U.S. patent application number 11/431478 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for shelf shipping clip.
Invention is credited to Mark Downing.
Application Number | 20070090243 11/431478 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37913476 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070090243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Downing; Mark |
April 26, 2007 |
Shelf shipping clip
Abstract
A shipping clip is configured to secure at least one shelf
within a cabinet having walls and a base. The shipping clip
includes a main beam having first and second side, and a biasing
tab outwardly extending from the first side at an angle. The
biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the shelf to
compressively secure the shelf within the cabinet during
shipping.
Inventors: |
Downing; Mark; (Palatine,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
3600 WEST LAKE AVENUE
PATENT DEPARTMENT
GLENVIEW
IL
60025
US
|
Family ID: |
37913476 |
Appl. No.: |
11/431478 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60726358 |
Oct 13, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/068
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/235 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/02 20060101
A47G029/02 |
Claims
1. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a
cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising: a
main beam having first and second sides; and a biasing tab
outwardly extending from said first side, wherein said biasing tab
is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to
compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet
during shipping.
2. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein said biasing tab is
spring-biased.
3. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein said biasing tab comprises
an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting
end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut
against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
4. The shipping clip of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet
securing post extending from said second side, wherein said cabinet
securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal
opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.
5. The shipping clip of claim 1, further comprising a grasping
handle extending from said first side, wherein said grasping handle
comprises a fin extending from said first side, and a cylindrical
post integrally connected to said fin.
6. The shipping clip of claim 1, further comprising a
shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said first side, wherein said
shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to abut against a top surface
of the at least one shelf.
7. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein said main beam further
comprises a shim configured to be positioned between the at least
one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim
configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf
within the cabinet.
8. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf
comprises a plurality of shelves.
9. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein the shipping clip is
configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the
base of the cabinet.
10. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within
a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising: a
beam having a shelf side and a cabinet-abutting side; and a
resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section
of said shelf side at an angle, wherein said biasing tab is
configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to
compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet
during shipping.
11. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein said biasing tab is
spring-biased.
12. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein said biasing tab
comprises an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted
shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is
configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one
shelf.
13. The shipping clip of claim 10, further comprising a cabinet
securing post extending from said cabinet-abutting side, wherein
said cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a
reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the
cabinet.
14. The shipping clip of claim 10, further comprising a grasping
handle extending from an upper portion of said shelf side, wherein
said grasping handle comprises a fin extending from said shelf
side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin.
15. The shipping clip of claim 10, further comprising a
shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said shelf side below said
biasing tab, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to
abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
16. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein said beam further
comprises a shim configured to be positioned between the at least
one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim
configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf
within the cabinet.
17. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein the at least one shelf
comprises a plurality of shelves.
18. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein the shipping clip is
configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the
base of the cabinet.
19. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within
a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising: a
beam having a shelf side, a cabinet-abutting side, and a shim
configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at
least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim configured to
prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the
cabinet; a cabinet securing post extending from said
cabinet-abutting side, wherein said cabinet securing post is
configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at
least one of the walls of the cabinet; a grasping handle extending
from an upper portion of said shelf side, wherein said grasping
handle comprises a fin extending from said shelf side, and a
cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin; a resilient
biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section of said
shelf side at an angle, wherein said biasing tab is configured to
exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure
the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping, said
biasing tab comprising an extension tab integrally connected to a
blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end
is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one
shelf; and a shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said shelf side
below said biasing tab, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is
configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one
shelf.
20. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein the at least one shelf
comprises a plurality of shelves, and wherein the shipping clip is
configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the
base of the cabinet.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/726,358 entitled
"Shelf Shipping Clip," filed Oct. 13, 2005, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
shipping clips, and more particularly to shipping clips for
shelves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various cabinets and bookcases include a plurality of
shelves that may be secured within the cabinets and bookcases
through a plurality of pins. FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view
of a conventional shelf pin 10 secured within a cabinet wall 12.
The shelf pin 10 includes a post or tab (not shown) removably
secured within a reciprocal securing opening (not shown) within the
cabinet wall 12. A shelf support beam 14 having a flat surface 16
extends outwardly from the cabinet wall 12. Typically, two shelf
pins 10 are spaced apart from one another on a cabinet wall 12.
Further, each lateral cabinet wall 12 may include two spaced apart
shelf pins 10 secured therein. Thus, a shelf may be supported by
four coplanar shelf pins 10.
[0004] After a cabinet, for example, is manufactured, it is shipped
to a distributor, retailer, or customer. Because the shelves may
not be permanently secured within the cabinet, the manufacturer
typically ensures that the shelves are safely shipped. For example,
the cabinet and shelves may be separately shipped so that the
shelves do not shift about the cabinet during shipping. However,
separately shipping the shelves and cabinet increases the costs of
shipping, because two separate packing assemblies are shipped. In
order to minimize shipping costs, some cabinets are shipped with
the shelves temporarily secured therein.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf 18 secured
between a conventional shipping clip 20 and the shelf pin 10. As
shown in FIG. 2, the shelf pin 10 is secured to the cabinet wall 12
and supports the shelf 18. The shipping clip 20 includes a
triangular main body 22, with an upper apex 24 having a securing
post (not shown) secured within a securing hole (not shown) of the
cabinet wall 12. A base 26 of the main body 22 is biased into the
shelf 18. Thus, the shelf 18 is secured between the shelf pin 10
and the shipping clip 20. The cabinet may then be shipped with the
shelves 18 secured therein.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the shipping clip
20. As shown in FIG. 3, the apex 24 of the triangular main body 22
is secured to the cabinet wall 12, while the base 26 is biased into
the top surface of the shelf 18. Thus, the shipping clip 20 and the
shelf pin (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) cooperate to secure the shelf 18
in place during shipping, thereby preventing the shelf from moving
within the cabinet.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip 30.
The shipping clip 30 includes a triangular main body 32 with a post
34 removably secured within a securing hole 36 formed through the
cabinet wall 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the shipping clip 30 is longer
than the shipping clip 20.
[0008] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shipping clips 20 and 30 are
configured to secure only one shelf between their respective bases
and the shelf pins 10 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In order to secure
multiple shelves 18, each shelf 18 is secured between one set of
shipping clips 20 or 30, and one set of shelf pins 10. For example,
in order to secure two shelves 18 during shipping, four shelf pins
10 and four shipping clips 20 or 30 are used to secure the first
shelf 18, while four additional shelf pins 10 and four additional
shipping clips 20 or 30 are used to secure the second shelf 18.
Further, while the clips and pins minimize vertical shifting of the
shelves, the shelves 18 may slide, rattle, or otherwise move
laterally during shipping. As such, the shelves 18 and cabinet
walls may be susceptible to scratching or other such damage during
shipping.
[0009] Thus, a need exists for a shipping clip capable of securing
a plurality of shelves during shipping. Additionally, a need exists
for a shipping clip that prevents the shelves from banging into
cabinet walls during shipping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Certain Embodiments of the present invention provide a
shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a
cabinet having walls and a base. The shipping clip may include a
beam having a shelf side and a cabinet-abutting side, and a
resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section
of said shelf side at an angle. The biasing tab is configured to
exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure
the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping.
[0011] The biasing tab may include an extension tab integrally
connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein the blunted
shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of
the at least one shelf.
[0012] The shipping clip may also include a cabinet securing post
extending from the cabinet-abutting side, wherein the cabinet
securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal
opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.
[0013] Additionally, a grasping handle may extend from an upper
portion of the shelf side. The grasping handle may include a fin
extending from the shelf side, and a cylindrical post integrally
connected to the fin.
[0014] Further, a shelf-stabilizing ramp may extend from the shelf
side below the biasing tab. The shelf-stabilizing ramp may be
configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one
shelf.
[0015] A shim may extend from the beam and be configured to be
positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the
walls of the cabinet. The shim is configured to prevent lateral
shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional shelf pin secured within a
cabinet wall.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf secured
between a conventional shipping clip and shelf pin.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of a
shipping clip securing a plurality of shelves within a cabinet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a shipping
clip securing a plurality of shelves within a cabinet according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items
listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional
items and equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip 40
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shipping
clip 40 may be formed of various materials, such as rubber, or
plastic. The shipping clip 40 includes a main beam 42 having a
cabinet securing post 44 extending from a wall-abutting side 46.
The cabinet securing post 44 is configured to be retained within a
securing hole (not shown in FIG. 5) within a cabinet wall (not
shown in FIG. 5).
[0025] A handle 48 extends from a shelf side 50 (which is opposite
the wall-abutting side), and proximate the top of the main beam 42.
That is, the handle 48 and the post 44 extend from opposite sides
50 and 46, respectively, of an upper portion of the main beam 42.
The handle 48 may include a vertical fin 52 extending outwardly
from the side 50. The vertical fin 52 may be integrally formed with
a cylindrical post 54. The vertical fin 52 and the cylindrical post
54 may be ergonomically configured to allow easy grasping of the
handle 48. For example, the cylindrical post 54 acts as a barrier
that prevents fingers from sliding off the handle 48 in the
direction of arrow A.
[0026] Proximate a mid-section 55 of the main beam 42, a resilient
biasing tab 56 extends outwardly from the side 50 at an angle 0.
The biasing tab 56 includes extension beam 58 integrally formed
with a rounded, or blunted shelf-abutting end 60, that is distally
located from the main beam 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the
shelf-abutting end 60 is a turned up end of the extension beam 58.
The biasing tab 56 may be spring-biased.
[0027] A shelf-stabilizing ramp 62 extends from the side 50 of the
main beam 42 below the biasing tab 56. The ramp 62 includes a lower
surface 64 that extends perpendicularly from the side 50 of the
main beam 50. The lower surface 64 is integrally connected to a
ramped surface 66 that extends toward the midsection 55 of the main
beam 42.
[0028] The lower portion of the main beam 42 terminates in a shim
68 that extends below the ramp 62. The shim 68 is configured to be
positioned between a cabinet wall (not shown in FIG. 5) and lateral
portions of shelves (not shown in FIG. 5).
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the
shipping clip 40 securing a plurality of shelves 70 within a
cabinet 72 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
shelves 70 are positioned on top of a base 74 of the cabinet 72. As
shown in FIG. 6, two shelves 70 are stacked on top of the base
74.
[0030] The shipping clip 40 is secured into the cabinet wall 76.
That is, the post 44 is secured within a reciprocal opening 78
formed in the cabinet wall 76.
[0031] The shim 68 of the shipping clip 40 is positioned between
the shelves 70 and the cabinet wall 76. The shim 68 provides a
barrier between the shelves 70 and the cabinet wall 76 that
prevents lateral shifting of the shelves 70 within the cabinet 72.
Thus, the shelves 70 and cabinet walls 76 are protected against
scratching or other damage that may be caused by the shelves 70
banging into the cabinet walls 76 during shipping.
[0032] The lower surface 64 of the ramp 62 is positioned over a top
edge of the top shelf 70, while the shim 68 may overlay a lateral
surface of the top shelf 70. The ramp 62 and the shim 68 may
cooperate to secure the shelves 70 from vertical and lateral
shifting.
[0033] The shelf-abutting end 60 of the biasing clip 56 exerts a
force into the top surface of the top shelf 70. The force exerted
by the biasing clip 56 into the top shelf compresses the shelves 70
into the base 74 of the cabinet, thereby restricting movement of
the shelves 70.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the shipping clip 40, or a plurality of
shipping clips 40, may be used to secure a plurality of shelves 70
within the cabinet 72 during shipping. For example, two or four
shipping clips 40 may be used to secure a plurality of shelves 70
within the cabinet 72. While two shelves 70 are shown in FIG. 6,
the shipping clip 40 may be configured to secure more or less
shelves 70 than those shown. Also, shelf pins do not have to be
used in order to secure the shelves 70. Optionally, shelf pins may
be used to secure the shelves away from the base 74.
[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of the shipping
clips 40 securing a plurality of shelves 70 within the cabinet 72
according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 7, the shelves 70 are supported by a plurality of shelf pins
80. The shelves 70 are securely retained between the shelf pins 80
and the shipping clips 40. While four shelves 70 are shown secured
between the shelf pins 80 and the shipping clips 40, the shipping
clips 40 may be configured to secure more or less shelves 70 than
those shown within the cabinet 72 during shipping.
[0036] Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a
shipping clip capable of securing a plurality of shelves during
shipping. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of shipping clips may be
used to secure a plurality of shelves against a base of a cabinet.
For example; four horizontally aligned shipping clips may be used
to secure a plurality of shelves within the cabinet. Further, as
shown in FIG. 7, a plurality shelves may be secured between a
plurality of shipping clips and a plurality of shelf pins. For
example, four horizontally-aligned shipping clips and four coplanar
shelf pins may be used to secure a plurality of shelves
therebetween.
[0037] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide a
shipping clip that prevents shelves from banging into the cabinet
walls during shipping. The shims and ramps of the shipping clips
act as barriers that minimize the shelves from shifting during
shipping.
[0038] While various spatial terms, such as upper, lower, mid,
lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like are used to describe
portions of the shipping clip with respect to a cabinet, it is
understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the
orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be
inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion
is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical,
and the like.
[0039] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0040] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *