US3497081A - Shelf divider mechanisms - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 24,. 1970 F. P. FIELD 3 4M 08! SHELF 'DIVIDER MECHANISMS Filed Feb. 26. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FRANK P. FIELD ATTORNEY;

Feb. 24, 1970 F. P. FIELD SHELF DIVIDER MECHANISMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26. 1968 FIG. II

INVENTOR FRANK P FIELD FIG. I2

%MIMM,M/M

ATTORNEKQ United States Patent US. Cl. 211184 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLUSURE A shelf divider including a securing mechanism having a perforation edge engaging hook facing in one direction and a perforation edge-engaging abutment facing in an opposite direction and combined with a shelf underlapping lip.

A hook mechanism for securing a divider end including a hook, flange means extending laterally from opposite hook sides, and a U-shaped mounting bracket connected with these flanges.

A shelf divider locking mechanism including a pair of abutments, one being rotatably mounted for axial convergence toward a position of parallelism with another fixed abutment.

A shelf divider securing mechanism including spaced, shelf perforation penetrating, cam lugs, each having a locking shank and a camming surface extending therefrom.

This invention relates to mechanisms designed to secure shelf dividers of the type utilized to separate merchandise for vending and display purposes.

General background, objects and summary of invention Modern merchandising techniques require that goods be isolated or supported in defined shelf areas. Frequently, it is necessary to change the size or location of display areas. Where such changes are required, or where new display areas must be created, shelf dividers must be capable of being easily relocated or installed by mechanically unskilled sales personnel.

A number of approaches have been developed in the merchandising display art in an effort to provide effective techniques for mounting and/ or relocating shelf dividers. In many instances, however, these approaches have entailed excessive manufacturing costs or excessive difiiculties in securing dividers to shelving. Many devices previously devised for securing shelf dividers have been uniquely vulnerable to breakage and have failed in many ways to provide effective and rigid divider support.

It thus is a principal object of the present invention to provide shelf divider structures which are relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture and yet which provide effective divider support.

It is likewise a principal object of the invention to provide such divider supporting mechanisms which enable dividers to be initially installed or relocated with maximum ease by mechanically unskilled sales personnel.

It is also an object of the invention to provide divider securing structures which may be readily adapted to a variety of divider wall structures and interchanged, de pending upon the portions of a divider shelf to be engaged by the divider supporting mechanisms.

3,497,081 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 In accomplishing at least some of these objects, a shelf divider is presented which includes a shelf divider body having laterally and resiliently flexible end portions. At least one securing means is connected to one laterally and resiliently flexible end portion of this divider body. This securing means includes hook means engageable with a shelf perforation edge which faces generally away from the divider body. An arm means extends laterally of this hook means and supports a shelf perforation engaging, locking abutment means. The locking abutment means includes a shelf perforation edge engaging, abutment means facing generally away from the divider body. The locking abutment means also includes locking lip means extending from this abutment means generally away from the divider body and engageable with an under surface of a shelf.

Other objects of the invention are accomplished by a shelf divider including a unique cam locking mechanism. This cam locking mechanism includes a first, shelf divider engaging, planar abutment means fixedly carried by one divider body portion and a second, shelf divider engaging, planar abutment means rotatably carried by this body por tion. Mounting means support the second abutment means for rotation about an axis inclined relative to the plane of the first abutment means. The second abutment means, while being rotated about the mounting means, becomes parallel with the first abutment means during a portion of its rotation during which the two abutment means are undergoing relative axial convergence.

Other objects of the invention are accomplished by a shelf divider including a divider body and a unique mounting hook engageable with an edge portion of a shelf supporting the divider body. This mounting hook includes hook body means and flange means coextensive with the hook and extending laterally from each side. A U-shaped mounting bracket serves to interconnect the hook with the divider body. The hook flanges extend laterally along opposite sides of the U-shaped mounting bracket.

Still other objects of the invention are attained through a divider mechanism which includes a base plate and a plurality of spaced camming lugs projecting laterally therefrom. Each camming lug is operable to penetrate a shelf perforation and includes a shank edge adjacent and extending perpendicular to one side of the base plate. Each lug also includes a cam edge inclined and extending outwardly from the shank edge. The shank edges of at least two spaced cam lugs are critically spaced so as to be simultaneously, compressively engageable with edge portions of shelf perforations.

Drawings In describing the invention reference will be made to preferred embodiments shown in the appended drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 provides a perspective illustration of a conventional perforate metal, display shelf upon which a divider embodying the present invention is positioned;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the FIGURE 1a assembly illustrating the manner in which a spring biased hook serves to partially secure one end of the shelf divider of the FIGURE 1 assembly;

FIGURES 2 through 5 provide fragmentary and partially sectioned views of the FIGURE 1 assembly, il-

lustrating, in numerical sequence, sequential positioning of divider securing components during the installation of the divider on the perforate shelf;

FIGURE 6 illustrates alternative divider mounting structures, in combination with a structure for securing an auxiliary divider extending transversely of two principal or transversely extending shelf divider units;

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 provide a sequential illustration of the positioning of one of the cam lock mechanisms incorporated in the FIGURE 6 assembly, each of which mechanisms is operable to secure the auxiliary or longitudinally extending shelf divider to a pair of transversely extending or principal shelf divider units;

FIGURE illustrates a divider holding mechanism which, when detachably installed, serves to secure a shelf divider to a base plate; and

FIGURES 11 and 12 sequentially illustrate, in numerical order, the installation of the holding mechanism shown in FIGURE 10, with this mechanism and an associated perforate shelf being sectioned along the section line 1111 of FIGURE 10.

General context of invention Merchandising operations require shelving units which may be provided with dividers so as to selectively isolate goods on shelf portions.

Thus, as shown in FIGURE 1, a conventional, perforate metal shelf 1, which extends longitudinally in the direction L, is divided into longitudinal segments 1a and 1b by a shelf divider body 2.

Shelf divider body 2 may be fabricated of transparent, translucent or opaque plastic. Divider body 2 is positioned so as to extend transversely of the shelf 1, perpendicular to its longitudinal dimension L.

As will be appreciated, changes in display arrangements will frequently or occasionally require the relocation of the divider body 2. Such changes in a merchandise display may also require the addition of other dividers, some of which may extend perpendicular to the divider body 2, i.e., in general alignment with the shelf direction L.

While arrangements for securing dividers extending both longitudinally and transversely of the shelf 1 comprise significant aspects of the invention, attention, at the outset, will be focused on the structure shown in FIG- URE 1 for detachably securing the divided body 2 to the shelf 1.

Divider mounting mechanism Divider body 2, in being fabricated of plastic material such as polystyrene, inherently possesses a substantial degree of resilient flexibility. Thus, the end portions 2a and 2b of the divider body 2 are capable of being resiliently flexed laterally of the median plane of the divider 2, i.e., about axes extending perpendicular to the plane of the shelf 1.

One end 2a of divider body 2 is secured to shelf 1 by a first clip-like, securing means 3. Securing clip 3 is fabricated as a unitary structure from resilient sheet metal.

The other end 2b of divider body 2 is secured to shelf 1 by a second securing means 4. Divider securing means 4 is also fabricated as a one-piece clip-like structure from sheet metal, quite likely the same sheet metal as that employed in fabricating clip 3.

Securing clip 3 includes a U-shaped, resilient spring portion 5 operable to exert spring force in a direction extending longitudinally along the median plane of the divider 2. Spring 5 includes an outermost leg 6 which projects downwardly to merge with an arm 7. Arm 7 extends transversely of the median plane of the divider 2 and in general alignment with the direction L.

Arm 7 supports a hook 8 which, as shown in FIG- URE 1a, has a concave side facing generally toward the divider body 2. Hook 8 is engageable with an edge portion 9 of shelf aperture 10. This edge portion 9 faces generally away from the divider body 2.

Arm 7 also supports a locking abutment 11. Locking abutment 11 includes a perforation edge engaging abutment 12. This abutment 12 extends generally downwardly and away from the arm 7, when the arm 7 is viewed as shown in FIGURE 1. Abutment 12 is engaged with an edge portion 13 of an aperture 14, which edge portion 13 faces generally toward the divider body 2. Thus, abutment 12 faces generally away from the divider body 2.

At this point, it should be noted that in indicating that a component faces generally away from or toward another component, the terminology away from or toward" is used in a broad sense. Thus, abutment 12 faces away from body 2 in the sense that the body 2 and the abutment 12 are disposed on opposite sides of the arm 7. Similarly, the concave side of book 8 faces generally toward the body 2 in the sense that it faces the side of the arm 7 which supports the body 2.

Locking abutment means 11 also includes a locking lip 15. Locking lip 16 is connected with the abutment 12 and projects generally away from the abutment 12 and its associated arm 7. Locking lip 15 is disposed so as to extend generally parallel with the plane of the arm 7 as well as the median plane of the sheet metal shelf 1.

As shown in FIGURE 1, lip 15 is engageable with the under surface of a shelf portion 16, which shelf portion extends away from the aperture edge portion 13.

With locking mechanism 3 disposed as shown in FIG- URE 1, book 8 engages edge portion 9 of aperture 10, with abutment 12 engaging edge portion 13 of aperture 14. Locking lip 15 stabilizes abutment 12 within aperture 14. In this fashion, securing means 3 anchors divider body end 2a against vertical movement upwardly away from the perforate shelf 1, as well as against rotational movement about an axis extending through the end leg 17 of divider body 2.

Securing means 3 also includes a U-shaped mounting bracket portion 18. This bracket 18 is secured to the base leg 19 of divider body 2 by pin or rivet type fasteners 20 as schematically shown in FIGURE 1. Bracket 18 has a base wall portion 18a underlying leg 19 and merging with spring 9.

Second securing mechanism 4 also includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 21. This mounting bracket 21 is secured by pins 22 to divider base leg 19 as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Bracket 21 has a base wall 21a underlying leg 19.

Mechanism 4 includes a hook portion 23 which faces generally toward the hook portion 8. Hook 23, which is concave in a direction facing toward the hook 8, is engageable with edge 24 of an aperture 25, which edge 24 faces generally toward the aperture edge 9.

An arm 26 of mechanism 4 projects laterally from mounting bracket 21 and defines a continuation of bracket base wall 21a extending generally perpendicular to base leg 19. The median plane of sheet metal arm 26 is parallel with the plane of the perforate shelf 1.

Arm 26 includes a locking abutment means 27, identical to locking abutment means 11, but disposed in a mirror image relationship with respect to this latter locking abutment means. Thus, locking abutment means 27 includes an abutment portion 28 engageable with an edge 29 of aperture 30, which edge 29 faces toward the aperture edge 13. Locking abutment means 27 additionally includes a locking lip 31 which extends away from abutment 28 and beneath the plate surface 32 which lies adjacent the edge 29.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the arms 26 and 7 extend in spaced, parallel relationship from one side of the divider body 2. The mutually facing hooks 8 and 23 are spaced laterally from this one side of the divider body 2 so as to be engageable with apertures 10 and 25 in the same aperture row. Similarly, the locking abutment means 11 and 27 are spaced outwardly from the median plane of the divider body 2 so as to be engageable with apertures 13 and 30 in the same aperture row.

FIGURES 2 and 5 schematically illustrate the manner in which the mechanisms 3 and 4 serve to detachably secure the divider body 2 to the perforate plate 1. With mechanism 4 spaced upwardly above the plate 1, the hook 8 of mechanism 3 is inserted in the aperture 10 as shown in FIGURE 2. Thereafter, locking lip is inserted into the aperture 14. The arm 7 is then rotated so as to bring the mechanism 3 into the position shown in FIGURE 3 where the locking lip 15 underlies the aperture surface 16 and the abutment 12 engages the aperture edge 13.

With this rotation of the arm 7, it is possible to exert a pull on the divider body end leg 33, away from the mounting mechanism 3, so as to extend the spring 5. Spring 5 is thus resiliently extended until hook 23 may be lowered into the aperture 25 and engaged with the aperture edge 24. As shown in FIGURE 4, all this is accomplished with the locking abutment means 27 lying on the top surface of the plate 1, above the aperture 30.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGURE 5, the end portion 2b of the divider body is flexed so as to cause the arm 26 to rotate counterclockwise about the hook 23, when the apparatus is viewed as shown in FIGURE 5. This counterclockwise rotation of the arm 26 enables the locking lip 31 to be depressed downwardly into the aperture 30. Following this insertion of the lip 31 into the aperture 30, the natural resilience of the divider body portion 2b is allowed to restore the arm 26 to the position shown in FIGURE 4, i.e., to rotate the arm 26 clockwise to its normal position extending perpendicular to the row of apertures including the apertures and 14.

This clockwise rotation of the arm 26 serves to bring the abutment 28 into engagement with the aperture edge 29 as shown in FIGURE 1.

In this connection it will be recognized that the dimensioning of the lip 31 and abutment 28 is such as to enable the abutment 28 and lip 31 to pass downwardly through the aperture 30. A similar relationship of course exists between the aperture 14 and the lip 15 and abutment 12 of securing mechanism 3.

With the mechanisms 3 and 4 thus securing the end portions 2a and 2b of the divider body 2, this divider body is resiliently anchored to the shelf 1. The ends 2a and 2b of the divider body are prevented from undergoing rotational movement as well as movement away from the perforate shelf 1.

Significantly, this unusually secure and easy-to-efiect installation is accomplished without resort to special tools or precision manufacture.

Shelf-edge engaging, divider mounting arrangement FIGURES 6 through 9 illustrate divider assembly 101 including a pair of dividers 102 and 103. Each of the dividers 102 and 103 would be mounted as the divider 2, i.e., so as to extend transversely of a display shelf 1.

Dividers 102 and 103 are each fabricated from plastic such as polystyrene. The polystyrene divider body 104 of each divider is connected, at one end, to a shelf edge by a sheet metal mounting clip 105. Mounting clip 105 includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 106 secured by pin means 107 to the base leg 108 of the divider body 104. A U-shaped resilient spring portion 109 of clip 105, extending from a bracket base wall 106a, connects the mounting bracket with a hook portion 110. Hook portion 110 is operable to engage a shelf edge in substantially the fashion described in McKeehan Patent 2,538,908.

A unique and significantly improved mounting hook 111 is connected with the other end 112 of divider body 104.

Mounting hook 111 is fabricated from the same material as that employed in the fabrication of the body 104, i.e., material such as polystyrene.

Hook 111 is designed to engage one edge of a shelf, with hook portion being resiliently movable longitudinally away from hook 111 to engage an opposite shelf edge corresponding generally to the divider mounting principle described in the aforesaid McKeehan patent.

Improved hook 111 includes a hook body 113 including a concave hooking edge 114 and a convex outer edge 115. A hook shank 116 extends longitudinally of the body base leg 108 as generally shown.

A first, generally planar, flange 117 extends in coextensive or coplanar fashion around the concave hook edge 114 and projects from one side 118- of this hook. A second planar flange 119 extends from the opposite side 120 of the hook 114. Flange 120 is planar and longitudinally coextensive with the flange 117.

Each of the flanges 117 and 119 is coplanar with the underside of the shank 116 and projects longitudinally beyond the shank 116.

Hook 111 includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 121. This bracket includes first and second, parallel leg portions 122 and 123. A bracket end 124 extends between and connects the legs 122 and 123 and also connects these legs with the hook shank 116. A base wall 121a connects the edges of legs 122 and 123.

As shown in FIGURE 6, flange 117 extends longitudinally along and is connected with the leg 122. In a similar, mirror image fashion, which is obvious and therefore not fully illustrated, flange 119 extends along and is connected with the leg 123.

As shown in connection with the divided body 102, the first and second legs 122 and 123 extends along and are engaged with opposite sides of wall or base portion 108 of the divider body 104. Conventional rivets or securing pins 125 pass through aligned apertures of book 111 and base portion 108 to anchor the hook 111 in place.

As will be appreciated, this particular hook securing arrangement may be employed in lieu of the plate perforation engaging concept earlier described for the purpose of securing a divider in place on a shelf.

Longitudinal divider mounting As shown in connection with the divider body 102, auxiliary divider 200 which extends perpendicularly be tween the transversely extending shelf dividers 102 and 103. Thus, divider 101 extends longitudinally of the shelf supporting the dividers 102 and 103.

Auxiliary divider 200 includes a first body portion 201 and a second body portion 202. As illustrated, body portion 201 includes generally U-shaped edge portions 203 and 204 which define a trackway. This trackway slidably or telescopingly supports the body portion 202 for telescoping or sliding movement perpendicular to the median planes of the dividers 102 and 103.

Each of the body portions 201 and 202 may be fabricated of molded plastic material such as polystyrene.

Body portion 201 includes, at one end, a cam lock mounting mechanism 205 operable to detachably connect the body portion 201 to divider 102. An identical cam lock mechanism 206, mounted on planar wall end 207 of divider body portion 202, serves to detachably secure the body portion 202 to body portion 104 of divider 103.

With cam lock mounting mechanisms 205 and 206 being identical, structural details of the cam lock unit 206 only will be described in detail.

Cam lock 206, as shown schematically, in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 includes upper and lower units 206a and 20612. Upper unit 206a includes a planar abutment surface 208 comprising a portion of end wall 207. A second planar, or flat, abutment 209 is mounted On a hub 210. Hub 210 is journaled on a mounting pin or spindle 211. The axis of spindle 211 lies in a plane extending parallel to the top leg 212 of the body portion 202 and thus parallel to the shelf upon which the dividers 102, 103 and 200 are to be mounted. The pivot axis of shaft 211, however, is

7 inclined in this plane, with reference to the vertical median plane of the divider 200, when the divider is viewed as shown in FIGURE 6.

The abutment 209 is oriented relative to the hub 210, such that when the abutment 209 extends vertically upwardly, it is disposed in parallel and spaced relationship with respect to the abutment 208. Abutment 209 is oriented on the hub 210 so as to move into this parallel relationship with the planar abutment surface 208, while the abutment 209 is rotating clockwise and axially converging with the abutment surface 208.

Thus, with this abutment arrangement, and with the abutment 209 turned 90 counterclockwise out of its locking or converged position, as shown in FIGURE 7, the abutment surface 208 may be placed against one side of the top leg 126 of the divider 103. By then rotating the abutment 209 90 clockwise, about the pin 211, the abutment 209 will be cammingly moved into converging relationship with the abutment 208. The abutment 209 is located along the axis of the hub 210 so as to cause the abutments 208 and 209 to assume the parallel relationship shown in FIGURE 9 when the abutments 209 and 208 grippingly engage opposite sides 127 and 128 of the divider top leg 126.

The lower cam lock unit 206b, carried along the lower portion of the body end wall 207 is operable to engage the lower leg 108 of the divider 102. Thus, cam lock unit 206b includes a stationary, planar abutment wall 215 and a rotatable, planar abutment wall 216. Rotatable abutment wall 216 undergoes rotation and converges axially toward the abutment wall 215 so as to cause the abutment surfaces 215 and 216 to engage opposite sides of the divider leg 108 as shown in FIGURE 6.

The abutment surfaces 215 and 216 face generally toward the shelf supporting the assembly 101 when oriented in their gripping position, while the abutments 208 and 209 face upwardly away from this shelf when disposed in their divider leg gripping position. This enables the mechanism 206 to penetrate the divider body 104 and exert its gripping effect without extending beyond the vertical limits of the divider body.

As will be appreciated, the structure of the cam lock mechanism 205 is identical to that of the mechanism 206.

Auxiliary divider support structure FIGURES 10 and 11 and 12 illustrate structural details of a mounting mechanism operable to supportingly engage the lower leg portions of divider bodies of the type previously described.

As shown in FIGURE 10, this divider supporting mechanism 300 includes a planar, base plate portion 301. A cam lug or tab 303 bent perpendicularly downwardly from base plate 302 provides a shank edge 304 extending perpendicularly and downwardly from base plate 302. A cam edge surface 305 extends in an inclined fashion downwardly and away from shank edge 304.

A second cam lug 306 extends downwardly from base plate 302 and is parallel to the lug 303. Lug 306 includes a shank edge and a cam edge surface, both identical to, and parallel and coplanar with the edges 304 and 305, respectively.

A third camming lug means 307 is carried by the base plate 303. This third camming lug includes an arm 308 extending outwardly from and in coplanar relationship with the base plate 302. The axis of arm 308 passes between tabs 303 and 306 and, is perpendicular to, a plane aligned with the shank edge 304 of the lug 303 and the corresponding shank edge of the lug 306.

A shank edge 309 extends perpendicularly downward from arm 308 so as to be parallel with the shank edge 304- and the counterpart shank edge of the cam lug 306. The cam edge 310 is inclined downwardly from the shank edge 309.

A generally rectangular guide key 311 projects downwardly from the cam edge 310 so as to extend away from the arm 308.

Each of the camming lugs 303, 306 and 307 is insertable through an aperture of a perforate mounting plate 312 as shown generally in FIGURE 10. However, the common plane of the edge 304 of the lug 303 and the corresponding shank edge of lug 306 are so displaced from the location of the shank edge 309 as to cause all these shank edges to compressively engage shelf perforation edge portions.

The structure which produces compressive engagement between shelf perforation edges and the cam lug shank edges will be appreciated more fully with reference to FIGURES l1 and 12. As there shown, the mechanism 300 is positioned with the cam edge 305 engaged with an aperture edge 313 and the camming edge 310 engaged with an aperture edge 314. The positioning of the cam edge 310 adjacent the aperture edge 314 is facilitated by the guide key 311, which effects the entry of the lug 307 into the aperture 315.

By pressing down on the end 316 of the arm 308, the camming edges 305 and 310 ride downwardly across the aperture edges 313 and 314. During this downward movement, the lugs 303, 306 and 307 move progressively into intensified engagement with their associated apertures. This results, of course, from the perforation edge engaging shank surfaces 304 and 309 being longitudinally displaced somewhat less than the distance X as shown in FIGURE 12.

As will be seen by reference to FIGURES 10, 11 and 12, the distance X is the perpendicular distance between the perforation edge 310 and a common plane extending from the edge 313 of perforation 317 and the counterpart perforation edge 318 of perforation 319 which receives lug 306. With this dimensional arrangement, pressing of the plate 302 flat against the shelf surface 312 will cause the shank edges of the cam lugs to compressively and lockingly engage the edges of the plate apertures. Such compressive engagement is made possible by proper dimensioning, consistent with the resilient yieldability of the material from which the shelf 312 and the mechanism 300 are fabricated.

As will be appreciated, camming surface 310 provides a transition mechanism to enable the lug 307 to move from the initial position, shown in FIGURE 11 where the guide key 311 is inserted in the aperture 315, to its final locking position shown in FIGURE 12 where the shank edge 309 compressively engages the aperture edge 314. During this camming or rotary movement, the cam surface 305 of the lug 303 facilitates the entry of the lug 303 into the aperture 317 and facilitates the overall penetration of the lug 303 into the aperture 317 so as to bring the shank edge 304 into compressive engagement with the aperture edge 313. As will be appreciated, the shank edge 304 moves into compressive engagement with the aperture edge 313 simultaneous with the movement of the shank edge 309 into compressive engagement with the aperture edge 314.

Obviously the comments here made with respect to the lug 303 and its insertion into the aperture 317 are also applicable to the cooperation between the lug 306 and the aperture 319 into which it is inserted.

Mechanism 300 includes a generally U-shaped, divider base leg engaging, clamp 320.

Clamp 320 includes a leg portion 321 extending upwardly from the plate 302 and generally away from the shaft 312. A planar connecting portion 322 extends from the upper edge of the leg 321 generally away from the base plate 302. A second leg portion 323 extends downwardly from the connecting portion 322 generally toward the plane of the base plate 302.

As shown, leg portions 321 and 323 are engageable with opposite sides of a base frame portion 324 of a divider corresponding for example to the leg 108 of the divider 103.

Clamp portion 322 penetrates the body of the divider by passing through one of the illustrated, lattice-like openings.

Thus, with this structure, the clip portion 320 of the securing mechanism 300 may be engaged with a divider base leg and the lugs 303, 306 and 307 moved into com pressive locking position with aperture edges as shown in FIGURES 11 and 12. When thus positioned, the mechanism 300 provides effective support for a base leg of a shelf divider.

Mechanism 300 may be utilized to stabilize intermediate portions of unusually long shelf dividers, or in some instances may serve as independent shelf divider supporting units. In some instances, pin fasteners may penetrate the apertures 325 and 326 and enter the base leg 108 to more permanently connect the divider body and unit 300.

Summary of advantages and scope of invention As will be readily apparent, the several shelf divider and shelf divider securing mechanisms previously described may be altered substantially in configuration while maintaining the basic functional and structural aspects of the invention.

It will be equally obvious that the shelf perforation engaging mounting units are operable to support shelf dividers on shelves having a perforation pattern other than the pattern of diamond shaped perforations illustrated.

As will be recognized, the combination hook and locking abutment structure, illustrated in connection with FIGURES 1 through 5, provides a uniquely rugged mechanism for resiliently and rigidly anchoring a shelf divider to a perforate plate. The manipulative operations required are simple and easily handled by mechanically unskilled personnel. Further, the mechanism itself is operable to effect divider installations without requiring critical longitudinal spacing of the supporting mechanism along the base of a divider body.

The flanged, detachable mounting hook featured in FIGURE 6 provides a uniquely simple but structurally rugged mechanism for interconnecting a shelf edge and a divider body. The hook flanges in and of themselves promote divider stability in providing a planar mounting sur-" face adjacent a shelf edge which tends to resist turning tendencies of the mounting hook and divider body. The hook flanges in extending beyond the hook shank uniquely stabilize and strengthen the U-shaped mounting bracket of the hook thereby promoting overall strength and mounting stability. The hook may be easily attached to differently dimensioned divider bodies.

The rotatable locking cams featured in FIGURES 6 through 9 afford a deceptively simple yet rugged divider securing unit. These locking lugs, in combination with a telescoping divider body, contribute significantly to the ease with which a divider may be selectively positioned and locked in position. The telescoping character of the divider body eliminates criticality in the longitudinal positioning of the cam locking units. The cam locking units themselves may be operated with a simple manual manipulation not requiring a high degree of dexterity. Significantly, this locking is achieved within the vertical confines of the divider body.

The mounting mechanism featured in FIGURES 10 and 11 affords a uniquely rugged system for securing divider walls without creating vertical impediments to the utilization of available shelf space. Indeed, this divider unit, when positioned, is substantially coplanar with the divider supporting shelf.

In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the shelf divider art and familiar with the disclosure of this invention may recognize additions, deletions, substitutions and other modifications.

10 I claim: 1. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving, said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having laterally and resiliently flexible end portions; first securing means connected to one laterally and resiliently flexible end portion of said divider body, said first securing means including longitudinally resilient spring means; shelf perforation engaging, first hook means attached to said spring means and generally fao' ing said divider body, said first hook means being engageable with a shelf perforation edge facing generally away from said shelf divider body, first arm means extending laterally of said hook means, shelf perforation engaging, first locking abutment means carried by said first arm means, said first locking abutment means including shelf perforation-edge engaging, first abutment means facing away from said divider body, and first locking lip means extending from said first abutment means generally away from said divider body, said first locking lip means being engageable with an undersurface of a shelf extending away from the perforation edge engaged by said first abutment means, second securing means connected to another laterally and resiliently flexible end portion of said divider body, said second securing means including shelf perforation engaging, second hook means attached to said spring means and generally facing said first hook means, said second hook means being engageable with a shelf perforation edge facing generally away from said shelf divider body, second arm means extending laterally of said hook means, shelf perforation engaging, second locking abutment means carried by said second arm means, said second locking abutment means including shelf perforation-edge engaging, second abutment means facing away from said first abutment means, and second locking lip means extending from said second abutment means generally away from said first locking lip means, said second locking lip means being engageable with an undersurface of a shelf extending away from the perforation edge engaged by said second abutment means, each of said first and second arm means extending in parallel relationship from one side of said divider body; each of said first and second hook means being displaced from, and lying on one side of, said divider body and spaced the same distance from said one side of said divider body; each of said first and second locking abutment means being displaced from and lying on one side of said divider body, and spaced the same distance from said one side of said divider body; said resilient spring means of said first securing means being operable to enable said first and second hook means to be resiliently displaced longitudinally of said divider body and compressively and yieldably engaged with shelf perforation edges spaced longitudinally of said divider body; and said second securing means being operable, with said second hook means engaged with one shelf perfora tion, to enable said second arm means to be pivoted in one direction about said second hook means whereby said second locking lip may be inserted in another shelf perforation, with the resilience of said divider body thereafter pivoting said second arm means in a direction opposite to said one direction to bring said second abutment means into engagement with an edge of said other shelf perforation and position said second locking lip means beneath a portion of said shelf extending away from said perforation edge. 2. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving, said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resiliently flexible end portion; securing means connected to said laterally and resiliently flexible end portion of said divider body, said securing means including longitudinally resilient spring means;

shelf perforation engaging, hook means attached to said spring means and generally facing said divider body, said hook means being engageable with a shelf perforation edge facing generally away from said shelf divider body,

arm means extending laterally of said hook means,

shelf perforation engaging, locking abutment means carried by said arm means, said locking abutment means including shelf perforation-edge engaging, abutment means facing away from said divider body, and locking lip means extending from said abutment means generally away from said divider body, said locking lip means being engageable with an undersurface of a shelf extending away from the perforation edge engaged by said abutment means. 3. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving, said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resiliently flexible end portion; securing means connected to said laterally and resiliently flexible end portion of said divider body, said securing means including shelf perforation engaging, hook means generally facing said divider body, said hook means being engageable with a shelf perforation edge facing generally away from said shelf divider body,

arm means extending laterally of said hook means,

shelf perforation engaging, locking abutment means carried by said arm means, said locking abutment means including shelf perforation-edge engaging, abutment means facing away from said divider body, and locking lip means extending from said abutment means generally away from said divider body, said locking lip means being engageable with an undersurface of a shelf extending away from the perforation edge engaged by said abutment means. 4. A shelf divider comprising: a divider body; a mounting hook engageable with an edge portion of a shelf, said mounting hook including hook body means having a generally concave hooking edge, a generally convex outer edge, and a hook shank,

a first, planar, flange coextensive with one side of said hooking edge and spaced from said convex outer edge;

a second generally planar flange coplanar with said said first planar flange and extending coextensive with a side of said hooking edge opposite to said one side,

said first and second generally planar flanges being axially coextensive with said hook shank and projecting longitudinally therebeyond and generally coextensive with a shank edge extending from said hooking edge;

a U-shaped mounting bracket having a first leg, a second leg parallel to said first leg and spaced therefrom, and a bracket end extending between said first and second legs and interconnecting said first and second legs with said hook shank, said first flange extending at least partially longitudinally along and being connected with said first leg of said mounting bracket; said second flange extending at least partially longitudinally along and being connected with said second leg of said mounting bracket; and said first and second legs being engaged with opposite sides of a wall portion of said divider body. 5. A shelf divider comprising: a divider body; a mounting hook engageable with an edge portion of a shelf, said mounting book including hook body means having a generally concave hooking edge, a generally convex outer edge, and a hook shank, a first, flange coextensive with one side of said hooking edge;

a second flange coextensive with said first flange and extending coextensive with a side of said hooking edge opposite to said one side,

said first and second flanges being axially coextensive with said hook shank and projecting longitudinally therebeyond;

a mounting bracket connected with said divider body;

said first flange extending at least partially longitudinally along and being connected with one portion of said mounting bracket;

said second flange extending at least partially longitudinally along and being connected with another portion of said mounting bracket.

6. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving, said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resiliently flexible portion;

securing means connected to said laterally and resiliently flexible portion of said divider body, said securing means including shelf perforation engaging, hook means, said hook means being engageable with a shelf perforaation edge,

arm means, extending laterally of said divider body means,

shelf perforation engaging, abutment means carried by said arm means, said abutment means including shelf perforation-edge engaging, abutment means spaced laterally outwardly of said divider body and said hook means. 7. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving, said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resiliently flexible portion; first securing means connected to said laterally and resiliently flexible portion of said divider body, said first securing mean including first, shelf perforation engaging, hook means, said first hook means being engageable with a shelf perforation edge,

first arm means extending laterally of said divider body,

first, shelf perforation engaging, abutment means carried by said first arm means, said first abutment means including first, shelf perforation-edge engaging, abut- 13 ment means spaced laterally outwardly of said divider body and said hook means; second securing means connected to said divider body,

said second securing means including second, shelf perforation engaging, hook means, said second hook means being engagea-ble with a shelf perforation edge, second arm means extending laterally of said divider body, second, shelf perforation engaging, abutment means carried by said second arm means, said second abutment means including second, shelf perforation-edge engaging, abutment means spaced laterally outwardly of said divider body and said hook means; and

resilient means operable to permit resilient separation of said first and second securing means, longitudinally of said divider body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MARION PARSONS, JR., Primary Examiner

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