Shelf having separations

• US 5,657,702 A
• Filed: 09/05/1995
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alain Marie Rodolphe Ribeyrolles
• Original Assignee: Alain Marie Rodolphe Ribeyrolles
• Inventors: Ribeyrolles, Alain Marie Rodolphe
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/513,756
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 108/60, 108/61, 211/184, 211/43, 246/275.11, 246/275.12
• US Class Current: 108/61
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/585 with connection means slidable in a rail
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/005 Partitions therefore horizontally adjustable A47B57/58; constructional details of drawers A47B88/90

Abstract

A shelf having separations, the separations extending upwardly from the shelf. Extending from each of the separations is a respective horizontal portion that rests against the shelf. At least one of the ends of each horizontal portion has a portion that projects against a side of the shelf. An arrangement is provided to apply a force against the projecting portion to thereby lock the separation element in position with respect to the shelf. The locking arrangement includes a locking bar that is positioned within a groove along the shelf and a device for applying a force against the locking bar.

Claims

1. A shelf and separation assembly, said assembly comprising:

a shelf having an outer surface, at least one side surface and a groove extending along said side surface;

at least one separation element having a first portion extending along said outer surface of said shelf and having a second portion projecting from said outer surface of said shelf, said separation element further comprising an end, said end of said separation element being bent with respect to said first portion of said separation element, said end extending along said side surface of said shelf and projecting into said groove; and

an arrangement for applying a force against said end of said at least one separation element for locking said at least one separation element in position with respect to said shelf, said arrangement comprising a locking bar positioned within said groove and a device for applying a locking force to said locking bar, said device including a structure adapted for manipulation to apply said locking force to said locking bar in a direction against said side surface of said shelf.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said groove is defined by said side surface of said shelf and a further surface extending substantially parallel to said side surface; and

said device for applying a locking force against said locking bar comprises a device for pressing said end against one of said side surface of said shelf and said further surface.

3. A shelf assembly comprising a kit of parts comprising:

a shelf having an outer surface, at least one side surface and a groove extending along said side surface;

at least one separation element having a first portion adapted to be assembled to extend along said outer surface of said shelf and having a second portion adapted to be assembled to project from said outer surface of said shelf, said separation element further comprising an end, said end of said separation element being bent with respect to said first portion of said separation element, said end being adapted to be assembled to extend along said side surface of said shelf and to project into said groove; and

an arrangement for applying a force against said end of said at least one separation element for locking said at least one separation element in position with respect to said shelf, said arrangement comprising a locking bar adapted to be assembled to be positioned within said groove and a device for applying a locking force to said locking bar, said device including a structure adapted for manipulation to apply said locking force to said locking bar in a direction against said side surface of said shelf.

4. A shelf having separation elements comprising:

a shelf having at least one side surface and a groove extending along said side surface, said groove being defined by a pair of side surfaces, one of said side surfaces of said groove being said side surface of said shelf;

a plurality of separation elements positioned on said shelf, each separation element having a pair of ends, one of said ends of each separation element being bent to form a bracket that extends along said side surface of said shelf and projects into said groove;

a locking bar positioned within and extending along said groove and along said brackets of said plurality of separation elements; and

a device for applying a locking force to said locking bar, said device including a structure for applying a locking force to said locking bar and to said brackets of said separation elements in a direction against a side surface of said groove to thereby lock said separation elements in place with respect to said shelf.

5. A shelf according to claim 4, wherein:

said structure of said device for applying a locking force to said locking bar comprises an element mounted for rotation.

6. A shelf according to claim 4, wherein:

said groove has a side defined by said side surface of said shelf;

said locking bar comprises a plurality of bosses spaced apart along said locking bar;

said structure of said device for applying a locking force to said locking bar comprises a screw positioned within and extending along said groove, a plurality of nuts within which said screw is in threaded rotatable engagement, said nuts being mounted against rotation, each of said nuts having a ramp engaged with a respective one of said bosses for applying said locking force to said locking bar upon rotation of said screw.

7. A shelf according to claim 4, wherein:

said shelf has an upper surface on which said separation elements are positioned; and

said locking bar has an upper edge extending above said upper surface of said shelf.

8. A shelf according to claim 4, wherein:

said locking bar has an upstanding portion, against which said locking force is applied, and a portion bent over and covering said groove.

9. A shelf according to claim 4, wherein:

said structure of said device for applying a locking force to said locking bar comprises at least one adjusting screw positioned transversely in said groove.

10. A shelf according to claim 9, wherein:

said at least one adjusting screw comprises a plurality of using screws spaced apart along said groove.

11. A shelf according to claim 4, wherein:

a second of said pair of side surfaces of said groove is defined by an opposed surface of an upstanding side member, said opposed surface being spaced apart and extending along said side surface of said shelf;

said locking bar is positioned adjacent said side surface of said shelf and interposed between said side surface of said shelf and said brackets of said separation elements; and

said structure of said device for applying a locking force to said locking bar comprises means for applying said locking force to said locking bar and to said brackets of said separation elements in a direction against said opposed surface of said groove thereby lock said separation elements in place with respect to said shelf.

12. A shelf according to claim 11, wherein:

said means for applying said locking force to said locking bar includes at least one rod extending through said upstanding side member and being attached to said locking bar, said rod being adapted to be subjected to a traction force to pull said rod in a direction from said side surface of said shelf toward said opposed surface.

13. A shelf according to claim 12, wherein:

said rod comprises an end extending beyond said upstanding side member;

said means for applying a locking force to said locking bar further comprises;

a lever having an end with a pair of wings forming a clevis, said end of said rod extending between said wings of said clevis; and

a pin extending through said end of said rod and to each of said wings to thereby articulate said lever with respect to said rod;

said wings of said clevis being shaped to form a cam for engagement with said upstanding side member as said lever is articulated with respect to said rod.

14. A shelf according to claim 11, wherein:

said means for applying said locking force to said locking bar includes two rods extending through said upstanding side member and being attached to said locking bar, each of said rods being adapted to be subjected to a traction force to pull said rods in a direction from said side surface of said shelf toward said opposed surface;

both of said rods having a respective end extending beyond said upstanding side member;

said means for applying a locking force to said locking bar further comprises;

two levers, each said lever having an end with a pair of wings forming a clevis, said end of each respective rod extending between said wings of a respective clevis; and

a pin extending through a respective one of each of said ends of said rods and to each of said wings of a respective clevis to thereby articulate said levers with respect to a respective rod;

said wings of each of said clevises being shaped to form a cam for engagement with said upstanding side member as each said lever is articulated with respect to a respective rod between a latched position and an unlatched position, whereby in said latched position, said locking force is applied to said opposed surface and to said brackets of said separation elements; and

each of said two levers having a respective free end and said levers are oriented with respect to said side surface so that, in said latched position, said free ends of said two levers face each other.

15. A shelf according to claim 4, wherein:

said structure for applying a locking force to said locking bar comprises a member adapted to be manipulated between a locking position, thereby said locking force is applied, to an unlocking position.