ADJUSTABLE SHELF RISER

Abstract

An adjustable shelf riser includes a shelf and a pair of legs supporting the shelf. In one version, the legs include an upper portion removably attachable to the shelf and extending vertically below the shelf when the upper portion is attached to the shelf. The legs also include a lower extension portion removably attachable to the upper portion, the lower extension portion having a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the upper portion to the lower extension portion. The upper portion and the lower extension portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to configurable shelving units, particularly for adjustable placement within cabinets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's crowded and smaller homes, consumers are often looking for ways to maximize the space in their kitchen or bathroom cabinets. In some cases, consumers use plastic shelves with wire legs, placing them on top of existing shelves to provide another shelf on which to store goods such as glasses, cups, dishes or food cans and jars.

In theory, the consumer is doubling the amount of space available by inserting an additional shelf in the space between two other shelves. In reality, because the wire legs are at a fixed height of typically six to seven inches, in many cases the cabinet space is still not maximized. The fixed six to seven inch clearance can leave several inches of space beneath the shelf that cannot be used. Due to the fixed height, the space above the shelf can also be difficult to use with certain items without raising the permanent cabinet shelves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one version of the invention, an adjustable shelf riser includes a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface. A pair of legs supports the shelf, in which each of the pair of legs has an upper portion removably attachable to the shelf and extending vertically below the lower surface of the shelf when the upper portion is attached to the shelf, and a lower extension portion removably attachable to the upper portion, the lower extension portion having a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the upper portion to the lower extension portion. The upper portion and the lower extension portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.

The lower extension portion may include a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being moveable between an open position spaced apart from one another and a closed position adjacent one another, the first side and the second side further being configured to surround a portion of the upper portion when the upper wire portion is attached to the lower extension portion and the first side and the second side are in the closed position.

The selectable connecting surface may comprise a series of slots, the series of slots being positioned within a space between the first side and the second side when the first side and the second side are in the closed position.

In some versions, the upper portion is an upper wire portion formed in a U-shape having a pair of opposing uprights and a base portion joining the pair of opposing uprights, the base portion being received within the selectable connecting surface when the first side and the second side are in the closed position.

The lower extension portion may further have a bottom end, a top end, a first edge, and a second edge, the first and second edges opposing one another between the top end and the bottom end, the lower extension portion further comprising a first side clip removably attached to the first edge.

In some examples, a second side clip is removably attached to the second edge.

The first edge, in some versions, may further comprise a recessed region configured to receive the first side clip.

The first side clip may also have at least one rib, and the first edge may have at least one channel, the at least one rib being received within the at least one channel when the first side clip is attached to the first edge.

The lower extension portion may also have a first bottom clip removably attached to the bottom end of the lower extension portion.

In some versions, the upper wire portion is removably pivotally attached to the lower surface of the shelf.

The lower surface of the shelf preferably has a plurality of mounts, each of the plurality of mounts having a vertical channel and a horizontal slot. Each of the pair of uprights in the upper wire portion may have a lateral extension, wherein each of the lateral extensions is removably receivable within one of the horizontal slots, and a corresponding upright from the pair of uprights is removably receivable within a corresponding vertical channel.

The lower extension portion may be integrally formed, the first side and the second side being joined by a living hinge.

In a preferred version, the living hinge extends along the bottom end.

The lower extension portion may comprise a first bottom clip removably attached to the bottom end of the lower extension portion, the first bottom clip being formed from an elastomeric material.

In another version of the invention, the adjustable shelf riser includes a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface. A pair of legs supports the shelf, each of the pair of legs being pivotally attached to the shelf for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent the lower surface and a second position extending vertically away from the lower surface. Each of the pair of legs has a wire portion having a pair of opposing uprights. A housing portion is removably attachable to the wire portion, the housing portion having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being moveable between an open position wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side, and a closed position wherein the first side is adjacent the second side, the first side and the second side further being configured to surround at least part of the wire portion when the housing portion is in the closed position. The housing portion further has a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the wire portion to the housing portion, the selectable connecting surface further being positioned between the first side and the second side when the housing portion is in the closed position. The wire portion and the housing portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.

The housing portion further optionally has a bottom end, a top end, a first edge, and a second edge, the first and second edges opposing one another between the top end and the bottom end, the bottom end having a living hinge joining the first side to the second side, the housing portion further comprising a first side clip removably attached to the first edge and a second side clip removably attached to the second edge.

The adjustable shelf riser may include a first bottom clip removably attached to the bottom end of the housing portion, the first bottom clip being formed from an elastomeric material.

In some examples, the adjustable shelf riser includes a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a pair of legs supporting the shelf, each of the pair of legs being pivotally attached to the shelf for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent the lower surface and a second position extending vertically away from the lower surface. Preferably, each of the pair of legs has an upper portion having a pair of opposing uprights, and a lower extension portion removably attachable to the upper portion, the housing portion having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being moveable between an open position wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side, and a closed position wherein the first side is adjacent the second side, the first side and the second side further being configured to surround at least part of the upper portion when the housing portion is in the closed position.

The housing portion may have a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the upper portion to the housing portion, the selectable connecting surface further being positioned between the first side and the second side when the housing portion is in the closed position. The upper portion and the housing portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.

The housing portion is preferably configured as a clam-shell having at least one living hinge, the selectable connecting surface being on an interior surface of the clam-shell, the housing portion further comprising a first clip and a second clip, each of the first clip and the second clip being removably attached to the housing portion to retain the housing portion in the closed position.

The selectable connecting surface may have a series of slots, the series of slots being formed on the first side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred shelf riser.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a preferred shelf riser, shown positioned within an exemplary cabinet.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred shelf riser, shown with extensions hinged to an open position for adjustment.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an extension portion, hinged to an open position and showing the interior of the extension portion.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an extension portion, hinged to an open position and showing the exterior of the extension portion.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a preferred shelf.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred side locking clip.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred bottom locking clip.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a preferred wire leg.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of detail C in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the region of detail C, shown with a wire leg inserted into the shelf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred shelf riser 10 is illustrated in a top perspective view in FIG. 1, and includes a shelf 20 attached to a pair of legs 30, 60 configured to rest on a horizontal surface such as a cabinet shelf. In many cases, the space within a cabinet is difficult to use efficiently because the cabinet shelves cannot be positioned as may be desired, or because the items to be stored in the cabinet cannot be stacked high enough to use all of the space between cabinet shelves. Consequently, there is often much wasted space within a typical cabinet. The preferred shelf riser may be adjusted to a desired height, then positioned within a cabinet to create an additional shelf within the cabinet.

As shown in FIG. 2, most preferably the legs of the shelf riser are adjustable to provide for a height H of the device between the top of the shelf riser 21 and the cabinet or other horizontal surface on which the shelf riser is placed, in which the height H can be adjusted as desired by a user. Accordingly, the shelf riser 10 can be tailored to fit snugly above other items positioned on a shelf 101 (such as in a cabinet 100 having an upper shelf or ceiling 102). In this fashion, the shelf riser provides for an additional shelf (that is, shelf 20) within the cabinet 100 that enables additional items to be stored in the otherwise wasted space within the cabinet. Once in position within the cabinet 100, a user may store selected items in the space beneath the shelf 20 and the top of the cabinet shelf 100, and other selected items on top of the shelf 20.

In the preferred example, the shelf riser includes a pair of legs 30, 60 that are pivotally attached to the lower surface 22 of the shelf 20, so that they can be retracted toward the shelf 20 for storage and extended away from the shelf when in use, as indicated by the arrows A and B in FIG. 2, showing the preferred direction of pivotal movement of the legs toward and away from the lower side 22 of the shelf 20.

In one version, such as best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the legs 30, 60 include a generally U-shaped upper wire portion 35, 65 attached to a lower extension portion 40, 50. As illustrated, the wire portions have a first end (which may be the open end of the U-shape) attached to a lower side of the shelf 20, and a second end (which may be the closed end of the U-shape) attached to an extension portion 40, 50. The extension portion is selectively attached to the wire portion at a desired location in order to adjust the overall height of the legs, as desired.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the shelf riser with the extension leg portions in a selected position and locked to the upper wire leg portions. FIG. 3 shows the extension leg portions pivoted to an open position. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the extension leg portion separated from the rest of the shelf riser and pivoted to an open position in front and back views. In the preferred example, the shelf riser will include a pair of opposing legs, including a first leg 30 and a second leg 60, in which the first leg includes a first upper wire portion 35 and a first lower extension portion 40 and the second leg includes a second upper wire portion 65 and a second lower extension portion 50. Most preferably the first and second lower extension portions 40, 50 are identical, and therefore FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate only the first lower extension portion 40 in detail.

In one example, such as best seen in FIGS. 3-5, the extension portion is formed as a clamshell housing having a first side 40a and a second side 40b, in which the first and second sides are integrally formed or joined by a living hinge 47 positioned in the middle of the clamshell. When pivoted to an open position such as in FIGS. 3-5, the first side is illustrated below the second side, whereas when pivoted to a closed position the first and second sides are closely adjacent one another to form opposing interior and exterior sides of the leg, sandwiching the wire portion between the opposing sides. In other versions, the first and second sides are not integrally formed with one another or are otherwise fully separable from one another, but are attachable to one another with snaps or other fasteners or features. In yet other versions, an extension member may be formed as a single piece, without two sides that selectively pivot apart and join together. In another version, one or more living hinges are oriented vertically, parallel to one of the vertical wire portions (e.g. 35), rather horizontally as shown.

In the illustrated example, the second side 40b of the extension housing includes a selectable connecting surface, which in one version is configured as a first plurality of vertically-arranged slots 48 and a second plurality of vertically arranged slots 49. The slots are formed with a C-shape and are sized and shaped to snugly retain a lower portion 32 of one of the U-shaped wires 35. Preferably, the wire will snap-fit into the slots for a firm attachment, allowing the wire to be removed only upon the application of a prying force. In one version, each of the sets of slots includes ten total slots, though in other versions more or fewer slots may be used. The number of slots, and the distance over which they are arranged, will define the overall adjustable height range of the shelf adjuster. Most preferably at least one slot begins closely adjacent the living hinge 47 so that a minimum height is approximately defined by the height of the wires 35, 65, with the slots continuing upward to a point near the opposite upper end of the second side 40b. Although the illustrated example includes a mounting surface formed as two parallel sets of slots, in other versions a single set of slots may be used, or as another alternative a larger set of slots, extending across the width of the extension portion may be used.

The first and second sides of the first extension portion 40 preferably attach to one another in a snap-fit fashion, and in one example they include a rectangular tab 45 sized and shaped to fit within a mating slot 46. In some versions a plurality of such tabs or similar locking snaps may be used. A series of U-shaped locking clips may also be used, as illustrated in the preferred version of the invention and best seen in FIG. 1, in which a pair of vertical side clips (43, 44 and 53, 54) and a pair of horizontal bottom clips (41, 42, and 51, 52) may be used with each of the two legs. In one example, the bottom clips are formed from rubber or another elastomeric material to serve as nonskid feet for the device.

A preferred side clip 43 is shown in FIG. 7, and in the illustrated example the side clip has an elongated shape with an elongated interior channel 66. The cross-sectional shape, perpendicular to an axis extending along the elongated interior channel, is generally a U-shape having an open elongated end. At the rim of the open end, on an interior-facing portion of each upright of the U-shape, a pair of ribs 67a, 67b are provided. The ribs 67a, 67b are configured to be received within mating channels 76 and 78, or 77 and 79, formed in the outer surfaces of the extension portion 40. Either half of the extension portion 40a, 40b may also be formed with a recessed area 71, 72 to provide an improved grip for the vertical clips. Opposing exterior surfaces of the clip 43 may be formed with a series of ridges 68 forming a gripping surface.

In one example, the width of the extension portions may be about the same as the width of the U-shaped wires 35, 65 (that is, the distance between a first vertical section 31 and the opposite vertical section 33, such as seen in FIG. 9), so that the vertical wire portions 31, 33 extend along the opposing first and second edges of the extension portion 40. The recessed areas 71, 72 may further, in some versions, be shaped so that the wires extend beyond the edges of the recessed area. In this way, the vertical clips (e.g., 43) will surround and contact the vertical wire portions as well as a part of the extension portion in order to provide resistance against inward movement of the U-shaped wires (that is, in the direction of arrows C and D as illustrated in FIG. 9).

A preferred bottom clip 41 is shown in FIG. 8, and most preferably the illustrated bottom clip 41 is identical to each of the other bottom clips 42, 51, 52. As illustrated, the bottom clip is C-shaped in cross section, with an elongated interior channel 58 and opposing rims 59a, 59b defining a narrow gap. In use, the bottom clips are pressed against the corresponding horizontal wire portions in the locations of the foot cutouts (e.g. 86, 87, see FIG. 5) formed about each side of the living hinges 47 on the extension portions.

As noted above, although only one extension portion or housing 40 and attached wire 35 is described above in detail, preferably the opposite extension portion 50 and attached wire 65 are configured in the same manner. In the above example, the wire secures to the shelf with an extension portion extending away from the wire. In other versions, the orientation of the extension portion and the wires may be reversed, so that the wire projects outward from the extension portion by an adjustable distance and rests on a surface for support.

The shelf 20 includes an upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower surface includes a series of mounts 23, 24, 25, 26 configured to receive an upright from one of the two U-shaped wires 35, 65. The U-shaped wire legs are most preferably further formed with an upper lateral projection that is received in a respective one of the mounts to both secure the wire leg to the shelf and facilitate pivotal movement. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, the wire legs 35 (and 65, which is not illustrated but which is preferably identical to wire 35) include a horizontal base portion 32 with vertical first and second uprights 31, 33. The first upright, or vertical portion 31, transitions to a first lateral projection 34 while the second upright, or vertical portion 33, transitions to a second lateral projection 35. The lateral projections are illustrated as extending away from one another, generally horizontally and parallel to the axis formed by the base portion 32. In other versions, however, the lateral projections may extend inward, toward one another, with the configuration of the mounts reversed accordingly.

One of the mounts 24 is illustrated in a close-up view in FIGS. 10 and 11, representing detail C in FIG. 6. Although only one such mount is shown in close-up, each of the four mounts is preferably configured in the same way. Most preferably, each of the mounts (e.g., 24) includes a vertical channel 80 and a horizontal slot 81 (in which “horizontal” is in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the top of the shelf 20, and “vertical” is perpendicular to horizontal). One of the lateral projections of one of the wire legs (for example, either projection 34 or projection 35) is received in a respective one of the horizontal slots, while an adjacent portion of one of the uprights or vertical portions (either 31 or 33) is received in the vertical channel of the mount. Once in place in the mount as illustrated, the wire leg is trapped against either vertical or pivotal movement.

The uprights of the wire legs are preferably configured in a manner such that they may be urged inward toward one another, as indicated by arrows C and D in FIG. 9. When the wire legs are not connected to the mounts, the wires must first be squeezed toward one another in this fashion in order to enable the lateral projections to extend into the slots 81 in the mounts. When released, the natural bias of the wire legs will urge the projections (34 or 35) into the slots. To remove the wire legs, or to pivot them to be retracted upward into the lower side of the shelf, the uprights are squeezed toward one another until the uprights clear the vertical channels 88, at which point the wire legs may be rotated. Most preferably, the lateral projections are formed to be long enough to still engage a portion of the horizontal slot 81 even when the wire uprights are moved inwardly toward one another to clear the channel, so that the legs are still attached to the shelf for pivotal movement. Consequently, the legs may be pivoted between a first horizontal position adjacent the lower surface of the shelf, and a second vertical position extending away from the shelf.

In order to use the shelf riser, a user first selects a location in which an additional shelf would be useful. The heights of the legs of the shelf riser are adjusted to a desired level so that the shelf will be at a suitable height above a lower shelf on which the shelf riser is to be placed. For example, the height will be adjusted so that the shelf of the shelf riser acceptably clears the top of a set of dishes resting on a cupboard shelf. The height is adjusted by opening each of the extension portions 50, 60 and positioning the horizontal portions of the wires 35, 65 within the appropriate slot from among the plurality of slots 48, 49 formed in the extension housing. The same process is repeated for each of the plurality of legs; although two such legs are shown in the preferred version, in alternate versions more legs (such as three or four) may be used. Once positioned in the slots, the extension portion or housing is closed around the wire legs and, in a version employing clips, the side clips are attached to the housing to firmly enclose it around the wires. If bottom clips are also provided in a version in which they are removable, the bottom clips are likewise attached. The shelf riser is then positioned within the cupboard or other location so that it extends above other items within the cupboard, thereby providing an additional shelf space above such items.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An adjustable shelf riser, comprising: a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface, anda pair of legs supporting the shelf, each of the pair of legs having: an upper portion removably attachable to the shelf and extending vertically below the lower surface of the shelf when the upper portion is attached to the shelf; anda lower extension portion removably attachable to the upper portion, the lower extension portion having a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the upper portion to the lower extension portion;wherein the upper portion and the lower extension portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.

2. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 1, wherein the lower extension portion includes a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being moveable between an open position spaced apart from one another and a closed position adjacent one another, the first side and the second side further being configured to surround a portion of the upper portion when the upper wire portion is attached to the lower extension portion and the first side and the second side are in the closed position.

3. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 2, wherein the selectable connecting surface further comprises a series of slots, the series of slots being positioned within a space between the first side and the second side when the first side and the second side are in the closed position.

4. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 3, wherein the upper portion is an upper wire portion formed in a U-shape having a pair of opposing uprights and a base portion joining the pair of opposing uprights, the base portion being received within the selectable connecting surface when the first side and the second side are in the closed position.

5. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 4, wherein the lower extension portion further comprises a bottom end, a top end, a first edge, and a second edge, the first and second edges opposing one another between the top end and the bottom end, the lower extension portion further comprising a first side clip removably attached to the first edge.

6. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, further comprising a second side clip removably attached to the second edge.

7. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the first edge further comprises a recessed region configured to receive the first side clip.

8. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the first side clip comprises at least one rib and the first edge comprises at least one channel, the at least one rib being received within the at least one channel when the first side clip is attached to the first edge.

9. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the lower extension portion further comprises a first bottom clip removably attached to the bottom end of the lower extension portion.

10. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the upper wire portion removably pivotally attached to the lower surface of the shelf.

11. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 10, wherein the lower surface of the shelf comprises a plurality of mounts, each of the plurality of mounts having a vertical channel and a horizontal slot, and further wherein each of the pair of uprights in the upper wire portion further comprises a lateral extension, wherein each of the lateral extensions is removably receivable within one of the horizontal slots, and a corresponding upright from the pair of uprights is removably receivable within a corresponding vertical channel.

12. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the lower extension portion is integrally formed, the first side and the second side being joined by a living hinge.

13. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 12, wherein the living hinge extends along the bottom end.

14. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 13, wherein the lower extension portion further comprises a first bottom clip removably attached to the bottom end of the lower extension portion, the first bottom clip being formed from an elastomeric material.

15. An adjustable shelf riser, comprising: a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface, anda pair of legs supporting the shelf, each of the pair of legs being pivotally attached to the shelf for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent the lower surface and a second position extending vertically away from the lower surface, each of the pair of legs having: a wire portion having a pair of opposing uprights; anda housing portion removably attachable to the wire portion, the housing portion having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being moveable between an open position wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side, and a closed position wherein the first side is adjacent the second side, the first side and the second side further being configured to surround at least part of the wire portion when the housing portion is in the closed position;the housing portion further having a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the wire portion to the housing portion, the selectable connecting surface further being positioned between the first side and the second side when the housing portion is in the closed position;wherein the wire portion and the housing portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.

16. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 15, wherein the housing portion further comprises a bottom end, a top end, a first edge, and a second edge, the first and second edges opposing one another between the top end and the bottom end, the bottom end having a living hinge joining the first side to the second side, the housing portion further comprising a first side clip removably attached to the first edge and a second side clip removably attached to the second edge.

17. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 16, further comprising a first bottom clip removably attached to the bottom end of the housing portion, the first bottom clip being formed from an elastomeric material.

18. An adjustable shelf riser, comprising: a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface, anda pair of legs supporting the shelf, each of the pair of legs being pivotally attached to the shelf for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent the lower surface and a second position extending vertically away from the lower surface, each of the pair of legs having: an upper portion having a pair of opposing uprights; anda lower extension portion removably attachable to the upper portion, the housing portion having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being moveable between an open position wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side, and a closed position wherein the first side is adjacent the second side, the first side and the second side further being configured to surround at least part of the upper portion when the housing portion is in the closed position;the housing portion further having a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the upper portion to the housing portion, the selectable connecting surface further being positioned between the first side and the second side when the housing portion is in the closed position;wherein the upper portion and the housing portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.

19. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 18, wherein the housing portion is configured as a clam-shell having at least one living hinge, the selectable connecting surface being on an interior surface of the clam-shell, the housing portion further comprising a first clip and a second clip, each of the first clip and the second clip being removably attached to the housing portion to retain the housing portion in the closed position.

20. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 19, wherein the selectable connecting surface further comprises a series of slots, the series of slots being formed on the first side.