Shelf device having variable width cradle

Abstract

A gravity feed shelf device for storing product containers on their sides and dispensing containers one at a time has first and second cradle assemblies. The first cradle assembly has a first cradle panel with connecting members extending therefrom. At least one gravity feed panel is attached to the first cradle panel and extends from a rear edge portion of the first cradle panel towards a front edge portion of the first cradle panel. The second cradle assembly has a second cradle panel with connecting members extending therefrom. At least one gravity feed panel is attached to the second cradle panel and extends from a rear edge portion of the second cradle panel towards a front edge portion of the second cradle panel. The connecting members of each panel slidably receive a rod to connect the first cradle panel with the second cradle panel so that distance between the first and second cradle panels adjusts to accommodate different sized containers.

1 . A gravity feed shelf device for storing product containers on their sides and dispensing containers one at a time, comprising:
 first and second cradle assemblies, each said cradle assembly having a cradle panel with top, bottom, front and rear edge portions, a front top connecting member attached to at least one of said top and front edge portions, a front bottom connecting member attached to at least one of said bottom and front edge portions, a rear top connecting member attached to at least one of said top and rear edge portions, a rear bottom connecting member attached to at least one of said bottom and rear edge portions, and at least one gravity feed panel extending downward from said rear edge portion towards said front edge portion; and   joining means for adjustably joining connecting members of said first cradle assembly to connecting members of said second cradle assembly to vary spacing therebetween to accommodate containers of different sizes.   
     
     
         2 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said connecting members are female members and wherein said joining means are male members. 
     
     
         3 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said male members slide in said female members and vary spacing between said first and second cradle assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 1 , including:
 a first lug having an opening and being attached to a top portion of said cradle panel of said first cradle assembly; and   a second lug having an opening and being attached to a top portion of said cradle panel of said second cradle assembly, said cradle assemblies being adjacent one another.   
     
     
         5 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 4 , including a door panel pivotally attached to said first and second lugs. 
     
     
         6 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said door panel has protrusions inserted into said openings of said first and second lugs. 
     
     
         7 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 1 , including:
 a first lug having a slot and being attached to a bottom portion of said cradle panel of said first cradle assembly; and   a second lug having a slot and being attached to a bottom portion of said cradle panel of said second cradle assembly; and   a display panel received in said slots of said first and second lugs.   
     
     
         8 . A gravity feed shelf device for storing product containers on their sides and dispensing containers one at a time, comprising:
 first and second cradle assemblies, each said cradle assembly having a cradle panel with top, bottom, front, front extension and rear edge portions, a front connecting member attached to said front edge portion, a front extension connecting member attached to said front extension portion, a rear top connecting member attached to at least one of said top and rear edge portions, a rear bottom connecting member attached to at least one of said bottom and rear edge portions, and at least one gravity feed panel; and   a plurality of rods adjustably joining connecting members of said first cradle assembly to corresponding connecting members of said second cradle assembly to vary spacing therebetween to accommodate containers of different sizes.   
     
     
         9 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said at least one gravity feed panel extends downward from said rear edge portion towards said front edge portion. 
     
     
         10 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 9 , including a second gravity feed panel disposed above said at least one gravity feed panel and extending downward from said front edge portion towards said rear edge portion. 
     
     
         11 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein each said connecting member is an elongated member defining a socket for releasably holding a connecting rod. 
     
     
         12 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein:
 a first cradle panel of said first cradle assembly has a top, rear connecting member attached at the junction of top and rear edge portions, said connecting member defining a socket; and   a top rear connecting rod of said plurality of rods disposed in said socket.   
     
     
         13 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 12 , including:
 a top, front connecting corner formed at the junction of said top and front edge portions of said first cradle panel;   a cover panel having a lip on a rear surface and a connecting member below said lip, said connecting member being an elongated member defining a socket; and   a front connecting rod of said plurality of rods disposed in said socket of said connecting member of said cover panel, said cover panel pivoting on said front connecting rod to bring said lip into latching contact with said connecting corner.   
     
     
         14 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said connecting corner is truncated to receive said lip. 
     
     
         15 . A gravity feed shelf device for storing product containers on their sides and dispensing containers one at a time, comprising:
 a first cradle assembly having a first cradle panel with top, bottom, front, front extension and rear edge portions, a first front connecting member attached to said front edge portion, a first front extension connecting member attached to said front extension portion, a first rear top connecting member attached to at least one of said top and rear edge portions, a first rear bottom connecting member attached to at least one of said bottom and rear edge portions, and at least one first gravity feed panel; and   a second cradle assembly having a second cradle panel with top, bottom, front, front extension and rear edge portions, a second front connecting member attached to said front edge portion, a second front extension connecting member attached to said front extension portion, a second rear top connecting member attached to at least one of said top and rear edge portions, a second rear bottom connecting member attached to at least one of said bottom and rear edge portions, and at least one second gravity feed panel; and   a plurality of rods adjustably joining connecting members of said first cradle assembly to corresponding connecting members of said second cradle assembly to vary spacing therebetween to accommodate containers of different sizes.   
     
     
         16 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said at least one gravity feed panel extends downward from said rear edge portion towards said front edge portion and including a second gravity feed panel disposed above said at least one gravity feed panel and extending downward from said front edge portion towards said rear edge portion. 
     
     
         17 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein each said connecting member is an elongated member defining a socket for releasably holding a connecting rod. 
     
     
         18 . A shelf device, as set forth in  claim 15 , including:
 a truncated connecting corner formed at the junction of said top and front edge portions of said first cradle panel;   a cover panel having a lip on a rear surface and a connecting member below said lip, said connecting member being an elongated member defining a socket; and   a front connecting rod of said plurality of rods disposed in said socket of said connecting member of said cover panel, said cover panel pivoting on said front connecting rod to bring said lip into latching contact with said truncated connecting corner.