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:
May. 17, 2016
Filed:
Apr. 27, 2015
Altria Group Distribution Company, Richmond, VA (US);
Dathan G. Zang, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Donald M. Farnquist, II, Muskegon, MI (US);
Benjamin B. Edinger, Grand Haven, MI (US);
William J. Parsons, Hamilton, MI (US);
ALTRIA GROUP DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, Richmond, VA (US);
Abstract
An article support, such as a shelf, is securely attachable at a plurality of locations along a generally vertical support or rail. The article support includes a support-engaging portion having one or more tabs, at least one of which is a locking tab having a forward-extending tooth that engages the vertical support, when the tab or tabs extend through slots in the support. Optionally, a biasing element urges the article away from the support to maintain secure engagement of the locking tab with the support. The resulting shelving system or article support system is resistant to accidental detachment of the article supports from the supports and permits relatively small adjustment intervals for the article supports along the supports.