A storage unit

Abstract

A storage unit ( 1 ) has a first end panel ( 10 a ) and a second end panel ( 10 b ) arranged in spaced relation to one another and at least one elongate rod ( 20 ) connecting the first end panel ( 10 a ) to the second end panel ( 10 b ). Each of the first end panel ( 10 a ) and the second end panel ( 10 b ) includes at least one rod receiving element ( 30, 32 ) in the internal side thereof in which a rod ( 20 ) is receivable. The rod receiving elements ( 30, 32 ) each include a first seat portion ( 42 ) and a second seat portion ( 44 ) in which the end of the rod ( 20 ) is receivable in first and second configurations respectively.

1 . A storage unit comprising:
 a first end panel and a second end panel arranged in spaced relation with and parallel to one another, each of the first and second end panels having an external side and an internal side;   at least one elongate rod arranged for connecting the first end panel to the second end panel; wherein   the first end panel and the second end panel each include at least one rod receiving element in the internal side thereof in which an end of the at least one elongate rod is receivable therein, wherein the at least one rod receiving element includes a first seat portion in which the end of the at least one rod is receivable in a first configuration;   a second seat portion in which the end of the rod is receivable in a second configuration, and a channel section extending between the first seat portion and the second seat portion, the channel section being shaped such that the end of the rod is elevatable out of one of the first seat portion and the second seat portion and movable within the channel and into the other of the first seat portion and the second seat portion.   
     
     
         2 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first seat portion and the second seat portion are laterally offset from one another. 
     
     
         3 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first seat portion and the second seat portion are vertically offset from one another. 
     
     
         4 . A storage unit as claimed in any one of  claims 1 , wherein the channel section includes a shoulder adjacent at least one of the first seat portion and the second seat portion. 
     
     
         5 . A storage unit as claimed in any one of  claims 1 , wherein the rod receiving element is repeated along a length of each of the first end panel and the second end panel to form a chain of the rod receiving elements. 
     
     
         6 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the chain of rod receiving elements is continuous. 
     
     
         7 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 5  wherein each of the first end panel and the second end panel includes a plurality of repeated rod receiving elements across a width thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein adjacent chains of rod receiving elements are vertically offset from one another. 
     
     
         9 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the adjacent chains of rod receiving elements are vertically aligned with one another. 
     
     
         10 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the channel section between the first seat portion and the second seat portion of the at least one rod receiving element is curved. 
     
     
         11 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the channel section is generally ear-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the channel section is generally wave-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rod receiving element includes a third seat portion and a further channel section extending between the second seat portion and the third seat portion, wherein the further channel section is curved. 
     
     
         14 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first end panel and the second end panel are each sealed at the exterior side thereof such that the at least one rod receiving element is visible only on the interior side thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , further including an insert panel arranged between the first end panel and the second end panel in spaced relation therewith and parallel thereto, the insert panel including at least one receiving element for receiving the at least one elongate rod therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the chain of rod receiving elements on the first end panel is vertically and horizontally aligned with the rod receiving elements on the second panel. 
     
     
         17 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the rod receiving elements of the insert panel are aligned with the rod receiving elements of the first end panel and the second end panel. 
     
     
         18 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the storage unit includes a plurality of the elongate rods for connecting the first end panel to the second end panel. 
     
     
         19 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of elongate rods is arrangeable within the rod receiving elements to form a shelf. 
     
     
         20 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of elongate rods is configurable to form a flat shelf. 
     
     
         21 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of elongate rods may be configurable to form a curved and/or sloping shelf. 
     
     
         22 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1  that is freestanding. 
     
     
         23 . A storage unit as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the first and second end panels and/or the insert panel are retrofittable inside a standard bookcase after removing the existing flat shelving.