EP0811342A2

EP0811342A2 - Shelf unit with sliding shelves

Info

Publication number: EP0811342A2
Application number: EP97830274A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabriele Pedersini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-07
Filing date: 1997-06-05
Publication date: 1997-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-05
Also published as: EP0811342A3; IT241150Y1; ITBS960047U1; ITBS960047V0; EP0811342B1; DE69710252D1

Abstract

This is a shelf unit which includes at least two uprights (11) connected together by crosspieces (12) ranged at different heights on the uprights, several ledges or shelves (13) attached to said crosspieces, and where each ledge or shelf is sliding and moves horizontally along said crosspieces in the space between the uprights. Each ledge or shelf may hold at least one box or container, the contents of which may be removed from above.

Description

This invention regards shelf units, in particular those required to hold boxes or containers whose contents are to be removed from above.
For reasons of space, in a typical household the boxes or containers of, for example water, drinks, fruit and vegetables, knickknacks etc are stacked up, usually in tight spaces, such as storage cupboards or corners of the garage.
However, stacking like this has the disadvantage that only products in the top box or container can be removed at any one time, whilst removing things from the lower boxes is hindered by those above. Therefore, each time it is necessary to remove the top boxes, which may even be empty, in order to get to those below.
This same disadvantage may also be found in business activities, shops and warehouses, where the products are kept in containers on shelves.
This invention proposes a shelf unit with shelves or ledges laid out so as to accommodate several boxes or containers, with the possibility of reaching at least part of any one of them, whatever their level.
Another aim of the invention is to propose a shelf unit in which no shelf or surface hinders access to those adjacent, either above or below.
These aims are achieved by a shelf unit that corresponds to revendication 1, with sliding shelves or ledges, ranged at different heights, able to move horizontally and independently of one another, and each one designed to hold at least one box or container, whose contents can be removed from above.
Further details of the invention will become evident by reference to the enclosed diagrams, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective of the shelf unit with sliding shelves, which can be placed alongside other similar units;
Fig. 2 shows a front view of the shelf unit in Fig. 1;
Figs 3 and 4 show, respectively, the side view of the shelves and the view from the top of the unit in Fig. 1; and
Fig. 5 shows an example of the shelf unit in use.

This shelf unit includes at least two uprights 11, two or more horizontal crosspieces 12, and two or more support shelves 13 - see Fig. 1
The uprights may be selfstanding with a base or fixed to the wall. They are connected together by crosspieces 12, fixed at various heights.
The shelves are attached to the crosspieces, along which they slide by means of pulleys, runners or similar 14.
The illustrated example shows a shelf unit with two uprights and L-shaped shelves, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
However, the shelf unit could also have four uprights with shelves or ledges attached to and running along crosspieces placed on the same horizontal plane.
Whatever the layout, when seen from the front, the length of each ledge or shelf will be inferior to the distance between the uprights, so as to permit this sliding.
In practice, at least one box or container can be placed on each ledge or shelf. Then, by moving a ledge or shelf sideways with regard to the one either immediately above or below, it is possible to get at least partial access to each box or container, whatever its level, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Claims

A shelf unit with at least two uprights (11) connected by crosspieces (12) placed at different heights on the uprights, and shelves or ledges (13) attached to the said crosspieces, characterized by the fact that each shelf or ledge (13) is sliding and can move horizontally along the said crosspieces, within the space between the said uprights, each shelf or ledge being able to accommodate at least one box or container, the contents of which can be reached from above.
A shelf unit according to revendication 1, in which the ledges or shelves (13) are applied to, and slide along, crosspieces by means of pulleys, runners or similar.
A shelf unit according to revendication 1, in which the uprights (11) may be selfstanding or fixed to a wall.
A shelf unit according to the preceding revendications, in which the length of each ledge or shelf is inferior to the distance between the uprights, and in which the sliding of a ledge or shelf to one side will give at least partial access to a box or container on another level.