Handheld device and method for arranging items positioned on a display shelf

Abstract

A device for manually arranging items positioned on a display shelf includes a handle portion, an elongated middle portion extending outwardly from the handle portion and an end portion which is formed generally perpendicular to a distal end of the middle portion.

1 . A handheld device for aiding in manually arranging items positioned on a display shelf, said device comprising: 
 (a) a handle portion;    (b) an elongated middle portion extending outwardly from said handle portion; and    (c) an end portion formed generally perpendicular to a distal end of said middle portion.    
   
   
       2 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein a length of said middle portion is preselected to position said end portion in close proximity to a rear edge of such display shelf when said handle portion is positioned at a predetermined distance from a front edge of such display shelf.  
   
   
       3 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said middle portion is rigid.  
   
   
       4 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said middle portion includes a plurality of telescopically interfitted elongated sections which are movable along a common longitudinal axis between a collapsed and an extended position, and wherein said plurality of telescopically interfitted elongated sections form a plurality of outer sections having a bottom end and a plurality of inner sections having a top end.  
   
   
       5 . The device, according to  claim 4 , wherein said device includes a locking means for selectively securing each pair of an outer section and an inner section in one of an extended and a collapsed position.  
   
   
       6 . The device, according to  claim 5 , wherein said locking means includes a tapered, threaded connector fixedly fastened to said top end of said inner section, a split, peripherally embossed screw cap threaded onto said threaded connector and rotatable relative to said connector between a first position wherein said screw cap is radially expanded and forced into engagement with an inside wall of said outer section to stop said inner section from axial movement relative to said outer section and a second position wherein said screw cap is released from said inside wall of said outer section for enabling said inner section and said outer section to be moved axially relative to each other.  
   
   
       7 . The device, according to  claim 5 , wherein said locking means includes: 
 (a) a radially inwardly extending flange formed in said bottom end of said outer section, said flange having a bore therein dimensioned and configured for engagement with an exterior surface of said inner section;    (b) a radially outwardly extending flange formed about said top edge of said inner section, said flange having a circumferential surface dimensioned and configured for engagement with said interior bore of said inwardly extending flange of said bottom end;    (c) a pin means carried on one of said flanges; and    (d) a slot means defined in an opposed one of said flanges and configured and sized for engagement with said pin means, said pin means being selectively engageable in said slot means for locking engagement between said flanges to prevent relative axial movement between said outer and said inner sections.    
   
   
       8 . The device, according to  claim 5 , wherein said locking means includes: 
 (a) a housing which is disposed about said outer section adjacent said bottom end thereof, said housing being slidably movable between an extended position and a retracted position on said outer section in a direction along a longitudinal center axes, said housing having an internal annular chamber disposed about said outer section;    (b) an end fitting fixedly mounted on said outer section at said bottom end thereof, said end fitting having a first conical surface, said first conical surface being spaced from said bottom end of said outer section;    (c) a biasing means located within said internal annular chamber, said biasing means applying a biasing force between said end fitting and said housing in a direction parallel to said longitudinal center axes, said biasing means tending to locate said housing in said retracted position; and    (d) an elastomeric and immovable collet fixedly mounted on said housing, said collet being located within said internal annular chamber, said collet in binding engagement with said inner section and said end fitting once said housing is in said retracted position preventing sliding movement between said inner section and said outer section, wherein upon manual movement of said housing to said extended position said collet is located spaced from said end fitting without being in binding position with said inner section and permitting longitudinal sliding movement of said inner section relative to said outer section.    
   
   
       9 . The device, according to  claim 4 , wherein one of said telescopic elongated sections is one of attached and integral to said handle portion.  
   
   
       10 . The device, according to  claim 4 , wherein one of said telescopic elongated sections includes said distal end of said middle portion.  
   
   
       11 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device includes a key chain loop attached to a predetermined portion of said device.  
   
   
       12 . The device, according to  claim 11 , wherein said device includes a locking carabiner attached to said key chain loop.  
   
   
       13 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further includes a grip means attached to said handle portion.  
   
   
       14 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of said device is one of metal, plastic, wood and various combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is formed as a unitary member.  
   
   
       16 . The device, according to  claim 15 , wherein said device is formed from a tubular material.  
   
   
       17 . A method of manually arranging a plurality of preselected items positioned on a display shelf, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a handheld device having a first elongated member and a second elongated member which is attached generally perpendicular to one end of said first elongated member;    (b) positioning said second member adjacent a front edge of said display shelf and adjacent said plurality of preselected items;    (c) moving said device toward a rear edge of said display shelf;    (d) positioning said second member adjacent said rear edge of said display shelf and behind a rearmost one of said plurality of preselected items;    (e) positioning said second member into a horizontal position for placement behind said rearmost one of said plurality of preselected items; and    (f) moving said device and said plurality of preselected items toward said front edge of said display shelf to align said preselected plurality of items in at least a row manner.    
   
   
       18 . The method, according to  claim 17 , wherein said method further includes the step of laterally moving said first member to align said plurality of preselected items in said column manner.  
   
   
       19 . A method of manually aligning a plurality of preselected items positioned on a display shelf, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an elongated handheld device having a predetermined length which enables positioning a first end of said device in close proximity to a rear edge of such display shelf when an opposed second end of said device is positioned at a predetermined distance away from a front edge of such display shelf;    (b) positioning said first end adjacent a front edge of said display shelf and adjacent said plurality of preselected items;    (c) moving said device toward a rear edge of said display shelf;    (d) positioning said first end adjacent said rear edge of said display shelf and adjacent a rearmost one of said plurality of items; and    (e) laterally moving said device in relationship to said shelf to align said plurality of preselected items in at least a column manner.