Methods and Devices for Modification of Shelving and Other Structures

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for covering a plurality of apertures in a structure such as shelving or other structures. In certain embodiments, the device may comprise a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match the distance between the plurality of apertures in the structure. The device may be sized depending on the structure being modified with the device. The device may comprise beveled edges and/or lights that allow for the device to be snugly inserted into a shelving unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are methods and devices for modification of shelving and other structures. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to making the shelving and other structures more stylish and aesthetically pleasing by not presenting unsightly holes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although shelves have been around for a long time, the first recognized patent that claimed a shelf was U.S. Pat. No. 18,702 A, which was published on Nov. 24, 1857. The shelving in this patent relates to shelves that was to be used for storing or the curing of cheeses. Later, shelving was developed that had a plurality of vertical holes or mortises present in them that allowed the insertion of pins or tenons that supported the shelves. Often this shelving and/or other structures (e.g., bookcases and other furniture) is/was provided in a modular format, allowing for the shelves to be positioned at different heights in a single unit. While this provides flexibility, the holes that are not used can be unsightly. Thus, there is a need to cover the holes so as to improve the appearance of the shelving and/or other structures.

One means of covering the holes is by use of round stickers that are the same color as the shelving units that can be stuck on the shelves. The adhesive used in these stickers tends to be very strong so as to not easily fall off after they are attached. This leads to at least two problems. First, removal of the stickers is difficult, if it is possible at all. Second, if the stickers are removed, because of the strength of the adhesive, the finish on the shelving unit may be damaged by being pulled off of the shelves. Even if one is able to remove the sticker without damaging the shelving unit, there may remain unsightly residual adhesive on the shelving unit that needs to be removed (if possible) by using solvents.

Currently, there are available nylon or wood plugs wherein each of the nylon or wood plugs are inserted into the individual holes in order to hide the unsightly holes. The nylon or wood plugs may be difficult to insert because they are designed to fit in the holes very tightly so that they do not easily fall out once they have been inserted. Moreover, because of the difficulty of insertion of these nylon or wood plugs due to their tight fit as well as the fact that each of the nylon or wood plug has to be inserted individually, the time that it takes to insert a plurality of plugs may be pretty substantial. Thus, a better design of plugs is desired so as to more easily hide the holes/mortises.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a device for covering a plurality of apertures in a structure comprising: a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match the distance between the plurality of apertures in the structure. Also, disclosed are method for making and using such devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of modular shelving where holes for the shelves are exposed.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of the device of the disclosure for sealing and providing a cover for unused holes in shelving and other structures in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows a bottom view of the device of the disclosure for sealing and providing a cover for unused holes in shelving and other structures in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2C shows a side view of the device of the disclosure for sealing and providing a cover for unused holes in shelving and other structures in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of the device of the disclosure for sealing and providing a cover for unused holes in shelving and other structures in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show another illustration of a device of the disclosure for sealing and providing a cover for unused holes in shelving and other structures in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows a bottom view of the device.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the device.

FIG. 4 shows a top down embodiment showing how the protruding elements are designed to fit in the holes/mortises on the shelf.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are methods and devices for modification of shelving and other structures to cover holes that are not being used. The methods and devices may be embodied in a variety of ways.

In certain embodiments, disclosed is a device for covering a plurality of apertures in a structure comprising: a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match the distance between the plurality of apertures in the structure.

The device may be made so as to match the geometry of the apertures in the structure. For example, in certain embodiments, the plurality of protruding elements are aligned in a linear manner. Or, other arrangements may be used depending upon the configuration of the apertures in the structure.

Also disclosed are methods of making devices of the disclosure. The plurality of protruding elements may be part of the connector or attached to a preexisting connector. Thus, in certain embodiments, each of the protruding elements is attached to the connector using a fastener or adhesive. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, each of the protruding elements are fabricated from a larger structure used to make the connector. For example, the device may be made by molding the connector in a manner such that the plurality of protruding elements are generated. In certain embodiments, the device is made by 3D printing.

Also disclosed are methods of using the devices of the disclosure. For example, in certain embodiments the method may be a method of sealing apertures in a structure comprising applying a device comprising a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into the aperture; and a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match the distance between the plurality of apertures in the structure so as to seal the apertures with the device.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a structure 102 with exposed apertures 104 which can be covered using a device of the disclosure. For example, FIG. 1 shows a shelf in a shelving component. It can be seen that there are multiple apertures for inserting brackets or other inserts to hold additional shelves. Such apertures (holes) can be unsightly.

FIGS. 2A-D show examples of a device 200 of the disclosure. The top view shows the upper surface 202 of the connector 201 as it appears after the device is inserted into holes in the structure. Thus, rather than seeing holes (as shown in FIG. 1), the viewer sees a smooth surface that is essentially flush with the surface of the structure depending on the thickness 206 of the connector 201. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a view of the device from the bottom showing the underside of the connector 201/208 and the plurality of protruding elements 204 that can be inserted into at least some of the plurality of apertures in the structure. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a side view of the device showing the plurality of protruding elements 204 that extend from the connector 201 and that can be inserted into at least some of the plurality of apertures. Also shown is a front to back view (or back to front view) showing that in some embodiments, the connector may be beveled.

The device may be sized to fit the holes in any structure. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 3A-B, in certain embodiments, the connector 300 may be about 25 inches long 301 and about ½ inch wide 302. Also, in certain embodiments, the connector may be about ⅛ inch thick 304. Or, other dimensions for the connector may be used. Also, in certain embodiments, the protruding elements may be spaced apart by about 2.5 inches 305. The protruding elements may be about 3/16 inches (or 5 mm) in diameter 306 and about ⅜ inches long 307. Or, other sized protruding elements may be used. FIG. 3 also shows the presence of a beveled edge 308. The embodiment in FIG. 3 should be compared to FIG. 5 that shows optional break-away lines that allow the length of the connector to be modified depending on the shelf-maker's needs (e.g., the position of the shelves). Accordingly, the present invention contemplates both the presence and the absence of breakaway lines.

In an embodiment and as shown in the top down view in FIG. 4, the device 402 comprises device beveled edges 403 and protruding element 404 which is designed to fit in corresponding hole 401 in structure/shelf 400. It should be understood that because this is a top down view, only one protruding element 404 is shown, however, there may be present a plurality of protruding elements 404 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2 and 3. Hole 401 comprises structure beveled edges 405 and mortise 406 which is designed to accommodate the structures associated with device 402 so that the device fits snugly into the hole 401. When the device 402 is inserted into hole 401, the device 402 fits so well that the device surface 408 is flush with the shelf/structure surface 409.

It should also be understood that while the surface of the device in one embodiment is designed to be flush with the surface of the shelving unit, in an alternate embodiment, the surface of the device may also be raised relative to the surface of the shelving unit so that the device protrudes (in an aesthetically pleasing manner) relative to the surface of the shelving unit. This may facilitate the removal of the device from the shelving unit should one wish to move the location of the device that is attached to the shelving unit. Because the device protrudes relative to the surface of the shelving unit, one may be able to more easily grab the device to pull it off of the shelving unit.

In the device 402, there optionally are present one or more lights 410 associated with device 402 which are designed to light up. The one or more lights 410 may be any of a plurality of shapes. In a variation, there may be present one light 410 that runs the length of the connector 201 of the device 402 so that the light 410 is essentially a line of a light that runs vertically. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of lights 410 that may be round in shape so that the lights appear in a vertical manner with one round light directly above and/or below the adjacent lights. The lights may not be completely centered on device surface 408 so that the light may be present closer to the front of the shelf or closer to the back of the shelf. The optional light 410 may be any of a variety of diameters so that the light is either bigger or smaller.

As shown in FIG. 5, a side view is shown of the device 500 of the present invention. The protruding elements 504 are shown and break-away lines 501 are shown whereby the device 500 can easily be reduced in size by having the user snap the break-away lines 501 at the desired break-away line 501 so that the user can attain a device of the desired length. The break-away lines, in an embodiment, are designed so as to give a clean break of the device so that it is not readily apparent that the device has been reduced in length to the desired size. As shown, there is also optionally present one or more lights 510 that are positioned so that they can be viewed when the device is inserted into the holes/mortises. The one or more lights can be an LED as discussed herein and in an embodiment, may be powered by DC electricity or by solar power. If DC electricity is used, the device 500 may have one or more batteries associated with the device. The optional lights may also have a switch associated with the one or more lights 510 that allow for the user to turn on the light as desired.

In an embodiment, the device may be made of a soft plastic or rubber. In an embodiment, the device may be made of wood, metal, rubber, plastic, polymeric material or any other material that allows the protruding elements to be inserted into the variety of apertures. In an embodiment, the number of protruding elements on the device may be the same as the number of apertures on the shelving. Alternatively, there may be fewer protruding elements than the corresponding number of apertures. A variety of materials not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, thermoplastic, silicone or vinyl may be used. Also, plastics commonly used for 3D printing such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filament, polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polyethylene terephthalate, glycolized polyester (PETG), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polycarbonate, or composites or hybrid materials may be used.

In an embodiment, the shelving or structure may come as part of a kit. If the kit is a shelving unit, the kit may come with the appropriate boards that can be positioned correctly to make a shelving unit, hardware (e.g., nails and/or screws and/or other hardware) to put the boards together, pins to hold the shelves, instructions, as well as the device of the present invention. In an alternate embodiment, the kit may come with software that allows a maker of the shelving unit to incorporate the software onto a computing device that has access to a 3D printer that allows the user to make the device of the present invention. The software may be very user-friendly so that the maker can make the device of any length. For example, the software may ask the user how many protruding elements are desired, which allows the 3D printer to automatically make the device the desired length. The advantage of this software is that it allows the user to make custom devices to suit the user's needs. For example, it allows the device to be made the exact appropriate length depending on how the user desires to position the shelving. Moreover, the 3D printer software may ask the user what color the user desires and the printer print the device in any desired color.

The device may be made in any color to match the shade of the structure having holes to be covered. For example, the device may be white where it is used in white shelving. Alternatively, the device may be made in any color or design so as to add an aesthetic value to the shelving. The device may not be made to match the color of the shelving but rather be in a different color so as to accentuate or to provide a design element to the shelving. In an embodiment, the device may be substantially transparent with opaqueness occurring at and abutting the protruding elements.

In an embodiment, the device of the present invention may also contain lighting associated with the device. The lighting may be LED (light emitting diode) lighting or some other lighting. In embodiments, the lighting may be powered by battery or by solar power or by a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the device may be substantially transparent with LED lights placed in the interior of the device and positioned so that the lights provide cover to the apertures in the shelving. The various LED lights may be connected so that a single battery controls them. The device may contain a single battery or multiple batteries and a switch that allows the LED lights to be turned on and off. Alternatively and/or additionally, there may be a sensor associated with the device so that when the location of the device is dark, the LED lights turn on automatically, and when the location of the device is bright, the LED lights turn off automatically. There may also be a switch that allows a user of the device to turn on or off the ability of the LED lights to turn on and off automatically. In an embodiment, there may be a sensor that detects motion so that when motion occurs near the device, the lights turn on automatically for a specified period of time.

An advantage of the present invention is that a plurality of apertures can be covered up by the device of the invention at one time thereby making the shelving unit more easily to construct (with the apertures covered up). Moreover, the present invention is also advantageous in that the protruding elements do not need to be made in a manner that makes it hard to insert into the apertures. Because the device of the present invention comprises a connector, the connector and the distance between the protruding elements makes the insertion of the device into the plurality of apertures snug. One problem with the plugs of the prior art is that a user may have difficulty handling the small sized plugs because they are considerably smaller than a user's hand and the plugs are easily dropped/fumbled when trying to insert the plugs into the holes/apertures. In contrast, the device of the present invention is longer so that it is easier for a user to handle (because the size is not necessarily smaller than the user's hand). A user may also be able to use a hammer on the device of the present invention to allow the device to be inserted into the plurality of holes.

The present invention is advantageous over stickers that can be used because one can re-use the device of the present invention if one moves the shelf/shelves from one location to another. In contrast, the stickers when removed (if they can be removed without marring the shelving unit) generally cannot be reused as the adhesive tends to no longer allow adhesion (or adhesion at a much lower level). Moreover, as discussed previously, the stickers generally are difficult to remove without damaging/marring the shelving unit. Thus, in an embodiment, the device of the present invention does not rely on adhesives but relies on mechanical tension that is inserted into the plurality of apertures.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to A device for covering a plurality of apertures in a structure comprising:

• • a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and
  • a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match a distance between the plurality of apertures in the structure. In a variation, the plurality of protruding elements are aligned in a linear manner.

In a variation, each of the protruding elements is attached to the connector using a fastener or adhesive. In a variation, the protruding elements are of a size that allows the protruding elements to be snap-fitted into the apertures. In a variation, the protruding elements are fabricated from a larger structure used to make the connector. In a variation, the device can be made smaller by break-away lines. In a variation, the device is made by molding the connector in a manner such that the plurality of protruding elements are generated. In a variation, the device is made by 3D printing.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of sealing apertures in a structure comprising applying a device comprising a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match the distance between the plurality of apertures in the structure so as to seal the apertures with the device.

In an embodiment, the connector has beveled edges so that the device sits flush when inserted into the plurality of apertures. In a variation, the connector of the device further comprises break-away lines. In a variation, the device further comprises one or more lights. In a variation, the one or more lights are LED lights. In a variation, the one or more lights are powered by batteries or by solar cells.

In an embodiment, the device comes as part of a kit. In a variation, the present invention relates to a kit.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a device for covering a plurality of apertures in a shelving unit comprising:

• • a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and
  • a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match the distance between the plurality of apertures in the shelving unit, wherein the connector comprises one or more of break-away lines and one or more lights. In a variation, the one or more lights are LEDs or solar powered. In a variation, the connector further comprises beveled lines that allow the device to fit in a mortise or hole in the shelving unit so that a surface of the connector sits flush with a surface of the shelving unit.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of making a shelving unit, the shelving unit comprising boards wherein some of the boards are shelves and some of the boards comprise a plurality of apertures, hardware to attach the boards in an appropriate shape of the shelving unit, pins to hold the shelves, and a device that comprises a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match a distance between the plurality of apertures in the shelving unit; said method comprising: positioning and attaching the boards in the appropriate shape of the shelving unit, inserting the pins into at least some of the apertures to hold the shelves, and inserting the device into at least some of the plurality of apertures. In a variation of the method, the connector further comprises beveled edges. In a variation, the connector comprises one or more lights. In a variation, one or more lights are LEDs.

It should be understood and it is contemplated and within the scope of the present invention that any feature that is enumerated above can be combined with any other feature that is enumerated above as long as those features are not incompatible. Whenever ranges are mentioned, any real number that fits within the range of that range is contemplated as an endpoint to generate subranges. In any event, the invention is defined by the below claims.

Claims

1. A device for covering a plurality of apertures in a structure comprising: a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; anda connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match a distance between the plurality of apertures in the structure.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding elements are aligned in a linear manner.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the protruding elements is attached to the connector using a fastener or adhesive.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the protruding elements are fabricated from a larger structure used to make the connector.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the device is made by molding the connector in a manner such that the plurality of protruding elements are generated.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is made by 3D printing.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device covers more apertures in the structure than a number of the protruding elements on the connector.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein the connector has beveled edges so that the device sits flush when inserted into the plurality of apertures.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises break-away lines.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises one or more lights.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more lights are LED lights.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comes as part of a kit.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more lights are powered by batteries or by solar cells.

14. A device for covering a plurality of apertures in a shelving unit comprising: a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit into at least some of the plurality of apertures; anda connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match the distance between the plurality of apertures in the shelving unit, wherein the connector comprises one or more of break-away lines and one or more lights.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the one or more lights are LEDs or solar powered.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the connector further comprises beveled lines that allow the device to fit in a mortise or hole in the shelving unit so that a surface of the connector sits flush with a surface of the shelving unit.

17. A method of making a shelving unit, the shelving unit comprising boards wherein some of the boards are shelves and some of the boards comprise a plurality of apertures, hardware to attach the boards in an appropriate shape of the shelving unit, pins to hold the shelves, and a device that comprises a plurality of protruding elements each of which are sized to fit snugly into at least some of the plurality of apertures; and a connector that connects the plurality of protruding elements to each other in a way to match a distance between the plurality of apertures in the shelving unit; said method comprising: positioning and attaching the boards in the appropriate shape of the shelving unit, inserting the pins into at least some of the apertures to hold the shelves, and inserting the device into at least some of the plurality of apertures.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the connector further comprises beveled edges.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the connector comprises one or more lights.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more lights are LEDs.