US1664945A - Self-service store equipment - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1928. 1,664,945

A. c. ROBERT SELF SERVICE STORE EQUIPMENT Filed Jan. 12. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 LOJ) April 3, 1928.

A. C. ROBERT SELF sERvIcE STORE E UIPMENT Filed Jan. 12. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EY INVENTOR Patented Apr. 3, 1928.

STATES ALEXANDER C. ROBERT, OF DESDEMONA, TEXAS.

SELF-SERVICE Q EQUIPMENT:

Application filed January This invention relates to improvements in grocery store equipment and it refers more particularly to the arrangement and construction of such equipment as applied to self-service stores.

The primary object of the invention is to provide equipment for self-service grocery stores'inwhich'the shelving and other equip- I grant will occupy as small an area as 'pos- 1U sible and thus conserve the floor space and yet provide ample means of access to'the goods.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a store equipment whereby the customers may select their goods at one designated point without unnecessary steps.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a store. equipment constructed in units, the units lending adaptability of construction to stores of varying floor area; and to provide such an equipment as will present a pleasing, ornamental and inviting arrangement, combined with practical utility.

With the above and other minor yet important objects in viewthe invention will be better understood from a perusal of the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of a grocery store, illustrating the construction and arrangement of the equipment.

Figure 2 is a partial vertical elevational view of a portion of the units comprising the shelving.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view of one of the supports for the units containing the shelving.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of a rail, providing a trackway) for the mer-.

chandise carrier or distributor, the view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the merchandise distributor, and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a preferred form of shelf carried by the shelving units.

Proceeding in accordance with the drawing and wherein different numerals designate the various parts of the invention, 1 denotes a framework constructed of T-iron, that is iron or other metal of an elongated form with a central up-standing rib and 1a, 1926. ser al No. 0,698.

the drawingin igure 3. These strips can be bent at right angles to each other and bolted together and thus form the frame. Spaced across the top and the bottom of the frame are cross-bars 2 of the same material, which support the vertical shaft 3 of each of the units 4.

The shaft 3, as will be seen in Figured, is provided with ball bearings upon which the shaft 3 rests directlythebearings therefor being indicated at 5and is aided in its turning movement also by ball bearings 6. These bearings are provided for the reason that the units 4; will be fairly heavy and it is necessary that it turn easily to enable the customer to easily select the goodson any of the shelves.

These units are preferably polygonalshaped as shown in the drawing, and may have as many sides as desired consistent with the practical operation of the unitary arrangement of the shelving. The units, as will be observed in Figure 1, are placed preferably at the left of the store looking from the entrance and have each a railing 7 with a space. for entrance to the railing giving access to the goods on the shelves, thus permitting only one patron to select goods at one time and avoiding crowding.

Adjacent each of the units a suspended wire 9 leading to cashier s stand 10 from each of the' supports 8, the latter for the purpose of holding a basket for the customers goods. The cashier can thus easily return the baskets to their supports when empty. u

The units 4 are further provided with divisional walls 11 radiating from the shaft 3 and have supports 12 for removable shelves '13see Figure 7. The preferred form of construction of these shelves is an upwardly extending back portion 14 and a front lip 15, the lip for the purpose of holding the goods in place and prevent their rolling out. As will be also seen, the rear portion of the shelf doesnot come in contact with the shaft 3, but all space available is utilized from the front of the unit to the shaft. The shelves are thus removable and may be supported upon tracks or in any manner be tween the divisional walls, and can be removed for cleaning and thereby provide a sanitary feature. Each unit is made large enough to hold a complete selection and sufii laterally projecting flanges, as depicted in cient amount of everything carried in a.

grocery store. Each unit also is designed to hold, sufiicient goods to supply several customers before being refilled.

Each outer space between the divisional walls has a glass door 16 to keepout dust and retain the goods in a sanitary condition.

Referring to Figure 1, in one corner of the store is disposed at A one of the units Wherein fruit is displayed and in the center of the only inside the cashiers stand.

Several of the shelving units are arranged at a point B to the rear of the store and thus give the store a finished appearance.

To the rear of the shelving unitslocated at B is a meat block'19, a counter 20, and a refrigerator 21 for meat and the like which equipment may be added to the store equipment if desired.

The stock of goods is distributed and placed on the shelves to the rear of the frame supporting the main row of units and for this purpose there is provided a suspended rail 22see also Figure 5. Arranged to move along this rail is a merchandise distributor 24, illustrated in Figure 6.. The distributor is also of a polygonal shape and follows the general construction and appearance of the other equipment. Ithas rollers 27 for moving it about from any point when off the rail 22 in gathering the stock to be distributed. The distributor has a tackle arrangement 28 for lifting it to its position on the rail. The shelving units may thus be replenished with stock without disturbing the customers, as all the units are accessible from two sides. Tothe rear of unitspositioned at B is a reserve space C for storage of goods.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the equipment embodies a practical means for self-service stores and besides is very ornamental, presenting an inviting view to the customers. Each customer can be served at one time without crowding, and the odd and novel shape of the cashiers stand enables freer access to the cashier than would otherwise be possible.

It should be understood, however, that the shelving units may be arrangedin any 1nanner as will give an attractive appearance to the store, and is not restricted to the arrangement shown. Other modifications may also be made, in keeping with the spirit of the invention.

hat is claimed is:

Selfservice store equipment comprising a plurality of polygonal shaped shelving units,

removable shelves therefor, each of said units having a central shaft mounted on ball bearings, divisional walls in the units radiatingfrom said shaft, openings for doors be tween the walls, a railing with an entrance space adjacent each door and shelving unit, a basket stand for each of said units, and a plurality of conveyors for returning the baskets directly from a cashiers stand respectivelyto a plurality of said stands.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALEXANDER, 0. ROBERT.

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