US20200141630A1

US20200141630A1 - Collapsible shelf assembly

Info

Publication number: US20200141630A1
Application number: US16/181,304
Authority: US
Inventors: Edyta McQueen; Jacob Rizzuto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-05
Filing date: 2018-11-05
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

A collapsible shelf assembly having four detachable, slideably mated trays, each tray comprising an L-shaped superiorly-rising sidewall in some embodiments. The collapsible shelf assembly is adapted to collapse (or retract) along two axes to facilitate adjustment of shelf width and depth to optimize volume usage to users needing shelving providing adjustable surface area.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shelving and refrigeration apparti, and more particularly relates to foldable, collapsible or retractable shelving for optimizing storage space for perishable goods.

BACKGROUND

Description of the Related Art

Cooler and freezer shelving assemblies and shelves for storage of hand-sized articles and perishable goods, as well as other small items, are well-known in the art. Such shelving structures are often fabricated from polymeric materials, metal or wood; and are usually fabricated and dimensioned to position within the walls of refrigerators, freezers, coolers and interior and exterior shelving. Traditional shelves may dispose between partitions, wall or vertical supports within a larger structure such as refrigerator. Typically, these shelves slide onto or into spacing brackets or slots defined by walls, partitions or vertical supports. These traditional shelves include slotted angle shelves and pipe shelves.
However, traditional shelves are typically very generic in shape, usually consisting of little more than an open-topped or open-front bin in which the goods such as food perishables are stacked. Traditional shelving consists of a concave or tray-shaped open top with upwardly protruding sidewalls meant to secure articles, chattels and goods from overspilling laterally off shelf sides.
In both commercial and residential applications, volume, horizontal space and vertical space are limited, particularly within coolers and refrigeration apparati which are well insulated and expensive. Polymeric materials are favored for shelving over wood and metal in these environments because they insulate and are rust and corrosion resistant. Users of shelves often find the shelving itself is blocking the user from storing items of only slightly too high or broad dimension, such a milk cartons, pizza boxes, bags, bottles, and the like.
Although shelves are known in the art which are adjustable vertically relative to other shelving, and shelves are known in the art which slidably affix to mounting brackets or telescoping sidetracks, shelving which collapses along one or two axes is unknown in the art. The inconvenience and difficulty encountered by individuals attempting to make optimal use of vertical and horizontal storage space could be substantially alleviated if a device which overcomes these shortcomings in the art were available, including shelving which retracts along two axes. There is a substantial need for a means of curing these deficiencies in the art.
As such, it would be desirable to provide a collapsible shelf in some aspect adapted to retract on two axes, while retaining an economical configuration that is also relatively easy to use and manipulate in both collapsed (or retracted) and open positions. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible shelf structure specifically adapted in one aspect for a refrigeration unit to optimize space and storage internally according to the needs of a user.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a collapsible shelf assembly. Beneficially, such a device would overcome inefficiencies with the prior art by providing an inexpensive, efficient means of optimizing space for chattels by providing for shelf retraction along two or more axes.
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparti. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a collapsible shelf assembly, the collapsible shelf assembly comprising: a first tray defining two or more laterally-running guide tracks, the first tray comprising: a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; two or more protuberances adapted to slidably travel within a longitudinal guide track on an adjacent tray running perpendicularly to the laterally-running guide tracks; a second tray defining one or more laterally-running guide tracks and one or more longitudinally-running guide tracks, the second tray comprising: a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a third tray defining one or more longitudinally-running guide tracks, the third tray comprising: a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; two or more protuberances adapted to slidably travel within a laterally-running guide track on an adjacent tray; a fourth tray comprising: a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; four or more protuberances adapted to slidably travel within one or more guide tracks on an adjacent trays.
The base member, first sidewall and second sidewall of each tray may be formed as a single integrated piece.
The base member of each tray may be perforated. Each tray may be insulated. The protuberances, in some embodiments, are substantially one of cylindrical and conical. The trays may form a friction fit one with another in a collapsed configuration.
A collapsible shelf is also provided, the collapsible shelf comprising: a first tray defining one or more laterally-running guide tracks, the first tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second tray defining one or more longitudinally-running guide tracks, the second tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a third tray defining one or more longitudinally-running guide tracks, the third tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a track for slidably engaging one of a longitudinally-running guide track and a laterally-running guide track on an adjacent tray; a fourth tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material; a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface; a track for slidably engaging one of a longitudinally-running guide track and a laterally-running guide track on an adjacent tray.
Each tray may slidably mate with two other trays.
The base member, first sidewall and second sidewall of each tray may be formed as a single integrated piece.
Another collapsible shelf is provided, the collapsible shelf comprising: a first tray defining one or more guide tracks, the first tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides; an L-shaped sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the L-shaped sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom and covering two of the four sides of the base member; a second tray defining one or more guide tracks, the second tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides; one or more guide tracks for slidably receiving track on an adjacent tray; a third tray defining one or more guide tracks, the third tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides; an L-shaped sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the L-shaped sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom and covering two of the four sides of the base member; a fourth tray defining one or more guide tracks, the fourth tray comprising: a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides; an L-shaped sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the L-shaped sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom and covering two of the four sides of the base member; wherein each tray slidably mates with two other trays.
The base member, first sidewall and second sidewall of each tray may be formed as a single integrated piece.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper side perspective view of a disassembled collapsible shelf assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a lower side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in the open position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an upper side perspective view of a disassembled collapsible shelf assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an upper side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in the open position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an upper side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
FIG. 1 is an upper side perspective view of a disassembled collapsible shelf assembly 100 in accordance with the present invention. The shelf 100 is formed from four trays 102, 104, 106, 108 which engage one another slidably to form a receptacle for storing chattels or perishable foods. The shelf 100 is adjustable in width and depth to increase or decrease the surface area of the shelf 100 available to users for storage of implements, articles, chattels or perishables.
The shelf 100 comprises a first tray 102 having planar base member 118 defining a plurality of holes, apertures, or bores 116 a-b for draining standing fluids collecting on the top surface of the first tray 102. The apertures 116 may be round, ovoid, square, hexagonal or any other shape. The trays 102, 104, 106, 108 may be punches or perforated with holes or apertures 116.
The base member 118 is shown as a generally square or rectangular planar lower member which smoothly transitions at two of its peripheral edges to one or more superiorly-rising planar or L-shaped peripheral sidewalls 302 (also called “retention members” and further described below in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4). The L-shaped sidewall 302 may comprise, in some embodiments, two separate planar sidewalls 402, 404 which mate or join together at the corner of the base member 118 forming a corner. The peripheral side 302 acts to laterally stabilize articles such as perishable food items stowed or stored in the shelf 100.
The base member 118 is preferably square or rectangular, but may be circular, ovoid, elliptical, or irregularly-shaped.
The tray 102 forms one or more guide tracks 110 for slidably receiving adjacent trays 104, 106, 108. The tray 102 defines one or more lateral guide tracks 110 within the base member 118 which allow corresponding tracks on adjacent trays 104, 106, or 108 to travel. The lateral guide tracks 110 may be recessed into the bottom surface of the tray 102. The lateral guide tracks 110 provide axial and lateral stability to an adjacent tray 108 as it travels on the X axis of the shelf 100 and are adapted to facilitate retraction of the tray 108 inward (or collapse of the shelf 100). The tray 108 overlaps or underlaps the tray 102. The term “guide track” is used interchangeably herein with “positioning slot.” The guide tracks 110, 114 may affixed using means known to those of skill in the art to the base member 118.
The tray 102 also may define, in some embodiments, one or more longitudinal guide tracks 114 within the base member 118 which allow corresponding tracks on an adjacent tray 104 to slide or travel within the tray 102. The longitudinal guide tracks 114 may be recessed into the bottom surface of the tray 102 and positioned in perpendicular orientation to the lateral guide tracks 110. The longitudinal guide tracks 114 provide axial and longitudinal stability to an adjacent tray 104 as it travels on the Y axis of the shelf 100 and is adapted to facilitate retraction of the tray 104 inward. The tray 104 also may overlap or underlap the tray 102.
In various embodiments, the longitudinal tracks 114 sit flush with the base member 118 and comprise upwardly- or downwardly-protruding tabs 120 (or protuberances 120) which insert into guide tracks on adjacent trays 104-108 (further described below in relation to FIG. 2 and other figures). In other embodiments, the lateral and/or longitudinal tracks 110, 114 are reliefed or recessed from the base member 118.
In various other embodiments of the present invention, the tray 102 comprises integrated male tracks for slidably inserting within guide tracks on adjacent tray and permits travel of the tray 102 along the X and/or Y axes of adjacent trays 104, 106, 108.
It is an object of the present invention to provide trays 102-108 adapted to collapse or retract inwardly upon themselves with other trays 102-108 of the shelf 100 with minimal tensile force, and also to open when retracted and return to an open position. The trays 102-108 are detachable from one another by sliding each tray 102-108 in sequence out of a single adjacent tray 102-108 to which it is slidably affixed. In various embodiments, the trays 102-108 are spring-biased to return to an open position when tensile or compressive forces on the shelf 100 are released.
FIG. 2 is a lower side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly 200 in the open position in accordance with the present invention.
The guide tracks 110 partially span the width (X axis dimension) of the tray 102, 104 and terminate at a side of the tray 102 uncovered by a peripheral sidewall 302, 402, 404 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, two or more tabs 120 on adjacent trays 104-108 insert into the guide tracks 110 and travel therein. The tabs 120 may be substantially cylindrical or conical and may comprise flanges at their terminal ends. In some embodiments, the tabs 120 comprise bolts or screws affixed to the base member 118 or other tray 104-108 planar surfaces, with the flanges being the heads of the bolts or screws.
The tabs 120 position within the guide tracks 110, 114. The male tracks slidably engaging the guide tracks 110, 114 may consist of one, two, or three or more tabs 120.
In various embodiments, a sidewall spans one more sides of each tray 102, 104, 106, 108 and is affixed therewith using, in less preferred embodiments, Velcro®, adhesive or other means known to those of skill in the art, but preferably formed as an integrated piece.
The top edge of each peripheral sidewall 302, 402, 404 may be smooth, planar, or undulating.
The base member 118 may square in some embodiments. The corresponding base members of other trays 102-108 may dimensioned such that they are more substantially rectangular than the tray 102. For instance, tray 104 is dimensioned such that its width is longer rationally to its depth than tray 102. Likewise, trays 106, 108 may also be so dimensioned in various embodiments.
FIG. 3 is an upper side perspective view of a disassembled collapsible shelf assembly 300 in accordance with the present invention.
In various embodiments, the peripheral sidewall 302 is formed with the base member 118 of the tray 102 as a single integrated piece.
FIG. 4 is an upper side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly 400 in the open position in accordance with the present invention.
The peripheral sidewalls 402, 404 (or side members) span the length, bread or width of one edge of the base member 118. These sidewalls 402, 404 are fabricated from a rigid or semi-flexible, polymeric or polymerically-enveloped material, such as nylon or fiberglass. In other embodiments, the sidewalls 104 may be fabricated from, or partially fabricated from, organic materials such as wood, latex or natural rubber. The tray 102, 104, 106, 108 may be insulated. Alternatively, the trays 102-108 may be pressed from sheet metal in other embodiments. In still further embodiments, the trays 102-108 are formed from woven elastomeric threads as known to those of skill in the art.
In various embodiments, the peripheral sidewalls 402, 404 are formed with the base member 118 of the tray 102 as a single integrated piece. The tray 102 may be formed using means known to those of skill in the art, including through injection molding, additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing), extrusion processes, heat press, or other means known to those of skill in the art.
The superior edges of the sidewalls 302, 402, 404 terminate with a rounded, chamfered, angled, tapered or an otherwise-shaped uniform cut or edging.
FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf 500 or shelf assembly in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention.
The shelf 500 collapses as shown.
FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention.
The tabs 120 within the tracks 112 or guide tracks 110, 114 acts as hard stops to prevent over-retraction of adjacent trays 102, 104, 106, 108. In the hard stop configuration, the tabs 120 are indicated at 602.
FIG. 7 is an upper side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly 700 in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention.
As shown. The trays 102-108 may stay in open or collapsed configuration by forming a friction fit one with another.
FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly 800 in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention; and
As shown with tray 108 overlapping tray 102.
FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an assembled collapsible shelf assembly 900 in a partially-retracted position accordance with the present invention.
As shown with the tray 102 underlapping tray 108.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible shelf assembly, the collapsible shelf assembly comprising:

a first tray defining two or more laterally-running guide tracks, the first tray comprising:

a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material;

a first sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the first sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface;

a second sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the second sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom adapted provide lateral stability to articles stored on the top surface;

two or more protuberances adapted to slidably travel within a longitudinal guide track on an adjacent tray running perpendicularly to the laterally-running guide tracks;

a second tray defining one or more laterally-running guide tracks and one or more longitudinally-running guide tracks, the second tray comprising:

a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material;

a third tray defining one or more longitudinally-running guide tracks, the third tray comprising:

a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material;

two or more protuberances adapted to slidably travel within a laterally-running guide track on an adjacent tray;

a fourth tray comprising:

a generally rectangular base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material;

four or more protuberances adapted to slidably travel within one or more guide tracks on an adjacent trays.

2. The collapsible shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the base member, first sidewall and second sidewall of each tray are formed as a single integrated piece.

3. The collapsible shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the base member of each tray is perforated.

4. The collapsible shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein each tray is insulated.

5. The collapsible shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the protuberances are substantially one of cylindrical and conical.

6. The collapsible shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the trays form a friction fit one with another in a collapsed configuration.

7. A collapsible shelf, the collapsible shelf comprising:

a first tray defining one or more laterally-running guide tracks, the first tray comprising:

a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material;

a second tray defining one or more longitudinally-running guide tracks, the second tray comprising:

a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material;

a track for slidably engaging one of a longitudinally-running guide track and a laterally-running guide track on an adjacent tray;

a fourth tray comprising:

a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material;

a track for slidably engaging one of a longitudinally-running guide track and a laterally-running guide track on an adjacent tray.

8. The shelf of claim 7, wherein each tray slidably mates with two other trays.

9. The collapsible shelf assembly of claim 7, wherein the base member, first sidewall and second sidewall of each tray are formed as a single integrated piece.

10. A collapsible shelf, the collapsible shelf comprising:

a first tray defining one or more guide tracks, the first tray comprising:

a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides;

an L-shaped sidewall affixed to a top surface of the base member, the L-shaped sidewall superiorly-protruding therefrom and covering two of the four sides of the base member;

a second tray defining one or more guide tracks, the second tray comprising:

a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides;

one or more guide tracks for slidably receiving track on an adjacent tray;

a third tray defining one or more guide tracks, the third tray comprising:

a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides;

a fourth tray defining one or more guide tracks, the fourth tray comprising:

a planar base member fabricated of rigid polymeric material having four sides;

wherein each tray slidably mates with two other trays.

11. The collapsible shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein the base member, first sidewall and second sidewall of each tray are formed as a single integrated piece.