Patent Application
20210022501
Not applicable.
The present disclosure relates to cabinet shelving. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to pegs for use in supporting a cabinet shelf.
Cabinets and shelving are a standard feature in every office and home. Because space is often limited, and because of the differing sizes of items being stored on the shelving, there was a need to adapt the distance between shelves. As a result, one of the most common methods of adjusting the height or distance between shelves is the use of a shelf peg. In other words, a cabinet may have a plurality of peg apertures on opposing sides of the cabinet. A user then typically places two pegs on each side of the cabinet to support the shelf: two pegs on the side of the shelf proximal to the user and two pegs on the side distal to the user, thereby supporting the shelf.
However, while the ability to alter the height of the shelf was an improvement, these prior art pegs allow for unwanted movement of the shelf. In an attempt to resolve this issue, users have turned to tape, spring clips, plastic or metal bumpers, or other solutions. However, these fixes are often temporary, can be unsightly, and often do not prevent movement.
Further, four pegs must be used, as described above, to adequately hold a shelf and support its contents. This requires at least three cabinet walls: two sidewalls and a back wall. Having three cabinet walls can significantly increase the cost of a cabinet.
Accordingly, there is a need for a shelf peg that can reduce or eliminate shelf movement, that does not require the use of unsightly, temporary solutions, and that does not require three cabinet walls. The shelf peg assembly described herein seeks to solve these and other problems.
In one embodiment, a shelf peg assembly comprises a peg member and securing clip, the peg member comprising a peg for inserting into a cabinet and a shelf receiving portion, and the securing clip comprising an aperture for receiving the peg from the peg member, a top edge for abutting the shelf receiving portion, and a sidewall for abutting the side of the shelf receiving portion and securing the outer edge of the shelf
In one method of use, three shelf peg assemblies support a shelf in a cabinet. In one embodiment, the cabinet need only have two walls.
In one embodiment, a shelf peg system comprises two edge pegs and a corner peg. In one embodiment, the cabinet need only have two walls.
The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.
Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.
It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.
The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).
As discussed above, there is a need for a shelf peg that can reduce or eliminate shelf movement, that does not require the use of unsightly, temporary solutions, and that does not require three cabinet walls. The shelf peg assembly disclosed below solves these and other problems.
In one embodiment, as generally shown in
As understood, the peg member 102 and securing clip 104 interlock when the peg 106 passes through the peg-receiving aperture 116 and the wall 113 of the peg member 102 abuts the rear wall 118 of the securing clip 104.
As shown in
Currently in the industry, three cabinet walls must be present: a back wall and two sidewalls. Four prior art pegs are then inserted into the two sidewalls, with one peg at the front and one peg on the back of each sidewall. This allows the shelf to be stabilized. However, if one of the prior art pegs is removed, the shelf becomes unstable and can tip, causing the contents thereon to fall. In contrast, the lockable peg assembly 100 described herein only requires two cabinet walls, and only three bore holes, supporting a shelf using as few as three assemblies. This is not only a significant cost savings, but it secures the shelf better than the four required prior art pegs. Referring to
Referring to
Because only two cabinet walls 126, 127 are required, instead of three as is required in the prior art, there is a significant cost savings. Further, because only two cabinet walls 126, 127 are required, users may access the shelf from two sides, as opposed to one. Like prior art pegs, the peg assemblies 100 described herein may be placed in any number of cabinet apertures, allowing a user to customize the positioning of one or more shelves in a cupboard.
Referring to
Therefore, as appreciated from the foregoing disclosure, the shelf peg assembly disclosed herein solves the need for a shelf peg that can reduce or eliminate shelf movement, that does not require the use of unsightly, temporary solutions, and that does not require three cabinet walls.
Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.
