U.S. patent application number 12/062035 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for netting assembly for use with shelving assemblies.
This patent application is currently assigned to D B Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to David S. Denny.
Application Number | 20080272675 12/062035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39939072 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Denny; David S. |
November 6, 2008 |
NETTING ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH SHELVING ASSEMBLIES
Abstract
A netting assembly includes a netting panel sized to span at
least a majority of a shelving assembly's storage space. An
adjusting member is capable of being positioned in three
configurations and is operatively connected to the netting panel
proximate at least two spaced apart portions of the adjusting
member. The adjusting member is operatively connected to the
netting panel such that gaps are created between the adjusting
member and the netting panel proximate between the at least two
spaced apart portions when the adjusting member is in the first and
second configurations. The netting panel has a first size when the
adjusting member is in the first configuration and is expandable to
a second size when the adjusting member is in the third
configuration. The netting panel is adjustable in size between the
first size and the second size, and the adjusting member tensions
the netting panel.
Inventors: |
Denny; David S.; (West
Haven, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPLM GROUP, P.A.
POST OFFICE BOX 18455
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55418
US
|
Assignee: |
D B Industries, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39939072 |
Appl. No.: |
12/062035 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60910254 |
Apr 5, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/210 ;
312/334.1; 312/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/210 ;
312/334.1; 312/352 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00; A47B 88/00 20060101 A47B088/00 |
Claims
1. A netting assembly for use with a shelving assembly, the
shelving assembly having vertical support posts and horizontal
support posts defining at least one storage space in which items
are stored, the storage space having a shelf length, comprising: a
netting panel sized to span at least a majority of the shelf
length; an adjusting member operatively connected to the netting
panel proximate at least two spaced apart portions of the adjusting
member, the adjusting member being made of an elasticized material
capable of being positioned in a first configuration, a second
configuration, and a third configuration, the first configuration
being when the adjusting member is in a released state, the second
configuration being when the adjusting member is in a partially
extended state, and the third configuration being when the
adjusting member is in a fully extended state; and the adjusting
member being operatively connected to the netting panel such that
gaps are created between the adjusting member and the netting panel
proximate between the at least two spaced apart portions when the
adjusting member is in the first and second configurations, the
netting panel having a first size when the adjusting member is in
the first configuration and being expandable to a second size when
the adjusting member is in the third configuration, wherein the
netting panel is adjustable in size between the first size and the
second size and the adjusting member tensions the netting
panel.
2. The netting assembly of claim 1, wherein the netting panel is
sized to span at least a majority of the storage space.
3. The netting assembly of claim 1, wherein the netting panel
includes a border proximate a perimeter of the netting panel, the
adjusting member being operatively connected to the border.
4. The netting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
reinforcement extending from a first side of the netting panel to
an opposing side of the netting panel, the adjusting member being
operatively connected to the reinforcement.
5. The netting assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjusting member is
positioned to horizontally adjust the netting panel's size.
6. The netting assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjusting member is
positioned to vertically adjust the netting panel's size.
7. The netting assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjusting member
includes a first adjusting member and a second adjusting member,
and the first adjusting member being positioned to horizontally
adjust the netting panel's size and the second adjusting member
being positioned to vertically adjust the netting panel's size.
8. The netting assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a support
assembly configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the
shelving assembly proximate the storage space; the netting panel
including a top, a bottom, a left side, and a right side;
connectors interconnecting the top, the bottom, the left side, and
the right side of the netting panel and the support assembly; the
netting panel having the first size prior to interconnecting the
top, the bottom, the left side, and the right side and the support
assembly, the adjusting member extending from the first
configuration to the second configuration and the netting panel
expanding from the first size to the second size as the top, the
bottom, the left side, and the right side are connected to the
support assembly.
9. A storage assembly, comprising: a shelving assembly including
vertical support posts and horizontal support posts defining at
least one storage space in which items are stored; a netting panel
sized to span at least a majority of the storage space; connectors
interconnecting the netting panel and the shelving assembly; an
adjusting member operatively connected to the netting panel
proximate at least two spaced apart portions of the adjusting
member, the adjusting member being made of an elasticized material
capable of being positioned in a first configuration, a second
configuration, and a third configuration, the first configuration
being when the adjusting member is in a released state, the second
configuration being when the adjusting member is in a partially
extended state, and the third configuration being when the
adjusting member is in a fully extended state; and the adjusting
member being operatively connected to the netting panel such that
gaps are created between the adjusting member and the netting panel
proximate between the at least two spaced apart portions when the
adjusting member is in the first and second configurations, the
netting panel having a first size when the adjusting member is in
the first configuration and being expandable to a second size when
the adjusting member is in the second configuration and to a third
size when the adjusting member is in the third configuration,
wherein the netting panel expands to at least the second size and
the adjusting member tensions the netting panel when the netting
panel is connected to the shelving assembly.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the netting panel includes a
border proximate a perimeter of the netting panel, the adjusting
member being operatively connected to the border.
11. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a reinforcement
extending from a first side of the netting panel to an opposing
side of the netting panel, the adjusting member being operatively
connected to the reinforcement.
12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the adjusting member is
positioned to horizontally adjust the netting panel's size.
13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the adjusting member is
positioned to vertically adjust the netting panel's size.
14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the adjusting member includes
a first adjusting member and a second adjusting member, and the
first adjusting member being positioned to horizontally adjust the
netting panel's size and the second adjusting member being
positioned to vertically adjust the netting panel's size.
15. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a cable
operatively connected to the vertical support posts proximate an
upper portion of the storage space; the netting panel including a
top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side; the connectors
including elongate connecting members and a plurality of fasteners;
the elongate connecting members being operatively connected to the
first and second sides of the netting panel for releasably
connecting the netting panel to the vertical support posts; and the
plurality of fasteners interconnecting at least the top of the
netting panel and the cable, the netting panel being slidable along
the cable.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of fasteners
further interconnect the elongate connecting members and the
cable.
17. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a second cable
operatively connected to the vertical support posts proximate a
lower portion of the storage space, wherein the plurality of
fasteners further interconnect the bottom of the netting panel and
the second cable, the netting panel being slidable along the cable
and the second cable.
18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the plurality of fasteners
further operatively connect the elongate connecting members to the
cable and the second cable.
19. A method of connecting a netting panel to a shelving assembly,
the shelving assembly including vertical support posts and
horizontal support posts defining at least one storage space in
which items are stored, the netting panel including a top, a
bottom, a first side, a second side, and at least one adjusting
member operatively connected to the netting panel proximate at
least two spaced apart portions of the adjusting member, the
adjusting member being made of an elasticized material capable of
being positioned in a first configuration, a second configuration,
and a third configuration, the first configuration being when the
adjusting member is in a released state, the second configuration
being when the adjusting member is in a partially extended state,
and the third configuration being when the adjusting member is in a
fully extended state, the adjusting member being operatively
connected to the netting panel such that gaps are created between
the adjusting member and the netting panel proximate between the at
least two spaced apart portions when the adjusting member is in the
first and second configurations, the netting panel having a first
size when the adjusting member is in the first configuration and
being expandable to a second size when the adjusting member is in
the third configuration, wherein the netting panel is adjustable in
size between the first size and the second size and the adjusting
member tensions the netting panel, comprising: connecting a cable
to at least two of the vertical support posts proximate a top
portion of the at least one storage space; connecting a first
elongate connecting member to the first side of the netting panel
and connecting a second elongate connecting member to the second
side of the netting panel; connecting the top of the netting panel
to the cable, the netting panel being slidable along the cable
between the at least two of the vertical support posts; connecting
the first elongate connecting member to one of the vertical support
posts; connecting the second elongate connecting member to another
of the vertical support posts, wherein the netting panel adjusts in
size from the first size to the second size and the adjusting
member tensions the netting panel.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the top of the netting panel is
connected to the cable by connecting the first elongate connecting
member and the second elongate connecting member to the cable using
fasteners.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the top of the netting panel is
connected to the cable using a plurality of fasteners.
22. The method of claim 19, further comprising connecting a second
cable to the at least two of the vertical support posts proximate a
bottom portion of the at least one storage space and connecting the
bottom of the netting panel to the second cable, the netting panel
being slidable along the cable and the second cable between the at
least two of the vertical support posts.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/910,254, filed Apr. 5, 2007, which
is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a netting assembly for use
with shelving assemblies.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Among other things, a netting assembly may be used as a
barrier across at least a portion of a shelving assembly's storage
space to prevent items on at least one of the shelves within the
storage space from falling off the shelving assembly. Ideally, such
an arrangement should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture,
easy to install, and reliable in use. Also, convenient access to
items on at least one of the shelves may be desired, in which case,
the netting should be readily movable into and out of its "barrier"
position relative to the items to which access is desired.
[0004] One problem with prior art netting assemblies is that the
size of the netting panel needs to be adjusted so that the netting
panel is both taut and aesthetically pleasing. Even if the netting
panels are made to fit a particular storage space, the netting
panels tend to stretch over time because they are typically made
out of synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. Some prior
art netting panels include tensioning straps proximate the corners
of the netting panels to allow the user to adjust the tension of
the netting panel once it has been installed. Also, if the netting
panels are too large for the storage space, the tensioning straps
may be used to gather any slack in the netting panels. However,
commonly the tensioning straps are not used thus leaving the
netting panels loose and sloppy in appearance. Leaving the netting
panels loose could reduce the effectiveness of the barrier and
allow items to fall off the shelving assembly.
SUMMARY
[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a netting
assembly for use with a shelving assembly. The shelving assembly
has vertical support posts and horizontal support posts defining at
least one storage space in which items are stored, and the at least
one storage space has a shelf length. A netting panel is sized to
span at least a majority of the shelf length. An adjusting member
is operatively connected to the netting panel proximate at least
two spaced apart portions of the adjusting member. The adjusting
member is made of an elasticized material capable of being
positioned in a first configuration, a second configuration, and a
third configuration. The first configuration is when the adjusting
member is in a released state, the second configuration is when the
adjusting member is in a partially extended state, and the third
configuration is when the adjusting member is in a fully extended
state. The adjusting member is operatively connected to the netting
panel such that gaps are created between the adjusting member and
the netting panel proximate between the at least two spaced apart
portions when the adjusting member is in the first and second
configurations. The netting panel has a first size when the
adjusting member is in the first configuration and is expandable to
a second size when the adjusting member is in the third
configuration. The netting panel is adjustable in size between the
first size and the second size, and the adjusting member tensions
the netting panel.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention provides a storage
assembly including a shelving assembly, a netting panel,
connectors, and an adjusting member. The shelving assembly includes
vertical support posts and horizontal support posts defining at
least one storage space in which items are stored. The netting
panel is sized to span at least a majority of the storage space.
The connectors interconnect the netting panel and the shelving
assembly. The adjusting member is operatively connected to the
netting panel proximate at least two spaced apart portions of the
adjusting member. The adjusting member is made of an elasticized
material capable of being positioned in a first configuration, a
second configuration, and a third configuration. The first
configuration is when the adjusting member is in a released state,
the second configuration is when the adjusting member is in a
partially extended state, and the third configuration is when the
adjusting member is in a fully extended state. The adjusting member
is operatively connected to the netting panel such that gaps are
created between the adjusting member and the netting panel
proximate between the at least two spaced apart portions when the
adjusting member is in the first and second configurations. The
netting panel has a first size when the adjusting member is in the
first configuration and is expandable to a second size when the
adjusting member is in the second configuration and to a third size
when the adjusting member is in the third configuration. The
netting panel expands to at least the second size and the adjusting
member tensions the netting panel when the netting panel is
connected to the shelving assembly.
[0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of
connecting a netting panel to a shelving assembly. The shelving
assembly includes vertical support posts and horizontal support
posts defining at least one storage space in which items are
stored. The netting panel includes a top, a bottom, a first side, a
second side, and at least one adjusting member operatively
connected to the netting panel proximate at least two spaced apart
portions of the adjusting member. The adjusting member is made of
an elasticized material capable of being positioned in a first
configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration.
The first configuration is when the adjusting member is in a
released state, the second configuration is when the adjusting
member is in a partially extended state, and the third
configuration is when the adjusting member is in a fully extended
state. The adjusting member is operatively connected to the netting
panel such that gaps are created between the adjusting member and
the netting panel proximate between the at least two spaced apart
portions when the adjusting member is in the first and second
configurations. The netting panel has a first size when the
adjusting member is in the first configuration and is expandable to
a second size when the adjusting member is in the third
configuration. The netting panel is adjustable in size between the
first size and the second size and the adjusting member tensions
the netting panel. A cable is connected to at least two of the
vertical support posts proximate a top portion of the at least one
storage space. A first elongate connecting member is connected to
the first side of the netting panel and a second elongate
connecting member is connected to the second side of the netting
panel. The top of the netting panel is connected to the cable, and
the netting panel is slidable along the cable between the at least
two of the vertical support posts. The first elongate connecting
member is connected to one of the vertical support posts. The
second elongate connecting member is connected to another of the
vertical support posts. The netting panel adjusts in size from the
first size to the second size and the adjusting member tensions the
netting panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] With reference to the Figures of the Drawings, wherein like
numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several
views,
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art netting assembly
installed on a shelving assembly;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of a netting assembly constructed
according to the principles of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of a portion of the netting assembly
shown in FIG. 2 with an adjusting member shown in phantom
lines;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the netting assembly
shown in FIG. 2 with an adjusting member;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment netting
assembly constructed according to the principles of the present
invention; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of the netting assembly shown in FIG.
2 installed on a bottom storage space of a shelving assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] The present invention relates to a netting assembly
designated by the numeral 200 in the drawings for use with a
shelving assembly.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a prior art shelving assembly 100 that includes
vertical support posts 120 and horizontal supports 125, 128, and
129 which are supported by the vertical support posts 120 in a
manner well known in the art. The horizontal supports 125, 128, and
129 may themselves function as shelves for large objects and/or
skids, or sheet members may be secured thereto to define shelves
having a continuous support surface. A netting assembly 200'
extends along the forward edge of at least one of the horizontal
supports 128 (the forward horizontal support is hidden by the
netting assembly 200') and spans a storage space disposed above
same. Each side of the netting assembly 200' is secured to a
respective post 120 by means of respective net anchors 300. The
netting assembly 200' prevents objects from falling off the
supports 128 or a shelf top associated therewith.
[0017] The netting assembly 200, shown in FIG. 2, includes a mesh
netting panel 201 and a border 202 secured to the panel 201
proximate its perimeter. Preferably, the netting panel 201 is made
of a knotless nylon mesh material and the border 202 is made of a
light weight polypropylene webbing approximately 3 inches wide. The
border 202 is preferably folded in half, sandwiching the perimeter
of the netting panel 201 between the halves with the edge of the
perimeter proximate the fold, so that the border 202 is
approximately 11/2 inches wide on each side of the netting panel
201. A plurality of grommets 203 are connected to the border 202 at
distances spaced apart sufficient to secure the netting assembly
200 to a support structure proximate the storage space. Preferably,
snap hooks 204 are inserted through openings in the grommets 203
and are used to secure the netting assembly 200 to the support
structure. At least one adjusting member 205 is connected to the
border 202, preferably with stitching 206 such as a box stitch, at
spaced apart portions along the length of the adjusting member 205.
The adjusting member 205 is preferably a polyester webbing material
with elastic woven into the webbing. However, any suitable
elasticized material may be used. It is also recognized that the
adjusting member 205 may be connected to the border 202 with any
suitable connecting means.
[0018] The adjusting member 205 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The
adjusting member 205 is elastic, meaning that it extends and
retracts along its length when pulled and released. Thus, the
adjusting member 205 has at least a first configuration, a second
configuration, and a third configuration. The first configuration
is when the adjusting member 205 is in its released state, the
second configuration is when the adjusting member 205 is in its
partially extended state, and the third configuration is when the
adjusting member 205 is in its fully extended state. It is
recognized that, over time, some of its elasticity may be lost and
so the adjusting member 205 may become longer in length in its
released state. Regardless whether some of its elasticity has been
lost, the adjusting member 205 will generally have these three
configurations. Should the adjusting member 205 lose all of its
elasticity, then the adjusting member 205 should be replaced to
function as desired.
[0019] The adjusting member 205 could be connected to the border
202 while fully extended in its third configuration, which creates
tension when released and gathers any excess border 202. In other
words, the adjusting member 205 is connected to the border 202 so
that there is slack in the border 202 between the connecting means,
as shown in FIG. 4, when the adjusting member 205 is in its first
configuration. The slack in the border 202 creates a gap 208
between the border 202 and the adjusting member 205 between the
stitching 206. The adjusting member 205 reduces the length of the
netting assembly 200 in its first or second configuration but
allows for the length to be increased by extending the adjusting
member 205 up to its third configuration. Thus, when the netting
assembly 200 is secured to the support structure, if the storage
space is larger than the netting assembly 200 when the adjusting
member 205 is in its first configuration, the adjusting member 205
may be extended to its second or third configurations, thus
reducing the gap 208, and extending the length of the netting
assembly 200. The adjusting member 205 allows the netting assembly
200 to be automatically tensioned to accommodate storage spaces of
varying lengths. Thus, when the netting assembly 200 is installed,
no further adjustment of the netting panel 201 is required.
[0020] There may be variables in the adjusting member 205 and how
the adjusting member 205 is connected to the border as long as the
panel 201 has the ability to contain an item should the item fall.
Although the adjusting member 205 may be any length or any number
of series of lengths along the border 202, it is preferred that the
adjusting member 205 is 12 to 18 inches long and connected to the
border 202 at two to four locations, one at each end and any
additional connections at intermediate portions along the length of
the adjusting member 205. Preferably, the length of the border 202
within the gap 208 is approximately 8 inches. The width of the
adjusting member 205 and the amount of elasticity of the adjusting
member 205 may also vary. However, to sufficiently contain an item
that falls, the entire perimeter of the netting assembly 200 should
not be adjustable. Preferably, the netting assembly 200 should only
extend 3 to 5 inches from its size when installed to reduce the
risk that items will bypass the netting assembly 200 should the
items fall.
[0021] For illustrative purposes only, the netting assembly 200
shown in FIG. 2 has a length of approximately 110 to 115 inches and
a height of approximately 48 inches. The length is approximately
110 inches when the adjusting members 205 are in their first
configurations and approximately 115 when the adjusting members 205
are in their third configurations thus allowing for adjustability
in length.
[0022] Although the adjusting member 205 is shown connected to the
border proximate the middle of the top and the bottom of the
netting assembly 200, it is recognized that the adjusting member
205 could be connected anywhere along the border 202. Further, if
it is desired to have the height of the netting assembly 200 be
adjustable, adjusting members 205 may be connected to the border
202 proximate the left and right sides (the vertically extending
sides) of the netting assembly 200. Adjusting members 205 may be
placed along the top and bottom sides (the horizontally extending
sides) to make the length adjustable and to the left and right
sides (the vertically extending sides) to make the height
adjustable.
[0023] In addition, the adjustability of the netting panel 201, due
to the adjusting member 205, allows for the netting panel 201 to
accommodate items that may protrude from the shelving assembly
while still acting as a barrier for the storage space in which the
items are stored. Even if the netting assembly 200 has already been
installed and items are later placed in the storage space, the
netting panel 201 could automatically adjust to accommodate items
that may protrude from the shelving assembly without requiring
additional manual adjustment of the size of the netting panel
201.
[0024] The adjusting member 205 is preferably elastic webbing, but
any suitable elasticized material may be used. For example, an
elastic cord may be sewn onto the border or threaded or woven
through the border.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment netting assembly 400 having
a netting panel 401 and a border 402 secured about the perimeter of
the panel 401. A reinforcement 407 extends between opposing sides
(top and bottom) of the border 402 proximate the middle of the
panel 401. The border 402 and the reinforcement 407 are preferably
made of light weight polypropylene webbing. Adjusting members (not
shown) are secured to the border 402 and to the reinforcement 407
with stitching 406, and the adjusting members allow the netting
panel 401 to be adjusted vertically in height and horizontally in
length. The adjusting members secured to the left and right sides
of the netting panel 401 allow the netting panel 401 to be adjusted
vertically in height. The adjusting members secured to the top and
bottom sides of the netting panel 401 allow the netting panel 401
to be adjusted horizontally in length.
[0026] Although not shown, reinforcements may be positioned
diagonally on the netting panels and adjusting members may be
positioned on the diagonal reinforcements to adjust and tension the
netting panel diagonally.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows the netting assembly 200 installed on a support
assembly 529 proximate a bottom storage space of a shelving
assembly 500. The support assembly 529 interconnects the netting
assembly 200 and the shelving assembly 500. The shelving assembly
500 includes vertical support posts 520 supported on a support
surface such as a floor with bases 535 and horizontal supports 528,
which are supported by the vertical support posts 520 in a manner
well known in the art. Connectors 530 are operatively connected to
the posts 520 and are configured and arranged to support a cable
531 proximate the top of the storage space.
[0028] An elongate connecting member, such as a bar, 532 is
operatively connected to each of the vertically extending sides
(left and right sides) of the netting panel 201. The bars 532
include apertures 532a proximate the top and the bottom of the bars
532 through which fasteners, such as snap hooks, 536 may be
inserted to interconnect the bars 532 and the cable 531.
Preferably, the bars 532 are connected to the sides of the netting
panel 201 by passing the snap hooks 536 through the apertures 532a
and the grommets 203 proximate the top corners of the netting panel
201 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus the snap hooks 536 interconnect the
netting panel 201, the bars 532, and the cable 531. Other types of
fasteners, such as bolts, may be inserted through the openings in
the grommets along the sides of the netting panel 201 below the top
corner grommets and secured to the bars 532. Alternatively, other
types of fasteners, such as bolts, may be inserted through the
openings in the top corner grommets of the netting panel 201 and
secured to the bars 532 and the snap hooks 536 would interconnect
the bars 532 and the cable 531. Alternatively, the respective sides
of the netting panel 201 may include sleeves through which the bars
532 may be inserted to secure the netting panel 201 to the bars
532. Alternatively, the snap hooks 204 along the sides of the
netting panel 201 as shown in FIG. 2 may be secured about the bars
532 to secure the netting panel 201 to the bars 532. Other
connecting means may also be used.
[0029] The portion of the netting panel 201 between the left and
right sides may also be operatively connected to the cable 531 with
snap hooks 204. The snap hooks 536 and 204 allow the netting panel
201 to be slid along the length of the cable 531. Securing members
533 are configured and arranged to releasably interconnect the bars
532 and the vertical support posts 520 proximate the middle of the
storage space. Each of the securing members 533 includes a
connector 533a operatively connected to the bar 532, a slidable
member 533b, and a mounting member 533c operatively connected to
the post 520. The slidable member 533b may be slidably operatively
connected to either the connector 533a, as shown proximate the
right side of the netting panel 201, or the mounting member 533c,
as shown proximate the left side of the netting panel 201, and the
corresponding mounting member 533c or connector 533a acts as a
receptacle for receiving a hook portion of the slidable member
533b. The slidable members 533b are slidable into and out of the
receptacles to secure the bars 532 to the respective posts 520 in a
locked position and to release the bars 532 from the respective
posts 520 in an unlocked position. Preferably, the slidable members
533b are in the locked position securing the bars 532 to the posts
520 until it is desired to access items stored in the storage
space. The slidable members 533b may be slid out of the receptacles
and placed in the unlocked position so that the netting panel 201
may be slid along the cable 531 to access the items. The netting
panel 201 may be slid from left to right or from right to left.
[0030] Each time the slidable members 533b are placed in the locked
position, the adjusting members (not shown) may be stretched to
lengthen the netting panel 201 thus reducing the gap between the
adjusting members and the border of the netting panel 201, which
also automatically tensions the netting panel 201. If adjusting
members were positioned on the portions of the border extending
vertically, the netting panel 201 may be stretched to increase the
height of the netting panel 201 thus reducing the gap between the
adjusting member and the border of the netting panel 201, which
also automatically tensions the netting panel 201 when the snap
hooks 536 and 204 are installed along the cable 531.
[0031] If the netting assembly 200 is installed proximate a middle
or a top storage space of the shelving assembly 500, a bottom cable
would preferably also be used, and the bottom cable would be
similarly operatively connected to the posts 520 with connectors
530 and configured and arranged to support a cable 531 proximate
the bottom of the storage space. The netting panel would be
similarly connected to the bottom cable as described with respect
to the top cable.
[0032] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
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