Patent Publication Number: US-2009230070-A1

Title: Window shelf

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of shelving devices and more specifically to a window shelf. 
     The use of shelves mounted to interior walls of homes and Comerica spaces for the purpose of holding items such as books, vases, picture frames and other small items is well known. In some circumstances it is desirable to mount a shelf in front of a window. For example, a home owner might want to place a small flower pot and plant on a shelf in front of a window. Or perhaps he or she might want to display a vase or other decorative item where the light from a window will accentuate the beauty of the item. Therefore it would be advantageous to provide a shelf system that can be supported in front of a window. 
     A number of patents have addressed this problem including patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 727,423, 4,188,891, 4,869,451, 5,020,756, 6,360,500, 6,540,093 and 6,796,249. However, there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that the designs in all the prior art require special supporting hardware or brackets that both reduce the aesthetic appearance of the shelf and, in many cases, require the user to use nails or screws to attach support brackets. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a shelf that can be placed within the frame of a window without the need for additional fastening means. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a shelf for a window that can be lengthened or shortened to fit a user&#39;s window frame. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a shelf for a window that can be easily removed and replaced. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a shelf for a window that does not rely on the window sill for support. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shelf for a window that supports itself at the left and right ends and does not need additional support or bracing. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed window shelf comprising: a first hollow long rectangular box member and a second hollow long rectangular box member having one open end, the open end of said second box member capable of sliding over and engaging the end of said first box member, a ratchet rail located within and parallel to the long direction of said first box member, a pawl mechanism located within said second box member, a pawl sliding mechanism capable of releasing said pawl from said ratchet rail, a rubber end cap located at the end of said first box member, a pair of threaded apertures located at the end of said second box member a pair of threaded, rubber tipped extension caps engaged with said threaded apertures at the end of said second box member, all said elements situated so that when said first box member is slid outward from said second box member by a user, said pawl engages said ratchet rail and prevents said first box member from sliding inward except when said user releases said pawl by engaging said pawl sliding mechanism, and said window shelf is affixed to the inside window frame when said rubber end cap of said first box member and said rubber tipped extension caps of said second box member are frictionally engaged with the said inside window frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention in place within a window frame. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side section view of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial bottom perspective view of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial end view of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  we see a perspective view of the invention  100  placed in close proximity to a window  12  encased by window frame  10 . The invention  100  is primarily made of two components, a first long rectangular box shape  2  and a second long rectangular box shape  4 . A cover plate  6  conceals a shelf securing system as will be described below. First box shape  2  slides into the open end of long box shape  4 . The shelf  100  can support items such as a vase,  8  or other decorative items that are visually benefited by the direct exposure to sunlight. 
       FIG. 2  shows a top view of the invention  100 . a rubber end cap  18  interacts with the left side of window frame  10  and a pair of rubber tipped caps  44 ,  46  interact with the right side of window frame  10 . Section line  50  defines the cross section view shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a side section view and clearly shows how first long box  2  slides into second long box  4 . A user can spread the two box shapes  2 ,  4  apart to adjust the shelf  100  to the width of the window frame  10 . Ratchet rail  20  is fixedly attached to long box  2  and a standard pawl mechanism  22 ,  26  is slidably attached to long box  4 . The pawl  22  prevents the two boxes from pushing in on each other during use. When the shelf  100  is removed or replaced in a different window frame, the user can slide pawl member  26  in retaining legs  24  so that the pawl  22  no longer engages the ratchet rail  20 . To provide final isometric pressure to the shelf  100  to hold it in place in window frame  10 , the user turns threaded  28  adjustment knobs  14 ,  16 , that are held in mating threaded apertures located in the end cap of long box  4 , causing rubber tips  44 ,  46  to impinge on the interior wall of window frame  10 . Rubber end cap  18  impinges on the opposite inner wall of window frame  10 . 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the invention  100 . In this view sliding pawl holder  26  can be seen. Dotted lines  30  show the position of pawl holder  26  after it has been slid over so that the pawl  22  is no longer engaged with the ratchet rail  20  allowing the user to compress long box  2  into long box  4 . End cap adjustment knobs  14 ,  16  and rubber tips  44 ,  46  can be clearly seen. 
       FIG. 5  shows a partial end view of first long box  2 . This view shows the end that is normally encased within long box  4 . Ratchet rail  20  can be clearly seen as well as the empty space  40  next to ratchet rail  20 . The empty space  40  allows room for pawl mechanism  22 ,  26  to slide over to disengage the pawl  22  from the rail  20  when needed. 
       FIG. 6  shows a partial end view of second long box  4 . with cover plate  6  removed. Adjustment knobs  14 ,  16 , and rubber end caps  44 ,  46  can be clearly seen. A ledge  42  helps hold cover plate  6  in place. 
     The above described and illustrated window shelf allows a user to install a shelf between the inner frame of a window without damaging the frame and without special tools and without relying on the window sill for support. The length of the shelf can be adjusted to fit a particular window frame. The shelf can be easily removed and replaced as needed. No special brackets or other hardware are required to mount the shelf to the inside of the window frame. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.