U.S. patent application number 14/033826 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-26 for accessible check-out counter.
This patent application is currently assigned to Target Brands, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Target Brands, Inc.. Invention is credited to David J. Floersch, Blake M. Johnson, Mitchell Knoll.
Application Number | 20150083523 14/033826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50605995 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150083523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Blake M. ; et
al. |
March 26, 2015 |
ACCESSIBLE CHECK-OUT COUNTER
Abstract
A check-out counter includes a base having a top, a stationary
countertop and a slidable countertop. The stationary countertop has
a top surface and is fixedly mounted to the top of the base. The
slidable countertop has a top surface and is slidably mounted to
the top of the base adjacent to the stationary countertop. The top
surface of the stationary countertop is coplanar with the top
surface of the slidable countertop.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Blake M.; (St.
Paul, MN) ; Knoll; Mitchell; (Eagan, MN) ;
Floersch; David J.; (Minneapolis, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Target Brands, Inc. |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Target Brands, Inc.
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
50605995 |
Appl. No.: |
14/033826 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
186/59 ;
29/401.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49716 20150115;
A47F 9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
186/59 ;
29/401.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 9/04 20060101
A47F009/04 |
Claims
1. A check-out counter comprising: an unload area that supports
merchandise to be purchased; a bagging area located down stream
from the unload area and used to support bags for receiving the
purchased merchandise; a deck area located down stream from the
unload area and the bagging area, the deck area comprising: a base
having a top; a stationary countertop having a top surface and
being fixedly mounted to the top of the base; and a slidable
countertop having a top surface and being slidably mounted to the
top of the base adjacent to the stationary countertop; wherein the
top surface of the stationary countertop is coplanar with the top
surface of the slidable countertop.
2. The check-out counter of claim 1, wherein the stationary
countertop comprises a down stream end, a first side end and an
opposing second side end and wherein the slidable countertop
comprises a down stream end, an up stream end, a first side end and
an opposing second side end, the down stream end of the stationary
countertop being in alignment with the down stream end of the
slidable countertop and the second side end of the stationary
countertop being adjacent the first side end of the slidable
countertop when in a first position.
3. The check-out counter of claim 2, wherein the stationary
countertop comprises a lip located along the down stream end and
protruding upwards from the top surface of the stationary
countertop.
4. The check-out counter of claim 2, wherein the slidable
countertop comprises a first lip located along the up stream end of
the slidable countertop and a second lip located along the second
side end of the slidable countertop, the first lip and the second
lip protruding upwards from the top surface of the slidable
countertop.
5. The check-out counter of claim 2, wherein when the slidable
countertop is moved from the first position to a second accessible
position, the slidable countertop is cantilevered relative to the
base and the down stream end of the slidable countertop is
out-of-alignment with the down stream end of the stationary
countertop.
6. The check-out counter of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at
least one recessed surface recessed from the top surface of the
base to house a plurality of slides, wherein each slide includes at
least a base member fastened to the at least one recessed surface
and a top member fastened to a bottom surface of the slidable
countertop, and wherein the top member of each slide slidably
engages with the base member of each slide.
7. The check-out counter of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a
detent that protrudes from a top surface of the base to releasably
engage with a recess located on a bottom surface of the slidable
countertop, the detent configured to prevent the slidable
countertop from sliding until a threshold level of force is applied
to move the slidable countertop.
8. A counter comprising: a base deck having a top surface and at
least one recessed surface that is recessed from the top surface of
the base deck; a top deck having a moveable portion coupled to the
at least one recessed surface of the base deck with at least one
slide, the at least one slide including a base member coupled to
the at least one recess surface of the base deck, a top member
coupled to a bottom of the moveable top deck and a slide member for
slidably engaging the base member to the top member.
9. The counter of claim 8, wherein the top deck further comprises a
fixed portion coupled to the top surface of the base deck and
wherein the fixed portion is located adjacent to the moveable
portion.
10. The counter of claim 9, wherein the fixed portion of the top
deck comprises a down stream end, a first side end and an opposing
second side end and wherein the moveable portion of the top deck
comprises a down stream end, an up stream end, a first side end and
an opposing second side end, the down stream end of the fixed
portion of the top deck being in alignment with the down stream end
of the moveable portion and the second side end of the fixed
portion of the top deck being adjacent to the first side end of the
moveable portion of the top deck when in a first position.
11. The counter of claim 10, wherein the fixed portion of the top
deck comprises a top surface and a build-up contour located along
the down stream end of the fixed portion that protrudes upwards
from the top surface of the fixed portion of the top deck.
12. The counter of claim 10, wherein the moveable portion of the
top deck comprises a first build-up contour located along the up
stream end of the moveable portion and a second build-up contour
located along the second side end of the moveable portion, the
first build-up contour and the second build-up contour protruding
upwards from the top surface of the moveable portion of the top
deck.
13. The counter of claim 10, wherein when the moveable portion of
the top deck is moved from the first position to a second
accessible position, the moveable portion is cantilevered relative
to the base deck and the down stream end of the moveable portion is
out-of-alignment with the down stream end of the fixed portion of
the top deck.
14. The counter of claim 8, wherein the base deck comprises a
detent that protrudes from the top surface of the base deck to
releasably engage with a recess located on a bottom surface of the
moveable portion of the top deck, the detent configured to prevent
the moveable portion from sliding until a threshold level of force
is applied.
15. A method of transitioning a check-out counter comprising:
providing a base and a countertop mounted to the base that is in a
first position, the countertop being located in a deck area that is
down stream from an unload area and a bagging area of the check-out
counter and including a fixed section having a down stream end and
a top surface and a slidable section having a down stream end and a
top surface that is coplanar with the top surface of the fixed
section, wherein in the first position the slidable section is
located adjacent to the fixed section such that the down stream end
of the slidable section is in alignment with the down stream end of
the fixed section; and moving the slidable section of the
countertop to a second position that is different from the first
position, wherein in the second position the down stream end of the
slidable section is cantilevered from the base and is
out-of-alignment from the down stream end of the fixed section.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the slidable section of
the countertop to the second position comprises using a sliding
force that is greater than a threshold amount of force to overcome
a detent located on the base.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising moving the slidable
section of the countertop back to the first position.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the slidable section of
the countertop back to the first position comprises using a force
that is greater than a threshold amount of force to lock the
slidable section back into the detent that is located on the
base.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising preventing items
from sliding off the down stream end of the fixed section of the
countertop by providing a lip along the down stream end of the
fixed section that protrudes from the top surface of the fixed
section.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising preventing items
from sliding off an up stream end that is opposite the down stream
end of the slidable section by providing a lip along the up stream
end of the slidable section that protrudes from the top surface of
the slidable section.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The supermarket and merchandising industries use a variety
of different styles of check-out counters. In most jurisdictions,
counters having cash registers that provide for the sales or
distribution of goods or services should include at least one
counter that complies with accessibility codes for the customer.
Generally, accessibility codes require the counter to have a
minimum length and a maximum height above the floor in combination
with an accessible route for the customer.
[0002] However, many jurisdictions are now implementing more
stringent requirements. For example, a jurisdiction may now require
that an accessible counter not only have a minimum length and a
maximum height, but also provide adequate knee space having a
minimum counter width and minimum counter depth.
[0003] The discussion above is merely provided for general
background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
SUMMARY
[0004] A check-out counter includes an unload area that supports
merchandise to be purchased, a bagging area that is located down
stream from the unload area and used for supporting bags that
receive the purchased merchandise and a deck area located down
stream from the unload area and the bagging area. The deck area
includes a base having a top, a stationary countertop and a
slidable countertop. The stationary countertop has a top surface
and is fixedly mounted to the top of the base. The slidable
countertop has a top surface and is slidably mounted to the top of
the base adjacent to the stationary countertop. The top surface of
the stationary countertop is coplanar with the top surface of the
slidable countertop.
[0005] In other embodiments, the check-out counter includes a base
deck and a top deck. The base deck has a top surface and at least
one recessed surface that is recessed from the top surface of the
base deck. The top deck has a moveable portion coupled to the at
least one recessed surface of the base deck with at least one
slide. The at least one slide includes a base member coupled to the
at least one recess surface of the base deck, a top member coupled
to a bottom of the moveable top deck and a slide member for
slidably engaging the base member to the top member.
[0006] A method of transitioning a check-out counter is also
described. A base and a countertop mounted to the base are provided
that are in a first position. The countertop includes a fixed
section and a slidable section. The fixed section has a down stream
end and a top surface. The slidable section has a down stream end
and a top surface that is coplanar with the top surface of the
fixed section. In the first position, the slidable section is
located adjacent to the fixed section such that the down stream end
of the slidable section is in alignment with the down stream end of
the fixed section. The slidable section of the countertop is then
moved to a second position that is different from the first
position. In the second position, the down stream end of the
slidable section is cantilevered from the base and is
out-of-alignment from the down stream end of the fixed section.
[0007] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not
limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages
noted in the background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a check-out counter
according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the check-out counter
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of the check-out counter illustrated
in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an end view of the check-out counter illustrated
in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an end perspective view of the check-out counter
illustrated in FIG. 1 in an accessible configuration according to
another embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of the check-out counter illustrated in
FIG. 1 in the accessible configuration.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a back view of the check-out counter illustrated
in FIG. 1 in the accessible configuration.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view of a base deck of the check-out counter
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the base deck, a
moveable top deck and a plurality of sliders coupling the base deck
to the moveable top deck to allow the check-out counter illustrated
in FIG. 1 to transition into an accessible configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Retailers process transactions for goods or services at
counters. In some jurisdictions, an accessible counter is one that
is barrier free and has adequate knee space for the customer. As
defined in these jurisdictions, a barrier free counter is one that
is not more than 865 mm above the floor and has adequate knee space
that is not less than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high and 485 mm deep. As
described herein, a check-out counter is provided that can be
transitioned into a customer accessible check-out counter when the
need arises. More specifically, the check-out counter is described
as being able to transition into a barrier free counter having
adequate knee space for the customer.
[0018] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a check-out counter 100 according to
one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, FIG. 2 is a
back perspective view, FIG. 3 is a front view and FIG. 4 is an end
view of check-out counter 100. Although check-out counter 100 is
optimized for the supermarket or merchandising industry, it can be
adapted for a variety of other retail, wholesale and/or warehouse
applications. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, check-out
counter 100 includes an unload area 102, a point-of-sale area 104,
a bagging area 106 and a deck area 108.
[0019] Merchandise is placed in unload area 102 and advanced along
a processing path 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2). More particularly, unload
area 102 supports merchandise that is to be purchased by forwarding
the merchandise along processing path 110 to point-of-sale area 104
where it is processed before being placed into a bag in bagging
area 106. In FIGS. 1-4, unload area 102 includes a conveyor belt
112. Conveyor belt 112 includes a terminal end 114 (FIG. 2) located
adjacent point-of-sale area 104. Merchandise placed on conveyor
belt 112 by a customer is conveyed to terminal end 114. In an
alternate embodiment, unload area 102 is a static surface along
which merchandise is manually advanced. In another embodiment,
unload area 102 is relatively short such that a shopping cart
containing merchandise can be positioned relatively near
point-of-sale area 104.
[0020] Point-of-sale area 104 includes a point-of-sale terminal
(not illustrated in FIGS. 1-4) having various peripheral devices
for processing a transaction. The point-of-sale terminal includes a
controller that is located in work area 118 and is electrically
coupled to the various peripheral devices. For example, the
point-of-sale terminal can include an optical scanner or reader
configured to read information from the merchandise when moved
proximate the scanner. The scanner can read merchandise
identification information and/or merchandise price information
from a bar code or other type of identification badge secured to
the merchandise. In one embodiment, the scanner can be integrally
connected into point-of-sale area 104 in space 116. In another
embodiment or in addition to including an integrally connected
scanner, the scanner can be a handheld device that is held on a
scanner holder located in or near work area 118. In further
examples, the point-of-sale terminal can include a point-of-sale
monitor coupled to a point-of-sale monitor stand 120, data input
devices, such as a keyboard, a touchpad and a cash drawer, a
printer located in work area 118 and an electronic payment
processing module that can be mounted to a check writer ledge
121.
[0021] Bagging area 106 is located down stream from unload area 102
and point-of-sale area 104 and is used to support bags for
receiving purchased merchandise. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and in
one embodiment, bagging area 106 includes one or more upper bag
racks 122 and one or more lower bag racks 124. Each of upper bag
rack 122 and lower bag rack 124 is configured to support a
plurality of bags for subsequent loading of purchased merchandise.
It should be realized that other configurations of bag racks can be
located in bagging area 106 other than that which is illustrated in
FIGS. 1-4. Upper and lower bag racks 122 and 124 are accessible by
the cashier for ease of loading merchandise after it has been
processed in point-of-sale area 104. In addition, upper bag rack
122 is positioned within reach of a customer so that a customer can
assist the cashier in loading purchased merchandise if so
desired.
[0022] Each bag rack 122 and 124 has a pair of spaced apart
elongated support rods that laterally extend from different walls
in bagging area 106 and support a plurality of shopping bags
located between each pair of support rods. It should be realized
that other types of bag racks other than those illustrated in FIGS.
1-4 can be used in bagging area 106. In addition, bagging area 106
includes a lower support shelf 126 positioned below lower bag rack
124 and an upper support shelf 128 located below upper bag rack
122. Lower and upper support shelves 126 and 128 each include top
surfaces that support the bags hanging from bag racks 122 and 124
when loaded with purchased merchandise. Furthermore,
self-supporting bags, such as paper bags, can be supported on lower
and upper support shelves 126 and 128 in an open configuration for
loading purchased merchandise.
[0023] Deck area 108 is located down stream from unload area 102,
point-of-sale area 104 and bagging area 106 and is used to support
loaded bags and used to provide further work surface areas. In one
embodiment, after the cashier finishes loading purchased
merchandise into bags located in bagging area 106, the loaded bags
are removed from upper or lower bag racks and/or removed from upper
and lower support shelves 126 and 128 and placed in deck area 108.
The customer and/or the cashier can then pick up the loaded bags
from deck area 108 for transport away from check-out counter 100.
In another embodiment and in addition to deck area 108 holding
loaded bags, deck area 108 can be transitioned or converted to an
accessible check-out counter space. As previously described, an
accessible counter for the customer is one that is barrier free and
has adequate knee space. As defined in some jurisdictions, a
barrier free counter is one that is not more than 865 mm above the
floor and a counter with adequate knee space is a counter that is
not less than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high and 485 mm deep.
[0024] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate check-out counter 100 in an accessible
configuration. FIG. 5 is a back perspective view, FIG. 6 is a top
view and FIG. 7 is a back view of check-out counter 100. As shown
in FIGS. 1-7, deck area 108 includes a base or base deck 130 and a
top deck or countertop 132. To configure check-out counter 100 from
a first position (illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 to a second position or
accessible configuration (FIGS. 5-7), top deck 132 includes a fixed
portion or stationary countertop 134 coupled to base or base deck
130 and a moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 coupled to
base or base deck 130. Fixed portion or stationary countertop 134
includes a down stream end 170, a first side end 171 and an
opposing second side end 173. Moveable portion or slidable
countertop 136 includes an up stream end 174, a down stream end
175, a first side end 177 and an opposing second side end 178. In
the first position (FIGS. 1-4), down stream end 170 of fixed
portion or stationary countertop 134 is in alignment with down
stream end 175 of moveable portion or slidable countertop 136. In
addition, second side end 173 of fixed portion or stationary
countertop 134 is adjacent the first side end 177 of moveable
portion or slidable countertop.
[0025] Moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is moved into
the second position or the accessible configuration by sliding
moveable portion 136 in a first direction 137. In the second
position or accessible configuration (FIGS. 5-7), moveable portion
or slidable countertop 136 provides a barrier free counter that is
not more than 865 mm above the floor and includes adequate knee
space that is not less than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high and 485 mm
deep. Further, moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is
cantilevered relative to base deck 130 and downstream end 175 of
moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is out-of-alignment
with downstream end 170 of fixed portion or stationary countertop
134. Likewise, moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 can be moved
back into the first position by sliding moveable portion 136 in an
opposing second direction 139.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a top view of base or base deck 130 of check-out
counter 100. Base deck 130 includes a top or top surface 138 and at
least one recessed surface 140. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 5-8, recessed surface 140 is recessed from top surface 138
and includes three pockets 142, 144 and 146. However, it should be
realized that recessed surface 140 can include any number of
recesses depending on the type and amount of hardware pieces needed
to couple moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 to base deck
130.
[0027] Fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 of top deck 132
is fixedly mounted to top or top surface 138 of base or base deck
130, while moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is slidably
mounted to recessed surface 140 of base or base deck 130. A top
surface 148 of fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 is
substantially coplanar with a top surface 150 of moveable portion
or slidable countertop 136. In one embodiment and although not
illustrated, top surface 148 of stationary countertop 134 and top
surface 150 of slidable countertop 136 are substantially coplanar
with upper support shelf 128 of bagging area 106 so that loaded
bags can be easily slid down stream to deck area 108 from upper
support shelf 128. In another embodiment and although not
illustrated, top surface 148 of stationary countertop 134 and top
surface 150 of slidable countertop 136 are substantially coplanar
with lower support shelf 126. Directly sliding loaded bags from
lower support shelf 126 or upper support shelf 128 to deck area 108
reduces the need for the cashier to lift and move heavily loaded
bags. In yet another embodiment and as illustrated clearly in FIG.
2, top surface 148 of stationary countertop 134 and top surface 150
of slidable countertop 136 are coplanar with neither lower or upper
support shelves 126 and 128. Rather, lower bag rack 124 is aligned
with or located below conveyor belt 112 and upper bag rack 122 is
accordingly located above lower bag rack 124 so that the cashier
can easily load bags with merchandise from conveyor belt 112.
[0028] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of base deck 130,
moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 and a plurality of slides 152,
154 and 156 coupling base deck 130 to moveable portion 132 to allow
check-out counter 100 to transition into the second position or the
accessible configuration. As illustrated, each of the three slides
152, 154 and 156 are coupled to one of the pockets 142, 144 and 146
of recessed surface 140 by fasteners (not illustrated) and are
coupled to a bottom of moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 by
fasteners (not illustrated). More specifically, each slide 152, 154
and 156 is a ball bearing slide that provides moveable portion 136
with adequate load bearing and full extension in first direction
137. Although three slides are illustrated, it should be understood
that any number of slides could be used to move moveable portion
136 of top deck 132 and to support moveable portion 136 in the
second position or the accessible configuration (FIGS. 5-7).
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and 9, each slide 152, 154 and
156 includes three components: a base member 158, 159 and 160,
respectively, a top member 161, 162 and 163, respectively, and a
slide member 164, 165 and 166, respectively. Although each slide
152, 154 and 156 illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and 9 includes three
components, it should be realized that two component slides are
also possible. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and 9, base member 158
of slide 152 is coupled to pocket 142 of recessed surface 140, base
member 159 of slide 154 is coupled to pocket 144 of recessed
surface 140 and base member 160 of slide 156 is coupled to pocket
146 of recessed surface 140. Further, top member 161 of slide 152
is coupled to the bottom of moveable portion 136 of top deck 132,
top member 162 of slide 154 is coupled to the bottom of moveable
portion 136 of top deck 132 and top member 163 of slide 155 is
coupled to the bottom of moveable portion 136 of top deck 132.
Still further, slide member 164 engages base member 158 with top
member 161, slide member 165 engages base member 159 with top
member 162 and slide member 166 engages base member 160 with top
member 163.
[0030] Besides overcoming the frictional forces of slides 152, 154
and 156 to move moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 in
first direction 137 to transition check-out counter 100 into the
second position or the accessible configuration, the force provided
by a detent 180 also needs to be overcome. Base deck 130 includes
detent 180 that protrudes from top surface 138 of base deck 130 to
releasably engage or lock with a recess (not illustrated) located
on a bottom surface of moveable portion or slidable countertop 136.
Detent 180 is configured to prevent moveable portion or slidable
component 136 from sliding or moving in first direction 137 until a
threshold level or threshold amount of force is applied to moveable
portion or slidable countertop 136. Although detent 180 can be made
from various components, detent 180 illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8
is a ball detent that protrudes from top surface 138 of base deck
130 and is located between pocket 142 and pocket 144 of base deck
130. It should be realized that detent can be placed in a variety
of different locations on base deck 130 that are outside of
recessed surface 140. In addition, when moving the slidable section
of the countertop back to the first position, a force that is
greater than the threshold level or threshold amount of force is
needed to lock the slidable section back into detent 180.
[0031] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-7, fixed portion 134 of
top deck 132 includes a lip or buildup contour 168 located at a
down stream end 170 of fixed portion 134. Lip or build-up contour
168 protrudes upwards from top surface 148 of fixed portion 134.
Lip or build-up contour 168 can prevent loaded bags that are slid
from bagging area 106 onto deck area 108 from sliding off the down
stream end 170 of fixed portion 134. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2,
5-7 and 9, moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 includes a two lips
or build-up contours. A first lip or build-up contour 172 is
located at up stream end 174 of moveable portion 136 and a second
lip or build-up contour 176 is located at second side end 178 of
moveable portion 136. First lip or build-up contour 172 and second
lip or build-up contour 176 protrudes upwards from top surface 150
of moveable portion 136. When converting check-out counter 100 into
an accessible check- out counter by moving moveable portion 136 in
direction 137, moveable portion 136 becomes an accessible counter
that can be used by the customer for completing a transaction. For
example, the electronic payment processing module can be moved from
check writer ledge 121 to moveable portion 136. When moveable
portion 136 is moved in direction 137, first lip or build-up
contour 172 and second lip or build-up contour 176 can prevent the
electronic payment processing module or any other items, such as
loaded bags, placed on moveable portion 136 from sliding off up
stream end 174 of moveable portion 136 or side end 178 of moveable
portion 136.
[0032] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
* * * * *