CA2895396C

CA2895396C - Shelf assembly particularly suitable for wire grid rack systems having racks at fixed vertical spacings

Info

Publication number: CA2895396C
Application number: CA2895396A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Scott D. Maurer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-21
Filing date: 2013-12-18
Publication date: 2019-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-18
Also published as: GB201511872D0; CA2895396A1; HK1209297A1; GB2524427B; GB2524427A; AU2013364388A1; AU2013364388B2; AU2013364388A2; WO2014098927A1

Abstract

There is provided a mountable article retaining system for retaining articles in a storage mode or a display mode is provided and includes a grid layout having an open wire grid and a plurality of corner assemblies secured to the open wire grid. The open wire grid has a rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area. The mountable article retaining system also includes a liaison component, the liaison component being securable to an external structure on which the grid layout is to be mounted and the liaison component being operable to maintain the grid layout relative to the external structure such that the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area of the grid layout has a non-horizontal slope with at least one corner assembly being higher than another given corner assembly.

Description

=
SHELF ASSEMBLY PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR WIRE
GRID RACK SYSTEMS HAVING RACKS AT FIXED
VERTICAL SPACINGS
Technical Field The present invention generally relates to storage arrangements. Wire grid rack systems are a type of storage arrangement that includes a number of vertical posts collectively supporting wire grid racks. One type of configuration of wire grid rack systems involves modular "knock-down" storage arrangements and these have seen extensive use in both retail and residential environments. Such modular "knock-down" storage arrangements are typically comprised of generally four-sided shelves made up of intersecting wire rods, with each shelf separated and supported by a post at each corner above and below the respective shelf.
One drawback in re-configuring modular "knock-down" storage arrangements from their initial storage configuration to another configuration is that it is often necessary to at least partially disassemble the storage arrangement and this can involve substantial effort and/or careful use of tools. US Patent Number 6364139 to Chen notes that some conventionally known sectional racks of this type require fastening tools to erect or disassemble the racks. However, according to US
Patent Number 6364139 to Chen, improvements have been

- 2 -made to such sectional racks and fastening means and tools are no longer needed in the erection and disassembling thereof. Reference is had to Figure 1 which is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of a prior art wire grid rack system that, according to US Patent Number 6364139 to Chen, includes vertical posts 10 having a plurality of horizontally spaced annular grooves 13 provided on their outer surfac"es, and shelves 12 connected to the vertical posts 10 through two-part connecting members 11. According to US
Patent Number 6364139 to Chen, it is inconvenient for the user to temporarily remove the top shelf 12 from the rack before other layers of shelves 12 are adjusted.
Wall mounted storage and display systems such as pegboards are a type of storage arrangement that are commonly attached to a wall and are designed to support specially designed hooks attached to "peg" holes in the pegboard. The hooks may be used to attach or hold implements or tools in a fixed position relative to the pegboard. In reality, many conventional pegboard systems can only support a limited number of items and a limited amount of weight without damaging the pegboard. In addition, the hooks used with many conventional pegboard systems may inadvertently be removed or dislodged, which may allow items to fall and break.
Despite the continued improvements to the above-described storage arrangements, a need exists for a shelf assembly that can be easily assembled and that can be easily installed at different heights without the need for any tools.

¨ 3 ¨
Summary Of The Invention The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a shelf assembly for conveniently storing items on a storage arrangement such as, for example, a wire rack grid system.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shelf assembly for conveniently storing items on a storage arrangement which may be easily and efficiently manufactured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage and organization system that may be used to store and/or organize various items. For example, the storage and organization system may include a single vertical open wire grid and various types of attachment members (which may include hooks, braces, brackets, racks, cabinets, shelves and the like) that are connected to the open wire grid.
Brief Description Of The Drawings Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative self standing shelf assembly that comprises several open wire grid units;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an individual rack of the representative self standing shelf assembly shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system that is particularly advantageously adapted for retaining articles on an external structure such as a wall or a door;
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the open wire grid and corner assemblies of the one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in FIG. 3;

- 3a -FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mountable article retaining system mounted on an external structure in the form of a vertical wall;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the mountable article retaining system shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of a support post of a self standing shelf assembly having the one version of the mountable article retaining system secured thereto;
FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the self standing shelf assembly having the one version of the mountable article retaining system secured thereto;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a plurality of the mountable article retaining systems;
FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the open wire grid and the corner assembly of the one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in FIG.

3 FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the mountable article retaining system shown in FIG. 5 and showing a plurality of articles retained thereon;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of an attachment member for releasably interconnecting one of the articles shown in FIG. 13 secured to the mountable article retaining system;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment member shown in FIG.

14;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged exploded view of a single mounting bracket for mounting a corner assembly of the mountable article retaining system to an external structure;

- 3b -FIG. 17A is a side elevational view of the portion of one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in FIG. 3 with a fastening bolt in the form of a lag bolt;
FIG. 17B is a front elevational view of the open wire grid and the corner assembly of the one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in FIG. 17A;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged top plan view of a support post of a self standing shelf assembly having the further alternate version of the mountable article retaining system secured thereto;
FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 18;
FIG. 19A is an enlarged top plan view of a support post of a self standing shelf assembly having the one version of the mountable article retaining system secured thereto;
FIG. 19B is a front elevational view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 19A;
FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a portion of a further additional embodiment of the mountable article retaining system;
FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the portion of the further additional embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in FIG. 20 in its installed disposition;
.. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a rack assembly with a plurality of vertical posts;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a rack formed with an open wire grid;
FIG. 24 is an enlarged front elevational view of a post and respective corner assembly as assembled;
FIG. 25 is an enlarged front elevational view of the post and respective corner assembly of FIG. 24, with corner support member raised;

- 3c -FIG. 26 is an enlarged front perspective view of the shelf assembly of the present disclosure;
FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of a gap sleeve of the shelf assembly of FIG. 26;
FIG. 28 is an enlarged front elevational view of a support post;
FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the support post of FIG. 28;
FIG. 30 is a sectional top plan view of the support post of FIG. 28;
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an additional version of the shelf assembly with swing drawer of the present disclosure;
FIG. 32 is a sectional top plan view of the swing drawer version of the shelf assembly of the present disclosure;
FIG. 33 is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of gap sleeves of the shelf assembly with swing drawer of FIG. 31;
FIG. 34 is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of gap sleeves of the shelf assembly with swing drawer of FIG. 31;
FIG. 35 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an alternative gap sleeve configuration;
FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the gap sleeve of FIG. 35 in an open disposition;
FIG. 37 is a top plan view of the gap sleeve of FIG. 35 in a closed disposition;
FIG. 38 is a top plan view of another gap sleeve configuration in an open disposition;
FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the gap sleeve of FIG. 38 in a closed disposition;
FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a portion of a self-standing assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

- 3d -FIG. 41 is a top view of the self-standing assembly of FIG. 40;
FIG. 42 is a front view of the self-standing assembly of FIG. 40;
FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a portion of another self-standing assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 44 is a top view of the self-standing assembly of FIG. 43;
FIG. 45 is a front view of the self-standing assembly of FIG. 43;
FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a portion of another self-standing assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 47 is a top view of the self-standing assembly of FIG. 46; and FIG. 48 is a front view of the self-standing assembly of FIG. 46.
Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiment The present invention provides a mountable article retaining system, the mountable article retaining system being operable to retain at least one article.
The mountable article retaining system includes a grid layout having an open wire grid and the

- 4 -mountable article retaining system also includes a liaison component, the liaison component being securable to an external structure on which the grid layout is to be mounted and the liaison component being operable to maintain the grid layout relative to the external structure such that the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area of the grid layout has a non-horizontal slope with at least one corner assembly being higher than another given corner assembly, a plurality of corner assemblies secured to the open wire grid, a lateral set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires, and a longitudinal set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires. Each corner assembly is connected to an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires and an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires.
Also, the open wire grid has a plurality of warp wires and a plurality of weft wires in substantially the same plane and arranged in perpendicular intersecting manner with one another to delimit a rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area and the four sides of the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area formed by the plurality of warp wires and the plurality of weft wires are secured to the lateral set of side wires and the longitudinal set of side wires. .
The supported items can be any desired item such as, for example, a shelf, a pivoting shelf door, or a support hook. One

- 5 -configuration of the mountable article retaining system advantageously deploys an open wire grid that has been commercially available as a component of certain self standing shelf assemblies. Moreover, the mountable article retaining system may be deployed in combination with certain self standing shelf assemblies to increase or enhance the storage and/or display capabilities of these self standing shelf assemblies. Thus, to facilitate an understanding of the mountable article retaining system, reference will be had initially to a representative self standing shelf assembly that provides a structure for conveniently storing items and which comprises several open wire grid units. As seen in Figure 1, which is a perspective view of a a representative self standing shelf assembly that comprises several open wire grid units, a rack 110 has a plurality of vertical posts ¨ specifically, a total of four (4) posts 112 - and a plurality of racks 114 connected to the posts 112. Each rack 114 includes a corner assembly 116 secured to the rack via, for example, welds 118. As seen in Figure 2, which is a perspective view of an individual rack 114, each of the racks 114 is formed with several open wire grid units each delimited by two parallel wires 120 and 122 in the front and a pair of side wires 124 and 126. Each of the wires 120, 122, 124 and 126 are welded as indicated to a respective corner support member 128 comprised in a respective corner assembly 116. Each corner assembly 116 also includes an insert member 130 integrally molded from a suitable material, such as, for example, nylon, or another hard, moldable plastic material. Each post 112 has a plurality of radially inwardly

- 6 -extending grooves 134 disposed at uniform axial spacings from one another.
Having described a self standing shelf assembly with which the mountable article retaining system can be deployed in combination, a description will now be provided of the mountable article retaining system which itself deploys an open wire grid having similarities to the open wire grid units described in connection with the self standing shelf assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, before describing a version of the mountable article retaining system that can be deployed in combination with a self standing shelf assembly, a description will initially be provided of another version of the mountable article retaining system that is particularly adapted for retaining articles on an external structure different than a self standing shelf assembly and is particularly advantageously adapted for retaining articles on an external structure such as a wall or a door. As seen in Figure 3, which is a side = elevational view of a portion of one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system that is particularly advantageously adapted for retaining articles on an external structure such as a wall or a door, this embodiment of the mountable article retaining system is generally designated as the mountable article retaining system 610 and includes a grid layout having an open wire grid and a liaison component. The mountable article retaining system 610 has a vertical open wire grid 614 and a total of four (4) corner assemblies 616 secured to the; grid 614. As seen in Figure 4, which is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the open wire grid and corner =

7 assemblies of the one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in Figure 3, and as seen in Figure 12, which is a front elevational view of the open wire grid and the corner assembly of the one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in Figure 3, the grid 614 is formed as an open wire grid having a plurality of warp wires 620 and a plurality of weft wires 622 in substantially the same plane and arranged in perpendicular intersecting manner with one another to delimit a rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area. Each of the four sides of the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area formed by the plurality of warp wires 620 and the plurality of weft wires 622 is secured to a respective pair of paired bottom side wires 624 and upper side wires 626. Thus, there is a lateral set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires and a longitudinal set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires: Also, each corner assembly is connected to an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires and an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires.
A respective one .of the pair of the bottom side wire 624 is interconnected to a respective one of the pair of upper side wires 626 via a serpentine support truss 628. Bottom side wire 626 runs from a point near, but not at, the top of the respective corner assembly 616 shown in Figure 3 to an analogous point on a respective other corner assembly 616 (not shown in

- 8 -Figure 3). The upper side wire 624 runs from the bottom of the respective corner assembly 616 shown in Figure 3 to an analogous point on a respective other corner assembly 616 (not shown in Figure 3). Bottom side wire 626 and the upper side wire 624 are securely welded to the noted pair of corner assemblies 616. To ensure that the bottom side wire 626 and the upper side wire 624 remain substantially parallel each other even under stress and high load conditions, the serpentine support truss 628 is attached via welding to the bottom side wire 626 and the upper side wire 624. The serpentine support truss 628 is secured in a manner in which each top apex is welded to the inside of the bottom side wire 626 and each bottom apex is welded to the inside of the upper side wire 624. In practice, the serpentine support truss 628 ensures an equal distance between the bottom side wire 626 and the upper side wire 624 and ensures that they remain parallel, or substantially parallel, to each other even under loaded conditions.
Reference is now had to Figure 5, which is an exploded perspective view of the mountable article retaining system mounted on an external structure in the form of a vertical wall, and to Figure 6, which is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the mountable article retaining system shown in Figure 5. Each of the corner assemblies 616 is similarly configured in that each has fixedly connected thereto a first paired wire set having a paired upper side wire 626 and a bottom side wire 626 (interconnected to one another via a serpentine support truss 628) and a second paired wire set

- 9 -having a paired upper side wire 626 and a bottom side wire 626 (interconnected to one another via a serpentine support truss 328). For illustration purposes, a single corner assembly 616 and its securement to the liaison rail 710 will now be described in detail, it being understood that the other corner assemblies 616 are similarly configured and attached to a respective liaison rail 710. Each of the paired upper side wire 626 and the bottom side wire 626 of the first paired wire set is connected via, for example, welding, to the corner assembly 616 at locations along the conical periphery of the corner assembly 616 within a first lateral hemi-sphere of the corner assembly 616 delimited by a cone lateral plane LAT-PL
extending through the longitudinal axis LONG ¨ CA of the corner assembly 616 mid-point of the corner assembly 616 and perpendicular to an equator plane EQU-PL of the corner assembly 616. Each of the paired upper side wire 626 and the bottom side wire 626 of the second paired wire set is connected via, for example, welding, to the corner assembly 616 at locations along the conical periphery of the corner assembly 616 within a second lateral hemi-sphere of the corner assembly 616 delimited by the cone lateral plane LAT-PL. The first paired wire set and the second paired wire set together form a wire set included angle WS-Afthaving a value of ninety degrees, although the two paired wire sets may be oriented at any desired orientation relative to one another that is greater or lesser than ninety degrees.
The corner assembly 616, as seen in particular in Figure 3, has an annular bottom rim 650 at one axial end and an annular top rim 652 at its opposite axial end that has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the annular bottom rim 650. The annular bottom rim 650 and the annular top rim 652 form the axial ends of a conical outer surface 654 of the corner assembly 616. Thus, the corner assembly 616 has a frusto-conical overall shape. The corner assembly 616 had a conical inner ,surface 656 that is co-extensive with its conical outer surface 654 and at a uniform spacing therefrom, whereupon the conical inner surface 656 and the conical outer surface 654 together delimit a thickness DT of the corner assembly 616.
As seen in Figure 3, the corner assembly 616 has a base plate 658 that is secured to the conical inner surface 656 at the location of the annular bottom rim 650. The base plate 658 has a threaded center bore 670 co-axial with the longitudinal axis LONG ¨ CA of the corner assembly 616.
As seen in Figure 6 and Figure 3, the liaison rail 710 has an attachment panel 712 and a reinforcement panel 714 extending perpendicularly from the attachment panel 712 and secured to a longitudinal top edge portion 716 of the attachment panel 712. The attachment panel 712 has an offset center portion 718 that extends intermediate to, and is connected to, the longitudinal top edge portion 716 and a longitudinal bottom edge portion 720. The offset center portion 718 of the liaison rail 710 is provided with a plurality of tapped bores 722 each of which has one open end and a threaded inner surface. As seen in Figure 5, the offset center portion 718 of the liaison rail 710 also includes a plurality of wall attachment bores 724 that may be spaced apart along the length' of the liaison rail 710 at specific predetermined longitudinal spacings WLL ¨ SP from one another so that at least one of the wall attachment bores 724 will align with a wall stud 726 of a structure wall 728 to provide the liaison rail 710 with secure attachment to the structure wall 728. Fasteners such as nails or screws such as, for example, a wood screw 730, may extend through the wall attachment bores 724 and be =
threadingly engaged with the structure wall 728 to secure the liaison rail 710 to the structure wall. To this end, the wall attachment bores 724 may be spaced at uniform intervals from one another that measure from about 1 inch (2.54 cm) to about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) apart. This arrangement would thus provide a range of attachment spacing options for securing the liaison rail 710 to a structure wall 728 having a plurality of wall studs 726 at center-to-center spacings of between 18 and 24 inches.
An adapter boss 732 is provided at each location at which a corner assembly 616 is secured to the liaison rail 710. The adapter boss 732 includes a pedestal base 734 having a shaped notch 736 that is configured in correspondence with the offset center portion 718 of the liaison rail 710 such this shaped notch engages the offset center portion 718 of the liaison rail 710 to fix the pedestal base 734 of the adapter boss 732 in a non-rotating disposition relative to the offset center portion 718 of the liaison rail 710. The adapter boss 732 includes a center axis through bore 738. The pedestal base 734 of the adapter boss 732 is of a larger diameter than the annular bottom rim 650 of the corner assembly 616 and the pedestal base 734 is operable to be in abutting engagement with the annular bottom rim 650 of the corner assembly 616 when the adapter boss 732 is disposed intermediate the corner assembly 616 and the liaison rail 710. A fastening bolt 740 has a cap 742 compatibly configured with respect to the annular top rim 652 of the corner assembly 616 such that the cap 742 extends slightly radially outwardly beyond the annular top rim 652 when the fastening bolt 740 (a) extends through, and threadingly engages, the threaded center bore 670 of the base plate 658 of the corner assembly 616, (b) extends through the center axis through bore 738 of the adapter boss 732, and (c) threadingly engages the tapped bore 722 of the liaison rail 710. The fastening bolt 740 thus ensures the fixed interconnection of the corner assembly 616 to the liaison rail 710 and its cap 742 presents an aesthetically pleasing façade on the corner assembly 616.
As seen in Figure 17A, which is a side elevational view of the portion of one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in Figure 3 with a fastening bolt in the form of a lag bolt, and as seen in Figure 178, which is a front elevational view of the open wire grid and the corner assembly of the one embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in Figure 17A, the fastening bolt 740 can be in the form of a lag bolt having a tapered threaded end portion 744 with this tapered threaded end portion 744 extending axially beyond the tapped bore 722. The tapered threaded end portion 744 of the lag bolt is configured to threadingly engage, for example, the wall stud 726 of the structure wall 728 to provide the liaison rail 710 with secure attachment to the structure wall 728. Thus, it can be understood that configuring the fastening bolt 740 in = the form of a lag bolt having a tapered threaded end portion provides the additional benefit of an further fastening location at which the mountable article retaining system 610 is secured to the structure wall 728 in addition to the securement of the liaison rail 710 itself to the structure wall 728.
Now a description will be provided of a version of the mountable article retaining system that can be deployed in combination with a self standing shelf assembly with reference to Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, and Figure 10. As seen in Figure 7, which is an enlarged top plan view of a support post of a self standing shelf assembly having the one version of the mountable article retaining system secured thereto, the shelf assembly 210 includes the gap sleeve 218, the gap sleeve 318, and a right angle conversion arm 910. As seen in Figure 8, which is a front elevational view of the shelf assembly shown in Figure 7, the right angle conversion arm 910 includes a yoke 930 having a semi-cylindrical body extending between a radially inwardly extending vertical rib 932 and a radially inwardly extending vertical rib 934. The right angle conversion arm 910 includes a mounting plate 912 rigidly secured to the yoke 930 at a predetermined angular location of the semi-cylindrical body of the yoke 930 and extending radially outwardly therefrom. As seen in Figure 8, in the installed disposition of the shelf assembly 210, the vertical rib 932 of the yoke 930 is received in a longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms an attachment location 940 and this attachment location 940 is at an angular spacing SA-R from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees). The vertical rib 934 of the yoke 930 is received in a longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms an attachment location 942 and this attachment location 942 is at an angular spacing SA-L from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees).
The right angle conversion arm 910 includes a reinforcing arm 914 that extends between and is fixedly secured to the mounting plate 912 and the yoke 930.
As seen in Figure 8, the angular gap SL-GAP of the gap sleeve 218 is diametrically oppositely oriented relative to the angular gap SL-GAP of the gap sleeve 318 in the version of the shelf assembly 210. As seen in Figure 7 and Figure 8, when articles are supported on the open grid vertical rack, this creates a vertical loading force LD-FE on the right angle conversion arm 910 and a radial component TEN-C of this loading force LD-FE
acts on the vertical ribs 932, 934 of the yoke 930 of the gap sleeve 218 to urge these vertical ribs to move in a direction parallel to the bisecting plane Bi-PL toward the right angle conversion arm 910. In turn, the vertical ribs 932, 934 of the yoke 930 of the gap sleeve 218 exert forces on the attachment locations 940, 942 that urge the angular ends 920, 922 of the gap sleeve 218 angularly toward one another, whereupon the seating of the gap sleeve 218 on the post 112 is maintained in a stable manner.
The mountable article retaining system 610 can be mounted to the right angle conversion arm 910 via a unit of the corner assembly 616 in that the right angle conversion arm 910 can be provided with a tapped or threaded bore into which the fastening bolt 740 can be threadingly secured. As seen in Figure 9, which is a front elevational view of the self standing shelf assembly having the one version of the mountable article retaining system secured thereto, it can be seen that the mountable article retaining system 610 is secured to a front support post 112 of the self standing shelf assembly 210 via a pair of the right angle conversion arms 910 that are vertically spaced from one another such that one of the right angle conversion arms 910 engages a lower corner assembly 616 of the mountable article retaining system 610 and the other of the right angle conversion arms 910 engages an upper corner assembly 616 of the mountable article retaining system 610.
Moreover, as seen in Figure 10, which is a top plan view of the shelf assembly shown in Figure 9, it can be seen that the pair of the right angle conversion arms 910 are secured to the post 112 of the self standing shelf assembly 210 with a capability to rotate about the post, whereupon the mountable article retaining system 610 can be rotated from a front facing display or storage position, as shown in Figure 9, to a side facing display or storage position, as shown in the broken line depiction of the mountable article retaining system 610 in Figure 10.
The right angle conversion arm 910 can be alternatively configured to permit the right angle conversion arm 910, when paired with another right angle conversion arm 910, to support a horizontally oriented open wire grid. Each one of a pair of bracket braces 950 has an overall triangular shape and has a connection point for fixedly connecting the bracket brace to a respective one of the alternatively configured right angle conversion arms 910. An open wire grid 952 that delimits a rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area is secured via, for example, welding, to the bracket braces 950.
As seen in Figure 9, which depicts three units of paired alternatively configured right angle conversion arms 910 and the respective open wire grids secured thereto, these arrangements increase the storage or display capability of the shelf assembly 210 and can be mounted at a predetermined height along the support posts 112 of the shelf assembly 210.
Reference is now had to Figure 18 and Figure 19 for a description of a further alternate version of the mountable article retaining system that can be deployed in combination with a self standing shelf assembly. As seen in Figure 18, which is an enlarged top plan view of a support post of a self standing shelf assembly having the further alternate version of =
the mountable article retaining system secured thereto, the shelf assembly 210 includes the gap sleeve 218, the gap sleeve 318, and a right angle conversion arm 1110. As seen in Figure 19, which is a front elevational view of the shelf assembly shown in Figure 18, the right angle conversion arm 1110 includes a yoke 1130. As seen in Figure 18, the yoke 1130 has a semi-cylindrical body extending between a radially inwardly extending vertical rib 1132 and a radially inwardly extending vertical rib 1134. The right angle conversion arm 1110 includes a double sided mounting plate 1112 rigidly secured to the yoke 1130 at a predetermined angular location of the semi-cylindrical body of the yoke 1130 and extending radially outwardly therefrom. As seen in Figure 18, in the installed disposition of the shelf assembly 210, the vertical rib 1132 of the yoke 1130 is received in the longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms the attachment location 940 and this attachment location 940 is at an angular spacing SA-R
from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees). The gap sleeve 218 is deployed in connection with the further alternative version shown in Figure 18 and Figure 19 such that its angular ends 920, 922 are located within the hemispherical half of the gap sleeve 218 adjacent the right angle conversion arm 1110, whereas, in contrast, in connection with the version described with respect to Figures 7 and 8, the angular ends 920, 922 of the gap sleeve 218 are located within the respective hemispherical half of the gap sleeve 218 that is not adjacent the right angle conversion arm 1110. The vertical rib 1134 of the yoke 1130 is received in the longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms the attachment location 942 and this attachment location 942 is at an angular spacing SA-L from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees).
As seen in Figure 18 and Figure 19, when articles are supported on the open grid vertical rack, this creates a vertical loading force on the right angle conversion arm 1110 and a radial component of this loading force acts on the vertical ribs 1132, 1134 of the yoke 1130 of the gap sleeve 218 to urge these vertical ribs to move in a direction parallel to the bisecting plane Bi-PL toward the right angle conversion arm =

' 1110. In turn, the vertical ribs 1132, 1134 of the yoke 1130 of the gap sleeve 218 exert forces on the attachment locations 940, 942 that urge the angular ends 920, 922 of the gap sleeve 218 angularly toward one another, whereupon the seating of the gap sleeve 218 on the post 112 is maintained in a stable manner.
Reference is now had to Figure 19A and Figure 196 for a description of an additional variation of the mountable article retaining system that can be deployed in combination with a self standing shelf assembly. As seen in Figure 19A, which is an enlarged top plan view of a support post of a self standing shelf assembly having the one version of the mountable article retaining system secured thereto, the shelf assembly 210 includes the gap sleeve 218, the gap sleeve 318, and a low profile conversion arm 1210. As seen in Figure 19B, which is a front elevational view of the shelf assembly shown in Figure 19A, the low profile conversion arm 1210 includes a yoke 1230 having a bore hole for receiving a bolt therein to thereby secure a respective corner assembly 616 to the low profile conversion arm 1210. As seen in Figure 19A, the yoke 1230 has a, three-sided body extending between a radially inwardly extending vertical rib 1232 and a radially inwardly extending vertical rib 1234. As seen in Figure 19A, in the installed disposition of the shelf assembly 210, the vertical rib 1232 of the yoke 1230 is received in the longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms the attachment location 940 and this attachment location 940 is at an angular spacing SA-R from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees). The gap sleeve 218 is deployed in connection with the additional variation shown in Figure 19A and Figure 19B
such that its angular ends 920, 922 are located within the hemispherical half of the gap sleeve 218 adjacent the low profile conversion arm 1210, whereas, in contrast, in connection the version described with respect to Figures 7 and 8, the angular ends 920, 922 of the gap sleeve 218 are located within the respective hemispherical half of the gap sleeve 218 that is not adjacent the low profile conversion arm 1210. The vertical rib 1234 of the yoke 1230 is received in the longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms the attachment location 942 and this attachment location 942 is at an angular spacing SA-L from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees).
As seen in Figure 19A and Figure 19B, when articles are supported on the open grid vertical rack, this creates a vertical loading force on the low profile conversion arm 1210 and a radial component of this loading force acts on the vertical ribs 1232, 1234 of the yoke 1230 of the gap sleeve 218 to urge these vertical ribs to move in a direction parallel to the bisecting plane Bi-PL toward low profile conversion arm 1210.
In turn, the vertical ribs 1232, 1234 of the yoke 1230 of the gap sleeve 218 exert forces on the attachment locations 940, 942 that urge the angular ends 920, 922 of the gap sleeve 218 angularly toward one another, whereupon the seating of the gap sleeve 218 on the post 112 is maintained in a stable manner.
Various configurations of the mountable article retaining system of the present invention have been described whereupon the mountable article retaining system is mounted on an external structure via various arrangements in engagement with one or more of the corner assemblies 616 of the mountable article retaining system. Additionally, it is also contemplated that the mountable article retaining system can be comprised of an open wire grid that does not include a separate structure at the corners such as the tapered cone structure described with respect to the corner assemblies 616.
As seen in Figure 20, which is a front perspective view of a portion of a further additional embodiment of the mountable article retaining system, a lag bolt 1340 is provided to cooperate with a right angled retaining washer 1342 in securing a respective corner of the mountable article retaining system to an external structure such as a vertical wall. As seen in Figure 21, which is a front perspective view of the portion of the further additional embodiment of the mountable article retaining system shown in Figure 20 in its installed disposition, the lag bolt 1340 extends through the retaining washer 1342 and has a tapered threaded end portion 1344 configured to threadingly engage, for example, the wall stud 726 of the structure wall 728. The retaining washer 1342 is compressively secured between the widened head of the lag bolt 1340 and the warp wires 620 and the weft wires 622 secured to a respective pair of paired bottom or top side wires 624 and upper side wires 626 and the retaining washer 1342 presses the open wire grid against the structure wall 728.
As seen in Figure 11, which is a front elevational view of a plurality of the mountable article retaining systems 610, the mountable article retaining systems 610 can be mounted in lateral alignment with one another on an external structure such as a wall to form an effective storage or display area for relatively larger articles, whereupon such larger articles can be retained via attachment members to several of the laterally aligned mountable article retaining systems 610. As seen in Figure 13, which is an exploded perspective view of the mountable article retaining system shown in Figure 5, a plurality of articles can be conveniently releasably interconnected via attachment members to the mountable article retaining system 610 such as a garden rake 980, a shovel 982, and a resin-covered wire cylinder 984 that retains soccer balls and other sport balls. As seen in Figure 14, which is an enlarged perspective view of an attachment member for releasably interconnecting one of the articles shown in Figure 13 secured to the mountable article retaining system, and seen in Figure 15, which is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment member shown in Figure 14, an attachment member 990 includes a pair of engaging clips 992 that each snap onto a respective warp or weft wire of the open wire grid of the mountable article retaining system 610 and a suspension hook 994 for engaging, for example, a cross wire of the resin-covered wire cylinder 984 that retains soccer balls and other sport balls. Figure 16 is an enlarged exploded view of a single mounting bracket for mounting a corner assembly of the mountable article retaining system to an external structure.
. The attachment members can be formed via any suitable process such as, for example, casting, extrusion, molding, or stamping, and can be formed of any suitable material such as, for example, a metal, alloy, plastic, or polymer material.
The present invention provides a fixed location assembly whereby an item can be supported at a desired fixed location on a support post. The supported items can be any desired item such as, for example, a shelf, a pivoting shelf door, or a support hook. One configuration of the fixed location assembly of the present invention is a shelf assembly that advantageously provides a structure for conveniently storing items on a storage arrangement such as, for example, a wire rack grid system. As seen in Figure 22, a rack assembly 110 has a plurality of vertical posts ¨ specifically, a total of four (4) posts 112- and a plurality of racks 114 connected to the posts 112. Each rack 114 includes a corner assembly 116 secured to the rack via, for example, welds 118. As seen in Figure 23, each of the racks 114 is formed with an open wire grid delimited by two parallel wires 120 and 122 in the front and a pair of side wires 124 and 126. Each of the wires 120, 122, 124 and 126 are welded as indicated to a respective corner support member 128 comprised in a respective corner assembly 116.
Each corner assembly 116 also includes an insert member 130 integrally molded from a suitable material, such as, for example, nylon, or another hard, moldable plastic material.
Each post 112 has a plurality of radially inwardly extending grooves 134 disposed at uniform axial spacings from one.another.
As seen in Figure 24, which is an enlarged front elevational view of a post 112 and the respective corner assembly 116, in an assembled condition of a corner support member 128 and an insert 130 member, the corner support member 128 is fully seated over the insert member 130. The insert member 130 has a rib (not shown) formed along its inside circumference that is compatibly configured with respect to the grooves 134 of the posts 112 such that the rib of the insert member 130 seats in a respective groove 134 of the post 112 in the assembled condition of the corner support member and the insert member 130. As seen in Figure 25, which is an enlarged front elevational view of a post 112 and the respective corner assembly 116, the corner support member 128 is shown as raised vertically along the post 112 so that the insert member 130 is shown fully exposed in its position on that post. It should be noted in the assembled condition in Figure 24, a portion of insert 130 extends above a top edge 132 of the corner support member 128 so that the area between the post and the corner support member 128 is effectively sealed and so that the insert can be firmly and positively engaged by the upper end of corner support member 128.
An exemplary version of the shelf assembly of the present invention will now be described and, solely for the purpose of illustration, this exemplary version of the shelf assembly of the present invention will be described with respect to a representative wire rack grid system, it being understood that the shelf assembly of the present invention is also equally suitable for installation on another type of storage arrangement. As seen in Figure 26, which is an enlarged front elevational view of the shelf assembly of the present invention, the shelf assembly is generally designated as a shelf assembly 210 and the shelf assembly 210 is disposable on a support post. The support post is of the type having an outer surface and a plurality of channels located at spacings along the outer surface. In this connection, the shelf assembly 210 is operable to support a shelved object on a post 112 of the shelf rack 110, as the posts 112 of the shelf rack 110 are of the type having an outer surface and a plurality of channels located at spacings along the outer surface (i.e., the grooves 134). The shelf assembly 210 includes a pair of shelf arms 212A, 2128 and a retaining element 214. The retaining element 214 has a pole axis PO-AX and includes a first channel engaging protrusion 216, the first channel engaging protrusion 216 having a radial extent extending perpendicularly to the pole axis PO-AX and being compatibly configured with respect to a channel of the support post (e.g., a groove 134 of a post 112) such that the first channel engaging protrusion 216 extends radially inward into a respective channel of the support post in an installed disposition of the shelf assembly 210. The shelf assembly 210 also includes a gap sleeve 218, the gap sleeve 218 being connected to the first channel engaging protrusion 216. In connection with the description of the shelf assembly herein, the terms "axial", "axially", "radial", ''radially", "angular"
and "angularly" shall be understood to have reference to, respectively, a longitudinal axis of a support post or the pole axis PO-AX of a gap sleeve of the shelf assembly, in accordance with the context in which the term appears.
The first channel engaging protrusion 216 has a first angular end, a second angular end, and an angular body portion between the first and second angular ends, whereupon the angular body portion of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 delimits a partial circumference angular perimeter and the first and second angular ends of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 delimiting an angular gap CH-GAP.
The gap sleeve 218 has a first angular end 220, a second angular end 222, and an angular body portion 224 between the first and second angular ends, whereupon the angular body portion 224 of the gap sleeve 218 delimits a partial circumference angular perimeter and the first and second angular ends 220, 222 of the gap sleeve 218 delimits an angular gap SL-GAP. The angular gap CH-GAP of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 and the angular gap SL-GAP
of the gap sleeve 218 are at least partially angularly co-incident with one another. The gap sleeve 218 is connected to the first channel engaging protrusion 216 in an assembled condition of the shelf assembly 210 and any manner of connection is suitable to the extent that the gap sleeve 218 and the first channel engaging protrusion 216 are so connected that selected forces applied to the gap sleeve 218 enhance the stability and retention strength of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 with respect to a support post 112, as will be described in more detail herein. For example, the gap sleeve 218 and the first channel engaging protrusion 216 can be integrally formed as a single unit via any suitable forming process such as, for example, casting, extrusion, molding, or stamping, and can be integrally formed of any suitable material such as, for example, a metal, alloy, plastic, or polymer material.
Each of the shelf arms 212A, 212B is securable to the retaining .element 214 in the assembled condition of the shelf assembly 210. The pair of shelf arms 212A, 212B together form a shelf on which an object can be placed that is to be supported by the shelf assembly. Each of the shelf arms 212A, 212B is securable to the retaining element 214 in the installed disposition of the shelf assembly 210 such that a load imposed on the shelf arms 212A, 212B by a thereon supported object = urges the angular ends of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 to move toward one another. In the assembled condition of the shelf assembly 210, the shelf arms 212A is secured to the gap sleeve 218 at an attachment location 226 and the shelf arm 212B is secured to the gap sleeve 218 at an attachment location 228.
The shelf assembly 210 may optionally include a second retaining element 314. The retaining element 314 has a pole axis PO-AX and includes a channel engaging protrusion 316, the channel engaging protrusion 316 having a radial extent = extending perpendicularly to the pole axis PO-AX and being compatibly configured with respect to a channel of the support post (e.g., a groove 134 of a post 112) such that the channel engaging protrusion 316 extends radially inward into a respective channel of the support post in an installed disposition of the shelf assembly 310. The shelf assembly 310 also includes a gap sleeve 318, the gap sleeve 318 being connected to the channel engaging protrusion 316.
The channel engaging protrusion 316 has a first angular end, a second angular end, and an angular body portion between the first and second angular ends, whereupon the angular body portion of the channel engaging protrusion 316 delimits a partial circumference angular perimeter and the first and second angular ends of the channel engaging protrusion 316 delimiting an angular gap CH-GAP.
The gap sleeve 318 has a first angular end 320, a second angular end 322, and an angular body portion 324 between the first and second angular ends, whereupon the angular body portion 324 of the gap sleeve 318 delimits a partial circumference angular perimeter and the first and second angular ends 320, 322 of the of the gap sleeve 318 delimits an angular gap SL-GAP. The angular gap CH-GAP of the channel engaging protrusion 316 and the angular gap SL-GAP
of the gap sleeve 318 are at least partially angularly co-incident with one another.
The shelf arms 312A, 312B and the retaining element 314 are securable to one another in an assembled condition of the shelf assembly 310. Each of the shelf arms 312A, 312B is securable to the retaining element 314 in the installed disposition of the shelf assembly 310 such that a load imposed on the shelf arms 312A, 312B by a thereon supported object urges the angular ends of the channel engaging protrusion 316 of the second retaining element 314 to move toward one another.
As seen in Figure 27, which is an enlarged perspective view of the gap sleeve shown in Figure 26, the angular gap SL-GAP of the gap sleeve 218 is angularly bisected by a bisecting plane BI-PL and this bisecting plane BI-PL is parallel to, and intersects, the pole axis PO-AX. As noted, in the assembled condition of the shelf assembly 210, the shelf arms 212A is secured to the gap sleeve 218 at the attachment location 226 and the shelf arm 212B is secured to the gap sleeve 218 at the attachment location 228. It is contemplated that the attachment locations 226, 228 may be located on the gap sleeve 218 at locations selected to reinforce, improve, or add a desirable feature of the shelf assembly 210. For example, the locations of the attachment locations 226, 228 may be selected to reinforce the strength and stability of the seating of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 in a respective groove 134 of a post 112. To this end, the locations of the attachment locations 226, 228 may be selected such that a loading of the shelf arms 212A, 212B imposes forces on the gap sleeve 218 that further reinforce the capability of the gap sleeve to maintain the seating of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 in a respective groove 134 of a post 112. This reinforcement of the capability of the gap sleeve to maintain the seating of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 in a respective groove 134 of a post 112 can be achieved, for example, via locating the attachment locations 226, 228 such = that each of the shelf arms 212A, 212B, when supporting an object, urges the first angular end 220 and the second angular =
. =

end 222 of the gap sleeve 218 to move angularly toward one another, whereupon the seating of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 in a respective groove 134 of a post 112 is maintained in a stable manner. As seen in Figure 27, the angular location along the periphery of the gap sleeve 218 of the respective attachment location 226, 228 at which each respective shelf arm 212A, 212B is secured can be selected to ensure that a loading force on the shelf arm urges the respective first angular end 220 or the second angular end 222 of the gap sleeve 218 to move angularly toward the other angular end of the gap sleeve. This can be accomplished, for example, by arranging each of the attachment locations 226, 228 to be at an angle from the bisecting plane BI-PL that is less than ninety degrees (90 degrees). Thus, each of the attachment locations 226, 228 may be at an angle from the bisecting plane BI-PL in the range of between ten to twenty degrees, in the range of between ten to forty-five degrees, in the range of between ten to seventy degrees, or in the range of between ten to ninety degrees.
Reference is had to Figure 28, Figure 29, and Figure 30 in connection with a description of one available version of the shelf assembly of the present invention. As seen in Figure 28, which is an enlarged front elevational view of a support post = having the one available version of the shelf assembly secured thereon, the shelf assembly 210 includes the gap sleeve 218, the gap sleeve 318, and the shelf arm 212A. The shelf assembly 210 also includes the shelf arm 212B (not shown in Figure 28, Figure 29, and Figure 30) and it is to be understood that the shelf arm 212B is secured to the gap sleeve 218 and the gap sleeve 318 in a manner similar to the manner in which '= the shelf arm 212A is secured to the gap sleeve 218 and the gap sleeve 318. As seen in Figure 29, which is a top plan view of the shelf assembly shown in Figure 28, the shelf arm 212A
includes a yoke 330 having a semi-cylindrical body extending between a radially inwardly extending vertical rib 332 and radially inwardly extending vertical rib 334. The shelf arm 212A includes a beam 336 rigidly secured to the yoke 330 at the mid-angular location of the semi-cylindrical body of the yoke and extending radially outwardly therefrom. With reference again to Figure 28, the shelf arm 212A includes an upper slotted tab 336 and a lower slotted tab 338. Each of the attachment locations 226, 228 is formed as a longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218. As seen in Figure 29, in the installed disposition of the shelf assembly 210, the vertical rib 332 of the yoke 330 is received in the longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms the attachment location 226 and this attachment location 226 is at an angular spacing SA-R from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees). The vertical rib 334 of the yoke 330 is received in the longitudinal slot on the gap sleeve 218 that forms the attachment location 228 and this attachment location 228 is at an angular spacing SA-L
from the bisecting plane BI-PL equal to ninety degrees (90 degrees).
As seen in Figure 30, which is a sectional top plan view of the shelf assembly shown in Figure 28 taken at section line X-X
shown in Figure 28, the shelf arm 212A includes a lower yoke 340 that is secured to the gap sleeve 318. It can be seen that the angular gap SL-GAP of the gap sleeve 218 is diametrically oppositely oriented relative to the angular gap SL-GAP of the = gap sleeve 318 in the version of the shelf assembly 210 shown in Figure 28, Figure 29, and Figure 30.
As seen in Figure 28 and Figure 29, when an object is supported on the shelf arms 212A, 212B, this creates a vertical loading force LD-FE on the shelf arms and a radial component TEN-C of this loading force LD-FE acts on the vertical ribs 332, 334 of the yoke 330 of the gap sleeve 218 to urge these vertical ribs to move in a direction parallel to the bisecting plane Bi-PL toward the shelf arms 212A, 212B. In turn, the vertical ribs 332, 334 of the yoke 330 of the gap sleeve 218 exert forces on the attachment locations 226, 228 that urge the angular ends 220, 222 of the gap sleeve angularly toward one another, whereupon the seating of the first channel engaging protrusion 216 in a respective groove 134 of a post 112 is maintained in a stable manner. A radial component COM-C of the loading force LO-FE on the shelf arms 212A, 212B also urges the lower yoke 340 of the gap sleeve 318 to move in a direction parallel to the bisecting plane BI-PL away from the shelf arms 212A, 212B.
As seen in Figure 31, which is a perspective view of an additional version of the shelf assembly of the present invention, the shelf assembly can be configured to retain items in a manner that ensures that the items are retained in a confined area while nonetheless allowing convenient access to the confined areas for the purposes of placing items therein or removing items therefrom. To this end, one possible configuration of the shelf assembly includes the deployment of walled retainers configured as a plurality of swing drawers 550.
As seen in Figure 32, which is a sectional top plan view of the swing drawer version of the shelf assembly of the present invention shown in Figure 31, the shelf arms 212A, 212B can serve as a carry frame for a molded plastic walled retainer in connection with the configuration of the shelf assembly 210 as comprising a plurality of swing drawers. The plastic walled retainer, when supporting an object, imposes a load on the shelf arms 212A, 212B which, in turn, urge the first angular end and the second angular end of the gap sleeve 318 to move angularly toward one another, whereupon the seating of the channel engaging protrusion 316 in a respective groove 134 of a post 112 is maintained in a stable manner. A radial inward force member 552 is provided that is securable to the retaining element for applying a radially inward force on the gap sleeve 318 of the retaining element to urge the angular ends of the channel engaging protrusion of the retaining element to move toward one another and this radial inward force member 552 can be a metal spring clip, for example.
As seen in Figure 33 and Figure 34, each of which is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of gap sleeves that movably secure a respective one of the swing drawers 550 to a support post 112, each of the gap sleeves 218, 318 is configured to rotate about the axis of the support post through a predetermined angular range of rotation. Figure 33 shows the respective swing drawer 550 at a given instantaneous location during its rotation and Figure 34 shows the swing drawer at another given instantaneous location during a rotational movement subsequent to the presence of the swing drawer at its given instantaneous location shown in Figure 33.
Each swing drawer 550 can be formed with contiguous walls all connected to a floor, whereupon the swing drawer provides a retention in which items can be retained. Any suitable material and construction can be used to form the swing drawers - for example, each swing drawer can be formed of a polymer or plastic material that is subjected to a thermo-forming process. Each swing drawer 550 is rotatable about a respective support post 112 between a recessed position in which the swing drawer is located between, and within the perimeter projections of, a respective adjacent pair of individual racks 114 and a ready access position in which a portion of the swing drawer or the entire swing drawer has been swung outwardly. Depending upon the drawer storage requirements and the configuration of the swing drawers, the swing drawers 550 are particularly suitable for storing smaller items that would otherwise slip or fall through apertures in the individual rackss econ 114.
Reference is now had to Figure 35, which is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an alternative gap sleeve configuration. A gap sleeve 418 has a first angular end 420, a d 25angular end 422, and an angular body portion 424 between the first and second angular ends, whereupon the angular body portion 424 of the gap sleeve 418 delimits a partial circumference angular perimeter and the first and second angular ends 420, 422 of the gap sleeve 418 delimits an angular gap SL-GAP. Only a partial extent of the angular body portion 424 is shown in Figure 35 for the sake of clarity.
= An insert element 460 is provided to ensure the stable securement of the gap sleeve 418 on a support post of a shelf assembly and this insert element 460 includes a band component 462 and a cross tension component 464. The band component 462 has an arcuate overall geometry and has a hook grab end 466 and an opposite end 468. As seen in Figure 36, which is a top plan view of the gap sleeve shown in Figure 35 with its band component in an open disposition, the gap sleeve 418 can be inserted in a radial direction onto a support post with the support post passing through the annular gap SL-GAP.
The gap sleeve 418 is operatively connected in an assembled condition of the respective fixed location assembly to a.suitable channel engaging protrusion, such as, for example, the first channel engaging protrusion 416, and any manner of connection is suitable to the extent that the gap sleeve 418 and the channel engaging protrusion are so connected that selected forces applied to the gap sleeve 418 enhance the stability and retention strength of the first channel engaging protrusion 416 with respect to a support post 112, as will be described in more detail herein. For example, the gap sleeve 418 and the channel engaging protrusion can be integrally formed as a single unit via any suitable forming process such as, for example, casting, extrusion, molding, or stamping, and can be integrally formed of any suitable material such as, for example, a metal, alloy, plastic, or polymer material.
As seen in Figure 37, which is a top plan view of the gap sleeve shown in Figure 35 with its band component in a closed disposition, once the gap sleeve 418 has been inserted in a radial direction onto a support post, with the support post passing through the annular gap SL-GAP, the band component 462 can be pivoted to a closed disposition and this band component 462 in its closed disposition continuously exerts a force that urges the first and second angular ends 420, 422 of the gap sleeve 418 angularly toward one another, whereupon a stable securement of the gap sleeve 418 on the support post is ensured. The insert element 460 is configured as a separate piece than the gap sleeve 418 and is designed to be installed by a user on the gap sleeve 418 once the gap sleeve 418 has been inserted in a radial direction onto a support post. With reference again to Figure 35, at the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418, there is a hollow volume delimited by the upper axial surface and the lower axial surface of the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418. A grab rod 470 extends axially and is secured at its top end to the upper axial surface of the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418 and at its bottom end to the lower axial surface of the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418. A catch groove 472 extends axially and is located at the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418.
The cross tension component 464 has a longitudinal extent and is configured to increase in its longitudinal dimension when an elongation force is applied thereto and is biased to return to its non-elongated longitudinal dimension when an elongation force is no longer applied. In this regard, the cross tension component 464 can be configured of a shape memory material such as, for example, a spring steel wire, and/or can be configured with a geometry such as, for example, a curved section 474 that can be drawn into a reduced curvature when an elongation force is applied to the cross tension component 464 and which resiliently returns to its curved geometry when an elongation force is no longer applied. The cross tension component 464 is hingedly connected to the insert element 460 adjacent the hook grab end 466 thereof and the cross tension component 464 has an opposite end configured with an engagement rod 476 that is compatibly configured with respect to the catch groove 472 located at the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418 so that this engagement rod 476 can be engaged by the catch groove 472 in a manner to be described in more detail herein. The second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418 has a radially inner opening in the vicinity of the catch groove 472.
To use the insert element 460 and the cross tension component 464, a user places the insert element 460 into a predetermined initial engagement with the gap sleeve 418 once the gap sleeve 418 has been inserted in a radial direction onto the support post 112, with the support post passing through the annular gap SL-GAP and this predetermined initial engagement of the insert element 460 with the gap sleeve 418 is illustrated in Figure 36. Specifically, the user inserts the engagement rod 476 of the cross tension component 464 into the radially inner opening in the vicinity of the catch groove 472 of the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418 and disposes the hook grab end 466 of the cross tension component 464 in engagement with the grab rod 470 of the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418. The user then pivots' the band component 462 in a clockwise direction with the grab rod 470 of the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418 acting as a fulcrum about which the hook grab end 466 of the band component 462 pivots. This pivoting of the band component 462 eventually leads to a movement of the engagement rod 476 of the cross tension component 464 into engagement with the catch groove 472 of the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418. As a result, once the band component 462 has been pivoted such that the opposite end 468 of the band component is adjacent the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418, the engagement rod 476 of the cross tension component 464 has moved into engagement with the catch groove 472 of the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418 and, as seen in Figure 37, the insert element 460 is subjected to an elongation force in its longitudinal direction.
As the insert element 460 is resiliently biased to return to its non-elongated longitudinal extent, the insert element 460 continuously urges the first and second angular ends 420, 422 of the gap sleeve 418 angularly toward one another, whereupon a stable securement of the gap sleeve 418 on the support post is ensured. To release the gap sleeve 418 from the support post, the user pivots the band component 462 in a counter-clockwise direction with the grab rod 470 of the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418 acting as a fulcrum = about which the hook grab end 466 of the band component 462 pivots, whereupon the engagement rod 476 of the cross tension component 464 moves out of engagement with the catch groove 472 of the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418, and the cross tension component 464 can then be separated from its engagement with the gap sleeve 418. With the cross tension component 464 separated from its engagement with the gap sleeve 418, the user moves the gap sleeve 418 radially outwardly relative to the support post until the gap sleeve 418 is clear of the support post.
Reference is now had to Figures 38 and 39 in connection with the description of a further variation of the gap sleeve configuration. As seen in Figure 38, which is a top plan view of this further variation of this gap sleeve configuration with its band component in a non-secured or open disposition, an insert element 560 is provided to ensure the stable securement of the gap sleeve 418 on a support post of a shelf assembly and this insert element 560 includes a band component 562 and an over-center tension component 564. The band component 562 has an arcuate overall geometry and has a hook grab 566 projecting from one arcuate end of the band component. The over-center tension component 564 includes a pivot handle 568 that is pivotally mounted to the band component 562 adjacent its other arcuate end and a hook grab 570 pivotally mounted to the pivot handle 568.

To install the insert element 560, a user engages the hook grab end 566 on the catch groove 472 that extends axially and is located at the second angular end 422 of the gap sleeve 418. Thereafter, the band component 562 is disposed such that its curved longitudinal side follows along the arcuate trace of the gap sleeve 418 as the gap sleeve 418 surrounds the post 112. Then, the over-center tension component 564 is maneuvered via pivoting of the pivot handle 568 relative to the band component 562 such that the hook grab 570 pivotally mounted to the pivot handle 568 engages a catch groove 592 that extends axially and is secured to the first angular end 420 of the gap sleeve 418. Thereafter, as seen in Figure 39, which is a top plan view of the gap sleeve shown in Figure 38 with its band component in its closed disposition, the pivot handle 568 is pivoted toward the band component 562 to dispose the long extent of the pivot handle along the arcuate trace of the band component 562 and this action subjects the hook grab 570 of ' the over-center tension component 564 to an elongation force in its longitudinal direction. The over-center tension component 564 thereafter continuously urges the first and second angular ends 420, 422 of the gap sleeve 418 angularly toward one another, whereupon a stable securement of the gap sleeve 418 on the support post 112 is ensured.
The shelf assembly of the present invention can be used in various types of storage arrangements, such as, for example, cabinets or closets. Moreover, the shelf assembly can be used in conjunction with many storage arrangements that do not include a wire grid rack.

Reference is now had to Figure 40, Figure 41, and Figure 42, which are, respectively, a perspective view of a portion of a self standing shelf assembly self standing shelf assembly that provides a structure for conveniently storing items and having a vertical wire grid unit, a side plan view of the shelf assembly portion, and a front plan view of the shelf assembly portion. A
vertical grid unit 610 is vertically supported on the self standing shelf assembly 210 that has been described in connection with Figures 7 -10 via a plurality of suspending clips 1510 (a single suspending clip is illustrated). The suspending clips 1510 each have a sinous shape forming a first interior curve 1512 in which a base wire BA-WIRE of the self standing shelf assembly 210 can be releasably received and a second interior curve 1514 in which a hang wire HG-WIRE of the vertical grid unit 610 can be received. Each suspending clip 1510 can be formed of a suitable polymer, metal, or alloy that imparts sufficient strength to ensure that the clip maintains its sinuous shape while the entire load, or a proportion of the load, of the vertical grid unit 610 and any items suspended on the vertical grid unit 610, is imposed on the clip.
Reference is now had to Figure 43, Figure 44, and Figure 45, which are, respectively, a perspective view of a portion of a self standing shelf assembly self standing shelf assembly that provides a structure for conveniently storing items and having a vertical wire grid unit, a side plan view of the shelf assembly portion, and a front plan view of the shelf assembly portion. A
vertical grid unit 610 is vertically supported on the self standing shelf assembly 210 that has been described in connection with Figures 7 -10 via a plurality of suspending clips 1610 (a single suspending clip is illustrated). The suspending clips 1610 each have a shape forming a first interior curve 1612 in which a base wire BA-WIRE of the self standing shelf assembly 210 can be releasably received and a second interior curve 1614 in which a hang wire HG-WIRE of the vertical grid unit 610 can be received. The portion of each clip 1610 forming the first interior curve 1612 delimits an opening through which the base wire BA-WIRE of the self standing shelf assembly 210 can be inserted to be disposed in a nested position within the first interior curve 1612. The portion of each clip 1610 forming the second interior curve 1614 delimits an opening through which the hang wire HG-WIRE of the vertical grid unit 610 can be inserted to be disposed in a nested position within the second interior curve 1614. The direction of insertion along which the base wire BA-WIRE of the self standing shelf assembly 210 can be inserted to be disposed in a nested position within the first interior curve 1612 is oriented perpendicular to the direction of insertion along which the hang wire HG-WIRE of the vertical grid unit 610 can be inserted to be disposed in a nested position within the second interior curve 1614. Each suspending clip 1610 can be formed of a suitable polymer, metal, or alloy that imparts sufficient strength to ensure that the clip maintains its shape while the entire load, or a proportion of the load, of the vertical grid unit 610 and any items suspended on the vertical grid unit 610, is imposed on the clip.
Reference is now had to Figure 46, Figure 47, and Figure 48, which are, respectively, a perspective view of a portion of a self standing shelf assembly self standing shelf assembly that provides a structure for conveniently storing items and having a vertical wire grid unit, a side plan view of the shelf assembly portion, and a front plan view of the shelf assembly portion. A
vertical grid unit 610 is vertically supported on the self standing shelf assembly 210 that has been described in connection with Figures 7 -10 via a plurality of suspending clips 1710 (a single suspending clip is illustrated). The suspending clips 1710 each have a shape forming a borehole 1720 and an interior curve 1714 in which a hang wire HG-WIRE of the vertical grid unit 610 can be received. The portion of each clip 1710 forming the interior curve 1714 delimits an opening through which the hang wire HG-WIRE of the vertical grid unit 610 can be inserted to be disposed in a nested position within the interior curve 1714. The borehole 1720 is configured for the insertion of a securing bolt 1730 therethrough with the borehole 1720 and the interior curve 1714 being oriented relative to one another such that the direction of insertion of the securing bolt 1730 through the borehole 1720 is generally parallel to the direction of insertion along which the hang wire HG-WIRE of the vertical grid unit 610 can be inserted to be disposed in a nested position within the second interior curve 1714. Each suspending clip 1710 can be formed of a suitable polymer, metal, or alloy that imparts sufficient strength to ensure that the clip maintains its shape while the entire load, or a proportion of the load, of the vertical grid unit 610 and any items suspended on the vertical grid unit 610, is imposed on the clip. The securing bolt 1730 is operable to be threadably received in a compatibly configured tapped hole (not shown) on the shelf assembly 210 once the securing bolt 1730 has been inserted through the borehole 1720, whereupon the vertical grid unit 610 is vertically supported on the self standing shelf assembly 210.
The exemplary shapes, dimensions, wire sizes, number of shelves, and materials described herein are provided by way of example only. Wire grid rack systems fabricated in shapes, dimensions and using different wire sizes and materials and having a different number of shelves other than those discussed and illustrated herein also are contemplated.

Claims

CLAIM
What is claimed is.

1. A mountable article retaining system, the mountable article retaining system being operable to retain at least one article, the mountable article retaining system comprising a grid layout having an open wire grid, a plurality of corner assemblies secured to the open wire grid, a lateral set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires, and a longitudinal set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires, each corner assembly being connected to an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires and an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires, the open wire grid having a plurality of warp wires and a plurality of weft wires in substantially the same plane and arranged in perpendicular intersection manner with one another to delimit a rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area and four sides of the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area formed by the plurality of warp wires and the plurality of weft wires being secured to the lateral set of side wires and the longitudinal set of side wires, a liaison component, the liaison component being securable to an external structure on which the grid layout is to be mounted and the liaison component being operable to maintain the grid layout relative to the external structure such that the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area of the grid layout has a non-horizontal slope with at least one of the corner assemblies being higher than another one of the corner assemblies; each pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires and each pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires includes an upper side wire and a bottom side wire and further including a plurality of serpentine support trusses, each serpentine support truss being secured to the upper side wire and the lower side wire of each pair of associated side wires in a manner in which each top apex of the serpentine support truss is secured to the bottom side wire and each bottom apex of the serpentine support truss is secured to the upper side wire; and each corner assembly has a conical periphery having a first lateral hemisphere delimited by a cone lateral plane extending through a longitudinal axis of a corner assembly mid-point and perpendicular to an equator plane of the corner assembly and a second lateral hemisphere of the corner assembly delimited by the cone lateral plane and extending through the longitudinal axis of the corner assembly mid-point and perpendicular to the equator plane of the corner assembly, the upper side wire and the bottom side wire of the end portion of the respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires connected to the corner assembly is connected to the corner assembly at a location along the conical periphery of the corner assembly within the first lateral hemisphere, and the upper side wire and the bottom side wire of the end portion of the respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires connected to the corner assembly is connected to the corner assembly at a location along the conical periphery of the corner assembly within the second lateral hemisphere.

2. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 1, wherein the respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires connected to each corner assembly and the respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires connected to the corner assembly together form a wire set included angle having a value of ninety degrees (90°).

3. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 2, wherein each corner assembly has an annular bottom rim at one axial end and an annular top rim at its opposite axial end that has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the annular bottom rim.

4. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 3, wherein each corner assembly has a plate having a threaded center bore co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the corner assembly.

5. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 4, wherein the liaison component includes a liaison rail mountable on the external structure, the liaison rail having an attachment panel and a reinforcement panel extending perpendicularly from the attachment panel and secured to a longitudinal top edge portion of the attachment panel.

6. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 5, wherein the attachment panel has an offset center portion that extends intermediate to, and is connected to, the longitudinal top edge portion and a longitudinal bottom edge portion of the attachment panel and the offset center portion having a plurality of tapped bores each of which has one open end and a threaded inner surface.

7. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 6, wherein the liaison rail includes a plurality of wall attachment bores spaced apart along the length of the liaison rail at specific predetermined longitudinal spacings from one another for assisting with the secure attachment of the liaison rail to the external structure.

8. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 7 and further comprising an adapter boss provided at each location at which one of the corner assemblies is secured to the liaison rail, each adapter boss including a pedestal base having a shaped notch that is configured in correspondence with the offset center portion of the liaison rail such this shaped notch engages the offset center portion of the liaison rail to fix the pedestal base of the adapter boss in a non-rotating disposition relative to the offset center portion of the liaison rail, each adapter boss includes a center axis through bore, and the pedestal base of each adapter boss is of a larger diameter than the annular bottom rim of the corner assemblies, the pedestal base of each adapter boss is operable to be in abutting engagement with the annular bottom rim of one of the corner assemblies when the adapter boss is disposed intermediate the corner assembly and the liaison rail and further comprising a fastening bolt that (a) extends through, and threadingly engages, the threaded center bore of the plate of the corner assembly, (b) extends through the center axis through bore of the adapter boss, and (c) threadingly engages one of the tapped bores of the liaison rail to thereby ensure the fixed interconnection of the corner assembly and the liaison rail.

9. A mountable article retaining system, the mountable article retaining system being operable to retain at least one article, the mountable article retaining system comprising: a grid layout having an open wire grid, a plurality of corner assemblies secured to the open wire grid, a lateral set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires, and a longitudinal set of side wire pairs having a first pair of associated side wires and a second pair of associated side wires, each corner assembly being connected to an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires and an end portion of a respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires, the open wire grid having a plurality of warp wires and a plurality of weft wires in substantially the same plane and arranged in perpendicular intersection manner with one another to delimit a rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area and four sides of the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area formed by the plurality of warp wires and the plurality of weft wires being secured to the lateral set of side wires and the longitudinal set of side wires; and a liaison component, the liaison component being securable to an external structure on which the grid layout is to be mounted and the liaison component being operable to maintain the grid layout relative to the external structure such that the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area of the grid layout has a substantially vertical slope with at least one of the corner assemblies being higher than another one of the corner assemblies.

10. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 9, wherein each pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires and each pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires includes an upper side wire and a bottom side wire and further including a plurality of serpentine support trusses, each serpentine support truss being secured to the upper side wire and the lower side wire of each pair of associated side wires in a manner in which each top apex of the serpentine support truss is secured to the bottom side wire and each bottom apex of the serpentine support truss is secured to the upper side wire.

11. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 10, wherein each corner assembly has a conical periphery having a first lateral hemisphere delimited by a cone lateral plane extending through a longitudinal axis of a corner assembly mid-point and perpendicular to an equator plane of the corner assembly and a second lateral hemisphere of the corner assembly delimited by the cone lateral plane and extending through the longitudinal axis of the corner assembly mid-point and perpendicular to the equator plane of the corner assembly, the upper side wire and the bottom side wire of the end portion of the respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires connected to the corner assembly is connected to the corner assembly at a location along the conical periphery of the corner assembly within the first lateral hemisphere, and the upper side wire and the bottom side wire of the end portion of the respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires connected to the corner assembly is connected to the corner assembly at a location along the conical periphery of the corner assembly within the second lateral hemisphere.

12. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 11, wherein the respective pair of associated side wires of the lateral set of side wires connected to each corner assembly and the respective pair of associated side wires of the longitudinal set of side wires connected to the corner assembly together form a wire set included angle having a value of ninety degrees (90°).

13. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 12, wherein each corner assembly has an annular bottom rim at one axial end and an annular top rim at its opposite axial end that has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the annular bottom rim.

14. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 13, wherein each corner assembly has a plate having a threaded center bore co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the corner assembly.

15. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 14, wherein the liaison component includes a liaison rail mountable on the external structure, the liaison rail having an attachment panel and a reinforcement panel extending perpendicularly from the attachment panel and secured to a longitudinal top edge portion of the attachment panel.

16. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 15, wherein the attachment panel has an offset center portion that extends intermediate to, and is connected to, the longitudinal top edge portion and a longitudinal bottom edge portion of the attachment panel and the offset center portion having a plurality of tapped bores each of which has one open end and a threaded inner surface.

17. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 16, wherein the liaison rail includes a plurality of wall attachment bores spaced apart along the length of the liaison rail at specific predetermined longitudinal spacings from one another for assisting with the secure attachment of the liaison rail to the external structure.

18. The mountable article retaining system according to claim 17 and further comprising an adapter boss provided at each location at which one of the corner assemblies is secured to the liaison rail, each adapter boss including a pedestal base having a shaped notch that is configured in correspondence with the offset center portion of the liaison rail such this shaped notch engages the offset center portion of the liaison rail to fix the pedestal base of the adapter boss in a non-rotating disposition relative to the offset center portion of the liaison rail, each adapter boss includes a center axis through bore, and the pedestal base of each adapter boss is of a larger diameter than the annular bottom rim of a corner assembly, the pedestal base of each adapter boss is operable to be in abutting engagement with the annular bottom rim of one of the corner assemblies when the adapter boss is disposed intermediate the corner assembly and the liaison rail and further comprising a fastening bolt that (a) extends through, and threadingly engages, the threaded center bore of the plate of the corner assembly, (b) extends through the center axis through bore of the adapter boss, and (c) threadingly engages one of the tapped bores of the liaison rail to thereby ensure the fixed interconnection of the corner assembly and the liaison rail.