Abstract:
A decorative covering is provided for a shelving bracket in particular a bracket that is usually formed from sheet metal as an elongated, blade-like arm having mounting hooks engageable in selected slots of a vertical standard. The decorative covering is formed with a first groove for receiving conventional shelf bracket and a second groove for receiving a standard. When applied, the covering completely conceals both the horizontal blade and the vertical standard so as to enhance the appearance of a shelving system and provide the look of finished furniture.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/098,675, filed Jul. 28, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,510. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to shelving systems, and more specifically to those systems in which blade-like horizontal brackets for supporting a shelf are connected to vertical standards. The invention provides a decorative covering which is easily and inexpensively applied to shelving systems and has a cosmetic function in that it conceals both the bracket and the standard without detracting from the functionality thereof. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     A very popular type of shelving system includes vertical standards having a longitudinal series of slots, so that when the standards are mounted on a vertical wall surface they may receive outwardly projecting, horizontal blade-like brackets, The brackets are usually provided with hooks to permit the brackets to be engaged in selected slots of the standards. In this way, the brackets are adapted to support shelves at selected locations and at selected distances from one another. 
     Conventional brackets of the type described are often formed from sheet metal material with nose portions that project beyond the front edges of the shelves to keep the shelves from sliding off the brackets. Brackets of this type, while wholly efficient for their intended use, are designed primarily for ease of installation by the ordinary homeowner. In accomplishing ease of installation, however, they detract from the attractiveness of the overall shelving system because the unattractive brackets and standards are exposed. 
     Attempts have been made in the prior art to enhance the appearance of shelving systems of the general type described above. It has been proposed, for example, to embed hooks or support plates within wooden shelf brackets to facilitate the attachment of the brackets to a standard. Basically, however, this has been accomplished only by discarding the shelf brackets now in use, and substituting completely new brackets or equivalent shelf mounts. 
     Other systems apply a sleeve-like covering to the bracket, however, these systems have several disadvantages. First, they cover only the bracket and do not cover the standard. Second, they require that the covering be secured using, e.g., shims or adhesive metal tape provided with gripping teeth or protrusions, thus, requiring additional assembly by the user. Still other systems secure the covering to the bracket by cutting a groove in the decorative covering which is slightly smaller than the bracket so that the bracket is held in place by friction. This limits the size of the bracket which may be employed and may permit the bracket to become dislodged. 
     The prior art thus has not solved the problem of easily and decoratively covering conventional shelf brackets and standards, in a manner which conceals both the unattractive horizontal blade-like arms and the unattractive vertical standards. The basic purpose of the present invention is to eliminate this deficiency noted in the prior art devices. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Summarized briefly, the invention is a decorative covering for shelving systems which can be ornamentally shaped in any manner desired. Typically, the decorative covering would be made from wood, however, a variety of materials well known as suitable for this purpose may be employed. By matching the decorative covering with the shelving, the brackets, shelves, and standards are given the appearance of fine finished cabinet work. The decorative coverings for the brackets and standards may be fashioned in contemporary, colonial, or other decors according to the taste of the particular purchaser. 
     The decorative covering comprising the present invention is adapted to be mass-produced in any of a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials that will accomplish the desirable aims set forth above. In every instance the decorative covering, regardless of its exterior configuration, has a horizontal groove which receives and conceals the horizontal metallic blade-like bracket and a vertical groove which receives and conceals the vertical standard. When the bracket is inserted it is secured within the decorative covering and the top edge of the bracket remains flush with the top surface of the decorative covering. The function of the bracket thus is retained, that is, the bracket continues to be the support for the shelf, although the covering appears to be discharging the support function. When the bracket, now inserted in the decorative covering, is attached to the standard, the decorative covering also covers the vertical standard, as well as the horizontal bracket, thus, imparting the appearance of finished furniture. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a decorative covering for application to a shelving system of the type having a vertical standard and a horizontal blade-like shelf support bracket, comprising: (a) a decorative covering provided with a first groove for receiving the horizontal bracket and a second groove for receiving the vertical standard; and (b) engaging means for engaging the bracket, the engaging means adapted to receive the proximal end of the bracket and retain the bracket within the first groove and retain the standard within the second groove. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portions herein, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a shelving system and of a decorative covering as it appears immediately prior to application to a horizontal bracket and a vertical standard; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shelving system shown in FIG. 1 and of a decorative covering as it appears immediately after application to a horizontal bracket and a vertical standard; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the decorative covering shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view substantially on line 3--3 of the cover-sleeve of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a back view of the decorative covering shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 shows the decorative covering shown in FIG. 4 applied to a bracket; 
     FIG. 7 shows the decorative covering and bracket shown in FIG. 6 attached to a standard; 
     FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention provided with a shelf securing means; and 
     FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the bottom surface of the decorative covering rests on the shelf below it; 
     FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal member used to construct an alternative embodiment of an engaging means in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 10a is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an engaging means constructed using the longitudinal member shown in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG. 10a; 
     FIG. 12 is a back view of FIG. 10a; 
     FIG. 13 shows the engaging means of FIG. 10a applied to a decorative covering; 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 13; and 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of FIG. 13. 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an engaging means constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 17 shows the engaging means of FIG. 16 applied to a decorative covering; 
     FIG. 18 shows the decorative covering shown in FIG. 13 applied to a bracket; 
     FIG. 19 shows an alternative embodiment of an engaging means constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a back view of an alternative embodiment of an engaging means constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of the engaging means shown in FIG. 20; and 
     FIG. 22 shows an alternative embodiment of the engaging means shown in FIG. 20. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A conventional horizontal standard 3 of a shelving system is in the form of a shallow metal channel having a longitudinal series of mounting slots 4, and adapted to be fixedly secured in a vertical position to a wall surface W. This is usually done via a plurality of screws 11a and 11b. 
     The shelving system also includes shelf support brackets, only one of which has been illustrated, generally designated 1. The conventional shelf bracket 1 is often provided with rearwardly projecting mounting hooks 2a and 2b which are insertable in slots 4. Hooks 2a and 2b, when inserted in slots 4 are thereafter forced downwardly with the slots 4 causing them to lock in the slots 4. The horizontal bracket 1 is thus securely mounted at a desired elevation for supporting a shelf S on the top surface 17 of bracket 1. 
     Bracket 1 has a proximal end 20, a distal end 21, and includes a distally projecting blade-like arm 14. Typically, arm 14 is formed with an upwardly projecting nose portion 12 which extends beyond the front edge of the supported shelf S. It thus confines the shelf S between the distal end 21 of the bracket arm 1 and the standard 3. This prevents the shelf from sliding forwardly off the bracket 1. 
     Decorative covering 5 has a proximal end 13, a distal end 23, a top end portion 15, a bottom end portion 16, and is provided with a first groove 6 adapted to receive and conceal horizontal bracket 1. Decorative covering 5 is also provided with a second groove 8 which is adapted to receive and conceal a vertical standard 3. The decorative covering 5 may be of any desired ornamental shape, and thus could be styled in a wide range of designs to harmonize with the decor of the room in which the shelving system would be mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, the first groove 6 is sufficiently wide and deep so that it will accommodate the entire blade portion of the bracket 1 and the second groove 8 is sufficiently wide and deep to accommodate the standard 3. 
     Decorative covering 5 may be formed from a single block or laminates of material, e.g., wood, or other materials known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose. At this point, it may be noted that it could be molded of plastic material to a selected ornamental shape without detracting from the effectiveness of the invention. 
     In FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the dimensions have been exaggerated solely for the purpose of illustrating the mechanical features of the invention. FIG. 3, 4 and 5 shows bracket 5, first groove 6, second groove 8, engaging means 7, engaging means securing screw 10a, and engaging means securing aperture 9. In accordance with the invention, engaging means 7 is adapted to selectively attach the decorative covering 5 to bracket 1 when the bracket 1 has been fully inserted in the manner shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the engaging means 7 is flexible so as to allow it to be biased against a shelf S so as to help keep the shelf S in place between the engaging means 7 and upwardly projecting nose portion 12. The flexibility also allows the engaging means 7 to accommodate shelves of varying sizes. 
     When the bracket 1 is fully inserted into decorative covering 5, the top surface 17 thereof is flush with the top surface 15 of the sleeve 5, as shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7. As a result, the metal bracket 1 continues to be the support for the weight of the shelf S, although fully concealed by the decorative covering 5. In these circumstances, the cover-sleeve 5 is seemingly the sole support for the shelf S and the standard 3 is concealed within second groove 8. 
     The decorative covering 5, as previously noted, can be of any desired ornamental shape, so long as it retains the structural and functional characteristics described above. It could, thus, be exteriorly shaped to harmonize with the room decor of any desired furniture period. And, it can be stained, painted, or otherwise exteriorly finished as desired. The decorative covering 5 may also be provided with a nose portion at its distal end 23 to conceal the nose portion 12 of the bracket 1. 
     The device can be adapted to conventional brackets. This permits the brackets to be sold without covering sleeves or with decorative coverings of an appropriate size. The decorative coverings and the brackets would come in a selection of sizes, possibly in one-inch increments. The selection would be made according to the width of the shelves, and no modification in the conventional brackets now available and already in use is necessary. 
     FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the engaging means 7 is further provided with shelf securing means 24 for securing a shelf S between engaging means 7 and the distal end 21 of bracket 1. In a preferred embodiment, shelf securing means 24 comprises an angular projection adapted to be biased against and embedded within shelf S. This causes the shelf S to be effectively retained against accidental sliding movement off the support bracket 1. The same means can be provided, of course, in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7. It may be noted at this point that the danger of a shelf being jarred off its underlying support bracket 1 is minimized if the bottom end 16 of decorative covering 5 is adapted to extend to and touch, or be in close proximity to, the shelf below it as shown in FIG. 9. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 has the additional advantage that the decorative covering 5 also acts as a book end to prevent articles from falling off the shelf S. 
     FIGS. 10-15 show an alternative embodiment of an engaging means 50 constructed in accordance with the invention. In FIGS. 10 to 15 the dimensions have been exaggerated solely for the purpose of illustrating the mechanical features of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the engaging means 50 is constructed of the lightest gauge material suitable for this purpose. A wide variety of materials well known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose may be utilized, e.g., metal or plastic, however, in an especially preferred embodiment, wire having a cross-sectional diameter of about 1 mm to about 2 mm is utilized. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the gauge and the type of material used to construct the engaging means 50 can be varied as specific applications dictate. FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal member 51 having a longitudinal axis 120 and a first end 52 and a second end 53. In FIGS. 10a, 11, and 12, the longitudinal member 51 shown in FIG. 10 has been formed into an engaging means 50. Longitudinal member 51 is bent so that the portion of longitudinal member 51 disposed between first end 52 and second end 53 defines an engaging means securing aperture 54 adapted to receive a bracket 1 and selectively attach a decorative covering 5 to bracket 1 when the bracket 1 has been fully inserted into the decorative covering 5. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10a to 15, first end 52 and second end 53 are bent to form an angle α which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 120 of longitudinal member 51. The engaging means 50 is attached to covering 5 by inserting first end 52 and second end 53 into covering 5 to engage the covering 5. First end 52 and second end 53 may be sharpened to facilitate forceful penetration of first end 52 and 53 into the decorative covering 5. In a preferred embodiment, decorative covering 5 is provided with pre-drilled apertures 52&#39; and 53&#39; sized and positioned for receiving and retaining first end 52 and second end 53. In an especially preferred embodiment, first end 52 and second end 53 form an acute angle β with the longitudinal axis 120 of longitudinal member 51 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. A wide range of angles may be utilized for angle β, however, in a preferred embodiment an angle of about 65° is utilized. In this embodiment, the decorative covering 5 is &#34;hooked&#34; on to the retaining means 50 which reduces the chance that the decorative covering 5 will be dislodged from the retaining means 50. 
     The engaging means 50 is sized and positioned on covering 5 so that when the bracket 1 is fully inserted into the aperture 54 of the engaging means 50 and into decorative covering 5, the top surface 17 of the bracket 1 is substantially flush with the top surface 15 of the decorative covering 5, as shown in FIG. 18. As a result, the metal bracket 1 continues to be the support for the weight of the shelf S while remaining substantially fully concealed by the decorative covering 5. When utilizing the decorative covering of this invention, the covering 5 appears to be the sole support for the shelf S because the standard 3 is concealed within second groove 8. An additional advantage of the invention is that groove 8 can also accommodate, and thus conceal, brackets which are provided with tightening nuts. 
     FIG. 19 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which a portion 90 of longitudinal member 51 of engaging means 50 is pinched or compressed so as to reduce the volume of the portion of longitudinal member 51 disposed between the bracket 1 and shelf S. 
     FIG. 20 is a back view of an alternative embodiment of an engaging means 100 constructed in accordance with this invention. FIG. 21 is a side view of the engaging means 100 shown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, engaging means 100 is provided with a first end 105 and a second end 115. First end 105 is bent so as to form an aperture 110 for receiving a bracket 1. Second end 115 is bent at an angle α which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of engaging means 100, as shown in FIG. 21. In an alternative embodiment, second end 115 is bent so as to form an acute angle β with the longitudinal axis of engaging means 100 as shown in FIG. 22. A wide range of angles may be utilized for angle β, however, in a preferred embodiment an angle of about 65° is utilized. The gauge and type of material utilized may be varied as specific circumstances dictate as previously discussed. 
     The devices, it will be seen, permits sale of the decorative covering to individuals who have already installed brackets of the type illustrated. Or, the sleeve can be sold along with conventional brackets as shown. All of these arrangements are believed to fall within the scope of the concept as previously described and illustrated herein. 
     While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown in the drawings and described above, it will be apparent, that many changes maybe made in the form, arrangement, and positioning of the various elements of the combination. In consideration thereof it should be understood that preferred embodiments of this invention disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.