Portable storage shelving

Abstract

A shelving assembly includes a pair of shelves having a first and second orientation relative to each other. The shelves nest together in the first orientation and stack together in the second orientation.

1 . A shelving assembly comprising:
 a pair of shelves having a first and second orientation relative to each other, wherein the shelves nest together in the first orientation and stack together in the second orientation.   
   
   
       2 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the shelves includes a floor and hollow legs extending from the floor. 
   
   
       3 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hollow legs extend upwards from the floor. 
   
   
       4 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hollow legs extend downwards from the floor. 
   
   
       5 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the hollow legs comprises a drain opening. 
   
   
       6 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the floor comprises a lip extending upwards from the floor and extending at least partially about a periphery of the floor. 
   
   
       7 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the shelves comprises an outer periphery, and the outer periphery of one of the shelves vertically aligns with the outer periphery of the other of the shelves in the first and second orientation. 
   
   
       8 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hollow legs of one of the shelves is at least partially within one of the hollow legs of the other of the shelves when the shelves are in the first orientation. 
   
   
       9 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hollow legs of one of the shelves engage the floor of the other shelf when the shelves are in the second orientation. 
   
   
       10 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the shelves comprise a locking mechanism for securing the shelves together in the second orientation. 
   
   
       11 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a tab extending from the hollow leg of one of the shelves or the floor of the other of the shelves, and an opening located on the other of the hollow leg of the one shelf or the floor of the other shelf for receiving the tab. 
   
   
       12 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the floor of at least one of the shelves includes a recess directly adjacent at least one of the hollow legs, and the recess includes the tab or the opening. 
   
   
       13 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pallet that locks to one of the shelves. 
   
   
       14 . The shelving assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shelves comprise a 0°/0° arrangement in the first orientation, and a 0°/180° arrangement in the second orientation. 
   
   
       15 . A shelving assembly comprising:
 a plurality of shelves each having a floor and a plurality of hollow legs extending from the floor, wherein the shelves nest together in a first orientation such that the hollow legs of one of the shelves are at least partially within the hollow legs of an immediately adjacent one of the shelves, and the shelves stack together in a second orientation such that the hollow legs of the one shelf engage the floor of the immediately adjacent shelf.   
   
   
       16 . A method of employing a shelving assembly, comprising:
 (a) stacking a pair of shelves in one orientation relative to each other to provide storage space between the shelves; and   (b) nesting the pair of shelves in another orientation relative to each other to reduce the storage space.   
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said step (a) includes locking hollow legs of one of the shelves to a floor of the other shelf. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said step (b) includes moving hollow legs of one of the shelves at least partially into hollow legs of the other shelves.