초록 ▼

A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and e

A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred. In another embodiment, an alert device may be configured to detect and monitor movement of the moveable barriers and may provide an alert signal corresponding to the management of product on the shelf or corresponding to a potential theft situation. In an embodiment, the alert device may communicate with a security camera to monitor the vicinity and provide a notification to the potential thief that his actions are being monitored and recorded, or provide a notification to store computer, pager, cellular telephone, or the like. In yet another embodiment, lock mechanisms may be used to further secure high-risk theft items. Also, clips or clip members may be incorporated to further secure the product dividers to the shelves. In addition, an adjustable power bar may be included that is adjustable to accommodate the height adjustments made to the shelves.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A product management and securement system, comprising: a first shelf and a top wall, the first shelf having a first front edge; a plurality of vertical dividers positioned between the first shelf and the top wall; a plurality of product urging devices for slowly urging product toward

We claim: 1. A product management and securement system, comprising: a first shelf and a top wall, the first shelf having a first front edge; a plurality of vertical dividers positioned between the first shelf and the top wall; a plurality of product urging devices for slowly urging product toward the front of the system, a retaining wall positioned adjacent the first front edge and extending toward the top wall, the retaining wall having a height for obstructing access to the items placed between the first shelf and the top wall; and a barrier mounted to the system above the first shelf, wherein the barrier is configured (a) to pivot between an open and closed position and (b) to substantially obstruct access to items placed between the first shelf and the top wall when in the closed position, wherein the retaining wall and the barrier substantially block access to items placed between the first shelf and the top wall when the barrier is in the closed position, and wherein the barrier permits the removal of a single product when the barrier is in the open position. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the retaining wall and the barrier provides an effective wall that is sufficiently transparent so as to allow a user to see through the effective wall, whereby a user may see items placed between the first shelf and the top wall. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an alert device configured to indicate that the barrier has not been in the closed position for a predetermined period of time. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the alert device is a hard-wired or wireless system. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting that the barrier is not in the closed position. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is configured to detect that the barrier is in a position selected from the list consisting of a position in between the closed and open position and the open position. 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a signal indicating that the barrier is not in the closed position, the system further comprising a notification device configured to provide an indication that the barrier has not been in the closed position for a predetermined time period in responsive to the signal received from the sensor. 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is selected from the list consisting of a push-button switch, a motion sensor and a magnetic switch. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first shelf is configured to be translatable between an open and a closed position, the open position being suitable for restocking purposes. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the retaining wall includes a hole and the system further comprises a locking member configured to be positioned in the hole, the locking member configured to selectively lock the barrier wall in the closed position, and wherein the locking member is a key-actuated mechanism. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one end barrier that is extendable from a first position to a second position. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of dividers substantially extend the distance between the shelf and the top wall and substantially extend to the retaining wall. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the product urging devices is selected from the group consisting of spring-urged pusher, gravity-fed device and vibration-urged device. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the spring-urged pusher includes an indicia strip indicating the position of the pusher on the shelf. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the product urging devices urge the product in a controlled manner. 16. A product management and securement system, comprising: a first shelf and a second shelf, the first shelf having a first front edge; a plurality of vertical dividers positioned between the first shelf and the second shelf; at least one product urging device for urging product toward the front of the system in a controlled manner, a retaining wall positioned adjacent the first front edge and extending toward the second shelf, the retaining wall having a height for obstructing access to the items placed between the first shelf and the second shelf; and a barrier mounted to the system, wherein the barrier is configured (a) to move between an open and closed position and (b) to substantially obstruct access to items placed between the first shelf and the second shelf when in the closed position, wherein the barrier substantially blocks access to items placed between the first shelf and the second shelf when the barrier is in the closed position, and wherein the barrier permits the removal of a limited number of product when the barrier is in the open position. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an alert device configured to indicate that the barrier has not been in the closed position for a predetermined period of time. 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the alert device is a hard-wired or wireless system. 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one product urging device is selected from the group consisting of spring-urged pusher, gravity-fed device and vibration-urged device. 20. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least one end barrier that is extendable from a first position to a second position.