Patent Publication Number: US-2004040479-A1

Title: Shelf with retaining wall

Description:
[0001] The present application claims priority from provisional application serial No. 60/407, 441, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a shelf with a retaining wall and, more particularly, to a shelf that is suitable for use as a rotatable shelf, such as in a Lazy Susan assembly.  
       [0003] Rotatable shelves are well known and have been in kitchen cabinetry to provide access to remote spaces, for example in corner cabinets. These rotatable shelves have become quite popular because without it, considerable cabinet space in the corner either above or below the kitchen counter is wasted due to the inaccessibility of the space at the back of the cabinet. However, when the shelves are rotated, it is not uncommon for the products supported on the shelf to be jettisoned off the shelf as a result of the cydriphical?? forces that occur as a result of the rotation of the shelf. Furthermore, in order to accommodate the variations and tolerances of the various components forming the shelf assembly, the hub assemblies, which are used to mount the shelves, often permit play between the center post of the shelf assembly and hub assembly. While this play between the hub assembly and the center post may appear to be quite minimal at the center post, it results in significant deflection at the edge of the respective shelves.  
       [0004] Consequently, there is a need for an improved rotatable shelf assembly, which will provide better retention of the products on the respective shelves and, further, which will provide reduced deflection of the shelves, while still achieving the easy access to the products on the shelf assembly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] Accordingly, in one form of the invention a shelf includes a plate member, a band, and plurality of posts, which are mounted to the plate member. Each of the posts includes a slot, which receive the band and support the band to form a fence or wall around at least a portion of the plate member.  
       [0006] In one aspect, the plate member includes a plurality of spaced openings, with the posts including proximal ends that are positioned in the openings and the slots extending to the distal ends of the posts. In a further aspect, the posts each include caps, which are mounted on the distal ends over the slots to thereby retain the band in the slots of the posts.  
       [0007] In one aspect, the plate member includes a perimeter portion, with the openings spaced along the perimeter portion wherein the band forms a perimeter fence or wall.  
       [0008] In other aspects, each of the posts includes a base portion and a projecting portion. Each of the base portions is positioned in a respective opening provided in the plate member and has a smaller diameter than its respective projecting portion. Further, each of the projecting portions rests on the plate member around a respective opening of the plate member.  
       [0009] According to another form of the invention, a rotatable shelf assembly includes a center post and at least one shelf that is mounted to the center post. The shelf includes a plate member, a band, and a plurality of posts, which are mounted to the plate member. Each of the posts includes a slot, which receives the band and supports the band to form a fence around at least a portion of the plate member.  
       [0010] In one aspect, the plate member includes a through-hole which extends through the plate member, with the center post extending through the through-hole. Preferably, the through hole comprises a center through-hole located generally in the center of the plate member. The plate member is rotatably mounted to the center post by a hub assembly that is adapted to accommodate a range of center post diameters and yet maintain a close fit with each center post to minimize play between the center post and the hub and, thereby, reduce the defection of the shelf.  
       [0011] From the forgoing, it can be appreciated that the shelf of the present invention is provided with a simple construction and, further, can be used as a rotatable shelf, such as in a Lazy Susan assembly. In addition, the rotatable shelf assembly exhibits minimal deflection at the outermost portion.  
       [0012] These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable shelf assembly incorporating a shelf of the present invention shown mounted in a cupboard;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a similar view to FIG. 1 with the shelf assembly removed from the cupboard for clarity;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable shelf assembly of FIG. 1;  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the shelves of the rotatable shelf assembly of FIG. 1;  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the shelf of FIG. 4;  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is an exploded enlarged perspective view of the post and cap of the shelf of the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a hub assembly that mounts a shelf to the center post of the shelf assembly of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the hub assembly of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the hub assembly parts of FIG. 8;  
     [0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotatable shelf assembly of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of one of the shelves of the shelf assembly of FIG. 10;  
     [0024]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the shelf of FIG. 11; and  
     [0025]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the shelf of FIG. 11. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral  10  generally designates a shelf of the present invention. Shelf  10  has particular application as a rotatable shelf  12 , such as in a Lazy Susan assembly, and, as will be more fully described below, provides a retention mechanism so that when the shelf is rotated, items supported on the shelf will remain on the shelf and not be jettisoned off the shelf when the shelf is rotated. However, it can be appreciated that shelf  10  may be used as a stationary shelf. For example, shelf  10  may be particularly useful in a boat, such as in the galley of a boat.  
     [0027] As best seen in FIG. 2, rotatable shelf assembly  12  includes a center post  14  and a plurality of hub assemblies  16 , which rotatably mount the respective shelves  10  to the center post  14 . Hub assemblies  16  are configured to provide stability to the respective shelf and, further, to permit vertical adjustment of the shelf along the center post. As best seen in FIG. 2, each hub assembly  16  includes a base  17  with an enlarged flange  18 . Flange  18  mounts to the underside  10   a  of a respective shelf by fasteners. Further, each hub assembly  16  includes a central collar  20  which is dimensioned to receive shaft  14  and further is mounted on the center post by a pin  15  that extends through shaft  14  and on which collar  20  rests. Flange  18  and collar  20  are reinforced by concentric annular flanges  21   a ,  21   b , and  21   c  that may include one or more interconnecting webs  22   a  to further stiffen flange  18  and collar  20 . When pin  15  is extended through shaft  14 , both collar  20  and flange  21   a  rest on pin  15 . In addition, collar  20  and flange  21   a  have grooves  23  formed therein, which provide a home position for the shelf In this manner, when a person rotates a shelf, the shelf will be free to rotate about shaft  14 ; however, when shelf  14  is moved to its home position, pin  15  will rest in grooves  23  so that it will be releasably fixed in the home position until a sufficient force is applied at the shelf to cause pin  15  to be guided out or recesses  23 . As will be understood, recesses  23  preferably have angled side walls that provide a camming action on pin  15 . In addition, flange  21   b  includes opposed abutments  23   a  and  23   b , which center pin  15  in its extended position through shaft  14  and, further, provide a more stable mount, especially when the respective shelf is in its home position.  
     [0028] Center post  14  is mounted at its opposed ends in upper and lower brackets  22  and  24 , which mount the rotatable shelf assembly in a cupboard or the like. Lower end  14   a  of post  14  includes a projecting shaft or pin  26 , which is received by lower bracket  24  to thereby mount lower end  14   a  of post  14  in bracket  24 . Upper end  14   b  of center post  14  includes a sleeve  28 , which includes a cylindrical body  30  that extends into upper opening  14   c  of upper end  14   b  of center post  14  to provide vertical adjustment to the length of post  14 . Upper portion  32  of sleeve  28  is cylindrical and engages a cylindrical flange  24  provided on upper bracket  22  to thereby rotateably mount upper end  14   b  of center post  14  to upper bracket  22 .  
     [0029] As best seen in FIG. 3, each shelf  10  includes a plate member  40  and a fence  42 , which forms a wall or retaining mechanism to retain products or articles supported on the support surface  40   a  of plate member  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, plate member  40  comprises a circular wood plate member with a plurality of openings  40   b , which receive a corresponding plurality of posts  44 . It should be understood that posts  44  may be mounted to plate member  40  by other conventional means, for example a flanged socket, which is mounted to the surface of the plate member. Posts  44  are preferably metal posts, though posts  44  may be formed from other materials, such as plastic, wood, or a composite material. Posts  44  support a band  46  to form fence  42 . Band  46  preferably comprises a metal band, such as stainless steel; though it should be understood that band  46  may be formed from wood, plastic, or a composite material.  
     [0030] In the illustrated embodiment, openings  40   b  are substantially evenly spaced around the perimeter of plate member  40 , but is should be understood that the openings may extend only around a portion of plate member  40  and/or may be spaced unevenly. In addition, plate member  40  may have a second set of openings to form, for example, an inner fence or wall. Furthermore, though illustrated as following the perimeter of plate member  40 , openings  40   a  may be arranged in an alternate pattern.  
     [0031] Each post  44  includes a base portion  48  and a projecting portion  50 . Base portion  48  is sized to be inserted into openings  40   b  of plate  40  and, preferably, sized to form a friction fit with the respective openings of plate member  40 . Projecting portion  50  has a larger diameter than base portion  48  and optionally rests on the upper surface  40   a  of plate  40  at its lower surface  50   a  when base portion  48  is inserted into a respective opening. Upper portion  50  includes an elongate slotted opening  52 , which receives band  46  to support band  46  and to form fence  42 . Optionally, each slotted opening  52  extends to distal end  44   a  of post  44  so that band  46  can be inserted into the respective posts through their distal ends. In addition, posts  44  include caps  54  that extends over the distal ends  44   a  of posts  44  to thereby capture band  46  in the respective post  44 . Optionally and preferably, one or more caps  54  include a recess  54   a  that is sized to receive a distal end  44   a  of post  44  and, further, which is sized to compress opposed halves  50   a  and  50   b  of projecting portion  50  (formed by slotted opening  52 ) to thereby frictionally retain band  46  in the respective groove  52 . For ease of manufacture, each cap may be adapted to compress the opposed halves  50   a ,  50   b  of the posts.  
     [0032] In the illustrated embodiment, band  46  is supported above support surface  40   a  of plate  40 . However, it can be appreciated that elongate groove  52  may be extended to position band  46  at or near the upper surface  40   a  of plate  40 . Alternately, though band  46  is illustrated as having a generally uniform height, band  46  may have enlarged portions between posts  44  to extend to the upper surface of the plate to thereby close the gap between the posts. Furthermore, while posts  44  are illustrated as having a generally cylindrical body with a circular cross-section, it can be appreciated that posts  44  may assume other configurations including a multi-faceted cross-section including a rectangular, square, or hexagonal or the like cross-section. Furthermore, base portion  48  of the respective posts may be slotted to provide a spring like engagement with the plate  40 . In addition, as noted above the height of the band may vary and may, for example, extend up between the posts to increase the height of the fence. It should also be understood that band  46  may comprise a band with openings and may, for example, be formed from a wire mesh. In marine applications, the metal components would preferably be formed from stainless steel; though is should be understood that other materials can be used.  
     [0033] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, hub assembly  16 ′ of the present invention is similar to hub assembly  16  and includes a base  17 ′ with an enlarged flange  18 ′, which mounts to the underside of a respective shelf. Base  17 ′ further includes a plurality of concentric annular flanges similar to the previous embodiment (only outer concentric flange  21   c ′ is illustrated) and a projecting collar  20 ′ which extends through base  17 ′ for mounting the respective shelf to the shaft or center post of the shelf assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, projecting collar  20 ′ includes a threaded portion  20   a ′ and, further, a threaded ring or collar  20   b ′ that mounts on threaded portion  20   a ′. In addition, collar  20 ′ includes one or more slotted grooves or notches  20   c ′ to form two or more collar portions so that when threaded ring  20   b ′ is threaded on to threaded portion  20   a ′, the collar portions of collar  20 ′ will be compressed to provide a closer fit with the center post of the shelf assembly. In this manner, ring  20   b ′ acts as a means to tighten collar  20 ′ about the center post. By tightening the space between the collar and the center post, the space that may allow a conventional Lazy Susan to rock side to side will be significantly reduced while accommodating a greater range of center post tolerances. With this closer fit, the deflection of the respective shelf is also reduced. This eliminates vibration when the rotatable shelf is turned on the center post and thus makes the operation smoother. As a result, items stored on the shelf are even further less likely to be moved or vibrated off the shelf.  
     [0034] Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment  110  of the shelf of the present invention is illustrated. Shelf  110  is of similar construction to shelf  10  and includes a plate member  140  and a fence  142 , which is formed from a plurality of posts  144  and a band  146 . However, in the illustrated embodiment, plate member  140  comprised a pie shaped plate member, which permits the size of the respective shelves to be increased but also typically necessitates the respective shelves to be rotated to their home positions for the cupboard door to be closed.  
     [0035] Similar to shelf  10 , shelf  110  may be mounted to a rotatable center post  114  by a hub assembly  116 , which rotatably mounts the shelf to the center post in a similar manner to hub assembly  16  or  16 ′ to form a rotatable shelf assembly  112  similar to shelf assembly  12 .  
     [0036] While several forms of the invention have been showed and described, it can be appreciated that other modifications and changes can be made. For example, though described as wood plate members, other materials may be used to form the respective plate members of the shelves. Furthermore, as noted, bands  46  and  146  and posts  44  and  144  may be made from other materials including wood, plastic, or composite materials. Furthermore, the respective fences may be formed from a plurality of band sections. For example, the ends of the respective band sections could overlap in the slotted openings of the respective posts. Furthermore, though illustrated with a single fence forming a perimeter wall, multiple fences may be used and/or the fence may be located elsewhere on the respective plate members and, further, may encompass or encircle only a portion of the respective plate members. In addition, though illustrated as generally following a perimeter of the plate member, the fence may assume different configurations, for example, a square perimeter fence or a circulate plate member.  
     [0037] While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.