U.S. patent application number 11/503940 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for shelf light bracket connector system.
Invention is credited to Allen J. Bernardini, Eric A. Griswold.
Application Number | 20080043456 11/503940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39101185 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080043456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bernardini; Allen J. ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Shelf light bracket connector system
Abstract
A shelf arrangement has an electrical connector which is
disposed with one of a plurality of mechanical connection elements
of a shelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured
to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket;
and a contact strip which is disposed with the vertical support
bracket and which has electrical connection features that are
engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical
connection therebetween when the mechanical connection elements are
inserted into the openings.
Inventors: |
Bernardini; Allen J.;
(Morris, CT) ; Griswold; Eric A.; (Chino Hills,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN HAM & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
39101185 |
Appl. No.: |
11/503940 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/94 ; 362/125;
362/249.01; 362/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2220/0077 20130101;
F25D 25/02 20130101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; A47B 57/42 20130101;
A47B 97/00 20130101; F21V 33/0012 20130101; F25D 27/00 20130101;
H01R 25/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/94 ; 362/92;
362/125; 362/249 |
International
Class: |
F25D 27/00 20060101
F25D027/00 |
Claims
1. A shelf arrangement comprising: an electrical connector which is
disposed with one of a plurality of mechanical connection elements
of a shelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured
to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket;
and a contact strip which is disposed with the vertical support
bracket and which has electrical connection features that are
engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical
connection therebetween when the mechanical connection elements are
inserted into the openings.
2. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
electrical connector comprises a clip which engages a rear edge
portion of a mechanical connection element of the shelf bracket,
the clip being electrically insulated from the shelf bracket by a
layer of insulating material.
3. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
mechanical connection element of the shelf bracket on which the
electrical connector is disposed, comprises a locking tab which is
configured to be inserted through the openings formed in the
vertical support bracket
4. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein a
lighting arrangement is connected to the electrical connector via a
portion of the clip which extends out at angle with respect to the
rear edge portion of the shelf bracket.
5. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein the layer
of insulating material comprises a strip of insulating material
which is adhered or press fit to the rear edge portion of the shelf
bracket.
6. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
contact strip is elongate and is enclosed in an insulating contact
housing which electrically insulates the contact strip from the
vertical support bracket.
7. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
insulating contact housing is configured to enclose the contact
strip and to provide a passage through which the electrical
connector must pass before contact with the contact strip
occurs.
8. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein the
passage is configured to align with an opening in the vertical
support bracket.
9. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
insulating contact housing is flexible to the degree that the
contact strip can be disposed in position and the insulating
contact housing folded about the contact strip to form a member
which can be disposed in the vertical support bracket.
10. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
insulating contact housing is molded and configured such that the
contact strip snap fits into position upon being pressed into
position.
11. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein the
lighting arrangement comprises a plurality of LED (light emitting
diodes).
12. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein the
shelf arrangement is disposed in a refrigerator and the lighting
arrangement is responsive to the opening of the door and is further
responsive to a circuit which limits the level of illumination by
the lighting arrangement under predetermined conditions.
13. A shelf arrangement comprising: first and second contact strips
respectively disposed with first and second vertical support
brackets which vertical support brackets are each adapted to be
secured in an essentially vertical orientation, the first contact
strip being adapted for connection with a first electrical terminal
and second contact strip being adapted for connection with a second
electrical terminal; and first and second electrical connectors
connected with first and second shelf brackets which respectively
have connection elements configured to engage with connection
features formed in the first and second vertical support brackets,
the first and second electrical connectors being adapted for
electrical connection with a source of light and further configured
to contact the first and second contact strips to establish an
electrical connection with the first and second electrical
terminals, through the first and second contact strips
respectively.
14. A method of connecting shelf illumination comprising: disposing
an electrical connector on a shelf bracket that has connection
elements which are configured to be received in openings formed in
a vertical support bracket; and disposing a contact strip with the
vertical support bracket and arranging the contract strip to have
electrical connection features that are engageable with the
electrical connector to establish an electrical connection
therebetween.
15. The method as set forth in claim 14, further comprising:
enclosing the contact strip in an insulating housing; disposing the
insulating housing and contact strip with the vertical support
bracket; arranging the insulating housing to having entrances which
correspond to openings formed in the vertical support bracket; and
configuring the entrances to receive the electrical connector and
guide it into electrical contact with the contact strip.
16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising
configuring the insulating housing to be foldable so that the
contact strip can be disposed on the insulating housing and the
insulating housing folded over on the contact strip to enclose the
same.
17. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:
connecting a first contact strip to a first terminal of a source of
electrical energy; disposing the first contact strip in a first
insulating housing; disposing the first insulating housing in a
first vertical support bracket; connecting a second contact strip
to a second terminal of a source of electrical energy; disposing
the second contact strip in a second insulating housing; disposing
the second insulating housing in a second vertical support bracket;
connecting a first electrical connector on a first shelf bracket to
a first lead wire associated with a light fixture; connecting a
second electrical connector on a second shelf bracket to a second
lead wire associated with the light fixture; and inserting the
first and second electrical connectors into contact with the first
and second contact strips respectively by inserting mechanical
connection elements on the first and second shelf brackets
respectfully into openings in the first and second vertical support
brackets which openings are adapted to facilitate connection of the
mechanical connection features to the vertical support brackets.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to shelves which are
equipped with lighting fixtures for the purposes of displaying
articles, books and the like. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a connector system which enables electrical
connections to be simply and easily established at the same time as
the shelves are set into place.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0004] Today, shelves incorporating discrete lighting fixtures
either underneath (to illuminate a lower shelf) or on the side of
the compartment, are in wide use. However, with such shelf
arrangements, electrical wiring must be connected between the
lighting fixtures which are incorporated into the shelves and a
power outlet/socket or the like. In the event of shelf removal
and/or shelf location change/rearrangement, the electrical wiring
must be separately disconnected and reconnected. This of course is,
in the case of even a moderate number of shelves, both laborious
and time consuming.
[0005] While there are many different types of shelves in use, one
type of shelving system utilize elongate, vertically extending
rail-like support brackets with slotted holes/openings, which are
located at the rear of the cabinet or shelf, to receive, position
and anchor the bifurcated ends of the shelf brackets which support
the shelves per se. The anchoring is usually accomplished using the
cantilevered weight of the shelf itself which works in conjunction
with a "locking tab" on the end of the shelf brackets. Removal is
accomplished simply by lifting the front of the shelf upward to
disengage the locking tab on the shelf bracket and pulling the
shelf forward.
[0006] Repositioning involves the reversal of this process. The
shelf is tipped down in back and the locking tab is inserted into
one of the slotted holes, then the shelf is lowered into
position.
[0007] This type of arrangement, which is often referred to as a
"cantilever rack", is readily assembled/dissembled, however again
suffers from the drawback that when shelf lighting is required,
such as in the case where goods and products are displayed in a
supermarket for example, the lighting elements and wiring must be
separately and often painstakingly connected to the shelf.
[0008] In addition, the wiring is, in some instances, difficult to
conceal. Further, particularly where the general public is
concerned, it is undesirable for an individual (i.e. a layperson)
who is not qualified to handle electrical wiring, to install the
shelf and to safely make the separate electrical connections which
are necessary for the desired lighting, even in the case of low
voltage lighting such as that which uses LED as a light source.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a lighted shelving system
which incorporates lighting connection elements into the shelf
itself, but which maintains the same utility and ease of operation
as the above-mentioned commercially available non-lighted
shelves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Embodiments of the invention provide a solution to the
above-mentioned problem of separate connections for power to
shelving light strips/fixtures, and are such as to utilize
conventional vertically extending rails/support brackets such as
those which, by way of example, have a channel configuration and
therefore an essentially a U-shaped cross section.
[0011] Embodiments of the invention are also suited for use with
low voltage lighting circuits like those incorporating LED's (light
emitting diodes) as the light source. However, the invention is in
no way limited to this type of illumination and both fluorescent
and incandescent lighting are also possible.
[0012] One embodiment incorporates an insulator which fits into the
rear of the vertical channel support bracket or rail element of the
shelving structure and encloses therein a shaped, electrically
conductive contact strip. This insulator can be molded in a manner
that permits the contact strip to snap into place or, alternatively
foldable so that the contact strip to be placed in position and the
insulator folded about the strip to enclose the same and thus
facilitate production of the arrangement.
[0013] In given embodiments, the contact strip is designed and
fabricated such that pairs of opposing spring tabs appear at each
slotted window opening in the vertical support brackets and thus
function as the female connection features of an electrical
connection.
[0014] In one embodiment of the contact strip there are openings
which are configured to allow for mounting/fastening screws to pass
therethrough. The openings are configured to avoid the screws, or
the like type of fastening devices, coming into electrical contact
with any portion of the conductive sections of the strip in a
manner which might invite an electrical short circuit.
[0015] At least one embodiment of the invention also incorporates a
unique folded electrically conductive clip-like male contact which
installs on a rear edge of a locking tab provided on the shelf
bracket. This folded contact can be made of any electrically
conductive material, but is usually made of metal (e.g. a copper
alloy) due to its ease of fabrication and use. Disposed between the
shelf bracket locking tab and the clip (as it will be referred for
the ease of disclosure) is a layer of electrically insulating
material. In one embodiment, this insulator can be an adhesive tape
or a material having a similar high dielectric value.
[0016] The clip on the locking tab of the shelf bracket has
provision for connection to a lead wire, which in some embodiments
is incorporated in the shelf itself by various means such as
molding, a sealed channel, etc. This lead wire is used to provide
an electrical connection with a light fixture which is mounted on,
or is an integral part of the shelf.
[0017] In as much as the contact strips are disposed within
structural elements which comprise the shelving, the use of this
type of connection, obviates/eliminates accidental contact with the
wiring
[0018] In at least one embodiment of the invention, in order to
complete the electrical circuit which is necessary to energize the
light in the light fixture, pairs of vertical support brackets each
incorporate a contact strip and their respective insulators. One
contact strip is connected to the positive terminal of the power
supply and the other is connected to the negative terminal. The
folded metal contacts establish electrical connection with the
strips. The lead wires which are connected to the folded metal
contacts complete the electrical circuit of the light with the two
strips.
[0019] In other words, the vertical support brackets or rails are
positioned parallel to one another and are selectively spaced in
accordance with their intended use and to permit the shelf brackets
to be readily engaged therewith. One of the vertical support
bracket connector strips (of a pair) is wired to a positive
voltage. The other is wired to a negative voltage (or ground) to
provide a return path for the electrical circuit. This negative
connection is normally isolated from the chassis ground. However,
the chassis ground can, of course, be used if so desired.
[0020] Installing the wired shelf in exactly the same manner as an
unwired shelf will result in the shelf bracket clips engaging with
the contact strips but only once inside the vertical support
brackets, thus completing the electrical circuit necessary to
enable the shelf lights to be illuminated.
[0021] Removal of the wired shelf, in exactly the same fashion as
the unwired shelf, will cause the circuit to break and
repositioning the shelf will cause the circuit to reactivate. The
shelf lights may or may not have a separate off/on switch.
[0022] As the vertical support brackets are such that the contact
strips are recessed, it is not possible for anyone to accidentally
come into contact with the applied voltage. In addition, as these
vertical support brackets are installed usually 18 inches or more
apart, the possibility of anyone inadvertently bridging them with
anything other than the shelves as intended, is extremely low.
[0023] The contact clips on the ends of the shelf brackets are
exposed when the shelf is removed, but they are not "live" until in
contact with the contact strips within the vertical support
brackets. In addition, their placement and the incorporation of the
wire into the shelf itself further attenuates the possibility of
anyone accidentally touching any "live" surface.
[0024] When the shelves are installed, the contact clips on the
shelf brackets engage the contact strips within the vertical
support brackets but only after they have entered the folded
insulator and are no longer accessible to touch.
[0025] More specifically, a first aspect of the invention resides
in a shelf arrangement comprising: an electrical connector which is
positioned on one or a plurality of mechanical connection elements
of a shelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured
to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket;
and a contact strip which is disposed with the vertical support
bracket and which has electrical connection features that are
engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical
connection therebetween when the mechanical connection elements are
inserted into the openings.
[0026] In the above type of arrangement the electrical connector
can comprise a clip which engages a rear edge portion of a
mechanical connection element of the shelf bracket. The clip in
this case can be electrically insulated from the shelf bracket by a
layer of insulating material. This layer of insulating material
can, in given embodiments, comprise a strip of insulating material
which is adhered to the rear edge portion of the shelf bracket.
[0027] A lighting arrangement can be connected to the electrical
connector via the provision of a portion of the clip which extends
out either parallel to or at angle with respect to the rear edge
portion of the shelf bracket.
[0028] In an embodiment of the invention the contact strip is
elongate and enclosed in an insulating contact housing which
electrically insulates the contact strip from the vertical support
bracket. This insulating contact housing can be configured to
enclose the contact strip and to provide a passage through which
the electrical connector must pass before contact with the contact
strip occurs. Of course the passage is configured to align with an
opening in the vertical support bracket.
[0029] In an embodiment of the insulating contact housing, the
housing is flexible to the degree that the contact strip can be
disposed in position on the housing while unfolded and the
insulating contact housing then folded about the contact strip to
form a member which can be disposed in the vertical support
bracket.
[0030] A second aspect of the invention resided in a shelf
arrangement comprising: first and second contact strips
respectively disposed with first and second vertical support
brackets which vertical support brackets are each adapted to be
secured in an essentially vertical orientation, the first contact
strip being adapted for connection with a first electrical terminal
and second contact strip being adapted for connection with a second
electrical terminal; and first and second electrical connectors
connected with first and second shelf brackets which respectively
have connection elements configured to engage with connection
features formed in the first and second vertical support brackets,
the first and second electrical connectors being adapted for
electrical connection with a source of light and further configured
to contact the first and second contact strips to establish an
electrical connection with the first and second electrical
terminals, through the first and second contact strips
respectively.
[0031] A third aspect of the invention resides in a method of
connecting shelf illumination comprising: disposing an electrical
connector on a shelf bracket that has mechanical connection
elements which are configured to be received in openings formed in
a vertical support bracket; and disposing a contact strip with the
vertical support bracket and arranging the contract strip to have
electrical connection features that are engageable with the
electrical connector to establish an electrical connection
therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The various aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the
invention will become more clearly appreciated as a detailed
description thereof is given with reference to the appended
drawings wherein:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a side view of a shelf bracket which is provided
with an electrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a top plan of the shelf element depicted in FIG.
1, illustrating the manner in which a portion of the electrical
connector can be angled to facilitate its connection with lighting
which is incorporated into the shelf bracket;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a side view of the portion of FIG. 1 which is
enclosed in circle A;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view which depicts a
contact strip which cooperates with the electrical connectors that
are provided on the shelf brackets in the manner depicted in FIGS.
1-3, and which further depicts the manner in which it cooperates
with an electrically insulative contact housing that can be folded
thereabout;
[0037] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view depicting the manner
in which the contact housing (containing the contact strip
illustrated in FIG. 4) is arranged/assembled with a vertical
support bracket of the shelf;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view depicting the manner
in which an insulating strip is adhered to the self element in a
manner which insulates the connector, which in this embodiment
takes the form of a contact clip, from the shelf bracket
proper;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view depicting a shelf bracket
disposed in a position suitable for interconnection with a vertical
support bracket;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a shelf bracket
engaged in a vertical support bracket in a manner wherein
electrical connection between the connector on the shelf bracket
and the connector strip incorporated into the vertical support
bracket, is established;
[0041] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the section of
FIG. 8 which is enclosed in circle B, and which illustrates the
manner in which the lighting elements on the shelf bracket are
connected to the connector clip by way of a plug which is provided
at the end of the lead line;
[0042] FIG. 10A is a top plan view as seen down the open end of the
vertically extending support bracket in FIG. 9;
[0043] FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along section line
10B-10B of FIG. 9;
[0044] FIG. 11 is a side view depicting the manner in which the
shelf bracket engages in the vertical support bracket and
simultaneously produces the electrical connection with facilitates
the illumination of the lower shelves;
[0045] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting the manner in which
pairs of connector strips are arranged to form part of an
electrical circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0046] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment
wherein a refrigerator is provided with illuminated shelving such
as typified by the embodiments illustrated in the preceding figures
and which has an illumination level control which allows for
dimming of the illumination under predetermined conditions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0047] A shelf bracket 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which
is provided with a male electrical connection feature in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. In this particular
embodiment, this electrical connection feature takes the form of a
clip 200, which is fitted onto a rear edge of the shelf bracket. To
insulate the clip 200 from the electrically conductive material of
the shelf bracket 100, a layer of electrically insulative tape 202
(see FIG. 3) is provided between the clip 200 and the shelf bracket
100. To facilitate production/assembly, this tape 202 can be
adhesive either one or both sides and is arranged in the manner
best appreciated from FIG. 6.
[0048] It should be noted that the embodiments of the invention are
not limited to the use of clips of the nature illustrated and that
other forms of electrical contact can be used without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention.
[0049] To appropriately locate the clip 200 and the tape 202 on the
rear edge of the shelf bracket 100 and/or assist in maintaining the
clip 200 in its intended position, the rear edge of the shelf
bracket 100 can be notched/indented such as indicated at 101. The
clip 200, in the illustrated embodiment, has an angled free end
portion 201 which is configured to extend away from the side of the
shelf bracket 100 in the manner depicted in FIG. 1. This angled
portion 201 facilitates the connection with a plug 220P provided at
the end of a lead wire 220 in the manner best seen in FIG. 9.
[0050] It should be noted, however, that it is also possible to
arrange the free end portion 201 of the clip 200 so as to be
parallel to the shelf bracket as different from being angled in the
illustrated manner, or be constructed so that the lead wire 220 is
connected directly to the clip such as by soldering or the like and
thus obviate the need for the plug 220P.
[0051] The lead wire 220 leads to a lighting fixture, schematically
illustrated in FIG. 12 at 410, which can be supported on or
incorporated into a shelf member (not shown) and/or the shelf
brackets which support the shelf. This lead wire establishes part
of an electrical circuit which is necessary for the illumination of
the shelf which is located below, as will become apparent from a
discussion of FIG. 12 herein later.
[0052] A contact strip 250 is, in this embodiment, provided with a
plurality of female electrical connection features 252. These
connection features 252 are each configured to cooperate with a
contact clip 200 and are spaced so as to permit the shelf brackets
100 to be located in any of a plurality of selected shelf-locating
positions provided for in each of the vertical extending support
brackets 150.
[0053] In this embodiment, each contact strip 250 is arranged to
extend along a space within the interior of a vertically extending
support bracket or rail 150. In this instance, the vertically
extending support brackets 150 each take the form of channel
members which each have an essentially U-shaped cross-section. This
configuration facilitates the ready disposition of the contact
strips in position in the support brackets.
[0054] To insulate the contact strips 250 from the respective
support brackets 150, each strip 250 is enclosed in an electrically
insulating housing 251. The contact strip 250, as best seen in FIG.
4, has a castled type of configuration wherein pairs of clip-like
electrical connection features 252 are provided at predetermined
intervals along its length. Each strip 250 is arranged to be
connected with a source of electrical power. This connection can be
at one end or at a location between its ends. The manner in which
the strips 250 are connected with the source of electrical power
will be described in more detail herein later with reference to
FIG. 12.
[0055] As depicted in FIG. 4, the contact strip 250 can be formed
with openings 250A to facilitate the passage of fastening elements
such as screws. These openings 250A are configured to prevent any
short-circuiting and can, in certain embodiments, be formed in a
non-conductive portion of the contact strip 250 or isolated from
the screws or the like via the use of insulating grommets or the
like. As an alternative, a strip of dual sided adhesive tape (not
shown) can be placed along the rear of the contact strip and used
to hold it in place in the insulating housing 251.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating housing 251
takes the form of a foldable member which, as illustrated in FIGS.
4 and 5, is configured to receive the contact strip and to fold
about the strip 250 in a manner which, as best seen in FIGS. 10A
and 10B, is such as to entirely enclose it in a manner that the
springy clip-like female connection features 252, which resiliently
engage the sides of a male connection clip 200, are totally
encased. This prevents connection features 252 from accidentally
coming into contact with anything but the contact clip 200 which is
inserted through one of the tunnel-like ports/entrances 253 that
are defined by the folded housing. As will be appreciated each of
the ports/entrances 253 is appropriately exposed via the openings
(connection features) 150P provided in the vertically extending
support bracket or rails for the purposes of receiving and
supportingly engaging with the shelf brackets 100.
[0057] In as much as the configuration and interaction of the
mechanical connection features/elements 102, 103, 104 and 150P
which enable the illustrated shelf bracket(s) to be
connected/disconnected from the vertically extending support
bracket(s), are known per se, a detailed explanation of the same
will be omitted for the sake of brevity. Suffice it to say, that
mechanical connection features 102, 103 and 104 are arranged to
cooperate with openings 150P in the manner that will be best
appreciated from FIG. 11.
[0058] FIG. 12 depicts, in schematic form, a circuit arrangement
via which the shelf lighting can be operatively connected with a
source of electrical power 400. This source 400 can be either AC or
DC or rectified AC. For example, the lighting fixture 410, while
not being specifically limited thereto, can take the form of LED
lighting or the like. Of course fluorescent and/or incandescent
lighting can alternatively be used. The manner in which the
lighting fixture 410 is connected to the shelves per se, which are
supported by the shelf brackets, is not shown. However, an example
of such type of lighting/fixtures can be found in U.S. Pat. No.
6,179,434 issued in the name of Saraiji on Jan. 30, 2001. The
content of this patent is hereby incorporated by reference thereto.
A further example of a lighting fixture can be found in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,771,021 issued in the name of Cok on Aug. 3, 2004. The
content of this reference is also incorporated by reference
thereto.
[0059] In the circuit arrangement depicted in FIG. 12 it is
possible, in the manner schematically indicated, to include
switches such as switch 412 to control the lights individually, or
a switch 414 which cuts off power to the whole circuit or both. As
will be appreciated, either of these switches can be arranged to be
responsive to the closure of a door such a refrigerator door, timer
or the like, as deemed necessary in accordance with the disposition
and use of the shelves.
Advantages of the Above Disclosed Embodiments
[0060] The embodiments of the invention as described above are such
as to provide: [0061] 1) A simple means of installing/removing
shelves to/from brackets installed in appliances; display shelving;
bookcases and the like. [0062] 2) A safe connection/disconnection
system for shelving which needs to be illuminated. [0063] 3) An
efficient method of manufacturing a lighting connect/disconnect
system adapts existing hardware and/or existing hardware designs
with minor modification. [0064] 4) A method for installing/removing
lighted shelving which is essentially the same as a conventional
non-lighted shelf. [0065] 5) A shelf lighting connect/disconnect
system which can be used with nearly any voltage depending on the
physical size necessary to accommodate the voltage and current
requirements. [0066] 6) A shelf lighting connect/disconnect system
wherein the electrical contacts are such as to be "buried" when the
shelves are in place and therefore not accessible to accidental
human contact. [0067] 7) An easily implemented connection system
for low voltage, low current LED lighting sources. [0068] 8) An
easy connection system for shelving which allows the lighting
fixture to be an integral part of the shelf and not an add-on
accessory.
[0069] A further embodiment of the invention resides in
refrigerator 500 wherein the shelf/connection arrangement which has
been described above, is used to provide illuminated shelving
therein. In this arrangement a door 501 of the refrigerator is
operatively connected with the switch 4121 and arranged so that
when the door is closed the switch 4121 is opened and the light 410
is de-energized.
[0070] This embodiment further includes a timer/rheostat control
circuit 502. In accordance with this embodiment, the timer/rheostat
control circuit 502 is arranged to be programmable/set so that
during night hours, such as from midnight to 4.00 am for example,
the amount of current which is supplied to the light fixture 410 is
reduced or other wise modified so that the level of illumuniation
which occurs when the refrigerator door 501 is opened, is reduced
as compared with the normal level of illumuniation which is used
during daylight hours or when the room in which the refrigerator is
disposed, is expected to be fully/brightly illuminated.
[0071] This illumination level control is such that should someone
arise in the middle of the night and go to the refrigerator for a
cold beverage or the like, the level of illumination which occurs
when the door is opened will not produce momentary eye discomfort
to the person looking into the interior of refrigerator and the
items which are disposed on the illuminated shelves.
[0072] Although only a limited number of embodiments of the present
invention have been described above, the various modifications and
variations which can be implemented, will be, given the preceding
disclosure, self evident to the person skilled in the art to which
the present invention pertains or most closely pertains.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is limited only by
the appended claims.
* * * * *