U.S. patent application number 15/676511 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-11 for multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket.
This patent application is currently assigned to DISPLAYS PLUS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is DISPLAYS PLUS, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert Paul Colelli, Johnnie Cruz, Eric Edward Oberg.
Application Number | 20180008039 15/676511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60892563 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180008039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Colelli; Robert Paul ; et
al. |
January 11, 2018 |
MULTI-DIMENSIONALLY ADJUSTABLE SHELF BRACKET
Abstract
A shelf bracket is adjustable vertically along a Z-axis and
rotationally about a Y- axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis.
The bracket may be used in combination with a merchandising system,
including a system with slotted cross members connected by side
brackets to form a shelf component, and various accessories
insertable into the slots of the cross members to form
organizational components along the shelf.
Inventors: |
Colelli; Robert Paul; (Yorba
Linda, CA) ; Oberg; Eric Edward; (Huntington Beach,
CA) ; Cruz; Johnnie; (Anaheim Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DISPLAYS PLUS, INC. |
Placentia |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DISPLAYS PLUS, INC.
Placentia
CA
|
Family ID: |
60892563 |
Appl. No.: |
15/676511 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15345450 |
Nov 7, 2016 |
9730529 |
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15676511 |
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62252305 |
Nov 6, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/045 20130101;
A47B 57/38 20130101; A47F 5/0025 20130101; A47F 5/103 20130101;
A47F 1/125 20130101; A47F 5/005 20130101; A47B 57/588 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/04 20060101
A47B057/04; A47F 5/10 20060101 A47F005/10; A47B 57/38 20060101
A47B057/38 |
Claims
1. A merchandising system (1) removably securable to a bracket
support (70) comprising: a front cross member (5) with a left side
(6), a right side (7), an inwardly-facing edge (8), and an
outwardly-facing edge (9); a back cross member (10) with a left
side (11), a right side (12), an inwardly-facing edge (13), and an
outwardly-facing edge (14); a multi-dimensionally adjustable left
side bracket (100) vertically adjustable along a first Z-axis and
rotationally adjustable along a first Y-axis that is perpendicular
to the first Z-axis, the left side bracket connecting the front
cross member to the back cross member along the left sides thereof;
and a multi-dimensionally adjustable right side bracket (100)
vertically adjustable along a second Z-axis that is parallel to the
first Z-axis, and rotationally adjustable along a second Y-axis
that is perpendicular to the second Z-axis and parallel to the
first Y-axis, the right side bracket connecting the front cross
member to the back cross member along the right sides thereof;
wherein the inwardly-facing edge of the front cross member has
inwardly-facing slots (25) therealong for receiving front catches
(26) of removable accessories; wherein the inwardly-facing edge of
the back cross member has inwardly-facing slots (30) therealong,
aligned with the inwardly-facing slots of the front cross member,
for receiving back catches (31) of the removable accessories;
wherein the inwardly-facing edge of the front cross member has
inwardly-facing tabs (40) at the right and left sides thereof;
wherein the inwardly-facing edge of the back cross member has
inwardly-facing tabs (45) at the right and left sides thereof;
wherein the inwardly facing tab at the left side of the front cross
member and the inwardly facing tab at the left side of the back
cross member are removably secured into slots (50) in the left side
bracket; wherein the inwardly facing tab at the right side of the
front cross member and the inwardly facing tab at the right side of
the back cross member are removably secured into slots (55) in the
right side bracket; wherein the outwardly-facing edge of the front
cross member has slots (60) at the right and left sides thereof;
wherein the outwardly-facing edge of the back cross member has
slots at the right and left sides thereof; wherein the front tab of
the left side bracket is removably secured into the slot at the
left side of the outwardly-facing edge of the front cross member;
wherein the front tab of the right side bracket is removably
secured into the slot at the right side of the outwardly-facing
edge of the front cross member; wherein the back tab of the left
side bracket is removably secured into the slot at the left side of
the outwardly-facing edge of the back cross member; and wherein the
back tab of the right side bracket is removably secured into the
slot at the right side of the outwardly-facing edge of the back
cross member.
2. A multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket (100) adjustable
vertically along a Z-axis and rotationally about a Y-axis that is
perpendicular to the Z-axis, comprising: a bracket hook (103); a
bracket hook mounting plate (104) slidably attached to the bracket
hook and vertically adjustable relative to the bracket hook along a
Z-axis (107); and a bracket arm (108) rotationally attached to the
bracket hook mounting plate and rotationally adjustable relative to
the bracket hook mounting plate about a Y-axis (106) that is
perpendicular to the Z axis.
3. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, wherein
the bracket arm extends away from the bracket hook mounting plate
along an X-axis (105) perpendicular to the Y-axis and to the
Z-axis, and comprises an outer wall (127), an inner wall (126), and
a rack and pinion assembly housed between the outer wall and the
inner wall, the rack and pinion assembly comprising a rack (131)
and a pinion (132).
4. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further
comprising a first locking pin assembly configured to allow
vertical adjustment of the bracket hook mounting plate relative to
the bracket hook along the Z-axis.
5. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 4, further
comprising a second locking pin assembly configured to allow
rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket
hook mounting plate about the Y-axis.
6. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further
comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational
position of the bracket arm.
7. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further
comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a vertical
position of the bracket hook mounting plate.
8. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 7, further
comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational
position of the bracket arm.
9. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 3, further
comprising a spacer (129) between the outer wall and the inner
wall.
10. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 3, wherein
a portion of the bracket hook mounting plate comprises a gear (117)
located between the outer wall and the inner wall configured to
operably engage a gear (123) attached to the pinion during
rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket
hook mounting plate about the Y-axis.
11. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, wherein
the bracket arm is rotationally adjustable relative to the bracket
hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from approximately 0 degrees
to approximately 15 degrees.
12. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 11, further
comprising a rack and pinion assembly configured to allow
rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket
hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from approximately 0 degrees
to approximately 15 degrees, and a locking pin assembly configured
to allow the bracket arm to be fixed at incremental angles between
and including approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15
degrees.
13. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 12, wherein
the incremental angles range from approximately 0 degrees to
approximately 15 degrees in approximately 2.5 degree
increments.
14. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 13, further
comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational
position of the bracket arm.
15. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further
comprising a rail (130) attached to the bracket arm and configured
to rotate with the bracket arm about the Y-axis when the bracket
arm is rotated about the Y-axis.
16. A multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket adjustable vertically
along a Z-axis and rotationally about a Y-axis that is
perpendicular to the Z-axis, comprising: a bracket hook (103); a
bracket hook mounting plate (104) slidably attached to the bracket
hook and vertically adjustable relative to the bracket hook along a
Z-axis (107); a bracket arm (108) rotationally attached to the
bracket hook mounting plate and rotationally adjustable relative to
the bracket hook mounting plate about a Y-axis (106) that is
perpendicular to the Z axis, the bracket arm comprising an outer
wall (127), an inner wall (126), and a rack and pinion assembly
housed between the outer wall and the inner wall; a first locking
pin assembly configured to allow vertical adjustment of the bracket
hook mounting plate relative to the bracket hook along the Z-axis;
a second locking pin assembly configured to allow rotational
adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket hook mounting
plate about the Y-axis; an indicia window (140 or 141) for
displaying visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational
position of the bracket arm; and an indicia window (120) for
displaying visible indicia indicating a vertical position of he
bracket hook mounting plate; at least one spacer (129) between the
outer wall and the inner wall; wherein the bracket arm extends away
from the bracket hook mounting plate along an X-axis (105)
perpendicular to the Y-axis and to the Z-axis; and wherein a
portion of the bracket hook mounting plate comprises a gear (117)
located between the outer wall and the inner wall configured to
operably engage a gear (123) attached to the pinion (132) of the
rack and pinion assembly during rotational adjustment of the
bracket arm relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the
Y-axis.
17. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 16, further
comprising a rail (130) attached to the bracket arm and configured
to rotate with the bracket arm about the Y-axis when the bracket
arm is rotated about the Y-axis.
18. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 16, wherein
the bracket arm is rotationally adjustable relative to the bracket
hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from approximately 0 degrees
to approximately 15 degrees.
19. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 18, wherein
the second locking pin assembly and the rack and pinion assembly
are configured to allow the bracket arm to be rotationally adjusted
relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from
approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees, and to be
fixed at incremental angles between and including approximately 0
degrees to approximately 15 degrees.
20. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 19, wherein
the incremental angles range from approximately 0 degrees to
approximately 15 degrees in approximately 2.5 degree increments.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 62/252,305 filed on Nov. 6, 2015, in
accordance with 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e), and any other applicable
laws. This application claims priority to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/345,450 filed Nov. 7, 2016, currently pending but set
to issue Aug. 15, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,730,529, in accordance
with 35 U.S.C. Section 120, and any other applicable laws. The
contents of the aforementioned application(s) are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth
fully herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The metal shelf has been the back bone of brick and mortar
retail stores for almost a century. Today, merchandise is still
placed onto the shelf. Some unique shelves have been developed,
such as the angled shelf and the rolling shelf which are still just
shelves for merchandise to be placed on. Most all recent
merchandising breakthroughs have involved placing different
apparatus on top of the shelf to organize products better. Spring
fronting devices known as pusher systems along with dividers are
available in various styles. In essence, additional fixtures are
added to the shelf to segregate and forward merchandise. This adds
another level of fixture on fixture. There is thus a need for a
universal merchandising system which incorporates both the shelving
and organizing aspects of displays into a single unit.
[0003] Additionally, traditional shelf brackets are not adjustable.
That is, once the brackets are secured to a bracket support
(fixedly or removably), the bracket arm portion of the bracket is
fixed and cannot be adjusted vertically, rotationally, or in any
manner, other than by removing the bracket from the bracket support
completely and reinstalling the bracket to the bracket support at a
new location. This limits or prevents the ability to adjust the
vertical position of shelves and the angle of presentation of
merchandise to consumers. There is thus a need for an adjustable
shelf bracket that allows vertical and/or rotational adjustment
once the bracket is secured to a bracket support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One aspect of the present invention embodies a new approach
to merchandising that consolidates the shelf and organizing system
into one unit, thus minimizing the number of parts. Fewer parts are
better environmentally, and also lower shipping and fixture costs.
Components are shipped in smaller cartons and are assembled without
tools in minutes.
[0005] Another aspect of the invention includes a
multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket. The bracket has a
vertically adjustable bracket hook mounting plate for vertical
adjustment of the bracket with respect to the bracket hook, and a
rotationally adjustable bracket arm for rotational adjustment of
the bracket with respect to the bracket hook mounting plate.
DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a merchandising system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with some
accessories.
[0007] FIG. 2a shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 (without
the accessories) attached to a gondola at a level arrangement and
at an angled arrangement.
[0008] FIG. 2b shows a closer view of the level-mounted
merchandising system of FIG. 2a, with some accessories.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 assembled,
with various accessories.
[0010] FIG. 4a shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 assembled,
with no accessories.
[0011] FIG. 4b shows a close up of the front cross member of FIG.
4a being removably secured to the right side bracket.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 assembled,
with all available shelf space allocated to various
accessories.
[0013] FIG. 6a shows a side view of conventional shelf brackets
attached to a gondola.
[0014] FIG. 6b shows a side view of a universal merchandising
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
using multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf brackets in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7a shows a close up perspective view of a portion of
the shelf brackets of FIG. 6a.
[0016] FIG. 7b shows a close up perspective view of a portion of
the universal merchandising system of FIG. 6b.
[0017] FIG. 8a shows a side view of the outer side of a left side
multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, with the bracket hook mounting
plate set at a first lower position, and the bracket arm set at
zero degrees.
[0018] FIG. 8b shows a side view of the outer side of the
multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 8a, with the
bracket hook mounting plate set at a second upper position, and the
bracket arm set at zero degrees.
[0019] FIG. 8c shows a side view of the outer side of the
multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 8a, with the
bracket hook mounting plate set at the first lower position, and
the bracket arm set at 15 degrees.
[0020] FIG. 8d shows a side view of the outer side of the
multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 8a, with the
bracket hook mounting plate set at the second upper position, and
the bracket arm set at 15 degrees.
[0021] FIG. 9a shows a perspective view of the outer side of a
right side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the
bracket hook mounting plate set at the first lower position, and
the bracket arm set at zero degrees.
[0022] FIG. 9b shows a perspective view of the outer side of the
multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 9a, with the
bracket hook mounting plate set at the second upper position, and
the bracket arm set at zero degrees.
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a close-up partial view of the outer side of a
left side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the
components behind the outer wall shown in phantom,
[0024] FIG. 11 shows a close up perspective view of the outer side
of a right side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, attached to
a portion of a universal merchandising system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, along with an X-Y-Z coordinate
system for frame of reference.
[0025] FIG. 12a shows an outer side view of the disassembled
components of a right side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf
bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 12b shows a side view of the outer side of an assembled
right side multi- dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with
components behind the outer wall shown in phantom.
[0027] FIGS. 13a-13g show side views of a left side
multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, with the bracket arm adjusted
at various angles.
[0028] FIG. 14 shows a close up perspective view of the rack
portion of the rack and pinion assembly used for rotational
adjustment of a multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The universal merchandising system (1) of the present
invention includes a front cross member (5) and a back cross member
(10) both removably attached to a left side bracket (15) and right
side (20) bracket, as best seen in FIG. 4a. The cross members (5,
10) are slotted (25, 30) to accommodate various accessories (e.g.,
short dividers (65), tall dividers (66), gravity feeders (67),
pushers (68), platforms (75), slotted platforms (76), bins (77),
and/or other accessories as known in the art) to form
organizational components along what appears as a traditional
shelf. The slots (25, 30) are typically evenly distributed along
the respective edges. FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an
embodiment of a universal merchandising system (1) in accordance
with the present invention.
[0030] An assembled universal merchandising system (1) in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 4a. Typically the system (1) is secured to bracket support
(70) such as a gondola, wall, or other structure by brackets (69)
as is known in the art. This is shown in FIG. 2a, which shows one
system (1) attached in a level arrangement at the top, and another
system (1) attached in an angled arrangement at the bottom. In one
aspect of the present invention, however, multi-dimensionally
adjustable shelf brackets (100) are used as shown in FIGS. 6-14 and
described herein. Such multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf
brackets (100) may be used with the universal merchandising system
(1) described herein in lieu of and/or in addition to traditional
brackets (69). Such brackets (100) are referred to herein as shelf
brackets for convenience, because the most common application of
brackets (100) is to use them to support shelves. But brackets
(100) may be used to support other structures as well.
[0031] Turning first to the universal merchandising system (1), the
front cross member (5) has a left side (6), a right side (7), an
inwardly-facing edge (8), and an outwardly-facing edge (9).
Similarly, the back cross member (10) has with a left side (11), a
right side (12), an inwardly-facing edge (13), and an
outwardly-facing edge (14). The inwardly-facing edge (8) of the
front cross member (5) has inwardly-facing slots (25) therealong
for receiving front catches (26) of removable accessories.
Similarly, the inwardly-facing edge (13) of the back cross member
(10) has inwardly-facing slots (30) therealong, aligned with the
inwardly-facing slots (25) of the front cross member (5), for
receiving back catches (31) of the removable accessories. As used
herein, "inwardly facing" refers to the direction facing towards
the inside of the system, i.e., where merchandise will be placed.
Thus, the inwardly-facing slots (25) and (30) face each other.
Conversely, "outwardly-facing" refers to the direction facing away
from the inside of the system. For the front cross member (5), that
is in a direction out in front of the system (1). For the back
cross member (10), that is in a direction out in back of the system
(1).
[0032] The cross members (5, 10) are connected to left and right
side brackets (15 and 20 respectively) using a first set of tabs
(40) and slots (55) and a second set of tabs (21) and slots (60)
for each of the front right, front left, back right, and back left
corners of the system (1). This is best seen in FIG. 4b which shows
the attachment point of the front cross member (5) to the right
side bracket (20). Using this front right corner as an example, the
cross member (5) is first mated with the right side bracket (20)
via inwardly-facing tab (40) on the cross member (5) and slot (55)
on the right side bracket (20). Next, the cross member (5) is
rotated such that a slot (60) in the cross member (5) engages a
locking tab (21) attached to right side bracket (20). This is
similarly repeated for the front left corner, the back left corner,
and the back right corner, all in any sequence. The cross members
(5, 10) are thus removably secured to the side brackets (15, 20),
as shown in FIG. 4a.
[0033] FIG. 2b, this shows a system (1) attached to a gondola (70)
in a level position. Dividers (66) and pusher (68) are shown in an
exploded view. They would be attached to the front slots (25) via
front catches (26), and to the back slots (30) via back catches
(31). FIG. 3 shows a system (1) with various accessories
implemented. For example, a slotted platform (76) may sit directly
on the cross members (5) and (10) to allow dividers (66) to be
installed to segregate the merchandised product. A front fence (82)
may also be installed to retain the merchandised product on the
system. A non-slotted platform (75) may be used to allow for
conventional merchandising of various products. A self- contained
tray or bin (77) is another optional component that can be attached
to system (1). The tray (77) may include any combination of
retaining walls or barriers on any side, top, or bottom.
[0034] Turning now to FIG. 5, a completely assembled version of the
system (1) is shown using various components to utilize all
available "shelf space." These components include tall dividers
(66), short dividers (65), pusher tracks (68), basic tracks (83),
gravity tracks (67), and a front fence (82). Another option not
shown is a feature to communicate sales, brand or seasonal messages
graphically and/or electronically. This may be done as is known in
the art, and provisions may be included to accept Omni-channel
digital edge technology by CLOVERLEAF. Inventory control, targeted
marketing and advertising revenue streams are a few of the many
benefits obtained with CLOVERLEAF and can be easily integrated into
the system of the present invention.
[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 6-14, a multi-dimensionally adjustable
shelf bracket (hereafter sometimes referred to as simply
"adjustable bracket") (100) in accordance with the present
invention will be described. The adjustable bracket (100) has a
vertically adjustable component adjustable along a Z-axis (107),
and a rotationally adjustable component adjustable about a Y-axis
(106) perpendicular to the Z-axis (107), both as described herein.
For reference, an X-Y-Z coordinate system (152) is shown in FIG.
11.
[0036] Vertical adjustment of the adjustable bracket (100) allows
vertical placement of brackets (100) on the bracket support (70) at
smaller increments than with conventional brackets (69). For
example, conventional brackets (69) are typically installed on a
bracket support (70) such that the tops (101) of successive
brackets (69) are vertically spaced apart at one inch increments.
Adjustable brackets (100), however, may be installed in the same
positions on the bracket support (70) as shown comparing FIG. 7a to
FIG. 7b, but adjusted as described herein to allow the tops (101)
of successive brackets (100) to be vertically spaced apart at
increments less than one inch, for example one half inch. This
allows for less unused vertical shelf space, more control over the
vertical space between shelves for various-sized merchandise (102),
and potentially installation of one or more extra adjustable
brackets (100) (and hence shelves) on a bracket support (70) as
compared to using conventional brackets (69) with the same bracket
support (70). This is shown in FIG. 6a which shows conventional
brackets (69) accommodating only 11 shelves, as compared to FIG. 6b
which shows adjustable brackets (100) accommodating 12 shelves.
[0037] An adjustable bracket (100) in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention includes a bracket hook (103), a bracket
hook mounting plate (104) slidably attached to the bracket hook
(103) and vertically adjustable relative to the bracket hook (103)
along a Z-axis (107), and a bracket arm (108) rotationally attached
to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) and rotationally
adjustable relative to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) about
a Y-axis (106) that is perpendicular to the Z axis (107). A
vertical indicia panel (124) may be installed between the bracket
hook (103) and the bracket hook mounting plate (104) as further
described herein.
[0038] The bracket hook (103) attaches to a bracket support (70) in
a conventional manner, as best seen in FIG. 7b. The bracket hook
(103) has attachment holes (109) as best seen in FIG. 12a, for
slidingly attaching the bracket hook (103) to the bracket hook
mounting plate (104) through vertical slots (110) in the bracket
hook mounting plate (104) using any conventional means (111) such
as rivets, nuts and bolts, etc. The bracket hook (103) also has
vertical adjustment holes (112), such that as the bracket hook
mounting plate (104) is vertically adjusted, a locking pin (113)
may engage the desired adjustment hole (112) to lock the bracket
hook mounting plate (104) in the desired vertically-adjusted
position. The drawings show only two adjustment holes (112) per
bracket (100), but any number of adjustment holes (112) may be used
depending on the application. The locking pin (113) may be
spring-loaded and connected to a knob (114) such that pulling or
releasing the knob (114) activates the locking pin (113) into
unlocked or locked positions respectively. The knob (114) may fit
as a sleeve over a cylindrical base press-fitted into a hole (121)
in the bracket hook mounting plate (104). The locking pin (113),
slots (110), adjustment holes (112), and/or knob (114) cooperate to
form a locking pin assembly configured to allow vertical adjustment
of the bracket hook mounting plate (104) relative to the bracket
hook (103) along the Z-axis (107). Other means may be used to
effect the same result.
[0039] The bracket hook mounting plate (104) has vertical slots
(110) and a locking pin hole (121) as previously described, to
facilitate vertical adjustment of the bracket hook mounting plate
(104) along the Z-axis (107) relative to the bracket hook (103).
The bracket hook mounting plate (104) also has a curved slot (116),
gear teeth (117), and a pivot hole (118) through which the Y-axis
(106) extends, to facilitate rotational adjustment of the bracket
arm (108) about the Y-axis (106) relative to the bracket hook
mounting plate (104). Pivot hole (118) is also a point of
connection of inner wall (126) and outer wall (127) via connectors
(111) through holes (159) as described herein. The bracket hook
mounting plate (104) has a back support flange (119) extending at a
substantially right angle to the main body of the bracket hook
mounting plate (104), which provides structural stability to the
bracket (100) when installed on a bracket support (70). The support
flange (119) has an indicia window (120) at the top thereof which
is used to view the vertical position of the bracket hook mounting
plate (104) as further described herein. The gear teeth (117) of
the bracket hook mounting plate (104) cooperate with the gear teeth
(122) of a small gear (123) during rotation of the bracket arm
(108) as further described herein.
[0040] A vertical indicia panel (124) is installed between the
bracket hook (103) and the bracket hook mounting plate (104) by
fixing a first surface thereof to the inside surface of the bracket
hook (103) through attachment holes (109) and corresponding
attachment holes (125) in the vertical indicia panel (124). Another
surface thereof at a right angle to the first surface has indicia
thereon, and rests against the back surface of the back support
flange (119) of the bracket hook mounting plate (104). A cutout
(115) in the vertical indicia panel (124) allows vertical locking
pin (113) to pass therethrough to reach adjustment holes (112) as
needed. The indicia are positioned to display the vertical position
of the bracket hook mounting plate (104) through the vertical
indicia window (120) when the bracket hook mounting plate (104) is
vertically adjusted relative to the bracket hook (103) along the
Z-axis (107). For example, in an embodiment with two vertical
positions available as shown in the drawings, when the bracket hook
mounting plate (104) is in the up position, the indicia might read
"UP" or "U" and when the bracket hook mounting plate (104) is in
the down position, the indicia might read "DOWN" or "D."
[0041] A bracket arm (108) in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention will now be described in more detail. The bracket
arm (108) extends away from the bracket hook mounting plate (104)
along an X-axis (105) perpendicular to the Y-axis (106) and to the
Z-axis (107), as best seen in FIG. 11. The components of the
bracket arm (108) are the inner wall (126), outer wall (127), and
rail support (128). The inner wall (126) is in parallel relation to
the outer wall (127) and generally has a similar profile so their
surface faces match up. The inner wall (126) has a hole (158) for
receiving a press-fitted portion of the locking pin assembly and
allowing locking pin (142) to pass therethrough to lock into place
in a desired one of adjustment holes (136). The walls (126, 127)
are connected using any conventional means (111) such as rivets,
nuts and bolts, etc. passing through holes (154). The connectors
(111) may pass through other components housed between the inner
wall (126) and outer wall (127) as described more fully herein.
[0042] The walls (126, 127) may be plastic, metal, or other
suitable material depending on the weight and durability
requirements of a particular application. Clear plastic may be used
to allow inspection of the internal components. The rail support
(128) may be a separate component, or may be integrated with one of
the walls (126, 127). The embodiment shown in the drawings shows
the rail support (128) as a flange of the outer wall (127) offset
at a right angle to the main surface of the outer wall (127). The
rail support (128) acts to support a rail (130) which may be a left
side bracket (15) or right side (20) bracket as described herein,
or another rail (130) used to support a shelf.
[0043] Sandwiched between the walls (126, 127) are a rack and
pinion assembly comprising a rack (131) and a pinion (132), a small
gear (123), the gear portion (117) of the bracket hook mounting
plate (104), and spacers (129a, 129b, 129c), as best seen in FIG.
12b. The rack (131) (excluding flange 137), pinion (132), and
spacers 129b and 129c, are in a first plane against the inner wall
(126). The small gear (123), gear portion (117) of the bracket hook
mounting plate (104), and spacer 129a, lie in a second plane
against the outer wall (127). The small gear (123) is fixed to the
outside portion of the pinion (132) (which is in front of the
pinion (132) in FIG. 12a), and thus rotates therewith along a
pinion axis (133) that is parallel to the Y-axis (106), and also
acts as a spacer similar to spacer 129a. The pinion (132) and small
gear (123) are secured by connector (111) through pivot holes (153)
in walls (126, 127). During rotation, the teeth (134) of the pinion
(132) operably mate with the teeth (135) of the rack (131), while
the teeth (122) of the small gear (123) operably mate with the
teeth (117) of the bracket hook mounting plate (104). The two sets
of mating teeth provide for more precise control over rotation, and
extra stability.
[0044] The rack (131) is best seen in FIG. 14, and has rotational
adjustment holes (136), a guide flange (137), a first set of
rotational indicia (138) for display through an indicia window
(140) in outer wall (127), and a second set of rotational indicia
(139) on the upper surface of the guide flange (137) for display
through an indicia window (141) in a rail (130). The guide flange
(137) is configured to slide within a cutout (144) of the rail
support (128) and not only carries the second set of rotational
indicia (139), but also provides extra stability to the rack (131)
during movement. The rotational indicia (138, 139) are typically
numbers representing the approximate angle of rotation (151) of the
bracket arm (108). This is best seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 14.
[0045] Spacers 129a, 129b, and 129c are shaped to fill in most of
the area between the walls (126, 127) that are not occupied by
moving parts 104, 123, 131, 132 during rotation of the bracket arm
(108), to thus maintain a relatively constant distance between the
walls (126, 127) and provide more stability thereto. The spacers
129a, 129b, 129c have holes (150) corresponding to holes (154) in
walls (126, 127) and thus are secured in place by connecters (111).
Spacer (129a) also has a hole (155) corresponding to and aligned
with indicia window (140) in outer wall (127), and a hole (156)
corresponding to and aligned with locking pin (142) of bracket arm
(108). Spacer (129c) has a hole (157) corresponding to and aligned
with pivot hole (118).
[0046] As the bracket arm (108) is rotationally adjusted, locking
pin (142) similar to locking pin (113) (controlled by knob (143)
similar to knob (114)) may engage the desired adjustment hole (136)
to lock the bracket arm (108) in the desired rotationally-adjusted
position. The locking pin (142), adjustment holes (136), and/or
knob (143) cooperate to form a second locking pin assembly
configured to allow rotational adjustment of the bracket arm (108)
relative to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) about the Y-axis
(106).
[0047] The drawings show seven rotational adjustment holes (136),
but any number of adjustment holes (136) may be used depending on
the application. In this example, the adjustment holes (136)
correspond to rotational positions of approximately 0 degrees, 2.5
degrees, 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, and 15
degrees, as seen by the rotational indicia (138 and 139).
Accordingly, the bracket arm (108) is rotationally adjustable at an
angle (151) relative to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) about
the Y-axis (106) from approximately zero degrees to approximately
15 degrees, in 2.5 degree increments, as best seen in FIGS. 13a-13g
respectively. The indicia (138 and 139) are positioned such that
they show through their corresponding windows (140 and 141) when
the bracket arm (108) is rotated at the angle indicated.
[0048] Side views of an adjustable bracket (100) with the bracket
arm (108) rotated at zero degrees are shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b with
the bracket hook mounting plate (104) in a lower position and upper
position respectively. Side views of an adjustable bracket (100)
with the bracket arm (108) rotated at fifteen degrees are shown in
FIGS. 8c and 8d with the bracket hook mounting plate (104) in a
lower position and upper position respectively. Perspective side
views of an adjustable bracket (100) with the bracket arm (108)
rotated at zero degrees are shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b with the
bracket hook mounting plate (104) in a lower position and upper
position respectively. The embodiment shown in these drawings
includes only two vertical adjustment positions as seen by the two
bracket hook adjustment holes (112).
[0049] A multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket (100) has
thus been described herein with reference to the drawings, along
with a universal merchandising system (1) that may incorporate the
adjustable shelf bracket (100).
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