Shelf bracket

Abstract

A shelf bracket is provided for use in retail shelving systems having shelves supported on brackets attached to slotted uprights which stand vertically either independently or by attachment to a wall or other vertical surface. The bracket includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a middle portion configured to support a shelf. The proximal end portion includes a hook portion and a positioning tab that is vertically spaced from the hook portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bracket for mounting a shelf to a first upright having a first set of slots separated by a first set of dividers and a second upright having a second set of slots separated by a second set of dividers comprising:
 a. a middle portion configured to support a shelf;   b. a proximal end portion including a hook portion and a positioning tab;   c. said positioning tab vertically spaced from the hook portion so as to abut one of the first set of dividers of the first upright when the hook portion engages one of the first set of slots of the first upright; and   d. said positioning tab also positioned to pass through a first one of the second set of slots of the second upright when the hook portion engages a second one of the second set of slots of the second upright.   
     
     
         2 . The bracket of  claim 1  wherein the hook portion includes an upwardly extending stop and a downwardly extending hook engagement member. 
     
     
         3 . The bracket of  claim 1  wherein the positioning tab is vertically spaced beneath the hook portion. 
     
     
         4 . The bracket of  claim 1  further comprising a guide surface positioned between the hook portion and the positioning tab. 
     
     
         5 . A shelving system comprising:
 a. a first pair of uprights, each having a plurality of slots separated by a plurality of dividers;   b. a pair of shelf support brackets, each bracket including:
 i) a middle portion configured to support a shelf; 
 ii) a proximal end portion including a hook portion and a positioning tab; 
 iii) said positioning tab vertically spaced from the hook portion so as to engage a divider of a corresponding one of the first pair of uprights when the hook portion engages a slot of the corresponding one of the first pair of uprights; 
 iv) said positioning tab also positioned to pass through a first slot of a corresponding one of a second pair of uprights when the hook portion engages a second slot of the corresponding one of the second pair of uprights; 
   c. a shelf positioned upon the pair of shelf support brackets.   
     
     
         6 . The shelving system of  claim 5  wherein the hook portion of each bracket includes an upwardly extending stop and a downwardly extending hook engagement member. 
     
     
         7 . The shelving system of  claim 5  wherein the positioning tab of each bracket is vertically spaced beneath the hook portion. 
     
     
         8 . The shelving system of  claim 5  wherein each bracket further includes a guide surface positioned between the hook portion and the positioning tab.