Modular storage system for retail merchandising units

Abstract

A modular retail system includes a track positioned on a floor and a plurality of retail units. Each retail unit includes a base having generally opposed ends, the base and ends generally defining an interior for contents that is accessible through a front margin defined between the generally opposed ends. Each retail unit further includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to and extending below the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor. Each retail unit includes at least one track follower mechanism coupled to the base and having at least a portion of which is engageable with the track, such that the plurality of units can be stored in a generally abutting side-by-side position and movable in a direction generally parallel the track when the at least a portion of the track follower mechanism is selectively engaged with the track.

1 . A modular retail system, comprising: 
 a track positioned on a floor; and    a plurality of retail units, each retail unit comprising: 
 a base having generally opposed ends, the base and ends generally defining an interior for contents that is accessible through a front margin defined between the generally opposed ends;  
 a plurality of wheel assemblies operably coupled to and extending below the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor; and  
 at least one track follower mechanism operably coupled to the base and having at least a portion of which is selectively engageable with the track, such that the plurality of retail units are configured to be stored in a generally abutting side-by-side position and movable in a direction generally parallel the track when the at least a portion of the track follower mechanism is selectively engaged with the track.  
   
   
   
       2 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 1 , wherein the units are movable in a relative direction generally perpendicular to the track when the at least a portion of the track follower mechanism is selectively disengaged with the track.  
   
   
       3 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a top generally opposed the base and further defining the interior; and    a canopy operably coupled to the unit proximate the top, the canopy being movable between an open position providing access to the interior and a closed position at least partially enclosing the front margin.    
   
   
       4 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 3 , wherein the canopy is hingedly coupled to the unit.  
   
   
       5 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 3 , wherein the unit further comprises a prop rod, such that the canopy can be retained in the open position by the prop rod.  
   
   
       6 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 3 , wherein the unit further comprises a lock mechanism, such that the canopy can be securely retained in the closed position by the lock mechanism.  
   
   
       7 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an end panel operably coupled to one of the generally opposed ends, the end panel being movable between an open position and a closed position.    
   
   
       8 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of grooves defined on a surface of the end panel configured to dispose contents thereon.    
   
   
       9 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 7 , wherein the unit further comprises a lock mechanism, such that the end panel can be retained in the closed position by the lock mechanism.  
   
   
       10 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a storage structure disposed in the interior, the storage structure comprising a plurality of storage spaces configured to store at least some of the contents.    
   
   
       11 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of storage spaces comprises at least one drawer.  
   
   
       12 . The modular retail unit system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of storage spaces comprises at least one storage door.  
   
   
       13 . A method of managing merchandise comprising: 
 positioning a track on a floor;    providing a plurality of retail units, each retail unit comprising a base having generally opposed ends, the base and ends defining an interior for merchandise that is accessible through a front margin defined between the ends;    providing wheel assemblies on the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor and providing at least one track follower mechanism on the base,    selectively engaging at least one track follower mechanism with the track, such that the plurality of retail units are stored in a generally abutting side-by-side position and movable in a direction generally parallel the track when the track follower mechanism is selectively engaged with the track.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 selectively disengaging the track follower mechanism from the track;    effecting movement of the unit in a relative direction generally perpendicular the track; and    effecting movement the unit on the rolling surface to a selected location.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising displaying the merchandise and completing a sales transaction of the merchandise.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising effecting movement the unit on the rolling surface to the track and selectively engaging the track follower mechanism with the track.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 providing a top on the unit generally opposed the base, the top further defining the interior;    providing a canopy to the unit proximate the top, such that the canopy is movable between an open position providing access to the interior and a closed position at least partially enclosing the interior; and    effecting movement of the canopy to the open position when at the selected location.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a rod and operably retaining the canopy in an open position with the rod.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 providing a storage structure disposed in the interior, the storage structure having a plurality of storage spaces defined therein configured to store at least some of the merchandise; and    disposing at least some of the merchandise in the storage structure.    
   
   
       20 . A modular retail system, comprising: 
 a track positioned on a floor;    a plurality of units, each unit comprising: 
 a base having generally opposed ends, the base and ends generally defining an interior for displaying contents that is accessible through a front margin defined between the generally opposed ends;  
 a plurality of wheel assemblies operably coupled to and extending below the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor;  
 a top generally opposed the base and further defining the interior and a canopy operably coupled to the unit proximate the top, the canopy being movable between an open position providing access to the interior and a closed position at least partially enclosing the front margin;  
 a storage structure disposed in the interior, the storage structure comprising a plurality of storage spaces configured to store at least some of the contents;  
 an access door operably coupled to one of the generally opposed ends, the access door being movable between an open position and a closed position; and  
 at least one track follower mechanism operably coupled to the base and having at least a portion of which is selectively engageable with the track, such that the plurality of units are configured to be stored in a generally abutting side-by-side position and movable in a direction generally parallel the track when the at least a portion of the track follower mechanism is selectively engaged with the track.  
   
   
   
       21 . A modular display unit, comprising: 
 a base having generally opposed ends, the base and ends generally defining an interior for contents that is accessible through a front margin defined between the ends;    a plurality of wheel assemblies operably coupled to and extending below the base configured to roll the base thereupon;    an end panel operably coupled to at least one of the ends, the end panel being movable between an end panel open position enabling access to the interior and an end panel closed position;    a top generally opposed the base further defining the interior and a canopy operably coupled to the unit proximate the top, the canopy being movable between a canopy open position enabling access to the interior and a canopy closed position at least partially enclosing the front margin; and    a lock mechanism operably engageable with the end panel and the canopy to selectively retain the canopy and end panel in closed positions and selectively inhibit access to the interior.    
   
   
       22 . A modular display unit, comprising: 
 a base having generally opposed ends, the base and ends generally defining an interior for contents that is accessible through a front margin defined between the ends;    a plurality of wheel assemblies operably coupled to and extending below the base configured to roll the base thereupon;    a top generally opposed the base further defining the interior and a canopy operably coupled to the unit proximate the top, the canopy being movable between a canopy open position enabling access to the interior and a canopy closed position at least partially enclosing the front margin, the canopy selectively retainable in the canopy open position with a rod operably coupled proximate the base; and    a storage structure disposed in the interior, the storage structure having an upper surface and a plurality of storage spaces configured to store at least some of the contents, the storage structure having a groove defined therein to operably retain the rod when the canopy is in a canopy closed position.    
   
   
       23 . The modular display unit of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 an end panel operably coupled to at least one of the ends, the end panel being movable between an end panel open position enabling access to the interior and an end panel closed position; and    a lock mechanism operably engageable with the end panel and the canopy to selectively retain the canopy and end panel in closed positions and selectively inhibit access to the interior, the rod being securely retained in the groove selectively inhibiting access to the storage spaces.