US3828937A - Adjustable pole support system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system of shelves, cabinets, lighting fixtures and other accessories is adjustably horizontally supported on vertical poles removably located between the floor and ceiling of a dwelling or other structure without structural damage thereto. The poles are designed for easy vertical alignment, provide numerous locations for article support mounting pins and may be easily decorated with caps which conceal mounting pin apertures from view. The wide variety of articles supportable by the pole system are prevented from relative rotational movement with respect to the poles by coaction between article supports and channels formed in the poles.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Nash 5] Aug. 13, 1974 ADJUSTABLE POLE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Gerald Nash, 809 Georgina 1,210,529 2/1966 Germany 21 W76 Santa Monica, Calif. 90402 [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1972 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts [21] pp No 279,179 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Amster & Rothstein [52] US. Cl 211/86, 211/176, 248/243 [57] F 51 1111.01. A47f 5/10 A System Of Shelves, Cabmets, llghtmg fixtures and 53 Fi f Search u 21 17 0 7 0 other accessories is adjustably horizontally supported 10 10; 24 243 2 22 on vertical poles removably located between the floor and ceiling of a dwelling or other structure without 5 References Cited structural damage thereto. The poles are designed for UNITED STATES PATENTS easy vertical alignment, provide numerous locations for article support mounting pins and may be easily decorated with caps which conceal mounting pin aper- 2'68l786 6/1954 552;: 248/243 tures from view. The wide variety of articles supportzz744j795 5/1956, "i' X able by the pole system are prevented from relat1ve 2,940,718 6/1960 Beal 211/86 x mammal movement Wlth respect to the POles by 2,99s,107 8/1961 Zimmerla 248/243 x action between article pp and channels formed 3,000,604 9/1961 Schulze-Robbecke 248/243 X in the poles.

G1bbons 211/176X 14 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures Duboff 2l l/86 X PATENIEuwc 1 3l974 SHEET 1 BF 3 Hes FIG. 3.

PAIENIEU we 1 31924 SHEET 3 [IF 3 ADJUSTABLE POLE SUPPORT SYSTEM The present invention relates generally to adjustable, supported furniture assemblies, and in particular to a pole supported furniture system in which furniture and accessories are removably mounted on vertical poles in a stable, horizontal arrangement.

The desire for variation in furniture arrangement, changing needs with regard to type and style of fumiture and the need for semi-permanent location of changeable furniture units without attendant structural damage of leased premises has resulted in the popularity of adjustable pole-supported furniture systems. In addition to residential requirements, various commercial establishments require flexible storage and display facilities to cope with changing needs and the desire for presentation of attractive and decorative displays.

In typical examples of pole-supported furniture assemblies on the market, article support means are attached to poles by complicated and expensive mechanical contrivances in order to ensure rigid semipermanent attachment of articles thereto along with resistance of the supported articles to rotational movement. Other attempts at solution of the problems of semi-permanent rigidity and rotational stability require the use of screws or other semi-permanent fastening means resulting in marring of the poles thereby greatly reducing flexibility of the system due to the appearance of unsightly remnants of previous arrangements.

Although, as noted above, pole supported adjustable furniture systems are available on the market, such systems are often expensive, limiting in the use which can be made therewith of ordinary furniture, difficult to assemble and adjust, unsightly when used in conjunction with electrical apparatus, and unstable when subjected to unbalanced loads. It would be desirable to provide a stable, easily installed and easily varied pole supported furniture system which was simple and inexpensive to manufacture, capable of maximum decorative use and adornment, and which could utilize cabinets, shelving materials and panelling of many different manufacturers. Further, a desired apparatus should be of a stable construction and permit the concealment of electrical conductors for lamps, radios, clocks, electronic equipment and the like which might be contained on or in the furniture suspended from the poles. Still further, a desirable system should be sufficiently flexible to permit the arrangement and easy rearrangement of a mixture of all of the various items of furniture mentioned.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable pole supported furniture system which realizes one or more of the aforesaid objectives. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a pole supported adjustable furniture system for supporting articles of furniture and the like which is simple to assemble and disassemble, permits virtually unlimited variety in arrangement and use of materials and results in a stable, non-permanent, variable furniture unit.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided an adjustable pole support system comprising, in combination, at least two vertical support poles and means for vertically mounting said poles. Each of the poles comprises a vertically extending body having first, vertically extending left and right channels each having a rear wall. Left and right side walls extend outwardly from said left and right channel rear walls defining said left and right channels therebetween. Front and rear flanges extend outwardly from each of the left and right side walls with the ends of the flanges fomiing lips in a manner that second, front and rear channels are defined thereby and are bounded respectively by the side walls, the flanges and the lips. A plurality of horizontally opposed pairs of vertically spaced apertures appear in at least two of the side walls of the poles, each of said apertures extending between one of said first channels and one of said second channels. The apertures are of a size to accept pin means, two of which are provided and are supported by a pair of said horizontally opposed vertically spaced apertures. At least two article supports are provided for use in horizontally supporting an article between the poles. The article supports comprise a face which is constructed and arranged to horizontally support at least a portion of the article. A first attachment means on the article support removably fixes the article support to the pin means. A second attachment means on the article support is vertically spaced from the first attachment means and is constructed and arranged to coact with a channel of a pole to maintain the article support substantially horizontal under the application of torsional forces to said article support.

The above description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a representative form of the present invention, showing various articles supported from poles;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along theline 2--2 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows showing a rear channel cap removed from a rear channel of a pole;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the pole of FIG. 2, showing the pole above a floor bearing pad;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a pole showing floor and ceiling bearing means in place thereon, a rug bearing pad in place thereunder, with parts of the structure broken away to show the internal structure of the ceiling bearing means and alternate, in situ, pin means;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows showing apertures in the pole;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one form of a pin means;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing an alternate form for apertures in the pole;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate form of a pin means;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing a form of a shelf bracket and a shelf;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken sub stantially along the line l0-l0 of FIG. 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing an alternate form of a shelf bracket and shelf;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 12 showing a mounting bracket strip attached to a cabinet and the cabinet supported on a pole;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a mounting bracket strip;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 13 showing the attachment of a light bar to a pole;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing a support bar supporting a portion of an object thereon;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 17-l7 of FIG. 16 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a panel supported between brackets; 7

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 15 showing the attachment of an alternate support bar to a pole; and,

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 13 showing an alternate mounting bracket strip attached to a cabinet and the cabinet supported on a pole.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, and first to FIG. I, there is shown an illustrative adjustable pole support system embodying features of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 20, which includes four substantiallyidentical poles 22 which are vertically supported between a ceiling C and a floor F in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. In this illustrative form of the invention, a number of articles are shown horizontally supported by thepoles 22 includingshelves 24, acabinet 26, a chest ofdrawers 28 and alight bar 30.

The constructional details of thepole 22 are best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 wherein the pole, which may be fabricated of brake-formed or roll-formed steel or other suitable material, is shown as being composed of two substantially identical vertically extending channel bars designated herein for convenience of notation as left andright pole sections 22a, 22b. The letters a and b are used throughout the description to denote, respectively, left and right substantially identical structures.

Centrally located, vertically extending left and rightrear walls 30a, 30b of left and right,pole sections 22a, 22b are attached to one another by any convenient means of permanent fastening, such as by spot welding or the like. Front and rear left andright side walls 320, 34a, 32b, 34b extend outwardly from left and rightrear walls 30a, 30b at right angles thereto in opposite directions from said rear walls on opposite sides of thepole 22. Front and rear left and right flanges 36a, 38a, 36b, 38b extend outwardly from therespective side walls 32a, 34a, 32b, 34b at right angles thereto and terminate in right angle, inwardly directedlips 40a, 42a, 40b, 42b.

Thus, due to the constructional configuration of thepole sections 22a, 22b, vertically extending left andright channels 44a, 44b are formed within thepole 22, bounded respectively by therear walls 30a, 30b, the front side walls 32a 32b and therear side walls 34a, 34b. In addition, vertically extending front andrear channels 48, 50 are formed within thepole 22, defined respectively by the juxtaposed substantially co-planar front and rear, left andright side walls 32a, 32b and 34a, 34b, the substantially parallel front and rear, left and right flanges 36a, 36b and 38a, 38b, as well as the front and rear, left andright lips 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b.

A plurality of vertically spaced apertures 52 (best seen in FIG. 5) appear within each of theside walls 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b (see FIG. 3) and extend between two adjacent channels, i.e.,channel 44a and eitherchannel 48 or 50, and channel 44b and either channel 48 or 50 (see FIG. 2). Consequently, both the front andrear channels 48, 50 are in communication with the left andright channels 44a, 44b for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

In order to conceal theapertures 52 from view at the front of the pole system 20, vertically extending from andrear channel caps 54, 56 are provided which includeears 58, 60 thereon for engagement withlips 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, permitting removable attachment of said caps to the front andrear channels 48, 50. Thecaps 54, 56 may be plain on theirouter faces 62, 64 as illustrated, or the outer faces thereof may include various designs thereon. Thecaps 54, 56 may be made of any suitable material such as plastic in colors or various wood grain effects, or may be made of metals or other material to match or contrast with the material and finish of thepoles 22. Y

The lower ends of thepoles 22 are maintained in a relatively fixed position on the floor F (see FIG. 1) by the use of afloor bearing pad 66, which is made of any suitable material such as rubber or the like. Thefloor bearing pad 66 may be supplied in a set of three similar pads of three different thicknesses to aid in vertical mounting and positioning of the pole described more fully hereinafter. Thefloor bearing pad 66 includes a countersunkopening 68 located centrally therein (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for use in fastening the pad to the floor F as by screws or the like. Thefloor bearing pad 66 includes front and rearchannel engaging bosses 70, 72 which, when thefloor bearing pad 66 is fastened to the floor F and thepole 22 is placed thereon, extend into the lower ends of the front andrear channels 48, 50 to aid in stabilizing the lower end of the pole (see FIG. 4).

In the event that it is desired or necessary to use the pole system 20 on a rug or carpet, a rug bearing pad 74 (See FIG. 4) is provided which may be made of the same material as thefloor bearing pad 66 and which includes a plurality ofteeth 76 on the bottom thereof for engagement with carpet pile thereby rendering the rug bearing pad relatively immobile with respect thereto. Thefloor bearing pad 66 is inserted into the bottom of thepole 22 and the combination is inserted into adepression 78 within the rug bearing pad 74. In the event that a more permanent affixation of the rug bearing pad 74 to the carpet is desired than can be accomplished by the use of theteeth 76 alone, acountersunk opening 80 is provided in the rug bearing pad to permit a more secure fastening of the rug bearing pad to the subflooring as by screws or the like (not shown).

The upper portion of thepole 22 is held between the ceiling C and the floor F by virtue of compressive forces exerted on thepole 22 by any one of a variety of means. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a generally cylindrical sleeve 82 (see FIG. 4) includes a slot 84 therein of sufficient width to enable the slot to straddle the top of the combinedrear walls 30a, 30b. Aceiling bearing pad 86 is inserted on the top of the sleeve 82, is secured thereto by, e.g., pin means (not shown), and is designed to bear against the ceiling C. The aforementioned compressive force is supplied by a spring 88 contained within the sleeve 82 which bears against theceiling bearing pad 86 and the combinedrear walls 30a, 30b. The spring 88 is compressed by the positioning of thepole 22 between the floor F and the ceiling C. The compressive force may be varied by, for example, shortening the length of the sleeve 82 by any convenient means.

In order to support theshelves 24 in relatively fixed relation to thepoles 22, ashelf support bracket 90 is provided (see FIGS. 9 and which may be made of any suitable material such as sheet steel or the like. Theshelf support bracket 90 includes aface 92 which has a flangedlower portion 94 bent at a right angle thereto which is designed to support one end of ashelf 24. The upper portion of theshelf support bracket 90 is of a width equal to the width of the left orright channels 44a or 44b and has two right angle bends therein forming a shelfsupport bracket hook 96.

The shelfsupport bracket hook 96 is designed to engage abracket support pin 98, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. A suggested form for thebracket support pin 98, shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, includes a pin of generally circular cross section and of a length to be supported by a pair of horizontally opposedapertures 52 in either the left orright channel 44a or 44b. Thebracket support pin 98 includes ends which lie in non-parallel planes to prevent accidental disengagement of the pin from theapertures 52.

To aid in providing lateral stability and the maintenance of a horizontal attitude for theshelves 24, even when subjected to torsional forces due to unbalanced loading thereof, a lateral support tab 100 (see FIG. 10) is formed in theface 92 of theshelf support bracket 90. The lateral support tab l00 is of a width substantially equal to the width of the left or right channels 440 or 44b and projects rearwardly from theface 92 to contactside walls 320 and 34a or 32b and 34b of the poles left or right channel to provide the required lateral stability.

FIGS. 11 and 12 best illustrate an alternateshelf support bracket 90c, which has a face 920, which vertically spans a number of the vertically spacedapertures 52. Aflange 94c projects outwardly from theface 92c of theshelf support bracket 90c, and may either be of sufficient outward extent to support ashelf 24 in the manner offlange 94 ofshelf support bracket 90 or, in the alternative, may be somewhat shorter and designed to mate with acove 102 of a shelf 240, as shown in FIG. 12.

The upper end of shelf support bracket 900 is of a width approximately equal to the width of left orright pole channels 44a or 44b, and forms a shelf support bracket hook 960 with a forward facing opening for engaging an upperbracket support pin 98. The lower end of shelf support bracket 920 is likewise of the width of the left orright pole channels 44a or 44b and forms arearwardly opening hook 104 for engaging a vertically spaced, lowerbracket support pin 98.

Numerous articles of standard manufacture, other than shelves, may be supported from the pole system 20 such as thecabinet 26 and the chest ofdrawers 28. Thepoles 22 are spaced sufficiently apart to accommodate the width of the standard articles. Anyshelves 24 to be included betweenpoles 22 which will support other articles of furniture must, naturally, be selected of a length compatible therewith.

For mounting standard articles of furniture on the pole system 20, a mountingstrip 106 is provided (see FIG. 14) which includes, formed in the face thereof, a plurality of mountinghooks 108 of a width substantially equal to the width of the left orright channels 44a or 44b. A number ofopenings 110 are provided in the face of the mountingstrip 106 for use in attachment of the mounting strip to, for example, thecabinet 26 by thescrews 112 as shown in FIG. 13. One or moremounting strips 106 may be attached to the articles of furniture to be supported by thepole 22, depending on the size thereof and the support required.

In addition to theshelves 24 and 24c and the other articles of furniture which may be supported by the pole system 20, various other items may be similarly added thereto. For example,support bar 30 has a mounting strip 114 (see FIG. 15) attached to each of the ends thereof. The mountingstrip 114 includeshooks 116 spaced to engage support pins 98 for mounting of thesupport bar 30 between adjacent poles. In the embodiment illustrated, a plurality ofincandescent bulbs 118 are shown contained withinfixtures 120 attached to the interior of thesupport bar 30 by brackets 122.

In assembling the adjustable pole support system 20, components of equal length are selected to be supported betweenadjacent poles 22 andfloor bearing pads 66 are located predetermined distances apart on the floor F. If additional stability is desired, thefloor pads 66 are affixed to the floor F by the use of a screw or the like inserted through theaperture 68 within each floor bearing pad.

The spring 88 is placed within the sleeve 82, theceiling bearing pad 86 placed on the top of the sleeve and the entire sleeve assembly is placed with the slot 84 straddlingrear walls 30a and 30b of apole 22. Thepole 22 is located in registry with the positionedfloor bearing pad 66 by placing the ceiling bearing pad against the ceiling over the floor bearing pad and the spring 88 is compressed by forcing thepole 22 upward. Thepole 22 is then lowered over thefloor bearing pad 66 in a manner that the front and rearchannel engaging bosses 70, 72 engage the front andrear channels 48, 50 of the pole. If necessary, the sleeve 82 may be shortened by any convenient means, e.g., a hacksaw, to increase the compressive force applied to the pole.

The nextadjacent pole 22 is positioned in a like manner, the above-mentioned predetermined distance from the first pole with the left and right channels of the respective poles facing each other. One or more floor bearing pads 74 of varying thickness is inserted beneath the second pole to horizontally align corresponding apertures of adjacent poles and also aid in providing the necessary compressive force to maintain vertical stability.

Naturally, if the adjustable pole system is to be assembled on a rug or carpet, the rug bearing pad 74 would be placed on the rug prior to the placement of thepole 22. Also, if it is desired, the rug bearing pad 74 may be used as the sole lower stabilizing means, thefloor bearing pad 66 being dispensed with, if the proper horizontal alignment of corresponding apertures and sufficient compressive force is obtainable without the use thereof.

To support one of theshelves 24, abracket support pin 98 is placed in two horizontally opposedapertures 52 in the side walls of, for example, the right channel 46 of apole 22.'Ashelf support bracket 90 is placed with the shelfsupport bracket hook 96 over thebracket support pin 98. Anotherbracket support pin 98 is placed at a corresponding vertical location within two horizontally opposedapertures 52 of the left channel 44 of a facing,adjacent pole 22 and anothershelf support bracket 90 is placed with the shelfsupport bracket hook 96 thereof over the otherbracket support pin 98. Theshelf 24 is then placed with its ends on theflanges 94 of the facingshelf support brackets 90. Fastening means such as screws 124 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) may be used to fasten theshelf 24 to theshelf support brackets 90. In position in this manner,tabs 100 of theshelf support brackets 90 provide the required lateral stability and maintenance of horizontal position despite subjection of theshelf 24 to torsional forces by nonsymmetrical loading thereof.

As an alternative to thebracket support pin 98 designed to fit withinapertures 52, a bracket support pin 98c (see FIG. 8) may be provided which is straight for its entire length and which has enlarged andpieces 126 requiring alternate apertures 52c as shown in FIG. 7. Naturally, other variations in brackets, support pins and shape and arrangement of apertures are possible beyond those illustrated.

To use the shelf support bracket 900 shown in FIGS.

11 and 12, two bracket support pins 98 are required for each shelf support bracket and are positioned a vertical distance apart determined by the vertical spacing of the upper and lower shelf support bracket hooks 960, 104. Thepoles 22 are arranged as described hereinbefore and the upper shelfsupport bracket hook 96c is initially forced to engage an upperbracket support pin 98. The lower shelfsupport bracket hook 104 is then forced to engage a lowerbracket support pin 98 which, due to the distance between the centers of thehooks 96c and 104, causes the lower bracket support pin to be raised within theaperture 52. The justdescribed arrangement of the bracket support pins 98 ensures rigid support of the shelf support bracket 900 by both the upper and lower bracket support pins. A similarshelf support bracket 90c is attached at a corresponding vertical location on anadjacent pole 22 and ashelf24c having coves 102 at either end thereof is placed so as to have the coves engage the flanges 940 of the respectiveshelf support brackets 90 c.

Cabinets 26, chests ofdrawers 28, or other like articles of furniture are attached by securing mountingstrips 106 to the sides thereof and engaginghooks 108 thereof with correspondingly placed bracket support pins 98 within appropriate apertures of properly spaced andsecured poles 22.

Light bar 30 which is shown supportingincandescent bulbs 118, may also support fluorescent bulbs (not shown) or other devices. In any event, thelight bar 30 and associated structure is supported by the adjustable pole support system 20 by the use of mountingbracket strips 114, thehooks 116 of which engage properly placed bracket support pins 98.

With theincandescent lights 118, as with other electric or electronic apparatus (not shown) electrical connection to a power source is required. The necessary wiring for such apparatus may be passed through appropriate openings in the mounting plates, for example theopening 128 in mounting strip 114 (see FIG. 15), and led through one of theapertures 52 to be carried within a front orrear channel 48 or 50. The wiring may then exit from thechannel 48 or 50 through anaperture 52 at or near the bottom of the rear of thepole 22. The front and rear channels thus function as convenient conduits for any required electrical connections.

To conceal any included wiring, as well as theapertures 52, the channel caps 54, 56 may be snapped in place on thepole 22 thereby decorating the front andrear channels 48, 50 as well. Additionally, portions of channel caps 54, 56 may be positioned between unoccupied vertical portions of right and left channels as the channel openings of all channels are substantially the same, thereby providing a finished appearance to the completed system. In addition, the left andright channels 44a, 44b of the first andlast poles 22 of an assembled system can be completely covered with channel caps.

Among the many variations possible which are considered to be within the scope of the present invention would be the use of a generally U-shaped support bar 130 (see FIGS. 16 to 19) which may be used for a variety of functions to be described.

Thebar 130 includes a central longitudinally extendingtop leg 132 and front and rearlongitudinally extending legs 134, 136 extending perpendicularly downward therefrom (see FIGS. 16 and 17). Asupport bar hook 138, of a width approximating the width between side walls 32, 34 of apole 22 extends downwardly from thecentral leg 132 in the same direction therefrom as the front andrear legs 134, 136. Thesupport bar hook 138 is adapted to fit over apin 98 supported by thepole 22 with a similarsupport bar hook 138 appearing on the opposite end of the support bar 130 (not shown) to support the bar between twopoles 22.

A table 140, or the like (see FIGS. 16 and 17), may have one end thereof supported on the top of thecentral leg 132 of thesupport bar 130 and extend between thepoles 22 supporting the supportingbar 130. The distal end of the table 140 may be supported by a support leg (not shown). For added stability, the table 140 may be secured to thesupport bar 130 by fastening means such as thescrew 142 inserted therein through an opening 144 in thecentral leg 132 of thesupport bar 130.

Alternately, asupport bar 130a may be provided (see FIGS. 18 and 19) which is similar to thesupport bar 130, except that thehook 138a thereof is bent in the opposite direction from the front andrear legs 134a, 136a with respect to thecentral leg 132a. Thesupport bar 130a is mounted with thehook 138a thereof over apin 98 supported by apole 22. When mounted in this position, thecentral leg 132a is usable as a bottom support and apanel 146 of a thickness approximating the distance between the front andrear legs 134a, 136a is supportable by thesupport bar 130a within the U- 9 shaped channel formed by the front, central, andrear legs 134a, 132a, 136a.

In a like manner, asupport bar 130 may be used to secure the upper portion of thepanel 146 within the U- shaped channel therein, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. Here again, fastening means such as ascrew 142 or the like may be used to provide secure support of thepanel 146 by the support bars 130, 130a by being inserted through openings 144, 1440 therein. The support bars 130, 130a extend completely between twopoles 22 and thus completely support apanel 146 therebetween useful as, for example, a chalk board or display board.

As yet another variation of the present invention, a generally cylindrical support bar 148 (see FIG. 20) may be provided with asupport bar hook 150 at each of its outer ends. Thesupport bar 148 is of a length to be supported uponpins 98 ofadjacent poles 22. Thecylindrical support bar 148 may be utilized in much the same manner as the support bars 130, 130a described hereinbefore if the upper and lower portion thereof are open. Alternately, in commercial applications, thecylindrical support bar 148 may be used for the display of merchandise on hangers or other supports, thus permitting easy manipulation in combination with firm support of the merchandise hangers.

Also, a mountingbracket strip 106a (see FIG. 21) is considered within the scope of the invention. The mountingbracket strip 106a is similar to the mounting bracket strip 106 (see FIGS. 13 and 14), but includes an additional lower support flange l52-to aid in positioning thecabinet 26 or chest ofdrawers 28 which is mounted thereby.

Naturally, there are other variations considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which have not been shown, such as the adoption ofchannels 44a, 44b, 48 or 50 which are other than orthogonal. For example, triangular channels could be used with similar triangular shaped shelf support bracket hooks 96. Further, various combinations of shapes of books and shapes of channels would function to provide the necessary resistance to torsional forces, though the presently illustrated combination is preferred.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may be used in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. For example, the presently illustratedpole 22 can be made and sold with the substantiallyidentical sections 22a, 22b spaced and apart from one another. The sections may then either be fastened together by upper and lower fastening means, auxiliary fastening means between the top and the bottom thereof, or may be used singly with articles being supported from a single pole at one or a multitude of levels. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable pole support system comprising, in combination, at least two vertical poles and means for vertically mounting said poles, each of said poles having a first pair of vertical channels with opposed, substantially parallel side walls spaced a given distance apart, a second pair of vertical channels each having a rear wall, said second pair of channels being disposed substantially at right angles to said first pair of channels, a plurality of pairs of horizontally opposed vertically spaced apertures in two of said vertical channels extending between the side wall of one of said first pair of vertical channels and said rear wall of one of said second pair of vertical channels, at least two pin means each removably supported within one of said first pair of channels by a pair of said horizontally opposed vertically spaced apertures, at least two article supports rigidly joined together in vertically spaced relationship for use in horizontal support of an article between said poles, each of said article supports including hook means engaging said pin means and being supported by said pin means, and said hook means having a width substantially equal to said given distance and having at least a part thereof extending in substantially the same direction as said side walls for coacting therewith to maintain said article supports substantially horizontal under the application of torsional forces thereto.

2. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 including vertical cap means for closing said vertical channels thereby rendering said vertically spaced apertures substantially undetectable.

3. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1, wherein said vertical mounting means includes a floor bearing pad having bosses on the top thereof for engaging the bottom of said second pair of vertical channels, a sleeve having a slot, said slot including means for mounting of said sleeve on the upper end of said pole, a ceiling bearing pad fixed to the top of said sleeve, a compression spring within said sleeve for bearing against the top of said vertical channel side walls and said ceiling bearing pad thereby providing sufficient compressive force on said pole for removably vertically mounting said pole between a ceiling and a floor.

4. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 wherein said article support has a face and includes an article support hook and a lateral support tab, both said article support hook and said lateral support tab extending in the same direction from said face of said article support and being of a width approximating the width between said side walls, a flange extending outwardly from the face of said article support in the opposite direction from said article support hook for at least partially supporting an article thereon.

5. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 wherein said article support includes a face having a forward projecting flange thereon for at least partially supporting an article, a forwardly opening hook on said article support for engaging one of said pin means, a rearwardly opening hook spaced vertically from said forwardly opening hook for engaging another of said pin means, both of said hooks being a width substantially the same width as said given distance between said side walls, whereby said first and second hooks maintain said article support substantially horizontal under the application of torsional forces thereto.

6. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 wherein said article support comprises a mounting bracket strip including at least two vertically spaced pin engaging hooks of substantially the same width as the given distance between said side walls for coacting therewith for maintaining said mounting bracket strip horizontal under the application of torsional forces thereto, and means for mounting said mounting bracket strip to an article to be adjustably supported by said adjustable pole support system.

7. An adjustable pole support system according toclaim 2 wherein each of said poles comprises a pair of abutting rear walls, side walls spaced a given distance from one another and extending outwardly from each of said rear walls definingleft and right channels therebetween with said rear walls, each of said side walls having flanges extending outwardly therefrom with inwardly facing lips thereon wherein a pair of open front and rear vertically extending channels are formed being defined by said lips said flanges and said side walls, each of said article supports including support hooks having a width substantially equal to said given distance between said side walls, a plurality of pairs of horizontally opposed vertically spaced apertures in said walls extending between two of said channels, said cap means including ears for co-acting with said lips for removably mounting said cap means on said channels, thereby rendering said vertically spaced apertures substantially undetectable.

8. In combination an adjustable pole support system having at least one vertical pole having opposed, substantially parallel side walls bounding a channel, said channel side walls being spaced a given distance apart, an article support, a plurality of horizontally opposed vertically spaced mounting means within said channel side walls adjustably mounting said article support on said pole, first and second means on said article support mounting said article support on said vertically spaced mounting means, at least one of said first and second means defining a hook said first and second means being rigidly joined together in vertically spaced relationship with each other, each of said means being of a width substantially equal to said given distance and extending in substantially the same direction as said side walls for coaction therewith to retain said article support in a fixed position under the application of torsional forces thereto.

9. Anadjustable pole support system according to claim 8 wherein said vertically spaced mounting means includes a plurality of generally oval apertures in said wide walls and further includes pin means for releasably coacting with said apertures for adjustably mounting said article support on said pole.

10. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 9, said pin means being generally cylindrical, the ends thereof being arranged to lie in non-parallel planes for preventing accidental removal of said pin means from said apertures.

11. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 8 wherein each of said first and second means is of a width to fit snugly in said channel between the side walls thereof.

12. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 8 wherein said first and second means includes a tab of a width to fit snugly in said channel between the side walls thereof.

13. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 9 including a further pin extending between and mounted on said side walls, said further pin being spaced from said first named pin, said other of said first and second means including a further hook, said further hook being engaged over said further pin.

14. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 9, said pin being generally cylindrical, the ends thereof being arranged to lie in non-parallel planes for preventing accidental demounting of said pin from said side walls.

Claims (14)

1. An adjustable pole support system comprising, in combination, at least two vertical poles and means for vertically mounting said poles, each of said poles having a first pair of vertical channels with opposed, substantially parallel side walls spaced a given distance apart, a second pair of vertical channels each having a rear wall, said second pair of channels being disposed substantially at right angles to said first pair of channels, a plurality of pairs of horizontally opposed vertically spaced apertures in two of said vertical channels extending between the side wall of one of said first pair of vertical channels and said rear wall of one of said second pair of vertical channels, at least two pin means each removably supported within one of said first pair of channels by a pair of said horizontally opposed vertically spaced apertures, at least two article supports rigidly joined together in vertically spaced relationship for use in horizontal support of an article between said poles, each of said article supports including hook means engaging said pin means and being supported by said pin means, and said hook means having a width substantially equal to said given distance and having at least a part thereof extending in substantially the same direction as said side walls for coacting therewith to maintain said article supports substantially horizontal under the application of torsional forces thereto.

2. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 including vertical cap means for closing said vertical channels thereby rendering said vertically spaced apertures substantially undetectable.

3. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1, wherein said vertical mounting means includes a floor bearing pad having bosses on the top thereof for engaging the bottom of said second pair of vertical channels, a sleeve having a slot, said slot including means for mounting of said sleeve on the upper end of said pole, a ceiling bearing pad fixed to the top of said sleeve, a compression spring within said sleeve for bearing against the top of said vertical channel side walls and said ceiling bearing pad thereby providing sufficient compressive force on said pole for removably vertically mounting said pole between a ceiling and a floor.

4. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 wherein said article support has a face and includes an article support hook and a lateral support tab, both said article support hook and said lateral support tab extending in the same direction from said face of said article support and being of a width approximating the width between said side walls, a flange extending outwardly from the face of said article support in the opposite direction from said article support hook for at least partially supporting an article thereon.

5. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 wherein said article support includes a face having a forward projecting flange thereon for at least partially supporting an article, a forwardly opening hook on said article support for engaging one of said pin means, a rearwardly opening hook spaced vertically from said forwardly opening hook for engaging another of said pin means, both of said hooks being a width substantially the same width as said given distance between said side walls, whereby said first and second hooks maintain said article support substantially horizontal under the application of torsional forces thereto.

6. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 1 wherein said article support comprises a mounting bracket strip including at least two vertically spaced pin engaging hooks of substantially the same width as the given distance between said side walls for coacting therewith for maintaining said mounting bracket strip horizontal under the application of torsional forces thereto, and means for mounting said mounting bracket strip to an article to be adjustably supported by said adjustable pole support system.

7. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 2 wherein each of said poles comprises a pair of abutting rear walls, side walls spaced a given distance from one another and extending outwardly from each of said rear walls defining left and right channels therebetween with said rear walls, each of said side walls having flanges extending outwardly therefrom with inwardly facing lips thereon wherein a pair of open front and rear vertically extending channels are formed being defined by said lips said flanges and said side walls, each of said article supports including support hooks having a width substantially equal to said given distance between said side walls, a plurality of pairs of horizontally opposed vertically spaced apertures in said walls extending between two of said channels, said cap means including ears for co-acting with said lips for removably mounting said cap means on said channels, thereby rendering said vertically spaced apertures substantially undetectable.

8. In combination an adjustable pole support system having at least one vertical pole having opposed, substantially parallel side walls bounding a channel, said channel side walls being spaced a given distance apart, an article support, a plurality of horizontally opposed vertically spaced mounting means within said channel side walls adjustably mounting said article support on said pole, first and second means on said article support mounting said article support on said vertically spaced mounting means, at least one of said first and second means defining a hook said first and second means being rigidly joined together in vertically spaced relationship with each other, each of said means being of a width substantially equal to said given distance and extending in substantially the same direction as said side walls for coaction therewith to retain said article support in a fixed position under the application of torsional forces thereto.

9. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 8 wherein said vertically spaced mounting means includes a plurality of generally oval apertures in said wide walls and further includes pin means for releasably coacting with said apertures for adjustably mounting said article support on said pole.

10. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 9, said pin means being generally cylindrical, the ends thereof being arranged to lie in non-parallel planes for preventing accidental removal of said pin means from said apertures.

11. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 8 wherein each of said first and second means is of a width to fit snugly in said channel between the side walls thereof.

12. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 8 wherein said first and second means includes a tab of a width to fit snugly in said channel between the side walls thereof.

13. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 9 including a further pin extending between and mounted on said side walls, said further pin being spaced from said first named pin, said other of said first and second means including a further hook, said further hook being engaged over said further pin.

14. An adjustable pole support system according to claim 9, said pin being generally cylindrical, the ends thereof being arranged to lie in non-parallel planes for preventing accidental demounting of said pin from said side walls.

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