Movable shelving system and method

Abstract

In some embodiments, a shelving system configured to be coupled to a wall and supported on a support surface is provided. The shelving system can include a fixed shelving unit extending laterally from the wall, and a movable shelving unit. The fixed shelving unit can include a vertical support coupled to a base. The movable shelving unit can also extend laterally from the wall, and can be movable through a shelving path. In some embodiments, the shelving system can be provided with a floor leveling system enabling a user to easily and quickly level the shelving system. Also, in some embodiments, the movable shelving unit includes a damper that slows the movable shelving unit prior to being stopped.

1 . A shelving system adapted to be coupled to a wall and supported on a support surface, the shelving system comprising: 
 a fixed shelving unit having a side from which products in the fixed shelving unit are accessed, the fixed shelving unit located adjacent the wall; and    a movable shelving unit having a front from which products in the movable shelving unit are accessed, and opposite sides, the movable shelving unit substantially parallel to the side of the fixed shelving unit, wherein one of the opposite sides of the movable shelving unit substantially faces the wall, the movable shelving unit laterally movable to different distances from the wall to expose different portions of the side of the fixed shelving unit.    
   
   
       2 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable shelving unit comprises at least one wheel.  
   
   
       3 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable shelving unit comprises first and second wheels located at different elevations on the movable shelving unit.  
   
   
       4 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the movable shelving unit comprises a depth, and a height and width each substantially greater than the depth and defining a plane of the movable shelving unit;    the movable shelving unit is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the movable shelving unit.    
   
   
       5 . The shelving system of  claim 2 , wherein the shelving system comprises a track to which the at least one wheel is coupled and along which the at least one wheel is movable.  
   
   
       6 . The shelving system of  claim 5 , wherein the wheel and track are shaped to have a mating male and female connection.  
   
   
       7 . The shelving system of  claim 3 , wherein the shelving system comprises upper and lower tracks to which the first and second wheels are coupled and along which the first and second wheels are movable.  
   
   
       8 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , further comprising a damper movable to slow the movable shelving unit along a range of movement of the movable shelving unit.  
   
   
       9 . The shelving system of  claim 8 , wherein the damper comprises a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder, and a magnet.  
   
   
       10 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed shelving unit is a first fixed shelving unit, and the movable shelving unit is a first movable shelving unit; the shelving system further comprising 
 a second fixed shelving unit having a side from which products in the second fixed shelving unit are accessed, the second fixed shelving unit located adjacent the wall; and    a second movable shelving unit having a front from which products in the second movable shelving unit are accessed, and opposite sides, the second movable shelving unit substantially parallel to and spaced a distance from the first movable shelving unit to define an aisle between the first and second movable shelving units, the second movable shelving unit substantially parallel to the side of the second fixed shelving unit, wherein one of the opposite sides of the second movable shelving unit substantially faces the wall, the second movable shelving unit laterally movable to different distances from the wall to expose different portions of the side of the second fixed shelving unit.    
   
   
       11 . A method of operating a movable shelving system installed adjacent a wall and a fixed shelving unit extending from the wall, the method comprising: 
 providing a movable shelving unit having a front from which products in the movable shelving unit are accessed, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side and substantially facing the wall; and    laterally moving the movable shelving unit, wherein laterally moving the movable shelving unit comprises 
 moving the second side to different distances with respect to the wall;  
 moving the movable shelving unit in a path substantially parallel to the fixed shelving unit; and  
 exposing a front portion of the fixed shelving unit formerly obstructed by the movable shelving unit.  
   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein laterally moving the movable shelving unit further comprises moving the shelving unit along a track to which the movable shelving unit is coupled.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein laterally moving the movable shelving unit further comprises moving the shelving unit along first and second tracks to which the movable shelving unit is coupled, wherein the first and second tracks are located at different elevations.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein laterally moving the movable shelving unit further comprises moving a wheel of the movable shelving unit in male and female mating engagement with the track.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 stopping lateral movement of the movable shelving unit; and    slowing the movable shelving unit with a damper prior to stopping lateral movement of the movable shelving unit.    
   
   
       16 . A movable shelving system for installation on a support surface, the movable shelving system comprising: 
 a floor;    a plurality of fasteners coupled to the floor, each of the plurality of fasteners adjustable to raise and lower the floor with respect to the support surface;    a first shelving unit coupled to the floor;    a track coupled to the floor;    a second shelving unit having a front from which products in the second shelving unit are accessed, and first and second sides opposite one another, the second shelving unit laterally movable along the track with respect to the first shelving unit to and from a position in which the second shelving unit is located at least partially in front of the first shelving unit.    
   
   
       17 . The movable shelving system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fasteners are threaded fasteners that can be threaded to raise and lower the floor.  
   
   
       18 . The movable shelving system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fasteners are accessible for adjustment from a top surface of the floor.  
   
   
       19 . The movable shelving system of  claim 16 , further comprising a damper movable to slow the second shelving unit along a range of motion of the second shelving unit.  
   
   
       20 . The movable shelving system of  claim 19 , wherein the damper comprises a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder, and a magnet.  
   
   
       21 . A method of installing a movable shelving unit, comprising: 
 coupling a floor of the movable shelving unit to a support surface;    leveling the floor with respect to the support surface;    coupling a first shelving unit to the floor, the first shelving unit having a front side and a back side;    coupling a second shelving unit to a track coupled to the floor, the second shelving unit having a front side and a back side; and    moving the second shelving unit along the track to and from a position in which at least a portion of the back side of the second shelving unit is adjacent and substantially faces at least a portion of the front side of the first shelving unit.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein leveling the floor comprises adjusting a plurality of fasteners coupled to the floor to change an elevation of the floor at each of the plurality of fasteners.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 stopping the second shelving unit; and    slowing the second shelving unit with a damper prior to stopping the second shelving unit.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coupling the second shelving unit to the track comprises mating a male portion of the second shelving unit with a female portion of the track.  
   
   
       25 . A shelving system adapted to be installed upon a floor, the shelving system comprising: 
 first and second tracks;    at least one fixed shelving unit coupled to the floor, the at least one fixed shelving unit having opposite first and second sides;    a first movable shelving unit coupled to the floor adjacent the first side of the at least one fixed shelving unit, the first movable shelving unit coupled to and movable along the first track;    a second movable shelving unit coupled to the floor adjacent the at least one movable shelving unit, the second movable shelving unit coupled to and movable along the second track, wherein the at least one fixed shelving unit is located between the first and second tracks; and    a damper coupled to and extending from the first movable shelving unit, the damper movable to slow movement of the first movable shelving unit through a range of movement of the first movable shelving unit along the first track.    
   
   
       26 . The shelving system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one fixed shelving unit comprises two shelving units arranged back-to-back with one another.  
   
   
       27 . The shelving system of  claim 25 , wherein the first movable shelving unit comprises first and second wheels located at different elevations on the first movable shelving unit.  
   
   
       28 . The shelving system of  claim 25 , wherein: 
 the first movable shelving unit comprises a depth, and a height and width each substantially greater than the depth and defining a plane of the first movable shelving unit; and    the first movable shelving unit is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the first movable shelving unit.    
   
   
       29 . The shelving system of  claim 25 , further comprising a wheel shaped to have a mating male and female engagement with the first track.  
   
   
       30 . The shelving system of  claim 25 , further comprising a damper movable to slow the first movable shelving unit along a range of movement of the first movable shelving unit.  
   
   
       31 . The shelving system of  claim 30 , wherein the damper comprises a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder, and a magnet.