US5259518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Merchandising system
Assignee: INNOVATIVE MARKETING SOLUTIONS Inc AN IL CORP
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Filing: 1993-02-11
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Granted: 1993-11-09
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Expires: 2013-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products is disclosed. The system comprises a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly, a front cross-member and a rear cross-member. An outer pair of spaced, inwardly tapered, parallel roller tracks extend between the front cross-member and the rear cross member. A plurality of bi-directionally tapering roller tracks are disposed in parallel between the outer pair of roller tracks and extend between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member. Each of the roller tracks cooperate with an adjacent one of the roller tracks to form a generally V-shaped guide for sequentially delivering product. The bi-directionally tapering roller tracks are laterally adjustable to selectably adjust the width of each of the guides.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald R. Sorenson
- 👤 Joseph A. Brhel
- 👤 William R. Novak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/023; A; A47; A47F; A47F1/00; A47F1/04; A47F1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said first portion defines a frustoconical shape to help center said products, each of the outer tracks extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member; and a bi-directional track including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said first outer track and a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said bi-directional track disposed between the outer roller tracks and extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said first portion defines a frustoconical shape to help center said products, each of the outer tracks extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member; and a bi-directional track including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said first outer track and a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said bi-directional track disposed between the outer roller tracks and extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The merchandising system of claim 1 including means for laterally adjusting the bi-directionally tapering roller track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The merchandising system of claim 2 wherein the laterally adjusting means comprises: a plurality of notches disposed along one of the front or rear cross-member; a corresponding plurality of slots disposed along the other of the front or rear cross-member; wherein the bi-directional track includes a downwardly extending pin for engagement with one of the notches and a nut adapted for receiving a bolt extending through the corresponding one of the slots.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The merchandising system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of notches are disposed along the front cross-member and the plurality of slots are disposed along the rear cross-member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The merchandising system of claim 1 including a plurality of bi-directional tracks, each disposed between the outer tracks and extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The merchandising system of claim 5 including means for laterally adjusting each of the plurality of bidirectional tracks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The merchandising system of claim 6 wherein the laterally adjusting means comprises: a plurality of notches disposed along one of the front or rear cross-member; a corresponding plurality of slots disposed along the other of the front or rear cross-member; wherein each bidirectional track includes a downwardly extending pin for engagement with one of the notches and a nut adapted for receiving a bolt extending through the corresponding one of the slots.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The merchandising system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of notches are disposed along the front cross-member and the plurality of slots are disposed along the rear cross-member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein each of the tracks comprises a U-shaped channel having a base and opposing, upwardly directed legs, and a plurality of tapered roller assemblies, each extending between the opposing legs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The merchandising system of claim 9 wherein each of the tapered roller assemblies comprises: a plastic spacer; a plastic roller; and a roller pin extending between the plastic spacer and the plastic roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The merchandising system of claim 10 wherein each of the rollers has a first portion tapering at a first angle and a second portion tapering at a second, different angle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The merchandising system of claim 10 wherein the roller pin is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the horizontal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of rollers having first portions inclined toward said first outer track and said plurality of rollers having first portions inclined toward said second outer track are alternately arranged on said bi-directional track.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
238 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said first portion defines a frustoconical shape to help center said products, each of the outer tracks extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross member; a plurality of bi-directional tracks, each of said bi-directional tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said first outer track and a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion is and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said bi-directional tracks disposed in parallel between the first and second outer tracks and extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member, each of the tracks cooperating with an adjacent one of the tracks to form a guide for sequentially delivering product; and means for laterally adjusting the bi-directional tracks to selectably adjust the width of each of the guides.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
238 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said first portion defines a frustoconical shape to help center said products, each of the outer tracks extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross member; a plurality of bi-directional tracks, each of said bi-directional tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said first outer track and a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion is and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said bi-directional tracks disposed in parallel between the first and second outer tracks and extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member, each of the tracks cooperating with an adjacent one of the tracks to form a guide for sequentially delivering product; and means for laterally adjusting the bi-directional tracks to selectably adjust the width of each of the guides.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the laterally adjusting means comprises: a plurality of notches disposed along one of the front or rear cross-member; a corresponding plurality of slots disposed along the other of the front or rear cross-member; wherein each of the bi-directionally tapering roller tracks includes a downwardly extending pin for engagement with one of the notches and a nut adapted for receiving a bolt extending through the corresponding one of the slots.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The merchandising system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of notches are disposed along the front cross-member and the plurality of slots are disposed along the rear cross-member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said plurality of rollers having first portions inclined toward said first outer track and said plurality of rollers having first portions inclined toward said second outer track are alternately arranged on said bi-directional track.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said first portion defines a frustoconical shape to help center said products, each of the outer tracks extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross member; a plurality of bi-directional tracks, each bi-directional track including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said first outer track and a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said bi-directional tracks disposed in parallel between the outer tracks and extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member, each of the tracks cooperating with an adjacent one of the tracks to form a generally V-shaped guide for sequentially delivering product; and means for laterally adjusting the bi-directional tracks to selectably adjust the width of each of the guides.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said tracks including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said first portion defines a frustoconical shape to help center said products, each of the outer tracks extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross member; a plurality of bi-directional tracks, each bi-directional track including a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said first outer track and a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said bi-directional tracks disposed in parallel between the outer tracks and extending between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member, each of the tracks cooperating with an adjacent one of the tracks to form a generally V-shaped guide for sequentially delivering product; and means for laterally adjusting the bi-directional tracks to selectably adjust the width of each of the guides.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
The merchandising system of claim 18 wherein the laterally adjusting means comprises: a plurality of notches disposed along one of the front or rear cross-member; a corresponding plurality of slots disposed along the other of the front or rear cross-member; wherein each of the bi-directional tracks includes a downwardly extending pin for engagement with one of the notches and a nut adapted for receiving a bolt extending through the corresponding one of the slots.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said plurality of rollers having first portions inclined toward said first outer track and said plurality of rollers having first portions inclined toward said second outer track are alternately arranged on said bidirectional track.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said first outer track having a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track and said second outer track having a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said first portions of said rollers define a frustoconical shape to help center said products.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said first outer track having a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track and said second outer track having a plurality of rollers having a first tapered support portion and a second tapered bumper portion tapering at a greater angle than said first portion wherein said support portion is inclined toward said second outer track, said first portions of said rollers define a frustoconical shape to help center said products.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 21 wherein an axis of said roller is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to a horizontal plane.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
135 words
A system of merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and a rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said first and second outer tracks extending between said front cross-member and said rear cross-member, said first and second outer tacks including a plurality of rollers wherein said rollers include a cylindrical support surface having an axis of rotation disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane; and a bi-directional track disposed between said first and second outer tracks and extending between said front and rear cross-members, said bi-directional track having a plurality of rollers wherein said rollers have a cylindrical support surface having an axis of rotation disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
135 words
A system of merchandising a plurality of discrete products, the system comprising: a frame comprising a front and a rear support assembly; a front cross-member; a rear cross-member; a first outer track and a second outer track, said first and second outer tracks extending between said front cross-member and said rear cross-member, said first and second outer tacks including a plurality of rollers wherein said rollers include a cylindrical support surface having an axis of rotation disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane; and a bi-directional track disposed between said first and second outer tracks and extending between said front and rear cross-members, said bi-directional track having a plurality of rollers wherein said rollers have a cylindrical support surface having an axis of rotation disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 23 including a plurality of bi-directional tracks disposed between said first and second outer tracks and extending from said front and rear cross-members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-05-10 | 1997-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-08 | 2001-05-10 | 2001-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-08 | 2005-05-10 | 2005-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |