Abstract:
A shelf unit includes a back wall having first and second end sections. First and second side walls extend outwardly from and in general perpendicular relation to the end sections of the back wall. Each side wall includes at least one first slot. The back wall and first and second side walls are formed from a first board made of a corrugated material. At least one first shelf formed from a second board made of a corrugated material extends between the first and second side walls. The first shelf has opposing end sections which project through the first slot of each side wall for securing the first shelf to the first and second side walls without the need of associated fasteners. The first slot has the same shape as a cross-sectional shape of the first shelf.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/835,692 filed Aug. 4, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present exemplary embodiment relates to a shelf unit, and more particularly to a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing shelf assembly made of corrugated material for economy and strength. 
         [0003]    Many different types and styles of shelves are known in the art for supporting and displaying goods. Conventional shelves range from metal units to assemblies made from paperboard and/or other materials. The shelf units commonly available are expensive to purchase or construct, ship, assemble, disassemble, and store. The expense associated with them is due to their weight and large unwieldy size, and the materials from which they are constructed. 
         [0004]    Generally, shelf units are constructed of heavy hard to work materials such as wood and metal. They are fastened together with common fasteners such as screws, staples, pins, and metal rods. They often require skilled labor to assemble. In addition, metal and wood units are generally pre-assembled by the manufacturer or are shipped in partially assembled form, thereby requiring excessive shipping space. Moreover, purchasers often do not exercise care when handling and using the shelves and resulting damage requires disposal of the shelves after only a short period of time. Because of the relatively high cost of the metal or wood shelf assembly, this activity increases the cost to the purchaser or to the vendor who supplies the shelves. 
         [0005]    Prior art shelves made from paperboard and similar materials oftentimes do not posses adequate strength to support many of the objects placed on them. The shelves are typically attached to the side walls and rear wall through tabs, dowels or other locking devices. The problem is that these devices support the shelves and do not provide sufficient shelf strength. Oftentimes, the consumer uses a paperboard shelf assembly to support objects much heavier than the assembly is designed to handle. As a result, the shelves may experience sagging or even complete failure. To give added strength, is common in the art to provide additional components such as vertical reinforcement ribs or brackets. However, these simply take away shelf space and provide a more complex and expensive shelf assembly. In addition, these extra parts are cumbersome and represent additional parts that need to be assembled and disassembled and transported with the primary shelf assembly. 
         [0006]    The present invention contemplates a new and improved shelf assembly which is inexpensive and simple to construct and possesses superior strength, while at the same time providing maximum visibility of the objects displayed. Further, the present invention contemplates an aesthetically pleasing shelf assembly which may be shipped to the point of sale in unassembled form and quickly and easily assembled by the purchaser. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with one aspect, a shelf unit includes a back wall having first and second end sections. First and second side walls extend outwardly from and in general perpendicular relation to the end sections of the back wall. Each side wall includes at least one first slot. The back wall and first and second side walls are formed from a first board made of a corrugated material. At least one first shelf formed from a second board made of a corrugated material extends between the first and second side walls. The first shelf has opposing end sections which project through the first slot of each side wall for securing the first shelf to the first and second side walls without the need of associated fasteners. The first slot has the same shape as a cross-sectional shape of the first shelf. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect, a method of forming a shelf unit includes providing a first generally rectangular corrugated paper board. The first board is divided longitudinally into a first end section, an intermediate section and a second end section by fold lines. The first and second end sections define respective first and second side walls. The intermediate section defines a rear wall. At least one first slot is formed in the first and second end sections. The first board is folded along the fold lines so that the first and second end sections extend outwardly from and in perpendicular relation to the intermediate section. At least one second generally rectangular corrugated paper board is provided. The second board is divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections by fold lines. The second board is folded along the fold lines to form a first shelf having a generally triangular shape. The folded second board is inserted through the first slot such that the second board extends between the first and second end sections of the first board. Opposing ends of the second board project through the first slot of each first board end section. 
         [0009]    In accordance with yet another aspect, a shelf unit comprises a back wall having opposing end sections and first and second side walls extending generally perpendicular from the respective end sections of the back wall. Each side wall includes first and second slots. The back wall and first and second side walls are formed from a first corrugated paper board. A first shelf has opposing end sections projecting through the first slot of each first and second side wall. The first slot has a shape similar to a cross-sectional shape of the first shelf. The first shelf is formed from a second corrugated paper board. A second shelf has opposing end sections projecting through the second slot of each first and second side wall. The second shelf has a cross-sectional shape different than the cross-sectional shape of the first shelf. The second shelf is formed from a third corrugated paper board. 
         [0010]    In accordance with still yet another aspect, a shelf unit includes four shelves, three of which are identical having a triangular shape. Each of the first three shelves are formed from a rectangular flat piece of corrugated board. Opposing longitudinal ends of the board are folded downwardly forming first and second vertical supports which are in perpendicular relation to the board. Opposing longitudinal ends are folded downwardly again until the vertical supports are in face to face relation with one another and the ends of the supports are in direct contact with the bottom side of the board. Each of the corrugated boards take on a generally triangular shape and together constitute the top three shelves of the shelf unit. 
         [0011]    The fourth shelf, which is the bottom shelf, is also formed from a flat piece of corrugated board. One longitudinal end is folded downwardly forming a support which is in perpendicular relation to the board. The same end is folded again until the end of the support is in direct contact with the bottom side of the board. The opposing longitudinal end is folded downwardly forming a vertical footer which is in perpendicular relation to the horizontal corrugated board. The footer of the bottom shelf sits on the floor to add strength to the support unit. 
         [0012]    The side walls and back wall are formed of one flat piece of corrugated board. The corrugated board is folded so that two side walls are formed in perpendicular relation to a back wall. The side walls have four pairs of opposing slots for receiving and supporting each of the shelves. 
         [0013]    The present shelf unit can be shipped in unassembled form, comprising only five separate components that may be quickly and easily assembled. The components include flat blanks, one of which is folded to form the rear wall and side walls while the other four are folded to form shelves. The shelves are secured to the side walls by the use of slots, eliminating the need for separate fasteners such as staples, glue or tape. 
         [0014]    A benefit of the invention resides in the ability to provide an attractive, lightweight, and strong shelf unit constructed of heavy duty corrugated paper board. 
         [0015]    Another benefit of the invention resides in the ability to provide a low cost shelf unit that can be disposed of or re-used should the user so choose. 
         [0016]    Still another benefit resides in the ability to provide a shelf unit that is easy to assemble for the user so that no tools or expertise is required, and yet it is stronger than comparable conventional shelf units made from paperboard. In addition, it is even stronger than some of the shelf assemblies made of metal. 
         [0017]    Still other non-limiting benefits and/or aspects of the disclosure will become apparent from reading and understanding the description of the preferred embodiments below. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one of the shelf units in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of an unassembled blank used to form a back wall and two side walls of the shelf unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one of the upper three shelves of the shelf unit of  FIG. 1   
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of an unassembled blank used to form one of the upper three shelves of the shelf unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the bottom shelf of the shelf unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an unassembled blank used to form a bottom shelf of the shelf unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of an unassembled blank used to form a back wall and two side walls of a shelf unit in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. 
         [0027]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, a fully assembled freestanding shelf unit A according to one embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally in  FIG. 1 . The shelf unit A is made from heavy duty corrugated board having at least one layer of corrugations and is adapted to support objects such as books, pictures, decorative items, or any other desired objects. In this embodiment, the corrugated board is comprised of two layers of corrugations. 
         [0028]    More particularly, with reference to  FIG. 1 , the shelf unit A includes a back wall  10  and two side walls  12 , 12 ′ which together provide the outer frame of the shelf unit A. The shelf unit further includes at least one first shelf and a second shelf. In the depicted embodiment, a plurality of generally vertically aligned, spaced apart, horizontal shelves  20 , 30  extend between and are supported by the side walls  12 , 12 ′. The shelves  20 , 30  provide maximum exposure of the objects supported and displayed on the shelves. The upper three first shelves  20  are generally identical having a generally triangular shape while the bottom second shelf  30  takes on a different orientation. In  FIG. 1 , the shelf unit A is shown erect in an orientation in which it would normally rest on a floor. The shelf unit A rests on the lower rear wall edge (not shown) the side wall edges  72 , 72 ′ and the footer  48 . 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the rear wall  10  and side walls  12 , 12 ′ are formed from a large flat generally rectangular blank piece of corrugated paper board B vertically divided by two fold lines  18 , 18 ′ splitting the flat blank into three sections  10 , 12 , 12 ′. The three sections define the side walls  12 , 12 ′ and the rear wall  10 . The blank rectangular board B is folded along fold lines  18 , 18 ′ so that the side walls  12 , 12 ′ extend outwardly from and in generally perpendicular relation to opposing ends of the back wall  10 . Each side wall  12 , 12 ′ has three generally identical generally triangular slots  14 , vertically aligned and cut from the side walls  12 , 12 ′ for receiving and supporting the upper shelves  20 . Each side wall  12 , 12 ′ has an additional slot  16  located at the bottom of the side walls  12 , 12 ′ for receiving and supporting the bottom shelf  30 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates one of the fully assembled upper shelves  20  constructed from corrugated paper board which is adapted to support any variety of objects. With reference to  FIG. 4 , an upper shelf  20  is formed from a large flat rectangular blank piece of corrugated paper board C divided longitudinally into five sections  22 , 22 ′, 24 , 24 ′,  26 . First and second sections  22 , 22 ′ are supports which are folded downwardly along fold lines  32 , 32 ′ until they are in generally perpendicular relation to the flat board C. Third and fourth sections  24 , 24 ′ are then folded downwardly along fold lines  34 , 34 ′ until the first and second sections  22 , 22 ′ are in face to face relation and the ends of the first and second sections  22 , 22 ′ are in contact with the bottom side of the shelf  20  forming a generally triangular bracket  36 . A fully assembled upper shelf  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a fully assembled bottom shelf  40  constructed from corrugated paper board which is adapted to act as a shelf and also add strength to the shelf unit A. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the bottom shelf  40  is formed from a large flat rectangular blank piece of corrugated paper board D divided longitudinally into three sections  42 , 44 , 46 , and a footer  48 . First section  42  is a support and is folded downwardly along a fold line  52  until it is in generally perpendicular relation to the flat board D. Second section  44  is then folded downwardly along a fold line  54  until the end of the support  42  is in direct contact with the bottom of the third section  46  forming a generally triangular bracket  56 . The third section  46  acts as the top of the bottom shelf  40 . The footer  48  is folded downwardly along a fold line  58  until it is in generally perpendicular relation to the third section  46 . A fully assembled bottom shelf  40  is illustrated in FIGURE,  5 . 
         [0032]    The upper shelves  20  of the shelf unit A which have a generally triangular shape are inserted into generally triangular slots  14  of each side wall  12 , 12 ′ and the shelves  20  are supported by the side walls  12 , 12 ′. The bottom shelf  40  is also inserted into a slot  16  wherein the shape of the slot  16  is generally the same as the shape of the bottom shelf  40 . The footer  48  includes first and second notches  62 ,  64  which receive part of the side walls  12 , 12 ′ and act as a locking device to secure the footer  48  in place. The footer  48  traverses the lower front or face portion of the shelf unit A and rests on the floor or associated subjacent surface to provide added strength to the shelf unit A. A fully assembled shelf unit A is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    Similar to the aforementioned embodiment, a second embodiment of an unassembled shelf unit is shown in  FIG. 7 . Similar to the first embodiment, the shelf unit is made from heavy duty corrugated board and is adapted to support objects such as books, pictures, decorative items, or any other desired objects. However, in this embodiment, the corrugated board is comprised of a single layer of corrugations. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , the shelf unit (not shown in assembled form) includes a back wall  100  and two side walls  120 , 120 ′ which together provide the outer frame of the shelf unit. The rear wall  100  and side walls  120 , 120 ′ are formed from a large flat generally rectangular blank piece of corrugated paper board B′ vertically divided by two fold lines  180 , 180 ′ splitting the flat blank into three sections  100 , 120 , 120 ′. The three sections define the side walls  120 , 120 ′ and the rear wall  100 . 
         [0035]    The blank rectangular board B is folded along fold lines  180 , 180 ′ so that the side walls  120 , 120 ′ extend outwardly from and in generally perpendicular relation to opposing ends of the back wall  100 . Each side wall  120 , 120 ′ comprises a first section  122 , 122 ′ and a second section  124 , 124 ′. The first and second sections are vertically divided by two fold lines  130 , 130 ′. Each section has three generally identical triangular slots  140 , generally vertically aligned and cut from the side walls  120 , 120 ′ for receiving and supporting the upper shelves  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Each section has an additional slot  160  located at the bottom of the side walls  120 , 120 ′ for receiving and supporting the bottom shelf  30  ( FIG. 1 ). It should be appreciated that the generally triangular slots  140  and the additional slot  160  can be tilted slightly to the back wall (in the assembled form). This, in turn, will tilt the upper shelves  20  and the bottom shelf  30  slightly back to add additional stability to the shelf unit. 
         [0036]    Each side wall  120 , 120 ′ is folded along the fold line  130 , 130 ′ so that a face of the second section  124 , 124 ′ is adjacent a face the first section  122 , 122 ′. Once folded, the triangular slots  140  and the additional slot  160  of the first section are aligned with the triangular slots  140  and the additional slot  160  of the second section. Moreover, the folding of the second section onto the first section doubles the thickness of the of the sidewalls  120 , 120 ′ (i.e. two layers of corrugated board which is similar to the first embodiment) and hides the corrugations from the view of the user standing in front of the assembled shelf unit. 
         [0037]    As to a further discussion of the manner of assembly of the shelf unit of the second embodiment, the same should be apparent from the above description relative to the first embodiment. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the assembly will be provided. 
         [0038]    The present disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. For example, it will be appreciated that the triangular slots and the corresponding triangular shape of the shelf (when folded) could be an alternative shape such as a rectangular configuration. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.