GB2317554A

GB2317554A - Modular continuous shelving

Info

Publication number: GB2317554A
Application number: GB9619710A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Kearton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-09-20
Filing date: 1996-09-20
Publication date: 1998-04-01
Also published as: GB9619710D0

Abstract

Extendable modular wall-mounted shelving is based on identical units having shelf support and back surfaces 6,7 each configured so that they can be joined (Fig 8) such that the surfaces are continuous and without obstruction over the join. As shown, the shelf ends inter-fit via a tongue and groove, with the end piece 8 removed from its initial location and fitted to the end of the extension unit. A plurality of concealed nuts and bolts may alternatively be used to join the parts (Figs 9-12). The support and back surfaces may alternatively be formed as elongate rods which can be screw-fitted to each other to extend the structure, or to an end piece (Figs 1-4).

Description

MODULAR-CONTINUOUS SHELVING This invention relates to a shelving or racking system which is both modular in construction and which provides a continuous surface for storage and display.

Shelves provide a continuous surface along which items arranged in order can be readily moved so as to provide space for additional items, so that when inserted, each new item finds its proper place within that order. This applies most commonly to books, material in box files and also to a variety of styles of container of more recent origin such as audio and video cassettes and compact discs.

For these latter styles of container, the preference according to customary buying habits, is for purpose built storage systems of modular construction designed for the gradual acquisition of storage capacity. According to manufacturing tradition these are all of the nature of compartmentalised racks, wherein each item is inserted into an individual compartment and is thus prevented from being moved along in the above way. This system makes the management of large ordered collections very difficult.

According to the present invention there is provided a shelving system that is both modular and continuous. It comprises any number of identical modules, having shelf loading and back surfaces constructed so that neither the material of these surfaces nor their configuration with respect to their system of fastening nor the material of their supporting mechanism present any obstacle to the free movement of objects placed upon them when they are conjoined, so as to provide a unified shelf surface which is both continuous and capable of being extended indefinitely and to measure.

A first specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. I shows in perspective, a row-starter module with end-plates attached.

Fig. 2 illustrates the removal of the right-hand end-plate.

Fig. 3 illustrates the screwing on of the extension unit shelf-rods, and the positioning of the shelf support brackets.

Fig 4 shows the extended shelf row, the end-plate replaced.

Referring to the drawing Fig 1, a row starter module comprises four shelf rods I and two end-plates 2.The module is fixed to the rear wall by means of two supporting brackets 3 and Fig. 13.

In order to join an extension module to a starter module, or to an existing row of modules, the right-hand end-plate retaining nuts 4 are unscrewed and the end-plate is removed as shown in Fig.2. The continuation module shelf rods 5 are then screwed on to the exposed threaded ends of the starter module shelf rods 3 as shown in Fig.3 which also shows the positioning of the extension module support brackets by sliding over the ends and along the rods into the correct position. Once in position they are then secured to the supporting wall. The previously removed end-plate is then re attached at the end of the extension module so as to become the end plate of the newl-extcnded shelf row as shown in Fig.4.

The foregoing describes joining an extension module to the right side of an existing module, though it is equally possible to join one to the left side, thus making the system extendible in either direction. By repeating the above sequence for any number of extension modules, re-attaching the end plate to the new end of an extended row, the system is extendible indefinitely.

A second specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 5 shows in perspcctive, a starter module with end-plates attached.

Fig. 6 illustrates the removal of the right-hand end-plate.

Fig.7 illustrates the attachment of an extension module.

Fig.8 shows the extended shelf row, the end-plate replaced.

Referring to the drawing a row-starter module compriscs a shelf plate 6, back plate 7,and end-plate 8.The endplate has holes drilled 9 to accept screws for wall fixing.

In order to join an extension module to a starter module or to an existing row of modules, the end plate is removed by sliding the joining surfaces apart, over a small promontory designed to retain the surfaces in position. as illustrated in Fig 6.The extension module is then attached in place of the end-plate by the same means as shown in Fig7.0nce attached, the extension module is then secured to the supporting wall, by means of screws through fixing holes 9.The previously removed end-plate is then re-attached at the end of the extension module so as to become the end-plate of the newly extended shelf row as shown in Fig 8.

The foregoing describes joining an extension module to the right side of an existing module though it is equally possible to join one to the left side, thus making the system extendible in either direction.

By repeating the above sequence for any number of extension modules, reattaching the end-plate to the new end of an extended row, the system is extendible indefuiitely A third specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawing in which: Fig.9 shows in perspective a starter module with end-plates attached.

Fig. 10 illustrates the removal of the right-hand end-plate.

Fig.l 1 shows the attachment of an extension module.

Fig .12 shows the extended shelf row, the end-plate replaced.

Rcfcrring to the drawing a row-starter module comprises a shclf-plate 10, back plate 11, and end-plate 12. The back plate has holes drilled 14 to accept screws for wall fixing.

In order to join an extension module to a starter module, or to an existing row of modules, the end-plate fastener 13 is unscrewed and the end-plate removed as illustrated in Fig.10. The extension module is then attached in place of the end-plate by the same means as shown in Fig. 11 Once attached, the extension module is then secured to the supporting wall by means of screws through fixing holes 14.The previously removed end-plate is then re-attached at the end of the extension module so as to become the endplate ofthe newly extended shelf row as shown in Fig.12.

The forcgoing describes joining an extension module to the right side of an existing module, though it is equally possible to join one to the left side, thus making the system extendible in either direction. By repeating the above sequence for any number of extension modules, reattaching the end-plate to the new end of an extended row, the system is extendible indefinitely.

Claims

I A modular ailed continuous shelving system comprising an number of idcntical modules cach having shelf loading and back surfaces constnicted so that neither the material of thcse surfaces nor their configuration nith rcspcct to their system of fastcning nor thc material of their supporting mechanism present any obstacle to tlle free movement of objects placed upon than when they are conjoined so as to provide a unified shelf surface that is both continuous and capable of being extended indefinitely and to measurc.
2 A modular and continuous shelving system as claimcd in claim I whcrein adjacent modules are conjoined bv a conccalcd system of fastening, whether this be of material a) non-integral with the material of the modules. following tlle example of the first and third spccific embodiments described. wherein the fastening of adjacent modules is effected by screw fasteners, or b) integral with the material of the modules, following the example of the second spccific embodiment described, wherein the fastening of adjacent modules is cffccted by. a tessellating configuration of the material of the modules.
3 A modular and continuous shelving system as claimed in claims I and 2 whercin the system of fastening is ullifol m for both modules and end-plates so as to make them freely interchangeable.
4 A modular and continuous shelving system as claimed in claims 2 and 3 wherein the shelf supporting mechanism is of the type includcd in the first spccific cmbodimcnt described.
5 A modular and continuous shelving system substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1-13 of the accompanying drawing.