# US 2019/0378104 A1 · Cantilevered weight sensitive shelf, rail, and mounting system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0378104 A1 - Document ID: US20190378104A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/483,361 - Filed: 2018-02-02 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-03 - Assignees: ViaTouch Media Inc. - Applicants: Viatouch Media Inc. - Inventors: James Winsor; Thomas Murn; Robert Hurtado; Milan Alvarado - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190378104A1 ## CPC - G06Q 20/18: involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals - G07F 9/026: {for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty} - G06K 7/10297: {arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 (cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00)} - G06K 7/10366: {the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications} - G06Q 20/20: Point-of-sale [POS] network systems - G07F 11/38: in which the magazines are horizontal - G07G 1/0063: {with means for detecting the geometric dimensions of the article of which the code is read, such as its size or height, for the verification of the registration} - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - G07G: REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS ## Abstract A rack assembly for use with an automatic retail device. The rack assembly includes a rack body comprising and a load bar configured to mount to the rack body. The rack body includes a fastening element configured to mount the rack body to a portion of the automatic retail device and a main shelf controller disposed within the rack body and in communication with a microcontroller of the automatic retail device. The load bar includes a weight sensor configured to sense a weight of products positioned on the load bar and a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed on the load bar and in electrical communication with the weight sensor and the main shelf controller. The circuit board transmits a signal corresponding to the weight sensed by the weight sensor to the microcontroller via the main shelf controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rack assembly for use with an automatic retail device, the rack assembly comprising: a rack body comprising: a fastening element configured to mount the rack body to a portion of the automatic retail device; and a main shelf controller disposed within the rack body and in communication with a microcontroller of the automatic retail device; and a load bar configured to mount to the rack body, the load bar comprising: a weight sensor configured to sense a weight of products positioned on the load bar; and a circuit board disposed on the load bar and in electrical communication with the weight sensor and the main shelf controller, the circuit board configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the weight sensed by the weight sensor to the microcontroller via the main shelf controller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening element is a hook disposed on a backside of the rack body, the hook configured to hang the rack body on a back wall of the automatic retail device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the rack body is configured to support and be in electrical communication with a plurality of load bars mounted thereto. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the load bar further includes a second circuit board disposed on a distal portion of the load bar, the second circuit board in electrical communication with the circuit board. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a vibration motor operably coupled to a portion of the load bar and in electrical communication with the circuit board, the vibration motor configured to create a tactile vibratory or audible effect to the load bar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light emitter operably coupled to a portion of the load bar and in electrical communication with the circuit board, the light emitter configured to create a visual effect to the load bar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the load bar defines a slot at least partially along its length, the slot configured to receive a portion of a bin therein. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bin slideably coupled to the load bar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rack assembly of claim 8, wherein the load bar includes a light emitter and the bin includes an illuminating element, the illuminating element of the bin configured to optically transmit light from the light emitter of the load bar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The rack assembly of claim 8, wherein the bin includes a spring loaded pusher positioned therein, the spring loaded pusher configured to distally advance products positioned in the bin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a boot configured to securely adhere to a product and including a tab extending from a surface of the boot, the load bar including a locking element configured to engage the tab to lock the boot to the load bar and to disengage the tab to unlock the boot from the load bar upon receiving a command from the circuit board. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the load bar has an I-shaped cross-section with a top section and a bottom section separated by a middle section to define a slot between the top section and the bottom section, the slot extending along at least a partial length of the load bar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the load bar has a T-shaped cross-section with a top section defining a slot extending along at least a partial length of the load bar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes a pin arrangement extending therefrom configured to align with a pin receiving arrangement of the rack body to create an electrical communication between the circuit board and the rack body when the load bar is mounted to the rack body without the use of any additional cable connections. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the rack body further includes a contact point PCBA configured to establish an electrical connection between the main shelf controller and a plurality of load bars coupled thereto.