U.S. patent application number 14/595219 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for structure of coupling sleeve of storage shelf.
The applicant listed for this patent is BESTMATE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPING CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to KUANG-HUAN FU.
Application Number | 20160198847 14/595219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56234744 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160198847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FU; KUANG-HUAN |
July 14, 2016 |
STRUCTURE OF COUPLING SLEEVE OF STORAGE SHELF
Abstract
A storage shelf coupling sleeves each having symmetrically
arranged engagement slots formed thereon to be convergent, through
sloping, in a downward direction. The coupling sleeves are
respectively mounted to fixed rods. A support frame has retention
plates respectively fit to the coupling sleeves by being received
in one of the engagement slots of each coupling sleeve. Another
engagement slot of each of the coupling sleeves may receive a
retention plate of another support frame to fit therein so that a
number of support frames can be connected in a side-by-side manner
thereby making assembly and expansion of the storage shelf easy and
the expanded arrangement tidy and organized. The coupling sleeve is
of a hollow cylindrical configuration. The support frame has
corners each comprising one retention plate attached thereto. The
retention plate is made convergent, through sloping, in the
downward direction to facilitate fitting thereof into the coupling
sleeve.
Inventors: |
FU; KUANG-HUAN; (YILAN
COUNTY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BESTMATE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPING CO., LTD. |
YILAN COUNTY |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
56234744 |
Appl. No.: |
14/595219 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/16 20130101;
A47B 47/0083 20130101; A47B 57/34 20130101; A47B 57/265
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/34 20060101
A47B057/34; A47B 47/00 20060101 A47B047/00 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4: A storage shelf structure, comprising a plurality of coupling
sleeves and a support frame, the coupling sleeves being each of a
hollow cylindrical configuration having an outer surface on which
at least one pair of symmetrically arranged first engagement slots
and second engagement slots are formed, the support frame having
four corners each of which comprises a retention plate mounted
thereto, the plurality of coupling sleeves being respectively fit
to fixed rods to allow the support frame to be positioned in such a
way that the retention plates are respectively fit into the first
engagement slots of the coupling sleeves to fix the support frame
to the fixed rods thereby forming a single unit of storage shelf,
the second engagement slots receiving retention plates of an
additional support frame to fit therein, whereby a number of
support frames are connectable in a side-by-side manner,
characterized in that: the first engagement slots and the second
engagement slots of each of the coupling sleeves are each formed by
first stamping a circumferential wall of the coupling sleeve to
form an opening in the form of being convergent, through sloping,
in a downward direction and bending a separated portion that is
stamped off the circumferential wall to form an L-shaped suspending
tab, wherein two L-shaped suspending tabs so formed face in
opposite direction.
5: The storage shelf structure according to claim 4, wherein the
first engagement slots and the second engagement slots of the
coupling sleeve are each in the form of being convergent, through
sloping, in a downward direction.
6: The storage shelf structure according to claim 4, wherein the
retention plates of the support frame each comprise two hooks
formed on and extending horizontally from upper ends of opposite
side edges thereof so that when the retention plate of the support
frame is fit into an engagement slot of the coupling sleeve, the
hooks engage and are supported on top edges of the suspending tabs.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an improved
structure of a cooping shelf of a storage shelf, and more
particularly to an improved structure of a coupling sleeve of a
storage shelf that allows for easy assembling and expansion through
side-by-side arrangement and provides a tidy configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] A conventional knockdown storage shelf generally has a
structure that is assembled as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprising a
fixed rod 1, clamping plates 2, and a support frame 3. Grooves 11
are provided on the fixed rod at a suitable interval by
circumferentially formed in a surface thereof The clamping plates 2
each have an inside surface on which a retention rib 21 is formed.
The support frame 3 has a corner on which a coupling sleeve 31 is
attached. To assemble, the clamping plates 2 are positioned with
the retention ribs 21 thereof fit into one of the grooves 11 of the
fixed rod 1 and then, the coupling sleeve 31 is fit, in a direction
from top down, so that the coupling sleeve 31 clamp and tightly
loop around the clamping plates 2 thereby fixing the coupling
sleeve 31 in position and thus the support frame 3 is coupled to
the fixed rod 1 (where four fixed rods 1 are provided to constitute
the storage shelf). Balance is generally hard to control in
assembling the conventional storage shelf so that it is hard to
assemble with a single person. In addition, such a structure is
generally only good for forming a single storage shelf so that when
multiple storage shelves are arranged side by side for expansion,
they cannot be securely positioned with respect to each other.
Further, gaps exist between the storage shelves, making it hard to
keep the storage shelves in a tidy and organized manner, and thus
the outside appearance is poor. Unexpected shifting may occur when
these storage shelves are violently hit. Thus, in view of these
problems, the present invention aims to provide an improved
structure of a coupling sleeve of a storage shelf that allows for
easy assembling and expansion through side-by-side arrangement and
provides a tidy configuration after assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The primary object of the present invention is to provide an
improved structure of a coupling sleeve of a storage shelf that
allows for easy assembling and expansion through side-by-side
arrangement and provides a tidy configuration.
[0004] The improved structure of storage shelf according to the
present invention comprises coupling sleeves and a support frame.
The coupling sleeve has an outer surface on which symmetrically
arranged engagement slots are formed in such a way that the
engagement slots are convergent, through sloping, in a downward
direction. A number of coupling sleeves are respectively mounted to
fixed rods and the support frame is positioned to have the
retention plates thereof respectively fit to the coupling sleeves
by being received in one of the engagement slots of each coupling
sleeve thereby forming one unit of storage shelf Another engagement
slot of each of the coupling sleeves may receive a retention plate
of another support frame to fit therein so that a number of support
frames can be connected in a side-by-side manner thereby making
assembly and expansion of the storage shelf easy and the expanded
arrangement tidy and organized. The coupling sleeve is of a hollow
cylindrical configuration. The engagement slots are each formed by
first stamping a portion of a circumferential wall of the coupling
sleeve to form an opening so as to form an L-shaped suspending tab.
The support frame has corners each comprising one retention plate
attached thereto. The retention plate is of a circular curved
configuration and is made convergent, through sloping, in the
downward direction to facilitate fitting thereof into the coupling
sleeve.
[0005] In the improved structure of storage shelf described above,
the L-shaped suspending tabs formed on the circumferential wall of
the coupling sleeve are arranged to face opposite directions.
[0006] The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief
introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these
and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention
itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the
art, the following detailed description of the invention and the
claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical
reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
[0007] Many other advantages and features of the present invention
will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making
reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets
of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment
incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by
way of illustrative example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a conventional storage
shelf.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a storage shelf according
to the present invention.
[0010] FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic views illustrating assembly of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating engagement between a
coupling sleeve of the present invention and retention plates.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a storage shelf
according to the present invention in an assembled form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only,
and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following
description provides a convenient illustration for implementing
exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the
described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement
of the elements described without departing from the scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view is given to illustrate
the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the present
invention comprises a coupling sleeve 4 and a support frame 5. The
coupling sleeve 4 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical
configuration and has an outer circumferential surface on which at
least a pair of symmetrically arranged first engagement slot 41 and
second engagement slot 42 is formed. In the instant embodiment, the
first engagement slot 41 and the second engagement slot 42 are
formed in such a way that the coupling sleeve 4 is subjected to
stamping to form in a circumferential wall thereof a horizontal
U-shaped opening 43, which is gradually convergent, through side
sloping, in a downward direction. A portion of the circumferential
wall that is stamped off as a partially separated plate, where a
connection is left between the separated plate portion and the
circumferential wall of the coupling sleeve 4. The connection is
folded outward so as to form an L-shaped cross-section so that the
separated plate is supported by the L-shaped connection to form a
suspending tab 44 having an L-shaped configuration. Two such
L-shaped suspending tabs 44 are formed to face opposite directions
and thus respectively define the first engagement slot 41 and the
second engagement slot 42 that are convergent, through side
sloping, in the downward direction. The support frame 5 has four
corners each comprising a retention plate 51 formed thereon. The
retention plate 51 has a curved configuration that corresponds to
the cylindrical configuration of the coupling sleeve 4 and is made
convergent, through side sloping, in a downward direction. Two
hooks 52 are formed on and extend horizontally from upper ends of
opposite side edges of the retention plate 51.
[0015] With the components described above, a number of coupling
sleeves 4 are provided and each is fit to one of fixed rods of a
storage shelf the fixed rods in such a way that the support frame 5
is positioned to have the retention plates 51 thereof respectively
fit into the first engagement slots 41 of the coupling sleeves 4
with the hooks 52 supported on top edges of the suspending tabs 44
to thereby couple and fix the support frame 5 to four fixed rods 4,
and complete one unit of storage shelf The second engagement slots
42 can be used to receive the retention plates 51 of another
support frame 5 to fit therein. As such, a number of support frames
5 can be connected together in a side-by-side manner. The assembly
of the storage shelf easy and efficient (for it can be easily kept
balanced to allow the assembly to be carried out by a single
person) and allows for multiple storage shelves to be connected in
a side-by-side manner for expansion and the expanded arrangement is
made tidy and organized.
[0016] Referring collectively to FIGS. 3 and 4, schematic views are
given to illustrate the assembly of the present invention. As shown
in the drawings, assembling of the present invention can be
conducted in a way similar to that of the above described
conventional storage shelf by first having retention ribs 21 of
clamping plates 2 fit into a groove 11 formed in an outer surface
of each of the fixed rods 1 and then the coupling sleeve 4 is fit
in a top side down manner to allow the coupling sleeve 4 to clamp
and tightly loop the clamping plates 2 so as to fix the coupling
sleeve 4 in position. The retention plates 51 of the support frame
5 are then respectively fit into the first engagement slots 41 of
the coupling sleeves 4. Since the first engagement slots 41 and the
second engagement slots 42 are arranged to be convergent, through
sloping, in a downward direction and the retention plates 51 of the
support frame 5 are also made convergent, through sloping, in the
downward direction, the retention plates 51, after being properly
fit into the coupling sleeves, are securely fastened to each other
during the sloping and convergence (allowing for sliding upward
only and preventing further downward sliding) with the hooks 52
supported on top edges of the suspending tabs 44 so as to fix the
support frame 5 to the fixed rods 1 to form one unit of storage
shelf. The second engagement slots 42 allow the retention plates 51
of another support frame 5 to fit therein. As such, a number of
support frames 5 can be connected together in a side-by-side
manner. The assembly of the storage shelf easy and efficient and
allows for multiple storage shelves to be connected in a
side-by-side manner for expansion and the expanded arrangement is
made tidy and organized.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 5, a schematic view is given to illustrate
engagement between the coupling sleeve and the retention plates
according to the present invention. Referring also to FIG. 3, as
shown in the drawing, after being assembled, according to the
present invention, the coupling sleeve 4 is fixed to the fixed rod
1. And, to assemble the support frames 5, it only needs to have the
retention plates 51 to fit, in a manner of being from top side
down, into the first engagement slot 41 and the second engagement
slot 42 of the coupling sleeve 4 to thereby connect two storage
shelves to achieve expansion of the shelf. After the retention
plates 51 are fit into the coupling sleeve, the convergent
configurations, which may be formed on a lower portion thereof,
make them securely and tightly engaging and combined with each
other to thereby fix the support frames 5 to the fixed rod 1. As
such, the support frames 5 are fixed securely and no movement is
possible.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view is given to
illustrate a storage shelf according to the present invention in an
assembled form. Reference also being had to FIG. 3, as shown in the
drawings, after one unit of storage shelf A according to the
present invention is completely assembled, in case that expansion
or extension of the storage shelf is required, it only needs to
assemble the support frame 5 of another unit of storage shelf A' to
the fixed rods 1 in such a way that the retention plate 51 of the
support frame 5 is fit into the second engagement slot 42 of the
coupling sleeve 4 of the storage shelf A. As such, the storage
shelf A' and the storage shelf A are connected in such a way that
the two storage shelves A, A' are arranged side by side and are
coupled to the same coupling sleeve 4, whereby the side-by-side
arranged storage shelve A, A' show no gap therebetween, making them
look tidy and organized and not unexpectedly shifted when hit or
impacted to affect the outside appearance thereof.
[0019] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together may also find a useful application
in other types of methods differing from the type described
above.
[0020] While certain novel features of this invention have been
shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is
not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be
understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in
its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *