US20050110372A1

US20050110372A1 - Foldable shelf

Info

Publication number: US20050110372A1
Application number: US10/971,111
Authority: US
Inventors: Enzo Vardaro
Original assignee: Artitalia Inc
Current assignee: Artitalia Inc
Priority date: 2003-10-24
Filing date: 2004-10-25
Publication date: 2005-05-26
Also published as: CA2446477A1

Abstract

A foldable shelf assembly comprising and shelf and a frame for mounting said shelf thereto. The shelf comprising first and second lateral sides. Each first and second lateral sides comprising respective guide protrusions. The frame comprises first and second side-surfaces. Each first and second side-surfaces comprises guide slots configured and sized to releasably receive and guide the guide protrusions. When the shelf is mounted to the frame, the shelf is moveable between folded and unfolded displaying positions via the protrusions sliding along the slots.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shelves. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a foldable shelf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foldable shelf members are well-known. Conventionally, these shelf members are hingeably screwed to side posts of a frame assembly so that they can be folded up when not in use or folded down in order to display article thereon.
Drawbacks of conventional foldable shelves are that conventional shelf members without screw holes or not otherwise adapted to be hinged cannot be used. Furthermore, when the shelf is in the folded up position, it is not sufficiently or securely locked in that position and hence, may easily fall into the displaying position.
There thus remains a need for an improved foldable shelf assembly.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved foldable shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldable shelf a foldable shelf assembly comprising:
a shelf comprising first and second lateral sides, each first and second lateral sides comprising respective guide protrusions; and
a frame for mounting the shelf thereto, the frame comprising first and second side-surfaces, each first and second side-surfaces comprising guide slots configured and sized to releasably receive and guide the guide protrusions when the shelf is mounted to the frame;
wherein, when the shelf is mounted to the frame, the shelf is moveable between folded and unfolded displaying positions via the protrusions sliding along the slots.
In an embodiment, the guide protrusion comprises an arcuate configuration and the guide slot comprises a complementary arcuate configuration. In an embodiment, the guide protrusions comprise bottom ends, the guide slots comprise complementary bottom ends for releasably locking with the guide protrusion bottom ends when the shelf is in the folded position. In an embodiment, the guide protrusions comprise top ends, the guide slots comprise complementary top ends for supporting the guide protrusions when the shelf is in an unfolded displaying position. In an embodiment, the the protrusion comprises a curved flat member. In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises a flat member.
In an embodiment, each of the guiding slots comprise:
a resting portion for securely receiving the protrusion when the shelf is in a folded position;
a guiding portion providing for the protrusion to be guided when moving the shelf between the folded and unfolded positions; and
a supporting-portion for supporting the protrusion when the shelf is in an unfolded displaying position.
In an embodiment, the resting portion comprises a groove. In an embodiment, this groove defines opposite walls for securing the protrusion therebetween.
In an embodiment, the guiding portion comprises opposite arcuate guiding surfaces, the protrusion comprises opposite ends for respectively sliding along the opposite arcuate surfaces.
In an embodiment, the supporting portion comprises a shoulder.
In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises two fingers, the guiding slot comprising two sub-slots, each sub-slot being configured to guide a respective the finger of the same the protrusion.
In an embodiment, the fingers are co-linear with respect to one another and the sub-slots are co-linear with respect to one another. In an embodiment, one of the finger is a top finger and the other the finger is a bottom finger and one of the sub-slots is a top sub-slot and the other sub-slot is a bottom the sub-slot.
In an embodiment, each of the sub-slots comprise:
a resting portion for securely receiving a respective finger when the shelf is in a folded position;
a guiding portion providing for a respective finger to be guided when moving the shelf between the folded and unfolded displaying positions.
In an embodiment, one of the two sub-slots comprises a supporting-portion for supporting one finger when the shelf is in an unfolded displaying position. In an embodiment the other of the two sub-slots comprises a stopper for stopping another finger when the shelf is in an unfolded displaying position.
In an embodiment, the resting portion of each sub-slot comprises a groove. In an embodiment, each of these groove defines opposite walls for securing a given the finger therebetween. In an embodiment, the grooves of the two sub-slots are co-linear.
In an embodiment, the guiding portion comprises opposite arcuate guiding surfaces, a given finger comprising opposite sides for respectively sliding along the opposite arcuate surfaces. In an embodiment, the two sub-slots comprise respective oppositely configured arcuate portions.
In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises a flat member forming two fingers at a free end thereof. In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises two independent fingers mounted to a given side surface.
In an embodiment, the shelf comprises an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, the shelf further comprising a handle on the outer surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a foldable shelf assembly comprising:
a plurality of shelves, each shelf comprising first and second lateral sides, each first and second lateral sides comprising respective guide protrusions; and
a frame for mounting the shelves thereto in a side to side disposition, the frame comprising a plurality of first and second adjacent side-surfaces, each pair of adjacent the first and second side-surfaces comprising guide slots configured and sized to releasably receive and guide the guide protrusions of a given the shelf when mounted to the frame;
wherein, when a given the shelf is mounted to the frame, the shelf is moveable between folded and unfolded displaying positions via the protrusions sliding along the slots.
In an embodiment, the frame defines opposite mounting faces, the shelves being mountable to the opposite mounting faces.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a shelf for mounting to a frame comprising first and second side-surfaces, each the first and second side-surfaces comprising guide slots, the shelf comprising:
first and second lateral sides, each first and second lateral sides comprising respective guide protrusions for releasably mounting to respective guide slots
wherein, when the shelf is mounted to the frame, the shelf member is moveable between folded and unfolded displaying positions via the protrusions siding along the slots.
In an embodiment, the guide protrusion comprises an arcuate configuration. In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises a curved flat member. In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises a flat member. In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises two fingers. In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises a flat member forming two fingers at a free end thereof. In an embodiment the protrusion comprises two independent fingers mounted to a given the side surface.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings where like elements are referenced by like reference numerals and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment thereof;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a partial disassembled perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the shelf of the present invention mounted to the shelf mounting vertical surface of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a partial disassembled perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the shelf of FIG. 7 mounted to the shelf mounting vertical surface of the post of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a shelf's guide protrusion having two fingers being inserted in sub-slots of a post in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a shelf's guide protrusion being inserted in a “butter-fly” slot of a post in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the appended drawings an embodiment of the invention will be herein described so as to exemplify the invention and not limit its scope.
FIGS. 1 to 4 show the foldable shelf assembly 10 mounted to a vertical structure 12, such as a wall, for example, The foldable shelf assembly 10 includes shelf 14, 16. 18 and 20 and a frame 22. Shelves 14, 18 and 20 are in a folded position, which in this non-limiting example is an upright position, whereas shelf 16 is in the unfolded displaying position for displaying articles (not shown) thereo.
With reference FIG. 5, shelf 14 includes guide protrusions such as fin members 24 mounted on each of its first and second sides 26 and 28 respectively. In this example, the fin members 24 have curved configuration such as a curved flat member or bar. Shelves 16, 18 and 20 are similarly constructed and hence need not be described for concision purpose only.
The frame assembly 22 includes top and bottom horizontal members 30 and 32 respectively and three vertical posts 34, 36 and 38 mounted therebetween as is known by the skilled artisan.
The pair of adjacent posts 34 and 36 have top and bottom shelves 14 and 16 mounted therebetween, the pair of adjacent posts 36 and 38 have top and bottom shelves 18 and 20 mounted therebetween as will be described below.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, each post 34, 36 and 38 has at least one shelf-mounting surface 40 (only the surface 40 of post member 28 is illustrated here). The shelf mounting surface 40 of each post 34, 36 and 38 includes at least one guide slot 42 configured to receive therein and guide a respective guide protrusion 24. In this example, the guide slots 42 have a curved structure. Furthermore, each post 34, 36 and 38 has top and bottom guide slots 42 on each of its surfaces 40. The middle post 36 has two opposite shelf mounting surfaces 40.
Turning back to FIGS. 1 to 4, the frame assembly 22 also includes a vertical surface engaging side 44 including engaging elements 46 including fasteners (not shown), such as screws, and screw holes for fastening the frame assembly 22 to a wall 12 as is known in the art.
In operation, a given shelf member 14, 16, 18 and 20 is mounted to the frame assembly 16 between two adjacent posts 34, 36 and 38. For example, side 28 of shelf 14 is mounted to surface 40 of post 36, side 28 of shelf 14 is mounted to surface 40 of post 38 by inserting the respective fin member 24 of each side 26 and 28 into the respective guide slot 42 of each post 36 and 38.
With reference to FIG. 6 the shelf 14 can be moved from an upstanding or folded position A when not in use, to a unfolded displaying position B via the fin members 24 sliding along the guide slots 42.
The complementary arcuate configuration of both the guide slots 42 and fins 24 provide for securely positioned the shelf member 14 in positions A or B. A fin 24 can releasably lock at its curved bottom end 50 with the complementary bottom end 54 of the complementary guide slot 42 in order to be in the folded position A. When the shelf 14 is unfolded, the top end of the fin 24 securely rests in locking fashion on the top end support 52 of the guide slot. In the way, the user exerts sufficient force in order to move a shelf 14 from positions A or B.
Shelves 16, 18 and 20 are similarly constructed. In FIG. 1, shelf 18 is shown having a handle member 19 for moving the shelf between positions A and B as described herein.
The fin members 24 may be provided in a variety of materials and curved forms. Consequently, the guide slots 28 may also be provided in a variety of complementary curved shapes. The fins 24 may be glued or screwed onto shelf member sides 26 and 28, as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan.
The shelf members 14, 16, 18 and 20 may be provided in a variety of suitable sizes, configurations and materials.
In this example the frame assembly 22 is shown to have four shelf members 14 a 16, 18 and 20, yet a variety of frame assemblies can be contemplated within the scope of the present invention. In one non-limiting and non-illustrated example, the frame assembly 22 may include a middle panel and have shelves on either side of the panel. In another example, frame member may be mounted onto a wall, as shown in FIG. 1, and may include a greater number a greater number of top and bottom horizontal members (and hence, middle horizontal members) as well as a greater number of vertical posts mounted therebetween for mounting a greater number of shelves. Alternatively, the posts may be longer and include a plurality of guide slots 42 along their longer surfaces 40 for including a greater number shelves between two adjacent surfaces 40. In this example, the frame 22 has top and bottom members 32 and 34, yet a frame assembly 22 including separate posts mounted or integral to adjacent wall structures may also be contemplated by the person having skill in the art. In another non-limiting and non-illustrated embodiment, the frame assembly 22 may have an upstanding platform with tow adjacent posts mounted thereto. Again, the frame assembly may be made in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials within the scope of the present invention.
With reference to FIG. 5, the shelve of the present invention such as shelf 14 can include a mirror 53 on their exposed outer face 55, that is not in view when in the shelf 14 is in the unfolded position in order to rest articles on its inner supporting side 67 (see FIG. 6).
Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9.
FIG. 7 shows a shelf 60 having a guide protrusion 62 on its lateral sides (only one lateral side 64 is shown here). The protrusion 62 comprises two fingers 66 and 68. As shown, these fingers 66 and 68 are elongate protruding members and are co-linear 2, with respect to each other. In another embodiment show in FIG. 9, tile protruding member 62 may be a flat member 70 mounted at one end to the sheaf 60 and forming two fingers 72 and 74 at its free end. In both these non-limiting examples, fingers 86 and 72 are top fingers and fingers 66 and 74 are bottom fingers.
Turning back to FIGS. 7 to 9, a post 76 of a frame assembly as described herein is shown having shelf mounting surface 78. Shelf mounting surface 78 includes a guiding slot 80, this guiding slot 80 includes two sub slots 62 and 84 which are co-linear. In this non-limiting example, sub-slot 82 is a top sub-slot and sub-slot 84 is a bottom sub-slot. Each sub slot 82 and 84 is configured to slidably receive therein a respective finger 66 and 68 or a respective finger 72 and 74.
With reference to FIG. 9, sub slots 82 and 84 include a resting portion 86 in the form of a groove forming two walls 88 and 90 in order to secure a respective finger, such as 88, 68, 72 and 74, therebetween.
With respect to FIGS. 8 and 9, sub-slots 82 and 84 include a guiding portion 92 and 94 respectively. As shown in FIG. 7 to 9, the guiding portions 92 and 94 have an opposite arcuate configuration with respect to each other. Turning to FIG. 5, each guiding portion 92 and 94 is formed of two opposite and arcuate walls 96 and 98. Fingers 66, 68, 72 and 74 have opposite sides 100 and 102 (only the opposite sides of fingers 72 and 74 are shown here). The sides 100 and 102 of a top finger 72 slide respectively slide along arcuate walls 986 and 98 of sub-slot 82. The sides 100 and 102 of a The sub-slot 62 comprises a supporting portion 104 for resting a top finger 66 or 72 thereon when the shelf is in the unfolded displaying position B. Consequently, the other finger 68 or 74 will abut a stopper 106 formed by guiding portion 84.
When the shelf 60 is in the upstanding or folded position A, the top and bottom fingers 64 and 66 or 72 and 74 and within groove 88 and are secured in position between wails 88 and 90.
When unfolding the shelf 60 the user lifts the shelf 60 upwardly, as shown by arrow C, away from co-linear grooves 86 by way of a handle for example (such as handle 19 on shelf 18 shown in FIG. 1) and guides it forward simultaneously along arcuate guiding portions 94 and 96. When the shelf 60 is in the unfolded displaying position B. The top finger 66 or 72 is then rested on supporting shoulder 104 while the bottom finger 88 or 74 abuts the stopper shoulder 106.
It should be noted that guiding slot 80 may provide a plurality of sub-slots within the context of the present invention. Consequently, the guide protrusion 62 may provide a plurality of complementary fingers. The fingers of the present invention may be provided in a variety of suitable configurations and sizes as well as be made in a variety of materials within the context of the present invention and as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan.
FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows a post member 108 of the frame of the invention having a “butterfly-type” guide slot 110.
The shelf 112 is shown having a protrusion 114 in the form of a flat bar or fiat tab-like fin member.
Similarly to the embodiments described above, fin members 114 slide along guide slots 110 so as to move shelf 112 from the above mentioned upstanding or folded position A when not in use, to the above mentioned unfolded displaying position B as will be described below.
The “butterfly-type” guide slots 110 include: a resting portion 116 in the form of a groove defined by opposite resting walls 118 and 120; a guiding “butterfly” portion 122 having opposite arcuate guide walls 124 and 126; and a supporting-portion 128 in the form of a shoulder.
When the shelf 112 is in the upstanding or folded position A, the fin member 114 rests within groove 116 and is locked in position between walls 118 and 120.
When unfolding the shelf 112 the user lifts the shelf 112 upwardly, as shown by arrow C, from slot 116 by way of a handle and guides it forward along guiding “butterfly” portion 122. The top side 130 of fin 114 is guided along guide wall 124 while the bottom side 132 of fin 114 is guided along guide wall 126. The fin 114 is then rested on shoulder 128 when the shelf 112 is in the unfolded displaying position B.
Of course protrusion 114 can be constructed in a variety of suitable configurations and made of a variety of materials as can be understood by one having skill in the art.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foldable shelf assembly comprising:

a shelf comprising first and second lateral sides, each said first and second lateral sides comprising respective guide protrusions; and

a frame for mounting said shelf thereto, said frame comprising first and second side-surfaces, each said first and second side-surfaces comprising guide slats configured and sized to releasably receive and guide said guide protrusions when said shelf is mounted to said frame;

wherein, when said shelf is mounted to said frame, said shelf is moveable between folded and unfolded displaying positions via said protrusions sliding along said slots.

2. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein said guide protrusion comprises an arcuate configuration and said guide slot comprising complementary arcuate configuration.

3. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 2, wherein said guide protrusions comprise bottom ends, said guide slots comprising complementary bottom ends for releasably looking with said guide protrusion bottom ends when said shelf is in said folded position.

4. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 2, wherein said guide protrusions comprise top ends, said guide slots comprises complementary top ends for supporting said guide protrusions when said shelf is in an unfolded displaying position.

5. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 2, wherein said protrusion comprises a curved flat member.

6. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein said protrusion comprises a flat member.

7. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein each said guiding slots comprise:

a resting portion for securely receiving said protrusion when said shelf is in a folded position;

a guiding portion providing for said protrusion to be guided when moving said shelf between said folded and unfolded positions; and

a supporting-portion for supporting said protrusion when said shelf is in an unfolded displaying position.

8. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 7, wherein said resting portion comprises a groove.

9. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 8, wherein said groove defines opposite walls for securing said protrusion therebetween.

10. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 7, wherein said guiding portion comprises opposite arcuate guiding surfaces, said protrusion comprising opposite ends for respectively sliding along said opposite arcuate surfaces.

11. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 7, wherein said supporting-portion comprises a shoulder.

12. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein said protrusion comprises two fingers, said guiding slot comprising two sub-slots, each sub-slot being configured to guide a respective said finger of the same said protrusion.

13. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 12, wherein said fingers are co-linear with respect to one another and said sub-slots are co-linear with respect to one another.

14. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 12, wherein one said finger is a top finger and the other said finger is a bottom finger and wherein one said sub-slot is a top sub-slot and the other said sub-slot is a bottom said sub-slot.

15. A foldable shelf according to claim 12, wherein each said sub-slot comprises:

a resting portion for securely receiving a respective said finger when said shelf is in a folded position;

a guiding portion providing for a respective said finger to be guided when moving said shelf between said folded and unfolded displaying positions.

16. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 15, wherein one of said two sub-slots comprises a supporting-portion for supporting one said finger when said shelf is in an unfolded displaying position.

17. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 15, wherein said other of said two sub-slots comprises a stopper for stopping another said finger when shelf is in an unfolded displaying position.

18. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 15, wherein said resting portion comprises a groove.

19. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 18, wherein said groove defines opposite walls for securing a given said finger therebetween.

20. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 18, wherein said grooves of said two sub-slots are co-linear.

21. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 15, wherein said guiding portion comprises opposite arcuate guiding surfaces, a given said finger comprising opposite sides for respectively sliding along said opposite arcuate surfaces.

22. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 21, wherein said two sub-slots comprise respective oppositely configured arcuate portions.

23. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 12, wherein said protrusion comprises a flat member forming two fingers at a free end thereof.

24. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 12, wherein said protrusion comprises two independent fingers mounted to a given said side surface.

25. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein said shelf comprises an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, said shelf further comprising a handle on said outer surface.

26. A foldable shelf assembly comprising:

a plurality of shelves, each said shelf comprising first and second lateral sides, each said first and second lateral sides comprising respective guide protrusions; and

a frame for mounting said shelves thereto in a side to side disposition, said frame comprising a plurality of first and second adjacent side-surfaces, each pair of adjacent said first and second side surfaces comprising guide slats configured and sized to releasably receive and guide said guide protrusions of a given said shelf when mounted to said frame;

wherein, when a given said shelf is mounted to said frame, said shelf is moveable between folded and unfolded displaying positions via said protrusions sliding along said slats.

27. A foldable shelf assembly according to claim 26, wherein said frame defines opposite mounting faces, said shelves being mountable to said opposite mounting frame.

28. A shelf for mounting to a frame comprising first and second side-surfaces, each said first and second side-surfaces comprising guide slots, said shelf comprising:

first and second lateral sides, each said first and second lateral sides comprising respective guide protrusions for releasably mounting to respective guide slots

wherein, when said shelf is mounted to the frame, said shelf member is moveable between folded and unfolded displaying positions via said protrusions sliding along said slots.

29. A shelf according to claim 28, wherein each said guide protrusion comprises an arcuate configuration.

30. A shelf according to clam 29, wherein said protrusion comprises a curves fiat member.

31. A shelf according to claim 29, wherein said protrusion comprises a flat member

32. A shelf according to claim 27, wherein said protrusion comprises two fingers.

33. A shelf according to claim 32, wherein said protrusion comprises a flat member forming two fingers at a free end thereof.

34. A shelf according to claim 32, wherein said protrusion comprises two independent fingers mounted to a given said side surface.