Modular Assembly for Customization of Shelf
Field of invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a modular assembly for customization of shelf. More particularly, the present invention provides a modular assembly employed to enhance the look and feel of shelves and facilitate merchandising displays.
Background of the invention
[0002] Nowadays, marketing has become a vital part of merchandising consumer products. Retailers typically seek to present articles of sale to consumers in an attractive arrangement for inducing consumers to make purchases. For example, in a retail environment, different types of shelves are employed for exhibiting products to the consumers. Conventionally, different types of arrangements are employed on the shelves to facilitate merchandising of shelved products.
[0003] However, such arrangements are associated with certain disadvantages; for example, using fasteners such as bolts, screws, snap buttons or other types of mechanical fasteners to secure components of the arrangement may cause damage to the shelves. Further, use of such fasteners could also impede the look and feel of shelves. The fasteners also make dismantling of the assembly difficult and reduce the reusability of the assembly. In addition, the overall cost of such an arrangement rises due to increase in material and processing cost.
[0004] Furthermore, tools such as, screwdrivers, wrenches etc. used to engage or tighten the fasteners until properly positioned to secure the components may also cause damage to the shelves. Further, tools employed may add to the overall cost as they are additionally provided by manufacturers or purchased by consumers to assemble the components. Also, complexity involved in installation of the arrangement and maintenance thereof poses difficulty to consumers. Yet another challenge is scarce shelve space and efforts to make it appealing to consumers further reduce the space. Employing such arrangements on shelves is therefore ineffective.
[0005] Consequently, there is a need for an assembly that would aid in enhancing the look and feel of the shelves exhibiting products. Further, there is a need for an assembly which can be easily dismantled and can be reused at a different location. In addition, there is a need for an assembly that would optimally utilize shelf space and would enable retailers to maintain the assembly conveniently and economically.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0006] The present invention is described by way of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0007] FIG.l is a perspective view of a modular clip-section assembly mountable on a shelf via shelf corners in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG.2 is a perspective view of a clip unit attachable to a shelf corner in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG.3 is a perspective view of a clip cap that may be used to fit into the clip unit to cover the same in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG.4 is a perspective view of a clip bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG.5 is a perspective view of a rectangular section in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clip-section assembly mounted onto a shelf corner in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Summary of the invention
[0013] A modular clip-section assembly for mounting on a shelf is provided. The modular clip-section assembly comprises at least one clip unit having a base plate. The base plate comprises a plurality of leg members. The plurality of leg members are attached to the base plate for resiliently gripping a corner of the shelf. One or more first interlocking means are positioned at the underside of the base plate. Further, one or more clip brackets with a pair of elongated raised edges are provided. The one or more clip brackets comprise a second interlocking means to receive and matingly connect with the corresponding first interlocking means. Furthermore, one or more rectangular sections are provided. The one or more rectangular sections have a pair of longitudinal grooves to snap fit into the corresponding pair of elongated raised edges of the clip brackets.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, a resilient member is located around the plurality of leg members. In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more first interlocking means is a male member having a rectangular shaped body. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the second interlocking means is a female member having an engaging portion to receive and matingly connect with the corresponding first interlocking means. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pair of longitudinal grooves is disposed in a pair of elongated raised edges of the rectangular sections.
[0015] A modular clip-section assembly for mounting on a shelf is provided. The modular clip-section assembly comprises four clip units. Each of the four clip units has a base plate. The base plate comprises four leg members attached to the base plate for resiliently gripping a corner of the shelf. Further, four first interlocking means are positioned at the underside of the base plate. Furthermore, four clip brackets are provided. Each of the four clip brackets have a pair of elongated raised edges. Further, each of the four clip brackets comprises a second interlocking means to receive and matingly connect with the corresponding first interlocking means. Four rectangular sections are also provided. Each of the four rectangular sections have a pair of longitudinal grooves that snap fits into the corresponding pair of elongated raised
edges of the clip brackets. Thus, a frame like structure may be formed that is mountable on the shelf.
Detailed description of the invention
[0016] A modular assembly mountable on a shelf employing a gripping and interlocking mechanism to facilitate merchandising of shelved products is described herein. The assembly may be employed to customize the shelf for facilitating merchandising displays effectively. In particular, the present invention provides for a modular clip-section assembly (referred hereinafter as clip-section assembly) that may be engaged onto a corner of a shelf, such as, a wooden or glass shelf without use of any mechanical fasteners. The clip assembly can be reused efficiently as the assembly can be quickly and easily disassembled and assembled for re-mounting in the same location or a different location. Further, the clip-section assembly can be mounted without the shelf being marred.
[0017] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0018] The present invention would now be discussed in context of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular clip-section assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In various embodiments of the present invention, the modular clip-section assembly 100 comprises a clip unit 102, a clip cap 104, clip brackets 106, 108, 110, 112, rectangular sections 114, 116, 118, 120 and a resilient member 122. The modular clip-section assembly 100 is mountable on a shelf which is used for displaying merchandising products. As shown in FIG. 1, the modular clip-section assembly 100 is designed to be mounted on the shelf by engaging the clip unit 102 with the shelf corner 124. The shelf corner 124 is generally in the shape of'T'.
[0020] In various embodiments of the present invention, the clip unit 102 is designed to exhibit gripping mechanism that would facilitate to engage the clip unit 102 with the shelf corner 124 without use of any external fasteners such as bolts, screws, and snap buttons. Further, the clip unit 102 is designed to exhibit interlocking mechanism to engage with one or more rectangular sections 114, 116, 118, and 120 via the clip brackets 106,108,110,112.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the clip-section assembly 100 may be mounted on the shelf by employing the clip unit 102 on four corners 124 of the shelf. Subsequently, four rectangular sections 114, 116, 118, 120 may be engaged with each one of the four clip units 102 using four clip brackets 106, 108, 110,112. The clip-section assembly 100 is thus mountable proximate to different sides of a rectangular shelf containing merchandise. In an embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strip may be employed on the rectangular sections 114, 116,118,120 for securing any material designed to advertise the products kept in the shelf in an attractive manner. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, some material may be attached with an adhesive to the rectangular sections 114,116,118,120 for advertising purposes. The clip-section assembly 100 may be made of plastic, metal or any other suitable material that exhibits elasticity.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a clip unit 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The clip unit 200 is a mechanical component that may be employed to engage the clip-section assembly 100 (Fig.l) with the corner of the shelf 124
(FIG. 1). The clip unit 200 comprises a base plate 202 and multiple leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 are provided at four comers of the base plate 202. The leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 extend vertically downwards from the four comers of the base plate 202 so that they can easily fit into the shelf comer.
[0023] In various embodiments of the present invention, the distal ends of the leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 are curved. The leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 are capable of being spread to affix onto the shelf corner 124 (FIG.l), thus, enabling gripping mechanism.
[0024] In various embodiments of the present invention, the leg members comprise a first portion and a second portion. For example, the leg members 204, 206 comprise a first portion 212, 214, and a second portion 216, 218. The first portion 212, 214 has a smaller width relative to the second portion 216, 218. Grooves are provided in the leg members 204, 206 that extend along the length of the leg members 204, 206.
[0025] Semi-circular projections, for example, 226, 228 are disposed in the first portions 212, 214 of the leg members 204, 206. The semi-circular projections 226, 228 are designed to receive projections of the clip cap 104 (FIG. 1).
[0026] The portion between each of the leg members 204, 206 forms 'C shaped sections in which the edge of the leg members 204, 206 are angled with respect to the adjacent sides thereby forming intersections 222, 224. The intersections 222, 224 are designed to receive and secure flanges of the clip cap 104 (FIG. 1).
[0027] In various embodiments of the present invention, a round resilient member may be disposed between the first and second portions of the leg members. The resilient member affords tension to the leg members for gripping onto the shelf comer. For example, a round resilient member 232 may be disposed between the first portion 212, 214 and the second portion 216, 218 of the leg members 204, 206. The resilient member 232 may be a spring or any other material demonstrating resilience.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the four leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 can be engaged onto the T' shaped shelf corner 124 (FIG. 1) by spreading the leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 sufficiently to grip the opposite ends of the shelf corner 124 (FIG.l) utilizing the elasticity of the material used in the clip unit 102 (FIG.l). The leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 thereby enable to secure the clip unit 102 (FIG.l) onto the shelf corner 124 (FIG.l). Further, resilience exhibited by the resilient member 232 enables the leg members 204, 206, 208, 210 to clasp onto the shelf corner 124 (FIG.l) optimally.
[0029] In various embodiments of the present invention, the underside of the base plate comprises one or more interlocking means. For example, the underside of the base plate 202 comprises interlocking means 234, and 236. In an embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking means 234, 236 may be a male member that comprises a rectangular shaped body. The male members are positioned to insert into corresponding female members of the clip brackets 106, 108, 110, and 112 (FIG.l).
[0030] FIG.3 illustrates a clip cap 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The clip cap 300 is a mechanical component that may be employed to cover the clip unit 200 (FIG.2). In various embodiments of the present invention, the clip cap 300 comprises a top section 302, a first flange 304, a second flange 306, a third flange 308 and a fourth flange 310 and projections 312, 314, 316, 318. The first flange 304 and the second flange 306 snap fit into the corresponding intersections 222 and 224 of the clip unit 200 (FIG.2). Similarly, the third flange 308 and the fourth flange 310 snap fit into the corresponding intersections (not shown) of the clip unit 200 (FIG. 2). The projections 312, 314, 316 and 318 are shaped and sized to snap fit into the semi-circular projections 226, 228, 230 of the clip unit 200 (FIG.2). The flanges 304, 306, 308, and 310 and the projections 312, 314,316, and 318, thus, permit the clip cap 300 to be installed into the clip unit 200 (FIG.2) to cover the same. The clip cap 300 is designed in a fashion that it can be easily installed and released from the clip unit 200 (FIG.2).
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a clip bracket 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The clip bracket 400 is a mechanical component that may be used
to couple any of the rectangular sections 114, 116, 118, 120 (FIG.l) with the clip unit 102 (Fig.l) to facilitate mounting of the clip-section assembly 100 (FIG.l) onto different sides of the shelf. The clip bracket 400 is a rectangular shaped body that comprises an interlocking means 402, and a body portion 404. In various embodiments of the present invention, the interlocking means 402 is sized and shaped to receive and connect with any one of the interlocking means of the clip unit 200 (FIG. 2). For example, the interlocking means 402 may connect with any of the interlocking means 234, and 236 of the clip unit 200 (FIG.2). In an embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking means 402 may be a female member. The female member comprises an engaging portion 410 that is positioned on the edge 412 of a front raised portion of the clip bracket 400. The engaging portion 410 is sized, shaped and positioned to receive and matingly connect with the corresponding male member of the clip unit 200 (FIG.2). The clip bracket 400 therefore is designed to interlock with the clip unit 200 (FIG.2). The body portion 404 comprises two elongated raised edges 406 and 408 that are designed to receive and releasably connect with any of the rectangular sections 114, 116, 118, and 120 (FIG.l).
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a rectangular section 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The rectangular section 500 is an elongate member that is capable of being held proximate to opposite sides of the shelf via the clip units 102 (FIG.l) employed on four corners of the shelf. In various embodiments of the present invention the rectangular section 500 comprises a channel 502 with two elongated raised edges 504 and 506. Longitudinal grooves 508, 510 are disposed on the elongated raised edges 504, 506 and extend along the length of the elongated raised edges 504 and 506. The longitudinal grooves 508, 510 snap fit into the corresponding elongated raised edges 406 and 408 of the clip bracket 400 (FIG.4).
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembled clip-section assembly 600 mounted onto a shelf corner 602 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In various embodiments of the present invention, rectangular sections 604, 606, 608, 610 are coupled with the clip unit 612 covered with the clip cap 614 using four clip brackets 400 (not shown). Similarly, clip units 612 can be mounted at four
corners of the shelf to receive rectangular sections 604, 606, 608 and 610 to form a frame like structure.
[0034] In various embodiments of the present invention, magnetic strip may be employed in the rectangular sections 604, 606, 608, 610 to secure any material used for advertising the products displayed in the shelf in an attractive manner. Alternatively, any material may be adhesively attached to the rectangular sections 604, 606, 608, 610.
[0035] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention.

We Claim:
1. A modular clip-section assembly (100) for mounting on a shelf, the
modular clip-section assembly comprising:
at least one clip unit (200) having a base plate (202), wherein the base plate (202) comprising:
a plurality of leg members (204, 206, 208, 210) attached to the base plate (202) for resiliently gripping a corner (124) of the shelf; and
one or more first interlocking means (234, 236) positioned at the underside of the base plate (202);
one or more clip brackets (400) having a pair of elongated raised edges (406, 408), the one or more clip brackets (400) comprising:
a second interlocking means (402) to receive and matingly connect with the corresponding first interlocking means (234, 236); and
one or more rectangular sections (500) having a pair of longitudinal grooves (508, 510) to snap fit into the corresponding pair of elongated raised edges (406, 408) of the clip brackets (400).
2. The modular clip-section assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein a resilient member (232) is located around the plurality of leg members (204, 206, 208, 210).
3. The modular clip-section assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein a semicircular projection (226, 228, 230) is positioned in each of the plurality of leg members (204, 206, 208, 210).
4. The modular clip-section assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more first interlocking means (234, 236) is a male member having a rectangular shaped body.
5. The modular clip-section assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the second interlocking means (402) is a female member having an engaging portion (410) to receive and matingly connect with the corresponding first interlocking means (234, 236).
6. The modular clip-section assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the pair of longitudinal grooves (508, 510) is disposed in a pair of elongated raised edges (504, 506)of the rectangular sections.
7. The modular clip-section assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the clip unit (200) is covered by a clip cap (300) adapted to be releasably installed on the clip unit (200).
8. A modular clip-section assembly (100) for mounting on a shelf, the modular clip-section assembly (100) comprising:
four clip units (200), wherein each of the four clip units (200) having a base plate (202), the base plate (202) comprising:
four leg members (204, 206, 208, 210) attached to the base plate (202) for resiliently gripping a corner (124) of the shelf; and
four first interlocking means (234, 236) positioned at the underside of the base plate (202);
four clip brackets (400), wherein each of the four clip brackets (400)having a pair of elongated raised edges (406, 408), the clip brackets (400) comprising:
a second interlocking means (402) to receive and matingly connect with the corresponding first interlocking means (234, 236); and
four rectangular sections (500), wherein each of the four rectangular sections (500) having a pair of longitudinal grooves (508, 510) to snap fit into the corresponding pair of elongated raised edges (406, 408) of the clip brackets (400), thereby forming a frame like structure mountable on the shelf.