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US 9,844,262 B2Granted
Variable planform shelving system
AssigneeStorexperts, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Fanourgiakis, Lawrence J. Brucia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Variable planform shelving systems include a variable support platform and a support surface assembly that is supported by the variable support platform. The variable support platform includes frames that can be repositioned relative to each other to vary the planform of the variable support platform. The support surface assembly provides a support surface for supported items. The support surface assembly is flexible and/or comprised of a plurality of linked panels so that the support surface provided varies in response to variation in the planform of the variable support platform.
Claims18
A variable planform shelving system comprising a shelf having a variable planform, the shelf comprising:
- a central frame providing a first part of a variable support platform and having a first end and a second end, wherein the central frame has an elliptical planform shape;
- a first lateral frame providing a second part of the variable support platform and having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end being pivotally coupled and slidingly coupled with the first end of the central frame so that relative positioning between the first lateral frame and the central frame is variable to vary the planform of the variable support platform, wherein the first lateral frame has a planform shape of at least a portion of one end of an ellipse, and wherein the first proximal end of the first lateral frame is coupled with the first end of the central frame so as to maintain the first proximal end of the first lateral frame in overlapping relationship with the first end of the central frame during movement of the first lateral frame relative to the central frame;
- and
- a second lateral frame providing a third part of the variable support platform and having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end being pivotally coupled and slidingly coupled with the second end of the central frame so that relative positioning between the second lateral frame and the central frame is variable to vary the planform of the variable support platform, wherein the second lateral frame has a planform shape of at least a portion of one end of an ellipse, and wherein the second proximal end of the second lateral frame is coupled with the second end of the central frame so as to maintain the second proximal end of the second lateral frame in overlapping relationship with the second end of the central frame during movement of the second lateral frame relative to the central frame.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- (I) providing a shelf comprising:
- (A) a central frame having a first end and a second end, wherein the central frame has an elliptical planform shape;
- (B) a first lateral frame having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end being pivotally coupled and slidingly coupled with the first end of the central frame, wherein the first lateral frame has a planform shape of at least a portion of one end of an ellipse, and wherein the first proximal end of the first lateral frame is coupled with the first end of the central frame so as to maintain the first proximal end of the first lateral frame in overlapping relationship with the first end of the central frame during movement of the first lateral frame relative to the central frame;
- and
- (C) a second lateral frame having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end being pivotally coupled and slidingly coupled with the second end of the central frame, wherein the second lateral frame has a planform shape of at least a portion of one end of an ellipse, and wherein the second proximal end of the second lateral frame is coupled with the second end of the central frame so as to maintain the second proximal end of the second lateral frame in overlapping relationship with the second end of the central frame during movement of the second lateral frame relative to the central frame;
- and
- (II) varying a planform of the shelf by at least one of:
- (A) changing a contour along an edge of the shelf by at least one of:
- (i) pivoting the first distal end of the first lateral frame relative to the central frame;
- or
- (ii) pivoting the second distal end of the second lateral frame relative to the central frame;
- or
- (B) changing a length of the shelf by at least one of:
- (i) expanding the length of the shelf by at least one of:
- (a) sliding the first proximal end of the first lateral frame toward the second end of the central frame;
- or
- (b) sliding the second proximal end of the second lateral frame toward the first end of the central frame;
- or
- (ii) contracting the length of the shelf by at least one of:
- (a) sliding the first proximal end of the first lateral frame away from the second end of the central frame;
- or
- (b) sliding the second proximal end of the second lateral frame away from the first end of the central frame.
19 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.