QUICK-MOUNT EXPANDABLE SHELF

Abstract

An adjustable length shelf assembly includes two slidably coupled sections whereby the sections are slidably adjusted to contract or expand the overall length of the shelf. The respective sections each have one open end, a closed end, a front side and a bottom side. The assembly can be directly attached to a surface such as the back of a cabinet door, or can be indirectly attached to a mounting plate that provides easy removal and re-installation of the shelf assembly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Non-Provisional U.S. Patent Application claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/011,651 Titled “ QUICK-MOUNT EXPANDABLE SHELF” and filed Jun. 13, 2014

FIELD

The invention relates generally to small article storage and more particularly to adjustable length shelving that can be attached to a flat surface, such as the back of a cabinet door to provide additional storage for small articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telescoping shelves of various design are known the art. U.S. Pat. No. 1,037,904 to Hawver describes a width adjustable window shelf that is supported by an exterior window sill. U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,548 to West et al. describes a shelving apparatus with sliding interlocking cross members. While past devices worked well for their intended use, problems remain. In particular, the problem of providing additional storage for small articles within conventional cabinets, and the difficulties of mounting and dismounting the shelf for cleaning and other reasons.

What is needed is an shelf assembly that may be readily installed in new or pre-existing cabinets.

It would be desirable if the length of the foregoing shelf assembly were adjustable.

It would be desirable if an user/installer were able to increase or decrease the overall length of the shelf assembly as required.

It would be desirable if the installed shelf assembly included a means to easily mount or dismount the assembly without tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The expandable shelf of the present invention includes a two-part telescoping body having two slidably engaged sections. Each section has a closed end, an open end, a front side and a bottom side. Shelf width can be increased by sliding the parts away from one another or decreased by moving the parts together as desired, to accomodate different spaces. The shelf can be mounted to any surfaces such as wood, masonry or sheetrock. The shelf can be directly attached to the foregoing surfaces, or indirectly attached by using the special hanger shown herein.

While examples discussed herein are directed generally to a two-part slidably engaged expanding shelf assembly, the description that follows is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, combinations and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the detailed description of the embodiments which folows and the appended drawing figures in which the scaling shown is approximate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontward and down perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an expandable shelf assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rearward perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rearward perspective view of a first part thereof with tabs;

FIG. 4 is a rearward perspective view of a second part thereof which is sized and shaped to slide within tabs shown in (FIG. 3);

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof in an environmental setting;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view thereof in which the length of the shelf is reduced by sliding the first part and second parts together.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view showing mounting plates for the adjustable shelf assembly;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective of a mounting plate or shelf hanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

REFERENCE LISTING

• 10 shelf assembly
• 12a left section
• 12b right section
• 14a left section front
• 14b right section front
• 16a left section end
• 16b right section end
• 18a left section bottom
• 18b right section bottom
• 20a left section flange
• 20b right section flange
• 22a left mounting aperture
• 22b right mounting aperture
• 24U upper channel
• 24L lower channel
• 26 left or right hanger
• 26a “T” flange
• 26b mounting plate aperture

DEFINITIONS

The terms “left” and “right” are referenced from the direction facing the front surface (14a, 14b) of shelf assembly. Unless otherwise explained, any technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The term “comprises” means “includes.” All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In case of conflict, the present specification, including explanations of terms, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-8; a preferred embodiment according to the present invention includes a slidably coupled expandable shelf assembly (10). The shelf assembly includes separable left and right sections (12a, 12b) that when coupled, slide linearly elongate or short the overall length of the assembly. Each section has an open end, a closed end (16a, 16b), a front side (14a, 14b) and a bottom side (18a, 18b). When the assembly is assembled, the open ends of the sections are opposing. One section includes lips (24U, 24L) that define upper and lower channels for slidable linear guiding of the other section. Each section includes a flange (20a, 20b) extending from the closed ends and set at 90 degrees therefrom, to enable attachment to a surface such as the inside of a cabinet door or a wall. The assembly may be attached directly to a surface by any means such as double-side tape between the flange or threaded fasteners through flange apertures (22a, 22b). Alternately, each flange (20a, 20b) may be reversibly coupled to a mounting plate (26) which possesses a T-shaped projection (26a) for reversibly coupling with flange apertures. In cases where the mounting plates are used, each mouting plate is attached to a surface by any suitable means such as double-side tape or threaded fastener, and the flange apertures are placed over the T-shaped projection and slid downwardly to reversibly couple. The mounting plates are particularly useful when the shelf assembly must be routinely removed for cleaning or other purposes.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively, front and rear views of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention that shows shelf assembly (10) in an expanded position. It is readily apparent from the drawing figures how the sections (12a, 12b) slidably couple, with one section inserted into upper and lower lips (24U, 24L)of the other section.

While the particular embodiment shown herein includes a shelf assembly injection molded from a translucent material to best indicate held articles, other materials will suggest themselves to those having in the art and benefit of this disclosure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict respectively, right (12b) and left (12a) sections of shelf assembly (10).

FIG. 5 shows an expanded shelf assembly in a typical use setting.

FIG. 6 shows the shelf assembly wherein the sections have been moved together shortening the overall length of the shelf. In both FIGS. 5 and 6, flanges (22a, 22b) are secured directly to a surface by a threaded fastener.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one of a pair of mounting plates (26) that can be secured directly to a surface; either by adhesive means, or by a fastener places through aperture (26b). The mounting plate has a T-shaped projection (26a) that reversibly couples with the corresponding aperture (22a, 22b) of flange (20a, 20b).

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view of one end of shelf assembly (10) wherein flange (20b) has been reversibly coupled to mounting plate (26). The entire assembly can be removed easily by lifting up and pulling away from the mounting plate.

While the invention has been described by the embodiments given, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable length quick-mount shelving assembly comprising:

(1) a body having first and second slidably coupled sections, with each section including an open end, a closed end, a front side and a bottom side, and,

(2) wherein the front side and bottom side tabs of one section defining a channel guiding the linear travel of the other section, and,

(3) at each closed end, an outwardly turned flange possessing an aperture wherein the flanges are 90 degrees relative to the closed end.

2. The quick-mount shelving assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a mouting plate for attachment to surface, and wherein the plate possesses a projecting member sized and shaped to reversibly couple to each flange aperture.