Shelf with Integrated Lighting and Support Outlet Feature
A shelf system incorporating embedded lighting and a nearly unobservable conductive wiring system, substantially creating an illusion that the shelf itself simply emanates light. Furthermore, the use of decorative members, such as bottles either providing actually support or provide the illusion of actually supporting shelf members resting upon them. Moreover, the invention allows for compatibility with various forms of standard shelving already in existence by allowing for the modification of these shelves to support the actual shelf members.
The present invention relates generally to shelving apparatuses and in particular to shelving that utilize lighting sources. Also, the instant invention relates to shelves substantially used for decorative display.
REFERENCESIn general within the art, descriptions of shelves with lighting systems are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,163,305 set forth by Bienick; and 7,222,983 set forth by Gundogan and 7,287,872 set forth by Kubota; and 7,201,487 set forth by Pinter; and 5,301,092 set forth by Santosuosso et al.; and 6,758,573 set forth by Thomas et al.; and United States Patent Application No. 2004/0264160 set forth by Bienick; and 2006/0193124 set forth by Moll.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONDecorative shelving has been used for centuries to display belongings of monetary and/or personal value. Today, decorative shelving systems still serve that same purpose, but have evolved to meet the needs of modem consumers and have incorporated modem technology in order to meet these needs.
One significant advance for decorative shelving was the use of electric lighting systems. By using lights placed about the shelves, better visibility and more attention could be drawn to the items on display up on the shelving systems. However, these primitive systems were less then perfect clearly lacked efficiency.
In prior designs, decorative items located in one area of a shelving display may not receive the optimal lighting desired for the correct lighting effect, or in the desired amounts. Typically, items located substantially close to the light source would receive more light then items further away from the light source. Further, this shortcoming could occur for items located in the front, back or sides of the shelf depending on where the light source itself was located.
Another shortcoming of prior shelving systems was that the light source was normally visible to viewers, often interrupting the desired decorative effect being sought by the displayer.
What is needed is a decorative shelving system with a hidden lighting source that evenly distributes light throughout a shelf, wherein the lighting source can be adjusted to distribute light from different angles. Further, it is advantageous that this system also have a hidden means of powering said lighting system, to prevent unneeded interruption of the user's desired decorative effect. The present invention provides a solution to all these shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. A shelf with an integrated light and support outlet feature designed to overcome the previously mentioned shortcomings of earlier problems in the art would afford user the ability to customize their shelves with decorative forms and combinations of hidden decorative lights without disturbing the ambiance of the shelf with awkward wires or wired devices in plain sight of others.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the previously mentioned shortcomings found in the prior art with an improved decorative shelf system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a lighting system that evenly distributes light.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a lighting system that allows for the redirection of the lighting source.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden light power source.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with removable shelving.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with power conductive shelves.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with separately removable and customizable lighting members.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with decorative light emitting diode (“LEDs”) lighting members.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with customizable lighting assemblies.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with an optionally visible lighting power source.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with optionally visible lighting assemblies.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with optionally visible lighting members.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with the ability to use user selected bottles as internal shelf support members.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with an open case.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a closed case.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system mounted within the shelf.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system mounted within a decorative bottle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system that is energy efficient.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system that has low operating temperature.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system that emits light that reduces fading of surrounding components.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system that may be powered by temporary sources.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system that may be powered by a constant current source.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system that may be powered by a variety of sources.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system that may be constructed to face in any direction.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system that is easily reconfigurable to suit the item on display.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with the low voltage source entering as AC and then being converted to DC within the shelf lighting circuit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system with a blocking diode to block harmful reversals of current.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with a substantially hidden lighting system and to provide hidden shelf switches to accommodate the desired polarity for a given shelf position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system that provides a means of preventing decorative bottle members from unintentionally sliding off or dismounting from the decorative shelf.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system with an adjustable spacing member to adjust for the heights of different decorative bottle members.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative shelf system that can be comprised of a thin material, such as sheet metal, wherein said lighting assembly may be sheathed in a non-conductive tube or housing.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims, Detailed Description of the Embodiments Sections and drawings of this application, with all said sections adding to this disclosure.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, such as selves with integrated lighting of different shapes and dimensions.
Presently, shelving systems that integrate lighting have failed to develop their full potential. None of the prior art attempts to propose shelving systems properly hide their light source, thus robbing the shelves of their inherent rustic appeal, as though the light simply emanates from some almost magical source.
The present invention addresses and solves this shortcoming by successfully concealing the light sources themselves and the power system that allows the lights to glow. Further, the instant invention allows for the customizing of shelf placement within a cabinet assembly either specially designed for the instant invention or by making simply modifications to standard shelf assemblies commercially sold. Also, in some embodiments of the instant invention the user may customize the angles and colors of the various lighting elements used in this invention. In addition, the instant invention in some embodiments utilizes highly energy efficient lighting elements, such as LEDs or other types of efficient lighting elements. Further, in some embodiments of the instant invention the shelf units may be turned so that the lighting elements may face upward, utilizing circuitry or other means to accomplish the needed reverse polarity of electric current powering said lighting elements in these embodiments.
Each embodiment illustrated in
Claims
1. A support assembly comprising at least one support member assembly comprising an embedded lighting system.
2. The support assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one substantially unobtrusive support assembly, wherein said unobtrusive support assembly provides vertical support for at least one member of said at least one support member assembly positioned above a support member.
3. The support assembly of claim 2, wherein every member of said at least one substantially unobtrusive support assembly further comprises a plurality of light emitting members, wherein each member of said plurality of light emitting members are embedded within a member of said at least one support member assembly and, wherein said light members emit light away from the surface of said member of said at least one support member assembly.
4. The support assembly of claim 3 further comprising at least one decorative form member, wherein a bottom end of said decorative form member rests upon said support member and, wherein a top end of said decorative form member passes through a cavity of a member of said at least one support member assembly.
5. The support assembly of claim 3 further comprising a power supplying member attached to a light member power supplying system, wherein said light member power supplying system supplies power to said embedded lighting system, wherein said embedded lighting system further comprises said plurality of light emitting members.
6. The support assembly of claim 4 further comprising a power supplying member that attaches to a light member power supplying system, wherein said light member power supplying system supplies power to said embedded lighting system, and wherein said embedded lighting system further comprises said plurality of light emitting members.
7. The support assembly of claim 6, wherein said embedded lighting system comprises a means for directional adjustment of light emissions.
8. A shelf assembly comprising at least one support shelf assembly comprising a substantially hidden directionally-adjustable embedded lighting assembly.
9. The shelf assembly of claim 8, wherein said shelf assembly further comprises at least one side wall support assembly member comprising a substantially hidden power supplying system.
10. The shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein said at least one side wall support assembly members further comprise a plurality of substantially parallel sets of support shelf assembly placement cavity members.
11. The shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein each individual member of said at least one shelf support assembly further comprises a power supplying system comprising a plurality of cylindrical conductive members passing through the surface of said shelf support assembly and a plurality of power conductive members disposed to connect members of said plurality of cylindrical conductive members to a directionally adjustable light member assembly.
12. The shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein every member of said at least one shelf support assembly further comprises a power supplying system comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical conductive members passing through the surface of said shelf support assembly;
- at least one electronics housing chamber; and
- a plurality of power conductive members disposed to connect members of said plurality of cylindrical conductive members to at least one electronic component located within all members of said at least one electronics housing chamber.
13. The shelf assembly of claim 12, wherein every member of said at least one shelf support assembly further comprises at least one removably attached conductive shelf support member, wherein a first end of said conductive shelf support member rests within a member of said set of support shelf assembly placement cavity members and, wherein on a second end rests a member of said at least one shelf support assembly so as to allow for conductive current to pass through said removably attached conductive shelf support member and to pass into said shelf support assembly.
14. The shelf assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one member of said at least one electronic component comprises a means for alternating a lighting scheme.
15. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein each member of said at least one side wall support assembly members further comprises an internal conductive layer member through which power passes through and to at least one member of said at least one removably attached conductive shelf support member.
16. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein each member of said at least one side wall support assembly members further comprises an conductive layer member, substantially disposed to face an inner side of said shelf assembly, through which power passes through to at least one member of said at least one removably attached conductive shelf support member.
17. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein each member of said at least one side wall support assembly members further comprises an conductive layer member, substantially disposed to face an outer side of said shelf assembly, through which power passes through and to at least one member of said at least one removably attached conductive shelf support member.
18. A method of assembling a shelf assembly comprising the step of placing a member of a set comprising at least one shelf support assembly member such that said member removably connects to at least one member of a set comprising at least one vertical support member, wherein said set comprising at least one shelf support assembly member further comprises at least one substantially hidden and embedded light emitting member and at least one vertical support member comprising a substantially hidden power conductive system.
19. The method of assembling a shelf assembly of claim 18, wherein each member of said set comprising at least one shelf support assembly member further comprises a substantially hidden power conductive system, and wherein each member of said set comprising at least one vertical support member further comprises a power conductive system, and wherein said method of assembling said shelf assembly further comprises the step of placing any member of said set comprising at least one shelf support assembly member so that said any member removably attaches to at least one member of said set comprising at least one vertical support member such that power will flow through said power conductive system of said vertical support assembly and to said substantially hidden power conductive system of said any member of said set comprising at least one shelf support assembly member.
20. The method of assembling a shelf assembly of claim 19, wherein each individual member of said set of at least one self support assembly comprises a directionally adjustable light member assembly comprising said at least one substantially hidden and embedded light emitting member, wherein the direction of light emanating from said at least one substantially hidden and embedded light emitting member is significantly influenced by the instant position said directionally adjustable light member assembly is currently located in and, wherein said method of assembling a shelf assembly further comprises a method of automated directional adjustment of said directionally adjustable light member assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 11, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 17, 2009
Inventor: John Bourbeau (Boylston, MA)
Application Number: 12/136,921
International Classification: A47B 96/00 (20060101);