EP0811342B1

EP0811342B1 - Shelf unit with sliding shelves

Info

Publication number: EP0811342B1
Application number: EP19970830274
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabriele Pedersini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-07
Filing date: 1997-06-05
Publication date: 2002-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-05
Also published as: ITBS960047V0; EP0811342A3; IT241150Y1; DE69710252D1; EP0811342A2; ITBS960047U1

Description

This invention regards shelf units, in particular those required to hold boxes or containers whose contents are to be removed from above.
For reasons of space, in a typical household the boxes or containers of, for example water, drinks, fruit and vegetables, knickknacks etc are stacked up, usually in tight spaces, such as storage cupboards or comers of the garage.
However, stacking like this has the disadvantage that only products in the top box or container can be removed at any one time, whilst removing things from the lower boxes is hindered by those above. Therefore, each time it is necessary to remove the top boxes, which may even be empty, in order to get to those below.
This same disadvantage may also be found in business activities, shops and warehouses, where the products are kept in containers on shelves.
Document FR-A-2 450 582 disclose a wall shelf unit with independent sliding shelves arranged in overlapped rows. The shelf unit is clearly designed to accomodate kitchen utensils. In the shelf unit, the shelves can have different shapes and they are arranged horizontally according to the utensils they have to hold. Sometimes the shelves can be blocked in the chosen position.
Apparently, the shelves are arranged in the desired position and then left in a static position for the preset use. However, a shelf displacement could be hindered by utensils placed on other adjacent shelves, above and below.
Also, where a shelf can be designed to receive a container, for reaching this container from above, the shelf must be placed in the upper row or not be obstructed by other shelves.
This document, therefore, does not teach nor suggests a shelf unit structure with sliding shelves where each shelf can hold a container or a box containing articles that can be drawn out only from above without side or above obstacles hindering access and taking.
This invention proposes a shelf unit with shelves or ledges laid out so as to accommodate several boxes or containers, with the possibility of reaching at least part of any one of them, whatever their level.
Another aim of the invention is to propose a shelf unit in which no shelf or surface hinders access to those adjacent, either above or below.
These aims are achieved by a shelf unit that corresponds to independent claim 1, with sliding shelves or ledges, ranged at different heights, able to move horizontally and independently of one another, and each one designed to hold at least one box or container, whose contents can be removed from above, whereby the content of any box or container may be removed from above in limited space conditions of about 1,5 times the width of a container.
Further details of the invention will become evident by reference to the enclosed diagrams, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective of the shelf unit with sliding shelves, which can be placed alongside other similar units;
Fig. 2 shows a front view of the shelf unit in Fig. 1;
Figs 3 and 4 show, respectively, the side view of the shelves and the view from the top of the unit in Fig. 1; and
Fig. 5 shows an example of the shelf unit in use.
This shelf unit includes at least two uprights 11, two or more horizontal crosspieces 12, and two or more support shelves 13 - see Fig. 1
The uprights may be selfstanding with a base or fixed to the wall. They are connected together by crosspieces 12, fixed at various heights.
The shelves are attached to the crosspieces, along which they slide by means of pulleys, runners or similar 14.
The illustrated example shows a shelf unit with two uprights and L-shaped shelves, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
However, the shelf unit could also have four uprights with shelves or ledges attached to and running along crosspieces placed on the same horizontal plane.
Whatever the layout, when seen from the front, the length of each ledge or shelf will be inferior to the distance between the uprights, so as to permit this sliding.
In practice, at least one box or container 15 can be placed on each ledge or shelf. Then, by moving a ledge or shelf sideways with regard to the one either immediately above or below, it is possible to get at least partial access to each box or container, whatever its level, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Claims

A shelf unit with at least two uprights (11) connected by crosspieces (12) placed at different heights on the uprights, and shelves or ledges (13) attached to the said crosspieces, and wherein each shelf or ledge (13) is slidable and movable horizontally along the said crosspieces, within the space between the said uprights, characterized in that each shelf or ledge is designed to accomodate one box or container (15), the contents of which can be reached from above, each shelf or ledge being laterally movable in a measure substantially equal to one half of a box or container width.
A shelf unit according to claim 1, wherein the ledges or shelves (13) are applied to, and slide along, the crosspieces by means of pulleys, runners or similar.
A shelf unit according to the preceding claims, wherein the lenght of each ledge or shelf (13) is inferior to the distance between the uprights (11), and in which the sliding of a ledge or shelf (13) to one side will give at least partial access to a box or container (15) on another level.