Supports – Brackets – Shelf or scaffold type
Patent
1998-03-11
2000-01-25
Berger, Derek J.
Supports
Brackets
Shelf or scaffold type
10814713, 10814714, 10814715, 24829511, A47B 900
Patent
active
060170093
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an item-supporting structure that can be used to support shelving or other elements for carrying or supporting any desired item. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support assembly for use in, for example, a knock-down shelving system, to adjustably support shelves.
The support assembly of the present invention can be ideally incorporated into a knock-down shelving system that includes a plurality of support posts for supporting one or more shelves at corner support assemblies thereof. The shelving system will include a snap-on wedge member with detent means for adjustably locating the wedge member at predetermined heights on the support post. In accordance with the present invention, each corner support assembly features a collar, which is structurally associated with the shelf, and a locking mechanism, or flipper, rotatably supported by the collar and actuable between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the unlocking position, the corner support assemblies allow the shelf to translate relative to the support posts. When the flippers are locked, the collars are secured to each respective wedge member and post by a wedging action. Operation of the flipper thus permits easy height adjustment of the shelf without the need for tools, and also without compromising the load bearing capacity of the shelving system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Shelving systems having adjustable height shelves and so-called "knock-down" type shelving systems are known, and each has utility in many applications. For example, a knockdown shelving system with adjustable height shelves may be used in food service, industrial, commercial, hospital, and similar fields for storage of any desired items.
One type of known adjustable, knockdown shelving system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,111 (Maslow) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,508 (Maslow), which are assigned to the assignee of the subject invention. The adjustable shelving system disclosed in these patents has achieved great commercial success under assignee's trademark SUPER ERECTA SHELF. This shelving system uses a plurality of cylindrical support posts provided with a series of equally spaced, annular grooves on its outer surface. A basic shelving system might include four support posts to support one or more formed-wire shelves, with each shelf having a frusto-conicallyshaped collar at each corner for receiving a support post. A two-piece interlocking sleeve fits around the support post. The sleeve features a rib on its interior surface for engaging one of the grooves on the support post and has a frusto-conically-shaped outer surface, which is widest at the bottom, designed to complement the shape of the shelf collars. The support posts fitted with sleeves are received in the collars of each shelf to assemble the shelving system. When assembled, the weight of the shelf creates a radially-inwardly directed force between the collars and sleeves. This force brings the sleeves into a locking relation with the posts and creates a wedging force between the collars and sleeves.
While the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system has proven very successful in providing an easy to assemble shelving system with a substantial load-bearing capacity, adjusting the shelves can sometimes require the use of a hammer or other tool to disengage the shelf collars from the sleeves. The weight of the shelf and any items supported thereon, especially over time, can build up the wedging force between the shelf collars and the sleeves to the point where a significant amount of force is needed to raise the shelf off of the sleeves.
A shelving system with easy to adjust shelves is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,302. This shelving system uses hanger brackets to permit easy installation and adjustment of the shelves without requiring the disassembly of the entire shelving system or the use of tools. This shelving system, known under the trademark QWIKSLOT SHELF, is also assigned to
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Fallon Paul J.
Sickles Willard J.
Swartz Robert K.
Welch Robert J.
Berger Derek J.
Metro Industries Inc.
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