U.S. patent application number 11/056437 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for shelving system for multimedia disc cases.
This patent application is currently assigned to Specialty Store Services, Inc., an Illinois Corporation. Invention is credited to Malcolm K. Finke, Marshall Weinstein.
Application Number | 20060180557 11/056437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36814625 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060180557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weinstein; Marshall ; et
al. |
August 17, 2006 |
Shelving system for multimedia disc cases
Abstract
A shelving system having a front support and a back support
connected to two end frames contains a plurality of U-shaped bottom
supports connected to both the front support and back support. A
plurality of separators are connected lengthwise to the two end
frames defining channels for receiving rectangular parallelepiped
articles, such as DVD cases, to be stored on the shelving system.
The channels are sufficiently wide and deep enough to permit the
stored articles to be tipped frontwards and rearwards for
inspection, but no so wide as to allow the articles to be easily
dislodged while tipping. Slide stops are connected lengthwise to
the front support and back support across the top of the channels
to prevent sideways shifting of the stored articles. Components of
the shelving system are constructed of metal wire to reduce dust
accumulation and maintenance.
Inventors: |
Weinstein; Marshall;
(Riverwoods, IL) ; Finke; Malcolm K.; (Northbrook,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William P. Oberhardt
2100 Three First National Plaza
Chicago
IL
60602
US
|
Assignee: |
Specialty Store Services, Inc., an
Illinois Corporation
|
Family ID: |
36814625 |
Appl. No.: |
11/056437 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/40 ; 211/106;
211/90.03; G9B/33.021 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/148 20130101;
G11B 33/0483 20130101; A47B 55/02 20130101; A47F 5/01 20130101;
A47F 5/0056 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/040 ;
211/106; 211/090.03 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/00 20060101
A47G029/00 |
Claims
1. A shelving system for receiving and storing multimedia disc
cases, including DVD cases, comprising: (A) a first end frame, and
a second end frame, said first and second end frames both being
substantially parallelogram-shaped, and both said first and second
end frames being substantially the same size and shape; (B) wherein
said first and second end frames each have, a top front corner, a
bottom front corner, a top back corner, a bottom back corner, and a
top extending between said top front corner and said top back
corner, and wherein the distance between the top front corner and
the bottom front corner of said first end frame defines a depth of
said shelving system, and the distance between the top front corner
and top back corner of said first end frame defines a width of said
shelving system; (C) a front support having a first a first end and
a second end, and a back support having a first end and a second
end, wherein said first end of said front support is connected to
said top front corner of said first end frame and said second end
of said front support is connected to said top front corner of said
second end frame, and said wherein said first end of said back
support is connected to said top back corner of said first end
frame and said second end of said back support is connected to said
top back corner of said second end frame, and wherein the distance
between the top front corners of said first and second end frames
defines a length of said shelving system and is substantially the
same distance as the distance between the top back corners of said
first and second end frames; (D) a plurality of substantially
U-shaped bottom supports having a first tip and a second tip,
wherein the depth of the U-shaped bottom supports is substantially
the same dimension as the depth of the shelving system, and wherein
the width of the U-shaped bottom supports is substantially the same
dimension as the width of the shelving system, and wherein said
first tip of each of said bottom supports is connected to said
front support, and said second tip of each of said bottom supports
is connected to said back support; and (E) a plurality of
separators having a first and a second end, wherein said first end
of each of said separators is connected to said top of said first
end frame, and said second end of each of said separators is
connected to said top of said second end frame.
2. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising: one or more
slide stops, with each of said slide stops having a first end and a
second end, and wherein said first end of said slide stop is
connected to said front support and said second end of said slide
stops is connected to said back support.
3. The shelving system of claim 2 wherein each of said slide stops
is substantially parallel to said top of said first end frame.
4. The shelving system of claim 2 wherein each of said slide stops
is connected to each of said separators at junctions where said
slide stop crosses said separators.
5. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein said first and second end
frames, said front support, said back support, said bottom
supports, and said separators are made from metal wire.
6. The shelving system of claim 2 wherein said first and second end
frames, said front support, said back support, said bottom
supports, said separators, and said slide stops are made from metal
wire.
7. The shelving system of claim 4 wherein said first and second end
frames, said front support, said back support, said bottom
supports, said separators, and said slide stops are made from metal
wire.
8. The shelving system of claim 7 wherein said metal wire is
between 9 gauge to 6 gauge round metal wire.
9. The shelving system of claim 4 wherein said parallelogram-shaped
first and second side frames are substantially rectangular in
shape.
10. The shelving system of claim 2 wherein: (A) the distance
between said first side frame and the closest bottom support to
said first side frame is substantially the same as the distance
between said second side frame and the closest bottom support to
said second side frame; (B) if there are more than two bottom
supports, the distance between each bottom support and next closest
bottom support is substantially the same as the distance between
said first side frame and the closest bottom support to said first
side frame; (C) the distance between said back support and the
closest separator to said back support is substantially the same as
the distance between said front support and the closest separator
to said front support; (D) if there are more than two separators,
the distance between each separator and the next closest separator
is substantially the same as the distance between said front
support and the closest separator to said front support; (E) the
distance between said first side frame and the closest slide stop
to said first side frame is substantially the same as the distance
between said second side frame and the closest slide stop to said
second side frame; and (F) if there are more than two slide stops,
the distance between each slide stop and the next closest slide
stop is substantially the same as the distance between said first
side frame and the closest slide stop to said first side frame.
11. The shelving system of claim 4 wherein: (A) the distance
between said first side frame and the closest bottom support to
said first side frame is substantially the same as the distance
between said second side frame and the closest bottom support to
said second side frame; (B) if there are more than two bottom
supports, the distance between each bottom support and next closest
bottom support is substantially the same as the distance between
said first side frame and the closest bottom support to said first
side frame; (C) the distance between said back support and the
closest separator to said back support is substantially the same as
the distance between said front support and the closest separator
to said front support; (D) if there are more than two separators,
the distance between each separator and the next closest separator
is substantially the same as the distance between said front
support and the closest separator to said front support; (E) the
distance between said first side frame and the closest slide stop
to said first side frame is substantially the same as the distance
between said second side frame and the closest slide stop to said
second side frame; and (F) if there are more than two slide stops,
the distance between each slide stop and the next closest slide
stop is substantially the same as the distance between said first
side frame and the closest slide stop to said first side frame.
12. The shelving system of claim 11 wherein said each of said
individual separators further comprises a pair of parallel metal
spacer wires, wherein the space between each of said spacer wires
for each individual separator is sufficiently narrow so as to
prevent a DVD case from being inserted between the pair of spacer
wires for each of said separators.
13. The shelving system of claim 12 wherein said first and second
end frames, said front support, said back support, said bottom
supports, said metal spacer wires, and said slide stops are made
from round metal wire.
14. The shelving system of claim 13 wherein said metal wire is
between 9 gauge to 6 gauge round metal wire.
15. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality
of hooks attached to said shelving system for removable suspension
of said shelving system from a vertical object.
16. The shelving system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality
of hooks attached to said shelving system for removable suspension
of said shelving system from a vertical object.
17. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality
of flanges attached to said shelving system for removable
suspension of said shelving system from slatwall.
18. The shelving system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality
of flanges attached to said shelving system for removable
suspension of said shelving system from slatwall.
19. The shelving system of claim 2 further comprising a back flange
having a predetermined width for offsetting and shelving system
said predetermined from a vertical support to which said shelving
system is attached.
20. The shelving system of claim 2 further comprising a back flange
having a predetermined width for offsetting said shelving system a
predetermined width from either slatwall or gridwall to which said
shelving system is removably attached.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to shelving systems especially
adaptable for storing and displaying rectangular parallelepiped
shaped articles having thin spines and broad front faces, such as,
for example, display and/or storage cases for multimedia discs for
DVDs, CDs, or video game discs (hereinafter collectively referred
to as "DVD cases"). The invention in particular relates to a
shelving system that stores and displays multiple units of DVD
cases on a single shelf in such a manner that a viewer can easily
manipulate the DVD cases in order to browse conveniently through
multiple units of DVD cases without the DVD cases easily becoming
dislodged from the shelf so that they fall off of the shelf or move
out of the intended order on the shelf. The invention also permits
DVD cases to be stacked behind another DVD case in the front of the
shelving system and to be flipped forward during browsing so that
the graphics on the faces of the DVD cases behind the front unit or
units on the shelf can be viewed easily. The shelving systems can
be fixed or removably placed on a horizontal surface or shelf, or
the shelving system may be designed to act as a shelf by itself by
being provided with a hook or flange to hang from existing retail
display systems, such as those commonly known in the art as
gridwall or slatwall.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0004] Retail stores, including especially video rental stores
(hereinafter collectively referred to as "video stores"),
experience problems effectively, attractively, and economically
displaying the wide variety of multimedia systems, such as DVDs,
CDs, and video game discs, currently offered to the public. The
cases for such multimedia systems, which, as earlier noted, are
collectively referred to herein as "DVD cases," typically are
shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped having two opposite
relatively thin sides (in particular, they have a relatively thin
hinged spine) while having a relatively broad front face and back
face. Typically, it is the broad front face of the DVD case that
carries graphics that are used by the video store to attempt to
entice a consumer to buy or rent the product contained in the DVD
case. The back face also ordinarily contains some graphics useful
in enticing a consumer to buy or rent the product. Thus, ideally,
the video store wants its DVD cases to be shelved in a way that
permits the consumer to see the broad front faces (and/or the back
faces) of the DVD cases in order to promote sales or rental of the
products contained in the cases.
[0005] Shelving of DVD cases in their packages in a manner so as to
make the cases accessible to the public and easily maintained on
the shelves by proprietors of video stores is a constant problem.
One problem faced by video store proprietors is that, in order to
increase revenues and to decrease unproductive backstock,
proprietors often desire to increase the number of DVD cases that
can be stacked on shelves in the video store establishment so that
they can be viewed and purchased (or rented) by consumers. (Sales
and rentals will hereafter be collectively referred to as "sales").
The video stores, however, have only a limited number of linear
feet of shelf space in the establishment. Video stores would, on
the one hand, prefer to stack as many units of DVD cases (either in
empty condition, which video stores sometimes do to prevent theft
of the multimedia discs, or with multimedia discs contained
therein) as can be fit on the limited shelf space in order to
increase the amount of product available to consumers, to decrease
the unproductive backstock, and to thereby increase revenue and
profit.
[0006] On the other hand, many shelving systems that are used for
increasing the number of units of DVD cases that can be stored and
displayed on a shelf diminish the ability of customers to review
the graphic information that is typically displayed on the broad
front face of a DVD case. This results in diminished sales rather
than increased sales.
[0007] One way that video stores have typically used to increase
the number of units of DVD cases stored per linear foot of shelving
is to shelve the units with the thin spine side of the packaging
facing outward, in the manner of a library book. This,
unfortunately, limits the amount of information that can be viewed
by the consumer, because, as noted before, typically the majority
of the graphic and advertising information designed to entice the
consumer to buy or rent the multimedia disc is located on the broad
front face (or back face) of the DVD case, not on the narrow spine
(which, like a library book, typically contains little more
information than the name of the movie, album, or game contained in
the DVD case). Moreover, what little information may be contained
on the spine must typically be read sideways, which is not
consumer-friendly. Consequently, this method, while increasing the
number of DVD cases that can be stored per linear unit of shelf
space, is generally undesirable, because it greatly decreases the
marketing appeal of the product to the consumer, and this
detrimentally affects revenues.
[0008] Another way that video stores sometimes attempt to increase
the number of units of DVD cases per linear foot of shelving is to
shelve the units with a single broad face of a single DVD case
facing outward toward the consumer, with many additional DVD cases
being stacked several units deep behind the most outward facing
unit. While this technique has the advantage of having at least the
most outward facing DVD case displayed in a consumer-friendly
manner (utilizing the graphics typically located on the most
outward facing DVD case's broad face to attract consumers), the
units behind the most outward facing unit are hidden, and
considerable consumer manipulation may be required to see the
hidden units. Often, consumer manipulation of DVD cases stored on
ordinary flat shelving results in units being knocked off of the
shelf (and sometimes being damaged), or being shifted sideways on
the shelf out of the intended shelving order, resulting in
increased shelf maintenance by video store employees and thus
increased cost to the video store proprietor. Moreover, the units
of multimedia storage packaging often become stacked or restacked
(either by video store employees, or by customers after
manipulation) so tightly that the units "nest" against one another
and/or become so tightly packed that consumers cannot tip the most
outward facing units sufficiently in order to view the units behind
the most outward facing units without great difficulty. Under such
conditions, many consumers will not bother attempting to view the
rear units, especially when they are tightly packed, and, as a
result, sales or rentals are lost or diminished for those rear
units.
[0009] Some shelving systems, such as those shown is U.S. Design
Pat. D454,749 S and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,027,955 and 5,346,078, have
been developed for permitting the units of multimedia storage
packaging to be stacked so that the broad front face of the
packaging faces outward toward the consumer, and allowing
additional units to be stacked behind the most outward facing unit
in a manner that permits browsing through the units. Unfortunately,
such shelving systems have demonstrated disadvantages. First,
because the bottom trays are solid in such shelves, such shelving
systems collect considerable amounts of dust, dirt, and assorted
refuse. Moreover, the bottom trays of the shelves are grooved and
uneven, and the grooved shaped trays are difficult to clean and
dust. Video stores often have thousands of linear feet of shelf
space for exhibition DVD cases. When one considers the
sales-diminishing unattractiveness of shelves that collect
considerable amounts of dust and dirt that cannot easily be cleaned
out of the grooves (and cannot be cleaned at all without first
ridding the shelves of the very item--DVD cases--that the video
store proprietor is using to generate revenues), the disadvantages
of the systems reflected in U.S. Design Pat. D454,749 S and U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,027,955 and 5,346,078 are apparent. The
unattractiveness and resulting increased cost of shelf maintenance
by the video store proprietor for such shelving systems has been
demonstrated to be a distinct disadvantage.
[0010] A second disadvantage of those systems is attributable to
the material used for such shelving systems, typically a solid
sheet of metal or plastic. If the trays of that system were made
from solid metal, such as aluminum, the shelving systems were
expensive compared to other shelving options. While expense could
be reduced somewhat by using molded plastic instead of metal, the
shelving systems were still expensive when compared to other
shelving options. Moreover, molded plastic shelving suffered from
strength, durability, and impact issues. For example, the
accidental impact of a shopping cart against the shelf of such a
system could easily break the shelving, causing the contents of the
shelf, particularly DVD cases, to be dropped, and possibly
resulting in the cases or their contents being damaged.
[0011] A third disadvantage of the above-described systems were the
grooves in the shelves which extended uninterrupted the length
(sideways) of the shelf system. The grooves did not prevent, and in
fact somewhat promoted, the sideways shifting of the DVD cases
during the process of consumer browsing or manipulation, resulting
in the units being shifted out of intended shelving order. This
resulted in additional video store worker time being spent
re-ordering the items on the shelves.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention
described herein to provide a shelving system for storing and
displaying rectangular parallelepiped articles, such as multimedia
storage packaging, and most especially DVD cases, in a manner that
increases the number of units exhibited per linear foot of
shelving, and which simultaneously permits relatively easy consumer
access to the articles that are shelved behind the most
outwardfacing article, and which overcomes the disadvantages of the
prior art, including the above-mentioned disadvantages.
[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
relatively low-maintenance shelving system that greatly reduces
dust and dirt accumulation for storing and displaying DVD
cases.
[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide a shelving
system for storing and displaying DVD cases so that the DVD cases
do not easily become accidentally dislodged from the shelving
system and fall, or shift sideways, out of the intended display
order when a consumer browses through the units.
[0015] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
shelving system for storing and displaying DVD cases that is
relatively economical compared to other shelving systems.
[0016] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a
shelving system for storing and displaying DVD cases that is
attractive, strong, durable, lightweight, and impact resistant so
as to better meet the needs of retailers, in particular, video
stores.
[0017] The present invention achieves the aforementioned objects
and others because it includes features not found in prior art
shelving systems for DVD cases. In the present invention, a
shelving system is constructed that is lightweight, attractive,
durable, impact resistant, economical, and, importantly, resistant
to accumulation of dust and dirt in use. The shelving system
permits DVD cases to be displayed with the graphics-containing
front face toward the consumer, while permitting stacking of
additional DVD cases behind the outwardmost DVD in a manner that
permits tipping for easy consumer browsing (without dislodging the
DVD case from the shelving system), and which decreases sideways
shifting of DVD cases out of intended shelving order.
[0018] The invention is preferably constructed, in the main, from
round metal wire. Junctions and connections between adjacent parts
are preferably joined by spot welding.
[0019] Two preferably rectangular end frames of similar
construction and dimensions are connected at their upper corners to
a front support and a back support, with the front and back
supports having approximately equal length. A plurality of bottom
supports are connected at spaced intervals to both the front
support and to the back support. The bottom supports extend
downwardly from the front support, and then extend horizontally
toward the back support, and then extend upwardly to connect to the
back support, forming a broad bottomed U-shape. A plurality of
separators, preferably arranged in adjacent pairs, are attached at
intervals to extend from the top of one end frame to the top of the
opposite end frame. The length of the separators is approximately
the length of the front support and back support. Each separator is
preferably made from a pair of closely aligned spacer wires. The
spacer wires of each individual separator are preferably aligned
parallel to each other and are so close together that a DVD case
cannot be inserted between the spacer wires.
[0020] Channels between the separators (or between a separator and
either the front support or the back support) for receiving DVD
cases are defined by the aforementioned construction. The channels
preferably are sufficiently wide to permit a DVD case to be tipped
forward and backward to allow a consumer to browse through several
DVD cases stacked behind each other in the shelving system. The
channels are preferably sufficiently narrow to permit no more than
one DVD case widthwise in a channel. The channels are also
sufficiently narrow and deep so as not to permit a DVD case to fall
out of the channel when tipped forward or backward during
browsing.
[0021] The channels may, in the preferred embodiment, be
interrupted at intervals by slide stops which extend from the front
support to the back support across the top of the channels. The
slide stops serve to prevent the DVD cases from sliding sideways
out of intended shelving order when consumers browse through the
DVD cases.
[0022] The shelving system of the invention may be provided with
bottom pads for placement on a horizontal surface, such as an
existing shelf or a table. The bottom pads may be fixed to the
horizontal surface with adhesive or fasteners (such as by securing
the bottom pads to the horizontal supporting surface with screws)
as are known in the art for a more secure arrangement, or may be
removably placed on the surface.
[0023] The shelving system of the invention may also be equipped
with hooks, flanges, or other known attachment devices that are
compatible with display systems that are utilized in video stores,
such as those display systems known as slatwall or gridwall, so
that the shelving system can be hung as a shelf with such display
systems.
[0024] Because the shelving system is, in the main, preferably
constructed from round metal wire having a very limited dust
collecting surface, significant dust and dirt collection, as would
ordinarily occur on shelving systems using solid horizontal
surfaces, is greatly reduced. The rounded surface of the wire,
moreover, allows the weight of the dust or dirt itself to cause
dust and dirt to fall off of the shelf and not significantly
accumulate. What little dust or dirt might collect can be dispersed
easily by simply causing the shelf to wiggle or vibrate, such as by
gently bumping it. Maintenance is thus greatly reduced.
[0025] Furthermore, because the wire construction is preferably
made of metal, it is more durable and impact-resistant compared to
molded plastic systems. Because a relatively small amount of metal
is used in the preferred metal wire construction as compared to
solid metal shelving trays, the shelving system of the invention is
economical as compared to solid metal trays, or even solid plastic
trays. The preferred wire construction, which as noted above uses
less material, is also lightweight compared to solid shelving trays
of the same material.
[0026] Although the shelving system is particularly useful for
storing DVD cases, compact disc cases, computer game disc cases,
computer disc cases, and the like, as previously noted, the system
is useful for storing and displaying other rectangular
parallelepiped shaped articles, especially those that are stored in
considerable quantities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shelving system,
according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the
shelving system illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a fragmented perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention adapted to be used in conjunction with gridwall
display systems.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a fragmented perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention adapted to be used in conjunction with slatwall
display systems.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention adapted to be used in conjunction with gridwall display
systems, wherein the shelving system is offset from the gridwall
display system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring now to the shelving system 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the shelving system 2 includes two oppositely disposed end
frames 4. The end frames 4 may be various shapes, but preferably in
this embodiment of the invention are substantially in the shapes of
parallelograms, and most preferably are substantially rectangular
in shape, and are substantially the same size and shape. The end
frames 4 may be, but need not necessarily be, advantageously
constructed in two pieces that are later connected together, such
as by first constructing a broad, flat-bottomed substantially
U-shaped piece of round metal wire, and then connecting a piece of
straight wire so as to extend across the mouth of the U-shape at
the tips of the U-shape. The two ends of the straight wire may
preferably be spot welded at its ends at the upper tips of the
U-shape, effectively forming a solid rectangular shape for the side
frame 4. Alternatively, the end frames 4 may be formed, for
example, in one piece as a solid rectangular construction. End
frames 4 preferably define the width and depth for shelving system
2.
[0033] As further shown in FIG. 1, front support 14 is connected to
and extends between the front top corner edges of the two end
frames 4. In a similar manner, back support 12 is connected to and
extends between the back top corner edges of the two end frames 4.
Front support 14 and back support 12 are approximately equal in
length, and preferably define the length of the shelving system 2,
as shown in FIG. 1. Front support 14 and back support 12 are
preferably made of metal wire, each of the same length, and are
preferably connected by spot welding to the two end frames 4.
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1, a plurality of bottom supports 8
are each connected at their two ends to front support 14 and back
support 12, and extend between front support 12 and back support
12. Bottom supports 8 may be various shapes, but preferably in this
embodiment have a broad, flat-bottomed substantially U-shape. The
tips of the U-shape of each of the bottom supports 8 extend
downwardly from the front support 14 and the back support 12
approximately the same depth as the depth of end frames 4. The
bottom of the U-shape of each bottom support 8 in this embodiment
of the shelving system 2 is preferably flat, and has approximately
the same width dimension as the width of end frames 4. The bottom
supports 8 are preferably made of metal wire, and are spot welded
at their connections to front support 14 and back support 12.
[0035] Although not required, the bottom supports 8 are preferably
connected to front support 14 and back support 12 at approximately
regular intervals. While the number and spacing of bottom supports
8 can be varied, it is preferable that the number and spacing of
bottom supports 8 is such that at least two bottom supports lie
underneath the item that is intended to be supported by the
shelving system 2--in FIG. 1, the DVD cases 102--so that the item
does not tip or fall through the shelving system 2. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two bottom supports 8 lie beneath the
bottom side 110 of the DVD case 102 so as to support the DVD case
102, to prevent it from tipping from side to side (but not from
tipping front to back, see FIG. 2), and to prevent it from falling
through the shelving system 2.
[0036] Referring once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of
separators 16, with each separator 16 including preferably a pair
of parallel spacer wires 28, are connected at spaced intervals to
end frames 4 preferably to the top of end frames 4, so as to extend
between the end frames 4. The spacer wires 28 of each separator 16
in this preferred embodiment are made from round metal wire, and
are connected to the end frames 4 by spot welding. The spacer wires
28 of separators 16 are preferably of the same length as front
support 14 and back support 12. The spacer wires 28 of separators
16 are preferably arranged in pairs so as to create empty space
between the pairs of spacer wires 28 and to achieve one of the
goals of separators 16 of maintaining sufficient separation between
the articles being stored on the shelving system 2, such as DVD
cases 102, so that the DVD cases 102 are not stacked too tightly
and do not nest too tightly against each other, impeding tipping
and browsing, when stacked behind each other. A pair of spacer
wires 28 forming a single separator 16 are preferably arranged
parallel to each other a small enough distance apart so that a DVD
case 102 cannot fit between the pair of spacer wires 28 forming an
individual separator 16. While in the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 the separators 16 further comprise pairs of spacer
wires 28 to achieve sufficient separation, skilled artisans will
recognize that separators 16 can achieve sufficient separation in a
variety of ways other than a being constructed and arranged as
pairs of spacer wires 28 without departing from the invention. For
example, using a single thicker wire for separator 16 will achieve
the goal of separation consistent with the invention. Two adjacent
separators 16 (or the separators 16 combined with either an
adjacent front support 14 or an adjacent back support 12), combined
with the bottom supports 8, effectively form channels 20 for
receiving the articles to be stored, here DVD cases 102. The
separators 16 are preferably spaced from adjacent separators 16,
and from either the front support 14 or the back support 12, so
that at least one, but no more than one, article to be stored, here
a DVD case 102, can fit between the adjacent separators 16, or
between separator 16 and either the front support 14 or the back
support 12. By allowing space in the width of the channels 20 for
no more than one DVD case 102, this helps the shelving system 2
achieve its goal of preventing the DVD cases 102 (or other
articles) from being too tightly packed to prevent sufficient and
easy tipping of DVD cases 102 during consumer browsing.
[0037] As illustrated particularly in FIG. 2, the adjacent
separators 16 (or a separator 16 and either the front support 14 or
the back support 12) are separated from each other narrowly enough
that when the articles to be stored (here, DVD cases 102) are
tipped, for example, during consumer browsing, the DVD cases 102 do
not become dislodged from between the adjacent separators 16 (or a
separator 16 and either front or back supports 14 or 12). On the
other hand, the aforesaid spacing preferably is sufficiently wide
so as to allow sufficient tipping of the DVD cases 102 so that a
consumer who is browsing through the DVD cases 102 may view easily
the graphics (not illustrated) ordinarily located on the front
faces 104 (and possibly the back faces 106) of DVD cases 102.
Importantly, as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2, because the
lower portion of the DVD cases 102 are permitted to pivot
underneath the separators 16, the separators 16 serve to help
prevent the DVD cases 102 from becoming dislodged and/or falling
out of shelving system 2 during the browsing process when they are
tipped frontward and backward. The lower portion of the DVD case
102 effectively is held in place by separator 16 when it pivots
underneath the separator 16.
[0038] Similarly, the depth of the side frames 4 and bottom
supports 8 must be sufficiently deep so as to allow DVD cases 102
to be supported during browsing by adjacent separators 16 (or a
separator 16 and either front or back supports 14 or 12) without
becoming dislodged because of insufficient depth. On the other
hand, the depth must not be so deep that tipping of the DVD cases
102 is inhibited so that consumers cannot adequately view the
graphics (not illustrated) on the front faces 104 of DVD cases
102.
[0039] In the preferred embodiment illustrated shown in FIG. 1,
slide stops 6 are placed at intervals across the tops of channels
20 so as to prevent the articles being stored, here DVD cases 102,
from being shifted sideways in the channels out of the intended
shelving order. The slide stops 6 preferably extend the width of
the shelving system 2, are made of metal wire, are spot welded to
the front support 14 and back support 12, and most preferably are
also spot welded to the separators 16 at the junctions where the
slide stops 6 cross the separators 16. As such, the slide stops 6
provide the additional feature of strengthening the shelving system
2 by helping to prevent separators 16, front support 14, and back
support 12 from distorting due to undue bending.
[0040] Shelving system 2 may be provided with bottom pads 10
attached to bottom supports 8, especially if shelving system 2 is
intended to be placed on a horizontal surface such as a table or
existing shelf. Bottom pads 10 may be made of metal and spot welded
to bottom supports 8 for a more secure attachment, or may be made
of elastomer adhered to bottom supports 8. Elastomeric bottom pads
10 serve to reduce scratching when shelving system 2 is placed on a
horizontal surface such as an existing shelf or table. Bottom pads
10 may also be constructed of metal spot welded to bottom supports
8 with a soft surface, such as elastomer, felt, or fabric, adhered
to the bottom.
[0041] As noted above, the components of shelving system 2 (with
the exception of bottom pads 10) are preferably made from round
metal wire to reduce dust and dirt accumulation, to reduce weight,
to reduce resultant maintenance, and to reduce cost when compared
to shelving systems having more extensive solid surfaces. Metal
wire also has advantages compared to solid plastic surfaces in
terms of strength, durability, and impact resistance. It has been
found that steel wire (preferably 1008 steel) having an approximate
diameter between 0.148 inches (9 gauge wire) and 0.192 inches (6
gauge wire) is sufficiently strong and durable enough to achieve
the above-described purposes of this invention. Such wire is also
sufficiently small enough in size so as to reduce accumulations of
dust and dirt in the embodiments of the invention described above.
To prevent rust or corrosion, and to increase aesthetics, a coating
of paint, preferably using standard epoxy powder coating paint
techniques as are known in the art, may be applied to the
components of the shelving system 2. The inventors have found that
the invention described herein, in one of the preferred embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and using the preferred materials
described above, costs approximately half as much, or less, than
prior art systems having extensive solid bottoms using metal or
molded plastic discussed above.
[0042] In the event that the shelving system 2 is not intended for
placement on an existing horizontal surface, alternative
connections for display systems that are known in the art may be
adapted for use with shelving system 2 in order to achieve
removable attachment to a particular display system. For example,
illustrated in FIG. 3 is an existing display system used in retail
establishments, including video stores, known as gridwall 202.
Gridwall 202 ordinarily utilizes a series of horizontal supports
204 and vertical supports 206 made of metal for hanging displays.
In order to adapt shelving system 2 for removable connection with
gridwall 202, a plurality of hooks 18 may be attached to shelving
system 2, preferably to the back support 12, although hooks 18 may
also be connected to bottom supports 8. Hooks 18 may be U-shaped,
with the bottom portion of the U-shapes being attached to the
shelving system 2 as previously described. The tips of the U-shape
for hooks 18 may be further formed into downward facing J-shapes,
with the open elbow of the J-shape being designed to fit around the
top and sides of horizontal support 204 of gridwall 202.
Preferably, the open elbow of the J-shape has a bend having an
approximately 0.75 inch diameter. While skilled artisans will
understand that hooks 18 may be made of a number of different
materials, hooks 18 are preferably made from metal, and most
preferably from the same metal wire as the other components of the
shelving system 2, and are preferably connected to shelving system
2 by spot welding.
[0043] Shelving system 2 may also be adapted for use with slatwall
display systems, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Slatwall 302 contains a
plurality of hollow T-slots 304 formed therein. While various
adaptations may be used to removably connect shelving system 2 to
slatwall 302, preferably a cantilevered side arm support 22 is
attached to both end frames 4 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The
cantilevered side arm support 22 may preferably be made from metal,
such as steel, and may be spot welded to end frame 4. Formed at the
rear of each cantilevered side arm support 22, and preferably
integral therewith, is flange 24. Flange 24 is formed transverse to
the arm 26 of cantilevered side arm support 22. Flange 24 bends
first upwardly, then backwardly (inward toward the back of the
slatwall 302) and then again upwardly to fit within the upward
portion of T-slot 304, effectively "hooking" into the slatwall 302
and providing support to the cantilevered side arm support 22, thus
securely suspending shelving system 2 from the slatwall 302.
[0044] Illustrated in FIG. 5 is another embodiment useful for
adaptation of the invention to gridwall display systems, such as
the gridwall 202 illustrated in FIG. 3. Offset side arm supports 30
are attached to end frames 4 illustrated in FIG. 5. Both side arm
supports 30 are preferably made from metal, such as steel, and side
arms 40 of offset side arm supports 30 may be spot welded to end
frame 4. Formed at the back of both offset side arm supports 30,
and preferably formed integral therewith, are offset hooks 32.
Offset hooks 32 are attached to offset side arm supports 30 by side
flanges 34, back flanges 36, and hook flanges 38. The backs of
offset arm supports 30 terminate in side flanges 34, which
preferably are formed integrally therewith. Side flanges 34 extend
from the offset side arm supports 30 toward the middle of shelving
system 2 a short distance, preferably approximately 2.0 inches.
Side flanges 34 terminate in back flange 36, which are preferably
formed integrally therewith. Back flanges 36 extend backwardly away
from shelving system 2 and side flanges 34 a short distance,
preferably approximately 1.0 inches. The back flanges 36 serve to
offset the shelving system 2 from the gridwall 202 to prevent the
DVD cases 102 (see FIG. 1) that may be stored in the back of
shelving system 2 from being impeded from flipping backwards during
browsing due to the close proximity of the gridwall 202 (see FIG.
3). In other words, referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the back
flanges 36 effectively orient the shelving system 2 so as to allow
the DVD cases 102 in the back of shelving system 2 to tip without
the gridwall 202 interfering with the tipping. Back flanges 36
terminate in hook flanges 38, which are preferably formed
integrally therewith. Hook flanges 38 extend a short distance,
preferably 0.75 inches toward the center of shelving system 2.
Offset hooks 32 are preferably formed integrally with hook flanges
38. Offset hooks 32 may be formed as inverted J-shapes at the top
of hook flanges 38. The opening and elbow of the J-shape of offset
hooks 32 are preferably approximately a 0.75 inch diameter so that
they can be hooked onto horizontal supports 204 of gridwall 202, so
as to suspend shelving system 2 therefrom. Skilled practitioners
will recognize that a construction using side flanges 34 and back
flanges 36 can be adapted for use with slatwall 302 (see FIG. 4) or
other vertical display systems without departing from the invention
disclosed herein.
[0045] Skilled artisans will further recognize that, while
adaptation to slatwall and gridwall display systems are illustrated
as examples of adaptability of the shelving system 2 of the
invention to display systems, these examples as illustrative of,
and not intended as a limitation upon, the adaptability of the
invention to display systems. The shelving system 2 of the present
invention can be combined with standard hooks and connectors for
other display systems (for example, pegboard) in order to be
removably connected with those systems.
[0046] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, while various dimensions
for placement of the components of shelving system 2 are
contemplated by the inventors without departing from the invention
described herein, the inventors have found the following dimensions
to be particularly useful in connection with a shelving system 2
that displays standard sized DVD cases 102. While the dimensions of
such DVD cases 102 vary, they typically have an approximate
dimension of 5.375 inches across the width of the front and back
faces 104 and 106, and are approximately 7.0 to 8.0 inches tall
(also the dimension of the length of the spine 112). DVD cases 102
ordinarily have a thickness of approximately 0.50 to 0.55 inches
(also the dimension of the width of the spine 112).
[0047] Ideally, the length of shelving system is slightly larger
than approximately a whole number multiplied times the width of the
front face 104 of DVD case 102. Moreover, if used with existing
display systems, the length should ideally be compatible with those
systems as well. For illustrative purposes below, an embodiment
where the length is approximately 24.0 inches will be used for
shelving system 2, with the understanding that other multiples of
6.0 inches can be used equally advantageously for shelving systems
2 used for storing DVD cases 102, and that other non-multiples of
6.0 inches can be utilized in various applications of this
invention without departing from the invention. As noted above,
components of the shelving system 2 preferably are constructed of
steel wire having a diameter of approximately between 0.148 inches
(9 gauge wire) and 0.192 inches (6 gauge wire). In such an
embodiment, slide stops 6 are placed 6.0 inches on center from end
frames 4, and additional slide stops 6 (in a 24.0 inch wide
shelving system 2, only one additional slide stop 6) is or are also
placed at intervals 6.0 inches on center from the nearest adjacent
slide stop 6. The 6.0 inch spacing of slide stops 6 permits DVD
cases 102 to be inserted in the uninterrupted portion of the
channels 20, but limits sideways shifting of the DVD cases within
the channels due to the lateral interruption by slide stops 6 of
the channels 20 within which the DVD cases 102 are located.
[0048] A preferred width for shelving system 2, measured between
the outer edges of front support 14 and back support 12, is
approximately 6.453 inches. Preferably five separators 16 (further
comprising a pair of spacer wires 28) are placed at even intervals
between front support 14 and back support 12. Six channels 20 are
thereby defined. The distance between the outer dimensions of each
pair of spacer wires 28 forming a single separator 16 preferably is
about 0.364 inches. A pair of spacer wires 28 forming a single
separator 16 are preferably arranged parallel to each other a small
enough distance apart so that a DVD case 102 cannot fit between the
pair of spacer wires 28 forming an individual separator 16. The
resulting channels 20 between separators 16 (or between a separator
16 and either front support or back support 12) are preferably
approximately 0.736 inches wide. The depth of the shelving system 2
measured from the top edge of front support 14 or bottom support 12
to the top edge of the horizontal bottom of the U-shape of bottom
supports 8 is preferably about 0.625 inches. Bottom supports 8 are
preferably located 2.0 inches on center from end frames 4 and at
repeating 2.0 inch (on center) intervals from each other
thereafter. The foregoing dimensions accomplish the goals of the
shelving system 2 described herein.
[0049] While the inventors have found the above dimensions useful
and preferable in certain applications utilizing the invention in
connection with the display of DVD cases 102, skilled practitioners
will recognize that other combinations of dimensions can be
utilized without departing from the invention.
[0050] Moreover, although some embodiments of the invention have
been described above by way of example only, it will be understood
by skilled practitioners that modifications may be made to the
disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the
invention, which is defined by the claims.
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