Shelf support with centering feature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelf supports fail to securely lock shelves in place during shipping and handling, and they do not accommodate the variability in shelf length without requiring precise cutting, leading to rattling and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A shelf support design featuring a planar main body with oblique capturing and centering fingers that extend from the upper and lower openings, respectively, to securely engage shelves of varying lengths, preventing vertical and lateral movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a shelf support uses a simple support structure without locking mechanism, then the shelf can be easily adjusted, but the shelf cannot be securely retained during shipping and handling, causing rattling and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf retention securityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into distinct functional elements: the support body, the capturing finger for vertical retention, and the centering finger for lateral positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The capturing finger is designed to be resilient and movable, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the shelf during installation and then provide secure retention. The finger can flex to accommodate shelf placement and then lock into position to prevent movement during shipping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a shelf support uses a locking mechanism to prevent vertical movement, then the shelf is securely retained, but lateral movement is not prevented if the shelf is not precisely dimensioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical shelf retentionVSAvoidaccommodation of shelf width variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the support structure have different properties: the capturing finger is resilient and movable to accommodate vertical placement variations, while the centering finger is positioned to provide lateral centering. Each zone of the support structure is optimized for its specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a shelf support uses a solid angular locking shoulder, then vertical movement is prevented, but the shelf cannot be forced over the shoulder if it is relatively long, and short shelves are not effectively retained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf locking effectivenessVSAvoidshelf installation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The capturing finger's resilient nature allows it to change its physical state from a flexible installation mode to a rigid retention mode. The finger can deflect during shelf placement and then spring back to provide firm locking, changing its effective stiffness parameter based on operational phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If shelves are cut to precise dimensions to fit within the intended space, then lateral movement is minimized, but it is difficult to achieve precise cutting and shelves still rattle significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf width precisionVSAvoidlateral rattling movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The centering finger acts as an intermediary element between the shelf and the support structure. It provides lateral positioning and centering without requiring precise shelf dimensions, mediating the interaction to eliminate rattling regardless of shelf width variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11707133B2Shelf support with centering feature

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 TENN TEX PLASTICS INC

AI summary

A shelf support includes: a generally planar main body with front and rear faces, the main body further having upper and lower openings with a cross-beam therebetween; a support flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front face; a mounting dowel extending generally perpendicularly from the rear face; a capturing finger mounted at an upper edge of the upper opening, the capturing finger extending forwardly and downwardly at a first oblique angle to the front face; and a centering finger extending forwardly and downwardly from the cross-beam at a second oblique angle to the front face.