Patent ID: 9545154
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: A47B

Claim:
1. A shelf assembly, comprising: a shelf; and, a mounting bracket for mounting the shelf on a substantially vertical surface, wherein the shelf is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket proximate a rear end of the shelf for movement about a shelf pivot axis, the shelf pivotable upwardly from an open, substantially horizontal position to a closed, substantially vertical position and downwardly from the closed position to the open position, the shelf comprising an engagement structure in the form of a laterally extending ridge extending outwardly from a bottom face of the shelf, the ridge being shaped to receive an elbow of a user, and positioned in front of the shelf pivot axis such that a generally downward force applied to the engagement structure when the shelf is in the closed position will urge the shelf toward the open position, the shelf further comprising a cushioning structure to cushion pivoting of the shelf from at least the closed position to the open position, the cushioning structure comprising a torque insert that is configured to exert a resistance force to lowering of the shelf to the open position such that over a selected range of angles of the shelf, the torque insert permits the shelf to fall to the open position under gravity, wherein the torque insert includes a first portion held in an aperture in the shelf and a second portion held in a cap that is releasably held in the mounting bracket, wherein the first portion is pivotable with respect to the second portion about the shelf pivot axis, wherein the shelf assembly is free of any arms or linkages connected between the shelf and the mounting bracket and between the shelf and the substantially vertical surface, and wherein the shelf has a bearing projection on each side, wherein the bearing projection is supported by a bearing wall on the cap and wherein the bearing wall of the cap is supported by a bearing surface on the mounting bracket.