Apparatus for securing accessories and leveling objects to wire shelving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steel-wired shelf units lack a simple and efficient means to securely attach accessories, limiting their functionality and versatility, especially in varying geometric shapes and wire array configurations.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus featuring a wire nut with a triangular front face and a larger rear face, providing an interference fit within the shelf's openings, along with additional features like nibs and hexagonal nuts for secure attachment, and a mount with a tray and spacer for leveling objects on wire shelves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accessories are attached to wall-mounted shelves, then functionality is improved, but installation complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wire nut apparatus attaches itself to the wire shelf structure through self-gripping mechanisms that conform to the triangular wire configuration, eliminating the need for external mounting hardware or complex installation procedures. The device serves its own mounting function by utilizing the existing wire geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the mounting function from external wall structures and relocates it directly to the wire shelf components themselves. By attaching accessories directly to the wire shelf wires rather than requiring wall mounting, the system simplifies installation while maintaining accessory attachment capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If brackets are used to secure accessories to wire shelves, then attachment is achieved, but space beyond the bracket is occupied and external hardware is required
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus nests within the triangular configuration of the wire shelf structure, with the wire nut body fitting inside the triangular opening formed by three wires. This nesting approach allows the mounting function to be achieved without protruding beyond the shelf's existing geometry, minimizing space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function and accessory attachment function are merged into a single integrated wire nut apparatus. The same component that attaches to the wire shelf also provides the mounting surface for accessories, eliminating the need for separate brackets and reducing overall space requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard mounting methods are used on wire shelves, then accessories can be attached, but the shelves' existing strong and simple structure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus applies mounting forces locally at the wire junction points where the triangular wire configuration provides natural structural reinforcement. By concentrating the attachment mechanism at these specific locations rather than distributing loads across the entire shelf structure, the existing structural integrity is preserved while enabling accessory attachment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and secure attachment of accessories to steel-wired shelves with various geometric shapes and wire arrays, enhancing functionality and aesthetics while maintaining a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
providing an interference fit within the shelf's openings
Implementation Method 2
a first pair of grooves along the length of opposite sides of the top surface
Data Source
AI summary
In various representative aspects, an apparatus for securing accessories to a steel-wired shelf. More specifically, the apparatus is an interface that conforms to the shapes of openings in the side panels on the shelf units and provides an interference fit. A variety of accessories can be secured to the interfaces by using a standard nut and bolt connection means. A second embodiment pertains to an interface that is secured to the evenly spaced horizontal wire arrays on the shelves that can level objects that are placed on top of the wire array. Various embodiments of the apparatuses are also provided.