U.S. patent number RE39,917 [Application Number 10/735,569] was granted by the patent office on 2007-11-13 for rotary shelf assembly mechanism having a post height adjustment device and a novel shelf construction and self retaining element for securing the shelves to the post.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Peter Meier, Inc.. Invention is credited to Georg Domenig, James Rapier.
United States Patent |
RE39,917 |
Domenig , et al. |
November 13, 2007 |
Rotary shelf assembly mechanism having a post height adjustment
device and a novel shelf construction and self retaining element
for securing the shelves to the post
Abstract
A rotary shelf assembly mechanism has shelves mounted on a
vertical post arrangement formed by a first lower post and a second
upper post. The mechanism is connected to a cabinet by upper and
lower mounting brackets interacting with the top and bottom of the
cabinet to support the posts and shelves carried thereby. The
mechanism is mounted in the corner of the cabinet. To fit the
mechanism within the cabinet, a height adjustment device is formed
by positioning the second upper post in the upper end of the first
lower post for slidable movement therebetween. When securement of
the two joined posts and mounted shelves is desired, the slidably
movable second upper post is extended upwardly until it engages the
upper mounting bracket mounted on the cabinet. An elongated recess
in the second upper post aligns with an opening in the first lower
post, and a threaded member extends into a casting positioned
within the upper post. The threaded member is tightened to engage
the casting and secure the two posts in a shelf-retaining and
rotational mode. The height adjustment device enables quick and
efficient installation of the mechanism within the cabinet
interior. The mechanism also includes a one piece shelf
construction having a post-securing section and a shelf-retaining
pin.
Inventors: |
Domenig; Georg (Kernersville,
NC), Rapier; James (Purlear, NC) |
Assignee: |
Peter Meier, Inc.
(Kernersville, NC)
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Family
ID: |
28792362 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/735,569 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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09640052 |
Aug 17, 2000 |
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Reissue of: |
09740554 |
Dec 20, 2000 |
06626305 |
Sep 30, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/144;
211/131.1; 211/95; 211/163; 211/129.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
49/004 (20130101); A47B 57/26 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;248/235,239,241,244,243,250 ;211/95,78,163,207,208,131.1,129.1,144
;403/109.1,109.2,109.4,379.3,378 ;312/305 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Strimbu; Gregory J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: MacCord Mason PLLC
Parent Case Text
The present application is a continuation-in-part application of
pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/640,052 filed Aug. 17,
2000 now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rotary shelf .[.assembly.]. mechanism comprising: a
.[.telescopically.]. .Iadd.vertically .Iaddend.adjustable
.[.vertical.]. post .[.arrangement.]. ; first and second mounting
brackets spaced apart from and opposing each other supporting the
post .[.arrangement.]. ; at least one single piece shelf connected
to the post .[.arrangement.]. , the post .[.arrangement.]. having
pin-receiving apertures proximate the at least one connected shelf,
each of the at least one shelf having .[.a post-securing section
including a hub with.]. a post-encircling sleeve .[.disposed within
and spaced from the hub; the post-encircling sleeve.]. including
.[.a.]. .Iadd.an operably connected .Iaddend.pin-receiving indent
.[.operatively connected with the post-encircling sleeve.]. ; and a
pin extending through the .[.post arrangement.]. pin-receiving
apertures.[.,.]. .Iadd.and being .Iaddend.cooperatively received
.[.and retained.]. by the pin-receiving indent of the at least one
shelf .[.and through the post-encircling sleeve.]. to
.Iadd.vertically .Iaddend.secure the at least one shelf to the post
.[.arrangement.]. so that the post .[.arrangement.]. and the shelf
rotate.[.s.]. as one unit.Iadd., wherein the post-encircling sleeve
of the at least one shelf has a post-receiving opening, the
pin-receiving indent is a rectangularly shaped recess having first
and second closed ends facing said post-receiving opening and at
least partial first and second sides communicating with the
post-receiving opening, the pin is an elongated element having
first and second ends and a cylindrically shaped pin body portion,
and the pin-receiving indent engages the first and second pin ends
and the cylindrically shaped pin body portion when the pin operably
secures the at least one shelf to the post.Iaddend..
.[.2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pin is an
elongated element having first and second ends and the
pin-receiving indent engages at least one of the pin ends when the
pin operably secures the at least one shelf to the post
arrangement..].
.[.3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hub of the at
least one shelf has a post-receiving opening, the pin-receiving
indent is a rectangularly shaped recess communicating with the
post-receiving opening, the post arrangement further including
pin-receiving apertures at each of a plurality of shelf
positions..].
.[.4. The mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pin is an
elongated element having first and second ends and the
pin-receiving indent engages at least one of the pin ends when the
pin operably secures the at least one shelf to the post
arrangement..].
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary shelf construction and
assembly and to a shelf-supporting post height adjustment device to
secure the post and carried shelves in a pre-selected relationship
within the cabinet along with a shelf sustaining element to enable
the speedy attachment and detachment of shelves to the post.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been common practice to provide corner kitchen cabinet
shelves of a rotatable or "Lazy Susan" type. Such shelves are
desirable because, without them, much cabinet space in the corner
either above or below the kitchen counter is wasted due to the
inaccessibility of items well back in the corner.
One of the problems encountered with such a structure is the
variance of non-uniform distances between the top and bottom of the
cabinet thus requiring some accommodation for the length of the
post in order for the post and shelves to fit and function properly
within the cabinet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,908 discloses a vertically adjustable post
assembly wherein an upper post is telescoped into the upper end
portion of a lower post and adjusted vertically relative thereto.
Vertical adjustment is provided by an end cap attached to the upper
end of the lower post by a set screw. The end cap is formed with a
V-shaped key which fits into a formed channel in the upper post to
prevent the upper post from rotating relative to the lower post
while permitting vertical adjustment of the upper post. While the
reference discloses a workable combination, it does require an end
cap to slide over the upper end of the lower post thus allowing a
key formed on the upper bracket to fit within the formed channel in
the upper post, a combination of elements obviously more expensive
than desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,595 includes an assembly having a sleeve member
with first and second end portions and defining a coaxial hole
therethrough. The hole slidably receives the upper end portion of
the rotating support shaft, and a set screw adjustably secures the
sleeve member to the rotating support shaft such that it rotates
with the shaft. This fitting prevents rotational slippage, however
it does not provide vertical adjustability.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,686 provides for post vertical adjustment
through a height adjustment mechanism wherein a diamond tooth
knurled cylindrical segment is rotated to threadably raise and
lower the post to the desired position. A locking screw secures the
vertically positioned elements in a fixed condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,885 provides vertical adjustment by means of a
wedge movable horizontally against a bearing support to provide
vertical adjustability.
All of these references disclose workable vertically adjustable
features, however some wear excessively after frequent use. All of
these adjustments are somewhat troublesome, time consuming,
relatively expensive and oftentimes laborious.
In addition, some of the prior art references relating to adjusting
the height of a shelf assembly require the use of special tools,
and frequently the adjusting mechanisms were not easily accessible.
The shelves are conventionally secured to the post in corner units
like those described by the insertion of pins and other post
securing attachments to permit movement of the shelf upwardly and
downwardly along the post. Usually it is necessary to utilize
several elements in combination to accomplish this securement thus
making shelf securement rather expensive and time consuming.
Shelf construction for Lazy Susan assemblies have traditionally
included the use of several separate components that were combined
to form the finished shelf. Additional and separate structure was
also needed to affix the shelf to the supporting post. A collar was
often positioned under the shelf with a pin extending through it to
engage the post and frictionally hold the collar in a stationary
position and thereby support the shelf during use. Shelves made of
multiple components are expensive and involve considerable time and
adjustment when installed. For this reason there is a need to
improve shelf structure and reduce the time normally involved in
shelf installation and adjustment.
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
rotary shelf assembly wherein the height of the shelf assembly can
be easily adjusted.
A further objective of the invention is to provide a novel
adjustable mechanism for adjusting the vertical height of the
support means of the rotary shelf assembly of the present
invention.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a rotary shelf
assembly of the type described for use in corner areas of kitchen
cabinets primarily known as "Lazy Susans" wherein the height of the
shelf assembly can be adjusted to fit the varying space experienced
in current construction.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a
rotary shelf assembly for use in corner areas of kitchen cabinets
than can be expeditiously and efficiently installed within the
cabinet frame without the tedious assembly of a combination of
components.
A further objective is to provide a uniquely formed one piece shelf
with a post-securing shelf section which enables securement of a
shelf to the post with a single pin.
The present invention is a post height adjustment mechanism for
adjusting the height of a rotary shelf assembly and enabling the
speedy and efficient installation of the assembly within the
cabinet frame. The adjustment mechanism includes a first tubular
post and a second tubular post sized to be telescopically received
within the first or top end of the first tubular post and having an
elongated recess extending longitudinally along the axis of the
second tubular post. The first tubular post has an opening to
receive a mating screw extendable through a wall of the first post
and securably extending into the elongated recess to attach to a
casting member within the second tubular post to the first tubular
post at a pre-selected location thus configuring the joined posts
to the precise distance between the first and second mounting
brackets and avoiding rotational shelf/post slippage. The
advantages associated with this configuration include the ability
to detach the first tubular post from the second tubular post and
consolidate the shelf assembly for shipping.
This invention also includes a uniquely formed one piece shelf with
a post-securing shelf section which enables securement of a shelf
to the post with a single pin. The post-securing shelf section is a
hub-like configuration accommodating the post and containing a
molded recess to cooperatively receive a pin that has been passed
through the post and extends outwardly therefrom on both sides.
The invention also includes a flexible shelf securing element
partially encircling the post when installed and adapted to slide
within the post opening of each shelf and further secure the
engaged shelf at a pre-selected location along the post.
Thus there has been outlined the more important features of the
invention in order that the detailed description that follows may
be better understood and in order that the present contribution to
the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and
which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In that respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its arrangement of the components set forth in the
following description and illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways.
It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not
be regarded as limiting in any respect. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the concept upon which this disclosure is
based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other
structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several
purposes of this development. It is important that the claims be
regarded as including such equivalent methods and products
resulting therefrom that do not depart from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. The application is neither intended to
define the invention of the application, which is measured by its
claims, nor to limit its scope in any way.
Thus, the objectives of the invention set forth above, along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the invention,
are noted with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a
part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific results
obtained by its use, reference should be made to the following
detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts
throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the rotational shelf apparatus
embodying a part of the present invention positioned within a
cabinet frame;
FIG. 2 is a perspective and enlarged view of the upper end of a
tubular post formed from a telescopically insertable second tubular
member having an elongated recess capable of receiving a screw to
secure the posts in a fixed relationship;
FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the joined posts shown in FIG.
2;
FIG. 3b is a top plan view of the joined posts shown in FIGS. 2 and
3a;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first and second joinable posts
in a separated condition;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational cross sectional view of the casting
shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line 5-5;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational cross sectional view of the casting
shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line 6-6;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the casting utilized in the securement
of the first post to the second joinable post;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational sectional view of the casting shown in
FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of the joined first and second posts
being held in a fixed relationship with each other by the casting
of FIG. 7 and an enabling screw;
FIG. 10 is a side elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of
the first and second joined posts and the casting used to maintain
the posts in a fixed position with respect to each other;
FIG. 11 is perspective view of the new shelf construction
displaying for the most part the underside of the shelf;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the new shelf construction of the
present invention showing the top of the shelf;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, enlarged and perspective view of the new
shelf underside construction of the present invention primarily
focusing on the post-shelf section which enables securement of a
shelf to the post with a single pin;
.Iadd.FIG. 13a is like FIG. 13 with a pin inserted in the
detents;.Iaddend.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, enlarged and perspective view of the
post-securing shelf underside section of the new shelf construction
of the present invention displaying a post aperture through which
may be inserted a pin to secure the shelf to the post;
FIG. 15 is a spring clip effective to limit any movement of the
shelves along the post when they are collapsed against each other
for shipment or other movement, the spring being in the engaged
position to limit such movement;
FIG. 16 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 15 with the spring
being disengaged to free the shelves for movement;
FIG. 17 is perspective view of the rolled pin formed of flat stock;
and
FIG. 18 is an end elevational view of the rolled pin shown in FIG.
17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A rotational shelf assembly incorporating various features of the
present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. Shelf
assembly 10 is designed to be installed in a cabinet 12 having
installation surfaces comprising a ceiling surface or top 14 and a
floor surface or bottom 16. However, it will be appreciated that
the use of the assembly 10 is not confined to cabinet interiors and
can be adapted for mounting in various storage areas having the
necessary installation surfaces. Moreover, it will be understood
that while assembly 10 has been titled a rotational shelf assembly,
the term "shelf" as used herein encompasses various support
structures for supporting items to be stored.
As shown in FIG. 1, assembly 10 comprises a support assembly 18 for
rotatably mounting adjustable shelves 20. Support assembly 18
includes a first rotational support post 22 having upper and lower
end portions 24, 26, the lower end portion 26 engagably supported
by mounting bracket 30 and the upper part of post 22 being
supported by upper bracket 31 as shown. A plurality of shelves 20
are fixedly secured to post 22 to be rotated in unison
therewith.
Adjustment features, particularly vertical adjustment features, are
required for installations of this nature because of the varying
distances between cabinet 14 and cabinet bottom 16. Variations in
distances may be several inches depending upon the cabinetry
involved, and it is necessary to provide adjustment devices to
allow for these variations and yet maintain the post 22 and
attached shelves 20 in a stationary and stable condition. It is
also desirable to utilize a mechanism for installing the shelves
and the supporting posts within the cabinet frame that can be
easily installed and efficiently adjusted or removed for shipment
without the use of a combination of elements and tedious
installation procedures.
The present invention utilizes a post height adjustment assembly or
device which includes a second tubular post 34 telescopically
received within a first tubular post 22 as shown in FIG. 1. Second
post 34 is a tubular member having an elongated recess 36 extending
longitudinally along the second tubular post axis. An aperture 38
(FIG. 3) cooperatively receives a mating screw 40 extending through
wall 42 of first post 22 into elongated recess 36 in a fixedly
securable manner so that second post 34 and first post 22 are
secured at a pre-selected location to span the distance between top
interior 14 and bottom 16 and insure that there is no rotational
slippage.
Because elongated recess 36 extends for a distance of several
inches, it allows second tubular post 34 to be moved upwardly or
downwardly within first tubular post 22 to an exact pre-determined
location suitable to fit reliably within a given cabinet interior
dimension and to be thereafter secured by screw 40 to maintain that
position. Recess 36 can extend from somewhere within the mid
portion of post 34 all the way to one end 44 as shown in FIG. 4.
Alternatively, the recess might extend end-to-end of post 34 if
that were desired.
It has been found most convenient to have the elongated recess
length to run from approximately four to approximately eight
inches. It has also been found to be desirable to have the depth of
the elongated recess to run from approximately one-eighth inch to
approximately one-half inch.
The simplicity of the present invention means is readily
appreciated by noting that recess 36 can be produced by exerting
pressure along the longitudinal axis of post 34 to form a
depression. Aperture 38 in post 22 can be anywhere along the
surface of post 22 so long as it is positioned radially of that
post.
Screw 40, may be inserted in a threaded aperture 39 within a
casting 39a and moved radially toward the longitudinal axis of post
22 where it eventually engages the lower curved portion 41 of
recess 36 where it tightens. The forward end 43 of screw 40 does
not engage the bottom of recess 36, the complete tightening of
screw 40 taking place within lower curved portion 41.
Casting 39a is formed as shown in FIGS. 5-9 wherein a substantially
solid piece of preferably metallic material is formed with an
arcuate surface to cooperatively abut with the interior surface of
tubular member 22. Bradable extensions 43a are formed on the
arcuate surface to coincide with apertures provided in tubular
member 22. These bradable members can then be spread by a special
tool to secure the casing against the interior of vertical post
22.
Threaded aperture 39 of the casting cooperatively receives screw 40
reached through a larger opening in vertical post 22 and is
tightened into the lower curved surface portion 41 of recess 36 as
previously explained.
Adjusting the device of the present invention is simple and
efficient, element 40 being readily accessible through the open
door of the cabinet. Since only movement of post 34 with respect to
post 32 is required and tightening of screw 40 completes the
securement, little difficulty is experienced in effecting such
adjustment. The simple connection of post 34 with post 32 provides
an efficient installation of the totally formed post and supported
shelves within the cabinet frame.
The present invention also includes a uniquely formed one piece
shelf with a post-securing shelf section which enables the
securement of the shelf with a single pin. The top and bottom of
the shelf is shown in FIGS. 12 and 11 respectively. The shelf is
molded of a plastic or other suitable material and provided with a
plurality of strengthening ribs 45 that extend radially of the
circularly configured shelf from the post-securing shelf section
62. Circular supporting ribs 47 provide additional strength.
Post-securing shelf section 62 is made up of a circular hub 48
(.[.FIG. 14.]. .Iadd.FIG. 13a.Iaddend.) which houses within its
formed interior 58 the plurality of radially extending ribs 45
emanating from a post encircling sleeve 54. Two pin-receiving
indents 56 cooperatively open into sleeve 54 so that a pin .Iadd.55
.Iaddend.inserted through post 22 (FIG. 14) will nest within
indents 56 and be within the interior hub 48 and post 22.
Thus, the one piece shelf 20 can be positioned over post 22 as
shown in FIG. 14 and sustained at a predetermined location by the
insertion of a pin through an aperture 63 in post 22 with the
extending ends of the pin cooperatively received by indents 56 to
secure the shelf at a precise location on post 22.
When rotary shelf assemblies like those disclosed herein are
shipped, they are usually collapsed to the extent possible in order
to make shipping sizes more efficient by occupying less three
dimensional space and prevent shelf damage. When the assemblies are
reduced in size, the shelves are usually brought together still
connected with the post and are secured so that they do not move
during shipment. Securement of the shelves against movement is
sometimes complicated and in most instances expensive.
In the present rotary shelf assembly, a securement clip has been
developed that is simple in construction, easy to install and
reliable in operation. An embodiment of the clip is shown in FIGS.
15 and 16 wherein a continuous metallic clip shown generally as 78
fully encircles and locks to post 34 at its terminal ends 80, 82,
each end engaging cooperative apertures 84, 86. Clip 78 is formed
with a bias to urge tips 80, 82 toward each other and cause them to
become embedded within apertures 84, 86 in a secured manner. Clip
78 is effective in limiting any movement of the shelves along the
post during shipment.
FIG. 16 illustrates the positioning of clip 78 as it is urged
against post 34 and into apertures 82, 84, and FIG. 15 shows clip
78 in the final engaged and shelf-securing position. For ease in
installation, a slightly offset end extension 88 is formed on tip
82 so that it can be initially engaged or seated in aperture 86
when clip 78 is thereafter urged forwardly until tip 80 engages
aperture 84.
Another alternative component for insuring the secure positioning
of shelf 20 against post 58 is a rolled pin .[.go.]. .Iadd.90
.Iaddend.as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Pin .[.go.]. .Iadd.90
.Iaddend.is formed from a sheet of preferably metallic material in
flat form which is thereafter rolled to form a cylindrical and
somewhat flexible pin. The springiness of pin .[.go.]. .Iadd.90
.Iaddend.permits it to be slightly compressed when placed in
aperture 72 and indents 74 so that upon release.Iadd., .Iaddend.it
springs outwardly against the surfaces of those elements and
resists any movement of shelf 20 with respect to post 58.
From the proceeding description, it can be seen that an adjustment
device for a cabinet assembly, a novel shelf construction and a
shelf securing element have been provided that will meet all of the
advantages of prior art devices and offer additional advantages not
heretofore achievable. With respect to the foregoing invention, the
optimum dimensional relationship to the parts of the invention
including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and
manner of operation, use and assembly are deemed readily apparent
to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed herein.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the invention. Numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to those skilled in the art, and it is not desired to limit
the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described. All suitable modification and equivalents that fall
within the scope of the appended claims are deemed within the
present inventive concept.
* * * * *