US 5,605,238 A · Shelving system

Abstract

A modular shelving system has a vertical stanchion for supporting load-bearing blocks. One end of each block fits into a T-shaped channel of the stanchion. A self-tapping screw threaded into the block engages the back wall of the channel and forces the block against the shoulders at the mouth of the channel. A pointed tip on the screw pierces the back wall of the channel to keep the block from moving along the channel. Shelf brackets of generally U-shaped cross section may be attached to the blocks and a back wall and support either end of a shelf plank in the channel formed by the U-shape. A curved washer fits between the U-shaped shelf bracket and a stanchion or a closet wall for alignment. In another embodiment, a separate shelf plank has its ends concealed and supported by such U-shaped shelf brackets and a diagonal rod connected to the wall. An end cap conceals the front corner of the shelf. Since the ends of the shelf plank are concealed in the U-shaped brackets, unfinished ends and poorly aligned ends on the shelf plank are acceptable. Shelf planks may be formed from a plurality of interlocking metal shelf slats.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A shelving system comprising:

a generally horizontal shelf having a back edge adjacent a wall and end edges at each end of the shelf;
an shelf bracket at each end of the shelf, each such shelf bracket comprising:
a U-shaped channel encompassing the end edge of the shelf,
a front hole through the root of the U-shaped channel for receiving a mounting screw,
a tab closing a back end of the U-shaped channel and including a back hole for receiving a mounting screw secured to a wall, and
a peripheral slot inside a front end of the U-shaped channel;
and
a shelf bracket cap complementary to the slot in the shelf bracket for concealing a front corner of the shelf.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shelving system

Life of this patent

Shelving system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19