Shelving system

• US 20080000859A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Original Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Inventors: Yang, Frank, Sandor, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,225,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/90.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/26 consisting of clamping means, e.g. with sliding bolts or sliding wedges fixed on cords or the like A47B43/006
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/13 made of tubes or wire assemblies of elements of the same kind, e.g. stackable, A47B87/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/08 characterised by being mounted on wash-basins, baths, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 17/00 Other equipment , e.g. separate apparatus for deodorising, disinfecting or cleaning devices without flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers; Holders for toilet brushesportable urinating aids A61F5/4556; devices for receiving spittle A61J19/00 ; disinfecting apparatus for medical, surgical or hygienic purposes A61L; cleaning devices with flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers E03D9/00; for emptying or cleaning chamber-pots, bed pans, bed urinals or the like E03D11/025
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/281 Accessories for showers or bathing douches, e.g. cleaning devices for walls or floors of showers A47K3/30, A47K3/38, A47K3/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/286 Emergency showers
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/04 Other soap-cake holders

Abstract

A shelving system can include adjustable shelves. The shelves can be adjustable in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The shower organizer can have a hinged clamp which can include a tapered gasket configured to secure the shelving system to a shower head pipe. The shelving system can be further fitted with a suction cup attached to its lower end to further secure the organizer to a wall. The suction cup can be rotatably mounted to the lower end of the shower organizer so that the position of the suction cup may be adjusted such that the suction cup is positioned over a flat surface.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising:

a support member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis; and

at least one shelf slidably connected to the support member with a connection mechanism, wherein the connection mechanism is configured to allow the at least one shelf to be adjusted in a first direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with respect to the support member.

2. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein connection mechanism includes a user-actuatable device configured to move between locked and unlocked positions, in which the shelf can be adjusted in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the unlocked position, and wherein the shelf is locked relative to the support member when the user-actuatable device is in the locked position.

3. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a clamp.

4. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the support member has a cross-section having an “

I”

shape and wherein the support member comprises outer flanges.

5. The shelving system of claim 4, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a clamp having hooks configured to tighten around the outer flanges.

6. The shelving system of claim 4, wherein the clamp comprises:

a clamp body having a slot;

a clamp plate fitted through the slot of the clamp body;

a clamp lever; and

a hinge mechanism attaching the clamp lever to the clamp body.

7. The shelving system of claim 1, further comprising a first connector disposed at the first end configured to hang the shelving system, and a second connector attached to the second end of the column, the second connector being rotatable relative to the support member.

8. The shelving system of claim 7, wherein the first connector is a hinged clamp comprising a rubber gasket.

9. The shelving system of claim 8, wherein the hinged clamp is configured to fit around a pipe having an outer diameter of about 0.8 inch.

10. The shelving system of claim 7, wherein the second connector comprises a suction cup configured to grip a substantially planar surface.

11. A shelving system for a shower, comprising:

a central portion having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the central portion comprises at least one shelf;

an upper attachment device configured to hang the central portion within a shower; and

a lower attachment device connected to the bottom end, wherein the lower attachment device is configured to be adjustable in at least a generally horizontal direction.

12. The shelving system of claim 11, wherein the upper attachment device is a hinged clamp mechanism configured to fit around a shower head pipe.

13. The shelving system claim 12, wherein the hinged clamp mechanism is configured to fit around a shower head pipe.

14. The shower organizer of claim 13, wherein the hinged clamp mechanism comprises a tapered rubber gasket.

15. The shower organizer of claim 11, wherein the lower attachment device comprises a suction cup configured to grip a substantially planar surface and wherein the suction cup is rotatably mounted to the bottom end.

16. The shower organizer of claim 11, wherein the central portion comprises an elongated element and the at least one shelf is slidably mounted on the elongated element.

17. The shower organizer of claim 16, wherein the at least one shelf is configured to be adjusted substantially longitudinally and substantially laterally with respect to the elongated column.

18. A shower organizer, comprising:

an elongated element having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end;

a connector defining an aperture configured to fit around a shower head pipe;

at least one shelf mounted on the elongated element; and

a resilient member disposed in the aperture so as to lie between an outer surface of a shower head pipe and an inner surface of the aperture when the connector is disposed around a shower head pipe.

19. The shower organizer of claim 18, wherein the resilient member is shaped to compliment the downwardly curving shape of a shower head pipe.

20. The shower organizer of claim 18, wherein resilient member is tapered along a lower portion, the tapered portion being shaped to follow a lower curved surface of a shower head pipe.

21. The shower organizer of claim 18, wherein the connector comprises a first portion connected to the elongated element and a second portion pivotally mounted to the first portion.

22. The shower organizer of claim 21, additionally comprising a threaded fastener configured to secure the second portion relative to the first portion.

23. A shower caddy comprising:

an elongated central support member defining a longitudinal axis, the central support member having an I-shaped cross section comprising at least a first flange with first and second lateral edges;

at least first and second shelves, each of the first and second shelves having at least first and second cross members extending generally laterally across the respective shelves;

at least first and second clamp mechanisms releasably connecting the first and second shelves, respectively, to the central support member, each of the first and second clamp mechanisms comprising a clamp body defining first and second hooks configured to engage the first and second lateral edges of the first flange, a clamp plate disposed at least partially in the clamp body and configured to rest against the first and second cross members, and a level member having a cam, the lever member being configured to pivot between locked and unlocked positions, wherein in the locked position, the cam presses the clamp plate against the cross members and causes the first and second hooks to press against the first and second lateral edges, respectively, with sufficient force to support the weight of the shelf,

a first connector device disposed at an upper end of the central support member, the first connector having a first portion fixed to the upper end of the support and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion so as to be pivotable between open and closed positions, the first and second portions defining an aperture configured to fit around a shower head pipe when in the closed position; and

a second connector device comprising a suction cup pivotally mounted to a lower end of the central support member so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.