US4234869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Merchandise display and categorical indicators
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-15
•
Granted: 1980-11-18
•
Expires: 1998-11-15
Abstract
Abstract An indicator system for a merchandise display rack indicates a related article as a signal is energized indicating the position of the merchandise on the rack. The signal is timed. Other signals give different indications in the same way and cancel prior indications not appropriate to the current signals indicated.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Sandelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A categorical indicator device on an article display rack, said display rack including a plurality of rows for display of articles, said articles, discretely stackable on said shelves in columns, said shelves slanted downward for gravity feed of said articles, said categorical indicator device adapted to optionally indicate at least one subset of a category matrix of articles, said indicator device comprising indicator means including members having a one-to-one physical relationship with individual members of said category matrix at said columns, storage means for storing the identity of said at least one category subset, selection means for selecting a selected subset of said at least one subset, and control means for energizing selected indicator members associated with said selected subset whereby said selected subset is distinguished from other articles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A categorical indicator device on an article display rack, said display rack including a plurality of rows for display of articles, said articles, discretely stackable on said shelves in columns, said shelves slanted downward for gravity feed of said articles, said categorical indicator device adapted to optionally indicate at least one subset of a category matrix of articles, said indicator device comprising indicator means including members having a one-to-one physical relationship with individual members of said category matrix at said columns, storage means for storing the identity of said at least one category subset, selection means for selecting a selected subset of said at least one subset, and control means for energizing selected indicator members associated with said selected subset whereby said selected subset is distinguished from other articles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises illuminable electric lamps in physical relationship to said articles in said columns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises a wired memory including at least one gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises a digital processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said digital processor is a microprocessor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selection means comprises a plurality of command buttons, at least one of said command buttons being effective to select said selected subset.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control means comprises circulating register means for receiving and storing a predetermined digital pattern from said digital processor and for energizing and de-energizing specific ones of said indicator members according to said predetermined digital pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of indicator members in a row, said storage device containing means for independently energizing at least first and second subsets of said category matrix, said first and second subsets containing at least one common member, and at least first and second command buttons operable to command energization of said first and second subset indicator members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1219230A
Cited
US2204315A
Cited
US2159925A
Cited
US2542890A
Cited
US2455210A
Cited
US3292489A
Cited
US3573792A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |