Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02864925 2015-06-02
LIGHTING SUPPORT FOR MOUNTING A LIGHT SOURCE ONTO A SHELF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of illumination for displays. More
particularly, it relates to a lighting support for a light source for a shelf.
BACKGROUND
It is well known in the art that, in the context of a retail environment,
illumination
of products on display has an impact on sales and the overall customer
experience. More particularly, it is known that proper illumination of
products on
display has a positive effect on sales of the particular products.
In view of the above, fluorescent tubes are commonly used to illuminate an
interior space of shelving. For example, in order to properly illuminate
products or
items disposed on a shelf, it is known to provide shelf lighting, i.e. a
lighting
configuration designed to illuminate a section of shelf containing a plurality
of
products or items on display and which extends between a front end and a back
end of the shelf. Typically, a fluorescent tube is mounted above the shelf to
be
illuminated and is positioned to illuminate the entire section of the shelf
where the
products or items are located. For aesthetic considerations, the fluorescent
tubes
are therefore commonly hidden under each shelf, in order to illuminate the
products on the shelf below.
Particularly of concern is the positioning of the fluorescent tubes which is
typically
unfavourable. Indeed, in order to provide lighting of the entire section of
the shelf
where the products or items are located, between the front end and the back
end
of the shelf, the fluorescent tubes are commonly positioned rearward of the
front
end of the above shelf and recessed from the front end of the above shelf.
Such
a positioning thereby negatively impacts both the illumination of the
merchandise
as it does not allow optimal illumination of the face of the product at the
front of
the shelf. Moreover, such a positioning also negatively impacts the access to
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products or items by the customers and/or the retrieval of the products from
the
shelf.
In view of the above, there is a need for an improved manner of providing a
light
source onto shelving, which, by virtue of its design and components, would be
able to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed prior art
concerns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a general aspect, there is provided a lighting support for
mounting a
light source onto shelving including a lower shelf and an upper shelf. The
upper
shelf has an item supporting surface, a front end and a front edge structure
with a
flange extending at least downwardly from the item supporting surface and
having an upper end. The lighting support comprises a securing member
operatively connectable to the front edge structure of the upper shelf, a
shelf
signage bracket connected to the securing member and extending forwardly
thereof and a light source support being supported by at least one of the
securing
member and the shelf signage bracket. The securing member has an upper end
and comprises a clip defining a flange receiving cavity receiving at least a
portion
of the flange of the front edge structure therein when the securing member is
operatively connected to the front edge structure of the upper shelf. The
shelf
signage bracket has an upper end and is positioned forward of the front edge
structure of the upper shelf and is at least partially vertically aligned
therewith
when the securing member is operatively connected to the front edge structure
of
the upper shelf. The light source support is positioned below or adjacent to a
lower end of the shelf signage bracket and is configured to receive and
support
the light source in a downward and rearward orientation for the light source
to
illuminate a section of the lower shelf when the securing member is
operatively
connected to the front edge structure of the upper shelf. The upper end of
each
one of the securing member and the shelf signage bracket is below or
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. .
substantially horizontally levelled with the upper end of the front edge
structure to
facilitate access to items supported on the supporting surface of the upper
shelf.
In an embodiment, the light source support projects at least partially forward
of
the front end of the upper shelf.
In an embodiment, the light source support projects from the securing member.
In an embodiment, the light source support is integral to the securing member.
In an embodiment, the lighting support further comprises a horizontally-
extending
bridge connecting the securing member to the shelf signage bracket.
In an embodiment, the light source support is integral to the shelf signage
bracket.
In an embodiment, the light source support is rearwardly angled with regards
to
the front end of the upper shelf.
In an embodiment, a rearward angle of the light source support ranges between
about 1 and about 45 .
In an embodiment, the light source support is proximate to a lower end of the
front edge structure of the upper shelf, when the securing member is
operatively
connected to the front edge structure of the upper shelf.
In an embodiment, the light source support comprises an elongated light source
receiving cavity to receive an elongated light source therein.
In an embodiment, the light source support extends along a lower end of the
lighting support.
In an embodiment, the lighting support is in combination with a light source,
and
the light source is an elongated light source including a plurality of
successive
slim profile LEDs mounted to a printed circuit board.
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. .
According to another general aspect, there is also provided a price tag
molding
for mounting an elongated light source onto a shelf having an item supporting
surface, a front end and a front edge structure extending at least downwardly
from the item supporting surface and having an upper end. The price tag
molding
comprises a securing member, a shelf signage bracket and a light source
support. The securing member has an upper end and is connectable to the front
edge structure. The shelf signage bracket is connected to the securing member
and extends forwardly of the securing member. The shelf signage bracket
extends forwardly of the front end of the shelf, with at least a section
thereof
being substantially vertically aligned therewith. The light source support is
supported by at least one of the shelf signage bracket and the securing member
and includes an elongated light source receiving cavity extending
longitudinally
below the shelf signage bracket. The elongated light source receiving cavity
is
open downwardly and rearwardly and is sized and shaped to receive and support
the elongated light source illuminating downwardly and rearwardly of the
shelf.
The light source support has an upper end and is positioned proximate to a
lower
end of the front edge structure of the shelf when the securing member is
operatively connected to the front edge structure of the shelf. The upper end
of
each one of the securing member and the shelf signage bracket is below or
substantially horizontally levelled with the upper end of the front edge
structure to
facilitate access to items supported on the supporting surface of the upper
shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent upon reading
the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given for
the
purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings
in
which:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a support for a light source
according to
an embodiment and shown mounted to a shelf.
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. .
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support for a light source of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective side view of the support for a light source and
shown
mounted to the shelf of Figure 1.
Figure 3A is a close-up view of a section of the support for a light source
shown
and mounted to the shelf shown in Figure 3.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of shelving with corresponding supports for a
light
source of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional side view of a support for a light source
according to
another embodiment and shown mounted to a shelf.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar
elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned
and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description
are embodiments only, given solely for exemplification purposes.
Moreover, although the embodiments of the support for a light source and shelf
with a support for a light source and corresponding parts thereof consist of
certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not
all of
these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in
their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person
skilled
in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as
well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the support
for
a light source and shelf with a support for a light source, as will be briefly
explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in
the
art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as
"above",
"below", "left", "right" and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be
taken in
the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting.
Referring generally to Figures 1 to 4, in accordance with one embodiment,
there
is provided a lighting support 10 for a light source 12. The lighting support
10 is
operatively connectable to a front edge structure 15 of a shelf 14. In the
course of
the present description, the front edge structure 15 of the shelf 14 refers to
any
structure which extends at a front edge of the shelf 14 and is directly
connected
or indirectly connected to the shelf 14. In the embodiment shown, the front
edge
structure 15 is a flange 18 projecting from a front end 14c of the shelf 14.
However one skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative
embodiment,
the front edge structure 15 can be any component connected to the shelf 14 and
extending at the front edge, such as, for example and without being
limitative, a
molding secured to the flange 18.
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The lighting support 10 includes a light source support 13 positioned and/or
oriented to allow the light source 12 to provide illumination of a section of
a lower
shelf 14b, i.e. a shelf 14 positioned below an upper shelf 14a which is
located
above the lower shelf 14b in a shelving and to which the lighting support 10
and
the corresponding light source 12 are mounted, and/or items (not shown)
located
on the lower shelf 14b. In an embodiment, the light source support 13 is
positioned and/or oriented such that the section of the lower shelf 14b
illuminated
by the light source 12 of the lighting support 10 of the upper shelf 14a
extends
from the front end 14c and the back end 14d of the lower shelf 14b. In an
embodiment, the light source support 13 is also positioned and/or oriented
such
that it allows the light source 12 to illuminate a front section of several
consecutive shelves 14 located below.
In order to allow the above described lighting of the lower shelf 14b, in an
embodiment, the light source support 13 of the lighting support 10 is
positioned at
a lower end 10a of the lighting support 10, and projects at least partially
forward
(or in front) of the front end 14c of the upper shelf 14a, such that at least
a
section of the light source 12 extends forward of the front end 14c of the
upper
shelf 14a, when the lighting support 10 is mounted to the upper shelf 14a. In
the
embodiment shown, the light source support 13 is positioned such that the
light
source 12 is positioned entirely forward of the front end 14c of the upper
shelf
14a, when the lighting support 10 is mounted to the upper shelf 14a. One
skilled
in the art will however understand that, in an alternative embodiment, the
light
source support 13 can however be positioned such that a portion of the light
source 12 extends forward of the front end 14c of the upper shelf 14a, while
other
sections of the light source 12 are either horizontally substantially aligned
with
the front end 14c of the upper shelf 14a or extends rearward of the front end
14c
of the upper shelf 14a, when the lighting support 10 is mounted thereto.
Moreover, in an embodiment, the light source support 13 of the lighting
support
10 is proximal to a lower end 15a of the front edge structure 15 of the upper
shelf
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14a, when the lighting support 10 is mounted to the shelf 14, in order to
avoid
blocking access to the items displayed on the lower shelf 14b.
One skilled in the art will easily understand that even though, only one upper
shelf 14a and one lower shelf 14b are shown on the shelving of Figure 4, in an
embodiment, a plurality of shelves 14 can be provided. In such an embodiment,
a
particular shelf 14 can at the same time be the upper shelf 14a with regards
to
the lower shelf 14b located below and the lower shelf 14b with regards to the
upper shelf 14a located above.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the lighting support 10 forms a
price
tag molding to be mounted to the flange 18 of the shelf 14. Price tag moldings
are common, especially in the retails industry, and are commonly used for
mounting a tag, such as a price tag, to the flange 18 of a shelf 14, such as
to
display various information regarding the products or items placed on the
shelf
14. For example and without being !imitative, the price tag molding can be
made
of extruded material such as, without being limitative, plastic, metal, or the
like. In
an embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of the lighting support 10
corresponds
to a width of the shelf 14 on which the lighting support 10 is to be mounted.
One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments (not
shown), the lighting support 10 can be distinct from a price tag molding. For
example and without being limitative, the lighting support 10 can be a
standalone
component mountable to the flange 18 of the shelf 14, a component connectable
to a price tag molding mounted to the flange 18 of a shelf 14, or the like.
In order to allow the lighting support 10 to be directly or indirectly secured
to the
shelf 14, the lighting support 10 includes a securing member 16 to secure the
lighting support 10 to the front edge structure 15 of the shelf 14. In the
embodiment shown, the securing member 16 is a clip 17 to be removably
secured to the flange 18 of the shelf 14, the flange 18 forming the front edge
structure 15 of the shelf 14. The clip 17 includes an upper engaging member
17a
and a lower engaging member 17b, joined by a connecting wall 17c and
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cooperating to secure the lighting support 10 to the flange 18 of the shelf
14. The
upper engaging member 17a is positioned at an upper end of the connecting wall
17c and the lower engaging member extends rearwardly and upwardly from a
lower end of the connecting wall 17c, thereby defining a flange receiving
cavity
17d with the connecting wall 17c. When the clip 17 is clipped onto the front
edge
structure 15 of the shelf 14, the upper engaging member 17a engages an upper
surface of the front end 14c of the shelf 14 and the lower engaging member 17b
engages a rear surface of the front edge structure 15 of the shelf 14 at a
lower
section thereof, with a lower section of the flange 18 being received in the
flange
receiving cavity 17d. In an embodiment, the components of the clip 17 are made
of resilient material, to allow a momentary deformation thereof during
engagement/disengagement of the securing member 16 with the shelf 14.
In the embodiment shown, a lip 17e of the upper engaging member 17a is
provided to ease the removal of the lighting support 10 from the shelf 14. In
an
embodiment, the lip 17e also acts as a product stopper, for products located
on
the shelf 14.
One skilled in the art will also understand that, in an alternative embodiment
(not
shown), the securing member 16 can be any other type of connector for
removably or permanently securing the lighting support 10 to the front edge
structure 15 of the shelf 14 by any means or methods, such as, without being
limitative, clamping, snapping, press fitting, gluing, or the like. Moreover,
in an
alternative embodiment, the securing member 16 can be adapted to be secured
to a supporting member distinct from the flange 18 which forms the front edge
structure 15 of the shelf 14 in the embodiment shown. For example and without
being limitative, in an embodiment (not shown), the securing member 16 can be
a connector adapted to be secured to the front edge structure 15 embodied by a
molding, such as a price tag molding, which is mounted to the flange 18 of the
shelf 14, by any means or method, such as, without being limitative, clipping,
clamping, snapping, press fitting, gluing, or the like.
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The lighting support 10 also includes the light source support 13 which is
configured to receive and support the light source 12 therein and which has
all of
the above-mentioned characteristics. The light source support 13 is connected
directly or indirectly to the securing member 16. In an embodiment, the light
source support 13 includes a light source receiving cavity 13a sized and
shaped
to receive the light source 12 therein. In an embodiment, the light source
receiving cavity 13a is an elongated cavity to receive an elongated light
source
12, such as a led bar including a plurality of successive slim profile LEDs.
In the embodiment shown, the light source receiving cavity 13a also includes
an
upper elongated groove 13b to support 13 the elongated light source 12
laterally.
In the embodiment shown, the light source receiving cavity 13a further
includes a
lower elongated groove 13c to support an elongated protective lens 20. The
protective lens 20 is provided to protect the light source 12 from accidental
exterior contacts which may damage the light source 12. In an embodiment, the
protective lens 20 can also act as a light diffuser to diffuse the light from
the light
source 12 and can be clear or frosted.
One skilled in the art will understand that the size and shape of the light
source
receiving cavity 13a can differ from the embodiment shown. Moreover in an
alternative embodiment, the light source receiving cavity 13a could be free of
the
upper elongated groove 13b and/or the lower elongated groove 13c, the
corresponding one of the light source 12 and the protective lens 20 being
supported by other means or methods, such as clipping, gluing, press fitting
or
the like.
In the embodiment shown, the light source support 13 projects from a lower end
of the connecting wall 17c of the clip 17 and is positioned at a lower end 10a
of
the lighting support 10. One skilled in the art will however understand that,
in an
alternative embodiment, the light source support 13 can project from a
different
section of the lighting support 10 than the lower end of the connecting wall
17c of
the clip 17, as shown. Moreover, in the embodiment shown, the light source
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support 13 is extruded along with the price tag molding formed by the lighting
support 10, such as to be integral therewith. In other words, in the
embodiment
shown, the light source support 13 is integral to the securing member 16 of
the
lighting support 10. However, it will once again be understood by one skilled
in
the art that the light source support 13 can also be a distinct component
removably or permanently connected to the lighting support 10 by other means
or
methods, such as clipping, clamping, snapping, press fitting, gluing or the
like.
As mentioned above, the light source support 13 is positioned such as to allow
the light source 12 to provide illumination of a section of a lower shelf 14b
and, in
an embodiment is positioned for at least a section of the light source 12 to
extend
forward of the front end 14c of the upper shelf 14a, when the lighting support
10
is mounted to the shelf 14. In an embodiment, in order to provide illumination
of a
section of a lower shelf 14b, the light source support 13 is rearwardly angled
from
the front end 14c of the shelf 14 and consequently the light source 12 forms a
rearward angle from the front end 14c of the shelf 14. For example and without
being limitative, in an embodiment the light source support 13 forms a
rearward
angle of about 10 from the front end 14c of the shelf 14. In an alternative
embodiment the light source support 13 forms a rearward angle of between
about about 1 and about 45 rearward, from the front end 14c of the shelf 14.
As mentioned above, in the embodiment shown, the light source 12 is a led bar
including a plurality of successive slim profile low-power LEDs mounted to a
printed circuit board. In an alternative embodiment, mid- power LEDs could
also
be used. The type and quantity of successive LEDs is adapted to the desired
luminous flux of the light source 12. In an embodiment, secondary optics could
also be provided in combination with the LEDs, to further shape and direct the
light as desired. One skilled in the art will also understand that, in
alternative
embodiments, the light source 12 can be different from the led bar including a
plurality of successive LEDs. For example and without being limitative, in an
embodiment (not shown) the light source 12 can include a single or a plurality
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CA 02864925 2015-06-02
high-powered or mid-powered light source(s), for example LED(s), incandescent
bulb(s), laser(s), or the like, mounted into a fiber optic or light carrying
rod.
Still referring to Figures 1 to 4, in the embodiment shown, the lighting
support 12
also includes a shelf signage bracket 22, positioned forward of the clip 17
and
connected to the connecting wall 17c of the clip 17 by a bridge 24. The shelf
signage bracket 22 is configured to receive a label (not shown) with
information
about the product found on the shelf 14 and is oriented such as to allow a
proper
viewing of the label by the customers.
In the embodiment shown, the lighting support 12 also includes a stopper
engaging cavity 26 defined above the bridge 24, between a rear surface of the
shelf signage bracket 22 and a front surface of the connecting wall 17c of the
clip
17. The stopper engaging cavity 26 is configured to receive a section of an
item
stopper (not shown), which can be used to prevent merchandise from sliding off
the shelf 14, especially in embodiments where the shelf 14 is positioned at an
angle from a substantially horizontal position. In an embodiment, the item
stopper
can be supported by the bridge 24 and can be retained in the stopper engaging
cavity 26 by a retaining protrusion 26a, i.e. a protrusion extending into the
stopper engaging cavity 26.
One skilled in the art will understand that, in an embodiment, the lighting
support
10 can however be free of either one, or both, of the shelf signage bracket 22
and the stopper engaging cavity 26. Moreover, one skilled in the art will
understand, that, in alternative embodiments, the size, shape and relative
dimensions of the light source support 13, securing member 16, shelf signage
bracket 22 and/or stopper engaging cavity 26, can vary from the embodiment
shown.
Now referring to Figure 5, an alternative embodiment of a lighting support
110,
where like features are labeled with reference numbers in the 100 series is
shown. The lighting support 110 shown in Figure 5 includes similar components
as the lighting support 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4, and also forms a price tag
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molding to be mounted to the flange 118 of a shelf 114. The lighting support
110
has a light source support 113, a securing member 116, a shelf signage bracket
122 and a stopper engaging cavity 126.
As can be seen, the size and shape of the securing member 116 differs from the
embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, and is adapted for the lighting support 110 to
be
secured to the flange 118 of the shelf 114, having its particular size and
shape
which differs from the size and shape of the flange 18 of the shelf 14 of the
embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4. Once again the securing member 116 is a
clip 117 to be removably secured to the front edge structure 115 of the shelf
114
and includes an upper engaging member 117a and a lower engaging member
117b, joined by a connecting wall 117c which defines a flange receiving cavity
117d with the lower engaging member 117b.
In the alternative embodiment of Figure 5, the light source support 113
projects
from a lower end of the shelf signage bracket 122, which extends lower than a
lower end of the connecting wall 17c of the clip 17, and is integral
therewith,
rather than projecting from the connecting wall 17c of the clip 17 as in the
embodiment of Figures 1 to 4. Once again, one skilled in the art will
understand
that, in an alternative embodiment, the light source support 113 can be a
distinct
component removably or permanently connected to the lighting support 10 by
other means or methods, such as clipping, clamping, snapping, press fitting,
gluing or the like.
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and
illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only. A person skilled in the art would appreciate
the
features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and
variations of the components. A person skilled in the art would further
appreciate
that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the
other
embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be
embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central
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characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are
to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the
invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while
specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous
modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the scope of
the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
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