Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
RETRACTABLE HINGED SHELF DISPLAY
RELATED APPLICATION
[001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent
Application Number
62/216,805, titled "Retractable Hinged Shelf Display," filed on September 10,
2015.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure generally relates to shelving displays. More
specifically, the
present disclosure relates to shelving displays with a hinged extendable
shelf.
BACKGROUND
[003] Direct store delivery ("DSD") personnel are often tasked with stacking
merchandise on
shelves in stores. As a part of their tasks, DSD personnel may be asked to
stack and front face
products on store shelves so that the shelves maintain a fully-stocked
appearance. For some
products, DSD personnel can spend a considerable amount of time stacking and
front facing the
products.
[004] For example, DSD personnel can spend seven hours per day, twice a week,
or five hours
a day three times a week front facing salty snacks such as potato chips,
tortilla chips, pretzels,
and the like. Stacking and front facing salty snacks can be particularly
challenging because store
displays often only provide only a small of space between shelves, thereby
making it difficult
for the DSD personnel to reach and arrange the bags to stand upright in a
satisfactory
arrangement. Moreover, salty snacks often come in bags and other packaging
that can be prone
to tipping over and thus be challenging to stack and front face.
SUMMARY
[005] 'fhe present disclosure describes various examples of shelving unit that
can be used to
display merchandisable objects, and related methods of making, using, and
installing such a
shelving unit. In one example, the apparatus includes a pair of side brackets
that are configured
to attach to a support structure (e.g., a vertical support structure).
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[006] Each side bracket includes a slide channel. The slide channels include a
flat portion
toward a rear of the side bracket and an angled portion forward from the flat
portion. The flat
portion fan be generally flat when the side bracket is installed with respect
to the support
structure, or in other words, the flat portion is generally parallel with the
longitudinal axis of
the side bracket.
[007] The shelving unit also includes a shelf that slides along the side
brackets between a
retracted position and an extended position. The shelf includes a rear tray
with a support
mechanism that supports the rear tray on the side brackets. The rear tray is
configured to slide
along the pair of side brackets between the open and retracted position. The
shelf also includes
a front tray hinged to the rear tray.
[008] The front tray has side arms that extend along opposing side edges of
the front tray. The
side arms extend beyond a rear edge of the front tray so that, when the front
tray is parallel
with the rear tray, the side arms at least partially overlap the rear tray.
The side arms have a
sliding mechanism (e.g., a wheel, bearing, bushing, slider, etc.) that can
slide within the slide
channels of the side brackets. The front tray is hinged so that it can pivot
with respect to the rear
tray.
[009] The shelf is hinged so that when the shelf is in the retracted position,
the front tray and
the rear tray are generally parallel, and the sliding mechanisms of the side
arms are within the
flat portion of the slide channels. When the shelf is in the extended
position, the sliding
mechanism of the side arms travels into the angled portion of the slide
channels, thereby
allowing the front tray to pivot with respect to the rear tray. For example,
in the extended
position, the front tray can pivot downward, thereby facilitating the stacking
of product (e.g.,
salty snacks) on the shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[010] Figure 1A is an isometric view of a shelving unit in a retracted
position in accordance
with one or more examples described herein.
[011] Figure 1B is a top view of the shelving unit of Figure 1A in a retracted
position.
[012] Figure 1C is an isometric view showing the shelving unit of Figure 1A in
an extended
position.
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[013] Figure 1D is a side elevation view of the shelving unit of Figure 1A in
a retracted
position.
[014] Figure 1E is a side elevation view of the shelving unit of Figure IA in
an extended
position.
[015] Figure IF shows a side bracket component of the shelving unit of Figure
1A.
[016] Figure 1G shows of the shelving unit of Figure 1A in an extended
position with the near
side bracket removed from view.
[017] Figure 1H shows a close up view of the side arm and shelf components of
the shelving
unit Figure 1A in an extended position.
[018] Figure 11 shows a close up view of a hook hinge component of the
shelving unit of
Figure 1A.
[019] Figure 2 shows a backstop in accordance with one or more examples
described herein.
[020] Figure 3 shows a backstop with an angled engaging surface in accordance
with one or
more examples described herein.
[021] Figure 4 shows an example of the backstop of Figure 2 and the angled
backstop of
Figure 3 engaging with a shelf of a shelving assembly.
[022] Figure 5 shows another example of a side bracket component that can be
used with a
shelving unit in accordance with examples described herein.
[023] Figures 6A-B are perspective and enlarged views, respectively, of an
alternate
embodiment in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[024] The present disclosure describes examples of a shelving system that
employ a retractable
hinged shelf. The described shelving systems can be particularly useful, for
example, in retail
environments that display products for sale. In particular, the described
shelving systems are
useful for the display of salty snacks such as potato chips, pretzels,
tortilla chips, popcorn, and
the like in grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, or other retail
establishments.
[025] The described shelving systems provide a drawer-type extendable and
retractable shelf
that installs onto side brackets with a channel or channels that facilitate
the shelf sliding
between the retracted and extended position. In the extended position the
shelf can pivot
downward so that a user can more easily load product onto the shelf without
being inhibited by
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a shallow head space above the product. The shelf can then be pivoted back
upward and
returned the retracted position.
[026] The side brackets can also include an installation channel that allows
the shelf to be
installed and then moved between the retracted and extended position. This
installation
channel can be configured so that an installed shelf is not inclined to re-
enter the installation
channel without intended movement and control by a user. In this manner, the
shelf can freely
move between extended and retracted positions without accidentally or
unwantedly un-
installing, or otherwise being removed from the shelving system.
[027] The shelf comprises two sections hinged together. A rear section (which
can be a basket,
a tray, a shelf, etc.) is designed to remain generally parallel with the side
brackets of the
shelving unit. In this manner the rear portion remains generally flat whether
the shelf is in the
retracted or extended position. In some examples, the rear portion is designed
to remain
entirely within the confines of the side bracket while in both the retracted
and extended
position. That is, the rear portion will not extend beyond the front of the
side brackets unless a
user intends to remove or uninstall the shelf.
[028] A front portion (e.g., basket, tray, shelf, etc.) is hinged to the rear
portion and is designed
to pivot downward when the shelf is in the extended position. By pivoting
downward the front
portion presents a loading surface that is easier for a user (e.g., DSD
personnel) to see and load.
Part or all of the front portion will generally extend beyond the side
brackets in the extended
position, thereby pulling the shelf away from other shelves in the shelving
unit, and generating
headspace and room for the user to load the shelf. In this manner, the
shelving system can be
particularly useful as a snack shelf, because the hinged section allows the
front to tilt down once
pulled out from the store shelving while still leaving the rear portion flat
so as not to disrupt the
spacing between the flat rear portion of the shelf and the shelf above it
(i.e., maintaining the
interstitial spacing between the shelves).
[029] In some examples, the shelves include a grid of bars or rungs. For
example, the display
surface of the shelves may include a network of interlocking perpendicular
rungs designed to
support products of a minimum size (e.g., all products large enough to avoid
falling through
the shelf between the rungs). In one embodiment, the hinge is made of
interlocking hooks and
loops formed between the wire rungs of the shelf. The tilting effect occurs
when the sliding
mechanism attached to side arms of the forward tray (or basket) portion ramp
up into an angled
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portion of the channel defined by the side brackets. This causes the forward
tray (or basket)
portion to tilt down, making the shelf easier to restock and front face
difficult items such as
bags. In many instances, the tilting of the shelf actually causes the items to
fall forward into the
desired orientation.
[030] Some examples described herein may employ an index mechanism to bias the
shelf in
the closed or retracted position. Such a mechanism can be an index or similar
feature toward a
rear of the channel in the side bracket that can be overcome by pulling on the
shelf to pull it out
into its tilted position for restocking and/or re-facing the product. In this
manner, the index
mechanism can help assure the shelf remains in the retracted position unless
and until a user
makes a deliberate attempt to pull the product toward the extended position.
This can help
keep all shelves in a display in line with one another while on display, and
inhibit unwanted
drifting of the shelves away from the retracted position.
[0311 To further assist in keeping the stocked items/products in an upright
position, certain
embodiments described herein include a snap-in backstop that connects to the
tray. For
example, the backstop can include a paddle that connects to rungs of the rear
tray (or even the
front tray if fewer products are to be placed on the shelf). In some retail
locations, customer
traffic patterns may be known (or generally known) or influenced to travel in
a particular
direction. In such locations it can be beneficial to partially turn or
otherwise arrange certain
items on the shelves (which generally face perpendicular to a direction of
travel) so that the
front face of the product faces the customers walking in the known or
influenced travel
direction. This can result in a consumer becoming aware of the product and
increase the chance
that the product will be purchased. For such angled arrangements, the present
disclosure
provides angled backstops that can be snapped-in to the display such that the
engaging surface
arranges the products at an angle.
[032] Referring to the drawings, Figure TA shows an example of a shelving unit
100 (or a
shelving system, display unit, etc.) in a retracted position. The shelving
unit 100 comprises a
sliding shelf 130 (e.g., a drawer-type sliding shelf) positioned between two
side brackets 110
(e.g., brackets, arms, braces, etc.) that connect to a support structure 102
(e.g., support columns,
a shelving frame, a support wall, etc.).
[033] In some examples, the support structure 102 includes a frame or other
component with
vertical columns capable of supporting multiple shelves. The support structure
102 is equipped
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with one or more connecting mechanisms that allow the side brackets 110 to
attach to the
structure 102. For example, the support structure 102 can include a series of
slots or holes that
are configured to attach with corresponding tabs or pegs on the side brackets
110. In this
manner the attached side brackets 110 can extend perpendicular to the support
structure with
integrity to support the shelf 130 installed there between.
[034] In some examples, the support structure 102 includes several connecting
mechanisms so
that the shelving unit can support a plurality of shelves. Further, the
connecting mechanisms
also provide a level of adjustability for the shelving unit 100 in that it
allows for the heights of
the shelves to be raised or lowered as desired, by placing the side brackets
110 into higher or
lower located connecting mechanisms.
[035] The shelf 130 is arranged so that it can slide horizontally with respect
to the side
brackets between a retracted position (shown, e.g., in Figures 1A, 1B, and 1D)
and an extended
position (shown, e.g., in Figures 1C, 1E, 1G, and 1I). The shelf 130 can rest
upon and/or slide on
upper or lower surfaces of the side brackets 110.
[036] The side brackets 110 each have a channel 120 that helps guide the shelf
as it slides
between the retracted and extended position. The channel 120 can also include
an insertion
portion that allows the shelf to be installed and/or removed with respect to
the side brackets.
[037] In some examples, the shelf itself 130 comprises two sections. A rear
section, or rear tray
140 (or a rear basket, rear platform, rear shelf, etc.), is positioned at the
rear of the shelf 130, or
closer to the support structures 102. A front section, or front tray 150, (or
a front basket, front
platform, front shelf, etc.) is positioned forward of the rear section, and
can be hinged to the rear
tray 140 so that the front tray 150 can pivot vertically with respect to the
rear tray 140. In this
manner, the rear tray 140 can be configured to slide only horizontally (or
otherwise parallel
with the side brackets 110), where the front tray 150 can slide horizontally
and then pivot
vertically while in the extended position.
[038] Figure 1A also shows a plurality of backstops 200 and 300 positioned on
the rear tray
140 of the shelf 130. The backstops can be employed to facilitate products
stacked on the display
to stand upright. For example, where the products are bags (e.g., bags of
chips) or other
products that tend to tip over easily, the backstop can facilitate the bags to
remain upright
during loading and/or while on display.
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[039] The backstops 200 include several forward facing backstops 200 and one
angled
backstop 300, which has an engaging surface that is angled with respect to the
shelving unit 100.
That is, the engaging surface of the angled backstop 300 is neither parallel
with the front/rear
edges nor the side edges of the shelf 130. In this manner, the angled backstop
facilitate products
to stack at an angle with respect to the shelving unit 100 so that the stacked
products can face
consumers walking down an aisle.
[040] Figure 1B is a top view of the shelving unit 100, still in the retracted
position. As seen
from above, the resting surface of the shelf comprises a grid of interlocked
bars, for example, a
series of longitudinal (front-to-back) rungs 134 arranged on top of a series
of transverse (side-to-
side) rungs 132 to establish the surface. The rungs can be arranged so that
the first series of
rungs (e.g., the front-to-back rungs) are perpendicular or generally
perpendicular to the second
series of rungs (e.g., the side to side rungs). In this manner, the rungs can
facilitate objects, such
as backstops 200, 300, attaching to the shelves.
[041] In some examples, the rear tray 140 and the front tray 150 of the shelf
130 comprise a
solid support surface. For example, the resting surface of the tray can
include a solid sheet of
metal, plastic, wood. In some examples, the resting surfaces can be perforated
or otherwise not
completely solid. The solid or partially solid support surface can be equipped
with attachment
mechanisms (e.g., holes, slots, grooves, tabs, clips, etc.) that allow
objects, such as backstops 200,
300. To attach to the shelf 130. In some examples, the front tray 150 and the
rear tray 140 may
comprise different support surfaces. For example, in sonic embodiments the
front tray can
include a solid support surface whereas the rear tray includes a grid of rungs
as a support
surface, or vice versa.
[042] As noted, some embodiments of the shelf 130 comprise a front tray 150
hinged to a rear
tray 140. Figure 1B shows that the rear tray 140 of the shelf 130 has a depth
DR, and the front
tray has a depth Di. Together the front tray and rear tray combine to
establish a total depth D of
the shelf 130. The shape, size and configurations of the two trays can vary
depending on the
intended use of the shelving system. For example, the shelf can be configured
so that at least
one third of the shelf remains supported by the side brackets even in the
extended position. In
this manner, the DR will be about half that of DF, or about one third that of
D. In other
embodiments the depth DR may be larger or smaller than one third the depth of
the entire shelf,
depending on a variety of factors including but not limited to, the width W of
the shelf, the
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weight that the shelf 130, the weight that the shelf 130 is designed to hold,
the type of product
stacked on the shelf, and the spacing height between successive shelves 130 on
a shelving unit
100.
[043] As noted, the shelf 130 can slide between the retracted position and the
extended
position. Figure 1C shows the shelving unit 100 an extended position. Figures
1D and 1E are
side elevation views of the shelving unit 100 and showing the shelf 130 in the
retracted position
(Figure 1D) and in the extended position (Figure 1E). As seen in Figures 1C
and 1E, in the
extended position, the front tray 150 can pivot vertically with respect to the
rear tray 140. In this
manner the front tray 150 can angle downward to present a more easily
stackable surface.
[044] Figures 1D and 1E also show that the side bracket 110 serves as a
support for the shelf
130 to slide between the retracted and extended positions. In some examples,
the shelf 130 is
supported on the side bracket via the channel 120, and via a support mechanism
146 that rests
upon the side bracket 110. The support mechanism 146 can be a component of the
rear tray 140.
For example, the support mechanism 146 can be an extension of a side wall 144
that extends up
from a surface 147 of the rear tray 140. The shelf 130 may also be supported
by a support
mechanism 170 (e.g., a friction reducing mechanism on a support brace, bar,
rod, etc.) that
extends between the two side brackets 110 of the shelving unit.
[045] Figure IF is a close up of a side bracket 110, in particular, side
bracket 110 on the right
side of the shelf (viewed looking at the shelf from the vantage of Figure 1A),
removed from the
shelving unit 100. For reference purposes, the left side bracket 110 includes
a front portion 112, a
rear portion 114, an upper edge 116 and a lower edge 118.
[046] Extending from rear edge 114 is a mounting mechanism 115, which can be a
hanging
mechanism, securing mechanism, attaching mechanism, interlocking mechanism, or
the like. In
some examples, the mounting mechanism 115 is configured to connect with one or
more
connection mechanisms of the support structure 102 of the shelving unit 100.
As shown here,
the mounting mechanism 115 includes two tabs 113, 117 that are configured to
insert into
corresponding slots of the support structure 102. The upper tab 113 is a
notched tabs that
includes a tooth or a notch 111. Via this configuration the mounting mechanism
can provide
three or more points of contact with the support structure 102. For example,
the lower tab 117
and the upper tab 113 each provide two or more points of vertical support,
which keeps the
bracket up 110 and also inhibits the bracket 110 from rotating with respect to
the shelving unit
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100. The notch 111 provides a lateral support and inhibits the bracket 110
from falling out of the
corresponding slots, or otherwise accidentally being removed from the support
structure 102. In
some aspects, the mounting mechanism can include a further tab, protrusion,
indention, notch,
or other structure 119 toward the lower end 118 of the rear side 114 of the
bracket 110 that is
configured to engage with corresponding a portion of the support structure to
further secure
and mount the bracket 110 to the support structure 102.
[0471 As noted, the side bracket 110 can supports the shelf 130 and facilitate
the shelf 130
sliding between the refracted and extended positions. As a part of this
support, the upper edge
116 of the bracket 110 can support a support mechanism 146 of the shelf 130.
In some examples,
the upper edge 116 includes a flat surface. The flat surface can be formed,
for example, via a 90
degree bend in the bracket material. This flat surface can provide structural
strength and
integrity to the bracket 110, while also providing a lower-friction surface
that facilitates the shelf
to slide smoother along the bracket 110.
[048] In some examples, the shelf 130 is installable with respect to the
shelving unit 100 so that
the rear tray 140 is supported by the upper surface of the side brackets 110
without any portion
of the rear tray 140 entering or being positioned within the channel 120 of
the side bracket 100.
That is, while the front tray 150 of the shelf 130 may be supported via the
channel 120, the rear
portion 140 can be entirely supported via the support mechanism 146 resting
and sliding on the
upper edge 116 of the bracket 110. Such a configuration allows can facilitate
construction,
assembly, and operation of the shelving unit 100.
[049] The support mechanism 146 can take on a variety of shapes,
configurations, or
applications. For example, the support mechanism 146 can be a flat nylon
bushing (e.g., as
shown in the present figures) attached to the bars of the rear tray 140, and
that provides a flat,
friction reducing sliding surface between the rear tray 140 and the upper edge
116 of the side
bracket 110. The bushing of the support mechanism 146 can allow the rear tray
140 to snap on
and rest on the side brackets 110. The support mechanism 146 can also be or
include a track or
groove in the upper edge 116 of the side bracket 110, and/or a corresponding
sliding structure
extending from the upper portion of the side wall 144 of the rear tray 140. In
certain aspects, the
support mechanism includes one or more rotatable bushings, bearings, or wheels
configured to
roll along the upper edge 116 of the side bracket 110. In some configurations,
the support
mechanism can include an Fl-channel configured to straddle the upper edge 116
of the side
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bracket 110 to provide lateral support while also providing a smooth surface
for the rear tray
140 to slide. In still other embodiments, the support mechanism 146 can be
nothing more than
an extension of the rear tray 140 itself. For example, the support mechanism
146 can be rungs or
another protrusion that extends from the side walls 144 of the rear tray 140
to rest and slide
upon the upper edge 116 of the side brackets 110.
[050] In some examples, the lower edge of the side bracket 110 also includes a
flat surface to
provide structural integrity and/or to provide another surface to support the
sliding of the shelf
130. For example, in some examples (not shown) the tray may comprise a further
sliding
mechanism (e.g., a roller wheel, slider, bearing, bushing, etc.) is configured
to rest and slide
upon the flat, lower edge 118 of the side bracket 110.
[051] Figure IF provides detail regarding the shape and structure of the
channel 120 of the
side bracket 110. Starting from the front edge 112 of the side bracket, the
channel 120 includes
an opening 128 that leads to an insertion portion 126 of the channel 120. This
opening 128 is
configured to allow the side bracket 110 to receive a portion of the shelf 130
to enter the channel
120 and therefore install into the shelving unit 120. In some examples, the
opening 128 can
include a notch 129, lip, edge, bump or other mechanism within the opening to
inhibit the rear
of the shelf 130 from sliding out or accidentally being removed from the
retracted position (or to
inhibit the rear of the shelf 130 from accidentally dropping from the bracket
110 upon removal
of the shelf 130). In this manner, a user can slightly lift the shelf 130 over
the notch 129 to
remove the shelf from the retracted position. Additionally and/or
alternatively, the shelving
unit 100 may include other biasing mechanisms (described in more detail below)
that bias the
shelf 130 in the retracted position, including an index portion 123 of the
channel 120, or a
mechanism 170 and/or a protruding finger 175 extending from the bottom of the
front tray 150.
[052] To the right of the insertion passage 126 is a non-linear rear passage
124. The rear
passage 124 defines a non-linear channel comprising an angled portion 125 and
a flat portion
122. While referred to as "flat," it is intended that certain examples of the
flat portion 122 will be
generally linear and parallel with the longitudinal axis. That is, provided
that the flat portion
122 enables the rear tray 140 to slide generally parallel with respect to the
side brackets 110, the
overall "flatness" of the channel is not necessarily significant in all
embodiments. The angled
portion 125 comprises an angled end stop 127 upon which a portion of the shelf
130 (e.g.,
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sliding mechanism 162 of the side arm 160 of the front tray 150) situates
while the shelf 130 is in
the extended portion.
[053] In some examples, an index 123 is positioned toward the rear of the rear
passage 124.
The index 123 can be a groove, divot, recess, notch, bump, or other biasing
mechanism
configured to bias the shelf 130 in the retracted position. In this manner,
when the shelf 130 is
returned to the retracted position, the shelf will generally remain there
unless and until an
intentional attempt is made to pull the shelf 130 toward the extended position
(or to remove the
shelf). For example, the index 123 can be configured to require a minimum
force to remove the
shelf 130 from the index 123, where the minimum force is greater than
incidental forces that
may be caused by consumers removing product from the shelf. In some examples,
the index is
configured to require a slight vertical lift to remove the shelf 130 from the
retracted position. By
some approaches the index 123 also provides tactile feedback that the shelf
130 has been fully
returned to the retracted position.
[054] In some forms, the shelving unit 100 also includes a friction reducing
support
mechanism 170 positioned at the lower front corner of the side brackets 110.
The friction
reducing support mechanism 170 (shown more clearly in Figure 1G) provides a
support
structure upon which the shelf 130, in particular the front tray 150 of the
shelf 130, can rest and
slide upon. The friction reducing support mechanism 170 can take on a variety
of shapes
and/or configurations. For example, the friction reducing mechanism can be a
roller, a wheel, a
slider, a bushing, a ledge, a bar, or the like.
[055] In some aspects, the friction reducing support mechanism 170 can be a
roller or bushing
and may be made of low friction material. Additionally and/or alternatively,
the friction
reducing support mechanism 170 may be made of a vibration damping material to
serve as a
vibration isolator and reduce noise associated with the operation of the
shelving apparatus (e.g.,
reduce noise as shelf moves between first and second positions).
[056] In some aspects the friction reducing support mechanism 170 can serve as
a biasing
mechanism, or a component of a biasing mechanism that works in conjunction
with other
components of the shelving unit 100 to facilitate biasing the shelf in the
retracted position. For
example, the friction reducing support mechanism 170 can operate in connection
with a finger
175, or other protrusion extending from a lower surface of a front portion 152
of the front tray to
bias the shelf 130 in the retracted position.
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[057] As shown in Figure 1G, the finger 175 is ramped away from the rear of
the shelf 130 so
that removing the shelf 130 from the retracted position may involve lifting
the front portion 152
of the front tray 150 slightly to lift the finger 175 off the friction
reducing support mechanism, or
roller 170. The angle of the ramped finger 175 also facilitates returning the
shelf 130 to the
retracted position, as the roller 170 can roll up the ramped portion of until
the finger falls back
in place secured behind the roller 170 in the retracted position.
[058] In some examples, the finger defines a stop protruding from a surface of
the front tray
150 and is configured to engage with the roller 170 positioned proximate the
forward end 112 of
the side bracket 110 to hinder inadvertent movement of the shelf 130 from the
retracted position
to the extended position. In some examples, roller 170 is rotatable with
respect to the side
bracket 110 and rotates as the finger 175 (or arm, peg, protrusion, ramp,
etc.) rides on top of the
roller 170 to assist movement of the arm finger 175 along the side bracket
110.
[059] Figure 1G shows the shelf 130 in the extended position with the near
side bracket 110
removed from view for demonstrative purposes. In the extended position, the
front portion 150
of the tray is tilted with respect to the rear portion 140. The front tray 150
may include a lip 153
along the front edge 152 that helps keep products on the shelf 130 during
loading and other
times. The shelving unit 100 may include a horizontal brace 172 that connects
the pair of side
brackets 110 and also provides a vertical support to the shelf 130. The front
tray 150 may rest
and/or slide along this front brace 172 while in the extended position and/or
while travelling
between the retracted and extended positions.
[060] A pair of side arms 160 extend along the side edges 156 of the front
tray. As shown in
Figure 1G, the side arms 160 extend past the rear edge 154 of the front tray
such that the side
arms 160 extend over the rear tray 140. In the retracted position (e.g., where
the front tray 150
and rear tray 140 are generally co-planar), the side arms 160 would overlap
with the rear tray
140.
[061] A portion of the side arms 160 may be supported by the support roller
170 as the shelf
130 travels between the retracted and extended positions. For example, a lower
edge of each
side arm 160 may roll along on the roller 170 to facilitate smooth movement of
the shelf 130
along the side brackets 110.
[062] Each arm also includes a sliding mechanism 162 toward the rear of the
side arms 160.
The sliding mechanism can include a wheel, a roller, a rotating bushing, a
peg, or other similar
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device capable of traveling along the channel 120 of the side arm. As shown in
Figure 1H, which
is a close up side view of tile shelving unit 100 in the extended position,
the sliding mechanism
162 is configured to travel and/or slide within the channel 120 of the side
arm. In some
examples, the sliding mechanism 162 is configured to be inserted into the
opening 128 of the
insertion passage 126 during installation, and can thereby travel along the
insertion passageway
126 into the rear passageway 124, and thereby travel between the retracted and
extended
positions.
[0631 In the retracted position, the sliding mechanism 162 will be in the flat
portion 122 of the
channel. In particular, the sliding mechanism will be situated within the
index 123 so as to bias
within the retracted position. Upon removal from the retracted position (which
may involve a
slight lift or tug on the part of the user to remove the shelf from the index
and/or other biasing
mechanisms), the sliding mechanism 162 will slide forward along the rear
passage 124 toward
the angled portion 125 until it reaches the end stop 127 of the angled portion
125 of the rear
passage 124 of the channel 120.
[064] While the sliding mechanism 162 is in the angled portion 125, and in
particular, at the
stop end 127 of the angled portion 125, the shelf 130 will be in the extended
position. As the
stop end 127 is elevated above the flat portion 122 of the rear passage 124,
the front tray 150 will
tilt downward from the rear tray 140 in the elevated position. However,
because the side arms
160 extend beyond the rear edge 154 of the front tray 150, the rear edge 154
of the front tray 150
can remain hinged to the rear tray 140. That is, even though the side arms
elevate while in the
angled passageway 125, the portion of the front tray 150 hinged to the rear
tray 140 does not
change in elevation.
[065] As seen in Figure 1H, the insertion passageway 126 can be at a different
(e.g., a higher)
elevation from the rear passageway 124, or at least the flat portion 122 of
the rear passageway
124. In this manner, the configuration inhibits the accidental removal of the
shelf 130 from the
shelving unit 100. That is, the arrangement of the channel 120 is such that
the sliding
mechanism 162 of the side arms 160 are guided to pass over the insertion
channel while
traveling along the angled portion 125 of the rear passage 124. However,
should a user desire to
actually remove the shelf 130, the sliding mechanism 162 can be guided into
the insertion
passageway 126, and thereby removed through the opening 128. In some aspects
the front tray
150 is hinged to the rear tray 140 so that the front tray 150 can pivot
downward in the extended
13
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
position. In one example, the front tray 130 is hinged by way of a hook hinge,
as shown in
Figure 1G, and in more detail in Figure 11, which is a close up view of the
area identified as 1I in
Figure 1G.
[066] As noted above, in some embodiments the shelf 130 is composed of a grid
of intersecting
rungs 134, 136. In some examples, the hinge is formed via a hook 136 that
extends from a
longitudinal rung 134 of the rear tray 140 and grabs a bar 138 of the front
tray 150. In certain
aspects, the bar 138 is the rear-most lateral rung 132 of the front tray 150.
It should be noted that
while the hinge is shown as a hook 136 extending from the rear tray 140 to
grab a bar 138 on the
front tray 150, the opposite arrangement could also be effective. That is, the
hook 136 could
extend from a rung 134 of the front tray 150 and grab a bar 138 on the front
of the rear tray 140.
In some aspects, the hook 136 is an open channel hook that defines an opening
having a center
axis that extends perpendicular to the side brackets 110, or otherwise
parallel to the bar 138. In
this manner, the hook 136 can latch onto the bar 138 and allow the bar 138 to
rotate/pivot with
respect to the hook 136, thereby establishing a hinge effect.
[067] In operation, examples of the described shelving system can be installed
by and
operated by way of the following example. Side brackets 110 are connected to a
support
structure 102 such as a vertical support column or a shelving frame assembly.
[068] A shelf 130 is then installed into the shelving unit 100 by inserting
sliding mechanisms
162 on the ends of side arms 160 of the front tray 150 into an opening 128 in
a channel 120 in the
side brackets 110. The sliding mechanisms 162 thus slide through the insertion
passageway 126
and into a separate (though connected) sliding channel/passageway 124. The
sliding
mechanisms 162 slide through a flat portion 122 of the sliding passageway 124
and come to rest
in a rut or index 123, indicating the shelf 130 is fully installed in the
retracted position.
[069] When a user wishes to load the shelf 130, the user can lift and/or tug
the shelf 130
forward, removing the sliding mechanisms 162 from the index 162, or otherwise
disengaging
any other biasing mechanisms (e.g., the roller 170 and finger 175 mechanism).
As the shelf 130
pulls forward, the sliding mechanism 162 travels into an angled portion 125 of
the sliding
passageway 124 toward an end stop 127 thereby establishing the shelf in the
extended position.
[070] In the extended position the front tray 150 of the shelf 130 is pivoted
downward via a
hinged section, thereby presenting a shelf surface that may be easier to load.
After loading the
shelf 130, the user then lifts the front tray 150 to level with the rear tray
140 (which causes the
14
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
sliding mechanism 162 to travel back down the angled portion 125 of the
sliding passageway
124) and then pushes the shelf 130 rearward until the shelf biases in the
retracted position.
[071] As shown in Figures 1A-1C, the shelving unit 100 can be configured to
operate in
connection with one or more backstops 200, 300 or paddles. The backstops 200,
300 can facilitate
products to stand upright and to face forward. The backstops 200, 300 can be
configured to
connect or otherwise attach to the shelf 130.
[072] Figure 2 shows an example of a backstop 200 configured to connect to a
.shelf that
includes a grid of rungs as a base to the shelf. The backstop includes an
engaging surface 220
(e.g., a product engaging surface) at a front portion 210 of the backstop 200,
and a rear surface
230. In the example of Figure 2, the engaging surface 220 is solid and
slightly curved, forming a
scoop that defines a wider base 240 and a narrower top 260. In other
embodiments, the backstop
can define a straight surface that either angles rearward, or that doesn't
angle and forms a
generally vertical surface that has the same width at the top as well as the
base 240. In some
examples, the engaging surface 220 can be indexed, scored, or otherwise marked
with indicia
222 such as lines, labels, or other markings.
[073] A series of front connectors 250 are positioned along the front portion
210 of the base
240. The front connectors 250 include generally forward facing openings 252.
These forward
facing openings are configured to connect to a portion of the shelf 130, for
example, a rung, or in
particular, a lateral rung 132 of the shelf 130. The forward facing openings
can have a bell
mouth configuration that facilitates a snap-fit attachment to the rungs 132.
In some
configurations the forward facing opening 252 can include a beveled opening, a
tapered
opening, a friction fit opening, or the like.
[074] The forward facing openings 252 are configured to allow the front
portion 210 of the
backstop to be tilted forward (e.g., so the rear portion 230 of the base 240
is elevated above the
connecting surface of the shelf 130) while snapping into place, and then
rotating about the point
of connection. In this manner the rear connectors 260 can be pressed down onto
corresponding
components of the shelf 130 after the front portion 210 of the backstop 200 is
attached.
[075] The backstop may include a series of recesses 254 between each of the
connectors 230
that receive longitudinal rungs 134 of the shelf 130. In this manner, the
connectors 250 can
straddle the longitudinal rungs 134 that intersect the lateral rungs 132 to
which the connectors
230 are attached.
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
[076] In some formats, a series of rear connectors 260 are positioned along a
rear edge of the
base 240 of the backstop 200. The rear connectors can include openings 262
that generally open
downward. In some forms, the openings 260 face directly downward (or nearly
directly
downward). In this manner, the openings 262 can be configured to snap onto
corresponding
rungs of the shelf 132 as the backstop 230 pivots downward about the forward
facing openings
252 of the already-attached front connectors 250. Like the front connectors
250, the openings 262
of the rear connectors 260 can be bell mouthed, tapered, beveled, friction
fit, etc. to facilitate
connection and detachment from the shelf 130.
[077] To remove the backstop, the rear portion 230 can be tilted up and away
from the
connecting surface of the shelf 130 by rotating the backstop 200 about the
front connectors 250
until the rear connectors 260 detach from the shelf 130, at which point the
front connectors 250
can then be detached by lifting upward on the backstop 200.
[078] In some examples, the backstop can be angled, or have an angled surface
that facilitates
fronting product at an angle with respect to the shelf 130, the support
structure 102, and/or the
shelving unit 100. That is, the backstop can be angled so as to front the
products in a way that
turns the front of the products toward consumers that may walk in a direction
generally parallel
to the shelving unit.
[079] Figure 3 shows a backstop 300 with such an angled configuration. The
angled backstop
300 is configured generally in a similar manner to backstop 200 of Figure 2,
with the exception
that the engaging surface 300 is angled with respect to the engaging surface
220 of a straight
backstop 200. For example, the engaging surface 320 can be angled so that a
left side 321 of the
engaging surface 320 is forward of a right side 323 of the engaging surface
320.
[080] In such a configuration, the backstop 300 may have some front connectors
that are
forward of other front connectors. For example, a first front connector 352a
on the left side 321
of the backstop 300 with a forward facing opening 352a can be forward of a
second front
connector 350b with a second forward facing opening 352b on the right side 323
of the backstop
300. In some examples, the longitudinal distance between the first front
connector 350a and the
second front connector 350h is such that each connector can attach to a
separate lateral rung 132
among the grid of rungs on the shelf 130. In other embodiments, the spacing
may be such that
only one connector (350a or 350b) can attach to a rung.
16
[081] Figure 4 shows an example of the straight backstop 200 of Figure 2 and
the angled
backstop 300 of Figure 3 engaging with the rungs 132, 134 (in particular, with
the lateral rungs
132) on a shelf 130 of a shelving assembly 100. The angled backstop 300 may
have the
configuration (or at least a similar construction) to the angled backstop
shown in Figures 6A-E
in United States Design Patent Application Number 29/554,176.
[082] The backstops shown in Figures 2-4 may take on a variety of different
configurations,
shapes, and appearance. For example, the backstops may also take on the
configuration of the
backstops shown in Figures 5A-E United States Design Patent Application Number
29/554,176.
For example, a straight backstop 200
may include two forward facing openings that extend from protrusions that
define a space
between the openings, as shown in Figures 5A-E of Design Patent Application
Number
29/554,176. Backstops 201 having this configuration are shown in Figures 6A
and 6B. Similarly,
the angled backstop 300 may also include protrusions that defines a space
between the various
forward facing openings.
[083] Further examples, embodiments, and applications of shelving units will
now be
described with exemplary references to the Figures 1A-1I and 2-4, and to the
reference numbers
therein. The described shelving unit 100 can be used to display merchandisable
objects. In one
example, the unit 100 includes a pair of side members, or brackets 110 that
are configured to
attach to a support structure 102 (e.g., a vertical support structure). Each
side bracket 110
includes a slide channel 120. The slide channels 120 include a flat portion
122 toward a rear of
the side bracket 110 and an angled portion 125 forward from the flat portion.
The flat portion
122 can be generally flat when the side bracket 110 is installed with respect
to the support
structure 102. In other words, the flat portion 122 is generally parallel with
the longitudinal axis
of the side bracket 110. The unit 100 also includes a shelf 130 that slides
along the side brackets
110 between a retracted position and an extended position. The shelf 130
includes a rear tray
140 with a support mechanism 146 that supports the rear tray 146 on the side
brackets 110. The
rear tray 140 is configured to slide along the pair of side brackets 110
between the open and
retracted position. The shelf 130 also includes a front tray 150 hinged to the
rear tray. The front
tray 150 has side arms 160 that extending along opposing side edges 156 of the
front tray 150.
The side arms 160 extend beyond a rear edge 154 of the front tray 150 so that,
when the front
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-24
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
tray 150 is parallel with the rear tray 140, the side arms 160 extend over or
at least partially
overlap the rear tray 140. The side arms 160 have a sliding mechanism 162
(e.g., a wheel,
bearing, bushing, slider, etc.) that can slide within the slide channels 120
of the side brackets
110. The front 150 tray is hinged so that it can pivot with respect to the
rear tray. The shelf 130
is hinged so that when the shelf 130 is in the retracted position, the front
tray 150 and the rear
tray 140 are generally parallel, and the sliding mechanisms 162 of the side
arms 160 are within
the flat portion 122 of the slide channels 124. When the shelf 130 is in the
extended position, the
sliding mechanism 162 of the side arms 160 travels into the angled portion 125
of the slide
channels 124, thereby allowing the front tray 150 to pivot with respect to the
rear tray 140. For
example, in the extended position, the front tray 150 can pivot downward,
thereby facilitating
the stacking of product (e.g., salty snacks) on the shelf.
[084] In some examples, the support mechanism 146 of the rear tray 140 is
configured to rest
and slide upon an upper surface 116 of the side brackets 110. The support
mechanism 146
comprises a bushing configured to reduce friction between the rear tray 140
and the upper
surface 116 of the side brackets 110. The support mechanism 146 may include a
first and second
support mechanism positioned on opposite sides of the rear tray 140.
[0851 In some examples, each side bracket 110 further comprises an insertion
channel 126
forward of the slide channels 124, the insertion channel 126 having a
receiving portion 128 at a
front end 112 of the side bracket 110, the receiving portion 128 configured to
receive the slide
mechanism 162 of the side arm 160 of the front tray 150. The insertion channel
128 can be on a
different (e.g., a higher) plane than the flat portion 122 of the slide
channel 124.
[086] In some examples, the shelving unit 100 comprises a biasing mechanism
configured to
bias the shelf in the retracted position. The biasing mechanism is configured
to enable sliding of
the shelf 130 from the retracted position toward the extended position in
response to a front
portion 152 of the shelf lifting in a vertical direction with respect to the
side brackets 110. The
biasing mechanism can include a finger 175 projecting from a front portion of
the front tray 150.
The biasing mechanism can also include a support bar extending between front
ends of the side
brackets, wherein the finger 175 is configured to be located rearward of the
support bar in the
retracted position. In some examples the biasing mechanism comprises an
indexed portion 123
toward the rear of the flat portion 122 of at least one slide channel, the
indexed portion
configured to removably secure the shelf in the retracted position.
18
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
[087] In some examples, the shelf 130 comprises a brace 172 or support bar
extending between
the pair of side brackets 110. The brace 172 is configured to stay fixed with
respect to the side
brackets 110 as the shelf 130 slides between the retracted and extended
positions. The brace may
comprise a rolling mechanism 170 that facilitates the shelf 130 sliding across
the brace 172.
[0881 In some examples, the shelf 130 is configured so that, in the extended
position, the rear
tray 140 remains fully supported by the side brackets 110. The rear tray 140
may have a depth
DR that constitutes at least about one third of the depth D of the shelf. In
some examples, the
shelf 130 and side brackets 110 are configured so that the rear tray 140
travels generally parallel
with respect to the side brackets 110 between the retracted and extended
positions.
[089] Some examples further include at least one backstop 200, 300 removably
attachable to
the shelf 130. In some examples, wherein the rear tray 140 comprises a grid of
rungs 132, 134,
and the backstop 200 is configured to attach to the shelf via at least one
rung 132. The backstop
300 may have a font surface 320 that is non-parallel to the rungs 132, 134 of
the grid. For
example, a backstop 300 may have a front surface 320 and sides, wherein the
front surface 320
and sides are not perpendicular to each other. In some examples, the backstop
200, 300 defines a
first mating 250 structure at a forward portion of the backstop 200 and a
second mating 260
structure at a rearward portion of the backstop.
[090] In some examples, the front tray 150 is hinged to the rear tray 140 via
at least one hinge
hook 136 that extends from the rear tray 140 and hooks around a hinge bar 238
that extends
along the rear edge 154 of the front tray 150. Alternatively, the hinge hook
may extends from
the front tray 150 and hooks around a hinge bar that extends along the front
edge of the rear
tray 140. The hinge hook 136 can include an open channel hook configuration.
In some
examples, the front tray 150 and rear tray 140 comprise a grid of rungs 132,
134, and the hinge
hook 136 extends from a rung 134 of the rear tray 140 that extends generally
parallel with the
side brackets 110, and the hinge bar 138 is a rung of the front tray 150 that
extends generally
perpendicular to the side brackets 110.
[091] In some examples, the side bracket 110 comprises a mounting mechanism
115
configured to mount the side bracket 110 to a support structure 102. The
mounting mechanism
115 can include a plurality of tabs 113, 117, 119 configured to correspond to
one or more slots on
the support structure 102. One or more tab may have a notch 117 configured to
provide lateral
support that inhibits accidental removal of the side bracket 110 from the
support structure 102.
19
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
The side bracket may be configured to mount to the support structure 102 by
angling a front
end 112 of the bracket 110 higher than mounting mechanism 115 as the mounting
mechanism
115 inserts into the one or more corresponding slots on the support structure
102.
[092] Another example describes a pivoting shelf unit that allows a shelf to
be inserted along
an insertion track for installation purposes, but is configured in a manner
that inhibits the shelf
from passing back through the installation track after install. This helps
inhibit unwanted or
accidental removal of the shelf from the shelving unit comprising with a pair
of side brackets.
The side brackets can include an insertion passage defining a forward facing
opening and a
linear channel running along a longitudinal axis of the side bracket. The
forward facing opening
is configured to receive at least a portion of the shelf. The shelf has a
shelf that can be similar to
the hinged shelf described above. The flat portion of the non-linear channel
extends at a
different elevation (e.g., it is at a lower elevation) than the linear channel
of the insertion
passage to inhibit unwanted travel of the shelf from the rear passage to the
insertion passage. In
some examples, the opening comprises a notch that inhibits unwanted or
accidental removal of =
the shelf from the side brackets.
[093] The present disclosure also describes embodiments relating to a backstop
200 that can be
installed or connected to a shelving display 100 (e.g., one or more of the
exemplary shelving
systems described herein). The backstops 200 can be used to position behind
product displayed
on a shelf. In one example, the backstop 200 comprises a front portion 210
with a product
engaging surface 220. The backstop 200 has one or more first connectors 250
that have a forward
facing opening 252 extending from the bottom 240 front of the backstop 200.
The backstop 200
also has one or more second connectors 260 with a downward or partially
downward facing
opening 262 that extend from the bottom rear 230 of the backstop 200. The
forward facing
openings 252 are configured to allow the first connector 250 to connect to a
first portion of the
shelf 130 (e.g., snap onto a rung 132 of the tray) so that the backstop 200
can tilt with respect to
the shelf 130. That is, a backstop 300 connected via one of the forward facing
openings 252 can
pivot about the connection point so that the rear 230 of the backstop 200 can
tilt up and down
with respect to the shelf 130. The downward facing openings 262 are configured
to connect the
second connectors 260 to a second portion of the shelf 130 (e.g., another rung
of the tray) as the
backstop 260 pivots about the first portion of the shelf 130 toward the rear
of the shelf 130.
=
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
[094] The downward facing opening 262 may have a bell mouth shape configured
to guide
the second rung into the at least partially downward facing opening. In some
examples, the first
connector 250 comprises a plurality of first connectors 250 extending from the
bottom 240 of the
front portion 210 of the backstop 210. Each of the first connectors 250 can
have forward facing
openings 252. The second connector 260 can also include a plurality of second
connectors 260
extending from the bottom 250 of the rear 230 portion of the backstop 200.
Each of the second
connectors 260 have an at least partially downward facing opening 262. The
first connectors 250
and second connectors 260 are each configured to connect to a rung of the grid
of rungs.
[095] The grid of rungs can include, for example, a plurality of parallel
longitudinal 234 rungs
positioned over or intersecting with a plurality of parallel transverse rungs
232. The transverse
rungs 232 run generally perpendicular to the longitudinal rungs 234. The
backstop 200 further
comprises a recess 254 between each of the first connectors 250 and between
each of the second
connectors 260. The forward facing openings 232 and the at least partially
downward facing
openings 262 are configured to connect to a transverse rung 232. The spacers
254 are configured
to straddle and/or receive a longitudinal rung 234 upon the backstop
connecting to the shelf
230.
[096] In some examples, the product engaging surface 320 is angled with
respect to the front
portion 310 so that the backstop 300 is configured to display a stack of
products at an angle with
respect to the shelf 130, the shelving unit 100, or to a forward facing plane
of the shelf, shelving
unit, mounting structure, or aisle in which the shelving unit 100 is
positioned.
[097] Tn some examples, a front connector 250 comprises a forward first
connector 350a
configured to connect to the first portion of the tray and at least one
rearward first connector
350b configured to connect to a third portion of the tray, wherein the first
portion of the tray is
closer to the front of the tray than the third portion of the tray. In other
examples, the at least
one first connector comprises at least two connectors, with at least one
connector positioned
forward of the other connectors.
[098] In some examples, the product engaging surface 220, 320 of the backstop
200, 300 is
solid. The product engaging surface 220, 230, may include indicia 222, 322 for
customizing the
backstop.
[099] Some embodiments relate to a bracket 110 that mounts to a support
structure 102 and
supports a slideable shelf 130. The bracket 110 includes a rear portion 114
having a mounting
21
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
mechanism 115 configured to attach to the support structure 102. The bracket
110 also includes
an upper surface 116 configured to support the shelf 130 as the shelf 130
slides between a
retracted and extended position along the bracket 110. The bracket includes a
slide channel 120
that has an insertion passage defining a forward facing opening 128 and a
linear channel 126
running along a longitudinal axis of the bracket 110. The slide channel 120
also includes a rear
passage defining a non-linear channel 124 having a flat portion 122 that
extends generally
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bracket 110 and an angled portion 125
that extends at an
angle between the flat portion 122 of the rear passage 124 and the insertion
passage 126. The
slide channel 120 is configured to receive a portion of the shelf 130 so that,
in the retracted
position, the received portion of the shelf is within the flat portion 122 of
the rear passage 124
and so that, in the extended position, the received portion of the shelf 130
is within the angled
portion 125 of the rear passage 124. The insertion passage 126 is configured
to receive the
portion of the shelf 130 during installation of the shelf 130. The
installation passage 126 is
positioned in a higher plane than the flat portion 122 of the rear passage to
inhibit the portion of
the shelf 130 from entering the insertion passage 126 as the shelf 130 moves
between the
retracted and extended position.
[0100] In some examples, the mounting mechanism 115 comprises a plurality
of tabs
configured to correspond to one or more slots on the support structure 102.
The mounting
mechanism 115 can include a plurality of tabs 113, 117, 119 configured to
correspond to one or
more slots on the support structure 102. One or more tab may have a notch 117
configured to
provide lateral support that inhibits accidental removal of the side bracket
110 from the support
structure 102. The side bracket may be configured to mount to the support
structure 102 by
angling a front end 112 of the bracket 110 higher than mounting mechanism 115
as the
mounting mechanism 115 inserts into the one or more corresponding slots on the
support
structure 102.
[0101] Some examples described herein present a hinged drawer type shelving
unit 100
comprising a shelf 130 having a first portion 150 and a second portion 140
hinged to the first
portion. The first portion 150 is connected between opposing arms 160 with
each arm 160
having a guide 162 connected to a rearward portion of the arm 160. The unit
100 and a frame
102 having opposing side brackets 110 between which the shelf 130 is disposed,
each side
bracket 110 defines a travel passage 124 for directing or guiding movement of
the
22
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
corresponding guide 162 as the shelf is moved between a first stored position
wherein the first
150 and second 140 shelf portions are coplanar with one another and a second
extended
position to simplify restocking of product on the shelf 130 wherein the first
150 shelf portion is
tilted and non-coplanar with the second shelf portion 140.
[0102] In some examples, the side brackets 110 define an installation
passage 126 for
receiving the corresponding guide 162 of each arm 160 to install the shelf 130
on the frame 102.
The installation passage 126 may intersect the travel passage 122 to position
the guide 162 of
each arm 160 in the travel passage 124 once the shelf 130 is installed. In
some aspects, the travel
passage 124 is angled with respect to the installation passage 126 to tilt the
shelf 130 as it is
moved from the first position to the second position so that the first shelf
portion 150 angles
downward from the plane containing the second shelf portion 140. The travel
passage 124 has a
first linear passage 122 that maintains the first shelf portion 150 coplanar
to the second shelf
portion 140 as the guide is in the first linear portion 122 and a second
linear 125 portion that is
angled with respect to the first linear portion 122 that maintains the first
shelf portion 150 in the
non-coplanar position with respect to the second shelf portion 140.
[0103] In some embodiments, the opposing side brackets 110 of the frame 102
have
generally flat upper surfaces 116 and the second shelf portion 140 has a
generally U-shaped
cross section with a central base portion 147. Upstanding side portions 144
may extend from the
central base portion 147. The upstanding side portions 144 have distal ends
and support
members 146 proximate the distal ends that support the second shelf portion
140 on the
generally flat upper surfaces 116 of the opposing side brackets 110 of the
frame 102. The support
members 110 may include a bushing 146 made of a friction reducing material to
assist in
movement of the second basket portion 140 as the shelf 130 is moved between
the first and
second positions.
[0104] The side brackets 110 can include a friction reducing member 170
positioned
proximate a forward end 112 of each side bracket 110 to assist with movement
of the shelf 130
between the first and second positions. In some approaches, at least one arm
175 defines a stop
protruding from a surface thereof for engaging the friction reducing member
170 positioned
proximate the forward end 112 of the side bracket 110 to hinder inadvertent
movement of the
shelf 130 from the first position to the second position. The friction
reducing member 170 can be
a roller rotatable with respect to the side bracket 110 and rotates as the arm
175 rides on top of
23
the roller 170 to assist movement of the arm 175 along the side bracket 110.
In some examples,
the guide 162 is connected to the rearward portion of the arm 160 is a roller
disposed within the
travel passage 122 of each side bracket 110.
[01051 Figure 5 shows another example of a side bracket 510 that can be
used with a
shelving unit 100 in addition to or in place of the shelving unit 110 of
Figure IF. In particular,
Figure 5 provides detail regarding the shape and structure of the channel 520
of the side bracket
510. Side bracket 510 may have the configuration (or at least a similar
construction) of one or
more of the side brackets shown in Figures 1A-3B (and in particular, in
Figures 1D, 1E, 2D, 2E,
and 3A-C) in United States Design Patent Application Number 29/554,176.
[0106] The side bracket 510 is similar to the side bracket 110 of Figure
1F, with the
exception that the channel 520 has a different configuration to that of
channel 120 in Figure 1F.
In particular, the insertion portion 526 of channel 520 differs slightly from
the insertion portion
126 of channel 120 of the side bracket 110 of Figure IF. Unlike insertion
portion 126 of Figure 1F,
which extends linearly in a direction generally parallel to the flat portion
122 of the channel 120,
the insertion portion 526 of channel 520 drops downward before extending back
up toward the
opening 528. In this way, the side bracket 510 provides a distinguished
insertion passage 526
that may facilitate insertion of a shelf (e.g., shelf 130) in certain
situations. The insertion portion
526 includes an elbow 505 that angles upward, back to the angled portion 525
of the rear
passage 524, which transitions to the flat portion 522 at the back of the side
bracket 510. The
angled portion 525 comprises an angled end stop 527 upon which a portion of
the shelf situates
while the shelf 130 is in the extended position. In this way, the angled end
stop 527 is formed
intermediate the channel opening 528 and the enclosed end of channel 520
proximate flat
section 522.
[0107] Figs. 6A-B illustrate yet another alternate embodiment in
accordance with the
invention. In keeping with prior practice, items that are similar to those
discussed above in
prior embodiments will be referenced using the same latter two-digit reference
numerals, but
use the prefix 6 to distinguish one embodiment from the others. Thus, in Figs.
6A-B, the
shelving unit will be referred to generally by reference numeral 600 and the
sliding shelf 630
and side walls 610, which are configured to connect to support structure 602
(e.g., vertical
uprights, gondola uprights, a support wall, etc.). Specifically, Figure 6A
shows an isometric
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-24
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
view of a shelving unit 600, and Figure 6B shows a close up view of the
shelving unit 600 in an
extended position with the side arm 620 removed so that various components can
be seen more
clearly.
[0108] The shelving unit 600 has a support mechanism 646 that includes an
inverted L
shaped nylon guide or wear strip that travels along upper and side surfaces of
the side wall 610.
The support mechanism 646 is shown as spanning between two bars on the rear
tray 640, but it
should be understood that the support mechanism can span 3, 4, or more bars,
depending on
the intended use. It also includes an alternate bushing 662 for traveling in
channel 620. As
shown, the bushing 662 does not include a screw-head or tightening mechanism,
and includes a
spacer portion 633 that helps assure that the bushing 662 maintains a wide
enough surface upon
which to slide in channel 620.
[0109] The shelving unit 600 also includes a support member 670 (e.g.,
pivot point,
friction reduction member, wear member, etc.) that has an alternate
configuration to that of
other embodiments. Notably, the support member 670 comprises a bolt that
includes a support
surface that can provide support for the front tray 650 (i.e., the hinged
portion) of the shelf 630
in the extended position. The support member 670 is similar to first
reinforcement member or
brace 672. The shelving unit 600 also has a second reinforcement member, or
brace 601 that has
an alternate configuration to that of other embodiments, and that helpS to
inhibit bowing or
deflecting of the shelving unit during assembly, thereby inhibiting the
likelihood that the shelf
630 will experience increased friction during movement, or slide out of the
channel 620. The
shelving unit also includes a back bar 605, or brace, that provides further
support and stability
to the configuration of the shelving unit.
[0110] Figures 6A and 6B also show an alternate hinge configuration. As
shown, the
hinge configuration includes an inverted hook 636 that has an upward facing
opening that
interacts with, and surrounds the bar 638 on the front tray 650. In this
manner, the shelf 630 can
easily be installed in the shelving unit 600 by first installing the front
tray 650 into the side
brackets 610, then placing the rear tray 640 onto the shelving unit by resting
the rear tray 640 on
the side brackets 610, and then pivotably connecting the rear tray 640 to the
front tray 640 by
looping the inverted hooks 636 around the bars 638 of the front tray 650. The
inverted hooks 636
are configured with a bend so that not only will pulling the front tray 650
cause the rear tray 640
to extend toward open, but also so that pushing the front tray 650 rearward
will move the rear
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
tray 640 rearward without causing the bar 638 to escape from the hooks 636.
The inverted hook
hinge configuration provides various advantages. For example, the inverted
hook configuration
makes it easier to connect the front tray 650 and the rear tray 640 during
assembly. This
inverted hook hinge configuration also reduces risk that the front and rear
trays 650 and 640
will become disengaged during operation. Further, the inverted hook hinge
configuration
makes it less likely that objects stored on shelves below the shelf 630 (e.g.,
bags of product) will
catch or snag on the hook 636 when the shelf 630 is extended to an open
position because the
hook 636 faces a direction opposite to that of the motion of travel during the
opening of the
shelf 630.
[0111] In addition to the above identified apparatus embodiments, it
should also be
understood that numerous methods are also disclosed herein that allow a rear
portion of the
shelf to remain in one orientation or plane while allowing a front portion of
the shelf to move to
another orientation or plane (e.g., angle downward) for restocking purposes so
as to reduce the
risk of damaging product positioned at the rear of the shelf. For example,
methods for
manufacturing and methods for assembling a shelf system are disclosed herein,
as are methods
for moving a shelf between a first position and a second position (e.g.,
extending, tilting or
extending and tilting a shelf, etc.). Methods for inserting a shelf and
guiding a shelf along its
regular limits of travel are also all disclosed herein. In a more specific
example, a method of
installing a shelf is disclosed herein including the steps of installing side
members (110, 510,
610) on a display, connecting a front product support (150, 650) to the
installed side members
(110, 510, 610), and connecting a rear product support (140, 640) to the front
product support
= (150, 650).
[0112] In some forms, the installation of the side members (110, 510,
610) includes
installing side members (110, 510, 610) interconnected by at least one brace
(172, 672, 605) on the
display. Similarly, connecting the front product support (150, 650) includes
installing guides
(162, 662) extending from the front product support (150, 650) into mating
channels (120, 520,
620) of the side members (110, 510, 610). Connecting the rear product support
(140, 640) may
include pivotally or hingedly connecting the rear product support (140, 640)
to the front
product support (150, 650) after the front product support (150, 650) has been
connected to the
installed side members (110, 510, 610). Likewise, the installation method may
also include
moving the front and rear product supports between a first position wherein
the product
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CA 02941470 2016-09-12
supports are generally coplanar with one another and a second position wherein
the front
product support (150, 650) is angled downward from the plane containing the
rear product
support (140, 640) so that the planes containing the front and rear product
supports are
transverse to one another.
[0113] In some
forms, such a method of installation may include installing two side
members or brackets onto opposing sides of a shelving unit, then connecting a
front tray to the
side brackets, and subsequently connecting a rear tray with the front tray to
form a pivotably
sliding shelf. The side brackets may be installed by inserting tabs on a rear
edge of the side
brackets into corresponding slots in a vertical support structure of the
shelving unit. In some
forms, the side brackets may be interconnected by one or more braces of the
shelving unit,
which can provide structural stability to the shelving unit. The side arms may
have a slide
channel adapted to receive a slider on a front tray, such as the front tray
110 and 610 described
herein. A user may install the front tray onto the shelving unit by inserting
a slider or guide that
extend from the front tray into the slide channel in the side brackets. The
slider or guide can
then be moved into an angled portion of the slide channel so that the front
tray rests in a
lowered, angled position that corresponds with an open or loading position.
The rear tray or
rear basket can then be installed onto the side brackets of the shelf. Support
mechanisms on
opposing sides of the rear tray may be placed to rest upon the upper surfaces
of the two
opposing side brackets. In some forms, bushings or sliders may be installed,
snapped, or
otherwise engaged with the top surface of the side brackets. The rear tray may
then be attached
to the front tray in a hinged or pivotable manner that allows the front tray
to rotate vertically
with respect to the rear tray to facilitate loading of the shelf. For example,
a hooks on the rear
tray may be looped around a bar on the front tray, thereby attaching the trays
while allowing
the front tray to pivot with respect to the rear tray. In this way, when the
shelf is in an open or
loading position, the first tray may be hinged downward from the generally
horizontal rear tray
to present an angled working surface to a user that faces the shelf. Once
connected, the front
and rear trays form a shelf that can slide and move together as a single
shelf, while still allowing
[lie front tray to pivot downwards so that user may be able to load the shelf.
Once installed, the
front and rear trays can be moved together as a single shelf between a first
or closed position,
where the front and rear trays are generally co-planar with one another, and a
second position
(or an open or loading position) where the front tray is angled downward from
the plane
27
CA 02941470 2016-09-12
containing the rear tray, so that the planes of the front and rear trays are
transverse to one
another. In some forms, the front tray may first be hinged to the rear tray
before it is inserted
into the slide channel of the side brackets. In other forms, the rear tray may
be installed onto a
side bracket before the front tray, and the two trays can be hingedly attached
either
simultaneously with or subsequent to the installation of the front tray on the
shelving unit.
[0114] Some methods also include use of an installed shelving unit, such as
the variety
of shelving units described herein. In one example, a shelf is originally in a
closed or stored
position. The shelf includes a front tray hingedly attached to a rear tray. A
user pulls on the
shelf from the stored position toward a first open position by tugging on the
front tray. As the
shelf extends from the closed position, guides in the shelf slide along a
horizontal portion of a
channel in side arms of the shelving unit. In a first open position, at least
a part of the front tray
extends away from side arms in the shelving unit, while the rear portion of
the tray remains
generally between the side arms. In this first open position, the front tray
is generally parallel
and co-planar with the rear tray. Next, the front tray is rotated downward
from the first
position to a second position, or a loading position. A guide that extends
rearward from the
front tray remains in the slide channel in the side arm, and travels into an
angled portion of the
slide channel. This allows the front tray to pivot downward to the second or
loading position,
which loading position facilitates the user's ability to load the shelf. After
loading the shelf, the
user can push the tray back to the closed position by first lifting the front
tray to the horizontal
or first open position, which brings the guide of the first tray toward a
horizontal portion of the
slide channel, and then pushing the shelf rearward, toward the closed
position.
[0115] The present disclosure describes preferred embodiments and examples
of the
present technology. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide
variety of modifications,
alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described
embodiments
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims,
and that such
modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within
the ambit of the
inventive concept. In addition, it should also be understood that features of
one embodiment
may be combined with features of other embodiments to provide yet other
embodiments as
desired. Thus, although one feature may have only been described with one
embodiment, it
should understood that utilization of such a feature on any of the other
embodiments disclosed
28
herein is also contemplated.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-24
