GB2102277A

GB2102277A - Shelf system

Info

Publication number: GB2102277A
Application number: GB08115997A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Hudson Bellamy
Original assignee: BELLAMY MADOC ANTHONY; BELLAMY MARGARET; BELLAMY MICHELLE JAYNE
Current assignee: BELLAMY MADOC ANTHONY; BELLAMY MARGARET; BELLAMY MICHELLE JAYNE
Priority date: 1981-05-26
Filing date: 1981-05-26
Publication date: 1983-02-02

Abstract

A shelf system comprises at least two shelf-supporting members (4) each pivotally connected to each of a pair of parallel support arms (3) such that the shelf-supporting members (4) are mutually parallel and permit parallelogram movement of the members and arms together, whereby the shelves (6) may be moved between a first position (Fig. 2, not shown), wherein they are spaced one above another via an intermediate position shown in Fig. 3 to a second position (Fig. 4, not shown), wherein the upper surfaces of the shelves all lie in the same generally horizontal plane to form an extended table top surface. The uppermost or lowermost supporting member (4) is secured to the wall and a pivotable floor leg (9) supports the table configuration. A releasable catch 13 on the wall maintains the shelf configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shelf system This invention relates to a shelf system, in particular of the type in which shelves are movable to perform alternative functions.

According to the invention, a shelf system comprises at least two shelf-supporting members each pivotally connected to each of a pair of parallel support arms such that the shelfsupporting members are mutually parallel and permit parallelogram movement of the members and arms together, whereby the shelves supported by the shelf-supporting members may be moved between a first position, wherein the shelves are spaced one above another, and a second position, wherein the upper surfaces of the shelves all lie in the same generally horizontal plane.

Preferably the system comprises two sets of at least two shelf-supporting members, and at least two shelves, each shelf being mounted on and extending between a pair of shelf-supporting members consisting of one member from each set, each set being mounted on a respective pair of parallel support arms. In a preferred embodiment, three shelves are provided. It is preferred that the shelves are dimensioned and arranged so as to form, in the second position, a continuous surface.

Mounting brackets may be provided on the iower or lowermost, or upper or uppermost, shelf supporting member or pair of shelf supporting members, permitting attachment of the shelf system to a vertical surface such as a wall.

Preferably the mounting brackets are attached to the lowermost of three or more shelves, preferably with legs attached to the uppermost shelf supporting members in such a manner that they contact the ground when the shelves are in the second position, but are parallel to the support arms when the shelves are in the first position, so as to remain unobtrusive, and to serve additionally as handles enabling the shelves to be drawn into the second position from the first position.

Preferably, the shelf system comprises locking means enabling the uppermost shelf supporting members to be locked into position against a wall when the shelves are in the first position.

The shelf system of the invention is simple in construction and permitsiihe provision of shelves which can be converted Into a work surface through a relatively simple relative movement of the parts thereof. Because of the parallelogram movement, it is possible to move the shelves from the first position to the second position without the need to remove any articles which may be standing on the shelves.

Reference is made to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a complete shelf system in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows on a reduced scale a side elevation of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the shelf system at the commencement of movement between the first position and the second position; and Figure 4 shows the shelf system in the second position.

The system comprises two folding frames 1 and 2 each consisting of a pair of parallel support arms 3 to which are pivotally mounted three shelf supports 4, the pivots 5 being vertically displaced for each shelf support so that the support arms 3 may rest in contact with one another when the shelf system is in the second position thereof, as explained hereinafter. Shelves 6 extend between the shelf-supports 4 and are attached to the upper surfaces thereof.

The lowermost shelf supports 4 are each attached to a respective wali-mounting bracket 7, which may be secured to a vertical surface such as a wall. The uppermost shelf supports 4 each have attached to the outer end 8 thereof a leg 9 which is angled so that at the upper end thereof a space is present between the leg and the nearest support arm 3 into which a hand may be inserted when the legs are used as handles to draw the shelf system from the first position, as illustrated, into the second position. Each of the uppermost shelf supports 4 includes a locking bar 10 which is biased outwardly by a spring 11 and which has a rear hook portion 12 which can be engaged behind a stop 13 fastened to the wall. The stop 13 may comprise a circular head portion spaced from the wall.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 in particular, the sequence of events in moving the shelf from the first position as shown in Figure 2 to the second position as shown in Figure 4 will be described. Initially, the locking bar 10 is turned so that the hook portion 12 is disengaged from the stop 1 3 on each side of the shelf system. The two legs 9 are grasped at their uppermost parts and are pulled outwardly from the wall. The initial position after pulling a short way is illustrated by Figure 3. The legs 9 are drawn outwardly and downwardly until they contact the floor, as shown in Figure 4. In this position, the shelves 6 form a continuous horizontal surface, which may be used as a table. It will be observed that the shelves all remain horizontal throughout the movement of the shelf system between the two positions thereof.

The legs are made suitably extendable, for example telescopically, with locking screws therein, so as to enable the final height of the table surface as illustrated in Figure 4 to be selected according to need.

The supports are suitably formed of square section steel tube and the shelf supports of rectangular section steel tube, the shelves 6 being formed of any desired material, for example, natural wood, chip board, plastics or metal.

1. A shelf system, comprising at least two shelf-supporting members each pivotally connected to each of a pair of parallel support arms such that the shelf-supporting members are mutually parallel and permit parallelogram movement of the members and arms together,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Shelf system This invention relates to a shelf system, in particular of the type in which shelves are movable to perform alternative functions. According to the invention, a shelf system comprises at least two shelf-supporting members each pivotally connected to each of a pair of parallel support arms such that the shelfsupporting members are mutually parallel and permit parallelogram movement of the members and arms together, whereby the shelves supported by the shelf-supporting members may be moved between a first position, wherein the shelves are spaced one above another, and a second position, wherein the upper surfaces of the shelves all lie in the same generally horizontal plane. Preferably the system comprises two sets of at least two shelf-supporting members, and at least two shelves, each shelf being mounted on and extending between a pair of shelf-supporting members consisting of one member from each set, each set being mounted on a respective pair of parallel support arms. In a preferred embodiment, three shelves are provided. It is preferred that the shelves are dimensioned and arranged so as to form, in the second position, a continuous surface. Mounting brackets may be provided on the iower or lowermost, or upper or uppermost, shelf supporting member or pair of shelf supporting members, permitting attachment of the shelf system to a vertical surface such as a wall. Preferably the mounting brackets are attached to the lowermost of three or more shelves, preferably with legs attached to the uppermost shelf supporting members in such a manner that they contact the ground when the shelves are in the second position, but are parallel to the support arms when the shelves are in the first position, so as to remain unobtrusive, and to serve additionally as handles enabling the shelves to be drawn into the second position from the first position. Preferably, the shelf system comprises locking means enabling the uppermost shelf supporting members to be locked into position against a wall when the shelves are in the first position. The shelf system of the invention is simple in construction and permitsiihe provision of shelves which can be converted Into a work surface through a relatively simple relative movement of the parts thereof. Because of the parallelogram movement, it is possible to move the shelves from the first position to the second position without the need to remove any articles which may be standing on the shelves. Reference is made to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a complete shelf system in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows on a reduced scale a side elevation of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the shelf system at the commencement of movement between the first position and the second position; and Figure 4 shows the shelf system in the second position. The system comprises two folding frames 1 and 2 each consisting of a pair of parallel support arms 3 to which are pivotally mounted three shelf supports 4, the pivots 5 being vertically displaced for each shelf support so that the support arms 3 may rest in contact with one another when the shelf system is in the second position thereof, as explained hereinafter. Shelves 6 extend between the shelf-supports 4 and are attached to the upper surfaces thereof. The lowermost shelf supports 4 are each attached to a respective wali-mounting bracket 7, which may be secured to a vertical surface such as a wall. The uppermost shelf supports 4 each have attached to the outer end 8 thereof a leg 9 which is angled so that at the upper end thereof a space is present between the leg and the nearest support arm 3 into which a hand may be inserted when the legs are used as handles to draw the shelf system from the first position, as illustrated, into the second position. Each of the uppermost shelf supports 4 includes a locking bar 10 which is biased outwardly by a spring 11 and which has a rear hook portion 12 which can be engaged behind a stop 13 fastened to the wall. The stop 13 may comprise a circular head portion spaced from the wall. Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 in particular, the sequence of events in moving the shelf from the first position as shown in Figure 2 to the second position as shown in Figure 4 will be described. Initially, the locking bar 10 is turned so that the hook portion 12 is disengaged from the stop 1 3 on each side of the shelf system. The two legs 9 are grasped at their uppermost parts and are pulled outwardly from the wall. The initial position after pulling a short way is illustrated by Figure 3. The legs 9 are drawn outwardly and downwardly until they contact the floor, as shown in Figure 4. In this position, the shelves 6 form a continuous horizontal surface, which may be used as a table. It will be observed that the shelves all remain horizontal throughout the movement of the shelf system between the two positions thereof. The legs are made suitably extendable, for example telescopically, with locking screws therein, so as to enable the final height of the table surface as illustrated in Figure 4 to be selected according to need. The supports are suitably formed of square section steel tube and the shelf supports of rectangular section steel tube, the shelves 6 being formed of any desired material, for example, natural wood, chip board, plastics or metal. CLAIMS

1. A shelf system, comprising at least two shelf-supporting members each pivotally connected to each of a pair of parallel support arms such that the shelf-supporting members are mutually parallel and permit parallelogram movement of the members and arms together, whereby shelves supported by the shelfsupporting members may be moved between a first position, wherein the shelves are spaced one above another, and a second position, wherein the upper surfaces of the shelves all lie in the same generally horizontal plane.

2. A shelf system according to Claim 1, comprising two sets of at least two shelfsupporting members, and at least two shelves, each shelf being mounted on and extending between a pair of shelf-supporting members consisting of one member from each set, each set being mounted on a respective pair of parallel support arms.

3. A shelf system according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein three shelves are provided.

4. A shelf system according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the shelves are dimensioned and arranged so as to form, in the second position, a continuous surface.

5. A shelf system according to any preceding claim, wherein mounting brackets are provided on the lower or lowermost, or upper or uppermost, shelf supporting member or pair of shelf supporting members, whereby attachment of the shelf system to a vertical surface such as a wall is facilitated.

6. A shelf system according to Claim 5, wherein the mounting brackets are attached to the lowermost of three or more shelves.

7. A shelf system according to Claim 6, wherein legs are attached to the uppermost shelf supporting members in such a manner that they contact the ground when the shelves are in the second position, but are parallel to the support arms when the shelves are in the first position.

8. A shelf system according to any preceding claim, which comprises locking means enabling the uppermost shelf supporting members to be locked into position against a wall when the shelves are in the first position.

9. A shelf system, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.