CA2136363A1 - Pull-out drop down shelf structure - Google Patents
Pull-out drop down shelf structureInfo
- Publication number
- CA2136363A1 CA2136363A1 CA002136363A CA2136363A CA2136363A1 CA 2136363 A1 CA2136363 A1 CA 2136363A1 CA 002136363 A CA002136363 A CA 002136363A CA 2136363 A CA2136363 A CA 2136363A CA 2136363 A1 CA2136363 A1 CA 2136363A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bracket
- shelf
- sliding
- support
- sliding bracket
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F5/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
- A47F5/0081—Show stands or display racks with movable parts
- A47F5/0093—Show stands or display racks with movable parts movable in a substantially horizontal direction
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B46/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, having one or more surfaces adapted to be brought into position for use by extending or pivoting
Abstract
A pullout drop down grocery shelf structure has slotted sliding brackets and stationary brackets. A shelf is fixed at each side to a sliding bracket which is slidingly supported on a stationary bracket. The stationary brackets project outwardly from wall supports. The shelf can be pulled out, pivoted down at an angle and supported by connectors which slide in the respective slots of the two brackets so that the product displayed can be pulled forward without disturbing the arrangement. Fresher product can be stocked behind the older product without unloading the shelf. The shelf is pivoted up and slid back against the wall after fresh product is stocked on the shelf. Both brackets can be economically stamped from flat stock and employed universally as a left or right side bracket for a shelf without any change to the bracket or its assembly.
Description
PULL-OUT DROP DOWN SHELF STRUCIIJRE
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The invention lies in the field of gr~cery shelves, more particularly pull-out shelf SLlppolLS for a shelf which pulls out and drops down to farilit~te loading fresh products at the back of the shelf without unloading products already on the shelf.
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The invention lies in the field of gr~cery shelves, more particularly pull-out shelf SLlppolLS for a shelf which pulls out and drops down to farilit~te loading fresh products at the back of the shelf without unloading products already on the shelf.
2. Background of the Prior Art Grocery shelves are erected along vertical walls which define the aisles of a store.
The shelves are suRorted in a horizontal position perpendicular to the wall surface by brackets which are usually placed at each side edge of rectangular shelves. The brackets generally have a back end having hook forrnations and the wall generally has spaced apart upright standards having a series of vertically arranged slots which receive the hooked formations in any number of elevations depending upon which slots are chosen. The shelves are located at a plurality of 1~ elevations such that there is a vertical space between the shelf surfaces to provide the desired amount of vertical product space. The shelves are frequently wire mesh shelves with a turned-up outer front edge which helps keep product from sliding off.
A particular problem arises in the restocking of snack products, such as bags of potato chips, tortilla chips, popcorn, pretzels and the like. In order to prevent waste, it is incumbent ~0 upon the snac~ food supplier to make sure fresher product being stocked is placed at the rear of the shelf so that older, already-stocked snack product is sold first. Many of these products are dated and generally have a very short shelf life before staleness becomes apparent.
~13636~ -Prior art shelves are typically four feet wide and mounted adjacently at a s~l~t~d elevation. They ne~ccit~tr, unlo~-lin~ the old product from the shelf, placing the fresh product in the back, and then replacing the previously stocked older product in the front of each shelf.
Since the route man usually fills these shelves, he must visit many stores on his route in a S limited arnount of time, and there is a lot of wasted time in loading and unlo~ling shelves to make sure the older product is sold first. There are prior art shelves which pull out, but they are not typically used in grocery stores, and even if they were, the snack products are typically sold in tall bags which fall over easily in any direction without support. The route man cannot control these bags with his arms and still reach the fresh product to restock. Apart from using 10 two route men, one to pull the bags fol~rd while the other restocks fresh bags in the back, there is no suitable prior art solution to this problem, and the use of two route men is not economically feasible.
SUMMARY OF l`H F. INVENTION
A pull-out drop down support structure is disclosed which permits grocery shelves 1~ to be pulled out and dropped down where they are held at an angle to f~r~ te restocl;ing. The older products are brought to a foruard position where they are held against a temporary "fence"
at the front which keeps them from falling off while fresher product is placed at the back of the shelf. One man can restock the shelf, without ~lt~nng the arrangement of the products already on the shelves, since once the shelf is pulled out and tilted down, the bags remain in place under 20 the influence of their weight. The route man is then free to use both hands to stock fresh bags quickly while keeping the display looking orderly and without the need for a substantial rearranging of the bags of product already on the shelf. When the shelf is restocked, it is tilted , . . . .
.
back up to a level hori7~nt~1 position and slowly slid back and retracted into the display position.
The shelf may have some raised portion or horizontal wires running along above the back edge to keep bags from falling off the back and to aid in stocking the bags on the shelf.
The o~>osite sides of the shelf are fixed to a sliding bracket which is mounted on a 5 stationary bracket comprising an elongated panel having a back end adapted for removable ~ hmPnt to the slotted openings in standard upright connp~tQrs spaced apart along a wall surface by the width of the shelf. The stationary bracket has a length and a front end proiecting longitu~in~lly outwardly when the back end is ~tt~ hP~ to a wall. An elongated slot extends lon~ udin~lly from front to back along the length of the stationary bracket.
The sliding bracket comprises an elongated panel arranged as a co~ nic)n to the stationary bracket in side by side rel~tion. The sliding bracket has a length, a front end and a back end and an elongated slot extending longitll~in~lly from front to back along its length. The elongated slots in each of the stationary and sliding brackets have a front end and a back end located proximate to the front and back end of the respective stationary or sliding bracket in 15 which they are formed.
A first connecting support fixed near the back end of the sliding bracket slides in the elongated slot of the stationary bracket. A second connecting support fixed near the front end of the stationary bracket slides in the elongated slot of the sliding bracket. The sliding bracket can be moved longitu~lin~lly relative to the stationary bracket between a retracted and an 20 outwardly extended position.
There is a means associated with an end of one of the elongated slots to allow the sliding bracket to be pivoted downwardly, tilted at an angle and supported with respect to the 2136~63 stationary bracket when the sliding bracket is pulled out to its extended position and dropped down. The operation is reversible by lifting the downwardly angled sliding bracket back to the horizontal position by lifting the outer edge of the shelf upwardly and then pushing the shelf back to cause the sliding bracket to move to the retr~t ted position. The connecting supports are S desi~n~d to hold the stationary bracket and sliding bracket in mutual support in close sliding relation to each other. The corlnecting s~lp~l~ also function as stops to limit the m~rimllm outward ~xten~ion of the shelf. One of them acts as a pivot around which the shelf pivots downwardly and the other Su~ the shelf in the downwardly pivoted position.
In one embo~liment, the means ~csoci~ted with an end of one of the elongated slots 10 is associated with the back end of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket. It comprises a generally transverse extencion of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket which is occupied by the second connPcting support of the extended sliding bracket when angled downward from the longitu~1in~1 horizontal position of the st~ti~m~ry bracket. The generally transverse extension of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket is preferably an arcuate slot forrned on a radius defined 15 in the extended position by the distance between the first and second connecting supports wherein the first connecting support serves as a stop and a pivot for the sliding bracl~et when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted downwardly.
In a further embodiment, the means associated with the end of one of the elongated slots is acsociated with the front end of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket and is a 20 generally transverse extension of the elongated slot of the stationary bracket which is occupied by the first connecting support when the sliding bracket is moved to the extended position and - angled downwardly from the longitt-rlin~l horizontal position of the stationary bracket. The said means associated with the front end of the elongated slot of the stationary bracket is preferably a short arcuate slot forrned on a radius defined in the e~t~n~d position by the ~ t inc~ between the first and second conne~tin~ S~ OlL~ wherein the second c~rln~ctin~ support serves as a stop and a pivot for the sliding bracket, when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted 5 downwardly.
The outer end of the slot in the sliding bracket has an upwardly angled portion which is referred to as a second rest in the sliding bracket which receives the second connecting support when the sliding bracket is retracted all the way back. The second rest serves as a lock which prevents pulling the shelf out unless the sliding bracket is first raised to clear the rest.
10 The inner end of the slot in the stationary bracket has a downwardly angled continuation which is called a first rest which receives the first connecting support when the shelf is pushed back and locked by means of the second rest and second connecting support. This first rest is placed so that the inner end of the sliding bracket is lowered the same amount as the outer end of the sliding bracket to keep the shelf level and help to retain it in the retracted position.
The improved shelf support emphasiæs economy of manufacture and minimi7~.s inventory and assembly problems. The universal shelf bracket is made from flat stock which can be forrned in a stamping operation. It only requires two stamped brackets and two connectors and is universal in that it can be used as the left and right shelf support without altering either the parts or the assembly of the parts. One universal support bracket is used to 20 support either side of a shelf. This reduces inventory and prevents mist~;es when putting the shelves up.
The back end of the stationary bracket is preferably formed with short lateral formations which project laterally on either side to add lateral stability. Lengthy lateral form~tion~ projecting laterally from the side surface of both the sliding and stationary bracket may be used to increase strength. The lower edge of the st~tinn~ y bracket may be bent at right 5 angle to the side surface to add bending resistance without interfering with the sliding action of the br~ts BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF ~k DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a cut-away perspective view of several side by side grocery shelves, each having opposite sides mounted on a sliding bracket;
Figure 2 is a detail in elevation cross-section of the conventional upright slotted support showing how the back of the stationary bracket has formations for engaging the support and capable of holding it in a horizontal orient~tion with the sides vertical;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a pair of the universal support brackets with a sliding bracket mounted to the opposite side edges of a standard grocery shelf wherein the 15 brackets have been moved to the extended position and tilted downwardly where they are held by interaction of the connectors in the slots;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one side of the pull-out drop down shelf support or universal support bracket with added strengthening elements in the retracted position;
Figure 5 is a view of the shelf support on Figure 4 showing the opposite side from 20 the side shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6A schematically shows a universal support bracket in the retracted position;
Figure 6B sClleTn~tir~lly shows the bracket of Figure 6A being readied for sliding toward the extended position in the direction of the arrow;
Figure 6C srh~ t;c~l?y shows the shelf support in the fully ~tPn~ed position before the sliding bracket is angled downwardly;
Figure 6D sr-hpm~t~ y shows the sliding brachet in the eYt~nded and downwardly 5 angled position where it is held by cooperation of the first and second conne~tin~ supports pocition~d as shown in the ~lOng~tf~d slots;
Figure 7 shows an ~ltPrn~te design in which the arcuate slot is located in the front portion of the stationary bracket rather than in the rear portion of the sliding bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPIION
In the description which follows, the same reference numP~lc will be used throughout to identify corresponding parts. Figures 4 and 5 differ in appearance from the brackets shown in the other Figures because they include strengthening formations and a bent over lower edge on the stationary bracket that do not interfere with sliding eyte-ncion or retraction of the sliding bracket. Nevertheless, these parts will carry the same reference numerals as the correspondin~
15 parts in the other Figures because the invention will be easier to comprehend. It will be understood that these strengthening features could be vicll~li7~.d as preferably being present in the brac~ets of the other Figures but if shown in the smaller drawings, would unnt~esc~rily complicate the drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 3 shows a pair of pull-out drop down shelf 20 supports in support of a conventional grocery shelf which has been pulled out and dropped down from a hori_ontal position to a downwardly angled or tilted position and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The pull-out drop down shelf supports will be referred to as .
universal support brackets because the sarne brackets can be used for a left or right side shelf support.
The shelf support structure includes a pair of stationary brackets 12 each having a co",~anion sliding bracket 14. The opposite sides of a grocery shelf 16 are mounted on sliding brackets 14. A removable fence 18 removably fits the front edge of grocery shelf 16.
Conventional grocery shelves normally have uptumed front edge (not shown) such that fence 18 would extend the height of the front of shelf 16. Wall suppo~ 20 are convpntion~l supports which are fixed to a wall surface, spaced apart with the longit~ n~l axis vertical. Wall supports 20 have double rows of side-by-side slots 22. Stationary brackets 12 are removably supported in horizontal and vertical orientation perpendicular to wall supports 20. The back 19 of shelf 16 may be turned up or elevat~d to help hold bags of product on the shelf.
Referring now to Figure 2, stationary brackets 12 have a back portion 24 having form~tions 26 which fit slots 22 of wall supports 20 and thereby hold brackets 12 in the desired horizontal position in vertical ori~nt~tion.
Figure 1 shows a plurality of adjacent pull-out drop down grocery shelf assemblies 10 each having a pair of universal support brackets which will be referred to generally as universal support brackets 2~ comprising the combination of a stationary bracket 12 and a sliding bracket 14. As will be seen, the universal support brackets can be used interchangeably as a left side support or a right side support for a shelf 16.
Turning now to Figures 4 to 7, universal shelf bracket 28 comprises stationary bracket 12 and sliding bracket 14. Stationary bracket 12 has a back 24 with the formations 26 for att~ment to the wall support 20. Bracket 12 has a front 30 and generally flat sides 32 and .. . .
34. It is preferably st~mre~ out of a flat sheet. The stationary bracket 12 may have short lateral form~tinn~ 80 which project laterally from back portion 24 to int~r~ct with the surface of wall ~u~ 20 thereby increasing late~l stability. The stationary bracket 12 and the sliding bracket 14 may have one or more ~ ltg;~t~d lateral formations 82 along the flat surface to add 5 strength to the thin flat sections. The sides 32, 34 of the stationary bracket define a top edge 36 and a bottom edge 38. Bottom edge 38 may be bent at a right angle to the side surface to provide additional bending strength. Stationary bracL~et 12 has an elongated slot 40 ext~n~7ing lon~iturlin~lly from front to back along its length. Slot 40 has an outer end 42 and an opposite inner end 44.
The sliding bracket 14 has a front 46, a back 48 an elongated slot 50 extending lon~ih~ n~lly from front to back along its length. Slot 50 has an outer end 52 and an inner end 54. Sliding bracket 14 has generally flat sides 56 and 58 defining a top edge 60 and a bottom edge 62. One or more means for conn~ting comprise raised tabs 72 spaced along the top edge 60 for connecting each side of a shelf 16 to the sliding bracket. Any suitable connectors 17 can be used to attach the shelf 16 to the tabs 72.
Each universal support bracket 28 has a first connector 64 otherwise referred to as a first co~ne~ting support 64, fixed near the back of the sliding bracket 14. Connecting support 64 slides in elongated slot 40 of stationary bracket 12. A second connector 66 otherwise known as a second connecting support is fixed near the front of the fLxed bracket which slides in elongated slot 50 of sliding bracket 14. First and second connectors 64, 66 have a short stem portion which is hidden in all views with a headed portion which is wider than the slot 40, 50.
The hidden stem portions are narrower than slots 40, 50 to avoid binding and serve as a gliding surface to f~cilit~t~D relative sliding movement between brackets 12, 14. The headed connectors 64 and 66 are the only thing holding brackets 12, 14 in sliding side by side relation whereby sliding bracket 14 can be moved longituAin~lly with respect to the stationary bracket between a retracted position shown in Figures 4 and 5 and an eYt~n~ position seen in Figures 6C and 5 6D. Elongated slots 40, 50 are preferably offset vertically from each other to simpl~fy layout and assembly and reduce the possibility of interference.
There is provided a means ~c~ci~tpd with an end of one of the elongated slot in each universal support bracket 28 to allow sliding bracket 14 to be pulled out to its extended position along with a shelf 16, pivoted downwardly and supported there at an angle with respect to ~e stationary bracket 12 as illustrated in Figure 3 and 6D. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, said means is associated with inner end 54 of slot 50 as a generally transverse extension 70 of slot 50 which extends toward top edge 60. In the preferred embo~iment, slot 70 is an arcuate slot formed on a radius defined in the extended position by the t1i.ct~nc.e between first connecting support 64 and second connecting support 66 wherein first connecting support 64 serves as a 15 stop for sliding braclcet 14 and also as a pivot for sliding bracket 14 when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted downwardly.
The bac~ of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket comprises a first rest 74 which turns away from the top edge 36 and is angled downwardly from the longitu-lin~l axis of slot 40.
Referring now to Figure 3, a second rest 76 is formed at the front end 52 of elongated slot 50 20 in the sliding bracket. Second rest 76 turns up toward the top edge 60 of the sliding bracket.
When the universal support braclcet 28 is in the retracted position best s~en in Figure 6A, the first rest 74 receives the first connecting support 64 and the second rest 76 receives the second conn~ting support 66. The front end 46 of the sliding bracket drops down so that the stem of second cor~n~ting support 66 serves as a lock which keep the sliding bracket from being pulled out. Simultaneously first rest 74 lowers back end 48 of sliding bracket 14 so that in the retracted position, the sliding bracket remains horizontal and the top edge 60 para~lel to the top edge 36 if the brackets are constructed as generally rectangular shapes as they are shown in the drawings. This serves to keep the shelf 16 completely level.
The operation of universal ~ Ol~ bracket 28 is best seen through Figures 6A-6D.
In Figure 6A, universal support bracket 28 is in the retracted and locked position. In this position, the top edges 36 and 60 are level with each other and we will assume that the shelf 16 is conn~ted at its side edge to the sliding bracket 14. The presence of second support 66 locked in second rest 76 keeps the shelf from being pulled out. In Figure 6B, front 30 of sliding bracket 14 has been raised so that second connecting support 66 is now in line with slot 50 proper. Sliding bracket 14 can be pulled s~i~ht out in the direction of the arrow. As it slides out, first connecting support 64 rides up the angled portion of first rest 74 and simultaneously slides along slot 40 as slot 50 slides past the second connt~cting support 66 until the position of Figure 6C is reached. At this point, the sliding movement is arrested by the presence of first connecting support 64 which has slid to outer end ¢2 of slot 40. Simnlt~neously, slot 50 has been slid out past second connecting support 66 until the inner end 54 of slot 50 is in contact with connecting support 66 which is in preparation to enter arcuate slot 70.
Arcuate slot 70 is preferably formed on a radius from the center of first connecting support 64 such that bracket 14 acts like it's hinged at support 64 and without interference smoothly pivots to the position of Figure 6D, until the end 46 is lowered and tilled at a 213636~
downward angle. First connecting support 64 acts as a stop which stops the outward movement of sliding bracket 14 and also acts as a pivot which allows sliding bracket 14 to pivot around point 64 while the second connecting support 66is simultaneously moving into slot 70. When connector 66 reaches the end of slot 70, downwardly pivoting movement of sliding bracket 14 5 is arrested and the interaction of the first and second conn~tin~ supports 64, 66 with the ends of the respective slots 40, 70 prevents any further tilting so that sliding bracket 14 is held in angled position. It can be seen that the pivoting action locks the sliding bracket 14 in the position of Figure 6D and it will not slide back until the end 46is physically raised up so that second conne~ting support 66 comes out of slot 70 back into slot 50. Then sliding bracket 14 10 can be returned to the position of Figure 6A by reversing the process.
In the ~lt~ tive of Figure 7, we have the same parts in~ir~t~od by subscript but the arcuate slot 70 which is shown as 70a is located near the outer end of stationary bracket 12a.
Although the vertical positioning of the slots 40a, 50a with respect to each other is altered to allow enough room to provide the upwardly angled slot 70a at the outer end of the fixed bracket 15 12a, otherwise the parts are essentially the same. In this case, when the sliding bracket 14a is pulled out, the second connecting support 66a serves as a stop which prevents further extension of sliding brac~et 14a and serves as a pivot to allow sliding bracket 14a to pivot downwardly such that the first connecting support 64a mounted in the rear of sliding bracket 14a is disposed in arcuate slot 70a located at the outer end of stationary bracket 12a. The same first rest 74a 20 and second rest 76a may be employed to insure level retracted position and permit universal brac}~et 28 to be locked in the retracted position via second rest 76a being passed over the stem of second connecting support 66a. The movement from the downwardly angled extended 2~36363 position of Figure 7 back to the retracted position is, of course, produced by reversing the steps.
The brackets of the present invention are preferably stamped from flat stock about 1/16 inches thick. Sequential forming steps can produce the finich~d bracket very econornically with respect to labor and m~teri~l. The conn~tin~ supports are f~cteners which can be fixed S in place into threaded openingc, with nuts, for exarnple, or could be welded or brazed in place.
The typical length of the brackets would be 1 1/2 to 2 feet for conventional grocery shelves and the extension would be nearly the same arnount. The brackets could be used with or without the strengthening el~rnenLC and lateral formations formed therein, depending on the desired strength and resi~t~nc~ to bending.
. .
The shelves are suRorted in a horizontal position perpendicular to the wall surface by brackets which are usually placed at each side edge of rectangular shelves. The brackets generally have a back end having hook forrnations and the wall generally has spaced apart upright standards having a series of vertically arranged slots which receive the hooked formations in any number of elevations depending upon which slots are chosen. The shelves are located at a plurality of 1~ elevations such that there is a vertical space between the shelf surfaces to provide the desired amount of vertical product space. The shelves are frequently wire mesh shelves with a turned-up outer front edge which helps keep product from sliding off.
A particular problem arises in the restocking of snack products, such as bags of potato chips, tortilla chips, popcorn, pretzels and the like. In order to prevent waste, it is incumbent ~0 upon the snac~ food supplier to make sure fresher product being stocked is placed at the rear of the shelf so that older, already-stocked snack product is sold first. Many of these products are dated and generally have a very short shelf life before staleness becomes apparent.
~13636~ -Prior art shelves are typically four feet wide and mounted adjacently at a s~l~t~d elevation. They ne~ccit~tr, unlo~-lin~ the old product from the shelf, placing the fresh product in the back, and then replacing the previously stocked older product in the front of each shelf.
Since the route man usually fills these shelves, he must visit many stores on his route in a S limited arnount of time, and there is a lot of wasted time in loading and unlo~ling shelves to make sure the older product is sold first. There are prior art shelves which pull out, but they are not typically used in grocery stores, and even if they were, the snack products are typically sold in tall bags which fall over easily in any direction without support. The route man cannot control these bags with his arms and still reach the fresh product to restock. Apart from using 10 two route men, one to pull the bags fol~rd while the other restocks fresh bags in the back, there is no suitable prior art solution to this problem, and the use of two route men is not economically feasible.
SUMMARY OF l`H F. INVENTION
A pull-out drop down support structure is disclosed which permits grocery shelves 1~ to be pulled out and dropped down where they are held at an angle to f~r~ te restocl;ing. The older products are brought to a foruard position where they are held against a temporary "fence"
at the front which keeps them from falling off while fresher product is placed at the back of the shelf. One man can restock the shelf, without ~lt~nng the arrangement of the products already on the shelves, since once the shelf is pulled out and tilted down, the bags remain in place under 20 the influence of their weight. The route man is then free to use both hands to stock fresh bags quickly while keeping the display looking orderly and without the need for a substantial rearranging of the bags of product already on the shelf. When the shelf is restocked, it is tilted , . . . .
.
back up to a level hori7~nt~1 position and slowly slid back and retracted into the display position.
The shelf may have some raised portion or horizontal wires running along above the back edge to keep bags from falling off the back and to aid in stocking the bags on the shelf.
The o~>osite sides of the shelf are fixed to a sliding bracket which is mounted on a 5 stationary bracket comprising an elongated panel having a back end adapted for removable ~ hmPnt to the slotted openings in standard upright connp~tQrs spaced apart along a wall surface by the width of the shelf. The stationary bracket has a length and a front end proiecting longitu~in~lly outwardly when the back end is ~tt~ hP~ to a wall. An elongated slot extends lon~ udin~lly from front to back along the length of the stationary bracket.
The sliding bracket comprises an elongated panel arranged as a co~ nic)n to the stationary bracket in side by side rel~tion. The sliding bracket has a length, a front end and a back end and an elongated slot extending longitll~in~lly from front to back along its length. The elongated slots in each of the stationary and sliding brackets have a front end and a back end located proximate to the front and back end of the respective stationary or sliding bracket in 15 which they are formed.
A first connecting support fixed near the back end of the sliding bracket slides in the elongated slot of the stationary bracket. A second connecting support fixed near the front end of the stationary bracket slides in the elongated slot of the sliding bracket. The sliding bracket can be moved longitu~lin~lly relative to the stationary bracket between a retracted and an 20 outwardly extended position.
There is a means associated with an end of one of the elongated slots to allow the sliding bracket to be pivoted downwardly, tilted at an angle and supported with respect to the 2136~63 stationary bracket when the sliding bracket is pulled out to its extended position and dropped down. The operation is reversible by lifting the downwardly angled sliding bracket back to the horizontal position by lifting the outer edge of the shelf upwardly and then pushing the shelf back to cause the sliding bracket to move to the retr~t ted position. The connecting supports are S desi~n~d to hold the stationary bracket and sliding bracket in mutual support in close sliding relation to each other. The corlnecting s~lp~l~ also function as stops to limit the m~rimllm outward ~xten~ion of the shelf. One of them acts as a pivot around which the shelf pivots downwardly and the other Su~ the shelf in the downwardly pivoted position.
In one embo~liment, the means ~csoci~ted with an end of one of the elongated slots 10 is associated with the back end of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket. It comprises a generally transverse extencion of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket which is occupied by the second connPcting support of the extended sliding bracket when angled downward from the longitu~1in~1 horizontal position of the st~ti~m~ry bracket. The generally transverse extension of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket is preferably an arcuate slot forrned on a radius defined 15 in the extended position by the distance between the first and second connecting supports wherein the first connecting support serves as a stop and a pivot for the sliding bracl~et when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted downwardly.
In a further embodiment, the means associated with the end of one of the elongated slots is acsociated with the front end of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket and is a 20 generally transverse extension of the elongated slot of the stationary bracket which is occupied by the first connecting support when the sliding bracket is moved to the extended position and - angled downwardly from the longitt-rlin~l horizontal position of the stationary bracket. The said means associated with the front end of the elongated slot of the stationary bracket is preferably a short arcuate slot forrned on a radius defined in the e~t~n~d position by the ~ t inc~ between the first and second conne~tin~ S~ OlL~ wherein the second c~rln~ctin~ support serves as a stop and a pivot for the sliding bracket, when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted 5 downwardly.
The outer end of the slot in the sliding bracket has an upwardly angled portion which is referred to as a second rest in the sliding bracket which receives the second connecting support when the sliding bracket is retracted all the way back. The second rest serves as a lock which prevents pulling the shelf out unless the sliding bracket is first raised to clear the rest.
10 The inner end of the slot in the stationary bracket has a downwardly angled continuation which is called a first rest which receives the first connecting support when the shelf is pushed back and locked by means of the second rest and second connecting support. This first rest is placed so that the inner end of the sliding bracket is lowered the same amount as the outer end of the sliding bracket to keep the shelf level and help to retain it in the retracted position.
The improved shelf support emphasiæs economy of manufacture and minimi7~.s inventory and assembly problems. The universal shelf bracket is made from flat stock which can be forrned in a stamping operation. It only requires two stamped brackets and two connectors and is universal in that it can be used as the left and right shelf support without altering either the parts or the assembly of the parts. One universal support bracket is used to 20 support either side of a shelf. This reduces inventory and prevents mist~;es when putting the shelves up.
The back end of the stationary bracket is preferably formed with short lateral formations which project laterally on either side to add lateral stability. Lengthy lateral form~tion~ projecting laterally from the side surface of both the sliding and stationary bracket may be used to increase strength. The lower edge of the st~tinn~ y bracket may be bent at right 5 angle to the side surface to add bending resistance without interfering with the sliding action of the br~ts BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF ~k DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a cut-away perspective view of several side by side grocery shelves, each having opposite sides mounted on a sliding bracket;
Figure 2 is a detail in elevation cross-section of the conventional upright slotted support showing how the back of the stationary bracket has formations for engaging the support and capable of holding it in a horizontal orient~tion with the sides vertical;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a pair of the universal support brackets with a sliding bracket mounted to the opposite side edges of a standard grocery shelf wherein the 15 brackets have been moved to the extended position and tilted downwardly where they are held by interaction of the connectors in the slots;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one side of the pull-out drop down shelf support or universal support bracket with added strengthening elements in the retracted position;
Figure 5 is a view of the shelf support on Figure 4 showing the opposite side from 20 the side shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6A schematically shows a universal support bracket in the retracted position;
Figure 6B sClleTn~tir~lly shows the bracket of Figure 6A being readied for sliding toward the extended position in the direction of the arrow;
Figure 6C srh~ t;c~l?y shows the shelf support in the fully ~tPn~ed position before the sliding bracket is angled downwardly;
Figure 6D sr-hpm~t~ y shows the sliding brachet in the eYt~nded and downwardly 5 angled position where it is held by cooperation of the first and second conne~tin~ supports pocition~d as shown in the ~lOng~tf~d slots;
Figure 7 shows an ~ltPrn~te design in which the arcuate slot is located in the front portion of the stationary bracket rather than in the rear portion of the sliding bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPIION
In the description which follows, the same reference numP~lc will be used throughout to identify corresponding parts. Figures 4 and 5 differ in appearance from the brackets shown in the other Figures because they include strengthening formations and a bent over lower edge on the stationary bracket that do not interfere with sliding eyte-ncion or retraction of the sliding bracket. Nevertheless, these parts will carry the same reference numerals as the correspondin~
15 parts in the other Figures because the invention will be easier to comprehend. It will be understood that these strengthening features could be vicll~li7~.d as preferably being present in the brac~ets of the other Figures but if shown in the smaller drawings, would unnt~esc~rily complicate the drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 3 shows a pair of pull-out drop down shelf 20 supports in support of a conventional grocery shelf which has been pulled out and dropped down from a hori_ontal position to a downwardly angled or tilted position and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The pull-out drop down shelf supports will be referred to as .
universal support brackets because the sarne brackets can be used for a left or right side shelf support.
The shelf support structure includes a pair of stationary brackets 12 each having a co",~anion sliding bracket 14. The opposite sides of a grocery shelf 16 are mounted on sliding brackets 14. A removable fence 18 removably fits the front edge of grocery shelf 16.
Conventional grocery shelves normally have uptumed front edge (not shown) such that fence 18 would extend the height of the front of shelf 16. Wall suppo~ 20 are convpntion~l supports which are fixed to a wall surface, spaced apart with the longit~ n~l axis vertical. Wall supports 20 have double rows of side-by-side slots 22. Stationary brackets 12 are removably supported in horizontal and vertical orientation perpendicular to wall supports 20. The back 19 of shelf 16 may be turned up or elevat~d to help hold bags of product on the shelf.
Referring now to Figure 2, stationary brackets 12 have a back portion 24 having form~tions 26 which fit slots 22 of wall supports 20 and thereby hold brackets 12 in the desired horizontal position in vertical ori~nt~tion.
Figure 1 shows a plurality of adjacent pull-out drop down grocery shelf assemblies 10 each having a pair of universal support brackets which will be referred to generally as universal support brackets 2~ comprising the combination of a stationary bracket 12 and a sliding bracket 14. As will be seen, the universal support brackets can be used interchangeably as a left side support or a right side support for a shelf 16.
Turning now to Figures 4 to 7, universal shelf bracket 28 comprises stationary bracket 12 and sliding bracket 14. Stationary bracket 12 has a back 24 with the formations 26 for att~ment to the wall support 20. Bracket 12 has a front 30 and generally flat sides 32 and .. . .
34. It is preferably st~mre~ out of a flat sheet. The stationary bracket 12 may have short lateral form~tinn~ 80 which project laterally from back portion 24 to int~r~ct with the surface of wall ~u~ 20 thereby increasing late~l stability. The stationary bracket 12 and the sliding bracket 14 may have one or more ~ ltg;~t~d lateral formations 82 along the flat surface to add 5 strength to the thin flat sections. The sides 32, 34 of the stationary bracket define a top edge 36 and a bottom edge 38. Bottom edge 38 may be bent at a right angle to the side surface to provide additional bending strength. Stationary bracL~et 12 has an elongated slot 40 ext~n~7ing lon~iturlin~lly from front to back along its length. Slot 40 has an outer end 42 and an opposite inner end 44.
The sliding bracket 14 has a front 46, a back 48 an elongated slot 50 extending lon~ih~ n~lly from front to back along its length. Slot 50 has an outer end 52 and an inner end 54. Sliding bracket 14 has generally flat sides 56 and 58 defining a top edge 60 and a bottom edge 62. One or more means for conn~ting comprise raised tabs 72 spaced along the top edge 60 for connecting each side of a shelf 16 to the sliding bracket. Any suitable connectors 17 can be used to attach the shelf 16 to the tabs 72.
Each universal support bracket 28 has a first connector 64 otherwise referred to as a first co~ne~ting support 64, fixed near the back of the sliding bracket 14. Connecting support 64 slides in elongated slot 40 of stationary bracket 12. A second connector 66 otherwise known as a second connecting support is fixed near the front of the fLxed bracket which slides in elongated slot 50 of sliding bracket 14. First and second connectors 64, 66 have a short stem portion which is hidden in all views with a headed portion which is wider than the slot 40, 50.
The hidden stem portions are narrower than slots 40, 50 to avoid binding and serve as a gliding surface to f~cilit~t~D relative sliding movement between brackets 12, 14. The headed connectors 64 and 66 are the only thing holding brackets 12, 14 in sliding side by side relation whereby sliding bracket 14 can be moved longituAin~lly with respect to the stationary bracket between a retracted position shown in Figures 4 and 5 and an eYt~n~ position seen in Figures 6C and 5 6D. Elongated slots 40, 50 are preferably offset vertically from each other to simpl~fy layout and assembly and reduce the possibility of interference.
There is provided a means ~c~ci~tpd with an end of one of the elongated slot in each universal support bracket 28 to allow sliding bracket 14 to be pulled out to its extended position along with a shelf 16, pivoted downwardly and supported there at an angle with respect to ~e stationary bracket 12 as illustrated in Figure 3 and 6D. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, said means is associated with inner end 54 of slot 50 as a generally transverse extension 70 of slot 50 which extends toward top edge 60. In the preferred embo~iment, slot 70 is an arcuate slot formed on a radius defined in the extended position by the t1i.ct~nc.e between first connecting support 64 and second connecting support 66 wherein first connecting support 64 serves as a 15 stop for sliding braclcet 14 and also as a pivot for sliding bracket 14 when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted downwardly.
The bac~ of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket comprises a first rest 74 which turns away from the top edge 36 and is angled downwardly from the longitu-lin~l axis of slot 40.
Referring now to Figure 3, a second rest 76 is formed at the front end 52 of elongated slot 50 20 in the sliding bracket. Second rest 76 turns up toward the top edge 60 of the sliding bracket.
When the universal support braclcet 28 is in the retracted position best s~en in Figure 6A, the first rest 74 receives the first connecting support 64 and the second rest 76 receives the second conn~ting support 66. The front end 46 of the sliding bracket drops down so that the stem of second cor~n~ting support 66 serves as a lock which keep the sliding bracket from being pulled out. Simultaneously first rest 74 lowers back end 48 of sliding bracket 14 so that in the retracted position, the sliding bracket remains horizontal and the top edge 60 para~lel to the top edge 36 if the brackets are constructed as generally rectangular shapes as they are shown in the drawings. This serves to keep the shelf 16 completely level.
The operation of universal ~ Ol~ bracket 28 is best seen through Figures 6A-6D.
In Figure 6A, universal support bracket 28 is in the retracted and locked position. In this position, the top edges 36 and 60 are level with each other and we will assume that the shelf 16 is conn~ted at its side edge to the sliding bracket 14. The presence of second support 66 locked in second rest 76 keeps the shelf from being pulled out. In Figure 6B, front 30 of sliding bracket 14 has been raised so that second connecting support 66 is now in line with slot 50 proper. Sliding bracket 14 can be pulled s~i~ht out in the direction of the arrow. As it slides out, first connecting support 64 rides up the angled portion of first rest 74 and simultaneously slides along slot 40 as slot 50 slides past the second connt~cting support 66 until the position of Figure 6C is reached. At this point, the sliding movement is arrested by the presence of first connecting support 64 which has slid to outer end ¢2 of slot 40. Simnlt~neously, slot 50 has been slid out past second connecting support 66 until the inner end 54 of slot 50 is in contact with connecting support 66 which is in preparation to enter arcuate slot 70.
Arcuate slot 70 is preferably formed on a radius from the center of first connecting support 64 such that bracket 14 acts like it's hinged at support 64 and without interference smoothly pivots to the position of Figure 6D, until the end 46 is lowered and tilled at a 213636~
downward angle. First connecting support 64 acts as a stop which stops the outward movement of sliding bracket 14 and also acts as a pivot which allows sliding bracket 14 to pivot around point 64 while the second connecting support 66is simultaneously moving into slot 70. When connector 66 reaches the end of slot 70, downwardly pivoting movement of sliding bracket 14 5 is arrested and the interaction of the first and second conn~tin~ supports 64, 66 with the ends of the respective slots 40, 70 prevents any further tilting so that sliding bracket 14 is held in angled position. It can be seen that the pivoting action locks the sliding bracket 14 in the position of Figure 6D and it will not slide back until the end 46is physically raised up so that second conne~ting support 66 comes out of slot 70 back into slot 50. Then sliding bracket 14 10 can be returned to the position of Figure 6A by reversing the process.
In the ~lt~ tive of Figure 7, we have the same parts in~ir~t~od by subscript but the arcuate slot 70 which is shown as 70a is located near the outer end of stationary bracket 12a.
Although the vertical positioning of the slots 40a, 50a with respect to each other is altered to allow enough room to provide the upwardly angled slot 70a at the outer end of the fixed bracket 15 12a, otherwise the parts are essentially the same. In this case, when the sliding bracket 14a is pulled out, the second connecting support 66a serves as a stop which prevents further extension of sliding brac~et 14a and serves as a pivot to allow sliding bracket 14a to pivot downwardly such that the first connecting support 64a mounted in the rear of sliding bracket 14a is disposed in arcuate slot 70a located at the outer end of stationary bracket 12a. The same first rest 74a 20 and second rest 76a may be employed to insure level retracted position and permit universal brac}~et 28 to be locked in the retracted position via second rest 76a being passed over the stem of second connecting support 66a. The movement from the downwardly angled extended 2~36363 position of Figure 7 back to the retracted position is, of course, produced by reversing the steps.
The brackets of the present invention are preferably stamped from flat stock about 1/16 inches thick. Sequential forming steps can produce the finich~d bracket very econornically with respect to labor and m~teri~l. The conn~tin~ supports are f~cteners which can be fixed S in place into threaded openingc, with nuts, for exarnple, or could be welded or brazed in place.
The typical length of the brackets would be 1 1/2 to 2 feet for conventional grocery shelves and the extension would be nearly the same arnount. The brackets could be used with or without the strengthening el~rnenLC and lateral formations formed therein, depending on the desired strength and resi~t~nc~ to bending.
. .
Claims (30)
1. A pull-out drop down shelf support for supporting the ends of horizontal grocery shelves to facilitate restocking of grocery shelves by bringing older products to a forward position, comprising:
a stationary bracket comprising an elongated panel having a back end adapted for attachment perpendicular to a wall surface, having a length and front end projecting longitudinally outwardly when the back end is attached to a wall, said stationary bracket having an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length;
a sliding bracket comprising an elongated panel arranged as a companion to the stationary bracket in side by side relation, the sliding bracket having a length, a front end and back end and an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length;
a first connecting support which slides in the elongated slot of the stationary bracket, fixed near the back end of the sliding bracket and a second connecting support which slides in the elongated slot of the sliding bracket, fixed near the front end of the stationary bracket whereby the sliding bracket can be moved longitudinally relative to the stationary bracket between a retracted and an extended position;
means associated with an end of one of said elongated slots to allow said sliding bracket to be pivoted downwardly and supported at an angle with respect to the stationary bracket when the sliding bracket is pulled out to its extended position.
a stationary bracket comprising an elongated panel having a back end adapted for attachment perpendicular to a wall surface, having a length and front end projecting longitudinally outwardly when the back end is attached to a wall, said stationary bracket having an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length;
a sliding bracket comprising an elongated panel arranged as a companion to the stationary bracket in side by side relation, the sliding bracket having a length, a front end and back end and an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length;
a first connecting support which slides in the elongated slot of the stationary bracket, fixed near the back end of the sliding bracket and a second connecting support which slides in the elongated slot of the sliding bracket, fixed near the front end of the stationary bracket whereby the sliding bracket can be moved longitudinally relative to the stationary bracket between a retracted and an extended position;
means associated with an end of one of said elongated slots to allow said sliding bracket to be pivoted downwardly and supported at an angle with respect to the stationary bracket when the sliding bracket is pulled out to its extended position.
2. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 1 characterized in that each of said elongated slots have a front end and a back end located proximate the front and back end of the respective stationary bracket or sliding bracket in which they are formed.
3. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 2 characterized in that the stationary bracket and the sliding bracket are held in close sliding relation in mutual support by said first and second connecting supports.
4. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 3 characterized in that said means associated with an end of one of said elongated slots is associated with the back end of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket.
5. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 4 characterized in that said means associated with the back end of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket is a generally transverse extension of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket which is occupied by the second connecting support when the extended sliding bracket is angled downwardly from the longitudinal horizontal position of the stationary bracket.
6. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 5 characterized in that said generally transverse extension at the back of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket is an arcuate slot formed on a radius defined in the extended position by the distance between the first and second connecting supports, the first connecting support serving as a stop and a pivot for the sliding bracket when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted downwardly.
7. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 6 characterized in that said elongated slots are arranged in vertically offset generally parallel relation.
8. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 3 characterized in that said means associated with an end of one of said elongated slots is associated with the front end of the elongated slot of the stationary bracket.
9. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 8 characterized in that said means associated with the front end of the elongated slot of the stationary bracket is a short arcuate slot formed on a radius defined in the extended position by the distance between the first and second connecting supports, the second connecting support serving as a stop and a pivot for the sliding bracket when it is pulled out to the extended position and pivoted downwardly.
10. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 6 characterized in that said stationary and sliding brackets each have a top edge which lie generally parallel in the retracted position wherein the back of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket comprises a first rest which turns away from the top edge and the front of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket comprises a second rest which turns toward the top edge, said first rest receiving the first connecting support while said second rest receives said second connecting support when the sliding bracket is in the retracted position whereby said sliding bracket is releasably held in the retracted position.
11. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 10 characterized in that said sliding bracket includes means for attachment to the side edge of a grocery shelf and said shelf support can be employed equally well as a left or right side shelf support.
12. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 9 characterized in that said stationary and sliding brackets each have a top edge which lie generally parallel in the retracted position wherein the back of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket comprises a first rest which turns away from the top edge and the front of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket comprises a second rest which turns toward the top edge, said first rest receiving the first connecting support while said second rest receives said second connecting support when the sliding bracket is in the retracted position whereby said sliding bracket is releasably held in the retracted position.
13. The pull-out drop down shelf support of claim 12 characterized in that said sliding bracket includes means for attachment to the side edge of a grocery shelf and said shelf support can be employed equally well as a left or right side shelf support.
14. A universal support bracket suitable to support each lateral side of a grocery shelf which can be pulled out, pivoted down at an angle and held in a downwardly angled position in order to load fresh material behind the already shelved material without unloading the shelf, comprising:
an elongated stationary bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, the back having formations for engaging supports at the rear of the stationary bracket capable of holding the stationary bracket in a horizontal orientation with the sides vertical;
an elongated slot in the stationary bracket extending longitudinally from front to back along its length and having outer and inner ends;
an elongated sliding bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, said sliding bracket arranged as a companion to the stationary bracket in side by side relation;
an elongated slot in the sliding bracket extending longitudinally from front to back along its length and having outer and inner ends;
a first headed connector fixed near the back of the sliding bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the stationary bracket and a second headed connector fixed near the front of the stationary bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the sliding bracket, said first and second connectors holding said brackets in close sliding side by side relation whereby said sliding bracket can be moved longitudinally with respect to the stationary bracket between a retracted and an extended position;
one of said elongated slots of one of said brackets having a short arcuate slot at its end extending toward the top edge wherein one of said first or second headed connectors serves as a stop and pivot for the sliding bracket in the extended position while the other of said first or second headed connectors follows the arcuate slot when the sliding bracket is pulled out to the extended position, pivoted downwardly and supplied in a downwardly angled position by said other of said first or second headed connectors; and said universal support bracket will support either side edge of a grocery shelf by attaching each lateral side of said grocery shelf to an elongated sliding bracket of a universal support bracket whereby said shelf can be pulled out to the extended position, pivoted downwardly and supported in a downwardly angled position.
an elongated stationary bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, the back having formations for engaging supports at the rear of the stationary bracket capable of holding the stationary bracket in a horizontal orientation with the sides vertical;
an elongated slot in the stationary bracket extending longitudinally from front to back along its length and having outer and inner ends;
an elongated sliding bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, said sliding bracket arranged as a companion to the stationary bracket in side by side relation;
an elongated slot in the sliding bracket extending longitudinally from front to back along its length and having outer and inner ends;
a first headed connector fixed near the back of the sliding bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the stationary bracket and a second headed connector fixed near the front of the stationary bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the sliding bracket, said first and second connectors holding said brackets in close sliding side by side relation whereby said sliding bracket can be moved longitudinally with respect to the stationary bracket between a retracted and an extended position;
one of said elongated slots of one of said brackets having a short arcuate slot at its end extending toward the top edge wherein one of said first or second headed connectors serves as a stop and pivot for the sliding bracket in the extended position while the other of said first or second headed connectors follows the arcuate slot when the sliding bracket is pulled out to the extended position, pivoted downwardly and supplied in a downwardly angled position by said other of said first or second headed connectors; and said universal support bracket will support either side edge of a grocery shelf by attaching each lateral side of said grocery shelf to an elongated sliding bracket of a universal support bracket whereby said shelf can be pulled out to the extended position, pivoted downwardly and supported in a downwardly angled position.
15. The universal support bracket of claim 14 characterized in that the short arcuate slot is located on a radius determined by the distance between said first and second headed connectors when the sliding bracket is pulled out to the extended position.
16. The universal support bracket of claim 15 characterized in that said short arcuate slot is located at the inner end of said sliding bracket and said second headed connector serves as said stop and pivot while said first headed connector follows said arcuate slot.
17. The universal support bracket of claim 15 characterized in that said short arcuate slot is located at the outer end of said stationary bracket and said first headed connector serves as said stop and pivot while said second headed connector follows said arcuate slot.
18. The universal support bracket of claim 15 characterized in that said elongated slots are arranged in vertically offset generally parallel relation.
19. The universal support bracket of claim 15 wherein the outer end of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket comprises a second rest which turns toward the top edge, said second rest receiving the second headed connector when the sliding bracket is in the retracted position whereby said sliding bracket is releasably held in the retracted position.
20. The universal support bracket of claim 19 wherein the inner end of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket comprises a first rest which turns away from the top edge and receives the first connecting support while said second rest receives said second connecting support when the sliding bracket is in the retracted position, said rests being positioned such that the top edges remain approximately parallel.
21. The universal support bracket of claim 20 characterized in that said sliding bracket includes means for attachment to the side edge of a grocery shelf and said universal support bracket can be employed equally well as a left or right shelf support.
22. A pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly having a pair of universal support brackets suitable for attachment on both sides of a shelf so that the shelf can be pulled out, pivoted down at an angle and supported in a downwardly angled position by said universal support brackets in order to load fresh material behind the already shelved material without unloading the shelf, comprising:
a rectangular grocery shelf having sides, front and back and a flat surface for holding grocery products;
a pair of universal support brackets having a length approximately the same as the side of the shelf, one for each side, each universal support bracket including:
an elongated stationary bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, the back having formations for engaging supports at the rear of the stationary bracket capable of holding the stationary bracket in horizontal orientation with the sides vertical, said stationary bracket having an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length, said slot having an outer end and an inner end respectively, an elongated sliding bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, said sliding bracket arranged as a companion to the stationary bracket in sliding side by side relation, said sliding bracket having an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length, said slot having an outer end and an inner end respectively, each universal support bracket having a first connector fixed near the back of the sliding bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the stationary bracket and a second connector fixed near the front of the fixed bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the sliding bracket, said first and second connectors holding said brackets in sliding side by side relation whereby said sliding bracket can be moved longitudinally with respect to the stationary bracket between a reheated and an extended position;
means for connecting each side of the shelf to one of the sliding brackets;
means associated with an end of one of said elongated slots in each universal support bracket to allow said shelf and the sliding bracket on each side to be pulled out to its extended position along with said shelf, pivoted downwardly and supported at an angle with respect to the stationary brackets on each side whereby already stocked products on the shelf can be pulled forward for restocking and the shelf and sliding brackets raised and slid back to the retracted position without the necessity of unloading the shelf.
a rectangular grocery shelf having sides, front and back and a flat surface for holding grocery products;
a pair of universal support brackets having a length approximately the same as the side of the shelf, one for each side, each universal support bracket including:
an elongated stationary bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, the back having formations for engaging supports at the rear of the stationary bracket capable of holding the stationary bracket in horizontal orientation with the sides vertical, said stationary bracket having an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length, said slot having an outer end and an inner end respectively, an elongated sliding bracket having a front, a back and generally flat sides defining top and bottom edges, said sliding bracket arranged as a companion to the stationary bracket in sliding side by side relation, said sliding bracket having an elongated slot extending longitudinally from front to back along its length, said slot having an outer end and an inner end respectively, each universal support bracket having a first connector fixed near the back of the sliding bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the stationary bracket and a second connector fixed near the front of the fixed bracket which slides in the elongated slot in the sliding bracket, said first and second connectors holding said brackets in sliding side by side relation whereby said sliding bracket can be moved longitudinally with respect to the stationary bracket between a reheated and an extended position;
means for connecting each side of the shelf to one of the sliding brackets;
means associated with an end of one of said elongated slots in each universal support bracket to allow said shelf and the sliding bracket on each side to be pulled out to its extended position along with said shelf, pivoted downwardly and supported at an angle with respect to the stationary brackets on each side whereby already stocked products on the shelf can be pulled forward for restocking and the shelf and sliding brackets raised and slid back to the retracted position without the necessity of unloading the shelf.
23. The pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly of claim 22 characterized in that said elongated slots are arranged in vertically offset generally parallel relation.
24. The pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly of claim 22 characterized in that said means associated with an end of one of said elongated slots in each universal support bracket comprises one of said elongated slots of one of said brackets having a short arcuate slot at its outer end extending toward the top edge wherein one of said first or second headed connectors serves as a stop and pivot for the sliding bracket in the extended position while the other of said first or second headed connectors follows the arcuate slot when the shelf and sliding brackets are pulled out to the extended position, pivoted downwardly and supported in a downwardly angled position by the other of said first or second connectors.
25. The pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly of claim 24 characterized in that said short arcuate slot is located on a radius determined by the distance between said first and second headed connectors when the sliding bracket is pulled out to the extended position.
26. The pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly of claim 25 characterized in that said elongated slots are arranged in vertically offset generally parallel relation.
27. The pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly of claim 25 characterized in that the outer end of the elongated slot in the sliding bracket turns toward the top edge to comprise a second rest, said second rest receiving the second headed connector when the sliding bracket is in the retracted position whereby said sliding bracket is releasably held in the retracted position.
28. The pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly of claim 27 characterized in that the inner end of the elongated slot in the stationary bracket turns away from the top edge to comprise a first rest and receives the first connecting support while said second rest receives said second connecting support when the sliding bracket is in the retracted position, said rests being positioned such that the top edges remain approximately parallel.
29. The pull-out drop down grocery shelf assembly of claim 28 wherein the back of the shelf includes a laterally extending vertically raised barrier which helps hold products on the shelf.
30. The pull-out drop down shelf assembly of claim 28 characterized in that the assembly includes a removable fence, which can be positioned just prior to pulling the shelf to the extended position and pivoting the shelf downwardly, to help hold older products which are pulled forward by the delivery man in order to place fresh products on the shelf.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US293,880 | 1989-01-03 | ||
| US08/293,880 US5531159A (en) | 1994-08-19 | 1994-08-19 | Pull-out drop down shelf structure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2136363A1 true CA2136363A1 (en) | 1996-02-20 |
Family
ID=23130967
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002136363A Abandoned CA2136363A1 (en) | 1994-08-19 | 1994-11-22 | Pull-out drop down shelf structure |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5531159A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2136363A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1702937A (en) * | 1927-01-24 | 1929-02-19 | Matthew M Friedemann | Fixture |
| US3463433A (en) * | 1967-08-08 | 1969-08-26 | Grant Pulley & Hardware Corp | Adjustable bracket |
| US3561713A (en) * | 1969-01-15 | 1971-02-09 | Kason Hardware Corp | Angularly adjustable shelf bracket |
| US3795379A (en) * | 1972-09-13 | 1974-03-05 | Ebsco Ind Inc | Adjustable shelf support |
| US4343244A (en) * | 1980-04-17 | 1982-08-10 | Wright Line Inc. | Periodical shelf |
| US4589349A (en) * | 1982-05-14 | 1986-05-20 | The Mead Corporation | Extendible shelf |
| US4602570A (en) * | 1982-06-01 | 1986-07-29 | Frito-Lay, Inc. | Extendable shelf for a display rack |
| US4620489A (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1986-11-04 | The Kent Corporation | Extendible merchandise shelving display |
| US4776472A (en) * | 1987-10-09 | 1988-10-11 | Brand Manufacturing Corp. | Bakery display shelves |
| US4934645A (en) * | 1989-03-20 | 1990-06-19 | Rtc Industries, Inc. | Shelving assembly |
| US5199579A (en) * | 1992-03-02 | 1993-04-06 | Melrose Displays, Inc. | Attaching device for variably positionable display shelf |
-
1994
- 1994-08-19 US US08/293,880 patent/US5531159A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-11-22 CA CA002136363A patent/CA2136363A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5531159A (en) | 1996-07-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |