Shelf light bracket connector system

Abstract

A shelf arrangement has an electrical connector which is disposed with one of a plurality of mechanical connection elements of a shelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket; and a contact strip which is disposed with the vertical support bracket and which has electrical connection features that are engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the mechanical connection elements are inserted into the openings.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to shelves which are equipped with lighting fixtures for the purposes of displaying articles, books and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a connector system which enables electrical connections to be simply and easily established at the same time as the shelves are set into place.[0003]2. Brief Description of the Related Art[0004]Today, shelves incorporating discrete lighting fixtures either underneath (to illuminate a lower shelf) or on the side of the compartment, are in wide use. However, with such shelf arrangements, electrical wiring must be connected between the lighting fixtures which are incorporated into the shelves and a power outlet / socket or the like. In the event of shelf removal and / or shelf location change / rearrangement, the electrical wiring must be separately disconnected and reconnected. This of course is, in the case of even a moderat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]As the vertical support brackets are such that the contact strips are recessed, it is not possible for anyone to accidentally come into contact with the applied voltage. In addition, as these vertical support brackets are installed usually 18 inches or more apart, the possibility of anyone inadvertently bridging them with anything other than the shelves as intended, is ext

Problems solved by technology

This of course is, in the case of even a moderate number of shelves, both laborious and time consuming.

This type of arrangement, which is often referred to as a “cantilever rack”, is readily assembled/dissembled, however again suffers from the drawback that when shelf lighting is required, such as in the case where goods and products are displayed in a supermarket for example, the lighting elements and wiring must be separately and often painstakingly conne

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