Supports: racks – Shelf type – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2001-08-14
Gibson, Jr., Robert W (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Shelf type
Knockdown
C211S192000, C248S243000, C108S107000, C108S147110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273281
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an adjustable shelving system.
BACKGROUND
It is known to provide modular shelving systems including legs and shelves. Typically the shelves are mounted to the legs with fasteners. Often the fasteners are tightened and loosened with tools to permit the shelves to be adjusted.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a shelving system and a method for easily adjusting the height of a shelf without removing any other shelves in the system. The shelving system includes a leg, a shelf, and a self-retractable finger clip insertable into the leg from within the boundaries of the shelf. The finger clip is movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to a peripheral skirt of the shelf. The leg may include a slot having a wide portion and a narrow portion. The finger may include a base portion and a retaining portion angled with respect to the base portion. The finger is received within the narrow portion of the slot such that the leg is sandwiched between the retaining portion of the finger and the skirt of the shelf. A biasing member biases the finger toward the retracted position to create a clamping force on the shelf skirt and the leg.
The shelf is removable from the slot by moving said shelf to align the retaining portion of the finger with the wide portion of the slot such that the biasing member retracts the finger from the slot. The shelf may then be moved to align the finger with a second slot on the leg. The finger is manually moved to the extended position to insert the retaining portion of the finger into the wide portion of the second slot. Then the shelf is moved to cause the finger to move into the narrow portion of the second slot and sandwich the leg between the retaining portion of the finger and the skirt of the shelf.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4421239 (1983-12-01), Vargo
patent: 4513669 (1985-04-01), Steinke
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patent: 5199585 (1993-04-01), Schafer
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DCI Marketing Inc.
Gibson, Jr. Robert W
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