Modular shelf system with assembly-disassembly feature

Claim 1

In a shelf system composable of modular elements, the combination of a pair of shelf modules placed one above the other, each of said shelf modules having a plurality of generally rectangular through vertical openings formed by depending wall portions, a plurality of column modules disposed between adjacent shelf modules, one end of each column module being hollow and having formed on opposite walls two internal opposed confronting detent shoulders, each of said walls being inwardly offset to form a support surface for a shelf module, said one end being received in a vertical opening of said shelf with the shelf resting on said support surface, the opposite end of each column module having a pair of longitudinally extending opposed fingers, each terminating in a barb, said fingers being inwardly offset to form shelf engaging surfaces, said fingers being adapted to be received in said hollow end of an adjoining column module so that the barbs mechanically interlock with respective detent shoulders to connect adjoining column modules while retaining a shelf module between said support surface and said shelf engaging surface.