Shelving system

Abstract

A cover for the base of a shelving system includes a first end and an opposing second end, a generally flat base wall formed at the second end, a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, a third sidewall and an opposing fourth sidewall, an internal cavity formed by the base wall and the four sidewalls, and a support wall positioned in the internal cavity. The first and second sidewalls extend generally parallel to each other and upwardly from the base wall at a predetermined acute angle with respect to the base wall. The third and fourth sidewalls extend generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicularly upwardly from the base wall. The support wall includes at least one angled support which extends upwardly from the base wall toward the first end at the same predetermined acute angle as the first and second sidewalls.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cover for the base of a shelving system comprising:
 a first end and an opposing second end;   a generally flat base wall formed at the second end;   a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls extending generally parallel to each other and upwardly from the base wall at a predetermined acute angle with respect to the base wall;   a third sidewall and an opposing fourth sidewall, the third and fourth sidewalls extending generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicularly upwardly from the base wall;   an internal cavity formed by the base wall and the four sidewalls, and   a support wall positioned in the internal cavity, the support wall including at least one angled support extending upwardly from the base wall toward the first end at the same predetermined acute angle as the first and second sidewalls.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one angled support has a first proximal end secured to the base wall and an opposing free distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the first proximal end of the at least one angled support is integrally formed with the base wall. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the free distal end of the at least one angled support forms a support surface configured to engage and support a lower portion of a base of a shelving frame of the shelving system. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the support wall includes a plurality of spaced-apart angled supports, the distal free ends of the plurality of angled supports forming a discontinuous support wall located between the first and second ends of the cover. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 5 , wherein the discontinuous support wall and the base wall extend in unparallel planes. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending along at least a portion of an interior surface of the third sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending along at least a portion of an interior surface of the fourth sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined acute angle is in the range of 60°-88°. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined acute angle is approximately 85°. 
     
     
         11 . A shelving system comprising:
 first and second frame supports, each frame support having a first, top end and an opposing second, bottom end;   at least one shelf extending between the first and second frame supports; and   first and second covers, the first cover being positioned over the second, bottom end of the first frame support and the second cover being positioned over the second, bottom end of the second frame support,   wherein each of the first and second covers comprises:
 a generally flat base wall, 
 first and second sidewalls both extending upwardly from the base wall at a predetermined acute angle, 
 third and fourth sidewall sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly upwardly from the base wall, and 
 at least one angled support having a first proximal end secured to the base wall and an opposing free distal end configured to engage and support the second, bottom end of one of the first and second frame supports, such that in an assembled position, the first and second frame supports are positioned at an angle with respect to a vertical support surface. 
   
     
     
         12 . The shelving system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one angled support extends upwardly from the base wall at the predetermined acute angle and the first proximal end of the at least one angled support is integrally formed with the base wall. 
     
     
         13 . The shelving system of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of spaced apart angled supports. 
     
     
         14 . The shelving system of  claim 17 , wherein the free distal ends of the plurality of spaced apart angled supports form a discontinuous support wall. 
     
     
         15 . The shelving system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second covers further comprises a plurality of longitudinal angled ribs extending along at least a portion of an interior surface of the third sidewall and along at least a portion of an interior surface of the fourth sidewall. 
     
     
         16 . A connector for interconnecting two members of a shelving system comprising:
 a one-piece body having opposing first and second open ends, a plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls connected together side to side and extending from the first open end to the second open end, and a horizontally-oriented support wall integrally formed with and extending generally perpendicular to the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls and positioned between the first and second open ends, the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls including opposing first and second sidewalls which extend generally parallel to each other and opposing third and fourth sidewalls which extend generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls;   a first internal cavity formed between the first open end, a portion of the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls and a first surface of the horizontally-oriented support wall for receiving a first member; and   a second internal cavity formed between the second open end, a portion of the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls and a second surface of the horizontally-oriented support wall for receiving a second member.   
     
     
         17 . The connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a first aperture formed through a first portion of the first sidewall and a second aperture formed through a first portion of the second sidewall, the first and second apertures being in communication with the first internal cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second apertures are generally offset from each other. 
     
     
         19 . The connector of  claim 2 , further comprising a third aperture formed through a second portion of the first sidewall and a fourth aperture formed through a second portion of the second sidewall, the third and fourth apertures being in communication with the second internal cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the third and fourth apertures are generally offset from each other. 
     
     
         21 . A shelving system comprising:
 a first frame support having a first frame member and a second frame member;   a second frame support having a third frame member and a fourth frame member;   at least one shelf extending between the first and second frame supports;   a first connector connecting the first frame member to the second frame member; and   a second connector connecting the third frame member to the fourth frame member,   wherein each of the first and second connectors comprises:
 a one-piece body having opposing first and second open ends, 
 a plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls connected together side to side and extending from the first open end to the second open end, the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls including opposing first and second sidewalls which extend generally parallel to each other and opposing third and fourth sidewalls which extend generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls, 
 a horizontally-oriented support wall integrally formed with and extending generally perpendicular to the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls, 
 a first internal cavity between the first open end, a portion of the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls and a first surface of the horizontally-oriented support wall, the first internal cavity being configured to receive a portion of the first or third frame members, and 
 a second internal cavity between the second open end, a portion of the plurality of vertically-oriented sidewalls and a second surface of the horizontally-oriented support wall, the second internal cavity being configured to receive a portion of the second or fourth frame members,
 wherein in an assembled position, a portion of the first frame member is positioned within the first internal cavity of the first connector, a portion of the second frame member is positioned within the second internal cavity of the first connector, a portion of the third frame member is positioned within the first internal cavity of the second connector and a portion of the fourth frame member is positioned within the second internal cavity of the second connector. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The shelving system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second connectors includes first and second apertures in communication with the first internal cavity and third and fourth apertures in communication with the second internal cavity. 
     
     
         23 . The shelving system of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second apertures are generally offset from each other and the third and fourth apertures are generally offset from each other.