GB2290458A - A collapsible shelf unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A shelf unit (10) has a plurality of upwardly extending frame members (11, 16, 17, 18) interconnected by pivotably secured shelves (12, 12a) secured on support bars (13). Link members (21, 22) interconnect pairs of the frame members, and the alternate pairs of the frame members are interconnected in an orthogonal direction by means of rigid members (19), (20). A releasable locking bar (23) retained captive on the shelf unit may be operated to secure the shelf unit in an upright configuration and subsequently permit its collapsing as desired. <IMAGE>

Description

A Collapsible Shelf Unit This invention relates to a collapsible shelf unit.

There are numerous places where it is desirable to provide a shelf unit that is rigid and strong in use yet which can be readily collapsed for installation and/or removal, without the need to provide special tools and without having to add and/or remove components of the shelf unit. One such place is in a licensed bar, in which it is commonly required to provide storage space beneath the bar top.

It has become common practice in the U.K. to dispense soft drinks in e.g.

licensed bars, restaurants and snack bars by means of a gun that mixes carbonated water and a flavouring syrup dispensed from a canister or drum storec beneath a bar top. Hitherto the syrup canisters have been stored on fabricated metal shelves that virtually have to be custom built for each installation.

The canisters of flavouring syrups are prone to leakage, particularly in the vicinity of supply pipes for feeding the syrups to the dispensing guns. As a result, the shelf unit rapidly become coated in syrup, necessitating their frequent replacement.

Since the known shelf units have to be virtually completely dismantled before they can be stored or transported efficiently, and since replacement of such a shelf unit is time consuming to effect, it will be seen that there is a need for a shelf unit that may readily be collapsed to a flat configuration for storage and transportation, yet which can be rapidly erected beneath e.g. a bar top.

According to the invention, there is provided a collapsible shelf unit comprising a first upwardly extending frame member; a load platform pivotably secured to the first frame member; a second frame member pivotably secured to the load platform and spaced from the first frame member in use of the shelf unit; and means for selectively rigidly interconnecting the first and second frame members, the frame members providing a floor or ground engaging support for the shelf unit such that the load platform occupies a predetermined orientation when the first and second frame members are rigidly interconnected and engaging a floor or the ground.

A shelf unit constructed according to the invention overcomes the disadvantages of the known shelf units.

Conveniently, the shelf units include a locking arrangement

wherein the means for selectively rigidly interconnecting the first and second frame members, including first and second link sub-members pivotably secured to each other and to the respective first and second members; and means for selectively locking the first and second link sub-members together to form a rigid member interconnecting the first and second members.

Alternatively, the shelf units include a locking arrangement comprising a first link member pivotably connected to the respective first and second frame members; and a locking member selectively securable between (i) a first location on the first frame member or on a first further member connected thereto; and !ii: a second location on the second frame member or a second further member connected thereto, wherein the first link member and the locking member are mutually divergent when the locking member is secured, whereby to form a rigid framework.

This arrangement is advantageously simple. The locking member is preferably loosely captive on the shelf unit at one end and releaseably securable on the shelf unit (e.g. by means of a screw or detent) at the other end.

Practical embodiments of the invention include a plurality of load platforms each pivotably secured to the first and second members; and third and fourth frame members pivotably secured to the load platforms in the same manner as the first and second frame members. The frame members are preferably spaced from one another and pairs of the frame members are preferably rigidly interconnected, thereby to provide a rigid framework for the shelf unit when erected.

There now follows a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shelf unit according to the invention when erected; Figure la is a perspective view of an optional top plate for the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 when collapsed for transportation and/or storage.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the locking member; and Figure 4 shows a further locking member variant.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a shelf unit 10 comprising a first, upwardly extending frame member 11 pivotably secured to a load platform in the form of first shelf 12.

In the embodiment shown, shelf 12 is rectangular and frame member 11 is pivotably secured at one of the shorter edges of shelf 12 adjacent one of the corners thereof.

Shelf 12 is rigidly secured (e.g. by means of a rivetted flange) to a support bar 13 extending from front to back of the shelf unit 10. A suitable pivot joint 14 is provided for pivotably securing support bar 13 to frame member 11.

The forward end of support bar 13 is secured by means of a similar pivot joint 14 to a second frame member 16 of similar design to frame member 11.

Shelf 12 extends from the rear of the shelf unit 10 forwardly to a point approximately two-thirds of the way along support member 13.

Third (17) and fourth (18) upwardly extending frame members are disposed in corresponding positions to frame members 11, 14 and 16 at the opposite end of shelf 12. At its end adjacent frame members 17 and 18, shelf 12 is supported on a further support bar 13 extending between a further pair of pivot joints (not shown) similar to the pivot joints 14 respectively connecting support bar 13 at each end to the frame members 17 and 18.

The frame members 11 and 17 are rigidly interconnected by a channel member 19 extending along the rear of the shelf unit 10. Similarly, the frame members 16 and 18 are rigidly interconnected by a transverse frame member 20 extending along the front of the shelf unit. The channel member 19 and the frame member 20 are secured to the respective upwardly extending frame members by suitable means such as rivets, welds or screws.

A further shelf 12a similar to shelf 12 is supported below shelf 12 on a further pair or support bars 13 extending from front to back of the shelf unit in the manner of the support bars 13 supporting shelf 12.

The lower support bars 13 are likewise secured to the respective frame members by means of pivot joints such as joints 14.

A pair 21a, 22a of pivotably secured link members respectively extend from front to back of the shelf unit, interconnecting the frame members 16 and 11 at one end of the shelf unit. A similar, further pair 21b, 22b of link members is likewise secured at the other end of the shelf unit, extending from front to back of the shelf unit 10 interconnecting the upwardly extending frame members 18 and 17.

Each link member 21 is pivotably secured at either end to the relevant upwardly extending frame member a short distance from the top of the shelf unit; each link member 22 is pivotably secured approximately at the level of shelf 12.

The apparatus thus far described constitutes a shelf unit that can be manoeuvred between a flat configuration as shown in rigure 2 (with the two shelves 12, 12a lying approximately parallel to the upwardly extending frame members, and the frame members 16, 18 lying flat on the frame members 11, 17) and an erect configuration as shown in Figure 1 in which the shelves 12, 12a are disposed one above the other in a generally horizontal alignment and the frame members 16, 18 are spaced forwardly of the frame members 11, 17.

A respective locking member 23a, 23b extends between the forward end of each upper link member 21 and the rear end of the associated, lower link member 22 when the apparatus is erect, to lock it in the configuration shown in Figure 1.

One end (e.g. the forward end 23x as shown in Figure 1) of the locking member 23 is pivotably captive on the relevant link member (e.g. link member 21), while the other end of locking member 23 (e.g. end 23y as shown in Figure 1) is releasably securable to the link member 22 disposed below the relevant link member 21. Thus, it is possible selectively to secure the shelf unit in its erect configuration simply by locating the free end of each locking member 23 Sn engagement with its associated fixing means (described below) to secure the shelf unit after the unit has been manoeuvred to its upright configuration.

The free end of each locking member 23 is provided with a suitably shaped recess 50 that fits over e.g. the shank of a domed headed spigot 51 (Figure 3). The recess may be appropriately shaped to retain the locking member 23 in position against the forces normally encountered during use of the shelf unit. When it is required to collapse the shelf unit, appropriate manoeuvring of the recess 50 free of the domed headed spigot 51 or similar protrusion may be employed to release the unit 10.

Numerous alternative means of releasably securing the locking member 23 at its free end may be devised. For example, the locking member 23 may be provided with appropriate spigots and suitably shaped recesses may be cut into the relevant upwardly extending frame members, such as frame members 11 and 17.

An alternative form of locking member is shown in Figure 4. The ends of the locking member are pivotally captive on the respective members 21a, 22a or 21b, 22b, and the locking member is securably hingeable about an intermediate point.

In effect, the locking member is formed as two flat, elongate members 23' and 23" that are hingeably secured together a short distance from their free ends, e.g. by means of a rivet 53. The free end of member 23" includes a tang 54 that is engageable in a notch 55, appropriately positioned in the adjacent edge of member 23', when the members 23' and 23" are mutually aligned. The free end of member 23' includes an aperture 56 adapted to receive a pip 57, formed in member 23", when the two members are mutually aligned. The arrangement is such that the members 23' and 23" can be snap locked to form a rigid, locking member when the shelf unit is erect yet can be selectively hinged to accommodate collapsing of the shelf unit 10.

Alternatives to the particular detent arrangement described may be devised. For instance, the pip 57 and notch or recess 56 can be replaced by a slideable locking ring or sleeve for releasably locking the members 23' and 23" together.

A further possibility is to provide a through-bore in the position of pip 57 and a pin or peg for locking members 23' and 23" together.

Depending on the loadings on the shelves 12 and 12a, the locking member 23 will be either in tension or compression. It is therefore important that the Invention means for the locking member is bi-directional in operation.

Each upwardly extending frame member 11, 16, 17, 18 terminates in an upper protrusion 24 of reduced cross section. The lowermost end of each upwardly extending frame member is hollow (and in preferred embodiments the upwardly extending frame members are hollow over their entire length). The protrusions 24 are capable of being received by the hollow lower ends of further frame members such as the members 11, 16, 17, 18. It will thus be seen that a further plurality of shelf units 10 may be stacked one on top of the other when it is required to provide high rise shelf racking. In the embodiment shown, the reduced and full-sized cross sections of the upwardly extending members are square, although numerous other sections could be used if desired.

The uppermost shelf unit 10 of a stack (or of a ground standing shelf unit 10 if no further units are stacked) may be capped by means of an optional top 35, having a downwardly extending peripheral rim that fits over the reduced section ends of the upwardly extending frame members. Thus, the shelf unit 10 may optionally be constructed including a worktop surface. The top 25 may be finished in a variety of materials, for example to provide an hygienic work surface.

The shelf unit 10 may be adapted for the specific purpose of supporting a plurality of soft drinks flavouring canisters, firstly by providing a rear lip 26 extending along the back of each shelf 12, 12a as shown. This prevents the canisters from falling off the back of the shelf unit after they have been slid into place. A further modification to improve the utility of the shelf unit for the supporting of flavouring canisters is to provide apertures 27 at intervals along the link members 21, 22. The apertures 27 are sized for the clamping therein of connector tubes whereby flavouring syrups may be supplied to a soft drinks dispensing gun. Suitable glands (not shown) may be screwed into the apertures 27 to provide secure, wear-free mountings for the tubes (also not shown).

The shelf unit of the invention may be manufactured with more or fewer shelves than the two shelves shown in the embodiment. Moreover, the shelf unit may be manufactured from a variety of materials such as mild steel, plastics or even timber. A variety of finishes such as powder coated paint finishes, plastics coatings and brushed metal finishes may be provided. As a further variant, the horizontal rear member 19 may optionally be replaced by a diagonally extending brace.

Claims (11)

1. A collapsible shelf unit comprising: a first upwardly extending frame member; a load platform pivotably secured to the frame member; a second frame member pivotably secured to the load platform and spaced from the first frame member in use of the shelf unit; and means for selectively rigidly interconnecting the first and second frame members, the frame members providing a floor of ground engaging support for the shelf units such that the load platform occupies a predetermined orientation when the first and second frame members are rigidly interconnected and engaging a floor or the ground.

2. A shelf unit according to Claim 1 wherein the means for selectively rigidly interconnecting the first and second frame members includes first and second link sub-members pivotably secured to each other and to the respective first and second members; and means for selectively locking the first and second link sub-members together to form a rigid member interconnecting the first and second members.

3. A shelf unit according to Claim 1 wherein the means for selectively rigidly interconnecting the first and second frame members includes a first link member pivotably connected to the respective first and second members; and a locking member selectively securable between (i) a first location on the first frame member or on a first further member connected thereto; and (ii) a second location on the second frame member or on a second further member connected thereto, wherein the first link member and the locking member are mutually divergent when the locking member is secured, whereby to form a rigid framework.

4. A shelf unit according to Claim 3, wherein the first further member, if present, is constituted by the first link member.

5. A shelf unit according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the second further member includes a second link member extending generally parallel to and spaced from the first link member.

6. A shelf unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the load platform is secured to a support member pivotably interconnecting the first and second frame members.

7. A shelf unit according to any preceding claim including a plurality of load platforms respectively pivotably secured to the first and second frame members.

8. A shelf unit according to any preceding claim including mutually spaced, third and fourth frame members rigidly connected respectively to the first and second members and pivotably connected to the or each load platform.

9. A shelf unit according to Claim 8 wherein the first and second frame members are pivotably secured at one end of the or each load platform and the third and fourth frame members are pivotably secured at the opposite end thereof.

10. A shelf unit according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the means for selectively rigidly interconnecting the first and second frame members are replicated to provide such means operative on the third and fourth frame members.

11. A collapsible shelf unit generally as herein disclosed, with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.