US20020046980A1 - Feed spring - Google Patents
Feed spring Download PDFInfo
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- US20020046980A1 US20020046980A1 US09/810,655 US81065501A US2002046980A1 US 20020046980 A1 US20020046980 A1 US 20020046980A1 US 81065501 A US81065501 A US 81065501A US 2002046980 A1 US2002046980 A1 US 2002046980A1
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- sheet
- elastic material
- hollow
- feed spring
- display rack
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/12—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack
- A47F1/125—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack with an article-pushing device
- A47F1/126—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack with an article-pushing device the pushing device being urged by spring means
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to devices for maintaining items in display spaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a feed spring for positioning an item or items in a display space.
- Retail items such as letters, numbers, or signs
- a stack of letters, numbers, or signs is positioned in a display rack or a display bin without a securement mechanism.
- letters, numbers, or signs cannot be continuously maintained in an upright position as they are removed from a stack.
- letters, numbers, or signs may fall down as customers remove them from a stack. If a stack of letters, numbers, or signs cannot be maintained in an upright position, customers may not be able to examine their content easily and retailers may loose potential sales as a result.
- the present invention is directed to a feed spring for maintaining retail items, such as letters, numbers, or signs in a display space.
- the invention is directed to a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display rack having a plurality of frames.
- the feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object.
- the hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack.
- the sheet of elastic material includes at least two slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack. Each slit has at each end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow three-dimensional object to the display rack.
- the invention is directed to a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display rack having a plurality of frames.
- the feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object.
- the hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack.
- the sheet of elastic material includes first and second slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack and third and fourth slits to be aligned with the first and second slits when the sheet of elastic material is formed into the hollow three-dimensional object.
- Each of the four slits has at one end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow three-dimensional object to the display rack.
- the invention is directed to a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display bin.
- the feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object and a means for securing the hollow three-dimensional object to the display bin.
- the hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display bin.
- the invention is directed to an apparatus for displaying items.
- the apparatus comprises a display rack and a feed spring.
- the display rack has a plurality of frames.
- the feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object.
- the hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack.
- the sheet of elastic material includes at least two slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack. Each slit has at each end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow three-dimensional object to the display rack.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary feed spring in its unassembled configuration according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the feed spring of FIG. 1 in its assembled, uncompressed configuration
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of another exemplary feed spring in its unassembled configuration according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the feed spring of FIG. 3 in its assembled, uncompressed configuration
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another exemplary feed spring in its unassembled configuration according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a feed spring and a display rack according to the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a side view of a feed spring and a display rack according to the present invention, showing a single display item
- FIG. 8 is a side view of a feed spring and a display rack according to the present invention, showing a stack of display items;
- FIG. 9 is a front view of an empty display rack and a feed spring according the present invention.
- a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display rack having a plurality of frames.
- the feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow thee-dimensional object.
- the hollow thee-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack.
- the sheet of elastic material includes at least two slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack. Each slit has at each end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow thee-dimensional object to the display rack.
- a feed spring 20 is shown in its unassembled configuration of a flat sheet 26 .
- Flat sheet 26 includes side edges 28 , a top edge 27 , a bottom edge 29 , and a pair of slits 22 .
- Each slit 22 has a hole 24 at each end thereof.
- Slits 22 are preferably spaced apart by a distance s corresponding to a distance between two adjacent bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames of a display rack 40 (FIG. 6). The distance s, however, does not have to correspond to the distance between two adjacent bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames of display rack 40 . Instead, it may correspond to a distance between any two bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames of display rack 40 .
- feed spring 20 is secured to display rack 40 by inserting bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames through corresponding slits 22 and engaging them with holes 24 .
- feed spring 20 may have a plurality of slits 22 rather than only a pair of slits 22 as shown in FIG. 1.
- at least two of slits 22 are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a distance between two adjacent bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames of display rack 40 .
- at least two of slits 22 may be spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a distance between any two buttom 42 or back 46 wire frames of display rack 40 .
- the distance between each two adjacent slits 22 may vary so that feed spring 20 can be used for display racks having different wire frame spacings.
- each two adjacent slits 22 may be spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between two adjacent wire frames 42 of display rack 40 so that a plurality of bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames are inserted through all slits 22 .
- flat sheet 26 is formed into a hollow three-dimensional object in its assembled, uncompressed configuration.
- the hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force.
- flat sheet 26 is rolled into a hollow cylinder 34 having a circular cross section in its assembled, uncompressed configuration. The cross section, however, changes when hollow cylinder 34 is compressed.
- FIGS. 2 and 4 show a feed spring in the form of a hollow cylinder having a circular cross section in its assembled, uncompressed configuration
- other hollow three-dimensional objects having different cross sections are within the scope of the present invention.
- flat sheet 26 may be formed into other hollow three-dimensional objects having cross sections, such as ovals, ellipses, squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, diamonds, or any combination thereof.
- the following description is directed to a hollow cylinder having a circular cross section.
- flat sheet 26 includes interlocking tabs 30 provided around top 27 and bottom 29 edges.
- the uncompressed configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is achieved by rolling flat sheet 26 into a hollow cylinder 34 .
- top edge 27 and bottom edge 29 overlap each other and each side edge 28 becomes a circle with a diameter d.
- Interlocking tabs 30 provided around top 27 and bottom 29 edges engage each other to maintain flat sheet 26 as hollow cylinder 34 in its uncompressed configuration (FIGS. 2 and 4).
- hollow cylinder 34 is compressed to provide a biasing force
- the circular cross section of hollow cylinder 34 changes its shape. For example, the circular cross section becomes elliptical (FIGS. 6 and 8) when hollow cylinder 34 is compressed from its uncompressed configuration.
- interlocking tabs 30 remain engaged to each other even when hollow cylinder 34 is compressed (FIGS. 6 and 8).
- flat sheet 26 may include preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes around top 27 or bottom 28 edges. Preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes may be protected by a thin plastic cover for shipping and storage.
- adhesives or double-sided tapes, stored separately from flat sheet 26 and applied to top 27 or bottom 28 edges when feed spring 20 is to be assembled, are within the scope of the present invention.
- Feed spring 20 is secured to display rack 40 by inserting bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames through corresponding slits 22 and engaging them with holes 24 .
- hollow cylinder 34 may be compressed or remain in its uncompressed configuration when it is secured to display rack 40 .
- FIGS. 6 - 9 illustrate holes 24 engaging bottom wire frames 42 , they may instead engage back wire frames 46 .
- Holes 24 are shaped and sized to engage bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames of display rack 40 .
- holes 24 may assume many different shapes, including but not limited to circles, ovals, elipses, squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, diamonds, or any combination thereof.
- the size of holes 24 is substantially the same as that of bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames.
- the size of holes 24 may be bigger or smaller than that of bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames.
- display rack 40 has a width w between front wire frames 44 and back wire frames 46 .
- flat sheet 26 is selected so that the diameter d of hollow cylinder 34 in its uncompressed configuration is greater than the width w of display rack 40 . This selection ensures that hollow cylinder 34 is precompressed against both front wire frames 44 and back wire frames 46 when feed spring 20 is secured to display rack 40 . As a result, hollow cylinder 34 provides a biasing force to position even a single display item 47 of any thickness.
- the diameter d may be smaller than the width w of display rack 40 if display item 47 has a sufficient thickness to compress hollow cylinder 34 against back wire frames 46 when placed in display rack 40 .
- the diameter d of hollow cylinder 34 in its uncompressed configuration plus the thickness of display item 47 is greater than the width w of display rack 40 , hollow cylinder 34 will provide a biasing force to position display item 47 in display rack 40 .
- Feed spring 20 tends to expand back to hollow cylinder 34 when compressed and, therefore, provides a biasing force to position display item 47 or a stack 48 of display items 47 in display rack 40 .
- any elastic material may be used for feed spring 20 .
- feed spring 20 is made of plastic, although other elastic materials, such as rubbers or elastic metals, are within the scope of the present invention.
- the biasing force applied to display items 47 may be adjusted by changing the thickness or size of flat sheet 26 .
- feed spring 20 positions display items 47 , such as letters, numbers, and signs, forward and upright in display rack 40 .
- feed spring 20 may position other display items in display rack 40 without departing from the principles of the present invention.
- Flat sheet 26 is preferably made of a translucent material and includes a writeable portion 32 provided on a surface thereof.
- writeable portion 32 When flat sheet 26 is rolled into hollow cylinder 34 , writeable portion 32 preferably becomes a portion of the inner surface of hollow cylinder 34 so that a message written thereon does not contact display items 47 . A message written on writeable portion 32 , however, is visible from outside when flat sheet 26 is made of a translucent material.
- flat sheet 26 is preferably made of a translucent material
- flat sheet 26 made of non-translucent materials is also within the scope of the present invention.
- writeable portion 32 should become a portion of the outer surface of hollow cylinder 34 so that a message written thereon is visible from outside.
- FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes a pair of slits 22 extending from top edge 27 toward bottom edge 29 and another pair of slits 22 extending from bottom edge 29 toward top edge 27 .
- Each slit 22 has a hole 24 at one end thereof away from top 27 and bottom 29 edges.
- Two pairs of slits 22 align with each other when flat sheet 26 is rolled into hollow cylinder 34 .
- top 27 and bottom 29 edges and slits 22 face generally the same direction because they are located in the same proximate location on hollow cylinder 34 .
- top 27 and bottom 29 edges are not visible from the top of display rack 40 when feed spring 20 is secured to display rack 40 .
- the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may be modified to include a plurality of slits 22 extending from top 27 and bottom 29 edges rather than only a pair of slits 22 . All other aspects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are the same as those shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
- FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 may also be used for a display bin having walls instead of wire frames.
- the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 may include preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes provided on a surface thereof to secure feed spring 20 to a wall (e.g., a back wall) of a display bin.
- Preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes may be protected by a thin plastic cover for shipping and storage.
- adhesives or double-sided tapes, stored separately from flat sheet 26 and applied to a surface of feed spring 20 are within the scope of the present invention.
- a feed spring having adhesives or double-sided tapes in addition to slits 22 and holes 24 may be used for display bins having no wire frames as well as display racks having wire frames.
- a feed spring having adhesives or double-sided tapes as an alternative to slits 22 and holes 24 may be primarily used for a display bin having no wire frames.
- a feed spring having adhesives or double-sided tapes as an alternative to slits 22 and holes 24 may also be used for display racks having wire frames provided that the wire frames have a sufficient surface area for a secure attachment with adhesives or double-sided tapes.
- feed spring 20 may be manufactured, shipped and stored in its unassembled configuration as flat sheet 26 .
- flat sheet 26 of appropriate thickness and size is selected.
- Flat sheet 26 is then rolled into hollow cylinder 34 in its assembled, uncompressed configuration and maintained as such (FIGS. 2 and 4) using interlocking tabs 30 , adhesives, double-sided tapes, or other suitable securement mechanism.
- a message may be written on writeable portion 32 of flat sheet 26 before it is rolled into hollow cylinder 34 . For example, a message such as “Reorder Item Number XXXXX” may be written on writeable portion 32 .
- feed spring 20 is secured to display rack 40 by inserting bottom wire frames 42 through slits 22 and engaging them with holes 24 .
- back wire frames 46 instead of bottom wire frames 42 may be inserted through slits 22 .
- feed spring 20 may also be secured to display rack 40 by adhesives or double-sided tapes if back wire frames 46 or bottom wire frames 42 have a sufficient surface area for a secure attachment with adhesives or double-sided tapes.
- feed spring 20 may be secured to the display bin by adhesives, double-sides tapes, or other suitable securement mechanism.
- flat sheet 26 of sufficient size is selected so that hollow cylinder 34 is precompressed when secured to display rack 40 or a display bin without any display items. This selection ensures that even a single display item 47 of any thickness may be maintained in an upright position (FIG. 7) when placed in display rack 40 . However, flat sheet 26 may be reduced in size if a single display item 47 to be displayed is of sufficient thickness to compress hollow cylinder 34 when placed in display rack 40 or the display bin.
- feed spring 20 may maintain a stack 48 of display items 47 .
- feed spring 20 expands and maintains the remaining stack in an upright position.
- Display items 47 may also be added by placing them at the back end of stack 48 and pushing them down.
- Feed spring 20 then further compresses and maintains the increased stack in an upright position.
- the message written on writeable portion 32 becomes visible so that appropriate actions may be taken. For example, a message such as “Reorder Item Number XXXXX” written on writeable portion 32 identifies display items 47 to be replenished.
- Feed spring 20 is easily detacheable from display rack 40 by disengaging holes 24 from bottom wire frame 42 and removing them through slits 22 .
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/190,572, filed on Mar. 20, 2000, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention generally relates to devices for maintaining items in display spaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a feed spring for positioning an item or items in a display space.
- Retail items, such as letters, numbers, or signs, need to be visibly displayed at the point of purchase so that customers may examine them before making purchase decisions. Typically, a stack of letters, numbers, or signs is positioned in a display rack or a display bin without a securement mechanism. Without a securement mechanism, however, letters, numbers, or signs cannot be continuously maintained in an upright position as they are removed from a stack. For example, without a securement mechanism, letters, numbers, or signs may fall down as customers remove them from a stack. If a stack of letters, numbers, or signs cannot be maintained in an upright position, customers may not be able to examine their content easily and retailers may loose potential sales as a result.
- Therefore, there is a need for a device that will continuously maintain a stack of letters, numbers, or signs in an upright position in a given display space as they are removed from the stack.
- Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a feed spring for maintaining retail items, such as letters, numbers, or signs in a display space. The advantages and purposes of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or will be realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
- To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention is directed to a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display rack having a plurality of frames. The feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object. The hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack. The sheet of elastic material includes at least two slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack. Each slit has at each end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow three-dimensional object to the display rack.
- In another aspect, the invention is directed to a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display rack having a plurality of frames. The feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object. The hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack. The sheet of elastic material includes first and second slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack and third and fourth slits to be aligned with the first and second slits when the sheet of elastic material is formed into the hollow three-dimensional object. Each of the four slits has at one end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow three-dimensional object to the display rack.
- In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display bin. The feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object and a means for securing the hollow three-dimensional object to the display bin. The hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display bin.
- In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for displaying items. The apparatus comprises a display rack and a feed spring. The display rack has a plurality of frames. The feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow three-dimensional object. The hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack. The sheet of elastic material includes at least two slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack. Each slit has at each end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow three-dimensional object to the display rack.
- It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary feed spring in its unassembled configuration according to the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the feed spring of FIG. 1 in its assembled, uncompressed configuration;
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of another exemplary feed spring in its unassembled configuration according to the present invention;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the feed spring of FIG. 3 in its assembled, uncompressed configuration;
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another exemplary feed spring in its unassembled configuration according to the present invention;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a feed spring and a display rack according to the present invention;
- FIG. 7 is a side view of a feed spring and a display rack according to the present invention, showing a single display item;
- FIG. 8 is a side view of a feed spring and a display rack according to the present invention, showing a stack of display items; and
- FIG. 9 is a front view of an empty display rack and a feed spring according the present invention.
- Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
- In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a feed spring for use in displaying items in a display rack having a plurality of frames. The feed spring comprises a sheet of elastic material configured to be formed into a hollow thee-dimensional object. The hollow thee-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force to position an item in the display rack. The sheet of elastic material includes at least two slits spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between two frames of the display rack. Each slit has at each end thereof a hole configured to engage a frame of the display rack to secure the hollow thee-dimensional object to the display rack.
- In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a
feed spring 20 is shown in its unassembled configuration of aflat sheet 26.Flat sheet 26 includesside edges 28, atop edge 27, abottom edge 29, and a pair ofslits 22. Eachslit 22 has ahole 24 at each end thereof.Slits 22 are preferably spaced apart by a distance s corresponding to a distance between twoadjacent bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames of a display rack 40 (FIG. 6). The distance s, however, does not have to correspond to the distance between twoadjacent bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames ofdisplay rack 40. Instead, it may correspond to a distance between any twobottom 42 or back 46 wire frames ofdisplay rack 40. As will be explained in greater detail below,feed spring 20 is secured to displayrack 40 by insertingbottom 42 or back 46 wire frames throughcorresponding slits 22 and engaging them withholes 24. - As illustrated in FIG. 3,
feed spring 20 may have a plurality ofslits 22 rather than only a pair ofslits 22 as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, at least two ofslits 22 are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a distance between twoadjacent bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames ofdisplay rack 40. As mentioned above, however, at least two ofslits 22 may be spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a distance between any twobuttom 42 or back 46 wire frames ofdisplay rack 40. In addition, the distance between each twoadjacent slits 22 may vary so thatfeed spring 20 can be used for display racks having different wire frame spacings. Of course, each twoadjacent slits 22 may be spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between two adjacent wire frames 42 ofdisplay rack 40 so that a plurality of bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames are inserted through all slits 22. - In accordance with the present invention,
flat sheet 26 is formed into a hollow three-dimensional object in its assembled, uncompressed configuration. The hollow three-dimensional object is compressible to provide a biasing force. In the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,flat sheet 26 is rolled into ahollow cylinder 34 having a circular cross section in its assembled, uncompressed configuration. The cross section, however, changes whenhollow cylinder 34 is compressed. - Although the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 show a feed spring in the form of a hollow cylinder having a circular cross section in its assembled, uncompressed configuration, other hollow three-dimensional objects having different cross sections are within the scope of the present invention. For example,
flat sheet 26 may be formed into other hollow three-dimensional objects having cross sections, such as ovals, ellipses, squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, diamonds, or any combination thereof. For the purpose of illustrating the principles of the present invention, however, the following description is directed to a hollow cylinder having a circular cross section. - As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
flat sheet 26 includes interlockingtabs 30 provided aroundtop 27 and bottom 29 edges. The uncompressed configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is achieved by rollingflat sheet 26 into ahollow cylinder 34. Whenflat sheet 26 is rolled intohollow cylinder 34,top edge 27 andbottom edge 29 overlap each other and eachside edge 28 becomes a circle with a diameter d. Interlockingtabs 30 provided aroundtop 27 and bottom 29 edges engage each other to maintainflat sheet 26 ashollow cylinder 34 in its uncompressed configuration (FIGS. 2 and 4). Whenhollow cylinder 34 is compressed to provide a biasing force, the circular cross section ofhollow cylinder 34 changes its shape. For example, the circular cross section becomes elliptical (FIGS. 6 and 8) whenhollow cylinder 34 is compressed from its uncompressed configuration. However, interlockingtabs 30 remain engaged to each other even whenhollow cylinder 34 is compressed (FIGS. 6 and 8). - Alternatively, other suitable securement mechanism other than interlocking
tabs 30 may be used to maintainfeed spring 20 in its uncompressed (FIGS. 2 and 4) and compressed (FIGS. 6 and 8) configurations. For example,flat sheet 26 may include preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes around top 27 or bottom 28 edges. Preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes may be protected by a thin plastic cover for shipping and storage. In addition, adhesives or double-sided tapes, stored separately fromflat sheet 26 and applied to top 27 or bottom 28 edges whenfeed spring 20 is to be assembled, are within the scope of the present invention. -
Feed spring 20 is secured to displayrack 40 by inserting bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames through correspondingslits 22 and engaging them with holes 24. As will be explained in greater detail below, depending on the size offlat sheet 26 selected,hollow cylinder 34 may be compressed or remain in its uncompressed configuration when it is secured to displayrack 40. Although FIGS. 6-9 illustrateholes 24 engaging bottom wire frames 42, they may instead engage back wire frames 46. - Holes24 are shaped and sized to engage bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames of
display rack 40. Depending on the shape and size of bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames, holes 24 may assume many different shapes, including but not limited to circles, ovals, elipses, squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, diamonds, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the size ofholes 24 is substantially the same as that of bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames. However, the size ofholes 24 may be bigger or smaller than that of bottom 42 or back 46 wire frames. - As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8,
display rack 40 has a width w between front wire frames 44 and back wire frames 46. Preferably,flat sheet 26 is selected so that the diameter d ofhollow cylinder 34 in its uncompressed configuration is greater than the width w ofdisplay rack 40. This selection ensures thathollow cylinder 34 is precompressed against both front wire frames 44 and back wire frames 46 whenfeed spring 20 is secured to displayrack 40. As a result,hollow cylinder 34 provides a biasing force to position even asingle display item 47 of any thickness. - The diameter d, however, may be smaller than the width w of
display rack 40 ifdisplay item 47 has a sufficient thickness to compresshollow cylinder 34 against back wire frames 46 when placed indisplay rack 40. In other words, if the diameter d ofhollow cylinder 34 in its uncompressed configuration plus the thickness ofdisplay item 47 is greater than the width w ofdisplay rack 40,hollow cylinder 34 will provide a biasing force to positiondisplay item 47 indisplay rack 40. -
Feed spring 20 tends to expand back tohollow cylinder 34 when compressed and, therefore, provides a biasing force to positiondisplay item 47 or astack 48 ofdisplay items 47 indisplay rack 40. Thus, any elastic material may be used forfeed spring 20. Preferably, feedspring 20 is made of plastic, although other elastic materials, such as rubbers or elastic metals, are within the scope of the present invention. The biasing force applied to displayitems 47 may be adjusted by changing the thickness or size offlat sheet 26. Preferably, feedspring 20 positions displayitems 47, such as letters, numbers, and signs, forward and upright indisplay rack 40. However, feedspring 20 may position other display items indisplay rack 40 without departing from the principles of the present invention. -
Flat sheet 26 is preferably made of a translucent material and includes awriteable portion 32 provided on a surface thereof. Whenflat sheet 26 is rolled intohollow cylinder 34,writeable portion 32 preferably becomes a portion of the inner surface ofhollow cylinder 34 so that a message written thereon does not contactdisplay items 47. A message written onwriteable portion 32, however, is visible from outside whenflat sheet 26 is made of a translucent material. - Although
flat sheet 26 is preferably made of a translucent material,flat sheet 26 made of non-translucent materials is also within the scope of the present invention. When such non-translucent materials are used,writeable portion 32 should become a portion of the outer surface ofhollow cylinder 34 so that a message written thereon is visible from outside. - In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which has
slits 22 formed withinedges slits 22 extending fromtop edge 27 towardbottom edge 29 and another pair ofslits 22 extending frombottom edge 29 towardtop edge 27. Each slit 22 has ahole 24 at one end thereof away from top 27 and bottom 29 edges. Two pairs ofslits 22 align with each other whenflat sheet 26 is rolled intohollow cylinder 34. As a result, top 27 and bottom 29 edges and slits 22 face generally the same direction because they are located in the same proximate location onhollow cylinder 34. Thus, top 27 and bottom 29 edges are not visible from the top ofdisplay rack 40 whenfeed spring 20 is secured to displayrack 40. Alternatively, like the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may be modified to include a plurality ofslits 22 extending from top 27 and bottom 29 edges rather than only a pair ofslits 22. All other aspects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are the same as those shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. - The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and5 may also be used for a display bin having walls instead of wire frames. For example, in addition to or as an alternative to
slits 22 and holes 24, the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 may include preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes provided on a surface thereof to securefeed spring 20 to a wall (e.g., a back wall) of a display bin. Preapplied adhesives or double-sided tapes may be protected by a thin plastic cover for shipping and storage. Moreover, adhesives or double-sided tapes, stored separately fromflat sheet 26 and applied to a surface offeed spring 20, are within the scope of the present invention. - A feed spring having adhesives or double-sided tapes in addition to
slits 22 and holes 24 may be used for display bins having no wire frames as well as display racks having wire frames. On the other hand, a feed spring having adhesives or double-sided tapes as an alternative toslits 22 and holes 24 may be primarily used for a display bin having no wire frames. However, a feed spring having adhesives or double-sided tapes as an alternative toslits 22 and holes 24 may also be used for display racks having wire frames provided that the wire frames have a sufficient surface area for a secure attachment with adhesives or double-sided tapes. - The assembly and operation of the aforementioned feed spring will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.
- As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and5, feed
spring 20 may be manufactured, shipped and stored in its unassembled configuration asflat sheet 26. Depending on the size, weight, and thickness ofdisplay item 47 as well as the width w ofdisplay rack 40,flat sheet 26 of appropriate thickness and size is selected.Flat sheet 26 is then rolled intohollow cylinder 34 in its assembled, uncompressed configuration and maintained as such (FIGS. 2 and 4) using interlockingtabs 30, adhesives, double-sided tapes, or other suitable securement mechanism. A message may be written onwriteable portion 32 offlat sheet 26 before it is rolled intohollow cylinder 34. For example, a message such as “Reorder Item Number XXXXX” may be written onwriteable portion 32. - As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9, feed
spring 20 is secured to displayrack 40 by inserting bottom wire frames 42 throughslits 22 and engaging them with holes 24. Alternatively, back wire frames 46 instead of bottom wire frames 42 may be inserted throughslits 22. Instead of inserting back wire frames 46 or bottom wire frames 42 throughslits 22,feed spring 20 may also be secured to displayrack 40 by adhesives or double-sided tapes if back wire frames 46 or bottom wire frames 42 have a sufficient surface area for a secure attachment with adhesives or double-sided tapes. For a display bin having no wire frames, feedspring 20 may be secured to the display bin by adhesives, double-sides tapes, or other suitable securement mechanism. - Preferably,
flat sheet 26 of sufficient size is selected so thathollow cylinder 34 is precompressed when secured to displayrack 40 or a display bin without any display items. This selection ensures that even asingle display item 47 of any thickness may be maintained in an upright position (FIG. 7) when placed indisplay rack 40. However,flat sheet 26 may be reduced in size if asingle display item 47 to be displayed is of sufficient thickness to compresshollow cylinder 34 when placed indisplay rack 40 or the display bin. - As illustrated in FIG. 8, feed
spring 20 may maintain astack 48 ofdisplay items 47. When a display item is removed fromstack 48,feed spring 20 expands and maintains the remaining stack in an upright position.Display items 47 may also be added by placing them at the back end ofstack 48 and pushing them down.Feed spring 20 then further compresses and maintains the increased stack in an upright position. When alldisplay items 47 are removed, the message written onwriteable portion 32 becomes visible so that appropriate actions may be taken. For example, a message such as “Reorder Item Number XXXXX” written onwriteable portion 32 identifiesdisplay items 47 to be replenished. -
Feed spring 20 is easily detacheable fromdisplay rack 40 by disengagingholes 24 frombottom wire frame 42 and removing them throughslits 22. Forfeed spring 20 secured to a display rack or display bin by adhesives or double-sided tapes, applying sufficient force will break the securement. - It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the device of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/810,655 US6415931B1 (en) | 2000-03-20 | 2001-03-19 | Feed spring |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US19057200P | 2000-03-20 | 2000-03-20 | |
US09/810,655 US6415931B1 (en) | 2000-03-20 | 2001-03-19 | Feed spring |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20020046980A1 true US20020046980A1 (en) | 2002-04-25 |
US6415931B1 US6415931B1 (en) | 2002-07-09 |
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ID=26886228
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/810,655 Expired - Fee Related US6415931B1 (en) | 2000-03-20 | 2001-03-19 | Feed spring |
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US (1) | US6415931B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090319899A1 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | User interface, method of navigating content, apparatus for reproducing content, and storage medium storing the method |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
MX2008009440A (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2008-11-19 | Hy Ko Products Co | Key duplication machine. |
US9101990B2 (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2015-08-11 | Hy-Ko Products | Key duplication machine |
US8634655B2 (en) | 2009-05-01 | 2014-01-21 | Hy-Ko Products Company | Key blank identification system with bitting analysis |
MX343763B (en) | 2009-05-01 | 2016-11-18 | Hy-Ko Products | Key blank identification system with groove scanning. |
WO2017024043A1 (en) | 2015-08-03 | 2017-02-09 | Hy-Ko Products Company | High security key scanning system |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5027957A (en) * | 1989-11-14 | 1991-07-02 | Thomas A. Schultz Company, Inc. | Display device |
US5449076A (en) * | 1994-05-24 | 1995-09-12 | Van Noord; Andrew J. | Facing device |
US6155437A (en) * | 1997-07-09 | 2000-12-05 | Societe Mbcg | Display device for small containers and containers thus displayed |
US6015051A (en) * | 1997-08-28 | 2000-01-18 | L&P Property Management Company | Shelf assembly with pusher having memory characteristic and method of use |
US6082558A (en) * | 1997-08-28 | 2000-07-04 | L&P Property Management Company | Shelf assembly with pusher having memory characteristic and method of use |
US6105791A (en) * | 1999-04-26 | 2000-08-22 | Display Technologies, Llc | Inventory counting article pusher display tray system |
US6109458A (en) * | 1999-05-27 | 2000-08-29 | Frontline, Inc. | Product advancement roll |
-
2001
- 2001-03-19 US US09/810,655 patent/US6415931B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090319899A1 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | User interface, method of navigating content, apparatus for reproducing content, and storage medium storing the method |
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US6415931B1 (en) | 2002-07-09 |
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