Stackable shelf unit

Claim 1

A stackable shelf unit capable of being supported and stacked upon an associated like shelf unit without the use of fasteners, comprising: a pair of laterally spaced, generally U-shaped side frame members arranged in parallel relation, each said side frame member comprising a single length of metal wire and each including a horizontal portion and a pair of integral, downwardly depending resiliently flexible legs extending downwardly from respective ends of said horizontal portion at generally right angles; a plurality of spaced apart, laterally extending shelf members affixed to and extending between said horizontal portions of said side frame members for supporting objects, said resilient legs depending freely below said shelf members, the endmost ones of said shelf members extending between respective ends of said horizontal portions in closely spaced relation to said freely depending resilient legs; and releasably lockable stacking means comprising an offset portion of each of said legs; each said offset portion including a substantially horizontal support portion adapted to be supported on said like shelf unit, and a substantially vertical locking portion depending from said horizontal portion, each said horizontal portion extending longitudinally relative to said shelf unit a distance corresponding to the relative positioning of said endmost ones of shelf members with respect to said freely depending legs so that stacking with said like shelf unit can be effected by disposition of the endmost ones of the shelf members of the like shelf unit at the respective junctions of the horizontal support portions and vertical locking portions of the offset portions of said freely depending legs, said stacking means providing resiliently biased, releasable engagement of each said offset portion with said associated like shelf unit by the resilience of said legs for support and stacking of the shelf unit on said like shelf unit.