Patent Description:
In many exemplary power/signal systems, providing power to many devices along a shelf of a merchandise display may, in certain instances, be desired. Additionally, providing power to many devices while creating a dynamic or flexible system that allows for device relocation, addition of devices, and removal of devices for the power/signal systems may, in certain instances, be desired.

<CIT> discloses a power supply rail laid along the longitudinal direction of a shelf board for mounting an article at the forward end portion of the shelf board, the power supply rail comprising two installation grooves formed continuously along the longitudinal direction of the shelf board both at the upper and lower portions thereof and capable of fixing attachments, and electrode portions provided continuously along the longitudinal direction of the shelf board in these two installation grooves and capable of supplying power.

The present invention provides a merchandise display as claimed in claim <NUM>.

Disclosed herein is a low voltage power system for a merchandise display comprising a rail member that includes a shelf-engaging member extending between a first end of the rail member and a second end of the rail member opposite the first end, where the shelf-engaging member is configured to contact an upper surface of a first shelf of the merchandise display. The shelf-engaging member may comprise a front end configured to be adjacent a front side of the first shelf of the merchandise display. A power connector portion may be attached to the front end of the shelf-engaging member and extend from the first end to the second end of the rail member, where the power connector portion includes a top surface, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a recess opposite the top surface. The recess may include a pair of upper channels where the pair of upper channels comprises a first upper channel located on a first inner recess surface opposite the front surface and a second upper channel located on a second inner recess surface opposite the rear surface. A first conductive member may be secured in the first upper channel and a second conductive member may be secured in the second upper channel, where the first and second conductive members transmit electrical power to at least one low voltage device.

Also disclosed herein is a low voltage power system where the first conductive member and the second conductive member are continuous along approximately an entire length of the rail member, where the entire length is defined as a distance from the first end of the rail member to the second end of the rail member. The first conductive member and the second conductive member may both have rectangular cross-sectional shapes. In addition, an end cap may be secured within the recess in the first end or the second end of the rail member. The rail member may include a label display holder, where the label display holder extends from a lower surface of the shelf-engaging member and includes a central channel configured to secure a product label. A receiving member may extend rearward from a lower edge of the label display holder, where the receiving member is configured to receive an LED lighting assembly to illuminate a second shelf below the first shelf.

Still further disclosed herein is a low voltage power system having a voltage of less than <NUM> volts. Additionally, the low voltage power system may provide power to a plurality of low voltage power devices simultaneously, where each low voltage device may be powered at any location along a length of the rail member. The shelf-engaging member of the rail member may include a pair of elongated slots extending through the shelf-engaging member, where each slot of the pair of elongated slots receives an engaging member from a product management system, where the product management system includes a pusher system. The shelf-engaging member may be positioned underneath a front rail of the product management system. The low voltage device may be an illuminated tab, where the illuminated tab includes a label holder, an array of LEDs secured in a tab clip, and a first conductive spring contact engaged with the first conductive member and a second conductive spring contact engaged with the second conductive member.

Also disclosed herein is a low voltage power system where the at least one low voltage device is an illuminated product highlighter, where the illuminated product highlighter includes a platform for supporting product, a first electrical contact engaged with the first conductive member, a second electrical contact engaged with the second conductive member, and a plurality of LEDs that illuminate underneath the product. The at least one low voltage device may include a first spring contact engaging the first conductor member and a second spring contact engaging the second conductor member, wherein the first spring contact and the second spring contact provide both an electrical connection to power the low voltage device and a mechanical connection to secure the low voltage device to the power connector portion. The first power connector and the second power connector may both comprise a plurality of pieces that are intermittently located within the power connector portion.

A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration of various structures in accordance with the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Also, while the terms "top" and "bottom" and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the Figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In one exemplary aspect of the present invention, a low voltage power system may comprise a rail member that attaches to a shelf of a merchandise display, where the low voltage power system includes a configuration of conductive members arranged in a manner as to provide electrical power and/or signal distribution to a low voltage power device. The rail member may attach to the forward portion, the rear portion, and/or the side edge of a shelf of a merchandise display. The rail member may comprise a shelf-engaging member, a power connector portion, where the power connector portion may attach to (or extend from) a front end of the shelf-engaging member and comprise a recess. The recess of the power connector portion may include a pair of upper channels that may secure the conductive members to the rail member. The low voltage power device may connect to the conductive members anywhere along the length of the rail member. Generally, low voltage power systems and low voltage power devices may have a voltage of approximately <NUM> volts or less.

<FIG> illustrates a partial view of an exemplary low voltage power system <NUM> comprising a rail member <NUM> and a pair of conductive members <NUM>. The rail member <NUM> may have a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> opposite the first end <NUM>. The rail member <NUM> may further comprise a shelf-engaging member <NUM> to provide a secure attachment to a shelf <NUM> of a merchandise display <NUM>, shown in <FIG> extending between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. The shelf-engaging member <NUM> may comprise a flat surface that contacts the upper surface of the shelf <NUM>, which may be attached to the shelf <NUM> using an adhesive, magnets, or other similar means. Alternatively or optionally, the shelf-engaging member <NUM> may be secured to the shelf <NUM> by a product management system <NUM> as described in more detail below. The shelf-engaging member <NUM> may also have a rear end <NUM> and a front end <NUM>. A power connector portion <NUM> may connect to and extend forward from the front end <NUM> of the shelf-engaging member <NUM> and extend the entire length of the rail member <NUM> from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>. The power connector portion <NUM> may include a front surface <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM> opposite the front surface, and a top surface <NUM>. The power connector portion <NUM> may connect to the shelf-engaging member <NUM> along the rear surface <NUM> of the power connector portion <NUM>. The front surface <NUM>, and the rear surface <NUM> may have the same cross-sectional length and in some embodiments, the top surface <NUM> may have the same cross-sectional length as either the front surface <NUM> or the rear surface <NUM>.

A pair of conductive members <NUM> may be secured to the rail member <NUM> along a pair of upper channels <NUM> positioned within a recess <NUM> of the power connector portion <NUM>. The pair of upper channels <NUM> may include a first upper channel 116A on a first inner recess surface opposite the front surface <NUM> and a second upper channel 116B on a second inner recess surface opposite the rear surface <NUM>. The conductive members <NUM> may transmit the electrical power necessary to a plurality of low voltage devices that engage the conductive members <NUM>. Each of the conductive members <NUM> may be inserted into each upper channel <NUM> from either end <NUM>, <NUM> of the rail member <NUM>. Each of the conductive members, or bus bars, <NUM> may be a continuous member such that it extends the entire length of the upper channel <NUM> or almost the entire length of the rail member <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the length of the conductive members <NUM> may be the length of the rail member <NUM> minus an offset distance from the either end <NUM>, <NUM> to allow room for the end cap <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, which may be secured in the recess <NUM> at each end <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, the conductive members <NUM> may have a length of at least <NUM> percent of the length of the rail member <NUM>, or have a length of at least <NUM> percent of the length of the rail member <NUM>.

In addition, a label display holder <NUM> attaches near the front end <NUM> of the shelf-engaging member <NUM>, where the label display holder <NUM> extends below the shelf-engaging member <NUM>. The rear surface of the label display holder <NUM> may contact the front edge of the shelf <NUM> of the merchandise display and help to locate the rail member <NUM> on the shelf <NUM>. The label display holder <NUM> has a central channel <NUM> to secure product labels, price tags, or other similar materials to help describe the products on the merchandise display <NUM>. In addition, the label display holder <NUM> has a receiving member <NUM> extending rearward from a lower edge <NUM> of the label display holder <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> may also have a lower channel <NUM> that extends the length of the rail member <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> secures a LED lighting assembly (<NUM>) to illuminate a second shelf below the shelf <NUM> having the low voltage power system <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Optionally, a lighting assembly <NUM> may be secured to an upper region of the rail member <NUM> to illuminate the shelf <NUM> above the low voltage power system <NUM>. Further, the receiving member <NUM> may be oriented such that any light coming from a lighting assembly <NUM> may be directed toward the front of a shelf below the shelf <NUM> having the low voltage power system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the receiving member <NUM> may have an opening <NUM> of the lower channel <NUM> that is oriented downward opposite a top surface of the shelf-engaging member <NUM> and rearward away from the front surface <NUM> of the power connector portion <NUM>.

Additionally, the low voltage power system <NUM> may be powered by a power cord <NUM> connected to a power source. The power cord <NUM> may be positioned under the shelf <NUM> or in another area of the merchandise display <NUM> and provide power to the conductive members <NUM>. The power cord <NUM> may enter and exit the rail member <NUM> through one of the ends <NUM>, <NUM>, through the end cap <NUM>, or from the recess <NUM>. The power cord <NUM> may also provide power to the lighting assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, the low voltage power system <NUM> may powered by a battery or other local power source. As another option, the power may be supplied to the low voltage power system <NUM> by a low voltage power supply as disclosed in <CIT>, now <CIT>,.

<FIG> illustrates embodiments of the low voltage power system <NUM> installed on an exemplary merchandise display <NUM>, while <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate exploded views of the low voltage power system <NUM> assembled to a shelf <NUM> of a merchandise display <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each low voltage power system <NUM> may provide power to a plurality of low voltage devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> via electrical contacts on the low voltage devices engaging the conductive members <NUM>. The low voltage devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may attach at any location along the rail member <NUM>, or alternatively adjacent to the rail member <NUM>. Because the conductive members <NUM> extend along the length of the rail member <NUM>, the low voltage power devices may be powered by the system <NUM> at any location along the length of the rail member <NUM>. The low voltage power devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> powered by the system <NUM> may include illuminated tabs and signs, illuminated product highlighters, electronic shelf labels, motor driven display elements, such as spinning devices, LED screens, informational tablets, or similar devices. Still other devices that may be powered may include devices that are currently battery powered, like coupon dispensers. While not limited to these devices shown in the figures, devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will be described in more detail below.

The low voltage power system <NUM> may work in conjunction with a product management system <NUM> that may comprise a plurality of dividers <NUM> to separate the products <NUM> on the shelf <NUM> and/or a pusher system <NUM> to keep products near the front of the shelf <NUM> as known to one skilled in the art, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. An exemplary product management system <NUM> such as one that disclosed in <CIT>, now <CIT> and <CIT>, now <CIT>. The shelf-engaging member <NUM> may include a plurality of elongated slots <NUM> that extend through the shelf-engaging member <NUM>. The elongated slots <NUM> may be arranged in pairs, and as shown in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the shelf-engaging member <NUM> may have multiple pairs of elongated slots <NUM>. The slots <NUM> may align with a hole pattern located along the shelf <NUM> of the merchandise display <NUM>. By having the slots <NUM> align with this hole pattern, the engaging members of a front rail portion <NUM> of the product management system <NUM> may extend through the slot <NUM> and into the shelf <NUM> of the merchandise display <NUM> allowing the low voltage power system <NUM> and the product management system <NUM> to work together to create an effective merchandise display. When the product management system <NUM> and the low voltage power system <NUM> are used together, the shelf-engaging member <NUM> may be positioned underneath a front rail portion <NUM> of a product management system <NUM>. The low voltage power system <NUM> and the rail member <NUM> may also extend forward of the product management system <NUM> to avoid any interference with the product management system <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the low voltage power system <NUM> comprises a power connector portion <NUM> having a recess <NUM> with an opening on the lower portion of the power connector portion <NUM> opposite the top surface <NUM>. A pair of upper channels <NUM> extend the length of the power connector <NUM>. The upper channels <NUM> may have a corresponding shape to the conductive members <NUM>. For example, as shown in the figures, each upper channel <NUM> and each conductive member <NUM> may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Alternatively, the upper channels <NUM> and conductive members <NUM> may have any cross-sectional shape such as round, square, oval or other geometric shape. In addition, each upper channel <NUM> may have tabs <NUM> at both the top and bottom of each upper channel <NUM> to retain the conductive members <NUM>. The upper channels <NUM> may be substantially parallel to each other such that the conductive members <NUM> are configured substantially parallel to each other. Alternatively, the upper channels <NUM> and the conductive members <NUM> may be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other or at angle to each other.

In addition, the power connector portion <NUM> may have an exterior rear surface <NUM> adjacent the shelf-engaging member <NUM> that forms an acute angle with the shelf-engaging member <NUM>. For example, the acute angle between the rear surface <NUM> and the shelf-engaging member <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> degrees, or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. In addition, the label display holder <NUM> may have a front surface <NUM> that is substantially parallel to the rear surface <NUM> of the power connector portion <NUM>. As discussed above, a receiving member <NUM> may extend from the lower edge <NUM> of the label display holder <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> may a pair of substantially parallel walls <NUM> extending downward on either side of the lower channel <NUM>. The parallel walls <NUM> may have different lengths or may have the same length. Each of the walls <NUM> may have a tab <NUM> extending substantially perpendicular to each of the walls <NUM> to help secure the lighting assembly <NUM>, or other device that may be installed within the lower channel <NUM>.

The power connector portion <NUM> may also include a pair of engaging members <NUM> that are positioned below the upper channels <NUM> that may help to secure a low voltage power device to the rail member <NUM>. The engaging members <NUM> may be an outward facing channel as shown in <FIG> or alternatively an inward facing channel as shown in <FIG>. The engaging members <NUM> may have a lower surface <NUM> to assist attaching the low voltage power devices to the rail member <NUM>.

The conductive members <NUM> may be any material, shape, form, or type of conductive material, such as copper or brass that allow the distribution of power as known to those skilled in the art. The conductive members <NUM> may also be conductive wires, rods, or plates or other surfaces and materials that allow the distribution of power. As described above, each conductive members <NUM> may be continuous with each made of a single piece of material. Alternatively, the conductive members may be a plurality of pieces that may be intermittently placed within the upper channel <NUM>.

The rail member <NUM> may be formed of a single unitary piece and formed of a polymer or other non-conductive material. The rail member <NUM> may be formed by a variety of techniques such as a thin walled extrusion process, or alternatively a molding process. Supplemental machining or other finishing processes may be performed on the rail member <NUM>.

As described above, the low voltage power system <NUM> may transmit power to a variety of low power devices. <FIG> illustrate an exemplary low power device in the form of an illuminated tab <NUM>. The illuminated tab <NUM> comprises a tab clip <NUM> that may form the base of the illuminated tab <NUM>, a pair of conductive contacts <NUM> may wrap around each side of the tab clip <NUM> with each conductive contact <NUM> including a spring contact <NUM> extending upward from a top surface of the conductive contact <NUM>. Each of the spring contacts <NUM> engages a corresponding conductive member <NUM> of the low voltage power system <NUM>. The conductive contacts <NUM> may extend a majority of length of the illuminated tab <NUM>, while the spring contacts <NUM> may extend only a portion of the length of the illuminated tab <NUM>. For example, the spring contacts <NUM> may have a length between <NUM> percent and <NUM> percent of the length of the illuminated tab <NUM>, while in other embodiments, the spring contacts <NUM> may have a length between <NUM> percent and <NUM> percent of the length of the illuminated tab <NUM>. The spring contacts <NUM> may provide both the electrical connection to the conductive members <NUM> as well as the mechanical connection necessary to secure the illuminated tab <NUM> to the rail member <NUM>, such as a friction fit. Alternatively, the spring contacts <NUM> may only provide the electrical connection to the conductive members <NUM>. The illuminated tab <NUM> may include an array of multiple LEDs <NUM> or other light sources that is secured in the lower opening <NUM> of the tab clip <NUM> and a label holder <NUM> that is connected to the tab clip <NUM>. The LEDs when illuminated may help to attract attention to the product and also display any relevant information about the product to a consumer.

<FIG> illustrate an illuminated product highlighter <NUM> powered by the low voltage power system <NUM>. The product highlighter <NUM> may have electrical contacts <NUM> similar to the illuminated tab <NUM> such that the contacts engage the conductive members <NUM> of the low voltage power system <NUM>. The product highlighter <NUM> may comprise a platform <NUM> to support the product <NUM> that extends out beyond the forward perimeter of the rail member <NUM> and extends rearward beyond the rear end <NUM> of the shelf-engaging member <NUM>. The platform <NUM> may have a plurality of LEDs or other light sources that illuminates the platform <NUM> underneath the product <NUM>. For example, the platform <NUM> may extend the entire length of the row of products from the front of the shelf <NUM> to the rear of the shelf <NUM>. The platform <NUM> may include a transparent or translucent surface.

As another example of a low voltage device that engages the low voltage power system <NUM> may be an electronic product label <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The electronic product label <NUM> may have electrical contacts <NUM> similar to the illuminated tab <NUM> such that the contacts engage the conductive members <NUM> of the low voltage power system <NUM>. The electronic product label <NUM> may also have a mounting structure <NUM> that extends below the electrical contacts <NUM> and extends forward to a support surface <NUM> that secures the electronic label <NUM>. The support surface <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the front surface <NUM> of the label display holder <NUM> when the electronic product label <NUM> is engaged with the rail member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A merchandise display (<NUM>) comprising:
a first shelf (<NUM>);
a second shelf below the first shelf (<NUM>);
a low voltage device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a low voltage power system (<NUM>) including:
a rail member (<NUM>) including:
a shelf-engaging member (<NUM>) extending between a first end (<NUM>) of the rail member (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) of the rail member (<NUM>) opposite the first end (<NUM>), wherein the shelf-engaging member (<NUM>) is configured to contact an upper surface of the first shelf (<NUM>), wherein the shelf-engaging member (<NUM>) comprises a front end (<NUM>) configured to be adjacent a front side of the first shelf (<NUM>),
a power connector portion (<NUM>) attached to the front end (<NUM>) of the shelf-engaging member (<NUM>) and extending from the first end (<NUM>) to the second end (<NUM>) of the rail member (<NUM>), wherein the power connector portion (<NUM>) includes a top surface (<NUM>), a front surface (<NUM>), a rear surface (<NUM>) opposite the front surface (<NUM>), and a recess (<NUM>) opposite the top surface (<NUM>), wherein the recess (<NUM>) includes a pair of upper channels (<NUM>) comprising a first upper channel (116A) on a first inner recess surface opposite the front surface (<NUM>) and a second upper channel (116B) on a second inner recess surface opposite the rear surface (<NUM>), and
a first conductive member (<NUM>) secured in the first upper channel (116A) and a second conductive member (<NUM>) secured in the second upper channel (116B), wherein the first and second conductive members (<NUM>) transmit electrical power to the low voltage device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a label display holder (<NUM>), wherein the label display holder (<NUM>) extends below the shelf-engaging member (<NUM>) and includes a central channel (<NUM>) configured to secure a product label;
a receiving member (<NUM>), wherein the receiving member (<NUM>) extends rearward from a lower edge of the label display holder (<NUM>); and
an LED lighting assembly (<NUM>) secured within the receiving member and oriented to illuminate the second shelf.