Dual plane self-adjusting shelf

摘要

An apparatus for storing and displaying packages. The invention discloses a self-adjusting shelf comprising a sled coupled to a track, and at least two product supports located in a plane above the track. The product supports are aligned substantially parallel to the track and are coupled to the track. Packages rest upon the product supports. The sled slides along the length of the track. The sled urges, via either gravity or a biasing device, the sled forward against downstream packages. Thus, when one package is removed, the sled forces the remaining packages to the front of the shelf.

主权项

1. A self-adjusting shelf comprising:
an inclined roller track having a plurality of rollers configured for low friction sliding of a sled thereon; a sled coupled to said roller track, the sled having a forward-extending base and the sled having a mass to permit sliding along the rollers, the sled having a back extending upwardly from the base and wings on each side of the back, the back having a width greater than a width of the base; and at least two product supports with upper surfaces, each of the at least two product supports substantially aligned with the roller track on opposing sides of the roller track, and located above the roller track, the at least two product supports are elevated above the base of the sled and are configured to support product packages on the upper surfaces above the roller track when the self-adjusting shelf is in use displaying product packages thereon; whereby, when in use displaying product packages, an angle of inclination of the inclined roller track operatively cooperates with the rollers, the mass of the sled, and the upper surfaces of the product supports to enable the sled to move forward under gravitational force to urge packaged products to a front of the shelf when a packaged product in front of the sled is removed from the shelf.