CA2050441A1 - Shelf position adjustment assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

SHELF POSITION ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A shelf adjustment assembly for positioning a shelf against a table. The assembly comprises a vertical open frame, anchored to the table. A pivotal mount, connected to the open frame, provides rotational adjustment of the position of the shelf about a first horizontal pivot axis parallel to the table front wall, wherein the shelf is pivotable between a first position orthogonal to the table front wall and a second folded position transverse to the first position. The shelf is mounted to the open frame by a slider coupler, for providing elevational adjustment of the position of the shelf about a substantially vertical plane. Tilt control of the position of the shelf is provided for translational displacement thereof.

Description

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FIELD OF THE IN~ENTIDN
This invention relates to the field of -trays for receiving foodstuff, particularly trays to be used in or about a motor vehicle.
~CKGROUND OF THE IN~ENTION
' Motorists who wish to have lunch at the middle of a d~y-long, long distance travel, do not always have the convenience of access to the so-called ''rest areas'' along the road, with the associated services of picnic tables and the like.
Where no such rest areas are available, the cost-conscious motorist and his passengers, if they want to eat a snack withou~7~;r,;
having to pay for a restaurant or fast food or if they choose to stress privacy during their lunch hour, must eat inside the car, or alternately, e~teriorly thereof e.g. laying foodstuff on the hood. However, this arrangement is arguably awkward.
15 O~JECTS OF THE IN~E~TIO~
The gist of the invention is to provide a foldable tray which can be easily fitted to the exterior or interior side wall of an automobile, trailer, and the like vehicle~ with the tray position adjusted about three or four axes, in view of supporting foodstuff.
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A corollary object of the invention is that the l~;
foldable tray be of easy operation and of low manufacturing cost.~

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SUMM~RY OF THE INYENTION
In accordance with the objects of the invention, there is disclosed a shelf adju~tment assembly for positioning a shelf against an upright, planar wall member, comprising: (a) first means for providing rotational adjustment of th~? position of said shelf about a first horizontal pivot axis parallel to said planar wall member wherein said shelf is pivotable between a first position orthogonal to said planar wall mernber and a second ~:
folded position transverse to said firct position; ~b) second ~0 means for providing elevational adjustment of the position of said shelf about a substantially vertical plane; and ~c) third means for providing tilt control of the position of said shelf for translational displacement thereof through both a horizontal plane intersecting said first means first horizontal axis and said second means substantially vertical plane of displacement of shelf. ;
~RI~F DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS .
Figure l i5 a sectional elevation of a balcony, onto which is mou~ted a first embodiment of adjustable shelf assembly of the invention, and suggesting the tilt capability thereof in phantom lines;
Figure 2 i5 a sectional view along line ~-~ of figure 1, showing the shelf in broken plan view;
Figure ~ i5 a sectional elevation of a second embodiment of adjustable shelf assembly, being horizontally supported against a building wall and taken along line 3-3 of figure 4, the downward .

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folding capability thereof being suggested by the phantom lines;
Figure 4 is an edge view of the se~ond embodiment of adjustable shelf assembly, showing the endless screw drive in section;
Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the shelf assembly along line 5-5 of figure 4;
figure 6, on the second sheet of drawings, is an enlarged~
perspective view of the elements of the top left corner of figure 3;
figure 7, on the fourth sheet of drawings, is an isometric view of a third embodiment of adjustable shelf assembly, shown for use agalnst a building wall illustrated in phantom lines; ; `;' figure ~ is an edge view of the third embodiment of adjustable shelf assembly, being mounted to the window frame of an automobile door shown in phantom lines, and suggesting in dotted lS lines both the vertical sliding play of the shelf and the downward folding capability thereof;
figure 9 is a plan view of the shelf part of a fourth embodiment of adjustable shelf assembly;
figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the Fourth embodiment of the invention, suggesting how the shelf can be folded into a downwardly folded position, shown in dotted line~, from an extended condition illustrated in full lines;
figure 11 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of shelf assembly; `~
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figure 12 is a side elevation of the shelf assembly of figure 11, '~

suggesting the elevational and downwardly folding ~apability;

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thereof;
figure 13 i5 an enlarged top plan view of the sution cup mount of the shelf assembly of figure 11; and figure 14 i5 an enlarged edge view of the slide~r block mounting the shelf to the vertical tube shown in cross-section.
~ET~ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In figures 1 2, there is illustrated a balcony 20 consisting of upright posts 2Z spaced apart from one another and suppoi-ting a flat elongated ramp 24 at their top ends~ Ramp 24 forms a wing like structure in cross-section as illustrated.
~ first embodiment of adjustable shelf assembly, generally referenced as 26, is clestined to releasably fit onto balcony 20. ~asically, shelf assembly 26 includes a securing member 23, to releasably engage the balcony 20 whereby the shelf assembly stands freely over ground; a shelf member 30; and coupling means 32, for interconnecting the.-shelf 30 to the securing member 28, whereby the shelf 30 seats against thz front face of the balcony 20.
Shelf member 30 includes a quadrangular metallic sheet with a bent flange 3~ at its peripheral edge~ ~ tubular U-shape frame 36 is applied against the underface 30a of shelf 30. Tube 36 is pierced by a number of spaced through-bores 38 engaged by small bolts 40. From the shelf underface 30a projects a number of short studs 42, each having an axial threaded cavity screwingly engaged by bolts 40, wherein tube 36 is anchored to overlying shelf 30~ The two free ends 36a, 36b of tube 36 come :

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in register with one edge 34a of the four side edge flanges 34.
Securing means 2~ consists of a generally U-shape tubular frame defining a web or bight 44 and two legs 46, 48 integral to bight 44. The free end portions of legs 46, 48 are transversely bent at 46a, 48a to define a large acute angle relative to the general plane of the U-frame 28. The two bent leg portions ~6a, 48a freely rest onto and are supported by upper ramp 24, whereas bight leg 44 transversely abuts against a front lower section of upright posts 2~. Legs 46a, 48a extend rearwardly downwardly beyond their supporting ramp 24, as illustrated in figure 1. ~ight leg 44 and main le~s 46, 4~8' exclusive of extensions 46a, 48a thus define a plane extending upwardly forwardly.
Preferably, the arcuate inner face of each leg portion 15 46a, 48a is lined with an elastomeri strip 50, prcviding positive engagement onto ramp 24 while preventing scratching the surface thereof. The section of each leg 46, 48 intermediate bight 44 and extension legs 46a, 48a, includes a number of spaced, transverse through-bores 52.
Coupling means 3~ includes two yoke members 56, 58 one for each bar 46, 48 resp0ctively and anchored thereto by bolts 54 extending through selected bores 5~. Each yoke 56, 58 carries an intermediate semi-circular plate 60, namely 60a, 60b and having j teeth 62 on its front, arcuate, free edge. Plate 60 proie~ts ~5 forwardly of member 26 orthogonally of the plane of tubular elements 44~48 exclusive of 46a, 48a~ A second pair of yoke . . ~

members 669 68 are fixedly anchored endwisely of bar ends 36a, 36b respectively and are pivotally mounted to the first yoke members 569 50 respectively about pivot mounts 64a7 64b with each toothed plate 60 extending between the pair of U-joined legs of the corresponding yoke 66, 68. Pawls 70a, 70b are rotatably carried by a transverse rod 72 being endwisely anchored to and interconnecting yokes 66, 68 frontwardly spacedly of the corresponding toothed plate 60a or 60b and in register therewith for meshing engagement therewith. Coil springs 74 anchored to shelf ~Oa bias corresponding pawls 70 in forcible engagement with a selected tooth of tooth plate 60.
~ ccordingly, shelf ~0 can be adjustably locked to U-frame support 28 in any variable relative angular orientation~
via actuation of the two pawls 70 via temporary forcible release of the two springs 74. That is, even if as illustrated in figure l, said intermediate section of legs 46, 4B of support 2~ are forwardly upwardly inclined. ~oreover, by selection oF the through~bores 52, to be anchored by bolts 54 to yokes ~6 and 48, the vertical height of the shelf 30 may also be adjusted.
Preferably, each pawl 70 includes a wide rearwardly e~tending handle 76 being slightly outwardly divergent from the plane of shelf 30, to facilitate operation thereof.
In the second embodiment of figures 3-6, shelf 100 is to be supported transversely against an upright building wall 25 102~ ~ pair of spaced cylinders 104 are supported in substantially vertical position by a support means 106 at their ; . :

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top ends. Support means 106 includes a tubular bar 108 extending horizontally over an enlarged flat top section lO~a of upright wall 10~. ~ sleeve member 110 is anchored at 111 to wall portion 102a and slidingly engaged by tube 108, with a set screw 112 5 adjustably locking tube 10~ in an extended or retracted position.
To the front end of tube 108 is anchored a ring 114a forming an integral part of the top end of a cylinder 104. A second ring 114b at the bottom o~ each cylinder 104, integrally mounted thereto, i5 threadedly engaged transversely thereto by a threaded rod 116, the latter extending toward and endwisely abutting ayainst a lower front section of wall 10~.
Preferably, the free front end of rod 116 includes an enlarged spherical handle 118 and its rear opposite end, a cushioning block 120 sitting against wall 102. Q single block 120 (figure 7) may be provided for both rods 116. Hence, by rotating handle 110~ the threaded rod 116 will push the bottom end of cylinder 10~ away from wall 10~, or move it towards same;
and by releasing set screw 11~, tube 108 may be horizonta}ly di~placed to move the top end o~ that cylinder 104 away from or toward wall 10~. ~ tilt control ~or that cylinder 104, and thus for shelf 100, i5 thereby introduced.
Each vertical cylinder 104 includes an elongated threaded rod 1~2 extending through its hollow. Rod 1~2 threadedly axially engages upper ring 114a, and is capped by a ~5 top end handle 124. ~ 51 ider member 1~69 detailed below, also threadedly engages vertical rod 122 at an intermediate section thereof, whereby rotation of top handle 124 will threadedly displacè slider 126 lengthwisely of cylinder 104. ~n elevational adjuskment means is therefore constituted by elements 104 and 12~
The two 51 iders 126 - one for each cylinder 104-connect two successive edsewise corners of shelf 100 to the corresponding cylinders 104. More particularly, and as best shown in figures 3 and 4, each slider 126 includes a transverse flange 128 which i5 releasably anchored to one end of an 10 elongated cylinder 130 by a U-shape bracket 132. Cylinder 130 i5 of the telescopic type and extends beneath shelF 100 and its extension tube 130a is anchored to the underface thereof by .;
rivets 134. ~ threaded rod 136 extends axially through cylinder 1~0, and threadedly mesh at its outer end with a screw knob 138 and at its inner end with the threaded inner end plug 140 of the cylinder extension tube 130a that 51 idingly engages cylinder 130.
Screw knob 138 extends on the side of vertical cylinder 104 opposite shelf 100 Hence, rotation of knob 138 will extend or retract telescopic tube 130, thereby displacing shelf 100 away from or toward wall 102~ ~ third shelf position adjustment means i5 therefore provided, namely, an azimuthal adjustment thereof.
Shelf supporting tube 130 is pivoted to 51 ider 12a by pivot mount 142 defining a hori~ontal axis transverse to the cylinder 104. ~ discoid plate 144 having a radial outer cavity 144a is pivotally carried by pivot mount 142 proximate shelf 100.

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Flange 128 has a through-bore 128a parallel to axle 142. U-bracket 132 releasably locks shelf 100 orthogonally to vertical cylinder 104, but when released9 allows shelf 100 to downwardly pivot under its own weight as suggested by the phantom lines in figure 3.
The two legs of U-bracket 1327 by releasably engaging bores 1~8a and cavity 144a, prevent shelf 100 from pivoting downwardly from its locked horizontal position. This i5 beCaU5e cylinder 104 is located between these two legs of U-bracket 132~
and thus, the rearward leg 13~a will abut - under the wei~ht of shelf 100 - against the rearward face of cylinder 1047 while the frontward leg 132b will abut against the tube 130 through cavity 1~4a frontwardly of cylinder 104. Simply pulling U-bracket 132 out of bore 128a and cavity 144a~ as suggested by the dotted lines in figure 5, releases the shelf for downward folding toward and against wall 102.
~ n alternate method for actuating rotation of each of the two pairs of threaded rods 122 and 136 of cylinders 104, 130 respectively, is proposed in figs 3-5, namely, an electric power means 146, 148 respectively. ~s suggested in figure 5, power means 148 includes an electric motor 150 anchored to ~n intermediate section of a bar 152, the latter endwisely interconnecting the two inner - rearward - ends of cylinders 130, 180 in register with the respective flanges 128. A winch 154 journalled to motor 150 is connected via flexible cables 156 to pulleys 158 themselves journalled to the two opposite cylinders "" .. ., :: :, ~5a~

130, 130 adjacent knobs 138.
Similarly, and as suggested in figure 4r power means 146 includes an electric motor 160 anchored to an intermediate section of a bar 162, the latter endwisely irlterconnecting the two upper ends of cylinders 104, 104 sli3htly above tubes 108.
winch 164 journalled to motor 160 is connected via flexible cables (not illustrated but identical to cables 156~ to two pulleys 168 journalled to the two opposite cylinders 104, 104 adjacent knobs 124.
The third embodiment of shelf adjustment assembly, shown in figures 7-8, is for use against a balcony 20 (figure 7) or against the door D of an automobile ~. This third ernbodiment is identical to the second embodiment of figures 3-6, but for the following features. The threaded rods 1~2, 136 and sliders 128 are removed so that vertical displacement of shelf 100' along each vertical tube 104' be controlled by a sleeve and set screw assembly 210 212 similar to assembly 110', 112' and taking the place of said sliders 123. Tubes 230' supporting shelf 100' are now of fiY.ed - non~telescopic - length. Cushion block 120' is 20 carried to the two vertical po5ts 104' via a transverse arm 221 having endwise sleeve and set screw assemblies 223, 225. ~nd the anchor means 111' of the top sleeves 110~ is specifically L~
shaped, to fit the window frame F mounted in the window aperture of the door D.
Shelf 300 in figures 9-10 is for use with the embodiment of figures 7-~. Shelf ~00 is characteri~ed in that it .

is foldable in two halves 305, ~07 about an intermediate hinge 301. The axis of hinge ~01 is parallel to pivot axle 142'~ In the extended condition of shelf 300, the top face 305a of outer shelf half 305 is flat, for receiving and supporting e.g~ a platter or a bowl, while the top face 307a of inner shelf half 307 includes a few flat recesses or cavities 303, for receiving and supporting a glass. In the folded condition of shelf 300 ~in phantom lines in figure 10), the face ~OSa abuts against face ~07a whereby face 305b of tray 305 opposite face 305a now faces upward. Face 305b is similar in configuration to face 307a, sc as to be able to receive upstanding glasses in integral cavities ~0~'. The outwardly diverging side walls of trays 305, 307, by abutting against each other about one side thereof when shelf 300 is in extended condition, prevent same from pivoting by more than half a turn about hinge 301, thus maintaining trays 305, 307 in coplanar arrangement in their extended position.
The last embodiment ill ust r at ed in figures 11-14 is similar to that of figures 7~B, but for the elements 108, lli and 116-120, and is more specifically destined for use on a ground standing work table T. The two top horizontal arms 401 are now anchored to the top horizontal panel P of table T by suction cup5 400, via transverse sockets 40~0 Socket 40~ is slidable along a rail 406, made lengthwisely of the corresponding arm 401, as suggested by the double arrow 407 in figure 12, and locked at any se}ected position by a set screw 40~. The two vertical bars 404a, 404b that support shelf 100'' are now joined at their bottom ends by a bight leg 404c, to constitute a U-shape frame.
The front end of each top tubular arm 401 carries an integral transverse sleeve and set screw assembly 410, 412, for releasable locking engagement slidingly therethrough by the top free ends of the corre6ponding vertical bar 404a or 404b.
5helf 100' is slidably mounted to each vertical bar 404a, 404b by a sleeve 414 having two transverse channels 416, 418 with one bar 404a or b slidingly engaging ~hannel 416. Each U-frame leg 2~0' supporting the underface of shelf 100'' engages a corresponding channel 418 at its rear projecting end. A set screw 420 releasably locks sleeve 414 to tube 404a or b into channel 416, while a J-shape lock pin, 422, interlocks sleeve 414 to tube 230'' into channel 416 through bores 424a, 424b made into the wall of sleeve 414 and tube 230.
lS When J-pin 422 lockingly engages bores 424a, b through sleeve 414 and extrusion 230'', shelf 100' is locked in a position transverse to the plane of U-frame 404, that i5~ a horizontal plane, as illustrated in figure 11. Extru~ion 230'~
i5 further endwisely pivoted at 42~ to sleeve 414, about an axis parallel to the plane of U-frame 404, whereby upon release of J-lo~k 422, shelf 100'' pivotally folds downwardly towards the front wall of table Tr about pivotal axle 426 under the bias of its own weight~ as suggested by arrow 427 in figure 12.

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~ U-frame stay 430 i5 piYotally mounted at its two free ends to a lower portion of vertical legs 404a, 404b about pivot mount 43~, and locked by a set screw 434 at a selected angular position relative to the plane of vertical U-frame. The bight of U-stay 430 is to abut against the front wall of table T at said set angular position thereof, wherein U-stay 430, cooperatively with the adjusted extension of upper tube 401, enables one to achieve tilt control of U-frame 404, and thus, of the shelf.
Channel sleeve 414 is located between sleeve 410 and pivot mount 432.

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Claims (10)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED, ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A shelf adjustment assembly for positioning a shelf relative to an upright, planar wall member, comprising:
(a) first means for providing rotational adjustment of the position of said shelf about a horizontal pivot axis parallel to said upright wall member wherein said shelf is pivotable between a first position orthogonal to said wall member and a second folded position transverse to said first position;
(b) second means for providing elevational adjustment of the position of said shelf along a substantially vertical axis; and (c) third means for providing tilt control of the position of said shelf for translational displacement thereof through both a horizontal plane intersecting said first means horizontal axis and à vertical plane intersecting said said second means vertical axis.

2. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 1, further including fourth means for providing azimuthal adjustment of the position of said shelf about a substantially horizontal plane orthogonal to said second means vertical plane, wherein said shelf is adjustably movable away from or towards said upright wall member.

3. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the shelf position adjustment capability of at least one of said first to fourth means is continuous, allowing for a wide range of distinct relative positions of said shelf set by said first to third means.

4. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said first means includes an elongated frame member, anchor means releasably anchoring said frame member to said wall member spacedly therefrom about a substantially vertical plane, and coupling means operatively interconnecting said shelf to said frame member; said coupling means consisting of toothed wheel means, anchored to said frame member and defining a series of successively spaced teeth, said teeth disposed arcuately along a vertical plane orthogonal to said shelf, pawl means carried by said shelf for engagement with a selected one tooth of said toothed wheel means, and biasing means releasably biasing said pawl means to engage said selected one tooth wherein said shelf is locked at a selected inclined position.

5. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 4, with said second means consisting of means for displacing said tooth wheel means lengthwisely of said frame member at a selected section thereof and for locking same at said selected section.

6. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said first means includes an elongated frame member, anchor means releasably anchoring said frame member to said wall member spacedly therefrom about a substantially vertical plane whereby said frame member defines top and bottom ends, coupling means operatively interconnecting said shelf to said frame member, a pivot wheel means pivotally carried by said coupling means and disposed along a vertical plane orthogonal to said shelf, said pivot wheel means including a radial cavity, and lock means releasably engaging in an operative state said wheel radial cavity and said frame member; wherein, at said operative state of said lock means, said shelf is locked in a first horizontal position, but, upon release of said lock means, said shelf folds into a second folded position transverse to the latter horizontal position.

7. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said second means includes an endless screw means extending along said elongated frame member, means for rotating said screw means, said coupling means threadedly meshing with said screw means whereby said coupling means constitutes a vertically movable slider upon actuation of said means for rotating the screw means, said slider thereby adjustably movable along said elongated frame member.

8. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said tilt control third means includes means for displacing said lower end of the vertical frame member away from or toward said wall member, and also additional means for displacing said frame member upper end away from or toward said wall member cooperatively with the last mentioned means.

9. An adjustment assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said fourth means includes a support member defining a first part, anchored to and integrally carried by said pivot wheel means, and a second part, extending beneath and anchored to said shelf, said second part telescopingly movable relative to said first part, endless screw means for continuously displacing said second part relative to said first part, and means for rotation of the latter screw means.

10. In combination, a shelf and an adjustment assembly for positioning said shelf against the door of an automobile, said adjustment assembly comprising:
(a) first means for providing rotational adjustment of the position of said shelf about a substantially horizontal pivot axis parallel to said door, wherein said shelf is pivotable between a first position, orthogonal to said door, and a second folded position, transverse to said first position;
(b) second means for providing elevational adjustment of the position of said shelf about a substantially vertical axis; and (c) third means for providing tilt control of the position of said shelf for translational displacement thereof through both a horizontal plane intersecting said first means horizontal axis and a vertical plane intersecting said second means vertical axis;
said shelf consisting of two halves forming trays pivotally interconnected by a hinge means, each tray being quadrangular with a transverse edgewise flange, whereby the two trays are movable between a first extended, limit position, in which they edgewisely depend from each other and are coplanar to one another, to a second limit position, in which they are stacked over one another in superimposed fashion;
wherein, in said second stacked positions thereof, the upper one of said trays defines free, upwardly facing, glass receiving recesses, and in said first extended position of the trays, the other one of said trays defines free, upwardly facing, glass receiving recesses.