Patent Grant
6974041
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a system for, stowing, holding or maintaining articles in juxtaposed or side-by-side relation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for maintaining substantially flat articles in juxtaposed relation as a means to organize and stow the articles. The substantially flat articles may comprise various types of items, such as container lids, books, playing cards, compact disk cassettes, napkins, envelopes, and other articles readily subject to organization and stowage by book end-type structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art dealing with or specifying book end-type structure is old and well-developed. Public and private libraries the world over regularly utilize some type of book end device or system to prop or support a row of books. Often, the need arises to stow or organize other types of substantially flat article structures in a fashion similar to the familiar book end type support system. One such example well noted by the author of this writing is the need to store or organize the numerous types of container lids found in a typical household kitchen. In order to properly stow and/or organize flat articles such as container lids in juxtaposed relation, it is often necessary to incorporate some selective locking means to enable the user to lock the prop or support structure in place adjacent the terminal article of a given row of articles. The prior art does teach several types of book end-type systems designed to provide selectively lockable or adjustable props or supports for maintaining substantially flat articles in juxtaposed relation. Several of these prior art disclosures that do teach adjustable or lockable book end-type structures are described hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 527,897 ('897 patent), which issued to Stikeman, discloses a Book Support. The '897 patent teaches a book support which is used in connection with a grooved or slotted shelf as referenced at A. The book support comprises a single piece of metal so shaped, bent and fashioned as to form a double-walled triangularly shaped abutment or brace as referenced at C. The abutment or brace C is formed with depending and outwardly bent flanges “c” and “c”, which enter the groove “a” and bear against the side walls of the groove so as to sustain the support in any position to which it may be moved. When it is desired to adjust the support on the shelf, it is only necessary to grasp the brace portion with one hand and squeeze the side walls of the same together thus releasing the pressure of flanges on the side walls of the groove, and then move the support along the groove or slot in either direction. Upon releasing the brace portion the flanges will press against the side walls of the groove and hold the support firmly in position.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,684,765 ('765 patent), which issued to Lowenstein, discloses a Holder for Books and the Like. The '765 patent teaches holders for books and the like that is adjustable for accommodating and supporting in upright position a plurality of different sized books of different thickness. In relevant portion, the '765 patent teaches a spring 44 secured to the bookend and preferably the front wall thereof and has upwardly diverging portions 45 terminating in downwardly and outwardly extending portions 46 which terminate in upwardly curved portions 47 adapted to resiliently engage the upper surface 4 of the top wall 3 of the base. The resilient members tend to maintain the lugs 38 in engagement with the lower faces 29 of the ribs 27 and 28 to create frictional contact for resisting movement of the bookends relative to the base.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,108 ('108 patent), which issued to Anderson, discloses an Adjustable Book Holding Device. The '108 patent teaches a device adapted to support one or more groups of books, magazines, file folders, papers or the like in any desired spaced relation along an underlying panel which may be a shelf or tray. The device includes manually adjustable book supports adapted to bear against the outside books in each group. The book supports are longitudinally slidable and self locking to lateral pressure from the books.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,696 ('696 patent), which issued to Sheu, discloses an Adjustable Bookrack. The '696 patent teaches an adjustable bookrack comprising a base with a guideway provided in an upper surface thereof, the guideway having a first frictional surface; a stationary upright end wall mounted securely at one end of base; a movable upright end wall disposed detachably on the guideway; a gliding member secured to the underside of the movable upright end wall and slidable on the guideway; a braking member releasably disposed under the gliding member and having a second frictional surface opposing the first frictional surface; and means for biasing the braking member toward the gliding member so as to impel the second frictional surface against the first frictional surface, including an actuator member. Thereby, when the actuator member is pushed, the braking member is released from the guideway so as to adjust the space between the stationary and movable upright end wall.
It will thus be noted that the prior art teaches a variety of mechanisms for allowing users to selectively adjust and lock book end-type uprights for stowing or organizing books and the like intermediate the book end-type uprights. Further, the prior, art teaches a number of slotted surfaces for receiving various types of selectively lockable book end-type uprights. From a thorough inspection of the prior art, it will be seen, however, that none of the prior art disclosures teach an article stowage system comprising, in combination, an assembly-receiving base having a wedge or dovetail shaped slot, and a slide support assembly receivable in the base, which assembly comprises, in combination, an upright support member fixedly and orthogonally attached to a slide member, which slide member comprises a rounded superior slide surface for tangential contact with opposing superior slot surfaces. Further, the prior art does not teach a slide support assembly comprising a V-shaped spring member held in pivotal contact with the upright at the spring member vertex, the terminal ends of which are oriented orthogonal to the slot track for lodged engagement with the track walls.
It is noted that the '897 patent does teach spring like means for selectively placing the book end uprights in frictionally locked engagement with a book end-receiving slot. However, it will be noted from a careful inspection of the '897 patent that the terminal ends of the spring like means are oriented parallel to the slot track. It is contemplated that given sufficient load force directed against the book end upright from the stowed article direction, that static (and kinetic) frictional forces between the slot walls and outwardly bent flanges “c” and “c” may be overcome, thus causing outwardly bent flanges “c” and “c”, which enter the groove “a” and to accelerate in the direction of the friction-overcoming force. The prior art thus perceives a need for a slide support assembly comprising a V-shaped spring member, which terminal ends are orthogonally oriented relative to the slot track or groove so that when load forces are directed against the upright member from the direction of the stowed articles, the terminal spring ends, under expansive force, become lodged or embedded in the side walls (as the load force drives the terminal spring ends into the side walls) of the track or groove for preventing linear acceleration along the groove or slotted track.
It will thus be seen from a consideration of the above-referenced patents and other prior art generally known to exist, that the prior art does not teach an article stowage system comprising, in combination, an assembly-receiving base having a wedge or dovetail shaped slot, and a slide support assembly receivable in the base, which assembly further comprises, in combination, an upright support member fixedly and orthogonally attached to a slide member, which slide member comprises a rounded superior slide surface for tangential contact with opposing superior slot surfaces. Further, the prior art does not teach a slide support assembly comprising a V-shaped spring member held in pivotal contact with the upright at the vertex of the spring member. Further, the prior art does not teach a V-shaped spring member held in pivotal contact with an upright member, the terminal ends of which spring member are oriented orthogonal to the slot track for lodged engagement with the track walls.
The prior art thus perceives a need for a selectively lockable article stowage system comprising, in combination, an assembly-receiving base having a wedge-shaped slot formed therein for receiving an improved slide support assembly. In this last regard, the prior art further perceives a need for an improved slide support assembly comprising, in combination, an upright support member fixedly and orthogonally attached to a slide member, which slide member is received in the wedge-shaped slot such that the superior slot surfaces are in tangential slidable contact with the rounded superior surface of the slide member. Further, the prior art perceives a need for selective spring locking means defined by a substantially V-shaped spring member, the terminal ends of which function to become lodged in the side walls of the assembly-receiving slot under the action of load forces directed against the upright member for preventing the slide support assembly from accelerating along the slot track.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable, lockable article stowage system for enabling users thereof to effectively stow articles intermediate book end-type prop supports or uprights. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article stowage system comprising, in combination, an assembly-receiving base having a wedge or dovetail shaped slot, and a slide support assembly receivable in the base, which assembly comprises, in combination, an upright support member fixedly and orthogonally attached to a slide member, the slide member comprising a rounded superior slide surface for tangential contact with opposing superior slot surfaces. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slide support assembly comprising a V-shaped spring member held in pivotal contact with the upright at the spring member vertex. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a V-shaped spring member, the terminal ends of which are oriented orthogonal to the slot track for lodged engagement with the track walls. Thus, it is a further object of the present invention to provide improved load force opposing structure for selectively preventing the upright support member from accelerating along the assembly-receiving slot. At the user's election, the terminal ends of the V-shaped spring member may be manually dislodged from lodged engagement with the slot walls for allowing the slide support assembly to be translated bidirectionally in the assembly-receiving slot.
To achieve these and other readily apparent objectives, the present invention provides an article stowage system for stowing substantially flat articles in vertically juxtaposed relation, the flat article stowage system comprising, in combination, slide support assembly-receiving means and at least one slide support assembly. The slide support assembly-receiving means essentially comprises a slide support assembly-receiving slot, which slide support assembly-receiving slot comprises first and second substantially parallel spring member-engaging surfaces, and a slide member-receiving portion formed adjacent the spring member-engaging surfaces. The slide member-receiving portion essentially comprises a slide member-engaging surface, which surface extend from the first spring member-engaging surface to the second spring member-engaging surface or comprises a laterally opposed superior slot surfaces and an inferior slot surface intermediate the superior slot surfaces.
Each slide support assembly essentially comprises an article-engaging upright, a slide member, a spring member, and component attachment means. The article-engaging upright essentially comprises an outer upright surface and an inner upright surface. The slide member essentially comprises an upright attachment end, a slide surface end, a slide surface, and a spring member-receiving groove intermediate the upright attachment end and the slide surface end. The spring member essentially comprises first and second spring ends and a spring body intermediate the first and second spring ends. The component attachment means fixedly attach the upright attachment end of the slide member to the article-engaging upright. Further, the component attachment means pivotally attach the spring body or vertex of the preferably V-shaped spring member to the outer upright surface of the article-engaging upright. The spring member is received in the spring member-receiving groove and the slide member is received in the slide member-receiving slot. The slot surface slidably contacts the slide surface and the spring ends contact the spring member-engaging surfaces for allowing the slide support assembly to translate unidirectionally given a driving force. Further, the spring member is compressible for eliminating contact between the spring ends and the spring member-engaging surfaces to allow the slide support assembly to translate bidirectionally given properly directed driving forces.
Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.
Other features of my invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief description of my patent drawings, as follows:
Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present invention concerns an article stowage system or article stowage assembly much akin to a bookend assembly for stowing articles in juxtaposed relation. As earlier noted, however, the idea driving the present invention grew out of the question of how to store or organize the many container lids commonly found in a household kitchen. Thus, it is contemplated that the present invention concerns an article stowage system or article stowage assembly for stowing not only books and the like, but flat articles in general. In other words, not only does the present invention maintain books and the like in vertically juxtaposed relation, but also such common household items such as container lids, compact disk cassettes, napkins, mail envelopes, playing cards, etcetera. The article stowage system 10 or article stowage assembly has been generally illustrated in
Article stowage system 10 preferably comprises, in combination, slide support assembly-receiving means or a slide support assembly-receiving base 11 as illustrated and referenced in
Slide support assembly-receiving base 11 may be attached via any number of fastening means to a select support structure such as cabinetry or the like per the election of the user. In other words, the user may select a suitable site for stowing articles and then attach slide support assembly-receiving base 11 to the support structure such that support-engaging surface 14 is attached to the select support structure.
As will be seen from an inspection of
It will be understood from an inspection of FIGS. 1 and 10–12 that article stowage system 10 is functional as intended incorporating either one slide support assembly 12 (as generally illustrated in
Article-engaging upright 20 is preferably constructed from stock material such as a user-selected grade of wood (excellent results have been achieved using 0.5 inch thick poplar wood) and comprises an outer upright surface 25 as illustrated in
As indicated, slide member 21 is preferably formed from a 0.625 inch diameter cylindrical aluminum rod. Inferior slide surface 31 is formed by machining an arc length of about 1.05 radians from the cylinder. By removing an arc length of about 1.05 radians from the cylinder, the distance from inferior slide surface 31 to the superior most point of superior slide surface 30 (the total remaining thickness of assembly-receiving slot) is about 0.5 inches. The preferred distance between spring member-engaging surfaces 16 (the preferred “first distance”) is about 0.510 inches. The preferred height or depth of each spring member-engaging surface 16 from upright-engaging surface 13 to each of the superior most portions of superior slot surfaces 18 is about 0.1305 inches. Superior slot surfaces 18 are each preferably radially tangent to superior slide surface 30 at points about 0.3125 inches from the effective center of the otherwise cylindrical member. Slide support assembly-receiving base 11 must therefore comprise a thickness of at least 0.5 inches so that assembly-receiving slot 15 may properly be formed therein.
The V-shaped spring member 22 is preferably constructed from spring steel and comprises a vertex region 33 as illustrated and referenced in
The first equilibrium position of spring member 22 may preferably be defined by the “second distance” (the distance between wing termini) when slide support assembly 12 is removed from assembly-receiving slot 15. The “second distance” is thus preferably greater in magnitude than the “first distance” (the distance between spring member-engaging surfaces 16). Thus, the wing termini or spring ends of spring member 22, when in the first equilibrium position, are in a least compressed state. When slide support assembly 12 is inserted into assembly-receiving slot, the wing termini or spring ends of spring member 22 are in an intermediate compressed state defined as a second equilibrium state. The wing termini or spring ends thus make forceful contact with spring member-engaging surfaces 16 under the expansive forces of spring member 22 as spring member 22 attempts to return to the first equilibrium position. Thus, it will be seen that the wing termini or spring ends are in unidirectional or frictional contact with spring member-engaging surfaces 16.
For purposes of providing a more uniform first equilibrium position, it is contemplated that slide support assembly 12 may further preferably comprise spring member compression means. The spring member compression means may preferably be defined by a spring-compressing cap 42 as illustrated and referenced in
Slide member attachment means 24 may preferably be defined by a screw, rivet, or similar other type fastening structure and function to fixedly attach upright attachment end 28 to article-engaging upright 20 substantially as depicted in
Spring member attachment means 23 may preferably be defined by a hitch pin clip, which hitch pin clip comprises a substantially linear hitch pin portion and a zigzagged or substantially S-shaped hitch pin portion as both most clearly depicted in
Further, it will be seen from an inspection of
The substantially planar select support structure is preferably positioned opposite inner upright surface 26 in substantially parallel relation thereto. The select support structure is preferably selected from the group consisting of a user-selected wall 41 as generally illustrated and referenced in
As earlier indicated, slide member 21 is received in slide member-receiving slot 15. In the preferred embodiment, superior slot surfaces 18 are substantially tangent to the rounded superior slide surface 30 an in low friction, slidable contact therewith. Further, inferior slot surface 17 is preferably in slidable or low frictional contact with inferior slide surface 31. The wing termini (in the second equilibrium position) are also in frictional contact with spring member-engaging surfaces 16 under expansive forces as spring member 22 tends to the first equilibrium position.
The second equilibrium position of spring member 22 may preferably be defined by the “second distance” (the distance between wing termini) when slide support assembly 12 is inserted into assembly-receiving slot 15. The “second distance” is thus preferably substantially equal in magnitude to the “first distance” (the distance between spring member-engaging surfaces 16). Thus, the wing termini or spring ends of spring member 22 when in the second equilibrium position are in an intermediate compressed state. In other words, as earlier specified, when slide support assembly 12 is inserted into assembly-receiving slot 15, the wing termini or spring ends of spring member 22 are in an intermediate compressed state defined as the second equilibrium position. The wing termini or spring ends thus make forceful contact with spring member-engaging surfaces 16 under the expansive forces of spring member 22 as spring member 22 attempts to return to the first equilibrium position. It will thus be understood that the “second distance” is substantially equal in magnitude to the “first distance” when spring member 22 is in the second equilibrium position. Further, it will be seen that the wing termini or spring ends are in unidirectional or frictional contact with spring member-engaging surfaces 16.
Notably, inferior upright surface 27 is preferably slidably engaged with upright-engaging surface 13 and spring member 22 thus only allows unidirectional movement or unidirectional translation of each slide support assembly 12 when the slide support assemblies are inserted in assembly-receiving slot 15. In other words, spring member 22 when so specified and place in pivotal contact with article-engaging upright 20, allows a first slide support assembly 12 to translate toward the select support structure (user-selected wall 41 or a second slide support assembly 12) under the action of a first friction-overcoming force directed toward the select support structure, which first friction-overcoming force has a component directed orthogonally to outer upright surface 25. It will be further understood that spring member 22 when so specified prevents the first slide support assembly 12 from translating toward slide surface end 29 given a load force (originating from stowed articles, for example) directed toward slide surface end 29 orthogonal to inner upright surface 25 as generally depicted at 46 in
It will thus be understood that while the '897 patent teaches spring like means for selectively placing the book end uprights in locked engagement with a book end-receiving slot, the terminal ends of the spring like means as taught by the '897 patent are oriented parallel to the slot track or groove. It is contemplated that given sufficient load force directed against the book end upright from the stowed article direction, that static (and kinetic) frictional forces between the slot walls and outwardly bent flanges “c” and “c” may be overcome, thus causing outwardly bent flanges “c” and “c” to accelerate in the direction of the friction-overcoming force. The present invention provides a slide support assembly comprising a V-shaped spring member, which terminal ends are orthogonally oriented relative to the slot track or groove so that when load forces are directed against the upright member from the direction of the stowed articles, the terminal spring ends, under expansive force of the spring member, become lodged or embedded in the side walls (as the load force drives the terminal spring ends into the side walls) of the track or groove for preventing linear acceleration along the groove or slotted track.
However, as generally depicted in
Each slide support assembly 12 may preferably comprise a pliable spring member jacket 43 as illustrated and referenced in
Pressure (P)=Force (F)÷Area (A).
Preferably, superior slot surfaces 18, inferior slot surface 17, superior slide surface 30, and inferior slide surface 31 are polished or made smooth so as to reduce the coefficients of static and kinetic friction between opposing contacting surfaces. By polishing the noted surfaces, the user may more easily (with less force) direct either slide support assembly 12 in assembly-receiving slot 15. It will thus be noted that the described surfaces are preferably smooth. In contrast, it is preferable that spring member-engaging surfaces 16 are unpolished or left rough (as exaggerated in
While the above description contains much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, the slide support assembly-receiving means need not comprise a support-engaging surface. So long as the slide support assembly-receiving means essentially comprises a slide member-receiving slot or slide support assembly-receiving slot 15, it is contemplated that the necessary structure is present. In this regard, it is contemplated that assembly-receiving slot 15 may be formed substantially as earlier described directly in a surface material at the desired site of article stowage assembly 10. However, it is contemplated that routing out a separate piece of stock material and attaching the slotted slide support assembly-receiving base to a select support structure or surface is easier (and less costly) to practice. The slotted assembly-receiving base may then be attached to cabinetry or other similar support site as elected by the user. In sum, the slide support assembly-receiving means essentially comprises a slide support assembly-receiving slot comprising two opposite, substantially parallel spring member-engaging surfaces, and a slide member-receiving portion. The slide member-receiving portion is preferably formed adjacent the spring member-engaging surfaces, and necessarily comprises a slide member-engaging surface or slot surface extending from the first spring member engaging surface to the second sprig member-engaging surface. In this last regard, it should be further noted that the slide member-receiving portion need not comprise a dovetail or wedge-shaped cross section, but may comprise a somewhat T-shaped cross section or other functional cross section.
Further, each slide support assembly necessarily comprises an article-engaging upright, a slide member, a spring member, and component attachment means. It is thus contemplated that the spirit of the present invention is practiced provided the noted components are structurally defined and related as per the following description. The article-engaging upright essentially comprises an outer upright surface and an inner upright surface. The slide member essentially comprises an upright attachment end, a slide surface end, and a slide surface. The spring member essentially comprises first and second spring ends and a spring body intermediate the first and second spring ends. The component attachment means function (1) to attach the upright attachment end to the article-engaging upright and (2) to place the spring body in contact with the outer upright surface such that the spring member is spatially oriented in superior adjacency to the slide surface. The slide member may thus be receivable in a slide member-receiving slot, the slot surface slidably contacting the slide surface, and the spring ends contacting the spring member-engaging surfaces for allowing the slide support assembly to translate unidirectionally. Notably, the spring member is further compressible for eliminating contact between the spring ends and the spring member-engaging surfaces to allow the slide support assembly to translate bidirectionally. In other words, the spring ends, being orthogonal to the assembly-receiving means, are cooperatively associated with the spring member-engaging surfaces for allowing the slide support assembly to translate in a select direction directional movement, the select directional movement being selected from the group consisting of unidirectional movement and bidirectional movement as respectively and structurally allowed by the second and third equilibrium positions.
Further, the spring member attachment means need not be defined by a hitch pin as described and specified hereinabove. It is contemplated that screws or similar other type fastening structure may function to place vertex region 33 in contact with outer upright surface 25. Excellent results have been obtained, however, when the spring member attachment means are defined by a hitch pin substantially as earlier specified to allow pivotal contact between the spring member and the outer upright surface.
Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended that the novel assembly be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 527897 | Stikeman | Oct 1894 | A |
| 583494 | Lundberg | Jun 1897 | A |
| 1237101 | Ryan | Aug 1917 | A |
| 1336981 | Schimmel | Apr 1920 | A |
| 1358853 | Hruska | Nov 1920 | A |
| 1674582 | Wheeler | Jun 1928 | A |
| 2140656 | Smith | Dec 1938 | A |
| 2206133 | Stoll | Jul 1940 | A |
| 2684765 | Lowenstein, Jr. | Jul 1954 | A |
| 2911103 | Kunkler | Nov 1959 | A |
| 3142384 | Fridolph | Jul 1964 | A |
| 3318454 | Donlin | May 1967 | A |
| 3487945 | Barham | Jan 1970 | A |
| 3513983 | Kellogg | May 1970 | A |
| 3747775 | Merola | Jul 1973 | A |
| 4113108 | Anderson | Sep 1978 | A |
| 4682696 | Shew | Jul 1987 | A |
| 5205420 | Petryszak | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5325792 | Mulloy | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5740926 | Mulloy | Apr 1998 | A |
| 6227513 | Richard | May 2001 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050224430 A1 | Oct 2005 | US |
