Display light

• US 5,690,415 A
• Filed: 11/29/1995
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stylmark, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stylmark, Inc.
• Inventors: Krehl, Edward F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/564,436
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 108/23, 312/237, 362/33, 362/125, 362/133, 362/234, 362/147, 362/370
• US Class Current: 362/125
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/101 Display racks with slotted uprights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes

Abstract

A modular lighted shelf provides a flexible means for displaying and illuminating various items and quantities of merchandise. The modular lighted shelf provides a means to adjust shelf spacing. The shelves include a lamp which illuminates lower shelves. Electrical power for the lamp may be accessed through the shelf structure, and does not limit shelf placement.

Claims

1. A modular lighted shelf apparatus for displaying merchandise and the like, said modular lamped shelf apparatus comprising:

a) a first vertical track,

b) a second vertical track,

c) an electrical bus carried by said second vertical track,

d) a first bracket having a first and second end,

e) a second bracket having a first and second end,

f) a means for operatively connecting said first end of said first bracket to said first vertical track,

g) a means for operatively connecting said first end of said second bracket to said second vertical track,

h) an electrical path having a first end at said first end of said second bracket and second end at said second end of said second bracket, whereby said electrical path transfers electrical energy from said first end to said second end of said electrical path,

i) a means for operatively connecting said first end of said electrical path to said electrical bus,

j) a lamp housing having a first and second end, and a lamp socket,

k) a means for operatively connecting said first end of said lamp housing to said second end of said first bracket,

l) a means for operatively connecting said second end of said lamp housing to said second end of said second bracket,

m) a means for electrically connecting said lamp socket to said second end of said electrical path.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lamp connected to said lamp socket.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shelf supported by a any combination of said first bracket, said second bracket and said lamp housing.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said shelf comprises a transparent material.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical path further comprises a ballast carried by said second bracket, whereby said ballast acts as a power source to said lamp socket.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for operatively connecting said first end of said first bracket to said first track, said means for operatively connecting said first end of said second bracket to said second track, and said means for connecting said first end of said electrical path to said electrical bus each comprise a means for a removable connection.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for operatively connecting said second end of said first bracket to said first end of said lamp housing, said means for operatively connecting said second end of said second bracket to said second end of said lamp housing, and said means for operatively connecting said second end of said electrical path to said lamp socket each comprise a means for a removable connection.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for operatively connecting said second end of said first bracket to said first end of said lamp housing, said means for operatively connecting said second end of said second bracket to said second end of said lamp housing, and said means for operatively connecting said second end of said electrical path to said lamp socket each comprise a means for a solid connection.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for operatively connecting said lamp socket to said second end of said electrical path comprises:

a) a first connector electrically connected to said lamp socket,

b) a second connector electrically connected to said second end of said electrical path whereby said second connector mates with said first connector,

c) a means for keying said first and said second connectors whereby other connectors are prevented from mating with either said first connector or said second connector.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a power source connected to said electrical bus.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first and second shelf comprises a transparent material.

12. A modular lamped shelf apparatus for displaying merchandise and the like, said modular lamped shelf apparatus comprising:

a) a support structure,

b) an electrical power source accessible from said support structure,

c) a first shelf,

d) a means for operatively connecting said first shelf to said support structure,

e) a second shelf,

f) a means for operatively connecting said second shelf to said support structure wherein said second shelf is positioned below said first shelf,

g) a lamp socket attached to said first shelf and oriented to illuminate said second shelf, h) a connecting means for operatively connecting said lamp socket to said electrical power source, wherein said connecting means is enclosed by said shelf.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said electrical power source comprises a plurality of access points.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first and second shelf each further comprise:

a) a first bracket,

b) a second bracket,

c) a lamp housing operatively connected to said first and second brackets, and

d) a plate supported by any combination of said first bracket, said second bracket, said lamp housing, and said support structure.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a lamp connected to said lamp socket.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said connecting means further comprises a ballast carried by said second bracket, whereby said ballast acts as a power source to said lamp socket.

17. A modular lighted shelf apparatus for displaying merchandise and the like, said modular lighted shelf apparatus comprising:

a) a vertical track,

b) an electrical bus carried by said vertical track,

c) a bracket having a first and second end,

d) a means for operatively connecting said first end of said bracket to said first track,

e) an electrical path having a first end at said first end of said bracket and second end at said second end of said bracket, whereby said electrical path transfers electrical energy from said first end to said second end of said electrical path,

f) a means for operatively connecting said first end of said electrical path to said electrical bus,

g) a lamp housing having a first and second end, and a lamp socket,

h) a means for operatively connecting said lamp housing to said second end of said first bracket,

i) a means for electrically connecting said lamp socket to said second end of said electrical path.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a lamp connected to said lamp socket.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a shelf supported by any combination of said bracket, and said lamp housing.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said shelf comprises a transparent material.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said electrical path further comprises a ballast carried by said bracket, whereby said ballast acts as a power source to said lamp socket.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said means for operatively connecting said first end of said bracket to said track, and said means for connecting said first end of said electrical path to said electrical bus each comprise a means for a removable connection.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said means for operatively connecting said second end of said bracket to said lamp housing, and said means for operatively connecting said second end of said electrical path to said lamp socket each comprise a means for a removable connection.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said means for operatively connecting said second end of said bracket to said lamp housing, and said means for operatively connecting said second end of said electrical path to said lamp socket each comprise a means for a solid connection.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said means for operatively connecting said lamp socket to said second end of said electrical path comprises:

a) a first connector electrically connected to said lamp socket,

b) a second connector electrically connected to said second end of said electrical path whereby said second connector mates with said first connector,

c) a means for keying said first and said second connectors whereby other connectors are prevented from mating with either said first connector or said second connector.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a power source connected to said electrical bus.