Storage system and method
A shelving system having one or more shelving units is disclosed. In some embodiments, the shelving units include one or more corner shelving units and/or one or more rectangular shelving units, each of which has one or more shelves connected to and supported by uprights. Shelving units can be connected together by telescoping or non-telescoping rods. The rods can be connected to the shelving units by brackets connected to hanger rails on the uprights of the shelving units. In some embodiments, the components of different shelving units are the same, and can be interchanged, thereby reducing the number of different parts needed for construction of different shelving systems. Also, the free-standing nature of the shelving units (and resulting shelving system) can simplify installation and can enable shelving systems to be installed in otherwise unavailable locations.
A wide variety of conventional shelving systems is available for storing all types of articles and products in many different environments, some of which present unique challenges. For example, it is often desirable to install shelving in closets, laundry rooms, stock rooms, coolers, garages, and other rooms (each of which is hereinafter referred to only as a “room”) in which modification to the walls, floor, and ceiling is not possible or acceptable.
Also, rooms in which shelving is to be installed vary significantly in size and shape, which may increase the difficulty in installing standardized shelving in an efficient and space-saving manner. Although customized shelving can be manufactured to meet the particular dimensions and shape of any room, the costs associated with non-standardized shelving often render such shelving uneconomical. In addition, shelving customized for a consumer's particular room dimensions is generally at odds with the desire for consumers to purchase shelving that is ready-to-assemble and install, and with the ability to construct such shelving without requiring the consumer to purchase a significant number of different shelving assembly components. In this regard, the more customized shelving systems are made, the less modular and adaptable to other applications they become.
Accordingly, economical, modular, easy-to-install, adjustable, space-saving, and efficient shelving systems are welcome additions to the art.
SUMMARYSome embodiments of the present invention provide a modular shelving system for installation in a corner of a room, wherein the modular shelving system comprises a first free-standing shelving unit adapted to be positioned in the corner of the room, the free-standing corner shelving unit comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, an unobstructed front corner through which user access to the first shelf is provided, a first rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent a first wall of the corner, and a second rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent a second wall of the corner, and a second free-standing shelving unit having a shape that is different from that of the first free-standing shelving unit, the second free-standing shelving unit coupled to the first free-standing shelving unit a distance from the first free-standing shelving unit, and comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the second plurality of uprights.
In some embodiments, a modular shelving system is provided that comprises a plurality of substantially identical uprights, a first plurality of substantially identical shelves, and a second plurality of substantially identical shelves having a shape different from that of the first plurality of substantially identical shelves, at least one of a rod and a shelf, wherein the plurality of substantially identical uprights are interchangeable with the first and second pluralities of substantially identical shelves to construct two free-standing shelving units having different shapes coupled by the at least one of the rod and the shelf spanning a distance between the two free-standing shelving units.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a modular shelving system, comprising a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the second plurality of uprights, and a rod extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the rod having a length that is adjustable to change a position of the first free-standing shelving unit with respect to the second free-standing shelving unit.
In some embodiments, a modular shelving system is provided that comprises a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, and a rod extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the rod releasably coupled to a first upright of the first plurality of uprights via an open collar.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a modular shelving system, comprising a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room, and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights, and a third shelf extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the third shelf releasably coupled to a first upright of the first plurality of uprights via an open collar.
In some embodiments, a method of assembling a modular shelving system is provided that comprises coupling first and second shelves to a first upright of a first plurality of uprights to at least partially define a first shelving unit, the first shelf located above the second shelf in the first shelving unit, coupling a third shelf to a second upright of a second plurality of uprights to at least partially define a second shelving unit disposed a distance from the first shelving unit, coupling at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the first upright at a location between the first and second shelves after coupling the first and second shelves to the first upright and without disassembly of the first upright, and coupling the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the second upright to couple the first and second shelving units together.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
With reference first to
The corner shelving unit 14 illustrated in
In some embodiments of the modular shelving system 10, one or more of the shelves 20, 22 of the corner and/or rectangular shelving units 14, 16 are adjustable to different heights along the uprights 12. For example, the shelves 20, 22 illustrated in
With continued reference to
In those embodiments in which at least either or both ends of the uprights 12 are hollow, the ends of the uprights 12 can be closed with caps 44, if desired (see
The uprights 12 of any shelving unit 14, 16 disclosed herein can comprise a single integral element or any number of elements coupled together in any manner. For example, an upright 12 can include a single pole, or two or more poles connected end-to-end. The individual sections of multiple-sectioned uprights 12 can be connected in a number of different manners, such as by mating connections (e.g., press or clearance fit connections, threaded connections, splined and/or keyed connections, and the like), connections established by couplings (e.g., double-ended threaded or press-fit couplings received on or in the ends of adjacent upright sections), by telescoping connections between upright sections, by adhesive or cohesive bonding material, welds, brazing, or in any other manner. For example, the uprights 12 illustrated in
With reference to
In some embodiments, shelves 20, 22 can be connected to the uprights 12 by positioning bushings (not shown) around the uprights 12 at one or more desired heights. As described above, the bushings can engage at least one of the grooves 18, if utilized. With the bushings in place, a shelf 20, 22 can be lowered onto the uprights 12 such that collars 50 (e.g., see
In other embodiments of the present invention, the uprights 12 can be provided with other features and elements enabling connection of shelves 20, 22 to the uprights 12. Such features and elements include without limitation a plurality of slots, recesses, and other apertures in the uprights 12, a plurality of ribs, studs, bosses, flanges, lips, pins, or other protrusions extending from the uprights 12, and the like. In still other embodiments, the surfaces of the uprights 12 are relatively featureless (such as when clamps, set-screws, or other fasteners are used to secure the shelves 20, 22 in place on the uprights 12).
The shelves 20, 22 of the shelving units 14, 16 can take a number of different forms. For example, the shelves 20, 22 can be wire-type shelves as shown in the illustrated embodiments, can be plate or panel-type shelves (e.g., solid plates or panels, expanded metal or other apertured plates or panels, and the like), or can take any other form desired. As another example, the shelves 20, 22 can be defined by two or more rods (e.g., rods 32, 134, 232, 234, 332 described in greater detail below) positioned to define a substantially horizontal support surface, such as two or more horizontal and parallel rods upon which product can be supported. The shelves 20, 22 can have a side wall about any part or all of the shelves 20, 22 as shown in the illustrated embodiments. In this regard, the shelves 20, 22 can have relatively high side walls to define a basket or other receptacle, if desired. Nevertheless, shelves having such other shapes are still referred to herein and in the appended claims as “shelves” for ease of description. Alternatively, the shelves 20, 22 have no such side wall in other embodiments.
The corner shelf 20 illustrated in
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, the shelving units 14, 16 can be provided with one or more hanger rails 130 for mounting rods 134 or other shelving components on the shelving units 14, 16. Although
The hanger rails 130 can also or instead have hinged collars 138 (not shown), in which a portion of each collar 138 is coupled to the rest of the collar 138 via a hinge, enabling a user to open and close the collar 138 for installation upon an upright 112. The term “open collar” as used herein and in the appended claims refers collectively to any collar having an at least partially opened shape or capable of being opened to have an at least partially opened shape for installation upon an upright 112, including without limitation the C-shaped and hinged collars 138 described above.
In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more rods 134 are coupled to one or more hanger rails 130 as described above. This connection can be made by one or more brackets 136, such as the brackets 136 shown in
It should be noted that the brackets 136 (and therefore, telescoping or non-telescoping rods or other accessories coupled to the brackets 136) can be coupled to one or more shelves 120, 122 in any of the shelving system embodiments disclosed herein. For this purpose, the hanger rails 130 and the edges of the shelves 120, 122 can have the same or similar shape enabling a user to mount brackets 136 thereto. For example, and with reference back to the embodiment of
As described above, the brackets 136 illustrated in
With reference back to the embodiment of
The corner shelving unit 314 illustrated in
Any of the configurations shown in
Additional features, uses, and applications, of the shelving system will now be described with reference only to the embodiment of
In some embodiments, various components of the shelving system 10 illustrated in
A number of the embodiments described herein are free-standing shelving systems. That is, such shelving systems are not intended to be connected to a wall, whether for structural support or otherwise. As mentioned above, shelving systems requiring modification to the walls, floor, and ceiling of a room are often not desirable or acceptable. Therefore, the free-standing shelving system 10 illustrated by way of example in
As shown in
As described above, the hanger rails 30 can be coupled to the uprights 12 by open collars 38, enabling telescoping or non-telescoping rods 32, 34 to be installed upon the shelving units 14, 16. As also described above, telescoping or non-telescoping rods 32, 34 can be used to connect shelving units 14, 16 to one another and/or to an adjacent wall or other structure. These capabilities can enable a user to assemble one or more shelving units 14, 16 and to thereafter connect the shelving units 14, 16 to one another and/or to an adjacent wall or other structure via the rods 32, 34. In particular, by virtue of the open collars 38 described above, the open collars 38 can be mounted to the uprights 12 at any time during the shelving system assembly process (rather than being slid down the uprights 12 at particular points when the shelving units 14, 16 are assembled, as may be necessary when using non-open collars). In this manner, a user can complete assembly of the shelving units 14, 16, move the shelving units 14, 16 into desired installed positions, and then connect shelving units 14, 16 together with the rods 32, 34.
It will be appreciated that without this ability, the shelving unit assembly process can be significantly more difficult. Specifically, a user may otherwise have to know the desired heights of the rods 32, 34 and shelves 20, 22 of the shelving system 10 in advance—information that can be difficult to determine in some cases. If the user desires to move the rods 32, 34 and/or shelves 20, 22 to different locations upon the uprights 12, the user can easily remove, re-position, and re-mount the rods 32, 34 and hanger rails 30 (via the open collars 38). Without this capability, such adjustment could require disassembly of one or more shelving units 14, 16, such as the removal of one or more shelves 20, 22 in order to remove and re-position the hanger rails 30.
In some embodiments, the various features of the shelving system 10 described herein enable the shelving system 10 to be shipped, stored, and displayed in an efficient and cost-saving manner that is also attractive to retail and other consumers. For example, many of the embodiments described herein utilize a limited number of system components (e.g., uprights 12 and bushings, hanger rails 30, brackets 36, rods 32, 34, and shelves 20, 22) to construct many different shelving units 14, 16 and resulting shelving system configurations . Accordingly, in some embodiments, a retailer need only stock a limited number of different parts to provide customers with the full functionality of the system design disclosed herein. The system components could be stored in different areas of a retail bay or other point of purchase display (e.g., a first area in which identical shelving uprights 12 or shelving upright portions are stored, second and third areas in which identical shelves 20, 22 are stored, and fourth and fifth areas in which rods 32, 34 are stored), enabling a customer to purchase only those elements needed to construct a desired shelving system 10. Any or all of the system components disclosed herein can be stored and/or sold in this manner.
Shelving system components could be stored for purchase individually or could be packaged in any manner as kits. For example, identical uprights 12, identical shelves 20, 22, and identical rods 32, 34 can be packaged in any number (e.g., four uprights to a package, two rectangular shelves 22 to a package, and the like) for purchase by consumers. As another example, any combination of the system components described and illustrated herein can be packaged together, such as a kit containing a set of upright portions, a set of identical shelves 20, 22, and two hanger rails 30, or a kit containing a set of identical rods 32, 34 together with a set of brackets 36. In other embodiments, kits can comprise the elements (e.g., uprights 12 and shelves 20 or 22) needed to assemble a type of shelving unit 14 or 16, enabling a purchaser to purchase as many identical or different shelving units 14, 16 as desired for his or her particular environment. In such cases, other components, such as rods 32, 34, hanger rails 30, and the like, can also be included in kits or can be sold separately. Any or all of the system components disclosed herein can be packaged in any combination for sale in this manner.
In those embodiments of the present invention in which different system components can be purchased as needed by a user, signage can be included to provide instructions to the customer regarding which components he or she will need and the necessary quantity to construct a shelving system 10 meeting the customer's needs. This signage can be located at a point of purchase display, such as proximate one or more areas in which the packaged or unpackaged system components are stored (in kit form or otherwise), on packaging or labels associated with one or more of the system components, or in other locations.
The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment of
It should also be noted that shelving units 14, 16 can be coupled together in a number of different manners in various embodiments. In some embodiments, adjacent shelving units 14, 16 are coupled together by one or more adjustable or non-adjustable rods 32, 34. Also, in some embodiments, two or more adjacent shelving units 14 and/or 16 are coupled together by one or more shelves 20 and/or 22, in which case collars 50 of the same shelf 20 and/or 22 can be connected to the uprights 12 of different shelving units 14 and/or 16 (e.g., collars 50 on opposite ends of the same shelves 20, 22 connected to uprights 12 of different shelving units 14, 16). As shown in
In this regard, one or more of shelves can be defined by two or more adjustable or non-adjustable rods 32, 34 as described above. Such rods 32, 34 can be connected to the uprights 12 of the shelving units 14, 16 directly by open or hinged collars 50, 138, 238 on the ends of the rods 32, 34, or by hanger rails 130, 230 and brackets 36, 136, 236, 336 as described above. Also, in some embodiments, two or more shelving units 14, 16 can be coupled together by sharing one or more of the same uprights 12. For example, the collars 50 of one or more shelves 14, 16 from one shelving unit 14, 16 and the collars 50 of one or more shelves 14, 16 of another adjacent shelving unit 14, 16 can receive the same uprights 12. Still other arrangements of corner shelving units 14, rectangular shelving units 16, and other types of shelving units are possible to provide shelving systems 10 adapted to many different rooms and environments, each of which falls within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
As another example, although the brackets 36, 136, 236, 336 in the illustrated embodiments are shown connected to hanger rails 30, 130, 230, 330 (e.g., for connecting rods 32, 132, 232, 332, 34, 134, 234, 334 to the shelving units 14, 16), the brackets 36, 136, 236, 336 can also or instead be coupled in a similar fashion directly to the shelves 20, 120, 220, 320, 22, 122,222, 322 in other embodiments to provide shelving systems 10, 110, 210, 310 having still other configurations.
Claims
1. A modular shelving system for installation in a corner of a room, the modular shelving system comprising:
- a first free-standing shelving unit adapted to be positioned in the corner of the room, the free-standing corner shelving unit comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights; an unobstructed front corner through which user access to the first shelf is provided; a first rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent a first wall of the corner; and a second rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent a second wall of the corner; and
- a second free-standing shelving unit having a shape that is different from that of the first free-standing shelving unit, the second free-standing shelving unit coupled to the first free-standing shelving unit a distance from the first free-standing shelving unit, and comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the second plurality of uprights.
2. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second pluralities of uprights have substantially the same structure.
3. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plurality of uprights each have a different length than the second pluralities of uprights.
4. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second pluralities of uprights are interchangeable.
5. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- the first free-standing shelving unit has a non-rectangular footprint; and
- the second free-standing shelving unit has a substantially rectangular footprint.
6. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second shelves are adjustable to different heights along the first and second pluralities of uprights.
7. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second shelves are coupled to the first and second pluralities of uprights, respectively, in substantially the same manner.
8. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second free-standing shelving units are coupled to one another by a rod.
9. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rod is coupled to at least one of the uprights of at least one of the first and second free-standing shelving units by an open collar.
10. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rod extends toward and is coupled to an edge of at least one of the first and second shelves.
11. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rod has an adjustable length.
12. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second free-standing shelving units are coupled to one another by a shelf.
13. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the shelf is coupled to at least one of the uprights of at least one of the first and second free-standing shelving units by an open collar.
14. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second free-standing shelving unit comprises a substantially horizontally-extending first rod located substantially within the second plurality of uprights.
15. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second free-standing shelving units are coupled to one another by a second rod.
16. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first rod is coupled to the second plurality of uprights by at least one first bracket; and the second rod is coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units by at least one second bracket interchangeable with the at least one first bracket.
17. A modular shelving system, comprising:
- a plurality of substantially identical uprights;
- a first plurality of substantially identical shelves; and
- a second plurality of substantially identical shelves having a shape different from that of the first plurality of substantially identical shelves;
- at least one of a rod and a shelf;
- wherein the plurality of substantially identical uprights are interchangeable with the first and second pluralities of substantially identical shelves to construct two free-standing shelving units having different shapes coupled by the at least one of the rod and the shelf spanning a distance between the two free-standing shelving units.
18. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the two free-standing shelving units are coupled by a plurality of rods.
19. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 18, wherein:
- the plurality of rods are adjustable in length; and
- the modular shelving system is adjustable to different room sizes by adjusting the length of the rods.
20. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first plurality of substantially identical shelves are non-rectangular in shape.
21. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the second plurality of substantially identical shelves are substantially rectangular in shape.
22. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first plurality of substantially identical shelves comprise corner shelves.
23. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and second pluralities of substantially identical shelves are adjustable to different heights along the plurality of substantially identical uprights.
24. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 17, wherein:
- the two free-standing shelving units are coupled by at least one rod; and
- the at least one rod is coupled to at least one of the two free-standing shelving units by an open collar.
25. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the at least one rod extends toward and is coupled to an edge of a shelf of the first plurality of shelves.
26. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 17, wherein
- the two free-standing shelving units are coupled by at least one shelf; and
- the at least one shelf is coupled to at least one of the two free-standing shelving units by an open collar.
27. A modular shelving system, comprising:
- a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights;
- a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the second plurality of uprights; and
- a rod extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the rod having a length that is adjustable to change a position of the first free-standing shelving unit with respect to the second free-standing shelving unit.
28. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the rod has first and second portions in telescoping relationship with one another.
29. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first and second free-standing shelving units have different shapes.
30. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 29, wherein one of the first and second free-standing shelving units is adapted to be positioned in a corner of a room defined at least in part by first and second walls, and comprises
- a first rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent the first wall of the corner; and
- a second rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent the second wall of the corner.
31. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first and second pluralities of uprights are interchangeable.
32. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first and second shelves are adjustable to different heights along the first and second pluralities of uprights.
33. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the rod is adjustable to different heights along the first and second pluralities of uprights.
34. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the rod is releasably coupled to a first upright of the first plurality of uprights by an open collar.
35. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the rod is releasably coupled to a second upright of the second plurality of uprights by another open collar.
36. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 34, further comprising a rail coupled to the first upright via the open collar, wherein the rod is coupled to the first upright via the rail.
37. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the rod is one of a plurality of rods extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the plurality of rods collectively defining a shelf adapted to support product.
38. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the rod extends toward and is coupled to an edge of the first shelf.
39. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 27, further comprising a third shelf extending between and coupled to at least one of the first plurality of uprights and at least one of the second plurality of uprights.
40. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the third shelf is coupled to the at least one of the first plurality of uprights by an open collar.
41. A modular shelving system, comprising:
- a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights;
- a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights; and
- a rod extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the rod releasably coupled to a first upright of the first plurality of uprights via an open collar.
42. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the rod is releasably coupled to a second upright of the second plurality of uprights by another open collar.
43. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, further comprising a rail coupled to the first upright via the open collar, wherein the rod is coupled to the first upright via the rail.
44. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 43, wherein the rail is coupled to a second upright of the second plurality of uprights by another open collar.
45. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the rod is one of a plurality of rods extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the plurality of rods collectively defining a shelf adapted to support product.
46. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, further comprising a third shelf extending between and coupled to at least one upright of the first plurality of uprights and at least one upright of the second plurality of uprights.
47. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 46, wherein the third shelf is coupled to the at least one upright of the first plurality of uprights by another open collar.
48. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the first and second free-standing shelving units have different shapes.
49. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, wherein one of the first and second free-standing shelving units is adapted to be positioned in a corner of a room defined at least in part by first and second walls, and comprises a first rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent the first wall of the corner; and
- a second rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent the second wall of the corner.
50. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the first and second pluralities of uprights are interchangeable.
51. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the first and second shelves are adjustable to different heights along the first and second pluralities of uprights.
52. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the rod is adjustable to different heights along the first and second pluralities of uprights.
53. A modular shelving system, comprising:
- a first free-standing shelving unit, comprising a first plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; and a first shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights;
- a second free-standing shelving unit, comprising a second plurality of uprights substantially unsupported by walls of the room; and a second shelf coupled to and supported by the first plurality of uprights; and
- a third shelf extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the third shelf releasably coupled to a first upright of the first plurality of uprights via an open collar.
54. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 53, wherein the third shelf is releasably coupled to a second upright of the second plurality of uprights by another open collar.
55. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 53, further comprising a rod extending between and coupled to at least one upright of the first plurality of uprights and at least one upright of the second plurality of uprights.
56. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 55, wherein the rod is coupled to the at least one upright of the first plurality of uprights by another open collar.
57. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 55, wherein the rod is one of a plurality of rods extending between and coupled to the first and second free-standing shelving units, the plurality of rods collectively defining a fourth shelf adapted to support product.
58. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 53, wherein the first and second free-standing shelving units have different shapes.
59. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 53, wherein one of the first and second free-standing shelving units is adapted to be positioned in a corner of a room defined at least in part by first and second walls, and comprises
- a first rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent the first wall of the corner; and
- a second rear side adapted to be positioned adjacent the second wall of the corner.
60. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 53, wherein the first and second pluralities of uprights are interchangeable.
61. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 53, wherein the first and second shelves are adjustable to different heights along the first and second pluralities of uprights.
62. The modular shelving system as claimed in claim 53, wherein the third shelf is adjustable to different heights along the first and second pluralities of uprights.
63. A method of assembling a modular shelving system, comprising:
- coupling first and second shelves to a first upright of a first plurality of uprights to at least partially define a first shelving unit, the first shelf located above the second shelf in the first shelving unit;
- coupling a third shelf to a second upright of a second plurality of uprights to at least partially define a second shelving unit disposed a distance from the first shelving unit;
- coupling at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the first upright at a location between the first and second shelves after coupling the first and second shelves to the first upright and without disassembly of the first upright; and
- coupling the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the second upright to couple the first and second shelving units together.
64. The method as claimed in claim 63, wherein the first and second shelving units are free-standing shelving units.
65. The method as claimed in claim 63, wherein coupling the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the first upright comprises receiving the first upright within an open collar.
66. The method as claimed in claim 65, wherein coupling the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to the second upright comprises receiving the second upright within another open collar.
67. The method as claimed in claim 63, wherein the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf is a rod, the method further comprising coupling the rod to a rail to couple the rod to the first upright.
68. The method as claimed in claim 63, further comprising coupling the rail to the first upright via an open collar.
69. The method as claimed in claim 63, wherein the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf is a rod, the method further comprising adjusting a length of the rod.
70. The method as claimed in claim 63, further comprising adjusting a vertical position of the at least one of a rod and a fourth shelf to a different location along the first and second uprights.
71. The method as claimed in claim 63, wherein the first and second shelving units each have footprints having substantially the same shape.
72. The method as claimed in claim 63, wherein:
- the first shelving unit has a non-rectangular footprint; and
- the second shelving unit has a substantially rectangular footprint.
73. The method as claimed in claim 63, wherein the first and second uprights are interchangeable.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2005
Publication Date: May 3, 2007
Inventor: Scott Schwerman (Libertyville, IL)
Application Number: 11/261,350
International Classification: A47B 57/00 (20060101);