MODULAR SHELVING AND METHOD

Abstract

A modular shelving system and method, the system comprising mounting brackets, a bottom shelving rod, a top shelving rod and a support shelving rod, the mounting brackets are attach to a vertical surface to support at least one bottom shelving rod and at least one top shelving rod in a spaced-apart and parallel orientation to each other shelving rod; the bottom shelving rod further defining tandem spaced-apart open-ended cups; the top shelving rod further defining spaced apart tandem top rod apertures that penetrate through the top shelving rod; at least one support shelving rod having a circumference that allows passage of one support shelving rod through a respective top rod aperture to allow a support shelving rod to removably connected to a respective open-end cup to locate the support shelving rod between horizontal and vertical positions.

Claims

1. A modular rod-based shelving system comprising: (A) a set of mounting brackets, each mounting bracket from the set of mounting brackets is configured to support at least one bottom shelving rod and at least one top shelving rod in a first spaced-apart and parallel orientation to each other; (B) an attachment device for securing a respective mounting bracket to a vertical surface; (C) the at least one bottom shelving rod that terminates in bottom rod ends, between said bottom rod ends are a tandemly located, longitudinally aligned series of open-ended cups; (D) the at least one top shelving rod terminates in top rod ends, between the top rod ends are tandemly located, longitudinally aligned series of top rod apertures; (E) at least one support shelving rod terminates in support rod ends, the at least one support rod having a circumference that allows a passage of the least one support shelving rod through one respective top rod aperture from the series of top rod apertures and one support rod end that fits into one respective opened-end cup from the series of open-ended cups; wherein at least two mounting brackets of the set of mounting brackets are placed in a second parallel and spaced-apart orientation to support both the at least one top shelving rod and the at least one bottom rod that are supporting the at least one support shelving rod in a position that is between horizontal and vertical positions.

2. A modular rod-based shelving system of claim 1 wherein the at least one support shelving rod modular rod-based shelving system perpendicularly passes through at least one top shelving support rod to connect to the least one bottom shelving rod.

3. A modular rod-based shelving system of claim 2 wherein at least one support shelving rod perpendicularly connects to the bottom support rod, one support rod end that removably rests within one open-ended cup from the series of tandem oriented, longitudinally aligned, open-ended cups.

4. A modular rod-based shelving system of claim 1 wherein the at least one top shelving rod rests upon the respective tops of at least two mounting brackets.

5. A modular rod-based shelving system of claim 4 wherein the placement of at least one top shelving rod the respective tops of at least two mounting brackets establishes the position of the at least one support shelving rod between horizontal and vertical positions.

6. A modular rod-based shelving system of claim 5 wherein a movement of the at least one top shelving rod along the tops of the at least two mounting brackets results in a rotation of the bottom shelving rod.

7. A modular rod-based shelving system of claim 5 wherein the at least one bottom shelving rod is supported by either foot portions or leg portions of at least two mounting brackets.

8. A modular shelving system comprising: (A) At least two mounting brackets configured to attached to vertical surface; (B) at least one bottom shelving rod that defines at least one open-ended cup, (C) at least one top shelving rod that defines at least one top rod aperture laterally penetrating laterally through the at least one top shelving rod; (D) at least one support shelving rod, the at least one top shelving rod passing through the one top rod aperture and coming to rest in the at least open-ended cup; (E) the mounting brackets further are directly supporting the at least one bottom shelving rod and the at least one top shelving rod; wherein at least two mounting brackets are attached to a vertical surface in a spaced-apart parallel manner to support the at least one bottom shelving rod and at least one top shelving rod, wherein at least one support shelving rod penetrates at least one top rod aperture so that one end of the least one support shelving rod rests in the at least one open cup to hold one support shelving rod in a position that is between horizontal and vertical orientations.

9. The modular shelving system of claim 8 wherein at least one support shelving rod perpendicularly penetrates through the at least top shelving rod.

10. The modular shelving system of claim 8 wherein at least one support shelving rod perpendicularly penetrates through the at least top shelving rod through the at least one top rod aperture.

11. The modular shelving system of claim 8 wherein at least one support shelving rod perpendicularly rests in the at least bottom shelving rod.

12. The modular shelving system of claim 8 wherein at least one top shelving rod is moved from one position on the tops of foot portions of at least two mounting brackets to a second position on the tops of the foot portions of at least two mounting brackets.

13. A method for operating a modular shelving system comprising the following steps: (A) providing an providing the modular operating system comprising a set of mounting brackets, at least one bottom shelving rod, at least one top shelving rod and at least one support shelving rod, the mounting brackets supporting at least one bottom shelving rod and at least one top shelving rod, the at least the at least one support shelving rod passing through the at least one top shelving rod and coming to rest in the at least bottom shelving rod when at least two mounting brackets of the set of mounting brackets are attached to a vertical surface, wherein the at least one support shelving rod is held in first position between horizontal and vertical orientations as well as being perpendicularly oriented to both the at least one bottom shelving rod and the at least one top shelving rod; (B) supporting the at least one bottom shelving rod and the at least one top shelving rod with the at least two mounting brackets; and (C) passing the at least one support rod through the at least one top shelving rod so that one rod end of the at least one support rod connects to the bottom shelving rod.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the supporting the at least one bottom shelving rod further comprises a step of locating the at least one top shelving rod on respective tops of the at least two spaced-apart mounting brackets and a step of placing the at least one bottom shelving rod between the at least two mounting brackets that are spaced-apart.

15. The process of claim 14 wherein the step of placing the at least one bottom shelving rod further comprises the step on moving the top shelving rod along the respective tops to adjust the position of the one support shelving rod.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the supporting the at least one bottom shelving rod further comprises a step of locating the at least one bottom shelving rod and at least one top shelving rod between the at least two mounting brackets that are spaced apart.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the supporting the at least one bottom shelving rod further comprises a step of moving the least one top shelving rod along the tops of the foot portions of the at least two mounting brackets.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the supporting the at least one bottom shelving rod further comprises a step of moving the least one top shelving rod along the tops of the foot portions of the at least two mounting brackets.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of moving the least one top shelving rod further comprises the step of rotating the at least one bottom shelving rod.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of rotating the at least one bottom shelving rod further comprising moving the support shelving rod form a first position between horizontal and vertical positions to second position between horizontal and vertical positions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 1A is substantially a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the support rod is resting atop the mounting brackets.

[0021] FIG. 2 is substantially a perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting bracket of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is substantially a perspective view of one embodiment of the French cleat system version of the attachment device of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is substantially a perspective front view of one embodiment of the bottom shelving rod of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 4A is substantially a perspective back view of one embodiment of the bottom shelving rod of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4B is substantially a perspective view of another embodiment of the bottom shelving rod of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is substantially a perspective view of one embodiment of the top shelving rod of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5A is substantially a perspective view of another embodiment of the top shelving rod of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 is substantially a perspective view of one embodiment of the support shelving rod of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7 is substantially a perspective view of one embodiment of the adjustable strut assembly of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 8 is substantially a perspective view of the adjustable top shelving strut of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 is substantially a perspective exploded view of the adjustable top shelving strut of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 10 is substantially a perspective view the adjustable bottom shelving strut of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 11 is substantially a perspective exploded view of the adjustable bottom shelving strut of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 12 is substantially a perspective front view of a slidable open-ended cap fitting for the adjustable bottom shelving strut of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 13 is substantially a perspective back view of a slidable open-ended cap fitting for the adjustable bottom shelving strut of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 14 is substantially a perspective view of a slidable aperture fitting for the adjustable top shelving strut of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 15 is substantially a perspective view of an adjustable strut assembly endcap of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 16 is substantially a flowchart schematic showing one possible embodiment of a process or method for the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0039] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] The present invention 10 may be a modular shelving system 30 and a method for operating same 100. As substantially shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the modular shelving system 30 could comprise a set of mounting brackets 32, one or more bottom shelving rods 34, one or more top shelving rods 36 and one or more support shelving rods 38 (e.g., a plain tubular rod).

[0041] As substantially shown in FIG. 2, the mounting bracket 32 could be made of an appropriate resilient material, such as high impact plastic, metal, wood or the like. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 32 may have a generally inverted L-shape defining a leg portion 40 and foot portion 42. As substantially shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, when the mounting bracket 32 is attached to a vertical wall 12, the leg portion 40 may run vertically along the vertical surface 12 while the foot portion 42 may project outward from the vertical surface 12 in a generally horizontal orientation.

[0042] Depending on the shelving needs, one possible orientation for the mounting bracket(s) 32 could present the foot portion 42 at the bottom of the leg portion 40. Another possible orientation (not shown) for the mounting bracket(s) 32 could have the mounting bracket 32 be inverted and present the foot portion 42 at the top of the leg portion 40.

[0043] When the attached mounting brackets 32 are placed or otherwise oriented to have the foot portion 48 project outward from the bottom of the leg portion 40, the leg portion 40 can used to support the top shelving rod(s)36 while the foot portion 48 may be used to support the bottom shelving rod(s). When the foot portion 48 projects outward from the top of the leg portion 40, the foot portion 48 may be used to support the bottom shelving rod(s) 34 while the leg portion 40 may be used to support the top shelving rod(s) 36. In either version, the attached mounting brackets 32 could support the top shelving rods 36 in a position that may be higher or above the position of the supported bottom shelving rods 34. This height relationship could generally allow a support shelving rod 38 to partially pass through the generally upper placed top shelving rod 36 and have one top rod end of the support shelving rod come to rest in the generally lower placed bottom shelving rod 34.

[0044] The mounting bracket 32 could further define a plurality of rod apertures 44 could penetrate the mounting bracket 32 to continuously connect the two sides of the mounting bracket 32. The plurality of rod apertures 44 could comprise a set of leg rod apertures 46 located in the leg portion 40 and a set of foot rod apertures 48 located in the foot portion 42. Each set of foot rod apertures 48 may be spaced apart and linearly aligned in tandem to have a generally horizontal orientation e.g., when the mounting bracket 32 is attached to a vertical structure 12, like a wall.) Leg rod apertures 46 may be spaced-apart, linearly aligned in tandem, and generally be vertically oriented in the leg portion 40 (e.g., when the mounting bracket 32 may be attached to a vertical structure 12, such as a wall.)

[0045] In one possible embodiment, the rod apertures 44 of two or more mounting brackets 32 mounted to a vertical surface in a spaced apart fashion could removably receive rod ends 64, 70 of the top shelving rod(s) 36 and bottom shelving rod(s) 34 to suitable support the top shelving rods and bottom shelving rods. In another possible embodiment, where two or more mounting brackets 32 attached to a vertical surface 12 in a spaced-apart fashion could have the foot portions 42 located at the top of the leg portions, the rod apertures 44 could support only the bottom shelving rod(s) 34 while the top rod ends 70 of the top shelving rod(s) 36 may rest upon the tops of the foot portions 42 and generally would not otherwise engage the rod apertures 44. By moving the top shelving rod 36 along the tops of the supporting mounting brackets 32, the position of the support shelving rod 38 (as passing through the top shelving rod 36 to connect to the bottom shelving rod 34) could be adjusted between horizontal and vertical positions. As the support shelving rod's position is being adjusted, the support shelving rod 38 could further rotate the bottom shelving rod 34, which could be movably supported by respective rod apertures 44.

[0046] The modular shelving system 30 could further comprise an attachment device 50 for attaching the mounting bracket 32 to a vertical surface 12 (e.g., a wall). In one version, the attachment device 50 could be based upon a French cleat system 52. As substantially shown in FIG. 3, the French cleat system 52 could comprise a first molding 54 that may be horizontally mounted upon vertical surface 12, such as a wall. The first molding 54 in one version could feature at least a top molding edge 54 substantially having a sufficient cross section shape (e.g., a sloped configuration) to removably interact with a second projection or second molding 58 formed by the mounting bracket 32. The second molding 58 could have a reciprocal slanted bottom bracket edge 60 that removably interacts with the top molding edge 56.

[0047] In another version not shown, the leg portion could further form an open channel or cutout that may form a reciprocal slanted bottom edge and have the ability to receive at least a portion of the first molding or like.

[0048] In another embodiment not shown, the attachment device 50 could comprise multiple double open-ended fastener channels (not shown) as generally defined by the leg portion 40 through which fasteners (e.g., screws) could pass through the mounting bracket 32 to attach the mounting bracket 32 to a vertical surface 12. Other attachment devices 50 could be used as well to attach the mounting brackets 32 to the vertical surface 12 and still be considered part of the invention 10.

[0049] As substantially shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the bottom shelving rod 34, made of suitable resilient material (e.g., plastic, metal, wood or the like), could terminate in bottom rod ends 64 with a set of longitudinally aligned open-ended cups 66 located in between the bottom rod ends 64, each open-ended cups 66 could be configured to receive and support one support rod end 68 of a respective support shelving rod 38. Each bottom rod end 64 could be configured to be removably received within and supported by respective rod aperture 44.

[0050] The bottom shelving rod 34 could be supported by rod apertures 44 of at least two-spaced apart mounting brackets 32 removably mounted to a vertical surface 12. More specifically, in one version, the bottom shelving rod 34 could be inserted and resting upon respective rod apertures 44 of the leg portions 40 of the respective mounting brackets.

[0051] As substantially shown in FIGS. 4B, another possible embodiment of the bottom shelving rod 34 could further define a bottom rod hollow interior 120. The bottom rod hollow interior 120 may continuously connect two open-ended bottom rod ends 122 (e.g., substantially forming a structure similar to tube or pipe.) The open-ended bottom rod ends 122 could be received in respective rod apertures 44 to have mounting brackets 32 receive and support the bottom shelving rod 34.

[0052] The bottom shelving rods 34 could further define a set of spaced-apart, tandem, longitudinally aligned support apertures 124 that penetrate the bottom shelving rod 34 to continuously connect with the bottom rod hollow interior XX. Each support aperture 124 could be removably receive and support one support rod end 68 of a respective support shelving rod 38. In passing through a respective support aperture 124, the support shelving rod end 68 could then come to rest upon a solid (i.e., unpenetrated) wall section of bottom shelving rod 34 that is located opposite of the said support aperture 124.

[0053] As substantially shown in FIG. 5, the top shelving rod 36, made of suitable resilient material (e.g., plastic, metal, wood or the like) could be similarly configured like the bottom shelving rods 34. The top shelving rod 36 could terminate in top rod ends 70 with a set of top rod apertures 72 that pass through the respective top shelving rod 36. Each of the top rod apertures 72 could be configured to removably receive (e.g., allow to pass through) one respective support rod end 68 to allow the said support rod end 68 to be substantially removably received by a respective bottom shelving rod (i.e., be removably received by a respective open-ended cup 66.) The top shelving rod 36 could be supported by respective rod apertures 44 of at least two-spaced apart mounting brackets 32 as substantially removably mounted to a vertical surface 12.

[0054] As substantially shown in FIG. 5A, another possible embodiment of the top shelving rod 36 could further define a top rod hollow interior 126. The top rod hollow interior 126 may continuously connect two open-ended top rod ends 128 (e.g., substantially forming a structure similar to tube or pipe.) The open-ended top rod ends 128 could be received in respective rod apertures 44 to have mounting brackets 32 removably receive and support the top shelving rod 36.

[0055] The top shelving rods 36 could further define two sets of spaced-apart, tandem, longitudinally aligned top support apertures 124 that penetrate the bottom shelving rod 34 to continuously connect with the top rod hollow interior 126. One set of top support apertures 124 could be located opposite from the other set of top support apertures 124. The sets of top support apertures 124 could be so aligned to substantially allow passage of support shelving rods 38 through top shelving rod 36. In passing through a respective pair of aligned support apertures 124 (e.g., on the front and back sides of the top shelving rod 36, the support shelving rod end 68 could then come to rest in a respective open-ended cup 66.

[0056] As substantially shown in FIG. 6, the support shelving rod 38 could a simple rod made of suitable resilient material (e.g., plastic, metal, wood or the like) that could terminate in support rod ends 68 and may have a circumference 74 or radius configured to allow passage of the support shelving rod 38 through the top rod aperture 72 or top support aperture 130 and come to rest within the open-ended cups 66, or both.

[0057] As substantially shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 A, during assembly of the invention 10, support rod end 68 may removably pass through the respective top rod aperture 72 or top support apertures 130 and onto the respective open-ended cup 66 of the bottom shelving rod 34 that is placed in a position. Generally, the top shelving rod 36 is held in a position by the mounting brackets 32 that is above the position of the respective bottom shelving rod 34. This would allow support shelving rod 68 to slip down through the top shelving rod to come to rest upon the bottom shelving rod. In some embodiments, the bottom shelving rod 34 could be located above the top shelving rod 36, such as those embodiments where the shelving rods 38 are not specifically intended to hold anything (such as files, chisels, screw drivers, etc.).

[0058] A set of support shelving rods 38 could pass through a generally upper located top shelving rod 36 in a spaced-apart manner (e.g., via the top shelving rod's set of top rod apertures 72/top support apertures 130) and then rest into the set of open-ended cups 66 of a generally lower located bottom shelving rod 34. This rod orientation may be followed whether the mounting bracket has the foot portion location extending outward from the top or bottom of the leg portion. This interaction may allow those support shelving rods 38 to be held in an angled relationship between vertical and horizontal orientations to create the new shelving positions.

[0059] Items or materials (not shown) stored upon the support shelving rods may have portions (not shown) that need to project between supporting shelving rods 38 to properly rest upon the supporting shelving rods 38. The present embodiment of the invention 10 through fixed spacings between open ended cups 66 of the bottom shelving rod 34 and the fixed spacings between the top rod apertures 72 could result in fixed spacing between the support shelving rods 38 that may only accommodate items, tools or materials of similar dimensions or sizes. It may be necessary to be able to adjust or change the spacing between the support shelving rods 38 to accommodate a wider range of objects having different shapes and sizes that can be held by the support shelving rods 38.

[0060] As substantially shown in FIGS. 10-15, another embodiment of the invention 10, could be the adjustable strut assembly 140 utilizing adjustable bottom shelving struts 142 and adjustable top shelving struts to alter the spacing between the support shelving rods 38 to possibly resolve this tissue. The adjustable top shelving struts 144 and adjustable bottom shelving struts 142 could be held in between mounting brackets 32 and allow materials, items, tools and the like of different shapes and sizes to project non-uniform portions to project into adjustable spacing between the support shelving rods 38.

[0061] The adjustable strut assembly 140 could comprise mounting brackets 32, at least one adjustable bottom shelving strut 142, at least one adjustable top shelving strut 144 and one or more support shelving rods 38. The adjustable bottom shelving strut 142 could comprise pair of rails 146 having a lateral C-cross section 146 with a hollow rail interior with a longitudinal, open-center channel 150, two endcaps, and one or more open-ended cup fittings 156. The rails 146 could be held apart in parallel orientation by the two endcaps 152 located at respective ends of the rail pair to hold the rails 146 in a spaced-apart and parallel orientation so that each longitudinal open center channel 150 could face the other longitudinal open center channel 150.

[0062] The endcap 152 could have a rod (e.g., solid) or tube (e.g., hollow) body 158 wherein a pair of T-rail sections 160 could be longitudinally mounted on the body 158 with one T-rail section 160 could be located on a top of the body 158 while the other T-rail section 160 is longitudinally mounted opposite on a bottom of the body 158. Generally, the length of the T-rails section 160 is shorter than the length of the body 1587. The T-rail sections 160 could be located at the same end of the body 158, allowing the other end of the body 158 to be unencumbered by the T-rail presence and be removably and moveably received by a respective rod aperture 44.

[0063] The endcap 152 could engage an end of the rail pair by having the T-rail sections 160 move along respective longitudinal open center channels 150 until the T rail sections 160 have engaged with the rail hollow interiors 148 to hold the rails 146 in a spaced-apart and parallel orientation. The endcap 152 could be permanently attached to the rail pairs 146 by suitable means such as adhesive, fasteners (screws), snap held, and the like.

[0064] In between the two endcaps 152 could be the one or more open-ended cup fittings 156 (that could removably receive and support respective support rod ends 68) that are movable located between the two railings 146 (e.g., the endcaps movably engaging the two open center channels. The one or more the open-ended cup fittings 156 could be positioned along the lengths of the railing pair as needed to adjust spacing between adjacent the support shelving rod(s).

[0065] The open-ended cap fittings 156 could comprise a single open-ended tube 162 that is sealed at one end and open at the other end with square or rectangular shaped flange 164 projected laterally outward from the center of the single open-ended tube 162. At the top and bottom of the flange 164 is a T-projection 162 that movably engages the respective hollow rail interior 148 and allows the open-end cup fitting 156 to move along the open center channels 150.

[0066] The adjustable top shelving strut 144 is similarly constructed to adjustable bottom shelving strut 142. The adjustable top shelving strut 144 has the aperture fittings 164 instead of open-ended cup fittings 156. The aperture fittings 164 are quite similar to the open-ended cup fittings 156 except that aperture fitting 164 has a double-opened tube 170 instead of the single open-ended tube 162 to allow passage of the support shelving rod.

[0067] Adjusting the positions of the open-ended cup fittings 156 and the aperture fittings 164 along the lengths of their respective rail pairs 146, the spacing between the various support shelving rods 38 of the adjustable strut assembly 140 can be adjusted as desired or needed to accommodate various tools and other objects that may have dissimilar dimensions and shapes that are being held by the adjustable strut assembly between the support shelving rods or in (not shown) hollow open-ended support shelving rods.

Method

[0068] As substantially shown in FIG. 16, the method or process 100 for the invention 10 could start with step 102 choosing shelving configuration. In this step, the operator could decide where the shelving is to be applied (e.g., vertical surface such as a wall); on what objects are to be held by the invention; and which if any said objects should be supported by angled shelving. If one or more objects needed to be supported by angled shelving, then the operator could then design what versions of the shelving could be erected and how many shelving versions could be utilized together.

[0069] The selected shelving version(s) could first depend first on two or more mounting brackets being attached to a vertical structure (e.g., should be positioned as L-Shaped (vertical portion is generally located above the horizontal portion) or as inverted L-shape (vertical portion is generally located below the horizontal portion). The attachment system for attaching the mounting brackets could be chosen next (e.g., French cleat, fastener and the like). The operator could then obtain the necessary shelving materials such attachment device(s), bottom shelving rods, top shelving rods, and support shelving rods and the like. Once this step is substantially completed, the process could proceed to step 104, attaching the mounting brackets.

[0070] At step 104, attaching mounting brackets could include attaching mounting bracket to vertical surface. If a French cleat or like is used, the molding or like could be horizontally affixed to the vertical surface for the mounting brackets to rest upon, removably and movably engage the vertical surface. The mounting brackets could be placed upon the molding (with the mounting brackets oriented in ether L-shaped configuration or inverted L-shaped configuration) and be spaced apart from one and other. In this manner, a pair of mounting brackets can be used to make one portion of the shelving, by increasing/decreasing the spacing between the two mounting brackets to allow top and bottom shelving rods to be fitted between and into the mounting bracket pair. In reverse this allows the built shelving structure to be easily taken apart and down, to allow the same pieces to be reused to make soma or different angled shelving.

[0071] If a different attachment device, such as fasteners (e.g., screws), then the mounting brackets, top and bottom rods may be first assembled into the desired shelving unit and then said assembled desired shelving unit may then be attached intact to the vertical surface by fasteners.

[0072] When this step is substantially completed, the process 100 may proceed to step 106 affixing the top and bottom shelving rods.

[0073] In step 106, affixing top and bottom shelving rods, the mounting brackets could be spaced apart to allow the bottom shelving rod to have one rod end be placed in one of the rod apertures of a leg portion of one mounting bracket. In one version, the top shelving rod could also have one rod end placed in the rod aperture of the foot portion of the one mounting bracket. In another version, the top shelving bracket is placed to rest its respective rod ends atop the respective foot portions of the pair of mounting brackets.

[0074] When this step is substantially completed, the process 100 may proceed to step 108 affixing the support shelving rods.

[0075] In step 108, affixing the support shelving rods, a support rod end can be inserted through a top rod aperture to generally allow the passage of a portion of the support rod through the top rod aperture so the support rod end may come into general contact and rest in with an open-ended cup of the bottom support rod, the open-ended cup being generally aligned with the respective top rod aperture. This support shelving rods insertion action can be repeated to introduce more support shelving rods to create the angular modular shelving unit that is desired.

[0076] When this step is substantially completed, the process 100 may proceed to step 110 utilizing the constructed modular shelving unit.

CONCLUSION

[0077] Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.