Adjustable apparatus for product display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shelving systems often fail to automatically move products forward when the front product is removed, leading to reduced visibility and requiring manual intervention, as products may 'hang' due to insufficient gravitational force.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable product display apparatus with an expandable support that allows customization of the rear height and angle of the top surface relative to the bottom surface, ensuring sufficient gravitational force to push products forward by adjusting the distance between the surfaces using a threaded rod mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the top surface is fixed at a standard angle, then the structure is simple and stable, but gravitational force is insufficient to move certain product types forward automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the top surface angle adjustable through an expandable support mechanism. The support can be extended or retracted to change the angle of the top surface relative to the base, allowing the display to adapt to different product types and gravitational force requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the angle parameter of the top surface to optimize gravitational force for different products. By adjusting the angle between 0-45 degrees, the same display structure can accommodate various product types without requiring multiple different display units, thus improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-angle displays are used for different products, then each product type is optimized, but the number of different display units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single display unit that can serve multiple product types through angle adjustment. The expandable support mechanism enables one display to perform the function of multiple fixed-angle displays, reducing the total number of different display units needed in the retail environment while maintaining optimization for various product types.
3Force
If the rear height is increased to improve product feeding, then gravitational force is enhanced, but the display structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing an adjustable rear height through the expandable support mechanism. Rather than fixing the rear height to always maximize gravitational force, the system dynamically adjusts the height and angle based on product type, achieving sufficient force when needed while maintaining structural simplicity for other applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable product display apparatus ensures that products are automatically moved forward when the front product is removed, enhancing visibility and eliminating the need for manual intervention by accommodating various product types with a single assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The expandable support can include a threaded opening formed in the body at or near the distal end and a foot including a threaded rod for threaded engagement into the threaded opening. Rotation of the rod of the foot in a first direction relative to the threaded opening of the body reduces the height of the expandable support. Rotation of the rod of the foot in a second direction relative to the threaded opening of the body increases the height of the expandable support.
Implementation Method 2
Based on the type of product being displayed, the angle can be adjusted to ensure sufficient gravitational force exists to urge the remaining products forward when the product at the front of the display has been removed.
Data Source
AI summary
An example adjustable product display apparatus is provided that includes a body configured to be mounted to a shelf. The body includes a proximal end, a distal end, a bottom surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a top surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end at an angle relative to the bottom surface. The top surface is configured to support one or more products thereon. A distance between the bottom surface and the top surface increases from the proximal end to the distal and the distance at the distal end of the body defining a rear height of the body. The adjustable product display apparatus includes an expandable support disposed at the distal end of the body. Adjustment of the expandable support varies a height of the expandable support and simultaneously adjusts the rear height of the body.