Supports: racks – Shelf type – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-21
2001-07-10
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Shelf type
Knockdown
C108S107000, C108S147120, C108S147130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257426
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shelf engagement mechanism for use in shelf structures used in homes, offices, warehouses, and shops, among other places.
Conventionally, a shelf structure as shown in
FIG. 14
is known. The shelf structure includes a plurality of vertically arranged shelves
1
and four supports
2
for supporting the shelves
1
. Such a shelf structure is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 13575/1994. As shown in
FIG. 15
, the shelf structure includes shelves
1
, supports
2
, cylindrical joints
5
, and taper sleeves
6
. The shelf includes wire members
3
arranged in the form of a lattice, edge members
4
, and edge-member reinforcement members
10
. Each edge-member reinforcement member
10
extends along the corresponding edge member
4
. Longitudinally intermediate portions of each edge-member reinforcement member
10
are connected to the corresponding edge member
4
. An end of each edge-member reinforcement member
10
is connected to the corresponding cylindrical joint
5
, which is provided at a corner of the corresponding shelf
1
. Each taper sleeve
6
is attached to the corresponding support
2
. The corresponding cylindrical joint
5
is fitted onto the taper sleeve
6
, whereby the support
2
supports the shelf
1
at the corresponding corner. An inner surface of each cylindrical joint
5
and an outer surface of the corresponding taper sleeve
6
are tapered such that their diameters increase along a downward direction in
FIG. 15
, and the cylindrical joint
5
and the taper sleeve
6
are engaged together upon assembly.
However, the above-described conventional shelf structure has the following drawback. When two of the shelf structures are to be connected together such that adjacent shelves from the respective shelf structures are to be connected laterally in an aligned manner, additional supports or special joints must be prepared. In other words, the laterally aligned shelves of the respective ones of the shelf structures cannot share the same support unless special joints are provided.
Accordingly, when the above-described conventional shelf structures are to be connected with laterally adjacent shelves aligned with each other, additional supports, poles, or special joints must be employed, involving an increase in a number of component parts. For example, when hook-type joints are employed for connecting shelf structures, the resultant shelf structure has a poor appearance and involves a drawback in that strength against lateral vibration is deteriorated.
As described above, the conventional shelf structure does not allow shelves to be laterally connected in an aligned manner while sharing the same support, without the use of special joints. Thus, when shelves are connected laterally while sharing the same support without the use of special joints, the connected shelves must be at different levels. When a shelf structure is to be connected to an existing shelf structure by use of special joints in such a manner as to share the same support and to laterally align adjacent shelves into mutual alignment, an angle that the connected shelf structures form is limited to 180° (linear connection) or 90° (perpendicular connection, as in the case of installation in a corner of a room); i.e., the angle cannot be arbitrarily selected.
When, in order to assemble the conventional shelf structure, the cylindrical joints of the shelves are fitted to the corresponding supports, top or bottom ends of the supports must be inserted through the corresponding cylindrical joints, followed by movement of the cylindrical joints to predetermined positions on the supports. When the shelves are to be removed from the supports, they must be moved up or down to the ends of the supports and be removed sequentially. Accordingly, when a shelf is to be added to the assembled shelf structure, shelves located above or below an intended installation position of the shelf must be removed from the supports.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a shelf engagement mechanism enabling shelves of separate shelf structures to be laterally connected in an aligned manner while sharing the same support without the use of special joints.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelf engagement mechanism enabling easy assembly or disassembly of a shelf structure, and enabling easy addition of a shelf to or removal of a shelf from an assembled shelf structure.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a shelf engagement mechanism enabling an angle of connection between an existing shelf and an additional shelf to be set freely.
To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a shelf engagement mechanism comprising supports, taper sleeves, at least one shelf, and rings. A plurality of annular engagement grooves are formed on an outer surface of each support and are arranged at predetermined longitudinal intervals. Each taper sleeve has a projection formed on an inner surface thereof and is attached to the support such that the projection is fitted into one of the annular engagement grooves. Each taper sleeve is tapered such that a diameter of an outer profile increases from one end toward the other end. The ring is provided at each of four corners of the shelf. The rings are tapered such that the diameter of an inner profile increases from one end toward the other end so as to be coincident, partially or entirely, with the outer profile of the taper sleeve. The rings are fitted onto the taper sleeves, which, in turn, are fitted onto the supports. The rings are fixedly attached to longitudinally opposite ends of the at least one shelf at different levels with respect to the shelf so as to be fitted onto corresponding ones of the taper sleeves in a vertically staggered manner, whereby laterally adjacent shelves are connected in an aligned manner while sharing the same support.
Preferably, the ring has a closed annular cross section. Alternatively, the ring has a cutout formed therein such that a cross section of the now partial ring has a penannular shape, the shape of the letter “C.” A width of the cutout is greater than the diameter of the support so that the ring can be laterally engaged with or disengaged from the support by passing the support through the cutout.
Preferably, the shelf engagement mechanism further comprises a taper cover. The taper cover is tapered such that a diameter of an inner profile thereof increases from one end toward the other end so as to be coincident, partially or entirely, with the outer profile of the taper sleeve. The taper cover is fitted onto the taper sleeve, which, in turn, is fitted onto the support.
Preferably, the taper cover has a closed annular cross section. Alternatively, the taper cover has a cutout formed therein such that the cross section has the shape of the letter “C.” A width of the cutout is greater than the diameter of the support so that the taper cover can be laterally engaged with or disengaged from the support by passing the support through the cutout.
The shelf engagement mechanism according to the present invention yields the following effects.
(1) Shelf structures can be laterally connected at any angle while the laterally adjacent shelves are aligned with each other.
(2) An existing shelf structure can be easily extended in a lateral direction with no need for disassembling the shelf structure.
(3) A shelf can be easily added to an existing shelf structure, or any shelf can be easily removed from the shelf structure, with no need for disassembling the shelf structure.
(4) Laterally aligned adjacent shelves can share the same support.
(5) Appearance is improved before and after extension of a shelf structure, thereby maintaining excellence therein.
(6) Since the structure of the shelf engagement mechanism is simple, manufacturing costs can be reduced.
(7) By dividing the taper sleeve into upper and lower taper sleeves of the same profile,
Kondo Seiji
Masunaka Hideaki
Fujiei Inc.
Harris Erica B.
Jordan and Hamburg LLP
Stodola Daniel P.
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