Back to results
US 7,401,716 B2Granted
Adjustable shelf system
AssigneeIntier Automotive Inc.
InventorsRichard N. Svenson, Tom Delano
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable shelf system includes a shelf capable of being moved from a first position slidably mounted within a first pair of track members to a second position slidably mounted within a second pair of track members without being completely removed from said first and second pair of track members. A method is also disclosed.
Claims14
An adjustable shelf system, comprising:
- a first pair of track members;
- a second pair of track members;
- a shelf having a forward end, a rearward end, and a first side and a second side between the forward and rearward ends;
- and
- a pair of leveraging members extending from said first and second sides and located between said forward and rearward ends, wherein the shelf is operatively connected to said first and second pair of track members, wherein the pair of leveraging members provide selective movement of the shelf between said first and second pair of track members, and further wherein the pair of leveraging members are movable within and selectively contact said first and second pair of track members for moving the shelf about the first and second pair of track members,
- wherein the pair of leveraging members include
- a pair of roller elements to permit said shelf to be
- movably disposed within said one of the first and second pair of track members when said shelf is operatively connected to said one of the first pair of track members, and
- leveragably disposed and movably disposed within the other of said first and second pair of track members, wherein the shelf includes at least one lever operatively connected to said the pair of roller elements by way of a coupling device for retracting the pair of roller elements that extend from said shelf.
6 more elements
A method for selectively positioning a shelf in an adjustable shelf system comprising the steps of:
- slidably moving a shelf from a first stowed position within a first pair of track members such that a first pair of roller elements is moved outwardly from and ceases contact with the first pair of track members;
- pivoting the shelf about a first fixed axis passing through a second pair of roller elements located in the first pair of track members;
- positioning the first pair of roller elements in a second pair of track members;
- pivoting the shelf about a second fixed axis passing through the first pair of roller elements positioned in the second pair of track members;
- and
- slidably moving the shelf to a second stowed position within the second pair of track members, wherein, prior to pivoting the shelf about the second axis step, further comprising the steps of actuating a lever operatively coupled to said second pair of roller elements by way of a coupling device and retracting the second pair of roller elements from the first pair of track members.
3 more elements
A method for selectively positioning a shelf in an adjustable shelf system comprising the steps of:
- slidably moving a shelf from a first stowed position within a first pair of track members such that a first pair of pair elements is moved outwardly from and ceases contact with the first pair of track members;
- pivoting the shelf about a first fixed axis passing through a second pair of roller elements located in the first pair of track members;
- positioning the first pair of roller elements in a second pair of track members;
- pivoting the shelf about a second fixed axis passing through the first pair of roller elements positioned in the second pair of track members;
- and
- slidably moving the shelf to a second stowed position within the second pair of track members, wherein prior to the first slidably moving step, further comprising the steps of actuating a lever operatively coupled to at least one pair of locking pins by way of a coupling device extending from said shelf and retracting said at least one pair locking pins.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.