U.S. patent application number 12/125054 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for bookshelf system.
Invention is credited to Robert T. Clifton.
Application Number | 20080302279 12/125054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094676 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clifton; Robert T. |
December 11, 2008 |
Bookshelf system
Abstract
A modular bookshelf system is disclosed. The bookshelf system
comprises a top shelf, at least one intermediate shelf, a base
shelf, and a plurality of modular side walls. The plurality of side
walls are slidingly supported and slidingly engaged between the
base shelf and the at least one intermediate shelf and between the
top shelf and the at least one intermediate shelf. Each of the
plurality of side walls comprises a generally vertical end wall and
back wall, and is configured to slidingly engage with and adjust
along a plurality of lengthwise slots formed in each of the top
shelf, bottom shelf, and at least one intermediate shelf.
Inventors: |
Clifton; Robert T.;
(Corinth, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert T. Clifton
1598 Cedar Elm Drive
Corinth
TX
76210
US
|
Family ID: |
40094676 |
Appl. No.: |
12/125054 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60939237 |
May 21, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/60 ; 108/180;
108/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 47/042 20130101;
A47B 57/583 20130101; A47B 87/0246 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/60 ; 108/59;
108/180 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/58 20060101
A47B057/58; A47B 57/00 20060101 A47B057/00; A47B 47/00 20060101
A47B047/00 |
Claims
1. A bookshelf system comprising: a base comprising a base shelf
and a pedestal, the base shelf having a first longitudinal slot
formed along a rear portion and the pedestal comprising at least
two lateral supports; a first pair of risers, each riser of the
first pair comprising a back wall and a side wall, the back wall
comprising a first longitudinal tab projecting downwardly along a
bottom edge and a second longitudinal tab projecting upwardly along
a top edge, the first tab slidingly engaged in the first slot, the
first pair of risers slidingly supported by the base shelf; a top
shelf having a second longitudinal slot formed along a rear
portion, the second slot slidingly receiving the second tab of each
of the first pair of risers, the top shelf slidingly supported by
the first pair of risers.
2. The bookshelf system of claim 1 further comprising: at least one
intermediate shelf having a third longitudinal slot formed along an
upper face towards a rear portion of the intermediate shelf and a
fourth longitudinal slot formed along a lower face towards the rear
portion of the intermediate shelf, the fourth slot slidingly
receiving the second tab of each of the first pair of risers, the
intermediate shelf slidingly supported by the first pair of risers;
and a second pair of risers, each riser of the second pair
comprising a back wall and a side wall, the back wall comprising a
third longitudinal tab projecting downwardly along a bottom edge
and a fourth longitudinal tab projecting upwardly along a top edge,
the third tab slidingly engaged in the third slot, the second pair
of risers slidingly supported by the intermediate shelf, the top
shelf second slot slidingly receiving the fourth tab of each of the
second pair of risers, the top shelf slidingly supported by the
second pair of risers.
3. The bookshelf system of claim 2 further comprising one or more
additional intermediate shelves and one or more additional pairs of
risers.
5. The bookshelf system of claim 1 wherein the base and top shelves
each include a safety margin at either end of the first and second
slots between the end of each first and second slot and a
respective side edge of the base and top shelves.
6. The bookshelf system of claim 5 wherein the back wall of each
riser includes a safety offset at an outside end of the first and
second tabs between the end of each first and second tab and an
outside edge of the back wall, the safety margins and safety
offsets being approximately equal.
7. The bookshelf system of claim 1 wherein each riser side wall has
a double-locking female joint aligned vertically along a rear edge
and each riser back wall has a double-locking male joint aligned
vertically along a rear edge, the double-locking male joint
slidibly engagable in the double-locking female joint.
8. The bookshelf system of claim 1 wherein each of the at least two
lateral supports has a taper from a front side to a back side such
that each lateral support is taller at the front side than at the
back side.
9. The bookshelf system of claim 1 wherein the taper has an angle
in the range of about 1 degree to about 12 degrees.
10. The bookshelf system of claim 1 wherein each of the first pair
of risers is slidably adjustable from a first position with the
side wall flush with an outer edge of the base shelf to a second
position with an inside edge of the back wall generally aligned
with a midpoint of the base shelf.
11. The bookshelf system of claim 10 wherein the second position is
limited by a safety stop, the safety stop formed in the first or
second slot to limit inward adjustability of each riser.
12. A modular bookshelf comprising: a top shelf; at least one
intermediate shelf; a base shelf; a plurality of modular side walls
slidingly supported and slidingly engaged between the base shelf
and the at least one intermediate shelf and between the top shelf
and the at least one intermediate shelf, each of the plurality of
side walls comprising a generally vertical end wall and back wall,
and configured to slidingly engage with and adjust along a
plurality of lengthwise slots formed in each of the top shelf,
bottom shelf, and at least one intermediate shelf.
13. The modular bookshelf of claim 1 wherein the bookshelf is
assembled without fasteners.
14. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 further comprising an
adjustable back stop to prevent objects from falling behind the
bookshelf.
15. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 further comprising a
plurality of lateral safety stops to prevent the plurality of side
walls from adjusting beyond an outer edge of the bookshelf.
16. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 further comprising a
plurality of safety components attached to the bookshelf to prevent
accidental separation or accidental tip-over.
17. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality
of side walls comprises an end wall and back wall slidingly coupled
with a double-locking joint.
18. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 wherein the plurality of side
walls are freely configurable between inside and outside
positions.
19. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 wherein the plurality of side
walls comprises a first pair of side walls having a first height
and a second pair of side walls having a second height different
than the first height.
20. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 further comprising at least
first and second intermediate shelves, the first intermediate shelf
having a first depth and the second intermediate shelf having a
second depth different from the first depth.
21. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 wherein the base shelf
comprises a tapered pedestal, the tapered pedestal having an angle
such that a rear edge of the top shelf rests against a wall when
the base shelf is about two inches from the wall with about six
feet between the top shelf and the base shelf.
22. The modular bookshelf of claim 12 wherein the base shelf
comprises a non-tapered pedestal allowing the bookshelf to be
freestanding.
23. The modular bookshelf of claim 17 wherein the double-locking
joint comprises a female portion having at least two retaining
grooves and a male portion having at least two tongues.
24. The modular bookshelf of claim 23 wherein the double-locking
joint prevents angular separation and permits sliding
engagement.
25. The modular bookshelf of claim 24 wherein the end wall and back
wall of each of the plurality of side walls are maintained in a
perpendicular relationship to each other by the double-locking
joint.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/939,237 filed May 21, 2007, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bookshelf systems are typically purchased as pre-built units
or do-it-yourself assembly kits. Pre-built bookshelves can be heavy
to move and fixed in their configuration, although some bookshelves
have shelves that are height-adjustable. Pre-built bookshelves may
thus be limited to locations that are properly accessible and to
static configurations and applications.
[0003] Bookshelf systems which require do-it-yourself assembly can
be difficult to assemble, requiring numerous tools and specialized
fasteners. Similar to pre-built bookshelves, user-assembled units,
once erected, can be heavy to move and are typically fixed in their
configuration. User-assembled bookshelves may be difficult to
disassemble, and may lack the strength and stability of pre-built
bookshelves. Thus, there is a need for bookshelf systems which are
easy to assemble, re-configure, and disassemble, but which are also
strong and stable.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a bookshelf system is disclosed
comprising a base which is comprised of a base shelf and a
pedestal. The base shelf has a first longitudinal slot formed along
a rear portion and the pedestal comprises at least two lateral
supports. The bookshelf system further comprises a first pair of
risers. Each riser of the first pair comprises a back wall and a
side wall. The back wall comprises a first longitudinal tab
projecting downwardly along a bottom edge and a second longitudinal
tab projecting upwardly along a top edge. The first tab is
slidingly engaged in the first slot and the first pair of risers is
slidingly supported by the base shelf. The bookshelf system further
comprises a top shelf having a second longitudinal slot formed
along a rear portion. The second slot slidingly receives the second
tab of each of the first pair of risers and the top shelf is
slidingly supported by the first pair of risers.
[0005] According to another exemplary embodiment, a modular
bookshelf system is disclosed. The bookshelf system comprises a top
shelf, at least one intermediate shelf, a base shelf, and a
plurality of modular side walls. The plurality of side walls are
slidingly supported and slidingly engaged between the base shelf
and the at least one intermediate shelf and between the top shelf
and the at least one intermediate shelf. Each of the plurality of
side walls comprises a generally vertical end wall and back wall,
and is configured to slidingly engage with and adjust along a
plurality of lengthwise slots formed in each of the top shelf,
bottom shelf, and at least one intermediate shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from
the following detailed description when read with the accompanying
figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard
practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale.
In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily
increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the bookshelf system
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial rear isometric view of the bookshelf
system according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bookshelf
system taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bookshelf system according to
an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] This disclosure describes a novel bookshelf system which
allows for many different configurations due to its modular and
adjustable design. In particular, the sides and back of the
bookshelf are divided into risers that are inwardly and outwardly
adjustable at each shelf level. Assembly can be accomplished
without fasteners and disassembly is equally simplified. Other
novel features are disclosed herein.
[0012] With reference to accompanying FIGS. 1-4, this invention
provides a novel bookshelf system 100 comprised of a base 102, a
plurality of risers 104, an optional intermediate shelf or shelves
106 and a top shelf 108.
[0013] The base 102 is comprised of a pedestal 110 and a base shelf
112.
[0014] The base shelf 112 has front and back sides and edges, left
and right ends and edges, and top and bottom faces. The base shelf
112 has a thickness defined by the top and bottom faces, a depth
defined by the front and back edges, and a length defined by the
left and right edges. The top and bottom faces are generally
parallel and smooth.
[0015] The top face of the base shelf 112 includes a tab slot 114
that extends generally parallel to the back edge and is located
towards the back side of the base shelf. The tab slot 114 extends
between the left and right ends and may or may not extend through
the left and right edges. The tab slot 114 has a depth that may
extend from the top face of the base shelf through the bottom face
of the base shelf, or the tab slot depth may not extend through the
bottom face of the base shelf. The tab slot 114 has an opening
width that is substantially constant. On each left or right end
where the tab slot 114 does not extend through the edge, a safety
stop distance 116 is defined as the distance from the end of the
tab slot 114 to the left or right edge.
[0016] The pedestal 110 includes at least two lateral supports 118
and optional rear and front supports (not shown). Each lateral
support 118 has a front end, a back end, a top face, a bottom face,
a front face, a back face, an inner face, and an outer face. The
lateral support has a height defined by the top and bottom faces, a
thickness defined by the inner and outer faces, and a length
defined by the front and back faces. The top face is generally
perpendicular to the inner face, outer face, front face and back
face. The inner and outer faces are generally parallel to each
other and perpendicular to the front and back faces.
[0017] Each lateral support 118 includes a bottom taper 120 that
starts at the intersection of the front face and the bottom face
and extends to the intersection of the back face and the bottom
face. The taper 120 is generally smooth and linear, and effectively
makes the height of the lateral support shorter at the back end
than the front end. At least two lateral supports 118 are fixedly
attached by their top faces to the bottom face of the base shelf.
The lateral supports 118 are oriented generally parallel to each
other and generally parallel to the left and right edges of the
base shelf. The back ends of the lateral supports align towards the
back side of the base shelf.
[0018] Optional front and rear supports (not shown) have
dimensional features similar to the lateral supports but without
lengthwise tapering. A rear support may be fixedly attached by its
top face to the bottom face of the base shelf and extend from the
back end of one of the lateral supports to the back end of another
lateral support. The height of the rear support may be equal to or
less than the height of the lateral supports 118 as measured at the
back ends.
[0019] A front support may be fixedly attached by its top face to
the bottom face of the base shelf and extend from the front end of
one of the lateral supports to the front end of another lateral
support. The height of the front support may be equal to or less
than the height of the lateral supports 118 as measured at the
front ends.
[0020] Each of the plurality of risers 104 is comprised of a side
piece 122 and a back piece 124.
[0021] The side piece 122 has a front end, a back end, a top face,
a bottom face, a front face, a back face, an inner face, and an
outer face. The side piece 122 has a height defined by the top and
bottom faces, a thickness defined by the inner and outer faces, and
a width defined by the front and back faces. The top face is
generally perpendicular to the inner face, outer face, front face
and back face. The inner and outer faces are generally parallel to
each other and perpendicular to the front and back faces.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the side piece 122 has a double-locking
female joint 126 that extends from the top face to the bottom face
through the intersection or corner formed by the back face and the
inner face. The double-locking female joint 126 is formed by a
primary groove 128 and a secondary groove 130 which are oriented
substantially perpendicular to each other. The primary groove 128
extends substantially parallel with the inner face, while the
secondary groove 130 extends substantially parallel with the back
face. The primary and secondary grooves 128, 130 are each
constrained on three sides. An inside constraining portion 132 has
a thickness measured from an inside surface of the primary groove
128 to the inner face of the side piece 122. A back constraining
portion 134 has a thickness measured from an inside surface of the
secondary groove 130 to the back face of the side piece 122. The
double-locking female joint 126 is designed to slidably mate with a
double-locking male joint 136 described below.
[0023] The back piece 124 has a front end, a back end, a top face,
a bottom face, a front face, a back face, an inner face, and an
outer face. The back piece 124 has a height defined by the top and
bottom faces, a thickness defined by the front and back faces, and
a width defined by the inner and outer faces. The top face is
generally perpendicular to the inner face, outer face, front face
and back face. The front and back faces are generally parallel to
each other and perpendicular to the inner and outer faces.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the back piece 124 has a double-locking
male joint 136 that extends from the top face to the bottom face
through the intersection or corner formed by the front face and the
outer face. The double-locking male joint 136 is formed by a
primary tongue 138, a secondary tongue 140 and a primary tongue
groove 142. The primary and secondary tongues 138, 140 are oriented
substantially perpendicular to each other. The primary tongue 138
extends substantially parallel with the outer face, while the
secondary tongue 140 extends substantially parallel with the front
face. The primary tongue groove 142 extends along the side of the
primary tongue 138 which is away from the outer face. The primary
and secondary tongues 138, 140 each have three sides.
[0025] The back piece 124 has an upper tab 144 extending along the
top face and a lower tab 146 extending along the bottom face. The
upper and lower tabs 144, 146 have a height that is equal to or
less than the depth of the tab slot 114 and the upper and lower
tabs 144, 146 have a width that is equal to or less than the width
of the tab slot 114. The upper or lower tab 144, 146 may extend the
entire width of the back piece or may not extend the entire width.
The upper or lower tab 144, 146 may stop short of the outer face of
the back piece 124 by a spacer distance 148 approximately equal to
the safety stop distance 116.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inside constraining portion
132 of the side piece primary groove 128 is designed to slidably
mate with the primary tongue groove 142 of the back piece 124. The
primary tongue 138 of the back piece 124 is designed to slidably
mate with the primary groove 128 of the side piece 122 and the
secondary tongue 140 of the back piece 124 is designed to slidably
mate with the secondary groove 130 of the side piece 122. Thus the
double-locking male joint 136 and double-locking female joint 126
are slidably mated together to form a riser 104. The back piece 124
and side piece 122, when slidably mated together are oriented
substantially perpendicular to each other.
[0027] The riser 104 is slidably placed onto the base shelf 112 as
shown in FIG. 2. In particular, the lower tab 146 of the back piece
124 is slidably inserted into the top face tab slot 114 of the base
shelf 112. The back piece is oriented to substantially straddle the
top face tab slot 114 and the side piece 122 is oriented so that
its bottom face is unfixedly supported by the top face of the base
shelf 112. At least two opposing risers 104 are used to form a
bookshelf system 100. The risers may be positioned with the back
pieces oriented towards each other or away from each other. In
addition, the spacer distance 148 and safety stop distance 116 may
be adjusted to limit the travel of the riser to not travel beyond a
position where the outer face of the side piece and the left or
right edge of the base shelf are substantially coplanar, or flush.
Alternatively, the tab slot 114 may not extend continuously, but
may be divided into a plurality of tab slots, such that each of the
plurality of tab slots defines a limited range of slideable
positioning for a particular riser.
[0028] In addition, the width of the side piece as compared to the
width of the back piece may be limited to a ratio, such as, for
example, two-to-one for purposes of stability or other
functionality or ornamentation.
[0029] The intermediate shelf 106, as shown in FIG. 1, has front
and back sides and edges, left and right ends and edges, and top
and bottom faces. The intermediate shelf 106 has a thickness
defined by the top and bottom faces, a depth defined by the front
and back edges, and a length defined by the left and right edges.
The top and bottom faces are generally parallel and smooth.
[0030] The top face of the intermediate shelf 106 includes a tab
slot 114 that travels generally parallel to the back edge and is
located towards the back side of the shelf. The tab slot 114
extends between the left and right ends of the intermediate shelf
and may or may not extend through the edges. The tab slot 114 has a
depth that may extend from the top face of the shelf through the
bottom face of the shelf, or the tab slot depth may not extend
through the bottom face of the shelf. The tab slot 114 has an
opening width that is substantially constant. On each left or right
end where the tab slot does not extend through the edge, a safety
stop distance 116 is defined as the distance from the end of the
tab slot to the left or right edge. The intermediate shelf 106 also
has a bottom face tab slot that substantially mirrors the top face
tab stop in design and functionality. The top face tab slot 114 and
bottom face tab slot may extend through the shelf thickness to
effectively merge with each other, or their respective depths may
prevent such a merger.
[0031] The intermediate shelf 106 mates to at least two risers 104
which are previously slidably positioned on the base shelf 112. In
particular, the upper tabs 144 of the back pieces of the risers are
slidably inserted into the bottom face tab slot of the intermediate
shelf 106. Two additional risers may be added to the top face of
the intermediate shelf 106 in a manner as described above. The
risers may be positioned with the back pieces oriented towards each
other or away from each other. In addition, the spacer distances
and safety stop distances may be adjusted to limit the travel of
the risers to not travel beyond a position where the outer face of
the side pieces and the left or right edge of the intermediate
and/or base shelf are substantially coplanar, or flush.
Alternatively, the tab slots may not extend continuously, but may
be divided into a plurality of tab slots, such that each of the
plurality of tab slots defines a limited range of slideable
positioning for a particular riser.
[0032] The top shelf 108 has front and back sides and edges, left
and right ends and edges, and top and bottom faces. The top shelf
108 has a thickness defined by the top and bottom faces, a depth
defined by the front and back edges, and a length defined by the
left and right edges. The top and bottom faces are generally
parallel and smooth. The bottom face includes a tab slot that
travels generally parallel to the back edge and is located towards
the back side of the shelf. The bottom face tab slot of the top
shelf extends between the left and right ends and may or may not
extend through the edges. The tab slot has a depth that may extend
from the bottom face of the shelf through the top face of the
shelf, or the tab slot depth may not extend through the top face of
the top shelf. The tab slot has an opening width that is
substantially constant. On each left or right end where the tab
slot does not extend through the edge, a safety stop distance is
defined as the distance from the end of the slot to the left or
right edge.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the top shelf 108 mates to the at least
two risers which are already slidably positioned on an intermediate
shelf 106 or base shelf 112. In particular, the upper tabs of the
back pieces of the risers are slidably inserted into the bottom
face tab slot of the top shelf. The risers may be positioned with
the back pieces oriented towards each other or away from each
other. In addition, the spacer distances and safety stop distances
may be adjusted to limit the travel of the risers to not travel
beyond a position where the outer face of the side pieces and the
left or right edge of the top shelf and/or intermediate shelf
and/or base shelf are substantially coplanar, or flush.
Alternatively, the tab slot may not extend continuously, but may be
divided into a plurality of tab slots, such that each of the
plurality of tab slots defines a limited range of slideable
positioning for a particular riser.
[0034] Alternatives are herein disclosed as to varying shelf sizes
and features. An optional screen or back plane may be added to the
back of the system or between shelves. Additional risers or
modified risers may be added to a particular shelf to act as
bookends or to offer additional support. The system may be used
with or without an intermediate shelf, or the system may include
more than one intermediate shelf.
[0035] Benefits may be obvious to one skilled in the art but
include a shelving system that can be assembled and disassembled
without use of fasteners or bracing on the back. The absence of
fasteners and ease of assembly and adjustment may make this system
particularly desirable to users with limited assembly skill or
limited physical strength. The absence of fastening hardware may
make this system cheaper to produce and thereby more affordable to
a larger market than traditional shelving. The bookshelf system 100
may be packed and shipped in a flat box requiring a minimum amount
of space. The system is easily expandable to include more shelves,
risers, etc. The system is easily reconfigurable to allow for
changing storage needs and tastes. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,
the risers 104 can be closed together as shown by dotted lines and
repositioning arrows. Moving the risers in towards the center of
the bookshelf system may allow for storing lighter objects on the
outer edges and heavier objects in the center. As a user's needs
change, the risers could be spread to the maximum extents, for
example, to store a set of heavy books. The risers can be taller to
allow for storing taller objects and books or shorter for storing
or presenting objects such as CD's or videos. In the latter
example, the shelves may be deeper or narrower, or longer or
shorter depending on the desired usage.
[0036] One particular novel and beneficial feature of the system is
the bottom taper 120 of the pedestal lateral supports 118, as shown
in FIG. 4. The purpose of the taper 120 is to allow the system to
lean towards a supporting wall 152 as the height of the system
increases by the addition of other shelves. In one arrangement, the
taper 120 is at an angle such that the back edge of the top shelf
of a six foot tall system is resting (see arrow 154) against a
supporting wall 152 when the back edge of the base shelf is spaced
a small distance 156 from the wall. Additionally, the bookshelf
pedestal may include lateral supports 118 with zero degrees of
taper such that the system may be freestanding, such as in the
center of a room or behind a couch. Additionally, the taper angle
may be in the range of about 1 to about 12 degrees. In another
embodiment the base shelf is touching the supporting wall. In
another embodiment safety hardware or devices may be added as
needed to prevent accidental tip-over or accidental separation of
the shelving unit.
[0037] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been
described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand
that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations
herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, all such changes, substitutions and
alterations are intended to be included within the scope of the
present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the
claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the
structures described herein as performing the recited function and
not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent
structures.
* * * * *