Shelving Assemblies and Methods of Use of the Same

Abstract

Shelving assemblies and methods of use of the same are disclosed. The shelving assemblies include at least a pair of side units having protrusions that extend therefrom and that are received in receptacles on a plurality of shelves.

1 . A shelving assembly comprising:
 a plurality of side units with each side unit having a frame and protrusions extending from the frame;   a plurality of shelves having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive the protrusions extending from the plurality of frames.   
   
   
       2 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame of a first side unit is substantially in a first plane and the protrusions extend from the frame in planes substantially perpendicular to the plane of the frame. 
   
   
       3 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each side member includes protrusions connected to a frame. 
   
   
       4 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are formed by U-shaped members. 
   
   
       5 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each side unit includes the protrusions formed integrally with the frame. 
   
   
       6 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each frame further comprises at least two upright members. 
   
   
       7 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each frame further comprises at least two horizontal members. 
   
   
       8 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each frame further comprises at least one slat. 
   
   
       9 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each shelf has a main body and the receptacles of each shelf are connected to the main body. 
   
   
       10 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the receptacles of each shelf are formed integrally with the main body. 
   
   
       11 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the side units have a common construction and the shelves are located between a pair of side units with one side unit being inverted and rotated relative to the other side unit. 
   
   
       12 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the side units are spaced apart and the protrusions on the respective side units are aligned with and extend toward each other. 
   
   
       13 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each shelf further comprises at least one upstanding lip. 
   
   
       14 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each shelf further comprises at least one blocking member to prevent separation of a side unit from a shelf. 
   
   
       15 . The shelving assembly as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one blocking member is removable. 
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a shelving assembly comprising:
 providing at least a pair of side units, with each side unit having a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom;   providing a plurality of shelves, with each shelf having a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive the respective protrusions of the side units; and   wherein the plurality of shelves may be located between the at least pair of side units and the plurality of shelves and the at least pair of side units may be moved with respect to each other to locate at least a portion of the respective protrusions on the at least pair of side units within the respective receptacles of the shelves.   
   
   
       17 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein each side unit further comprises a frame and the plurality of protrusions extend perpendicularly relative to the frame. 
   
   
       18 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein forming a shelving assembly further comprises placing a first side unit on a substantially horizontal surface so as to have the frame of the first side unit lay on and be parallel to the substantially horizontal surface while the protrusions on the frame of the first side unit extend upward at an angle relative to the frame of the first side unit, moving the plurality of shelves to positions wherein the shelves have the plurality of protrusions on the frame of the first side unit received within receptacles of the respective shelves, and positioning a second side unit above the plurality of shelves and moving the second side unit downward to a position wherein the respective protrusions on the second side unit are received within receptacles on the respective shelves, and moving the shelving assembly to an upright position in which the protrusions of the first and second side units are parallel to the substantially horizontal surface. 
   
   
       19 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the side units are identical in construction. 
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein in forming the shelving assembly one of the side units of the at least pair of side units is inverted and rotated relative to the other of the at least pair of side units so as to have their respective protrusions of the side units be aligned with and extending toward each other.