Adjustable Shelving System

Abstract

An adjustable shelving system for more easily accessing items stored within an enclosure such as a chest freezer. The adjustable shelving system generally includes a plurality of support legs which may be positioned within an enclosure such as a chest freezer. One or more shelves may be selectively secured along the length of the support legs to provide a support structure for various items. One or more actuators may be provided to selectively raise or lower the shelves into or out of the enclosure. Each of the shelves may also include extensions which are nested within the shelves and may be selectively extracted or retracted to adjust the effective width of the shelves.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable shelving system, comprising:
 a plurality of support legs, wherein each of said support legs is adjustable in length;   at least one shelf removably secured to said support legs; and   at least one actuator for extending or retracting the length of said support legs to lift or lower said at least one shelf.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of support legs comprises an inner member and an outer member. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 2 , wherein each of said outer members includes a slot. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 3 , wherein each of said inner members includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one shelf includes a linkage for selectively inserted within said plurality of apertures to adjust positioning of said at least one shelf. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises an in-line actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one shelf is adjustable in width. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one shelf includes at least one extension, wherein said at least one extension is nested within said at least one shelf, wherein said at least one extension is adapted to be extended or retracted with respect to said at least one shelf. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of support legs are positioned within a chest freezer. 
     
     
         10 . An adjustable shelving system, comprising:
 a chest freezer;   a plurality of support legs positioned within said chest freezer, wherein each of said support legs is adjustable in length;   an upper shelf secured to said plurality of support legs;   a lower shelf secured to said plurality of support legs; and   at least one actuator for extending or retracting the length of said support legs to lift or lower said at least one shelf.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 10 , wherein each of said plurality of support legs comprises an inner member and an outer member. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 11 , wherein each of said outer members includes a slot. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said inner members includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one shelf includes a linkage for selectively inserted within said plurality of apertures to adjust positioning of said at least one shelf. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises an in-line actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one actuator is connected to said upper shelf. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one actuator includes a bracket for connecting to said upper shelf. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises a first actuator connected to a first end of said upper shelf and a second actuator connected to a second end of said upper shelf. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein said upper shelf and said lower shelf are each adjustable in width. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable shelving system of  claim 7 , wherein said upper shelf includes at least one upper extension, wherein said at least one upper extension is nested within said upper shelf, wherein said at least one upper extension is adapted to be extended or retracted with respect to said upper shelf.