U.S. patent application number 13/633259 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-03 for sliding and tilting shelves, especially for use in a refrigerated mechandise display.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gregory Scott Isaacs, Brian Hart Welker. Invention is credited to Gregory Scott Isaacs, Brian Hart Welker.
Application Number | 20140091696 13/633259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50384513 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140091696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Welker; Brian Hart ; et
al. |
April 3, 2014 |
Sliding and Tilting Shelves, Especially for Use in a Refrigerated
Mechandise Display
Abstract
A shelf system for use in displaying and storing merchandise is
especially suited for use in a refrigerated or chiller compartment
that can be used with other conventional display sections. The
shelving system or unit includes a squared frame that is mounted in
a refrigeration compartment. Side or knife brackets are mounted on
opposite sides of the frame and shelves on which items of
merchandise are stored in spring loaded pusher track systems are
mounted on the side brackets. Guide members mounted on the side
brackets allow the shelves to slide between a retracted and an
extended position on a planar path, but when the shelves reach the
extended position, the glide members tilt allowing the shelves to
tile for easier access to items stored thereon.
Inventors: |
Welker; Brian Hart;
(Summerfield, NC) ; Isaacs; Gregory Scott; (Mt.
Airy, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Welker; Brian Hart
Isaacs; Gregory Scott |
Summerfield
Mt. Airy |
NC
NC |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50384513 |
Appl. No.: |
13/633259 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 ;
211/134; 211/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0043 20130101;
A47B 88/48 20170101; A47F 5/101 20130101; A47F 5/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 ;
211/134; 211/153 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/00 20060101
F25D011/00; A47B 96/02 20060101 A47B096/02; A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A shelf assembly for use in storing and displaying merchandise,
the shelf assembly comprising: a pair of side brackets mountable on
a frame, each side bracket including a glide member mounted on an
interior surface; at least one shelf subassembly positioned between
and supported by the pair of side brackets, each shelf subassembly
including outwardly facing slide channels extending along the side
of each shelf subassembly, the glide members on the side brackets
being received within the slide channels so that the shelf
subassembly can travel fore and aft, between a retracted position
and an extended position, relative to the pair of side brackets as
the glide members ride within the slide channels; the shelf
assembly being characterized in that the glide members are
pivotally mounted on the side brackets, wherein each shelf
subassembly moves only horizontally during initial movement from
the retracted position toward the extended position, movement of
the shelf subassembly to the extended position imparting rotation
to the glide members while the glide members remain within the
slide channels so that the shelf subassembly will tilt, due to
gravity, relative to the side brackets when in the extended
position.
2. The shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein the side brackets are
mounted to the frame adjacent a rear portion of the side brackets
and adjacent to a front portion of the side brackets, so that the
side brackets are immobile relative to the frame, the shelf
subassembly sliding and tilting relative to both the frame and the
side brackets.
3. The shelf assembly of claim 2 wherein the side brackets are
mounted to the frame in columns on the sides of the shelf assembly
so that multiple shelf subassemblies can be mounted, one above the
other relative to the frame.
4. The shelf assembly of claim 3 wherein two of the side brackets
comprising a pair of side brackets are only attached to the frame
along sides of the frame so that shelf assemblies and merchandise
items located on the shelves can slide and rotate without abutting
members extending between the side brackets forming a pair of side
brackets.
5. The shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein the glide members are
pivotally secured to the side brackets at one end of each glide
member with at least one pin extending from an opposite end of each
glide members through an arcuate slot in the side bracket on which
the glide member is mounted so that the pin moves within the
arcuate slot as the glide member tilts due gravity acting on the
shelf subassembly in the extended position.
6. The shelf assembly of claim 5 wherein the pin extends through an
axis of rotation of each glide member and into a pivot point on the
side bracket on which the glide member is mounted.
7. The shelf assembly of claim 6 wherein multiple pins extend into
multiple arcuate slots in the bracket on which the bracket on which
the glide member is mounted, the multiple pins being spaced from an
axis around which the glide member rotates through and angle
subtended by the arcuate slots.
8. The shelf assembly of claim 5 wherein the glide members are
pivotally mounted on the side brackets adjacent a forward end of
the glide members.
9. The shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein the side brackets comprise
knife brackets including an upright wall forming the interior
surface on which the glide members are mounted.
10. The shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein a rearward facing notch
on the glide members is engaged by the shelf subassembly when in a
retracted position to form a stop retaining the shelf subassembly
in the retracted position, upward movement of the shelf subassembly
disengaging the shelf subassembly from the notch so that the shelf
subassembly can move from the retracted to the extended
position.
11. The shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one shelf
tilts relative to the side brackets only after the shelf has moved
to a position in which its center of gravity is positioned beyond a
glide member pivot point.
12. A retail product display and storage assembly for use in a
refrigerated compartment, the assembly comprising: a plurality of
sliding shelves, stacked one above the other on multiple levels; a
squared frame positionable in the refrigerated compartment, the
frame including four upright frame corner posts positioned to
define vertical reference lines not solely dependent upon interior
surface contours of the refrigerated compartment; side brackets,
each securely attachable to and detachable the frame at a rear
frame corner post and a front frame corner post on one side of the
frame, two side brackets on the same level, one on each side of the
frame, being held in position by the frame to form a planar path
along which the sliding shelves will slide between a retracted and
an extended position; and glide members mounted on the side
brackets and received in side channels on the shelves to allow the
shelves to slide between the retracted to the extended
positions.
13. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 12
wherein the frame is removable from the refrigerated compartment
through a front door on the refrigerated compartment.
14. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 13
wherein the four upright frame corner posts are interconnected by
braces only extending around a periphery of the frame, the braces
being separate from the side brackets.
15. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 14
wherein each side bracket is secured only to the frame, and side
brackets on the same level are connected only to the frame, with
the exception of to the sliding shelf extending therebetween on the
same level, to form a strapless assembly.
16. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 12
wherein the sliding shelves are tiltable when located in the
extended position, but not when sliding between the retracted and
extended positions.
17. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 16
wherein the glide members are tiltable glide members located
adjacent a front end of each side bracket.
18. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 17
wherein all of the sliding shelves include channels along opposite
sides thereof, tiltable glide members being received within
adjacent channels on adjacent sliding shelves.
19. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 12
wherein the side channels each sliding shelf comprise rigid side
channels interconnected by front and rear lateral supports.
20. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 19
wherein pusher track subassemblies are mounted on the front and
rear lateral supports to store rows of products on each shelf.
21. The retail product display and storage assembly of claim 20
wherein each side bracket comprises a knife bracket with rearwardly
extending hooks mountable in openings on a frame rear corner post
and a tongue formed adjacent a bracket front end for engaging a
frame front corner post to immovably mount each side bracket to the
frame.
22. A strapless merchandise assembly for displaying and storing
merchandise and providing an item storage volume equal to a large
percentage of available display space, the assembly comprising; a
plurality of slidable and tiltable shelves, each shelf being
mountable between two side brackets, wherein the side brackets are
independently held in fixed positions, each shelf being mounted
between pairs of side brackets, without straps extending laterally
between side brackets forming a pair of side brackets either above
or below each shelf, each shelf being slidable relative to the pair
of side brackets on which it is mounted between retracted and
extended positions, and each shelf being tiltable relative to the
pair of side brackets on which it is mounted only when the shelf is
in the extended position; each of the shelves has a channel on each
side receiving glide members mounted on each side bracket, adjacent
a front portion of each side bracket, so that each shelf slides
along a planar path relative to the pair of side brackets on which
it rides between the retracted and extended positions, and wherein
each of the shelves moves only horizontally during initial movement
from the retracted position toward the extended position and
wherein each glide member tilts when the shelf reaches the extended
position and the shelf tilts due to gravity, the extended position
at which each shelf tilts being dependent upon distribution of
weight of items stored on that shelf, initial horizontal movement
of each shelf from the retracted position toward the extended
position allowing each shelf to move without engaging adjacent
shelves closely spaced thereabove and therebelow each shelf during
initial movement from the retracted position, each shelf being free
to tilt without obstruction of items stored on the shelf by straps
above and below the shelf so that shelves can be positioned
relatively close together to increase the percentage of item
storage volume relative to display space.
23. The strapless merchandise assembly of claim 22 wherein the side
brackets are mounted on a frame, wherein the frame does not extend
over a shelf mounted on side brackets mounted on the frame.
24. The strapless merchandise assembly of claim 23 wherein straps
do not extend between portions of the frame over or below the
shelves.
25. The strapless merchandise assembly of claim 23 wherein straps
do not extend over or above any shelf between side brackets on
which said shelf rides.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR CO-PENDING APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/626,844 filed on Oct. 4,
2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is directed to a retail merchandise display
unit that can be used to display and store merchandise in the form
of individual items that will be removed from the shelves forming
the retail display unit. More particularly, this invention is
directed to a refrigerated retail display unit or chiller that can
replace a standard shelving unit without disturbing standard retail
shelving sections that would remain on either side of the
refrigerated retail display unit.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Merchandise is commonly displayed and stored on shelves.
Spring loaded pusher systems are also mounted on the shelves to
push items in different rows forward when the item at the front of
a particular row is removed. These conventional displays are
typically used with items that can be displayed and stored at room
temperature. In some cases, new and different premium items, which
may compete with or be superior to the standard item, may require
special storage conditions. For example it may be necessary to
maintain these items at temperatures that are lower than room
temperature. Thus refrigeration or chiller equipment must be
employed.
[0006] However, since the premium refrigerated items may be
competitive with the standard items that require no special
storage, a retailer or a product manufacturer may wish to display
these items with standard items. Small cabinet mounted
refrigeration units or countertop refrigerated or chiller units
have been employed. However, these smaller units do not provide
significant display space. A larger refrigeration unit or chiller
could display more product, but if it is substituted for a standard
display unit or section, it may not be cost effective unless the
new refrigeration unit is capable of storing a large number of
items in an available display space. Furthermore, the overall
dimensions of such a unit will need to be similar to standard
display sections if they are to be interchangeable.
[0007] One problem with prior are shelf display systems 100, such
as that shown in FIG. 11 is the presence of straps 110 that extend
either below side brackets 106 and 108 on which a shelf will ride.
When items or product are stored for display in pusher systems 104
located on shelves 102, the straps 110 can obstruct the product on
the shelves 102 during movement. For example, a relatively tall
product on a shelf 102 might be wedged against a strap 110 located
on the side or knife brackets 106, 108 on which the shelf above
rides. This would require greater clearance and therefore reduce
the storage density of product stored therein. Tilting of the
shelves 110 to enhance access to product or items on the shelves
would also be restricted by the presence of these straps 110. If
the straps extending between a frame on which side brackets 106,
108 are mounted the side brackets and therefore the shelves 102
could only be mounted at select locations, limiting the versatility
of the storage display system. The present invention eliminated the
necessity for these straps and is therefore referred to as a
strapless system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect of this invention, a shelf assembly
is used to store and display merchandise. This shelf assembly
includes a pair of side brackets mountable on a frame. Each side
bracket includes glide members on an interior surface. A shelf
subassembly is positioned between and supported by the pair of side
brackets. Each shelf assembly includes outwardly facing slide
channels extending along the side of each shelf subassembly. The
glide members on the side brackets are received within the slide
channels so that the shelf subassembly can travel fore and aft
relative to the pair of side brackets as the glide members ride
within the slide channels.
[0009] The glide members are pivotally secured to the side bracket
on which it is mounted. Movement of the shelf subassembly to an
extended position imparts rotation to the glide members while the
glide members remain within the slide channels. The shelf
subassembly will then tilt, due to gravity, relative to the side
brackets when in this extended position.
[0010] A retail product display and storage assembly according to
another aspect of this invention is used in a refrigerated
compartment. This assembly includes a plurality of sliding shelves,
stacked one above the other on multiple levels. A squared frame can
be positioned in the refrigerated compartment. The frame includes
four upright frame corner posts that form squared vertical
reference lines not solely dependent upon interior surfaces of the
refrigerated compartment. Side brackets are each secured to a rear
frame corner post and a front frame corner post on one side of the
frame. Two side brackets on the same level, one on each side of the
frame, are held in position by the frame corner posts to form a
planar path along which the sliding shelves will slide between a
retracted and an extended position. Glide members on the side
brackets are received in side channels on the shelves to allow the
shelves to slide between the retracted to the extended
positions.
[0011] This invention also can comprise a strapless merchandise
assembly for displaying and storing merchandise and providing an
item storage volume equal to a large percentage of available
display space. This assembly includes a plurality of slidable and
tiltable shelves. Each shelf is mountable between two side
brackets. These side brackets are independently held in fixed
positions. Each shelf is mounted between pairs of side brackets,
without straps extending laterally between side brackets forming a
pair of side brackets either above or below each shelf. Each shelf
slides relative to the pair of side brackets on which it is mounted
between retracted and extended positions. Each shelf tilts relative
to the pair of side brackets on which it is mounted only when the
shelf is in the extended position. Each shelf has a channel on each
side receiving glide members mounted on each side bracket. Each
shelf slides along a planar path relative to the pair of side
brackets on which it is mounted between the retracted and extended
positions. Each glide member tilts when the shelf reaches the
extended position so that the shelf will tilt due to gravity. The
extended position at which each shelf tilts is dependent upon
distribution of weight of items stored on that shelf. Each shelf is
free to tilt without obstruction of items stored on the shelf by
straps above and below the shelf so that shelves can be positioned
relatively close together to increase the percentage of item
storage volume relative to display space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a view of a retail display showing a refrigerated
display unit located between two standard product display sections
as they would be employed in a retail establishment.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a refrigerated display unit
including a refrigerated compartment and the shelf assembly that
can be positioned within the refrigerated compartment.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of a shelf
assembly according to this invention that would be employed in the
refrigerated display unit as shown in FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4A is an exploded unit of a frame that is part of the
shelf assembly of FIG. 2 showing a single self that would be
mounted in the frame by side or knife brackets attached to the
frame. FIG. 4B is a fragmentary view showing a side or knife
bracket mounted on the frame and FIG. 4C is a similar fragmentary
view showing the opposite side of the side or knife bracket from
that shown in FIG. 4B.
[0016] FIG. 5A shows a single shelf assembly mounted in a frame in
a retracted position. FIG. 5B is a fragmentary view showing the
attachment of a side or knife bracket to a rear corner post on the
frame. FIG. 5C is a fragmentary view showing the attachment of the
side or knife bracket to a front corner post on the frame.
[0017] FIG. 6A is a view showing a single shelf assembly in an
extended position in which the shelf assembly is tilted relative to
the frame. FIG. 6B is a fragmentary view showing the shelf assembly
tilted relative to the side or knife bracket and showing the
attachment of the side or knife bracket at the rear of the frame.
FIG. 6C is a fragmentary view showing the shelf assembly tilted
relative to the front end of one of the side or knife brackets.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing a shelf assembly, with a
pusher subassembly mounted thereon, and the two side or knife
brackets on which the single shelf assembly would be mounted.
[0019] FIG. 8A shows the interior surface of one of the assembled
side or knife brackets. FIG. 8B shows the two components of the
side or knife brackets prior to assembly.
[0020] FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing a single shelf and the
components forming the pusher subassembly that will be mounted on
the shelf.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a view of one of the tiltable glide members.
[0022] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a prior art assembly in which
side brackets are attached together by straps extending below a
shelf mounted on the side brackets, and therefore extending above a
shelf positioned below the shelf depicted therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a retail product display and storage unit or
section 2 that includes a refrigerated compartment 10 that can be
referred to as a chiller. This refrigerated unit 2 can be employed
in combination with standard merchandise display sections 16 and 18
on either side. This allows merchandise items 8 that should be
maintained at a lower temperature than normal to be stored and
displayed next to other merchandise that may not require special
care, but which may not offer the margins to the retailer that can
be realized from these refrigerated items 8. However, these
refrigerated items 8 can be part of the same general product
category as the other items that should be displayed in close
proximity. Since the volume of product displayed is an important
consideration, the substitution of a refrigerated product display
and storage unit 2 for a standard display section cannot
significantly reduce the number of items on display. Furthermore,
overall dimensions of the refrigerated product display and storage
unit 2 should be within a range which would allow the refrigerated
unit 2 to be interchangeable with one of the conventional sections
16 or 18. Although additional refrigeration components are
necessary, it follows that the item storage volume should be a very
high percentage of the available display space or volume. In other
words, the shelf assembly 20 in the refrigerated storage
compartment 10 should allow as much of the available space to be
filled with product or items 8 as possible. It follows that the
items 8 will be stored together as closely as possible. The shelf
assembly 20 should nevertheless provide product handling
capabilities, such as product pusher subassemblies 90 in which
product or items 8 stored in rows are advanced after the front
product is removed by a customer or by a store employee. In
addition, the shelf assembly 20 must allow items to be stocked and
to be recycled or rearranged as appropriate. The instant invention
is intended to increase product storage and display space by
placing shelves 40 close together so that only the front item is
accessible, and these closely spaced shelves 40 will slide out for
restocking. In addition these shelves 40 will tilt when the shelf
is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 1. In the
representative embodiment, nine shelf levels 22, as seen in FIG. 2
are provided resulting in minimal product headroom between shelves
40. Tilting not only facilitates restocking, but may be necessary
for the upper rows of a shelf assembly 20, which might not be
conveniently accessible to a person of normal height, either to
restock the merchandise or in some cases even to remove an item 8
located on the front of a row.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a shelf subassembly 20 and a mounting frame 30
on which the shelves 40 are mounted. This mounting frame 30
comprises squared mounting member on which the individual shelves
40 can slide smoothly between a retracted position and an extended
position along a planar path to prevent binding and so that the
shelves 40 will not be canted, especially during extraction. In the
configuration depicted herein, this planar path will be level,
although it should be understood that the shelves 40 can be angled,
but the planar path on which they travel should also be at the same
angle.
[0025] For normal construction, the interior surfaces 12 of a
refrigerated compartment 10 do not exhibit the dimensional
tolerances that will allow the shelves 40 to be mounted directly to
the refrigerated unit or to the walls of the refrigerated
compartment 10 while achieving the same storage and product density
while allowing smooth operation of the shelves 40. This is believed
to be due to the need to insulate the refrigerated compartment 10,
which results in the need for large clearances in a standard
refrigerated compartment. The mounting frame 30 can be positioned
in the refrigerated compartment 10, close to the interior surfaces
12, and then be leveled or squared independent of the contour of
the refrigerated compartment interior surfaces 12. This squared
frame 30 will then properly position the shelf subassembly 20 and
its components for reliable movement of the shelves 40, while
utilizing a large percentage of the available refrigerated storage
space for the items 8 themselves. In the embodiment depicted herein
the four corner posts 32 and 34 are connected by braces 36 so that
the entire frame 30 remains fairly rigid. However the important
aspect of this frame is that the corner posts 32 and 34 remain
square. In alternate embodiments these corner posts could be
assembled individually or in pairs and then oriented so the posts
32 and 34 would be square forming true vertical reference
lines.
[0026] The mounting frame 30 can be inserted through the front door
14 of the refrigerator or chiller, and leveled or squared once
inside the refrigerated compartment. The shelves 40 can then be
mounted on the mounting frame 30, which includes two front corner
posts 32 and two rear corner posts 34. Corner posts 32 and 34 are
connected by frame braces 36 and by a frame base 38. The braces 36
and the base 38 are located on the periphery of the mounting frame
30, which does not include any straps extending between the sides
of the mounting frame 30 within the periphery of the mounting frame
30. The absence of these straps eliminates interference with the
shelves 40 and items 8 stored thereon during movement between an
retracted position, in which the shelf is fully inserted, and an
extended position. Furthermore, the absence of any straps extending
over or above the shelves 40 prevents interference when the shelves
40, and the items 8 stored thereon, are tilted, when the shelf 40
is in an extended position. The absence of straps means the less
vertical spacing is necessary between shelf levels 22, thus
increasing item storage volume. In the preferred embodiment, the
mounting frame 30 is fabricated from metal members to provide
sufficient rigidity to this structure. Furthermore, the absence of
straps extending over the shelves 40 or between side brackets 50
means that the side brackets 50 can be positioned at virtually any
point along the corner posts 32 and 34. Thus the side brackets 50
and the shelves riding thereon can be positioned as a function of
the size of the items or product to be stored thereon.
[0027] The individual shelves 40 are supported on the mounting
frame 30 by side or knife brackets 50. Knife brackets 50 will
engage each shelf 40 on opposite sides. A number of knife brackets
50 equal to the number of shelf levels 22 will be mounted on
opposite sides of the mounting frame 30. Each side or knife bracket
50 has a front portion or end 52 attached to a front frame corner
post 32 and a rear portion or end 54 attached to a rear frame
corner post 34. As shown in FIG. 8B, each knife bracket 50
comprises an upright section 56 extending between the front and
rear ends 52, 54, and a mounting piece 66 attachable to the
interior of the upright section 56 at the rear end 54. A lower
flange 58 extends from the upright section 56, and extends inward
from the interior surface of upright section 56. The lower flange
58 can provide support for the rear of the shelf 40 in its
retracted position.
[0028] Two arcuate slots 60 extend through the upright bracket
section 56 adjacent the front end 52. These arcuate slots 60 are of
different lengths, with the forward slot 60 being shorter than the
rearward slot 60, although it should be noticed that these arcuate
slots 60 subtend a common angle measured relative to an opening 86,
which will form a pivot point for a glide member 70 that will be
mounted on each side bracket 50, as will be subsequently discussed
in greater detail.
[0029] The bracket mounting piece 66 includes three rearwardly
extending, but downwardly facing hooks 62. These hooks 62 are
insertable into openings 35, shown in FIG. 4B to mount the side or
knife bracket 50 to a corresponding rear corner post 34. Since
there are a row of openings 35 located on each rear corner post 34,
the side brackets 50 can be mounted at different heights, depending
upon the particular application, including the height of the items
to be stored on specific shelves 40. Spacing between shelves 40 is
therefore a function of the relatively close spacing between these
openings 35. Each side bracket 50 also includes a tongue 64 that is
struck from the upright section 56 closer to the front end 52 than
to the rear end. This tongue 64 has a rearwardly facing free end,
and the tongue 64 extends outwardly from the upright section 56.
This tongue 64 will extend over the front edge of the corresponding
front frame corner post 32 to attach the side bracket 50 to the
front post 32 while the hooks 62 secure the side bracket 50 to the
rear post 34. The tongue 64 will provide lateral positioning
between the side bracket 50 and its corresponding front corner post
32, but there is significance leeway for the fore and aft
relationship between the side bracket 50 and a corresponding front
corner post 32, because it is not necessary to fully inset the
leading edge of the front corner post 32 in the slot formed by the
tongue 64. FIG. 4B shows the rear of the side bracket fully
inserted so that the hooks 62 will be secured in three appropriate
openings 35 in the rear corner post. FIG. 4C shows the tongue 64
engaging the front frame corner post 32. Each side bracket 50 will
then be attached to front and rear corner posts 32, 34 of the
squared frame 30, and will form a planar path along which the
shelves 40 can be moved in a straight line during insertion and
extraction. Side brackets 50 on each level will thus be accurately
aligned.
[0030] Each shelf 40 includes metal side or slide channels 42
forming the sides of the shelf 40. These channels are joined at the
front and rear by lateral supports 44 and 46 to form a rigid
member. The side channels 42 have a U-shaped cross section and each
channel 42 opens outwardly. The side channels 42 are dimensioned to
receive a single glide member 70 as the shelf 40 moves between a
retracted and extended position. The lower lip of each channel 42
will be positioned between the glide member 70 and the lower flange
58 on the side bracket 50.
[0031] Glide member 70 comprise one piece members which preferably
are fabricated from a plastic that will provide sufficient
lubricity to allow the glide member to slide within the shelf side
channel 42 with little friction. These glide members 70 can also be
referred to as slide members since slide or guide in the side
channels 42. Glide members 70 are mounted adjacent the front end 52
of each side bracket 50 to the interior surface of the upright
bracelet section 56. The glide members 72 will fit within a
corresponding side channel 42 on a shelf 40. As the shelf 40 moves
from a rear, retracted position, the glide members 72 will move
along a straight path allowing the shelf to move in a straight line
along a planar path. The shelf 40 will tilt as it reaches its
extended position because the glide members, supporting the shelf
40, will pivot relative to the side bracket 50 on which it is
mounted. Each glide member 70 is mounted to a side bracket 50 by a
pivot pin 84 that extends from the front housing end 78 into a
pivot opening 86 on the side bracket 50. As the shelf 40, with
items of merchandise 8 stored thereon, moves forward it will
ultimately reach a point where the center of gravity of the loaded
shelf 40 moves past the axis formed by the pivot pin 84, and then
gravity acting upon the loaded shelf 40 will cause the two glide
members 70 supporting it to rotate about this axis of rotation,
thus allowing the loaded shelf to tilt to the position shown in
FIG. 6A. When the shelf 40 reaches this extended position, it can
rotate or tilt because there are no straps or cross pieces
extending above the shelf 40, which might obstruct items 8 stored
on the shelf 40. The straps 110, shown in the prior art
configuration of FIG. 11 are absent from the strapless
configuration of this invention, and the pair of side brackets 50
are not connected by straps extending above or below the
corresponding shelf 40. The rigidity that might have been provided
by a strap has been replaced, in this strapless configuration by
the rigid, peripheral mounting frame 30 or by squared and anchored
corner posts 32 and 34 to which the immovable side or knife
brackets 50 are secured. Of course, the weight and number of items
8 that are present on the shelf 40 will differ depending upon the
loaded condition of the shelf. However, the pusher subassemblies 90
on each shelf will insure that the items 8 are moved forward, and
the center of gravity of a partially loaded shelf 40 may even be
further forward than a fully loaded shelf 40. Thus although the
extended position at which the loaded shelf 40 begins to tilt can
vary depending upon the weight and number of items 8 on the shelf
40, the shelf 40 will still be sufficiently clear of shelves 40
above and below the tilting shelf, so that there will be no
interference.
[0032] The glide member 70 extends rearwardly from the front pivot
pin 84. Pins 88 extend beyond the inner surface of the glide
members 70. As can be seen in FIG. 5C, each of this pins 88 extend
through the guide member 70 into one of the arcuate slots 60 on the
side or knife bracket 50. The ends of the arcuate slots 60 thus
serve to limit the movement of pins 88 and therefore limit the
angle through which the glide member 70 can tilt. The tilt of the
glide member 70 determines the degree of tilt of the shelf 40,
because the glide members 70 are captured in the shelf channels 42.
A stop pin 89 extending through the rear shelf lateral support 46
will engage the rear of the glide members 70 when the shelf 40 is
in a fully extended position so that the shelf 40 will not fall
free of the side brackets 50. The glide members 70 also include a
notch 82 located on its upper surface. A downwardly extending lip
on the front shelf lateral support 44 will engage this notch 82
when the shelf 40 is in its retracted position, to hold the shelf
40 in place. Thus removal of an item 8 from the shelf 40 will not
cause the shelf to move forward from its normally operative
retracted position. A slight upward movement of the front end of
the shelf 40 will clear this notch 82 so that the shelf 40 is free
to slide from the retracted position toward the extended
position.
[0033] This strapless shelf assembly can employ a conventional
pusher subassembly 90 for storing the merchandise items in parallel
rows. The representative embodiment of a pusher subassembly 90
includes a pusher track 92 that can be mounted on a front strip 91
and a rear strip 93. Mounting strips 91 and 93 can be secured
respectively to the front and rear lateral shelf supports 44 and
46. A tape or an adhesive can be employed. In the representative
embodiment shown herein, the individual tracks 92 are snapped into
place in the front and rear strips 91 and 93. Dividers 98 are also
snapped into the strips 91 and 93 between the tracks 92. A pusher
94 spring loaded by a coil spring 96 is mounted on each track, and
the spring loaded pusher 94 will bias or push items in front of the
pusher 94 toward the front of the shelf 40 so that as a front item
8 is removed those behind it are urged forward so that items in all
rows are readily accessible. The pusher subassembly 90 depicted
herein is merely representative and this invention is suitable for
use with other conventional pusher systems. For example, the pusher
system could employ one-piece components with multiple tracks.
Pusher systems similar to the representative embodiment depicted
herein are discussed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,281,
which is incorporated by reference herein. The representative
embodiment also shows a pusher system in which the larger frontal
surface of the item faces forward. Another pusher system in which
the items are positioned with narrower sides facing forward and
which is also suitable for use in this invention, is shown in US
Provisional Patent Application (Attorney's Docket Number 11034)
filed Sep. 30, 2011 by Brian Welker and Greg Isaacs and entitled
System for Advancing Merchandise in Different Orientations, which
application is incorporated herein by reference.
[0034] The items 8 depicted herein are disk shaped. It should be
understood however that the items with which this invention can be
employed can have other shapes. For example, this invention is
especially suited for rectangular items or packages. This invention
is also suited for applications in which the height of the various
items can be different, and this invention can even be employed in
situations in which the height of items in different rows of the
same shelf may be different. It should also be understood that this
shelving system can be employed with room temperature displays as
well as displays in which the items may maintained at an elevated
temperature or subject to other restrictions.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment the single piece glide members
70, which merely slide along channels 42 without rotation, could be
replaced by a member having wheels or rollers that rotate relative
to a housing in which they are located. Thus the term glide members
is not limited to bearing members that merely translate or slide
without rotation.
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