Patent Publication Number: US-2005122012-A1

Title: Screen and shelf unit

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates in general to utility shelving units and more particularly to a combination shelving unit and screen structure that is especially useful in obscuring from view unsightly household features.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Many buildings, particularly those with older heating systems, cooling systems, or with septic tanks, have areas that contain exposed pipes, electrical or duct work, lift stations, sump pumps, and the like. Often, these areas are covered or enclosed out of aesthetic considerations. Thus, several different types of coverings have been used and developed over the years to hide (or at least distract attention from) features or devices that many consider to be “eyesores.” 
      The types of coverings range from strategically positioning a painting or tapestry, to a simple bucket-like cover, to building a permanent structure, such as a cabinet or closet, in order to partially or completely obscure an unattractive feature from sight. For example, a cover for a sump and sump pump found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,984 by Klein features a walled, hollow housing having a peripherally disposed, downwardly depending flange and a plurality of holes. While Klein&#39;s cover may address safety concerns and keep the sump and sump pump out of sight, it is specifically adapted for use with these structures and is not suitable for covering ductwork, pipes that run up walls, etc.  
      A second example of the related art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,730 issued to Humphrey. Humphrey&#39;s sump pump cover is a flexible dome-like structure with a radial slot that allows a pipe to exhaust fluid from within the sump by passing through the cover. While this cover may be suitable for its intended purpose, no motivation or suggestion is provided by Humphrey for screening the sump pump (or other unsightly items) from sight.  
      Moreover, none of the coverings know to exist combine a screen (to at least partially obscure aesthetically displeasing items from sight) with one or more shelves for augmenting the utility of a screened area by adding a storage and display platform for objects.  
      Therefore, in view of the above, it would be desirable to have a screening structure that features one or more shelves for simultaneously screening an area from view and providing storage and display capabilities.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates in general to a screening member that features one or more shelves. More particularly, the invention features a screening member that includes one or more adjustable and removable shelves that are horizontally supported by the screening member such that the screening member and shelf(ves) are configured to enclose an area. Thus, the invention also relates to a method of enclosing an area that includes the steps of providing at least one screening member, providing at least one removable shelf, and horizontally supporting each shelf with at least one screening member such that the screening member and shelf (or shelves) are configured to enclose the area.  
      In one preferred embodiment, the shelf or shelves of the invention require only friction (and no fasteners, dowels, brackets or other structures) to be held in place. Thus, the shelves are easily collapsible (removable) for access to the area enclosed by the screen and shelf structure.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, the screening member is integrally formed in a planar configuration and provides a portable sight barrier.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, the screening member includes a “permanent” wall structure (for example, an existing structure made of dry wall, masonry, etc.).  
      Thus, it is a primary objective of the invention to provide a screen and shelf unit that encloses an area and at least partially obscures that area from view.  
      Further, an object of the invention is to provide a screen and shelf unit that provides storage and display utility in addition to a sight barrier.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a method of enclosing an area that can be practiced with portable screens, existing and newly added walls, closets, doorways and other permanent structures, and combinations thereof.  
      Still another object of the invention is to provide a screen and shelf unit that is portable and collapsible.  
      Yet another object of the invention is to provide a screen and shelf unit that is simple and inexpensive to mass produce, as well as to produce according to a customer&#39;s specifications.  
      In accordance with these and other objects there is provided a new and improved screen and shelf unit and method of enclosing an area therewith.  
      Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention includes the features hereinafter fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such description discloses only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic, top view of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic, front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with multiple shelves in place.  
       FIG. 3   a  is a schematic, top view of a second embodiment of the invention utilizing portable screening members.  
       FIG. 3   b  is a schematic, side view of a portion of the screening member that is viewed as indicted by arrow A.  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic, top view of a third embodiment the invention utilizing a portable screening member and an existing wall.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The invention relates to a combination screen and shelf unit that is configured to enclose an area and that features at least one removable shelf that is in contact with, and supported horizontally by, a screening structure. Each shelf can be held in place by a bracket or similar structure or, preferably, frictionally engaged between two screening members, one or both of which can be an existing wall or other permanent structure. As items of a suitable weight and size are placed on each shelf, storage or display capabilities are created in addition to a screening effect.  
      Turning to the figures, a first embodiment of the screen and shelf unit enclosing a closet area  2  is show in top view ( FIG. 1 ) and front elevational view ( FIG. 2 ). The closet area  2  is bordered on three sides by screening members  4   a,    4   b,  and  4   c.  The screening members  4   a - 4   c  may be constructed of any suitable material, including, for example, finished or unfinished drywall, wood, brick and the like. Disposed within closet area  2  are four support members  6   a,    6   b,    6   c,  and  6   d.  The support members  6   a - 6   d  may simply be exposed 2×4&#39;s on an existing unfinished wall or may be added to screening members  4   a  and  4   c.    
      Side member  8   a  and  8   b  abut an optional back member  12  that is disposed between side members  8   a  and  8   b  and support members  6   b  and  6   c.  The use of back member  12  completely screens the closet area  2  from view. Shelf  14  is adapted to frictionally engage back member  12  and support members  6   a  and  6   d  such that the shelf is held in a horizontal position. Alternatively, support members  6   a - 6   d  and shelf  14  can be adapted to engage each other directly so that shelf  14  is horizontally supported by frictional engagement with the support members or by added brackets or dowels (not shown).  
      As seen in the front, elevational view of  FIG. 2 , more than one shelf  14  can be supported by screening members  4   a  and  4   c  through the placement of support members  6   a  and  6   d  and side members  8   a  and  8   b.  The shelves  14  can then provide platforms for storage and display of various items (shown in phantom line).  
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  depict a second embodiment of the invention that features a portable screen and shelf unit. An enclosed area  18  containing a pipe  19  is bordered by a V-shaped screening member  20  and at least one shelf  22 . Each shelf  22  is supported horizontally by the screening member  20  through a joint  24  located near the distal ends  26 . As seen in  FIG. 3   b,  the joint in this case includes a slot  28  disposed in disposed in each end  26  of screening member  20 , with shelf  22  held horizontally in place through engagement with each slot.  
      By making each shelf  22  removable, access is gained to the area  18  so that pipe  19  can be serviced. Moreover, constructing the screening member  20  such that it is portable provides added flexibility to the user. Non-limiting examples of screening member materials that would be portable yet support the weight of one or more shelves include fabric framed by aluminum, PVC, polystyrene, or the like; planar wood panels, a thin steel sheet bent into a V-shape, etc.  
      Because the invention can utilize existing screening members (e.g., walls, closets) and/or newly constructed screening members, the invention can be adapted to provide a screen and shelf unit that encloses practically any area. Turning to  FIG. 4 , a sump pump is located in an area  30  that is enclosed by two existing walls  32   a  and  32   b,  one added screening member  34 , and one or more shelves  36  supported horizontally by wall  32   b  and screening member  34 . Thus, an attractive shelf and screen unit is created to conform to the requirements of the user.  
      A method of enclosing an area is also taught. The method generally includes providing at least one screening member, providing at least one removable shelf, and horizontally supporting each removable shelf with a screening member such that the screening member and shelf or shelves are configured to enclose the area. Thus, for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , one practices the method of the invention by enclosing the area around pump through providing the screening member  34  and supporting horizontally at least one shelf  36  with the provided screening member  34  and the existing wall  32   b.    
      Various changes in the details and components that have been described may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention herein described in the specification and defined in the appended claims. For example, the screening member of the invention may be formed (fabricated, cast, molded, etc.) with any suitable material (such as, for example, wood or fabric framed by metal) that is rigid enough to provide a sight barrier while also withstanding the weight of one or more shelves without tearing or breaking. Therefore, while the present invention has been shown and described herein in what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent processes and products.