Low-Friction Shelf System

Abstract

A merchandise system for a retail shelf includes a first rail defining a channel, a connector, and a glide mat. The connector includes a first end slidably engaged with the first rail and a second end disposed on an opposite side of the connector than the first end, the connector including a plurality of connector segments and a plurality of snap points each disposed between adjacent connector segments of the plurality of the connector segments. Each of the connector segments are configured to break away from the connector at respective adjacent snap points. The glide mat is lockingly engaged with the second end of the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A merchandise system for a retail shelf comprising:
 a first rail defining a channel;   a connector including a first end slidably engaged with the first rail and a second end disposed on an opposite side of the connector than the first end, the connector including a plurality of connector segments and a plurality of snap points each disposed between adjacent connector segments of the plurality of the connector segments, each of the connector segments configured to break away from the connector at respective adjacent snap points; and   a glide mat attached to the second end of the connector.   
     
     
         2 . The merchandise system of  claim 1 , wherein each connector segment of the plurality of connector segments further includes a respective rail coupler configured to selectively engage with the first rail. 
     
     
         3 . The merchandise system of  claim 2 , wherein each respective rail coupler includes a front lip, a bearing element, and a catch, the front lip configured to selectively engage with the first rail when the connector is engaged with the first rail. 
     
     
         4 . The merchandise system of  claim 1 , wherein each connector segment of the plurality of connector segments further includes a respective mat coupler configured to selectively engage with the glide mat. 
     
     
         5 . The merchandise system of  claim 4 , wherein each connector segment includes a frame and a locking tab. 
     
     
         6 . The merchandise system of  claim 5 , wherein the frame includes a peripheral wall defining an enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The merchandise system of  claim 6 , wherein the peripheral wall is defined by a top edge and a bottom edge that cooperate to form a stepped profile. 
     
     
         8 . The merchandise system of  claim 6 , wherein the locking tab is disposed within the enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . The merchandise system of  claim 6 , wherein the glide mat is defined by a top surface, a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the glide mat than the top surface, and sidewalls extending from a first end of the glide mat to a second end of the glide mat, the glide mat including an elongated clip formed on the bottom surface and extending along a length of the glide mat from the first end of the glide mat to the second end of the glide mat. 
     
     
         10 . The merchandise system of  claim 9 , wherein a portion of the frame is received within the sidewalls, and the locking tab is seated in an aperture formed in the elongated clip when the glide mat is lockingly engaged with the second end of the connector. 
     
     
         11 . A merchandise system for a retail shelf comprising:
 a first rail defining a channel;   one or more connector segments each including a rail coupler slidably engaged with the first rail and a mat coupler disposed on an opposite side of the connector segment than the rail coupler; and   one or more glide mats each selectively attached to the mat coupler by a respective one of the one or more connector segments.   
     
     
         12 . The merchandise system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more connector segments is detached from the other of the one or more connector segments. 
     
     
         13 . The merchandise system of  claim 11 , wherein each respective rail coupler includes a front lip, a bearing element, and a catch, the front lip configured to selectively engage with the first rail when the connector is engaged with the first rail. 
     
     
         14 . The merchandise system of  claim 11 , wherein each respective mat coupler includes a frame defining an enclosure surrounding a locking tab. 
     
     
         15 . The merchandise system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the one or more glide mats is defined by (i) a top surface, (ii) a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the glide mat than the top surface, (iii) sidewalls extending from a first end of the glide mat to a second end of the glide mat, (iv) includes integrated ribs formed on the bottom surface and extending along a length of the glide mat from the first end of the glide mat to the second end of the glide mat, and (v) includes an elongated clip formed on the bottom surface and extending along the length of the glide mat from the first end of the glide mat to the second end of the glide mat. 
     
     
         16 . The merchandise system of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated clip includes an aperture formed through a thickness of the elongated clip. 
     
     
         17 . The merchandise system of  claim 16 , wherein the frame is received by the sidewalls and the locking tab is seated in the aperture when the glide mat is lockingly engaged with the mat coupler of the connector. 
     
     
         18 . The merchandise system of  claim 15 , wherein the frame defines a pair of mirrored connecting branches connected by a central bar. 
     
     
         19 . The merchandise system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the connecting branches are disposed between a respective one of the integrated ribs and a respective one of the sidewalls when the connector segment is lockingly engaged with the glide mat. 
     
     
         20 . A merchandise display kit for a retail system comprising:
 a plurality of glide mats;   a first end rail defining a channel; and   a connector including a plurality of connector segments each configured to detach from the connector at a respective snap point formed in the connector, the connector attached with the plurality of glide mats and slidably engaged with the first end rail.