Shelving and method

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein pertains to shelving and particularly pertains to shelving which can be assembled on site in a variety of heights and widths as required using extruded aluminum stanchions and lateral sections which are easily attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Adjustable shelving has been used for many years in a wide number of configurations. Conventional shelving often has to be made for assembly on site due to particular conditions and individual requirements. Standard wood and other materials that can be cut on site are often employed. Power saws, hammers, electric screw drivers and other tools are usually required to complete an installation. Such shelving can be custom made, however skilled craftsman are usually needed to complete the assembly. Various preassembled shelving is also available which can be completed on site but usually limits the user to a preset design.

Thus, in view of the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art shelving, the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide shelving which can be installed by an individual worker using only simple hand tools and without requiring any cutting or bending.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide shelving which can be easily adjusted for fitting within a particular room, even one with uneven walls, ceiling or floor.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide shelving which can be purchased with various components and can later be expanded or modified should the user's needs change.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide shelving having extruded stanchions with U-shaped serrated channels for engaging threaded members of either flat or L-shaped supports.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide shelving having lateral members consisting of a series of U-shaped sections which can be joined by clips for the desired shelf width.

It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a method of shelf installation and assembly which is both easy and efficient.

Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description is set forth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing shelving having a series of vertical stanchions with a plurality of lateral members attached thereto as needed to contain boxes, books, TVs, or other selected articles. The stanchions can be spaced apart and attached to a vertical wall or ceiling using braces and wall brackets. Lateral members are then attached to the stanchions with either L-shaped or flat supports, depending on the desired shelving configuration. Each stanchion can receive a threaded adjustable foot to insure the shelving is level, for example on old, broken or uneven floors. The elongated vertical stanchions include a relatively thick central section having opposing ridges formed on the ends thereof. T-sides are opposingly positioned on the central section with the T-sides somewhat thinner than the central section. Opposing U-shaped channels are formed between each T-side and the central section of the elongated stanchion to allow secure engagement of threaded members therein. To provide a finished shelf appearance, side face plates can be attached to the lateral members which are formed from a series of U-shaped lateral sections joined together. The lateral members are supported by L-shaped supports affixed to opposing stanchions or by flat supports, also attached to the elongated stanchions to form load bearing surfaces for various objects such as books or other articles.

In the method of use, a site is selected in a room or building and then, stanchions of desired length having adjustable feet are vertically placed on the floor. At the top of the stanchions wall braces are attached to the stanchions and a selected wall using brackets. The stanchions could alternatively be attached to the ceiling if desired. Additional vertical stanchions are likewise attached at selected distances as desired and thereafter a designated number of lateral members are positioned between the stanchions using appropriate threaded members and simple hand tools. The constructed shelving is then ready for use such as for displaying a TV, DVDs, books, figurines, or the like. Multiple shelving designs can be chosen or later varied depending on the user's needs at that time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a typical shelving design in fragmented fashion as attached to a typical wall and floor;

FIG. 2 schematically pictures a stanchion of indeterminate length in a fragmented front elevational view, the rear elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 3 depicts the stanchion of FIG. 2 in a fragmented right side elevational view, the left side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 4 demonstrates a top plan view of the stanchion as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom plan view of the stanchion as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 features a selected stanchion in a top, front, right side perspective fashion with various shelving components exploded therefrom;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of a section of the stanchion seen in FIG. 6 with shelf supports exploded therefrom; and

FIG. 8 demonstrates an enlarged perspective view of a partial pair of U-shaped lateral sections prior to assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention and its operation, turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of preferred shelving 10 in a typical assembly with lateral members 12 extending horizontally between elongated vertical stanchions 11. Shelving 10 is positioned on floor 15 and is connected to rear wall 16 as shown therein with a TV, books and other articles positioned thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7 preferred elongated stanchions 11 consist of aluminum extrusions which can be manufactured and sold in any increment from one inch (1″) to twelve feet (12′) such as for example six, eight and ten feet (6′, 8′, 10′) or other lengths as demanded by the purchaser. Other suitable metals such as steel, copper or brass, woods, plastics or composites may also be used but are not preferred. As seen in the end views in FIGS. 4 and 5, stanchion 11 is formed having a central section 18 with a pair of T-sides 17, 17′ opposingly joined thereto. Opposing pairs of U-shaped channels 19, 19′ are formed between T-sides and central section 18 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Serrations or teeth 20, 20′ are formed along the inner walls of U-shaped channels 19, 19′ respectfully and act as threaded channels for receiving and holding threaded members 41 therein.

Central section 18 has a width W which is about twice the width or thickness (W₁) of T-sides 17, 17′ for strength and rigidity. T-sides 17, 17′ may be one quarter inch (¼″) in thickness (W₁) whereas central section 18 has a thickness W of about one half inch (½″). Opposing ridges 25 are formed on each end of central section 18 and extend the length of central section 18 outwardly from central section 18 and T-sides 17, 17′. Ridges 25 help increase the structural integrity of the assembled shelving as notches 31a and 32a of respectively flat support 31 and L-shaped support 32 engage ridges 25 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and as described in more detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, threaded openings 21, 21′ are centered in the ends of central section 18 for use in attachment of wall brace 22 using screw 24 in opening 21′ as shown in FIG. 6 and adjustable foot 23 in opening 21′. Openings 21, 21′ are, for example one inch (1″) in depth, but may be deeper or shallower as desired. Other embodiments may not include openings 21, 21′. Adjustable leveling foot 23 includes threaded shaft 23a and circular base 23b. Circular base 23b is formed from nylon or other durable materials. Opening 21′ in the top of stanchion 11 has a larger threaded diameter than opening 21 but could be the same diameter or smaller if desired. As would be understood threaded shaft 23a is threadably received within opening 21 whereby circular base 23b rests on floor 15. Adjustable foot 23 can be manually adjusted as needed during assembly for leveling of shelving 10.

During the method of assembly of shelving 10 as shown in FIG. 1, elongated stanchions 11 of a desired length are selected and affixed to wall 16 by attaching wall bracket 26 with standard wood screws 39 as also seen in FIG. 6 into studs or with anchors into dry wall (not shown). Wall bracket 26 includes a vertical rectangular base 28 with a pair of projections 27, 27′ spaced apart and extending in a horizontal, parallel posture therefrom. Wall bracket 26 includes a pair of openings 38, 38′ formed proximate the opposing ends of base 28 for attachment to wall 16 such as by fasteners 39. Opening 30 is provided in upper projection 27 for reception of screw 29 as shown in FIG. 6 to affix wall brace 22 thereto. Wall brace 22 is U-shaped and includes aperture 22a on the distal end for attachment to wall bracket 26 and larger aperture 22b on the proximal end for attachment to stanchion 11. Wall brace 22 further includes notches 34 formed in each side proximate aperture 22b for receiving ridges 25 therein. During assembly wall brace 22 is positioned atop stanchion 11 whereby notches 34 easily align with ridges 25 for proper placement while aperture 22b aligns with threaded opening 21′. Thereafter screw 24 is threadably tightened therein and the distal end of wall brace 22 slid between projections 27, 27′ whereby opening 30 is coincidental with aperture 22a so screw 29 can be threadably tightened therein. During placement, foot 23 is adjusted as described to account for uneven floors or the like.

A plurality of flat supports 31 or L-shaped supports 32 can be affixed to stanchions 11 for the desired look. Flat support 31 includes a pair of side by side apertures 31b on one end with notch 31a positioned therebetween on one side as seen in FIG. 7. During placement of flat support 31, notch 31a engages ridge 25 of stanchion 11 and flat support 31 fits flushly thereagainst whereby conventional machine screws 41 are positioned within apertures 31b and threadably tightened to stanchion 11 by serrations 20, 20′ in U-shaped channels 19, 19′.

L-shaped support 32 includes a pair of side by side apertures 32b centrally formed in the vertical portion with notch 32a positioned therebetween on one side as seen in FIG. 7. Flat support 31 and L-shaped support 32 may be positioned on either side of stanchion 11 as desired. An opposing pair of apertures 32c are formed in the horizontal portion of L-shaped support 32 near the distal and proximal ends thereof. During placement of L-shaped support 32, notch 32a engages ridge 25 whereby L-shaped support 32 flushly fits against stanchion 11. Conventional machine screws 41 are then positioned within apertures 32b and threadably tightened to stanchion 11 by serrations 20, 20′ in U-shaped channels 19, 19′. As would be understood screws 41 are long enough to fit within channels 19, 19′ but do not penetrate or abut ends 19a, 19a′ (FIG. 4).

U-shaped lateral sections 13, 13′ shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 are preferably formed from aluminum, however other suitable materials could also be used. Lateral section 13 is formed having an outer U-shape with legs 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d. Leg 13a is formed to include a squared C-shaped bottom whereas leg 13b is formed of a vertical wall having a rounded bottom and a cylindrical threaded C-shaped channel 40 formed on one side thereof. Legs 13c and 13d consist of vertical walls having rounded bottoms. Lateral section 13′ is formed to include opposing outer vertical walls 13a′ and a pair of inner vertical walls 13b′ each having a rounded bottom and a cylindrical threaded C-shaped channel 40′ formed on one side thereof preferably facing outer vertical walls 13a′. As seen in FIG. 6, lateral member 12 for example is formed by central U-shaped lateral section 13′ having a U-shaped lateral section 13 on each side in mirrored relation. As seen in FIG. 8, U-shaped clip 35 includes cavity 36 and clip serrations 37 formed on the inside upper portion of each vertical wall. When joining lateral section 13 to lateral section 13′, clip 35 is slidably received on and frictionally engages respectively walls 13d and 13a′ for tight engagement thereto. Should it be desired for lateral member 12 to be wider a series of U-shaped lateral sections 13′ would be centered between a pair of U-shaped lateral sections 13 and a plurality of clips 35 utilized for joining the respective sections together for durability and strength. In an alternate embodiment, lateral sections 13, 13′ may come in large sections, for example twelve feet (12′) lengths, and then cut as needed for appropriate size.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, flat support 31 is shown along with L-shaped support 32 which can be selected for U-shaped lateral sections 13, 13′ for load bearing purposes. The end of flat support 31 flushly aligns with T-side 17 of stanchion 11 whereas L-shaped support 32 extends on both sides of stanchion 11 (front and rear). For a finished shelf end, planar face plate 33 is applied to U-shaped lateral sections 13, 13′ using screws 41 which are received within apertures 33a and into C-shaped channels 40, 40′. Face plate 33 includes an outwardly extending lip across the back thereof which rests slightly underneath lateral member 12 to assist in placement thereon. Face plate 33 adds additional strength and rigidity to lateral member 12 for completion of shelving 10.

Although not fully described as would be understood all openings and apertures described herein for receiving screws or other attaching means are tapered in order to countersink the screw heads therein to provide a flush finished appearance. Further depending on the particular look desired by the user, the required materials to form the shelving could be formed from aluminum or wood or a mix thereof, or could be special ordered to provide the aluminum with a specific color.

Thus, a wide variety of shelf designs such as shown in FIG. 1 can be constructed utilizing stanchions 11 and U-shaped lateral sections 13, 13′ and the illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.