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.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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.

REFERENCES

In 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 INVENTION

Decorative 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 INVENTION

The 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the application in which tube support rods are used as the actual supports for the shelf and the bottles within the shelf serve only decorative purposes.

FIG. 2 illustrates a zoomed-in side view of the shelf support assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates an internal side view of a substantially hidden LED light strip embedded into a shelf assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom up view of a top shelf assembly and some of its component parts.

FIG. 4a illustrates a side view of a top shelf assembly, wherein this embodiment illustrates cavities for power conduction and physical support purposes.

FIG. 4b illustrates a side view wherein an internal cavity for conductive purposes is visible.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up view of the lower shelf assembly including the illustration of two stage holes to accept structural fastener hardware.

FIG. 6 illustrates bottom up view of a top shelf assembly, wherein this embodiment uses slots rather then holes through which a bottle may be placed.

FIG. 6a illustrates a side view of a top shelf assembly, wherein this embodiment uses slots rather then holes through which a bottle may be placed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top-down view of a bottom shelf assembly of a shelf support assembly, wherein bottles may be placed into cavities within said bottom shelf assembly.

FIG. 7a illustrates a front vertical view of the bottom shelf assembly, wherein bottle resting cavities are transparently visible.

FIG. 7b illustrates a side view of the shelf assembly, wherein the bottle resting cavity is transparently visible.

FIG. 8 illustrates a face view of a non-adjustable light strip with substantially hidden embedded LED light strips.

FIG. 8a illustrates an internal vertical side view of a non-adjustable light strip, wherein the embedded LED lights are displayed.

FIG. 8b illustrates a back view of a non-adjustable light strip, wherein the light component elements are visible.

FIG. 9 illustrates an internal side view of an adjustable support spacer assembly.

FIG. 9a illustrates an external side view of an adjustable support spacer assembly

FIG. 9b illustrates a bottom view of the adjustable support spacer assembly.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of one section of a cabinet assembly, wherein said section of said cabinet assembly illustrates the use of multiple removable shelf assemblies within said cabinet assembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a conductive shelf support.

FIG. 11a illustrates a side view of the conductive shelf support in FIG. 11 with power connecting member.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a power connecting member and its component parts.

FIG. 12a illustrates a top view of the conductive shelf support as illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of a conductive shelf support assembly.

FIG. 13a illustrates a back view of a conductive shelf support assembly.

FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom-up view of a surface end conductive shelf support assembly.

FIG. 14a illustrates an end side front view of a surface end conductive shelf support assembly.

FIG. 14b illustrates a side view of a surface end conductive shelf support assembly

FIG. 15 illustrates a side and top view of a cabinet assembly, wherein the internal power conductive system is further illustrated.

FIG. 15a illustrates a side and top view of a cabinet assembly, wherein the surface mounted power conductive system is visible.

FIG. 15b illustrates a side view of one wall of a cabinet assembly, wherein the surface mounted power conductive system is visible.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of a shelf cabinet, wherein the formed removable shelf is attached to the wall system conductive support and includes a side view of an adjustable light strip mounted within the removable shelf assembly.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of a side wall of a shelf member cabinet assembly, wherein an embedded conductive strip is illustrated making contact with the conductive support pins.

FIG. 17a illustrates a conductive strip mounted to the outer surface of a standard cabinet side wall or shelf side wall, wherein the standard shelf now is retrofitted with the instant lighting system.

FIG. 18 illustrates an internal side view of one embodiment of an adjustable insulated shelf support assembly, wherein elements of the internal power conductive system are visible.

FIG. 18a illustrates a bottom view of the light strip assembly, wherein substantially hidden LEDs are visible.

FIG. 19 illustrates an internal side view of an adjustable light strip mounted within a removable shelf assembly.

FIG. 19a illustrates a bottom view of the light strip assembly, wherein substantially hidden LEDs are visible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

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.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the instant invention, wherein users may place decorative form members 10 (herein illustrated as conventional bottles) of their choosing as pseudo support members for the upper shelf assembly 85. The true support for the shelf assembly 80 in this embodiment of the instant invention is the structural support members 20 positioned near the decorative form members 10. In this way creating the illusion of the decorative form members being the support for the upper shelf assembly 85, but allowing the user flexibility in choosing decorative form members 10 of various heights and shapes. Also, illustrated in FIG. 1 is a power connector 30 attached to a power cord 40 and a wall mounted power supply 50. Further illustrated in FIG. 1 are light rays 60 emanating from the bottom of the upper shelving assembly 85. Lastly, FIG. 1 illustrates the shelf support attachment assembly 70 at either end of said structural support members.

FIG. 2 illustrates a expanded view of the shelf support attachment assembly 70, wherein a concealing member 90 is used to hide the cavity 120 contained within the interior of the upper shelf assembly 85, in which the support assembly attachedly 70 rests and is held in place by an attachment means. Within the hollow vertical member 20 lies a vertical support member 130 that holds the upper shelf assembly 85 in place.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper shelf assembly 85 embodied in FIGS. 1 and 2 along with component parts of this embodiment. The light member assembly 160 comprises light members 150 attachedly resting within said light member assembly 160, a light member assembly chamber 180 through which power conveying members 190, wherein said power conveying members 190 are attached to the light member assembly 160 by solder or otherwise conductively attached to a conductive light member attachment backing 155. Further illustrated in FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a light member assembly support cavity 200.

FIGS. 4, 4a, 4b, 6, 6a and 6b illustrate three top, front and side views of the upper shelf assembly 85. Illustrated in FIGS. 4, 4a, 6 and 6a are two stage cavities 120 in which the structural support members 20 and two decorative form member cavities 260 in which the decorative form members 10 rest. In addition FIGS. 4a and 6a also illustrate power conductive members 190 entering the light member assembly chamber 180 and a power connector member 240. In addition FIG. 4 illustrates a power conductive member access cavity 220 mounting holes about the power conductive member chamber 180 and conductive power members 190 entering the power conductive member chamber 180 under the light member assembly 200. FIGS. 4b and 6b illustrate the power connector member 240 about the bottom of the upper shelf assembly 85, wherein a power connector cavity 230 enters through the access cavity 220 into said conductive member chamber 180 through which said conductive power members 190 pass through both said power connector cavity 230 and the conductive member chamber 180. FIG. 6 also illustrates two open side decorative cavities 290, through which decorative form members 10 may pass through the open side of said open side decorative cavities 290 so as to create the illusion that said decorative form members 10 support the upper shelf assembly 85.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a lower shelf assembly 280, wherein two stage cavities 120 are illustrated.

FIG. 7 illustrates a single stand alone shelf assembly embodiment of the instant invention, wherein the shelf assembly 86 stands alone, and upon which the decorative form members 10 rest within the form member resting cavities 300.

FIGS. 8, 8a and 8b respectively illustrate front-end, side, and rear views of the light member assembly 160. FIG. 8 and illustrate cavities 320 in which rest the light members 150. As further illustrated herein cavity members 320 and the light members 150 located within said cavity members 320 are arranged such that the light beams 60 are substantially similar to the direction of said cavity members 320 and said light members 150. Further illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate power conductive members 330 conductively attached to said light member's 150 attachment leads 360. FIG. 8a further illustrates a plurality of power inhibitor members 340, conductive connection points 350, fastener cavities 210, and power attachment points 335.

FIGS. 9 and 9a respectively illustrate an interior side view and an interior view, a top view and a bottom view of the vertical support assembly 130. FIGS. 9 and 9a commonly illustrate a plurality of vertical displacement cavities 420 a vertical displacement locking member 430. Further illustrated in FIG. 9 is a vertical outer member 410 about the vertical displacement members 400, wherein vertical displacement member 400 slides into adjustable support bottom assembly 405. In addition, at both ends of the vertical support member 130 are cavity members 120 in which rest vertical support member attachment members 390, wherein said attachment members attach a shelf assembly 80 to the vertical support members 380. Also visible in FIG. 9 is a concealing member placed over said cavity member 90.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the instant invention, wherein a cabinet assembly 485 comprises multiple shelf assemblies 82 and comprises an integrated lighting and power supply system. Said shelf assemblies 82 rest upon a power conductive support member 530 and a standard support member 470 and is held in place by an attachment member 170. Further illustrated are a plurality of conductive cavity members 520 resting within a plurality of side wall assembly cavity members on the side wall assembly 480 of said cabinet assembly 485, wherein said side wall assembly comprises a concealing outer layer 490 a power conductive layer, and a vertical support housing 510. Tension providing members 570 and 580 mount said light strip assembly 590 to the bottom of said shelf assembly 82. The wall opposite said side wall assembly 480 is a standard cabinet wall with a plurality of cavity members 460 matchedly spaced to mirror said plurality of side wall assembly cavity members (not illustrated in FIG. 10). Also illustrated herein are adjustable cabinet system wall assembly 480 and its components as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 13a.

FIGS. 11, 11a, 12 and 12a illustrate side and top views of power conductive support assemblies. FIGS. 11 and 11a respectively illustrate top and side views of one embodiment of such a power conductive support assembly 621, wherein this embodiment comprises a conductive power member 620 comprising a cavity through which a fastening member 170 is placed that secures the power conductive member cavity 630 to the conductive cavity members 520. FIGS. 12 and 12a illustrate a second embodiment of a power conductive support assembly 622, wherein this embodiment comprises a conductive shelf support member 531, with internal conductive metal spring tension material segments 623 that rest within spring segment cavity members (not illustrated). Also illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 12a is a fastening member 170, passing through the shelf support member 531.

FIGS. 13 and 13a illustrate an adjustable cabinet system wall assembly 480 comprising a plurality of conductive cavity members 640, internal power conductive members 190 and an embedded conductive member 610 connecting each of the cavity members to power through conductors 190. FIG. 13 additionally illustrates a power supplying member chamber 500 as running the depth of the wall assembly 480 and a protective non-conductive outer shell member 490 running the length of the wall assembly 480, wherein the shell member 490 will be place over said wall assembly 480. Further displayed in these Figures are a plurality of connection points 730 between the conductive layer member and power conductive members 190 or other conductive materials.

FIGS. 14, 14a and 14b respectively illustrate bottom, end and side views of a shelf assembly 82, wherein these views further illustrate conductive cavity members 640 attached to which are power conductive members 190 traveling along a conductive member cavity 760, wherein said conductive members 770 connect to the circuit card member 780 at one end and a conductive support member 620 or power conductive support assembly 622. In addition, power conductive members 190 pass through conductive member cavity 820 and contact conductive member light strip chamber 810. Also illustrated are cavities for pivot members 860 used to secure and adjust light strip assembly 160. Further, FIG. 14 illustrates a switch member cavity 800, wherein a switch or switches performing various functions may rest. Lastly, FIG. 14 illustrates a separate embodiment for a shelf assembly 82, wherein the conductive cavity member 640 30 enters through the top of the shelf assembly 82 surface and not through the side of the shelf assembly 82 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 15, 15a and 15b illustrate top edge (the top image of each figure) and side views (the bottom image of each figure) of two embodiments of cabinet assembly side wall assemblies 481, 482, and 483. FIGS. 15 and 15b illustrates an embodiment of a side wall assembly with an internal conductive layer member 840 or power conductive member 190.

FIG. 15a illustrate an embodiment of the instant invention wherein a standard cabinet side wall may be retrofitted to be compatible with the various embodiments of shelf support assemblies encompassed by the instant invention 482. The embodiment displayed in FIG. 15a illustrates a conductive layer member 840 or power conductive member 190 is attached to an outer surface of a shelf side wall assembly 482. The embodiment displayed in FIG. 15b illustrates a conductive layer member 840 with the conductive strip facing the conductive shelf support member 622 or the conductive shelf support assembly 623.

Each embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 15a illustrate how power may be passed through a power conductive layer 840 or member along the side wall assemblies to a conductive support assembly 623 or a power conductive support member 622 through which power may be supplied to the light members within 82. Illustrated herein are a plurality of conductive wall cavity members 830, a conductive layer member 840 touching said conductive wall cavity members 830 a non-conductive layer member 510 and a concealing layer member 490.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the instant invention, wherein one shelf assembly is displayed as resting within a cabinet assembly, although the figure clearly allows for more then one shelf assembly to be contained and for even the one shelf assembly to rest at different levels within a side wall vertical support assembly 486 and a side wall vertical support member 510. The shelf assembly rests upon a conductive support member 622 or a conductive support assembly 623 at one end and on a non-conductive support member 470 at another end. Further illustrated in this Figure is an insulating member 910 used to insulate a conductive members from any conductive shelving surface. Also, illustrated is a power conductive member 190, entering into the light member assembly 920. FIGS. 17 and 17a illustrate another alternative power system utilized by an adjustable metal shelf assembly. Illustrated in FIG. 17 is an internal view of the metal shelf power connection assembly 951 with its various components including a standard washer touching and separating the conductive adjustable wall support member 850, and a non-conductive insulator 950 (the insulator being placed here to keep the wall pin from shorting across the metal shelf surface). A power conductive member passes through the insulating member 950 and is held in place by a standard nut 100 or other fastening member. Further illustrated are two fastening members 170 hold the non-conductive insulator member 950 in place against a standard washer. FIG. 17a displays an outer view of the metal shelf power connection assembly 951, wherein a power conductive member 190 passing through a cavity in the shelf surface and a non-conductive insulator member 950. Additionally illustrated in FIG. 17a is the non-conductive insulator member 950 attached to the shelf assembly surface 51 Lastly, illustrated in FIG. 17a is a conductive adjustable wall support member 622 attached to the non-conductive insulator member 950.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate side views of two embodiments of light member assemblies 160, 1000, wherein FIG. 18 illustrates a light member assembly comprising a box-like light assembly housing member 920 and FIG. 19 illustrates a substantially cylindrical housing member 980. FIGS. 18 and 19 commonly illustrate a plurality of light members 150, a plurality of conductive light member members 360, a conductive layer member 330 attached to light members 150 and a conductive power member cavity 990. FIG. 18 illustrates a light assembly housing member 920 attached to the bottom of the shelf assembly 890, light member conductive members 960 attached to a conductive adhesive member. FIG. 19 separately illustrates a pivot member 970, wherein said pivot member allows the light member assembly to pivot about a central axis. Further, the central pivot member 970 rests at one end within the light member assembly and at its other end within the light assembly housing member 920. Further illustrated in FIG. 19 is an external covering member 1000 attached to the substantially cylindrical housing 980.

FIGS. 18a and 19a commonly illustrate bottom up views of two embodiments of pivoting light member assemblies 965, 966, wherein FIG. 18a illustrates an embodiment of a pivoting light member assembly with substantially curved edges resting within a box-like light assembly housing member 920 and wherein FIG. 19a illustrates an embodiment of a pivoting light member assembly with substantially square edges 980. FIG. 18a commonly illustrate a plurality of light emitting members 150 comprised within the light strip assembly 160 which is removably attached to non-conductive housing member 920, wherein the pivot member assembly 970 attaches to the sides of said non-conductive housing member 920.

FIG. 19a illustrates a plurality of light emitting members 150 as part of a light strip assembly 1000 which is removably attached to a non-conductive housing member 980, wherein pivot member assembly 970 attaches to the sides of said non-conductive housing member 980. Further illustrated in FIG. 19a is the external covering member 1000 attached to the substantially cylindrical housing 980. Also illustrated in 19a is a pivot assembly 970 comprising a tension providing member 570 to maintain a proper position for light strip assembly 966.

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.

Patent History
Publication number: 20090308286
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 11, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 17, 2009
Inventor: John Bourbeau (Boylston, MA)
Application Number: 12/136,921
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Illumination Means (108/23)
International Classification: A47B 96/00 (20060101);