Patent Publication Number: US-2007119795-A1

Title: Power bus for powering electronic devices operating in retail environments

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/760,802 filed Jan. 20, 2004 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/441,367 filed Jan. 20, 2003. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Technical Field of the Invention  
      The principles of the present invention are generally directed to a power bus for delivery of electrical power to electronic and electrical devices operating in a retail environment, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a rail conduit capable of delivering electricity and supporting at least a portion of an electronic or electrical device at substantially any location thereon.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Retail facilities often utilize electronic or electrical devices (“devices”) in relation to products and/or structures for supporting products. Such electronic devices may include electronic displays, coupon dispensers, or other electronic device utilized to provide and/or receive information to and from customers. The electronic devices also may include lights (e.g., fluorescent lights), vacuums, coffee seed grinders, and other electrical products. In providing power to these devices, an outlet or other plug-in type socket is typically wired. These wired electrical sockets are limited in that they may not be aesthetically pleasing and do not provide for the devices to be repositioned to any extent from the electrical socket without the use of an extension cord, which is not aesthetically pleasing. Alternatively, the devices may use batteries, but repositioning of the battery powered devices generally requires inconvenient and/or extensive mechanical reconfiguration, which is also true with repositioning devices that are connected to the electrical sockets.  
      Another problem with locating devices in relation to products is the need for hardware to mount the devices to the structure. The hardware is in addition to the wired socket and costs extra money in terms of cost and labor for installation and/or repositioning. For example, major retail chain stores are currently configured with structures that are used to display products. A typical major retail chain store may have 3 million structures. It is not economical for the retail stores, large or small, to purchase new structures. In addition, it is not cost effective to have electricians retrofit existing structures to be wired as the structures would either have to be disassembled, wired, and reassembled or be configured with wires that are not aesthetically pleasing and can be seen by customers.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      To overcome the problems and limitations of having (i) non-aesthetically pleasing electrical power sockets, (ii) inconvenient and/or extensive mechanical reconfiguration to reposition a device on a structure, and (iii) costly purchasing or retrofitting of structures, for example, the principles of the present invention provide for a system and method for supporting and providing electrical power to devices. One embodiment includes an elongated member coupled to the structure and configured to support a device and to supply electrical power to the device. A coupling member is operable to engage the elongated member or power bus and support the device. The coupling member is operable to be moved from a first position to a second position along the elongated member to reposition the device with respect to the structure. In one embodiment, the elongated member is configured to supply electrical power to the device substantially continuously during movement of the coupling member along the elongated member.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The disclosed invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show sample embodiments of the invention and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein:  
       FIGS. 1-11  illustrate an exemplary portion of a structure that is utilized to support shelves (not shown) for products to be displayed;  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration showing a perspective view of the exemplary upright posts configured to mount adaptors into cavities disposed at the top of the upright posts;  
       FIG. 2  is an illustration showing a perspective view of the adaptors coupled to the upright posts of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an illustration showing a perspective view of an exemplary power bus coupled to the adaptors of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration showing a perspective view of the reverse side of the power bus of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration showing a perspective view of a trolley or coupling element that may be used to couple with the power bus of  FIG. 3  to support and to provide power to a device;  
       FIG. 6  is an illustration showing a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of multiple opposing power buses on the upright posts and adaptors of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
       FIG. 7  is an illustration showing a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the multiple opposing power buses of  FIG. 6  with an end-panel to conceal the power buses for aesthetic and safety purposes;  
       FIG. 8  is an illustration showing a perspective view of two devices being powered by the power buses and extending from the trolley of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 9  is an illustration showing a perspective view of exemplary upright posts with brackets coupled to slots disposed on the upright posts of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 10  is an illustration showing an exemplary embodiment of a power bus being supported by the brackets of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of the power bus of  FIG. 10  including an end-panel to conceal the power bus for aesthetic and safety purposes;  
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are illustrations of front and inside views, respectively, of the exemplary power bus of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIGS. 13A-13D  are illustrations showing a number of views of an exemplary bracket used for constructing a trolley;  
       FIGS. 14A-14D  are illustrations showing a number of an exemplary slider component for use with the trolley of  FIG. 13  that is used to slide or roll within conduits of the power bus of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 15  is an illustration showing a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a trolley,  
       FIGS. 16A-16E  are illustrations showing a number of views of the trolley of  FIG. 15 ;  
       FIGS. 17A-17E  are illustrations showing a number of views of an exemplary electrical connector for applying electricity to or receiving electricity from the power bus of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIGS. 18A-18G  are illustrations of a number of views of an exemplary electrical connector utilized by the trolley of  FIG. 16  for making an electrical connection to the power bus of  FIG. 4 ; and  
       FIGS. 19A-19C  are illustrations showing a number of views showing exemplary electrical conductors for use with the electrical connector of  FIG. 18A . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The principles of the present invention generally relate to a power bus or elongated member that is capable of extending along a structure or fixture used to display products. The structure may be a gondola, shelf, or other retail fixture for displaying products. Alternatively, the power bus may be coupled to an architectural member of an edifice. The architectural member may be a wall, beam, pole, ceiling, floor, or other structural component that mayor may not be configured to display products.  
      The power bus may support and provide electrical power for use by devices. In one embodiment, the devices may access power from the power bus at substantially any location thereon. Alternatively, the power bus may be configured to provide electrical power at certain locations rather than substantially the entire length. The power bus may be formed of one or more elongated members. In one embodiment, the elongated members are rails in the shape of a conduit, tube, or other geometric configuration. The elongated members may also include demarcations or predetermined separation and/or connection points to make shorter or extend the elongated members. Power may be delivered along one or more electrical conductors that are part of or coupled to the power bus (see, for example,  FIGS. 19A-19C ). In one embodiment, the electrical conductors may be copper strips that deliver power along the power bus. Alternatively, copper tape may be applied to the power bus and be utilized to conduct electricity to devices in contact therewith. Both a HIGH side and LOW or ground (GND) side power bus may be provided as understood in the art. In one embodiment, the HIGH side of the power bus delivers an alternating current (AC) signal (e.g., 40 VAC). Alternatively, the HIGH side of the power bus may deliver a direct current (DC) signal. The GND side of the power bus may be either a conductor or the elongated member itself.  
      In addition to the power bus being capable of conducting power, the power bus may further be utilized to conduct information signals to and from devices, where the information signals may include content (e.g., image, video, audio, data) and control information (e.g., brightness, reset, location, data). In one embodiment, information or data representative of a video image may be communicated along the power bus, either along one of the conductors (i.e., HIGH or GND) or on a separate conductor or data line. Control information further may be communicated via the power bus or data line so that devices may timely and properly display the video image, for example.  
       FIGS. 1-11  illustrate a portion of an exemplary structure  100  that is utilized to support shelves (not shown) for retail products to be displayed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of upright posts  102  may be utilized to mount adapters  104  into cavities  106  disposed at the top of the upright posts  102 . Alternatively, the adapters  104  may be configured to be supported by the upright posts  102  by covering the top of the upright posts  102  and extending toward the floor about the upright posts  102 , thereby operating as a sleeve. The adapters  104  may be used to support a power bus, such as that shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
       FIG. 2  shows the adapters  104  of  FIG. 1  engaging the upright posts  102 . The adapters  104  may be configured as a universal adapter such that it is capable of being mounted to multiple variations (i.e., different makes and models of the same or different manufacturers) of upright posts  102  or be customized to fit one particular upright post  102 . Alternatively, the adapters  104  may be configured to be coupled to the side of a structure.  
       FIG. 3  shows a configuration  300  of an exemplary power bus  302  coupled to the adapters  104  of  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, the power bus  302  may include or be coupled to a panel  304  for concealing the power bus  302  from view by customers at a retail location. By concealing the power bus  302  from customers, the fixturing is more aesthetically pleasing and prevents contact by people and objects with the power bus  302  while powered. In another embodiment, the panel  304  may include mounts for printed or electronic displays (e.g., LED or LCD display). The power bus  302  also may include multiple rails or conduits  306   a  and  306   b  (collectively  306 ) that are used to conduct power along the power bus  302 . The conduits  306  may be conductive or have a conductive material (not shown) applied thereto. For example, a copper tape may be applied to each of the conduits  306  so that one carries HIGH voltage potential (e.g., 120 VAC) and the other is at a ground voltage potential as understood in the art. In another embodiment, one conduit  306   a  may include a separate conductor (e.g., copper tape) to supply a HIGH voltage signal and the GND signal may be the conduit structure itself. Still yet, multiple conductors may be utilized to supply multiple HIGH and LOW voltage signals to one or more devices in electrical contact with the power bus  302 .  
      In addition, the same or separate conductors (e.g., conduits  306  or conductive material may be utilized to carry signaling information (i.e., data and control information). The power bus  302  may further be capable of supporting at least a portion of an electronic device directly or by an extension arm (see  FIG. 8 ). A device may be configured to adapt to the power bus  302  via a housing of the device. Alternatively, a coupling device (see, for example,  FIG. 16 ) may be provided to support a device. In either case, both the housing of the device configured to engage the power bus  302  and the coupling device are considered to be coupling devices.  
      In addition to the power bus  302  supporting the device, repositioning of the device requires minimal or no mechanical reconfiguration. For example, the device may be moved via a trolley (see  FIG. 5 ) coupled to the power bus  302 . Alternatively, the device may be moved by rotating a knob (not shown) or altering position of a set screw (not shown) that may be utilized to secure the device to the power bus  302  as understood in the art. It should be understood that there may be multiple power buses  302  configured to a single structure to provide for multiple power access points and contact methods. For example, there may be a power bus  302  on the inside of a structure (i.e., an inside power bus) that enables a trolley (see  FIG. 5 ) to engage the inside power bus  302  and a power bus  302  on the outside of the structure (i.e., an outside power bus) that enables an electrical connector (see  FIG. 17 ) to engage the outside power bus  302 .  
       FIG. 4  shows the reverse side of the power bus of  FIG. 3 . As shown, conduits  306  are configured to receive a slidable or rotatable member (not shown) to provide mobility of a device along the power bus  302 . The power bus  302  engages and/or is coupled to the adapters  104  that are coupled to the upright posts  102 . The panel  304 , which may be coupled to the power bus  302 , conceals the power bus  302  from being viewed by customers at a retail location, for example.  
       FIG. 5  is a configuration  500  of an exemplary coupling member, which in this case is a trolley  502 , that may be used to couple with the power bus  302  to support an electronic device. The trolley  502  may include one or more rollers  504 , knobs, or other protrusions, such as flat surfaces that operate as slides (see, for example,  FIG. 19 ), that may be inserted within one or more of the conduits  306 . The rollers  504  may be conductive so as to receive power from the power bus  302 . Alternatively, another conductive mechanism, such as spring loaded contacts or electrodes, that extends from the trolley  502  may be utilized to receive power from the power bus  302 . In one embodiment, a metallic element (not shown) extending from the trolley  502  may be contacted with conductive surfaces of the power bus  302 . The conductive mechanism may or may not be spring loaded. Alternatively, another mechanism to maintain contact with the conductive surfaces may be utilized as understood in the art.  
      Because the rollers  504  of the trolley  502  may be inserted into the conduits  306 , the trolley  502  may be disposed at substantially any position along the power bus  302 . The device may be repositioned by sliding or rolling the trolley  502  along the power bus  302 . During the repositioning, conductive mechanism(s) may maintain contact with the power bus  302  so that the device being powered maintains power and signaling substantially continuously during the repositioning process. By using a power bus  302  as provided, no or minimal reconfiguration to a structure (e.g., gondola) is needed to reposition the device.  
      As the trolley  502  is moved, gaps that may be intentionally positioned in the conductors may cause a disruption of power to the device so that the device automatically resets, updates, or requests an update of its position from a user, thereby ensuring that the device does not maintain or obtain incorrect information (e.g., product advertising) that is related to a previous position of the device. Various methods for providing a reposition signal to the device before, during, or after being repositioned may be utilized. One embodiment for providing a reposition signal to the device includes sensing a change in position via a sensor (not shown). The sensor may be mechanical optical magnetic, electrical electronic, and the like as understood in the art. Another method is to sense motion (e.g., engagement or disengagement) of a lock or connector of the trolley or device to the power bus. In response to there being a repositioning, either automatically determined by a sensor or a manual entry being entered into the device, a repositioning signal may be communicated to a system (e.g., computer) via a wired or wireless connection for informational or other purposes.  
      An extension arm  506  may be coupled to the trolley  502 . In one embodiment, the extension arm  506  may extend vertically from the trolley  502 . Alternatively, the extension arm  506  may extend in any other direction from the trolley  502  and/or include one or more hinges to enable a user to position the device coupled to the extension arm  506  in any position and/or orientation. The extension arm  506  may be tubular or other geometric shape. In one embodiment, the extension arm  506  is hollow to enable conductors, such as wires, to extend therethrough to supply power to the device from the power bus  302 . Alternatively, conductive surfaces may extend along the surface of the extension arm  506  to supply power to the device.  
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary configuration  600  of multiple opposing power buses  302  configured to the upright posts  102 . An exemplary device  602  may be supported by the extender arm  506 . In this case, the device  602  is an electronic display screen that may display content to customers at a retail store, for example. As shown, the multiple opposing power buses  302  are configured such that each may pass one another when engaged on the opposing power buses  302  (see, for example,  FIG. 15 ). Also shown are panels  504  that are configured to conceal the power buses  302 .  
      Other types of devices that are being utilized in retail environments include wireless devices. More specifically, RFID devices are used to track items located in the retail environment and/or on specific shelf locations. By configuring the RFID devices on the power bus  302 , the RFID devices may be repositioned with minimal or no structural modification of the structure to which the power bus is mounted. Additional information regarding RFID devices is described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application 60/487,650 filed on Jul. 16, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other wireless devices, such as optical devices, may be powered by the power bus  302 .  
       FIG. 7  is an illustration showing a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the multiple opposing buses  302  of  FIG. 6  with an exemplary end-panel  702  to conceal the power buses  702  for both aesthetic and safety purposes. Because the end-panel  702  may adapt to the power buses  302 , the end-panel may itself be a device (e.g., display) that may be utilized to display information to customers. For example, aisle number and/or aisle content may be displayed. Although the end-panel  702  shown is configured to be approximately the same size as the area defined by the opposing power buses  302 , it should be understood that larger sized or different shaped end-panels  702  may be utilized.  
       FIG. 8  is an illustration showing a perspective view of two devices  602  being powered by the power buses  302  and extended from the trolley (not shown) of  FIG. 5 . The devices  602  may be repositioned along the power bus concealed behind the panels  304  and  702  by moving the trolley along the power bus. It should be understood that multiple devices may be supported and supplied power by the power bus via the trolley. Other mechanisms, such as a clip (see, for example,  FIG. 17 ), may be utilized to engage the power bus  302  and supply power to the devices.  
      Further shown in  FIG. 8  is a power cable  802  extending from a ceiling (not shown) to supply power to the power bus. Alternatively, other power cables from other locations, such as the floor, structure, other power buses, etc. In general, for safety purposes and conforming to device supply power specifications, a transformer may be utilized to lower or convert electrical power being supplied to the power bus. In one embodiment, rather than having a transformer packaged in a “box”, a transformer (not shown) may be formed in a housing of a trolley. The transformer may be locked to the power bus to avoid injury due to high power being applied to the transformer and to ensure proper contact with the power bus.  
       FIG. 9  is an illustration showing a perspective view of an exemplary structure  900  including upright posts  102  with brackets  902  to slots  904  disposed on the upright posts  102  of  FIG. 1 . The brackets  902  may be utilized to support the power bus  302  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The bracket  902  may be composed of metal, metal alloy, or plastic material that is capable of supporting the power bus (not shown). In addition, while the brackets  902  are coupled to the slots  904 , other supporting and/or bracing mechanisms may be utilized to add strength to support the power bus. The bracket  902  includes a base plate member  906  and a lip member  908  extending from the base plate member  906 , thereby forming a slot  910  by which the power bus  302  may be supported. Additional and/or other fastening mechanisms, such as additional slots, screws, fastening mechanisms, or other devices for securing the power bus to the bracket may be utilized.  
       FIG. 10  is an illustration showing an exemplary embodiment of the power bus  302  being supported by the brackets  902  of  FIG. 9 . As shown, the power bus  302  includes members  1002  and  1004 , which are substantially parallel and extend vertically downward, thereby forming a slot  1006 . The lip  908  ( FIG. 9 ) may thereby extend into the slot  1006  and the member  1002  may extend into the slot  910  so that the bracket  902  supports the power bus  302 . The trolley  502  ( FIG. 5 ) is shown to be engaged with the power bus  302  to support and supply power to the device  602 .  
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of the power bus  302  of  FIG. 10  including an end-panel  702  ( FIG. 7 ) to conceal the power bus for aesthetic and safety purposes. The end-panel  702  may be locked into position by a locking mechanism (not shown) such that there is a prevention of the trolley  502  from being positioned off of the power bus  302 , which, in addition, acts to prevent theft of the device  602 .  
      It should be understood that the two configurations (i.e., coupling power bus to the upright posts via adapters on the top of the upright posts  102  or coupled to slots of the upright posts  102 ) provided herein are merely exemplary and that many other configurations are possible in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For example, the power bus  302  may be mounted to a wall, mounted to a ceiling, mounted below a shelf, or extended from the edge of a shelf. Further, the length of the power bus  302  may be varied according to the particular application that the power bus is to be applied. In one embodiment, the power bus  302  may have “break points” (not shown) where it may be separated or severed to form different lengths. Alternatively, and/or additionally, “connection points” (not shown) may be included on the power buses to enable lengthening or extending a power bus. In lengthening the power bus, a conductive jumper may be configured between individual power buses so that electrical power is continuous across the entire length of power buses and that only one power supply is needed to power an entire extended power bus. The power bus  302  may also be configured in a variety of different orientations, such as vertically or diagonally. The trolley  502  may have a set screw or other fastening mechanism to lock the trolley  502  in place on the power bus  302  if the power bus  302  is oriented other than horizontally.  
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of front and inside views of the exemplary power bus  302  of  FIG. 4 . As shown, conduits  1202  and  1204  extend along the power bus  302  and members  1206  and  1208 , which are utilized to secure a coupling device (e.g., trolley  502 ) and to enable the coupling device to be moved or repositioned thereon.  FIG. 12B  illustrates a side view of the power bus  302 . As shown, the conduits  1202  and  1204  extend along the power bus  302 .  
       FIG. 13A  illustrates a top view of an exemplary bracket  1300  used for constructing a trolley. The bracket  1300  includes a U-shaped indentation  1302  to enable an extender arm (see, for example, extender arm  506  of  FIG. 10 ) to be supported by the bracket  1300 .  FIG. 13B  illustrates a perspective view of the bracket  1300  showing that a member  1304  includes a U-shaped indentation  1306  that is aligned with the U-shaped indentation  1302  for aligning and supporting the extender arm  FIG. 13C  is a rear view of the bracket  1300 . Connector openings  1308  may be utilized to secure another bracket member (not shown) for maintaining position of the extender arm.  FIG. 13D  is a side view of the bracket  1300 .  
       FIG. 14A  is an illustration showing a top view of an exemplary slider component performing a trolley that is used to slide or roll within the conduits of the power bus  302  of  FIG. 4 . As shown, a first protrusion  1402  extends from slider component  1400  to extend through a conduit of the power bus  302 . In one embodiment, the first protrusion  1402  may be conductive to operate as an electrode for accessing power from the power bus  302 . Still yet, the protrusion  1402  may be rotatable such that it operates as a wheel to enable the trolley to roll along the power bus  302 . The first protrusion  1402  may also be spring loaded to maintain position and contact with a conductive surface.  FIG. 14B  is an illustration showing a perspective view of the slider component  1400  that includes the first protrusion  1402  and a second protrusion  1404 . The second protrusion  1404  may extend into a conduit of the power bus  302  to support the trolley. Additionally, the second protrusion  1404  may be conductive such that is receives a voltage potential (e.g., ground) for supplying to a device.  FIG. 14C  is a rear view of the slider component  1400 . As shown, the second protrusions  1404  are disposed on flap members  1406 , which may provide a “spring” operation to enable the second protrusion  1404  to maintain contact with a conductive surface of the power bus  302 .  FIG. 14D  is an illustration of a side view of the slider component  1400 . As shown, the slider component includes a first vertical member  1408  that the first protrusion  1402  and second protrusion  1404  are coupled. An extender member  1410  extends from the first vertical member  1408  to maintain position of a second vertical member  1412 . A third protrusion  1414  may be coupled to a surface that opposes the first vertical member  1408 . The third protrusion  1414  may extend into a conduit of the power bus for alignment and/or other purposes, such as supplying power or signals to a device.  
       FIG. 15  is an illustration showing a side view of another embodiment of the exemplary trolley  502  of  FIG. 5 . As shown, the slider element  1400  is configured to adapt to the power bus  302 . As shown, extender arms  506  are configured to be supported by the trolley  502 . The trolley  502  may have a curved side surface  1502  for aesthetic and safety purposes.  
       FIG. 16A  is an illustration showing a perspective view of the trolley  502  of  FIG. 15 . As shown, the trolley  502  is engaged (i.e., in working operation) with the power bus  302  of  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, the trolley  502  may be utilized to support a device on the power bus  302  and supply electrical power and signaling from the power bus  302  to the device. The trolley  502  may have two or more conductive contacts (not shown) and a separate signal contact (not shown) if the power and signaling buses are separate. As shown, the trolley  502  may have a flat, low profile rear surface  1602  to enable back-to-back trolleys  502  to pass each other without contact or interference.  FIG. 16B  is an illustration showing a top view of the trolley  502  engaging the power bus  302 . As shown, the flat surface  1602  is low profile such that two power buses  302  may be disposed in relation to enable two trolleys  502  to pass one another during relocation of a device.  FIG. 16C  is an illustration showing a rear view of the trolley  502  engaging the power bus  302 .  FIGS. 16D and 16E  are illustrations showing side views of the trolley  502  engaging the power bus  302 .  
       FIGS. 17A-17E  depict an exemplary electrical connector  1700  for applying electricity to or receiving electricity from the power bus  302  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 17A  is a side view of the electrical connector  1700  and shows two electrical conductor pads  1702   a  and  1702   b  (collectively  1702 ) extending from conduit guides  1704   a - 1704   b  (collectively  1704 ). The electrical conductor pads  1702  are placed in contact with conductors of the power bus  302  (see  FIG. 19Q ) and are able to slide along the conductors and remain in contact therewith so as to provide substantially continuous power to the device being powered. A cable guide  1706  extends from the electrical connector  1700  to allow a power cable (see  FIG. 19B ) to be coupled with the electrical connector  1700 . A connector clip  1708  may include teeth  1710  to assist in maintaining connection of the power cable.  
       FIG. 17B  is a rear view of the electrical connector  1700 . Conduit guides  1704 , connector clip  1708 , and power cable are shown.  FIG. 17C  is a bottom view of the electrical connector  1700 . Two electrical contacts  1712   a  and  1712   b  (collectively  1712 ) are shown. The electrical contacts  1712  are utilized to engage electrical conductors of the power cable to conduct electricity between the power cable and the electrical conductor pads  1702 .  FIGS. 17D and 17E  are perspective views of the electrical connector  1700 .  FIG. 17E  shows the electrical contact pads  1702  extending from the bottom or end of the conduit guides  1704 .  
       FIGS. 18A-18G  are a number of illustrations showing a trolley electrical connector  1800  (i.e., an electrical connector utilized by the trolley  502  for mating an electrical connector to a power bus). As shown on  FIG. 18A , there are electrical contact pads  1802   a  and  1802   b  (collectively  1802 ) that are utilized to contact the power bus (e.g., power bus  302  of  FIG. 3 ).  FIG. 18B  is an illustration showing a top view of the trolley electrical connector  1800  having electrical contacts  1804   a  and  1804   b  disposed therein to engage conductors of a power cable.  FIG. 18C  is an illustration showing a perspective rear view of the trolley electrical connector  1800  showing the electrical contacts  1804   a  and  1804   b  disposed thereon for contacting the conductors of the power cable. The trolley electrical connector  1800  includes a connector clip  1806  having teeth  1808  for use in maintaining position of a power cable.  FIG. 18D  is an illustration that shows a front isometric view of the trolley electrical connector  1800 .  FIG. 18E  is an illustration that shows a rear view of the trolley electrical connectors.  
       FIGS. 18F and 18G  are exemplary configurations of the trolley electrical connectors  1800  in connection with the power bus  302 .  FIG. 18F  is an illustration of a top view of the configuration showing the trolley electrical connector  1800  engaging the power bus  302 . As shown in  FIG. 18G , which is a side view of the configuration, the electrical connector  1800  engages the power bus  302  via the conduits  306  with the electrical contact pads  1802 . A power cable  1810 , which may be flexible or semi-rigid, having conductors  1812  may be coupled to the electrical connector  1800  via the electrical contacts  1804 .  
       FIGS. 19A-19C  are illustrations showing a number of views showing exemplary electrical conductors for use with the electrical connector of  FIG. 18A .  FIG. 19A  illustrates an exemplary segment of the power bus  302  ( FIG. 3 ) that includes a HIGH electrical conductor  1902   a  and LOW or GND electrical conductor  1902   b  (collectively  1902 ). The HIGH electrical conductor  1902   a  may supply or carry AC (e.g., 40 VAC or DC (e.g., 12 VDC) for devices to be powered. Although shown as two electrical conductors  1902 , there may be additional electrical conductors if other power levels (e.g., AC, DC, GND-AC, GND-DC) are desired for multiple devices that require different voltage supply levels and/or types.  
       FIG. 19B  is an illustration of a side view of the power bus  302  with the connector  1700  ( FIG. 17 ) engaged thereto. As shown, electrical conductor pads  1702   a  and  1702   b  contact the electrical conductors  1902  to supply power to a power cable  1904 , which is secured via the clip  1708 . The power cable  1904  may be used to deliver electrical power to a shelf edge, socket, device, or other electrical component. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical connector  1700  and power cable  1904  may be used to deliver electrical power to the power bus  302 . Still yet, the power cable  1904  and electrical connector  1700  may be utilized to communicate data (e.g., video data) to and from the power bus  302 .  
       FIG. 19C  is an illustration of a front view of the electrical connector  1700  engaging the electrical conductors  1902  of the power bus  302 . The electrical connector  1700  provides for sliding of the electrical connection point with the power bus  302  and for substantially maintaining power connection during the sliding operation. The configuration makes for an inexpensive and substantially hardware-free solution to moving power locations on structures to connect devices, for example.  
      The innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a wide rage of applications. Accordingly, the scope of patented subject matter should not be limited to any of the specific exemplary teachings discussed, but is instead defined by the following claims.