Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Plural related horizontal surfaces – Vertically adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-21
2001-07-03
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Plural related horizontal surfaces
Vertically adjustable
C108S192000, C108S147170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253687
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an adjustable shelving assembly, and more particularly to an assembly that includes horizontally and/or angularly mounted shelving without the need for dismantling the overall assembly when additional shelving is desired.
Prior to the present invention numerous adjustable shelving systems have been proposed. In many of these systems adjustment of the shelving by adding or removing individual shelves thereof required total dismantling and reconstruction of the shelving. This disadvantage is the result of unitary corner collars on the shelving. A relatively simple and economical procedure has long been sought for the removal and/or addition of shelving without the need for total dismantling the shelving assembly.
Reference is made to application Ser. No. 08/923,441, filed Sep. 4, 1997, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides for the addition and/or removal of particular shelving from a shelving assembly without dismantling the assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable shelving assembly with shelf retaining collars that function to secure the shelving to a plurality of vertical support posts.
Still another object of the present invention is an overall adjustable shelving assembly which is user friendly and which enables shelving to be horizontally and/or angularly mounted.
In accordance with the present invention, a shelf retaining collar is used to releasably attach shelving to a plurality of vertical support posts. Each collar has an open front face for placement of the collars around the support posts. Each collar has a frusto-conical interior surface which is complementary to the exterior frusto-conical surface of a split sleeve releasably attached to one of the vertical support posts. The mating of these frusto-conical surfaces secures the shelf retaining collar to the split sleeve. Moreover, since the split sleeve is releasably mounted to one of the vertical support posts, the collar is thereby releasably secured to that post via the split sleeve. Upwardly extending self supporting hooks outwardly extend from the open face of each shelf retaining collar. These hooks engage and support the shelving added to the assembly.
Preferably, the shelving has a generally square recess in each corner, and a corner shelf clip is secured to the shelf at the corners. Vertical slots on the shelf clips engage the hooks on the shelf retaining collar to secure the shelving to the collars and in turn to the posts. As connected, the shelving is free to articulate about a horizontal axis which enables horizontal or inclined positioning of the shelving relative to the vertical posts.
Each shelf retaining collar is utilized with a vertical support post, and an interlocking split sleeve is positioned between the collar and the post. The split sleeve has an interior surface releasably connected to the support posts and an external frusto-conical surface complementary to the interior frusto-conical surface of the collar.
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Chen José V.
Connolly Bove Lodge and Hutz LLP
Metal Masters Food Service Equipment Co.
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