Shelving support unit

Abstract

A shelving system for use in residential and industrial settings. The system is comprised of multiple shelving support units, with said shelving support units each comprising multiple brackets; said brackets comprising attachment means for attachment to a vertical support member; multiple extensions adjacent to said brackets; said extensions being positioned at a ninety degree or approximately ninety degree angle from said brackets; said extensions further comprising multiple aperture plates; and an angled bracing portion joining said extensions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a shelving system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wall-mounted shelving support unit. Two or more shelving support units are assembled to form a shelving system. The system may be used in homes, businesses, and/or industrial settings.

[0003] 2. Summary of Invention

[0004] Wall mounted shelving systems are known in the art and allow users to store items without using any floor space. Such systems are ideal for areas in which square footage is limited or in which maximum use of square footage is desired. Prior art wall mounted systems typically comprise elongated braces positioned in a vertical direction against a vertical support member such as a wall. Rectangular panels of rigid material are used to form shelf platforms and typically possess a pair of trunnions or other means for attachment to the elongated braces. The elongated braces, in turn, comprise means to accommodate the trunnions to support said shelf platforms.

[0005] A shortcoming of prior art, wall mounted shelving systems is that such systems are often inflexible. Widths of shelf platforms from such systems tend to be fixed. Prior art shelf platforms are typically pre-cut rectangular panels constructed from wood, plastic, metal, or particleboard. Users cannot conveniently extend or shorten the length of such platforms. This prevents the user from easily adjusting the span of such shelving systems. Storage needs of a user tend to change over time and prior art systems do not allow users to easily adapt systems to accommodate changing needs.

[0006] To address this shortcoming users have often been forced to install custom built or custom designed shelving systems. Such systems generally require the skills of a carpenter to provide pieces according to specified dimensions. This alternative is expensive, requiring additional costs in materials, parts, and labor. For users occupying a space on a short-term basis, this level of investment can be prohibitive.

[0007] An additional shortcoming in the prior art is that shelving platforms comprising trunnion-based support systems tend to have limited load-bearing capacity. As described above, trunnion-based systems comprise vertical braces that are attached to a vertical wall member. The vertical braces contain slots that allow for the insertion of a pair of trunnions from a shelf platform to be inserted, and held in place. An assembled trunnion-based system results in a cantilevered structure, with the shelf platform forming a cantilever. Because cantilevered structures are inherently unstable, trunnion based systems are not ideal for heavy loads. Industrial facilities typically require shelving systems capable of carrying large and heavy loads. As a result, industrial facilities often have to construct expensive, custom built systems, capable of holding heavy loads.

[0008] The present invention addresses the above shortcomings by teaching a flexible shelving system in which the horizontal span of the system can be easily adjusted for the user's particular purposes. The invention incorporates prefabricated steel pipes, or PVC piping to form a shelf platform component of the system. Such materials are widely available to the general public in building material stores and can be easily cut to the user's specifications. Such materials are also relatively inexpensive. Thus the present invention teaches a low cost system for constructing a sturdy, customized shelving system.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shelving support unit.

[0010] FIG. 1A shows a close up view of a locking tab feature.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a shelving support unit assembly.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the shelving support unit assembly with multiple accessory units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelving support unit 1. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is constructed as a single steel unit. The unit may be constructed from less expensive alloys however, if the needs of the user do not require the load bearing capacity of steel. The unit may be covered with a protective enamel if used in a corrosive environment, such as outdoors or near the ocean. When observed against a vertical support member 3, the invention may have an arc-like appearance.

[0014] The unit may be comprised of multiple brackets 2, allowing for attachment to a vertical support member 3, such as a wall. The brackets form a plane that is parallel to the vertical support member to which it is attached. The brackets comprise openings 4, allowing attachment of the brackets to the vertical support member via attachment means, such as bolts, lag screws, or other concrete anchor or fastening systems, which other systems are known to those skilled in the art.

[0015] Adjacent to the brackets are multiple extensions 5 projecting perpendicularly, or roughly perpendicular from the brackets. The extensions project at differing lengths from one another, with a first extension 20 being larger than a second extension 30. Said first extension is positioned parallel to said second extension. Said first extension may lie either directly above the second extension or directly below the second extension depending on which direction the shelving support unit is attached against the vertical support member.

[0016] Included within the extensions are multiple aperture panels 6. The panels are provided for creating a shelf platform component of the system. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aperture panels are configured with apertures having a diameter suitable for insertion of cylindrical pipe components available at building supply stores. In FIG. 1A, means to secure a cylindrical pipe 10 within the shelving support unit is shown. A Locking tab 14 projects perpendicular from the aperture panels. The locking tab prevents the cylindrical pipe 10 from moving horizontally and allows for a user to secure the cylindrical pipe to the shelving support unit with screws or other securing means once inserted in the apertures.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an assembly of the present invention. A fully assembled system requires multiple shelving support units 1 as described above. Each shelving support unit comprising the system should be positioned at an equal height from the another. A span 8 separates two shelving support units. The span between any two units will be spaced according to the projected load the user intends to have supported on the shelving system. Heavier loads will require that the span between the shelving support units be smaller.

[0018] Another factor in the stability of the system is the material from which the vertical support member 3 is constructed. The shelving support units may be attached to a variety of surfaces including cement, brick, wood, plaster, and drywall. The more rigid the material, the less need for accessory devices such as butterfly bolts or anchors for use with the attachment means. Bolts, lag screws, nails or other concrete anchor or fastening systems are examples of suitable attachment means for securing the shelving support unit to the vertical support member.

[0019] A shelf platform 9 is comprised of cylindrical pipes 10, which are widely available in building supply and home improvement stores. The pipes are cut a length that is larger than the span 8 between two shelving support units. The pipes are inserted in the apertures located in the multiple aperture panels 6. Because the first extension may have more apertures than the second extension, more pipes may be inserted in the first extension than the second extension. By adding additional pipes, a wider shelf platform 9 may be created. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assembly will comprise an upper shelf platform 12 and lower shelf platform 13.

[0020] The multiple aperture panels may provide gaps 11 of various lengths between the apertures. Storage of larger items will allow for larger gaps 11 and the insertion of multiple pipes; while storage of smaller objects will require smaller gaps so that said items do not fall through the gaps. Shelf platform widths may vary in size depending on the needs of the user. Larger shelf platforms may require larger extension sizes and additional apertures, while smaller shelf platforms may require smaller extension sizes and fewer apertures. The user may modify the number of pipes that are inserted in said aperture panels to accommodate the user's intended use of the system. For example, a user may insert just one pipe in the aperture panels to suspend tires from said pipe.

[0021] Additional shelving support units may be placed at an equal height from the first two, to create a shelving system comprised of more than two shelving support units. Pipes may be cut according to the final span between a first shelving support unit and final shelving support unit.

[0022] Manufacture of the present invention is simple. Steel tubes may be bent using methods known in the art to form the multiple extensions 20, 30 and angled bracing portion 7, as shown in FIG. 1. Steel plates may be welded to the tubes to provide the brackets 2 and multiple aperture panels 6 provided on the extensions. One inch galvanized steel pipes may be used to form the shelf platform structure.

[0023] For a less industrial appearance, injection molded plastic may be used for the extensions and angled bracing portion. Instead of steel pipes, electrical metallic tubing, wood dowels, copper piping, or PVC piping may be used for the shelf platform. This list is not exhaustive however and numerous prefabricated materials are suitable for use.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows an accessory unit 15 of the present invention. The accessory unit allows the user to span the shelving support units 1 across areas in which an obstruction 16, such as an electrical panel, steel frame, or concrete panel, may exist. The accessory unit may be placed at the same height as the first extension 20 or second extension 30 depending on the location of the obstruction 16. Accessory units 15 may be positioned on opposite sides of the obstruction 16 to allow for the placement of cylindrical pipes on either side of the obstruction. The accessory units may be attached to a vertical support member through the same means from which the shelving support units are attached to a vertical support member. The accessory units comprise apertures in which pipes extending from the shelving support unit may be inserted. Depending on the size of the obstruction, all or only some of the apertures provided on the accessory unit may hold a pipe.

[0025] An alternative embodiment may comprise all of the elements as described above, excluding the second extension. The alternative embodiment results in just one shelf platform being formed when assembled with an identical shelving support unit. This embodiment may be preferred when less storage is needed.

[0026] The user is afforded great flexibility using the present invention because the shelf platform can be easily and inexpensively modified when desired. Steel and plastic piping are readily available and inexpensive when compared to custom cut pieces of wood or plastic panels. Expanding or reducing the span of the shelf platform of the present invention only requires a user to go to his local home improvement store to purchase the piping materials.

[0027] In summary, the present invention is a novel, inventive shelving system that addresses many of the shortcomings in the art. With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0028] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, while still falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprised of: multiple shelving support units, with said shelving support units each comprising: multiple brackets; said brackets comprising attachment means for attachment to a vertical support member; multiple extensions adjacent to each bracket; said extensions being positioned at a ninety-degree or approximately ninety-degree angle from said brackets; said extensions further comprising multiple aperture plates; and an angled bracing portion joining said extensions.

2. The shelving support unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the brackets, extensions, multiple aperture plates, and angled bracing portion comprise a single unit.

3. The shelving support unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said multiple aperture plates comprise openings having a diameter larger than one inch.

4. Multiple shelving support units as claimed in claim 1 wherein one inch galvanized steel pipes are inserted in said multiple aperture plates to form a shelf platform.

5. Multiple shelving support units as claimed in claim 1 wherein one inch PVC pipes are inserted in said multiple aperture plates to form a shelf platform.

6. The shelving system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising accessory units for use in spans including obstructions.

7. The shelving support units as claimed in claim 1 wherein said multiple aperture plates further comprise locking tabs.

8. A shelving system comprised of: multiple shelving support units, with each shelving support unit comprising: multiple brackets; said brackets comprising attachment means for attachment to a vertical support member; a single extension positioned against a first bracket, said extension being positioned at a ninety-degree or approximately ninety-degree angle from said first bracket; said extension further comprising multiple aperture plates; and an angled bracing portion adjacent to said extension joining said extension to a second bracket.

9. The shelving system of claim 8 further comprising accessory units for use in spans including obstructions.

10. The shelving support units as claimed in claim 8 wherein said multiple aperture plates further comprise locking tabs.