RU2500321C2 - Device and system for attaching accessories for shelves - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a device for attaching to a shelf of the rear end of its accessory. The device for attaching to the shelf of the rear end of an auxiliary accessory comprises an elongated profiled element which is shaped with the configuration providing its attachment on the upper part of the shelf, substantially parallel to its longitudinal direction. The profile element has a constant profile of transverse cross-section throughout its length and comprises a lower base plate, a first console extending upwards from the base plate, and a second console extending from the first console. The device has a frictional strip which is made from elastic material and extends along the length of the profile element and protrudes downwards from the second console.

EFFECT: reliable fixation of auxiliary accessories on the shelf.

6 cl, 4 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for attaching to the shelf the rear end of its accessory (accessory). In addition, the invention relates to a system for attaching such a device to a shelf and containing the specified device. The invention is particularly effective for attaching partitions, feeding devices and other auxiliary means to shelves in stores.

State of the art

In stores, such as department stores, goods are usually placed on shelves. In order to better demonstrate the properties of goods, as well as facilitate their loading and unloading, many various auxiliary devices are used, such as partitions, feeding devices of various types, various modifications of goods pallets and other similar means. These devices are often attached to shelves.

According to the state of the art, such attachments can be made in several different ways, for example mechanically, by means of screws or other similar means, by means of a snap fastener, gluing with double-sided adhesive tape or using other similar methods.

The structures used for attaching (fixing) auxiliary devices to the shelves should have some basic properties. One of the important properties is the ability to attach such devices in any arbitrarily selected positions along the length of the shelf so that between them you can set any distance corresponding to different packages and quantities of goods. In addition to the above, auxiliary devices must be attached to the shelves quite firmly, thereby preventing their accidental removal or displacement from the positions chosen for them.

The attachment of accessories must also ensure that they are stable, i.e. don't bend over. In such a context, it is very important that, while securing the attachments firmly, the fastener at the same time makes it easy to attach and remove them.

To prevent each end of the accessory from being raised from the level of the shelf, such devices have to be attached to the shelf at both the front and rear ends. This is especially true in situations where the accessory contains a front panel or a front support panel against which the goods rest (for example, in the case of installing a shelf or feeding device with an inclination). In this case, the effect of the goods on the front panel creates a torque on the device, which tends to raise the back of the device from the shelf. Such a lifting is naturally undesirable because it can cause confusion on the shelf and, moreover, cause the front end of the device to disengage from the front fastening means, so that both the device and the goods can fall off the shelf.

The desired property is also the ability to pre-install on the shelf the desired number of auxiliary devices during one operation, and then move them along the shelf to the final position for each device and fix them in the indicated positions.

Even after the shelf is equipped and its partitions are installed in the necessary positions, sometimes it is necessary to transform the shelf by moving one or more partitions, removing unnecessary and fixing the rest. Such a need arises, for example, when the distance between two partitions needs to be coordinated with a new product or with a product placed in packages of other sizes. Therefore, in order to facilitate such a rearrangement of the components of the already formed shelf, it is desirable to be able to move the individual accessories along the shelf to a new position.

When arranging a new one and rearranging the already formed shelves, it is desirable to be able to move auxiliary devices along the shelf, holding only the front edge of the device and moving it entirely by acting on the specified edge in one direction or another. In this embodiment, there is no need to stretch your shoulder or hand towards the trailing edge of the device in order to simultaneously shift both ends along the shelf with both hands. Such a simultaneous displacement of both ends of the device is difficult both because of the required effort, and in terms of ergonomics. It is difficult to perform it, especially if the distance between the shelves located one above the other is small, and the goods placed on the shelf make it difficult to access the trailing edge of the auxiliary device.

In addition to the above, the means of fastening auxiliary devices should be aesthetically attractive, should not interfere with loading goods on a shelf or on adjacent shelves and unloading them from shelves. In addition, the manufacture and assembly of these tools should be simple and inexpensive.

Moreover, it is desirable that the means of attaching auxiliary devices to the shelf can be used on existing shelves immediately, without resorting to changing and adapting the shelves.

DE 2,9902933 U1 describes a device for securing a shelf partition. At the specified partition at its front and rear ends mutually conjugated grips are made with the possibility of covering them front and rear T-shaped guides. In order to move the partition along the shelf, it is necessary to disconnect the front and rear captures by applying the corresponding force to the special component located on them. To do this, it is necessary to reach the rear end of the partition, which will allow the specified separation and displace the partition.

Patent documents WO 03/005862 A2 and US 5803276 describe systems for attaching shelf accessories. In these systems, the rear end of these devices is fixed in relation to the shelf by means of a snap fit with a strip extending upward from the shelf. In such systems, in order to free the rear end of the auxiliary device and, thus, to be able to move the device, it is again necessary to reach its rear end.

Patent document WO 2005/084498 represents a system of the same purpose in which the rear end of the shelf accessory is provided with a first hook mating with a second hook directed in the opposite direction and mounted on the shelf. The second hook is configured in the form of a shaped element extending in the longitudinal direction of the shelf. Said system secures the rear end of the shelf accessory in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shelf. However, this technical solution does not involve fixing the rear end of the auxiliary device from displacements along the length of the shelf.

Disclosure of invention

One of the tasks to which the present invention is directed is to develop an improved device for attaching the rear end of the auxiliary device to the shelf.

Another objective of the invention is to develop such a device that would allow a fairly simple way to change the position of the auxiliary device, while the rear end of the device, which is in the assembled state, is firmly fixed from displacements in all directions.

Another objective is the development of a device that, with simple and relatively cheap manufacturing, would provide easy pairing with shelves of various types.

These and other tasks are solved by means of a device, the type of which is described in the restrictive part of claim 1 of the formula and which has special technical features disclosed in the distinctive part of the formula. The device according to the invention is configured to attach to the shelf the rear end of its auxiliary device. The device comprises an elongated shaped element that has a configuration that secures it to the upper side of the shelf, essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shelf. The specified element along its entire length has a substantially constant cross-sectional profile and contains a support plate, a first console extending upward from the support plate, and a second console extending from the first. According to the invention, in the device, in addition, there is a friction strip made of elastic material, extending essentially along the entire length of the shaped element and extending down from the second console.

By means of a friction strip located on the second console, it is possible to fix the rear end of the shelf accessory both in the direction from the shelf and in its longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the device at its rear end is equipped with a corresponding mating component. Such a component may consist of any part protruding forward and configured to be inserted between the second console and the support plate of the device. Under conditions of normal use, the friction strip due to frictional interaction with the mating component allows you to create a friction force between it and the device that is sufficient to prevent the rear end of the auxiliary device from shifting along the shaped strip. At the same time, the device allows you to perform a very simple rearrangement of this device, which is as follows: holding the front end of the device, slightly move this device back to bring the mating component out of friction mating with the friction strip, and then move the entire device along the length of the shelf. Thus, it is possible to fix, remove and rearrange the auxiliary device without having to reach over the shelf in order to grab onto some part of the device or the rear mounting device.

It is advisable to fix the friction strip on the free end of the second console. Then it becomes possible to make a device whose size perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shaped element is small, and the device at the same time provides an acceptable fixation of the auxiliary device in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the shelf.

It is advisable to install the friction strip essentially parallel to the first console and perpendicular to the support plate and the second console. This achieves a relatively high degree of deformation of the friction strip (i.e., large friction between the device and the accessory) and, at the same time, the ability to use the friction strip with small cross-sectional dimensions.

It is advisable that the friction strip extend downward from the second console to a distance corresponding to approximately half the height of the first console. This ensures good frictional interaction between the device and the auxiliary device, and at the same time, the mating component of the auxiliary device can easily be brought into frictional coupling with the device.

To attach the device to the shelf, it is advisable to place a double-sided adhesive tape on the side of the base plate facing from the first console.

The invention also relates to the system for attaching an auxiliary device to a shelf disclosed in claim 6 of the formula.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Next, an illustrative embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

figure 1 in a perspective image shows a system according to the invention, intended for attaching auxiliary devices to the shelf and mounted on the shelf,

figure 2 in orthogonal projection, in side view and on an enlarged scale, shows a device designed to attach the rear end of the auxiliary device to the shelf and forming part of the system of figure 1,

figure 3 in a perspective image shows the rear of the system of figure 1, and the auxiliary device is in the first position,

figure 4 in a perspective image presents the same part as in figure 3, showing the auxiliary device in the second position.

The implementation of the invention

In the following description, terms are used that describe the direction and position, such as "up", "down," "forward", "back", "above", "below", "in front", "behind", "upper", "lower", "front" and "rear". These terms refer to the orientations and positions of the horizontal shelf or its components after they are attached. The term "front edge of the shelf" means in this case the edge of the shelf, in the standard case of the use of the shelf facing towards the approaching person. The above terms are used only to increase the visibility of this description, i.e. they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection.

1 shows a magazine shelf 1 of a standard type equipped with a system according to the invention. The top side of the shelf defines, as usual, the plane of the shelf, in the example shown, located horizontally. However, the invention is not limited to horizontal shelves and can be successfully used for shelves, the plane of which is at an angle to the horizontal plane. The shelf 1 is equipped with a front mounting device 2, which is designed to secure an arbitrary number of accessories 3, which are part of the system. In the given example, the indicated devices are the partition walls of the shelf, however, it should be borne in mind that these can be, for example, feeding devices, pallets or other auxiliary means that need to be fixed at their front and rear ends. The front mounting device 2 is an elongated shaped element with a guide protruding from the shelf up and having a T-shaped cross section. The device 2 is attached to the front end of the shelf 1 with double-sided adhesive tape. On the T-rail, embracing it, the front mating component 4 of each accessory is latched.

In addition to accessories 3 and the front mounting device 2, the system also includes a device 5 that secures the rear ends of the devices 3. It consists of an elongated shaped element 6 and a strip of double-sided adhesive tape 7 (see figure 2), through which the element 6 is attached at the trailing edge of the shelf 1 parallel to its longitudinal direction. At their rear ends, the auxiliary devices 3 have a rear mating portion in cooperation with the shaped element 6, which leads to the restriction of lifting the rear end of the device above the plane of the shelf.

In figure 2, the device 5 is shown in side view. It contains an elongated shaped element 6 and a strip of double-sided adhesive tape 7. Element 6 has a backing plate 8, to the lower side of which the tape is attached 7. The tape 7, as is customary, can be provided with a protective film (not shown) that is applied to the side facing from the base plate 8, and removed before installing the plate 8 on the upper side of the shelf. A bracket 9 extends upward from the plate 8, which has a first console 9a protruding from the base plate 8 perpendicularly upward. The second bracket console 9b extends in one direction from the end of the first console 9a opposite the support plate 8. The angle between the consoles 9a and 9b is slightly less than 90 °, so that the second console 9b has a slight tilt towards the support plate 8 and away from the first console 9a. Consoles 9a and 9b are connected by a curved portion 9c. The free end 9d of the second console 9b has a rounded end surface. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 5 is mounted on a shelf so that the bracket 9 is facing back, i.e. the curved end surface faces the trailing edge of the shelf.

In addition, the device 5 includes a friction strip 10 made of elastic material and protruding from the free end 9d of the second console 9b in the direction of the support plate 8. The specified strip 10 is an integral part of the shaped element 6. The plate 8 of the element 6, as well as the console 9a 9b are made of ordinary polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the friction strip 10 is formed of plasticized PVC. It is advisable to manufacture the shaped element 6 by joint extrusion of the two specified materials; this is a simple and relatively cheap embodiment of device 5.

Figure 3 and 4 shows the back of one of the accessories of figure 1. The device 3, which is the partition of the shelf, contains a wall 31, which in the installed device moves perpendicular upward from the plane of the shelf. In the rear section of the wall 31, several ledges 35 are made in its material under a slight slope, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wall. With their help, you can easily and directly on the spot break off a segment of the wall of the partition of the desired length. In the lower rear corner of the wall 31, a rear mating portion 32 is formed at the same time with it.

In this case, a lower back cutout 33 is made in the partition wall 31. On the mating section 32 there is a hook 34 facing forward and extending from the wall 31. It consists of a first part 34a extending down from the wall 31 and a second part 34b which extends from end of the first part 34a forward. The second part 34b extends forward substantially perpendicular to the first part 34a. The same mating section 32 'is located immediately in front of each ledge 35 of the material, i.e. the wall of the partition will have a mating section in its lower rear corner for each length by which the wall was broken by breaking the material at the ledge 35.

In Fig. 3, the auxiliary device 3 is shown in the assembled state illustrated in Fig. 1. In this case, the front mating (fixing) component 4 of the device 3 is latched around the T-shaped guide of the front fixing device 2. The rear mating section 32 of the device 3 is engaged with the device 5. In this case, the second part 34b of the hook 34 of the device 3 with its downward side is superimposed on the support plate 8. The heights of the indicated part 34b and the friction strip 10 are coordinated with each other so that this elastic friction strip 10 is somewhat deformed when the auxiliary hook 34 is inserted device in the bracket 9 of the device 5. As a result, friction occurs between the friction strip 10 and the second part 34b of the hook 34, which prevents the rear end of the auxiliary device from shifting along the shaped element of the device 5. At the same time, the second part 34b of the hook mechanically interacts with the second console 9b of the bracket 9 of the device, prevents lifting the rear end of the auxiliary device from the plane of the shelf. Thus, in the assembled state of the device, the specified rear end of the device is firmly attached to the shelf.

Figure 4 shows the auxiliary device 3 after removing the front mounting component 4 from the T-shaped guide of the front mounting device and depressing the auxiliary device a small distance back. The indicated withdrawal and displacement back can be easily carried out by grasping the device at its front end and subsequently first lifting it and then slightly moving it back. As soon as the device is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the hook 34 of the auxiliary device will be completely disengaged from the bracket 9 of the device with the bis friction strip 10. Further, the auxiliary device of the shelf can be easily removed or moved along the length of the shelf to a new desired position and attached to shelf. It should be understood that such removal or movement can be easily accomplished by simply grabbing the shelf accessory 3 by its front end, i.e. there is no need to reach over the shelf in order to reach the rear end of the device or some other part of the device 5.

The invention should not be considered limited by the embodiment, i.e. you can make changes to it without going beyond the boundaries defined by the attached formula. For example, the auxiliary device may not be a shelf partition, but any other alternative auxiliary means requiring attachment to the shelf with its rear end. The system of the invention may also comprise several accessories of various types, which are attached at their rear ends to the device of the invention. The rear mounting device with a friction strip can be made of other materials different from those listed above, provided that the strip is formed of an elastic material that, when deformed, provides relatively high friction. In addition, the bracket for the rear mounting device can be oriented not backward, but forward. In such an embodiment, the mating response component of the auxiliary device should be oriented in the rearward direction to ensure its mating with the bracket of the rear mounting device.

Claims (6)

1. A device for attaching to the shelf (1) the rear end of the auxiliary device (3), containing an elongated shaped element (6), which is configured to secure it on the upper side of the shelf, essentially parallel to its longitudinal direction, and the specified shaped element has a substantially constant cross-sectional profile along its entire length and contains a lower support plate (8), a first console (9a) extending upward from the support plate, and a second console (9b) extending from the first console, distinguishing The fact that the device has a friction strip (10), which is made of an elastic material, extends essentially along the entire length of the shaped element and protrudes downward from the second console. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction strip (10) is fixed to the free end (9d) of the second console (9b). 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction strip (10) is essentially parallel to the first console (9a) and essentially perpendicular to the support plate (8) and the second console (9b). 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction strip (10) moves down from the second console (9b) by a distance corresponding to about half the height of the first console (9a). 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it contains a double-sided adhesive tape (7) for attaching the device to the shelf, placed on that side of the support plate (8), which is facing away from the first console (9a). 6. A system for attaching an auxiliary device (3) to a shelf (1), comprising a front mounting device (2) that has been configured to attach to the front edge of the shelf, a device (5) made according to any one of claims 1- 5, and an accessory (3), which has a front mating component (4), designed for locking interaction with the front mounting device, and a rear mating component (32), which is given a configuration that provides its frictional mating with the friction strip.

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