COLLAPSIBLE OUTDOOR SHELVING UNIT

Abstract

A collapsible, portable shelving unit that is useful within tents and the like when one is camping. The device is easy to pack and carry and is lightweight, but will hold a fair amount of weight when in use. There is no requirement for supporting the shelving unit to posts or trees or the like, as the device is self-supportable, even when it contains various objects on the shelving. It is especially useful for tent camping.

Claims

1. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit, said unit comprising: at least one shelf, each said shelf having a back edge, a top surface, a side surface and two ends; a collapsible support shaft, said collapsible support shaft having a top end and a bottom end, said top end terminating in a handle, said bottom end terminating in a pointed tip; each said shelf having an opening near said back edge and essentially centered between said two ends of said shelf to allow entry of said shaft; a means of retaining each said shelf on said shaft in a predetermined location on said shaft.

2. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retainer means is a friction grommet in said opening in each said shelf.

3. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is threaded in predetermined positions and said means is threaded nuts.

4. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retainer means is an insertable threaded bolt.

5. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retainer means is a shaft collar.

6. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retainer means is a hex bolt through said side surface of said shelf to said shaft.

7. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retainer means is a hitch pin through said opening in said shelf side edge to said shaft.

8. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft consists of one piece.

9. A collapsible outdoor shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft consists of at least two pieces.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a device of this invention showing two shelves and friction grommets as the retaining means for the shelves.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows the shaft is threaded in predetermined positions and the retaining means is threaded nuts.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial view of a threaded insertable bolt as the retaining means.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial view of a shaft collar as the retaining means.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows a hex bolt through the side surface of the shelf to the shaft as the retaining means.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows a hitch pin through the opening in the shelf side edge to shaft as the retaining means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the collapsible outdoor shelving 2 of this invention showing two shelves 4 and friction grommets 28 as the retaining means for the shelves 4. The shelves 4 have a back surface 6, a top surface 8 and a side surface 10. The shelves 4 also have a first end 12 and a second end 14.

[0018] There is also a support shaft 16 that has a top end 18 and a bottom end 20. The top end 18 terminates into a handle 22 and the bottom end terminates into a point 24.

[0019] Each shelf 4 has an opening 26 through it, near the back edge 6, and is essentially centered between the two ends 12 and 14 of the shelf 4 to allow entry of the shaft 16. There are various embodiments for a means of retaining the shelves 4 on the shaft 16.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the shaft 16 as being threaded in predetermined positions and the retaining means are threaded nuts 32. The retaining means can be a threaded shaft with threaded nuts 32 that hold the shelves it place with respect to where the threaded nuts are positioned on the shaft 16.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial view of a threaded insertable bolt 34 as the retaining means. Here the shelves 4 are retained by the insertable threaded bolt 34 that is tightened against the shaft 16.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a partial view of a shaft collar 36 as the retaining means. The shelves 4 are retained by the shaft collar 36 that is tightened against the shaft 16.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a hex bolt 38 through the opening 50 through the side surface 10 of the shelf 4 to the shaft 16, as the retaining means. This embodiment also has openings 46 in the shaft and in the side surface of the shelf 4 to retain the shelf 4 with the hex bolt 38.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows a hitch pin 40 through the opening 50 through the side surface 10 of the shelf 4 to the shaft 16 as the retaining means. The hitch pin 40 passes through the opening 50 through in the shelf side edge 10 to shaft 16 as the retaining means.