WO2005036505A1

WO2005036505A1 - Fixing system for front shelving elements

Info

Publication number: WO2005036505A1
Application number: PCT/ES2004/000437
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fernando Artero Ruiz
Original assignee: Yudigar S.L.
Priority date: 2003-10-14
Filing date: 2004-10-14
Publication date: 2005-04-21

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing system for front shelving elements, of the type that is used with shelves that are equipped with grooved front parts or a dovetail coupling system. The invention is characterised in that it comprises the use of different intermediate anchoring parts which are rotated in order to lock the front accessory element to the front section of the shelf. The invention is advantageous in that it provides a firm, secure fixing system which can be used quickly and precisely and which can be assembled and disassembled without the need for special tools, using easily-produced and, consequently, low-cost elements.

Description

FASTENING SYSTEM FOR FRONT ELEMENTS PE SHELF

The present specification refers, as its title indicates, to a fastening system for front shelving elements, of the type used to hold label holders, trims, hangers, etc ... on the shelf shelf shelves for establishments commercial or warehouses equipped with ribbed fronts or with lace as a dovetail, characterized by the use of several intermediate anchoring pieces that with their turn produce the interlocking of the accessory front element in the front profile of the shelf.

At present, multiple and varied types of fastening systems for frontal elements to the shelves of the shelves are widely known, many of them based on the fastening by mechanical elements such as screws, nuts, rivets, etc. that, despite to achieve a good fixation of the frontal element, they have the disadvantage of requiring tools for their assembly and disassembly, in addition to a high cost of working time both for its installation and for its subsequent maintenance. They are also commonly known and other fastening systems have been traditionally used based on the incorporation into the front element of a rear termination that fits inside the front of the shelf, which for this purpose carries a ribbed termination or with a tail-like lace of dove, in such a way that the fitting part of the front element slides longitudinally within the termination of the shelf, as claimed in Utility Model 200103139 "Embellishing protector for metal shelves". In some cases, these systems can achieve a good fit and support but with the disadvantage that in large shelves it is a

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) very laborious process that also requires high operator time, especially in those commercial facilities or warehouses that involve a large number of shelves together forming a linear succession of significant length. Attempts have been made to find other solutions. For example, Patent 200002841 "Anchoring system for label holders to shelves" presents a system by means of a profile with semi-elastic posterior extensions that fit inside the side of the shelf, and which suffers from the problem of its low mechanical resistance, which makes it Only suitable for low weight label holders.

Also, European Patent 92921667.9 "Improvements in shelving systems" presents a pin-by-spring system with a spring or elastic connection clamp, which has the disadvantage of its high economic cost, apart from the fact that, as in the previous case, it has a low mechanical resistance, not being able to support frontal elements of significant weight.

Also European Patent 98850002 "Device for mounting strips on the front edges of shelves" has a device or clip that is inserted into the edge channel and generates a "hook" from which the price strip is hung, being a system which produces a bad grip on the front element, which can be easily detached in case of manipulation.

Patent 8904007 "Structure for shelving forms" raises a clamp by means of side pins with lateral protrusions under pressure, of doubtful efficacy for heavy frontal elements or of important length.

On the other hand, Patent 8900448 "System of coupling of structures for display shelves" uses a clamping system by means of pairs of projections, one of them angled, and that can be used for frontal elements, making the fastening by the own

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) weight of the front element, with the consequent problem of poor fastening of the front element, which can also be easily detached in case of manipulation, apart from needing special machining both on the front of the shelf and on the front element. Finally, the Utility Model "Device for fixing accessory elements on product shelves", uses a clip-like piece with a plurality of hooks on which the front elements can be fastened, but requires parts of difficult mechanical realization , high cost, and that produce a result not very reliable mechanically.

In order to solve the current problem regarding the problem of fastening front elements to the shelves of the shelves, the fastening system for front shelving elements object of the present invention has been devised, which is characterized by the use of several rotating anchoring parts located at the rear of the front element to be fastened and fastened thereto by means of a central fixation that allows the free rotating movement of said parts around this central axis.

These rotating parts or "butterflies" are characteristic of the invention and adopt an irregular shape divided into two clearly differentiated areas related to each other through a narrowing. One of the zones has two wings slightly inclined upwards, like butterfly wings, joined by a flat central area that has a circular through hole that is used as a pivot axis. The other area is mostly flat, although presenting a certain inclination relative to the flat central area of the other part of the piece, ending at one end by a folding preferably perpendicular to the above flat area, and occupying approximately one third of the height . This folding serves as an element of manipulation.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The butterflies are placed on the back of the front elements to be fastened by any of the known conventional mechanical means that provide a firm grip but allow free rotation, such as screws, metal rivets, plastic rivets, shafts molded on the front piece, pressure clips, etc.

The wings available to these pieces have a specific shape so that, when they are located at a variable angle with respect to the horizontal one defined by the shelf of the metal shelf, they can freely enter into the specific profile of the side of the shelf, being able to be both rectangular profile and profile as a dovetail.

Once the part of the butterfly with wings has been introduced into the side profile of the shelf, a rotating movement is sufficient to position the piece at a right angle, performed manually, in such a way that the perpendicular folding existing in the other area of the butterfly and used as a manipulation element is close to the horizontal (and therefore parallel to the plane of the shelf), so that the wings of the butterfly are introduced into the lateral profile of the shelf, exerting a blocking pressure from the inside of the lateral profile of the shelf that produces the metallic fixation of the front element of the shelf.

Just repeat this procedure on all butterflies related to the front element to produce its perfect fixation on the front of the shelf.

Most of the butterfly is hidden, either by being inserted into the side channel of the shelf, or by being between the side of the shelf and the front element. Only the manipulation element is left, which is left by the lower internal part, being easily hidden by the lower part of the frontal element.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) To disassemble, simply turn the manipulation element in the opposite direction to produce the release of the butterfly. Performing this simple operation on all butterflies, the front shelf element is easily released. Normally, to make the fastening of frontal elements of quite a length, it is enough with two or three butterflies, being able to use a greater number of butterflies for great lengths, or to hold exceptionally heavy frontal elements. An alternative variant embodiment of the fastening system for front shelving elements is also provided in the invention, which consists of a series of changes both in the intermediate anchoring pieces, or "butterflies", and in the front elements to be fastened, of such in such a way that loose intermediate and independent anchoring parts of the front element are used, not needing to be related to it through a pivot point, fixing said front element by means of an angled cylindrical extension existing in the alternative intermediate anchoring piece.

To do this, in this alternative variant the intermediate anchoring pieces or "butterflies" adopt a different shape, divided into three clearly differentiated zones, related to each other by the central axis of rotation. One of the zones, constituting the fixing part of the butterfly, is constituted by a slightly truncated conical base, preferably hollow, whose lower part has a rounded shape, with two straight parallel sides and whose height is slightly increasing on the more rounded sides. The dimensions of this clamping base are such that the distance between the straight parallel sides is less than the shortest distance of the existing opening in the lateral profile of the shelf in such a way that it allows the easy insertion of the piece in said profile. The distance between the two curved sides of the base is greater than the previous one, and coincides with the greatest distance in the profile

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) lateral, propitiating, along with the slightly increasing height of the piece, the interlocking of this butterfly by its turn inside the profile of the shelf with fastening as a dovetail.

Another of the zones, adjacent to the previous one, is mostly flat and parallel to the surface of the base, although ending, through a smooth curvature, in a folding preferably perpendicular to the above-mentioned flat area, and occupying approximately the same height than the base, constituting the actuation lever that facilitates its handling for both insertion and disassembly. On the natural axis of rotation of the piece, the third area of the butterfly emerges, consisting of a tubular extension that executes two turns at right angles, forming an angular piece as a lever, coplanar with the aforementioned surface, and which will allow anchoring of the front shelf element. As a consequence of the above, front shelving elements intended to be fixed by means of these butterflies no longer need to be permanently fixed with them by means of a pivot point or joint axis, it is sufficient that they incorporate a suitable machining in a through way, in their internal face , preferably as a "T" rotated, in such a way as to allow the introduction of the tubular extension of the butterfly, in its disassembled position, while when the butterfly is turned in the locked position, both the anchoring with the side profile of the shelf as with the front element to hold. The area mostly flat and parallel to the surface of the base, allows, as in the case of the other embodiment and through perpendicular folding the easy assembly and disassembly of the butterfly, and therefore of the front element of the shelf.

This clamping system for front shelving elements that is presented brings multiple advantages over the systems currently available, being the most important that performs the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26) fixing in a firm and safe way, even when the front element has an important weight.

Also note the advantage that the front element fastens frontally to the shelf, without the need to slide it laterally, which is especially important in the case of shelves joined together in great lengths.

Another important advantage is that the fixation is carried out in a fast and precise way, at the same time that both its assembly and disassembly can be carried out without the need for special tools, by simple use of the hand. This gives rise to another great advantage that is the enormous speed that is achieved in assembly, with the subsequent economic savings in labor time and labor.

Another advantage of the present invention is that all this is achieved using fasteners of simple manufacturing and therefore economical.

Also another added advantage is that this fastening system can be easily adapted to any type of front shelf element, both decorative moldings, as labels, as hooks or hangers, as extensions of the shelves, etc .. In the case of the realization Alternative of the intermediate anchoring pieces, or "butterflies" has the added advantage that its physical form is especially indicated for preferential manufacturing using thermoplastic materials by injection molding, with the consequent improvement in the economic cost of the piece, in its industrialization and storage.

Also this alternative embodiment has the added advantage that, if the butterflies do not need to be in solidarity by means of a rotation axis with the front elements to be fastened, it is more easily applicable to

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) generic front elements of any type and nature, such as terminations, tag holders, hangers, etc.

To better understand the object of the present invention, a preferential practical embodiment of a fastening system for front shelving elements has been shown in the attached drawing.

In said plane, figure -1- shows a perspective view of the rotating part or "butterfly".

Figure -2- shows a front and side view of the aforementioned rotating part or "butterfly".

Figure -3- shows a detail of the two possible positions of the butterfly on the back of the front shelf element.

Figure -4- shows a detail of the two possible positions of the butterfly on the side profile of the shelf shelf.

Figure -5- shows a perspective view of the arrangement of the fastening of a front element with three butterflies to a shelf shelf.

Figure -6- shows two perspective views of the alternative embodiment of the intermediate anchoring piece or "butterfly".

Figure -7- shows a perspective view and a profile view of the alternative embodiment of the butterfly placed on the side profile as a dovetail of the shelf, in the unlocked position. Figure -8- shows a perspective view and a profile view of the alternative embodiment of the butterfly placed on the side profile as a dovetail of the shelf, in the position of

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) lock, turned with respect to the previous one to favor its interlocking.

Figure -9- shows an example of machining necessary in the intern, on the inside of a front element to be fastened, in this case a label holder, preferably as a "T" rotated, to use the alternative embodiment of the butterfly.

Figure -10- shows a profile view of the label holder attached by the alternative embodiment of the butterfly to the side profile of the shelf. Figure -11- shows a sectioned front view, through a label holder, showing how the tubular extension of the alternative embodiment of the butterfly passes through the machining of the front element to be held, in the disassembled position.

Figure -12- shows a sectioned front view, through a label holder, showing how the tubular extension of the alternative embodiment of the butterfly passes through the machining of the front element to be held, in the locked position, preventing its movement and removal.

The fastening system for front shelving elements object of the present invention is basically characterized, as can be seen in the attached drawing, by the use of several rotating anchoring parts (1) or "butterflies" located on the back of the element front (2) to be held and attached to it by means of a central fixing element (3) that allows the free rotating movement of said rotating parts (1).

These rotating parts (1) or "butterflies" are characteristic of the invention and adopt an irregular shape divided into two distinct zones (4) and (5) related to each other through a

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26 narrowing (6). One of the zones (4) has two wings (7) and (8), slightly inclined upwards, as a butterfly wings, joined by a flat central part (9) that has a circular through hole (10) which is used as an axis of rotation, or of an axis of rotation integrated in the same butterfly. The other area (5) is mostly flat, although presenting a certain inclination relative to the flat central part (9) of the other area (4) of the piece, ending at one end by a folding (11), preferably perpendicular to the above zone (5), and that serves as an element of manipulation. The wings (7) and (8) of which these rotating parts (1) have a specific shape so that, when they are located forming a variable angle (14) with respect to the horizontal defined by the shelf (12) of the metal shelving, can freely enter into the specific side profile (13) of said shelf (12). Once the area (4) of the rotating part (1) provided with wings has been introduced into the lateral profile of the shelf, a rotating movement is sufficient to position the piece at right angles (15), performed manually, in such a way that the folding (11) existing in the other area (5) of the rotating part (1) and used as a handling element is close to the horizontal (and therefore parallel to the plane of the shelf (12)), so that the wings (7) and (8) of the butterfly (1) are introduced into the lateral profile (13) of the shelf, exerting a blocking pressure from the inside of the lateral profile (13) of the shelf (12) that causes the fixing metal of the front element (2) of the shelf.

It is enough to repeat this procedure in all the butterflies (1) related to the front element (2) to produce its perfect fixation in the front of the shelf (12).

An alternative variant is also provided in the invention in which the intermediate anchoring pieces or "butterflies" (16) adopt a

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) differently, divided into three clearly differentiated zones: fixing base (17), actuation lever (22) and tubular extension (25), interrelated by a central axis of rotation, the fixing base (17) being constituted of the butterfly by a slightly truncated conical base, preferably hollow, whose lower part has a rounded shape, with two straight parallel sides (18) and whose height is slightly increasing on the more rounded sides (19). The dimensions of this fixing base (17) are such that the distance between the straight parallel sides (18) is less than the shortest distance of the opening in the lateral profile (13) of the shelf (12) such that it allows the easy insertion of the butterfly (16) in said profile (13). The distance between the two curved sides (19) of the base is greater than the previous one, and coinciding with the greater distance existing in the lateral profile (13), propitiating, together with the slightly increasing height of the fixing base (17) , the interlocking of this butterfly (16) by its turn inside the side profile (13) of the shelf (12) with a dovetail fastening.

The actuation lever (22), adjacent to the previous one, is mostly flat and parallel to the surface of the fixing base (17), although ending, through a smooth curvature (23), in a folding

(24) preferably perpendicular to the aforementioned flat area (22), and occupying approximately the same height as the fixing base (17).

On the natural axis of rotation of the piece (16) there is the tubular extension (25) that executes two turns at right angles, forming an angular piece as a lever and allowing the anchoring of the front element (26) of the shelf. This front element (26) must incorporate a machining (27) in a through way, in its internal face, preferably as a rotated "T", as we have seen previously.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) It is voluntarily omitted to make a detailed description of the rest of the particularities of the system that is presented or of the component elements that comprise it, since we believe that the rest of these particularities are not subject to any claim.

Once the nature of the present invention has been sufficiently described, as well as a way of putting it into practice, it only remains to be added that its description is not limiting, some variations being possible, both in materials and in shapes or sizes, as long as said Variations do not alter the essentiality of the characteristics claimed below.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

1 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, of the type used to hold label holders, trim or hangers on the front of shelves of commercial shelves characterized by the specific use of several rotating parts (1) of intermediate anchoring that with their rotation produces the interlocking of a frontal element (2) accessory in a lateral profile (13) of shelving. 2 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rotating anchoring parts (1) are located at the rear of the front element (2) to be fastened and fastened thereto by means of an element of central fixing (3) that allows the free movement of said rotating parts (1).

3 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating parts (1) adopt an irregular shape divided into two distinct zones (4) and (5) related to each other through a narrowing ( 6), having one of the zones (4) of two wings (7) and (8) slightly inclined upwards, as a butterfly wings, joined by a flat central part (9) that has a through hole (10 ) circular, and the other area (5) being mostly flat, although presenting a certain inclination relative to the flat central part (9) of the other area (4) of the piece, ending at one end by a folding (11) preferably perpendicular to the above flat area (5).

4 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26 wings (7) and (8) of which the rotating parts (1) have a specific shape so that, when they are located forming a variable angle (14) with respect to the horizontal defined by the shelf (12) of the shelf metallic, they can freely enter into the specific lateral profile (13) of said shelf (12).

5 - Fastening system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the wings (7) and (8) of which the rotating parts (1) have a specific shape so that, when they are located at an angle straight (15), the wings (7) and (8) of the rotating part (1) previously introduced into the lateral profile (13) of the shelf, exert a blocking pressure from the inside of the lateral profile (13) of the shelf (12) that causes the fixing of the front element (2) of the shelf.

6 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that once the rotating part (1) has been locked, the folding (11) is in a position close to the horizontal (and therefore parallel to the plane) of the shelf (12)), being hidden by the front element (2) of the shelf, although accessible from the rear, 7 - Fastening system for front shelving elements, according to the previous claims, characterized in that both the rotation for The locking as for the unlocking of the rotating part (1) is carried out by manually pushing the folding (11) that promotes the movement of the rotating part (1) around the central fixing element (3).

8 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claim 1, characterized by an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the intermediate anchoring pieces or "butterflies" (16) are divided into three distinct zones: base of fixing (17), actuation lever (22) and

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) tubular extension (25), related to each other by a central axis of rotation, the fixing base (17) being constituted by a slightly conical, preferably hollow base, the bottom of which has a rounded shape, with two straight parallel sides (18) and whose height is slightly increasing on the more rounded sides (19).

9 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claims 1 and 8, characterized in that the dimensions of the clamping base of the intermediate anchoring pieces or "butterflies" (16) are such that the distance between the parallel sides Straight (18) is less than the shortest distance of the existing opening in the lateral profile (13) of the shelf (12) in such a way that it allows the easy insertion of the butterfly (16) in said profile (13), and being the distance between the two curved sides (19) of the base greater than the previous one, and coinciding with the greater distance existing in the lateral profile (13), allowing, together with the slightly increasing height of the fixing base (17), the interlocking of this butterfly (16) by its turn inside the side profile (13) of the shelf (12) with a dovetail fastener.

10 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the preceding claims 1, 8, and 9 characterized in that the actuation lever (22), adjacent to the fixing base (17), is mostly flat and parallel to the surface of said fixing part (17), although ending, through a smooth curvature (23), in a folding (24) preferably perpendicular to the aforementioned flat area of the actuation lever (22), and occupying approximately the same height than the fixing base (17).

11 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the previous claims 1, 8, 9 and 10, characterized in that the tubular extension (25) emerges on the natural axis of rotation of the piece (16), which executes two turns in right angle

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26 forming an angular piece as a lever that allows the anchoring of the front element (26) of the shelf.

12 - Clamping system for front shelving elements, according to the previous claims 1, 8, 9, 10 and 11, characterized in that the front element (26) of the shelving incorporates a machining (27) in a through way, in its internal face , preferably as a "T" rotated.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26)