Joint for modular shelves and modular shelf system using the same

• US 5,715,956 A
• Filed: 10/24/1996
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NS Planning, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NS Planning, Inc.
• Inventors: Yoshida, Tsukasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US08/736,502
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 211/182, 211/186, 211/187, 211/188, 312/111, 312/140, 403/170, 403/173, 403/176, 403/310, 403/231, 403/405.1, 403/406.1, 403/407.1, 108/153, 108/180, 108/193
• US Class Current: 211/182
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/0033 Corners
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/005 Linkable dependent elements with the same or similar cross-section, e.g. cabinets linked together, with a common separation wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/06 Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves A47B96/022 takes precedence; aspects of adjusting height or inclination A47B57/00 ; brackets for the display of articles A47F5/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 403/11 Furniture type having a snap fit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/347 Polyhedral
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/4602 Corner joint

Abstract

A joint for modular shelves which allows assembly or disassembly of shelves more simply in a short period of time, and a modular shelf system using the same. The joint includes a flattered columnar body, one end surface of which forms a front surface and the other end surface of which forms a rear surface. A circumferential side surface of the flattened columnar body is provided with left and right rear frame-fitting slits extending in parallel with the front surface, side frame-fitting slits extending in right angles to the rear frame-fitting slits, and L-shaped shelf-fitting slits which have first side parts extending along the rear frame-fitting slits and second side parts extending along the side frame-fitting slits and which are provided on the left and right sides of the side frame-fitting slits. These slits include both upwardly opened slits and downwardly opened slits.

Claims

1. A joint for modular shelves, comprising a flattened columnar body one end surface of which forms a front surface, and another, opposite end surface of which forms a rear surface, characterized in that at least one circumferential side surface of said flattened columnar body is provided with a plurality of slits comprising rear frame-fitting slits extending to left and right side surface and in parallel with said front surface, side frame-fitting slits extending at right angles to said rear frame-fitting slits, and L-shaped shelf-fitting slits which comprise first side parts extending along said rear frame-fitting slits and second side parts extending along said side frame-fitting slits, and which are provided on left and right sides of said side frame-fitting slits, each of said rear frame-fitting slits, said side frame-fitting slits, and said L-shaped shelf-fitting slits comprising upwardly opened slits and downwardly opened slits.

2. A joint for modular shelves according to claim 1, wherein said rear surface is cut off so as to form curved recesses.

3. A joint for built up shelves according to claim 1, wherein opposed circumferential side surfaces of said flattened columnar body are each provided with said plurality of slits.

4. A joint for modular shelves according to claim 3, wherein said joint comprises a flattened columnar body, both end surfaces of which are cut off so as to form curved recesses.

5. A modular shelf comprising:

a plurality of joints, each of said joints comprising a flattened columnar body one end surface of which forms a front surface, and another, opposite end surface of which forms a rear surface, said joints being characterized in that at least one circumferential side surface of said flattened columnar body is provided with a plurality of slits comprising rear frame-fitting slits extending to left and right side surface and in parallel with said front surface, side frame-fitting slits extending at right angles to said rear frame-fitting slits, and L-shaped shelf-fitting slits which comprise first side parts extending along said rear frame-fitting slits and second side parts extending along said side frame-fitting slits, and which are provided on left and right sides of said side frame-fitting slits, each of said rear frame-fitting slits, said side frame-fitting slits, and said L-shaped shelf-fitting slits comprising upwardly opened slits and downwardly opened slits;

a plurality of quadrangular rear frames, quadrangular side frames and reticulate shelves assembled together with said joints, each of said rear frames being fitted in said rear frame-fitting slits in corresponding ones of said joints, each of said side frames being fitted in said side frame-fitting slits in corresponding ones of said joints, and each of said frame members of said reticulate shelves being fitted in said shelf-fitting slits in corresponding ones of said joints.

6. A modular shelf according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of shelf-receiving pins and a plurality of cleats, said side frames being provided at vertically intermediate portions thereof with shelf-receiving pin insertion holes through which corresponding ones of said shelf-receiving pins are inserted fixedly, said shelves being placed on said pins, said cleats being fixed astride parts of said shelves and relative parts of said rear frames.

7. A modular shelf according to claim 6, wherein each of said shelf-receiving pins comprises a male member formed by providing a projecting screw portion on an end of a cylindrical element, and a female member formed by providing a threaded bore in another cylindrical element, outer surfaces of said cylindrical elements being covered with an elastic material.

8. A modular shelf according to claim 6, wherein each of said cleats is formed by an inverted U-shaped reticulate shelf-fitting member on one side portion of a U-shaped rear frame fitting member.