# US 5,706,737 A · Multi-purpose sport shelf > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,737 A - Document ID: US5706737A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/634,815 - Filed: 1996-04-19 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-04-19 - Assignees: Suncast Corporation - Inventors: Stephen P. Whitehead; Torrence Anderson; Michael G. Uffner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706737A ## CPC - A47B 96/02: Shelves (movable shelves coupled to doors A47B96/16) - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) ## Abstract A multi-purpose storage apparatus having interchangeable shelving for use in storage of sporting goods is disclosed. Shelf construction consists of rod members or alternatively, shelf construction may consist of a single plastic piece having steel tubes integrated into the shelf. In this manner, the consumer may construct a shelf configuration for a particular sporting item. Structural rigidity is provided through the rod members having steel tubing that is encapsulated in a plastic sleeve through a manufacturing process while the plastic shelf has the steel tube directly integrated. The storage apparatus is secured to a wall and includes provisions for support of a bicycle, as well as miscellaneous small items through the use of a support tray. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a pair of symmetrical sidewalls for positioning against an upright wall, each of said sidewalls comprising a support member having a back edge available for securement to said upright wall, an upper edge and a lower edge, said support member having an inner side surface and an outer side surface; and a rod member extending between and connected to said sidewalls, said rod member comprising a metal tube and a plastic sleeve annularly surrounding and extending substantially along said metal tube, and said metal tube being positioned within said plastic sleeve; and wherein said upper edge of each support member includes a detent sized to accommodate a support bar of a conventional bicycle, said detent being positioned between said back edge and said rod member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said metal tube comprises a steel tube and said sleeve comprises a polyethylene sleeve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support members comprise plastic support members with a lattice reinforcement and supports for receiving and supporting said rod member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said outer said surface of each support member includes graphic indicia: and said apparatus includes a tray between said support members at a level below said rod member, said tray comprising an upright back wall, an inclined frontal wail and a substantial planar wall extending between and connecting said upright back wall and said inclined frontal wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 including a skatehook positioned on said rod member for carrying in-line skates. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 including a baseball bat holder positioned on said rod member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 including a shelf positioned at a level above said rod member, said shelf comprising plastic and metal tubes disposed within said plastic, and said metal tubes extending between and connected to said sidewalls at a level above said rod member. ### Claim 8 A multi-purpose storage shelf, comprising: a pair of plastic sidewalls having a back edge available for securement to an upright wall, an upper edge, a lower edge, an inner side surface and an outer side surface; a rod member extending between and connected to said sidewalls, said rod member comprising a metal tube and a plastic sleeve annularly surrounding and extending substantially along said metal tube, and said metal tube being positioned within said plastic sleeve a plastic shelf positioned at a level above said rod member and extending between and connecting said sidewalls, said shelf having a depressed plastic upper surface for supporting a ball and having plastic sides providing raised ridges for preventing the ball from rolling off the upper surface of the shelf, said sides including metal tubes, said metal tubes being positioned and integrated into said plastic sides and extending along the longitudinal length of said plastic shelf, said metal tubes in said plastic shelf extending between and connected to said sidewalls at a level above said rod member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The multi-purpose storage shelf according to claim 8 wherein said sidewalls define detents sized to accommodate a support bar of a conventional bicycle, said detent being positioned between said rod member and said plastic shelf. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The multi-purpose storage shelf according to claim 8 wherein said plastic shelf defines an array of apertures for aeration and provides a sports shelf for supporting a water bottle, helmet, biking shoes, bicycle parts, ball, or other sports equipment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The multi-purpose storage shelf according to claim 10 wherein said plastic is polyethylene and said metal is steel. ### Claim 12 A multi-purpose support shelf, comprising: a pair of sidewalls having a back edge available for securement to an upright wall, an upper edge, a lower edge, an inner side surface and an outer side surface, said inner side surface having a plurality of rod supports a rod member extending between and connected to said sidewalls, said rod member comprising a metal tube and a plastic sleeve annularly surrounding and extending substantially along said metal tube, and said metal tube being positioned within said plastic sleeve; a rod member support shelf extending between and connected to said sidewalls at a level above said rod member, said shelf comprising a set of metal tubes extending between and connected to said rod supports, each of said metal tubes having an outer surface positioned within and encapsulated in a plastic sleeve; and wherein said upper edge of each of said sidewalls includes a detent sized to accommodate a support bar of a conventional bicycle, said detent being positioned between said rod member and said rod member support shelf. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose support shelf according to claim 1 including barbed plastic insertion screws for securing said metal tubes of said rod member support shelf to said rod supports and said rod member support shelf comprises 2 to 5 metal tubes encapsulated in plastic sleeves for supporting a plurality of balls selected from the group consisting of a basketball, soccer ball, baseball, tennis ball, and combinations thereof.