WO2011108949A1

WO2011108949A1 - Illuminated shelf system

Info

Publication number: WO2011108949A1
Application number: PCT/PH2010/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arie P. Willard
Original assignee: De Mesa, Emmanuel, G.
Priority date: 2010-03-01
Filing date: 2010-03-01
Publication date: 2011-09-09

Abstract

An illuminated shelf system comprising: A shelf structure defined by a plurality of translucent vertical panel assemblies and plurality of translucent horizontal walling interconnecting said vertical panel assemblies, said vertical panel assemblies and horizontal walling being made such that they are capable of illuminating light coming from a lighting assembly being held thereof, said lighting assembly being defined by a channel member having strip of light source provided thereof, each of the translucent vertical panel assemblies includes a plurality of hollowed translucent panel members being capable of interconnecting with each other through connecting means provided there-between, said horizontal translucent walling being defined by a plurality of elongated translucent members being arranged in a manner wherein their side portions being in abutment with each other, said connecting means is being made such that it is further capable of retaining thereof the end portions of each of the elongated translucent members, and lighting means provided within the connecting means being arranged such that it is capable of illuminating said translucent horizontal walling.

Description

ILLUMINATED SHELF SYSTEM

Technical Field:

The present invention relates generally to shelf system and more particularly to an illuminated shelf system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Normally, displaying wine bottles utilizes wine racks having a plurality of receptacles wherein the bottles are being held in a horizontal manner therein. These wine racks comes in various designs and mostly are in the form of modular frames made of metal or wood materials. These racks are painted or made of stainless materials to provide an aesthetic appearance to the display.

One of these types of rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,305 wherein the modular rack comprises a plurality of based frames having a bottle-holding hole and in the periphery are a plurality of tenons, mortises and slots. A plurality of support slots engageable with said slots of the base frames, and said base frames being arranged to be fitted together by attaching the tenons to corresponding mortises of the frames. While this rack appears to be effective in displaying wine bottle, it is however, does not provide an admirable impression that would give aesthetic quality to the wine bottle in display.

To provide aesthetic impression, illuminated rack structures have been introduced. One of such illuminated rack is a subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,257. Said patent discloses an illuminated bottle display rack that includes a cabinet having a front, back, side and top walls that defines a hollow sections therebetween. The front wall is provided with an outside face and an inner face and the back wall is provided with at least an inner face. The front wall of the rack is provided with openings extending therethrough from the front face to the inner face, wherein each of the openings is capable of receiving a bottle. A translucent casing extending from each of the openings at the inner face of the front wall into a lighted hollow section so as to receive a bottle extending through the opening. The rack is further provided with means for blocking ultraviolet radiation of the light source from the bottles and ventilating means for reducing the heat produced by the light source. While the above-mentioned rack can provide some aesthetic impression to the display bottles, its overall design, however, is confined to a simple lighted cabinet wherein its structure cannot be altered to accommodate additional aesthetic feature. Its components cannot be interchanged and light illumination is not ample enough to provide a glowing rack worthy of appreciation.

Summary:

In view thereof, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an illuminated shelf system which can remedy the above drawbacks of the prior art.

Another important feature of the present invention is its modular structure wherein its components can be easily assembled and interlocked with each other to create an illum inated shelf having an aesthetic appearance.

Yet another object is to provide an illuminated shelf system which can give worthy appreciations to the bottles accommodated thereof.

A further object is to provide an illuminated shelf system which is very easy to assemble and can assume various aesthetic design features.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a perspective view of the display shelf system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the same;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3b is an isolated exploded view showing another aspect of connecting the panel member to the lighting assembly ;

Figure 3c is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment aspect shown in Figure 3b;

Figure 4 is an isolated perspective view showing the attachment of the translucent elongated member to the connecting means; P T/PH2010/000003

Figure 5 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another aspect of the present invention;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the invention shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is another cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 6, and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a display shelf system generally designated as 10 comprising a shelf structure 11 defined by a plurality of spaced vertical panel assemblies 12 interconnected to each other by a plurality of horizontal walling 13, and coextensive lighting assembly 14 being held on each of the panel assembly being made such that it is capable of providing illumination thereof.

Each panel assembly includes a plurality of hollowed panel members 1 5 being made such that they are capable of attachment to each other in a tier-like manner through connecting means 16 provided thereof. Each panel member is preferably an enclosed hollow piece having coextensive opening 15a provided at the rear portion and retaining bore 15b provided at the upper and lower portions. Opening 15a is being made such that it is capable of allowing entry of light to the hollowed portion of the panel member, and said retaining bore 15b being capable of retaining thereof one end of connecting means 16. Panel member 15 is further provided with extended rear portion 17 that defines a pair of flaps 15c each having interlocking members 15d being capable of attachment to the lighting assembly 14. Interlocking members may be in the form of pins or lugs with expanded portion to facilitate tight attachment, in another aspect, the pair flaps 15c may be provided with coextensive tongue 15d being made such that it is capable of interlocking attachment to corresponding grooves provided on the lighting assembly. Panel member 15 may assume hollow geometric form having diamond, triangular, rectangular, circular, square, V, U, or C cross-section. Said panel members are further made of thermoplastic material being capable of diffusing light in a glowing manner. Such material may include acrylic, polyurethane, glass or plastic glass. Lighting assembly 14 includes a channel member 18 having a light source, such as light emitting diodes (LED) strip 14a, being held thereof. Provided on said channel member are plurality of retaining members 1 9 being made such that it is capable of retaining interlocking members 15d of the panel members to facilitate attachment. Said retaining members may be in the form of holes having pre-shaped configuration capable of providing tight interlocking connection with interlocking members 5d of the panel member. In another aspect, instead of holes, the side walls of channel member 18 is provided with coextensive groove 0 disposed at the outer portion which serves in retaining thereof the tongue 15d of panel member and tongues provided at the connecting means. Disposed adjacent groove 0 is a coextensive inner groove 01 disposed adjacent said groove O being made such that it is capable of retaining thereof the strip of light emitting diode (LED).

Connecting means 16 is preferably an elongated enclosure having extending flaps 20 on one end with interlocking members 21 provided thereof. Said interlocking members being made such that it is capable of attachment to retaining members 1 9 of the channel member of the lighting assembly 14. It is preferably in the form of lugs disposed at the inner wall of flaps 20. In another aspect, coextensive tongue T, instead of pins or lugs, are provided at the inner portions of the pair of flaps 20. Said coextensive tongues T is being arranged such that they are capable of interlocking with grooves O of the lighting assembly to facilitate attachment of the panel member to the lighting assembly. Post member 22 provided on the other end of the elongated enclosure and disposed at the upper and lower portion being capable of fitting with retaining bores 1 9 of panel member 15. Said elongated enclosure having a dividing wall 23 with lighting means, such as light emitting diode (LED) strip 24 disposed on both sides. A slot 25 provided on both sides of the enclosure being made such that the end portions of horizontal walling 1 3 is capable of insertion. Connecting means may be integrated with the panel member such that it forms a unitary piece.

Each of the horizontal walling 13 is defined by a plurality of elongated translucent members 1 3a being arranged in a manner wherein their side edges are in abutment with each other, thereby defining a walling structure. Each of the translucent members 13a is preferably made of thermoplastic material being capable of diffusing light in a glowing manner. Its material is preferably the same with the alternative materials being used for the panel members. Said elongated translucent members may further be provided with bubble-like formations 13b to provide an aesthetic illuminating effect.

In another aspect of the present invention, a translucent rear walling 26 is fixedly connected to the lighting assembly. Said rear walling being defined by a plurality of elongated translucent members 26a being held together on both ends by the panel member 26b of the lighting assembly, thereby defining a walling structure. Attachment of the rear walling to the lighting assembly is facilitated by suitable attachment means, such as bolts and nuts 26c. The arrangement or formation of the translucent members may be interrupted by coextensive elongated piece 27 having a plurality of bores 28, wherein a plurality of bottle support means 29 is capable of retaining thereof (Figure 10). The translucent members 26a may assume other pre- shaped form such as undulating, such that an undulating rear walling is formed. Other variation includes at least a corrugation may be provided in the elongated translucent member or it may be provided with geometrically shaped bended formation, such as V-shape or C-shape bended formation. Said bottle support means 29 being made such that it is capable of supporting and holding wine bottle in a horizontal manner. Each of said bottle support means being defined by a pair of rod member 30 and 30a each having a pair of pre-shaped support pieces 30b being held thereof. The support pieces of one rod members 30 being of greater height than the support pieces of the other rod member 30a, and each pieces of said rod members 30 having an arcuated depression D being narrower in depression than the depression E of the pair of pieces of the other rod member . The neck of the bottle is capable of resting on the narrow depression of the pieces of greater height while the body of the bottle is capable of resting in the wider depression provided in the pieces of lower height. At least two bottles can be supported by one bottle support means.

The translucent walling 26 may be utilized as a unitary illuminated shelf which can be attached to the edges of suitable opening. The translucent walling can serve in supporting wine bottles apart from the other components of the illuminated shelf system.

In yet another embodiment, each of the panel members 1 5e is a bended piece that defines a gap G, and a hollow member H bridging said bended piece thereby forming an opening 31 which serves as bottle holding member wherein the neck of suitable wine bottle is capable of fitting thereof (Figure 6). Said holding member being made in a manner wherein its diameter is designed to hold the neck of the bottle without the possibility of unnecessary displacement thereof. The pair of walls defining panel member 1 5e is provided with coextensive tongues G1 adapted to interlock with corresponding groove 0 of the lighting assembly to facilitate attachment.

Still in another aspect of the invention and as shown in Figure 5, a planar translucent panel 13a having a plurality of post members 32 on both sides is fitted with the slots 25 of each of the connecting means, thereby defining thereof a plurality of tiered horizontal walls (Figure 5). The rear end edges of each of the translucent panels may be fitted with lighting assembly 14 to facilitate illumination of the panels.

To extend the illuminated shelf system, both slots of the connecting means is utilized and fitted with translucent horizontal walling 13 and made to interconnect with the connecting means 16 of another panel assembly and so on until the desired length of the display shelf system is achieved. The outer slot can then be closed by fitting thereof a cover member 33.

The shelf system may also be provided with leg members - 34 to put it in an elevated position.

Claims

I claim:

1 . An illuminated shelf system comprising:

A shelf structure defined by a plurality of translucent vertical panel assemblies and plurality of translucent horizontal walling interconnecting said vertical panel assemblies, said vertical panel assemblies and horizontal walling being made such that they are capable of illuminating light coming from a lighting assembly being held thereof, said lighting assembly being made such that it is capable of retaining thereof said translucent vertical panel assemblies and translucent horizontal walling and provides lighting thereof, each of the translucent vertical panel assemblies includes a plurality of hollowed translucent panel members being capable of interconnecting with each other through connecting means provided there-between, said horizontal translucent walling being defined by a plurality of elongated translucent members being arranged in a manner wherein their side portions being in abutment with each other, said connecting means is being made such that it is further capable of retaining thereof the end portions of each of the elongated translucent members, and lighting means provided within the connecting means being arranged such that it is capable of illuminating said translucent horizontal walling.

2. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein each of the hollowed translucent panel members being defined by an enclosed hollow piece having coextensive opening provided at the rear portion, retaining bores provided on one end and disposed at the upper and lower portions, and extended rear portions that defines a pair of flaps each having interlocking members being capable of attachment to said lighting assembly.

3. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 2 wherein said interlocking members are in the form of lugs.

4. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 2 wherein said interlocking members are coextensive tongues provided thereof.

5. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 2 wherein each of the translucent panel members is a bended piece having a pair of side walls with a plurality of bridging hollowed pieces that defines a plurality of openings thereof.

6. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means is an elongated enclosure having an extended flaps with interlocking members disposed thereof, post members provided on the other end and disposed at the upper and lower portions and slot provided on both sides of the enclosure and in communication with said lighting means, said post members being capable of fitting with the retaining bores of said translucent panel member and said slots being capable of holding the end edges of said elongated translucent members.

7. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means is integrated in said translucent panel member.

8. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 6 wherein said interlocking members are lugs provided on the extended flaps.

9. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 6 wherein said interlocking members are coextensive tongues provided on the extended flaps.

10. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein said lighting assembly includes a channel member having lighting source provided thereof, a plurality of retaining members provided on the channel member being made such that they are capable of attaching in an interlocking manner thereof the translucent panel members and connecting means.

11 . An illuminated shelf system according to claim 10 wherein said retaining members are holes provided in the channel member.

12. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 10 wherein said interlocking members are coextensive grooves provided in the channel member.

13. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein each of said translucent horizontal walling is a planar translucent panel having lighting assembly provided thereof.

14. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein each of said panel members further having pre-shaped configuration that includes U, V, C, diamond, triangular, rectangular, square or circular cross-section.

15. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein said translucent vertical panel assemblies and translucent horizontal walling is made of material that includes acrylic plastic, polyurethane, plastic glass, or glass.

16. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein the light source of said 5 lighting assembly are strips of light emitting diodes (LED).

17. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein said shelf structure being capable of extending through interconnection of additional identical translucent vertical panel assemblies and translucent horizontal walling.

1 8. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 1 wherein said translucent panel I 0 members and horizontal walling being made of translucent material that includes acrylic, polyurethane, plastic glass or glass.

19. An illuminated shelf system comprising:

A shelf structure defined by a plurality of translucent vertical panel assemblies, a plurality of translucent horizontal walling interconnecting said

15 translucent vertical panel assemblies, said vertical panel assemblies and horizontal walling being made such that they are capable of illuminating light coming from a lighting assembly being held thereof, said lighting assembly being defined by a channel member having strip of light source provided thereof, and rear walling fixedly connected to said lighting assembly, said rear 0 walling being defined by a plurality of elongated translucent members being held together on both ends by a lighting assembly thereby defining a walling structure, coextensive elongated piece interrupting the formation of the translucent members being made such that it is capable of holding thereof a plurality bottle support means, each of the translucent vertical panel 5 assemblies includes a plurality of hollowed translucent panel members being capable of interconnecting with each other through connecting means provided there-between, said connecting means is being made such that it is further capable of retaining thereof the end portions of each of the translucent members, said horizontal translucent walling being defined by a plurality of

30 elongated translucent members being arranged in a manner wherein their side portions being in abutment with each other, and lighting means provided within the connecting means being arranged such that it is capable of illuminating said translucent horizontal walling.

20. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein said rear walling may assume a pre-shaped form.

21. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 20 wherein said pre-shaped form includes undulated or corrugated configuration.

22. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein said rear walling is provided with geometrically shaped bended formation.

23. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein each of the hollowed translucent panel members being defined by an enclosed hollow piece having coextensive opening provided at the rear portion, retaining bores provided on one end and disposed at the upper and lower portions and extended rear portions that defines a pair of flaps each having interlocking members being capable of attachment to said lighting assembly.

24. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein said connecting means is integrated to the translucent panel member.

25. An illuminated shelf assembly according to claim 19 wherein said lighting assembly having a channel member with coextensive grooves provided thereof.

26. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein each of said translucent panel members being defined by a bended piece that defines a pair of side walls having coextensive tongues.

27. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 23 wherein said interlocking members are pins or lug.

28. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 23 wherein said interlocking members are coextensive tongues.

29. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein said shelf structure being capable of extending through interconnection of additional identical translucent vertical panel assemblies, translucent horizontal walling and translucent rear walling.

30. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein each of the translucent panel members being provided with openings being made such that each is capable of retaining therein the neck of suitable bottle.

31. An illuminated shelf system according to claim 19 wherein said light source is strip of light emitting diode (LED).

32. An illuminating shelf comprising a plurality of elongated translucent members having their end portions being held by a lighting assembly thereby defining a shelf structure, said lighting assembly is defined by a channel member having light source provided thereof, and coextensive piece disposed and interrupting the formation of said translucent members, said coextensive piece being made such that it is capable of holding a plurality of bottle supporting means thereof.

33. An illuminating shelf according to claim 32 wherein said shelf structure may assume a pre-shaped form that includes undulated or corrugated configuration.