Modular article storage and dispensing assembly

Abstract

A modular article storage and dispensing assembly which includes a side-by-side series of article dispensers for storing and advancing articles for removal. A series of support shelves are positioned end-to-end and supported from upright supports and each shelf section includes at least two spaced and horizontally disposed elongated parallel shelf bars supported on opposite ends by end brackets. The end brackets are removably securable to the upright supports. Support saddles depend downwardly from each of the dispensers and are positioned respectively to register over and engage the support bars to thereby support the dispensers. The support shelf end brackets are relieved and contoured to conform to the contours of the shelf bars whereby the support saddles may be supported on the support bars at the bracket locations, as well as between end brackets, thereby permitting a continuous side-by-side uninterrupted supported series of the article dispensers. The support saddles which are positioned over a forward positioned bar of the support shelves have downwardly facing C-shaped configurations with downwardly depending front and rear legs that are dimensioned and contoured to slide downwardly over the forward support bar. The rear leg of this C-shaped saddle is shorter than the front leg to thereby permit ease of removal of the dispensers from the support bars. A low stock indicator is also provided on the dispenser for indicating that restock of articles in the dispenser is required.

1 . A modular article storage and dispensing assembly, comprising:
 a side by side series of article dispensers for storing and advancing articles for removal;   a series of support shelves positioned end to end and supported from upright supports, said shelves each including at least two spaced and horizontally disposed elongated parallel shelf bars supported on opposite ends by brackets removably secured to said upright supports;   support saddles depending downwardly from each of said dispensers and positioned to respectively register over and engage said support bars to thereby support said dispensers;   said brackets relieved and contoured to conform to contours of said shelf bars supported from said brackets whereby said support saddles may be supported on said support bars at the location of said brackets as well as between said brackets for thereby permitting a continuous side by side supported series of said dispensers.   
   
   
       2 . The modular article storage and dispensing assembly of  claim 1 , including three of said shelf bars for supporting a series of heavier or larger dispensers. 
   
   
       3 . The modular article storage and dispensing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensers include a flat shelf. 
   
   
       4 . The modular article storage and dispensing assembly of  claim 1 , said support saddles which are positioned over a forward positioned of said support bars having a downwardly facing C-shaped configuration with downwardly depending front and rear legs and dimensioned and contoured to slide downwardly over said forward support bar, said rear leg being considerably shorter than said front leg for thereby permitting ease of removal of said dispensers from said support bars. 
   
   
       5 . A modular gravity feed storage and dispensing assembly, comprising:
 a dispenser including an inclined ramp for sequential rolling advancement of cylindrical articles down said ramp to a removal area for selective removal of one or more of said articles; and   a low stock indicator on an exposed face of said dispenser for indicating that restock of articles in said dispenser is required.   
   
   
       6 . The modular gravity feed storage and dispensing assembly of  claim 5 , said low stock indicator comprised of a pivoted lever arm located at said removal area and including an upright extension which covers an indicating surface on said dispenser when sufficient articles are aligned on said ramp at said removal area whereby said lever is engaged by an article, said lever dimensioned and weighted whereby it is not engaged by an article when a predetermined minimum number of articles remain on said ramp at said removal area to thereby cause pivoting of said lever arm to expose said indicating surface. 
   
   
       7 . A modular gravity feed storage and dispensing assembly, comprising:
 a dispenser including an inclined ramp for sequential rolling advancement of cylindrical articles down said ramp to a removal area, said ramp having an upper portion and a lower portion;   a secondary ramp which is inclined to receive rolling stock theredown from an upper end thereof, and positioned under said upper portion but above said lower portion for storing extra articles;   said secondary ramp including a finger access slot for finger access from the bottom of said secondary ramp to assist removal of articles stored on said secondary ramp.