Abstract:
A system and method of store sliding shelving that may be selectively extended for restocking and retracted for normal supply and product display. Each sliding shelf includes a slide mechanism that allows each shelf to extend outwardly to enable a store worker to stock or restock the shelf and a concealed locking mechanism with a release lever to allow the sliding shelves to be locked into position. The sliding shelving is beneficially positioned on vertical tracks.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards store shelving. More particularly the present invention relates to a shelving system for stocking and displaying store items. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One (1) of the last steps in the lengthy process of providing products to consumers is the act of physically placing it on store shelves. While at first glance this is a seemingly simple task, it becomes less so when one realizes the work that must take place. The product must be manually moved forward as sales progress so that the shelves do not look empty. Next, the product must be turned so that the labels are facing forward. Additionally, newer restock product must be placed behind the older product which must be sold first. Finally, all of these actions must take place by turning, stooping, sitting, or standing and then squeezing and threading one&#39;s arms through an opening on the shelf to move product. The problems related to stocking shelves exist in grocery stores, discount stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and almost every location where products are displayed for customer selection. 
     Stocking shelves can be difficult when performed at chest level, but it becomes even more so when performed at lower levels, especially near the floor. Such locations require the workers to stretch and contort their body into strange shapes simply to reach product on the rear of the lower shelves while working around product on the front. Such stretching can result in muscle strains and joint pains. Accordingly, there exists a need for a shelving system by which the rear areas of store shelves can be easily accessed. 
     Another problem with stocking shelves is that it can be very time consuming. Rotating stock takes a great deal of time because access to rear stock is impaired by stock in the front. Sometimes the products must be completely removed from the shelves, the formerly front products are reloaded in the rear and older products are reloaded in the front. In a large store such stock rotating can be very time consuming. Additionally, the required repetitive action leads to repetitive stress problems. 
     Therefore, a new shelving system which enables easy and fast restocking of store shelf products would be beneficial. Even more beneficial would be a shelving system that enables easy and fast restocking of store shelf products that reduce physical discomfort and repetitive stress problems and that is easily retrofit into existing shelving systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a shelving system which enables easy and fast restocking of store shelf products in a manner that reduces physical discomfort. It enables shelves that pull forward to allow easy manipulation of product on rear shelves, reduces repetitive stress problems, does not reduce shelf storage capacity, provides a hidden locking system. 
     A store display tray assembly that is in accord with the present invention includes a tray having a floor and first and second sidewalls disposed along opposing sides. The store display tray also includes at least a first slide assembly having an elongated outer slide channel that is attached to the first sidewall and an elongated inner slide channel that is retained by and in a slideable relationship with the outer slide channel. A friction-reducing slider plate is disposed between the inner slide channel and the outer slide channel. 
     The floor can have vents, a rear wall, and a front wall. The front wall can include a labeling tag. A locking mechanism can be included. The locking mechanism beneficially includes a torsion spring encompassing an axle that is attached to the inner slide channel. A latching bolt can then pivotally attach to the axel. The latching bolt beneficially includes an end that fits into a slot in the outer slide channel. A handle on the latching bolt can selectively pivot the latching bolt away from the slot. It is useful to have the torsion spring bias the latching bolt toward the slot. The slot should be located toward an end of the first sidewall and it is useful to have the locking mechanism hidden from customers. 
     The store display tray can be used as part of a store display assembly. To that end, the outer slide channel is attached to the first sidewall and includes a connector bracket with appendages. The first slide assembly attaches to vertical track having a plurality of connector slots by inserting the appendages into a selected connector slot. The store display assembly can further include a wall mount for retaining the vertical track or a floor mount for retaining the vertical track. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a single-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves that is in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a two-aisle (gondola) track shelving system that is also in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 1  of a slide assembly that is used in both the single-aisle and two-aisle shelving systems  10 ,  15 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a front view of a locking mechanism of the slide assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a rear view of the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 4   a;    
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of a connector bracket that is used in both the single-aisle and two-aisle shelving systems  10 ,  15 ; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of a shelf assembly that is used in both the single-aisle and two-aisle shelving systems  10 ,  15 ; and, 
         FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of a tag holder of each shelf assembly shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  single aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves 
               15  two-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves 
               20  shelf assembly 
               21  tray 
               22  side wall 
               23  front wall 
               24  tag holder 
               25  tag 
               26  floor 
               28  vent 
               29  rear wall 
               30  vertical wall-mounted track assembly 
               32  first vertical track 
               34  first base 
               36  connector slot 
               37  connector bracket 
               38  first appendage 
               39  second appendage 
               40  horizontal floor-mounted track assembly 
               42  second vertical track 
               44  second base 
               50  slide assembly 
               52  outer slide channel 
               54  inner slide channel 
               56  slider plate 
               58  threaded fastener 
               60  locking mechanism 
               62  latching bolt 
               63  slot 
               64  actuating handle 
               66  axle 
               68  torsion spring 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6   b . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 1  for a perspective view of a single-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  10  and to  FIG. 2  for a perspective view of a two-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  15 . The single-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  10  includes a vertical wall-mounted track assembly  30  comprised of a pair of first vertical tracks  32  supported by a first base  34 , while the two-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  15  includes a horizontal floor-mounted track assembly  40  having a pair of second vertical tracks  42  supported by a second base  44 . 
     Both embodiments of the track shelving system with sliding shelves use a plurality of outwardly extending and selectively attachable store shelf assemblies  20 . Referring now to  FIG. 6   a , each shelf assembly  20  includes a tray  21  that is capable of being pulled away from the vertical tracks  32 ,  42  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) for restocking and then pushed back into place to display various store items. The tray  21  provides secure containment of store items during display and is envisioned to have approximate dimensions of thirty (30) to forty-eight (48) inches in width, twelve (12) to twenty-five (25) inches in depth, and one-and-one-half (1½) inches in height. Each shelf assembly  20  further includes a pair of drawer-type slide assemblies  50  that retain the sliding trays  21  to the vertical tracks  32 ,  42 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , each slide assembly  50  includes an inner slide channel  54  having an integrally attached connector bracket  37 . The connector bracket  37  includes a plurality of first appendages  38  and second appendages  39  that engage with connectors slots  36  of the first and second vertical tracks,  32 ,  42 . The first appendages  38  are hook-shaped features that are designed to engage an upper section of the connector slot  36  to secure the shelf assembly  20  horizontally to the vertical track  32 ,  42 . The second appendages  39  are tab-like features that engage the bottom of a connector slot  36  to prevent the shelf assembly  20  from pivoting downwardly, thus securely the shelf assembly  20  horizontally. The connector slots  36  are beneficially equally spaced along the first and second vertical tracks,  32 ,  42 . The connector brackets  37  are beneficially shaped similarly to those used on standardized store shelving units manufactured by companies such as MADIX®, GUANGZHOU GUARD SHELVES CO.®, SHANDONG SUNRISE REFRIGERATOR CO.®, and others. 
       FIG. 3  shows a section view along section line A-A of  FIG. 1 . Each shelf assembly  20  provides an attachment to a pair of linear slide assemblies  50 . The slide assemblies  50  are affixed to an inner surface of a side wall member  22  of the shelf assembly  20  using a plurality of threaded fasteners  58 . This provides a smooth extending and retracting motion. Each slide assembly  50  includes the outer slide channel  52  that captures an inner slide channel  54 . A slider plate  56  that acts as a low-friction bearing is inserted between the outer slide channel  52  and the inner slide channel  54 . 
     The slide assembly  50  is beneficially constructed using similar materials as conventional slider designs such as those used in computer rack systems, cabinet drawer designs, and the like. It may also include additional features such as, but not limited to: stop tabs, rollers, bearings, and the like, based upon an anticipated loading scenario. 
     Refer now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , which are front and rear views of a hidden locking mechanism for the slide assembly  50 . The locking mechanism secures the slide assembly  50  in an extended position to enable safely stocking the tray  21  and at a retracted position for display of store items in a normal fashion. The locking mechanisms are envisioned as being similar to conventional locking mechanisms used in filing cabinets, computer rack systems, and the like. 
     Each locking mechanism  60  is pivotally affixed to an inner-facing surface of an inner slide channel  54  via an axle  66 . A locking mechanism  60  further includes a latching bolt  62 , an actuating handle  64 , and a rotary biasing torsion spring  68 . The torsion spring  68  encompasses the axle  66  and imparts a rotational bias force on the latching bolt  62 . In response to that bias, the latching bolt  62  upwardly pivots toward mating slots  63  that pass through the inner slide channel  54  at corresponding extended and retracted positions of the shelf assembly  20 . This enables the bolt  62  to slide into the slots  63  and subsequently engage with the outer slide channel  52  to secure the tray  21  in an extended or retracted position. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 6   a , each shelf assembly  20  includes a unitary tray  21  for holding store items. The tray  21  is beneficially made from a strong metal or plastic platform. It includes two (2) side walls  22 , a front wall  23 , and a rear wall  29  that act together to retain store items on the tray  21 . The various walls  22 ,  29  are preferably hollow and are approximately one and one-half (1½) inches high. The front wall  23  is lower, approximately three-quarters (¾) of an inch in height. At the bottom of the tray  21  is a floor  26 . The side walls  22  enable attachment of the previously described slide assemblies  50  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring now to both  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the front wall  23  beneficially includes a tag holder  24 , typically in the form of an open-top slot holder designed to receive and retain a standard tag  25 . The floor  26  can include a plurality of vents  28  to provide air circulation through the shelf assembly  20 . The vents  28  are envisioned as being punched or drilled round or ovular openings arranged along equally-spaced rows and columns. 
     The wall-mounted track assemblies  30  and the floor-mounted track assemblies  40  provide numerous slots for attaching a number of shelf assemblies  20  at independently selectable heights based upon a user&#39;s preference. The wall-mounted track assemblies  30  and the floor-mounted track assemblies  40  are envisioned as being similar to or identical with commonly used standardized designs supplied by companies such as MADIX®, GUANGZHOU GUARD SHELVES CO.®, SHANDONG SUNRISE REFRIGERATOR CO.®, and others. Additionally, while supplying shelf assemblies  20  with wall-mounted track assemblies  30 , and/or with floor-mounted track assemblies  40  is useful, the shelf assemblies  20  can also be used in retrofits into existing track assemblies. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of either the single-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  10  or the two-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  15  it would be installed as indicated in either  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing either the single-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  10  or the two-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  15  is achieved by performing the following steps: procuring either single-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  10  or the two-aisle track shelving system with sliding shelves  15 , installing vertical tracks  32 ,  42  having a desired height; installing a particularly sized base unit  34 ,  44 ; procuring a desired number of shelf assemblies  20  having desired width and depth dimensions; assembling the vertical tracks  32 ,  42  and base units  34 ,  44  to form either a vertical wall-mounted track assembly  30  or a horizontal floor mounted track assembly  40 ; affixing a desired number of shelf assemblies  20  at desired heights and desired spacing by locking integral connector brackets  37  into the corresponding connector slots  36  of the track assemblies  32 ,  42 ; accessing the floor  26  of a tray  21  by pressing the handle  64  of the locking mechanism  60  upwardly to disengage the latching bolt  62  from the slot  63  located at the retracted position along the inner slide channel  54 ; pulling the tray  21  outward until the latching bolt  62  engages the slot  63  located at the extended position along the inner slide channel  54 ; gaining access to the floor  26  of the shelf assembly  20 ; loading a desired type and amount of store items onto the floor  26 ; returning the tray  21  to its retracted position in like manner using the handle  64  until the latching bolt  62  engages the slot  63  at the recessed position; and repeating the extending, loading, and retracting process for subsequent shelf assemblies  20 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.