Adjustable shelf system

Abstract

A shelf system comprises first and second side members, a hinge and a shelf. The side members have front and rear portions. The rear portions are hingedly connected to each other or a third panel by at least one hinge having a hinge axis. The shelf is expandable and extends between the first and second side members. The shelf is adapted to laterally expand when the first side member is rotated about the hinge axis away from the second side member. A method of using the shelf system is also disclosed.

1 . A shelf system comprising: 
 first and second side members having a front and rear portions, the rear portions hingedly connected to each other by a hinge having a hinge axis;    at least one expandable shelf extending between the first and second side members and adapted to laterally expand when the first side member is rotated about the hinge axis away from the second side member.    
   
   
       2 . The shelf system according to  claim 1 , the shelf comprising first and second shelf members; 
 wherein the first shelf member is adapted to substantially overlap the second shelf member when the shelf system is in a closed position.    
   
   
       3 . The shelf system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support member extending between the first and second side members and adapted to support the shelf; 
 wherein the support member is longitudinally expandable and contractible, such that the support member is fixedly attached to the first and second side members below the shelf, with the shelf at least partially resting on the support member.    
   
   
       4 . The shelf system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an expandable front panel extending between the first and second side members perpendicular to the shelf.  
   
   
       5 . The shelf system according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge axis is generally perpendicular to a surface that supports the shelf system.  
   
   
       6 . The shelf system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side members move in a plane that is generally parallel to a surface that supports the shelf system.  
   
   
       7 . A method of erecting a shelf system comprising the steps of: 
 providing an irregularly-shaped floor space;    constructing an adjustable shelf system comprising right and a left side members connected by a hinge, at least right and left shelf portions which are substantially the same size, and at least one support member; and    adjusting the display stand to fit substantially into the irregularly-shaped floor space by rotating the left and right side members relative to each other about the hinge.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the shelf system is constructed by hingedly connecting the right and a left side members along rear portions thereof, such that the right and left side members can move relative to each other in a plane which is substantially parallel to the floor.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the left shelf portion is connected to the inside of the left side member, and the right shelf portion is connected to the inside of the right member, so that the shelf portions slide across each other when the left and right side members are moved relative to each other.  
   
   
       10 . A kit for erecting an adjustable shelf system, comprising: 
 first and second prefabricated side members having a front and rear portions, the rear portions capable of being hingedly connected to each other by a hinge having a hinge axis;    at least one prefabricated expandable shelf extending between the first and second prefabricated side members and adapted to laterally expand when the first side member is rotated about the hinge axis away from the second side member; and    optionally instructions for erecting the adjustable shelf system.    
   
   
       11 . A shelf system comprising: 
 first and second side members having a front and rear portions, the rear portions of the first and second side members attached to first and second hinges respectively;    at least one panel spanning between the first and second hinges; and    at least one expandable shelf extending between the first and second side members and adapted to laterally expand when the first and second side members is rotated about the first and second hinges away from each other.    
   
   
       12 . The shelf system according to  claim 11 , the shelf comprising first and second shelf members; 
 wherein the first shelf member is adapted to substantially overlap the second shelf member when the shelf system is in a closed position.    
   
   
       13 . The shelf system according to  claim 12 , further comprising third shelf member disposed between the first and second shelf members.  
   
   
       14 . The shelf system according to  claim 13 , wherein the third shelf member is attached to the at least one panel that spans between the first and second hinges.  
   
   
       15 . The shelf system according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second hinges have a hinge axis that is generally perpendicular to a surface that supports the shelf system and the first and second side members rotate about the first and second hinge axes respectively.  
   
   
       16 . The shelf system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second side members move in a plane that is generally parallel to a surface that supports the shelf system.