Racking System

Abstract

A catering shelving system is disclosed with a series of shelves in order to assist caters in transporting food from one location to another. The shelving system racks may be detachable or pivotally attached through the use of rotation mechanisms for easy break down and storage. The shelving system may accommodate a series of different types of pans of all shapes, sizes, and weights.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising: a vertical retaining member; a series of shelves comprising: a first shelf, wherein the first shelf rotates two hundred seventy degrees upward and ninety degrees downward; a second shelf, wherein the second shelf is detachable; and a third shelf, wherein the third shelf rotates two hundred seventy degrees backward and ninety degrees upward; a pair of rotation mechanisms; and at least one supporting device; wherein the first shelf is pivotally attached to the vertical retaining member by a first rotation mechanism of the pair and the third shelf is pivotally attached to the vertical retaining member by a second rotation mechanism of the pair.

2. (canceled)

3. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein the first shelf and the third shelf extend three inches beyond the vertical retaining member.

4. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein the supporting device is in communication with each of the series of shelves and with the vertical retaining member.

5. The shelving system of claim 4, wherein the supporting device is in permanent communication with the series of shelves.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein the top shelf and the bottom shelf are rotated parallel and in communication with the vertical retaining member.

10. The shelving system of claim 2, wherein the first shelf and the third shelf can be rotated parallel to the vertical retaining member on either the front or back side.

11. The shelving system of claim 2, wherein the first shelf and the third shelf are parallel and in communication with the vertical retaining member when rotated to opposite sides.

12. (canceled)

13. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein the vertical retaining member has at least one cavity for reception of each of the series of shelves.

14. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein there are three cavities throughout the center of the vertical retaining member.

15. The shelving system of claim 14, wherein a first and second cavity are below the first shelf and above the second shelf while a third cavity is between the second shelf and the third shelf.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a shelving system fully assembled;

[0022] FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the shelving system in a partial dissembled state;

[0023] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the shelving system in a fully dissembled state;

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the shelving system fully assembled.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a shelving system fully assembled;

[0026] FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the shelving system in a partial dissembled state;

[0027] FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the shelving system in a fully dissembled state;

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the shelving system fully assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the apparatus and does not represent the only forms in which the present apparatus may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the apparatus in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0030] For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term about, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term about generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms about may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0031] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term or is generally employed in its sense including and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments of the claimed invention.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates the side view of a preferred embodiment of the shelving system 10. Herein, the shelving system comprises a series of shelves, but at least a first shelf 16a, a second shelf 16b, and a third shelf 16c. The series of shelves 16a, 16b, 16c, are in communication with a vertical retaining pole 12 that maintains the structure of the shelving system 10. The first shelf 16a and the third shelf 16c are pivotally attached to the retaining pole 12 by a rotation mechanisms 14a and 14b. These rotation mechanisms allow the first shelf and the third shelf to rotate. In the case of the first shelf 16a, the rotation mechanism 14a allows the first shelf to rotate 90 degrees upward (as shown in FIG. 2A). In the case of the third shelf 16c, the rotation mechanism 14b allows the third shelf to rotate 270 degrees around (as shown in FIG. 2A). The first, second, and third shelves may also be supported by supporting devices 18. The supporting devices ensure that the shelves may withhold varying weights. The supporting devices 18 extend along the long dimension of the shelves, parallel to each other. Further, the second shelf 16b, is detachable to the retaining pole 12.

[0034] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the potential break down of the shelving system 10. Herein, as stated, the first shelf 16a, the rotation mechanism 14a allows the first shelf to rotate 90 degrees upward. In the case of the third shelf 16c, the rotation mechanism 14b allows the third shelf to rotate 270 degrees around. The second shelf 16b is detachable from the retaining pole 12 for easy storage purposes. As shown in FIG. 2B, the shelving system 10 is in a fully collapsible position, wherein the second shelf 16b is detached and the first shelf 16a and the second shelf 16b are rotated appropriately until they are placed flush against the retaining pole 12. This allows for easy storage of the shelving system when the system is not in use by a user.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the storage system 10 fully assembled. As shown when fully assembled, the three shelves are in communication with the retaining pole 12. The shelving system may withstand heavy weights. Further, the shelving system can accommodate pans of all different, shapes, sizes, weights, and styles. The shelving system will stop the pans from being bent, smashes, and damaged during transportation of food. Further, the shelving system may accommodate delivery catering bags.

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates the side view of a preferred embodiment of the shelving system 20. Herein, the shelving system comprises a series of shelves, but at least a first shelf 26a, a second shelf 26b, and a third shelf 26c. The shelves 26a and 26c, are in communication with a vertical retaining pole 22 that maintains the structure of the shelving system 20. The first shelf 26a and the third shelf 26c are pivotally attached to the retaining pole 22 by a rotation mechanisms 24a and 24b and in one embodiment, extend three inches beyond the vertical retaining pole 22. These rotation mechanisms allow the first shelf and the third shelf to rotate. In the case of the first shelf 26a, the rotation mechanism 24a allows the first shelf to rotate 90 degrees upward or downward. In the case of the third shelf 26c, the rotation mechanism 24b allows the third shelf to rotate 90 upward or downward. The first, second, and third shelves may also be supported by supporting devices 28. The supporting devices 28 ensure that the shelves may withhold varying weights. The supporting devices 28 extend along the long dimension of the shelves, parallel to each other. Further, the second shelf 26b, is detachable, as shown, to the retaining pole 22. Finally, the current embodiment includes cavities 30, 32, and 34.

[0037] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the potential break down of the shelving system 20. Herein, as stated, the first shelf 26a, the rotation mechanism 24a allows the first shelf to rotate 270 degrees up and backward and 90 degrees downward. In the case of the third shelf 26c, the rotation mechanism 24b allows the third shelf to rotate 270 degrees backward and 90 degrees up. The second shelf 26b is detachable from the retaining pole 22 for easy storage purposes. As shown in FIG. 5B, the shelving system 20 is in a fully collapsible position, wherein the second shelf 26b is detached and the first shelf 26a and the second shelf 26b are rotated appropriately until they are placed flush against the retaining pole 22. This allows for easy storage of the shelving system when the system is not in use by a user.

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the storage system 20 fully assembled. As shown when fully assembled, the three shelves 26a, 26b, 26c are in communication with the retaining pole 22. In the present embodiment there are three cavities 36, 38 and 40 in the vertical retaining pole 12. The shelving system may withstand heavy weights. Further, the shelving system can accommodate pans of all different, shapes, sizes, weights, and styles. The shelving system will stop the pans from being bent, smashes, and damaged during transportation of food. Further, the shelving system may accommodate delivery catering bags.

[0039] Herein, in a preferred embodiment, the shelving system displays three shelves but in other embodiments, the system may display more than three or less than three. The sizes and dimensions of the shelves may vary in different embodiments.

[0040] It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure. Elements of an implementation of the systems and methods described herein may be independently implemented or combined with other implementations. It is intended that the claims to follow with the utility application define the scope of the disclosure and that systems, methods, and devices within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.