Foldable, mobile shelf unit

Abstract

A foldable, mobile shelf comprises one or more flat shelf units that fold upon each other when not in use, and form a reasonably flat, rigid shelf surface when unfolded and mounted. The shelf units are flexibly connected to each other to allow folding. The shelf units also include one or more support devices that interconnect the shelf units and provide reasonable rigid support for the shelf units when used. These support devices may be a spring material such as a metal, plastic, or composition material to allow an easy, assisted opening of the shelf in application. Alternatively, the support devices may be a non-spring material, including any metal, plastic, or composition, and may slide or press into support position. The shelf units can include foldable mechanisms to hang the shelf from any surface when used, such as suction, magnets, hooks, or adhesive supports. The shelf units can also include foldable mechanisms to support the shelf from underneath. Any of the foldable support mechanisms can be adjustable to allow the shelf to be attached to any angled surface and remain reasonably level.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the need for mobile and flexible shelving, and includes the use of foldable shelving units interconnected to provide a needed degree of rigidity when unfolded, but foldable for easy mobility when not in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shelving is needed in many applications to organize, prioritize, and store all kinds of goods. But, often, permanent shelving is unnecessary or unrealistic for many applications. For example, mechanics and homeowners often need temporary shelving for tools or parts for specific projects. Vehicles often need temporary storage space for food, drinks, and other items—inside or outside. Travelers often need more sink or desk space than offered by many hotels or campers. Garages, kitchens, bathrooms, vehicles, campers, work sites, offices, etc., often need additional temporary shelving.

However, shelves are conventionally large, rigid, planar surfaces, which makes them inconvenient for temporary and/or mobile applications. They often also require mounting to a vertical surface that leaves permanent, invasive scares in the surface from nails, screws, glue, etc.

Thus, a need exists for a more flexible, temporary, and mobile shelf structure that allows for easy installation and removal, while providing for the practical storage applications of a rigid shelf.

SUMMARY

The present invention is generally directed to a foldable, mobile shelf including one or more flat shelf units that fold upon each other when not in use, and form a reasonably flat, rigid shelf surface when unfolded and mounted. The shelf units are flexibly connected to each other to allow folding. The shelf units also include one or more support devices that interconnect the shelf units and provide reasonably flat, rigid support for the shelf units when used. These support devices may be a spring material, such as metal, plastic, or a composition material to allow an easy, assisted opening of the shelf in application. Alternatively, the support devices may be a non-spring material, including any metal, plastic, or composition, and may slide or press into support position. The shelf units can include foldable mechanisms to hang the shelf from any surface when used, such as suction, magnets, hooks, or adhesive supports. The shelf units can also include foldable mechanisms to support the shelf from underneath. Any of the foldable support mechanisms can be adjustable to allow the shelf to be attached to any angled surface and remain reasonably level.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the invention, showing two planar shelf unites in an unfolded position connected by a flexible connector and including a spring material for folding the shelf units when not used and adding rigidity to the shelf when used.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the shelf taken along line B-B, with the spring material connected to the bottom surface of the shelf units.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shelf taken along line B-B, with the spring material embedded into the shelf units.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the shelf units folded together in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view along line A-A in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view along line A-A in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the unfolded shelf in accordance with an embodiment of the invention that includes more than one rigid supports.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the unfolded shelf in accordance with another embodiment of the invention that includes a movable support mechanism in a non-support position.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the unfolded shelf in accordance with another embodiment of the invention that includes a moveable support mechanism in a support position.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a side view of an unfolded shelf with support devices mounted on the top of the shelf units in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a top view of an unfolded shelf with foldable support devices in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a side view of an unfolded shelf with support devices mounted on the top and bottom of the shelf, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a foldable, mobile shelving device is provided for convenient, temporary, and secure shelving as necessary for any application.

FIG. 1, is a bottom view of the shelf 1 according to the present invention that includes one or more shelving units 10. Each shelf unit 10 is interconnected to form a reasonably flat, rigid surface when extended. The two shelving units 10 are interconnected along line A-A by a flexible, foldable material 12. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a side view of the shelf units along line B-B to further illustrate the shelf units in the unfolded position. Although the Figs. Show two shelving units 10, the invention includes any number of shelving units 10 interconnected to form a shelf 1.

The interconnecting material 12 can compose any material for a required application including cloth, tape, metal, plastic, rubber, or any other material that allows the shelf units 10 to fold over as shown, for example, in the side view of FIG. 4 which shows a side view along B-B.

The shelf units 10 include a mechanism for foldable and reasonable, rigid support depending on the application. As shown in the Figs, a flexible support mechanism 20 is incorporated into the shelf 1 across the interconnected shelving units 10 and across the interconnected material 12. In one example, the foldable support mechanism 20 comprises a flexible material that folds upon itself, such as shown in FIG. 4, but locks into a stronger position when unfolded, as shown in the other Figs. For example, spring metal, plastic, or a composite material can be used as the support mechanism 20, much like a tape measure supports itself when unrolled.

The support mechanism 20 can be pinned to the shelf units via metal, plastic, or any other suitable pins 25. The shelf 1 also includes pivot points 35, and the support mechanism 20 includes slots 30 to allow movement about pivot points 35 to allow folding, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 2, through 6, show side views of the shelf 1 along lines A-A and B-B of two shelving units 10 interconnected as described above, with the support mechanism 20 on the outside of the bottom surface (FIGS. 2, 4, and 5) or embedded (FIGS. 3 and 6). FIG. 4 shows the support mechanism 20 attached to the outside, but it could be embedded, as shown for example in FIG. 3. FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, show the support mechanism 20 in both the external (FIG. 5) and embedded (FIG. 6) from a side view along line A-A.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 7, the invention can include any number of support mechanisms, 20 depending on the application of the shelf FIG. 7 shows, two support mechanisms 20, but additional support mechanisms 20 can be included.

Although the preferred embodiment of the shelf includes multiple shelving units 10 that fold when not in use and actively spring into position when used, the invention can also be more passive, and can rely on a less active support mechanism. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support mechanism can be a slide able support 45, that supports the shelf units 10 when unfolded.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a support material 45 can be included in a sliding slot 40. The support material 45 can be attached to one of the shelving units 10 to allow folding of the shelving units 10 (FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 9, the slide able support 45 is moved across the foldable material 12 so as to provide reasonably rigid support for unfolded shelf units 10.

The shelf, according to the invention can be connected to any surface. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the shelf 1 includes foldable supports 50 and 100 to hang or support from underneath the unfolded shelf 1. The shelf units 10 can be supported by foldable supports 50 from above FIGS. 10 and 12 or by foldable supports from below 100. The supports 50 and 100 may be connected to the shelving units 10 by a flexible material 60, such as the material used for the foldable material 12. The supports 50 and 100 may be made of any material, such as metal, plastic, or composite, that allows for support from above (50) or below (100) or both. The supports 50 and 100 can be attached to any surface via appropriate connectors 80, which can include suction cups, glue, hook and loop, magnets, tape, or any other connectors for an appropriate application. The connectors 80, in connection with the supports 50 and 100, can support from above, below, or both.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention o the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted b T the prior art.

Claims

1. A foldable shelf, including one or more shelf units, each being interconnected by a flexible connector so that the shelf units fold upon themselves when not used and unfold into a reasonably planar, rigid surface to support more than themselves when unfolded.

2. The foldable shelf as in claim 1, wherein the shelf units are interconnected by a springing mechanism such that the shelf units snap into a reasonably rigid plane when unfolded.

3. The foldable shelf as in claim 2, wherein the springing mechanism comprises one of spring metal, plastic, or a composite material.

4. The foldable shelf as in claim 1, including a slide able support associated with at least one of said shelf units when folded that operatively connects with at least one of another said shelf units when unfolded to provide or assist with said support of said shelf.

5. The foldable shelf as in claim 1, wherein one or more shelf units includes foldable supports for attaching the shelf to a reasonably vertical surface for support when unfolded.

6. The foldable shelf as in claim 5, wherein the foldable supports support the shelf units from the top surface of the shelf.

7. The foldable shelf as in claim 5, wherein the foldable supports support the shelf units from the bottom surface of the shelf.

8. The foldable shelf as in claim 5, wherein the foldable supports support the shelf units from the top and bottom surfaces of the shelf.