DISPLAY WITH MULTIPLE NESTING COMPONENTS

Abstract

A product display includes nestable shelves and foldable uprights that allow the display to be packaged within a relatively small storage container. The uprights include three sections pivotally connected to one another and are adjustable between a folded configuration, in which the sections are at least partially nested with one another, and an unfolded configuration in which each of the uprights are generally angled relative to the other uprights. Spanning members and cross braces are coupled to and extend between the uprights. The nestable shelves can be detachably positioned at selectable heights along the upright for supporting products.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to floor shelf displays and more specifically to a collapsible floor shelf displays.

Prominent display of and easy access to a product are desirable features in a floor display. When attempting to market a product, the seller typically wants consumers to easily recognize the product and remove the product from the display. To accomplish this, shelving units generally contain large, bulky pieces such as the shelves, uprights, and support members that can be difficult to disassemble and package for shipping or storage. As a result, large or multiple boxes frequently are required to ship a shelving unit to a given destination or store the unit within a warehouse and the like.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments provide a shelving unit that includes a shelf and an upright assembly. The upright assembly includes a first member and a second member pivotably coupled to the first member. The upright assembly has a folded configuration in which the first member extends substantially parallel to and is at least partially received by the second member. The upright assembly also has a deployed configuration wherein the first member is angled relative to the second member.

Other embodiments provide a shelving unit that includes an upright assembly having a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to a first end of the first member, and a third member pivotally coupled to a second end of the first member. The upright assembly has a deployed configuration in which the members substantially form a triangle, and a folded configuration in which two of the members are nested within the remaining member. The shelving unit also includes a shelf supported by the upright assembly when the upright assembly is in the deployed configuration.

Other embodiments provide a shelving unit that includes a first upright assembly including a first member, a second member pivotably coupled to the first member, and a third member pivotably coupled to the first member. The upright assembly has a deployed configuration in which the members are unfolded and substantially form a triangle, and a folded configuration wherein the first member and the third member are nested within the second member. The second member defines a plurality of mounting locations along its length. The shelving unit also includes a plurality of substantially identical shelves. The shelves are stackable one upon the other when not deployed such that at least a portion of one shelf is received within a portion of another shelf. Each shelf is removably coupleable to any one of the mounting locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible floor display.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collapsible floor display in a shipping configuration.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an upright assembly in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the upright assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upright assembly in a folded configuration.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the upright assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11a is a perspective view of a first member of the upright assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11b is a side view of the first member of FIG. 11a.

FIG. 11c is a front view of the first member of FIG. 11a.

FIG. 11d is an end view of the first member of FIG. 11a.

FIG. 12a is a front view of a second member of the upright assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12b is a side view of the second member of FIG. 12a.

FIG. 12c is an end view of the second member of FIG. 12a.

FIG. 13a is a perspective view of a third member of the upright assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13b is a top view of the third member of FIG. 13a.

FIG. 13c is a side view of the third member of FIG. 13a.

FIG. 13d is a bottom view of the third member of FIG. 13a.

FIG. 14a is a perspective view of a first spanning member of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14b is a top view of the first spanning member of FIG. 14a.

FIG. 14c is a front view of the first spanning member of FIG. 14a.

FIG. 14d is an end view of the first spanning member of FIG. 14a.

FIG. 15a is a perspective view of a second spanning member of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15b is a front view of the second spanning member of FIG. 15a.

FIG. 15c is an end view of the second spanning member of FIG. 15a.

FIG. 16a is a front view of a header of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16b is an end view of the header of FIG. 16a.

FIG. 17a is a perspective view of a shelf of the collapsible floor display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17b is an end view of the shelf of FIG. 17a.

FIG. 17c is a front view of the shelf of FIG. 17a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or embodiments, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or 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.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a collapsible shelving unit or floor display 10 for displaying a product or plurality of products. The display 10 includes a first upright assembly 14, and a second upright assembly 14′ spaced a distance from the first upright assembly 14. A first spanning member 18 extends between and is coupled to lower portions of the first and second upright assemblies 14, 14′, and a second spanning member 22 (FIG. 4) extends between and is coupled to upper portions of the first and second upright assemblies 14, 14′. A plurality of shelves 26 are supported by and coupled to at least one of the first and second upright assemblies 14, 14′. The display 10 also includes a third spanning member 28 extending between and coupled to rear portions of the first and second upright assemblies 14, 14′. Cross braces 30 extend diagonally between the tops and bottoms of the first and second upright assemblies 14, 14′ to further stabilize the display 10. In some constructions, the display 10 may also include a header 34. Display 10 rests on a firm horizontal surface such as a floor.

The display 10 of the present invention is configurable in either a deployed configuration (see FIG. 1), in which the display 10 is able to support a product or plurality of products, and a collapsed or shipping configuration (see FIGS. 5-6), in which the display 10 is configured for storage in a small crate, shipping carton, and the like. In the illustrated construction, the display 10 utilizes a combination of collapsible upright assemblies 14, 14′(described below) and nesting, stackable shelves 26 (described below) to reduce the volume required to package the display for shipping, storage, and the like. The display 10 may also utilize quick release retention mechanisms, such as cotter pins, and the like, in place of more permanent threaded fasteners to aid the assembly and disassembly of the unit.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate the first upright assembly 14. The first and the second upright assemblies 14, 14′ are substantially identical; therefore, only the first upright assembly 14 will be described in detail herein. In figures showing both upright assemblies, components of the second upright assembly 14′ corresponding to components of the first upright assembly 14 have been assigned the same reference number with the addition of a prime symbol. In other constructions, the display 10 may include a single upright assembly or more than two upright assemblies depending upon the size of the shelves and the weight of the merchandise to be supported or displayed.

The first upright assembly 14 of the floor display 10 includes a first member 38, a second member 42 pivotably coupled to the first member 38, and a third member 46 pivotably coupled to the first member 38. The first upright assembly 14 generally includes one or more mounting locations 114 (e.g., apertures) to which individual shelves 26 may be coupled when the display 10 is in the deployed configuration. In the illustrated construction, the first upright assembly 14 also includes a pair of wheels or casters 54 to provide support to the upright assembly 14 while allowing the display 10 to be easily moved. In other constructions, the upright assembly 14 may be secured to the floor, may include a set of supporting legs, or may have adjustable feet depending upon the preference of the end user and the environment in or the purpose for which the display 10 is deployed.

With reference to FIGS. 11a-11d, the illustrated first member 38 is an elongated “C-channel” having an open side 58 and a closed side 62. The first member 38 includes a first mounting location 66 proximate a first end 70, a second mounting location 74 proximate a second end 78, and defines a cut-out or recess 82 proximate the second end 78. The recess 82 is formed by cutting away or otherwise removing a portion of the closed side 62 of the first member 38, leaving a pair of parallel side walls proximate the second end 78 (see FIG. 11c). The recess 82 provides clearance for the third member 46, as discussed further below. The first member 38 may also define one or more apertures 86 for attachment of cross bracing, supplemental shelves, and the like. In the illustrated construction, the apertures 86 are used for coupling the cross braces 30 to the upright assemblies 14, 14′. In other constructions, the first member 38 may also include apertures or other features for coupling the display 10 to additional floor displays, for example in a side-by-side or back-to-back manner.

With reference to FIGS. 12a-12c, the illustrated second member 42 also is an elongated “C-channel” having an open side 90 and a closed side 94. The second member 42 is sized such that sized such that the first member 38 can be received by or nest within the channel section of the second member 42. In other words, closed side 62 has a shorter width than closed side 94. The second member 42 includes a third mounting location 98 located proximate a first end 102, which is pivotally coupled to the first mounting location 66 of the first member 38. A second end 110 of the second member 42 defines a cut-out or recess 106 configured to receive at least a portion of the third member 46. The recess 106 is formed by cutting away or otherwise removing a portion of the closed side 94 of the second member 42, leaving a pair of parallel side walls proximate the second end 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second member 42 also includes a plurality of mounting locations or apertures 114 extending along the length of the closed side 94. The apertures 114 provide a plurality of mounting locations along the length of the second member 42 so the shelves 26 can be positioned at varying locations along the second member 42. In other constructions, instead of apertures the mounting locations 114 may include hooks, slots, posts, or the like to removably couple a shelf 26 to the second member 42.

The second member 22 also defines an aperture 116 proximate the first end 102 for cooperation with the second spanning member 22, and an aperture 118 proximate the second end 110 for cooperation with the first spanning member 18. In some constructions, one or more of the apertures 114, 116, 118 may include a threaded boss 120, such as a PEM® nut, coupled to the second member 42 for receiving a threaded fastener.

As shown in FIGS. 13a-13d, the third member 46 is generally formed from a piece of elongated square tubing (e.g., steel) having an upper wall 122, a lower wall 126 opposite the upper wall 122, and a pair of side walls 130 extending between the upper and lower walls 122, 126. The third member 46 includes a fourth mounting location 134 proximate a first end 138 and defines an aperture 142 in the upper wall 122 spaced a distance from a second end 146, or within a central portion of the third member 46. The third member 46 may also include a pair of apertures 150 defined by the lower wall 126, each aperture configured to receive a supporting mechanism, such as a caster 54, rubber stops, adjustable feet, or the like. The first end 138 of the third member 46 is pivotably coupled to the second end of the first member 38 by way of the second and fourth mounting locations 74, 134 (FIGS. 7, 8). In the illustrated construction, the third member 46 is sized to be at least partially received within the open side 58 of the first member 38 (see FIG. 9). In other words, at least one side of the third member 46 has a shorter width than closed side 62 of the first member 38.

In the illustrated construction, each mounting location 66, 74, 98, 134 includes a co-axial aperture defined by opposing, preferably parallel, walls and configured to receive a fastener therethrough. However in alternative constructions, the mounting locations 66, 74, 98, 134 may utilize alternate methods for pivotably coupling two members.

To assemble the first upright assembly 14 as a unit, the first mounting location 66 of the first member 38 is pivotably coupled to the third mounting location 98 of the second member 42 (e.g., by a fastener (not shown)). The second mounting location 74 of the first member 38 is pivotably coupled to the fourth mounting location 134 of the third member 46 (e.g., by a fastener (not shown)).

The first upright assembly 14 is adjustable between a folded configuration (see FIGS. 9 and 10), and a deployed configuration (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In the folded configuration, the third member 46 is rotated into a first position whereby the majority of the third member 46 is received or nested within the open side 58 of the first member 38. In addition, the second member 42 is rotated with respect to the first member 38 until a majority of the first member 38 is received or nested within the open end 90 of the second member 42. In the illustrated construction, when the first upright assembly 14 is in the folded configuration, the third member 46 and first member 38 are fully received by or nested within the second member 42. It should be appreciated, however, that various other receiving or nesting arrangements may also be used wherein portions of one or both of the first and third members 38, 46 extend beyond or are otherwise positioned outside of the second member 42.

In the deployed configuration, the second member 42 is rotated relative to the first member 38 about the mounting locations 66 and 98 to produce an angle A therebetween (see FIG. 3). In addition, the third member 46 is rotated around (e.g., about 270 degrees) from the first position to a second position in which the third member 46 is at least partially received within the recess 106 of the second member 42 and is generally perpendicular the first member 38. Once in the second position, the second member 42 may be secured to the third member 46 by a fastener (not shown) or coupled to the first spanning member 18 (described below). When the first upright 14 is in the deployed configuration, the upright assembly 14 forms a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the side, or stated differently, the members are angled relative to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 14a-14d, the first spanning member 18 includes a support surface 154, the support surface 154 having a front edge 158, a rear edge 162, a pair of side edges 166 extending between the front and rear edges 158, 162, a back panel 170 extending generally upwardly from the support surface 154 proximate the rear edge 162, and a front panel 174 extending generally downwardly from the support surface 154 proximate the front edge 158. When the display 10 is assembled, the first spanning member 18 extends between and is coupled to the third member 46 of the first upright assembly 14 and to the third member 46′ of the second upright assembly 14′. The first spanning member 18 establishes spacing between lower portions of the first upright assembly 14 and the second upright assembly 14′, and lends rigidity to the overall floor display 10.

The support surface 154 of the first spanning member 18 is substantially planar and defines a first plurality of apertures 178. Each aperture 178 is generally adjacent the side edges 166 and configured to align with a corresponding aperture 142, 142′ of the third members 46, 46′, respectively, to couple the first spanning member 18 to the third members 46, 46′. In alternate constructions, the support surface 154 may include additional recesses or contours configured to display merchandise or signage. In other constructions, the support surface 154 may include one or more openings, hooks, clamps, or the like for coupling a plurality of floor displays 10 to one another to form a row.

In the illustrated construction, the front panel 174 extends substantially perpendicular the support surface 154. The front panel 174 is configured to extend a distance substantially corresponding to the height of the third members 46, 46′ to provide an aesthetically pleasing front to the floor display 10.

The back panel 170 of the first spanning member 18 is formed at an angle B with respect to the support surface 154. The angle B is related to the angle A (in the illustrated construction, B−A=90 degrees), such that the back panel 170 substantially aligns with and contacts the closed side 94 of the second member 42 (see FIG. 3). The back panel 170 acts as a stop against the second member 42, preventing the second end 110 of the second member 42 from moving along the third member 46 (e.g., away from the first member 38) when loads are introduced onto the display (e.g., merchandise is loaded onto the shelves). In the illustrated construction, the back panel 170 also includes a set of apertures 182 aligned with the apertures 118 of the second member 42 for coupling the second member 42 and the back panel 170 to one another.

In the illustrated construction, the first spanning member 18 is formed from a single piece of sheet material (e.g., steel) with bends on either end to form the support surface 154, back panel 170, and front panel 174. However in alternate constructions, the first spanning member 18 may be fabricated from multiple pieces, cast, molded, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second spanning member 22 of the floor display 10 spans between the first end 102 of the second member 42 of the first upright assembly 14 and the first end 102′ of the second member 42′ of the second upright assembly 14′. The second spanning member 22 establishes spacing between the first ends 102, 102′ of the two members 42, 42′ while adding rigidity to the overall floor display 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 15a-15c, the second spanning member 22 forms a substantially “J” shape in cross section having a first leg 186, a second leg 190 substantially parallel to and spaced a distance from the first leg 186, and a third leg 194 spanning between the first and second legs 186, 190. The second spanning member 22 also includes a set of apertures 198 corresponding to the apertures 116 of the second members 42, 42′ and configured to permit coupling of the second spanning member 22 with the first and second upright assemblies 14, 14′. The second spanning member 22 also includes header mounts 202 (e.g., apertures) to permit coupling of the header 34 to the second spanning member 22.

In the illustrated construction, the first and second legs 186, 190 of the second spanning member 22 are spaced a distance apart substantially corresponding to the width of the second member 42. The second spanning member 22 can therefore receive at least a portion of the upper end of second member 42. In alternative constructions, the header 34 may be integrally formed with the second spanning member 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 16a-16b, the header 34 is removably coupled to the second spanning member 22 and provides a front surface 204 upon which indicia may be printed. The header 34 typically displays indicia corresponding to the merchandise being displayed. In the illustrated construction, the header 34 may be removed or replaced without having to disassemble the entire shelving assembly 10.

The third spanning member 28 extends between the first upright assembly 14 and the second upright assembly 14′ generally proximate the first ends 138, 138′ of the third members 46, 46′. The third spanning member 28 is generally “L” shaped and may be coupled to one or both of the third member 46 and the first member 38 of each upright assembly 14. The third spanning member 28 is configured to work in conjunction with the first spanning member 18 and the second spanning member 22 to establish spacing between the first upright assembly 14 and the second upright assembly 14′ while adding rigidity to the floor display 10.

In addition to the first spanning member 18, the second spanning member 22, and the third spanning member 28, the floor display 10 includes a pair of cross braces 30 forming a generally “X” shaped pattern across the rear of the floor display 10 (e.g., between the first and second upright assemblies 14, 14′) to further increase the overall rigidity of the assembly.

The floor display 10 also includes a plurality of shelves 26 removably coupleable to the upright assemblies 14, 14′ upon which merchandise may be placed for display. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when removed from the floor display 10 the shelves 26 may be nested or stacked within one another to reduce the packaging volume required to ship a disassembled display 10.

With reference to FIGS. 17a-17c, each shelf 26 is formed by a plurality of wires that cooperate to define a support surface 206 having a front edge 210 and rear edge 214. A back wall 218 extends upwardly from the rear edge 214 of the support surface 206, and a front wall 222 extends upwardly from the front edge 210 of the support surface 206. Each shelf 26 also includes a pair of side walls 226 that extend between the front and back walls 222, 218. Mounting hooks 230 extend from the back wall 218 for attachment to the upright assemblies 14, 14′.

Among the plurality of wires that define each shelf 26 is a plurality of J-brackets 234. Each J-bracket 234 includes a first leg 238 that defines the support surface 206, a second leg 242 that defines the back wall 218, and a third leg 246 that defines the front wall 222. The J-brackets 234 are spaced along the width of the shelf 26. The wires also include a first set of parallel, generally equally spaced rods 250 that define the support surface 206. The rods 250 are coupled to the first leg 238 of the J-bracket 234 and extend substantially the width of the shelf 26. The back wall 218 of each shelf 26 extends substantially perpendicularly from the rear edge 214 of the support surface 206 and is defined by a second set of parallel, generally equally spaced rods 254. The rods 254 are coupled to the second leg 242 of the J-brackets 234 and extend substantially the width of the shelf 26.

The front wall 210 of each shelf extends substantially perpendicularly from the front edge 210 of the support surface 206. In the illustrated construction, the front wall 222 is shorter than the back wall 218 and includes a rod 258 coupled to the third leg 246 of each J-bracket 234 and extending generally the width of the shelf 26. In some constructions, the shelves 26 may not include a front wall 210. In other constructions, the front wall 210 may be taller, and may include multiple rods or be formed by a solid surface.

The side walls 226 of each shelf 26 are defined by rods 262 that extend from the rod 258 of the front wall 222 rearwardly and upwardly to the back wall 218. The rods 262 act as a barrier for the merchandise and support the front edge 210 of the support surface 206 by directing any loads to the back wall 218 and ultimately the mounting brackets 230. The rods 262 extend a distance outwardly from the support surface 206 such that the shelves 26 may be nestably stacked one upon the other. In some constructions, the rods 262 of the front wall and side walls 226 may be formed from a single piece of material (see FIG. 17a). In other constructions, the side walls 226 may include multiple rods or be formed by a solid surface.

The mounting brackets 230 of each shelf 26 are fixed to and extend from the back wall 218. Each mounting bracket 230 includes a first mounting member 266 and a second mounting member 278. The first mounting member 266 includes a first leg 270 extending generally rearwardly from the back wall 218 and a second leg 274 extending generally upwardly and slightly forwardly from the first leg 270. The first mounting member 266 is shaped so that mounting the shelf 26 to the second members 42 involves rotating the shelf upwardly and inserting the second legs 274 of each mounting bracket 230 into selected apertures 114 of the second members. Once received within the apertures 114, the shelf 26 is rotated downwardly such that the first leg 270 is positioned within the aperture 114 and the second leg 274 is positioned behind the aperture and engages the inner surface of the second member 42. The second mounting members 278 extend rearwardly from the back wall 218 and are configured for engagement with other apertures 114 of the plurality of apertures when the support surface 206 is substantially perpendicular to the second member 42.

In the illustrated construction, each shelf 26 is formed from a plurality of rods. The rods generally are welded, soldered, or brazed to one another. In alternate constructions, each shelf 26 may be formed from a stamped piece of sheet material (e.g., steel), molded from plastic, or formed from various combinations of suitable materials. In the illustrated construction, the shelves 26 are substantially identical, however, in other constructions certain shelves may be configured differently than other shelves, for example, for support of a variety of specific product types. In some constructions, dividing walls, retaining mechanisms, signage, and the like may be attached to or formed with each shelf to accommodate the merchandise to be displayed.

The number of shelves 26 used and the spacing at which they are positioned along the second member 42, 42′ can be selected to correspond to the size, shape, and quantity of the merchandise to be displayed. In some constructions, the shelves 34 may be positioned at a greater distance from adjacent shelves 34 to provide increased clearance, while, in other constructions a combination of different types of shelves may be installed to permit different types of merchandise to be displayed.

Typically the shelves 26 are installed from the bottom working upwardly, to assure that neighboring shelves 26 do not interfere with the installation process. Furthermore, alternate forms of installing the shelves onto the uprights may be used dependent upon the style of shelf and the type of mounting brackets being used.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the illustrated shelves 26 are configured such that the shelves can be stacked in a nested manner, one atop the other. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates three shelves nested together and received within a packing container 280. The combination of the nesting shelves 26 and the folding upright assemblies 14, 14′ allows the entire floor display 10 to be packaged and shipped within a single, relatively small container 280. In the illustrated construction, the shelves 26 have a width that is slightly less than half the length of the folded upright assemblies 14, 14′. Thus, as shown, two stacks of three shelves 26 can be positioned within the container 280 alongside the folded upright assemblies 14, 14′. Similarly, the cross braces 30 preferably are formed to have a length that is approximately the same as, or slightly less than, the length of the folded upright assemblies 14, 14′. Also, because the first, second, and third spanning members 18, 22, and 28 are approximately as wide as the shelves, they too can be arranged next to one another and spaced along the length of the storage container.

Claims

1. A shelving unit comprising:

a shelf; and

an upright assembly for supporting the shelf, the upright assembly including a first member and a second member pivotably coupled to the first member, the upright assembly having a folded configuration wherein the first member extends substantially parallel to and is at least partially received by the second member, and a deployed configuration wherein the first member is angled relative to the second member.

2. The shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the upright assembly includes a third member pivotably coupled to the first member.

3. The shelving unit of claim 2, wherein the third member is at least partially received by the second member in the folded configuration.

4. The shelving unit of claim 2, wherein the shelf is removably coupleable along the second member.

5. The shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the upright assembly is a first upright assembly and the shelving unit further includes a second upright assembly spaced a distance from the first upright assembly.

6. The shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the shelf is one of a plurality of shelves, and wherein the plurality of shelves are nestable with one another when the shelves are not supported by the upright assembly.

7. The shelving unit of claim 2, wherein the members of the upright assembly are each angled relative to each other in the deployed configuration.

8. A shelving unit comprising:

an upright assembly including a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to a first end of the first member, and a third member pivotally coupled to a second end of the first member, the upright assembly having a deployed configuration wherein the members are each angled relative to each other, and having a folded configuration wherein two of the members are nested within the remaining member; and

a shelf supported by the upright assembly when the upright assembly is in the deployed configuration.

9. The shelving unit of claim 8, wherein when the upright assembly is in the deployed configuration, a first end of the second member is coupled to the first end of the first member, and a second end of the second member is coupled to a central portion of the third member.

10. The shelving unit of claim 9, wherein the first and third members are nested within the second member in the folded configuration.

11. The shelving unit of claim 8, wherein the second member is sized to receive at least a portion of the first member, and wherein the first member is sized to receive at least a portion of the third member, both when the upright assembly is in the folded configuration.

12. The shelving unit of claim 9, wherein the second member defines a plurality of mounting locations along its length, and wherein the shelf is removably coupleable to any one of the mounting locations.

13. The shelving unit of claim 8, wherein the shelf is one of a plurality of substantially identical shelves, and wherein the shelves are stackable one upon the other such that at least a portion of one shelf is at least partially received within a portion of another shelf when the shelves are not supported by the upright assembly.

14. The shelving unit of claim 8, wherein the upright assembly is a first upright assembly, the shelving unit further comprising a second upright assembly spaced a distance from the first upright assembly, and a spanning member extending between the first and second upright assemblies.

15. A shelving unit comprising:

a first upright assembly including a first member, a second member pivotably coupled to the first member, and a third member pivotably coupled to the first member, the upright assembly having a deployed configuration wherein the members each form an angle relative to another member, and a folded configuration wherein the first member and the third member are nested within the second member, the second member defining a plurality of mounting locations along its length; and

a plurality of substantially identical shelves to be supported by the upright assembly, the shelves stackable one upon the other when they are not supported by the upright assembly such that at least a portion of one shelf is receivable within a portion of another shelf, and wherein each shelf is removably coupleable to any one of the mounting locations.

16. The shelving unit of claim 15, wherein in the deployed configuration one end of the second member is coupled to a first end of the first member, and wherein an opposite end of the second member is coupled to a central portion of the third member.