Patent Publication Number: US-2007095773-A1

Title: Storage system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      A wide variety of conventional shelving systems is available for storing all types of articles and products in many different environments, some of which present unique challenges. For example, it is often desirable to install shelving in closets, laundry rooms, stock rooms, coolers, garages, and other rooms (each of which is hereinafter referred to only as a “room”) in which modification to the walls, floor, and ceiling is not possible or acceptable.  
      Also, rooms in which shelving is to be installed vary significantly in size and shape, which may increase the difficulty in installing standardized shelving in an efficient and space-saving manner. Although customized shelving can be manufactured to meet the particular dimensions and shape of any room, the costs associated with non-standardized shelving often render such shelving uneconomical. In addition, shelving customized for a consumer&#39;s particular room dimensions is generally at odds with the desire for consumers to purchase shelving that is ready-to-assemble and install, and with the ability to construct such shelving without requiring the consumer to purchase a significant number of different shelving assembly components. In this regard, the more customized shelving systems are made, the less modular and adaptable to other applications they become.  
      Accordingly, economical, modular, easy-to-install, adjustable, space-saving, and efficient shelving systems are welcome additions to the art.  
     SUMMARY  
      Some embodiments of the present invention provide a modular shelving system for installation in a corner of a room, wherein the modular shelving system comprises a first free-standing shelving unit adapted to be positioned in the corner of the room, the free-standing corner shelving unit comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, an unobstructed front corner through which user access to the first shelf is provided, a first rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent a first wall of the corner, and a second rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent a second wall of the corner, and a second free-standing shelving unit having a shape that is different from that of the first free-standing shelving unit, the second free-standing shelving unit coupled to the first free-standing shelving unit a distance from the first free-standing shelving unit, and comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the second plurality of uprights.  
      In some embodiments, a modular shelving system is provided that comprises a plurality of substantially identical uprights, a first plurality of substantially identical shelves, and a second plurality of substantially identical shelves having a shape different from that of the first plurality of substantially identical shelves, at least one of a rod and a shelf, wherein the plurality of substantially identical uprights are interchangeable with the first and second pluralities of substantially identical shelves to construct two free-standing shelving units having different shapes coupled by the at least one of the rod and the shelf spanning a distance between the two free-standing shelving units.  
      Some embodiments of the present invention provide a modular shelving system, comprising a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the second plurality of uprights, and a rod extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the rod having a length that is adjustable to change a position of the first free-standing shelving unit with respect to the second free-standing shelving unit.  
      In some embodiments, a modular shelving system is provided that comprises a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, and a rod extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the rod releasably coupled to a first upright of the first plurality of uprights via an open collar.  
      Some embodiments of the present invention provide a modular shelving system, comprising a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, and a third shelf extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the third shelf releasably coupled to a first upright of the first plurality of uprights via an open collar.  
      In some embodiments, a method of assembling a modular shelving system is provided that comprises coupling first and second shelves to a first upright of a first plurality of uprights to at least partially define a first shelving unit, the first shelf located above the second shelf in the first shelving unit, coupling a third shelf to a second upright of a second plurality of uprights to at least partially define a second shelving unit disposed a distance from the first shelving unit, coupling at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the first upright at a location between the first and second shelves after coupling the first and second shelves to the first upright and without disassembly of the first upright, and coupling the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the second upright to couple the first and second shelving units together.  
      Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular shelving system according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a support post of the shelving system illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded side view of the support post illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a corner shelf of the modular shelving system illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the modular shelving system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , modified to include hanger rails and a rod coupled thereto by brackets.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of the modular shelving system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , modified to include hanger rails and a plurality of rods coupled thereto and to a wall rail via brackets.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the modular shelving system of  FIG. 1 , modified to include a hanger rail and a rod coupled thereto and to a wall via hanger brackets.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a rectangular shelf liner of the modular shelving system of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a corner shelf liner of the modular shelving system of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.  
      With reference first to  FIG. 1 , a modular shelving system  10  is shown, and includes a corner shelving unit  14  and a rectangular shelving unit  16 . The corner shelving unit  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  has a five-sided polygonal footprint, while the rectangular shelving unit  16  illustrated in  FIG. 1  has a rectangular footprint. Shelving units  14 ,  16  having other shapes (described in greater detail below) can have footprints of other shapes. Each of the corner and rectangular shelving units  14 ,  16  illustrated in  FIG. 1  has a number of uprights  12  coupled to and supporting a number of shelves  22  as will be described in greater detail below. The modular shelving system  10  can have any number of uprights  12  for supporting any number of corner shelves  20  or rectangular shelves  22  (herein collectively referred to as “shelves” and/or “shelf” unless stated otherwise). Also, it should be noted that the shape of the shelves  20 ,  22  is not limited to those illustrated in  FIG. 1 . For example, any or all of the shelves  20 ,  22  can have the same shapes as shown in  FIG. 1 , but can be available in different sizes, while other shelves  20 ,  22  can have entirely different shapes (e.g., triangular, trapezoidal, round, oval, elliptical, irregular, and the like).  
      The corner shelving unit  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is shaped to have two rear sides  92  and an unobstructed front corner  90  through which users are provided access to the shelves  20  and articles/products upon the shelves  20 . The corner shelf  14  can therefore be placed in a corner (i.e., adjacent the walls defining the corner) and even between two adjacent shelving units  14 ,  16  of any type without preventing a user from accessing the interior of the corner shelving unit  14 . This corner shelf unit structure can enable users to access and utilize portions of the corner shelving unit  14  that might not otherwise be used if blocked by one or more front uprights  12 .  
      In some embodiments of the modular shelving system  10 , one or more of the shelves  20 ,  22  of the corner and/or rectangular shelving units  14 ,  16  are adjustable to different heights along the uprights  12 . For example, the shelves  20 ,  22  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are adjustable to different positions along the uprights  12 , and can be secured thereto in any conventional manner. In other embodiments, none of the shelves  20 ,  22  are adjustable to different positions in the modular shelving system  10 .  
      With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , each upright  12  can have a hollow cylindrical shape, although solid uprights  12  can be used in other embodiments. The uprights  12  can have any cross-sectional shape desired, including, without limitation, round, oval, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, irregular, and other cross-sectional shapes. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the uprights  12  each have a generally round cross-sectional shape. Although the cross-sectional size and shape of each upright  12  can be constant along the length of the upright  12  as shown in the illustrated embodiments, this need not necessarily be the case.  
      In those embodiments in which at least either or both ends of the uprights  12  are hollow, the ends of the uprights  12  can be closed with caps  44 , if desired (see  FIG. 3 ). Such caps  44  can be pressed, threaded, pinned, or secured into place on the ends of the uprights  12  in any other manner. In some embodiments, an end of one or more uprights  12  includes a foot  40  designed to be placed in contact with a floor surface. The foot  40  can take any of the forms just described with reference to the caps  44 . Also, the foot  40  is adjustable in some embodiments, such as by a threaded connection between the foot and the uprights  12  or between different portions of the foot  40 . Such adjustability enables a user to raise and lower the associated upright  12  in order to level the shelving unit  14 ,  16 .  
      The uprights  12  of any shelving unit  14 ,  16  disclosed herein can comprise a single integral element or any number of elements coupled together in any manner. For example, an upright  12  can include a single pole, or two or more poles connected end-to-end. The individual sections of multiple-sectioned uprights  12  can be connected in a number of different manners, such as by mating connections (e.g., press or clearance fit connections, threaded connections, splined and/or keyed connections, and the like), connections established by couplings (e.g., double-ended threaded or press-fit couplings received on or in the ends of adjacent upright sections), by telescoping connections between upright sections, by adhesive or cohesive bonding material, welds, brazing, or in any other manner. For example, the uprights  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are constructed of multiple sections joined by threaded couplings  42  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The couplings  42  illustrated in  FIG. 3  have threaded ends that engage threads formed in adjacent sections of an upright  12 .  
      With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the illustrated uprights  12  each have a plurality of external circumferential grooves  18 . These grooves  18  can be used to secure shelves  20 ,  22  to the uprights  12 . In some embodiments, multiple grooves  18  enable the attachment of multiple shelves  20 ,  22  and/or accessories (e.g., rails  30 , described below) to the uprights  12  and/or permit the shelves  20 ,  22  to be secured at a variety of points along the uprights  12 . If employed, the grooves  18  can be used in conjunction with tapered or non-tapered bushings (not shown) in order to connect the shelves  20 ,  22  to the uprights  12  in a conventional manner.  
      In some embodiments, shelves  20 ,  22  can be connected to the uprights  12  by positioning bushings (not shown) around the uprights  12  at one or more desired heights. As described above, the bushings can engage at least one of the grooves  18 , if utilized. With the bushings in place, a shelf  20 ,  22  can be lowered onto the uprights  12  such that collars  50  (e.g., see  FIG. 4 ) of the shelf  20 ,  22  at least partially surround and capture the bushings. In some embodiments, the collars  50  compress the bushings against the uprights  12 . Tapered bushings and/or internally-tapered collars  50  can enhance this function. Accordingly, bushings can be compressed and locked in place in the grooves  18  at desired locations along the uprights  12  to secure the shelves  20 ,  22  at the desired heights. The cylindrical collars  50  are designed to fit over the uprights  12 . Accordingly, and by enabling a user to secure the shelves  20 ,  22  to the uprights  12  as described herein, the user can install any number of shelves  20 ,  22  at different heights along the upright  12 . Supporting a shelf upon uprights  12  in this manner is well known to those skilled in the art, and will not therefore be discussed in greater detail.  
      In other embodiments of the present invention, the uprights  12  can be provided with other features and elements enabling connection of shelves  20 ,  22  to the uprights  12 . Such features and elements include without limitation a plurality of slots, recesses, and other apertures in the uprights  12 , a plurality of ribs, studs, bosses, flanges, lips, pins, or other protrusions extending from the uprights  12 , and the like. In still other embodiments, the surfaces of the uprights  12  are relatively featureless (such as when clamps, set-screws, or other fasteners are used to secure the shelves  20 ,  22  in place on the uprights  12 ).  
      The shelves  20 ,  22  of the shelving units  14 ,  16  can take a number of different forms. For example, the shelves  20 ,  22  can be wire-type shelves as shown in the illustrated embodiments, can be plate or panel-type shelves (e.g., solid plates or panels, expanded metal or other apertured plates or panels, and the like), or can take any other form desired. As another example, the shelves  20 ,  22  can be defined by two or more rods (e.g., rods  32 ,  134 ,  232 ,  234 ,  332  described in greater detail below) positioned to define a substantially horizontal support surface, such as two or more horizontal and parallel rods upon which product can be supported. The shelves  20 ,  22  can have a side wall about any part or all of the shelves  20 ,  22  as shown in the illustrated embodiments. In this regard, the shelves  20 ,  22  can have relatively high side walls to define a basket or other receptacle, if desired. Nevertheless, shelves having such other shapes are still referred to herein and in the appended claims as “shelves” for ease of description. Alternatively, the shelves  20 ,  22  have no such side wall in other embodiments.  
      The corner shelf  20  illustrated in  FIG. 4  will now be described in greater detail, it being understood that the following description of the corner shelf  20  applies equally to the rectangular shelves  22  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 5 , and  6  and to shelves having other shapes. With reference now to  FIG. 4 , the illustrated corner shelf  20  is a wire-type shelf having a hollow cylindrical collar  50  located at each corner, perimeter wires  52 , edge wires  54 , cross wires  56 , and shelf surface wires  58 . In some embodiments, two pieces of perimeter wire  52  at least partially define one or more sides of the shelf  20 , and can be coupled to the collars  50  at each corner. Also, in some embodiments, the edge wire  54  runs between the pieces of perimeter wire  52 . The edge wire  54  can be coupled to both pieces of perimeter wire  52 , and can have a wavy shape along its length. In other embodiments in which wire-type shelves are utilized, one or more edges of the shelves  20 ,  22  can be defined entirely or in part by other types of wire, such as by upturned edges of cross wires  56  and/or shelf surface wires  58  (described below), perimeter wires  52  having other shapes with or without edge wires  54 , edge wires  54  having other shapes with or without perimeter wires  52 , and the like.  
      With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the illustrated cross wires  56  extend between edges of the shelf  20 , and are joined to the perimeter wires  52  and/or the edge wires  54  at both ends. The shelf surface wires  58  run perpendicular to and above the cross wires  56  between edges of the shelf  20  across the tops of the cross wires  56 . In other embodiments, the cross and shelf surface wires  56 ,  58  are arranged in other manners with respect to one another while still falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a rectangular shelving unit. The elements and features of this embodiment are similar in many ways to elements and features in the embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . Accordingly, the following description focuses primarily upon those elements and features that are different from the embodiments described above. Reference should be made to the above description for additional information regarding the elements, features, and possible alternatives to the elements and features of the shelving unit  116  illustrated in  FIG. 5  and described below. Elements and features of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  that correspond to elements and features of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4  are designated hereinafter in the 100 series of reference numbers.  
      In some embodiments, the shelving units  14 ,  16  can be provided with one or more hanger rails  130  for mounting rods  134  or other shelving components on the shelving units  14 ,  16 . Although  FIG. 5  shows hanger rails  130  and a rod  134  installed on a rectangular shelving unit  116  similar to that of  FIG. 1 , the following description applies equally to the corner shelving unit  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the rectangular shelving unit  116  is illustrated with two hanger rails  130 , two brackets  136 , and a rod  134 . The hanger rails  130  can be constructed similarly to the shelves  122 , or can have any other type of construction (e.g., one or more rods, plates, tubes or other elements) extending between and connected to the uprights  112 . The hanger rails  130  can include hollow collars  138  that have a “C” shape rather than a full cylindrical shape. Such a shape can enable the hanger rails  130  to be snapped onto or otherwise installed at desired positions on the uprights  112  (see  FIG. 6 ) without having to slide the hanger rails  130  along the uprights  112  from the ends of the uprights  112 . Alternatively, the collars  138  can have the same or similar shape to the collars  150  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the shelves  122 . The hanger rails  130  can be attached to the uprights  112  in any of the manners described above regarding the connection between the shelves  20 ,  22  and the uprights  12  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , for example, the C-shaped collars  138  compress bushings (not shown) located on the uprights  112  in a manner described earlier. It should also be noted that any number of hanger rails  130  can be mounted at different heights along any of the uprights  112 , as desired.  
      The hanger rails  130  can also or instead have hinged collars  138  (not shown), in which a portion of each collar  138  is coupled to the rest of the collar  138  via a hinge, enabling a user to open and close the collar  138  for installation upon an upright  112 . The term “open collar” as used herein and in the appended claims refers collectively to any collar having an at least partially opened shape or capable of being opened to have an at least partially opened shape for installation upon an upright  112 , including without limitation the C-shaped and hinged collars  138  described above.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more rods  134  are coupled to one or more hanger rails  130  as described above. This connection can be made by one or more brackets  136 , such as the brackets  136  shown in  FIG. 5 . The brackets  136  each include a cupped portion  170  shaped to cradle the rod  134  and a body portion  172  shaped to straddle the hanger rail  130 . With reference to  FIG. 7 , which illustrates an identical bracket  336  used in another embodiment described below, the body portion  372  can include a pair of apertures  373  passing therethrough for one or more fasteners used to mount the bracket  336  to a wall or other structure. To install the bracket  136  on a hanger rail  130  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the body portion  172  is oriented with its open end directed generally downwardly and placed so that it straddles the hanger rail  130 . In this and other embodiments, the rods  134  can be adjustable to different positions along the hanger rail(s)  130 . For example, the brackets  36 ,  136 ,  236 ,  336  in the illustrated embodiments can be positioned anywhere along the hanger rails  130  by straddling the hanger rail  130  in any desired position therealong.  
      It should be noted that the brackets  136  (and therefore, telescoping or non-telescoping rods or other accessories coupled to the brackets  136 ) can be coupled to one or more shelves  120 ,  122  in any of the shelving system embodiments disclosed herein. For this purpose, the hanger rails  130  and the edges of the shelves  120 ,  122  can have the same or similar shape enabling a user to mount brackets  136  thereto. For example, and with reference back to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the hanger rails  30  are similar in shape to the lateral edges of the shelves  20 ,  22 . In this manner, a user can connect one or more brackets  36  and associated accessories to a shelving unit  14 ,  16  by a hanger rail  30  (e.g., see the brackets  36  supporting the three telescoping rods  32  in  FIG. 1 ) or by a shelf  120 ,  122  (e.g., see the brackets  36  supporting the single telescoping rod  32  in the center of  FIG. 1 ), thereby adding an additional degree of flexibility to the shelving system  10 .  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a rod  134  suspended between two brackets  136  supported by respective hanger rails  130 . The rod  134  is cradled at each end by the cupped portion  170  of each bracket  136 . In some embodiments, the brackets  136  (and therefore the rod  134 ) can be moved to different positions along the lengths of the hanger rails  130 . Also, the hanger rails  130  can be adjusted vertically along the uprights  112  in a manner similar to adjustment of the shelves  122 . Therefore, the position of the rod  134  can be adjusted vertically and/or horizontally to meet the needs of the user. It should be noted that multiple rods  134  can be added and supported by additional brackets  136  which can be installed on the same or additional hanger rails  130 .  
      As described above, the brackets  136  illustrated in  FIG. 5  straddle the hanger rails  130 , while the rod  134  is received in cupped portions  170  of the brackets  136 . In other embodiments, the brackets  136  can instead be permanently or releasably coupled to the hanger rails  130  and/or to the rod  134  by screws, bolts, nails, rivets, pins, and other fasteners, by clips, clamps, or inter-engaging elements, by adhesive or cohesive bonding material, by welds or brazing, or in any other manner. Also, any of these manners of connection can be employed for direct connection of the rod  134  to the hanger rails  130  (i.e., without the use of brackets  136 ). It should also be noted that the brackets  136  (if used) can be integral with the hanger rails  130  and/or the rod  134  in other embodiments, and can have any other shape suitable for performing the connecting and supporting functions described above.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a rectangular shelving unit. The elements and features of this embodiment are similar in many ways to elements and features in the embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . Accordingly, the following description focuses primarily upon those elements and features that are different from the embodiments described above. Reference should be made to the above description for additional information regarding the elements, features, and possible alternatives to the elements and features of the shelving unit  216  illustrated in  FIG. 6  and described below. Elements and features of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  that correspond to elements and features of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-5  are designated hereinafter in the 200 series of reference numbers.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment identical to  FIG. 5 , but with an additional hanger rail  230  secured to a wall or other structure a distance from the rectangular shelving unit  216 . Although  FIG. 6  shows an additional hanger rail  230  and other structure (described below) installed on a rectangular shelving unit  216  similar to that of  FIG. 1 , the following description applies equally to the corner shelving unit  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The additional hanger rail  230  can be secured to the wall or other structure in any suitable manner, including any of the manners described above regarding the connections between the brackets  236  and the hanger rails  230 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the additional hanger rail  230  has three brackets  236  installed thereon, each of which supports a respective rod  232 . The rods  232  are supported on their other ends by three additional brackets  236  supported by the rectangular shelving unit  216 . The rods  232  are telescoping rods  232 , and have a first portion slidable within a second portion to change the lengths of the rods  232 . The telescoping rods  232  can perform the same functions as the rod  134  described above in connection with  FIG. 5 , but can also be adjusted to various lengths. In other embodiments, the rods  234  extending between the rectangular shelving unit  216  and the wall can be non-telescoping, if desired. The number of telescoping rods  232  is arbitrary, as multiple telescoping rods  232  can be supported by the same hanger rail  230 .  
      With reference back to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the shelving unit  116  illustrated in  FIG. 5  has a rod  134  suspended between uprights  112  in the rectangular shelving unit  116 . The configuration shown in  FIG. 5  is not limiting. The rod  134  can be interchangeable with a telescoping rod, if desired. Also, one or more rods  134  (or telescoping rods  32 ) can extend between hanger rails  130  in adjacent shelving units as shown in  FIG. 1 , or between a shelving unit  116  and a wall or other structure as shown in  FIG. 6 . Therefore, the rods  134  (or telescoping rods  132 ) can function as closet rods and/or as a shelf upon which items can be supported).  
       FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a corner shelving unit. The elements and features of this embodiment are similar in many ways to elements and features in the embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . Accordingly, the following description focuses primarily upon those elements and features that are different from the embodiments described above. Reference should be made to the above description for additional information regarding the elements, features, and possible alternatives to the elements and features of the shelving unit  314  illustrated in  FIG. 7  and described below. Elements and features of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  that correspond to elements and features of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6  are designated hereinafter in the 300 series of reference numbers.  
      The corner shelving unit  314  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is coupled to a telescoping rod  332  supported at both ends by hanger brackets  336 . A first hanger bracket  336  is supported by a hanger rail  330  coupled to the corner shelving unit  314 . A second hanger bracket  336  is secured to a wall or other structure by installing two screws  374  in the apertures in the body portion  372  of the hanger bracket  336 . Alternatively, the second hanger bracket  336  can be secured to a wall or other structure by another hanger rail (not shown) mounted to the wall or other structure (see the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 6 ).  
      Any of the configurations shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 , and  6  with regard to a rectangular shelving unit  36 ,  136 ,  236  can be employed on a corner shelving unit  14 ,  314 , or any other type of shelving unit discussed but not illustrated. In many of the embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures, the shelving system components are modular, thereby allowing for many different types of shelving units to be constructed using the same components.  
      Additional features, uses, and applications, of the shelving system will now be described with reference only to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , it being understood that such features, uses, and applications apply equally to the other embodiments disclosed herein.  
      In some embodiments, various components of the shelving system  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5  are standardized, thereby enabling a person to use the same parts for different shelving units  14 ,  16 . By way of example only, the uprights  12  used for the corner shelving unit  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are the same as those used for the rectangular shelving unit  16 . Similarly, the hanger rail  30  on the corner shelving unit  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is the same as the hanger rail  30  on the rectangular shelving unit  14 , as are the brackets  36  used to connect the telescoping rods  32  to both hanger rails  30 , and the bushings (not shown) used to mount the shelves  20 ,  22  to the uprights  12 . In this regard, the same uprights  12 , bushings, hanger rails  30 , brackets  36 , and rods  32  can be used to assemble shelving systems having many other configurations (including those described above in connection with  FIGS. 5-7 ). In this manner, parts used for constructing a shelving unit  14 ,  16  of one configuration can be used interchangeably to construct a shelving unit of another configuration  16 ,  14  without the need for specialized parts and additional inventory.  
      A number of the embodiments described herein are free-standing shelving systems. That is, such shelving systems are not intended to be connected to a wall, whether for structural support or otherwise. As mentioned above, shelving systems requiring modification to the walls, floor, and ceiling of a room are often not desirable or acceptable. Therefore, the free-standing shelving system  10  illustrated by way of example in  FIG. 1  can be utilized in many rooms and other environments in which other shelving systems cannot be installed. Also, the free-standing shelving systems described herein and illustrated in the figures can enable a user to more quickly and rapidly install the shelving systems and to place the shelving units in more locations that would otherwise not be available. Furthermore, the free-standing shelving systems disclosed herein and illustrated in the figures do not require skilled installers for installing a shelving system adapted for a user&#39;s particular room or environment. Such a requirement often exists for many conventional shelving systems, where installation requires cutting and other modification of boards, rods, and other elements to adapt the shelving system to a particular room or environment.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the corner and rectangular shelving units  14 ,  16  are connected to and by telescoping rods  32 . Although non-telescoping rods can instead be employed, telescoping rods can provide another manner in which to adapt any of the shelving systems disclosed herein to a number of different rooms or environments. In particular, the locations of shelving units  14 ,  16  in any shelving system disclosed herein can be changed without requiring cutting or other modification of system elements (other than adjusting the telescoping rods  32  as needed). Consequently, an area in which shelving units  14 ,  16  are to be positioned can be fully occupied by the shelving system  10  without wasted space, simply by moving the shelving units  14 ,  16  to their desired locations and connecting them with one or more telescoping rods  32 . Also, the shelving system  10  can thereby be easily adapted to extend around or otherwise accommodate a variety of obstacles or other features of the environment in which the shelving system  10  is installed, such as to extend over doors or doorways, to extend over and/or under windows, plumbing, ducts, supports, and other features of the environment, and the like. In conjunction with the interchangeability of system components described above and/or the free-standing nature of the shelving units  14 ,  16 , this adaptability can significantly simplify shelving system installation while reducing the costs of the shelving system  10  and the installation thereof.  
      As described above, the hanger rails  30  can be coupled to the uprights  12  by open collars  38 , enabling telescoping or non-telescoping rods  32 ,  34  to be installed upon the shelving units  14 ,  16 . As also described above, telescoping or non-telescoping rods  32 ,  34  can be used to connect shelving units  14 ,  16  to one another and/or to an adjacent wall or other structure. These capabilities can enable a user to assemble one or more shelving units  14 ,  16  and to thereafter connect the shelving units  14 ,  16  to one another and/or to an adjacent wall or other structure via the rods  32 ,  34 . In particular, by virtue of the open collars  38  described above, the open collars  38  can be mounted to the uprights  12  at any time during the shelving system assembly process (rather than being slid down the uprights  12  at particular points when the shelving units  14 ,  16  are assembled, as may be necessary when using non-open collars). In this manner, a user can complete assembly of the shelving units  14 ,  16 , move the shelving units  14 ,  16  into desired installed positions, and then connect shelving units  14 ,  16  together with the rods  32 ,  34 .  
      It will be appreciated that without this ability, the shelving unit assembly process can be significantly more difficult. Specifically, a user may otherwise have to know the desired heights of the rods  32 ,  34  and shelves  20 ,  22  of the shelving system  10  in advance—information that can be difficult to determine in some cases. If the user desires to move the rods  32 ,  34  and/or shelves  20 ,  22  to different locations upon the uprights  12 , the user can easily remove, re-position, and re-mount the rods  32 ,  34  and hanger rails  30  (via the open collars  38 ). Without this capability, such adjustment could require disassembly of one or more shelving units  14 ,  16 , such as the removal of one or more shelves  20 ,  22  in order to remove and re-position the hanger rails  30 .  
      In some embodiments, the various features of the shelving system  10  described herein enable the shelving system  10  to be shipped, stored, and displayed in an efficient and cost-saving manner that is also attractive to retail and other consumers. For example, many of the embodiments described herein utilize a limited number of system components (e.g., uprights  12  and bushings, hanger rails  30 , brackets  36 , rods  32 ,  34 , and shelves  20 ,  22 ) to construct many different shelving units  14 ,  16  and resulting shelving system configurations . Accordingly, in some embodiments, a retailer need only stock a limited number of different parts to provide customers with the full functionality of the system design disclosed herein. The system components could be stored in different areas of a retail bay or other point of purchase display (e.g., a first area in which identical shelving uprights  12  or shelving upright portions are stored, second and third areas in which identical shelves  20 ,  22  are stored, and fourth and fifth areas in which rods  32 ,  34  are stored), enabling a customer to purchase only those elements needed to construct a desired shelving system  10 . Any or all of the system components disclosed herein can be stored and/or sold in this manner.  
      Shelving system components could be stored for purchase individually or could be packaged in any manner as kits. For example, identical uprights  12 , identical shelves  20 ,  22 , and identical rods  32 ,  34  can be packaged in any number (e.g., four uprights to a package, two rectangular shelves  22  to a package, and the like) for purchase by consumers. As another example, any combination of the system components described and illustrated herein can be packaged together, such as a kit containing a set of upright portions, a set of identical shelves  20 ,  22 , and two hanger rails  30 , or a kit containing a set of identical rods  32 ,  34  together with a set of brackets  36 . In other embodiments, kits can comprise the elements (e.g., uprights  12  and shelves  20  or  22 ) needed to assemble a type of shelving unit  14  or  16 , enabling a purchaser to purchase as many identical or different shelving units  14 ,  16  as desired for his or her particular environment. In such cases, other components, such as rods  32 ,  34 , hanger rails  30 , and the like, can also be included in kits or can be sold separately. Any or all of the system components disclosed herein can be packaged in any combination for sale in this manner.  
      In those embodiments of the present invention in which different system components can be purchased as needed by a user, signage can be included to provide instructions to the customer regarding which components he or she will need and the necessary quantity to construct a shelving system  10  meeting the customer&#39;s needs. This signage can be located at a point of purchase display, such as proximate one or more areas in which the packaged or unpackaged system components are stored (in kit form or otherwise), on packaging or labels associated with one or more of the system components, or in other locations.  
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a shelf liner  60  for a rectangular shelf  22 , and a shelf liner  62  for a corner shelf  20 . Both shelf liners  60 ,  62  are of a size that allows them to be laid atop a shelf  22 ,  20  to provide a solid top surface, if desired. This is an appropriate solution for items that may fall between the shelf surface wires  58 . Each corner of the shelf liners  60 ,  62  can be provided with a cutout  64  for the uprights  12 . Some or all of the cutouts  64  can have a shape substantially identical to the profile of an adjacent upright  12 . These cutouts  64  can allow the shelf liner  60 ,  62  to cover the entire top surface of a shelf  20 ,  22 . The shelf liners  60 ,  62  can be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. In alternative embodiments, the shelf liners  60 ,  62  can have significantly different shapes, such as to match the shapes of the shelves they are supported by.  
      The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
      For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a single corner shelving unit  14  is coupled to a single rectangular shelving unit  16  by a number of telescoping rods  32 . In other embodiments, any number of corner and/or rectangular shelving units  14 ,  16  can be combined in order to construct a shelving system  10  adapted to a user&#39;s needs. For example, a rectangular shelving unit  14 ,  16  can be flanked by two corner shelving units  16  and can be coupled thereto by any number of telescoping and/or non-telescoping rods  32 ,  34 . As another example, a corner shelving unit  14  can be located between two rectangular shelving units  16  and can be coupled thereto by any number of telescoping and/or non-telescoping rods  32 ,  34  and/or shelves  20 ,  22 . In another embodiment, two or more corner shelving units  14  or two or more rectangular shelving units  16  can be coupled by any number of telescoping and/or non-telescoping rods  32 ,  34  spanning a distance between such units  14 ,  16 .  
      It should also be noted that shelving units  14 ,  16  can be coupled together in a number of different manners in various embodiments. In some embodiments, adjacent shelving units  14 ,  16  are coupled together by one or more adjustable or non-adjustable rods  32 ,  34 . Also, in some embodiments, two or more adjacent shelving units  14  and/or  16  are coupled together by one or more shelves  20  and/or  22 , in which case collars  50  of the same shelf  20  and/or  22  can be connected to the uprights  12  of different shelving units  14  and/or  16  (e.g., collars  50  on opposite ends of the same shelves  20 ,  22  connected to uprights  12  of different shelving units  14 ,  16 ). As shown in  FIG. 1  by way of example only, a shelf  22 ′ extends between and is coupled to the two illustrated shelving units  14 ,  16  via collars  50  at the ends of the shelf  22 ′. Although the collars  50  of the shelf  22 ′ are open, and have the same structure as the open collars  50  on the ends of the hanger rails  30  also shown in  FIG. 1 , the collars  50  can be closed in other embodiments. The open collars  50  on the shelf  22 ′ of the illustrated embodiment permit a user to install the shelf  22 ′ on uprights  12  at any location along the uprights  12 , rather than install the shelf  22 ′ by sliding the shelf  22 ′ along the uprights  12  to a desired location. This capability provides the same advantages as described above in connection with the open collars  50  of the hanger brackets  30 ,  130 ,  230 ,  330 .  
      In this regard, one or more of shelves can be defined by two or more adjustable or non-adjustable rods  32 ,  34  as described above. Such rods  32 ,  34  can be connected to the uprights  12  of the shelving units  14 ,  16  directly by open or hinged collars  50 ,  138 ,  238  on the ends of the rods  32 ,  34 , or by hanger rails  130 ,  230  and brackets  36 ,  136 ,  236 ,  336  as described above. Also, in some embodiments, two or more shelving units  14 ,  16  can be coupled together by sharing one or more of the same uprights  12 . For example, the collars  50  of one or more shelves  14 ,  16  from one shelving unit  14 ,  16  and the collars  50  of one or more shelves  14 ,  16  of another adjacent shelving unit  14 ,  16  can receive the same uprights  12 . Still other arrangements of corner shelving units  14 , rectangular shelving units  16 , and other types of shelving units are possible to provide shelving systems  10  adapted to many different rooms and environments, each of which falls within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
      As another example, although the brackets  36 ,  136 ,  236 ,  336  in the illustrated embodiments are shown connected to hanger rails  30 ,  130 ,  230 ,  330  (e.g., for connecting rods  32 ,  132 ,  232 ,  332 ,  34 ,  134 ,  234 ,  334  to the shelving units  14 ,  16 ), the brackets  36 ,  136 ,  236 ,  336  can also or instead be coupled in a similar fashion directly to the shelves  20 ,  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  22 ,  122 , 222 ,  322  in other embodiments to provide shelving systems  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310  having still other configurations.