improvements connected with Supports for Shelves Ioг BOOKS ana the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: =
improvements connected with Supports for Shelves Ioг BOOKS ana
the like..
A communication from abroad by HERBERT ELBRIDGE DAVIDSON, of 146 Franklin
"Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A., Vice President of the Library Bureau of
Boston aforesaid.
:
IPHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to standards and to adjustable supports for book and other
shelves of the type wherein are employed a series of supporting standards, carrying
one or more vertically. sliding, or adjustable brackets on which the shelves are
carried.
Prior to this invention in devices of this type the standards have been made
from rolled, or wrought iron and provided with suitable guide-ways in which the
adjustable shelf-carrying brackets are made to slide.
To cheapen, and lighten these standards without sacrificing strength and rigidity,
the present invention comprehends.a sheet metal standard rolled or bent throughout
its length,, or such portion thereof as it is desired the shelves shall be adjustable
upon to provide suitable guide-ways in which the inner ends of the brackets may
slide, suitable devices. being, employed to hold the brackets in desired.adjusted
position.
„In the preferred form; the metal of the standards is. rolled to present one or more
tubular guides, through a side slot in which the sliding bracket protrudes.
"The invention also comprehends a novel sliding bracket struck up or stamped
from sheet, metal, and my invention, further comprehends a novel locking device
fulcrumed on and movable. by and with the bracket, to lock the latter in desired
position by binding in the standard without locking, it so tightly as to prevent easy
adjustment.
Upon a
suitable base are erected one or more, (preferably two), abutting
standards, each standard being formed from sheet metal, and bent into U-form,
and having each of its edges rolled or turned over to form tubular guide-wayɛ
opening into which are suitable slots for a purpose to be described.
Should it be necessary to stiffen the standards, by reason of an unusual load
resting thereupon, such for instance as the lowermost standard in a stack several
tiers high, it is proposed to insert in the U-portion of the standard or standards,
one or more stiffening plates which may or may not be common to both standards.
The shelf-carrying brackets are preferably struck up from sheet metal, they
being provided at their inner ends with ears rolled over to conform as nearly as
possible to the interior contour of the guide-ways of the standards and adapted to
slide therein, the web, parts of the said brackets protruding from the guide-ways
througli 'the slots.
:
The brackets between their ears are recessed at their inner ends to receive the
locking device, the latter being cast and provided within the guide-ways of the
standards with preferably cylindrical or other suitably shaped .heads adapted to
slide in the guide-ways of the standards, 'the arms of the said locking device
projecting from the said guide-ways through, the slots and held or fulcrumed on

page_text: the brackets in suitable manner, as by arranging them between lugs on the sides of
the said brackets.
J
Within the guide-ways of the standards the heads of the locking device may be
provided with retarding springs which act upon the inner walls of the guide-ways
and. tend to retard the downward movement of the said heads in the guide-ways.
Portions of the bracket may be struck or punched inwardly to form supports for
the shelves and such shelf supports may have their ends turned up to engage a
groove or slot in the underside of the shelf, at its end; to thereby to a greater or
less extent prevent movement of the bracket away from the shelf when in use;
and to prevent withdrawal of the brackets towards the front of the shelves, they
may be provided at their ends, with pins which enter slots in the brackets, it being,
therefore, necessary to raise the shelves before the pins can be withdrawn.
In arranging a series of standards it is necessary to tie the same one to another
at their tops to stiffen their construction, and to do this, in the present invention
there is inserted in the U-shaped portions of abutting standards at their tops, a
plate secured in suitable manner, as by rivets to the standards, and slotted
horizontally, just above the ends of the standards to receive the stiffening, bar
extending from one to another of the pairs of standards. :
This stiffening bar is notched where it is passed through the slots in the several
plates to straddle the metal at one edge of the slot, the said stiffening bar being
held against that edge of the slot at which it is notched; by a wedge, driven
between the opposite edge of the stiffening bär and the opposite end of the slot.
In a modification of my invention to adapt the same to a standard provided at its
opposite sides with dove-tailed guide-ways the shelf bracket, is provided at one side
with two dove-tailed guide-lugs, which slide in the guide-ways and intermediate of
the guide lugs in an opening in the bracket is arranged the locking device fulcrumed
at one end between the lugs and provided. with a locking projection or head which
upon movement of the locking device about its fulcrum acts to grip at its opposite
upper and lower edges the side walls of the guide-way, in which the bracket
travels.
In this construction & spring tends to retain the same normally in locking
position, it being moved into unlocking position by upward movement of the
bracket, causing the latter to lift the fulcrum end of the locking device, the locking
or headed end of which is retarded by the friction incident to its travel in the
guide-way.
=
In another modification the dove-tailed grooves are arranged at the front and
back of the standard, the brackets being provided with suitably shaped ends to
travel in their guide-ways, the locking device operating on the principle last
described, except that the locking head is at the end rather than at the side of the
device.
1.
Dated this 14th day of February 1895.
منعنة

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement::
This invention relates to standards and to adjustable supports for book and other
shelves of the type wherein are employed a series of supporting standards, carrying
one or more vertically sliding or adjustable brackets on which the shelves are
carried,
..
2
..
-Prior to this invention in devices of this type the standards have been made from
rolled or wrought iron and provided with suitable guideways in which the adjustable
shelf-carrying brackets are made to slide.
....
To cheaper and lighten these standards without sacrificing strength and rigidity,
the present invention comprehends a sheet metal standard rolled or bent throughout
its-length, or such portion thereof, as it is desired the shelves' shall be adjustable
upon to provide suitable guide-ways in which the inner-end's of the brackets may
slide, suitable devices' being employed to hold the brackets in desired 'adjusted
position.
"J
In the preferred" form, the metal of the standards is rolled to present one or
more tubular guides, through a side slot in which the sliding bracket protrudes.
The invention also comprehends a novel sliding bracket struck up or stamped
from sheet metal, and my invention further comprehends a 'novel locking device
fulcruméd on and movable by and with the bracket to lock the latter in desired
position by binding in the standard without locking it so tightly as to prevent easy
adjustment.
In the drawings,
Fig. in side elevation, shows a pair of standards embodying the invention with
four brackets applied thereto, a part of one of the standards being broken out to
expose the locking device;
Fig. 2, top or plan view of Fig. 1, showing brackets applied at opposite sides
of each standard;
Fig-3 a face view of two of a series of standards with the shelves carried thereby,
the latter being broken out to save space in the drawings;
Fig. a sectional detail on the dotted linea, Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 a perspective detail showing the preferred form of locking device;
Fig. 6 a cross section on the dotted line a¹¹, Fig. , showing one means of
stiffening the standards when necessary; Fig. 64 is a similar section showing a
modification;
Fig 7 a side elevation of a bracket slowing a modification of the invention;
Fig 8 a horizontal section on the dotted line a²²Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 a side view of yet another modified form of bracket, and Fig. 10 a section
on the dotted line thereof.-
Referring to the drawings in the particular "embodiment of the invention shown,
to enable the same to be understood; A, Fig: 1, is a suitable base upon which.'are
erected one or more, preferably two, abutting standards B, B, each standard, see
Fig. 6; being formed from sheet metal and, as shown, bent centrally at 1 into
U-form, and having each of its leaves or edges rolled or turned over as at 2 to form
tubular, guide ways 3, opening into which-áre suitable slots 4, for a purpose to be
d'escribed
r
5-J
Should it be necessary to stiffen the standards, by reason of an unusual load
resting thereupon, such for instance as the lowermost standard in a stack several
tiers high, it is proposed to insert in the U-portion of the standard or standards,
between the leaves of the central bend one or more stiffening plates which may or
may not be comnion to both standards. In Fig. 6 the stiffening plates 6 consist of
angle irons placed back to back as shown. a.
Referring now to kito inclusive, the shelf carrying brackets C'are préfer-
ably struck up from sheet metal, as shown; they being provided at their inner end's
with earsſc rolled over to conform as nearly as possible to the interior contour of the
guide ways of the standards and adapted to slide therein, the web parts of
the said brackets protruding from the guide ways through the slots 4, Fiz! 6! 'The

page_text: י
ation of the invention to
adapt the same to a standard / provided at its opposite sides with dove-tailed
guide ways. In such construction the shelf bracket is provided at one side
with two dove-tailed: guide lugs, which slide in- the guide ways: h', and, inter-
mediate the said guide ways in fan-opening in the bracket there is arranged
the locking device / fulcrumed at one end between the lugs 4 and provided with
a locking projection or head h. which upon movement of the locking device about
its fulcrum, acts, as does the device. in Fig. 1, to grip at its opposite upper and
lower edges the side walls of the guide-way in which the bracket travels..
.
J]។
In the construction Figs. 7 and 8, the spring, tends to retain the head normally
in locking position, it being moved into unlocking position by upward movement of
the bracket, causing the latter to lift the fulcrum end of the locking device,,the
locking or headed end of which is retarded by the friction incident to its travel: in
the guide-way..
i...
In Figures 9 and 10, the dove tailed grooves are arranged at the front and back
of the standard, the brackets m being provided with suitably shaped ends to
travel in their guide-ways,, the locking device m" operating on the principle of the
device Figures 7 and 8, except that the locking head is at the end rather than at
the side of the device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed (as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent) I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a plurality of brackets, of a standard therefor consisting
of a metal sheet folded or bent centrally upon itself and having its leaves again
rolled or bent over to form vertical guide-ways at opposite sides respectively of the
said central bend or fold and in which the said brackets may slide for adjustment,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a plurality of brackets, of a standard therefor consisting
of a metal sheet folded or bent centrally upon itself and having its leaves again
rolled or bent at their edges to form guide-ways at opposite sides respectively of
the said central bend or fold and of a considerably less depth from front and back
than the depth of the leaves of the said central bend or fold, whereby the outer
faces of the latter constitute lateral supports for the brackets beyond or in front of
the said guide-ways substantially as described.
3. The combination with a standard having a vertical bracket-receiving guide-
way consisting of a centrally bent metal sheet, one of the side walls of which is
projected forward beyond the other to constitute a lateral bracket-support, of a
sheet metal bracket adapted to slide in said groove and having a portion to fill the
groove rolled or bent over at that side of the bracket opposite the said lateral
Bracket support, and means to clamp the said bracket in adjusted position,
substantially as described.
4. In a device of the class described, the combination with two sheet metal
standards each folded upon itself centrally, and with the leaves thus formed again
folded or bent to form guide-ways at opposite sides respectively of the said central
bend or 'fold, the said standards being arranged back to back, of a stiffening plate
or plates inserted between the leaves of the said central folds of the two standards
and serving to stiffen both of the same, substantially as described.
=
5. The combination with two folded or bent sheet metal standards, and a slotted
plate uniting the same at their upper ends, of a stiffener bar inserted in the said
slot and notched to embrace the said plate, and a wedge holding the said notch in
engagement with said plate, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a plurality of brackets of a standard therefor having
two vertical and parallel bracket-receiving guide-ways separated by a middle
Portion projecting forward to a considerable distance beyond the normal front face
of the standard at either side, its side surfaces constituting lateral supports for the
brackets outside or in front of the said normal front face of the standard whereby

page_text: lateral vibration of the brackets working in the guide ways is preventedestibstantially
+as described.
1
7:In combination a bracket, a locking device consisting of a head sliding in the
-guide-way of a standard, an arm attached to the head said arm being bent at-one
end so that it lies on one side of the bracket lugs carried by the bracket between
which the end of such arm is fulcrumed and a recess in the bracket in which a
part of the arm is received substantially as and for the purposefdescribed..
L
8. "Ametal bracket provided-with-ears at one end, lugs projecting from one side,
a recess, and shelf supports formed by striking same up out of said bracket all
"substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. "A metal bracket provided with means for locking same on a standard having
an angular or slot in the end of same adapted to receive a pin carried by the
shelf all substantially as 'and for the purpose described:
10. The various improved constructions of standards, brackets--and locking
devices substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
"Dated this 14th day of November 1895.