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Bookcase

Storage units, such as book cases, cubby hole boxes or cubbies, and cabinets or lockers have long been used. Shelving units, such as bookcases and room dividers, are typically of one-piece, rectangular construction having a base, support sides, a top, and a number of horizontal shelves arranged between the top and base and supported by the sides. Numerous bookcases exist which can be used to house or store books. Since most books are of similar sizes (in height and depth) and are dimensioned to be substantially self-supporting, bookcases have become quite standardized. Conventional bookcases are made to be a one-piece structure which includes a top board, a bottom board, two sidewalls and one or two front doors. All of the parts are fixedly by nails (for wood boards) or by way of welding (for metal boards). Standard bookcases are commonplace as fixed storage units for books in the home or office. Such bookcases vary in size, but are typically built of rigid structural materials like wood or metal, large enough to accommodate many books, and often cumbersome to move, especially when filled with books. There is a myriad of different free standing bookcases and shelf units on the market today. Many of these pieces of furniture are of the knock-down variety in that they may be purchased as a kit or package and assembled by the purchaser. Aside from conventional custom built or made to fit bookcases produced through carpentry, there are numerous free standing bookcases and shelf units on the market today. Bookends are available to hold a small number of books on a desktop, but bookends tend to slide apart, allowing the books to fall over, especially when one or more books is removed.

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