Adjustable shelving systems and methods

Abstract

A shelving system has a plurality of support posts and one or more shelf assemblies, each shelf assembly having a height adjustment mechanism. A height adjustment mechanism can include a bracket attached to a shelf portion, wherein the bracket includes a channel for receiving a support post, and a latch element pivotably attached to the bracket. The latch element pivots between a first position in which the latch element engages an aperture in the support post to support the shelf assembly on the support post, and a second position in which the latch element is out of the aperture to allow the shelf assembly to move along the support post. The latch element can include a hook with a notch positionable to receive an edge of the aperture, and a side face positionable to rest or press against the support post.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shelving system comprising:
 a plurality of support posts, wherein a first support post of the plurality of support posts comprises an aperture; and   one or more shelf assemblies, wherein a first shelf assembly of the one or more shelf assemblies comprises a shelf portion and a mounting portion for selectively supporting the first shelf assembly on the first support post, wherein the mounting portion comprises:
 a corner bracket coupled to or integral with the shelf portion, the corner bracket comprising a channel for receiving the first support post, and the corner bracket being configured to surround an entire perimeter of the first support post when the first support post is positioned in the channel; and 
 an engagement portion associated with the corner bracket, wherein the engagement portion is movable between a first state in which the engagement portion engages the aperture by contacting an edge of the aperture to support the first shelf assembly on the first support post, and a second state in which the engagement portion disengages from the edge of the aperture to allow the first shelf assembly to move along a height of the first support post. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises at least two elongated sides connected by the edge. 
     
     
         3 . The shelving system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two elongated sides define a space that allows movement of the engagement portion when the engagement portion disengages from the edge of the aperture, thereby allowing the movement of the first shelf assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the corner bracket comprises a first side attached directly to the shelf portion, and a second side oriented transversely to the first side and attached directly to the shelf portion. 
     
     
         5 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf portion comprises a connecting segment that extends between two of the plurality of support posts when the two support posts are respectively positioned in the channels of a pair of mounting portions connected by the connecting segment. 
     
     
         6 . The shelving system of  claim 5 , wherein the two support posts between which the connecting segment extends are positioned adjacent to each other along a single side of the shelving system. 
     
     
         7 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion includes a notch configured to engage the edge of the aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the corner bracket comprises a plurality of sides, and   adjacent sides of the plurality of sides are connected at their edges to form the channel.   
     
     
         9 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion is positionable to project inward from a side of the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support posts has a cross-section having a shape of a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, or a circle. 
     
     
         11 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the corner bracket has a cross-section having a shape of a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, or a circle. 
     
     
         12 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion is pivotably connected to a side of the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The shelving system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bent strip elements, wherein each bent strip element of the plurality of bent strip elements is positionable within a corresponding support post of the plurality of support posts. 
     
     
         14 . A kit of parts for a shelving system, the kit comprising:
 a plurality of support post segments, wherein a first support post segment of the plurality of support post segments comprises an aperture;   one or more shelf assemblies, wherein a first shelf assembly of the one or more shelf assemblies comprises a shelf portion and a mounting portion for selectively supporting the first shelf assembly on the first support post segment, wherein the mounting portion comprises:
 a corner bracket coupled to or integral with the shelf portion, the corner bracket comprising a channel for receiving the first support post segment, and the corner bracket being configured to surround an entire perimeter of the first support post segment when the first support post segment is positioned in the channel; and 
 an engagement portion associated with the corner bracket, wherein the engagement portion is movable between a first state in which the engagement portion engages the aperture by contacting an edge of the aperture to support the first shelf assembly on the first support post segment, and a second state in which the engagement portion disengages from the edge of the aperture to allow the first shelf assembly to move along a height of the first support post segment. 
   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the corner bracket comprises a plurality of sides, and   adjacent sides of the plurality of sides are connected at their edges to form the channel.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the engagement portion is positionable to project inward from a side of the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the engagement portion is pivotably connected to a side of the channel. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein at least two of the plurality of support post segments are configured to be connectable to form a support post. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support post segments has a cross-section having a shape of a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, or a circle. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the corner bracket has a cross-section having a shape of a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, or a circle.