Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02874128 2014-12-03
A DIVIDER FOR SHELVING AND
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIVIDING A SHELF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to a divider that can be used with shelving,
especially
shelving often used in connection with the retail display of various products,
and also
relates to a method and system for dividing a shelf for the storage and the
display of
items.
BACKGROUND
Many products are stored or displayed on shelves. Typically, for example, a
retail
store will display its various wares on a shelf or tiers of shelves for
viewing by a
potential customer. Typically also, the retail store displays several
identical items on
such shelves so that if a customer grasps one of the wares, at least one more
of the
wares will be available for viewing and potential purchase by another
customer.
In order to enhance the most effective use of such shelves, it is preferred to
maintain
identical wares directly one behind the other and different wares situated in
immediate, adjacent proximity. Sometimes store personnel or store customers
place
or replace the various items in a somewhat disheveled manner that deviates
from the
most effective presentation of the items such that identical items are not
lined up
directly one behind the other and such that different items are not
immediately
adjacent thereto.
Dividers consisting of thin strips or fences, usually formed of metal or
plastic, have
been mounted on the shelves in order to restrict the placement and
presentation of
identical items in a directly one behind the other relationship and so that
different
items may be placed immediately adjacent thereto, also in a directly one
behind the
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other relationship. One of the difficulties with such prior art divider
systems is that the
relative width between dividers that exactly accommodates a particular item
varies
among the different items shared or displayed along the shelf. For example, a
shelf
that stores and displays both spray paint cans and bottles of motor oil
requires
different spacing between the dividers, since the width of a spray paint can
is usually
different from the width a bottle of motor oil. Similarly, different sized
bags of potato
chips will require different spacing between the dividers. To further
complicate
matters, a store often wishes to rearrange the display of products on shelves,
and the
dividers should be removable and reusable in order to accommodate any such
rearrangement.
Typically, store shelves are formed of metal and possess a pre-selected array
of
perforations or apertures therethrough, which are designed to accommodate
various
types of dividers, clip-on display hangers, sign holders, and other shelving
accessories. Also typically, such apertures have been fashioned with either a
circular
profile or a square or diamond-shaped profile possessing common dimensions.
Embodiments of the present invention were developed to try to satisfy the need
for
an inexpensively manufactured divider that may accommodate different shelving
aperture arrays and designs and that is removable and reusable, although each
of
these desirable features is not necessarily required as part of the
embodiments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a divider adapted to be mounted on a shelf
for
segregating wares stored or displayed on the shelf, and also relates to a
method and
system of dividing a shelf for the storage and the display of items.
According to a broad aspect, the invention provides a reusable divider adapted
to be
selectively, removably mounted on a shelf provided with a plurality of
receiving
spaces each of which possesses a substantially identical profile, the divider
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comprising an elongate strip possessing a pair of opposing side surfaces, a
front end
surface and an opposing rear end surface, and an upper surface and an opposing
lower surface, said strip possessing a pair of front lugs depending from the
lower
surface thereof and spaced from the front surface thereof, said front lugs
possessing
a spacing therebetween and each possessing a profile configured such that said
front
lugs are adapted to be snugly received in a pair of the receiving spaces, each
of said
front lugs possessing a splined peripheral surface.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a reusable divider
adapted
to be selectively, removably mounted on a shelf provided with a plurality of
receiving
spaces each of which possesses a substantially identical profile, the divider
comprising: an elongate strip possessing a pair of opposing side surfaces, a
front end
surface and an opposing rear end surface, and an upper surface and an opposing
lower surface, said strip possessing a pair of front lugs depending from the
lower
surface thereof and spaced from the front surface thereof, said front lugs
possessing
a spacing therebetween and each possessing a profile configured such that said
front
lugs are adapted to be snugly received in a pair of the receiving spaces, each
of said
front lugs possessing a substantially square-shaped cross-sectional profile in
which
the corners are chamfered with a rounded contour.
According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a divider adapted
to be
mounted on a shelf provided with a plurality of receiving spaces each
possessing a
substantially identical profile, the divider comprising: an elongate strip
having a pair of
opposing distal ends, said strip possessing at least one score line extending
substantially completely, laterally thereacross and defining a region of
relatively weak
strength of said strip along which said strip is adapted to be broken whereby
the
effective length of said strip may be shortened; and at least two lugs each
depending
from a lower surface thereof and each possessing a profile configured such
that said
lugs are adapted to be snugly received in corresponding ones of the receiving
spaces.
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According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a divider adapted to
be
mounted on a shelf possessing an upper surface and at least one receiving
space
open to the upper surface, the divider comprising: an elongate strip having a
pair of
opposing longitudinal distal ends, a pair of opposing lateral sides, and a
lower
surface; at least one lug depending from the lower surface of said strip and
adapted
for removable insertion into the at least one receiving space and for mating
engagement with the shelf in the region defining the at least one receiving
space; and
a footer extending laterally from at least one lateral side of said strip,
said footer
possessing a surface positioned, configured, and adapted to substantially
conformingly abut the upper surface of the shelf and further adapted, when in
such
an abutting relationship, to maintain said strip in a substantially upstanding
relationship relative to the upper surface of the shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a divider according to the
present
invention;
Fig. 2A is right side plan view of the divider shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 2B is left side plan view of the divider shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional view of divider shown in Fig. 1 taken along the
line 'C-C'
in Fig. 2B;
Fig. 3 is a duplicate of Fig. 2A, but additionally showing detailed views of
portions
circled as A and B;
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Fig. 4A is top plan view of the divider shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4B is bottom plan view of the divider shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 shows a close-up view of the bottom plan view of the front portion of
the divider
as shown in Fig. 4B;
Fig. 6 shows a close-up view of the bottom plan view of the rear portion of
the divider
as shown in Fig. 4B;
Fig. 7 shows a close-up view of the bottom plan view of the front portion of
the divider
as shown in Fig. 4B with a different lug configuration than that shown in
Figs. 5 and
6;
Fig. 8 shows a close-up view of the bottom plan view of the rear portion of
the divider
as shown in Fig. 4B with a different lug configuration than that shown in
Figs. 5 and
6;
Fig. 9 shows two perspective views of two of the dividers shown in Fig. 1 as
installed
and as being installed on a section of prior art shelf, with one of the
perspective views
showing a detailed view of a portion circled as A in the other perspective
view;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the divider shown in Fig.
1 with the
back pin detached;
Figs. 11A and 11B are illustrations of how a back pin detached from the rear
of the
divider shown in Fig. 1 may be used to support the remainder of the divider;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the front portion of the divider shown in
Fig. 1 that
depicts more details of the lugs shown in Fig. 5;
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Fig. 13 is a different perspective view of the front portion of the divider
shown in Fig.
12;
Fig. 14 is a close-up perspective view of a lug shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is another close-up perspective view of a lug shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 16 is yet another close-up perspective view of a lug shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 17 is an illustration of the lugs shown in Fig. 12 disposed within
circular holes in a
prior art shelf;
Fig. 18 is an illustration of the lugs shown in Fig. 12 disposed within square
or
diamond-shaped holes in a prior art shelf;
Fig. 19 is an end view of a divider according to another embodiment of the
present
invention;
Fig. 20 is a partial bottom view of the divider shown in Fig. 19; and
Fig. 21 is a partial side view of the divider shown in Fig. 19.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings
when like reference numerals refer to the same item. It should be appreciated
that
the following description is intended to be exemplary only, and the scope of
the
invention envisions other variations and modifications of these particular
exemplary embodiments.
There shown in FIG. 9 a shelf 10 possessing an array of perforations or
apertures 12
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disposed therein. For simplicity purposes, only two rows of apertures 12 have
been
shown, but it should be appreciated that a top surface of the shelf 10 may
possess a
wide variety of arrays of such apertures 12. A commonly available shelf known
in the
shelving industry as a Gondola shelf possesses two rows of apertures extending
along the front of the shelf, as shown in Fig. 9, and also an identical set of
rows of
apertures extending along the back of the shelf. Although, the apertures 12
shown in
FIG. 10 each possess a circular profile and are shown in a regularly spaced
array of
rows and columns, it should be appreciated that the invention contemplates use
with
square or diamond-shaped aperture profiles as well as potentially other
aperture
profile configurations and array configurations. Further, although the
apertures 12
may extend completely through the shelf 10, the invention contemplates that
the
apertures 12 may extend only partially into the shelf 10, such that the
apertures 12
are essentially depressions in the surface of the shelf 10. Normally, the same
particular circular, square or diamond-shaped, or other profile of the
apertures 12
identically exists throughout the entire extent of the array, whether the
aperture 12 is
in the nature of a depression in the shelf 10 or extends completely through
the shelf
10. The invention also contemplates that the aperture profiles may vary within
an
array.
There is shown in FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of a divider in accordance
with one
embodiment of the present invention. The divider includes an elongate strip 20
possessing a pair of opposing side surfaces 22, 24, a front end surface 26 and
an
opposing rear end surface 28, and an upper surface 30 and an opposing lower
surface 32. The upper surface 30 and the lower surface 32 preferably possess
relatively thickened regions so that the cross-section of the elongate strip
20
possesses a somewhat "I-beam" profile, as is best shown in FIG. 2C. The I-beam
configuration allows the strip 20 to be relatively thin, thereby reducing the
amount of
metal, plastic, or other material of which the strip 20 is fashioned, while
maintaining
strength and rigidity. As shown in FIG. 1, the front end surface 26 may also
be
relatively thickened.
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As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the strip 20 possesses a pair of generally
cylindrically shaped front pins or lugs 34, 36 depending from the lower
surface 32
near, but slightly away from, the front end edge 26. The lower surface 32
preferably
possesses a recess 38 in the region between, very preferably extending
completely
between, the front lugs 34, 36. Preferably the recess 38 possesses a depth of
about
0.04 to 0.18 inches and most preferably about 0.046 inches. The recess 38
permits
a user to insert a screw driver or other appropriate tool between the shelf 10
and the
lower surface 32 of the strip 20 so as to pry the strip 20 away from the shelf
10 so
that the strip 20 may be re-used and moved to a different position on the same
shelf
10 or to a different shelf. The spacing between the centers of each front lug
34, 36 is
most preferably about either one inch or one and one-half inches. Such spacing
best
accommodates the spacings of arrays of apertures in common, commercial
shelving
products such as a Gondola shelf.
As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 12-18, each front end lug 34, 36 preferably
possesses
a series of scallops and ridges extending longitudinally along the periphery
of each of
the front lugs 34, 36. The alternating scallops and ridges create a splined
surface.
Preferably, the ridges are equi-angularly spaced. In a particular one of the
preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the front lugs 34, 36 each possess four
ridges
that are equi-angularly disposed along the periphery, as best shown in FIGS. 5
and
13. As such, the ridges create a "cross" profile when viewed from the distal
ends of
the front lugs 34, 36, or when viewed in cross-section of the front lugs 32,
34 taken in
a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the front lugs 34,
36. A pair
of opposing arms of the cross shape are preferably co-extensive with the
length of
the strip 20, and the other opposing pair of arms are perpendicular to such
strip
length. The length between the distal ends of co-extensive arms of each cross
of the
profile at the lowest, distal end of each front lug 34, 36 is preferably about
0.234 to
0.238 inches and most preferably about 0.236 inches. Also, the peripherally
distal
end edges of each arm possess a rounded, contour, preferably substantially
arcuate
with a radius of curvature of about 0.10 to 0.13 inches, and most preferably
about
0.118 inches, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 12-16. The scalloped regions
preferably
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,
are substantially arcuate with a radius of curvature preferably about 0.04 to
0.06
inches, and most preferably about 0.052 inches.
Each front lug 34, 36 possesses a preferably flat, planar, beveled or
chamfered
surface 37 between the rounded distal end of each arm and an adjacent
scalloped
region, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 12-18. Each beveled surface 37 possesses
a
width of preferably about 0.115 inches. Preferably each beveled surface 37
extends
preferably at an angle in the range of about 42 to 48 degrees, and most
preferably 45
degrees, relative to the centerline of each opposing cross arm and relative to
the
extent of the length of the strip 20. As best shown in FIG. 18, opposing ones
of the
beveled surfaces 37 preferably abut opposing sides of the square or diamond
shaped
apertures 12. As such, the distance between opposing beveled surfaces 37 is
preferably about 0.206 to 0.218 inches, and most preferably about 0.206
inches, at
the lowest, distal end of each front lug 34, 36.
Also, as best shown in FIGS. 13-16 the peripheral edge of the lower, distal
end of
each front lug 34, 36 is rounded, preferably in an arcuate curve having a
radius of
about 0.004 inches to 0.006 inches, and most preferably about 0.005 inches.
The
rounded edge helps to center each front lug 34, 36 within an associated
aperture 12
as the front lug 34, 36 is inserted therein.
Such a front lug 34, 36 profile configuration will accommodate either the
circular,
square, or diamond-shaped profiles of the apertures 12 in a large number of
typical
commercially available shelves 10. As previously mentioned, the spacing
between
the front lugs 34, 36 is selected so as to permit the insertion of the front
lugs 34, 36
into corresponding ones of the apertures 12 in many typical commercial
shelving
arrays. Although two front lugs 34, 36 are preferred, the invention
contemplates the
use of any number of such lugs.
Preferably the outer peripheral profile of each front lug 34, 36 slightly
tapers from the
upper region of each front lug 34, 36 to the distal, lower end of each front
lug 34, 36.
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Preferably the taper is about one to three degrees, most preferably about one
degree. Also preferably the longitudinal length of each front lug 34, 36,
i.e., the
distance each front lug 34, 36 depends below the lower surface 32 is between
about
0.230 inches to 0.260 inches, and most preferably about 0.240 inches. Further,
the
upper ends of each front lug 34, 36 that extend laterally from the strip 20
are
recessed or truncated downwardly as best shown in Figs. 12, and 14-16. Such a
recess helps insure that the upper region of the front lugs 34, 36 does not
extend
above the top surface of the shelf, which otherwise might create an obstacle
or
obstruction with the placement or movement of the items on the shelf.
Preferably the
recess of the upper region of the front lugs 34, 36 depends about 0.002 to
0.015
inches, and most preferably about 0.010 inches, below the lower surface 32 of
the
strip 20.
The scalloping of the peripheral surface of the front lugs 34, 36 serves
several
purposes. The scalloping reduces the amount of material needed to fabricate
the
divider, and also makes it easier for the surface to cool and be removed from
a mold
during manufacture. Further, the scalloping helps to permit some deformity of
the
ridges in those situations where the front lugs 34, 36 are slightly
compressively
inserted into apertures in the shelf. Although the scallops have been
previously
described as preferably arcuate, they may possess a "V"-shape, a "U"-shape, an
irregular shape, or virtually any shape of depression.
When the front end lugs 34, 36 are disposed in corresponding apertures 12 of
the
shelf 10, certain portions of the peripheral edges of the front end lugs 34,
36 snugly
rest against, or slightly compressively against, the walls of the apertures
12, as best
shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Preferably each of the front lugs 34, 36 possesses a
friction-fit relationship with the inner surface defining the associated one
of the
apertures 12. Such a fitting relationship between the front lugs 34, 36 and
their
associated, corresponding apertures 12 into which they are disposed, helps
insure
that the strip 20 will be maintained in an upwardly extending relationship
relative to
the shelf 10 and inhibits the strip 20 from being easily dislodged from its
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position on the shelf 10. The invention also contemplates that the distal tips
at the
front lugs 34, 36 may possess a slightly bulbous configuration that may extend
slightly below the shelf. The bulb portion may be at least slightly
deformable, thereby
creating a snap-fit connection of the front lugs 34, 36 with the shelf.
Preferably the
snap-fit is not a permanent connection, but rather, is releasable whereby the
bulbous
portion may be retracted back through the aperture so as to enable the divider
to be
reused.
As is best shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, 3 and 4A and B, 9, 10, and 11, the
strip 20
may possess one or more score lines 40, 42, 44, 46 each extending from the
upper
surface 30 to the lower surface 32 preferably in a direction that is
perpendicular to the
longitudinal extent of the elongate strip 20. Score lines 40, 42, 44, 46
preferably
comprise relatively thin regions of the strip 20 and may comprise a continuous
line of
relatively thin, weakened material, a discontinuous series of relatively thin,
weakened
material, a series of perforations through the strip 20, or any other features
familiar to
those skilled in the art.
The score lines 40, 42, 44, 46 are designed and adapted to permit a user of
the
divider to manually snap or break the strip 20 at a particular one of the
score lines 40,
42, 44, 46 so as to choose an effective length of the remaining strip 20 that
best
accommodates the depth of the shelving 10 on which the divider is to be used.
As
such, the score lines 40, 42, 44, 46 may be equi-distantly spaced along the
strip 20,
but also may be positioned at other locations as well, as best accommodates
the
most typical or prevalent depths of commercial shelves 10, such as ten inches
and
sixteen inches.
The rear end surface 28 of the strip 20 preferably possesses a fork-shaped tab
48
extending therefrom. A distal end of the tab 48 possesses a rear pin or lug 50
preferably in all respects identical to the configuration of the front lugs
34, 36. The
fork-shaped tab 48 is preferably attached to the rear end surface 28 by a
score line or
by a relatively thin region of material, so that a person may press the tab 48
in a
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manner such that the tab 48 snaps and disattaches from the rear end surface 28
along the weakened region. It should be appreciated that the invention
contemplates
that the tab 48, before detachment, may be positioned at locations other than
the rear
end surface 28 of the strip.
The detached tab 48 may be employed by inserting the rear lug 50 into an
associated, corresponding aperture 12 in the shelf 10 and such that the
remaining
portion of the strip 20 may rest within, and be confined by, the fork portion
of the
detached tab 48, as best shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In a Gondola style shelve
possessing a pair of rows of apertures along the rear shelf surface, the rear
lug 50
may be selectively disposed within one of such rear row apertures. It will be
appreciated that the distance between the fork segments of the tab 48 is
approximately the same as, and preferably only slightly larger than, the
lateral width
of the strip 20 such that the remaining portion of the strip 20 is disposed
and
maintained in an upstanding relationship relative to the shelf 10. Although,
as shown
in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the detached tab 48 is selectively disposed toward the
rear
end of the remaining portion of the strip 20, it should be appreciated that
the
detached tab 48 may be positioned selectively along any point of the remaining
portion of the strip 20.
The portion of the strip 20 rearward of the rearward-most score line 46
preferably
possesses a profile that tapers laterally toward the tab 48, as best shown in
FIGS. 1,
4A and 4B, 8, and 10. When the tab 48 is detached from the rear end surface 28
and
when the rearward portion of the strip 20 is snapped and detached along the
rearward-most score line 46, the detached rearward-most portion of the strip
20 may
function as a wedge adapted to be inserted in the recess 38 between the front
lugs
34, 36 and thereby function as a tool to pry the strip 20 away from the shelf
10.
FIGS. 7 and 8 depict yet another embodiment of the present invention which is
in all
respects similar to the previously described embodiment, with the exception
that the
front lugs 34a, 36a and the rear lug 50a possess a different profile. As best
shown in
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FIG. 7, the front lugs 34a, 34a possess a generally square profile with the
corners
chamfered with a slightly rounded contour. Each diagonal length of the square
profile
is preferably about 0.234 to 0.238 inches, and most preferably about 0.236
inches.
One diagonal of the square profile extends preferably coextensive with the
length of
the strip 20, and the other diagonal extends preferably perpendicular to such
strip
length. Likewise, the rear lug 50a shown in Fig. 8 possesses the same profile
as the
profiles of the front lugs 34a, 36a.
The divider is also useful to help initially arrange items on a shelf in a
line from front
to back on the shelf. When so used, the divider is preferably oriented with
the
opposing side surfaces 22, 24 in a relatively horizontal position, parallel
with the
shelf. A person then manually moves the divider horizontally so that either
the upper
surface 30 or the lower surface 32 contacts items resting on the shelf. Since
the
upper surface 30 and the lower surface 32 are straight, continued movement of
the
divider causes the items being contacted to align in a straight line. This
technique is
especially useful when one divider is installed on a shelf and another divider
is used
to move and swipe adjacent items toward the installed divider. The divider
used for
swiping the items into an aligned, abutting relation with the installed
divider may then
itself be installed on the shelf, adjacent to the items on the side opposite
to the
previously installed divider.
In a preferred embodiment, the divider possesses a lateral thickness of about
0.10 to
0.20 inches and most preferably about 0.125 inches in the thickened region at
the
upper and lower surfaces 30, 32 and a lateral thickness of about 0.05 to 0.10
inches
and most preferably about 0.070 inches in the relatively thin interior region
between
the opposing side surfaces 22, 24. Such a configuration helps maintain the
strength
and rigidity of the divider, reduce manufacturing costs, and also preserve a
relatively
thin lateral profile of the divider, as best shown in Figs. 4A and B. It will
be
appreciated that, when considering the value of shelf space in a retail store,
the
relatively thin profile of the divider occupies very little shelf space,
thereby permitting
the shelf space to be more efficiently utilized for storing and displaying
items.
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The vertical height of the divider above the shelf, that is, the vertical
height of the strip
20 is preferably in the range of about one-half inch to three inches, and most
preferably about one inch, although the invention contemplates a wide range of
heights that are best suited to accommodate the vertical distance between
adjacent
shelves in a rack of shelves and the need to provide an abutting surface for
items at
a particular distance above the shelf.
FIGS. 19-21 depict yet another embodiment of the present invention which
includes a
footer 60 preferably positioned near the front end surface 26 of the strip 20
and
preferably integrally formed with the strip 20. The footer 60 preferably
includes a
plate-like base 62 that may possess a substantially rectangular configuration,
as best
shown in FIG. 20. The lower surface of the base 62 preferably is substantially
planar
and at an angle substantially perpendicular to the vertical extension of the
strip 20
and is adapted to rest upon the surface of the shelf when the front lugs 34,
36
completely depend into associated apertures 12 in the shelf. When so situated,
the
base 60 provides support to help maintain the strip 20 in an upright position
on the
shelf. The base 62 preferably extends laterally outward from the strip 20 in
the range
of about three-sixteenths of an inch to one inch, and mostly preferably about
five-
sixteenths of an inch. The lateral extension of the base 20 also provides an
abutment resting above the surface of the shelf that inhibits items from
sliding along
and past the lip of the shelf and dropping off the shelf. Instead, the base 62
permits
and promotes a person to grasp and lift the item from the shelf, thereby
reducing
spillage and breakage of items.
As best shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the footer 60 may also include a pair of
opposing
webs or buttresses 64 extending preferably from the upper surface 30 of the
strip 20
to an associated laterally outer end of the base 62. Preferably the buttresses
64 are
integrally formed with the strip 20 and the base 62, but may be secured to the
strip 20
and the base 62 by an adhesive or by heat-welding, for example. Although the
buttresses 64 are each shown as having a triangular configuration, as shown in
FIG.
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19, and as being relatively thin when compared with the extent of the base 62,
as
shown in FIG. 21, the buttresses 64 may possess a variety of configurations
such as
a square and a variety of thicknesses. The buttresses 64 may also possess a
hole or
a void generally in the central region thereof, which will reduce the amount
of material
used to fabricate the buttresses 64 while substantially maintaining the
supporting
strength of the buttresses 64. It will be appreciated that the buttresses 64
help
strengthen the base 62 and inhibit flexing of the base 62 relative to the
strip 20 and
also aid in providing an inhibition against items sliding off the front edge
of the shelf.
Although a single footer 60 is shown in FIGS. 19-21, the invention
contemplates that
additional footers 60 may be employed along the length of the strip 20 and
that the
footer 60 or footers 60 may be positioned other than near the front end
surface 26 of
the strip 20. The invention also contemplates that the footer 60 may extend
laterally
from only one lateral side of the strip 20.
Preferably the strip 20 is fashioned of plastic, metal, or a composite
material.
Preferably also, all the portions of strip 20 are integrally formed,
including, but not
limited to, the front lugs 34, 36, and the tab 48, including the rear lug 50.
Also
preferably, the entire strip 20 is formed by a plastic molding process.
While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing description
of
the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations
within the
scope of the invention may exist. The foregoing examples are not intended to
limit
the nature or the scope of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing
detailed
description provides those skilled in the art with a foundation for
implementing other
exemplary embodiments of the invention.
