Patent Application
20130306583
The present invention encompasses a system for creating vertical barriers in a wide variety of modular shelving systems, especially those constructed of wire.
Bare modular shelving systems formed of wire, plastic, or rubber-coated wire are well-known systems used frequently in industrial, commercial and residential spaces for storage. This shelving is formed primarily out of bent metal or plastic wire and generally remains uncovered. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,334,692, 6,116,436, and 5,221,014 contain examples of such systems. Modular wire shelving is strong, light, and relatively inexpensive and thus is widely used in areas where attractiveness is not a first concern (such as a stock rooms and garages). Most commonly, these systems contain no barriers along the horizontal portion of each shelf, meaning that each shelf forms one continuous horizontal plane without divisions. Many users of these systems desire a way to apportion space on a shelf for more convenient, organized storage. Some devices have been created to solve this consumer need however they all suffer from distinct flaws.
The current state of the art for horizontal dividers designed for modular wire shelf systems consists overwhelmingly of dividers formed of metal or plastic that connects at the base to one shelf, and is of a non-adjustable size.
The vast majority of current dividers use wire tension to connect to the shelves. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,460,710 and 7,950,537 are examples of tension-based dividers. Each of these devices features multiple drawbacks. First, the dividers are only connected to the base of one shelf creating issues with support and structure. Second, the dividers do not continue the full height of the shelf meaning that they will not work properly to contain taller objects. Third, the divider is static in size and cannot adapt to fit shelving of different heights securely. Fourth, the method of securing such a divider is through the use wire tension, eventually requiring the device to be replaced.
Dividers that do not rely on tension still have significant issues. U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,073 displays similar issues with height and adjustability, although it does not rely on tension. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,190,167, 4,729,485, and 3,608,741 are similar dividers. While they do not rely on tension for support, the height of the divider is static and cannot be adjusted for taller or shorter shelving systems.
Patent application Ser. No. 09/934,560 describes a device with very similar deficiencies. While this device can attach to the base as well as a rear panel for additional support, it still is not adjustable for height.
Currently adjustable dividers are poorly suited to create vertical barriers. A telescoping divider, as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,037, suffers from several design flaws. If aligned horizontally the rack is not adjustable for height. If aligned vertically the rack is structurally unsound at the joint between the front frame and the rear frame.
It is clear that an improved divider for modular wire shelf systems is needed that is both structurally sound and adjustable for a wide variety of heights.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a divider for shelving units comprising a plurality of horizontal wires a plurality of vertically wires in contact with the plurality of horizontal wires, each contact area attached to form a rigid structure; a base edge having at least one extra horizontal base wire located directly opposite the lowest horizontal wire so as to create a series of base spaces along the base of the divider; at least one attachable divider clip, the divider clip comprises a clip body with a curved end, located in the clip body is a bolt receiving slot; and a at least one clip securing mechanism.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a divider for shelving units comprising a plurality of horizontal wires a plurality of vertically wires in contact with the plurality of horizontal wires, each contact area attached to form a rigid structure; a base edge having at least one extra horizontal base wire located directly opposite the lowest horizontal wire so as to create a series of base spaces along the base of the divider; at least one attachable divider clip, the divider clip comprises a clip body with a curved end, located in the clip body is a bolt receiving slot; a clip securing mechanism, and at least one hanger structure, which comprises a hook guide that received a slidable hook, the hook guide is attached to the divider near a top edge to a vertical wire in a generally parallel configuration.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for providing a divider in a shelving unit comprising the steps of: providing at least one divider for the shelving unit comprising: a plurality of horizontal wires, a plurality of vertically wires in contact with the plurality of horizontal wires, each contact area attached to form a rigid structure; and a base edge having at least one extra horizontal base wire located directly opposite the lowest horizontal wire so as to create a series of base spaces along the base of the divider; providing at least one attachable divider clip for each of the at least one divider, the divider clip comprises a clip body with a curved end, located in the clip body is a bolt receiving slot; providing a clip securing mechanism for each of the at least one attachable divider clip; aligning each divider front to back on a bottom shelf of the shelving unit, placing each clip under a base edge of the divider with the curved end of the clip receiving a portion of a side to side wire of the bottom shelf; inserting a bolt through the bolt receiving slot and into the base space between the two base wires; and threading nut structure, such as a wing nut, onto the bolt thereby securing the divider to the bottom shelf.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for providing a divider in a shelving unit comprising the steps of: providing at least one divider for the shelving unit comprising: a plurality of horizontal wires; a plurality of vertically wires in contact with the plurality of horizontal wires, each contact area attached to form a rigid structure; a base edge having at least one extra horizontal base wire located directly opposite the lowest horizontal wire so as to create a series of base spaces along the base of the divider; and at least one hanger structure, which comprises a hook guide that received a slidable hook, the hook guide is attached to the divider near a top edge to a vertical wire in a generally parallel configuration; providing at least one attachable divider clip for each of the at least one divider, the divider clip comprises a clip body with a curved end, located in the clip body is a bolt receiving slot; providing a clip securing mechanism for each of the at least one attachable divider clip; aligning each divider front to back on a bottom shelf of the shelving unit, placing each clip under a base edge of the divider with the curved end of the clip receiving a portion of a side to side wire of the bottom shelf; inserting a bolt through the bolt receiving slot and into the base space between the two base wires; threading nut structure, such as a wing nut, onto the bolt thereby securing the divider to the bottom shelf; moving the slidable hook from a first, lowered position to a second, extended position, and placing or lowering a crook of the slidable hook over either a side to side wire or a front to back wire of a top shelf, thereby providing additional lateral stability.
The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.
The present invention is a device that creates removable vertical barriers in a variety of modular shelving, especially those constructed with wire. The present invention can be produced in a number of embodiments, as is discussed below.
In a preferred embodiment, shelves 10 are constructed out of a grid of overlapping wires to form stable surfaces. Wires 20 lay in a front to back direction and wires 22 lay in a side to side direction. Generally, the wires 20 are welded to the wires 22 in order to form a stable shelf structure 12 or 14.
In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in
The divider 16 of the present invention further comprises an attachable divider clip 70, illustrated in
In one embodiment, the dividers 16 further comprise at least one hanger structure 25, preferably two, more preferably four, which comprises a hook guide 27 that received a slidable hook 26. In a preferred embodiment, the hook guide 27 is attached to the divider 16 near the top edge 40 by welding the hook guide 27 to a vertical wire 30 in a generally parallel configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the slidable hook 26 is relative permanently, but slidably, received by the hook guide 27 such that extra-ordinary effort must be used to remove it from the hook guide 27.
In use, the dividers 16 are attached to the bottom shelf 12 by using the attachable clip 70 in combination with the bolt 74 and nut 76 mechanism.
Generally, for shorter dividers 16, such as the ones that do not include hanger structures, clips 70 are all that is required to keep the dividers 16 attached to the bottom shelf 12 and in a generally upright position.
Taller dividers 16, on the other hand, may require the additional support supplied by the at least one hanger structures. With these dividers, the bottom of the dividers 16 are attached as described above using at least one clip 70. Additionally, the top of the dividers 16 may be secured to a top shelf 14 by moving the slidable hook 26 from a first, lowered position to a second, extended position. The crook of the slidable hook may then be placed over either a side to side wire 22 or a front to back wire 20 of the top shelf 14, thereby providing additional lateral stability. This is repeated with additional hanger structures if they are provided.
The hanger structures 25 are formed of two pieces, the hook guide 27 and the slidable hook 26. The hook guide 27 is attached to the divider's 16 vertical wires 30. The slidable hook is formed by a length of wire which has been doubled over at one end to form a crook. The body of the slidable hook 26 is inserted through the hook guide 27 and the portion of the body that protrudes from the lower end of the hook guide 27 is hammered flat or otherwise secured to prevent the slidable hook 26 from being removed from the hook guide 27, while still allowing the slidable hook 26 to extend and retract.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
