Patent Application
20210259438
The present invention relates to an expandable shelf for displaying a variety of items, goods, products and/or packaging of a merchant or vender; the expandable shelf has both a collapsed position and an expanded position and the expandable shelf is ready expandable by moving either the first and/or the second slidable end shelves, relative to the stationary main shelf, into its/their expanded positions.
Traditional store shelving is typically designed to arrange a product, an item, etc., in a horizontal display format, Existing store shelving includes metal shelves, hooking onto vertical uprights, known as standards, that have a series of punched slots in which mating hooks, attached to the metal shelves, are engaged. This is similar to conventional wall type bookshelves. The shelves extend perpendicular to a back wall of a gondola and are typically adjustable vertically in steps within the range of approximately 1 to 2½ inches per step, depending upon the vertical spacing of the punched slots in the standards. The conventional shelves have a depth which ranges from approximately 16 to 26 inches, for example.
One problem arises when a product is being promoted, e.g., is on “sale.” In such instance, it is desired to have a larger than normal quantity of the product on display, Conventionally, this increased quantity is accommodated by using shelves of greater depth, spreading the display horizontally in the unlikely event that such space is available, and by stacking large cartons of the product in the aisle space near the shelved display. It is to be appreciated that shopping carts may have difficulty in negotiating such randomly obstructed aisles.
Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable shelf which can readily be increased in length to accommodate the displaying of additional products, items, packaging, etc., of a merchant or some other vendor.
A further object of the present invention is to form an expandable shelf which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is readily easy to modify, e.g., expand or collapse, the overall length of the expandable shelf.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shelf stop system which prevents the slidable end shelves from being inadvertently completely withdrawn and removed from the main shelf by a user.
The present invention also relates to an expandable shelf for displaying desired items comprising: a main shelf; a first slidable end shelf for engaging with a first end of the main shelf; a second slidable end shelf for engaging with an opposed second end of the main shelf; a pair of brackets for supporting the expandable shelf on a display stand; the main shelf having female members and the first and the second slidable shelves each having mating male members, and the male members engage with the female members to permit each of the first slidable shelf and the second slidable shelf to move, relative to the main shelf, and thereby adjust an overall length of the expandable shelf.
The present invention also relates to a method of displaying desired items on an expandable shelf, the method comprising: forming a main shelf from metal; forming a first slidable end shelf from metal for engaging with a first end of the main shelf; forming a second slidable end shelf from metal for engaging with an opposed second end of the main shelf; forming a pair of brackets for supporting the expandable shelf on a display stand; providing the main shelf with female members and providing the first and the second slidable shelves with mating male members; and engaging the male members with the female members so as to permit each of the first slidable shelf and the second slidable shelf to move, relative to the main shelf, and thereby adjust an overall length of the expandable shelf.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated diagrammatical and in partial views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of this disclosure or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
The present invention will be understood by reference to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detailed description of various embodiments is by way of example only and is not meant to limit, in any way, the scope of the present invention.
Turning now to
A front surface of each one of the two vertically extending supports 8 has a plurality of sequentially arranged and spaced apart slots 10 which are arranged so as to receive mating legs of a pair of brackets 12 and facilitate connection of an expandable shelf 14 to the vertical supports 8 of the framework 4, in a conventional manner. A fixed display 16 may be supported at the top of the framework 4 of the display stand 2. As shown in
Turning now to
As shown in
The two opposed leading ends of the mating male channel 32 of the first slidable end shelf 18 are matingly received by adjacent ends of the first and the second sections of the female channels 22, 24 while the two opposed leading ends of the mating male channel 32 of the second slidable end shelf 20 are matingly received by adjacent ends of the first and the third female channels 22, 26, and a further discussion concerning the first slidable end shelf 18, the second slidable end shelf 20 the three sections of the female channels 22, 24, 26 and the mating male channels 32 will be provided below.
With reference to
Now turning to
As best shown in
In addition, as shown in
Following assembly of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and the first and second longitudinal channel support metallic rods or wires 44, 46 to the grid, a longitudinal front edge of the rectangular rigid structure, e.g., about a 1¾ to 2 inches of the front edge, is then bent 90 degrees with respect to a remainder of the rigid rectangular structure 40 so as to form the front wall 28 of the main shelf 16 (see
Next, a rear surface of a first section of the female channel 22 is then permanently secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to both the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and the first longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire 44, As shown in
A rear surface of a second section of the female channel 24 is then permanently secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to both the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and a first section of the second longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire 46 adjacent a first end of the outwardly facing rear side wall of the main shelf 16. Similarly, a rear surface of a third section of the female channel 26 is then secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and a second section of the second longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire 46 adjacent an opposite second end of the outwardly facing rear side wall of the main shelf 16. A top edge of each of the second and the third sections of the female channel 24, 26 are generally flush with a top edge of the rear wall 30 of the main shelf 16. Following formation of the front and the rear walls 28, 30 and installation of the three sections of the female channels 22, 24, 26 thereto, the main shelf 16 has a width of between 15 and 30 inches, typically about 17 1/32 inches. In addition, the main shelf 16 typically has a longitudinal length of about either 24 inches, 36 inches, 48 inches, 60 inches or more, depending upon the particular application.
The thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38 of the main shelf 16 are normally spaced apart from one another by a distance of between 1 inch and 10 inches, typically spaced apart from one another by a distance of about 3⅜ inches, while the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36 are normally spaced apart from one another by a distance of between 0.5 inches and 5.0 inches, typically spaced apart from one another by a distance of about 1¾ inches. Following fabrication of the main shelf 16, the thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38 are typically located vertically above the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36, but it is to be appreciated that, for some applications, the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36 may be located vertically above the thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38.
With reference to
Turning now to
A single transverse shelf metallic rod or wire 62 extends transversely across and vertically below each one of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, as shown in
Thereafter, the free ends 60 of each of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, e.g., about 1¾ to 2 inches of the free ends of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, are bent slightly greater than 90 degrees, e.g., bent at an angle of about 91-95 degrees for example, with respect to a remainder of the U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 so as to partially form an end wall 66 of the first slidable end shelf 18 (see
An outwardly facing surface of each one of the free ends 60 of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 is then permanently secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to a mating inwardly facing surface of the straight base section 48 of the mating male channel 32 so as to permanently connect those components with one another and thereby complete formation of the end wall and also further increase the rigidity of the first slidable end shelf 18.
As shown in
The first straight side section 50 of the first slidable end shelf 18 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of a first end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the second straight side section 52 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of a first end of the second section of the female channel 24. The first straight side section 50 of the second slidable end shelf 20 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of an opposite second end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the second straight side section 52 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of a first end of the third section of the female channel 26.
Turning now to
Once the first planar section 72 of the shelf end stop member 70 is permanent attached to the thinner transverse metallic rod or wire 36, the shelf end stop member 70 (e.g., the second planar section 74 and the inclined section 76) defines, along with the bottom surface of the main shelf 16, a wire recess 80 for engaging with the closed U-shaped end 68 of one of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 and preventing further expansion of the respective first or second slidable end shelf 18 or 20 relative to the main shelf 16. Typically between one and four shelf end stop members 70, normally two spaced apart shelf end stop members 70, are permanently secured adjacent each opposed end of the main shelf 16 for preventing inadvertent withdrawal of either the first or the second slidable end shelf 18 or 20 from the main shelf 16.
As shown in
As noted above, the expandable shelf 14 also includes a mating second slidable end shelf 20 which is substantially identical to the above desired first slidable end shelf 18, except that the second slidable end shelf 20 engages with the opposite end of the main shelf 16 to complete formation of the expandable shelf 14. Due to the above described arrangement, it is to be appreciated that the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 are independently movable relative to one another as well as movable relative to the main shelf 16.
Turning now to
One bracket 12 is utilized to support and connect each longitudinal end of the expandable shelf 14 to the desired vertical supports 8 of the framework 4. Each bracket 12 is typically secured, via the tabs 90, to a transverse section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 of the main shelf 16 in a spaced relationship. That is, during installation, the tabs 90 of the bracket 12 are bent around the transverse section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 so as to space the upwardly facing top surface 88 of the bracket 12 sufficiently away from the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16 which permits, and not interfere with, the expanding and collapsing movement of the first or the second slidable end shelf 18, 20 relative to the main shelf 16. In addition, the tabs 90 of the bracket 12 are bent around the transverse section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 so that the bracket 12 can slide and pivot, relative to the transverse perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 of the main shelf 16, while still generally maintaining the spaced relationship between the upwardly facing top surface 88 of the bracket 12 and the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16.
Following manufacture of the main shelf 16 and the first and second slidable end shelves 18, 20 and attachment of the shelf end stop members 70 to the main shelf 16, the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 are then initially connected to opposite ends of the main shelf 16. That is, the mating male channel 32 of the first straight side section 50 of the first slidable end shelf 18 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of the first end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the mating male channel 32 of the second straight side section 52 of the first slidable end shelf 18 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of the second section of the female channel 24. Similarly, the mating male channel 32 of the first straight side section of the second slidable end shelf 20 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of an opposite second end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the mating male channel 32 of the second straight side section 52 of the second slidable end shelf 20 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of the third section of the female channel 26.
Upon further collapsing movement of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 relative to the main shelf 16 and toward one another, the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 will eventually abut against and then ride along a rear surface of the respective first planar section 72 and then a rear surface of respective inclined sections 76 of the shelf end stop members 70. Once the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and the sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, for example, pass completely over the end stop members 70, the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and the sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 then spring back toward the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16 so that each of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 can continue to be moved toward their totally collapsed positions in which the expandable shelf 14 has its shortest length, as shown in
Thereafter, when either the first or the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 are moved toward their expanded configuration, the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and the sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 will eventually abut against and be captively retained by the respective wire recesses 80 formed between the shelf end stop members 70 and the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16. This captive retainment prevents further expansion and/or withdrawing movement of the respective first or the second slidable end shelf 18, 20 relative to the main shelf 16.
Finally, after installing the first and second slidable end shelves 18, 20, the brackets 12 can be connected to the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 of the main shelf 16 to complete assembly of the expandable shelf 14. It is to be appreciated that if the brackets 12 are secured to the main shelf 16 prior to assembly of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20, this may possibly hinder assembly of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 with the main shelf 16.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that various modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to and be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various other related ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items while only the terms “consisting of” and “consisting only of” are to be construed in a limitative sense.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Although operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.
