Shelf bracket

Abstract

A bracket for securing a shelf to a frame includes a body portion having an opening to receive a first segment of a U-shaped shelf support member and a body channel on a surface to receive a second segment of the U-shaped shelf support member. The bracket can be used in a shelving system having a shelf mounted between a left and a right frame each having one or more mounting holes along a vertical length to receive the bracket. When the bracket is mounted to the frame, the opening and the channel are aligned substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the frame.

1 . A bracket for securing a shelf to a frame, comprising:
 a body portion having an opening to receive a first segment of a U-shaped shelf support member, a body channel on a surface to receive a second segment of the U-shaped shelf support member,   wherein, when the bracket is mounted on the frame, the opening and the channel are aligned substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the frame.   
   
   
       2 . The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein in the opening extends completely through the body portion. 
   
   
       3 . The bracket of  claim 1 , comprising a flange portion for mounting to the frame. 
   
   
       4 . The bracket of  claim 3 , wherein the flange portion has at least one mounting hole to enable mounting of the bracket to the frame. 
   
   
       5 . The bracket of  claim 3 , comprising:
 a bracket washer having an aperture to receive the body portion and a bracket washer channel on a surface to receive the first segment of the U-shaped shelf support member,   wherein the body portion is sized to pass through a bracket hole in the frame but the flange portion precludes the entire bracket from passing through the bracket hole.   
   
   
       6 . The bracket of  claim 2 , comprising:
 a plurality of bracket washers each having an aperture to receive the body portion and a bracket washer channel on a surface to receive the first segment of a respective U-shaped shelf support member,   wherein the body portion has two openings, each opening to receive a respective first segment of the U-shaped shelf support member, and two body channels on opposing surfaces of the body portion, each body channel to receive a respective second segment of the U-shaped shelf support member.   
   
   
       7 . A shelving system, comprising:
 a frame member having one or more mounting holes along a vertical length;   a shelf having a U-shaped shelf support member;   a bracket mountable to the mounting holes, each bracket having a body portion with an opening to receive a first segment of the U-shaped shelf support member and a body channel on a surface to receive a second segment of the U-shaped shelf support member,   wherein, when the bracket is mounted to the frame, the opening and the channel are aligned substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the frame.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the bracket has a flange portion for mounting to the frame. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flange portion has at least one mounting hole to enable mounting of the bracket to the frame. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , comprising:
 a bracket washer having an aperture to receive the body portion and a bracket washer channel on a surface to receive the first segment of the U-shaped shelf support member,   wherein the body portion is sized to pass through a bracket hole in the frame but the flange portion precludes the entire bracket from passing through the bracket hole.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , comprising:
 a plurality of bracket washers each having an aperture to receive the body portion and a bracket washer channel on a surface to receive the first segment of a respective U-shaped shelf support member,   wherein the body portion has two openings, each opening to receive a respective first segment of the U-shaped shelf support member, and two body channels on opposing surfaces of the body portion, each body channel to receive a respective second segment of the U-shaped shelf support member.