Patent ID: 6357611
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: A47B

Abstract:
A sectional rack comprising:a plurality of oval-shaped vertical supporting posts, each with a periphery; a plurality of rectangular horizontal shelves each having an oval-shaped short sleeve provided at every corner thereof, and a plurality of oval-shaped connecting members adapted to mount on said supporting posts and respectively cooperative with said sleeves to connect said shelves to said supporting posts; each said supporting post having an outwardly-facing outer surface and an inwardly-facing outer surface, said outwardly-facing outer surface being smooth and said inwardly-facing outer surface being provided with a plurality of horizontal grooves, wherein each of said grooves is formed only over a quadrant of said periphery so that it can be hidden from view when viewed from front and an adjacent side; each said connecting member having a first half and a second half pivotably connected together, said first half of said connecting member having an inner surface provided with a plurality of spaced ribs each matching one said groove formed on said supporting posts, such that said connecting member can be mounted on said supporting post by engaging said ribs into said corresponding grooves at a certain selected position on said supporting post, said first half of said connecting member also having an inclined outer surface with its radius increasing downward, and said second half of said connecting member having a straight surface; and each said sleeve of said shelf having an inner surface, a portion of which being inclined to match the inclined surface of said first half of said connecting member; whereby when said sleeve of said shelf is associated with said connecting member, said inclined inner surface of said sleeve applies a pressure on said inclined outer surface of said connecting member to force said ribs on said inner surface of said connecting member tightly into said grooves on said supporting post, and thereby ensures stable connection of said shelf to said supporting post at said connecting member.