TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and method for displaying products and, more particularly, to an adjustable system for displaying and storing items such as photo albums in a retail environment.

BACKGROUND [0003] Many systems and methods of displaying consumer goods are known. These systems often include shelves and wire racks for separating, positioning and displaying individual products or groups of products. For example, products such as photo albums may be arranged like books on a shelf, or stacked in an otherwise suitable fashion, such that the products are available for examination and purchase by the consumer. Selection of a photo album often involves elements of personal style and aesthetic preference, with the selection process often including a hands-on inspection of the displayed products. f00041 In order to satisfy varying consumer preferences, photo albums are produced in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and shapes to increase variety and ultimately the buying options. Unfortunately, the process for selecting a suitable photo album often leaves store shelves and display areas cluttered and in disarray.

[0005] Known display systems generally provide a mechanism for stacking, arranging, or otherwise presenting the photo albums in order to maximize the product density at the point of sale. However, display and storage difficulties often arise due, in part, to the wide variety of photo album styles, shapes and sizes that retailers are required to stock in order to satisfy the myriad of consumer preferences. These known display systems typically are assembled to accommodate a specific product dimension or size, and thus such systems may not suitably accommodate the wide variety of products that might be offered for sale by the retailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] For a more complete understanding of the disclosed display system, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein: [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary display system including a U-channel and a plurality of dividers; [0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the U-channel shown in FIG. 1; [00091 FIG. 3 is a side view of the U-channel and the divider shown in FIG. 1; [0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of the U-channel shown in FIG. 1 in an expanded configuration; [0011] FIG. 5 is another side view of the U-channel shown in FIG. 1 in a retracted configuration; [0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the U- channel ; [0013] FIG. 7 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the U- channel ; [0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the U- channel ; [0015] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the connection between the divider and the U-channel ; and [001 6] FIG 10. is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the spacers DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a display system 10 assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and shown mounted to a retail store shelf 12 or other suitable shelf. The shelf 12, which is typically an elongate rectangular shelf, may include a perforate surface 14 having a plurality of holes 14a, as well as a front edge 16, a back edge 18, and a pair of side edges 20a, 20b. In use, the back edge 18 of the shelf 12 will typically be removably secured to a shelving unit or other suitable support structure (not shown) such that the front edge 16 extends towards the consumer. It will be understood that the shelving unit may employ multiple mounting brackets and hardware to support multiple shelves 12 at regularly spaced intervals.

[0018] The display system 10 includes a plurality of dividers 22 secured to at least one U-channel 24. Preferably, both the dividers 22 and the U- channel 24 are adjustable as will be explained in further detail below. The U- channel 24 mounts adjacent to the front edge 16 of the shelf 12, with the U- channel 24, in an exemplary form of use, disposed generally adjacent to and parallel with the front edge 16 of the shelf 12. The U-channel 24 preferably forms a pocket 25 sized to receive a photo album 17. In the example of FIG.

1, the photo album 17 is shown disposed in the pocket 25 in an upright position for display.

[0019] The dividers 22, when attached to the U-channel 24, define a plurality of storage bins 26a, 26b. Additional storage bins (not shown) may be formed by additional dividers 22. The storage bins 26a, 26b, by way of example rather than limitation, can be configured to accept and organize additional photo albums 17 in a suitable manner, such as by placing the additional albums upright similar to books on a bookshelf, or by placing the albums on their sides in a stack. In this exemplary manner, the adjustable U- channel 24 retains the photo album 17 in one position adjacent to the point of sale, while the storage bins 26a, 26b store additional photo albums 17 in another position, still generally adjacent to the point of sale.

[0020] As will be apparent from FIG. 1, the pocket 25 of the U-channel 24 may be sized to accept the photo album 17. Preferably, the size of the pocket 25 is adjustable by the user. In particular, by adjusting the width of the U-channel 24 (and hence the size of the pocket 25) in the direction indicated by arrow A, the width may be varied between a distance d and a distance D.

Thus, the overall U-channel 24 width can be adjusted to accommodate a wide variety of photo albums 17.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, the U-channel 24 includes first and second sections or rails 28,30. The first rail 28 is roughly L-shaped and includes a vertical panel or leg 32 and a base 34. Similarly, the second rail 30 is roughly L-shaped and includes a vertical panel or leg 36 and a base 38. In an exemplary form of operation, the first rail 28 is positioned and secured adjacent to the front edge 16 of the shelf 12 such that the base 34 is roughly parallel to the surface of the shelf 12. Similarly, the second rail 30 is positioned to roughly mirror the first rail 28 such that the base 38 is adjacent to the base 34 and parallel to the surface of the shelf 12. In this way, the vertical leg 32 and the extended vertical leg 36 are generally parallel and spaced apart to define the pocket 25.

[0022] The first and second rails 28,30, as shown in FIG. 2, have a substantially linear configuration shown in a perspective view extending into the plane of the figure. The first and second rails 28,30 may be formed in any suitable fashion, such as through an extrusion manufacturing process.

Typical extrusion processes involved pressuring liquefied material such as melted plastic or aluminum through a mold to form a component with a desired cross-section. In this example, the mold has a generally L-shape aperture in order to impart an L-shaped cross-section on the formed components, i. e. , the first and second rails 28,30. Other manufacturing methods may prove suitable, and it will be appreciated that the rails 28,30 may be formed in a variety of lengths.

[0023] The distance between the vertical legs 32 and 36 can be adjusted by changing the relative positions of the first and second rails 28 and 30, thereby changing the overall width of the U-channel 24 and hence the width of the pocket 25, e. g. , from width d to width D. A channel 40 formed in or otherwise attached to the base 34 accepts the head of a fastener F (although only a single fastener is shown, it will be appreciated that typically a series of fasteners F will be used, with the fasteners spaced along the length of the U-Channel). As shown in FIGS. 4-8, the fastener F may be used to secure the first rail 28 to the shelf 12 in a desired location, e. g. , a desired distance, or no distance, from the front edge 16 of the shelf 12. In particular, the head of the fastener F engages the channel 40, and the shank of the fastener extends through a suitable hole 14a formed in the shelf 12 (the perforate surface 14 makes additional holes readily available). The shank of the fastener F extends through to the underside of the shelf 12 so as to be engageable by, for example, a threaded nut or a wingnut.'The rail 28 may be secured to the shelf 12 in a variety of ways, such as by using any suitable fastener.

10024] To modify the width of the U-channel 24, the base 38 of the second rail 30 can be secured between the channel 40 and the surface of the shelf 12. The base 34 may include a detent 42, which in the disclosed example is carried by a leg 43 adjacent the channel 40, sized to engage a selected one of a plurality of grooves 46. Each of the grooves 46 is bounded by ridges 44. In accordance with the disclosed example, the detent 42 and grooves 46 cooperate to define discrete relative positions between the base 38 and the base 34 (and hence between the rail 28 and the rail 30). When the overall width of the U-channel 24 has been adjusted to the desired dimension, the fastener F can be tightened and secured through the holes 14a formed in the perforate surface 14 to maintain the first and second rails 28,30 in the desired relative position. Other surface features may be formed in the base 34 and the base 38, such that the rails 28 and 30 are suitably interlocked when attached to the shelf as 12 shown.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary U-channel 24 in an expanded configuration, i. e. , the width between the vertical leg 32 and the extended vertical leg 36 equals the distance D. Preferably, the base 38 includes an upwardly extending leg that abuts the outer structure of the channel 40 to form a stop 47. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the base 38 of the rail 30 preferably includes one or more slots 39 sized to receive the shank of the fastener F.

Alternatively, a series of holes may be used.

[0026] The vertical leg 32 may include a placard display system 48 having an upper and lower groove 50,52 for accepting card stock that may be printed with advertising, product information, etc. The placard display system 48 supports card stock or paper within the upper and lower grooves 50,52 and preferably forces the paper to flex and bow to increase the structural stability. In order to foster the desired flexure of the paper or card stock, the width of the card stock is preferably greater than the linear distance between the upper groove 50 and the lower groove 52.

[0027] FIG. 3 further illustrates the manner in which the divider 22 is mounted to the extended vertical leg 36 of the second rail 30. In particular, the extended vertical leg 36 is includes a pair of guide rails 54,56 extending into the plane of the figure. Preferably, the guide rails 54,56 are attached to a rear surface 57 of the extended vertical leg 36. Still preferably, as shown in FIG. 4 and indicated by the arrow B, the guide rails 54,56 are flexible which, in turn, allows the rails to be shifted relative to the rear surface 57 of the rail 30. In the disclosed example, this flexibility serves to account for dimensional variation between the various components of the display system 10. The guide rails 54,56 each preferably include a guide 58,59, respectively, formed adjacent to the end of the guide rails 54,56.

[0028] The divider 22 includes first and second channels 60,62 sized to engage the guides 58,59 formed on the corresponding guide rail 54,56.

The first and second channels 60,62 preferably have a generally C-shaped cross-section sized slightly larger than the guides 58,59. Referring now to FIG. 9, the guide 58 and the channel 62 are shown enlarged. The guide 58 preferably includes a C-shaped cross-section 58a, while the channel 62 preferably includes a C-shaped cross-section 62a. Preferably, the guide 58 is capable of contracting and expanding along the open portion of the C-shaped cross-section 58a. Similarly, the C-shaped cross-section 62a of the channel 62 may be capable of expanding and contracting. Accordingly, the channel 62 and the guide 58 may be assembled in a snap-fit manner. Further, it will be appreciated that the connection between the divider 22 and the rail 30 may be a slidable connection, such that the divider 22 may be adjusted along the length of the rail 30. It will be appreciated that the guide 59 and the channel 60 may be constructed in the same or similar manner.

[0029l In operation, the channels 60,62 are mounted to the corresponding guides 58,59, either by expansion of the C-shaped cross- section of the channels 60,62, or by contraction of the C-shaped cross- section of the guides 58,59, or by a combination of both. Preferably, the channels 60,62 and/or the guides 58,59 are resilient, such that the guides 58,59 engage the channels 60,62, respectively.

[00301 The divider 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is preferably a substantially planar panel. FIG. 1 shows multiple dividers 22 attached to the rail 30, with the dividers 22 extending from the rear surface 57 of the rail 30 so as to divide the shelf 12 into the storage bins 26a, 26b. In the disclosed example, the dividers 22 are perpendicular relative to the plane of the shelf 12 and generally perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of the U-channel 24 which extends in the direction indicated by the arrow C.

[0031] The first and second channels 60,62 are oriented generally perpendicular to a divider surface 64. Preferably, a portion of the divider surface 64 is a relatively stiff or rigid material. Thus, in the disclosed example, the channels 60,62 cooperate with the respective guides 58,59 to position the divider 22 in a rearwardly extending orientation away form the rail 30 and, in the disclosed example, generally perpendicular to the rear surface 57 and/or perpendicular to the axis C of the U-channel 24. The divider 22, in turn, may slide along the length or along a portion of the length of the rail 30, guided by the channels 60,62 and the guides 58,59, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the U-channel 24 (i. e. , the direction indicated by the arrow C shown in FIG. 1). By laterally shifting the divider 22, the storage bins 26a, 26b can be sized as desired to accommodate differently sized products.

[0032] The divider 22 preferably includes one or more removable spacers 66 formed toward a rear portion 67 of the dividers 22. In use, the spacers 66 are positioned generally adjacent to the back edge 18 of the shelf 12. The spacers 66 can be cut, torn away, or otherwise separated along a plurality of seams 68 or other suitable frangible connections to modify the fore/aft length of the divider 22. Referring now to FIG. 10, the spacers 66 and seams 68 are shown enlarged. Preferably, each of the spacers 66 includes one seam 68 that has a reduced thickness portion 67 to facilitate separation of one or more spacer 66 from the remaining spacers 66 and/or the divider surface 64. The reduced thickness portion 67 may be an integral element of the spacer 66 as shown, or may be a scored line or other intended fault arranged guide the removal of the spacer 66 along the seam 68.

[0033] In accordance with the disclosed example, the spacer 66 may serve to compensate for the selected width of the adjustable U-channel 24 and/or for the depth of the shelf 12. For example, the number of spacers 66 may be directly related to the width of the U-channel 24 such that when the size of the pocket 25 is larger, i. e., closer to the distance D, more spacers 66 might be removed. Conversely, if the pocket 25 size is smaller, i. e. , the U- channel 24 width is approximately equal to the distance d, few or none of the spacers 66 need be removed.

[0034] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the adjustable U-channel 24 in expanded and retracted configurations. FIG. 4 illustrates the U-channel 24 secured to the shelf 12 by the cooperation of the faster F and the channel 40.

The U-channel 24 is shown in the expanded configuration in which the size of the pocket 25 is increased, e. g. , the first and second rails 28,30 are separated by the distance D, whereby the detent 42 engages the groove 46 formed farthest from the extended vertical leg 36. FIG. 5 shows the U- channel 24 in the retracted configuration in which the size of the pocket 25 is reduced, e. g. , the first and second rails 28,30 are separated by the distance d. The retracted configuration is typified by the detent 42 engaging the groove 46 formed adjacent to the extended vertical leg 36. It will be appreciated that the first and second rails 28,30 may be placed in a variety of other positions between the two positions shown.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a U-channel 70.

The U-channel 70 includes a first L-shaped rail 72 and a second L-shaped rail 74. The first and second L-shaped rails 72,74 each include a substantially flat base 76,78 secured to the shelf 12 using a fastener F disposed through the hole 14a formed in the perforate surface 14 of the shelf 12. In this embodiment, the fastener F passes through each of the bases 76,78 and the hole 14a, and the head of the fastener F engages both of the L-shaped rails 72,74, thereby maintaining their relative positions when the fastener F is secured. The bases 76,78 may be flat, knurled or formed with interlocking ridges and grooves, such as the ridges 44 and grooves 46 shown in FIG. 2.

Again, a suitable slot or a series of holes (not shown) may be provided in the rail 30.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a U-channel 80. The U-channel 80 includes a first rail 82 having a pocket 84, and a second L- shaped rail 86 having a base 88. The pocket 84 is sized to accept and secure the base 88. The pocket 84 includes a detent 90 sized to engage a complimentary groove 92 formed in the base 88. The fastener F passes through the pocket 84, and may pass through the base 88 depending on distance between the first rail 82 and the second rail 86, to secure the first and second rails 82,86 at a desired relative distance.

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a U-channel 90. The U-channel 90 includes a substantially L-shaped first rail 92 having a base 94 formed with a plurality of retaining grooves 96. The first rail 92 includes a channel 98 sized to accept the head of the fastener F. The fastener F, in turn, is disposed through a suitable hole in the shelf 12 to permit the fastener and hence the rail 92 to be secured to the shelf. The U-channel 90 further includes a vertical panel 100 which, in the disclosed example, is generally an inverted U-shape and includes a pair of legs 106,108. The legs 106,108 each include a detent 102,104, respectively, formed at the lower end of each leg 1 06, 108, respectively. The detents 102,104 engage the preferably frictionally engage the retaining grooves 96 in a releasable snap-fit manner, thereby securing secure the panel 100 in a desired position relative to the first rail 92.

[0038] In accordance with one or more of the disclosed examples, the display system 10 may allow consumers to examine a variety of different products, while providing retailers with a versatile and efficient organizational system. Furthermore, the display system 10 is preferably readily adjustable for use with can be used in conjunction with existing retail store shelving and display units.

[0039] In accordance with one or more of the disclosed examples, the display system 10 may be assembled by sliding the head of one or more fastener F into the channel 40 of the first rail 28. The second rail 30, in turn, may be aligned relative to the first rail 28 and the fasteners F such that the base 34 and the base 38 are substantially adjacent, and the leg 32 and the leg 34 are substantially parallel. In this way, the first rail 28 and the second rail 30 cooperate to form and align the U-channel 24 for attachment to the shelf 12. The assembled U-channel 24 may be aligned adjacent to the front edge 16, such that the shanks of the fasteners F extend through suitable holes 14a formed in the perforate surface 14 of the shelf 12. A fastener such as, for example, a wing nut or threaded nut, may be used to secure each of the fasteners F and the assembled U-channel 24 to the shelf 12.

[0040] The divider 22 may be customized by removing, as needed, one or more of the spacers 66 along the seams 68. In this way, the overall fore/aft length of the divider 22 may be changed depending on the product to be displayed and stored. The channels 60,62 of the divider 22 may attached to the respective guides 58,59 of the second rail 30. The resulting attached divider 22 aligns perpendicular to the shelf 12 and the back surface 57 of the second rail 30 to thereby define the storage bins 26a, 26b. The divider 22 may slide relative to the guides 58,59 and the longitudinal axis of the U- channel 24 which extends in the direction indicated by the arrow C (shown in FIGS. 1-3) to modify the size of the storage bins 26a, 26b. To complete the assembly, card stock or paper printed with advertising, product information, etc. , may positioned within the placard display system 48 adjacent to the vertical leg 32 of the first rail 28.

[0041] The preferred embodiments of this invention described herein, include the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the described invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be take as limiting the scope of the invention.