Shelving units utilizing hybrid connection system

Abstract

A shelving assembly employing a hybrid connection system using both threaded and non-threaded fasteners, designed to provide shelving that is both relatively strong and durable, while also being capable of relatively rapid assembly and disassembly.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A shelving assembly, comprising:
 first and second side frame structures, each comprising a pair of adjacent vertical posts connected by pairs of three or more opposing horizontal members, including a pair of top-most opposing horizontal members and a pair of bottom-most opposing horizontal members, and wherein the first and second side frame structures are connected to each other by three or more pairs of cross-members, including top-most and bottom-most pairs of cross-members;   wherein the pair of top-most opposing horizontal members and the pair of bottom-most opposing horizontal members are each connected by threadable fasteners to the vertical posts;   one or more shelving units located intermediately between the pair of top-most opposing cross-members and the pair of bottom-most opposing cross-members, the one or more shelving units connected by snap-fit attachment to the vertical posts;   wherein the pair of top-most opposing cross-members and the pair of bottom-most opposing cross-members are attached by threadable fasteners to the vertical posts; and   wherein the shelving assembly may be relatively rapidly assembled.   
     
     
         9 . The shelving assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of top-most opposing cross-members and the pair of bottom-most opposing cross-members each have ends with punched square apertures, for accommodating bolts with square necks that also connect with punched square apertures located at ends of the vertical posts. 
     
     
         10 . The shelving assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bolts mate with thumb nuts having serrated edges. 
     
     
         11 . The shelving assembly of  claim 8 , wherein ends of the shelving units include stamped rivets or tabs for accommodating apertures on the vertical posts. 
     
     
         12 . The shelving assembly of  claim 8 , wherein keyholes are stamped into substantially an entire length of the vertical posts, and further comprising a coupler for attaching two adjacent vertical posts in a vertically-stacked manner. 
     
     
         13 . The shelving assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the vertical posts are C-shaped in cross-section, and wherein a first side of each of the C-shaped vertical posts includes side-by-side keyholes that run substantially an entire length of the vertical posts, and a second side of each of the C-shaped vertical posts, at opposing vertical ends of the posts, includes stamped square apertures. 
     
     
         14 . The shelving assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the keyholes are stamped into but not through interior sides of the vertical posts, such that the keyholes for posts adjacent an observer in front of the shelving assembly are concealed, or at least partially concealed, from the observer's view. 
     
     
         15 . A shelving assembly, comprising:
 first and second side frame structures, each comprising a pair of adjacent vertical posts connected by pairs of three or more opposing horizontal members, including a pair of top-most opposing horizontal members and a pair of bottom-most opposing horizontal members, and wherein the first and second side frame structures are connected to each other by three or more pairs of cross-members, including top-most and bottom-most pairs of cross-members;   wherein the pair of top-most opposing horizontal members and the pair of bottom-most opposing horizontal members are each connected by threaded fasteners to the vertical posts;   one or more shelving units located intermediately between the pair of top-most opposing cross-members and the pair of bottom-most opposing cross-members, the one or more shelving units connected by snap-fit attachment to the vertical posts;   wherein the pair of top-most opposing cross-members and the pair of bottom-most opposing cross-members are attached by threaded fasteners to the vertical posts;   further comprising adjacent vertical posts vertically stacked, wherein the vertically-stacked posts are connected by a vertical pin;   wherein the shelving assembly may be relatively rapidly assembled.   
     
     
         16 . The shelving assembly of  claim 15 , wherein ends of the shelving units include stamped rivets or tabs for accommodating apertures stamped on the vertical posts. 
     
     
         17 . The shelving assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the apertures stamped on the vertical posts comprise keyholes stamped into substantially an entire length of the vertical posts. 
     
     
         18 . The shelving assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the vertical posts are L-shaped in cross-section, and wherein each of the two sides of the L-shaped vertical posts includes a series of stamped keyholes running substantially an entire length of the vertical posts. 
     
     
         19 - 21 . (canceled)