IP Library Granted Patent US 10,939,756
Granted Patent B2
US 10,939,756 · App. 16/447,386 · Granted Mar 9, 2021

Modular shelf system

Inventors: Christopher Peck (Williams Bay, WI); Craig Fluegge (Menomonee Falls, WI); Michael Ford (Brookfield, WI)
Assignee: Product Miniature, Inc.
A47B57/16A47B57/404A47B57/406A47B96/024A47B96/025A47F5/10A47F11/10F21V21/35A47F5/005A47F5/0018A47F5/0823A47F5/105F21Y2115/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,939,756
App. No.
16/447,386
Granted
Mar 9, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application provides, in one embodiment, a modular shelf system having spaced apart upright subassemblies that each include a first and second removable support standard recessed within. The system further provides at least one shelf fixture configured to be removably mounted to at least one of the support standards in each of a first and second upright subassemblies selected. The shelf may receive retail product trays via snap-fit fasteners. And, a variably configurable hanger bar may support the modular shelf system.

Claims (41)

1. A modular shelf system, comprising:

at least two spaced apart upright subassemblies, each subassembly comprising:

a first support standard channel having a first opening extending along a front surface, a first plurality of mounting voids disposed within a rear surface, and a first removable support standard recessed within the first support standard channel;

a second support standard channel having a second opening extending along a front surface, a second plurality of mounting voids disposed within a rear surface, and a second removable support standard recessed within the second support standard channel;

wherein the first and second support standard channels are separated by a common wall; and,

at least one shelf fixture configured to be removably mounted to at least one of the support standards in each of a first and second upright subassemblies selected from the at least two spaced apart upright subassemblies.

2. The modular shelf system of claim 1 , wherein the common wall defines a third channel having a third opening in a front surface of the third channel, disposed between the first and second support standard channels.

3. The modular shelf system of claim 1 , wherein the upright comprises a first slot disposed in a first outer side surface of the upright, a second slot disposed in a second outer side surface of the upright opposite the first outer side surface, and wherein the first and second outer side surfaces are generally perpendicular to the exposed front surfaces of the first and second support standard channels.

4. The modular shelf system of claim 3 , further comprising a wall panel extending between the first slot disposed in the first outer side surface of the first upright subassembly and the second slot disposed in the second outer side surface of the second upright subassembly.

5. The modular shelf system of claim 1 , wherein each removable support standard includes a plurality of groves spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the support, and wherein each grove extends along the width of the support standard to provide an area of diminished structural integrity to facilitate controlled breakage of the support standard at a selected grove.

6. The modular shelf system of claim 1 , further comprising a hanger affixed to a rearward support surface, the hanger having a length configured to extend between the first and second upright subassemblies.

7. The modular shelf system of claim 6 , wherein in a first configuration the rearward support surface is a pegboard, and wherein a first series of hanger anchors engages the pegboard while a first series of mounting tabs engages the mounting voids disposed within the rear surface of the uprights to support the least two spaced apart upright subassemblies.

8. The modular shelf system of claim 7 , wherein in a second configuration the rearward support surface is a slat wall, and wherein a second series of hanger anchors engages the slat wall while a second series of mounting tabs engages the mounting voids disposed within the rear surface of the uprights to support the least two spaced apart upright subassemblies.

9. The modular shelf system of claim 8 , wherein in a third configuration a plurality of anchors affixes the hanger to the rearward support surface, and wherein a first series of mounting tabs engages the mounting voids disposed within the rear surface of the uprights to support the least two spaced apart upright subassemblies.

10. The modular shelf system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one shelf fixture comprises a plurality of mounting slots disposed within an upper surface of the fixture, a plurality of fasteners engaging the mounting slots in a snap-fit engagement at a first end of the fasteners, and a tray affixed to the opposing second end of the fasteners.

11. The modular shelf system of claim 10 , wherein the tray is configured to support cosmetic products thereon.

12. A modular shelf system, comprising:

a hanger configured to be affixed to a rearward support surface;

at least two spaced apart upright subassemblies supported by the hanger, each subassembly comprising:

a first support standard channel having a first opening extending along a front surface, a fit plurality of mounting voids disposed within a rear surface that are configured to engage the hanger, and a first removable support standard recessed within the first support channel;

a second support standard channel having a second opening extending along a front surface, a second plurality of mounting voids disposed within a rear surface that are configured to engage the hanger, and a second removable support standard recessed within the second support standard channel;

wherein the first and second support standard channels are separated by a common wall;

at least one shelf fixture configured to be removably mounted to one of the support standards in each of a first and second upright subassemblies selected from the at least two spaced apart upright subassemblies; and,

a wall panel extending between the first and second upright subassemblies rearwardly of the first and second support standards and forwardly of the rear surface of the first and second su port standard channels.

13. The modular shelf system of claim 12 , wherein the common wall defines a third channel having a third opening in a front surface of the third channel, disposed between the first and second support standard channels.

14. The modular shelf system of claim 12 , wherein the upright comprises a first slot disposed in a first outer side surface of the upright, a second slot disposed in a second outer side surface of the upright opposite the first outer side surface, and wherein the first and second outer side surfaces are generally perpendicular to the exposed front surfaces of the first and second support standard channels.

15. The modular shelf system of claim 12 , wherein each removable support standard includes a plurality of groves spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the support, and wherein each groves extends along the width of the support standard to provide an area of diminished structural integrity to facilitate controlled breakage of the support standard at a selected grove.

16. The modular shelf system of claim 12 , wherein in a first configuration the rearward support surface is a pegboard, and wherein a first series of hanger anchors extending from the hanger engages the pegboard while a first series of mounting tabs extending from the hanger engages a series of mounting voids disposed within a rear surface of the uprights to support the least two spaced apart upright subassemblies.

17. The modular shelf system of claim 16 , wherein in a second configuration the rearward support surface is a slat wall, and wherein a second series of hanger anchors extending from the hanger engages the slat wall while a second series of mounting tabs extending from the hanger engages the series of mounting voids disposed within the rear surface of the uprights to support the least two spaced apart upright subassemblies.

18. The modular shelf system of claim 17 , wherein in a third configuration a plurality of anchors affixes the hanger to the rearward support surface, and wherein the first series of mounting tabs engages the mounting voids disposed within the rear surface of the uprights to support the least two spaced apart upright subassemblies.

19. The modular shelf system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one shelf fixture comprises a plurality of mounting slots disposed within an upper surface of the fixture, a plurality of fasteners engaging the mounting slots in a snap-fit engagement at a first end of the fasteners, and a tray affixed to the opposing second end of the fasteners.

20. A modular shelf system, comprising:

a variable-positionable hanger configured to be affixed to a rearward support surface;

at least two spaced apart upright subassemblies supported by the hanger, each subassembly comprising:

a first support standard channel having a first opening extending along a front surface, a first plurality of mounting voids disposed within a rear surface that are configured to engage the hanger, and a first removable support standard recessed within the first support channel;

a second support standard channel having a second opening extending along a front surface, a second plurality of mounting voids disposed within a rear surface that are configured to engage the hanger, and a second removable support standard recessed within the second support standard channel;

wherein the first and second support standard channels are separated by a common wall;

at least one shelf fixture configured to be removably mounted to one of the support standards in each of a first and second upright subassemblies selected from the at least two spaced apart upright subassemblies, the at least one shelf fixture comprising a plurality of mounting slots disposed within an upper surface of the fixture;

a plurality of fasteners engaging the mounting slots in a snap-fit engagement at a first end of the fasteners;

a tray affixed to the opposing second end of the fasteners, the tray configured to support retail products thereon; and,

a wall panel extending between the first and second upright subassemblies rearwardly of the first and second support standards and forwardly of the rear surface of the first and second support standard channel.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2021
From: PRODUCT MINIATURE CO., INC.
To: FIRST BUSINESS SPECIALTY FINANCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 056837/0718 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2020
From: PECK, CHRISTOPHER; FLUEGGE, CRAIG; FORD, MICHAEL
To: PRODUCT MINIATURE, INC. D/B/A PM PLASTICS
Reel/Frame 053743/0906 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62703532 · Jul 26, 2018
Provisional Application 62688816 · Jun 22, 2018
Related Publication 20190387875A1 · Dec 26, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,573,322