US4009665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shelf assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-21
•
Granted: 1977-03-01
•
Expires: 1995-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A shelf assembly comprises flat base panels, side panels and back panels adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure. The base panel has connecting ledges extending from one edge of the base panel to the center line thereof. The front faces of adjacent connecting ledges have, respectively, complementary pegs and holes. The lateral surfaces of adjacent connecting ledges are provided with complementary pegs and oblong holes to permit sliding engagement thereof. The side faces of the connecting ledges and the back portions of the base panels are provided with holes to receive pegs extending from the back and side panels. Sliding engagement of corresponding connecting ledges cooperates with the peg and hole connections to provide a statically stable, torsion resistant assembly without the use of additional mechanical fastening devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Andreas Weisheit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:53
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B47/00; A47B47/0025; A47B47/0041; A47B47/04; A47B47/042; A47B47/0033; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/44; Y10T403/447
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A shelf assembly comprises a plurality of base panels having abutment sides and side panels having upper and lower edges with first plug-in connecting elements on the upper and lower edges, the base panels having on their respective abutment sides a connecting ledge having a lateral surface on which is located a first sliding connector element, the connecting ledge extending from one edge of the base panel towards the centerline thereof and terminating short of the opposite edge of the base panel in a front face having a second plug-in connecting element thereon, thereby leaving a portion of the abutment edge clear of said connecting ledge, the base panels further having on their respective abutment sides, in the portion thereof which is clear of the connecting ledge, a complementary second sliding connector element, each of said first and second connector elements being one of an oblong hole and a peg respectively, and located a corresponding distance from its respective base panel edge so as to permit sliding engagement of said sliding connector elements with each other when adjacent base panels are placed in coplanar alignment so that the front faces of respective connecting ledges face each other and their associated second plug-in connecting elements are brought into engagement, and third plug-in connecting elements on the side faces of the connecting ledges to receive the first plug-in connecting elements on the side panels in engagement therewith, a given side panel thereby being connected to both of adjacent base panels to tie them together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A shelf assembly comprises a plurality of base panels having abutment sides and side panels having upper and lower edges with first plug-in connecting elements on the upper and lower edges, the base panels having on their respective abutment sides a connecting ledge having a lateral surface on which is located a first sliding connector element, the connecting ledge extending from one edge of the base panel towards the centerline thereof and terminating short of the opposite edge of the base panel in a front face having a second plug-in connecting element thereon, thereby leaving a portion of the abutment edge clear of said connecting ledge, the base panels further having on their respective abutment sides, in the portion thereof which is clear of the connecting ledge, a complementary second sliding connector element, each of said first and second connector elements being one of an oblong hole and a peg respectively, and located a corresponding distance from its respective base panel edge so as to permit sliding engagement of said sliding connector elements with each other when adjacent base panels are placed in coplanar alignment so that the front faces of respective connecting ledges face each other and their associated second plug-in connecting elements are brought into engagement, and third plug-in connecting elements on the side faces of the connecting ledges to receive the first plug-in connecting elements on the side panels in engagement therewith, a given side panel thereby being connected to both of adjacent base panels to tie them together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The shelf assembly of claim 11 further including back panels having upper and lower edges with fourth plug-in connecting elements on the upper and lower edges, and wherein the edge of the base panel extending between its abutment sides contains fifth plug-in connecting elements to receive and engage with the fourth plug-in connecting elements on the upper and lower edges of the back panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The shelf assembly of claim 2 wherein the connecting ledges terminate at the centerline of the base panels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The shelf assembly of claim 2 wherein said connecting ledges extend from one edge of said base panel to the center line thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The shelf assembly of claim 4 wherein said first sliding connector element in the lateral surface of the connecting ledge is an oblong hole and said complementary second sliding connector element in said portion of said abuttment side which is clear of said connecting ledge is a peg.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The shelf assembly of claim 2 wherein the connecting ledges located on opposite abutting sides of the same base panel are offset with respect to each other on opposite sides of the center line of said base panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The shelf assembly of claim 2 in which the second plug-in connecting element on the front face of the connecting ledge on one abutment side of a base panel is a peg located therein, and the second plug-in connecting element on the front face of the connecting ledge on the other abutment side of the same base panel is a complementary hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The shelf assembly of claim 2 in which selected base panels have on one abutment side thereof a continuous connecting ledge which extends from one edge of the base panel to the opposite edge of the base panel, and has sixth plug-in connecting elements in the side surfaces thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The shelf assembly of claim 2 wherein the side faces of the connecting ledges run parallel to the plane of the base panel and the lateral surfaces of the connecting ledges run perpendicular to the plane of the base panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said fifth plug-in connecting element comprise holes, and said fourth plug-in connecting elements comprise pegs fitting into said holes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |