Shelf mounting system

Gallien; James M.

Patent Application Summary

U.S. patent application number 11/717301 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for shelf mounting system. This patent application is currently assigned to Hangman Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to James M. Gallien.

Application Number20080224004 11/717301
Document ID /
Family ID39761682
Filed Date2008-09-18

United States Patent Application 20080224004
Kind Code A1
Gallien; James M. September 18, 2008

Shelf mounting system

Abstract

A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a corner wall surface comprising an elongate member having a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that extends along a width of the body portion to define an interruption between the first arm and the second arm, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along the length of the first arm and the second arm and a shelf member having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first wall surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the second wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion.


Inventors: Gallien; James M.; (Hidden Hills, CA)
Correspondence Address:
    STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
    75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
    ALISO VIEJO
    CA
    92656
    US
Assignee: Hangman Products, Inc.

Family ID: 39761682
Appl. No.: 11/717301
Filed: March 13, 2007

Current U.S. Class: 248/220.1
Current CPC Class: A47B 96/066 20130101; A47B 96/022 20130101
Class at Publication: 248/220.1
International Class: A47B 96/06 20060101 A47B096/06

Claims



1. A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a corner wall surface defined by the intersection of a first and second wall surface, the system comprising: an elongate member having a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that extends along a width of the body portion to define an interruption between the first arm and the second arm, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along the length of the first arm and the second arm and a shelf member having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first wall surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the second wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces each having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion.

2. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a radius extending along at least partially along the length of the body portion configured to receive a level device.

3. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is steel.

4. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, wherein the shelf member is one of wood, glass, plastic and particle board.

5. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with at least one of the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface.

6. The shelf mounting system of claim 5, wherein the adhesive material is double-sided tape.

7. The shelf mounting system of claim 5, wherein the adhesive material is a rubber-based adhesive.

8. A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a wall surface, the system comprising: an elongate member having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along its length and a shelf member having an abutment surface configured to abut the wall surface, the abutment surface each having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion.

9. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, further comprising a radius extending along at least a portion of the length of the body portion configured to receive a level device.

10. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, wherein the elongate member is steel.

11. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, wherein the shelf is one of wood, glass, plastic and particle board.

12. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, further comprising an adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface.

13. The shelf mounting system of claim 12, wherein the adhesive material is double sided tape.

14. The shelf mounting system of claim 12, wherein the adhesive material is a rubber-based adhesive.

15. The method of mounting a shelf to a corner wall surface defined by the intersection of a first wall surface and a second wall surface, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting an elongate member on the corner wall surface until it is in a desired orientation, the elongate member having a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and second arm having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that extends along a width of the body portion to define an interruption between the first arm and the second arm, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along the length of the first arm and the second arm; mounting the elongate member to the corner wall surface; sliding a shelf member over the first arm and the second arm, the shelf member having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first wall surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the second wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces each having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion and applying pressure to the shelf member to cause the first abutment surface to abut the first wall surface and the second abutment surface to abut the second wall surface.

16. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 15, the method further comprising a step of placing a level device on a radius of the body portion to determine the orientation of the elongate member.

17. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 15, the method further comprising the step of placing an adhesive material in contact with at least one of the first and second abutment surfaces, the adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with at least one of the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface.

18. The method of mounting a shelf to a wall surface comprising the steps of: adjusting an elongate member on the wall surface until it is in a desired orientation, the elongate member having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along its length; mounting the elongate member to the wall surface; sliding a shelf member over the body portion, the shelf member a shelf member having an abutment surface configured to abut the wall surface, the abutment surface including a cut-out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion; applying pressure to the shelf member to cause the abutment surface to abut the wall surface.

19. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 18 the method further comprising a step of placing a level device on a radius of the body portion to determine the orientation of the elongate member.

20. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 18, the method further comprising the step of placing an adhesive material in contact with the abutment surface, the adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface.
Description



CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

[0002] STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

[0004] The present system relates generally to a shelf-mounting system for affixing a shelf to a support structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shelf mounting system for affixing a shelf to a wall surface, such as a corner defined by the intersection of two walls or a flat wall surface.

[0005] Shelves are common and versatile objects that can be affixed to the wall of any room or area. Shelves serve the purpose of both function and design and may be affixed to a wall surface for the placement of objects thereon. The extra surface area afforded by the shelf provides an area where infrequently used objects may be stored either temporarily until use or more permanently. One such example is a shelf that can be used to store reference books that are merely used from time to time but not on a daily basis. A shelf may also have a more decorative purpose and can be utilized to hold objects such as figurines or plants. The shelf itself may be decorative in nature, such as a shelf constructed from a particular wood or a shelf having a particular design or carving.

[0006] A flat wall provides the most simple installation for a shelf. However, depending on the layout of the room in terms of available wall space, it may also be desirous to affix a shelf to a corner wall surface, such as the area defined by the intersection of two walls. It is well-known that a corner wall surface does not facilitate the installation of any type of a shelf. Specifically, the right angle construction of a corner wall surface makes it difficult to securely and accurately install a shelf. Particular to such construction, standard sized tools such as a screw driver or drill cannot fit within this area. More particularly, the angle of the intersecting walls makes it difficult to position the shelf in a level orientation and maintain such orientation until the shelf is properly installed. Moreover, adjustment or removal is equally as difficult, and a misaligned shelf is usually left in place in an unlevel fashion because of the frustration that may be caused by repeated attempts to realign the shelf.

[0007] Further, a shelf that is not properly installed cannot provide adequate support for objects that are placed thereon. Thus, if the shelf is not level, the objects that are on the shelf may not be stable and may slide from the surface of the shelf. Further, the weight of the objects placed on the shelf may cause the shelf to become loose and disassociated from the wall surface. The shelf may fall to the floor and possibly injure someone, resulting in either slight damage or more extensive breakage to any objects that the shelf was supporting.

[0008] Even if great care is taken to properly position and orient the shelf during its installation, the intersection of the walls defining the corner area may not be perfectly perpendicular to properly receive the shelf. Frequently, the construction of a building may result in corners defined by intersecting walls that are not exactly positioned at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other. Further, the natural settling of a building may cause the shifting of the walls. In such a situation, one side of the shelf may not properly attach, if at all, to the wall surface. As a result, unsightly screws, or other attachment hardware used to secure the shelf, may be visible between the shelf and the surface of the wall, and the shelf is generally not very stable. Even attempts to affix a generally square or rectangular shelf to a wall surface may not result in the shelf being substantially in abutment with the wall surface if the wall surface is not even.

[0009] What is lacking in the art is a shelf mounting system that provides a stable shelf surface that is mountable in such a manner that the shelf is easily secured to a wall surface despite any irregularities in the walls.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0010] A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a corner wall surface defined by the intersection of a first and second wall surface, the system comprising: an elongate member having a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that extends along a width of the body portion to define an interruption between the first arm and the second arm, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along the length of the first arm and the second arm and a shelf member having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first wall surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the second wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces each having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion. The shelf mounting system may further comprise a radius extending along at least partially along the length of the body portion configured to receive a level device.

[0011] The cut groove allows the movement of the first bracket arm with respect to the second bracket arm for any necessary adjustment of the bracket when engaging the shelf therewith. Thus, if the intersecting wall surfaces are not exactly oriented at a right angle with respect to each other, the bracket may be adjusted to fit the angle of the intersecting walls.

[0012] The elongate member may be constructed from a metal such as steel or aluminum. The shelf member may be constructed from a variety of materials including without limitation wood, glass, plastic and particle board. The shelf mounting system may further comprise an adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with at least one of the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface. The adhesive material may include double-sided tape.

[0013] In another embodiment, the shelf mounting system may comprise an elongate member having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along its length and a shelf member having an abutment surface configured to abut the wall surface, the abutment surface each having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion. The shelf mounting system may further comprise a radius extending along at least a portion of the length of the body portion configured to receive a level device.

[0014] A method of mounting a shelf to a corner wall surface defined by the intersection of a first wall surface and a second wall surface, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting an elongate member on the corner wall surface until it is in a desired orientation, the elongate member having a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and second arm having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that extends along a width of the body portion to define an interruption between the first arm and the second arm, the body portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially along the length of the first arm and the second arm; mounting the elongate member to the corner wall surface; sliding a shelf member over the first arm and the second arm, the shelf member having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first wall surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the second wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces each having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body portion and applying pressure to the shelf member to cause the first abutment surface to abut the first wall surface and the second abutment surface to abut the second wall surface.

[0015] The method may further comprise the step of placing a level device on a radius of the body portion to determine the orientation of the elongate member. The method may further comprise the step of placing an adhesive material in contact with at least one of the first and second abutment surfaces, the adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with at least one of the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bracket shown mounting a shelf in a corner according to an aspect of the shelf mounting system.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of the present invention according to an embodiment of the shelf mounting system

[0020] FIG. 4 shows the step of engaging a shelf with a bracket that has been mounted to a corner wall surface.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows the step of causing the rear walls of the shelf to abut the walls that define the corner wall surface.

[0022] FIG. 6 shows the step of placing the shelf in adhesive engagement with the intersecting walls that define the corner wall surface.

[0023] FIG. 7 another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bracket mounting a shelf on a flat wall surface.

[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a shelf mounting system 5 of the present invention. The shelf mounting system 5 includes a bracket 25 that is affixed to a corner 10 of an abutting first wall 35 and a second wall 40 using conventional fasteners 100 and also a shelf 55. The bracket 25 is configured to receive and frictionally engage the shelf 55. The shelf 55 is generally shaped so that it can fit into the corner 10 of almost any room, closet or other storage area.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the shelf mounting system 5 may be utilized to mount a shelf 55 onto a wall surface, such as a corner 10 that is defined by the intersection of a first wall 35 and a second wall 40. For example, the shelf 55 may be utilized to store books, figurine, plants, tools, dishes or any other objects that a user is desirous of storing in a location where such objects are accessible yet not in the way of ordinary daily life activity. The shelf 55 may be constructed from any material that is suitable for use as a shelf 55. More specifically, the shelf 55 should be constructed from a material such that the shelf 55 is durable and capable of supporting a significant amount of weight without buckling. The material from which the shelf 55 is constructed may dictate the amount of weight that may be supported or the objects that can be placed thereon. Some exemplary types of materials from which a shelf 55 may be constructed include various types of wood, such as oak, plywood and pine. Further, the shelf 25 may be constructed from other materials, including but not limited to steel, glass, hard plastic, particle board or any combination thereof. The shelf 55 preferably has a generally flat top surface 55a and a generally flat bottom surface 55b in addition to a first rear wall 60a and a second rear wall 60b that extend between a rear edge 52a of the top surface 55a and a rear edge 52b of the bottom surface 55b and meet at a corner 65. Thus, the first rear wall 60a and second rear wall 60b may be at substantially a ninety degree angle with respect to each other. The shelf 55 further has a front wall 70 that may either be curved or flat. Although the shelf 55 may be of any general shape, the shelf 55 is preferably triangular in the present embodiment such that the shelf 55 may be received by the corner 10.

[0027] A bracket 25 configured to affix the shelf 55 to a corner 10 is shown in phantom in FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 3. The bracket 25 is preferably constructed from a semi-flexible yet durable material that is capable of providing support to the shelf 55 and any objects placed thereon. The bracket 25 may be constructed from a metal such as steel or aluminum, or the bracket 25 may also be constructed from other materials, including without limitation, wood and plastic. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the available materials in a given environment and purpose. Thus, such a person will be able to identify and select the appropriate material for a particular application and appreciate that the present invention is not limited to any particular material.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, the bracket 25 is an elongate member that is formed from extrusion. The bracket 25 is bent at substantially a ninety degree angle approximately midway between a first end 45 and a second end 50 of the bracket 25 to define a first bracket arm 80 and a second bracket arm 85. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bracket 25 has a wall attachment portion 20 and a body portion 30. The wall attachment portion 20 is substantially perpendicular to the body portion 30. The wall attachment portion 20 is held against the first wall 35 and the second wall 40 in an abutting manner so that the wall attachment portion 20 is adjacent to and in contact with the first wall 35 and the second wall 40. The wall attachment portion 20 and the body portion 30 of the bracket 25 may be integrally formed and of unitary construction. Alternatively, the wall attachment portion 20 and the body portion 30 may comprise two separate pieces that may be connectably joined together, such as by welding. The bracket 25 may be cut to fit and size of the shelf 55 using tools common to the installation of such brackets 25.

[0029] The bracket 25 may further comprise a cut groove 75 that extends along the width of the body portion 30 and defines an interruption between the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85. The cut groove 75 may terminate at the point at which the body portion 30 adjoins the wall attachment portion 20. The cut groove 75 allows movement of the first bracket arm 80 with respect to the second bracket arm 85 for any necessary adjustment of the bracket 25 when engaging the shelf therewith. Specifically, during the construction of a building, the first wall 35 and second wall 40 may not be exactly oriented at a right angle with respect to each other. Similarly, the natural settling of a foundation may cause the walls associated with a building sitting thereon to move or shift resulting in the intersection of the first wall 35 and the second wall 40 defining an angle that may be less than or greater than ninety degrees. The cut groove 75 of the bracket permits movement and adjustment of the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85 during the installation of the shelf 55, as further described herein, to fit in a corner 10 that does not have a first wall 35 and a second wall 40 at exactly a right angle.

[0030] In one embodiment, the bracket 25 may be formed as a substantially straight elongated member from which a V-shaped area is cut, or otherwise extracted, from the body portion 30 approximately midway between a first end 45 and a second end 50 of the bracket 25. The bracket 25 is further bent at substantially a ninety degree angle at approximately the location of the V-shaped area such that the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85 are generally perpendicular to each other and further interrupted by the cut groove 75.

[0031] Each of the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85 of the body portion 30 of the bracket 25 has a radius 90 extending along its length. The radius 90 is configured for the placement of a level device 105 so that the proper orientation of the bracket 25 may be determined when the bracket 25 is mounted to the corner 10, as further herein described with respect to FIGS. 3 through 6. The level device 105 may be any type of device that indicates a level orientation, such as a bubble device when it is placed in the radius 90. Specifically, the level device 105 may be a transparent plastic tube-like device that may further include a housing to prevent the tube from shifting or rotating while performing a leveling step. The level device 105 may hold two different types of fluids, such as an oil and water mix or a mix of air and at least one other liquid. In the case of water and oil, the two liquids are generally immiscible which allow the level device 105 to be used as a level to indicate to the user if the wall fixture is in a desired orientation. The level device 105 operates to indicate a level orientation of the bracket 25 when the line between the fluids aligns with an etched or otherwise marked line upon the surface of the level device 105. Each of the first bracket arm 85 and the second bracket arm 90 may further include a threaded region 57 comprising elongated threads that extend at least along a portion of the length of the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85. The elongated threads may be formed to have a diameter and a pitch necessary to provide the necessary friction to both engage and prevent the disengagement of the bracket 25 and the shelf 55, as further described herein.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the shelf mounting system 5 is shown in cross-section with the bracket 25 frictionally engaged with the shelf 55. The wall attachment portion 20 of the bracket 25 includes a series of apertures 15 in a spaced relationship along each of the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85, as shown in FIG. 1. The apertures 15 are adapted to receive a fastener 100, a shaft portion 105 thereof being driven into the wall 35, and a head portion 110 being in abutment with the wall attachment portion 20, thereby retaining the bracket 25 against the wall 35. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the diameter of the apertures 15 is intended to be less than that of the head portion 110 of the fastener 100.

[0033] As shown in the cross-section of the shelf mounting system 5 of FIG. 2, the shelf 55 has a cut-out section 62 located along each of the first rear wall 60a and the second rear wall 60b for receiving the bracket 25. Specifically, the cut-out section 62 generally has a depth that is at least equal to the thickness of the wall attachment portion 20 so that the wall attachment portion 20 is not visible subsequent to the installation of the shelf mounting system 5. An elongated channel 64 extends from the cut-out section 62 into a distance of the interior of the shelf 55, the elongated channel 64 further being sized to receive the body portion 30 of the bracket 25. The shelf 55 is held in position by the engagement of the body portion 30 of the bracket 25 and the elongated channel 64 of the shelf 55. In one embodiment, the cut-out section 62 extends along the length of both the first rear wall 60a and the second rear wall 60b of the shelf to comprise one continuous cut-out section 62. In yet another embodiment, the rear walls 60a, 60b of the shelf 55 each comprise a separate and distinct cut-out section 62 for receiving each of the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85.

[0034] Although it is contemplated that the shelf mounting system 5 may require no further braces or supports, the shelf mounting system 5 may further be provided with an adhesive material 125, as shown in FIG. 3. The adhesive material 125 is preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive having generally strong and durable bonding qualities suitable to provide additional support for a shelf that may hold an unlimited variety of objects having an unlimited variety of shapes, sizes and weights. The adhesive material 125 is preferably a noncurable double-sided adhesive tape. Alternatively, the adhesive may be in the form of a putty or a rubber-based adhesive. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive material 125 may be provided with a removable protective covering on one surface and a release liner that is adjacent to and in contact with the opposite surface of the double-sided adhesive material. The user would remove the protective covering to expose the adhesive material and place the same in contact with the shelf. Subsequent to engaging the shelf 55 and the bracket 25, the user may pull downwardly on the release liner and remove the same to place the adhesive in contact with the first wall 35 and the second wall 40. Still yet alternatively, both sides of the double sided adhesive material may be provided with only a removable protective cover that is removed from each side prior to engaging the shelf 55 with the bracket 25.

[0035] FIGS. 3 through 6 represent the methodology of the steps that may be undertaken for the installation of a shelf 55 using the shelf mounting system 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket 25 is affixed in a corner 10 as defined by the intersection of a first wall 35 and a second wall 40, which are positioned generally perpendicular to each other. The bracket 25 is held tightly within the corner 10, and the level device 105 is placed within the radius 90 of the first bracket arm 80. The bracket 25 is adjusted until the level device 105 indicates that the bracket 25 is in the desired orientation. Fasteners 100 are placed into the apertures 15 of the wall attachment portion 20 to secure the first bracket arm 80 to the first wall 35. Exemplary fasteners 100 include screws, such as bear claw screws or self tapping screws, nails and the like. The level device 105 is relocated to the radius 90 of the second bracket arm 85, and the bracket 25 is similarly adjusted until the bracket 25 is in the desired orientation. Fasteners 100 are placed into the apertures 15 of the wall attachment portion 20 of the second bracket arm 85 to secure the same to the first wall 35 and the second wall 40. Next, the user may apply the adhesive material 125, if desired, at any location along the length of the first rear wall 60a and the second rear wall 60a of the shelf 55 or any location of a surface of the shelf 55 that may be placed in contact with and adjacent to at least one of the first wall 35 and the second wall 40.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the user installs the shelf 55 into the corner 10. FIG. 4 illustrates how the shelf 55 may be slid into position over the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85 of the bracket 25. The user applies light pressure in the direction of the arrow to cause the shelf 55 to become engaged with the bracket 25. More specifically, the shelf becomes frictionally engaged with the body portion 20 of the bracket 25 when the threaded region 57 of the body portion 30 is received by the elongated channel 64 of the shelf 55. As shown in FIG. 5, the user may push forward lightly on the shelf 55 to cause the first rear wall 60a and the second rear wall 60b of the shelf 55 to abut the first wall 35 and the second wall 40, respectively.

[0037] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, if the user is satisfied with the placement of the shelf 55, the user may lightly pull downward on the release liner, if provided on the adhesive material 125, to cause the adhesive material 125 to be placed in adhering engagement with at least one of the first wall 35 and the second wall 40.

[0038] An alternative embodiment of the shelf mounting system is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, an elongated bracket 225 is affixed to a generally flat wall surface 235. The bracket 225 is configured to receive a shelf 255 having a generally rectangular shape. The bracket 225 is a straight elongate member having a wall attachment portion 220 and a body portion 230, which may be of unitary construction, or the wall attachment portion 220 and the body portion 230 may comprise two separate pieces that are connectably joined together. The wall attachment portion 220 may comprise a series of apertures 15 in a spaced relationship that are adapted to receive a fastener 100 to retain the bracket 225 against the wall 235. The body portion 230 of the bracket 225 may comprise a radius 90 for the placement of a level device 105 to determine the desired orientation of the bracket 225 either prior to or contemporaneous with the affixation of the bracket 225 to the wall 235. The body portion 230 of the bracket 225 may further comprise a threaded region 57 of elongated threads that extends at least along a portion of the length of the bracket 225. The elongated threads may be formed to have a diameter and a pitch necessary to provide the necessary friction to both engage and prevent the disengagement of the bracket 225 and the shelf 255. Specifically in FIG. 8, the shelf 255 may have a cut-out section and an elongated channel similar to that described above with respect to the corner shelf. After the bracket 225 is affixed to the wall surface 235, the shelf 255 is placed in frictional engagement with the body portion 230 of the bracket 225.

[0039] The shelf 255 shown in FIG. 7 or 8 is generally rectangular in shape but it may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the shelf 255 may comprise any shape that can be placed adjacent to and in contact with a wall surface.

[0040] The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

* * * * *


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