Shelf mounting system

Abstract

A shelf mounting system with a rigid shelf track having a face substantially free of apertures other than those used to mount the track to a wall, two sides having slots, and a bracket to engage and support the shelf track. In the preferred embodiment, the bracket includes a pair of opposed side flanges joined at a proximal end, and having two free distal ends terminating in engaging portions attachable to the track slots. A method for constructing a shelf mounting system according to the present invention is also provided.

1 . A shelf mounting system, comprising:
 a shelf track adapted to be mounted on a wall, the track having a front face, two sides having slots;   one or more brackets adapted to securely engage the side slots, the one or more brackets adapted to support shelving.   
   
   
       2 . The shelf mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf track is a vertically extending, rigid member, and the face of the track is substantially free of apertures other than those used to mount the track to the wall. 
   
   
       3 . The shelf mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises a pair of opposed side flanges joined at a proximal end, the side flanges each having a free distal end, the distal ends being laterally moveable between an open position in which the free distal ends are separated by a distance greater than a width of the track, and a closed position in which the distal ends each securely engage the side slots. 
   
   
       4 . The shelf mounting system of  claim 3 , wherein the brackets include one or more fins mounted on at least one of the opposed side flanges, the one or more fins having an aperture for receiving a fastener which may be attached to shelving. 
   
   
       5 . The shelf mounting system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the free distal ends terminates in an arcuate surface adapted to abut the face of the track when the track is engaged with the bracket. 
   
   
       6 . The shelf mounting system of  claim 5 , wherein engaging tabs are affixed to or integral with the arcuate surface, the engaging tabs being adapted to securely engage the side slots of the track. 
   
   
       7 . A shelf mounting system, comprising:
 a vertical, rigid shelf track adapted to be mounted on a wall, the track having a face and two sides having a plurality of vertically-spaced slots, and the track being substantially free of apertures other than those used to mount the track to the wall; and   one or more brackets adapted to securely engage the side slots and thereby support shelving.   
   
   
       8 . The shelf mounting system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more brackets comprise a pair of opposed side flanges joined at a proximal end, the side flanges having two free distal ends laterally moveable between an open position in which the free distal ends are separated by a distance greater than a width of the track, and a closed position in which the distal ends each securely engage the side slots. 
   
   
       10 . A shelf mounting system, comprising:
 a vertical shelf track adapted to be mounted on a wall, the track having a face and two sides each having a plurality of vertically-spaced slots, the face being substantially free of apertures other than those used to mount the track to the wall; and   at least one bracket adapted to engage the side slots, the bracket comprising a pair of opposed side flanges joined at a proximal end, the side flanges having two free distal ends laterally moveable between an open position in which the free distal ends are separated by a distance greater than a width of the track, and a closed position in which in which the distal ends each securely engage the side slots.   
   
   
       11 . A method for creating a shelf mounting system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a shelf track adapted to be mounted on a wall, the shelf track having a face free of apertures other than those used to mount the track to the wall, and the track having a plurality of side slots;   providing a bracket adapted to engage the side slots; and   securely engaging the bracket with the side slots.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bracket includes a pair of opposed side flanges joined at a proximal end and having two free distal ends. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the free distal ends are laterally moveable between an open position in which the free distal ends are separated by a distance greater than a width of the track, and a closed position in which the distal ends are engaged to the track. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the free distal ends terminates in an engaging portion attached to or integral with an arcuate surface of the side flange, the arcuate surface being adapted to abut the face of the track when the track is engaged with the bracket. 
   
   
       15 . A method for creating a shelf mounting system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a shelf track adapted to be mounted on a wall, the track having a front face and a plurality of side slots;   providing a bracket adapted to engage the side slots, the bracket having a pair of opposed side flanges joined at a proximal end, and the side flanges each having a free distal end and being laterally moveable between an open position in which the free distal ends are separated by a distance greater than a width of the track, and a closed position; and   engaging the free distal ends of the bracket with the side slots of the shelf track so that the free distal ends are placed into the closed position.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the track is a rigid member free of apertures other than those used to mount the track to the wall.