U.S. patent application number 13/021276 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for product display system with adjustable bracket.
Invention is credited to Anthony Camello, ERIC NEUMANN, David Piazza.
Application Number | 20110290749 13/021276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45021213 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110290749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NEUMANN; ERIC ; et
al. |
December 1, 2011 |
PRODUCT DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH ADJUSTABLE BRACKET
Abstract
A product display system comprising a plurality of brackets, a
plurality of shelves, and a plurality of products is disclosed.
Each bracket is configured to mechanically engage a support
structure. Each shelf is mechanically engaged with at least one
bracket. The shelves form a first row, a second row, a third row, a
first column, a second column, and a third column. The first row is
adjacent the second row, and the second row is adjacent the third
row. The first column is adjacent the second column, and the second
column is adjacent the third column. Each product is supported by
one of the shelves. The shelves are arranged such that the distance
between the shelves in the first column and the third column is
smaller than the width of the product supported by the shelves in
the second column.
Inventors: |
NEUMANN; ERIC; (North Hills,
NY) ; Piazza; David; (Bronx, NY) ; Camello;
Anthony; (Staten Island, NY) |
Family ID: |
45021213 |
Appl. No.: |
13/021276 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61301796 |
Feb 5, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2 ;
248/241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/128 20130101;
A47F 5/0838 20130101; A47F 1/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/59.2 ;
248/241 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/04 20060101
A47F001/04; A47B 96/07 20060101 A47B096/07 |
Claims
1. A product display system, comprising: a plurality of brackets,
each bracket being configured to mechanically engage a support
structure; a plurality of shelves, each shelf being mechanically
engaged with at least one bracket, the shelves forming a first row,
a second row, a third row, a first column, a second column, and a
third column, the first row being adjacent the second row, the
second row being adjacent the third row, the first column being
adjacent the second column, and the second column being adjacent
the third column; a plurality of products, each product being
supported by one of the shelves; and wherein the shelves are
arranged such that the distance between the shelves in the first
column and the third column is smaller than the width of the
product supported by the shelves in the second column.
2. The product display system of claim 1, wherein the shelves are
arranged such that the distance between the shelves in the first
row and the third row is smaller than the height of the product
supported by the shelves in the second row.
3. The product display system of claim 1, further comprising a
horizontal bar, the horizontal bar is disposed between at least two
brackets and is configured to support a portion of each shelf in a
row of shelves thereon.
4. The product display system of claim 3, wherein the shelves are
horizontally translatable along the horizontal bar.
5-7. (canceled)
8. The product display system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
products includes a plurality of containers of salad dressing.
9. (canceled)
10. An adjustable bracket for engaging a support member structure
and for supporting a portion of a shelf, the adjustable bracket
comprising: a first support member; a second support member; and
wherein the second support member is releasably securable to the
first support member in at least two different locations.
11. The adjustable bracket of claim 10, wherein the first support
member includes a nub for engaging a portion of a support
structure.
12. The adjustable bracket of claim 10, wherein the first support
member includes at least two holes, the two holes being vertically
offset from one another by a first distance.
13. The adjustable bracket of claim 12, wherein the first support
member includes at least two slots, the two slots being vertically
offset from one another by the first distance.
14. The adjustable bracket of claim 12, further comprising a
connector, and wherein the second support member includes an
aperture, the connector being insertable through the aperture of
the second support member and through the holes of the first
support member.
15. The adjustable bracket of claim 14, wherein the first support
member includes at least two slots, the two slots being vertically
offset from one another by the first distance, wherein the second
support member includes a tab, the tab being insertable through the
slots of the first support member.
16. The adjustable bracket of claim 10, wherein the at least two
different locations are vertically offset from one another.
17. The adjustable bracket of claim 10, further comprising a
connector configured to help releasably secure the first support
member and the second support member.
18. The adjustable bracket of claim 10, wherein the adjustable
bracket is configured to support a shelf at a first angle when the
second support members is releasably secured to the first support
member in a first location, and wherein the adjustable bracket is
configured to support a shelf at the first angle when the second
support structure is releasably secured to the first support
structure in a second location.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of and priority
to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/301,796, filed Feb. 5, 2010.
The entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a system for
displaying products on shelves. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to a system for optimizing the number of
products displayable on a plurality of shelves and to an adjustable
bracket for use therewith.
[0003] Various types of product displays are commonly used in
retail environments to display different types of products. As
opposed to simply positioning products on shelves, product displays
are commonly used to position products on a shelf in manner which
automatically advances (e.g., via gravity or a pusher) a trailing
or distal product (i.e., a product that is behind a lead or
proximal-most product) closer to a user once the lead product has
been removed from the shelf. As can be appreciated, such product
displays facilitate the arrangement and upkeep of products, as the
trailing products don't have to be manually moved towards the front
of the shelf, for instance.
[0004] Additionally, it is often desirable to maximize the amount
of products (e.g., containers of salad dressing) a retailer can
display in a given area. More specifically, retailers generally
want as many products to fit side-by-side (or horizontally) and
top-to-bottom (vertically) on shelves as possible to take full
advantage of all of the allotted space, and to allow the consumer
to view as many products (e.g., brands, flavors) as possible.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure related to a product display system
comprising a plurality of brackets, a plurality of shelves, and a
plurality of products. Each bracket is configured to mechanically
engage a support structure. Each shelf is mechanically engaged with
at least one bracket. The shelves form a first row, a second row, a
third row, a first column, a second column, and a third column. The
first row is adjacent the second row, and the second row is
adjacent the third row. The first column is adjacent the second
column, and the second column is adjacent the third column. Each
product is supported by one of the shelves. The shelves are
arranged such that the distance between the shelves in the first
column and the third column is smaller than the width of the
product supported by the shelves in the second column.
[0006] The present disclosure also relates to an adjustable bracket
for engaging a support structure and for supporting a portion of a
shelf. The adjustable bracket comprising a first support member and
a second support member. The second support structure is releasably
securable to the first support structure in at least two different
locations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described
hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a product display system
including a plurality of shelves according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, and including containers of salad dressing
displayed on the shelves;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product display system
of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIGS. 3-7 are various views of an adjustable bracket which
may be used as a part of the product display system of FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0011] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of various components
of the product display system of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 9 is an assembled view of the various components of the
product display system of FIG. 8;
[0013] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plurality of the
adjustable brackets of FIGS. 3-7 illustrated in a first
orientation;
[0014] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a plurality of the
adjustable brackets of FIGS. 3-7 illustrated in a second
orientation; and
[0015] FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of another embodiment
of an adjustable bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the presently disclosed product display
system are described in detail with reference to the drawings
wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements
in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term
"proximal" refers to that part or component closer to the user,
e.g., customer, while the term "distal" refers to that part or
component farther away from the user.
[0017] In combination with the accompanying FIGS. 1-11, a product
display system 100 of the present disclosure is described herein.
The product display system 100 of the present disclosure includes a
plurality of shelves 200 orientated in a staggered fashion, and a
plurality of adjustable brackets 300 for supporting the shelves 200
(and/or for supporting horizontal bars 400 that support the shelves
200).
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shelves 200 are staggered in
both the vertical and horizontal directions. More particularly, the
horizontal space between the closest portions of shelves 200 in
Column "A" and the shelves 200 in Column "C," is smaller than the
width "w" of the products in Column "B." Additionally, the vertical
space between the shelves in Row "D" and Row "E," is smaller than
the height "h" of the products in Rows "D," "E," "F," and "G."
[0019] In such a configuration, the orientation of the shelves 200
takes advantage of the otherwise-unused spaced between adjacent
products "P." More particularly, given the specific design of
certain containers (e.g., salad dressing containers, such as those
having similar shapes to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2), there
is typically unused or "negative" space between neck portions of
adjacent containers. Additionally, when a plurality of such
products "P" are displayed on a single shelf 200, the amount of
unused space is multiplied by the amount of products on each shelf.
Therefore, as can be appreciated, the product display system 100 of
the present disclosure allows more products to be displayed/stored
in the same amount of space than traditional product displays with
non-staggered shelves.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 3-7, adjustable brackets 300 of the
disclosed product display system 100 are illustrated. With specific
reference to FIGS. 3-6, the adjustable bracket 300 includes a body
or plate 320 and a brace or C-channel 340. As shown, the C-channel
340 is non-centered vertically with respect to the plate 320, thus
resulting in a different amount of space between the top 342 of the
C-channel 340 and the top 322 of the plate 320, as compared to the
bottom 344 of the C-channel 340 and the bottom 324 of the plate
320. The adjustable bracket 300 is configured to support at least
one end of a horizontal bar 400 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that
supports a row of shelves 200.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiments, C-channel 340 includes a
pair of bores 350a, 350b extending therethrough on opposing sides
thereof. Additionally, it is envisioned that the horizontal bar 400
includes a hole that extends therethrough. Here, a pin can be
placed through the bore 350a, through the hole in the horizontal
bar 400 and/or through the bore 350b to help keep the horizontal
bar 400 engaged with the C-channel 340.
[0022] Additionally, the adjustable bracket 300 includes a pair of
nubs 360a, 360b, with each nub 360 (one nub per configuration of
the adjustable bracket 300) being configured to engage an aperture
(or similar portion) of a supporting structure (e.g., a peg board
or rack, not shown). FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a left-side
adjustable bracket 300a, and FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a right-side
adjustable bracket 300b. As shown, left-side adjustable bracket
300a and right-side adjustable bracket 300b are mirror images of
each other, and each is configured to support a respective side of
the horizontal bar 400. It is also envisioned that the left-side
adjustable bracket 300a can support the right side of the
horizontal bar 400, and vice versa.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a shelf 200 of the present
disclosure is shown. As shown, the shelf 200 includes elongated
brackets 500. Portions 502 of the elongated brackets 500 are
configured to mechanically engage portions of a horizontal bar 400
(see FIGS. 1 and 2). In a disclosed embodiment, the elongated
brackets 500 further increase the versatility of the positioning of
the shelves 200, as the elongated brackets 500 may be configured
slidingly engage the horizontal bars 400. For example, and as can
be appreciated with reference to FIG. 8, the structure of the
elongated brackets 500, e.g., the portions 502 configured to
mechanically engage a horizontal bar 400, allow the shelf 200 to be
horizontally translatable (e.g., slidable) with respect to the
horizontal bar 400. Therefore, each shelf 200 can be horizontally
positioned at a desired location to optimize the display/storage
capacity of the product display system 100.
[0024] Additional elements of the disclosed shelf 200 are also
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. These features include a track 520 for
supporting products thereon, a pusher 540 (shown in a retracted
position in FIG. 8 and shown in an advanced position in FIG. 9), a
spring 560 for biasing and pushing products "P" proximally towards
the customer, a stopper 580 for preventing products from proximally
falling off of the shelf 200 and/or for displaying product
information (it is envisioned that at least a portion of the
stopper 580 is translucent and/or transparent to facilitate viewing
the actual product), a back retainer 600 (FIG. 8) configured to
mechanically engage a portion of the elongated brackets 500, and a
wire 620, a pair of which being configured to mechanically engage
the track 500 as sidewalls (e.g., adjustable sidewalls) for helping
to contain the products on the track 500.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, two orientations of the
adjustable brackets 300 are illustrated. Both orientations are
configured to engage the same support structure, since, for
example, the distance between each vertically adjacent nub 360 is
the same in each orientation (i.e., shown as "5.000").
[0026] In FIG. 10, the four illustrated left-side adjustable
brackets 300a are orientated in the same direction as one another,
and the four illustrated right-side adjustable brackets 300b are
orientated in the same direction as one another. In this
orientation, the distance between pairs of vertically adjacent
C-channels 340, and thus horizontal bars 400 (see FIGS. 1 and 2),
and corresponding shelves 200 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), is equal (i.e.,
shown as "5.000").
[0027] In FIG. 11, both left-side adjustable bracket second from
the top 300a' and the right-side adjustable bracket second from the
top 300b' are orientated in the opposite direction as compared to
their respective vertically adjacent adjustable brackets 300a,
300b, respectively. In this orientation, while the distance between
each vertically adjacent nub 360 is equal, the distance between
pairs of vertically adjacent C-channels 340, and thus horizontal
bars 400, and corresponding shelves 200, is different. That is, in
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the distance between the top
surface 342 of vertically adjacent C-channels 340 is shown as, from
top to bottom: "5.500," "4.500" and "5.000." As can be appreciated,
the orientation of the adjustable brackets 300 can be arranged to
most-efficiently accommodate a variety of products "P" (i.e.,
either the same product displayed on all of the shelves (as shown),
or at least one shelf displaying a different product from an
adjacent shelf (horizontally- or vertically-adjacent)).
Additionally, as can be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 3-7 and
10-11, the adjustable bracket 300 is configured to support a shelf
200 at the same angle when the adjustable bracket 300 is in its
first orientation and when the adjustable bracket 300 is in its
second orientation.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, another embodiment of an
adjustable bracket 700 is shown. Adjustable bracket 700 includes a
first support member 720, a second support member 740, and a
connector (e.g., a screw) 760.
[0029] The first support member 720 includes a nub 722 which is
configured to engage an aperture (or similar portion) of a
supporting structure (e.g., a peg board or rack, not shown). The
first support member 720 also includes a first hole 724 and a
second hole 726 which are configured to engage the connector 760.
Further, the first hole 724 and the second hole 726 may include a
threaded portion to engage the connector 760, for example when the
connector 760 is a screw, as shown. The first support member also
includes a first slot 730 and a second slot 732 which are
configured to engage a portion of the second support member 740,
discussed below.
[0030] The second support member 740 includes a brace 742 (e.g., a
C-channel) which is configured to support a portion of a shelf 200
or horizontal bar 400. The second support member 740 also includes
a flange 750 including an aperture 752 (obscured from view by the
connector 760) which is configured to accept a portion of the
connector 760 therethrough. The second support member 740 also
includes a tab 754 which is configured to engage the first slot 730
and the second slot 732, one at a time, of the first support member
720.
[0031] In use, to temporarily secure the first support member 720
and the second support member 740, the tab 754 of the second
support member 740 is inserted through one of the first slot 730
(as shown) or the second slot 732 of the first support member 720.
Insertion of the tab 754 through the first slot 730 causes the
aperture 752 of the second support member 740 to be aligned with
first hole 724 of the first support member 720. Next, the connector
760 is inserted through the aperture 752 and through the first hole
724 of the first support member 720. (As can be appreciated,
insertion of the tab 754 through the second slot 732 causes the
aperture 752 to be aligned with the second hole 726.)
[0032] To adjust the location (i.e., height) of the second support
member 740 with respect to the first support member 720 (e.g., to
change the adjustable bracket from a first configuration to a
second configuration), a user removes the connector 760, removes
the tab 754, reinserts the tab 754 into the other slot (e.g., the
second slot 732), and reinserts the connector 760 through the
aperture 752 and through the other hole (e.g., the second hole
726). As can be appreciated, a user can adjust the height of the
second support member 740 with respect to the first support member
720 without removing the first support member 720 from the
supporting structure. As can be appreciated, the angle of the
supported shelf 200 or horizontal bar 400 is the same when the
adjustable bracket is in its first orientation and in its second
orientation.
[0033] In some circumstances, the distance between vertically
adjacent members of the support structure is 1 inch. Here, it is
envisioned that the vertical distance between the first hole 724
and the second hole 726 is about 0.5 inches. Likewise, it is
envisioned that the vertical distance between the first slot 730
and the second slot 732 is about 0.5 inches. It is also envisioned
that these distances can be any distance between about 0.25 inches
and about 0.75 inches, or any other suitable distance. For example,
if the distance between adjacent members of the support structure
is 2 inches, for example, the distance between the first hole 724
and the second hole 726, and between the first slot 730 and the
second slot 732 could be configured to be about 1.0 inches, or any
distance between 0.25 inches and about 1.75 inches. Furthermore, it
is envisioned that the first support structure 720 includes more
than two holes 724, 726 and more than two slots 730, 732 that are
disposed at different heights from each other. Such a first support
structure 720 can be used with the illustrated second support
structure 740.
[0034] Additionally, the illustrated adjustable bracket 700 is
configured to support the left side of a shelf 200 or horizontal
bar 400, or a left-side adjustable bracket.
[0035] The present disclosure also includes a right-side adjustable
bracket, which is a mirror image of the illustrated adjustable
bracket 700, and which is configured to support a right side of a
shelf 200 or horizontal bar 400. It is also envisioned that the
left-side adjustable bracket 700 can support the right side of a
shelf 200 or horizontal bar 400, and vice versa.
[0036] The present disclosure also relates to a method of
displaying products using the product display system 100, including
the adjustable brackets 300, described herein.
[0037] While a particular embodiment of the disclosure is shown in
the figures, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited
thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope
as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.
For example, while certain sizes (e.g., sizes of and between the
adjustable brackets 300 and portions thereof) and shapes (e.g.,
shapes of the adjustable brackets 300) are illustrated, the present
disclosure shall not be limited to the illustrated sizes or shapes.
Additionally, while the product display system 100 is shown and
described including adjustable brackets 300, it is envisioned and
within the scope of the present disclosure that other types of
brackets are usable therewith. 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.
* * * * *