Patent Publication Number: US-2007108146-A1

Title: Fences for attachment to wire shelving and related methods

Description:
FIELD  
      The present disclosure relates to fences for attachment to wire shelving.  
     BACKGROUND  
      The statements in this background section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.  
      Efficient and organized use of space is very desirable, particularly with respect to storage or utility space in businesses, stores, residential homes, and apartments. With respect to closet organization and the design of closet storage units, particularly for residential use, many different options are available. One common example is the use of ventilated shelving (e.g., wire or plastic, and associated components) to construct storage units within closets. Typical ventilated shelving varies in size (e.g., different lengths and widths, etc.) and configuration (e.g., different wire mesh spacing, different number and arrangement of lateral and transverse members, etc.).  
     SUMMARY  
      According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there are provided various exemplary embodiments of shelf fences that can, for example, be attached to wire shelves. In one exemplary embodiment, a fence generally includes an upper horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member. The shelf also includes one or more wire members extending between the fence&#39;s upper and lower horizontal rod members. The one or more wire members can have at least one curved section including first and second retaining portions for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members of the wire shelf, to thereby allow the fence to be attached to the wire shelf.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a fence includes an upper horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member. The fence also includes one or more wire members extending between and connected to the fence&#39;s upper and lower rod members. The one or more wire members can include a curved section defining an upper attachment portion and a lower attachment portion. The upper attachment portion can define a space for receiving an upper support member of a wire shelf. The lower attachment portion can define a space for receiving a lower support member of the wire shelf. The curved section can be configured to resiliently vary the spacing between the upper and lower attachment portions to permit assembly of the upper and lower attachment portions onto spaced-apart upper and lower support members of a wire shelf.  
      Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of assembling or attaching a fence to a wire shelf. In one particular method embodiment in which a fence includes at least first and second attachment portions and the wire shelf has first and second support members, a method generally includes positioning the first attachment portion of the fence against the wire shelf&#39;s first support member, and resiliently flexing a portion of the fence to permit the wire shelf&#39;s second support member to be engagingly received within the second attachment portion of the fence.  
      Further aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. In addition, any one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented individually or in any combination with any one or more of the other aspects of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.  
    
    
     DRAWINGS  
      The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf with a shelf fence attached thereto according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion and shelf fence shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIGS. 4A through 4C  are side elevation views of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 4  and illustrating various stages of an exemplary process for attaching the shelf fence onto the upper and lower support members of the shelf shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf with a shelf fence attached thereto according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion and shelf fence shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIGS. 6A through 6C  are side elevation views of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 6  and illustrating various stages of an exemplary process for attaching the shelf fence onto the upper and lower support members of the shelf shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf with a shelf fence attached thereto according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion and shelf fence shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 11 ;  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a portion of a wire shelf with a shelf fence attached thereto according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of the wire shelf portion and shelf fence shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 13 ; and  
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the shelf fence shown in  FIG. 15 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.  
      According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there are provided various exemplary embodiments of shelf fences or guards that can, for example, be attached to wire shelves. In one exemplary embodiment, a fence generally includes an upper horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member. The shelf also includes one or more wire members extending between the fence&#39;s upper and lower horizontal rod members. The one or more wire members can have at least one curved section including first and second retaining portions for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members of the wire shelf, to thereby allow the fence to be attached to the wire shelf. Accordingly, the fence can help retain items or products on the shelf deck.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a fence includes an upper horizontal rod member and a lower horizontal rod member. The lower horizontal rod member can be spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member. The fence also includes one or more wire members extending between and connected to the fence&#39;s upper and lower rod members. The one or more wire members can include a curved section defining an upper attachment portion and a lower attachment portion. The upper attachment portion can define a space for receiving an upper support member of a wire shelf. The lower attachment portion can define a space for receiving a lower support member of the wire shelf. The curved section can be configured to resiliently vary the spacing between the upper and lower attachment portions to permit assembly of the upper and lower attachment portions onto spaced-apart upper and lower support members of a wire shelf. Accordingly, the fence can help retain items or products on the shelf deck.  
      Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of assembling or attaching a fence to a wire shelf. In one particular method embodiment in which a fence includes at least first and second attachment portions and the wire shelf has first and second support members, a method generally includes positioning the first attachment portion of the fence against the wire shelf&#39;s first support member, and resiliently flexing a portion of the fence to permit the wire shelf&#39;s second support member to be engagingly received within the second attachment portion of the fence. In various embodiments, the process or operation of resiliently flexing the fence generally includes resiliently compressing at least one curved section of the fence to fit between the first and second support members of the wire shelf. In alternative embodiments, the process or operation of resiliently flexing the fence generally includes resiliently expanding at least one curved section of the fence to fit the first and second attachment portions of the shelf over the first and second support members of the wire shelf.  
      Various exemplary embodiments provide fences or guards that comprise welded and/or formed wire attachments, which can be retrofit and added to the front portion (or other additional or alternative shelf locations, such as along a side edge portion, along an intermediate portion, and/or along a back edge portion, etc.) to existing wire ventilated shelving, and, in at least some cases, without using any tools or additional hardware. In such embodiments, the shelf fence or guard can have a unique configuration (e.g., shape, sizing, etc.) that enables the shelf fence to hook into position and then be rotated to a lockingly engaged position with a generally vertical downwardly-extending section (e.g., a “cascading” or “water wall” section) of an existing wire shelf. In any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, rotation of a fence relative to a shelf can occur by rotating the fence as the shelf remain stationary, or by rotating the shelf as the fence remains stationary, or by rotating both the shelf and the fence. Regardless of the particular manner in which the relative motion between the shelf and the fence takes place, the fence (after being installed to the wire shelf) can then help retain articles on the shelf by preventing or at least inhibiting articles from falling off (e.g., sliding off, rolling off, etc.) the shelf.  
      Shelf fences and guards of the present disclosure can be manufactured from various sizes and shapes of wire (among other suitable materials) and can be arranged to accommodate various types of wire shelving. The overall shape, length, height, width, and spacing of the integral components of a shelf fence or guard can vary as necessary to accommodate proper fit with a particularly configured wire shelf. In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, various embodiments of a shelf fence or guard can be readily attached to an existing wire shelf and also be readily relocated as desired. Furthermore, a plurality of shelf fence pieces can be positioned substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer fence where desired, and/or be positioned at various locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf. Some embodiments include shelf fences (or portions thereof) manufactured from molded plastics or composite materials instead of or in addition to wire.  
      Various exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf fences or guards (e.g., fence  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , etc.) that can be configured to have cam features, which provide for a relatively high degree of flexibility and reduced resistance to installation onto a wire shelf. In some exemplary embodiments, a shelf fence may include a camming feature that generally provides for shelf fence installation by hooking, rotating, and camming the fence into a lockingly engaged position at the attachment location (e.g., on the shelf&#39;s front, back, intermediate, side edge, etc.) of the wire shelf. These particular shelf fence embodiments with cam features can allow for less stringent tolerances during manufacture. Plus, these particular embodiments with cam features can also be fairly aggressive in that the shelf fences will not pull away from their mounting when pulled forward and away from the wire shelf, that is, until sufficient force is exerted to deform the shelf fences.  
      Other exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf fences or guards (e.g., fence  200  as shown in  FIGS. 5 through 8 , etc.) that can be configured to have compressible or flexural areas, which provide for a lesser degree of flexibility than the fence embodiments with cam features (e.g., fence  100 , etc.) and moderate resistance to installation onto wire shelves. In some particular embodiments, the compressible area generally provides for shelf installation by hooking, rotating, and lockingly engaging the shelf fence into position at the attachment location (e.g., on the shelf&#39;s front, back, intermediate, side edge, etc.) of the wire shelf. These particular shelf fence embodiments with the compressible areas can include tighter tolerances in manufacturing than those shelf fence embodiments with camming features. In addition, these particular embodiments with compressible areas can also be fairly aggressive in that the shelf fences will not pull away from their mounting when pulled forward and away from the wire shelf, that is, until sufficient force is exerted to deform the shelf fences.  
      Further exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf fences or guards (e.g., fence  300  as shown in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , etc.) that do not include either cam features or compressible features as just described. Instead, these particular embodiments include shelf fences shaped to assist in fit for installation. These particular embodiments can offer significant resistance to installation onto a wire shelf in that relatively high forces may be needed to manually install by hand. These particular embodiments can also be less aggressive and fairly easy to remove from a wire shelf than those embodiments with the cam features or compressible features.  
      Additional exemplary embodiments are directed to shelf fences or guards (e.g., fence  400  as shown in  FIGS. 13 through 16 ) that do not have camming features. Instead, these particular embodiments include expansion or flexural areas and are shaped to assist in fit for installation. These particular embodiments can offer significant resistance to installation of the fences onto wire shelves, and may need relatively large forces to manually install by hand. These particular shelf fence embodiments can also be less aggressive and more readily removed from a wire shelf than other embodiments.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , there is shown one exemplary embodiment of a shelf fence  100  embodying one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fence  100  can be attached to a wire shelf  102  without using tools or mechanical fasteners.  
      The shelf  102  (to which the fence  100  can be attached) may include wire or rod members  108  that form a support surface or shelf deck on which articles can be stored. The shelf  102  can also include at least one generally vertical flange, edge portion, or downwardly extending portion  104 . This shelf portion  104  can include an upper support member or rod member  112  and a lower support member or rod member  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  is shown directly beneath the upper support member  112  such that the support members  112  and  116  are in the same vertical plane. In other embodiments, however, the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  may not be in the same vertical plane. Indeed,  FIGS. 1 through 16  show only one particular example of a ventilated wire shelf  102  to which one or more of the fences of the present disclosure can be attached. In other embodiments, shelf fences of the present disclosure can be used with a wide range of shelves other than what is shown in the figures, including shelves in different sizes (e.g., four foot, six foot, eight foot, ten foot, and/or cut to a custom size, etc.) and/or mounted at various locations (e.g., closet wall, bathroom, grocery store, department store, etc.) using brackets and/or other suitable means. Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used with shelves having a different depth and/or different spacing between the shelf&#39;s wires or rod members than that shown in the figures. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used with shelves having wires or rods oriented generally longitudinally, transversely, diagonally, etc. relative to the shelf. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure should not be limited to implementation into any specific form/type of shelf.  
      With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the fence  100  comprises an upper horizontal rod or wire member  120 , and a lower horizontal rod or wire member  124 . The lower horizontal rod member  124  is spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member  120 .  
      The fence  100  further includes one or more wire or rod members  128 . The wire members  128  extend generally between the fence&#39;s upper and lower horizontal rod members  120  and  124 . The wire members  128  have at least one curved section  132  therein. This curved section  132  includes first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 , to thereby allow the fence  100  to be attached to the wire shelf  102 .  
      With regard to the configuration and shape of the fence  100 , at least one of the wire members  128  includes a generally vertical portion  130  connected to the fence&#39;s upper horizontal rod member  120 , for example, by welding, adhesives, other suitable attachment methods, etc. As shown, the generally vertical portion  130  extends downwardly to the curved section  132 .  
      The curved section  132  has a plurality of curved portions alternating in curvature. The curved section  132  extending from the generally vertical portion  130  towards the end portion to which the fence&#39;s lower horizontal rod member  124  is connected.  
      The curved section  132  defines first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  of the fence  100 . When the fence  100  is installed to the shelf  102 , the shelf&#39;s upper and lower support members  112  and  116  are engagingly received within the fence&#39;s retaining portions  136  and  138 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
      The curved section  132  has a configuration and shape that defines the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  The curved section  132  also defines a generally protruding portion  134  between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138 . At least a part of the curved section  132  or protruding portion  134  of the fence&#39;s wire members  128  is configured to fit generally between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 . In this particular embodiment, the curved section  132  is configured to be flexed so as to resiliently compress or reduce the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138 . This resilient compression of the curved section  132  in the wire members  128  permits the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102  to be received within the fence&#39;s first and second retaining portions  136  and  138 , to thereby attach the fence  100  to the shelf  102 . When the fence  100  is attached to the wire shelf  102  in this exemplary manner, the fence  100  can thus help retain items on the shelf deck of the wire shelf  102 .  
      While  FIG. 1  illustrates the fence  100  being attached to a front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf  102 , other embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) attached at one or more alternative or additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition,  FIG. 1  further illustrates the fence  100  attached such that it is generally parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf  102 . In other embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge, and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of the shelf. In addition,  FIG. 1  also shows only one fence  100  attached to the wire shelf  102 . In other embodiments, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be positioned substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.  
      In the fence embodiment  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the generally protruding portions  134  of the wire members  128  define cam-shaped portions or features  142 . Each cam-shaped portion  142  is configured to be resiliently compressed between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102  when the fence  100  is rotated about the upper support member  112  received within the fence&#39;s first retaining portion  136 . The fence  100  may be positioned with the first retaining portion  136  of at least one wire member  128  against the upper support member  112 , so as to allow the fence  100  to be rotated about the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf  102  into an assembled position. The fence  100  may be rotated relative to the shelf  102  such that the camming surface  142  of the curved section  132  of at least one wire member  128  comes into contact with the lower support member  116  of the wire shelf  102 . Further rotation of the fence  100  with respect to the shelf  102  causes the cam-shaped portion  142  to be compressed between the shelf&#39;s upper and lower support members  112  and  116 , so as to reduce the height of the curved section  132  and the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138 . The camming surface  142  on the curved section  132  can thus move across the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  to allow the second retaining portion  138  to receive and engage the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116 . The compression of the curved section  132  or cam-shaped portion  142  accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  of the wire member  128 , such that the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102  may be received therein.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4A through 4C , one exemplary method for attaching the fence  100  to an exemplary wire shelf is shown. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the fence  100  may initially be positioned with the first retaining portion  136  of at least one wire member  128  against the upper support member  112  of a wire shelf, so as to allow the fence  100  to be rotated about the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf into an assembled position. The fence  100  may be rotated relative to the shelf such that the curved section  132  of the wire member  128  near the second retaining portion  138  comes into contact with the lower support member  116  of the wire shelf, as shown in  FIG. 4B . Further rotation of the fence  100  with respect to the shelf causes the curved section  132  in the wire member  128  to be compressed between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116 , represented by the upward arrow in  FIG. 4B . This compression reduces the height of the curved section  132  and the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138 . The curved section  132  of the wire member  128  near the second retaining portion  138  moves across the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  to engage the fence&#39;s lower horizontal rod member  124  ( FIG. 4B ). The second retaining portion  138  of the wire member  128  resiliently expands (as represented by the arrows in  FIG. 4B ) to allow the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  to be received and engaged within the second retaining portion  138 , as shown in  FIG. 4C . The compression of the curved section  132  of the wire member  128  accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  of the wire member  128 , such that the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  may receive the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf. Thus, the fence  100  may be attached to a shelf by positioning a first or upper attachment portion  136  against an upper support member  112  of a wire shelf, and resiliently compressing the curved section  132  to permit a lower support member  116  of the wire shelf to be received within the lower attachment portion  138  of the fence  100 .  
      In various embodiments, the cam-shaped portions  142  of the curved sections  132  of the wire members  128  can allow for ease of compression of the curved sections  132 , to thereby provide reduced resistance to installation of the fence  100  onto a wire shelf. The first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  of the wire members  128  of the fence  100  can also be configured such that the fence  100  resists separation from the wire shelf  102  when the fence  100  is pulled in a direction generally outwardly away from the wire shelf portion to which the fence  100  is attached.  
      The compression of the curved section  132  of the wire members  128  can also help retain the fence  100  to the wire shelf  102 . As the fence  100  is rotated relative to the shelf  102  into an assembled position, the camming surface  142  causes the curved section  132  to resiliently compress when the camming surface  142  contacts a support member of the wire shelf  102 . When the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  come into engagement with the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104 , the curved section  132  can resiliently expand to a lockingly engaged position in which the fence  100  may not be easily removed from the shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104  without compression of the curved section  132 .  
      In the fence embodiment  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  of the wire members  128  generally comprise upper and lower hook-shaped portions having generally U-shaped transverse profiles, which are adapted to receive the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104 . The fence&#39;s lower horizontal rod member  124  is connected to the legs or ends of the wire members  128  forming the generally U-shaped transverse profiles. The fence  100  may further comprise one or more intermediate horizontal rod members  140  vertically spaced between and generally parallel to the upper and lower horizontal rod members  120  and  124 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the intermediate rod member  140  is spaced above the curved section  132  in the wire members  128 .  
      In some embodiments, one or more of the fence&#39;s curved section  132  may comprise upper and lower camming surfaces for respectively contacting the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104  for causing the compression of the curved section  132 . At least one of the upper and lower camming surfaces can cause the curved section  132  to resiliently compress when the at least one camming surface contacts at least one of the upper or lower support members  112  or  116  of the wire shelf  102 , as the fence is rotated about the other one of the support members  112  or  116  of the wire shelf  102 . This resilient compression reduces the size or height of the curved section  132 , which facilitates positioning of the curved section  132  generally between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104 . In this exemplary manner, the fence  100  may be positioned onto one of the upper or lower support members  112  or  116  of the shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104  and rotated towards the other support member  112  or  116  into a lockingly engaged position.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4A through 4C , one exemplary method for attaching the fence  100  to an exemplary wire shelf is shown. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the fence  100  may initially be positioned with the first retaining portion  136  of at least one wire member  128  against the upper support member  112  of a wire shelf, so as to allow the fence  100  to be rotated about the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf into an assembled position. The fence  100  may be rotated relative to the shelf such that the curved section  132  of the wire member  128  near the second retaining portion  138  comes into contact with the lower support member  116  of the wire shelf, as shown in  FIG. 4B . Further rotation of the fence  100  with respect to the shelf causes the curved section  132  in the wire member  128  to be compressed between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116 , represented by the upward arrow in  FIG. 4B . This compression reduces the height of the curved section  132  and the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138 . The curved section  132  of the wire member  128  near the second retaining portion  138  moves across the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  to engage the fence&#39;s lower horizontal rod member  124  ( FIG. 4B ). The second retaining portion  138  of the wire member  128  resiliently expands (as represented by the arrows in  FIG. 4B ) to allow the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  to be received and engaged within the second retaining portion  138 , as shown in  FIG. 4C . The compression of the curved section  132  of the wire member  128  accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  of the wire member  128 , such that the first and second retaining portions  136  and  138  may receive the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf. Thus, the fence  100  may be attached to a shelf by positioning a first or upper attachment portion  136  against an upper support member  112  of a wire shelf, and resiliently compressing the curved section  132  to permit a lower support member  116  of the wire shelf to be received within the lower attachment portion  138  of the fence  100 .  
      In some alternative embodiments, the fence  100  may be positioned with the second retaining portion  138  of at least one wire member  128  against the lower support member  138  of a wire shelf  102 , so as to allow the fence  100  to be rotated about the lower support member  138  of the wire shelf  102  into an assembled position. The upper camming surface can thus cause the curved section  132  to be resiliently compressed when the camming surface contacts the upper support member  116  of the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104 , as the fence  100  is rotated about the lower support member  112  of the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104 . The resilient compression reduces the height of the curved section  132  to allow the curved section  132  to move across the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104  for engaging the upper support member  112  within the fence&#39;s first retaining portion  136 .  
      In other embodiments, both the upper and lower camming surfaces can cooperatively cause the curved section  132  to resiliently compress when the upper and lower camming surfaces contact the respective upper lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 , as the curved section  132  is forcibly inserted between the space defined between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the shelf  102 . This resilient compression reduces the size or height of the curved section  132  and facilitates positioning of the curved section  132  generally between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104  by allowing the curved section  132  to move across the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  for engaging the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  within the fence&#39;s first and second retaining portions  136  and  138 .  
       FIGS. 5 through 8  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a fence  200 . As shown, the fence  200  includes an upper horizontal rod or wire member  220 , and a lower horizontal rod or wire member  224 . The lower horizontal rod member  224  is spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member  220 .  
      The fence  200  also includes one or more wire or rod members  228  extending generally between the upper and lower horizontal rod members  220  and  224 . The one or more wire members  228  of the fence  200  have at least one curved section  232 . The curved section  232  includes first and second retaining portions  236  and  238  for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 , to thereby attach the fence  200  to the wire shelf  102 . The fence  200  may be readily attached to the wire shelf&#39;s downwardly extending portion  104  to help retain items stored on the deck of the wire shelf  102 .  
      While  FIG. 5  illustrates the fence  200  being attached to a front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf  102 , other embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) attached at one or more alternative or additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition,  FIG. 5  further illustrates the fence  200  attached such that it is generally parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf  102 . In other embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge, and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of the shelf. In addition,  FIG. 5  also shows only one fence  200  attached to the wire shelf  102 . In other embodiments, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be positioned substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , the curved section  232  of the one or more wire members  228  has a configuration and shape defining first and second the retaining portions  236  and  238 , and a generally protruding portion  234  between the first and second retaining portions  236  and  238 . At least a part of the curved section  232  or protruding portion  234  is configured to fit generally between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 .  
      In this particular embodiment, the curved section  232  is configured to be flexed so as to resiliently compress the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  236  and  238  to fit the first and second retaining portions  236  and  238  across the respective upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 . This resilient compression of the curved section  232  permits the shelf&#39;s upper and lower support members  112  and  116  to be received within the first and second retaining portions  236  and  238  of the wire members  228 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 6A through 6C , one exemplary method for attaching the fence  200  to an exemplary wire shelf is shown. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the fence  200  may initially be positioned with the first retaining portion  236  of at least one wire member  228  against the upper support member  112  of a wire shelf, so as to allow the fence  200  to be rotated about the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf into an assembled position. The fence  200  may be rotated relative to the shelf such that the curved section  232  of the wire member  228  near the second retaining portion  238  comes into contact with the lower support member  116  of the wire shelf, as shown in  FIG. 6B . Further rotation of the fence  200  with respect to the shelf causes the curved section  232  in the wire member  228  to be compressed between the upper and lower support members  112  and  116 , represented by the upward arrow in  FIG. 6B . This compression reduces the height of the curved section  232  and the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  236  and  238 . The curved section  232  of the wire member  228  near the second retaining portion  238  moves across the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  to engage the fence&#39;s lower horizontal rod member  224  ( FIG. 6B ). The second retaining portion  238  of the wire member  228  resiliently expands (as represented by the arrows in  FIG. 6B ) to allow the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  to be received and engaged within the second retaining portion  238 , as shown in  FIG. 6C . The compression of the curved section  232  in the wire member  228  accordingly reduces the spacing between the first and second retaining portions  236  and  238  of the wire member  228 , such that the first and second retaining portions  236  and  238  may receive the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf. Thus, the fence  200  may be attached to a shelf by positioning a first or upper attachment portion  236  against an upper support member  112  of a wire shelf, and resiliently compressing the curved section  232  to permit a lower support member  116  of the wire shelf to be received within the lower attachment portion  238  of the fence  200 .  
       FIGS. 9 through 12  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a fence  300 . As shown, the fence  300  includes an upper horizontal rod or wire member  320  and a lower horizontal rod or wire member  324 . The lower horizontal rod member  324  is spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member  320 . The fence  300  may further include one or more intermediate horizontal rod or wire members  340  vertically spaced between and generally parallel to the upper and lower horizontal rod members  320  and  324 .  
      The fence  300  also includes one or more rod or wire members  328  extending generally between the shelf&#39;s upper and lower horizontal rod members  320  and  324 . The one or more wire members  328  of the fence  300  include at least one curved section  332 . The curved section  332  defines upper and lower attachment portions  336  and  338  for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf, to thereby allow the fence  300  to be attached to the shelf.  
      While  FIG. 9  illustrates the fence  300  being attached to a front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf  102 , other embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) attached at one or more alternative or additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition,  FIG. 9  further illustrates the fence  300  attached such that it is generally parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf  102 . In other embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge, and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of the shelf. In addition,  FIG. 9  also shows only one fence  300  attached to the wire shelf  102 . In other embodiments, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be positioned substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.  
      In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 9 through 12 , the curved section  332  is configured to resiliently vary the spacing between the upper and lower attachment portions  336  and  338 , such that the first and second attachment portions  336  and  338  fit over the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of a wire shelf  102 .  
      With regard to the configuration and shape of the fence  300 , at least one of the wire members  328  includes a generally vertical portion  330  connected to the fence&#39;s upper horizontal rod member  320 , for example, by welding, adhesives, other suitable attachment methods, etc. The generally vertical portion  330  extends downwardly from the fence&#39;s upper horizontal rod member  320  to the curved section  332 .  
      A generally slanted portion slants inwardly from the generally vertical portion  330  to the curved section  332 . The curved section  332  has a plurality of curved portions alternating in curvature and extending from the generally vertical portion  330  towards the end portion to which the fence&#39;s lower horizontal rod member  324  is connected.  
      The curved section  332  defines first and second retaining portions  336  and  338 , which are releasably attachable to the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 . In the fence embodiment  300  shown in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , the upper attachment portion  336  of the fence  300  generally comprises a protruding portion  334  that defines a curved space for receiving the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf  102 . The lower attachment portion  338  generally comprises a hook shape that is configured to receive the lower support member  116  of the wire shelf  102 . In this particular embodiment, the fence  300  may be assembled to the wire shelf  102  by positioning the lower attachment portion  338  against the lower support member  116  of the wire shelf  102 , and resiliently expanding the curved section  332  (e.g., by pulling upwardly on the fence  300  while the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116  is engaged within the lower attachment portion  338 , etc.) to permit the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf  102  to be received within the upper attachment portion  336  of the fence  300 .  
      The curved section  332  is configured to be flexed so as to resiliently expand the spacing between the upper and lower attachment or retaining portions  336  and  338  to fit the upper and lower attachment portions  336  and  338  in engagement with the respective upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 . This resilient expansion of the curved section  332  permits the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102  to be received within the upper and lower attachment portions  336  and  338  in the one or more wire members  328 .  
       FIGS. 13 through 16  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a fence  400 . As shown, the fence  400  includes an upper horizontal rod or wire member  420  and a lower horizontal rod or wire member  424 . The lower horizontal rod member  424  is spaced below and generally parallel to the upper horizontal rod member  420 . The fence  400  may further include one or more intermediate horizontal rod or wire members  440  vertically spaced between and generally parallel to the upper and lower horizontal rod members  420  and  424 .  
      The fence  400  also includes one or more wire or rod members  428  extending generally between the upper and lower horizontal rod members  420  and  424 . The one or more wire members  428  of the fence  400  include at least one curved section  432 . The curved section  432  defines upper and lower attachment portions  436  and  438  for engagingly receiving the upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 , to thereby allow the fence  400  to be attached to the wire shelf  102 .  
      While  FIG. 13  illustrates the fence  400  being attached to a front generally vertical edge portion of the wire shelf  102 , other embodiments can include one or more shelf fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) attached at one or more alternative or additional shelf locations, such as along a side edge, intermediate position, and/or back edge of a shelf. In addition,  FIG. 13  further illustrates the fence  400  attached such that it is generally parallel with the front edge portion of the shelf  102 . In other embodiments, however, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be attached along a front edge, side edge, and/or back edge such the shelf is not parallel with the edge of the shelf. In addition,  FIG. 13  also shows only one fence  400  attached to the wire shelf  102 . In other embodiments, one or more fences (e.g.,  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and/or  400 , etc.) may be positioned substantially inline and adjacent each other to create a longer fence where desired, and/or may be positioned at different locations to provide or define compartments on the shelf.  
      In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 13 through 16 , the curved section  432  is configured to resiliently vary the spacing between the upper and lower attachment portions  436  and  438 , to permit the attachment portions  436  and  438  to fit onto the spaced-apart upper and lower support members  112  and  116  of the wire shelf  102 .  
      In this particular fence embodiment  400 , the fence&#39;s upper attachment portion  436  generally comprises an upper protruding portion  437  and a lower protruding portion  434  that define a space therebetween for receiving the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf  102 . The lower attachment portion  438  generally comprises a hook shape that is configured to receive the lower support member  116  of the shelf  102 . In one exemplary operation, the fence  400  may be assembled to the shelf  102  by positioning the lower attachment portion  438  against the shelf&#39;s lower support member  116 , and rotating the fence  400  relative to the shelf  102  to a position in which the shelf&#39;s upper support member  112  engages and resiliently expands the spacing between the upper and lower protruding portions  437  and  434 , to permit the upper support member  112  of the wire shelf  102  to be received within the upper attachment portion  436  of the fence  400 .  
      Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of assembling or attaching a fence to a wire shelf. In one particular method embodiment in which a fence includes at least first and second attachment portions and the wire shelf has first and second support members, the method generally includes positioning the first attachment portion of the fence against the wire shelf&#39;s first support member, and resiliently flexing a portion of the fence to permit the wire shelf&#39;s second support member to be engagingly received within the second attachment portion of the fence. In various embodiments, the process or operation of resiliently flexing the fence generally includes resiliently compressing at least one curved section of the fence to fit between the first and second support members of the wire shelf. In alternative embodiments, the process or operation of resiliently flexing the fence generally includes resiliently expanding at least one curved section of the fence to fit the first and second attachment portions of the shelf over the first and second support members of the wire shelf.  
      Various aspects of the present disclosure can be used with a wide variety of shelving products. Accordingly, the specific references to wire shelving and ventilated shelving should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only one specific form/type of shelf. For example,  FIGS. 1 through 16  show only one particular example of a ventilated wire shelf  102  to which one or more of the fences of the present disclosure can be attached. In other embodiments, shelf fences of the present disclosure can be used with a wide range of shelves other than what is shown in the figures, including shelves in different sizes (e.g., four foot, six foot, eight foot, ten foot, and/or cut to a custom size, etc.) and/or mounted at various locations (e.g., closet wall, bathroom, grocery store, department store, etc.) using brackets and/or other suitable means. Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used with shelves having a different depth and/or different spacing between the shelf&#39;s wires or rod members than that shown in the figures. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used with shelves having wires or rods oriented generally longitudinally, transversely, diagonally, etc. relative to the shelf. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure should not be limited to implementation into any specific form/type of shelf.  
      Further, the particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. The steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order or performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. In addition, any one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented individually or in any combination with any one or more of the other aspects of the present disclosure.  
      Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “bottom” and “side”, describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first”, “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.  
      When introducing elements or features of the present disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted.  
      The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.