Holder for fixing on a shelf

Abstract

 Holder for fixing to a shelf and comprising a holder part (10) for holding, for example, information carriers in the form of sheets of card, coupons, samples, electronic display units, banners or the like, and a fixing part (20) with a number of fixing devices that are designed to engage with corresponding engagement parts that are arranged in a particular engagement configuration on the front edge of a shelf. At least one of the fixing devices (24, 25) is hinged in relation to the fixing part in order to provide an engagement between the fixing part and engagement parts (42, 44, 53-55, 57, 62-64) in a number of different engagement configurations.

Description

Technical field and background art

[0001] The invention relates to a holder for fixing on the front edge of a shelf according to the preamble to Claim 1.

[0002] In, for example, convenience goods stores, goods are often displayed on shelves. In order to display certain product information, such as price and product quantity per pack, the shelves are usually provided with some type of label holder that extends along the full length of the shelf at its front edge. The elongated label holders can be designed in many different ways. For example, they can be integrated with the shelf itself and designed as a longitudinal channel with a C-shaped cross-section, in which channel information labels can be placed for each product on the shelf. The label holders can also be designed as separate elongated so-called data strips that are fixed to the front edge of the shelf, for example by means of double-sided adhesive tape. The data strips often consist of an extruded profile element with a cross-section that has a rear face and a front face that are connected at their lower edges and that form between them a pocket into which labels can be placed side by side.

[0003] Recently, so-called base profiles or carrier profiles have been used to an ever-increasing extent. These are attached to and extend along the front edge of the shelf. The base profile has a specially designed standardized cross-section in order to interact with a corresponding cross-section of standardized fixing parts on various types of fitting that are to be attached to the front edge of the shelf. The fixing parts of the fittings can then be simply snap-fixed onto the base profile at any location along the shelf. By the use of such base profiles, the product information labels described above can be attached to the shelf by being placed in a separate label holder for each label, with a fixing part that is snap-fixed to the base profile.

[0004] It is sometimes desirable to display additional information about a particular product for a particular period of time. This can, for example, concern special promotions or the introduction of a new product. In such cases, large signs, banners, coupons or similar information carriers in the form of sheets of card are often used and are attached in the immediate vicinity of the product in order to attract attention and to provide information about the product. The traditional product information labels have also recently started to be replaced to a certain extent by so-called electronic labels that show, for example, the price and quantity information for a particular product on an electronic display.

[0005] Such larger information carriers and electronic displays can often not be attached directly to the elongated label holders on the shelf. Instead, special holders are used for information carriers in the form of sheets of card or for electronic information carriers. The holders comprise a holder part that is designed to hold the information carrier and a fixing part that is specially designed to engage with the shelf, data strip, base profile or the like to which the holder is intended to be attached.

[0006] As there can be a number of different types of shelf in one and the same shop, with or without data strips or carrier profiles, a desirable feature of such holders is that one and the same holder should be able to be attached to different types of shelf, data strip and carrier profile.

[0007] The holders are sometimes designed in such a way that the information carrier projects from the shelf at right angles, so that it is easily visible to a person walking in the aisle along the shelf. As the information carrier projects into the aisle, it is possible for passing persons, shopping trolleys or the like to knock against the information carrier or the holder, whereupon there is a risk that the holder with the information carrier will come loose from the shelf. An important feature of the holders is therefore that they are held securely attached to the shelf, in order to avoid as far as possible the holder coming loose.

[0008] Another important feature of the holders is that it must be simple to attach them to the shelf and to remove them from the shelf. An additional desirable feature is that the holders should be constructed in one piece, so that several separate parts do not need to be stored and handled when assembling them and removing them. In order to make the information carriers more noticeable to a person who is moving along a shelf, it can, in addition, be desirable to be able to vary the horizontal angle at which the information carrier projects from the shelf, when various information carriers are arranged along a shelf one after the other by means of the holder. Additional desirable features are that the holders should be aesthetically pleasing, durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Previously known technology

[0009] A previously-known holder for information carriers in the form of sheets of card comprises a fixing part and a holder part for holding the information carrier. The fixing part comprises a number of fixing devices that are arranged to engage with corresponding engagement parts on a shelf. The fixing devices are designed to be able to be attached to both a shelf that has a C-shaped label holder channel at its front edge and to a carrier profile that is attached to the front edge of a shelf. This holder thus provides a degree of flexibility as it is able to be used in a shop where the front edges of the shelves have different shapes.

[0010] However, the known holder has a limitation, as it can only be used on shelves that have a special C-channel or a particular carrier profile at their front edge. As there can often be several different types of shelf in a shop, some of which are provided with data strips and others with carrier profiles, the manufacture, acquisition and storage of several different holders with different fixing parts is thus required in order to be able to meet the need for holders for information carriers or the like in the shop. This, of course, results in additional costs and additional work relating to the acquisition, storage, setting up of shelves and reorganizing of these shelves. In addition, the use of several different types of holder in one and the same shop means that it is more difficult to achieve the sought-after uniform visual impression.

Disclosure of invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a holder for fixing to a shelf, which holder can be attached to a relatively large number of different types of shelf, with or without data strips or carrier profiles.

[0012] Another object is to provide such a holder that ensures a good attachment to the shelf.

[0013] Yet another object is to provide such a holder that is simple to use.

[0014] Yet another object is to provide such a holder that contributes to a uniform and aesthetically pleasing overall impression in the shop.

[0015] Yet another object is to provide such a holder that is strong and durable and yet is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0016] These and other objects are achieved with a holder of the type described in the introductory part of Claim 1, which holder has the special technical features as set out in the characterizing part of the claim.

[0017] As at least one of the fixing devices is hinged in relation to the fixing part, significantly more ways of combining the engagement between the fixing or engaging devices of the holder and the engaging parts at the front edge of the shelf are obtained. In particular, the hinged fixing devices can be rotated to an engaging position for use on a shelf that has a corresponding engagement configuration at its front edge and, for shelves with different engagement configurations, they can be rotated away to an inactive position, so that they do not prevent the engagement between other fixing or engaging devices on the holder and corresponding engagement parts on the shelf. In addition, the hinged fixing devices can be rotated to different engagement positions in order to engage with corresponding engagement parts that can thus have a number of different configurations.

[0018] With the holder according to the invention, it is thus possible to use one and the same holder for shelves with front edges that have a number of different engagement configurations. The holder can, for example, be used irrespective of whether the shelf has a C-shaped label channel, a data strip or a base profile. In addition, the same holder can be used irrespective of whether the C-channel, data strip or base profile has a number of different engagement configurations.

[0019] The hinged fixing device is suitably hinged around an axis that extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shelf. As a result, simple and inexpensive manufacture of the holder is made possible, as the hinge can be designed as a bridge of thinner material between the hinged fixing device and the other fixing part. In addition, this longitudinal extent of the hinge means that the holder provides a harmonious and uniform visual impression that harmonizes with the elongated nature of the shelf, the data strip or the carrier profile, irrespective of which position the hinged engagement device assumes.

[0020] By designing the fixing part with two hinged fixing devices, the possibilities for variation and combination regarding the number of engagement configurations of the shelf to which the holder can be used are further increased.

[0021] If the fixing part is designed with a generally C-shaped first fixing device and a hinged hook-shaped second fixing device arranged above this, the holder can be used with a number of carrier profiles and data strips that are currently available. With a hinged second hook-shaped fixing device arranged below the C-shaped first fixing device, improved fixing and stability of the attachment is achieved on both a data strip and on a carrier profile.

[0022] The holder part is suitably hinged in relation to the fixing part. By this means, the information carrier is able to project out from the shelf at varying angles. If several information carriers are attached one after the other along an aisle, such a varied angle for the different information carriers can help to make them more noticeable and attract a viewer's attention to a greater number of individual information carriers. In order to ensure that the holder part remains at the required angle, interacting hooks can be arranged on the holder part and the fixing part.

[0023] Further objects and advantages of the holder according to the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the patent claims.

Brief description of drawings

[0024] In the following, an exemplifying embodiment of the holder according to the invention is described in detail, with reference to the figures, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b are perspective views from different directions of a holder according to the invention, when the holder has assumed a first position.

Figure 1c is a side view of the holder shown in Figures 1a and 1b.

Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to the view in Figure 1c, when the holder has assumed a second position.

Figure 3 is a side view from the other side of the holder shown in Figures 1 and 2 when it has been fixed to a shelf with a C-shaped label holder channel.

Figures 4a, 4b, 4c are different perspective views and a side view of the holder when it is fixed on a base profile.

Figures 5a and 5b are a perspective view and a side view of the holder when it has been fixed on a data strip.

Detailed description of an embodiment

[0025] In the following description, directional and positional terms are used such as up, down, forwards, backwards, over, below, in front of, behind, upper, lower, front and rear. These terms refer to directions and positions of a horizontal shelf or of components when they are attached to such a shelf. By the front edge of a shelf is meant the edge of the shelf that faces towards a person when the shelf is used in the normal way. The terms are used to clarify the description and are not to be regarded as restricting the scope of the protection provided by the claims.

[0026] The embodiment of the holder according to the invention shown in the figures comprises a holder part 10 and a fixing part 20. In the example illustrated, the holder part 10 comprises a horseshoe-shaped loop 11 and a tongue 12 that is arranged parallel to the loop and a short distance away from it. The loop 11 and the tongue 12 are both connected to a stop plate 13 at their rear ends that face towards the fixing part 20. The tongue 12 has a spigot 14 that is angled forwards and projects towards the loop 11. A locking plug 15 that can be inserted in the spigot 14 is connected to the loop 11 by means of a flexible bridge of material. An information carrier (not shown) in the form of a sheet of card can be attached to the holder part 10 by being inserted between the loop 11 and the tongue 12 in such a way that the back edge of the sheet of card makes contact with the stop plate 13 and a hole that is made in the sheet of card comes into engagement around the spigot 14. The information carrier can be locked onto the holder part 10 by inserting the locking plug 15 into the spigot 14.

[0027] It will be recognized that the holder part shown in the figures and described above only constitutes one example of a holder part that can be comprised in the holder according to the invention and that the holder part can be varied freely depending upon what is to be held by the holder. In addition to information carriers in the form of sheets of card, the holder according to the invention can be used to hold a number of different items or units that are to be displayed on the front edge of a shelf, such as coupons, samples, banners and electronic display units. The holder part is then designed to hold the respective item or unit.

[0028] The fixing part 20 comprises a number of fixing devices, fixing members or engagement devices that are designed to engage with corresponding engagement parts on shelves that have different engagement configurations at their front edge. Figure 1c shows the engagement part when it has assumed a first position, which corresponds to an unloaded resting position. The fixing part 20 comprises a first fixing device 21 that also constitutes the base of the fixing part. The cross-section of the base 21 has a generally forward-curved C-shape, that has a lower radius of curvature that is smaller than the upper radius of curvature. A second fixing device 22 is connected to the upper end of the base and is designed as a upward-facing hook. A third fixing device 23 is connected to the lower end of the base 21. The third fixing device 23 also has a generally C-shaped forward curved cross-section, which, however, is significantly smaller than the C-shaped cross-section of the base 21. A fourth engagement device 24 is arranged in the vicinity of the upper end of the base 21 and at a short distance from the second engagement device 22. A J-shaped fifth engagement device 25 is arranged at the end of the third engagement device 23 facing away from the base 21.

[0029] The holder part 10 and the fixing part 20 are hinged by means of a flexible bridge 30 that enables the holder part to be rotated to various angular positions in relation to the fixing part. The base 21 of the fixing part 20 comprises, in addition, a projection 31 that projects forwards towards the stop plate 13 of the holder part, which, when the back of the stop plate 13 rests against this, defines a first angular position, which position is shown in Figure 1c. The holder part 10 and the fixing part 20 have, in addition, interacting hook devices 32, 33 that define a second angular position when they engage in each other. In order to facilitate attachment and removal of the holder, the fixing part 20 comprises, in addition, a projection 34 that is easy to grasp that projects obliquely downwards and forwards from the lower end of the base 21.

[0030] In accordance with the invention, the fourth fixing device 24 is hinged in relation to the rest of the fixing part 20. As shown most clearly in Figures 1b and 1c, the hinge consists of a flexible part 24a with thinner material that connects the base 21 to the fourth engagement device 24. The part 24a with thinner material is elongated in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shelf when the holder is attached to the shelf. By this means, it is possible to rotate the fourth engagement device around an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shelf through the flexible part 24a. The hook-shaped fourth engagement device 24 has a flat rear part 26 and a curved crook-shaped part 27 that extends between the upper end of the rear part 26 and the hinge 24a. In addition, a flexible contact tongue 28 extends from the crook-shaped part 27 in a direction towards the rear part 26.

[0031] The fifth fixing device 25 is also hinged in relation to the rest of the fixing part 20 by means of a part 25a with thinner material that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shelf. The fifth fixing device has, in addition, a cross-section with a general J-shape, the longer shank of the J being connected to the hinge 25a.

[0032] Figures 1a-c show the holder when the two hinged fixing devices 24, 25 have assumed their unloaded natural resting position. Figure 2 shows the holder when the two hinged fixing devices 24, 25 have assumed a folded-away position. On account of the flexibility of the two hinges 24a, 25a, this position is somewhat preloaded, so that the fixing devices 24, 25 attempt to resume the resting position shown in Figure 1c.

[0033] It will be described in the following, with reference to Figure 3, how the holder according to the invention is attached to a shelf that has a longitudinal channel that is designed to receive and hold small information labels. The shelf 40 illustrated in Figure 3 consists of a standard shelf made of folded steel plate, which shelf is of the type that is widely available. The shelf comprises an upper shelf surface 41 on which goods can be placed. At the front edge of the shelf, the steel plate is folded in such a way that an upper flange 42 projects out obliquely forwards and downwards from the shelf surface 41. The flange 42 forms a connection between the shelf surface 41 and a front vertical face 43 of the shelf. A second flange 44 extends obliquely forwards and upwards from the lower end of the vertical face 43. In a corresponding way to the first flange 42, the second flange 44 constitutes a connection between the vertical face 43 and a lower horizontal reinforcing part 45 that projects backwards from the vertical face 43. In this way, a generally C-shaped channel 46 is formed between the vertical face 46 and the two flanges 42, 44. This channel 46 is normally used to receive paper labels (not shown) with, for example, price information, which labels are positioned in front of the respective type of product on the surface of the shelf.

[0034] By means of the holder according to the invention, it is possible to utilize the two flanges 42, 44 as engagement parts for attaching the holder directly to the shelf. The hook-shaped second fixing device 22 of the fixing part 20 is first brought into contact with the side of the upper flange 42 that faces towards the channel 46. In order to make this possible, the fourth fixing device 24 is folded forwards around the hinge 24a, so that this fourth fixing device does not prevent the insertion of the second fixing device 22 below the upper flange 42. Thereafter, the fixing part 20 is rotated around the contact line between the second fixing device 22 and the upper flange 42, until the C-shaped third fixing device 23 engages with and snaps around the lower flange 44. Due to the flexibility of the base 21 of the fixing part 20, the second fixing device 22 will then make contact with the upper flange 42 with a certain degree of pre-loading, so that the fixing part 20 is also fixed in the selected position along the shelf in the longitudinal direction of the shelf, due to the friction that arises between the shelf and the active fixing devices 22, 23 of the fixing part, as a result of the pre-loading.

[0035] Figures 4a-c show how the holder is attached to a carrier profile 50 of the type that is currently available, which carrier profile is intended to be attached to a shelf (not shown) in such a way that a vertical face 51 of the profile is in contact with the front edge of the shelf. The carrier profile can, for example, be attached to the shelf by means of double-sided adhesive tape or the like.

[0036] A flange 52, that projects forwards from the face 51 in a direction away from the shelf, has at its free end a T-shaped part 53 with a downward-pointing hook 53a arranged at the front end of the top of the T. A front 54 that is curved forwards extends out from the stem of the T, below the top of the T and the hook 53a. The front 54 has, at a lower part 55, a backward curvature with a smaller radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the upper forward-curved part of the front 54. A spacer 56 also extends obliquely downward and forward from the lower end of the vertical face 51 and has a supporting part 57 at its free end.

[0037] A holder according to the invention is attached to the carrier profile 50. Figure 4c shows most clearly how the fixing part 20 is attached to the carrier profile 50. As shown in the figure, the curvature of the first fixing device 21 of the fixing part 20 corresponds to the curved front 54 and lower curvature 55 of the carrier profile. The first fixing device 21 of the fixing part 20 surrounds the curved front 54 and lower part 55 of the carrier profile. In addition, the second fixing device 22 of the fixing part 20, in the form of an upper hook that points upwards, is engaged in the downward-pointing hook 53a on the carrier profile. The engagement between the two hooks 22, 53a and between the lower curved part 55 of the curved front 54 of the carrier profile and the first fixing device 21 of the fixing part means that the fixing part 20 is held securely on the carrier profile 50. The first fixing device 21 of the fixing part 20 is made of a flexible material, which, together with the fact that the curvature of the fixing device 21 does not fully conform with the curvature of the curved front 54 of the carrier profile, means that the engagement between the fixing part 21 and the carrier profile 50 is given a certain degree of pre-loading. This pre-loading causes friction between the fixing part 20 and the carrier profile 50, which means that the axial position of the fixing part along the carrier profile is also fixed.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4c, the engagement described above between the fixing part 20 and the carrier profile 50 is made possible by the fourth 24 and fifth 25 fixing devices of the fixing part 20 being able to be folded away from their resting position when the holder is attached. This folding away is possible due to the hinges 24a and 25a respectively. As also shown by the figure, the fifth fixing device 25 is also utilized in this folded-away position in order to strengthen further the attachment of the fixing part 20 to the carrier profile, by the folded-away fifth fixing device 25 resting against the support part 57 of the carrier profile and by contact with the third fixing device 23 of the fixing part preventing the first fixing device 21 from unintentionally being brought out of engagement with the lower curved part 55 of the curved front 54 of the carrier profile.

[0039] Finally, Figures 5a and 5b illustrate how the holder according to the invention, in its resting position, can be attached to a data strip 60. The data strip 60 shown in Figures 5a and 5b is intended to be attached to the front vertical edge of a shelf (not shown) by means of double-sided adhesive tape 61. The data strip 60 consists of an extruded profile element that has a rear 62 and a front 63 flat face. The two faces 62, 63 are connected at their lower ends by a curved connecting part 64. A projection 65 that projects forwards above the front face extends from the upper end of the rear face 62. The data strip is normally used to receive paper labels (not shown), with, for example, price information, in the pocket that is open at the top and that is formed between the rear 62 and the front 63 faces, which labels are placed in the pocket in front of the respective types of product on the surface of the shelf.

[0040] When the holder according to the invention is to be attached to the data strip 60, the upper ends of the rear 62 and front 63 faces are first separated from each other, for example by pressing on the lower connecting part 64, whereupon the pocket is opened. While the fixing devices 21, 23 and 25 are rotated away in a clockwise direction around the hinge 24a, the flat rear part 26 of the fourth fixing device 24 of the fixing part 20 can then be inserted in the pocket, until the upper end of the front face 63 rests against the crook-shaped part 27 of the fixing device 24. Thereafter, the fixing devices 21, 23 and 25 of the fixing part are rotated back in an anticlockwise direction around the upper hinge 24a until the fifth fixing device 25 comes into contact with the lower part of the data strip 60. In this position, the axial position of the holder on the data strip can be adjusted by moving it in the longitudinal direction of the data strip and of the shelf, after which the selected position can be fixed by the fifth fixing device 25 being rotated around the lower hinge 25a and snapped into engagement around the connecting part 64 of the data strip. In the fixed position, the sprung contact of the flexible contact tongue 28 against the front face of the data strip 60 contributes to an increased holding friction between the contact surfaces of the front face 63 and the fourth fixing device 24.

[0041] Due to the hinged fixing devices on the fixing part of the holder, it is thus possible to fix the holder onto shelves that have a number of different configurations of the engagement parts on the shelf or on an intermediate part that is attached to the shelf, with which engagement parts the various fixing devices on the fixing part can be brought into engagement. The shelf, carrier profile and data strip described above only constitute examples for the purpose of illustrating some of the engagement configurations that can be utilized for fixing the holder.

Claims

1. Holder for fixing to a shelf and comprising a holder part (10) for holding, for example, information carriers in the form of sheets of card, coupons, samples, electronic display units, banners or the like, and a fixing part (20) with a number of fixing devices that are designed to engage with corresponding engagement parts that are arranged in a particular engagement configuration on the front edge of a shelf, characterized in that at least one of the fixing devices (24, 25) is hinged in relation to the fixing part in order to provide an engagement between the fixing part and engagement parts (42, 44, 53-55, 57, 62-64) in a number of different engagement configurations.

2. Holder according to Claim 1, in which the hinged fixing device (24, 25) can be rotated around an axis that extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shelf when the holder is fixed on the shelf.

3. Holder according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, in which the fixing part (20) comprises two hinged fixing devices (24, 25) .

4. Holder according to any one of Claims 1-3, in which the fixing part comprises a generally C-shaped first fixing device (21) and a hook-shaped hinged second fixing device (24) arranged above the first fixing device.

5. Holder according to Claim 4, in which the fixing part (20) comprises a hook-shaped hinged third fixing device (25) that is arranged below the first fixing device (21).

6. Holder according to any one of Claims 1-5, in which the holder part (10) is hinged in relation to the fixing part (20).

Drawing