Claims
- 1. An expandable shelf, comprising:
(a) a plurality of tubes having a first end and a second end and oriented substantially co-planar to one another; (b) a plurality of inner members having a first end and a second end and each first end being assembled slidingly into a respective first end of each of the plurality of tubes; (c) a first end plate engaging a second end of each of the plurality of tubes; (d) a second end plate engaging a second end of each of the plurality of inner members; and (e) a bracket positioned and adapted to support each of the plurality of tubes intermediate the first and second end plate.
- 2. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein the inner members are tubes of a dimension to fit slidingly into the plurality of tubes.
- 3. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein the inner members are solid bars.
- 4. The expandable shelf as described in claim 2, wherein the tubes and the inner members are substantially round in cross section.
- 5. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein a portion of the plurality of tubes and inner members define a plane.
- 6. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein the tubes and inner members are securely affixed to the respective first and second end plate.
- 7. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second end plates is removably attachable to the plurality of tubes and inner members and further comprising a plurality of studs extending from a side surface of at least one of the first and second end plates in an array configured to engage the first ends of the plurality of tubes or inner members.
- 8. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second end plates is removably attachable to the plurality of tubes and inner members and wherein the at least one of the first and second end plates is formed with cavities in an array formed to engage the first ends of the plurality of tubes or inner members.
- 9. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein the support bracket is positionable along the plurality of tubes.
- 10. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein the support bracket is formed with a plurality of apertures that are each configured to encircle one of the tubes.
- 11. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein the support bracket comprises a brace assembled thereto so as to substantially support the expandable shelf intermediate the first and second end plates to prevent bending.
- 12. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, wherein the tubes and the inner members are each formed with external longitudinal ribbing.
- 13. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, further comprising an adapter assembled to each of the plurality of tubes to slidingly engage respective ones of the plurality of inner members.
- 14. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, further comprising a column for supporting the first end plate.
- 15. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, further comprising a column having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end adapted for resting on a support surface and the upper end adapted for supporting an end plate of the expandable shelf.
- 16. The expandable shelf as described in claim 1, further comprising a substantially solid surfaced platform that is configurable to cover a horizontal top surface of the expandable shelf.
- 17. The expandable shelf as described in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of clamps affixed to the platform and adapted for securing the platform to the horizontal top surface of the expandable shelf.
- 18. An expandable shelf, comprising:
(a) a plurality of at least three tubes having a first end and a second end and oriented co-planar to one another; (b) a plurality of inner members having a first end and a second end and each first emd being assembled slidingly into a respective first end of each of the pluraltiy of tubes; (c) a first end plate and a second end plate configured to receive and support the second ends of the plurality of tubes and plurality of inner members; (d) wherein the first and second end plates are formed with a substantially linear body portion and a head portion extending perpendicular to the body portion.
- 19. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, wherein the inner members are tubes of a dimension to fit slidingly into the plurality of tubes.
- 20. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, wherein the inner members are solid bars.
- 21. The expandable shelf as described in claim 19, wherein the tubes and the inner members are substantially round in cross section.
- 22. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, wherein the tubes and inner members are securely affixed to the respective first and second end plate.
- 23. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, wherein at least one of the first and second end plates is removably attachable to the plurality of tubes and inner members and further comprising a plurality of studs extending from a side surface of at least one of the first and second end plates in an array configured to engage the first ends of the plurality of tubes or inner members.
- 24. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, wherein at least one of the first and second end plates is removably attachable to the plurality of tubes and inner members and wherein the at least one of the first and second end plates is formed with cavities in an array formed to engage the first ends of the plurality of tubes or inner members.
- 25. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, further comprising an adapter assembled to each of the plurality of tubes to slidingly engage respective ones of the plurality of inner members.
- 26. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, further comprising a column for supporting the first end plate.
- 27. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, further comprising a column having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end adapted for resting on a support surface and the upper end adapted for supporting an end plate of the expandable shelf.
- 28. The expandable shelf as described in claim 18, further comprising a substantially solid surfaced platform that is configurable to cover a horizontal top surface of the expandable shelf.
- 29. The expandable shelf as described in claim 28, further comprising a plurality of clamps affixed to the platform and adapted for securing the platform to the horizontal top surface of the expandable shelf.
- 30. A method for mounting to a first side wall an expandable shelf formed from a plurality of telescoping members that are removably attachable to a first end plate, comprising the steps of:
(a) mounting the end plate to the side wall; (b) attaching end portions of the plurality of telescoping members to engagable receptors formed on a surface of the end plate; and (c) supporting a second end plate of the expandable shelf so that the expandable shelf is substantially horizontal.
- 31. The method described in claim 30, wherein the step of supporting a second end plate comprises mounting the second end plate to a second side wall that is opposed to the first side wall.
- 32. The method described in claim 30, wherein the step of supporting a second end plate comprises installing a column to extend from a floor surface to the second end plate so that the expandable shelf is substantially horizontal.
- 33. The method described in claim 32, wherein the column is telescopically adjustable and the step of installing the column further comprises adjusting the length of the column to support the second end of the expandable shelf to maintain the expandable shelf in horizontal orientation.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of design patent application No. 29/173,600, filed Dec. 31, 2002 and a conversion of provisional patent application No. 60/437,064, filed Dec. 30, 2002.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60437064 |
Dec 2002 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
29173600 |
Dec 2002 |
US |
Child |
10387350 |
Mar 2003 |
US |