Shelf ledge apparatus and method

Abstract

A product storage and display structure includes uprights, at least one shelf, and at least one shelf ledge. The shelf ledge includes first and second opposite ends, each end adapted to be removably coupled to an upright of the product storage and display structure. A barrier portion extends upwardly from the base portion, wherein when the base portion is coupled to the uprights, the barrier portion extends to a location proximate and at a higher elevation than the shelf of the product storage and display structure.

1 . A shelf ledge for a product storage and display structure having uprights and at least one shelf, the shelf ledge comprising: 
 a base portion including first and second opposite ends, each end adapted to be removably coupled to the respective upright of the product storage and display structure; and    a barrier portion extending upwardly from the base portion, wherein when the base portion is coupled to the uprights, the barrier portion extends to a location proximate and at a higher elevation than the shelf of the product storage and display structure.    
   
   
       2 . The shelf ledge of  claim 1  wherein the first end includes a first end portion and a second end portion, the first and second end portions being spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the respective upright therebetween.  
   
   
       3 . The shelf ledge of  claim 2  wherein the first end portion has a greater length than the second end portion.  
   
   
       4 . The shelf ledge of  claim 2  wherein the second end includes a first end portion and a second end portion, the first and second end portions being spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the respective upright therebetween.  
   
   
       5 . The shelf ledge of  claim 4  wherein the second end portion of the second end has a greater length than the first end portion of the second end.  
   
   
       6 . The shelf ledge of  claim 4  wherein the first end portion of the second end has a greater height than the first end portion of the first end.  
   
   
       7 . The shelf ledge of  claim 6  wherein when the first end is coupled to an upright, the first end portion of the first end nests within the first end portion of the second end of an adjacent shelf ledge coupled to the same upright.  
   
   
       8 . The shelf ledge of claim I wherein the base portion and the barrier portion are formed from carbon steel wire.  
   
   
       9 . The shelf ledge of  claim 1 , and further comprising: 
 a frame member that defines an uppermost portion of the barrier portion, a lowermost portion of the base portion, and a portion of the first and second ends;    a first connecting member that defines a portion of the first end;    a second connecting member that defines a portion of the second end; and    a plurality of upright members that couple the frame member to the first connecting member and the second connecting member.    
   
   
       10 . A shelf ledge for a product storage and display structure having uprights and at least one shelf, the shelf ledge comprising: 
 a frame member including an uppermost edge, a lowermost edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, each side edge including first and second end portions configured for removably coupling to an upright, wherein the first and second end portions are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive an upright therebetween.    
   
   
       11 . The shelf ledge of  claim 10  wherein the frame member comprises: 
 a base portion that defines the first and second end portions; and    a barrier portion extending upwardly from the base portion.    
   
   
       12 . The shelf ledge of  claim 10  wherein when the base portion is coupled to the uprights, the barrier portion extends to a location proximate and at a higher elevation than the shelf of the product storage and display structure.  
   
   
       13 . The shelf ledge of  claim 10  wherein the first end portion of the first end has a greater length than the second end portion of the first end.  
   
   
       14 . The shelf ledge of  claim 10  wherein the second end portion of the second end has a greater length than the first end portion of the second end.  
   
   
       15 . The shelf ledge of  claim 10  wherein the first end portion of the second end has a greater height than the first end portion of the first end.  
   
   
       16 . The shelf ledge of  claim 14  wherein when the first end is coupled to an upright, the first end portion of the first end nests within the first end portion of the second end of an adjacent shelf ledge coupled to the same upright.  
   
   
       17 . The shelf ledge of  claim 10  wherein the base portion is laterally offset from a plane defined by the barrier portion.  
   
   
       18 . The shelf ledge of  claim 10 , and further comprising: 
 a frame member that defines an uppermost portion of the barrier portion, a lowermost portion of the base portion, and a portion of the first and second ends;    a first connecting member that defines a portion of the first end;    a second connecting member that defines a portion of the second end; and    a plurality of upright members that couple the frame member to the first connecting member and the second connecting member.    
   
   
       19 . A shelf ledge for a product storage and display structure having uprights and at least one shelf, the shelf ledge comprising: 
 a frame member including an uppermost edge, a lowermost edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein the first side edge includes an outwardly extending end portion and the second side edge includes an outwardly extending end portion;    a plurality of upright members extending between the uppermost edge and the lowermost edge;    a first connecting member positioned proximate the lowermost edge of the frame member, the first connecting member including an end portion spaced apart from the end portion of the first side edge a distance sufficient to receive an upright therebetween; and    a second connecting member positioned proximate the lowermost edge of the frame member, the second connecting member including an end portion spaced apart from the end portion of the second side edge a distance sufficient to receive an upright therebetween,    wherein each of the first and second connecting members are coupled to a portion of the plurality of uprights.    
   
   
       20 . The shelf ledge of  claim 19  wherein the frame member, the first and second connecting members, and the uprights are formed from carbon steel wire.