Patent ID: 8256629
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: A47B,A47F

Abstract:
1. A foldable and portable storage shelf, comprising: two spaced apart side frames; a panel assembly, which comprises three or more foldable shelf panels spacedly and pivotally supported between said two side frames, wherein each of said foldable shelf comprises two side panels pivotally coupled with each other at two inner edges thereof to define a pivot point and pivotally coupled with said side frames at outer edge of said side panels respectively; a foldable frame, which is operatively coupled with said side frames at a rear side of said panel assembly, comprising a transmission link pivotally coupled with said foldable shelf to pivotally fold said panel assembly between an unfolded position and a folded position, and two folding arms which are slidably coupled with said transmission link and pivotally coupled with said side frames respectively, wherein said transmission link is a vertical member and is coupled at said pivot points of said three or more foldable shelf panels at said rear side thereof at a position that an upper end of said transmission link is coupled at said pivot point of said foldable shelf panel at the uppermost position while a lower end of said transmission link is coupled at said pivot point of said foldable shelf panel at the lowermost position, wherein said foldable frame forms a rigid support for said panel assembly when said foldable shelf panels are moved at said unfolded position, wherein at said unfolded position, said transmission link is moved downwardly that said foldable shelf panels are rigidly supported between said side frames to form said shelf structure having a front opened side, and a left opened side and a right opened side, and at said folded position, said transmission link is moved upwardly to pivotally fold said foldable shelf panels in a concurrent manner to fold said side frames side-by-side so as to minimize a distance between said side frames, wherein a downward force of said foldable shelf panels is transmitted to said transmission link when said foldable shelf panels are folded at said unfolded position; and wherein said foldable frame further comprises a sliding joint slidably coupling with said transmission link and pivotally coupling with said folding arms, wherein said sliding joint is slid along said transmission link away from said upper end thereof when said foldable frame is folded at said folded position and is slid along said transmission link toward said upper end thereof when said foldable frame is folded at said unfolded position; and further comprising a shelf locker for releasably locking said foldable frame at said unfolded position, wherein said shelf locker comprises a first locker provided at said upper end of said transmission link and a second locker provided at said sliding joint to releasably engage with said first locker to lock up said sliding joint at said upper end of said transmission link; and wherein said foldable frame further comprises a retention stopper provided at said upper end of said transmission link to bias against said sliding joint when said sliding joint is slid at said upper end of said transmission link at said unfolded position so as to prevent any further upward sliding movement of said sliding joint; wherein said first locker is provided at said retention stopper such that said second locker is releasably engaged with said first locker when said sliding joint is slid to bias against said retention stopper.