideways in parallel to the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810 while the dividers 550 are positioned on the front rail 580 or the rear rail 810 (In the direction between the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810).

[341] In one example, the engagement device on the front face of the divider 550 may be moved to the second position. In the second position, the divider 550 is fixed in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces. The engagement device on the divider block 802 may also be moved to the second position. In the second position, the engagement device on the divider block 802 causes the divider 550 to be fixed in a direction parallel to the rear rail 810 under normal operating forces. The front rail 580, the dividers 550 and the rear rail 810 can form a rigid tray that can be moved as a unit from one position to another. The front rail 580, the rear rail 810 and the plurality of dividers 550 may be preassembled and formed in a rigid tray at a location away from the shelf. The front rail 580, the rear rail 810 and the plurality of dividers 550 may then be moved to and latched on the shelf by one or more fasteners.

[342] In one embodiment, the sales display system includes a barrier that is moveable by rotation between a folded position and an upright position, without the aid of a rotational biasing element (such as a spring loaded hinge) that is transmissive to, for example, biasing a barrier into an upright position can do. Various exemplary aspects of exemplary systems that may include a barrier that is movable between a folded position and an upright position without the aid of a rotational biasing element are shown in FIGS. 95-106. In one embodiment, the system may include a divider assembly 550 configured to be fixed to a support structure. As used herein, the divider assembly 550 may also be referred to as a divider 550. The support structure may include, for example, a front rail 580. In one embodiment, the divider 550 may include a forward end portion 553 and a rearward end portion 555. The forward movement as used herein with respect to embodiments including a rotating barrier is defined by movement from the rear end 555 toward the forward end 553. For example, the arrow F depicted in FIGS. 99B and 100D is directed in all directions. Movement in the reverse direction as used herein with respect to embodiments including rotating barriers is defined by movement from the forward end 553 toward the rearward end 555. For example, the arrow F depicted in FIGS. 99A and 100C faces backward. The lateral movement as used herein with respect to embodiments including rotating barriers is defined, for example, by movement in the directions shown by arrow A in Figures 65, 100a and 103a. In one embodiment, the divider 550 may include a divider wall 552 having a right surface 552a and a left surface 552b. In one embodiment, the divider wall 552 may extend from the front end 553 of the divider 550 to the rear end 555. In one embodiment, the divider wall 552 may extend upwardly from the divider floor 554. The divider floor may include a top surface 554a and a bottom surface 554b. In an embodiment, the dividing wall 552 separates the divider floor 554 into a first side portion 559 and a second side portion 551 on each side of the divider 550. The first side portion 559 of the divider floor 554 is also referred to as the right side portion 559 of the divider floor 554 and the second side portion 551 is also referred to as the left side portion 551 of the divider floor 554. [ .

[343] In one embodiment, the barriers 556 are arranged in a folded position as shown by the example of Figure 96B for the right upper barrier 556a of the divider and by the example of Figure 96A for both barriers 556a, 556b And is movable by rotation between the upright positions as shown. In one embodiment, the barriers 556 may be connected to the rotatable mounting structure 563. In one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure 563 may be connected directly to the divider. In one embodiment, as discussed below with reference to the examples shown in Figures 102 and 103, the rotatable mounting structure 563 may be removably connected to the divider. 97, in one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure 563 may be a knuckle 565 and a pin 566 type hinge. In one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure 563 may be a flexible member, such as a flexible polymer or metal component.

[344] In one embodiment, the barrier 556 is positioned over the top surface 554a of the divider floor 554 when the product moves in the forward direction toward the front end 553 of the divider 550, As shown in FIG. 5A, when the movable portion 554 is in contact with the front end 553 of the divider 550. [ In one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure 563 is in close proximity to the front end 553 of the divider 550 and / or the divider floor 554. 95, 96A, and 96B, the barrier 556a is shown as being close to and connected to the front end 553 of the divider 550 and the divider floor 554. [ In one embodiment, the barrier 556 is connected to the front end 553 of the divider 550 and / or the divider floor 554, while the barrier 556 is spaced from the front end 553 or the divider floor 554 and / (Not shown). For example, in one embodiment, the barrier may include a front rail (not shown) so that the product positioned on the top surface 55a of the divider floor 554 can contact the barrier 556 when the product is moved in a forward direction RTI ID = 0.0 > 580 < / RTI > and may not be connected to the divider 550 but may be positioned sufficiently close to the divider. In such an example, the barrier 556 may be considered to be positioned closer to the front end 553 of the divider 550. In one embodiment, the barrier 556 may be closely connected to the front end of the divider and may be connected to the divider wall. In one embodiment, the barrier may be folded toward the divider wall when moving to a folded position (not shown).

[345] Referring to Figures 98A-98C, in one embodiment, the barrier 556 is configured to rotate between the upright position and the folded position. An exemplary upright position is shown in FIG. 98A and an exemplary collapsed position is shown in FIG. 98C. In one embodiment, the top edge 568 of the barrier 556 may rotate along the arc shown as B in FIG. 98A. For example, a force applied in the reverse direction R to the barrier 556 of the upright position may cause the barrier to move toward the folded position as shown in Figure 98 (b) to reach the folded position as shown by the example of Figure 98c Can be rotated. In addition, for example, the barrier 556 can be manually rotated by digitally pulling or pushing the barrier handle 567 to individually raise the barrier to the upright position or lower the barrier to the folded position. In one embodiment, the top edge 568 of the barrier 556 may rotate along the entire arc of B and C such that the top edge contacts the top surface of the divider floor (not shown).

[346] In one embodiment, in the collapsed position, the barrier 556 defines an angle C that is folded between the rear surface 569 of the barrier and the top surface 554a of the divider floor. In one embodiment, the folded angle C is between about 45 degrees and about 20 degrees. In another embodiment, the folded angle C is between about 30 and 15 degrees. The term "about" as used herein with respect to embodiments comprising a rotational barrier means plus or minus 5% of the stated value. In one embodiment, the fold angle is about 20 degrees.

[347] In one embodiment, the folding stop structure 570 is configured to stop the rotation of the barrier 556 towards the divider floor 554 and maintain the barrier at the desired folded angle C of the folded position. In an embodiment, the folding stop structure 570 is a protrusion that is positioned close to the lower portion of the rear surface 569 of the barrier. In one embodiment, the folding stop structure is configured to move the lower portion 587 of the rear surface of the barrier into contact with the upper surface of the divider floor (not shown) to contact the folding stop structure 570 when the barrier reaches the folded angle C of the folded position 554a. In one embodiment, the folding stop structure is connected to a lower portion of the rear surface of the barrier (not shown) so that the folding stop structure contacts the top surface of the divider floor when the barrier reaches the desired folded angle of the folded position . In one embodiment, the folding stop structure is an extension or pedestal or plate that is fixed or integrated with the divider floor 554. In one embodiment, the divider floor prevents the barrier 556 from becoming completely horizontal. The barrier 556 is configured such that when the barrier 556 is rotated in its folded position, the barrier is angled from horizontal. This angle can be between about 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or about 20-45 degrees, or between about 10-35 degrees. In one embodiment, the barrier has a horizontal portion and a vertical portion such that when the barrier 556 contacts the divider floor 554, the barrier 556 is at a predetermined angle relative to the divider floor. In one example, the stop structure 570 is not present and the barrier 556 contacts the divider floor 554 directly on the horizontal top surface 554a of the divider floor.

[348] 99A-99C, in one embodiment, a force applied in a forward direction to a product positioned and in contact with at least a portion of the backside surface 569 of the barrier 556 while the barrier is in the folded position, You can rotate from the folded position to the upright position. For example, referring to FIG. 99A, the article can be placed on the top surface 554a of the divider floor 554 while the barrier is in the folded position. In one embodiment, the force may be applied to the product to move the product in a forward direction toward the barrier, as shown by the example of Figure 99b. In one embodiment, the force is gravity. For example, a positioned divider 550 such that the forward end 553 is angled downward relative to the rearward end can cause the products positioned thereon to move only by gravity towards the forward end 553. In one embodiment, the force may be applied by the pusher mechanism 520. In one embodiment, the pusher mechanism 520 can be biased in a forward direction and can be configured to slide across the divider floor and move the product in a forward direction. In one embodiment, the top edge 568 of the rear surface 569 of the barrier is a trimmed or curved or semi-arcuate surface. The rounded edge at the top of the rear surface of the barrier assists the rotation of the barrier by sliding or sliding the barrier 556 over the surface of the product as the motion vector of the barrier changes as the product moves forward as it moves toward the upright position . In addition, for example, the rounded edge prevents the edge from digging toward the surface of the product packaging and maintains a low friction between the rounded edge and the product as the product moves forward and the rounded edge moves over the surface of the product. In one embodiment, the top of the barrier may include other structures to enable sliding of the barrier on the surface of the article, such as a roller structure. In one embodiment, when the barrier reaches the upright position, the barriers stop the rotation of the product in the forward direction and stop the movement. In one embodiment, the vertical stop structure is configured to stop the rotation of the barrier in the forward position and establish the upright position of the barrier. In one embodiment, the vertical stop structure may be a vertical surface 571 on the rotational mounting structure and an opposing vertical surface 572 on the barrier 556.

[349] Referring to Figures 100A-100D, aspects of the rotational barriers described in the examples above may be implemented, for example, in an implementation of a sales display system that includes a pair of dividers 550a, 550b and a pusher mechanism 520 Can be used in the example. The dividers 550a and 550b may define product pockets 573 between the opposing walls of the dividers. The product pocket 573 may be slightly wider than the product intended to be displayed on the system, for example. In one embodiment, the barriers may be positioned in the folded position as shown in FIG. 100B to enable placement of the product in the system. In addition, in one embodiment, the manual positioning of the product pasted to the front surface 556f of the barriers in the upright position and the pushing of the product in the reverse direction relative to the front surface 556f of the barriers, Position and allow the product to be easily inserted into the product pocket 573. [ In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 100d, when the product is positioned on the upper surfaces of the divider floors and on the front surface of the pusher mechanism and is positioned in the product pocket and then released, the pusher mechanism moves the product forward Pushing in direction F and causing the product to rotate the barriers from the folded position to the upright position, where forward movement of the next product is interrupted.

[350] In one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure 563 is removably connected to the divider 550, the front rail 580, or the shelf 234. In one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure 563 is removably connected to the front end 553 of the divider 550. 103A-103E, the exemplary removable rotatable mounting structure 563 includes a vertical stanchion 591, a horizontal cross beam 593, and a horizontal cross beam 593, 597a, 597b, respectively, coupled to the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the vertical stanchion 591 may be a vertically oriented slender long post and the horizontal cross beam 593 may be a laterally horizontally oriented slender beam. In one embodiment, the stanchion fabric grips the structure near the top portion of the stanchion to enable manual insertion and removes it from the divider 550 or away from the divider 550, . ≪ / RTI > The horizontal cross beam 593 is connected to the vertical stitch fabric 591 and the left section 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593 is moved laterally from the left 591b of the vertical stitch fabric 591 And extends from opposite sides of the vertical stanchion cloth in a crossing manner so that the right section 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593 extends laterally from the right side 591a of the vertical stanchion 591. [ The right turnable mount 597a is connected to the right section 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593 and the left turn mount 597b is connected to the left section 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593. [ In one embodiment, each section 593a, 593b of the horizontal crossbeam extends approximately the same length as the width of the individual side portions 559, 551 of the divider floor 554.

[351] In one embodiment, the rotary mount may include a knuckle and a pin-type hinge or a flexible member. In embodiments where the rotary mount 597a is a knuckle and a pin hinge, the rotary mount 597a may include a first knuckle component 601 and the barrier may include a second knuckle component 602, And second knuckle components extend through the first and second knuckle components to form a hinge for rotational attachment of the barrier 556a to the rotary mount 597a and the rotary mount structure 563 It is complementary.

[352] In one embodiment, the rotary mount 597a includes a folding stop structure 570a configured to stop rotation of the barrier 556a toward the divider floor 554a and maintain the desired folded angle C for the folded position . In one embodiment, the folding stop structure 570a is an integrated plate 603 extending from the horizontal mounting portion 597a or the horizontal cross beam 593a and the plate 603 is configured to define a folded angle C Or has an angled portion 615. In one embodiment, as described above, the folding stop structure is configured such that when the barrier reaches a folded angle desired at the folded position, the barrier stop structure is brought into contact with the upper surface of the divider floor 554 or plate 603, (Not shown) of the backside surface 569 of the housing. In one embodiment, the foldable stop structure is integrated with the divider floor.

[353] In one embodiment, the rotary mount 597a includes a vertical stop structure configured to stop the rotation of the barrier in the forward position and establish the upright position of the barrier. In one embodiment, the vertical stop structure may be a vertical surface 571 on the rotating mount and an opposing vertical surface 572 on the barrier 556. The vertical surface of the vertical stop structure of the rotary mount may be within the mounting recess 604 defined in the rotary mount 597a and the opposing vertical surface 572 on the barrier 556 may be located on the bottom of the barrier Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 605 < / RTI > The mounting recess 604 may have a complementary shape with the tab 605 to fit the tab into the mounting recess 604 when the barrier rotates in a forward direction.

[354] The staple 591 is configured to mate with the front ridge 599 of the divider 550 to removably connect the rotatable mounting structure 563 to the front end 553 of the divider 550. In one embodiment, And a mounting slot 598 defined in the stanchion cloth. In one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure is removably connected to the divider using a clip, cam, or other coupling structure.

[355] 104A-104G, an exemplary removable rotatable mounting structure 563 includes rotational mounts 597a, 597b coupled to a horizontal cross beam 593 and a horizontal cross beam 593. In one embodiment, can do. In one embodiment, the horizontal cross beam 593 extends laterally and has a length approximately equal to the width of the individual side portions 559, 551 of the divider floor 554. The right turnable mount 597a is connected to the right section 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593 and the left turn mount 597b is connected to the left section 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593. [ In one embodiment, as shown in Figs. 104A-104G, the horizontal crossbeam 593 is configured to have a low profile with the height of the beam above the divider block 802 being minimized. The low profile horizontal cross beam 593 can provide more space for the product to be inserted over the removable rotatable mounting structure 563 from the forward direction to the sales display system.

[356] In one embodiment, the horizontal crossbeam 593 may include a forward extension 593c of a horizontal crossbeam extending toward the front of the divider block 802. [ In one embodiment, the forward extension 593c of the horizontal cross beam 593 can extend forwardly of the front of the divider block 802, and when the removable mounting structure is secured in place at the divider top, And an extension hook 593e configured to extend downwardly from the front end of the forward extension to be positioned on the front face of the body 802. In one embodiment, the rotatable mounting structure includes a forward extension 593c extending from the right section 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593 and an extension hook 593e extending from the left section 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593 An extended forward extension 593d and an extension hook 593f. The front extensions 593c and 593d and the extension hooks 593e and 593f can help stabilize the removable mounting structure, for example, on the divider.

[357] In one embodiment, the removable mounting structure 563 includes a first plate 603a extending from the right turn mounting portion 597a or the right section 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593, And a second plate 603b extending from the rotatable mount 597b or the mounting section 593b. In one embodiment, the plates 603a, 603b may extend laterally from either side of the rotary mounts 597a, 597b. In one embodiment, the inner edges of the plates 603a, 603b support the removable mounting structure 563 to the divider 550 to removably connect the rotatable mounting structure 563 to the front end 553 of the divider 550. [ May be configured to define a mounting slot 598 that is configured to mate with a front ridge 599 of the housing. In one embodiment, each plate 603a, 603b may include a folding stop structure 570a, 570b. In an embodiment, the folding stop structure may include elevated or angled portions 615a, 615b configured to define a folded angle (C).

[358] 105A-105D, in one embodiment, the barrier 556 is positioned in the tab recess 604a defined in the rotary mount 597 when the barrier reaches the upright position, as shown in Fig. And an elastic tab 606 configured to engage. The resilient tab 606 is configured to hold the barrier in the upright position when engaged with the tab recess 604a. In one embodiment, the tab recess 604a is defined in the mounting recess 604. In one embodiment, when a rearward force is applied to the barrier, the resilient tab 606 is flexed and disengaged from the tab recess 604a to allow the barrier to move toward the folded position, as shown in Figure 105d. In one embodiment, the mounting recess 604 includes a foldable stop structure 604b. In one embodiment, the tab resilient portion 606 engages the folding stop structure to stop the rotation of the barrier 556 towards the divider floor 554 and maintain the desired folded angle of the folded position. In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 105A, the folding stop structure 604b may be defined in the mounting recess 604 and may be, for example, an angled portion.

[359] 106A-106B, illustrative aspects of an exemplary system that may include a barrier that is movable between a folded position and an upright position without the aid of a rotational biasing element are shown. In one embodiment, the system may include a divider assembly 550 configured to be secured to a support structure such as a front foil. In one embodiment, the divider wall 552 may include a divider wall extension 552a configured to increase the height of the divider wall. In one embodiment, the divider wall extension 552a and the divider wall 552 may include tongue and groove components configured to secure the extension to the divider wall. In one embodiment, the front edge 552d of the divider wall may be rounded. The rounded edge can for example prevent the product package from catching on the edge and tearing. In addition, the thickness of the divider wall can be increased to improve the strength of the wall and can accommodate, for example, tongue and groove components for the divider wall extension. Examples of systems using increased thickness of divider walls may be useful for heavier products such as canned soda cases that may require more robust aspects of the display system than smaller, lighter products. In one embodiment, the width of the system and barriers can be increased, for example, to accommodate larger products, which may require more shelf space, for example. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 106B, a collapse stop structure 570 is defined in the divider floor 554.

[360] In one embodiment, an exemplary method of refilling a sales display system is described with reference to Figures 100a-100d. 100A, the sales display system may include a first divider 550a and a second divider 550b. The first and second dividers may also be referred to as left dividers 550a and right dividers 550b. The first and second dividers may include first and second divider walls extending from a front end to a rear end of the respective dividers. Product pockets 573 may be defined between opposing first and second divider walls. The first divider may include a first barrier 556c positioned at the first half of the divider 550a and to the right of the first divider wall. And, the second divider 550b may include a barrier 556d positioned at the first half of the second divider and to the left of the second divider wall. The system may include a positioned pusher 520 between the first and second dividers. The pusher may include a biasing element for biasing the pusher in the forward direction (F) toward the forward ends of the dividers. Barriers 556c and 556d may be in a first, upright position, as shown in Figure 100a. Referring to FIG. 100B, the barriers 556c and 556d are used to position the product in the product pocket, for example, by digitally moving the barriers to the second position or by using the product to push the barriers to the second position, Position. ≪ / RTI > Alternatively, the product can be placed in the product pocket by moving the product directly above the top of the barriers in the first upright position and into the product pocket. Referring to Figure 100c, the product can be positioned by contacting the product pusher in front of the product pusher and the front surface of the product pusher such that the product pusher is in a position to move the product forward when the product is released. When the product is released, the pusher 520 moves the product forward so that the product contacts the barriers. When the barriers are in the second folded position and the product is in the product pocket and released, the pusher may push the product forward to contact the barriers and move the barriers from the second folded position to the first upright position have. As shown in Fig. 100D, the barriers stop forward movement of the pusher and product when the barriers reach the first upright position. In one embodiment, the product can be positioned in the product pocket by moving the product over the positioned barriers in the first upright position. In such an instance, the pusher may move the product forward until the product contacts the barriers in the first upright position-then the forward movement of the product will be stopped as shown in FIG.

[361] Referring to Figs. 101A-101F, in one embodiment, a sale display system including the rotational barriers described above may be used with an improved product tray to enable an efficient filling of the product in a sale display system. 101A and 101B, in one embodiment, the improved product tray 578 may include a bottom surface 574, a right wall 575, a left wall 576, and a alignment flap 577 have. In one embodiment, the alignment flap 577 may have a proximal end 578, a distal end 581, a right edge 583, and a left edge 587. The flap width D of the alignment flap 577 can be defined between the right edge 583 and the left edge 587 of the alignment flap 577. [ In one embodiment, the flap width D is approximately equal to the product width of the product tray 578. In one embodiment, the length of the alignment flap is defined in a direction perpendicular to the width D. In one embodiment, the length of the alignment flap may be variable. In one embodiment, the length of the alignment flap can be approximately the same as the height of the barrier 556 or the height of the product. In one embodiment, the near end (578) of the alignment flap is configured to be connected to the bottom surface (574) of the product tray. In one embodiment, the alignment flap 577 is positioned so that the product stored in the product tray can slide directly into the product pocket of the merchant display system, as shown in Figure < RTI ID = 0.0 & The product tray and the product tray are configured to be positioned between opposing divider walls of the merchant display system to align the product pocket with the product pocket. In one embodiment, a portion of the alignment flap may be tapered toward the distal end to assist in insertion of the alignment flap between opposing divider walls of the system. In one embodiment, the alignment flap can be used to move the barriers from the upright position to the folded position to enable the product to slide from the product tray into the product pocket of the system. In one embodiment, the alignment flap is positioned in the product pocket (as shown in Figures 101c and 101d) so that the alignment flap moves the barriers from the upright position to the folded position, (As shown in FIG. 101E), and the alignment flap is removed from the product pocket and removed from the contacts with the barriers. In such an embodiment with the pusher (as shown in FIG. 101E), the next pusher is moved in a forward direction so that the frontmost product contacts the barriers and moves the barriers forward to move the barriers from the folded position to the upright position You can push. When the barriers reach the upright position, the rotation of the barriers is stopped and the forward movement of the product is stopped (as shown in Figure 101 (f)) so that the frontal product is positioned at the foremost position of the display system. In such an example, alignment flaps are used to temporarily move the barriers from the upright position to the folded position for filling of the system. In one embodiment, the barriers may be physically removed from the system such that the system can be filled with the product. In one embodiment, the barriers may be configured to rotate from the upright position toward the forward direction, e.g., such that the top of the barrier extends beyond the front end of the divider in a forward direction. Such a position may be referred to as a forward folded position. In one embodiment, the barrier may be configured to rotate from the folded position to the upright position, and beyond the front end of the divider in a forward direction to reach a forward collapsed position (not shown). In one embodiment, the barrier rotatable in a forward direction beyond the front end of the divider includes a rotation stop, and as described above, with respect to the barriers rotating between the upright position and the folded position, Define angles with respect to. In one embodiment, the barriers may be configured to slide sideways, left and / or right. In one embodiment, the barriers may be manually positioned in a folded position, an upright position, and / or a folded forward position.

[362] In one example, the unbiased barrier 556 is connected to a divider floor 554. The un-biased barrier 556 is configured to be adjustable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the un-biased barrier 556 is configured to inhibit or prevent the product on the divider floor 554 from moving beyond the front edge of the divider 550. In the first position, the un-biased barrier 556 is configured to inhibit placement of the product on the divider floor 554. In the first position, the unbiased barrier is configured to be vertical. In the second position, the uni-biased barrier 556 is configured such that the product is placed in the divider floor 554. [ The uni-biased barrier in the second position is either horizontal or diagonal with respect to the divider floor 554 with the divider 550 or shelf or other structure. In aspects, the uni-biased barrier 556 in the second position is configured to be horizontal to the divider floor 554, or shelf or other structure, with the un-biased barrier 556; Or the barrier 556 unfaced at the second position is configured to be rotated or adjusted at a horizontal angle from the divider floor 554. [ The horizontal angle from the divider floor 554 can be 20 degrees, can be between about 10 and 30 degrees, or can be between about 20 and 45 degrees. In one embodiment, the unbiased barrier 556 is configured to have no spring or other biasing element that forces between the first position and the second position. In one embodiment, the unbiased barrier 556 is configured to be freely adjusted from the first position to the second position. In one embodiment, the unbiased barrier 556 is configured to be movable to the first position, to be in the first position, move to the second position, and to be in the second position. In one embodiment, the unbiased barrier 556 may be a spring that forces on the uni-biased barrier 556 to force the barrier unbased and unbiaseded to the first or second position, It is configured not to include any biasing mechanism such as a device.

[363] In various embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments as in the previous section, the product shown in Figs. 99A-99C or the product tray 578 or alignment flap 577 or product tray 578 or external objects such as human hands or fingers may move or force the unbiased barrier 556 from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position. The product or tray 578 or alignment flap 577 or human finger is positioned such that the unbiased substrate 556 is in a second position diagonally from a first position substantially perpendicular to the divider floor 554, A force may be applied on the uni-biased barrier 556 to move to the second position. In the second position, the un-biased barrier 556 is configured to allow the product to be placed on the divider floor 554 and allow the product to be refilled in a quick manner. After the product is refilled on the divider floor 554 the pusher 520 applies force to the front of the divider 550 and toward the front of the product shelf or other structure where the divider 550 is located. The pusher may be a spring-force pusher, in which a spring or other biasing unit exerts a force on the pusher, and the pusher biases toward the front of the divider 550. The spring or other biasing unit is not physically connected or directly in contact with the un-biased barrier 556. The article then forces the unbiffered barrier 554, which in turn forces the biased barrier to the first position. In the first position, the unbiased barrier prevents the product from moving beyond the front edge of the divider 550 or the shelf or other structure where the divider 550 is secured.

[364] In one embodiment, multiple products may be positioned in the product pocket of the system. The customer can, for example, remove the front-end product. In such a case, for example, the pusher may push forward the remaining product in the product pocket so that a straight next product contacts the barriers and stops forward movement of the product. In such a case, the product in the foremost position is replaced with a next product in a straight line, thereby keeping the product in the foremost position until the product in the pocket 573 falls.

[365] Referring now to Figures 107 - 135, an alternative, exemplary product management display system 1200 is depicted. In this embodiment, the divider 1202 and pusher 1204 may be larger than the embodiments described above to operate with larger packages on the perimeter shelves as well as shelves of coolers and freezers. These three applications typically require larger and more robust dividers and pushers than other alternative embodiments targeted towards smaller type products such as health and beauty assisted type products. This embodiment and the alternative embodiments described above can be mounted side by side on the same front rail, and the position can be moved and locked in the manner described herein. For example, the cam 720 may be integrated into the divider and then the display system 1200 may be mounted to the front rail 580, as described above. Pusher 1204 can be any of the pushers described above, or it can be a pusher mounted in or on a track on a divider floor. Pusher 1204 may include a coiled spring as described herein.

[366] As shown in the figures, the product management display system may be mounted to a rear row bar 1206 located on the back side of the shelf. The hanger 1028 may be positioned within the cavity formed in the divider and may extend the length of the divider. The hook end of the hanger can then be positioned on the row bar and the entire system can be cantilevered out of the row bar.

[367] In an embodiment, the row bar 1206 may be a square tube with a short bracket attached to either end that is fitted to the gondola uplites of the shelf system. When installed in gondola uplites, the row bar 1206 is usually only one inch or two inches from the rear wall of the gondola. Individual product trays, or sometimes only long hooks or hangers (e.g., hanger 1208) are then affixed to row bar 1206 and cantilever front. With the use of hangers, the need for a shelf is eliminated.

[368] Additionally, the use of hangers allows positioning product packages closer together vertically and provides the product with a "fluid" appearance that can often be desirable from a product marketing and management perspective. The hanger 1208 may be a metal support portion configured to be inserted into a cavity below or in a cavity formed in the divider. As shown in FIG. 134, the metal support can be an elongated substantially flat piece of flat metal. At one end there may be a large "hook" 1210 written on the row bar.

[369] In another aspect, as shown, for example, in Figures 116-120, the product management display system includes a pusher extender 1212 that increases the pushing surface of the pusher. Pusher extender 1212 defines a slender and long pusher body with a cavity. Pusher extender 1212 is configured to slide over the pusher wall, as shown, e.g., through a sleeve-like cavity in Figures 117 and 118. A pusher extender 1212 with an enlarged, substantially flat surface thereby creates an enlarged pushing surface for the pusher. Pusher extender 1212 may define a number of shapes and configurations that will provide an increased pushing surface for pushing larger products toward the front of the product display system. It is also contemplated that the pusher extender 1212 may be integrally formed with the pusher paddle wall in a molding operation or other forming process.

[370] In an alternative embodiment, the product management display system may be a stand-alone adjustable tray that may hang on the row bar 1206. [ In an exemplary aspect, each enclosure or pusher may share a divider and the enclosure or pusher may be adjacent to the divider. This configuration creates a more economical system. In other exemplary aspects, multiple envelopes can be lifted off row bar 1206 and moved onto another row on row bar 1206 or onto another row bar.

[371] In another aspect, the front of a single divider or multiple dividers may be tilted upwardly on row bar 1206 and the bar may slide along the front individually or as a group. For example, if a user drops the front end of the divider downwardly on the row bar 1206, the metal hook 1210 of the divider is snapped onto the row bar 1206 and the weight of the divider and the product on the divider are aligned with the row bar 1206 ) To hold the divider.

[372] In one embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 108, the divider may include a notch or cut-off portion 1214 on the back end of the divider floor, which may serve to place the divider on the flange of the row bar have. The notches or cuts can extend the width of the divider floor and thus create a contact line that extends the width of the divider. With this arrangement, the contact between the divider floor and the row bar creates a row bar and a contact line to further stabilize the divider on the row bar. As the width of the divider base increases, the contact line between the divider and the row bar increases, thereby increasing the stability of the divider relative to the row bar.

[373] In another aspect, as shown, for example, in Figure 107, Figures 114-120, and 125, a divider extender 1218 may be used in the divider 1202. [ 114, the divider extender 1218 may slide into the cavity 1222 defined by the divider 1202. [ For example, the divider extender 1218 may have one or more protrusions 1220 that can engage the cavity 1222 defined by the divider 1202. The divider extender 1218 can be used to increase the height of the divider wall for use in higher or larger products.

[374] 136 depicts another example of pusher extender 1224 and pusher extender 1224 is configured to slide over pusher paddle 1226. [ Pusher extender 1224 may have a cavity or pocket 1228 for receiving pusher paddles 1226 therein. One or more taps 1230 may extend from the cavity or packet 1228 and the taps 1230 may extend from the pusher extensions 1224 to engage the pusher paddles 1226 near the taps 1230, And may be arranged vertically on the rear surface. The region extending between the pusher extender 1224 and the edges of the taps 1230 is slightly smaller than the thickness of the pusher paddle 1226 to create an interference fit between the divider extender 1226 and the pusher paddle 1226 Can be sized. It is also contemplated that the pusher extender 1224 may be integrally formed with the pusher paddle 1226 in a molding operation or other forming process.

[375] FIGS. 137-143 illustrate additional examples of pusher extensions 1324, 1424 that may be used with any of the pusher mechanisms described herein. Angled pusher extensions 1324 and 1424 help keep larger products upright and prevent larger products from falling forward on the shelves. In these examples, the pusher extensions 1324 and 1424 may be provided at predetermined angles or at predetermined angles from the pusher surface or front retainer, such that the product is pushed to the floor. In this manner, the coiled spring of the pusher mechanism applies force from the bottom of the angled pusher surface to help keep larger items from falling forward on the shelves and to maintain the organic appearance of the sale display. This arrangement can also allow larger products to be more easily grabbed from the shelf by the user.

[376] In addition, a smaller retainer or barrier may be used with the pusher extensions 1324 and 1424, since most of the weight of the product when the shelf is fully loaded is removed by pusher extensions 1334 and 1434, . In this way, a better shopping experience can be achieved because the shopper can lift the product more easily over a smaller barrier. In addition, new products can be more easily filled on shelves over smaller barriers. However, it is contemplated that angled pusher surfaces can be used with larger barriers.

[377] A rear view of an exemplary pusher extender 1324 configured to slide over a pusher, e.g., a pusher 520 as shown in Figs. 106A and 106B, is depicted in Fig. 137 and a front view is depicted in Fig. Figure 143 shows a pair of pusher extensions 1324 that engage the pusher assembly of Figures 106a and 106b. As shown in Figure 139, the pusher extender may have an angled pusher surface 1342 at a predetermined angle from the pusher surface or front retainer.

[378] As shown in FIG. 137, the pusher extender 1324 may be formed with a cavity or pocket 1328. The cavity 1328 may have one or more taps 1330 and one or more taps 1330 may be provided to the pusher 520 to engage the pusher 520 adjacent the edges of the taps 1330. [ (Not shown). Taps 1330 may extend from a plane formed by vertical back surfaces on the back surface of pusher extender 1324. [ The pusher 520 or pusher paddles can be received between the inner edges of the planes and taps 1330 defined by the vertical rear surfaces on the pusher extender. Additionally, pusher extender 1324 may have rim 1340, and rim 1340 may extend around the circumference of the pusher. In one example, the taps 1330 can be sized slightly less than the thickness of the pusher paddle 520 to create an interference fit between the pusher extender 1326 and the pusher. Openings 1336 may be formed adjacent taps 1330 to provide shutoff during molding operations and may also be provided to the user for visual alignment of pusher surface 522 and pusher extender 1324. [ Can be provided.

[379] In addition, the pusher extender 1324 may have a series of protrusions 1332, and a series of protrusions 1332 extend from the center wall 1338 formed within the cavity 1328. [ The protrusions 1332 can be configured to align with the horizontal grooves 525 formed on the pusher surface 522 to provide a fixed pit of the pusher extender 1324 over the pusher paddle. Thus, placing the pusher extender 1324 on the pusher paddle creates a ratcheting sound when the protrusions 1332 engage the horizontal grooves 525 formed in the pusher surface 522. [ The ratcheting sound may indicate to the user that the pusher extender 1324 is properly installed in place. However, it is also contemplated that the pusher extender 1324 may be integrally formed with the pusher in a molding operation or other forming process.

[380] A rear view of another exemplary pusher extender 1424, also configured to slide on a pusher, such as pusher 520 as shown in Figs. 106A and 106B, is depicted in Fig. 138 and a perspective view is depicted in Fig. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 138 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 137 and 139, wherein like reference numerals represent like components. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 138, the surface area of the angled pushing surface 1442 of the pusher extender 1424 can be made larger to dispense larger products. Pusher extender 1424 may be formed with a cavity or pocket 1428. The cavity 1428 may have one or more taps 1430 and one or more taps 1430 may be provided to the pusher 520 to engage the pusher 520 adjacent the edges of the taps 1430. [ Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 1424 < / RTI > Taps 1430 may extend from a plane formed by vertical back surfaces on the back surface of pusher extender 1424. [ The pusher paddles can be received between the inner edges of the plane and tabs 1430 defined by the vertical rear surfaces on the pusher extender. Additionally, the pusher extender 1424 can have a rim 1440, and the rim 1440 extends around the circumference of the pusher paddles. In one example, the taps 1430 can be sized to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the pusher paddles to create interference pits between the pusher extender 1426 and the pusher paddles 1426. The openings 1436 may be formed adjacent the tabs 1430 to provide a shut-off during the molding operation and may also provide visual cues to the user for alignment of the pusher surface 522 and the pusher extender 1424 .

[381] Additionally, the pusher extender 1424 may have a series of protrusions 1432, and a series of protrusions 1432 extend from the center wall 1438 formed within the cavity 1428. The protrusions 1432 can be configured to align with the grooves 525 formed on the pusher surface 522 to provide a fixed pit of the pusher extender 1424 over the pusher paddle. Thus, placing the pusher extender 1424 on the pusher surface 522 produces a ratcheting sound when the protrusions 1432 engage the horizontal grooves 525 formed in the pusher surface 522. It is also contemplated that the pusher extender 1424 may be integrally formed with the pusher in a molding operation or other forming process.

[382] Figure 141 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary pusher extender 1424 in engagement with a pusher assembly 1400 of a sales display system, similar to the embodiments described herein with respect to Figures 95- 106B, 141 shows a rear view thereof. For example, in this embodiment, the pusher assembly 1400 may be configured to rotate between the upright position and the folded position and may have components and features similar to the barrier 556 described herein with respect to Figures 95- 106B Barrier 1456. < / RTI > It is also contemplated that the barrier 1456 may be fixed as described herein. In addition, the pusher mechanism may be similar to the pusher arrangement described above with respect to Figures 106a and 106b. In this embodiment, puller 1454 does not include a divider wall that can operate more effectively with larger-sized products in certain cases. Additionally, the pusher assembly 1400 may be secured to the front rail or may hang the bar through the cam mechanism as described herein.

[383] The above variations and modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of the described components may be used in shops and various configurations. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a single system, nor to the upright pusher configuration depicted in the figures, as the system simply illustrates the features, guidelines and principles of the present invention. It should further be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or apparent from the text and / or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein will describe the best modes known to practice the invention and will enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

[384] 144A-144B, an alternative, exemplary product management display system 14400 is depicted. In one example, the product management display system 14400 of FIG. 144A depicts a first pusher system 14401a and a second pusher system 14401b, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that the system 14400 may include any number of pusher systems 14401) so that the system 14400 can include a single pusher system, three pusher systems, ten pusher systems, and the like. It is noted that the pusher systems 14401a and 14401b are substantially similar to other pusher systems wherein the pusher system 14401a is depicted as the first configuration and the pusher system 14401b is depicted as a second configuration Described configurations described in detail). In addition, because the pusher systems 14401a and 14401b are substantially similar to each other, the discussion that follows focuses on the various elements of the pusher system 14401a and substantially similar components are utilized in the system 14401b It will be understood.

[385] In one example, the pusher system 14401a can be used to force one or more objects, otherwise referred to as "units of sale ", to the front of the shelf and / Is configured to be positioned on a shelf or surface (not shown). In particular, the pusher system 14401a may include a pusher 14402a configured to slide along the linear track 14404a. The linear track 14404a is described in further detail with reference to Figure 144b. In one example, the pusher 14402a may be similar to one or more of the pusher 520, and / or the pusher 1204 in particular. The lock arm 14406a is pivotally coupled to the pusher 14402a and the lock arm 14406a is positioned such that the pusher 14402a moves into one or more longitudinal directions 14403 and / And the like. This optional locking mechanism is described in more detail with respect to FIG.

[386] The pusher system 14401a further includes a full strip 14410a (otherwise referred to as a full rod 14410a), which may be one of the lengths 14403 and / or 14405, Is configured to slidably and removably engage lock arm 14406a to slide pusher 14402a along track 14404a in excess. Thus, the pusher system 14401a is depicted in a first configuration with the lock arm 14406a and the pull strip 14410a disengaged from the pusher 14402a, while the pusher system 14401b is depicted in the longitudinal configurations 14403 and / Or with a pull strip 14410b engaged with a lock arm 14406b to enable linear sliding of the pusher 14402b to one or more of the following:

[387] The pusher system 14401a further includes a pusher expander 14408a and the pusher expander 14408a may be similar to one or more of the pusher expanders 1212,1324, and / or 1424 in particular. Additionally, the feed system 14401a may include a barrier 14414a, which may be substantially similar to one or more of the barriers 556 and / or 1456 in particular. Thus, one or more of the units of sale may be configured such that the pusher 14402a is positioned within the display shelf (not shown), which may be described by the barrier 14414a along the longitudinal direction 14405, May be positioned between the barrier 14414a and the pusher 14402a so as to be utilized to force it toward the front side. As such, in one implementation, one or more of the surfaces 14411a and / or 14411b may allow one or more of the units to slide along one or more of the longitudinal directions 14403 and / or 14405 ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI > In one example, the pusher systems 14401a and 14401b are configured to removably couple to the front rail 14412, and the rails 14412 can be similar to the rails 580 and / or 610 in particular.

[388] As previously described, the pusher system 14401b depicts the lock arm 14406b of the second configuration and engages the full strip 14410b, thus pushing the pusher 14402b in one or more longitudinal directions (14403 and / or 14405). This configuration described by zone 14416 is more clearly depicted in Figure 144b.

[389] Figure 144b schematically depicts that portion of the pusher system 14401b described by zone 14416. [ In particular, Figure 144b depicts a pusher 14402 having a pusher surface 14418 and a pusher carriage 14420. [ Thus, the pusher carriage 14420 is configured to slidably-couple to the linear track 14404. In one example, this slidable coupling is enabled by one or more alignment shoes 14426 on the pusher carriage 14420 and alignment shoe 14426 is enabled by one or more To maintain proper alignment of the pusher carriage 14420 with respect to the excess alignment rails 14424. [ In one example, one or more of the alignment shoes 14426 has a C-shape so that linear movement along one or more of the longitudinal directions 14403 and / or 14405 is possible, but the longitudinal directions 14403 and / / RTI > and / or < RTI ID = 0.0 > 14405 < / RTI > In one example, the sliding surface 14411 may be the top surface of one or more alignment rails 14424, and the like.

[390] One or more of the elements depicted in Figures 144a and / or 144b may form polymers, metals, fiber-reinforced materials, ceramics, woods, fabrics, or any of the various elements described herein It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any other materials having structural characteristics may be included. Thus, in one example, the pusher carriage 14420 may include one or more alignment rails 14424 on one or more of the sliding surfaces 14411 and one or more surfaces of the alignment shoes 14426, To selectively slide relative to track 14404 as a result of the less-friction contact. Thus, the fewer friction contacts may include, in particular, one or more soft polymer surfaces, one or more polished metal surfaces, one or more surfaces (especially PTFE, graphite) comprising solid lubricants, and / May be enabled by the use of one or more liquid lubricants.

[391] Figure 144b further depicts one end of full strip 14410 as having a tapered structure 14428 and a backstop 14430. Thus, during manual actuation of the full strip 14410, the ramp portion 14428 is slidably engaged with the lock arm 14406 (this process is described in more detail with respect to Figures 145a and 145b). As depicted in FIG. 144B, the ramps 14428 are configured to engage the lock arm 14406 and the ratchet arm 14406 such that the pawl 14409 is disengaged from the ratchet rack 14422 (described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 145A and 145B) Fully-meshing. Figure 144b further depicts channel 14407 and full strip 14410 is configured to slide within channel 14407. [

[392] 145a schematically depicts a pusher system 14500 and the pusher system 14500 may be substantially similar to the pusher system 14401a and / or 14401b of Fig. 144a. Specifically, the pusher system 14500 includes a pusher 14501 with a pusher surface 14502, and a pusher carriage 14504. The lock arm 14506 is pivotally-coupled to the pusher carriage 14504 at the lock arm coupling 14509. In addition, the lock arm 14506 includes a pawl 14508 and a tab 14510 at a second end.

[393] Pusher 14501 is configured to slide along track 14516 along one or more of longitudinal directions 14526 and / or 14528. In one example, the pusher 14501 is prevented from sliding along the longitudinal direction 14528 as a result of the engagement between the pawl 14508 and the ratchet rack 14524. Thus, due to such a configuration of the pusher system 14500 depicted in Figure 145a, the application of a manual force to the pusher surface 14502 along the longitudinal direction 14528 causes the pawl 14508 to move along the track 14516 to the pusher carriage 14504). Conversely, upon application of a manual force on the pusher surface 14502 along the longitudinal direction 14526, the pusher carriage 14504 moves the pawl 14508 toward the ratchet rack 14504 as the pusher carriage 14504 slides along the track 14516 Will slide relative to the track 14516 as the rocker arm 14506 pivots periodically about the pivot coupling 14509 to successively disengage and reengage the successive teeth of the pawl 14514. [

[394] In one example, FIG. 145A schematically depicts a pull strip 14512 (otherwise referred to as pull rod 14512) of the disengaged configuration. In particular, the full strip 14512 is configured to move away from the handle 14514, the backstop 14520, and the lock arm 14506, which are close to the track 14516 and the ramps 14518, (overhang) 14522. 145b schematically depicts a pusher system 14500 in a second configuration, such that the pawl 14508 is disengaged from the ratchet rack 14524.

[395] In one example, upon application of a manual force on handle 14514 along direction 14526, as depicted in Fig. 145B, full strip 14512 may move from its position depicted in Fig. 145A to its position depicted in Fig. 145B, To slide about track 14516 with respect to track 14516. In particular, application of a manual force to the handle 14514 along the longitudinal direction 14526 causes the tapered structure 14518 to slideably engage the tab 14510. As such, the tab 14510 slides over the tilt structure 14518 until the tab 14510 is brought into contact with the backstop 14520.

[396] In one example, full strip 14512 includes overhang 14522 and overhang 14522 is configured to prevent the lock arm 14506 from pivoting beyond the upper height limit corresponding to the height of overhang 14522 . In this manner, the overhang 14522 prevents pivoting of the lock arm 14506 at an angle to prevent the lock arm 14506 from falling out of engagement with the ratchet rack 14524 under gravity upon disengagement of the tilt structure 14518 from the tab 14510. [ do. Specifically, the surface 14530 represents the contact point of the lock arm 14506, and the overhang 145228 lock arm 14506 is at a greater angle than desired at the engagement of the tab 14510 with the tapered structure 14518 Pivot.

[397] While the pawl 14508 is in the configuration depicted in Fig. 145b disengaged from the ratchet rack 14524, the pusher system 14500 may extend along one or more of the longitudinal directions 14526 and / or 14528 to the pusher 14501 ) With respect to the track 14516. Specifically, while in its configuration depicted in FIG. 145B, application of a manual force to pusher surface 14502 along the direction indicated by 14528 causes pusher 14501 to move relative to track 14516 along slide direction 14528 And at the same time pulls the full strip 14512 back into the track 14516 (and in particular the channel such as channel 14407). Additionally, while in the configuration depicted in FIG. 145B, application of manual force to pusher handle 14514 along that direction indicated by 14526 results in a contact between tab 14510 and backstop 14520, 14501 slide about the track 14516 along the same direction 14526. The sales item that is contacted and matched with the pusher surface 14502 may be forced toward the front end 14531 of the track 14516 by manual application of force to the handle 14514 along the longitudinal direction 14526 , Thus causing pusher 14501 to translate along track 14516 along the same direction 14526.

[398] In addition, while in its configuration depicted in Figure 145b, one or more of the units of sale may push along the direction 14528 as a result of the contact between one or more of the units of sale and the pusher surface 14502 May be loaded into the pusher system 14500 by indirect application of a manual force on the pusher 14502 which causes the pusher 14501 to translate along the track 14528 towards the rear end 14533 along the length 14528 do.

[399] FIG. 146 schematically depicts a ratchet rack 14600, and the ratchet rack 14600 may be similar to the ratchet rack 14524 of FIG. 145A. 146 schematically depicts the geometry of the ratchet teeth 14606a-14606b and the ratchet teeth 14606a-14606b illustrate the geometry of the exemplary teeth 14606a-14606b from the plurality of latch teeth constituting the ratchet rack 14600. [ admit. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a ratchet rack, such as a ratchet rack 14600, can be utilized to enable movement along a first direction, such as direction 14602, while preventing movement in a second direction, such as direction 14604 I will understand. In addition, this selective movement along the first direction 14602, while preserving movement along the second direction 14606, results in a reduction of the distance between a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pole 14606a-14606 between a pair of selected teeth, such as teeth 14606a-14606 , Such as by selective engagement of the pawl 14508. Specifically, the ratchet teeth, such as the ratchet teeth 14606a, may have a geometry with a first angle 14610 that is greater than the second angle 14612. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various suitable angular combinations for angles 14610 and 14612. In one example, angle 14610 may be greater than 45 degrees, and angle 14612 may be less than 45 degrees. In another example, angle 14610 may have an angle greater than 60 degrees, and angle 14612 may be less than 30 degrees.

[400] In another embodiment, the pusher system, such as the pusher system 14700, may utilize a rack gear, such as a rack gear 14706, instead of the ratchet rack of FIG. 145, such as a ratchet rack 14524. Accordingly, FIG. 147 schematically depicts another implementation of the pusher system 14700. FIG. In particular, the pusher system 14700 includes a pusher 14711 with a pusher surface 14712, and a pusher carriage 14714. Pusher carriage 14714 is slidably coupled to track 14710 and pivotally coupled to lock arm 14716. [ In addition, the lock arm 14716 includes a tab 14721 and a catch 14718, which catches a pair of gear teeth selected from a plurality of gear teeth of the rack gear 14706 14708). The pusher system 14700 further includes a pull strip 14726, which is otherwise referred to as a pull rod 14726, having an inclined structure 14720, a backstop 14722, and an overhang 14724.

[401] In one example, rack gear 14706 includes a plurality of gear teeth having a rectangular shape, such as gear teeth 14708. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various additional or alternative components may be utilized with rack gear 14706 to prevent relative movement between pusher carriage 14714 and track 14710 upon engagement of rack gear 14706 with catch 14718. [ Alternative gear tooth structures will be recognized. For example, the gear teeth, such as tooth 14708, may have a triangular geometry, a circular geometry, or a hybrid geometry.

[402] The application of a manual force to the full strip 14726 along the first longitudinal direction 14702 causes the full strip 14726 to slide relative to the track 14710 and the inclined structure 14720 to the tab 14721, And disengages the catch 14718 from the rack gear 14706. As shown in Fig. 147 schematically depicts this configuration and the tapered structure 14720 is slidably and completely engaged with the tab 14721 so that the tab 14721 contacts the backstop 14722. [ In the configuration depicted in Figure 147, the application of manual force to the full strip 14726 causes the pusher structure 14711 to slide relative to the track 14710 along the longitudinal direction 14702. [ 147, application of the manual force and pusher phase 14712 along the longitudinal direction 14704 causes the pusher structure 14711 to move along the longitudinal direction 14704 to the track 14710. In this manner, Slide about.

[403] In another configuration, when the full strip 14726, and specifically the tapered structure 14720, is disengaged from the tab 14721, the catch 14718 is engaged between the two optional gear teeth of the rack gear 14706 It will bite. In such an arrangement, application of a manual force to the pusher surface 14712 along either of the longitudinal directions 14702 or 14704 will not cause movement of the pusher 14711 relative to the track 14710. [

Claims (20)

As a sales display system,
A pusher structure having a pusher face and a pusher carriage, the pusher carriage being slidably coupled to a linear track, the linear track including a longitudinal length having a first end and a second end, A ratchet rack extending along the longitudinal length of the linear track, the ratchet rack having a plurality of ratchet teeth;
A lock arm pivotally coupled to the pusher structure at a first end and having a pawl at a second end configured to engage the ratchet rack between selected ones of the plurality of ratchet teeth, lock arm); And
A pull strip configured to slide within a channel on the linear track, the pull strip having a first end configured for manual actuation, and a ramp configured to slidably engage the tab on the lock arm, Wherein during operation of the pull strip, the ramp is slidably engaged with the tab to disengage the pawl from the ratchet rack,
/ RTI >
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second end of the pull strip further comprises a backstop and upon application of a manual force to the first end of the pull strip in a direction toward the first end of the track, And the backstop meshes with the lock arm to force the pusher structure to slide toward the first end of the track,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
The application of a manual force to the pusher surface in the direction of the second end of the track when slidably engaged between the ramp and the tab for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet rack causes the pusher structure to pivot The second end portion being slidably urged toward the second end portion,
Sales display system. The method of claim 3,
The engagement between the pusher structure and the backstop forces the pull strip to retract into the channel toward the second end of the track while sliding toward the second end of the track,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
The pusher structure is forced to slide toward the first end of the track while the first manual force is applied to the pusher surface while the pawl engages the ratchet rack, Wherein upon application of a second manual force to the pusher surface, the pusher structure is prevented from sliding towards the second end of the track,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
The second end of the pull strip further includes an overhang configured to prevent the second end of the lock arm from pivoting beyond the pivot height limit upon a slidable engagement between the tab and the ramp doing,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a pusher alignment rail configured to be received within a alignment shoe on the pusher carriage to maintain proper alignment of the pusher structure as the pusher structure slides along the linear track.
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a front rail removably coupled to the linear track, the front rail having a longitudinal length substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the linear track,
Sales display system. 9. The method of claim 8,
Said front rail being tightly coupled to a surface at an edge of a display shelf,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the pusher surface is configured to exert a force on the sales unit such that the sales unit is forced toward the first end of the linear track,
Sales display system. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the sales unit is configured to slide along a sliding surface of the linear track while being forced towards the first end of the linear track.
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a barrier structure rigidly coupled to the first end of the linear track,
Sales display system. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a divider,
Sales display system. As a sales display system,
A pusher structure having a pusher surface and a pusher carriage, the pusher carriage being slidably coupled to a linear track, the linear track having a longitudinal length having a first end and a second end, The rack gear further comprising a rack gear along a longitudinal length, the rack gear having a plurality of gear teeth;
A lock arm pivotally coupled to the pusher structure at a first end and having a catch at a second end configured to engage at least one of the plurality of gear teeth; And
A pull strip configured to slide within a channel on the linear track, the pull strip having a first end configured for manual actuation and a second end having an inclined portion configured to slidably engage the tab on the lock arm, In operation of the strip, the tilt structure is slidably engaged with the tab to disengage the catch from the gear rack,
/ RTI >
Sales display system. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the second end of the pull strip further comprises a backstop and upon application of a manual force to the first end of the pull strip in a direction toward the first end of the track, And the backstop meshes with the lock arm to force the pusher structure to slide toward the first end of the track,
Sales display system. 15. The method of claim 14,
The application of a manual force to the pusher surface in the direction of the second end of the track when slidably engaged between the ramp and the tab for disengaging the catch from the rack gear causes the pusher structure The second end portion being slidably urged toward the second end portion,
Sales display system. 17. The method of claim 16,
The engagement between the pusher structure and the backstop forces the pull strip to retract into the channel toward the second end of the track while sliding toward the second end of the track,
Sales display system. 15. The method of claim 14,
The pusher structure is prevented from sliding towards the first end of the track and the second manual force is applied in the opposite direction to the first manual force while the catch engages the rack gear, Wherein the pusher structure is prevented from sliding toward the second end of the track upon application of a second manual force to the pusher surface,
Sales display system. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the plurality of gear teeth have a rectangular shape,
Sales display system. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the plurality of gear teeth have a triangular shape,
Sales display system.

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