The present invention relates to a shelving unit comprising a T-shaped element forming a vertical separation element and a horizontal top. Background of the invention

Typically, a shelving unit, e.g. for books and the like, comprises a number of identical modules which are arranged on top of each other and/or next to each other thereby forming a shelving unit of the required size. However, the use of material for such a shelving unit is considerable as two modules arranged next to each other result in a double wall between the two modules. This is also the case for two modules being arranged on top of each other, where a bottom of one module is arranged against the top of the adjacent module.

Description of the invention

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide an improved shelving unit.

It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide a shelving unit with decreased use of material compared to a traditional shelving unit.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a shelving unit comprising at least one T- shaped element forming a vertical separation plate and a horizontal top, the vertical separation plate extending vertically between a lower edge which is configured to rest on an upward seat, and an upper edge, and the horizontal top forming an essentially planner outer surface and an opposite inner surface, the separation plate and the horizontal top being joined with the inner surface against the upper edge, and the outer surface forming an upward seat for the lower edge of an adjacent T-shaped element.

The T-shaped element may be formed in one piece. Alternatively, the T-shaped element may be formed by two or more separate elements being assembled, e.g. a T-shaped element being assembled by the separation plate and the top. It should however be understood, that the vertical separation plate and/or the horizontal top may also be formed by more than one element. The T-shaped element may be made from wood, e.g. press-fitted fibre plates or moulded fibre plates. Alternatively, the T-shaped element may be made from metal or plastic, being a natural or a synthetic material, such as a fibre material. The T-shaped element may as an example be moulded by use of a plastic material. The vertical separation plate may divide the shelving unit into two neighbouring rooms, whereas the top may divide the shelving unit into rooms being positioned above each other. The horizontal top may be used to carry items, such as books. Thus, the T-shaped element may define two neighbouring rooms where the vertical separation plate is a common side wall, and where each of the rooms does not have a side wall at the opposite side. In the context of the present invention, the terms "vertical" and "horizontal" should be understood as being relative to gravity. Normal deviations due to tolerances and/or mounting of the shelving unit are also covered, but essentially horizontal means a surface which can carry books and other items.

In the context of the present invention, the term "adjacent T-shaped element" should be understood as a T-shaped element being positioned as one side of the T-shaped element in question and/or a T-shaped element being positioned above or below the T-shaped element in question.

By providing the shelving unit of one or more T-shaped element, the use of material may be decreased considerably, as double walls and abutting tops and bottoms can be avoided. The T-shaped element may possess a sufficient rigidity to avoid that the horizontal top and the vertical separation plate move relative to each other during intended use of the shelving unit. This may e.g. be achieved by providing the T-shaped element with a rigidity which ensures that torque acting on the horizontal top can be taken by the vertical separation plate, and vice versa, without deforming the T-shaped element. The shelving unit may be formed by a plurality of adjacent T-shaped elements. The T-shaped elements may be positioned in a row to define a low shelving unit, or in a column to define a higher shelving unit. In a further alternative embodiment, the shelving unit may comprise a plurality of T-shaped elements being positioned in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns defining a shelving unit comprising a plurality of rooms positioned above and next to each other.

When positioning two adjacent T-shaped elements on top of each other to thereby form a shelving unit of a required height, the lower edge of the upper T-shaped element can be positioned on the outer surface of the lower T-shaped element whereby the outer surface forming an upward seat for the lower edge of the adjacent T-shaped element can support the upper T-shaped element.

Thus, the seat may be configured to geometrically fix a lower edge of an adjacent T-shaped element. By "geometrically fix" should be understood, that at least horizontal movement of the lower edge of an adjacent T-shaped element being positioned on top of the T-shaped element is prevented. Geometrically fix may also include prevention of vertical movement of the lower edge.

To stabilise an upper T-shaped element, the upward seat may comprise a depression configured for support of the lower edge of an adjacent T-shaped element. The depression may be formed in the upper surface and may extend from the front side of the T-shaped element to the back side of the T-shaped element, thereby forming a depression which extends substantially along the full depth of the T-shaped element.

The size of the depression may be in the range of 1-15 mm, such as in the range of 2-10 mm. The width of the depression may correspond to the width of the vertical separation plate at the lower edge.

In another embodiment, the upward seat comprises at least one protrusion which may engage a corresponding indentation in the lower edge of an adjacent T-shaped element to prevent at least horizontal movement of the lower edge. The separation plate and the horizontal top may be joined in a common connection point. Furthermore, the separation plate and the horizontal top may each extend from the connection point towards a free end, where the horizontal top may extend towards two opposite free ends. In order to decrease the use of material even further, the material thickness of the vertical separation plate and/or the horizontal top may be tapered down from the connection point towards the free end(s).

Is should be understood, that in embodiments where the T-shaped element is formed in one piece, the common connection point is defined as the transition between the separation plate and the horizontal top.

To facilitate stacking of a plurality of T-shaped elements to form a shelving unit of a desired height, the vertical separation plate may comprise a first engagement element configured for detachable attachment to a second engagement element of the horizontal top of an adjacent T-shaped element to enable joining of two T-shaped elements. As the first engagement elements may be configured for detachable attachment to the second engagement element, two or more T-shaped elements may easily be assembled and subsequently separated again, e.g. for reassembling of the T-shaped elements to form a shelving unit of a different form, such as a shelving unit being higher or lower, or being wider or more slender.

The first and second engagement elements may form matching structures, i.e. the shape of the first engagement element may match the shape of the second engagement element. As an example, the first and second engagement elements comprise at least one protrusion and a corresponding indentation. In one embodiment, the first engagement element comprises at least one protrusion arranged at the lower edge, whereas the horizontal top comprises at least one indentation arranged in the essentially planar outer surface. Thus, the second engagement element may at least partly form part of the seat. It should however be understood, that a number of other matching structures may also be applicable.

To ensure that two adjacent T-shaped elements are not unintentionally separated, the shelving unit may further comprises a locking element configured to lock the first and second engagement elements to each other. As an example, the locking element may comprise at least one elongated element, such as a pin which may be inserted in the T-shaped element from the front side of the shelving unit and/or from the back side of the shelving unit to engage the first and/or second engagement element to thereby hinder separation of the first and second engagement elements, and thus hinder separation of two adjacent T-shaped elements.

Alternatively, the locking element may comprise a threaded element, such as a screw. Such a threaded element may likewise be attached to the T-shaped element via an opening in the front of the shelving unit and/or via the back side of the shelving unit. If it is desired to separate the adjacent T-shaped elements again, the locking element should be removed, and subsequently the first and second engagement elements should be detached.

The shelving unit may comprise a base element for supporting at least one T-shaped element. The T-shaped element supported may be the lowest T-shaped element in a column of T-shaped elements. In embodiments comprising a plurality of columns of T-shaped elements, the base may support the lowest T-shaped element in each column.

The base may be formed as a box-shaped element having a footprint corresponding to the depth of the T-shaped elements, and a width corresponding to the witch of one a more T- shaped element being positioned next to each other. It should however be understood, that the shaped and/or the depth and/or the width may be different from the above example.

In one embodiment, the base may comprise at least one fixing element configured to fixate the at least one T-shaped element. The fixing element may be formed substantially like the second engagement element, so that the first engagement element of the vertical separation plate of the T-shaped element in question can be attached to the base element like is would have been attached to an adjacent T-shaped element, such as a lower positioned T-shaped element.

To reinforce and stabilise the shelving unit, the shelving unit may further comprise an elongated reinforcement element positioned vertically and being attached to at least one T- shaped element.

In one embodiment, the reinforcement element may be attached to two or more T-shaped elements, whereas the reinforcement element in an alternative embodiment may be attached to at least one T-shaped element and to an additional element. As an example, the additional element may be the floor or the surface at which the shelving unit is positioned. In a further alternative, the additional element may be a base provided to support at least one T-shaped element.

The reinforcement element may be a metal wire, a metal rod, such as a steel rod. In one embodiment, the reinforcement element may be a tension element. In the context of the present invention, "tension element" is an element which is especially configured to absorb tension. It should be understood that other types of reinforcement element capable of supporting and/or strengthen a shelving unit comprising at least one T-shaped element may also be used.

The reinforcement element may be attached to at least one horizontal top. This may e.g. be achieved by fastening a mounting element to the horizontal top and to the reinforcement element. As an example, the mounting element may comprise two substantially circular discs each having an aperture substantially in the middle of the disc. The reinforcement element may extend through the aperture of the discs, which discs may be positioned on opposite sides of the horizontal top, i.e. one disc at the outer surface of the top and the other disc at the inner surface of the top at a free end of the horizontal top. The discs may be secured to the horizontal top by a fastening element extending through both discs and the top. The fastening element may e.g. comprise a bolt and a nut, a rivet, or other similar fastening means. Alternatively, the discs may be glued or otherwise bonded to the top. It should be understood that the mounting element may comprise a single component having two protruding elements between which a free end of the top can be positioned.

Furthermore, the shape of the mounting element need not be circular as other shapes may also be applicable. The mounting element may e.g. be oval-shaped, triangular, rectangular, and have any other shape.

The horizontal top may be provided with a milled groove having a shape corresponding to the shape of the mounting element whereby the material thickness at this position is decreased compared to the material thickness of the surrounding surface as this may facilitate attachment of the mounting element. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting element may only be positioned at one side of the horizontal top without grabbing around the top. Thus, the mounting element may be positioned only above the outer surface or only below the inner surface of the horizontal top. A fastening element may still extend through the mounting element and the top to ensure attachment of the mounting element to the horizontal top. Alternatively, the mounting element may be attached to either the outer surface or the inner surface, e.g. by use of an adhesive.

The reinforcement element may be attached to the base element, so that the reinforcement element extends from the base and vertically towards the uppermost T-shaped element. In a specific embodiment, the reinforcement element extends along the full height of shelving unit, and in this embodiment, the reinforcement element may be attached to both the top of the uppermost T-shaped element and the base element. If the shelving unit is assembled without a base element, the reinforcement element may e.g. be attached to both the top of the uppermost T-shaped element and to the floor or the surface at which the shelving unit is positioned. The reinforcement element may in one embodiment be attached to each of the adjoining T-shaped elements.

By providing a substantially vertical reinforcement element attached to the uppermost positioned T-shaped element and to the base or the floor, forces acting on one T-shaped element in a column of a plurality of T-shaped elements may be transferred from one T- shaped element to another. This may be further facilitated by attaching the reinforcement element to more or even all of the T-shaped elements in the column. As the rigidity of the T- shaped elements may ensure that torque acting on the horizontal top can be taken by the vertical separation plate, and vice versa, the provision of at least one vertical reinforcement element may increase stability of a shelving unit comprising a plurality of T-shaped elements. To increase stability of the shelving unit, the reinforcement element may comprise a post- tensioning element at one end which post-tensioning element may be configured for applying tension in the reinforcement element. The post-tensioning element may be a bolt adapted to be tightened to the reinforcement element, e.g. to a treaded part of one end of an elongated element.

The other end of the element may e.g. be attached to the floor. Alternatively, the elongated reinforcement element may be fixed to a base element. In a further alternative, the elongated reinforcement element may also comprise a treaded part at the lower end allowing for tightening of a bolt also at the lower end. The lower post-tensioning element may be concealed in base element.

It should be understood, that the reinforcement element may comprises a plurality of reinforcement parts where each may have a length corresponding to the height of a T-shaped element, whereby each reinforcement part may extend between the horizontal top of two T- shaped elements being positioned on top of each other. The reinforcement element may comprise a plurality of post-tensioning elements, such as a post-tensioning element for each reinforcement part.

To improve stability of the shelving unit along the width hereof, the shelving unit may further comprise an additional reinforcement element which may be positioned transverse to the vertical separation plate. In one embodiment, the additional reinforcement element is positioned horizontally, i.e. parallel to the horizontal top, and may be configured to hold at least two T-shaped elements together. The additional reinforcement element may be attached to one or two horizontal tops. In one embodiment, the additional reinforcement element comprises a tension sheet positioned on top of the uppermost positioned T-shaped elements. As an alternative, the additional reinforcement element may be positioned at an angle relative to the horizontal top and may be configured to hold at least two T-shaped elements together. The additional reinforcement element may comprise a plurality of additional reinforcement part. The additional reinforcement element/part may at one end be attached to one or two horizontal tops, and at the other end be attached to a substantially vertical fixing member which may likewise be attached to at least one horizontal top.

Alternatively, the additional reinforcement part may at one end be attached to a free end of a horizontal top by an additional mounting element, and at the other end attached to a substantially vertical fixing member which may be attached to the horizontal top by inserting the vertical fixing member into a cavity in the upper surface of the horizontal top. The additional reinforcement element may comprise a post-tensioning element configured for applying tension in the additional reinforcement element.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a T-shaped element,

Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a T-shaped element,

Fig. 3 illustrates a locking element,

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a shelving unit comprising engagements elements and locking elements,

Figs. 5a-5c illustrate a front view of an embodiment of a shelving unit with reinforcement elements and mounting element,

Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a shelving unit,

Fig. 7 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a shelving unit, Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a shelving unit comprising a base element and an additional reinforcement element,

Figs. 9a-9c illustrate an embodiment of a shelving unit with details of the base element, Figs. lOa-lOc illustrate different details of an additional reinforcement element.

Detailed description of the drawings It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a T-shaped element 1 forming a vertical separation plate 2 and a horizontal top 3. The vertical separation plate 2 extends vertically between a lower edge 4 which is configured to rest on an upward seat 5, and an upper edge 6. The horizontal top 3 forms an essentially planner outer surface 7 and an opposite inner surface 8. The separation plate 2 and the horizontal top 3 are joined with the inner surface 8 against the upper edge 6. The outer surface 7 forms an upward seat 5 for the lower edge 6 of an adjacent T-shaped element (not illustrated in Fig. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, the T-shaped element 1 is formed in one piece.

To stabilise a T-shaped element positioned on top of the illustrated T-shaped element 1, the upward seat 5 comprises a depression 5 configured for support of the lower edge of an adjacent T-shaped element (not shown). The depression 5 is formed in the upper surface 7 and extends from the front side 9 of the T-shaped element 1 to the back side 10 of the T- shaped element 1, thereby forming a depression 5 which extends substantially along the full depth of the T-shaped element 1. To facilitate stacking of a plurality of T-shaped elements 1 to form a shelving unit of a desired height, the separation plate comprises a first engagement element 11 configured for detachable attachment to a second engagement element 12 (see Figs. 3+4) of the horizontal top 3 of an adjacent T-shaped element 1 to enable joining of two T-shaped elements.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first engagement element 11 comprises two protrusions arranged at the lower edge 4, while the second engagement element 12 comprises two corresponding indentations (see Figs. 3+4) arranged in depression forming the seat 5.

Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a T-shaped element 1. The separation plate 2 and the horizontal top 3 are joined in a common connection point 13 defined as the transition between the separation plate 2 and the horizontal top 3. The separation plate 2 and the horizontal top 3 each extends from the connection point 13 toward a free end 14a, 14b, 14c. In order to decrease the use of material, the material thickness of the separation plate 2 and the horizontal top 3 is slightly tapered down from the connection point 13 towards the free ends 14a, 14b, 14c.

Fig. 3 illustrates a locking element 15 configured to lock the first and second engagement elements 11, 12 to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking element 15 comprises a pin to be inserted in the T-shaped element from the front side of the shelving unit to engage with the first engagement element 11 to thereby hinder separation of the first and second engagement elements 11, 12, and thereby hinder separation of two adjacent T- shaped elements.

Figs. 4a-4c illustrate an embodiment of a shelving unit 100 comprising a plurality of T-shaped elements 1 each comprising engagements elements 11, 12 and locking elements 15. The shelving unit 100 illustrated comprises five T-shaped elements 1 positioned on top of each other. In Fig. 4a the joining of adjacent T-shaped elements 1 by attachment of a first engagement element 11 to a second engagement element 12 is illustrated. Fig. 4c illustrates an enlarged view of a joint between the first engagement element 11 and a second engagement element 12. The locking element 15 is inserted in the T-shaped element from the front side (see also Fig. 4c) of the shelving unit 100 to engage the first and second engagement element 11, 12 to thereby hinder separation of the first and second engagement elements 11, 12. In the illustrated embodiment the protrusion 11 forming the first engagement element comprises an extension 11a which is fixed below the locking element 15 in the indentation 12 forming the second engagement element.

Fig. 5a illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a shelving unit 100 comprising a total of 20 T-shaped elements 1. The T-shaped elements 1 are arranged in 4 columns, each comprising five T-shaped elements 1.

To reinforce and stabilise the shelving unit 100, the reinforcement unit further comprises five elongated reinforcement elements 16 in the form of a metal rod. The rods 16 are positioned vertically and are attached to the horizontal top of the T-shaped elements 1.

The two reinforcement elements 16a positioned outermost to the left and outermost to the right are only attached to one column of T-shaped elements, whereas the three

reinforcement elements 16b positioned between columns of T-shaped elements are attached to two neighbouring columns of T-shaped elements each.

The reinforcement elements 16 are attached to the horizontal top 3 of the T-shaped elements 1. This is achieved by fastening a mounting element 17 to each of the tops and to the reinforcement elements 16. In the illustrated embodiment (see Fig. 5c), the mounting element 17b comprises two substantially circular discs each having an aperture substantially in the middle. The reinforcement element 16b extends through the aperture of the discs. The discs are positioned on opposite sides of the horizontal top 3, i.e. one disc at the outer surface 7 of the top and the other disc at the inner surface 8 of the top. The discs are secured to the top 3 by a fastening element 18 extending through both discs and the top 3. The fastening element 18 comprises a bolt and a nut.

Fig. 5b illustrated the reinforcement element 16a positioned outermost to the left and attached to a horizontal top 3 by a mounting element 17a comprising two sections of a circular disc each having an aperture. The reinforcement element 16a extends through the aperture of the discs. The discs 17a are positioned on opposite sides of the horizontal top 3, i.e. one disc at the outer surface 7 of the top and the other disc at the inner surface 8 of the top. The discs are secured to the top 3 by a fastening element 18 extending through both discs and the top 3. The fastening element 18 comprises a bolt and a nut. The horizontal top 3 is provided with a milled groove 19 (see Fig. 1) having a shape corresponding to the shape of the mounting element whereby the material thickness at this position is decreased compared to the material thickness of the surrounding surface as this may facilitate attachment of the mounting element 17a, 17b.

Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a shelving unit 100 comprising at least five T-shaped elements 1 and at least one reinforcement element 16.

Fig. 7 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a shelving unit 100 comprising at least four T-shaped elements 1 and five reinforcement elements 16. Furthermore, five mounting devices 17 are shown, each being attached to the horizontal top 3 of the T-shaped elements 1. Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a shelving unit 100 similar to the embodiment of Fig. 5. The shelving unit 100 further comprises a base element 20 to which the lowermost T-shaped elements 1 and the reinforcement elements 16 are attached.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the shelving unit 100 as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8, the shelving unit 100 comprises 20 T-shaped elements 1. The shelving unit 20 comprises a base 20 and an additional reinforcement element 21. Details of the additional reinforcement 21 element are illustrated in Figs. lOa-lOc.

Figs. 9b and 9c illustrate details of the base 20 which in the present embodiment comprises four base parts 20'. The vertical reinforcements elements 16 are attached to the base elements 20' by a plurality of attachment structures 22 which each comprises a post- tensioning element 22 which is configured to apply tension in the reinforcement elements after arranging the T-shaped elements 1 on top of each other and side-by side on the base 20. Figs. lOa-lOc illustrate details of an additional reinforcement element 21 arranged on top of the uppermost T-shaped elements 1 of the shelving unit 100 illustrated in Fig. 9a.

The additional reinforcement element 21 comprises a plurality of additional reinforcement parts 21' which are positioned transverse to the vertical separation plate 2. Thus, the additional reinforcement parts 21' are positioned at an angle relative to the horizontal top 3 and are configured to hold the T-shaped elements 1 together. The additional reinforcement part 21' are one end be attached to a free end of a horizontal top 3 by an additional mounting element 22, and at the other end attached to a substantially vertical fixing member 23 which in the illustrated embodiment is attached to the horizontal top 3 by inserting the vertical fixing member 23 into a cavity in the upper surface 7 of the horizontal top 3.