FLOATING SHELF SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is directed to a shelving system. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a two-piece system that provides a simple and secure way of mounting a shelf to a support member on a support structure. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a floating shelf system that is attached to a planar support structure.

BACKGROUND

In the current art, floating shelf apparatuses and/or systems require precise measurements when installing the brackets to hold a shelf. For example, mounting members (e.g., cylindrical pipes or brackets) must be driven into a support structure, such as a wall stud, to provide rigidity for the floating shelf system. However, the alignment of the mounting members is rather time consuming as each mounting member must contain a support surface that lies in a single plane to provide a flat surface to support the shelf to the mounting members. Moreover, certain mounting members in conventional floating shelf systems fail to provide support along the entire length of the shelf. Specifically, the current mounting members in conventional floating shelf systems only provide support at specific points along the shelf. Furthermore, conventional floating shelf systems fail to provide a concealment design that hides all mounting components and/or hardware when the floating shelf system is fully assembled for an aesthetic and rigidity function.

Therefore, given the problems of alignment and support between the mounting members and the shelf in a floating shelf system and the concealment design of the floating shelf system, an improvement is needed.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a floating shelf system. The floating shelf system comprises of a shelf and a cleat. The shelf has a first lengthwise axis and a slot that extends into the shelf along a main slot axis at a slot angle measured relative to the first lengthwise axis. The cleat has a second lengthwise axis, the cleat is adapted to be fastened to a support structure and is disposed within the slot of the shelf along the entirety of the cleat.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a floating shelf system that comprises a shelf, a cleat, and a plurality of fasteners. The shelf has a first lengthwise axis and a slot that extends into the shelf along a main slot axis at a slot angle measured relative to the first lengthwise axis. The cleat has a second lengthwise axis and a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures extends entirely through the cleat perpendicularly to the second lengthwise axis. The cleat is also adapted to be fastened to a support structure and receives the slot of the shelf to hold the shelf along the entirety of the cleat. The plurality of fasteners is configured to be received by the plurality of apertures and to fasten the cleat to the support structure. The first lengthwise axis and the second lengthwise axis are substantially parallel when the shelf is disposed on the cleat. The plurality of fasteners is disposed within the slot when the shelf is disposed on the cleat.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a floating shelf system that comprises of a shelf, a cleat, and a plurality of fasteners. The shelf has a first lengthwise axis and a slot. The slot defines a first slot surface, a second slot surface that is directly opposite to the first slot surface, and a third slot surface that is defined between the first and second slot surfaces. The first and second surfaces are parallel to each other relative to the first lengthwise axis, and the third surface is substantially perpendicular to the first lengthwise axis. The cleat has a second lengthwise axis, a first cleat portion continuous with a second cleat portion, and a plurality of apertures. The first cleat portion defines a first cleat surface, a second cleat surface that is directly opposite to the first cleat surface, and a third cleat surface defined between the first and second cleat surfaces. The second cleat portion defines a fourth cleat surface, a fifth cleat surface that is directly opposite to the fourth cleat surface, and a sixth cleat surface that is defined between the fourth and fifth cleat surfaces. The plurality of apertures extends entirely through the cleat perpendicularly to the second lengthwise axis. The cleat is adapted to be fastened to a support structure and receives the slot of the shelf to hold the shelf along the entirety of the cleat. The plurality of fasteners is configured to be received by the plurality of apertures and to fasten the cleat to the aperture. The first lengthwise axis and the second lengthwise axis are substantially parallel when the shelf is disposed on the cleat; The plurality of fasteners is disposed within the slot when the shelf is disposed on the cleat. The first cleat portion interfaces with the slot of the shelf such that the first cleat surface interfaces with the first slot surface and the third cleat surface interfaces with the third slot surface. The second cleat portion interfaces with the slot of the shelf and the support structure such that the fourth cleat surface interfaces with a surface of the support structure and the sixth cleat surface interfaces with the second slot surface of the slot.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a floating shelf system. The floating shelf system includes at least one cleat having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. The floating shelf system also includes a shelf operably engaged with the at least one cleat, the shelf having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. The at least one cleat is adapted to operably engaged with a support structure. The longitudinal axis of the at least one cleat and the longitudinal axis of the shelf are aligned and coaxial with one another.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the shelf comprises: a third end positioned between the first end of the shelf and the second end of the shelf; a fourth end positioned between the first end of the shelf and the second end of the shelf and opposite to the third end; and a slot defined in the shelf extending from the fourth end towards the third end; wherein the slot is configured to receive the at least one cleat entirely when the shelf operably engages with the at least one cleat. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the shelf further comprises: a first interior surface positioned inside of the slot; a second interior surface positioned inside of the slot opposite to the first interior surface; and a third interior surface positioned inside of the slot between the first interior surface and the second interior surface. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one cleat comprises: a first cleat portion operably engaged with the shelf; and a second cleat portion extending from the first cleat portion and operably engaged with the shelf; wherein the second cleat portion is adapted to operably engage with the support structure in conjunction with the shelf. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the first cleat portion operably engages with the first interior surface and the third interior surface; and wherein the second cleat portion operably engages with the second interior surface. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one cleat further comprises: a first cleat surface provided on the first cleat portion; a second cleat surface provided on the first cleat portion opposite to the first cleat surface; and a third cleat surface provided on the first cleat portion positioned between the first cleat surface and the second cleat surface. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one cleat further comprises: a fourth cleat surface provided on the second cleat portion; a fifth cleat surface provided on the second cleat portion opposite to the fourth cleat surface; and a sixth cleat surface provided on the second cleat portion positioned between the fourth cleat surface and the fifth cleat surface. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the first cleat surface operably engages with the first interior surface of the shelf; wherein the third cleat surface operably engages with the third interior surface of the shelf; wherein the fourth cleat surface is adapted to operably engages with the support structure; and wherein the sixth cleat surface operably engages with the second interior surface. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the shelf further comprises: a first slot length of the first interior surface measured from the fourth end of the shelf to the third interior surface; and a first cleat length of the first cleat portion measured from the third cleat surface to the fifth cleat surface; wherein the first slot length and the first cleat length are equal to one another. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the shelf further comprises: a second slot length of the second interior surface measured from the fourth end of the shelf to the third interior surface; and a second cleat length of the second cleat portion measured from the fourth cleat surface to the sixth cleat surface; wherein the second slot length is greater than the first cleat length. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one cleat further comprises: a first cleat plane disposing the first cleat portion; and a second cleat plane disposed the second cleat portion; wherein the first cleat plane and the second cleat plate intersect one another. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one cleat further comprises: at least one aperture extending entirely through the second cleat portion along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the at least one cleat. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include at least one fastener adapted to attach the at least one cleat to the support structure via the at least one aperture. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one cleat further comprises: a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the second cleat portion; wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures extends along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the at least one cleat. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include a plurality of fasteners adapted to attach the at least one cleat to the support structure via the plurality of apertures.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method. The method comprises steps of: introducing at least one cleat of a floating shelf system to a support structure at a desired position, wherein the at least one cleat has a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween; engaging the at least one cleat with the support structure at the desired position; introducing a shelf of the floating shelf system with the at least one cleat, wherein the shelf has a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween; and engaging the shelf with the at least one cleat at the desired positon, wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least one cleat and the longitudinal axis of the shelf are aligned parallel with one another.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include a step of engaging the shelf with the support structure. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of engaging the shelf with the at least one cleat at the desired positon further comprises: inserting the at least one cleat into a slot defined by the shelf. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of engaging the shelf with the at least one cleat at the desired positon further comprises: inserting a first cleat portion and a second cleat portion into a slot defined by the shelf; and engaging the second clear portion of the at least one cleat with the support surface. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of engaging the at least one cleat to the support surface at the desired position further comprises: inserting at least one fastener, via at least one aperture defined in the at least one cleat, through the at least one cleat; and fastening the at least one cleat, via the at least one fastener, with the support surface at the desired position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the floating shelf system.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the floating shelf system that includes a shelf and a cleat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shelf of the floating shelf system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cleat of the floating shelf system.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cleat of the floating shelf system.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shelf of the floating shelf system.

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the floating shelf system prior to the shelf disposed on the cleat.

FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the floating shelf system when the shelf disposed on the cleat.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description and the appended drawings describe and illustrates a floating shelf system. The description and drawing are provided to enable one skilled in the art to make and use one of more floating shelf systems. They are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any manner.

FIGS. 1 through 7B illustrate an example floating shelf system 100. The floating shelf system 100 includes a shelf 200, at least one cleat 300, and a plurality of fasteners 400.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the shelf defines a right shelf end 210, a left shelf end 212 that directly opposes the right first end 210, and a first lengthwise axis 203 extending from the right shelf end 210 to the left shelf end 212. The shelf 200 also defines a rear shelf end 214, a front shelf end 216 that directly opposes the rear shelf end 214, and a first widthwise axis 205 that extends from the rear shelf end 214 to the front shelf end 216. The shelf 200 also defines a top shelf end 218, a bottom shelf end 220 that directly opposes the top shelf end 218, and a first vertical axis 207 that extends from the top shelf end 218 to the bottom shelf end 220. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first lengthwise axis 203, first widthwise axis 205, and first vertical axis 207 are perpendicular to each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shelf defines a top shelf surface 234, a bottom shelf surface 236, a right shelf surface 238, a left shelf surface 240, a rear shelf surface 242, and a front shelf surface 244. The top shelf surface 234 extends between the right shelf end 210 and the left shelf end 212 and is disposed closer the top shelf end 218. In the illustrated embodiment, the top shelf surface 234 interfaces with an object 106 (e.g., a potted plant) to hold the object 106 when the shelf 200 is disposed on the cleat 300 as illustrated in FIG. 1, which is described in more detail below. The bottom shelf surface 236 extends between the right shelf end 210 and the left shelf end 212 and is disposed closer the bottom shelf end 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom shelf surface 234 interfaces with the surrounding environment of the shelf 200. The right shelf surface 236 extends between the rear shelf end 214 and the front shelf end 216 and is disposed at the right shelf end 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the right shelf surface 238 interfaces with the surrounding environment of the shelf 200. The left shelf surface 240 extends between rear shelf end 214 and the front shelf end 216 and is disposed at the left shelf end 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the left shelf surface 240 interfaces with the surrounding environment of the shelf 200. The rear shelf surface 242 extends between the top shelf end 218 and the bottom shelf end 220 and is disposed at the rear shelf end 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear shelf surface 242 interfaces with a support surface 105 of the wall 103 when the shelf 200 is connected to the cleat 300, which is described in more detail below. The front shelf surface 244 extends between the top shelf end 218 and the bottom shelf end 220 and is disposed at the front shelf end 216. In the illustrated embodiment, the front shelf surface 244 interfaces with the surrounding environment of the shelf 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom shelf surface 236 directly opposes the top shelf surface 234, the left shelf surface 240 directly opposes the right shelf surface 238, and the front shelf surface 244 opposes the rear shelf surface 242. As to the front shelf surface 244, the front shelf surface 244 is disposed at a front shelf surface angle 245 that measured relative to the first vertical axis 207. Specifically, the front shelf surface angle 245 is disposed at about 45 degrees measured relative to the first vertical axis 207. In this embodiment, the axis that contains the rear shelf surface 242 intersects the axis that contains the front shelf surface 244. However, the front shelf surface angle 245 of the front shelf surface 244 can have other suitable angles. Such suitable angles for a first shelf angle of a front shelf surface include about 30 degrees, about 45 degrees, between about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees, and other suitable angles for a first shelf angle of a front shelf surface.

The shelf 200 also defines a shelf width 209, a shelf length 211, and a shelf height 213. The shelf width 209 is defined by each of the right, left, rear, and front shelf surfaces 234, 236, 238, 240 along the first widthwise axis 205 from the rear shelf end 214 to the front shelf end 216. The shelf length 211 is defined by each of the right, left, top, and bottom shelf surfaces 234, 236, 242, 244 along the first lengthwise axis 203 measured from the right shelf end 210 to the left shelf end 212. The shelf height 213 is defined along the first vertical axis 207 measured from the top shelf end 218 to the bottom shelf end 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the shelf length 211 is greater than the shelf width 209 and the shelf height 213. However, in other embodiments, the shelf length 211 may be equal to the shelf width 209 and/or shelf height 213 or less than the shelf width 209 and/or shelf height 213 based upon a particular embodiment of the shelf 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the shelf defines a slot 250. The slot 250 defines a first slot end 252 disposed closer the right shelf end 210, a second slot end 254 that is opposite to the first slot end 252 and disposed closer to the left shelf end 212, and a slot length 253 measured from the first slot end 252 to the second slot end 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot length 253 is less than shelf length 211. The slot 250 also defines an open, third slot end 256 along the rear shelf surface 242 and a fourth slot end 258 opposite to the third slot end 256 that is disposed between the top shelf end 218 and the bottom shelf end 220. The slot 250 extends into the shelf 200 from the third slot end 258 at the rear shelf end 214 towards the front shelf end 216 and terminates at the fourth slot end 258 such that the slot 250 is in communication with the exterior environment surrounding the shelf 200. Additionally, the slot 250 is disposed on a main slot axis 251 at a slot angle 255 measured relative to the first vertical axis 207. The main slot axis 251 intersects each of the first lengthwise axis 203, the first widthwise axis 205, and the first vertical axis 207 along a point of the main slot axis 251. Furthermore, the slot angle 255 is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees measured relative to the first vertical axis 207. However, the slot angle 255 can have other suitable angles. Such suitable angles for a slot angle include about 30 degrees, about 45 degrees, between about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees, and other suitable angles for a slot angle of a slot.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 through 7B, the slot 250 defines a first slot surface 260, a second slot surface 262, a third slot surface 264, a fourth slot surface 266, and a fifth slot surface 268. The first slot surface 260 is defined between the first and second slot ends 252, 254 and is disposed closer to the top shelf end 218 near the top shelf surface 234. The second slot surface 262 is defined between the first and slot ends 252, 254 and is disposed closer to the bottom shelf end 220 near the bottom shelf surface 236. The third slot surface 264 is defined between the first and second slot ends 252, 254 and is disposed between the first and second slot surfaces 260, 262. The fourth slot surface 266 is defined between the first and second slot surfaces 260, 262 and is disposed closer to the right shelf end 210. The fifth slot surface 268 is defined between the first and second slot surfaces 260, 262 and is disposed closer to the left shelf end 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the third slot surface 264 connects each of the first and second slot surfaces 260, 262 together such the first, second, and third slot surfaces 260, 262, 264 are continuous with each other to define the total interior surface of the slot 250. Additionally, the first slot surface 260 is disposed on a first slot axis 260A at a first angle 260B measured relative to the first vertical axis 207 and is substantially parallel to the main slot axis 251. Similarly, the second slot surface 262 is disposed on a second slot axis 262A at a second angle 262B measured relative to the first vertical axis 207 and is substantially parallel to the main slot axis 251. The third slot surface 264 is disposed on a third slot axis 264A at a third angle 264B measured relative to the first vertical axis 207 and is substantially perpendicular to the first and second slot surface 260, 262. Similarly, each of the fourth and fifth slot surfaces 266, 268 are disposed on the same axis as the third slot surface 264 such that each of the fourth and fifth slot surfaces 266, 268 are disposed on the third slot axis 264A at the third angle 264B measured relative to the first vertical axis 207 and is substantially perpendicular to the first and second slot surface 260, 262. In the illustrated embodiment, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth slot surfaces 260, 262, 264, 266, 268 define a continuous, uninterrupted surface for the slot 250.

Furthermore, the slot 250 defines a first slot depth 267 and a second slot depth 269. The first slot depth 267 is defined along the first slot surface 260 and is measured from the third slot end 256 to the fourth slot end 258. Similarly, the second slot depth 269 is defined along the second slot surface 262 and is measured from the third slot end 256 to the fourth slot end 258. In the illustrated embodiment, the second slot depth 269 is greater than the first slot depth 267. The difference is length between the first and second slot depths 267, 269 is considered advantageous at least because this difference allows the cleat 300 to be inserted into and received by the shelf 200 to hold the shelf 200 in place once the shelf 200 and the cleat 300 are attached together, which is described in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cleat 300 defines a right cleat end 310, a left cleat end 314 that directly opposes the right cleat end 310, and a second lengthwise axis 303 that extends from the right cleat end 310 to the left cleat end 312. The cleat 300 also defines a rear cleat end 314 is disposed between the right and left cleat ends 310, 312, a front cleat end 316 that is disposed between the right and left cleat ends 310, 312 and directly opposes the rear cleat end 314, and a second widthwise axis 305 that extends from the rear cleat end 314 to the front cleat end 316. The cleat 300 also defines a top cleat end 318, a bottom cleat end 320 that directly opposes the top shelf end 318, and a second vertical axis 207 that extends from the top cleat end 318 to the bottom cleat end 320. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the second lengthwise axis 303, second widthwise axis 305, and second vertical axis 307 are perpendicular to each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cleat 300 defines a first cleat portion 322 and a second cleat portion 324. The first cleat portion 322 extends from the right cleat end 310 to the left cleat end 312 along the second lengthwise axis 303. The first cleat portion 322 is disposed closed to the top cleat end 318. Similarly, the second cleat portion 324 extends from the right cleat end 310 to the left cleat end 312 along the second lengthwise axis 303. The second cleat portion 324 is disposed closer to the bottom cleat end 320. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cleat portion 322 is connected to the second cleat portion 324 along a plane that is disposed between the top and bottom cleat ends 318, 320 such that the first cleat portion 322 is continuous with the second cleat portion 324 to define a continuous, uninterrupted surface, which is described in more detail below. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first cleat portion 322 is disposed on a first cleat plane 321A at a first cleat angle 321B measured relative to the second vertical axis 307. The second cleat portion 324 is disposed on a second cleat plate 323A at a second cleat angle 323B measured relative to the second widthwise axis 305. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cleat plane 321A intersects the second cleat plane 323A at a point along the second lengthwise axis 303, the second widthwise axis 305, and/or the second vertical axis 307.

The first cleat portion 322 defines a first cleat surface 328, a second cleat surface 330, and a third cleat surface 332. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first cleat surface 328 extends between the right cleat end 310 and the left cleat end 312 and is disposed closer to the rear cleat end 314 and the top cleat end 318. The first cleat surface 328 is disposed along a first cleat axis 329A at a first cleat surface angle 329B measured relative to the second vertical axis 307. The second cleat surface 330 extends between the right cleat end 310 and the left cleat end 312 and is disposed closer to the front cleat end 316 and the bottom cleat end 320. The second cleat surface 330 is disposed along a second cleat axis 331A at a second cleat surface angle 331B measured relative to the second widthwise axis 305. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second cleat surfaces 328, 330 are parallel to each other and parallel to the first cleat plane 321A. The third cleat surface 332 extends between the right cleat end 310 and the left cleat end 312 and is disposed closer to the fourth top cleat end 320. The third cleat surface 332 is disposed along a third cleat axis 333A at a third cleat surface angle 333B measured relative to the second widthwise axis 305. In addition, the third cleat surface 332 is disposed between the first and second cleat surfaces 328, 330 such that the third cleat surface 332 connects the first and second cleat surfaces 328, 330 together to create a continuous, uninterrupted surface along the first cleat portion 322.

The second cleat portion 324 defines each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth cleat surfaces 334, 336, 338. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fourth cleat surface 334 extends between the right cleat end 310 and the left cleat end 312 and is disposed closer to the rear cleat end 314. The fourth cleat surface 334 is disposed along a fourth cleat axis 335A at a fourth cleat surface angle 335B measured relative to the second vertical axis 307. The fifth cleat surface 336 extends between the right cleat end 310 and the left cleat end 312 and is disposed closer to the front cleat end 316. The fifth cleat surface 336 is disposed along a fifth cleat axis 337A at a fifth cleat surface angle 337B measured relative to the second vertical axis 307. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth and fifth cleat surfaces 334, 336 are parallel to each other and parallel to the second cleat plane 323A. The sixth cleat surface 338 extends between the right cleat end 310 and the left cleat end 312 and is disposed between the third and front cleat ends 314, 316 closer to the sixth top cleat end 320. The sixth cleat surface 338 is disposed along a sixth cleat axis 339A at a sixth cleat surface angle 339B measured relative to the second vertical axis 307. In addition, the sixth cleat surface 338 is disposed between the fourth and fifth cleat surfaces 334, 336 such that the sixth cleat surface 338 connects the fourth and fifth cleat surfaces 334, 336 together to create a continuous, uninterrupted surface along the second cleat portion 324.

The cleat 300 also defines a first cleat length 367 and a second cleat length 369. The first cleat length 367 is measured along the first cleat plane 321A from the third cleat surface 332 of the first cleat portion 322 to a medial point where the first and second cleat portions 322, 324 intersect each other. The second cleat length 369 is measured along the first cleat plane 321A from the third cleat surface 332 of the first cleat portion 322 to the fourth cleat surface 334 on the second cleat portion 324. In the illustrated embodiment, the second cleat length 369 is greater than the first cleat length 367. Furthermore, the first cleat length 367 corresponds to the first slot depth 267 such that the first cleat length 367 and the first slot depth 267 are equal to each other to allow the cleat 300 to be disposed within the slot 250 of the shelf 200, which is described in more detail below. The second cleat length 369 also corresponds to the second slot depth 369 such that the second cleat length 369 and the second slot depth 369 are equal to each other to allow the cleat 300 to be disposed within the slot 250 of the shelf 200, which is described in more detail below.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cleat 300 includes a plurality of apertures 340. Each aperture of the plurality of apertures 340 has a first aperture end 340A disposed at the front cleat end 316, a second aperture end 340B disposed at the rear cleat end 314, and an aperture interior surface 342 that extends between the first and second aperture ends 340A, 340B. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of apertures 340 extends through the cleat 300 at the second cleat portion 324. Specifically, each aperture of the plurality of apertures 340 extends from the fourth cleat surface 334 to the fifth cleat surface 336 such that the fourth and fifth cleat surfaces 334, 336 are in communication with each other. Additionally, each aperture of the plurality of apertures 340 is sized and configured to receive and house a fastener from the plurality of fasteners 400 to attach the cleat 300 to a wall 103 and/or a wall stud 104, which is described in more detail below. Furthermore, each aperture of the plurality of apertures 340 in this embodiment is spaced at a certain length from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleat 300 includes four apertures 340 where the length between each aperture 340 is measured four inches apart from the center of each aperture 340. The advantage of using a four-inch measurement between each aperture in this embodiment provides the capability of attaching the cleat 300 to a wall stud, such as wall stud 104, where each wall stud is measured either twelve inches apart from another wall stud or sixteen inches apart from another wall stud. While the cleat 300 includes four apertures 340, the cleat 300 may include additional apertures 340 in the cleat 300 based upon the size of the shelf 200 and cleat 300 in floating shelf system 100.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the assembly of floating shelf system 100 where the cleat is attached to the wall 103 and/or the wall stud 104 and the shelf 200 is attached to the cleat 300.

Prior to introducing the shelf 200 onto the cleat 300, a user must attach the cleat 300 to a support structure, such as wall 103 and/or wall stud 104. The user must find a suitable location to anchor each fastener of the plurality of fasteners 400 into the support structure. Any suitable technique or method for finding a suitable location along the support structure may be used during this application (e.g., using a stud-finder to find a proper wall stud). Upon finding a suitable location, a user then drills respected holes into the wall 103 or wall stud 104 such that each hole drilled is sized and configured to receive a corresponding fastener from the plurality of fasteners 400. Any suitable technique or method for drilling suitable holes may be used during this application (e.g., using a drilling device to drill such holes). Once the holes are drilled, the user aligns the cleat 300 with each holed drilled to each corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures 340. Once aligned, the user then introduces a fastener from the plurality of fasteners 400 into a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures 340 to attach the cleat 300 to the wall 103 and/or a wall stud 104 such that the rear clear surface 314 directly contacts the support surface 105, which is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The inventor has determined that the user must attach at least one fastener from the plurality of fasteners 400 into a wall stud 104 to provide suitable strength and support to the floating shelf system 100 when objects are placed onto the shelf 200. The remaining fasteners of the plurality of fasteners 400 may be mounted to the wall 103 via wall anchors (not illustrated) or into other wall studs 104 where such attachment to additional wall studs 104 would provide even greater rigidity and strength to the floating shelf system 100. Furthermore, once each fastener of the plurality of fasteners 400 attaches the cleat 300 to the wall 103 and/or wall stud 104, each fastener of the plurality of fasteners 400 interfaces with each of the wall 103 and/or wall stud 104, the interior surface 342 of each aperture of the plurality of apertures 340, and the fifth cleat surface 336 on the second cleat portion 324. The fourth cleat surface 336 of the second cleat portion 324 directly interfaces with and abuts a surface of the wall 103 once the cleat 300 is attached to the structure.

Once the cleat 300 has been attached to a support structure, the user may introduce the shelf 200 to the cleat 300. In order for the cleat 300 to be received by the shelf 200, a user applies a force onto the shelf 200 that is directed towards each of the bottom shelf end 220 and the bottom cleat end 320 as indicated by around 108. As the cleat 300 enters into the shelf 200 via the user's force, the respected surfaces of the slot 250 and the first and second cleat portions 322, 324 interface with each other. Specifically, the first slot surface 260 interfaces with the first cleat surface 328 of the first cleat portion 322 such that the first slot surface 260 slideably engages the first cleat surface 328. Next, the second slot surface 262 interfaces with the sixth cleat surface 338 of the second cleat portion 324 such that the second slot surface 262 slideably engages the sixth cleat surface 338. Lastly, the third slot surface 364 interfaces with the third cleat surface 332 of the first cleat portion 322 such that the third slot surface 264 abuts the third cleat surface 332.

Once the third slot surface 264 of the shelf 200 abuts the third cleat surface 332 of the cleat 300, as shown in FIG. 7B, the shelf 200 is mounted onto and is disposed on the cleat 300. Once mounted, the shelf 200 houses the cleat 300 in its entirety and the plurality of fasteners 400 within the slot 250. The configuration of housing the entire cleat 300 and the plurality of fasteners 400 inside of the slot 250 of the shelf 200 is considered advantageous at least because the shelf 200 is able to abut both the cleat 300 and the wall 103 for maximizing strength and rigidity when supporting at least one object, such as object 106 or a plurality of different objects. With this configuration, the inventor has determined that the floating shelf system 100 is able to support its owns weight with approximately ten additional pounds to approximately thirty additional pounds of weight provided that at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners 400 is attached to a wall stud 104. Furthermore, housing the entire cleat 300 and the plurality of fasteners 400 inside of the slot 250 of the shelf 200 is considered advantageous at least because the slot of the shelf 200 conceals the cleat 300 and the plurality of fasteners 400 for aesthetic means and function.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cleat length 311 is less than slot length 253 in the floating shelf system 100. The difference in length between the cleat 300 and the slot 250 of the shelf 200 is considered advantageous at least because this difference in length allows the user to adjust the lateral position of the shelf 200 along the first lengthwise axis 203 in order to align the center of mass of the shelf 200 over the cleat 300. With this, a user simply applies a force onto the shelf 200, specifically at the front shelf end 216, that is directed to the bottom shelf end 220 and toward the wall 103 to allow the shelf 200 to move along the cleat 300 relative to the first lengthwise axis 203. Once the center of mass of the shelf 200 is aligned with the cleat 300 at a suitable location determined by the user, the user simply applies a reverse force onto the shelf 200, specifically at the front shelf end 216, that is directed to the top shelf end 200 and away from the wall 200 to allow the slot 250 of the shelf 200 to rest on the cleat 300.

While the floating shelf system 100 includes a single slot 250 in the shelf 200 and a single cleat 300 that attaches to the slot of the shelf 200, a floating shelf system may include an additional amount of slots in a shelf and a corresponding amounts of cleats that attach to the selected amount of slots. Example amounts of slots in a shelf and a corresponding amount of cleats include one, a plurality, two, three, four, five, six, and any other suitable amount of slots in a shelf and a corresponding amount of cleats for a particular application.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or support structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a support structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, support structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, support structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, support structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

FLOATING SHELF SYSTEM

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