This application claims the priority of provisional application Ser. No. 62/755608 filed on 5 Nov. 2018.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION A gravity-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 1, in the prior art, the standard method, system and apparatus 100 for supporting an object, referred to herein as a “workpiece”, 103, for example, a shelf, or a shelf-like object, a tabletop or tabletop like object, a horizontal rod, or bar, or a hanging system, is to provide at least one and up to a plurality of vertical rods, poles or legs, referred to interchangeably and generically herein as “vertical support elements”, 101a-d, each having a base element B, placed on a support surface, 104, such as the floor, and an upper terminus, U, which may coincide with the height of the workpiece 103 or may extend vertically above the workpiece, including to support additional workpieces, in similar or different fashion than is shown in FIG. 1, e.g. to form a shelving system with multiple shelves at different heights, or a table with more than one tabletop at different heights. Alone or in combination, the vertical support element(s) is/are preferably sufficiently stable and rigid to support the workpiece at a desired vertical height above the support surface, 104. The vertical support elements typically have a cross-sectional area adequate to provide adequate support to whatever load the vertical support element alone or in combination with other such elements is/are required to support, without bending, breaking or otherwise unacceptably deforming. The cross-sectional area is usually in the form of a square, rectangle, ellipse, or, most-typically, a circle, and, in some instances, combinations thereof, with a cross-sectional dimension, also referred to as an outer diameter, of say “D”. Each such vertical support element(s) 101 typically is placed on a substantially horizontal surface, such as the floor, a table, another shelf, or equivalents thereof, 104 to provide support, such that a workpiece, 103, is held aloft at a desired height. This is accomplished by affixing, to each such vertical support element, at a desired height, say h1, fixation point(s) 102a-d. In the vast majority of such systems known in the art, such as tables, shelves and the like, non-movable fixation point(s) 102a-d are provided, e.g. by providing a weld, support beam, brace, or equivalent non-movable fixation point beyond which the workpiece 103 can't descend along the vertical support structure 101a-d. On the other hand, it may be desirable to provide for facile height adjustment of the workpiece 103, and this invention provides an apparatus, system and method to achieve that objective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A gravity-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises:
a. at least one rod for substantially vertical installation, said rod having an outer diameter D;
b. at least one slider comprising a bore therethrough, said bore comprising an inner diameter slightly greater than D, such that said bore through said slider accommodates passage of said rod through said slider; and
c. at least one appendage attached or attachable to said slider, wherein said appendage extends substantially horizontally away from the point proximal to the point of attachment to said slider to a distal point of said appendage.
Methods of making and using the apparatus, device and system according to the invention are likewise disclosed, and those skilled in the art, based on this disclosure, will appreciate that equivalents, permutations and combinations of the elements described herein to compose this invention may be made without departing from the core of the invention disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 provides a representation of a prior art table, shelving unit or other
FIG. 2 provides a representation of a first embodiment of a gravity-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system according to this invention.
FIG. 3 provides a side sectional view of the gravity-lock system according to this invention, including views in FIGS. 3A-3C.
FIG. 4 provides views of one embodiment of the support structure and hardware according to this invention, including views in FIGS. 4A-4C.
FIG. 5 shows a view of a shelving unit according to this invention along with a height adjust assist device, including views in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
FIG. 6 provides a side view of a shelving and desk unit according to this invention, including views shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
FIG. 7 provides a detailed view of a shelf and support structure according to this invention, including views shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
FIG. 8 provides various embodiments of various slide elements according to this invention and various cross-sectional shapes of the slider and support rod, including views shown in FIGS. 8A-8F.
FIG. 9 provides a corner support embodiment according to this invention.
FIG. 10 provides a stand-alone shelving embodiment according to this invention.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION As opposed to the known support systems such as tables, shelving units and the like, the present invention provides a gravity-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system. With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown a representation of a first embodiment 200 of a gravity-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system according to this invention, which may be contrasted with the description of a standard, known, table, shelving unit or other support structure known in the art, as shown in FIG. 1 and described above. Salient features of the first embodiment of a gravity-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system according to this invention include the following:
The gravity-lock, also referred to herein as a slide-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system 200 for supporting an object, referred to herein as a “workpiece”, 203, for example, a shelf, or a shelf-like object, a tabletop or tabletop like object, a horizontal rod, or bar, or a hanging system, is to provide at least one and up to a plurality of vertical rods, poles or legs, referred to interchangeably and generically herein as “vertical support elements”, 201a-b, each having a base element B, placed on a support surface, 204, such as the floor, and an upper terminus, U, which may coincide with the height of the workpiece 203 or may extend vertically above the workpiece, including to support additional workpieces, in similar or different fashion than is shown in FIG. 1, e.g. to form a shelving system with multiple shelves at different heights, or a table with more than one tabletop at different heights. The base element may be simply the terminus of the vertical support element, or the base may provide a free-standing capacity by including, for example, a heavy weight, as in lead, a concrete base, an X configuration support base or any other free-standing base now know or which hereinafter comes to be known. Alone or in combination, the vertical support element(s) is/are preferably sufficiently stable and rigid to support the workpiece at a desired vertical height above the support surface, 204. The vertical support elements typically have a cross-sectional area adequate to provide adequate support to whatever load the vertical support element alone or in combination with other such elements is/are required to support, without bending, breaking or otherwise unacceptably deforming. The cross-sectional area is usually in the form of a square, rectangle, ellipse, or, most-typically, a circle, and, in some instances, combinations thereof, with a cross-sectional dimension, also referred to as an outer diameter, of say “D”. Each such vertical support element(s) 201 typically is placed on a substantially horizontal surface, such as the floor, a table, another shelf, or equivalents thereof, 204 to provide support, such that a workpiece, 203, is held aloft at a desired height. This is accomplished by affixing, to each such vertical support element, at a desired height, say hl, moveable fixation point(s) 202a-b are provided which provide facile height adjustment of the workpiece 203 to a desired height.
In a first embodiment according to this invention, the gravity-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system comprises:
a. at least one rod 102 for substantially vertical installation, said rod having an outer diameter D;
b. at least one slider 202 comprising a bore 206 therethrough, said bore comprising an inner diameter slightly greater than D, such that said bore through said slider accommodates passage of said rod 102 through said slider; and
c. at least one appendage 210 attached or attachable to said slider, wherein said appendage extends substantially horizontally away from the point proximal the point of attachment to said slider to a distal point of said appendage.
With reference to FIG. 2, and the detail shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the system, and in particular, the gravity-lock, height-adjustable feature according to this invention may be best understood by appreciating that, for example, in the system depicted in FIG. 2, sliders 202a and 202b each have the ability to slide, unimpeded, upward or downward, over rods 201a and 201b respectively, so long as the distal point of said appendage 210a is supported by a user of the system, as shown by the upward arrow in detail FIG. 3A. However, as soon as a user of the system desists from supporting the distal point of said appendage 210a, the proximal point of attachment, due to the weight of the appendage itself, and particularly if a shelf, weight, or other workpiece 203 is placed thereupon, slide 202a immediately bites into the vertical support element 201 due to the asymmetric distribution of force, as shown in FIG. 3B, preventing the appendage and any workpiece resting thereon from sliding down the vertical support element 201a. However, to again re-adjust the height of the appendage 210a, and the vertical position of any workpiece 203 along the vertical support element 201a, all that is required is to neutralize the asymmetry of the downward force on the appendage, e.g. by removing the weight of any workpiece, 203, resting thereon, either by removing the workpiece and sliding the slider 202a, or by simply providing sufficient upward pressure/force, as shown in FIG. 3A, to again allow the slider 202a to move freely up and down the rod, shaft, or like vertical support element 201a.
Preferably, vertical support elements 201, and sliders 202 are composed of a durable metal, such as steel, iron, aluminum, or various alloys known in the art. Various plastics or other materials may likewise be amenable to use for preparing the device, apparatus, system and method of this invention, provided the materials are adequate to achieve the operational principles defined herein.
In addition to the gravity-lock, height-adjustment mechanism, described herein above in connection with height adjustment of a workpiece 203a, additional features of one embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 as follows:
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, only two vertical support elements 201a-b are depicted because, according to this embodiment of the invention, vertical support elements 201c-d are not needed, as a vertical wall or other element (see below) provides an additional support surface. In fact, utilizing the arrangement as shown in FIG. 2, in this particular embodiment, the appendages 210a and 210b are fixed to the slider 202a and 202b respectively, either by being connected thereto by mechanical means, such as by screws, bolts, or the like, or by being unitary therewith, as in being welded thereto, or being cast in a single unit in a metal mold, or in a plastic injection molding system, or by like means or using other materials known in the art. Each appendage 210 performs at least the following three functions: (a) it supports a workpiece, e.g. a shelf such as 203; (b) with the weight of the appendage itself 210 and in particular with the workpiece 203 supported thereon, it locks in place at a height set by the user along a vertical support member 202; and (c) it provides a spacer function such that when abutted against a wall, e.g. 205 which is disposed at substantially right angles to a support structure, 204, such as the floor, then the vertical support element is held in vertical orientation, the workpiece is held aloft by the locking of the slider 202 and the entire shelf, table, or similar system is kept in vertical alignment by the appendages 210. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each appendage 210 is in the form of a triangular element, with one vertex thereof affixed to the slider 202, and a straight edge between the other two vertices being disposed flat against a wall. Of course, the appendage(s) may be in the form of any desirable/workable shape, triangles being one preferred shape. A square, rectangular or other shaped appendage would likewise provide the desirable/necessary spacing function, as would even a simple rod. However, what is desirable about the triangular embodiment is the ability to spare materials and costs, while providing adequate support to a workpiece 203, a fixed point of attachment to each slider 202 and a flat stable surface for support against a wall.
Those skilled in the art, apprised of the foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention described thus far, will appreciate the following combinations, permutations, and equivalents thereof likewise come within the scope of the invention disclosed and claimed herein.
Each slider 202 may be equipped with an anti-slide lock, to lock the slider in place along the vertical support element 201. Such anti-slide lock mechanism may include any such mechanism now known or which hereafter comes to be known. Examples of such lock mechanisms which would be amenable for use in this respect include, without being limiting, at least the following options: wing-nuts/winged screws which can be easily hand turned into a threaded bore in each slider such that when advanced sufficiently, the wing nut/screw point is advanced through the body of said slider to impinge on the vertical support element 201 to prevent sliding thereover. Bolts, spring clips and the like known in the art may likewise be utilized for this purpose, as could spring-loaded pins within each slider which can mate with and lock into notches, grooves, indents or the like in said vertical support element(s) 201 to prevent sliding motion. While not required, inclusion of an anti-slide lock mechanism may be included to aid in ease of assembly and comfort following assembly that undesired sliding will not occur.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that to make the device, apparatus, and system of this invention, all that is required is manufacture of the various elements described herein. Of particular interest are a series of fixtures which are desirable for use in manufacture and assembly of the apparatus and system, of this invention. Embodiments of such fixtures are next disclosed and described, with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of a first fixture element 400 is formed, in combination, from housing 401a and 401b, wherein 401a and 401b may each be separately manufactured and then joined to each other to form a unitary fixture 400, or, even more preferably, 401a and 401b are manufactured as a unitary element, for example, by methods well known in the art, including via the machining of a workpiece, injection molding, additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D printing), or other equivalent methods known in the art. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4A is formed as a unitary fixture 400, comprising, within said fixture, bores 402a and 402b, into which the termini of a first connecting rod (see FIG. 4C, 601a) are inserted. The terminus of each such rod of appropriate diameter to fit into the proximal end of each said bore 402a and 402b, as indicated in the figure, with the distal end of each such bore either being open, as shown, or optionally, the distal end may be open or sealed during the manufacturing process to prevent each rod inserted into each bore 402a and 402b from extending beyond the distal end of each bore. Also shown in FIG. 4A are a pair of threaded ports 403a and 403b, into which threaded plugs (not shown) may be driven once the rods are inserted into each bore 402a and 402b to thereby lock each rod into place and prevent removal thereof. It should be noted that the relative angular orientation 404 of housing 401a and 401b with respect to each other defines the orientation of each bore 402a and 402b and, likewise, therefore, the direction in which each rod is oriented as it emerges from each bore 402a and 402b. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the relative angular orientation 404 of each housing 401a and 401b with respect to each other may be defined at will to achieve any desired relative direction for each rod, such that any angle from zero degrees to ninety degrees would have application in varying embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate from this disclosure that the fixture 400 may comprise, in addition to the housings 401a and 401b, additional housings and bores as needed to accomplish any of a wide number of different configurations to achieve the objectives of the present invention.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, two fixtures 400 are used with a rod inserted into each bore 401a and 401b, as described herein above. By appropriately defining the angular orientation 404 for each such fixture 400, the distal end of one rod emerging from housing 401a in a first fixture 400 is oriented to fit into bore 401a of a second such fixture 400, and each rod emerging from bore 401b defined in each such fixture 400 is oriented and fit into receiving bores 504a and 504b defined in housings 503a and 503b defined in fixture 500.
Fixture 500 represents one possible embodiment of the slider element 202 described herein above, is used when a triangular support structure according to this invention is desired to be formed. In this embodiment of fixture 500 the following elements are included: housing 501 comprising bore 502 running therethrough, having the function of bore 206 described herein above, which is unitary with is connected with housing 503a and 503b, each of which has a bore 504a and 504b defined therein to receive rods emerging from fixture(s) 400, as described above. By appropriately defining the relative angular orientation 504c of each housing 503a and 503b with respect to each other and upon and about said housing 501, the orientation of each bore 504a and 504b is likewise defined. Thus, by appropriately choosing angular orientations 404 and 504c with respect to each other, by fixing the proximal end of each such rod into bores 401a of two fixtures 400, as described above, thereby connecting the two fixture 400 to each other, and by inserting the distal ends of each rod emerging from each bore 401b in each fixture 400 into receiving bores 504a and 504b defined in housings 503a and 503b in fixture 500, a substantially triangular support structure, such as 210a and 210b is thereby constructed. Threaded screw receptacles 505a and 505b are provided to lock down each connecting rod once properly seated within each bore 504a and 504b, and threaded screw receptacle 505c is provided to lock the slider element 202 of fixture 500 in place, if desired, to prevent the slider from moving along a vertical support element 201 once the support structure has been situated at a desired height along such vertical support element 201.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that substantially triangular support structures comprising all of the elements described herein above, including connecting rods, two fixtures 400 and fixture 500 comprising the slider element 202, may be manufactured as a single unitary structure by methods well known in the art, including injection molding, additive manufacturing, and the like. In a kit embodiment of the invention, a support structure as described above, may be provided in component parts, as described above, or as pre-assembled or unitary structures.
In FIG. 5C, the triangular support structure 600 is shown, comprising the above described elements, namely two 400 fixtures and one 500 fixture, and three connecting rods 601a, 601b, and 601c. The apex of the triangle forms the slider element while the connecting rod 601a opposite the apex is leaned against a support structure 205 such as a wall. When two such support structures, 600, are each oriented along a vertical support element 201 passing through bore 502 of each slider element, then two points of support at equal height along vertical support elements each provides a support surface, as shown in FIG. 2, to support, for example, a workpiece, 203, such as a shelf. Adjustment of height of each such support element 600, as discussed above, is as simple as providing sufficient upward force to relieve the gravity-lock at the slider 202 such that the slider 202 can then be freely moved up or down the vertical support element 201 to a desired height at each side of the workpiece 203 to define a level support surface. Of course, if threaded lock-screws are used to lock the support element 600 into place at a defined vertical height along a support rod, loosening of the lock screw is required before adjusting the height.
Having now generally described one embodiment of the invention herein above, with reference to FIGS. 2-4 and in contrast to the standard arrangement known in the art, as depicted in FIG. 1, several structures which may be assembled, along with alternate embodiments and variations on the themes described herein above are exemplified herein below.
In FIG. 5A, a shelving unit 700 utilizing the elements and principles described herein above is depicted, comprising two free-standing vertical support elements 702 each passing through the slider component of each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structures 703a-c which, in combination, support, as shown in this embodiment, three workpieces, such as a desk surface 701a, and two shelves 701b-c. Each vertical support element 702 also passes through bores in the table surface 703a provided for that purpose and may likewise pass through each shelf 703b-c but need not do so due to the lighter load and narrower width of those elements as compared to a table surface such as 701a. Each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 703a-c is easily repositioned along each vertical support element 702 to a desired height, where, as soon as the weight of the workpiece, i.e. as shown the figure, the desk surface 701a, and the shelves 702b-c, the weight of the workpiece causes the slider to bite into each vertical support element 702 as described herein above, thereby preventing displacement downward of the slider elements and the workpieces being supported on each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 703a-c. Again, for added stability and to ensure that no sliding occurs, each slider is optionally but preferably also provided with a position locking mechanism, including, for example, with set-screws, thumb screws, clamps, pins, bolts, and any equivalent thereof known in the art or which hereafter comes to be known for providing the positional locking function required to prevent slippage of any of the horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structures 703a-c. Surprisingly, once fully assembled, the entire structure 700 with each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 703a-c leaning against a solid support, such as a wall, is stable, even though vertical support elements 702 are and said horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structures 703a-c are not bolted to the floor or the wall. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these elements may indeed be bolted in place and such bolting and such an apparatus falls within the ambit of this patent disclosure or the appended claims.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate, based on the foregoing description of the invention, that when fully laden, a workpiece, e.g. the table surface 701a, or the shelves 701b-c, even when any bolt or set screw or other location fixation device is released, it may be difficult to lift the distal end of each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 703a-c due to the gravity defined force counteracting any such movement. To avoid the need to completely remove any objects from the desk top or shelf surface in order to move the workpiece up or down, a simple screw threaded lifting device, operating in a manner similar to a car jack, for example, or any other form of threaded or ratcheting load lifting device may be implemented. For example, in FIG. 5B, there is shown such a lifting device 750 adapted to perform this function, comprising a base 751 and a top surface 752 with, intermediate said base and said top surface, a threaded expanding mid-section 753, such that, for example, upon clockwise rotation of lever arm 754, the distance between said base 751 and said top surface 752 is increased and counterclockwise rotation of lever arm 754 causes intermediate section 753 to retract in size, such that the distance between said base 751 and said top surface 752 is decreased. Thus, for example, in the event the vertical distance between said desk surface 703a and said shelf 703b is desired to be decreased, without removal of e.g. heavy items or a plurality of items, such as books and the like, placed on shelf 703b, then, to accommodate repositioning of shelf 703b, the lifting device 750 is placed on said desk surface 701a toward the rear distal edge thereof (with respect to the viewer positioned to look at the structure from the same vantage point as shown in the figure). The lifting device is caused to expand by clockwise rotation of the lever arm 754 to make contact with the undersurface of the distal edge of the shelf 703b while supported at the base 751 by the table surface 701a. This causes the sliders included in each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 703b to release their bite into each vertical support element 702, and the lifting device 750 is then reduced in size by counterclockwise rotation of said lever arm 754, thereby reducing the distance between said desk surface 703a and said shelf 703b. Of course, in the event that it is desired to increase the distance between said desk surface 703a and said shelf 703b, then, in that event, the lifting device is caused to expand by clockwise rotation of the lever arm 754 to make contact with the undersurface of the distal edge of the shelf 703b while supported at the base 751 by the table surface 701a, causing the sliders included in each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 703b to release their bite into each vertical support element 702. The lifting device 750 is increased in size by clockwise rotation of said lever arm 754, thereby increasing the distance between said desk surface 703a and said shelf 703b.
In FIG. 6A, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of a shelving and desk system 800 of this invention, similar to that shown in frontal view in FIG. 5 of embodiment 700. The apparatus 800 is shown supported by a vertical support structure shown in outline, such as a wall, 810, and by a floor or other support, shown in outline 811. In this embodiment, a plurality of shelves 801a-f, are provided, each with its own pair of horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure comprising gravity-lock sliders. In this embodiment, shelf 801e is shown as a table top with an additional pair of vertical support elements 802a-b on either end thereof, to support the additional weight of the table-top 801e, by virtue of the additional horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structures 803. It is also a feature of this embodiment that only horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 801f is in direct contact with a supporting structure such as a wall, shown in outline 810. Such an arrangement facilitates repositioning of shelves 801a-e as each such shelf element and each horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 801a-e may be repositioned without frictional interference or load bearing impedance of vertical movement of each such horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 801a-e which would result if each such element were leaning against the wall or other support structure. Of course, as additional load is added to each workpiece, vertical elements 804 may bend slightly, until contact with support wall 810 may occur. In that event, some load may need to be removed from the workpieces to facilitate repositioning of the workpieces vertically along vertical support elements 804.
In FIG. 6B, there is shown an alternate structural embodiment of the elements shown in FIG. 6A defined by elements 802a and 803. In this embodiment, shown in end-on view and side view of only one side of the support elements 802a, without showing the second side support element 802b, there is shown the same vertical support element 802a as in FIG. 6A, and a functionally similar horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 803′ but in this embodiment, the horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure 803′ is fitted into a sleeve 806 which, as can be seen in the end-on view is unitary with a gravity-lock slider 805, and affixed, e.g. by welding screw clamping, thumb screws, or the like to the horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structures 803′. Use of this embodiment of a support structure is useful in any of the embodiments shown herein where greater load supporting strength is desired or required.
In FIG. 7, one of the simplest embodiments 900 of this invention is shown from a top down view in FIG. 7A and from a side view in FIG. 7B. In this embodiment, the apparatus 900 comprises a single vertical support rod 903 resting on the floor 902. The vertical support rod 903 passes through the slider 904 portion of a single horizontally oriented gravity-lock support structure 905 which has a connecting rod 906 which rests against a vertical support structure, such as a wall, 901. A workpiece, 907, such as a shelf or table top, is shown in outline in FIG. 7A so as to not obscure the other above described elements of this embodiment of the invention, while in FIG. 7A, the workpiece 907 is shown as a solid element on which other objects may be placed. As with the other embodiments of this invention described herein above, adjusting the height of the of the workpiece 907 and horizontally-oriented, gravity-lock support structure 905 is accomplished just as described for the other embodiments described herein above.
Lest it be misunderstood from the foregoing description that a triangle is the only contemplated geometry for a horizontally-oriented gravity-lock support structure according to this invention, presented in FIG. 8A-E are variations on this theme, showing, in each, a gravity-lock support structure 1000, each comprising a slide-lock element 1001, and, affixed thereto, in the case of FIG. 8A, a cross bar affixed to two prongs, in FIG. 8B a square, each of which operates in much the same fashion as does the triangular embodiment of this element. In FIG. 8C a single rod projects from the slider-lock element 1001, permitting the easy hanging of stirrups, brushes, rope, hosepipes, clothing, hats, or any other workpiece or a height adjustable bar over which, for example, a dog or other small animal may be trained to jump over; in FIG. 8D, a broad support surface which, in horizontal profile, preferably comprises a convex shape as viewed end-on, so that it comfortably supports, for example, a horse riding saddle and in FIG. 8E a cup or receptacle for holding loose objects is defined. Diamond shapes, rectangles, ovals, circles and the like are all possible configurations, as are containers, as in rectangular boxes or other receptacles, and those skilled in the art will understand that there is no particular limitation on the nature of the appendage affixed to the gravity assisted slide-lock element 1001 according to this invention. It should also be understood, from FIG. 8 F, that the cross-sectional shape of the slider element e.g. 202, may be almost any shape, provided the cross-sectional shape of the support rod, e.g. 201, substantially match each other, such that matching circular, elliptical, square, triangular, star or the like shaped slider and rod cross-sectional morphologies may be used, without departing from the essence of the present invention.
In FIG. 9, there is shown yet a further embodiment 1100 of a slide-lock element according to this invention specifically adapted for providing additional support to abutting workpieces, as in shelving, for example, where the abutting pieces come together to form, for example, a corner of a shelving unit. In embodiment 1100, corner portions of two shelves 1101 and 1102 are depicted in outline to reveal the underlying support structure, viewed from above, without showing the standard support structure, described above, at the opposite termini of each workpiece, each of which is shown to be truncated by a wavy line. As in the embodiments described herein above, in this embodiment, there is provided a vertical support rod 1103 over which rides a gravity-assist, sliding-lock according to this invention, 1104, to which are attached a pair of support prongs 1105 to support the corner portion of workpiece 1101, while, likewise, at substantially right angles to support prongs 1105, a pair of support prongs 1106 are provided to support the corner portion of workpiece 1102. Of course, the pair of prongs depicted in this embodiment cold also be in the form of squares, rectangles, triangles or the like, but to accommodate tight quarters, for this particular application, a pair of prongs may be selected as a preferred support structure embodiment.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, there is shown in FIG. 10 a free-standing apparatus 1200 according to this invention in which there is shown a free-standing shelving unit in which a base is defined by a solid triangular support 1201 comprising stable footplates 1202a-c to support the stability of the structure. Also shown is a solid triangular top structure 1203 to support structural rigidity to the remaining elements of the apparatus. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, of course, that the shape of each of the elements described here may be other than triangular—square structures, rectangular structures and the like are easily accommodated by making appropriate modifications to the design, which those skilled in the art are enabled to achieve based on the present detailed description of the invention. For example, in the event of square support structure geometry, rather than triangular, the following description is modified by arranging for two vertical support structures, each bearing sliders for square support structures, while the remaining principles described below for the triangular support structures still applies. The base 1201 and the top structure 1203 are rigidly connected to each other by three vertical rods 1204a-c. Intermediate said base 1201 and said top structures 1203 are provided, in this embodiment, two gravity-locks/slide-locks 1205a-b are provided with triangular support structures 1206a-b affixed thereto. The cross bar 1207a-b of each triangular support structure optionally makes contact with vertical support elements 1204a and 1204b but that is not required, and the height adjustment of the slide-locks 1205a-b is achieved just as for the other embodiments of the invention described herein above.
Having generally and specifically described various embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles and structures disclosed herein may be varied to produce a wide variety of support structures comprising various permutations and combinations of the elements described herein above with respect to particular embodiments. For example, the self-standing unit 1200 may be combined with the desk and shelving unit 700 shown in FIG. 5 or the unit 800 shown in FIG. 6.
Accordingly, the scope of this invention should be understood from the scope of the claims which follow, and not the specifics of any particular embodiment shown herein. Thus, in essence, the present invention includes a gravity-lock/slide-lock, height-adjustable shelving, object support and hanging system, as described herein above. Such a system preferably includes at least one rod for substantially vertical installation, having an outer diameter A, and at least one slider comprising a bore having an inner diameter slightly greater than A, such that the bore through the slider accommodates passage of the rod through the slider, and at least one appendage attached or attachable to the slider such that the appendage extends substantially horizontally from the point of attachment to the slider. Various embodiments of the appendages to the slide-lock support structures of this invention include prongs, triangles, squares, concave supports, receptacles and the like. Equivalents of the various elements of this invention which would occur to one skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure are likewise considered to fall within the scope of the present claims, as do kits containing elements of the present invention which are supplied for assembly and installation by an end user, purchaser or consumer. Methods of making the various elements and embodiments described herein are also considered to come within the scope of the present invention, as defined in the claims which follow.
