Rack Assembly that can be Folded Partially

A rack assembly includes a framework, and a foldable shelf mounted on the framework. The foldable shelf includes a support plate attached to the framework, an adjustable panel pivotally connected with the support plate, and a plurality of support legs pivotally mounted on the adjustable panel. Thus, the foldable shelf is expanded outward for use with a user and is folded when not in use. In addition, the foldable shelf can be folded when not in use so as to reduce the whole volume of the rack assembly, thereby decreasing the cost in packaging, transportation and storage of the rack assembly.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a piece of furniture and, more particularly, to a rack assembly to place an appliance, such as a television, DVD, computer and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional rack assembly can be used to place an appliance, such as a television, DVD, computer and the like to facilitate a user placing and exhibit the appliance. However, the conventional rack assembly has a larger volume and cannot be folded to have a smaller volume when not in use, thereby increasing the cost of packaging, storage and transportation of the rack assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a rack assembly, comprising a framework, and a foldable shelf mounted on the framework. The foldable shelf includes a support plate attached to the framework, an adjustable panel pivotally connected with the support plate, and a plurality of support legs pivotally mounted on the adjustable panel. The adjustable panel of the foldable shelf is pivotally connected with the support plate by a plurality of hinges. The adjustable panel of the foldable shelf has a bottom provided with a plurality of mounting brackets. Each of the support legs of the foldable shelf has an upper end provided with a pivot portion pivotally mounted on a respective one of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel. The pivot portion of each of the support legs is pivotally connected with the respective mounting bracket of the adjustable panel by one of a plurality of pivot shafts. Each of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel has an inner portion formed with a receiving space. The pivot portion of each of the support legs is movable in the receiving space of the respective mounting bracket.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rack assembly that can be folded partially.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the foldable shelf is expanded outward for use with a user and is folded when not in use so as to enhance the versatility of the rack assembly.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the foldable shelf can be folded when not in use so as to reduce the whole volume of the rack assembly, thereby decreasing the cost in packaging, transportation and storage of the rack assembly.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the foldable shelf can be expanded and folded easily and quickly, thereby greatly facilitating the user expanding and collapsing the foldable shelf.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foldable shelf of the rack assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the foldable shelf of the rack assembly as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a locally enlarged view of the foldable shelf of the rack assembly as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic folded view of the foldable shelf of the rack assembly as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic folded view of the foldable shelf of the rack assembly as shown in FIG. 5.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a rack assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a framework 2, and a foldable shelf 1 mounted on the framework 2.

The foldable shelf 1 includes a support plate 10 attached to the framework 2, an adjustable panel 12 pivotally connected with the support plate 10, and a plurality of support legs 14 pivotally mounted on the adjustable panel 12.

The adjustable panel 12 of the foldable shelf 1 is pivotally connected with the support plate 10 by a plurality of hinges 121. The adjustable panel 12 of the foldable shelf 1 has a bottom provided with a plurality of mounting brackets 13. Each of the mounting brackets 13 of the adjustable panel 12 has a substantially inverted U-shaped profile and has an inner portion formed with a receiving space 131.

Each of the support legs 14 of the foldable shelf 1 has an upper end provided with a pivot portion 141 pivotally mounted on a respective one of the mounting brackets 13 of the adjustable panel 12. The pivot portion 141 of each of the support legs 14 is pivotally connected with the respective mounting bracket 13 of the adjustable panel 12 by one of a plurality of pivot shafts 15. The pivot portion 141 of each of the support legs 14 is movable in the receiving space 131 of the respective mounting bracket 13.

In practice, the adjustable panel 12 is movable relative to the support plate 10 between a first position as shown in FIG. 2 where the adjustable panel 12 is perpendicular to the support plate 10 so as to expand the foldable shelf 1 and a second position as shown in FIG. 6 where the adjustable panel 12 is parallel with and rests on the support plate 10 so as to fold the foldable shelf 1. In addition, each of the support legs 14 is movable relative to the adjustable panel 12 between a first position as shown in FIG. 2 where each of the support legs 14 is perpendicular to the adjustable panel 12 so as to expand each of the support legs 14 and a second position as shown in FIG. 5 where each of the support legs 14 is parallel with and rests on the adjustable panel 12 so as to fold each of the support legs 14.

In operation, referring to FIGS. 2-6 with reference to FIG. 1, the adjustable panel 12 initially abuts the support plate 10 as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the adjustable panel 12 is pulled outward relative to the support plate 10 so that the adjustable panel 12 is perpendicular to the support plate 10 as shown in FIG. 5. Then, each of the support legs 14 is pulled outward relative to the adjustable panel 12 so that each of the support legs 14 is perpendicular to the adjustable panel 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the adjustable panel 12 is pulled and extended outward from the support plate 10 so as to expand the foldable shelf 1 as shown in FIG. 1 for use with a user.

On the contrary, when the user wishes to fold the foldable shelf 1, each of the support legs 14 is pushed toward the adjustable panel 12 so that each of the support legs 14 is moved to abut the adjustable panel 12 as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the adjustable panel 12 is pushed toward the support plate 10 so that the adjustable panel 12 is moved to abut the support plate 10 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the adjustable panel 12 is folded onto the support plate 10 so as to fold the foldable shelf 1 as shown in FIG. 6 when not in use.

Accordingly, the foldable shelf 1 is expanded outward for use with a user and is folded when not in use so as to enhance the versatility of the rack assembly. In addition, the foldable shelf 1 can be folded when not in use so as to reduce the whole volume of the rack assembly, thereby decreasing the cost in packaging, transportation and storage of the rack assembly. Further, the foldable shelf 1 can be expanded and folded easily and quickly, thereby greatly facilitating the user expanding and collapsing the foldable shelf 1.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A rack assembly, comprising:

a framework having a vertical side; and
a foldable shelf mounted on the framework;
wherein the foldable shelf includes:
a support plate attached to and abutting the vertical side of the framework;
an adjustable panel pivotally connected with the support plate; and
a plurality of support legs pivotally mounted on the adjustable panel;
the adjustable panel of the foldable shelf is pivotally connected with the support plate by a plurality of hinges;
the adjustable panel of the foldable shelf has a bottom provided with a plurality of mounting brackets;
each of the support legs of the foldable shelf has an upper end provided with a pivot portion pivotally mounted on a respective one of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel;
the pivot portion of each of the support legs is pivotally connected with the respective mounting bracket of the adjustable panel by one of a plurality of pivot shafts;
each of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel has an inner portion formed with a receiving space;
the pivot portion of each of the support legs is movable in the receiving space of the respective mounting bracket;
the adjustable panel is movable relative to the support plate between a first position where the adjustable panel is perpendicular to the support plate so as to expand the foldable shelf and a second position where the adjustable panel is parallel with and rests on the support plate so as to fold the foldable shelf;
each of the support legs is movable relative to the adjustable panel between a first position where each of the support legs is perpendicular to the adjustable panel so as to expand each of the support legs and a second position where each of the support legs is parallel with and rests on the adjustable panel so as to fold each of the support legs.

2-5. (canceled)

6. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel has a substantially inverted U-shaped profile and has an opening extending in a direction that is parallel with the support plate.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot portion of at least one of the support legs abuts and is positioned by a side of the adjustable panel when each of the support legs is perpendicular to the adjustable panel.

10. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein

each of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel includes two sidewalls;
the pivot portion of each of the support legs includes two sidewalls abutting the sidewalls of the respective mounting bracket of the adjustable panel.

11. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the support legs is movable in a direction that is parallel with a longitudinal direction of the support plate.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120055897
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 7, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 8, 2012
Inventor: Shu-Yi Li (Dongguan City)
Application Number: 12/876,290
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Foldable (211/149)
International Classification: A47F 5/10 (20060101);