Shelving system

Abstract

A product pusher device includes an elongate track having a front end, a rear end, and a rail and a paddle movably connected to the track for movement along the rail. The paddle has a front face for engagement with a rearmost one of a set of associated products located on the track. A foot protrudes from the paddle. The foot extends away from the front face and is slidably engaged with the rail. A biasing element is operatively connected to the paddle for urging the paddle toward the track front end.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A product pusher device comprising: 
 an elongate track having a front end, a rear end, and a rail;    a paddle movably connected to said track for movement along said rail and comprising a front face for engagement with a rearmost one of a set of associated products located on said track;    a foot protruding from said paddle, said foot extending away from said front face and being slidably engaged with said rail; and,    a biasing element operatively connected to said paddle for urging said paddle toward said track front end.    
     
     
         2 . The product pusher device of  claim 1 , wherein said paddle is adapted to cantilever beyond said rear end of said track.  
     
     
         3 . The product pusher device of  claim 1 , wherein said rail includes a generally T-shaped cross-section.  
     
     
         4 . The product pusher device of  claim 3 , wherein said foot of said paddle is captured between said rail and a wall of said track.  
     
     
         5 . The product pusher device of  claim 4 , wherein said foot comprises a protrusion extending transversely from a wall of said foot and cooperating with said rail.  
     
     
         6 . The product pusher device of  claim 1 , wherein said biasing element comprises a spring.  
     
     
         7 . A product pusher device comprising: 
 an elongate track having a front end, a rear end, a rail, and a length for placement on an associated shelf having a depth and a length wherein said track extends generally transverse to the length of the associated shelf, said track supporting a plurality of associated products thereon;    a paddle movably connected to said track for movement along said rail and including: 
 a base portion,  
 a front face connected to said base portion, for engagement with a rearmost one of the associated products positioned on said track, and  
 a foot, slidably engaged with said rail, said foot protruding from said base portion; and,  
   a biasing element for urging said paddle toward said track front end.    
     
     
         8 . The product pusher device of  claim 7 , wherein said foot extends forwardly of said front face of said paddle.  
     
     
         9 . The product pusher device of  claim 8  wherein said foot comprises a pair of walls.  
     
     
         10 . The product pusher device of  claim 9  wherein said foot further comprises a flange that extends transversely of a plane of one of said pair of walls, said flange cooperating with a rail mounted on said elongate track.  
     
     
         11 . The product pusher device of  claim 10  further comprising a stiffening wall extending between said pair of walls.  
     
     
         12 . The product pusher device of  claim 10  further comprising a tapered surface located at one end of said pair of walls.  
     
     
         13 . The product pusher device of  claim 7  wherein said paddle is adapted to cantilever beyond said rear end of said track.  
     
     
         14 . The product pusher device of  claim 13  wherein the associated shelf has a depth greater than the length of said track.  
     
     
         15 . The product pusher device of  claim 7  wherein said foot of said paddle is captured between a rail and a wall of said track.  
     
     
         16 . A product pusher device comprising: 
 an elongate track having a longitudinal axis and a rail extending along said longitudinal axis;    a paddle moveably connected to said track for movement along said rail, said paddle including: 
 a base portion,  
 a pusher face connected to said base portion for engagement with a rearmost one of a set of associated products positioned on said track, and,  
 a guide protruding from said base portion, said guide slidably engaging said rail; and,  
   a biasing element for urging said paddle towards one end of said track.    
     
     
         17 . The product pusher device of  claim 16  wherein said guide includes a first portion which extends approximately normal to a plane of said base and a second portion which extends approximately parallel to said plane of said base.  
     
     
         18 . The product pusher device of  claim 17  wherein said track further comprises a second rail, spaced from said first rail and wherein said guide second portion contacts only said first rail and said base contacts both said first rail and said second rail.  
     
     
         19 . The product pusher device of  claim 16  wherein said guide extends forwardly of said front face of said paddle.  
     
     
         20 . The product pusher device of  claim 16  wherein said paddle is adapted to cantilever beyond a rear end of said track.  
     
     
         21 . The product pusher device of  claim 20  wherein the associated shelf has a depth greater than a length of said track.  
     
     
         22 . The product pusher device of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 a groove extending longitudinally along said track; and,  
 a protrusion extending from a lower surface of said base portion, said protrusion being accommodated in said groove.  
 
     
     
         23 . The product pusher device of  claim 22  wherein said groove has a width larger than a width of said protrusion such that a first side wall of said protrusion is located adjacent one side wall of said groove but, a second side wall of said protrusion is spaced away from a second side wall of said groove.  
     
     
         24 . The product pusher device of  claim 16  wherein said track further comprises a side wall such that said track comprises a closed side and an open side, wherein said guide is spaced from said side wall and is located adjacent said track open side.  
     
     
         25 . A merchandise display system comprising: 
 an integrated base and divider assembly for supporting displayed merchandise, wherein the base and divider assembly includes a base adapted for operative coupling to a shelf and a divider wall for dividing displayed merchandise into rows, wherein the divider wall protrudes from the base such that the divider wall separates the base into a first portion having a pusher track and a second portion;    a first rail located on said pusher track; and    a pusher mounted on said pusher track for pushing merchandise along the base first portion towards a front of the associated shelf, wherein said pusher comprises a guide slidably engaged with said first rail.    
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said guide comprises an L-shaped flange.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said guide extends forwardly of a front face of said pusher.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein said pusher track further comprises a second rail spaced from said first rail.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein said guide is only engaged with said first rail.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28  wherein said pusher is slidably engaged with both said first rail and said second rail.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said guide includes a first portion which extends approximately normal to a plane of said base and a second portion which extends approximately parallel to said plane of said base.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said pusher is adapted to cantilever beyond a rear end of said pusher track.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32  further comprising an associated shelf on which said integrated base and divider assembly is supported and wherein the associated shelf has a depth greater than a length of said pusher track.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said pusher track on said base first portion includes a closed side comprising said divider wall and an open side and wherein said guide is spaced from said side wall and is located adjacent said open side.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said foot extends forwardly of a front face of said pusher.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising a biasing element for urging said pusher towards said track front end.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising a flange which extends away from said foot, said flange cooperating with said first rail of said pusher track.