GB2029198A - Shelf - Google Patents

Abstract

A shelf, having a flat sheet of material 12 (having on one or both sides decorative surface finish), and a frame 13, 14 of which the part 14 is detachable to allow the sheet 12 to be removed and replaced to show the other decorative surface, or to allow replacement of the sheet 12 by another sheet. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shelf This invention relates to shelves of the kind having a flat sheet of material such as laminated plastics material or wood forming the shelf surface and mounted in a frame which carries mounting means whereby the shelf may be attached to a wall or other structure.

Such shelves are sometimes mounted above a heating radiator. For use above a radiator, the shelf usually carries a seal which, in use, engages the wall to which the radiator is attached, so that the passage of warm air between the wall and the rear edge of the shelf is prevented.

The flat sheet of material usually has a decorative surface finish and therefore a trader may have a large number of shelves of the same size but having panels of different decorative finishes for customers choice. With the size range included, the number of different shelves stocked may be large. Furthermore, any change in the decorative finish of any shelf can only be accomplished such as by conventional painting.

It is the object of this invention to provide a shelf which allows some variation in surface finish to be achieved, as may be required, and this results in reduction in stocking requirements.

According to the invention there is provided a shelf comprising a flat sheet of material having, on at least one side, a decorative surface finish, and a frame in which the sheet is carried, said frame having a detachable portion which allows access to the sheet for removal and replacement thereof.

Preferably, the detachable portion of the frame carries a seal arranged, in use, to engage a wall against which the shelf is fitted.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an underneath plan view of a shelf constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale on the line 2-2 in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an end elevation view on same scale as Figure 2 partly in section and shown mounted above a radiator.

Figure 3 shows an installation of the shelf above a heating radiator identified at 10. The radiator is mounted against a wall indicated at 11 and has a header tank portion. The radiator is spaced from the wall by a distance sufficient for mounting the shelf in a manner to be described.

The shelf is shown engaging against the wall 11 so that passage of air between the wall and the rear face of the shelf is prevented.

The shelf comprises a flat sheet 12 of a material having a decorative finish on one or both sides thereof. This material may be laminated plastics, wood or metal or other sheet material. The sheet 12 is generally rectangular with two rounded corners as shown in Figure 1. The length and width however are dependent upon the size and shape of the shelf and the shelf shown in merely exemplary.

The sheet 12 is mounted in a frame. This comprises a part 13 and a part 14 secured together and a detachable portion 15. In this example the part 13 is extruded metal and has the section shown in Figure 2. This section includes two channels 16,17 one of which is lipped on both sides whereas the other is lipped only on one side. The part 13 follows the profile of the sheet 12 having two rounded corners but the side which, in use, is nearest to the wall 11 is filled by the part 14. This part has a web and two flanges extending in the same direction from opposite upper and lower edges thereof. The upper flange 18 has at its outer extremity, an integral bead 19 which protrudes downwardly. The other flange 20 of the part 14 is short. This part 14 like the part 13 is in this example formed from metal by extrusion, and has constant cross-sectional shape throughout its length.The depth of the part 14 is equal to that portion of the part 13 including the lipped channel 16 and also the lip of the other channel 17. However, it does not extend over the opening of the said channel 17.

To secure the two parts 13, together there are two corner pieces 21 at opposite ends of the shelf respectively. Each corner piece is secured in the lipped channel 16 by a screw 22 which engages between the lips of that channel. It is also secured to the part 14 by a rivet 23. Alternative securement arrangements between the parts can be used.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the sheet 12 engages in the channel 17. Its width is slightly less than the entrance of this channel so that the sheet is a relatively loose fit therein. The sheet rear edge rests on the flange 18 of the part 14.

Enclosing the rear edge of the sheet 12 as well as the beaded flange 18 of the part 14 is the detachable portion 15. This is of channel shape with, on its lower limb, an integral bead 24 engaging with the bead 19 on the part 14. An integral extension 25 of the portion 15 extends downwardly and carries a foamed plastic seal strip 26. As shown in Figure 3, when the shelf is fitted against the wall 11, this seal is compressed against the surface of the wall. The portion 15 in this example is formed from extruded plastics material having a cross-sectional shape which is constant throughout its length. The extrusion may include a metal or other decorative foil visible through the outer layer of the plastics material. The plastics material provides a degree of flexibility which allows the portion 15 to be fitted and removed from the shelf when required.A metal, resilient portion 15 could be used in place of that shown.

The foamed plastic seal strip 26 can, as an alternative be fixed to the part 14 but in this case it is necessary to ensure that air cannot pass between the part 14 and the sheet 12.

In an example in which the sheet 12 has a decorative surface finish on both sides, it is possible to display either of the sides uppermost. Should it be required to change, it is only necessary to remove the shelf from the wall then detach the portion 15.

This allows the sheet 12 to slide out of the frame and it can then be replaced with its other side uppermost.

It can also be removed for cleaning or painting or for replacement with another panel having a different decorative surface finish. With this arrangement, it is possible for a trader to carry a stock of the frames of different sizes and also a stock of the sheets of the required sizes but of different decorative surface finish and the customer chooses the required combination.

The shelf shown is mounted on the radiator 10 by means of a clamp. This is secured to the shelf by means of a rod 27 extending across the shelf from the member 13 to the member 14. On this rod which is of round section is slidably mounted a bracket 28 having an L-shaped extension 29 to which is attached a tubular member 30. The tubular member has a slit through which protrudes an arm 31. Figure 3 shows how the arm is moved against its spring 32 so that it can engage behind the radiator header tank. A reaction through the spring is therefore set up between the arm 31 and the L-shaped extension 29 which rests against the wall 11. When in this position the bracket 28 is against the parts 14 and the L-shaped extension 29 is long enough to extend beyond the part 14 so that swivelling movement of the bracket relatively to the rod 27 is minimised. This apparatus is subject of Patent Application No.

33690/77 and is more fully described therein. Figure 1 shows how this assembly can be folded down within the shelf for packing. Alternative mounting arrangement may however be adopted for the shelf.

Such mounting arrangements are attached to the frame of the shelf and do not interfere with the removal of the sheet 12.

In place of the resilient channel shaped portion 15 holding the sheet 12 in its assembled position an alternative member secured for example, by screws may be used.

Claims (5)

1. A shelf comprising a flat sheet of material having, on at least one side, a decorative surface finish, and a frame in which the sheet is carried, said frame having a detachable portion which allows access to the sheet for removal and replacement thereof.

2. A shelf as claimed in claim 1 in which the detachable portion of the frame carries a seal arranged, in use, to engage a wall against which the shelf is fitted.

3. A shelf as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2 in which the flat sheet is made from laminated plastics material and has alternative decorative finish on the opposite sides thereof.

4. A shelf as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the frame defines a channel formation into which the edge of the sheet material engages.

5. A shelf substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.