Shelving system

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a shelving system. More particularly, this invention relates to a shelving system wherein the height of the shelving units can be altered, and which system can be assembled and disassembled without tools.

2. Description of Related Art

When assembling shelving systems, frame pieces and shelving pieces are often connected with screws to connect the shelving components. However, using screws to assemble the frame and shelving requires the user to perform complicated assembly operations. The use of screws also implies the need for tools, such as a screwdriver.

In a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus and a method for a shelving unit includes two vertical frames each having vertical posts. One or more shelf supports attached to each vertical frame horizontally separate the respective vertical posts thereof. At least one shelf has a plurality of sliding mounting connectors attached to a periphery of the shelf, sized to detachably engage and slide along a respective vertical post. A wedge-shaped piece inserted between the sliding mounting connector and the respective vertical post. When the shelving unit is assembled, the sliding mounting connectors are caused to slide along the vertical posts until the connectors abut the shelf support and the wedge-shaped pieces prevent further sliding of the sliding mounting connectors.

In a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus and a method for expanding the shelving unit vertically includes adding an additional shelving unit. The vertical posts of the vertical frames are hollow at least at a top end and a bottom end, the bottom hollow end having internal screw threads. Vertical connectors having a first end shaped to detachably engage the top end of the vertical post and a second end threaded to thread into the bottom end of the vertical post can be used to assemble a first shelving unit to a second shelving unit.

In a third aspect of the invention, an apparatus and a method for expanding the shelving unit horizontally includes a first vertical frame, a second vertical frame and a third vertical frame each having a respective first, second and third vertical posts. One or more shelf supports attached to each of the first, second and third vertical frames and horizontally separate the respective vertical posts thereof. A first shelf has a plurality of sliding mounting connectors attached to a periphery of the first shelf, the connectors sized to detachably engage and slide along the first, second or third vertical posts. One or more first wedge-shaped pieces can be inserted between the sliding mounting connectors and the respective first, second or third vertical posts. When the shelving system is assembled, the sliding mounting connectors are caused to slide along the respective first or second vertical posts until the connectors of the first shelf abut the shelf support and the first wedge-shaped pieces prevent further sliding of the sliding mounting connectors of the first shelf. A second shelf has a plurality of the sliding mounting connectors attached to a periphery of the second shelf. When the shelving system is assembled, at least one of the sliding mounting connectors of the second shelf is caused to slide along the third vertical post until the connector abuts the shelf support of the third frame and at least one of the sliding mounting connectors of the second shelf is caused to slide along the second vertical post until the connector abuts the sliding mounting connector of the first shelf. Wedge-shaped pieces between the sliding mounting connector of the second shelf and the respective vertical posts prevent further sliding of the sliding mounting connectors of the second shelf.