SHELVING ANGLE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

The present invention provides shelf adjustment systems and methods that may be used in merchandiser display cases and other applications to accommodate changes in product offering, giving the user increased flexibility in the use of merchandiser display cases. The shelf adjustment systems of embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for coordinating shelf adjustment, such that adjusting the display angle of one shelf of the invention causes the display angle of another shelf or shelves to also be adjusted by the same amount as the adjusted shelf.

Claims

1. A shelf adjustment system, comprising: a. a plurality of adjustable shelves; b. an angle adjustment mechanism for changing the display angle of a first shelf of said plurality of shelves; c. an angle coordination mechanism positioned between said first shelf and at least one other shelf of said plurality of shelves for changing the display angle of said at least one other shelf when the display angle of said first shelf is changed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said shelf adjustment system is incorporated into a food display case.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of shelves are maintained in parallel by the angle coordination system to provide a consistent display of products in the display case.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said angle coordination mechanism comprises at least one rod positioned between rear portions of said plurality of shelves to fix said plurality of shelves in their positions relative to each other.

5. The system claim 1, wherein said angle adjustment mechanism includes a pivoting rod or plate adjacent to said first shelf that is stowed when said first shelf is in a lowered position, and is raised and engaged with a rear portion of said first shelf when said first shelf is in a raised position.

6. The system claim 1, wherein said angle adjustment mechanism includes a motorized vertical actuation device engaged with each of said plurality of shelves such that each of said plurality of shelves is raised or lowered by the same distance as the vertical actuation device moves.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of shelves have individually varying angles relative to the horizontal, but are maintained in their relative orientation by the angle coordination mechanism.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each shelf of said plurality of shelves further comprises a pivoting mechanism for pivotally mounting each such shelf to a support structure.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each pivoting mechanism is located on a portion of each shelf at or near an opposite end of the shelf from the angle adjustment mechanism.

10. A merchandising display case, comprising: a. a plurality of adjustable shelves; b. a pivoting mechanism provided on each shelf of said plurality of shelves for pivotally mounting each shelf to a support structure; c. an angle adjustment mechanism for changing the display angle of a first shelf of said plurality of shelves; and d. an angle coordination mechanism positioned between said first shelf and at least one other shelf of said plurality of shelves for changing the display angle of said at least one other shelf when the display angle of said first shelf is changed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said shelf adjustment system is incorporated into a food display case.

12. The display case of claim 11, wherein said plurality of shelves are maintained in parallel by the angle coordination system to provide a consistent display of products in the display case.

13. The display case of claim 10, wherein said angle coordination mechanism comprises at least one rod positioned between rear portions of said plurality of shelves to fix said plurality of shelves in their positions relative to each other.

14. The display case of claim 10, wherein said angle adjustment mechanism includes a pivoting rod or plate adjacent to said first shelf that is stowed when said plurality of shelves are in a lowered position and is raised and engaged with a rear portion of said first shelf when said shelf is in a raised position.

15. The display case claim 10, wherein said angle adjustment mechanism includes a motorized vertical actuation device engaged with each of said plurality of shelves such that each of said plurality of shelves is raised or lowered by the same distance as the vertical actuation device moves.

16. The display case of claim 10, wherein said plurality of shelves have individually varying angles relative to the horizontal, but are maintained in their relative orientation by the angle coordination mechanism.

17. The display case of claim 10, wherein each pivoting mechanism is located on a portion of each shelf at or near an opposite end of the shelf from the angle adjustment mechanism.

18. A method of adjusting the angles of a plurality of shelves in a display case comprising the steps of: a. pivotally attaching each shelf of said plurality of shelves to a support structure; b. providing an angle adjustment mechanism at a posterior portion of a designated one of said plurality of shelves for changing the display angle of said designated shelf; c. providing an angle coordination mechanism between each shelf of said plurality of shelves for maintaining the relative angles between each such shelf; and d. changing the display angle of all shelves by changing the display angle of the designated shelf.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality of shelves are maintained in parallel by the angle coordination system to provide a consistent display of products in the display case.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said angle coordination mechanism comprises at least one rod positioned between rear portions of said plurality of shelves to fix said plurality of shelves in their positions relative to each other.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said angle adjustment mechanism includes a pivoting rod or plate adjacent to said designated shelf that is stowed when said plurality of shelves are in a lowered position and is raised and engaged with a rear portion of said designated shelf when said shelves are in a raised position.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said angle adjustment mechanism includes motorized vertical actuation device engaged with each of said plurality of shelves such that each of said plurality of shelves is raised or lowered by the same distance as the vertical actuation device moves.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality of shelves have individually varying angles relative to the horizontal, but are maintained in their relative orientation by the angle coordination mechanism.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the pivotal attachment of each shelf is positioned at or near an opposite end of the shelf from the angle adjustment mechanism.

25. A merchandising display case, comprising: a. a plurality of adjustable shelves; b. a pivoting mechanism provided on each shelf of said plurality of shelves for pivotally mounting each shelf to a support structure; c. an angle adjustment mechanism for changing the display angle of a bottom most shelf of said plurality of shelves; and d. an angle coordination mechanism positioned between each shelf of said plurality of shelves for changing the display angle of all shelves when the display angle of said bottom most shelf is changed.

26. The display case of claim 25, wherein said angle coordination mechanism comprises at least one rod positioned between rear portions of each of said plurality of shelves to fix said plurality of shelves in their positions relative to each other.

27. The display case claim 25, wherein said angle adjustment mechanism includes a pivoting plate adjacent to said bottom most shelf that is stowed when said plurality of shelves are in a lowered position and is raised and engaged with a rear portion of said bottom most shelf when said shelf is in a raised position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a merchandiser display case incorporating an embodiment of the shelf adjustment system of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a merchandiser display case incorporating an embodiment of the shelf adjustment system of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a close up rear perspective sectional view showing an embodiment of an angle adjustment mechanism in a partially raised state before engagement with a shelf of an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a close up rear perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the illustrated shelves in a lowered position.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a close up rear perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the illustrated shelves in a raised position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0029] FIGS. 1-5 provide views of an exemplary embodiment of a shelf adjustment system of the present invention, wherein a merchandiser display case is shown with the shelf adjustment system implemented therein. It is to be understood that the shelf adjustment system can be implemented in other apparatus.

[0030] FIG. 1 provides a front perspective view of an exemplary merchandiser display case 21 having an opening through which food items may be displayed on the shelves therein. The shelves may have slots therein to maintain food products in organized columns on the shelf. The anterior ends 23 of the shelves 25a, 25b can be seen near the display window. The pivoting mechanisms 29 for each of the shelves may be located in a position near the anterior ends of the shelves. The positioning of the pivoting mechanisms near the anterior ends of the shelves minimizes the vertical displacement of the shelves when the angle of the shelves is adjusted by the user. The pivoting mechanism may be a peg or axle that rotatably connects the anterior end of the shelf to the interior frame or sidewall of the display case.

[0031] FIG. 2 provides a posterior view of the exemplary display case 21. The display case may include an open backside with temperature controls for maintaining a substantially constant preferred temperature within the display case. The posterior portions 27a, 27b of the shelves 25a, 25b is also shown. The angle coordination mechanism in this embodiment, the angle coordination rod 31, is visible on the left side of the rear view of the display case. The angle coordination rod 31 connects the rear corner of the base shelf 25a and the rear corner of the upper second shelf 25b in a spaced vertical relationship that maintains the relative angle of the two shelves 25a, 25b when the base shelf 25a is raised to present food products placed on the shelf at a downward sloping angle.

[0032] FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of an embodiment of a rear corner of a display case in which the rear portion of the base shelf 25a is shown in a partially raised position, with the angle adjustment mechanism 39 partially pivoted up before engagement with the underside of the rear portion 27a of shelf 25a. In this embodiment, the angle adjustment mechanism is a pivoting plate 39 attached to rear base of the display case by a pivoting joint 37 that allows the pivoting plate 39 to swing up to engage with a rear portion 27a of the base shelf 25a thereby raising the rear portion of the base shelf and placing the base shelf at a downward slope. The pivoting plate 39 may include pegs or other protrusions 40 for engagement with corresponding recesses or receivers on the rear portion 27a of the base shelf 25a, such that the engagement provides a stable connection between the pivoting plate 39 and the rear portion of the base shelf that prevents the plate 39 from slipping out of position once engaged with the rear portion of the base shelf. The base shelf 25a may be lifted manually by the user and the pivoting plate 39 may then be manually positioned for engagement with the rear portion of the base shelf.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of an embodiment of an angle coordination rod 31 and its engagement with a base shelf 25a and second shelves 25b within the exemplary display case with the sidewall and frame of the display case removed for an unobstructed view of the angle coordination mechanism and the angle adjustment mechanism. FIG. 4 provides a view of the system with the shelves in a lowered position in which both shelves 25a, 25b are substantially horizontal, with the second shelf 25b propped in a substantially horizontal position by the angle coordination rod 31. In the lowered position, the angle adjustment plate (pivoting plate) 39 is stowed below the base shelf. The angle coordination rod 31 may be supported within the structure of the base shelf 25a on a platform 34, as shown in FIG. 4, on which it may pivot as the base shelf is raised and lowered. In other embodiments, the rod may have a pivoting joint that connects the lower end of the rod to the base shelf. The superior end of the coordination rod 31 may have a flattened end or horizontal extension 33 to provide a support surface for engagement with a slot or flat support surface 36 at the posterior portion 27b of the second shelf 25b, as shown in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the superior end of the rod 31 may have a pivoting joint that connects the lower end of the rod to the base shelf. It is to be appreciated that in some embodiments, a plurality of angle coordination rods 31 may be employed for additional stability and support of the upper shelf(ves).

[0034] FIG. 5 also shows a close up view of an embodiment of an angle coordination rod 31 and its engagement with the base and second shelves within the exemplary display case with the sidewall and frame of the display case removed for an unobstructed view of the angle coordination mechanism and the angle adjustment mechanism. FIG. 5 provides a view of the system with the shelves 25a, 25b in a raised position in which both shelves are at an oblique angle with respect to the horizontal, such that the shelves slope downward from the rear portions 27a, 27b of the shelves to the anterior portions (23a, 23b) of the shelves, with the second shelf 25b propped by the angle coordination rod 31. In this embodiment, the angle coordination rod 31 is operable to maintain the relative angle of the base and second shelves as they are raised (and lowered) such that the shelves remain in a parallel orientation relationship to each other. The angle adjustment plate (pivoting plate) 39 is raised in FIG. 5 to a substantially vertical position and is engaged with the rear portion 27a of the base shelf to prop the base shelf at the oblique angle. The angle coordination rod 31 pivots on its engagements with the base shelf 25a and the second shelf 25b as the base shelf 25a is raised.

[0035] The present invention provides shelf angle adjustment system and apparatus that include the same. It is to be understood that here are several variations in the shelf angle adjustment system that provide additional benefits, as disclosed above. For example and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may include a pivoting plate for adjustment of the angle of a lower shelf, but without any coordination rods such that adjustment of the angle of the lower shelf does not change the angle of any other shelf(ves).

[0036] It should also be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.