Wall Shelf and Slidable Mount

Abstract

A shelf and slideable mount, which is made up of, but not necessarily limited to, the following components: (1) a mount which features anchor nail platforms and/or holes which accommodate screws, and angled sides, and (2) a shelf which features a horizontal plane and a vertical cover portion which slides over the mount.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally household decor and in particular to a shelf and a mount for attaching the shelf to the wall.

2. Background

Currently, there are a number of solutions for metal shelves. Metal shelves can be aesthetically pleasing as they create a modern, sleek profile. Metal shelves are also economical to manufacture. Typically, metal shelves are made of bent sheet metal but are attached with traditional screws which require cumbersome toggle bolts, lag bolts, or drywall anchors. This can require a difficult installation process as the shelves have to held up level to the wall while attaching the screws into the wall to affix the shelf. Also, once the shelves are attached, they cannot be easily removed. Such metal shelves also typically have exposed fasteners, which may not be aesthetically pleasing to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to have a shelf which can be economically manufactured out of bent sheet metal, and which can be quickly installed with anchor nails as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 111,111,942. It is also desirable to have a universal mount that can accommodate many different shelf configurations or other items such as hooks which the user wishes to fasten to the wall. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a universal mount which can be installed via several methods, including by using screws mounted into wood studs, or drywall anchors, in lieu of using anchor nails. The disclosed device advantageously fills these needs and addresses the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a universal mount with angled sides, more than one anchor nail platforms, and one or more holes that can accommodate screws. The mount can accommodate not only shelves but other objects such as hooks or drapery rod brackets.

Disclosed is a shelf and slideable mount, which is made up of, but not necessarily limited to, the following components: (1) a mount which features anchor nail platforms and/or holes which accommodate screws, and angled sides, and (2) a shelf which features a horizontal plane and a vertical cover portion which slides over the mount.

The device may also have one or more of the following: a shelf made out of a single piece of bent sheet metal, or a wood shelf which is otherwise attached to a bracket that slides over the mount. The mount can be made of metal, or a strong plastic such as nylon.

The disclosed device is advantageous when compared with other known devices and solutions because it provides: (1) a shelf made out of bent sheet metal and (2) a mount which can affixed first to the wall, with anchor nails or with traditional screws, which avoids having to hold up the shelf during the installation process. The mount can be installed first, then the shelf can be attached by sliding over the mount. The device is further advantageous in that is also can be installed with anchor nails, which can be installed in seconds versus traditional lag bolts or drywall anchors, or screws which require use of several tools.

The disclosed device is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the device provides (1) a mount and (2) a shelf that contains a horizontal surface and means to attach the mount. The mount can be attached to the wall through a variety of methods, including through anchor nails.

This disclosure will now provide a more detailed and specific description that will refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The Wall Shelf and Slideable Mount may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of a shelf mount of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of the shelf mount of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a side view of a first side of the shelf mount of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a front view of the shelf mount of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D′ is a top view of the shelf mount of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D″ is a bottom view of the shelf mount of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E is a side view of a second side of the shelf mount of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the shelf mount of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2B is the rear view of the shelf mount of FIG. 1B with additional detail.

FIG. 3A is an elevated perspective view of a specific exemplary embodiment of a shelf of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the shelf of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a rear view of the shelf of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a side view of the shelf of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a top view of the shelf of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a shelf of the present invention with an alternative embodiment of a shelf.

FIG. 4B is a top view of the shelf of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a front view of the shelf of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D is a side view of the shelf of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E is a top “bent” view of the shelf of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a shelf of the present invention sliding over a mount of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the shelf of FIG. 5A installed on a mount of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a “bent” perspective view of the circular shelf of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the shelf of FIG. 4A installed on a mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The term “invention” is not intended to refer to any particular embodiment or otherwise limit the scope of the disclosure. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment. Drawings are not necessarily to scale or in proportion where needed to clearly illustrate a feature.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” Also, the term “connect” or “connected” where used if at all is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first component connects to a second component, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other components and connections.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components and method steps. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.

The present invention is directed to a metal shelf on slidable mount. The present invention further contemplates a shelf system that includes a shelf component and a mount component.

In its most complete version, the device is made up of the following components (1) a mount with angled sides, one or more anchor nail platforms, one or more holes that can accommodate screws, and raised rails and (2) a shelf that slides over the mount via a vertical bracket portion.

FIGS. 1A-1E show various views of an exemplary embodiment of a shelf mount of the present invention. FIG. 1A is perspective front view of shelf mount 100, sometimes referred to herein is “mount” or “the mount”. The mount 100 has two anchor nail platforms, wherein the bottom platform 102 is at a different angle than the top platform 104. The bottom platform 102 is angled to facilitate hammering of an anchor nail such that the hammer does not strike the raised rail 106 in the middle of the mount. 100. Rail 106 extends upward from base 114 to angled terminus 116. Rail 106 increases support for the cover 306. Screw hole 108 is a traditional opening designed to accommodate screws, which allow for traditional installation of the mount if anchor nails are not desired.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of mount 100. The mount 100 also has traditional holes 108, 109 for receiving screws. The mount 100 has angled edges 112 and rails 106 suitable for supporting the cover piece 114 of the shelf 116.

FIG. 1C is a side view of a first side of mount 100.

FIG. 1D is a front view of mount 100.

FIG. 1D′ is a top view of mount 100.

FIG. 1D″ is a bottom view of mount 100.

FIG. 1E is a side view of a second side of mount 100.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show various views of the rear side of mount 100. FIG. 2A is a perspective rear view of the mount 100, showing in detail the rear side 200 of the mount 100. FIG. 2B is a rear view of mount 100. The mount 100 optionally has a have cavity 202 suitable for insertion of a deformable element, such as a plastic sleeve, into which anchor nails will embed when installed. Bore holes 108, 109 are provided to receive screws suitable for optionally attaching the mount via traditional screws. In specific alternative embodiments, rear side 200 provides a slight recessed area suitable for placement of an insert piece of rubber or similar tacky material to create additional friction with a wall on which the mount 100 is fastened and also to prevent marring of the wall.

FIGS. 3A-3E show various views of an embodiment of a quadrilateral shelf of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a top perspective front view of the shelf 300, which has a horizontal shelf portion 302, and a vertical portion 304. Connector sleeve 306 is attached to shelf 300. Connector sleeve 306 provides angled sides 308, 309 that are complementary to the angled sides 112 of mount 100 such that connector sleeve 306 slides over the mount 100 and comes to rest on base 114. Gussets 310, and 311 are present for increasing the stiffness of the shelf 302.

FIG. 3B is a top view of a quadrilateral shelf of the present invention. Connector sleeve 306 provides angled side 308, 309.

FIG. 3C is a rear view of a quadrilateral shelf of the present invention. Vertical portion 304 of shelf 300 rests against a wall on which shelf 300 is mounted to provide support reinforcement for the shelf 300. To reduce damage to the wall from contact with portion 304, and to create additional friction to the wall, one or more pads 312 are optionally attached to back surface of portion 304. Preferably, pads 312 are made of a resilient and tacky material suitable for cushioning the contact between portion 304 and a wall that it rests against. Pads 112 increase friction of the shelf 302 against the will which increases stiffness of the shelf 302 and prevents sagging of the shelf 302.

FIG. 3D is a side view of shelf 300.

FIG. 3E is a top view of shelf 300 with an “bent” view of shelf 300. Because shelf 300 is a metal shelf that can be formed from sheet metal, 3e demonstrates how the sheet metal is stamped to create the shelf 300. Connector sleeve 306 consists of angled sides 308, 309, top side 314, and front face portion 316 which are created with a press brake or other mechanical device to achieve these components at their desired angles.

FIGS. 4A-4E show a variety of views of an alternative embodiment of the present shelf having a circular shelf. To be clear, this embodiment is not limited to circular shapes and contemplates any shape that is a closed curve or closed ellipse. FIG. 4A is a perspective top view of a circular shelf embodiment. Connector sleeve 306, described above, is attached to circular shelf 400. Gussets 310, 311 extend from connector sleeve 306 and provide reinforced support for shelf 400.

FIG. 4B is a top view of shelf of FIG. 4a. Gussets 310, 311 extend from connector sleeve 306 and support shelf 400.

FIG. 4C is a front view of the shelf of FIG. 4a. Connector sleeve 306 extends vertically upward from shelf 400.

FIG. 4D is a side view of the shelf of FIG. 4a. Shelf 400 and connector sleeve 306 are identified for orientation purposes.

FIG. 4E is a top view of shelf 400 with an “bent” view of shelf 400. Because shelf 400 is a metal shelf that can be formed from sheet metal, 4e demonstrates how the sheet metal is stamped to create the shelf 400. Connector sleeve 306 consists of angled sides 308, 309, top side 314, and front face portion 316 which are created with a press brake or other mechanical device to achieve these components at their desired angles.

FIG. 5A is a rear perspective view of the shelf embodiment of FIG. 3A. Connector sleeve 306 slides over mount 100.

FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the shelf embodiment of FIG. 5A. Mount 100 is completely inserted into connector sleeve 306, completing the mounting process illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a “bent” view of the circular shelf of FIG. 4A. Shelf 400 is viewed from above in a top view, while mount 100 is viewed from the front. Mount 100 is inserted into connector sleeve 306 and shelf 400 is supported by gussets 310, 311.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the shelf of FIG. 4. Mount 100 is inserted into connector sleeve 306 and shelf 400 is supported by gussets 310, 311.

Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.

Claims

1. A shelf comprising a horizontal plane and a vertical cover portion which slides over a mount.

2. A mount for a shelf, the mount comprising angled sides and one or more anchor nail platforms.

3. The mount of claim 2, further comprising one or more bore holes to receive a screw.

4. A shelf system, the system comprising a mount comprising angled sides and one or more anchor nail platforms; and a shelf comprising a horizontal plane and a vertical cover portion which vertical cover portion slides over the mount.

5. A shelf system, the system comprising a mount comprising angled sides and one or more openings suitable to accommodate a screw; and shelf comprising a horizontal plane and a vertical cover portion which vertical cover portion slides over the mount.

6. A shelf of claim 1, wherein the horizontal plane further comprises a contiguous vertical portion that descends form from the horizontal plane.

7. The shelf system of claim 4, wherein the horizontal plane further comprises a contiguous vertical portion that descends form from the horizontal plane; and further comprising one or more cushion pads optionally attachable to the contiguous vertical portion.

8. The shelf system of claim 5, wherein the horizontal plane further comprises a contiguous vertical portion that descends form from the horizontal plane; and further comprising one or more cushion pads optionally attachable to the contiguous vertical portion.

9. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the vertical cover portion further comprises one or more gussets.

10. The shelf system of claim 4, wherein the vertical cover portion further comprises one or more gussets.

11. The shelf system of claim 5, wherein the vertical cover portion further comprises one or more gussets.

12. The Shelf system of claim 4, wherein the vertical cover portion has a shape and the mount has a shape such that the shape of the vertical cover portion is complimentary to the shape of the mount for a secure fit of the vertical cover portion on the mount.

13. The Shelf system of claim 5, wherein the vertical cover portion has a shape and the mount has a shape such that the shape of the vertical cover portion is complimentary to the shape of the mount for a secure fit of the vertical cover portion on the mount.