US20080185356A1

US20080185356A1 - Shelf system and shelf support element

Info

Publication number: US20080185356A1
Application number: US11/702,762
Authority: US
Inventors: Johan Orbeck Aase
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-06
Filing date: 2007-02-06
Publication date: 2008-08-07

Abstract

The present invention concerns a shelf system comprising two or more vertical support elements (1) with upper and lower contact surfaces (3,4), fitted between two or more shelf elements (20), each vertical support element (1) comprising a cross support member (10) and a longitudinal support member (11) which are connected together, wherein each vertical support element (1) comprises two or more vertical protruding stoppers (13,14) on both the upper and lower contact surfaces (3, 4); said stoppers (13, 14) on each upper and lower contact surface (3, 4) abut the fitted shelf element (20) on opposite vertical longitudinal edges of said shelf element; said cross support member (10) and said longitudinal support member (11) are connected in an angled relationship. The invention also concerns a vertical support element.

Description

The present invention concerns a shelf system comprising only two basic components; shelf plates and non-fixed vertical shelf supports, which may slide freely along the shelf plates and thereby be positioned freely in order to adapt the shelf supports to the width of books and other objects placed in the shelf. The user may assemble the components in small to large shelf formations exactly according to his or hers needs. The invention also concerns a shelf support element for such a shelf system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most shelf systems consist of horizontal shelf plates, stiffening back plates, and vertical support elements, which also may function as side supports or book supports, wherein these elements are fasted by screws or in other manner fixed to a predefined position or composition. When the shelf system is to be filled, most user have experienced that a series of books or a collection of books will almost fit between the vertical support elements of the shelf system, while 1 to 3 books end up on the other side of the support element, alternatively, that a world atlas may neither may be stacked standing vertically nor lying horizontally in the shelf.
From JP 03158106 a shelf system is known with vertical support elements comprising two perpendicular vertical elements provided with pegs that may slide in grooves in the shelves in the length direction. This system relies on milled grooves that will be visible for the user, into which the pegged vertical support elements must be thread. In order to rearrange the shelf system, each influenced element must be carefully withdrawn.
By using the shelf system described in the present application, a more complete flexibility is obtained. The user may decide for him or her shelf where the vertical support elements are to be placed and may thereby obtain enough space for the complete series of books within these support elements without the use of fastening means such as screws or grooves and pegs. Space for all the children's games may for example be provided as the vertical support element may slide in order to fit exactly. If a wider game box is obtained at a later time, the vertical support element may easily be moved sideways in order to provide space for the new game. If heavy objects are placed on the shelves, this may be compensated by positioning the vertical support elements with less space in between or by additional elements in order to prevent the shelf from bending. If it is desired to use the shelf system as a room divider or a partition, the vertical support elements may be turned around, back to front, so that the shelf system is accessible from both sides, or provide blocking to hide certain objects or prevent to prevent them from falling out on one side of the shelf.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The shelf system comprises horizontal shelf plates and vertical support elements. The latter is sufficiently reinforced or stiffened and is structurally load-bearing in that they are formed as angled L-shapes, V-shapes or alternatively T-shapes. In this manner the vertical support plates also make up a side and back support for the books or objects placed on a shelf. One shelf height is composed by placing one shelf plate in the base, then placing two or more vertical support elements on top, and further placing another shelf plate on top of the vertical support elements again. If several shelves are desired, the user may continue by placing two or more vertical support elements and a shelf every other time and finally a shelf on top.
The vertical support elements are designed with parallel horizontal support surfaces towards the shelves, while extending stoppers protrude past the front and back side of the shelf make up an edge or a lip on each longitudinal side of the shelves, like train wheels on a track. This ensures that the vertical support elements may only slide in the length direction of to the shelf plates and thereby do not “derail”. The vertical support elements may be placed in four different manners, right and left sided, and both toward the front or the back of the shelf. In total this provides the user with a unique possibility to assemble the elements adapted to his or her specific needs. If the needs change, the elements may easily be rearranged or the system may be expanded in order to satisfy new requirements. For every height of shelves that is filled, the weight will lead to an increase in stability of the shelf system.
As the system comprises only two basic components which in addition may be stacked in a compact manner during storage, a very cost efficient production and manner of transport is provided.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a shelf according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the shelf support element according to the present invention used in FIG. 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a shelf according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the shelf support element according to the present invention used in FIG. 3 in detail.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a shelf according to the present invention.

The invention will now be further described by the use of examples of embodiments, none of which are limiting to the scope of the invention. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be performed without leaving the scope and spirit of the present invention, which is only limited by the appended claims.

EMBODIMENTS

In the following description the term “cross” or “crosswise” or “cross direction” is meant to be understood as the direction essentially perpendicular to the length or width of a normal shelf, i.e. the shortest horizontal dimension of a conventional shelf. Further, by the term “length” or “lengthwise” or “length direction” is meant the direction of the length or width of a normal shelf, i.e. the longest horizontal dimension of a conventional shelf.
In FIG. 1, a basic unit of the shelf system according to the invention is shown, comprising two shelf plates 20 and two vertical support elements 1. As apparent from the drawing the support elements 1 may be positioned towards the front or back of the shelf system.
As shown in FIG. 2 the shelf support element 1 in this embodiment is in the form of an L-formed element comprising a cross member 10, and a length member 11, both of a certain length which may be equal or different from each other. The cross and length members 10, 11 are connected in first ends in an angled relationship, such as in a connecting bend which may bulge out of the traditional angle of an L-shape. The angle relationship is not essential, but may preferably be within the range of 45-135°, more preferably about 90° in the present embodiment. Both members 10, 11 have free second ends.
The cross member 10 and length member 11 both comprise an upper and lower support surface 3, 4 respectively, which surfaces are intended to receive a bottom surface and a top surface of a shelf element 20 respectively. Further, the cross member 10 comprises two or more vertical protrusions or stoppers 13, 14. The stoppers
The support surface 3 is in this embodiment positioned in the middle horizontal part of the vertical support element 1 and the stoppers 13, 14 at the distal ends of the element. The stoppers are intended to contact the vertical edge of the fitted shelf elements 20 to which the vertical support element is mounted. The stoppers 13, 14 thus locks the cross member in the cross direction of the shelf system in relation to the shelf elements 20, but allows for lengthwise adjustment of the vertical support element 1 in relation to the shelf elements 20 as described above.
It should be understood that the support surface 3 need not consist of an entire continuous surface in order to support a shelf element 20, but may comprise only two points of support in order to balance and support the shelf in the cross dimension in this embodiment. The points of support may e.g. be pegs, spacers or protrusions of a height not exceeding the height of the stoppers.
The length member 11, intended to be positioned in the length direction of the shelf system, comprises a support surface 4 and a vertical protrusion or stopper 14 on both upper and lower part of said piece, the stopper 14 being positioned at the first end. The stopper is intended to contact a vertical edge of the fitted shelf elements 20 to which the vertical support element 1 is mounted. The stopper 14 provides additional locking against twisting of the vertical support element 1 while allowing lengthwise adjustment of the vertical support element 1 in relation to the shelf elements 20 as described above.
The stopper 14 of the length member 11, may be the same stopper 14 as that of the cross member 10, as shown in FIG. 2. Similarly to the cross member 10, the support surface 4 of the length member 11 need not consist of an entire continuous surface in order to support a shelf element 20, but may comprise only one point of support in order to balance and support the shelf in this embodiment when the cross member 10 provides two or more points of support, provided not all three points are in a linear relationship.
Each vertical support element 1 thereby provides at least a total of three support points for the shelf elements 20, all tree points locked in the cross direction of the shelf system by the stoppers 13, 14 grasping over the horizontal edges of the shelf elements 20. Alternatively, the length member 11 may comprise two support points and the cross member 10 only the one support point in order to achieve the same stability and support, provided not all three points are in a linear relationship.
The vertical support element 1 may be produced in any suitable material, preferably chosen from: wood, laminated wood, paper board, plastic, metal or a composite material, more preferably wood, laminated wood or plastic.
In FIG. 3 and alternative basic unit of a shelf system according to the invention is shown, comprising two shelf plates 20 and two vertical support elements 30. As apparent from the drawing the support elements 30 may also here be positioned towards the front or back of the shelf system.
As shown in FIG. 4 the vertical support element 30 comprises a cross member 31 and a length member 32. The cross member 31, comprises a support surface 33 and a vertical protrusions or stoppers 35 on both upper and lower free ends. The support surface 33, which may be the edge of e.g. a metal plate, covers the remaining horizontal edge of the member, and the second stopper is provided on the length member 32 as a continuous stopper 36 running along the horizontal edge of the length piece on the outer part of a support surface 34. The stoppers 35, 36 thus also locks the vertical support element 30 in the cross direction of the shelf system in relation to the shelf elements 20, but allows for lengthwise adjustment of the vertical support element 30 in relation to the shelf elements 20 as described above. The continuous contact length of the stopper 36 also provides additional locking against horizontal twisting of the vertical support element 30.
Similar to the support surfaces 3 and 4 of cross member 10 and length member 11 respectively, the support surfaces 33 and 34 of the support element 30 may contain only tree points of support in order to provide sufficient stability and support, provided not all three points are in a linear relationship.
The vertical support element 31 may be produced in any suitable material, preferably chosen from: wood, paper board, plastic, metal, metal sheet or a composite material, more preferably metal sheet.
It should be understood that the vertical support elements 1 and 31 only need two stoppers on each top and bottom side in order to hinder crosswise movement. The third stopper, or alternatively the second stopper is in the form of a surface parallel with the shelf element, only provides additional locking against horizontal rotation of the support element and is not imperative.
In FIG. 5, an alternative composition of the shelf system according to the invention is shown, wherein vertical support elements 1, as shown in FIG. 2, are used to construct a more complex composition. The shelf system in this embodiment comprises four shelf plates 22 with three separating vertical support elements 1 in each story in varying horizontal length positions and facing forward or backwards in a random fashion.

Claims

1. A shelf system comprising two or more vertical support elements (1) with upper and lower contact surfaces (3,4), fitted between two or more shelf elements (20), each vertical support element (1) comprising a cross support member (10) and a longitudinal support member (11) which are connected together,

characterized in that

each vertical support element (1) comprises two or more vertical protruding stoppers (13,14) on both the upper and lower contact surfaces (3, 4);

said stoppers (13, 14) on each upper and lower contact surface (3, 4) abut the fitted shelf element (20) on opposite vertical longitudinal edges of said shelf element;

said cross support member (10) and said longitudinal support member (11) are connected in an angled relationship.

2. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the vertical support elements (1) are identical.

3. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the angled relation ship between the cross support member (10) and longitudinal support member (11) is in the range of about 45° to about 135°.

4. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the angled relation ship between the cross support member (10) and longitudinal support member (11) is perpendicular.

5. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface (3, 4) of the vertical support element (2) comprises totally three points of contact with the fitted shelf (2), said three points of contact being positioned in a non-linear relationship.

6. A shelf system according to claim 5, wherein the contact surface (3,4) of the cross support member (10) comprises 1 point of contact and the contact surface (3,4) of the longitudinal support member (11) comprises 2 points of contact with the fitted shelves on both bottom and top edge.

7. A shelf system according to claim 5, wherein the contact surface (3,4) of the cross support member (10) comprises 2 points of contact and the contact surface (3,4) of the longitudinal support member (11) comprises 1 point of contact with the fitted shelves (2) on both bottom and top edge.

8. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein each vertical support element (2) comprises three stoppers (13, 14) on both upper and lower contact surfaces (3,4), one stopper (13) contacting a vertical longitudinal edge of the shelf element (2) and the remaining two edge stoppers (14) contacting the opposite vertical longitudinal edge of the shelf element (2).

9. A shelf system according to claim 8, wherein said two stoppers (36) comprise a continuous vertical stopping surface in the length direction.

10. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the stoppers are chosen from the group comprising: pegs, pins, protrusions or felt buttons.

11. A shelf system according to claim 8, wherein one stopper (13) is positioned on the cross support member (10) and two edges stoppers (14) are positioned on the longitudinal support member (11).

12. A shelf system according to claim 9, wherein one stopper (35) is positioned on the cross support member (31) and the continuous vertical stopping surface is positioned on the outer side of the support surface (34).

13. A vertical support elements (1) for a shelf comprising upper and lower contact surfaces (3,4), for receiving a shelf plate (20), comprising a cross support member (10) and a longitudinal support member (11) which are connected together,

characterized in that the vertical support element comprising:

two or more vertical protruding stoppers (13,14) on both the upper and lower contact surfaces (3, 4);

one of said two or more stoppers (13, 14) positioned on opposite cross ends of the vertical support element of another stopper (13, 14):

wherein said cross support member (10) and said longitudinal support member (11) are connected in an angled relationship.

14. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 13, wherein the angled relation ship between the cross support member (10) and longitudinal support member (11) is in the range of about 45° to about 135°.

15. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 13, wherein the angled relation ship between the cross support member (10) and longitudinal support member (11) is perpendicular.

16. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 13, wherein the contact surface (3, 4) of the vertical support element (2) comprises totally three points of contact with the fitted shelf (2), said three points of contact being positioned in a non-linear relationship.

17. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 13, wherein the contact surface (3,4) of the cross support member (10) comprises 1 point of contact and the contact surface (3,4) of the longitudinal support member (11) comprises 2 points of contact suitable to contact fitted shelves on both bottom and top edge.

18. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 17, wherein the contact surface (3,4) of the cross support member (10) comprises 2 points of contact and the contact surface (3,4) of the longitudinal support member (11) comprises 1 point of contact suitable to contact fitted shelves (2) on both bottom and top edge.

19. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 13, wherein each vertical support element (2) comprises three stoppers (13, 14) on both upper and lower contact surfaces (3,4).

20. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 19, wherein said stoppers (36) comprise a continuous vertical stopping surface in the length direction.

21. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 13, wherein the stoppers are chosen from the group comprising: pegs, pins, protrusions or felt buttons.

22. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 21, wherein one stopper (13) is positioned on the cross support member (10) and two edges stoppers (14) are positioned on the longitudinal support member (11).

23. A vertical support elements (1) according to claim 22, wherein one stopper (35) is positioned on the cross support member (31) and the continuous vertical stopping surface is positioned on the outer side of the support surface (34).