Information display system, shelf assembly including information display system, and method of retrofitting shelf assembly

Abstract

A system includes a base configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source. A shelf mounted to the base includes electrically conductive support arms that are electrically connected to the base. An information display unit is mounted on the shelf and includes electrical contacts. Electrically conductive adapters are positioned to electrically connect the support arms to the electrical contacts of the information display unit. In embodiments, the adapters are wire free. In embodiments, the adapters are hidden from view, particularly from the view of the consumer positioned in front of the shelf. In embodiments, the adapters are configured to be retrofitted into the shelf without modification of the shelf. Also provided are related kits and methods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a base configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source;   a shelf mounted to the base, the shelf comprising one or more electrically conductive support arms configured to establish an electrical connection with the electrical power source when the base is electrically connected to the electric power source;   an electrical information display unit mounted on the shelf and including one or more electrical contacts; and   one or more electrically conductive adapters electrically connecting the one or more electrically conductive support arms of the shelf to the one or more electrical contacts of the information display unit mounted on the shelf, the one or more electrically conductive adapters being wire free.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters are hidden from view when the information display unit is mounted on the shelf. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf has a front edge, wherein the information display unit is mounted on the front edge of the shelf, and wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters are hidden relative to a perspective view in front of the information display unit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conduct adapters are configured to be retrofitted into the shelf without modification of the shelf. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the information display unit has a rear surface that faces the shelf when the information display surface is mounted thereon, and wherein the one or more electrical contacts of the information display unit are exposed on the rear surface, and are directly electrically connected to the one or more electrically conductive adapters. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters comprise one or more metal plates. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters include a substantially U-shaped profile portion contacting opposite sides of the one or more electrically conductive support arms. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters extend through pre-existing windows in the shelf to electrically connect to the one or more electrical contacts of the information display unit. 
     
     
         9 . A kit for making a system, comprising:
 a shelf mountable to a base configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source, the shelf comprising one or more electrically conductive support arms configured to establish an electrical connection with the electrical power source when the shelf is mounted on the base and the base is electrically connected to the electric power source;   an electrical information display unit mountable on the shelf and comprising one or more electrical contacts; and   one or more electrically conductive adapters configured to electrically connect the one or more electrically conductive members of the shelf to the one or more contacts of the information display unit mounted on the shelf, the one or more electrically conductive adapters being wire free.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters are hidden from view when the information display unit is mounted on the shelf. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the shelf has a front edge, wherein the information display unit is mountable on the front edge of the shelf, and wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters are hidden relative to a perspective view in front of the information display unit. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more electrically conduct adapters are configured to be retrofitted into the shelf without modification of the shelf. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters comprise one or more metal plates. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters include a substantially U-shaped profile portion contacting opposite sides of the one or more electrically conductive support arms. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making the system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 mounting a shelf comprising one or more electrically conductive support arms to a base configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source;   mounting an electrical information display unit comprising one or more electrical contacts on the shelf;   retrofitting the shelf with one or more electrically conductive adapters to electrically connect the one or more electrically conductive support arms to the one or more electrical contacts of the information display unit; and   electrically connecting the base to the electrical power source.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the shelf has a front edge, wherein the information display unit is mountable on the front edge of the shelf, and wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters are hidden relative to a perspective view in front of the information display unit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of any  claim 15 , wherein the one or more electrically conduct adapters are configured to be retrofitted into the shelf without modification of the shelf. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters comprise one or more metal plates. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive adapters include a substantially U-shaped profile portion contacting opposite sides of the one or more electrically conductive support arms. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 a base configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source;   a shelf mounted to the base;   an electrical information display unit having a case that is unitary with the shelf, the information display system including one or more electrical contacts; and   one or more electrically conductive support arms configured to electrically connect the electrical power source to the electrical contacts of the information display system when the base is electrically connected to the electric power source.