Patent Application
20050284829
The invention is directed to bookshelves, and more particularly, is a portable bookshelf apparatus that is collapsible and can be easily moved and placed in a new location with minimum effort. Lightweight shelves, vertical supports and stabilizer bar enable the apparatus to be securely anchored in various configurations.
Anyone who has had to move bookshelves from one room to the next, or from one building to another is familiar with the problems associated with moving this type of furniture. Book shelving is known to be difficult to move for a variety of reasons. While some bookshelves are small, compact and lightweight, a great many bookshelves are just the opposite: large, bulky and heavy. One of the reasons for this is the nature of their function—bookshelves are designed to hold books, which are quite heavy when stored together in rows.
Because bookshelves must support a great deal of weight, they are typically made of wood, metal or other durable materials. The shelves are often made of sturdy board, which contributes to the overall weight and bulk of the unit.
Bookshelves are often designed to be placed flat against a wall, where they are supported more than if they were freestanding in the room. Some bookshelves are designed to be positioned in corners, where they are supported by walls on two contiguous surfaces. Sometimes bookshelves are placed “kitty-corner” in corners, either for convenience of placement or to gain benefit of support where the edges of the bookshelf come into contact with the walls behind it. In either case, it is clearly desirable that bookshelves be supported for purposes of stability and best use of space.
Aside from how a particular bookshelf might be positioned in relation to interior walls, many bookshelf designs provide little or no functionality for adjusting the bookshelfs configuration beyond simply enabling the shelves to be adjusted horizontally or vertically. For example, while many users would find it beneficial to be able to adjust the shelving's balance, stability or relationship to support walls, floor or ceiling, bookshelves do not typically provide such flexibility.
Moving bookshelves typically requires that the contents of the shelves be removed. Given the fact that bookshelves are often large, bulky and heavy, they are usually designed such that they may be disassembled for purposes of transport and storage. In some cases, bookshelves are moved while still assembled so that they may be positioned along the interior wall of a truck of moving vehicle, and their shelves filled with small boxes or other items. In many cases, however, bookshelves are dismantled for ease of transport. The disassembled parts are simpler for one or two persons to carry being lighter and less bulky; they can be stored in a moving vehicle more easily; and they take up less space when unloaded at the new location, where they may be temporarily placed amongst many other items.
Most commercial moving companies have specific guidelines for the handling of bookcases, and many require them to be disassembled before they are moved. The cost of moving bookshelves—as well as the cost of having them professionally disassembled—can be significant. In order to minimize costs, many individuals choose to disassemble bookshelves themselves prior to moving them.
Disassembling and re-assembling bookshelves is typically known to be a time consuming and frustrating process. First, one must gather a number of tools and items needed for disassembling furniture, such as screwdrivers, hammers, and small envelopes or plastic storage bags for storing screws and nuts. After removing the screws, nuts, braces, etc. from the shelving, they must be safely stored so the small parts are not lost. The container of parts must also be safely stored, so that it can be easily found at the new location when one is ready to re-assemble the shelving.
Some book shelving is designed in such a complicated way that once disassembled, it can be quite difficult to re-assemble again. One may need to draw a diagram of the apparatus before disassembly, labeling the individual fittings so they can be properly put back together again. Numerous problems are associated with this process. For example, one might tape small parts to the shelves or side supports, then accidentally remove wood finish or veneer or otherwise discolor the materials when the tape is removed. Adhesive labels may be applied to small parts, identifying how or where they are to be re-assembled. Removing these labels can be difficult and time-consuming.
These and other problems are known to have a cumulative effect that sometimes results in bookshelves being discarded simply because it is easier to buy new units than to deal with disassembly, transport and re-assembly of existing units.
Various bookshelf designs aim to solve the problems typically associated with moving bookshelves, securing and adjusting them. For example, prior art is found wherein an adjustable bookshelf and bookends apparatus is designed to provide for bookends or partitions which are movable along the shelves without requiring removal of the shelf from the unit, or removing the bookend from the shelf. Unfortunately, such design does not make the entire bookshelf unit more portable, nor does it provide for flexible adjustment of the bookshelf unit in relation to interior walls or ceiling.
Still other art is found wherein a collapsible shelf unit designed to contain canisters of foodstuffs is comprised of a platform or shelf which is pivotally secured to frame members such that the unit may be folded into an open or closed configuration in the same way that a folding step ladder is opened or closed. Such design enables the shelf to be locked securely into position against the frame members when placed in the open configuration. While such an apparatus is collapsible and portable, it is not designed to hold books on a plurality of horizontal shelves, nor can it be securely adjusted in relationship to interior walls or ceiling.
Therefore, what is desired and has not heretofore been provided, and is herein disclosed, is a portable, collapsible bookshelf apparatus that can be easily moved and securely placed in a new location with minimum effort.
Therefore in recognition of the need for a portable, collapsible and adjustable bookshelf, herein is disclosed as three embodiments of a novel bookshelf, the first embodiment comprised of: (1) a plurality of vertical support bars each having a plurality of holes drilled at various points, each of the support bars being placed between each of (2) a plurality of horizontal shelves each having a plurality of holes drilled through the dimension at the center and at both ends, at which position the horizontal shelves and vertical support bars are attached together by; (3) a plurality of nuts, bolts, screws, or other attachment means or similar fixtures which are inserted through the holes in the horizontal shelves and vertical support bars so as to connect them to one another; (4) a plurality of anchors, for anchoring the bookshelf. One or more of the anchors may be positioned at the top of the vertical support bars. (5) The base of the bookshelf unit, upon which the vertical support bars sit in a position perpendicular to the base, is of a length sufficiently longer than the horizontal shelves, and sufficiently wider than the span of the vertical support bars, so as to provide adequate stability for the apparatus.
In the first embodiment, the apparatus is supported in a stationery position wherein the base rests directly upon the floor.
In a second embodiment, (6) a plurality of wheels affixed underneath the base enables the apparatus to be moved in various directions.
In a third embodiment, (7) a turntable base enables the apparatus to be rotated. In such an embodiment, an upper turntable (8) may also be positioned between one or more anchors and the ceiling. (9) A stabilizer bar having a rounded end and having a hole through the widest dimension at both ends of the bar; (10) a plurality of attachment means such as nuts, bolts, screws, etc., which are inserted through the holes in the stabilizer bar so as to connect it to the vertical support bar and horizontal shelf, the stabilizer bar being connected to the vertical support bar at the uppermost point where the two meet, and being connected to the horizontal shelf at the bottommost point where the two meet; and being positioned such that in the configuration of a pair of bookshelves, the two stabilizer bars form a triangle in relation to the base or a low horizontal shelf, a configuration designed to provide maximum support and stability independent of the anchors; Positioned between the top of the vertical support bars and the anchors, (11) an adjustable pressure system comprised of a plurality of lengths of material, each of which is attached at one end to the top of a vertical support bar, being attached to each vertical support bar with screw-like attachment fixtures, or similar variable pressure attachment means, which enable pressure to be applied to the anchor from underneath so as to firmly secure the apparatus to a ceiling or other flat surface above.
The invention will be seen to have several benefits and advantages. One advantage is that the apparatus is collapsible, making it easy to transport and store.
Another advantage is that the apparatus is designed to be highly stable while being lightweight and inexpensive to produce.
Yet another advantage is that the apparatus does require disassembly to be moved to a new location or placed in a different configuration.
And another advantage is that once moved, the apparatus may be easily positioned and re-anchored in a new location.
And another advantage is that the apparatus does not require being attached to an interior wall or ceiling, and may therefore be used as a free-standing unit or room divider.
Still another advantage is that the apparatus may be used in a location not having a solid ceiling.
And yet another advantage is that, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is secured upon a flat base set directly upon the floor.
And an eighth advantage is that in a second embodiment, the apparatus may have a wheeled base, enabling it to be easily moved forwards and backwards.
And still another advantage is that in a third embodiment, the apparatus may sit on a rotating turntable base, enabling the apparatus to be used in a variety of constrained spaces.
Yet another advantage is that in a third embodiment, the apparatus may also have one or more upper turntables positioned between anchor and ceiling, further enabling the easy rotation of the apparatus.
And another advantage of the apparatus is that the stabilizer bar is configured to provide adequate security whether or not an anchor is used.
Yet another advantage is that the apparatus' stability may be increased by manipulating the adjustable pressure system. Still another advantage is that the anchors are designed to secure the apparatus to the ceiling without damaging or disfiguring the ceiling.
Yet another advantage is that the anchors and adjustable pressure system enable the apparatus to be adjusted according to the required ceiling height.
Another advantage of the apparatus is that the anchors and adjustable pressure system enable the apparatus to be easily adjusted periodically, thereby ensuring the long-term stability of the unit.
And yet another advantage of the apparatus is that the adjustable pressure system may be loosened, enabling the anchors to be removed so the apparatus can be easily moved or positioned.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration an exemplary embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. The exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention
Herein is disclosed a portable, collapsible bookshelf. With reference to
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An exemplary embodiment of a novel bookshelf has been disclosed in three embodiments, which exemplify the invention. A portable bookshelf apparatus that is collapsible and can be easily moved and placed in a new location with minimum effort. An adjustable pressure system enables a configuration of shelves, vertical supports, stabilizer bar and anchors to be secured in a variety of configurations. In the first embodiment, the apparatus is supported on a stationery base. In a second embodiment, a plurality of wheels affixed underneath the base enable the apparatus to be moved in various directions. In a third embodiment, a turntable base, used alone or in conjunction with one or a plurality of upper turntables, enable the apparatus to be moved in various directions.
It will be appreciated that the construction and operation of the device is simple and efficient, and that the scope and full definition of the invention is stated in the claims that follow.
