Abstract:
A shelf unit for a metallic locker, including a shelf having an adjustable width between its sides, a reinforcing flange depending downwardly around the periphery of the shelf, and first and second leg units. The shelf sides are magnetic for attaching to the side wall of the metallic locker. The first and second leg units are secured to opposite shelf sides for pivoting about pivot axes defined by the flange. Each of the leg units is pivotable between a storage position parallel with the shelf and a supporting position at right angles to the shelf. Each of the leg units consists of a pair of legs pivotally secured at their heads adjacent opposite ends of the shelf side, a foot portion between the feet of the legs, and a magnet for attaching to the side walls of the metallic locker.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0004]     The present invention is directed toward shelf units, and particularly toward shelf units usable in lockers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART  
       [0005]     Lockers are widely used in a variety of places, including schools, airports, bus stations, etc. Some uses are relatively transient, short term or infrequent. For example, locker type structures may be used for long or short term storage by individuals, where access to the stored materials is only infrequently had. However, in many cases the lockers are used over a long period of time, with the user making frequent access to the locker. Schools are a common example where lockers are so used, with a student keeping a specific locker for an entire school year and going into their locker to place or retrieve items (e.g., books, coats, boots, etc.) multiple times each school day. Each locker may be used in that manner for decades by scores of different students. Of course, in such facilities where frequent use is expected over a period of years, the lockers are typically made of a suitable strong and durable material such as steel or other hard metals.  
         [0006]     While many school lockers will have, for example, a shelf at the top of the locker, many students using such lockers wish to have the ability to organize items in their locker to a greater extent than that single shelf may permit. Therefore, students have heretofore added their own shelf units at the bottom of their lockers. Such shelf units have been, for example, free standing structures which extend across less than the full width of the locker, where the structure is put into the locker fully assembled. Still other shelf units have been used which require assembly within the locker. While those shelf units have the advantage of permitting the shelves to potentially span substantially the full width of the locker (i.e., since the door opening of the locker is typically narrower than the locker interior space, full-width pre-assembled units may be difficult to get into the locker), units which require assembly in the locker can be difficult to assemble and can be relatively flimsy even after assembled.  
         [0007]     The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In one aspect of the present invention, a shelf unit for a locker is provided, including a shelf having a depth and an adjustable width between its sides, and leg units pivotably secured adjacent the sides of the shelf. The leg units are each pivotable between a first position substantially parallel with the shelf and a second position at substantially right angles to the shelf.  
         [0009]     In one form of this aspect of the present invention, each leg unit has a pair of legs each having a head on one end and a foot on the other end with a foot portion between the feet of the legs. The legs on the head are pivotally secured adjacent opposite ends of the shelf side. In a further form, the foot portion of at least one leg unit is magnetic for attaching to the side walls of the metallic locker, and in a still further form the shelf sides are magnetic for attaching to the side wall of a metallic locker. In another further form, the legs and foot portions are a first material, with magnets secured to the foot portions, and in a further form the first material is plastic. In yet another further form, a head portion is between the head of the legs of each leg unit, whereby the leg units are rectangular.  
         [0010]     In another form of this aspect of the present invention, at least one of the leg units is magnetic for attaching to the side wall of a metallic locker.  
         [0011]     In yet another form of this aspect of the present invention, the shelf sides are magnetic for attaching to the side wall of a metallic locker.  
         [0012]     In still another form of this aspect of the present invention, one leg unit is pivotably secured to one shelf side about a first pivot axis and the other leg unit is pivotably secured to the other shelf side about a second pivot axis, and the first and second axes are spaced an unequal distance from the top of the shelf. In a further form, the shelf has a reinforcing flange depending downwardly from its top around the periphery, and the pivot axes are defined by the flange. In another further form, a notch is provided in the legs adjacent their head whereby, when pivoted down, the legs present a side face substantially aligned with the face of the reinforcing flange along the shelf sides. In yet another further form, the first position of the leg units is a storage position, and the pivot axes are spaced sufficiently relative to the thickness of the leg units to allow overlapping of the leg units in the storage position and, in a still further form, the flange along the shelf sides has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the leg units when overlapping in the storage position.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the present invention, a shelf unit for a metallic locker is provided, including a shelf having a depth and an adjustable width between its sides, a reinforcing flange depending downwardly around the periphery of the shelf, and first and second leg units pivotably secured adjacent the sides of the shelf. The shelf sides are magnetic for attaching to the side wall of the metallic locker. Each of the leg units is pivotable between a storage position substantially parallel with the shelf and a supporting position at substantially right angles to the shelf. Further, each of the leg units have (1) a pair of legs each having a head on one end and a foot on the other end with the legs on the head being pivotally secured adjacent opposite ends of the shelf side, (2) a foot portion between the feet of the legs, and (3) a magnet for attaching to the side walls of the metallic locker. The first leg unit is pivotably secured to one shelf side about a first pivot axis and the second leg unit is pivotably secured to the other shelf side about a second pivot axis, and the pivot axes are defined by the flange.  
         [0014]     In one form of this aspect of the present invention, the legs and foot portions are plastic, and the foot portions each include a magnet secured to the plastic.  
         [0015]     In another form of this aspect of the present invention, a head portion is between the head of the legs of each leg unit, whereby the leg units are rectangular.  
         [0016]     In still another form, a notch is in the legs adjacent their head whereby, when pivoted down, the legs present a side face substantially aligned with the face of the reinforcing flange along the shelf sides.  
         [0017]     In yet another form of this aspect of the present invention, the first and second pivot axes are spaced an unequal distance from the top of the shelf whereby the leg units overlap when in the storage position. In a further form, the flange along the shelf sides has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the leg units when overlapping in the storage position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one shelf unit according to the present invention, with its legs folded up in a storage position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  shelf unit, with the legs being folded down to a supporting position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a shelf unit according to the present invention with its legs in a supporting position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 3  shelf unit with the shelf being adjusted to have a greater width;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     A shelf unit  10  according to the present invention is illustrated in the Figures, and is illustrated in a plurality of configurations in  FIGS. 1-4 . In the advantageous embodiment illustrated, the shelf unit  10  includes a shelf  14  and two leg units  16 ,  18 . The leg units  16 ,  18  in this embodiment each include a pair of legs or column portions  20 , each of which have a head  22  on the upper end. A foot portion  24  extends between the lower end of the legs  20 .  
         [0025]     The shelf  14  may include raised portions  28  to define a textured surface thereon. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the shelf  14  could also or alternatively include openings therethrough to allow dirt and the like to pass through without accumulating on the shelf  14 .  
         [0026]     A lip  30  may also be provided around the perimeter of the shelf  14  to assist in maintaining items on the shelf  14  and to provide some reinforcement against bending of the shelf  14 .  
         [0027]     Further, the shelf  14  may consist of two suitably telescoping shelf portions  32 ,  34  (see particularly  FIG. 4 ) allowing the width between the sides of the shelf  14  to be adjusted. For example, as illustrated, one shelf portion  32  may be configured to slidably fit over the other shelf portion  34 , with suitable slots  36  in the sides of the one shelf portion  32  receiving and guiding pins  38  projecting from the other shelf portion  34 , and suitable slots  40  in the other shelf portion  34  receiving screws  42  extending through the slots  40  and secured to the one shelf portion  32  (see  FIG. 5 ). It should be appreciated, however, that the adjustability of the width of the shelf could be provided in a wide variety of different ways within the broad scope of the present invention. Moreover, it should also be appreciated that this adjustability of width is functionally advantageous with the present invention as described in greater detail hereinafter.  
         [0028]     The leg units  16 ,  18  are suitably pivotally secured to the shelf portions  34 ,  32 , respectively, as by pins  50 ,  52  projecting from the leg units  16 ,  18  into axis defining holes on opposite sides of the shelf portions  32 ,  34 . Specifically, one leg unit  16  is pivotably secured to one side of the shelf  14  about a first pivot axis and the other leg unit  18  is pivotably secured to the other shelf side about a second pivot axis, where the first and second pivot axes may be advantageously spaced an unequal distance from the top of the shelf  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the leg units  16 ,  18  may therefore be pivoted up against the bottom of the shelf  14  into a compact storage position.  
         [0029]     The leg units  16 ,  18  and shelf  14  may be suitably formed from a strong, lightweight plastic, with suitable reinforcing ribs  54  (see  FIGS. 5-6 ) to provide sufficient strength in a lightweight and easy to manufacture structure.  
         [0030]     Further, the shelf portions  32 ,  34  may include downwardly depending reinforcing flanges  56 . The axis defining holes may be provided in the flanges  56 . By providing an advantageous vertical spacing of the first and second pivot axes (i.e., a spacing which, given the thickness of the leg units  16 ,  18 , is sufficient to allow overlapping of the leg units  16 ,  18  when in the storage position), the leg units  16 ,  18  may be advantageously pivoted to a storage position in which the leg units  16 ,  18  are substantially parallel and overlapping beneath the shelf  14  and surrounded (and protected) by the flanges  56 . The flange  56  around the shelf  14  and along the shelf sides may advantageously have a height substantially equal to the thickness of the leg units  16 ,  18  when overlapping in the storage position to provide maximum reinforcement for the shelf  14  while also protecting the leg units  16 ,  18  in the storage position and providing an advantageously compact unit  10  in that position (e.g., for storage, shipping and shelf display).  
         [0031]     From the storage position ( FIG. 1 ), the shelf unit  10  may be changed to a supporting position (as in  FIGS. 3-4 ) by first pivoting the bottom-most leg unit  16  downward (see arrow  60  in  FIG. 2 ), and then pivoting the other leg unit  18  downward (see arrow  62  in  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0032]     From the supporting position ( FIGS. 3-4 ), the leg unit  18  which is pivoted about an axis closest to the top of the shelf  14  may be first pivoted upward into a storage position against the bottom of the shelf  14 , and the other leg unit  16  may thereafter be pivoted up against (and generally parallel to) leg unit  18  in the storage position ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0033]     It should be appreciated that the compact storage position is not only commercially advantageous with respect to product handling, but it is also ideal for students to transport to their locker for placing therein. That is, not only is the compact size convenient, but it also allows the students to carry it unobtrusively, which is important to some students who are afraid of carrying something which might cause them to not look “cool” to others (particularly at the uneasy start of a new school year when such items are typically taken to school for use in their new locker). Further, it should be appreciated that the shelf unit  10  when taken to a locker for use may be quickly and easily installed by even young students with just a few steps requiring no assembly of parts.  
         [0034]     Suitable magnets may advantageously be provided in the leg units  16 ,  18  and the shelf  14 , such as the illustrated bar magnets  70  in the flanges  56  at the sides of the shelf  14  and the bar magnets  72  illustrated in the foot portion  24  of the leg units  16 ,  18  (though only one of each magnet  70 ,  72  is shown in the figures, the same magnets are provided on the opposite side). Suitable pockets or other supporting structures (e.g., adhesives) may be provided in the shelf  14  and foot portions  24  for securing the magnets  70 ,  72  thereto.  
         [0035]     The upper ends of the legs  20  may also advantageously be provided with a notch so that, when pivoted down, the legs  20  present a side face substantially aligned with the face of the reinforcing flange  56  along the shelf sides, as opposed to being recessed (see particularly  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In this manner, the space beneath the shelf  14  may be maximized (by maximizing the spacing between the vertical leg units  16 ,  18 ) in the supporting position, and the magnets  72  in the foot portions  24  may also be reliably positioned flush against the sides of the locker.  
         [0036]     Further, a flexible downwardly depending tab  80  may be provided on each side of the bottom of the shelf  14  (see  FIGS. 5-6 ), with a slot  82  provided in the upper portion of the leg units  16 ,  18 , whereby the tabs  80  are received in the slots  82  when the leg units  16 ,  18  are pivoted to the storage position, to assist in securing the leg units  16 ,  18  in that position.  
         [0037]     It should be appreciated that this structure can be easily installed by simply placing the unit inside a locker, folding the leg units  16 ,  18  down and then expanding the width of the shelf  14  until its sides expand out to the opposite sides of the locker, in which position the magnets  70 ,  72  will provide a positive feel that the unit  10  is properly in position. The magnets will also not only help maintain the unit  10  in that position, but will also ensure that the legs  20  remain vertically oriented so that they may provide maximum (compressive) supporting strength. Further, the telescoping nature of the shelf  14  allows the unit  10  to be easily placed into a locker which has a front opening narrower than the locker interior, while still providing a supporting surface which extends the full width of the locker interior.  
         [0038]     It should also be appreciated that the leg units  16 ,  18  of the shelf unit  10  of the present invention could be configured differently than shown. For example, more or different magnets  72  may be provided on the legs  20 , or foot portions  24 , and of different sizes than illustrated, while still maintaining the advantages of some aspects of the present invention. In addition, magnet(s)  72  could be secured to the leg units  16 ,  18  differently than illustrated in the figures (e.g., by mechanical connection, integral formation with the leg, or by the entire leg itself being magnetic). Moreover, it should be appreciated that some aspects of the advantages of the present invention could be obtained if only a single leg unit  16  or  18  is magnetic, or if the legs  20  were themselves separate (e.g., not connected by foot portions  24 ).  
         [0039]     Further, it should be appreciated that the present invention may be used in shelf units having less or more than four legs, and with legs at other than the corners of the shelf. It should also be appreciated that the legs  20  could be adjustable in length (e.g., by telescoping) so as to provide a different, selectable height, if desired.  
         [0040]     Still other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the specification, the drawings, and the appended claims. It should be understood, however, that the present invention could be used in alternate forms where less than all of the objects and advantages of the present invention and preferred embodiment as described above would be obtained.