CONNECTOR SYSTEM

Abstract

An electronic shelving display system comprises at least one shelf support 62, at least one electrically conductive track 4, 104 comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elements 40, mountable to the shelf support, at least one connector 2, 102 for an electrically conductive track, and at least one shelf 64. The connector 2, 102 comprises one or more cables 6, 106; at least one electrical contact 8 coupled to each cable; and a housing 16 configured to engage the track and urge the electrical contacts into contact with the electrical conductors. The connector 2, 102 is releasably engageable with the electrically conductive track 4, 104 to provide an electrical connection to allow for the supply of power and/or data to the shelf 64. A connector for an electrically conductive track, a method of making an electrical connection, and an electrically conductive track are also provided.

Claims

1. An electronic shelving display system comprising: at least one shelf support; at least one electrically conductive track, comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elements, mountable to the shelf support; at least one connector for an electrically conductive track; and at least one shelf; wherein the connector is a double-ended connector comprising one or more cables; at least one electrical contact coupled to each cable; and first and second housings configured to engage a track and urge the electrical contacts into contact with the electrically conductive elements; and wherein the connector is releasably engageable with the electrically conductive track to provide an electrical connection to allow for the supply of power and/or data to the shelf.

2. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive elements are ribbon conductors.

3. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein the track and the connector are keyed so that the connector is engageable with the track only in a predetermined orientation.

4. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical contact is resiliently deformable.

5. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one electrical contact comprises a leaf spring.

6. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is engageable with the track by way of a slide-on mechanism.

7. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein the track comprises at least one retaining lip.

8. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 7, wherein the housing comprises at least one retaining arm configured to mate with the retaining lip so as to engage the connector with the track.

9. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 8, wherein the retaining arm is resiliently deformable.

10. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 8, wherein the housing comprises at least one handle coupled to the retaining arm, movable so as to move the retaining arm for disengagement from the track.

11. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises a main portion and a retaining portion, and the retaining portion is moveable between a first position relative to the main portion, in which the one or more cables are not retained in the housing, and a second position, in which the one or more cables are retained in the housing.

12. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 11, wherein, with the retaining portion in the second position, the at least one cable is retained between the main portion and the retaining portion.

13. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 11, wherein the retaining portion comprises a resiliently deformable wedge insertable into the main portion.

14. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 13, wherein the retaining portion comprises a notch releasably engageable with the main portion, such that the notch engages with the main portion when the retaining portion is in the second position.

15. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1 wherein the connector can engage with the track at a plurality of positions along the length of the track.

16. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient electrical contact comprises a convex surface configured to engage the electrically conductive elements.

17. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, wherein at least one electrically conductive element is used for the transmission of power and at least one electrically conductive element is used for the transmission of data.

18. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, additionally comprising an electrically insulating track-cover.

19. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 18, wherein the track-cover comprises at least one retaining arm configured to mate with the retaining lip so as to engage the track-cover with the track.

20. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 18, wherein the track-cover comprises at least one openable portion, through which the connector may connect to the track.

21. (canceled)

22. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, comprising a second electrically conductive track mountable to the shelf, wherein the second electrically conductive track comprises an electrically conductive track according claim 1.

23. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 22, wherein the first housing is engageable to the electrically conductive track, and the second housing is engageable to the second electrically conductive track, so as to provide an electrical connection between the two tracks.

24. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 1, comprising an electronic shelving display mount mounted to the shelf.

25. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 24, wherein the electronic shelving display mount comprises a third electrically conductive track.

26. An electronic shelving display system according to claim 24, comprising one or more electronic shelf label displays mountable to the electronic shelving display mount.

27-50. (canceled)

51. A connector for an electrically conductive track comprising: one or more cables; at least one electrical contact coupled to each cable; and a housing configured to engage a track and urge each electrical contact into contact with the track; wherein the connector is releasably engageable with the track; and wherein the connector is a double-ended connector comprising a first housing and a second housing.

52. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein the connector is configured to releasably clip on to a track.

53. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein the connector is configured to releasably slide on to a track.

54. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein the at least one electrical contact is a resiliently deformable electrical contact.

55. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 54, wherein the at least one resilient electrical contact comprises a leaf spring.

56. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein the housing comprises at least one retaining arm configured to engage with a retaining lip on a track.

57. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 56, wherein the at least one retaining arm is resiliently deformable.

58. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 56, wherein the housing comprises at least one handle coupled to the retaining arm, wherein movement of the at least one handle moves the retaining arm so as to disengage the arm from a track.

59. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein the housing comprises a main portion and a retaining portion, and the retaining portion is moveable between a first position relative to the main portion, in which the one or more cables are not retained in the housing, and a second position, in which the one or more cables are retained in the housing.

60. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 59, wherein, with the retaining portion in the second position, the at least one cable is retained between the main portion and the retaining portion.

61. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, comprising a plurality of resilient electrical contacts spaced laterally from one another.

62. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein each resilient electrical contact is configured to contact a corresponding electrical conductor on a track.

63. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein the connector is keyed to fit a corresponding portion of a track.

64. A connector for an electrically conductive track according to claim 51, wherein the one or more cables comprise a ribbon cable.

65-76. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] The invention is described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0084] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a resilient electrical contact in accordance with the present invention;

[0085] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the main portion of a connector housing in accordance with the present invention;

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the main portion of the connector housing of FIG. 2;

[0087] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the main portion of the connector housing of FIG. 2;

[0088] FIG. 5 shows a partially exploded view of a connector and an electrically conductive track in accordance with the present invention;

[0089] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a connector engaged with an electrically conductive track in accordance with the present invention;

[0090] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a connector engaged with an electrically conductive track in accordance with the present invention;

[0091] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a connector engaged with an electrically conductive track in accordance with the present invention;

[0092] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a connector engaged with an electrically conductive track in accordance with the present invention;

[0093] FIG. 10 shows an electrically-insulating track-cover in accordance with the present invention;

[0094] FIG. 11a shows an electronic shelving display system according to the present invention;

[0095] FIG. 11b shows a magnified view of the electronic shelving display system of FIG. 11a;

[0096] and

[0097] FIG. 11c shows a magnified view of the electronic shelving display system of FIGS. 11a and 11b

[0098] FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the architecture of a system in accordance with the present invention;

[0099] FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of a store integrated routing device in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0100] The various aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11c. The apparatus is suitable for providing a shelving system with a supply of power and/or data, and is particularly suitable for use in a retail store, for providing power and/or data to networked electronic devices such as electronic shelf label displays.

[0101] The apparatus comprises a connector 2 for an electrically conductive track 4. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the connector 2 comprises a ribbon cable 6, which contains four electrically conductive wires in an electrically insulating cable sheath. Four resilient electrical contacts 8 are coupled to the end of the ribbon cable, such that each contact is electrically connected to one of the four conductive wires in the ribbon cable.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 1, each resilient electrical contact 8 is formed from metal, such as steel, aluminium, copper, phosphor bronze or tin plated phosphor bronze, and comprises a flat portion 10, four piercing elements 12 and a convex portion 14 that is curved so as to form a leaf spring. In order to form an electrical connection to a wire in the ribbon cable, a portion of the cable sheath is removed from the underside of the cable to expose the wire. The flat portion of the electrical contact is brought into contact with the exposed wire, and attached to the cable by piercing the piercing elements through the cable sheath. The piercing elements are then folded down to hold the electrical contact in position on the end of the ribbon cable.

[0103] The connector also comprises a housing 16, which is formed from electrically insulating material, for example a polymer or plastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM). The housing comprises a main portion 18, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, comprising two end walls 20 connected by three ribs: a front rib 22, an upper rib 24 and a base rib 26. The length of the ribs, and therefore the separation of the two end walls, is approximately 30 mm, which corresponds to the width of the track 4. The upper rib forms the roof of the connector, while the front rib forms the front wall and part of the base of the connector. The flat base rib also forms part of the base of the connector, which abuts the surface of the track when the connector is engaged with the track. The undersides of the front rib and the base rib are asymmetrically keyed with protrusions 28 so that the housing will only fit with the corresponding keyed portions of the track when the connector is engaged with the track in the correct orientation. A gap between the front rib and the base rib forms an opening 30 in the base of the connector, wherein the opening is sized to receive the four resilient electrical contacts. A gap between the base rib and the upper rib forms an aperture 32 in the housing, such that the aperture is opposite the front rib. Each end wall of the housing also comprises a resiliently deformable retaining arm 34, which protrudes below the base rib of the housing and curves inwardly with respect to the housing. Each end wall also comprises a handle 36 coupled to the retaining arm, such that movement of the handles inwards towards the end walls resiliently deforms the retaining arms away from one another.

[0104] As shown in the partially-exploded view of FIG. 5, the connector housing also comprises a retaining portion 38, in the form of a wedge, which is releasably engageable with the aperture of the main portion. The retaining portion is resiliently deformable, such that it may be compressed and inserted into the aperture of the main portion. A notch 39 in the upper side of the retaining portion is shaped to correspond with the upper rib of the main portion, so that when the retaining portion reaches an inserted position the upper rib engages with the notch, allowing the retaining portion to resiliently expand to its original shape. With the upper rib engaged with the notch, the retaining portion is retained in the main portion of the housing. The retaining portion is releasable from the main portion by compressing the resiliently deformable wedge so that the notch and the upper rib disengage, allowing the retaining portion to be removed from the aperture.

[0105] In order to assemble the connector, one end of the ribbon cable 6 is inserted into the main portion of the housing through the aperture, such that the four electrical contacts 8 are contained within the housing, with the convex portion of the electrical contacts protruding through the opening on the base of the housing. The retaining portion 38 is then inserted into the aperture above the ribbon cable, such that the ribbon cable and the flat portions of the electrical contacts are retained between the retaining portion and the base rib by the force of friction. With the retaining portion in its inserted position, the electrical contacts are retained in the housing such that the curved convex portions protrude out of the opening in the base of the housing.

[0106] The electrically conductive track 4 is substantially larger in a longitudinal direction than in a lateral direction, such that the track is much longer than it is wide. The track comprises four electrically conductive ribbon conductors 40 embedded in an electrically insulating base 42. The ribbon conductors run parallel to one another along the track and are laterally separated by protrusions 44 which are keyed to fit with corresponding keyed protrusions 28 on the connector. A retaining lip 46 runs along each longitudinal edge of the insulating base.

[0107] The ribbon conductors are formed from a metal, for example copper, tin-plated copper, phosphor bronze or tin-plated phosphor bronze, and are substantially the same width as the resilient electrical contacts of the connector. The insulating base is formed from a plastic material, for example polyoxymethylene (POM)

[0108] In FIGS. 6 to 9, the connector 2 is shown engaged to the track 4.

[0109] In use, the connector is engaged with the track by way of a clip-on mechanism. In order to engage the connector with the track, the two connector handles 36 are moved towards each other in a pinching movement, which resiliently deforms the retaining arms 34 to increase the distance between them. The connector is then placed on the track so that the base rib and the front rib of the housing abut the track, and the keyed protrusions 28 on the housing mate with the keyed protrusions 44 on the track. As the connector and the track are asymmetrically keyed, if the connector were rotated through 180 degrees, the keyed protrusions on the connector would not mate with those on the track, preventing the two from engaging. When the connector is placed on the track correctly, the convex portions of the resilient electrical contacts 8 are urged against the ribbon conductors 40 by the housing of the connector, creating an electrical connection. Releasing the two connector handles allows the retaining arms 34 to return to their original shape, such that they engage with the retaining lips 46 on the edges of the track and hold the connector in place.

[0110] The connector 2 can be engaged with the track at any position along the track 4, the length of which can be varied as desired. The spring force of the resilient electrical contacts 8 is preferably such that, on application of a force by a user, such as when a user is removing a shelf from a shelf support, the connector may be moved longitudinally along the track while still engaged to the track, and without damaging the ribbon conductors. The engaging surfaces of the retaining lip 46 and retaining arms 34 are advantageously slightly rounded and sized so that if, while engaged with the track, the connector experiences a significant force away from the track, the retaining arms will resiliently deform so as to disengage from the track without breaking.

[0111] In order to release the connector from the track, in use, the two connector handles 36 are moved towards each other in the same pinching movement, so as to resiliently deform the retaining arms 34 so that they disengage from the retaining lips on the track. The connector can then be removed from the track.

[0112] Preferably, the system according to the present invention comprises an electrically insulating track-cover 48, as shown in FIG. 10. The track cover is formed from electrically insulating plastic and comprises a flat upper surface 50 with and substantially the same lateral width as the track 4. The track-cover also comprises two resiliently deformable retaining arms 52, one disposed along each longitudinal edge of the track-cover, which extend at right angles to the upper surface and are curved inwardly towards one another. One end of an openable portion 54 of the track-cover is connected to the upper surface by a living hinge, such that the openable portion may be opened to expose an opening in the track-cover. Two side-ribs 56 connect the longitudinal edges of the track-cover on either side of the openable portion. The ribs are shaped such that the lateral width of the opening is greater than the lateral width of the upper surface of the track-cover, so that a connector may connect to the track through the opening. The track-cover comprises one flared end 58 and one non-flared end 60, wherein the flared end is sized to fit over the non-flared end of an adjacent track-cover. Thus, a plurality of identical track-covers may be combined in a modular fashion so as to cover various lengths of electrically conductive track.

[0113] In use, a track-cover 48 may be engaged with the electrically conductive track 4 so as to cover the ribbon conductors 40. A user may engage the track-cover with the track by sliding the track-cover on to the end of the track, such that the retaining arms 52 of the track-cover engage with the retaining lips 46 of the track. Alternatively, the track-cover may be engaged with the track by resiliently deforming the retaining arms and clipping the track-cover onto the track. A plurality of track-covers may be used to cover a length of track, so that the openable portion 54 of each track-cover provides a possible connection point to the electrically conductive track 4.

[0114] In order to engage a connector 2 with the track 4, in use, the openable portion 54 may be opened, and the connector may be clipped on to the track through the opening.

[0115] FIG. 11a shows an electronic shelving display system, or electronic shelving system, according to the present invention, with an electrically conductive track 104 mounted to a shelf support 62 and a shelf 64 mounted on the shelf support. A power and data supply 66 mounted at the base of the shelf support supplies power and data to the ribbon conductors on the electrically conductive track, which is covered by a plurality of track-covers 148. The openable portions 54 of the track-covers correspond to a plurality of positions at which shelves may be mounted on the shelf support, and allow a number of positions at which a connector may engage with the track.

[0116] FIGS. 11b and 11c show magnified images of the electronic shelving system of FIG. 11a, which comprises a double-ended connector 102. The double-ended connector comprises a single flexible ribbon cable 106 with a first housing 110 at a first end of the cable and a second housing 210 at a second end of the cable. The first housing is engaged with the electrically conductive track 4 on the shelf support through an opening in the track-cover, while the second housing of the double-ended connector is engaged with a third electrically conductive track 204. The third electrically conductive track 204 is mounted along the edge of the shelf from the rear of the shelf to the shelf front. A portion of the second electrically conductive track is exposed at either end of the track to allow engagement of a connector, while the majority of the track is covered by a second track-cover 248 which comprises no openable portions. At the shelf-front end of the third track, a second connector is engaged with the third electrically conductive track, providing an electrical connection from the third track to a display mount 72 on the shelf front.

[0117] Two networked electronic shelf edge displays 800, which may be termed networked display devices, are mounted on the display mount 72 on the shelf front. The display mount 72 comprises a second electrically conductive track to provide power and data to the electronic shelf edge displays, so that the displays display information based on the data received.

[0118] In use, the power and data supply 66 supplies electrical power at a voltage of 15V and a current of 5 A in a direct current (DC) configuration, and data in an appropriate data format, such as 4xRS485 data format, for electronic shelf label displays.

[0119] Alternatively, the power and data supply 66 may supply electrical power at a voltage of 12V, or 24V, according to the requirements of the system.

[0120] The shelving system preferably comprises a plurality of shelves mounted on the shelf support.

[0121] In use, shelves may be removed from the shelving system by disengaging the first housing of the double-ended connector from the electrically conductive track and removing the shelf. The connector may be removed from the shelf by disengaging the second housing of the double-ended connector from the second electrically conductive track.

[0122] In order to replace the shelf in the same, or a different, position the shelf is placed on the shelf mount and one end of a double-ended connector is engaged to the rear end of the second electrically conductive track. An openable portion of the track cover is opened at a position corresponding to the height of the shelf, and the other end of the double-ended connector is connected to the electrically conductive track through the opening, so as to provide an electrical connection from the electrically conductive track to the second electrically conductive track. With these connections in place, power and data is conducted from the power and data supply to the electrically conductive track, through the connector to the second electrically conductive track, and through the second connector to the display mount, from which it is delivered to any electronic shelf label displays mounted on the display mount.

[0123] In the system architecture shown in FIG. 12, data comprising product information is entered into the users' intranet 200, at a central computer. This data is then sent to a network switch 400, from which point the data is distributed to one or more store integrated routing devices, or routers, 600.

[0124] In an alternative embodiment, data may be sent from the users' intranet 200 directly to one or more routers 600 via the cloud.

[0125] Data is distributed from the routers 600 to the networked display devices 800. The system is implemented within a retail store. Different data is delivered to and stored by different intended devices by way of network addresses assigned to each networked device.

[0126] The networked devices 800 are electronic shelf label displays 1000, or price display units (PDUs), mounted on a shelving system and distributed throughout the retail store.

[0127] FIG. 13 shows a store integrated routing device 600. Power is supplied to this device from mains electricity, typically at 240V AC. Adapters forming part of the routing device rectify and reduce the voltage of this power supply to a 15V DC supply, which is then supplied to in-built routers 4800. The integrated routing device receives data from network switch 400 via an Ethernet network. Received data is split via an 8 port hub 4600 and converted to an appropriate output format, such as 4xRS485 data format, by the in-built routers 4800. Power and data are output from the integrated routing device and supplied to the appropriate system location through 4 wires (2 for power, 2 for data). Each router 4800 advantageously routes only the data intended for a number of defined shelf supports, or display mounts. Due to the decay over distance of low voltage direct current signals, integrated routing devices are advantageously located near to the display mounts to which they are delivering power and data. Each aisle may be served by one or more integrated routing devices.

[0128] If a store, or a multi-store business, wishes to update pricing information for one or more products, the pricing data can be simply routed to the appropriate display unit using this system. Furthermore, advertising or promotional media may be sent to particular displays within the store, as desired. There is no need to replace batteries in the display units and displays and associated products can be easily located owing to the network address of the display, which can be used to find the particular aisle and bay in which the display is located.