Corner shelf

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current corner shelf designs create a sharp 90-degree turn between adjacent shelves, leading to a poorer presentation and access to items, as they do not provide a smooth transition across the shelving unit.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a shelf assembly with bridge components that span an arc of 90 degrees between shelves, using overhanging sides to removably couple with brackets and support members, creating a continuous supporting surface that smooths the transition across the corner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a 90-degree turn is used between adjacent shelves, then the shelving unit structure is simple, but the presentation and access to items deteriorates due to sharp corners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelving unit structure simplicityVSAvoiditem access and presentation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the sharp 90-degree corner with an arc-shaped bridge component that provides a smooth curved transition between perpendicular shelves. This curved geometry eliminates the harsh angular turn while maintaining structural simplicity, thereby improving item presentation and accessibility without significantly complicating the shelving unit construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If a smooth arc transition is implemented across the corner, then item presentation and access improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional bridge components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem access and presentationVSAvoidshelving unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the corner transition solution into separate, modular bridge components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each bridge component is a discrete element that connects to standard shelf brackets, allowing the smooth arc transition to be added without redesigning the entire shelving system. This modular approach minimizes overall device complexity while achieving the desired curved geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge component acts as an intermediary element between the perpendicular shelves, providing the curved transition without requiring modification of the main shelf structures. This intermediary component connects to existing shelf brackets and support members, thereby achieving the smooth arc transition with minimal additional complexity while maintaining compatibility with standard shelving configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10813453B2Corner shelf

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 SPG INT LLC

AI summary

A shelf assembly includes a first shelf unit having a first shelf coupleable to a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post to present a first support surface. A second shelf unit includes a second shelf coupleable to a third vertical support post and a fourth vertical support post to present a second support surface. A third shelf unit includes a third shelf coupleable to a fifth vertical support post and a sixth vertical support post to present a third support surface. A first bridge includes a first support surface and a second bridge includes a second support surface. The first bridge and the second bridge are configured such that in an assembled state of the shelving system a support surface spans an arc of 90 degrees between the first shelf and the second shelf.