U.S. patent application number 14/151201 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for lighted display wall.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thor Halseth. Invention is credited to Thor Halseth.
Application Number | 20140198490 14/151201 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51164970 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140198490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Halseth; Thor |
July 17, 2014 |
LIGHTED DISPLAY WALL
Abstract
A display wall includes a wall with at least one T-slot
extending horizontally along a length of the wall. At least one
display shelf is removably coupled with the wall through a
respective T-slot and includes at least one support bracket for
supporting the shelf when coupled with the wall. The at least one
support bracket includes at least two electrical contacts
electrically connected with at least one light positioned on the at
least one display shelf. At least two electrical conductors are
positioned within the respective T-slot and extend along a length
thereof. The at least two electrical conductors electrically
interconnect the electrical contacts with an electrical power
source when the respective display shelf is coupled with the
wall.
Inventors: |
Halseth; Thor; (Shingle
Springs, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Halseth; Thor |
Shingle Springs |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51164970 |
Appl. No.: |
14/151201 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61751355 |
Jan 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
61907417 |
Nov 22, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/147 ;
29/825 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/027 20130101;
Y10T 29/49117 20150115; A47B 2220/0077 20130101; A47F 11/10
20130101; A47F 5/0846 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/147 ;
29/825 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/00 20060101
A47F003/00 |
Claims
1. A display wall, comprising: a wall including at least one T-slot
extending horizontally along a length of said wall; at least one
display shelf removably coupled with said wall through said at
least one T-slot and including at least one support bracket for
supporting said at least one display shelf when coupled with said
wall, said at least one support bracket including at least two
electrical contacts; at least one light positioned on said at least
one display shelf and electrically connected with said at least two
electrical contacts; an electrical power source; at least two
electrical conductors positioned within said T-slot and extending
along a length of said at least one T-slot, said at least two
electrical conductors interconnecting said at least two electrical
contacts with said electrical power source when said at least one
display shelf is coupled with said wall.
2. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least one display
shelf being a plurality of display shelves configured for
positioning at any point along said at least one T-slot extending
along said length of said wall.
3. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least one light
being a light emitting diode (LED) light.
4. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least two
electrical conductors being formed as a low voltage duplex cable
running along a top of said at least one T-slot.
5. The display wall according to claim 4, said at least one support
bracket being an L-shaped bracket of said at least one display
shelf configured for interfacing with said at least one T-slot.
6. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least two
electrical contacts being a pair of metal piercing members coupled
with a pair of electrical leads extending from said at least one
light, said pair of metal piercing members configured to pierce
said duplex low voltage cable to electrically interconnect said at
least one light and said low voltage duplex cable.
7. The display wall according to claim 1, further comprising at
least one plastic extrusion positioned within and extending along
said length of said at least one T-slot and said at least two
electrical conductors being a pair of metal connector strips
positioned within and extending along said at least one plastic
extrusion.
8. The display wall according to claim 8, said pair of metal
connector strips are electrically connected with said electrical
power source through at least two electrical leads extending
between said metal connector strips and said electrical power
source.
9. The display wall according to claim 8, wherein said at least one
T-slot is a plurality of T-slots each including said at least one
plastic extrusion and a pair of said metal connector strips, each
of said plurality of electrical leads electrically connecting one
said pair of metal connector strips of one of said plurality of
T-slots with another said pair of metal connector strips of another
of said plurality of T-slots and said electrical power source.
10. The display wall according to claim 9, said at least one
display shelf further comprising a pair of electrical leads, a pair
of terminals and a housing, said pair of electrical leads extending
between said at least one light and said pair of terminals
positioned within said housing.
11. The display wall according to claim 10, wherein said pair of
electrical leads of said at least one display shelf extending
between said light and said pair of terminals are positioned within
at least one channel inside of said at least one display shelf
12. The display wall according to claim 11, said terminal members
interfacing with said metal connector strips in said at least one
plastic extrusion within said at least one T-slot to complete an
electrical connection with said at least two electrical leads to
electrically connect said at least one light and said electrical
power source when said at least one display shelf is mounted on
said wall.
13. The display wall according to claim 12, wherein said terminal
members are formed of heat treated beryllium copper heat treated
such that said terminal members return to their original shape when
deflected.
14. The display wall according to claim 12, said pair of metal
connecting strips being formed from at least one of copper,
aluminum, silver, zinc, nickel, brass, bronze and steel.
15. A method of installing a display wall, the method comprising
the steps of: providing a wall including at least one T-slot
extending horizontally along a length of said wall, said wall
including at least two electrical conductors extending along a
length of said T-slots and coupled with an electrical power source;
providing at least one display shelf including at least one support
bracket for supporting said at least one display shelf when coupled
with said wall, said at least one support bracket including at
least two electrical contacts electrically connected to at least
one light positioned on said at least one display shelf; removably
coupling said at least one display shelf with said wall by rotating
a forward edge of said at least one display shelf with said at
least one support bracket up and sliding said forward edge and said
at least one support bracket of said at least one display shelf
into said T-slot of said wall such that said at least one display
shelf is removably secured to said wall; electrically
interconnecting said at least two conductors and said electrical
power source with at least one pair of electrical leads such that
said at least one light is electrically connected with said
electrical power source; and lighting said at least one light of
said at least one display shelf by providing power from said
electrical power source.
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step
of repositioning said at least one display shelf at a different
position along said at least one T-slot.
17. The method according to claim 16, said at least one T-slot
being a plurality of T-slots and said repositioning step including
repositioning said at least one display shelf from one of said
plurality of T-slots to any position along another of said
plurality of T-slots.
18. The method according to claim 17, said at least one display
shelf being a plurality of display shelves, said positioning step
being repeated for each of said plurality of display shelves.
19. The method according to claim 18, each of said plurality of
display shelves being electrically connected with said at least two
electrical conductors of each of said plurality of T-slots, and
each of said at least two electrical conductors of each of said
plurality of T-slots being electrically connected with each other
and with said electrical power source through a plurality of
electrical leads.
20. The method according to claim 19, said at least one light being
a plurality of lights.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/751,355, entitled
"LIGHTED DISPLAY WALL", filed Jan. 11, 2013, which is incorporated
herein by reference and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/907,417, entitled "LIGHTED DISPLAY WALL", filed Nov. 22,
2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to lighted display units, for
example, for use in stores for the display of merchandise.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A common practice throughout the retail business is to
display merchandise on shelving on a display wall unit. The problem
presented with this type of display unit is that the only light
reaching the merchandise on or below the shelving is the ambient
light of the store or lighting positioned above the display wall
unit. This lighting may be sufficient for the upper display
shelves, but depending upon the ambient light in the store, may
leave merchandise positioned below such shelving in the shadows.
Display units that are custom built including lighting on the
bottom of the display shelves on the lower part of the display wall
are known in the art, but these display shelves are generally
permanently built and do not have sufficient flexibility to be
readily rearranged on the display wall by the retailer to fit their
ever-changing specific display needs.
[0006] What is needed in the art is a lighted display wall system
which has the flexibility to be readily rearranged on the display
wall simply and efficiently and which provides sufficient lighting
of the merchandised displayed thereon. The lighted display wall
system should be simple and cost effective to produce and to
utilize.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a display wall unit including
a wall having at least one T-slot extending horizontally along a
length of the wall, at least one display shelf which is removably
coupled with the wall through the T-slot, and at least one support
bracket for supporting the display shelf when it is coupled with
the wall. Each support bracket includes at least two electrical
contacts. Each display shelf includes at least one light positioned
on the display shelf and which is electrically connected with the
electrical contacts of the support bracket. At least two electrical
conductors are positioned within each of the T-slot(s) and extend
along the length of the respective T-slot. The electrical
conductors interconnect the electrical contacts of the display
shelf with an electrical power source when the display shelf is
coupled with the wall of the inventive display wall unit.
[0008] The present invention also provides a method of installing a
display wall unit which includes providing a wall including at
least one T-slot extending horizontally along a length of the wall.
The wall includes at least two electrical conductors extending
along a length of each respective T-slot, each of which is coupled
with an electrical power source. At least one display shelf is
provided, each respective display shelf including at least one
support bracket for supporting the respective display shelf when
coupled with the wall. Each respective support bracket includes at
least two electrical contacts which are electrically connected to
at least one light positioned on the respective display shelf. The
display shelf is removably coupled with the wall by rotating a
forward edge of the respective shelf with the respective support
bracket up and sliding the forward edge and the support bracket
into the T-slot of the wall such that the display shelf is
removably secured to the wall. The conductors and the electrical
power source are electrically interconnected with at least one pair
of electrical leads such that the light of each respective display
shelf is electrically connected with the electrical power source.
Power is then provided to the light from the electrical power
source to illuminate the light on the display shelf
[0009] An advantage of the present invention is that a lighted wall
display unit is provided which can be readily rearranged to
accommodate changes in stock and merchandise.
[0010] Another advantage is that merchandise or displays can be
positioned below the inventive shelving unit and still have
sufficient light provided thereto without having to run additional
lighting and wiring to provide light to the dimly lit or shadowed
area beneath a shelf.
[0011] Yet another advantage is that the display shelves can be
readily and simply rearranged at any point along the length of the
T-slot in the inventive wall.
[0012] Additionally, since the electrical conductors are positioned
within the T-slot of the inventive display wall unit, the light of
each respective display shelf is very simply electrically connected
with an electrical power source through the electrical contacts
without the need to run additional wiring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an
embodiment of a lighted display wall according to the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side, sectional view of the lighted display wall
of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the lighted display
shelf shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of a lighted display wall according to the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional end view of the display wall of FIG.
4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lighted display shelf
shown in FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a connector housing with
terminal members for the display wall illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
5;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an assembled view of the connector housing of FIG.
7;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a detailed end view of a section of the display
wall of FIG. 4; and
[0023] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of installing a display
wall unit according to the present invention.
[0024] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out
herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such
exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of
the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown a first embodiment of a display wall unit 10
which generally includes a display wall 12 and a display shelf 14
which is removably connected with wall 12.
[0026] Display wall 12 may be formed, for example, from pressed
wood product, solid wood, plastic, vinyl, aluminum or any other
material having a rigidity sufficient to hold the intended
merchandise. Display wall 12 includes at least one, for example a
plurality of T-slots 16 which extend horizontally along through
display wall 12.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are illustrated at least
two conductors 18A, 18B shown here in the form of duplex low
voltage cable 18, positioned within T-slots 16, for example through
the top of T-slots 16. In FIG. 1, cable 18 is passed through
T-slots 16 and then passed to an adjacent T-slot 16 around a side
of wall 12. Cable 18, is electrically connected with an electrical
power source 20, for example a low voltage transformer 20, such as
a 12 volt or a 24 volt transformer. Alternatively, cable 18 may be
electrically connected with a 110 volt electrical power source 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, there is an end view of wall 12 with duplex low
voltage cable 18, including conductors 18A and 18B, running for
example, along a top portion of T-slot 16.
[0028] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an inventive display shelf 14 which
includes at least one light 22. It is, however, feasible for shelf
14 to include a plurality of lights 22, positioned on shelf 14.
Light 22 may, for example, be in the form of a low voltage light
emitting diode (LED) light 22 positioned, for example on a bottom
surface of shelf 14. Display shelf 14 with light 22 is, for
example, mounted on wall 12 via a support bracket 24, for example
in the form of an L-shaped bracket 24, extending from shelf 14, as
is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Support bracket 24 is
configured to interface with wall 12 via T-slot 16 and includes
metal piercing members 26. A pair of electrical leads 28
electrically interconnect light 22 with metal piercing members 26
and, thereby with conductors 18 when shelf 14 is removably mounted
on wall 12.
[0029] FIG. 3 clearly illustrates a shelf 14 according to the
present invention, with metal piercing members 26 extending from
support bracket 24 in the back of shelving 14. On the underside 30'
or bottom of shelf 14 is housed at least one light 22, for example
a plurality of lights 22. Light 22 is, for example, a low voltage
LED light 22, connected to metal piercing members 26 via electrical
leads 28 in the interior of shelf 14 that, when connected with wall
12, engages conductors 18 to illuminate light 22.
[0030] To move shelf 14 anywhere on wall 12, a forward edge 32 of
shelf 14 is rotated up and support bracket 24 is slid into the back
of shelf 14 with piercing members 26 into T-slot 16 and rotated
down until metal piercing members 26 pierce cable 18 to make
electrical connection between conductor cable 18 and light 22.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, there is shown a second
embodiment of display wall unit 10' according to the present
invention. According to the second embodiment of display wall unit
10', wall 12' again includes at least one T-slot 16', for example a
plurality of T-slots 16', configured to interface with display
shelf 14' and running horizontally along wall 12', as illustrated
in FIG. 4.
[0032] According to the second embodiment of the present invention,
positioned within each T-slot 16' is an insert 34, for example in
the form of a plastic extrusion 34 that houses at least two
conductors 18', for example in the form of conductor strips 18A',
18B', illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9. Conductor strips 18A', 18B' may
be formed of any known conductive material, for example copper,
silver, gold, aluminum, or conductive polymers. Conductor strips
18A', 18B' are connected to each other throughout wall 12' with
electrical leads 36 (shown in FIG. 4), which in turn connect all
T-slots 16' in wall 12' to an electrical power source 20', such as
a 12 volt or 24 volt transformer 20', or a 110 volt power source
20', as shown in FIG. 4.
[0033] Shelf 14' according to the second embodiment of the display
wall unit 10' is shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 as including a single light
22' secured to a bottom surface of shelf 14'. However, shelf 14'
may include a plurality of lights 22', for example three lights 22'
as illustrated in FIG. 6, mounted on underside 30' of shelf 14'. As
set forth above with respect to the first embodiment of the present
invention, lights 22' may, for example, be low voltage LED
lights.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 9, shelf 14' is shown including
electrical leads 28', which electrically interconnect lights 22'
and terminal members 38 residing in a connector housing 40 such
that when shelf 14' is mounted onto wall 12', terminal members 38
engage conductor strips 18A', 18B' in T-slots 16' completing the
electrical interconnection between lights 22' with electrical power
source 20' and illuminating lights 22'. Shelf 14' further includes
support brackets 24' mounted in the back and extending forward of
underside 30' of shelf 14'.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown connector
housing 40 in greater detail including terminal members 38' which
engage conductors 18' in T-slots 16'. In contrast to FIG. 7, which
illustrates an exploded view of connector housing 40, FIG. 8
illustrates an assembled view of connector housing 40 with terminal
members 38 in their respective positions. Here, terminal member
38A' is shown with attached electrical lead 28A' exiting out of the
front of connector housing 40 and is connected to one side of light
22' in shelf 14'. Terminal member 38A' is, for example, made of
formed beryllium copper and is heat treated to return it to its
original shape when deflected. Terminal lead 38B', on the other
hand, is for example stamped or laser cut from sheet aluminum or
copper and is connected with an electrical lead 28B' from light 22'
in shelf 14' with a quick disconnect terminal 42.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a method of
installing a display wall 50 according to the present invention
which includes step 52 of providing a wall having at least one
T-slot extending horizontally along a length of the wall, the wall
including at least two electrical conductors extending along a
length of the T-slot and coupled with an electrical power source.
Further, at least one display shelf is provided, as shown at box
54. The display shelf includes at least one support bracket for
supporting the display shelf when coupled with the wall of the
present invention. The support bracket includes at least two
electrical contacts electrically connected to at least one light
positioned on the display shelf. As illustrated at box 56, the
display shelf is removably coupled with the wall by rotating a
forward edge of the display shelf with the support bracket up and
sliding the forward edge and the support bracket into the T-slot of
the wall such that the display shelf is removably secured to the
wall. At box 58, the conductors and the electrical power source are
electrically interconnected with at least one pair of electrical
leads such that the light is electrically connected to the power
source. The light of the display shelf is lit or illuminated by
providing power from the electrical power source, as shown at box
60.
[0037] The method may further include the step of repositioning the
display shelf at a different position anywhere along the T-slot in
the wall. It is also feasible for there a plurality of T-slots to
be provided in the wall and for the display shelf to be
repositioned at any point along any of the provided T-slots,
including a T-slot which is different than the one into which it
had initially been inserted. It is also feasible for a plurality of
display shelves to be provided and positioned at any point along
the T-slots provided to form a predetermined arrangement, the step
of positioning the display shelf thus being repeated until a
predetermined arrangement is formed from the plurality of shelves.
Each of the plurality of shelves provided would then be
electrically connected with the conductors positioned within the
T-slots such that the lights of each of the provided display
shelves are electrically connected with the electrical power supply
through the electrical conductors and a plurality of electrical
leads and terminal members. According to the method of the present
invention, it is also feasible for there to be provided on each
shelf more than one light.
[0038] While this invention has been described with respect to at
least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
* * * * *