Modular Shelf Extender for Adjustable Depth and Product Overhang
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelving systems are limited by fixed depth, leading to overhanging products that can be unsightly and pose a collision hazard, as they only allow height adjustment and not depth adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A shelf extender that can be connected to existing shelving systems to increase the depth of shelves, allowing for adjustable shelf depth and spacing between shelves, enabling support for items exceeding standard shelf dimensions without overhanging, and facilitating easier access and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf depth is fixed in prior art shelving systems, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but products with greater depth will overhang the shelf front end causing unsightly appearance and collision hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is divided into modular components: standard shelves and adjustable shelf extenders. The extenders can be independently attached or removed, allowing the shelf depth to be segmented and reconfigured based on product requirements without redesigning the entire shelving system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf extender incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow the shelf depth to dynamically change. The extender can be positioned at different depths and heights, transforming the static fixed-depth shelf into a dynamic system that adapts to various storage needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf depth is increased to accommodate deeper products, then overhanging is prevented, but the spacing between shelves and accessibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf extender uses adjustable positioning mechanisms allowing users to dynamically set the extender's depth and height. This enables optimization of both product accommodation and accessibility - the extender can be positioned to provide adequate depth for deep products while maintaining sufficient clearance for easy access.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf extender applies depth extension only where needed - on specific shelves containing deep products - rather than increasing the depth of all shelves uniformly. This localized approach maintains optimal spacing and accessibility for shelves storing shallower items.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If adjustable depth shelves are implemented, then product overhang is eliminated, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the shelf depth adjustment function into a separate, removable extender component rather than integrating complexity into every shelf. This modular approach allows overhang prevention where needed while keeping the base shelving system simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf extender acts as an intermediary component between the standard shelf and the product. It provides the additional depth required to prevent overhang without modifying the original shelf structure, thus eliminating harmful overhang effects while adding minimal complexity through a dedicated intermediate element.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf extender that is designed to be connected to a shelf of an existing shelf system to increase a total depth of a shelf of the shelf system. The shelf extender includes a body portion and a connection arrangement. The shelf extender can include one or more legs and/or support flanges. The body portion has a generally flat and planar top surface. The top surface generally has a depth that is less than a depth of a top surface of the shelf. The connection arrangement generally lies in the same plane as the top surface of the body portion. The connection arrangement is connected to the body portion and includes a connector designed secure the connection arrangement to a top surface of the existing shelf.