Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B96/00—Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
  • A47B96/02—Shelves
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B96/00—Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
  • A47B96/02—Shelves
  • A47B96/024—Shelves characterised by support bracket location means, e.g. fixing means between support bracket and shelf
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B96/00—Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
  • A47B96/02—Shelves
  • A47B96/025—Shelves with moving elements, e.g. movable extensions or link elements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
  • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
  • A47F3/06—Show cases or show cabinets with movable or removable shelves or receptacles
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
  • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves

Definitions

• Shelf system intended for mounting, e.g., on the underside of a stairway.
• the present invention concerns a shelf system which is intended to be mounted on the underside of an essentially horizontal surface in accordance with the claims.
• These types of shelves are designed so that they in a rough manner essentially correspond with the shape of the space under the stairway. They are ungainly and differ greatly from the present invention. These types of shelves are for example only intended to be placed on the floor beneath a stairway. In other words they are not intended to be mounted to the underside of a stairway. These types of shelves improve the possibilities for storage beneath a stairway, but do not allow for the floor space to be used for purposes other than storage. Furthermore, a shelf on the floor impedes cleaning of the floor under the stairway, which is a surface that usually accumulates more dust than other floor surfaces.
• Yet another purpose with the present invention is therefore to create a shelf for the kitchen environment that can in a safe manner be attached under a kitchen cabinet and at the same time preserve the kitchen wall's moisture-proof qualities.
• Figure 1 shows a shelf system according to the present invention mounted in an open stairway.
• Figure 2 shows a shelf system according to the present invention mounted in an enclosed stairway.
• Figure 3 shows a shelf section
• FIG. 4 shows the accompanying rails more in detail.
• Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the shelf surface more in detail.
• Figure 7 shows a shelf section equipped with a friction surface.
• Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the track more in detail.
• a shelf system 1 is shown that is intended to be mounted hanging from an essentially horizontal surface 2 preferably such as the underside of a step in an open 3 or enclosed 4 stairway.
• the essentially horizontal surface 2 can for all practical intent be comprised of any horizontal surface that is suitable for the purpose.
• the shelf system which is shown more in detail in figures 2, 3 and 4 consists essentially of at least one shelf section 5 that is attached with the aid of a fastening device 6.
• the fastening device is preferably comprised of at least two rails 7 and 8.
• the material making up the shelf section can suitably be of wood but the shelf sections can be made of plastic, metal or of other materials suitable for the purpose.
• Each side of the shelf is equipped with a groove 9 and 10 in which a rail 7 and 8 is designed to be inserted into.
• the groove can suitably be milled with the aid of some form of earlier known technique.
• the shelf is made of a plastic material the groove can be formed in conjunction with its manufacture such as with injection moulding and the like.
• the shelf can be equipped with strips instead of grooves thereby achieving a comparable technical effect.
• the rails 7 and 8 are preferably manufactured of a flanged profile; alternatively these rails can be made in another suitable manner such as by extrusion or by a similar manufacturing method.
• the cross section of the rails 7 and 8 can conceivably be of different shapes in alternative embodiments of the shelf system.
• FIG 4 is shown the most preferred profile at the present time of the rails 7 and 8.
• the rails consist of a first part 11, a second part 12 and an intermediate part 13.
• the first part 11 is intended to be attached to the underside of the essentially horizontal surface.
• the second part is intended to be attached to the underside of the essentially horizontal surface.
• the rails 7 and 8 are mounted on the underside of the essentially horizontal surface such as the underside of a step.
• the rails are appropriately screwed tight into the step.
• the rails can be attached with other earlier known techniques suitable for the purpose.
• the rails are essentially mounted parallel with each other at a distance adjusted in accordance with the width of the shelf section. Afterward the shelf section is inserted into place by pushing the shelf section's grooves 9 and 10 onto the rails 7 and 8.
• the shelf and the rails can be interlocked.
• This interlocking can suitably be accomplished with the aid of some earlier known technique for interlocking units with each other.
• the interlock is shown with the aid of a locking screw that is screwed through a hole 14 in the profile's intermediate part
• a peg or similar can be used to fasten the shelf section with the rails.
• the shelf s function is efficient if the angle V lies within an interval from 75 to 90 degrees.
• An angle measuring 90 degrees is not optimal because there is a risk of the rails becoming deformed and bent outward if minor overloading of the shelf section occurs at which the shelf section can loosen from the rails.
• the angle V is less than 90 degrees, the load bearing capacity of the shelf is improved. This improved load capacity is made possible by the diminished moment on the rails when the angle V decreases, resulting in a reduced risk of the shelf section loosening from the rails.
• the increased load capacity associated with a decreased angle must be set in relation to the increased risk of the shelf section getting stuck, in conjunction with the shelf being pushed in or pulled out, when the angle decreases.
• the angle V is less than 75 degrees, the risk is very great that the shelf will jam directly when it is pushed onto the rail.
• the technical function is optimal if the angle V is approximately 84 degrees, but the function is essentially optimal within an interval from 80 to 87 degrees. Due to the degree of the angle, the rails are prevented from slipping out of the grooves under the pressure of the horizontal forces in the direction of the shelf plane's width. Furthermore, the risk of the shelf getting stuck is extremely minimal.
• the main advantage of the invention is that the space beneath a stairway can be used in a considerably more efficient and safer manner than with existing storage devices intended to be used in conjunction with storage of objects in a stairway.
• Another advantage of the invention is that the space under and between stairway steps can be used more efficiently without occupying floor space.
• Still another advantage with the shelf system in accordance with the invention is that it secures the storage of lose objects in a stairway with a greatly reduced risk of injury as a result.
• the shelf is adjustable in height and width. This adjustability is accomplished by being able to push the units together in width and/or height after which the parts can be internally locked together, see figures 5 and 6.
• this locking is shown with the aid of a locking screw 15 with accompanying nut, which are screwed through the oval hole track 16 in the shelf profile.
• a peg or similar can be used to lock the parts together in regards to width and/or height.
• FIG 6 is shown a cross section of an alternative embodiment of an adjustable shelf plane. This adjustability is accomplished by being able to push the units together and apart in width and/or height after which the parts can be internally locked together.
• the rounded edge 17 has a smaller radius than the rounded edge 18, which allows its fit 19.
• the bent edges 20 and 21 add stiffness to the material and minimize any sideways play.
• Figure 7 shows an applied friction surface 22 to the shelf section (shelf plane).
• This friction surface prevents books, magazines and/or other media from falling over when leaning toward a shelf side. Thanks to the friction surface conditions are improved greatly for standing objects to remain standing even if the shelf plane is exposed to vibrations and small changes in slope caused by stairway traffic. During normal stairway use problems with vibrations and step sway are not especially evident, but because of running up and down a stairway (children and so on) and because of heavy transports (moving furniture etc) the shifting of standing objects can occur.
• the friction surface is preferably made of a thin self-adhesive material of rubber or similar material which provides increased friction for the shelf plane's surface.
• the friction surface can consist of paint or similar which is applied to the shelf plane.
• Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the rail more in detail.
• the top bend 23 is bent in the same main direction as the lower bend 24. This allows for a hidden fastening after the shelf has been put into place. No horizontal or visible screws can be seen. Because the top bend 23 is bent in the same main direction as the lower bend 24, the leverage is reduced and thereby the torque. This minimizes the risk for warping problems.
• the rail's and indirectly the storage solution's load capacity is thus increased compared with a fastening for a rail bent according to figure 4.
• the rails have been adapted to allow sideways flexibility. This flexibility makes it possible for the shelf to be pressed up towards the rail, which then springs outward. The rail's angled part 24 is allowed to snap into the corresponding angled groove 9, 10 after the shelf is put into place. The shelf is thereby attached and the earlier advantages with unseen horizontal screws remains.
• a rail with flexibility allows for the possibility of simple mounting under for example a kitchen cabinet where lighting and trim may otherwise present obstructions.
• the material in the shelf and the rail may vary in regards to the area of use. Therefore the shelf can be made of wood, plastic, metal or other material suitable for the purpose. Hence the rail can be made of for example metal, plastic, carbon fiber or other material suitable for the purpose.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Furniture Connections (AREA)
• Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=38541397

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2006
  • 2006-03-29 SE SE0600709A patent/SE532801C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2007
  • 2007-03-12 EP EP07716053.9A patent/EP2007252A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-03-12 WO PCT/SE2007/000236 patent/WO2007111550A1/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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