Shelf bracket and shelving system

Abstract

A shelf bracket system including a body portion, a first protrusion, a second protrusion and at least one shim is disclosed. The body portion includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis. The first protrusion extends from the rear surface of the body and at least a portion of the first protrusion is insertable into a slot in a support. The second protrusion extends from the rear surface of the body. The shim is positionable in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the first and second protrusions to adjust the angle of the top surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the shelf bracket of FIG. 1 mounted on a support in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of portions of the shelf bracket and support of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the shelf bracket, support and shims in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a shim in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the shim of FIG. 5 inserted on a protrusion of the bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a plurality of the shims of FIGS. 5 and 6 inserted on a protrusion of the bracket;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a half bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the half bracket of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of shelves mounted to a bracket and the bracket mounted to a support in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A shelf bracket system, comprising: a body including a front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface disposed at an angle Θ with respect to a horizontal axis;a first protrusion extending from the rear surface of the body, at least a portion of the first protrusion being insertable into a slot in a support;a second protrusion extending from the rear surface of the body; andat least one shim positionable in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the first and second protrusions;whereby positioning the shim adjusts the angle Θ of the top surface.

2. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion includes a downward-depending tab which is configured to engage a portion of the support.

3. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion includes an upward-depending tab, a portion of which is configured to contact a slot divider on the support in response to upward movement of the shelf bracket.

4. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the second protrusion includes a downward-depending tab configured to engage a portion of the support.

5. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the positioning of one shim is configured to adjust the angle Θ from between about 0.5° to about 10°.

6. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein at least one shim is positionable on the second protrusion.

7. The shelf bracket system of claim 3, wherein at least one shim is positionable on the second protrusion.

8. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, further including at least one aperture disposed on the front surface configured to releasably engage at least one lug of a shelf.

9. The shelf bracket system of claim 8, further including a wall disposed adjacent the aperture, the wall extending distally beyond the front surface.

10. The shelf bracket system of claim 1, wherein the positioning of a predetermined number of shims adjusts the angle Θ of the top surface such that the top surface is substantially aligned with the horizontal axis.

11. A shelving system, comprising: at least one support including a plurality of slots therein;at least one shelf bracket insertable into the support, the shelf bracket including: a body including a front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface disposed at an angle Θ with respect to a horizontal axis;a first protrusion extending from the rear surface of the body, at least a portion of the first protrusion being insertable into a slot in the support; anda second protrusion extending from the rear surface of the body;at least one shim positionable in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the first and second protrusions to adjust the angle Θ; anda shelf positionable on the shelf bracket.

12. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the first protrusion includes a downward-depending tab which is configured to engage a portion of the support.

13. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the first protrusion includes an upward-depending tab, a portion of which is configured to contact a slot divider on the support in response to upward movement of the shelf bracket.

14. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the second protrusion includes a downward-depending tab configured to engage a portion of the support.

15. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the positioning of one shim is configured to adjust the angle Θ from between about 0.5° to about 10°.

16. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein at least one shim is positionable on the second protrusion.

17. The shelving system of claim 13, wherein at least one shim is positionable on the second protrusion.

18. The shelving system of claim 11, further including at least one aperture disposed on the front surface of the bracket and at least one lug disposed adjacent a rear surface of the shelf, the aperture being dimensioned and configured to releasably engage the lug.

19. The shelving system of claim 18, further including a wall disposed adjacent the aperture, the wall extending distally beyond the front surface of the bracket.

20. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the positioning of a predetermined number of shims adjusts angle Θ of the top surface such that the top surface is substantially aligned with the horizontal axis.