U.S. patent number 3,595,404 [Application Number 04/791,279] was granted by the patent office on 1971-07-27 for shelf.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Butler Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Arthur Goldstein, Theodore Sobel.
United States Patent |
3,595,404 |
Goldstein , et al. |
July 27, 1971 |
SHELF
Abstract
A shelf for articles of uniform height and each having a
thickness in which the shelf is so arranged that the articles will
lie back against the back of the shelf but will lie in a position
in which an overlying article does not completely overlap the
article which it overlies in order that visual observation permits
immediate examination of every article on the shelf. The shelf base
and back are tilted rearwardly with the back extending at an obtuse
angle with respect to the base.
Inventors: |
Goldstein; Arthur (Scarsdale,
NY), Sobel; Theodore (South Orange, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Butler Industries, Inc.
(Newark, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
25153207 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/791,279 |
Filed: |
January 15, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/29; 211/49.1;
211/106; 211/90.01; 211/133.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
7/148 (20130101); A47F 5/0031 (20130101); A47F
5/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/01 (20060101); A47F 7/14 (20060101); A47F
5/00 (20060101); A47f 005/08 (); A47f 007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;211/90,88,106,134,153,126,133,42,49,50,45,181,41 ;248/DIG.3
;206/44,44.11 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Britts; Ramon S.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. In a shelf for receiving and supporting articles of merchandise
in overlying relationship with the front face of each article
facing outwardly, the combination comprising shelf bottom defining
means for receiving and supporting a lower edge of each of said
articles, said shelf bottom defining means having an
article-receiving surface which slopes downwardly and rearwardly at
an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, shelf back defining
means for receiving and supporting the rear surface of one of said
articles, said shelf back defining means having an
article-receiving surface which slopes upwardly and rearwardly at
an acute angle with respect to the vertical, and support means for
rigidly supporting said shelf bottom and shelf back defining means
at said angles, said article-receiving surface of said shelf back
defining means sloping upwardly and rearwardly at an obtuse angle
with respect to said article-receiving surface of said shelf bottom
defining means, said support means including at least two hanger
elements, each of said hanger elements including a connecting
element for connecting said hanger element to a vertical surface, a
vertical support adapted to overlie the vertical surface for
vertical orientation of said support means and a spacer member,
said spacer member being connected to said shelf proximate a lower
portion of said shelf back defining means for spacing said lower
portion from the vertical surface, the upper portion of said
vertical support being secured to said shelf proximate the upper
portion of said shelf back defining means for spacing the upper
portion of said shelf back defining means closer to the vertical
than the lower portion of said shelf back defining means.
2. A shelf for receiving and supporting articles of merchandise as
claimed in claim 1 wherein said shelf has a longitudinal extent and
including means defining a plurality of pockets extending
transversely of said longitudinal extent.
3. A shelf for receiving and supporting articles of merchandise as
claimed in claim 1 wherein said shelf bottom and shelf back
defining means are formed of planar sheets joined at the
intersection thereof.
4. A shelf for receiving and supporting articles of merchandise as
claimed in claim 1 wherein said shelf has a longitudinal extent and
said shelf bottom defining means includes indicator means parallel
to the longitudinal axis of said shelf for indicating the extent to
which said shelf is filled with articles of merchandise.
5. A shelf for receiving and supporting articles of merchandise as
claimed in claim 4 wherein said shelf bottom defining means
includes a planar sheet having a plurality of perforations and said
indicator means is formed as a portion of said planar sheet free of
perforations.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a shelf of the type used to
hold and display for sale articles of merchandise such as books.
The shelf is generally divided into a number of pockets with the
width of the pockets being approximately that of the books to be
received therein. Shelves of this type are often used for the
point-of-purchase display of paperback books. Usually, several
copies of a title are stored in each pocket with different titles
being stored in the different pockets. In such manner, the front
cover of each title is visible to the consumer. Similar shelves can
also be utilized by book distributors for storing numerous titles
whereby, in filling an order, it is a simple matter for the clerk
to pick out the titles.
However, especially at the retail level, the shelves often become
thoroughly disorganized as a result of consumers removing a title
from one pocket, browsing through it and then replacing it in an
incorrect pocket. Thus, the title that appears at the front of a
pocket may not be indicative of the other titles remaining in the
pocket, making it impossible to conveniently take an inventory of
titles, which would be needed for purposes of reorder. In the prior
arrangements, the books in any particular pocket completely overlap
so long as the books are of the same size, and thus the only book
or title visible is the one which is outermost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, means are
provided to permit at least a partial visual examination of every
book in a pocket while maintaining the books in neat position for
storage and display. The entire pocket is tilted rearwardly so that
the books lay back against the rear of the pocket. The included
angle between the rear and the base of the pocket is greater than
90.degree. , thereby supporting each consecutive book at a
different level to permit a portion of one book to extend above the
book that covers it, permitting the portion to be visually
examined. This permits a rapid visual counting of the number of
books in a pocket. Furthermore, as the cover of substantially every
different title is a different color or has different markings, a
quick visual inspection will disclose whether all titles in a
pocket are the same. If they are not, the incorrect title or titles
can be removed and the shelf can be properly reorganized. Also,
means can be provided along the base of the shelf to effectively
divide the shelf into sections that will immediately visually
disclose when the shelf is, for example, half full.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an
improved shelf for articles of merchandise, such as books, which
will readily support the books in neat position while permitting a
visual sighting of each book even though they be of the same
size.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved shelf
for receiving and supporting articles of merchandise, such as
books, which permits a quick visual check to determine whether all
books in any particular pocket are of the same title. A further
object of this invention is to provide an improved shelf for
receiving articles of merchandise, such as books, and which
visually indicates information as to the number of books remaining
in any particular pocket on the shelf.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be
obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,
combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be
exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the
scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to
the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display rack to which is mounted
a shelf constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view, at an enlarged scale, of
the shelf and rack shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken 3-3 of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Fig. 1, a rack 11 is shown as consisting of a
shelf 12 and a support base 13. The base 13 is indicated for
environmental purposes and consists of upstanding members 14, a
cross member 15 and leg members 16. Base 13 is typical of a base
that might be used if it is desired to support the shelf in a free
standing manner. If it is desired to support the shelf from a wall,
upstanding members 14 could be secured to the wall or, in lieu
thereof, pegboard could be provided secured to the wall. Base 13
forms no part of the instant invention except as is necessary to
support shelf 12.
In the embodiment shown in the drawing, shelf 12 is principally
fabricated of wire members which are preferably welded to form a
rigid unit. An upper rear element 17 extends along the back of the
shelf at the upper edge thereof and is integral with forwardly
extending side elements 18 which slope downwardly to define an
opening of decreasing height. The forward end of side elements 18
are integral with front elements 19 which define the front of the
shelf and a horizontal front element 20 extends along the front of
the shelf between front elements 19 to define the leading edge of
the shelf. A rear element 22 is welded at its upper end to upper
rear element 17 and extends downwardly along the rear portion of
the shelf. Rear element 22 is integrally connected to a bottom
element 23 which extends forwardly at the bottom of the shelf and
preferably forms an angle of 90.degree. with rear element 22. At
the front of bottom element 23 an integral forward element 24
extends upwardly, preferably at an angle of 90.degree. with respect
to bottom element 23 and forward element 24 is welded to horizontal
front element 20 to form a rigid frame. In the embodiment shown, 12
elements consisting of rear element 22, bottom element 23 and
forward element 24 are provided. If desired, the top ends of each
adjacent pair of forward elements 24 may be integrally joined by a
connecting element 25 for greater rigidity and ease of fabrication.
A horizontal rod extends across the rear of rear element 22 and is
welded thereto. If desired, a card-receiving channel 27 may be
secured to forward element 24 to provide a channel for receiving a
printed card or sign identifying the material to be received in the
shelf. A plurality of pocket-defining elements 31 are provided to
divide the shelf into a number of pockets. The pocket-defining
element, as shown, is in the form of an upper rod 32 welded at one
end to upper rear element 17. The upper rod extends forwardly and
slopes downwardly substantially at the angle of forwarding
extending side elements 18 and the forward end of upper rod 32
turns downwardly to form a front rod 33 which is welded to
horizontal front element 20. A horizontal lower rod 34 extends
transversely and is connected to bottom element 23 to further
increase the rigidity of the unit.
A shelf bottom 36 overlies bottom element 23 to define the bottom
of the shelf on which the articles of merchandise will rest.
Extending upwardly at an obtuse angle from the rear edge of shelf
bottom 36 is shelf back 37 and shelf back 37 forms a surface
against which the back sides of the articles of merchandise will
rest. Shelf back 37 is secured at opposite end edges to support
elements 38 which extend from shelf bottom support elements 39 with
a connecting rod 41 extending across the upper edge of shelf back
37 between the upper ends of shelf back support elements 38.
Connecting rod 41 is secured to rear element 22 to maintain the
shelf back in the position shown in FIG. 2. The shelf bottom is
maintained in position by being secured to bottom element 23. A
hanger element 42 is provided at each end of the shelf for
supporting the shelf in proper position. In the embodiment shown,
the hanger elements support the shelf on upstanding members 14 but,
as noted above, the upstanding members need not be used and it is
only necessary that hanger elements 42 be constructed so as to
cooperate with an object that will support the shelf while holding
it in a properly oriented position. In the embodiment shown, each
hanger element 42 consists of a vertical support 43 having a
connecting element 44 at the upper end thereof to be received in a
suitable aperture 45 in upstanding member 14. Projecting forwardly
from the lower end of vertical support 43 is a spacer member 46
having an in-turned end 47 which is secured to rear element 22.
With connecting element 44 received in aperture 45 and with
vertical support 43 lying along the surface of upstanding member
14, at each side of the shelf, the shelf will be supported in the
FIG. 2 position. The weight of the shelf pivoting about the
connection of connecting element 44 with upstanding member 14 will
maintain vertical support 43 against the surface of upstanding
member 14.
The various elements heretofore described represent a typical
construction of a wire rack or shelf. The shelf need not be
constructed as described for the preferred embodiment and need not
be fabricated of wire. Critical to the invention is the position
and orientation of shelf bottom 36 and shelf back 37. Both the
shelf bottom and shelf back are inclined rearwardly with respect to
the horizontal as clearly shown in FIG. 2. This causes articles of
merchandise to lean rearwardly so as not to fall out of or slide
forwardly in the shelf. The rearward incline of shelf bottom 36 and
shelf back 37 is effected by the general configuration of hanger
elements 42. Also critical to the invention is the orientation of
shelf back 37 with respect to shelf bottom 36 whereby an obtuse
angle (one greater than 90.degree.) is described.
In the embodiment shown in the drawing, four books 51, 52, 53 and
54 are placed in one of the pockets of the shelf. Rear book 51 has
its rear bottom edge resting on shelf bottom 36 with its rear side
overlying the surface of shelf back 37. With the next book 52 of
identical size to book 51 overlying book 51, the bottom rear edge
of book 52 will rest on shelf bottom 36 and the rear surface of
book 52 will overlie the front surface of book 51. Due to the
obtuse angle between shelf bottom 36 and shelf back 37, and due to
the thickness of each book, a small portion of the front surface of
book 51 will project above book 52 so that book 51 will not be
completely hidden from view by book 52. For the same reasons, a
small amount of the front cover of book 52 will be visible behind
book 53 and a small portion of the front cover of book 53 will be
visible behind book 54.
With the four books in the shelf, an individual can visually
inspect the shelf and see whether all the books in a particular
pocket look the same at the upper edge of the front surface. Since
different titles generally have covers of different colors or carry
printing or other indicia which vary between titles, the ability to
see a small portion of all covers will allow the person inspecting
the shelf to readily determine whether all titles in the pocket are
the same. Also, the individual inspecting the shelf can readily
count the number of books in each pocket, for inventory purposes,
since a portion of each book will be visible. Thus, with a shelf
constructed in accordance with the instant invention, an inventory
of the articles on the shelf can quickly be taken. The preferred
embodiment of the invention has been described in connection with
books since wire shelves of the type shown herein are commonly in
use for the point-of-purchase display of books and especially
paperback books. However, it will be understood that any articles
of merchandise which can be accommodated by a pocket in the shelf
and which have a thickness to permit an adequate spacing between
the front surface of adjacent overlying articles can make use of
the instant invention for checking inventory and being certain that
all articles in any particular pocket are the same.
A further feature of the invention is means to provide a ready
check as to the state of inventory. For example, shelf bottom 36
could be formed of perforated sheet metal as indicated at 55 in
FIG. 1 and a wide, nonperforated band 56 could extend the full
width of shelf bottom 36 halfway between the front and the rear of
the pocket. For any pocket, a visual inspection thereof would
immediately disclose when the pocket is half or less than half
full. In other words, if band 56 is visible, the pocket is at least
half empty and it would be timely to reorder the articles of the
depleted inventory. A more accurate count of articles in a pocket
could be had by laying over the shelf bottom of each pocket a card
having lines scribed thereon which are spaced equally to the
thickness of the articles to be received in the pocket. If the
lines are numbered, a visual inspection would immediately disclose
that, for example, only four articles remained in the pocket. The
cards could be made readily replaceable for articles of different
thickness.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those
made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *