US20070090243A1

US20070090243A1 - Shelf shipping clip

Info

Publication number: US20070090243A1
Application number: US11/431,478
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Downing
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2005-10-13
Filing date: 2006-05-10
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: CA2558809A1

Abstract

A shipping clip is configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base. The shipping clip includes a main beam having first and second side, and a biasing tab outwardly extending from the first side at an angle. The biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the shelf to compressively secure the shelf within the cabinet during shipping.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/726,358 entitled “Shelf Shipping Clip,” filed Oct. 13, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to shipping clips, and more particularly to shipping clips for shelves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various cabinets and bookcases include a plurality of shelves that may be secured within the cabinets and bookcases through a plurality of pins. FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a conventional shelf pin 10 secured within a cabinet wall 12. The shelf pin 10 includes a post or tab (not shown) removably secured within a reciprocal securing opening (not shown) within the cabinet wall 12. A shelf support beam 14 having a flat surface 16 extends outwardly from the cabinet wall 12. Typically, two shelf pins 10 are spaced apart from one another on a cabinet wall 12. Further, each lateral cabinet wall 12 may include two spaced apart shelf pins 10 secured therein. Thus, a shelf may be supported by four coplanar shelf pins 10.
After a cabinet, for example, is manufactured, it is shipped to a distributor, retailer, or customer. Because the shelves may not be permanently secured within the cabinet, the manufacturer typically ensures that the shelves are safely shipped. For example, the cabinet and shelves may be separately shipped so that the shelves do not shift about the cabinet during shipping. However, separately shipping the shelves and cabinet increases the costs of shipping, because two separate packing assemblies are shipped. In order to minimize shipping costs, some cabinets are shipped with the shelves temporarily secured therein.
FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf 18 secured between a conventional shipping clip 20 and the shelf pin 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the shelf pin 10 is secured to the cabinet wall 12 and supports the shelf 18. The shipping clip 20 includes a triangular main body 22, with an upper apex 24 having a securing post (not shown) secured within a securing hole (not shown) of the cabinet wall 12. A base 26 of the main body 22 is biased into the shelf 18. Thus, the shelf 18 is secured between the shelf pin 10 and the shipping clip 20. The cabinet may then be shipped with the shelves 18 secured therein.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the shipping clip 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the apex 24 of the triangular main body 22 is secured to the cabinet wall 12, while the base 26 is biased into the top surface of the shelf 18. Thus, the shipping clip 20 and the shelf pin (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) cooperate to secure the shelf 18 in place during shipping, thereby preventing the shelf from moving within the cabinet.
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip 30. The shipping clip 30 includes a triangular main body 32 with a post 34 removably secured within a securing hole 36 formed through the cabinet wall 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the shipping clip 30 is longer than the shipping clip 20.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shipping clips 20 and 30 are configured to secure only one shelf between their respective bases and the shelf pins 10 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In order to secure multiple shelves 18, each shelf 18 is secured between one set of shipping clips 20 or 30, and one set of shelf pins 10. For example, in order to secure two shelves 18 during shipping, four shelf pins 10 and four shipping clips 20 or 30 are used to secure the first shelf 18, while four additional shelf pins 10 and four additional shipping clips 20 or 30 are used to secure the second shelf 18. Further, while the clips and pins minimize vertical shifting of the shelves, the shelves 18 may slide, rattle, or otherwise move laterally during shipping. As such, the shelves 18 and cabinet walls may be susceptible to scratching or other such damage during shipping.
Thus, a need exists for a shipping clip capable of securing a plurality of shelves during shipping. Additionally, a need exists for a shipping clip that prevents the shelves from banging into cabinet walls during shipping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain Embodiments of the present invention provide a shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base. The shipping clip may include a beam having a shelf side and a cabinet-abutting side, and a resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section of said shelf side at an angle. The biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping.
The biasing tab may include an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein the blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
The shipping clip may also include a cabinet securing post extending from the cabinet-abutting side, wherein the cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.
Additionally, a grasping handle may extend from an upper portion of the shelf side. The grasping handle may include a fin extending from the shelf side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to the fin.
Further, a shelf-stabilizing ramp may extend from the shelf side below the biasing tab. The shelf-stabilizing ramp may be configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.
A shim may extend from the beam and be configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet. The shim is configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional shelf pin secured within a cabinet wall.
FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf secured between a conventional shipping clip and shelf pin.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip.
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip.
FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of a shipping clip securing a plurality of shelves within a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a shipping clip securing a plurality of shelves within a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a shipping clip 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shipping clip 40 may be formed of various materials, such as rubber, or plastic. The shipping clip 40 includes a main beam 42 having a cabinet securing post 44 extending from a wall-abutting side 46. The cabinet securing post 44 is configured to be retained within a securing hole (not shown in FIG. 5) within a cabinet wall (not shown in FIG. 5).
A handle 48 extends from a shelf side 50 (which is opposite the wall-abutting side), and proximate the top of the main beam 42. That is, the handle 48 and the post 44 extend from opposite sides 50 and 46, respectively, of an upper portion of the main beam 42. The handle 48 may include a vertical fin 52 extending outwardly from the side 50. The vertical fin 52 may be integrally formed with a cylindrical post 54. The vertical fin 52 and the cylindrical post 54 may be ergonomically configured to allow easy grasping of the handle 48. For example, the cylindrical post 54 acts as a barrier that prevents fingers from sliding off the handle 48 in the direction of arrow A.
Proximate a mid-section 55 of the main beam 42, a resilient biasing tab 56 extends outwardly from the side 50 at an angle 0. The biasing tab 56 includes extension beam 58 integrally formed with a rounded, or blunted shelf-abutting end 60, that is distally located from the main beam 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the shelf-abutting end 60 is a turned up end of the extension beam 58. The biasing tab 56 may be spring-biased.
A shelf-stabilizing ramp 62 extends from the side 50 of the main beam 42 below the biasing tab 56. The ramp 62 includes a lower surface 64 that extends perpendicularly from the side 50 of the main beam 50. The lower surface 64 is integrally connected to a ramped surface 66 that extends toward the midsection 55 of the main beam 42.
The lower portion of the main beam 42 terminates in a shim 68 that extends below the ramp 62. The shim 68 is configured to be positioned between a cabinet wall (not shown in FIG. 5) and lateral portions of shelves (not shown in FIG. 5).
FIG. 6 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the shipping clip 40 securing a plurality of shelves 70 within a cabinet 72 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shelves 70 are positioned on top of a base 74 of the cabinet 72. As shown in FIG. 6, two shelves 70 are stacked on top of the base 74.
The shipping clip 40 is secured into the cabinet wall 76. That is, the post 44 is secured within a reciprocal opening 78 formed in the cabinet wall 76.
The shim 68 of the shipping clip 40 is positioned between the shelves 70 and the cabinet wall 76. The shim 68 provides a barrier between the shelves 70 and the cabinet wall 76 that prevents lateral shifting of the shelves 70 within the cabinet 72. Thus, the shelves 70 and cabinet walls 76 are protected against scratching or other damage that may be caused by the shelves 70 banging into the cabinet walls 76 during shipping.
The lower surface 64 of the ramp 62 is positioned over a top edge of the top shelf 70, while the shim 68 may overlay a lateral surface of the top shelf 70. The ramp 62 and the shim 68 may cooperate to secure the shelves 70 from vertical and lateral shifting.
The shelf-abutting end 60 of the biasing clip 56 exerts a force into the top surface of the top shelf 70. The force exerted by the biasing clip 56 into the top shelf compresses the shelves 70 into the base 74 of the cabinet, thereby restricting movement of the shelves 70.
As shown in FIG. 6, the shipping clip 40, or a plurality of shipping clips 40, may be used to secure a plurality of shelves 70 within the cabinet 72 during shipping. For example, two or four shipping clips 40 may be used to secure a plurality of shelves 70 within the cabinet 72. While two shelves 70 are shown in FIG. 6, the shipping clip 40 may be configured to secure more or less shelves 70 than those shown. Also, shelf pins do not have to be used in order to secure the shelves 70. Optionally, shelf pins may be used to secure the shelves away from the base 74.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of the shipping clips 40 securing a plurality of shelves 70 within the cabinet 72 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the shelves 70 are supported by a plurality of shelf pins 80. The shelves 70 are securely retained between the shelf pins 80 and the shipping clips 40. While four shelves 70 are shown secured between the shelf pins 80 and the shipping clips 40, the shipping clips 40 may be configured to secure more or less shelves 70 than those shown within the cabinet 72 during shipping.
Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a shipping clip capable of securing a plurality of shelves during shipping. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of shipping clips may be used to secure a plurality of shelves against a base of a cabinet. For example; four horizontally aligned shipping clips may be used to secure a plurality of shelves within the cabinet. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality shelves may be secured between a plurality of shipping clips and a plurality of shelf pins. For example, four horizontally-aligned shipping clips and four coplanar shelf pins may be used to secure a plurality of shelves therebetween.
Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide a shipping clip that prevents shelves from banging into the cabinet walls during shipping. The shims and ramps of the shipping clips act as barriers that minimize the shelves from shifting during shipping.
While various spatial terms, such as upper, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like are used to describe portions of the shipping clip with respect to a cabinet, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising:

a main beam having first and second sides; and

a biasing tab outwardly extending from said first side, wherein said biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping.

2. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein said biasing tab is spring-biased.

3. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein said biasing tab comprises an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.

4. The shipping clip of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet securing post extending from said second side, wherein said cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.

5. The shipping clip of claim 1, further comprising a grasping handle extending from said first side, wherein said grasping handle comprises a fin extending from said first side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin.

6. The shipping clip of claim 1, further comprising a shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said first side, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.

7. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein said main beam further comprises a shim configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet.

8. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf comprises a plurality of shelves.

9. The shipping clip of claim 1, wherein the shipping clip is configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the base of the cabinet.

10. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising:

a beam having a shelf side and a cabinet-abutting side; and

a resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section of said shelf side at an angle, wherein said biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping.

11. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein said biasing tab is spring-biased.

12. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein said biasing tab comprises an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.

13. The shipping clip of claim 10, further comprising a cabinet securing post extending from said cabinet-abutting side, wherein said cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet.

14. The shipping clip of claim 10, further comprising a grasping handle extending from an upper portion of said shelf side, wherein said grasping handle comprises a fin extending from said shelf side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin.

15. The shipping clip of claim 10, further comprising a shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said shelf side below said biasing tab, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.

16. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein said beam further comprises a shim configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet.

17. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein the at least one shelf comprises a plurality of shelves.

18. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein the shipping clip is configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the base of the cabinet.

19. A shipping clip configured to secure at least one shelf within a cabinet having walls and a base, the shipping clip comprising:

a beam having a shelf side, a cabinet-abutting side, and a shim configured to be positioned between the at least one shelf and at least one of the walls of the cabinet, said shim configured to prevent lateral shifting of the at least one shelf within the cabinet;

a cabinet securing post extending from said cabinet-abutting side, wherein said cabinet securing post is configured to be retained within a reciprocal opening formed in at least one of the walls of the cabinet;

a grasping handle extending from an upper portion of said shelf side, wherein said grasping handle comprises a fin extending from said shelf side, and a cylindrical post integrally connected to said fin;

a resilient biasing tab outwardly extending proximate a mid-section of said shelf side at an angle, wherein said biasing tab is configured to exert a force into the at least one shelf to compressively secure the at least one shelf within the cabinet during shipping, said biasing tab comprising an extension tab integrally connected to a blunted shelf-abutting end, wherein said blunted shelf-abutting end is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf; and

a shelf-stabilizing ramp extending from said shelf side below said biasing tab, wherein said shelf-stabilizing ramp is configured to abut against a top surface of the at least one shelf.

20. The shipping clip of claim 10, wherein the at least one shelf comprises a plurality of shelves, and wherein the shipping clip is configured to securely retain the at least one shelf against the base of the cabinet.