SHELVING ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL PRODUCT DISPLAY
A shelving assembly has an integral product display and provides an adjustable track for the product display to roll along. The track may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically to allow the user to tailor the track to fit different shelving sizes and configurations. A carriage within the track rolls on wheels which are oriented in both the vertical and horizontal plane. A slider framework extends downwardly from the carriage and provides a display box for the customer to view an unboxed and preferably assembled sample of a product for sale. The slider framework is removably secured to the carriage, or in the alternative, the display box is removably secured to the slider framework, so the user may easily remove and replace display samples.
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a shelving assembly. More particularly the present invention relates to a shelving assembly for storing a product with an integral product display allowing the user to see the product being stored on the shelving assembly. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement to a modular shelving assembly where a fully assembled product is shown to the user on a slidable display, and wherein the same product is boxed and available for retrieval on a shelf behind the slidable display, wherein the boxed product is exposed to the user when the slidable display is slidably moved aside.
2. Background Invention
There are several common types of retail settings. In one typical retail setting, the retailer displays products on a “showroom” where various products are assembled and on display for the customers to peruse. When the customer is ready to purchase the item, a store associate must travel back to the warehouse to obtain the item. This type of retail setting has several drawbacks. The warehouse must be sufficiently large to house all the boxed products on display. This increases the size of a retail store's square footage requirements in that a showroom must be sufficiently sized to display all the display items, and the corresponding warehouse must be sized to store all the display items. Further problems develop in this type of retail setting where the display product is stored separately from the boxed product. For example, the warehouse must be managed properly so a sales associate may find the boxed item in a timely manner and return to the waiting customer. The retailer must account for extra security measures to survey and protect this section of the retail store which are separate from the showroom floor. Furthermore, inventory problems are created where the sales associate doesn't know that an item is out of stock until a customer requests the item and the sales associate returns from the warehouse empty handed. This leads to problems with customer satisfaction and loss of sales.
Another typical retail setting is one in which the showroom floor essentially is the warehouse. A customer is required to walk the aisle ways and determine what product is contained in the boxes, and further whether the customer is interested in this item. This type of retail setting has several drawbacks. First, the customer may unknowingly pass by items that either the customer is specifically looking to purchase, or that may have resulted in an impulse sale if the customer simply would have noticed the item. This situation results in lost sales for the retailer and a lessened shopping experience for the customer. Secondly, customers without the capability of inspecting the item first will typically open the item themselves. This is a security risk as well as a less than optimal way to display products to customers. The products are typically not returned to their boxed state properly and subsequent customers wonder if the product contains all the parts, or is broken, and often will not purchase the opened item. Furthermore, if customers do not open the item in the store, they will necessarily need to return items more frequently because they don't fit the customer's needs or the item was unsatisfactory. If the item would have been on display, the customer could have inspected and made a more informed decision as to whether the item fit the customer's criteria.
A further typical retail setting is one in which the product is on display along with the merchandise. This type of retail setting commonly has a shelf with the product boxed and ready for purchase by the customer, and a shelf with the product on display. This type of retail setting provides a display consisting of the opened and unboxed item which is for sale. The customer may inspect and view the opened item and more easily determine if the customer is interested in purchasing the item. This type of retail setting has several drawbacks. Commonly, the boxed items are stacked on a shelf above the display and require a sales associate to retrieve. This adds time to a purchase and lowers the possibility of an impulse purchase, costing the retailer sales. A further drawback to this type of retail setting is the wasted shelf space required for displaying the item as the items on display typically require a dedicated shelf. This reduces the amount of boxed product that can be stored on the sales floor and often results in product being on the sales floor as well as in a warehouse, or the store purposely operating with a very low inventory. Another drawback to this type of retail setting is the shelving assemblies are static and once assembled, must display every product type and size in the same configuration. Furthermore, once the display element is assembled with the shelving framework, the display element is not adjustable for a new product or to fit a new shelving framework. Shelving assemblies corresponding display elements are a very large cost in the initial startup of any retail store. Purchasing a new shelving framework and/or display element for a different sized product is prohibitively expensive and most stores forego this expense, leaving a poorly fitting display on the sales floor for customers to view. This leads to an unpleasing shopping experience for the customer and loss of sales.
Heretofore, existing shelving assemblies have been characteristically inefficient and lacking in integration between opened display items and the need to store product out on the sales floor. Therefore, the need exists for a shelving assembly with an integral product display which allows the customer to see an opened display version of the product for sale, while allowing the retailer to store products on the shelving assembly, and which further minimizes the amount of space required to display the product. Furthermore, the shelving assembly should be adjustable in the horizontal plane to expand or contract to different shelving sizes, and be adjustable in the vertical plane as well, to configure the display to position the item at the customer's eye level for proper viewing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA primary object of this invention is to provide a highly customizable and adjustable shelving assembly with an integral product display. The shelving assembly should provide an efficient storage system for items of merchandise products while conveniently displaying an opened product in a manner in which storage space is minimally affected.
These features are obtained by the shelving assembly of the present invention the general nature of which includes a shelving framework having at least one product support shelf; a track assembly secured to the shelving framework; and a carriage assembly having a carriage slidably mounted on the track assembly and moveable horizontally along the track assembly adjacent the product support shelf.
A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe shelving assembly of the present invention is generally indicated at 1, and is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Carriage support tubes 55 of slider framework 47 are affixed to inner tubes 61 of carriage 49 and removably secure slider framework 47 to carriage 49. As shown in
Shelving assembly with integral product display 1 is constructed by first assembling shelving framework 3. Shelving framework 3 is assembled by securing sidewalls 9 and 11 to backwall 13, and securing shelves 15 between sidewalls 9 and 11 and abutting backwall 13. This creates a typical shelving system commonly used to hold inventory in commercial settings.
Next, carriage 49 is assembled by securing side tubes 57 to outer tubes 59. As shown in
Slider framework 47 is assembled by securing display support tubes 53 and carriage support tubes 55 in a horizontal orientation to side tubes 51 in a vertical orientation. This creates a rectangular framework with which to secure display box 45 and carriage 49. As shown in
Once slider framework 47 and carriage 49 are assembled, these two elements are affixed to each other to form carriage assembly 7. Carriage assembly 7 is assembled by securing carriage support tubes 55 of slider framework 47 to corresponding inner tubes 61 of carriage 49. As shown in
Track assembly 5 is assembled by securing first mounting bracket 17 to first sidewall 9. As shown in
As shown in
The shelving assembly of the present invention presents several options to a user for adjusting elements of display 1 which allows customization to a particular product or display area. Shelving framework 3 may be configured to match a variety of retail shelving areas, including moving sidewalls 9 and 11 closer or farther apart, and positioning shelves 15 where desired. Mounting tabs 37 on brackets 17 and 19 allow a user to place track assembly 5 in multiple vertical positions. These vertical positions may be adjusted by placing tabs 37 in various tab holes 43 in sidewalls 9 and 11. Changing the vertical position of track assembly 5 within display 1 necessarily and correspondingly changes the vertical position of carriage assembly 7 and hence display box 45. This customization allows the user to ensure that a display product 86 as shown in
Further customization may be done by using brackets 17 and 19. Bolt 40 prevents rails 21 and 23 from shifting horizontally within display 1 and acts to pin rails 21 and 23 in the desired position spaced within first and second mounting brackets 17 and 19. As shown in
In operation, a user assembles shelving assembly with integral product display 1 as previously described. A display product 86 is then affixed to display box 45, as shown in
As shown in
By using shelving assembly 1, the user may view an assembled version of shelved product 90, which reduces confusion and mistaken purchases, heightening customer satisfaction. This also reduces returns and overhead for the retailer. Furthermore, the retailer significantly reduces the retail space required for selling this product by displaying the product in the same area being used to store the product. When a new product is put on display, the user removes slider framework 47 from carriage 49 by unscrewing machine screw 81, releasing slider framework 47 from shelving assembly 1. The user then can disassemble display product 86 and remove it from display box 45. The new display product 86 is then affixed to display box 45. Finally, slider framework 47 is attached to carriage 49 by screwing machine screw 81 back into hole 83 in carriage support tubes 55, removably securing slider framework 47 to carriage 49.
When a different size configuration, or an altogether new shelving framework 3 is desired, the user slides mounting tabs 37 out of tab holes 43 in sidewalls 9 and 11, releasing track assembly 5 and carriage assembly 7. When the reconfigured or new shelving framework 3 is assembled, the user simply slides mounting tabs 37 into new tab holes 43 in sidewalls 9 and 11. If the distance between sidewalls 9 and 11 has changed, the user may adjust the horizontal length of track 39 by securing rails 21 and 23 with threaded bolt 40 at appropriate holes 33, as discussed previously herein.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Claims
1. A shelving assembly comprising:
- a shelving framework having at least one product support shelf;
- a track assembly secured to the shelving framework; and
- a carriage assembly having a carriage slidably mounted on the track assembly and moveable horizontally along the track assembly adjacent the product support shelf.
2. The track assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the track assembly includes upper and lower rails forming a track and attached to a pair of brackets adjustably secured to the shelving framework.
3. The shelving assembly defined in claim 2, further comprising one or more mounting tabs extending from each bracket removably received in one or more tab holes formed in the shelving framework to adjustably secure the pair of brackets to the shelving framework.
4. The shelving assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the carriage for moveably supporting said carriage on the track assembly.
5. The shelving assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the upper rail and lower rails are comprised of two sidewalls and a backwall, joined to form a cross-sectional “U” shape having an open end, and wherein the upper rail is adjustably secured to each bracket and positioned such that the open end of the “U” shape is directed toward the lower rail, and lower rail is adjustably secured to each bracket and positioned such that the open end of the “U” shape is directed toward the upper rail.
6. The shelving assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising a slider framework extending from the carriage and a display box secured to the slider framework, wherein the display box is adapted to support and display an item of merchandise.
7. The shelving assembly defined in claim 2, further comprising at least one bumper adjustably secured to one of the upper rail and lower rails to limit the sliding movement of the carriage on the track assembly.
8. The shelving assembly defined in claim 6 in combination with a plurality of items of merchandise, one of said items of merchandise being supported and displayed in the display box and certain others of said items of merchandise being concealed in packages and supported on the at least one shelf adjacent the display box.
9. The shelving assembly defined in claim 8 including a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally extending product support shelves mounted on the shelving framework; and in which a plurality of the slider frameworks extend vertically downwardly from the carriage, each supporting a display box containing an item of merchandise.
10. A shelving assembly with integral product display, the shelving assembly comprising:
- a shelving framework comprising: a first vertical support member; a second vertical support member, generally parallel and spaced apart from the first vertical support member; and at least one product support shelf having a first side secured to the first vertical support member and a second side secured to the second vertical support member;
- a track assembly removably secured to the shelving framework, wherein the track assembly is comprised of: a first bracket adjustably secured to the first vertical support member; a second bracket adjustably secured to the second vertical support member; and a pair of rails, each having a first end adjustably secured to the first bracket, and a second end adjustably secured to the second bracket, and wherein the pair of rails and the first and second brackets form a track; and
- a carriage assembly comprising: a carriage rollably secured to the track and having supporting roller wheels sized and positioned to rotate along the track, with at least one wheel formed to roll in the general horizontal plane, and at least one wheel formed to roll in the general vertical plane; a slider framework extending downwardly from the carriage; and a display box secured to the slider framework and adapted to removably affix and display an item of merchandise.
11. The shelving assembly defined in claim 10, wherein the slider framework is removably secured to the carriage.
12. The shelving assembly defined in claim 10, wherein the display box is removably secured to the slider framework.
13. In combination a shelving assembly and a plurality of items of merchandise displayed and stored on the shelving assembly, said shelving assembly including a framework having at least one shelf and a track assembly supported on the framework, a carriage moveably supported on the track assembly and a display box attached to the carriage for displaying at least one of the items of merchandise with a plurality of the items of merchandise being stacked on the shelf behind the carriage for removal by a purchaser, whereby movement of the carriage allows access to the items of merchandise.
14. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein the track assembly includes a pair of spaced channels vertically adjustably mounted on the framework; in which the display box is attached to and suspended from the carriage for displaying the one item of merchandise in a secured state on the display box; and in which the display box is moveable horizontally along the track assembly by the carriage to expose the plurality of items of merchandise stacked on the shelf and permit removal of said items of merchandise from said shelf by a purchaser.
15. The combination defined in claim 14 wherein the shelving assembly includes at least one bumper adjustably secured to one of the upper rail and lower rails to limit the sliding movement of the carriage on the track assembly.
16. The combination defined in claim 14 in which at least two of said display bases are moveably supported on the track assembly each displaying a different item of merchandise and independently moveable with respect to each other for exposing pluralities of said items of merchandise stacked on the shelf.
17. The combination defined in claim 16 wherein the shelving assembly includes at least three bumpers adjustably secured to the spaced channels to limit the sliding movement of the at least two display bases.
18. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein the track assembly includes a pair of U-shaped rails having open ends spaced from and facing each other; and in which the carriage includes a plurality of rollers located within the U-shaped rails for moveably supporting the carriage on the rails.
19. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein the track assembly includes a pair of spaced rails adjustably attached to a pair of end brackets for determining the horizontal length of the track assembly.
20. The combination defined in claim 19 wherein the shelving assembly includes at least a pair of vertical sidewalls; and in which the end brackets of the track assembly are adjustably attached to the pair of sidewalls for adjusting the spacing of the display box with respect to the shelf.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 3, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 9, 2010
Applicant: E-B DISPLAY COMPANY, INC. (Massillon, OH)
Inventors: Kenneth E. Loy, II (Louisville, OH), Brian McFadden (Medina, OH), Jason C. Staten (Canton, OH)
Application Number: 12/396,913
International Classification: A47F 5/00 (20060101); A47F 5/08 (20060101);