Patent ID: 9717331
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: A47B,A47F

Claim:
1. A sleeve for use with a shelving connector having a first collar part configured to encircle at least a portion of a post having diameter D with an outer surface having grooves at regular intervals along a length of the post, the first collar part connected to a shelf, the collar part having a frusto-conical inner surface configured to wedge a sleeve against the post during use in order to position the sleeve, collar part and shelf along a length of the post, comprising: a first interlocking sleeve part having a top opposite a bottom and first and second opposing sides located between the top and bottom, the first sleeve part further comprising: a curved inner surface defining about half of a central cylindrical passage of diameter D and extending along a longitudinal axis located between the opposing sides, the first sleeve part having a circumferential rib extending from the inner surface toward the longitudinal axis and orientated to encircle a portion of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage one of the grooves in the post as the inner surface abuts the post during use of the first part; an outer surface with a frusto-conical shape having a smaller diameter at the top end and a larger diameter at the bottom end; a first support tab extending outward from the first sleeve part and extending a first distance along a length of the first side from the bottom toward but not beyond the top and having a first circumferential width extending toward the second side, the first support tab having a first retaining flange extending along an outer end of the first support tab a distance greater than the first distance and extending a distance circumferentially greater than the first circumferential width so part of the outer periphery of the first retaining flange is offset from the outer surface of the first sleeve part a distance sufficient for the a portion of the first collar part to fit snugly between the first flange and the outer surface of the first sleeve part during use; a locking tab extending circumferentially from the first side; and a second support tab extending outward from the first sleeve part and extending along a length of the second side a distance of the first length from the bottom toward the top and extending toward the first side a distance of the first circumferential width, the second support tab having a second retaining flange extending along an outer end of the second support tab a distance greater than the first distance and extending a distance circumferentially greater than the first circumferential width so part of the outer periphery of the second retaining flange is offset from the outer surface of the first sleeve part a distance sufficient for to allow a portion of the first collar part to fit snugly between the second retaining flange and the outer surface of the first sleeve part during use, the second side of the sleeve part further having a first locking recess configured to receive a locking tab of a second interlocking part.