Expanding bar rack

Abstract

An expandable rack assembly includes a body defined by at least two vertical members each carrying at least one expandable and/or displaceable shelf support member and at least one shelf unit supported at opposed ends thereof by the at least one expandable shelf support member. The at least one shelf support member includes a pair of shelf support arms carried by a central portion. At least one of the pair of shelf support arms is adapted for lateral displacement relative to the central portion. The central portion may be adapted to be selectively vertically displaced along a portion of a length dimension of a one of the at least two vertical members.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An expandable rack assembly, comprising:
 a body defined by at least two vertical members each carrying at least one expandable shelf support member; and   at least one shelf unit supported at opposed ends thereof by the at least one expandable shelf support member;   wherein the at least one expandable shelf support member comprises a pair of shelf support arms carried by a central portion, at least one of the pair of shelf support arms being adapted for lateral displacement relative to the central portion.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shelf unit is defined by a plurality of bars carried in substantially parallel orientation to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one shelf unit is defined by three bars carried in substantially parallel orientation to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of each of the pair of shelf support arms is configured to be received telescopingly within a central portion arm. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 4 , further including a support arm catch for selectively allowing or preventing lateral displacement of each of the pair of shelf support arms. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion is adapted to be selectively vertically displaced along a portion of a length dimension of a one of the at least two vertical members. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the central portion defines a through-bore for receiving a one of the at least two vertical members therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the central portion includes a shelf support member catch for selectively allowing or preventing the vertical displacement of the central portion. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a number of shelf units selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 
     
     
         10 . An expandable rack assembly, comprising:
 a body defined by at least two vertical members each carrying at least one expandable shelf support member; and   at least one shelf unit supported at opposed ends thereof by the at least one expandable shelf support member;   wherein the at least one expandable shelf support member comprises:
 a central portion adapted to be selectively vertically displaced along a portion pf a length dimension of a one of the at least two vertical members; and 
 a pair of shelf support arms carried by the central portion, at least one of the pair of shelf support arms being adapted for lateral displacement relative to the central portion. 
   
     
     
         11 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one shelf unit is defined by a plurality of bars carried in substantially parallel orientation to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one shelf unit is defined by three bars carried in substantially parallel orientation to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of each of the pair of shelf support arms is configured to be received telescopingly within a central portion arm. 
     
     
         14 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 13 , further including a support arm catch for selectively allowing or preventing lateral displacement of each of the pair of shelf support arms. 
     
     
         15 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the central portion defines a through-bore for receiving a one of the at least two vertical members therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the central portion includes a shelf support member catch for selectively allowing or preventing the vertical displacement of the central portion. 
     
     
         17 . The expandable rack assembly of  claim 10 , comprising a number of shelf units selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.