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 product storage space comprising:
 an area defined at least in part by a floor and a wall extending from the floor;   a fixed shelving unit extending from the wall, across the floor, and into the area, the fixed shelving unit having a side from which products in the fixed shelving unit are accessed; 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 along the floor to different distances from the wall to expose different portions of the side of the fixed shelving unit.   
   
   
       2 . The product storage space of  claim 1 , wherein the movable shelving unit comprises at least one wheel. 
   
   
       3 . The product storage space of  claim 1 , wherein the movable shelving unit comprises first and second wheels located at different elevations on the movable shelving unit. 
   
   
       4 . The product storage space 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 product storage space 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 product storage space of  claim 5 , wherein the wheel and track are shaped to have a mating male and female connection. 
   
   
       7 . The product storage space 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 product storage space 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 product storage space of  claim 8 , wherein the damper comprises a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder, and a magnet. 
   
   
       10 . The product storage space 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 shelving system within a storage area, the method comprising:
 providing a fixed shelving unit having an open front from which products in the fixed shelving unit are accessed, a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   positioning the fixed shelving unit on a floor adjacent a wall in an orientation in which the fixed shelving unit extends from the wall, across the floor, and into the storage area, and in which the first end faces the wall;   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;   positioning the movable shelving unit on the floor in an orientation in which the first side faces the wall;   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 product storage space comprising:
 an area defined at least in part by a floor and a wall extending from the floor;   a support surface substantially supporting the 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 and including first and second ends, the first end positioned adjacent the wall, the first shelving unit substantially extending from the wall, across the floor, and into the area;   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 substantially extending into the area, 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 product storage space of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fasteners are threaded fasteners that can be threaded to raise and lower the floor. 
   
   
       18 . The product storage space of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fasteners are accessible for adjustment from a top surface of the floor. 
   
   
       19 . The product storage space 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 product storage space of  claim 19 , wherein the damper comprises a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder, and a magnet. 
   
   
       21 . A method of installing a product storage system in an area, the method comprising:
 coupling the floor to a support surface;   leveling the floor with respect to the support surface;   positioning a first shelving unit on the floor and adjacent a wall, the first shelving unit having a front side, a back side and opposing ends;   coupling the first shelving unit to the floor;   positioning the first shelving unit in an orientation in which one of the opposing ends faces the wall and in which the first shelving unit extends from the wall, across the floor, and into the area;   coupling a track to the floor;   coupling a second shelving unit to the track, 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.