US3490393A - Construction for shelves and/or cabinets - Google Patents

Description

1970 D. R. NELSON CONSTRUCTION FOR SHELVES AND/0R CABINETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1967 DONALD R. NELSON iNVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1970 D. R. NELSON 3,490,393-

CONSTRUCTION FOR SHELVES AND/OR CABINETS Filed May 12, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 8 DONALD R. NELSQN INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,490,393 CONSTRUCTION FOR SHELVES AND/ OR CABINETS Donald R. Nelson, Fort Hood, Tex. (3010Savoy Lane, Bowie, Md. 20715) Filed May 12, 1967, Ser. No. 637,981 Int. Cl. A47b 57/00, 9/00, /00

Us. or. s 109 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to construction for shelves and/or cabinets and more particularly to such constructiofi which permits any desired combination and spacing of shelves and/ or cabinets.

Prior to the subject invention, in the construction of adjustable shelves and bookcases, it has been the general practice to use at least two or more spaced and vertically extending channels which are secured to the wall or other supporting structure. A plurality of slots or the like in each channel accommodate one or more brackets which extend perpendicularly outward from the wall and support a shelf placed thereon.

An object of the present invention is the provision of adjustable shelves wherein the means supporting each shelf is hidden from view.

Another object is to provide a construction for shelves and bookcases adaptable to any desired combination and spacing of sehelves.

A further object of the invention is the provision of shelves, bookcases and cabinets which may be assembled and disassembled with a minimum of effort.

Still another object is to provide such construction which is inexpensive to manufacture, capable of mass production techniques and universal in its adaptability.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is made in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 2. is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of a bracket used in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the drawings.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectionview of another bracket used in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the drawings.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view showing a double bracket used in connection with two abutting sections of shelves.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view showing another doube bracket used in connection with two abutting sections of shelves.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, elevational view of supporting means used with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, plan view, partly broken away and partly in section, showing another securing means used in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a bracket constructed in accordance with the principles of the subject invention.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of another bracket constructed in accordance with the principles of the subject invention.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of an eye used in the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are vertical sectional views of other embodiments of brackets used to support shelves the longitudinal axis of which are ninety degrees displaced.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view of a backing material which is detachably secured to the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a section 20 of shelves constructed in accordance with the principles of the subject invention. Each section 20 includes a pair of spaced end members 21-22. For purposes of convenience only, end member 21 will hereinafter be described in detail; it is understood that end member 22 is similarly constructed.

Member 21 includes spaced uprights 23-24 of a suitable rigid gauge of wire, rod, tubing or the like. A plurality of transversely and horizontally extending crossbars 25 of wire rod of desired length are conventionally secured at each end to uprights 23, 24. Preferably the upper and lower crossbars are spaced from the corresponding upper and lower ends of said uprights whereby a sleeve (see FIG. 6) may be passed over vertically aligned uprights to secure in vertically stacked arrangement any desired number of such sections. Each end member 21, 22 may consist of any desired number of crossbars with either equal or unequal vertical spacing between adjacent crossbars.

Any desired number of shelves 26 with equal or unequal vertical spacing therebetween may be utilized in each section 20 with the opposite ends of said shelves detachably secured to corresponding crossbars on opposite end members. More specifically, each shelf 26 is of any desired dimensions and composed of wood, light weight metal, sheet plastic or the like; in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings a transversely and vertically extending groove 27 which opens downwardly is provided in the undersurface of each shelf in proximity to the most lateral ends thereof. In FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, a transversely extending, angularly inclined groove 28 of narrow width which opens in the undersurface of each shelf is provided in proximity to each end thereof. Grooves 27, 28 open rearwardly and preferably do not extend into the front edge of each such shelf.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a bracket 29 used to detachably secure each end of shelf 26 to selected crossbars 25. Bracket 29 terminates upwardly in an inverted, U-shaped portion 30 bent through approximately degrees, the legs 31-32 of which are spaced to pass laterally of crossbar 25. Leg 31 extends outwardly of bar 25 and terminates therebelow while leg 32 extends downwardly of the lower edge of leg 31 and is turned perpendicularly inward to form base 33. In use, the most lateral ends of said shelves abut leg 32 while base 33 supports the lower, outer end of each shelf. Upwardly extending portion 34 of such bracket is preferably parallel to leg 32 while end portion 35 is bent backward along a plane parallel to the plane of base 33. For design consideration only, the upper surface of shelf 26 is approximately along the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of portion 30 of said bracket.

A transversely extending member 36 composed of light weight metal, nylon or the like is secured in groove 27 as by means of screws, an adhesive or in a friction fit. A longitudinally extending, inverted L-shaped channel 37 in member 36 opens downwardly to accommodate portions 34, 35 of bracket 29. In use, two or more brackets 29 are inserted into member 36 on each end of shelf 26 and preferably positioned in proximity to the front and rear edges of said shelf. The U-shaped portion 30 of each bracket is then passed over selected, corresponding crossbars 25 on opposite end members 21, 22 securing the shelf in position.

Groove 28, heretofore mentioned, preferably extends angularly upward and outward. Bracket 38 of FIG. 3 is substantially similar to bracket 29 of FIG. 2; terminal portion 39 of bracket 38 extends upward and outward at an angle corresponding to that of groove 28. It is to be understood that groove 28 may be at any selected angle ranging from the vertical to sixty degrees below the vertical; in each case, terminal portion 39 is bent to insert into the said groove.

Any desired number of sections of shelves may be placed side by side to form shelving or a bookcase of any desired length. The shelves of each outer section of said plurality of sections are secured to corresponding crossbars as by means of brackets 29, 38. There is shown in FIGS. 4 and of the drawings double brackets 40-41 which are used in connection with a plurality of sections wherein the ends of shelves in adjacent sections abut. It is obvious that double brackets 40, 41 are bilaterally symmetrical about the center line through crossbar 25, those members on one side of said center line having heretofore been described in detail in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, respectively. In use, double brackets 40, 41 are slidably inserted into member 36 or into groove 28, respectively, in abutting ends of shelves 26; the joined shelves may then be passed through either end member and secured to corresponding crossbars. Alternatively, the user may raise the rear edge of abutting shelves whereby the brackets 40, 41 may be inserted in the manner heretofore described, after which said shelves may be lowered into position and secured to corresponding crossbars.

There is shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings another embodirnent of the invention consisting of a cabinet section 42 to which section 20 of shelving is detachably secured. In general, section 42 consists of end members 43-44. For purposes of convenience only, end member 43 will be described in detail; it is understood that end member 44 is similarly constructed. Member 43 includes an upright 45 and inverted L-shaped member consisting of upright 46 and perpendicularly extending cross piece 47; upright 45 is of greater length than upright '46 and the end of cross piece 47 is butt welded or otherwise secured thereto with rod segment 48 extending upwardly. Segment 49 is of similar cross sectional configuration as segment 48 and is spaced therefrom a distance corresponding to the width of end members 21, 22; one end of segment 49 is conventionally secured to cross piece 47. A plurality of horizontally extending crossbars 50 are conventionally secured at each end to uprights 45, 46; the vertical spacing between adjacent crossbars may be equal or uneqfual.

Cabinet 42 is of conventional construction and consists of top, bottom, sides, back and hinged doors 5157, respectively, or any combination of such parts. As heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 2-5 of the drawings, either member 36 or groove 28 is provided in the bottom 52 of such cabinet to accommodate brackets 29, 3-8. Sleeve 58, composed of plastic or the like, is placed over the upper end of rods 48, 49 of each end member 43, 44 and the lower end of uprights 21, 22 respectively.

There is shown in FIGS. 7-8 of the drawings means to provide stability and support for a section 20 of shelves and/or cabinet section 42. Cross member 59 of suitable gauge rod or the like consists of mirror image sections 60-61 with vertically extending base 62 of each section secured to the corresponding member as by welding or the like. For purposes of convenience, section 60 will be described; as heretofore mentioned, section 61 is a mirror image thereto. Leg 63 of section 60 extends angularly upward and terminates in fastening means 64 which is detachably secured to upright 23 and to a selected crossrod 25. More specifically, leg 63 passes over crossrod 25, is bent downward and partially around the said crossrod and thence horizontally rearward approximately ninety degrees circu-mferentially around upright 23. In like manner, leg 65 of section 60 extends angularly downward and terminates in fastening means 66 which is detachably secured to upright 23 and to a selected crossrod spaced vertically below the crossrod accommodating fastening means 64. As best seen in FIG. 8, leg 65 passes below crossrod 25, is bent upwardly and partially around crossrod 25 and thence horizontally rearward approximately ninety degrees circumferentially around upright 23. Prior to attaching shelves 26 in the manner heretofore described, fastening means 64, 66 are first secured to the rear upright on one end member and thereafter secured to the rear upright on the opposite end member.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a supporting device 67 composed of suitable gauge rod or the like, said device includes an elongated base 68 which terminates at one end in fastening means 69 similar in construction to fastening means 64, 66 heretofore described; the opposite end of base 68 is bent perpendicularly inward to form arm 70. Fastening means 69 is first secured to a selected crossrod 25 and upright 23 after which arm 70 is inserted into a horizontally extending sleeve 71 composed of plastic or the like which is conventionally secured in the rear edge of shelf 26 in proximity to each end thereof.

There is shown in FIGS. 10-11 of the drawings wall brackets 7273 which are secured as by means of screws 74 or the like to a supporting strutcure 75. In the embodiment of FIG. 10*, bracket 72 is of right triangular outline and constructed of suitable gauge rod or the like; such bracket terminates upwardly in eye 76 and further includes vertically extending leg 77, base 78 which is perpendicular thereto with leg 79 extending angularly upward to connect to eye 76. As best seen in FIG. 12, the upper portion of eye 76 is turned inwardly and lies flat against the supporting structure while the lower portion of said eye is bent outwardly and downwardly to overlie the upper portion of leg 77 and joins the upper end of leg 79 which is vertically aligned with leg 77.

Bracket 73 is of a suitable gauge rod or the like and terminates upwardly in eye 76 of the type heretofore described. Vertically extending leg 80 terminates downwardly in base 81 which extends perpendicularly outward; leg 82 is vertically aligned with leg 80- and as best seen in FIG. 11 is bent inwardly at an angle of approximately eighty degrees with respect to the horizontal; leg 83 extends upwardly at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees and connects to eye 76. A plurality of vertically spaced and horizontally extending crossbars 84 are secured at each end to legs 80 and 82, respectively. Shelves 26 may be secured to base 78 of FIG. 10 or to base 81 or crossbars 84 of FIG. 11 as by means of brackets 29, 38 in the manner heretofore described.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-14 of the drawings there are shown brackets 85-86 for additionally supporting shelves 25 the longitudinal axes of which are ninety degrees displaced and wherein one end of one shelf is unsupported. It is obvious that the lower portions of such brackets are similar in construction to brackets 29', 38 of FIGS. 2-3 of the drawings and are secured to shelves 26 in the manner heretofore described. Vertically extending portion 87 of bracket 85 passes betweenend 88 of a first shelf and the front edge 89 of an abutting second shelf the longitudinal axis of which is displaced ninety degrees relative to said first shelf; portion 87 terminates upwardly in a horizontally and outwardly extending portion 90 which bears against the upper surface of said second shelf to support the first shelf. In like manner, the lower portion of bracket 86 is similar to bracket 38 heretofore described; bracket 86 includes a vertically extending portion 91 which passes between the end of a first shelf and front edge of an abutting second shelf with portion 92 bent perpendici ilarly outward, said portion 92 bears against the upper surface of said second shelf to support said first shelf.

In FIG. of the drawings there is shown a vertically extending backing material 93 which isdetachably secured to a selected shelf 26 forwardly of cross member 59 not only to obscure the same but also to form a back for section More specifically, a plurality of spaced, screw hooks 94 -insert into the rear edge of aselected shelf to support and secure the lower edge of backing material 93.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure lrelates to only preferred embodiments of the invention "and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the, invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention."

What is claimed is:

1. In furniture construction,

spaced first and second end members,

said first and second end members each consisting of first and second uprights with a plurality of horizontally extending and vertically spaced crossbars secured thereto,

at least one horizontal member having first and second ends,

first and second transversely extending grooves in the undersurface of said horizontal member in proximity to the" respective first and second ends thereof, said grooves extending upwardly at an angle ranging from thirty degrees above the horizontal to the vertical,

at least two spaced brackets detachably secured to a single selected crossbar on each of said first and second end members,

said brackets partially inserted into said grooves in said lhorizontal member inwardly of said first and second uprights,

each of said brackets comprising an inverted U-shaped portion having first and second legs,

said first leg passing to one side of a selected crossbar and said second leg passing to the opposite side of said selected crossbar,

said second leg turned perpendicular and terminating in an upwardly extending portion adapted to insert into said grooves in said horizontal member, and

support means detachably secured to said first uprights of said first and second members.

2. In furniture construction,

at least first and second parallel end members,

said first and second end members each consisting of first and second spaced uprights with a plurality of horizontally extending and vertically spaced crossbars secured thereto,

at least one elongate horizontal member terminating laterally in first and second ends,

first and second transversely extending grooves in the undersurface in proximity to said first and second ends of said horizontal member,

at least two spaced brackets detachably secured to a single selected crossbar,

first and second members secured in said first and second transversely extending grooves,

said members including a downwardly opening, in-

verted L-shaped channel,

said brackets shaped to conform to and insert into the said channels, and

support means detachably secured to said first uprights of said first and second members.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein each of said brackets consist of an inverted U-shaped portion including first and second legs, said first leg passing to one side of a selected crossbar and said second leg passing to the opposite side of said selected crossbar, said second leg turned perpendicular and terminating in an upwardly extending portion adapted to insert into said channels in said first and second members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 754,816 3/ 1904 Schriefer 108-109 1,855,242 4/1932 Jarvis 108-409 FOREIGN PATENTS Ad. 40,278 2/ 1932 France.

155,269 7/ 1956 Sweden. 177,994 1/ 1962 Sweden.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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