Patent Publication Number: US-2009230069-A1

Title: Multi-tiered rotating shelf system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/069,383 which was filed on Mar. 14, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to rotating shelf systems, and in more particular applications to multi-tiered rotating shelf systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Rotating shelf systems, such as lazy susans, have been used to provide quick access to stored items within cabinets and for serving items, such as on a table. Generally, such lazy susans have at least one rotating shelf so that a user can quickly and easily find and retrieve items located on the lazy susan. 
     In one form, portable lazy susans can be moved from location to location as desired. Furthermore, such lazy susans can be placed within a cabinet without being physically attached to the cabinet. However, the shelves or tiers of such lazy susans are oftentimes located in fixed vertical positions, which can be problematic for taller items, such as for aerosol cans and olive oil containers. Such taller items can be located on a top shelf, but the items may then interfere with the original shelves installed within the cabinets. 
     Other rotating shelf systems can be installed within a cabinet in a more permanent manner, such as by bolting or otherwise affixing the rotating shelf system to the cabinet. Generally, these systems include shelves which can be positioned at a variety of vertical heights as desired. However, the shelves are generally fixed in position in a permanent or semi-permanent manner such that it can be difficult to quickly and easily adjust the shelves to different vertical positions. For example, the shelves may be held in position using bolts and the like which must be removed to adjust the vertical position of the shelf. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one form, a multi-tiered shelf system is provided. The multi-tiered shelf system includes a base, a lower shelf, an upper shelf and a mast. The base is configured to support the multi-tiered shelf system on a surface. The upper shelf is located a first distance from the surface. The mast extends between the lower shelf and the upper shelf. At least one of the upper and lower shelves is configured to be rotatable relative to the base and configured to separate into a plurality of shelf sections. At least one of the shelf sections is movable to a second distance from the surface. 
     According to one form, a multi-tiered shelf system is provided. The multi-tiered shelf system includes a base, an upper shelf and a mast. The base is configured to support the multi-tiered shelf system on a surface. The upper shelf is located a first distance from the surface and configured to be separable into a plurality of shelf sections. The mast extends between the base and the upper shelf. The plurality of shelf sections are operably coupled to the mast to permit at least one of the shelf sections to be vertically and rotationally adjustable about the mast relative to the other shelf sections without removing the at least one shelf section from the mast. 
     In accordance with one form, a multi-tiered shelf system is provided. The multi-tiered shelf system includes a base, a mast, a lower shelf and an upper shelf. The base configured to support the multi-tiered shelf system on a surface. The mast has a fixed portion and a movable shaft portion. The movable shaft portion is releasably secured to the fixed portion. The lower shelf is operably coupled to the mast. The upper shelf is operably coupled to the mast. At least one of the upper and lower shelves is configured to separate into a plurality of shelf sections such that at least one of the shelf sections is movable vertically and rotationally about the mast relative to the other shelf sections. 
     In one form, the upper shelf is separable into a plurality of shelf sections. 
     According to one form, the upper tier is separable into two halves. 
     In accordance with one form, each of the shelf sections are independently rotatable and vertically adjustable. 
     In one form, both of the upper and lower shelves are independently rotatable with respect to the surface. 
     In accordance with one form, the relative positions of the upper and lower shelves are releasably secured with respect to one another. 
     According to one form, the multi-tiered shelf system further includes at least one cam lock to releasably secure at least one of the shelf sections. 
     In one form, the movable shaft portion extends from within the fixed portion. 
     In accordance with one form, the multi-tiered shelf system further includes at least one cam lock to releasably secure the movable shaft portion relative to the fixed portion. 
     Other forms are also contemplated as understood by those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its constructions and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one form of a multi-tiered rotating shelf system in a configuration having upper shelf sections forming an upper shelf; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multi-tiered rotating shelf system of  FIG. 1  in a different configuration having the upper shelf sections separated forming multiple tiers; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of the multi-tiered rotating shelf system illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of the multi-tiered rotating shelf system illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a multi-tiered rotating shelf system located within a cabinet; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a multi-tiered rotating shelf system in a configuration having upper shelf sections separated forming multiple tiers; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a multi-tiered rotating shelf system in a different configuration having upper shelf sections separated forming multiple tiers; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a multi-tiered rotating shelf system in yet another configuration having upper shelf sections separated forming multiple tiers; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another form of a multi-tiered rotating shelf system in a configuration having upper shelf sections separated forming multiple tiers; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the multi-tiered rotating shelf system of  FIG. 9  in a configuration having upper shelf sections separated forming multiple tiers in one vertical arrangement; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the multi-tiered rotating shelf system of  FIG. 9  in a configuration having upper shelf sections separated forming multiple tiers in another vertical arrangement; and 
         FIG. 12  is a partial enlarged view of a portion of the shelf sections. 
     
    
    
     Various figures are presented to further aid one skilled in the art in understanding the various forms of the multi-tiered shelf system. However, the present invention should not be construed to be limited to the forms depicted in the figures and described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various forms of multi-tiered shelf systems are illustrated in the figures. For example, one form is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , while another system is illustrated in  FIGS. 9-12 . Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate the structures and operation of the systems from the figures and the description herein. Further, it should be noted that while specific structures may be referenced with regard to one or more above embodiments, it should be understood that the structures and operation may be interchanged and included in other embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a multi-tiered shelf system  20  is illustrated. The system  20  includes a base  22 , a lower tier or shelf  24 , an upper shelf  26  and a post or mast  28  extending between the lower and upper shelves  24 , 26 . The base  22  is configured to support the system  20  on a surface  30 , such as on a table or in a cabinet. 
     The system  20  may be rotatable with respect to the surface  30  and/or the base  22 . For example, in one form, the lower shelf  24  and the upper shelf  26  are operably coupled such that if a user were to rotate the lower shelf  24 , the upper shelf  26  would also rotate. Alternatively, the lower shelf  24  and the upper shelf  26  can be independently rotatable with respect to the base  22  such that one of the shelves  24 , 26  could rotate in a first directions while the other shelf could remain in position and/or rotate in the opposite direction. 
     Similarly, each of the lower and upper shelves  24 , 26  may be independently vertically adjustable with respect to the base  22 . For example, the upper shelf  26  may be vertically adjustable along the mast  28  and/or the mast  28  itself may be vertically adjustable to move the location of the upper shelf  26 . The lower shelf  24  may be adjusted vertically in a similar manner. However, in one form, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower shelf  24  is not vertically adjustable, but instead only the upper shelf  26  is vertically adjustable. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one form, the upper shelf  24  is separable into a plurality of shelf sections  32 , 34 . While two shelf sections  32 , 34  are shown, it should be understood that the system  20  can include more than two shelf sections and that the shelf sections can include larger and smaller shelf sections such that the sizes of each need not be equal. In one form, as shown in  FIG. 1 , each of the shelf sections  32 , 34  are approximately equal in size. Additionally, it should be understood that the lower shelf  24  may also be separable into one or more shelf sections. In this regard, while the present application may refer to shelf sections  32 , 34 , which are shelf sections which form the upper shelf  26 , the descriptions and functionality described herein are also applicable and should be construed to also cover the lower shelf  24  being configurable into a plurality of shelf sections. 
     In one form, each of the shelf sections  32 , 34  includes a bottom wall  36 , a side wall  38  and a dividing wall  40 . These walls  36 ,  38 ,  40  can cooperate to retain items in the shelf sections  32 , 34  as the system  20  is rotated. Further, the walls  36 , 38 , 40  can be integral to form a substantially fluid tight container to hold liquids and other materials that might spill. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the mast  28  extends substantially between the lower shelf  24  and the upper shelf  26 . While the mast  28  is shown in  FIG. 3  as being connected to the lower shelf  24 , it should also be understood that the mast  28  may extend through the lower shelf  24  and be coupled to the base  22 . Moreover, the mast  28  may be coupled to the lower shelf  24  and/or the base  22  in a variety of manners as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , a base  42  of the mast  28  is shown. In this embodiment, the base  42  includes a lower portion  44  having a number of protrusions  46  that extend into and engage slots (not shown) in the lower shelf  24 . Further, the slots include one or more retaining beads  48  that each can be used to engage a portion  50  of the protrusion  46  to help couple the mast  28  to the lower shelf  24 . 
     It should be understood that the mast  28  can take a variety of forms. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , the mast  28  includes a fixed portion  52 , a movable shaft portion  54  and a lock  56 . In one form, the lock  56  is located on the fixed portion  52  and is configured to releasably secure the movable shaft portion  54  relative to the fixed portion  52 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the movable shaft portion  54  is located at least partly within the fixed portion  52  and is configured to extend therefrom. While the movable shaft portion  54  is illustrated as being slidable within the fixed portion  52 , it should also be understood that the movable shaft portion  54  may also be configured to be slidable on an exterior of the fixed portion  52  and further that the lock  56  may be configured to be located on the movable shaft portion  54 . 
     The movable shaft portion  54  may further include additional features, such as stopper  58  and cap  60 . The stopper  58  may be located at a lower end  62  of the movable shaft portion  54  to prevent the movable shaft portion  54  from being inadvertently removed from the fixed portion  52 . Furthermore, the cap  60  may be located at an upper end  64  of the movable shaft portion  54  to allow the shelves  24 , 26  and/or shelf sections  32 , 34  to be coupled to the mast  28 . In this regard, the shelves  24 , 26  and/or shelf sections  32 , 34  can be assembled by an end user onto the mast  28  to minimize the shipping size for the system  20  and further aid in the cleaning and storage of the system  20  when not in use. 
     The lock  56  may be any conventional structure understood by those skilled in the art to permit the movable shaft portion  54  to be releasably secured relative to the fixed portion  52 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lock  56  is a cam lock  66 . The cam lock  66  includes a lever arm  68 , a cam surface  70  and a friction pad  72 . The lever arm  68  can be used to manipulate the cam lock  66  between a released and an engaged position. The cam lock  66  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  in the released position whereby the movable shaft portion  54  is free to move relative to the fixed portion  52 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lever arm  68  may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction whereby the cam surface  70  will engage and apply increasing pressure on the friction pad  72 . The friction pad  72  will consequently begin to engage and apply pressure to the movable shaft portion  54 . Therefore, when in the engaged position, the cam lock  66  will frictionally engage and secure the movable shaft portion  54  such that it will be prevented from moving in either a vertical or rotational direction relative to the cam lock  66 . Alternatively, the cam lock  66  can be configured to engage a vertical adjustment lock (not shown) on the movable shaft portion  54  such that when the cam lock  66  is in the engaged position the movable shaft portion  54  is free to move in the rotational direction. 
     As discussed above, one or both of the lower and upper shelves  24 , 26  can be configured to be separable into a plurality of shelf sections, such as sections  32 , 34 . However, for the sake of brevity, the use and function of only the sections  32 , 34  will be discussed. The shelves  24 , 26  and shelf sections  32 , 34  may be rotatable and/or vertically adjustable relative to one another. For example, the upper shelf  26  can be rotatable and vertically adjustable relative to the lower shelf  24  and/or base  22 . Additionally, the lower shelf  24  may also be rotatable relative to the upper shelf  26  and/or base  22 . Furthermore, the shelf sections  32 , 34  can be rotatable and vertically adjustable relative to one another as well as the lower section  24  and/or base  22 . 
     The shelves  24 , 26  and/or shelf sections  32 , 34  can be secured in desired vertical and/or rotational orientations using one or more securing devices. For example, lock  56  may be sued to secure the shelves  24 , 26  and shelf sections  32 , 34 . Additionally, referring to  FIG. 3 , shelf section  34  is secured to the movable shaft portion  54  by the cap  60  such that the section  34  is vertically and rotationally movable when the movable shaft portion  54  extends and rotates. As discussed above, the movable shaft portion  54  extends and rotates when the cam lock  66  is in the released position. Similarly, the section  32  can be secured to the movable shaft portion  54  by an additional lock, such as cam lock  76 . Cam lock  76  is substantially similar to and functions in the same manner as cam lock  66 . In this regard, section  32  can be moved vertically and/or rotationally about the movable shaft portion  54  when the cam lock  76  is in the released position and secured to the movable shaft portion  54  when the cam lock  76  is in the engaged position. Therefore, as seen by this example, the shelf  26  and sections  32 , 34  can be moved vertically and rotationally with respect to each other, the shelf  24  and the base  22 . It should also be understood that the lower shelf  24  may be manipulated in a similar manner. 
       FIGS. 5-8  illustrate various configurations of the shelves  24 , 26  and sections  32 , 34 . For example, referring to  FIG. 5 , it may be desirable to place a tall bottle  88  on the lower shelf  24 , one or more medium height bottles  90  on the section  32  and shorter bottles  92  on the section  34 .  FIGS. 6-8  illustrate other uses where the sections  32 , 34  are moved vertically and/or rotationally to accommodate various numbers and sizes of bottles. Therefore, the system  20  can include any number of different configurations of the shelves  24 , 26  and sections  32 , 34  as desired to accommodate different items. 
     A further system  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 9-12 . In this form, the mast  28  includes the fixed portion  52  and further includes a threaded shaft  102 . The threaded shaft  102  threads into the fixed portion  52  to vertically and rotationally adjust the upper shelf  26  and the sections  32 , 34 . Section  32  may be configured to cooperate directly with the threaded shaft  102  and/or cooperate with a further threaded shaft (not shown) to adjust vertically and rotationally. In this form, the mast  28  may or may not include one or more locks  56  to secure the threaded shaft  102 . In some forms, the friction between the shaft  102  and the fixed portion  52  is sufficient that the lock  56  is not necessary. 
     The above systems  20 , 100  may include additional features and structures. For example, referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the system  100  further includes securing structure, such as protrusion  104  and slot  106 . The protrusion  104  and slot  106  can be configured to cooperate and releasably secure the sections  32 , 34  together to form the upper shelf  26 . Additionally, referring to  FIG. 3 , the system  20  may include one or more feet  108  to grippingly engage the surface  30 . In one form, these feet  108  may be rubber or other polymeric material to increase the friction between the feet  108  and surface  30 . Moreover, the system  20 , 100  may also include ball bearings, bushings and the like to assist in the rotation of the shelves  24 , 26  and sections  32 , 34 . Other structures and features may also be included as understood by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the above-described features are structures may be included on either of the systems  20 , 100 . 
     The shelves  24 , 26  and sections  32 , 34  can take a variety of shapes. For example, as illustrated in the figures, the shelves  24 , 26  are substantially round and the shelf sections  32 , 34  form arc sections. However, it should be understood that other shapes of the shelf and shelf sections may be utilized, such as, for example, square, rectangular and the like. 
     The system  20 , 100  can be made from a variety of materials. For example, the shelves and post can be made from plastic or other materials. Furthermore, the shelves  24 , 26  and sections  32 , 34  may include a textured and/or rubber coatings. In this manner, the coating or surface can assist the user in grasping and interacting with the shelves and shelf sections and prevent items from falling off of the shelf or shelf section. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that other materials may also be utilized. 
     The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.