Patent Application
20080185356
The present invention concerns a shelf system comprising only two basic components; shelf plates and non-fixed vertical shelf supports, which may slide freely along the shelf plates and thereby be positioned freely in order to adapt the shelf supports to the width of books and other objects placed in the shelf. The user may assemble the components in small to large shelf formations exactly according to his or hers needs. The invention also concerns a shelf support element for such a shelf system.
Most shelf systems consist of horizontal shelf plates, stiffening back plates, and vertical support elements, which also may function as side supports or book supports, wherein these elements are fasted by screws or in other manner fixed to a predefined position or composition. When the shelf system is to be filled, most user have experienced that a series of books or a collection of books will almost fit between the vertical support elements of the shelf system, while 1 to 3 books end up on the other side of the support element, alternatively, that a world atlas may neither may be stacked standing vertically nor lying horizontally in the shelf.
From JP 03158106 a shelf system is known with vertical support elements comprising two perpendicular vertical elements provided with pegs that may slide in grooves in the shelves in the length direction. This system relies on milled grooves that will be visible for the user, into which the pegged vertical support elements must be thread. In order to rearrange the shelf system, each influenced element must be carefully withdrawn.
By using the shelf system described in the present application, a more complete flexibility is obtained. The user may decide for him or her shelf where the vertical support elements are to be placed and may thereby obtain enough space for the complete series of books within these support elements without the use of fastening means such as screws or grooves and pegs. Space for all the children's games may for example be provided as the vertical support element may slide in order to fit exactly. If a wider game box is obtained at a later time, the vertical support element may easily be moved sideways in order to provide space for the new game. If heavy objects are placed on the shelves, this may be compensated by positioning the vertical support elements with less space in between or by additional elements in order to prevent the shelf from bending. If it is desired to use the shelf system as a room divider or a partition, the vertical support elements may be turned around, back to front, so that the shelf system is accessible from both sides, or provide blocking to hide certain objects or prevent to prevent them from falling out on one side of the shelf.
The shelf system comprises horizontal shelf plates and vertical support elements. The latter is sufficiently reinforced or stiffened and is structurally load-bearing in that they are formed as angled L-shapes, V-shapes or alternatively T-shapes. In this manner the vertical support plates also make up a side and back support for the books or objects placed on a shelf. One shelf height is composed by placing one shelf plate in the base, then placing two or more vertical support elements on top, and further placing another shelf plate on top of the vertical support elements again. If several shelves are desired, the user may continue by placing two or more vertical support elements and a shelf every other time and finally a shelf on top.
The vertical support elements are designed with parallel horizontal support surfaces towards the shelves, while extending stoppers protrude past the front and back side of the shelf make up an edge or a lip on each longitudinal side of the shelves, like train wheels on a track. This ensures that the vertical support elements may only slide in the length direction of to the shelf plates and thereby do not “derail”. The vertical support elements may be placed in four different manners, right and left sided, and both toward the front or the back of the shelf. In total this provides the user with a unique possibility to assemble the elements adapted to his or her specific needs. If the needs change, the elements may easily be rearranged or the system may be expanded in order to satisfy new requirements. For every height of shelves that is filled, the weight will lead to an increase in stability of the shelf system.
As the system comprises only two basic components which in addition may be stacked in a compact manner during storage, a very cost efficient production and manner of transport is provided.
The invention will now be further described by the use of examples of embodiments, none of which are limiting to the scope of the invention. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be performed without leaving the scope and spirit of the present invention, which is only limited by the appended claims.
In the following description the term “cross” or “crosswise” or “cross direction” is meant to be understood as the direction essentially perpendicular to the length or width of a normal shelf, i.e. the shortest horizontal dimension of a conventional shelf. Further, by the term “length” or “lengthwise” or “length direction” is meant the direction of the length or width of a normal shelf, i.e. the longest horizontal dimension of a conventional shelf.
In
As shown in
The cross member 10 and length member 11 both comprise an upper and lower support surface 3, 4 respectively, which surfaces are intended to receive a bottom surface and a top surface of a shelf element 20 respectively. Further, the cross member 10 comprises two or more vertical protrusions or stoppers 13, 14. The stoppers
The support surface 3 is in this embodiment positioned in the middle horizontal part of the vertical support element 1 and the stoppers 13, 14 at the distal ends of the element. The stoppers are intended to contact the vertical edge of the fitted shelf elements 20 to which the vertical support element is mounted. The stoppers 13, 14 thus locks the cross member in the cross direction of the shelf system in relation to the shelf elements 20, but allows for lengthwise adjustment of the vertical support element 1 in relation to the shelf elements 20 as described above.
It should be understood that the support surface 3 need not consist of an entire continuous surface in order to support a shelf element 20, but may comprise only two points of support in order to balance and support the shelf in the cross dimension in this embodiment. The points of support may e.g. be pegs, spacers or protrusions of a height not exceeding the height of the stoppers.
The length member 11, intended to be positioned in the length direction of the shelf system, comprises a support surface 4 and a vertical protrusion or stopper 14 on both upper and lower part of said piece, the stopper 14 being positioned at the first end. The stopper is intended to contact a vertical edge of the fitted shelf elements 20 to which the vertical support element 1 is mounted. The stopper 14 provides additional locking against twisting of the vertical support element 1 while allowing lengthwise adjustment of the vertical support element 1 in relation to the shelf elements 20 as described above.
The stopper 14 of the length member 11, may be the same stopper 14 as that of the cross member 10, as shown in
Each vertical support element 1 thereby provides at least a total of three support points for the shelf elements 20, all tree points locked in the cross direction of the shelf system by the stoppers 13, 14 grasping over the horizontal edges of the shelf elements 20. Alternatively, the length member 11 may comprise two support points and the cross member 10 only the one support point in order to achieve the same stability and support, provided not all three points are in a linear relationship.
The vertical support element 1 may be produced in any suitable material, preferably chosen from: wood, laminated wood, paper board, plastic, metal or a composite material, more preferably wood, laminated wood or plastic.
In
As shown in
Similar to the support surfaces 3 and 4 of cross member 10 and length member 11 respectively, the support surfaces 33 and 34 of the support element 30 may contain only tree points of support in order to provide sufficient stability and support, provided not all three points are in a linear relationship.
The vertical support element 31 may be produced in any suitable material, preferably chosen from: wood, paper board, plastic, metal, metal sheet or a composite material, more preferably metal sheet.
It should be understood that the vertical support elements 1 and 31 only need two stoppers on each top and bottom side in order to hinder crosswise movement. The third stopper, or alternatively the second stopper is in the form of a surface parallel with the shelf element, only provides additional locking against horizontal rotation of the support element and is not imperative.
In
