Knock-down multiple shelf assembly, particularly a lazy susan

Claim 1

A knock-down multiple shelf assembly having a lower shelf and an upper shelf and a plurality of spaced rigid posts extending between the two shelves wherein: a. each post has a central column portion of uniform transverse section terminating in a shoulder at each end with an axial neck extending centrally from the shoulder, and a key at the outer end of the neck at each end of the post, the key having at least two oppositely extending key extensions thereon the radial length of which is greater than the diameter of the neck but less than the maximum diameter of the shoulder, b. the upper and lower shelves having vertically aligned key slots therethrough of a contour and size for the key extensions at opposite ends of the posts to pass through but through which the shoulder ends of the posts cannot pass, the distal surface of the upper and lower trays having inclined cam surfaces extending arcuately about the key slots so arranged that when the key extensions at opposite ends of a post are passed through aligned key slots in the upper and lower shelves and the post rotated through a limited arc, any looseness is taken up and the respective shelves are clamped against the respective shouldered ends of the posts and so held by the key extensions bearing against the cam surfaces, each shelf having a well-forming wall around each key slot with a partition between the top and bottom of the well, the key slot and the surrounding inclined surfaces being provided by said partition, the key slots passing through the partition with the inclined surfaces being formed on the upper surface of the partitions on the upper shelf and the lower inclined surfaces on the lower surface of the partitions of the lower shelf, the partitions being so located in the wells that the ends of the posts when the assembly is completed are entirely within the respective wells at the top side of the upper shelf and the under side of the lower shelf.