The invention resides in the broad field of floor- supported shelves.

Summary and Ob ects of the Invention:

A broad object of the invention is to provide a novel shelf structure having the following features and advantages;

1. It is supported by the floor and because of special construction is stabilized by the wall against which it is placed, without attachment or connection to the wall.

2. The position of the load on the shelves is such that, in response to the action of gravity, it produces the stabilizing effect in cooperation with the wall.

3. It has great stability in transverse directions, along the plane of the wall, notwithstanding the absence of connection to the wall.

4. The shelf structure can be placed in any of a wide variety of locations, and because of the absence of connection to the wall, it can be placed in position on a temporary basis, or in positions where it would not normally be positioned.

5. A pair of shelf structures can be mounted in back- to-back relation to form a double structure, producinc vertical stability similar to that involved in placing a single device against the wall, and a plurality of double structures can be used as a room divider or space divider.

6. It can be assembled and put in place without the use of tools. In certain cases, thumb screws are utilized.

7. It presents an usually _R ood appearance, being of trim lines, and it has a lower portion that is very compact and well designed where its compact arrangement presents an unusually good effect at the juncture of the wall and floor.

8. A new method is provided where the weight of the objects on the shelf is utilized for stabilizing the structure

Description of Certain Preferred Embodiments:

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of shelf structure emboding the invention, partially broken away, and partially in exploded position.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 1, taken from the near end of the latter, and showing the loads (objects) on the shelves .

Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the posts of the structure.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second form of shelf structure emboding the invention.

Fig. 5 is a small scale, front view of a shelf structure positioned for cooperation with a desk.

Fig. 6 is a view from the right of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a small scale, front view showing the structure used as a low or small table.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a single post with a load supporting thereon.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of posts set together in back-to-back relation and with several such double posts bearing shelves.

Fig. 10 is a front view of the lower portion of a post, oriented according to the arrow 10 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken at line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a front view of a post showing, in dot-dash lines a tipping position.

Detailed Description:

Referring to the invention in general, the shelf structure may be used for any of the wide variety of items, including for example, books, tools, supplies, etc.

Two forms of device are disclosed herein, both embodying the common main features of the invention, but differing in details. These two forms are, first that illustrated in Figs. 1-3, 5-7, and the second, illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8-12.

The specific description hereinbelow has to do first, with the first form referred to above. In this form, the shelf structure is indicated in its entirety at 28, and stands on the floor and rests against the wall, without connection or securement to either the floor or the wall. It is so designed that it bears on the floor and the wall itself, the weight of the load (the books or other objects) intensifying the pressure in both directions, that is, against both the floor and the wall. Additionally, the posts of the structure are designed as to provide stability in transverse directions, i.e. in the direction of the plane of the wall. Accordingly the shelf structure is firmly held in stabilized position against forces tending to displace it, in all directions. More specifically, the design of the structure of the posts is such that the center of gravity of the load is positioned

rearwardly from the front ends of the legs of the posts, producing the desired pressure against the floor and wall.

For an exemplification at the basic concept of the invention and the simple structure in which it is embodied, attention is directed to Figs. 1-3 which show the entire structure which includes only posts, brackets and shelves.

The shelf structure is shown in its entirety in Fig. 1, and includes two posts 30, one or more brackets on both of the posts. These items constitute the complete structure, in its basic form. The posts are of special or particular design, but the brackets and shelves are stock items, of known kind.

Fig. 2 shows articles 34 diagrammatically representing a load. The various dimensions and proportions of the shelf structure are such that the center of gravity of the load, indicated by the dot-dash line 35, is positioned rearwardly of the front edge of the structure, indicated at 36.

For convenience, reference will be made first to the brackets and shelves. A bracket 32 is shown in its entirety in Fig. 1, lower right, having a main body or shank 37, a pair of hooks 38 at a base or rear end, extending longitudinally from the shank 37, and a hook 40 at its outer or front end.

The shelves 34 may be simple rectangular boards, and each rests on a pair of brackets in the respective posts, the outer hooks 40 retaining the shelves in place against forward displacement.

e e pos s may e use or suppor ng s e ves as described above, it is not essential that shelves be used, but a single post may be used by itself, as referred to again hereinbelow.

The posts illustrated in Figs. 1-3, as noted above, embody a basic structure for carrying out the concept of the invention. Figs. 1-3 show the posts, and the shelf structure, in upright or active position, and references to the various components are made hereinbelow relative to that position of the structure. For convenience, the floor is indicated at 42, and the wall at 44, and the juncture line therebetween at 45.

Each post 30 includes a back post 46 and a pair of legs 48. For convenience, each post is considered as having a front side 50 and a rear side 52, the rear side engaging or being directed to the wall, and the legs 48 extending forwardly from the front side of the posts and thus from the front side of the structure as a whole.

The back post 46 is a tubular metal straight piece, in this case square in cross section, and of a length desired for the ultimate structure, such as 5', 6', etc. The legs 48 in this case are also of tubular structure, square in cross section, and secured to the back post as by welding. The legs are shaped at the juncture with the back post, to enable a continuous weldment, as at 53 (Fig. 3), between and around the back post and legs, the respective pieces being pre-cut to interfit to provide maximum strength, and may be given a suitable radius at 53'. The elements 46, 4S, thereby constitut

a rigid, unitary and effectively integral article, i.e. the post.

The legs 48 are disposed at certain angles relative to the back post and to each other, in embodying the basic concept of the invention. The legs are disposed at an angle 54

(Fig. 2) to the back post 46, and the legs themselves lie in a plane disposed at that angle, and the angle between the legs is shown at 56 (Fig. 3), the legs diverging forwardly, and being disposed on opposite sides of a center line 57.

These angles may assume definite dimensions for manufacturing purposes, and for convenience, but they may be of any dimension within a wide range for carrying out the principles of the invention. For example the angle 54 (Fig. 2) is determined by several factors, appearance being one, and also the effect to be produced in forcing the back posts against the wall.

A similar situation exists in connection with the angle 56 between the legs (Fig. 3). The legs stabilize the posts against displacement in transverse directions, as indicated by the arrows 58 (Fig. 3), or in directions along the plane of the wall. In the description hereinbelow, concerning the second form of device (Figs. 4, 8-12, the single leg, with the foot, produces the same result as the pair of legs 48.)

In a similar manner the length of the legs, and the corresponding vertically and horizontally projected dimensions, are such that the legs may extend forwardly

(see 36, Fig. 2), for example 12", and the lower, front ends of the legs may be spaced apart transversely such as

15" as indicated at 59 in Fig. 3. It will be understood of course that these are merely examples and the invention

is not to be limited thereto.

The posts 30, made up of the back posts and legs as noted above, are made of tubular metal members. Accordingly, each post is rigid, longitudinally, but it does possess a limited degree of resilience transversely, enabling it to bend within relatively small limits. This resilience of bending accommodates unevenness in floor/wall, and what is more important, it facilitates forcing the posts, and particularly the back posts, against the wall throughout the length of the back posts, or substantially so.

For mounting the brackets 32 in the post, the back post in its front side, is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced slots 58, vertically elongated, and in a range extending substantially the length of the back post. The hooks 38 of each bracket are merely inserted into adjacent slots and upon release of the bracket, it settles or lowers and is held in place by the hooks. The slots are closely and uniforml spaced, and the brackets can thus be placed at any selected ones of a large number of closely spaced positions. Preferably the back post is provided with additional holes 60 at the top and bottom for use in mounting the posts in back- to-back relation as referred to hereinbelow.

The center of gravity of the load (at 35, Fig. 2) referre to above, forces the legs 48 against the floor, and the back post 46 against the wall. The front end of the legs, and the top end of the back post, may be considered fulcrums, in a

broad way, against which the force works, and the correspond¬ ing ends or end portions of the legs and back post, which occur at the juncture between those elements, swing and are directly forced against the wall. This "swinging" is of course very limited, in absolute measurements, but the force produced against the wall is substantial. The resilience or springiness of the metal members, enables this leverage effect to be produced.

Emphasis is placed on the fact, referred to above, that the structure is not mechanically connected to or attached to the floor or wall. Because of that fact, the structure can be put in any of various places, quickly and easily, and if it is later found that it should be in another place, it can be easily repositioned, without in any way impairing the floor or wall. Examples of such instances are that it may be placed in front of a window, or door, or any other location, where it is expected to be only temporary, and where it would not be so placed if it were necessary to attach it to a wall, or remodel any of its features.

An additional great advantage is that the posts 30 are not connected or fastened together. The shelves are held loosely on the posts, and after removing them, the posts can be manipulated and moved around individually. The whole shelf structure 28 is actually a knockdown structure.

The following is a detailed description of the construct of the second form of device embodying the invention, as show in Figs. 4, 8 - 12. In the present case the post is identi- fied at 68 and its construction is different from that of the post 30 in the first form. Fig. 1 shows a pair of posts 68 provided with brackets 37 and a shelf 34, both of the latt being identified above. In this figure the two posts 68 are set up in upright or active position, spaced apart and supporting the shelf. In this case also, the two posts are identical and a description of a single post will apply in all of the illustrations involving this form. The posts 68 are disposed in a space or room having the wall 44 and floor 42, the juncture therebetween being indicated by the line 45.

Each post 68 is made up of a back post 70 and a leg 72. In this construction, the back post and leg are made of a single integral, one-piece member, while the foot 74 is a separate member secured to the leg.

The back post/leg 70/72 is preferably an extruded tubular metal piece, polygonal in cross-section and preferabl square. As in the first form of the device, the post in upright active position, is positioned with the foot 74 on and supported by the floor, and the back post 70 resting against the wall. The leg 72 is disposed at an angle relativ to the back post such that it is disposed at an acute angle 7

(Fig. 4) to floor. The back post 70 engages the wall through¬ out substantially its own length, minor variations in surface area being accommodated.

The post 68, in its upright active position, has a rear side 52 and front side 50 similarly to that of Fig. 1, with the rear side directed against the wall while the front side is directed to .the interior of the room.

The foot 74 is disposed transverse to the leg 72 and when the post is in active position, it engages the floor essentially throughout its own length in one form, but as referred to hereinbelow, it may be constructed so as to engage the floor only at its ends.

The member making up the back post and leg is originally a straight piece, taken from an aggregate supply, and cut to the desired length, and then bent at point 78 which thereby constitutes a juncture between the back post and leg. The foot 74 is also preferably metal, tubular in construction, and may be round in cross-section and is provided ^' with a recess 80 (Fig. 11) in one side. The lower end of the leg 72 is fitted in the recess, and is secured therein by means of a screw 82. Any suitable detail structure may be utilized for securing or locking the leg in the foot such as a plug 84 fitted in the leg, and securely anchored therein as by welding or staking. It has a tapped aperture receiving the threaded screw. The wall of the foot has a hole 86 receiving the screw and the screw head is held in engagement with the wall. The outer open end of the recess 80, at point

88, constitutes a point of engagement between the leg and the foot and thus the interengagement between the leg and the foot is at two points 88, 86, and thus spaced apart transversely of the foot at maximum positions, providing secure anchoring of the leg in the foot. The recess 80 is of a shape comple¬ mentary to the cross-sectional shape of the leg, in this case square. The plug 84 constitutes one of various kinds of inserts for holding and locking the leg in the foot.

The foot 74 is essentially straight, and thereby engages the floor throughout its own length, normally, when the floor is even, this engagement including that at the ends of the foot, which with the engagement of the post with the wall, provides 3-point support. However due to occasional uneven or non-planar shapes, such as may often happen in wood floors, the foot may be provided with elements at its ends that directly engage the floor, such as shown in Fig. 10. Such elements are indicated at 89 and may be simple inserts or plugs snapped into holes in the wall of the foot. These insert thus constitute floor engaging elements, and in the active position of the post, they are lower that the remaining points of the foot between those inserts.

The back post 70 on its flat front side is provided with a series of holes 92, as in the case of the first form, preferably elongated vertically, and vertically spaced apart throughout its length. The mounting of the brackets and the

shelves, and the load 34 thereon (Fig. 2) is provided in the manner set out above in connection with the first form of the device.

While the posts, in either form of the invention, are adapted for use with the shelves, a single post can be used to support an article. Such an arrangement is Fig. 8, where a single post 68 is in active position, resting on the floor, and the back post 70 bearing against the wall 44. A single ^racket 37 is mounted on the back post, supporting a load 94 represented by a flower pot.

Stability of the post exists where a single post is used as in Fig. 8, and it is not necessary to utilize shelves for aiding in the stability.

The stability is provided by the engagement of the back post against the wall, and the engagement of the foot with the floor at the ends of the foot.

The device of the invention is well adapted to being utilized in various and different situations. Attention is directed to Figs. 5 and 6, where a pair of posts 30 are spaced apart a distance slightly more than the width of a desk 66 with which the shelf structure is to be used. While the post 30 is illustrated in these figures, it will be understood that the posts 68 may be used instead, in the same situation. Two posts may be used, and the legs 48 are positioned well back of the front of the desk, and they can extend under the

desk, to enable a small and compact shelf structure to be placed at the rear of the desk. In this case, as shown in

Fig. 6, the shelves may extend out only a short distance from the wall. The height of the posts is of course selected as desired to provide for any desired number of shelves.

In this case also, if it is desired to move the desk, and the shelf structure also, that is a simple procedure.

The device is also well adapted to forming low shelves.

In Fig. 7 two posts 70 are shown, and a single shelf 34.

The posts may be low, and the single shelf serving for holding an article 67., and the device may be considered a side table. In this case also the device may be easily moved as desired, but in each location, it is stable.

The posts of either form, 30 or 68, may also be utilized in double, or back-to-back, arrangement as shown in Fig. 9.

In this case two posts are positioned back-to-back, with the back posts 70 thereof fitted together, and preferably secured together by bolts 96 to prevent the two individual posts 68 from sliding out of mutual engagement. These two posts 68 then constitute a double post 98, and a plurality of such double posts can be arranged in a series. Brackets 37 may be mounted in the front sides of the individual posts 68 i.e. on opposite sides of the double posts and shelves 12 placed on the brackets that are mounted in two or more double posts.

Fig. 12 depicts the stability of the post in use. This is a front view, and on the back post is a point 100 where a load, e.g. 34 (Fig. 2) is supported, this point being where the bracket is mounted. Any tendency of the post to tip, or to be tipped, is counteracted by the load. In Fig. 12 the full lines show the device in upright active position, stabilized. Assume for example that the post were to be tipped in one direction, e.g. to the right (Fig. 12) - as it goes toward the dot-dash line 10', it of course pivots about the point 102, and the point 100 where the load is suspended follows the arc 104 upwardly to its highest position at point 100'. The load resists that movement and tends to move the point downwardly, i.e. along the arc to the left, to its lowermost position, and thereby produces a stabilizing effect. An identical situation exists relative to the left half of the arrangement represented in Fig. 12.

This stabilizing effect exists whether a single post is used, or a number of posts with shelves used. It will be understood of course that this phenonmenon in tending to retain the post upright is additive to the resistence provided by the engagement with' the wall which maintains the post upright. In the case of the double post, Fig. 9, each single post 68 provides a supporting means, or supporting surface to the other post, and thus functions in the same manner as a supporting wall, and as used herein, and particularly in the claims, each post may be referred to as a supporting wall.

End of Descriptive Specification.