Standard and track shelving systems

• US 7,900,783 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2007
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clairson Inc (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Clairson Inc (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Kundinger, Robert P. Jr., Fernandez, Julio A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Safavi; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODDEN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US11/950,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20090139943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 211/87.01, 211/90.01, 211/90.02, 211/90.03, 211/90.04, 211/94.01, 211/103, 211/105.1, 211/124, 211/175, 211/183, 211/187, 211/189, 211/190, 211/207, 108/29, 108/30, 108/108, 108/147.17, 108/187, 411/85, 248/220.31, 248/220.41, 248/220.42, 248/220.43, 248/225.11, 248/235, 248/243, 248/244, 248/250, 160/135, 160/350, 160/351, 160/352
• US Class Current: 211/90.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 45/00 Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features enabling enlarging in height, length, or depth sectional furniture A47B87/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/022 with cantilever shelves
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/42 the shelf supports being cantilever brackets
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/028 characterised by support bracket location means, e.g. fixing means between support bracket and shelf
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0853 Rail constructions; Brackets
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0869 Accessories for article-supporting brackets, e.g. price- indicating means, not covered by a single one of groups A47F5/08 pushing means therefor A47F1/128
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/0031 the screw being designed to be screwed into different materials, e.g. a layered structure or through metallic and wooden parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/0057 the screw having distinct axial zones, e.g. multiple axial thread sections with different pitch or thread cross-sections
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/041 Specially-shaped shafts shape of thread F16B33/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0275 the screw-threaded element having at least two axially separated threaded portions F16B5/0283 takes precedence

Abstract

A shelving system is disclosed that includes two tracks and a standard. The standard has an end portion slidably receivable within an opening one of the tracks, such that the position of the standard relative to the track is slidably adjustable along that track. The rearward portion of each track defines a recess. An elongate member is slidably receivable within the recesses of the tracks such that each track is slidable along the elongate member, whereby the slidable engagement of the elongate member within the recesses of the tracks aligns the tracks and allows slidable adjustment of the relative positioning of the tracks to each other.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising:

at least two tracks, each track including a rearward portion and a forward portion, the forward portion including a downwardly-extending retaining lip with an inwardly protruding portion, a generally upwardly-facing horizontal support surface, and an opening cooperatively defined by the retaining lip and support surface along at least a portion of a length of the track; and

at least one standard including an end portion slidably receivable within the opening of each of the tracks, such that the position of the standard relative to each of the tracks is slidably adjustable along each of the tracks,

the end portion of the standard including an upper portion configured to contact one of said track'"'"'s retaining lip, and an opening for receiving the inwardly protruding portion of one of said track'"'"'s retaining lip, and a generally downwardly-facing horizontal support surface that contacts the generally upwardly-facing horizontal support surface of one of said tracks when the standard is supported by one of said tracks with the standard'"'"'s end portion slidably received within said one of said track'"'"'s opening;

wherein the rearward portion of each track defines a recess, and wherein the shelving system further comprises an elongate member slidably receivable within the recesses of the tracks such that each track is slidable along the elongate member, whereby the slidable engagement of the elongate member within the recesses of the tracks aligns the tracks and allows slidable adjustment of the relative positioning of the tracks to each other.

2. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a generally cylindrical rod, and wherein the recesses defined by the tracks include corresponding generally cylindrical shapes for slidably receiving therein the generally cylindrical rod.

3. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the at least one standard includes two standards each supportable by a corresponding one of the two tracks, and wherein each standard is slidably along the corresponding one of the two tracks, thereby allowing slidable adjustment of the relative positioning of the standards to each other.

4. The shelving system of claim 3, further comprising at least two shelving brackets each engageable with a front surface of a corresponding one of the two standards for cooperatively supporting at least one shelf.

5. The shelving system of claim 4, further comprising at least one shelf supportable by the at least two shelving brackets.

6. The shelving system of claim 4, wherein each shelving bracket includes a lower portion with openings, and wherein the shelving system further comprises:

a hang rod;

at least two hang rod mounting brackets, each including a first end portion with tabs receivable within the openings of a corresponding one of the shelving brackets to mount the hang rod mounting bracket to the corresponding one of the shelving brackets and a second end portion generally opposite the first end portion; and

at least two saddles each including an upper saddle portion and a lower portion with at least one opening for receiving the second end portion of a corresponding one of the corresponding hang rod mounting brackets to mount the saddle to the hang rod mounting bracket, the upper saddle portion configured for supportably receiving at least a portion of the hang rod therein.

7. The shelving system of claim 6, wherein each hang rod mounting bracket includes a curved portion extending generally between the first and second end portions such that the hang rod mounting bracket has a generally J-shaped profile configured to allow a clothes hanger to slide along the hang rod freely past the hang rod mounting bracket without interference therefrom.

8. The shelving system of claim 6, wherein the upper saddle portion of each saddle is configured with a generally U-shaped profile for receiving only a lower portion of the hang rod therein.

9. The shelving system of claim 4, further comprising at least two locking members each coupled to a corresponding one of the shelving brackets for pivotal movement between at least an unlocked position and a locked position in which the locking member releasably locks in place a portion of a shelf supported by the shelving brackets.

10. The shelving system of claim 9, wherein each locking member includes:

protruding portions on generally opposite sides of the locking member that are receivable within corresponding openings of the corresponding one of the shelving brackets for pivotably coupling the locking member thereto;

a locking finger that defines an opening for receiving a portion of a shelf therein when the locking member is in the locked position; and

a lever for causing pivotal movement of the locking member between the unlocked and locked positions.

11. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the standard includes at least one surface having at least one fastener opening therein to allow mounting of the standard directly to a support surface.

12. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the end portion of the standard comprises a contoured end portion having a shape complementary to a shape of the opening of each of said tracks.

13. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the standard includes a rearward portion defining a contoured opening having a shape complementary to a shape of a lower portion of each of said tracks, such that one of said track'"'"'s lower portion is engageably received within the opening when the standard is supported by one of said tracks with the standard'"'"'s end portion slidably received within said one of said track'"'"'s opening.

14. The shelving system of claim 1, further comprising at least one shelving bracket having a main body portion, tabs, and a notch defined generally between each tab and the main body portion, and wherein the standard includes apertures for receiving the tabs of the shelving bracket for mounting the shelving bracket to the standard such that corresponding portions of the standard are received within corresponding notches of the shelving bracket, whereby dislodgement of the shelving bracket from the standard is inhibited.

15. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the tracks comprise extruded aluminum.

19. The shelving system of claim 1, further comprising an assembly for supporting a hang rod from a shelving bracket having a lower portion with openings, the assembly comprising:

a hang rod mounting bracket including a first end portion with tabs receivable within the openings of the shelving bracket to mount the hang rod mounting bracket to the shelving bracket, a second end portion generally opposite the first end portion, and a curved portion extending generally between the first and second end portions such that the hang rod mounting bracket has a generally J-shaped profile configured to allow a clothes hanger to slide along the hang rod freely past the hang rod mounting bracket without interference therefrom; and

a saddle including an upper saddle portion and a lower portion with an opening for receiving the second end portion of the hang rod mounting bracket to thereby mount the saddle to the hang rod mounting bracket, the upper saddle portion configured for receiving at least a portion of the hang rod therein.

20. The shelving system of claim 19, further comprising a hang rod, and a shelving bracket having a lower portion with openings configured to receive the tabs of the hang rod mounting bracket.

21. The shelving system of claim 19, wherein the hang rod mounting bracket comprises stamped steel.

22. The shelving system of claim 19, wherein the saddle'"'"'s opening comprises a generally rectangular slot.

23. The shelving system of claim 19, wherein the upper saddle portion is configured with a generally U-shaped profile for receiving only a lower portion of the hang rod therein.

24. The shelving system of claim 19, wherein the hang rod mounting bracket includes a notch defined generally between each tab and the first end portion and is configured for receiving a corresponding portion of the shelving bracket when the tabs are received within the openings of the shelving bracket.

25. The shelving system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one shelving bracket having openings;

at least one locking member coupled to the shelving bracket for pivotal movement between at least an unlocked position and a locked position in which the locking member releasably locks in place a portion of a shelf at least partially supported by the shelving bracket, the locking member comprising;

protruding portions on generally opposite sides of the locking member, the protruding portions receivable within corresponding openings of the shelving bracket to thereby pivotably couple the locking member to the shelving bracket;

a locking finger that defines an opening for receiving the portion of the shelf therein when the locking member is in the locked position; and

a lever for causing pivotal movement of the locking member between the unlocked and locked positions.

26. The shelving system of claim 25, further comprising a shelf at least partially supported by the shelving bracket.

27. The shelving system of claim 26, wherein the shelf comprises at least one longitudinal member, and wherein the opening defined by the locking finger is configured for receiving at least a portion of the longitudinal member.

28. The shelving system of claim 26, wherein:

the shelf comprises at least one longitudinal member;

the shelving bracket includes at least one generally u-shaped recess along an upper portion thereof; and

at least a portion of the longitudinal member is received within the shelving bracket'"'"'s u-shaped recess, thereby restraining generally horizontal movement of the shelf relative to the shelving bracket.

29. The shelving system of claim 25, wherein the standard includes apertures, and wherein the shelving bracket includes:

a main body portion defining the openings tabs receivable within the apertures of the standard for mounting the shelving bracket to the standard; and

a notch defined generally between each tab and the main body portion, and configured such that a corresponding portion of the standard is received within the notch when the shelving bracket'"'"'s tabs are received within the standard'"'"'s apertures.

30. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein each of the tracks includes

a recessed slot extending at least partially along the length of the rearward portion;

and

wherein the shelving system further comprises at least one mounting screw having a slotted head with an axial groove extending circumferentially along the slotted head, the slotted head slidably receivable within each track'"'"'s recessed slot and each track'"'"'s downwardly extending lip is receivable within the axial groove, whereby the position of the mounting screw relative to each track is slidably adjustable along each track.

31. The shelving system of claim 30, wherein the mounting screw further comprises an end portion with a self-drilling thread generally opposite the slotted head.

32. The shelving system of claim 30, further comprising a mounting channel member having a base and two generally opposite sidewalls extending from the base such that the mounting channel member has a channel U-shaped profile, and wherein the base includes an opening therein for receiving at least a portion of the mounting screw therein, and wherein the sidewalls are spaced apart for receiving a portion of the track therebetween when the track is mounted to a surface with the mounting screw.

16. A shelving system comprising:

at least one track including a rearward portion and a forward portion, the forward portion including a downwardly-extending retaining lip with an inwardly protruding portion, a generally upwardly-facing horizontal support surface, and an opening cooperatively defined by the retaining lip and support surface along at least a portion of a length of the track; and

at least one standard including an end portion slidably receivable within the opening of the track, such that the position of the standard relative to the track is slidably adjustable along the track,

the end portion of the standard including an upper portion configured to contact the track'"'"'s retaining lip, and an opening for receiving the inwardly protruding portion of the track'"'"'s retaining lip, and a generally downwardly-facing horizontal support surface that contacts the generally upwardly-facing horizontal support surface of the track when the standard is supported by the track with the standard'"'"'s end portion slidably received within the track'"'"'s opening;

wherein the rearward portion of the track includes a recessed slot extending at least partially along the length of the track and a downwardly extending lip, and wherein the shelving system includes at least one mounting screw having a slotted head with an axial groove extending circumferentially along the slotted head, the slotted head configured to be slidably received within the track'"'"'s recessed slot with the track'"'"'s downwardly extending lip engaged within the axial groove, whereby the position of the mounting screw relative to the track is slidably adjustable along the track.

17. The shelving system of claim 16, further comprising a mounting channel member having a base and two generally opposite sidewalls extending from the base such that the mounting generally member has a channel U-shaped profile, and wherein the base includes an opening therein for receiving at least a portion of the mounting screw therein, and wherein the sidewalls are spaced apart for receiving a portion of the track therebetween when the track is mounted to a surface with the mounting screw.

18. The shelving system of claim 16, wherein the mounting screw further comprises an end portion with a self-drilling thread generally opposite the slotted head.