AU2017100031A4 - Shelving Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is directed to a shelving assembly for storing and displaying goods. The assembly includes a carrier for carrying a plurality of goods, and one or more weighted units. Each weighted unit has a carrier mount for mounting and securing the respective weighted unit to the carrier and preventing inadvertent removal of the weighted unit from the carrier. The carrier has an angled base so as to facilitate sliding of the goods and the one or more weighted units towards a front end of the carrier. X.:.X:/ 144 12 a s 164 156: 126b

Description

-1 - 2017100031 10 Jan 2017

Shelving Assembly

Technical Field [0001] The invention described herein relates to a shelving assembly for storing and displaying goods. In particular, the shelving assembly is adapted for storing and displaying goods for sale in a supermarket or general store, although the scope of the 5 invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

Background Art [0002] In many retail stores, goods are arranged on shelves and are readily accessible by customers. In conventional shelving systems, the goods can easily become untidy or stuck in hard to reach places, which can undesirably lead to ‘mark- 70 downs’ or loss or sales.

[0003] Some existing shelving systems include spring loaded mechanisms for keeping the displayed goods in tidy columns and pushing the goods of each column forward. Once the forward-most item is removed, a spring pushing against the column of goods pushes the remaining goods forward so that the next item can be accessed. 15 Whilst such a mechanism ensure that goods are always pushed forward on the shelf, it can often be difficult for costumers to push against the action of the spring to return an item into the display assembly. In addition, springs are prone to breakage and entanglement with the goods, undesirable causing the assembly to malfunction and high maintenance costs to the retailer. 20 [0004] Embodiments of the invention may provide a shelving assembly which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides the consumer with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention [0007] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a shelving 25 assembly for storing and displaying goods, the assembly including a carrier for carrying a plurality of goods, and one or more weighted units, each weighted unit having a carrier mount for mounting and securing the respective weighted unit to the carrier and preventing inadvertent removal of the weighted unit from the carrier, the carrier having -2- 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 an angled base so as to facilitate sliding of the goods and the one or more weighted units towards a front end of the carrier.

[0008] Advantageously, the one or more weighted units of the shelving assembly pushes the displayed goods towards a forward end of the shelf by action of gravity, 5 thereby providing a simple and cost effective solution to untidy display of goods and goods being placed in hard to reach places.

[0009] The carrier mount may include a guide arm for guiding the corresponding weighted unit along a defined path on the carrier.

[0010] The carrier mount may include an enlarged end portion for engagement with 10 an interlocking guide slot of the carrier, and wherein the enlarged end portion is slidable along the guide slot to permit the weighted unit to slide along the carrier, and secured within the guide slot so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the weighted unit during use.

[0011] The enlarged end portion of the carrier mount may be inserted into and 15 removed from the interlocking guide slot via an opening proximate a rear end of the guide slot.

[0012] Typically, the carrier mount includes an elongate guide arm projecting downwardly from a body of the weighted unit, and an enlarged end portion at a distal or lower end of the elongate guide arm. 20 [0013] The base can be any suitable shape and size. Preferably, the carrier has a generally rectangular base having a front side, a rear side, and two lateral sides extending between the front and rear sides. The rear side is elevated relative to the front side to create an angled upper surface for the base. The elevation of the rear side with respect to the front side may vary to thereby vary the degree of inclination of the angled 25 upper surface.

[0014] The base may include one or more guide slots, each guide slot extending from a front side to a rear side of the base. Each guide slot may further include an enlarged opening proximate a rear end thereof so that the enlarged end portion of the carrier mount can pass therethrough. Each guide slot may retain the carrier mount of a 30 corresponding weighted unit whilst permitting the carrier mount to slide therethrough.

[0015] The length of the angled base may be adjustable by connecting together or separating two or more like interlocking base modules. Each lateral side of a base module may include connecting mechanisms to allow connection with other like base modules to form a larger base. Any suitable connecting mechanisms may be used. For -3 - 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 example, lateral sides may include protrusions and recesses to allow adjacent base modules to engage with one another. Advantageously, the size of the base can be easily changed and adapted to fit with existing shelfing systems of any dimension by connecting any suitable number of base modules together. For example, each base 5 module may have a length of about 300mm. Combining two or more similar modules may therefore provide larger bases having an overall length of 600mm, 900mm, 1200mm, 2400mm and so forth. The base may therefore be modular so that an assembly of any size to suit the size of the goods to be carried and the size of the display shelf, for example in a supermarket. 10 [0016] The base may be configured to receive one or more dividers for dividing the base into two or more columns. The base may be configured to receive the dividers at any interval along a lengthwise direction of the base. The base may include one or more recesses for receiving the one or more dividers. An upper surface of the base may define a plurality of slots immediately adjacent one another for receiving the one or more 15 dividers at any position along the base. In addition, the upper surface of the base may define a pair of openings disposed adjacent opposite ends of each slot for receiving corresponding protrusions of each divider. Advantageously, the width of each column may be adjusted according to the size of the goods to be carried. The width of each column may be adjusted such that the goods can be stacked in a single file in each 20 column from the front side to the rear side of the base.

[0017] The carrier may further include a pair of side panels for mounting to the base. The panels may be mounted to the lateral sides of the base.

[0018] The carrier may further include a front panel for mounting to the front side of the base. The front panel may be transparent to allow visual inspection of the good 25 through the front panel.

[0019] The shelf assembly may further include a cover. The cover may cover a rear portion of the carrier. The cover may have a generally L-shaped profile for covering a rear side of the carrier and a portion of an upper side of the carrier. The cover may have a front side proximate the front side of the base. An opening may be defined by a space 30 between the cover and the carrier. The opening may be located between the front side of the cover and a front side of the carrier. More particularly, the opening may be located between the front side of the cover and the front panel of the carrier. The opening allows valuable goods to be accessed one at a time so as to prevent large scale theft. -4- 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 [0020] The various components of the assembly, including the one or more base modules, side panels, front panel and cover may be fastened together using any suitable means. For example, the components may be press fitted together, clipped together, slide fitted together, fastened together using clips, pins, nuts and bolts and the like, or 5 any combination thereof [0021] The shelving assembly may be stacked in an upright manner with other like shelving assemblies to form a larger shelving assembly, or shelving assembly tower including a plurality of shelf levels. The shelving assembly can be clipped together in any suitable manner. For example a first shelving assembly may include protrusions on 10 an upper portion for engagement with recesses on a lower portion of a second shelving assembly, or vice versa.

[0022] Each weighted unit may include one or more wheels to facilitate ease of movement. The weighted unit may further include one or more weighted blocks, such as lead weights, and a housing for housing the weighted blocks. The weighted unit may be 15 positioned behind the last goods item in each column such that when a goods item is removed from the front of the column, the weight of the remaining goods on the angled base and that of the weighted unit act together to move the remaining goods towards the front of the carrier. Advantageously. The weighted unit is secured to the carrier via the carrier mount in use so as to prevent removal or displacement of the weighted unit. 20 [0023] Each weighted unit may include a plurality of weight blocks. The number of weight blocks may be varied to vary the total weight of the weight unit. Advantageously, this allows each weight unit to be easily adapted to suit the size and weight of the particular goods to be stored. For example, a larger weight unit including more weight blocks may be used for an assembly for storing light weight goods which 25 may require more assistance in sliding towards the opening under action of gravity. Heavier weight blocks may also be used for bulky goods so as to prevent any goods from being stuck in the assembly and failing to reach the opening during use. Conversely, lighter weighted units may be used for heavier or other suitably sized and weighted goods to ensure that all goods travel to the opening in an effective manner 30 when the front-most positioned goods item(s) is/are retrieved from the assembly.

[0024] The weighted unit may include a housing having graphics on a front panel. Any suitable graphics may be used, for example, the graphics may include logos of one or more brands, the one or more brands may be associated with the goods displayed. During use, when the goods in a particular column on the shelving assembly becomes - 5 - 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 empty, the weighted unit slides forward without obstruction so that the graphics is in full view, serving as a useful notification or reminder that the column requires restocking. In this manner, empty columns are highly visible and can be easily identified by retail staff, so as to reduce time between the restocking of goods for sale, 5 thereby reducing down time, increasing efficiency and promoting higher volume sales.

[0025] In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an 10 embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or 15 characteristic described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shelving assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 20 [0028] Figure 2 is an exploded assembly view of the shelving assembly of Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 3 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 1 showing hidden detail of a weighted unit mounted to the carrier via a carrier mount.

[0030] Figure 4 is a top view illustrating an upper face of the carrier of the 25 assembly of Figure 1.

[0031] Figure 5a is a perspective view of a weighted unit of the assembly as shown in Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 5b is a rear view of the weighted unit shown in Figure 5a.

[0033] Figure 5c is a cross sectional side view of the weighted unit shown in 30 Figure 5a. -6- 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 [0034] Figure 5d is a side view of the weighted unit shown in Figure 5a.

[0035] Figure 5e is a front view of the weighted unit shown in Figure 5a.

[0036] Figure 5f is a bottom view of the weighted unit shown in Figure 5a.

[0037] Figure 5g is a top view of the weighted unit shown in Figure 5a. 5 [0038] Figure 5h is a front isometric view of the weighted unit shown in Figure 5a.

[0039] Figure 6 are perspective views of a pair of shelving assembly towers including a plurality of like shelving assemblies stacked together in a generally upright manner.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment(s) 10 [0040] One embodiment of the shelving assembly 100 is shown in Figure 1 and 2.

The assembly 100 includes a carrier 102 for carrying a plurality of goods (not shown). The assembly 100 also includes a cover 106 which covers a large portion of the carrier 102 and thus the goods when the carrier is full. An opening 108 is provided between the carrier 102 and the cover 106 allowing a limited number of goods 104 to be accessible 15 at any single time.

[0041] The assembly 100 can be mounted on, and support by, a standard retail shelf (not shown). As more clearly shown in Figure 2, the assembly 100 has a length adjustable base and is configured for mounting to a range of different sized retail shelves. Advantageously, the assembly 100 can be readily and conveniently adopted in 20 retail outlets without significant re-arrangement of existing display shelves. This configuration of the assembly 100 also provides a level of flexibility in the retail store’s display arrangement as the assembly 100 does not require fastening to a fixed location. The assembly 100 can therefore be effortlessly moved to any suitable location of the retail store. 25 [0042] Now referring to Figure 2, the carrier 102 includes a base 122 having an angled upper surface 124. In the particular embodiment shown, the base 122 includes three like base modules 126a, 126b, 126c (collectively referred to herein as ‘126’) interlocked together. The base 122 can include any suitable number of base modules 126 to match the size of the store shelf on which the assembly 100 is to be mounted. In 30 one embodiment, the length of a single base module 126 is approximately 300mm. -7- 2017100031 10 Jan 2017

Combining two base modules 126 together will therefore provide a base 122 having a length of 600mm; combining three base modules 126 together will provide a base 122 having a length of 900mm as shown in figures 1 and 2; combining four base modules 126 together will provide a base 122 having a length of 1200mm; combining eight base 5 modules 126 together will provide a base 122 having a length of 2400mm, and so forth. The modularised configuration of the base 122 advantageously allows the assembly 100 to be easily adaptable for a range of differently sized shelves, which provides significant cost savings compared with other storage and display assemblies which must be custom built to fit the available space. 10 [0043] The base modules 126 can be interlocked together via any suitable means.

As shown in Figure 2, base module 126c includes a pair of protrusions 128 on a lateral side 130, which are received in a pair of corresponding recesses (hidden) on a corresponding lateral side 132 of adjacent base module 126b. Base module 126b is connected to base module 126a in a similar manner. 15 [0044] Each base module 126 is generally rectangular when viewed from an elevated position. Each base module 126 has two lateral sides for connection with adjacent base modules 126, a front side 136 and a rear side 138. (The front 136 and rear 138 sides are defined relative to the placement of the assembly 100 on a shelf. The front side 136 faces the customer accessing the goods whilst the rear side 138 faces away 20 from the customer.) The rear side 138 is elevated relative to the front side 136 so as to create an angled upper surface 124. The amount by which the rear side 138 is elevated relative to the front side 136 can vary to create vary the degree of inclination of the angled upper surface 124. In one embodiment, the degree of inclination is roughly 12°.

[0045] The angled surface 124 advantageously allows the goods to automatically 25 slide towards the front side 136 of the base 122 and thus the opening 108 under action of gravity. The angled surface 124 thereby avoids use of various costly spring loaded devices which actively push the goods towards an opening, which can be prone to breakage and malfunction.

[0046] The carrier 102 further includes side panels 140, 142 for mounting to lateral 30 sides 145, 146 of the base 122. Any suitable fastening means can be used to attach the side panels 140, 142 to the base 122. For example, each panel 140, 142 is attached to a respective lateral side 145, 146 using nuts and bolts, or like fasteners.

[0047] The carrier 102 further includes a front panel 150 mounted adjacent the front side 136 of the base 122. In particular, the front panel 150 is inserted into a slot - 8 - 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 152 which runs parallel with the front side 136 of the base 122. The front panel 150 is transparent to allow visual inspection of the goods 104 in the carrier 102 therethrough.

[0048] The carrier 102 further includes a plurality of dividers 144 which divide the carrier 102 into a plurality of columns 146. The position of the dividers 144 and thus the 5 width of the columns 146 can be adjusted according to the size of each of the goods to be carried. A plurality of slots 148 are provided on the upper surface 124 of the base 122 to receive the dividers 144 therein (more clearly shown in Figure 4). Recesses 152, 154 are also provided adjacent opposite ends of each slot 148 to receive end protrusions of each divider 144 (hidden). Any suitable number of dividers 144 can therefore be 10 inserted into any one of the slots 148 on the base 122.

[0049] As more clearly shown in Figure 1, the goods can be arranged in a single file in each column facing the front panel 150 and the opening 108. Advantageously, the carrier 102 can be conveniently adjusted to carry any sized goods, which provides further cost savings as the assembly 100 does not have to be custom built for goods of a 15 specific size.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover 106 has a generally L-shaped profile. The cover 106 is fitted over an upper portion of the carrier 102 and over the rear side 138 of the base 122. The cover 106 is assembled by inserting lateral side portions 156, 158 in corresponding slots 160, 162 of side panels 140, 142. In addition, the cover 20 106 is secured adjacent the rear side 138 of the base 122 via bolts 164. As more clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the opening 108 is located between the cover 106 and the front panel 150. The cover 106 is transparent so as to allow visual inspection of the goods 104 in the assembly 100 (see Figure 1). The size of the cover 106 and side panels 140, 142, to accommodate goods of different heights. The cover 106 may include one or 25 more lights (not shown) to provide decoration and/or illumination for the displayed goods.

[0051] In some embodiments, the assembly 100 does not include a cover 106. In certain applications, goods displayed on the shelf assembly 100 may be partially covered by the shelf above, in which case a cover 106 is not required. In some 30 applications, it may be desirable to display the goods in each column without a cover so as to allow the costumer to select the goods with ease.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the assembly 100 also includes a weighted unit 200 for locating at the back and behind each column 146 of goods. Under the effects of gravity, each weighted unit 200 has a tendency to move from the higher rear side 138 of -9- 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 the base 122 towards the lower front side 136 and thus the opening 108. The weighted units 200 therefore facilitate movement of the goods towards a front side 136 of the carrier 102.

[0053] As shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, each weighted unit 200 includes a 5 housing 204, and three wheels 206. The wheels 206 facilitate movement of the weighted unit 200 towards the lower front side 136 of the base 122. The weighted unit 200 further includes weight blocks 208 enclosed by the housing 204. The weight blocks 208 provides the necessary weight for the weighted unit 200 to function effectively. The weighted unit 200 can be of any suitable size to suit the specific application and nature 10 of goods to be displayed on the shelving assembly 100.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3, the weighted unit 200 is mounted and secured to the carrier 102 via a carrier mount 300 extending downwardly from a body of the weighted unit 200 (Also see Figures 5a to 5h).

[0055] As more clearly shown in Figure 5c, the carrier mount 300 projects 15 downwardly from a rear side of the weighted unit 200. In particular, the carrier mount 300 includes a guide arm 302 extending from the body of the weighted unit 200, and an enlarged end portion 304 proximate a lower end of the guide arm 302.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, a plurality of guide slots 310 are provided on the upper face of the base 122. Each guide slot is elongated and includes an enlarged 20 opening 312 at one end proximate a rear side 138 of the base 122.

[0057] During assembly, once the size of the columns and the location of the weighted units 200 are determined, each carrier mount 300 is inserted into a corresponding guide slot 310 via the enlarged opening 312, which is sized to receive the enlarged end portion 304 of the carrier mount 300. The carrier mount 300 is then 25 allowed the slide within the guide slot 310 towards the front end 136, thereby allowing the weighted unit 200 to slide under gravity. The enlarged end portion 304 is securely held within the guide slot 310 once it moves beyond the enlarged opening 312 as the width of the guide slot 310 is narrowed, whilst allowing the weighted unit 200 to slide as required to move the goods forward during use. 30 [0058] The carrier mount 300 advantageously allows the weighted units 200 to slide under gravity to push the goods by following a defined path of a corresponding guide slot 310. The configuration of the guide slot 310 to secure the carrier mount 300 prevents undesirable removal or displacement of the weighted units 200 during use. 2017100031 10 Jan 2017 -10- [0059] Now referring to Figure 6, which illustrates a pair of shelving tower assemblies 600. Each tower assembly 600 includes six levels, each level being a shelving assembly 100 as previous described. The shelving assemblies 100 are stacked on top of one another in an upright manner to form the larger shelving tower assembly 5 600. The shelving assemblies 100 can be clipped together in any suitable manner. For example a lower shelving assembly may include protrusions on an upper portion thereof for engagement with recesses on a lower portion of an adjacent upper shelving assembly 100, or vice versa.

[0060] Furthermore, a front side 136 of each shelving assembly 100 may be slightly 10 offset from the adjacent shelving assembly 100 below and/or above it. As shown in

Figure 6, the shelving assembly 100” immediately above the bottom-most shelving assembly 100’ is slightly offset horizontally so that a front side 136 of shelving assembly 100” is shifted rearwardly with respect to the front side 136 bottom-most shelving assembly 100’. In other words, the front side 136 and the goods near the front 15 side 136 of the shelving assembly 100’ are more exposed in the offset arrangement. The front side 136 of shelving assembly 100”’ immediately above shelving assembly 100” is also offset from that of shelving assembly 100” in a similar manner, and so forth. Advantageously, the goods stored in each shelving assembly 100 of the tower 600 can be more readily accessed by a costumer. 20 [0061] The foregoing embodiments are illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and various modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways and in other embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 25 [0062] The term “comprise” and variants of that term such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

[0063] Reference to prior art disclosures in this specification is not an admission 30 that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge.

Claims (5)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A shelving assembly for storing and displaying goods, the assembly including a carrier for carrying a plurality of goods, and one or more weighted units, each weighted unit having a carrier mount for mounting and securing the respective weighted unit to the carrier and preventing inadvertent removal of the weighted unit from the carrier, the carrier having an angled base so as to facilitate sliding of the goods and the one or more weighted units towards a front end of the carrier.
2. 2. The shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein carrier mount includes a guide arm for guiding the corresponding weighted unit along a defined path on the carrier.
3. 3. The shelving assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier mount includes an enlarged end portion for engagement with an interlocking guide slot of the carrier, and wherein the enlarged end portion is slidable along the guide slot to permit the weighted unit to slide along the carrier, and secured within the guide slot so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the weighted unit during use.
4. 4. The shelving assembly of claim 3, wherein the enlarged end portion of the carrier mount can be inserted into and removed from the interlocking guide slot via an opening proximate a rear end of the guide slot.
5. 5. The shelving assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the angled base is adjustable by connecting together or separating two or more like interlocking base modules.