Abstract:
A shelving device comprises a pair of soft vertical panels and shelves. Each shelf is interconnected at a first end to a first of the vertical panels, and at a second end to a second of the vertical panels, so as to be erectable from a collapsed position of the shelving device, in which the shelves are piled upon one another, and a set-up position of the shelving device, in which the shelves are spaced from one another by the vertical panels each being extended in a plane Posts are releasably secured to the shelving device to support the vertical panels extended in the plane. The posts are removed to dismount the shelving device to the collapsed position, in which the shelving device is portable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to camping equipment and, more particularly, to a portable shelving device.  
         [0003]     2. Background Art  
         [0004]     Whether it be in sports, leisure, or work-related activities, temporary housing is commonplace. Tents, rudimentary shelters and the like are associated with wilderness, in sport/leisure activities such as camping, and work-related activities, such as cutters, tree planters. Although tents and shelters are used on a temporary basis, campers may stay on a same site for several days.  
         [0005]     These activities have evolved to enhance the comfort of campers, especially when camping trips are over a few nights. Therefore, domestic tools that used to be confined to the comfort of homes, have now reached the wilderness, and have become essential parts of camping. In addition to classic camping items such as flashlights, insect repellent, campers often carry around reading lights, books and other reading material, tissue and toilet paper, alarms, cameras, portable music players and a plurality of such accessories.  
         [0006]     However, tents and shelters remain rudimentary, and often simply consist of a floor surrounded with walls. Therefore, the above-enumerated camping accessories are typically all over the floor, if not all-mixed up in a bag. This is a nuisance to campers in many instances. For example, campers may lose some time and sleep trying to find accessories such as the flashlight, without which the camper may have problems exiting the tent at dusk.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an aim of the present invention to provide a novel shelving device for camping.  
         [0008]     It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a shelving device that is erectable to provide shelving surface, and collapsible so as to be portable.  
         [0009]     It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide a method of erecting a shelving device.  
         [0010]     Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a shelving device comprising: a pair of soft vertical panels; shelves, each interconnected at a first end to a first of the vertical panels, and at a second end to a second of the vertical panels, so as to be erectable from a collapsed position of the shelving device, in which the shelves are piled upon one another, and a set-up position of the shelving device, in which the shelves are spaced from one another by the vertical panels each being extended in a plane; and posts releasably secured to the shelving device to support the vertical panels extended in the plane; whereby the posts are removed to dismount the shelving device to the collapsed position, in which the shelving device is portable.  
         [0011]     Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for erecting a shelving device having shelves and a pair of side panels secured to opposed ends of the shelves, one of the shelves and the side panels consisting of a non-rigid material, another of the shelves and the side panels consisting of a rigid material, comprising the steps of: lifting the shelving device such that the side panels and the shelves are each extended to a plane; and securing posts to the shelving device to maintain the side panels and the shelves extended; whereby the shelving device is erected.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a collapsible shelving device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a set-up configuration and having a front panel thereof folded open;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the collapsible shelving device, in the set-up configuration and having a rear panel thereof folded open;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a left-side elevation view of the collapsible shelving device, in the set-up configuration;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a right-side elevation view of the collapsible shelving device, in the set-up configuration;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a longitudinal pocket of the collapsible shelving device, partially open to accommodate a post;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a rear side view of the collapsible shelving device in its set-up configuration, with the rear panel closed;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the collapsible shelving device, in its collapsed configuration; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the collapsible shelving device in its collapsed configuration, as received in its transportation bag. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Referring to the drawings and, more particularly, to  FIG. 1 a  collapsible shelving device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally shown at  10 , in its set-up configuration.  
         [0022]     In its set-up configuration, the shelving device  10  has a base panel  12 , a pair of side panels  14 , a top panel  16 , a front panel  18  folded away in  FIG. 1 , and a rear panel  20 . The above-described panels together form an inner cavity  22  of the shelving device  10 , to be used as described hereinafter for storage of items within the shelving device  10 . Shelves  24  and  26  are accommodated within the cavity  22 , and are split by a central upstanding panel  28 .  
         [0023]     The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  defines six compartments with the shelves  24  and  26  and the central panel  28 . It is contemplated to provide the shelving device  10  with other shelving configurations, to have larger and/or smaller compartments, more or less shelves, etc. . .  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the front panel  18  has been flipped away from the front face of the shelving device  10  so as to expose the shelving compartments of the inner cavity  22 . Straps  29  are used to retain the front panel  18  in its flipped-away position illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The straps  29  each have a first end secured to an underface of the top panel  16 , and an opposed end releasably secured to a top face of the top panel  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a piece  31  of Velcro™ has been provided to cooperate with the straps  29  ( FIG. 1 , which have complementary pieces of Velcro™), to secure the front panel  18  in its flipped-away position ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0025]     The front panel  18  preferably consists of a soft material (e.g., non-rigid or semi-rigid), such that it may be folded onto the top panel  16 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the front panel  18  covers the shelving compartments. A fastening system, such as a zip fastener, Velcro™, slide fastener or the like, is typically provided for the front panel  18  to be releasably secured to the front face of the shelving device  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0026]     Similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rear panel  20  may cover the rear face of the shelving compartments ( FIG. 1 ), or be folded away to expose the shelving compartments ( FIG. 2 ). A fastening system, such as a zip fastener, Velcro™, slide fastener or the like, is typically provided for the rear panel  20  to be releasably secured to the rear face the shelving device  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Both the front panel  18  and the rear panel  20  may cover the shelving compartment at the same time, so as to conceal accessories within the shelving compartment. A locking device may be used (e.g., with the zip fastener), to lock the panels  18  and  20  in their covering positions.  
         [0027]     The shelving device  10  of the present invention is collapsible, in that it may be collapsed to be portable, such as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, some of the vertical panels (i.e., side panels  14 , front panel  18 , rear panel  20 ) are soft (i.e., non-rigid or semi-rigid), as opposed to the horizontal panels (i.e., base panel  12 , top panel  16 , and shelves  24  and  26 ), which are generally rigid. It is pointed out that the central panel  28  may be either soft or rigid. In the event that the central panel  28  is rigid, the top panel  16  in the set-up configuration of  FIG. 1  will be better adapted to support items. Moreover, for the central panel  28  to be rigid, it must be separated in segments pivotally connected to the horizontal panels (i.e., base panel.  12 , top panel  16 , and shelves  24  and  26 ) to allow the shelving device  10  to reach its collapsed configuration.  
         [0028]     The structural integrity of the shelving device  10 , in its set-up configuration of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is obtained by the use of posts (i.e., rods, sticks, telescopic poles, segmented tent poles or the like), one of which is partly visible at  30  in  FIG. 5 , in combination to the rigidity of the horizontal panels.  
         [0029]     The embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1  to  8  has four such posts  30 . Two longitudinal pockets  32  are provided onto the side panels  14 , adjacent to a front face of the collapsible shelving device  10 , whereas two longitudinal pockets  32  are provided onto the rear panel  20  ( FIG. 6 ). Each of the longitudinal pockets  32  accommodates a post  30 . The posts  30  are snuggly received in the pockets  32 , so as to stiffen the side panels  14 , which will support the top panel  16  and the shelves  24  and  26 .  
         [0030]     The longitudinal pockets  32  each have an open end  34  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 5 ) through which the respective post  30  is accommodated. A flap  36  is provided to close off the open end  34 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , complementary Velcro™ pieces are used to secure the flap  36  to the pocket  32 , as shown with the flap  36  being separated from the pocket  32 . Alternative securing means (e.g., press-buttons, hooks and the like) could also be used. Moreover, alternatives to the longitudinal pockets  32 , such as end catches and hooks (i.e., as found on tents), can be used.  
         [0031]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , the two longitudinal pockets  32  on the rear panel  20  are in a cross-over bracing configuration, to define an X-shape on the rear panel  20 . The combination of the posts  30  (within their respective pockets  32 ), with the rigid horizontal panels (e.g., shelves  24  and  26 , and top panel  16 ), ensures the collapsible shelving device  10  remains in its upstanding set-up configuration, capable of withstanding the load of accessories in the shelving compartments.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the side panels  14  are optionally provided with various storage pockets. Referring to  FIG. 3 , pocket  38  and superposed pockets  42  are provided to offer a camper multiple storage possibilities. A tissue receiving pocket  44  has a slit  46  through which tissues (i.e., from a tissue dispensing package) may be dispensed.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a pocket  39 , with a closeable flap  40 , is provided adjacent the top panel  16 , so as to conceal items therein. Pockets  48  are provided to accommodate beverage containers, such as bottles and cans. A mesh pocket is illustrated at  50 , and is typically used for the storage of small items (e.g., coins), and papers.  
         [0034]     It is pointed out that the shelving device  10  of the present invention may be provided with various storage pocket configuration. For instance, the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the shelving device  10  do not have any storage pockets on their side panels  14 . On the other hand, the embodiment of  FIG. 6  has a plurality of the pocket  39 /flap  40  combination. The embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4  has a variety of storage pockets, as described above.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the shelving device  10  is shown in its collapsed configuration. In order to erect the shelving device  10  to its set-up configuration of FIGS.  1  to  6 , the shelving device  10  is manually lifted to take shape into the set-up configuration by the action of gravity, such that the side panels  14  are each extended to a plane ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The posts  30  are each slid into respective ones of the longitudinal pockets  32 , through the open ends  34  ( FIG. 5 ) and the flaps  36  are closed. It is preferred to secure the rear panel  20  to a remainder of the shelving device  10  before inserting the posts  30  in the longitudinal pockets  32  of the rear panel  20 .  
         [0036]     In order to dismount the shelving device  10  to its collapsed configuration ( FIG. 7 ), the posts  30  ( FIG. 5 ) are withdrawn from the longitudinal pockets  32  such that the rigid panels (i.e., the base panel  12 , the top panel  16 , the shelves  24  and  26 ) collapse onto one another. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the front panel  18  and the rear panel  20  may be used to wrap around the rigid panels, so as to obtain the compact collapsed configuration illustrated. However, the front panel  18  and the rear panel  20  must be separated from the remainder of the shelving device  10  (e.g., unzipped) beforehand.  
         [0037]     It is pointed out that the posts  30  that are received in the longitudinal pockets  32  of the rear panel  20  ( FIG. 6 ) are longer than the posts.  30  that are received in the longitudinal pockets  32  of the side panels  14  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Therefore, the posts  30  may be identified (e.g., color coded, written code), to ensure the posts  30  are used with the appropriate longitudinal pockets  32 .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the shelving device  10  is shown in its set-up configuration, with the rear panel  20  flipped opened to expose the storage compartment. It is pointed out that the posts  30  of the rear panel  20  ( FIG. 5 ) must be removed in order for the rear panel  20  to be flipped open as shown in  FIG. 2 . This leaves only the two posts on the side panels  14  to support the shelving device  10 . These two posts within the two longitudinal pockets  32  of the side panels  14  do not provide enough support to maintain the shelving device  10  in its set-up configuration if the posts  30  of the rear panel  20  are removed, as the rear panel  20  must be shut and reinforced by posts to maintain its structural integrity. The shelving device  10  loses some stability with the absence of the posts  30  in the rear panel  20 , whereby additional posts must be used to compensate for the absence of posts in the rear panel  20 . For instance, a pair of longitudinal pockets, such as the longitudinal pockets  32 , could be provided bordering the rear diagonal edge of the side panels  14 , receive posts so as to enable the shelving device  10  to be self-supporting in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0039]     It is pointed out that the optional trapezoid shape of the side panels  14  ensures that the shelving device  10  efficiently occupies available volume in a tent. More specifically, a tent typically has slanted walls, whereby the collapsible shelving device  10  may be backed up to the wall of a tent within loss of space between the shelving device  10  and the tent.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the shelving device  10  is optionally provided with a bag  52  so as to be portable. The bag  52  has a longitudinal pocket  54  large enough to accommodate all posts  30 . Moreover, the bag  52  is provided with various straps, such as straps  56 , to allow for other uses of the bag  52 .  
         [0041]     Although the shelving device  10  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has rigid horizontal panels (i.e., base panel  12 , top panel  16 , shelves  24  and  26 ) for soft vertical panels (i.e., side panels  14 , and central upstanding panel  28 ), it is contemplated to provide the shelving device  10  with an opposite configuration, namely with rigid vertical panels and soft horizontal panels. In such an embodiment, the posts  30  of the side panels  14  would rather be used to maintain the horizontal panels extended to a plane. For instance, the base panel  12  and the top panel  16  could each have a longitudinal pocket  32  therefor.  
         [0042]     It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.