GB2368263A - Demountable shelf unit for books - Google Patents
Demountable shelf unit for books Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2368263A GB2368263A GB0026300A GB0026300A GB2368263A GB 2368263 A GB2368263 A GB 2368263A GB 0026300 A GB0026300 A GB 0026300A GB 0026300 A GB0026300 A GB 0026300A GB 2368263 A GB2368263 A GB 2368263A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- shelf device
- support means
- shelf
- support
- base portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B87/00—Sectional furniture, i.e. combinations of complete furniture units, e.g. assemblies of furniture units of the same kind such as linkable cabinets, tables, racks or shelf units
- A47B87/02—Sectional furniture, i.e. combinations of complete furniture units, e.g. assemblies of furniture units of the same kind such as linkable cabinets, tables, racks or shelf units stackable ; stackable and linkable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B47/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements
Landscapes
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
An integral shelf unit 10 having a base 12 and upstanding back and sides 14,16,18 is demountably attached to a support by sliding over a pair of projecting prongs 56,57 each having an upward finger which engages a corresponding detent 30 on the underside of the base to retain the unit in place. The prongs have non-parallel sides received between corresponding flanges 34,36 under the base whereby the unit is accurately located. Transverse rods 26,28 provide handles by which a unit can be lifted and transferred to another support upon which it may held by transport rods passed through slots 24. The support may be a trolley which holds six units as three back-to-back pairs (Figs 3,4).
Description
Shelving System
This invention relates to storage apparatus and is particularly concerned with apparatus for storing books and the like.
In the storage of books as practised for example in libraries, it is usual to store the books on shelves in-a desired order. From time to time it is necessary to move groups of books to another place which may or may not be within the same building. This movement of books typically requires each book to be handled carefully to avoid damage and is extremely labour intensive. The present invention enables an improved method of handling books and relies on a shelf device which can be moved from one location to another, whilst containing its allocation of books.
The invention provides in one of its aspects storage apparatus comprising support means for supporting one or more shelf devices and one or more shelf devices releasably secured therein, the support means and at least one shelf device being provided with co-operating restraining means whereby the shelf device is restrained against unintentional movement from the support means.
In apparatus according to the invention, the restraining means preferably comprises receptor means and engagement means one of these being associated with the shelf device and the other being associated with the support means. In a preferred apparatus according to the invention, the receptor means is associated with the shelf device and the receptor means and engagement means are held in co-operation one with the other by the mass of the shelf device and articles therein.
In a preferred apparatus according to the invention, the support means comprises upwardly directed engagement means.
In this preferred apparatus the support means comprises for each shelf device, two rigid prongs, which extend horizontally parallel to each other and onto which the shelf device may be slid and, each prong has engagement means provided by a raised portion on each prong.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a shelf device suitable for use in apparatus according to the invention and comprising a base portion, a back portion, and end portions. A preferred shelf device has a detent on the underside of the base portion of the shelf device arranged to provide said receptor means.
Apparatus according to the invention preferably also comprises means for positioning the shelf device widthwise of the support means. A preferred shelf device has guide means for co-operation with the support means for positioning the shelf device widthwise of the support means. The preferred shelf device comprises flange portions secured to the outer surface of the base portion and extending away from the base portion to an extent sufficient to receive portions of support means.
A preferred shelf device for use in apparatus according to the invention is provided with slots in each of its end portions, disposed with their lengths at 450 to the back portion of the shelf device. This preferred shelf device also has a locating dowel is provided on the outer surface of an end portion and a corresponding bore is formed on the other end portion.
A shelf device according to the invention is preferably I formed by moulding plastics material, for example polypropylene.
Support means of apparatus according to the invention may comprise, for example, a static frame constructed to accept a plurality of shelf devices. Alternatively it may comprises a trolley arranged to support, for example, six shelf devices in two opposed banks of three shelf devices.
In preferred apparatus according to the invention, the support means and the shelf device are arranged so that numerous shelf devices may be removably locked onto the
support means. In preferred apparatus, the support means comprises for each shelf device, two rigid prongs, which extend horizontally parallel to each other and onto which the shelf device may be slid. In this preferred apparatus, a raised portion on each prong is arranged to fit into a corresponding detent on the underside of the shelf device.
When it is desired to load one of the shelf devices into the support means, it is positioned with its flange portions either side of a prong of the support means and urged towards a frame of the support means. The flange portions and the intervening part of the base portion serve to guide the shelf device widthwise of the support means as it is moved towards the frame. Also the detents become aligned with the engagement means provided by raised portions which engage within the detents, so restraining the shelf device from sliding on the prongs after having been positioned with the raised portions in the detents.
The shelf device may be disengaged from the support means by lifting the detents above the raised portions of the prongs as by a tilting motion and then the shelf device may be slid from the support means. The shelf device may be removed from the support means complete with books therein and may be replaced in another location on the same or similar support means for further storage or transportation.
The word"comprising"where used herein is intended to encompass the notion of"including"and the notion of
"consisting of".
Apparatus according to the invention may be used for a variety of storage purposes and is especially useful for storage of books, files and containers typically found in libraries.
Apparatus according to the invention has various advantages. In one aspect, the shelf device although removable from its docked or storage position on support means is nevertheless held firmly in position by disengageable locking means. This locking means is sufficient to ensure that the shelf device is not inadvertently knocked or pulled out of place. In a preferred device the shelf devices are of a size such that they can be lifted easily, with their content of books
undisturbed in the shelf devices, by normal library staff.
.
They can then be stacked until required or loaded onto trolleys or other support means for transportation and refitted onto support means in another part of the same or different library. In another aspect, apparatus according to the invention permits quick and easy movement of books or other articles stored in the shelf devices.
In order that the invention may become more clear there now follows a description to be read with the accompanying drawings of two preferred apparatuses according to the invention which have been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a shelf device located in a part of support means of the first illustrative apparatus;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the shelf device and support means of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a plan view of a trolley providing support means of the second illustrative apparatus and
Figure 4 is a view of the second illustrative apparatus showing the trolley of Figure 3 and three shelf devices.
The first illustrative apparatus comprises a plurality of shelf devices (10) removably mounted on support means (50) for supporting the shelf devices.
Each shelf device (10) comprises a base portion (12), a back portion (14) secured to the base portion and end portions (16,18) secured to the base and back portions.
The shelf devices are conveniently made by moulding suitable plastics materials, for example. Locating dowels (20,22) are provided on the outer surface of end portion (16) and corresponding bores (23,25) are formed in mirror positions on the end portion (18).
Slots (24) are provided in each of the end portions (16, 18). They are disposed with their lengths at 450 to the back portion (14) of the shelf device and are suitable for loading the shelf arrangement to alternative transportation bars (not shown) and are of a size which is also sufficient to enable an operator to insert a hand for handling the shelf device. Metal rods (26,28) are encased in outer edge portions of the base portion (12) and back portion (14) respectively. The outer edge portion of the base portion is shaped in its centre to expose the rod (26) for gripping and the outer edge portion of the back portion is shaped in its centre portion to expose the rod (28) for gripping. By these means, the shelf device may be lifted onto and from the support means and manipulated without removing books stored on the shelf device. The outer surface of the base portion is formed with recesses or detents (30) each bounded by a rear wall (32). Flange portions (34,36) are secured to the outer surface of the base portion adjacent to the detents. (30) and extend away from the base portion to an extent sufficient to receive support means when the shelf device is mounted in the apparatus. Outermost flange portions (36) are positioned adjacent the outer edges of the base portion and extend in a direction normal to the back portion. Innermost flange portions (34) extend forwardly of the back portion but at an angle to the back portion with rearward portions of the flanges (34 and 36) closer together than their forward end portions.
In the first illustrative apparatus, the support means comprises vertical (52) members with a foot supported and levelled by adjustable locking nits on plastic floorengaging pads (not shown). Horizontally disposed cross spars (54) are bolted to the vertical members (52), the whole being secured so as to provide a stationary, vertically disposed frame. The support means also comprises rigid prongs arranged in pairs (56,57) which are secured to the spars (54) and extend horizontally, parallel to each other away from the frame, so that each of the shelf devices may be slid onto a pair of prongs (56, 57).
Each prong (56) is shaped to fit snugly between a pair of flanges (34 and 36) of the shelf device. Each prong also carries an upwardly directed finger portion (58) which, when the shelf device is docked in its storage position, is received within the detent (30) and engages the surface (32) thereof. The surfaces (32) and the fingers (58) thus provide co-operating restraining means whereby the shelf device is restrained against unintentional movement from the support means.
When it is desired to load one of the shelf devices into the support means, it is positioned with its flange portions (36,38) either side of a prong (56 or 57) and urged towards the vertical frame. The flange portions and the intervening part of the base portion serve to guide the shelf device widthwise of the support means as it is moved towards the vertical frame. When the shelf device has been moved sufficiently for the detents (30) to receive the fingers (58), the rear of the shelf device drops into a
position in which the base portion is substantially horizontal. In this"docked"position, the shelf device is removably locked onto the support means by the fingers (58) engaged with the walls (32) of the detents (30), so stopping the shelf from sliding on the prongs. The shelf device may be disengaged from the support means by lifting the rear of base portion (12) to an extent sufficient to disengage the fingers (58) from the detents (30), as by a tilting motion and then the shelf device may be slid from the support means. The shelf device may be removed from the support means complete with books therein and may be replaced in another location on the same or similar support means for further storage or transportation.
The second illustrative apparatus comprises a moveable support means and a plurality of shelf devices as above described. The movable support means comprises is in the form of a trolley mounted on wheels (70) (Figures 3 and 4).
The trolley has a base (60) supporting two uprights (62) and three cross beams (64) welded therebetween, one above another. Prongs (66,67) are mounted in pairs on the beams (64) transversely of the cross beams (64). The trolley is designed to accept six shelf devices (10) as above described, and has six pairs of prongs (66,67), three pairs mounted one above the other and pointing in one direction and three pairs mounted one above the other and pointing in the opposite direction. The structure is pyramid style, with the length of lower prongs greater than the length of the prongs above them. In this way two opposed banks of three shelf devices (10) can be mounted
with the bottom two shelf devices furthest apart. The wheels (70) are provided at corners of the trolley and the total weight is distributed about a centre line of the trolley between the castors.
Transportation of shelf devices over long distances, for example by road transport, may give rise to movement of books or the like from shelving as a result of vibration or bumping of the carrying vehicle. In order to alleviate these problems, one may employ shelf devices according to the present invention mounted in a third form of support means (not shown) comprising horizontally extending transportation bars. In such an arrangement, the shelf devices may be loaded seriatim with their transportation bars passing through the slots (24). Adjacent shelf devices may be fitted against each other with the dowels (20,22) of one end portion entered into the and corresponding bores (23, 25) of the end portion (18) of the adjacent shelf device. In this way, series of shelf devices may be suspended from che transportation bars with
their back portions and base portions inclined at 45'to the vertical describing a"V"shape, thus assisting in retaining books or other articles within the shelf devices from falling out during transport.
Claims (18)
1. Storage apparatus comprising support means for supporting one or more shelf devices and one or more shelf devices releasably secured therein, the support means and at least one shelf device being provided with co-operating restraining means whereby the shelf device is restrained against unintentional movement from the support means.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the restraining means comprises receptor means of the shelf device and engagement means of the support means.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the receptor means and engagement means for the shelf device are held in co-operation one with the other by the mass of the shelf device with or without articles therein.
4. Apparatus according to either of Claims 2 and 3 wherein the support means comprises upwardly directed engagement means.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the support means comprises, for each shelf device, two rigid prongs which extend horizontally parallel to each other and onto which the shelf device may be slid.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein each prong has engagement means provided by a raised portion on each prong.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim also comprising means for positioning the shelf device widthwise of the support means
8. A shelf device suitable for use in apparatus according to any preceding Claim comprising a base portion, a back portion, and end portions.
9. A shelf device according to Claim 8 having a detent on the underside of the base portion arranged to provide
receptor means for co-operation with engagement means t of the support means.
10. A shelf device according to either of Claims 8 and 9 comprising guide means for co-operation with the support means for positioning the shelf device widthwise of the support means.
11. A shelf device according to Claim 10 wherein the guide means comprises flange portions secured to the outer surface of the base portion and extending away from the base portion to an extent sufficient to receive portions of support means.
12. A shelf device according to any of Claims 8 to 11 wherein slots are provided in each of the end portions, disposed with their lengths at 450 to the back portion of the shelf device.
13. A shelf device according to any one of Claims 8 to 12 wherein a locating dowel is provided on the outer surface of an end portion and a corresponding bore is
formed on the other end portion.
I
14. A shelf device according to any of Claims 8 to 13 formed by moulding plastics material.
15. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the support means comprises a trolley.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the trolley is arranged to support six shelf devices in two opposed banks of three shelf devices.
17. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7, 15 and 16 comprising a shelf device according to any of Claims 8 to 14.
18. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim when used for storage of books, files or containers typically found in libraries.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0026300A GB2368263A (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2000-10-27 | Demountable shelf unit for books |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0026300A GB2368263A (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2000-10-27 | Demountable shelf unit for books |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0026300D0 GB0026300D0 (en) | 2000-12-13 |
| GB2368263A true GB2368263A (en) | 2002-05-01 |
Family
ID=9902072
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0026300A Withdrawn GB2368263A (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2000-10-27 | Demountable shelf unit for books |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2368263A (en) |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB848134A (en) * | 1958-03-31 | 1960-09-14 | E J Arnold And Son Ltd | Improvements relating to bookcases |
| US4708310A (en) * | 1987-03-05 | 1987-11-24 | Tri-State Enterprises | Corner mounted tray |
| US4938442A (en) * | 1988-06-21 | 1990-07-03 | Mastrodicasa Arthur R | Bracket and shelf assembly |
| US5004200A (en) * | 1988-10-19 | 1991-04-02 | Hafele Kg | Shelf board fitting |
| EP0527658A1 (en) * | 1991-08-14 | 1993-02-17 | DONNELLY TECHNOLOGY, Inc. | Shelving |
| JPH09238755A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1997-09-16 | Itoki Crebio Corp | Desk-top book shelf system |
| JPH10137051A (en) * | 1996-11-08 | 1998-05-26 | Itoki Crebio Corp | Built-up bookshelf |
| EP0945088A1 (en) * | 1998-03-25 | 1999-09-29 | Régis Delaizir | Auto- locking structure for shelves, library or display case |
-
2000
- 2000-10-27 GB GB0026300A patent/GB2368263A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB848134A (en) * | 1958-03-31 | 1960-09-14 | E J Arnold And Son Ltd | Improvements relating to bookcases |
| US4708310A (en) * | 1987-03-05 | 1987-11-24 | Tri-State Enterprises | Corner mounted tray |
| US4938442A (en) * | 1988-06-21 | 1990-07-03 | Mastrodicasa Arthur R | Bracket and shelf assembly |
| US5004200A (en) * | 1988-10-19 | 1991-04-02 | Hafele Kg | Shelf board fitting |
| EP0527658A1 (en) * | 1991-08-14 | 1993-02-17 | DONNELLY TECHNOLOGY, Inc. | Shelving |
| JPH09238755A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1997-09-16 | Itoki Crebio Corp | Desk-top book shelf system |
| JPH10137051A (en) * | 1996-11-08 | 1998-05-26 | Itoki Crebio Corp | Built-up bookshelf |
| EP0945088A1 (en) * | 1998-03-25 | 1999-09-29 | Régis Delaizir | Auto- locking structure for shelves, library or display case |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0026300D0 (en) | 2000-12-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |