Rack Assembly that can be Folded Partially

Abstract

A rack assembly includes a framework, and a foldable shelf mounted on the framework. The foldable shelf includes a main body provided with two support posts, an adjustable panel having two opposite ends each pivotally connected with a respective one of the support posts by one of two first pivot members, and two connecting plates each having an upper end pivotally connected with a respective one of the opposite ends of the adjustable panel by one of two second pivot members and having a mediate portion a lower end formed with a sliding slot pivotally connected with a respective one of the support posts by one of two third pivot members. Thus, the foldable shelf is expanded outward for use with a user and is folded when not in use.

1 . A rack assembly, comprising:
 a framework; and   a foldable shelf mounted on the framework;   wherein the foldable shelf includes:   a main body provided with two upright support posts;   an adjustable panel having two opposite ends each pivotally connected with a respective one of the two support posts of the main body by one of two first pivot members; and   two connecting plates each having an upper end pivotally connected with a respective one of the two opposite ends of the adjustable panel by one of two second pivot members and having a mediate portion a lower end formed with a sliding slot pivotally connected with a respective one of the two support posts of the main body by one of two third pivot members.   
     
     
         2 . The rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the two connecting plates has a lower end provided with a stop boss and has a side provided with a limit bar;   the foldable shelf further includes two locking plates each rotatably mounted on a respective one of the two third pivot members and each detachably locked onto the limit bar and the stop boss of a respective one of the two connecting plates.   
     
     
         3 . The rack assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of the two locking plates has a first end formed with a first locking notch detachably locked onto the limit bar of the respective connecting plate and a second end formed with a second locking notch detachably locked onto the stop boss of the respective connecting plate. 
     
     
         4 . The rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding slot of each of the two connecting plates is movable on the respective third pivot member. 
     
     
         5 . The rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the two support posts of the main body has an upper portion formed with a through hole to allow passage of the respective first pivot member;   each of the two opposite ends of the adjustable panel has a rear portion formed with a pivot hole pivotally mounted on the respective first pivot member;   each of the two first pivot members extends through the through hole of the respective support post and is inserted into the respective pivot hole of the adjustable panel.   
     
     
         6 . The rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the two opposite ends of the adjustable panel has a mediate portion formed with a pivot bore pivotally mounted on the respective second pivot member;   the upper end of each of the two connecting plates is formed with a pivot aperture pivotally mounted on the respective second pivot member;   each of the two second pivot members extends through the pivot aperture of the respective connecting plate and is inserted into the respective pivot bore of the adjustable panel.   
     
     
         7 . The rack assembly of  claim 2 , wherein
 each of the two support posts of the main body has a mediate portion formed with a through bore to allow passage of the respective third pivot member;   each of the two locking plates has a central portion formed with a rotation hole rotatably mounted on the respective third pivot member;   each of the two third pivot members extends through the rotation hole of the respective locking plate and the sliding slot of the respective connecting plate and is inserted into the respective through bore of the respective support post.   
     
     
         8 . The rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable panel is movable between the two support posts of the main body. 
     
     
         9 . The rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two connecting plates is disposed between the adjustable panel and the respective support post of the main body. 
     
     
         10 . The rack assembly of  claim 2 , wherein
 the limit bar of each of the two connecting plates has an elongate shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of each of the two connecting plates;   the sliding slot of each of the two connecting plates has an elongate shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of each of the two connecting plates.   
     
     
         11 . The rack assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the limit bar of each of the two connecting plates is parallel with the sliding slot. 
     
     
         12 . The rack assembly of  claim 6 , wherein
 the limit bar of each of the two connecting plates is disposed between the pivot aperture and the stop boss;   the stop boss of each of the two connecting plates is located beneath the limit bar and the sliding slot;   the sliding slot of each of the two connecting plates is disposed between the pivot aperture and the stop boss.   
     
     
         13 . The rack assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of the two locking plates is disposed between the limit bar and the stop boss of the respective connecting plate. 
     
     
         14 . The rack assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of the two locking plates abuts the respective connecting plate. 
     
     
         15 . The rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rack assembly further comprises a stand unit mounted on the foldable shelf to support the adjustable panel of the foldable shelf. 
     
     
         16 . The rack assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the stand unit includes:
 a fixing bracket mounted on a bottom of the adjustable panel of the foldable shelf; and   an elastic support leg pivotally mounted on the fixing bracket.   
     
     
         17 . The rack assembly of  claim 16 , wherein
 the fixing bracket has a surface formed with two opposite sliding channels each having a distal end formed with a locking groove;   the support leg has two lower ends each movably mounted in a respective one of the two sliding channels of the fixing bracket and each releasably locked in the locking groove of the respective sliding channel.   
     
     
         18 . The rack assembly of  claim 17 , wherein
 the fixing bracket has two opposite sides each formed with a positioning hole;   each of the two lower ends of the support leg has an end portion formed with a bent protrusion pivotally mounted in and protruding outward from the respective positioning hole of the fixing bracket.   
     
     
         19 . The rack assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the support leg has a substantially V-shaped profile.