Vertically stabilized adjustable shelf bracket assembly

• US 6,663,201 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herron Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Warren L. Herron III, Warren L. Herron Jr
• Inventors: Herron, Warren L. Jr., Herron, Warren L. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilkens, Janet M.
• Application Number:
  US09/799,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20030006681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 108/106, 108/107, 108/108, 108/147.11, 108/147.17, 211/187, 211/90.01, 211/192, 248/250, 248/240.3, 312/245, 312/246
• US Class Current: 312/245
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/42 the shelf supports being cantilever brackets
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 95/008 Suspension fittings for cabinets to be hung on walls
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/00 Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture doors E06B
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/028 characterised by support bracket location means, e.g. fixing means between support bracket and shelf
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/061 Cantilever brackets

Abstract

A vertically stabilized shelf bracket assembly having at least two support strips on which at least one cabinet and preferably one or more shelves are mounted. The shelving is stabilized in several ways. First, the brackets are provided with a shelf engaging recess. Second, the brackets are provided with a vertical member which engages the shelves. Preferably, the recess and the vertical member will engage the shelf at opposite ends of the shelf, securing the shelf to the bracket. The shelves can be further stabilized by securing the brackets against vertical displacement. This can be accomplished by securing the shelf brackets to the support strip with a locking pin. With the locking pin in place, the shelf bracket cannot be moved upward.

Claims

1. A cabinetry assembly comprising:

(a) a plurality of vertical support strips configured to be mounted to a wall, each said strip having a plurality of slots aligned vertically along the length of said support strips;

(b) a cover configured to be mounted over at least one of said support strips;

(c) a plurality of bar support members configured to engage said support strips, each said bar support member comprising;

(i) a base comprising an upper end, a lower end, and vertically aligned hooked portions between said upper and lower ends of a size and shape to lockingly fit within said vertical slots of one of said support strips, said base sized to enclose at least a portion of one of said support strips between said base and said wall when said bar support members are in place over said support strips; and

(ii) at least one opening sized to receive a bar;

(d) at least one bar sized to extend between at least two of said bar support members, whereby said bar support members can support said bar; and

(e) at least one cabinet having an interlocking member configured to operatively engage said bar.

8. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 1 wherein said assembly further comprises a plurality of shelf brackets configured to operatively engage said support strips, each said bracket comprising:

(i) a base comprising an upper end, a lower end, and vertically aligned hooked portions between said upper and lower ends of a size and shape to lockingly fit within said vertical slots of said support strip; and

(ii) a horizontal support member fixedly connected to said base and of a size and strength capable of supporting at least half the weight of a shelf.

9. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 8 further comprising a shelf sized to rest upon said shelf brackets.

10. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 1 wherein said support strips are provided with a plurality of vertically aligned strip apertures, wherein said base of said cabinetry support member is provided with at least one corresponding base aperture positioned to align with at least one of said strip apertures when said cabinetry support member engages said support strip, and wherein said cabinetry assembly further comprises a locking pin sized to engage a corresponding pair of apertures when said base aperture is aligned with at least one of said strip apertures.

11. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 10 wherein said locking pin is threaded.

12. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 10 wherein said locking pin has a control arm extending from said locking pin at an angle and wherein said base contains a depression sized to receive said control arm when said locking pin has engaged said base aperture and at least one of said strip apertures.

13. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 10 wherein said base aperture is contained in at least one of said hooked portions.

14. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said hooked portion defines a groove having an open mouth and a closed end, at least one said hooked portion defining a groove that narrows in width from said open mouth to said closed end.

15. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 14 wherein the width of said groove narrows in discrete steps.

2. A cabinetry assembly according to claim further comprising a stop configured to allow said cabinet to depend substantially vertically from said bar.

3. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 2 wherein said stop is positioned between said cabinet and said wall when said cabinet is suspended from said bar.

4. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 3 wherein said upper and lower ends of said bar support member base are configured to overlap with said cover.

5. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 4 further comprising at least one vertical stabilizer comprising an elongated member having, a top end, a bottom end, and an arm extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, said arm sized to fit into said slots in said support strips, said elongated member sized to position said bottom end of said elongated member above and in close contact with a portion of said base when said arm is in one of said slots above said horizontal support member, said elongated member further sized to fit between said support strip and said cover positioned over said elongated member, said fit between said support strip, said elongated member and said cover being sufficiently close to prevent said arm from being removed from said slot while said cover is in place.

6. A shelf bracket assembly according to claim 5 wherein said vertical stabilizer further comprises a lateral brace attached to said bottom end of said elongated member, wherein said lateral brace provides a surface for contacting said base, said surface positioned generally perpendicular to said elongated member.

7. A shelf bracket assembly according to claim 6 wherein said vertical stabilizer contains at least one indentation in said elongated member adjacent said arm.

16. A cabinetry assembly comprising:

(a) a plurality of vertical support strips configured to be mounted to a wall, each said strip having a plurality of slots aligned vertically along the length of said support strips;

(b) a cover configured to be mounted over at least one of said support strips;

(c) a plurality of cabinet support members configured to engage said support strips, each said cabinet support member comprising;

(i) a base comprising an upper end, a lower end, and vertically aligned hooked portions between said upper and lower ends of a size and shape to lockingly fit within said vertical slots of said support strip, said base sized to enclose at least a portion of one of said support strips between said base and said wall when said bar support members are in place over said support strips; and

(ii) a first interlocking member; and

(d) at least one cabinet having a second interlocking member configured to operatively engage said first interlocking member of said support member.

17. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 wherein said first interlocking member comprises a bar supported by said cabinet support members.

18. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 wherein said first interlocking member comprises a pin extending from said cabinet support member and wherein said second support member comprises a pair of apertures in said cabinet sized and positioned to receive said pin.

19. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 wherein said first interlocking member comprises a pin extending from said cabinet support member and wherein said second support member comprises an arm extending from said cabinet, said arm having a lip extending therefrom, said arm and said lip sized and positioned to engage said pin.

20. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 further comprising a stop configured to support said cabinet against said wall.

21. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 20 wherein said stop is integral with said cabinet.

22. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 wherein said assembly further comprises a plurality of shelf brackets configured to operatively engage said support strips, each said bracket comprising:

(i) a base comprising an upper end, a lower end, and vertically aligned hooked portions between said upper and lower ends of a size and shape to lockingly fit within said vertical slots of said support strip;

(ii) a horizontal support member fixedly connected to said base and of a size and strength capable of supporting at least half the weight of a shelf.

23. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 22 further comprising a shelf sized to rest upon said shelf brackets.

24. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 wherein said support strips are provided with a plurality of vertically aligned strip apertures, wherein said base of said cabinetry support member is provided with at least one corresponding base aperture positioned to align with at least one of said strip apertures when said cabinetry support member engages said support strip, and wherein said cabinetry assembly further comprises a locking pin sized to engage a corresponding pair of apertures when said base aperture is aligned with at least one of said strip apertures.

25. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 24 wherein said locking pin is threaded.

26. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 24 wherein said locking pin has a control arm extending from said locking pin at an angle and wherein said base contains a depression sized to receive said control arm when said locking pin has engaged said base aperture and at least one of said strip apertures.

27. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 24 wherein said base aperture is contained in at least one of said hooked portions.

28. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 further comprising a cover configured to operatively attach to said support strips.

29. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 wherein each said hooked portion defines a groove having an open mouth and a closed end, at least one said hooked portion defining a groove that narrows in width from said open mouth to said closed end.

30. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 29 wherein the width of said groove narrows in discrete steps.

31. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 16 wherein said upper and lower ends of said cabinetry support member base are configured to overlap with said cover.

32. A cabinetry assembly according to claim 31 further comprising at least one vertical stabilizer comprising an elongated member having, a top end, a bottom end, and an arm extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, said arm sized to fit into said slots in said support strips, said elongated member sized to position said bottom end of said elongated member above and in close contact with a portion of said base when said arm is in one of said slots above said horizontal support member, said elongated member further sized to fit between said support strip and said cover positioned over said elongated member, said fit between said support strip, said elongated member and said cover being sufficiently close to prevent said arm from being removed from said slot while said cover is in place.