GB2357238A

GB2357238A - Stepped shelving system with side walls

Info

Publication number: GB2357238A
Application number: GB0030711A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Cragie
Original assignee: Invicta Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Invicta Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1999-12-18
Filing date: 2000-12-18
Publication date: 2001-06-20
Also published as: GB9929859D0; GB0030711D0

Abstract

The risers 18 and shelves 16 are joined in a pivotal relationship, preferably using a plastic hinge (37, figure 4). The side walls 12, 14 have slots or grooves (40, figure 5) for receiving the ends of, or projections (39, 41, 43, figure 4) protruding from, the shelves 16 and risers 18. The integral riser 18 and shelf 16 component, and side walls 12, 14 may be supplied as a flat pack. A clear and removable plastic panel is provided at the front of the shelving system, to form a display cabinet.

Description

2357238 IMPROVED SHELF UNIT The invention relates to an improved shelf

unit, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a shelf unit for displaying confectionary goods for sale, for example, bars of chocolate, or sweets.

A shelf unit with which the invention is concerned may be used in any retail environment, but is particularly suitable for positioning on the sales counter in a garage or newsagent.

According to the present invention there is provided a shelf unit comprising first and second side walls, the unit further comprising at least one shelf and an associated riser member, the shelf and associated riser member extending between the side walls, the inside surfaces of the side walls being adapted to receive the ends, or formations on the ends, of the or each shelf and associated riser member.

In a preferred arrangement, the shelf unit comprises first and second side walls, a plurality of shelves arranged in parallel spaced relationship, and a plurality of riser members also arranged in parallel spaced relationship, both the shelves and the riser members extending between the side walls, a riser member being located between adjacent shelves to form a "staircase" structure, the inside surfaces of the side walls being formed with grooves or slots for receiving the ends of both the shelves and the riser members.

In such an arrangement, each shelf is preferably provided on its underside and proximate its front edge with at least one pair of projecting longitudinal rib members, which are spaced apart to provide a groove therebetween for receiving the upper edge of a riser member. Most preferably, the underside of each shelf is provided with a plurality of pairs of projecting longitudinal rib members with grooves therebetween, the pairs of rib members being laterally spaced from one another. The riser members may be received in any of the three grooves between a respective pair of rib members, thus assisting assembly of the shelf unit. The front edge of a shelf may over-hang an adjacent riser member by an amount dependent on which 2 of the grooves is selected. In assembly of the shelving unit, the relative positions of the risers and shelves may be predetermined by the layout of the grooves or slots formed on the inside surfaces of the side walls.

The shelves may be positioned at an angle of between 45 to 70 0 to the horizontal, that is to the plane of the base of the shelf unit, but preferably the shelves are at 600 to the horizontal.

The shelves and risers may be positioned substantially perpendicular to one another, with the exception of the bottom shelf and its associated riser. Preferably, the bottom shelf is positioned parallel to the plane of the base of the shelf unit. The lower edges of the side walls preferably form the base of the unit, which may be provided with supporting feet.

The or each shelf and associated riser member may be formed as an integral component in which the riser member can pivot relative to the shelf. Preferably, the or each shelf and associated riser member may be formed from a plastics material, for example by injection moulding, and the riser member may be attached to the shelf by means of a plastics hinge.

Such a construction has the advantage that the riser member and shelf can lie flat, i.e. the shelf and riser member lie in the same plane, prior to assembly but can be bent to the required angle when assembled between the side walls. This arrangement considerably reduces the space taken up by the shelf and riser member when the unit is supplied as a flat pack.

In a further preferred embodiment the inner surfaces of the side walls are provided with grooves or slots which receive formations provided on the ends of the or each shelf and associated riser member. The formations may take the form of resilient clips which may have tangs or barbs which engage an outer edge of a respective slot or groove.

A removable retaining panel may be provided at the front of the unit which is made from clear plastics to facilitate the display of confectionary goods. The inner surfaces of the side walls may be adapted to receive the ends, or formations on the ends, of the retaining panel.

In a preferred embodiment, ends of the panel are slidably received in grooves provided 3 between ribs projecting from the inside surfaces of the side walls. In an alternative arrangement, the ends of the panel may be provided with resilient clips which engage in grooves or slots in the side walls.

Advertising material, for example, imitation pieces of chocolate or sweets moulded in plastics and bearing a trade name, may be attached to the front of the panel.

The riser member extending from the rear edge of the uppermost shelf may be provided with a decorative trim.

The shelf unit may be provided in a flat package for assembly as and when required in a retail environment. The component parts of the unit are preferably made from plastics.

Several embodiments of t he invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shelf unit in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an underside perspective view of the shelf unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the shelf unit shown in Figs. I and 2 showing the fitment of a riser member to the underside of a shelf, Figure 4 is a perspective view of one end of a shelf and associated riser of a modified shelf unit in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the showing one end of the shelf and associated riser member of Figure 4 assembled to an inner member of a side wall of the modified shelf unit; and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of part of an inner member of a side wall and 4 an end portion of a shelf and associated riser member of the modified shelf unit.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a shelf unit generally indicated at 10 includes first and second side walls 12, 14, a plurality of shelves 16 arranged in parallel spaced relationship and a plurality of riser members 18 also arranged in parallel spaced relationship. Each riser member 18 extends from the rear edge of an associated shelf 16, as best seen in Figure 2 to form a "staircase" structure. The inside edges of the side walls 12, 14 are formed with grooves or slots (not shown) for receiving the respective ends of the shelves 16 and riser members 18. The ends of the shelves and riser members may be provided with projections which engage in the grooves or slots.

The underside of each shelf 16 is provided with three pairs of projecting rib members 20 which extend longitudinally between the ends of each shelf. The rib members 20 of each pair are spaced apart to provide a groove 22 therebetween for receiving the upper edge 24 of an adjacent riser 18, as best seen from Figure 3. The pairs of rib members 20 are laterally spaced from one another, and the riser members 18 can be snugly received in any of the three grooves 22 between the respective rib members 20. The front edge 26 of a shelf overhangs the riser member 18 located in one of the grooves 22 on its underside by an amount dependent on which of the grooves is selected. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the lowermost riser member 18 is located in the first groove 22 of the adjacent shelf 16, thereby providing a minimum overhang. The other riser members 18 are located in the first, second and third grooves 22 of the adjacent shelf 16.

The shelf unit 10 can be supplied to a retailer as a flat package for assembly as and when required. In assembly of the unit, the relative positions of the shelves 16 and risers 18 are predetermined by the layout of the grooves or slots formed on the inside surfaces of the side walls 12, 14.

Each shelf 16 and associated riser member 18 may be separate components. Alternatively, each shelf 18 and its associated riser member 18 can be formed as an integral component in which the riser member is pivotally attached to its associated shelf For example, the integral shelf and riser member could be formed from a plastics material with the riser member 18 being pivotally attached to the shelf 16 by a plastics hinge. This arrangement means that the riser member can be laid flat with the shelf, i.e. it can lie in the same plane as the shelf, for storage prior to assembly of the unit. During assembly of the unit, the shelf 16 and riser member 18 can be bent to the required angle for assembly to the side walls. A flexible plastics hinge of this type is known as a "live" hinge in the art. The integral shelf and riser member could be formed for example by extrusion or by injection moulding.

The unit 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is simply one example of a possible arrangement of shelves 16 and risers 18. The side walls 12, 14 incorporating the grooves or slots are moulded in plastics and the groove or slot layout can be changed to match the products to be accommodated on the shelf unit as necessary. In certain shelf layouts, it will not be necessary for the top of each riser member to engage a groove in an adjacent shelf The shelves 16 can be positioned at any suitable angle A, see Figure 2, to the horizontal, that is, to the plane of the base of the shelf unit 10. However, in the preferred arrangement the shelves are at an angle of between 45 0 to 75 0, and in particular at 60 0, to the horizontal. The shelves 16 and risers 18 are positioned substantially perpendicular to one another, with the exception of the bottom shelf and its associated riser member. The bottom shelf is positioned parallel to the plane of the base of the shelf unit. The base of the unit is formed by the lower edges 27 of the side walls 12, 14 and are provided with supporting feet 28.

A removable retaining panel 30 is provided at the front of the unit 10, and is made of clear plastics. The ends of the panel 30 are slidably received in grooves or slots provided between ribs 32 projecting from the inside surfaces of the side walls 12, 14.

Advertising material, for example, imitation pieces of chocolate or sweets 34 moulded in plastics and bearing a trade name, can be attached to the front of the panel 30 for display.

The riser member 18 extending from the rear edge of the uppermost shelf 16 is provided with 6 a decorative trim 36.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the grooves or slots in the inner surfaces of the side walls may be provided with resilient clips which engage the ends of the shelves and riser members to firmly attached the shelves and riser members to the side walls.

Figures 4 to 6 show elements of a modified shelf unit in accordance with the invention, the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar features as were used in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 4 shows one end of a shelf 16 and an associated riser 18 of the modified unit. The shelf 16 and riser 18 are formed integrally from a plastics material and the riser is connected to the shelf by a flexible or "live" plastics hinge 37. Conveniently the shelf and riser are formed by injection moulding but could also be formed by extrusion.

The upper edge 24 of the riser 18 may be received in a grove on the underside of an adjacent shelf in a manner similar to that described with reference to the unit shown in Figures 1 to 3. However, in this embodiment the upper edge 24 is provided with an extension 38 which is received in the groove.

A number of formations in the form of resilient clips 39 project from the ends of the shelf 16 and the riser 18. These clips are received in corresponding grooves or slots 40 provided in the inner surface of the side walls to firmly connect the shelf 16 and riser 18 to the side walls.

In the arrangement shown, the end of each shelf 16 and riser 18 is provided with two groups of three clips 39, with each group being received in a corresponding groove or slot 40 in one of the side walls as shown in Figure 5 (only one of the slots for the riser is shown). Each clip 39 is provided with a tang or barb 41 on one surface which engages on outer edge 42 of the groove or slot when the clip is fully inserted to prevent the clip from being withdrawn from the groove or slot. In each group of three clips, the tang or barb of the central clip projects in the opposite direction to the tangs or barbs of the outer clips.

7 The surface 43 of the clip opposite to the tang or barb may be provided with a projection (not shown) which engages a surface of the groove or slot to eliminate free play between the clip and the groove or slot.

It will be understood that the precise number and arrangement of the clips is not essential to the invention. For example, the clips need not be arranged in groups or the groups could comprises more or less than three clips.

In the present embodiment, the grooves or slots 40 are provided in an inner side wall member 44 which can be placed within an outer side wall member (not shown) so that the grooves or slots and the ends of the clips are not visible from the outside when the unit is assembled.

The outer surface of the outer member may be arranged to carry advertising or brand logos etc.

The modified shelf unit can also be supplied as a flat pack for assembly as and when required. The relative positions of the shelves 16 and risers 18 being determined by the layout of the grooves or slots 40 formed inside wall. Figure 6 shows part of an inner member 44 having a number of grooves or slots 40 arranged so as to correctly position several integral shelf and riser components. This arrangement provides a high degree of fiexibility in the layout of the shelves and risers.

8

Claims

1. A shelf unit comprising first and second side walls, the unit further comprising at least one shelf and an associated riser member, the shelf and associated riser member extending between the side walls, the inside surfaces of the side walls being adapted to receive the ends, or formations on the ends, of the or each shelf and associated riser member.

2. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 1, comprising first and second side walls, a plurality of shelves arranged in parallel spaced relationship, and a plurality of riser members also arranged in parallel spaced relationship, both the shelves and the riser members extending between the side walls, a riser member being located between adjacent shelves to form a "staircase" structure, the inside surfaces of the side walls being fonned with grooves or slots for receiving the ends of both the shelves and the riser members.

3. A shelf unit as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which each shelf is provided on its underside and proximate its front edge with at least one pair of projecting longitudinal rib members which are spaced apart to provide a groove therebetween, the or one of the grooves receiving a riser member extending from the shelf below.

4. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the shelves are positioned at an angle of between 45 0 to 70 0 to the horizontal, with the exception of the lowermost shelf.

5. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 4, in which the shelves are positioned at an angle of substantially 60o to the horizontal.

6. A shelf unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the shelves and riser member members are substantially perpendicular to one another, with the exception 9 of the bottom shelf and its associated riser member.

7. A shelf unit as claimed in any previous claim, in which the lower edges of the side walls provide the base of the shelf unit.

8. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 7, in which the bottom shelf is position parallel to the plane of the base of the shelf unit.

9. A shelf unit as claimed in any previous claim, in which the or each shelf and associated riser member are formed as an integral component in which the riser member can pivot relative to the shelf

10. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 9, in which the or each shelf and associated riser member are formed from a plastics material and the riser member is attached to the shelf by means of a plastics hinge.

11. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 in which the or each shelf and associated riser member are able to lie substantially in the same plane prior to assembly to the side walls.

12. A shelf unit as claimed in any previous claim in which the inside surfaces of the side walls are provided with grooves or slots to receive formations provided on the ends of the or each shelf and associated riser member.

13. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 12 in which the formations comprise resilient clips projecting from the ends of the or each shelf and associated riser member.

14. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 13 in which each resilient clip has a tang or barb which engages on an outer edge of a respective groove or slot.

15. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 14 in which each groove or slot receives a group of two or more resilient clips, the tang or barb on at leag one of the clips in the group projecting in the opposite direction from the tang or barb on at least one other clip in the group.

16. A shelf unit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 in which a side of each clip opposite from the tang or barb is provided with a projection which engages with a side of the groove or slot.

17. A shelf unit as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16 in which the relative positions of a shelf and its associated riser member are determined by the relative positions of the grooves or slots which receive the formations on the end of the shelf and associated riser member respectively.

18. A shelf unit as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17 in which each side wall comprises an inner side wall member and an outer side wall member, the grooves or slots being provided in the inner side wall member to receive the formations on the ends of the or each shelf and associated riser member, the arrangement being such that the inner side wall member is received within the outer wall member so that the grooves or slots and clips are not visible from the outside when the shelf unit is assembled

19. A shelf unit as claimed in any previous claim, in which a removable retaining panel is provided at the front of the shelf unit.

20. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 19, in which the retaining panel is made of clear plastics.

21. A shelf unit as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, in which the inner surface of the side walls are adapted to receive the ends, or formations on the ends, of the retaining panel.

22. A shelf unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in whiqh the shelf unit is supplied as a flat package for assembly as and when required.

23. A shelf unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.