MOUNTING SHELVES WITH CONCEALMENT MEANS
The invention broadly comprises a bookshelf system including a pair of stacking members fixedly attached to a mounting member. The shelf system also includes at least two ledges disposed on the lower surface of the mounting member, such that the at least two ledges are operatively arranged to hold a book cover. The at least two ledges can be disposed proximate a joint formed at the intersection of the mounting member and the stacking member. In some embodiments, a pair of ledges may be disposed on each side of each pair of stacking members. In some aspects, the joint is reinforced. A mounting hole or a mounting structure can be disposed on the mounting member to provide a mounting element with which to hang the shelf.
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The invention relates generally to a shelf, more specifically to a bookshelf or towel shelf, and, more particularly, to a bookshelf or towel shelf that includes at least two stacking members to hold books, towels and the like, is mountable on vertical surfaces and, when loaded with books, towels or the like, conceals the support and mounting structure of the shelf.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMountable shelves are known in the art. Traditionally, wall mounted shelves use an integral tab that is secured to a wall with screws or a similar attachment means. Shelves, such as bookshelves, have elements that are engineered to meet certain requirements. For instance, standard sized books have a cover that requires a horizontal shelf surface with a width sufficient to accommodate the cover. Although the horizontal shelf surface can take the form of various shapes, such as, circular, triangular, rectangular or an asymmetrical shape, bookshelves traditionally have a flat surface that is close to the width of the book that is to be held.
Bookshelves or cases that are traditional cabinet-like designs are not as appropriate as wall-mounted shelving systems in situations where floor space is limited. Another factor that has motivates the installation of wall-mounted bookshelf units is a desire for more modern furnishings. One problem with many current wall mounted bookshelves is that they protrude from the wall and fail to hide unattractive mounting structures and brackets. Efforts have been made to design wall mounted bookshelves that conceal the mounting structures, but with little success. Those shelving units that have tried to conceal mounting structures, have done so by creating thick shelving surfaces that do not appeal to many consumers.
In addition, wall mounted bookshelves often have limited shelf space. If more than one shelf unit is mounted on a wall, they will provide either more visibly unattractive mounting fixtures or more shelf units with thicker shelf surfaces.
Thus, there is a need for a shelf capable of holding books, towels, or similar articles in a manner that conceals the shelf and the mounting structure of the shelf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention broadly comprises a shelf system including a pair of stacking members fixedly attached to a mounting member, wherein the pair of stacking members is roughly perpendicular to the mounting member, in which the pair of stacking members each has an upper surface and a lower surface. The shelf system also includes at least two ledges disposed on the lower surface of the mounting member, such that the at least two ledges are operatively arranged to hold a book cover. The at least two ledges can be disposed proximate a joint formed at the intersection of the mounting member and the stacking member. In some embodiments, wherein one of at least two ledges are disposed on said lower surface of the mounting member disposed proximate a joint formed at an intersection of said mounting member and each of said pair of stacking members on a first side of each of said pair of stacking members and one of said at least two ledges is disposed on said lower surface disposed proximate said intersection on a second side of each of said pair of said stacking members. In some aspects, the joint is reinforced. A mounting hole or a mounting structure can be disposed on the mounting member to provide a mounting element with which to hang the shelf.
In some aspects the ledge is L-shaped and extends below the lower surface. The mounting member can be trapezoidal, rectangular or similarly shaped. Each of the stacking members can be trapezoidal, rectangular or similarly shaped. The two stacking members may have different shapes.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a shelf that can hold and display books, towels, and other articles on a wall in a manner that conceals the shelf when books are stacked on the shelf.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf that has a cover holding ledge that can hold the cover of a book in a manner that conceals the shelf.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. In the description below, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, and their derivatives, should be interpreted from the perspective of one viewing the invention shown in
Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. It should also be appreciated that the present invention comprises a shelf, specially designed such that its structure allows the holding and display of articles, such as books, towels and the like, while concealing the shelf itself. Two different embodiments of the invention are illustrated, described and claimed. The first embodiment, illustrated in
In accordance with the present invention,
Alternatively, mounting member 12 can be fixedly attached to stacking members 14 using a weld or an equivalent attachment means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Intersection 16, which is the region where mounting member 12 and stacking members 14 meet, can be strengthened by reinforcement member 18 that can be crimped into mounting member 12 and stacking members 14, or attached as a strengthening structure or strengthening weld.
Mounting member 12 has at least one aperture 26 that can be used as an attachment location. Additional apertures 26 can be disposed on mounting member 12 at various locations. Apertures 26 can be round as depicted or numerous other shapes, which includes, but is not limited to a keyhole shape. One possible alternative is to align multiple apertures 26 in vertical or horizontal alignment to ensure that bookshelf 10 will be attached securely. In some aspects, mounting member 12 has a mounting structure, which can include, but is not limited to a hanging apparatus, clip, hook, or similar apparatus to aid in hanging bookshelf 10 on a vertical surface.
Mounting member 12, as shown, is generally rectangular shaped, but it should be appreciated that other alternative shapes could also be used. Similarly, stacking members 14, as shown, is generally trapezoidal in shape, but it should be appreciated that other alternative shapes could also be used. The shapes of two stacking members 14 on the same mounting member 12 may be different from each other.
Extending below intersection 16 on mounting member 12 is at least two ledges 20. Ledges 20 are shown attached to a lower portion or surface of mounting member 12 proximate the rear perimeters of stacking members 14, proximate intersection 16, but ledge 20, or any variation of the ledge, can be attached at any other perimeter edge of stacking member 14, i.e., the side or bottom perimeter edges. Preferably, a pair of ledges are placed on either side of each stacking member 14 proximate the rear perimeters of stacking members 14. Ledge 20 has vertical section 22 and a horizontal lip 24. In a one embodiment, lip 24 has a length C which is approximately 1/35 the length of stacking member 14. Lip 24 doesn't have to be very long when the shelf is used as a bookshelf—merely long enough to secure a book cover. A shorter length for the lip is preferred for aesthetic reasons, but not required for functionality. In some aspects, ledge 20 is formed from mounting member 12 by pressing vertical section 22 and horizontal lip 24 into a portion of mounting member 12 proximate intersection 16. In such aspects, vertical section 22 is on the same plane as mounting member 12 and is defined by a point beginning proximate intersection 16 and extends beyond intersection 16 to horizontal lip 24. The length of vertical section 22 is determined by the thickness of a typical book cover. However, given that book covers are not universal, e.g., soft cover and hard cover book covers are of different thicknesses, the length of vertical section 22 can be of various lengths depending on the book cover that it is intended to hold.
Ledge 20 may be integral with mounting member 12, or it may be a separate piece attached to mounting member 12 proximate intersection 16. Vertical section 22 and horizontal lip 24, individual components of ledge 20, can also be attached as separate components to mounting member 12 using any attachment means known in the art.
Bookshelf 10 can be attached to any vertical surface using an appropriate attachment means such as a screw, nail, or analogous fastening means. In some aspects, bookshelf 10 can omit apertures 26 and implement an epoxy attachment means, or implement another alternative attachment means, which can include, but is not limited to hooks, wire, clips and notches. Attachment to a vertical surface such as a wall is the intended application, but bookshelf 10 can also be adapted for attachment to other surfaces as well.
Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed. Although the invention is described by reference to a specific preferred embodiment, it is clear that variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as claimed.
Claims
1. A bookshelf system comprising:
- a pair of stacking members attached to a mounting member, wherein said pair of stacking members is roughly perpendicular to said mounting member, said pair of stacking members each has an upper surface and a lower surface; and,
- at least two ledges disposed on a lower surface of said mounting member, wherein each of said at least two ledges are operatively arranged to hold a book cover.
2. The bookshelf system of claim 1, wherein each of said at least two ledges are disposed proximate a joint formed at an intersection of said mounting member and each one of said pair of stacking members.
3. The bookshelf system of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two ledges are disposed on said lower surface of said mounting member disposed proximate a joint formed at an intersection of said mounting member and each one of said pair of stacking members on a first side of each of said pair of stacking members and one of said at least two ledges is disposed on said lower surface disposed proximate said intersection on a second side of each one of said pair of stacking members.
4. The bookshelf system of claim 2, wherein said joint is reinforced.
5. The bookshelf system of claim 3, wherein said joint is reinforced.
6. The bookshelf system of claim 1, further comprising at least one mounting aperture disposed on said mounting member.
7. The bookshelf system of claim 1, further comprising a mounting structure disposed on said mounting member.
8. The bookshelf system of claim 1, wherein said at least two ledges are L-shaped.
9. The bookshelf system of claim 1, wherein each of said at least two ledges extends below each of said lower surfaces.
10. The bookshelf system of claim 1, wherein said mounting member is generally rectangular.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 28, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 31, 2013
Applicant: UMBRA LLC (Buffalo, NY)
Inventors: Miron Lior (Brooklyn, NY), Adin Mumma (Palmyra, PA)
Application Number: 13/193,381