The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
May. 08, 2001
Eric A. Fulbright, Jonesboro, AR (US);
L.A.Darling Company, Paragould, AR (US);
Abstract
A shelf system having a shelf and a bracket. The bracket and shelf interlock to form a snap together unit. The shelf has a channel formed along each of its lateral edges, and each channel extends from the front to the rear of the shelf. The channel is downwardly facing. A tab is lanced out of the side wall of the shelf, and positioned within the channel to form an interference member. A whole is punched in the bracket to cooperate with the tab and the webbed material between the hole and the upper edge of the bracket interferes with the tab, thereby preventing removal of the bracket from the channel after the bracket is assembled to the shelf. The side wall of the shelf is flexible to allow insertion of the bracket beyond the tab. Additionally, secondary engagement means is provided between the lower edge of each rib on the shelf and a support finger on the bracket after the brackets are inserted into the channels of the shelf, the brackets are firmly attached to the shelf.