SHELF ASSEMBLY

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/724,946 filed on Nov. 26, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/724,935, filed on Nov. 26, 2024. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a shelf and, more particularly, to a modular shelf assembly.

INTRODUCTION

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Modular shelving assemblies can be used for storing and supporting items and products of all types. Modular shelving assemblies may contain several components that may be assembled to provide a desired configuration suitable to the storage needs of a user. These components are often shipped disassembled and then assembled by the user at the desired location. However, certain modular shelving assemblies may be difficult to construct, may require tools to build the shelving assembly, and may only provide limited assembled configurations that may not adequately fulfill the storage needs of the user.

An adjustable modular shelving assembly may allow for customizing shelves to a configuration desired or needed by the user. In particular, modular shelving assemblies may allow the user to adjust the height or distance between the shelves to facilitate storage of items having different shapes and sizes. The user may additionally want to select the number of tiers or shelves in the assembled configuration. Moreover, because the user typically assembles the modular shelving assembly on site, it can be advantageous if the shelving assembly components are lightweight while still providing sufficient strength to adequately support the weight of the items to be placed on the shelves.

Adjustability to join multiple modular shelving units together also provides configuration advantages to the user. The capability to join two or more modular shelving units together may also increase the possible configurations the user could create. Such an increase in possible configurations can facilitate the user assembling modular shelving units in a configuration that will be suitable to the storage needs of the user and adaptable to the dimensions of the storage space in which the shelving unit is placed.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a shelf assembly that is lightweight, strong, easy to assemble, can be assembled in a variety of configurations, and configured to connect with multiple shelf assemblies.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the instant disclosure, there is a continuing need for a shelf assembly that is lightweight, strong, easy to assemble, can be assembled in a variety of configurations, and configured to connect with multiple shelf assemblies, has been surprisingly discovered.

In certain embodiments, a shelf can be provided having a shelf panel including a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Each of the first end and the second end of the shelf panel can include a pole support opening and a connecting rib opening, each of the top surface and the bottom surface of the shelf panel can include a pole opening, and the bottom surface of the shelf panel can include a catch opening. An end cap can be provided having a pole support arm and a connecting rib. The pole support arm can including a pole receiver and the pole support arm can be configured to be disposed in the pole support opening of the shelf panel. The connecting rib can include a catch where the connecting rib can be configured to disposed in the connecting rib opening and the catch configured to be received in the catch opening to secure the end cap to the shelf panel.

In certain embodiments, a shelf assembly can include the shelf described herein above and a pole. The pole support arm of the end cap can be disposed in the pole support opening of the shelf panel. The pole can be received in the pole opening of one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the shelf panel and the pole can be received in the pole receiver of the pole support arm.

In other embodiments, a shelf assembly can include the shelf described herein above, a cap, and a foot assembly. The pole support arm of the end cap can be disposed in the pole support opening of the shelf panel. The cap can be received in the pole opening of the top surface of the shelf panel and the pole receiver of the pole support arm. The foot assembly can be received in the pole opening of the bottom surface of the shelf panel and the pole receiver of the pole support arm.

In other embodiments a shelf assembly can be provided having a aplurality of shelves, a plurality of poles, a plurality of top caps, and a plurality of foot assemblies. Each of the shelves can include a shelf panel and a first end cap and a second end cap. The shelf panel can have a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, each of the first end and the second end including a pole support opening and a connecting rib opening, each of the top surface and the bottom surface including a pole opening, and the bottom surface including a catch opening. The first end cap can be disposed in the first end of the shelf panel and the second end cap can be disposed in the second end of the shelf panel, each of the first end cap and the second end cap can have a pole support arm and a connecting rib. The pole support arm can include a pole receiver and be configured to be disposed in the pole support opening of the shelf panel. The connecting rib can include a catch, the connecting rib configured to be disposed in the connecting rib opening of the shelf panel and the catch configured to be received in the catch opening of the bottom surface of the shelf panel to secure the end cap to the shelf panel. Each one of the plurality of poles can be configured to be disposed in the pole opening of the shelf panel and received in the pole receiver of the pole support arm. Each top cap can be configured to be disposed in the pole opening of the top surface of the shelf panel and received in the pole receiver of the pole support arm. Each foot assembly configured to be disposed in the pole opening of the bottom surface of the shelf panel and received in the pole receiver of the support arm.

In certain embodiments, a kit for a shelf assembly can include a plurality of shelves, a first set of poles, a second set of poles, a plurality of top caps, and a plurality of foot assemblies. Each one of the plurality of shelves can include a shelf panel, a first end cap, and a second end cap. The shelf panel can include a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the first end and the second end including a pole support opening and a connecting rib opening, the top surface and the bottom surface including a pole opening, and the bottom surface including a catch opening. The first end cap can be disposed in the first end of the shelf panel and the second end cap can be disposed in the second end of the shelf panel. Each of the first end cap and the second end cap can include a pole support arm and a connecting rib. The pole support arm can include a pole receiver; the pole support arm can be configured to be disposed in the pole support opening of the shelf panel. The connecting rib can include a catch, the connecting rib configured to be disposed in the connecting rib opening of the shelf panel and the catch configured to be received in the catch opening of the bottom surface of the shelf panel to secure the end cap to the shelf panel. Each pole of the first set of poles can have a first length and be configured to be disposed in the pole opening of the shelf panel and received in the pole receiver of the pole support arm. Each pole of the second set of poles can have a second length and be configured to be disposed in the pole opening of the shelf panel and received in the pole receiver of the pole support arm. Each top cap can be configured to be disposed in the pole opening of the shelf panel and received in the pole receiver of the pole support arm. Each foot assembly can be configured to be disposed in the pole opening of the shelf panel and received in the pole receiver of the support arm. The plurality of shelves, the first set of poles, the second set of poles, the plurality of top caps, and the plurality of feet can be assembled in a variety of configurations to provide a desired shelf configuration.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described hereafter.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an assembled shelf assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a shelf panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the shelf panel according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the shelf panel according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an end cap for the shelf panel illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a pole support arm of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 5, showing a pole receiver;

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate views of a shelf constructed from the shelf panel illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and two of the end caps illustrated in FIGS. 5-9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pole for the shelf assembly;

FIG. 12 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the pole illustrated in FIG. 11, taken along lines 12-12;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a male end of the pole illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a female end of the pole illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the male end of the pole illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the female end of the pole illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view of two of the poles illustrated in FIGS. 11-17 received in the pole receiver of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate views of a top cap for the shelf assembly;

FIG. 21 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view of the top cap illustrated in FIGS. 18-21 received in the pole receiver of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a foot assembly for the shelf assembly;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a foot adjuster of the foot assembly illustrated in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the foot adjuster of the foot assembly illustrated in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of a foot of the foot assembly illustrated in FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a elevational and partial cross-sectional view of the foot assembly illustrated in FIG. 22 received in the pole receiver of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of an interlock for the shelf assembly;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view showing the interlock of FIG. 26 received in interlocking slots of two adjacent end caps to couple two shelves;

FIG. 29 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view of the interlock received in interlocking slots of the two adjacent end caps shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a bracket for the shelf assembly;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another bracket for the shelf assembly;

FIG. 32 illustrates views of different configurations of a single tower shelf assembly according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 illustrates views of different configurations of two tower shelf assemblies arranged front-to-back according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 34 illustrates views of different configurations of two tower shelf assemblies arranged side-to-side according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed, unless expressly stated otherwise. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present technology provides shelf assemblies having components that can be assembled in a wide variety of shelving configurations to provide users an ability to optimize the configuration for a specific storage need as well as connect two or more shelf assemblies to further optimize the shelving assembly for the specific storage need.

With reference to FIGS. 1-31, a modular shelf assembly or shelf assembly 10 is provided that is designed to facilitate assembly into different shelf configurations. The shelf assembly 10 can include a shelf 100 including a shelf panel 102 and an end cap 104. As shown in FIG. 1, The shelf assembly 10 can also include a pole 106, a top cap 108, and a foot assembly 110. The shelf assembly can also include an interlock 112, shown in FIGS. 27-29, for connecting the end cap 104 of one shelf panel 102 to an end cap 104 of another shelf panel 102.

The shelf assembly 10, and the components thereof, can be formed from a lightweight plastic material, such as a polyolefin including a polypropylene plastic material, by a molding process such as injection molding. However, it should be understood that the shelf assembly 10 may be formed from any suitable material, including other thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene, and non-thermoplastic materials such as foam or metal. Nonetheless, any suitable processes for forming the shelf assembly 10 may be chosen by one skilled in the art, as desired.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the shelf panel 102 can include one or more hollow interior portions and can include a front edge 114, a back edge 116, a first end 118, a second end 120, a top surface 122, and a bottom surface 124. In the illustrated the embodiment, the shelf panel 102 has a generally rectangular shape with four corners when viewing the top surface 122.

It should be understood that other shapes such as square, triangular, or circular shapes, for example, can be used for the shelf panel 102. The first end 118 and the second end 120 of the shelf panel 102 can include a plurality of pole support openings 126 and a plurality of connecting rib openings 128. A pole opening 130 can be provided through the top surface 122 and the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the pole opening 130 is located adjacent to the corners of the shelf panel 102. Furthermore, a tab 131, shown in FIG. 10C, can be formed at the periphery of the pole opening 130. The tab 131 can be in contact with an outer surface of the pole 106 when the pole 106 is received in the pole opening to facilitate retaining an end of the pole 106 in the pole opening. A plurality of catch openings 132 can be formed through the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 adjacent the first end 118 and the second end 120 of the shelf panel 102.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-4, the shelf panel 102 can include a first crossbar 134 adjacent the front edge 114 of the shelf panel 102, a second crossbar 136 adjacent the back edge 116 of the shelf panel 102, and a third crossbar 138 disposed between the first crossbar 134 and the second crossbar 136. The crossbars 134, 136, 138 can include a recessed portion 139 formed along an edge of the crossbars 134, 136, 138. The crossbars 134, 136, 138 are configured to increase the strength of the shelf panels 102 and mitigate against a deflection thereof when in use supporting items placed on the shelf 100. Support ribs 140 can be formed that extend from either the first crossbar 134 to the third crossbar 138 or the second crossbar 136 to the third crossbar 138. The support ribs 140 can be substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other and substantially perpendicular to the crossbars 134, 136, 138. The first crossbar 134, the second crossbar 136, and the third crossbar 138 cooperate with the support ribs 140 to provide rigidity to the shelf panel 102 and facilitate the shelf panel 102 supporting objects placed thereon.

With reference to FIGS. 5-9, in certain embodiments, the end cap 104 can include a pair of pole support arms 142 and a plurality of connecting ribs 144 extending from a back side of the end cap 104. The pole support arms 142 can be configured to be received in the pole support openings 126 of the shelf panel 102. The pole support arms 142 each include a pole receiver 143 adjacent a distal end of the pole support arms 142. Each pole receiver 143 can include an upper section 146, a lower section 148, and a lip 150 disposed on an inner surface 152 of the pole receiver 143 between the upper section 146 and the lower section 148. Furthermore, a plurality of ribs 154 can be formed on an outer surface of the pole support arms 142 to facilitate forming frictional contact between the pole support arms 142 and an inner surface 155 of the pole support openings 126.

The plurality of connecting ribs 144 can each include a catch 158. The plurality of connecting ribs 144 can be configured to be received in the connecting rib openings 128 to connect the end cap 104 to the shelf panel 102. In the illustrated embodiment, one end cap 104 is connected to the first end 118 of the shelf panel 102 and another end cap 104 is connected to the second end 120 of the shelf panel 102. The catch 158 of each connecting rib 144 can be received in one of the catch openings 132 to facilitate securing the end caps 104 to the shelf panel 102. In certain embodiments, the pole support arms 142 can also include the catch 158 that can be received in one of the catch openings 132 disposed in the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 adjacent the pole support openings 126. When the end caps 104 are secured to the shelf panel 102, each of the pole receivers 143 can be substantially axially aligned with respective pole support openings 126 in the top surface 122 and the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 to facilitate inserting an end of the pole 106 through one of the pole support openings 126 in the top surface 122 or the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 into one of the pole receivers 143.

The end cap 104 can include an interlocking slot 159 formed therein for receiving the interlock 112, described in detail below, to secure the shelves 100 of one shelf unit to the adjacent shelves 100 of a second shelf unit, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. The interlocking slot 159 can include a cross-section having a substantially isosceles trapezoid shape. The end cap 104 can include a plurality of interlocking slots 159, including one or more of the interlocking slots 159 formed on each end of the end cap 104 and one or more of the interlocking slots 159 formed on each side of the end cap 104 opposite the side including the pole support arm 142 and the connecting rib 144.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-17, the pole 106 can include a male end 160, a female end 162, and a middle section 164 between the male end 160 and the female end 162. The male end can have an outer perimeter smaller than an outer perimeter of middle section 164 to form a ledge portion 166 extending from the outer perimeter of the male end 160 to the outer perimeter of the middle section 164.

In the illustrated embodiment, the male end 160 of the pole 106 can be configured to be received through the pole opening 130 formed in the top surface 122 of the shelf panel 102 and received in the pole receiver 143 of the of the pole support arm 142 of the end cap 104. When received in the pole receiver 143, the ledge portion 166 of the pole 106 can abut the lip 150 of the pole receiver 143 to position the male end 160 of the pole 106 within the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143. In this position, the outer surface of the male end 160 can be spaced apart from the inner surface 152 of the of the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143 and the outer surface of the of the middle section 164 of the pole 106 can abut the inner surface 152 of the upper section 146 of the pole receiver 143.

The female end 162 of the pole 106 can furthermore be configured to be received through the pole opening 130 formed in the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 and received in the pole receiver 143 of the of the pole support arm 142. When received in the pole receiver 143, the terminal end of the female end 162 can abut the lip 150 of the pole receiver 143 to position the female end 162 of the pole 106 within the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143. In this position, the outer surface of the female end 162 can abut the inner surface 152 of the of the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143.

It should be understood that four of the poles 106 can be used to join two successive shelf panels 102 by disposing one pole 106 at each corner of the shelf panels 102. The poles 106 provide spacing between the two successive shelf panels 102. Additionally, the poles 106 support the weight of objects placed on the shelf panels 102 and transfer the load to the supporting surface on which the shelf assembly rests, such as, for example the ground or a floor. It should as be understood that a length of the poles 106 can be selected to provide a desired distance between two successive shelf panels 102. Furthermore, for shelf assemblies 10 having more than two shelf panels (e.g., three or more tiers), the poles 106 between two successive shelf panels 102 can be a different length than the poles 106 between two other successive shelf panels 102 to provide different distances between the shelf panels 102 of the shelf assembly 10. It should also be understood that the shelf assembly 10 can utilize poles 106 all having substantially the same length.

When assembled, the pole receiver 143 can have two of the poles 106 received therein. In this configuration, the male end 160 of one pole 106 can be received through the pole opening 130 formed in the top surface 122 of the shelf panel 102 and received in the pole receiver 143, and the female end 162 of the other pole 106 can be received through the pole opening 130 formed in the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 and received in the pole receiver 143. The male end 160 of the one pole 106 can be received in the female end 162 of the other pole 106 to join the two poles 106 together within the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143.

As shown in FIGS. 18-21, the shelf assembly 10 can include a top cap 168. The top cap 168 can include a top portion 170 and a bottom portion 172, the top portion 170 forming a ledge 174 circumscribing the bottom portion 172. The bottom portion 172 can be configured to be received through the pole opening 130 formed in the top surface 122 of the shelf panel 102 and inserted in the upper section 146 of the pole receiver 143. The ledge 174 can abut the top surface 122 of the shelf panel 102 to substantially cover the pole opening 130. Additionally, an outer surface of the bottom portion 172 of the top cap 168 can frictionally engage the inner surface 152 of the upper section 146 of the pole receiver 143 to facilitate retaining the top cap 168 within the upper section 146 of the pole receiver 143. It should be understood that the bottom portion 172 of the top cap 168 can include ribs, detents, protuberances, and the like to facilitate retaining the top cap 168 within the upper section 146 of the pole receiver 143. It should be understood that the top cap 168 can be utilized in the upper most shelf panel 102 of the shelf assembly 10 to provide a covering for the pole opening 130 formed in the top surface 122 of the upper most shelf panel 102 of the shelf assembly 10.

As shown in FIGS. 22-26, the shelf assembly 10 can include the foot assembly 110 having a foot adjuster 178 and a foot 180. The foot adjuster 178 can have an upper end 182 and a threaded male end 184. The upper end 182 of the foot adjuster 178 can be configured to be received through the pole opening 130 formed in the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 and inserted in the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143 where the terminal end of the upper end 182 of the foot adjuster 178 can abut the lip 150 of the pole receiver 143. Additionally, an outer surface of the upper end 182 of the foot adjuster 178 can include a rib 183 to frictionally engage the inner surface 152 of the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143 to facilitate retaining the foot adjuster 178 within the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143. It should be understood that the upper end 182 of the foot adjuster 178 can include ribs, detents, protuberances, and the like formed on an outer surface thereof to facilitate retaining the foot adjuster 178 within the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143. Additionally, the upper end 182 of the foot adjuster can be configured to receive the male end 160 of the pole 106 received in the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143. It should be understood that the foot 180 can be utilized in the lowest shelf panel 102 of the shelf assembly 10 to provide an adjustable foot for engaging a support surface of the shelf assembly 10 such as the ground or a floor, for example.

The foot 180 can have a threaded opening 186 configured to threadably engage the threaded male end 184 of the foot adjuster 178. The foot 180 can be rotated with respect to the foot adjuster 178 to increase or reduce a length of the shelf foot assembly 110 to facilitate a leveling of the shelf assembly 10 or a height modification to the shelf assembly 10.

As shown in FIGS. 27-29, the interlock 112 can have a generally symmetrical bow tie shape including a first side 190 having a substantially isosceles trapezoid shape joined to a second side 192 having a substantially isosceles trapezoid shape. The first side 190 can be configured to be received in the interlocking slot 159 of one end cap 104 and the second side 192 can be configured to be received in the interlocking slot 159 of another end cap 104 to secure or couple the end cap 104 of one shelf panel 102 to the end cap 104 of another adjacent shelf panel 102. Advantageously, the interlocking slots 151 and the interlock 112 can be used to connect adjacent shelf panels 102 of a shelf assembly 10 and/or connect one or more shelf assemblies 10.

The shelf assembly 10 can also include a bracket 194. The bracket 194, illustrated in FIG. 29, can be coupled to a supporting structure such as a wall, for example, also abut and/or be coupled to a shelf panel 102 of the shelf assembly 10 and. The bracket 194 can include a first wall 196 and a second wall 198 joined at a substantially right angle to form a generally L-shaped bracket when viewed from an end of the bracket 194. The first wall 196 can include apertures 200 therethrough to receive a fastener (not shown) such as a screw or nail, for example, to facilitate securing the bracket 194 to the supporting structure. The second wall 198 can include a ridge 202 extending outwardly from an outer surface of the second wall 198 adjacent a terminal edge of the second wall 198. The second wall 198 can have a width to allow the ridge 202 to be positioned in the recessed portion 139 formed along in one of the crossbars 134, 136 of the shelf panel 102. In this position, the bracket can be coupled to both the shelf panel 102 and the supporting surface. Advantageously, the bracket 194 can facilitate maintaining the shelf assembly 10 in an upright position when subjected to lateral forces that could otherwise cause the shelf assembly 10 to fall over as well as providing additional vertical support to the shelf panel 102. It should be understood that a plurality of the brackets 194 can be used for the shelf assembly 10, including using a plurality of the brackets 194 for a single shelf panel 102.

In certain embodiments and as shown in FIG. 31, a pole bracket 210 can be provided. The pole bracket 210 can be generally U-shaped and dimensioned to substantially match the dimensions and shape of the outer perimeter of the pole 106. The pole bracket 210 can include a tab 212 or a pair of the tabs 112. Each of the tabs 212 can include an aperture 214 therethrough for receiving a fastener. The fastener can be used to couple the pole bracket to a supporting structure such as a wall, for example. Advantageously, the pole bracket can facilitate maintaining the shelf assembly 10 in an upright position when subjected to lateral forces that could otherwise cause the shelf assembly 10 to fall over. It should be understood that a plurality of the pole brackets 210 can be used for the shelf assembly 10, including using a plurality of the pole brackets 210 for a single pole 106.

With reference to FIGS. 1-26, the shelf assembly 10, can be assembled utilizing the shelf panels 102 and the end caps 104 to form the shelves 100, together with the poles 106, the top caps 168, and the foot assemblies 110. The pole support arms 142 and the connecting ribs 144 of one end cap 104 can be inserted into the respective pole support openings 126 and connecting rib openings 128 of the first end 118 of the shelf panel 102. The pole support arms 142 and the connecting ribs 144 of another end cap 104 are inserted into the respective pole support openings 126 and connecting rib openings 128 of the second end 120 of the shelf panel 102. The catches 158 of the pole support arms 142 and the connecting ribs 144 can be received in the catch openings 132 formed in the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 to secure the end caps 104 to the shelf panel 102 and form the shelves 100, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may construct as many shelves 100, as desired, for the shelf assembly 10. For certain configurations of the shelf assembly 10, a skilled artisan may construct one to five shelves 100 to provide a shelf assembly 10 having one to five shelves 100.

After the desired number of shelves 100 has been assembled, the shelves 100 may be connected to each other by utilizing a plurality of the poles 106. For example, the male end 160 of the poles 106 can be inserted through the pole openings 130 formed in the top surface 122 of the shelf panel 102 of one of the shelves 100 and received in the pole receiver 143, and the female ends 162 of the poles 106 can be received through the pole openings 130 formed in the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 of another one of the shelves 100 and received in the pole receiver 143. When three or more of the shelves 100 are connected together, the male end 160 of the poles can be received with in the female ends 162 of another one of the poles 106 to join the two poles 106 together within the lower section 148 of the pole receiver 143.

For the topmost shelf 100, the bottom portions 172 of the top caps 168 can be inserted through the pole openings 130 formed in the top surface 122 of the shelf panel 102 and received in the pole receiver 143 to substantially cover the pole openings 130. Additionally, for the bottom most shelf 100, the upper end 178 of the foot assembly 110 can be inserted through the pole openings 130 formed in the bottom surface 124 of the shelf panel 102 and received in the pole receiver 143. It should be understood that the shelf assembly 10 can be assembled in a variety of configurations, as shown in FIGS. 30-32, including a single shelf 100 including the top caps 168, the shelves 100, and the foot assemblies 110, and not including any poles 106.

In other configurations of the shelf assembly 10 and as shown in FIG. 32, a single tower of two or more shelves 100 can be assembled using a plurality of the shelves 100 and the poles 106 together with the top caps 168 and the foot assemblies 110. In yet other configurations and as shown in FIGS. 33-34, a multi-tower shelf assembly can be constructed using a plurality of the shelves 100 and the poles 106 together with the top caps 168, the foot assemblies 110, and the interlock 112 where the towers can be arranged front-to-back (long sides of shelves 100 facing each other) or side-by-side (short sides of shelves 100 facing each other).

In the multi-tower configuration, the interlock 112 can be utilized with the interlocking slot 159 of the end caps 104 to couple together adjacent shelves and enhance a stability of the shelf assembly 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 27-29. It should be understood that the interlock 112 and interlocking slot 159 enable the user to interlock the end caps 104 of multiple shelf assemblies 10, enabling the user to extend the length and width of the shelf assembly 10, as desired.

In certain configurations of the shelf assembly 10, the poles 106 between two successive shelves 100 can be a different length than the poles 106 between two other successive shelves 100. In this configuration, the distance between successive shelves 100 can be selected by the user to provide a desired distance between successive shelves 100 to meet the storage needs of the user.

The shelf 100 with a predetermined number of shelf panels 102, end caps 104, together with poles 106, top caps 168, foot assemblies 110, and interlocks 112 can be sold as a kit. The kit enables the user to construct shelf assemblies 10 of varying heights and widths, as desired, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 32-34. The kit can also include one or more of the brackets 194 and or the brackets 210 shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, respectively. Furthermore, the kit can include multiple sets of poles, each set including four of the poles 106, where each pole 106 in a set is substantially the same length and either all the sets of poles are the same length or wherein at least one set of poles has a length that is different from another one of the sets of poles to enable the user provide different distances between successive shelves 100. It should be under stood that a first set of poles can have a first length and a second set of poles can have a second length. The first length of each pole of the first set of poles can be shorter than, equal to, or longer than the second length of each pole of the second set of poles.

Advantageously, the shelf assembly 10 is lightweight, easy to assemble, and can be assembled in a variety of configurations, and interlocked with multiple other shelf assemblies 10 to meet the storage needs of the user.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.