US20170208937A1

US20170208937A1 - Shelving Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20170208937A1
Application number: US15/004,989
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank Tsai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-24
Filing date: 2016-01-24
Publication date: 2017-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-24
Also published as: US9713378B1

Abstract

A shelving apparatus includes a supporting frame, a plurality of foldable posts for coupling with the supporting frame, and a post joint. Each foldable post includes an upper post member and a lower post member, wherein each of the upper and lower post members has a first post wall and a second post wall extended from the first wall at an angle. The post joint includes an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of the first post wall of the upper post member, an engaging groove provided at an end portion of the first post wall of the lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled the second post walls of the upper and lower post members. When the post members are pivotally moved to engage the engaging tongue with the engaging groove, the upper and lower post members are coupled with each other end-to-end.

Description

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a shelf structure, and more particularly to a shelving apparatus, wherein a plurality of post members of a foldable post can be easily assembled to rigidly support a plurality of supporting frames, and can be easily disassembled without detaching the post members.
Description of Related Arts
A conventional shelf structure comprises four vertical posts vertically extended from four corners of the shelf structure and a plurality of supporting panels horizontally and spacedly coupled at the vertical posts to form a shelving unit for supporting objects. As shown in FIG. 1, each vertical post comprises a plurality of tubular post members A1 arranged to align end-to-end. Each of the supporting panels comprises a panel body A2 and four tubular connectors A3 provided at four corners of the panel body A2, wherein the end of the post member A1 is inserted into the tubular connector A3 in order to connect the supporting panel at the vertical post. Accordingly, the configuration of the panel body A2 is fixed such that the size of the panel body A2 cannot be adjusted. In particular, each of the tubular connectors A3 has an upper tapered slot at an upper portion of the tubular connector A3 and a lower tapered slot at a lower portion of the tubular connector A3. Therefore, the end portions of two post members A1 are respectively inserted into the upper and lower tapered slots to securely connect the panel body A2 with the vertical posts while the vertical post are aligned end-to-end. Such tubular detachable connecting structure provides a quick assembling operation to allow the user to set up the shelving unit easily. However, after the objects are loaded and supported by the shelving unit, the overall weight of the objects will exerted to the vertical posts via the supporting panel. In other words, the end portions of two post members A1 are secured at the upper and lower tapered slots of the tubular connector A3, such that the user may require relatively larger pulling force to detach the post members A1 from the tubular connectors A3. In addition, when one of the tubular connectors A3 is broken or damaged, the supporting panels cannot be securely coupled to the vertical posts any more. In fact, in order to enhance the rigidity of the shelving unit, the structure of tubular connectors A3 must be enhanced by using rigid material such a metal or by thickening the walls of the upper and lower tapered slots of the tubular connector A3. Therefore, the material cost of the shelving unit will be substantially high and the size of the shelving unit will be enlarged. Therefore, most users will not use this conventional shelf structure in shopping centers or in the booths because the shelf structure is required to assemble and disassemble and is required to move from places to places.
An improved shelf structure is provided to enhance the storage space by reducing the size of the post connection, wherein the shelf structure comprises four vertical posts each comprising a plurality of L-shaped post members B1 and a plurality of couplers B2 for coupling the post members B1 end-to-end. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the couplers B2 comprises has a corresponding L-shaped coupler flange B21 and two reverse bend flanges B22 extended along two edges of the coupler flange B21, wherein a gap is formed between the reverse bend flange B22 and the coupler flange B21, such that the end portions of two post members B1 are inserted into the gap of the coupler B2 to couple the post members B1 end-to-end. In other words, two post members B1 in an abutting are secured by the coupler B2 by downwardly inserting the end portion of the upper post member B1 into the gap of the coupler B2 and by upwardly inserting the end portion of the lower post member B1 into the gap of the coupler B2. In addition, each of the couplers B2 has a detent B23 on each of the reverse bend flanges B22 to frictionally engage with the post member B1 so as to retain the coupler B2 in position. Since the cross section of the coupler B2 matches with the cross section of the post member B1, the connection between the ends of the post members B1 can be substantially reduced its size. The L-shaped detachable connecting structure provides a quick assembling operation to allow the user to set up the shelving unit easily. However, due to the frictional engagement between the end portion of the post member B1 and the coupler B2, the user may not able to correctly insert the end portion of the post member B1 into the gap of the coupler B2. It is unstable for the shelf structure when the end portion of the post member B1 cannot be fully inserted into the gap of the coupler B2. The excessive inserting force of the end portion of the post member B1 will damage the structure of the coupler B2 and will enlarge the size of the gap thereof. After the shelving unit is set up, the reverse bend flanges B22 are located at the outer surface of post member B1, such that the user may get cut or scratched by the reverse bend flanges B22 when placing the objects. Furthermore, such shaped detachable connecting structure cannot solve the same problem of how to easily disassemble the shelving unit. In other words, after the objects are loaded and supported by the shelving unit, the overall weight of the objects will exerted to the vertical posts via the couplers B2. In other words, the end portions of two post members B1 are secured at the gaps of the couplers B2, such that the user may require relatively larger pulling force to detach the post members B1 from the couplers B2. Once the gap is enlarged by the excessive detaching force, the end portions of the post members B1 cannot be securely engaged with the coupler B2 by means of frictional force. The overall structure of the shelving unit become wobble and unstable. In addition, when one of the couplers B2 is lost or damaged, the post members B1 cannot be coupled end-to-end any more.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a shelving apparatus, wherein a plurality of post members of a foldable post can be easily assembled to rigidly support a plurality of supporting frames, and can be easily disassembled without detaching the post members.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelving apparatus, wherein the post members are pivotally coupled with each other end-to-end to enhance the assembling/disassembling operation of the foldable post.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelving apparatus, wherein the post members are coupled with each other via tongue-and-groove engagement to ensure the rigidity of the foldable post.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelving apparatus, wherein the post locker is provided for locking up a pivot connection between the post members to ensure the post members to be locked end-to-end.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelving apparatus, wherein the shelf platform is reversibly supported by the foldable posts to selectively adjust a depth of the supporting frame. In other words, the user is able to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame without disassembling the foldable posts.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelving apparatus, wherein the shelf retaining members are reversibly supported by the foldable posts to selectively adjust a depth of the supporting frame. In other words, the user is able to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame without disassembling the foldable posts.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelving apparatus, which does not require to alter the original structural design of the shelf structure, so as to minimize the manufacturing cost of the shelving apparatus.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelving apparatus, wherein no expensive or complicated structure is required to employ in the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution for providing a rigid configuration for the shelving apparatus.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a shelving apparatus, which comprises a supporting frame, a plurality of foldable posts for detachably coupling with the supporting frame, and a post joint.
Each of the foldable posts comprises an upper post member and a lower post member, wherein each of the upper and lower post members has a first post wall and a second post wall extended from the first wall at an angle.
The post joint is arranged for connecting the upper and lower post members end-to-end, wherein said post joint comprises an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of the first post wall of the upper post member, an engaging groove provided at an end portion of the first post wall of the lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled the second post walls of the upper and lower post members, such that when the upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage the engaging tongue with the engaging groove, the upper and lower post members are coupled with each other end-to-end.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first conventional shelf structure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second conventional shelf structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelving apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a post joint of the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the post joint of shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the pivotal movement of the post members.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a supporting frame of the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates the shelf platform supported at the first position according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B illustrates the shelf platform supported at second first position according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a first alternative mode of the supporting frame of the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second alternative mode of the supporting frame of the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an alternative mode of the shelf platform of the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an alternative mode of the post joint of the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, a shelving apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the shelving apparatus comprises a supporting frame 10, a plurality of foldable posts 20 for detachably coupling with the supporting frame 10, and a post joint 30.
According to the preferred embodiment, the supporting frame 10 is incorporated with a shelf supporting beam configuration and is supported by the foldable posts 20 in a horizontally oriented manner for supporting one or more objects on the supporting frame 10.
Each of the foldable posts 20 is supported in a vertically oriented manner to serve as a corner post of the shelving apparatus. In particular, four foldable posts 20 are provided that four corners of the supporting frame 10 are coupled at the foldable posts 20 respectively. Each of the foldable posts 20 comprises an upper post member 21 and a lower post member 22, wherein each of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 has a first post wall 211, 221 and a second post wall 212, 222 extended from the first wall 211, 221 at an angle. Preferably, the first post walls 211, 221 of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are perpendicularly extended from the second post walls 212, 222 thereof. In addition, the upper post member 21 is identical to the lower post member 22. it is appreciated that the length of the upper post member 21 can be different from that of the lower post member 22. A width of the first post wall 211, 221 equal to a width of the second post wall 212, 222, such that each of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 has a L-shaped cross section. Each of the foldable posts 20 further has a plurality of keyholes 23 alignedly formed on the first post wall 211, 221 and the second post wall 212, 222 of each of the upper and lower post members 21, 22. Each of the keyholes 23 has an upper hole portion 231 and a lower hole portion 232, wherein a size of the upper hole portion 231 is larger than a size of the lower hole portion 232.
The post joint 30 is arranged for connecting the upper and lower post members 21, 22 end-to-end, such that the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are extended in a vertically oriented manner. Accordingly, the post joint 30 comprises a first means provided at the upper post member 21 and a second means provided at the lower post member 22 to interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other. In particular, the post joint 30 comprises an engaging tongue 31 extended from an end portion of the first post wall 211 of the upper post member 21, an engaging groove 32 provided at an end portion of the first post wall 221 of the lower post member 22, and a pivot hinge 33 pivotally coupled the second post walls 212, 222 of the upper and lower post members 21, 22, such that when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to engage the engaging tongue 31 with the engaging groove 32, the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end. In other words, the first and second means are the engaging tongue 31 and the engaging groove 32 to form the interlocking unit to interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the post joint 30 further comprises an additional engaging groove 34 extended from an end portion of the second post wall 212 of the upper post member 21 adjacent to the engaging tongue 31 thereof, and an additional engaging tongue 35 provided at an end portion of the second post wall 222 of the lower post member 22 adjacent to the engaging groove 32 thereof.
In other words, the engaging tongue 31 and the additional engaging groove 35 are provided at the first post wall 211 and the second post wall 212 of the upper post member 21 respectively while the engaging groove 32 and the additional engaging tongue 34 are provided at the first post wall 221 and the second post wall 222 of the lower post member 22 respectively. Therefore, when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved toward each other, the engaging tongue 31 at the first post wall 211 of the upper post member 21 will engage with the engaging groove 32 at the first post wall 221 of the lower post member 22 while the additional engaging tongue 34 at the second post wall 222 of the lower post member 22 will engage with the additional engaging groove 35 at the second post wall 212 of the upper post member 22, so as to interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other end-to-end.
Preferably, the engaging tongue 31 is extended from an inner side of the first post wall 211 of the upper post member 21 and the engaging groove 32 is formed at an inner side of the first post wall 221 of the lower post member 22. Likewise, the additional engaging tongue 34 is extended from an inner side of the second post wall 222 of the lower post member 22 and the additional engaging groove 35 is formed at an inner side of the second post wall 212 of the upper post member 21.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the post joint 30 further comprises two coupling sleeves 36 coupling with the end portions of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 respectively, wherein the pivot hinge 33 is formed between the coupling sleeves 36 to pivotally couple the upper and lower post members 21, 22. Each of the coupling sleeves 36 comprises a first inner sleeve member 361 coupled at the inner side of the upper post member 21 and a second inner sleeve member 362 coupled at the inner side of the lower post member 22. In particular, the first inner sleeve member 361 has two first inner sleeve portions 3611, 3612 coupled at the inner sides of the first and second post walls 211, 212 of the upper post member 21 respectively, wherein one of the first inner sleeve portions 3611 is extended from the end portion of the first post wall 211 of the upper post member 21 to form the engaging tongue 31 while another first inner sleeve portion 3612 is spaced apart from the inner side of the end portion of the second post wall 212 of the upper post member 21 to form the additional engaging groove 35. The second inner sleeve member 362 has two second inner sleeve portions 3621, 3622 coupled at the inner sides of the first and second post walls 221, 222 of the lower post member 22 respectively, wherein one of the second inner sleeve portions 3621 is spaced apart from the inner side of the end portion of the first post wall 221 of the lower post member 21 to form the engaging groove 32 while another second inner sleeve portion 3622 is extended from the end portion of the second post wall 222 of the lower post member 21 to form the additional engaging tongue 34. The pivot hinge 33 is pivotally coupled between two corresponding side edges of the first and second inner sleeve members 361, 362 in order to pivotally couple the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other.
According to the preferred embodiment, each of the coupling sleeves 36 further comprises a first outer sleeve member 363 coupled with the first inner sleeve member 361 to define a first sleeve cavity 365 to receive the end portion of the upper post member 21, and a second inner sleeve member 364 coupled with the second inner sleeve member 362 to define a second sleeve cavity 366 to receive the end portion of the lower post member 22. Preferably, the coupling sleeves 36 are securely affixed to the end portions of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 by welding to ensure the secure engagement of the post joint 30 to the upper and lower post members 21, 22.
It is appreciated that at least one of the engaging tongue 31 and the additional engaging groove 35 can be formed at the first outer sleeve member 363 and one of the engaging groove 32 and the additional engaging tongue 34 can be formed at the second outer sleeve member 364. In other words, the post joint 30 provides a tongue-and-groove engagement, especially the interlock tongue-and-groove engagement, to ensure the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other end-to-end.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the post joint 30 further comprises a post locker 37 for releasably locking the upper and lower post members 21, 22 end-to-end. In particular, the post locker 37 is arranged to lock up the pivotal movement between the upper and lower post members 21, 22. Accordingly, the post locker 37 comprises a locking slot 371 provided at the lower post member 22 and a locking latch 372 provided at the upper post member 21, such that when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to engage the engaging tongue 31 with the engaging groove 32, i.e. the additional engaging tongue 34 engaged with the additional engaging groove 35 at the same time, the locking latch 372 is actuated to engage with the locking slot 371 to retain the upper and lower post members 21, 22 to be coupled with each other end-to-end. In addition, the post joint 30 further comprises a guiding slot 373 provided at the upper post member 21 to align with the locking slot 371, wherein the locking latch 372 is guided by the guiding slot 373 to slidably actuate to selectively lock up with the locking slot 371. Preferably, the locking latch 372 is a spring-loaded device to push the locking latch 372 to the locking slot 317. In other word, when the locking latch 372 is slidably pulled along the guiding slot 373 until a free end of the locking latch 372 is disengaged with the locking slot 371, the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are capable of being pivotally moved via the pivot hinge 33. Once the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to engage the engaging tongue 31 with the engaging groove 32, the locking latch 372 is slidably pushed until the free end of the locking latch 372 is engaged with the locking slot 371 to lock up the pivotal movement between the upper and lower post members 21, 22. Accordingly, the guiding slot 373 and the locking slot 371 are formed at the coupling sleeves 36 respectively. In addition, the pivot hinge 33 is formed one side edge of the coupling sleeve 36 and the post locker 37 is formed at an opposed side edge of the coupling sleeve 36.
According to the preferred embodiment, the shelf supporting beam configuration of the supporting frame 10 comprises a shelf platform 11, a plurality of shelf retaining members 12, and a shelf supporting arrangement 13.
Each of the shelf retaining members 12 is detachably coupled with two of the foldable posts 20, such that the shelf retaining members 12 form a boundary frame to support the shelf platform 11 therewithin. In particular, each of the shelf retaining members 12 has two coupling ends 120 arranged for detachably coupling with two of the foldable posts 20, and first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 extended between the two coupling ends 120 to form the boundary frame. Accordingly, two of the shelf retaining members 12 serve as a front boundary and a rear boundary respectively, and the other two shelf retaining members 12 serve as two side boundaries respectively, such that the boundary frame is formed by the front boundary, the rear boundary, and the side boundary. Preferably, the length of the front boundary matches with the length of the rear boundary and the side boundaries are identical in length.
As shown in FIG. 7, each of the shelf retaining members 12 has a planar structure to have the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 extended parallel with each other, wherein two ends of each of the shelf retaining members 12 are detachably engaged with keyholes 23 of the two foldable posts 20. Accordingly, two fasteners 123 are provided at each coupling end 120 of the shelf retaining member 12 to engage with two keyholes 23 of the corresponding foldable post 20. In particular, two fastener holes are formed at each coupling end of the shelf retaining member 12, wherein the two fasteners 123 are engaged with the fastener holes respectively. Each of the fasteners 123 is inserted into an upper hole portion 231 of the keyhole 23 and is slid to a lower hole portion 232 from the upper hole portion 231, so as to securely couple the shelf retaining member 12 at the foldable post 20.
The first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 are two folded edges respectively, wherein two longitudinal edge portions of the shelf retaining members 12 are inwardly folded on an inner side thereof to form the longitudinal edges 121, 122 respectively to reinforce the planar configuration of the shelf retaining member 12.
According to the preferred embodiment, the shelf supporting arrangement 13 is integrally extended from each of the shelf retaining members 12 between the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 to rigidly support the shelf platform 10 within the boundary frame.
The shelf supporting arrangement 13 comprises a plurality of supporting tabs 131 horizontally aligned with each other and integrally protruded from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 between the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 thereof, and defines a plurality of discrete supporting surfaces 132 on the supporting tabs 131 to support the shelf platform 11 thereon. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B, each of the supporting tabs 131 is integrally bent from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 to define the supporting surface 132 close to the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. Preferably, each of the supporting tabs 131 has a triangular shape defining a peak pointing toward the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 and a flat surface as the supporting surface 132 facing toward the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that the discrete supporting surfaces 132 are aligned with each other at the same planar direction to form a flat support for supporting the shelf platform 11.
According to the preferred embodiment, the shelf platform 11 is a wire shelf made by a plurality of longitudinal and transverse wires intersecting with each other. It should be appreciated that the shelf platform 11 can be made of other configurations such as solid panel, laminated panel, or other materials such as wood or plastic.
The shelf platform 11 is reversibly supported by the boundary frame at a first position and a reversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of the shelf platform 11. In particular, the shelf platform 11 has a surrounding edge 111 and a base panel 112 located at different horizontal levels of the surrounding edge 111. Accordingly, a circumferential size of the surrounding edge 111 is larger than a circumferential size of the base panel 112. At the first position, as shown in FIG. 8A, the surrounding edge 111 of the shelf platform 11 is supported by the boundary frame via the discrete supporting surfaces 132 at a position that the base panel 112 is located above the surrounding edge 111, such that the base panel 112 is aligned with the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 to minimize the depth of the shelf platform 11. At the second position, as shown in FIG. 8B, the surrounding edge 111 of the shelf platform 11 is supported by the boundary frame via the discrete supporting surfaces 132 at a position that the base panel 112 is located below the surrounding edge 111 to maximize the depth of the shelf platform 11. Accordingly, the shelf platform 11 has a basket configuration to define a cavity 110 within the surrounding edge 111 and the base panel 112, wherein an opening of the cavity 110 is formed within the surrounding edge 111. When the shelf platform 11 is supported at the first position, as shown in FIG. 8A, the cavity 110 is orientated up-side-down that the opening of the cavity 110 faces downward, such that the object can be supported on the base panel 112 above the cavity 110 (not within the cavity 110). When the shelf platform 11 is supported at the second position, as shown in FIG. 8B, the opening of the cavity 110 faces upward, such that the object can be supported on the base panel 112 within the cavity 110.
It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11 is supported at the first position, the base panel 112 is aligned with the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12, such that the base panel 112 provides a boundary-less supporting surface for the user to load or unload the object thereon without any obstruction. When the shelf platform 11 is supported at the second position, the boundary frame forms an obstruction wall of the cavity 110. In addition, the user is able to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame 10 by simply removing the shelf platform 11 from the shelf retaining members 12 and reversibly resting the shelf platform 11 back on the shelf retaining members 12 without disassembling the foldable posts 20. In particular, the user does not require to disassemble the shelf retaining members 12 from the foldable posts 20.
It is worth mentioning that since the supporting tabs 131 are integrally protruded from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 to the support the shelf platform 11 via the supporting surfaces 132, the downward weighting force of the object will be evenly distributed along the shelf retaining member 12 between the two coupling ends 120 thereof to minimize stress created at the shelf retaining member 12. In addition, the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 are two folded edges respectively to reinforce the planar configuration of the shelf retaining member 12 so as to prevent any twisting force created by the downward weighting force of the object.
FIG. 9 illustrates a first alternative mode of the shelf supporting arrangement 13A. Accordingly, the shelf supporting arrangement 13A comprises a plurality of supporting tabs 131A horizontally aligned with each other and integrally protruded from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 between the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 thereof, and defines a plurality of discrete supporting surfaces 132A on the supporting tabs 131A to support the shelf platform 11A thereon. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the supporting tabs 131A is integrally bent from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 to define the supporting surface 132A close to the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. Preferably, each of the supporting tabs 131A has a triangular shape defining a peak pointing toward the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 and a flat surface as the supporting surface 132A facing toward the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that the discrete supporting surfaces 132A are aligned with each other at the same planar direction to form a flat support for supporting the shelf platform 11A.
The shelf supporting arrangement 13A comprises a plurality of second supporting tabs 133A horizontally aligned with each other and integrally protruded from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 between the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 thereof, and defines a plurality of second discrete supporting surfaces 134A on the second supporting tabs 133A to support the shelf platform 11A thereon. As shown in FIG. 9, the supporting tabs 131A are alternated with the second supporting tabs 133A. Accordingly, the second supporting tabs 133A are additional supporting tabs of the first supporting tabs 131A. Preferably, the supporting tabs 131A are identical to the second supporting tabs 126A, wherein an orientation of each of the supporting tabs 131A is opposite to an orientation of each of the second supporting tabs 133A. Each of the second supporting tabs 133A is integrally bent from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 to define the second supporting surface 134A. Preferably, each of the second supporting tabs 133A has a triangular shape defining a peak pointing toward the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 and a flat surface as the second supporting surface 134A facing toward the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that the second discrete supporting surfaces 134A are aligned with each other at the same planar direction to form a flat support for supporting the shelf platform 11A. In addition, a distance between the first longitudinal edge 121 and the first supporting surface 132A of the shelf supporting arrangement 13A is smaller than a distance between the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 and the second supporting surface 134A of the shelf supporting arrangement 13A.
Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a planar configuration for being supported by the boundary frame. In particular, the shelf platform 11A is reversibly supported by the bounding frame at a first position and a reversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of the shelf platform 11A. Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a surrounding edge 111A and a base panel 112A located at same horizontal level of the surrounding edge 111A. At the first position, the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported by the first supporting surfaces 132A of the first supporting tabs 131A, such that the base panel 112A is aligned with the first longitudinal edge 121A of the shelf retaining member 12A to minimize the depth of the shelf platform 11A. At the second position, the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported by the second supporting surfaces 134A of the second supporting tabs 133A to maximize the depth of the shelf platform 11A.
Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a panel configuration to be selectively supported at different horizontal levels between the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a surrounding edge 111A and a base panel 112A located at same horizontal level of the surrounding edge 111A.
When the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported at the first position that the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the second longitudinal edge 122 thereof, the shelf platform 11A is supported by the first supporting surfaces 132A of the first supporting tabs 131A to raise the horizontal level of the shelf platform 11A close to the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that when the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the second longitudinal edge 122 thereof, the first supporting surfaces 132A of the first supporting tabs 131A are positioned above the second supporting surfaces 134A of the second supporting tabs 133A.
The shelf retaining member 12 is reversibly coupled to the foldable posts 20 for supporting the shelf platform 11A at the second position, wherein the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the first longitudinal edge 121 thereof. When the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported at the second position, the shelf platform 11A is supported by the second supporting surfaces 134A of the second supporting tabs 133A to drop the horizontal level of the shelf platform 11A away from the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that when the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the first longitudinal edge 121 thereof, the second supporting surfaces 134A of the second supporting tabs 133A are positioned above the first supporting surfaces 132A of the first supporting tabs 131A.
It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11A is supported at the first position, the base panel 112A is aligned with the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12, such that the base panel 112A provides a boundary-less supporting surface for the user to load or unload the object thereon without any obstruction. When the shelf platform 11A is supported at the second position, the boundary frame forms an obstruction wall. In addition, the user is able to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame 10 by reversibly mounting the shelf retaining members 12 to the foldable posts 20 and resting the shelf platform 11A on the shelf retaining members 12 without disassembling the foldable posts 20.
FIG. 10 illustrates a second alternative mode of the shelf supporting arrangement 13B. Accordingly, the shelf supporting arrangement 13B comprises a supporting bar 130B horizontally protruded from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 to define a first supporting surface 131B and an opposed second supporting surface 132B to selectively support the shelf platform 11A. Accordingly, the first supporting surface 131B is extended parallel to the second supporting surface 132B. In addition, a distance between the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 and the first supporting surface 131B is smaller than a distance between the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 and the second supporting surface 132B.
Accordingly, the supporting bar 130B, having a rectangular cross section, has a first bar panel 133B defining the first supporting surface 131B thereon, a second bar panel 134B defining the second supporting surface 132B thereon, and a reinforcing panel 135B extended between the first and second bar panels 133B, 134B to reinforce a rigidity of each of the first and second bar panels 133B, 134B.
Accordingly to the preferred embodiment, the shelf platform 11A has a planar configuration for being supported by the boundary frame. In particular, the shelf platform 11A is reversibly supported by the bounding frame at a first position and a reversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of the shelf platform 11A. Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a surrounding edge 111A and a base panel 112A located at same horizontal level of the surrounding edge 111A. At the first position, the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported by the first supporting surfaces 131B of the supporting bar 130B, such that the base panel 112A is aligned with close to the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 to minimize the depth of the shelf platform 11A. At the second position, the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported by the second supporting surfaces 132B of the supporting bar 120B to maximize the depth of the shelf platform 11A.
Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a panel configuration to be selectively supported at different horizontal levels between the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. When the shelf platform 11A is supported at the first position that the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the second longitudinal edge 122 thereof, the shelf platform 11A is supported by the first supporting surface 131B of the supporting bar 130B to raise the horizontal level of the shelf platform 11A close to the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that when the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the second longitudinal edge 122 thereof, the first supporting surface 131B of the supporting bar 130B are positioned above the second supporting surface 132B of the supporting bar 130B.
The shelf retaining member 12 is reversibly coupled to the foldable posts 20 for supporting the shelf platform 11A at the second position, wherein the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the first longitudinal edge 121 thereof. When the shelf platform 11B is supported at the second position, the shelf platform 11B is supported by the second supporting surface 132B of the supporting bar 130B to drop the horizontal level of the shelf platform 11A away from the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that when the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the first longitudinal edge 121 thereof, the second supporting surface 132B of the supporting bar 130B are positioned above the first supporting surface 131B of the supporting bar 130B.
It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11A is supported at the first position, the base panel 112A is aligned with the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12, such that the base panel 112A provides a boundary-less supporting surface for the user to load or unload the object thereon without any obstruction. When the shelf platform 11A is supported at the second position, the boundary frame forms an obstruction wall. In addition, the user is able to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame 10 by reversibly mounting the shelf retaining members 12 to the foldable posts 20 and resting the shelf platform 11A on the shelf retaining members 12 without disassembling the foldable posts 20.
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an alternative mode of the shelf platform 11C which is reversibly supported by the boundary frame at a first position and a reversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of the shelf platform 11C. In particular, the shelf platform 11C has a surrounding edge 111C and a base panel 112C located at different horizontal levels of the surrounding edge 111C. Accordingly, a circumferential size of the surrounding edge 111C is smaller than a circumferential size of the base panel 112C. At the first position, as shown in FIG. 11A, the base panel 112C of the shelf platform 11C is supported by the boundary frame via the discrete supporting surfaces 132 at a position that the surrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11C is located above the base panel 112C thereof to maximize the depth of the shelf platform 11C. At the second position, as shown in FIG. 11B, the base panel 112C of the shelf platform 11C is supported by the boundary frame via the discrete supporting surfaces 132 at a position that the surrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11C is located below the base panel 112C thereof to minimize the depth of the shelf platform 11C. Accordingly, the shelf platform 11C has a basket configuration to define a cavity 110C within the surrounding edge 111C and the base panel 112C, wherein an opening of the cavity 110C is formed within the surrounding edge 111C. When the shelf platform 11C is supported at the first position, as shown in FIG. 11A, the opening of the cavity 110C faces upward, such that the object can be supported on the base panel 112C within the cavity 110C. When the shelf platform 11C is supported at the second position, as shown in FIG. 11B, the cavity 110C is orientated up-side-down that the opening of the cavity 110C faces downward, such that the object can be supported on the base panel 112C above the cavity 110C (not within the cavity 110C).
It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11C is supported at the first position, the surrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11C forms an obstruction wall of the cavity 110C. When the shelf platform 11C is supported at the second position, the base panel 112C is aligned with the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12, such that the base panel 112 provides a boundary-less supporting surface for the user to load or unload the object thereon without any obstruction.
It is worth mentioning that the base panel 112C is aligned with the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 at the first and second positions. At the first position, the surrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11C is located above the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. At the second position, the surrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11C is located below the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12.
In addition, the user is able to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame 10 by simply removing the shelf platform 11C from the shelf retaining members 12 and reversibly resting the shelf platform 11C back on the shelf retaining members 12 without disassembling the foldable posts 20. In particular, the user does not require to disassemble the shelf retaining members 12 from the foldable posts 20.
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an alternative mode of the post joint 30A which comprises a first means provided at the upper post member 21 and a second means provided at the lower post member 22 to interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other. In particular, the post joint 30A comprises a first engaging tongue 31A extended from the end portion of the upper post member 21, a second engaging tongue 34A extended from the end position of the lower post member 22, and a pivot hinge 33A pivotally coupled the upper and lower post members 21, 22, such that when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to engage the first engaging tongue 31A with the lower post member 22 and to engage the second engaging tongue 34A with the upper post member 21, as shown in FIG. 12A, the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end. The upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally folded via the pivot hinge 33A, as shown in FIG. 12B, the upper and lower post members 21, 22 can be pivotally folded side-by-side. In other words, the first and second means are the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34A to form the interlocking unit to interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other.
Accordingly, the first engaging tongue 31A is extended from one of the first and second post walls 211, 212 of the upper post member 21 and the second engaging tongue 34A is extended from one of the first and second post walls 221, 222 of the lower post member 22. Preferably, the first and second engaging tongue 31A, 34A are extended from the second post walls 212, 222 of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 respectively. In addition, the first engaging tongue 31A is extended from the outer side of the upper post member 21 and the second engaging tongue 34A is extended from the inner side of the lower post member 22, such that when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved end-to-end, as shown in FIG. 12A, the first engaging tongue 31A is engaged with the outer side of the lower post member 22 while the second engaging tongue 34A is engaged with the inner side of the upper post member 21, so as to interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other. It is worth mentioning that the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34A form a slot therebetween to receive the end portions of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved end-to-end.
As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the post joint 30A further comprises two coupling sleeves 36A coupling with the end portions of the upper and lower post members respectively, wherein the pivot hinge 33A is formed between the coupling sleeves 36A to pivotally couple the upper and lower post members 21, 22. Accordingly, one of the coupling sleeves 36A is coupled at the outer side of the upper post member 21, wherein a portion of the coupling sleeve 36A is upwardly extended out of the end portion of the upper post member 21 to form the first engaging tongue 31A. The other coupling sleeve 36A is coupled at the inner side of the lower post member 22, wherein a portion of the coupling sleeve 36A is downwardly extended out of the end portion of the lower post member 22 to form the second engaging tongue 34A.
According to the preferred embodiment, one of the coupling sleeve 36A comprises an outer sleeve 363A coupled at the outer side of the upper post member 21. The outer sleeve 363A has two outer sleeve portions 3631A, 3632A coupled at the outer sides of the first and second post walls 211, 212 of the upper post member 21 respectively. The other coupling sleeve 36A comprises an inner sleeve 361A coupled at the inner side of the lower post member 22. The inner sleeve 361A has two inner sleeve portions 3611A, 3612A coupled at the inner sides of the first and second post walls 221, 222 of the lower post member 21 respectively. Preferably, the coupling sleeves 36A are securely affixed to the end portions of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 by welding to ensure the secure engagement of the post joint 30A to the upper and lower post members 21.
The pivot hinge 33A is pivotally coupled one of the outer sleeve portions 3631A with one of the inner sleeve portions 3611A at the edges thereof. In particular, the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34A are extended from the other outer sleeve portions 3632A and the inner sleeve portion 3612A respectively.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the post joint 30A further comprises a post locker 37A for releasably locking the upper and lower post members 21, 22 end-to-end. In particular, the post locker 37A is arranged to lock up the pivotal movement between the upper and lower post members 21A, 22A. Accordingly, the post locker 37A comprises a locking slot 371A provided at the lower post member 22 and a locking latch 372A provided at the upper post member 21, such that when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to interlock with each other via the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34A, the locking latch 372A is actuated to engage with the locking slot 371A to retain the upper and lower post members 21, 22 to be coupled with each other end-to-end.
In addition, the post joint 30A further comprises a guiding slot 373A provided at the upper post member 21 to align with the locking slot 371A, wherein the locking latch 372A is guided by the guiding slot 373A to slidably actuate to selectively lock up with the locking slot 371A. Preferably, the locking latch 372A is a spring-loaded device to push the locking latch 372A to the locking slot 317A. In other word, when the locking latch 372A is slidably pulled along the guiding slot 373A until a free end of the locking latch 372A is disengaged with the locking slot 371A, the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are capable of being pivotally moved via the pivot hinge 33A. Once the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to interlock with each other via the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34A, the locking latch 372A is slidably pushed until the free end of the locking latch 372A is engaged with the locking slot 371A to lock up the pivotal movement between the upper and lower post members 21, 22. Accordingly, the guiding slot 373A and the locking slot 371A are formed at the coupling sleeves 36A respectively. In addition, the pivot hinge 33A is formed one side edge of the coupling sleeve 36A and the post locker 37A is formed at an opposed side edge of the coupling sleeve 36A. It is worth mentioning that the guiding slot 373A and the locking slot 371A are formed at the outer sleeve portions 3632A and the inner sleeve portion 3612A at the edges thereof respectively.
It is worth mentioning that the post joint 30 and the supporting frame 10 of their alternative modes are interchangeable that the supporting frame 10 can be incorporated with any one the alternative modes of the post joint 30 and the post joint 30 can be incorporated with any one of the alternative modes of the supporting frame 10.
It is worth mentioning that the shelving apparatus of the instant invention can be easily set up by pivotally folding the post members 21, 22 via the post joint 30 end-to-end to form the foldable posts 20 and by coupling the supporting frame 10, 10A, 10B to the foldable posts 20 to form a completed shelving unit. Once the post members 21, 22 are pivotally folded end-to-end, the tongue-and-groove engagement provided by the post joint 30 will ensure the post members 21, 22 to be coupled with each other end-to-end so as to ensure the rigidity of the foldable post 20. For disassembling the shelving apparatus of the instant invention, the user is able to easily detach the supporting frame 10, 10A, 10B from the foldable posts 20, and is able to pivotally fold the post members 21, 22 side-by-side via the post joint 30 as shown in FIG. 6, to minimize the overall length of each of the foldable posts 20. It is worth mentioning that the post joint 30 is remained attached to two end portions of the post members 21, 22 when the post members 21, 22 are folded side-by-side so as to prevent any misplacement of the component or missing thereof when the shelving apparatus is dissembled.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A shelving apparatus, comprising:

a supporting frame;

a plurality of foldable posts for detachably coupling with said supporting frame, wherein each of said foldable posts comprises an upper post member and a lower post member, each of said upper and lower post members having a first post wall and a second post wall extended from said first wall at an angle; and

a post joint for connecting said upper and lower post members end-to-end, wherein said post joint comprises an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of said first post wall of said upper post member, an engaging groove provided at an end portion of said first post wall of said lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled to said second post walls of said upper and lower post members, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said engaging tongue with said engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end, wherein said post joint further comprises two coupling sleeves coupling with said end portions of said upper and lower post members respectively, wherein said pivot hinge is formed between said coupling sleeves to pivotally couple said upper and lower post members.

27. The shelving apparatus, as recited in claim 26, wherein said post joint further comprises an additional engaging groove extended from an end portion of said second post wall of said upper post member adjacent to said engaging tongue thereof, and an additional engaging tongue provided at an end portion of said second post wall of said lower post member adjacent to said engaging groove thereof, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said additional engaging tongue with said additional engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are coupled with each other end-to-end.

28. A shelving apparatus, comprising:

a supporting frame;

a plurality of foldable posts for detachably coupling with said supporting frame, wherein each of said foldable posts comprises an upper post member and a lower post member, each of said upper and lower post members having a first post wall and a second post wall extended from said first wall at an angle;

a post joint for connecting said upper and lower post members end-to-end, wherein, said post joint comprises an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of said first post wall of said upper post member, an engaging groove provided at an end portion of said first post wall of said lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled to said second post walls of said upper and lower post members, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said engaging tongue with said engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end; and

a post locker for releasably locking said upper and lower post members, wherein said post locker comprises a locking slot provided at said lower post member and a locking latch provided at said upper post member, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said engaging tongue with said engaging groove, said locking latch is actuated to engage with said locking slot to retain said upper and lower post members to be coupled with each other end-to-end.

29. The shelving apparatus, as recited in claim 28, wherein said post joint further comprises an additional engaging groove extended from an end portion of said second post wall of said upper post member adjacent to said engaging tongue thereof, and an additional engaging tongue provided at an end portion of said second post wall of said lower post member adjacent to said engaging groove thereof, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said additional engaging tongue with said additional engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are coupled with each other end-to-end.

30. A shelving apparatus, comprising:

a supporting frame comprising a shelf platform and a plurality of shelf retaining members, wherein said shelf platform has a surrounding edge and a base panel adapted to be selectively located at different horizontal levels of said surrounding edge;

a plurality of foldable posts for detachably coupling with said supporting frame, wherein each of said shelf retaining members is detachably coupling with two of said foldable posts such that said shelf retaining members form a boundary frame to support said shelf platform therewith, wherein each of said foldable posts comprises an upper post member and a lower post member, each of said upper and lower post members having a first post wall and a second post wall extended from said first wall at an angle, wherein said shelf platform is selectively supported by said bounding frame at a first position or a reversibly second position, wherein at said first position, said surrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at a position that said base panel located above said surrounding edge, and at said second position, said surrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at a position that said base panel located below said surrounding edge; and

a post joint for connecting said upper and lower post members end-to-end, wherein said post joint comprises an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of said first post wall of said upper post member, an engaging groove provided at an end portion of said first post wall of said lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled to said second post walls of said upper and lower post members, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said engaging tongue with said engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end.

31. The shelving apparatus, as recited in claim 30, wherein said post joint further comprises an additional engaging groove extended from an end portion of said second post wall of said upper post member adjacent to said engaging tongue thereof, and an additional engaging tongue provided at an end portion of said second post wall of said lower post member adjacent to said engaging groove thereof, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said additional engaging tongue with said additional engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are coupled with each other end-to-end, wherein each of said shelf retaining members has a plurality of supporting tabs horizontally aligned with each other and protruded from an inner side of said shelf retaining member between first and second longitudinal edges thereof and defining a plurality of discrete supporting surfaces on said supporting tabs to support said shelf platform thereon, wherein each of said supporting tabs is integrally bent from said inner side of said shelf retaining member to define said supporting surface adjacent to said first longitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member.

32. The shelving apparatus, as recited in claim 31, wherein at said first position, said base panel is aligned with said first longitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member.

33. A shelving apparatus, comprising:

a supporting frame comprising a shelf platform and a plurality of shelf retaining members, wherein each of said shelf retaining members has a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and a supporting bar horizontally protruded from an inner side of said shelf retaining member to define a first supporting surface and an opposed second supporting surface to selectively support said shelf platform, wherein a distance between said first longitudinal edge and said first supporting surface is smaller than a distance between said second longitudinal edge and said second supporting surface;

a plurality of foldable posts for detachably coupling with said supporting frame, wherein each of said foldable posts comprises an upper post member and a lower post member, each of said upper and lower post members having a first post wall and a second post wall extended from said first wall at an angle, wherein each of said shelf retaining members is detachably coupling with two of said foldable posts, such that said shelf retaining members form a boundary frame to support said shelf platform therewithin; and

a post joint for connecting said upper and lower post members end-to-end, wherein said post joint comprises an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of said first post wall of said upper post member, an engaging groove provided at an end portion of said first post wall of said lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled to said second post walls of said upper and lower post members, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said engaging tongue with said engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end, wherein each of said shelf retaining members is reversibly coupled to said foldable posts between a first position and a second position, wherein at said first position, said first supporting surface is located above said second supporting surface to support said shelf platform, and at said second position, said second supporting surface is located above said first supporting surface to support said shelf platform.

34. The shelving apparatus, as recited in claim 33, wherein said post joint further comprises an additional engaging groove extended from an end portion of said second post wall of said upper post member adjacent to said engaging tongue thereof, and an additional engaging tongue provided at an end portion of said second post wall of said lower post member adjacent to said engaging groove thereof, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said additional engaging tongue with said additional engaging groove, said upper and lower post members are coupled with each other end-to-end.