Shelving system

• US 8,225,946 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Original Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Inventors: Yang, Frank, Sandor, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne, Darnell
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODDEN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US11/477,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20080000859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,217 Days
• Field of Search: 211/87.01, 211/88.01, 211/90.02, 211/90.03, 211/90.04, 211/99, 211/106, 211/119, 211/119.009, 211/126.1, 211/126.9, 211/133.5, 211/181.1, 211/103, 211/107, 211/175, 211/187, 211/190, 211/207, 108/108, 108/147.11, 108/147.17, 108/180, 108/105, 108/107, 108/110, 108/144.11, 108/146, 108/147.12, 108/147.14, 108/147.18, 108/147.22, 108/148, 248/218.4, 248/235, 248/241, 248/243, 248/244, 248/287.1, 248/124.2, 248/222.13, 248/226.11, 248/227.3, 248/229.11, 248/231.31, 403/DIG.8, 403/80, 403/104, 403/322.4, 241/34.R, 243/28, 244/98
• US Class Current: 211/90.02
• 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: A47F 5/13 made of tubes or wire assemblies of elements of the same kind, e.g. stackable, A47B87/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/08 characterised by being mounted on wash-basins, baths, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 17/00 Other equipment , e.g. separate apparatus for deodorising, disinfecting or cleaning devices without flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers; Holders for toilet brushesportable urinating aids A61F5/4556; devices for receiving spittle A61J19/00 ; disinfecting apparatus for medical, surgical or hygienic purposes A61L; cleaning devices with flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers E03D9/00; for emptying or cleaning chamber-pots, bed pans, bed urinals or the like E03D11/025
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/281 Accessories for showers or bathing douches, e.g. cleaning devices for walls or floors of showers A47K3/30, A47K3/38, A47K3/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/286 Emergency showers
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/04 Other soap-cake holders

Abstract

A shelving system having a support member and a plurality of shelves slidably connected to the support member with a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism including a clamping mechanism moving between locked and unlocked positions, wherein in the locked position the shelf is locked to the support member and in the unlocked position the shelf can be adjusted linearly along and linearly perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the support member. The top of the support member includes a hinged clamp which can attach to a shower head pipe for hanging the shelving system, and the bottom of the support member includes a suction cup for further securing the shelving system to the surface of a wall.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising:

a support member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, the support member having a cross-section having generally an “

I”

shape and wherein the support member comprises outer flanges;

at least one shelf slidably connected to the support member in a first position with a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism allowing the shelf to be adjusted linearly from the first position in a first direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and adjusted linearly in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with respect to the support member without rotation of the at least one shelf about the longitudinal axis, the connection mechanism including a user-actuatable clamping device comprising a clamp body and a clamp lever, the clamping device moving between locked and unlocked positions, in which the shelf can be adjusted in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the unlocked position, and wherein the shelf can be locked relative to the support member in a second position that differs from the first position in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the locked position; and

a first connector disposed at the first end configured to hang the shelving system, and a second connector attached to the second end of the support member, the second connector being rotatable relative to the support member.

2. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises hooks configured to tighten around the outer flanges.

3. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf further comprises an opening along a bottom of the shelf for receiving a bottle of toiletries and holding the bottle of toiletries upside down in the at least one shelf.

4. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the first connector is a hinged clamp comprising a rubber gasket.

5. The shelving system of claim 4, wherein the hinged clamp is configured to fit around a pipe having an outer diameter of about 0.8 inch.

6. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a suction cup configured to grip a substantially planar surface.

7. A shelving system comprising

a support member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis;

and

at least one shelf slidably connected to the support member in a first position with a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism allowing the shelf to be adjusted linearly from the first position in a first direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and adjusted linearly in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with respect to the support member, without rotation of the at least one shelf about the longitudinal axis;

wherein the connection mechanism includes a user-actuatable clamping device comprising a clamp body and a clamp lever, the clamping device moving between locked and unlocked positions, in which the shelf can be adjusted in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the unlocked position, and wherein the shelf can be locked relative to the support member in a second position that differs from the first position in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the locked position;

a connector defining an aperture configured to fit around a shower head pipe, the connector located at the first end of the support member; and

a resilient member disposed in the aperture so as to lie between an outer surface of a shower head pipe and an inner surface of the aperture when the connector is disposed around a shower head pipe, the resilient member being tapered along a lower portion, the tapered portion being shaped to compliment a lower curved surface of a shower head pipe.

8. The shelving system of claim 7, wherein the resilient member is shaped to compliment the downwardly curving shape of a shower head pipe.

9. The shelving system of claim 7, wherein the connector comprises a first portion connected to the elongated element and a second portion pivotally mounted to the first portion.

10. The shelving system of claim 9, additionally comprising a threaded fastener securing the second portion relative to the first portion.

11. A shower caddy comprising:

an elongated central support member defining a longitudinal axis;

at least first and second shelves, each of the first and second shelves having at least first and second cross members extending generally laterally across the respective shelves;

at least first and second clamp mechanisms releasably connecting the first and second shelves, respectively, to the elongated central support member, each of the first and second clamp mechanisms comprising a clamp body engaging the elongated central support member, and a lever member having a cam, the lever member pivoting between locked and unlocked positions, wherein in the locked position, the cam causes the clamp body to press against the elongated central support member to support the weight of the shelf;

a first connector device disposed at an upper end of the elongated central support member, the first connector device having a first portion fixed to the upper end of the support and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion so as to be pivotable between open and closed positions, the first and second portions defining an aperture configured to fit around a shower head pipe when in the closed position; and

a second connector device comprising a suction mechanism pivotally mounted to a lower end of the elongated central support member so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

14. The shelving system of claim 11, further comprising a clamp plate disposed at least partially in the clamp body and resting against the first and second cross members.

15. The shelving system of claim 14, wherein in the locked position, the cam presses the clamp plate against the cross members.

12. A shelving system comprising:

a support member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis;

at least one shelf slidably connected to the support member in a first position with a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism allowing the shelf to be adjusted linearly from the first position in a first direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and adjusted linearly in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with respect to the support member without rotation of the at least one shelf about the longitudinal axis, the connection mechanism including a user-actuatable clamping device comprising a clamp body and a clamp lever and a clamp plate located between the clamp body and the support member, the clamping device moving between locked and unlocked positions, in which the shelf can be adjusted in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the unlocked position, and wherein the shelf can be locked relative to the support member in a second position that differs from the first position in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the locked position; and

a first connector disposed at the first end configured to hang the shelving system, and a second connector attached to the second end of the support member, the second connector being rotatable relative to the support member.

13. A shelving system comprising:

a support member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis; and

at least one shelf slidably connected to the support member in a first position with a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism allowing the shelf to be adjusted linearly from the first position in a first direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and adjusted linearly in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with respect to the support member, without rotation of the at least one shelf about the longitudinal axis;

wherein the connection mechanism includes a user-actuatable clamping device comprising a clamp body and a clamp lever and a clamp plate located between the clamp body and the support member, the clamping device moving between locked and unlocked positions, in which the shelf can be adjusted in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the unlocked position, and wherein the shelf can be locked relative to the support member in a second position that differs from the first position in both the first and second directions when the user-actuatable device is in the locked position;

a connector defining an aperture configured to fit around a shower head pipe, the connector located at the first end of the support member; and

a resilient member disposed in the aperture so as to lie between an outer surface of a shower head pipe and an inner surface of the aperture when the connector is disposed around a shower head pipe.