Universal shelf system

Abstract

The invention relates to a universal shelving system including slotted conventional upright supports, bracket assemblies for interengaging slots of the upright supports, and shelf members having uninterrupted upper surfaces for supporting goods thereon, and being supported on the underside thereof by the bracket assemblies. Hat-shaped sections are provided on the underside of the shelf members for providing reinforcement for the shelf members and for providing a surface for supporting engagement by the bracket assemblies. Each bracket assembly includes a bracket tab section for attachment to an upright support, and a bracket arm section pivotally mounted to the bracket tab section. A pivoted spring clip detent means is attached either to the tab section or the arm section, and cooperates with detent openings in the other of the sections. The bracket assembly is able to support even large loads without spreading apart of the tab and arm sections since a slot and rivet cooperating structure is provided therewith. Hinge clips are provided for attaching the bracket arms to the hat-shaped sections, cooperating elongated slots being provided in the hat-shaped sections and the bracket arms for interengagement with the hinge clips. The hinge clips normally securely (without any relative lateral movement) hold the bracket arms in perpendicular relationship to the hat-shaped sections, however the hinge clips may support the bracket arm flush against the bottom of the hat-shaped sections for ease of packaging or storage of the shelf assemblies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.