GB2351833A

GB2351833A - Magnetic retaining apparatus.

Info

Publication number: GB2351833A
Application number: GB9916879A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Arthur Charles Chown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-07
Filing date: 1999-07-19
Publication date: 2001-01-10
Also published as: GB9916879D0; GB9916543D0; GB9915955D0

Abstract

A retainer means 6 is provided for retaining a product 8 in position on or beneath (Fig. 1) a shelf. The retainer means and the shelf comprise materials that allow a magnetic connection between each other. The retainer means may be fitted to the product 6 or it may be an integral part of the product. If fitted to the product the retainer means is preferably formed from rubber, has a base (24, Fig. 7) containing magnetic connection material, and receives one end of the product as a push fit in a bore (26, Fig. 7). The retainer means may be used to support in an upright position an elongate item such as a pen, pencil, razor, toothbrush, brush or comb.

Description

2351833 SHELF APPARATUS This invention relates to shelf apparatus.

Shelves are widely used for retaining products in a desired position. The products are usually positioned on top of the shelf and, in this case, difficulty may sometimes be encountered in retaining the products on the shelf. For example, if the product is an elongate product such for example as a toothbrush, pen or pencil, then the product has to lie on the shelf because it cannot be stood vertically. There may be insufficient room for such products to lie horizontally on the shelf and/or they may tend to get knocked off the shelf as other products are placed on the shelf or removed from the shelf.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided shelf apparatus comprising a shelf and retainer means for retaining a product in position on or under the shelf, the shelf and the retainer means being such that they comprise materials that allow a magnetic connection between the retainer means and the shelf.

With the shelf apparatus of the present invention, the product can easily be positioned on or under the shelf. Still further, it is easy to remove the product because the magnetic connection can be easily broken by pulling_tM 2 retainer means away from the shelf. The retainer means can be utilised on elongate products so that this type of product can easily be stood vertically on the shelf if this should be desired. Alternatively, if it should be desired to hang the product vertically underneath the shelf, then this can equally easily be accomplished.

The shelf apparatus may be one in which the shelf comprises a magnetic material, and in which the retainer means comprises a material which is attracted to the magnetic material of the shelf. Alternatively, the shelf may be one in which the retainer means is made of a magnetic material, and in which the shelf is made of a material that is attracted to the magnetic material of the retainer means.

Preferably, the shelf is a plastics covered shelf. The plastics covering is able to cover the material of the shelf that permits the magnetic connection. Still further, the plastics material is able easily to be wiped clean. Also, the plastics material can be produced in various desired colours in order to suit a room decor, for example bathrooms. Any suitable and appropriate plastics material may be employed. Similarly, any suitable and appropriate materials that may allow the magnetic connection may be employed.

The shelf apparatus may be one in which the shelf has a support portion, and in which the support portion has a 3 pair of apertures for enabling the shelf to be fixed in position on a vertical support surface.

Preferably, the apertures are such that the shelf is able to be hooked in position, so that the shelf can be unhooked for cleaning purposes. The apertures are preferably keyhole apertures but other shaped apertures may be employed.

The retainer means may be such that it is able to be fitted to the product, the product being a separately purchased product. Many persons utilising the shelf apparatus of the present invention will already have the product that they wish to position on or under the shelf. If the persons do not already have the product, then they may want the freedom of choice to purchase their own design and/or make of product. This is simply allowed by the present invention because the retainer means can be fitted over the separately purchased product.

The retainer means may be a push fit on to the product. Other means for fitting the retainer means on to the product may be employed.

Where the retainer means is a push fit on to the product, then the retainer means may be a rubber member, the rubber. member having a bottom portion provided on one of the materials that allows the magnetic connection between the retainer means and the shelf, and the rubber material having a bore for receiving one 'end of the product.

4 Where the retainer means is such that it is able to be fitted to a separately purchased product, -then the shelf apparatus may be manufactured and sold just with the shelf and the retainer means. In this case, the shelf apparatus may contain a plurality of the retainer means for enabling a plurality of articles to be fitted with the retainer means and then positioned on or under the shelf.

The present invention extends to the shelf apparatus when including the product.

If desired, the retainer means may be formed as an integral part of the product during manufacture. Thus, on purchasing a new product, the retainer means would be automatically purchased as an integral part of the new product. In this case, the shelf apparatus could still include a plurality of the retainer means so that, for example, a shelf could be purchased with a plurality of tooth brushes for the family, with each tooth brush having an integrally formed retainer means.

The product may be a product having an elongate body portion.

The product may be a product that is used in a home Thus, f or example, the product may be a tooth brush, a razor, a hair brush or a comb. Any suitable and appropriate product that is used in the home may be employed, including cutlery and cooking utensils as employed in a kitchen.

If desired, the product may be a product that is used in an office. In this case, the product may be a pen or a pencil. The pen may be in the form of a biro, a fountain pen, or a felt tip pen. Any suitable and appropriate type of product that may be used in an office may be employed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows.first shelf apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 shows second shelf apparatus of the invention; Figures 3, 4 and 5 are different views of a shelf forming part of the shelf apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figures 6 - 9 are different views of retainer means utilised in the shelf apparatus shown in Figures I and 2.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown shelf apparatus 2 comprising a shelf 4 and retainer means 6 for retaining a product in position under the shelf 4. The shelf 4 and the retainer means 6 are such that they comprise materials that allow a magnetic connection between the retainer means 6 and the shelf 4.

The shelf 4 has a support portion 10. The support portion 10 has a pair of apertures 12 for receiving screws 14 for enabling the shelf 4 to be fixed in position on a vertical support surface (not shown) such for example as a wall. The apertures 12 are preferably keyhole apertures so 6 that the shelf 4 can easily be hooked over the screws 14 and removed from the screws 14 for cleaning purposes.

The retainer means 6 is such that it is able to be fitted to the product 8, the product 8 being a separately purchased product 8.

The retainer means 6 is a push f it on to the product 8. More specifically, the retainer means is a rubber member which is a push f it over the product 8 as can be appreciated from Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown shelf apparatus 16. Similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. Thus, the shelf apparatus 16 utilises the shelf 4 and the retainer means 6 shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 1, there are shown two of the retainer means 6, with each retainer means 6 being fitted to a product 8. One product 8 is a toothbrush as shown, and the other product 8 is a razor as shown. The shelf apparatus 2 shown in Figure 1 finds especial use in a bathroom. In contrast, Figure 2 shows two of the retainer means 6, with one retainer means 6 being f itted to a product 8 in the form of a pencil as shown, and the other retainer means 6 being fitted to a product 8 in the form of a biro as shown. Thus, the shelf apparatus 16 shown in Figure 2 finds use in an of f ice, although it may equally well be used in a home or other place. Figure 2 also shows how paper clips 18 can be secured to the underneath of the shelf 4.

7 The shelf apparatus 2, 16 are such that products 8 having elongate body portions 20 as shown can easily be positioned in a vertical position on top of the shelf 4, or in a vertical position underneath the shelf 4. The products 8 shown in Figure 1 could alternatively be positioned on top of the shelf 4, and the products 8 as shown in Figure 2 could alternatively be positioned underneath the shelf 4. The shelf apparatus 2, 16 is thus very flexible in use. In addition to being flexible in use, where the shelf apparatus is used in a bathroom or kitchen, increased hygiene may be afforded. For example, in bathrooms, toothbrushes are notoriously left lying on the back of sinks, or are placed in beakers or glasses. The back of the sinks, the beakers and the glasses are invariably less clean than would be preferred for an item such as a toothbrush which is to be inserted into a person's mouth. The shelf apparatus of the present invention enables this problem to be greatly reduced and hygiene to be greatly improved.

The shelf 4 is "shown in detail in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Figure 3 is a perspective view from underneath and one side of the shelf. Figure 4 is a front view. of the shelf 4 and partly in section, and Figure 5 is an end view of the shelf 4, again partly in section. The shelf 4 comprises a plate 22 of a magnetic material. The magnetic material is typically a ferrous material. The remainder of the shelf 4 is made of a plastics material so that the plastics 8 material covers the plate 22. The plastics material can easily be wiped clean. Still further, the plastics material can easily be moulded in different colours in order to enable shelves 4 to be purchased which suit the decor of different rooms, for example bathrooms and office rooms.

Figures 6 - 8 show in detail the retainer means 6. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the retainer means 6 one way up, and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the retainer means 6 but the other way up. Figure 7 illustrates how the retainer means 6 has a bottom portion 24 provided with a material such as a ferrous material which is able to adhere by magnetism to the plate 22 of the shelf 4. Figure 8 is a view f rom underneath as viewed in Figure 7 and shows the bottom portion 24.

Figure 7 also shows how the retainer means 6 has a bore 26 for receiving one end of the product 8. The retainer means 6 is a rubber member so that the bore 26 is able to expand and form a tight push fit on the end of the product 8, for example on the ends of the products 8 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only. Thus, for example products other than the 'illustrated products 8 may be employed. Retainer means of a shape other than that shown in the drawings may also be 9 employed. The shelf 4 may be of a different design to that shown.

Claims

1. Shelf apparatus comprising a shelf and retainer means for retaining a product in position on or under the shelf, the shelf and the retainer means being such that they comprise materials that allow a magnetic connection between the retainer means and the shelf.

2. Shelf apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shelf comprises a magnetic material, and in which the retainer means comprises a material which is attracted to the magnetic material of the shelf.

3. Shelf apparatus according to claim 1 in which the retainer means is made of a magnetic material, and in which the shelf is made of a material that is attracted to the magnetic material of the retainer means.

4. Shelf apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the shelf is a plastics covered shelf.

5. Shelf apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the shelf has a support portion, and in which the support portion has a pair of apertures for enabling the shelf to be fixed in position on a vertical support surface.

11

6. Shelf apparatus according to claim 5 in which the apertures are such that the shelf if able to be hooked in position, so that the shelf can be unhooked for cleaning purposes.

7. Shelf apparatus according to claim 6 in which the apertures are keyhole apertures.

8. Shelf apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the retainer means is such that it is able to be fitted to the product, the product being a separately purchased product.

9. Shelf apparatus according to claim 8 in which the retainer means is such that it is a push fit on to the product.

10. Shelf apparatus according to claim 9 in which the retainer means is a rubber member, the rubber member having a bottom portion provided with one of the materials that allows the magnetic connection between the retainer means and the shelf, and the rubber member having a bore for receiving one end of the product.

11. Shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 5 - 10 and including the product.

12 12. Shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 1 in which the retainer means is formed as an integral part of the product during manufacture.

13. Shelf apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a plurality of the retainer means.

14. Shelf apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the product is a product having an elongate body portion.

15. Shelf apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the product is a product that is used in a home.

16. Shelf apparatus according to claim 15 in which the product is a toothbrush, a razor, a hair brush, or a comb.

17. Shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 14 in which the product is a product that is used in an office.

18. Shelf apparatus according to claim 17 in which the product is a pen or a pencil.

19. Shelf apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.