PIVOTING SHELF
First Claim
1. A shelf assembly, comprising:
- a shelf; and
,a mounting bracket for mounting the shelf on a substantially vertical surface,wherein the shelf is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket proximate a rear end of the shelf for movement about a shelf pivot axis, the shelf pivotable upwardly from an open, substantially horizontal position to a closed, substantially vertical position and downwardly from the closed position to the open position,the shelf comprising an engagement structure shaped to receive an elbow of a user, and positioned so that a generally downward force applied to the engagement structure when the shelf is in the closed position will urge the shelf toward the open position,the shelf further comprising a cushioning structure to cushion pivoting of the shelf from at least the closed position to the open position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shelf assembly includes a shelf and a mounting structure for mounting the shelf on a substantially vertical surface. The shelf is pivotably mounted on the mounting bracket proximate the rear end and pivots from an open position to a closed position and from the closed position to the open position. An engagement structure on the shelf, which may optionally be positioned proximate the rear end of the shelf, is configured so that a force applied to the engagement structure when the shelf is in the closed position will urge the shelf toward the open position. The shelf assembly is particularly useful in hospital settings where hospital staff need to open and close the shelf without the use of their hands.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A shelf assembly, comprising:
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a shelf; and
,a mounting bracket for mounting the shelf on a substantially vertical surface, wherein the shelf is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket proximate a rear end of the shelf for movement about a shelf pivot axis, the shelf pivotable upwardly from an open, substantially horizontal position to a closed, substantially vertical position and downwardly from the closed position to the open position, the shelf comprising an engagement structure shaped to receive an elbow of a user, and positioned so that a generally downward force applied to the engagement structure when the shelf is in the closed position will urge the shelf toward the open position, the shelf further comprising a cushioning structure to cushion pivoting of the shelf from at least the closed position to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of assembling a shelf assembly, comprising:
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inserting a first portion of a torque insert into a shelf; placing a cap on a second portion of the torque insert that extends from the shelf when the first portion is inserted into the shelf; placing the shelf with the torque insert and cap onto a mounting bracket that is affixed to a substantially vertical surface; and
,securing the cap to the mounting bracket.
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18. A shelf assembly, comprising:
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a mounting bracket that is mountable to a substantially vertical surface; a shelf that is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket for movement about a shelf pivot axis proximate a rear end of the shelf, the shelf pivotable upwardly from an open, substantially horizontal position to a closed, substantially vertical position and downwardly from the closed position to the open position, wherein the shelf comprises an abutment member that abuts at least one of the substantially vertical surface and the mounting bracket to hold the shelf in the open position; and a torque insert to cushion pivoting of the shelf from at least the closed position to the open position, wherein the torque insert is configured to exert a resistance force to lowering of the shelf to the open position such that over a selected range of angles of the shelf the torque insert permits the shelf to fall to the open position under gravity, wherein the torque insert includes a first portion connected to the shelf and a second portion connected to the mounting bracket, wherein the first portion is pivotable with respect to the second portion about the shelf pivot axis, wherein the only elements that connect the shelf to the mounting bracket and the wall are concentric about the shelf pivot axis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification