US2519880A

US2519880A - Adjustable rotatable shelf

Info

Publication number: US2519880A
Application number: US755509A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin H Boddy
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1947-06-18
Filing date: 1947-06-18
Publication date: 1950-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1967-08-22

Description

Aug. 22, 1950 E. H. BoDDY ADJUSTABLE ROTATABLE SHELF Filed June 18, 1947 invern-tow Edwin H. Boddg,

www Z. @LA

l-Hs ttorne.

atentecl ug. *22, 1950 UNITED ADJUSTABLE ROTA'TABLE SHELF Edwin H. Bodily, Erie, Pa., assigner to lGeneral Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application .lune 18, 1947, Serial No. 355,5ii9

(lCl. 21h-14S) 1i() Claims. 1

My invention relates to shelves and more particularly to rotatable shelves having provision for the adjustment of the height thereof.

To increase the accessibility of the contents of a cabinet it is sometimes desirable to provide shelves of the rotatable type. For example, in cabinets having generally round interiors several circular shelves are sometimes arranged along a central shaft and provision is made for the rotation of the shelves. In order to provide adaptability for accommodating articles of various sizes and heights, it is desirable to make one or more of the shelves adjustable so that the spacing between shelves can be varied.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a rotatable shelf assembly including an improved arrangement for adjusting the height of one or more of the shelves.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a sectional elevation View partly broken away of a portion of a shelf assembly; Fig. 2 is a view partly broken away taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the shelf assembly; and Fig. 5 is a View taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. l.

Briefly, the shelf assembly includes a rotatable shaft and one or more shelves, the assembly being arranged to rotate as a unit when any one of the shelves is turned. Through the manipulation of a readily accessible arm, rotation of a shelf is also utilized to accomplish adjustment of the height of the shelf.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a rod I is provided for positioning the shelf assembly centrally within a cabinet. The bottom wall 2 of the cabinet includes a raised portion 3, and an inverted cup` member i is secured to this raised portion by bolts 5 and nuts t or other suitable fastening devices. The rod l is provided with a threaded end 'I and is secured to the cup member 4 by a nut 8 which is in threaded engagement with the end of the rod. A similar arrangement (not shown) is provided for positioning the upper end of the rod I within the cabinet.

A hollow shaft 9 is arranged concentrically with respect to the rod I. The shaft is mounted for rotation about the rod I as an axis, and ball bearings Ill, only one of which is shown in the figure, are provided at the top and bottom to facilitate the free rotation of the shaft.

A shelf Il is slidably mounted on the shaft 9 and is restrained against rotation relative to the shaft so that the turning of the shelf may be utilized to rotate the shelf assembly. Although only one` shelf has been shown in the figure, it will be understood that several shelves may be employed in the assembly. The shaft 9 is of hexagonal cross section, and the shelf II in cludes a hub l2 having a hexagonal opening which fits about the shaft. The hexagonal construction of the shaft and of the hub allows the shelf to move longitudinally along the shaft but prevents any rotation of the shelf relative to the shaft. Although the shaft 9 has been illustrated of hexagonal cross section and the shelf II has been illustrated as utilizing a hub I2 of hexagonal cross section fitting about the shaft, it will be obvious that the shaft 9 and the opening in the hub I2 could be made of any other noncircular cross section so that there is no relative rotation between the shelf and the shaft.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the hub I2 is composed of two complementary disks I3 and Iii. The edges of the disks are overlapped as indicated at l5 and are welded or otherwise suitably bonded to form a unitary assembly. The lower disk lli is provided with a plurality of radially extending rounded depressions IB which, together with semi-circular openings I'I, provided in the rim I8 of the complementary upper disk I3, form circular openings I9. The shelf includes a plurality of radially extending rods or spokes t which are received within the openings I9. A continuous wire 2| is spirally arranged on the spokes 2t t0 provide a grille-like supporting surface. An annular member or ring 22 is secured to the outer extremities of the spokes to assist in maintaining the spokes 2t in their proper relationship, and the ring includes a portion 23 which is raised slightly above the surface of the wire 2| to prevent articles from being accidentally pushed beyond the outer edge of the shelf.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the shelf II is Supported by a sleeve 24 which is concentric with the shaft 9. The sleeve 24 is internally threaded and is arranged to engage a collar or threaded element 25 which is keyed to the shaft 9. Relative rotation between the sleeve andthe collar is utilized to vary the position of the sleeve andi hence to adjust the height of the shelf which is supported thereby. In order to control the relative rotation between the sleeve 24 and the collar 25 an arm or spring handle 25 is secured to the sleeve and is normally resiliently biased into engagement with any selected one of the spokes 20.

Although the collar 25 may be permanently xed to the shaft 9, it is preferably secured by set screws 21 or other suitable keying devices. The set screws engage openings provided in the shaft 9 to restrain the collar against axial movement. Additional openings may be provided in the shaft, if desired, in order that the collar and hence the shelf may be positioned for vertical adjustment at any one of a plurality of locations along the shaft 9. It can be seen that, while the adjustment of the height of the shelf in any one position of the collar is limited to the length of the sleeve, the provision of additional openings will permit the shelf to be adjustably positioned in a number of locations along the shaft, lending greater flexibility to the arrangement.

In order to provide for vertical adjustment of the sleeve and hence of the shelf which is supported thereby, the sleeve is threaded internally and is arranged for engagement with a threaded portion 28 of the collar 25. As can be seen more clearly in Fig. 4, the collar 25 is provided with a hexagonal bore to prevent relative rotation between the shaft and the collar. Any relative rotation between the sleeve 24 and the collar 25 results in a movement of the sleeve along the shaft in a vertical direction and consequently in a changing of the position of the shelf I I. Moreover, since both the collar and the shelf are mounted on the shaft so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween, any relative rotation of the shelf with respect to the sleeve results in a changing of the vertical position of the shelf. In order to prevent such relative rotation as a result of the revolving of the shelf during its normal use, the arm 26 is arranged between the sleeve 24 and one of the spokes 2! of the shelf. The arm is secured to the sleeve 24 by a flanged coupling member 29 which includes a tubular portion 39 surrounding one end of the arm 26. Flanged portions 3l of the coupling member are welded or otherwise suitably bonded to the sleeve 24. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5 the upper surface of the arm 2E is concave in shape so as to engage the circular spokes 20.

The arm is normally biased upwardly in engagement with one of the spokes 2E! by the natural resilience of the material of which the arm is composed. When the arm is in its normal position the shelf, sleeve, collar, and shaft are all locked for simultaneous rot-ation as a unit and the shelf, therefore, rotates in the same horizontal plane without any change in its vertical position. When it is desired to adjust the height of the shelf the arm 26 is manually retracted from engagement with aVv spoke 20 and held stationary while the shelf is rotated. It will be observed that the arm is arranged close to the bottom of the shelf and that it extends substantially to the periphery of the shelf, so that the arm is readily accessible without any disturbance of articles in the space below the shelf. The rotation of the shelf while the arm is held stationary causes a relative rotation between the collar 25 which rotates with the shelf, and the sleeve 24 which is held stationary because of the manual gripping of the arm. Depending on the directtion of rotation of the shelf the sleeve moves either up or down, and the shelf, which is supported by the sleeve, is correspondingly adjusted 4 in height. Thus, if the shelf under these conditions is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top in Fig. 1, the sleeve 24 is moved downwardly and the shelf yassumes a lower position, such as that shown by the dotted lines in this figure.

It can be seen that I have provided a rotatable shelf assembly wherein during normal operation any shelf may be gripped for rotating the shelf assembly to provide access to the articles thereon and wherein, through the manipulation of a readily accessible arm, rotation of any selected shelf may be utilized to effect an adjustment in the height of that shelf.

In lieu of a separate collar 25, the shaft may be provided with suitable threaded portions at proper intervals. Although only one adjustable shelf has been shown, it will be apparent that more than one may be employed in the refrigerator, that not all of the shelves need be made adjustable, and, if desired, to accommodate tall articles, one of the shelves may be made semicircular or pie-shaped.

While I have disclosed a specific embodiment of my invention as applied to a household refrigerator, other applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. I do not, therefore, desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction illustrated and I intend by the appended claims to cover all modications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. An adjustable shelf structure comprising a shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, a shelf slidably mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section cooperating with said shaft, a sleeve arranged in threaded relationship with said shaft and supporting said shelf, and means engaging said sleeve and said shelf to prevent relative rotation between said sleeve and said shaft for maintaining said shelf in one axial position relative to said shaft, said means being disengageable to permit relative rotation between said sleeve and said shaft for varying the axial position of said shelf when said shelf is manually rotated.

2. An adjustable shelf structure comprising a shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, a shelf slidably mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section cooperating with said shaft, a sleeve arranged in threaded relationship with said shaft and supporting said shelf, and an arm fixed to said sleeve and biased into engagement with said shelf for preventing relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve to maintain said shelf in one axial position relative to said shaft, said arm being disengageable from said shelf to permit relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve for adjusting said shelf axially with respect to said shaft when said shelf is manually rotated.

3. An adjustable shelf structure comprising a shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, a shelf slidably mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section cooperating with said shaft, a sleeve arranged in threaded relationship with said shaft and supporting said shelf, and an arm fixed to said sleeve and biased into engagement with said shelf for preventing relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve to maintain said shelf in one axial position relative to said shaft, said arm extending closely adjacent to said shelf and substantially to the periphery thereof for ready accessibility, said arm being disengageable from said shelf to permit relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve for shifting said shelf axially with respect to said shaft when said shelf is manually rotated.

4. An adjustable shelf structure comprising a rotatable shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, a threaded collar keyed to said shaft, a sleeve concentric with said shaft and arranged for threaded engagement with said collar, a rotatable shelf supported by said sleeve, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section engaging said shaft for rotation therewith but being arranged for axial movement relative thereto, and means engaging said shelf and said sleeve for causing said sleeve to rotate with said collar, said means being disengageable to permit relative rotation between said sleeve and said collar for shifting said shelf axially with respect to said shaft when said shelf is manually rotated.

5. An adjustable rotatable shelf structure coinprising a rotatable shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably suppoiiting said shaft, a threaded collar keyed to said shaft, a

sleeve surrounding said collar and in threaded engagement threwith, a rotatable shelf supported by said sleeve, said shelf including a portion of non-cirfgilar cross section for engaging said shaft to restrain said shelf against angular movement relative to said shaft but to permit axial movement relative thereto, and an arm fixed to said sleeve and biased into engagement with said shelf for preventing relative rotation between said collar and said sleeve, said arm being disengageable from said shelf to permit rotation of said collar relative to said sleeve for shifting said shelf axially with respect to said shaft when said shelf is manually rotated.

6. An adjustable rotatable shelf structure comprising a rotatable shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, a threaded collar keyed to said shaft, a sleeve surrounding said collar and in threaded engagement therewith, a. rotatable shelf supported by said Sleeve, said shelf including a portion of non* circular cross section for engaging said. shaft to restrain said shelf against angular movement relative to said shaft but to permit axial movement relative thereto, and an arm fixed to said sleeve and biased into engagement `with said shelf for preventing relative rota-tion between said collar and said sleeve, said arm being disengageable from said shelf to permit manual rotation of said shelf for effecting relative rotation of said sleeve and said collar to shift said shelf axially with respect to said shaft.

7. An adjustable shelf structure comprising a rotatable shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, a threaded collar keyed to said shaft, a sleeve surrounding said collar and in threaded engagement therewith, a shelf supported on said sleeve, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section for engaging said shaft to insure rotation of said shelf with said shaft while permitting axial movement relative thereto, and means engaging said shelf and said sleeve for causing said shelf, sleeve, collar, and shaft to rotate as a unit whereby said shelf rotates in one plane to` provide accessibility to the contents thereof, said means being disengageable from said shelf to permit relative rotation between said collar and said sleeve whereby manual rotation of said shelf causes a shifting of said shelf axially with respect to said shaft.

8. An adjustable shelf structure Comprising a rotatable shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, a threaded collar keyed to said shaft, a sleeve surrounding said collar and in threaded engagement therewith, a shelf supported on said sleeve, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section for engaging said shaft to insure rotation of said shelf with said shaft while permitting axial movement relative thereto, and an arm secured to said sleeve and normally resiliently biased into engagement with said shelf for causing said shelf, sleeve, collar, and shaft to rotate as a unit whereby said shelf may be rotated in one plane to provide accessibility to the contents thereof, said arm being disengageable from said shelf to permit relative rotation between said collar and said sleeve whereby manual rotation of said shelf causes a shifting of said shelf axially with respect to said shaft.

9. An adjustable shelf structure comprising a shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, said shaft including a threaded element, a sleeve in threaded engagement with said element, a shelf supported by said sleeve and slidably mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section for engaging said shaft, said shelf including a plurality of radially extending rods, and means engaging said sleeve and any selected one of said rods for preventing relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve, said means being disengageable to permit relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve for shifting said shelf axially with respect to said shaft when said shelf is manually rotated.

10. An adjustable shelf structure including a shaft of non-circular cross section, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, said shaft including a threaded element, a sleeve in threaded engagement with said element, a shelf supported by said sleeve and slidably mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said shelf including a portion of non-circular cross section for engaging said shaft, said shelf including a plurality of radially extending rods, and means engaging said sleeve and any selected one of said rods for preventing relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve, said means being arranged closely adjacent said shelf and extending substantially to the periphery thereof for ready accessibility, said means being disengageable to permit relative rotation between said shaft and said sleeve for shifting said shelf axially with respect to said shaft when said shelf is manually rotated.

EDWIN H. BODDY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this :patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS a Number Name Date 304,385 Weaver Sept. 2, 1884 2,065,952 Trautmann Dec. 29, 1936 2,182,003 Roark Dec. 5, 1939