Dual end divider

Abstract

A dual ended or reversible divider includes an elongated base member with a first end and an opposite second end. A divider wall extends away from the elongated base member. A first profile portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a first type of rail which can be mounted on a shelf. A second profile portion is positioned adjacent the opposite second end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a second type of rail which can be mounted on the shelf.

1 . A dual end divider comprising:
 an elongated base member including a first end and an opposite second end;   a divider wall extending away from the elongated base member;   a first profile portion positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a first type of associated rail; and   a second profile portion positioned adjacent the second end of the elongated base member wherein the second profile portion comprises a flange extending forwardly from the second end of the elongated base member and adapted to engage a second type of associated rail.   
     
     
         2 . The divider according to  claim 1 , wherein the first profile portion includes a first type of connecting structure and the second profile portion includes a second type of connecting structure such that the divider is configured to be selectively attachable to either the first or the second type of associated rail depending on which end of the divider is connected to the associated rail. 
     
     
         3 . The divider according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first profile portion and the second profile portion defines a channel that is configured to receive a profile section of one of the first and second types of associated rails to support the divider in a desired location along an associated shelf. 
     
     
         4 . The divider according to  claim 1 , wherein the first profile portion includes a lip member configured to connect to a ridge section of one of the first and second associate rails. 
     
     
         5 . The divider according to  claim 4 , wherein the lip member extends between a first side and an opposite second side of the elongated base member. 
     
     
         6 . The divider according to  claim 4 , wherein the first profile portion further comprises a first end wall extending from a first surface of the elongated base member and a first seat surface extending from the first end wall such that the lip member extends therefrom in a position spaced from the recess wall and defining a channel such that the first profile portion is configured to receive a corresponding section of the first type of associated rail. 
     
     
         7 . The divider according to  claim 6 , further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend from the first end wall and are configured to align with a plurality of corresponding teeth positioned along the first type of associated rail to prevent lateral movement of the divider relative to the associated shelf. 
     
     
         8 . The divider according to  claim 1 , further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend from the second profile portion and are configured to align with a plurality of corresponding teeth of the second type of associated rail to prevent lateral movement of the divider relative to an associated shelf. 
     
     
         9 . The divider according to  claim 8 , wherein the second profile portion includes a second end wall extending from a first surface of the elongated base member and a second seat surface extending from the second end wall such that the plurality of teeth extending therefrom are spaced from the second end wall. 
     
     
         10 . The divider according to  claim 9 , wherein the second profile portion further comprises a flange that extends from the second end of the elongated base member and is generally aligned with the seat surface wherein the flange is configured to fit within a groove of the second type of associated rail. 
     
     
         11 . A reversible divider for merchandising comprising:
 an elongated base member including a first end and an opposite second end, a first surface configured to abut an associated shelf and an opposite second surface;   a divider wall extending from the second surface of the elongated base member;   a first profile portion located along the first surface of the elongated base member adjacent to the first end wherein the first profile portion comprises a first channel and a plurality of spaced first teeth disposed adjacent a rear wall of the channel, wherein the first profile portion is configured to connect to a first type of associated rail; and   a second profile portion located along the first surface of the elongated base member adjacent to the second end wherein the second profile portion comprises a second channel and a plurality of spaced second teeth extending downwardly from a roof of the second channel, wherein the second profile portion is configured to connect to a second type of associated rail.   
     
     
         12 . The divider according to  claim 11 , wherein the elongated base member includes a first side and an opposite second side such that at least one of the first profile portion and the second profile portion extends between the first side and the second side of the elongated base member. 
     
     
         13 . The divider according to  claim 11 , wherein the first profile portion first channel further comprises a roof and a lip member wherein the lip member is spaced from the rear wall. 
     
     
         14 . The divider according to  claim 12 , wherein the second profile portion second further comprises a rear wall which is spaced from said plurality of spaced second teeth. 
     
     
         15 . The divider according to  claim 14  wherein said second profile portion further comprises a flange protruding from said elongated base member. 
     
     
         16 . The divider assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the flange is generally aligned with the roof and is configured to fit within a groove of the second type of associated rail. 
     
     
         17 . The divider according to  claim 15 , wherein the roof of the second profile portion channel includes a first section and a second section. 
     
     
         18 . The divider according to  claim 17 , wherein the first roof section is generally aligned along a first plane and the second roof section is generally aligned along a second plane wherein the first plane is spaced from the second plane. 
     
     
         19 . A method of connecting a reversible divider to a shelf, the method comprising:
 providing a divider having an elongated base member and a divider wall which extends from the elongated base member;   providing a first profile portion that defines a channel located adjacent a first end of the elongated base member and a second profile portion located adjacent a second end of the elongated base member, the second profile portion including a flange that extends from the second end of the elongated base member;   placing the divider assembly on the shelf; and   coupling the first profile portion at a desired position along a first type of rail positioned on the shelf or coupling the second profile portion at a desired position along a second type of rail positioned on the shelf, wherein the divider can be connected to either the first type of rail or the second type of rail depending on which end of the reversible divider is used.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the coupling step further comprises engaging a plurality of teeth members extending from the first profile portion with a plurality of corresponding teeth extending from the first type of rail or engaging a plurality of teeth members extending from the second profile portion with a plurality of corresponding teeth extending from the second type of rail.