US3664274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable merchandise support with spaced, molded shelves
Assignee: Southern Cross Industries Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-12
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A merchandise shelf arrangement utilizing molded plastic shelves each of which has a corner arrangement with an open bore through which is fitted a respective vertical support member resting on the floor. Tapered plastic inserts removably placed between the vertical members and the respective bore of each shelf corner retains the shelf in a selected location ready for easy removal and re-positioning. Projecting lugs or tongues on each molded insert are fitted respectively into one of many vertically spaced locations on a vertical member to hold the tapered insert in place. Weight from a number of cartons of bottles or the like pressing downwardly on the shelf causes a tighter relationship between each insert and its respective corner to assure positive retention of each shelf. Each shelf is molded integrally with each corner arrangement in a pattern which may be in the form of an open grid structure reducing weight and is of plastic material and providing ventilation and drainage.
Inventors
- 👤 Rafael Thomas Bustos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:16
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B87/00; A47B87/02; A47B87/0207; A47B87/0261; A47B87/0269; A47B57/00; A47B57/06; A47B57/26; A47B57/265; A47B87/0223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
In a shelf support arrangement for merchandise wherein a plurality of identical shelves supported from the floor may be positioned at different levels: a. vertical support members, arranged to define a quadrangle, b. at least one shelf having corners supported on said vertical members at each of the corners of said shelf, c. each of the corners of said shelf being formed with a recess therein comprising at least two angularly disposed faces corresponding with and complementary to angularly disposed faces on each respective vertical member, d. a plurality of openings spaced vertically on each of said support members and each opening representing a potential position for one corner of said shelf, e. a tapered plug member for each support member and shelf recess, each plug member having a protrusion on the interior thereof inserted in a respective opening on a support member and all of said plug members being so engaged with a corresponding corner vertical support member to locate said shelf at the same elevation supported at each respective corner and said shelf being wedged on said tapered plug members to retain said shelf substantially at the selected location and to prevent said shelf from becoming completely dislodged therefrom when merchandise is loaded thereon but permitting said shelf to be lifted from said plug members and said plug members being repositionable in different locations to receive said shelf repositioned thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a shelf support arrangement for merchandise wherein a plurality of identical shelves supported from the floor may be positioned at different levels: a. vertical support members, arranged to define a quadrangle, b. at least one shelf having corners supported on said vertical members at each of the corners of said shelf, c. each of the corners of said shelf being formed with a recess therein comprising at least two angularly disposed faces corresponding with and complementary to angularly disposed faces on each respective vertical member, d. a plurality of openings spaced vertically on each of said support members and each opening representing a potential position for one corner of said shelf, e. a tapered plug member for each support member and shelf recess, each plug member having a protrusion on the interior thereof inserted in a respective opening on a support member and all of said plug members being so engaged with a corresponding corner vertical support member to locate said shelf at the same elevation supported at each respective corner and said shelf being wedged on said tapered plug members to retain said shelf substantially at the selected location and to prevent said shelf from becoming completely dislodged therefrom when merchandise is loaded thereon but permitting said shelf to be lifted from said plug members and said plug members being repositionable in different locations to receive said shelf repositioned thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device claimed in claim 1 wherein: said tapered plug member has at least two angularly disposed faces corresponding with and placed against faces on said vertical support members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The shelf support arrangement claimed in claim 1 wherein: said shelf is formed with a sleeve-like formation at each corner with a bore therein through which said respective vertical support member passes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The shelf support arrangement claimed in claim 2: said shelf having a sleeve-like formation at each corner thereof with a bore therethrough into which is inserted said respective vertical support member which extends therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device in claim 1: said tapered plug member being molded in one piece and comprising two sections arranged at right angles to each other and being flat on the inside and tapered on the outside.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device in claim 1 wherein said tapered plug member protrusion is a small finger fixed on one face and being offset to fit into a hole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device in claim 1, said shelf being molded from plastic in one piece including corner sockets molded in one piece and a grid structure providing a shelf surface for merchandise thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in claim 7: said shelf structure being T-shaped in cross-section through certain grids thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device in claim 7: said shelf being molded with the corners thereof outside the perimeter of the sides of the shelf grid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device in claim 4: said vertical supports being a quadrangle in cross-section and the holes being in one side of said vertical support.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |