U.S. patent application number 16/090267 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-18 for book support and attachment device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Elfa International AB. Invention is credited to Johan ANDERSSON, Peter NILSSON.
Application Number | 20190110595 16/090267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55661280 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190110595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NILSSON; Peter ; et
al. |
April 18, 2019 |
Book Support and Attachment Device
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a book support and an
attachment device that can be used to attach a book support to a
shelf. A base plate is provided which rests on a shelf, and an
upright extends from the shelf. Tongues are provided at each end of
the base plate which are capable of clamping the shelf. The tongues
extend from the base plate at an acute angle to the base plate,
such that folding the tongues out to a direction perpendicular to
the base plate makes the tongues urge inwards. The tongues may have
a proximal portion and a distal portion wherein the distal portion
is directed at an even more acute angle to the base plate. The
attachment device can be attached to shelf boards having relatively
wide manufacturing tolerances in terms of thickness.
Inventors: |
NILSSON; Peter; (Vastervik,
SE) ; ANDERSSON; Johan; (Vastervik, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Elfa International AB |
Vastervik |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
55661280 |
Appl. No.: |
16/090267 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
March 30, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2017/057548 |
371 Date: |
September 30, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 65/15 20141201;
A47B 57/00 20130101; A47B 57/58 20130101; A47B 63/00 20130101; A47B
81/00 20130101; A47F 5/005 20130101; A47B 96/021 20130101; A47B
65/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 65/00 20060101
A47B065/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2016 |
EP |
16163244.3 |
Claims
1. A book support comprising a base plate, configured to rest on a
shelf, a plate shaped upright rising upwards from the base plate,
and an attachment device, configured to fix the base plate to the
shelf, characterized by the attachment device comprising a tongue
at each end of the base plate, wherein the tongues extend downwards
from the base plate and being flexible about an axis that is
perpendicular to the plane of the upright, and wherein each tongue
forms an acute angle with the base plate.
2. A book support according to claim 1, wherein each tongue has a
proximal tongue portion forming an angle with the base plate in the
range between 75.degree.-85.degree., and a distal tongue portion
forming an angle with the proximal portion in the range between
95.degree.-105.degree..
3. A book support according to claim 1, wherein, at the corner
between each tongue and the base plate, an outward extending arc is
provided that connect the base plate to the tongue.
4. A book support according to claim 2, wherein, in a relaxed
position, each distal tongue portion is substantially parallel with
the base plate.
5. A book support according to claim 2, wherein a corner is formed
between the proximal and distal portions of the tongue.
6. A book support according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of
each tongue comprises a downwardly directed tip.
7. A book support according to claim 1, wherein the book support is
formed in one piece in injection molded plastic.
8. A book support according to claim 7, wherein the book support is
made in polycarbonate, PC.
9. An attachment device configured to fix a base plate to a shelf,
wherein the attachment device comprises a tongue at each end of the
base plate, wherein the tongues are bent out of the plane of the
base plate and being flexible about the axis about which the
tongues are bent, and wherein each tongue forms an acute angle with
the base plate.
10. A combination of a shelf board and an attachment device,
wherein the attachment device is configured to fix a base plate to
the shelf, the attachment device comprising a tongue at each end of
the base plate, wherein the tongues are bent out of the plane of
the base plate and being flexible about the axis about which the
tongues are bent, wherein each tongue forms an acute angle with the
base plate, each tongue has a proximal tongue portion, forming an
angle with the base plate in the range between
75.degree.-85.degree., and a distal tongue portion forming an angle
with the proximal portion in the range between
95.degree.-105.degree., wherein when the attachment device is
attached to the shelf board, the distal portion of each tongue
rests on a corner of the board.
11. A book support comprising a base plate configured to rest on a
shelf, a plate shaped upright rising upwards from the base plate,
and an attachment device, configured to fix the base plate to the
shelf, the attachment device comprising a tongue at each end of the
base plate that extend downwards from the base plate and is
flexible about an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the
upright, and an outward extending arc between each tongue and the
base plate that connects the base plate to the tongue.
12. A book support according to claim 11, wherein each tongue has a
proximal tongue portion forming an angle with the base plate in the
range between 75.degree.-85.degree. and a distal tongue portion
forming an angle with the proximal portion in the range between
95.degree.-105.degree..
13. A book support according to claim 11, wherein, in a relaxed
position, each tongue comprises distal tongue portion that is
substantially parallel with the base plate.
14. A book support according claim 11, wherein the tongue is
comprised of proximal and distal portions with a corner formed
between them.
15. A book support according to claim 11, wherein a distal end of
each tongue comprises a downwardly directed tip.
16. A book support according to claim 11, wherein the book support
is formed in one piece in injection molded plastic.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a book support comprising
a base plate, configured to rest on a shelf, a plate shaped upright
rising upwards from the base plate, and an attachment device,
configured to fix the base plate to the shelf. The disclosure
further relates to an attachment device that can be integrated in
such a book support or together with another device, and to a
system including a shelf and such an attachment device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A book support of the initially mentioned kind is disclosed
for instance in US-767037, showing a sheet metal book support with
an attachment provided as a clip that is configured to clasp a
shelf. One problem associated with such book supports is how to
make them easily and reliably attachable to a shelf.
SUMMARY
[0003] One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide
a book support that can be easily and reliably attached to a shelf
by a user. This object is achieved by means of a book support as
defined in claim 1. More specifically in a book support of the
initially mentioned kind, the attachment device comprises a tongue
at each end of the base plate. The tongues extend downwards from
the plane of the base plate and are flexible about an axis that is
perpendicular to the plane of the upright, and each tongue forms an
acute angle with the base plate. This allows a shelf to be clamped
in between the tongues where the clamping force is applied in
parallel with the plane of the base plate and the main surface of
the shelf on which the base plate rests. Compared to where a clip
is used to clasp the shelf at one end of the base plate, the
attachment becomes very reliable without the need to apply a great
force.
[0004] Each tongue may have a proximal tongue portion forming an
angle with the base plate in the range between
75.degree.-85.degree., and a distal tongue portion forming an angle
with the proximal portion in the range between
95.degree.-105.degree.. This provides a book support which can
accommodate greater mutual tolerances between the thickness of the
shelf board and the length of the tongue, as a thicker board may
simply make the tongue flex a little bit more and may make the
lower corner of the shelf rest on a location of the distal portion
of the tongue.
[0005] At the corner between each tongue and the base plate, an
outward extending arc may be provided that connects the base plate
to the tongue and provides a spring function that allows a greater
tongue flexibility and reduces any lifting of the end of the base
plate when the tongue is flexed outwards.
[0006] Each distal tongue portion may be substantially parallel
with the base plate and a corner may be formed between the proximal
and distal portions of the tongue.
[0007] Further, the end of each tongue may comprise a downwards
directed tip that provides a grip to facilitate attaching of the
book support.
[0008] The book support may be formed in one piece in injection
moulded plastic. A suitable material is polycarbonate, PC.
[0009] An attachment device of the above defined type may be used
in other applications than book supports, and is generally
configured to fix a base plate to a shelf. The attachment device
comprises a tongue at each end of the base plate, wherein the
tongues are bent out of the plane of the base plate and being
flexible about the axis about which the tongues are bent, and
wherein each tongue forms an acute angle with the base plate. Such
an attachment device may thus be used for other purposes, typically
for storing different items.
[0010] It is also considered a combination of a shelf board and an
attachment device, wherein the attachment device is configured to
fix a base plate to the shelf. The attachment device comprises a
tongue at each end of the base plate, wherein the tongues project
out of the plane of the base plate and are flexible about the axis
about which the tongues are bent. Each tongue forms an acute angle
with the base plate, and has a proximal tongue portion, forming an
angle with the base plate in the range between
75.degree.-95.degree., and a distal tongue portion forming an angle
with the proximal portion in the range between
95.degree.-105.degree., wherein, when the attachment device is
attached to the shelf board, the distal portion of each tongue
rests on a corner of the board.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a book support attached
to a shelf and a book support not yet attached to a shelf.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged portion of the latter book support
in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a book support, which is not
attached to a shelf.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged portion of the book support in FIG.
3.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a book support attached to
a relatively thick shelf.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged portion of the book support and the
shelf in FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a book support attached to
a relatively thin shelf.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged portion of the book support and the
shelf in FIG. 7.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows an attachment device attached to the bottom
side of a shelf.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically a prior art book
support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present disclosure relates e.g. to book supports that
are used to divide bookshelves into different sections, and to
support a book at the end of a line of books standing on a shelf.
FIG. 10 illustrates a book support according to the aforementioned
prior art document. The book support includes and upright 101 in
the form of a plate, which rises from a base plate 103, which is
intended to rest on a shelf (not shown). A clip 107 including a
spring tongue 105 is attached to the base plate, and is adapted to
clasp the shelf in order to keep the book support fixed with
relation to the shelf. This book support is made in one piece from
sheet metal, which is punched and bent into the desired shape. The
present disclosure seeks to improve book support of this kind, and
further provides a fastening arrangement that is well adapted to
connect also other devices to a shelf.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a book support 1 that is not yet attached to a
shelf and one that has already been attached to a shelf 9. The book
support 1 comprises a base plate 5 and an upright portion 3 in the
form of a plate that rises from the base plate 5, substantially in
a perpendicular direction therefrom. The book support further
comprises first and second tongues 7, which are connected to the
base plate 5 at the ends thereof.
[0023] As is also illustrated in FIG. 1, when a book support 1 is
connected to a shelf 9, the base plate 5, devised as an elongated
rectangle substantially covering the depth of the shelf 9, rests on
a flat surface 11 of the shelf, and the tongues 7 connect with the
edge surfaces 13 of the shelf 9 by keeping the shelf 9 clamped in
between the tongues. The upright 3 may as illustrated be devised as
a plate, although other options are available, such as for instance
a rectangular arc. As illustrated, the upright 3 rises
perpendicularly from the base plate 5, and from the mid-point of
the base plate 5, although it would be possible to offset the
upright laterally as seen along the length of the base plate 5. As
will be described further, the upright may be replaced by another
device performing a different function.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged portion of the book support 1 in
FIG. 1, which is not yet attached to a shelf. As shown, the tongue
comprises a proximal portion 17, which is attached to the base
plate via a spring part 15, formed as a circular arc extending
outwardly from a corner where the elongation of the base part 5
meets the elongation of the proximal tongue portion 17. As
illustrated, the tongue further comprises a distal portion 19 that
is connected to the proximal portion. This configuration will be
described further with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 where FIG. 3
shows a side view of a book support that is not yet attached to a
shelf, and FIG. 4 shows and enlarged portion illustrating a tongue
of the book support.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, an attachment device that is formed by
the base plate 5 and the parts making up the tongues, may be made
as a band with uniform thickness, that extends along a path from
the tip of one tongue, via the base plate, and to the tip of the
other tongue, although a configuration where this band becomes
narrower or wider along that path is possible. The base portion 5
may as illustrated be connected to the arc-shaped spring portion
15, which in turn is connected to the proximal tongue portion 17,
in its turn being connected to the distal tongue portion 19, at a
corner 27. At the end of the distal tongue portion 19, a downward
projecting tip 21 may be provided, that facilitates the attachment
of the book support to a shelf by making it easier to handle the
tongue with a finger. The proximal tongue portion 17 extends
downwards when the book support is attached to the top surface of a
shelf, but is provided at an acute angle 23 with respect to the
base portion 5. This means that, when attached to a shelf 9 which
has a depth that is about equal to the length of the base plate 5,
the tongues will have to be flexed outwards and will keep the shelf
clamped in between the tongues. This flexing to a great extent
takes place in the spring portions 15, but also to some extent in
the proximal tongue portion 17. Further, the distal tongue portion
19 is provided pointing inwards at an angle 25 to the proximal
tongue portion 17. This angle 25 is greater than 90.degree., and is
preferably in a range between 95 and 105.degree.. In the
illustrated case the angle 25 is 100.degree.. As mentioned, the
angle 23 between the base portion 5 and the proximal tongue portion
is acute, and preferably in the range between 75 and 85.degree.,
and in the illustrated case the angle 23 is 80.degree..
[0026] FIG. 5 shows an example where a book support is attached to
a shelf 9. This illustrates the capability of the attachment device
according to the present disclosure to handle significant
tolerances in the manufacturing of the shelf and/or of the
attachment device. In the illustrated case, the shelf 9 is close to
its maximum tolerance in terms of thickness and in relation to the
attachment device. In the illustrated case, the tongue is flexed to
a great extent outwards and the lower corners of the shelf rest on
the distal tongue portion, as illustrated in FIG. 6. A
corresponding case where the shelf is substantially thinner is
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, where FIG. 8 shows an enlarged portion of
FIG. 7. As illustrated in these figures, the tongue is not bent as
much outwards and the lower corners of the shelf rest almost at the
corners 27 between the proximal and distal portions of the tongue.
As shown in FIGS. 5-8, this configuration of the proximal tongue
portions 17 and the distal tongue portions 19, provides for easy
and reliable attachment of the book support to shelves which can be
allowed to have relatively high tolerances with regard to their
thicknesses.
[0027] Thus, thanks to the illustrated configuration, the bottom
corner of the shelf will rest either in the corner between the
proximal 17 and distal 19 tongue portions or on a location along
the distal portion 19, depending on the shelf thickness. This
allows a relatively large tolerance of the shelf thickness. A
reliable and wobble-free attachment can still be provided. The
combination of angles 23, 25 in between the base plate 5 and the
proximal portion 17, and between the proximal 17 and distal 19
tongue portions, may be such that, in the unflexed/relaxed
position, the distal tongue portion 19 is substantially parallel
with the base plate 5.
[0028] Further, thanks to the arrangement with tongues at both ends
of the base plate, the book support disclosed here is suitable for
being produced in injection moulded plastic, which is significantly
less expensive than producing a sheet metal book support. For
instance, the support may be produced in polycarbonate, PC, which
also allows for the provision of a transparent book support. Also,
as the attachment device provides a firm connection to the shelf
board, it is possible as illustrated in FIG. 9, to attach the
attachment device to the lower side of a board. Even if this makes
the device less useful as a book support, it is possible to replace
the upright 3' with other devices such as a row of hooks, extending
from the base plate, that can be used to carry other items on the
lower side of a shelf. This allows the attachment device to be used
in other applications.
[0029] The present disclosure is not restricted to the examples
given above, and may be varied and altered in different ways within
the scope of the appended claims. For instance, although in the
described example, the upright rises perpendicularly from the base
plate, a deviation from this direction is possible while retaining
the desired function.
* * * * *