Adjustable shelving rack and method for using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelving systems face challenges in efficiently organizing items due to the inability to accommodate items in a suspended stacked configuration, leading to increased weight and potential damage from shifting items, and require additional tools or parts for assembly.
Innovation Solution
The modular design of adjustable shelving racks with removable vice assemblies that can be easily attached to the shelving unit's traverses, allowing for customizable storage of items in a suspended stacked configuration without increasing the overall weight of the shelving system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shelf plates or other material are used to form each shelf surface to support items, then items can be accommodated on the shelf, but the overall weight of the shelving system dramatically increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional shelf plate from the shelving system entirely. Instead of using a continuous shelf plate to support items, the system extracts only the essential support function and implements it through individual shelf supports positioned at specific locations where items need support. This eliminates the weight of entire shelf plates while maintaining necessary item support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous shelf plate into discrete, localized shelf supports. Rather than having a single large shelf plate spanning the entire shelf, multiple small shelf supports are distributed at specific positions. Each support is independently positioned to provide support only where needed, reducing overall material usage and system weight while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art dividers are used to sub-divide a shelf, then the shelf can be organized into compartments, but items cannot be held or accommodated directly in a suspended and stacked configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable and reconfigurable shelf supports that can be dynamically positioned and configured. The shelf supports are not fixed in permanent positions but can be adjusted along the shelf structure, allowing the system to adapt to different organization needs while providing stable support for items in various configurations including suspended and stacked arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf supports are designed to perform multiple functions: they act as dividers to sub-divide the shelf into compartments, provide structural support for items, and enable suspended and stacked configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate divider components and achieves both organization and stability goals.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple shelves are added to a large cabinet or shelving system to increase storage capacity, then more items can be stored, but the overall weight of the shelving system increases, making it more difficult to move or adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shelving system into modular components with localized supports rather than continuous heavy shelf plates. This segmentation allows individual shelves to be lighter and more easily moved or repositioned while maintaining adequate support capacity through strategically positioned shelf supports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the weight parameter of shelf supports by using only the minimum material necessary at specific locations rather than full shelf plates. This parameter change reduces the overall weight of the shelving system, improving mobility and ease of adjustment while maintaining storage capacity through optimized support placement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If prior art dividers are used to sub-divide a shelf, then the shelf can be organized, but additional tools or parts beyond the frame of the shelving unit itself are required for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of shelf dividers and shelf supports into a single integrated component. The shelf supports themselves serve as the dividing elements, eliminating the need for separate divider parts. This reduces assembly complexity by reducing the number of components and eliminating the need for additional tools beyond what is already included in the shelving unit frame.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable shelving rack and system for storing and maintaining a plurality of item containers within a shelving unit in a stacked, vertical configuration. Each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks are selectively coupled to a horizontal traverse of the shelving unit at a user determined position. The item containers may then be inserted by disposing each item container on one of a plurality of supports within each shelving rack. By having two shelving racks in close proximity to one another, each item container may be held in a suspended configuration with either side of the item container supported by a different shelving rack. Each shelving rack is coupled to a plurality of traverses through a corresponding plurality of vice assemblies which are selectively actuated to grip or apply a squeezing force to each traverse.