Retail merchandise shelving system

Abstract

Shelve brackets and shelf arrangements are provided. First and second brackets are provided. Each bracket has a support section and a mounting section. The mounting section is laterally offset from the support section. The support section includes a vertical, top and bottom flange portions. The top and bottom flange portions are vertically spaced and extend from a first side of vertical flange portion in a direction the support section is offset from the mounting section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shelf arrangement comprising:
 a first bracket including:
 a first support section and a first mounting section, the first bracket defining a first side and an opposed second side, the first support section being laterally offset from the first mounting section, the first mounting section is configured to mount the first bracket to a first upright including a first column of slots formed in a face thereof; 
 the first support section including:
 a first vertical flange portion; 
 a first top flange portion extending from the first side of the first bracket in a direction the first support section is laterally offset from the first mounting section; 
 a first bottom flange portion extending from the first side of the first bracket in the direction the first support section is laterally offset from the first mounting section, the first bottom flange portion being spaced apart from the first top flange; 
 
 a second bracket including:
 a second support section and a second mounting section, the second bracket defining a first side and an opposed second side, the support section being laterally offset from the second mounting section, the second mounting section is configured to mount the second bracket to a second upright including a second column of slots formed in a face thereof; 
 
 the second support section including:
 a second vertical flange portion; 
 a second top flange portion extending from the first side of the second bracket in a direction the second support section is laterally offset from the second mounting section; 
 a second bottom flange portion extending from the first side of the second bracket vertical flange portion in the direction the second support section is laterally offset from the second mounting section, the second bottom flange portion being spaced apart from the second top flange; 
 
   wherein the first side of the first bracket faces the second bracket, the first side of the second bracket faces the first bracket, the first and second brackets form a space between the first side of the first bracket and first side of the second bracket;   a support bar extending laterally between the first support section of the first bracket and the second support section of the second bracket;   wherein a first end of the support bar is attached to the first vertical flange portion of the first bracket vertically between the first top flange portion and the first bottom flange portion of the first bracket; and   wherein a second opposed end of the support bar is attached to the second vertical flange portion of the second bracket vertically between the second top flange portion and the second bottom flange portion of the second bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the first support section and the first mounting section are formed from a single unitary piece of material. 
     
     
         3 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support bar includes a first mounting stub providing the first end, the first mounting stub being attached to the first vertical flange portion vertically between the first top flange portion and the first bottom flange portion;   the support bar includes a second mounting stub providing the second end, the second mounting stub being attached to the second vertical flange portion vertically between the second top flange portion and the second bottom flange portion;   the support bar includes a connection bar connected to the first and second mounting stubs.   
     
     
         4 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first mounting section is pivotally attached to the first support section; and   the second mounting section is pivotally attached to the second support section.   
     
     
         5 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 3 , further comprising a push button projecting outwardly from the first mounting stub, the first push button selectively engaging the connection bar to prevent disengagement of the first mounting stub from the connection bar. 
     
     
         6 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the first mounting stub extends longitudinally along a first axis, the first axis being generally perpendicular to the first vertical flange portion, the push button projects outwardly from the first mounting stub generally perpendicular to the first axis. 
     
     
         7 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement between the push button and the connection bar allows the float axially along the first mounting stub. 
     
     
         8 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the first top and bottom flange portions extend less than an entire length of the first bracket and the second top and bottom flange portions extend less than an entire length of the second bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first and second mounting stubs are tubular; and   a first end of the first mounting stub is secured to the first side of the first vertical flange portion such that the first vertical flange portion prevents debris from entering the first end of the first mounting stub;   a first end of the second mounting stub is secured to the first side of the second vertical flange portion such that the second vertical flange portion prevents debris from entering the first end of the second mounting stub.   
     
     
         10 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one deck panel, the at least one deck panel extending laterally outward beyond a laterally inner edge of the first top flange. 
     
     
         11 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one deck panel extends laterally outward beyond the second side of the first vertical flange portion. 
     
     
         12 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one deck panel extends laterally outward beyond the second side of the first mounting section of the first bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The shelf arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first vertical flange portion, first top flange portion and first bottom flange portion are formed from a single continuous piece of material; and   the second vertical flange portion, second top flange portion and second bottom flange portion are formed from a single continuous piece of material.