Shelf

April 14, 1953

J. T. SHIELDS

SHELF

2,634,867

<img file="US2634867A_D0001.tif" />

J. T. SHIELDS

SHELF

April 14, 1953

Filed Aug. 3, 1949

2,634,867

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2634867A_D0002.tif" />

April 14, 1953

2,634,867

J. T. SHIELDS

SHELF

Filed Aug. 3, 1949

Sheets-Sheet 3

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<img file="US2634867A_D0004.tif" />

Inventor, John 77 Shields, JBy

-^Sjttorney.

April 14, 1953

2,634,867

J. T. SHIELDS

SHELF

Filed Aug. 3, 1949

Sheets-Sheet 4

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<img file="US2634867A_D0006.tif" />

Patented Apr. 14, 1953

2,634,867

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,634,867 SHELF John T. Shields, Bedford, Ind. Application August 3,1949, Serial No. 108,335

Claims.

This invention relates to a shelf and a method of forming the shelf as is commonly used in refrigerators, cook stoves and ranges, and numerous other appliances and displays. The invention relates particularly to a shelf made primarily of an outer substantially rigid boundary frame with a plurality of spaced wires extending across from one side to the other of the frame. A considerable problem arises in fixing the cross wires or rods rigidly in position in such manner that they will not be readily displaced, and moreover will not corrode or show rust or iron discoloration at their junctures with the frame member. Aluminum cross wires have been commonly employed heretofore, and the ends thereof swaged in order to secure them tightly to the frame work. It is desirable to use such materials as “stainless” steel which does not have the tendency of discoloring except where it may be welded to the frame. It has been found that the use of such material in the cross wires where the welding process is employed to secure the ends of those wires to the frame results in discoloration of the metal at the weld point, so much so that rust streaks will appear and in fact run down the inside wall of the refrigerator from those types of joints.

By reason of my invention, I am able to provide a shelf structure having no welds whatsoever, and requiring no swaging or riveting of the ends of the cross bars. Aluminum, or aluminum alloy frames and rods may also be used because of the absence of any necessity to swage or weld together the several parts. Moreover by use of my invention, I can employ stainless steel throughout the entire tray structure. The length of the cross wires or rods may vary somewhat, and yet every rod will be securely held in its fixed position so that it will not loosen or rattle under vibration when the tray is in actual usage.

Moreover the invention provides a unique method of securing the central portions of the wires to intermediate support members of the frame itself without riveting or without welding.

A still further important part of the invention resides in the means for interconnecting portions of the frame securely one to the other in order to hold the wires or rods as above indicated, but still in the absence of having to weld or rivet those frame sections together.

These and many other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description of the invention made in reference to the drawings, in which (Cl. 211—153)

Fig. 1 is a view in top plan of a structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a view in bottom plan of one end portion of the shelf as shown in Fig. 1;

⁵ Fig. 3, a detail in plan view of a blank sectional length of a frame member employed intermediate the outside boundary frame portions;

Fig. 4, a view in top plan of a sectional length of a blank from which the outer- boundary frame 10 member is formed;

Fig. 5, a view in top plan and partial horizontal section through the juncture of an end frame and intermediate wire support connection;

Fig. 6, a section through the intermediate wire 15 support on the line 6—6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7, a bottom plan view of one end portion of a shelf embodying a modified form of frame and intermediate support bar construction;

Fig. 8, a detail in vertical section on an en20 larged scale through the outer boundary frame member and an intermediate wire support;

Fig. 9, a transverse section on the line 9—9 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10, a transverse section similar to that 25 shown in Fig. 9, but taken through the modified form of structure as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8; and

Fig. 11, a detail on an enlarged scale in inside elevation of an end boundary frame member 3Q of that form as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring first to that form of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1-6 and 9, a length of metal 15, Fig. 4, preferably made of “stainless” steel, is formed in the flat by oppositely notching the ₃₅ edges at regularly spaced intervals longitudinally of the strip, these notches being designated by the number 16 on the one side and 17 on the opposite side. Furthermore, the strip is punched through regularly by forming the holes 18, to one side of the longitudinal center line. The blank is then shaped into tubular form to have the edges 19 and 20 come around and abut one another so as to form a continuous tubular length, the edges 19 and 20 being left in abut₄₅ ment only without being welded or otherwise^ secured one to the other. The notches 16 and 17 leave the openings 21, Fig. 2. The tubular form is designated generally by the numeral 22.

For a rectangular shelf, the length of tubing 50 22 has end portions 23 and 24 bent around to extend at right angles through radius portions 25 and 26 respectively. Fig. 1. The legs 23 and 24 thus turned from the major longitudinal length of the tube 22 are placed in that direction 55 to have the holes 18 lined along the upper por

2,634,867 tion of the tube 22 on that side of the vertical plane toward the direction in which the legs 23 and 24 are turned. In like manner, a similar length of tubing 22α is formed to have the end legs 27 and 28 so formed and arranged that the respective ends of the legs 23, 27 and 24, 28, will be in axial alignment one with the other when they are brought together, and thus the tubular members will define a rectangular enclosure.

The strip of metal illustrated by the sectional length 13, Fig. 3 is provided with edge notches 29 and 30 laterally opposite one another and spaced in pairs along the strip. Centrally of the blanks, there is punched a plurality of figure 8 apertures 3i centered on transverse lines and also centered on the central longitudinal line across the strip. The blank strip 13 thus formed is formed into tubular shape to bring the edges 32 and 33 into abutment,’and to have the apertures 31 on the top side of the tube with the notches 29 and 30 registering by their longitudinal marginal ends so as to form the openings 34 in spaced relation along the under side. The finished member, now in tubular form is generally designated by the numeral 35. This member 35 forms a transverse support for the individual wires or rods 36. While any number desired of these transverse supports 35 may be employed, only one is shown in the present form, Figs. 1,2,5, and 9.

A unique interconnector between the transverse support member 35 and the ends of the legs 23, 27, and 24, 28, is provided. Referring to Fig. 5, this connector is best illustrated and consists of a length of a cylindrical rod 37 having annular grooves 38 and 39 provided therearound adjacent the ends of the rod. One side of the rod 37 is recessed to receive the end 39 of a second rod 40 and is centrally bored transversely through to receive the pin portion 41 extending integrally from the end of the rod 40 a sufficient distance so that it may be riveted over to form the head 42 on the opposite side of the rod 37 and thereby secure the rod 40 rigidly in position at right angles to the rod 37. This rod 40 is provided with an annular groove 43 therearound adjacent the portion 39, and is further provided with a transverse groove or slot 44 across its top side. Two of these connector assemblies are employed when there is but the one cross support member 35.

The member 35 receives in its opposite ends one of the rods 40, and then in each instance the legs as for example in Fig. 5, 24, and 28 are telescoped over the opposite ends of the rod 37 to permit those ends of the legs 24 and 28 to abut one another around the outside of the rod 37. As indicated in Fig. 5, the inside of the adjacent abutting portions of these legs 24 and 28 are cut away to receive the end portion 39 of the rod 40 therethrough. The end of the cross member or rod 35 is pushed along the rod 40 to come into abutment by its end with the adjacent end portions of these legs 24 and 28 as indicated in Fig. 5.

However before the legs 23, 27 and 24, 28 are assembled on the opposite ends of the rod 37 in each instance, the wires 36 are first inserted by their ends through the respective holes 18 in the longitudinal portions 22 and 22α of the frame member sections.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 9, wherein a wire 36 is shown in its final assembled position in relation to the frame portions 22 and 22α. It is to be noted that each end of the wire 36 in all instances is formed to be initially, by its major length, in a straight line condition. The end portions in each instance are turned downwardly and outwardly at the bends 46 and 47 to extend normally at forty-five degree angles from the longitudinal center line of the major length of the wire 36. The over-all length of these wires 36 is intended to be exactly the same, but in practice, there will be some variation.

Before the legs 23, 27 and 24, 28, are brought into abutment as above indicated, the ends 48 . and 49 of the wires 36 are threaded through the holes i8 in the frame sections 22 and 22α, the wires 36 being passed over the top side of the intermediate support member 35. With the wires 36 thus positioned, the two side members 22 and 22α are pressed one toward the other to bring their respective legs 23, 27 and 24, 28 into abutment on the connector rods 37. In so doing, the length of the wires 36 are made to be such in any event regardless of variations therein, to have the outer ends 48 and 49 come into abutment with the inside wall of the members 22 and 22α in each instance as best indicated in Fig. 9. As these two members are forced together to bring their respective legs into abutment, these wires 36 will tend to bow into the shape as indicated by the dash lines to that position designated by the numeral 36α.

With the abutting ends of the legs 23, 27 and 24, 28 held in contact one with the other, the end portions of those legs are swaged or struck to form the indentations on opposite sides designated by the numerals 50 and 51 to force the: tubular metal into the annular groove 38 and also to form the indentations designated by the numerals 52 and 53 to force the metal of the other leg into the annular groove 39. These are indentations formed from opposite sides of the respective legs. Additional indentations such as 14 and 54, Fig. 1, may be employed for further securement if so desired. The cross support member 35 is likewise fixed to the rod 40 in each end thereof by striking the member 35 on opposite sides to force the metal in at the indentations 55 and 56, Fig. 5. The cross groove 44 in the rod 40 will match one of the apertures 31 in the cross member 35.

With the outer boundary frames so formed, and in effect rigidly interconnected to form a single unit in the absence of welding or riveting, the wires 36 are then forced downwardly from the position 36α into the fixed line position, Fig. 9, to carry those wires across the apertures 31 of the member 35. These apertures 31 are so formed that when the member 35 is in its tubular; shape, the wire 36 in each instance will drop across those apertures to have the top side of the wire 36 at an elevation a trifle above the top side of the member 35, and then at the same time when these wires 36 are pressed downwardly, the upturned lips 58 and 59 on opposite sides of the wire 36 are forced inwardly and against the sides of the wires 36 to press the wire 36 downwardly and hold it securely in fixed position in relation to the member 35. This downward forcing of the wires 36 deforms the wires in each instance at their bends 46 and 47 so that in every case, the wire 36 is brought into a common plane in respect to its uppermost side. As the bends 46 and 47 are deformed by pressing the wire 36 down in each instance, the extreme ends of the portions 48 and 49 remain in contact with the inside wall of the frame portions 22 and 22α so that there can be no end travel at any time of the wire 36 in respect to the longitudinal length between those bends 46 and 47,

2,834,867

Thus by holding the wires 3S down on the transverse member 35, the wires 36 through their bends 46 and 47, and their constant end abutment with the inside face of the tubular portions 22 and 22α are fixed against any possible movement, and remain in snug and tight relation throughout the life of the tray.

The openings 34 in the cross support member 35, and also the openings 2i in the members 22 and 22α are provided to permit access of fluids to the inside of these tubular members, as well as drainage of fluids therefrom. This is done primarily on account of the fact that in the forming of these members 22, 22α, and 35, particles of the steel forming tools will be abraded into the chrome surface of the so-called “strainless” steel. If they are allowed to remain, these particles of iron will rust and thus discolor the members. Therefore it is desirable to remove such particles, and this is done by the reverse electro-plating process. The plating solution is allowed to enter and flow through these openings 21 and 34 freely for that purpose. Furthermore after the shelf is in actual usage, and it is to be washed, the washing solution or compound may enter and drain through these holes.

Referring to the form of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, and 10,11, the primary difference resides in the fact that instead of employing an outer tubular frame and also tubular intermediate cross supports, I employ a channel generally U-shaped. Referring to Fig. 7, there is indicated a side frame member 60 having the leg 61 turned at right angles therefrom with the intervening radial portion 62. The open side of the member 60 is positioned downwardly so that the upper side which may be flat, but shown more or less rounded in this particular instance may be on the upper, used side of the tray.

Also in this modified form, there are shown two intermediate wire support cross channel members 63 and 64. The leg 61 is shown, Fig. 7, as extending down to an end 65. The opposite side channel 66 is provided with a short leg 67 to have its end 68 come into abutment with that end 65. Both the intermediate support members 63 and 64 are interconnected with the end portions of the channel 60 and 66 by the interconnecting T’s 69 and 70 of exactly the same construction as illustrated in Fig. 5 in the first form described, and as employed in the tubular frame sections.

In the open channel section frame construction, the ends of the intermediate support members 63 and 64 are rolled into tubular form as at 71 and 78 respectively to telescope over the rods 40 of the connectors. In like manner, the leg 61 is rolled into tubular form to surround the rod 37. The end portion of the member 63 is struck as at 73 and the leg 61 is struck at the two positions 74 and 75. Continuing, the end portion of the leg 61 is rolled into tubular form 76 to surround one end of the rod 37 and the end portion of the leg 67 is rolled into the portion 77 to surround the other end of the rod 37 at that connection, while the end of the member 64 is likewise formed into the tubular end 78 to surround the rod 40, these various ends being struck as at 79, 80, and 81, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 8, and also to Fig. 10, the wires 36 have their ends 48 and 49 inserted primarily within the channels 60 and 66 to have the extreme ends thereof abut the outer vertical wall of those channels. Then the wires 36 are pushed downwardly from the 36α position to the solid line position, Fig. 10, in the same manner as described in reference to Fig. 9, until those wires 36 are brought into the apertures 82 formed across the top sides of the intermediate members 63 and 64, and then the wires are held in their common planar positions by pressing the lips 83 on each side of the wires 36 in each instance against and down onto the wires 36 so as to retain them in the straight line positions.

Thus it is to be seen that by following the method described, a very rigid, durable, and noncorrosive structure is produced. Every individual element entering into the construction, is held rigidly in place so that under vibration and even rough usage, those members will tend to remain in rigid contact one with the Other, or to respect to the wires, will remain under .tension so as to maintain their tight and rigid interconnections with the various elements supporting the wires.

Therefore while I have described the invention in the forms above indicated, it is obvious that structural variations may be employed all without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to those precise forms beyond the limitations which may be imposed by the following claims.