WALL-MOUNTED FURNITURE SYSTEM

Abstract

A wall mounted shelving system for electronic devices that provides simple and effective post-installation wire management and that can also be easily positionally adjusted post-installation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wall mounted furniture systems and more specifically to wall mounted shelving systems for electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic display devices such as stereo components, DVD players, surround sound systems, and LCD flat panel displays are in widespread use in commercial, industrial, institutional and home settings. There is often a need to mount these devices to a wall in order to save counter, table or floor space. Numerous specialized mounts and shelving systems have been developed for the purpose of mounting electronic devices from walls.

Cables and wires for supplying signal and power to a mounted device present certain challenges. These wires and cables are unsightly and it is therefore desirable to conceal them in the mount or in other structures associated with the mount. Pre-fabricated wires, especially video and signal cables, are generally terminated at both ends with molded plugs or connectors, which may be relatively large. Existing mount systems typically do not define wire channels or passages large enough and properly configured so as to accommodate the passage of these connectors after the mount is installed. This results in unsightly wires and cables protruding from the mounting device or in additional difficulty, expense and delay in mount installation.

Another drawback of existing mounting systems relates to height and location adjustment of the system. For aesthetic reasons, it is often desirable to mount devices at a very specific height and location on the wall. Existing mounting systems are often fixedly attached in one location on the wall and therefore often require a great deal of attention and effort during installation to ensure that the mount will be positioned on the wall as desired before being attached. Once attached, the position of the mount cannot be adjusted without removing it and relocating the attachment fasteners. In addition, it may not be possible to relocate the device only a small distance due to holes in the wall made by fasteners during the previous installation.

What is needed in the industry is a wall mounted shelving system for electronic devices that provides simple and effective post-installation wire management and that can also be easily positionally adjusted post-installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wall mounted furniture systems according to the present invention address the need of the industry for a wall mounted shelving system for electronic devices that provides simple and effective post-installation wire management and that can also be easily positionally adjusted post-installation. According to an embodiment of the invention, a wall mounted shelving system includes a frame with a plurality of spaced apart parallel vertical members coupled by spaced apart horizontal mounting brackets. The vertical members include a centrally positioned wire management channel flanked by shelf attachment columns. The wire management channel defines a forwardly facing slot along with a plurality of laterally facing wire apertures. The shelf attachment columns define a forwardly facing shelf adjustment channel that slidingly receives a plurality of shelf attachment cars. Each of a plurality of forwardly extending horizontal shelves is supported by coupling to laterally registered cars in each of the shelf adjustment channels. With the shelves in place, a wire can be routed from a first piece of equipment on one of the shelves through the forwardly facing slot in the wire management channel at a location above the shelf on which the piece of equipment rests and laterally out through a proximately located wire aperture into the space between the wire management channel and an adjacent shelf attachment column. The wire can then be routed upward or downward to and through a wire aperture proximate a second one the shelves, and through the forwardly facing slot at a location above the second shelf. The wire can then be connected to a second piece of equipment resting on the second shelf. Concealment panels can then be fitted between the wire management channel and the shelf attachment columns to conceal the wire from view.

The spaced apart horizontal mounting brackets include a u-shaped channel formed along the upper edge thereof and a flange formed along the lower edge. A pair of elongate wall plates is included, each wall plate having projecting flanges formed along the upper and lower edges thereof. The wall plates are spaced apart on the wall at locations corresponding to the location of the horizontal mounting brackets at a desired height of the system on the wall. The system can then be attached to the wall by hooking the u-shaped channel over the upper edge of the wall plate. A locking fastener can then be inserted through the flange at the lower edge of the horizontal mounting bracket so as to extend under the lower projecting flange of the wall plate, thus preventing the u-shaped channel from being disengaged from the wall plate. Before insertion of the locking fastener, the u-shaped channel is laterally slidable on the upper flange of the wall plate, thereby enabling limited lateral positioning of the system on the wall.

In another embodiment, the system includes a wall mounting interface assembly and a plurality of shelves. The wall mounting interface assembly generally includes an elongate housing, which may be a unitary extrusion formed from aluminum, defining a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel channels proximate a rear side of the housing, and a separate elongate wall plate presenting a plurality of projecting hooks. A load-bearing plate is received in one of the channels and a locking plate is slidably received in an adjacent one of the channels. Each of the load bearing plate and the locking plate define a plurality of apertures for receiving a separate one of the hooks of the wall plate. The wall plate is attached to the wall with the hooks facing outward. To attach the housing to the wall plate, the apertures in the load bearing plate and locking plate are registered by sliding the locking plate to a first position. The hooks are then inserted through the apertures in the locking plate and the load plate. The hooks have upwardly facing slots registered with the locking plate, such that the locking plate can be slid into a second position wherein the locking plate is engaged in the slots in the hooks to lock the housing to the wall plate. When the housing is thus engaged on the wall plate, the edges of the apertures in the load-bearing plate bear on a load bearing surface of each hook to transfer the load on the shelves to the wall plate and the wall.

The position of the load-bearing plate in the housing is vertically adjustable relative to the housing with an adjusting screw. The vertical position of the housing and attached shelves can be adjusted, post-installation, with this adjusting screw within a limited range of travel.

The housing further defines a shelf adjustment channel proximate a front side with a forwardly facing slot, and a pair of rearwardly facing generally v-shaped grooves flanking the slot. The shelf adjustment channel slidingly receives a shelf attachment member therein. The shelf attachment member defines a pair of wedge-shaped projections corresponding to the v-shaped grooves. A shelf support member is attached to the shelf attachment member with a fastener. The shelf attachment member may be fixed against sliding in the shelf adjustment channel by tightening the fastener, causing the wedge-shaped projections to be drawn into the v-shaped grooves. As the fastener is tightened, the mating of the wedge-shaped projections with the v-shaped grooves causes the slot to be narrowed, thereby preventing the shelf attachment member from being drawn through the slot and increasing the frictional force holding the shelf attachment member in position in the shelf adjustment channel.

In embodiments of the invention, the shelf support members may include shelf support pads or bumpers that are faced with a high friction, low slip material, thereby inhibiting slippage of the shelf on the shelf support member and preventing the shelf from being drawn forwardly away from the housing or frame.

The housing also defines laterally facing wire management channels on each side thereof. Wires may be routed through these channels from equipment on one shelf to equipment on other shelves. The wires can be concealed from view with snap-in covers fitted over the openings to the channel.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, a furniture system adapted to mount on the wall of a structure includes a body portion adapted to mate with a planar, generally vertical surface of a wall. The body portion defines at least one vertically oriented wire channel for concealing wires therein and having structure receiving a plurality of shelf support brackets. The system further includes a plurality of shelves, each of the shelves supported on a separate one of the shelf support brackets.

In embodiments of the invention, the body portion may include an elongate generally vertically oriented column structure. The column structure defines a pair of vertically oriented wire channels, each of the wire channels having a laterally facing opening. The system may further include a pair of covers, each cover for covering a separate one of the laterally facing openings.

In an embodiment, the structure receiving a plurality of shelf support brackets may be a vertical channel in the body portion, the channel defined by opposing side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall. The front wall defines an elongate vertically oriented opening and inwardly oriented v-shaped grooves on either side of the opening. Each of the shelf support brackets includes a shelf-height adjustment block defining a pair of spaced apart pointed members, the shelf-height adjustment blocks received in the vertical channel with the pointed members engaged in the v-shaped grooves.

In other embodiments, each of the shelf support brackets of the system has at least one contact portion for contacting the shelf. The shelf contact portion may be faced with a high friction, low slip material to inhibit slippage of the shelf on the shelf support member.

In further embodiments, the body portion may include a pair of shelf attachment columns, the columns disposed on opposite sides of the wire management channel and spaced apart from the wire management channel. Each of the shelf attachment columns may define a forwardly facing shelf adjustment channel, with the system further including a plurality of shelf attachment cars, each of the cars slidingly received in one of the shelf adjustment channels.

The system may include a wall interface plate presenting an upwardly oriented flange and the body portion may present a hook structure. The hook structure is engagable over the upwardly oriented flange of the wall interface plate to support the furniture system on the wall. The system may further include locking structure for selectively inhibiting disengagement of the hook structure from the wall interface plate.

In other embodiments, a furniture system adapted to mount on the wall of a structure includes a body portion adapted to mate with a planar, generally vertical surface of a wall, the body portion defining at least one vertically oriented wire channel for concealing wires therein, a plurality of shelves, and means for coupling the plurality of shelves with the body portion. The means for coupling the plurality of shelves with the body portion may be a plurality of shelf support brackets and structure for receiving each one of the plurality of shelf support brackets.

In other embodiments, the furniture system may include a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the body portion relative to the wall interface plate when the hook structure is engaged with the wall interface plate.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that wires and cables can be easily concealed from view within the system post-installation.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that the location of the system on the wall can be easily adjusted post-installation.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that a shelf attachment member or car can be vertically, slidably, positioned at any location along a vertical member of the system, thereby enabling shelves to be individually positioned at any vertical location on the system.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that a shelf attachment member or car has forwardly facing wedge shaped projections that mate with corresponding rearwardly facing v-shaped grooves in a shelf attachment channel, thereby enabling secure vertical positioning of the shelf attachment member and preventing the shelf attachment member from being drawn out of the shelf attachment channel by overtightening of fasteners attaching the shelf to the shelf attachment member.

Further objects and advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the figures and descriptions of the present invention herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an opposing side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention with a shelf and portions of the body portion removed;

FIG. 9 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the wall mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the wall mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a side cutaway view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 19;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 20;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the wall mounted furniture system of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a wall plate of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of components of a height-adjustment mechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is perspective view of a height-adjustment mechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a height-adjustment mechanism and a wall plate of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a partially transparent perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 28 is a partially transparent perspective view of a portion of a height-adjustment mechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention can be more readily understood by reference to FIGS. 1-28 and the following description. While the present invention is not necessarily limited to such an application, the present invention will be better appreciated using a discussion of exemplary embodiments in such a specific context. Referring to FIGS. 1-28, wall-mounted furniture system 100 generally includes shelves 102, wall-mounting mechanism 200, and shelf-adjustment mechanism 300. Wall-mounted furniture system 100 can also include height-adjustment mechanism 400 and cable-management system 500.

In an embodiment of the present invention, wall-mounting mechanism 200 includes wall plate 210 and mounting bracket 212, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 11. In another embodiment, wall-mounting mechanism 200 has wall-mounting interface assembly 214, as depicted in FIGS. 18-19 and 26. Wall-mounting interface assembly 214 generally includes wall plate 211, mounting bracket 213, and locking bracket 216.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, wall plate 210 has apertures 218. Apertures 218 can be elongated apertures 218a and/or circular apertures 218b.

Referring to FIG. 11, mounting bracket 212 generally includes upper lip 220, lower lip 221, mounting apertures 222, stabilizing apertures 223, and column-mounting apertures 225. Upper lip 220 is generally U-shaped, and lower lip 221 is generally L-shaped in profile with mounting bracket 212. In an example embodiment of the present invention, wall plate 210 and mounting bracket 212 are rectangular in shape. Although wall plate 210 and mounting bracket 212 can be any number of sizes, mounting bracket 212 is generally longer and wider than wall plate 210, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 11.

Referring to FIGS. 19-20, wall plate 211 of wall-mounting interface assembly 214 has mounting apertures 224 and retaining clips 226. Retaining clips 226 have load-bearing surface 228 and mouth 230. Load-bearing surface 228 is adapted to support mounting bracket 213 and mouth 230 is adapted to receive locking bracket 216.

Referring to FIG. 25, mounting bracket 213 generally has upper portion 232 and upper portion 232. Upper portion 232 defines locking aperture 236. Main portion 234 defines mounting slots 238.

Referring to FIG. 24, locking bracket 216 has upper potion 240 and main portion 242. Upper portion 240 defines push-lift 244 and locking aperture 246. Main portion 242 defines locking slots 248. In an example embodiment of the present invention, locking aperture 246 of locking bracket 216 and locking aperture 236 of mounting bracket 213 are aligned and adapted to receive locking screw 249. Locking slots 248 are designed to receive retaining clips 226 and engage mouth 230 of mounting bracket 213.

In various embodiments, wall-mounted furniture system 100 can include one or more shelf-adjustment mechanisms 300. Shelf-adjustment mechanism 300 generally includes vertical column 302 and movable shelf support 304. In an example embodiment of the present invention, vertical column 302 has housing 306, defining height-adjustment channel 305, bearing-block recess 305a, cable-management cavities 307, channel 308 and track 309, as depicted in FIGS. 20 and 20a. In another example embodiment of the present invention, vertical column 302 has housing 306, channel 308 and track 309, and central column 303 has housing 306, defining panel channel 311 and cable-management cavities 307, as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 9a. Shelf-adjustment mechanism 300 enables vertical columns 302 to be selectively raised and lowered.

Housing 306 has outer surface 310, inner surface 312, and side surfaces 314. Movable shelf support 304 generally includes support body 316, shelf-height adjustment block 318 and shelf-height locking member 317. Support body 316 generally has support arms 322 and retainer 324. In an example embodiment of the present invention, both support body 316 and shelf-height adjustment block 318 have locking-member apertures 320 which allow support body 316 to be attached to shelf-height adjustment block 318 with shelf-height locking member 317, as depicted in FIG. 19. In another example embodiment of the present invention, support body 316 has support clips (not shown) which can engage support slots 319 of shelf-height adjustment block 318 so that support body 316 can be attached to shelf-height adjustment block 318.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, support body 316 also has locking component 326, as depicted in FIG. 21. Locking component 326 is substantially planar and has locking-member apertures 320 aligned with channel 308. Shelf-height adjustment block 318 defines main portion 328 and extended portion 330. Main portion 328 has pointed members 332 and main surface 334. Extended portion 330 has extended surface 336. Main portion 328 fits within channel 308 and extended portion fits within track 309, as depicted in FIG. 20a. The distance between pointed members 332 and the plane defined by extended surface 336 is approximately the thickness of the portion of housing 306 between outer surface 310 and inner surface 312.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, support arms 322 of support body 316 have support clips and shelf-height adjustment block 318 defines support-clip slots 319, as depicted in FIG. 10. Shelf-height adjustment block 318 fits within channel 308 and main portion extends between channel 308 and track 309, as depicted in FIG. 8a. Support slots 319 are adapted to receive the support clips of support arms 322. Shelf-height adjustment block 318 also defines apertures 321. Apertures 318 are adapted to receive shelf-height locking member 319.

Shelf-adjustment mechanism 300 generally secures shelves 102 in place in relation to support body 316. Support arms 322 and retainer 324 of support body 316 present bumpers 350. Specifically, retainer 324 presents upper bumper 350a and support arms 322 present lower bumpers 350b. Bumpers 350 present outer surface 352. To ensure that shelves 102 are level, the distance between the plane defined by outer surface 352 of upper bumpers 350a and the plane defined by outer surface 352 of lower bumpers 350b is approximately the thickness of shelf 102.

Lower bumpers 350b generally include bumper housing 354 defining recess 356 and mouth 358, bumper pin 360 and bumper insert 362. Bumper pin 360 extends from bumper recess 356 into mouth 358. Mouth 358 of bumper 350 is adapted to receive support arm 322 such that bumper 350 rests on support arm 322. Bumper 350 receives bumper insert 362. Upper bumper 350a may be substantially similar to lower bumpers 350b or may include a single component. In an example embodiment of the present invention, upper bumper 350a may be integrally formed as a single component. Although upper bumper 350a and bumper insert 362 can be made from any material, upper bumper 350a and bumper insert 362 are typically made from a material that provides relatively strong adhesion to high surface energy substrates such as metals, glass, polycarbonate and acrylic, and an extremely low slip resilient contact surface. In an embodiment of the invention, the shelf contact faces of bumpers 350b, 350, are faced with 3M® Bumpon™.

Housing 306 of shelf-adjustment mechanism 300 can receive and substantially conceal cables and cords for electrical appliances such as, for example, audio and video systems. Specifically, housing 306 defines one or more cable-management cavities 307. Cable-management cavities 307 include cable-management opening 370 adapted to receive retainer clip 372. Retainer clip 372 is selectively positionable within cable-management opening 370 so as to substantially conceal electrical connectors within cable-management cavities 307.

Wires can be further concealed by end caps 380. End caps 380 generally fit onto top end 382 and bottom end 384 of housing 306. In an example embodiment of the present invention, end caps 380 are secured with fastening members received by housing 306. In another embodiment, end caps 380 are snap-fit into housing 306. End caps 306 may also be secured to housing 306 by other means without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Wires are also concealed by removable panels 381.

Height-adjustment mechanism 400 enables the vertical position of housing 306 to be raised or lowered in relation to wall plate 211. Height-adjustment mechanism 400 generally includes bearing block 402, adjustment block 404 and adjusting screw 406, as depicted in FIG. 25. Height-adjustment mechanism 400 may also include a screw-clamp (not shown). Bearing block 402 has upper surface 410, lower surface 412, an adjusting-screw aperture, and a second aperture. Adjustment block 404 has slot-engaging members 420 and an adjusting-screw aperture. The adjusting screw aperture of bearing block 402 is designed to freely receive adjusting screw 406. The adjusting screw aperture of adjustment block 404 is designed to engagingly receive the threads of adjusting screw 406. Mounting slots 238 of mounting bracket 213 are designed to matingly receive slot-engaging members 420 of adjustment block 404.

To mount wall-mounted furniture system 100, wall plate 210 or 211 is affixed to a wall by driving mounting screws through apertures 218 in wall plate 210 or 211 after positioning wall plate 210 or 211 at a location that is generally proximate a desired height above the floor. Mounting screws are preferably anchored in studs or other vertical structural members, although mounting screws may be anchored in a wall by other means. In an example embodiment of the present invention, wall plate 210 or 211 is anchored by multiple mounting screws.

As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 11, a pair of wall plates 210 can be horizontally mounted onto a wall in an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a mounting screw is driven through circular apertures 218a into a first stud or other vertical support member. Another mounting screw can then be driven through elongated apertures 218b. The elongated shape of elongated apertures 218b enables a mounting screw to be anchored in or near the center of a vertical support member even if variations exist in the spacing between vertical support members.

As depicted in FIGS. 18-19, a wall plate 211 can be vertically mounted onto a wall in another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, mounting screws are driven through mounting apertures 218.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 are loaded into height-adjustment channel 305 of housing 306, as depicted in FIGS. 19 and 28. Specifically, adjustment block 404 is attached to mounting bracket 213 by inserting slot-engaging members 420 into mounting slots 238. Slot-engaging members 420 are generally inserted into mounting slots 238 located near the bottom of mounting bracket 213 such that the other mounting slots 238 are available for mounting onto retaining clips 226 of wall plate 211. Mounting bracket 213 with attached adjustment block 404 and locking bracket 216 can be inserted through height-adjustment channel 305. Generally, height-adjustment channel 305 is tracked so as to conform to the shape of mounting bracket 213 (with attached adjustment block 404) and locking bracket 216. Unintended movement of mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 is thereby substantially limited to translational sliding between top end 382 and bottom end 384 of housing 306.

Mounting bracket 213 can be movably secured within housing 306 with adjusting screw 406. Adjusting screw 406 extends through an aperture in bearing block 402 and threads into adjustment block 404. Bearing block 402 is situated within bearing-block recess 305a of housing 306. A screw-clamp (not shown) can also be situated around adjusting screw 406 opposite bearing block 402. Generally, adjusting screw 406 is situated in a non-threaded, grooved portion of adjusting screw 406.

Adjusting screw 406 is freely rotatable within the aperture of bearing block 402, but threads in and out of adjustment block 404. In this manner, upward travel of mounting bracket 213 through height-adjustment channel 305 is restricted by the presence of bearing block 402 within bearing block recess 305a, while downward travel of mounting bracket 213 is restricted by the presence of upper portion 232 that extends perpendicularly from upper portion 232.

The height of housing 306—to which shelves 102 are functionally attached through shelf-adjustment mechanism 300—in relation to wall plate 211 can thereby be raised or lowered by rotating adjusting screw 406. Specifically, since the weight of wall-mounted furniture system 100 maintains the position of mounting bracket 213 on retaining clips 226, rotation of adjusting block causes bearing block 402 to translate in relation to adjustment block 404. With bearing block 402 situated within bearing-block recess 305a of housing, the movement of bearing block 402 caused by rotation of adjusting screw 406 produces a corresponding movement of housing 306. Therefore, the amount of permitted height adjustment can be varied by changing the length of adjusting screw 406. Once housing 306 is positioned at the desired height, the position can be locked in, and locking bracket 216 is locked in place by inserting locking screw 249 into locking aperture 246 of locking bracket 216 and locking aperture 236 of mounting bracket 213, as depicted in FIGS. 19 and 19a. In preferred embodiments, the post-installation height adjustment range of housing 306 obtainable with adjusting screw 406 is about one inch. Hence, wall plate 210 or 211 need only be initially positioned within about one-inch of the desired height of the system above the room floor, and adjusting screw 406 may be used for fine adjustment of height post installation.

With mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 loaded into housing 306, housing 306 can be mounted onto a wall. Specifically, locking slots 248 of locking bracket 216 are aligned with mounting slots 238 of mounting bracket 213. Push-lift 244 in upper portion of 240 of locking bracket 216 can be raised or lowered by a user to facilitate the alignment of slots 238, 248. Mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 are positioned onto wall plate 211 by sliding slots 238, 248, over retaining clips 226. Locking bracket 216 can then be slid downward such that locking slots 248 at least partially occupy respective mouths 230 formed by retaining clips 226. In this manner, housing 306 cannot be removed from wall plate 306 without first re-aligning locking slots 248 with retaining clips 226 by sliding locking bracket 216 upward. In contrast to locking bracket 216, mounting bracket 213 rests on an upwardly facing edge of retaining clips 226. Specifically, mounting slots 238 are positioned on top of load-bearing surfaces 228 of retaining clips 226. In this manner, the load on housing 306—including the load of shelves 102 and any objects placed on shelves 102 by a user—is distributed through retaining clips 226 of wall plate 211 into a wall.

In another embodiment, vertical columns 302 and central column 303 are attached to both ends of mounting brackets 212, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 6-7, 9, and 10-11. Specifically, fasteners can be inserted through apertures 225 to secure columns 302, 303 to mounting brackets 212.

Mounting brackets 212 are attached to wall plate 210 such that U-shaped upper lip 220 fits over the upper edge of wall plate 210, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 11. In this embodiment, wall plate 210 is spaced apart from the wall. A stabilizing screw can be inserted through stabilizing aperture 213 of wall plate 210. By positioning stabilizing aperture 213 from the top of upper lip 220 at a distance similar to the width of wall plate 210, the stabilizing screw substantially prevents U-shaped upper lip 220 from being unintentionally lifted off of wall plate 210. When stabilizing screw is removed and mounting bracket 212 is removed from wall plate 210, L-shaped lower lip 221 can provide a physical limit to the upward movement of mounting bracket as well as a comfortable grasping location for the user.

Although shelves can be raised or lowered by raising or lowering vertical columns 302, shelves 102 can also be raised or lowered once the position of vertical columns 302 has been fixed. Specifically, shelf supports 304 of shelf-mechanism 304 permit a user to selectively raise or lower support arms 322 that support shelves 102.

In an embodiment of the present invention, support body 316 and shelf-height adjustment block 318 are attached with shelf-height locking member 317, as depicted in FIGS. 12-22. Specifically, shelf-height adjustment block occupies channel 308 within housing 306 and support body 316 is attached to shelf-height adjustment block 318 outside of housing 306. In this manner, channel 308 provides a guide for movement of support body 316.

To secure support body 316 in place, shelf-height locking member 317 is tightened. As shelf-height locking member 317 is tightened, pointed members 332 of main portion 328 of shelf-height adjustment block 318 are drawn into corresponding v-shaped grooves 332a in channel 308, as depicted in FIG. 20a, and locking component 326 of support body 316 is drawn against housing 306. By being drawn into the grooves 332a in channel 308, pointed members 332 can cause the edges of housing 306 which define track 309 to be drawn together, thereby narrowing the width of track 309. In this manner, the likelihood that the tightening shelf-height locking member 317 will cause shelf-height adjustment block 318 to be drawn through channel 308—which can thereby result in slippage of support body 316—is greatly reduced or eliminated.

The height of support bodies 316 can be adjusted by reversing the above process. Specifically, as shelf-height locking member 317 is loosened, pointed members 332 are disengaged from the corresponding grooves in channel 308. Shelf-height adjustment block 318 is thereby able to freely travel within channel 308, which correspondingly moves of support body 316.

In another embodiment of the present invention, support body 316 is attached to shelf-height adjustment block 318 by support clips engaged in support slots 319 as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 8a. Specifically, shelf-height adjustment block 318 is situated with channel 308. To secure shelf-height adjustment block 318 within channel, height-adjustment locking member 319 is inserted through locking member aperture 320. Extending through locking member aperture 320 and channel 308, height-adjustment locking member 319 contacts the back wall of channel 308. By tightening height-adjustment locking member 319, shelf-height adjustment block 318 is forced against the front walls of channel 308 that define track 309, thereby securing shelf-height adjustment block 318 in place. Generally, height-adjustment locking member 319 has a pointed tip that can create an indentation in the back wall of channel 308 with height-adjustment locking member 319 is tightened. The indentation reduces the risk that height-adjustment locking member 319 can slip when a load is placed upon shelves 302.

To change the height of support body 316, support body 316 can be removed from shelf-height adjustment block 318 and height-adjustment locking member 319 can be loosened. With height-adjustment locking member 319 loosened, shelf-height adjustment block 318 can freely travel within channel 308, which acts as a guide for shelf-height adjustment block 318. Height-adjustment locking member 319 can then be retightened and support body 316 reattached to shelf-height adjustment block 318.

Once the selected height of support body 316 has been selected and height-adjustment locking member 319 tightened, shelves 102 can be positioned onto support arms 322. Specifically, shelf 102 can be initially angled by a user so that bottom surface 104 makes first contact with lower bumpers 350b. As shelf 102 is leveled, upper surface 106 makes contact with upper bumpers 350a and additional lower bumpers 350b. In this manner, shelf 102 is supported held in placed by support arms 322 and retainer 324. The material from which bumpers 350 are faced frictionally resists translational movement of shelf 102 across bumpers 102 to prevent slippage of shelf 102.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, each shelf 102 of wall-mounted furniture system 100 may support approximately 75 pounds. Among the various objects that shelves 102 can be used to support, stereo systems and other electronic devices that require the use of cords, cables, and other wires can be supported by shelves 102. Wall-mounted furniture system 100 enables a user to conceal wires. Specifically, wires can be routed through cable-management cavities 307. In an example embodiment of the present invention, cable-management cavities 307 are located in housing 306 defined by vertical column 302, as depicted in FIG. 20a. Wires can then be concealed by inserting retainer clip 372 over cable-management opening 370. Retainer clip 372 is generally self-securing. In another example embodiment of the present invention, cable management cavities 307 are located in housing 306 defined by central column 303. Wires can then be concealed by inserting removable panels 381 between vertical columns 302 and central column 303.

The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

Claims

1. A furniture system adapted to mount on the wall of a structure, the system comprising: a body portion adapted to mate with a planar, generally vertical surface of a wall, the body portion defining at least one vertically oriented wire channel for concealing wires therein and having structure receiving a plurality of shelf support brackets; anda plurality of shelves, each of the shelves supported on a separate one of the shelf support brackets.

2. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises an elongate generally vertically oriented column structure, the column structure defining a pair of vertically oriented wire channels, each of the wire channels having a laterally facing opening.

3. The furniture system of claim 2, further comprising a pair of covers, each cover for covering a separate one of the laterally facing openings.

4. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the structure receiving a plurality of shelf support brackets comprises a vertical channel in the body portion, the channel defined by opposing side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall, the front wall defining an elongate vertically oriented opening and inwardly oriented v-shaped grooves on either side of the opening, each of the shelf support brackets including a shelf-height adjustment block defining a pair of spaced apart pointed members, the shelf-height adjustment blocks received in the vertical channel with the pointed members engaged in the v-shaped grooves.

5. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein each of the shelf support brackets has at least one contact portion for contacting the shelf, the shelf contact portion being faced with a high friction, low slip material to inhibit slippage of the shelf on the shelf support member.

6. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the body portion includes a pair of shelf attachment columns, the columns disposed on opposite sides of the wire management channel and spaced apart from the wire management channel.

7. The furniture system of claim 6, wherein each of the shelf attachment columns define a forwardly facing shelf adjustment channel, and further comprising a plurality of shelf attachment cars, each of the cars slidingly received in one of the shelf adjustment channels.

8. The furniture system of claim 1, further comprising a wall interface plate presenting an upwardly oriented flange, the body portion presenting a hook structure, wherein the hook structure is engagable over the upwardly oriented flange of the wall interface plate to support the furniture system on the wall.

9. The furniture system of claim 8, further comprising locking structure for selectively inhibiting disengagement of the hook structure from the wall interface plate.

10. A furniture system adapted to mount on the wall of a structure, the system comprising: a body portion adapted to mate with a planar, generally vertical surface of a wall, the body portion defining at least one vertically oriented wire channel for concealing wires therein;a plurality of shelves; andmeans for coupling the plurality of shelves with the body portion.

11. The furniture system of claim 10, wherein the means for coupling the plurality of shelves with the body portion comprises a plurality of shelf support brackets and structure for receiving each one of the plurality of shelf support brackets.

12. The furniture system of claim 11, wherein the body portion comprises an elongate generally vertically oriented column structure, the column structure defining a pair of vertically oriented wire channels, each of the wire channels having a laterally facing opening,

13. The furniture system of claim 12, further comprising a pair of covers, each cover for covering a separate one of the laterally facing openings.

14. The furniture system of claim 11, wherein the structure for receiving each one of the plurality of shelf support brackets comprises a vertical channel in the body portion, the channel defined by opposing side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall, the front wall defining an elongate vertically oriented opening and inwardly oriented v-shaped grooves on either side of the opening, each of the shelf support brackets including a shelf-height adjustment block defining a pair of spaced apart pointed members, the shelf-height adjustment blocks received in the vertical channel with the pointed members engaged in the v-shaped grooves.

15. The furniture system of claim 11, wherein each of the shelf support brackets has at least one contact portion for contacting the shelf, the shelf contact portion being faced with a high friction, low slip material to inhibit slippage of the shelf on the shelf support member.

16. The furniture system of claim 10, wherein the means for coupling the plurality of shelves with the body portion includes a pair of shelf attachment columns, the columns disposed on opposite sides of the wire management channel and spaced apart from the wire management channel.

17. The furniture system of claim 16, wherein each of the shelf attachment columns define a forwardly facing shelf adjustment channel, and further comprising a plurality of shelf attachment cars, each of the cars slidingly received in one of the shelf adjustment channels.

18. The furniture system of claim 10, further comprising a wall interface plate presenting an upwardly oriented flange, the body portion presenting a hook structure, wherein the hook structure is engagable over the upwardly oriented flange of the wall interface plate to support the furniture system on the wall.

19. The furniture system of claim 18, further comprising locking structure for selectively inhibiting disengagement of the hook structure from the wall interface plate.

20. The furniture system of claim 18, further comprising a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the body portion relative to the wall interface plate when the hook structure is engaged with the wall interface plate.