The present invention relates to a shelving assembly, and in particular, to a shelving assembly that has two columns of shelves, and an adjustable bridge shelf that connects the two columns.
“Knock-down” or portable shelving assemblies have become very popular. There are many different types of shelving assembles that can be adapted for use in many different locations around the house. One type of shelving assembly is a closet organizer assembly that has two tower units, and a bridge shelf that connects at the top to cantilevered shelves extending from each tower unit.
Because closets in different rooms come in different sizes, it is important for the user to be able to adjust the closet organizer assembly to fit the dimensions of the specific closets. In this regard, the length of the bridge shelf may need to be adjusted to fit the specific closet that it is to be used in. Thus, there remains a need for a closet organizer assembly that provides an adjustable bridge shelf that can be conveniently and effectively adjusted to fit into almost any closet.
To accomplish the objectives of the present invention, there is provided a closet organizer assembly having a first tower unit and a second tower unit, each tower unit having a plurality of shelves separated by vertical posts, each tower unit having a plurality of top vertical posts, and a cantilevered shelf removably connected to the plurality of top vertical posts, with each cantilevered shelf having a border wall that includes a plurality of border wall openings. The assembly also includes a bridge shelf having a left end that is removably connected to the cantilevered shelf of the first tower unit, and a right end that is removably connected to the cantilevered shelf of the second tower unit.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a hanging rod is provided, and has a first end that is connected to one of the plurality of shelves in the first tower unit, and a second end that is connected to one of the plurality of shelves in the second tower unit, with the hanging rod positioned below the cantilevered shelves.
In another embodiment, the bridge shelf includes a central shelf section, a front border frame and a rear border frame, with each border frame defining a plurality of border frame openings. A first connector assembly removably connects the left end of the bridge shelf to the cantilevered shelf of the first tower unit, and a second connector assembly removably connects the right end of the bridge shelf to the cantilevered shelf of the second tower unit, with each connector assembly having at least one rod that extends through an aligned pair of one border wall opening and one border frame opening.
In another embodiment, the bridge shelf has a horizontal central shelf section, a left end, and a right end, with the central shelf section having a front edge and a rear edge. The bridge shelf further includes a front vertical border frame provided along the front edge and a rear vertical border frame provided along the rear edge, with the front border wall adapted to slide along and be retained interior to the front vertical border frame, and the rear border wall adapted to slide along and be retained interior to the rear vertical border frame.
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
As shown in
Each tower unit 12 and 14 is identical, and has a plurality of shelves 20 that are spaced apart along the height of a frame 22. The frame 22 includes a plurality of vertical posts 24 that has opposing ends that are removably connected to shelf collars or connectors 26 provided at the corners of each shelf 20. Each connector 26 can be configured in the form of an open cylinder having two opposite open ends that function as connector joints, one on top of, and one below, the connector 26, so that each connector joint receives an end of a vertical post 24. The vertical posts 24 can be provided in different lengths to allow the user to vary the distance or height between adjacent shelves 20. In addition, it is possible to provide an end support 28 for a hanging rod 30. The end support 28 can also include two connectors 26 that allow the vertical posts 24 to be removably connected thereto. Alternatively, the opposite first and second ends of the hanging rod 30 can be connected directly to opposite and height-aligned shelves 20 on the two tower units 12, 14.
Each shelf 20 can be provided in the form of a wire shelf having a frame or border with wires extending across the border. The border and the wires can be made from one of a variety of materials, including a metal (e.g., stainless steel), a plastic, a type of resin, wood or bamboo. Each shelf can also have a rectangular or square shape, and can be provided in any desired size.
A cantilevered shelf 40 is removably coupled to the top of each tower unit 12, 14. Referring to
Referring to
In use, the user unpacks all the shelves 16, 20 and 40 and the posts 24 from the box packaging, and begins assembly. The tower units 12 and 14 are assembled first by connecting ends of the posts 24 into the joints of the connectors 26. One cantilevered shelf 40 is then connected to the top of each tower unit 12, 14 in a manner where the extension sections 52 extend towards each other. See
Next, the extension section 52 for one tower unit 12 or 14 is slid into the C-shaped border frames 66 of the bridge shelf 16. Specifically, one end of the bridge shelf 16 can be slid over the extension section 52 so that the borders 42 of that extension section 52 will slide into the rail track defined by the two C-shaped border frames 66. The same step is repeated for the other end of the bridge shelf 16 over the other extension section 52 for the other tower unit 14 or 12. Therefore, the front and rear border frames 66 of the bridge shelf 16 are positioned outside, or exterior to, the border 42 of the extension sections 52. Portions of the ends of the central shelf 60 will overlap, or lie on top of, portions of the extension sections 52, as best shown in
Now, referring to
Thus, the present invention provides a closet organizer 10 which has a bridge shelf 16 that can be quickly installed on to the top thereof for use in a closet or room of any size. The connector assembly 80 and the alignment of the openings 56 and 72 in the border walls of the cantilevered shelves 40 and the bridge shelf 16 provide a simple yet effective way of allowing the user to adjust the position of the bridge shelf 16.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.
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20200138187 A1 | May 2020 | US |