U.S. patent application number 12/136921 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for shelf with integrated lighting and support outlet feature.
Invention is credited to John Bourbeau.
Application Number | 20090308286 12/136921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41413577 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090308286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bourbeau; John |
December 17, 2009 |
Shelf with Integrated Lighting and Support Outlet Feature
Abstract
A shelf system incorporating embedded lighting and a nearly
unobservable conductive wiring system, substantially creating an
illusion that the shelf itself simply emanates light. Furthermore,
the use of decorative members, such as bottles either providing
actually support or provide the illusion of actually supporting
shelf members resting upon them. Moreover, the invention allows for
compatibility with various forms of standard shelving already in
existence by allowing for the modification of these shelves to
support the actual shelf members.
Inventors: |
Bourbeau; John; (Boylston,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAMBERT & ASSOCIATES, P.L.L.C.
92 STATE STREET
BOSTON
MA
02109-2004
US
|
Family ID: |
41413577 |
Appl. No.: |
12/136921 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20130101;
F21W 2131/301 20130101; F21V 33/002 20130101; F21Y 2115/10
20160801; F21S 4/20 20160101; F21V 33/0012 20130101; F21S 8/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/23 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00 |
Claims
1. A support assembly comprising at least one support member
assembly comprising an embedded lighting system.
2. The support assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one
substantially unobtrusive support assembly, wherein said
unobtrusive support assembly provides vertical support for at least
one member of said at least one support member assembly positioned
above a support member.
3. The support assembly of claim 2, wherein every member of said at
least one substantially unobtrusive support assembly further
comprises a plurality of light emitting members, wherein each
member of said plurality of light emitting members are embedded
within a member of said at least one support member assembly and,
wherein said light members emit light away from the surface of said
member of said at least one support member assembly.
4. The support assembly of claim 3 further comprising at least one
decorative form member, wherein a bottom end of said decorative
form member rests upon said support member and, wherein a top end
of said decorative form member passes through a cavity of a member
of said at least one support member assembly.
5. The support assembly of claim 3 further comprising a power
supplying member attached to a light member power supplying system,
wherein said light member power supplying system supplies power to
said embedded lighting system, wherein said embedded lighting
system further comprises said plurality of light emitting
members.
6. The support assembly of claim 4 further comprising a power
supplying member that attaches to a light member power supplying
system, wherein said light member power supplying system supplies
power to said embedded lighting system, and wherein said embedded
lighting system further comprises said plurality of light emitting
members.
7. The support assembly of claim 6, wherein said embedded lighting
system comprises a means for directional adjustment of light
emissions.
8. A shelf assembly comprising at least one support shelf assembly
comprising a substantially hidden directionally-adjustable embedded
lighting assembly.
9. The shelf assembly of claim 8, wherein said shelf assembly
further comprises at least one side wall support assembly member
comprising a substantially hidden power supplying system.
10. The shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein said at least one side
wall support assembly members further comprise a plurality of
substantially parallel sets of support shelf assembly placement
cavity members.
11. The shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein each individual member
of said at least one shelf support assembly further comprises a
power supplying system comprising a plurality of cylindrical
conductive members passing through the surface of said shelf
support assembly and a plurality of power conductive members
disposed to connect members of said plurality of cylindrical
conductive members to a directionally adjustable light member
assembly.
12. The shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein every member of said at
least one shelf support assembly further comprises a power
supplying system comprising: a plurality of cylindrical conductive
members passing through the surface of said shelf support assembly;
at least one electronics housing chamber; and a plurality of power
conductive members disposed to connect members of said plurality of
cylindrical conductive members to at least one electronic component
located within all members of said at least one electronics housing
chamber.
13. The shelf assembly of claim 12, wherein every member of said at
least one shelf support assembly further comprises at least one
removably attached conductive shelf support member, wherein a first
end of said conductive shelf support member rests within a member
of said set of support shelf assembly placement cavity members and,
wherein on a second end rests a member of said at least one shelf
support assembly so as to allow for conductive current to pass
through said removably attached conductive shelf support member and
to pass into said shelf support assembly.
14. The shelf assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one member of
said at least one electronic component comprises a means for
alternating a lighting scheme.
15. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein each member of said at
least one side wall support assembly members further comprises an
internal conductive layer member through which power passes through
and to at least one member of said at least one removably attached
conductive shelf support member.
16. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein each member of said at
least one side wall support assembly members further comprises an
conductive layer member, substantially disposed to face an inner
side of said shelf assembly, through which power passes through to
at least one member of said at least one removably attached
conductive shelf support member.
17. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein each member of said at
least one side wall support assembly members further comprises an
conductive layer member, substantially disposed to face an outer
side of said shelf assembly, through which power passes through and
to at least one member of said at least one removably attached
conductive shelf support member.
18. A method of assembling a shelf assembly comprising the step of
placing a member of a set comprising at least one shelf support
assembly member such that said member removably connects to at
least one member of a set comprising at least one vertical support
member, wherein said set comprising at least one shelf support
assembly member further comprises at least one substantially hidden
and embedded light emitting member and at least one vertical
support member comprising a substantially hidden power conductive
system.
19. The method of assembling a shelf assembly of claim 18, wherein
each member of said set comprising at least one shelf support
assembly member further comprises a substantially hidden power
conductive system, and wherein each member of said set comprising
at least one vertical support member further comprises a power
conductive system, and wherein said method of assembling said shelf
assembly further comprises the step of placing any member of said
set comprising at least one shelf support assembly member so that
said any member removably attaches to at least one member of said
set comprising at least one vertical support member such that power
will flow through said power conductive system of said vertical
support assembly and to said substantially hidden power conductive
system of said any member of said set comprising at least one shelf
support assembly member.
20. The method of assembling a shelf assembly of claim 19, wherein
each individual member of said set of at least one self support
assembly comprises a directionally adjustable light member assembly
comprising said at least one substantially hidden and embedded
light emitting member, wherein the direction of light emanating
from said at least one substantially hidden and embedded light
emitting member is significantly influenced by the instant position
said directionally adjustable light member assembly is currently
located in and, wherein said method of assembling a shelf assembly
further comprises a method of automated directional adjustment of
said directionally adjustable light member assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to shelving
apparatuses and in particular to shelving that utilize lighting
sources. Also, the instant invention relates to shelves
substantially used for decorative display.
REFERENCES
[0002] In general within the art, descriptions of shelves with
lighting systems are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,163,305 set forth by
Bienick; and 7,222,983 set forth by Gundogan and 7,287,872 set
forth by Kubota; and 7,201,487 set forth by Pinter; and 5,301,092
set forth by Santosuosso et al.; and 6,758,573 set forth by Thomas
et al.; and United States Patent Application No. 2004/0264160 set
forth by Bienick; and 2006/0193124 set forth by Moll.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Decorative shelving has been used for centuries to display
belongings of monetary and/or personal value. Today, decorative
shelving systems still serve that same purpose, but have evolved to
meet the needs of modem consumers and have incorporated modem
technology in order to meet these needs.
[0004] One significant advance for decorative shelving was the use
of electric lighting systems. By using lights placed about the
shelves, better visibility and more attention could be drawn to the
items on display up on the shelving systems. However, these
primitive systems were less then perfect clearly lacked
efficiency.
[0005] In prior designs, decorative items located in one area of a
shelving display may not receive the optimal lighting desired for
the correct lighting effect, or in the desired amounts. Typically,
items located substantially close to the light source would receive
more light then items further away from the light source. Further,
this shortcoming could occur for items located in the front, back
or sides of the shelf depending on where the light source itself
was located.
[0006] Another shortcoming of prior shelving systems was that the
light source was normally visible to viewers, often interrupting
the desired decorative effect being sought by the displayer.
[0007] What is needed is a decorative shelving system with a hidden
lighting source that evenly distributes light throughout a shelf,
wherein the lighting source can be adjusted to distribute light
from different angles. Further, it is advantageous that this system
also have a hidden means of powering said lighting system, to
prevent unneeded interruption of the user's desired decorative
effect. The present invention provides a solution to all these
shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not
anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior
art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. A shelf
with an integrated light and support outlet feature designed to
overcome the previously mentioned shortcomings of earlier problems
in the art would afford user the ability to customize their shelves
with decorative forms and combinations of hidden decorative lights
without disturbing the ambiance of the shelf with awkward wires or
wired devices in plain sight of others.
[0009] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
overcome the previously mentioned shortcomings found in the prior
art with an improved decorative shelf system.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a lighting system that evenly
distributes light.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a lighting system that allows
for the redirection of the lighting source.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden light
power source.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with removable shelving.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with power conductive shelves.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with separately removable and
customizable lighting members.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with decorative light emitting
diode ("LEDs") lighting members.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with customizable lighting
assemblies.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with an optionally visible
lighting power source.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with optionally visible lighting
assemblies.
[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with optionally visible lighting
members.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with the ability to use user
selected bottles as internal shelf support members.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with an open case.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a closed case.
[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system mounted within the shelf.
[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system mounted within a decorative bottle.
[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system that is energy efficient.
[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system that has low operating temperature.
[0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system that emits light that reduces fading of surrounding
components.
[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system.
[0032] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system that may be powered by temporary sources.
[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system that may be powered by a constant current
source.
[0034] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system that may be powered by a variety of sources.
[0035] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system that may be constructed to face in
any direction.
[0036] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system that is easily reconfigurable to
suit the item on display.
[0037] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with the low voltage source
entering as AC and then being converted to DC within the shelf
lighting circuit.
[0038] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system with a blocking diode to block harmful reversals of
current.
[0039] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden
lighting system and to provide hidden shelf switches to accommodate
the desired polarity for a given shelf position.
[0040] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system that provides a means of
preventing decorative bottle members from unintentionally sliding
off or dismounting from the decorative shelf.
[0041] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system with an adjustable spacing member
to adjust for the heights of different decorative bottle
members.
[0042] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved decorative shelf system that can be comprised of a thin
material, such as sheet metal, wherein said lighting assembly may
be sheathed in a non-conductive tube or housing.
[0043] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with various features of novelty which characterize the invention,
are pointed out with particularity in the claims, Detailed
Description of the Embodiments Sections and drawings of this
application, with all said sections adding to this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the
application in which tube support rods are used as the actual
supports for the shelf and the bottles within the shelf serve only
decorative purposes.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a zoomed-in side view of the shelf
support assembly.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates an internal side view of a substantially
hidden LED light strip embedded into a shelf assembly.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom up view of a top shelf assembly
and some of its component parts.
[0048] FIG. 4a illustrates a side view of a top shelf assembly,
wherein this embodiment illustrates cavities for power conduction
and physical support purposes.
[0049] FIG. 4b illustrates a side view wherein an internal cavity
for conductive purposes is visible.
[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up view of the lower shelf
assembly including the illustration of two stage holes to accept
structural fastener hardware.
[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates bottom up view of a top shelf assembly,
wherein this embodiment uses slots rather then holes through which
a bottle may be placed.
[0052] FIG. 6a illustrates a side view of a top shelf assembly,
wherein this embodiment uses slots rather then holes through which
a bottle may be placed.
[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a top-down view of a bottom shelf
assembly of a shelf support assembly, wherein bottles may be placed
into cavities within said bottom shelf assembly.
[0054] FIG. 7a illustrates a front vertical view of the bottom
shelf assembly, wherein bottle resting cavities are transparently
visible.
[0055] FIG. 7b illustrates a side view of the shelf assembly,
wherein the bottle resting cavity is transparently visible.
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a face view of a non-adjustable light
strip with substantially hidden embedded LED light strips.
[0057] FIG. 8a illustrates an internal vertical side view of a
non-adjustable light strip, wherein the embedded LED lights are
displayed.
[0058] FIG. 8b illustrates a back view of a non-adjustable light
strip, wherein the light component elements are visible.
[0059] FIG. 9 illustrates an internal side view of an adjustable
support spacer assembly.
[0060] FIG. 9a illustrates an external side view of an adjustable
support spacer assembly
[0061] FIG. 9b illustrates a bottom view of the adjustable support
spacer assembly.
[0062] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of one section of a cabinet
assembly, wherein said section of said cabinet assembly illustrates
the use of multiple removable shelf assemblies within said cabinet
assembly.
[0063] FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a conductive shelf
support.
[0064] FIG. 11a illustrates a side view of the conductive shelf
support in FIG. 11 with power connecting member.
[0065] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a
power connecting member and its component parts.
[0066] FIG. 12a illustrates a top view of the conductive shelf
support as illustrated in FIG. 12.
[0067] FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of a conductive shelf
support assembly.
[0068] FIG. 13a illustrates a back view of a conductive shelf
support assembly.
[0069] FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom-up view of a surface end
conductive shelf support assembly.
[0070] FIG. 14a illustrates an end side front view of a surface end
conductive shelf support assembly.
[0071] FIG. 14b illustrates a side view of a surface end conductive
shelf support assembly
[0072] FIG. 15 illustrates a side and top view of a cabinet
assembly, wherein the internal power conductive system is further
illustrated.
[0073] FIG. 15a illustrates a side and top view of a cabinet
assembly, wherein the surface mounted power conductive system is
visible.
[0074] FIG. 15b illustrates a side view of one wall of a cabinet
assembly, wherein the surface mounted power conductive system is
visible.
[0075] FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of a shelf cabinet, wherein
the formed removable shelf is attached to the wall system
conductive support and includes a side view of an adjustable light
strip mounted within the removable shelf assembly.
[0076] FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of a side wall of a shelf
member cabinet assembly, wherein an embedded conductive strip is
illustrated making contact with the conductive support pins.
[0077] FIG. 17a illustrates a conductive strip mounted to the outer
surface of a standard cabinet side wall or shelf side wall, wherein
the standard shelf now is retrofitted with the instant lighting
system.
[0078] FIG. 18 illustrates an internal side view of one embodiment
of an adjustable insulated shelf support assembly, wherein elements
of the internal power conductive system are visible.
[0079] FIG. 18a illustrates a bottom view of the light strip
assembly, wherein substantially hidden LEDs are visible.
[0080] FIG. 19 illustrates an internal side view of an adjustable
light strip mounted within a removable shelf assembly.
[0081] FIG. 19a illustrates a bottom view of the light strip
assembly, wherein substantially hidden LEDs are visible.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
[0082] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the
only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or
utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence
of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection
with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood
that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be
accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be
encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, such as
selves with integrated lighting of different shapes and
dimensions.
[0083] Presently, shelving systems that integrate lighting have
failed to develop their full potential. None of the prior art
attempts to propose shelving systems properly hide their light
source, thus robbing the shelves of their inherent rustic appeal,
as though the light simply emanates from some almost magical
source.
The present invention addresses and solves this shortcoming by
successfully concealing the light sources themselves and the power
system that allows the lights to glow. Further, the instant
invention allows for the customizing of shelf placement within a
cabinet assembly either specially designed for the instant
invention or by making simply modifications to standard shelf
assemblies commercially sold. Also, in some embodiments of the
instant invention the user may customize the angles and colors of
the various lighting elements used in this invention. In addition,
the instant invention in some embodiments utilizes highly energy
efficient lighting elements, such as LEDs or other types of
efficient lighting elements. Further, in some embodiments of the
instant invention the shelf units may be turned so that the
lighting elements may face upward, utilizing circuitry or other
means to accomplish the needed reverse polarity of electric current
powering said lighting elements in these embodiments.
[0084] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the instant invention,
wherein users may place decorative form members 10 (herein
illustrated as conventional bottles) of their choosing as pseudo
support members for the upper shelf assembly 85. The true support
for the shelf assembly 80 in this embodiment of the instant
invention is the structural support members 20 positioned near the
decorative form members 10. In this way creating the illusion of
the decorative form members being the support for the upper shelf
assembly 85, but allowing the user flexibility in choosing
decorative form members 10 of various heights and shapes. Also,
illustrated in FIG. 1 is a power connector 30 attached to a power
cord 40 and a wall mounted power supply 50. Further illustrated in
FIG. 1 are light rays 60 emanating from the bottom of the upper
shelving assembly 85. Lastly, FIG. 1 illustrates the shelf support
attachment assembly 70 at either end of said structural support
members.
[0085] FIG. 2 illustrates a expanded view of the shelf support
attachment assembly 70, wherein a concealing member 90 is used to
hide the cavity 120 contained within the interior of the upper
shelf assembly 85, in which the support assembly attachedly 70
rests and is held in place by an attachment means. Within the
hollow vertical member 20 lies a vertical support member 130 that
holds the upper shelf assembly 85 in place.
[0086] FIG. 3 illustrates the upper shelf assembly 85 embodied in
FIGS. 1 and 2 along with component parts of this embodiment. The
light member assembly 160 comprises light members 150 attachedly
resting within said light member assembly 160, a light member
assembly chamber 180 through which power conveying members 190,
wherein said power conveying members 190 are attached to the light
member assembly 160 by solder or otherwise conductively attached to
a conductive light member attachment backing 155. Further
illustrated in FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a light member
assembly support cavity 200.
[0087] FIGS. 4, 4a, 4b, 6, 6a and 6b illustrate three top, front
and side views of the upper shelf assembly 85. Illustrated in FIGS.
4, 4a, 6 and 6a are two stage cavities 120 in which the structural
support members 20 and two decorative form member cavities 260 in
which the decorative form members 10 rest. In addition FIGS. 4a and
6a also illustrate power conductive members 190 entering the light
member assembly chamber 180 and a power connector member 240. In
addition FIG. 4 illustrates a power conductive member access cavity
220 mounting holes about the power conductive member chamber 180
and conductive power members 190 entering the power conductive
member chamber 180 under the light member assembly 200. FIGS. 4b
and 6b illustrate the power connector member 240 about the bottom
of the upper shelf assembly 85, wherein a power connector cavity
230 enters through the access cavity 220 into said conductive
member chamber 180 through which said conductive power members 190
pass through both said power connector cavity 230 and the
conductive member chamber 180. FIG. 6 also illustrates two open
side decorative cavities 290, through which decorative form members
10 may pass through the open side of said open side decorative
cavities 290 so as to create the illusion that said decorative form
members 10 support the upper shelf assembly 85.
[0088] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a lower shelf assembly 280,
wherein two stage cavities 120 are illustrated.
[0089] FIG. 7 illustrates a single stand alone shelf assembly
embodiment of the instant invention, wherein the shelf assembly 86
stands alone, and upon which the decorative form members 10 rest
within the form member resting cavities 300.
[0090] FIGS. 8, 8a and 8b respectively illustrate front-end, side,
and rear views of the light member assembly 160. FIG. 8 and
illustrate cavities 320 in which rest the light members 150. As
further illustrated herein cavity members 320 and the light members
150 located within said cavity members 320 are arranged such that
the light beams 60 are substantially similar to the direction of
said cavity members 320 and said light members 150. Further
illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate power conductive members
330 conductively attached to said light member's 150 attachment
leads 360. FIG. 8a further illustrates a plurality of power
inhibitor members 340, conductive connection points 350, fastener
cavities 210, and power attachment points 335.
[0091] FIGS. 9 and 9a respectively illustrate an interior side view
and an interior view, a top view and a bottom view of the vertical
support assembly 130. FIGS. 9 and 9a commonly illustrate a
plurality of vertical displacement cavities 420 a vertical
displacement locking member 430. Further illustrated in FIG. 9 is a
vertical outer member 410 about the vertical displacement members
400, wherein vertical displacement member 400 slides into
adjustable support bottom assembly 405. In addition, at both ends
of the vertical support member 130 are cavity members 120 in which
rest vertical support member attachment members 390, wherein said
attachment members attach a shelf assembly 80 to the vertical
support members 380. Also visible in FIG. 9 is a concealing member
placed over said cavity member 90.
[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the instant invention,
wherein a cabinet assembly 485 comprises multiple shelf assemblies
82 and comprises an integrated lighting and power supply system.
Said shelf assemblies 82 rest upon a power conductive support
member 530 and a standard support member 470 and is held in place
by an attachment member 170. Further illustrated are a plurality of
conductive cavity members 520 resting within a plurality of side
wall assembly cavity members on the side wall assembly 480 of said
cabinet assembly 485, wherein said side wall assembly comprises a
concealing outer layer 490 a power conductive layer, and a vertical
support housing 510. Tension providing members 570 and 580 mount
said light strip assembly 590 to the bottom of said shelf assembly
82. The wall opposite said side wall assembly 480 is a standard
cabinet wall with a plurality of cavity members 460 matchedly
spaced to mirror said plurality of side wall assembly cavity
members (not illustrated in FIG. 10). Also illustrated herein are
adjustable cabinet system wall assembly 480 and its components as
illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 13a.
[0093] FIGS. 11, 11a, 12 and 12a illustrate side and top views of
power conductive support assemblies. FIGS. 11 and 11a respectively
illustrate top and side views of one embodiment of such a power
conductive support assembly 621, wherein this embodiment comprises
a conductive power member 620 comprising a cavity through which a
fastening member 170 is placed that secures the power conductive
member cavity 630 to the conductive cavity members 520. FIGS. 12
and 12a illustrate a second embodiment of a power conductive
support assembly 622, wherein this embodiment comprises a
conductive shelf support member 531, with internal conductive metal
spring tension material segments 623 that rest within spring
segment cavity members (not illustrated). Also illustrated in FIGS.
12 and 12a is a fastening member 170, passing through the shelf
support member 531.
[0094] FIGS. 13 and 13a illustrate an adjustable cabinet system
wall assembly 480 comprising a plurality of conductive cavity
members 640, internal power conductive members 190 and an embedded
conductive member 610 connecting each of the cavity members to
power through conductors 190. FIG. 13 additionally illustrates a
power supplying member chamber 500 as running the depth of the wall
assembly 480 and a protective non-conductive outer shell member 490
running the length of the wall assembly 480, wherein the shell
member 490 will be place over said wall assembly 480. Further
displayed in these Figures are a plurality of connection points 730
between the conductive layer member and power conductive members
190 or other conductive materials.
[0095] FIGS. 14, 14a and 14b respectively illustrate bottom, end
and side views of a shelf assembly 82, wherein these views further
illustrate conductive cavity members 640 attached to which are
power conductive members 190 traveling along a conductive member
cavity 760, wherein said conductive members 770 connect to the
circuit card member 780 at one end and a conductive support member
620 or power conductive support assembly 622. In addition, power
conductive members 190 pass through conductive member cavity 820
and contact conductive member light strip chamber 810. Also
illustrated are cavities for pivot members 860 used to secure and
adjust light strip assembly 160. Further, FIG. 14 illustrates a
switch member cavity 800, wherein a switch or switches performing
various functions may rest. Lastly, FIG. 14 illustrates a separate
embodiment for a shelf assembly 82, wherein the conductive cavity
member 640 30 enters through the top of the shelf assembly 82
surface and not through the side of the shelf assembly 82 as
illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0096] FIGS. 15, 15a and 15b illustrate top edge (the top image of
each figure) and side views (the bottom image of each figure) of
two embodiments of cabinet assembly side wall assemblies 481, 482,
and 483. FIGS. 15 and 15b illustrates an embodiment of a side wall
assembly with an internal conductive layer member 840 or power
conductive member 190.
[0097] FIG. 15a illustrate an embodiment of the instant invention
wherein a standard cabinet side wall may be retrofitted to be
compatible with the various embodiments of shelf support assemblies
encompassed by the instant invention 482. The embodiment displayed
in FIG. 15a illustrates a conductive layer member 840 or power
conductive member 190 is attached to an outer surface of a shelf
side wall assembly 482. The embodiment displayed in FIG. 15b
illustrates a conductive layer member 840 with the conductive strip
facing the conductive shelf support member 622 or the conductive
shelf support assembly 623.
[0098] Each embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 15a illustrate
how power may be passed through a power conductive layer 840 or
member along the side wall assemblies to a conductive support
assembly 623 or a power conductive support member 622 through which
power may be supplied to the light members within 82. Illustrated
herein are a plurality of conductive wall cavity members 830, a
conductive layer member 840 touching said conductive wall cavity
members 830 a non-conductive layer member 510 and a concealing
layer member 490.
[0099] FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the instant invention,
wherein one shelf assembly is displayed as resting within a cabinet
assembly, although the figure clearly allows for more then one
shelf assembly to be contained and for even the one shelf assembly
to rest at different levels within a side wall vertical support
assembly 486 and a side wall vertical support member 510. The shelf
assembly rests upon a conductive support member 622 or a conductive
support assembly 623 at one end and on a non-conductive support
member 470 at another end. Further illustrated in this Figure is an
insulating member 910 used to insulate a conductive members from
any conductive shelving surface. Also, illustrated is a power
conductive member 190, entering into the light member assembly 920.
FIGS. 17 and 17a illustrate another alternative power system
utilized by an adjustable metal shelf assembly. Illustrated in FIG.
17 is an internal view of the metal shelf power connection assembly
951 with its various components including a standard washer
touching and separating the conductive adjustable wall support
member 850, and a non-conductive insulator 950 (the insulator being
placed here to keep the wall pin from shorting across the metal
shelf surface). A power conductive member passes through the
insulating member 950 and is held in place by a standard nut 100 or
other fastening member. Further illustrated are two fastening
members 170 hold the non-conductive insulator member 950 in place
against a standard washer. FIG. 17a displays an outer view of the
metal shelf power connection assembly 951, wherein a power
conductive member 190 passing through a cavity in the shelf surface
and a non-conductive insulator member 950. Additionally illustrated
in FIG. 17a is the non-conductive insulator member 950 attached to
the shelf assembly surface 51 Lastly, illustrated in FIG. 17a is a
conductive adjustable wall support member 622 attached to the
non-conductive insulator member 950.
[0100] FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate side views of two embodiments of
light member assemblies 160, 1000, wherein FIG. 18 illustrates a
light member assembly comprising a box-like light assembly housing
member 920 and FIG. 19 illustrates a substantially cylindrical
housing member 980. FIGS. 18 and 19 commonly illustrate a plurality
of light members 150, a plurality of conductive light member
members 360, a conductive layer member 330 attached to light
members 150 and a conductive power member cavity 990. FIG. 18
illustrates a light assembly housing member 920 attached to the
bottom of the shelf assembly 890, light member conductive members
960 attached to a conductive adhesive member. FIG. 19 separately
illustrates a pivot member 970, wherein said pivot member allows
the light member assembly to pivot about a central axis. Further,
the central pivot member 970 rests at one end within the light
member assembly and at its other end within the light assembly
housing member 920. Further illustrated in FIG. 19 is an external
covering member 1000 attached to the substantially cylindrical
housing 980.
[0101] FIGS. 18a and 19a commonly illustrate bottom up views of two
embodiments of pivoting light member assemblies 965, 966, wherein
FIG. 18a illustrates an embodiment of a pivoting light member
assembly with substantially curved edges resting within a box-like
light assembly housing member 920 and wherein FIG. 19a illustrates
an embodiment of a pivoting light member assembly with
substantially square edges 980. FIG. 18a commonly illustrate a
plurality of light emitting members 150 comprised within the light
strip assembly 160 which is removably attached to non-conductive
housing member 920, wherein the pivot member assembly 970 attaches
to the sides of said non-conductive housing member 920.
[0102] FIG. 19a illustrates a plurality of light emitting members
150 as part of a light strip assembly 1000 which is removably
attached to a non-conductive housing member 980, wherein pivot
member assembly 970 attaches to the sides of said non-conductive
housing member 980. Further illustrated in FIG. 19a is the external
covering member 1000 attached to the substantially cylindrical
housing 980. Also illustrated in 19a is a pivot assembly 970
comprising a tension providing member 570 to maintain a proper
position for light strip assembly 966.
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