Universal Adjustable Shelf for Refrigerated Display Cases

Abstract

A universal shelf for use with different upright standards includes at least one bracket. The bracket includes slots that are configured to interface with different uprights for different refrigerated display cases. The widthwise positions of the shelf are also adjustable to accommodate different upright configurations.

1 . A shelf including at least one bracket, comprising:
 a first bracket including projecting member extending from an end of the first bracket, the projecting member further including a slot, the slot including a first portion and a second portion;   the first portion of the slot having a generally rectangular shape with a first width and the second portion of the slot having a generally rectangular shape with a second width that is less than the first width;   wherein the first portion of the slot is configured to receive a portion of a first upright having a first wall thickness that is greater than the second width, and wherein the second portion of the slot is configured to receive a portion of a second upright having a second wall thickness that is less than the first thickness.   
     
     
         2 . The shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein the projecting member includes a lower edge and wherein the first portion of the slot is disposed on the lower edge and wherein the second portion is disposed inwardly of the first portion with respect to the lower edge. 
     
     
         3 . The shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein the projecting member includes a second slot with a third portion having a generally rectangular shape and a fourth portion having a generally rectangular shape. 
     
     
         4 . The shelf according to  claim 3 , wherein the second slot is rotated with respect to the first slot. 
     
     
         5 . The shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further includes a second projecting member extending from the end of the bracket, the second projecting member further including a second slot with a third slot portion having a generally rectangular shape and a fourth slot portion having a generally rectangular shape. 
     
     
         6 . The shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further includes a second projecting member extending from the end of the bracket, wherein the second projecting member comprises an upper edge, a lower edge, and a convex edge connecting the upper edge and the lower edge. 
     
     
         7 . The shelf according to  claim 6 , wherein the bracket includes a stepped interface adjacent the second projecting member, and wherein the stepped interface includes a first vertical surface, a second vertical surface offset from the first vertical surface and a third vertical surface offset from the first vertical surface and from the second vertical surface, wherein the stepped interface further includes a first horizontal surface connecting the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface and a second horizontal surface connecting the second vertical surface and the third vertical surface. 
     
     
         8 . The shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein the second width is less than the first thickness, preventing the portion of the first upright from entering the second portion of the slot. 
     
     
         9 . The shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein the shelf has an adjustable width. 
     
     
         10 . A shelf, comprising:
 a bracket including a first projecting member having a slot, the slot including a first portion having a first width, and a second portion having a second width;   the bracket further including a second projecting member spaced from the first projecting member, the second projecting member having a first engaging surface and a second engaging surface;   wherein the first portion of the slot and the first engaging surface of the second projecting member of the bracket are sized and configured to mount onto a first upright of a first refrigerated case, wherein the first upright has a first hole configuration and a first wall thickness;   wherein the second portion of the slot and the second engaging surface of the second projecting member of bracket are sized and configured to mount onto a second upright of a second refrigerated case, wherein the second upright has a second hole configuration and a second wall thickness; and   wherein the first hole configuration is different than the second hole configuration, and the first wall thickness is different than the second wall thickness.   
     
     
         11 . The shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein the second projecting member includes a stepped interface, and wherein the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface are surfaces of the stepped interface. 
     
     
         12 . The shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the slot has a generally rectangular shape with the first width and the second portion of the slot has a generally rectangular shape with the second width that is less than the first width, wherein the first portion is configured to receive a portion of the first upright having the first wall thickness that is greater than the second width, and wherein the second portion is configured to receive a portion of the second upright having the second wall thickness that is less than the first wall thickness. 
     
     
         13 . The shelf according to  claim 12 , wherein the first portion of the slot is disposed at a lower edge of the first projecting member and the second portion is disposed inwardly of the first portion with respect to the lower edge. 
     
     
         14 . The shelf according to  claim 12 , wherein the first portion and the second portion form a stepped configuration with a stepped corner at a junction between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         15 . The shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the slot and a third engaging surface of the second projecting member of bracket are sized and configured to mount onto a third upright of a third refrigerated case, wherein the third upright has a third hole configuration and a third wall thickness. 
     
     
         16 . The shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein the bracket is further sized and configured to mount onto a third upright of a third refrigerated case and a fourth upright of a fourth refrigerated case, wherein the third upright has a third hole configuration and a third wall thickness, wherein the fourth upright has a fourth hole configuration and a fourth wall thickness, and wherein each of the first hole configuration, the second hole configuration, the third hole configuration, and the fourth hole configuration are different from one another, and wherein each of the first wall thickness, the second wall thickness, the third wall thickness, and the fourth wall thickness are different from one another. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a shelf with a bracket, the bracket including a first projecting member with a slot having a first portion with a first width and a second portion with a second width, and a second projecting member with a first engaging surface and a second engaging surface, the method comprising:
 selecting the first portion of the slot to engage a first portion of an upright in a refrigerated case adjacent a first hole of the upright;   selecting the first engaging surface of the second projecting member to engage a second portion of the upright, wherein the second portion is below the first portion of the upright; and   mounting the shelf to the upright by mating the first portion of the slot with the first portion of the upright, and by placing the first engaging surface of the second projecting member against the second portion of the upright.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the first portion of the slot is selected instead of the second portion of the slot; and wherein the first engaging surface of the second projecting member is selected instead of the second engaging surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the shelf includes a second bracket and wherein the method further includes adjusting a spacing between the bracket and the second bracket along a widthwise direction of the shelf to mount the bracket to the upright and to mount the second bracket to a second upright of the refrigerated case. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 removing the bracket from the upright;   mounting the bracket to a second upright in a second refrigerated case;   selecting the second portion of the slot to engage a third portion of the second upright adjacent a second hole of the second upright;   selecting the second engaging surface of the second projecting member to engage a fourth portion of the second upright, wherein the fourth portion is below the third portion of the second upright; and   securing the shelf to the second upright by mating the second portion of the slot with the third portion of the second upright, and by placing the second engaging surface of the second projecting member against the fourth portion of the second upright.