SHELVING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A shelving assembly includes a shelf bracket including a bracket front end, a bracket rear end disposed opposite the bracket front end, and a bracket support member extending between the bracket front end and the bracket rear end. The bracket support member has a top wall. The shelving assembly further includes a shelf configured for being releasably coupled to the shelf bracket, the shelf including a shelf front end, a shelf rear end disposed opposite the shelf front end, and a shelf support member extending between the shelf front end and the shelf rear end, the shelf support member having a top surface and a bottom surface. The shelf also includes a wall that extends from the shelf front end at an acute angle relative to the top surface of the shelf support member. The shelf support member and the wall provide support for products to be displayed on the shelving assembly. One of the shelf bracket and the shelf includes a projection, and the other of the shelf bracket and the shelf includes an aperture sized to receive the projection to capture the shelf relative to the shelf bracket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of shelving assemblies. Specifically, the present invention relates to a shelving assembly for displaying gum, candy, food products or a variety of other items in a store, warehouse, or other environment.

BACKGROUND

Shelving assemblies are commonly used in, although not limited to, stores to display and provide customer access to items such as gum, candy, or other food products and articles. The shelving assemblies typically include rows of adjacent shelves upon which the items rest, the shelves being angled downwardly from rear to front toward the store floor to enhance product visibility and provide ready access to the displayed products.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a shelving assembly includes a shelf bracket including a bracket front end, a bracket rear end disposed opposite the bracket front end, and a bracket support member extending between the bracket front end and the bracket rear end. The bracket support member has a top wall. The shelving assembly further includes a shelf configured for being releasably coupled to the shelf bracket, the shelf including a shelf front end, a shelf rear end disposed opposite the shelf front end, and a shelf support member extending between the shelf front end and the shelf rear end, the shelf support member having a top surface and a bottom surface. The shelf also includes a wall that extends from the shelf front end at an acute angle relative to the top surface of the shelf support member. The shelf support member and the wall provide support for products to be displayed on the shelving assembly. One of the shelf bracket and the shelf includes a projection, and the other of the shelf bracket and the shelf includes an aperture sized to receive the projection to capture the shelf relative to the shelf bracket

In accordance with another embodiment, a shelving assembly includes a shelf including a shelf front end, and a shelf rear end disposed opposite the shelf front end. The shelf rear end includes an aperture. The shelf further includes a shelf support member extending between the shelf front end and the shelf rear end, and a wall that extends from the shelf front end at an acute angle relative to the shelf support member. The shelving assembly further includes a shelf bracket configured to be releasably coupled to the shelf. The shelf bracket includes a bracket front end, and a bracket rear end disposed opposite the bracket front end. The bracket rear end includes a first projection to couple the shelf bracket to a vertical support structure. The bracket rear end also includes a second projection configured to be received in the aperture. The shelf bracket further includes a bracket support member extending between the bracket front end and the bracket rear end. The bracket support member has a top wall. The bracket front end has a first height measured along a first axis and the bracket rear end has a second height measured along a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. The second height is greater than the first height, such that the top wall extends at an oblique angle relative to both the first axis and the second axis. The shelf support member is configured to rest on the top wall and the second projection is configured to be received in the aperture when the shelf is coupled to the shelf bracket.

In accordance with another embodiment, a shelving assembly includes a shelf including a shelf front end, a shelf rear end disposed opposite the shelf front end, and a shelf support member extending between the shelf front end and the shelf rear end. The shelf support member has a top surface and a bottom surface. A first aperture is formed in the shelf rear end, a first projection extends below the shelf support member, and a second projection extends below the shelf support member. The shelving assembly further includes a shelf bracket configured to be releasably coupled to the support member. The shelf bracket includes a bracket front end, a bracket rear end disposed opposite the bracket front end, and a bracket support member extending between the bracket front end and the bracket rear end. The shelf bracket includes a third projection disposed at the bracket rear end. The third projection is sized to be received within the first aperture. A second aperture is formed in the bracket support member. The second aperture is sized to receive the first projection. A third aperture is formed in the bracket support member. The third aperture is sized to receive the second projection.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelving assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the shelving assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a shelf bracket of the shelving assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the shelf bracket of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the shelf bracket of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the shelf bracket of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a shelf of the shelving assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the shelving assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a portion of the shelving assembly of FIG. 1.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a shelving assembly 10. While the shelving assembly 10 is described in the context of displaying items in a store, the shelving assembly 10 may be used for a variety of other purposes as well, including but not limited to storing or displaying consumer products (e.g., clothing, shoes, toys, etc.) in a store, warehouse, or other environment.

With reference to FIG. 1, the shelving assembly 10 includes a vertical shelving support structure 14 that supports the shelving assembly 10. In some applications, the vertical supports 14 may be part of a larger shelving assembly, such as a gondola-type assembly, or may rest directly on a floor 16 or be mounted on a wall. The shelving assembly 10 further includes a plurality of brackets 18 that are releasably coupled to the vertical support structure 14, and a plurality of shelves 22 that are releasably coupled to the shelf brackets 18.

With reference to FIGS. 2-6, each shelf bracket 18 includes a bracket front end 26, a bracket rear end 30, and a bracket support member 34 that extends between the bracket front end 26 and the bracket rear end 30. The bracket support member 34 includes a top wall 36. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the bracket front end 26 has a height 38 measured along a first axis 42. The bracket rear end 30 has a height 46 measured along a second axis 50. In one embodiment, the first axis 42 is parallel to the second axis 50. The top wall 36 of the bracket support member 34 extends at an oblique angle 54 relative to both the first axis 42 and the second axis 50. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the top wall 36 of the bracket support member 34 is generally planar, such that the oblique angles 54 are identical at each axis 42, 50.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-6, each bracket 18 also includes a side wall 58. The top wall 36 extends generally perpendicular to the side wall 58. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the top wall 36 has a generally rectangular profile when viewed from above. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments a notched-out region 66 is formed along a bottom of the side wall 58.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-6, each shelf bracket 18 includes at least one coupling member 70 to releasably couple the shelf bracket 18 to the vertical support structure 14. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 58 includes two coupling members 70 in the form of hook-shaped projections that form part of the bracket rear end 30. The two coupling members 70 are generally aligned and spaced apart from one another along a direction of the second axis 50. In other embodiments, the shelf brackets 18 are integrally formed in one piece with the vertical support structure 14. The vertical supports 14 are typically provided with a series of spaced-apart apertures or projections along their height to releasably receive projections 70, as is well known in the art. Shelf brackets 18 may thus be releasably attached to the vertical supports 14 at desired locations along the height of the supports.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-6, each shelf bracket 18 includes a projection 74 along the top wall 36 and disposed at the rear of the bracket to releasably couple the shelf bracket 18 to the shelf 22 The projection 74 may form an integral part of the bracket rear end 30. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a portion of the projection 74 extends flush with the bracket support member 34. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the projection 74 includes a notch 78, which facilitates coupling of the shelf 22 to the shelf bracket 18 as described further below. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the projection 74 is generally disposed above the two hook-shaped coupling members 70 along a direction of the second axis 50.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, each shelf bracket 18 also includes two apertures 82 spaced apart along the bracket support member 34. Each of the apertures 82 may be rectangular in shape and of the same size as the other aperture 82. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the apertures 82 is defined by a front edge 86, a rear edge 90, a first side edge 94, and a second side edge 98 on the bracket support member 34. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the two apertures 82 are each spaced an identical distance 102 from an intersection of the side wall 58 and the top wall 36. Other embodiments include different numbers, sizes, and arrangements of the apertures 82.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, each of the shelves 22 includes a shelf front end 106, a shelf rear end 110, and a shelf support member 114 extending between the shelf front end 106 and the shelf rear end 110. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the shelf support member 114 includes a top surface 115 and a bottom surface 116. The shelf 22 also includes a wall 118 that extends from and is coupled to the shelf front end 106. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the wall 118 extends at an acute angle 122 relative to the top surface 115 of the shelf support member 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 118 is integrally formed in one piece with the shelf front end 106. In other embodiments, the wall 118 is a separate piece that is coupled to the shelf front end 106. In some embodiments, the acute angle may be less than 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the acute angle may be less than 30 degrees. In still other embodiments, the acute angle may be approximately 28 degrees. Other embodiments include different ranges and values for the acute angle 122. The wall 118 prevents items resting on shelf support member 114 from slipping off of the shelving assembly 10, and along with the shelf support member 114, serves to support products on the shelving assembly 10. For example, because of the acute angle 122 of the wall 118, boxes of items (e.g., boxes of gum or candy) are more easily seen than with larger angles 122, thus making it easier for a consumer to identify and target specific food items on the shelving assembly 10. Wall 118 also provides a surface for displaying product information and advertising relating to the products supported on shelf 22, such as brand names and pricing.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, each shelf 22 may also include a hook-shaped portion 126 located at the rear of the shelf to releasably couple the shelf bracket 18 to the shelf 22. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the shelf rear end 110 includes a hook-shaped portion 126 that hooks over at least a portion of the bracket rear end 30. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 9, the shelf rear end 110 also includes an aperture 130 that receives the projection 74 on the shelf bracket 18. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a portion of the aperture 130 is formed in the hook-shaped portion 126, and another portion of the aperture 130 is formed in the shelf support member 114. When the shelf 22 is coupled to the shelf bracket 18, a portion of the shelf rear end 110 is received in notch 78 of projection 74, as described in more detail below.

With reference to FIG. 7, the shelf 22 also includes two hook-shaped projections 134 that each extends from below the bottom surface 116 of the shelf support member 114. Each of the projections 134 includes an upper portion 138 and a lower portion 142, the upper portion 138 extending from the bottom surface 116 of the shelf support member 114 and the lower portion 142 extending from the upper portion 138 toward the shelf front end 106. In one embodiment, the upper portion 138 extends generally perpendicular to the bottom surface 116 and to the projection 74 on the shelf bracket 18, and the lower portion 142 extends generally parallel to the bottom surface 116 and to the projection 74. Each projection 138 forms a receiving space with the bottom surface 116 of the support surface 114. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the shelf 22 has a generally S-shaped profile when viewed from the side, with the wall 118 extending from one side of the shelf support member 114, and the hook-shaped projections 134 and the hook-shaped portion 126 extending from an opposite side of the shelf support member 114.

With reference to FIGS. 1-9, the shelf 22 is coupled to the shelf bracket 18 by inserting the two hook-shaped projections 134 on the shelf 22 through the two apertures 82 on the shelf bracket 18 and then sliding the shelf 22 forward toward the bracket front end 26, such that the lower portions 142 of the hook-shaped projections 134 slide under and capture the shelf support member 114 and the upper portions 138 of the hook-shaped projections 134 abut against the front edges 86 along the apertures 82 (FIG. 8). Each front edge 86 is thus received in the space formed between projections 134 and the bottom surface 116 of the shelf support member 114. As this forward movement occurs, the aperture 130 on the shelf 22 receives the projection 74 on the shelf bracket 18 (FIG. 9), such that a portion of the projection 74 extends through the aperture 130 and projects out from the shelf 22 to capture a portion of the shelf 22. During this forward movement the shelf 22 snaps over the projection 74, such that the projection 74 is moved (e.g., deflected) initially relative to the shelf 22 (e.g., the projection 74 moves laterally to the side) to fit and slide into and through the aperture 130, and is then deflected back, with the notch 78 snapping back onto or around the area of the shelf 22 surrounding the aperture 130 (FIG. 9). During this forward movement, the hook-shaped portion 126 also hooks over at least a portion of the bracket rear end 30 to capture a portion of the bracket 18. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the shelf 22 is coupled to the shelf bracket 18, the bottom surface 116 of the shelf support member 114 rests on the top wall 36 of the bracket support member 34, and the shelf support member 114 projects forwardly over the bracket front end 26.

The notch 78 on the projection 74 is used to aid in retaining and coupling the shelf 22 to the bracket 18. For example, once the shelf 22 has been moved forward such that the portion of the projection 74 extends through the aperture 130, the shelf 22 is hooked by the notch 78 and inhibited from being pushed back rearwardly.

The shelf 22 is intended to remain coupled to the shelf bracket 18 in this manner. However, if it is desired to remove the shelf 22, the process described above is reversed. For example, the projection 74 is moved (e.g., deflected) relative to the aperture 130, and then the shelf 22 pulled back along a direction away from the bracket front end 26, so that the projection 74 is pulled out of the aperture 130, the hook-shaped portion 126 is moved away from the bracket rear end 30, and the lower portions 142 of the hook-shaped projections 134 are moved out from underneath the shelf support member 114. The shelf 22 is then lifted to raise the hook-shaped projections 134 completely out of the two apertures 82.

With reference to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the shelf 22 is coupled to two of the shelf brackets 18. The shelf 22 includes two opposite ends 146, 150. Each end 146, 150 is a mirror image of the other, and each end 146, 150 is releasably coupled to one of the shelf brackets 18 as described above. In a preferred embodiment, each of the ends 146, 150 includes one of the apertures 130, two of the hook-shaped projections 134 and one of the hook-shaped portions 126 described above, such that each end 146, 150 is coupled to a corresponding shelf bracket 18 in the same manner as described above. For example, during assembly the shelf 22 snaps over the projection 74 on each of the brackets 18 via the apertures 130 of the shelf 22. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the wall 118 on the shelf 22 extends along an entire length 154 of the shelf 22 between the two shelf brackets 18, thereby providing product support and a product information display surface along the entire length 154 of the shelf 22.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Claims

1. A shelving assembly comprising:

a shelf bracket including: a bracket front end, a bracket rear end disposed opposite the bracket front end, and a bracket support member extending between the bracket front end and the bracket rear end, the bracket support member having a top wall; and

a shelf configured for being releasably coupled to the shelf bracket, the shelf including: a shelf front end, a shelf rear end disposed opposite the shelf front end, a shelf support member extending between the shelf front end and the shelf rear end, the shelf support member having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a wall that extends from the shelf front end at an acute angle relative to the top surface of the shelf support member, wherein the shelf support member and the wall provide support for products to be displayed on the shelving assembly, and

one of the shelf bracket and the shelf includes a projection and the other of the shelf bracket and the shelf includes an aperture sized to receive the projection to releasably couple the shelf relative to the shelf bracket.

2. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelf bracket includes the projection and the shelf includes the aperture sized to receive the projection and releasably couple the shelf to the shelf bracket.

3. The shelving assembly of claim 2, wherein the projection is a first projection and the aperture is a first aperture and the shelf includes a second projection that extends from the shelf support member, and the shelf bracket support member includes a second aperture sized to receive the second projection and releasably couple the shelf to the shelf bracket.

4. The shelving assembly of claim 3, wherein the shelf includes a third projection that extends from the shelf support member and the shelf bracket support member includes a third aperture sized to receive the third projection and releasably couple the shelf to the shelf bracket.

5. The shelving assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the second and third projections are hook-shaped projections that extend below the bottom surface of the shelf support member and each of the hook-shaped projections includes a lower portion that extends generally toward the shelf front end and forms a receiving space with the bottom surface of the shelf support member.

6. The shelving assembly of claim 5, wherein the first projection is disposed at the shelf bracket rear end and extends in a direction that is parallel to the top surface of the shelf support member and parallel to the lower portions of the hook-shaped projections.

7. The shelving assembly of claim 6, wherein the shelving assembly includes two of the shelf brackets, and the shelf extends between the two shelf brackets.

8. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelving assembly includes two of the shelf brackets, and the shelf extends between the two shelf brackets.

9. The shelving assembly of claim 8, wherein the wall extends along an entire length of the shelf between the two shelf brackets.

10. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelf has an S-shaped profile.

11. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelf support member projects forwardly over the shelf bracket front end.

12. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the acute angle is 28 degrees.

13. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelf bracket rear end includes two hook-shaped projections to releasably couple the shelf bracket to a vertical shelving support structure.

14. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelf bracket front end has a first height measured along a first axis and the shelf bracket rear end has a second height measured along a second axis and the first axis is parallel to the second axis and the second height is greater than the first height.

15. The shelving assembly of claim 14, wherein the top wall of the shelf bracket support member extends at an oblique angle relative to both the first axis and the second axis.

16. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall is integrally formed with the shelf front end.

17. A shelving assembly comprising:

a shelf including: a shelf front end, a shelf rear end disposed opposite the shelf front end, the shelf rear end including an aperture, a shelf support member extending between the shelf front end and the shelf rear end, and a wall that extends from the shelf front end at an acute angle relative to the shelf support member, and

a shelf bracket configured to be releasably coupled to the shelf, the shelf bracket including: a bracket front end, a bracket rear end disposed opposite the bracket front end, the bracket rear end including a first projection to couple the shelf bracket to a vertical support structure, the bracket rear end also including a second projection configured to be received in the aperture, and a bracket support member extending between the bracket front end and the bracket rear end, the bracket support member including a top wall, wherein the bracket front end has a first height measured along a first axis and the bracket rear end has a second height measured along a second axis that is parallel to the first axis and the second height is greater than the first height, such that the top wall extends at an oblique angle relative to both the first axis and the second axis,

wherein the shelf support member is configured to rest on the top wall and the second projection is configured to be received in the aperture when the shelf is coupled to the shelf bracket.

18. The shelving assembly of claim 17, wherein the aperture is a first aperture and the shelf includes a third projection that extends from the shelf support member and the shelf bracket support member includes a second aperture that is sized to receive the third projection.

19. The shelving assembly of claim 18, wherein the shelf includes a fourth projection that extends from the shelf support member and the shelf bracket support member includes a third aperture that is sized to receive the fourth projection.

20. The shelving assembly of claim 17, wherein the acute angle is approximately 28 degrees.

21. A shelving assembly comprising:

a shelf including: a shelf front end, a shelf rear end disposed opposite the shelf front end, a shelf support member extending between the shelf front end and the shelf rear end, the shelf support member having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first aperture formed in the shelf rear end; a first projection extending below the shelf support member; and a second projection extending below the shelf support member, and

a shelf bracket configured to be releasably coupled to the support member, the shelf bracket including: a bracket front end, a bracket rear end disposed opposite the bracket front end, a bracket support member extending between the bracket front end and the bracket rear end, a third projection disposed at the bracket rear end, the third projection sized to be received within the first aperture, a second aperture formed in the bracket support member, the second aperture sized to receive the first projection, and a third aperture formed in the bracket support member, the third aperture sized to receive the second projection.

22. The shelving assembly of claim 21, wherein the first and second projections are hook-shaped projections each having a lower portion that extends forwardly toward the shelf front end and forms a receiving space with the bottom surface of the shelf support member.

23. The shelving assembly of claim 22, wherein the hook-shaped projections each have an upper portion that extends from the bottom surface of the shelf support member.

24. The shelving assembly of claim 21, wherein the third projection extends in a direction that is parallel to the top surface of the shelf support member.