US730984A - Shelving. - Google Patents

Description

v PATENTED JUNE '16, 1903.

G. W. SUBS. SHELVING. An moguon FILED my 31, 1902.

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' G. W. SUBS.

SHELVING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1902.

(L5 L 3. i L l 26 i i PVITNESSES: [NVENTORI PATENT Patented June 16, 1903.

OFFICE.

GEORGE W. SUES, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

S-HELVINGL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '730,984, dated June-16, 1903. 7 Application filed May 31, I902. Serial No. 109.818. (No model.)

To all whom, it ntcty concern.

Beitkuown that I, GEORGE W. SUES, residing at 1321 South Thirty-third street, Omaha, in the county of Douglasv and State of Ne-I braska,have invented certain usefulImprovements in Shelving; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will en-. able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,.reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecilication. V

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in shelving.

The aim of my invention is-to provide a mobile or changeable shelf that may be expanded inadding toit successive elements and comprises a common base and top, intermediate shelves, and risers and being so constructed that the shelving may be easily assembled and readily taken apart or disassembled. l

In carrying out the object of myinvention I provide two end members, as a top and bottom shelf, which I unite by means of aconnectionas a wire strand, for instancea plurality of interposed risers being removablyheld between said end members, and secure a takeup mechanism to the connection, so that the same maybe strained to rigidity under force to provide a solid structure normally under a strain or tension, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawingslhave shown in Figure 1 a front view of an ordinary storeshelf embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the base shelf or lower end member, disclosing three risers in position. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of one of the ris ers as used in my invention. Fig. 4 shows a side view of oneof the take-up mechanisms as used in my invention. Fig. 5-shows a front view of aforesaid take-up mechanism. Fig. 6 shows a top view of one of the sliding doorkeepers. Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of aforesaid sliding door-keeper. Fig. 8 shows a modification of the take-up mechanism as used in connection with my invention. Fig. 9 shows a vertical elevation with portions broken away, disclosinga bookcase constructed according to my invention. Fig. 10 discloses an end view showing the method of packing and storing my shelving, the risers being detached in this view. Fig. 11 shows,

sections for the sake 'of economy, as narrow boards may be bought cheaper than wide boards. Fig. 12 shows a broken end view of the modification disclosed in Fig. 11. Fig.

13 discloses a shelf structure embodying my invention, showing two elements connected. Fig. 14 discloses the broken upper end of a riser provided with the slot used to contain a door-keeper when these cases are provided with a glass door; Fig. 15 shows a broken end view of a door,sho wing the slot used therein to'accommodate the roller portionof one of my sliding door-keepers. Fig. 16 shows a broken detached detail disclosing the position of the keeper in dotted lines, while Fig. 17 shows a broken detached view of a door held in a horizontal position, also disclosing a keeper in dotted lines.

The object of my invention is to provide a shelving which shall be noticeable because of its simplicity, mobility, or changeableness, adaptability to be enlarged or reduced in capacity, while the prime feature is embodied in the economy of construction.

Ashelving constructed according to my present invention is elastic, mobile,or changeable in that the distance between the shelves may be lessened or increased, while shelves and risers. may be added or eliminated, as maybe desired, and which when the shelf is to be removed may be also instantly disassembled in releasing the take-up mechanism, so that this shelving may be packed in the smallest com-.

pass. My shelfelements are further adjustably and removably held in position between the two end members, so that each separate riser may be enlarged or decreased.

In carrying out the aim of my invention I provide the lower end member 1, which may be a shelf of any suitable length, width, or thickness, with the front piece 2 and the end pieces 3. This lower end member 1 is pro-,

vided with the end openings :0 and interme diate openings 2, as is shown in Fig. 2, and through these openings are extended the wire v connections used in holding the shelf together. Placed upon this lower shelf or mem- -view of an ordinary wire-stretcher.

her 1 are a plurality of risers 5, which are of a suitable width and height, and in order to add to its appearance each riser is provided in front with an einbellishing-strip 6, as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Upon these first series of risers is placed the first shelf 4, the wire connections in the meantime being strung through the six counterpart openings :r and a, registering with the openings within the lower member 1, when another series of risers 5 are used, upon which the next shelf 4 is placed, and so on until the upper end member or top shelf 1 is reached, which is also provided with the registering openings to and a, through which the connections are passed and finally secured to a suitable takeup mechanism 9, as shown. In order to insure the proper alinement of the risers 5 and in order to add to the rigidity of the structure, each riser 5 is provided in the rear with a slot 7, as is disclosed in Fig. 3, within which the wire connection is held.

In order to show how the distance between the shelves may be changed, I have disclosed in Fig. 1 a number of stub-risers 8, which have been placed upon the risers 5, so that the shelf has been raised a height corresponding to the height of these stub-risers.

Various take-up mechanisms can be used; but I find the best results are obtained in using any one of the well-known wire-stretchers upon the market, and in Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown, respectively, a side and front These wire-stretchers comprise the frames 9, holding a spindle or spool 10, provided with an opening a", the projecting operating-stem 11, and a ratchet-wheel 12. In connection with this ratchet-wheel an ordinary sliding pawl 13 is used, as disclosed in Fig. 4. Now in unitingashelf structure-as disclosed in Fig. 1', for instance-a-suitable wire a, would be secured to the end member 1 and would be extended through the successive shelves and finally be passed through the spindle-opening a,when an ordinary wrench would be applied to the operating-stem 11, and the drums 10 would be turned to wind the wire upon the same. In winding this wire the same would finally be stretched, sothat the two end members 1 and 1 would, by means of this wire connection, be connected under tension to unite said end members and securely hold the interposed risers and shelves between said end members to strain them together to rigidity under an elastic force, depending, of course, upon the elasticity of the wire. It is of course well known that each wire strand is elastic to a certain degree, and in the piano, mandolin, and several other instruments this elasticity of a wire is used to determine the pitch or tone to which the wire is strung. In my preseut invention, however, I rely upon this elasticity of the wire connection to provide a connection by means of which the elements may be strained to rigidity under force to provide a solid shelf structure. By actual experiments I find that in well-seasoned furniture lumber, when the risers are cut so that the grain of the lumber runs vertically, the elasticity of a plurality of wires is sufficient to rigidly and firmly unite a shelf structure according to my invention. In the lighter grades of woodsas pine and poplar, for instance-and which are, further, more susceptible to the atmospheric conditions as relates to humidity, and especially in the cheaper grades of shelving where no varnish, stain, or paint is used, I find the fluctuation in the risers incident to the atmospheric changes so great that the elasticity within the wire itself is not sufficient to take up the same in a shelf structure of any considerable height.

In order to enhance and'increase the unit or feature of elasticity in my shelf construction, I interpose, preferably below the lower end member 1, referring now to Fig. 9, an ordinary U-shaped spring b, which spring is provided with two end perforations, through which the wire connection a is guided, and then passing successively through the shelves and riser-slots, as is disclosed in Fig. 9, bein g secured above to the take-up mechanism 9. From this it will be noticed that in my shelf structure I have practically a vice, the two jaws of which are represented by the end members 1 and 1', between which are clamped the interposed shelves and risers, the wire connection and take-up mechanism representing the means by which the jaws are forced toward one another. Now as the interposed instrumentalities in the form of the shelves and risers are likely to elongate or contract it is absolutely necessary to hold said members together under tension, so that the structure may be strained to rigidity.

In order to cheapen the shelf structure and because it is somewhat inconvenient to string the shelves 4 upon the wire connections, the end members 1 and 1 may be provided with but one opening near each end. In Fig. 12 a broken detail is shown where but one connection a is used. Further, instead of slotting the riser along one vertical edge I provide the riser with a groove upon one side, as is shown in Fig. 11, into which groove the connecting-wire a fits. As narrow boards can be bought very much cheaper than wide boards, I use two narrow shelf members 4 4, as is shown in Figs. 11 and 12, between which the connection extends, so that the wire is really only connected to the two end members, so that the interposed instrumentalities can be quickly and easily inserted. As a matter of fact, the groove to contain the wire may be entirely eliminated and the wires placed adjacent the inner or outer fiat surfaces of the risers, and it will be noticed that in Figs. 2 and 9 the forward connections are placed adjacent the risers 5, being hidden,however, by means of the embellishing-strips 6.

If, however, an exceedingly strong structure is desired, the riser may be slotted at each vertical end, as is shown in Fig. 13, through v able take-up mechanism 17.

Where the shelving is intended to be provided with additional elements, I prefer using a take-up mechanism in the form of a turnbuckle 17, the threaded stems 18 of which are provided with the cars 19, holding pins '20, upon which are movably held the eccentric levers 21, between which levers and the members 19 the wire is pinched, being wound up at the end, so that the same may be subsequently unwound as the shelf structure is lengthened, as is disclosed in Figs. 13 and 8.

WVhen it is desired to use glass doors in connection with my shelf structure, the risers 5, as disclosed in Fig. 14, are provided along one upper edge with the upper shoulder e and the vertical shoulder c, asis clearly indicated in Fig. 14. Theriser5is further provided near the upper inner edge with a slot or seatingf and near the rear edge with the groove b, adapted to receive the back 31. Near the forward edge a square portion of each riser 5 is cut away, as is shown at 25, and is then reinserted and secured by means of a suitable screw 26, so that when this block 25 is removed the seatingfis exposed in front.

Working in connection with the slotted grooved riser 5 is a door-frame comprising the upper member 29., the lower member 27, and the end members 28, which at the outer edge and near the upper end are provided with the seatings 30, as ,shown in Fig. 15, which, however, are provided with a lateral slot m, as indicated. NVithin this door-frame is held a suitable, glass plate a. It will be noticed that the seating f is a little wider than the seating 30. In'securing these doors comprising the members 27, 28, and 29 after the shelf structure has been properly assembled and is being rigidly held together the forward blocks 25 are removed, when one of my keepers is inserted in placing the boss 16 into the seating 30, and then inserting the major portion or largest member 14 into the seating or groove fand then shoving the door inward, so that the keeper will be held within the slots or seatingsf and 30. The blocks 25 are then again placed in position.

The keepers used in connection with my invention comprise an elongated member 14, preferably having a stem or boss 15, upon which revolves a roller 16, so that the doors are supported at each side upon one of these rollers 16.

The operation of opening one of the doors constructed according to my invention would be as follows: Normally the doors hang upon the rollers 16 within the upper end of the door-slot 30, the door-keeper 14 being within the forward end of the slotf. In raising the lower portion of the door into a horizontal position the door can be readily pushed back on the rollers 16 within the slot 30 until the end of the slot is encountered, when the keeper proper would begin to be pushed back-,

ward within the slot f. Later the door-frame would rest upon the upper shoulder a. In closing the door it would be simply necessary to draw the same forward until the keeper found a seating within the forward end of the seating f and within the upper end of the groove or seating 30. In bringing the seating 30 within the door-frame nearer one edge than the other enables the door to be hung so that it will hang slightly inward or outward, depending upon which side of the center of gravity this slot is positioned. Where these glass doors are used, it is also desirable to have backs, and I use nothing more than a board 31, slightly beveled along its vertical edges, so as to fit into a slot b, as is disclosed in Fig. 14, to form a back, as disclosed in Fig. 16. In this construction I also prefer to use but one end connection, made to pass through the groove a, as shown in Figs. 14 and 16.

In shipping shelving constructed according to my invention the intermediate shelves and the top are simply packed upon the'base, as is shown in Fig. 10, the connections being wound up and the risers being packed adjacent to or upon the top of the shelf. This enables the shelving being shipped under a cheaper classification than furniture.

Another great advantage in shelving constructed according to my invention is found that in case of fire where the goods are simply damaged by water my shelving will not come apart upon being thoroughly soaked, as the several parts simply slightly expand and later dry in their position, and the shelf structure in-no way becomes separated. Then should at any time the shelf be disassembled the shelf-boards proper will be in as good a condition as the day they left the factory, for

the reason that they will in no Way be marred,

as no nails or screws are driven through the shelving and the boards are in no way scarred, this being especially true where narrow boards are used-as in Fig. 11, for instance, in which figure the risers 5' are simply held upon two plane boards 4 4, it being understood that no glue, screws, nails, dovetailing or mortising and tenoning are used in my shelf construction; and,

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with two end members, of a connection under tension uniting said end members, a plurality of interposed risers removable between said end members, and a take-up mechanism secured'to said connection, to strain to rigidity, under force said combined instrumentalities.

2. The combination with an upper shelf, of a lower shelf, a plurality of interposed risers removable between said upper and lower shelves, and means for straining under tension to rigidity, said shelves and risers.

3. The combination with a base shelf, of an upper shelf, an intermediate shelf, risers removable between said intermediate and base IIO and upper shelves, and mechanism to strain under tension to rigidity said shelves and risers, to form a rigid shelf structure.

4. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, connections uniting said shelves, an intermediate shelf, risers removable between said intermediate and top and base shelves, said risers being positioned adjacent said connections, and take-up mechanisms secured to said connections, to strain to rigidity under force, said instrumeutalities to form a shelf structure.

5. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, an intermediate shelf, connections uniting said base and top shelves, 3. spring interposed between said connections and shelves, and take-up mechanisms secured to said connections to strain to rigidity under elastic force, said combined shelves and risers, to form a shelf structure. 6. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, risers between said shelves having one of their vertical surfaces or edges grooved, aconnection extending from said base to said top shelf, and held within said edge grooves, and means to strain to rigidity under force said shelves and risers.

7. The combination in a shelf, of a base, a top shelf, a plurality of risers positioned between said base and top shelves, each of said risers being provided with a verticalgroove, a plurality of wire connections extending from said base to said top shelf, each wire connection passing through one of said grooves, and a take-up mechanism secured to each of said connections to strain said shelves and risers to rigidity under force, to provide a shelf structure.

8. The combination with a base shelf, of a connection extending from said base shelf, a top shelf, a plurality of interposed shelves, risers between said base, top and intermediate shelves, a spring secured to said connection, and a take-up mechanism secured to said connection to strain to rigidity under elastic force, said combined instrumentalities to form a shelf structure.

9. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, a connection extending from said base to said top shelf, a spring interposed between said connections and one of said shelves, a plurality of sectional risers interposed between said shelves, and a take-up mechanism secured to said connection, to strain to rigidity under elastic force, said combined instrumentalities to form a shelf structure.

10. The combination with abase shelf, of a top shelf, connections extending from said base shelf to said top shelf, risers interposed between said top and base shelf, a take-up mechanism secured to said connections, so that said iustrnmentalities may be strained to rigidity under force to form a shelf structure, each of aforesaid risers being provided near the upper ends with a horizontal groove, a door adapted to work between said risers, said door upon opposite edges being provided with a groove adapted to register with aforesaid grooves within said risers, and sliding members'adapted to rest within the slots of said risers, and door, to provide a hanger.

11. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, risers interposed between said base shelf and secured to said shelves and top shelf, each riser being provided with a vertical and horizontal ledge near their forward and upper edges, a groove Within each riser horizontally and adjacent said upper ledge,

a door-frame, a groove Within the sides of' said door-frame, a sliding member adapted to work within the groove of said riser and door-frame, and a take-up mechanism secured to said connections, so that said instrumentalities may be strained to rigidity under force to provide a shelf structure, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, risers interposed and held between and secured to said shelves, each riser being provided near the upper edge upon the inside with a horizontal groove, a door-frame adapted to work between said top and base shelves and between said risers, said door-frame being provided upon two outer opposite edges with a groove, and a sliding member adapted to simultaneously work within the grooves of said risers and door-frame, to slidably support said door-frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.-

' GEORGE W. SUES. Witnesses:

' EMILY B. MAYSTRICK, LULU M'. CURTTRIGHT.

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