REMOVABLE PILASTER BOOKCASE EXTENSION SYSTEM

Abstract

An expandable bookcase having a fixed pilaster on one side and a removable pilaster on the side opposite thereto. The expandable bookcase is attachable to any number or combination of bookcase extension sections and corner sections.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bookcases and, in particular, to an extendable bookcase that, when extended by the attachment of one or more bookcase extension sections, appears to be a single bookcase. Such extendable bookcases can be used anywhere that modular bookcases are used as well as anywhere that single bookcases are used. The modularity of the bookcase sections of the instant invention facilitates their construction, shipping, handling, and installation. A corner section may also be included.

In its simplest form, the instant invention is an extendable bookcase comprising a basic bookcase section and a removable pilaster. Once the removable pilaster has been removed from the basic bookcase section, a first bookcase extension section may be attached to basic bookcase section. The removable pilaster may then be attached to the first bookcase extension, thereby giving the combined basic bookcase section and the first bookcase extension section the appearance of a single, continuous, built-in bookcase having two sections.

Any number of additional bookcase extension sections, each such section attached to another such section, may be added to the first bookcase extension section. Each bookcase extension section has a pilaster fixedly attached at one side of each such bookcase extension section. The opposite side of each such bookcase extension section is configured to receive either (a) the removable pilaster, (b) a joining pilaster of the next-attached bookcase extension section, or (c) a joining pilaster of a corner section.

The corner section is configured to attach to (a) the basic bookcase section, (b) any bookcase extension section or (c) any other corner section.

As used in this specification, application and claims, the term “bookcase” is defined as a structure having two vertically-oriented pieces in a side-by-side configuration and means for directly or indirectly connecting the vertically-oriented pieces to one another. As defined herein, a “bookcase” includes, but is not limited to, two such vertically-oriented pieces that have at least one of the following items located between such vertically-oriented pieces: a shelf, a drawer, a cabinet, a door, a bin, a joining member or joining members, a sliding member or sliding members, a complete or partial covering or a complete or partial panel. As used in this specification, application and claims, the definition of the term “bookcase” includes, but is not limited to, show cases, trophy cases, display cases, gun cases, file cases, storage cases, safe cases, cabinets, lockers, and any combination of any of the foregoing. “Bookcases” as defined herein may also have or include, among other things, file storage (legal/letter), glass and/or wood doors, lighting, hidden compartments, (e.g., behind carvings), a bar, wine racks, glass racks, gun storage, and electronics, (e.g., docking and/or charging stations), “Bookcases” as defined above may be made in whole or in part from any material including, but not limited to, one or more of the following materials: wood, glass, metal, plastic, and any manufactured product that includes any wood, glass, metal or plastic.

2. Description of the Related Art

Multiple-section bookcases that have been built as one single, continuous bookcase are usually constructed as either a two-section bookcase having a vertical column midway between each end of the bookcase or a three-section bookcase having two such vertical columns evenly spaced between the ends of the bookcase. The extra width of the two-section bookcase and the three-section bookcase results in corresponding extra weight and bulk. This extra weight and bulk makes each two-section and three-section bookcase relatively difficult to handle during shipment and installation.

A multiple-section bookcase that has the appearance of being one continuous bookcase after installation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 351,354 (“Bangs”). In its Figures, Bangs shows a two-section bookcase comprising bookcase sections A and B where section A has a pilaster on the left end and no pilaster on the right end. Section B has a pilaster on the right end and a pilaster C on the left end that is configured so that half of pilaster C overlaps section B and is the other half of pilaster C overlaps section A. When sections A and B are attached to one another as disclosed in Bangs, they collectively have the appearance of one continuous bookcase.

However, among other differences with respect to the instant invention, Bangs does not have or disclose any removable pilaster or any corner section. The instant invention also does not have or require any bracket to attach the bookcase sections to one another. Bangs, on the other hand, requires, discloses and claims such a bracket.

Unlike Bangs, the presence of a removable pilaster in the instant invention allows the instant invention to be embodied in a single-section, extendable bookcase having a pilaster at each end. The invention disclosed in Bangs, however, cannot be embodied in a single bookcase section A or bookcase section B. Neither bookcase section A nor bookcase section B of Bangs is a complete bookcase by itself Instead, both bookcase sections A and B are required to be present to embody the invention disclosed in Bangs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a an extendable bookcase comprising a basic bookcase section having a fixed pilaster on one side and a removable pilaster on the opposite side. The side with the fixed pilaster is the pilaster side and, opposite thereto, is a receiving side. A fixed pilaster is fixed to the pilaster side. The removable pilaster is attachable to the receiving side.

A bookcase extension section is attachable to the basic bookcase section. The bookcase extension section comprises a joining pilaster side and, opposite thereto, a receiving side. The bookcase extension section may be attached to the receiving side of the basic bookcase section after the removable pilaster has been removed. When a bookcase extension section is attached to the basic bookcase section, the removable pilaster may then be attached to the receiving side of the bookcase extension section. In this manner, the basic bookcase section and the bookcase extension section are joined together such that they appear to be one bookcase instead of two bookcases. Any number of bookcase extension sections may be added by removing the removable pilaster, attaching the bookcase extension section(s), and attaching the removable pilaster to the last-attached bookcase extension section.

To accommodate corners, a corner section is provided. When the corner section is attached to the basic bookcase section and the bookcase extension section(s), the appearance is one of being a single, continuous bookcase that wraps around a corner. The corner section is angled or curved to conform to a corner. The corner section comprises a joining pilaster side and a receiving side. The joining pilaster side of the corner section is attachable to the receiving side of (a) the basic bookcase section, (b) a bookcase extension section or (c) another corner section. The receiving side of the corner section is attachable to (a) the joining pilaster side of a bookcase extension section, (b) another corner section or (c) a removable pilaster.

Any number or combination of bookcase extension sections and corner sections may be attached to (a) the basic bookcase section, (b) a bookcase extension section or (c) a corner section. The removable pilaster may then be attached to the last-attached component whether that last-attached component is a bookcase extension section or a corner section.

The basic bookcase section, each bookcase extension section, and each corner section can each be made in practically any width. The corner section can be made to conform to practically any corner or curve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described below. Each such description refers to a particular figure (“FIG.”) which shows the described matter. All such figures are shown in drawings that accompany this specification. Each such figure includes one or more reference characters that identify one or more part(s), element(s) or component(s) of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an extendable bookcase.

FIG. 2 is a front exploded perspective view of a basic bookcase section and removable pilaster that also shows bolts.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a basic bookcase section attached to a first bookcase extension section which is attached to a second bookcase extension section which is attached to a removable pilaster.

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a basic bookcase section, a first bookcase extension section, and a removable pilaster.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a basic bookcase section.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first bookcase extension section.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a removable pilaster.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a basic bookcase section attached to first bookcase extension section attached to second bookcase extension section attached to a corner section attached to third bookcase extension section, attached to fourth bookcase extension section attached to a removable pilaster.

FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10. is a top exploded view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 11.

One-Section Embodiment

In its simplest form, the instant invention is a single-section, extendable bookcase 10. An example of one such single-section embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. An extendable bookcase 10 comprises a basic bookcase section 11 and a removable pilaster 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the basic bookcase section 11 comprises a pilaster side 13 and, opposite thereto, a receiving side 14. A fixed pilaster 15 is fixedly attached to the pilaster side 13. The receiving side 14 is configured to attachably receive a removable pilaster 12. Removable pilaster 12 comprises a removable receiving side 16 and an outer side 17. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the removable receiving side 16 has four bolt holes 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d positioned to align with four corresponding threaded bolt holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d located in the removable receiving side 16. The particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 11 includes shelves 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, drawer 21, crown molding 22, upper waist molding 32, lower waist molding 23, and base molding 24.

In a single-section embodiment, the extendable bookcase 10 comprises basic bookcase section 11 and removable pilaster 12. Removable pilaster 12 is attached to basic bookcase section 11 by first positioning removable pilaster 12 so that its threaded bolt holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d align with the bolt holes 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d in the removable receiving side 16. A bolt 25 is then inserted through each bolt hole 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d of the receiving side 14 of the basic bookcase section 11 and then threaded into each respective threaded bolt hole 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d in the removable receiving side 16 of the removable pilaster 12. Each bolt 25 is then tightened until the removable pilaster 12 is drawn into fixed contact with the receiving side 14.

Pilaster 15 and removable pilaster 12 may have practically any outer appearance. For example, the outer appearance of pilaster 15 and removable pilaster 12 could range from something flat, unadorned and featureless to something like the crown molding 22, upper waist molding 32, lower waist molding 23, and base molding 24 shown in FIG. 2 to something more ornate. The use of molding can contribute to a seamless appearance so that multiple sections is collectively have the appearance of being a single, continuous, built-in-place bookcase. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the basic bookcase section 11 has a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its crown molding 49, a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its lower waist molding 57, and a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its base molding 58. These 45 degree vertical planar surfaces abut and are overlapped by, and congruent with, 45 degree vertical planar surfaces in, respectively, the crown molding 22, lower waist molding 23, and base molding 24 of the removable pilaster 12. This overlapping abutment tends to cover the juncture where the removable receiving side 16 of the removable pilaster 12 abuts the receiving side 14 of the basic bookcase section 11. Although the planar surfaces of each pair of overlapping moldings, i.e., 22 overlapping 49, 23 overlapping 57, and 24 overlapping 58, are each shown to abut one another at 45 degrees and to each be vertically oriented, the angle of each such abutment surface could instead be an angle other than 45 degrees and the plane in which each such abutment surface exists could be other than vertical.

The bolt 25 can be any type of bolt including, but not limited to, a hex head bolt, an allen head bolt or a slotted pan head bolt. In a preferred embodiment, the bolt 25 is an allen head bolt, the head of which resides in a countersink hole in the receiving side 14 when it is fastened to the removable pilaster 12. The invention, however, is not limited to attachment by bolt 25. Any attachment that fixedly holds one section or component to another section or component is within the scope of the invention. The threaded bolt holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d typically extend only through the removable receiving side 16 and do not extend at all into the outer side 17 so that the outer side 17 maintains a finished appearance. The bolts 25 are sufficiently short so as to reach full tightness without contacting outer side 17.

Two-Section Embodiment

No Corner Section

An example of a two-section embodiment that does not have a corner section is shown in FIG. 4. That particular two-section embodiment comprises a basic bookcase section 11, a first bookcase extension section 26, and a removable pilaster 12. The first bookcase extension section 26 further comprises first joining pilaster side 27 and, opposite thereto, a first receiving side 28, and a first joining pilaster 29 fixedly attached to the first joining pilaster side 27. First joining pilaster side 27 has threaded bolt holes 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d.

First bookcase extension section 26 is attached to basic bookcase section 11 by first positioning first bookcase extension section 26 so that its threaded bolt holes 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d in its first joining pilaster side 27 align with the bolt holes 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d in the receiving side 14 of the basic bookcase section 11. A bolt 25 is then inserted through each bolt hole 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d of the receiving side 14 and then threaded into each respective threaded bolt hole 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d in the first joining pilaster side 27. Each bolt 25 is then tightened until the first joining pilaster side 27 is drawn into fixed contact with the receiving side 14.

Removable pilaster 12 is attached to first receiving side 28 of first bookcase extension section 26 by first positioning removable pilaster 12 so that its threaded bolt holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d align with the bolt holes 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d in the first receiving side 28. A bolt 25 is then inserted through each bolt hole 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d of the first receiving side 28 and then threaded into each respective threaded bolt hole 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d in the removable receiving side 16 of removable pilaster 12. Each bolt 25 is then tightened until the removable receiving side 16 of the removable pilaster 12 is drawn into fixed contact with the first receiving side 28.

The particular embodiment of first bookcase extension section 26 shown in FIG. 4 includes first crown molding 45, first upper waist molding 46, first lower waist molding 47, and first base molding 48.

First joining pilaster 29 may have practically any outer appearance. For example, the outer appearance of first joining pilaster 29 could range from something flat, unadorned and featureless to something like the first crown molding 45, first upper waist molding 46, first lower waist molding 47, and first base molding 48 shown in FIG. 4 to something more ornate. The use of molding can contribute to a seamless appearance so that multiple sections collectively have the appearance of being a single, continuous, built-in-place bookcase. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the basic bookcase section 11 has a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its crown molding 49, a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its lower waist molding 57, and a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its base molding 58. These 45 degree vertical planar surfaces abut and are overlapped by and congruent with, 45 degree vertical planar surfaces in, respectively, the first crown molding 45, first lower waist molding 47, and first base molding 48 of the first joining pilaster 29. This overlapping abutment tends to cover the juncture where the first joining pilaster side 27 abuts the receiving side 14 of the basic bookcase section 11. Although the planar surfaces of each pair of overlapping moldings, i.e., 45 overlapping 49, 47 overlapping 57, and 48 overlapping 58, are each shown to abut one another at 45 degrees and to each be vertically oriented, the angle of each such abutment surface could instead be an angle other than 45 degrees and the plane in which each such abutment surface exists could be other than vertical.

Three-or-More-Section Embodiment

No Corner Section

An example of a three-section embodiment that does not have a corner section is shown in FIG. 3. That particular three-section embodiment comprises a basic bookcase section 11, a first bookcase extension section 26, a second bookcase extension section 40, and a removable pilaster 12. The second bookcase extension section 40 further comprises second joining pilaster side 41 and, opposite thereto, a second receiving side 42, and a second joining pilaster 43 fixedly attached to the second joining pilaster side 41. Second joining pilaster side 41 has threaded bolt holes 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d.

Second bookcase extension section 40 is attached to first bookcase extension section 26 by first positioning second bookcase extension section 40 so that its threaded bolt holes 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d in its second joining pilaster side 41 align with the bolt holes 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d in the first receiving side 28 of the first bookcase extension section 26 shown in FIG. 4. A bolt 25 is then inserted through each bolt hole 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d of the first receiving side 28 and then threaded into each respective threaded bolt hole 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d in the second joining pilaster side 41. Each bolt 25 is then tightened until the second joining pilaster side 41 is drawn into fixed contact with the first receiving side 28.

Removable pilaster 12 is attached to second receiving side 42 of second bookcase extension section 40 by first positioning removable pilaster 12 so that its threaded bolt holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d align with the bolt holes 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d in the second receiving side 42. A bolt 25 is then inserted through each bolt hole 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d of the second receiving side 42 and then threaded into each respective threaded bolt hole 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d in the removable pilaster 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Each bolt 25 is then tightened until the removable pilaster 12 is drawn into fixed contact with the second receiving side 42.

In an embodiment have four or more sections, e.g., a basic bookcase section 11 and three or more bookcase extension sections 26, 40, 60, 70 and no corner section 50, each successive bookcase extension section is attached to one another in the same manner as described above for attaching second bookcase extension section 40 to first bookcase extension section 26. After the desired number of bookcase extension sections is attached in this manner, the removable pilaster 12 is attached to the last-attached bookcase extension section in the same manner that the removable pilaster was attached to the second bookcase extension section 40.

Corner Section Embodiment

An example of an embodiment of the instant invention that includes a corner section is shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11. In its simplest form, a an embodiment of the instant invention that includes a corner section comprises a basic bookcase section 11, a corner section 50, and a removable pilaster 12. The corner section 50 further comprises a joining pilaster side 51, a receiving side 52 oriented across therefrom, and a joining pilaster 53 fixedly attached to the joining pilaster side 51. Joining pilaster side 51 has threaded bolt holes 54a and 54b. Receiving side 52 has bolt holes 55a and 55b.

Corner section 50 is attached to basic bookcase section 11 by first positioning corner section 50 so that its threaded bolt holes 54a and 54b in its joining pilaster side 51 align with the bolt holes 18a and 18b in the receiving side 14 of the basic bookcase section 11 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 4. A bolt 25 is then inserted through each bolt hole 18a and 18b of the receiving side 14 and then threaded into each respective threaded bolt hole 54a and 54b in the joining pilaster side 51. Each bolt 25 is then tightened until the joining pilaster side 51 is drawn into fixed contact with the receiving side 14.

Removable pilaster 12 is attached to receiving side 52 of corner section 50 by first positioning removable pilaster 12 so that its threaded bolt holes 19a and 19b align with the bolt holes 55a and 55b in the receiving side 52. A bolt 25 is then inserted through each bolt hole 55a and 55b of the receiving side 52 and then threaded into each respective threaded bolt hole 19a and 19b in the removable pilaster 12. Each bolt 25 is then tightened until the removable receiving side 16 of the removable pilaster 12 is drawn into fixed contact with the receiving side 52.

The particular corner section shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 includes corner crown molding 80, corner upper waist molding 82, corner lower waist molding 83, and corner base molding 84.

Joining pilaster 53 may have practically any outer appearance. For example, the outer appearance of joining pilaster 53 could range from something flat, unadorned and featureless to something like the corner crown molding 80, corner upper waist molding 82, corner lower waist molding 83, and corner base molding 84 shown in FIG. 11 to something more ornate. The use of molding can contribute to a seamless appearance so that multiple sections collectively have the appearance of being a single, continuous, built-in-place bookcase. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the basic bookcase section 11 has a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its crown molding 49, a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its lower waist molding 57, and a 45 degree vertical planar surface in its base molding 58. These 45 degree vertical planar surfaces abut and are overlapped by, and congruent with, 45 degree vertical planar surfaces in, respectively, the corner crown molding 80, the corner lower waist molding 83, and the corner base molding 84 of the joining pilaster 53. This overlapping abutment tends to cover the juncture where the joining pilaster side 53 of the corner section 50 abuts the receiving side 14 of the basic bookcase section 11. Although the planar surfaces of each pair of overlapping moldings, i.e., 80 overlapping 49, 83 overlapping 57, and 84 overlapping 58, are each shown to abut one another at 45 degrees and to each be vertically oriented, the angle of each such abutment surface could instead be an angle other than 45 degrees and the plane in which each such abutment surface exists could be other than vertical.

As indicated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, bookcase extension sections 26, 40 can be attached to basic bookcase section 11 before attaching the corner section 50 to the last such attached bookcase extension section. As also indicated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, bookcase extension sections 60, 70 can be attached to the receiving side 52 of the corner section 50 before attaching the removable pilaster 12 to the last such attached bookcase extension section 70.

In addition to the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, other embodiments of the instant invention may include a basic bookcase section 11 attached to one bookcase extension section 26 or, alternatively, to any number or bookcase extension sections 26, 40, 60, 70, et seq. Still other embodiments of the instant invention may include a basic bookcase section 11 attached to one corner section 50 or, alternatively, to any number of corner sections 50, et seq. Two additional embodiments of the instant invention are (1) a basic bookcase section 11 attached to a bookcase extension section 26 which, in turn, is attached to a corner section 50 and (2) a basic bookcase section 11 attached to a corner section 50 which, in turn, is attached to a bookcase extension section 26. Still other embodiments of the instant invention may include a basic bookcase section 11 attached to one or more bookcase extension sections 26 et seq. in combination with one or more corner sections 50 et seq. In all of the foregoing embodiments, the removable pilaster 12 may then be attached to the last-attached component whether that last-attached component is a bookcase extension section or a corner section.

The corner section 50 can be made having any angle necessary to conform to any corner. The corner section 50 can also be made in a convex or concave curved manner to conform to any rounded corners. The corner section 50 can also be made to accommodate corners greater than 90 degrees such as, for example, a 270 degree corner.

A ladder rail may be added to the extendable bookcase to provide a stable support for a ladder.

Although all of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-11 have a pilaster fixed on the left-hand side of each section and a receiving side on the right-hand side of each section, the extendable bookcase also includes embodiments having a pilaster fixed on the right-hand side of each section and the left-hand side being the receiving side.

While the foregoing detailed description sets forth a number of embodiments of an extendable bookcase in accordance with the present invention, the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention.

Claims

1. An expandable bookcase comprising:

a basic bookcase section having a pilaster side and, opposite thereto, a receiving side,

a removable pilaster attachable to the receiving side, and

a fixed pilaster fixed to the pilaster side.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the receiving side and the removable pilaster each have holes aligned with one another to facilitate attachment of the receiving side to the removable pilaster.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the removable pilaster has molding.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the molding has at least one planar surface and the receiving side has an associated abutting surface to thereby provide a seamless appearance of being a continuous, built-in-place bookcase.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the planar surface of the molding is not at a right angle with respect to the side of the bookcase.

6. An expandable bookcase comprising:

a basic bookcase section having a pilaster side and, opposite thereto, a receiving side, the basic bookcase section further having a fixed pilaster fixed to the pilaster side,

a bookcase extension section having a joining pilaster side and, opposite thereto, a receiving side, the bookcase extension section further having a joining pilaster fixed to the joining pilaster side,

the joining pilaster side of the bookcase extension section being attachable to the receiving side of the basic bookcase section, and

a removable pilaster attachable to the receiving side of the bookcase extension section.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the joining pilaster has molding.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein the receiving side of the bookcase extension section and the removable pilaster each have holes aligned with one another to facilitate attachment of the receiving side of the bookcase extension section to the removable pilaster.

9. The invention of claim 6 wherein the receiving side of the bookcase extension section is attached to the removable pilaster using one or more bolts.

10. An expandable bookcase comprising:

a basic bookcase section having a pilaster side and, opposite thereto, a receiving side, the basic bookcase section further having a fixed pilaster fixed to the pilaster side,

a corner section having a joining pilaster side and, across therefrom, a receiving side, the corner section further having a joining pilaster fixed to the joining pilaster side,

the joining pilaster side of the corner section being attachable to the receiving side of the basic bookcase section, and

a removable pilaster attachable to the receiving side of the corner section.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the corner section is configured to accommodate a right-angle corner.

12. The invention of claim 10 wherein the corner section is configured to accommodate a 270 degree corner.

13. The invention of claim 10 wherein the corner section is configured to accommodate a convex corner.

14. The invention of claim 10 wherein the corner section is configured to accommodate a concave corner.

15. The invention of claim 10 wherein the corner section is configured to accommodate an angled corner.

16. The invention of claim 10 wherein the corner section is configured to accommodate a curved corner.