Abstract:
An article for storing and supporting pots and pans wherein said article is formed of more than two identical vertical members, each vertical member having a plurality of respective horizontal support members incorporated thereon for supporting a plurality of respective horizontal shelves.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The kitchen is a place where convenience is always examined and attempts are made to improve. One particular area that receives constant attention is kitchen storage. There have been many articles that have attempted, with varying levels of success, to improve upon convenience and storage in the kitchen 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,211,269 relates to a storage rack comprising interconnected wire material. While this may be suitable for plates or small pans, the arrangement would not be stable for larger pots and pans. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,700 relates to a storage rack that has a flanged base to provide stability of the article while in use. However, the hooks intended for hanging the pots and pans would cause difficulties where storage space is not plentiful. 
     US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0099617 addresses the issue of storage space. This application proposes an article that is placed over a kitchen sink comprising storage area within the perimeter of the article and hooks for hanging pots on the outer perimeter. This may not be aesthetic pleasing to have this article permanently in view over the kitchen sink. 
     There is a need for a simple, low cost article for safely and effectively storing pots and pans that does not take up much space and may, if needed be either hidden from view, or placed an inconspicuous area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The article of the present invention addresses many of the limitations found in prior attempts. The present article may be inexpensively produced because there are only two distinctly shaped components. The vertical members of the present invention each have identical size and shape as do the shelves. Therefore, the present invention may be inexpensively and easily produced by well-known means, such as injection molding, and only two distinct shapes need be made. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an article for storing pots and pans comprising:
         (a) vertical members with engaging interlocks; and   (b) horizontal shelves with receiving interlocks that attach in concert with said engaging interlocks to secure the shelves into a fixed position.       

     Additionally, each horizontal shelf has a receiving interlock suitable for interacting with a single interlock of said engaging interlocks. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of said horizontal shelf supports is of equal size. 
     Alternatively, one may configure the article wherein each said horizontal shelf supports is a different size. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each horizontal shelf support has an identical configuration. 
     Each horizontal shelf have an inner cavity for receiving pots and pans. 
     Further the article comprises three (3) identically shaped vertical members. 
     In one embodiment, the article comprises four identically shaped horizontal shelves and three identically shaped vertical members. 
     The article has a base on which to stand. To form the base, each vertical member has a horizontal shelf attached on its lowermost horizontal shelf support extending along the bottom of the article to form a base. 
     In a preferred embodiment each horizontal shelf support forms an acute angle with the vertical member. 
     The horizontal shelves are connected with interlocks to each of the vertical members. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is a storage shelf system comprising:
         (a) vertical members with engaging interlocks; and   (b) horizontal shelves with receiving interlocks that attach in concert with said engaging interlocks to secure the shelves into a fixed position, wherein said vertical members are identically shaped and said horizontal members are identically shaped.       

     In another preferred embodiment, the article is assembled and arranged to fit within an existing cabinet position. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an article for the storage of pots and pans. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an article for the storage of pots and pans that is easily assembled. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an article for the storage of pots and pans that is inexpensive to produce. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an article for the storage of pots and pans that assembles by using components of two distinct configurations. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an article for the storage of pots and pans that assembles without the use of hardware. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an article for the storage of pots and pans that remain assembled without the use of hardware. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the assembled article. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the assembled article. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of one of three vertical members of the article. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of one shelf attached to the horizontal supports. 
         FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of one shelf attached to the horizontal supports. 
         FIG. 6  shows an enlarged view of a shelf in position to be connected to the horizontal support. 
         FIG. 7  shows a enlarged view of the connector on the terminal end of a horizontal support. 
         FIG. 8  shows an enlargerd side view with directional notation of a shelf in position to be connected to a horizontal support. 
         FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of a shelf connected to a horizontal support. 
         FIG. 10  shows a sectional view of a shelf connected to a horizontal support, from  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view of a shelf connected to a horizontal support. 
         FIG. 12  shows a sectional view of a shelf connected to a horizontal support, from  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The article of the present invention is produced and assembled in a manner superior to other articles. Each vertical member is identical as is each shelf. Therefore, in the molding process, the fabricators only need two molds for the two required shapes. The present invention is therefore desirable over other similar articles in that the manufacturing costs are greatly reduced. Further, the article of the present invention is more desirable for the user. Unlike other articles that require assembling numerous discrete components, often with various tools and hardware to achieve the completed article, the article of the present invention only has two discrete shaped components and assembles without tools or hardware. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal shelf support that extends from the lowermost point on the vertical member will form a base for the article. Attaching each lowermost horizontal shelf support to a single shelf will form the base. The horizontal shelf support will be formed in relation to the vertical member such that an acute angle is created. The acute angle provides stability for the assembled article by lowering the center of gravity of the loaded article to prevent the article from tipping. In a preferred embodiment the said acute angle is between 50° and 85°. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the article of the present invention assembles without tools. The assembly is accomplished through incorporated interlocks. Each shelf comprises three regions that have incorporated into the structure a complimentary interlock that interacts with a grasping interlock incorporated into the distal end of each horizontal shelf support. When assembling, the user will line up the complimentary interlock with the grasping interlock and apply gentle pressure until the interlock is engaged. Once engaged, the interlock will hold the shelf into position. The interlock is so formed such that is takes application of pressure to disassemble in order that the completely assembled article be stable in the environment of use. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the article comprises three vertical members that are connected about the perimeter of the shelves. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the article comprises three vertical members that are connected about the circumference of the shelves. 
     A prospective view of an embodiment of the present invention  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted, each vertical member  10   a ,  10   b , and  10   c , will form the outer frame of the article. The user will assemble the article by attaching each vertical member to shelves  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d . The user will hold vertical member  10   a  perpendicular to the assembling surface. Horizontal support  30   a  connects to shelf  20   a  through incorporated interlocks. The user will then hold vertical member  10   b  perpendicular to the assembling surface. Horizontal support  30   b  connects to shelf  20   a  through incorporated interlocks. The user will hold vertical member  10   c  perpendicular to the assembling surface. Horizontal support  30   c  connects to shelf  20   a  through incorporated interlocks. Each of horizontal supports  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c , acting in concert, with shelf  20   a  will form the base of the article. 
     Then the user will attach each of horizontal supports  32   a ,  32   b , and  32   c , connecting to shelf  20   b  through incorporated interlocks. Then the user will attach each of horizontal supports  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c , connecting to shelf  20   c  through incorporated interlocks. Finally, the user will attach each of horizontal supports  36   a ,  36   b , and  36   c , connecting to shelf  20   d  through incorporated interlocks. Once the article is assembled, it is stood up such that is rests on a base formed by horizontal supports  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c , connected to shelf  20   a.    
     The depicted embodiment further shows hooks  40   a ,  40   b , and  40   c  for supporting a pot or pan (not shown) or other item desired to be hung from the pot and pan storage unit  10 , that are incorporated into the upper, outer sides of each of vertical members  10   a ,  10   b , and  10   c  respectively. 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view where the connection between each of horizontal supports  30   a  and  30   c  connected to shelf  20   a ; horizontal supports  32   a  and  32   c  connected to shelf  20   b ; horizontal supports  34   a  and  34   c  connected to shelf  20   c ; and horizontal supports  36   a  and  36   c  connected to shelf  20   d.    
     A side view of a single vertical member  10   a  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Each of horizontal supports  30   a ,  32   a ,  34   a , and  36   a  are parallel to each other and connected to vertical support  10   a . Each of the horizontal shelf supports form congruent interior angles α 1 , α 2 , α 3 . In a preferred embodiment, the interior angles are acute angles. Preferred angled are from 50-85°. Most preferred are interior angles from 70-85°. Further, the terminal ends, in this view meaning the end not in contact with vertical support  10   a , of each of horizontal shelf supports  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c , and  30   d , comprised corresponding interlocks  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c , and  100   d  respectively. 
     A top view of a single shelf  20   a  that is connected to horizontal supports  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     A bottom view showing one embodiment of the connection of shelf  20   a  with horizontal shelf supports  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  is shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, shelf  20   a  has six receiving interlock regions that are positioned to form 3 pairs of interlocks  110   a ,  110   b  and  110   c . Each pair creates a single receiving interlock. The distal end of each of vertical members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  have interlocks  100   a ,  100   b , and  100   c  that act in concert with the grasping interlock pairs  110   a ,  110   b , and  110   c.    
     The top surface portions of shelves  20   a ,  20   b  and  20   c  may include a texture surface (not shown) to limit sliding or skidding of any container on said shelves  20   a ,  20   b  and/or  20   c . The texture has an approximate depth of 0.0045 inches. 
       FIG. 6  shows shelf  20   a  with incorporated paired interlocks  110   a  in position to be attached to interlock  110   a  that is part of the distal end of horizontal support  30   a.    
       FIG. 7  shows an enlarged view of the interlock  100   a  on the terminal end of a horizontal shelf support  30   a.    
       FIG. 8  shows an enlarged side view of horizontal shelf support  30   a  placed underneath shelf  20   a  with directional notation of moving horizontal shelf  20   a  downward in position to be connected to a horizontal support  30   a  through interaction of incorporated interlock  100   a.    
       FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of a shelf  20   a  connected to a horizontal shelf support  30   a  through interaction of paired interlocks  110   a  with interlock  100   a . The figure further shows a transversing line showing the depiction of cut made in the figure that is depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a sectional view of a shelf  20   a  connected to a horizontal shelf support  30   a , through interaction of interlocks  100   a  and  110   a.    
       FIG. 11  shows a side view of shelf  20   a  connected into position that shows connection with horizontal shelf support  30   a . The figure further shows a transversing line showing the depiction of cut made in the figure that shows the view depicted in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a cross sectional view of a shelf  20   a  connected to a horizontal shelf support  30   a , whereby said connection is by the interaction of interlocks  110   a  with interlock  100   a.    
     While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.