U.S. patent application number 12/909175 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for modular shelf system.
Invention is credited to Jackson (Chi-Yu) Wang.
Application Number | 20120097630 12/909175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45972071 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120097630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Jackson (Chi-Yu) |
April 26, 2012 |
Modular Shelf System
Abstract
A modular shelf system comprising: at least one shelf board
defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end,
and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a
downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products
on the upwardly facing surface; and at least one middle side wall
which is configured to divide the space to display products between
the first and second side end of the shelf board, wherein the
middle side wall has at least one slit which is configured to
accept the shelf board, and wherein the middle wall is configured
to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through the
slit.
Inventors: |
Wang; Jackson (Chi-Yu);
(Guangzhou, CN) |
Family ID: |
45972071 |
Appl. No.: |
12/909175 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/153 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/02 20060101
A47B096/02 |
Claims
1. A modular shelf system comprising: at least one shelf board
defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end,
and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a
downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products
on the upwardly facing surface; and at least one middle side wall
which is configured to divide the space to display products between
the first and second side end of the shelf board, wherein the
middle side wall has at least one slit which is configured to
accept the shelf board, and wherein the middle wall is configured
to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through the
slit.
2. The modular shelf system of claim 1, wherein the modular shelf
comprises two or more shelf boards, wherein the middle side wall
has two or more slits, and wherein the number of the slits
corresponding to the number of the shelf broads.
3. The modular shelf system of claim 1, further comprising a base
shelf board.
4. The modular shelf system of claim 1, further comprising one or
two end side walls.
5. The modular shelf system of claim 1, further comprising a rear
wall.
6. The modular shelf system of claim 3, wherein the middle side
wall and the base shelf board are configured to detachably connect
each other.
7. The modular system of claim 1, further comprising a signing
element.
8. The modular system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting
element.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to modular shelf system, more
particularly, relates to a modular shelf system for displaying
retail products to consumers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Selves for displaying products can be divided into several
sections. For example, in selves for displaying retails products to
consumers in retail stores, one divided section is used for
displaying one brand products or one category products, and another
divided section is used for displaying another brand products or
another category products. In such selves, it is expected to adjust
the width of each section according to sales circumstances. For
example, the width of one section of a certain product/brand may be
expected to be broadened only for its sales promotion period. In
another example, the width of a section for products/brands having
larger sales volumes may be expected to be broadened, while the
width of a section for products/brands having reduced sales volumes
may be expected to be narrowed.
[0003] There is a need for such display selves which have an easy
configuration to change width of sections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a modular shelf system
comprising: at least one shelf board defined between a first side
end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an
upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having
a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface; and at
least one middle side wall which is configured to divide the space
to display products between the first and second side end of the
shelf board, wherein the middle side wall has at least one slit
which is configured to accept the shelf board, and wherein the
middle wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the
shelf board through the slit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the modular
shelf system of the present invention; and
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a middle side wall
used in the modular shelf system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to
provide an overall understanding of the principles of the
structure, function, manufacture, and use of the product displays,
the product display kits, and the methods disclosed herein. One or
more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the product displays, the product display kits, and
the methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and
that the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention
is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or
described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be
combined with the features of other exemplary embodiments. Such
modifications and variations are intended to be included within the
scope of the present invention.
Shelf System
[0009] The modular shelf system of the present invention comprises:
at least one shelf board defined between a first side end, a second
side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly
facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space
to display products on the upwardly facing surface; and at least
one middle side wall which is configured to divide the space to
display products between the first and second side end of the shelf
board, wherein the middle side wall has at least one slit which is
configured to accept the shelf board, and wherein the middle wall
is configured to move laterally while accepting the shelf board
through the slit.
[0010] The modular shelf system can further comprise at least one
of the followings: one or two end side walls; a rear wall; a base
shelf board; a signing element; and a lighting element.
Shelf Board
[0011] The modular shelf system of the present invention comprises
at least one shelf board. The shelf boards of the present invention
are those defined between a first side end, a second side end, a
front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface
and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display
products on the upwardly facing surface.
[0012] When the modular shelf system comprises two or more shelf
boards, each shelf board can have a same or different size, i.e.,
the width between the first and second side ends, the depth between
the front and rear ends, and/or the height between the upwardly
facing and downwardly facing surfaces.
[0013] The one shelf board can be one piece. Alternatively, the one
shelf board can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at
least one of the following purposes:
so that the shelf board can change its size, i.e., the width, the
depth, and/or the height; and so that the shelf board can easily
connect with other elements such as signing elements and lighting
elements.
[0014] The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with
at least one another piece, in order to form one shelf board. The
connection means can be anything known in the art, for example,
tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with,
engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers.
Embodiment Based on Drawing
[0015] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular
shelf system of the present invention comprises four shelf boards
(First shelf board 1.1, Second shelf board 1.2, Third shelf board
1.3, and Fourth shelf board 1.4). Each shelf board is defined
between a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a
rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly
facing surface, and having a space to display products on the
upwardly facing surface. As an example, First shelf board's First
side end 1.1.1, Second side end 1.1.2, Front end 1.1.3, and Rear
end 1.1.4 are specifically shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, each shelf board has the same width between the
first and second side ends. In this embodiment, while not clearly
shown in FIG. 1, First shelf board 1.1 has a slightly lower height
between the upwardly facing and downwardly facing surfaces,
compared to heights of Second, Third, Fourth shelf boards (1.2,
1.3, and 1.4) which have the same height. In this embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, each shelf board has different depth between the front
and rear ends, such that a lower shelf board has a deeper depth. In
this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each shelf board comprises three
pieces to change the width between the first and second side ends
of the shelf board, while border lines between the pieces are not
shown in FIG. 1. While also not shown in FIG. 1, the middle and
side pieces are configured such that the middle piece is detachably
connected with two side pieces, by connection means of tabs and tab
receivers wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab
receivers.
Middle Side Wall
[0016] The modular shelf system of the present invention comprises
at least one middle side wall. The middle side wall is configured
to divide the space to display products between the first and
second side end of the shelf board. The middle side wall has at
least one slit which is configured to accept the shelf board. The
middle wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the
shelf board through the slit.
[0017] The middle side wall is defined by a top end, a bottom end,
front end, rear end, first side surface and second side surface.
One of such ends can smoothly connect to another end.
[0018] The slit is formed between the front end and the rear end.
The slit can be formed as follows:
so that the middle side wall can have a closed front end and an
open rear end, wherein the slit has an opening edge at the rear end
which is preferred for easiness to assemble and/or move; so that
the middle side wall can have a open front end and a closed rear
end, wherein the slit has an opening edge at the front end; or so
that the middle side wall can have a closed front end and a closed
rear end, wherein the slit has no opening edge.
[0019] It is preferred for the middle side wall to have slits such
that the number of the slits corresponding to the number of the
shelf broads. Each slit can have a same or different size, i.e.,
height which approximately corresponds to the height of the shelf
board, width which approximately corresponds to the width of the
middle side wall, and/or depth which approximately correspond to
the depth of the shelf board.
[0020] When the modular shelf system comprises two or more middle
side wall, each middle side wall can have a same or different size,
i.e., the height between the top and bottom ends, the width between
the first and second side surface, and/or the depth between the
front and rear ends.
[0021] The one middle side wall can be one piece. Alternatively,
the one middle side wall can comprise two or more pieces, for
example, for at least one of the following purposes:
so that the slit can be formed by these pieces in an assembled
configuration; so that the middle side wall can change its size
such as height, width, and/or depth; so that the middle side wall
can change the number of slits; and so that the middle side wall
can change the size of slits such as height, width, and/or
depth.
[0022] The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with
at least one another piece, in order to form one middle side wall.
The connection means can be anything known in the art.
[0023] The middle side and the shelf board can be configured to be
detachably connected each other. The connection means can be
anything known in the art.
Embodiment Based on Drawing
[0024] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular
shelf system of the present invention comprises five Middle side
walls 2. The middle side wall is configured to move laterally while
accepting the shelf boards through the slit. The slits can be seen
more clearly in FIG. 2.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, each Middle side wall 2 is configured to
divide the space to display products between the first and second
side end of the shelf board. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
display space is divided into six sections by five Middle side
walls 2. The Middle side wall is defined by a top end, a bottom
end, front end, rear end, first side surface and second side
surface. As an example, Middle side wall's Top end 2.1, Bottom end
2.2, Front end 2.3, Rear end 2.4 are specifically shown in FIG. 2.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, Front end 2.3 smoothly
connects to Top end 2.1. In this embodiment, all middle side walls
have the same size.
[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each middle side
wall has four slits corresponding to four shelf boards, and the
slit being configured to accept the shelf board. Such four slits
are shown in FIG. 2 as First slit 2.5.1, Second slit 2.5.2, Third
slit 2.5.3, Fourth slit 2.5.4. In this embodiment, each Middle side
wall 2 has the closed front end and the open rear end wherein the
slit has an opening edge at the rear end. In this embodiment, First
slit 2.5.1 has a slightly lower height, and has an enlarged front
end portion for accepting a signing element which is explained
later, while Second, Third and Fourth slits (2.5.2, 2.5.3, and
2.5.4) have a same height which is higher than that of First slit
2.5.1. In this embodiment, the slits have different depth, i.e.,
lower slits have deeper depths, corresponding to shelf board's
depths. In this embodiment, the width of all slits is same.
Further, in this embodiment, each middle side wall comprises one
piece.
Base Shelf Board
[0027] The modular shelf system of the present invention preferably
further comprises a base shelf board. The base shelf board is
defined by a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a
rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly
facing surface, and preferably having a space to display products
on the upwardly facing surface. The base shelf board is preferably
that can stably accept the weights of all other parts of the
modular shelf system, including the weights of products displayed
on the shelf board.
[0028] The base shelf board can have a variety of sizes, i.e., the
width between the first and second side ends, the depth between the
front and rear ends, and/or the height between the upwardly facing
surface and either of downwardly facing surface or floor on which
the modular shelf system is placed.
[0029] The base shelf board can be one piece. Alternatively, the
base shelf board can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for
at least one of the following purposes:
so that the base shelf board can change its size, i.e., the width,
the depth, and/or the height; so that the base shelf board can
further comprises other elements such as signing elements and
lighting elements.
[0030] The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with
at least one another piece, in order to form one base shelf board.
The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example,
tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with,
engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers.
[0031] The base shelf board and the middle side wall can be
configured to detachably connect each other. By this connection,
the middle side wall can be located in an approximately fixed
position and/or can be supported by, at least partially, the base
shelf board. The connection means can be anything known in the art,
for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be
interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the
tab receivers.
Embodiment Based on Drawing
[0032] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular
shelf system of the present invention comprises Base shelf board 3.
The Base shelf board 3 is defined by a first side end, a second
side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly
facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space
to display products on the upwardly facing surface. In this
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the Base shelf board 3 has the same
width as that of the shelf boards, and a deeper depth than those of
the shelf boards. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the Base
shelf board 3 comprises three pieces to change the width between
the first and second side ends of the base shelf board, while
border lines between the pieces are not shown in FIG. 1. While also
not shown in FIG. 1, the middle and side pieces are configured such
that the middle piece is detachably connected with two side pieces,
by connection means of tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs are
press-fit with the tab receivers. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
1, the base shelf board and each middle side wall are connected
each other by the connection means of tabs and tab receivers
wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers.
End Side Wall
[0033] The modular shelf system of the present invention preferably
further comprises one or two end side walls. Preferably, the end
side walls do not have any slit, the slit allowing the walls to
move laterally while accepting the shelf board through.
[0034] The end side wall is defined by a top end, a bottom end,
front end, rear end, first side surface and second side surface.
One of such ends can smoothly connect to another end.
[0035] When the modular shelf system comprises two end side walls,
each end side wall can have a same or different size, i.e., the
height between the top and bottom ends, the width between the first
and second side surface, and/or the depth between the front and
rear ends.
[0036] The end side wall can be one piece. The end side wall can
comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at least one of the
following purposes:
so that the middle side wall can change the size of slits such as
height, width, and/or depth.
[0037] The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with
at least one another piece, in order to form one end side wall. The
connection means can be anything known in the art, for example,
tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with,
engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers.
[0038] The end side wall and the shelf board can be configured to
be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be
anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers
wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit
and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers. By this connection, the
shelf board can be supported by, at least partially, the end side
wall.
[0039] The end side wall and the base shelf board, if present, can
be configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection
means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab
receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with,
press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers. By this
connection, the end side wall can be supported by, at least
partially, the base shelf board.
Embodiment Based on Drawing
[0040] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular
shelf system of the present invention comprises two End side walls
4. The End side wall 4 is defined by a top end, a bottom end, front
end, rear end, first side surface and second side surface. In this
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the front end smoothly connects to the
top end.
[0041] In the embodiment, the two End side walls 4 have the same
size, and also have approximately same sizes as those of the Middle
side walls 2. In this embodiment, each End side wall 4 comprises
one piece.
[0042] In this embodiment, the End side walls 4 are not connected
with the Shelf boards (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4) or with the Base
shelf board 3.
Rear Wall
[0043] The modular shelf system of the present invention preferably
further comprises a rear wall.
[0044] The rear wall is defined by a first end, a second end, a top
end, a bottom end, a front side surface and a rear side
surface.
[0045] The rear wall can have any size as long as meeting the
purpose of the present invention, i.e., width between the first and
second ends, height between the top and bottom ends, and/or depth
between the front and rear side surfaces.
[0046] The rear wall can be one piece. Alternatively, the rear wall
can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at least one of
the following purposes:
[0047] so that the rear wall can change the size of slits such as
height, width, and/or depth.
[0048] The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with
at least one another piece, in order to form one rear wall. The
connection means can be anything known in the art.
[0049] The rear wall and the shelf board can be configured to be
detachably connected each other. The connection means can be
anything known in the art, for example, brackets and screws wherein
the bracket can be screwed to the shelf board and to the rear all.
By this connection, the shelf board can be supported by, at least
partially, the rear wall.
[0050] The rear wall and the middle side wall can configured to be
detachably connected each other. The connection means can be
anything known in the art. By this connection, the middle side wall
can be supported by, at least partially, the rear wall.
[0051] The rear wall and the base shelf board, if present, can be
configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection
means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab
receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with,
press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers. By this
connection, the rear wall can be supported by, at least partially,
the base shelf board.
[0052] The rear wall and the end side wall, if present, can be
configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection
means can be anything known in the art, for example, brackets and
screws wherein the bracket can be screwed to the end side wall and
to the rear all, or screws only. By this connection, the rear wall
and end side wall can be supported, at least partially, each
other.
Embodiment Based on Drawing
[0053] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular
shelf system of the present invention comprises Rear wall 5. The
Rear wall is defined by a first end, a second end, a top end, a
bottom end, a front side surface and a rear side surface.
[0054] The Rear wall 5 has an approximately same width as those of
the Shelf boards (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4) and Base shelf board 3,
and an approximately same height as those of the Middle side walls
2 and End walls 4.
[0055] The Rear wall 5 comprises three pieces to change the width
between the first and second side ends of the rear wall, such that
the rear wall has an approximately same width as that of the shelf
boards, while border lines between the pieces are not shown in FIG.
1. While also not shown in FIG. 1, the middle and side pieces are
configured such that the middle piece is detachably connected with
two side pieces, by connection means of tabs and tab receivers
wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers. In this
embodiment, while not shown in FIG. 1, the Rear wall 5 is
detachably connected with each Shelf board (1.1, 1.2. 1.3, and 1.4)
by the connection means of brackets and screws wherein the brackets
are screwed to the shelf board and to the rear all, and with the
Base shelf board 3 by the connection means of tabs and tab
receivers wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers. In
this embodiment, while not shown in FIG. 1, the Rear wall 5 is also
detachably connected with the two End side walls 4 by the
connection means of brackets and screws wherein the brackets are
screwed to the end side wall and to the rear all.
Signing Element/Lighting Element
[0056] The modular shelf system of the present invention may
further contain a singing element. Such signing elements can be
figured to display any information relating to the displayed
products, for example, product's brand, source, logo and/or price.
The signing elements can contain a monitor to air advertisements
and/or demonstrate benefits of the product.
[0057] The singing element can be configured to detachably or
non-detachably connect with other parts of the modular shelf
system, for example, the shelf board and rear wall, by any known
connection means.
[0058] The modular shelf system of the present invention may
further contain a lighting element. Such lighting elements can be
figured to illuminate any parts of the modular shelf system
including the displayed products.
[0059] The lighting element can be configured to detachably or
non-detachably connect with other parts of the modular shelf
system, for example, the shelf board and rear wall, by any known
connection means.
Embodiment Based on Drawing
[0060] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular
shelf system of the present invention comprises First signing
element 6.1, Second signing element 6.2, and Third signing element
6.3, and First Lighting element 7.1.
[0061] In this embodiment, the First signing element 6.1 is, for
example, that for showing a brand name and accommodating the First
lighting element 7.1 inside, and they are connected with the Rear
wall 5 by any known connection means.
[0062] In this embodiment, the Second singing element 6.2 is, for
example, that for showing brand image and/or equity, and it is
connected with the Rear wall 5 by any known connection means.
[0063] In this embodiment, the Third signing element 6.3 is, for
example, that for showing product prices and/or product
benefits.
[0064] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".
[0065] Any documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written
document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a
document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition
assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
[0066] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *