Abstract: A shelving system includes a shelf mat and a support structure for supporting the shelf mat. The shelf mat includes an object carrying portion for supporting objects and a projection connected to and projecting from the object support portion. The support structure includes a pair of vertical corner posts each having two vertical rods spaced by a distance sufficient to permit the insertion of the projection therebetween but to prevent substantial horizontal movement of the projection when the projection is so inserted. The support structure also includes a horizontal support, connected between the two vertical corner posts, and adapted to support at least a portion of said shelf when inserted between the two vertical rods. Methods of manufacturing the shelf mat and support structure using continuous mat-forming steps are also described.

Abstract: A system for securing a member, such as a shelf, to a vertical support column and holding the member in a desired position on the column includes a rotary sleeve system whose resistance to downward motion is directly proportional to the downward force applied. A conical frustum shaped collar having an integral pin extending inwardly from its inside surface rests on top of a split conical frustum shaped sleeve having configurations in the split to receive the pin in one of two positions, an unlocked position and a locked position. A horizontal portion of the slit may be provided for restricting downward motion of the collar with respect to the sleeve to maintain the split in an open configuration, allowing free movement of the rotary sleeve system up or down the vertical column.

Abstract: A modular utility cart includes four corner posts, at least one intermediate shelf and a top shelf. The cart incorporates improved structures for securing the intermediate and top shelves to the posts. Specifically, each intermediate shelf is formed with four open collars each for embracing one post. Each collar has a cross-section substantially congruent to the cross-section of the associated post, and has an upper right tubular portion embracing the post, a lower tubular portion having a downwardly outwardly inclined inner surface, and a transition portion between the upper and lower portions. The top shelf, which is mountable in the region of the tops of the posts, is formed with four blind tubular collars, each having a downwardly outwardly inclined inner surface and an inwardly projecting retaining flange at the bottom edge of the surface.

Abstract: A device stores a plurality of dishes or the like in a plurality of stacks with each stack at an object region within the device. The device includes a generally square base and corner-defining structures that project generally perpendicularly from the base to define the corners of each of four quadrant regions. Divider panels are removably mountable on the base to separate the quadrant regions. Further, partitions are mounted in each of the quadrant regions for selectable movement among first, second, and third fixed positions. All of the partitions, when in the first fixed positions and with the divider panels mounted, cooperate with the corner-defining structures and the divider panels to define four generally equally sized primary object regions. The partitions, when in the second fixed positions with the divider panels demounted, cooperate with the corner-defining structures to define eight generally equally sized secondary object regions.