Zoning Tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018199735-A1
Application number	US-201715834390-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 7, 2017
Priority date	Jan 13, 2017
Publication date	Jul 19, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An example zoning tool for arranging physical objects on a shelf is provided. The zoning tool includes a bridging member, a first guiding wall, a second guiding wall, and a flexible elongate member. The first proximal end of the first guiding wall is mechanically coupled to a first end of the bridging member. The second proximal end of the second guiding wall is mechanically coupled to a second end of the bridging member. The second guiding wall is spaced from the first guiding wall. An area between the first and second guiding walls forms a collection area for introduction of one or more physical objects. The flexible elongate member is movably coupled to the first and second guiding walls and configured to urge the one or more physical objects into the collection area and towards the bridging member.

First claim

1 . A zoning tool for arranging physical objects on a shelf, the zoning tool comprising:
a bridging member; a first guiding wall having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end being mechanically coupled to a first end of the bridging member; a second guiding wall having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end being mechanically coupled to a second end of the bridging member, the second guiding wall being spaced from the first guiding wall, an area between the first and second guiding walls forming a collection area for introduction of one or more physical objects; and a flexible elongate member movably coupled to the first and second guiding walls and configured to urge the one or more physical objects into the collection area and towards the bridging member.

2 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein the first and second guiding walls are configured to be at least partially positioned on a supporting surface of a shelf.

3 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein the first guiding wall defines a first side wall of the zoning tool, and the second guiding wall defines a second side wall of the zoning tool.

4 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein the first and second guiding walls are rigid walls.

5 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein a height of each of the first and second guiding walls is adjustable.

6 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein a length of the bridging member is adjustable to regulate a distance between the first and second guiding walls.

7 . The zoning tool of claim 6 , wherein adjusting the length of the bridging member adjusts a size of the collection area.

8 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member is a wire.

9 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein the first and second guiding walls each include a track formed therein and extending a length of the first and second guiding walls, the flexible elongate member passing through the tracks.

10 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member forms a closed loop near the first distal end of the first guiding wall and the second distal end of the second guiding wall, a size of the closed loop being adjustable based on extension and retraction of the flexible elongate member from the first distal end of the first guiding wall and the second distal end of the second guiding wall.

11 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , comprising a handle disposed between the first and second guiding walls at the first distal end of the first guiding wall and the second distal end of the second guiding wall.

12 . The zoning tool of claim 11 , wherein the flexible elongate member is secured to the handle, the handle configured to move the flexible elongate member relative to the first and second guiding walls.

13 . The zoning tool of claim 12 , wherein the handle is hingedly mounted relative to the first and second guiding walls.

14 . The zoning tool of claim 13 , wherein hingedly moving the handle simultaneously rotates the flexible elongate member relative to the first and second guiding walls.

15 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , wherein the first and second guiding walls maintain alignment of the one or more physical objects within the collection area as the flexible elongate member is moved to urge the one or more physical objects into the collection area and towards the bridging member.

16 . The zoning tool of claim 1 , comprising a clamp configured to secure the zoning tool to an edge of a shelf.

17 . A zoning tool, comprising:
a first guiding wall configured to be at least partially positioned on a supporting surface of a shelf; a second guiding wall configured to be at least partially positioned on the supporting surface of the shelf, the second guiding wall spaced from the first guiding wall and mechanically coupled to the first guiding wall, an area between the first and second guiding walls forming a collection area for introduction of one or more physical objects; and a flexible wire movably coupled to the first and second guiding walls and configured to urge the one or more physical objects into the collection area and towards a front face of the shelf; wherein the first and second guiding walls maintain alignment of the one or more physical objects within the collection area as the flexible wire is moved to urge the one or more physical objects into the collection area and towards the front face of the shelf.

18 . The zoning tool of claim 17 , comprising a handle disposed between the first and second guiding walls, the flexible wire secured to the handle, and the handle configured to move the flexible wire relative to the first and second guiding walls.

19 . The zoning tool of claim 17 , comprising a clamp configured to secure the zoning tool to an edge of the shelf.

20 . A method of zoning one or more physical objects on a shelf having a supporting surface, comprising:
at least partially positioning a zoning tool on the supporting surface of the shelf, the zoning tool including (i) a first guiding wall, (ii) a second guiding wall spaced from the first guiding wall and mechanically coupled to the first guiding wall, an area between the first and second guiding walls forming a collection area for introduction of the one or more physical objects, and (iii) an elongated flexible member movably coupled to the first and second guiding walls; positioning the elongated flexible member around the one or more physical objects; and moving the elongated flexible member relative to the first and second guiding walls to urge the one or more physical objects into the collection area and towards a front face of the shelf.

Assignees

• Wal Mart Stores Inc

Inventors

• Jones Nicholaus Adam
• Jones Matthew Allen
• Vasgaard Aaron James

Classifications

• A47F1/126

  the pushing device being urged by spring means · CPC title

• A47F1/125 Primary

  with an article-pushing device · CPC title

• A47F1/10 Primary

  having mechanical dispensing means {, e.g. with buttons or handles} · CPC title

• A47F13/08 Primary

  Hand implements, e.g. grocers' scoops, ladles, paper-bag holders · CPC title