U.S. patent application number 11/656737 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for shelf bracket and shelving system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Display Technologies. Invention is credited to Raymond M. Schneider.
Application Number | 20070176065 11/656737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38321114 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070176065 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider; Raymond M. |
August 2, 2007 |
Shelf bracket and shelving system
Abstract
A shelf bracket system including a body portion, a first
protrusion, a second protrusion and at least one shim is disclosed.
The body portion includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a
top surface disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis.
The first protrusion extends from the rear surface of the body and
at least a portion of the first protrusion is insertable into a
slot in a support. The second protrusion extends from the rear
surface of the body. The shim is positionable in mechanical
cooperation with at least one of the first and second protrusions
to adjust the angle of the top surface.
Inventors: |
Schneider; Raymond M.; (Port
Washington, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARTER, DELUCA, FARRELL & SCHMIDT, LLP
445 BROAD HOLLOW ROAD, SUITE 225
MELVILLE
NY
11747
US
|
Assignee: |
Display Technologies
|
Family ID: |
38321114 |
Appl. No.: |
11/656737 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60762965 |
Jan 27, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/34 20130101;
A47F 5/101 20130101; A47F 5/0081 20130101; A47B 57/045 20130101;
A47F 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/235 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/02 20060101
A47G029/02 |
Claims
1. A shelf bracket system, comprising: a body including a front
surface, a rear surface, and a top surface disposed at an angle
.THETA. with respect to a horizontal axis; a first protrusion
extending from the rear surface of the body, at least a portion of
the first protrusion being insertable into a slot in a support; a
second protrusion extending from the rear surface of the body; and
at least one shim positionable in mechanical cooperation with at
least one of the first and second protrusions; whereby positioning
the shim adjusts the angle .THETA. of the top surface.
2. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the first
protrusion includes a downward-depending tab which is configured to
engage a portion of the support.
3. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the first
protrusion includes an upward-depending tab, a portion of which is
configured to contact a slot divider on the support in response to
upward movement of the shelf bracket.
4. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the second
protrusion includes a downward-depending tab configured to engage a
portion of the support.
5. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the positioning of
one shim is configured to adjust the angle .THETA. from between
about 0.5.degree. to about 10.degree..
6. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein at least one shim
is positionable on the second protrusion.
7. The shelf bracket system of claim 3, wherein at least one shim
is positionable on the second protrusion.
8. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, further including at least
one aperture disposed on the front surface configured to releasably
engage at least one lug of a shelf.
9. The shelf bracket system of claim 8, further including a wall
disposed adjacent the aperture, the wall extending distally beyond
the front surface.
10. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the positioning of
a predetermined number of shims adjusts the angle .THETA. of the
top surface such that the top surface is substantially aligned with
the horizontal axis.
11. A shelving system, comprising: at least one support including a
plurality of slots therein; at least one shelf bracket insertable
into the support, the shelf bracket including: a body including a
front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface disposed at an
angle .THETA. with respect to a horizontal axis; a first protrusion
extending from the rear surface of the body, at least a portion of
the first protrusion being insertable into a slot in the support;
and a second protrusion extending from the rear surface of the
body; at least one shim positionable in mechanical cooperation with
at least one of the first and second protrusions to adjust the
angle .THETA.; and a shelf positionable on the shelf bracket.
12. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the first protrusion
includes a downward-depending tab which is configured to engage a
portion of the support.
13. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the first protrusion
includes an upward-depending tab, a portion of which is configured
to contact a slot divider on the support in response to upward
movement of the shelf bracket.
14. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the second protrusion
includes a downward-depending tab configured to engage a portion of
the support.
15. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the positioning of one
shim is configured to adjust the angle .THETA. from between about
0.5.degree. to about 10.degree..
16. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein at least one shim is
positionable on the second protrusion.
17. The shelving system of claim 13, wherein at least one shim is
positionable on the second protrusion.
18. The shelving system of claim 11, further including at least one
aperture disposed on the front surface of the bracket and at least
one lug disposed adjacent a rear surface of the shelf, the aperture
being dimensioned and configured to releasably engage the lug.
19. The shelving system of claim 18, further including a wall
disposed adjacent the aperture, the wall extending distally beyond
the front surface of the bracket.
20. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the positioning of a
predetermined number of shims adjusts angle .THETA. of the top
surface such that the top surface is substantially aligned with the
horizontal axis.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit and priority of
provisional application Ser. No. 60/762,965 filed on Jan. 27, 2006
and titled FULL AND HALF BRACKET, by Raymond M. Schneider. The
entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated in its
entirety herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a shelf bracket and a
shelving system, and more particularly, to a shelf bracket that
enables an angle of a shelf thereon to be adjusted to assist in
gravity feed of merchandise.
[0003] A conventional assembly for supporting a display shelf on a
vertical support includes at least one elongate support (typically
at least a pair of such supports) and at least one
transversely-extending display shelf. Each elongate support
includes an upright front surface and a plurality of
longitudinally-spaced engaging means (or slots) facing forwardly in
the front surface. Each shelf defines a generally upright back
surface and at least one plurality of longitudinally-spaced
engaging means (e.g., protrusions) facing rearwardly from the shelf
back surface. The protrusions are configured and dimensioned for
cooperation and interconnection with the slots of the elongate
support for releasable maintenance of the shelf in a plane
transverse to the plane of the support.
[0004] Alternate assemblies include the elongate support, at least
one bracket and a shelf. In such assemblies, the bracket typically
includes protrusions extending from a rear surface thereon. These
protrusions of the bracket are configured and dimensioned for
cooperation and interconnection with the slots of the elongate
support. Additionally, the shelf and bracket are often configured
to be connectable with one another.
[0005] These types of assemblies are well-known in the art, the
supports and shelves are typically kept in reserve by a store,
ready for use in maintaining the shelves transverse (perpendicular)
to the supports. On the other hand, where the articles to be sold
from a display tray are to be gravity fed along a track as a result
of the angular disposition of the top surface of the shelf upon
which the display shelf rests, the store typically stores at least
one additional transversely-extending display shelf having a
protrusion configured and dimensioned for cooperation and
interconnection with the support slot for releasable maintenance of
the shelf in a non-transverse plane to the plane of the
support.
[0006] Thus, if a retailer is to display both non-gravity fed and
gravity-fed products, he must store a rather large quantity of
shelves, some of the shelves being suitable for the non-gravity-fed
products and the other ones for the gravity-fed products. The
storage of this large quantity of shelves may not be possible due
to space considerations and, in any case, increases the necessary
financial investment in the shelves. Further, it may be desirable
to display one product at a different degree of inclination than
another product.
[0007] Thus, it would be desirable to provide a support assembly
which utilizes a shelf bracket and a shelf, the shelf being
releasably maintained by the shelf bracket in a plurality of angled
orientations (for gravity-fed displays) or in a horizontal
orientation (for non-gravity-fed displays).
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure relates to a shelf bracket system
including a body portion, a first protrusion, a second protrusion
and at least one shim. The body portion includes a front surface, a
rear surface, and a top surface disposed at an angle with respect
to a horizontal axis. The first protrusion extends from the rear
surface of the body and at least a portion of the first protrusion
is insertable into a slot in a support. The second protrusion
extends from the rear surface of the body. The shim is positionable
in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the first and second
protrusions to adjust the angle of the top surface.
[0009] The present disclosure also relates to a shelving system
including at least one support, at least one shelf bracket, at
least one shim and a shelf. The support includes a plurality of
slots therein. The shelf bracket is insertable into the support and
includes a body portion with two protrusions extending therefrom
and a top surface disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal
axis. The shim is positionable in mechanical cooperation with at
least one of the first and second protrusions to adjust the angle
of the top surface. The shelf is positionable on at least one shelf
bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a shelf bracket in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the shelf bracket
of FIG. 1 mounted on a support in accordance with an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of
portions of the shelf bracket and support of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the shelf bracket, support
and shims in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a shim in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the shim of FIG. 5
inserted on a protrusion of the bracket in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a plurality of the shims of
FIGS. 5 and 6 inserted on a protrusion of the bracket;
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a half bracket in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the half bracket of FIG.
8; and
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of shelves mounted to
a bracket and the bracket mounted to a support in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Embodiments of the presently disclosed shelf bracket and
shelving system are now described in detail with reference to the
drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or
corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein
the term "distal" refers to that portion of the shelving system, or
component thereof, farther from a wall, while the term "proximal"
refers to that portion of the shelving system, or component
thereof, closer to the wall.
[0021] Various embodiments of a shelf bracket are illustrated in
FIGS. 1-10 and are generally referenced by numeral 100. Shelf
bracket 100 includes a body 110, a first protrusion 120, and a
second protrusion 130. At least one shim 150 (FIGS. 4-7) is
positionable in mechanical cooperation with the first and/or second
protrusion 120, 130.
[0022] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, body 110 of shelf bracket
100 includes a front surface 112, a rear surface 114 and a top
surface 116. First and second protrusions 120, 130 extend
proximally from rear surface 114. Top surface 116 is disposed at an
angle .THETA. with respect to horizontal axis A-A. Shims 150 are
positionable in mechanical cooperation with a protrusions 120
and/or 130 to adjust the angle .THETA., as discussed below with
reference to FIGS. 4-7.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a support 200 is shown for
supporting shelf bracket 100. Support 200 is mountable to a wall
(for example) and includes a plurality of slots 210 therein, which
facilitate the insertion and positioning of shelf bracket 100
thereon. At least a portion of at least one protrusion 120, 130 is
insertable into slot 210. Both protrusions 120 and 130 are shown
inserted into a corresponding slot 210 of support 200 in FIG. 2
(protrusions 120 and 130 are within support 200 and thus hidden
from view in FIG. 2). FIG. 3 illustrates first protrusion 120
inserted within slot 210 of support 200.
[0024] With continued reference to FIG. 3, first protrusion 120 is
shown including a downward-depending tab 122 and an
upward-depending tab 124, in accordance with a disclosed
embodiment. It is contemplated that downward-depending tab 122
helps maintain shelf bracket 100 mounted to support 200. When shelf
bracket 100 is mounted to support 200, as shown in FIG. 3, it is
envisioned that a distal portion 126 of upward-depending tab 124 is
below a slot divider 212 of support 200, such that distal portion
126 of upward-depending tab 124 would limit upward motion of shelf
bracket 100 with respect to support 200. Generally, upward movement
of shelf bracket 100 with respect to support 200 may place shelf
bracket 100 in an unacceptable load-bearing position. Thus, distal
portion 126 of upward-depending tab 124 helps maintain shelf
bracket 100 in an acceptable load-bearing position.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 4-7, shims 150 are positionable in
mechanical cooperation with at least one protrusion 120 and 130 to
adjust the angle .THETA.. In the illustrated embodiment, a
downward-depending tab 132 of second protrusion 130 is proximally
spaced a distance from body 110 of shelf bracket 100, thus allowing
a lower portion of shelf bracket 100 to be pivoted away from
support 200 and allowing second protrusion 130 to accept a
plurality of shims 150, for example. As can be appreciated, the
addition of each shim 150 adjusts the angle .THETA. with respect to
horizontal axis A-A. (It is envisioned that horizontal axis A-A is
substantially perpendicular to support 200.) FIG. 7 illustrate four
shims 150a, 150b, 150c and 150d in place on second protrusion
130.
[0026] In a contemplated embodiment, the addition of each shim 150
adjusts (e.g., decreases) the angle .THETA. between about
0.5.degree. and about 10.degree.. It is also contemplated that the
addition of a pre-determined number of shims 150 adjusts body 110
such that top surface 116 is substantially to horizontal axis A-A.
Further, shims 150 of different thicknesses may be provided to
provide more or less of an adjustment.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 5-7, an embodiment of shim 150 is
disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure. Shim 150 is shown having an elongated portion 152 and
an E-shaped portion 154. Elongated portion 152 may be used to
facilitate gripping and placement of shim 150 onto second
protrusion 130. E-shaped portion 154 is dimensioned to fit on
second protrusion 130. With specific reference to FIG. 6, two outer
legs 156 and 158 of E-shaped portion 154 may fit on either side of
second protrusion 130, while a middle leg 160 may fit between two
portions of second protrusion 130, in accordance with a disclosed
embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, shims 150 are configured to
fit between rear surface 114 of body and support 200.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 10, a shelving system 500 is shown which
includes at least one shelf bracket 100, at least one support 200
and at least one shelf 300 (e.g., a commonly-used grocery gondola
shelf). A plurality of apertures 160 are disposed on front surface
112 of shelf bracket 100. Each aperture 160 may be configured to
accept a lug 302 disposed adjacent a rear surface 304 of shelf 300,
thus enabling shelf 300 to be mounted on shelf bracket 100.
[0029] With continued reference to FIG. 10, when shelf 300 is
mounted on shelf bracket 100 and when shelf bracket 100 is mounted
on support 200, the placement of shims 150 adjusts the angle
.THETA. of top surface 130 of shelf bracket 100 and correspondingly
adjusts the angle (e.g., substantially equal to .THETA.) of a top
surface 310 of shelf 300 with respect to horizontal axis A-A. Thus,
shelf 300 is able to be positioned at a plurality of angled
positions (including substantially parallel to horizontal axis
A-A). It may be useful to alter the angle of shelf 300, for
instance, based on the product being displayed (e.g., gravity-fed
vs. non-gravity-fed items), the height of shelf 300 (e.g., a
relatively large angle .THETA. may be desired for shelves 300 above
eye-level to facilitate a user being able to clearly view product),
etc.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 8-10, a half bracket 100b is shown.
A half bracket 100b may be used when it is desirable to position an
angled shelf 300a next to a horizontal shelf 300b, for example (see
FIG. 10), or an end panel (not explicitly shown). In these
circumstances, a single half bracket 100b may be positioned into
slots 210 of support 200.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure and shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9, half bracket 100b includes a plurality of walls 170
disposed adjacent apertures 160. Each wall 170 may extend distally
beyond front surface 112 of half shelf bracket 100b. Wall 170 is
configured to prevent (or reduce the occurrences of) a shelf 300
sliding off a side of half shelf bracket 100b. It is envisioned
that walls 170 of half shelf bracket 100b may be disposed on the
right side or the left side of apertures 160 for use as a bracket
adjacent the right end or the left end of a shelf 300, thus
effectively creating a right half shelf bracket and a left half
shelf bracket.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 10, angled shelf 300a is positioned
adjacent horizontal shelf 300b and are both mounted on half shelf
bracket 100b. In an embodiment, angled shelf 300a may be positioned
on apertures 160 (e.g., without adjacent walls 170) towards top
surface 116 of half shelf bracket 100b and horizontal shelf 300b
may be positioned on apertures (e.g., with adjacent walls 170) away
from top surface 116 of half shelf bracket 100b.
[0033] It will be understood that various modifications may be made
to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, it is
contemplated that shelf bracket 100 includes only first protrusion
120 (and does not include second protrusion 130). In such an
embodiment, first protrusion 120 may include an elongated portion
for supporting shims 150. Further gravity would keep a bottom
portion of shelf bracket 100 against support 200. Additionally,
while shelf 300 is shown mounted to shelf bracket 100, it is
envisioned that shelf 300 may rest on top surface 116 of shelf
bracket 110. Here, shelf bracket 100 may include an extension for
supporting shelf 300. Further, while shim 150 is shown resembling a
particular shape, other regular and non-regular shapes are
contemplated. It is further envisioned that half shelf bracket 100b
includes two sides and that each side (and its corresponding top
surface 116) is independently adjustable. Therefore, the above
description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as
exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art
will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of
the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *