Abstract:
An adjustable shelving assembly and a support structure for supporting the adjustable shelf assembly. The adjustable shelf assembly may include at least one extension shelf unit, slidably oriented with respect to a central shelf unit such that the width and/or depth of the shelf may be adjusted. The adjustable shelf assembly may be adjusted without removing the shelf from the accompanying support structure or causing the central shelf unit to be moved. The adjustable shelf assembly may also include structure for receiving advertisements, product identifiers or the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The floor plans of convenience stores and other retail establishments may vary widely from location to location. Consequently, the space available for a particular product display will also vary widely. In such circumstances, it may be desirable to provide a product display or other type of shelving system that can be adapted quickly, easily, and/or inexpensively to fit the available space. Shelving systems including shelves with adjustable widths and/or depths may be used as product displays that are quickly, easily, and/or inexpensively tailored to fit the unique location where they will be used. 
   Adjustable shelving systems may also be useful when it becomes necessary to rearrange shelving in a particular location in response to changing needs, desires, or available space. For instance, convenience store operators may wish to rearrange product displays from time to time. Such rearrangement may be needed or desired in response to changing inventory, the installation of new equipment, rollout of a new product, or other changes affecting the amount of space available for a particular display. By using an adjustable shelving system, store operators may simply adjust the width and/or depth of the adjustable shelves to maximize the shelving area available for displaying product while avoiding the extra time and expense required to reconfigure a non-adjustable system or purchase or obtain a new product display. 
   Previous adjustable shelves, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,332,548 and 6,142,321 both to West and both entitled ‘Adjustable Shelving Apparatus,’ may be formed from two halves, slidably joined together by a number of interlocking channel and groove structures. The channel and groove structures permit the shelf halves to slide relative to one another such that the widths of the shelves may be increased or decreased as desired. These previous shelf structures are limited, however, because the shelf structures cannot be adjusted without also modifying or reconfiguring accompanying structure supporting the shelf structures. Because both halves of the shelves move during adjustment, adjustment of the shelves may not be accomplished without disconnecting the shelves from the accompanying support structure or modifying the shelf or the support structure. Moreover, because both halves of the shelves slide relative to each other, adjustment of the shelves may not be done without disturbing product displayed on the shelf Also problematically, previous adjustable shelves do not provide structures for the placement of advertisements, pricing information, product identifiers or other information on the shelf that does not have to be removed or repositioned during or after adjustment of the shelf width. 
   SUMMARY 
   Various embodiments of the present invention include an adjustable shelving system including at least one adjustable shelf that includes a non-moving central portion such that the shelf may be adjusted without removing the shelf from accompanying support structure or modifying the shelf or the support structure. In some embodiments, adjustment of the shelf may be accomplished without disturbing product or other items located on some portions of the shelf. Additionally, in some embodiments, the shelf may include structures for the placement of advertisements, pricing information, product identifiers or other information on the shelf that do not have to be removed or modified during or after adjustment of the shelf width and/or depth. 
   In various embodiments of the present invention, the shelf&#39;s dimensions may be adjusted by sliding one or more extension shelf units with respect to a central shelf unit. The extension shelf units may be slidably connected to the central shelf unit such that the dimensions of the shelf may be adjusted by sliding the extension shelf units into or out of the central shelf unit. The central shelf unit may be secured to a support structure, such as a wire stand. Consequently, only the extension shelf units, not the central shelf unit, move relative to the support structure during adjustment. Because the central shelf unit does not move relative to the support structure, adjustment of the shelf dimensions does not require removing the shelf from the support structure. Additionally, because the central shelf unit does not move relative to the support structure during adjustment, product located on the central shelf unit, as well as any product identifiers, advertisements or other material located on the central shelf unit, may be undisturbed during shelf adjustment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows an adjustable shelf assembly in a retracted orientation according to certain embodiments of the present invention in perspective view. 
       FIG. 2  shows a top view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 1  in an extended orientation. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an adjustable shelf assembly in a retracted orientation according to certain embodiments of the present invention in perspective view. 
       FIG. 10  shows a shelving assembly with an adjustable shelf according to certain embodiments of the present invention in perspective view. 
       FIG. 11  shows a rear view of an adjustable shelf assembly in an extended orientation according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  shows a top view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a side view of the adjustable shelf assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an adjustable shelf assembly  10  according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The adjustable shelf assembly  10  includes a first extension shelf unit  38  and a second extension shelf unit  64 . However, according to other embodiments of the invention, an adjustable shelf assembly may include only one extension shelf unit or multiple extension shelf units. As shown in  FIG. 1 , first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  are slidably secured to a central shelf unit  14 . The central shelf unit  14  has a top surface  16 , a bottom surface  18 , a front edge  20 , a rear edge  22 , a first side edge  24  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and a second side edge  26 . Top surface  16  and bottom surface  18  may be formed from any desired material. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the top and bottom surfaces of central shelf unit  16  and  18  in connection with rails  82  form a wire grid. As shown in  FIG. 1 , portions of the first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  are located between the top and bottom surfaces of central shelf unit  16  and  18 . In some embodiments, the central shelf unit does not have a bottom surface. In those embodiments, portions of the one or more extension shelf units are preferably located underneath the top surface of the central shelf unit. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , first extension shelf unit  38  has a support surface  40 , a front edge  42  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), a rear edge  44 , a distal side  48  and a proximate side  90 . The distal side of the first extension shelf unit  48  is located distal to the central shelf unit  14  relative to the proximate side  90 . Support surface  40  may be formed from any desired material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , support surface  40  is formed from bent wire. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , second extension shelf unit  64  has a support surface  66 , a front edge  68  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), a rear edge  70 , a distal side  74  and a proximate side  92 . The distal side of the second extension shelf unit  74  is located distal to the central shelf unit  14  relative to the proximate side  92 . Support surface  66  may be formed from any desired material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , support surface  66  is formed from bent wire. 
   In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1–10 , the width of the adjustable shelf assembly  10  may be adjusted by sliding the first extension shelf unit  38  and/or the second extension shelf unit  64  relative to the central shelf unit  14 . Extending either the first or second extension shelf unit  38  or  64  relative to the central shelf unit  14  increases the width of the adjustable shelf assembly  10 . Retracting either the first or second extension shelf unit  38  or  64  relative to the central shelf unit  14  decreases the width of the adjustable shelf assembly  10 .  FIGS. 1–6  and  9  show an adjustable shelf assembly  10  in a fully retracted orientation.  FIGS. 7 and 8  show an adjustable shelf assembly  10  in a fully extended orientation. 
   Adjustable shelf assembly  10  may be created in any desired dimensions. In certain embodiments, adjustable shelf assembly  10  is fully adjustable between widths of 9 and 14 inches. Such a size is preferred for countertop product displays proximate to a point of sale or proximate to various dispensers including coffee or soda machines. However, adjustable shelf assembly  10  may have larger dimensions. Larger dimensioned shelves may be desired for large product displays or for accompanying large items such as coolers. Larger dimensioned shelves may also be desirable in other types of retail establishments. 
   In other embodiments of the present invention, an adjustable shelf assembly may include an extension shelf unit slidably oriented with respect to a central shelf unit such that the depth of the adjustable shelf assembly may be increased or decreased by extending or retracting the extension shelf unit with respect to the central shelf unit. Such extension shelf unit permitting depth adjustment may be formed and may function in a similar manner to extension shelf units  38  and  64  depicted in  FIG. 1 . In still other embodiments, an adjustable shelf assembly may include extension shelf units for adjusting width as well as extension shelf units for adjusting depth. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , when first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  are in a retracted orientation, interlocking members  50  and  76  of the first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  interlock with one another. Interlocking members  50  and  76  are formed from portions of the support surfaces of first and second extension shelf units  40  and  66 . Interlocking members  50  and  76  may be formed from any suitable material into any suitable shape. As shown in  FIG. 1 , interlocking members  50  and  76  are formed into fingers from bent wire. The interlocking members  50  and  76  are staggered relative to each other such that portions of the first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  may interlock with one another when in a retracted orientation. As shown in  FIG. 1 , extension and retraction of first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  are guided by the sliding interaction of interlocking members  50  and  76 . Additionally, extension and retraction may be guided by the sliding interaction of interlocking members  50  and  76  with guide rails  82 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , central shelf unit  14  may include stops  28  downwardly extending from a portion of the top surface  16 . Stops  28  are oriented to interact with interior tip portions of first and second extension shelf units  52  and  78  when first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  are fully extended. Interior tip portions of first and second extension shelf units  52  and  78  are located proximate to the proximate sides of first and second extension shelf units  90  and  92  respectively. Stops  28  may be formed from any suitable material into any suitable shape. As shown in  FIG. 3 , stops  28  may be metal rivets. In other embodiments, stops  28  are not necessary, rather other portions of an adjustable shelf assembly may prevent further extension once an extension shelf unit is fully extended. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the central shelf unit includes attachment members  60 . Attachment members  60  may be of any suitable shape and formed from any suitable material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , attachment members  60  are hooks formed from bent wire extending from the central shelf unit rear edge  22 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , attachment members  60  permit adjustable shelf assembly to be secured to a support structure  62 . Support structure  62  may be any suitable structure capable of supporting adjustable shelf assembly  10 , such as a wire rack, a power wing, a peg board, a wall mounted bracket or any other appropriate structure. As shown in  FIG. 10 , support structure  62  may be a rack formed from bent wire. Although only one adjustable shelf assembly  10  is depicted in  FIG. 10 , it should be readily understood that multiple adjustable shelf assemblies  10  may be secured to a single support structure  62 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , the adjustable shelf assembly  10  may include structure for receiving a flexible member  80 , such as a product identifier, price listing, advertisement or any other desired matter. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a front member  32  on central shelf unit  14  includes an upper lip  34  and a lower lip  36 . Upper and lower lips  34  and  36  are formed into channels suitable for slidably receiving an appropriately sized flexible member  80 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , adjustable shelf assembly  10  also includes first and second side members  54  and  84  secured to first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  respectively.  FIG. 9  shows first and second side members  54  and  84 , which are preferably L-shaped and secured to the front and distal side edges of first and second extension shelf units  42 ,  48 ,  68  and  74  respectively. First and second side members  54  and  84  are slidably coupled to front member  32  such that extension and retraction of first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  is not substantially inhibited. First and second side members  54  and  84  include upper and lower lips  56 ,  58 ,  86  and  88  respectively such that the same, or different, flexible members  80  may be inserted into the channels formed by the lips  56 ,  58 ,  86  and  88 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 11–13 , the adjustable shelf assembly  10  may comprise a rear member  94  in addition to front member  32 . Rear member  94  may be formed and shaped similarly to front member  32 , and may interact with first and second side members  54  and  84  in a similar fashion as first and second side members  54  and  84  interact with front member  32 . The rear member  94  may receive the same, or a different, flexible member as front member  32 . The rear member  94  on central shelf unit  14  includes an upper lip  96  and a lower lip  98 . The upper and lower lips  96  and  98  are formed into channels suitable for slidably receiving an appropriately sized flexible member  80 . In some of the embodiments that include the rear member  94 , the side members  54  and  84  are preferably C-shaped, rather than L-shaped. The first and second side members  54  and  84  are slidably coupled to rear member  32  such that extension and retraction of first and second extension shelf units  38  and  64  is not substantially inhibited. 
   Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be made to the structures recited above and shown in the drawings without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.