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

[0012]One embodiment incorporates an insulator which fits into the rear of the vertical channel support bracket or rail element of the shelving structure and encloses therein a shaped, electrically conductive contact strip. This insulator can be molded in a manner that permits the contact strip to snap into place or, alternatively foldable so that the contact strip to be placed in position and the insulator folded about the strip to enclose the same and thus facilitate production of the arrangement.

[0023]The contact clips on the ends of the shelf brackets are exposed when the shelf is removed, but they are not “live” until in contact with the contact strips within the vertical support brackets. In addition, their placement and the incorporation of the wire into the shelf itself further attenuates the possibility of anyone accidentally touching any “live” surface.

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 connected to the shelf.

In addition, the wiring is, in some instances, difficult to conceal.

Further, particularly where the general public is concerned, it is undesirable for an individual (i.e. a layperson) who is not qualified to handle electrical wiring, to install the shelf and to safely make the separate electrical connections which are necessary for the desired lighting, even in the case of low voltage lighting such as that which uses LED as a light source.

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