Abstract:
Shelf support system in which “T”-shaped mid base members and support members and “L”-shaped end base members and support members have inner sections which contact and hold a shelf board and outer sections containing alternating extensions and indentions so that adjacent base members and support members interlock with each other. The shelf system may thus be assembled without tools. The rear aspects of base members are angled forwardly and downwardly and the side aspect of end base members are angled inwardly and downwardly to allow the shelf system to clear a baseboard and/or molding along a wall so that the main portion of the shelf unit may fit flush against the wall. The shelf support system is suitable for use with standard shelf boards of any length.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a free-standing shelf support system which is versatile, easy to install, inexpensive, simple in design, sturdy, and capable of standing flush with walls that have baseboards and/or moldings. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Systems to support shelves and to keep them vertically aligned and separated from each other are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,556 to Rous shows “T”-shaped vertical risers, cross members extending between the risers, and trays suspended from the cross members to form shelves. These units are made of pieces having complicated shapes, leading to expensive manufacturing processing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,338, issued to Lew, discloses a system in which each shelf board and each partition contains a hole capable of accepting the arms of a cross in order to keep the partitions and shelves in a constant fixed relationship. Additionally, each shelf and each partition contains rail-like protrusions which fit into grooves of connecting bars to provide a sturdy connection. The user of this system is limited to boards which come with the supporting units or else must prepare holes for the cross using accurate measurements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,651 to Sheffer discloses a shelving system having sides with indentations for the shelves and multiple shelves which fit into the indentations. This system is extremely limited as to the size and configuration of the units which may be prepared and the finished unit could not fit flush against walls having baseboards. This causes a problem in that items laid on top of the system can fall between the system and the wall due to the fact that the system must stand away from the wall a distance at least equal to the width of the baseboard and/or molding. U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,126 to Miranda discloses a shelving system wherein the sides are made from interlocking modular elements. The elements are so constructed as to form slots which will hold shelves. Distances between the shelves may be varied depending upon the number of elements used. The finished unit could not fit flush against walls having baseboards. Also, this system provides only side support for the shelves and no support in the back of the unit. U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,022 to Merkel discloses a shelf system having shelves, support pieces, and a rear having slots and tabs. These parts interlock to form the finished unit. The number of possible variations is extremely limited and the finished unit could not fit flush against a wall having a baseboard. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is drawn to a system for supporting shelves which avoids the shortcomings of the above related systems. With the use of this system, no tools are required in the assembly of a series of shelves. The system is versatile, being capable of use with standard shelf boards and lumber having any length and a variety of vertical spacings. This system is safe strong, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to use. The shelf boards and the support system need not be purchased as a unit. The finished unit is capable of having its side and rear fit flush against a wall having a baseboard. 
     The system of the present invention is made up of members which may be placed under and above shelf boards in order to secure the boards. The several members making up the system are: two end base members, mid base members in the number required, two “L”-shaped support members for the left and right sides for each shelf level, and “T”-shaped support members for mid support for each shelf level in the number required. 
     These members fit together without the use of tools or fasteners to form a shelf unit which is capable of varying at the user&#39;s option in height, width, and depth. The base members are so shaped as to allow the side and rear of the system to fit flush against walls even though the walls have baseboards and/or molding. 
     Understanding of this invention will be enhanced by reference to the following drawing wherein like reference numerals will refer to like elements throughout the following description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a front/side elevational perspective view of a system according to this invention with a top shelf in place. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear/side elevational view of a system according to this invention with the top shelf removed. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an end base member. 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of an end base member. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an end base member. 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the front edge of an end base member. 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a mid base member. 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a mid base member. 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a mid base member. 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an end support member. 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of an end support member. 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a mid support member. 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of a mid support member. 
     FIG. 14 is an exploded cross-sectional view depicting the relationship between members of the system and common ¾″ shelf boards. 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded cross-sectional view depicting the relationship between modified members of the system and 1½″ shelf boards. 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded elevational perspective view showing the relationship between the extensions and indentations of abutting members. 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded side view showing the relationship between the extensions and indentations of abutting members. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 offers a general overall view of the system  2  according to the present invention. The system  2  of FIG. 1 provides shelves  4  supported by two “L”-shaped end base members  6 , at least one “T”-shaped mid base member  8 , two “L”-shaped end support members  10  for the left and right sides for each shelf level, at least one “T”-shaped mid support member  12  for each shelf level, and one top shelf  4 . The system  2  of FIG. 2 is essentially the same as that of FIG. 1, but with the top shelf removed to show detail. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the end base members  6  will be described. 
     Each end base member  6  is “L”-shaped and contains a rear surface  16 , a side surface  18 , a bottom surface  20 , a front surface  22 , and an upper surface  24 . In top plan view as shown in FIG. 3, each end base member  6  contains an upper surface  24  made up of an inner, shelf-supporting, upper section  26  and an outer, interlocking, upper section  28 . The shelf-supporting upper section  26  occupies greater than 50% of the upper surface  24  and finds utility in supporting the weight of the bottom shelf  4 . 
     The interlocking upper section  28  contains “U”-shaped indentations  30  and flat-topped extensions  32 . The particular shapes of the indentations  30  and extensions  32  are not critical as long as they interlock with opposing pieces. The lower ends  34  of the indentations  30  extend as low as, preferably nearly as low as, the level of the shelf-supporting upper section  26 . The upper end  36  of the flat-topped extensions  32  extend above the level of the shelf-supporting section  26  a distance equal to, or preferably nearly equal to, the thickness of a shelf  4  to be held by the system  2 . The interlocking upper section  28  contains indentations  34  and extensions  32  on the top of the front  22 , side  18 , and rear  16  surfaces to provide a solid supporting fit with the next higher “L”-shaped end support member  10 . 
     The side and front view of the end base member  6  are best seen in FIG.  1  and the side and rear view of the end base member  6  are best seen in FIG.  2 . 
     The front surface  22  is straight from the bottom surface  20  to the upper surface  24 . 
     Regarding the rear surface  16 , the side surface  18  is narrower at the bottom surface  20  than at the upper surface  24 . The upper dimension, or depth, is typically 10 or 12 inches long. The bottom dimension may vary so as to clear baseboards. The bottom surface  20  ends at a point  38  which is sufficient to clear the baseboard and/or molding. The inclined rear surface  40  extends upwardly and rearwardly at an angle designed to clear the baseboard and/or molding. The inclined rear surface  40  meets with an overhang  42  which extends from this juncture  44  to the rear surface  16 . The thus-created cavities are sufficient to allow the shelving system  2  to stand flat on the supporting surface, stand flush against the wall, and clear the baseboard and/or molding. 
     As to the side surface  18 , the front  22  and rear  16  surfaces are narrower at the bottom surface  20  than at the upper surface  24 . The difference between the dimension of the upper surface  24  and the dimension of the bottom surface  20  is sufficient to allow the system  2  to stand flush against a wall containing a baseboard and/or molding. The bottom surface  20  ends at a point  46  which is sufficient to clear the baseboard and/or molding. The inclined side surface  48  extends upwardly and outwardly at an angle designed to clear the baseboard and/or molding. The inclined side surface  48  meets with an overhang  42  which extends from this juncture  44  to the side surface  18 . The thus-created cavities are sufficient to allow the shelving system  2  to stand flat on the supporting surface, stand flush against the wall, and clear the baseboard and/or molding both on the sides and the rear. This saves floor space while avoiding the possibility of presenting a gap between the system  2  and the wall which would allow articles to fall between the system  2  and the wall. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1,  2 , and  7 - 9 , the mid base members  8  will be described. 
     FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the mid base member  8 . FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of the base member  8 . FIG. 9 shows a side view of the mid base member  8 . These members  8  fit at the same level as the end base members,  6  but fit between the end base members  6  in order to give support to the intermediate portion of the shelf system  2 , as needed. 
     In top plan view as shown in FIG. 7, the mid base member  8  is “T”-shaped. Each mid base member  8  contains an upper surface  24  made up of an inner, shelf-supporting, upper section  26  and an outer, interlocking, upper section  28 . 
     Each mid base member  8  contains a rear surface  16 , two side surfaces  50 , and a front surface  22 . The shelf-supporting upper section  26  occupies all but the front  22  and rear  16  surfaces of the upper surface and finds utility in supporting the weight of the bottom shelf  4 . The interlocking upper section  28  contain “U”-shaped indentations  30  and flat-topped extensions  32 . The particular shapes of the indentations  30  and extensions  32  are not critical as long as they interlock with opposing pieces. The lower ends  34  of the indentations  30  extend as low as, or preferably nearly as low as, the level of the shelf-supporting upper section  26 . The upper end  36  of the flat-topped extensions  32  extend above the level of the shelf-supporting section  26  a distance equal to, or preferably nearly equal to, the thickness of a shelf  4  to be held by the system  2 . The interlocking upper section  28  contains a least one, preferably just one, indentation  30  or extension  32 , preferably a indentation  30 , on the front surface  22  and alternating indentations  30  and extensions  32  on the rear surface  16  to provide a solid supporting fit with the next higher “T”-shaped mid support member  12 . As shown in FIG. 9, the same cavity-forming configuration is present at the rear surface  16  of the mid base member  8  as is present at the rear surface  16  of the end base members  6 . These cavities allow the finished system  2  to stand flat on the supporting surface, stand flush against the wall, and clear the baseboard and/or molding. This saves floor space while avoiding the possibility of presenting a gap between the system  2  and the wall which would allow articles to fall between the system  2  and the wall. 
     The “L”-shaped end support members  10  for the right and left sides for levels above the base level are shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  10 , and  11 . 
     In top and bottom plan views as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each end support member  10  contains an upper  24  and lower  52  surface made up of an inner, upper  26  and lower  54  shelf-contacting sections and outer upper  28  and lower  56  interlocking sections. Each end support member  10  is “L”-shaped and contains a rear surface  16 , a side surface  18 , and a front surface  22 . The upper  26  and lower  54  shelf-contacting sections occupy greater than 50% of the upper  24  and lower  52  surfaces and find utility in supporting the weight of the upper shelves  4  and holding down the lower shelves  4 . The outer interlocking upper sections  28  contain “U”-shaped indentations  30  and flat-topped extensions  32  while the interlocking lower sections  56  contain flat-topped indentations  58  and “U”-shaped extensions  60 . The particular shapes of the indentations  30   58  and extensions  32   60  are not critical as long as they interlock with opposing pieces. 
     Regarding the indentations  30  and extensions  32  on the upper surface  24 , the lower ends  34  of the “U”-shaped indentations  30  extend as low as, or preferably nearly as low as, the upper shelf-contacting surface  26 . The upper end  36  of the flat-topped extensions  32  extend above the shelf-contacting surface  26  a distance equal to, or preferably nearly equal to, the thickness of a shelf  4  to be held by the system  2 . The interlocking upper section  28  of the upper surface  24  contains indentations  30  and extensions  32  on the front  22 , side  18 , and rear  16  surfaces to provide a solid supporting fit with the next higher “L”-shaped support member  10 . 
     Regarding the indentations  58  and extensions  60  of the lower surface  52 , the upper ends  62  of the flat indentations  58  are at the level of, or preferably nearly at the level of, the lower shelf-contacting surface  52 . The lower ends  64  of the “U”-shaped extensions  60  extend below the lower shelf-contacting section  54  a distance equal to, or preferably nearly equal to, the thickness of a shelf  4  to be held by the system  2 . The interlocking upper  28  and lower  56  sections contain indentations  30   58  and extensions  32   60  on the front  22 , side  18  and rear  16  surfaces to provide a solid supporting fit with the next higher and next lower “L”-shaped shelf-contacting member  10  respectively. 
     The “T”-shaped mid support members  12  are seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  12 , and  13 . 
     FIG. 12 shows a top plan view of the mid support member  12 , FIG. 13 shows a bottom plan view of the mid support member  12 , FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of the mid support members  12 , and FIGS. 16 and 17 show detailed, exploded views of the indentations  30   58  and extensions  32   60 . These support members  12  fit at the same level as the end support members  10 , but fit between the end support members  10  as needed in order to give support to the intermediate portion of the shelf system  2 . 
     In plan view, the mid support member  12  is “T”-shaped. In plan view, each mid support member  12  contains an upper  24  and lower surface  52 . The upper surface  24  is made up of an inner, shelf-contacting, section  26  and an outer, interlocking, section  28 . The lower surface  52  is made up of an inner, shelf-contacting section  54  and an outer, interlocking, section  56 . Each mid support member  12  contains a rear surface  16 , two side surfaces  50 , and a front surface  22 . The upper  26  and lower  54  shelf-contacting sections occupy all but the front  22  and rear  16  surfaces of the upper  24  and lower  52  surfaces and find utility in contacting and holding shelves  4 . The interlocking upper section  28  contains “U”-shaped indentations  30  and flat-topped extensions  32 . The interlocking lower section  56  contains “U”-shaped extensions  60  and flat-topped indentations  58 . The particular shapes of the indentations  30   58  and extensions  32   60  are not critical as long as they interlock with opposing pieces. 
     Regarding the upper surface  24  of the mid support members  12 , the lower ends  34  of the indentations  30  extend as low as, or preferably nearly as low as, the upper shelf-contacting surface  26 . The upper ends  36  of the flat-topped extensions  32  extend above the shelf-contacting surface  26  a distance equal to, or preferably nearly equal to, the thickness of a shelf  4  to be supported by the system  2 . The interlocking upper section  28  of the upper surface  24  contains indentations  30  and extensions  32  on the front  22  and rear  16  surfaces to provide a solid supporting fit with the next higher “T”-shaped support member  12 . 
     Regarding the indentations  58  and extensions  60  of the lower surface  52 , the upper ends  62  of the flat indentations  58  are at or near the level of the lower shelf-contacting surface  52 . The lower ends  64  of the “U”-shaped extensions  60  extend below the lower shelf-contacting section  54  a distance equal to or nearly equal the thickness of a shelf  4  to be held by the system  2 . The interlocking upper  28  and lower  56  sections contain indentations  30   58  and extensions  32   60  on the front  22  and rear  16  surfaces to provide a solid supporting fit with the next higher and next lower “T”-shaped shelf-contacting member  12  respectively. 
     The interlocking upper section  28  contains a least one, preferably just one, indentation  30  or extension  32 , preferably an indentation  30 , on the front surface  22  and alternating indentations  30  and extensions  32  on the rear surface  16  to provide a solid supporting fit with the next higher “T”-shaped mid support member  12 . 
     The interlocking lower section  56  contains at least one, preferably just one, indentation  58  or extension  60 , on the front surface  22  and alternating indentations  58  and extensions  60  on the rear surface  16  to provide a solid supporting fit with the next lower “T”-shaped support member. 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.