EXPANDABLE SHELF FOR DISPLAYING ITEMS

Abstract

An expandable shelf for displaying desired items. The expandable shelf comprises a main shelf, a first slidable end shelf which engages with a first end of the main shelf and a second slidable end shelf which engages with an opposed second end of the main shelf. A pair of brackets facilitate supporting the expandable shelf on a display stand. The main shelf has female members and the first and the second slidable shelves each having mating male members. The male members engage with the female members to permit each of the first slidable shelf and the second slidable shelf to move, relative to the main shelf, and thereby adjust an overall length of the expandable shelf.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expandable shelf for displaying a variety of items, goods, products and/or packaging of a merchant or vender; the expandable shelf has both a collapsed position and an expanded position and the expandable shelf is ready expandable by moving either the first and/or the second slidable end shelves, relative to the stationary main shelf, into its/their expanded positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional store shelving is typically designed to arrange a product, an item, etc., in a horizontal display format, Existing store shelving includes metal shelves, hooking onto vertical uprights, known as standards, that have a series of punched slots in which mating hooks, attached to the metal shelves, are engaged. This is similar to conventional wall type bookshelves. The shelves extend perpendicular to a back wall of a gondola and are typically adjustable vertically in steps within the range of approximately 1 to 2½ inches per step, depending upon the vertical spacing of the punched slots in the standards. The conventional shelves have a depth which ranges from approximately 16 to 26 inches, for example.

One problem arises when a product is being promoted, e.g., is on “sale.” In such instance, it is desired to have a larger than normal quantity of the product on display, Conventionally, this increased quantity is accommodated by using shelves of greater depth, spreading the display horizontally in the unlikely event that such space is available, and by stacking large cartons of the product in the aisle space near the shelved display. It is to be appreciated that shopping carts may have difficulty in negotiating such randomly obstructed aisles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable shelf which can readily be increased in length to accommodate the displaying of additional products, items, packaging, etc., of a merchant or some other vendor.

A further object of the present invention is to form an expandable shelf which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is readily easy to modify, e.g., expand or collapse, the overall length of the expandable shelf.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shelf stop system which prevents the slidable end shelves from being inadvertently completely withdrawn and removed from the main shelf by a user.

The present invention also relates to an expandable shelf for displaying desired items comprising: a main shelf; a first slidable end shelf for engaging with a first end of the main shelf; a second slidable end shelf for engaging with an opposed second end of the main shelf; a pair of brackets for supporting the expandable shelf on a display stand; the main shelf having female members and the first and the second slidable shelves each having mating male members, and the male members engage with the female members to permit each of the first slidable shelf and the second slidable shelf to move, relative to the main shelf, and thereby adjust an overall length of the expandable shelf.

The present invention also relates to a method of displaying desired items on an expandable shelf, the method comprising: forming a main shelf from metal; forming a first slidable end shelf from metal for engaging with a first end of the main shelf; forming a second slidable end shelf from metal for engaging with an opposed second end of the main shelf; forming a pair of brackets for supporting the expandable shelf on a display stand; providing the main shelf with female members and providing the first and the second slidable shelves with mating male members; and engaging the male members with the female members so as to permit each of the first slidable shelf and the second slidable shelf to move, relative to the main shelf, and thereby adjust an overall length of the expandable shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a display stand incorporating expandable shelving according to the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a right-sided elevational view of the display stand of Hg. 1;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an extendable shelf, according to the disclosure, showing the right and left slidable end shelves separated from the main shelf;

FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the expandable shelf of FIG. 2A, following assembly of the first and the second slidable end shelves with the main shelf and arranged in the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 2C is a front elevational view of the expandable shelf of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2D is a right side elevational view of the expandable shelf of FIG. 2B supported by a bracket;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an extendable shelf, according to the disclosure, shown in its expanded configuration;

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the expandable shelf of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a front elevational view of the expandable shelf of FIG. 3B supported by a bracket;

FIG. 3D is a right inside elevational view of the expandable shelf of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A is a front elevational view of a section of an elongate female channel;

FIG. 43 is a right side elevational view of the elongate female channel of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the main shelf, prior to bending and installation of the female channels;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the main shelf after bending, but prior to installation of the female channels;

FIG. 5C is an exploded perspective view of the main shelf following bending and showing the locations for installing the elongate female channels and the pair of mounting brackets;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a mating male channel;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the mating male channel of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the first slidable end shelf, prior to bending and installation of the mating male channel, with the left slidable end shelf being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 7B is a bottom perspective view of the first slidable end shelf, following bending but prior to installation of the mating male channel;

FIG. 7C is a top plan view of the first slidable end shelf, following bending and installation of the mating male channel;

FIG. 7D is a side elevational view of the left slidable end shelf of FIG. 7C;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a shelf end stop member;

FIG. 8B is side elevational view of the shelf end stop member;

FIG. 9A is a front elevational view of a bracket, in its originally fabricated state, for releasably securing the extendable shelf to the display stand;

FIG. 9B is a front elevational view of a bracket, following bending of the pair of securing tabs, for releasably securing the extendable shelf to the display stand;

FIG. 9C is a front end view of the first slidable end shelf of FIG. 9B, following bending of the pair of securing tabs.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated diagrammatical and in partial views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of this disclosure or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood by reference to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detailed description of various embodiments is by way of example only and is not meant to limit, in any way, the scope of the present invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a brief description concerning the various components of the present invention will now be briefly discussed. As can be seen in this embodiment, the present invention relates to a display stand 2 for displaying the desired items, goods, products, packaging, etc., (not shown in detail) of a merchant or some other vendor to consumers. The display stand 2 generally comprises a framework 4 which comprises at least two spaced apart horizontal legs 6 and at least two vertically extending supports 8 which extend generally normal to the horizontal legs 6. The horizontal leas 6 extend parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another.

A front surface of each one of the two vertically extending supports 8 has a plurality of sequentially arranged and spaced apart slots 10 which are arranged so as to receive mating legs of a pair of brackets 12 and facilitate connection of an expandable shelf 14 to the vertical supports 8 of the framework 4, in a conventional manner. A fixed display 16 may be supported at the top of the framework 4 of the display stand 2. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 13, the display stand 2 can typically accommodate five, or possibly more or less, vertically space apart expandable shelves 14.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-20, a brief discussion concerning of the various components of the expandable shelf 14, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and according to the disclosure, will first now be provided and this will be followed by a more detail discussion of the various components of the expandable shelf 14.

As shown in FIG. 2A for example, the expandable shelf 14 generally comprises a central main shelf 16, a first (left) slidable end shelf 18 and a second (right) slidable end shelf 20. The outwardly facing front longitudinal side of the main shelf 16 supports a first section of an elongate female channel 22 which typically extends along the entire length of the front wall 28 (see FIG. 53) of the main shelf 16. In addition, the outwardly facing longitudinal rear wall 30 of the main shelf 16 supports substantially identical, but shorter, second and third sections of female channels 24, 26 which are each spaced apart from one another and typically supported adjacent opposed end portions of the rear wall 30 of the main shelf 16.

The two opposed leading ends of the mating male channel 32 of the first slidable end shelf 18 are matingly received by adjacent ends of the first and the second sections of the female channels 22, 24 while the two opposed leading ends of the mating male channel 32 of the second slidable end shelf 20 are matingly received by adjacent ends of the first and the third female channels 22, 26, and a further discussion concerning the first slidable end shelf 18, the second slidable end shelf 20 the three sections of the female channels 22, 24, 26 and the mating male channels 32 will be provided below.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a brief discussion concerning the first, the second and the third sections of the female channel 22, 24, 26 will now be provided. Each one of the female channels 22, 24, 26 is typically manufactured from metal. The first section of the female channel 22 typically has a length of between 8 inches and 60 inches or more and a height of about 1½ inches, for example. The second and the third sections of the female channel 24, 26 typically have a length of about 12±5 and a height of about 1½ inches, for example. As shown in FIG. 4B, the opposed ends of the female channel 22, 24, 26 are bent toward one another, at an angle of about 40±15 degrees so as to form a partially enclosed internal cavity 34 which is designed to captively receive and retain therein a leading portion of the mating male channel 32, of either the first or the second slidable end shelf 18, 20, as will be discussed below in further detail, while still permitting sliding movement of the mating male channel 32 relative to the female channel 22, 24, 26.

Now turning to FIGS. 5A-5C, a brief discussion concerning the main shelf 16 will now be provided. As shown in FIG. 5A, the main shelf 16 generally comprises a grid work of relatively thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36, e.g., which have a wire gauge of between 16 guage (0.051 inches) and 5/16 inches, typically about 12 guage wire (0.081 inches) and relatively thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38, e.g., which have a wire gauge of between 2 guage (0.258 inches) and 5/16 inches, typically about 8 guage wire (0.128 inches). A plurality of spaced apart thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38 extend substantially parallel to one another in a first (longitudinal) direction of the main shelf 16 while a plurality of spaced apart thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36 extend substantially parallel to one another in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, so as to form a grid, as generally shown in FIG. 5A. A braze, a weld, a solder, etc., is typically provided at each one of the intersections of the thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38 with the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36 so as to thereby form a rigid rectangular structure 40.

As best shown in FIG. 5A, a perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 extends around the entire perimeter of the formed rectangular grid to enclosed the boundary of the rigid rectangular structure 40. The perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 is somewhat thicker than the thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38, e.g., the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 has a thickness of between 0.325 inches and 0.190 inches, typically about 3.5 gunge wire (0.231 inches). The opposed ends of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 are aligned with and directly abut against one another. The abutting ends are one of butt welded, brazed, soldered, etc., together, i.e., end-to-end, in a conventional manner. In addition, each free end of the thicker longitudinal and the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 38, 36, which abut against or contact a portion of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42, are similarly brazed, welded, soldered, etc., to the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 in a conventional manner.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5A, first and second longitudinal channel support metallic rods or wires 44, 46 are respectively brazed, welded, soldered, etc., to the end portions of the transverse metallic rods or wires 36. The first and second longitudinal channel support metallic rods or wires 44, 46 are typically spaced from a longitudinal section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 by a distance of about 1 3/16 inches and thereby complete formation of the rigid rectangular structure 40. The longitudinal channel support metallic rods or wires 44, 46 extend parallel to longitudinal sides of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 as well as parallel to one another. The longitudinal channel support metallic rods or wires 44, 46 typically have the same diameter as the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 but normally terminate just prior to engaging or contacting with a transverse section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42. The longitudinal channel support metallic rods or wires 44, 46 assist with permanently securing a section of one of the first, the second or the third sections of the female channel 22, 24, 26 to the main shelf 16, as will be discussed below in further detail.

Following assembly of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and the first and second longitudinal channel support metallic rods or wires 44, 46 to the grid, a longitudinal front edge of the rectangular rigid structure, e.g., about a 1¾ to 2 inches of the front edge, is then bent 90 degrees with respect to a remainder of the rigid rectangular structure 40 so as to form the front wall 28 of the main shelf 16 (see FIG. 5B). Similarly a longitudinal rear edge of the rectangular rigid structure, e.g., about a 1¾ to 2 inches of the rear edge, is also bent 90 degrees with respect to a remainder of the rigid rectangular structure 40 so as to form the rear wall 30 of the main shelf 16.

Next, a rear surface of a first section of the female channel 22 is then permanently secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to both the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and the first longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire 44, As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the first section of the female channel 22 generally extends along the entire length of the outwardly facing front wall 28 of the main shelf 16 and a top edge of the first section of the female channel 22 is generally flush with a top edge of the front wall 28 of the main shelf 16.

A rear surface of a second section of the female channel 24 is then permanently secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to both the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and a first section of the second longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire 46 adjacent a first end of the outwardly facing rear side wall of the main shelf 16. Similarly, a rear surface of a third section of the female channel 26 is then secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 and a second section of the second longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire 46 adjacent an opposite second end of the outwardly facing rear side wall of the main shelf 16. A top edge of each of the second and the third sections of the female channel 24, 26 are generally flush with a top edge of the rear wall 30 of the main shelf 16. Following formation of the front and the rear walls 28, 30 and installation of the three sections of the female channels 22, 24, 26 thereto, the main shelf 16 has a width of between 15 and 30 inches, typically about 17 1/32 inches. In addition, the main shelf 16 typically has a longitudinal length of about either 24 inches, 36 inches, 48 inches, 60 inches or more, depending upon the particular application.

The thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38 of the main shelf 16 are normally spaced apart from one another by a distance of between 1 inch and 10 inches, typically spaced apart from one another by a distance of about 3⅜ inches, while the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36 are normally spaced apart from one another by a distance of between 0.5 inches and 5.0 inches, typically spaced apart from one another by a distance of about 1¾ inches. Following fabrication of the main shelf 16, the thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38 are typically located vertically above the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36, but it is to be appreciated that, for some applications, the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36 may be located vertically above the thicker longitudinal metallic rods or wires 38.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a brief description concerning the mating male channel 32 will now be provided. The mating male channel 32 is typically manufactured from metal. As shown in these Figures, the mating male channel 32 generally has a straight base section 48 and first and second straight side sections 50, 52 with a respective 90 degree curved bend formed between the straight base section 48 and each of the first and the second straight side sections 50, 52. A leading end of the first straight side section 50 is shaped and sized to slidably engage with and be captively received and retained by the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of the first section of the female channel 22 while the second straight side section 52 is also shaped and sized to slidably engage with and be captively received and retained by the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of either the second or the third section of the female channel 24, 26. If desired, each leading end of the first and the second straight side sections 52 may be chamfered or tapered to assist with insertion of the respective straight side sections 52 into the enclosed internal cavity 34 of the first, the second or the third sections of the female channel 22, 24, 26. A further detail discussion concerning the function of the mating male channel 32 will become apparent from the following description.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A-7C, a brief description concerning the first slidable end shelf 18 will first be provided and it is to be appreciated that such description is also applicable to the second ridable end shelf 20. As generally shown in these Figures, the first slidable end shelf 18 is formed by first fabricating a plurality of identical U-shaped relatively thin metallic rods or wires 58. Each one of the plurality of U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 typically has the same diameter as the relatively thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36, e.g., having a wire gauge of between 16 guage (0.051 inches) and 5/16 inches, typically about 12 guage wire (0.081 inches), but may possibly be either larger or smaller in diameter, depending upon the particular application. As shown, seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 are arranged so as to all extend parallel to but be spaced apart from one another by a distance of about 1±¼ inch, typically spaced apart from one another by a distance of about 15/16 of an inch, Each one of the U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 typically has a longitudinal length of about 10±5 inches, typically a longitudinal length of about 11 13/32 inches. The free ends 60 of the U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 are spaced apart from one by a distance of about 1¼±½ inches.

A single transverse shelf metallic rod or wire 62 extends transversely across and vertically below each one of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, as shown in FIG. 7A, adjacent but spaced a few inches away from the free ends 60 of the U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58. A braze, a weld, a solder, etc., is typically formed at the intersection of each one of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 with the single transverse shelf metallic rod or wire 62 so as to form a relative rigid slidable end shelf structure 64.

Thereafter, the free ends 60 of each of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, e.g., about 1¾ to 2 inches of the free ends of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, are bent slightly greater than 90 degrees, e.g., bent at an angle of about 91-95 degrees for example, with respect to a remainder of the U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 so as to partially form an end wall 66 of the first slidable end shelf 18 (see FIG. 7B). As shown, the bend end wall 66 is formed closely adjacent but space from and does not to include the single transverse shelf metallic rod or wire 62.

An outwardly facing surface of each one of the free ends 60 of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 is then permanently secured, e.g., by brazing, welding, soldering, etc., to a mating inwardly facing surface of the straight base section 48 of the mating male channel 32 so as to permanently connect those components with one another and thereby complete formation of the end wall and also further increase the rigidity of the first slidable end shelf 18.

As shown in FIG. 70, following the permanent connection, the first and the second straight side sections 50, 52 generally extend parallel to one another and parallel to each of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58. However, due to the slightly greater than 90 degree bending of the free ends 60, the closed U-shaped end 68, of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, each extend slightly upwardly toward the free ends of the first and the second straight side sections 50, 52, as shown in FIG. 7D. This arrangement ensures that the closed U-shaped end 68, of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, will generally abut and slide against a bottom surface of the main shelf 16, once the first slidable end shelf 18 is assembled with the main shelf 16, as discussed below.

The first straight side section 50 of the first slidable end shelf 18 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of a first end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the second straight side section 52 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of a first end of the second section of the female channel 24. The first straight side section 50 of the second slidable end shelf 20 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of an opposite second end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the second straight side section 52 is designed so as to be received by and engage with the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of a first end of the third section of the female channel 26.

Turning now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a brief description concerning the shelf end stop member 70 which prevents excessive expansion of either the first or the second slidable end shelf 18, 20. The shelf end stop member 70 generally comprises first and second planar sections 72, 74 which are spaced apart and offset from one another by an inclined section 76. The first planar section 72 may have a length of about ½±¼ of an inch while the second planar section 74 may have a length of about ⅜±⅛ of an inch. An outwardly facing surface of the first planar section 72 is provided with a weld imp 78 which facilitates permanent attachment, e.g., welding, of the first planar section 72 of the shelf end stop member 70 to a bottom downwardly facing surface of one of the thinner transverse metallic rods or wires 36 of the main shelf 16.

Once the first planar section 72 of the shelf end stop member 70 is permanent attached to the thinner transverse metallic rod or wire 36, the shelf end stop member 70 (e.g., the second planar section 74 and the inclined section 76) defines, along with the bottom surface of the main shelf 16, a wire recess 80 for engaging with the closed U-shaped end 68 of one of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 and preventing further expansion of the respective first or second slidable end shelf 18 or 20 relative to the main shelf 16. Typically between one and four shelf end stop members 70, normally two spaced apart shelf end stop members 70, are permanently secured adjacent each opposed end of the main shelf 16 for preventing inadvertent withdrawal of either the first or the second slidable end shelf 18 or 20 from the main shelf 16.

As shown in FIG. 2B for example, a first one of the two spaced apart shelf end stop members 70 is arranged to engage with the closed U-shaped end 68 of the second one of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 while a second one of the two spaced apart end stop members 70 is arranged to engage with the closed U-shaped end 68 of the sixth one of the seven (7) U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58.

As noted above, the expandable shelf 14 also includes a mating second slidable end shelf 20 which is substantially identical to the above desired first slidable end shelf 18, except that the second slidable end shelf 20 engages with the opposite end of the main shelf 16 to complete formation of the expandable shelf 14. Due to the above described arrangement, it is to be appreciated that the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 are independently movable relative to one another as well as movable relative to the main shelf 16.

Turning now to FIGS. 9A-9C, a brief description concerning the brackets 12 for use with the expandable shelf 14 will now be provided. As shown in these Figures, each bracket 12 is generally a planar member 82 which has an overall length of about 20±10 inches, typically a length of about 13⅝ inches, but the bracket 12 is typically short in length than the width of the main shelf 16. Each bracket 12 has a height which typically tapers from a taller base toward a shorter free end. An end wall 84 of the bracket 12 is provided with at least one, and more preferably a pair of integrally formed hooks 86 which are each designed to matingly engage with one of the slots 10 of the vertical supports 8 of the framework 4 to couple the expandable shelf 14 to the framework 4 at a desired location. An upwardly facing top surface 88 of the bracket 12 is typically flat and has a pair of protruding spaced apart tabs 90 which extend from the upwardly facing top surface 88 of the bracket 12. Each one of the tabs 90 typically has a height of about 2±1 inches, typically about 1⅝ inches, and a width of about ¾±¼ inches, typically about ½ inches.

One bracket 12 is utilized to support and connect each longitudinal end of the expandable shelf 14 to the desired vertical supports 8 of the framework 4. Each bracket 12 is typically secured, via the tabs 90, to a transverse section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 of the main shelf 16 in a spaced relationship. That is, during installation, the tabs 90 of the bracket 12 are bent around the transverse section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 so as to space the upwardly facing top surface 88 of the bracket 12 sufficiently away from the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16 which permits, and not interfere with, the expanding and collapsing movement of the first or the second slidable end shelf 18, 20 relative to the main shelf 16. In addition, the tabs 90 of the bracket 12 are bent around the transverse section of the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 so that the bracket 12 can slide and pivot, relative to the transverse perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 of the main shelf 16, while still generally maintaining the spaced relationship between the upwardly facing top surface 88 of the bracket 12 and the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16.

Following manufacture of the main shelf 16 and the first and second slidable end shelves 18, 20 and attachment of the shelf end stop members 70 to the main shelf 16, the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 are then initially connected to opposite ends of the main shelf 16. That is, the mating male channel 32 of the first straight side section 50 of the first slidable end shelf 18 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of the first end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the mating male channel 32 of the second straight side section 52 of the first slidable end shelf 18 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of the second section of the female channel 24. Similarly, the mating male channel 32 of the first straight side section of the second slidable end shelf 20 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of an opposite second end of the first section of the female channel 22 while the mating male channel 32 of the second straight side section 52 of the second slidable end shelf 20 slidably engages with and is captively received and retained by and within the partially enclosed internal cavity 34 of the third section of the female channel 26.

Upon further collapsing movement of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 relative to the main shelf 16 and toward one another, the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 will eventually abut against and then ride along a rear surface of the respective first planar section 72 and then a rear surface of respective inclined sections 76 of the shelf end stop members 70. Once the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and the sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58, for example, pass completely over the end stop members 70, the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and the sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 then spring back toward the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16 so that each of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 can continue to be moved toward their totally collapsed positions in which the expandable shelf 14 has its shortest length, as shown in FIG. 2B.

Thereafter, when either the first or the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 are moved toward their expanded configuration, the closed U-shaped ends 68 of the second and the sixth U-shaped relatively thin longitudinal metallic rods or wires 58 will eventually abut against and be captively retained by the respective wire recesses 80 formed between the shelf end stop members 70 and the rigid rectangular structure 40 of the main shelf 16. This captive retainment prevents further expansion and/or withdrawing movement of the respective first or the second slidable end shelf 18, 20 relative to the main shelf 16.

Finally, after installing the first and second slidable end shelves 18, 20, the brackets 12 can be connected to the perimeter metallic rod or wire 42 of the main shelf 16 to complete assembly of the expandable shelf 14. It is to be appreciated that if the brackets 12 are secured to the main shelf 16 prior to assembly of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20, this may possibly hinder assembly of the first and the second slidable end shelves 18, 20 with the main shelf 16.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that various modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to and be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various other related ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items while only the terms “consisting of” and “consisting only of” are to be construed in a limitative sense.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Although operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. An expandable shelf for displaying desired items comprising:

a main shelf;

a first slidable end shelf for engaging with a first end of the main shelf;

a second slidable end shelf for engaging with an opposed second end of the main shelf;

a pair of brackets for supporting the expandable shelf on a display stand;

the main shelf having female members and the first and the second slidable shelves each having mating male members, and the male members engage with the female members to permit each of the first slidable shelf and the second slidable shelf to move, relative to the main shelf, and thereby adjust an overall length of the expandable shelf.

2. The expandable shelf according to claim 1, wherein the main shelf comprises a generally planar rigid, rectangular structure which has a front wall and a rear wall which are bent and extend substantially normal to the rigid rectangular structure.

3. The expandable shelf according to claim 1, wherein the mating male and female members respectively comprise female channels and mating male channels, and a first section of the female channel is secured to the front wall of the main shelf and at least a second section of the female channel is secured to the rear wall of the main shelf.

4. The expandable shelf according to claim 1, wherein the main shelf comprises a plurality of metallic rods or wires which extend in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of metallic rods or wires which extend in a transverse direction so as to form a grid, and an intersection of each one of the metallic rods or wires which extend in a longitudinal direction and the metallic rods or wires which extend in a transverse direction are secured together.

5. The expandable shelf according to claim 1, wherein the main shelf comprises a generally planar rigid, rectangular structure which has a front wall and a rear wall which are bent and extend substantially normal to the rigid rectangular structure;

a rectangular perimeter metallic rod or wire surrounds and forms a boundary of the rigid rectangular structure, and

a first longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire extends parallel to a first segment of the perimeter metallic rod or wire along the front wall and a second longitudinal channel support metallic rod or wire extends parallel to a second segment of the perimeter metallic rod or wire along the rear wall.

6. The expandable shelf according to claim 5, wherein the female and mating male members respectively comprise first, second and third female channels and mating male channels, the first female channel is secured to the front wall of the main shelf and extends along the length thereof, the second female channel is secured to the rear wall of the main shelf adjacent a first end thereof and the third female channel is secured to the rear wall of the main shelf adjacent a second thereof.

7. The expandable shelf according to claim 6, wherein opposed ends of the female channel are bent toward one another so as to form a partially enclosed internal cavity which is designed to captively receive and retain a leading portion of a respective mating male channel therein.

8. The expandable shelf according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second slidable shelves comprise a plurality of spaced apart U-shaped metallic rods or wires which extend parallel to one another, and at least one transverse shelf metallic rod or wire is secured to each one of the spaced apart U-shaped metallic rods or wires, and free ends of the spaced apart U-shaped metallic rods or wires are bent to form an end wall.

9. The expandable shelf according to claim 8, wherein the male member comprises a male channel which has a straight base section and first and second straight side sections with a respective 90 degree bend formed between the straight base section and each of the first and the second straight side sections and the straight base section is permanently connected to the bent free ends to complete the end wall.

10. The expandable shelf according to claim 8, wherein at least one shelf end stop member is secured to the main shelf, adjacent each end thereof, and the at least one shelf end stop member interacts with one of the first and the second slidable end shelves to prevent overexpansion of the first or the second slidable end shelf.

11. The expandable shelf according to claim 8, wherein a pair of shelf end stop members are secured to the main shelf, adjacent each end thereof, and each pair of shelf end stop members interact with one a respective one of the first and the second slidable end shelves to prevent overexpansion and complete withdrawal of the respective slidable end shelf from the main shelf.

12. The expandable shelf according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the expandable shelves and assembled with the display stand which comprises a framework having at least two spaced apart horizontal legs and at least two vertically extending supports which extend generally normal to the horizontal legs, and front surface of each one of the two vertically extending supports has a plurality of sequentially arranged and spaced apart slots which are located so as to receive mating legs of the pair of brackets and releasably connect one of the plurality of the expandable shelves to the framework.

13. The expandable shelf according to claim 12, wherein a fixed display is supported at a top of the framework of the display stand.

14. The expandable shelf according to claim 10, wherein each shelf end stop member comprises first and second planar sections which are spaced apart and offset from one another by an inclined section, so as to define, with a bottom surface of the main shelf, a wire recess for engaging with a closed U-shaped end of the respective first or second slidable end shelf and preventing further expansion of thereof relative to the main shelf.

15. The expandable shelf according to claim 12, wherein each bracket is generally a planar member and an end wall of the bracket is provided with at least one hook which is designed to matingly engage with a mating slot of the vertical supports of the framework to couple the expandable shelf to the framework at a desired location.

16. The expandable shelf according to claim 15, wherein each bracket has a pair of spaced apart tabs which are secured to a perimeter metallic rod or wire of the main shelf to couple the main shelf to the bracket.

17. A method of displaying desired items on an expandable shelf, the method comprising:

forming a main shelf from metal;

forming a first slidable end shelf from metal for engaging with a first end of the main shelf;

forming a second slidable end shelf from metal for engaging with an opposed second end of the main shelf;

forming a pair of brackets for supporting the expandable shelf on a display stand;

providing the main shelf with female members and providing the first and the second slidable shelves with mating male members; and

engaging the male members with the female members so as to permit each of the first slidable shelf and the second slidable shelf to move, relative to the main shelf, and thereby adjust an overall length of the expandable shelf.