Improvements in Shelf Structures and their Supports.
Year: 1894

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shelf Structures and their Supports.
We, UDOLPHO SNEAD of Louisville in the County of Jefferson and State of
Kentucky, United States of America, Manufacturer, and BERNARD RICHARDSON
GREEN, of Washington in the District of Columbia, United States of America,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
Our invention relates to Improvements in Shelf Structures and their Supports,
with the object in view of providing a book-case or stack which shall be light,
strong, and durable, and in which the shelves may be inserted into and removed
from their positions between their supports without requiring any objectionable
amount of tilting either endwise or side-wise.
A practical embodiment of our invention is represented in the accompanying
drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 represents a portion of a book stack in perspective, showing two consecutive
end supports and shelves engaged therewith;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged portion of an end support in side elevation, showing the
shelf in transverse section and in the position which it assumes when in use.
Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of two shelves upon opposite sides of an end support,
showing a portion of the end support in section, and the front adjacent corners of
the shelves resting upon one of the offsets at the front edge of the end support.
Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing the end support formed in two sections spaced
from each other, instead of a single section, as in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a portion of the shelf, showing the ends of the
hollow shelf bars engaged with the angle end girder.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, represent various forms which the hollow shelf bar may
assume other than U-shaped, the views in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, comprising both an
end and partial side elevation of the bar,
Fig. 11 is a vertical section through the corner of the shelf, on the line x, x, of
Fig. 5.
Fig. 12 is a similar section on the line y, y, of Fig. 5.
Figs. 13 and 14 represent, respectively, a vertical transverse section through the
bridge bar exterior to one of the hollow bars, and a horizontal section through a
portion of one of the bars, and the bridge bar engaged therewith, showing the
manner of locking the bridge piece to the shelf bar.
Fig. 15 shows means for locking the bridge bar to the shelf bar, when the bridge
bar is round, and the opening for it also round, and about the size of the bar; and
Figs. 16, 17, and 18 show means for locking the bridge bars to the shelf bars,
when the bridge bar is polygonal in cross section.
The particular form of book case or stack which we have selected to illustrate
our invention, is one in which several consecutive ranges of shelves are separated
by end supports, but the application of our invention is not limited to such a
structure, but may be utilized as well in connection with a single series of shelves,
as, for example, in an ordinary book case.
The end supports, as represented in Figs. 1, 2, 3, may be formed of metal or other
suitable material, and are preferably made in skeleton form for lightness, and to save
material, and to permit a free circulation of air through them. The two consecutive
end supports, in Fig. 1, are denoted by A, A',
At their front edges, they are provided with a series of notches a, for the
reception of supporting lugs on the ends of the shelves, and, at or near their rear edges,

page_text: preferably toward the front a short distance from the rear edge, they are provided
with laterally projecting supporting lugs a', one for each supporting tooth a' at the
front edge. The notches a extend horizontally across the front edges of the end
supports, to gain the full advantage of the thickness of the supports as a bearing.
In case the end support A or A¹ is at the end of the shelf range, it will be
provided with supporting lugs a' on one side only, viz., that side toward the adjacent
end support. But, where the said end support is located intermediate of two
consecutive lengths of shelves, it will be provided with supporting lugs a¹ extending
in opposite directions from its opposite sides.
The shelf is preferably of the grid-iron type, consisting of a series of longitudinal
bara B, connected at their ends by girders bextending transversely thereto, and,
when found necessary, further connected by bridge pieces.
The shelf bars B, in the preferred form, have a general U-shape, with their
faces slightly rounded, as shown at 6³, and with strengthening beads 6³ on their free
edges.
The strengthening beads may be conveniently rolled on the bars at the time the
blanks are formed, and when the blank is bent from its flat into its U-shaped form,
the beads will be brought to the bottom edges of the front bars, to give additional
strength to them, and to resist any tendency of the bars to sag when subjected
to weight.
It is obvious that the beads 6 might be formed by rolling over the free edges of
the shelf blanks. The end girders o to which the end of the shelf bars are secured,
are formed of angle iron L-shaped in cross section. The ends of the shelf bars are
provided with longitudinal slits 6, extending from their extreme ends to a depth
equal to the narrowest portion of the flange c of the end girder, and of a width
sufficient to receive said flange with a snug sliding fit within them. The slits b¹
are located in the opposite sides of the shelf bar, in close proximity to the edges of
the top of the bar, and, in order to provide for the turning down of the extreme
end of the top bar over the angle end of the bar, the sides of the shelf bar are made
somewhat shorter than the top of the bar, to permit the top of the bar to project
over the angle of the end girder when the parts are assembled. It is obvious
that slits might also be formed in the edge of the flange c of the end girder, to
receive the sides of the bar a short distance at the extremities of the slits 6 formed
therein. At such distances as are desired for spacing the shelves apart, we prefer
to provide the flange e of the end girder with tongues el projecting therefrom,
and of such width as to fit snugly within the shelf bar between the opposite sides of
the bar.
The shelf bar and end girder are assembled by inserting the flange c of the end
girder within the slits 6 in the bar, until the ends of the sides of the shelf bar abut
against the flange of the end girder, the tongue c' projecting between the sides of
the shelf bar, beyond the ends of the slits, and then folding down the projecting
end 6 of the shelf bar over the angle of the end girder, onto the flange c³, as clearly
shown in Fig. 5. The projecting tongue c' will prevent lateral displacement of the
shelf bar, while the turned-down portion 6 will prevent the longitudinal displace-
ment of the same, and the slits in which the flange c is inserted will prevent vertical
displacement of the bar. The bar will thus be firmly interlocked with the end
girder against displacement in any direction.
To form a rigid structure at the corners, we shorten the flange c, so that it shall
rest flush with the exterior side of the outer shelf bar, and then turn the projecting
end of the flange cover against the end of the flange c, and against the side of the
shelf bar, and rivet it to the bar.
The shelf bars may be made to assume numerous other forms than U-shape
in cross section. The cylindrical form is shown at B', Fig. 6; the triangular
form at B³, Fig. 7; the square form at B³, Fig. 8; the oval form at B, Fig. 9;
and the T form at B, Fig. 10. In all of these forms, the connection with the
end girder may be made, in all essential particulars, in the same manner as already
described.

page_text: When the shelf is of such length as to render it desirable to strengthen the bars
intermediate of their ends, they may be stiffened, and held in position by one or
more bridge bars D, as follows:-Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the bridge bar D
is round, and the openings 6 through the sides of the shelf bars, for the reception of
the rod D, are made slightly oval. The bar D is provided at intervals corresponding
to the positions of the sides of the shelf bars, with shallow recesses d, of such width
as to receive the sides of the shelf bar, and when the bridge bar is inserted in
position, it is forced toward one end of the oval opening 6, so as to bring the side
of the shelf bar into the recess d, and the bridge bar D is locked in such position
by means of a lug 6', which is conveniently left at the margin of the opening be at
the time the latter is cut, the said lug, after the bridge is forced into engagement
with the side of the shelf bar, being turned down into contact with the bridge bar,
as clearly indicated in Fig. 13.
Instead of making the opening for the bridge bar D of oval form, it may be
made round, and about the size of the bar, as shown at 68, Fig. 15, and the bar D
may be provided with an annular recess d', so as to permit it to be forced laterally to
engage the side of the shelf bar.
The bridge bar may also be made polygonal in cross section, instead of round,
the square form of said bar being represented by D¹ in Figs. 16, 17, and 18. It
may have slits in its side, and be forced laterally by lugs on the bar, as shown in
Figs. 16 and 17; or it may have slits at the corners, as shown in Fig. 18, and may
be locked in position by turning it sufficiently to bring its angles to correspond with
the sides of the opening.
The structure herein before described is such as to admit of forming the shelf bars
and their girders of tough malleable metal, such, for example, as rolled steel, and
hence renders it feasible to make them very light, and at the same time sufficiently
strong to sustain the weight required of them. It also admits of performing the
necessary shaping and assembling by machinery, and hence makes the cost of
manufacture low.
For supporting the shelf, it is provided at its ends, and at or near its front edge,
with supporting lugs E, E, and at or near its rear edge with notches e, adapted to
receive the supporting lugs a¹ on the end supports, when the shelf is adjusted
for use.
Where the end supports A, A¹ are made of a single thickness of material, as in
the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, we arrange the lugs E and El so that the lug E,,
at the front corner of one shelf, will lap past the lug E¹ on the front corner of the
adjacent shelf, as clearly indicated in Fig. 3.
We also make the notches a for the reception of the lugs E, E¹, of sufficient
height to permit one of the lugs, E, for example, to slide outwardly or inwardly
over the top of, or under, the adjacent lug E' into its position.
The engagement of the notch e, near the rear edge of the shelf, with the lug a¹
projecting from the side. end support, serves, when the shelf is adjusted for use, to
prevent the shelf from outward horizontal displacement, and when it is desired to
remove the shelf, all that is required is to lift the rear portion of the shelf sufficient
to free the notches e from the supporting lugs a', and to lift the front portion of
the shelf sufficient to free the overlapping lug at one end, from the lug of the
adjacent shelf in advance of it, and then slide the shelf forwardly in a horizontal
plane out of position, and place it again in the same position as before, or in a
position on an upper or lower tooth or lug, by simply sliding it inwardly in a
horizontal plane until its supporting notches and lugs rest on their seats.
Instead of making the end support A or A' of a single thickness of material, it
may be formed of a double thickness of material, as indicated in Fig. 4, in which
case the material may be much thinner, sheet metal, for example, and the two
thicknesses may be separated at such a distance as to permit the front supporting
lugs on the adjacent ends of two consecutive shelves to rest in alignment with each
other, as shown in Fig. 4, instead of lapping past each other, as hereinbefore
referred to.

page_text: The two thicknesses of material are represented in Fig. 4 by F and F¹; each
may consist of a single piece of material, or each may consist of two or more
vertical strips of material connected by suitable girders. There might also be a
single vertical strip at the rear, provided with supporting lugs, and two vertical
strips at the front, spaced apart, and connected by suitable girders with the rear
strip.
When the two-part support is employed, we are enabled to diminish the height
of the notches a, and hence make the adjustment of the shelves at lesser intervals
throughout the height of the supports, than where the supporting lugs are arranged
to lap past one another, for the reason, that such end to end arrangement of the
lugs will not require a space for the passage of one lug over another, into or out of
its normal position.
By providing the lower walls of the notches a with slight abutments, we may
dispense with the notches on the ends of the shelves near their rear edges and
depend upon the lugs at the ends of the shelves at their front edges to hold the
shelves against horizontal displacement.
The shelf may be removed from, and inserted into its position between the end
supports in a substantially horizontal plane, without requiring it to be tilted
endwise; it is securely held against displacement either forwardly or rearwardly;
it is supported at its extreme front edge where weight is liable to be more often
applied; and the bearing faces of the shelves are brought into close proximity to
the faces of the end supports,, so that the book remains fully exposed at the front
of the case, even when placed in contact with the end support.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. The combination with end supports provided with shelf-supporting seats in
position to support a shelf at its front edge and to the rearward of its front edge,
of a shelf provided with supporting bearings fixed relatively to the shelf, and
constructed to interlock with the supporting seats on the ends, the shelf being
removable from between the end supports in a plane substantially parallel with its
adjusted position, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with the supports provided with a series of shelf-supporting
seats at their front edges, and with series of supporting seats to the rear of their
front edges, of a shelf provided at its ends with supporting bearings fixed relatively
to the shelf, and constructed to interlock with the supporting seats on the end
supports, to hold the shelf in removable adjustment, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with the end supports provided with series of supporting
seats at their front edges and with supporting lugs extending laterally from their
sides to the rear of their front edges, of a shelf provided at its front edges with
supporting lugs adapted to enter from the front and rest on the seats at the front
edges of the supports, the ends of the shelf to the rear of the front edges
being adapted to rest on the said laterally extending lugs, substantially as set
forth.
4. The combination with end supports consisting of sections spaced apart and
provided with shelf supporting seats on their front edges and supporting lugs
extending laterally from the opposite sides of the sections, of a shelf provided
with end lugs and bearings adapted to interlock with the end supports, substantially
as set forth.
5. The combination with end supports provided with series of supporting seats.
at their front edges, consisting of recesses formed in the front edges of the
supports, and having a horizontal extension corresponding to the thickness of the
end supports, said end supports being further provided with supporting lugs
extending laterally from their sides to the rear of their front edges, of a shelt
provided at its front edges with supporting lugs adapted to enter from the front,
and rest on the seats at the front edges of the supports, the ends of the body of

page_text: the shelf to the rear of the front edges being constructed to rest on the sail
lateral extending lugs, substantially as set forth.
6. The shelf structure, comprising a series of hollow bars and end girders.
interlocked with the ends of the hollow bars, substantially as set forth.
7. The shelf structure, comprising a series of hollow bars having their ends slit,
and flanged end girders, arranged to enter the slits in the hollow bars, substantially
as set forth.
8. The shelf structure, comprising a series of hollow bars having their ends slit,
and flanged end girders, one of the flanges of the end girder being provided with
projecting tongues, the flanges being arranged to enter the slits in the bars, and
the tongues to enter the interiors of the bars beyond the flange, substantially as
set forth.
9. The shelf structure, comprising a series of hollow bars having their ends slit
and their top sides projected beyond the sides, and flanged girders adapted to enter
the slits in the ends of the bars, to a point where the projecting top sides may be
turned down over the edge of the girder, substantially as set forth.
10. The shelf structure, comprising a series of hollow bars having their ends slit,
L-shaped end girders having their upright flanges extended and their horizontal
flanges adapted to enter the slit ends of the bars, the projected flanges of the end
girders being adapted to fold over against the side of the edge bar at the end of
the horizontal flange, substantially as set forth.
11. A shelf bar U-shaped in cross section, and having strengthening beads on
its edges, substantially as set forth.
12. The shelf structure, comprising a series of hollow bars connected at their
ends, and a bridge bar extending transversely through the sides of the hollow bars,
the sides of the bars and the bridge bar being provided, the one with a recess, and
the other with a lip or lug for locking the hollow bars to the bridge bar against
lateral displacement, substantially as set forth.
13. The shelf structure, comprising a series of hollow bars connected at their
ends, and a bridge bar extending transversely through the sides of the hollow bars,
the openings for the bridge bar being enlarged to afford the bar a limited lateral
movement therein, the shelf bars being provided with lips or lugs at the margin of
the bridge bar, openings for locking the bridge bar in engagement with the hollow
bars, substantially as set forth.
Л
1004
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.