Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/598,077 filed on Feb. 13, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to shelving, furniture, and display apparatus and systems based on modular components that are connected together to form the finished article. More specifically, embodiments relate to shelving for use in retail and other environments, other furniture, and display systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the shelving art, components comprising support members and brackets with hooks that engage in slots in the support members are used. An example of the use of such components is a retail shelf system. A simple shelf may require only a pair of vertical support members with spaced apart openings that receive one or more hooks located at one end of a bracket. In a conventional form of support member the openings are vertically aligned, rectangular slots. The hooks include vertically disposed distal portions dimensional to allow their insertion through the slots and an intermediate portion of reduced vertical dimension connecting the distal portion to the bracket. In use, the distal end is inserted into the slot in a horizontal direction and the hook then moved vertically to engage the distal portion with the margins of the slot and hold the hook on the support. 
         [0004]    In order to allow a variety of different shelving assemblies to be constructed using the support and bracket system, a support may be employed which is rectangular in horizontal cross-sections and comprises four spaced apart vertical surfaces forming the sides of the rectangle. Arrays of slots to receive hooks are provided in two or more of the surfaces. In prior art systems, the slots are the conventional aligned rectangles as described above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure provides an improved support for shelving, displays, or modular furniture. The modular systems for shelving, displays, and furniture referred to herein include apparatus such as retail shelving, hangers, display boards and cases, tables, and other items. 
         [0006]    Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a support for a modular system comprising four surfaces disposed in an essentially rectangular juxtaposition, at least two of the surfaces being provided with a longitudinal array of spaced slots, the slots being shaped to receive and engage a bracket hook which has horizontally extending portions at a distal end wherein, when the bracket hook is inserted in the slot and engaged, the horizontal portion of the hook contacts the margins of the opening in the support. 
         [0007]    The present disclosure includes some embodiments which provide versatility in creating shelving, displays, or furniture. For example, some embodiments include a support having slots in all four sides. The use of the four sided slotting on the support allows components of shelving, displays, and/or other furniture to be assembled in a multitude of configurations using a common kit of parts. 
         [0008]    Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a support for a modular system which is essentially circular and comprises, at least one longitudinal array of spaced slots, the slots being shaped to receive a bracket hook which has a distal end with vertical and horizontal extending portions wherein, when the bracket hook is inserted in the slot, the horizontal portion of the hook contacts the margins of the opening in the support. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the present disclosure may include combinations of one or more modular components which employ slots and/or bracket hooks as described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with references to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a shelf unit employing supports of the disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   a  shows an enlarged detailed view of embodiments of the support and bracket of the disclosure before the bracket is connected to the support; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   b  shows an enlarged detailed view of the support and bracket of  FIG. 2   a  when assembled; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of a table that can be constructed using the support and bracket of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b;    
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a hanger system employing supports of the disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows top down view of an embodiment of engaged modular components of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a shelving system  11  comprises six essentially horizontal shelves  13  mounted on two vertical supports  15  mounted on horizontal base members  16 . In  FIG. 1  three of the shelves  13  are mounted to one side of the support  15  and three to the opposite side of those supports  15 . It will be appreciated that the number and placement of shelves  13  may vary. Each support  15  comprises four surfaces  17  arranged in a rectangle. Each surface  17  includes a spaced array of openings  19  (shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ). Each opening  19  includes a vertical slot portion  21  and a horizontally wider upper portion  23  communicating with the vertical slot portion  21  (shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ). 
         [0018]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the shelves  13  have at their ends brackets  25  which, at the rear of the end brackets  25  have hooks  27  that are engaged in the openings  19  to secure the shelf  13  on the support. 
         [0019]    In this embodiment, wall  24  in between the backs of shelves  13  and in between the supports  15 . Wall  24  includes four wall brackets  26  which secure the wall  24  to the supports  15 . In this embodiment, wall  24  is not connected to shelves  13 , but may abut the rear of one or more of shelves  13 . In some embodiments, one or more shelves  13  may be further connected to wall  24 . It will be appreciated that components other than shelves  13  may be attached to the supports  15  in addition to wall  24 . It will further be appreciated that wall  24  may include information, advertising, and/or other content. For example, wall  24  may display a product layout to assist the user in knowing where to place products on the shelves. The product layout may further include advertising for the selected product. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show in detail the configuration of openings  19  in the supports  15  and of the hooks  27  that engage in the slots. As described above, each opening  19  includes a vertical slot portion  21  and a horizontally wider upper portion  23  communicating with the vertical slot portion  21 . Hook  27  includes a horizontally wide portion that engages the horizontally wider upper portion  23  of the opening  19 . In some embodiments, hook  27  may also include additional portions that may be inserted into openings  19  and engage supports  15 . For example, hook  27  may further include a vertical distal end under the horizontally wider portion. 
         [0021]    As will be appreciated, unlike the converted slot hook shape, the horizontally wider upper portion  23  of the opening  19  and of the distal end of the hook  27  gives a larger area of contact between the bracket and the support than the conventional configuration and provides greater support for horizontal components carried by the vertical supports  15 . 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , bracket  25  included two vertically displaced hooks  27 . The use of two vertically displaced hooks  27  increases the structural support provided by bracket  25  by increasing the area of contact and spreading the load distribution of the bracket  25  across a larger area. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the brackets  25  may use one or more hooks  27 . The design and selection of brackets  25  may be based in part upon the expected use and load bearing requirements. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a table  31  constructed using the supports of the present disclosure as the legs  33  of the table  31 , illustrating the versatility of the disclosed system. In this embodiment, the table  31  comprises four legs  33  each formed by a four sided support similar to the support  15  described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this embodiment, each side of the leg  33  is provided with a vertical array of openings  35  substantially similar to the openings  19  described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In some embodiments, openings  35  may only be located near the top of legs  33  and/or in a vertical array along only two adjacent sides of legs  33 . The legs  33  are connected at their upper ends to the ends of four horizontal support members  37 . At each end of each support member  37  is a hook dimensioned to connect into the openings  35  near the top of each leg  33 . It will be appreciated that each support member  37  may include one or more hooks that connect into the openings  35 . A top  39  for the table  31  is disposed on the support members  37 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, additional surfaces and/or compartments may be built into the table  31 . For example, two additional horizontal support members  37  may be connected between opposite pairs of legs  33  such that an additional surface (like top  39 ) may be supported at a lower level than top  39 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of a hanger system  41  comprising an essentially horizontal hanger bar  43  which may be mounted on one or more vertical supports  45 . It will be appreciated that the number and placement of hanger bars  43  may vary. In this embodiment, each support  45  is generally round in shape, and includes four vertically spaced arrays of openings  49 . It will be appreciated that the number and arrangement of openings  49 , and/or arrays of openings  49  may vary. Each opening  49  includes a vertical slot portion  51  and a horizontally wider upper portion  53  communicating with the vertical slot portion  51 . 
         [0026]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the hanger bar  43  has at one end bracket  55  and at the other end plate  63 . Bracket  55  includes hooks  57  that may be inserted into and engage the openings  49  and secure the hanger bar  43  on the support  45 . In this embodiment, bracket  55  also includes extensions  59  which may provide additional contact area against the rounded support  45  in this embodiment. This embodiment further includes tab  61  with a hole at the bottom of bracket  55 . In some embodiments, tab  61  may provide be used to provide additional support through the use of a bolt, pin, screw, or other extension that may be inserted and/or secured to support  45 . Tab  61  may be used as a guide in other embodiments. 
         [0027]    Hooks  57  include horizontally wide portions which engage the horizontally wider upper portion  53  of the opening  49 . In some embodiments, hooks  57  may also include additional portions that may be inserted into openings  49  and engage supports  45 . For example, hook  57  may further include a vertical distal end under the horizontally wider portion. As will be appreciated, unlike the converted slot hook shape, the horizontally wider upper portion  53  of the opening  49  and of the distal end of the hook  57  gives a larger area of contact between the bracket and the support than the conventional configuration and provides greater support for horizontal components carried by the vertical supports  45 . 
         [0028]    In the embodiment shown, bracket  55  included two vertically displaced hooks  57 . The use of two vertically displaced hooks  57  increases the structural support provided by bracket  55  by increasing the area of contact and spreading the load distribution of the bracket  55  across a larger area. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the brackets  55  may use one or more hooks  57 . The design and selection of brackets  55  may be based in part upon the expected use and load bearing requirements. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, plate  63  located at the other end of hanger bar  43  prevents one or more items from sliding off hanger bar  43 . In some embodiments, plate  63  is utilized to provide information, advertising, and/or other content. In some embodiments, plate  63  may be used to attach hanger bar  43  to a wall, another hanger, or another apparatus. For example, plate  63  may include four holes whereby four bolts, screws, and/or other connectors may be used to secure plate  63  to a wall. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of a round support  45  attached to hanger system  41  on one side and an alternative attachment  65  on the opposite side. In this embodiment, support  45  includes at least two arrays of openings on opposite sides wherein hooks  57  and  67  may be inserted and engaged with support  45 . Hanger system  41  includes elements described above with regard to  FIG. 4 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , in this embodiment bracket  55  and extensions  59  thereof provide three points of contact with the round support  45  when hanger system  41  is inserted in support  45 . 
         [0031]    The alternative attachment  65  includes hook  67  which is shown inserted in support  45 . In this embodiment, alternative attachment  65  also includes a curved end with hook  67  extending from a central area of the curve. The curve of the end is designed to compliment the curve of support  45  to provide additional contact area and sufficient structural support for alternative attachment  65 . It will be appreciated that alternative attachment  65  may comprise any type of attachable component, including shelves, hanger bars, table top supports, drawer rails, advertising or content display, supports, and/or other components. One skilled in the art will recognize that the design of the brackets used in conjunction with the hooks may vary and remain within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, hanger bar  43  may include brackets  55  at each end and not include a plate  63 . In such embodiments, hanger bar  43  may be disposed between two supports  45 . In some embodiments, hanger bar  43  is used to display informational, advertising, and/or other content. In other embodiments, hanger bar  43  is used to display and/or hold hanging clothes. It will be appreciated that some embodiments may include sections with hanger bars  43  and others with shelves  13  as described above. 
         [0033]    It will further be appreciated that additional designs of tables and other types of shelving, furniture, and display apparatus may be constructed using variations on these components and/or additional components which are compatible with the hooks and opening disclosed herein. For example, stools, chairs, steps, clothing racks, drawers, and other furniture may be constructed.

Technology Category: a