Inventory control system for walk-in display coolers and the like

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/814,207 filed Mar. 21, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,484 entitled INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WALK-IN DISPLAY COOLERS AND THE LIKE.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Walk-in product merchandising display coolers are commonly used in retail outlets such as convenience stores and grocery stores to display a wide variety of different types of products to the consumer. A walk-in cooler typically includes one or more consumer access doors that open into the store area to allow a consumer access to products from display racks and associated shelving positioned adjacent the access doors. Such walk-in display coolers also typically include a storage area located behind the display racks which permits both the storage of product to be ultimately placed on the display racks and provides room for employees to fill the display racks from the rear with products stored within the storage area of the cooler.

Products stored in such coolers include bottled and canned beverages which are heavy, cumbersome and have “use-by” dates which need to be honored in order to provide fresh product to the consumer. Typically, product is stored in the cooler storage area by stacking multiple layers of containerized product on the floor or on fixed position racks or pallets. Storage racks provided in such coolers are fixed both with respect to the floor surface and with respect to the individual shelves associated with the racks. In other words, the racks themselves are non-movable and the individual shelves associated therewith are typically fixed at one orientation and are not capable of being adjustably positionable into more than one orientation such as a horizontal orientation and a gravity feed orientation. Such storage systems can result in a first-in/last-out mode of operation which means consumers could be sold out-of-date product or fresher product first while older product remains buried at the bottom of the stack. Also, the depth (front-to-rear) of the stacks of product is limited because access to rear positioned stacks is inhibited by front positioned stacks whether the stacks are positioned on the floor or on fixed racks or pallets.

Complicating the problem of product storage in walk-in type coolers or other storage space holding areas is the fact that walk-in display coolers tend to have limited storage space therein. This limited space makes it difficult for employees to work and maneuver within the cooler thereby adversely affecting worker efficiency.

Movable storage rack systems are known in the art. Such systems have one or more racks or shelving systems moveably mounted generally on guides (tracks) and such racks or shelving systems can be moved from side to side to provide access to racks or shelving systems located behind the moving rack(s). Such systems can include several racks positioned in spaced apart relationship from front to back with the back rack usually being fixed and non-movable. Examples of such systems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,205,627; 5,943,967; 5,265,739; 5,072,838; and 4,087,765. These patents disclose movable shelving units or racks that move on wheels along upwardly opening tracks such as upwardly opening grooves or on angle member tracks. If an object were to lie or become wedged in the upwardly opening groove, such object might derail the shelving unit during movement thereby causing damage to product and potentially injuring workers. Further, to protect against tipping over, many of the disclosed racks utilize a retention system positioned at the top of the shelves. The shelving system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,627 utilizes an upwardly opening groove for a track and a complicated bottom mounted anti-tip device that has a large profile and is not compact. None of the known shelving systems provide shelf members which are selectively positionable at a plurality of different angular orientations for different product support arrangements and none are adaptable for use as a product inventory control system as hereinafter described.

Thus, there is a need for an improved walk-in display cooler system which includes an inventory control system that will permit a first-in/first-out mode of operation for re-stocking product and that can utilize the limited space in the storage area of the cooler more efficiently.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a movable inventory control rack for use in a walk-in display cooler or other product storage area, the present inventory control system providing for a first-in/first-out method of handling inventory in the cooler or other product storage area. The present rack system can include a plurality of movable racks and a plurality of fixed racks whereby movement of one or more movable racks provides access to racks located behind a movable rack. The rack system includes floor mounted tracks which guide support wheels mounted adjacent the bottom of the movable rack. Each rack, whether movable or fixed, includes a plurality of upright support structures adaptable for holding and supporting a plurality of shelves or product holding trays therebetween, each shelf or tray being supported by a pair of horizontally disposed front and rear shelf support members which are selectively attachable to elongated posts associated with the upright support structures. The front and rear shelf support members and the upright support structures are provided with cooperating attachment elements for mounting the shelf support members between the upright structures in various orientations whereby a shelf or product holding tray or container can be positioned to hold and store products at different angles relative to the floor surface.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a walk-in display cooler having an entry door open to show a portion of the interior of the cooler.

FIG. 2

is a fragmentary view of the cooler and rack system of

FIG. 1

enlarged to show additional detail.

FIG. 3

is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a fixed rack and a movable rack constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4

is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a lower portion of the movable rack of

FIG. 3

showing the present support wheels and guide rollers.

FIG. 5

is a fragmentary end view of one rack of the present system showing attachment of the front and rear shelf support members to the upright support structures with a product holding tray in position to form generally horizontal shelves.

FIG. 6

is an end view of two rows of racks of the present system showing attachment of the front and rear shelf support members to the upright support structures in position to form downwardly sloping shelves.

FIG. 7

is a perspective view of a shelf support member positioned in an orientation to provide either an inclined support surface with an upturned lip or a horizontal edge support surface.

FIG. 8

is a perspective view of a shelf support member positioned in an orientation to provide either an inclined support surface with a downturned lip or a horizontal edge support surface.

FIG. 9

is an enlarged fragmentary end view of racks showing the shelf support members in position to form a generally horizontal shelf with a front upturned lip.

FIG. 10

is an enlarged end view of a wheel and guide roller in a track of the present invention.

FIG. 11

is an enlarged perspective view of a track illustrating attachment of the stop members adjacent each opposite end of the track.

FIG. 12

is an enlarged end view of a shelf support member oriented similar to the shelf support member of FIG.

7

.

FIG. 13

is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an alternate way to attach a shelf support member to an upright support structure.

FIG. 14

is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the base frame of a rack operatively positioned within the tracks.

FIG. 15

is an enlarged perspective view of a basket shelf.

FIG. 16

is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the present product storage system.

FIG. 17

is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present product storage system.

FIG. 18

is an end view showing a fixed rack and a movable rack associated with the alternative embodiment of the present product storage system.

FIG. 19

is a plan view showing a fixed rack (top portion) and a movable rack (bottom portion) constructed in accordance with the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present product storage system.

FIG. 20

is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation view of a portion of the movable rack showing details of a wheel and a track associated with the alternative embodiment of the present product storage system.

FIG. 21

is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shelf support member showing a front lip in an upturned position.

FIG. 22

is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the shelf support member of

FIG. 21

positioned to show a front lip in a downturned position.

FIG. 23

is a section view taken along line

23

—

23

of FIG.

17

.

FIG. 24

is an enlarged fragmentary end view showing details of the wheel and track arrangement associated with the alternative embodiment of the present product storage system.

FIG. 25

is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing details of a track assembly with a pair of tracks constructed in accordance with the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present product storage system.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the present rack system will be described with respect to use in a typical walk-in display cooler environment, its use is not so limited and it is recognized and anticipated that the present system will be utilized in a wide variety of different applications as will be hereinafter evident.

A typical walk-in cooler, as best illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, includes side walls

12

,

13

,

14

and

15

, a floor

16

, and a roof

17

. The cooler

10

further includes a plurality of display racks

19

positioned at the front of the cooler adjacent to one or more customer access doors

20

associated with the front wall

13

. The display racks

19

are used to hold and display product such as food items and beverages. The display racks

19

are filled by a worker from the rear of the respective racks while working inside the cooler

10

. Typically, at least some of the shelves associated with the display racks

19

are inclined or sloped downwardly toward the doors

20

in a gravity feed orientation so that the products positioned and displayed thereon are self-feeding under the influence of gravity to the front of the display racks

19

for easy access through the cooler doors

20

. The cooler

10

is also provided with an access door

22

for ingress and egress of a worker into and out of the interior

23

of the cooler

10

for both storing product within the cooler and for stocking and re-stocking the display racks

19

. The above described cooler is of a type well-known in the art and can be found in a wide variety of retail outlets such as supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores and the like.

A rack system designated generally

27

is provided in the interior

23

of the cooler

10

and preferably includes one or more fixed, non-movable racks

28

and one or more movable racks

29

positioned in front of the fixed racks

28

. Although only two rows of racks

28

and

29

are illustrated, it is recognized and anticipated that any suitable number of racks can be provided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, only the back row of racks

28

is fixed in position and is generally positioned adjacent a cooler wall to save space. The movable racks

29

are constructed to provide for lateral movement (side-to-side) in either direction. When access is needed to one rack behind another rack, the rack in the front is moved to the side providing access to a rack therebehind.

For manufacturing convenience, the racks

28

and

29

are similar in construction and are comprised of a pair of spaced apart upright support structures

32

located at each opposite end of the respective racks

28

and

29

as illustrated in

FIGS. 2

,

5

,

6

and

9

, each upright structure

32

being generally vertical and parallel to one another. In the illustrated structure, each upright support structure

32

includes spaced front and back posts

33

and

34

respectively, or other equivalent upright elongated members, and one or more cross brace members

35

secured between a pair of front and back posts

33

and

34

to help rigidify the overall structure

32

. As shown in

FIGS. 5

,

6

and

9

, the top most brace member

35

is placed at an angle between front and rear posts

33

and

34

while the mid-brace member

35

can be positioned generally perpendicular to the post members

33

and

34

. In this regard, it is recognized that any number of cross brace members

35

can be utilized to rigidify the overall upright structure

32

and that the brace members can be positioned and oriented in any manner between the front and rear posts

33

and

34

so long as rigidity is achieved.

Each pair of upright support structures

32

is fixedly secured to a base frame member

37

as best illustrated in FIG.

14

. The base frame

37

includes front and rear brace members

39

and end brace members

40

that are secured together forming a generally rectangular base frame. In a preferred embodiment, the upright support structures

32

and base frame

37

are welded together to form an integral structure. It is also preferred that the upright post members

33

and

34

and brace members

39

and

40

be of rectangular or square tubing. Likewise, cross brace members

35

may be of similar tubing and welded to the respective posts

33

and

34

. Both the fixed racks

28

and the movable racks

29

are of substantially similar construction except that the movable racks have means associated therewith as will be hereinafter explained to allow for sideways movement of the racks

29

. It is recognized and anticipated that the base frame

37

can be attached or otherwise joined to the upright post members

33

and

34

in any known manner and it is recognized and anticipated that the individual members or components forming the structures

32

and

37

can be of any cross-sectional shape.

As best seen in

FIGS. 4 and 14

, a wheel

42

is rotatably mounted to each movable rack

29

adjacent each of the four corners thereof. The greater the separation of the wheels, generally, the greater the stability of the overall rack

29

both when stationary and during movement. Each of the wheels

42

is rotatably mounted on an axle

43

which is secured to the base frame

37

as, for example, with brackets

44

and fasteners

45

as best shown in

FIGS. 3

,

4

,

6

and

10

. As illustrated, the wheels

42

each rotate on a generally horizontal axle

43

in a generally vertical plane. Preferably, the wheels

42

on each end of the rack, comprising end pairs of wheels, are equally spaced front-to-rear while the wheels on each end of the rack, comprising front and rear pairs of wheels, are equally spaced end-to-end to facilitate their being guided by track members described below. The fixed racks

28

may be simply secured to the floor surface with anchors bolts

46

through the base frame

37

or via other suitable securing means to prevent their movement and tipping.

As best illustrated in

FIGS. 2

,

3

,

4

and

14

, floor tracks

48

are provided for receipt of the wheels

42

therein to provide guidance during sideways or lateral (end-to-end) movement of a rack

29

and to help prevent tipping of a rack. In a preferred embodiment, a track

48

captures either the front wheels or rear wheels

42

of a particular rack

29

preferably on three sides of the wheels, namely, the top, bottom, and one side thereof thereby preventing the wheels

42

from leaving their respective track

48

. In the illustrated structure, a track

48

is comprised of a substantially U-shaped channel member having a base flange

52

, an intermediate web

53

, and a top flange

54

. The track portions

52

,

53

and

54

form closed side portions capturing the wheels

42

on three sides thereof. The track

48

may be made from formed sheet metal or other suitable material. The base flange

52

is adapted to rest on the floor and to be fixedly secured thereto as, for example, with bevel head screws

56

(

FIG. 10

) which extend through countersunk holes

57

in flange

52

, or by any other suitable anchoring means. As illustrated in

FIGS. 10

,

11

and

14

, the base flange

52

and top flange

54

have approximately the same width and apertures

58

would be provided through the top flange

54

to provide access for a fastening tool to extend therethrough to fasten the screws

56

to the floor. Alternately, the base flange

52

can have a width wider than the top flange

54

with the holes

57

located in an area outside of the overhang of the top flange

54

to help facilitate fastening of the screws or other fasteners

56

(

FIGS. 3 and 6

) to the floor. Each track

48

includes an open side

59

with the open sides of the front and rear tracks opening toward one another. The tracks

48

are secured to the floor and are generally parallel and have a spacing between inside surfaces

60

of the opposed webs

53

preferably larger than the outside spacing of the wheels

42

to provide clearance for the axles

43

and the fasteners securing the wheels thereto.

Guide means are also provided to assist in guiding the movement of a particular rack

29

within the tracks

48

to restrain cocking or tilting of a rack within a pair of tracks

48

, that is, front-to-rear and/or rear-to-front movement of a rack within the tracks. As shown in

FIGS. 4

,

10

and

14

, a plurality of guide rollers

61

are mounted on the base frame

37

projecting to the front or rear thereof for engagement with an inside surface

60

of a respective web

53

. As shown, there is a guide roller

61

adjacent each of the wheels

42

. The guide rollers

61

are mounted about a generally vertically oriented axle

62

for rotation in a generally horizontal plane. Each of the guide rollers

61

and respective axles

62

are mounted on a positionally adjustable bracket

63

that allows the front-to-rear position of a guide roller

61

to be adjusted to ensure proper spacing of the guide rollers for engagement with the respective webs

53

. The front-to-rear spacing is also adequate to prevent contact of the axles

43

and wheels

42

with the inside surface

60

of the webs

53

.

When a particular rack

29

is engaged with a pair of tracks

48

, the wheels

42

are positioned between the flanges

52

and

54

and are therefore restrained against vertical movement thus helping to prevent the tipping of a particular rack

29

. In one embodiment, supplemental anti-tip devices may be provided. Anti-tip devices may be required when the rack height to depth ratio exceeds 3:1 in some earthquake prone areas and 4:1 in other areas. As best seen in

FIGS. 4

,

10

and

14

, a plate

65

is secured to the base frame

37

adjacent each of the four corners thereof. The plates

65

have an upper surface that is positioned just below the downward facing surface

64

of the top flange

54

. In the event a rack starts to tip, the plates

65

will engage the top flange surface

64

and prevent tipping of the rack. The plates

65

may also prevent objects or debris from falling into the tracks

48

.

Stop members

67

are secured to the tracks

48

adjacent each of the open ends thereof as best shown in

FIGS. 3 and 11

. Preferably the stop members

67

are removably secured to the opposite ends of each track

48

to allow for maintenance of unit and to simplify placement of a particular rack

29

within the tracks after the tracks

48

are secured to the floor. In this regard, it is recognized that any number of movable racks

29

may be positioned within a pair of tracks

48

depending upon the length of the tracks

48

. As illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 11

, the stop members

67

are L-shaped brackets secured to a respective web

53

with suitable fasteners such as the fasteners

69

.

The fixed racks

28

are positioned in a cooler or other product storage area to the rear of the movable racks

29

as best shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. Sideways or lateral movement of a movable rack

29

allows access to a rack located therebehind, whether that rack be another movable rack

29

or a fixed rack

28

. In practice, there may be a plurality of rows of movable racks each providing access to any rack, fixed or movable, therebehind. For example, if there are three rows of storage racks, the front two rows would be movable racks. Movement of a rack in the front row provides access to a movable rack in the middle row and if access is needed to a rear rack, racks in both the front and middle rows may be moved. Thus, floor space in a walk-in display cooler or other product storage area can be effectively utilized for storage of products which can be stored in a manner to allow a first-in/first-out inventory control method.

The racks

28

and

29

of the present invention are provided with shelving units of various types that can be positioned at various positions and angles relative to the horizontal to enhance the flexibility and use of the present rack system.

FIGS. 2

,

5

,

6

and

9

illustrate the use of one embodiment of a product holding tray or container

72

used in conjunction with a plurality of front and rear shelf support members

73

to achieve different angular orientations. The trays or containers

72

provide support for the product such as soft drink or other beverage products and are fully supported by the front and rear shelf support members

73

. As illustrated, the front and rear shelf support members

73

(

FIGS. 7 and 8

) are separately attached to the corresponding upright posts

33

and

34

in one of several orientations as will be hereinafter further explained so as to achieve either a substantially horizontal planar orientation for the tray or container

72

as illustrated in

FIG. 5

, or to achieve one of several inclined planar orientations as illustrated in

FIGS. 6 and 9

. Preferably, the front and rear shelf support members

73

are of similar construction and can be used interchangeably. In one embodiment, the shelf support member

73

includes a pair of end brackets

76

with a support member or flange

77

secured to and extending therebetween. Preferably the end brackets

76

are of like construction so that a shelf support member

73

may be used in a left-right or right-left orientation to increase the versatility of the overall rack system as described below. As best illustrated in

FIGS. 7 and 8

, the support member or flange

77

is preferably an angle member comprising two flange portions, one flange portion forming the first component

79

and the second flange portion forming the second component

80

. Either flange portion

79

or

80

may engage a container floor or the front or rear portion of a particular container

72

depending upon the orientation of the front and rear shelf support members

73

as best seen in

FIGS. 2

,

5

,

6

and

9

. For example, in the orientation illustrated in

FIG. 6

, the front shelf support member

73

is mounted between the opposed front posts

33

of a pair of upright support structures

32

so as to orient the flange portion

80

(

FIG. 7

) as a generally upturned lip which will engage the front portion of a product holding tray or container

72

to prevent the tray or container

72

from sliding forward out of the rack

28

or

29

. In this orientation, the flange portion

80

serves as a stop member while flange portion

79

engages the bottom surface of the tray or container

72

and serves as a support surface for holding the forward portion of the tray or container

72

positioned thereon. In contrast, the rear shelf support member

73

is mounted between the opposed rear posts

34

of a pair of upright support structures

32

in spaced apart relationship above the corresponding front shelf support member

73

so as to orient the flange portion

79

(

FIG. 8

) to engage the bottom surface of the container

72

while the other flange portion

80

is oriented in a generally downturned orientation to prevent interference with the tray or container

72

. This orientation is shown in

FIGS. 6 and 8

. In this particular arrangement of shelf support members

73

, the front and rear shelf support members are positioned such that when a container or tray

72

is positioned thereupon as illustrated in

FIG. 6

, the tray or container

72

is oriented at an angle say, for example, 45° from the horizontal allowing enhanced access to the contents of the container

72

. This orientation also provides for a gravity feed arrangement if the product stored in the container

72

are beverage type products wherein remaining product will slide downwardly and forward when a lead product is removed therefrom.

FIG. 5

shows another configuration wherein the front and rear shelf support members

73

are oriented relative to the upright posts

33

and

34

so as to form a generally horizontal support surface providing two flange portions

79

for engaging the bottom surface of a container

72

whereas the flange portions

80

are downturned to prevent interference with the container

72

. A horizontal support surface or plane can also be provided by orienting the front and rear shelf support members

73

relative to the upright posts

33

and

34

in positions similar to FIGS.

7

and/or

8

such that the bottom surface of the tray or container

72

will engage either the apex

81

(

FIG. 8

) of the support flange

77

formed by the intersection of the flange portions

79

and

80

, or the edge portions

82

and

84

of the support flange

77

(FIG.

7

). As a result, in combination, the front and rear shelf support members

73

may be oriented with two upturned flange portions

79

and

80

, two downturned flange portions

79

and

80

, one flange portion

79

or

80

on the front shelf support member

73

being upturned and one flange portion

79

or

80

on the rear shelf support member

73

being downturned, or one flange portion

79

or

80

on the rear shelf support member

73

being upturned while the front shelf support member

73

has a horizontal flange portion and a downturned flange portion.

FIG. 9

represents an orientation wherein the front shelf support member

73

has an upturned flange portion and the rear shelf support member

73

has a downturned flange portion. Such versatility provides for a variety of different tray or container orientations depending upon the positioning of the front and rear shelf support member

73

relative to each other and relative to the upright posts

33

and

34

, any one or more of which are easily adaptable to the particular product and container

72

being stored.

In order to provide the aforementioned orientations of the flange portions

79

and

80

, the end brackets

76

and the upright support structures

32

are provided with cooperating attachment elements to selectively secure the shelf support members

73

in their various orientations simply and easily. A preferred embodiment of attachment elements is illustrated in

FIGS. 6 and 7

. In this regard, the front and back posts

33

and

34

are each provided with a plurality of spaced apart apertures

83

along the length thereof. Any suitable spacing and number of apertures

83

may be provided depending upon the versatility desired for a particular rack and the number of shelf positions desired in a rack. As seen, the apertures

83

are positioned in a line along respective upright posts

33

and

34

and are formed in pairs, each pair of apertures

83

being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of apertures

85

associated with the end brackets

76

.

The brackets

76

are generally in the form of a plate having a plurality of apertures

85

therethrough. A support flange or element

77

is secured to and extends between inside faces of the bracket

76

. Preferably the brackets

76

and support flange

77

are metal and are welded together when heavy loads are contemplated. The apertures

85

extend through the bracket

76

each with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support flange

77

. The length of a shelf support member

73

is generally the same as the spacing between the inside surfaces of the upright support structures

32

. The apertures

85

are arranged in a pattern to provide various orientations of mounting as described above. One particularly advantageous pattern of apertures

85

is best seen in

FIGS. 6-8

. This pattern utilizes three apertures

85

forming two sets of apertures with the apertures of each set having a spacing substantially equal to the spacing between the pairs of apertures

83

associated with each of the posts

33

and

34

. As illustrated in

FIGS. 7

,

8

and

12

, the aperture

85

A forms a pair with aperture

85

B and another pair with aperture

85

C, the aperture

85

A being at an apex of an angle A formed between the two pairs of apertures. Preferably the angle A between the three apertures is in the range of between about 30° through about 60° and preferably about 45°, however, other angles or multiple angles (using additional apertures) may be utilized depending upon the particular arrangement of shelf support members desired.

In one mounting position, as illustrated in

FIG. 9

, fasteners

87

, such as bolts and nuts, are placed through the apertures

85

A and

85

B, which positions the shelf support member

73

for use as a front shelf support member

73

with an upturned lip or flange portion

79

to hold and stop the trays or containers

72

from sliding out of the unit. By utilizing the apertures

85

A and

85

C, the flange portion

80

is substantially vertical and extends upwardly, while the flange portion

79

is generally horizontal extending forward or rearward. By reversing the ends or brackets

76

(left-to-right) associated with the shelf support member

73

, the flange portion

80

would now be downturned and generally vertical, while the flange portion

79

would remain generally horizontal. By reversing the ends (left-to-right), inverting the shelf support member

73

, and utilizing the apertures

85

A and

85

B, the shelf support member

73

may be used as a rear shelf support member

73

whereby the flange portion

79

would provide support for the product container. Such a configuration is seen in

FIGS. 5 and 9

. In the specific shelf support member

73

illustrated in

FIGS. 7

,

8

and

12

, the flange portion

80

is generally parallel to a line between the centers of the apertures

85

A,

85

C and the flange portion

79

is generally perpendicular thereto. The front and rear shelf support members

73

secure and hold the upright support structures

32

together.

Alternate attachment elements for the shelf support members

73

may be provided. For example, a T-headed stud

86

as illustrated in

FIG. 13

may be secured to either the bracket

76

or the posts

33

and

34

, and the other corresponding member (bracket

76

or posts

33

and

34

) may be provided with key slots

88

to eliminate the need for the use of separate fasteners such as the fasteners

87

. Such fastening devices are commonly used on bed frames and the like and are well known in the art. The positions of the studs

86

and the slots

88

can be similar to the positions of the apertures

83

and

85

.

FIGS. 2 and 11

illustrate a basket-type shelf arrangement designated generally

91

. The basket

91

is formed by a plurality of interconnected wires

93

forming a floor and four upstanding walls. A top frame member

92

is also provided securing the upper portions of the wires

93

around the periphery of the side walls. Attachment brackets

94

are secured to opposite ends of the basket

91

and have apertures

95

for the receipt of fasteners therethrough such as the fasteners

87

to secure the basket

91

to the posts

33

and

34

associated with the upright support structures

32

. Appropriately spaced and positioned apertures

95

would permit mounting the basket

91

either horizontally or at an angle, depending upon the position and location of the attachment brackets

94

and the apertures

95

. The basket

91

would be advantageous for the storage of small packaged items such as candy bars, ice cream, small food items and the like.

As best seen in

FIGS. 2 and 6

, a rack

28

or

29

could be provided with one or more modules

96

having indicia thereon indicative of a “use-by” date or other appropriate date by which the product stored in the rack at that particular location should be sold or distributed. Module

96

can include a mechanism for setting a date through the use of a plurality of numbered wheels or rollers, or alternatively, a surface could be provided on which a date could be written and subsequently erased, if desired. This “use-by” identification system will facilitate the first-in/first-out re-stocking mode of operation.

FIGS. 16-25

illustrate an alternative embodiment

101

of the present product storage system which includes a fixed rack

104

, a movable rack

102

having a base frame

103

associated therewith, a plurality of upright shelf support posts or columns

105

, and a top brace member

107

(FIG.

17

). The construction of racks

102

and

104

is generally similar to that of the racks

28

and

29

described above. The rack

102

is shown as being a movable rack (like rack

29

) and includes a plurality of wheels

109

(

FIGS. 18

,

20

,

24

) secured to and supporting the base frame

103

. The wheels

109

ride in a track unit, designated generally

111

, for guiding and restricting movement of the rack

102

. The rack

102

further includes a plurality of shelf support members

113

(

FIGS. 17

,

21

,

22

) removably mountable to the posts or columns

105

for supporting products generally in the manner described above with regard to shelf support members

73

.

The base frame

103

is preferably made of square or rectangular metal tubing as, for example, steel tubing. The posts or uprights

105

are likewise preferably made of square or rectangular metal tubing, with each upright support

105

having a plurality of spaced apart generally rectangular openings

115

associated with the front face thereof as best shown in FIG.

17

. The openings

115

in each upright support

105

are in an aligned row with the row of openings

115

extending generally from the bottom end

116

of an upright support

105

to the top end

117

. Each of the racks

102

and

104

are shown as including four rows of openings

115

, one row of openings in each upright support or post

105

. The plurality of openings

115

provide for adjustability in vertically positioning the support members

113

. End braces

119

in combination with the brace

107

retain the upper ends of the uprights or posts

105

in fixed spaced relation relative to each other. The two end braces

119

extend between and are secured to two respective uprights

105

and the cross brace

107

extends between and is secured to the end braces

119

via a riser portion

120

. Preferably, the cross and end braces

107

and

119

are likewise made of metal tubing for convenience of manufacture. Other bracing arrangements and configurations for rigidifying and stabilizing the rack

102

are likewise recognized and anticipated.

The rack

104

is constructed substantially similar to rack

102

, or rack

104

could be constructed substantially similar to fixed rack

28

except that rack

28

would be modified to include the openings

115

on the front face of the upright posts

33

and

34

. Other constructions for fixed rack

104

are likewise recognized and anticipated.

A plurality of shelf support members

113

(

FIGS. 17

,

18

) are removably mountable onto the uprights or posts

105

. In the illustrated structure, each shelf support member

113

includes an elongated angle member or support flange

121

(

FIGS. 17

,

22

,

23

) having flange portions