Supports: cabinet structure – With movable components – Shelf or table pivotal to non-horizontal position
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-12
2002-08-20
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3637)
Supports: cabinet structure
With movable components
Shelf or table pivotal to non-horizontal position
C312S323000, C312S248000, C248S447000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06435634
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a shelf movably supported on a partition and adapted to move between a retracted storage position and an extended angled use position, such as may be used in office furniture to support working papers and readable materials, but which is not limited to only these items.
Functional storage is needed in modern office environments in order to efficiently deal with high volumes of paper and printed information in small office areas where space is at a premium. One way to increase usable space on a work surface is to support printed materials above the worksurface at a height that facilitates reading and viewing, and that at the same time allows work to be done on the work surface. For example, Ando patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,145 discloses a prior art book rest supported by levers in a four bar linkage arrangement for movement between an angled use position (
FIG. 1
) and a storage position (FIG.
2
). However, improvements are desired. For example, it is desirable to provide an arrangement that does not require a separate latch (see magnet 8 in Ando '145) to hold the shelf in a storage position, since the latch could release and cause materials stored on the shelf to be dumped. Further, an arrangement is desired that is stable without depending on any latch. Still further, a shelf arrangement is desired that is low cost, durable, functional, stable, and provides good positioning and spacing in all operative positions. Still further, a shelf arrangement is desired that includes relatively few parts, is readily operable and is inherently clear how to operate, yet that provides a clean aesthetic appearance. Also, a shelf arrangement is desired that is retrofittable and field-installable, and that is a modular, self-contained unit so that it is attachable to variety of furniture units without additional parts and pieces.
Accordingly, an apparatus solving the aforementioned problems and having the aforementioned advantages is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a document display shelf assembly is provided for use under a furniture unit mounted at a vertical height above a floor. The document display shelf assembly includes a movable shelf panel having a range of motion, a first support member adapted to be fixedly attached to the furniture unit at a first location, and a second support member with first and second sections adapted for pivotal attachment to the furniture unit and the shelf panel, respectively. The shelf panel is slidingly attached to the first support member and also pivotally attached to the second support member at the second section. By this arrangement, the shelf panel is slidingly supported by the first support member at a predetermined vertical distance below the first location throughout the range of motion and the shelf panel is pivotally supported by the second support member for vertical displacement. As a result, the shelf panel can be moved from a substantially horizontal storage position to a display position where the shelf panel is positioned at a vertical inclination.
In another aspect of the present invention, a document display shelf assembly is provided for use under a furniture unit mounted at a vertical distance above a floor, where the document display assembly includes a shelf movable between a substantially horizontal storage position and a predetermined vertically inclined display position. A first support member is adapted to be fixedly attached to the furniture unit, with the shelf being slidingly attached to the first support member. A second support member has a first section for pivotal attachment to the furniture unit and a second section pivotally engaging the shelf. At least one stop member is disposed on the second support member and pivotally movable therewith, so that movement of the shelf to the display position causes pivotal movement of the second support member to an abutting position relative to the furniture unit. By this arrangement, the stop member engages a surface of the furniture unit when the shelf is in the display position.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an office furniture system includes a partition panel assembly, and a worksurface panel mounted to the partition panel assembly in a substantially horizontal orientation. A furniture unit is mounted to the partition panel assembly at a vertical distance above the worksurface panel. A display shelf assembly is mounted to the furniture system at a height between the worksurface panel and the furniture unit. The display shelf assembly includes a movable shelf, a first support member fixedly positioned relative to the furniture unit and slidingly attached to the shelf, and a second support member pivotally mounted relative to the furniture unit and pivotally attached to the shelf. The first and second support members are configured to support the shelf through a range of motion between a substantially horizontal storage position and a vertically inclined display position. The shelf is slidingly engaged by the first support member at a point positioned at a predetermined vertical height throughout the range of motion.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1147998 (1915-07-01), Anderson
patent: 2254832 (1941-09-01), Weight
patent: 2450233 (1948-09-01), Cummings
patent: 2599416 (1952-06-01), Saecker
patent: 2839349 (1958-06-01), Culver
patent: 3623168 (1971-11-01), Rouch
patent: 3846005 (1974-11-01), Harper et al.
patent: D264159 (1982-05-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 4343244 (1982-08-01), Moriarty et al.
patent: 4441771 (1984-04-01), Roesler
patent: 4460145 (1984-07-01), Ando
patent: 4528825 (1985-07-01), Khan
patent: 5215364 (1993-06-01), Moore
patent: 5244272 (1993-09-01), Thompson
patent: 5302015 (1994-04-01), DuVall
patent: 5348385 (1994-09-01), Berg
patent: 5646819 (1997-07-01), Hill, III
patent: 5845979 (1998-12-01), Longhurst et al.
patent: 5957558 (1999-09-01), Quade
patent: 2652248 (1991-03-01), None
Hamilton John R.
Miller Kevin B.
Miller Scott M.
Webb Audrey K.
Welsh Michael W.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Corporation
Wilkens Janet M.
LandOfFree
Document display shelf apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Document display shelf apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Document display shelf apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2876815