Abstract:
A novel ventilated shelving cover is disclosed that transforms the appearance of wire shelves to cover the white vertical and horizontal bars with a clean sleek decorative trim (crown molding) giving the shelves a custom made look. While also utilizing a custom insert/liner to enhance the functionality by keep items from tipping or falling through the wire portion of the shelves. This system contains a decorative trim piece, decorative cover, specially engineered clasps and an insert/liner. The system also includes a custom saw and miter to provide “All You Need” to accomplish the transformation of your pantry, linen, bedroom closets or garage shelves.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to shelving and more particularly covering for ventilated shelving. 
         [0002]    Ventilated shelving, including wire shelving, is now commonly used in both new and existing construction, as well as commercial and residential properties. This is especially true in residential applications in closets, kitchen pantries, and laundry rooms. Further, at least in part, their popularity stems from their low cost, modularity, and ease of installation. For example, it is common today to use ventilated shelving (e.g., wire or plastic shelving and associated components) to construct storage units within closets. 
         [0003]    Ventilated shelving is adaptable in that typical ventilated shelving not only varies in size and shape (e.g., different lengths and widths), and configuration (e.g., different wire mesh spacing), but may have connected thereto varied storage or attachment members. 
         [0004]    Nevertheless, with the increased usage of these types of shelving units, problems have surfaced that are associated with this type of shelving. For example, because of the raised, typically parallel cross-bars of this type of shelving, soft articles such as clothing, when stored on the shelving, tend to develop or assume the unsightly pattern of the cross-bars, thereby requiring the wearer to iron or press the stored clothing before wearing the clothing. 
         [0005]    Additionally, items that require storage in an upright position, once placed on the wire shelving, tend to fall over due to the lack of a fully supportive surface caused by the spacing between the cross-bars. 
         [0006]    Yet another problem arises when the protective coating on the wire shelves begins to wear. The exposed surface, typically steel, tends to rust and thereby cause damage to the stored items. And, still further, whether or not the coating is still intact, this type of shelving is extremely difficult to thoroughly clean. This is one reason this style of shelving has not been accepted into environments that require thorough cleaning on a regular basis: for example, hospitals. 
         [0007]    Yet still further, wire shelving has not been completely accepted into the residential or commercial industry due to its “commercial” appearance, as well as the inability to personalize or decorate the shelving, making it almost impossible to incorporate the shelving into the existing decor. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, a need exists for novel systems and methods which have, among other advantages, increased utility, strength, variability, and adaptability, while simultaneously being easier to use and aesthetically pleasing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A novel ventilated shelving cover is disclosed that transforms the appearance of wire shelves to cover the white vertical and horizontal bars with a clean sleek decorative trim (crown molding) giving the shelves a custom made look. While also utilizing a custom insert/liner to enhance the functionality by keep items from tipping or falling through the wire portion of the shelves. 
         [0010]    The shelving cover system enhances the appearance and functionality of standard wire shelves. This system contains a decorative trim piece, decorative cover, specially engineered clasps and an insert/liner. The system also includes a custom saw and miter to provide “All You Need” to accomplish the transformation of your pantry, linen, bedroom closets or garage shelves 
         [0011]    In one example, the ventilated shelf cover includes a decorative front cover with a front side and a back side and a top lip and a bottom lip disposed substantially perpendicular to the back side, and at least one pair of fingers and disposed on the back side to define a channel therebetween. A substantially U-shaped clasp is included. The U-shape clasp is formed with a first leg and a second leg and a first end attached to the first leg and the second leg, the first end having a substantially semi-circular opening in communication with an interior slot and a second end having a slotted opening in communication with the interior slot, and a set of substantially barbell shaped finger mounts, each of the substantially bar bell shaped finger mounts with a substantially rounded top edge, a substantially flat side edge, and a straight bottom edge defining a groove for accepting one of the pair of fingers thereinto. 
         [0012]    The ventilated shelf cover may also include a substantially flat covering with a front edge, and wherein the top lip and the back side of the decorative front cover defines a void sized to accept the front edge of the flat covering thereinto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a prior art ventilated shelving system for a pantry; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a ventilated shelving cover installed over the shelving system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective explosion diagram illustrating major components of the ventilated shelving cover; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective of a clasp of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective of a decorative front cover of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6-7  are various perspective views of a decorative cap of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a saw guide used to cut the decorative front cover of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0022]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly. The materials used to fabricate the ventilated shelving cover can be any ridged organic or inorganic material including plastic, metal, composite, wood, or a combination thereof. 
         [0023]    Disclosed is a ventilated shelving cover enhances the appearance and functionality of standard ventilated shelves. This ventilated shelving cover contains a decorative trim piece, decorative cover, specially engineered clasps and an insert/liner. The ventilated shelving cover also includes a custom saw and miter to provide “All You Need” to accomplish the transformation of your pantry, linen, bedroom closets or garage shelves. 
         [0024]    The ventilated shelving cover has been designed for installation to be quick and easy. The decorative trim cover has a track that runs along the back of the entire profile. The specially engineered clasps are inserted along the decorative trim cover approximately track 4 inches apart. The specially engineered clasps are relocateable at different positions to accommodate different shelf lengths and position of shelf poles. The engineer clasps mechanically couple to the decorative trim cover to be locked onto the front portion of the wire shelf. The unique design of the clasps provides a firm hold locking the decorative front cover onto the wire shelf. Once the decorative front cover has been affixed to the wire shelf the insert/liner slides between the top inside edge of the decorative trim cover and sits securely on top of the wire shelf covering the entire width of the shelf. The decorative front cover is provided as an attractive option to be attached over the decorative front cover if the trim cover has been cut or if the wire shelves have a vertical support bar. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 1  shown is a front perspective view of a prior art ventilated shelving  100  for a pantry with canned and dry goods. The ventilated shelf  100  is includes a top surface  130  formed from series of wires  133  disposed substantially parallel to each other as shown. A front edge  120  is formed by a top front frame member  112  and a bottom front frame member  110  in a substantially parallel arrangement. The front edge  120  formed from the wires  133  from the top surface  130  bent around the top front member  112  and joined substantially perpendicular to the top front frame member  112  and the bottom front frame member  110 . A series of rectangular areas  123  are formed on the front edge  120 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a (lip) front perspective view of a ventilated shelving cover  200  installed over the shelving system of  FIG. 1 . Two distinct features are noticeable. First the decorative front cover  222  with a front edge  234  (as shown  FIG. 3 ) is shown attached to the front edge  120  of the ventilated shelf  100 . The second feature is the top covering  232  over the wires  133  on the top surface  130 . The ventilated shelving cover  200  is offered in a variety of styles, lengths and widths as well as different materials. It has been designed to be water and stain resistant and can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3  shown is a front perspective explosion diagram  300  illustrating major components of the ventilated shelving cover  200 . The top covering  232  over the wires  133  on the top surface  130  and the decorative front cover  222  were described above in  FIG. 2 . The decorative front cover  222  as further described below includes a backside adapted to receive a clasp  350  and a top lip  334  to allow the top covering  232  to slip snugly underneath. Likewise, the clasp  350  is adapted to firmly attach to the backside of the decorative front cover  222  and over the top frame member  112  and the front edge  120  on the previously installed ventilated shelf  100 . Also shown is a decorative cap  390  is used in applications in which two decorative front cover  222  pieces together for a long shelf. This decorative cap  390  is also used in applications in which a vertical support pole  150  is used as part of the ventilated wire shelf  100 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  is a front perspective of a clasp  350  of  FIG. 3 . The clasp  350  is substantially U-shaped with a first leg  456  and a second leg  454  joined together at a first end  442  defining a semi-circular opening  458 . In one example, the approximate overall length L of the clasp  350  is approximately 2 inches to fit the front edge  120  of ventilated shelve  100 , however other shorter and longer lengths are possible. The first leg  456  and the second leg  454  form a slotted opening  460  at a second end  450  in communications with an interior slot  462  that is sized to allow the top frame member  112  of the front edge  120  to pass through with a few pounds of force. In one example, the first leg  456  and the second leg  454  at second end  450  each have a bevel end  440  angled towards the opening  460 . The bevel end  440  facilitates insertion over the top frame member  112  of the front edge  120 . In one example, the second end  450  of the first leg  456  and the second end  450  of the second leg form a Y-shaped slotted opening therebetween as shown. However, it is important to note that in other examples this Y-shape is not included. The semi-circular opening  458  is sized to approximately 0.27 inches in order to fit firmly around the top frame member  112  of the front edge  120 . A series of semi-circular ridges  464  are disposed on a surface of the first leg  456 , the second leg  454  or both, facing the interior slot  462  to assist in making a firm connection around the front edge  120  of the ventilated shelf  100 . Disposed on second leg  454  is a substantially H-shaped member  464  as shown. Two finger mounts  466  and  468  are formed on each end of the H-shaped member  464  with a top surface  470 . The finger mounts  466  and  468  are barbell-shaped, with a substantially rounded top edge  472 , a substantially flat side edge  474 , and a straight bottom edge  476 . The straight bottom edge  476  of each of the finger mounts  466  and  468  defines a groove  478  which is sized to receive and couple firmly to one of a pair of fingers  546  and  548  from  FIG. 5 . The H-shaped member  464  is only one example of a shape that can be formed to include the finger mounts  466  and  468  are U-shaped oriented on sideways, with a rounded top edge  472 , a substantially flat side edge  474 , and a straight bottom edge  476  and other shapes are within the true scope of the present application. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective of a decorative front cover  222  of  FIG. 3 . The front side  512  has a pattern for form a decorative surface  514 . In this example the decorative surface  514  is a repeating series of semi-circular shapes as illustrated. Other shapes, patterns and decorations may be used to form the decorative font side  514 , including various colors and textures. The pair of fingers  546  and  548  is formed in the back side  544 . The fingers in one example are formed at approximately a 30 degree angle with respect to the horizontal plane parallel to the front  512  as shown. The length L of each finger  546  and  548  is approximately 0.32 inches and a depth D of approximately 0.25 inches. Together the pair of fingers  546  and  548  and the back  544  define a channel  570  sized to accept the finger mounts  466 ,  468  thereinto. The overall width W of the decorative front cover  222  is approximately 2.4 inches. This is slightly longer than the length L of the clasp  350  in  FIG. 3 . The top lip  334  of the decorative front cover  222  forms a void  536  into which top covering  232  is tightly sandwiched between the top lip  334  and the top surface  130  of the ventilated shelf  100 . A small safety lip  532  is formed in the top lip  334  to keep items placed, such as cans and dry goods  105 , on top of the top surface  130  from slipping off towards the front surface  514 . The length UL of the top lip  334  is approximately 0.9 inches and the length LL of the bottom lip  538  is approximately 0.4 inches. The material thickness of various portions  334 ,  538 ,  546 ,  548  of the decorative front cover  222  is about 0.40 inches. 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , show various perspective views of a decorative cap  390  of  FIG. 3 . This decorative cap  390  is used in applications in which two decorative front cover  222  pieces together for a long shelf and/or in applications in which a vertical support pole  150  is used as part of the ventilated wire shelf  100 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a front side  692  with a decorative surface disposed  690  thereon. Like the decorative front surface  514  of the decorative front cover  222  illustrated is only one decorative example. Other shapes, patterns and decorations may be used to form the decorative surface  514 , including various colors and textures. Also shown is a set of side walls  614 ,  616  that has been formed to fit closely over the decorative surface  514  of the decorative front cover  222 . A top lip  696  with a top slot  796  and a bottom lip  698  with a bottom slot  798  are shown. Slots  796  and  798  are formed to accommodate the support pole  150  passing therethru. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a saw guide  806  used to assist to cut the decorative front cover  222  of  FIG. 5  to a desired length to match the length of a wire shelf  100 . Shown is saw guide  806  with a passage  804  adapted to accept the decorative front cover  222  therethru. A lip  808  on the saw guide  806  provides guide to saw blade  881  of saw  880  when cutting the decorative front cover  222 . In one example, the user holds sides  802  and  810  with his left hand and operates the saw  880  with his right. The decorative caps  390  can be used for joining two decorative front panels together in a long run or to join to decorative front panels together at a vertical support member of the wire shelf  100 . In all cases the shelving system is designed to work with existing wire shelves for the pantry, linen, bedroom closets or garage shelves. 
         [0032]    The shelving system is available in a variety of styles, lengths and widths as well as different materials. It has been designed to be water and stain resistant and can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth. 
       NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES 
       [0033]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.