# US 5,706,957 A · Gravity feed track system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,957 A - Document ID: US5706957A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/617,369 - Filed: 1996-03-18 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-03-18 - Assignees: RTC Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706957A ## CPC - A47F 1/12: dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack {(A47F1/087 takes precedence)} - A47F 7/285: {Show stands having fixation means, e.g. hanging means, slidable fixations, frictional retaining means, theft prevention} - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS ## Abstract A gravity feed merchandise display device including a plurality of downwardly inclined track assemblies that support a row of bottles by its neck flanges. The forwardmost bottle is prevented from exiting its track by a spring mechanism that must be overcome to remove the bottle from the track assembly on which it is located. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gravity feed merchandise display device comprising a track support means, at least one longitudinally extending track assembly secured to said support means having front and rear ends, each track assembly including a pair of transversely spaced apart rails defining an opening, which rails support a row of similar bottles following a lead bottle, each having a closure secured thereto and an annular flange on the neck of the bottle with the underside of each bottle neck flange engaging and supported by the rails for movement relative to said rails, said track support means retaining the track in a downwardly inclined direction toward the front end of the track so the suspended bottles are gravity fed to the front end of the track as the lead bottle in a track is successively unloaded, the front end of each track assembly includes a resiliently biased stop means for said bottle closure defining an opening having height and width dimensions whereby the closure will be prevented from exiting said opening when the bottle is supported by said track assembly, but can be removed from said track through said opening when pulled against said stop means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gravity feed merchandise display device in accordance with claim 1 in which the resilient means is secured to but disposed below said rails and defines a gap smaller than the diameter of the bottle neck to prevent the removal of a bottle from said track. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gravity feed merchandise display device in accordance with claim 1 in which the track has a tubular configuration and the resilient means comprises a spring retainment ring that is secured to said tubular configuration and extends into the opening defined by said rails. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The gravity feed merchandise display device in accordance with claim 1 in which the track has a tubular configuration including sidewalls and the resilient means includes leaf springs extending inwardly from said sidewalls to engage the lead bottle to prevent the bottles from being removed from the track. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The gravity feed merchandise display device in accordance with claim 1 in which the track has a tubular configuration including a top wall and the resilient means includes a leaf spring secured to said top wall and extending downwardly to engage a lead bottle to prevent the bottle from being removed from the track. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The gravity feed merchandise display device in accordance with claim 1 which includes a plurality of track assemblies and end caps are provided for each track assembly. ### Claim 7 A track assembly including a pair of transversely spaced apart rails defining an opening, which rails support a row of similar bottles following a lead bottle, each having a closure secured thereto and an annular flange on the neck of the bottle with the underside of each bottle neck flange engaging and supported by the rails for movement relative to said rails, track support means for retaining the track in a downwardly inclined direction toward the front end of the track so the suspended bottles are gravity fed to the front end of the track as the lead bottle in a track is successively unloaded, the front end of each track assembly includes a resiliently biased stop means for said bottle closure which stop means defines an opening having height and width dimensions whereby the closure will be prevented from exiting said opening when the bottle is supported by said track assembly, but can be removed from said track through said opening against the action of said stop means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A track assembly in accordance with claim 7 in which the resilient means is secured to but disposed below said rails and defines a gap smaller than the diameter of the bottle neck to prevent the removal of a bottle from said track. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A track assembly in accordance with claim 8 in which the track has a tubular configuration and the resilient means comprises a spring retainment ring that is secured to said tube and extends into the opening defined by said rails. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A track assembly in accordance with claim 7 in which the track has a tubular configuration including sidewalls and the resilient means includes leaf springs extending inwardly from said sidewalls to engage the lead bottle to prevent the bottles from being removed from the track. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A track assembly in accordance with claim 7 in which the track has a tubular configuration including a top wall and the resilient means includes a leaf spring secured to said top wall and extending downwardly to engage a lead bottle to prevent the bottle from being removed from the track. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The gravity feed merchandise display device in accordance with claim 1 in which the track includes sidewalls and the resilient stop means forms a portion of said sidewalls which engage the lead bottle closure to prevent the bottles from being removed from the track. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) A track assembly in accordance with claim 7 in which the track includes sidewalls and the resilient stop means forms a portion of said sidewalls which engage the lead bottle closure to prevent the bottles from being removed from the track.