Retaining bracket for modular shelving unit
AssigneeVirco Mfg. Corporation
InventorJohn Gregory
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Retaining brackets to fixedly secure either a singular modular shelving unit or multiple modular shelving units are disclosed. The retaining brackets can prevent modular shelves from dislodging, by positioning the retaining bracket such that an opening on the retaining bracket aligns with a mounting location on a vertical member of the modular shelving unit, and a distance between a retaining surface of the retaining bracket and a top surface of the modular shelf is small enough to prevent dislodging of the modular shelf when the retaining bracket is installed. The retaining surface of the retaining brackets can vary depending on the configuration used to retain the modular shelf, as well as the embodiment of the retaining bracket used.
Claims16
A retaining bracket comprising:
- a body portion, comprising a distal end having a securing interface, the securing interface configured to interface with a modular shelving unit to couple the body portion to the modular shelving unit by a mechanical coupling mechanism, and
- a head portion located at a proximal end of the body portion, the head portion comprising at least one retaining arm extending substantially perpendicular relative to the body portion,
- wherein the retaining bracket is configured to retain a modular shelf to the modular shelving unit with a retaining surface when the modular shelf is connected to the modular shelving unit by a gravity-assisted interlocking connection;
- wherein the gravity-assisted interlocking connection is separate from and adjacent to the retaining bracket;
- and
- wherein the retaining surface of the retaining bracket is a bottom surface of the at least one retaining arm.
A method of securely attaching a modular shelf to a modular shelving unit, comprising:
- coupling the modular shelf to a plurality of vertical support members of the modular shelving unit by a gravity-assisted interlocking connection,
- orienting a securing interface of a retaining bracket with a complementary securing interface of a vertical support member of the modular shelving unit such that at least one retaining arm of the retaining bracket extends above at least a portion of a top surface of the modular shelf,
- coupling the retaining bracket to the vertical support member of the modular shelving unit, such that a distance between a retaining surface of the at least one retaining arm and the top surface of the modular shelf prevents removal of the modular shelf from the gravity-assisted interlocking connection on the vertical support member;
- wherein the gravity-assisted interlocking connection is separate from and adjacent to the retaining bracket;
- and
- wherein the retaining surface of the retaining bracket is a retaining arm bottom surface.
A retaining bracket comprising:
- a body portion, comprising a distal end having a securing interface, the securing interface configured to interface with a modular shelving unit to couple the body portion to the modular shelving unit by a mechanical coupling mechanism, and
- a head portion located at a proximal end of the body portion, the head portion comprising a first retaining arm and a second retaining arm extending substantially perpendicular relative to the body portion,
- wherein the retaining bracket is configured to retain a modular shelf to the modular shelving unit with a retaining surface when the modular shelf is connected to the modular shelving unit by a gravity-assisted interlocking connection;
- wherein the gravity-assisted interlocking connection is separate from and adjacent to the retaining bracket;
- and
- wherein the retaining bracket is symmetrical about a center axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.