U.S. patent application number 12/544534 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for combination shelf structure.
Invention is credited to Shen-Jung CHENG, Yang-Chiang CHENG.
Application Number | 20110042336 12/544534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43604475 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110042336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHENG; Yang-Chiang ; et
al. |
February 24, 2011 |
COMBINATION SHELF STRUCTURE
Abstract
A combination shelf structure has a design of combining storage
partition layers and support rods of a combination shelf. The
support rods are installed at a right angle with the storage
partition layers, and two support rods are installed into two upper
and lower insert slots with an interval apart from one another.
Upper and lower embedding plates are formed on both sides of each
corner position of a frame of the storage partition layer
respectively by a hollow stamping process, such that the embedding
plate and the frame are situated on the same plane, and the storage
partition layer can be combined securely and easily by using the
embedding plate of the frame and the insert slot of the support
rod. In addition, the storage partitions and the insert slots of
the support rod can be rearranged with appropriate installation
elements to achieve a different shape of the shelf.
Inventors: |
CHENG; Yang-Chiang; (US)
; CHENG; Shen-Jung; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lu & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 1380
HAVERTOWN
PA
19083
US
|
Family ID: |
43604475 |
Appl. No.: |
12/544534 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/02 20130101;
A47B 57/40 20130101; A47B 57/482 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/153 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A combination shelf structure, comprising a plurality of support
rods and a predetermined number of storage partition layers engaged
with each other, wherein: the plurality of support rods are
L-shaped plate-rods, each having a pair of protruding insert slots
formed at a predetermined number of horizontal levels respectively
on each side of the support rod, and every two insert slots at each
horizontal level are formed at upper and lower positions, and
protruded towards an internal side of the combining plate; the
plurality of storage partition layers, each having a pair of
embedding plates disposed at predetermined positions on each side
of four corner positions of the frame, and the embedding plates are
installed at upper and lower positions, such that the embedding
plates correspond to the two insert slots of the support rod
precisely, and the embedding plates are situated on a same plane of
the frame; thereby, the insert slot of the combining plate of the
support rod is provided for embedding and combining the embedding
plate of the frame of the storage partition layer to achieve a
secured connection between the support rod and the storage
partition layer.
2. The combination shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the upper
embedding plate of the frame of the storage partition layer has a
U-shaped hollow hole formed on a side of the frame by a hollow
stamping process, and the lower embedding plate has a notch formed
by a stamping process, such that the embedding plate has a length A
greater than the depth C of the insert slot of the support rod, and
an interval B between the lower edge of the upper embedding plate
and the lower edge of the hollow hole is greater than the depth C
of the insert slot of the support rod, and the insert slot of the
support rod can be passed successfully into the hollow hole of the
storage partition layer for embedding and combining the embedding
plate.
3. The combination shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the insert
slot of the support frame is selectively inserted into a stop plate
for stopping and limiting a position of placing an object on the
storage partition layer, preventing the object from toppling or
falling down, and reinforcing the shelf structure.
4. The combination shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the insert
slot of the support frame is selectively inserted into a support
element for placing the storage partition layer.
5. The combination shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the frame of
the storage partition layer includes one or more pairs of inwardly
protruded insert slots formed at predetermined positions on both
sides of the frame for inserting and installing an auxiliary
support frame and achieving the effects of enhancing a support
effect and increasing a supporting capability.
6. The combination shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the frame of
the storage partition layer includes one or more pairs of inwardly
protruded insert slots formed on two opposite side plates for
inserting and installing an auxiliary support frame, and the
auxiliary support frame include a lower step section with a height
difference formed separately at both ends of the auxiliary support
frame, and an embedding plate formed by downwardly extending and
folding a distal end of the auxiliary support frame, so that a
height difference of the lower step section can be used for
avoiding an upper labial plate of the frame to complete inserting
and combining the auxiliary support frame with the frame, and
maintain the top of the auxiliary support frame in level with the
top of the frame, so as to enhance a stable support effect to a
partition layer thereabove.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a combination shelf
structure, in particular to a design of a combination shelf
structure that combines storage partition layers with support rods,
and uses an embedding plate installed at each corner position of a
frame of the storage partition layer together with an insert slot
formed at a position corresponding to the support rod to embed and
fix the storage partition layers with the support rods
securely.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, a combination shelf usually comes with a
structural design comprising a plurality of support rods and a
predetermined number of storage partition layers. To combine the
storage partition layers with the support rods bolt holes are
formed at predetermined positions of the support rods, such that
bolts can be used for securing the storage partition layers, or
support elements for latching and positioning the storage partition
layers, so as to complete assembling the shelf.
[0005] However, the way of connecting the support rods and the
storage partition layers of the aforementioned combination shelf
still has the following drawbacks. If the support rods and the
storage partition layers are connected directly by bolts, then the
weight of stored objects is concentrated at locking positions of
the bolts to result in an insufficient structural strength or fail
to support a heavy weight, and thus the application of the shelf is
limited. If a support element is used for latching and positioning
the storage partition layer, then it is difficult to maintain a
secured connection between the storage partition layer and the
support rod, and both of them may be shaken or loosened easily, and
thus such arrangement affects the overall applicability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the aforementioned shortcomings of the
conventional combination shelf, the inventor of the present
invention based on years of experience in the related industry to
conduct extensive researches and experiments, and finally designed
and developed a combination shelf in accordance with the present
invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.
[0007] Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present
invention to provide a combination shelf that embeds the storage
partition layers with the support rods to achieve a secured
connection and prevent the storage partition layers and the Support
rods from being loosened and shaken, so as to enhance the
applicability of the combination shelf.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
structural design for achieving a secured connection between a
storage partition layer and a support rod to enhance the strength
of carrying a weight for storing heavy objects and improving the
overall applicability of the combination shelf.
[0009] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a
structural design capable of installing an additional auxiliary
support frame at a predetermine position of the storage partition
layer to enhance the strength of carrying a weight, if needed, and
store objects on the shelf in a more flexible and practical
way.
[0010] To achieve the foregoing objectives, the structural design
of the present invention comprises a support rod installed at a
right angle, and two support rods are installed into two upper and
lower insert slots with an interval apart from one another. Upper
and lower embedding plates are formed on both sides of each corner
position of a frame of the storage partition layer respectively by
a hollow stamping process, such that the embedding plate and the
frame are situated on the same plane, and the storage partition
layer can be combined securely and easily by using the embedding
plate of the frame and the insert slot of the support rod. In
addition, the storage partitions and the insert slots of the
support rod can be rearranged with appropriate installation
elements to achieve a different shape of the shelf and provide a
more flexible and diversified application of the shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination shelf
structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a combination
shelf structure in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a partial structure of a frame
of a storage partition layer in accordance with a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a partial structure of a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a structural relation of a
first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an application in accordance
with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a combination shelf
structure in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an auxiliary support rod
structure in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an auxiliary support rod
structure before it is inserted into and connected to a storage
partition layer in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an auxiliary support rod
structure after it is inserted into and connected to a storage
partition layer in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The structure, assembly technical characteristics and
effects of the present invention will become apparent with the
detailed description of preferred embodiment together with related
drawings as follows:
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 for a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a perspective
view of a combination shelf structure. FIGS. 2 and 3 show schematic
views of a portion of a combination shelf structure, FIG. 4 shows
an exploded view of a portion of a combination shelf structure,
FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the connection of a combination
shelf, and FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an application of a
combination shelf. The structural design of the combination shelf
in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention
comprises four support rods 10 and a predetermined number of
storage partition layers 20 embedded with each other.
[0023] The plurality of support rods 10 are L-shaped plate-rods
formed by stamping a metal sheet, and each support rod 10 has a
pair of protruding insert slots 12, 13 formed at a predetermined
number of horizontal levels of a combining plate 11 on each side of
the support rod 10, and the insert slots 12, 13 are formed
integrally by stamping the combining plate 11, and two insert slots
12, 13 at each horizontal level are formed at upper and lower
positions and protruded towards an internal side of the combining
plate 11, such that the insert slots 12, 13 at a multiple of
horizontal levels can be used for flexibly adjusting the number of
storage partition layers 20 and the interval between two storage
partition layers 20 according to the requirements of storing
different objects. The plurality of storage partition layers 20 can
be in a form of a grid net or a slab. The grid net shaped storage
partition layer 20 as shown in the figure is formed by a mesh plate
21 and a frame 22, wherein a pair of embedding plates 23, 24 are
formed on each side of four corner positions of the frame 22
respectively, and the embedding plates 23, 24 are installed at
upper and lower positions, such that a U-shaped hollow hole 25 is
formed on a side of the upper embedding plate 23 of the frame 22 by
a hollow stamping process, and a notch 26 is formed on the lower
embedding plate 24 by a stamping process, such that the embedding
plates 23, 24 correspond to the two insert slots 12, 13 of the
support rod 10 precisely, and the embedding plates 23, 24 and the
frame 22 are situated on a same plane, and both embedding plates
23, 24 have a length A greater than the depth C of the insert slots
12, 13 of the support rod 10, and an interval B between the bottom
of the embedding plate 23 and the bottom of the hollow hole 25 is
greater than the depth C of the insert slots 12, 13 of the support
rod 10, so that the insert slots 12, 13 of the support rod 10 can
be passed through the hollow hole 25 of storage partition layer 20
successfully and provided for embedding and combining the embedding
plate 23, 24. With the aforementioned structural design, the upper
and lower insert slots 12, 13 of the support rod 10 are provided,
such that when the embedding plates 23, 24 of the storage partition
layer 20 and the insert slots 12, 13 of the support rod 10 are
embedded and combined with each other, dual upper and lower
fixations can be achieved. In addition, the positions of the
embedding plates 23, 24 and the insert slots 12, 13 on each side
are predetermined to maintain a secured overall connection, and the
weight of objects placed on the shelf can be shared uniformly
without a risk of being shaken or loosened. With a plurality of
sets of insert slots 12, 13 formed on the support rods 10, a user
can selectively insert a stop plate 30 between two adjacent support
rods 10 by using the insert slots 12, 13 according to the required
condition of storing objects to prevent the objects from toppling
or falling down and reinforce the structure. The user also can
adjust the storage partition layers to meet the requirement of
storing different objects or insert a support element 40 into the
insert slot 12 at the same horizontal level of each support rod 10
to provide a secured support to each of the corner positions of the
storage partition 20'. Therefore, the combination shelf of the
present invention can provide a more flexible and practical
application.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 for schematic views of a
combination shelf structure and FIGS. 9 and 10 for schematic views
of a structural relation of a combination shelf in accordance with
a second preferred embodiment of the present invention
respectively, the inwardly protruded insert slots of the support
rod 10 together with the embedding plates at the corner positions
of the storage partition frame 22 are provided for achieving a
quick and secured combination. If the size of the storage partition
frame 22 is larger or a glass plate (not shown in the figure) is
installed, then the user can install an auxiliary support frame 50
transversally or longitudinally into one or more pairs of inwardly
protruded insert slots 27 at predetermined positions on two
opposite sideboards of the frame 22 to enhance the structural
strength of the storage-layer plate 20, wherein the auxiliary
support frame 50 is formed by stamping a metal sheet and includes a
lower step section 51 with a height different disposed separately
on both ends of the auxiliary support frame 50, and an embedding
plate 52 formed by folding a distal edge downward. The height
difference of the lower step section 51 is provided for avoiding an
upper labial plate of the frame 22, such that the auxiliary support
frame 50 and the frame 22 can be installed successfully. After the
embedding plates 52 are embedded into the predetermined insert
slots 27 on the sideboard of the frame 22, the top of the auxiliary
support frame 22 is level with the top of the frame 22 to achieve
the effects of reinforcing the support of the partition installed
above and improving the weight bearing capability, so as to enhance
the stability and safety of storing objects on the shelf.
[0025] In summation of the description above, the present invention
combines the support rods and the storage partition layers of the
combination shelf by using pairs of insert slots formed at upper
and lower positions and having a predetermined interval between two
combining plates of the support rod together with an embedding
plate formed at each corner position of the storage partition layer
by a stamping process, such that the support rod and the storage
partition layer can be embedded and combined with each other in
quick and simple way. In addition the upper and lower positions of
the insert slots are provided for assuring a secured connection
without the issue of being loosened or shaken, so as to overcome
the shortcomings of the prior art. With the insert slots, users can
add storage partition layer frames and auxiliary support frames as
well as stop plates and support elements to provide a more flexible
and practical application of the combination shelf.
[0026] The present invention improves over the prior art and
complies with the patent application requirements, and thus is duly
filed for patent applications. While the invention has been
described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications
and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set
forth in the claims.
* * * * *