Modular surface-mounted organizing and display system

Abstract

A face plate system including at least one sliding face plate panel, and at least one shelf or other stable surface. A modular face plate, with specially fitted tabs on its top and bottom, slides upright into matching grooves cut into a shelf or shelves. The grooves may be cut either into the top or bottom of the shelf, or the face of the shelf. No glue or permanent joinery is needed to secure the face plate, making it easy to remove, and allowing a set of face plates to be interchangeable.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A modular shelving system, comprising: 
 at least one horizontal shelf; and    at least one face plate, removably attached to a portion of the at least one horizontal shelf.    
     
     
         2 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein, 
 the at least one face plate further comprises at least one tab, and    wherein a portion of the least one horizontal shelf is provided with at least one groove for accepting the at least one tab provided on the at least one face plate.    
     
     
         3 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the at least one horizontal shelf comprises a front portion of the at least one horizontal shelf.  
     
     
         4 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 3 , wherein, 
 the front portion of the at least one horizontal shelf comprises a front face portion of the at least one horizontal shelf, and    the at least one tab slides into a corresponding one of the at least one groove.    
     
     
         5 . The modular shelving system of  claim 4 , wherein the groove comprises a slot portion and a channel portion dado cut into the front portion of the at one horizontal shelf.  
     
     
         6 . The modular shelving system of  claim 4 , wherein the groove comprises an L-shaped groove cut into the front portion of at least one of the at least one horizontal shelf.  
     
     
         7 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 3 , wherein the front portions of the at least one horizontal shelf comprise at least one horizontal surface portion of the at least one horizontal shelf, wherein the at least one tab slides into a corresponding one of the at least one groove.  
     
     
         8 . The modular shelving system of  claim 7 , wherein the groove comprises a slot portion and a channel portion dado cut into the front portion of the at one horizontal shelf.  
     
     
         9 . The modular shelving system of  claim 7 , wherein the groove comprises an L-shaped groove cut into the front portion of at least one of the at least one horizontal shelf.  
     
     
         10 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one face plate is provided with at least one clip for clipping to the at least one horizontal shelf.  
     
     
         11 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein depending upon the location of the grooves cut into a shelf, the face plate may slide in anywhere from a front portion to a back portion of the at least one horizontal shelf.  
     
     
         12 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein, 
 the at least one horizontal shelf comprises at least two adjacent shelves, and,    the face plate further comprises at least one spring-loaded tension beam to secure the face plate between the two adjacent shelves.    
     
     
         13 . The modular shelving system of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the least one horizontal shelf provided with at least one groove for accepting the at least one tab provided on the at least one face plate comprises a raised portion of the at least one shelf.  
     
     
         14 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one face plate further comprises: 
 at least one opening provided in the at least one face plate.    
     
     
         15 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one opening further comprises a plurality of slots provided in the at least one face plate, the plurality of slots having a predetermined opening dimension for accepting a media container.  
     
     
         16 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of slots having a predetermined opening dimension for accepting at least one of a CD, DVD, and Cassette container.  
     
     
         17 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one face plate further comprises: 
 at least one drawer sized to fit within a corresponding one of the at least one opening.    
     
     
         18 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one face plate further comprises: 
 an L-shaped face plate provided with at least two parallel tabs for sliding into at least to parallel grooves formed in a horizontal surface of the at least one shelf, the L-shaped face plate dividing space on the at least on shelf.    
     
     
         19 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one face plate further comprises: 
 A face plate having a Z-shaped cross-section, such that when attached to said at least one shelf, the face plate provides an inclined portion for supporting books and periodicals.    
     
     
         20 . The modular shelving system, of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one face plate further comprises: 
 a tip-out drawer having a plurality of compartments for accepting a plurality of media containers.