Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-23
2002-11-19
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
active
06481586
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an improved reversibly positionable shelving unit of rectangular configuration adapted to be housed within a conventional shelf or cabinet enclosure, and more particularly to such reversible shelving unit which is stable, durable, and incorporates a framing spine with upper and lower support members having one or more individual shelves adjustably positionable along the framing spine. Even though the individual shelves included in the assembly are open across at least a substantial portion of their width, the shelving units are well adapted to carry heavy loads. They are adapted for use in both residential and commercial installations.
In the past, reversible shelving units have been utilized which typically incorporate a central panel which panel in use, effectively isolates one segment of the shelving units from the other. Such units typically incorporate a center panel which make adjustable positioning of the shelves an inconvenient task. When such a central panel is removed to permit greater open or through-access across the shelves, the resulting structures have been found to lack stability, and become susceptible to either racking and/or parallelogramming when under heavy loading. Alternatively, reversible shelving units may incorporate one or two end panels which, in turn, eliminate or substantially reduce open or through-access across the surface of the shelves.
Reversible shelving units typically incorporate upper and lower guide slots which are designed to engage followers coupled to parts of the reversible structure. These guide slots have typically included a central arcuate portion flanked by linear portions or segments which extend at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the unit, and terminate near the edge surfaces of the unit. The present invention provides an improved configuration for guide slots, which configuration adds and contributes to enhanced stability and rigidity for the reversible unit. In accordance with the present invention, however, the guide slots are modified so that the distal end portions each extend along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the unit. It is this configuration which provides additional stability when the unit is disposed in its normal or closed position. Additionally, an adjustable set screw which functions to control the level of the bottom-most shelf may be conveniently employed for leveling the shelving unit in order to preserve smooth actuation and operation of the entire assembly when under heavy load conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One advantageous feature of the present invention is to provide a plurality of shelves which are fully, conveniently and adjustably positionable in vertically spaced relationships, one to another within the reversible unit. This feature is accomplished by means of providing the edge mounted spine or upright post, with each shelf being coupled to the spine by means of a spring biased eccentric. The eccentric releasably engages one surface, preferably an edge surface of the spine for locking the shelf in unidirectional cantilevered support along the post or spine. Each eccentric is further provided with finger actuated release levers, thus enabling the user to readily and easily reposition the shelves vertically whenever necessary and/or appropriate.
The assemblies prepared in accordance with the present invention incorporate a bottom or primary shelf assembly support bracket. This bracket is designed to both support a shelf unit, as well as to provide cam follower features which follow a path determined by the configuration of the lower guide slots which function in combination with the lower linear bearing or bearing assembly. Since this bracket provides primary support for the spine as well as the entire structure during the articulation of the reversible assembly, it is necessarily rugged and capable of withstanding significant forces during actual use. In order to achieve the necessary rigidity, this bracket is provided with upstanding brackets or reinforcing ribs which are conveniently configured in the form of one or more receptacles, and thus provide a convenient, ready and accessible depository for those items which are frequently referred to by the user, such as recipes and the like.
The under-surface of the primary support bracket necessarily includes a pair of cam or guide followers, the first one of which engages the lower guide slots and the other the linear bearing. The first one of these cam followers is positioned adjacent a lateral edge beneath the support post, and with the other being centrally located and engaged with the linear bearing assembly. In order for this support bracket to accommodate shelving of various widths, a plurality of linear bearing assembly followers are molded into the bracket. When the requirements for the bracket have been determined, those follower structures which are preformed in the assembly and which are not needed are simply removed by any convenient means, including a sawing operation, a milling operation or the like. Thus, multiple-use brackets may be formed from a single mold or tooling, and individually configured for use once the application requirements have been determined.
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved reversibly positionable shelving unit housed within an enclosure, and wherein the unit is stable, rugged, and designed for convenient rotary motion, with the individual shelves being open across their depth so as to facilitate convenient loading and unloading during use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved reversibly positionable shelving unit which is provided with a vertical spine or support post means which exposes at least a substantial portion of the shelves to open viewing across their depth, while also providing for resistance to racking and/or parallelogramming when the structure is under load.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved reversibly positionable shelving unit which employs an edge mounted vertical support for receiving and anchoring shelves along one edge of the assembly, and with the shelves each being provided with a spring biased eccentric for facilitating convenient adjustable positioning of the shelves along a vertical axis.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved reversible shelving unit arranged to be housed within an enclosure, and with the enclosure including upper and lower panels with upper and lower guide slots associated therewith, the guide slots being formed in the enclosure and being adapted to engage follower means associated with opposed top and bottom support members or plates of the reversible shelving unit.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved reversibly positionable shelving unit having slot follower means for controllably guiding the motion of the shelving unit through the motion path defined by matching upper and lower guide slots external to the shelving unit.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved reversibly positional shelving unit having a plurality of horizontally disposed shelves coupled to an edge-mounted spine, and wherein means are provided for maintaining consistent operation of the unit even when under heavy load conditions, with these means including an adjustable leveling device for adjustably leveling the lowermost shelf to preserve smooth actuation and motion of the heavily loaded assembly.
Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front perspective view of a reversible shelving unit of the invention housed within a conventional cabinet enclosure, with the doors of the enclosure being removed to expose the reversible unit as positioned normally therewithin;
FIG. 2
is a view similar to
F
Chin-Shue Alvin
Haugen Law Firm PLLP
Purol Sarah
LandOfFree
Reversible shelving unit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Reversible shelving unit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reversible shelving unit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2963419