FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shelf and more particularly to a shelf as defined in the independent claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art shelves are typically standing on a floor or are attached to a wall. A shelf standing on the floor takes space from the floor and once it has been assembled or brought into place, it can no longer be hidden anywhere if the floor space is to be used for something else. A shelf attached to the wall have the same kind of tendency of being permanent solution as the standing shelf. The shelf once connected to the wall leaves screw holes behind when it is removed.

In cities people have small homes which means that there is not much space for large furniture such as shelves. Floors are already covered with essential furniture such as tables, chairs, sofas and beds. Windows take up free space at the walls together with mirrors, paintings, pictures and closets, so there may not be enough room for shelves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a shelf such that the prior art disadvantages may be solved or at least alleviated.

The objects of the invention are achieved by a shelf which is characterized by what is stated in the independent claim. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a shelf that is removably coupled to a ceiling and more preferably a shelf that is removably coupled to a hook protruding from the ceiling.

According to the invention a shelf comprises a rigid arm structure, a support element comprising one or more support surfaces to be arranged against a ceiling, a shelf platform connected to the rigid arm structure and extending transverse relative to the rigid arm structure and a securing arrangement for securing the shelf to the ceiling. The rigid arm structure has a distal end and the support element is provided at the distal end of the rigid arm structure. The shelf platform is connected to the rigid arm structure at a first distance from the distal end of the rigid arm structure. The securing arrangement comprising a securing surface arranged in connection with the rigid arm structure at a second distance from the one or more support surfaces and a securing mechanism arranged to secure the support element via the securing surface to the ceiling.

The distal end of the rigid arm structure is that end of the rigid arm structure which is closest to the ceiling when the shelf is connected to the ceiling. Opposite to the distal end is a proximal end which is that end of the rigid arm structure which is closest to a floor when the shelf is connected to the ceiling. The rigid arm structure therefore comprises a distal end and a proximal end such that the rigid arm structure is arranged to extend between the distal end and the proximal end. The rigid arm structure is set in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation when the shelf is connected to the ceiling. Alternatively, or in addition, a longitudinal axis of the rigid arm structure is set in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation when the shelf is connected to the ceiling.

According to an embodiment of the invention the securing arrangement further comprises a securing plate having the securing surface on one side of the securing plate. The securing plate is connected to the rigid arm structure.

The securing plate is preferably but not necessary a planar plate having the securing surface as a planar surface. However, the securing plate may also be in another form than a plate and the securing surface need not to be planar either. The securing plate is connected to the rigid arm structure such that the shelf can be fastened to the ceiling by tightening the securing mechanism via the securing surface. The securing surface may not necessarily cover all of the side of the securing plate, but for example the securing surface may only be a recess in the securing plate.

The securing mechanism has a portion which is can be fastened to the ceiling or to a hook or similar counter-portion extending from the ceiling and another portion which can be fastened toward the securing surface. Therefore, the securing mechanism may comprise multiple portions which can be separated from each other, such as a nut and a rod, and/or portions which can be integral, such as a rod and a loop connected to the rod.

According to an embodiment of the invention the rigid arm structure comprises at least two arm portions having an outer arm surface and an inner arm surface. Two arm portions of the at least two arm portions are arranged opposite to each other such that the inner wall surfaces are at least partly facing toward each other. The securing plate is connected to the inner wall surfaces of said two arm portions such that the securing plate is extending between the opposite arm portions. Alternatively, the rigid arm structure has a tubular shell portion having an outer shell surface and an inner shell surface. The securing plate is connected to the inner shell surface such that the securing surface is transverse relative to the inner shell surface.

The rigid arm structure comprising at least two arm portions may be for example such that there are only two arm portions facing toward each other. The two arm portions can be connected together through the securing plate. In addition, the two arm portions can additionally be connected together through the shelf platform.

The rigid arm structure comprising a tubular shell portion may be for example a tube-like structure having an interior space within the tube-like structure. The interior space is defined by the inner shell surface of the tubular shell portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention the distal end of the rigid arm structure having an end face which is arranged to form the support element provided at the distal end of the rigid arm structure such that the end face being the one or more support surfaces to be arranged against the ceiling.

The end face of the rigid arm structure is formed of the ends of the at least two arm portions or of the ends of at least two of the arm portions such that the ends of the at least two arm portions define a support plane formed therebetween. The support plane may be an imaginary support plane such that the ends of the arm portions are provided on opposite sides of a rod which is extending within the rigid arms structure from the securing surface towards the distal ed of the rigid arm structure define the boundaries for the imaginary support plane and the imaginary planar is formed between the ends.

The support element forms a support plane which extends around a fixing point at the ceiling to which the securing mechanism is to be connected for connecting the shelf to the ceiling. The support plane may be an imaginary support plane such that the support element only forms the boundaries for the imaginary support plane, or the support element may form the real support plane.

According to an embodiment of the invention the shelf further comprises a connecting part arranged at the distal end of the rigid arm structure, the connecting part forming the support element to be arranged against the ceiling. The support element formed by the connecting part is arranged to form a support around the attachment point between the ceiling and the shelf to which the securing mechanism is connected.

In other words, the connecting part forms the support element which in other embodiments of the invention is formed by the end face of the rigid arm structure. The connecting part may be a separate part or a combined part with the securing plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention the securing plate is arranged at the distal end of the rigid arm structure such that the securing plate is provided with the support element to be arranged against the ceiling. The support element is provided at the opposite side of the securing plate relative to the securing surface. In other words, the securing plate is combined with a connecting plate, i.e. the securing plate is the connecting plate, such that on one side of the securing plate is the securing surface and on the other opposite side of the securing plate is the support element.

According to an embodiment of the invention the securing mechanism is arranged to extend from the side of the securing surface of the securing plate through the securing plate towards the distal end of the rigid arm structure.

The securing mechanism is preferably a draw bar having threads for a nut to be secured to the draw bar or a flexible wire cable rod having a clamping mechanism for tightening the cable rod between the hook protruding from the ceiling and the securing surface. The securing mechanism is arranged to be tightened between a connector protruding from the ceiling and the securing surface such that the support element presses against the ceiling.

According to an embodiment of the invention the securing arrangement further comprising an aperture extending through the securing plate for the securing mechanism to extend through the securing plate via the aperture from the securing surface towards the distal end of the rigid arm structure.

The securing mechanism preferably comprises a rod portion which the rod portion is arranged to be provided through the aperture at the securing plate such that one part of the rod portion is provided at the securing surface side of the securing plate and another part of the rod portion is provided at the side of the securing plate towards the distal end of the rigid arm structure. The part of the rod portion provided at the securing surface side of the securing plate is secured toward the securing surface with a nut or other securing element.

According to an embodiment of the invention the rigid arm structure having a proximal end opposite to the distal end, the shelf platform is connected to the rigid arm structure at the proximal end.

The shelf platform may be connected to the rigid arm structure for example such that the rigid arms structure extends through the shelf platform or the shelf platform may have a lock mechanism such as a snap lock mechanism for the rigid arm structure.

According to an embodiment of the invention the shelf further comprises a secondary shelf platform connected to the rigid arm structure between the distal end of the rigid arm structure and the shelf platform.

The shelf platform or the secondary shelf platform may be of any shape but preferably rectangular, square or round.

According to an embodiment of the invention the securing mechanism is a screw or a screw hook which is tightened with a nut.

The securing mechanism is such that it is connectable from one point of the securing mechanism to a hook extending from the ceiling and securable from another point of the securing mechanism to the securing surface of the securing plate. Alternatively, or in addition, the securing mechanism is such that it is connectable from one point of the securing mechanism to the ceiling and securable from another point of the securing mechanism to the securing surface of the securing plate. The securing mechanism may then comprise multiple elements connected or connectable to each other, such as a screw with a nut and a hook. The nut can be replaced with any other suitable securing means. The one point of the securing mechanism which is connectable to a hook or to a ceiling or a connecting element may be the end of the securing mechanism. Alternatively, or in addition the another point securable to the securing surface may be an end of the securing mechanism or any other point along the securing mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the invention length of the rigid arm structure is extendable in a direction between the distal end and the shelf platform.

The rigid arm structure may then be provided from multiple portions which for example telescope. Alternatively, or in addition the rigid arm structure may be provided as a pivoted arm structure. Alternatively, or in addition the rigid arm structure may a telescopic arm structure or provided with multiple parts that are forming a nested structure.

According to an embodiment of the invention the shelf platform comprising at least one light source provided to the shelf platform such that the at least one light source illuminating in a direction away from the shelf platform.

The at least one light source can be arranged to illuminate from an under surface of the shelf platform in a direction away from the shelf platform, or alternatively or in addition the at least one light source can be arranged to illuminate from the shelf platform towards the distal end of the rigid arm structure. Any other direction for illuminating is also possible.

According to an embodiment of the invention the shelf platform comprising shelf edges defining a shelf surface extending transverse relative to the rigid arm structure; and the rigid arm structure and the shelf platform are connected such that the rigid arm structure is located at a distance from the shelf edges. Alternatively, the rigid arm structure and the shelf platform are connected such that the rigid arm structure is located symmetrically relative to the shelf edges.

The shelf platform may comprise a socket to provide electrical power for an electrical device. Alternatively, or in addition the shelf platform may comprise a loudspeaker embedded or at least partly embedded to the shelf platform. Alternatively, or in addition the shelf platform may comprise a charging pad or a charging dock embedded or at least partly embedded to the shelf platform. Alternatively, or in addition the shelf platform may comprise at least one USB connection in the shelf platform.

According to an embodiment of the invention the shelf platform is connected to the rigid arm structure with a releasable connection. Alternatively, the shelf platform is connected to the rigid arm structure with a fast coupling.

According to an embodiment of the invention the securing plate is arranged at a third distance from the distal end of the rigid arm structure such that a space is provided between the securing plate and the ceiling or between the securing plate and the connecting part when the support element is arranged against a ceiling.

According to an embodiment of the invention the length of the rigid arm structure is greater than the length of the support surface provided against the ceiling.

According to an embodiment of the invention the support element may comprise one or more portions. For example, the support element can be formed by a plurality of point-like support surfaces provided against the ceiling, which are at least partially connected to each other.

The embodiments described herein may be combined in different ways and thus are not mutually exclusive.

An advantage of the invention is that the shelf according to the invention is connectable to the ceiling such that the shelf is stable without being permanently connected to the ceiling. Another advantage of the shelf according to the invention is that the shelf can quickly and easily be removed from the ceiling without leaving any marks to the ceiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a shelf according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the shelf shown in figure 1 as seen from top;

Figure 3 shows the shelf shown in figure 1 as connected to a ceiling; Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a shelf according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows the shelf shown in figure 4 as seen from top;

Figure 6 shows still another embodiment of a shelf according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows yet another embodiment of a shelf according to the invention;

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of a shelf according to the invention; and

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a shelf shown in figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a shelf according to the invention in which the rigid arm structure 2 comprising a distal end 21 and a proximal end 12 is already connected with the shelf platform 4. The shelf platform 4 is connected to the proximal end of the rigid arm structure 2. The connection between the rigid arm structure 2 and the shelf platform 4 is preferably releasable such that the shelf 1 parts are removable from each other so that the shelf can be packed in a small space when the shelf is not used. The connection between the shelf platform 4 and the rigid arm structure 2 can be for example a snap lock connection or other fast coupling. In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the rigid arm structure 2 comprises two arm portions 23, 24. The arm portions 23, 24 are arranged to form the rigid arm structure 2 such that the inner arm surfaces 23b, 24b are facing at least partly each other and a securing plate 53 is connected to the inner surfaces 23b, 24b of the arm portions 23, 24. The securing mechanism 52 is arranged through the securing plate 53 such that a tightening mechanism, i.e. a nut or like, is tightened toward the securing surface 51 of the securing plate 53. The securing mechanism 52 is a rod-like part which preferably comprises threading and a hook or a loop on that end of the securing mechanism 53 which is provided towards the distal end 21 of the rigid arm structure 2. The securing mechanism 53 can comprise a flexible portion or the securing mechanism 53 can be a flexible rod or a rigid rod. The distal end of the securing mechanism 53 provided towards the distal end of the rigid arm structure 2 preferably comprises a connector such as a hook or a loop which is connectable to a roof hook protruding from the ceiling 10 or a lamp hook 10b provided to a lamp socket cover 10a provided with the hook. The rigid arm structure 2 comprises end faces 22 at the distal end 21 of the rigid arm structure 2. The end faces 22 form the support element 3 to be arranged against the ceiling 10.

Figure 2 shows the shelf shown in figure 1 as seen from top. The shelf plate 4 is arranged such that a shelf surface 40 is arranged transverse relative to the longitudinal direction of the rigid arm structure 2. In other words, the shelf surface 40 is preferably parallel to the end face 22 of the rigid arm structure which the end face 22 is forming the support element of the shelf 1 to be arranged against the ceiling 10. The shelf platform 4 extends from the rigid arm structure 2 such that the shelf surface 40 extends transversally from the rigid arm structure 2 in all directions around the arm structure 2.

Figure 2 also shows that the securing plate 53 is provided in connection with the rigid arm structure 2 such that the securing plate 53 extends between the inner arm surfaces 23b, 24b of the opposing arm portions 23, 24. The securing plate 53 comprises an aperture 7 extending through the securing plate 53 for the securing mechanism 52 to extend through the securing plate 53 via the aperture 7 from the securing surface 51 towards the distal end of the rigid arm structure 2. The rigid arm structure 2 may comprise two separate arm portions 23, 24 as shown in figure 2 which the arm portions 23, 24 are connected together with the securing plate 53 extending between the arm portions 23, 24 and connected to them. Alternatively, the rigid arm structure 2 may comprise more than two arm portions forming a uniform rigid arm structure 2.

Figure 3 shows the shelf shown in figure 1 as connected to a ceiling. The end faces 22 of the rigid arm portions 23, 24 which the end faces 22 form the support element 3 of the rigid arm structure 2 are placed against the ceiling 10. The support element 3 is provided against the ceiling such that the connection point between the rod part 54 of the securing mechanism 52 and the hook 11 protruding from the ceiling 10 is within an area defined by the support element 3, in particular within the area defined by the end surfaces 22 of the rigid arm structure 2. In other words, the end faces 22, i.e. the support element 3 of the rigid arm structure 2 provide a perimeter having a space within the perimeter with no connection to the ceiling 10. In other words, the support element 3 forming a connection with the ceiling 10 delimits the space in which the connection between the ceiling and the shelf 1 is established through the securing arrangement 5 and especially with the securing mechanism 52 having the rod portion connecting a hook 11 provided at the ceiling 10. The shelf 1 is fastened to the ceiling 10 through the securing surface

51 so that the securing mechanism 52 is tightly tightened between the hook 11 protruding from the ceiling 10 and the securing surface 51 while the support element 3 of the rigid arm structure 2 provides countersurface for the securing surface 51.

When connecting the shelf 1 to the ceiling 10, the securing mechanism

52, which is arranged through an aperture in the securing plate 53, is tightened between a connector protruding from the ceiling 10 and the securing surface 53 such that the support element 3 presses against the ceiling 10. The securing mechanism 53 comprises a clamping element pressing against the securing surface

53.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a shelf according to the invention in which the rigid arm structure 2 has a tubular shell portion 25 having an outer shell surface 25a and an inner shell surface 25b. In other words, the tubular shell portion 25 is a tube-like part having an end face forming the support element 3 which in the figure 4 is placed against the ceiling 10. The tubular shell portion 25 comprises an interior space defined by the inner shell surface 25b. In other words, the rigid arm structure 2 is hollow inside. The securing plate 35 is connected to the inner shell surface 25b such that the securing surface 51 is transverse relative to the inner shell surface 25b. The securing plate 35 can be provided within the rigid arm structure 2 such that it covers only partly the cross- sectional area of the rigid arm structure 2 defined by the inner shell surface or the securing plate 35 may be connected to the inner shell surface 25b from all over the securing plate 35 such that the securing plate 35 divides the tubular shell portion 25 into two hollow space portions. In the embodiment shown in figure 4 the tubular shell portion 25 comprises an opening from outside of the rigid arm structure to inside of the tubular shell portion 25 such that the securing mechanism

52 in the securing arrangement 5 can be tightened.

Figure 4 also shows an embodiment of the shelf according to the invention in which the shelf platform 4 comprises light sources 60 provided to the shelf platform 4 such that the light sources 60 are arranged to illuminate in a direction away from the distal end 21 of the rigid arm structure. In other words, the light sources 60 are arranged to an underside of the shelf platform 4 which the underside is the opposite surface of the shelf platform relative to the shelf surface 40.

Figure 4 also shows an embodiment of the shelf according to the invention in which the shelf 1 comprises an additional shelf platform 41. The additional shelf platform 41 is a secondary shelf platform 41 connected to the rigid arm structure 2 between the distal end 21 of the rigid arm structure 2 and the shelf platform 4. The shelf 1 may comprise multiple secondary shelf platforms 41.

Figure 5 shows the shelf 1 shown in figure 4 as seen from top in which the tubular form of the rigid arm structure 2 can be seen. The figure 4 also shows the shelf platform 4 and the secondary shelf platform 41. As can be seen, the shelf platform and the secondary shelf platform 4, 41 need not to be the same size nor the same form. In the embodiment shown in figure 4 the shelf platform 4 is in a round form and the secondary shelf platform 41 is rectangular. Both platforms 4, 41 are connected to the rigid arm structure 2 such that the shelf surfaces 40, 410 of the shelf platforms 4, 41 extend transverse to the rigid arm structure 2 but parallel or substantially parallel to the support element 3 of the rigid arm structure 2 formed by the end face 22 of the tubular shell portion 25. The shelf platforms 4, 41 extend around the rigid arm structure 2 and preferably such that the rigid arm structure 2 is symmetrically positioned relative to the shelf platforms 4, 41. The securing plate 53 is provided within the tubular shell portion 25 such that the securing surface is transverse relative to the inner shell surface 25b. The securing plate 53 comprises an aperture 7 for the securing mechanism to be provided through the securing plate 53 via the aperture 7.

Figure 6 shows still another embodiment of a shelf according to the invention in which the shelf 1 further comprises a connecting part 6 arranged at the distal end 21 of the rigid arm structure 2. The connecting part 6 forms the support element 3 to be arranged against the ceiling 10. The ceiling 10 comprises in this embodiment a base for a protruding hook 11 and the connecting part 6 comprises an opening such that the hook 11 can be provided through connecting part 6 such that the connecting part 6 surrounds the hook while placed against the ceiling 10. The base for the hook 11 is for example a ceiling cover for a socket outlet together with a hook for a pendant light. As the ceiling 10 comprises the base for the hook 11 which the base is protruding from the rest of the ceiling 10 the connecting part 6 is placed such that the support element 3 rests against the base in the ceiling 10. The securing plate 53 is provided at a distance away from the connecting part 6 such that a connecting space is formed between the connecting part 6 and the securing plate 53 and between the two arm portions 23, 24. The securing mechanism 52 arranged in connection with the securing plate 53 extends from the securing surface 51 to the connecting space in which the securing mechanism 52 is connected to the hook 11 protruding from the ceiling 11. The securing mechanism 52 is then tightened such that the support element 3 presses against the ceiling 11.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a shelf 1 according to the invention in which the rigid arm structure 2 comprises two arm portions 23, 24 having the inner arm surfaces 23b, 24b facing toward each other. The connecting part 6 forms the support element 3 to be arranged against the ceiling 10 similarly as shown in figure 6 and the hook 10b extending from the ceiling 10 through a lamp socket cover 10a is provided through an aperture in the connecting element 6. The connecting element 6 therefore forms the support element 3 comprising one or more support surfaces 31 to be arranged against the ceiling 10 as the lamp socket cover 10a forms part of the ceiling 10. The shelf platform 4 is connected to the rigid arm structure 2 at the proximal end of the rigid arm structure 2 and extending transverse relative to the rigid arm structure 2. The securing arrangement 5 comprises in this embodiment of the invention the securing surface 51 provided at the underside of the shelf platform 4, i.e. at the side of the shelf platform 4 which is facing towards away from the distal end of the rigid arm structure 2. In other words, the shelf platform 4 is arranged to form the securing surface 51 for the securing mechanism 52 which is arranged to secure the support element 3 formed by the connecting element 6 via the securing surface 51 to the ceiling 10. Therefore, the securing mechanism 52 is arranged to go through the shelf platform 4 such that a rod portion of the securing mechanism is extending through an aperture provided at the shelf platform and a nut of the securing mechanism is arranged to be secured towards the securing surface 51. In this embodiment of the shelf the end of the securing mechanism 52 which is facing the ceiling 10 comprises a hook portion which is provided to the lamp hook 10b.

Figure 8 shows yet another embodiment of a shelf 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment of the invention the securing plate 53 is arranged at the distal end 21 of the rigid arm structure 2 such that the end faces 22 of the arm portions 23, 24 are placed against the securing plate 53. Alternatively, the securing plate 53 can be placed between the arm portions 23, 24 at the distal end 21 of the rigid arm structure 2 such that the securing plate 53 extends between the inner arm surfaces 23b, 24b. The securing plate 53 comprises the securing surface 51 on one side of the securing plate 53 and the support element 3 on the opposite side of the securing plate 53. In other words, while the support element 3 is placed against the ceiling the securing surface 51 faces on the opposite direction towards the shelf platform 4. The securing plate 53 is in this embodiment connected with the securing mechanism 52 directly to the ceiling 10.

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a shelf shown in figure 8 with the difference that the two arm portions 23, 24 facing each other are rod-like arm portions which are arranged to go through the shelf platform 4 and secured to the shelf platform on the underside of the shelf platform 4. The underside of the shelf platform 4 is the side of the shelf platform which is facing away from the ceiling 10 when the shelf is connected to the ceiling 10. The same kind of securing of the arm portions 23, 24 to the shelf platform 4 is also possible for such arm portions which have a protruding pin or rod at the end of the arm portion which the protruding pin or rod is arranged to go through the shelf platform having a hole for it.

The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.