SLIDING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRESENTING ARTICLES IN A SALES AREA

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of devices for presenting articles for sale in sales areas. It relates more particularly to pusher assemblies comprising a guide for a row of articles and a pusher member biased, typically by elastic means, so as to push the row of articles forward from the rear. Background of the invention

[0002] Many versions of pusher units are already known.

[0003] To simplify the installation of these devices in these shelves, a current trend is to integrate the following functions into a single unit: shelf for the row of articles, side separator to separate a row of articles from its neighbor, pusher, pusher spring, pusher hook on the shelf or the side separator, front retention of the row of articles, hook on a front profile equipping the sales furniture such as a shelving unit.

[0004] In particular, patents FR 2 942 590 A1, WO2014 / 198839 A1 and WO2011 / 075261 A1 give examples of embodiments with all or part of such integration. Certain functions (for example, plate and front stop) can be achieved by assembling parts together or by single-piece injection.

[0005] Furthermore, when several devices are arranged side by side, it is known to give the fixing of the device on the front profile an adjustable character. In this way, it is possible to adapt the distance between two lateral separators belonging to two neighboring devices to the width of the products which must be accommodated.

[0006] Document EP2750555A1 provides a number of solutions for ensuring selective locking of a device, in a desired position, on the front rail.

[0007] Furthermore, different combinations of tray(s) and separator(s) can exist: one can thus provide a set with a separator and two trays located on either side of the separator, one tray with two separators located on either side of the tray, etc.

[0008] Finally, document EP2952123A1 discloses a pusher assembly as defined in the preamble of claim 1. The locking device comprises a tab which can be pivoted backwards to allow unlocking and ensure the loading of the products for sale. This known approach is however problematic because unlocking can be prevented or hindered when products are already loaded into the pusher assembly. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a pusher assembly having a device for locking the assembly on a front rail which is robust and practical to use, while being compact.

[0010] In particular, one aim of the invention is to be able to simply manipulate a locking device of the pusher assembly without products for sale received in the pusher assembly being able to obstruct or hinder this movement.

[0011] For this purpose, a pusher assembly is proposed for the presentation of articles, in particular on a shelf in a sales area, as defined in claim 1.

[0012] This pusher assembly optionally includes the additional features set out in the dependent claims, taken individually or in any combinations that the person skilled in the art will understand to be technically compatible.

[0013] Equipment for presenting articles is also provided, characterized in that it comprises at least one pusher assembly as defined above and a front rail, the front rail comprising at least one member capable of being pinched by the locking device of the or each pusher assembly.

[0014] Advantageously but optionally, the front rail comprises two facing members formed by re-entrant edges of two front and rear uprights belonging to the rail. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] Other aspects, aims and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: there Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a pusher assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, the Figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the entire Figure 1 , there Figure 3 is a perspective view from the front of a locking device of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2 , in a locked position, the Figure 4 is a perspective view analogous to the Figure 3, in exploded view, the Figure 5 is a perspective view from below of the locking device of the Figures 3 and 4 , in exploded form, The Figure 6 is a perspective view from another angle of the detail of the Figures 3 to 5 , in an unlocked position, the Figure 7 is a perspective view of a moving part of the locking device Figures 3 to 6 , there Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the locking device of the Figures 3 to 6 , in a locked position, the Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the locking device of the Figures 3 to 6 And 8 , in a locked position, the Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the locking device of the figures 3 to 6 And 8 and 9 , in an unlocked position, and the Figure 11 is one of the top of the locking device of the Figures 3 to 6 And 8 à 10 , in a locked position. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

[0016] With reference to the figures, there is shown a pusher assembly for a row of articles in a sales area, which mainly comprises a separator 100, a tray or floor 200, a front stop element 250, a pusher 400 and a pusher spring not shown in the figures.

[0017] There is also provided a front rail 500 fixed by any suitable means such as screwing, gluing, clipping, along the front edge of a piece of furniture, here of a shelf T of a sales presentation equipment, and on which the front regions of several pusher assemblies are intended to be engaged and fixed, as will be detailed below.

[0018] The separator 100 is constituted by a thin element, which is fixed to the plate 200 by appropriate cooperating arrangements, here two generally vertical barrels 201, 202 located along a lateral edge of the plate 200 in the front part and in the rear part, respectively, open towards each other, and in which the front and rear edges 101, 102 of the separator 100 are fitted.

[0019] Alternatively or in addition, one can provide along the separator 100 and the plate 200 groove / tongue fixing arrangements, toothed clips, etc.

[0020] Alternatively, the separator 100 may be integral with the plate 200, or may be entirely separate from the plate and fixed to the rail 500 and / or at other attachment points.

[0021] The front stop element 250 is here made in one piece with the plate 200. It projects upwards transversely to the longitudinal direction of movement of the pusher 400, at a height chosen so as not to obstruct the gripping by a consumer of a product (not shown) located furthest forward in a row of products received in the pusher assembly and bearing against the stop element 250.

[0022] The pusher assembly also includes a pusher member 400. This includes a generally vertically extending push portion 410 intended to be in pushing contact with the rear of the row of articles, and a sole 420. The pusher member 400 rests on the plate 200 under the cumulative effect of its own weight and the support of the article located furthest back in the row against the top of the sole 420.

[0023] The pusher member 400 has a width close to that of the tray 200 and is capable of sliding on top of the tray to hold a row of articles (not shown) between it and the front stop 250.

[0024] For this purpose, the pusher member 400 is biased by a spring made for example of spring steel (not shown for the sake of simplification), which comprises a spirally wound region, bearing on the rear of a thrust part 410 of the pusher member, and a hook intended to hook into a suitable opening provided in the front region of the plate 200, in a manner known per se.

[0025] The elements 100 to 500 described above are preferably made by injection molding of suitable plastic materials. The separator 100 and the plate 200 are preferably made of polycarbonate. The front stop can be made, for example, of polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate. The pusher is preferably made of polypropylene. Naturally, other materials are possible.

[0026] In its front region, the pusher assembly comprises a locking device which firstly comprises a fixed element constituted by a front region 210 of the plate 200, just in front and at the base of the front stop element 250.

[0027] This fixed element 210 which comprises a first part or wall 211 which extends the plate forwards beyond the stop element 250, a member 212 extending downwards at the level of the front edge of the part 211, and a rear wall 213 extending parallel to the member 212 and opposite it, substantially at the level of the stop-forming element 250 in the direction of the depth of the pusher assembly, these parts 211, 212 and 213 together delimiting a channel C of generally rectangular shape, open downwards. The wall 213 is here formed by a low wall constituting the front end of the plate 200 itself.

[0028] Furthermore, the part 211 comprises at one of its edges, here its right edge 211a in front view, a notch 214 directed horizontally towards the opposite edge, and comprising an inlet part 214a gradually narrowing in width, and a notch bottom part 214b of generally circular shape. The transition 214c between the parts 214a and 214b constitutes a constriction. See in particular Figures 4 And 5 The function of this notch 214 will be explained below.

[0029] Finally, on the upper surface of the part 211, there is a finger 215 projecting upwards at the junction between said part 211 and the stop-forming element 250, at a determined distance from the notch 214, for purposes explained later.

[0030] The locking device further comprises a movable element or locking member 300. This member comprises a main part 310 in the form of a generally horizontal rectangular plate elongated in a transverse direction of the assembly (in the locking position, as will be described later). Below the plate 310, in its region located on the right in front view in the locking position of the Fig. 3 , extends downwards a locking part 320 which comprises a cylindrical neck 321 and, below this neck, a locking head 322 having a generally oblong shape, with a maximum length L1 (see Figures 7 and 9 ) and a maximum width L2 (see Figures 7 And 10). Note that the width L2 is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the neck 321. The head 322 comprises, on either side of the neck 321, two generally flat surfaces intended to constitute pinching zones as will be described in detail below.

[0031] As is particularly clearly shown by the Figs. 4 to 7 , the major axis of the head 322 extends generally perpendicular to the major axis of the plate 310.

[0032] At the opposite end of the main plate 310 projects upwardly a lever 330 extending upwardly along the front edge of the plate (in the position of the Fig. 3 ).

[0033] Opposite this lever, at the level of the opposite edge of the plate 310, a notch 340 is formed whose width and depth are substantially equal to those of the finger 215.

[0034] The locking member 300 is mounted on the fixed part 210 of the locking device by inserting the neck 321 laterally into the notch 214, until the neck passes, with temporary elastic deformation, the constriction 214c and comes to wedge itself in the bottom part 214b of the notch, the diameter of which is close to that of the neck 321. It is understood that, in this position, the locking member 300 is capable of pivoting relative to the fixed part 210 around a vertical axis A defined jointly by the bottom 214b of the notch and by the neck 321 which is engaged therein substantially without play.

[0035] The front rail 500 here comprises a rail part itself 510, extended towards the rear by a plate 520 allowing it to be fixed to a store shelf T, for example by means of double-sided adhesive.

[0036] The rail 510 comprises two uprights, respectively front and rear, 511, 512, extending upwards parallel to each other, the uprights terminating at their upper end with a re-entrant edge, respectively 513, 514, the rail in cross section thus having the general shape of a “C” whose opening is turned upwards.

[0037] The inner distance L3 between the members 511, 512 is slightly greater than the maximum length L1 of the locking head, while the inner distance L4 between the facing edges of the flanges 513, 514 is slightly greater than the maximum width L2 of the head 322 but less than the maximum length L1.

[0038] We will now describe the operating mode of the pusher assembly described above.

[0039] Before its mounting on a shelf T equipped with the rail 500, the mobile element 300 is, if necessary, assembled on the fixed element 210 of the wedging and fixing device, in the case where this assembly is not carried out at the manufacturing stage.

[0040] The movable element is placed, by rotation around the axis A, in the position illustrated in the Fig. 6, where the major axis of the plate 310 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail 510 and where consequently the major axis of the head 322 is generally aligned with the longitudinal direction of the rail 510. It is understood that, in this situation, the pusher assembly can be wedged on the rail by engaging the head 322 inside the rail, the walls 212, 213 of the fixed part 210 coming along the external face members of the uprights 511, 512 of the rail 510, to thus block the pusher assembly in the front / rear direction. At the same time, the bottom of the channel defined C by the elements 211, 212 and 213 comes to bear against the top of the rail 510 defined by the edges 513, 514, to wedge the front region of the pusher assembly in the vertical direction.

[0041] In this situation, it is understood that the pusher assembly can freely slide laterally along the rail 510, in particular with a view to adjusting the distance between two pusher assemblies, and therefore their separators 100, depending on the width of the products to be received.

[0042] Once the pusher assembly is placed in the desired position in the lateral direction, the locking member 300 is caused to pivot around its axis A, preferably by action at the lever 330 using the operator's fingers.

[0043] During this movement, the areas of the lower surface of the plate 310 located opposite the upper surfaces of the head 322 on either side of the neck 321 pinch each of the two edges 513, 514 of the rail. In this respect, the distance between said facing surfaces at rest is chosen to be slightly less than the thickness of the edges 513, 514, this difference in thickness being determined in particular as a function of the nature of the materials constituting the movable member 100 and the rail 500, and in particular their elasticity and their compressibility. Typically, this distance at rest is between 95 and 99% of the thickness of the edges. It should be noted that chamfers formed at the base of the facing faces of the edges 513, 514 of the rail, and / or on the upper part of the head, and obtained during injection, can facilitate the engagement of the working zones of the head 322 under the edges 513, 514 of the rail 510.

[0044] In this situation, the pusher assembly is blocked both in the lateral direction, by the friction occurring between the elements 210, 300 and 510, and in the vertical upward direction, the head 322 being wider than the free space between the two edges 513, 514 preventing any extraction of the assembly upwards.

[0045] When the member 300 reaches the end of its travel at the end of rotation, the notch 340 of said member traps the finger 215 formed on the fixed element 210. In this way, any lateral movement of the member 300 is prevented, and in particular it is impossible to push the member 300 laterally to the right to separate it from the fixed element 210. This contributes to additional safety with respect to persons not authorized to handle this equipment. Any additional arrangement may also be provided to stabilize the member 200 in its locked position. In the present example, this arrangement comprises a boss 350 formed on the lower face of the plate 310 of the member 300, which engages, at the end of the locking travel, in a complementary recess 211b formed at the corresponding location on the upper surface of the wall 211.

[0046] It should be noted that the rotational pinching action carried out according to the invention makes it possible to considerably limit the bending stresses on the various parts involved, thus limiting their fatigue and their risk of breakage.

[0047] To increase the frictional retention operated during the pinching caused by the rotation of the member 300, it is possible to provide any auxiliary arrangement such as a coating with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the material constituting the fixed element 210, the mobile member 300 and / or the rail 500, or even work on the surface condition of the parts in contact, in particular by giving them a certain roughness.

[0048] As observed on the Figures 9 And 11, in its locking position, the member 300 is entirely contained within the grip of the wall 211 of the fixed part, to further limit the risk of accidental unlocking and to contribute to an appearance with the minimum of roughness of the row of pusher assemblies receiving their alignments of products.

Claims

1. Pusher assembly for displaying items on a shelf in a retail surface, of the type comprising at least one side separator (100), at least one item support plate (200), at least one pusher (400) associated with the plate and intended to exert an action at the rear of a row of items, a front abutment element (250) for the row of items and a means for biasing the pusher toward the front abutment, as well as a locking device (210, 300) mounted on the separator and / or on the plate for fastening and locking at least one part of the assembly on a front rail (500) common to a plurality of pusher assemblies, the locking device comprising a fixed part (210) and a member (300) which is rotatably movable with respect to the fixed part about an axis of rotation (A), these parts being configured to exert, in a locking position of the movable member, a crimping force on at least one rib (513, 514) belonging to the front rail, the crimping force being oriented substantially parallel to said axis of rotation (A), and in that the movable member (300), in a non-locking position, is configured so that it can pass through a longitudinal opening of the front rail (500) and make it possible to engage and to release the pusher assembly to / from the front rail, the assembly characterized in that the axis of rotation (A) is generally vertical.

2. Pusher assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed part (210) is secured to the plate (200).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable member (300) comprises a locking head (322) having at least one crimping zone capable of engaging with a crimping zone of the fixed part (210).

4. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking head (322) comprises two opposite crimping zones with respect to the axis of rotation, capable of engaging with two zones opposite the fixed part (210) to crimp two ribs of the front rail.

5. Assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the movable member (300) is removably mounted on the fixed part (210).

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable member (300) is mounted on the fixed part (210) at a neck (321) secured to the locking head and defining the axis of rotation of the movable member on the fixed part.

7. Assembly according to claims 5 and 6 taken in combination, characterized in that the neck (321) is capable of being engaged in a recess (214) provided in the fixed part by a translation movement perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means (215, 340) for preventing a translation of the neck (321) in the opposite direction in the locking position of the movable member.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the movable member (300) comprises a gripping part (330) to facilitate its rotation.

10. Equipment for displaying items, characterized in that it comprises at least one pusher assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a front rail (500), the front rail comprising at least one rib (513, 514) capable of being crimped by the locking device of the or each pusher assembly.

11. Equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that the front rail comprises two opposing ribs (513, 514) formed by receding rims of two front and rear uprights (511, 512) belonging to the rail.