Rack assembly

Abstract

A collapsible rack assembly includes a vertical support; a first elongated shelf having a first midpoint region, a rail extending therefrom, and a first end perpendicular to the rail; and a second elongated shelf including a second midpoint region having a notch apparatus. The vertical support is structured to extend between and support the first and second elongated shelves when the collapsible rack assembly is in an ASSEMBLED position. The notch apparatus is configured to receive the first end in order to allow the first elongated shelf to nest within the second elongated shelf when the collapsible rack assembly is in a COLLAPSED position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible rack assembly comprising:
 a plurality of elongated shelves, each elongated shelf having a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a top side, and a bottom side and comprising:
 a first side midpoint region disposed between a pair of first side corner regions, 
 a second side midpoint region disposed between a pair of second side corner regions, 
 a first sleeve disposed at the first side midpoint region, 
 a second sleeve disposed at the second side midpoint region, 
 a midline rail extending from the first sleeve to the second sleeve; and 
   at least one vertical support structured to extend between and support the plurality of elongated shelves when the collapsible rack assembly is in an assembled position.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each midline rail has a top side rail and a bottom side rail, each having ends connected to the first sleeve and the second sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the bottom side rail of the midline rail includes a pair of first notches defined between the first sleeve and the second sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein each first notch is formed by a first segment coupled at a first obtuse angle with a second segment, the second segment coupled at a second obtuse angle with a third segment, the third segment coupled to one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated shelves further comprises a plurality of end members extending from at least one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve in opposing directions and perpendicular to the midline member. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first notches of a first elongated shelf of the plurality of elongated shelves is configured to allow at least one of the plurality of end members of another elongated shelf to nest within the first elongated shelf when the collapsible rack assembly is in a collapsed position. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein each corner region has a second notch, the second notches being aligned with a corresponding first notch. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein each second notch is formed by a third segment coupled at a third obtuse angle with a fourth segment, the fourth segment coupled at a fourth obtuse angle with a fifth segment, the fifth segment coupled at a fifth obtuse angle with a sixth segment, the sixth segment coupled to one end member at least one of the pair of first end members or the pair second end members. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 5 , further comprising a third elongated shelf of the plurality of elongated shelves, the third elongated shelf comprising a plurality of adjustable feet disposed in the corner regions. 
     
     
         10 . A collapsible rack assembly comprising:
 a plurality of elongated shelves, each elongated shelf having a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a top side configured to be a level support surface, and a bottom side and comprising:
 a first side midpoint region disposed between a pair of first side corner regions, 
 a pair of first end rails coupling the first side midpoint region to the first side corner regions and extending downward from the top side, and 
 a midline rail extending downward from the top side, extending from the first side midpoint region, and defining a pair of first notches; 
   at least one vertical support structured to extend between and support the plurality of elongated shelves when the collapsible rack assembly is in an assembled position,   wherein the pair of first notches of a first elongated shelf of the plurality of elongated shelves is configured to allow at least one of the first end rails of another elongated shelf to nest within the first elongated shelf when the collapsible rack assembly is in a collapsed position.   
     
     
         11 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein each midline rail has a top side rail and a bottom side rail, each having ends configured to detachably couple to the at least one vertical support. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising a pair of side rails defining the first side and the second side and defining pairs of second notches disposed between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein each side rail has a top side rail and a bottom side rail, and each side rail is connected to the pair of first end rails. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the pair of first end rails extends perpendicular to the midline rail. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second side midpoint region disposed on an opposing side of the midline rail from the first side midpoint region and coupled to a pair of second end rails,   a first sleeve disposed at the first side midpoint region; and   a second sleeve disposed at the second side midpoint region.   
     
     
         16 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein each first notch is formed by a first segment coupled at a first obtuse angle with a second segment, the second segment coupled at a second obtuse angle with a third segment, the third segment coupled to one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein each second notch is formed by a third segment coupled at a third obtuse angle with a fourth segment, the fourth segment coupled at a fourth obtuse angle with a fifth segment, the fifth segment coupled at a fifth obtuse angle with a sixth segment, the sixth segment coupled to one end rail at least one of the pair of first end rails or the pair second end rails. 
     
     
         18 . A collapsible rack assembly comprising:
 a plurality of elongated shelves, each elongated shelf having a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a top side, and a bottom side and comprising:
 a first side rail defining the first side and extending from the top side, 
 a second side rail defining the second side and extending from the top side, 
 a midline rail disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail and extending from the top side such that a pair of channels are defined on the bottom side between the first side rail and the second side rail, 
 wherein each of the first side rail, the second side rail, and the third side rail have a pair of notches disposed between the first end and the second end, 
 a first sleeve disposed at the first end of the midline rail, and 
 a second sleeve disposed at the second end of the midline rail. 
   
     
     
         19 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the pairs of notches of a first elongated shelf of the plurality of elongated shelves is configured to allow at least one of the first end or the second end of another elongated shelf to nest within the first elongated shelf when the collapsible rack assembly is in a collapsed position. 
     
     
         20 . The collapsible rack assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the first end and the second end are defined by at least one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve and a plurality of end members extending from first sleeve or the second sleeve toward at least one of the first side rail or the second side rail, the end members extending from the top side.