SUPPORTING APPARATUS

Abstract

Disclosed is a unique support apparatus defining an internal, hidden structure which is precession engineered and manufactured in such a way using interlocking wood material joined with fastening mechanisms to form a support apparatus that when secured to a wall forms an incredibly strong unit that is functional and aesthetically attractive. The apparatus is universal as any surface may be associated with the support structure (e.g. wall) with the apparatus configured for being associated with any one of a plurality of items such as sleeves and cabinets so that the support apparatus cannot be seen once installed making such items appear to be floating with no visible support.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

A supporting apparatus for associating items with a support structure such as a wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many applications for a support apparatus designed to associate items with a support structure. One type of well-known generally vertical support structure is a wall whose surfaces are often associated with items such as pictures, cabinets, shelves, chronographs and electronic gadgets. Securely attaching a shelf, for example, with a wall can be trickier than generally appreciated especially when one desires such shelf to support large weights.

Associating shelves with the surface of a wall is particularly common and such a task often requires special hardware especially when one desires such shelf to support large weights. There are many different types of shelving systems including fixed bracket shelves, built in shelves, floating shelves, corner shelves, and top hung shelves. The ways of associating shelves to a support structure, which may seem obvious in hindsight, are far from obvious at the time of their invention and are as varied as they are clever. Some of the shelving units come with internal leveling indicators such as the one disclosed in Hale 6,257,151 issued on 10 Jul. 2001. A “French” hanger design is disclosed in Meyer 6,962,016, issued on 8 Nov. 2005, and such a hanger design is often used to support shelves as well. Smalley 8,042,700 discloses an end cap shelf system comprising a shelf system adapted to be attached and removed from end cap supporting walls.

One type of mounting system for shelves of importance in this document is a system that cannot be seen after installation making such shelves appear to be “floating.” A floating shelf is a form of shelf with its wall fixings hidden within the shelf so that there are no visible supporting brackets. One prior art floating shelf uses two or more channels open from the back towards, but without reaching, the front, into which slide fasteners attach to the wall. Sevack 8,082,859 teaches a blind shelf support and method of installation where the floating shelf support comprises a plurality of “support posts” that extend from a wall and into a shelf so that the support hardware cannot be seen after installation. In US application 20010315647A1, filed on 12 Sep. 2011, a supporting system comprises a rail adapted to be mounted on a wall that projects a male member connected to the rail where the male member is configured to interact with a mating female groove located in a shelf. Such inventions are suitable for their intended purposes, but they do not represent the best solution.

What is needed is a unique support apparatus featuring an internal, hidden structure which is engineered and manufactured in such a way using interlocking wood material joined with fastening mechanisms to form a support structure that when fastened to a wall forms an incredibly strong unit that is functional and aesthetically attractive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention will now be set forth in the following description, while other objects and advantages of the invention may be obvious from the description or may be learned through practice of the invention.

Broadly speaking, a principle object of the present invention is to provide a floating shelf support apparatus configured for being associated with a support structure such as a wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a precision manufactured support apparatus structure configured for being directly associated with a support structure to provide enhanced strength.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a unique support apparatus defining an internal, hidden structure which is precession engineered and manufactured in such a way using interlocking wood material joined with fastening mechanisms to form a support apparatus that when secured to a wall forms an incredibly strong unit that is functional and aesthetically attractive.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the detailed description herein or will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the detailed description. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed steps, or features hereof may be practiced in various uses and embodiments of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of the present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent steps, referenced or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various features, steps, parts, or the like. Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this invention may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features or parts or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling description of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a universal support apparatus associated with a support structure comprising blocking elements;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a universal support apparatus associated with a support structure not having blocking elements;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one exemplary universal support apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a top/bottom plan view of one exemplary front/back rail.

FIG. 5 is a side elevated view of an exemplary front/back rail showing an inner surface comprising dados and associated attachment voids;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an exemplary left/right side rail;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an exemplary inner stretcher;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an exemplary left/right outer stretcher;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an exemplary sleeve to be associated with a universal support apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a back elevated perspective view of the sleeve in FIG. 9 showing an opening 78 configured to receive a universal support apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a back elevational view of the sleeve in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a back elevated perspective view of a universal support apparatus partially inserted into a sleeve.

Repeated use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in or may be determined from the following detailed description. Repeat use of reference characters is intended to represent same or analogous features, elements or steps. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.

Construction Aids

For the purposes of this document two or more items are “mechanically associated” by bringing them together or into relationship with each other in any number of ways including a direct or indirect physical “releasable connection” (snaps, screws, Velcro®, bolts, clamps, etc.—generally connections designed to be easily and frequently released and reconnected), “hard-connections” (welds, rivets, macular bonds, generally connections that one does not anticipate disconnecting very often if at all—a connection that is “broken” to separate), and/or “moveable connections” (rotating, pivoting, oscillating, adjustable, sliding etc.).

For the purposes of this document, unless otherwise stated, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means there is at least one of A, or at least one of B, or at least one of C or any combination thereof (not one of A, and one of B, and one of C). As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The term “about” means plus or minus 1/32 of an inch unless stated otherwise.

In this document, a sleeve associated with the disclosed support apparatus defines a shelf.

This document includes headers that are used for place markers only. Such headers are not meant to affect the construction of this document, do not in any way relate to the meaning of this document nor should such headers be used for such purposes.

While the particulars of the present invention and associated technology may be described for use with floating shelves, the disclosed technology may be used to secure any suitable item to a support structure.

Written Description

Referring now to FIG. 1, one exemplary embodiment of a universal support apparatus 10 is presented associated with a support structure 12 comprising blocking elements 14. FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a support apparatus 10 (wider/longer) associated with a support structure 12 not comprising blocking element 14. For the examples discussed herein, the support structure 12 is a wall comprising studs 16 (e.g. 2×4 inches, 2×6 inches, etc.) and the blocking elements 14 are boards (of any suitable size) installed between adjacent studs. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that when the width of universal support apparatus 10 is not long enough to span across more than one stud, blocking elements 14 should be installed and the universal support apparatus 10 be mechanically associated with such blocking elements 14 (e.g. FIG. 1). Alternatively, when the width of universal support apparatus 10 is sufficient to span across more than one stud, blocking elements 14 become less necessary (perhaps unnecessary) and the universal support apparatus 10 will be mechanically associated with at least two studs. (e.g. FIG. 2). It should also be appreciated that for the preferred embodiment, the support apparatus 10 is mechanically associated directly to studs 16 (i.e. no drywall or other material between the support apparatus and the stud).

As best seen in FIG. 3, one embodiment of a universal support apparatus 10 configured for mechanically associating any one of a plurality of items (e.g. sleeve, cabinet, etc.) with a support structure 12 is presented. Universal support apparatus 10 defines a frame 18 (e.g. “cleat”) comprising frame elements including a front rail 20, a back rail 22, a left side element 24, a right side element 26, a left outer stretcher 28, a right outer stretcher 30 and at least one inner stretcher 32. For the exemplary embodiment depicted in the various figures, there are two inner stretchers 32. As best seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, all the frame elements define a cuboid with the same cuboid height 34 and the same cuboid thickness 36. The cuboid length of the various components may vary depending on the component and configuration desired (see FIG. 6-8).

It will be appreciated that one of the universal aspects of the universal support apparatus 10 is that it is symmetrical and the “front’ and “back” and “top” and “bottom” are not defined until the apparatus is associated with a support structure. Restated, once universal support apparatus 10 is associated with a support structure, the portion of the universal support apparatus 10 that is mechanically associated with the support structure becomes the “back” for the purposes of this description thereby also defining the “front” side, “left” side and “right” side. Thus, it should be appreciated that the terms “front” and “back” and “left” and “right” are used in this document to simply aid in the description of the invention.

For the currently preferred embodiment, the outer perimeter defined by the front rail 20 is equal to the outer perimeter defined by the back rail 22 (i.e. the cuboid shapes are ideally identical) with each rail defining a first rail-end 38 and an opposing second rail-end 40. It should be noted that the term “identical” or “same” or “equal” when referring to the cuboid shapes of any of the frame 18 elements does not require perfect precision but precision to within 1/32 of an inch (unless otherwise stated). The outer perimeter of the left side element 24 is equal to the outer perimeter of the right side element 26 where one end 42 of the left side element 24 is mechanically associated with the first rail-end 38 for the front rail 20 and wherein the opposing end 44 of the left side element 24 is mechanically associated with the first-end 38 of the back rail 22. Similarly, one end 46 of the right side element 26 is mechanically associated with the second rail-end 40 of the front rail 20 with the opposing end 48 of the right side element 26 being mechanically associated with the second rail-end 40 of the back rail 22. Such configuration ideally places the front rail 20 in parallel with and coplanar with the back rail 22. Such also means that the left side element 24 is parallel with the right side element 26 and the side elements are perpendicular to and coplanar with the front rail 20 and the back rail 22. Thus, the front rail 20, the back rail 22, the left side element 24 and the right side element 26 are all coplanar with each other thereby defining a rectangular outer frame 18 perimeter. Further, the surface of the front rail 20 that faces the surface of the back rail 22 (and vice versa) define inner-rail-surfaces 50.

As best seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, frame 18 further includes a left outer stretcher 28 and a right outer stretcher 30 each defining a cuboid having equal outer perimeters. The left outer stretcher 28 is disposed adjacent to said left side element 24 so that one end of the left outer stretcher 28 is mechanically associated with the inner surface 50 of the back rail 22 at back connection point 52. The opposing end of said left outer stretcher 28 is mechanically associated with the inner surface 50 of the front rail 20 thereby providing a gusset function. Similarly, the right outer stretcher 30 is disposed adjacent to the right side element 26 so that one end of the right outer stretcher 30 is mechanically associated with the inner surface 50 of the back rail 22 with the opposing end of the right outer stretcher 30 mechanically associated with the inner surface of the front rail 20 thereby providing a second gusset function. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a gusset function is normally provided by what is referred to as a “bracket” for strengthening an angle of a structure. For the frame 18 design, such a “bracket” is incorporated in the ends of the outer stretcher rails which strengthens the angle between the front and rear rails and their perspective right and left side elements.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the frame 18 further includes at least one inner stretcher 32 that defines a cuboid wherein each of the at least one inner stretchers are disposed inside the frame 18 so that one end of the inner stretcher 32 is mechanically associated with the inner surface 50 of the back rail 22 at a predefined stretcher-gap-distance 56 from the left outer stretcher Similarly, the opposing end of the inner stretcher 32 is mechanically associated with the inner surface 50 of said front rail 20 at said stretcher-gap-distance 56 from the left outer stretcher 28. It will be appreciated, therefore, that inner stretcher 32 forms a right angle with, and is perpendicular to and coplanar with the back rail 22 and the front rail 20.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, another aspect of the invention, dado points 60, 62 and 64, defined by inner surfaces 50, are considered in more detail. FIG. 1 depicts two dado points 60, 62 as the frame for such configuration has two inner stretchers 32. FIG. 2 depicts three dado points 60, 62, 64 as such embodiment has three inner stretchers 32. A “dado” is simply a groove cut in the face of a board into which the edge of another board is fixed. For the current invention, the dados 60, 62, 64 are grooves cut into the inner surfaces 50 configured to receive the ends of the inner stretchers 32. The width tolerance of such dados are preferably within 1/32 of an inch (wider) than the width of the inner stretcher 32 to enhance structural integrity. Such dados also preferably define precisely positioned connector voids 66 therethrough configured to receive connectors (e.g. nails, screws, dowel, etc.) for attaching the front rail 20 and back rail 22 to the ends of inner stretcher 32 and are disposed within a 1/32 tolerance of their desired locations. Adhesives may also be used at the dado/stretcher connection points (as well as all attachment points for the various frame elements). Such a configuration provides several benefits including (a) enhancing structural integrity, (b) providing almost perfect alignment of the inner stretcher relative to the ends of the front and back rails during assembly without the need for measurement, and (c) almost perfect positioning of the connectors used to mechanically associate the inner stretchers 32 with the front and back rails while minimizing the possibility of splitting such components.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, another feature of the dados 60, 62, 64 is considered. Such dados are not randomly disposed along the inner surface 50 of the front and back rails. For one embodiment of the invention, the locations of the dados are defined considering more than just the normal criteria of dividing the space between ends of an apparatus equally as depicted in FIG. 1. For one embodiment, the support structure 12 measurements are considered. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that wall studs 16 are typically disposed even inches apart (and specifically 16 inches apart) because sheet plywood is typically 4 feet wide (48 inches; Note: 16 times 3=48, etc.). Such allows the edges of the plywood to fall on a stud center line so that such edges can be secured to the studs while allowing space for the next sheet. What is generally not desired is for the universal support apparatus 10 stretchers to fall on (align with) a stud location as such would make it difficult or impossible to adequately secure a universal support apparatus 10 rail to that stud (assuming the dado/stretcher width is as wide or wider than a stud). Unlike prior art devices, one embodiment of the current invention uses frame element cuboid sizes with widths smaller than the width of a stud so that it does not matter if a dado point aligns with a stud 16. Another embodiment is configured to minimize and perhaps eliminate the possibility of a stretcher aligning with a wall stud 16.

For one embodiment of frame 18, the stretcher cuboid widths are shorter than the width of a stud 16. Such a configuration will allow an attachment element to be secured to a stud 16 even at points where an inner stretcher 32 falls on a stud location.

An alternative embodiment designed to minimize the possibility of a dado point (and thus, a stretcher) falling on a stud, relates to the first stretcher-gap-distance 56, defined by the distance between first rail attachment point 68 and first dado 60, is an odd number (such as 11 inches, not shown to scale in the figures). As depicted in FIG. 2, the first attachment point 68 is assumed to be adjacent to right side stretcher 30 and the second attachment point (i.e. the next stud) is likely to be an even number of inches (say 14 inches) from attachment point 68 (the first stud). Thus, if one disposes the first dado point 60 along the inner surface 50 an odd number of inches from the first attachment point 68, the dado point will not fall on a stud location (for normal wall constructions). The next dado point 62 should be an even number of inches from the first dado point 60 (defining the second stretcher-gap-distance 58a) thereby placing the second dado point 62 an odd number of inches away from the first stud at attachment point 68 which means the second dado point 62 will not fall on a stud. Similarly, the next (third) dado point 64 is disposed along inner surface 50 an even number of inches from the second dado point 62, thereby defining stretcher-gap-distance 58b and placing the third dado point 68 an odd number of inches from the first attachment point 68 which means the third dado point will not fall on a stud location (for normal wall constructions). Such a configuration allows for stretcher cuboid widths that are equal to or wider than a stud 16 width.

Frame Element Lengths

As noted above, the frame elements of the universal support apparatus 10 define cuboids that have the same height 34 and thickness/width 36 (again, “same” means within 1/32 of an inch). The cuboids lengths likely vary between element types. For example, for the preferred embodiment disclosed, the front/back rail 20 is longer than the left side element length 70 and the left side element length 70 is longer than the length 74 of said at least one inner stretcher 32 and the length 74 of said at least one inner stretcher 32 is longer than the length 72 of said left side outer stretcher 28. Further, when the above process is used to make a plurality of frames 18 as described below, the tolerances between frames remains 1/32 of an inch (or better).

Item to be Mounted

Referring now to FIG. 9-FIG. 12, the exemplary item to be associated with support structure 12 is a shelf comprising a sleeve 76 and frame 18. Sleeve 76 defines an open box structure comprising five sides and defining an opening 78 configured and suitably sized to receive universal support apparatus 10 as defined below. FIG. 12 shows a back-side view of a universal support apparatus 10 partially inserted into a sleeve 76. The frame element heights 34 are all suitably sized (i.e. define a “height tolerance” or vertical gap) to fit into opening height 80 so that there is a predefined maximum play (“mercy”, vertical gap) between the inside of shelf 76 (top/bottom) and the outer surfaces of the universal support apparatus of about 1/16 of an inch for sleeves 76 manufactured to the precision of the disclosed universal support apparatus 10.

For example, if the opening height 80 is 2 inches, the frame element height 34 is between about 1.96 inches to about 1.99 inches. Ideally a plurality of precisely manufactured sleeves 76 are available and perhaps made of different materials and defining different looks and the universal support apparatus 10 would receive any one of such plurality of sleeves 76 while maintaining the desired maximum vertical gap between the universal support apparatus 10 and the shelf 76. Similarly, the frame 18 and the sleeve 76 are preferably precisely manufactured to provide for a side adjustment 82 (horizontal gap) of about one-half inches on both sides (if centered—making an overall adjustment of 1 inch. Such a configuration simplifies the task of centering the sleeve 76 along the support structure 12.

Precision Cut Frame Elements

As noted above, the frame elements of the universal support apparatus 10 define cuboids that have the same height 34 and thickness/width 36. Such a feature is desirable for many reasons including being able to mass produce a universal supporting apparatus 10 that is compatible with a plurality of items (such as sleeves) to be mounted while maintaining a minimum play between the universal support apparatus 10 and the item to be mounted that is also manufactured with similar tolerances. To achieve such feature, all the elements of frame 18 are precision cut (such as CNC machines described in more detail later) to provide a tolerance of 1/32 of a inch between frame elements for a particular frame and within 1/32 of an inch between frames. Restated, not only will a first universal support apparatus 10 have a height 34 of 5 inches (for example), all the frame elements will have a height of between 5 inches plus 1/32 of an inch and 5 inches minus 1/32 of an inch and a second universal support structure and third universal support structure (etc.) manufactured with the same process will be the same dimensions.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that prior art mounting devices for mounting floating shelves (for example) do not have the same frame design and are constructed out of boards such as the 2×4s described above. Unfortunately, the dimensions of boards in general, and 2×4 boards in particular, are not tightly controlled. Thus, one will not be able to manufacture, with the tolerances of the disclosed frame, a precision frame where such frame element cuboids for all the frame elements are the same dimensions over a plurality of frames and perhaps not even on the same frame. One novel feature of the present invention is that the cuboids of the frame components have the same thicknesses 36 and heights 34 as they are cut from a sheet of frame-material (e.g. plywood, sheets of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), sheets of fiberglass, and composite materials), having a uniform thickness so that the all frame element cuboids define the same cuboid thickness 36 and cuboid heights 34 (FIG. 2).

For one embodiment, the thickness of the frame-material is uniformed (“flat”) to within 1/32 of an inch so the thickness of the frame-material becomes the width of the frame 18 elements. Such reduces the number of cuts needed to make a frame 18 element to two cuts—length and height. Preferably, a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine is programmed to cut out the frame elements to the desired dimensions so that the frame 18 can be used to support any one of a plurality of items, such as sleeves, while maintaining a predefined “tightness” between the sleeve and the frame 18. Such precision also enhances the strength of the support apparatus 10 as explained above.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A universal support apparatus configured for mechanically associating any one of a plurality of items with a support structure, said universal support apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising frame elements including a front rail, a back rail, a left side element, a right side element, a left outer stretcher, a right outer stretcher and at least one inner stretcher where each frame element defines a cuboid with a cuboid height, cuboid thickness and a cuboid length and wherein:

(a) the outer perimeter of said front rail is equal to the outer perimeter of said back rail with each rail defining a first rail-end and an opposing second rail-end and wherein the outer perimeter of said left side element is equal to the outer perimeter of said right side element and wherein one end of said left side element is mechanically associated with said first rail-end for said front rail and wherein the opposing end of said left side element is mechanically associated with said first rail-end of said back rail and wherein one end of said right side element is mechanically associated with the second rail-end of said front rail and the opposing end of said right side element is mechanically associated with the second rail-end of said back rail so that said front rail and said back rail are parallel to each other and the left side element and right side element are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said front rail and said back rail and wherein said front rail, said back rail, said left side element and said right side element are coplanar with each other thereby defining rectangular outer frame perimeter and wherein the surfaces of said back rail and said front rail that face each other define inner-rail-surfaces;

(b) said left outer stretcher and said right outer stretcher each define a cuboid having equal outer perimeters wherein said left outer stretcher is disposed adjacent to said left side element so that one end of said left outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said back rail and the opposing end of said left outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said front rail thereby providing a gusset function and wherein said right outer stretcher is disposed adjacent to said right side element so that one end of said right outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said back rail and the opposing end of said right outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said front rail thereby providing a gusset function;

(c) said at least one inner stretcher defines a cuboid wherein each of said at least one inner stretcher is disposed inside said frame so that one end of said inner stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said back rail at a predefined stretcher-gap-distance from said left outer stretcher and the opposing end of said inner stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said front rail at said stretcher-gap-distance from said left outer stretcher thereby making said at least one inner stretcher perpendicular and coplanar to said front rail and said back rail; and

wherein the length and height of said frame elements are cut from a sheet of frame-material having a uniform thickness so that all frame element cuboids define the same cuboid thickness and the same cuboid height.

2. A universal support apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said inner surfaces of said front rail and said back rail define a dado at each inner stretcher connection point and wherein the ends of each of said at least one inner stretcher are mechanically associated with a corresponding dado so that said at least one inner stretcher is perpendicular to said front rail and said back rail.

3. A universal support apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the dado width is no more than 1/32 of an inch wider than the width of its corresponding inner stretcher.

4. A universal support apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the width of each dado is less than the width of a support surface stud.

5. A universal support apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said frame-material is at least 3 ply plywood having a thickness of between about 1 inch and ⅜ of an inch and wherein the grain of adjacent plies of said plywood are disposed perpendicular to each other.

6. A universal support apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said back rail and said front rail are longer than 18 inches and wherein the inner surface for both the front rail and said back rail define a plurality of dado points each disposed at a location where an inner stretcher is mechanically associated with said front rail and said back rail and wherein a first dado point is disposed an odd number of inches from said right side element with the remainder of said plurality of dado points each disposed an even number of inches from said first dado point.

7. A universal support apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said frame-material is a composite material.

8. A universal support apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said frame is symmetrical so that either one of the front rail or back rail may be secured to a support structure without changing the support function.

9. A universal support apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said front rail, is longer than said left side element and said left side element is longer than said at least one inner stretcher and said at least one inner stretcher is longer than said left outer stretcher.

10. A universal support apparatus configured for mechanically associating shelf with a support structure to define a floating shelf, said universal support apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising frame elements including a front rail, a back rail, a left side element, a right side element, a left outer stretcher, a right outer stretcher and a first inner stretcher where each frame element defines a cuboid having a cuboid height, cuboid length, and a cuboid width and wherein said frame elements are cut from a sheet of frame-material having a uniform thickness where the frame-material thickness defines the frame element width for all frame elements so that all frame element cuboids define the same cuboid width, and wherein:

(a) the outer perimeter of said front rail is equal to the outer perimeter of said back rail with each rail defining a first rail-end and an opposing second rail-end and wherein the outer perimeter of said left side element is equal to the outer perimeter of said right side element and wherein one end of said left side element is mechanically associated with said first rail-end for said front rail and wherein the opposing end of said left side element is mechanically associated with said first rail-end of said back rail and wherein one end of said right side element is mechanically associated with the second rail-end of said front rail and the opposing end of said right side element is mechanically associated with the second rail-end of said back rail so that said front rail and said back rail are parallel to each other and the left side element and right side element are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said front rail and said back rail and wherein said front rail, said back rail, said left side element and said right side element are coplanar with each other thereby defining rectangular outer frame perimeter and wherein the surfaces of said back rail and said front rail that face each other define inner-rail-surfaces;

(b) said left outer stretcher and said right outer stretcher each define a cuboid having equal outer perimeters wherein said left outer stretcher is disposed adjacent to said left side element so that one end of said left outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said back rail and the opposing end of said left outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said front rail thereby providing a gusset function and wherein said right outer stretcher is disposed adjacent to said right side element so that one end of said right outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said back rail and the opposing end of said right outer stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said front rail thereby providing a gusset function;

(c) said first inner stretcher defines a cuboid wherein said first inner stretcher is disposed inside said frame so that one end of said first inner stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said back rail at a predefined stretcher-gap-distance from said left outer stretcher and the opposing end of said first inner stretcher is mechanically associated with said inner surface of said front rail at said stretcher-gap-distance from said left outer stretcher thereby placing said first inner stretcher perpendicular and coplanar to said front rail and said back rail; and

(d) wherein said frame elements are cut from said frame-material so as to define a cuboid shape of predefined tolerances.

11. A universal support apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said inner surfaces of said front rail and said back rail define a dado at each inner stretcher connection point and wherein the ends of said first inner stretcher are mechanically associated with a corresponding dado so that said first inner stretcher is perpendicular to said front rail and said back rail.

12. A universal support apparatus as in claim 10, comprising a second inner stretcher wherein said inner surfaces of said front rail and said back rail define a dado at each second inner stretcher connection point and wherein the ends of each said second inner stretcher are mechanically associated with a corresponding dado so that each said inner stretcher is perpendicular to said front rail and said back rail.

13. A universal support apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the dado width is no more than 1/32 of an inch wider than the width of its corresponding inner stretcher.

14. A universal support apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the width of each dado is less than the width of a support surface stud.

15. A universal support apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said frame-material is at least 3 ply plywood having a thickness of between about 1 inch and ⅜ of an inch and wherein the grain of adjacent plies of said plywood are disposed perpendicular to each other.

16. A universal support apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said back rail and said front rail are longer than 18 inches and wherein the inner surface for both the front rail and said back rail define a plurality of dado points each disposed at a location where an inner stretcher is mechanically associated with said front rail and said back rail and wherein a first dado point is disposed an odd number of inches from said right side element with the remainder of said plurality of dado points each disposed an even number of inches from said first dado point.

17. A universal support apparatus as in claim 16, wherein said frame-material is a composite material.

18. A universal support apparatus as in claim 17, wherein said frame is symmetrical so that either one of the front rail or back rail may be secured to a support structure without changing the support function.

19. A floating shelf system comprising:

a support apparatus comprising a frame defining a cleat configured for being mechanically associated with a support structure, said frame comprising a plurality of frame elements cut from a sheet of frame-material to define the frame element heights and lengths with at least 1/32 of an inch precision and wherein said sheet has a uniform sheet thickness and wherein said sheet thickness defines the width of said frame elements; and

a sleeve defining an open box structure comprising five sides and defining an opening suitably sized to receive said frame so that said frame cannot be seen when the shelf system is installed with the frame associated with said support structure and inserted into said sleeve.

20. A floating shelf system as in claim 19, wherein said sheet thickness is between about 1 inch and ⅜ of an inch and the vertical gap between the frame and the sleeve is less than 1/16 of an inch and the horizontal gap between the frame sides and the sleeve sides is less than 1 inch.