An illuminated shelf

[0001] The invention relates generally to shelves, and in particular to an illuminated refrigerator shelf and a method for its production.

[0002] Patent application No. US 2003/0038571 A1, published on February 27, 2003 in the name of Thomas W. Obrock et al., Discloses to the applicant the state of the art closest to the invention, which is a refrigerator shelf with side edge lighting. The shelf of figures 7-14, and in particular figures 10-14, consists of a flat plate made of a light-permeable material, such as tempered glass, with an end cap along each side edge, with light sources or bulbs arranged in each end cap , properly connected to a 12V power source and illuminating the glass plate from the edge. Each end cap can be equipped with a cantilever rail, which is actually a shelf support with hooks for adjusting the shelf position vertically, using conventional support profiles with holes in the refrigerator compartment. In particular, this patent discloses that the upper edge of cantilever racks or shelf supports can be attached to end caps by molding, gluing, friction fitting, enclosure encapsulation or other suitable fastening method. Thanks to the appropriate cables protruding from the end caps and connecting to the sockets of the support profile electric conductors, the shelf placed on the brackets can be illuminated regardless of its vertical position. According to the design, the life span of the light sources illuminating the shelf is about 1000 hours, which, assuming that they only light for a few minutes a day when the refrigerator door is open, may probably exceed the life of the fridge itself. The latter assumption, however, does not take into account the possibility of overvoltages that would burn all light sources, leak fluid from products, which would cause a short circuit and deprive the refrigerator of any lighting, break the wire between light sources, etc. In fact, the front and rear edges of the tempered glass plate are facing upwards, thus creating, together with the caps, a space to capture some of the spilled fluid; however, if there were any gaps or cracks in the sealing compound, casing, similar casing or if their technical condition deteriorated in such a way as to prevent such protection, the leaking fluid would easily get to the end caps causing a short circuit, thus shortening the service life and efficiency illuminated shelf.

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[0003] A lighting device is disclosed in US-A6, 152, 581. This lighting device is constructed of a housing frame for illuminated elements in various configurations. There is a light source in the frame of the housing, and its walls are supported by a transparent element illuminated by a light source. The housing frame consists of several assembled elements.

[0004] US-A-3, 506, 325 discloses a refrigerator with an illuminated shelf remaining in electrical connection with the frame rails supporting the shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The object of the present invention is a shelf, the component of which is a lighting device illuminating the support plate, which has been constructed as an extendable shelf that can slide along metal or plastic brackets.

[0006] The shelf subject to the present invention is defined in claim 1.

[0007] In this regard, the shelf is characterized in that the shelf brackets are equipped with second conductive tapes with which the electric wires are slidingly contacted, so that the illuminated plate can slide along the brackets, maintaining the electrical connection between the light element and the energy source .

[0008] The present invention relates to a lighting device and in particular an illuminated shelf consisting of a transparent, translucent tempered glass plate, opposite side housings, each side housing consisting of two housing elements that can be easily assembled and disassembled to allow access to the chamber in which the lighting devices, such as optical fiber, LED light source, etc. are located. In each of the side housings there is a gap in which the edge of the tempered glass plate is placed, and in addition, each of the side housings is equipped with elements enabling the attachment of the shelf to a suitable supporting element, such as the inside of the refrigerator compartment. Thanks to the housing, which can be easily opened and closed, it is possible to analyze and repair any lighting-related defects in any chamber limited by each housing, and the shelf can be replaced in a very short time, with minimal effort and minimal cost.

[0009] Each side housing preferably consists of two relatively long housing bodies, in one of these bodies there is a gap for introducing a corresponding edge of the tempered glass plate. The second housing body is preferably equipped with integrated fasteners for attaching the body to the inner portion of the chamber

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Refrigerators. The housing bodies are equipped with male and female latches or connectors, facilitating quick connection with each other and disconnecting the housing bodies.

[0010] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the entire casing and part of the tempered glass plate can be enclosed in a synthetic polymer / copolymer outer casing, although it is preferred that at least one axial end of the casing is not enclosed in the outer casing. The end of the housing which is not closed in the outer casing can thus provide access to the inner part of the chamber limited by the casing, in which chamber there is, for example, optical fiber, optical fiber, LED light source, LED plates, etc., thus facilitating the repair of said components in in the event of their failure due to long use.

[0011] Instead of exposing the axial end of the housing, only the longitudinal portion of the housing body, tangent with the edge portion of the tempered glass plate and its very edge, are enclosed in the outer housing, therefore the remaining portion of the housing body and the latches of both housing bodies are not closed in external housing, which similarly facilitates their assembly and disassembly, providing access to the housing chamber, in which the appropriate lighting device is located.

[0012] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, a tempered glass plate can be illuminated from above or below instead of illuminating it through its lateral edges. In one case, the light is directed to the bottom or top of the tempered glass plate, thus illuminating it, and the rays of light reflecting and passing through it additionally illuminate the interior of the refrigerator compartment. The light can, however, be directed in a different direction than the toughened glass plate, towards the space above or below the shelf, thus illuminating products located on the lower or higher shelves, in the latter case passing through the top tempered glass plate a shelf through which rays of light pass.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the illuminated shelf may also be a retractable shelf with suitable wires holding the electrical circuit between the 12 V voltage reduction transformer and the illuminating element of the retractable shelf, whereby the shelf is illuminated regardless of its insertion degree.

[0014] Taking into account the above and other elements mentioned below, the nature of this invention will be easier to understand after reading the detailed description below, the appended claims and the several views provided in the accompanying drawings.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The embodiments shown in figures 2-14 do not represent the present invention, but are intended to better understand its assumptions.

[0016] FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of a light device such as an illuminated shelf, A shows an illuminated shelf placed in the refrigerator compartment.

[0017] FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the illuminated shelf of Figure 1, broken down into parts for easier browning, and shows the individual elements of the illuminated shelf, including the opposite side housings, in each of which there is a slot in which the transparent is placed, translucent glass plate, optical fiber and one of the housings in disassembled form.

[0018] FIGURE 3 is a partial enlarged cross-section substantially in the plane 3-3 marked in figure 2 and illustrates the way in which the edge of a plate of tempered, light-permeable glass is illuminated by rays of light emitted from a transparent optical fiber placed in a side shelf housing.

[0019] FIGURE 4 is a partial enlarged cross-section substantially in the plane 4-4 marked in figure 2 and shows one of the housing bodies attached to the wall of the refrigerator compartment and attached to the other part of the housing by means of latches.

[0020] FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of another lighting device, in the form of a shelf attached to the support profiles with holes located in the refrigerator compartment.

[0021] FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, partial perspective view showing electrical wires as well as hooks and slots in the shelf and one of the support profiles, the purpose of which is to provide electrical current to the lighting devices built into the shelf and to allow the shelf to move vertically.

[0022] FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, partial cross-section essentially in the plane 7-7 of Figure 5 and shows the details of the electric wires, two housing parts connected by a latch and a one-piece frame in the form of an outer housing, in which the housing is completely closed, its latches and the edge of the tempered glass plate placed in the housing opening and illuminated by the light from the LED circuit in the housing chamber.

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[0023] FIGURE 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of another illuminated shelf similar to that shown in figure 7, but shows the axially closed, axial, peak wall of the housing in which the LED light source and its electrical circuit is located, which allows axial access to the housing chamber for repair.

[0024] FIGURE 9 is a partial cross-section of another illuminated shelf similar to that of figure 7, and shows a chamber enclosed by a housing in which the LED light source and its periphery emit light through the lens facing away from the light-permeable glass plate, part of which is built into the outer casing.

[0025] FIGURE 10 is a partial perspective view of another illuminated shelf similar to that of figure 9 and shows the LED light source and its circuits enclosed in the housing chamber and connected to at least one lens directing the light towards the bottom surface of the light-permeable tempered glass plate , which is part of the same shelf, and through it.

[0026] FIGURE 11 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to that of figure 10, and shows another LED light source and its set of electrical circuits that emit light directed by at least one lens towards the upper surface of the light-permeable tempered glass plate being part component of the same shelf, and through it.

[0027] FIGURE 12 is a partial cross-section similar to that of figure 11, and shows the outer casing completely peripherally enclosing the edge of a light-permeable tempered glass plate along its opposite walls, of which only one is shown, and an element for illuminating the plate with tempered glass, transmitting and reflecting light from an external light source that is not part of the illuminated shelf.

[0028] FIGURE 13 is a partial perspective view of another illuminated shelf and shows the shelf connected to the support profiles of the refrigerator compartment.

[0029] FIGURE 14 is an enlarged, partial cross-section essentially in the plane 14-14 marked in figure 13 and shows one of the two metal shelf brackets supporting the illuminated shelf on the support profiles of the chamber with the outer casing in which the two-part housing of each bracket and the part are enclosed edge plate of tempered glass.

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[0030] FIGURE 15 is a partial perspective view of an extendable, illuminated shelf, and shows the extendable shelf object of the invention connecting to the conductive tapes of the shelf support and the vertical support profiles of the refrigerator compartment.

[0031] FIGURE 16 is an enlarged cross-section substantially in the plane 1616 marked in Figure 15, and illustrates how the shelf is attached, by sliding, into one of the opposite shelf supports and the electric wires being part of the sliding connection, supplying current irrespective of the extendable position shelves relative to shelf supports.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0032] The lighting device, preferably in the form of a shelf, is shown in figures 1-3 of the drawing, and is generally marked with the number 10.

[0033] The shelf 10 is preferably located in the chamber C of the refrigerator R and is best illustrated in figure 1 of the drawing.

Shelf 10, however, can easily be used in other constructions, such as display cases in stores, furniture shelves (display cases for dishes), utility shelves for workshops, washrooms, etc. Regardless of the specific use of the shelves of the present invention, each of the various shelves disclosed herein is to be illuminated directly or indirectly, thereby illuminating the articles or products on it, above it or below it, which makes it easier for the consumer to choose an article or product.

[0034] The shelf 10 consists of two substantially identical housings 11, 12 between which a sheet, plate or element of a translucent material, such as tempered glass, is marked with the number 13.

[0035] Each housing 11, 12 consists of adjacent, internal opposed bodies, components or parts of the housing 14, 14 and external, complementary bodies, components or parts of the housing 15, 15. Housing bodies 14, 14; 15, 15, of each commitment 11, 12, together limit the inner chamber 16 (figures 3 and 4), which has a significant part in the shape of a polygon or square, which forms the elongated slit or opening 20 with the upper idolizing walls 17, in which the longitudinal side is inserted. or part of the side edge 33, 34 of the glass plate 13, where the edge of the edge 35 (figures 3 and 4) of the plate 13 is entirely inside the chamber 16.

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[0036] The housing bodies 14 of each of the housings 11, 12 comprise four pairs of up and down hooks 41, 42, respectively, which are removably attached to the latch in respective holes 43 and over the cross members 44 (Figures 2-4 ) external housing bodies 15, in order to connect to each other housing bodies 14, 15 of each housing 11, 12 by means of latches in a manner that allows their easy dismantling.

[0037] Housing bodies 14 also include an integral element 45 in the form of a bracket with holes 46 in which fasteners F (Figure 4) can be inserted to attach each housing body 14 to opposite walls W (Figure 1) and fix the shelf 10 in the C compartment of fridge R.

[0038] The housing bodies 14 are also somewhat longer than the housing bodies 15, and one of their components is axial, opening sleeve parts in the shape of a truncated pyramid 47, with opposite closed ends (not marked with a number), the open ends of each part in the shape of a truncated the pyramid 47 is closed with removable end caps 48 which can be attached to the truncated pyramid 47 by means of a latch and in the center of which there is a lighting element 50 (Fig. 4) in the form of a conventional LED light source and associated circuitry, which are connected via electrical wires 51, 52 to a 12 V voltage source such as a step down transformer (not shown). Before attaching end caps 48 to the truncated pyramid 47 by means of latches, element 55 is inserted into each chamber 16 of casings 11, 12 in the form of optical fiber made of transparent, synthetic acrylic glass, with multiple facets that focus light 56 ​​along it (Figures 2 - 4) in such a way that the focusing facets 56 direct the light emitted by the LED light source 50 over the entire length of the optical fiber 55 and towards the edge 35 of each of the edge portions 33, 34 of the light-permeable plate 13, thereby illuminating the plate and objects thereon as well as products, surfaces and space above and below it.

[0039] If at any time there is a problem with the optical fibers 55 or the LED 50 light source, you can remove the fasteners F arranged along each housing 11, 12, then tilt the shelf 10 up or down, and the entire housing 11 slide off or remove from each part side 33, 34, after which the entire plate 13 can be pulled out of the gap 20 of the remaining housing part 11 or 12. From the truncated pyramidal part 47, you can remove the cap 48 of the withdrawn housing and repair or replace the LED light source 50 and / or the associated circuitry, and then reassemble it with

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EP 1 887 299 B1 together. If necessary or desirable, the same removal method can be used to remove or replace the 55 fiber. Therefore, both the ease of assembling the housing bodies 14, 15 of each of the housings 11, 12 and disassembling them, assembling the housing bodies 14, 15 of each housing 11, 12 with the glass plate 13 and disassembling them, and similar ease of assembling the plugs 48 on parts in the shape of the truncated pyramid 47 of the housings 11, 12 and their dismantling guarantee that the shelf 10 will provide the intended design, lighting throughout the life of the shelf 10 and the fridge R in which it is used.

[0040] Another novel lighting device constructed in accordance with the present invention, also in the form of a shelf, is shown in Figures 5-7 of the drawing and marked with 110.

[0041] The shelf 110 is preferably located in the chamber C of the refrigerator R and is best represented in Fig. 5 of the drawing. However, shelf 110 can easily be used in other constructions, such as showcases in stores, furniture shelves (display cases for dishes), utility shelves for workshops, washrooms, etc. Regardless of the specific use of the shelves of the present invention, according to the design, each of the various shelves disclosed herein is to be illuminated directly or indirectly, so that articles or products on it, above it or below it are illuminated, which makes it easier for the consumer to choose article or product.

[0042] The shelf 110 consists of two substantially identical housings 111, 112, which are substantially identical to the respective housings 11, 12, and between which is a sheet, plate or element of a light-permeable material, such as tempered glass, designated by number 113 All components of shelf 110 that are identical to those of shelf 10 will be identified by the same numbers, but preceded by the prefix "1_ _".

[0043] Each housing 111, 112 consists of adjacent, internal opposed bodies, components or parts of the housing 114, 114 and external, complementary bodies, components or parts of the housing 115, 115. Housing bodies 114, 114; 115, 115 of each of the housings 111, 112 together delimit the inner chamber 116 (Fig. 7), which for the most part has the shape of a polygon or square, which with the upper and lower tapering walls 117, 118 forms an elongated slot or opening 20 into which the longitudinal side edge or part of the side edge 133, 134 of the glass plate 113 is inserted, where the edge of the edge 135 (Fig. 7) of the plate 113 is entirely inside the chamber 116.

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[0044] The housing body 114 of each of the housings 111, 112 includes four pairs of upward and downward hooks, 141, 142, respectively, which are removably attached to the latch in respective holes 143 and over the external elements 144 (Fig. 7) housing housings 115, to connect housing housings 114, 115 to each housing 111, 112 with snap fasteners.

[0045] Inside the housing 111, 112 there is no optical fiber, such as optical fiber 55, and instead there is a lighting element 150 (Fig. 7) in the form of a conventional LED light source and associated circuitry which are connected by means of electrical wires 151 , 152 to a 12V power source, such as a step-down transformer (not shown). Each support profile 163, 164 has slots 165 for the hooks 166 of the outer casing or plastic frame 170 in which the housings 111, 113 and the edges 133, 134 of the transparent tempered glass plate 113 are completely enclosed. The converging walls 117, 118 of the housings 111, 112 direct the light emitted by the LED light source 150 through the slots 120 along their entire length and to the edge 135 of each of the edge portions 133, 134 of the light-permeable plate 113, thereby illuminating the plate and objects thereon, as well as products, surfaces and space underneath it. In particular, it should be noted that the wires 151, 152 will be in electrical contact with the respective conductive bands 153, 154 irrespective of which slots 165 the hooks 166 are located in. Therefore, by raising or lowering shelf 110, the C compartment of the fridge R may be selectively and / or proportionally illuminated.

[0046] Another novel lighting device constructed in accordance with the present invention in the form of a shelf is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing and has been substantially designated by the number 210.

[0047] Shelf 210 is substantially identical to shelf 110 and similar components are designated by the same numbers, but preceded by the prefix "2_".

[0048] The only difference between the shelves 110, 210 is that the axial end opening 249 of each chamber 216 of each housing 211, 212 of the shelf 210 is not enclosed by an outer housing, and the end cap 248 closing each opening 249 can be removed from it for repair example in the case of a non-functioning LED 250 light source and / or circuitry.

[0049] Another novel lighting device in the form of a shelf is shown in Fig. 9 and is generally designated by the number 310.

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[0050] The shelf 310 is substantially identical to the shelf 110 and similar components have been designated by the same numbers, but preceded by the prefix "3_".

[0051] The shelf 310 differs from the shelf 110 in two main respects, i.e. the edges 333, 334 of the transparent tempered glass plate 313 are not placed in the longitudinal slot 320 of each of the housing bodies 314, 315, but are completely enclosed in the outer housing 370, and in the gap 320 a longitudinal lens 380 is located. Each housing 311, 312 is angled and downward, so that the light emitted by the LED 350 light source is downward, and only the light reflecting off the surfaces beneath the tempered glass plate 313 will be directed upwards through the plate with 313 tempered glass, illuminating the products on it or the space above it. Turning the housings 310, 311 downwards, however, gives maximum downward light, thus providing smaller but acceptable lighting for the space above the 313 tempered glass plate.

[0052] The other shelf 410 shown in Fig. 10 is substantially identical to the above-described shelf 310 and similar components are designated by the same numbers, but preceded by the prefix "4_".

[0053] The main difference between the shelves 310, 410 is that the housings 411, 412 are positioned so that the light passing through each of the lenses 480 is directed upwards towards the transparent toughened glass plate 413 to pass through it was reflected by her. In this way, objects lying on the tempered glass plate 413 are much more illuminated by shelf 410 than by shelf 310. However, the light reflecting downwards from the 413 tempered glass plate provides adequate lighting for the space / products underneath it.

[0054] Shelf 510 of Fig. 11 is substantially identical to shelf 410 of Fig. 10 and similar components are designated by the same numbers, but preceded by the prefix "5_ [0055] The only difference between shelves 410, 510 is the placement of each enclosure 511, 512 above a 513 toughened glass plate, with the light directed through the lens 580 downwards, as opposed to directing light rays up through the lens 480 in shelf 410.

[0056] Another shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in Fig. 12 of the drawing and is generally designated by the number 610. All components of shelf 610,

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EP 1 887 299 B1, which correspond to the components described so far, have been marked with the same numbers, but preceded by the prefix "6_ _".

[0057] The main difference between shelf 610 and previously described shelves is that shelf 610 is not equipped with a light source, and instead shelf 610 consists of an outer casing or frame 670 corresponding to the outer casing or frame 170 which completely encloses the entire , peripheral edge, including edges 633, 634 of transparent 613 tempered glass plate. In addition, the outer casing 670 incorporates a profile or element 675 of a transparent material, such as tempered glass, with an oblique surface 676 that directs light from an S light source, such as a conventional light bulb in the refrigerator compartment, upwards through a tempered glass plate 613. Surface 676 may be a mirror surface to enhance the direct reflection of the light falling on it from the light source S. Furthermore, the profile element 676 can only be used along the edges 633, 634 of a tempered glass plate 613 or also along one or both of the rear parts (not shown) of the outer housing 670.

[0058] Another novel lighting device constructed in accordance with the present invention, also in the form of a shelf, is shown in Figures 13 and 14 of the drawing and has been substantially designated by the number 710.

[0059] Shelf 710 is substantially identical to the shelves described so far, in particular shelf 110 of Figs. 5-7, and similar components are designated by the same numbers, but preceded by the prefix "7_".

[0060] The only difference between shelves 110 and 710 is that shelf components 710 are separate, metal shelf brackets B with hooks (not shown) which are hooked on holes 765 of bearing profiles 763, 764.

[0061] The shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the number 810 (figures 15 and 16) and is constructed as an illuminated slide-in shelf that can be slid along the metal or plastic shelf brackets B ', B' which are rigid with each other connected by a transverse CR rod and are equipped with hooks (not shown) which attach to conventional openings 865 of bearing profiles 863, 864. Inside housings 811, 812 there are light elements 850 (fig. 16) in the form of at least one conventional LED light source and a cooperating set of electric circuits which are connected by means of electric wires 851, 852 to a power source, such as a 12V lowering transformer (not shown). Cables 851, 852

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EP 1 887 299 B1, however, do not come in direct contact with the appropriate conductive tapes 853, 854 in the respective support profiles 863, 864, and instead contact the corresponding conductive tapes 951, 952 located on the upper surface (not marked with a number) of the offset part OP of each bracket B¹, which slidably connects to the elongated, convex, outwardly projecting tongue G of the outer casing 870. If the brackets B¹ they are made of plastic, conductive tapes 951, 952 are simply embedded in them and they slide in contact with the appropriate conductors 851, 852, and the ends of conductive tapes 951, 952 connect with the appropriate conductive tapes 853, 854 of the respective support profiles. However, if the brackets B¹ they are made of metal, conductive tapes 951, 952 must be electrically insulated from them in a conventional manner. Regardless of the insertion position of the shelf 810 relative to the brackets B ', electrical contact is maintained, the tempered glass plate 813 is illuminated by its opposite side edges 835.

[0062] Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described and described in detail herein, it should be remembered that minor changes may be allowed in the device defined in the accompanying claims.

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