US20070090243A1 - Shelf shipping clip - Google Patents
Shelf shipping clip Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070090243A1 US20070090243A1 US11/431,478 US43147806A US2007090243A1 US 20070090243 A1 US20070090243 A1 US 20070090243A1 US 43147806 A US43147806 A US 43147806A US 2007090243 A1 US2007090243 A1 US 2007090243A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shelf
- cabinet
- shipping
- clip
- shipping clip
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
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
- A47B96/00—Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
- A47B96/06—Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves
- A47B96/068—Very short brackets, quickly attachable or detachable to a vertical support surface
Landscapes
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
Abstract
A shipping clip is configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base. The shipping clip includes a main beam having first and second side, and a biasing tab outwardly extending from the first side at an angle. The biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the shelf to compressively secure the shelf within the cabinet during shipping.
Description
- This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/726,358 entitled “Shelf Shipping Clip,” filed Oct. 13, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to shipping clips, and more particularly to shipping clips for shelves.
- Various cabinets and bookcases include a plurality of shelves that may be secured within the cabinets and bookcases through a plurality of pins.
FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of aconventional shelf pin 10 secured within acabinet wall 12. Theshelf pin 10 includes a post or tab (not shown) removably secured within a reciprocal securing opening (not shown) within thecabinet wall 12. Ashelf support beam 14 having aflat surface 16 extends outwardly from thecabinet wall 12. Typically, twoshelf pins 10 are spaced apart from one another on acabinet wall 12. Further, eachlateral cabinet wall 12 may include two spaced apartshelf pins 10 secured therein. Thus, a shelf may be supported by fourcoplanar shelf pins 10. - After a cabinet, for example, is manufactured, it is shipped to a distributor, retailer, or customer. Because the shelves may not be permanently secured within the cabinet, the manufacturer typically ensures that the shelves are safely shipped. For example, the cabinet and shelves may be separately shipped so that the shelves do not shift about the cabinet during shipping. However, separately shipping the shelves and cabinet increases the costs of shipping, because two separate packing assemblies are shipped. In order to minimize shipping costs, some cabinets are shipped with the shelves temporarily secured therein.
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FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of ashelf 18 secured between aconventional shipping clip 20 and theshelf pin 10. As shown inFIG. 2 , theshelf pin 10 is secured to thecabinet wall 12 and supports theshelf 18. Theshipping clip 20 includes a triangularmain body 22, with anupper apex 24 having a securing post (not shown) secured within a securing hole (not shown) of thecabinet wall 12. Abase 26 of themain body 22 is biased into theshelf 18. Thus, theshelf 18 is secured between theshelf pin 10 and theshipping clip 20. The cabinet may then be shipped with theshelves 18 secured therein. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of theshipping clip 20. As shown inFIG. 3 , theapex 24 of the triangularmain body 22 is secured to thecabinet wall 12, while thebase 26 is biased into the top surface of theshelf 18. Thus, theshipping clip 20 and the shelf pin (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 ) cooperate to secure theshelf 18 in place during shipping, thereby preventing the shelf from moving within the cabinet. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of ashipping clip 30. Theshipping clip 30 includes a triangularmain body 32 with apost 34 removably secured within a securinghole 36 formed through thecabinet wall 12. As shown inFIG. 4 , theshipping clip 30 is longer than theshipping clip 20. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , theshipping clips FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In order to securemultiple shelves 18, eachshelf 18 is secured between one set ofshipping clips shelf pins 10. For example, in order to secure twoshelves 18 during shipping, fourshelf pins 10 and fourshipping clips first shelf 18, while fouradditional shelf pins 10 and fouradditional shipping clips second shelf 18. Further, while the clips and pins minimize vertical shifting of the shelves, theshelves 18 may slide, rattle, or otherwise move laterally during shipping. As such, theshelves 18 and cabinet walls may be susceptible to scratching or other such damage during shipping. - Thus, a need exists for a shipping clip capable of securing a plurality of shelves during shipping. Additionally, a need exists for a shipping clip that prevents the shelves from banging into cabinet walls during shipping.
- Certain Embodiments of the present invention provide a shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base. The shipping clip may include a beam having a shelf side and a cabinet-abutting side, and a resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section of said shelf side at an angle. The biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping.
- The biasing tab may include an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein the blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
- The shipping clip may also include a cabinet securing post extending from the cabinet-abutting side, wherein the cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.
- Additionally, a grasping handle may extend from an upper portion of the shelf side. The grasping handle may include a fin extending from the shelf side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to the fin.
- Further, a shelf-stabilizing ramp may extend from the shelf side below the biasing tab. The shelf-stabilizing ramp may be configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
- A shim may extend from the beam and be configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet. The shim is configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional shelf pin secured within a cabinet wall. -
FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf secured between a conventional shipping clip and shelf pin. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip. -
FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of a shipping clip securing a plurality of shelves within a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a shipping clip securing a plurality of shelves within a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. - Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
-
FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of ashipping clip 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theshipping clip 40 may be formed of various materials, such as rubber, or plastic. Theshipping clip 40 includes amain beam 42 having acabinet securing post 44 extending from a wall-abuttingside 46. Thecabinet securing post 44 is configured to be retained within a securing hole (not shown inFIG. 5 ) within a cabinet wall (not shown inFIG. 5 ). - A
handle 48 extends from a shelf side 50 (which is opposite the wall-abutting side), and proximate the top of themain beam 42. That is, thehandle 48 and thepost 44 extend fromopposite sides main beam 42. Thehandle 48 may include avertical fin 52 extending outwardly from theside 50. Thevertical fin 52 may be integrally formed with acylindrical post 54. Thevertical fin 52 and thecylindrical post 54 may be ergonomically configured to allow easy grasping of thehandle 48. For example, thecylindrical post 54 acts as a barrier that prevents fingers from sliding off thehandle 48 in the direction of arrow A. - Proximate a mid-section 55 of the
main beam 42, aresilient biasing tab 56 extends outwardly from theside 50 at an angle 0. The biasingtab 56 includesextension beam 58 integrally formed with a rounded, or blunted shelf-abuttingend 60, that is distally located from themain beam 42. As shown inFIG. 5 , the shelf-abuttingend 60 is a turned up end of theextension beam 58. The biasingtab 56 may be spring-biased. - A shelf-stabilizing
ramp 62 extends from theside 50 of themain beam 42 below the biasingtab 56. Theramp 62 includes alower surface 64 that extends perpendicularly from theside 50 of themain beam 50. Thelower surface 64 is integrally connected to a rampedsurface 66 that extends toward themidsection 55 of themain beam 42. - The lower portion of the
main beam 42 terminates in ashim 68 that extends below theramp 62. Theshim 68 is configured to be positioned between a cabinet wall (not shown inFIG. 5 ) and lateral portions of shelves (not shown inFIG. 5 ). -
FIG. 6 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of theshipping clip 40 securing a plurality ofshelves 70 within acabinet 72 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theshelves 70 are positioned on top of abase 74 of thecabinet 72. As shown inFIG. 6 , twoshelves 70 are stacked on top of thebase 74. - The
shipping clip 40 is secured into thecabinet wall 76. That is, thepost 44 is secured within areciprocal opening 78 formed in thecabinet wall 76. - The
shim 68 of theshipping clip 40 is positioned between theshelves 70 and thecabinet wall 76. Theshim 68 provides a barrier between theshelves 70 and thecabinet wall 76 that prevents lateral shifting of theshelves 70 within thecabinet 72. Thus, theshelves 70 andcabinet walls 76 are protected against scratching or other damage that may be caused by theshelves 70 banging into thecabinet walls 76 during shipping. - The
lower surface 64 of theramp 62 is positioned over a top edge of thetop shelf 70, while theshim 68 may overlay a lateral surface of thetop shelf 70. Theramp 62 and theshim 68 may cooperate to secure theshelves 70 from vertical and lateral shifting. - The shelf-abutting
end 60 of the biasingclip 56 exerts a force into the top surface of thetop shelf 70. The force exerted by the biasingclip 56 into the top shelf compresses theshelves 70 into thebase 74 of the cabinet, thereby restricting movement of theshelves 70. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , theshipping clip 40, or a plurality of shipping clips 40, may be used to secure a plurality ofshelves 70 within thecabinet 72 during shipping. For example, two or fourshipping clips 40 may be used to secure a plurality ofshelves 70 within thecabinet 72. While twoshelves 70 are shown inFIG. 6 , theshipping clip 40 may be configured to secure more orless shelves 70 than those shown. Also, shelf pins do not have to be used in order to secure theshelves 70. Optionally, shelf pins may be used to secure the shelves away from thebase 74. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of the shipping clips 40 securing a plurality ofshelves 70 within thecabinet 72 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7 , theshelves 70 are supported by a plurality of shelf pins 80. Theshelves 70 are securely retained between the shelf pins 80 and the shipping clips 40. While fourshelves 70 are shown secured between the shelf pins 80 and the shipping clips 40, the shipping clips 40 may be configured to secure more orless shelves 70 than those shown within thecabinet 72 during shipping. - Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a shipping clip capable of securing a plurality of shelves during shipping. As shown in
FIG. 6 , a plurality of shipping clips may be used to secure a plurality of shelves against a base of a cabinet. For example; four horizontally aligned shipping clips may be used to secure a plurality of shelves within the cabinet. Further, as shown inFIG. 7 , a plurality shelves may be secured between a plurality of shipping clips and a plurality of shelf pins. For example, four horizontally-aligned shipping clips and four coplanar shelf pins may be used to secure a plurality of shelves therebetween. - Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide a shipping clip that prevents shelves from banging into the cabinet walls during shipping. The shims and ramps of the shipping clips act as barriers that minimize the shelves from shifting during shipping.
- While various spatial terms, such as upper, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like are used to describe portions of the shipping clip with respect to a cabinet, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
- Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
- Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising:
a main beam having first and second sides; and
a biasing tab outwardly extending from said first side, wherein said biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping.
2. The shipping clip of claim 1 , wherein said biasing tab is spring-biased.
3. The shipping clip of claim 1 , wherein said biasing tab comprises an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
4. The shipping clip of claim 1 , further comprising a cabinet securing post extending from said second side, wherein said cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.
5. The shipping clip of claim 1 , further comprising a grasping handle extending from said first side, wherein said grasping handle comprises a fin extending from said first side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin.
6. The shipping clip of claim 1 , further comprising a shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said first side, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
7. The shipping clip of claim 1 , wherein said main beam further comprises a shim configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet.
8. The shipping clip of claim 1 , wherein the at least one shelf comprises a plurality of shelves.
9. The shipping clip of claim 1 , wherein the shipping clip is configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the base of the cabinet.
10. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising:
a beam having a shelf side and a cabinet-abutting side; and
a resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section of said shelf side at an angle, wherein said biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping.
11. The shipping clip of claim 10 , wherein said biasing tab is spring-biased.
12. The shipping clip of claim 10 , wherein said biasing tab comprises an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
13. The shipping clip of claim 10 , further comprising a cabinet securing post extending from said cabinet-abutting side, wherein said cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.
14. The shipping clip of claim 10 , further comprising a grasping handle extending from an upper portion of said shelf side, wherein said grasping handle comprises a fin extending from said shelf side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin.
15. The shipping clip of claim 10 , further comprising a shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said shelf side below said biasing tab, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
16. The shipping clip of claim 10 , wherein said beam further comprises a shim configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet.
17. The shipping clip of claim 10 , wherein the at least one shelf comprises a plurality of shelves.
18. The shipping clip of claim 10 , wherein the shipping clip is configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the base of the cabinet.
19. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising:
a beam having a shelf side, a cabinet-abutting side, and a shim configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet;
a cabinet securing post extending from said cabinet-abutting side, wherein said cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet;
a grasping handle extending from an upper portion of said shelf side, wherein said grasping handle comprises a fin extending from said shelf side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin;
a resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section of said shelf side at an angle, wherein said biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping, said biasing tab comprising an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf; and
a shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said shelf side below said biasing tab, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
20. The shipping clip of claim 10 , wherein the at least one shelf comprises a plurality of shelves, and wherein the shipping clip is configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the base of the cabinet.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/431,478 US20070090243A1 (en) | 2005-10-13 | 2006-05-10 | Shelf shipping clip |
CA002558809A CA2558809A1 (en) | 2005-10-13 | 2006-09-05 | Shelf shipping clip |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US72635805P | 2005-10-13 | 2005-10-13 | |
US11/431,478 US20070090243A1 (en) | 2005-10-13 | 2006-05-10 | Shelf shipping clip |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070090243A1 true US20070090243A1 (en) | 2007-04-26 |
Family
ID=37913476
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/431,478 Abandoned US20070090243A1 (en) | 2005-10-13 | 2006-05-10 | Shelf shipping clip |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070090243A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2558809A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2667131A3 (en) * | 2012-05-23 | 2016-02-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Refrigerator |
ES2628551A1 (en) * | 2015-11-20 | 2017-08-03 | Bsh Electrodomésticos España, S.A. | Domestic refrigerator apparatus with an assembly element for transportation (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US9989303B1 (en) * | 2016-12-01 | 2018-06-05 | Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh | Refrigeration device comprising a transport securing element |
US20220079342A1 (en) * | 2020-09-15 | 2022-03-17 | Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc. | Shelf support with centering feature |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4819901A (en) * | 1988-06-27 | 1989-04-11 | P. X. Industries, Inc. | Metal shelf lock |
US4856746A (en) * | 1988-10-24 | 1989-08-15 | Lsi Corporation Of America, Inc. | Interchangeable shelf support bracket |
US5080311A (en) * | 1989-07-05 | 1992-01-14 | Engstrom Hartley A | Self-adjusting/locking shelf bracket |
US6554236B2 (en) * | 2001-05-14 | 2003-04-29 | Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc. | Reinforced locking shelf support |
-
2006
- 2006-05-10 US US11/431,478 patent/US20070090243A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-09-05 CA CA002558809A patent/CA2558809A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4819901A (en) * | 1988-06-27 | 1989-04-11 | P. X. Industries, Inc. | Metal shelf lock |
US4856746A (en) * | 1988-10-24 | 1989-08-15 | Lsi Corporation Of America, Inc. | Interchangeable shelf support bracket |
US5080311A (en) * | 1989-07-05 | 1992-01-14 | Engstrom Hartley A | Self-adjusting/locking shelf bracket |
US6554236B2 (en) * | 2001-05-14 | 2003-04-29 | Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc. | Reinforced locking shelf support |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2667131A3 (en) * | 2012-05-23 | 2016-02-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Refrigerator |
US9534832B2 (en) | 2012-05-23 | 2017-01-03 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
ES2628551A1 (en) * | 2015-11-20 | 2017-08-03 | Bsh Electrodomésticos España, S.A. | Domestic refrigerator apparatus with an assembly element for transportation (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US9989303B1 (en) * | 2016-12-01 | 2018-06-05 | Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh | Refrigeration device comprising a transport securing element |
US20220079342A1 (en) * | 2020-09-15 | 2022-03-17 | Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc. | Shelf support with centering feature |
US11707133B2 (en) * | 2020-09-15 | 2023-07-25 | Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc. | Shelf support with centering feature |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2558809A1 (en) | 2007-04-13 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC, ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DOWNING, MARK;REEL/FRAME:017684/0762 Effective date: 20060508 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |