WO2004060119A1 - Etagere telescopique - Google Patents
Etagere telescopique Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004060119A1 WO2004060119A1 PCT/US2003/020323 US0320323W WO2004060119A1 WO 2004060119 A1 WO2004060119 A1 WO 2004060119A1 US 0320323 W US0320323 W US 0320323W WO 2004060119 A1 WO2004060119 A1 WO 2004060119A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tubes
- expandable shelf
- shelf
- inner members
- expandable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B45/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features enabling enlarging in height, length, or depth
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of shelving for use in the home and workplace that is adaptable to being expanded to fit in a space of variable size.
- closets, cabinets and similar storage spaces are used to store a variety of items, such as clothing, cleaning products, personal care products, kitchen utensils, office supplies, and the like.
- shelving is commonly used. Conventional shelving is fastened to the interior structure of storage spaces, for example the walls of the closets or cabinets, with screws and/or nails. The shelving is cut to closely fit the dimensions of the confined spaces between closet or cabinet walls. Cutting the shelving components to these dimensions is difficult for many homeowners or operators of small businesses who are attempting to install such shelving at a minimal cost (i.e., avoiding paying a contractor for installation).
- Modular shelving products are offered in home improvement centers.' Modular shelving products are precut and sized to fit within standard sized closets or cabinets. In many homes, however, the closets and cabinets are not of standard sizes, and therefore the modular shelving does not fit properly within the storage space without significant modification to its structure, which requires cutting the shelf unit or building out a portion of the adjacent wall.
- the expandable shelf of the present invention includes multiple outer tubes secured to one end plate and multiple inner members secured to another end plate, where the inner members fit within the outer support tubes in a telescoping manner.
- a central bracket is provided to support the outer tubes and inner members midway along their length, thus increasing the strength and security of the shelf unit.
- the central bracket is preferably attachable to a wall surface to maintain a horizontal orientation.
- the end plates preferably include a portion or member that extends downwardly with respect to a plane defined by the support tubes.
- One or more telescoping set of outer and inner tube is secured to the downwardly directed portion of the end plates. With the portion extending downwardly, their supported telescoping tube forms a hanging rod for clothes.
- the extending portion extends upwardly, in which case the telescoping tube forms a barrier to prevent objects placed on the support tubes from falling off the expandable shelf.
- the expandable shelf of the present invention fits precisely within a variety of different-dimensioned storage spaces.
- the dimension of the shelf can be rapidly and easily adjusted to form a shelf configured to snugly fit between opposing walls of a storage space.
- a user fastens the end plates to the wall with conventional fastening means to provide a sturdy and rigid storage shelf.
- a solid platform formed of an upper platform and a lower platform that are slidably connected to one another is provided to be mounted on the expandable shelf of the invention.
- the solid platform serves to prevent small objects from falling between the telescoping tubes of the invention expandable shelf.
- the platforms are fitted with means for attachment to the expandable shelf.
- a support column is provided to hold one end of the expandable shelf in horizontal position when a second wall is not available, e.g. if the expandable shelf is used in a room corner.
- the second end plate of the expandable shelf would be connected to a wall surface.
- one or both of the end plates is removably attachable to the telescoping tubes.
- the end plates are each mounted to a wall surface and then the telescoping tubes, optionally held in a central plate for alignment, are assembled to the already mounted plates.
- Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the expandable shelf of the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the expandable shelf of Figure 1.
- Figure 3 is a top plan view of the expandable shelf of Figure 1.
- Figure 4 is a top plan view of a second preferred embodiment expandable shelf of the present invention.
- Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the expandable shelf of Figure 4.
- Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line 6 - 6 of Figure 1.
- Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of an expandable platform for assembly to the expandable shelf of the present invention.
- Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the expandable platform of Figure 7 mounted to the expandable shelf of Figure 1.
- Figure 9 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention expandable shelf where one end thereof is supported by a column.
- Figure 10 is an exploded top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention where one end is separated from the expandable shelf for mounting to a wall surface.
- Expandable shelf 10 has a first end plate 20 and a second end plate 30.
- End plate 20 is formed with a series of mounting holes 22 and end plate 30 is formed with a series of mounting holes 32, each of the mounting holes 22, 32 adapted for receiving a fastener for securely holding the respective end plates 20, 30 to a wall surface.
- a plurality of telescoping assemblies made up of outer tubes 50 and inner members 60 are mounted between end plate 20 and end plate 30.
- Inner members 60 may be either solid or tubular.
- outer tubes 50 and inner tubes 60 are fixedly connected to respective end plates 20, 30.
- Outer tubes 50 and inner members 60 may each be removably connected to end plates 20, 30 by mounting onto a stud projecting from the surface of respective plate 20, 30 or inserting into a cavity formed thereinto.
- the engagement of outer tubes 50 and inner members 60 with the receiving studs or cavities is understood to be substantially tight, for example by conical fitting.
- an adapter 56 is provided at the end of each outer tube 50.
- the end of outer tube 50 can be formed into a cone to smoothly diminish to approximately the diameter of inner member 60.
- a center bracket 40 is provided to slidingly mount on outer tubes 50 so as to be positionable in a desired location along the length of the assembled outer tubes 50 and inner members 60 in accordance with the overall length to which expandable shelf 10 is expanded.
- Center bracket can be formed with a plurality of apertures through which to pass outer tubes 50 or with a plurality of upwardly open slots (not shown) in which to support outer tubes 50. For situations where adjustable shelf 10 is substantially long or where adjustable shelf 10 is expected to support a heavy load, plural center brackets 40 are supplied.
- each of end plates 20, 30 and center plate 40 is formed with a linear body portion 24 and a head portion 26 that extends perpendicularly to body portion 24. Head portion 26 is intended to be installed distal from a rear wall to which expandable shelf 10 is mounted.
- a further telescoping assembly of outer tube 52 and inner tube 62 is mounted between end plates 20, 30 in a location out of a plane defined by outer tubes 50 and inner members 60.
- expandable shelf 10 can be mounted as illustrated, wherein outer tube 52 and inner member 62 provide a rod for hanging clothing on conventional coat hangers with open hook tops.
- expandable shelf 10 can be mounted upside-down with respect to the illustration of Figure 1 , wherein outer tube 52 and inner member 62 provide a barrier to prevent objects stored on expandable shelf 10 from falling off.
- the distal outer tube 50 and inner member 60 assembly can support hanging clothing, as long as the open hook does not interfere with items stored on the shelf.
- Expandable shelf 10 is illustrated in side elevation view in Figure 2, with end plate 30 visible and center bracket 40 obscured.
- center plate 40 is formed with a hanger 44 which is readily attachable to a wall upon mounting expandable shelf 10.
- a connector 34 is fixed to center bracket 40 so as to connect support brace 36, terminating in a wall-connective support plate 38.
- support plate 38 and hanger 44 By fixedly connecting support plate 38 and hanger 44 to a wall against which expandable shelf 10 is mounted, the central portion of expandable shelf 10 is maintained at the level of the end plates 20 (see Figure 1) and 30.
- Figure 3 shows a top plan view of expandable shelf 10 with the features described above.
- FIG. 6 a cross sectional view of expandable shelf 10 is illustrated as taken in the direction of line 6 - 6 of Figure 1.
- Figure 6 illustrates the sliding relation of inner tubes 60 and 62 within respective outer tubes 50 and 52.
- Tube assemblies 50/60 will preferably be positioned at substantially equal spacing from one another along a line that is parallel to the top of side plates 20, 30 and center bracket 40.
- Tube assembly 52/62 is preferably positioned substantially below the outermost assembly of tubes 50/60.
- Tubes 50, 52, and members 60, 62 are made of thin wall metallic tubing and preferably painted or resin coated for appearance and handling. If a resin coating is applied, such coating can be contoured, e.g. ribbed, for increase in friction with items placed thereon.
- Tubes 50 52, 60 and 62 are illustrated as round, but it is recognized that other cross sectional shapes, e.g. square or hexagonal, would also be acceptable.
- Figures 4 and 5 show respective top elevation and perspective views of a second embodiment of the invention.
- the expandable shelf 12 shown in Figures 4 & 5 is similar to the first embodiment of the invention, with the exception that no central bracket is provided. If no center bracket is used, either the length of expandable shelf 12 is to be restricted or the stiffness of outer tube and inner member assemblies 50/60 is increased to minimize bending.
- Figure 7 illustrates a telescoping platform that is adaptable to be sized to substantially cover expandable shelf 10, as depicted in Figure 8.
- Upper platform 70 is slidingly assembled to lower platform 72 by inserting a pair of fasteners 78 through a linear slot 76.
- Fasteners 78 are formed with a thin shank and a large head to retain platforms 70, 72 in sliding contact with one another.
- the telescoping platform shown in Figure 7 may be made of a first tubular platform into which a second platform is slidingly inserted.
- end plate 20 is seen as being supported on bracket 82 that is supported on column 80 that is supported on base 84.
- bracket 82 is provided with formed holes for attachment to end plate 20.
- Column 80 is preferably formed of an outer tube and an inner tube with a locking ring therebetween for adjusting the length of column 80.
- base 84 is to be anchored to the floor.
- shelf 12 may be mounted in an opposite orientation, where end plate 20 is mounted to a wall and end plate 30 is supported on a column 80.
- column 80 extends upwardly beyond expandable shelf 12 to engage a ceiling (not shown), thus increasing the rigidity of the installation.
- end plate 30' is formed to be removable from each of outer tubes 50'.
- the means of attachment comprises a number of receptors 88, such as either studs extending from the side surface of end plate 30' or as cavities (not shown) formed into the side surface of end plate 30', allowing tubes 50' to either slide over or slide into the mating receiving formation. Similar studs or cavities are provided on end plate 20'. In this way, a user mounts each end plates 20', 30' to opposed wall surfaces without having to hold the entire shelf unit up. When the end plates 20', 30' are hung, each of tubes 50', 52' and members 60' 62' is assembled to respective receptors 88 and center bracket 40 is positioned near to the center of expandable shelf 14 for mounting to the wall.
- one end plate, e.g. 30' is separate from the balance of expandable shelf 12 and the other end plate, e.g. 20' is permanently attached.
- the user thus installs the unattached end plate 30' to the side wall, engages outer tubes 50' to the receptors 88, and supports fixedly connected end plate 20' while mounting it to the opposite wall surface.
- fixedly connected end plate 20' is supported by a column 80, as shown in Figure 10.
- both end plates 20' and 30' are separately provided and individually mounted to respective first and second walls as described above.
- a novel and useful expandable shelf is provided to permit adaptation and installation without the need to cut the shelf to length or to build special supporting structure.
Landscapes
- Assembled Shelves (AREA)
Abstract
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003245730A AU2003245730A1 (en) | 2002-12-30 | 2003-06-27 | Expandable shelf |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US43706402P | 2002-12-30 | 2002-12-30 | |
| US60/437,064 | 2002-12-30 | ||
| US29/173,600 | 2002-12-31 | ||
| US29/173,600 USD487369S1 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2002-12-31 | Shelving |
| US10/387,350 US20040124165A1 (en) | 2002-12-30 | 2003-03-12 | Expandable shelf |
| US10/387,350 | 2003-03-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2004060119A1 true WO2004060119A1 (fr) | 2004-07-22 |
Family
ID=32600809
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2003/020323 Ceased WO2004060119A1 (fr) | 2002-12-30 | 2003-06-27 | Etagere telescopique |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20040124165A1 (fr) |
| AU (1) | AU2003245730A1 (fr) |
| WO (1) | WO2004060119A1 (fr) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4162837A2 (fr) * | 2021-10-08 | 2023-04-12 | Fasteners for Retail, Inc. | Bâti plat avec élément d'extension |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8210365B2 (en) * | 2008-09-11 | 2012-07-03 | Van Wyk Loren D | Motorcycle accessory rack |
| US8002125B2 (en) * | 2008-09-11 | 2011-08-23 | Loren D. Van Wyk | Motorcycle accessory rack |
| US7971841B2 (en) * | 2009-05-05 | 2011-07-05 | Loren Van Wyk | Motorcycle saddlebag wall hanger |
| US20120074087A1 (en) * | 2010-06-04 | 2012-03-29 | Eric Neumann | Adjustable shelf |
| CN105083747A (zh) * | 2015-09-14 | 2015-11-25 | 太仓市华天冲压五金制品厂 | 一种长度可调节的货架 |
| US10051959B1 (en) * | 2017-11-17 | 2018-08-21 | Kathleen A. Glidewell | Compact and adjustable closet hanging closet rack and organizer, and method for making same |
| CN111109990A (zh) * | 2020-03-02 | 2020-05-08 | 袁霄霄 | 墙面伸缩管置物架 |
| USD977882S1 (en) * | 2020-08-21 | 2023-02-14 | United Storage Technologies Inc. | Adjustable shoe rack |
| USD977881S1 (en) * | 2020-08-21 | 2023-02-14 | United Storage Technologies Inc. | Adjustable shoe rack |
| USD967659S1 (en) * | 2022-02-28 | 2022-10-25 | Dongguan Xundian Hardware Co., Ltd. | Stackable storage shoe rack |
| US12408782B1 (en) * | 2024-08-21 | 2025-09-09 | Gaatu Inc | Size-adjustable net frame and wardrobe stand |
| USD1096230S1 (en) * | 2024-10-29 | 2025-10-07 | Yike Xie | Bathroom towel rack |
| USD1096229S1 (en) * | 2024-10-29 | 2025-10-07 | Yike Xie | Bathroom towel rack |
Citations (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US622666A (en) * | 1899-04-11 | Extensible platform | ||
| US2545844A (en) * | 1947-12-22 | 1951-03-20 | Cougias Gus | Automatically adjustable bookrack |
| US2888090A (en) * | 1949-10-14 | 1959-05-26 | Telefunken Gmbh | Loudspeaker arrangement |
| US3563182A (en) * | 1968-08-12 | 1971-02-16 | Stanley Works | Combined shelving and clothes bar apparatus |
| US3998170A (en) * | 1975-11-24 | 1976-12-21 | Harvey Gordon | Adjustable wire shelf for frozen foods, and the like |
| US4125078A (en) * | 1977-08-05 | 1978-11-14 | Nyquist Larry M | Clothing rod/shelf support unit |
| US4603781A (en) * | 1983-10-05 | 1986-08-05 | Sevko, Inc. | Shelf assembly |
| US4936467A (en) * | 1989-01-17 | 1990-06-26 | Bobeczko James D | Sports equipment rack |
| US4938365A (en) * | 1988-01-11 | 1990-07-03 | Gerald Conway & Company | Literature display box |
| US5228581A (en) * | 1991-09-12 | 1993-07-20 | Hill Refrigeration Division, Falcon Manufacturing Inc. | Solid state shelf means for transforming an open wire shelf into a solid support within a refrigerated display case |
| US5921410A (en) * | 1997-07-31 | 1999-07-13 | Better Sleep Mfg. Co. | Portable rack shelf |
Family Cites Families (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US642561A (en) * | 1899-03-29 | 1900-01-30 | William D Malone | Clothes-drier. |
| US934148A (en) * | 1909-06-28 | 1909-09-14 | David Duff | Book-rest. |
| US1830347A (en) * | 1929-11-11 | 1931-11-03 | John H Camden | Tray support for automobiles |
| US1962205A (en) * | 1933-04-15 | 1934-06-12 | Murray George | Drying rack |
| US2640599A (en) * | 1950-12-04 | 1953-06-02 | Hess Alexander Mcd | Shelf |
| US2948405A (en) * | 1956-12-05 | 1960-08-09 | Lester L Smith | Shelf and supports therefor |
| US2885090A (en) * | 1957-06-13 | 1959-05-05 | Forman Philip | Telescoping dress rack |
| US3447489A (en) * | 1967-05-15 | 1969-06-03 | Harry Kagan | Shelf and/or tray |
| BE789930A (fr) * | 1972-06-19 | 1973-02-01 | Leifheit International | Etagere pour le rangement des chaussures |
| USD282995S (en) * | 1983-08-22 | 1986-03-18 | Beverly Keith J | Wall mounted rack |
| US4854456A (en) * | 1988-08-30 | 1989-08-08 | Lee Juang J | Rack structure for balls and related equipment |
| US4995323A (en) * | 1989-03-02 | 1991-02-26 | The Stanley Works | Modular shelving and hanger bar system |
| US5228578A (en) * | 1992-04-20 | 1993-07-20 | Wu Shu Chen | Adjustable book shelf |
| US5487601A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1996-01-30 | Lucardie; John F. | Baseball card storage and protection device |
| USD385140S (en) * | 1996-03-05 | 1997-10-21 | Suncast Corporation | Support shelf |
| US5992647A (en) * | 1997-09-18 | 1999-11-30 | Malik; Vijay S. | Storage rack system comprising modular units joined in back to back relationship |
| US6516732B1 (en) * | 2000-02-18 | 2003-02-11 | Lacombe John A. | Storage shelving module |
| EP1182663A3 (fr) * | 2000-08-01 | 2003-11-05 | The CD Storage Company Limited | Dispositif de stockage |
| USD455585S1 (en) * | 2000-08-28 | 2002-04-16 | Westerlund Products Corporation | Expandable shelf |
| USD487369S1 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2004-03-09 | Tube Technology, Llc | Shelving |
-
2003
- 2003-03-12 US US10/387,350 patent/US20040124165A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-06-27 AU AU2003245730A patent/AU2003245730A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-06-27 WO PCT/US2003/020323 patent/WO2004060119A1/fr not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US622666A (en) * | 1899-04-11 | Extensible platform | ||
| US2545844A (en) * | 1947-12-22 | 1951-03-20 | Cougias Gus | Automatically adjustable bookrack |
| US2888090A (en) * | 1949-10-14 | 1959-05-26 | Telefunken Gmbh | Loudspeaker arrangement |
| US3563182A (en) * | 1968-08-12 | 1971-02-16 | Stanley Works | Combined shelving and clothes bar apparatus |
| US3998170A (en) * | 1975-11-24 | 1976-12-21 | Harvey Gordon | Adjustable wire shelf for frozen foods, and the like |
| US4125078A (en) * | 1977-08-05 | 1978-11-14 | Nyquist Larry M | Clothing rod/shelf support unit |
| US4603781A (en) * | 1983-10-05 | 1986-08-05 | Sevko, Inc. | Shelf assembly |
| US4938365A (en) * | 1988-01-11 | 1990-07-03 | Gerald Conway & Company | Literature display box |
| US4936467A (en) * | 1989-01-17 | 1990-06-26 | Bobeczko James D | Sports equipment rack |
| US5228581A (en) * | 1991-09-12 | 1993-07-20 | Hill Refrigeration Division, Falcon Manufacturing Inc. | Solid state shelf means for transforming an open wire shelf into a solid support within a refrigerated display case |
| US5921410A (en) * | 1997-07-31 | 1999-07-13 | Better Sleep Mfg. Co. | Portable rack shelf |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4162837A2 (fr) * | 2021-10-08 | 2023-04-12 | Fasteners for Retail, Inc. | Bâti plat avec élément d'extension |
| US12408766B2 (en) | 2021-10-08 | 2025-09-09 | Fasteners For Retail, Inc. | Flat rack with extender |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20040124165A1 (en) | 2004-07-01 |
| AU2003245730A1 (en) | 2004-07-29 |
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