Abstract:
An illuminated shelving system is disclosed comprising components that are simple in design, aesthetically pleasing, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install, wherein the electrical connections for powering the illuminated shelves are hidden from view and do not detract from the aesthetic appeal of the shelving system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for displaying of items in a commercial or retail environment. More particularly the present invention relates to a display shelving system including lighting fixtures mounted underneath. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    In-store display lighting does affect shopper traffic and behavior and indeed drives up sales. Display lighting causes people to slow down, make eye contact, enter the store, browse longer at the display, pick up a product and handle it, then buy it. Therefore, to attract customers it is important that a merchandise display be aesthetically pleasing so as to present the merchandise to a potential customer in a highly visible and attractive manner. As such, display lighting isn&#39;t really an added cost, but rather an investment and it adds revenue. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for illuminated shelving components that are simple in design, aesthetically pleasing, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install, wherein the electrical connections for powering the illuminated shelves are hidden from view and do not detract from the aesthetic appeal of the shelving system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, an illuminated shelving system is provided. In one embodiment, the illuminated shelving may comprise a first column, a second column, a shelf and a lighting system. The first column defining a plurality of apertures on a first side and the second column defining a plurality of apertures on a second side. The first side facing the second side. Each one of the plurality of apertures on the first and second columns, configured to removably receive supports for holding the shelf in position. The shelf having the light system detachably attached to an underside of a base of the shelf, wherein the lighting system is in electronic communication with an electrical power source through a wiring. The wiring being positioned in a hollow interior portion defined by the first column. The first and second column being securely attached to a wall. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the illuminated shelving system further comprises an upper panel, wherein the upper panel is positioned above the shelf. The upper panel comprises a frame, a cover panel, and a second lighting system. The cover panel is attached to the frame and the frame is secured to the wall. The frame extends between the first and second column and is disposed to be flush with a top of the first column and a top of the second column. The second lighting system is detachably attached on a bottom portion of the frame to illuminate a space above the shelf. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, the illuminated system still further comprises a bottom shelf, wherein the bottom shelf may be positioned below the shelf. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a method for installing an illuminated shelving system is provided. The method may begin by securing a first column and a second column to a wall. The first column defining a plurality of apertures on a first side and the second column defining a plurality of apertures on a second side. This may be followed by removably engaging a support to one of the first and second pluralities of apertures. A shelf may then be positioned on at least two supports. A lighting system may be detachably attached on an underside of the shelf. The lighting system may then be electronically connected to an electrical power source by connecting through a wiring protruding from an opening in the first column. The wiring may be positioned in a hollow interior portion defined by the first column. In another embodiment, the method may further involve installing an upper panel above the shelf, wherein the upper panel comprises a frame, a cover panel, and a second lighting system. In yet another embodiment, the method may still further involve positioning a bottom shelf below the shelf. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the illuminated shelving system when installed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates views and details of a column. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates how the shelves are connected to a column. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates the various apertures, openings and holes on a side of a column. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates the views of a shelf. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a light emitting diode (LED) strip connected to a power inlet connector. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a lighting system attached to an underside of a shelf. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates an electrical power source connected to a power outlet connector. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates wiring components inside a hollow interior portion of a column. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a rear view of an upper panel when installed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates views of a bottom shelf. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a column with a mirror attached. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of an illuminated shelving system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a side of a column showing the different components installed on it. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a shelf and the apertures in a column that work with the shelf. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a wiring inside a column. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    TABLE 1 provides the preferred dimensions of the various components of the illuminated shelving system 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments. 
         [0029]    Generally, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for displaying of items in a commercial or retail environment. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the illuminated shelving system when installed. In this embodiment, the illuminated shelving system  10  comprises a first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  and a second column  12 / 20 / 122  attached to a wall (not shown). A column may be attached to the wall by engaging the column over a stud, the stud being attached to the wall. A plurality of screws may then be used to secure the column to the stud through mounting holes  25 / 45 / 143 . In another embodiment, a column may be attached to the wall by using various materials including, but not limited to, bolted steel angle, pop riveting, and the like. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  may define a substantially hollow first interior portion  41  and may also form a first plurality of apertures  42  on a first side  44  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Similarly, the second column  12 / 20 / 122  may define a substantially hollow second interior portion  21  and may also form a second plurality of apertures  22  on a second side  24  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first side  44  of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  may be disposed to face the second side  24  of the second column  12 / 20 / 122 . Each one of the first plurality and the second plurality of apertures  42 / 22  may be configured to removably receive a support, the support being for holding in position a shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 . In one embodiment, the support may be a connector  133  extending outwardly horizontally. The connector may be selected from the group consisting of brackets, pins, and clips. The connector may be formed from various materials, including, but not limited to stainless steel, metals, composites, ceramics, plastics, or any other suitably rigid materials. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150  may be sized to extend between the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  and the second column  12 / 20 / 122 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150  may be configured to have a substantially planar base  34 / 64  and two flanges ( 35 / 36 )/( 67 / 68 )/( 155 / 156 ), the two flanges ( 35 / 36 )/( 67 / 68 )/( 155 / 156 ) perpendicularly extending from the base  34 / 64  and disposed at opposing ends along a length of the base  34 / 64 .  FIG. 6  shows a good view of a top side  63  and an underside  65  of the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 . 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  and the second column  12 / 20 / 122  may define a plurality of apertures  141  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Each one of these plurality of apertures  141  may also be configured to removably receive a support to hold in position a shelf  150 . In one embodiment, the support may be a tab  151 / 152 , the tab being configured to be integral with the shelf  150  and outwardly horizontally extending from the base  153  of the shelf  150  and disposed at opposing ends along the width of the base  153 . 
         [0034]    In yet another embodiment, a lighting system  51 / 60 / 66  of  FIG. 6  may be detachably attached to an underside  65  of the base  34 / 64  of the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150  as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6B , using various materials, including, but not limited to magnets, double-side tape, silicon adhesives and sealants, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. The lighting system  51 / 60 / 66  may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) strip  62  electrically connected to a power inlet connector  61 / 131 . The power inlet connector  61 / 131  may be in electronic communication with a power outlet connector  72 / 132 / 142 , the power outlet connector  72 / 132 / 142  protruding through an opening  23 / 43 / 82 / 83  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  8 ) in the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  as depicted in  FIG. 13 . The power outlet connector  72 / 132 / 142  may be electrically connected to the electrical power source  70 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 15 , through a wiring  71 / 73 / 164 / 165 / 167 / 168 . In one embodiment, the wiring  71 / 73 / 164 / 165 / 167 / 168  may be disposed in the interior portion  41  (similar to the second interior portion  21  of the second column  12 / 20 / 122 ) of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140 . The electrical power source may comprise a wiring  71 / 73 , a power supply AC-DC transformer  74  and a 110-230V power outlet socket  75 . In another embodiment, the electrical power source  70  may also be disposed in the first interior portion  41  of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  together with the wiring  71 / 73 / 164 / 165 / 167 / 168 . 
         [0035]    In still another embodiment, the illuminated shelving system may further comprise an upper panel  13 / 90  which is positioned above the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 . In one embodiment, the upper panel  13 / 90  may comprise a frame  96 , a cover panel  93  and a second lighting system (not shown but easy to envisage). The cover panel  93  may be attached to the frame  96  and the frame  96  may be securely attached to the wall using various materials, including, but not limited to screws, nails, bolts, staples, silicon adhesives and sealants, and double-sided tape, and the like. Similarly, the cover panel  93  may be attached to the frame  96  using various materials, including, but not limited to screws, nails, bolts, staples, silicon adhesives and sealants, and double-sided tape, and the like. The frame  96 , which may comprise a plurality of frame members  98  joined together defining a substantially rectangular border, may be configured to have a top portion  99   a  and a bottom portion  99   b  and may be sized to extend between the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  and the second column  12 / 20 / 122  with the top portion  99   a  disposed to be flush with a top  91  of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  and a top  92  of the second column  12 / 20 / 122  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The frame  96  may be formed from various materials, including, but not limited to stainless steel, metal, wood, composites, ceramic, plastic, or any other suitably rigid materials. In one embodiment, a second lighting system similar to the one depicted in  FIG. 6  may be detachably attached to the bottom portion  99   b  of the frame  96  using various materials, including, but not limited to magnets, double-side tape, silicon adhesives and sealants, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the second lighting system may comprise a second light emitting diode strip electrically connected to a second power inlet connector. The second power inlet connector may be in electronic communication with a second power outlet connector similar to the ones depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 13 , the second power outlet connector protruding through a second opening (similar to the openings  23 / 43 / 82 / 83  shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  8 ) in the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140 . The second power outlet connector may be electrically connected to the electrical power source  70  as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 15 , through a wiring  71 / 73 / 164 / 165 / 167 / 168 . In one embodiment, the wiring  71 / 73 / 164 / 165 / 167 / 168  may be disposed in the interior portion  41  (similar to the second interior portion  21  of the second column  12 / 20 / 122 ) of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140 . The electrical power source  70  providing a power to the second lighting system to illuminate a space above the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 . 
         [0037]    In still another embodiment, the illuminated shelving system may still further comprise a bottom shelf  15 / 95 / 100 / 125 , wherein the bottom shelf  15 / 95 / 100 / 125  is positioned below the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 . The bottom shelf may be configured to have a substantially planar second base  104  and two flanges  105 / 106  as shown in  FIG. 10 . In one embodiment, the two flanges  105 / 106  of the bottom shelf  15 / 95 / 100 / 125  may be of different dimensions heightwise. In another embodiment, the two flanges  105 / 106  of the bottom shelf may be of different dimensions heightwise when compared with the dimensions of the two flanges ( 35 / 36 )/( 67 / 68 )/( 155 / 156 ) of shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 . The first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140 , the second column  12 / 20 / 122 , the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 , the cover panel  93  and the bottom shelf  15 / 95 / 100 / 125  may each be formed from various materials, including, but not limited to stainless steel, metal, wood, composite, ceramic, plastic, or any other suitably rigid materials. The preferred, but not limiting, dimensions of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140 , second column  12 / 20 / 122 , the upper panel  13 / 90 , the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150  and the bottom shelf  15 / 95 / 100 / 125  are shown in Table 1. Table 1 also provides the preferred, but not limiting, dimensions of the separation between the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  and the second column  12 / 20 / 122 , the separation between the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150  and the upper panel  13 / 90 , the separation between the shelf  14 / 32 / 124 / 150  and the bottom shelf  15 / 95 / 100 / 125 , and the separation between the shelves  14 / 32 / 124 / 150 . 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 15 , a wiring may be laid out inside the first interior portion  41  of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  to facilitate the electronic communication between a lighting system  60  and an electric power source  70  in order to provide a power to the lighting system  60 . Each light emitting diode strip  163  may be configured to have two wires  164 / 165  of two different colors coming out of it and into a power inlet connector  161 . The power inlet connector  161  may then be electrically connected to a power outlet connector  162 , the power outlet connector  162  protruding through an opening  23 / 43 / 82 / 83  ( FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  8 ) in the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  as depicted in  FIG. 13 . The wires of the same color from each power outlet connector  162  on the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  may then be connected together using two separate wire nuts  166 , one for each wire color. The two separate wire nuts  166  may yield two wires  167  and  168  that may then exit the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  through openings  26 / 46 / 84  and be connected to a power supply  74  of the electric power source  70 . The wire nuts  166  serve to hold the joints secure and also provide insulation for the mechanical wire joints. It should also now be relatively easy to envisage another embodiment of an illuminated shelving system claimed herein whereby the wiring described above and the electrical power source  70  may both be positioned in the first interior portion  41  of the first column  11 / 40 / 121 / 140 . 
         [0039]    In yet another embodiment, the illuminated shelving system may further comprise a first  11 / 40 / 121 / 140  or second column  12 / 20 / 122  configured to have a wider width to facilitate attachment of a mirror  111  as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0040]    In still another embodiment, the illuminated shelving system may be configured without an upper panel  13 / 90  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0041]    In another embodiment, a method of installing the illuminated shelving system is presented. The method may begin by securing a first column and a second column to a wall, the first column defining a plurality of apertures on a first side and the second column defining a plurality of apertures on a second side. The first side may be disposed to face the second side. In one embodiment, the attachment may be accomplished by engaging a column over a stud, the stud being attached to the wall. A plurality of screws may then be used to secure the column to the stud through mounting holes. In another embodiment, a column may be attached to the wall by using a combination of bolted steel angle and pop riveting. This may be followed by removably engaging a support to one of the first and second pluralities of apertures. In one embodiment, the support may be a connector selected from the group consisting of brackets, pins, and clips. A shelf extending between the first and second column may then be positioned on at least two supports. A lighting system may be detachably attached on an underside of the shelf. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the lighting system may be electronically connected to an electrical power source by connecting through a wiring protruding through an opening in the first column. In one embodiment, the wiring may be positioned in a hollow interior portion defined by the first column. In another embodiment, both the wiring and the electrical power source may be positioned in the interior portion of the first column. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the method may further include installing an upper panel above the shelf, wherein the upper panel comprises a frame, a cover panel, and a second lighting system. The frame may be configured to extend between the first column and the second column with a top portion of the frame disposed to be flush with a top of the first column and a top of the second column. The method may include securing the frame to the wall, followed by attaching the cover panel to the frame. In one embodiment, the frame may be secured to the wall using various materials, including, but not limited to screws, nails, bolts, staples, silicon adhesives and sealants, and double-sided tape, and the like. Similarly, the cover panel may be attached to the frame using various materials, including, but not limited to screws, nails, bolts, staples, silicon adhesives and sealants, and double-sided tape, and the like. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, the method may include detachably attaching a second lighting system to a bottom portion of the frame using various materials, including, but not limited to magnets, double-side tape, silicon adhesives and sealants, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. The second lighting system may be electronically connected to the electrical power source by connecting through the wiring protruding through a second opening in the first column. The second light system illuminating a space above the shelf. 
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment, the method may still further include positioning a bottom shelf below the shelf. The bottom shelf may be configured to have a substantially planar second base and two flanges perpendicularly extending from a length of the second base. 
         [0046]    While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.