US3101681A

US3101681A - Shelving assembly

Info

Publication number: US3101681A
Application number: US102908A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward C Streater
Original assignee: Streater Industries Inc
Current assignee: Streater Industries Inc
Priority date: 1961-02-17
Filing date: 1961-02-17
Publication date: 1963-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 1980-08-27

Description

Aug. 27, 1963 E. c. sTRl-:ATER

SHELVING ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 17, 1961 42 //V VE N TOR nl E D14/ARD C. STREHTER l BV Aug. 27, 1963 E. c. sTREA'rER SHELVING ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17. 1961 /NVEN TOF? pmalyz,

H TTORNEYS EDWHRD C STREHTER Aug. 27, 1963 E. c. STREATER 3,101,681

SHELVING ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 17, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVENj-on EDWARD C. STREATER BY v .n

HTTORNEYS United States Patent() Streater Industries, Inc., Spring laxlr, Minn., a corporation ot Minnesota Filed Feb. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 102,908 Claims. (Cl. 1025-28) This invention relates to a shelving'construction and more particularly relates to a shelf-supporting gondola assembly for use in super markets and other stock storalge spaces. l

This application'is relatedkto my co-pending application filed of even date herewith.

An object ort my invention is to provide a new and improved shelving assembly of simple and inexpensive constr-uction and operation. y Another `object of my invention is the provision of novel apparatus defining shelving storage and constructed to prevent damage thereto in the normal course of their use and in connection with the use of stock transporting equipment in the aisles adjacent thereto. 4

Still another object of `my invention is to provide an improved shelving assembly which is adapted to be readily and. easily assembled and put into use and disassembled to be quickly relocated. f A further object of my invention is to provide a new and novel assembly for use with glass and other light shelves having extremely pleasing appearance but which are well adapted to carry extremely heavy loads.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a novel and improved shelving assembly which is readily demountabl-e and which is rigidly braced and supported through the use of a minimum of components.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more ully appear from the following description,- made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencel characters referto the same or similar parts throughout the' sev-eral views, and in which:

FIG. l is Ia perspective view ofthe shelving assembly; IFIG. 2 is an enlarged detail section View taken at 2 2 in FlG. l and having portions thereof broken away; Y. IFIG. 3 is an enlarged rdetailsection View taken at 3 3' in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged 4 4 in FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a ldetail perspective view of one end `of the cross tie; Y

FIG. 6- is an` enla-nged detail view partly in elevation and partly in section and taken along a broken line as detail section taken approximate indicated at 6 6 in FlG. Lan-d being partly broken away to permit enlargement of the detail;

lFIG. 7 is a detail section taken at 7 7 in FIG. 6;`

xFIG. 8 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 8 8 in FIG. l and being partly broken away to permit enlangementof detail;

FIG. '9 is an enlarged `detail section view taken approximately at 9 9 'in FIG. 8 and being partly broken away to permit enlargement of detail;

' iFlG. l0 is an enlarged .detail section viewvtaken approximatelyl at id ltin FIG. l;

FIG. l1 is a Idetail section view taken approximately at n n of PIG. 4;

3,191,681 Patented Aug. 27,' 1963 ICC FIG. 12 is a detailsection view taken on a plane as indicated at 12 12 in FIG. 3; v

FIG. 13 is an enlanged detail section View taken approximately at 13 13 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14- is an enlarged detail section View taken approximately erle-#14 of FIG. 2. f

`O-ne torrn of the present invention Ais shown in the drawings and is described herein. The shelving assembly or gondola 15, as seen in FIG. l, is made rup of a number of individual assemblies 15a, 15b, etc. Each )of the gondola sections or assemblies 15a and 15b are individually constructed and are of similar constructionA so that an understanding of one section will give an understandingo other sections also. Each section will be of a predetermined length along the front and may be up to thirteen .feet or more in height. Each gondola section. has. a base shelf 16 and one orfmore upper shelves of similar or various types as depicted` in FIG. l la-ndindicated by numerals `17, 18, 19, 20, Zliand 22. Shelf 22 is a substantially conventional type of Iglass shelf which is strengthened against breakage by a rear molding 23 on the rear edge of -the glass. The

shelves

17, 1S, 19 and Ztl are all constructed of wood or ber board material and have rear and

iront moldings

23 and 24 respectively. Shelf 17 is perrtorated. All of the shelves 1'7, 18, 19, 21 and22 are supported by identical brackets 2.5 which clamp the shelves tightly against the upright standards 27 and- 28, and the brackets 25 are also adapted `for holding the shelves horizontally, as in the case of shelves 21 and Z2 andalso at inclined positions as depicted by shelves 1S and 19. Thefshel-f 1S is also provided with a compartmented structure 26 which may be constructed of wire 4or interconnected glass or other types of panels. 'The shelf il is constructed of metal and is supportedpby bracket arms 29 to be herein-after more fully described but which are adapted to support the shelf in either horizontal or Iinclined position. v.

'lhekupright standards 27 and 2S are all of identical construction. lach 'of the upright standards is symmetricallytormed on opposite sides of its centervso as to torni two .front portions 3d, each of which has af row tot vertically oriented slot apertures 31. lThe outer'sideportion 32er the standardis turned .rearwardly `from the front portion 30 thereof at a position immediately adjacent the outer edges of the slot aperture 31 so that the outer edges of. the slot .apertures 'lie substantially Hush with the inner` surface 32d of the outer side 32 (see FIGS. 1l and l2).

The standards are provided vwith rearwardly turned ilanges 33`to define va vertical, elongated abutment 33a disposed rearwardly of the inner edges of the slot aper tures` 31 for purposes hereinafter vmore ffullydescribed, The rearwardly turned flange 33 also delines a rear panel-receiving groove or channel 34, the opposite sides 34a of which are oriented obliquely rforwarrdly and inwardly to engage the edge portions of the back panel 35 and to bow-the central portion of the panel slightly `forwardly.

.The upper ends of the standards Z7 andI '2 8 aredetachably but rigidly secured together by means of a top cap 36 or connecting member which is identical in width.

to the standards and which has downturned side flanges 36a, the ends of which abut against the inner" sides of the standards. The upper end of'each of the standards 3 has an inwardly turned ange 37 which has an extruded and cylindrically formed recess 38 in the upper side thereof and a tapped aperture 38a. The outer end 36h of the top capghas a downwardly protruding boss 36e which tits in the extruded opening 3S in snug-fitting relation, and screw 39 extends through the appropriately provided aperture in the end portion 36b and boss 36C in the extruded opening 38 to hold the top cap 36 and standards 27 and 218 in rigid relation with each other,

The bottom ends of the standards are also provided with in-turned flanges 40 into which are threaded the elongated shanks 41 of the feet 41a.

Each of the sections a of the gondola is provided with a pair 'of forwardly extending plate-

like base arms

42 and 43 which are substantially identicalwith each other except that they are constructed for right hand and left hand positions adjacent the ycorresponding upright standards 27 and r2.8. Each of the base arms 41?. and 43 is provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending upright tabs 44, each of which is slightly less in height than the height of the slot apertures 31 in the standard and each of which is provided with a downwardly opening notch 44a so as to permit 'the tab 44 to hook downwardly behind the front portion 3G of the standard. It will be noted in FIG. l2 that the tabs 44 are offset inwardly slightly from the base arm so that the base arm will lie iiush with the outer side of the standard. The tabs `44 lie against the abutments 33a of the standards so as to prevent outward swinging of the forward ends of the base arms. Each of the tabs 44 is also provided with a dimple or detent 44h protruding slightly at the outer side thereof so as to cause the tab l44 to lit snugly in the slot aperture 31.

Each of the base arms has an inturned bottom flange 43u with a short reinforcing plate 43b afhxed thereto as by welding, and a tapped aperture 43e is provided through the flange 43a and plate 4411 to threadably receive threaded shank 41 of another foot 41a.

Means are provided for rigidly interconnecting the lower ends of the standards together with the base arms into a unitary but detachable structure. In the form shown, such means includes an elongate rigid cross tie 45 constructed of rolled sheet metal with the opposite ends thereof extending into proximity with the standards and their corresponding base ar-rns. The cross tie 45 ifs provided at its bottom edge with a rearwardly turned strengthening flange 45a and is provided at its upper edge with a forwardly turned flange 45b which defines a base shelf-supporting ledge and which is turned back upon itself to extend rearwardly of the cross tie 45 and dene an upwardly opening back panel-receiving and supporting channel 45C. The cross tie `45 has a rearwardly turned tab y45d at each end thereof which is substantially identical in height to the height of the slot apertures 3-1 and the tabs 45d are each inserted through a slot aperture in order to prevent any relative vertical movement between the cross tie and standards. AIt will be noted that each of the tabs 45d lies llushy against the inner surface 32a of the rearwardly turned outer side 32 of the standard so as to prevent any turning of the standard about a longitudinal axis and in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 11. The tab 45d is provided with an inwardly protruding dimple or detent 45d which causes the tab 45d to tit snugly in the slot aperture. The cross tie 45 also has at each end, a forwardly turned tab 45e with an aperture 457c therein. The tab 45e lies flush against the inner side of the corresponding cross arm and a bolt 46 extends through the aperture 45]c and corresponding aligned aperture in the base arm for clamping the base arm and cross tie together to prevent any relative vertical movement between the base arm and standard and thereby hold the tabs 44 of the base arms in securely hooked relationship with the standards.

It will be noted that by virtue of the interaction between the rearwardly -turned tabs 45d of the cross tie and the rearwardly extending tabs 44 of the base arms, both of which bear against the standard, relative turning of the

standards

27 and 28 with ,respect to each other and relative swinging of the

base arms

42 and 43` with respect to each other and withrespect to the standards is prevented. v

Means are also provided for interconnecting the forward ends of the

base arms

42 and 43 and for protecting the base shelf and cross arms against damage due to the action of push carts moving along the aisles in front of the shelving. In the form shown, such means includes an elongate base bumper plate 47 which extends between the spaced base arms and which is arcuately curved to present in a forward direction, an outwardly facing convex surface 47a. The bumper plate 47 is formed of rolled sheet metal and lies against inwardly turned guide flanges 48 which are correspondingly arcuately formed integrally with the forward ends of the

base arms

42 and 43. The lower portion 47b of the bumper plate extends rearwardly over inwardly turned supporting flanges 49 on the base Varms 42 and 43 and is provided with slot apertures 47C which receive the upturned lips 49a which are integral with the supporting flanges 49. The upper portion 47 d of the bumper plate extends rearwardly beneaththe ybase shelf and is secured by bolts 5d to the inwardly'turned bottom flanges 51 of the channel-defining, base shelf-supporting plates 52 which are aixed as by welding on the inner sides of the base arms 43.- The bumper plate 47 thereby rigidly interconnects the fonw'ard ends of the base arms and protects the base 'arms against damage due to bumping by push carts and the like and the bumper plate 47 is readily detachable by merely removing the bolts which permits the downward swinging of .the bumper plate, whereupon the lower portion 47b thereof swings upwardly away from the lips 49a `and the bumper plate may be lifted olf.

:The plates `52 define adjacent their upper edges, in cooperation with the cross arms', channels 52a which receive the down turned edge portions 16a of the base shelf 16 and cause the base shelf to be supported in flush relation with the upper edges of the

base arms

42 and 43.

The base shelf 16 is provided with a downwardly turned flange portion 16b at its forward edge dening a tag-holding receptacle 16e for tag T which is disposed rearwardly of the foremost portion of the base bumper plate 47.

The rear'edge 16d of the base shelf overlies the shelfseating flange 4Sb of the cross tie and is further provided with a downturned rib-defining flange 16a As hereinbefore briefly described, a number of -shelves will be supported by the

upright standards

27 and 28. The metal shelf 2t@ is formed substantially in ya manner identical to :the base shelf 16 "and has downturned side edges 26a, a down turned front flange portion Ztlb which defines a tag-holding receptacle 20c, and a downturned rib portion 20d adjacent the rear edge of the shelf. The metal shelf Ztl is supported upon a pair of rigid bracket arms 29 which have channel-defining plates 53 aixed thereto as by welding to define the channel portion 53a to receive the downturned vside edges Z tof the shelf.

Each of the bracket arms 29* has ya rear end portion 29a .which is adapted to extend Athrough the slot apertures 31 of the standard and which is offset slightly inwardly to permit a bracket arm 29 to extend `forwardly ush with the outer side of the standard. The upper edge of the rear portion 29u has a notch 29]; therein which has an enlarged bottom portion and a diminished throat portion. A second notch 29C is provided in the bottom edge, and an abutment 29d is also defined at a position forwardly of the notch 29C. The rear terminal end of the ybracket arm normally engages the abutment 33m of the standard to prevent outward swinging of the forward end `of ythe bracket arm.- The construction and operation of the rear attachment portion of the bracket arm is substantially identical to that shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 102,909 executed and tiled on Feb. 17, 19611. The bracket arm is readily detachable from the standard by merely lifting the rear end to remove the standard from the bottom notch 29C, and then by swinging the forward end of the bracket arm upwardly, whereupon the rear portion 29m may be moved downwardly and outwardly from the slot aperture. From the position shown in FIG. 8, the bracket arm 29 may be nplifted and then the forward end swung downwardly until the abutment 2% engages the standard whereby to maintain the metal shelf at a forwardly and downwardly inclined position. It should be particularly noted that the downturned rear rib 20rd has its opposite ends spaced slightly inwardly from the side edges `of the shelf so as to permit ready and easy centering of the shelf 20 between the bracket arms 29 and when the rib 20d is slipped downwardly between the bracket arms, the side edge portions 20a of the shelf will readily slip into place in the channels 53a.

The other wood and

glass shelves

17, 18, 19", 21 4and 22 are also supported by the same type of brackets indicated by numeral 25. The wood or board shelves are provided with front tag-holding moldings 24 for holding tags 24a and have rearwardly protruding flanges 24h and 24C to define a shelf-edge-receiving groove 24d. It will be noted that the llange 241i of the groove extends obliquely inwardly to lie in a corresponding groove 17a of the wooden shelf 17. Adhesive is provided in the joint of the front molding 24 and the shelf 17. The front molding 24 is also provided with a forwardly facing -abutment surface 24e against which the front end 25a of the bracket arm bears. The bracket arms 25 are identical lto those disclosed and claimed in my coi-pending application led of even date herewith, and as will be seen in FIG. 10, are provided with rear anchoring ends 25b which are notched at 25e and 25d at the upper and lower edges thereof and which bear against the abutment 33a of the standard. The forward portions of the bracket Earms 25 are obliquely oriented with respect to the rear portions and when the bracket arms are in shelf-holding position they are flexed slightly youtwardly at their forward ends so as to continuously and resiliently urge the forward portions 25a rearwardly against the abutment 24e or against the front edge of the shelf to clamp the shelf against the standards.

The rear molding 23y which is provided on several of the shelves depicted in FIG. lO and has an obliquely forwardly and downwardly turnedtop iiange 23e which tits into a correspondingly arranged groove 17b of the wood shelves. The rear molding 23 has -a depending rib` 23h beneath the shelf, the edge portion of which bears upwardly at 23C against the bottom of the shelf. Adhesive is applied in the joint between the rear molding 23' and the shelf. In the case of the glass shelves, a -shelf is not grooved butthe rear molding is merely adhesively applied thereto, and the top ilange 23a extends to the end lof the glass and over thev upper edge of notch 23d lies substantially flush wit-h theV bottom of the shelf 17 to engage the bracket arm. i

The shelving assembly is also provided with an upwardly extendable mast-type standard 54 which extends through an aperture 36d in the top cap 36. The standard 54 has on its front sides 54a two rows of vertically aligned slot apertures 55 for mounting of bracket -arms 25 in order to support small shelves and other items on the standard 54. It will be noted that the standard 54 has internal abutments 54h for engaging the rear ends 2511 in cross section, and which is secured at it-s lower end to the cross tie y45 by means of a bolt 57 and a spacer sleeve 58. The mast 54 may be retained in the desired vertical position by slipping a pin 54e through :opposite slot yapertures and resting the pin upon the top cap.

A floating base panel 59' extends between the

base arms

43 and 42 and rests yupon the floor. The panel 59 is provided with groove-deiining plates 6i)y at` the opposite ends thereof for receiving inturned anges 61 which are .integral with the'base arms. The panels 59 preventobjects on the floor from rolling beneath the base shelf.

It will be noted that the gondola section 15a is completely demountable and may be readily and easily assembled into a rigid unitary structure. If desired shelving may be provided on opposite sides of the standards in the manner yshown in FIG. l. The structure is protected from being damaged by the arcuately curved bumper plate 47. The several gondola sections mounted in alignment with each other may be leveled with respect` to each other b-y adjustment `of the positions of the Shanks 411of the feet.

It will further be seen that the gondola assembly may be readily and easily packaged `for shipment lin cornpletely knocked down position, and the several parts thereof may be quickly and easily assembled into a rigid and unitary structure. The manner of connection between the base arms an-d standards is to be particularly noted, especially in relation to the cross tie 45 which, through its connection to the base arms by means of the bolt 46 and its connection to the standards by means of tab 45d, holds the base arms in rigid relation with respect to the standards. The tlexing of the bracket arms 25 tends to rotate the standards because of the interengagement of the rear ends of the bracket larms with the abutments 33d and the standards are prevented from turning by the inter-connection between .the top cap 36 and the tabs 45d of the cross tie 45. Any swinging oscillation of the base arms i3` with respect to the standards is prevented by the rigid relation between the base arms and the cross tie and action of the

tabs

45d and 44 of the cross tie and base arms respectively. f

It should further be noted that the convex bumper.

plate i7 overlies the flanges lSand thereby` protects the front edges of the base arms, 'and the convex curvature of the bumper plates prevent denting and other damage to the bumper plate. The tagaholding channel 'of the base 16 is also protected from carts and other mobile media by the bumper plate 47.

Note should be taken of the ready and easy assembly of the shelves with the bracket arms and it should be particularly emphasized thatthe notches 23d at the ends of the rear molding 23 facilitate ready and easy placement of the shelves with respect to the bracket arms.` The depending web portion 23h of the rear molding readily ts between the cooperative bracket arms whichI hold the shelf. 4

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, .arrangement and proportion'of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the Vmatter described lower endfof a respective'standard and extending forwardly therefrom to be supported upon the floor, each of said base larms having a rear end with a plurality of/ff/A '/Y tabs thereon inserted through slot apertures of thenespective standard, said tabs having( downwardly opening l 7 standard-receiving notches therein causing said tabs to engage the rear side of the respective standard to restrain movement of the base arms with respect to the standard, each of said standards having an inner side facing the other of said standards and having a rearwardly turned flange at said inner side adjacent the slot apertures and defining an elongated abutment disposed inwardly of and behind said slot apertures in engaging relation with said tabs of the base arm, a rigid cross tie extending between said base arms and having opposite ends each with a rearwardly extending tab substantially equalling the height of the slot apertures and extending through one of the slot apertures to preventvertical movement of the cross tie, means rigidly and detachably securing said cross tie to the base arms and preventing relative vertical movement therebetween, said standards each having an outer side lying along and engaging the tab of the cross tie and preventing turning of the standard with respect to the base arm, a second shelf above said base shelf, a pair of bracket arms supporting said second shelf and having front ends bearing against the front edge of the shelf and having rear ends inserted through corresponding slot apertures and having means attachable to `the standard, said bracket arms being iiexed with the rear ends thereof bearing inwardly thereof against said abutments and the front ends thereof biased rearwardly against the front edge of the shelf to urge and maintain the shelf against the standards; and a rigid top cap extending between the upper ends of said standards, the upper ends of said standards and the ends of said top cap having intertting means detachably secured together and restraining the standards against turning under the influence of said iiexed bracket arms.

2. A shelf-supporting assembly, comprising la pair of spaced and rupright standards to be supported upon a iloor and havingv a plurality of vertically aligned upright slot apertures, a pair of elongate and substantially parallel base arms each adjacent the lower end of a respective standard and extendingforwardly therefrom to be supported upon the floor, the rear end of each of said base arms having a plurality of standard-hooking inserts extending through corresponding slot apertures in the adjacent standard and having downwardly opening standard-receiving notches therein to restrain relative movement between the standard and base arm, detachable means rigidly securing said standards and base arms together 'and including an elongate rigid cross tie extending between said base ar-ms and having at each end thereof a rearwardly extending tab fitting snugly into a slot of the Vadjacent standard to prevent relative vertical movement between the standard and cross tie, means rigidly and detachably securing said cross tie to each of said base arms and preventing relative movement therebetween, a shelf spaced above said base arms adjacent the standards, and bracket means supporting said shelf and being detachably secured .to said standards.

3. A shelf-supporting assembly, comprising a pair of spaced and upright standards to be supported upon a floor, and each of said standards having means defining a pair of vertically spaced and confronting stops and a plurality of vertically aligned upright slot apertures, a pair of `elongate and substantially parallel base arms each adjacent the lower end of a respective. standard and extending forwardly therefrom to be supported upon the oor, the rear end of each of said base arms having a plurality of standard-hooking` inserts extending through corresponding slot apertures in the adjacent standard and having ydownwardly-opening. standard-receiving notches therein to restrain relative movement between the standard and base arm, detachable means rigidly securing said standards and base `arms together and including an elongate iigid cross tie extending between said base arms and having at each end thereof a rearwardly projecting portion fitting snugly between said confronting stops to prevent relative vertical movement between the standard and cross tie, means rig-idly and detachably securing said cross tie to each of said base arms and preventing relative movement therebetween, a shelf spaced above said Abase arms adjacent the standards and bracket means supporting said shelf and being detachably secured to the standard.

4. A shelf-supporting assembly, comprising a pair of spaced and upright standards to be supported upon a iioor, said standards having forward portions with a plurality of vertically aligned upright slot apertures therein and also having inner sides confronting each other and defining rearwardly turned flanges providing elongate up-l right -abutments adjacent the inner sides of said apertures and rearwardly therefrom, and said standards also having rearwardly turned outer sides adjacent the apertures, a pair of elongate and substantially parallel base arms eac-h adjacent the lower end of a respective standard and extending Aforwardly therefrom to be supported upon the floor, the rear end of each of said base arms having a plurality of standard-hooking inserts having downwardly opening standard-receiving notches therein, said inserts extending through corresponding slot apertures in the adjacent standard and lying in engagement with said abutments and extending downwardly behind the standard, detachable means rigidly securing said standards and base arms together and including an elongate rigid cross tie extending between said base arms and having at each end thereof a rearwardly extending tab fitted snugly into a slot of the adjacent standard and lying against the rearwardly extending outer side of the standard to prevent relative vertical movement between the cross tie and standard and to restrain turning of the standard .with respect to the cross tie, means detachably securing said cross tie to each of said base arms and preventing relative movement therebetween, a shelf spaced above said base arms adjacentthe standards, vand bracket means supporting said shelf and being detachably secured to said standards.

5. A shelf-supporting assembly, comprising a pair of spaced and upright standards to be supported upon a floor, and having forward portions with a plurality of vertically aligned slot apertures and having inner sides confronting each other and also having outer sides, an upright panel extending between and into proximity with said standards, each of said standards having at the inner side thereof a rearwardly turned flan-ge defining an inwardly facingpanel-receiv-ing channel with the edge of the panel therein, and also `deiining an outwardly facing elongate abutment `disposed rearwardly of and at the inner side of said apertures, a pair of Velongate and substantially parallel base arms each adjacent the lower end of a respective standard and extending forwardly therefrom to be supported upon the floor, the-rear end of each of `said base arms having a plurality of standard-hooking inserts with downwardly opening standard-receiving notches therein, said inserts extending through the corresponding yslot apertures in the adjacent standard and downwardly behind the standard and lying against said abutment to restrain relative swinging movement between the standard and base arm, detachable means securing said standards and base arms together and preventing turning of said standards about axes extending longitudinally thereof, said means including `an elongate rigid cross tie extending between said standards and each end of said cross tie having a tab fitting snugly into a slot of the adjacent standard to prevent relative vertical movement between the standard and cross tie, means detachably and rigidly securing said cross tie to each of said base arms and preventing relative movement therebetween, a shelf spaced above said base arms adjacent the standards, and bracket means supporting said shelf and being detachably secured to said standards. 1

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein said iianges of said standards are shaped to deline obliquely forwardly and inwardly oriented sides of said channel engaging the sides of the panel and causing the panel to ybow forwardly.

7. A shelf-supporting assembly, comprising a pair of spaced and upright standards to be supported upon a floor, and having forward portions with a plurality of vertically aligned upright slot `apertures therein, said standards having inner portions confronting each other and also having rearwardly turned outer sides adjacent said apertures and defining outer abutments facing inwardly and Idisposed lbehind the outer sides of said slot apertures, said standards having at the inner sides thereof, rearwardly turned flanges defining elongate upright abutments facing outwardly and disposed rearwardly of and at the inner sides of said apertures, a pair of elongate and substantially parallel base arms each adjacent the lower ends of a respective standard and extending forwardly therefrom to be supported upon the floor, the rear end of each of said base arms having a plurality of standard-hooking inserts with downwardly opening standard-receiving notches therein, said inserts extending through and downwardly from corresponding slot apertures in the adjacent standard to restrain movement between the standard and base arm, detachable means securing said standards and base arms together and including an elongate rigid cross tie extending between said base arms and having at each end thereof a rearwardly extending tab fitting snugly into a slot of the adjacent standard and lying against said buter abutment to prevent relative vertical movement :between .the standard and cross tie `and to restrain turning of the standard in one direction about an upright axis extending longitudinally thereof, means rigidly and detachably securing said cross tie to each of said base arms and preventing relative movement therebetween, a shelf spaced above said base arms and engaging Ithe forward portions of said standards, and a pair of bracket arms supporting said shelf and having front ends engaging the front edge of the shelf and having rear ends each extending through an aperture in a respective standard, the rear end of each of said bracket .arms having means detachably secured to the standard and said rear end lying against said inner abutment of the standard, each of said bracket arms being flexed to bias said front and rear ends thereof respectively against the shelf front edge and said inner abutment, whereby the cross tie tabs prevent turning of the standards under influence :of the flexed bracket arms for securely clamping the shelf in stationary position.

8. The invention set forth in claim 7 and including an upright panel extending between said standards and having edges extending along said standards, the rearwardly turned flanges being shaped to define inwardly facing panel-receiving channels having the panel edges therein.

9. The invention set forth in claim 7 and including a stiff but resiliently flexible upright panel having opposite edges disposed in proximity with said standards, the rearwardly turned flanges `of said standards being shaped to define panel-receiving channels, the opposite panelengaging sides of the channel being forwardly and inwardly `obliquely oriented and causing the panel to be resiliently bowed in a forward direction.

10. A shelf-supporting assembly, comprising a pair of spaced and upright standards, means mounting said standards in fixed relation with each other, an upright panel having opposite edge portions each disposed in proximity with a respective standard, said standards having a front portion with a plurality of vertically aligned upright slot apertures therein yand having inner sides adjacent said panel, the inner side of each standard having a rearwardly turned flange defining an inwardly facing panelreceiving groove `withthe edge lof the panel therein, and said flange also defining an elongate upright abutment facing outwardly and disposed rearwardly of `and adjacent the inner side of said slots, a .shelf having a rear edge engaging the forward portion of said standards and having a front edge, a pair of stiff but resiliently inflexible bracket arms each disposed adjacent -a respective stand- .ard and supporting said shelf, each of said bracket arms having a rear end extending through an aperture in the corresponding standard and lying against said abutment, and also havin-g means for detachable attachment to the standard, the bracket arms 'also having forward portions iu generally converging and resiliently flexed relation with each other and having forward ends engaging and biased against the forward edges of the shelf and clamping the shelf against the standards.

11. The invention set forth in claim 10 wherein said flange is formed to define forwardly and inwardly obliquely oriented sides of the Vchannel engaging the panel and causing the same to bow forwardly.

12. A shelf supporting assembly, comprising a pair of upright standards, means supporting said standards, a pair of .bracket arms each having attachment means secured to la respective standard, :a shelf roverlying said bracket arms and having a rear edge with an `elongated rigid molding afiixed thereon, said molding having a depending rib below the rear edge of the shelf, the ribV having bracket arm-receiving notches at the ends thereof facilitating ready and easy positioning Iof the shelf at a predetermined position on the bracket arms.

13. The invention .set forth in claim 12 wherein said molding is wrapped around the rear edgeof said shelf at said notches and has a downwardly facing edge lying substantially flush with the bottom yof the shelf and engaging the bracket arm, whereby to prevent cracking and breaking of the shelf.

14. A shelf supporting assembly, comprising a pair of elongate, upright and parallel standards having front portions with vertically aligned `apertures therein, said standards having outer sides extending rearwardly adjacent said apertures and also having inner sides extending rearwardly and defining elongate upright abutments spaced rearwardly from the inner sides of said apertures, a shelf having a rear edge bearing against said standards and having a front edge, a pair of bracket arms supporting said shelf and having forward ends bearing rearwardly against the front edge of the shelf and having rear ends extending through said apertures and engaging said abutments, said rear lends having attachment means detachably secured to the standards, each of said bracket arms being flexed to bias the front end thereof rearwardly against the shelf and to bias `the rear end thereof against the abutment to hold the shelf l-tightly against the standard, rigid means extending between said standards at the upper Iand lower yends thereof and being detachably secured to said standards in interfitting relation therewith to restrain the standards against turning movement, and said rigid means including a rigid cross tie extending between the standards and having rearwardly extending rigid tabs projecting rearwardly through said apertures land against said outer sides.

15. A shelf supporting assembly, comprising a pair of elongate, upright and parallel standards having front portions with vertically aligned apertures therein, said stand- 'ards having outer sides extending rearwardly adjacent said apertures and also having inner sides extending rearwardly and defining elongate upright labutments spaced rearwardly from the inner sides of said apertures, a shelf having a rear edge bearing against said standards and having a front edge, a pair `of bracket arms supporting said shelf and having forward ends bearing rearwardly yagainst the front edge of the shelf and having rear ends extendingthrough said apertures and engaging said abutments, `said rear `ends having attachment means detachably secured to the standards, each of said bracket arms being flexed to bias the front end thereof rearwardly against the shelf and to bias the rear end thereof against the abutment to hold the shelf tightly fagai/nst-thstandard, rigid means extending between satd standards -at the upper land lower ends `thereof vand being 'detachably Iseicured to said standards in intertting .relation therewith to restrain the standards Iagainst rturning movement, :and said rigidmeans including a rigid cap extending between and overlying corresponding ends of said standards and having a depending ange adjacent the front portions of he standards and engaging said inner sides `of the standards and means securing said cap to each of the standmds. v

Refeiences Cited in the ie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Van Wiggen Aug. 20, 1957 Streater Oct. 13, 1959 Bolton June 14, 1960 Galassi Oct. 18, 1960 Bianchi Nov. 1, 1960 Grorke Dec. 20, 1960

Claims

2. A SHELF-SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY, COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED AND UPRIGHT STANDARDS TO BE SUPPORTED UPON A FLOOR AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY ALIGNED UPRIGHT SLOT APERTURES, A PAIR OF ELONGATE AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL BASE ARMS EACH ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF A RESPECTIVE STANDARD AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY THEREFROM TO BE SUPPORTED UPON THE FLOOR, THE REAR END OF EACH OF SAID BASE ARMS HAVING A PLURALITY OF STANDARD-HOOKING INSERTS EXTENDING THROUGH CORRESPONDING SLOT APERTURES IN THE ADJACENT STANDARD AND HAVING DOWNWARDLY OPENING STANDARD-RECEIVING NOTCHES THEREIN TO RESTRAIN RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE STANDARD AND BASE ARM, DETACHABLE MEANS RIGIDLY SECURING SAID STANDARDS AND BASE ARMS TOGETHER AND INCLUDING AN ELONGATE RIGID CROSS TIE EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID BASE ARMS AND HAVING AT EACH END THEREOF A REARWARDLY EXTENDING TAB FITTING SNUGLY INTO A SLOT OF THE ADJACENT STANDARD TO PREVENT RELATIVE VERTICAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE STANDARD AND CROSS TIE, MEANS RIGIDLY AND DETACHABLY SECURING SAID CROSS TIE TO EACH OF SAID BASE ARMS AND PREVENTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, A SHELF SPACED ABOVE SAID BASE ARMS ADJACENT THE STANDARDS, AND BRACKET MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SHELF AND BEING DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID STANDARDS.