U.S. patent application number 13/960134 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-20 for shelving system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lawrence D. Brookes. The applicant listed for this patent is Lawrence D. Brookes. Invention is credited to Lawrence D. Brookes.
Application Number | 20140048500 13/960134 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50099326 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140048500 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brookes; Lawrence D. |
February 20, 2014 |
SHELVING SYSTEM
Abstract
Shelving systems having repositionable shelves are described
herein. A locking mechanism releasably secures cleats at
predetermined positions relative to supports. The cleats disclosed
herein are configured and adapted to support different objects
including shelves and/or elongated objects, e.g., bars that are
configured and adapted to support bottles thereon.
Inventors: |
Brookes; Lawrence D.;
(Washington, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brookes; Lawrence D. |
Washington |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Brookes; Lawrence D.
Washington
NJ
|
Family ID: |
50099326 |
Appl. No.: |
13/960134 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61684379 |
Aug 17, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/74 ;
211/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/34 20130101;
A47B 73/008 20130101; A47B 73/00 20130101; A47B 57/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/74 ;
211/134 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/10 20060101
A47B057/10; A47B 73/00 20060101 A47B073/00 |
Claims
1. A shelving system including: a first and second pair of
supports, the first pair having a first and second support and the
second pair having a third and fourth support, each support
defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally
spaced along the height of the support; a first shelf cleat
positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and
second support; a second shelf cleat positioned between the third
and fourth support; and a locking mechanism to lock the first and
second cleats at a predetermined position relative to the
notches.
2. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the first and second
shelf cleats are configured and adapted to support an elongated
object.
3. The shelving system of claim 2, wherein the elongated object is
a shelf.
4. The shelving system of claim 2, wherein the elongated object is
a bottle.
5. The shelving system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the
first and second cleats includes a depression defined in an upper
surface of the at least one of the first and second cleats, the
depression corresponding to a dimension of the elongated
object.
6. A shelving system including: a first shelf cleat; and a second
shelf cleat, the second shelf cleat spaced a distance apart from
the first shelf cleat and generally opposing the first shelf cleat,
wherein the first shelf cleat includes a first groove and the
second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the first and second
grooves generally opposing one another and aligned along a common
axis and configured and adapted to support an elongated object
therein.
7. The shelving system of claim 6, wherein the elongated object is
a bottle.
8. A shelving system including: a first and second pair of
supports, the first pair having a first and second support and the
second pair having a third and fourth support, each support
defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally
spaced along the height of the support; a first shelf cleat
positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and
second support; a second shelf cleat positioned between the third
and fourth support, wherein the first shelf cleat includes a first
groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the
first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and are
configured to support an elongated object.
9. The shelving system of claim 8, wherein the elongated object is
a bottle.
10. A shelving system including: a first and second pair of
supports, the first pair having a first and second support and the
second pair having a third and fourth support, each support
defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally
spaced along the height of the support; a first shelf cleat
positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and
second support; a second shelf cleat positioned between the third
and fourth support, wherein the first shelf cleat includes a first
groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the
first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and are
configured to support a first bar defining a first depression
configured to receive an elongated object therein.
11. The shelving system of claim 10, wherein the first shelf cleat
includes a third groove and the second shelf cleat includes a
fourth groove, and further including a second bar supported within
the third and fourth grooves, the second bar defining a second
depression configured to receive the elongated object therein such
that the elongated object is supportable by both the first and
second depressions.
12. The shelving system of claim 10 further including a third and
fourth shelf cleat, wherein the third shelf cleat includes a third
groove and the second shelf cleat includes a fourth groove, the
third and fourth grooves aligned along a common axis and configured
to support a second bar defining a second depression configured to
receive an elongated object therein, wherein the third and fourth
shelf cleats are positioned at different heights with respect to
the supports such that when the elongated object is placed upon the
first and second depressions, the elongated object is tilted.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing
date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/684,379 filed
Aug. 17, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a shelving
system, and more particularly to a shelving system including a
shelving cleat that is securable and repositionable with respect to
supports.
[0003] The selection and placement of books and other items upon a
shelf is a reflection of the personality and creativity of the
individual who placed them upon the shelf.
[0004] A shelving unit, e.g., a bookcase, commonly includes a
cabinet having a height, a width, and a depth. The cabinet is
compartmentalized by shelves that are placed within the cabinet.
Each shelf has a width and a depth corresponding to the width and
depth of the cabinet in which they are placed. Multiple shelves may
be placed within the cabinet and spaced apart from one another
along the height of the cabinet.
[0005] The placement of items upon a shelf is limited by the
physical dimensions of the items and the space upon the shelf. For
example, books are published in a multitude of sizes. Commonly,
librarians and publishers refer to the sizes of books as ranging
from "folio" (the largest), to "quarto" (smaller), and "octavo"
(the smallest). Oftentimes, a particularly oversized book is unable
to stand upright within a bookcase and the book must therefore be
placed upon its side on the shelf.
[0006] Some commercially available shelving units include
repositionable shelves to accommodate items of varying sizes within
the shelving unit. In particular, the shelves are repositionable
with respect to the height of the shelving unit such that the
shelves may be spaced apart by a dimension corresponding to the
height of the tallest item to be placed between the shelves.
[0007] One such shelving unit that includes repositionable shelves
has a cabinet having two generally opposing sides. Each side
includes two columns of apertures extending along the length of the
side. The apertures are aligned in rows defining an axis
perpendicular to the height of the side. The two sides, and the
arrangement of the apertures on each side, are substantially mirror
images of each other. Each aperture is configured to receive a pin
therein such that four pins may be positioned in apertures
positioned along a common plane. A shelf may be rested upon the
four pins. Repositioning of the shelf is achieved by removing the
pins and placing the pins within apertures located in another row
with respect to each side. This shelving unit is referred to herein
as the "shelf-pin system".
[0008] While the shelf-pin system is relatively simple to
manufacture and use, it has several critical drawbacks. The depth
of the apertures is limited by the width of the sides of the
cabinet. To save material and to maximize the internal dimensions
of the cabinet, the sides of the cabinet are often relatively thin.
The extent to which a pin placed in such an aperture is limited by
the depth to which the pin is inserted in the aperture. In
particular, the longer the pin protrudes from the aperture, the
greater the force exerted by the pin upon the sides of the aperture
in which it is positioned. Therefore, relatively short pins support
relatively long and heavy shelves.
[0009] The shelves of the shelf-pin system merely rest upon the
pins and are not otherwise fixed or secured within the cabinet.
Consequently, a shelf may move when touched or when items are
placed upon or removed from the shelf. Such movement may cause pins
to become loose or to disengage from the apertures in which they
are placed. Once a pin disengaged from the aperture, the shelf is
no longer adequately supported and is unstable. Consequently, the
shelf may fall and items placed upon the shelf may break much to
the consternation of the shelving unit's owner. Moreover, the
dislodged pins may be lost, preventing replacement of the shelf and
rendering the shelving unit nonfunctional.
[0010] A continuing need exists for new and improved shelving
systems and devices that facilitate the repositioning of shelves
with fewer drawbacks than those of currently available systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0011] Disclosed herein is a shelving system including a first and
second pair of supports. The first pair of supports includes a
first and second support, and the second pair of supports includes
a third and fourth support. Each support defines a height and
includes a plurality of notches that are longitudinally spaced
along the height of the support. A first shelf cleat is positioned
between generally opposing notches of the first and second support.
A second shelf cleat is positioned between the third and fourth
support. An elongated object, e.g., a shelf, is supported by upper
surfaces of the first and second shelf cleats. A locking mechanism
releasably secures the first and second cleats at a predetermined
position relative to the notches.
[0012] In an embodiment, a shelving system includes a first and
second pair of supports. The first pair includes a first and second
support and the second pair includes a third and fourth support.
Each support defining a height and having a plurality of notches
longitudinally spaced along the height of the support. A first
shelf cleat positioned between generally opposing notches of the
first and second support. A second shelf cleat positioned between
the third and fourth support. The first shelf cleat includes a
first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove,
the first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and
are configured to support an elongated object, e.g., a bottle.
[0013] In an embodiment, a shelving system that is configured and
adapted to support an elongated object, e.g., a bottle, may include
a first shelf cleat and a second shelf cleat. The second shelf
cleat is spaced a distance apart from the first shelf cleat and
generally opposes the first shelf cleat. The first shelf cleat
includes a first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a
second groove, the first and second grooves generally opposing one
another and aligned along a common axis and configured and adapted
to support an elongated object therein.
[0014] In an embodiment, a shelving system includes a first and
second pair of supports. The first pair includes a first and second
support and the second pair having a third and fourth support. Each
support defining a height and having a plurality of notches
longitudinally spaced along the height of the support. A first
shelf cleat positioned between generally opposing notches of the
first and second support. A second shelf cleat positioned between
the third and fourth support. The first shelf cleat includes a
first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove,
the first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and
are configured to support a first bar defining a first depression
configured to receive an elongated object therein. The first shelf
cleat may include a third groove and the second shelf cleat
includes a fourth groove, and further including a second bar
supported within the third and fourth grooves, the second bar
defining a second depression configured to receive the elongated
object therein such that the elongated object may be supported by
both the first and second depressions.
[0015] In an embodiment, the shelving system may include a third
and fourth shelf cleat, wherein the third shelf cleat includes a
third groove and the second shelf cleat includes a fourth groove,
the third and fourth grooves aligned along a common axis and
configured to support a second bar defining a depression configured
to receive an elongated object therein. The third and fourth shelf
cleats may be positioned at different heights with respect to the
supports such that when the elongated object is placed upon the
first and second depressions, the elongated object is tilted.
[0016] In an embodiment, lighting members, e.g., light emitting
diodes, may be operatively coupled to the shelving system to
provide illumination. The lighting members may be operatively
coupled to the cleats, bars, and/or supports described herein.
[0017] These and other embodiments of the present disclosure are
more fully described herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] By way of description only, embodiments of the present
disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet system including a
repositionable shelving system according to aspects of the
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a see-through side view of the cabinet system of
FIG. 1 including the repositionable shelving system of FIG. 1
according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3A is a side view of an embodiment of a support and a
cleat according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 3B is a perspective fragmentary view of the support and
cleat of FIG. 3A according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 3C is a cutaway front view of the support and cleat of
FIG. 3A according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 4A is a front view of another embodiment of a
repositionable shelving system including a cleat assembly according
to aspects of the disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 4B is a front view of another embodiment of a
repositionable shelving system including a cleat assembly according
to aspects of the disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 4C is front view of another embodiment of a
repositionable shelving system including a cleat assembly according
to aspects of the disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the cleat assembly of FIG.
4B shown coupled to a support member according to aspects of the
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of shelving system of FIG. 4B
shown relative to the support member of FIG. 5A according to
aspects of the disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the support member of FIG.
5A shown slidably coupled to a shelf according to aspects of the
disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the placement of
supports that are operatively coupled to a cabinet according to
aspects of the disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
shelving system according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the shelving system of FIG.
7A shown relative to an elongated object according to aspects of
the disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cleat including
longitudinally spaced depressions according to aspects of the
disclosure; and
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of cleats of FIG. 8
shown relative to an elongated object according to aspects of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
figures and in the description that follow, like reference numerals
identify similar or identical elements. An x-y-z coordinate system,
as shown in FIG. 1, having mutually orthogonal x-, y-, and z-axes
is referred to in the description below to describe the relative
placement of elements.
[0036] A bookcase or cabinet system 100A is described with
reference to FIG. 1. The cabinet system 100A has a left side L, a
right side R, a top T, and a bottom B. The cabinet system also
includes a front C and a back E. The cabinet system 100A includes a
cabinet 9 and a shelving system 10A disposed within the cabinet 9
and bound by the left and right sides L, R, the top T, and the
bottom B. The left and right sides L, R of the cabinet system 100A
are mirror images of one another. The shelving system includes
supports 11 extending between the top T and bottom B in a direction
along axis-z. A first pair 11L of supports 11 are operatively
coupled to the left side L of the cabinet 9 and a second pair 11R
of supports 11 are operatively coupled to the right side R of the
cabinet 9. The first and second pairs 11L, 11R are spaced apart
from one another in the x-axis direction. Each of the first and
second pairs 11L, 11R includes supports 11 that are spaced apart
from one another along the y-axis direction. A pair of generally
opposing cleats 15 is operatively coupled to each of the first and
second pairs 11L, 11R of supports 11. A shelf 7 is positioned upon
upper surfaces (i.e., the surface of the shelf 7 closer to top T)
of the generally opposing cleats 15. Additional shelves 7 may be
positioned within the cabinet 9 in this manner such that the
shelves 7 are longitudinally spaced from one another along the
z-axis direction.
[0037] A see-through illustration of the right side R of the
cabinet system 100A (which is a mirror image of the left side L) is
shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, each support 11 includes a
face D in which notches 23 spaced from one another along the z-axis
direction have been cut. Each notch 23 defines a ledge 17 having a
planar surface 19 and an angled surface 21 such that face D has a
saw-like configuration. The planar surface 19 is generally
orthogonal or perpendicular, with respect to the z-axis direction.
The planar surface 19 and the angled surface 21 define an angle
.theta. therebetween. In an embodiment, the angle .theta. between
the planar and angled surfaces 19, 21 is 21.5.degree.. The second
pair of supports 11R includes two supports 11 that are spaced apart
from one another along the y-axis direction and are oriented with
respect to one another in a mirror-image manner such that the faces
D of the supports 11 face one another and corresponding notches 23
on each support 11 oppose one another.
[0038] In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100B includes shelving
system 10B, which is described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C. The
cabinet system 100B and shelving system 10B substantially similar
to the cabinet system 100A and shelving system 10A with the
following exceptions that will now be described. Supports 11 have
each been replaced by a support 11A, and cleat 15 has been replaced
by cleat 15A. The supports 11A and cleat 15A are substantially
similar to the supports 11 and cleat 15 described above with the
exception that the support 11A and cleat 15A include a locking
mechanism 30 that releasably secures the cleat 15A to the support
11A.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the cleat 15A includes a
semi-spherical groove 6 and the support 11A includes a depressible
ball bearing 8 disposed on the angled surface 21 of the support
11A. The ball bearing 8 is configured to releasably secure the
cleat 15A to the support 11A. As shown in FIG. 3C, a groove 2 is
formed within the support 11A for the reception of the ball bearing
8 therein. A spring 4 biases the ball bearing 8 outwardly from the
groove 2. As the cleat 15A is placed between generally opposing
supports 11A, the ball bearing 8 is depressed into the groove 2 as
angled face 27 of the cleat 15A presses against the ball bearing 8.
As the groove 6 within angled face 27 of the cleat 15A is
positioned against the ball bearing 8, the ball bearing 8 fills the
space defined within the groove 6, thereby releasably locking the
cleat 15A to the support 11A. In an embodiment, the cleat 15A may
include ball bearing 8 and the support 11A may include groove
2.
[0040] In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100C includes a shelving
system 10C (FIG. 4A). The cabinet system 100C and shelving system
10C are substantially similar to the cabinet system 100A and
shelving system 10A with the following differences. The shelving
system 10A includes a cleat assembly 15B including an upper cleat
15U and a lower cleat 15L. A resilient and compressible material
33, e.g., foam, is disposed between the upper and lower cleats 15U,
15L. The material 33 biases the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L
apart from one another. The transitioning of the resilient and
compressible material 33 between an expanded and compressed state
functions as a locking mechanism.
[0041] The right side of the shelving system is illustrated in FIG.
4A in which opposing supports 11 support the cleat assembly 15B. In
particular, the upper cleat 15U is supported within opposing
notches 23 and the lower cleat 15L is supported within opposing
notches 23. The material 33 disposed between the upper and lower
cleats 15U, 15L bias the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L apart such
that the a force F directs the upper cleat 15U against angled
surfaces 21 and the lower cleat 15L against planar surfaces 19,
thereby inhibiting disengagement of the cleat system 15B from the
supports 11. Disengagement of the cleat system 15B from the
supports 11 is facilitated by moving the lower cleat 15L a
direction toward the upper cleat 15U to compress material 33
therebetween, thereby facilitating disengagement of the cleats 15U,
15L from notches 23 of opposing supports 11.
[0042] In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100D includes a shelving
system 10D (FIG. 4B). The cabinet system 100D and shelving system
10D are substantially similar to the cabinet system 100A and
shelving system 10A with the following differences. The shelving
system 10D includes cleat assembly 15C including upper cleat 16U
and lower cleat 16L. The upper cleat 16U includes a lower surface
16t in which one or more receptacles 17U are formed. The lower
cleat 16L includes an upper surface in which one or more
receptacles 17L in which one or more receptacles 17L are formed.
The receptacles 17U and the receptacles 17L are generally opposing
and a biasing member 3, e.g., a spring, is disposed between the
receptacles 17U, 17L. One or more biasing members 3 may be
positioned between the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L. As shown in
FIG. 4B, two biasing members 3 are positioned between opposing ends
of the cleats 16U, 16L. The number of biasing members 3 placed
between the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L may be selected to
correspond with the degree of force desired to move the upper and
lower cleats 16U, 16L relative to one another. The biasing member 3
exerts a force F that directs the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L
apart such that the upper cleat 16U exerts a force upon the angled
surface 21 of notch 23 and the lower cleat 16L exerts a force upon
the planar surface 19 of notch 23, thereby inhibiting disengagement
of the cleat assembly 15C from opposing supports 11 between which
the cleat assembly 15C is positioned. The transitioning of the
upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L between an expanded and compressed
condition relative to one another functions as a locking mechanism
of the cleat assembly 15C relative to the supports 11 inhibiting
inadvertent separation of the cleat assembly 15C from the supports
11.
[0043] The lengths of the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L may be
adjusted to fit between the supports 11 by cutting the upper and
lower cleats 16U, 16L. The receptacles 17U extend through lower
surface 16t of the upper cleat 16U. The receptacles 17L extend
through upper surface 16w of the lower cleat 16L. The respective
receptacles 17U, 17L of the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L may be
equidistantly spaced along the length of the cleats 16U, 16L. A
plurality of receptacles 17U, 17L may extend along a substantial
portion of the length of the cleats 16U, 16L such that when the
cleats 16U, 16L are cut to a desired length, the remaining portion
of the cleats 16U, 16L will still have respective receptacles 17U,
17L for accommodating biasing member 3 therein.
[0044] In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100E includes a shelving
system 10E (FIG. 4C). The cabinet system 100E and the shelving
system 10E are substantially similar to the cabinet system 100A and
the shelving system 10A with the following differences. The
shelving system 10E includes cleat assembly 15D including upper
cleat 15U and lower cleat 15L. A biasing member 90 is positioned
between lower surface 15t of the upper cleat 15U and upper surface
15w of the lower cleat 15L such that the upper and lower cleats
15U, 15L are biased apart by force F. The biasing member 90 is
secured to the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L by any suitable
connection means 91 (e.g., by an adhesive and/or a screw or nail or
the like). The movement of the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L
relative to one another functions as a locking mechanism of the
cleat assembly 15D relative to the supports 11 inhibiting
inadvertent separation of the cleat assembly 15D from the supports
11.
[0045] Each of the cleat assemblies 15A-15D described above may be
operatively coupled to a support member 80 such that when the cleat
assemblies 15A-15D are operatively coupled to supports 11, the
support member 80 is also secured relative to the supports 11 and
may be positioned adjacent side faces S of the supports 11. The
support member 80 may facilitate proper placement of the cleat
assembly 15A-15D with respect to the supports 11. The operation of
the support member 80 and placement of the cleat assemblies 15A-15D
within cabinet 9 are described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B in
which support member 80 is operatively coupled to cleat assembly
15C.
[0046] An upper surface 80u of the support member 80 (FIG. 5A) may
also provide a platform to support shelf 7 thereupon. The lower
cleat 16L of the cleat assembly 15C is secured to the support
member 80. A connecting member 83, e.g., a nail or screw, may
secure the lower cleat 16L to the support member 80. The upper and
lower cleats 16U, 16L are movable relative to one another such that
the distance h between lower surface 16t of the upper cleat 16U and
upper surface 16w of the lower cleat L is adjustable. The cleat
assembly 15C is securable relative to supports 11 by positioning
the lower support 16L between opposing notches 23 of supports 11
and compressing the upper support 16U relative to the lower support
16L and fitting the upper and lower supports 16U, 16L between
opposing supports 11. Since the upper cleat 16U is biased apart
from the lower cleat 16L, the movement of the upper and lower
cleats 16U, 16L apart frictionally secures the upper and lower
cleats 16U, 16L to the supports 11 thereby inhibiting inadvertent
separation of the cleat assembly 15C from the supports 11.
Repositioning of the cleat assembly 15C is achievable by
compressing the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L relative to one
another such that the frictional engagement between the upper and
lower cleats 16U, 16L is reduced facilitating separation of the
upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L from respective notches 23 of the
supports 11. The other cleat assemblies 15A, 15B, 15D that are
described herein are securable relative to supports 11 in a
substantially similar manner as has been described with respect to
cleat assembly 15A.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 5C, drawer slides 85 may be operatively
coupled to opposing support members 80. The drawer slide 85
includes a first member 85a that is secured to the support member
80 and a second member 85b that slides relative to first member 85a
along the y-axis direction. The shelf 7 may be operatively coupled
to the second member 85b. The locking mechanisms described herein
inhibit separation of the cleat assemblies 15A-15D from the
supports 11 during translation of the shelf 7 in a direction along
axis-y.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, supports 11 may additionally be placed
at or near the center of the back E of cabinet 9 to provide
additional support for the shelf 7. The placement of supports 11 at
the center of the back E in addition to those at the left and right
sides L, R, may be desirable for shelves that are relatively long
or will be supporting relatively heavy items. Cleat assemblies
15A-15D may be operatively coupled to the back E in a substantially
similar manner as was discussed above with respect to the left and
right sides L, R of the cabinet 9. For illustrative purposes, as
shown in FIG. 6, shelving unit 10D including cleat assembly 15C is
operatively coupled to cabinet 9. Each cleat assembly 15C is shown
operatively coupled to support member 80 upon which shelf 7 may be
placed. Optionally, the shelf 7 may be configured to fit the space
defined between the supports 11 to minimize gaps between the shelf
7 and the sides of the cabinet 9.
[0049] A bottle rack system 200 is described with reference to
FIGS. 7A and 7B. The bottle rack system 200 includes opposing
cleats 210, which may be supported by supports 11 in substantially
the manner described above with respect to cleat assemblies
15A-15D. The ends of the cleats 210 may be cut to fit within
notches 23 of the supports 11. The cleats 210 include grooves 212
that are configured and adapted to support a bar 220 thereon.
Similarly, grooves may be formed in the upper surfaces of cleats
15A, 15U, and 16U such that those cleats may support bar 220 placed
upon the grooves. The bar 220 includes a first face 220a and a
second face 220b. Each of the first and second faces 220a, 220b
includes depressions 222, 224, respectively, that are
longitudinally spaced in a direction along axis-x.
[0050] A first bar 220 is placed within grooves 212 of a pair of
generally opposing cleats 210. A second bar 220 is placed within
grooves 212 of either the same generally a different pair of
generally opposing cleats 210 that are positioned differently along
axis-z, i.e., either above or below. As shown in FIG. 7B, elongated
objects B are placeable within the depressions 222, 224. The
depressions 222, 224 minimize movement of the objects B placed
thereon with respect to the bar 220. The two faces 220a, 220b of
bar 220 facilitate accommodation of elongated objects B having
differing diameters. Object B may define a body portion B1 and a
narrowed neck portion B2 (as is common of wine bottles). It may be
desirable to store object B at an angle, i.e., titled. Storing
object B at an angle is achievable by resting one end of object B
on bars 220 that are positioned at different heights relative to
axis-z. Objects B having a narrowed neck portion B2 may be
positioned with the narrowed neck portion B2 on a bar 220 that is
positioned lower with respect to the z-axis with the body portion
B1 being positioned another bar 220 that is positioned higher
relative to the z-axis such that the narrowed neck portion B2
presses against bar 220 stabilizing the object B and minimizing
movement of the object B with respect to the bars 220.
[0051] In an embodiment, cleats may support bottles without the use
of bars B. A wine bottle cleat 40 is described with reference to
FIGS. 8 and 9. The wine bottle cleat 40 includes an upper surface
43 in which depressions or scallops 41 have been formed. The
depressions 41 are configured and adapted to support an elongated
object B, e.g., a wine bottle, therein. The object B depicted in
FIG. 9 has a body section B1 having a diameter D and a neck section
B2 having a diameter d. The depressions 41 may have varying sizes
and configurations such that sections of an object that have
varying sizes and configurations may be supported. As shown in FIG.
8, the depressions 41 may define a width W to facilitate reception
of an object to be placed therein and a depth j to inhibit movement
of the object. As shown in FIG. 9, one cleat 40 includes
depressions 41 that are sized and configured to support body
section B1 of bottle B and another cleat 40 includes depressions 41
that are sized and configured to support the neck section B2 of the
bottle B. The cleat 40 may replace the cleat 15 that was described
hereinabove. Additionally, such depressions 41 may be formed in
upper surfaces of the cleats described herein. In particular, the
depressions 41 may be formed in upper surfaces of cleats 15A, 15U,
and 16U such that elongated objects, e.g., object B, may be
supported by those cleats in the manner described with respect to
cleat 40.
[0052] One or more lighting members (not shown), e.g., light
emitting diodes, may be operatively coupled to cleats 15, 15A, 15L,
16L, 40, and bar 220 to facilitate illumination. Electrical leads
may be disposed within or one the cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L, 40 and
bar 220, which are electrically connected to conductive elements
(not shown) that are operatively coupled to the supports 11. The
electrical leads and conductive elements may extend along the
length of the cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L and/or bars 220, and along
the length of the supports 11 described herein and may be cut to an
appropriate length prior to assembly. The lighting members that are
operatively coupled to cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L and/or bars 220 may
be powered by electricity flowing through electrical leads (not
shown) disposed on or within the supports 11. In addition or as an
alternative, the cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L and bar 220 may include
an internal power source, e.g., a battery, to power the lighting
members.
[0053] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *