AU2015202018A1 - Shelf assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A shelf assembly 1 in which the mounts 2 are one piece mouldings having a plate 4, from which a channel 6 extends. The channel 6 is closed by an end wall 8. For each shelf assembly 1, a pair of the mounts 2 are made left and right handed, respectively. The depth of the channel 6 at the plate 4 end has a lead-in taper 12. The channel 6 has a spline 14 that cooperates with a corresponding keyway 22 formed on the surface of a shelf. The spline 14 is a linear elongate member of constant cross section throughout its length and provides engagement and alignment means for mounting the shelf 16, whilst the mounts 2 cover the side edges of the shelf to present a neat and aesthetically pleasing shelf assembly 1. 'A '49 / Li: * 00

Description

2015202018 21 Apr 2015

SHELF ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention concerns shelves for the home and office.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Shelf installation presents problems in that if melamine is to be the surface finish, the edges and ends must be of the same face material or masked with a cover strip. If natural timber is used, the end grain may reveal cracks as the timber dries.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] The apparatus aspect of the invention provides a shelf assembly comprising a shelf which slideably engages a pair of mounts which are attachable to a support surface.

[0004] The mounts may each have a channel-section portion for slidably engaging an end of the shelf and a mount portion disposed at or about 80 - 100°, and preferably about 90°, and most preferably 90°, relative to the channel-section portion. ] 2015202018 21 Apr 2015 [0005] The shelf may have locating, engagement and/or alignment means in the shelf surface. The locating, engagement and/or alignment means may be located on a common face of the shelf. The locating, engagement and/or alignment means may include at least one keyway. Preferably, the locating, engagement and/or alignment means comprises a pair of key ways cut in a common face of the shelf. The locating, engagement and/or alignment means may be located substantially parallel to the ends of the shelf and close thereto.

[0006] The channel section portion of the mount may have an internally projecting spline intended for engaging the locating, engagement and/or aligmnent means, preferably the at least one key way. Advantageously, the cross-section of the shelf may correspond to the cross-section of the mount so that the shelf ends are covered by the channel-section portion of each mount.

[0007] The spline may extend for part or the entire length of the channel-section portion. Preferably, the spline extends for a third to a quarter of the portion length. The spline may project anywhere along the length of the channel portion. However, it is preferable for the channel portion to have an end wall and for the spline to extend from the end wall toward the mount portion at the opposite end. 2 2015202018 21 Apr 2015 [0008] The mounts may be any suitable material, such as plastic mouldings, or may be formed from die castings. The shelf may be particle board any suitable material, such as natural timber or mdf.

Preferred embodiments of the invention may exhibit particular advantages, such as: [0009] 1. Any length of shelf can be sawn and slotted because no end grain shows in the finished shelf. An onsite radial arm saw suffices to prepare the shelf for mounting.

[0010] 2. The assembly can be made in standard lengths for a shop display. It presents an attractive appearance because only the finished surfaces of the board and mouldings appear in the assembly when installed.

[0011] 3. No assembly screws are visible and the mounting screws have plastic covers. 3 2015202018 21 Apr 2015

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] One embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0013] Figure 1 is a side view of the assembly ready for sliding engagement; [0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of one end of the assembly ready for sliding engagement with the mount part foreshortened to show the section as at 1-1 in Figure 1; [0015] Figure 3 is a rear view of one end of the shelf ready for wall attachment; and [0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembled shelf assembly according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1-4 show a shelf assembly 1 in which the mounts 2 are one piece mouldings made from polyethylene. Each mount has a plate 4, having the dimensions 125 x 30 x 10mm, from which a channel 6 extends. The channel 6 is closed by an end wall 8. 4 2015202018 21 Apr 2015 [0018] For each shelf assembly, a pair of the mounts 2 are made left and right handed, respectively. Countersunk bores 10 are provided in the plates 4 to receive fasteners, such as screws. The depth of the channel 6 at the plate 4 end has a lead-in taper 12.

[0019] The spline 14 may be a variety of lengths, depending of the dimensions of the respective shelving to be mounted. In this example, the spline is 60mm long. The spline 14 need not extend the full way along the length of the channel 6, but may be limited to the end wall 8 end of the mount. Preferably, the spline lies at the end of the channel. The spline may join the end wall 8 or there may be a gap therebetween. The spline 14 is a linear elongate member of constant cross section through its length, preferably rectangular in shape in cross section. Whilst it may extend the full length of the channel 6 or mount 2, as shown in Fig. 1 it need only extend partially along the length thereof to provide alignment and engagement means for the shelf 16 by interaction with the key way 22.

[0020] The key way is a channel shaped groove 22 extending the part or all of the length of the shelf 16 width. The key way 22 must be precisely positioned and spaced from the side edge 23 so that the keyway is adapted to cooperate with the spline 14. The key way 22 is preferably complementarily shaped relative to the 5 2015202018 21 Apr 2015 spline 14, but may be dimensionally greater to permit sliding. However, tight engagement and minimal play is desirable, so that the keyway 22 is preferably dimensionally and shape-wise similar to the spline 14.

[0021] The shelf assembly comprises a shelf 16 that in dimensions that, in this example, is 190 x 16mm. The shelf may be made of particle board with a melamine covered face 18. Both side edges 23 may be covered in hardwood strips 20. Preparatory to forming a kit comprising the pre-assembled shelf assembly, a pair of parallel and spaced slots 22 may be cut in one face of the shelf 16 at either end of the shelf 16. The slots 22 are adapted, on assembly of the shelf assembly 1 to receive the splines 14 in the mounts 2. The channels 6 are preferably greater than the length of the side edges 23 of the shelf 16 in order to accommodate the shelf 16 fully in a slide fit. The slots 22 extend across the full width of the shelf 16 but are hidden once the mounts slide over the shelf 16. The lead-in taper 12 permits easier entry of the leading shelf 16 edge into the channel 6, The channel 6 itself is elongate and substantially channel shaped and rotated 90° so that its open face is located internally side on to receive the shelf 16 body.

[0022] In installation the mouldings 2 are slid on to the ends of the shelf 16, the shelf assembly 1 is placed in the desired wall position and the screw holes 10 6 2015202018 21 Apr 2015 marked. Drilling, screwing and securement to a wall or other building or structural substrate follow. The end wall 8 is closed so that the shelf assembly 1 provides a neat and aesthetically pleasing presentation of the shelf with the edges and comers of the shelf 16 hidden from view.

[0023] It is to be understood that the word “comprising” as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word “comprising” does not exclude the addition of other elements.

[0024] It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention, these modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention. 7

Claims (10)

1. The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A shelf assembly comprising a pair of mounts which are attachable to a support surface and a shelf which slidably engages the mounts.
2. 2. A shelf assembly claimed as claim in 1, wherein each mount has a channel - section portion for slidably engaging an end of the shelf and a mount portion disposed at 9O’ to the channel - section portion.
3. 3. A shelf as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the shelf has a pah of key ways cut in a common face of the shelf, parallel to the ends and close thereto.
4. 4. A shelf as claimed in claim 3, wherein the channel section portion of each mount has a internal projecting spline for engaging the keyway.
5. 5. A shelf as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the cross - section of the channel - section portion of the mount matches the cross -section of the shelf.
6. 6. A shelf as claimed in claim 4 and 5, wherein the spline extends through the entire length of the channel - section portion of the mount.
7. 7. A shelf as claimed in any one of claims 4-6, wherein the spline projects anywhere along the length of the channel - section portion.
8. 8. A shelf as claimed in claims 4-7, wherein the spline extends from the end wall of the channel - section portion toward the attachable portion of the mount.
9. 9. A shelf as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the shelf is 100 -190 mm wide.
10. 10. A shelf as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the mounts are plastic mouldings.