Abstract:
A method for restoring the visual appearance of a wire shelf, products employed in the method, and a kit containing the parts used for the restoration are provided for simplifying the process of altering the appearance of a wire shelf construction. The kit preferably includes a top surface covering having adjustable depth dimensions. A profile number is adapted preferably to engage in an edge of the top surface and the top surface and profile members are attached the underlying wire shelf to maintain the assembly in position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/868811 filed Aug. 22, 2013, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates generally to shelf coverings, and more particularly, pertains to products, kits and method of application which may be utilized by a homeowner or other installer to upgrade the finished look of wire shelving, commonly found in homes and businesses. While the disclosure is specifically described in terms of wire shelving, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider applicability of the inventive principles disclosed hereinafter. 
         [0004]    Wire shelves are commonly used in new building construction and appear, especially, in both closets and pantries in both residential and commercial buildings. Their popularity stems from their low-cost, easy removal from the closet or pantry, for example, and their light weight. Nevertheless, a number of problems have surfaced with this type of shelf. Because of the shelf construction using cross bars, for example, clothing rested upon the shelf can assume the pattern of the cross bars over time. That result is unacceptable to users even if they are not counted among the most fastidious dressers. Additionally, when certain types of a small base and/or tall items are placed upon the shelf, the spacing between the cross bars can cause the items to fall over. The problem can be more acute when small items are stored. If the items are fragile or not closed completely, unintended spillage of any stored contents may occur. 
         [0005]    Regardless of these problems, many users, especially homeowners, find the shells unattractive per se. A substantial industry has developed for upgrading closets and pantries, for example, in which the shelves are removed and replaced with wood or imitation wood products. While replacement products work well for their intended purposes, they normally are expensive, limiting their market to users willing to bear the expense for improved looks. 
         [0006]    The prior art discloses a number of attempts to solve the problems associated with wire shelves. In general, these solutions merely attempt to place something along the upper boundary of the shelf surface. The wire shelves themselves, come in a number of configurations. When used in closets, besides the shelf itself, a depending bar is provided for hanging articles of clothing below the shelf. When used in pantries, the shelf construction is modified to eliminate the depending bar. I have devised a unique combination of parts, preferably sold in kit form, which enables a homeowner or installer to enhance the appearance of a wire shelf regardless of the particular construction employed for the shelf. As later described in greater detail, the parts include or are available in three different lengths and in various colors. When assembled in a preferred kit form, each kit includes a length of a larger profile molding, a length of medium profile molding, and a length of small profile molding. In addition, aluminum clips and associated fastening devices, preferably screws, are employed to permit the profile molding to be attached securely to the wire shelf. The kit also includes an expandable plywood member which enables an installer to adjust what becomes the top of the wire shelf to varying wire shelf depths such that the plywood member to be adjusted to specific shelf depths up to 20 inches. The finished product substantially improves the appearance of the wire shelf, and the final result is comparable to the more expensive custom designs available in the market. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In accordance with this disclosure generally stated, a restoration product, preferably in kit form and method of installation are provided for enhancing the appearance of wire shelves. When provided in kit form, the kit is made available in varying length and width dimensions and includes a top surface covering, a profile covering and a plurality of clips for attaching the top surface and profile covering to the underlying wire shelf. The kit is designed to accommodate various widths and depths of the underlying wire shelf and the front face profile of the shelf. The installation method is simplified in that the top cover has depth dimensions provided with score lines, for example, for easy removal of material not needed for a particular application. 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification: 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1A-1F  are plan views partly in perspective of one illustrative embodiment of wire shelf restoration assembly of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are views partly in perspective of an initial installation step for the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3B  are views in perspective of a second installation step for the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A-4B  are views in perspective of a third installation step for the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A-5B  are views in perspective of a fourth installation step for the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A-6B  are views in perspective of illustrative alternative installation steps for the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A-7B  are views in perspective of illustrative second alternative installation steps for the assembly method shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a view in perspective of one illustrative embodiment corresponding to  FIG. 5  following installation; and 
           [0018]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views in perspective of a before and after installation using the assembly of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A through 1F , reference numeral  1  indicates one illustrative embodiment of shelf cover assembly of the present disclosure. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, while individual components of the assembly  1  may be provided or sold separately and/or in a number of combinations, the preferred embodiment is in the form of an all-inclusive package or kit that is universally applicable to the majority of wire shelf systems available and/or installed in many businesses and homes. As illustratively shown in  FIG. 1A-1F , the assembly  1  includes a shelf panel or top cover  3 ; a plurality of profile or shelf rail covers  6 ,  7  and  8 ; an adhesive substance in the form of double sided adhesive tape; a series of fasteners  10  and  11 ; at least one clip  12 ; and a spacer  13 . The specific count of the various components of the assembly may vary, as may the specific aesthetic composition of the various components. 
         [0022]    As will be appreciated, commonly available or typical wire shelf products include a top support  15  and a front rail or profile  16 . The particular details for typical wire shelf construction are not described in detail, but the shelves themselves have become nearly ubiquitous in the construction industry. While as indicated the particular details of the shelves may vary somewhat, the most common forms have a front profile or front rails commonly having a height dimension of 1 inch, 2 inches, and 2½ inches. Likewise, the shelves themselves commonly have a depth dimension of 12, 16 or 20 inches. 
         [0023]    In order to accommodate the variations in the wire shelves commonly in use, I have provided the top cover  3  with score lines  20  for shelf depths of 12, 16 and 20 inches respectively. The score lines are used to adjust the shelf cover depth to the respective depth of the associated shelf. The profile or rail covers also are provided, in three depth sizes to cover the most common shelf rails found in the market. The profile or shelf rails themselves may be decorated and/or have other esthetic considerations and/or decorations associated with them. For example, one form of such decorations are shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C  and identified by reference numeral  25 . 
         [0024]    The shelf cover  3  preferably is constructed from wood, although those skilled in the art will recognize that other materials may be employed, if desired. Because of the variations in wire shelf constructions, I prefer to sell the shelf cover assembly of the present disclosure in kit form. However, again as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, individual components or various combinations of the kit components may be sold separately, if desired. In kit form, the assembly  1  further includes a predetermined length of double sided adhesive panel tape or other suitable adhesive material, and associated screw  10  and  11 , clips  12  and spacers  13  for purposes described more fully hereinafter. 
         [0025]    Because of the variations in wire shelf constructions and configurations, the method of use for the products described above also is described with respect to each of the shelf depths and/or profile depths available. In utilization of the assembly  1  of the present disclosure, the first step, regardless of shelf depth is to measure the depth of the shelf. As indicated, the shelf top cover  3  has pre scores  20  associated with it at 12 16, 20 inch shelf depths. In utilizing the assembly, the shelf depth is measured and once determined, the cover  3  is cut along the appropriate score line  20  for the required shelf depth. As will be appreciated, if a shelf depth is less than the panel&#39;s predetermined depths for the top cover  3 , a smaller cover depth can be cut with a conventional saw. Excess material may be discarded, but preferably is placed on the wire shelf to support the cover for purposes described below. 
         [0026]    The assembly of the rail or profile covers  6 ,  7  having depth dimensions of 2 inches and 2½ inches respectively are similar to one another. The correct or desired shelf rail profile depth is determined by the depth of the front face on the wire shelf. Each the profiles  6  and  7  have a front face  30  and a rear face  32  separated by a material thickness  33  of material from which the respective profiles are constructed. The rear face  32  of the profiles  6  and  7  have a plurality of pre-drilled pilot holes  35  formed in them sized to accept one of the fasteners  10  or  11  depending on the wire shelf construction. The fasteners  10  or  11  are used to attach the clip  12  to the respective profile covers  6  and  7 . The plot hole  35  used is determined so that the clip  12  aligns between shelf wires and the process is repeated for each group of pilot holes formed in the respective covers  6  and  7 . Certain wire shelf constructions may require the use of the spacer  13  to mount the clip  12  to the profile cover. 
         [0027]    As indicated in  FIGS. 5A and 8 , the side rail or profile covers  6  and  7  have a channel  40  formed in them sized to receive an edge of the shelf cover  3 . During installation, the edge of the shelf top cover  3  is inserted in the channel  40  of the respective profile cover  6  and  7  and the pre located clips  12  are placed over portions of the wire shelf  50  to attach the assembly to the underling wire shelf  50  as illustratively shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         [0028]    In installations where the shelf rail front profile is approximately 1 inch or less, the installation procedure is modified to accommodate the smaller depth of the shelf profile. As shown in  FIG. 6B , the profile generally is “L” shaped in cross section. In this situation, the double sided tape  9  is utilized to attach the shelf profile  8  to the top shelf panel  3  directly. In addition, the shelf panel  3  is attached at its opposite end, along the underside of that panel  3 , to the underlying wire shelf  50 . The tape  9 , or other adhesive material, is used to secure the assembly. The procedure is illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . In addition, excess material  60  from the shelf cover  3  may be placed on the wire shelf  50  to support the assembly in application use. 
         [0029]    Use of the assembly  1  dramatically enhances the visual appearance of common wire shelves  50 . That difference is illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . The assembly  1  gives a substantial upgrade appearance after installation and does so at reasonable cost. 
         [0030]    The method of the present disclosure may be summarized with respect to each of the three shelf rail sizes included within the product line is as follows. First, the shelf cover  3  sized depth of the shelf in question is determined. Score lines are provided to the installer to cut away excess material. When the shelf profile rail is 2 to 2½ inches in depth, the associated shelf rail cover  6  or  7  is chosen, and an edge of shelf panel  3  is inserted into the channel  40  formed in the respective shelf rail. Prior to that attachment, the clips  12  are attached to the shelf rail in predetermined locations. The shelf panel  3  is inserted in the channel  40 , and the clips  12  are placed on the wire shelf and closed over the wire shelf  50  to complete the assembly. 
         [0031]    For smaller profiles, the cover profile  8  is mounted to the shelf panel  3  through the use of suitable tape  9 , for example. The tape  9  is attached to the shelf rail profile  8 , and shelf rail profile  8  then is attached directly to the panel  3  itself. Installation is completed by further attaching tape  9  to the opposite end of the panel  3  underside, and the panel  3  is placed in position and pressed firmly to secure the assembly to the wire shelf  50 . 
         [0032]    In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Merely by way of example and not of limitation, other adhesive or attachment devices besides double sided tape, clips or screws may be used if desired. Hook and loop fastening devices also work, for example. Particular length and depth dimensions may vary in other embodiments. While wood is preferred for the components of the assembly, other materials may be employed, if desired. These variations are merely illustrative.