Window shelf

An apparatus is disclosed for a window shelf that attaches to a window stool without causing any damage and requiring no tools for installation. The apparatus includes a shelf with an upper and lower surface and a downwardly angled lip that engages with the rear portion of a window stool. A series of channels is defined by the bottom surface of the shelf and one or more plates, which receive one or more supporting legs. The horizontal surface of the supporting legs has a series of pointed teeth that engage with a series of pointed teeth along the channels, locking the shelf in place. The shelf can be used for a variety of purposes, such as holding household items, indoor planters, or even as a bed for small pets.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a customizable shelf and, more particularly, to a shelf that connects to a window.

BACKGROUND

Most windows in homes today have very little associated shelf space. While it may be theoretically possible to place small objects on a window stool, these objects often obstruct blinds, curtains, window shades, or other objects placed on the small amount of space afforded by the size of the stool. Moreover, these objects are easy to accidentally displace, so there is a significant risk of accidentally damaging the objects, furniture, or the house itself. While there are shelves on the market that can be attached to a window, Applicant has identified many deficiencies associated with these shelves.

BRIEF SUMMARY

As noted above, traditional shelves that can be attached to a window present problems for most individuals. For instance, configuring the shelves often requires the use of tools, and attaching the shelving to a window can cause damage to the window, the window trim and/or the wall surrounding the window. Moreover, the actual process of attaching the shelves to windows or removing the shelves can be difficult for the average user. Example embodiments disclosed herein overcome these deficiencies and others. For instance, the embodiments disclosed below require no tools for installation, do not cause damage to the window, window trim, or the wall surrounding the window, and are easy to install and easy to remove by the average user.

In a first example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a shelf that has an upper and lower surface and a downwardly angled lip that configured to hook over a window stool; a series of supporting legs that support the shelf from below and sit against the window stool, or the apron or wall below the window; and a series of channels on the lower surface of the shelf that receive the legs, securing the shelf to the window. The supporting legs have a horizontal surface and a vertical surface. The vertical surface can be flat while the horizontal surface features a series of pointed teeth. The channels contain a similar series of pointed teeth, which engage with the pointed teeth on the horizontal surface of the legs. When the pointed teeth on the horizontal surface of the legs engage with the pointed teeth in the channels, the shelf is locked into place.

In an example embodiment, the channels are defined by the lower surface of the shelf and one or more plates. The plates in the example embodiment are screwed to the lower surface of the shelf, but the plates may be completely integrated into the lower surface during the manufacturing process or connected using any other connectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein illustrate a shelf that can be secured to a window without the use of any tools and without requiring the addition of fasteners, such as screws, bolts, VELCRO® brand fasteners, glue, or the like. The shelf can be clamped against the window between a lip that hooks around a top portion of a window stool or vinyl window and one or more supporting legs that attach to the bottom of the shelf and press against a lower portion of the window stool, apron, or the wall beneath the window trim.

As described in greater detail below, the one or more supporting legs can connect securely to the shelf by sliding into one or more corresponding channels along the bottom surface of the shelf. These channels comprise one or more regions defined by the bottom surface of the shelf and one or more plates. In some embodiments, the one or more plates may be integrally formed with the shelf, while in others, the one or more plates may be secured to the shelf using fasteners (such as those described above).

The one or more supporting legs are configured to slide into the channels and can be secured against the shelf at various positions along the one or more channels. For instance, the length of the channels may include a series of pointed teeth, which can interlock with corresponding pointed teeth that are also present on the horizontal surface of the supporting legs. When the supporting legs slide into the channels, the two sets of pointed teeth engage each other, locking the shelf in place.

In an alternative embodiment, the supporting legs may be integrated into the shelf itself, such that they extend laterally in the same direction as the projecting portion. Such embodiments may be designed for standardized window stool sizes, and thus may further reduce the hassle of attaching and detaching the shelf to a window.

The supporting legs also have a vertical surface, which rests against the window stool, apron, or wall below the window. This vertical surface may be flat to lie flush against the wall, or may comprise a gripping portion that can firmly connect with a non-flat surface. The resulting shelf is easy to install, does not require any tools or connectors, and causes no damage to the window trim or wall.

Turning now toFIG. 1, an example shelf3is illustrated that is attached to a window. As shown inFIG. 1, the shelf3is designed to attach to the window stool2and extend horizontally away from the window stool2. A supporting leg4is shown that supports the shelf3from below. Notably, although a single supporting leg4is illustrated inFIG. 1, embodiments disclosed herein may include one or more additional support legs4to further improve the degree of support provided to the shelf3. The supporting legs4also engage either the lower portion of the window stool2or the apron or wall below the window stool2, providing stability and strength. As shown inFIG. 2, the shelf3has a top surface5and a lower surface6. The lower surface6includes a portion extending therefrom which includes a downwardly angled lip7configured to engage with an upper rear portion of a window stool2. The lip7extends from the lower surface6of the shelf3and curves downwardly such that it is configured to hook around a rear portion of the window stool. The lip7and/or the extending portion of the lower surface6may comprise a hinged member, to enable a front side of the shelf3to be raised without causing movement of the lip7(and vice versa). In this manner, embodiments of the apparatus including this hinged member may prevent the lip7from biting into the rear portion of the window stool when the shelf is attached or detached. Moreover, in such embodiments, by folding the lip7and bending the hinge, the shelf may lie flush against a flat surface.

In some embodiments, the lip7may curve downwardly at a 90 degree angle. The downwardly curved portion of the lip7is preferably of a width that does not interfere with the ability of the window itself to open and close. The lip7is configured so it may be positioned over the upper rear edge of the window stool2, preventing the shelf3from pulling away, horizontally, from the window. In combination with the one or more supporting legs4, the lip7enables the window stool2to be clamped tightly, so the shelf remains firmly in place regardless of whether the window is open or closed.

As shown inFIG. 3, the shelf3may in some embodiments include a raised edge8that runs around the outside of its top surface5, wherein the raised edge8is configured to prevent liquid or objects from sliding off of the top surface5of the shelf3.

Turning now toFIG. 4, a perspective view from the bottom of the assembled shelf3is disclosed. The supporting legs4are configured to engage the lower surface6of the shelf3within a series of channels9, as shown inFIG. 4. The supporting legs4support the weight of the shelf and its contents. The supporting legs4do not have to be connected to the window stool2or the wall surrounding the window using any fasteners. The supporting legs4can be moved horizontally along the length of the channels9to adjust to any size window stool. The channels9are covered by plates12that in some embodiments may be permanently connected to the lower surface6of the shelf3, or may be created as an integral part of the lower surface6of the shelf3during the manufacturing process. In other embodiments, such as that shown inFIGS. 5 and 8, the plates12can be connected to the lower surface6using a fastener, thereby allowing the plates to be removed at a later time.

FIG. 5shows a view of the lower surface6of the shelf3and provides a detailed view of the channels9. Each channel9has a series of pointed teeth along its length.

The supporting legs4have a horizontal surface10and a vertical surface11, as shown inFIG. 6. In some embodiments, the vertical surface11rests flush against the apron or wall below the window or against the window stool2. In other embodiments, the vertical surface11may comprise a gripping portion for contacting a corrugated or slippery surface. The horizontal surface10has a series of pointed teeth, which engage with the pointed teeth within the channels9on the lower surface6of the shelf3. When the pointed teeth of the horizontal surface10engage with the pointed teeth of a channel9, the supporting leg4is rendered immobile, and the shelf3remains secured to the window stool2without any connectors, thus avoiding damage to the walls and window trim. This mode of connection allows for installation without any tools and easy removal.

As mentioned above, in an alternative embodiment the supporting legs4may be integrated into the lower surface6of the shelf3. In such an embodiment, the supporting legs4extend laterally in the same direction as the projecting portion a predetermined distance that accords with standard dimensions of a household window stool.