U.S. patent application number 11/273323 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for fences for attachment to wire shelving and related methods.
Invention is credited to John Richard Nawrocki.
Application Number | 20070108146 11/273323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38039674 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070108146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nawrocki; John Richard |
May 17, 2007 |
Fences for attachment to wire shelving and related methods
Abstract
Various aspects of the present disclosure provide various
exemplary embodiments of shelf fences that can, for example, be
attached to wire shelves. In one exemplary embodiment, a fence
generally includes an upper horizontal rod member and a lower
horizontal rod member. The lower horizontal rod member can be
spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod
member. The shelf also includes one or more wire members extending
between the fence's upper and lower horizontal rod members. The one
or more wire members can have at least one curved section including
first and second retaining portions for engagingly receiving the
upper and lower support members of the wire shelf, to thereby allow
the fence to be attached to the wire shelf.
Inventors: |
Nawrocki; John Richard;
(Ocala, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anthony G. Fussner
Suite 400
7700 Bonhomme
St. Louis
MO
63105
US
|
Family ID: |
38039674 |
Appl. No.: |
11/273323 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/119.003 ;
211/134; 211/90.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 12/38 20130101;
A47B 55/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/119.003 ;
211/090.03; 211/134 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/087 20060101
A47G029/087 |
Claims
1. A fence for attachment to a wire shelf having a plurality of
wires and support members forming a shelf deck, at least one upper
support member, and at least one lower support member spaced below
the upper support member, the fence comprising: an upper horizontal
rod member; a lower horizontal rod member spaced below and
generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member; and one or
more wire members extending between the fence's upper and lower
horizontal rod members, the wire members having at least one curved
section including first and second retaining portions for
engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members of the
wire shelf to thereby allow the fence to be attached to the wire
shelf, whereby the fence can help retain one or more objects on the
shelf deck.
2. The fence of claim 1, wherein the curved section is configured
to fit generally between the upper and lower support members of the
wire shelf.
3. The fence of claim 1, wherein the curved section is configured
to resiliently expand the spacing between the first and second
retaining portions to permit the first and second retaining
portions to be fit over the respective upper and lower support
members of the wire shelf to thereby engage the first and second
retaining portions with the upper and lower support members of the
wire shelf.
4. The fence of claim 1, wherein the curved section is configured
to be resiliently compressed to permit the upper and lower support
members of the wire shelf to be received within the respective
first and second retaining portions of the fence.
5. The fence of claim 4, wherein the curved section includes a
camming portion configured to be resiliently compressed between the
upper and lower support members of the wire shelf when the fence is
rotated about the shelf's upper support member engagingly received
within the fence's first retaining portion.
6. The fence of claim 1, wherein the curved section includes at
least one camming surface for causing the curved section to
resiliently compress when the camming surface contacts at least one
of the upper and lower support members of the wire shelf, whereby
said compression reduces a size of the curved section facilitating
positioning of the curved section generally between the upper and
lower support members of the wire shelf and engagement of the first
and second retaining portions with the upper and lower support
members of the wire shelf.
7. The fence of claim 6, wherein the at least one camming surface
includes upper and lower camming surfaces for respectively
contacting the upper and lower support members of the wire shelf
for causing said compression of the curved section.
8. The fence of claim 1, wherein the curved section includes at
least one camming surface for causing the curved section to
resiliently compress when the camming surface contacts the upper
support member of the wire shelf as the fence is rotated about the
lower support member of the wire shelf engagingly received within
the fence's second retaining portion, whereby said compression
reduces a size of the curved section thereby allowing the curved
section to move across the upper support member of the wire shelf
for engaging said upper support member within the fence's first
retaining portion.
9. The fence of claim 1, wherein the curved section includes at
least one camming surface for causing the curved section to
resiliently compress when the camming surface contacts the lower
support member of the wire shelf's downwardly extending portion as
the fence is rotated about the upper support member of the wire
shelf's downwardly extending portion engagingly received within the
fence's first retaining portion, whereby said compression reduces a
size of the curved section thereby allowing the curved section to
move across the lower support member of the wire shelf's downwardly
extending portion for engaging said lower support member within the
fence's second retaining portion.
10. The fence of claim 1, wherein the fence is configured for
attachment to the wire shelf in a manner such that the fence
resists separation from the wire shelf when the fence is pulled in
a direction generally outwardly away from the wire shelf's
downwardly extending portion.
11. The fence of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate
horizontal rod member vertically-spaced between and generally
parallel to the upper and lower horizontal rod members, the
intermediate horizontal rod member spaced above the curved
section.
12. The fence of claim 1, wherein the first and second retaining
portions include upper and lower hook members having generally
u-shaped transverse profiles.
13. The fence of claim 12, wherein the fence's lower horizontal rod
member is connected to one of the legs forming the generally
u-shaped second retaining portion.
14. The fence of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fence's wire
members include a generally vertical portion connected to and
extending downwardly from the fence's upper horizontal rod member
to the curved section, the curved section having a plurality of
curved portions alternating in curvature and extending from the
generally vertical portion towards a rod support end portion to
which the fence's lower horizontal rod member is connected.
15. The fence of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fence's wire
members include a generally vertical portion connected to and
extending downwardly from the fence's upper horizontal rod member,
a generally slanted portion slanting inwardly from the generally
vertical portion to the curved section, the curved section having a
plurality of curved portions alternating in curvature and extending
from the generally slanted portion towards a rod support end
portion to which the fence's lower horizontal rod member is
connected.
16. The fence of claim 1, wherein the first and second retaining
portions of the fence are releasably attachable to the upper and
lower support members of the wire shelf's downwardly extending
portion.
17. A wire shelf comprising a plurality of wires and support
members forming a shelf deck, at least one upper support member,
and at least one lower support member spaced below the upper
support member, and at least one shelf fence of claim 1 attached to
the upper and lower support members of the wire shelf.
18. The wire shelf of claim 17, wherein the upper and lower support
members and the fence attached thereto are located at a front edge
portion of the wire shelf.
19. A fence for a wire shelf having spaced-apart upper and lower
support members, the fence comprising: an upper horizontal rod
member; a lower horizontal rod member spaced below and generally
parallel to the upper horizontal rod member; and one or more wire
members extending between and connected to the fence's upper and
lower rod members, the wire members including a curved section
defining an upper attachment portion and a lower attachment
portion, the upper attachment portion defining a space for
receiving an upper support member of a wire shelf, the lower
attachment portion defining a space for receiving a lower support
member of the wire shelf, the curved section being configured to
resiliently vary the spacing between the upper and lower attachment
portions to permit assembly of the upper and lower attachment
portions onto spaced-apart upper and lower support members of a
wire shelf.
20. The fence of claim 19, wherein the fence is attached by
positioning the upper attachment portion against an upper support
member of a wire shelf, and resiliently compressing the curved
section to permit a lower support member of the wire shelf to be
received within the lower attachment portion of the fence.
21. The fence of claim 19, wherein the fence is attached by
positioning the lower attachment portion against a lower support
member of a wire shelf, and resiliently expanding the curved
section to permit an upper support member of the wire shelf to be
received within the upper attachment portion of the fence.
22. A method for assembling a fence having at least first and
second attachment portions to a wire shelf having first and second
support members, the method comprising: positioning the first
attachment portion of the fence against the wire shelf's first
support member; and resiliently flexing the fence to permit the
wire shelf's second support member to be engagingly received within
the second attachment portion of the fence.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein resiliently flexing the fence
comprises resiliently compressing at least one curved section of
the fence to fit between the first and second support members of
the wire shelf.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein resiliently flexing the fence
comprises resiliently expanding at least one curved section of the
fence to fit the first and second attachment portions of the shelf
over the first and second support members of the wire shelf.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to fences for attachment to
wire shelving.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The statements in this background section merely provide
background information related to the present disclosure and may
not constitute prior art.
[0003] Efficient and organized use of space is very desirable,
particularly with respect to storage or utility space in
businesses, stores, residential homes, and apartments. With respect
to closet organization and the design of closet storage units,
particularly for residential use, many different options are
available. One common example is the use of ventilated shelving
(e.g., wire or plastic, and associated components) to construct
storage units within closets. Typical ventilated shelving varies in
size (e.g., different lengths and widths, etc.) and configuration
(e.g., different wire mesh spacing, different number and
arrangement of lateral and transverse members, etc.).
SUMMARY
[0004] According to various aspects of the present disclosure,
there are provided various exemplary embodiments of shelf fences
that can, for example, be attached to wire shelves. In one
exemplary embodiment, a fence generally includes an upper
horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower
horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to
the upper horizontal rod member. The shelf also includes one or
more wire members extending between the fence's upper and lower
horizontal rod members. The one or more wire members can have at
least one curved section including first and second retaining
portions for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support
members of the wire shelf, to thereby allow the fence to be
attached to the wire shelf.
[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, a fence includes an upper
horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower
horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to
the upper horizontal rod member. The fence also includes one or
more wire members extending between and connected to the fence's
upper and lower rod members. The one or more wire members can
include a curved section defining an upper attachment portion and a
lower attachment portion. The upper attachment portion can define a
space for receiving an upper support member of a wire shelf. The
lower attachment portion can define a space for receiving a lower
support member of the wire shelf. The curved section can be
configured to resiliently vary the spacing between the upper and
lower attachment portions to permit assembly of the upper and lower
attachment portions onto spaced-apart upper and lower support
members of a wire shelf.
[0006] Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to
methods of assembling or attaching a fence to a wire shelf. In one
particular method embodiment in which a fence includes at least
first and second attachment portions and the wire shelf has first
and second support members, a method generally includes positioning
the first attachment portion of the fence against the wire shelf's
first support member, and resiliently flexing a portion of the
fence to permit the wire shelf's second support member to be
engagingly received within the second attachment portion of the
fence.
[0007] Further aspects and features of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
In addition, any one or more aspects of the present disclosure may
be implemented individually or in any combination with any one or
more of the other aspects of the present disclosure. It should be
understood that the detailed description and specific examples,
while indicating exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure,
are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf
with a shelf fence attached thereto according to one exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion
and shelf fence shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 3;
[0013] FIGS. 4A through 4C are side elevation views of the shelf
fence shown in FIG. 4 and illustrating various stages of an
exemplary process for attaching the shelf fence onto the upper and
lower support members of the shelf shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf
with a shelf fence attached thereto according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion
and shelf fence shown in FIG. 5;
[0016] FIGS. 6A through 6C are side elevation views of the shelf
fence shown in FIG. 6 and illustrating various stages of an
exemplary process for attaching the shelf fence onto the upper and
lower support members of the shelf shown in FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf
with a shelf fence attached thereto according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion
and shelf fence shown in FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 9;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 11;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf
with a shelf fence attached thereto according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion
and shelf fence shown in FIG. 13;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 13; and
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in
FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, application,
or uses.
[0028] According to various aspects of the present disclosure,
there are provided various exemplary embodiments of shelf fences or
guards that can, for example, be attached to wire shelves. In one
exemplary embodiment, a fence generally includes an upper
horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower
horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to
the upper horizontal rod member. The shelf also includes one or
more wire members extending between the fence's upper and lower
horizontal rod members. The one or more wire members can have at
least one curved section including first and second retaining
portions for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support
members of the wire shelf, to thereby allow the fence to be
attached to the wire shelf. Accordingly, the fence can help retain
items or products on the shelf deck.
[0029] In another exemplary embodiment, a fence includes an upper
horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower
horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to
the upper horizontal rod member. The fence also includes one or
more wire members extending between and connected to the fence's
upper and lower rod members. The one or more wire members can
include a curved section defining an upper attachment portion and a
lower attachment portion. The upper attachment portion can define a
space for receiving an upper support member of a wire shelf. The
lower attachment portion can define a space for receiving a lower
support member of the wire shelf. The curved section can be
configured to resiliently vary the spacing between the upper and
lower attachment portions to permit assembly of the upper and lower
attachment portions onto spaced-apart upper and lower support
members of a wire shelf. Accordingly, the fence can help retain
items or products on the shelf deck.
[0030] Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to
methods of assembling or attaching a fence to a wire shelf. In one
particular method embodiment in which a fence includes at least
first and second attachment portions and the wire shelf has first
and second support members, a method generally includes positioning
the first attachment portion of the fence against the wire shelf's
first support member, and resiliently flexing a portion of the
fence to permit the wire shelf's second support member to be
engagingly received within the second attachment portion of the
fence. In various embodiments, the process or operation of
resiliently flexing the fence generally includes resiliently
compressing at least one curved section of the fence to fit between
the first and second support members of the wire shelf. In
alternative embodiments, the process or operation of resiliently
flexing the fence generally includes resiliently expanding at least
one curved section of the fence to fit the first and second
attachment portions of the shelf over the first and second support
members of the wire shelf.
[0031] Various exemplary embodiments provide fences or guards that
comprise welded and/or formed wire attachments, which can be
retrofit and added to the front portion (or other additional or
alternative shelf locations, such as along a side edge portion,
along an intermediate portion, and/or along a back edge portion,
etc.) to existing wire ventilated shelving, and, in at least some
cases, without using any tools or additional hardware. In such
embodiments, the shelf fence or guard can have a unique
configuration (e.g., shape, sizing, etc.) that enables the shelf
fence to hook into position and then be rotated to a lockingly
engaged position with a generally vertical downwardly-extending
section (e.g., a "cascading" or "water wall" section) of an
existing wire shelf. In any of the various embodiments of the
present disclosure, rotation of a fence relative to a shelf can
occur by rotating the fence as the shelf remain stationary, or by
rotating the shelf as the fence remains stationary, or by rotating
both the shelf and the fence. Regardless of the particular manner
in which the relative motion between the shelf and the fence takes
place, the fence (after being installed to the wire shelf) can then
help retain articles on the shelf by preventing or at least
inhibiting articles from falling off (e.g., sliding off, rolling
off, etc.) the shelf.
[0032] Shelf fences and guards of the present disclosure can be
manufactured from various sizes and shapes of wire (among other
suitable materials) and can be arranged to accommodate various
types of wire shelving. The overall shape, length, height, width,
and spacing of the integral components of a shelf fence or guard
can vary as necessary to accommodate proper fit with a particularly
configured wire shelf. In accordance with teachings of the present
disclosure, various embodiments of a shelf fence or guard can be
readily attached to an existing wire shelf and also be readily
relocated as desired. Furthermore, a plurality of shelf fence
pieces can be positioned substantially inline and adjacent each
other to create a longer fence where desired, and/or be positioned
at various locations to provide or define compartments on the
shelf. Some embodiments include shelf fences (or portions thereof)
manufactured from molded plastics or composite materials instead of
or in addition to wire.
[0033] Various exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf fences
or guards (e.g., fence 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, etc.)
that can be configured to have cam features, which provide for a
relatively high degree of flexibility and reduced resistance to
installation onto a wire shelf. In some exemplary embodiments, a
shelf fence may include a camming feature that generally provides
for shelf fence installation by hooking, rotating, and camming the
fence into a lockingly engaged position at the attachment location
(e.g., on the shelf's front, back, intermediate, side edge, etc.)
of the wire shelf. These particular shelf fence embodiments with
cam features can allow for less stringent tolerances during
manufacture. Plus, these particular embodiments with cam features
can also be fairly aggressive in that the shelf fences will not
pull away from their mounting when pulled forward and away from the
wire shelf, that is, until sufficient force is exerted to deform
the shelf fences.
[0034] Other exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf fences or
guards (e.g., fence 200 as shown in FIGS. 5 through 8, etc.) that
can be configured to have compressible or flexural areas, which
provide for a lesser degree of flexibility than the fence
embodiments with cam features (e.g., fence 100, etc.) and moderate
resistance to installation onto wire shelves. In some particular
embodiments, the compressible area generally provides for shelf
installation by hooking, rotating, and lockingly engaging the shelf
fence into position at the attachment location (e.g., on the
shelf's front, back, intermediate, side edge, etc.) of the wire
shelf. These particular shelf fence embodiments with the
compressible areas can include tighter tolerances in manufacturing
than those shelf fence embodiments with camming features. In
addition, these particular embodiments with compressible areas can
also be fairly aggressive in that the shelf fences will not pull
away from their mounting when pulled forward and away from the wire
shelf, that is, until sufficient force is exerted to deform the
shelf fences.
[0035] Further exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf fences
or guards (e.g., fence 300 as shown in FIGS. 9 through 12, etc.)
that do not include either cam features or compressible features as
just described. Instead, these particular embodiments include shelf
fences shaped to assist in fit for installation. These particular
embodiments can offer significant resistance to installation onto a
wire shelf in that relatively high forces may be needed to manually
install by hand. These particular embodiments can also be less
aggressive and fairly easy to remove from a wire shelf than those
embodiments with the cam features or compressible features.
[0036] Additional exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf
fences or guards (e.g., fence 400 as shown in FIGS. 13 through 16)
that do not have camming features. Instead, these particular
embodiments include expansion or flexural areas and are shaped to
assist in fit for installation. These particular embodiments can
offer significant resistance to installation of the fences onto
wire shelves, and may need relatively large forces to manually
install by hand. These particular shelf fence embodiments can also
be less aggressive and more readily removed from a wire shelf than
other embodiments.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is shown one
exemplary embodiment of a shelf fence 100 embodying one or more
aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the fence
100 can be attached to a wire shelf 102 without using tools or
mechanical fasteners.
[0038] The shelf 102 (to which the fence 100 can be attached) may
include wire or rod members 108 that form a support surface or
shelf deck on which articles can be stored. The shelf 102 can also
include at least one generally vertical flange, edge portion, or
downwardly extending portion 104. This shelf portion 104 can
include an upper support member or rod member 112 and a lower
support member or rod member 116. In the illustrated embodiment,
the shelf's lower support member 116 is shown directly beneath the
upper support member 112 such that the support members 112 and 116
are in the same vertical plane. In other embodiments, however, the
upper and lower support members 112 and 116 may not be in the same
vertical plane. Indeed, FIGS. 1 through 16 show only one particular
example of a ventilated wire shelf 102 to which one or more of the
fences of the present disclosure can be attached. In other
embodiments, shelf fences of the present disclosure can be used
with a wide range of shelves other than what is shown in the
figures, including shelves in different sizes (e.g., four foot, six
foot, eight foot, ten foot, and/or cut to a custom size, etc.)
and/or mounted at various locations (e.g., closet wall, bathroom,
grocery store, department store, etc.) using brackets and/or other
suitable means. Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be
used with shelves having a different depth and/or different spacing
between the shelf's wires or rod members than that shown in the
figures. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be
used with shelves having wires or rods oriented generally
longitudinally, transversely, diagonally, etc. relative to the
shelf. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure should not be
limited to implementation into any specific form/type of shelf.
[0039] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the fence 100
comprises an upper horizontal rod or wire member 120, and a lower
horizontal rod or wire member 124. The lower horizontal rod member
124 is spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal
rod member 120.
[0040] The fence 100 further includes one or more wire or rod
members 128. The wire members 128 extend generally between the
fence's upper and lower horizontal rod members 120 and 124. The
wire members 128 have at least one curved section 132 therein. This
curved section 132 includes first and second retaining portions 136
and 138 for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support
members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf 102, to thereby allow the
fence 100 to be attached to the wire shelf 102.
[0041] With regard to the configuration and shape of the fence 100,
at least one of the wire members 128 includes a generally vertical
portion 130 connected to the fence's upper horizontal rod member
120, for example, by welding, adhesives, other suitable attachment
methods, etc. As shown, the generally vertical portion 130 extends
downwardly to the curved section 132.
[0042] The curved section 132 has a plurality of curved portions
alternating in curvature. The curved section 132 extending from the
generally vertical portion 130 towards the end portion to which the
fence's lower horizontal rod member 124 is connected.
[0043] The curved section 132 defines first and second retaining
portions 136 and 138 of the fence 100. When the fence 100 is
installed to the shelf 102, the shelf's upper and lower support
members 112 and 116 are engagingly received within the fence's
retaining portions 136 and 138, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0044] The curved section 132 has a configuration and shape that
defines the first and second retaining portions 136 and 138 The
curved section 132 also defines a generally protruding portion 134
between the first and second retaining portions 136 and 138. At
least a part of the curved section 132 or protruding portion 134 of
the fence's wire members 128 is configured to fit generally between
the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf
102. In this particular embodiment, the curved section 132 is
configured to be flexed so as to resiliently compress or reduce the
spacing between the first and second retaining portions 136 and
138. This resilient compression of the curved section 132 in the
wire members 128 permits the upper and lower support members 112
and 116 of the wire shelf 102 to be received within the fence's
first and second retaining portions 136 and 138, to thereby attach
the fence 100 to the shelf 102. When the fence 100 is attached to
the wire shelf 102 in this exemplary manner, the fence 100 can thus
help retain items on the shelf deck of the wire shelf 102.
[0045] While FIG. 1 illustrates the fence 100 being attached to a
front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf 102, other
embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g., 100, 200,
300, and/or 400, etc.) attached at one or more alternative or
additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate
position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition, FIG. 1 further
illustrates the fence 100 attached such that it is generally
parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf 102. In other
embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300,
and/or 400, etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge,
and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of
the shelf. In addition, FIG. 1 also shows only one fence 100
attached to the wire shelf 102. In other embodiments, one or more
fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300, and/or 400, etc.) may be positioned
substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer
fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different
locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.
[0046] In the fence embodiment 100 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the
generally protruding portions 134 of the wire members 128 define
cam-shaped portions or features 142. Each cam-shaped portion 142 is
configured to be resiliently compressed between the upper and lower
support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf 102 when the fence
100 is rotated about the upper support member 112 received within
the fence's first retaining portion 136. The fence 100 may be
positioned with the first retaining portion 136 of at least one
wire member 128 against the upper support member 112, so as to
allow the fence 100 to be rotated about the upper support member
112 of the wire shelf 102 into an assembled position. The fence 100
may be rotated relative to the shelf 102 such that the camming
surface 142 of the curved section 132 of at least one wire member
128 comes into contact with the lower support member 116 of the
wire shelf 102. Further rotation of the fence 100 with respect to
the shelf 102 causes the cam-shaped portion 142 to be compressed
between the shelf's upper and lower support members 112 and 116, so
as to reduce the height of the curved section 132 and the spacing
between the first and second retaining portions 136 and 138. The
camming surface 142 on the curved section 132 can thus move across
the shelf's lower support member 116 to allow the second retaining
portion 138 to receive and engage the shelf's lower support member
116. The compression of the curved section 132 or cam-shaped
portion 142 accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and
second retaining portions 136 and 138 of the wire member 128, such
that the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire
shelf 102 may be received therein.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4C, one exemplary method for
attaching the fence 100 to an exemplary wire shelf is shown. As
shown in FIG. 4A, the fence 100 may initially be positioned with
the first retaining portion 136 of at least one wire member 128
against the upper support member 112 of a wire shelf, so as to
allow the fence 100 to be rotated about the upper support member
112 of the wire shelf into an assembled position. The fence 100 may
be rotated relative to the shelf such that the curved section 132
of the wire member 128 near the second retaining portion 138 comes
into contact with the lower support member 116 of the wire shelf,
as shown in FIG. 4B. Further rotation of the fence 100 with respect
to the shelf causes the curved section 132 in the wire member 128
to be compressed between the upper and lower support members 112
and 116, represented by the upward arrow in FIG. 4B. This
compression reduces the height of the curved section 132 and the
spacing between the first and second retaining portions 136 and
138. The curved section 132 of the wire member 128 near the second
retaining portion 138 moves across the shelf's lower support member
116 to engage the fence's lower horizontal rod member 124 (FIG.
4B). The second retaining portion 138 of the wire member 128
resiliently expands (as represented by the arrows in FIG. 4B) to
allow the shelf's lower support member 116 to be received and
engaged within the second retaining portion 138, as shown in FIG.
4C. The compression of the curved section 132 of the wire member
128 accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and second
retaining portions 136 and 138 of the wire member 128, such that
the first and second retaining portions 136 and 138 may receive the
upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf.
Thus, the fence 100 may be attached to a shelf by positioning a
first or upper attachment portion 136 against an upper support
member 112 of a wire shelf, and resiliently compressing the curved
section 132 to permit a lower support member 116 of the wire shelf
to be received within the lower attachment portion 138 of the fence
100.
[0048] In various embodiments, the cam-shaped portions 142 of the
curved sections 132 of the wire members 128 can allow for ease of
compression of the curved sections 132, to thereby provide reduced
resistance to installation of the fence 100 onto a wire shelf. The
first and second retaining portions 136 and 138 of the wire members
128 of the fence 100 can also be configured such that the fence 100
resists separation from the wire shelf 102 when the fence 100 is
pulled in a direction generally outwardly away from the wire shelf
portion to which the fence 100 is attached.
[0049] The compression of the curved section 132 of the wire
members 128 can also help retain the fence 100 to the wire shelf
102. As the fence 100 is rotated relative to the shelf 102 into an
assembled position, the camming surface 142 causes the curved
section 132 to resiliently compress when the camming surface 142
contacts a support member of the wire shelf 102. When the first and
second retaining portions 136 and 138 come into engagement with the
upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf's
downwardly extending portion 104, the curved section 132 can
resiliently expand to a lockingly engaged position in which the
fence 100 may not be easily removed from the shelf's downwardly
extending portion 104 without compression of the curved section
132.
[0050] In the fence embodiment 100 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the
first and second retaining portions 136 and 138 of the wire members
128 generally comprise upper and lower hook-shaped portions having
generally U-shaped transverse profiles, which are adapted to
receive the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the
shelf's downwardly extending portion 104. The fence's lower
horizontal rod member 124 is connected to the legs or ends of the
wire members 128 forming the generally U-shaped transverse
profiles. The fence 100 may further comprise one or more
intermediate horizontal rod members 140 vertically spaced between
and generally parallel to the upper and lower horizontal rod
members 120 and 124. As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate rod
member 140 is spaced above the curved section 132 in the wire
members 128.
[0051] In some embodiments, one or more of the fence's curved
section 132 may comprise upper and lower camming surfaces for
respectively contacting the upper and lower support members 112 and
116 of the wire shelf's downwardly extending portion 104 for
causing the compression of the curved section 132. At least one of
the upper and lower camming surfaces can cause the curved section
132 to resiliently compress when the at least one camming surface
contacts at least one of the upper or lower support members 112 or
116 of the wire shelf 102, as the fence is rotated about the other
one of the support members 112 or 116 of the wire shelf 102. This
resilient compression reduces the size or height of the curved
section 132, which facilitates positioning of the curved section
132 generally between the upper and lower support members 112 and
116 of the wire shelf's downwardly extending portion 104. In this
exemplary manner, the fence 100 may be positioned onto one of the
upper or lower support members 112 or 116 of the shelf's downwardly
extending portion 104 and rotated towards the other support member
112 or 116 into a lockingly engaged position.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4C, one exemplary method for
attaching the fence 100 to an exemplary wire shelf is shown. As
shown in FIG. 4A, the fence 100 may initially be positioned with
the first retaining portion 136 of at least one wire member 128
against the upper support member 112 of a wire shelf, so as to
allow the fence 100 to be rotated about the upper support member
112 of the wire shelf into an assembled position. The fence 100 may
be rotated relative to the shelf such that the curved section 132
of the wire member 128 near the second retaining portion 138 comes
into contact with the lower support member 116 of the wire shelf,
as shown in FIG. 4B. Further rotation of the fence 100 with respect
to the shelf causes the curved section 132 in the wire member 128
to be compressed between the upper and lower support members 112
and 116, represented by the upward arrow in FIG. 4B. This
compression reduces the height of the curved section 132 and the
spacing between the first and second retaining portions 136 and
138. The curved section 132 of the wire member 128 near the second
retaining portion 138 moves across the shelf's lower support member
116 to engage the fence's lower horizontal rod member 124 (FIG.
4B). The second retaining portion 138 of the wire member 128
resiliently expands (as represented by the arrows in FIG. 4B) to
allow the shelf's lower support member 116 to be received and
engaged within the second retaining portion 138, as shown in FIG.
4C. The compression of the curved section 132 of the wire member
128 accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and second
retaining portions 136 and 138 of the wire member 128, such that
the first and second retaining portions 136 and 138 may receive the
upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf.
Thus, the fence 100 may be attached to a shelf by positioning a
first or upper attachment portion 136 against an upper support
member 112 of a wire shelf, and resiliently compressing the curved
section 132 to permit a lower support member 116 of the wire shelf
to be received within the lower attachment portion 138 of the fence
100.
[0053] In some alternative embodiments, the fence 100 may be
positioned with the second retaining portion 138 of at least one
wire member 128 against the lower support member 138 of a wire
shelf 102, so as to allow the fence 100 to be rotated about the
lower support member 138 of the wire shelf 102 into an assembled
position. The upper camming surface can thus cause the curved
section 132 to be resiliently compressed when the camming surface
contacts the upper support member 116 of the wire shelf's
downwardly extending portion 104, as the fence 100 is rotated about
the lower support member 112 of the wire shelf's downwardly
extending portion 104. The resilient compression reduces the height
of the curved section 132 to allow the curved section 132 to move
across the upper support member 112 of the wire shelf's downwardly
extending portion 104 for engaging the upper support member 112
within the fence's first retaining portion 136.
[0054] In other embodiments, both the upper and lower camming
surfaces can cooperatively cause the curved section 132 to
resiliently compress when the upper and lower camming surfaces
contact the respective upper lower support members 112 and 116 of
the wire shelf 102, as the curved section 132 is forcibly inserted
between the space defined between the upper and lower support
members 112 and 116 of the shelf 102. This resilient compression
reduces the size or height of the curved section 132 and
facilitates positioning of the curved section 132 generally between
the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf's
downwardly extending portion 104 by allowing the curved section 132
to move across the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 for
engaging the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 within the
fence's first and second retaining portions 136 and 138.
[0055] FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of
a fence 200. As shown, the fence 200 includes an upper horizontal
rod or wire member 220, and a lower horizontal rod or wire member
224. The lower horizontal rod member 224 is spaced below and
generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member 220.
[0056] The fence 200 also includes one or more wire or rod members
228 extending generally between the upper and lower horizontal rod
members 220 and 224. The one or more wire members 228 of the fence
200 have at least one curved section 232. The curved section 232
includes first and second retaining portions 236 and 238 for
engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members 112 and
116 of the wire shelf 102, to thereby attach the fence 200 to the
wire shelf 102. The fence 200 may be readily attached to the wire
shelf's downwardly extending portion 104 to help retain items
stored on the deck of the wire shelf 102.
[0057] While FIG. 5 illustrates the fence 200 being attached to a
front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf 102, other
embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g., 100, 200,
300, and/or 400, etc.) attached at one or more alternative or
additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate
position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition, FIG. 5 further
illustrates the fence 200 attached such that it is generally
parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf 102. In other
embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300,
and/or 400, etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge,
and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of
the shelf. In addition, FIG. 5 also shows only one fence 200
attached to the wire shelf 102. In other embodiments, one or more
fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300, and/or 400, etc.) may be positioned
substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer
fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different
locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, the curved section 232 of the one or
more wire members 228 has a configuration and shape defining first
and second the retaining portions 236 and 238, and a generally
protruding portion 234 between the first and second retaining
portions 236 and 238. At least a part of the curved section 232 or
protruding portion 234 is configured to fit generally between the
upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf
102.
[0059] In this particular embodiment, the curved section 232 is
configured to be flexed so as to resiliently compress the spacing
between the first and second retaining portions 236 and 238 to fit
the first and second retaining portions 236 and 238 across the
respective upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire
shelf 102. This resilient compression of the curved section 232
permits the shelf's upper and lower support members 112 and 116 to
be received within the first and second retaining portions 236 and
238 of the wire members 228.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6C, one exemplary method for
attaching the fence 200 to an exemplary wire shelf is shown. As
shown in FIG. 6A, the fence 200 may initially be positioned with
the first retaining portion 236 of at least one wire member 228
against the upper support member 112 of a wire shelf, so as to
allow the fence 200 to be rotated about the upper support member
112 of the wire shelf into an assembled position. The fence 200 may
be rotated relative to the shelf such that the curved section 232
of the wire member 228 near the second retaining portion 238 comes
into contact with the lower support member 116 of the wire shelf,
as shown in FIG. 6B. Further rotation of the fence 200 with respect
to the shelf causes the curved section 232 in the wire member 228
to be compressed between the upper and lower support members 112
and 116, represented by the upward arrow in FIG. 6B. This
compression reduces the height of the curved section 232 and the
spacing between the first and second retaining portions 236 and
238. The curved section 232 of the wire member 228 near the second
retaining portion 238 moves across the shelf's lower support member
116 to engage the fence's lower horizontal rod member 224 (FIG.
6B). The second retaining portion 238 of the wire member 228
resiliently expands (as represented by the arrows in FIG. 6B) to
allow the shelf's lower support member 116 to be received and
engaged within the second retaining portion 238, as shown in FIG.
6C. The compression of the curved section 232 in the wire member
228 accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and second
retaining portions 236 and 238 of the wire member 228, such that
the first and second retaining portions 236 and 238 may receive the
upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf.
Thus, the fence 200 may be attached to a shelf by positioning a
first or upper attachment portion 236 against an upper support
member 112 of a wire shelf, and resiliently compressing the curved
section 232 to permit a lower support member 116 of the wire shelf
to be received within the lower attachment portion 238 of the fence
200.
[0061] FIGS. 9 through 12 illustrate another exemplary embodiment
of a fence 300. As shown, the fence 300 includes an upper
horizontal rod or wire member 320 and a lower horizontal rod or
wire member 324. The lower horizontal rod member 324 is spaced
below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member
320. The fence 300 may further include one or more intermediate
horizontal rod or wire members 340 vertically spaced between and
generally parallel to the upper and lower horizontal rod members
320 and 324.
[0062] The fence 300 also includes one or more rod or wire members
328 extending generally between the shelf's upper and lower
horizontal rod members 320 and 324. The one or more wire members
328 of the fence 300 include at least one curved section 332. The
curved section 332 defines upper and lower attachment portions 336
and 338 for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support
members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf, to thereby allow the fence
300 to be attached to the shelf.
[0063] While FIG. 9 illustrates the fence 300 being attached to a
front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf 102, other
embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g., 100, 200,
300, and/or 400, etc.) attached at one or more alternative or
additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate
position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition, FIG. 9 further
illustrates the fence 300 attached such that it is generally
parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf 102. In other
embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300,
and/or 400, etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge,
and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of
the shelf. In addition, FIG. 9 also shows only one fence 300
attached to the wire shelf 102. In other embodiments, one or more
fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300, and/or 400, etc.) may be positioned
substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer
fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different
locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.
[0064] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9 through 12, the
curved section 332 is configured to resiliently vary the spacing
between the upper and lower attachment portions 336 and 338, such
that the first and second attachment portions 336 and 338 fit over
the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of a wire shelf
102.
[0065] With regard to the configuration and shape of the fence 300,
at least one of the wire members 328 includes a generally vertical
portion 330 connected to the fence's upper horizontal rod member
320, for example, by welding, adhesives, other suitable attachment
methods, etc. The generally vertical portion 330 extends downwardly
from the fence's upper horizontal rod member 320 to the curved
section 332.
[0066] A generally slanted portion slants inwardly from the
generally vertical portion 330 to the curved section 332. The
curved section 332 has a plurality of curved portions alternating
in curvature and extending from the generally vertical portion 330
towards the end portion to which the fence's lower horizontal rod
member 324 is connected.
[0067] The curved section 332 defines first and second retaining
portions 336 and 338, which are releasably attachable to the upper
and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire shelf 102. In the
fence embodiment 300 shown in FIGS. 9 through 12, the upper
attachment portion 336 of the fence 300 generally comprises a
protruding portion 334 that defines a curved space for receiving
the upper support member 112 of the wire shelf 102. The lower
attachment portion 338 generally comprises a hook shape that is
configured to receive the lower support member 116 of the wire
shelf 102. In this particular embodiment, the fence 300 may be
assembled to the wire shelf 102 by positioning the lower attachment
portion 338 against the lower support member 116 of the wire shelf
102, and resiliently expanding the curved section 332 (e.g., by
pulling upwardly on the fence 300 while the shelf's lower support
member 116 is engaged within the lower attachment portion 338,
etc.) to permit the upper support member 112 of the wire shelf 102
to be received within the upper attachment portion 336 of the fence
300.
[0068] The curved section 332 is configured to be flexed so as to
resiliently expand the spacing between the upper and lower
attachment or retaining portions 336 and 338 to fit the upper and
lower attachment portions 336 and 338 in engagement with the
respective upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire
shelf 102. This resilient expansion of the curved section 332
permits the upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the wire
shelf 102 to be received within the upper and lower attachment
portions 336 and 338 in the one or more wire members 328.
[0069] FIGS. 13 through 16 illustrate another exemplary embodiment
of a fence 400. As shown, the fence 400 includes an upper
horizontal rod or wire member 420 and a lower horizontal rod or
wire member 424. The lower horizontal rod member 424 is spaced
below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member
420. The fence 400 may further include one or more intermediate
horizontal rod or wire members 440 vertically spaced between and
generally parallel to the upper and lower horizontal rod members
420 and 424.
[0070] The fence 400 also includes one or more wire or rod members
428 extending generally between the upper and lower horizontal rod
members 420 and 424. The one or more wire members 428 of the fence
400 include at least one curved section 432. The curved section 432
defines upper and lower attachment portions 436 and 438 for
engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members 112 and
116 of the wire shelf 102, to thereby allow the fence 400 to be
attached to the wire shelf 102.
[0071] While FIG. 13 illustrates the fence 400 being attached to a
front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf 102, other
embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g., 100, 200,
300, and/or 400, etc.) attached at one or more alternative or
additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate
position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition, FIG. 13 further
illustrates the fence 400 attached such that it is generally
parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf 102. In other
embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300,
and/or 400, etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge,
and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of
the shelf. In addition, FIG. 13 also shows only one fence 400
attached to the wire shelf 102. In other embodiments, one or more
fences (e.g., 100, 200, 300, and/or 400, etc.) may be positioned
substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer
fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different
locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.
[0072] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 16, the
curved section 432 is configured to resiliently vary the spacing
between the upper and lower attachment portions 436 and 438, to
permit the attachment portions 436 and 438 to fit onto the
spaced-apart upper and lower support members 112 and 116 of the
wire shelf 102.
[0073] In this particular fence embodiment 400, the fence's upper
attachment portion 436 generally comprises an upper protruding
portion 437 and a lower protruding portion 434 that define a space
therebetween for receiving the upper support member 112 of the wire
shelf 102. The lower attachment portion 438 generally comprises a
hook shape that is configured to receive the lower support member
116 of the shelf 102. In one exemplary operation, the fence 400 may
be assembled to the shelf 102 by positioning the lower attachment
portion 438 against the shelf's lower support member 116, and
rotating the fence 400 relative to the shelf 102 to a position in
which the shelf's upper support member 112 engages and resiliently
expands the spacing between the upper and lower protruding portions
437 and 434, to permit the upper support member 112 of the wire
shelf 102 to be received within the upper attachment portion 436 of
the fence 400.
[0074] Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to
methods of assembling or attaching a fence to a wire shelf. In one
particular method embodiment in which a fence includes at least
first and second attachment portions and the wire shelf has first
and second support members, the method generally includes
positioning the first attachment portion of the fence against the
wire shelf's first support member, and resiliently flexing a
portion of the fence to permit the wire shelf's second support
member to be engagingly received within the second attachment
portion of the fence. In various embodiments, the process or
operation of resiliently flexing the fence generally includes
resiliently compressing at least one curved section of the fence to
fit between the first and second support members of the wire shelf.
In alternative embodiments, the process or operation of resiliently
flexing the fence generally includes resiliently expanding at least
one curved section of the fence to fit the first and second
attachment portions of the shelf over the first and second support
members of the wire shelf.
[0075] Various aspects of the present disclosure can be used with a
wide variety of shelving products. Accordingly, the specific
references to wire shelving and ventilated shelving should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only
one specific form/type of shelf. For example, FIGS. 1 through 16
show only one particular example of a ventilated wire shelf 102 to
which one or more of the fences of the present disclosure can be
attached. In other embodiments, shelf fences of the present
disclosure can be used with a wide range of shelves other than what
is shown in the figures, including shelves in different sizes
(e.g., four foot, six foot, eight foot, ten foot, and/or cut to a
custom size, etc.) and/or mounted at various locations (e.g.,
closet wall, bathroom, grocery store, department store, etc.) using
brackets and/or other suitable means. Embodiments of the present
disclosure can also be used with shelves having a different depth
and/or different spacing between the shelf's wires or rod members
than that shown in the figures. Further, embodiments of the present
disclosure can also be used with shelves having wires or rods
oriented generally longitudinally, transversely, diagonally, etc.
relative to the shelf. Accordingly, aspects of the present
disclosure should not be limited to implementation into any
specific form/type of shelf.
[0076] Further, the particular methods of manufacture and
geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to
be considered limiting. The steps, processes, and operations
described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring
their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated,
unless specifically identified as an order or performance. It is
also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be
employed. In addition, any one or more aspects of the present
disclosure may be implemented individually or in any combination
with any one or more of the other aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0077] Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference
only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms
such as "upper", "lower", "above", and "below" refer to directions
in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as "front",
"back", "rear", "bottom" and "side", describe the orientation of
portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame
of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the
associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such
terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above,
derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the
terms "first", "second" and other such numerical terms referring to
structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly
indicated by the context.
[0078] When introducing elements or features of the present
disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles "a", "an",
"the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of
such elements or features. The terms "comprising", "including" and
"having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be
additional elements or features other than those specifically
noted.
[0079] The description of the present disclosure is merely
exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from
the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the
scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
* * * * *