Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a display system incorporating a power supply, particularly for use in retail environments and wherein shelves and/or panels are connected to uprights.

Background to the Invention

In retail display arrangements, there is often a need to provide lighting to more clearly promote and/or display products; however, having wires on display can be unsightly and may also be a health and safety concern, particularly around small children. Therefore, it is desirable to provide power to such display arrangements and systems without having exposed wires and cables.

Whilst some arrangements exist for providing such power, there are problems associated therewith, for example, shelving cannot be positioned at the same height as power supply or the internal dimensions of the framework is incorrectly sized for such arrangements, thereby resulting in new framework being required. Additionally, such systems employ connectors that may readily disengage, which can reduce the effectiveness of the display and can reduce sales. Furthermore, where power is provided to existing shelving units, it may be difficult to connect the power supply to the shelves or unsightly. Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a T-shaped power connector comprising a top cross-bar and a lower body part extending substantially perpendicular thereto, wherein the cross-bar extends beyond the edges of the lower body part so as to form extensions, with each of the extensions of the cross-bar extending beyond the body part being provided with respective magnets, and wherein the body part comprises electrically conductive pins extending substantially perpendicular to the cross-bar and protruding from the body part.

The T-shaped power connector with magnetic elements can be inserted into apertures in the framework of the display system so that it can cooperate with the conductive track, thus, drawing power from the power supply insert. The use of magnets ensures that the connector can be firmly connected to the framework, thereby providing a solid and reliable connection with the conductive track through the pins. Additionally, the magnets being provided each side of the body part allows the power connector to be fixed longitudinally to the upright, thus leaving space transversely of the connector within an aperture to allow further elements to be accommodated in the same aperture, for example, shelves, light bars, shelving headers, illuminated objects and/or panels.

It is particularly advantageous that the pins are biased towards an extended position so as to protrude from the body part. The bias, which may be in the form of springs or other resiliently yieldable elements, ensures that the pins protrude from the body part of the power connector, thereby making a more reliable contact with the profiles, when in use. When employed in combination with the magnets of the power connector, the pins of the power connector are held against the conductive track to enable them to draw power therefrom.

The power connector may comprise 2 or 4 spring pins that may be connected to a light emitting diode drive or other component, although it will be appreciated that a different number of pins may be employed, for example, 6 or 8, depending on the requirements. Furthermore, a first power connector may be used as a positive terminal and a second power connector as a negative terminal, thus, each connector may have one pin or an odd number of pins.

In one arrangement, the power connector comprises a channel, slot or recess that is provided between a first pin and a second pin. Additionally, or alternatively, the power connector may comprise a first set of pins and a second set of pins, wherein the first set of pins and the second set of pins are separated by a channel, slot or recess. The use of a channel, slot or aperture allows for the power connector to be received within a different shaped aperture in a framework. For example, the slot may provide the power connector with two protrusions or legs and there may be provided a pair of adjacent apertures in the framework in which the two legs can be received. This provides a more secure fitting for the power connector. Additionally, the use of a pair of apertures in the framework allows for shelving to be more easily fitted to the framework, with the shelving fitting into one or both apertures, depending upon the requirements. In one arrangement, the distance between the first and second set of pins may be variable, which is to say, the size of the channel, slot or recess may be changed on the device. This may be discrete, with pre determined spacings, or continuous, depending on the need.

Herein disclosed is a power supply insert for an upright of a display arrangement, the power supply insert comprising:

a first profile having a recess therein;

a second profile;

at least one connector to hold the first profile and the second profile at a set distance apart, wherein, the first profile is provided with a conductive track within its recess.

A power supply insert, or power track insert, that can be inserted into an upright of a display arrangement allows for the retrofitting of a power supply into existing display arrangement frameworks. Having the first profile provided with the conductive track is particularly beneficial in a wall mounted system. In one arrangement, the second profile may be provided with a recess and a second conductive track may be provided on the second profile to allow the display arrangement to be provided with a power supply on both its front and rear, which is particularly useful in a freestanding system. Advantageously, the connector releasably connects to the first profile and/or the second profile. This allows the different sized connectors to be employed in different situations, thereby allowing the profiles to be used in display and/or shelving systems of various sizes. The profiles may be supplied with one or more connectors, for example, dog-bone connectors, so that where the aperture into which the profiles will be inserted is of an unknown size, the connector can be chosen to appropriately span the aperture.

Additionally, or alternatively, the connector may be size adjustable to change the spacing between the profiles. The connector may be colour coded to indicate its length, thereby making it easier for a use to know which size is appropriate for a particular size of upright.

The invention extends to a display system comprising:

a framework having at least one hollow upright with apertures spaced along its length;

a power supply insert as described herein arranged within the at least one hollow upright; and

at least one T-shaped power connector as described herein; wherein the T-shaped power is placed within an aperture of the upright such that the body part extends through the aperture and the pins of the power supply insert contact the conductive track and the top cross-bar is arranged longitudinally with respect to the upright with each of the magnets of the connector arranged longitudinally on respective sides of the aperture. The power connector may be narrower than the aperture of the framework so that there is a gap formed on each side of the power connector.

Alternatively, the power connector may fill the whole aperture.

The display system may be created by retrofitting the power supply insert into an existing framework. In such an arrangement, the framework can be provided with a power supply system without the need for specialist fitters and with minimal tools required.

Preferably, the display system further comprises at least element and part of that at least one element is received within the aperture of the upright. The power connector is sized so that the element can be placed in the same aperture as that in which the power connector is received. This allows the power connector to be located at the same height as the element or a convenient height therefor, thereby making the connection more reliable and more discreet. The element may be selected from a group comprising:

shelves; light bars; shelving headers; light boxes, illuminated objects; and/or panels. One or more of these elements may be provided and they may be magnetically connectable to the display system.

Having the magnets positioned longitudinally along the upright, rather than transversely, allows a secure fitting of the power connector to the upright, whilst also keeping the area transverse of the aperture clear to allow a shelf to be inserted into the aperture. This enables the power supply insert and the power connector to be used at the same height as a shelf to which power will be supplied, thereby making the arrangement aesthetically more pleasing and also more reliable.

In one arrangement, the aperture in the upright has an H-shaped profile and the T-shaped power connector is provided with a complementary profile on the body part to fit the H- shaped aperture. Using a H-shaped aperture and corresponding profile to the power connector, the two parts can securely engage one another to form a secure connection and reduces the risk of the connector rotating within the aperture, which could lead to the pins moving away from contacting the conductive track. Additionally, the shape allows for one or more shelves or the fixing elements of panels to be inserted within the aperture without displacing the power connector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a display arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a power supply insert for use in the arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a further view of the power supply insert of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a power connector for use in the arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the power connector of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a part of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows an insert in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a further display arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 shows a power connector for use in the arrangement of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the power connector of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 shows a top view of the power connector of Figure 9.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Figures 1 to 6 show a display arrangement 10 comprising rectangular hollow uprights 12, which are preferably metallic, with a plurality of H-shaped apertures 14 arranged longitudinally and along opposing sides.

The hollow uprights 12 are provided with power supply inserts 16 that comprise a first U- shaped profile 18 and a second U-shaped profile 20, with each of the profiles 18 and 20 having a first side with flanges thereupon to create the U-shape and two bulbous protrusions 22 on a second side, with the protrusions each having a recess in their ends distal from the profiles 18 and 20. A dog-bone connector 24 is provided with recesses 26 in its opposing ends that are shaped to engage the bulbous protrusions 22 of the profiles 18 and 20. As shown in figure 2, various lengths of connector 24 may be provided that fit to the profiles 18 and 20, thereby allowing the power supply insert 16 to be employed in different size uprights 12 by using different length connectors 24. When the power supply inserts 16 are placed within the uprights 12, a top cap 28 is fixed onto the arrangement through the use of screws 30 that are inserted through holes 32 in the top cap 28 into the recesses of the bulbous protrusions 22. The screws 30 fix the cap in place and enhance the fixing between the dog-bone connector 24 and the bulbous protrusions 22 by expanding the protrusions 22 radially to more firmly engage the recesses 26.

A pair of conductive tracks 34 is positioned within the first U-shaped profile 18 and/or the second U-shaped profile 20. One of the pair of conductive tracks 34 is a positive track and the other of the pair of conductive tracks 34 is a negative track, thereby providing a power supply through the upright 12. T-shaped power connectors 40 are provided that have a top cross-bar section 42 and a lower body part 44 extending perpendicularly from the lower surface thereof. Each side of the lower surface of the top cross-bar 42 adjacent the lower body part 44 is provided with a magnet 46 within a respective recess. The end of the body part 44 that is distal from the cross-bar section 42 is provided with apertures 47 therein and biased pins 48 are arranged internal of the body part 44 so that they protrude through the apertures 47. Each pin 48 has a base 50 and a contact 52 and within the base 50 is a spring element to bias the contact 52 in a protruding manner.

The body part 44 of the power connector 40 has transverse extensions 54 extending from opposing sides, those sides being the same on which the magnets 46 are arranged. The extensions 54 are arranged in pairs with a space therebetween so that the body part 44 is provided with an H-shaped profile that matches the shape of the aperture 14 of the upright 12, with the power connector 40 being narrower than the transverse width of the aperture 14.

The power connector 40 further comprises connection elements, such as wires, that extend therefrom to power lighting apparatus, such as LEDs, or other items; however, for clarity, these are not shown in the figures. Similarly, the conductive tracks 34 are provided with power from a power supply in a standard manner, which is not shown for the sake of clarity.

When arranged for use, the power supply insert 16 is positioned within the upright 12 and the top cap 28 affixed thereto. The power connector 40 is then inserted into an aperture 14 of the upright 12 so that the pins 48 protrude through the aperture 14 and contact the conductive track 34 of the profile 18. It will be appreciated that the pins 48 contact the positive and negative tracks 34 to provide a power circuit to which elements, such as lighting, can be connected. The magnets 46 are attracted to the upright 12 and hold the power connector 40 onto the upright 12, with the ends of the contacts 52 of the pins 48 being pushed into the base 50, such that the biasing forces the contacts 52 onto the conductive tracks 34. Due to the power connector 40 being narrower than the transverse width of the aperture 14, a gap 60 is created in the aperture 14 adjacent the power connector 40 into which a panel 62 can be attached. The panel 62 has rearwardly extending hook elements that pass into the aperture 14 and connect to the upright 12, fitting alongside the power connector 40 within the aperture 14. This allows the aperture 14 of the upright 12 to be used to fix the panel 60 in place and for power to be drawn from the power supply insert 16.

Dummy power connectors (not shown) may be inserted into the empty apertures 14 of the upright 12 to block off the apertures for an aesthetically more appealing arrangement.

Figure 7 shows a further arrangement in which the insert 16’comprises a first profile 18’ and a second profile 20’ that are formed integrally with a connector 24’. A conductive track (not shown) is applied to one side of the insert 16’, within the U-shaped formation to form a one-sided insert 16’ for use in a display system. It may be that a second conductive track (not shown) is applied to the other side of the insert 16’ so that the insert 16’ is two-sided. Thus, whilst it may be preferable that the insert comprises two separate profiles, a single, integrally formed profile may be employed. The connector may be in the form of a thin element 24’ .

One of the profiles may comprise an integrally formed connector with the connector then being releasably received on the second profile. Alternatively, or additionally, both profiles may be integrally formed with a connector and the two respective connectors can affix to one another. The connector may be constructed than more than one element or may be a single integral element that affixes or is part of the, or each, profile.

Figures 8 to 11 show a further arrangement that is similar to that of Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, there is shown a display arrangement 110 comprising rectangular hollow uprights 112, which are preferably metallic, with inserts (not shown) as described in Figures 1 to 7. The upright 112 is provided with a plurality of pairs of substantially rectangular apertures 114 arranged longitudinally along the upright 112. The apertures 114 are similar to apertures 14 shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6, without the crossbar linking the two legs of the“H-shape”, thus, each pair has a first aperture 114A and a second aperture 114B adjacent the first. A T-shaped power connector 140 is provided that have a top cross-bar section 142 and a lower body part 144 extending perpendicularly from the lower surface thereof. The lower body part 144 has a slot 145 therein to create two legs 144a and 144b, the slot preferably extending longitudinally down the lower body part 144; that is to say, the slot 145 extends parallel with the top cross-bar section 142.

As with the embodiment of Figure 1 to 6, each end of the lower surface of the top cross bar 142 adjacent the lower body part 144 is provided with a magnet 146 within a respective recess. The end of the lower body part 144 that is distal from the cross-bar section 142 is provided with apertures, or channels, 147 therein and biased pins 148 are arranged internal of the body part 144 so that they protrude through the apertures 147. Each pin 148 has a base 150 and a contact 152, and within the base 150 is a spring element to bias the contact 152 in a protruding manner. The base 150 of the pins 148 may comprise an insulating material to avoid conduction between the upright 112 and the contact 152, when the power connector 140 is received with in the apertures 114.

The lower body part 144 of the power connector 140 has a substantially rectangular shape with the two legs 144a and 144b being arranged to be received within the apertures 114A and 114B, so that the pins 148 of the power connector 140 can contact the power insert (not shown) of the upright 112.

The power connector 140 may connection elements, such as wires, that extend therefrom to power lighting apparatus, such as LEDs, or other items; however, for clarity, these are not shown in the figures.

It will be appreciated that the slot 145 could be orientated latitudinally across the lower body part 144 of the connector 140, rather than longitudinally. Accordingly, the apertures 114 of the upright 112 may be orientated to receive such a power connector. It is further envisaged that the power connector 140 may be provided with more than one slot, for example, further pins may be provided and/or slots may be provided to separate those pins or groups of pins, such as at least one substantially laterally extending slot and one substantially longitudinally extending slot.