Patent Publication Number: US-6666153-B2

Title: Adjustable shelf anchor

Description:
This Application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/624,783 filed Jul. 25, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,469. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to shelving and, more particularly, to shelving units for general household and utility use. A variety of shelf structures and shelving assemblies are known in the art. Many shelving assemblies are provided as “knock down” kits for assembly by the user at a location where the shelving assembly is to be used. This minimizes shipping costs by avoiding the need to transport bulky shelving assemblies. Such knock down shelving assemblies typically include a plurality of generally planar shelves separated by poles connected to the corners of the shelves. The interconnecting components are usually inexpensive and are typically made of a light weight polymeric material, such as molded polypropylene, to further reduce manufacturing and shipping costs. 
     Most knock down shelving assemblies are intended for use as stand alone units and, in general, they are sufficiently strong and stable for their intended purposes, despite their light weight construction. However, the light weight construction increases the propensity for tipping when improperly loaded. For example, the unbalanced load of a child climbing on one side of the shelving unit may cause the entire unit, and all things stored thereon, to tip over onto the child. 
     To reduce the likelihood of such dangers, various support brackets have been devised for securing shelves to adjacent walls. In general, such prior art brackets are secured to a wall in a selected location where the shelving unit is to be used. The shelving unit is moved into place and then connected to the pre-mounted bracket. While this is generally effective in preventing tipping of the shelving unit, mounting such brackets in a proper location on the wall before the shelving unit is moved into place can be difficult. Moreover, such brackets are typically designed for connection to particular portions of the shelving unit and are fixed relative thereto once connected. Therefore, although the user may have a particular location in mind for the shelving unit, the precise location may be dictated, at least in part, by the location of wall studs to which to brackets may be mounted. 
     Thus, there is a need for a shelving unit having mounting brackets or “anchors” that are connectable to the shelving unit prior to being secured to a wall, and which are adjustable relative the shelving unit to permit precise positioning of the anchor relative to the wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a general object of the present invention to provide a shelving unit including a shelf anchor configured for securing the shelving unit to an adjacent wall to prevent tipping. A more specific object of the invention is to provide a shelving unit having a mounting anchor that is connectable to the shelving unit prior to being secured to a wall, and which is adjustable along the perimeter of the shelf to permit precise positioning of the anchor relative to the wall to which the shelving unit is to be secured. 
     In general, a shelving unit of the present invention comprises a shelf and a shelf anchor for securing the shelf to an adjacent wall. The shelf has a peripheral rim that extends along at least a portion of the length of the shelf. The shelf has at least one internal lateral support member extending generally perpendicularly to the rim. The shelf anchor includes a base and a shelf-retainer. The base is adapted to be mounted to the wall. The shelf-retainer extends from the base. A retaining portion of the shelf-retainer is spaced from a front side of the base to define a rim-receiving recess between the base and the retaining portion of the shelf-retainer. The shelf anchor is positioned relative to the shelf so that at least a portion of the peripheral rim is received within the rim-receiving recess in a manner to prevent the shelf from moving outwardly from the wall when the shelf anchor is mounted to the wall. The shelf-retainer includes a lateral positioner. The shelf anchor is positioned relative to the shelf so that at least a portion of the lateral support member engages with the positioner in a manner to prevent sideways movement of the shelf relative to the wall when the shelf anchor is mounted to the wall. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a shelving unit comprises a shelf and a shelf anchor having a base, a bridge portion and a shelf-retaining portion. The shelf has a generally vertical peripheral rim that extends along at least a portion of the length of the shelf. The shelf also has at least one internal lateral support member extending generally perpendicularly to the rim. The base of the shelf anchor has front and rear sides. The rear side of the base has a wall-engaging portion adapted for flush engagement with the wall. The bridge portion of the base extends outwardly from the front side of the base. The -retaining portion of the base extends generally vertically from a distal end of the bridge portion. The shelf-retaining portion is spaced from the front side of the base to define a rim-receiving recess between the front side of the base and the shelf-retaining portion. The shelf anchor is positioned relative to the shelf so that at least a portion of the peripheral rim is received within the rim-receiving recess in a manner to prevent the shelf from moving outwardly from the wall when the shelf anchor is mounted to the wall. The shelf-retaining portion has a positioning recess. The shelf anchor is positioned relative to the shelf so that at least a portion of the lateral support member is received within the positioning recess in a manner to prevent the shelf from moving sideways relative to the wall when the shelf anchor is mounted to the wall. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, a shelving unit comprises a shelf and a shelf anchor having a base, a bridge portion, shelf-retaining portion and a lateral engagement surface. The shelf has a generally vertical peripheral rim that extends along at least a portion of the length of the shelf. The base of the shelf anchor has front and rear sides. The rear side of the base has a wall-engaging portion adapted for flush engagement with the wall. The bridge portion of the base extends outwardly from the front side of the base. The shelf-retaining portion of the base extends generally vertically from a distal end of the bridge portion. The shelf-retaining portion is spaced from the front side of the base to define a rim-receiving recess between the front side of the base and the shelf-retaining portion. The shelf anchor is positioned relative to the shelf so that at least a portion of the peripheral rim is received within the rim-receiving recess in a manner to prevent the shelf from moving outwardly from the wall when the shelf anchor is mounted to the wall. The lateral engagement surface engages an opposed lateral surface of the shelf in a manner to prevent the shelf from moving sideways relative to the wall when the shelf anchor is mounted to the wall. 
     A method for securing a shelving unit to a wall is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a shelf anchor having a rim-receiving recess adapted to receive a portion of a peripheral rim of a shelf, and a positioning recess adapted to receive a portion of an internal lateral support member of the shelf; positioning the shelf anchor on the shelf so that a portion of the peripheral rim is received within the rim-receiving recess; positioning the shelf anchor on the shelf so that a portion of the internal lateral support member is received within the positioning recess; and securing the shelf anchor to the wall. 
     While the principal advantages and features of the present invention have been described above, a more complete and thorough understanding and appreciation for the invention may be attained by referring to the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shelf anchor of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 1, the left side elevational view being a mirror image thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is fragmented front perspective view of the shelf anchor of the present invention positioned on the peripheral rim of a shelf; 
     FIG. 9 is fragmented front perspective view of the shelf anchor secured to a lower part of the shelf with a mechanical fastener; 
     FIG. 10 is fragmented rear perspective view of the shelf anchor positioned on the peripheral rim of the shelf; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the shelf anchor positioned on the peripheral rim of the shelf; 
     FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a shelf anchor of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a right side elevational view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 12, the left side elevational view being a mirror image thereof; 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 17 is fragmented front perspective view of the shelf anchor of the present invention positioned on the peripheral rim of a shelf. 
     FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the shelf anchor of FIG. 12 positioned on the peripheral rim of the shelf. 
     Reference characters in these Figures correspond to reference characters in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A shelf anchor of the present invention is shown in detail in FIGS. 1 through 7, and is represented generally by the reference numeral  20 . In general, the shelf anchor  20  comprises a base  22  and a shelf retainer  24 . The base  22  has a front side  26  and an opposite rear side  28 . The rear side  28  of the base  22  has a wall-engaging portion  30  adapted for flush engagement with a wall (not shown). As best shown in FIG. 2, the shelf anchor is preferably molded as a monolithic hollow piece, to reduce material costs and overall weight of the shelving unit. However, the shelf anchor could comprise multiple pieces or could be made as a solid structure without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the shelf anchor is molded of a suitable polymeric material, such as polypropylene, but other materials could be used and other manufacturing methods could be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the hollow configuration of the preferred embodiment of the shelf anchor  20  shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the wall-engaging portion  30  of the anchor  20  is in the form of a relatively narrow, generally rectangular rim. In most cases, the shelf anchor  20  be will be mounted to a flat wall, so preferably, the entire wall-engaging portion  30  lies in a single plane. 
     The shelf retainer  24  has a bridge portion  36  and a shelf-retaining portion  38 . As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the bridge portion  36  extends outwardly and generally horizontally from the front side  26  of the base  22 . The shelf-retaining portion  38  extends generally vertically from a distal end of the bridge portion  36  so that a generally rearwardly facing surface  40  of the shelf-retaining portion  38  is spaced from the front side  26  of the base  22 . As shown in the Figures, the shelf-retaining portion  38  preferably extends generally downwardly from the distal end of the bridge portion  36  to define a recess  42  between the rearwardly facing surface  40  of the shelf-retaining portion  38  and the front side  26  of the base  22 . The importance of the recess  40  is explained below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2,  4  and  10 , the hollow shelf anchor of the preferred embodiment preferably includes a pair of bosses  46  and  48 , which define holes  50  and  52  adapted to receive mechanical fasteners  56  (see FIGS. 8,  9  and  11 ) for securing the anchor  20  to a wall (not shown). 
     A shelf used with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8 through 11, and is represented generally by the reference numeral  60 . In general, the shelf  60  comprises a generally horizontal load supporting surface  62  and a vertical peripheral wall  64 . Post-receiving cylinders  66  are provided at corners of the shelf  60  for receiving shelf-supporting posts (not shown). Preferably, an upper portion of the vertical peripheral wall  64  defines a generally vertical peripheral rim  70  of the shelf  60 , which extends upwardly from the load supporting surface  62 . Preferably, the shelf  60  is also molded of a polymeric material, such as polypropylene, but other materials could be used and other manufacturing methods could be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in FIGS. 8,  10  and  11 , the rim-receiving recess  42  is sized to receive at least an upper portion of the vertical peripheral rim  70  of the shelf  60  therein. The vertical peripheral rim  70  of the shelf  60  includes a generally forwardly facing surface  72 , which is adapted for engagement with the rearwardly facing surface  40  of the shelf-retaining portion  38  of the shelf anchor  20 , when the shelf anchor  20  is connected to the shelf  60  as shown in FIGS. 8,  10  and  11 . Thus, when the shelf anchor  20  is secured to a wall (not shown) and the peripheral rim  70  of the shelf  60  is received within the recess  42 , the forwardly facing surface  72  of the rim  70  engages against the rearwardly facing surface  40  of the shelf-retaining portion  38  of the shelf anchor  20  to prevent the shelf  60  from moving outwardly away from the wall. 
     To this point, the preferred embodiment of the shelf anchor  20  has been described as having a shelf retaining portion  38  that extends generally downwardly to define a downwardly facing recess  42  adapted to receive a portion of the peripheral rim  70  upwardly therein. However, alternatively, the anchor could be constructed with a shelf retaining portion that extends generally upwardly to define an upwardly facing recess for receiving a peripheral wall or rim downwardly therein. 
     Preferably, the recess  42  comprises a channel that extends generally transversely of the front side  26  of the base  22  and generally parallel to the wall when the shelf anchor  20  is mounted to the wall to permit transverse sliding movement of the shelf anchor  20  relative to the peripheral rim  70  of the shelf  60  when the rim  70  is received within the recess  42 . Thus, the shelf anchor  20  is slidable transversely along the length of rim  70 , with the rearwardly facing surface  40  of the shelf retaining portion  38  in sliding engagement with the forwardly facing surface  72  of the rim  70 . This permits precise lateral positioning of the shelf anchor  20  relative to the shelf  60  and relative to the wall after the anchor  20  has been connected the shelf  60 . This is beneficial because, once the shelving unit has been positioned against a wall, the anchors  20  can be moved laterally along the rim  70  of the shelf  60 , e.g., for alignment with wall studs, without the need to move the entire shelving unit. 
     As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the vertical peripheral wall  64  of the shelf  60  preferably includes a transverse slot  80  or other aperture adapted for receiving one of the mechanical fasteners  56  therethrough. By fastening the shelf anchor  20  to the shelf  60  with a mechanical fastener  56  passing through the slot  80 , the position of the shelf anchor  20  can be fixed relative to the rim  70 , after the shelf anchor has been moved to a desired location on the rim  70 . 
     The present invention also includes a novel method of securing a shelving unit of the type described above to a wall, where the shelving unit includes at least one shelf having a peripheral rim. In general, the method comprises the steps of: providing a shelf anchor having a rim-receiving recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the peripheral rim of the shelf; positioning the shelf anchor on the peripheral rim of the shelf so that at least a portion of the peripheral rim is received within the rim-receiving recess; and securing the shelf anchor to the wall. Preferably, the step of securing the shelf anchor to the wall is performed after the step of positioning the shelf anchor on the peripheral rim of the shelf. Also, preferably, the step of securing the shelf anchor to the wall includes sliding the shelf anchor transversely along the peripheral rim of the shelf to a selected location. Again, this is beneficial because, once the shelving unit has been positioned against a wall, the anchors  20  can be moved laterally along the rim  70  of the shelf  60 , e.g., for alignment with wall studs, without the need to move the entire shelving unit. 
     A second embodiment of a shelf anchor of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12 through 18, and is represented generally by the reference numeral  120 . In general, the shelf anchor  120  comprises a base  122  and a shelf retainer  124 . The base  122  has a front side  126  and an opposite rear side  128 . The rear side  128  of the base  122  has a wall-engaging portion  130  adapted for flush engagement with a wall (not shown). Like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the shelf anchor  120  shown in FIGS. 12-18 may be molded as a monolithic hollow piece, to reduce material costs and overall weight of the shelving unit. However, like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the shelf anchor  120  of FIGS. 12-18 may instead comprise multiple pieces or could be made as a solid structure without departing from the scope of the present invention. Like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the shelf anchor  120  is preferably molded of a suitable polymeric material, such as polypropylene, but other materials could be used and other manufacturing methods could be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Because the shelf anchor  120  will be mounted to a flat wall in most cases, at least a portion of the wall-engaging portion  130  should be generally planar. As best shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, preferably, the entire wall-engaging portion  130  lies in a single plane. 
     The shelf retainer  124  has a bridge portion  136  and a shelf-retaining portion  138 . As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the bridge portion  136  extends outwardly and generally horizontally from the front side  126  of the base  122 . Preferably, the shelf-retaining portion  138  extends generally vertically downwardly from a distal end of the bridge portion  136  so that a generally rearwardly facing surface  140  of the shelf-retaining portion  138  is spaced from the front side  126  of the base  122 . As best shown in FIG. 13, the rearwardly facing surface  140  and the front side  126  of the base  122  are spaced from one another to define a rim-receiving recess  142  therebetween, similar to the rim-receiving recess of the shelf anchor  20  of FIGS. 1-11. 
     The shelf-retaining portion  138  also includes a lateral positioner. As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the lateral positioner preferably comprises a positioning recess  144  extending generally vertically in a lower end of the shelf-retaining portion  138  and being open at the bottom. The positioning recess  144  includes opposed lateral engagement surfaces  146  and  148 . The functions of the lateral engagement surfaces  146  and  148  are discussed below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 12,  14  and  17 , the shelf anchor  120  preferably includes a boss  150 , which defines an aperture  152  adapted to receive one or more mechanical fasteners  156  (see FIGS. 17 and 18) for securing the shelf anchor  120  to a wall (not shown). 
     The shelf anchor  120  is preferably used with a shelf  160  as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The shelf  160  is similar in some respects to the shelf shown in FIGS. 8 through 11 and described above. In general, the shelf  160  comprises a generally horizontal load supporting portion  162  and a vertical peripheral wall  164 . Preferably, an upper portion of the vertical peripheral wall  164  defines a generally vertical peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160 . As best shown in FIG. 17, the load supporting portion  162  of the shelf is preferably comprised of a plurality of internal lateral support members (or ribs)  166  extending generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicularly to the vertical peripheral wall  164 . Upper edges of the internal lateral support members  166  define a generally planar load supporting surface. Preferably, the peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160  extends upwardly slightly higher than the load supporting surface. 
     Like the shelf  60  of FIGS. 8-11, the shelf  160  shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is preferably molded entirely of a polymeric material, such as polypropylene, but other materials could be used and other manufacturing methods could be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, preferably, the internal lateral support members  166  are preferably integral with the vertical peripheral wall  164 . More preferably, the lateral support members  166  and peripheral wall  164  are of a monolithic construction. 
     As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the rim-receiving recess  142  is sized to receive at least an upper portion of the vertical peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160  therein. The vertical peripheral rim  70  of the shelf  160  includes a generally forwardly facing surface  172 , which is adapted for engagement with the rearwardly facing surface  140  of the shelf-retaining portion  138  of the shelf anchor  120 , when the shelf anchor  120  is connected to the shelf  160  as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Thus, when the shelf anchor  120  is secured to a wall (not shown) and the peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160  is received within the recess  142 , the forwardly facing surface  172  of the rim  170  engages against the rearwardly facing surface  140  of the shelf-retaining portion  138  of the shelf anchor  120  to prevent the shelf  160  from moving outwardly away from the wall. 
     As best shown in FIG. 17, the positioning recess  144  is sized to receive at least an upper portion of one of the internal lateral support members  166  of the shelf therein. The opposed lateral engagement surfaces  146  and  148  of the positioning recess  144  are adapted for engagement with side surfaces of the lateral support member  166  received in the positioning recess  144 , when the shelf anchor  120  is in engagement with the shelf  160  as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Thus, when the shelf anchor  120  is secured to a wall (not shown) and the upper portion of the lateral support member  166  is received in the positioning recess  144 , the opposed lateral engagement surfaces  146  and  148  of the positioning recess  144  engage against the side surfaces of the lateral support member  166  in a manner to prevent the shelf  160  from moving sideways (parallel) relative to the wall. As shown in FIG. 17, when the upper portion of the lateral support member  166  is received in the positioning recess  144 , the positioning recess  144  essentially “straddles” the support member  166 . 
     Preferably, the positioning recess  144  is sized to receive the upper portion of any of the internal lateral support members  166 . Thus, the shelf anchor  120  can be placed at any selected location along the peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160  where an internal lateral support member  166  is located. Also, the spacing between each pair of internal lateral support members  166  is preferably just greater than the overall width of the shelf anchor  120 , so that the shelf anchor  120  can be placed at a selected location along the peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160  between two lateral support member  166 . When the shelf anchor  120  is placed on the rim  170  at a location between two lateral support member  166 , the positioning recess  144  is not used to limit lateral movement of the shelf  160  and shelf anchor  120  relative to one another. However, when the shelf anchor  120  placed on the rim  170  at a location between two lateral support member  166 , side surfaces  174  and  175  of the shelf anchor engage against the side surfaces of the lateral support members  166  in a manner to prevent the shelf  160  from moving sideways relative to the wall. This allows relatively precise lateral positioning of the shelf anchor  120  relative to the shelf  160  and relative to the wall, once a general location for the shelving unit has been determined. After a general location for the shelving unit has been determined and the shelving unit has been positioned against the wall, the anchors  120  can be positioned at desired locations on the rim  170  of the shelf  60 , e.g., for alignment with wall studs, etc., without the need to move the entire shelving unit. 
     In the shelf  160  illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the peripheral rim  170  includes a generally horizontal flange  176  that extends outwardly away from the load supporting portion  162  of the shelf. The flange  176  provides a wide, stable upper surface on which the shelf anchor  120  can rest when the peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160  is received within the rim-receiving recess  142 . When used with a shelf having such a flange, the shelf anchor  120  preferably includes a spacer  180  extending from the front side  126  of the base  122 . Preferably, the spacer  180  extends from the base  122  a distance approximately equal to the distance that the flange  176  extends from the peripheral wall  164 . The spacer  180  is adapted for engagement with an outer surface of the vertical peripheral wall  164  in a manner so that the shelf anchor  120  and the peripheral wall  164  remain in a substantially vertical parallel relationship. When used with a shelf having a peripheral wall without an outturned flange, the spacer  180  is not necessary to maintain the vertical parallel relationship of the shelf anchor  120  and peripheral wall  164 . 
     The present invention also includes a novel method of securing a shelving unit of the type described above to a wall using the shelf anchor  120  shown in FIGS. 12-18. In general, the method comprises the steps of: positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf  160  so that a portion of the peripheral rim  170  of the shelf  160  is received within the rim-receiving recess  142 ; positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf so that a portion of one of the internal lateral support members  166  is received within the positioning recess  144 ; and securing the shelf anchor  120  to the wall. 
     Preferably, the steps of positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf  160  so that a portion of the peripheral rim  170  is received within the rim-receiving recess  142  and positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf  160  so that a portion of one of the lateral support members  166  is received within the positioning recess  144  are performed generally simultaneously. Also, preferably, step of securing the shelf anchor  120  to the wall is performed after the steps of positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf  160  so that a portion of the peripheral rim  170  is received within the rim-receiving recess  142  and positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf  160  so that a portion of one of the lateral support members  166  is received within the positioning recess  144 . The preferred method also includes the step of selecting one of the plurality of internal lateral support members  166  to be received within the positioning recess  144 . Preferably, the steps of positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf  160  so that a portion of the peripheral rim  170  is received within the rim-receiving recess  142  and positioning the shelf anchor  120  on the shelf  160  so that a portion of one of the lateral support members  166  is received within the positioning recess  144  are both performed after the step of selecting one of the plurality of lateral support members  166  to be received within the positioning recess  144 . 
     While the present invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments and specific uses, it should be understood that other configurations and arrangements could be constructed, and different uses could be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.