Abstract:
A face plate system including at least one sliding face plate panel, and at least one shelf or other stable surface. A modular face plate, with specially fitted tabs on its top and bottom, slides upright into matching grooves cut into a shelf or shelves. The grooves may be cut either into the top or bottom of the shelf, or the face of the shelf. No glue or permanent joinery is needed to secure the face plate, making it easy to remove, and allowing a set of face plates to be interchangeable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/404,167 filed on Aug. 19, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to modular storage and display units. In particular, the present invention is directed toward modular storage and display units of the type often used in retail stores, and more recently, in homes. The present invention adds a considerable new dimension to modular organizing, utilizing interchangeable face plates which interface with shelves.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward modular storage units for the home. With the rapid changes in technology, especially with the domain of personal items, storing new technological items may become a problem. Old, static storage units are often bulky and cannot feasibly accommodate or effectively organize such objects as digital video discs (DVDs) and the like.  
           [0004]    While there are currently various adjustable organizing systems available, none are able to easily accommodate media-specific storage, and there is the constant need to make such storage more modular, economical, and easy to use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides for a modular organizing system which includes a novel type of vertical storage panel which may be slid into fixed shelving units. This panel, acting like a type of sliding face plate, is readily interchangeable with other panels, each being designed to store a specific set of objects. The tongue-and groove method of assembly, coupled with a locking stop-plate at one end of the groove, assures that the storage panel, when located in position, will positively remain so located.  
           [0006]    The face plate panel comes in various sizes, ranging from longer than the shelf it is fitted into, to shorter than the shelf. The face plate also comes in a plurality of designs, each design being suited to organization and display of a particular object or set of objects. If the face plate panel is shorter than the length of the shelf, several difference face plate panels may be used adjacent each other along a single shelf (along the same groove), each one suited to store different media. For added strength, the face plate may slide into two shelves, one securing its top tab, the other shelf securing the bottom tab. this two-shelf method is the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
           [0007]    Depending on the location of the grooves cut into the shelf, the face plate may slide in anywhere from the front of the shelf (the front of the face plate being flush with the front of the shelf) to the back, to suit different purposes.  
           [0008]    In order to be used in conjunction with existing shelving systems, which either do not have the proper grooves cut into them, or are not spaced properly, these face plates may either clip onto to the shelves or have spring-loaded tension beams on their vertical edges which would secure them between two shelves.  
           [0009]    The purpose of such an interchangeable face plate is to economically store, organize, and display various media, such as, but not limited to: CDs, DVDs, books, jewelry, photographs, and a multitude of other personal items. The face plates may also perform a more decorative function, being used to cover up something, or being fitted with a special type of light-box fixture to act as a light.  
           [0010]    The material of the shelves most suitably may be wood or any kind of solid laminate, or man-made substance such as MDF. The face plate may be best made out of various types of metal, plastic, laminates and wood. These materials may also be used integrally in making a single face plate (e.g. a wooden face plate with metal tabs).  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of the face plate (designed to hold digital compact discs) with two shelves.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the grooves and channels chamfered into the faces of the shelves, into which the tabs of the face plate slide.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the face plate in its secure position between two shelves.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (simple dado).  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (dado with lip).  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (elbow dado).  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (elbow dado, with flush-mount bend in face plate).  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (chamferless rail guide).  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (face-chamfered dado with lip).  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (face-chamfered elbow dado).  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (face-chamfered dado with lip) in such a way that the face plates are able to be used in vertical tandem.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (face-chamfered elbow dado) in such a way that the face plates are able to be used in vertical tandem.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves (top/bottom chamfered dado with lip) in such a way that the face plates are able to be used in vertical tandem.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate design for the face plate.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternate design for the face plate.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate design for the face plate.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the assembly of multiple face plates along a single set of shelves.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of assembled multiple face plates along a single set of shelves.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the face plate, with a slight modification acting as a space doubler.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 21 is a side view of how the face plate may be set at a vertical angle.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 22 is a side view of how the face plate may be set at a vertical angle, with both chamfers in the shelves remaining parallel.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of how the face plate, while removed, may be used as a lidded storage bin.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 24 is a plan view of a special plate used to cover the side or face of a shelf.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 25 is a side view of an alternate way of affixing a face plate to two shelves using a T-shaped groove.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 26 is a side view of an alternate way of affixing the face plate to two shelves.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 27 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the face plate of the present invention which may clip to a pair of shelves.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 28 is another view of the face plate of FIG. 27, shown attached to a pair of shelves.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 29 is a side view of another embodiment of the face plate of the present invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 30 is front view of another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention with vertical storage slots.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 32 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention with two embodiments of drawers and doors illustrated. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]    Referring to FIG. 1, the storage and display system of one embodiment of the present invention, includes a vertically positioned face plate  10 , which may be joined to one or more shelves  15 A and  15 B with a tongue-and-groove system, incorporating fixed tabs  11 A and  11 B (the tongue portion) on face plate  10 , provided with special lips  12 A and  12 B. The tab and lip on the face plate are slidingly joined with a matched groove  16 A and  16 B and channel  17 A and  17 B cut into shelf. An enlarged view of the tongue-and-groove on the shelf is illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the assembly of the face plate of the present invention designed to hold digital compact discs with two shelves. Face plate  10  may be provided with individual compartments  14  for storing individual digital compact discs. Face plate  10  may be provided with top tab  11 A which slides into lower slot  16 A on the top shelf  15 A to secure face plate  10  to top shelf  15 A.  
         [0045]    Similarly, face plate  10  may be also provided with lower tab  11 B, which may be slid into slot  16 B in bottom shelf  15 B to secure face plate  10  to lower shelf  15 B. Top face plate tab  11 A may be provided with lip  12 A, which may be used to secure face plate  10  to shelf  15 A by sliding into channel part  17 A of groove  16 A. Bottom face plate tab  11 B may be provided with a similar lip  12 B, which may be used to secure face plate  10  to shelf  15 B by sliding into channel part  17 B of groove  16 B.  
         [0046]    Face plate  10  may be provided with a vertical front-facing portion  13 , which may embody a plurality of media-specific designs. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, this media specific design is one for accepting compact discs, CD-ROMs, or DVDs, or the like in individual dedicated digital compact disc storage unit slots  14 .  
         [0047]    Top shelf  15 A and bottom shelf  15 B may comprise typical commercial retail shelving components (e.g., laminated particleboard or the like), secured to a wall  18  or part of a shelving unit, suitably modified to work with the present invention as follows. Top shelf  15 A may be provided with a lower groove  16 A cut to receive tab  11 A and secure top tab  11 A of face plate  10 . Similarly, bottom shelf  15 B may be provided with an upper groove  16 B cut to receive tab  11 B and secure bottom tab  11 B of face plate  10 .  
         [0048]    Channel portion  17 A of groove  16 A accepts lip  12 A on upper face plate tab  11 A and channel portion  17 B accepts lip  12 B of lower face plate tab  11 B. Thus, face plate  10  may be secured to shelves  12 A and  15 B such that face plate  10  does not pull away from the shelves when loaded with merchandise or media.  
         [0049]    Additional grooves and channels  16 C,  17 C and  16 D and  17 D are provided to allow additional face plates  10  to be placed above and below face plate  10  in a shelving system, thus providing a continuous media wall for storing media or products.  
         [0050]    If the grooves on the face of the shelf are spaced properly, as in the Figures, two face plates may utilize one shelf for support of one of their tabs, thus allowing a set of vertically parallel shelves to accommodate a plurality of face plates (as illustrated in FIGS.  11  and FIGS. 12). Essentially, a set of ordinary shelves may be transformed into a structural support system for any number of face plates, being incorporated into a modular storage, organizing, and display system. An assembled version is illustrated in perspective view in FIG. 3, and in a side view in FIG. 4.  
         [0051]    The face plate itself comes in a plurality of designs. The face plate illustrated in FIG. 1 may be designed to hold digital compact discs (DVDs) or compact discs (CDs), with a dedicated slot for each disc. This type of storage may also be accommodated by alternate designs (see, e.g., FIG. 15, 16,  17 ). Such an embodiment may be useful for DVD sales, rentals, or for personal or public DVD libraries.  
         [0052]    A standard set of face plates, specifically matched dimensionally to a standard-spaced set of shelves, may all measure the same height, thus all being able to be fitted between any two shelves in the set. Using a plurality of face plates, each designed to store or display various media, the order in which the media may be stored or displayed becomes modular. As illustrated in FIG. 18, if each face plate is shorter than the length of the shelves, several face plates may be slid adjacent each other along the same shelf, allowing various media to be modularly displayed both vertically (above and below) and horizontally (side by side).  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the grooves and channels chamfered into the faces of the shelves, into which the tabs of the face plate slide. In this enlarged view of the corner, the grooves and lips ( 16 A,  16 C,  17 A, and  17 C) are illustrated in more detail. As illustrated in FIG. 2, grooves  16 A and  16 C form slots which may accept tabs such as tabs  11 A or  11 B.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the face plate in its secure position between two shelves. FIG. 3 illustrates the assembled shelf and face plate, after the face plate has been slid into the grooves of the shelf. In this embodiment, the width (horizontal length) of the face plate and the shelf are identical, such that the face plate fills the entire shelving area. A stop-plate (not shown) may be added to the far (hidden) edge of the shelf, to prevent the face plate from sliding out the far side and to provide a better aesthetic appearance.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 2. The shelves are shortened (hence the broken lines) for the sake of illustration. The depth of the shelves may vary depending upon application. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, a large blank area may be left behind face plate  10 . However, shelves  15 A,  15 B with a smaller depth may be used to eliminate this blank area if desired.  
         [0056]    FIGS.  5 - 14  illustrate various alternative embodiments of the present invention for securing the face plate between two shelves. FIG. 5 is a side view of a first alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves  15 A and  15 B, using simple dado cuts  51 A and  51 B into the top and bottom of shelves  15 A and  15 B. Face plate  10  may be provided as a flat plate which may be slid into dado cuts  51 A and  51 B.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves  15 A and  15 B, using dado cuts  51 A and  51 B into the top and bottom of shelves  15 A and  15 B. Dado cuts  51 A and  51 B may be provided with channels  61 A and  61 B, respectively to receive lip portions  12 A and  12 B formed on edges of face plate  10 . Face plate  10  may be provided as a flat plate which may be slid into dado cuts  51 A and  51 B, with lip portions  12 A and  12 B securing face plate  10  to shelves  15 A and  15 B through channels  61 A and  61 B, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves  15 A and  15 B, using elbow dado cuts  71 A and  71 B into the top and bottom of shelves  15 A and  15 B. Elbow dado cuts  71 A and  71 B may respectively receive lip portions  72 A and  72 B formed on edges of face plate  10 . Face plate  10  may be provided as a flat plate with lip portions  72 A and  72 B which may be slid into elbow dado cuts  71 A and  71 B, with lip portions  72 A and  72 B securing face plate  10  to shelves  15 A and  15 B through channels, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate to two shelves  15 A and  15 B, using elbow dado cuts  71 A and  71 B into the top and bottom of shelves  15 A and  15 B. Elbow dado cuts  71 A and  71 B may respectively receive lip portions  72 A and  72 B formed on edges of face plate  10 . Face plate  10  may be provided as substantially flat plate with a flush-mount bends  81 A and  81 B, with lip portions  72 A and  72 B which may be slid into elbow dado cuts  71 A and  71 B, with lip portions  72 A and  72 B securing face plate  10  to shelves  15 A and  15 B through channels, or by snapping into place under pressure. Flush-mount bends  81 A and  81 B allow face plate  10  to be flush with the edges of shelves  15 A and  15 B, allowing for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 8 is the preferred embodiment of the present invention as contemplated at the time of filing and presents a standard way of integrating face plate  10  with shelves  15 A,  15 B. In this embodiment, the grooves  71 A,  71 B are hidden (not on the face of the shelf  10 ), and the extra bend  81 A,  81 B in the face plate (as compared to FIG. 7) brings the front of the face plate flush with the front of the shelf, which may be more aesthetically pleasing.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate  10  to two shelves  15 A and  15 B. Chamferless rail guides  91 A and  91 B, attached to shelves  15 A and  15 B, may receive edges of face plate  10 . Face plate  10  may be provided as substantially flat plate which may be slid into chamferless rail guides  91 A and  91 B, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0062]    In the embodiment of FIG. 9, face plate  10  may be attached to pre-existing shelves  15 A,  15 B without making grooves or otherwise substantially altering shelves  15 A,  15 B. Guide rails  91 A,  91 B may be attached to shelves  15 A,  15 B by screws, adhesive (including double-sided adhesive tape), or other means, and the face plate fitted in. In an alterative embodiment, guide rails  91 A,  91 B may be formed as a clip which may be clipped over the edge of shelves  15 A,  15 B.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate  10  to two shelves  15 A,  15 B, with face-chamfered dados  101 A and  101 B formed with channels  102 A,  102 B, respectively. Dado cuts  101 A and  101 B may be provided with channels  102 A and  102 B, respectively to receive lip portions  103 A and  103 B formed on bent edges of face plate  10 . Face plate  10  may be provided as a plate which may be slid into dado cuts  101 A and  101 B, with lip portions  103 A and  103 B securing face plate  10  to shelves  15 A and  15 B through channels  102 A and  102 B, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the face plate  10  to two shelves  15 A,  15 B, with face-chamfered elbow dados  111 A and  111 B. Elbow dado cuts  111 A and  111 B may respectively receive lip portions  112 A and  112 B formed on bent edges of face plate  10 . Face plate  10  may be provided as a plate with lip portions  112 A and  112 B which may be slid into elbow dado cuts  111 A and  111 B, with lip portions  112 A and  112 B securing face plate  10  to shelves  15 A and  15 B through channels, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0065]    FIGS.  12 - 14  illustrate face plates  10  may be used in tandem, with each shelf doing double-duty, securing the top tab of a lower face plate, and the bottom tab of an upper face plate. FIGS. 12 and 13 are front face fitting examples (i.e. the grooves are on the front face), corresponding to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 14 is a top/bottom face example (with grooves on the top/bottom of shelves) using yet another type of elbow grooving with a channel.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of FIG. 10, illustrating the method of securing the face plate to two shelves (face-chamfered dado with lip) in such a way that the face plates are able to be used in vertical tandem to form a continuous surface of face plates. Face plates  10  may be secured to shelves  15 A,  15 B,  15 C with face-chamfered dados formed with channels  102 A and  102 B. Dado cuts may be provided with channels  102 A and  102 B, respectively to receive lip portions formed on bent edges of face plates  10 . Face plates  10  may be provided as plates which may be slid into the dado cuts, with lip portions securing face plates  10  to shelves  15 A,  15 B, and  15 C through channels  102 A and  102 B, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of FIG. 11, illustrating the method of securing the face plate to two shelves (face-chamfered elbow dado) in such a way that the face plates are able to be used in vertical tandem to form a continuous surface of face plates. Face plates  10  may be secured to shelves  15 A,  15 B, and  15 C, with face-chamfered elbow dados. Elbow dado cuts may receive may receive lip portions  112 A and  112 B formed on bent edges of face plates  10 . Face plates  10  may be provided as plates with lip portions  112 A and  112 B which may be slid into elbow dado cuts, with lip portions  112 A and  112 B securing face plates  10  to shelves  15 A,  15 B, and  15 C through channels, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate method of securing face plates  10  to two shelves  15 A,  15 B, using a top/bottom chamfered dado with lip. In this embodiment, the face plates are able to be used in vertical tandem. Face plates  10  may be secured to two shelves  15 A,  15 B, and  15 C with elbow dados  1402 A and  1402 B. Elbow dado cuts  1402 A and  1402 B may be provided with channel portions to receive lip portions formed on bent edges of face plates  10 . Face plate  10  may be provided as a plate with lip portions which may be slid into elbow dado cuts  1402 A and  1402 B, with lip portions securing face plates  10  to shelves  15 A and  15 B through channels, or by snapping into place under pressure.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate design for the face plate  1505 . In place of the CD or DVD slots of FIG. 1, chambers  1502  may be provided to accept merchandise. Chambers  1502  may be sized to accept a particular type of product or product packaging. Once a standardized face plate securing mechanism is accepted by the industry, such face plates may even be packaged with products (e.g., in warehouse shipments) and may be inexpensively made using vacuum-formed plastic such that a merchandiser need only snap the correctly sized face plate into position and then stock the shelves with merchandise. For home use, different size chambers  1502  may be provided for different home products. Channels  71 A,  72 B may be formed on face plate  1505  in any one of the number of embodiments described herein to allow face plate  1505  to be secured to shelving.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternate design for the face plate  1606  with a plurality of chambers  1602  (e.g., four) for accepting different sized objects than the embodiment of FIG. 15. By mixing and matching different face plates, a user may create a shelving/storage/merchandizing system which may accommodate a variety of differently sized objects.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate design for the face plate  1707  where a set of drawers  1702  are provided. Drawers  1702  may be used to convert a shelf area into a storage drawer to keep small items and the like out of sight or to organize small parts or small items for sale (e.g., buttons, screws, nuts, bolts, and the like). Alternatively, drawers  1702  may be used, for example, for different clothing items (e.g, socks, underwear, and the like).  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the assembly of multiple face plates  10 ,  1606 , and  1707 , along a single set of shelves. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of assembled multiple face plates  10 ,  1606 ,  1707  along a single set of shelves. FIG. 18 and  19  illustrate how a number of different face plate designs from FIGS. 1, 16, and  17 , for example, may be assembled to create a single storage or merchandizing unit.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a face plate  2020 , with a slight modification acting as a space doubler. In this embodiment, face plate  2020  may be formed as an L-shaped divider with channels  2024 B and  2026 B attached or formed on he bottom thereof. Corresponding grooves  2024 A and  2026 A may be formed in shelf  2022 , attached to wall  18  to accept face plate  2020 . Grooves  2023 A and  2026 A may take one of a number of groove shapes as outlined above.  
         [0074]    The sliding plate  2020  may take up any length of the shelf, and may be less wide than the shelf. This allows for books to be stacked behind it (fixed in place) while it can be slid in front of them, keeping some hidden, others exposed.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 21 is a side view of how the face plate may be set at a vertical angle so as to display, for example, periodicals, books, or the like. Z-shaped face plate  2121  may be slid or snapped into corresponding grooves  2124 A and  2124 B formed in shelves  15 A and  15 B.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 22 is a side view of how the face plate may be set at a vertical angle, with both chamfers in the shelves remaining parallel. Z-shaped face plate  2222  may be slid or snapped into corresponding grooves  2224 A and  2224 B formed in shelves  15 A and  15 B.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of how the face plate, while removed, may be used as a lidded storage bin. Face plate  2323  may be provided with a number of compartments  2326  (or a single compartment). Lid  2324  may be provided to snap over face plate  2323  to seal compartment(s)  2326 . Lid  2324  may be provided with a lip (not shown) so as to snap over face plate  2323  in a similar manner to a TUPPERWARE™ container.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 24 is a plan view of a special plate used to cover the side or face of a shelf. Side plates  61 A and  61 B function as stop plates for the face plate, insuring that it does not slide out the sides of the shelf. Front plate  62  may be kept in place when no face plate is being used, covering the groves both for protective and aesthetic purposes.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 25 is a side view of an alternate way of affixing a face plate  10  to two shelves  15 A,  15 B using a T-shaped groove  21 A,  21 B. This shape may be a more feasible way to cut locking grooves using modern machinery such as a router.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 26 is a side view of an alternate way of affixing the face plate to two shelves. In this embodiment, face plate  10  may be affixed to shelves  15 A and  15 B by providing C-shaped channels on the edges of face plate  10  which interact with milled portions of shelves  15 A,  15 B, snapping into grooves provided therein.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 27 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the face plate of the present invention which may clip to a pair of shelves. Face plate  2702  may be provide with clips formed of members  2704 A,  2706 A and  2704 B,  2706 B respectively. The clips may be made of plastic or metal and be elastic in nature to provide spring slipping action. Face plate  2702  may be provided with spring loaded element  2708  which may pressure face plate  2702  in place. FIG. 28 is another view of the face plate of FIG. 27, shown attached to a pair of shelves  15 A and  15 B.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 29 is a side view of another embodiment of the face plate  2902  of the present invention. In FIG. 29, spring-loaded L-channels  2904 A and  2904 B are coupled by spring-loaded mechanism  2906  to hold face plate  2902  against shelves  15 A and  15 B by pressure.  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 30 is front view of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, spring loaded rods  3002 A and  3002 B are coupled to face plate  3030 . Spring loaded rods  3002 A and  3002 B have spring loaded portions  3006 A and  3006 B respectively, and are provided with rubber feet  3004 A,  3004 B,  3004 C and  3004 D. When placed between two vertically adjacent shelves, spring loaded rods  3002 A and  3002 B hold face plate  3030  firmly in place.  
         [0084]    The embodiments of FIGS.  27 - 30  may be particularly advantageous in applications where existing shelving is already in place and one does not wish to mill, groove, or otherwise machine or alter existing shelving.  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention with vertical storage slots. In the embodiment of FIG. 31, face plate  3131  may be subdivided into a number of sub-compartments  3102  for storing articles such as DVDs, CD-ROMS, Papers, cassettes, or the like, depending upon the dimensions of sub-compartments  3102 .  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 32 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention with two embodiments of drawers and doors illustrated. Face plate  3232  is illustrated with a tip-out media drawer  3204  which may be provided with a number of slots or the like for storing discs or papers or the like. Alternatively, cabinet door  3202  may be hinged as shown or may be hinged on another edge (top, bottom or sides) to form a small cupboard or cabinet.  
         [0087]    While the preferred embodiment and various alternative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it may be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.