Supports: racks – Shelf type – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2001-04-17
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Shelf type
Knockdown
C211S187000, C248S250000, C108S109000, C108S147180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216892
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a shelf unit comprising uprights and shelves suitable for being connected to said uprights to form shelving.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Units of that type are known, in which the shelves are fixed to the uprights in various manners. Units exist in which the shelves are not adjustable, in which case battens or the like or used as fixing systems for fixing the shelves. Units also exist in which the uprights are in a plurality of portions, each of which is equipped with end-pieces that co-operate with bores provided at all four corners of the shelves.
Units also exist in which the shelves are adjustable, and in which the shelves rest on rests which can be displaced vertically along racks provided on the uprights.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a shelf unit that uses a different system for mounting the shelves on the uprights, which system is extremely simple.
This object is achieved by the fact that the uprights are formed by two flanks each provided with a plurality of windows into which the ends of the shelves are suitable for being inserted, such that, at each end of a shelf, clearance is provided between a horizontal “locking” face of the shelf and a “locking” edge of the window, which edge faces the locking face, and by the fact that, for each shelf, said unit is provided with at least two locking elements, one for each end of the shelf, each locking element comprising a clamping member suitable for being inserted between the locking face of the shelf and the locking edge of the window, and for being displaced so as to come into contact with said locking face for locking the shelf.
The uprights are shaped rather like ladders whose horizontal bars or “rungs” serve to hold the shelves of the shelving. For this purpose, the ends of the shelves are inserted into windows provided between two successive bars, and they are wedged in this position by locking elements. The bars provided between the windows form successive levels on which to position the shelves. Thus, depending on the vertical spacing between two successive windows, it is possible to dispose a shelf in each of the windows, or else to dispose shelves in only some of the windows, so as to select the spacings between the shelves.
Advantageously, each window has a horizontal bottom edge forming a bottom bearing surface for the end of a shelf, the locking edge being the top edge of the window.
Thus, the bottom surface of each shelf rests on the bottom edge of a window, which edge also forms the top edge of a bar. When manufacturing the uprights, it is easy to dimension the bottom edges of the windows such that they form bearing surfaces of area sufficient to support the shelves with a given load.
In an advantageous configuration, the unit includes means for fixing the locking elements to the flanks forming the uprights while enabling the locking elements to be moved relative to the locking edges of the windows.
This makes it easier both to assemble and to disassemble the shelf unit. Once the locking elements have been fixed to the uprights, the various component parts of the shelf unit can be handled without any danger of losing a locking element. The uprights can be delivered with the locking elements already in place for each window. It is also possible to make provision for the unit to be delivered with a given number of locking elements that corresponds to the number of shelves to be installed, and for the user to fix the locking elements to the uprights prior to installing the shelves.
Advantageously, the clamping members are in the form of clamping wedges.
The clamping wedges may be inserted between the shelves and the facing locking edges, and locking is obtained merely by displacing the clamping wedges while taking account of the direction in which they slope.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3012678 (1961-12-01), Fiege
patent: 3326149 (1967-06-01), Mitchell et al.
patent: 3565020 (1971-02-01), Schier et al.
patent: 4076203 (1978-02-01), McDonnell
patent: 4356777 (1982-11-01), Kellogg
patent: 4736919 (1988-04-01), Bessinger
patent: 5358206 (1994-10-01), Pittella
patent: 85 09 130 (1985-06-01), None
patent: 1270138 (1961-12-01), None
Berkowitz Marvin C.
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Grosfillex S.A.R.L.
Juneau Todd L.
Nath Gary M.
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