Shelving

Abstract: A shelf assembly (20) has a shelf support bracket (24) and a shelf panel (22) supported by the bracket (24). A fastening stud (36) projects from the shelf panel (22) into a figure eight shaped aperture (38) in the support bracket. The fastening stud (36) slides relative to the aperture (38) and has a resilient, compressible bushing (46) for engaging the aperture (38).

Description: The present invention relates to shelving assemblies and specifically to a shelving panel and support bracket subassembly which may be used in a display case, in a refrigerator, or on an office partition panel, or the like, where a removable or adjustable shelving panel and support bracket assemblies is desired. A wide variety of shelving assemblies are presently available and may be generally categorized into three groups. First, the simplest type of shelving assembly will typically include a pair of support brackets projecting from a wall surface with a shelf panel placed upon the brackets without secure attachment of the shelf to the brackets. This type of assembly may be seen in US-A-3604669, (Asher, issued on September 14, 1971). However, this simple type of shelving assembly is unstable and susceptible to being dislodged or jarred, spilling items disposed on the shelf. A second category of shelving assemblies has a modification to the first category by addition of fasteners for securing the shelf panel to the support bracket. This type of assembly may be seen in US-A-3127146, (Fisher, issued on March 31, 1964). This arrangement adds some stability to the shelving assembly over the first type of shelving assembly. However, these shelving assemblies typically require the use of tools to assemble the fasteners. Further, the fasteners are typically small and easily lost. The third category of shelving assemblies includes preassembled support bracket and shelving panel units. These units are commonly used with office partition panels and overcome the assembly problems of the second category assemblies. However, these units are typically large and bulky, requiring significant storage space when not in use. The present invention seeks to solve prior art shelving assembly difficulties by providing a shelf support bracket, a shelf panel and panel-to-bracket fastening which does not require the use of tools to assemble. A shelf assembly according to the present invention may provide a stable shelf and is especially useful for shelving applications where a glass shelf panel is preferred for aesthetic reasons or for light transmission, wherein the present shelving assembly may provide secure fastening of a glass shelf panel. Further, the present shelving assembly may be compactly stored when not in use. US4,101,233 shows a shelf assembly according to the precharacterising portion of claim 1. The shelf panel is prevented from slipping off the bracket by a clip having a finger. According to the present invention there is provided a shelf assembly as recited in the characterising portion of claim 1. Preferably the shelf panel is glass, while the fastening stud is made of metal. The fastening stud may therefore be bonded to the glass shelf panel, in an appropriate manner known in the art. The fastening stud is preferably generally cylindrical. The first and second portions of the fastening aperture may be generally circular, and the throat may be smoothly curved between the first and second portions. Suitably the fastening stud will have a head portion at one end of the shaft portion, the head portion being generally circular and defining a lip which circumscribes the shaft portion. This can be sized to slip fit through the first portion of the fastening aperture, and so sized larger than the second portion of the fastening aperture. Suitably the fixture is located in the support surface of the support bracket. The fastening stud may then project from the shelf panel and may align with, and engage, the fastening aperture. Preferably the aperture is a first aperture and is positioned near a first end of the support bracket. A second aperture may then be located in the support surface, spaced from the first aperture along the support surface. Suitably one of the fastening studs will project from the shelf panel and align, and engage with, each fastening aperture. The shelf panel will generally have two opposing ends, and one of the shelf support brackets will be located suitably near each end. Each support bracket may be an elongate member and the support brackets may be generally parallel to each other. Each support bracket may have a second end opposite the first end. The second end can be adapted for release or engagement with a generally vertical wall surface. The support bracket may be an elongate member with an opening inside its channel member near a first end. The shelf panel may have a rear edge positioned in the channel member. Suitably the fastening aperture is positioned so the third portion is away from the first end of the support bracket. The panel member may have two flange portions, each or both of which extend in the same general direction from opposing ends of a web portion. A first of the two flange portions may be connected with the support bracket. The second of the two flange portions may be adjacent the shelf panel, spaced from the support bracket. Advantageously the support bracket will have an anchor stud adjacent the support surface. This may project away from the shelf panel. The first flange portion of the channel member may have a corresponding anchor aperture that is for slip fit engagement with the anchor stud. Suitably the or each support bracket is adapted for releasable engagement with a (e.g. generally vertical) wall surface, or a track adapted to receive the support bracket. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment shelf assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the shelf assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken along line III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of detail IV of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section of detail IV of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5 with the assembly in a partially assembled position; Fig. 7 is similar to Fig. 5 with the assembly in a fully assembled position; Fig. 8 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of a shelf assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is a section along line IX-IX of Fig. 8 but in an assembled form; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section of detail X of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an alternative arrangement of the detail of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a section similar to that in Fig. 9 showing a third embodiment of a shelf assembly of the present invention; Fig. 13 is an exploded section of detail XIII of Fig. 12; Referring to the drawings in greater detail, a shelf assembly 20 according to the present invention has a shelf panel 22, a pair of shelf support brackets 24, and fasteners 26 for fastening panel 22 and brackets 24 together (Figs. 1-7). The shelf panel 22 may be fabricated from any suitable shelving material, but is preferably a light transmitting material and, most preferably, is optically clear, tempered glass to enhance light distribution. The support brackets 24 are elongated members having a flange portion 28 and a support surface 30 for receiving and supporting shelf panel 22 (Figs. 1-3). Support brackets 24 are adapted for connection with a wall surface and project substantially perpendicularly from the wall surface. Most preferably, brackets 24 are adapted for use in an adjustable shelving system as is often used with office partition panels or for refrigerator shelving. Thus, brackets 24 include mounting hooks 32 for engaging an adjustable shelving track 34 or the like. Further, brackets 24 may be stamped metal components or may be fabricated from any suitable material, including structural or engineering plastics. The fasteners 26 are two part devices including a fastening member or stud 36 and a corresponding fastening aperture 38 in flange 28 of bracket 24 (Figs. 2 and 3). The fastening stud 36 has a shaft portion 40 and preferably a head 42 (Figs. 5-7). Shaft 40 is preferably cylindrical and about 4.8 mm (3/16 inch) in diameter. the head 42 is preferably circular and about 9.5 mm (3/8 inch) in diameter, with a partially spherical outer surface. A lip or shoulder 44 is defined between the shaft 40 and head 42 and circumscribes shaft 40. The fastening stud 36 further includes a resilient, compressible bushing 46 fitted thereover (which may be a commonly available, size 007, Buna-N rubber O-ring). The bushing 46 circumscribes the shaft 40 and is positioned between the head 42 and a mounting plate 48, located at the opposite end of the shaft 40 from head 42. The mounting plate 48 is a generally rectangular plate, preferably about 9.5 mm by 19 mm (3/8 inch by 3/4 inch), and is used for bonding the stud 36 to the bottom surface 50 of glass shelf panel 22. The stud 36 is preferably bonded to the glass panel 22 using a bonding media. An activator and adhesive method (e.g. using an activator available under the name Dymax 535 Activator and an adhesive available under product number 625, available from Dymax Engineering Adhesives in Torrington, Connecticut) may be used. An alternative bonding media is available under product number EA 951.1 from the Aerospace and Industrial Products Division of the Dexter Hysol Company in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The bonding media used may require application of UV light or heat to complete curing. The corresponding fastening aperture 38 is generally figure eight shaped, having a large portion 52, a small portion 54, and a throat 56 extending between the large and small portions 52, 54 (Fig. 4). The large portion 52 is preferably circular and about 11.1 mm (7/16 inch) in diameter for slip fit engagement with fastening stud 36. Small portion 54 is also preferably circular and has a diameter of about 6.7 mm (17/64 inch) for a compression fit with the bushing 46. The throat portion 56 is generally smoothly curved from the large portion 52 to the small portion 54. The throat 56 tangentially intersects both the large portion 52 and the small portion 54 to form shoulders 58. It tapers from the large portion 52 to the small portion 54 to compress the bushing 46 when the stud 36 is slid from the large portion 52 to the small portion 54. Once the stud 36 is in the small portion 54, the shoulders 58 and throat 56 resist sliding removal of the stud 36 from the small portion 54. The head 42 prevents axial removal of the stud 36 from the throat 56 and small portion 54, along the length of shaft 40. Each fastening aperture 38 is preferably recessed below the support surface 30 to receive the thickness of the mounting plate 48 and minimize any space between shelf panel 22 and support bracket 24. A pair of similarly positioned spaced apart fasteners 26 is provided for fastening the shelf panel 22 with each support bracket 24 (Figs. 1-3). The use of pairs of fasteners 26 enhances the stability of shelf assembly 20 by minimizing the possibility of rotation between the shelf panel 22 and the support brackets 24. Further, depending upon the application or use of the shelf assembly 20, optional front 60 and rear 62 trim pieces may be used (Figs. 2 and 3). Trim pieces 60 and 62 may be fabricated of any suitable material and adhered to the front 64 and rear 66 edges of shelf panel 22, respectively. Trim pieces 60 and 62 may be stamped metal, as is commonly known, such as aluminium for example, and are preferably bonded to shelf panel 22 as previously discussed. Shelf assembly 20 is easily assembled by aligning each fastening stud 36 with the large portion 52 of a corresponding fastening aperture 38 and inserting head 42 through the large portion 52 (Figs. 5 and 6). A bottom surface 50 of the shelf panel 22 is placed adjacent to the support surface 30 of bracket flange 28 and shelf panel 22 is slid relative to bracket 24, so sliding each fastening stud 36 through the throat 56 and into the small portion 54 of the corresponding fastening apertures 38 (Fig. 7). The bushings 46 are compressed when the studs 36 slide through the throats 56 and remain slightly compressed in small portions 54. The shoulders 58 and the relatively smaller clearance through the throats 56 provide a locking function to hold the studs 36 in the small portions 54 (Fig. 4). The slight compression of bushings 46 in the small portions 54 provides a snug connection between the shelf panel 22 and the support bracket 24, minimizing any potential rattling between the shelf panel 22 and support bracket 24. In a second embodiment of a shelf assembly 120, an open sided channel 68 extends between the flange portions 28 of the support brackets 24 and one fastener 26 is provided to connect the shelf panel 22 with each support bracket 24 (Figs. 8-11). The channel 68 is connected with the flange portion 28 at a rear end 70 and is positioned to receive a rear edge 66 of shelf panel 22. the fastener 26 is positioned near a front end 72 of flange portion 28, which also locates the fastener 26 near a front edge 64 of shelf panel 22. The channel 68 is preferably formed from metal and is generally J-shaped in cross section with a long leg 74 and a short leg 76 extending in the same general direction from opposing edges of a web portion 78. The long leg 74 extends under and adjacent to the flange portion 28 and the channel 68 may be connected with flange portion 28 at leg 74 by commonly known methods, including the use of adhesives for example, but is preferably welded (Figs. 9-11). the channel 68 wraps around the rear end 70 of the flange portion 28 and rear edge 66 of the shelf panel 22 with the short leg 76 positioned opposite the shelf panel 22 and flange portion 28 from long leg 74, adjacent a top surface 80 of the shelf panel 22. Those skilled in the art or those who make or use the invention may modify the invention by using separate lengths of a C-clip channel at each flange portion 28 or a C-clip channel portion of each flange portion 28, instead of the continuous channel 68. Such modification is within the scope of the invention. A strip of foam tape 82 is applied to the rear edge 66 of shelf panel 22 and wraps around to the top surface 80 to provide cushioning between the shelf panel 22 and channel 68 and to assure a tight fit (Figs. 10 and 11). Preferably, the foam tape 82 is a strip of approximately 1.6 mm (1/16 inch) thick and 11.1 mm (7/16 inch) wide, extending the length of the rear edge 66. The foam tape 82 may be one of any commonly available adhesive-backed foam tapes, including a four pound per cubic foot polyolefin foam with 3M brand 927 adhesive on one of the 11.1 mm (7/16 inch) surfaces, for example. A front trim 60 and rear trim piece 84 may be optionally included or deleted, depending upon specific shelving application and stylistic requirements (Figs. 9-11). The rear trim 84 may be a flange portion extending from the channel 68 or may be a separate piece interleaved between channel leg 76 and foam tape 82 and attached to leg 76 (Fig. 11). The spacing between legs 74 and 76 may be adjusted as needed to accommodate either the inclusion or deletion of rear trim piece 84. In use, the shelf assembly 120 is easily assembled by applying foam tape 82 across the rear edge 66 of shelf panel 22, aligning the rear edge 66 with the channel 68 while also aligning fastening studs 36 with the large portion 52 of corresponding fastener apertures 38, and inserting the studs 36 into the apertures 38. The shelf panel 22 is slid relative to support brackets 24 to slide studs 36 into small portions 54 of apertures 38 and to slide the rear edge 66 into channel 68 (Fig. 1). Again as discussed above, shoulders 58 and the relatively smaller clearance through throats 56 provide a locking function to hold studs 36 in small portions 54. The slight compression of bushings 46 in small portions 54 provides a snug connection between shelf panel 22 and support bracket 24. Further, the foam tape 82 is preferably slightly compressed between shelf panel 22 and channel 68, also providing a snug connection between shelf panel 22 and support bracket 24. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, a third embodiment of a shelf assembly 220 includes a channel 68 releasably connected with the support brackets 24. Specifically, an anchor stud 86 projects from the flange portion 28 of the support bracket 24 and a corresponding anchor aperture 88 is provided at each end of channel 68, in long leg 74. The anchor stud 86 projects away from the shelf panel 22. Both the anchor stud 86 and aperture 88 are sized for slip fit engagement with each other. The shelf assembly 220 is readily assembled by inserting anchor stud 86 of each support bracket 24 into corresponding anchor apertures 88, at opposing ends of channel 68, so that the leg 74 of channel 68 is adjacent flange portion 28 and leg 76 is opposite flange portion 28 from leg 74. With the channel member 68 and support brackets 24 so connected, the shelf assembly 220 is very similar to the shelf assembly 120. The foam tape 82 is applied to the rear edge 66 of shelf panel 22, rear edge 66 is aligned with channel member 68, and fastening studs 36 are aligned with and inserted through the large portions 52 of corresponding fastening apertures 38. The shelf panel 22 is then slid relative to support brackets 24 to insert the rear edge 66 into channel 68 and to position the fastening studs 36 in the small portions 54 of fastener apertures 38.

Claims: A shelf assembly (20) comprising: a shelf support (24) with a support surface (30) adapted to support a shelf panel; a shelf panel (22) on the support surface (30); and a fastening stud (36) projecting from either the support (24) or the shelf panel (22) toward the other, the shelf panel (22) or the support (24) having a corresponding aperture (38) for receiving the fastening stud (36), so fastening the shelf panel (22) and support together; characterised in that: the fastening stud (36) has a shaft portion (40) and a resilient, compressible bushing (46) which circumscribes the shaft portion (4); and in that the aperture (38) is generally Figure Eight shaped, a first portion (52) of the aperture (38) being sized for slip fit engagement with the fastening stud (36), a second portion (54) of the aperture (38) being smaller than the outer dimension of the bushing (46), and a throat portion (56) of the aperture (38) being smaller than the second portion (54) and extending between the first and second portions (52,54) the bushing (46) being sized to compress between the fastening stud (36) and the fastening aperture (38) when the fastening stud (36) is in the second, small portion (54), thereby securely fastening the shelf panel (22) to the support (24). A shelf assembly (20) according to claim 1 wherein the fastening stud (36) is generally cylindrical, the first and second portions (52,54) of the fastening aperture (38) are generally circular, and the throat portion (56) is smoothly curved between the first and second portions; and wherein the fastening stud (36) has a head portion (42) at one end of the shaft portion (40), the head portion (42) being generally circular, defining a lip (44) which circumscribes the shaft portion (40), and is sized larger than the second portion (34) of the fastening aperture (38) and for slip fit through the first portion (52) of the fastening aperture (38). A shelf assembly (20) according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fastening stud (36) is provided on the shelf panel (22) and the fastening aperture (38) is provided in the support bracket (24). A shelf assembly according to claim 3 in which the support bracket (24) is elongate and has an open sided channel member (78) near a first end, the shelf panel (22) has a rear edge (66) that is positioned in the channel member (78), and the following aperture (38) is located with its first portion (52) toward a second end (72) distal from the first end of the support bracket (24). A shelf assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the fastening aperture (38) is a first fastening aperture and is positioned near a first end of the support bracket (24), a second of the fastening apertures (38) is located in the support surface (30) and is spaced from the first fastening aperture along the support surface (30), and a plurality of fastening studs (36) project from the shelf panel (22), each fastening stud (36) aligning with and engaging a corresponding one of the fastening apertures (38). A shelf assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the shelf panel (22) is glass, the fastening stud (36) is a metal member, and the fastening stud (36) is bonded to the glass shelf panel (22).

Inventors: GILBERT DONALD C, HERRMANN ROBERT C, KANE EDMUND J, MORGAN CLEON CLAYTON, WOLTERS GREGORY T, GILBERT, DONALD C., HERRMANN, ROBERT C., KANE, EDMUND J., MORGAN, CLEON CLAYTON, WOLTERS, GREGORY T.
Applicants: DONNELLY TECHNOLOGY INC, DONNELLY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A47B96
IPC codes: A47B96