Shelf system for a patio or porch

• US 6,546,879 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward M. Johnston
• Original Assignee: Edward M. Johnston
• Inventors: Johnston, Edward M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US10/051,034
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 108/42, 108/48, 108/47, 108/92, 108/96, 108/94, 108/93, 108/152
• US Class Current: 108/47
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 5/00 Suspended or hinged panels forming a table; Wall tables bed tables A47B23/00; adapted for use in vehicles A47B31/06; in combination with other furniture A47B83/00; arm-rest tables for chairs A47C
• 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: A47B 96/027 Cantilever shelves

Abstract

A shelf system for a patio or porch for holding and elevating pots for increased ease of maintenance. The shelf system for a patio or porch includes a rail assembly having an upright rail; a plurality of shelf assemblies, each being coupled to the upright rail of the rail assembly; the plurality of shelf assemblies including a top rail shelf assembly having a top shelf collar coupled to the upright rail, a top shelf support bracket coupled to the top shelf collar, and a top shelf member coupled to the top shelf support bracket; and a lower shelf assembly having a lower shelf collar coupled to the upright rail, a lower shelf bracket coupled to the lower shelf collar, and a lower shelf member coupled to the lower shelf support bracket.

Claims

1. A shelf system for a patio or porch, said shelf system comprising:

a rail assembly having an upright rail

a plurality of shelf assemblies, each said shelf assemblies being coupled to said upright rail of said rail assembly;

said plurality of shelf assemblies including a top rail shelf assembly, said top rail shelf assembly having a top shelf collar coupled to said upright rail, a top shelf support bracket coupled to said top shelf collar, and a top shelf member coupled to said top shelf support bracket;

a lower shelf assembly having a lower shelf collar coupled to said upright rail, a lower shelf bracket coupled to said lower shelf collar, and a lower shelf member coupled to said lower shelf support bracket;

said lower shelf collar receiving said upright rail such that said lower shelf collar is slidable on said upright rail; and

said rail assembly including a cross rail positioned below said lower shelf collar whereby said lower shelf collar is supported by said cross rail.

2. The shelf system of claim 1, further comprising:

said top rail shelf assembly including an attachment portion extending upwardly above said top shelf member, said attachment portion having a curved distal end extending over a generally horizontal top rail of the rail assembly whereby said attachment portion prevents said top rail shelf assembly from sliding down said upright rail.

3. The shelf system of claim 2, further comprising:

a top rail protective member positionable between said top rail and said attachment portion for preventing direct contact between said top rail and said attachment portion to prevent damage to said top rail.

4. The shelf system of claim 1, further comprising:

said lower shelf collar receiving said upright rail such that said lower shelf collar is slidable on said upright rail; and

said upright rail having an abutment surface extending transversely from an exterior surface of said upright rail whereby said lower shelf collar is supported by said abutment surface.

5. The shelf system of claim 1, further comprising:

said top shelf member having a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of rectangular, square, round, triangular and oval.

6. The shelf system of claim 1, further comprising:

a pot supporting assembly having a pot support collar coupled to said upright rail and a main support member coupled to said pot support collar, said main support member having a perimeter adapted for receiving and supporting a pot.

7. The shelf system of claim 6, further comprising:

said pot support collar receiving said upright rail such that said pot support collar is slidable on said upright rail; and

said upright rail having an abutment surface extending transversely from an exterior surface of said upright rail whereby said pot support collar is supported by said abutment surface.

8. A shelf system for a patio or porch, said shelf system comprising:

a rail assembly having an upright rail;

a plurality of shelf assemblies, each of said shelf assemblies being coupled to said upright rail of said rail assembly;

said plurality of shelf assemblies including a top rail shelf assembly, said top rail shelf assembly having a top shelf collar coupled to said upright rail, a top shelf support bracket coupled to said top shelf collar, and a top shelf member coupled to said top shelf support bracket;

a lower shelf assembly having a lower shelf collar coupled to said upright rail, a lower shelf bracket coupled to said lower shelf collar, and a lower shelf member coupled to said lower shelf support bracket;

said top rail shelf assembly including an attachment portion extending upwardly above said top shelf member, said attachment portion having a curved distal end extending over a generally horizontal top rail of the rail assembly whereby said attachment portion prevents said top rail shelf assembly from sliding down said upright rail;

said lower shelf collar receiving said upright rail such that said lower shelf collar is slidable on said upright rail;

said rail assembly including a cross rail positioned below said lower shelf collar whereby said lower shelf collar is supported by said cross rail;

said top shelf member having a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of rectangular, square, round, triangular and oval;

said lower shelf member having a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of rectangular, square, round, triangular and oval;

a pot supporting assembly having a pot support collar coupled to said upright rail and a main support member coupled to said pot support collar, said main support member having a perimeter adapted for receiving and supporting a pot;

said pot support collar receiving said upright rail such that said pot support collar is slidable on said upright rail;

said upright rail having an abutment surface extending transversely from an exterior surface of said upright rail whereby said pot support collar is supported by said abutment surface;

a top rail protective member positionable between said top rail and said attachment portion for preventing direct contact between said top rail and said attachment portion to prevent damage to said top rail.