Abstract:
A shelf for a metal cabinet has a planar member, a ramped member extending from the planar member having a first, curved portion and a second, straight portion. The first, curved portion and second, straight portion are connected via a third, curved portion therebetween. The first curved portion has a first radius, and the second, curved portion has a second radius different from the first radius. The straight portion forms an outer wall of the shelf.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/876,233, filed on Dec. 21, 2006. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to units for storage. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved shelf member for a cabinet, such as a metal cabinet. 
     Metal cabinets and compartment bins are very versatile in that the cabinets can be placed in many areas, such as metal or woodworking shops, garages, as well as many other places. The cabinets and compartment bins can also provide storage in vehicles, such as trucks and vans. Metal cabinets have been used to store a variety of items such as threaded rod, wire, brake line, welding rods, as well as more common items, such as tools and fasteners. 
     When storing an item on a cabinet shelf, it can be difficult to retrieve the item if the shelf is substantially horizontal. For example, if one is trying to scoop a handful of bolts from a shelf, the vertical and straight front wall of the shelf tends to make it difficult to pull the bolts off the shelf. 
     Accordingly, it is desired to provide a cabinet with a curved shelf which aids in manually removing loose items from the cabinet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a shelf for a metal cabinet has a planar member, a ramped member extending from the planar member, comprising a first, curved portion and a second, straight portion, wherein the first, curved portion and the second, straight portion are connected via a third, curved portion therebetween; wherein the first curved portion has a first radius, and the second, curved portion has a second radius different from said first radius; and wherein the straight portion forms an outer wall of the shelf. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a cabinet has first and second opposing side walls, a plurality of shelves, wherein each shelf is mounted to at least one of the side walls, each shelf including a ramped front wall and a planar wall, wherein the ramped front wall includes a first curved portion that extends at a radius from the planar portion and a second portion that depends downwardly from the first portion, wherein the ramped front wall includes a substantially key-shaped opening having an elongated narrow portion terminating in a relatively wider portion adjacent an intersection of the first portion and the second portion of the ramped front wall; and a divider, wherein at least a portion of the divider is received in the opening of the ramped front wall. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a shelf for a cabinet has a planar portion and an integral ramped portion extending at a radius from the planar portion, the ramped portion including a key-shaped opening formed therethrough having a narrow portion and a rounded relatively wider portion adjacent an apex of the ramped portion, the relatively wider portion of the opening being dimensioned to accommodate a reinforced rolled end of an associated divider. 
     Still other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects and advantages will in part be obvious and in part pointed out in the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a cabinet shelf having a curved ramp; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the shelf and curved ramp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of a keyed slot in a front wall portion of the shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the shelf and the curved ramp; and 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a cabinet including the cabinet shelf of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the cabinet depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view taken at line  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention,  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a shelf  10  includes a sheet or planar member  12 , side walls  14  and  16 , rear wall  18 , and a curved, ramped front portion  22 . Shelf  10  is formed from a rigid metal or other suitable material. Sheet  12  is shown to be substantially rectangular; however, the sheet could take other suitable configurations for various shaped or sized cabinets without departing from the scope of the invention. Side walls  14  and  16  each extend substantially orthogonally from sheet  12 . The side wall  16  is positioned at an opposite longitudinal end of sheet  12  as the side wall  14 . Rear wall  18  extends from an edge of the sheet between side walls  14  and  16  and also extends substantially orthogonally from sheet  12 . Side walls  14  and  16  provide a surface of attachment for the shelf  10  to a corresponding side wall  52  of cabinet  54  (see  FIG. 6 ). Likewise, the rear wall  18  also provides a surface to attach the shelf  10  to a rear wall of a cabinet. 
     Curved ramped front portion  22  is positioned opposite the rear wall  18 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the ramped curved portion  22  includes a first, curved surface or wall  24  extending at a constant radius R 1  and a straight or substantially vertical wall  26 . Curved wall  24  extends upwardly from sheet  12  forming a constant radius R 1  between the curved wall and the sheet. Radius R 1  is preferably ¾ to 1¼ inches long. Vertical wall  26  extends in a downwardly direction from the curved wall  24 . A rounded bend or upper corner or curved portion  25  having a constant radius R 2  is formed between walls  24  and  26 . Radius R 1  extends between planar member  12  and upper corner or curved portion  25 . Radius R 2  is preferably smaller than R 1 , is a reverse radius compared to R 1 , and has a radius in the range of approximately 0-1 inches. Radius R 2  extends between curved wall  24  and straight wall  26 . Wall  26  forms the front wall when viewing the shelf  10  from the front of the cabinet ( FIG. 5 ). Wall  26  can also include a crimped or rolled-over edge portion  28  at a lower most edge which provides a rounded edge for the front portion of the shelf  10 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the shelf further includes a plurality of rear slots  32  disposed adjacent the rear wall and a plurality of front slots  34  disposed adjacent the ramped front portion  22 . Slots  32  can be equally spaced apart and parallel to each other. Likewise, slots  34  can be equally spaced apart and parallel to each other. The slots can also be unevenly spaced as well without departing from the scope of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , slots  32  and  34  are aligned with one another along a longitudinal direction and receive a portion of dividers  36  that divide the shelf  10  into a plurality of compartments defined by adjacent parallel slots. 
     The curved ramped front portion  22  also includes a plurality of openings or slots  38  aligned with rear slots  32  and front slots  34 . Slots  38  in the ramped front portion also receive the same dividers  36  that slots  32  and  34  receive. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , each slot in the curved ramped front portion can have a substantially key-shaped conformation, including a first, narrow elongated portion  40  terminating in a second, relatively wider circular portion or round aperture  42  adjacent the intersection of the curved wall  24  and the vertical wall  26  of the ramped front wall. Aperture  42  provides a larger opening allowing for an easier insertion of the divider  36  into the slot  38 , thus reducing assembly time. The narrow elongated portion  40  extends from the circular portion  42  and terminates at or adjacent the planar member  12 . A reinforced rolled end  50  ( FIG. 6A ) of the divider can be received within the slot. The keyed slot  38  also adds strength and rigidity to a divider since the divider wall has support from the curved ramped front portion on both sides of the divider. The slot further aids the divider wall in maintaining a vertical position in the cabinet. 
     The curved portion  22  provides an abutment so that when the user attempts to retrieve a handful of items from a compartment that is defined by two adjacent dividers  36  and the shelf  10 , the ramped front portion serves as a scoop to aid the user in retrieving items from the shelf. Furthermore, items that are not retrieved will roll back into the shelf and not fall from the shelf. The curved configuration of the shelf allows the user to easily retrieve items from the bin without risk of injury due to sharp corners. The curved ramp is aesthetically pleasing while also aiding the user in retrieving items. 
     The shelf member has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The specification is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.