GB2449479A - Collapsible shelving unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A piece of furniture, preferably a shelving unit, having two upright sides 1 which are trapezoid in shape with the thinnest end at the top, and a number of shelves 2 3. The unit is assembled by sliding the shelves 2 3 over the sides 1, so the shelves slide down until the width of the sides is equal to the width of the slots in the shelves. The height of shelves from the ground is therefore dictated by their width, therefore each shelf had a different width. The unit is held up by the tight fit of the shelf slots on the upright sides. Adjustable shelves use a threaded nut and bolt 7 11 at each end, enabling the user to change the width of the shelves, and therefore their height. The nut and bolt may be concealed in a telescopic sheath 9 10.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Adjustable Collapsible Shelving Systern

Introduction

People frequently move house and put furniture in storage, and those possessions that are difficult to move and store are items of furniture, such as shelving units, shoe racks, and desks. This system reduces this problem by enabling furniture to be quickly and reversibly disassembled to flat pack, with needing any tools or more than one person. It is foreseen that the biggest market would be students, who often move houses every year, move furniture to and from their parents' home, and usually using only a car. There is much folding furniture, but this system is different in that it does not have any hinges, pivots or other moving parts.

This reduces manufacturing costs and breakage. The system is also very flexible, and the user can add shelves and change the height of shelves. One commercial advantage is that sides and individual shelves could be sold separately, giving total flexibility to the user. The unit described is only an example, and it is acknowledged that the system could be used in virtually all items of furniture, such as shoe racks, TV cabinets, spice racks, desks, etc. Key Features Collapsible furniture not requiring tools to either put up or take apart, and having no hinges nor pivoting joints. Instead, units have upright sides that are gradually wider towards the bottom and shelves that slide on to the sides.

The unit is assembled by sliding the shelves over the top of the upright trapezoid (or other appropriately shaped) sides. Shelves have a slot at each end, and slide on to the sides from the top (thinnest end). The shelves slide down until the width of the sides is equal to the width of the slots. Therefore, the heights of shelves from the unit base are dictated by their widths, so all shelves must be different widths. The unit is held up by the tight fit of the shelf slots on the upright sides. -Adjustable shelves have a threaded nut and bolt (optionally inside a telescopic sheath) at each end, so the width of the shelves can be changed, enabling shelves to be fixed at any height.

Drawings The attached figures show an example of an item of furniture. The example is a unit of four shelves, but the system could be used for any number of shelves, and for many other items of furniture. If necessary, for larger items or those bearing greater weights, the item can be stabilized by the addition of a connection from a bottom corner to the diagonally opposite top corner.

Figure 1 is an orthographic presentation of a unit of four shelves, showing the Plan, and Front and Right Elevations. For the sake of clarity, only the top and bottom shelves are shown in the Plan view. Two upright sides (1) are trapezia, and are thinner at the top. Optionally, the bottom shelf (2) can rest on the floor, and the sides placed in the slots (5). Alternatively, the bottom shelf can slid down from the top and not rest on the floor, depending on the function of the unit, whether it is for outdoors, or for user preference. All other shelves (3) are slid over the upright sides from the top, and will slide down until the width of the trapezium sides (1) is equal to the length of the slots (5). Figure 2 is an outline isometric presentation of the assembled shelf unit. Figure 3 is an isometric presentation of one shelf. A shelf could consist of a frame (5) of any hard material, with a plain solid surface (4), with slots left at each end (6). Alternatively, the shelf surface could be bars, slats, or dowling, depending on function.

Similarly, the upright sides may be any material, and may be frame or solid panels. Figure 4 is a close-up of one end of one shelf, showing a mechanism for making shelves adjustable. A screw threaded bolt (7) connects each side of the shelf at both ends with its head on the outer of one side (8), optionally concealed within telescopic sheaths (9 & 10), and is held by a nut (11) at the other side. To enable the shelf to change width, the surface (4) would have to be made from a flexible material, such as cloth. Thus, the user is able to adjust the width of the shelf, and hence its height, by turning the two nuts (8).

Claims (1)

1. Collapsible furniture not requiring tools to either put up or take apart, due to having upright sides that are gradually wider towards the bottom and shelves that slide on to the uprights.

   Shelves have a slot at each end, and slide on to trapezoid (or other appropriate shape) sides from the top (thinnest end), so the heights of shelves from the base are dictated by their widths.

   Adjustable shelves have a threaded nut and bolt at each end, so the width of the shelves can be changed, enabling shelves to be fixed at any height.