US3919950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous modular shelving system
Assignee: PBR CO
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Filing: 1974-06-17
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A modular shelving system comprising shelf units including substantially hollow cantilever shelves made integral with planar surfaces adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface, such as a wall, and connecting units including cantilever shelves made integral with planar surfaces adapted for mounting to the vertically disposed support surface co-planar with the shelf units. At least first ends of the shelves of each connecting unit are offset so as to extend into the adjacent open ends of the shelves of the shelf units so as to provide continuous shelves from each shelf unit to each connecting unit. With both ends of the shelves of a connecting unit being offset, the shelving system provides continuous shelves from one shelf unit to a second shelf unit through the intermediary of the connecting unit. The connecting units may be L-shaped to provide continuous shelves around both inside and outside corners of a wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald B Frazelle
- 👤 Neal B Fuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:16
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B87/00; A47B96/00; A47B96/02; A47B96/027; A47B96/06; A47B96/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A shelving system comprising: a shelf unit including at least one planar surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; and at least one substantially hollow cantilever shelf made integral with said planar surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said shelf having upper and lower surfaces joined by an integral outer edge and being open at the opposite ends thereof; and a connecting unit including at least one planar surface adapted for mounting to said vertically disposed support surface, coplanar with said shelf unit planar surface; and at least one cantilever shelf made integral with said planar surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said shelf having upper and lower surfaces joined by an integral outer edge adapted for mounting coplanar with said shelf unit upper and lower surfaces and outer edge, respectively, and a pair of end walls made integral with said upper and lower surfaces and said outer edge to enclose the opposite ends of said shelf, said upper and lower surfaces and said outer edge at one end of said shelf being offset inwardly by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of said surfaces, said offset end of said shelf of said connecting unit being adapted to extend into the open end of said shelf of said shelf unit, the remainder of said shelf of said connecting unit providing a continuous planar shelf from said shelf unit to said connecting unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A shelving system comprising: a shelf unit including at least one planar surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; and at least one substantially hollow cantilever shelf made integral with said planar surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said shelf having upper and lower surfaces joined by an integral outer edge and being open at the opposite ends thereof; and a connecting unit including at least one planar surface adapted for mounting to said vertically disposed support surface, coplanar with said shelf unit planar surface; and at least one cantilever shelf made integral with said planar surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said shelf having upper and lower surfaces joined by an integral outer edge adapted for mounting coplanar with said shelf unit upper and lower surfaces and outer edge, respectively, and a pair of end walls made integral with said upper and lower surfaces and said outer edge to enclose the opposite ends of said shelf, said upper and lower surfaces and said outer edge at one end of said shelf being offset inwardly by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of said surfaces, said offset end of said shelf of said connecting unit being adapted to extend into the open end of said shelf of said shelf unit, the remainder of said shelf of said connecting unit providing a continuous planar shelf from said shelf unit to said connecting unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
A shelving system according to claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of said shelf units; and wherein said upper and lower surfaces and said outer edge at the other end of said shelf of said connecting unit are offset inwardly by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of said surfaces, said other offset end of said shelf of said connecting unit being adapted to extend into the open end of the shelf of a second shelf unit whereby said connecting unit and said shelf units provide a continuous planar shelf from said first mentioned shelf unit to said second shelf unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A shelving system according to claim 2 for mounting to a corner of a vertically disposed support surface wherein said planar surface of said connecting unit is generally L-shaped to conform to said corner of said support surface so that said connecting unit and said shelf units provide a continuous shelf around said corner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shelving system according to claim 3 wherein a portion of said planar surface of said connecting unit extends forwardly from the remainder thereof for mounting to an inside corner of said vertically disposed support surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shelving system according to claim 3 wherein a portion of said planar surface of said connecting unit extends rearwardly from the remainder thereof for mounting to an outside corner of said vertically disposed support surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A shelving system according to claim 2 further comprising: a plurality of said connecting units, the planar surface of some of said connecting units being entirely planar for mounting to planar sections of said vertically disposed support surface, the planar surface of others of said connecting units being generally L-shaped for mounting to both inside and outside corners of said vertically disposed support surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A shelving system according to claim 1 wherein said shelf unit further includes: a plurality of said planar surfaces adapted for mounting to said vertically disposed support surface; and a plurality of said hollow cantilever shelves made integral with and spaced by said planar surfaces and extending generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said connecting unit further includes: a plurality of said planar surfaces adapted for mounting to said vertically disposed support surface coplanar with said shelf unit planar surfacEs; and a plurality of said cantilever shelves made integral with and spaced by said planar surfaces and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said shelves of said connecting unit being adapted to be aligned with said shelves of said shelf unit, the offset ends of said shelves of said connecting unit being adapted to extend into the open ends of respective shelves of said shelf unit to provide a plurality of continuous planar shelves from said shelf unit to said connecting unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A shelving system according to claim 7 further comprising: a plurality of said shelf units; and wherein said upper and lower surfaces and said outer edge at the other ends of said shelves of said connecting unit are offset inwardly by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of said surfaces, said other offset ends of said shelves of said connecting unit being adapted to extend into the open ends of respective shelves of a second shelf unit whereby said connecting unit and said shelf units provide continuous planar shelves from said first mentioned shelf unit to said second shelf unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A shelving system according to claim 8 for mounting to a corner of a vertically disposed support surface wherein said planar surfaces of said connecting unit are generally L-shaped to conform to said corner of said support surface so that said connecting unit and said shelf units provide continuous shelves around said corner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shelving system according to claim 9 wherein a portion of said planar surfaces of said connecting unit extend forwardly from the remainders thereof for mounting to an inside corner of said vertically disposed support surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shelving system according to claim 9 wherein a portion of said planar surfaces of said connecting unit extend rearwardly from the remainders thereof for mounting to an outside corner of said vertically disposed support surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A shelving system according to claim 8 further comprising: a plurality of said connecting units, the planar surfaces of some of said connecting units being entirely planar for mounting to planar sections of said vertically disposed support surface, the planar surfaces of others of said connecting units being generally L-shaped for mounting to both inside and outside corners of said vertically disposed support surface.
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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) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |