Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-27
2002-04-30
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
C211S090020, C211S090040, C211S103000, C108S152000, C108S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06378709
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to adjustable shelving and, in particular, to adjustable shelving of the type in which brackets are mounted in perforated vertical supports. This shelving system also is well suited for use with means for firmly but reversibly attaching such items as bookends, signs and lamps to shelving as described in the U.S. Patents to Stuart (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,655,670; 6,044,982; and 6,119,992) which reference, in turn, U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 60/057,230; 60/061,045; and 60/064,042).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Shelving systems, as well as display stands and showcases come in a variety of configurations and styles. Depending upon the nature of the articles to be stored or displayed, many utilize sections of shelves affixed to a supporting wall or pedestal. A very popular type of shelving system includes vertical standards having a longitudinal series of slots, so that when the standards are mounted on a vertical wall surface they may receive outwardly projecting, horizontal blade-like brackets (for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 1,983,470). The brackets are usually provided with hooks or ears to permit the brackets to be engaged in selected slots of the standards. In this way, the brackets are adapted to support shelves at selected locations and at selected distances from one another.
Appearance: Cantilever shelving described in the prior art is generally not attractive in appearance. Conventional brackets of the type described are often formed from sheet metal with nose portions that project beyond the front edges of the shelves to keep the shelves from sliding off the brackets. Thus, the unattractive brackets and standards are exposed. Cantilever shelving systems are therefore usually mounted in garages, recreation rooms and the like, but not in living rooms, dining rooms, retail areas and offices where the setting is more dressy.
Attempts have been made in the prior art to enhance the appearance of shelving systems of the general type described above. It has been proposed, for example, to embed hooks or support plates within wooden shelf brackets. Another approach involves using a standard and bracket assembly with an off-set bracket and a cover over the openings in the standard (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,393). This particular approach is only partially successful in that it does not improve the appearance of the bracket. These approaches also would require discarding the shelf brackets now in use, and substituting completely new brackets or equivalent shelf mounts.
Other systems apply a sleeve-like covering to the bracket, however, these systems have several disadvantages. First, they cover only the bracket and do not cover the standard. Second, they require that the covering be secured using, for example, shims or adhesive metal tape provided with gripping teeth or protrusions, thus requiring additional assembly by the user. Still other systems secure the covering to the bracket by cutting a groove in the decorative covering which is slightly smaller than the bracket so that the bracket is held in place by friction. This limits the size of the bracket which may be employed and may permit the bracket to become dislodged. Yet another approach involves a cumbersome decorative covering that conceals both the standard and shelf bracket (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,580).
The prior art thus has not solved the problem of easily and decoratively covering conventional shelf brackets and standards in a manner which conceals both the unattractive horizontal blade-like arms and the unattractive vertical standards.
Accidental Dislodgement and Side Sway: Prior art shelf assemblies often have the problem that the shelf portion of the assembly is not secured to the shelf mounting brackets, thus permitting accidental movement. Unsecured shelves may be very undesirable, for example, if objects are to be placed on the shelf without evenly distributing their weight, causing the shelf to become unbalanced.
Although some shelf assemblies may overcome this problem by securing the shelf to the mounting brackets, excessive effort may then be required for disassembly to remove or replace a single shelf. Often a shelf needs replacement or repair because of damage or deterioration. It may also be desirable to change the color or style of a shelf for aesthetic reasons.
A disadvantage of the brackets usually used for cantilever shelving is potential side to side sway. In order to limit side sway of such brackets, the brackets have previously been provided with special features such as a transverse clip as in U.S. Pat. No. 1,983,470 or use of double brackets for each standard. Prior devices have also included saddle type clips on the brackets or adhesives (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,408). However, the adhesive tends to lock the shelf in place and thus interferes with repositioning the shelf as needed for later changes in the shelving system.
Ease of Assembly: Many of the shelving systems described in the prior art are difficult to assemble. Shelving systems are typically provided as knock-down kits for assembly at the user's location, thus minimizing shipping costs by avoiding the need to transport bulky assemblies. Assembly of these units then becomes the task of the user, who is typically unfamiliar with the assembled design, and this requires the location and identification of a multitude of parts, and an understanding of packaged instructions concerning their assembly. The problems with this approach are based on complicated prior art designs, which do not lend themselves to quick construction.
In addition, it would be an advantage to provide the shelving system in a form that allowed upgrading existing shelving, thus providing greater function and enhanced appearance at low cost.
Wire Rod Construction: It would also be an advantage to provide the shelving system in a wire rod version. Wire shelving has long been used in institutional settings, but in recent times has gained popularity in domestic new construction and remodeling. Wire shelving has largely replaced wood and particle board in areas such as kitchen cabinets, bedroom closets and linen closets.
A number of shelving supports and shelving systems have been developed using wire shelving (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,624,376; 4,669,692; 5,355,819; 5,592,886; 5,346,077; 3,294,351; 4,603,781 and 3,993,002). However, the prior art does not meet the need for a shelving system with an improved appearance, reduced side sway and reduced accidental dislodgement.
Enclosures, including Doors: It is frequently desirable to provide partial or full enclosures to shelving. Such enclosures are useful in avoiding articles or items from falling off the shelves and breaking or becoming lost or misplaced. Some enclosed shelving include only enclosures of the side and rear portions of the shelving. These enclosures, while providing protection to the items on the shelves, also provides convenient access to the items. Other types of enclosures include doors which can be used as a security unit.
Enclosures are also useful in an office or retail setting. For example, retail stores use a variety of fixtures to display merchandise for sale. Thus some merchandise may be displayed on tables, while other merchandise may be displayed on open shelves either arranged along the walls or as a component of free standing “gondolas”. Some units provide open shelves in the top portion for displaying merchandise and a closed storage compartment in the lower half of the unit. Frequently considerations of theft and security must be taken into account and in such cases it is typical to display merchandise in a limited access enclosure.
Enclosures for shelving are know in the prior art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,509,805; 4,318,576; and 4,148,535). However, the prior art generally uses sliding doors that fit into grooves in specially designed shelves or the enclosures are designed for free-standing rather than wall-mounted shelving.
One Standard Construction: It would also be an advantage to provide the
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Stuart Shelving LLC
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