AU769344B2 - Improvements in or in relation to shelving divider systems - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 C.V.N. PTY LTD Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Peter Ronald Fuller and Paul Joseph Fabre

INTELLPRO

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 7, Reserve Bank Building 102 Adelaide Street BRISBANE, QLD, 4000 (GPO Box 1339, BRISBANE, 4001) "Improvements in or in relation to shelving divider systems" Australian Patent Application No. PQ7972 filed 6 June 2000.

description of this invention, including the best method Details of Associated Provisional Application No: The following statement is a full of performing it known to me: I q 2 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR IN RELATION TO SHELVING DIVIDER SYSTEMS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to shelving divider system, particularly but not limited to a point of sale shelving divider system and in particular to a shelving divider, divider foot and rail assembly that enables secure divider placement and flexibility in shelving divider design.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Present point of sale shelving systems involve the use of wire shelves on which products are displayed in bays separated by dividers. The dividers can be moved to adjust bay size. The dividers are connected to front and back rails.

The front rail has provision for pricing and other information characterising the product held in the particular bay.

These systems suffer from a number of disadvantages principally relating to the construction of the connectors between the dividers and the rails. One known system employs dividers of moulded construction with flanges engaged in a foot, thus limiting the divider shape and configuration to the standard mould.

In order to change shape new moulds must be made. This type of system lacks flexibility in terms of variety of divider shapes that can be used. Another disadvantage arises from the form of connection between the divider and the rails. In one known connection a projecting strip of T-shaped profile extends along each rail, the dividers include clip sections that clip around the T-shaped strip. This form of connection does not provide a sufficiently secure connection against inadvertent sliding and, in some cases, dust and other particles can accumulate in the undercut section of the profile. This insecure mounting is inconvenient and buildup of dust and detritus presents an overall cleanliness problem.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to alleviate, at least to some degree, one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art.

In one aspect there is provided the combination of a divider, a divider foot and a divider rail, the foot being connected to the divider, the foot having a channel clip for gripping a rail projection, the rail having an elongate rail projection, the channel clip being connectable to the elongate rail projection to hold the divider in operative position in shelving, the elongate rail projection having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the rail.

Preferably, there is further provided a second rail spaced from the first mentioned rail, the divider having a second foot opposite the first mentioned foot, the second rail having an elongate rail projection, the second foot having a channel clip connectable to the elongate rail projection of the second rail to hold the divider in operative position in shelving, the elongate rail projection of the second rail having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip of the second foot having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection of the second rail and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the second rail thereby securing the divider to both rails.

In a broader form the rail is a front rail in a point of sale shelving divider assembly and comprises a mounting flange, a display flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition between the mounting flange and the display flange.

The rail may simply comprise a mounting flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition.

The projection is typically of generally uniform width across the base, the intermediate section and the top section, the width being approximately equal to the height so that the projection is relatively strong and the grooves are quite shallow so as to inhibit accumulation of dust in the grooves, the inner walls of the channel clip are made from relatively rigid plastics materials and the projection 20 has a slight taper to provide a lead-in for the channel clip onto the projection.

Preferably, the dimensional relationship between the channel clip and the projection is such that the channel clip is most easily inserted endwise partially onto the projection with a final rotation progressively engaging the projection rather than a direct transverse clipping action onto the projection.

In another invention there is provided a divider assembly comprising a divider cut from sheet material and a foot connectable to the divider at a corner thereof, the corner of the divider having adjacent edges, an elongate aperture extending parallel to one of said adjacent edges, the foot having a slot, the slot having opposed resilient tangs matching the aperture in the divider, the divider being securable to the foot by sliding the corner of the divider into the slot along an imaginary line coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the elongate aperture and parallel to the axes of the elongate tangs until the tangs clip into the aperture, the relative dimensions of the tangs and the elongate aperture being so chosen to prevent separation of the foot and divider in a direction transverse to said imaginary line.

Typically, the divider assembly employs a foot wherein the foot has a channel clip for gripping a rail projection, the channel clip extending transverse to the imaginary line.

15 Typically, the divider assembly employs a foot wherein the foot is generally T-shaped in plan view.

Typically, the divider assembly employs a foot wherein the foot has an elongate channel clip having opposed inner side walls including opposed projections, the projections defining a narrow entrance to the channel clip.

20 Typically, the divider assembly employs a foot wherein the foot has an elongate channel clip adapted to grip an elongate rail projection of a rail, the elongate rail projection having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the rail.

Typically, the divider assembly further comprises a second rail spaced from the first mentioned rail, the divider having a second foot opposite the first mentioned foot, the second rail having an elongate rail projection, the second foot having a channel clip connectable to the elongate rail projection of the second rail to hold the divider in operative position in shelving, the elongate rail projection of the second rail having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip of the second foot having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection of the second rail and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the second rail thereby securing the divider to both rails.

20 Typically, the divider assembly further comprises a rail wherein the rail is a front rail in a point of sale shelving divider assembly and comprises a mounting flange, a display flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition between the mounting flange and the display flange.

7 Typically, the divider assembly further comprises a rail wherein the rail comprises a mounting flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition.

Typically, the divider assembly further comprises a rail wherein the rail is a front rail in a point of sale shelving divider assembly.

Typically, the divider assembly further comprises a projection wherein the projection is of generally uniform width across the base, the intermediate section and the top section, the width being approximately equal to the height so that the projection is relatively strong and the grooves are quite shallow so as to inhibit accumulation of dust in the grooves, the inner walls of the channel clip are preferably made from fairly rigid plastics materials and the projection has a slight taper to provide a lead-in for the channel clip onto the projection.

Typically, the divider assembly further comprises a projection wherein the dimensional relationship between the channel clip and the projection is such that 15 the channel clip is most easily inserted endwise partially onto the projection with *oooo a final rotation progressively engaging the projection rather than a direct transverse clipping action onto the projection.

0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0 In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and 20 be put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a point of sale divider assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a section through 2-2 of the rail of Figure 1; 8 Figures 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating the relationship between the channel clip of a typical foot and the projection of a typical rail; Figure 5 is a perspective drawing similar to Figure 1 but illustrating a second embodiment; Figure 6 is a perspective drawing illustrating a portion of a rear rail suitable for a point of sale shelving divider assembly according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective drawing illustrating a front rail according to the embodiment of Figure Figures 8 and 9 illustrate typical feet and the connection arrangement for connecting a divider to each foot; and Figures 10 and 11 illustrate in more detail the motion by which a divider panel is connected to a foot.

Figure 12 illustrates a further variation of the invention.

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated a point of sale shelving divider system 10 employing a divider panel 11, a front 0.0 foot 12 and a rear foot 13, the feet 12 and 13 are connected to the divider panel 11, each foot 12 and 13 has a channel clip 14 for gripping a rail projection 15 of :20 respective front and rear rails 16 and 17. One divider panel 11 is shown but it will be appreciated that spaced divider panels will be coupled to the rails 16 and 17. The feet 12 and 13 are identical and in the most preferred form are not easily removed from the divider panel 11 once connected. The feet are typically 9 made from rigid polycarbonate while the rails are preferably extruded polypropylene.

The rails 16 and 17 are extruded plastics rails and the configuration of the rail 16 is more clearly seen in Figure 2. The rail 16 has a flange 18 which enables the rail to be secured to a shelf either by fasteners or double sided tape affixed to the underside of the flange 18. A further flange 19 and return flange are biassed together at 21 so that between the flange sections 19 and 20 a panel 22 can be positioned as shown in Figure 1 which can slide into position to retain goods behind the panel 22 and between adjacent divider panels 11. A pricing display flange 23 and a clear transparent return flange 24 with free edge is positioned so that pricing or other information can be inserted behind the clear flange 24 for information of customers. Each rail 16 and 17 includes a projection 15 which is sized to match in resilient gripping holding action the channel clips 14 of the feet 12 and 13 as illustrated in Figure 1.

15 The operation of the channel clip and projection 15 will be described in .eoooi more detail in relation to Figures 3 and 4.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 the projection 15 has a relatively wide o :::base 26, a top section 27 and an intermediate section 28, the intermediate section and top section are formed generally contiguous with the base section 20 and the width and height of the projection is about the same so that the projection is generally squat in configuration giving it strength and as well the intermediate section 28 includes shallow grooves 29 on opposite sides thereof making the projection easy to clean and providing little, if any, opportunity for accumulation of debris about the projection. The channel clip 14 includes terminal clip V-projections 30 on the inside of opposite resilient side walls 31, the projections 30 being V-shaped and adapted to interact with the top section of the projection 15 and to be led along the tapered section and finally to register and clip into the corresponding V-grooves 29 as illustrated in Figure 4. As can be seen in Figure 3, the dimensional relationship between the channel clip 14 and the projection 15 is such that the axis of the channel is initially inclined to the projection while one end of the channel is pushed into position and then the channel clip is rotated down to progressively engage the projection until the whole channel is clipped in position as illustrated in Figure 4. This maximises the strength of the connection and assists in inhibiting sideways movement. The channel clip is released by the same rotary motion or, alternatively, a tool may be required in order to disengage the clip 14 from the projection Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, where like numerals have been used to illustrated like features, it will be appreciated that an alternative front rail 32 has 15 been employed as the only difference relative to Figure 1, in this case the front rail includes a pair of spaced upstanding flanges 33 and 34, again enabling a panel 22 to be inserted in place to retain goods.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 11 the second invention will be described.

These drawing figures show how the divider panel 11 is connected to the feet 12,13. As can be seen in Figure 8 the foot 12, 13 includes the channel clip 14 extending generally symmetrical either side of a main body section 35, the main body section 35 having a slot 36 bounded by opposed walls 37 and 38. The walls 37 and 38 have respective opposed resilient tangs 39 and 40 which ultimately engage elongate aperture 41 in the divider panel 11. The tangs 39 and 11 are tapered at 41 and 42 and the aperture 41 is positioned relative to the edge 43 so that as the edge 43 slides along the base 44 of the slot 36, the tangs are biassed inwardly and then when the corner 45 is in the home position the tangs resiliently project into the aperture 41 in the position illustrated in Figure 9. This assembly procedure is repeated at both ends of the divider panel 11 so that it is fitted with two feet. The assembly process is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. It will be appreciated in relation to Figures 9, 10 and 11 that at the elongation of the tangs 39 and 40 so chosen and positioned to secure the panel against transverse movement. In order to attach the divider and feet to the rails the rotary action is used. However it will be appreciated that if a less secure coupling is desirable choice of dimensions and/or material may be used to enable straight transverse coupling. Other variations are also possible. For example, Figure 12 illustrates a variation where rails 17 are used front and rear, this arrangement would be suitable in situations where the panel 22 is not °°oil• needed or not desirable such as in horizontal shelving where the product is ":suited to a Figure 12 arrangement.

Consequently, whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative .ooooi example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and 20 scope of the invention as herein set forth.

DATED this SIXTH day of JUNE 2001 C.V.N. PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys

INTELLPRO

Claims (20)

1. In combination a divider, a divider foot and a divider rail, the foot being connected to the divider, the foot having a channel clip for gripping a rail projection, the rail having an elongate rail projection, the channel clip being connectable to the elongate rail projection to hold the divider in operative position in shelving, the elongate rail projection having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the rail. The combination according to claim 1 further comprising a second rail spaced from the first mentioned rail, the divider having a second foot opposite the first mentioned foot, the second rail having an elongate rail projection, the second foot having a channel clip connectable to the elongate rail projection of the second rail to hold the divider in operative position in shelving, the elongate rail projection of the second rail having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing o. a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip of the second foot having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top 13 section of the projection of the second rail and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the second rail thereby securing the divider to both rails.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the rail is a front rail in a point of sale shelving divider assembly and comprises a mounting flange, a display flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition between the mounting flange and the display flange.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the rail comprises a mounting flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the rail is a front rail in a point of sale shelving divider assembly.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the projection is of generally uniform width across the base, the intermediate section and the top section, the width being approximately equal to the height so that the projection S0:'•i is relatively strong and the grooves are quite shallow so as to inhibit accumulation of dust in the grooves, the inner walls of the channel clip are made from relatively rigid plastics materials and the projection has a slight taper to provide a lead-in for the channel clip onto the projection.

7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the dimensional relationship between the channel clip and the projection is such that the channel a. clip is most easily inserted endwise partially onto the projection with a final rotation progressively engaging the projection rather than a direct transverse clipping action onto the projection. 14

8. A divider assembly comprising a divider cut from sheet material and a foot connectable to the divider at a corner thereof, the corner of the divider having adjacent edges, an elongate aperture extending parallel to one of said adjacent edges, the foot having a slot, the slot having opposed resilient tangs matching the aperture in the divider, the divider being securable to the foot by sliding the corner of the divider into the slot along an imaginary line coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the elongate aperture and parallel to the axes of the elongate tangs until the tangs clip into the aperture, the relative dimensions of the tangs and the elongate aperture being so chosen to prevent separation of the foot and divider in a direction transverse to said imaginary line.

9. A divider assembly according to claim 8 wherein the foot has a channel clip for gripping a rail projection, the channel clip extending transverse to the imaginary line.

10. A divider assembly according to claim 8 wherein the foot is generally T- shaped in plan view.

11. A divider assembly according to claim 8 wherein the foot has an elongate channel clip having opposed inner side walls including opposed projections, the .:oeoi projections defining a narrow entrance to the channel clip.

12. A divider assembly according to claim 8 wherein the foot has an elongate channel clip adapted to grip an elongate rail projection of a rail, the elongate rail projection having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the rail.

13. A divider assembly according to claim 12 wherein further comprising a second rail spaced from the first mentioned rail, the divider having a second foot opposite the first mentioned foot, the second rail having an elongate rail projection, the second foot having a channel clip connectable to the elongate rail projection of the second rail to hold the divider in operative position in shelving, the elongate rail projection of the second rail having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip of the second foot having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection of the second rail and to resiliently 0.0"" slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to 0 clip the foot to the second rail thereby securing the divider to both rails.

14. A divider assembly according to claim 12 wherein the rail is a front rail in point of sale shelving divider assembly and comprises a mounting flange, a display flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition between the mounting flange and the display flange. 16 A divider assembly according to claim 12 wherein the rail comprises a mounting flange and a channel, the channel being adapted to hold a panel in an upright disposition.

16. A divider assembly according to claim 12 wherein the rail is a front rail in a point of sale shelving divider assembly.

17. A divider assembly according to claim 12 wherein the projection is of generally uniform width across the base, the intermediate section and the top section, the width being approximately equal to the height so that the projection is relatively strong and the grooves are quite shallow so as to inhibit accumulation of dust in the grooves, the inner walls of the channel clip are preferably made from fairly rigid plastics materials and the projection has a slight taper to provide a lead-in for the channel clip onto the projection.

18. A divider assembly according to claim 12 wherein the dimensional ""relationship between the channel clip and the projection is such that the channel clip is most easily inserted endwise partially onto the projection with a final OOO •rotation progressively engaging the projection rather than a direct transverse clipping action onto the projection.

19. A rail projection in a point of sale shelving divider system, the elongate rail projection having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection. 17 A foot in a point of sale shelving divider system, the foot having a channel clip, the channel clip being connectable to an elongate rail projection, the elongate rail projection having a profile comprising a relatively wide base section, a top section and an intermediate section, the top section and intermediate section being generally contiguous with the base section providing a squat slightly tapered projection, the intermediate section having shallow grooves on opposite sides of the projection, the channel clip having opposed inner side walls including projections adapted to engage the top section of the projection and to resiliently slide over the top section and clip into the grooves of the intermediate section to clip the foot to the rail.

21. A divider assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 18 employed in a a point of sale shelving divider system.

22. A projection and channel clip substantially as described with reference to :i Figures 3 and 4 when used in a point of sale shelving divider system.

23. A point of sale shelving divider system substantially as described in relation to the accompanying drawings.

24. A rail substantially as described with reference to Figure 2 of the 'i:I accompanying drawings.