Retail merchandise pusher

Abstract

A retail merchandise pusher, the pusher including a frame assembly for providing a support surface to a plurality of articles of merchandise in a front-to-back column, the frame assembly having sides, a front end and a back end, a first and second divider support fixedly coupled to the frame assembly proximate the front end and the back end, at least one divider removably coupled to the first and second divider supports, the at least one divider providing lateral support to the column of articles of merchandise along the side of the frame assembly, a pusher paddle slideably mounted to the frame assembly and interposed between the front end and back end of the frame assembly, the pusher paddle including a spring configured to apply pressure to the rear of the column of articles of merchandise, thereby urging the column of articles of merchandise forward; and, a transparent front stop coupled to the front end of the frame assembly for providing a front stop to the column of articles of merchandise.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 875,290 filed Sep. 9, 2013, the entire application of which, is incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to retail merchandise displays. More particularly, the present invention relates to self-facing retail merchandise displays being used for biasing retail merchandise forward, wherein each self-facing retail merchandise display can be easily adjusted to accommodate a variety of merchandise widths.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing products or merchandise in numerous types of retail establishments, such as grocery stores and drug stores. Many stores simply employ shelves on which merchandise is stocked. In such stores, for the shelves which are not at eye level, it is difficult for the customer to see the items being displayed if they are not located adjacent the front edge of t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a low cost and easy to operate retail merchandise pusher that allows merchandise to be displayed in a compact and orderly way at the point of sale. It is designed to be simple to assemble, low maintenance, and can be used in harsh environments. The invention includes a transparent stop that secures the merchandise in place, and a plurality of ribs that provide resistance to sliding the pushing paddle off the frame assembly. Additionally, the invention includes at least one hole in the guide rails and a locking device to prevent the pushing paddle from sliding off. Furthermore, the invention has first and second divider supports with a plurality of ribs that allow the at least one divider to be selectively coupled and removed while providing sufficient resistance. This allows for adjustment and flexibility in the use of the pusher.

Problems solved by technology

In such stores, for the shelves which are not at eye level, it is difficult for the customer to see the items being displayed if they are not located adjacent the front edge of the shelf.

Also, such shelves make it difficult to rotate merchandise, i.e., move the older stock to the front of the shelf and position newer stock behind the older stock.

However, pusher systems of the prior art oftentimes require complicated assembly and maintenance by retail personal; a factor which inhibits efficient sales and results in added costs to consumers.

Additionally, there are certain retail environments which present particularly harsh environments to mechanical components and can interfere with normal operation of forward feed devices.

Images