Shelving assembly

A shelving assembly particularly useful for displaying or storing merchandise in commercial establishments in any of several ways tailored to meet the needs of that establishment. The components are capable of being combined to produce an assembly with any selected number of inclined shelves where automatic forward gravity feed of the articles to be supported upon said shelves is desired. Alternatively, the same components may be assembled to provide a unit having any desired number of horizontal shelves. Again, depending on the needs of the user, such shelves may be oriented so that protective rims extend about their horizontal top surfaces, or they may be oriented so that no such rims are provided. Dividers may be attached to the shelves to segregate the articles to be supported thereon and, especially when such shelves are to be assembled in inclined positions, stop members may be affixed to the shelves adjacent their forward edges to retain articles sliding forwardly upon such shelves under the influence of gravity.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
Modular display units have been known in the past, and it has also been 
well known to provide display racks which may be assembled to provide any 
selected number of shelves. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,730,601, 
3,507,399, 3,851,601, and 3,465,898. Display assemblies have also been 
provided in which the shelves may be mounted upon supporting structures in 
either horizontal or inclined positions. See Pat. Nos. 3,915,097, 
3,126,101, 3,120,199, and 3,841,237. However, despite the need for 
versatility and adaptability in shelving construction, there remains a 
need for a shelving assembly which is simple and relatively inexpensive in 
construction, which allows the shelves to be arranged to whatever height 
meets the user's needs, and which permits such shelves to be oriented in 
either horizontal or inclined positions. 
A main object of this invention therefore lies in providing an assembly 
which meets all of such needs and which, in addition, may be easily and 
quickly assembled or disassembled by a user. A further object is to 
provide a shelving assembly which is relatively sturdy when the components 
are combined in any selected mode of assembly, and in which certain 
components are interlocked against inadvertent detachment when the 
assembly is complete. A still further object is to provide a shelving 
assembly in which the same shelf units may be joined with post segments so 
that such shelves are either horizontal or sloping and, in the latter 
case, have either article-retaining rims or provide smooth un-rimed top 
surfaces. 
In brief, the shelving assembly includes a plurality of rectangular metal 
shelves arranged in a vertically-spaced series. Each shelf is composed of 
a planar support panel having side edges which are turned upwardly and 
then inwardly to define a pair of side flanges parallel with and spaced 
above the support surface. In addition, the shelf has upstanding front and 
rear walls or flanges. In referring to such flanges and side edges as 
being turned "upwardly", it is to be understood that such terminology 
describes the relationships as they exist when the shelves are oriented to 
provide a perimetric retaining rim or border about each shelf; if no such 
rim is desired, then the shelves are simply assembled in inverted 
positions. 
The planar support panel of each shelf is provided with a circular opening 
adjacent each of its corners. Above each of such openings, in the side 
flanges of the shelf, are two merged openings which may be referred to as 
the first (or primary) opening and the second (or secondary) opening. Each 
of the first and second openings is formed in the flange as a circular 
opening and, depending on the selected orientation of the shelf (either 
inclined or horizontal), either the first or the second opening in such 
flange will be vertically aligned with the opening in the main support 
panel of the shelf directly therebelow. 
Successive shelves are joined by tubular posts segments, each of which has 
a lower cylindrical body section and an upper neck section of reduced 
cross sectional dimensions. If the parts are to be assembled with the 
shelves in inclined positions, then the neck section of each post segment 
is inserted upwardly through a corner opening in the support panel of a 
shelf and through the aligned first or primary opening in the flange 
directly thereabove. The end portion of the neck section protruding above 
the flange of the shelf provides a mounting spindle adapted to be inserted 
and snugly received within the body section of the next post segment in 
the vertical series. In such manner, the post segments and shelves may be 
stacked to produce an assembly having whatever number of shelves is needed 
to suit the requirements or preferences of the user. 
If horizontal orientation of the shelves is desired, then the neck sections 
of the post segments are instead inserted upwardly through the openings of 
the support panels and the second or secondary openings of the flanges. 
Should the user desire to have the supporting surfaces of the shelves be 
rimless or borderless, then such shelves are simply inverted and the 
upstanding neck sections of the post segments are inserted upwardly 
through the same openings but in reverse order. Such shelf reversal is 
made possible because the aligned openings of the support panel and side 
flanges (either the first or second openings of the merged pair in such 
flanges) are of the same diameter and are only slightly larger than the 
outside diameter of the neck section. 
Rigidity is achieved because of a number of factors. Plug elements are 
inserted into the unused first or second openings of the side flanges, 
each such plug element having an arcuate indentation which is adapted to 
bear tightly against the outer surface of the neck section of a post 
segment. In addition, the neck and body sections of each post merge to 
define a tapered or rounded shoulder which tends to wedge into the 
lowermost opening at the corner of each shelf. Furthermore, the openings 
as formed in the support panel and flange of each shelf are circular in 
outline; however, if the shelves are to be inclined, the neck section of 
each post segment extends through the aligned openings at an angle to 
produce tight engagement between the neck section of the post segment and 
edge portions defining the shelf openings. 
Different plug constructions are disclosed. In addition, the disclosure 
includes important features of the front and rear walls of the shelves, 
the interrelationship between such walls and slotted insert strips, and 
the cooperative relationship between such slotted insert strips and 
removable divider elements as well as detachable stop members. 
Other objects, features, and advantages of the shelving assembly will 
become apparent from the specification and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the numeral 10 generally designates a shelving 
assembly having a plurality of inclined parallel rectangular metal shelves 
11 arranged in a vertically-spaced series and secured in that arrangement 
by interconnected corner post segments 12. The shelves are identical in 
construction, each shelf having a planar support panel 13 and upwardly 
turned front and rear walls 14 and 15. In addition, the side edges of each 
shelf are turned upwardly and then inwardly to provide side flanges 16 
which are parallel with and spaced upwardly from the support panel 13. 
Post segments 12 are identical except for the lowermost segments 12a and/or 
12b which are of different lengths so that the assembly will rest upon a 
supporting surface with the shelves 11 in the inclined positions shown and 
with the post segments 12 in vertical condition. Each segment 12 is 
tubular, has a circular outline when viewed in section, and is 
distinguished by an elongated lower body section 17 and a shorter upper 
neck section 18 (FIG. 1). A plastic (or metal) cap or foot 19 may be 
inserted into the open lower ends of the lowermost segments of a series, 
and similar caps 20 may be fitted into the open tops of the uppermost 
segments. 
As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the outside diameter of neck section 18 is 
substantially smaller than that of body section 17. Between the body and 
neck sections is a transition zone which takes the form of a sloping or 
rounded shoulder portion 21. 
The planar support panel 13 of each shelf is provided with circular 
openings 22 adjacent the corners thereof. The openings are circlar and are 
dimensioned to be only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the 
neck portion 18 of each post segment. Each such opening 22 is therefore 
substantially smaller than the outside diameter of the body section 17 of 
each post segment. 
Above each opening 22, the side flanges 16 of the shelves are provided with 
merged circular openings 23 and 24, as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 
10. When the structure is assembled as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 7, with 
the shelves in inclined positions, opening 23 may be regarded as the 
primary opening and opening 24 as the secondary opening. With the shelves 
so inclined, the primary opening 23 in the side flange 16 is vertically 
oriented with respect to opening 22 directly therebelow in the support 
panel 13. The tubular neck section 18 of post segment 12 extends upwardly 
through the aligned pair of openings 22 and 23 as shown in FIG. 3. It will 
be noted that the upper end 18a of the neck section continues well above 
flange 16 of the shelf. If that shelf happens to be the top shelf of the 
series, then the open upper end of the neck section may be capped (FIG. 
3), whereas if the shelf is further down in the series then the projecting 
upper end portion 18a of the neck section will be telescoped into the body 
section 17 of the post segment 12 directly thereabove (FIG. 7). The parts 
are dimensioned so that the upper neck section of one segment fits snugly 
within the scoket defined by the body section of the next segment, thereby 
providing rigid segmented corner posts and a wobble-free shelving 
assembly. 
Prior to insertion of the neck sections of the post segments into the 
openings of a shelf, the secondary opening 24 is closed by a plug 25. In 
the embodiment of FIGS. 1-14, the plug 25 takes the form of a metal disc 
of a diameter larger than opening 24. A plurality of tongues or tabs 25a 
radiate outwardly from points circumscribed by the periphery of the disc 
and, as shown most clearly in FIG. 3A, extend downwardly and then 
outwardly so that the upper surfaces near the free ends of the tabs are 
spaced below the undersurface of the remainder of the disc. When the disc 
is in place, tabs 25a engage the underside of flange 16 about secondary 
opening 24 while other peripheral portions of the disc engage the top 
surface of flange 16. It is believed apparent that the disc or plug 25 can 
be inserted or removed only when post segment 12 is not connected to the 
shelf, since such insertion or removal of the plug takes place from or in 
the direction of primary opening 23. When the neck section 18 of a post 
segment extends upwardly through opening 23 of the flange, a plug 25 
fitted into secondary opening 24 is effectively locked in place. 
Plug 25 has an arcuate indentation 26 which defines an arc of circular 
opening 23 when the parts are assembled as shown in FIG. 3. The arcuate 
edge 26 should fit tightly against the outer surface of neck section 18 to 
help hold the parts (i.e., shelf and post) tightly together. To assist in 
inserting the plug into secondary opening 24, and to facilitate rotating 
the plug so that arcuate edge 26 aligns properly with the border of 
primary opening 23, the disc-like plug may be provided with a cental slot 
27 into which the blade of a screwdriver or other suitable tool may be 
inserted. 
FIGS. 12-14 illustrate the steps of assembling the parts, with deformations 
in the shelf being depicted in exaggerated form in an effort to show more 
clearly the stresses created as a result of the tight interfit between 
each shelf and its corner post segments. In the first step of assembling 
the parts (FIG. 12), the plug element is first fitted into place in 
opening 24 and then the end of neck section 18 of the post segment is 
urged upwardly through the lower opening 22 in support panel 13. 
Thereafter, the shelf is tipped with respect to the post segment so that 
the end of the post may be inserted through opening 23 in flange 16 (FIG. 
13). Since a close sliding fit is provided between the neck section 18 of 
the post segment and opening 22 in the panel during the initial insertion 
step (FIG. 12), the tipping action brings opposite side edges of opening 
22 into more forceful engagement with the neck section 18. Such forceful 
engagement may, as shown in exaggerated form in FIG. 13, cause slight 
deformation of portions of the edge defining opening 22. Finally, the neck 
section is inserted through opening 23 until the shoulder 21 of the post 
segment 12 engages the underside of panel 13 (FIG. 14). During the final 
step of insertion, as the neck section is urged upwardly through opening 
23, forceful engagement between the parts again takes place and slight 
deformation of edge portions of opening 23, and particularly of the 
pointed projections 28 between the merged openings, may take place. The 
result is a tight frictional fit between the inserted post segment 12 and 
the metal shelf 11. 
The assembly may be constructed to provide any desired angle of inclination 
for shelves 11, although in general such angle should fall within the 
range of about 10 to 20 degrees from the horizontal. The angular 
orientation of the shelves causes articles stored thereon to slide 
forwardly where they are easily viewed and readily accessible. To 
facilitate the gravity feed of articles towards the front of each shelf, 
and to aid in organizing the articles supported on each shelf, wire 
dividers 29 may be attached to the shelves as indicated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 
10. 
Insert members or strips 30 are provided for mounting the shelf dividers. 
As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2, 6, and 10, each insert strip 30 is 
horizontally elongated and is provided with a series of 
horizontally-spaced recesses or apertures 31. One insert strip extends 
along front wall 14 and the other along rear wall 15, and opposing 
recesses of the two strips may receive the downwardly-extending end 
portions 29a of a wire divider 29 in the manner represented in FIG. 10. 
The laterally-turned tip 29b at the extreme ends of each divider, and the 
spring action of the elongated intermediate portion 29c of such divider, 
acts to lock the divider in the selected recesses. 
The mounting of each insert strip is shown in FIG. 6. Both the front and 
rear walls of each shelf have inwardly and downwardly turned lips 33 which 
are spaced from the inside surfaces of such walls to define 
downwardly-facing channels 34. An insert member is secured in place by 
inserting its upper edge into the channel and then shifting it into 
parallel relation with the front (or rear) wall of the shelf (FIG. 6). The 
insert strip is removable only by a reversal of such movements, and such 
reversal is prevented by the spring dividers 29 which are fitted into 
place in the manner already described. 
In some cases it may be desirable to provide stop elements 35 along the 
front walls of the shelves to prevent larger articles from falling off of 
such shelves. Each stop element or member 35 is formed of wire, has a 
horizontally elongated intermediate portion 35a and a pair of depending 
arms 35b terminating at their lower ends in hook portions 36. As shown 
most clearly in FIG. 5, the hooks 36 extend downwardly through apertures 
37 formed in the support panel 13 of each shelf. The hook portions are so 
shaped, and the apertures so located, that when the stop members 35 are in 
place the depending arms 35b will be braced against the insert strip 30 
retained by front wall 14 or by the front wall itself (should the insert 
member be omitted). The manner of attachment of the stop member is 
indicated in broken lines in FIG. 5. 
If the user desires an assembly with horizontal shelves rather than 
inclined shelves, then plugs 25 are inserted into openings 23 of flanges 
16 and the neck sections of the post segments are inserted through aligned 
openings 22 and 24, as indicated in FIGS. 8-10. Those figures show the 
shelves arranged with the front and rear walls thereof extending upwardly 
to help retain articles stored thereon; however, if desired, the shelves 
may be inverted so that the supporting surfaces of the shelves are smooth 
and free of such retaining means (FIG. 11). It is particularly significant 
in that connection that such reversal or inversion of the shelves is 
possible because openings 22 and 24 in panel 13 and flange 16, 
respectively, are of the same diameter. 
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a variation of the plug structure for closing off 
the unused opening 23 or 24 in the side flange 16 of each shelf. Plug 125 
is formed integrally of a material such as resilient plastic and is 
generally disc-shaped with an arcuate indentation 126. A perimetric groove 
127 has substantially the same diameter as that of opening 23 (or 24), and 
the lower portion 128 of the plug is provided with a tapered side wall 129 
to facilitate insertion of the plug into the selected opening. A handle or 
tab 130 may be provided to facilitate such insertion. 
While plug 125 performs the same functions following insertion as plug 25, 
it may be inserted either before or after a post segment has been joined 
to a shelf, unlike plug 25 which must be positioned prior to attachment of 
the post segment. Such insertion of plug 125 is achieved simply by urging 
its tapered lower portion 129 downwardly into the selected opening 23 or 
24, causing slight deformation of the plug's lower portion until that 
portion has cleared the opening and the parts are interlocked as depicted 
in FIGS. 16 and 17. 
FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another type of plug 225 which is similar to plug 
125 to the extent that they are both formed of a resilient or yieldable 
material. A non-brittle polymeric material such as polypropylene or some 
other polyolefin has been found effective, but any of a variety of 
materials having similar properties may be used. Plug 225 is adapted to be 
received in an elongated opening 240 formed in flange 16 in place of 
merged openings 23 and 24. The opening 240 may be oblong or obround as 
shown and interlocks with plug 225 in essentially the same manner as 
disclosed with regard to plug 125. Specifically, plug 225 has a lower 
portion 228 with a tapered or beveled side wall 229. Above lower portion 
228 is a perimetric groove 227 of the same size as opening 240. At one end 
of the oblong plug is a circular opening 241, and the plug may be secured 
within flange opening 240 in either of two positions; that is, in the 
position depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, with opening 241 away from the 
viewer, or in a 180 degree reversed position with opening 241 nearer the 
viewer. In one case, opening 241, dimensioned to firmly but slidably 
receive the neck section of a post segment, will be disposed in vertical 
alignment with lower opening 22 in the shelf when the shelf is inclined; 
in the other position, opening 241 will be vertically aligned with opening 
22 when the shelf is in a horizontal position. 
While in the foregoing I have disclosed embodiments of the invention in 
considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it will be understood by 
those skilled in the art that many of these details may be varied without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.