Patent Publication Number: US-2007114197-A1

Title: Wire shelf having integrated hooks with hanger rod

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a divisional of presently allowed U.S. application Ser. No. 11/004,788 filed Dec. 3, 2004, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/235,315 filed Sep. 5, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,335 issued Feb. 28, 2006). The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD  
      The present invention relates generally to wire shelf storage systems, and more particularly to a wire shelf having a hanger rod integrally connected thereto.  
     BACKGROUND  
      The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.  
      Efficient and organized use of building space is very desirable, particularly with respect to storage or utility space in businesses, residential homes and apartments. In particular, because of the limited or tight spaces in these locations, maximizing the amount of useable space is very important. Likewise, providing ease in access and increased user convenience is important.  
      With respect to closet organization and the design of closet storage units, particularly for residential use, many different options are available including, for example, different sizes and shapes of shelves, different attachment and mounting members and different storage members (e.g., wire baskets, shoe-stands and tie/belt racks, etc.). Ease in accessing stored items, such as clothing, is important. Further, ease in moving stored items to make room for other items or to access items not readily accessible, is likewise important.  
      It is common today to use ventilated shelving (e.g., wire or plastic, and associated components etc.) to construct storage units within closets. Typical ventilated shelving not only varies in size (e.g., different lengths and widths, etc.), and configuration (e.g., different wire mesh spacing, etc.), but may have connected thereto different storage or attachment members, including for example, a hanging shoe storage device or clothes on hangers. It is desirable for a single unit to include any such attachment or storage devices preassembled and connected thereto. In particular, and for example, having a single unit reduces installation time.  
      Shelving units with integrally connected storage or attachment devices are known. For example, different configurations for providing hanger rod attachments connected to wire shelving are known. But these designs are often not user friendly, such as having the hanger rod located behind the front of the wire shelf, or attached in such a manner that makes construction difficult and/or is more likely to result in failure (e.g., attachment of hanger rod assembly to a single support member). Thus, although these shelves with integrated hanger rods may provide for easier movement of items along a shelf, for example, sliding clothes on hangers, such shelves are often difficult to access or are susceptible to failure, for example, when hanging heavier, bulky items thereon.  
     SUMMARY  
      According to various aspects of the present disclosure, various shelf embodiments are disclosed that include a rod member connected to a shelf using one or more hook members. In some embodiments, a shelf includes a plurality of hook members welded or otherwise attached to the shelf. The hook members support a horizontally extending rod member in an exemplary manner that allows continuous free slide of items, such as clothes hangers, along the rod member.  
      Other exemplary embodiments provide hook members for supporting a rod member from a wire shelf having a plurality of wires and support members forming a shelf deck. In one such embodiment, the hook member generally includes a first free end portion and a rod support end portion generally opposite the rod support end portion for connection to the rod member. The hook member also includes a generally straight portion for connection to at least one support member of the wire shelf. The hook member also includes at least three curved portions alternating in curvature between the first free end portion and the rod support end portion. The generally straight portion extends from the first free end portion towards a first one of said three curved portions. Other exemplary embodiments include wire shelves having such hook members connected thereto.  
      Additional embodiments relate to methods of supporting a rod member from a wire shelf with at least one hook member. The wire shelf may include wires and support members forming a shelf deck. The hook member may include a rod support end portion, a generally straight portion, and at least three curved portions alternating in curvature and extending from the generally straight portion towards the rod support end portion. In one exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes connecting the generally straight portion of at least one hook member to at least one support member of the wire shelf such that the generally straight portion extends in a generally horizontal direction away from said at least one support member. The method also includes connecting the rod member to the rod support end portion of the at least one hook member.  
      Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     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 top perspective view of a shelf having an integrated rod member connected thereto according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the shelf shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of an exemplary hook member shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the shelf shown in  FIG. 1  having a hanger supported thereon;  
       FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a shelf having an integrated rod member connected thereto according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the shelf shown in  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a shelf having an integrated rod member connected thereto according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the shelf shown in  FIG. 8  including an additional longitudinally extending support member according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the shelf shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of an exemplary hook member shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a side cross-sectional view of the shelf shown in  FIG. 8  having a hanger supported thereon;  
       FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of a shelf having an integrated rod member connected thereto according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the shelf shown in  FIG. 13  including an additional longitudinally extending support member according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Although a shelf may be described in connection with component parts having a particular size and shape, the shelves of the present disclosure are not so limited, and the size and shape of the various component parts may be modified as needed or desired.  
      According to various aspects of the present disclosure, various shelf embodiments are disclosed that include a rod member connected to a shelf using one or more hook members. In some embodiments, a shelf includes a plurality of hook members welded or otherwise attached to the shelf. The hook members support a horizontally extending rod member in an exemplary manner that allows continuous free sliding of items, such as clothes hangers, along the rod member.  
      Other exemplary embodiments provide hook members for supporting a rod member from a wire shelf having a plurality of wires and support members forming a shelf deck. In one such embodiment, the hook member generally includes a first free end portion and a rod support end portion generally opposite the rod support end portion for connection to the rod member. The hook member also includes a generally straight portion for connection to at least one support member of the wire shelf. The hook member also includes at least three curved portions alternating in curvature between the first free end portion and the rod support end portion. The generally straight portion extends from the first free end portion towards a first one of said three curved portions. Other exemplary embodiments include wire shelves having such hook members connected thereto.  
      Additional embodiments relate to methods of supporting a rod member from a wire shelf with at least one hook member. The wire shelf may include wires and support members forming a shelf deck. The hook member may include a rod support end portion, a generally straight portion, and at least three curved portions alternating in curvature and extending from the generally straight portion towards the rod support end portion. In one exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes connecting (e.g., welding, etc.) the generally straight portion of at least one hook member to at least one support member of the wire shelf such that the generally straight portion extends in a generally horizontal direction away from said at least one support member. The method also includes connecting (e.g., welding, etc.) the rod member to the rod support end portion of the at least one hook member.  
      A shelf (e.g., wire shelf unit) having a rod member connected thereto with integrated hooks is shown generally in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and identified by reference numeral  20 . The shelf  20  generally includes a plurality of transversely extending wire members  22  (i.e., wire stringers in this embodiment) supported by a plurality of longitudinally extending support members  24  to form a shelf deck  26 . The transversely extending wire members  22  are typically spaced to provide a ventilated shelf deck  26  construction while preventing relatively large items from occupying the spaces  28  between the transversely extending wire members  22 .  
      In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of longitudinally extending support members  24  are provided with one longitudinally extending support member  24   a  at a back or rearward end  30  (e.g., closest to a wall on which the shelf  20  is mounted, etc.), one longitudinally extending support member  24   c  at the front end  32  of the shelf  20 , and one longitudinally extending support member  24   b  that is intermediate longitudinally extending support members  24   a  and  24   c , and adjacent the front end  32 . The front-most longitudinally extending support member  24   c  is connected to a lower longitudinally extending support member  34  with a plurality of vertically extending support members  36 . A rod member  38  is connected to the shelf deck  26  (i.e., connected to the longitudinally extending support members  24   b  and  24   c , and the vertically extending support members  36  in this embodiment) using a plurality of integrated hooks  40  as described in more detail herein.  
      In particular, and with respect to the hook member  40  as shown in  FIG. 4 , it is preferably constructed as a one piece member having a first end  42  and a second end  44 . The first end  42  is preferably connected to support members  36 , such as by welding, etc. The second end  44  is preferably connected to the rod member  38 , such as by welding, etc. It should be noted that the second end  44  may extend past the support rod  38 , with the support rod  38  secured or attached at another location or point on the hook member  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the hook member  40  has a generally horizontal upper portion  46  positioned below the two front-most longitudinally extending support members  24   b  and  24   c , and connected there at its front and back ends, respectively, by welding.  
      In another preferred construction, the hook member  40  extends from the horizontal upper portion  46  to the second end  44 . The hook member  40  is configured to have a first curved portion  48 , a second curved portion  50 , and a third curved portion  52 . Specifically, the first and third curved portions  48  and  52  are generally configured in a concave shape relative to the front end  32  of the shelf  20 . The second curved portion  50  is generally configured in a convex shape relative to the front end  32  of the shelf  20 . In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second curved portions  48  and  50  are configured at about a forty five degree angle relative to the shelf deck  26 , and the third curved portion  52  is configured about perpendicular to the first and second curved portions  48  and  50 . The hook member is generally planar. The first end  42  and second end  44  are generally configured in the same vertical plane such that the rod member  38  is positioned generally below the lower longitudinally extending support member  34 .  
      It should be noted that one or more additional longitudinally extending support members  24   d  may be provided, such as shown in  FIG. 2  between the support members  24   a  and  24   b . Further, the spacing of the hook members  40  and the number of hook members  40  provided may be modified based upon the particular shelf.  
      In an exemplary operation, the shelf  20  provides a rod member  38  integrally connected to the shelf deck  26  (i.e., two longitudinally extending support members  24   b  and  24   c  and the vertically extending support members  36  in the illustrated embodiments) with the plurality of hook members  40  such that items (e.g., clothing on hangers  54 , etc.) may easily be placed and moved (e.g., slidably moved, etc.) along the rod member  38 . In particular, the third curved portion  52  is configured to accommodate items, such as hangers  54 , sliding along the rod member  38  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Further, the connection of the hook member  40  to the two longitudinally extending support members  24   b  and  24   c  and the vertically extending support members  36  provides easier manufacture of the shelf  20  (e.g., assembly of the shelf  20  to hook members  40  and rod member  38  in a single operation in some embodiments) and reduces the likelihood of failure, for example, when hanging many bulky items on the rod member  38 .  
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a shelf  120  including means (e.g., hook members  140 , etc.) for supporting a rod member  138 . As shown, the shelf  120  generally includes a plurality of transversely extending wire members  122  supported by a plurality of longitudinally extending support members  124  to form a shelf deck  126 . In this particular illustrated embodiment, the longitudinally extending support members  124  include a back support member  124   a , an intermediate support member  124   b , and a front support member  124   c . The intermediate support member  124   b  is between the front and back support members  124   c  and  124   a.    
      Alternatively, other configurations and arrangements for the wire members  122  and support member  124  are possible as aspects of the invention are not limited to any particular number, shape, size, and arrangement of wire members and support members. For example, one or more additional longitudinally extending support members  124   d  may be provided, such as shown in  FIG. 9  between the support members  124   a  and  124   b . Further, the spacing of the hook members  140  and the number of hook members  140  provided may be modified based upon the particular shelf.  
      With further reference to  FIG. 8 , the wire members  122  extend from a back or rearward end  130  (e.g., closest to a wall on which the shelf  120  is mounted) to the shelfs front end  132 . In this particular embodiment, the wire members  122  extend over the front support member  124   c  and cascade downwardly to connect to a lower support member  134 .  
      The rod member  138  is connected to the shelf deck  126  using the hook members  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the hook member  140  includes a first end  142  and a second end  144 . The first end  142  is connected to the front support member  124   c , and the second end  144  is connected to the rod member  138 . A wide range of suitable methods can be used to connect the first and second ends  142  and  144  to the respective front support member  124   c  and rod member  138 , such as welding, adhesives, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second ends  142  and  144  are respectively welded to the front support member  124   c  and rod member  138 .  
      With continued reference to  FIG. 12 , the hook member  140  has a generally horizontal upper portion  146 . An upper surface  147  of the portion  146  is connected to the intermediate support member  124   b . In one exemplary embodiment, the upper surface  147  is welded to the intermediate support member  124   b , although other suitable fastening methods and means can be employed. In other embodiments, the upper surface of the portion  146  can also be connected (e.g., welded, etc.) to the front support member  124   a  instead of (or in addition to) connecting the end  142  to the front support member  124   c.    
      Referring back to  FIG. 11 , the hook member  140  includes three curved portions  148 ,  150 , and  152  that alternate in curvature extending from the horizontal portion  146  towards the second end  144 . In one embodiment, the first and third curved portions  148  and  152  are generally configured in concave shape relative to the front end  132  of the shelf  120 . The second curved portion  150  is generally configured in a convex shape relative to the front end  132  of the shelf  120 . The third curved portion  152  is configured to accommodate items, such as hangers  154 , sliding along the rod member  138  as shown in  FIG. 12 .  
      For purposes of illustration only, various dimensions will now be provided for one exemplary embodiment of the hook member  140 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the length of the horizontal portion  146  is about 2.85 inches (72.5 millimeters), angle A is about twenty two degrees, angle B is about one hundred thirty two degrees, and angle C is about forty three degrees. Again, however, these dimensions are for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate another embodiment of a shelf  220  in which the second end  244  of the hook member  240  extends past the rod member  238 . As shown, the rod member  238  is secured at another point besides the end  244  of the hook member  240 .  
      It should be noted that the hook members  40 ,  140 , and  240  of the present invention may be provided in connection with different shelf sizes, types, and configurations and integrated therewith to provide a rod member  38 ,  138 ,  238  allowing for free sliding operation of items attached and connected (e.g., hanging, etc.) thereto.  
      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”, “below”, “top”, and “bottom” 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 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. It is further to be understood that the method 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 of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.  
      The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.