EP0080390A1 - Structure for supermarket check-out counters - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Structure for multiple checkout counters, of the type used at the exit of supermarkets, and comprising an integral assembly essentially composed of a goods receiving shelf, a passage for circulating said goods and brackets for securing the checkout counter, characterised in that it comprises, on the one hand, stabilising plates (2) embedded in the floor, their number being at least two per checkout counter (6), and, on the other hand, posts (3, 3a), of the same number, which are capable of being fitted on said plates (2) and are connected, at their upper portions, by one side member (4, 4a) per checkout counter with almost the same length as the checkout counter, whilst the posts (3, 3a) of two neighbouring checkout counters (6) are also connected, at their upper portions, by a crosspiece member (5, 5a), the length of which corresponds to the spacing between two checkout counters (6), each of said assemblies for checkout counters (6) being secured in an overhung manner on the two associated posts (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a new structure of multiple cash registers, in particular for supermarkets.

We know that the assembly of known cash registers is extremely complex and requires in particular the intervention of several successive trades. Thus, after the completion of the floor, the electricians lay cable trays in the latter over the entire width of the store which comprises at this level for example from two to twenty cases. Another trade then installs a false ceiling with, in general, installation, on the one hand, of lighting and, on the other hand, of a circuit of environment, that is to say ventilation or heating. Yet another profession comes to install the cash registers themselves, so that they are stabilized in the ground, usually by means of feet. Finally, the various electrical components of the body are connected to the electrical distribution sheath.

The invention aims to provide a structure which avoids these multiple and complex interventions.

For this purpose, it relates to a structure of multiple cash registers, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, stabilization plates embedded in the ground, at least two in number per cash register, and on the other hand, posts, in the same number, which can be fitted onto said plates and joined at their upper part by a beam per box having practically the same length as this, while the posts of two neighboring boxes and of the same level in the direction of the length of the boxes are also joined at their upper part by a crosspiece whose length corresponds to the spacing of two boxes, each cash register itself being fixed in cantilever on the two associated posts.

Thanks to this arrangement, the floor can be executed without any other subsequent intervention, providing only the embedding of the stabilization plates. Subsequently, the assembly team successively sets up, and in this order, the posts, the side members, the sleepers and finally the boxes. In this way, perfect stabilization of the entire structure is obtained as soon as the necessary has been done for two neighboring boxes. It is then possible to mount, from this first structure, the other neighboring boxes, and this in a successive and modular manner.

In a particularly advantageous manner, it can be provided that the framework constituted by the posts, the side members and the cross-members carries, fixed on it lengthwise and between two neighboring boxes, a lighting box. Similarly, this frame can carry, fixed on it in the transverse direction between two neighboring boxes, a section of ventilation-heating duct whose length corresponds to the spacing of two boxes and whose ends have means of connection to d 'other sections. The framework can also carry, fixed on it, in the transverse direction, between two neighboring boxes, a section of electric power cable support whose length corresponds to the spacing of two boxes, while one can simultaneously provide preferably that each support section carries sections of power supply cables of the same length and provided with bridging means with other sections, while each post also carries a section of cable provided with bridging means and descending up to at the associated cash register. Finally, the frame can also carry, fixed on it between two neighboring boxes, a section of false ceiling and / or vertical closing strips.

• - La Fig.' représente une vue schématique d'implantation,vue de dessus, d'une structure conforme à l'invention.
• - La Fig. 2 représente une vue en perspective et partielle de cette structure, les caisson d'éclairage, faux-plafond et bandeaux étant supposés enlevés.
• - La Fig. 3 représente, suivant la même perspective, le montage complémentaire à la figure précédente concernant les caisson d'éclairage, faux-plafond et bandeaux.
• - La Fig. 4 illustre un détail de réalisation des poteaux de la structure.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• - Fig. ' shows a schematic implantation view, seen from above, of a structure according to the invention.
• - Fig. 2 shows a perspective and partial view of this structure, the light boxes, false ceilings and strips being assumed to be removed.
• - Fig. 3 shows, from the same perspective, the complementary assembly to the previous figure concerning the light box, false ceiling and strips.
• - Fig. 4 illustrates a detail of the construction of the posts of the structure.

As shown in Fig. 1, the layout of the structure is provided according to a rectangular mesh network, extending over the width of a store, so as to allow the establishment of a series of cash registers, the number of which may vary from two to around twenty, the vertices of this rectangular network bearing the reference 1.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the floor is of a perfectly uniform conventional embodiment, with the exception of the installation, in each of the vertices 1 of the network, of stabilization plates 2, preferably metallic, which include a horizontal stabilization plate 2a, a lower anchor rod 2b fixed under the plate and a section of tube 2c fixed above this plate. These plates constitute the only elements which are put in place in the floor before the assembly and the installation of the cash register and the other associated elements.

Apart from these plates, the assembly structure proper comprises a framework essentially constituted by posts 3, beams 4 and crosspieces 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the posts 3 are of square section which can fit exactly at their base on the tube sections 2c of the plates. The distance between these posts, that is to say between the vertices 1 of the mesh of FIG. 1 is significantly smaller than the overall longitudinal dimension of a conventional cash register 6. In FIG. 2, this The latter has been schematized in a very simplified manner, but it is quite clear that it includes all the desired arrangements such as the tray for receiving the products, the circulation corridor for the latter, the consoles for fixing the body itself and all desired accessories.

At their upper end, the posts 3 each carry, fixed by welding in the factory, a section of metal profile in C 7 extending vertically beyond the post.

Fig. 1 schematically represents the successive positioning of the elements of the structure, and these will be described as the assembly order progresses. We therefore see successively in this FIG. 1, from left to right, the location of the plates 2, then the installation of two posts 3 fitting onto the plates. On the lateral wings of the two sections 7 of these posts, a spar 4 is then fixed which is itself constituted by a hollow tube whose length corresponds approximately to that of the body 6, and which has end plates 8. We proceed identically to set up, on the next line of the network, two other posts 3a and another cross 4a.

The framework is completed by two crosspieces 5 which are also constituted by hollow sections, the length of which corresponds very exactly to the spacing between the posts 3 and 3a, that is to say to the dimension of the mesh in the transverse direction. These crosspieces are fixed on the profile sections 7, for example above the side members 4 and 4a. The profiles 7 consist of metal elements having perforations and the side members 4 and 4a and the crosspieces 5 are fixed using hooks which penetrate into these perforations.

Thanks to this structure, once the two pairs of posts 3 and 3a and their associated beams and crosspieces have been mounted, a perfectly stable framework is obtained which, on the one hand, will be able to carry the cash registers holes and the other ancillary elements, and on the other hand, serves as a basis for the extension of the assembly for the other cases.

The rear crossmember 5a, located on the side of the body outlet, carries, welded and retained on its upper face, a support for an electric power cable 9, of U-section, the length of which also corresponds to the spacing between posts. This support 9 receives sections of electric cable having the same length, and having at their ends means of connection or bridging.

As still shown in FIG. 2, the side members 4 and 4a carry, fixed on their upper face during assembly, a section of room duct 10, that is to say used for heating and / or ventilation, the length of this sheath section still corresponding to the transverse distance between posts (the latter corresponds to the pitch between the cash registers 6 themselves). The sheath sections are, as shown in FIG. 1 on the right, fixed after the installation of the successive beams. These sheath sections have particularly sealed connection means at their ends, ensuring the continuity of the sheath over the entire width of the magazine. On their lower face, these sheath sections have air vents, not shown, from which extend sleeves which open at the level of the false ceilings which will be described later.

The structure thus far described therefore comprises the framework formed of posts, beams and crosspieces, and additional elements 9 and 10 which are situated above the upper plane which constitute the beams and crosspieces.

As now shown in more detail in FIG. 3, other ancillary elements are arranged below the level of this same plan. This is in particular a lighting box 11, of parallelepiped shape and whose length corresponds practically to that of the box 6 and which% st oriented parallel to the side rails 4a and disposed at equal distance therebetween, being suspended on them sleepers 5 and 5a by two bent bars 12 which are fixed on its upper face and hook on said sleepers. The box 11 contains in particular lighting elements such as neon tubes 13, while on the rear side of this box, on the side of the outlet of the box, and outside the size of this same box, is fixed a block 14 of signaling presenting information on the number of the box and its possible closing. Such a light box is mounted, as shown in FIG. 1, after the sections of ambient sheath 10 have been fixed to the side members.

As also shown in FIG. 3, each box 11 has, on its lower longitudinal edges, angles 15. Between the angles 15 facing two neighboring boxes 11, there is mounted a false ceiling 16 which can be either of the openwork type, in the form of braces or parallel slats, either full to improve soundproofing. Due to the small span existing between two boxes, such a false ceiling is self-supporting. There are further provided vertical strips 17 which are fixed between two neighboring boxes 11, at the front and rear faces of the latter, so as to ensure continuity of the facade of this structure shown in FIG. 3. The false ceilings and the strips are, of course, mounted as the assembly progresses along the successive boxes, their fixing being possible as soon as two boxes 11 have been put in place.

As finally shown in Figs. 2 and 4, each cash register 6 is mounted on two posts 3, using brackets 18, directed transversely with respect to the posts. Each console is for example constituted by an L-shaped angle iron, a wing of which is fixed to the post by screwing on a counter-plate 19 which is placed inside the hollow post, the fixing being done by screws through a vertical light 20 formed in the post, while the other wing of the angle iron, which extends perpendicular to the post, receives on its upper edge the cash register 6, with immobilization by means of nipples 21.

In each post 3 are housed several cable sections 22 which extend to its upper end, having bridging means which allow them to be connected with the cable sections contained in the cable support 9, while at their lower end, these cables 22 pass through a plate 23 which is attached to the post so as to mask a rectangular opening 24 into which the slot 20 opens, this opening 24 making it easier to place the inner counter plate 19 of fixing the console. These cables, for example three in number, are respectively connected to the various electrical devices, for example to the cash register, the intercom and the computer unit.

Of course, these consoles 18 can have various shapes, depending on the particular structure of the cash register 6, and for example have two or three wings for supporting the lateral elements of the cash register. It should be noted that the mounting of the angles by screws and lights allows the height adjustment at will of the level of the body.

It is also conceivable that the framework produced allows the attachment of other ancillary elements, for example a surveillance mirror which can be disposed between the two posts 3 and 3a located on the outlet side. The height of the posts, and therefore the level at which the side members 4 and the cross members 5 are fixed, is provided so that, once the light boxes and false ceilings are fixed below this level, the circulation customers can easily be done between the boxes.

It is understood that the assembly considered is very advantageous since once two boxes have been mounted, a rigid frame is obtained which serves as a basis for extending the entire structure to any number of boxes. It suffices, moreover, as FIG. 1, from set up new posts, then crosspieces which are placed exactly in line with the previous crosspieces, as well as new sections of room ducts also coming to connect to the previous sections. More particularly, the alignment of the rear crosspieces 5a allows easy connection by bridging of the different sections of cable contained in the cable supports 9, as well as bridging also with the sections of cable contained in the posts 3, which ensures the realization an electrical distribution in an extremely simple way, without requiring the presence of specialized electricians. It is clear that all of the elements of the structure are prepared in the workshop and that only the plates 2 had to be embedded in the floor before assembly.

Claims (10)

1) - Structure of multiple cash registers, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, stabilization plates (2) embedded in the ground, at least two in number per cash register (6), and on the other hand, posts (3, 3a) in the same number, which can fit onto said plates (2), and joined at their upper part by a spar (4,4a) per box having practically the same length than this, while the posts (3.3 ₂ of two neighboring boxes (6) and of the same level in the se: the length of the boxes are also joined to their upper part by a crosspiece (5.5a) the length of which corresponds to the spacing of two boxes (6), each actual cash register (6) being fixed in overhang on the two associated posts (3). 2 °) - Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame formed by the posts (3, 3a), the side members (4, 4a) and the crosspieces (5, 5a) bear fixed on it in the direction of the length and between two neighboring boxes (6), a lighting box (11). 3 °) - Structure according to claim 2, characterized in that each lighting box (11) is fixed on the crosspieces (5,5a) joining two boxes (6), and below these crosspieces (5,5a ). 4 °) - Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the frame formed by the posts (3, 3a), the side members (4, 4a) and the crosspieces (5, 5a) door, fixed on it in the transverse direction between two neighboring boxes (6), a section of ventilation-heating duct (10) whose length corresponds to the spacing of two boxes (6) and whose ends have means of connection to other sections (10). 5 °) - Structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the section of ventilation-heating duct (10) is fixed on the side members (4, 4a) associated with two neighboring boxes and above these side members (4, 4a). 6 °) - Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame formed by the posts (3, 3a), the side members (4, 4a) and the crosspieces (5, 5a) door, fixed on it in the transverse direction between two neighboring boxes (6), a section (9) of electric power cable support whose length corresponds to the spacing of two boxes (6). 7 °) - Structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the cable support section (9) is fixed on one of the crosspieces (5a) joining two boxes (6). 8 °) - Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each support section (9) carries sections of electric power cable of the same length and provided with bridging means with other sections , while each post (3, 3a) also carries a section of cable (22) provided with bridging means and descending to the level of the associated body (6). 9 °) - Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the assembly of the different elements of the framework comprising posts (3, 3a), side members (4, 4a) and / or crosspieces ( 5, 5a) is produced by the cooperation of perforated sections (7) and hooks. 10 °) - Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each plate (2) comprises a stabilization plate (2a), a lower anchoring rod (2b) and a section of upper tube. (2c) can fit into a post (3, 3a).

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