초록 ▼

The present invention relates to an apparatus for closing or opening an aisle in a supermarket or similar store. The apparatus includes a support member having a vertical surface having upper and lower U-channels adapted to slidingly receive a first panel. A second panel is hinged to the first panel

The present invention relates to an apparatus for closing or opening an aisle in a supermarket or similar store. The apparatus includes a support member having a vertical surface having upper and lower U-channels adapted to slidingly receive a first panel. A second panel is hinged to the first panel by a biased hinge. A bar member having a finger is attached to the upper channel and is adapted to fit into or be raised from a position where the finger inhibits sliding movement of a first panel which is adapted to be slid between unextended and extended positions, with the second panel capable of rotation between folded and unfolded positions in which the biased hinge releasably holds the second panel in said positions.

대표청구항 ▼

An aisle closer apparatus for an aisle comprising, in combination: an adjacent support means having a substantially vertical surface and a substantially vertical side edge adjoining said aisle, a substantially vertical first panel having opposed first and second side walls and substantially vertical

An aisle closer apparatus for an aisle comprising, in combination: an adjacent support means having a substantially vertical surface and a substantially vertical side edge adjoining said aisle, a substantially vertical first panel having opposed first and second side walls and substantially vertical first and second side edges, a substantially vertical second panel having opposed inner and outer side walls and substantially vertical inner and outer side edges, channel means connected to said support means for mounting said first panel relative to said substantially vertical surface wherein said first panel is in generally parallel relationship with respect to said support means, said first panel being slidably movable in said channel means between an unextended position and an extended position, wherein in said unextended position said first side wall of said first panel is facing and spaced proximate from said substantially vertical surface of said support means and said substantially vertical side edge of the support means and said substantially vertical first side edge of the first panel are in substantial alignment, and wherein in said extended position said substantially vertical first side edge is distantly positioned beyond said substantially vertical side edge of said support means, means for inhibiting said first panel from moving from any of said unextended or extended positions; and hinge means connecting said first and second panels including a foot activated hinge with orthogonal folding connected to said second side wall at said first side edge of said first panel and to said inner wall adjacent said inner edge of said second panel, said hinge upon activation by means of one\s foot triggers a pair of normally right angle folded hinge plates which enables rotational movement of said second panel relative to said first panel between an unfolded position and a folded position and for releasably holding said first and second panels in said folded and said unfolded positions, and said foot activated hinge being a hinge member having a pair of vertical joints with first biasing means and having a pair of horizontal joints having second biasing means; said second biasing means maintaining said first and second panels in said unfolded position, and said first biasing means retaining said first and second panels in said folded position; wherein in said folded position said second side wall of the first panel and said inner wall of the second panel are substantially parallel and facing in spaced proximity and in said unfolded position said inner and outer side walls of said second panel are positioned lengthwise in planar relationship with said second and first side walls respectively of said first panel, said apparatus being movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in said open position said first panel is in said unextended position and said first and second panels are in said folded position, and in said closed position said first panel is in said extended position and said first and second panels are in said unfolded position.