U.S. patent application number 15/440595 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for adjustable shelf riser.
This patent application is currently assigned to YouCopia Products Inc. The applicant listed for this patent is YouCopia Products Inc. Invention is credited to Mark Greenwood.
Application Number | 20170245641 15/440595 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59678393 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170245641 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greenwood; Mark |
August 31, 2017 |
ADJUSTABLE SHELF RISER
Abstract
An adjustable shelf riser includes a shelf and a pair of legs
supporting the shelf. In one version, the legs include an upper
portion removably attachable to the shelf and extending vertically
below the shelf when the upper portion is attached to the shelf.
The legs also include a lower extension portion removably
attachable to the upper portion, the lower extension portion having
a selectable connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface
having a plurality of attachment locations for attaching the upper
portion to the lower extension portion. The upper portion and the
lower extension portion combine to define a height of the shelf
above a horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is
placed when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal
surface.
Inventors: |
Greenwood; Mark; (Arlington
Hts., IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
YouCopia Products Inc |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
YouCopia Products Inc
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
59678393 |
Appl. No.: |
15/440595 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62300232 |
Feb 26, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 97/00 20130101;
A47B 96/025 20130101; A47B 9/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/07 20060101
A47B096/07 |
Claims
1. An adjustable shelf riser, comprising: a shelf defining a
horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower
surface, and a pair of legs supporting the shelf, each of the pair
of legs having: an upper portion removably attachable to the shelf
and extending vertically below the lower surface of the shelf when
the upper portion is attached to the shelf; and a lower extension
portion removably attachable to the upper portion, the lower
extension portion having a selectable connecting surface, the
selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment
locations for attaching the upper portion to the lower extension
portion; wherein the upper portion and the lower extension portion
combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface
on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable
shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.
2. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 1, wherein the lower
extension portion includes a first side and a second side, the
first side and the second side being moveable between an open
position spaced apart from one another and a closed position
adjacent one another, the first side and the second side further
being configured to surround a portion of the upper portion when
the upper wire portion is attached to the lower extension portion
and the first side and the second side are in the closed
position.
3. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 2, wherein the selectable
connecting surface further comprises a series of slots, the series
of slots being positioned within a space between the first side and
the second side when the first side and the second side are in the
closed position.
4. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 3, wherein the upper portion
is an upper wire portion formed in a U-shape having a pair of
opposing uprights and a base portion joining the pair of opposing
uprights, the base portion being received within the selectable
connecting surface when the first side and the second side are in
the closed position.
5. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 4, wherein the lower
extension portion further comprises a bottom end, a top end, a
first edge, and a second edge, the first and second edges opposing
one another between the top end and the bottom end, the lower
extension portion further comprising a first side clip removably
attached to the first edge.
6. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, further comprising a
second side clip removably attached to the second edge.
7. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the first edge
further comprises a recessed region configured to receive the first
side clip.
8. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the first side
clip comprises at least one rib and the first edge comprises at
least one channel, the at least one rib being received within the
at least one channel when the first side clip is attached to the
first edge.
9. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the lower
extension portion further comprises a first bottom clip removably
attached to the bottom end of the lower extension portion.
10. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the upper wire
portion removably pivotally attached to the lower surface of the
shelf.
11. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 10, wherein the lower
surface of the shelf comprises a plurality of mounts, each of the
plurality of mounts having a vertical channel and a horizontal
slot, and further wherein each of the pair of uprights in the upper
wire portion further comprises a lateral extension, wherein each of
the lateral extensions is removably receivable within one of the
horizontal slots, and a corresponding upright from the pair of
uprights is removably receivable within a corresponding vertical
channel.
12. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 5, wherein the lower
extension portion is integrally formed, the first side and the
second side being joined by a living hinge.
13. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 12, wherein the living
hinge extends along the bottom end.
14. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 13, wherein the lower
extension portion further comprises a first bottom clip removably
attached to the bottom end of the lower extension portion, the
first bottom clip being formed from an elastomeric material.
15. An adjustable shelf riser, comprising: a shelf defining a
horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower
surface, and a pair of legs supporting the shelf, each of the pair
of legs being pivotally attached to the shelf for pivotal movement
between a first position adjacent the lower surface and a second
position extending vertically away from the lower surface, each of
the pair of legs having: a wire portion having a pair of opposing
uprights; and a housing portion removably attachable to the wire
portion, the housing portion having a first side and a second side,
the first side and the second side being moveable between an open
position wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second
side, and a closed position wherein the first side is adjacent the
second side, the first side and the second side further being
configured to surround at least part of the wire portion when the
housing portion is in the closed position; the housing portion
further having a selectable connecting surface, the selectable
connecting surface having a plurality of attachment locations for
attaching the wire portion to the housing portion, the selectable
connecting surface further being positioned between the first side
and the second side when the housing portion is in the closed
position; wherein the wire portion and the housing portion combine
to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal surface on which
the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the adjustable shelf
riser is resting on the horizontal surface.
16. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 15, wherein the housing
portion further comprises a bottom end, a top end, a first edge,
and a second edge, the first and second edges opposing one another
between the top end and the bottom end, the bottom end having a
living hinge joining the first side to the second side, the housing
portion further comprising a first side clip removably attached to
the first edge and a second side clip removably attached to the
second edge.
17. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 16, further comprising a
first bottom clip removably attached to the bottom end of the
housing portion, the first bottom clip being formed from an
elastomeric material.
18. An adjustable shelf riser, comprising: a shelf defining a
horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper surface and a lower
surface, and a pair of legs supporting the shelf, each of the pair
of legs being pivotally attached to the shelf for pivotal movement
between a first position adjacent the lower surface and a second
position extending vertically away from the lower surface, each of
the pair of legs having: an upper portion having a pair of opposing
uprights; and a lower extension portion removably attachable to the
upper portion, the housing portion having a first side and a second
side, the first side and the second side being moveable between an
open position wherein the first side is spaced apart from the
second side, and a closed position wherein the first side is
adjacent the second side, the first side and the second side
further being configured to surround at least part of the upper
portion when the housing portion is in the closed position; the
housing portion further having a selectable connecting surface, the
selectable connecting surface having a plurality of attachment
locations for attaching the upper portion to the housing portion,
the selectable connecting surface further being positioned between
the first side and the second side when the housing portion is in
the closed position; wherein the upper portion and the housing
portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal
surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the
adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.
19. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 18, wherein the housing
portion is configured as a clam-shell having at least one living
hinge, the selectable connecting surface being on an interior
surface of the clam-shell, the housing portion further comprising a
first clip and a second clip, each of the first clip and the second
clip being removably attached to the housing portion to retain the
housing portion in the closed position.
20. The adjustable shelf riser of claim 19, wherein the selectable
connecting surface further comprises a series of slots, the series
of slots being formed on the first side.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application No. 62/300,232, filed Feb. 26, 2016, the contents of
which are incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to configurable shelving
units, particularly for adjustable placement within cabinets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In today's crowded and smaller homes, consumers are often
looking for ways to maximize the space in their kitchen or bathroom
cabinets. In some cases, consumers use plastic shelves with wire
legs, placing them on top of existing shelves to provide another
shelf on which to store goods such as glasses, cups, dishes or food
cans and jars.
[0004] In theory, the consumer is doubling the amount of space
available by inserting an additional shelf in the space between two
other shelves. In reality, because the wire legs are at a fixed
height of typically six to seven inches, in many cases the cabinet
space is still not maximized. The fixed six to seven inch clearance
can leave several inches of space beneath the shelf that cannot be
used. Due to the fixed height, the space above the shelf can also
be difficult to use with certain items without raising the
permanent cabinet shelves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one version of the invention, an adjustable shelf riser
includes a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an
upper surface and a lower surface. A pair of legs supports the
shelf, in which each of the pair of legs has an upper portion
removably attachable to the shelf and extending vertically below
the lower surface of the shelf when the upper portion is attached
to the shelf, and a lower extension portion removably attachable to
the upper portion, the lower extension portion having a selectable
connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a
plurality of attachment locations for attaching the upper portion
to the lower extension portion. The upper portion and the lower
extension portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a
horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed
when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal
surface.
[0006] The lower extension portion may include a first side and a
second side, the first side and the second side being moveable
between an open position spaced apart from one another and a closed
position adjacent one another, the first side and the second side
further being configured to surround a portion of the upper portion
when the upper wire portion is attached to the lower extension
portion and the first side and the second side are in the closed
position.
[0007] The selectable connecting surface may comprise a series of
slots, the series of slots being positioned within a space between
the first side and the second side when the first side and the
second side are in the closed position.
[0008] In some versions, the upper portion is an upper wire portion
formed in a U-shape having a pair of opposing uprights and a base
portion joining the pair of opposing uprights, the base portion
being received within the selectable connecting surface when the
first side and the second side are in the closed position.
[0009] The lower extension portion may further have a bottom end, a
top end, a first edge, and a second edge, the first and second
edges opposing one another between the top end and the bottom end,
the lower extension portion further comprising a first side clip
removably attached to the first edge.
[0010] In some examples, a second side clip is removably attached
to the second edge.
[0011] The first edge, in some versions, may further comprise a
recessed region configured to receive the first side clip.
[0012] The first side clip may also have at least one rib, and the
first edge may have at least one channel, the at least one rib
being received within the at least one channel when the first side
clip is attached to the first edge.
[0013] The lower extension portion may also have a first bottom
clip removably attached to the bottom end of the lower extension
portion.
[0014] In some versions, the upper wire portion is removably
pivotally attached to the lower surface of the shelf.
[0015] The lower surface of the shelf preferably has a plurality of
mounts, each of the plurality of mounts having a vertical channel
and a horizontal slot. Each of the pair of uprights in the upper
wire portion may have a lateral extension, wherein each of the
lateral extensions is removably receivable within one of the
horizontal slots, and a corresponding upright from the pair of
uprights is removably receivable within a corresponding vertical
channel.
[0016] The lower extension portion may be integrally formed, the
first side and the second side being joined by a living hinge.
[0017] In a preferred version, the living hinge extends along the
bottom end.
[0018] The lower extension portion may comprise a first bottom clip
removably attached to the bottom end of the lower extension
portion, the first bottom clip being formed from an elastomeric
material.
[0019] In another version of the invention, the adjustable shelf
riser includes a shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf
having an upper surface and a lower surface. A pair of legs
supports the shelf, each of the pair of legs being pivotally
attached to the shelf for pivotal movement between a first position
adjacent the lower surface and a second position extending
vertically away from the lower surface. Each of the pair of legs
has a wire portion having a pair of opposing uprights. A housing
portion is removably attachable to the wire portion, the housing
portion having a first side and a second side, the first side and
the second side being moveable between an open position wherein the
first side is spaced apart from the second side, and a closed
position wherein the first side is adjacent the second side, the
first side and the second side further being configured to surround
at least part of the wire portion when the housing portion is in
the closed position. The housing portion further has a selectable
connecting surface, the selectable connecting surface having a
plurality of attachment locations for attaching the wire portion to
the housing portion, the selectable connecting surface further
being positioned between the first side and the second side when
the housing portion is in the closed position. The wire portion and
the housing portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a
horizontal surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed
when the adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal
surface.
[0020] The housing portion further optionally has a bottom end, a
top end, a first edge, and a second edge, the first and second
edges opposing one another between the top end and the bottom end,
the bottom end having a living hinge joining the first side to the
second side, the housing portion further comprising a first side
clip removably attached to the first edge and a second side clip
removably attached to the second edge.
[0021] The adjustable shelf riser may include a first bottom clip
removably attached to the bottom end of the housing portion, the
first bottom clip being formed from an elastomeric material.
[0022] In some examples, the adjustable shelf riser includes a
shelf defining a horizontal plane, the shelf having an upper
surface and a lower surface, and a pair of legs supporting the
shelf, each of the pair of legs being pivotally attached to the
shelf for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent the
lower surface and a second position extending vertically away from
the lower surface. Preferably, each of the pair of legs has an
upper portion having a pair of opposing uprights, and a lower
extension portion removably attachable to the upper portion, the
housing portion having a first side and a second side, the first
side and the second side being moveable between an open position
wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side, and a
closed position wherein the first side is adjacent the second side,
the first side and the second side further being configured to
surround at least part of the upper portion when the housing
portion is in the closed position.
[0023] The housing portion may have a selectable connecting
surface, the selectable connecting surface having a plurality of
attachment locations for attaching the upper portion to the housing
portion, the selectable connecting surface further being positioned
between the first side and the second side when the housing portion
is in the closed position. The upper portion and the housing
portion combine to define a height of the shelf above a horizontal
surface on which the adjustable shelf riser is placed when the
adjustable shelf riser is resting on the horizontal surface.
[0024] The housing portion is preferably configured as a clam-shell
having at least one living hinge, the selectable connecting surface
being on an interior surface of the clam-shell, the housing portion
further comprising a first clip and a second clip, each of the
first clip and the second clip being removably attached to the
housing portion to retain the housing portion in the closed
position.
[0025] The selectable connecting surface may have a series of
slots, the series of slots being formed on the first side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention
are described in detail below with reference to the following
drawings.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred shelf riser.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a preferred shelf
riser, shown positioned within an exemplary cabinet.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred shelf riser,
shown with extensions hinged to an open position for
adjustment.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an extension portion,
hinged to an open position and showing the interior of the
extension portion.
[0031] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an extension portion,
hinged to an open position and showing the exterior of the
extension portion.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a preferred
shelf.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred side locking
clip.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred bottom locking
clip.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a front view of a preferred wire leg.
[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of detail C in FIG. 6.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the region of detail C,
shown with a wire leg inserted into the shelf.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] A preferred shelf riser 10 is illustrated in a top
perspective view in FIG. 1, and includes a shelf 20 attached to a
pair of legs 30, 60 configured to rest on a horizontal surface such
as a cabinet shelf. In many cases, the space within a cabinet is
difficult to use efficiently because the cabinet shelves cannot be
positioned as may be desired, or because the items to be stored in
the cabinet cannot be stacked high enough to use all of the space
between cabinet shelves. Consequently, there is often much wasted
space within a typical cabinet. The preferred shelf riser may be
adjusted to a desired height, then positioned within a cabinet to
create an additional shelf within the cabinet.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, most preferably the legs of the shelf
riser are adjustable to provide for a height H of the device
between the top of the shelf riser 21 and the cabinet or other
horizontal surface on which the shelf riser is placed, in which the
height H can be adjusted as desired by a user. Accordingly, the
shelf riser 10 can be tailored to fit snugly above other items
positioned on a shelf 101 (such as in a cabinet 100 having an upper
shelf or ceiling 102). In this fashion, the shelf riser provides
for an additional shelf (that is, shelf 20) within the cabinet 100
that enables additional items to be stored in the otherwise wasted
space within the cabinet. Once in position within the cabinet 100,
a user may store selected items in the space beneath the shelf 20
and the top of the cabinet shelf 100, and other selected items on
top of the shelf 20.
[0040] In the preferred example, the shelf riser includes a pair of
legs 30, 60 that are pivotally attached to the lower surface 22 of
the shelf 20, so that they can be retracted toward the shelf 20 for
storage and extended away from the shelf when in use, as indicated
by the arrows A and B in FIG. 2, showing the preferred direction of
pivotal movement of the legs toward and away from the lower side 22
of the shelf 20.
[0041] In one version, such as best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the legs 30,
60 include a generally U-shaped upper wire portion 35, 65 attached
to a lower extension portion 40, 50. As illustrated, the wire
portions have a first end (which may be the open end of the
U-shape) attached to a lower side of the shelf 20, and a second end
(which may be the closed end of the U-shape) attached to an
extension portion 40, 50. The extension portion is selectively
attached to the wire portion at a desired location in order to
adjust the overall height of the legs, as desired.
[0042] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the shelf riser with the extension
leg portions in a selected position and locked to the upper wire
leg portions. FIG. 3 shows the extension leg portions pivoted to an
open position. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the extension leg portion
separated from the rest of the shelf riser and pivoted to an open
position in front and back views. In the preferred example, the
shelf riser will include a pair of opposing legs, including a first
leg 30 and a second leg 60, in which the first leg includes a first
upper wire portion 35 and a first lower extension portion 40 and
the second leg includes a second upper wire portion 65 and a second
lower extension portion 50. Most preferably the first and second
lower extension portions 40, 50 are identical, and therefore FIGS.
4 and 5 illustrate only the first lower extension portion 40 in
detail.
[0043] In one example, such as best seen in FIGS. 3-5, the
extension portion is formed as a clamshell housing having a first
side 40a and a second side 40b, in which the first and second sides
are integrally formed or joined by a living hinge 47 positioned in
the middle of the clamshell. When pivoted to an open position such
as in FIGS. 3-5, the first side is illustrated below the second
side, whereas when pivoted to a closed position the first and
second sides are closely adjacent one another to form opposing
interior and exterior sides of the leg, sandwiching the wire
portion between the opposing sides. In other versions, the first
and second sides are not integrally formed with one another or are
otherwise fully separable from one another, but are attachable to
one another with snaps or other fasteners or features. In yet other
versions, an extension member may be formed as a single piece,
without two sides that selectively pivot apart and join together.
In another version, one or more living hinges are oriented
vertically, parallel to one of the vertical wire portions (e.g.
35), rather horizontally as shown.
[0044] In the illustrated example, the second side 40b of the
extension housing includes a selectable connecting surface, which
in one version is configured as a first plurality of
vertically-arranged slots 48 and a second plurality of vertically
arranged slots 49. The slots are formed with a C-shape and are
sized and shaped to snugly retain a lower portion 32 of one of the
U-shaped wires 35. Preferably, the wire will snap-fit into the
slots for a firm attachment, allowing the wire to be removed only
upon the application of a prying force. In one version, each of the
sets of slots includes ten total slots, though in other versions
more or fewer slots may be used. The number of slots, and the
distance over which they are arranged, will define the overall
adjustable height range of the shelf adjuster. Most preferably at
least one slot begins closely adjacent the living hinge 47 so that
a minimum height is approximately defined by the height of the
wires 35, 65, with the slots continuing upward to a point near the
opposite upper end of the second side 40b. Although the illustrated
example includes a mounting surface formed as two parallel sets of
slots, in other versions a single set of slots may be used, or as
another alternative a larger set of slots, extending across the
width of the extension portion may be used.
[0045] The first and second sides of the first extension portion 40
preferably attach to one another in a snap-fit fashion, and in one
example they include a rectangular tab 45 sized and shaped to fit
within a mating slot 46. In some versions a plurality of such tabs
or similar locking snaps may be used. A series of U-shaped locking
clips may also be used, as illustrated in the preferred version of
the invention and best seen in FIG. 1, in which a pair of vertical
side clips (43, 44 and 53, 54) and a pair of horizontal bottom
clips (41, 42, and 51, 52) may be used with each of the two legs.
In one example, the bottom clips are formed from rubber or another
elastomeric material to serve as nonskid feet for the device.
[0046] A preferred side clip 43 is shown in FIG. 7, and in the
illustrated example the side clip has an elongated shape with an
elongated interior channel 66. The cross-sectional shape,
perpendicular to an axis extending along the elongated interior
channel, is generally a U-shape having an open elongated end. At
the rim of the open end, on an interior-facing portion of each
upright of the U-shape, a pair of ribs 67a, 67b are provided. The
ribs 67a, 67b are configured to be received within mating channels
76 and 78, or 77 and 79, formed in the outer surfaces of the
extension portion 40. Either half of the extension portion 40a, 40b
may also be formed with a recessed area 71, 72 to provide an
improved grip for the vertical clips. Opposing exterior surfaces of
the clip 43 may be formed with a series of ridges 68 forming a
gripping surface.
[0047] In one example, the width of the extension portions may be
about the same as the width of the U-shaped wires 35, 65 (that is,
the distance between a first vertical section 31 and the opposite
vertical section 33, such as seen in FIG. 9), so that the vertical
wire portions 31, 33 extend along the opposing first and second
edges of the extension portion 40. The recessed areas 71, 72 may
further, in some versions, be shaped so that the wires extend
beyond the edges of the recessed area. In this way, the vertical
clips (e.g., 43) will surround and contact the vertical wire
portions as well as a part of the extension portion in order to
provide resistance against inward movement of the U-shaped wires
(that is, in the direction of arrows C and D as illustrated in FIG.
9).
[0048] A preferred bottom clip 41 is shown in FIG. 8, and most
preferably the illustrated bottom clip 41 is identical to each of
the other bottom clips 42, 51, 52. As illustrated, the bottom clip
is C-shaped in cross section, with an elongated interior channel 58
and opposing rims 59a, 59b defining a narrow gap. In use, the
bottom clips are pressed against the corresponding horizontal wire
portions in the locations of the foot cutouts (e.g. 86, 87, see
FIG. 5) formed about each side of the living hinges 47 on the
extension portions.
[0049] As noted above, although only one extension portion or
housing 40 and attached wire 35 is described above in detail,
preferably the opposite extension portion 50 and attached wire 65
are configured in the same manner. In the above example, the wire
secures to the shelf with an extension portion extending away from
the wire. In other versions, the orientation of the extension
portion and the wires may be reversed, so that the wire projects
outward from the extension portion by an adjustable distance and
rests on a surface for support.
[0050] The shelf 20 includes an upper surface 21 and a lower
surface 22. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower surface includes a
series of mounts 23, 24, 25, 26 configured to receive an upright
from one of the two U-shaped wires 35, 65. The U-shaped wire legs
are most preferably further formed with an upper lateral projection
that is received in a respective one of the mounts to both secure
the wire leg to the shelf and facilitate pivotal movement. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 8, the wire legs 35 (and 65, which is not illustrated
but which is preferably identical to wire 35) include a horizontal
base portion 32 with vertical first and second uprights 31, 33. The
first upright, or vertical portion 31, transitions to a first
lateral projection 34 while the second upright, or vertical portion
33, transitions to a second lateral projection 35. The lateral
projections are illustrated as extending away from one another,
generally horizontally and parallel to the axis formed by the base
portion 32. In other versions, however, the lateral projections may
extend inward, toward one another, with the configuration of the
mounts reversed accordingly.
[0051] One of the mounts 24 is illustrated in a close-up view in
FIGS. 10 and 11, representing detail C in FIG. 6. Although only one
such mount is shown in close-up, each of the four mounts is
preferably configured in the same way. Most preferably, each of the
mounts (e.g., 24) includes a vertical channel 80 and a horizontal
slot 81 (in which "horizontal" is in a direction parallel to a
plane defined by the top of the shelf 20, and "vertical" is
perpendicular to horizontal). One of the lateral projections of one
of the wire legs (for example, either projection 34 or projection
35) is received in a respective one of the horizontal slots, while
an adjacent portion of one of the uprights or vertical portions
(either 31 or 33) is received in the vertical channel of the mount.
Once in place in the mount as illustrated, the wire leg is trapped
against either vertical or pivotal movement.
[0052] The uprights of the wire legs are preferably configured in a
manner such that they may be urged inward toward one another, as
indicated by arrows C and D in FIG. 9. When the wire legs are not
connected to the mounts, the wires must first be squeezed toward
one another in this fashion in order to enable the lateral
projections to extend into the slots 81 in the mounts. When
released, the natural bias of the wire legs will urge the
projections (34 or 35) into the slots. To remove the wire legs, or
to pivot them to be retracted upward into the lower side of the
shelf, the uprights are squeezed toward one another until the
uprights clear the vertical channels 88, at which point the wire
legs may be rotated. Most preferably, the lateral projections are
formed to be long enough to still engage a portion of the
horizontal slot 81 even when the wire uprights are moved inwardly
toward one another to clear the channel, so that the legs are still
attached to the shelf for pivotal movement. Consequently, the legs
may be pivoted between a first horizontal position adjacent the
lower surface of the shelf, and a second vertical position
extending away from the shelf.
[0053] In order to use the shelf riser, a user first selects a
location in which an additional shelf would be useful. The heights
of the legs of the shelf riser are adjusted to a desired level so
that the shelf will be at a suitable height above a lower shelf on
which the shelf riser is to be placed. For example, the height will
be adjusted so that the shelf of the shelf riser acceptably clears
the top of a set of dishes resting on a cupboard shelf. The height
is adjusted by opening each of the extension portions 50, 60 and
positioning the horizontal portions of the wires 35, 65 within the
appropriate slot from among the plurality of slots 48, 49 formed in
the extension housing. The same process is repeated for each of the
plurality of legs; although two such legs are shown in the
preferred version, in alternate versions more legs (such as three
or four) may be used. Once positioned in the slots, the extension
portion or housing is closed around the wire legs and, in a version
employing clips, the side clips are attached to the housing to
firmly enclose it around the wires. If bottom clips are also
provided in a version in which they are removable, the bottom clips
are likewise attached. The shelf riser is then positioned within
the cupboard or other location so that it extends above other items
within the cupboard, thereby providing an additional shelf space
above such items.
[0054] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the
disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention
should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that
follow.
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