Shelf light bracket connector system

Abstract

A shelf arrangement has an electrical connector which is disposed with one of a plurality of mechanical connection elements of a shelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket; and a contact strip which is disposed with the vertical support bracket and which has electrical connection features that are engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the mechanical connection elements are inserted into the openings.

1 . A shelf arrangement comprising:
 an electrical connector which is disposed with one of a plurality of mechanical connection elements of a shelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket; and   a contact strip which is disposed with the vertical support bracket and which has electrical connection features that are engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the mechanical connection elements are inserted into the openings.   
   
   
       2 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connector comprises a clip which engages a rear edge portion of a mechanical connection element of the shelf bracket, the clip being electrically insulated from the shelf bracket by a layer of insulating material. 
   
   
       3 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical connection element of the shelf bracket on which the electrical connector is disposed, comprises a locking tab which is configured to be inserted through the openings formed in the vertical support bracket 
   
   
       4 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein a lighting arrangement is connected to the electrical connector via a portion of the clip which extends out at angle with respect to the rear edge portion of the shelf bracket. 
   
   
       5 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the layer of insulating material comprises a strip of insulating material which is adhered or press fit to the rear edge portion of the shelf bracket. 
   
   
       6 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the contact strip is elongate and is enclosed in an insulating contact housing which electrically insulates the contact strip from the vertical support bracket. 
   
   
       7 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the insulating contact housing is configured to enclose the contact strip and to provide a passage through which the electrical connector must pass before contact with the contact strip occurs. 
   
   
       8 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the passage is configured to align with an opening in the vertical support bracket. 
   
   
       9 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the insulating contact housing is flexible to the degree that the contact strip can be disposed in position and the insulating contact housing folded about the contact strip to form a member which can be disposed in the vertical support bracket. 
   
   
       10 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the insulating contact housing is molded and configured such that the contact strip snap fits into position upon being pressed into position. 
   
   
       11 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the lighting arrangement comprises a plurality of LED (light emitting diodes). 
   
   
       12 . The shelf arrangement as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the shelf arrangement is disposed in a refrigerator and the lighting arrangement is responsive to the opening of the door and is further responsive to a circuit which limits the level of illumination by the lighting arrangement under predetermined conditions. 
   
   
       13 . A shelf arrangement comprising:
 first and second contact strips respectively disposed with first and second vertical support brackets which vertical support brackets are each adapted to be secured in an essentially vertical orientation, the first contact strip being adapted for connection with a first electrical terminal and second contact strip being adapted for connection with a second electrical terminal; and   first and second electrical connectors connected with first and second shelf brackets which respectively have connection elements configured to engage with connection features formed in the first and second vertical support brackets, the first and second electrical connectors being adapted for electrical connection with a source of light and further configured to contact the first and second contact strips to establish an electrical connection with the first and second electrical terminals, through the first and second contact strips respectively.   
   
   
       14 . A method of connecting shelf illumination comprising:
 disposing an electrical connector on a shelf bracket that has connection elements which are configured to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket; and   disposing a contact strip with the vertical support bracket and arranging the contract strip to have electrical connection features that are engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical connection therebetween.   
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 enclosing the contact strip in an insulating housing;   disposing the insulating housing and contact strip with the vertical support bracket;   arranging the insulating housing to having entrances which correspond to openings formed in the vertical support bracket; and   configuring the entrances to receive the electrical connector and guide it into electrical contact with the contact strip.   
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising configuring the insulating housing to be foldable so that the contact strip can be disposed on the insulating housing and the insulating housing folded over on the contact strip to enclose the same. 
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 connecting a first contact strip to a first terminal of a source of electrical energy;   disposing the first contact strip in a first insulating housing;   disposing the first insulating housing in a first vertical support bracket;   connecting a second contact strip to a second terminal of a source of electrical energy;   disposing the second contact strip in a second insulating housing;   disposing the second insulating housing in a second vertical support bracket;   connecting a first electrical connector on a first shelf bracket to a first lead wire associated with a light fixture;   connecting a second electrical connector on a second shelf bracket to a second lead wire associated with the light fixture; and   inserting the first and second electrical connectors into contact with the first and second contact strips respectively by inserting mechanical connection elements on the first and second shelf brackets respectfully into openings in the first and second vertical support brackets which openings are adapted to facilitate connection of the mechanical connection features to the vertical support brackets.