Bumper for a merchandiser

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9326605-B2
Application number	US-201414445947-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2014
Priority date	Jul 29, 2014
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

A merchandiser including a case that has a base and side walls extending upward from the base to at least partially define a product display area. The merchandiser also includes a bracket that is coupled to the base, and a bumper assembly that is coupled to an exterior surface of the base. The bumper assembly includes a shock absorber that has at least one end removably coupled to the base by a quick release mechanism engaged with the bracket and the shock absorber, and a bumper coupled only to an outermost portion of the shock absorber.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A merchandiser comprising:
a case including a base and side walls extending upward from the base to at least partially define a product display area;
a bracket coupled to the base; and
a bumper assembly coupled to an exterior surface of the base, the bumper assembly including
a shock absorber having at least one end removably coupled to the base by a quick release mechanism including a pin extending through and engaged with the bracket and the shock absorber, and
a bumper coupled only to an outermost portion of the shock absorber.

2. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the shock absorber includes a first end attached to the bracket and the shock absorber extends outward from the base and has a second, distal end to which the bumper is attached.

3. The merchandiser of claim 2 , wherein the shock absorber includes a first shock absorber and the bumper assembly further includes a second shock absorber horizontally spaced from the first shock absorber, and wherein the bumper extends between the first and second shock absorbers.

4. The merchandiser of claim 3 , wherein the bumper is biased outward from the base by the first and second shock absorbers.

5. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a first bracket coupled to the base and the merchandiser includes a second bracket spaced from the first bracket, and wherein the shock absorber extends horizontally along the base between the first bracket and the second bracket and a central portion of the shock absorber defines the outermost portion.

6. The merchandiser of claim 5 , wherein the shock absorber includes a first shock absorber and the bumper assembly further includes a second shock absorber coupled to the base such that the second shock absorber extends horizontally across the base laterally adjacent the first shock absorber, and wherein the bumper continuously extends from a first end of the first shock absorber to a second end of the second shock absorber.

7. A merchandiser comprising:
a case including a base and side walls extending upward from the base to at least partially define a product display area; and
a bumper assembly coupled to an exterior surface of the base, the bumper assembly including
a shock absorber including a leaf spring and having a first attachment at a first end removably coupled to the base by a fastener and a second attachment at a second end removably coupled to the base by another fastener such that the shock absorber extends horizontally along the base, the shock absorber further including a central portion disposed between the first end and the second end and spaced from the exterior surface such that only the first end and the second end are attached to the base, and
an elongate bumper coupled to the shock absorber.

8. The merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the shock absorber includes a first shock absorber, the bumper assembly further including a second shock absorber having a first end coupled to the base and a second end coupled to the base such that the second shock absorber extends horizontally across the base, and wherein the bumper continuously extends from the first end of the first shock absorber to the second end of the second shock absorber.

9. The merchandiser of claim 8 , wherein the first end of the second shock absorber is coupled to the base laterally adjacent the second end of the first shock absorber.

10. The merchandiser of claim 7 , further comprising brackets attached to the base adjacent the first and second ends and engaged by the respective fasteners.

11. The merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the bumper is coupled to the shock absorber only at the central portion.

12. The merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the bumper is removably coupled to the central portion by a pinned connection.

13. A merchandiser comprising:
a case including a base and side walls extending upward from the base to at least partially define a product display area;
a bracket coupled to the base; and
a bumper assembly coupled to an exterior surface of the base, the bumper assembly including
a shock absorber elongated in a longitudinal direction and having at least one end removably coupled to the base by a quick release mechanism engaged with the bracket and the shock absorber; and
a bumper coupled only to an outermost portion of the shock absorber,

wherein the quick release mechanism extends through the shock absorber across a longitudinal axis of the shock absorber.

14. The merchandiser of claim 13 , wherein the shock absorber includes a first end attached to the bracket and the shock absorber extends outward from the base and has a second, distal end to which the bumper is attached.

15. The merchandiser of claim 14 , wherein the shock absorber includes a first shock absorber and the bumper assembly further includes a second shock absorber horizontally spaced from the first shock absorber, and wherein the bumper extends between the first and second shock absorbers.

16. The merchandiser of claim 15 , wherein the bumper is biased outward from the base by the first and second shock absorbers.

17. The merchandiser of claim 13 , wherein the bracket includes a first bracket coupled to the base and the merchandiser includes a second bracket spaced from the first bracket, and wherein the shock absorber extends horizontally along the base between the first bracket and the second bracket and a central portion of the shock absorber defines the outermost portion.

18. The merchandiser of claim 17 , wherein the shock absorber includes a first shock absorber and the bumper assembly further includes a second shock absorber coupled to the base such that the second shock absorber extends horizontally across the base laterally adjacent the first shock absorber, and wherein the bumper continuously extends from a first end of the first shock absorber to a second end of the second shock absorber.

19. The merchandiser of claim 18 , wherein the first end of the second shock absorber is coupled to the base laterally adjacent the second end of the first shock absorber.

20. The merchandiser of claim 13 , wherein the shock absorber has a first attachment at a first end removably coupled to the base by a fastener and a second attachment at a second end removably coupled to the base by another fastener such that the shock absorber extends horizontally along the base, the shock absorber further including a central portion disposed between the first end and the second end and spaced from the exterior surface such that only the first end and the second end are attached to the base.

Assignees

• Hussmann Corp

Inventors

• Schollmeyer Cody J
• Aumiller Mel
• Wind Thomas C

Classifications

• A47B96/201 Primary

  Edge features · CPC title

• A47B2220/0061

  Accessories · CPC title

• A47F3/0478

  Control or safety arrangements · CPC title

• A47F3/00 Primary

  Show cases or show cabinets · CPC title

• A47B95/043 Primary

  Protecting rims, buffers or the like · CPC title