Modular shelving

A modular shelving system includes height-adjustable second vertical members that receive horizontal supports. Each second vertical member is supported by a first vertical member. Each combined first vertical member and second vertical member can be fastened together at different locations so the second vertical member can be positioned at different heights. The modular shelving may have a base to receive and stabilize the first vertical members. At the top of each second vertical member there may be an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism may be adjusted upward to be pressure fit against an upper stationary object such as a ceiling to help stabilize the modular shelving.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following disclosure relates to modular shelving, particularly shelving with adjustable vertical supports including horizontal shelves that can be assembled in multiple configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are directed to modular shelving that is adjustable and that can be assembled in a variety of shapes and configurations to enable it to fit in a variety of spaces and serve different purposes.

The shelving includes one or more first vertical members and one or more second vertical members. Each second vertical member is affixed to a respective first vertical member by any suitable fastening method. For example, each second vertical member may have a plurality of second openings and each respective first vertical member may have a plurality of first openings. When one or more second openings align with one or more first openings, a fastener, such as a screw, bolt or pin, may be placed through one or more of the aligned first opening(s) and second opening(s) to fix the position and height of the combined first vertical member and second vertical member. Alternatively, each second member may have retractable, spring loaded pins that can be pressed into the second vertical member. When the second vertical member is moved to a position wherein the pin aligned with one of the first openings, the spring biases the pin outward through the first opening to hold the second vertical member and first vertical member in a fixed position. The pin could be pressed inward again to move the second vertical member relative the first vertical member.

In one preferred embodiment each first vertical member includes two spaced-apart vertical sections that define a space in between for receiving a lower portion of the corresponding second vertical member.

Modular shelving according to aspects of the invention also includes shelving slots formed in each second vertical member above the second plurality of openings. The slots are for receiving a horizontal support piece such as shelf or a rod.

The modular shelving also preferably includes a base that rests on a support object, such as a floor, counter, or piece of furniture. The bottom end of each first vertical member is preferably received in the and/or fastened to base to provide stability for each first vertical member. Modular shelving according to aspects of the invention may also include a top portion that fits onto one or more of the tops of each second vertical member. The top portion preferably includes a cap that fits over the top of a second vertical member and an adjustable end piece that can be extended from the cap, such as by threading it to extend it or extending it in any other suitable manner, until it presses against a stationary object above the second vertical member, such as a ceiling or stationary shelving to help stabilize the modular shelving.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings where the purpose is to describe preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit same,FIGS. 1-6shows modular shelving10in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

Modular shelving10includes one or more (and in this specific embodiment, two) first vertical support members12, which as shown are formed by connecting submembers12A and12B, a second vertical support member30, that fits between submembers12A and12B and is connected to a first vertical support member12, and at least one horizontal support, which as shown is one or more shelves80, although the horizontal support member could be a rod for holding clothes hangers or any other suitable horizontal support member. Preferably, modular shelving10also includes a base50and a top portion100.

As shown, each first vertical support member12is comprised of submembers12A and12B. In this embodiment, a notch14B is formed in the bottom of each submember12A and12B with legs14A on either side of the notch.

Above the notch14B is a plurality of first openings in submember12A and a plurality of first openings12C in submember12B. The first openings12C in each submember12A and12B are in vertical and horizontal alignment when the bottom of each submember is placed on an even surface, such as on base50when base50rests on an even surface. Each second vertical support member30has a lower portion30A and an upper portion30B. Lower portion30A is configured to be received between first vertical submembers12A and12B and has a plurality of second openings30C. Openings30C are vertically spaced apart the same distance, and are preferably the same size, as openings12C.

Upper portion30B as shown is wider than lower portion30A and includes slots40for receiving a horizontal support member. Slots40can be of any suitable shape and size for receiving a horizontal support member, depending upon the size and shape of the horizontal support member. In this embodiment there is a plurality of slots40in each second vertical support member30. Each slot40in this embodiment is equally spaced vertically from the corresponding slot40, and the space between sots40is the same for each second vertical member30.

Further, in one aspect of this embodiment, the vertical distance between each slot40on each second vertical member30is the same as the distance between the respective openings30C and respective openings12C. With this structure, the slots40and hence the horizontal support members can be positioned far from a floor or object upon which the modular shelving10rests and furniture or other objects can fit underneath the horizontal supports. Some preferred positions for the lowest slots40are 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet and 6 feet above the bottom end of a first vertical support member12.

Shelves80are one type of horizontal support member that may be used in the invention. Each shelf80is substantially flat and has grooves80A that are received in slots40so that a groove80A fits over the solid portion of section30B behind a slot40, and a slot40fits over the solid portion of a shelf80behind a groove30A. As shown each shelf has the same width, but shelves of differing widths and/or configurations may be used. Also, different horizontal support members may be used at different vertical positions, such as a rod for holding clothes at one lower vertical position and one or more shelves above the rod.

Each second vertical member30includes a top34. Preferably, an adjustment mechanism100fits on each top34. Adjustment mechanism100has a base110, a stem118, a cap120, and a slot122. Slot122is configured so that a top34of a second support member30is received and pressure fit therein. Stem118is preferably threaded and is received in an opening on the top surface of adjustment mechanism100. A screw boss may be included inside of adjustment mechanism100and be in communication with the opening. Cap120is attached to the top end of stem118in any suitable manner. In operation stem118can be threaded into or out of the opening and screw boss (if used) to adjust the vertical position of cap120. In this manner cap120can be moved upward to pressure fit against an object such as a ceiling or other stationary object.

Base (or support base)50is preferably elongated and flat with paired base notches52to receive first submembers12A and12B. Base50can be of any suitable length and have any number of notches52. The purpose of base50is to anchor submembers12A and12B and retain them at a proper distance from one another so that there is a space sufficient to fit a second vertical member12C therebetween. With this configuration (regardless of whether base50is utilized) second vertical member(s)30can be adjusted vertically.

An alternate embodiment1000of the invention is shown inFIGS. 7-9. Embodiment1000is in all respects the same as embodiment10except that it includes three second vertical members1030, wherein each second vertical member1030is surrounded by submembers1012A and1012B in the same manner as submembers12A and12B surround and support second vertical member30as described above. This embodiment1000uses the same structures as embodiment10, and identical structures are referenced by adding one thousand to the numeral designating a structure in embodiment10. For example, structure1030in embodiment12000is the same as structure30in embodiment10, and so forth. One exception is that base1050is longer than base50.

Using the configuration of embodiment1000more support can be provided for horizontal members that stretch across all three second vertical members1030(this arrangement is not shown), or two sets of horizontal members1080may be used, as shown inFIGS. 7-9. The invention is thus not limited to any number of vertical or horizontal members or to any overall width or height. As shown inFIGS. 7-9, shelves1080are in a staggered configuration, although this is merely one embodiment.

Having thus described different embodiments of the invention, other variations and embodiments that do not depart from the spirit thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is thus not limited to any particular embodiment, but is instead set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof. Unless expressly stated in the written description or claims, the steps of any method recited in the claims may be performed in any order capable of yielding the desired product or result.