U.S. patent application number 11/276532 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for furniture unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to PULASKI FURNITURE CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Harrison H. KELLY.
Application Number | 20060197418 11/276532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36943473 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060197418 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KELLY; Harrison H. |
September 7, 2006 |
FURNITURE UNIT
Abstract
A furniture unit including a plurality of frame members having
at least one access opening in one of the plurality of frame
members. The unit may be a furniture display unit having an access
opening to accommodate an electrical cord of a light for a shelf,
wherein the light is arranged between a shelf top and shelf bottom
of the shelf. The electrical cord may pass through an access
opening in the shelf, and through to the access opening in the
unit. The access opening can be filled with a resilient type
material conforming around the electric cord after the electrical
cord has passed through the access opening or be covered by a
panel, adhesive tape or other mechanism to obscure the view through
the opening. The resilient type material may be a gasket,
sponge-like material or deformable material.
Inventors: |
KELLY; Harrison H.;
(Christiansburg, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
PULASKI FURNITURE
CORPORATION
One Pulaski Square, P.O. Box 1371
Pulaski
VA
|
Family ID: |
36943473 |
Appl. No.: |
11/276532 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60658154 |
Mar 4, 2005 |
|
|
|
60679660 |
May 11, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/223.5 ;
108/23; 312/223.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 97/00 20130101;
A47B 57/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/223.5 ;
312/223.6; 108/023 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00 |
Claims
1. A unit comprising a plurality of frame members which are
configured to form a skeleton of the unit and at least one access
opening in at least one of the plurality of frame members.
2. The unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one shelf
having at least one shelf access opening aligning with the at least
one access opening.
3. The unit of claim 2, wherein the at least one shelf includes: a
shelf frame having rails and the least one shelf access opening
extends through a portion of the shelf frame rails, at least a
shelf top attachable to the rails which is substantially
translucent or transparent; and an electrical device coupled to the
at least the shelf frame and having a cord arranged to pass through
the at least one shelf access opening and the at least one access
opening.
4. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a resilient material
affixed substantially along a length of the at least one access
opening.
5. The unit of claim 1, wherein the unit is a furniture unit
comprising one of at least a curio and furniture display unit.
6. The unit of claim 5 wherein the at least one access opening is
positioned in a rear frame member of the plurality of frame members
of the furniture unit.
7. The unit of claim 5, wherein the furniture unit includes one of:
the at least one access opening extends upward toward an upper
portion of the furniture unit, such that at least one hole
associated with and in open communication with the at least one
access opening is arranged at a top portion of the at least one
access opening; the at least one access opening extends toward a
lower portion of the furniture unit, such that at least one hole
associated with and in open communication with the at least one
access opening is arranged at a bottom portion of the at least one
access opening; and the at least one access opening extends between
the upper portion and the bottom portion of the furniture unit,
such that at least one hole associated with and in open
communication with the at least one access opening is arranged
along a length of the at least one access opening.
8. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism blocking at
least a portion of the at least one access opening.
9. The unit of claim 1, wherein the resilient material is one of a
gasket, a sponge material and a deformable material.
10. The unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one hole or
aperture in open communication with the at least one access
opening.
11. The unit of claim 10, wherein the at least one hole is larger
in diameter than a width of the at least one access opening.
12. The unit of claim 10, wherein the at least one hole is larger
in diameter than a plug head of an electrical element, such that
the plug head is capable of passing therethrough.
13. The unit claim 10, wherein the at least one hole is positioned
in at least one end of the at least one access opening.
14. The unit of claim 10, wherein the at least one hole is one of
capped and blocked with one of a plug and a cap that conforms to
the at least one hole.
15. The unit of claim 14, wherein the plug and the cap are made of
a resilient material to conform at least partially to the at least
one hole.
16. The unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one access opening is
positioned, so as to not interfere with a placement or
adjustability of one or more shelves.
17. The unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one access opening is
one of a slot, groove, hole and channel configured to allow a power
cord to pass therethrough.
18. The unit of claim 1, wherein at least one element extends to a
harness in communication with a central controller for operation of
an electrical device.
19. A shelf structure comprising: a shelf frame having rails; at
least one electrical device arranged with the shelf frame; and at
least one access opening in the shelf frame structured and adapted
to allow an electrical cord of the at least one electrical device
to pass therethrough.
20. The shelf of claim 19, further comprising at least a shelf top
and a shelf bottom attachable to the rails, at least one of the
shelf top and the shelf bottom are made of one of a translucent or
transparent material.
21. The shelf of claim 20, wherein the rails include a top ledge
and a bottom ledge configured to seat the top shelf and the bottom
shelf, respectively
22. The shelf of claim 20, wherein the translucent or transparent
material is one of glass, acrylic plastic glass, frosted glass and
stained glass.
23. The shelf of claim 19, wherein the shelf frame forms an
interior hollow section which accommodates the at least one
electrical device.
24. The shelf of claim 19, further comprising a fixing device so as
to attach the at least one electrical device to at least one rail
of the rails.
25. The shelf of claim 19, wherein the rails include at least one
rail notch, so as to accommodate the at least one electrical
device.
26. The shelf of claim 19, wherein the rails include ledges to
accommodate an upper shelf and a lower shelf.
27. The shelf of claim 19, wherein the at least one electrical
device is positioned between the top shelf and a bottom shelf.
28. The shelf of claim 19, in combination with a furniture unit
comprising a frame member with an opening having an obscuring
structure thereon or therein, the opening being in substantial
alignment with the access opening such that an element of the
electrical device is capable of passing through the access opening
and the opening to an exterior portion of the furniture unit.
29. A unit comprising: at least one lighted shelf having an opening
in a rail member for a cord to extend therethrough; and a frame
having at least one access opening, wherein the opening of the at
least one lighted shelf is aligned with the access opening of the
frame such that the cord can pass through the opening and the
access opening to an exterior of the frame.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/658,154, filed on
Mar. 4, 2005 and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/679,660
filed, on May 11, 2005, the disclosures of which are expressly
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a furniture unit, a shelf
unit and a furniture unit with one or more shelf units.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information
[0005] Using separate lighting units to illuminate products
displayed on furniture cabinet shelves is widely known in the art.
For instance, it is common to attach one or more lighting fixtures
within a display cabinet such as a curio to illuminate ornaments or
other trinkets. Most commonly, fluorescent lighting, incandescent
lighting or halogen lighting, for example, is used for this purpose
by attaching such lighting directly within and to the cabinet.
[0006] When manufacturing furniture display units or the like,
numerous factors are considered, such as cost constraints, sizing
parameters, lighting and aesthetics of the overall unit. More
specifically, the aesthetic issues result in a struggle with the
amount of illumination versus hiding the often numerous lighting
unit power cords, so as not to distract from the viewing display
area. Often, the end result of the above issue is not enough
illumination of the ornaments or other trinkets and unsightly views
of power cords within the display unit.
[0007] Thus, it would be beneficial to maximize the illumination of
the shelving display area, as well as hide unsightly power cords.
The problem of improving illumination could be addressed by
providing various lighting units dedicated for lighting different
portions of each shelf. Such an arrangement is not very cost
effective or aesthetically pleasing, particularly since this
arrangement likewise illuminates the many unattractive power cords
for each lighting unit, which detracts from the pleasing view of
the ornaments or other trinkets on display.
[0008] The invention solves one or more of the above-noted
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention is directed to a furniture unit that may be a
curio or other furniture piece for displaying items. The furniture
unit may include an access opening, e.g., slot, groove or channel,
in the frame to allow a power cord to pass therethrough from an
interior to an exterior of the furniture unit. The furniture unit
may also include one or more adjustable shelves with or without
self-contained lighting.
[0010] The shelf may include a self-contained light for
self-illumination or for illuminating another shelf. In this
manner, display items, e.g., ornaments, on any shelf can be
illuminated. The power cord of the light may be placed through the
access opening located, e.g., in the rear of the furniture unit, so
as to be away from visual sight. The one or more access openings of
the display unit can be positioned, so as to not interfere with the
placement or adjustability of the one or more shelves.
[0011] The access opening of the furniture unit may appear as a
slot, groove or channel and can include a hole or aperture in the
frame. In one implementation, the hole should be larger in diameter
than a plug head of the power cord or element, such that the plug
head can pass therethrough. It may be advantageous to position the
hole at one of the outer ends of the access opening, approximate a
top and/or bottom of the unit, depending on the positioning of the
access opening.
[0012] The access opening of the furniture unit may be provided
with a material to mask the opening and to hide the power cord from
view, e.g., the opening may be filled with a resilient type
material that can conform around the power cord after the power
cord is passed through the access opening (or inserted into the
hole and within the access opening). The resilient type material
may be a rubber gasket, sponge-like material or deformable
material. The hole or aperture may also be capped, blocked or the
like with a plug or cap that can be press fitted into the hole. The
cap or plug can also be arranged to conform to the hole. An opening
arranged in the shelf, e.g., shelf frame, is preferably aligned
with the access opening of the furniture unit so that the power
cord can easily and aesthetically be placed therethrough.
[0013] According to a feature of the invention, the power cord can
extend to a harness connected to a central controller for operation
of the light or other electrical device. Further, the central
controller can be arranged in an interior or an exterior of the
furniture unit.
[0014] According to a feature of the invention, the one or more
shelves can be adjustable. The adjustability of the one or more
shelves can be provided by at least one adjustment hole along a
frame of the furniture unit. The frame is defined as a skeleton,
which is the structural features of the unit. Further still, the
one or more shelves may include a shelf frame having at least one
rail that can be integral or attachable, and may include the one or
more shelf openings. The shelf frame may have at least one shelf
top and/or at least one shelf bottom attachable to the at least one
rail. The shelf top and/or the shelf bottom can be made of a
translucent, transparent or other material to allow light to
transmit therethrough. These other materials may be glass, acrylic
plastic glass, frosted glass or stained glass to name a few
materials. The shelf frame including the at least one rail can be
hollow.
[0015] According to a feature of the invention, the shelf top and
the shelf bottom may be attached by glue, adhesive or tape or other
fastening mechanism, and may be placed on ledges or shoulders
formed on of a frame of the shelf. Further still, the rail may
include a bracket, clamp or other type of fixing device, so as to
attach the electrical device, e.g., light, thereto. The rail may
also include at least one rail notch, so as to accommodate the
light and/or the power cord. The one or more openings arranged in
the at least one rail of the shelf frame is positioned so as to
allow the power cord of the light to pass therethrough. The one or
more openings in at least one rail can, in one embodiment, align
with the access opening of the frame of the furniture unit.
[0016] Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present
invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure
and the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention is further described in the detailed
description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of
drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments
of the present invention, in which like reference numerals
represent similar parts throughout the several views of the
drawings, and wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the unit in
accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the frame in
accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a back perspective view of the unit in
accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged plan view of an access hole
in accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the shelf frame in
accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of the shelf
frame within the frame in accordance with an aspect of the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a back perspective view of the unit in
accordance with an aspect of the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the shelf
in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, the furniture unit 1, e.g., a curio
or other furniture piece for displaying items (hereafter "unit"),
is composed of frame members forming a skeleton of the unit. In
embodiments, the unit 1 includes a front 2 and a rear 3 and, for
purposes of description, a top 4 or upper portion, a bottom 5 or
lower portion, an interior 7, and an exterior 6.
[0027] The interior portion 7 of the unit 1 includes several
shelves generally depicted as reference numeral 18 (e.g., shelves
18a-18c are shown). The shelves 18 have a shelf top 21 and, in one
embodiment, a shelf bottom 22. The shelves 18 can be adjustable via
adjustment holes 17 along the interior 7 of the unit 1. Each shelf
18 may include a light 25, e.g., a light or illuminating device,
for illuminating items or objects. The light 25 includes a power
cord 26 that is passed through an access opening generally depicted
as reference numeral 12, e.g., slots, grooves, holes or channels,
through the rear 3 of the unit 1, and preferably through one or
more frame members. One or more holes 13 may be provided along the
length of the access openings 12.
[0028] In one embodiment, the access openings 12, e.g., slots,
grooves, holes or channels, extend along the rear 3 of the unit 1
within one or more of the frame members. This is designed to allow
an element 26, e.g., a power or electrical cord, to pass (including
the plug head 27 of the power cord 26) therethrough to an exterior
6 of the unit 1. Of course, access openings 12 can also be arranged
to allow power cords for electrical devices displayed within the
unit 1 to pass through the rear 3 of the unit 1 for connection to
an electrical outlet. Two access openings 12a and 12b are shown,
although any number of access openings 12 can be implemented so
long as the integrity of the unit 1 remains intact.
[0029] The upper portion 4 of the unit 1 can accommodate a number
of shelves, e.g., two upper shelves 18a and 18b, such that the
access opening 12a accommodates power cords 26 of lights 25 and
other cords or cables positioned within or on the shelves 18a and
18b. Further, the lower portion 5 of the unit 1 can accommodate a
number of shelves, e.g., two lower shelves 18c and 18d, such that
the access opening 12b accommodates power cords 26 of lights 25
with the shelves 18c and 18d. Further, for the access opening 12a
extending toward the upper portion 4 of the unit 1, a hole 13 can
be positioned at a top-end of the access opening 12a approximate
the top of the unit 1. As an alternative, for the access opening
12b extending toward a bottom of the furniture unit, the hole 13
can be arranged at a bottom-end of the access opening. As discussed
above, the power cords 26 are not visible from the front 2 of the
unit 1; instead, the power cords 26 extend to the rear 3 of the
unit 1, via the access openings 12a or 12b, to the exterior 6 of
the unit 1.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the unit 1 including a frame generally shown as
reference numeral 9 composed of a front frame member 11 and rear
frame member 10, and can include one or more cross-frame members 8.
The rear frame member 10 includes two access openings 12a and 12b,
each having resilient type material, an adhesive tape, panel,
brush-like structure or other structure which is configured to
obscure the view through the access openings, all generally
depicted as reference numeral 16. The holes 13 can be provided at
either end 15, e.g., a top-end or a bottom-end, of each of the
access openings 12a and/or 12b, which are sized to accommodate a
plug head of the power cord 26, so as to allow the plug head of the
power cord 26 to pass therethrough. The adjustment holes 17 can
also be provided along the interior 7 of the rear frame member 10
of the frame 9 to allow for adjustment of the shelves 18, via
adjustment mechanisms.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the unit 1 of FIG. 1. In this
embodiment, the two access openings 12a and 12b run substantially
along a length of the rear frame member 10 in upper portion 4
and/or lower portion 5 of the unit 1. As shown, the hole 13 is
larger in diameter than a width of the access openings 12a and 12b
to accommodate the plug head 27 of the power cord 26 of the light
25 e.g., an electrical device to pass therethrough. The holes 13
may be positioned or placed at either or both ends 15 of the
openings 12a and 12b or at any position along the access openings
12a or 12b. For example, the access opening 12a extending toward
the top 4 of the unit 1 may have the hole 13 positioned closest to
an uppermost top of the unit 1; whereas the access opening 12b
extending toward the bottom 5 of the unit 1 has a hole 13
positioned at the lowermost bottom of the unit 1.
[0032] The access openings 12a and 12b can be positioned in the
rear frame member 10 of the unit 1, so as not to interfere with the
placement or adjustability of the shelves 18. In particular, the
access openings 12a and 12b may be positioned so as not to
interfere with the power cord 26 extending from a rear 19 of the
shelves 18a-18d. Moreover, since the access openings 12a and 12b
are positioned along the frame member 10, the shelves 18a-18d can
be moved upward or downward, without requiring removal of the power
cord 26.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the access opening 12 and
the hole 13 with a resilient material within the access opening 12.
The access opening 12 may also be covered by an adhesive tape,
panel or other type of material in order to obscure the access
opening, itself. In further embodiments, the access opening 12 may
be obscured by a brush-like or flap-like mechanism which allows a
power cord to still pass therethrough. To assist in hiding the
power cord from visual sight, and to reduce attention being drawn
to the access opening 12, the access opening 12 may be filled with
the resilient type material, brush-like or flap-like structure or
covered by an adhesive tape (with a pattern matching the pattern of
the unit), panel or other structure which is configured to obscure
the view through the access openings. The resilient type material
16, in one embodiment, conforms around the power cord such that the
access opening 12 is closed. The resilient type material 16 may be
a rubber gasket or sponge-like material.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the hole 13 is sized so as to allow the
plug head of the power cord to pass therethrough. Accordingly, the
plug head of the power cord can be passed through the hole 13 of
the access opening 12 (positioned in the rear frame member 10),
from the interior 7 to the exterior 6 of the unit 1. See FIG. 1.
The hole 13 may also be capped, blocked or the like with a plug 14
that can be press fitted into the hole 13. After the plug head has
been passed entirely through the hole 13, the power cord 26 can be
moved, e.g., downward or upward, within the resilient type
material, brush or flap like structure, etc. of the access opening
12.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a shelf 18. In this
embodiment, a self-lighting shelf 18 includes shelf frame 23, a
shelf top 21 and a shelf bottom 22. In this embodiment, a light 25,
e.g., an electrical device, can be fastened to the shelf frame 23
with a power cord 26 having a power cord plug 27, passing through
shelf opening 24 (and then through access opening 12) to an
exterior 6 of the unit 1, and to a power source. As previously
discussed, the shelf top 21 and/or the shelf bottom 22 may be made
from a translucent, transparent or substantially transparent
material such as glass, Plexiglas, frosted glass, stained glass,
etc Thus, the light 25, e.g., an electrical device, can project
light through the translucent shelf top 21 and/or the shelf bottom
22 to illuminate objects therein.
[0036] The shelf frame 23 comprises rails that can be integral or
attachable, and may include the one or more shelf openings 24. The
rails comprise a rail back 23a, rail right end 23b, rail front 23c,
and rail left end 23d. Further still, for example, each rail (23a,
23b, 23c and 23d) may include a rail ledge 23e, or a rail narrow
flat surface for the placement of the shelf top 21 and/or shelf
bottom 22. Moreover, the shelf top 21 and shelf bottom 22 can be
fixed to the rails (23a, 23b, 23c and 23d) by glue/adhesive, tape,
tabs, gravity, pressure fitted or other conventional manner.
[0037] In embodiments, the shelf top 21 and the shelf bottom 22 can
be affixed directly to the shelf frame 23. Thus, the combination of
the shelf frame rails (23a, 23b, 23c and 23d), shelf top 21 and
shelf bottom 22 and, in this embodiment, the light 25, when
assembled, can form a self contained lighted shelf, such that light
can be illuminated above and/or below the shelf 18. In embodiments,
the frame rails (23a, 23b, 23c and 23d) can include at least one
rail notch 23f, so as to accommodate the light 25 and/or the power
cord 26; and a connection of the power cord 26 to the light 25.
[0038] Referring still to FIG. 5, the shelf frame 23 may include
one or more shelf openings 24 that can be positioned anywhere along
the sides of the shelf frame 23, e.g., rails (23a, 23b, 23c and
23d), so as long as the one or more shelf openings 24 positionally
correspond with the access opening 12, allowing the power cord 26
of the light 25 to pass from the interior 7 to the exterior 6 of
the unit 1.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention with the power
cord 26 of the light 25 "snaked" along the rails (23a, 23b, 23c and
23d) and on top of a strip 32, to the shelf opening 24. Any known
brackets, clamps or fixing devices 35 may hold the power cord 26 to
the rails (23a, 23b, 23c and 23d). Alternatively, the power cord 26
can be "snaked" along a rail shoulder 23h of any one of the rails
(23a, 23b, 23c and 23d) to accommodate the power cord 26, to the
shelf opening 24. Further, the portion of the power cord 26 that
attaches to the light 25 can be positioned in the rail notch 23e,
and be arranged on top of the strip 32 via the brackets 35 (so as
not to be visible when viewing the decorative ornaments positioned
on the shelf), to the shelf opening 24.
[0040] Referring still to FIG. 6, the power cord 26 extending from
the shelf opening 24 can be connected to an interior plug socket 30
fastened to the interior 7 of the frame 9 (of unit 1) to power the
light 25. The interior plug socket 30 may be connected to a wall or
power outlet exterior 6 of the unit 1 via access opening 12, to
power the light 25. Alternatively, as the shelf opening 24 can be
aligned with access opening 12, the power cord 26 from the light 25
can also pass through access opening 12 to the exterior 6 of the
unit 1, and plug into an exterior plug socket 30. The exterior plug
socket 30 can be mounted on the exterior 6 of the frame 9 (of unit
1), and connect to a wall or power outlet to power the light
25.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the unit 1, in accordance with
the invention. The power cord 26 is shown to be extending from the
light 25 through the shelf opening 24 of shelf 18d, and through
access opening 12b of the unit 11, to a central controller 29
having a harness 28, to power the light 25. For example, in the
process of connecting the power cord 26 to the harness 28, the
power cord plug 27 extends through the hole 13 of the access
opening 12b of the unit 1, and is connected to the harness 28, to
power the light 25. Moreover, as the shelf opening 24 aligns with
the access opening 12b, the power cord 26 can be adjusted up or
down along the unit 1 with any one of the shelves 18 through the
resilient type material 16 of access opening 12b.
[0042] Still referring to FIG. 7, the central controller 29 may be
used to adjust, turn on and off, etc. the lights 25 either
together, individually or in any programmed or desired combination.
The central controller 29 may also be connected to one or more
recessed lights 42 that can be arranged anywhere on or in the unit
1. For example, the recessed lights 42 are shown to be arranged on
top of the unit 1, so as to illuminate light toward one or more of
the shelves 18a and 18b.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the
shelf in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the
shelf frame 23 includes a top shoulder 23a and a bottom shoulder
23b on each of the rails, for accommodating the upper shelf and the
lower shelf, respectively. In one implementation, a fastening
device 100 may be used to secure the bottom shelf to the bottom
shoulder 23b. This fastening device 100 may include a spline nail,
for example. The shelf frame 23 further includes a bore or channel
102 extending through at least one of the rails which is aligned
with at least a portion of the upper shelf. This channel allows a
tool such as a pencil or pen, for example, to be inserted therein
in order to lift the upper shelf thus allowing access to the light
for repair or replacement. In one embodiment, the lower shelf forms
a platform which provides for a smaller area shelf than that of the
upper shelf.
[0044] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided
merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be
construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present
invention has been described with reference to an exemplary
embodiment, it is understood that the words, which have been used
herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than
words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the
appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its
aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the
present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars
disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all
functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *