Abstract:
A mounting apparatus for an electronic shelf label which is easy to install. The mounting apparatus includes a frame member defining an aperture through which an electronic shelf label is inserted having a top edge and a bottom edge, a bottom member extending behind the frame member from the bottom edge and including first teeth, and a top member extending behind the frame member from the top edge and including second teeth.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electronic shelf label (ESL) systems, and more specifically to an electronic shelf label mounting apparatus. 
     ESL systems typically include a plurality of ESLs for merchandise items in a transaction establishment. ESLs typically display the price of corresponding merchandise items on store shelves and are typically attached to a rail along the leading edge of the shelves. A transaction establishment may contain thousands of ESLs to display the prices of the merchandise items. The ESLs are coupled to a central server from where information about the ESLs is typically maintained in an ESL data file. Price information displayed by the ESLs is obtained from a price look-up (PLU) data file and stored within an ESL price change record. 
     ESLs are typically mounted to a channel along a shelf edge, either in an attached rail or in the shelf itself. The fact that there are many different types of shelving and rails present problems for those who install ESLs. Some shelves do not have channels. Some mounts require that ESLs be installed after mounting. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an ESL mounting apparatus which securely mounts an ESL to shelves with or without channels and which is easy to install. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an electronic shelf label (ESL) mounting apparatus is provided. 
     The mounting apparatus includes a frame member defining an aperture through which an electronic shelf label is inserted having a top edge and a bottom edge, a bottom member extending behind the frame member from the bottom edge and including first teeth, and a top member extending behind the frame member from the top edge and including second teeth. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an ESL mounting apparatus. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an ESL mounting apparatus which securely retains an ESL. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an ESL mounting apparatus which securely mounts an ESL to shelves with or without channels. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an ESL mounting apparatus which fits within channels of most types of shelves and rails available today. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an ESL mounting apparatus which is easy to install. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the ESL mounting apparatus attached to a channel; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the ESL mounting apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the ESL mounting apparatus; and 
     FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an ESL which uses the mounting apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, ESL mounting apparatus  10  primarily includes frame portion  12 , top portion  14 , and bottom portion  16 . 
     Frame portion  12  includes wall portions  18   a-d . Wall portions  18   a-d  retains ESL  40  through aperture  42 . Wall portion  18   b  includes lip  20 , which provides a bottom support for spring members  78  and  80  of ESL  40 . 
     Top portion  14  extends from frame portion  12  into shelf channel  44 . Top portion  14  establishes an inward travel limit for ESL mounting apparatus  10 . Top portion  14  includes teeth portions  24   a  and  24   b , which are upwardly bent to fit within top corner  46  of channel  44 . Top portion  14  also includes tab portion  26  which provides a stop for screw  54 . 
     Bottom portion  16  extends from frame portion  12  into shelf channel  44 . Bottom portion  16  establishes an inward travel limit for ESL mounting apparatus  10  and facilitates installation of mounting apparatus into channel  44 . 
     Bottom portion  16  includes first inward extending portion  28 , upward extending portion  30 , second inward extending portion  32 , and teeth portions  34   a  and  34   b.    
     First inward extending portion  28  includes apertures  36   a  and  36   b  through which latches  82  and  84  of ESL  40  extend. First inward extending portion  28  is wide enough to allow upward extending portion  30  to pass behind ESL  40 , so as not to obstruct ESL  40  during insertion of ESL  40  into frame portion  12 . 
     Teeth portions  34   a  and  34   b  are downwardly bent to fit within bottom corner  48  of channel  44 . Bottom portion  16  easily flexes upward to allow teeth portions  34   a  and  34   b  to enter channel  44 . 
     Second inward extending portion  32  includes threaded aperture  38  through which screw  54  extends. When fully inserted, screw  54  presses against tab portion  26  of top portion  14 . This pressure forces top portion  14  away from bottom portion  16  and securely engages pairs of teeth portions  24   a ,  24   b  and  34   a ,  34   b  into top and bottom corners  46  and  48 , respectively. 
     While a shelf channel mounting arrangement has been illustrated, other mounting arrangements are also envisioned. Teeth portions  24   a ,  24   b  and  34   a ,  34   b  also facilitate mounting of ESL  40  to shelves which have no channel  44  or channels with small corners  46  and  48 . 
     The illustrated embodiment places ESL  40  in a generally upwardly facing position, suitable for mid to lower shelves  50 . However, bottom portion  16  may have more or less width in order to implement different viewing angles. 
     ESL mounting apparatus  10  is preferably die-cut from steel sheet metal for strength and then bent to shape. Mounting apparatus  10  is flexible enough to be inserted, but is rigid enough to remain in place within channel  44 . 
     With reference to FIG. 1, a first mounting arrangement within a shelf channel  44  is illustrated. Attachment of mounting apparatus  10  to shelf  50  is straightforward. Teeth portions  24   a  and  24   b  are first inserted into corner  46 . ESL mounting apparatus  10  is then rotated inwardly towards shelf  50 . Collapsing pressure is applied to bottom frame portion  16  so that teeth portions  34   a  and  34   b  may be inserted into corner  48 . Screw  54  is tightened to securely retain mounting apparatus in channel  44 . 
     Removal of mounting apparatus  10  proceeds in an opposite fashion. 
     ESL  40  is inserted before mounting apparatus  10  is affixed to channel  44 . ESL  40  is inserted and secured in a manner discussed below. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, ESL  40  is shown in more detail. 
     ESL  40  includes main portion  60  and battery storage portion  62 . 
     Main portion  60  contains a liquid crystal display and a printed circuit board containing control circuitry. Main portion  60  also includes rear surface  64  which abuts portions  18   a-d  of frame portion  12  when ESL  40  is installed within mounting apparatus  10 . 
     “Battery storage portion  62  further includes left and right retainers  74  and  76  which keep battery storage door  86  closed and which also retain ESL  40  within mounting apparatus  10 .” 
     Battery storage portion  62  further includes left and right retainers  74  and  76  which keep battery storage door  78  closed and which also retain ESL  40  within mounting apparatus  10 . 
     Left and right retainers  74  and  76  include spring members  78  and  80  and latches  82  and  84 . 
     Latches  82  and  84  retain battery storage portion  62  behind bottom portion  18 b of frame portion  12 . Spring members  78  and  80  sit on lip  20  when ESL  40  is installed. 
     First inward extending portion  28  includes apertures  36   a  and  36   b  through which latches  82  and  84  of ESL  40  extend. 
     Spring members  78  and  80  connect to a common center at the bottom of battery storage portion  62 . Spring members  78  and  80  normally bias latches  82  and  84  to a position behind bottom portion  26   b  of frame portion  20 . 
     Attachment of ESL  40  to mounting apparatus  10  is straightforward. Top edge  70  of battery storage portion  62  is inserted through aperture  42  with top portion  18   a  in channel  72 . ESL  40  is then rotated towards aperture  42 . Left and right retainers  74  and  76  are temporarily biased in an upwards direction to allow latches  82  and  84  to clear bottom portion  18   b  of frame portion  12 . Left and right retainers  74  and  76  are then released to allow latches  82  and  84  to fall behind bottom portion  26   b  of frame portion  20 . 
     Removal of ESL  40  proceeds in an opposite fashion. 
     Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims. Mounting apparatus  10  may be made to different widths to accommodate mounting ESLs of different widths. Mounting apparatus  10  may also be formed to orient ESL  40  at other angles than those illustrated.