Store fixture power distribution system

• US 6,677,689 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transform Sr Brands, LLC (ESL Investments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sears Brands LLC (Sears Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Simic, Goran, Marihugh, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/833,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 307/147, 439/535, 439/652, 174/40.R, 174/75.R
• US Class Current: 307/147
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles

Abstract

A modular electrical power and/or signal distribution system for store product displays can include a plurality of product display fixtures each defining at least one product display surface. An electrical distribution grid can be provided above the plurality of display fixtures within the store. The electrical distribution grid can have a plurality of spaced apart junction boxes each linked at least to a power source. A riser can be removably coupled to part of the fixture. The riser can have a lower box section with at least one power receptacle and an upper conduit section with a power cable extending from the conduit section. The power cable can have a power plug adapted for electrical connection with a selected one of the junction boxes and for electrically coupling the at least one power receptacle to the distribution grid. The system can also provide various signal connections for different products displayed, as needed. The system can be provided as separate modular components, as a single system, or as a kit including one or more risers, cable connections, and cable mask and support grids attachable near the store ceiling.

Claims

1. A modular power distribution system for product display within a store, the distribution system comprising:

a plurality of product display fixtures each defining at least one product display surface;

an electrical distribution grid provided above a plurality of display fixtures within the store, the electrical distribution grid having a plurality of spaced apart junction boxes each linked at least to a power source;

a riser removably coupled to part of the fixture, the riser having a lower box section with at least one power receptacle and having an upper conduit section with a power cable extending from the conduit section, the power cable having a power plug adapted for electrical connection with a selected one of the junction boxes and for electrically coupling the at least one power receptacle to the distribution grid.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the upper section of the riser further comprises:

a first conduit having a power cable passing through and extending from a distal end of the first conduit; and

a second conduit having at least one signal cable electrically coupled to a corresponding signal receptacle of the lower section, the signal cable passing through and extending from a distal end of the second conduit.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the lower section of the riser further comprises:

at least one signal receptacle; and

at least one signal cable extending from the conduit section and having a signal plug adapted for signal connection with a selected one of the junction boxes and for coupling the at least one signal receptacle to the distribution grid.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical distribution grid is also coupled to at least one signal source.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical distribution grid is provided in a ceiling of the store.

6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of signal sources coupled to the electrical distribution grid;

a plurality of signal receptacles provided in the lower section of the riser; and

a plurality of signal cables extending from the conduit section each having a corresponding signal plug adapted for signal connection with a selected one of the junction boxes and for coupling the respective signal receptacles to the electrical distribution grid.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein each product display fixture further comprises:

at least one shelf defining a product display surface;

a recessed trough in the product display surface; and

a plurality of power receptacles arranged in the trough, the plurality of power receptacles each electrically coupled with the at least one power receptacle in the lower section of the riser.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein each of the product display fixtures includes a plurality of the shelves and wherein each of the risers includes a plurality of the power receptacles.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein each of the product display fixtures further comprises:

a frame;

a plurality of shelves supported by the frame, each of the shelves defining a product display surface; and

wheels supporting the frame.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein each riser further comprises a lamp extending from a top end of the riser.

11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one mask and support grid suspended from a ceiling of the store, the mask and support grid having a mesh grid positioned and arranged to support excess length of cable extending between the junction box and the upper section of the riser.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein each mask and support grid is suspended by a hook attached to a clip connected to a portion of the store ceiling.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the riser further comprises:

a back side; and

at least one hook extending from the back side and adapted to removably attached the riser to a part of the product display fixture.

14. A system according to claim 13, further comprising:

at least one hook extending from the back side near a top end of the riser and at least one hook extending from the back side near a bottom end of the riser.

15. A product display fixture for a store, the display fixture comprising:

at least one display surface having a trough recessed into a portion of the display surface, a plurality of power receptacles disposed within the trough, a power cable electrically coupled to each of the receptacles, and a plug connector at a distal end of the cable extending from the shelf; and

a riser removably coupled to part of the fixture, the riser having a lower section with at least one power receptacle for receiving the plug connector of the shelf and having an upper section with a riser plug connector at a distal end of an upwardly extending riser power cable, wherein the riser plug connector is adapted for electrical connection with a junction box of a power supply.

16. A product display fixture according to claim 15, wherein the trough is positioned near a center axis of a shelf and wherein the shelf defines a product display surface on both sides of the trough.

17. A product display fixture according to claim 15, wherein the trough has opposed ends and a bottom opening near at least one of the opposed ends and wherein the power cable passes from the trough through the bottom opening.

18. A product display fixture according to claim 15, further comprising:

a plurality of shelves each defining one of the at least one product display surfaces.

19. A product display fixture according to claim 15, wherein the riser includes a lower section with a back side and a back opening in the back side and wherein the power plug connector is received through the back opening and plugged into the at least one power receptacle.

20. A product display fixture according to claim 19, wherein the riser further comprises:

at least one hook extending from the back side, the hook removably attached to a portion of a frame of the product display fixture.

21. A product display fixture according to claim 15, wherein the upper section of the riser further comprises:

a first conduit through which the riser power cable passes and having a distal end from which a portion of the riser power cable and the riser plug connector extend; and

a second conduit having at least one signal cable electrically coupled to a corresponding signal receptacle of the lower section, the at least one signal cable passing through and extending from a distal end of the second conduit.

22. A product display fixture according to claim 15, wherein the riser has a front opening and a removable front cover over the front opening.

23. A riser for a power distribution system for product display fixtures in a store, the riser comprising:

a lower box section having an interior and a top end;

at least one power receptacle within the interior for electrically coupling the power distribution riser with the product display fixture;

at least one conduit extending upward from the top end;

at least one power cable electrically coupled to the at least one receptacle and extending upward through and beyond a distal end of the conduit;

a power plug connector on a distal end of the cord for connecting the power distribution riser to an external power supply; and

a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting the power distribution riser on a product display fixture.

24. A riser according to claim 23, further comprising a plurality of the power receptacles in the interior of the lower box section.

25. A riser according to claim 23, further comprising:

a second conduit; and

at least one signal cable passing through and extending from a distal end of the second conduit and electrically coupled to a corresponding signal receptacle within the interior of the lower box section.

26. A riser according to claim 25, further comprising:

a plurality of the signal cables and a corresponding plurality of the signal receptacles.

27. A riser according to claim 23, further comprising:

a front opening in the lower box section;

an openable front cover over the front opening; and

a back side of the lower box section having a back opening.

28. A riser according to claim 23, further comprising:

a lamp coupled to a top end of the lower box section.

29. A riser according to claim 23, wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises:

a pair of hooks extending from a back side of the lower box section near a top end.

30. A riser according to claim 29, wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises:

a pair of hooks extending from the back side of the lower box section near a bottom end.

31. A method for distributing power and other signals to product displays within a store, the method comprising the steps of:

arranging an electrical distribution grid including a plurality of spaced apart junction boxes near a ceiling of the store;

coupling each junction box to a power supply of the store;

placing a plurality of display fixtures within the store wherein each fixture defines at least one display surface;

mounting a riser to a portion of each of the plurality of display fixtures, each riser having at least one power receptacle, at least one conduit, at least one power cord passing through and extending from the at least one conduit, and a power plug connector on the distal end of the at least one power cord;

placing product on the display surfaces;

electrically coupling the product to the at least one receptacle of the distribution riser; and

connecting the power plug connector of the power cord to a selected one of the junction boxes.

32. A method according to claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

positioning a cable mask and support grid near the selected one junction box and between the power distribution grid and the riser; and

routing any excess length of the at least one power cord to rest at least partially on the mask and support grid.

33. A method according to claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

further coupling signal plug connectors of the product to corresponding signal receptacles of each riser; and

further connecting signal plug connectors of signal cables coupled with the signal receptacles into corresponding signal receptacles of the selected one junction box for each riser.

34. A method according to claim 31, wherein the step of electrically coupling further comprises:

coupling the product to power receptacles of the product display surface; and

coupling a power cable of the product display surface to the at least one power receptacle of the riser.

35. A distribution kit for display fixtures in a store having an electrical distribution grid in a ceiling of a store, the distribution kit comprising:

a riser adapted for attachment to a product display fixture of the store, the riser having at least one power receptacle, at least one upwardly extending conduit, and at least one power cable passing through and extending from a distal end of the conduit;

a mounting mechanism for removably attaching the riser to the product display fixture; and

a mask and support grid for mounting to the store ceiling near the distal end of the at least one conduit, the mask and support grid having a support surface for supporting an excess portion of the power cable extending between the store distribution grid and the distal end of the at least one conduit.

36. A distribution kit according to claim 35, wherein the mask and support grid includes a circular perimeter frame and a mesh grid supported within the perimeter frame and wherein the mesh grid defines the support surface.

37. A distribution kit according to claim 35, further comprising:

at least one product display shelf for mounting to the product display fixture, the shelf defining a product display surface and having a trough recessed in the product display surface, the trough having a plurality of power plug receptacles therein.

38. A distribution kit according to claim 35, further comprising:

a lamp removably attached to the riser.

39. A distribution kit according to claim 35, wherein the riser further comprises:

a second upwardly extending conduit;

at least one signal receptacle;

at least one signal cable coupled with the signal receptacle and passing through and extending from the second conduit; and

at least one signal plug connector at a distal end of the signal cable.

40. A distribution kit according to claim 35, wherein the mounting mechanism includes at least one hook extending from the riser for attachment to a portion of a product display fixture.

41. A distribution kit according to claim 40, wherein the mounting mechanism further includes at least one hook extending from a back side near a top end of the riser and at least one hook extending from the back side near a bottom end of the riser.