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. An automatic retail device comprising:
an enclosure including a glass front door;
a locking mechanism securing the glass front door to the enclosure and limiting access to the enclosure;
a rack assembly including a computing device mounted to a portion of the automatic retail device;
a load bar configured to mount to the rack assembly and configured to receive goods enclosed in blister packs, the load bar including a weight sensor configured to sense a weight of the blister packs positioned on the load bar and transmit a signal to the computing device upon detection of a change in weight of the blister packs.
2. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the load bar is configured to hang the blister pack from the load bar.
3. The automatic retail device of claim 2 , wherein the load bar is configured to receive a hook connected to the blister packs to hang the blister pack from the load bar.
4. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the rack assembly is configured to support and be in electrical communication with a plurality of load bars mounted thereto.
5. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , further comprising a vibration motor operably coupled to a portion of the load bar and in communication with the computing device, the vibration motor configured to create a tactile vibratory or audible effect to the load bar.
6. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , further comprising a light emitter operably coupled to a portion of the load bar and in electrical communication with the computing device.
7. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , further comprising a bin supported by a second load bar.
8. The automatic retail device of claim 7 , wherein the bin includes a spring-loaded pusher positioned therein, the spring loaded pusher configured to distally advance products positioned in the bin.
9. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the load bar is formed of an extruded material.
10. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the load bar further comprises a bracket configured to connect the load bar to the rack assembly.
11. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the load bar includes at least one printed circuit board in communication with the computing device.
12. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the rack assembly is mounted to a back wall of the enclosure.
13. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the load bar includes at least one illuminating element.
14. The automatic retail device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one illuminating element is a light emitting diode is in electrical communication with the computing device.
15. The automatic retail device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one illuminating element includes a lens.
16. The automatic retail device of claim 15 , further comprising a light pipe optically coupling the illuminating element and the lens.
17. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the weight sensor is a strain gauge in electrical communication with the computing device.
18. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , wherein the weight sensor is a load cell.
19. The automatic retail device of claim 1 , further comprising a third load bar configured to receive a lockable boot.
20. The automatic retail device of claim 19 , further comprising a lockable element associated with the lockable boot and configured to individually lock the boot to the third load bar.