Shelf lighting mounting system

Abstract

A shelf lighting system ( 60 ) is disclosed which includes a single upright rail ( 61 ). The upright rail includes an electrically conductive first member ( 62 ) and second member ( 63 ) which are electrically insulated from each other. The system also includes an electrically conductive shelf brackets ( 85 ) having a tongue ( 86 ) and a U-shaped mounting portion ( 87 ) configured to be mounted to the second member. The system also includes multiple corner shelves ( 91 ) having a mounting slot configured to receive the bracket tongue, a first contact ( 93 ) positioned to be in electrical contact with the tongue, and a second contact ( 94 ) positioned to be in electrical contact with the upright first member. The shelf also includes a light sources ( 95 ) having a pair of electrical conductors ( 96 ) which extend through holes passing through the shelf to the light source(s). The electrical conductors terminate with contacts ( 93, 94 ) which contact the members ( 62, 63 ).

1 . A shelf lighting system adapted to be mounted to a support wall and coupled to an electric power source, the system comprising: 
 a first electrically conductive member coupleable to an electric power source;    a second electrically conductive member coupleable to an electric power source;    a fastener coupling said first member to said second member, said fastener including an electrically insulative portion preventing electrical contact between said first member and said second member;    at least one electrically conductive mounting bracket having an elongated portion and a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to said second member, and    at least one shelf having a slot therein configured to receive said mounting bracket elongated portion, said shelf also having a first electrical contact positioned to electrically contact said first member and a second electric contact positioned to electrically contact said second member, said shelf also having an electric light source having one electrical conductor coupled to said first electrical contact and a second electrical conductor coupled to said second electrical contact,    whereby the bracket is coupled to the mounting member, and whereby electricity is passed through the light source by passing it through the members and through the electrical conductors in electrical contact with the members.    
   
   
       2 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 1  wherein said second member includes a front wall and at least one side wall, said side wall having a plurality of holes therethrough, and wherein said mounting bracket mounting portion includes at least one catch adapted to be received within a said side wall hole.  
   
   
       3 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 1  wherein said mounting bracket mounting portion is configured to abut said second member front wall.  
   
   
       4 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 1  wherein said second electrical contact is positioned to electrically contact said second member through said electrically conductive mounting bracket.  
   
   
       5 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 1  wherein said second electrical contact is position to contact directly said second member.  
   
   
       6 . A shelf lighting system adapted to be mounted to a support wall comprising: 
 an electrically conductive rail having a first member and a second member coupled to said first member;    an electrical insulator electrically insulting said first member from said second member;    mounting means for mounting said rail to the support wall;    at least one electrically conductive shelf mounting brackets adapted to be mounted to said second member; and    at least one shelf having a first electrical contact positioned to electrically contact said first member and a second electric contact positioned to electrically contact said second member, said shelf also having an electric light source having one electrical conductor coupled to said first electrical contact and a second electrical conductor coupled to said second electrical contact,    whereby the brackets are coupled to the mounting rail, and whereby electricity is passed through the light source by passing it through the members and through the electrical conductors in electrical contact with the members.    
   
   
       7 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 6  wherein said second member includes a front wall and at least one side wall, said side wall having a plurality of holes therethrough, and wherein said mounting bracket mounting portion includes at least one catch adapted to be received within a said side wall hole.  
   
   
       8 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 6  wherein said mounting bracket mounting portion is configured to abut said second member front wall.  
   
   
       9 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 6  wherein said second electrical contact is positioned to electrically contact said second member through said electrically conductive mounting bracket.  
   
   
       10 . The shelf lighting system of  claim 6  wherein said second electrical contact is position to contact directly said second member.  
   
   
       11 . A shelf system adapted to be mounted to a support wall comprising: 
 a rail having a first member and a second member, said second member having a front wall, a rear wall, and at least one side wall extending between said front wall and said rear wall;    mounting means for mounting said rail to the support wall;    a shelf mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to said side wall of one said rail, said mounting brackets being configured to abut said front wall; and    at least one shelf adapted to be coupled to said mounting bracket,    whereby the bracket is coupled to the second member.    
   
   
       12 . The shelf system of  claim 11  wherein each said mounting bracket has two catches.  
   
   
       13 . The shelf system of  claim 11  wherein said rail members and said mounting brackets are electrically conductive, and wherein said shelf also having a first electrical contact positioned to electrically contact said first member and a second electric contact positioned to electrically contact said second member, said shelf also having an electric light source having one electrical conductor coupled to said first electrical contact and a second electrical conductor coupled to said second electrical contact, 
 whereby electricity is passed through the light source by passing it through the members and through the electrical conductors.