The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 05, 2000
Filed:
May. 14, 1999
James Garth Close, Georgetown, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
A system for displaying products generally forming a queue on a display surface comprising a receiving apparatus operable for receiving products to be displayed. The receiving apparatus includes a surface for receiving the products in a queue. The surface has front and rear portions and is magnetically attracted to a magnet. The system also has an arranging mechanism operable for moving the products selectively and manually from the rear portion of the surface towards the front portion of the surface. The arranging mechanism comprises a positioning element having a vertical portion adapted to engage the rear product in the queue from the rear side of the product and has a horizontal portion extending parallel to the surface towards the front portion of the surface. The first and second elements each have a base with an upper and lower portion. The first and second elements are spaced apart and define a channel to receive and to support the products on the upper portions. The first and second elements are maintained in predetermined positions on the surface magnetically. The horizontal portion is positioned between said first and second elements in said channel and extends under the products so that the vertical portion is positioned to engage the rear product in the vicinity of its geometric center generally corresponding to the center of gravity of the rear product, thereby allowing the rear product to be engaged by the vertical portion for movement from a position in the rear portion to a predetermined position closer to the front portion of the surface with a minimum of forces tending to move the rear product towards one of the first and second elements.