Cantilevered weight sensitive shelf, rail, and mounting system
A rack assembly for use with an automatic retail device. The rack assembly includes a rack body comprising and a load bar configured to mount to the rack body. The rack body includes a fastening element configured to mount the rack body to a portion of the automatic retail device and a main shelf controller disposed within the rack body and in communication with a microcontroller of the automatic retail device. The load bar includes a weight sensor configured to sense a weight of products positioned on the load bar and a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed on the load bar and in electrical communication with the weight sensor and the main shelf controller. The circuit board transmits a signal corresponding to the weight sensed by the weight sensor to the microcontroller via the main shelf controller.
1. A rack assembly for use with an automatic retail device, the rack assembly comprising:
a rack body comprising:
a fastening element configured to mount the rack body to a portion of the automatic retail device; and
a main shelf controller disposed within the rack body and in communication with a microcontroller of the automatic retail device; and
a load bar configured to mount to the rack body, the load bar comprising:
a weight sensor configured to sense a weight of products positioned on the load bar; and
a circuit board disposed on the load bar and in electrical communication with the weight sensor and the main shelf controller, the circuit board configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the weight sensed by the weight sensor to the microcontroller via the main shelf controller.
2. The rack assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rack body is configured to support and be in electrical communication with a plurality of load bars mounted thereto.
3. The rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a vibration motor operably coupled to a portion of the load bar and in electrical communication with the circuit board, the vibration motor configured to create a tactile vibratory or audible effect to the load bar.
4. The rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a light emitter operably coupled to a portion of the load bar and in electrical communication with the circuit board.
5. The rack assembly of claim 4 , further comprising at least one bin supported by the load bar.
6. The rack assembly of claim 5 , wherein the bin includes a spring-loaded pusher positioned therein, the spring loaded pusher configured to distally advance products positioned in the bin.
7. The rack assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of load bars, each load bar supporting at least one of a plurality of bins.
8. The rack assembly of claim 7 , further comprising an illuminating element associated with each of the plurality of bins, the illuminating element of the bins configured to optically transmit light.
9. The rack assembly of claim 8 , wherein the illuminating element is a light pipe.
10. The rack assembly of claim 9 , wherein the light pipe is a fiber optic component.
11. The rack assembly of claim 9 , wherein the light pipe is configured to enable transmission of light through the bin with which it is associated.
12. The rack assembly of claim 8 , wherein a distal end of each of the plurality of bins is formed of an acrylic material.
13. The rack assembly of claim 12 , wherein the acrylic material on the distal end of the bin forms a lens.
14. The rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein the acrylic material is etched to present a lighted display upon receiving light from the light source.
15. The rack assembly of claim 14 , wherein the lighted display is a logo of the goods in the bin.