PORTABLE STORAGE SHELVING
A shelving assembly includes a pair of shelves having a first and second orientation relative to each other. The shelves nest together in the first orientation and stack together in the second orientation.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/802,704, which was filed May 23, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to shelving and more particularly to portable storage shelving that provides the ability to be stacked or nested.
Shelves are commonly used for storing goods while providing access to the goods in, for example, a consumer marketplace or other setting. Typically, the shelves are not easily portable once all the goods are removed and are inconveniently bulky to transport.
Therefore, there is a need for shelving that provides economic storage, easy access to goods, and that is also more convenient to transport when the goods are removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn example shelving assembly includes a pair of shelves having a first and second orientation relative to each other. The shelves nest together in the first orientation and stack together in the second orientation.
In one example, there are a plurality of shelves that each include a floor and a plurality of hollow legs extending from the floor. The shelves nest together in a first orientation such that the hollow legs of one of the shelves are at least partially within the hollow legs of an immediately adjacent one of the shelves. The shelves stack together in a second orientation such that the hollow legs of the one shelf engage the floor of the immediately adjacent shelf.
An example method of employing a shelving assembly includes stacking a pair of shelves in one orientation relative to each other to provide storage space between the shelves, and nesting the pair of shelves in another orientation relative to each other to reduce the storage space.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
Referring to
Each shelf 22 includes a generally planar floor 24 for supporting goods that are stacked on the shelves when in the stacked position. In this example, each floor 24 includes ribbing 26 that provides structural reinforcement (additional ribs may be provided on the underside of the floor 24). The floor 24 in this example shelf is generally rectangular in shape and includes a plurality of hollow legs 28 that extend from the floor 24. In the illustrated nested position, the hollow legs 28 of each of the shelves 22 align such that the hollow legs 28 of stacked shelves 22 are nested within one another. When the shelves 22 are nested, the corners of the shelves 22 align with each other along the lines L1, and the hollow legs 28 are received within each other.
Each of the shelves 22 also includes a recess 30 in the floor 24 adjacent each of the hollow legs 28. A tab 32 protrudes upwardly from each recess 30. Optionally, as shown, the recesses 30 in the middle row are narrower and do not include tabs 32. A pair of angled gussets 34 extend from each of the hollow legs 28 to support the floor 24 under the recess 30.
Referring to
As shown in
Each of the legs 28 includes an opening 54 in the distal end 42 to provide for the draining of liquids. The opening 54 could also be provided in the first embodiment.
In the disclosed example, each of the shelves 22 also includes a lip 58 on two opposing sides of the shelf 22. The lip 58 extends in an upward direction from the floor 24 to prevent goods from sliding off of the shelf 22 and to prevent any spilled liquids from dripping off the sides. The hollow legs 28 prevent the goods from sliding off the other sides. Alternatively, the lip 58 extends entirely around the perimeter of the floor 24. As can be appreciated, any of the examples discussed in this description may include one or more lips 58.
As can be appreciated from the above description and disclosed examples, the shelves 22 nest with each other when in a first orientation to provide a compact arrangement that can be conveniently transported from one location to another. However, in a second orientation when alternating shelves 22 are rotated 1800, the shelves 22 stack with each other to provide space for storing goods.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims
1. A shelving assembly comprising:
- a pair of shelves having a first and second orientation relative to each other, wherein the shelves nest together in the first orientation and stack together in the second orientation.
2. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the shelves includes a floor and hollow legs extending from the floor.
3. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the hollow legs extend upwards from the floor.
4. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the hollow legs extend downwards from the floor.
5. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of the hollow legs comprises a drain opening.
6. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the floor comprises a lip extending upwards from the floor and extending at least partially about a periphery of the floor.
7. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the shelves comprises an outer periphery, and the outer periphery of one of the shelves vertically aligns with the outer periphery of the other of the shelves in the first and second orientation.
8. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the hollow legs of one of the shelves is at least partially within one of the hollow legs of the other of the shelves when the shelves are in the first orientation.
9. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the hollow legs of one of the shelves engage the floor of the other shelf when the shelves are in the second orientation.
10. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the shelves comprise a locking mechanism for securing the shelves together in the second orientation.
11. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a tab extending from the hollow leg of one of the shelves or the floor of the other of the shelves, and an opening located on the other of the hollow leg of the one shelf or the floor of the other shelf for receiving the tab.
12. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the floor of at least one of the shelves includes a recess directly adjacent at least one of the hollow legs, and the recess includes the tab or the opening.
13. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pallet that locks to one of the shelves.
14. The shelving assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the shelves comprise a 0°/0° arrangement in the first orientation, and a 0°/180° arrangement in the second orientation.
15. A shelving assembly comprising:
- a plurality of shelves each having a floor and a plurality of hollow legs extending from the floor, wherein the shelves nest together in a first orientation such that the hollow legs of one of the shelves are at least partially within the hollow legs of an immediately adjacent one of the shelves, and the shelves stack together in a second orientation such that the hollow legs of the one shelf engage the floor of the immediately adjacent shelf.
16. A method of employing a shelving assembly, comprising:
- (a) stacking a pair of shelves in one orientation relative to each other to provide storage space between the shelves; and
- (b) nesting the pair of shelves in another orientation relative to each other to reduce the storage space.
17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said step (a) includes locking hollow legs of one of the shelves to a floor of the other shelf.
18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said step (b) includes moving hollow legs of one of the shelves at least partially into hollow legs of the other shelves.
Type: Application
Filed: May 22, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 29, 2007
Inventor: Eduardo Garcia (Redondo Beach, CA)
Application Number: 11/751,766
International Classification: A47B 57/00 (20060101);