GB2284143A - Adjustable shelf units - Google Patents

Abstract

A shelf unit for articles to be dispensed comprises a plurality of elements 1 adapted for assembly together to provide at least one channel 10 for accommodating articles to be displayed, each element having a floor member 2, 3 to provide at least part of a floor for the associated channel, and an upstanding wall 4 defining one side wall of the channel, there being spacer means 8, 9, 12 by which one element is adjustably spaced from an adjacent element in order to adjust the width of the channel formed thereby. As described, the inner elements are of inverted T-shape and those at the ends are L-shaped: a bar 9 (Fig 2) fits into an opposed pair of a set of variable depth slots 8 in the floor portion, whereby two elements are held at a desired spacing appropriate for the goods. <IMAGE>

Description

AD.TIJSTABLE SHELF UNITS This invention relates to shelf units and more particularly to adjustable shelf units.

It is becoming common practice in many retail establishments, such as shops associated with petrol stations, for example, to display goods on a shelf unit comprising fore-and-aft channels of a width appropriate to the goods to be displayed and dispensed. Very often, the shelf units are supported on shelves of a refrigerated cabinet.

A difficulty which arises in connection with existing shelf units is that the channels are of a fixed width which means there is a severe limitation on the sizes of articles which can be accommodated.

Accordingly, it is necessary to replace existing shelf units with different shelf units if the existing units will not accept articles required to be displayed. In this context, a channel may be too wide for an article as well as too narrow. This is because articles which are much narrower than the channel in which they are accommodated can become disarranged which may prevent easy further dispensing of the articles and/or may spoil the presentation effect which is undesirable from the marketing standpoint.

According to the present invention there is provided a shelf unit for articles to be dispensed comprising a plurality of elements adapted to be assembled together to provide at least one channel for accommodating articles to be displayed, each element having a floor member to provide at least part of a floor for the associated channel, and an upstanding wall defining one side wall of the associated channel, the unit further comprising spacer means by which one element can be adjustably spaced from an associated element in order to adjust the width of the channel formed thereby.

The elements may be of an inverted T-shape so that the floor of a channel is made up of a floor member from one element and a floor member from another element. With this arrangement, each side of the shelf unit will terminate with a floor member of the outermost element.

Accordingly, it is preferable to provide a similar element which is generally L-shaped so as to convert the outermost full elements into outermost channels. The finisher elements, as well as the other elements, may be provided with removable front and rear members which provide stops for articles contained within the channels. The front and rear members may be removably attached to the elements and finisher elements.

The spacer means may comprise at least one set of a plurality of differently dimensioned recesses in each floor member, and a spacer bar, the width of a channel being defined by two associated elements depending on the recess selected to be engaged by the spacer bar. A fixed length spacer bar is preferred in order to standardise on components but spacer bars of different lengths may be provided in order to increase the range of adjustment. Alternatively, a fixed recess may be used with different lengths of spacer bar. Preferably two sets of recesses or two single recesses are provided at or towards respective ends of the elements.

In another arrangement, the spacer members may comprise spacers disposed between the floor members of an adjacent element. The spacers may be provided in a range of widths and may be moulded as a single unit, each spacer being separated from an adjacent spacer by a frangible connection. Any spacers not required at a given instant may be stored in storage means provided on each floor member.

Preferably, securing means are provided for securing together the channels formed by the elements. The securing means may be in the form of a bar received by recesses or apertures on the undersides of the elements. Preferably securing means are provided at least or towards respective ends of the elements. However a multiplicity of recesses or apertures is conveniently provided so that the elements may be cut to a desired length and still ensure the suitable provision of securing points.

For the same reason, a multiplicity of spacer recesses may be provided.

Preferable, the securing means are also used as the spacer means, there being no need to secure the elements on the securing means.

Two or more shelf units may be stacked one above the other by brackets or the like.

The shelf unit may be inclined downwardly from rear to front so that articles contained in the channels slide forwardly when the front articles are removed. The shelf unit may also be arranged vertically and be provided with a front cover to retain the articles in the channels, save for a disposing aperture through which articles may be dispensed.

The wall of each element may be integral with, or separate from, the element. If separate walls are used, they are conveniently removably attached to the elements using tabs, which may be hooked, on the walls which cooperate with slots in the floor members. Alternatively, a channel may be provided along the length of each element into which a separate wall is dropped.

The floor members may be provided with ribs to reduce frictional drag and hence assist in movement of the articles along the floor means.

The shelf unit may further comprise stock limiter means for limiting the number of articles accommodated in a given channel. The stock limiter means may be in the fonn of panels which are selectively and removably co-operable with sets of apertures in the floor members. The floor members may be provided with further apertures to allow air flow therethrough which assists in refrigeration of displayed products when appropriate.

The front and/or rear of each element may be provided with stop means, which may be removable, for the articles being displayed in the channels.

Adjustable shelf unit is constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one shelf unit; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of another part of Figure 1 showing an additional component; Figure 4 is a perspective view of another shelf unit; Figure 5 is an exploded view of part of Figure 4 to show details of constflictions; Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of a component of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of a further alternative shelf unit; Figure 8 is a partly perspective view of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a multi-tier shelf unit based on the unit of Figure 4;; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of shelf unit based on the unit of Figure 4; Figure 11 is a perspective view of part of a modified shelf unit; Figures 12 to 14 are perspective views of parts of respective further modified shelf units; Figure 15 shows an alternative component for the unit of Figure 14, Figure 16 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 but showing a modified arrangement, Figure 17 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but showing a preferred embodiment, Figure 18 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 17 illustrating an additional accessory, Figure 19 is a similar view to that of Figure 18 illustrating a further additional accessory in association with a slightly modified arrangement, Figure 20 is an exploded view from the rear of part of Figure 19, Figure 21 is a view similar to that of Figure 19 illustrating a still further accessory, Figure 22 is a view similar to that of Figure 19 illustrating an attachment for a shelf bracket, and Figure 23 is a view similar to that of Figure 19 illustrating an attachment for a wire shelf.

Referring to the drawings, the shelf unit comprises a plurality of elements I preferably moulded from a synthetic plastics material and each comprising first and second floor members 2 and 3, and an upstanding wall 4 disposed centrally between the first and second floor members.

Thus the elements are of inverted T-shape. The front end of each wall 4 terminates in a pillar 5 and the first ends of the first and second floor members each terminate in a raised platform 6 having a depending flange 7.

Each of the first and second floor members 2 and 3 is formed with a front set and a rear set of recesses 8 of different lateral dimensions. Cooperable with each set of recesses 8 is a spacer bar 9. The first and second floor members 2 and 3 are also formed with slots or saddles 11 which form part of securing means, the other part of which comprises respective hollow bars 12. which are preferably a friction fit in the slots.

A multiplicity of slots 11 is provided to allow for cutting to length of an element should this prove necessary. Although only two securing bars 12 are shown, more may be used.

The recesses 8 and slots 11 are moulded with the elements and have a vertical depth substantially the same as that of the flange 7 or the front of each element so that the elements will stand upright on a flat surface.

The shelf unit also comprises, although this is optional, an insert 13 which may carry price, brand or other information on an inclined front panel 14. A rear panel 15 extends laterally on each side of, and below, a base panel 16.

A pair of elements 1 (referred to as an associated pair) make up one channel 10 adapted to accommodate articles such as canned drinks 17 or cartons of milk 18, for example, shown in Figure 1 as being displayed in the same channel merely for illustration. The width of each channel 16 is determined by the selection of one of recesses in the set of recesses 8 for the reception of the spacer bar 9. It will be appreciated that the floor of each channel 16 is made up of a first floor member 2 of one element and the floor member 3 of the associated element, with the side walls provided by the respective walls 4 of the associated elements.

The spacer bar 9 is preferably of a fixed length in order to standardise on components but spacer bars of different length may be varied to give an extended range of channel width adjustment. Having set up the channels 16 of a given shelf unit by placing the spacer bars in the required recesses at the front and rear of each element 1, the channels 16 are secured together by sliding the securing bars 12 through the aligned slots 11 on the undersides of the elements 1. The now fully assembled shelf unit can be placed on a support such as a shelf of a refrigerated cabinet.

The shelf unit may be inclined by raising the rear end so that when an article is dispensed from the front of a channel 16, the remaining articles in that channel slide forwardly so that there is always an article ready for dispensing without having to reach into the cabinet and so that there is always a regular presentation of articles. The raised platforms 6 at the front of the elements 1 and the pillars 5 provide a stop for the displayed articles.

The inserts 13, which may be made in different widths to fit the different widths of channels 16 as set by the recess 8 which are used to accept the spacer bars 9, are retained in position by the ends of the rear panel 15 engaging behind the platforms 6 to retain them in position.

Conveniently, the elements 1 are made in different lengths to suit different depths of supports. However, for other than standard supports, a given element can be cut to a desired length.

As will be seen, each side of the assembled shelf unit terminates in either a floor member 2 or a floor member 3. In order to provide a full channel at each side of the unit, finisher elements 20 are provided an which are generally L-shaped to convert the otherwise half channel at each side of the unit to a fill channel 10. Only one finisher element 20 is shown in Figure 1 but a similar element, although of a different hand, will be provided at the other side of the unit. The finisher elements 20 will have slots 11 for the reception of bars 12.

Turning now to Figures 4 and 5, these show an alternative embodiment of shelf unit which is generally similar to that of Figure 1 but has constructional differences as will be described. Each wall 4' is removably mounted on the elements I, as illustrated in Figure 5, and comprises a sheet of plastics or other material provided with at least two hooked tabs 19 at or towards each end. The tabs 19 cooperate with respective slots 21 disposed centrally of the floor members 2,3. The tabs 19 are pushed generally vertically into the slots 21 and then slid forwardly so that the hooked portions 22 engage the underside of the floor members 2,3. Alternatively, the wall 4' could be dropped into a channel provided along the length of the element 1.

The front of each element I is a separate, detachable component or member 23 in this embodiment and the pillar 5' is slightly differently shaped from the pillar 5 of Figure 1 and also acts as a stop for the articles being displayed. The front component 23 is provided with a pair of spaced pins or prongs 24 which engage respective, generally open, channels 25 moulded into the undersides of the floor members 2,3. In order to prevent the pins 24 falling out of the channels 25, a discrete supporting web 26 is moulded into each channel. Although not shown, a detachable rear stop member may be provided similar to that shown in Figure 1.

Each front component 23 has a base 27 from which the pillar 5' upstands, the base terminating rearwardly at a groove or channel 28. The base 27 is below the level of the floor members 2,3 by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of material of an insert 13'.

In this embodiment the inserts 13' are extended rearwardly by lengthening the base 16', and a depending flange 31 is formed at the rear edge. Further flanges 32 are formed rearwardly of the front edge by two inclined cut-outs. The inserts 13' are assembled by dropping over pillars 5' of associated elements so that the flanges 32 engage behind the respective pillars and the flange 31 engages the groove 28. Raised ribs 30 are formed on both the bases 16' of the inserts 13' and the floor members 2,3 of the elements 1. The ribs reduce frictional drag on the articles 17 and 18 as they move along a channel 10. It will be understood that the bases 16' of the inserts 13' will be substantially co-planar so as to present a substantially continuous surface to the displayed articles 17,18 as they move along the channels 10.

Figure 6 shows the use of the adjustable spacer means 8,9 of the Figure 4 embodiment and, as well as Figure 4, the use of similar securing means 11,12.

As with the embodiment of Figure 1, finisher elements 20 are provided and in this instance are symmetrical as regards the provision of recesses 8 and/or slots 11 so that they can be used at either side of the unit.

In addition to the detachable front members or components 23, detachable rear members or components may be provided although these are not illustrated.

Alternative space means are shown in Figures 7 and 8 and these comprise a strip 33 of sets of spacers 34,35 and 36 of different lengths, a plurality of sets forming the strips. The spacers 34,35,36 are separated by frangible portion 37 of reduced thickness and the required spacer is broken off from the strip. A slot 38 may be provided along the edge of each floor member 2,3 to accommodate and store the two unused spacers of a set. The spacers 34,35,36 are generally inverted U-shape and one of the limbs can be used to engage the slot 38 which is dimensioned to receive the flange as a push fit.

The spacers 34,35,36 are placed over the securing bars 12 so that they are readily assembled and removed. It will be appreciated that, as with the spacer arrangement of Figures 1 and 6, the articles 17,18 span the gap between the floor members 2,3 created by the spacers.

Figure 9 illustrates a tiered arrangement of shelf units based on the embodiment of Figure 4 but a similar tiered arrangement could equally well be based on the embodiment of Figure 1. Tiering is accomplished by providing U-shaped brackets 39, the outer limbs of which engage slots 11 in the elements. These brackets 39 are preferably used in addition to the securing bars 12. More than two tiers can be provided in a similar manner.

The embodiments described thus far are intended for mounting generally horizontally. Figure 10 shows a generally vertical mounting arrangement of the embodiment of Figure 4 to which the embodiment of Figure 1 is also susceptible. The articles are retained within the channels 10 by a front cover 41 which is cut away at the bottom to provide dispensing apertures 42.

Figure 11 illustrates a possible modification to the embodiment of Figures 4 to 9 which comprises extending the front pillars or stops 5' by removable extension pieces 43 which can be made in different lengths.

The extension pieces 43 are used when taller articles are being displayed.

The floor members 2,3 of the embodiments of both Figure 1 and Figure 2 may be provided with pairs of spaced, lateral slots 44 as shown in Figure 12 in relation to the Figure 4 embodiment. The slots 44 receive respective ones of tabs 45 provided on stock limiter means 46 which to limit the number of articles accommodated in a given channel.

Instead of the front panels 14,14' of the insets 13,13' being used to display brands, prices, etc, an overall strip 47 may be attached to the front panels as illustrated in Figure 13. The strip 47 may be releasably secured in position or be semi-permanently secured by adhesive pads 48. The strip 47 may be of cross-section to accommodate one or more strips bearing the required information and may be provided with rearwardly extending lugs which snap into, or are otherwise received, by apertures or recesses in the front members.

A continuous information-receiving strip 47 is also used in Figure 14 but is not essential. Figure 14 shows a further modification of the unit of Figure 1 or Figure 4 in which the front pillars 5,5' are replaced by front panels 49 which also act as stops for the displayed articles which are shown here as packaged goods 51 and 52.

The articles to be displayed and dispensed may be placed directly in the channels 10 as shown in some of the figures referred to above.

However, at least some articles may be contained in a cassette or slide 53 as shown in Figure 15. This arrangement is more suitable for packed goods such as stockings or tights, or packet soups and the like. Such packaged articles do not lend themselves to sliding along the channels 10.

In the arrangement of Figure 15 a first number of articles (not shown) are disposed at the front of a channel and a second number of articles placed in the cassette 53. As articles are dispensed from the first number, the cassette 53 slides down the floor of the channel 10 and rushes the first number of articles forward to keep the frontmost articles well presented for dispensing. When the first number of articles have been dispensed, the cassette 53 will slide to the front of the channel and the second number of articles will be dispensed therefrom.

The cassette 53 is U-shaped with the upstanding limbs 54 cut away centrally at 55 to provide a dispensing opening.

Figure 16 is similar to Figure 4 but shows a modification regarding the front-to-rear dimension of the shelf unit. Supporting structures, such as shelves, have varying depths although they are typically of the order of 300 mm. In order to provide adjustability in depth as well as in width of the shelf unit according to the present invention, the elements 1 are conveniently made in at least two lengths, for example in lengths of 300 mm and 150 mm. Thus depths ranging from 150 mm can be achieved in steps of 150 mm. When two or more lengths are used together, the respective floor means 2,3 may be removably connected together, or extended lengths of wall 4' may be provided which serve the same purpose.If a depth of unit intermediate to that provided by one or more modules is required, a module may be cut to the required length as the multiplicity of slots 11 (and sets of recesses 8 when applicable) means there will always be some remaining for use.

Referring now to Figures 17 to 23, these illustrate in general a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is a view of the preferred embodiment generally similar to that of Figures 1 and 16. The elements 1 have removable walls 4', as does the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, and are provided with ribs 56 both to assist in the sliding movement of the articles being dispensed and, to some extent, to assist in permitting air flow around the articles, and air-flow apertures 57.

The elements 1 are provided with front end panels 58 and rearwardly-inclined stops 59 which are releasably engageable with slots 61 (Figure 20). These inclined stops 59 are appropriate when the articles being dispensed are flat packages (soups, tights, etc) but when narrower cans or bottles, for example, are being dispensed, wider and upright stops 62 are preferably provided. The stops 62 have two legs 63 engageable with respective apertures 64 in the elements 1, and have a front, inclined, transverse rib which is engageable with the top of the associated inclined stop 59.

The walls 4' have tabs 65 which are engageable with respective slots 66 in the elements 1. The tabs 65 have pips 67 to assist in positive engagement of the tabs in the slots 66.

Turning now to Figure 18, this illustrates elements 1 essentially the same as those of Figure 17 but having slightly different front panels 68 in that they are asymmetrical above and below the elements. The front panels 68 slidingly receive an extruded label holder 69 which provides a continuous holder, hiding the discrete front panels 68.

In Figure 19, the front panels 58 of Figure 17 are seen more clearly, these panels being generally symmetrical above and below the elements 1. The panels 58 also slidingly receive an extruded label holder 71.

As shown more clearly in Figures 18 and 20, the elements 1 are again provided with slots or saddles 11 to receive the securing bars 12.

Figure 21 illustrates the use of a cassette 72 for thin, packaged articles, the cassette having rearwardly-inclined front and rear walls 73 of a similar inclination to the front stops 59.

The mounting of a shelf unit in accordance with the present invention (not just the preferred embodiment) on shelf brackets 74 is illustrated in Figure 22. Inserts 75 for the ends of the bars 12 are provided, the inserts having two opposed recesses 76 for engagement with an L-shaped slot 77 in the shelf bracket 74. On one slot 77 is shown but each bracket 74 has as many slots as there are securing bars 12 on the shelf unit.

For mounting a shelf unit on a wire shelf which is typically provided in refrigerated cabinets, G-clamps 78 may be provided, one limb 79 of which fits into the end of the associated securing bar 12 and the opposed limb 81 has a cradle 82 which receives the edge 83 of the shelf when the screw 84 is tightened.

As with the other illustrated embodiments, the preferred embodiment can be made in different lengths as illustrated in Figure 18, but each set length can, as before, be cut to a required length, if necessary.

The elements 1 may be provided at one or both ends with removable end stops so that they can be interchanged to suit the articles being dispensed.

In the preferred embodiment, the spacer means for the elements 1 are the bars 12 which, as in earlier embodiments, are a friction fit in the slots or saddles 11. Thus the elements will stay in a selected position on the bars 12 which also serve, as before, as the means for securing the elements 1 making up the shelf unit.

The present invention provides a shelf unit which is very easily assembled, dismantled, and adjusted as regards channel width to accommodate differently sized articles. Adjustment may be necessary on a regular basis to cope with peak and/or seasonal trading. The length of the unit can be selected or readily tailored, as required. At least in the preferred embodiment, chilled air can circulate, preventing hot spots.

Shelf units can be stacked one on another, and can be arranged vertically, if required.

Claims (22)

1. A shelf unit for articles to be dispensed comprising a plurality of elements adapted to be assembled together to provide at least one channel for accommodating articles to be displayed, each element having a floor member to provide at least part of a floor for the associated channel, and an upstanding wall defining one side wall of the associated channel, the unit further comprising spacer means by which one element can be adjustably spaced from an associated element in order to adjust the width of the channel formed thereby.

2. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the elements are an inverted T-shape, whereby the floor of a channel is made up of a floor member from one element and a floor member from another element.

3. A unit according to claim 2, and further comprising L-shaped finisher elements adapted for co-operation with the respective outermost inverted T-shaped elements to complete outermost channels.

4. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elements and finisher elements are provided with an end panel at at least one end.

5. A unit according to claim 4, wherein the or each end panel is removable.

6. A unit according to claim 4 or 5, and further comprising a label holder releasably attachable to the front end panels.

7. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the front ends of the elements and finisher elements are provided with stops for the articles to be dispense.

8. A unit according to claim 7, wherein the stops are removable and interchangeable.

9. A unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the stops are rearwardly inclined.

10. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer means comprise spacer means in each floor member, and a spacer bar, engageable with the recess means in opposed floor means.

11. A unit according to claim 10, wherein spacer bars of differing lengths are provided to provide a greater adjustment capability.

12. A unit according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the recess means comprise at least one set of a plurality of differently dimensioned recesses in each floor member.

13. A unit according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the spacer means comprise at least one bar means slidably received by the elements, the spacer means also serving to secure the elements together as a unit.

14. A unit according to claim 13, wherein the bar means is received in apertures on the undersides of the elements.

15. A plurality of units, each in accordance with any of the preceding claims, stacked one on another.

16. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wall of each element is removably attached to the floor member.

17. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the floor member of each element is provided with ribs to reduce frictional drag on articles to be dispensed.

18. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the floor member of each element is provided with air flow apertures.

19. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, and further comprising stock limiter means.

20. A unit according to claim 19, wherein the stock limiter means is selectively disposed in a channel to vary the amount of stock accommodatable in the channel.

21. A unit according to any of claims 1 to 14 oriented substantially vertically.

22. A shelf unit substantially as herein particularly described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3, or Figure 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6, or Figure 7, or Figure 8, or Figure 9, or Figure 10, or Figure 11, or Figure 12, or Figure 13, or Figure 14 or Figure 15, or Figures 16 to 23 of the accompanying drawings.