WO2013108257A1

WO2013108257A1 - Multi-functional furnishing attachment and methods for utilizing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2013108257A1
Application number: PCT/IL2013/050053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amir HANEGBI
Original assignee: Hanegbi Amir
Priority date: 2012-01-20
Filing date: 2013-01-17
Publication date: 2013-07-25

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi-functional furnishing attachment and methods for utilizing the same. The multi-functional furnishing attachment is comprised of a profile, a presentation space and a rail. The furnishing attachment can be secured to a shelf and add-ons may be snap connected to the rail. Add-ons may be attached both above and below the multi-functional furnishing attachment. Means to illuminate semi- transparent add-ons from within are also provided.

Description

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FURNISHING ATTACHMENT AND METHODS FOR

UTILIZING THE SAME

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the field of furnishing attachments; more specifically but not exclusively, the invention is related to the field of shelves profiles. Furnishing attachments are abundant at many fields in the industry? furnishing attachments are mostly recognized as profiles attached to the shelves of supermarkets or any other retail stores to present the prices of the items on the shelves. As the shelves carry many items, each distributor is interested in distinguishing the items he is trying to sell. To this end, shelves profiles are often utilized as platforms onto which various signs are attached to draw the attention of the customers to specific items presented on the shelves. As each distributor would like to draw more attention to his items, many signs are attached to the shelves profiles and the signs are often designed to extend beyond the shelves to be distinguished from the other signs. This causes a considerable load over the shelves profiles which often results in wearing and breaking of the signs and sometimes of the shelves profiles themselves. Alternatively, some retail stores restrict the number and the size of the campaigns (signs) which are allowed to be attached to each shelf profile. Such restrictions may decrease the campaign fees which would otherwise be paid to the owner of the retail store. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

United Sates patent application US2007245611 (Al) to Mcdonald discloses a snap-on label holder adapted for direct mounting to the front edge of a shelf. The label holder has a hingeable front pocket member interconnected by a flexible hinge to a hook-shaped rear mounting member.

European patent EP0901766 to Ulrich discloses an information bar on a label rail to be used at supermarkets. When pushed on to the rail, the label rail makes a firm press fit. Preferably, the push-on rail is symmetrical and is positioned at an angle to the display rack, which includes a round rod welded to the push-on rail. US Patent Application US4693441 to Gerald discloses a point of purchase flexible pad holder and display including a stiff plastic sheet having an upper clear section which may snap into a price channel. The sheet is formed with two symmetrical holes having intersecting slits and fold lines which enable improved versatility and stability in application.

The present invention discloses a device and a method for robustly securing a furnishing attachment to a furnishing unit and discloses a device and methods for simple attachment of add-ons to the furnishing attachment. Means for illuminating the add-ons are also disclosed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a furnishing attachment which may comprise^

a. A profile?

b. A presentation space;

c. A rail;

wherein the furnishing attachment may be secured to a unit and an add-on may be attached to said rail.

In a preferred embodiment, the unit may be a shelf.

In a preferred embodiment, the furnishing attachment may include a plurality of rails. Said plurality of rails may further include an upper rail and a lower rail. In this preferred embodiment the furnishing attachment may be installed every other shelf.

In a preferred embodiment, the furnishing attachment may include illumination means. The illumination means may be LEDs at several locations of the furnishing attachment.

In a preferred embodiment, the furnishing attachment may include add^¬ ons which snap into the rail. The add-ons may further be designed to be illuminated from within by the illumination means. The add-ons may be designed to close and electric circuit when snapped into the rail.

In a preferred embodiment, an add-on is provided to secure the furnishing attachment to a unit via the rail. In a preferred embodiment, the furnishing attachment may further harness communication and power cables.

In a preferred embodiment, the furnishing attachment may further include another presentation space.

In a preferred embodiment, the system may be activated as described in the accompanying drawings and specifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a snap-on label holder as depicted by the prior art.

Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment including external and internal add-on illumination.

Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment including rails to securely hold a lamp add-on.

Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment including rails to securely hold a fluorescent illumination add-on.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 schematically show a variety of add-ons which can be easily clicked and secured to the multi-functional furnishing attachment.

Fig. 7 schematically shows a variety of methods to secure the multi-functional furnishing attachment to a variety of shelves. Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment having a thin profile in line with the original width of the shelf.

Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b schematically shows a method to secure the multi-functional furnishing attachment to a horizontal plane.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a few possible variations of the multi^¬ functional furnishing attachment structure design.

Fig. 11a and Fig. lib schematically shows a side profile for closing the multi-functional furnishing attachment.

Fig. 12 schematically shows a perspective view of various add-ons attached to the multi-functional furnishing attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented for the purpose of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. From the description taken together with the drawings it will be apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Moreover, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention hereof. Fig. 1 schematically shows snap-on label holder 100 as depicted by the prior art. The snap on label holder 100 does not provide means to attach add^¬ ons except labels. Even if the snap-on label holder 100 would include means to secure add-ons or if add-ons would be secured to it by glue or by any other mechanical means, the snap on-label holder 100 would probably not be able to reliably support the weight of the add-ons and therefore be prone to break or to fall off from the shelf to which it is attached. Moreover, the snap on label holder does not include means to harness power and communication infrastructure.

Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 including external and internal add-on illumination. Fig. 2a is a perspective view and Fig. 2b provides a side view of a certain embodiment of the present invention. The multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 includes an aluminum profile 201 designed to be secured to various kinds of shelves as further described below. The multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 can also be made of plastic and can be made partially with one material and partially with other materials to suite the specific requirement for which it is designed. The multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 includes a main presentation panel 202 and a top presentation panel 203. The main presentation panel 202 can be utilized to display labels of items presented on a shelf (not shown) to which the multi^¬ functional furnishing attachment 200 is attached. The labels may include; price, brand, promotional or any other information which may be of use to a potential customer. The top presentation panel 203 can be utilized to display information for organization purposes such as category of the items on the shelf to assist organizing and managing many items which may be presented on such shelves. Rails are provided at the top section 204 of the multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 and on the lower section 205 of the multi^¬ functional furnishing attachment 200. The top and bottom rails 204 and 205 respectively allow versatility with respect to the location to which an add-on can be attached to the multi-functional furnishing attachment 200. For instance, an add-on such as a transparent Perspex sign 206 is clicked into the upper rail 204, alternatively, the Perspex sign 206 can be clicked to the lower rail 205, the Perspex sign can be shifted along the rail to take place at the exact location with respect to the items presented above or below the multi- functional furnishing attachment 200. In order to illuminate add-ons from within any semi-transparent or transparent material can be utilized to scatter the emitted light from the LED stripe 207 attached to the rail. Alternatively, LEDs may illuminate the sign from the front or form the back of the sign. Yet alternatively, designated illuminating add-ons may be utilized as further described below.

Another efficient manner to draw attention to items presented on a shelf is to illuminate the items, to make them more appealing or alternatively to illuminate the signs presenting the items. The multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 includes LED strips 207 embedded along the upper rail 205, the Perspex sign 206 includes a transparent profile 208 to cast the light emitted by the LED stripe 207 thus illuminating the sign 206 from within. Another LED strip 209 emits light over items which are presented on the shelf below the multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 (not shown). The LED stripes may be of various shapes and colors and may be activated according to a pattern. Moreover, the Perspex sign 206 may include conductors to turn-on only the LEDs under it or above it with respect to the rail to which it is clicked. The power source for the LEDs may be provided from the retail store in which the multi-functional furnishing attachment 200 is installed, alternatively, the power source may be based on a battery. Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment 300 including rails to securely hold a lamp add-on. Fig. 3a is a perspective view and Fig. 3b provides a side view of a certain embodiment of the present invention. Lamp add-ons 301 are clicked to a lower rail 302 and secured to the lower rail 302 with a bolt 303 (as further detailed below). The lower rail 302 provides the power to activate the lamps 301. The lamps 301 are clicked to the lower rail 302, alternatively, the lamps 301 can be clicked to the upper rail 304, and the lamps can be shifted along the rail to illuminate the exact location with respect to the items presented over the multi-functional furnishing attachment 300.

Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment 400 including rails to securely hold a fluorescent illumination add-on. Fig. 4a is a perspective view of the rear of the multi-functional furnishing attachment 400 and Fig. 4b is a side view of the multi-functional furnishing attachment 400. A florescent add-on 401 is attached to the profile 402 of the multi-functional furnishing attachment 400.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 schematically show a variety of add-ons which can be easily clicked and secured to the multi-functional furnishing attachments 500 and 600. The add-ons may be simple dividers to assist management of the shelves area (501, 502, 503, 504, 505) and add-ons which provide additional presentation space whether by placement of items on a designated container (505, 506, 507, 508, 509) and weather by providing different kinds of banners to draw the attention of potential clients (510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515). The add-ons may also be electronic such as; LCDs 601, 602 speakers 603, interactive games 604 or any combination thereof. Different kinds of snap connecting signs and dividers can also be attached (605. 606 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614). The multi-functional furnishing attachments 500 and 600 supply communication and power from an electric outlet to the electronic add-ons by wires traveling inside the rails or inside the profiles 500 and 600. The add-ons may be designed to close an electric circuit when clicked into the rails of multi-functional furnishing attachments 500 and 600. Fig. 7 schematically shows a variety of methods to secure the multi^¬ functional furnishing attachment to a variety of shelves. The profiles of the multi-functional furnishing attachment are design to come in contact with various kinds of shelves and to suit securing by glue 701, by nuts and bolts (702, 703, 704, 705, and 706) along the shelves from different directions to allow versatility without compromising the reliability of the attachment to the shelves.

Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b schematically show a multi-functional furnishing attachment having a thin profile in line with the original width of the shelf. Keeping the multi-functional furnishing attachment in-line with the original width of the shelf 801, ensures that items presented on the shelf will not be partially obscured and that items can be easily be organized on the shelf or taken off-from the shelf without tackling the multi-functional furnishing attachment 800. Keeping the multi-functional furnishing attachment in-line with the original width of the shelf 801 also adds to the overall esthetic appearance of the shelves. The thin multi-functional furnishing attachment is attached to the shelf 802 in a manner which does not compromise its ability to reliably carry a variety of add-ons. Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b schematically show methods to secure the multi^¬ functional furnishing attachment to a horizontal plane by nuts designed to snap connect (901 and 902) to the rails (903 and 904) and bolts (905 and 906) which are designed to be screwed into the upper or the lower rails. Thus, the upper and lower rails provide yet another function. Such securing means can also be an integral part of add-ons (as depicted in Fig 5"6) which are to be attached to the rail. The securing means can be mad from plastic, aluminum or other materials. The securing means can be added in addition to snap mechanisms for attaching add-ons. Alternatively, the securing means can come instead of such snap mechanisms. The screw of the bolt 906 into place 908 is performed by a screwdriver. Bolt 905 provides for tool less installation 907.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a few possible variations of the multi^¬ functional furnishing attachment structure design (1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, and 1008). The profile design enables robust attachment to the shelves and ability to carry many add-ons on one hand while keeping a low profile to occupy as little space as possible as the space on a shelf of a retail store is considered of high value. The minimal profile also provides an aesthetic solution without compromising functionality. Thus, because the multi-functional furnishing attachment enables attachments both above it as well as below it, it can be installed every other shelf.

Fig. 11a and Fig. lib schematically show a perspective view and a side view of a side profile 1100 for closing the multi-functional furnishing attachment.

Fig. 12 schematically shows a perspective view of various add-ons attached to the multi-functional furnishing attachment 1200. Furnishing attachments 1202, 1203, 1204 and 1205 are each secured to a respective shelf. The furnishing attachments provide for a robust and easily configurable secure of a variety of add-ons.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. The present invention discloses a furnishing attachment comprising:

a. an elongated profile having a surface attached to a furniture unit; b. an elongated presentation space along the furnishing attachment; c. a rail;

d. an add-on;

wherein the add-on is snap connected to the rail and wherein the add-on can be shifted along the rail to a required position along the rail.

2. A furnishing attachment according to claim 1, the furniture unit is a shelf.

3. A furnishing attachment according to claim 1, wherein the furnishing attachment includes a plurality of rails.

4. A furnishing attachment according to claim 3, wherein the furnishing attachment includes a rail along the upper side of the furnishing attachment and a rail along the lower side of the furnishing attachment.

5. A furnishing attachment according to claim 4, wherein the furnishing attachment is attached to every other furnishing unit.

6. A furnishing attachment according to claim 1, wherein furnishing attachment further comprising a connection to a power source.

7. A furnishing attachment according to claim 7, wherein furnishing attachment further comprising Light Emitting Diodes along furnishing attachment.

8. A furnishing attachment according to claim 7, wherein the Light Emitting Diodes illuminate the add-ons.

9. A furnishing attachment according to claim 8, wherein the add-ons are semitransparent and the Light Emitting Diodes emit light directly into the panels of the add-on.

10. A furnishing attachment according to claim 7, wherein the add-ons close an electric circuit of Light Emitting Diodes when snapped into the rail.

11. A furnishing attachment according to claim 1, wherein, an add-on nut is snap connected to the rail to secure the furnishing attachment to a furniture unit via a bolt screwed through said nut and said furniture unit.

12. A furnishing attachment according to claim 1, wherein, an add-on nut is snap connected to the rail to secure the furnishing attachment to a furniture unit via a clamp screwed through said nut to secure furnishing attachment to furnishing unit without tools.

13. A furnishing attachment according to claim 6, wherein furnishing attachment further includes electric wires running along the back side of the furnishing attachment.

14. A furnishing attachment according to claim 1, wherein the furnishing attachment is further comprising a plurality of elongated presentation spaces.

15. A furnishing attachment according to claim 2, wherein the furnishing attachment does not extend beyond the height of the shelf.

16. A method for attaching add-ons to a furnishing unit comprising the following steps: a. attaching an elongated profile having a presentation space and a rail to the furnishing unit;

b. securing the profile to the furnishing unit;

c. snap connecting the add-on to the rail.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the profile is secured to the furnishing unit by a nut snap connected to the rail and by a bolt screwed through the nut and the furnishing attachment.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the profile is secured to the furnishing unit by a nut snap connected to the rail and by a clamp screwed through the nut to secure furnishing attachment to the furniture unit without tools.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising illuminating the add-ons by snap connecting them over Light Emitting Diodes embedded into the furnishing attachment.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising harnessing electric wires and connectors for connecting electric add-ons.