Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02507580 2005-05-17
TITLE: CORNER SHELVING UNIT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to modular shelving.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Free standing shelving is a widely available in a variety of sizes. In a vast
majority of
cases, the shelving units generally consist of a series of rectangular shelves
which are stacked one
atop the other by means of supporting legs or columns to form a fi~ee standing
shelf. In almost
every case, each corner of each shelf is supported by a column in order to
maximize the stability
of the finished shelving unit. This fi~ee standing shelving unit is then
generally positioned against
the wall. In rooms which are relatively small, it is advantageous to position
some of the shelves
in a corner. This generally requires two shelving units to be brought together
in an L shaped
pattern in order to take advantage of the space available in the corner.
Constructing an L shaped
shelving unit from rectangular shelves support at each corner by a column
necessarily means that
a column will be positioned right in the comer of the L shaped unit. The
presence of a column
right in the corner of the shelving unit greatly restricts access to the comer
space of the unit. As a
result, large bulky objects are difficult to position in the corner space of
the shelving unit since
the corner column blocks access to the space. The alternative approach is to
remove the corner
column, which has the effect of rendering the corner unit less stable. An
improved corner
shelving unit which is both highly stable and which permits free access to the
comer space is
therefore required.
CA 02507580 2005-05-17
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a shelving unit
for use in the corner of
the room. The shelving unit includes comprising a first shelf comprising a
substantially
pentagonal flat shelf having a front edge, a first and second side edge and a
first and second rear
edge. The two rear edges are at right angles to each other to form a first
corner, the first corner
being opposite the front edge. The front edge and the first side edge forming
a second corner, the
front edge and second side edge forming a third corner, the first side edge
and the first rear edge
forming a right angled forth corner and the second side edge and the second
rear edge forming a
right angled fifth corner. The shelving unit further includes a rectangular
second shelf having a
first edge and four corners, the second shelf being mount~l adjacent to and
parallel with the first
shelf, the first edge of the second shelf abutting one of the side edges of
the first shelf. The
shelving unit also includes a plurality of vertical columns for supporting the
shelves, each
vertical column supporting one of the corners of the first and second shelves.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to
those skilled
1 S in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds,
the invention is herein
described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,
which includes a
description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1. is a top view of a corner shelf made in accordance with the
invention.
FIGURE 2. is a top view of a prior art corner shelving unit.
FIGURE 3. is a top view of a corner shelving unit made in accordance with the
present invention.
2
CA 02507580 2005-05-17
FIGURE 4. is a perspective view of a comer shelving unit made in accordance
with the present
invention.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
the different
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Refernng firstly to figure 2, prior art corner shelving units, shown generally
as item 10
consisted of a series of rectangular shelves 12, 14 and 16 which were
supported by columns 18
and 20. Shelves 12, 14 and 16 are mounted to the columns by means known
generally in the art
such as bolts, hooks or the like. Corner space 22 is formed on shelf 14.
Unfortunately, access to
space 22 is obstructed by column 20. In order to place an item into corner 22,
the item (not
shown) would have to be inserted either between columns 20 and 18a or between
columns 20
and 18b. If the item is bulky or awkward, it can be difficult to maneuver the
item in order to
place it into corner 22.
By way of contrast, figure 3 illustrates a corner shelving unit made in
accordance with the
present invention. The corner shelving unit of the present invention, shown
generally as item 24
consists of a corner shelf 30 and rectangular shelves 26 and 28. Shelves 30,
26 and 28 are
supported by columns 32, 34, 36 and 38. Shelves 26 and 28 are rectangular
shelves, while shelf
30 is preferably a pentagonal shelf having sides 40, 41, 42, 46 and 48.
Preferably, the width of
sides 41 and 42 are identical to the widths of shelves 28 and 26,
respectively. More preferably,
the width of shelves 41 and 42 are equal. Side 40 is supported by columns 36.
Since columns 36
are separated by the width of side 40, corner space 44 is readily accessible
through the space
3
CA 02507580 2005-05-17
between columns 36. Columns 36 do not block access to space 44. Preferably,
side 40 is as least
as wide as sides 41 and 42 to permit easy access to corner space 44. Sides 42
and 41 are
preferably straight so that the sides abut closely with shelves 26 and 28,
respectively.
Referring now to figure 1, shelf 30 is a substantially flat pentagonal member
having side
edges 40, 41, 42, 46 and 48 and flat surface 60. Side edges 46 and 48 form a
right angled corner
55 which is ideal for placing in the corner of a room (not shown). Side edge
40 may be referred
to as a front side edges since it is intended to be positioned away the comer
of the room. Side
edge 40 is opposite corner 55. Reinforcing rim or skirt 62 extends
circumferentially around the
sides in order to provide the shelf with increased stiiTrress. Each of the
corners formed by edges
40, 41, 42, 46 and 48 are provided with attachment means for attaching the
corners to a support
column. The attachment means may comprise a hook fastener, bolts or any other
means suitable
for mounting to the column. Preferably the attachment means comprise apertures
50, 52, 54, 56
and 58 which are provided at the corners of the shelf to provide attachment
points for the support
columns. Side edges 42 and 46 are at a right angle to each other to form
corner 53 and side edges
41 and 48 are at a right angle to each other to form comer 57. Preferably,
side edges 42 and 4I
are straight; however, side edge 40 may be curved either outwardly or inwardly
in order optimize
the surface area of surface 60. Preferably, side edges 42 and 40 are at an
obtuse angle to each
other to form corner 51 and side edges 41 and 40 are at an obtuse angle to
form corner 49. In the
particular embodiment shown in the figures, shelf 30 is made of steel wire;
however, the shelf
may be made from any suitable material such as plastic, steel or the like.
Referring now to figure 4, the present invention has many advantages over the
prior art.
Firstly, the shelving unit can easily be inserted into a corner of a room
because side edges 46 and
4
CA 02507580 2005-05-17
48 are at right angles to each other so that corner 55 fits in close against
the walls (not shown).
Also, items can easily be inserted deep into corner space 44 because columns
36 are spaced apart,
permitting easy access to the corner space. Finally, providing two columns 36
actually makes for
a stronger and stiffer shelving unit.
A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however,
several
variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope
of this invention.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described
above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the
following claims.
