Patent US3655159A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3655159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Freestanding shelving apparatus with improved base member and column locking means
Assignee: W R AMES CO
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Filing: 1970-03-19
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1990-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved base member for a freestanding shelving system comprised of two or more upright columns interconnected by lateral reinforcing members and supporting shelves at various heights. Each base member is formed with a pocket for receiving the lower end of an upright column and a locking means comprised of a pair of wedge members interconnected by a central wedge member that are manipulated to lock the column within the pocket. The base members are constructed to be utilized separately with decorative side panel attachments or to be connected by surrounding kickplate members.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J Held Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:46
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F5/00; A47F5/10; A47F5/101; A47F5/103; A47F5/14; A47B; A47B13/00; A47B13/02; A47B13/023; A47B2013/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In a freestanding shelving apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of columns interconnected by bracing members are adapted to support horizontal shelving members attached thereto with a base support member on the lower end of each column, the improvement wherein each of said base support members comprises: a pair of juxtaposed elongated side members each formed with an outwardly projecting portion intermediate its ends; channel means for interconnecting said pair of side members so that said projecting portions coincide to form an open pocket with opposite flat interior sidewalls; locking means within said pocket including a pair of outer wedge members with vertical exterior surfaces and separated by a slidably engaged central wedge member; and bolt means connected to said central wedge member and retained by said channel means for moving said central wedge member vertically and thereby move both said outer wedge members horizontally so that said vertical exteriOr surfaces can clamp the lower end of a column firmly against said flat sidewalls of said pocket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a freestanding shelving apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of columns interconnected by bracing members are adapted to support horizontal shelving members attached thereto with a base support member on the lower end of each column, the improvement wherein each of said base support members comprises: a pair of juxtaposed elongated side members each formed with an outwardly projecting portion intermediate its ends; channel means for interconnecting said pair of side members so that said projecting portions coincide to form an open pocket with opposite flat interior sidewalls; locking means within said pocket including a pair of outer wedge members with vertical exterior surfaces and separated by a slidably engaged central wedge member; and bolt means connected to said central wedge member and retained by said channel means for moving said central wedge member vertically and thereby move both said outer wedge members horizontally so that said vertical exteriOr surfaces can clamp the lower end of a column firmly against said flat sidewalls of said pocket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The base member as described in claim 1 including detachable decorative side panels adjacent said side members, and means for removably retaining said side panels on said side members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The base member as described in claim 1 wherein each of said side members has a flange portion along its upper edge, and said channel means has a central web portion with a width that is more than twice the width of said flange portions, said channel means thereby holding said flange portions apart and forming a slot of uniform width between them.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The base member as described in claim 3 including a decorative strip having a T-shaped cross section with a downwardly extending portion retained in said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The base member as described in claim 3 wherein said side members have end flange portions that are spaced apart to form an open end slot, and means forming a kick frame having flange means, and means for retaining said flange means within said end slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The base member as described in claim 1 wherein said side members have elongated portions extending from opposite sides of said outwardly projecting portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The base member as described in claim 1 wherein said side members have elongated portions extending from only one side of said outwardly projecting portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
A base support member for a freestanding shelving apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of columns interconnected by bracing members are adapted to support horizontal shelving members attached thereto comprising: a pair of juxtaposed elongated side members each formed from sheet metal material with an outwardly projecting portion intermediate its ends; a channel member interconnecting said pair of side members so that said projecting portions coincide and extend in opposite directions to form an open pocket with flat opposite sidewalls; locking means within said pocket including a pair of movable wedge-shaped outer members having vertical exterior surfaces and separated and slidably engaged by a central wedge-shaped operating member; and bolt means connected to said central member and retained by said channel member for moving said outer members horizontally to engage opposite walls of a column and press them against walls of said open pocket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
A base support member for a freestanding shelving apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of columns interconnected by bracing members are adapted to support horizontal shelving members attached thereto comprising: a pair of juxtaposed elongated side members each formed from sheet metal material with an outwardly projecting portion intermediate its ends; a channel member interconnecting said pair of side members so that said projecting portions coincide and extend in opposite directions to form an open pocket with flat opposite sidewalls; locking means within said pocket including a pair of movable wedge-shaped outer members having vertical exterior surfaces and separated and slidably engaged by a central wedge-shaped operating member; and bolt means connected to said central member and retained by said channel member for moving said outer members horizontally to engage opposite walls of a column and press them against walls of said open pocket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The base member as described in claim 8 including a plurality of spaced apart openings in each said side member, each opening providing a pin gripping means, pin members removably attached to said side members and detachable decorative side panels having openings for gripping said pin members so that said panels are retained on said side members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The base member as described in claim 9 wherein said side panels are made from molded plastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The base member as described in claim 9 wherein said side panels are made from wood having a natural grain exterior finish.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The base member as described in claim 8 wherein each of said side members has a top flange portion along its upper edge and a vertical flange portion at its end, said channel member having a web with a width greater than twice the width of said flange portions thereby holding the side members apart and forming a slot of uniform width between their flanges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
The base member as described in claim 8 wherein said locking means comprises a wedge shaped central operating member having opposite converging faces with ridge portions extending outwardly therefrom, said outer members each having a sloped inner face with an undercut groove to receive a said ridge portion and outer vertical faces that move horizontally when said central operating member is moved by said bolt means relative to said outer members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The base member as described in claim 13 wherein said outer vertical faces of said outer members have vertical edges that each make a line contact with the inside wall surface of a column with said pocket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The base member as described in claim 8 including a bottom cap closure member for said pocket providing the main contact with the floor for said base member, and pad means forming an adjustable secondary contact point near the outer end of said base member with respect to its pocket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The base member as described in claim 15 wherein said pad means comprises a disc-like member fixed to a threaded stem and fixed mounting means on said channel member having a threaded base for receiving said stem.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The base member as described in claim 15 wherein said bottom cap closure has a plurality of spaced apart projections adapted to penetrate a carpet surface under said base member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |