US3754518A

US3754518A - Rapid mounting shelf

Info

Publication number: US3754518A
Application number: US00208070A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Wachtel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-15
Filing date: 1971-12-15
Publication date: 1973-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-28

Abstract

A shelf is adapted for rapid and easy mounting. The shelf platform has a contoured opening formed in its underside, into which is fit a member securable to a wall. After the member is secured to the wall, it is inserted into that contoured opening securing the shelf to the wall. A bracket can be attached to the underside of the shelf platform to more evenly distribute the shelf load.

Description

United States Patent [191 Wachtel RAPID MOUNTING SHELF [76] Inventor: Samuel Joseph Wachtel, 27 Valley Ln. West, N. Woodmere, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Dec. 15, 1971 [211 App]. No.: 208,070

[52] US. Cl. 108/152 [51] Int. Cl. A471) 5/00 [58] Field of Search 208/152, 156, 157; 248/239, 243

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,207,100 9/1965 Peacock 108/ 152 3,381,636 5/1968 Saiberlich 108/152 3,333,555 8/1967 Kapnek 108/152 2,911,108 11/1959 Nield 108/152 [451 Aug. 23, 1973 3,048,279 8/ 1962 Mann 108/152 3 ,265,344. 8/1966 Omstein 108/152 2,842,270 7/1958 Massey 108/152 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney-Jay D. Gordon ABSTRACT A shelf is adapted for rapid and easy mounting. The shelf platform has a contoured opening formed in its underside, into which is fit a member securable to a wall. After the member is secured to the wall, it is inserted into that contoured opening securing the shelf to the wall. A bracket can be attached to the underside of the shelf platform to more evenly distribute the shelf load.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures RAPID MOUNTING SHELF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a shelf adapted for rapid .and easy mounting.

are characterized by a top surface which isgenerally horizontal. To mount a single shelf two standards and two brackets are needed. Theshelfisithen-placed upon the bracket top edges.

The drawbacks of the above system are obvious. To mount just one shelf, a plurality of time consuming steps are necessary. Two standards imust be'fastened to a wall with a minimum of two screws each. Brackets must thenbe placed inopenings in each standard, both at an equal elevation. The brackets must then be secured to the standards-within the openings. Lastly, the shalf is placed atop the brackets and in some instances, fastened to the brackets. As often happens, the standards are not equal elevation and, consequently, the shelf will not rest in a horizontal position.

In the above system the standard leaves unsightly marks on the wall if removed, and therefore, its removal leaves behind at least four screw holes plus the standard marks, Additionally, of major disadvantage in this system, is that the cost of the standards and brackets is often greater than the cost of the shelf.

Another mehtod of shelf mounting involves brackets which have a rather wide top surface as well-as side surface. The side surface is fastened to, and bears against, the wall. Generally, a screw is received in the bracket and is secured to the wall. Once the brackets are fastened to the wall the shelf is placed on their top surfaces, and'where there is provision, fastened thereto. As in the case where standards are used, it is difficult and time consuming to secure these brackets at the same elevation; therefore, shelves mounted in this manneroften hang atan unwanted angle.

The shelf of the instant invention is uniquely adapted for rapid and easy mounting. The mounting elements are inexpensive and the mount obtained is secure and dependable.

SUMMARY It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a rapid and easy mounting shelf.

Another object of the present invention is the provision. of a shelf, the. mounting of which is secure and dependable. i

In accordance with the present invention, the shelf platform. has. an elongated; trapezoidal sl'otformed inthe underside thereof. An opening, contoured for theclose reception of a fasteningelement is alsoformedin openings 20'not only provides the vertical support These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent as the description continues.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1, is perspective view of the underside of the shelf platform.

FIG. 2, is a perspective view of the securing element.

FIG. 3, is a perspective view of the bracket.

FIG. '4, is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment securing element.-

FIG. 5, is a perspective view of the shelf assembled to the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 'Referringto FIG. 1, there is illustrated the shelf platform 10 shown with its underside 12 facing upwards.

That platform appears conventional except forthe slot '14 which can be the product of a milling or other convenient operation. As shown in the preferred embodiment the slot 14 is elongated (extending across most of the width of the platform) and can be of trapezoidal cross section, the "purpose of which will be apparent as to an upstanding member or wall. It should be obviousthat a screw or toggle bolt etc., can replace the nail 32 as may be desired. Of further mention at this point is that the nail 32 can be of unitary construction with the securing element 24. That is, the central bore 30 can be omitted and the element 24 can have a unitary nail or screw formed at, and protruding from, the tail section 28. Element 24 is then driven into the wall until the tail section 30 contacted the wall. i a

In assembling the platform 10 to a wall, two securing elements 24, of the type hereinbefore described are secured to a wall at equal elevation. The platform is turned and placed over the securing elements such thz'it' the head sections 22 fit into the contoured openings The close reception of the head sections 22 meme;

needed for the platform but also inhibits any possible movement of the platform in the plane of said platform.

It should be obvious that the length of the cylindrical the'shelf underside. Thefasteningelementis securedto the wall andis received within thecontoured-opening. A bracket has a. trapezoidal protrusion which is received within the trapezoidal slot and is angular-so as to contact the wall. The-shelf, thusdescribed isquickly secured tothe wall and held firmly in place.

section 26 should correspond to the distance between the: opening 20 and the platform side 18. As such, the side 18 will be flush with the wall when the platform-III is mounted. To bring the platform side I8 as close" to i the wall as possible, asrecess (not shown) be" formed in side 18 adapted to receive the tail section 28" therein. Alternatively, the tail section 28 can'be omit-1 ted altogether, such that the end of the cylindricals'ection 26' is flush with the platformside 18, which" plat; fonn side will then be flush with thewall. i I

As indicated previously, the securingelement 24'' need not be designed with a tail section 28. fact it needn'ot be cylindrical. In FIG. 4, asecuri'ngele'iriient is shown as a flat trapezoidal section 24'with sur e base'36' and a small base 38. A screw 40 (it"caribe a nail) is' unitary with the small base 38 and theeirtire unit is screwed into the wall by means of slot 42. A mating trapezoidal opening may be formed in the platform underside which receives therein the section 34. It should be obvious that when the base 38 is flush with the platform side 18 which in turn is flush the wall, the thickening of section 34 prevents horizontal movement of the platform 10.

The shelf as hereinbefore described will remain securely fastened to the wall if two securing elements 24 are used. However, it has been found advantageous to distribute the load of the platform and its contents over a much larger weight bearing area so as to reduce stress. Additionally, it has been found of great advantage to transfer a portion of the vertical load on the wall to a horizontal load on the wall. As a result the shelf is provided with the bracket 42 shown best in FIG. 3. That bracket is charactarized by a body section 44, a top section 46 in the shape of a trapezoidal protrusion, and a pressure bearing section 48. As shown, the body section 44 is disposed at an angle to the top section 46, but the pressure bearing section 48 is substantially perpendicualr to the top section 46. Of note at this point, is that the top section 46 is dimensioned to be closely received within the slot 14. Before receiving the securing element 24 within the opening 20, the top section 46 is inserted within the slot that the pressure bearing section 48 faces platform side 18. The bracket is urged as far forward as it can go into the slot. The bracket 42 is designed such that when it is as far into the slot as it can go, the pressure surface 48 will be flush with platform side 18. As shown in FIG. 5, when the securing element 24 is recieved within the opening 20, the pressure surface 48 bears against the wall. In this manner a part of the weight of the platform and itscontents is transferred from the securing elements 24 to the pressure surface 48. This load distribution reduces stress and provides for a secure mounting. As should be noted, when the bracket 42 is in its most forward position, bottom section 42 does not interfere with the opening 20.

Another embodiment of the present invention is worth mention. In some situations it may be desirable to produce a plate (not shown), fastenable to the underside of platform 10, which plate has formed therein the opening 20 and slot 14 such as hereinbefore described. Upon connecting the plat to the platfrom underside, the assemblage and use of the shelf is essentially as previously described.

As has been seen the present invention provides a rapid and easy mounting shelf. A minimum of effort and inconvenience is attendant to the achievement of a stable and secure mounting.

It is obvious that the many changes may be made in the details of the instant invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A shelf which comprises a weight bearing platform, a securing member adapted to be fastened to an upstanding structure, said platform having formed in the underside thereof an opening contoured to closely receive therein said member, said member of a shape which tends to restrict the movement of said platform along the plane of said platform (the shelf of claim 1 in which) said securing member being generally cylindrical comprising a widened head section adapted to be received within a widened section of said contoured opening, (whereby it restricts movement of said plat form along the plane of said platform).

2. The shelf of claim 1 wherein said securing member is trapezoidal in shape, and adapted to be received within said contoured opening which is of compatible trapezoidal shape, whereby movement of said platform along the plane of said platform is restricted.

3. A shelf which comprises a weight bearing platform, a securing member adapted to be fastened to an upstanding structure, said platform having formed in the underside thereof an opening contoured to closely receive therein said securing member, said member and said opening of a shape which tends to restrict movement of said platform along the plane of said plat form said platform having a slot formed in the underside thereof, and a bracket securable to said platform -within said opening, whereby upon assemblage of said member to said upstanding structure, said platform to said member, and said bracket within said slot, said member fits into said contoured opening firmly securing said platform to said upstanding structure and said bracket contacts said upstanding structure.

4. The shelf of claim 3 wherein said slot is elingated and trapezoidal in shape, the small base of which faces the platform underside, said bracket comprising a trapezoidal protrusion adapted to be closely received within said slot.

5. The shelf of claim 1 in which said member is gener ally cylindrical, comprising a widened head section adapted to be received within a widened section of said contoured opening, whereby movement of said platform along the plane of said platform is restricted.

4 i i i t

Claims

1. A shelf which comprises a weight bearing platform, a securing member adapted to be fastened to an upstanding structure, said platform having formed in the underside thereof an opening contoured to closely receive therein said member, said member of a shape which tends to restrict the movement of said platform along the plane of said platform (the shelf of claim 1 in which) said securing member being generally cylindrical comprising a widened head section adapted to be received within a widened section of said contoured opening, (whereby it restricts movement of said platform along the plane of said platform).

3. A shelf which comprises a weight bearing platform, a securing member adapted to be fastened to an upstanding structure, said platform having formed in the underside thereof an opening contoured to closely receive therein said securing member, said member and said opening of a shape which tends to restrict movement of said platform along the plane of said platform said platform having a slot formed in the underside thereof, and a bracket securable to said platform within said opening, whereby upon assemblage of said member to said upstanding structure, said platform to said member, and said bracket within said slot, said member fits into said contoured openiNg firmly securing said platform to said upstanding structure and said bracket contacts said upstanding structure.

5. The shelf of claim 1 in which said member is generally cylindrical, comprising a widened head section adapted to be received within a widened section of said contoured opening, whereby movement of said platform along the plane of said platform is restricted.