U.S. patent application number 09/888100 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-26 for adjustable sliding-shelf assemblies and method of adjusting the same.
Invention is credited to Walton, Dale.
Application Number | 20020195029 09/888100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25392524 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020195029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walton, Dale |
December 26, 2002 |
Adjustable sliding-shelf assemblies and method of adjusting the
same
Abstract
An adjustable sliding-shelf assembly for high quality wood
furniture. The adjustable shelf system includes at least four
columns positioned in a vertical direction and attached to the
inside of the cabinet, each column defining at least one
column-notch. The adjustable shelf system further includes at least
two support members, each support member having two ends, each end
having at least one protrusion configured to removably engage, by
horizontal movement, at least one column-notch. A shelf is
positioned adjacent to the at least two support members. The
adjustable shelf system further includes at least two slider
assemblies configured to horizontally slide the at least one shelf
into and out of the cabinet, each drawer slide assembly attached to
one of the at least two support members and one side of the
shelf.
Inventors: |
Walton, Dale; (Placentia,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sheppard, Mullin
Richter & Hampton LLP
48th Floor
333 S. Hope Street
Los Angeles
CA
90071
US
|
Family ID: |
25392524 |
Appl. No.: |
09/888100 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/34 20130101;
A47B 46/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/110 |
International
Class: |
A47B 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable shelf system configured to be positioned inside a
cabinet, the adjustable shelf system comprising: at least four
columns positioned in a vertical direction and attached to the
inside of the cabinet, each column defining at least one
column-notch; at least two support members, each support member
having two ends, each end having at least one protrusion configured
to removably engage, by horizontal movement, at least one
column-notch; a shelf positioned adjacent to the at least two
support members; and at least two slider assemblies configured to
horizontally slide the at least one shelf into and out of the
cabinet, each drawer slide assembly attached to one of the at least
two support members and one side of the shelf.
2. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 1, wherein the
at least four columns are attached to the corners of the
cabinet.
3. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 1, wherein the
at least four columns are made of a non-metallic material.
4. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 1, wherein the
at least two support members are made of a non-metallic
material.
5. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 1, wherein each
of the at least four columns includes a back wall configured to
prevent each of the at least two protrusions from moving through
the column-notch.
6. An adjustable shelf system comprising: at least two wood
vertical columns, each column having at least one column-notch;
means for securing the vertical columns in place to prevent the
movement of the columns relative to one another; at least one
support member having a shelf support and two ends, each end having
a protrusion configured to removably engage, by horizontal
movement, the at least one column-notch; and at least one shelf
mounted on the support shelf of the at least one support
member.
7. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 6, wherein the
at least two wood vertical columns are located proximate to the
corners of the at least one shelf.
8. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 6, further
comprising a drawer slide assembly attached to the at least one
support member and the at least one shelf.
9. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 6, wherein the
at least one support member is made of a wood material.
10. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 6, wherein each
of the at least two wood vertical columns includes a back wall
configured to prevent the protrusion from moving through the at
least one column-notch.
11. A furniture cabinet with adjustable shelf system comprising: a
furniture cabinet; at least four wood vertical columns secured to
the inside of the furniture cabinet, each column defining at least
two column-notches; at least two support members, each support
member having a protrusion configured to removably engage, by
horizontal movement, at least one of the two column-notches; at
least two slider assemblies, each drawer slide assembly attached to
one of the at least two support members; and a shelf attached to
the at least two slider assemblies and configured to horizontally
slide using the at least two slider assemblies, into and out of the
furniture cabinet.
12. The furniture cabinet with adjustable shelf system as defined
in claim 11, wherein the at least four wood vertical columns
located proximate to the corners of the furniture cabinet.
13. The furniture cabinet with adjustable shelf system as defined
in claim 11, wherein the at least two support members are made of a
wood material.
14. The furniture cabinet with adjustable shelf system as defined
in claim 11, wherein the at least two support members are made of a
non-metallic material.
15. The furniture cabinet with adjustable shelf system as defined
in claim 11, wherein each of the at least four wood vertical
columns includes a back wall configured to prevent the protrusion
from moving through the at least one of the two column-notches.
16. An adjustable shelf system comprising: four wood vertical
columns, each column defining a plurality of column-notches along
the length of columns, each column mounted proximate to the
interior corners of a furniture cabinet; two wood support members,
each support member having two ends, each end being configured with
a protrusion to removably engage, by horizontal movement, at least
one of the plurality of column-notches, each support member
supported in a horizontal position by at least two vertical
columns, wherein the protrusion at each end of the support member
is removably engaged with one of the plurality of column-notches;
two drawer slides, each drawer slide attached to one of the two
wood support members; and a wood shelf having two sides, each side
configured to attach to one of the two drawer slides.
17. The adjustable shelf system as defined in claim 16, wherein
each of the four wood vertical columns includes a back wall
configured to prevent the protrusion from moving through at least
one of the plurality of column-notches.
18. A method for vertically adjusting a shelf, the method
comprising: dismounting the shelf from a first and second support
member; moving the first support member in only a horizontal
direction to disengage a protrusion on the first support member
from a corresponding column-notch defined by a first vertical
column; relocating the first support member to a desired different
level along the first vertical column by engaging the protrusion on
the first support member with the corresponding column-notch, at
the desired level, of the first vertical column; moving the second
support member in only a horizontal direction to disengage a
protrusion on the second support member from a corresponding
column-notch defined by a second vertical column; relocating the
second support member to a desired different level along the second
vertical column by engaging the protrusion on the second support
member with the corresponding column-notch, at the desired level,
of the second vertical column; and mounting the shelf on the first
and second support members.
19. The method for vertically adjusting a shelf as defined in claim
18, further comprises attaching a drawer slide assembly to the
first and second support members.
20. The method for vertically adjusting a shelf as defined in claim
19, wherein mounting the shelf on the first and second support
members includes attaching the shelf to the drawer slide assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to adjustable shelf
assemblies and method of adjusting the same, and more particularly
to adjustable sliding-shelf assemblies for high quality wood
furniture, such as cabinets, desks, and entertainment centers.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Metal shelf assemblies having wood shelves are well known in
the art. These metal shelf assemblies are typically used with wood
furniture to provide adjustable shelves. These types of adjustable
shelf assemblies include vertical supports, shelf support brackets,
and shelves. Metal shelf assemblies may be permanently attached to
wood furniture cabinets by securing the vertical supports to the
left and right interior sides of the cabinet. The vertical
supports, made from a metallic material, have a plurality of slots
spaced along its length. The shelf support brackets, also generally
made from a metallic material, have hooks that engage the plurality
of slots on the vertical supports at horizontally parallel
locations. Each shelf is supported by the shelf support brackets.
Multiple shelves may be installed on the vertical supports and may
be vertically adjusted by repositioning the associated shelf
support brackets. These metal shelf assemblies allow the wood
shelves to be adjusted from one fixed position to another fixed
position but do not provide slide-out or pull-out shelves.
Alternatively, a drawer slide assembly may be permanently fixed to
the left and right interior of the wood furniture cabinet and to
the sides of the shelves to allow the shelves to move horizontally
in an inward and outward direction; however, they can not be
adjusted vertically without disassembling and reassembling the
drawer slide assembly. Once disassembled, the prior level screw
holes in the wood furniture cabinet must be repaired.
[0005] Using metal shelf assemblies with wood furniture cabinets,
however, is undesirable because the metal vertical supports do not
aesthetically match the wood furniture cabinets. In addition, the
metal shelf assemblies do not provide adjustable sliding-shelf
assemblies. Therefore, it should be appreciated that there is a
need for adjustable sliding-shelf assemblies that satisfy the
adjustability sliding needs and the aesthetic demands of consumers
purchasing fine quality wood furniture cabinets. The present
invention fulfills this need as well as others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is embodied in an adjustable
sliding-shelf assembly for high quality wood furniture that avoids
the use of certain unsightly metal components. More particularly,
the adjustable shelf assembly includes at least four columns
positioned in a vertical direction and attached to the inside of
the cabinet, each column defining at least one column-notch. Each
column is configured with sufficient column-notches so that the
adjustable sliding-shelf assembly can accommodate more than one
shelf. The adjustable shelf assembly further includes at least two
horizontal support members, each support member having two ends,
each end having at least one protrusion configured to removably
engage, by horizontal movement, at least one column-notch. In
addition, the adjustable shelf assembly includes a shelf positioned
adjacent to at least two horizontal support members. The shelf is
mounted on the horizontal support members in a either a fixed or
slidable fashion depending on whether a shelf support is
incorporated with the support members. The shelf support might be a
ledge, dowels, or a drawer slide assembly. In one embodiment, a
typical drawer slide assembly is attached to the horizontal support
members. The drawer slide assembly is configured to horizontally
slide at least one shelf into and out of the cabinet. The drawer
slide assembly is attached to two support members and each side of
the shelf.
[0007] A shelf in the adjustable shelf assembly may be vertically
adjusted by the user via a series of steps without the use of any
tools. The method includes dismounting the shelf from a first and
second support member, moving the first support member in only a
horizontal direction to disengage a protrusion on the first support
member from a corresponding column-notch defined by a first
vertical column, relocating the first support member to a desired
different level along the first vertical column by engaging the
protrusion on the first support member with the corresponding
column-notch, at the desired level, of the first vertical column,
moving the second support member in only a horizontal direction to
disengage a protrusion on the second support member from a
corresponding column-notch defined by a second vertical column, and
relocating the second support member to a desired different level
along the second vertical column by engaging the protrusion on the
second support member with the corresponding column-notch, at the
desired level, of the second vertical column. The shelf is mounted
on the first and second support members, which locks the
protrusions into the column-notches.
[0008] Advantages of the present invention include providing the
user with adjustable pull-out shelves that can be adjusted to
various vertical positions in a wood furniture cabinet to
accommodate the user's needs (e.g., different size printers,
different size stereo components, or computer monitors). In
addition, the adjustable sliding-shelf assembly is provided without
requiring uninstalling, redrilling, leveling, and reinstalling the
drawer slide assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable sliding-shelf
assembly;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the columns and the support
members of the adjustable sliding-shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the column of the adjustable
sliding-shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a right side plan view of the column of the
adjustable sliding-shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support member of the
adjustable sliding-shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the support member of the
adjustable sliding-shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the support member
having a drawer slide assembly attached thereto;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a simplified flow chart describing a method of
adjusting the adjustable sliding-shelf assembly of FIG. 1; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a simplified flow chart describing a method of
adjusting the adjustable shelf assembly of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present invention provides adjustable shelf assemblies
for use with high quality furniture, such as cabinets, desks, and
entertainment centers. The adjustable shelf assembly is typically
positioned inside the furniture and is made from a wood material
that has an appearance which aesthetically matches the furniture.
The adjustable shelf assembly includes stationary and slidable
shelves for the easy placement and removal of items.
[0019] With reference now to the illustrative drawings, and
particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an
adjustable shelf assembly 10, which includes columns 12, support
members 14, and shelves 16. The columns are typically positioned in
a vertical orientation in the inside corners of the furniture. The
columns define a plurality of notches 18, which are described
herein as column-notches. Preferably, the adjustable shelf assembly
includes at least four columns that are made from a wood material
to match the furniture that they are installed into. The support
members include a shelf support 22 or a drawer slide assembly (see
FIG. 7) for supporting the shelf 16. When the shelf is mounted or
positioned on the shelf support or positioned adjacent to the
drawer slide assembly, the top surface of the shelf is generally
flush with the top surface of both support members supporting the
shelf. The shelf being positioned adjacent to the support member
holds the support members in place, and precludes the support
members from disengaging from the column-notches when the shelf is
in place. This in turn eliminates the need to attach or secure the
support members to the columns. In one embodiment, each shelf may
be positioned on top of the top surface of the support members.
Also, the shelves may be secured to the support members. In another
embodiment, the shelf support may be replaced with a drawer slide
assembly that is attached to the sides of the support members and
the sides of the shelves to engage one another and to horizontally
slide the shelves in an inward and outward direction for the easy
placement and removal of items. The columns, support members, and
shelves are all made from a non-metallic material, e.g., a wood
material.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the columns 12 and the
support members 14 of the adjustable shelf assembly of FIG. 1. The
support members have protrusions 20 at each of their ends which are
configured to removably engage the column-notches 18 and in this
way the support members are supported by the columns. When the
support members are engaged to the column-notches the support
members are flush with the column-notches. The shelf support 22 is
incorporated along the support member and can be embodied as a
milled ledge, protruding dowel or other support means.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the column 12 of the
adjustable shelf assembly 10 of FIG. 1. The column is shown in its
preferred vertical upright position. The column includes a back
wall 24 to prevent the support member from passing through the
column-notch 18. The height H of the column is adjusted so that the
column fits vertically inside the wood furniture. The
column-notches have smooth rounded edges. Each column-notch is
typically spaced a distance D from an adjacent column-notch. In the
preferred embodiment, D is approximately equal to 2 3/4 of an inch.
The column has a width W, which is preferably 7/8 of an inch. The
back wall 24 of the column 12 extends along the column in a
vertical direction. The back wall may be used to attach or secure
the column to the furniture and is integral with the column. That
is, the column is cut and carved to have the plurality of
column-notches and the back wall.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a right side plan view of the column of the
adjustable shelf assembly of FIG. 1. The column has a thickness T,
which is preferably 3/4 of an inch. The back wall has a thickness
T1, which is preferably 1/4 of an inch.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support member of the
adjustable shelf assembly of FIG. 1. The adjustable shelf assembly
includes at least two support members for each shelf. Each support
member is configured to removably engage at least two
column-notches 18 and hence is supported by at least two columns.
The support member has a length L, which is determined by the depth
of the inside of the furniture. The support member has a width W,
which is preferably 3/4 of an inch, and a height H, which is
preferably 1 1/2 inches. The support member has protrusions 20 at
each end which are configured to form fit into the column-notches
18. That is, each protrusion is configured to snugly fit into the
column-notch so that there is little to no vertical movement.
Protrusions on the horizontal support members match the
column-notches of the vertical columns, preventing "out-board"
movement, i.e., the horizontal support members and vertical columns
install from one side only (the inside). In the preferred
embodiment, each protrusion extends outward approximately 1/2 an
inch, has a thickness of approximately 1/2 an inch, and has smooth
rounded corners configured to mate with the smooth rounded corners
of the support members.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the support member 14 of the
adjustable shelf assembly of FIG. 1. The support members include a
shelf support 22 or has a drawer slide assembly (see FIG. 7)
attached thereto for supporting the shelf 16. The shelf support 22
is positioned a distance D below a top surface 26 of the support
member. The distance D is configured to be the same as the
thickness of the shelf. This allows the top surface of the support
member to be flush with the top surface of the shelf. The shelf
support is integral with the support member and defines a ledge to
support the shelf 16 (see also FIG. 1). The support shelf protrudes
out about 1/2 of an inch to support the shelf and extends along the
support member 14. The support member has a height, which is
preferably 11/2 inches.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the support member 14
having a drawer slide assembly (or typical drawer slide) 28
attached thereto. One part of the drawer slide assembly attaches to
the support member 14 and another part of the drawer slide assembly
attaches to the side of the shelf 16. Preferably, one drawer slide
assembly 28 is used for each side of the shelf. Hence, there are
two support members and two drawer slide assemblies for each
shelf.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a simplified flow chart describing a method of
adjusting the adjustable sliding-shelf assembly of FIG. 1. At step
30, the shelf is pulled outward such that the drawer slide assembly
is fully extended. Levers on each drawer slide are pressed to allow
the shelf to be detached from the support members (step 32). The
support members are then moved inward to disengage the protrusions
from the column-notches (step 34). The protrusions of the support
members are then moved into other column-notches at the desired
vertical position on the column so that the supports members are at
the same horizontal position (step 36). This allows the shelf to be
horizontally level. The drawer slide assembly on the shelf is then
aligned with the drawer slide assembly on the support members (step
38) and the shelf is pushed or reinstalled inward toward the
furniture.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a simplified flow chart describing a method of
adjusting the adjustable shelf assembly of FIG. 1. At step 40, the
shelf is pulled out such that the shelf slides along the shelf
support. The support members are then moved inward to disengage
them from the column-notches (step 42). The protrusions of the
support members are then moved into the column-notches at the
desired vertical position on the column so that the supports
members are at the same horizontal position (step 44). This allows
the shelf to be level. The shelf is then placed on the shelf
support and pushed inward toward the furniture so that the support
members are held in place by the shelf.
[0028] It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that
the present invention provides a fine piece of furniture having
adjustable shelves that satisfy the aesthetic demands of consumers
purchasing fine quality furniture cabinets. This is achieved by
providing aesthetically pleasing wooden components that replace the
metal supports and rail assemblies previously known in the art.
While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and
described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be
made without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the
invention is to be defined only by the following claims.
* * * * *