IPC分类号：
A47B85/00 | E04F11/035 | E04F11/17 | E04F11/18 | E04F11/104 | A47B47/00 | E04F11/032 | E04F11/02
国民经济行业分类号：
C2190 | C2110 | C2120 | C2130 | C2140
当前申请(专利权)人：
KNUDSON, EDWARD A.
原始申请(专利权)人：
KNUDSON, EDWARD A.
当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Circle Pines,MN,US
代理机构：
KRENZ PATENT LAW, LLC
摘要：
An assembly includes a plurality of shelving components and posts. The shelving components include a body, a male portion that extends from a first end of the body and a female portion that defines a void in an opposite, second end. The male portion is narrower and shorter than the body. The female portion is sized and shaped to receive the male portion of another shelving component. The shelving components also include first apertures defined by and extending through the male portion, and second apertures defined by and extending through the female portion. The posts are sized and shaped to be inserted into overlapping apertures of first and second shelving components, the overlapping apertures comprising (i) a first aperture in a male portion of the first component inserted into a female portion of the second component and (ii) a second aperture in the female portion of the second component.
技术问题语段：
The patent text describes shelving systems that have adjustable components and can be mounted at different locations. The technical problem of the patent text is to provide shelving systems that are easy to assemble and adjust by users.
技术功效语段：
The patent text describes a modular system that can be easily customized and adapted to fit in any space or location. The system has a small number of parts, making it easy to assemble and modify. It can also be quickly and securely assembled without special tools and can be easily shipped and stored. This leads to efficiency in production and cost savings.
权利要求：
1. A modular shelving assembly comprising:
a plurality of shelving components that each include:
a body,
a male portion that extends from a first end of the body, the male portion having width and height dimensions that are both smaller than width and height dimensions of the body,
a female portion that defines a void in a second end of the body that is opposite the first end of the body, the female portion being sized and shaped to receive the male portion of another said shelving component,
first apertures defined by and extending through the male portion, and
second apertures defined by and extending through the female portion;
a plurality of posts that are sized and shaped to be inserted into overlapping apertures of said first and second apertures of a first shelving component and a second shelving component of said plurality of shelving components, the overlapping apertures comprising (i) a first aperture in the male portion of the first shelving component that has been inserted into a female portion of the second shelving component and (ii) a second aperture in the female portion of the second shelving component;
a male end cap that includes a male portion that extends from a first end of the male end cap and that is configured to be inserted into an initial shelving component in a row of said shelving components with an open said female portion; and
a female end cap that includes a female portion that defines a void and that is configured to receive a said male portion from a last shelving component in a row of said shelving components with an open said male portion.
2. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of shelving components and posts are assembled into a plurality of rows, each of the rows including one or more of the shelving components.
3. The modular shelving assembly of claim 2, wherein, from at least a second row to a top row of the plurality of rows, the number of shelving components decreases by one shelving component for each successive row from the second row to the top row.
4. The modular shelving assembly of claim 3, wherein the plurality of rows comprise steps and shelves.
5. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein each post of the plurality of posts includes a first locking feature near a first end and a second locking feature near a second end, and wherein a first locking feature of a first post of the plurality of posts is configured to engage with a second locking feature of another post of the plurality of posts.
6. The modular shelving assembly of claim 5, wherein the first locking feature is a tab and the second locking feature is a groove.
7. The modular shelving assembly of claim 5, wherein the first locking feature is a protrusion and the second locking feature is a hole.
8. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more lighting members, wherein the one or more lighting members is selected from the group consisting of: a light strip, a light mat, and a light element sized for an aperture in the body of the shelving component.
9. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shelving components includes, on an underside of said body of said at least one of the shelving components, a plurality of post-receiving features, each configured to secure, for storage, a post of the plurality of posts.
10. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, further comprising a panel that includes an attachment feature configured to secure the panel to at least one post of the modular shelving assembly.
11. The modular shelving assembly of claim 10, wherein the attachment feature is selected from the group consisting of: a hook configured for a compression fit with the post, a curved end configured for a compression fit with the post, and a tab sized to be received by a slit in the post.
12. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the male portion comprises first and second extensions, and wherein the female portion comprises first and second voids.
13. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, further comprising a railing attached to one or more shelving components of the modular shelving assembly.
14. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein each shelving component in the plurality of shelving components has a rectangular shape.
15. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein each shelving component in the plurality of shelving components has a wedge shape.
16. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the first apertures comprise a top aperture of the male portion and a bottom aperture of the male portion, wherein the second apertures comprise a top aperture of the female portion and a bottom aperture of the female portion, and wherein the top aperture of the male portion and the top aperture of the female portion each have a first size, and the bottom aperture of the male portion and the bottom aperture of the female portion each have a second size that is larger than the first size.
17. The modular shelving assembly of claim 16 wherein, for at least one post of the plurality of posts, a top portion of the post is sized larger than a bottom portion of the post.
18. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the first apertures comprise a top aperture of the male portion and a bottom aperture of the male portion, wherein the second apertures comprise a top aperture of the female portion and a bottom aperture of the female portion, and wherein the top aperture of the male portion and the top aperture of the female portion each have a first size, and the bottom aperture of the male portion and the bottom aperture of the female portion each have a second size that is smaller than the first size.
19. The modular shelving assembly of claim 18 wherein, for at least one post of the plurality of posts, a top portion of the post is sized smaller than a bottom portion of the post.
20. The modular shelving assembly of claim 1, wherein the initial shelving component is the first shelving component, and wherein the last shelving component is the second shelving component.
技术领域：
[0002]This document generally describes modular systems that can be used as shelving and as steps.
背景技术：
[0003]Shelving systems have been produced that include adjustable components, such as shelves that can be mounted at any of multiple predefined mounting locations along the height of a shelving system. Shelving systems have also been produced with components that permit them to be readily assembled by users.
发明内容：
[0004]This document generally describes modular systems for use as shelving and steps that can be easily customized to fit a wide array of spaces and to accommodate a variety of needs. For example, rooms in which bunk beds are used, such as dormitories, often have limited free space. The disclosed modular systems can be used to construct a set of steps, customized to the size and layout of a particular room that can be used to climb into the top bunk bed while at the same time providing shelving and storage under the steps of the system.
[0005]A variety of modular systems are described in this document. For example, modular systems can include a small group of components that can be assembled into a wide array of shapes, sizes, and configurations. For instance, a modular system can include posts, shelf components, and end caps that can be assembled into a variety of different heights, widths, and depths to accommodate particular spaces and particular intended uses.
[0006]In a first general aspect, a modular shelving assembly includes a plurality of shelving components that each include a body, a male portion that extends from a first end of the body, where the male portion has width and height dimensions that are both smaller than width and height dimensions of the body, a female portion that defines a void in a second end of the body that is opposite the first end of the body, where the female portion is sized and shaped to receive the male portion of another shelving component, first apertures defined by and extending through the male portion, and second apertures defined by and extending through the female portion. The modular shelving assembly also includes a plurality of posts that are sized and shaped to be inserted into overlapping apertures of a first shelving component and a second shelving component, the overlapping apertures comprising (i) a first aperture in the male portion of the first shelving component that has been inserted into a female portion of the second shelving component and (ii) a second aperture in the female portion of the second shelving component.
[0007]Implementations can include one or more of the following. The plurality of shelving components and posts can be assembled into a plurality of rows, and each of the rows can include one or more of the shelving components. From at least a second row to a top row of the plurality of rows, the number of shelving components can decrease by one shelving component for each successive row from the second row to the top row. The plurality of rows can include steps and shelves. The modular shelving assembly can also include a male end cap that includes a male portion that extends from a first end of the male end cap and that is configured to be inserted into a last shelving component in a row of shelving components with an open female portion, and a female end cap that includes a female portion that defines a void and that is configured to receive a male portion from a first shelving component in a row of shelving components with an open male portion. Each post of the plurality of posts can include a first locking feature near a first end and a second locking feature near a second end, and wherein a first locking feature of a first post of the plurality of posts is configured to engage with a second locking feature of another post of the plurality of posts. The first locking feature can be a tab and the second locking feature can be a groove. The first locking feature can be a protrusion and the second locking feature can be an aperture. The modular shelving assembly can also include one or more lighting members, where the one or more lighting members can be a light strip, a light mat, or a light element sized for an aperture in the body of the shelving component. At least one of the shelving components can include, on an underside of its body, a plurality of post-receiving features, each configured to secure, for storage, a post of the plurality of posts. The modular shelving assembly can also include a panel that includes an attachment feature configured to secure the panel to at least one post of the assembly. The attachment feature can be a hook configured for a compression fit with the post, a curved end configured for a compression fit with the post, or a tab sized to be received by a slit in the post. The male portion can include first and second extensions, and the female portion can include first and second voids. The modular shelving assembly can also include a railing attached to one or more shelving components of the modular assembly. Each component in the plurality of shelving components can have a rectangular shape. Each component in the plurality of shelving components can have a wedge shape. The first apertures can include a top aperture of the male portion and a bottom aperture of the male portion, and the second apertures can include a top aperture of the female portion and a bottom aperture of the female portion, and the top aperture of the male portion and the top aperture of the female portion can each have a first size, and the bottom aperture of the male portion and the bottom aperture of the female portion can each have a second size that is larger than the first size. For at least one post of the plurality of posts, a top portion of the post can be sized larger than a bottom portion of the post. The first apertures can include a top aperture of the male portion and a bottom aperture of the male portion, the second apertures can include a top aperture of the female portion and a bottom aperture of the female portion, and the top aperture of the male portion and the top aperture of the female portion can each have a first size, and the bottom aperture of the male portion and the bottom aperture of the female portion can each have a second size that is smaller than the first size. For at least one post of the plurality of posts, a top portion of the post can be sized smaller than a bottom portion of the post.
[0008]In a second general aspect, a modular shelving assembly includes a plurality of shelving components, including a first shelving component having a first length, a second shelving component having a second length that is shorter than the first length, and a third shelving component having a third length that is shorter than the second length, where each of the shelving components defines a plurality of first apertures on a top side of the shelving component and defines a plurality of second apertures on a bottom side of the shelving component, and where each of the second apertures is larger than each of the first apertures. At least one shelving component of the plurality of shelving components includes an upper surface that includes a textured feature. The modular shelving component also includes a plurality of posts, where each post of the plurality of posts includes a top portion of the post that is sized larger than a bottom portion of the post. The plurality of shelving components and posts are assembled into a plurality of rows, where each of the rows includes one of the shelving components, and where from at least a second row of the assembly upward, the included shelving component for a given row is longer than the included shelving component for the row above the given row.
[0009]Implementations can include one or more of the following. Each post of the plurality of posts can include a first locking feature on the top portion and a second locking feature on the bottom portion, and the first locking feature of a first post can be configured to engage with the second locking feature of another post.
[0010]In a third general aspect, a modular shelving assembly includes a plurality of shelving components, including a first shelving component having a first length, a second shelving component having a second length that is shorter than the first length, and a third shelving component having a third length that is shorter than the second length, where each of the shelving components defines a plurality of first apertures on a top side of the shelving component and defines a plurality of second apertures on a bottom side of the shelving component, and wherein each of the second apertures is smaller than each of the first apertures. At least one shelving component of the plurality of shelving components includes an upper surface that includes a textured feature. The modular shelving component also includes a plurality of posts, where each post of the plurality of posts includes that a top portion of the post that is sized smaller than a bottom portion of the post. The plurality of shelving components and posts are assembled into a plurality of rows, where each of the rows includes one of the shelving components, and where from at least a second row of the assembly upward, the included shelving component for a given row is longer than the included shelving component for the row above the given row.
[0011]Implementations can include one or more of the following. Each post of the plurality of posts can include a first locking feature on the top portion and a second locking feature on the bottom portion, and the first locking feature of a first post can be configured to engage with the second locking feature of another post.
[0012]The details of one or more implementations are depicted in the associated drawings and the description thereof below. Certain implementations may provide one or more advantages. For example, the disclosed modular systems include modular components that allow for the systems to be readily adapted and customized to virtually any space or location. The set of parts that are used to assemble the modular system is relatively small (e.g., 2 parts, 3, parts, 4 parts), which can permit a basic set of components to be greatly adapted and without having to obtain specialty parts.
[0013]In another example, the disclosed modular systems can be securely and quickly assembled without the use of other tools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches. This can permit users will all levels of handiness to effectively use and adapt the modular systems. Additionally, since larger systems can be constructed on site from smaller parts, issues surrounding transporting larger structures through and into tighter spaces (e.g., carrying a large piece of furniture up a stairwell) can be eliminated.
[0014]In a further example, materials that are lightweight yet strong (e.g., molded plastics, recycled plastics (e.g., pre- or post-consumer), 3D-printed materials) can be used so as to provide ready portability without sacrificing the quality or structural integrity of the system.
[0015]In another example, by having a smaller number of parts, efficiencies in production can be gained by having to set up fewer production runs. For instance, if injection molding is being used to produce the parts of the modular system, the disclosed modular system can allow for price savings by using fewer molds.
[0016]In another example, the systems can be shipped and stored easily and efficiently, for example because the components can be housed within an underside of the shelf, which can reduce transportation and stocking costs in some examples.
[0017]Other features, objects, and advantages of the technology described in this document will be apparent from the description and the drawings, and from the claims.
具体实施方式：
[0038]Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039]FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1H depict views of an example modular system 100 with interlocking shelf components 102, posts 104, male end caps 106, and female end caps 108.
[0040]Referring to FIG. 1A, which depicts an assembly for the system 100, the shelf components 102 has a female end 103a that includes a void that extends inwardly from the end and that is defined by interior sidewalls of the components 102. The void in female end 103a is sized and shaped to receive male ends 103b of the components 102 (e.g., a male end 103b of another shelf component 102). The male ends 103b are sized and shaped to be smaller in their width and height than the main body of the components 102, which can permit the male ends 103b to be inserted into the void in the female end 103a (e.g., into the void in the female end 103a of another shelf component 102).
[0041]The components 102 additionally include apertures 105 that are defined by openings in the top and bottom surfaces of the components 102, and that extend through the height of the components 102. The apertures 105 can be sized and shaped to fit the posts 104, which can be received by the apertures 105. As depicted in the example system 100, the apertures 105 are positioned at or near the ends 103a, 103b of the components 102. The positioning of the apertures 105 in these locations at or near the ends 103a, 103b permits for the components 102 to be secured to each other by merely inserting the posts 104 through the overlapping apertures 105 of a male end 103b and a female end 103a after the male end 103b has been inserted into the female end 103a of a component 102, in some implementations. With such a configuration, a user may not need any tools (e.g., screw driver, wrench) to assemble the system 100 into any of a variety of configurations.
[0042]The male end caps 106 can be shaped and sized similarly to the male ends 103b of the components 102, and can be inserted into a last component 102 with an exposed female end 103a on each row of the assembly. The male end caps 106 can also include apertures 105 and can be secured to the appropriate components 102 by being first inserted into the female end 103a of the components 102 and then by posts 104 being inserted and through the overlapping apertures 105 of the components 102 and the end caps 106. The end caps 106 can provide a variety of benefits, including improving the structural integrity and strength of the system 100 and covering potentially sharp or otherwise dangerous portions of the exposed female ends 103a.
[0043]Referring to FIG. 1B, which depicts an overhead view of an example male end cap 106, the male end caps 106 can optionally include a rear portion 107 that has height and width dimensions that are the same as or similar to the body of the components 102. Such a rear portion 107 may extend beyond the end 103a of the components 102 and, when the end cap 106 is inserted into the end 103a, could define a surface that extends along the same planar surface as the top surface of the components 102.
[0044]Like the male end caps 106, the example female end caps 108 can be used to cover an exposed male end 103b of the first component 102 on each row of the system 100. The female end caps 108 can define voids that are similar in size and shape to the voids defined in the female ends 103a of the components 102 so as to permit receipt of the male ends 103b of the components 102. Referring to FIG. 1D, which depicts an overhead view of an example female end cap 108, the apertures 105 extend through the end cap 108. This configuration may permit the end caps 108 to be secured to the components 102 by the posts 104 being inserted into the overlapping apertures 105 of the male ends 103b and the end caps 108 after the male end 103b has been inserted into the void of the end cap 108.
[0045]The end caps 108 can have width and height dimensions that are the same as or similar to the main body of the components 102 so that, when the end caps 108 are secured to the components 102, together they form nearly contiguous external surfaces. Like the end caps 106, use of the end caps 108 can provide a variety of benefits, including increasing the structural integrity and strength of the system and reducing a risk of injury from the lip formed at the transition from the male end 103b to the main body of the components 102.
[0046]Referring to FIG. 1C, which depicts an overhead view of an example interlocking shelf component 102, the width of the male end 103b of the component 102 may be smaller than the width of the main body of the component 102.
[0047]As indicated in the assembly depicted in FIG. 1A, the system 100 can be configured in any of a variety of ways. In the depicted example, the assembly includes four rows of interlocking shelf components 102, with the first and second rows (moving from the bottom row to the top row) each including three interlocking components 102, the third row including two interlocking components 102, and the fourth (top) row including only one component 102.
[0048]Optionally, the system 100 can include base elements 109, where an upper portion of the base element 109 can be received in an aperture 105 on the underside (not shown in FIG. 1A) of the components 102 in the first row of the system 100. Examples system 100 that include base elements 109 would include eight base elements 109, but for simplicity only four base elements 109 are shown in FIG. 1A. Also optionally, the system can include caps 111, where a lower portion of the cap 111 that can be received in an aperture 105 on the top-side of the components 102 in the top row (the fourth row in this example) of the system 100.
[0049]Referring to FIG. 1E, which depicts the assembled system 100, the second, third, and fourth rows each end up with one of the components 102 having a top surface 110 that is exposed (not covered above by another component 102). These exposed top surfaces can be used for a variety of purposes, including as steps. In some examples, the top surfaces 110 include a non-slip surface. In some examples, the top surfaces 110 include texturing. The top surfaces 112 of the other components 102 that are covered (not exposed) can be used for a variety of purposes, such as shelves and for storage. The example system 100 of FIG. 1E does not include base elements 109 or caps 111, for example.
[0050]FIG. 1F depicts a top view of an end cap 106 being secured to a component 102 by insertion of posts 104 into the overlapping apertures 105 of the end cap 106 and the female end 103a of the component 102. Such relationships between the end cap 106, the component 102, and the posts 104 are used with the leftmost components 102 on each row of the assembled system 100 depicted in FIG. 1E.
[0051]FIG. 1G depicts a top view of two shelving components 102 being secured to each other by insertion of posts 104 into the overlapping apertures 105 of the male end 103b of the component 102 depicted on the left and the female end 103a of the component 102 depicted on the right. Such relationships between two components 102 and the posts 104 are used in the connections between the adjacent components 102 on each row of the assembled system 100 depicted in FIG. 1E.
[0052]FIG. 1H depicts a top view of an end cap 108 being secured to a component 102 by insertion of posts 104 into the overlapping apertures 105 of the end cap 108 and the male end 103b of the component 102. Such relationships between the end cap 108, the component 102, and the posts 104 can be used with the rightmost components 102 on each row of the assembled system 100 depicted in FIG. 1E.
[0053]Although a particular assembled configuration of the system 100 is depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1E, other configurations can also be assembled using the components 102, the posts 104, and the end caps 106, 108. For example, a square or rectangular arrangement of shelves could be constructed. In another example, a pyramid of shelves could be constructed (e.g., with steps approaching a center of the system from the left and the right). Other configurations are also possible.
[0054]The components 102, the posts 104, end caps 106 and 108, base elements 109, and caps 111 can have any of a variety of appropriate shapes and dimensions. For example, the height of the posts 104 can be selected so that the rise between rows is suitable for use of the system 100 as steps. In another example, the posts 104 can have cross-sections with any of a variety of shapes, such as circular shapes (as depicted), square shapes, rectangular shapes, triangular shapes, symmetric shapes, asymmetric shapes, and/or other appropriate shapes. In another example, the width and length of the step components 102 can be selected so that the surface of the components 102 is sufficiently large for users to comfortably and safely stand thereon. In some examples, the components 102 may have a length of about 12″, and a width of about 12″, although other appropriate lengths and/or widths (e.g., length 15″×15″, 15″×12″