Snap-on platform for tubular shelving

Abstract

Snap-on pieces for tubular shelving may include a platform and one or more rows of opposing clip elements secured to the platform. The opposing clip elements may include a base portion disposed on a surface of the platform, a curved body portion connected to or integral with the base portion, the curved body portion having a shape substantially mirroring a side wall of at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements, and a protruding end portion connected to or integral with the curved body portion, the protruding end portion being disposed relative to the curved body portion to protrude along a bottom wall of the at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in conjunction with a tubular shelving unit, the tubular shelving unit comprising a plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements, the apparatus comprising:
 a platform; and   a plurality of opposing clip elements secured to the platform, each of the plurality of opposing clip elements comprising:
 a base portion disposed on a surface of the platform, 
 a curved body portion connected to or integral with the base portion, the curved body portion having a shape substantially mirroring a side wall of at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements, and 
 a protruding end portion connected to or integral with the curved body portion, the protruding end portion being disposed relative to the curved body portion to protrude along a bottom wall of the at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements, 
   one or more of the plurality of opposing clip elements being elastically deformable,   the apparatus being adaptable between an uninstalled position and an installed position,   wherein in the uninstalled position the apparatus is detached from the tubular shelving unit,   wherein in the installed position the apparatus is releasably attached to the tubular shelving unit, such that the platform rests on the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements and the plurality of opposing clip elements is elastically deformed to wrap around and to grip at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tray attached to the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a drawer attached to the platform 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform further comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of perforations align with at least one of the substantially aligned tubular elements when the apparatus is in the installed position. 
     
     
         6 . A snap-on piece for a tubular shelving unit, the snap-on piece comprising:
 a platform; and   a single row of opposing clip elements secured to the platform, the single row of opposing elements adapted to elastically deform around a single tubular element of the tubular shelving unit.   
     
     
         7 . The snap-on piece according to  claim 6 , the snap-on piece being adaptable between an uninstalled position and an installed position,
 wherein in the uninstalled position the snap-on piece is detached from the tubular shelving unit,   wherein in the installed position the snap-on piece is releasably attached to the tubular shelving unit.   
     
     
         8 . The snap-on piece according to  claim 7 , wherein the tubular shelving unit comprises a plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements, and wherein the installed position the platform rests on the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements and the opposing clip elements are elastically deformed to wrap around and to grip at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements. 
     
     
         9 . The snap-on piece according to  claim 8 , wherein the platform further comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         10 . The snap-on piece according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of perforations align with at least one of the substantially aligned tubular elements when the snap-on piece is in the installed position. 
     
     
         11 . The snap-on piece according to  claim 6 , further comprising a tray attached to the platform. 
     
     
         12 . The snap-on piece according to  claim 6 , further comprising a drawer attached to the platform 
     
     
         13 . The snap-on piece according to  claim 6 , wherein each of the opposing clip elements comprises:
 a base portion disposed on a surface of the platform,   a curved body portion connected to or integral with the base portion, the curved body portion having a shape substantially mirroring a side wall of at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements, and   a protruding end portion connected to or integral with the curved body portion, the protruding end portion being disposed relative to the curved body portion to protrude along a bottom wall of the at least one of the plurality of substantially aligned tubular elements.