CN101868166A - Wall-mounted furniture system - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall mounted shelving system for electronic devices that provides simple and effective post-installation wire management and that can also be easily positionally adjusted post-installation.

Description

Wall-mounted furniture system

related application

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/950,325, filed July 17, 2007, entitled "Wall Hung Furniture System," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

field of invention

The present invention relates to wall-mounted furniture systems, and more particularly to wall-mounted shelving systems for electronic equipment.

Background technique

Electronic display devices such as stereo units, DVD players, surround sound systems, and LCD flat panel displays are widely used in commercial, industrial, institutional, and home environments. It is often desirable to mount these devices to a wall to save counter, table or floor space. In order to mount electronic equipment from the wall, a large number of specialized brackets and shelving systems have been developed.

The cables and wires used to provide signals and power to installed equipment present certain challenges. These wires and cables are unsightly, so it is desirable to hide them in the bracket or other structure associated with the bracket. Prefabricated wires, especially video and signal cables, are often terminated at both ends with molded plugs or connectors, which can be relatively large. Existing bracket systems often do not define wireways or channels that are large enough and properly configured to allow passage of these connectors after the bracket is installed. This creates unsightly wires and cables protruding from the mounting equipment, or creates additional difficulty, expense and delay in the installation of the rack.

Another drawback of existing mounting systems concerns the height and position adjustment of the system. For aesthetic reasons, it is often desirable to mount equipment at very specific heights and locations on walls. Existing mounting systems are often fixedly attached to the wall in one location, thus often requiring great care and effort during installation to ensure that the bracket is positioned as desired on the wall before being attached. Once attached, the position of the bracket cannot be adjusted without removing the bracket and repositioning the attachment fasteners. Furthermore, it is not possible to reposition the equipment only a small distance due to the holes made in the wall by the fasteners during the previous installation.

There is a need in the industry for a wall-mounted shelving system for electronic equipment that provides simple and effective post-installation cable management and also enables easy post-installation position adjustment.

Contents of the invention

The wall-mounted furniture system according to the present invention addresses the industry need for a wall-mounted shelving system for electronic equipment that provides simple and effective post-installation cable management and also enables easy post-installation position adjustment. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wall-mounted shelving system includes a frame having a plurality of spaced, parallel vertical members coupled by spaced apart horizontal mounting brackets. The vertical member includes a centrally located cord management channel flanked by shelf attachment posts. The wire management channel defines a forward facing slot with a plurality of side facing wire holes. The shelf attachment post defines a forward facing shelf adjustment channel that slidably receives a plurality of shelf attachment carts. Each of the plurality of forwardly extending horizontal shelves is supported by a laterally aligned cart coupled in each shelf adjustment channel. When the shelves are in place, the wires can be routed from the first piece of equipment on one of the shelves, through the forward-facing wire management channel at a position above the shelf holding the first piece of equipment. slot, and pass laterally out of a nearby cord hole, into the space between the cord management channel and the adjacent shelf attachment post. The wires can then be routed up or down through the wire hole located near the second shelf and through the forward facing slot at a location above the second shelf. The cord can then be connected to a second piece of equipment located on the second shelf. A masking panel can then be fitted between the wire management channel and the shelf attachment posts to mask the wires from view.

The spaced horizontal mounting brackets include a U-shaped channel formed along an upper edge thereof and a flange formed along a lower edge thereof. A pair of elongated panels are included, each panel having projecting flanges formed along its upper and lower edges. These panels are spaced apart on the wall at positions corresponding to the positions of the horizontal mounting brackets at the desired system height on the wall. The system can then be attached to the wall by hooking the U-shaped channel onto the upper edge of the wall panel. A locking fastener may then be inserted through the flange at the lower edge of the horizontal mounting bracket to extend below the lower protruding flange of the wall panel, thereby preventing the U-shaped channel from disengaging from the wall panel. The U-shaped channel can be slid laterally over the upper flange of the wall plate prior to insertion of the locking fastener, allowing limited lateral positioning of the system on the wall.

In another embodiment, a system includes a wall mount interface assembly and a plurality of shelves. A wall-mount interface assembly typically includes an elongated housing, which may be a unitary extrusion formed from aluminum and defining a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel channels located near the rear side of the housing; and a separate elongated wall plate, It has multiple protruding hooks. A carrier plate is received in one of the channels and a locking plate is slidably received in an adjacent one of the channels. Each of the carrier plate and the locking plate defines a plurality of holes for receiving a single one of the hooks of the wall plate. The siding is attached to the wall by outwardly facing hooks. To attach the housing to the wall plate, the holes in the carrier plate and the locking plate are aligned by sliding the locking plate to the first position. Then insert the hooks through the holes in the locking plate and the carrier plate. The hook has an upwardly facing slot aligned with the locking plate such that the locking plate can be slid into a second position in which the locking plate engages in the slot in the hook to lock the housing to the wall plate . When the housing is thus engaged on the wall, the edges of the holes in the carrier plate bear against the bearing surfaces of the respective hooks to transfer the load on the shelf to the wall and to the wall.

The position of the bearing plate in the housing can be adjusted vertically relative to the housing by means of adjusting screws. The vertical position of the housing and attached shelf can be adjusted post-installation within a limited range of travel using the adjustment screw.

The housing also defines a shelf adjustment channel proximate the front side having the forward facing slot, and a pair of rearwardly facing generally V-shaped grooves flanking the slot. The shelf adjustment channel slidably receives the shelf attachment member therein. The shelf attachment member defines a pair of wedge-shaped protrusions corresponding to the V-shaped grooves. The shelf support members are attached to the shelf attachment members with fasteners. The shelf attachment member may be secured against sliding in the shelf adjustment channel by tightening the fastener such that the wedge-shaped protrusion is pulled into the V-shaped groove. As the fastener is tightened, the engagement of the wedge-shaped protrusions with the V-shaped groove narrows the groove, preventing the shelf attachment member from being pulled through the groove and increasing retention of the shelf attachment member in the shelf adjustment channel The friction force at the proper position in .

In embodiments of the present invention, the shelf support member may include a shelf support pad or bumper surfaced with a high friction, low slip material to inhibit sliding of the shelf on the shelf support member and prevent the shelf from being Pull forward away from the case or frame.

The housing also defines sideways wire management channels on each side thereof. Wires can be routed from equipment on one shelf to equipment on other shelves through these channels. These wires can be concealed from view by means of a snap-on cover fitted over the channel opening.

Thus, in an embodiment, a furniture system adapted to fit on a building wall includes a body portion adapted to cooperate with a flat and substantially vertical surface of the wall. The body portion defines at least one vertically oriented cord channel for concealing cords therein and has structure to receive a plurality of shelf support brackets. The system also includes a plurality of shelves each supported on a single shelf support bracket.

In an embodiment of the invention, the body portion may comprise an elongated substantially vertically oriented column structure. The column structure defines a pair of vertically oriented wire channels, each wire channel having a sidewardly facing opening. The system may also include a pair of covers, each for covering a separate side-facing opening.

In an embodiment, the structure receiving the plurality of shelf support brackets may be a vertical channel in the body portion defined by opposing side, rear and front walls. The front wall defines an elongated vertically oriented opening, and inwardly oriented V-shaped grooves on either side of the opening. Each shelf support bracket includes a shelf height adjustment block defining a pair of spaced apart projecting members received in the vertical channel and engaging in the V-shaped in the groove.

In other embodiments, each shelf support bracket of the system has at least one contact portion for contacting a shelf. The shelf contacting portion may be covered with a high friction, low slip material to inhibit sliding of the shelf on the shelf support member.

In further embodiments, the body portion may include a pair of shelf attachment posts positioned on opposite sides of the wire management channel and spaced from the wire management channel. Each shelf attachment post may define a forward facing shelf adjustment channel, while the system also includes a plurality of shelf attachment carts, each cart being slidably received in one of the shelf adjustment channels.

The system may include a wall interface plate having an upwardly oriented flange, and the body portion may have a hook structure. The hook structure is engageable over the upwardly oriented flange of the wall interface plate to support the furniture system on the wall. The system may also include a locking structure for selectively inhibiting disengagement of the hook structure from the wall interface plate.

In other embodiments, a furniture system adapted to be mounted on a building wall includes a body portion adapted to mate with a planar and substantially vertical surface of a wall, the body portion defining at least one vertically oriented wire channel , the wire channel for concealing wires therein; a plurality of shelves; and means for coupling the plurality of shelves with the body portion. The means for coupling the plurality of shelves to the body portion may be a plurality of shelf support brackets and structure for receiving each of the plurality of shelf support brackets.

In other embodiments, the furniture system may include a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the main body portion relative to the wall interface plate when the hook structure is engaged with the wall interface plate.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that wires and cables can easily be hidden within the system after installation so as not to be seen.

An advantage of some embodiments of the present invention is the ability to easily adjust the position of the system on the wall after installation.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that the shelf attachment members or carts can be positioned vertically, slidably anywhere along the vertical members of the system, thereby enabling individual positioning of the shelves on the system any vertical position.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that the shelf attachment member or cart has a forward facing wedge shaped protrusion that mates with a corresponding rearward facing V-shaped groove in the shelf attachment channel to achieve Positive vertical positioning of the shelf attachment member and prevention of pulling the shelf attachment member out of the shelf attachment channel due to over tightening of the fasteners used to attach the shelf to the shelf attachment member outside.

Other objects and advantages of particular embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawings and description of the invention.

Description of drawings

The invention can be more fully understood after considering the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

1 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 1;

5 is a view of the opposite side of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 1;

Figure 8a is a fragmentary view of the circled portion of Figure 8;

9 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system with a portion of the body portion and shelf removed, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9a is a fragmentary view of the circled portion of Figure 9;

Figure 10 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 1;

11 is a rear view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 13;

14 is a bottom view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

15 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

Figure 16 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 13;

17 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

Figure 18 is a rear view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 13;

19 is a side cutaway view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

Figure 19a is a fragmentary view of the circled portion of Figure 19;

20 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

Figure 20a is a fragmentary view of the circled portion of Figure 20;

21 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 22 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of Figure 21;

23 is a perspective view of a wall panel of a wall-mounted furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

24 is a perspective view of components of a height adjustment mechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

25 is a perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

26 is a perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism and wall panels of a wall-mounted furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

27 is a partially transparent perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

28 is a partially transparent perspective view of a portion of a height adjustment mechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, details thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.

Detailed ways

The present invention can be more readily understood by reference to FIGS. 1-28 and the following description. The present invention will be better appreciated from a discussion of an exemplary embodiment in this particular context, although the invention is not necessarily limited to this application. Referring to FIGS. 1-28 , a wall-mounted furniture system 100 generally includes a shelf 102 , a wall-mounting mechanism 200 and a shelf adjustment mechanism 300 . The wall-mounted furniture system 100 may also include a height adjustment mechanism 400 and a cable management system 500 .

In an embodiment of the present invention, the wall hanging mechanism 200 includes a wall plate 210 and a mounting bracket 212 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 . In another embodiment, the wall mount mechanism 200 has a wall mount interface assembly 214, as shown in FIGS. 18-19 and 26 . The wall interface assembly 214 generally includes a wall plate 211 , a mounting bracket 213 and a locking bracket 216 .

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11 , the wall plate 210 has a hole 218 . Holes 218 may be elongated holes 218a and/or circular holes 218b.

Referring to FIG. 11 , mounting bracket 212 generally includes upper lip 220 , lower lip 221 , mounting holes 222 , stabilizing holes 223 , and post mounting holes 225 . The upper lip 220 is generally U-shaped and the lower lip 221 is generally L-shaped in profile with the mounting bracket 212 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the wall plate 210 and the mounting bracket 212 are rectangular. While wall plate 210 and mounting bracket 212 may be of any size, mounting bracket 212 is typically longer and wider than wall plate 210, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 .

Referring to FIGS. 19-20 , the wall plate 211 of the wall hanging interface assembly 214 has a mounting hole 224 and a retaining clip 226 . The retaining clip 226 has a bearing surface 228 and a mouth 230 . The bearing surface 228 is adapted to support the mounting bracket 213 and the mouth 230 is adapted to receive the locking bracket 216 .

Referring to FIG. 25 , mounting bracket 213 generally has upper portion 232 and upper portion 232 . The upper portion 232 defines a locking aperture 236 . The main body portion 234 defines a mounting slot 238 .

Referring to FIG. 24 , the locking bracket 216 has an upper portion 240 and a main body portion 242 . The upper portion 240 defines a push portion 244 and a locking aperture 246 . The main body portion 242 defines a locking slot 248 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, locking aperture 246 of locking bracket 216 is aligned with locking aperture 236 of mounting bracket 213 and is adapted to receive locking screw 249 . The locking slot 248 is designed to receive the retaining clip 226 and engage the mouth 230 of the mounting bracket 213 .

In various embodiments, the wall-mounted furniture system 100 may include one or more shelf adjustment mechanisms 300 . The shelf adjustment mechanism 300 generally includes a vertical post 302 and a movable shelf support 304 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vertical column 302 has a housing 306 defining a height adjustment channel 305, a support block recess 305a, a cable management cavity 307, a channel 308 and a track 309, as shown in Figures 20 and 20a . In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vertical column 302 has a housing 306, a channel 308, and a track 309, and a central column 303 has a housing 306 defining a panel channel 311 and a cable management cavity 307, as shown in FIG. 9 and 9a. Shelf adjustment mechanism 300 enables selective raising and lowering of vertical column 302 .

Housing 306 has an outer surface 310 , an inner surface 312 and side surfaces 314 . The movable shelf support 304 generally includes a support body 316 , a shelf height adjustment block 318 and a shelf height locking member 317 . The support body 316 generally has a support arm 322 and a retainer 324 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the support body 316 and the shelf height adjustment block 318 each have a locking member hole 320 that allows the support body 316 to be attached to the shelf height adjustment using the shelf height locking member 317. At block 318, as shown in FIG. 19 . In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support body 316 has support clips (not shown) that can engage the support slots 319 of the shelf height adjustment block 318 so that the support body 316 can be attached to the shelf. On the height adjustment block 318.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support body 316 also has a locking member 326, as shown in FIG. 21 . Locking member 326 is substantially planar and has locking member aperture 320 aligned with channel 308 . The shelf height adjustment block 318 defines a main body portion 328 and an extension portion 330 . The body portion 328 has a protruding member 332 and a major surface 334 . The extension portion 330 has an extension surface 336 . The main body portion 328 fits within the channel 308 and the extension portion fits within the track 309, as shown in Figure 20a. The distance between protruding member 332 and the plane defined by extension surface 336 approximates the thickness of that portion of housing 306 between outer surface 310 and inner surface 312 .

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support arm 322 of the support body 316 has a support clip, and the shelf height adjustment block 318 defines a support clip groove 319 , as shown in FIG. 10 . The shelf height adjustment block 318 fits within the channel 308, with the main body extending between the channel 308 and the track 309, as shown in Figure 8a. The support slot 319 is adapted to receive a support clip of the support arm 322 . The shelf height adjustment block 318 also defines an aperture 321 . Holes 318 are adapted to receive shelf height locking members 319 .

The shelf adjustment mechanism 300 generally secures the shelf 102 in place relative to the support body 316 . The support arm 322 and the holder 324 of the support body 316 have a bumper 350 . Specifically, the holder 324 has an upper bumper 350a, and the support arm 322 has a lower bumper 350b. The bumper 350 has an outer surface 352 . To ensure shelf 102 is level, the distance between the plane defined by outer surface 352 of upper bumper 350a and the plane defined by outer surface 352 of lower bumper 350b is approximately the thickness of shelf 102 .

Bumpon^TM。Lower bumper 350b generally includes a bumper housing 354 defining a recess 356 and a mouth 358 , a bumper pin 360 and a bumper insert 362 . A bumper pin 360 extends from the bumper recess 356 into the mouth 358 . The mouth 358 of the bumper 350 is adapted to receive the support arm 322 such that the bumper 350 rests on the support arm 322 . Buffer 350 receives buffer plug 362 . Upper bumper 350a may be substantially similar to lower bumper 350b, or may comprise a single component. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper buffer 350a may be integrally formed as a single part. While upper bumper 350a and bumper insert 362 may be made of any material, upper bumper 350a and bumper insert 362 are generally made of materials that are relatively strong to high surface energy substrates such as metal, glass, polycarbonate, and acrylic. Made of materials that provide excellent adhesion and provide a resilient contact surface with very low slip. In an embodiment of the invention, the shelf contacting surfaces of the bumpers 350b, 350 are covered with

Bumpon ^™ .

Housing 306 of shelf adjustment mechanism 300 is capable of receiving and substantially housing cables and cords for electrical equipment such as an audiovisual system. Specifically, housing 306 defines one or more cable management cavities 307 . The cable management cavity 307 includes a cable management opening 370 adapted to receive a retainer clip 372 . Retainer clip 372 is selectively positionable within cable management opening 370 to substantially conceal the electrical connector within cable management cavity 307 .

The wires may be further concealed by end caps 380 . End caps 380 generally fit over a top end 382 and a bottom end 384 of housing 306 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, end cap 380 is secured with a fastening member received by housing 306 . In another embodiment, the end cap 380 snaps into the housing 306 . Other means of securing end cap 306 to housing 306 may also be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. A removable panel 381 is also used to conceal the wires.

The height adjustment mechanism 400 enables raising or lowering the vertical position of the housing 306 relative to the wall plate 211 . The height adjustment mechanism 400 generally includes a support block 402 , an adjustment block 404 and an adjustment bolt 406 , as shown in FIG. 25 . The height adjustment mechanism 400 may also include screw clamps (not shown). The support block 402 has an upper surface 410, a lower surface 412, an adjustment screw hole, and a second hole. The adjustment block 404 has a slot engaging member 420 and an adjustment screw hole. The adjustment screw hole of the support block 402 is designed to freely receive the adjustment bolt 406 . The adjustment screw hole of the adjustment block 404 is designed to receive the threads of the adjustment bolt 406 in an engaging manner. The mounting slot 238 of the mounting bracket 213 is designed to matingly receive the slot engaging member 420 of the adjustment block 404 .

To install the wall-mounted furniture system 100, the wall plate 210 or 211 is secured by driving the mounting screws through the holes 218 in the wall plate 210 or 211 after positioning the wall plate 210 or 211 substantially near the desired height above the ground. on the wall. The mounting screws are preferably anchored in a stud or other vertical structure, however the mounting screws may also be anchored in a wall by other means. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plurality of mounting screws are used to anchor the wall panels 210 or 211.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, in an embodiment of the present invention, a pair of wall panels 210 may be installed horizontally on a wall. In this embodiment, a mounting screw is driven through circular hole 218a into a first post or other vertical support member. Another mounting screw can then be driven through the elongated hole 218b. The elongated shape of the elongated holes 218b enables the mounting screws to be anchored on or near the center of the vertical support members even if there are variations in the spacing between the vertical support members.

As shown in Figures 18-19, in another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plate 211 can be mounted vertically to the wall. In this embodiment, mounting screws are driven through mounting holes 218 .

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 are loaded into height adjustment channel 305 of housing 306 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 28 . Specifically, the adjustment block 404 is attached to the mounting bracket 213 by inserting the slot engaging member 420 into the mounting slot 238 . Slot engaging members 420 are generally inserted into mounting slots 238 located near the bottom of mounting bracket 213 so that other mounting slots 238 are available for mounting to retaining clips 226 of wall plate 211 . Mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 with adjustment block 404 attached may be inserted through height adjustment channel 305 . Typically, height adjustment channel 305 is tracked to conform to the shape of mounting bracket 213 (to which adjustment block 404 is attached) and locking bracket 216 . Unintentional movement of the mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 is thus substantially limited to translational sliding between the top end 382 and the bottom end 384 of the housing 306 .

The mounting bracket 213 may be movably fixed within the housing 306 using an adjusting bolt 406 . An adjustment bolt 406 extends through a hole in the support block 402 and is threaded into the adjustment block 404 . The support block 402 is located in the support block recess 305 a of the housing 306 . A screw clamp (not shown) may also be located around the adjustment bolt 406 opposite the support block 402 . Typically, the adjustment bolt 406 is located in an unthreaded recessed portion of the adjustment bolt 406 .

Adjustment bolt 406 is free to rotate within the bore of support block 402 , but is threaded in and out of adjustment block 404 . In this way, the upward travel of the mounting bracket 213 through the height adjustment channel 305 is limited by the presence of the support block 402 within the support block recess 305a, while the downward travel of the mounting bracket 213 is limited by the vertical extension from the upper portion 232. Out of the limit of the presence of the upper part 232 .

The height of the housing 306 to which the shelf 102 is functionally attached via the shelf adjustment mechanism 300 relative to the wall plate 211 can thus be raised or lowered by rotating the adjustment bolt 406 . Specifically, rotation of the adjustment block causes the support block 402 to translate relative to the adjustment block 404 as the weight of the wall-mounted furniture system 100 maintains the position of the mounting bracket 213 on the retaining clip 226 . With the support block 402 located within the support block recess 305 a of the housing, movement of the support block 402 caused by rotation of the adjustment bolt 406 produces a corresponding movement of the housing 306 . Therefore, the allowable height adjustment amount can be changed by changing the length of the adjusting bolt 406 . Once the housing 306 is positioned at the desired height, the position can be locked and the locking bracket 216 locked by inserting the locking screw 249 into the locking hole 246 of the locking bracket 216 and the locking hole 236 of the mounting bracket 213. Locked in place, as shown in Figures 19 and 19a. In a preferred embodiment, the range of height adjustment of the mounted housing 306 available through the adjustment bolt 406 is approximately 1 inch. Thus, it is only necessary initially to position the wall plate 210 or 211 within about 1 inch of the desired height above the floor of the room, and the adjusting bolt 406 can be used to fine tune the installed height.

With the mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 housed in the housing 306, the housing 306 can be mounted to a wall. Specifically, the locking slot 248 of the locking bracket 216 is aligned with the mounting slot 238 of the mounting bracket 213 . The push-up portion 244 in the upper portion 240 of the locking bracket 216 can be raised or lowered by the user to facilitate alignment of the slots 238,248. The mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 are positioned on the wall plate 211 by sliding the slots 238 , 248 over the retaining clip 226 . The locking bracket 216 may then be slid downward so that the locking slot 248 at least partially occupies the corresponding mouth 230 formed by the retaining clip 226 . In this way, the housing 306 cannot be removed from the wall plate 306 without first realigning the locking groove 248 with the retaining clip 226 by sliding the locking bracket 216 upward. In contrast to locking bracket 216 , mounting bracket 213 rests on an upwardly facing edge of retaining clip 226 . Specifically, the mounting slot 238 is located on the load bearing surface 228 of the retaining clip 226 . In this way, the load on the housing 306 (including the load of the shelf 102 and any objects placed on the shelf 102 by the user) is distributed into the wall through the retaining clips 226 of the wall panel 211 .

In another embodiment, vertical post 302 and center post 303 are attached to both ends of mounting bracket 212, as shown in Figures 1, 6-7, 9 and 10-11. Specifically, fasteners may be inserted through holes 225 to secure posts 302 , 303 to mounting bracket 212 .

Mounting bracket 212 is attached to wall panel 210 such that U-shaped upper lip 220 fits over the upper edge of wall panel 210 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 . In this embodiment, the wall panel 210 is spaced from the wall. A stabilization screw may be inserted through the stabilization hole 213 of the wall plate 210 . By positioning the stabilizing hole 213 at a similar distance from the top of the upper lip 220 as the width of the wall plate 210 , the stabilizing screw substantially prevents the U-shaped upper lip 220 from being accidentally lifted off the wall plate 210 . When the stabilizing screws are removed and the mounting bracket 212 is removed from the wall plate 210, the lower L-shaped lip 221 can provide a physical limit to the upward movement of the mounting bracket and provide a comfortable gripping position for the user.

While the shelf can be raised or lowered by raising or lowering the vertical column 302, once the position of the vertical column 302 has been fixed, the shelf 102 can still be raised or lowered. Specifically, the shelf support 304 of the shelf mechanism 304 allows a user to selectively raise or lower the support arm 322 that supports the shelf 102 .

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support body 316 and the shelf height adjustment block 318 are attached by a shelf height locking member 317, as shown in FIGS. 12-22. Specifically, the shelf height adjustment block occupies a channel 308 within the housing 306 and the support body 316 is attached to the shelf height adjustment block 318 outside the housing 306 . In this way, channel 308 provides guidance for movement of support body 316 .

To secure the support body 316 in place, a shelf height locking member 317 is secured. When the shelf height locking member 317 is tightened, the protruding member 332 of the main body portion 328 of the shelf height adjustment block 318 is drawn into a corresponding V-shaped groove 332a in the channel 308, as shown in FIG. 20a, and supports The locking member 326 of the body 316 is pulled against the housing 306 . By being drawn into the groove 332a in the channel 308, the protruding member 332 can cause the edges of the housing 306 defining the track 309 to be drawn together, thereby narrowing the width of the track 309. In this manner, the likelihood of securing the shelf height locking member 317 causing the shelf height adjustment block 318 to be pulled through the channel 308 (which would in turn cause the support body 316 to slide) is greatly reduced or eliminated.

The height of the support body 316 can be adjusted by reversing the above process. Specifically, as shelf height locking member 317 is released, protruding member 332 disengages from a corresponding recess in channel 308 . The shelf height adjustment block 318 is thus free to travel within the channel 308 , which moves the support body 316 accordingly.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the support body 316 is attached to the shelf height adjustment block 318 by support clips engaged in support slots 319, as shown in Figures 8 and 8a. Specifically, a shelf height adjustment block 318 is located within the channel 308 . To secure shelf height adjustment block 318 within the channel, height adjustment locking member 319 is inserted through locking member aperture 320 . Extending through locking member aperture 320 and channel 308 , height adjustment locking member 319 contacts the rear wall of channel 308 . By tightening the height adjustment locking member 319, the shelf height adjustment block 318 is forced against the front wall of the channel 308 defining the track 309, thereby securing the shelf height adjustment block 318 in place. Typically, height adjustment locking member 319 has a pointed point that may form a notch in the rear wall of channel 308 with height adjustment locking member 319 secured. This notch reduces the risk of the height adjustment locking member 319 slipping when a load is placed on the shelf 302 .

To change the height of the support body 316, the support body 316 can be removed from the shelf height adjustment block 318, and the height adjustment locking member 319 can be released. With the height adjustment locking member 319 released, the shelf height adjustment block 318 can travel freely within the channel 308 , wherein the channel 308 acts as a guide for the shelf height adjustment block 318 . The height adjustment locking member 319 can then be retightened and the support body 316 reattached to the shelf height adjustment block 318 .

Once the selected height of the support body 316 has been selected and the height adjustment locking member 319 is secured, the shelf 102 can be positioned onto the support arm 322 . Specifically, the user may initially tilt the shelf 102 such that the bottom surface 104 contacts the lower bumper 350b first. When shelf 102 becomes horizontal, upper surface 106 contacts upper bumper 350a and additional lower bumper 350b. In this way, shelf 102 is supported and held in place by support arms 322 and retainers 324 . The material covering bumper 350 frictionally resists translational movement of shelf 102 through bumper 102 , thereby preventing shelf 102 from sliding.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each shelf 102 of the wall-mounted furniture system 100 can support approximately 75 pounds. Among the various objects that can be supported by the shelf 102 are sound systems and other electronic equipment that require the use of cords, cables, and other wires can be supported by the shelf 102 . The wall mounted furniture system 100 enables the user to hide the cords. In particular, wires may be routed through the cable management cavity 307 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cable management cavity 307 is located in the housing 306 defined by the vertical columns 302, as shown in Figure 20a. The wires can then be concealed by inserting the retainer clip 372 over the cable management opening 370 . Retainer clip 372 is generally self-fixating. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a cable management cavity 307 is located in the housing 306 defined by the center post 303 . The wires can then be hidden by inserting a removable panel 381 between the vertical column 302 and the central column 303 .

The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Additional embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims of the present invention, it should be expressly stated that unless the specific terms "means for" or "step for" are recited in the claims, no reference is made to the United States Code the provisions of paragraph 6 of Chapter 112 of Title 35.

Claims (20)

1. furniture system that is suitable for being installed on the building walls, this system comprises:

Be suitable for the main part that matches with the smooth of wall and vertical substantially surface, this main part is limited with at least one vertically-oriented line passage, and this line passage is used for line concealing therein, and has the structure that receives a plurality of shelf support carriages; And

A plurality of shelves, each all is supported on the independent shelf support carriage in the described shelf.

2. furniture system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

Described main part comprises microscler vertically-oriented substantially rod structure, and described rod structure is limited with a pair of vertically-oriented line passage, and each in the described line passage all has the opening towards the side.

3. furniture system as claimed in claim 2 also comprises:

A pair of lid, each lid are used to cover an independent described opening towards the side.

4. furniture system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

The described structure that receives a plurality of shelf support carriages comprises the Vertical Channel in the described main part, this passage is limited by relative sidewall, rear wall and antetheca and forms, the v-depression that described antetheca is limited with microscler vertically-oriented opening and is positioned at described opening either side towards interior orientation, each includes the height of shelf regulating block that is limited with a pair of protruding member that separates in the described shelf support carriage, and described height of shelf regulating block is received in the described Vertical Channel and described protruding member is bonded in the described v-depression.

5. furniture system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

Each all has the contact portion that at least one is used to contact described shelf in the described shelf support carriage, and this shelf contact portion is coated with high friction, low sliding material slides on described shelf support member to suppress described shelf.

6. furniture system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

Described main part comprises a pair of shelf attachment post, and described shelf attachment post is provided with the opposite side of online management passage, and separates with spool reason passage.

7. furniture system as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

Each all is limited with shelf adjustment passage forward in the described shelf attachment post; And comprising the attached car of a plurality of shelves, the attached car of each described shelf is received among in the described shelf adjustment passage one in the mode of sliding.

8. furniture system as claimed in claim 1 also comprises:

Have the wall interface board of directed flange up, described main part has hook structures, and wherein said hook structures can be bonded on the directed flange top of described wall interface board up, so that described furniture system is supported on the wall.

9. furniture system as claimed in claim 8 also comprises:

Latch-up structure, this latch-up structure are used for optionally suppressing described hook structures and break away from described wall interface board.

10. furniture system that is suitable for being installed on the building walls, this system comprises:

Be suitable for the main part that matches with the smooth of wall and vertical substantially surface, described main part is limited with at least one vertically-oriented line passage, and described line passage is used for line concealing therein;

A plurality of shelves; And

Be used to device that described a plurality of shelf is connected with described main part.

11. furniture system as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

Each the structure that the described device that is used for described a plurality of shelf is connected with described main part comprises a plurality of shelf support carriages and is used to receive described a plurality of shelf support carriages.

12. furniture system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

Described main part comprises microscler vertically-oriented substantially rod structure, and this rod structure is limited with a pair of vertically-oriented line passage, and each all has the opening towards the side in the described line passage.

13. furniture system as claimed in claim 12 also comprises:

A pair of lid, each lid are used to cover an independent described opening towards the side.

14. furniture system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

Each the described structure that is used for receiving described a plurality of shelf support carriages comprises the Vertical Channel in the described main part, this passage is limited by relative sidewall, rear wall and antetheca and forms, the v-depression that described antetheca is limited with microscler vertically-oriented opening and is positioned at described opening either side towards interior orientation, each includes the height of shelf regulating block that is limited with a pair of protruding member that separates in the described shelf support carriage, and described height of shelf regulating block is received in the described Vertical Channel and described protruding member is bonded in the described v-depression.

15. furniture system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

Each all has the contact portion that at least one is used to contact described shelf in the described shelf support carriage, and this shelf contact portion is coated with high friction, low sliding material slides on described shelf support member to suppress described shelf.

16. furniture system as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

The described device that is used to described a plurality of shelf is connected with described main part comprises a pair of shelf attachment post, and described shelf attachment post is provided with the opposite side of online management passage, and separates with spool reason passage.

17. furniture system as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

Each all is limited with shelf adjustment passage forward in the described shelf attachment post; And comprising the attached car of a plurality of shelves, the attached car of each shelf is received among in the described shelf adjustment passage one in the mode of sliding.

18. furniture system as claimed in claim 10 also comprises:

Have the wall interface board of directed flange up, described main part has hook structures, and wherein said hook structures can be bonded on the directed flange top of described wall interface board up, so that described furniture system is supported on the wall.

19. furniture system as claimed in claim 18 also comprises:

Latch-up structure, this latch-up structure are used for optionally suppressing described hook structures and break away from described wall interface board.

20. electric furniture system as claimed in claim 18 also comprises:

Height adjustment mechanism, this height adjustment mechanism are used for regulating the height of described main part with respect to described wall interface board when described hook structures engages with described wall interface board.

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