Abstract:
An interchangeable shelf display surface for a shelving system includes a removable display surface featuring a top side and a bottom side. A securing arrangement is adapted to secure the bottom side of the removable display surface to the shelving system.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 61/423,395, filed Dec. 15, 2010, currently pending. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to retail shelving systems and, more particularly, to an interchangeable display surface for the shelves of retail shelving systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In an effort to improve the aesthetic appeal of store environments and to create a more pleasant atmosphere, retailers are increasingly requesting unique finishes, such as two-tone color schemes, granite and wood grain, on the shelves of their shelving systems. Applying these finishes to shelves post-manufacture is time consuming and costly. 
         [0004]    Additionally, years of wear and tear on shelf display surfaces lead to marred and scratched display surfaces. Prior art designs require the removal of entire shelves to be returned to the manufacturer or the like for refinishing to restore an acceptable aesthetic surface. A need therefore exists for a device or method that would allow for the removal and replacement of the damaged shelf display surface without the time and expense involved with the traditional refinishing processes. 
         [0005]    In addition, a need exists for an interchangeable shelf display surface to open up an opportunity for retailers to change display surfaces on a seasonal basis to create new and unique aesthetics to enhance the shopping experience. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top side perspective, partially cutaway view of an example of a prior art shelf that is suitable for use with an embodiment of the interchangeable shelf display surface of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is bottom side perspective view of a first embodiment of the interchangeable shelf display surface of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top side perspective view of a second embodiment of the interchangeable shelf display surface of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4A  is a top side perspective view of a third embodiment of the interchangeable shelf display surface of the present invention in the process of being installed on a shelf; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4B  is a top side perspective view of the installed interchangeable shelf display surface of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top side perspective view of the interchangeable shelf display surface of  FIG. 3  installed on a shelf of a retail shelving system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a bottom side perspective view of the interchangeable shelf display surface of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows the functional elements of a prior art shelf of a retail shelving system. The shelf is composed of two end brackets  10 , a shelf pan  12  and at least one longitudinal support  13 . The components are constructed of metal and are typically mechanically attached to each other by spot and mig welds. 
         [0014]    The present invention provides an interchangeable shelf display surface for shelves such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0015]    An embodiment of the interchangeable shelf display surface of the present invention is indicated in general at  16  in  FIG. 2 . The interchangeable shelf display surface consists of two elements: a removable display surface  18 , preferably fabricated from pre-coated steel to provide aesthetic appeal, and magnetic strips  20  applied to the bottom of the display surface  18  to attach it to the metal shelf pan ( 12  in  FIG. 1 ) of a shelf. The magnetic strips  20  may be secured to the bottom of the display surface  18  by adhesive or other fastening means, or may merely be held in place by magnetic attraction. 
         [0016]    To eliminate sharp edges, the entire perimeter of the interchangeable shelf display surface is preferably hemmed, as indicated at  22  in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0017]    As an alternative to the magnetic strips  20  of  FIG. 2 , alternative temporary securing arrangements known in the art may be used to hold the interchangeable shelf display surface to the shelf pan ( 12  of  FIG. 1 ). These may include, but are not limited to, magnets of other shapes, adhesives, hook and loop fasteners (such as VELCRO), snaps, tape (such as 2-sided) etc. 
         [0018]    As an alternative to steel, the removable display surface may be constructed from any other rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material including, but not limited to plastic, wood, cardboard or paper. 
         [0019]    In an alternative embodiment, indicated in general at  23  in  FIG. 3 , the interchangeable shelf display surface of the present invention can be fabricated with a rounded front edge  24  to change the appearance of a slant nose shelf such that it looks like a bull nosed version. See  FIG. 5  where the interchangeable shelf display surface  23  is installed on shelf  25  of retail shelving system  27 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , perforations  26  can optionally be included in the interchangeable shelf display surface  23  to align with those on existing shelves. 
         [0020]    Another alternative embodiment of the interchangeable shelf display surface is shown at  32  in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  installed on a metal shelf  34  of a retail shelving system  35 . The interchangeable shelf display surface  32  is secured in place by magnetic strips applied to the bottom (not visible in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), illustrated at  36   a - 36   d  in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0021]    While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.