Abstract:
A modular bookshelf system is disclosed. The bookshelf system comprises a top shelf, at least one intermediate shelf, a base shelf, and a plurality of modular side walls. The plurality of side walls are slidingly supported and slidingly engaged between the base shelf and the at least one intermediate shelf and between the top shelf and the at least one intermediate shelf. Each of the plurality of side walls comprises a generally vertical end wall and back wall, and is configured to slidingly engage with and adjust along a plurality of lengthwise slots formed in each of the top shelf, bottom shelf, and at least one intermediate shelf.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/939,237 filed May 21, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Bookshelf systems are typically purchased as pre-built units or do-it-yourself assembly kits. Pre-built bookshelves can be heavy to move and fixed in their configuration, although some bookshelves have shelves that are height-adjustable. Pre-built bookshelves may thus be limited to locations that are properly accessible and to static configurations and applications. 
         [0003]    Bookshelf systems which require do-it-yourself assembly can be difficult to assemble, requiring numerous tools and specialized fasteners. Similar to pre-built bookshelves, user-assembled units, once erected, can be heavy to move and are typically fixed in their configuration. User-assembled bookshelves may be difficult to disassemble, and may lack the strength and stability of pre-built bookshelves. Thus, there is a need for bookshelf systems which are easy to assemble, re-configure, and disassemble, but which are also strong and stable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one exemplary embodiment, a bookshelf system is disclosed comprising a base which is comprised of a base shelf and a pedestal. The base shelf has a first longitudinal slot formed along a rear portion and the pedestal comprises at least two lateral supports. The bookshelf system further comprises a first pair of risers. Each riser of the first pair comprises a back wall and a side wall. The back wall comprises a first longitudinal tab projecting downwardly along a bottom edge and a second longitudinal tab projecting upwardly along a top edge. The first tab is slidingly engaged in the first slot and the first pair of risers is slidingly supported by the base shelf. The bookshelf system further comprises a top shelf having a second longitudinal slot formed along a rear portion. The second slot slidingly receives the second tab of each of the first pair of risers and the top shelf is slidingly supported by the first pair of risers. 
         [0005]    According to another exemplary embodiment, a modular bookshelf system is disclosed. The bookshelf system comprises a top shelf, at least one intermediate shelf, a base shelf, and a plurality of modular side walls. The plurality of side walls are slidingly supported and slidingly engaged between the base shelf and the at least one intermediate shelf and between the top shelf and the at least one intermediate shelf. Each of the plurality of side walls comprises a generally vertical end wall and back wall, and is configured to slidingly engage with and adjust along a plurality of lengthwise slots formed in each of the top shelf, bottom shelf, and at least one intermediate shelf. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0006]    Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of the bookshelf system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a partial rear isometric view of the bookshelf system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the bookshelf system taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the bookshelf system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]    This disclosure describes a novel bookshelf system which allows for many different configurations due to its modular and adjustable design. In particular, the sides and back of the bookshelf are divided into risers that are inwardly and outwardly adjustable at each shelf level. Assembly can be accomplished without fasteners and disassembly is equally simplified. Other novel features are disclosed herein. 
         [0012]    With reference to accompanying  FIGS. 1-4 , this invention provides a novel bookshelf system  100  comprised of a base  102 , a plurality of risers  104 , an optional intermediate shelf or shelves  106  and a top shelf  108 . 
         [0013]    The base  102  is comprised of a pedestal  110  and a base shelf  112 . 
         [0014]    The base shelf  112  has front and back sides and edges, left and right ends and edges, and top and bottom faces. The base shelf  112  has a thickness defined by the top and bottom faces, a depth defined by the front and back edges, and a length defined by the left and right edges. The top and bottom faces are generally parallel and smooth. 
         [0015]    The top face of the base shelf  112  includes a tab slot  114  that extends generally parallel to the back edge and is located towards the back side of the base shelf. The tab slot  114  extends between the left and right ends and may or may not extend through the left and right edges. The tab slot  114  has a depth that may extend from the top face of the base shelf through the bottom face of the base shelf, or the tab slot depth may not extend through the bottom face of the base shelf. The tab slot  114  has an opening width that is substantially constant. On each left or right end where the tab slot  114  does not extend through the edge, a safety stop distance  116  is defined as the distance from the end of the tab slot  114  to the left or right edge. 
         [0016]    The pedestal  110  includes at least two lateral supports  118  and optional rear and front supports (not shown). Each lateral support  118  has a front end, a back end, a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a back face, an inner face, and an outer face. The lateral support has a height defined by the top and bottom faces, a thickness defined by the inner and outer faces, and a length defined by the front and back faces. The top face is generally perpendicular to the inner face, outer face, front face and back face. The inner and outer faces are generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front and back faces. 
         [0017]    Each lateral support  118  includes a bottom taper  120  that starts at the intersection of the front face and the bottom face and extends to the intersection of the back face and the bottom face. The taper  120  is generally smooth and linear, and effectively makes the height of the lateral support shorter at the back end than the front end. At least two lateral supports  118  are fixedly attached by their top faces to the bottom face of the base shelf. The lateral supports  118  are oriented generally parallel to each other and generally parallel to the left and right edges of the base shelf. The back ends of the lateral supports align towards the back side of the base shelf. 
         [0018]    Optional front and rear supports (not shown) have dimensional features similar to the lateral supports but without lengthwise tapering. A rear support may be fixedly attached by its top face to the bottom face of the base shelf and extend from the back end of one of the lateral supports to the back end of another lateral support. The height of the rear support may be equal to or less than the height of the lateral supports  118  as measured at the back ends. 
         [0019]    A front support may be fixedly attached by its top face to the bottom face of the base shelf and extend from the front end of one of the lateral supports to the front end of another lateral support. The height of the front support may be equal to or less than the height of the lateral supports  118  as measured at the front ends. 
         [0020]    Each of the plurality of risers  104  is comprised of a side piece  122  and a back piece  124 . 
         [0021]    The side piece  122  has a front end, a back end, a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a back face, an inner face, and an outer face. The side piece  122  has a height defined by the top and bottom faces, a thickness defined by the inner and outer faces, and a width defined by the front and back faces. The top face is generally perpendicular to the inner face, outer face, front face and back face. The inner and outer faces are generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front and back faces. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the side piece  122  has a double-locking female joint  126  that extends from the top face to the bottom face through the intersection or corner formed by the back face and the inner face. The double-locking female joint  126  is formed by a primary groove  128  and a secondary groove  130  which are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. The primary groove  128  extends substantially parallel with the inner face, while the secondary groove  130  extends substantially parallel with the back face. The primary and secondary grooves  128 ,  130  are each constrained on three sides. An inside constraining portion  132  has a thickness measured from an inside surface of the primary groove  128  to the inner face of the side piece  122 . A back constraining portion  134  has a thickness measured from an inside surface of the secondary groove  130  to the back face of the side piece  122 . The double-locking female joint  126  is designed to slidably mate with a double-locking male joint  136  described below. 
         [0023]    The back piece  124  has a front end, a back end, a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a back face, an inner face, and an outer face. The back piece  124  has a height defined by the top and bottom faces, a thickness defined by the front and back faces, and a width defined by the inner and outer faces. The top face is generally perpendicular to the inner face, outer face, front face and back face. The front and back faces are generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the inner and outer faces. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the back piece  124  has a double-locking male joint  136  that extends from the top face to the bottom face through the intersection or corner formed by the front face and the outer face. The double-locking male joint  136  is formed by a primary tongue  138 , a secondary tongue  140  and a primary tongue groove  142 . The primary and secondary tongues  138 ,  140  are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. The primary tongue  138  extends substantially parallel with the outer face, while the secondary tongue  140  extends substantially parallel with the front face. The primary tongue groove  142  extends along the side of the primary tongue  138  which is away from the outer face. The primary and secondary tongues  138 ,  140  each have three sides. 
         [0025]    The back piece  124  has an upper tab  144  extending along the top face and a lower tab  146  extending along the bottom face. The upper and lower tabs  144 ,  146  have a height that is equal to or less than the depth of the tab slot  114  and the upper and lower tabs  144 ,  146  have a width that is equal to or less than the width of the tab slot  114 . The upper or lower tab  144 ,  146  may extend the entire width of the back piece or may not extend the entire width. The upper or lower tab  144 ,  146  may stop short of the outer face of the back piece  124  by a spacer distance  148  approximately equal to the safety stop distance  116 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the inside constraining portion  132  of the side piece primary groove  128  is designed to slidably mate with the primary tongue groove  142  of the back piece  124 . The primary tongue  138  of the back piece  124  is designed to slidably mate with the primary groove  128  of the side piece  122  and the secondary tongue  140  of the back piece  124  is designed to slidably mate with the secondary groove  130  of the side piece  122 . Thus the double-locking male joint  136  and double-locking female joint  126  are slidably mated together to form a riser  104 . The back piece  124  and side piece  122 , when slidably mated together are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. 
         [0027]    The riser  104  is slidably placed onto the base shelf  112  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In particular, the lower tab  146  of the back piece  124  is slidably inserted into the top face tab slot  114  of the base shelf  112 . The back piece is oriented to substantially straddle the top face tab slot  114  and the side piece  122  is oriented so that its bottom face is unfixedly supported by the top face of the base shelf  112 . At least two opposing risers  104  are used to form a bookshelf system  100 . The risers may be positioned with the back pieces oriented towards each other or away from each other. In addition, the spacer distance  148  and safety stop distance  116  may be adjusted to limit the travel of the riser to not travel beyond a position where the outer face of the side piece and the left or right edge of the base shelf are substantially coplanar, or flush. Alternatively, the tab slot  114  may not extend continuously, but may be divided into a plurality of tab slots, such that each of the plurality of tab slots defines a limited range of slideable positioning for a particular riser. 
         [0028]    In addition, the width of the side piece as compared to the width of the back piece may be limited to a ratio, such as, for example, two-to-one for purposes of stability or other functionality or ornamentation. 
         [0029]    The intermediate shelf  106 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , has front and back sides and edges, left and right ends and edges, and top and bottom faces. The intermediate shelf  106  has a thickness defined by the top and bottom faces, a depth defined by the front and back edges, and a length defined by the left and right edges. The top and bottom faces are generally parallel and smooth. 
         [0030]    The top face of the intermediate shelf  106  includes a tab slot  114  that travels generally parallel to the back edge and is located towards the back side of the shelf. The tab slot  114  extends between the left and right ends of the intermediate shelf and may or may not extend through the edges. The tab slot  114  has a depth that may extend from the top face of the shelf through the bottom face of the shelf, or the tab slot depth may not extend through the bottom face of the shelf. The tab slot  114  has an opening width that is substantially constant. On each left or right end where the tab slot does not extend through the edge, a safety stop distance  116  is defined as the distance from the end of the tab slot to the left or right edge. The intermediate shelf  106  also has a bottom face tab slot that substantially mirrors the top face tab stop in design and functionality. The top face tab slot  114  and bottom face tab slot may extend through the shelf thickness to effectively merge with each other, or their respective depths may prevent such a merger. 
         [0031]    The intermediate shelf  106  mates to at least two risers  104  which are previously slidably positioned on the base shelf  112 . In particular, the upper tabs  144  of the back pieces of the risers are slidably inserted into the bottom face tab slot of the intermediate shelf  106 . Two additional risers may be added to the top face of the intermediate shelf  106  in a manner as described above. The risers may be positioned with the back pieces oriented towards each other or away from each other. In addition, the spacer distances and safety stop distances may be adjusted to limit the travel of the risers to not travel beyond a position where the outer face of the side pieces and the left or right edge of the intermediate and/or base shelf are substantially coplanar, or flush. Alternatively, the tab slots may not extend continuously, but may be divided into a plurality of tab slots, such that each of the plurality of tab slots defines a limited range of slideable positioning for a particular riser. 
         [0032]    The top shelf  108  has front and back sides and edges, left and right ends and edges, and top and bottom faces. The top shelf  108  has a thickness defined by the top and bottom faces, a depth defined by the front and back edges, and a length defined by the left and right edges. The top and bottom faces are generally parallel and smooth. The bottom face includes a tab slot that travels generally parallel to the back edge and is located towards the back side of the shelf. The bottom face tab slot of the top shelf extends between the left and right ends and may or may not extend through the edges. The tab slot has a depth that may extend from the bottom face of the shelf through the top face of the shelf, or the tab slot depth may not extend through the top face of the top shelf. The tab slot has an opening width that is substantially constant. On each left or right end where the tab slot does not extend through the edge, a safety stop distance is defined as the distance from the end of the slot to the left or right edge. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the top shelf  108  mates to the at least two risers which are already slidably positioned on an intermediate shelf  106  or base shelf  112 . In particular, the upper tabs of the back pieces of the risers are slidably inserted into the bottom face tab slot of the top shelf. The risers may be positioned with the back pieces oriented towards each other or away from each other. In addition, the spacer distances and safety stop distances may be adjusted to limit the travel of the risers to not travel beyond a position where the outer face of the side pieces and the left or right edge of the top shelf and/or intermediate shelf and/or base shelf are substantially coplanar, or flush. Alternatively, the tab slot may not extend continuously, but may be divided into a plurality of tab slots, such that each of the plurality of tab slots defines a limited range of slideable positioning for a particular riser. 
         [0034]    Alternatives are herein disclosed as to varying shelf sizes and features. An optional screen or back plane may be added to the back of the system or between shelves. Additional risers or modified risers may be added to a particular shelf to act as bookends or to offer additional support. The system may be used with or without an intermediate shelf, or the system may include more than one intermediate shelf. 
         [0035]    Benefits may be obvious to one skilled in the art but include a shelving system that can be assembled and disassembled without use of fasteners or bracing on the back. The absence of fasteners and ease of assembly and adjustment may make this system particularly desirable to users with limited assembly skill or limited physical strength. The absence of fastening hardware may make this system cheaper to produce and thereby more affordable to a larger market than traditional shelving. The bookshelf system  100  may be packed and shipped in a flat box requiring a minimum amount of space. The system is easily expandable to include more shelves, risers, etc. The system is easily reconfigurable to allow for changing storage needs and tastes. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the risers  104  can be closed together as shown by dotted lines and repositioning arrows. Moving the risers in towards the center of the bookshelf system may allow for storing lighter objects on the outer edges and heavier objects in the center. As a user&#39;s needs change, the risers could be spread to the maximum extents, for example, to store a set of heavy books. The risers can be taller to allow for storing taller objects and books or shorter for storing or presenting objects such as CD&#39;s or videos. In the latter example, the shelves may be deeper or narrower, or longer or shorter depending on the desired usage. 
         [0036]    One particular novel and beneficial feature of the system is the bottom taper  120  of the pedestal lateral supports  118 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The purpose of the taper  120  is to allow the system to lean towards a supporting wall  152  as the height of the system increases by the addition of other shelves. In one arrangement, the taper  120  is at an angle such that the back edge of the top shelf of a six foot tall system is resting (see arrow  154 ) against a supporting wall  152  when the back edge of the base shelf is spaced a small distance  156  from the wall. Additionally, the bookshelf pedestal may include lateral supports  118  with zero degrees of taper such that the system may be freestanding, such as in the center of a room or behind a couch. Additionally, the taper angle may be in the range of about 1 to about 12 degrees. In another embodiment the base shelf is touching the supporting wall. In another embodiment safety hardware or devices may be added as needed to prevent accidental tip-over or accidental separation of the shelving unit. 
         [0037]    Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such changes, substitutions and alterations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.