Dynamic, compact presentation and divider systems

Abstract

A shelving and product adjustment system can have a frame configured to contain ranks of similarly-shaped products. The system can include a gravity-based product movement feature. This can include a low friction surface positioned to interact with a surface of each product and allow each product to slide laterally and downwardly when not obstructed by an intervening product. A manual column width adjustment feature can be configured to shift rank division bars laterally, thereby adjusting rank width to accommodate different rank widths. A securement feature can secure the system to a shelf such that products can slide while the frame remains in place with respect to the shelf. Such systems can enhance use of lateral shelf space and provide flexibility, organization, and efficiency.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dynamic, compact presentation system comprising:
 base supports configured for securement to flat metal shelving;   vertical risers connected to the base supports to provide a superstructure that rises above the flat metal shelving to organize and contain an array of products;   fixed lateral connecting rods spanning between vertical risers and configured to provide rigid strength to the superstructure and a containment boundary for the array of products;   dynamic separator rods spanning between fixed lateral connecting rods and configured to adjustably attach thereto, thereby forming columns for organizing the array of products, columns being formed between adjacent separator rods and each column having a dynamic width that can change as an adjacent separator rod is adjusted to a different position along one or more fixed lateral connecting rods; and   a low friction sliding mat configured to cover the flat metal shelving and extend beneath the superstructure such that products arranged on the mat and in the columns of the superstructure can readily slide down by gravity, as constrained by the lateral connecting rods.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base supports comprise protrusions configured to engage with recesses in the flat metal shelving. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base supports comprise flat plates having holes configured to accept fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical risers comprise one or more metal rods. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed lateral connecting rods comprise one or more metal rods. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical risers and the fixed lateral connecting rods comprise one or more metal rods connected together to form a ridged metal frame sized to correspond to lateral dimensions of a corresponding flat metal shelf. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic lateral connecting rods comprise a thin elongate portion and at least one tip portion configured to connect the elongate portion such that the dynamic lateral connecting rod can connect to and slide laterally along multiple fixed lateral connecting rods, thereby providing a dynamic column width for at least one of the columns for organizing the array of products. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the tip portion comprises a connector having a first elongate opening configured to receive an end of the elongate portion and a second elongate opening transverse to the first elongate opening and configured to interface with at least one fixed lateral connecting rod. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a transverse fastener configured to secure the connector to the elongate portion of the dynamic lateral connecting rod. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second elongate opening is configured to only partially surround a fixed lateral connecting rod such that the connector can be snapped on prior to sliding laterally. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the superstructure and the base supports are configured to permit multiple systems to stack together for compact storage and shipping. 
     
     
         12 . A movable shelving and product adjustment system comprising:
 a frame configured to contain ranks of uniformly-shaped products;   a gravity-based product movement feature comprising a low friction surface positioned to interact with a surface of each product and allow each product to slide laterally and downwardly when not obstructed by an intervening product;   a manual column width adjustment feature configured to shift rank division bars laterally, thereby adjusting rank width to accommodate different rank widths; and   a securement feature configured to secure the system to a shelf such that products can slide while the frame remains in place with respect to the shelf.   
     
     
         13 . A connector, comprising:
 a first elongate opening configured to receive an end of an elongate portion of a dynamic lateral connecting rod;   a second elongate opening transverse to the first elongate opening and configured to interface with at least one fixed lateral connecting rod, wherein the second elongate opening comprises:
 a first segment; and 
 a second segment, 
 wherein the first segment and the second segment each comprise lateral axes aligned along a same lateral axis and separated by a distance, wherein the first segment and the second segment are configured to receive a fixed lateral connecting rod along the same lateral axis; and 
   a resistance component, coupled to the first elongate opening, and configured to increase resistance between the fixed lateral connecting rod and the connector when the fixed lateral connecting rod is partially surrounded by the first segment and the second segment.   
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein the resistance component extends from an end cap coupled of the connector, wherein a height of the resistance component overlaps with an opening width of each the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein the distance between the first segment and the second segment comprises the resistance component. 
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein the first segment and the second segment are configured to partially surround the fixed lateral connecting rod such that the connector can be snapped on to the fixed lateral connecting rod and the resistance component restrains a position of the connector. 
     
     
         17 . An adjustable system for store shelf organization comprising:
 metal rod structure configured to rigidly connect to standard shelving having holes;   multiple protrusions extending downward into the holes to align the metal rod structure with the shelving;   at least two metal front rods extending laterally and configured to prevent products from falling off the shelving or out of the metal rod structure;   multiple divider rods configured for perpendicular connection to an upper front rod of the at least two metal front rods; and   multiple clips configured to establish the perpendicular connection by clipping to the upper front at any lateral position and using a non-sliding pad to maintain that position.   
     
     
         18 . A wireframe divider system comprising:
 a wireframe structure configured to connect to and sit on a standard store shelf, the structure comprising a perimeter wire structure and at least one adjustable divider wire;   the divider wire having a formed connector configured to connect to and hold the divider wire perpendicular to the perimeter wire structure; and   the formed connector configured to engage a front wire of the perimeter wire structure with a removable, non-sliding engagement structure.   
     
     
         19 . The wireframe divider system of  claim 18 , wherein the removable, non-sliding engagement structure comprises at least two grooves and a rubber pad. 
     
     
         20 . The wireframe divider system of  claim 18 , wherein the perimeter wire structure is configured for compact stacking with identical structures to facilitate shipping. 
     
     
         21 . The wireframe divider system of  claim 18 , further comprising protrusions to engage shelf. 
     
     
         22 . The wireframe divider system of  claim 18 , further comprising connectors shaped for engagement with round bottles. 
     
     
         23 . A system for efficient use of retail shelving, the system comprising:
 multiple superstructure frames configured to be secured to and to support products on standard shelving units having lateral shelf widths;   each superstructure frame having front and back rails and multiple divider rods configured to attach to the front and back rails at any lateral position along the rails;   the divider rods configured for adjustment and repositioning to match different product widths over time;   the multiple superstructure frames configured for installation without a fixed lateral divider between each frame, such that products can straddle a seam between adjacent standard shelving units.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the front and back rails are configured to align in a compact, nestable formation when being shipped. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein each of the divider rods comprises at least one connector, wherein the at least one connector comprises a slot configured to connect the divider rod to the front and back rails such that the divider rod can slide laterally along the front and back rails. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a resistance component configured to provide friction between the at least one connector and the front and back rails to prevent sliding and allow adjustment of the divider rods. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one connector is configured to hold the divider rods perpendicular to the front and back rails. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the connectors are shaped to partially wrap around a product being displayed by a corresponding superstructure frame. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a sliding mat configured to allow products to migrate forward. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the multiple superstructure frames further comprise protrusions configured to provide alignment. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the front rails comprise at least two rails positioned to prevent products from falling. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein two of the multiple superstructure frames each comprise an end assembly configured to prevent products displayed on the superstructure frames from moving laterally off the standard shelving units.