Patent · US Expired

Expandable storage and dispensing system

US4785943A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
16References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 1986
Grant dateNov 22, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA47F1/12
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Two embodiments of a modular storage and dispensing rack for dispensing articles are disclosed. The first embodiment is a rack with a top and bottom shelf, while the second embodiment is a rack with only one shelf. The shelves normally have between five and nine discrete tray modules, wherein the tray modules are fixed in a side-by-side relationship to form the shelves. The tray modules each have a top side for storing articles and a bottom side having saddles that are designed to receive connecting members. The first embodiment has connecting members fabricated from square steel tubing. These connecting members pass through the saddles of the tray modules in opposite directions and overlap. The overlapping connecting members are fixed relative to the tray modules so that the tray modules remain fixed in a side-by-side relationship to form a shelf. The top shelf is supported above the bottom shelf with spacing members fabricated from square tubing. The second embodiment utilizes tie bars to fix the tray modules in a side-by-side relationship to form a shelf. The tie bars pass through the saddles of the tray modules and are fixed relative to the tray modules to that the tray modules…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.