U.S. patent application number 10/755263 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for storage rack reinforcement/repair unit.
Invention is credited to Kimball, Richard L..
Application Number | 20050150853 10/755263 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34739544 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050150853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kimball, Richard L. |
July 14, 2005 |
Storage rack reinforcement/repair unit
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the repair, reinforcement and
protection of damaged upright support members of typical commercial
and industrial storage rack systems is disclosed. The invention
employs a rigid vertical channel attached to an accommodating base
plate to wrap around and bring into secure alignment a damaged
upright storage rack support member. The invention is designed to
be used to repair damaged upright storage rack support members
without requiring the disassembly of the storage rack or the
removal of product being stored on the rack.
Inventors: |
Kimball, Richard L.;
(Alabaster, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wm. Randall May
Allison, May, Alvis, Fuhrmeister,
Kimbrough & Sharp, LLC
1300 Corporate Drive
Birmingham
AL
35242
US
|
Family ID: |
34739544 |
Appl. No.: |
10/755263 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/189 ;
211/187; 211/190 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 1/02 20130101; A47B
91/00 20130101; A47F 5/0018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/189 ;
211/190; 211/187 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A storage rack repair and reinforcement unit for repairing,
reinforcing and protecting a damaged upright support member of a
storage rack assembly comprises: an elongated channel member having
a C-shaped cross-section defining a face panel and two side panels
and having a plurality of alignment and attachment holes spaceably
positioned along the length of the face panel of said channel
member; and, a base plate member perpendicularly attached to one
end of said channel member, said base plate member having
dimensions extending substantially beyond the external
cross-sectional dimensions of said channel member and said base
plate member having a portion of said base plate removed along one
of its sides so as to align with the internal cross-sectional
dimensions of said channel member; means for securing said base
plate member to a rigid flat surface such as a concrete or metal
floor; and, means for securing said upright support member of said
storage rack assembly to the face panel of said channel member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal cross-sectional
dimensions of said channel member are sufficient to accommodate and
nestably receive the external linear dimensions of said upright
support member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated channel member
comprises a length of structural steel.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base plate member is
U-shaped and is comprised of structural steel.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base plate member is
rigidly attached to said elongated channel member as by
welding.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base plate member is
secured to said rigid flat surface by a plurality of bolts which
engage mounting holes spacably positioned around the perimeter of
said base plate member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upright support member is
secured to the face panel of said channel member by a plurality of
bolts which engage said alignment and attachment holes of said face
panel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said storage rack repair and
reinforcement unit is used to leverage said damaged upright support
member into proper alignment for attachment to the face panel of
said channel member.
9. A method of repairing, reinforcing and protecting a damaged
upright support member of a storage rack assembly comprising the
steps of: securing a storage rack repair and reinforcement unit to
the floor or other surface supporting said storage rack assembly at
the location on said supporting surface occupied by, or previously
occupied by, said damaged upright support member; said storage rack
repair and reinforcement unit comprising an elongated channel
member vertically attached to a base plate member, using said
storage rack repair and reinforcement unit as leverage to bend or
otherwise straighten said damaged upright support member so as to
align said support member with the elongated channel member of said
repair and reinforcement unit, and, attaching said upright support
member to said elongated channel member.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said channel member has a
C-shaped cross-section defining a face panel and two side panels
and having a plurality of alignment and attachment holes spaceably
positioned along the length of said face panel of said channel
member.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein said base plate member is
rigidly attached to one end of said elongated channel member and
has dimensions extending substantially beyond the external
cross-sectional dimensions of said channel member and having a
portion of said base plate member removed along one of its sides so
as to align with the internal cross-sectional dimensions of said
channel member.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein said elongated channel member
comprises a length of structural steel.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein said base plate member is
U-shaped and is comprised of structural steel.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein said base plate member and is
rigidly attached to said elongated channel member as by
welding.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein said base plate member is
secured to said supporting surface by a plurality of bolts which
engage mounting holes spacably positioned around the perimeter of
said base plate member.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein said upright support member is
attached to said elongated channel member by a plurality of bolts
which engage said alignment and attachment holes of said face
panel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to commercial and
industrial storage rack systems. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for
repairing, reinforcing and protecting damaged upright support
members of typical commercial and industrial storage rack
assemblies in use today.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Forklift and other mechanical damage to the upright support
members or legs of commercial and industrial warehouse-type storage
racks is a major problem in the United States and in other
industrialized countries. The support legs and other frame members
of most commercial and industrial grade storage rack systems in use
today are formed or constructed utilizing 14 to 16-gauge sheet
steel. The sheet steel used to form these legs or frame members is
usually cold rolled into a square shape thereby forming a
structural frame member having four corners. The corners of the
structural member formed in this manner give the member its
strength. However, once a structural member is damaged and one or
more corners of the member become bent, twisted, broken or cut, the
compression strength of the member, especially members used for
upright support, is severely compromised. In most cases the damaged
support member cannot be effectively repaired and the member (or
quite often the entire rack assembly) must be completely replaced.
While the storage rack systems in use today are indeed strong and
durable, the structural frame members, especially the legs or
ground support members, are easily damaged by the heavy equipment
typically used to load and unload product from the shelves or
decking of the storage racks. The replacement or repair of damaged
upright ground support members of these storage rack systems is, at
best, a very labor intensive, and thus very costly, operation
resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in material and repair
costs every year. Presently, in order to repair or replace a
damaged upright support member of a typical warehouse-type storage
rack, the product being stored on the rack must first be removed
from the rack shelves or decking and then stored or reshelved at
another location. The rack decking and the rack beams must then be
removed from the storage rack assembly for access to the damaged
rack support member. Once the damaged rack support member has been
repaired, or in most instances--replaced, the rack decking and the
rack beams must be reassembled and the previously relocated product
must then be retrieved and returned to the rack decking and placed
in the proper order for inventory purposes.
[0003] It would be expedient; therefore, to provide a method and
apparatus for efficiently repairing, reinforcing and protecting
damaged upright support members of typical commercial and
industrial storage rack assemblies wherein said assemblies do not
have to be disassembled and wherein existing product being stored
on said storage racks does not have to be removed and relocated in
order to effectuate the repair operation.
[0004] Various devices have been proposed for protecting, replacing
or repairing the frame members of warehouse-type storage racks.
However, known devices, such as those disclosed in applicant's
information disclosure statement submitted herewith, are not
without disadvantages, disabilities, limitations and/or
shortcomings which are addressed and overcome by the design,
function and use of the present invention.
[0005] The present invention is a modification and significant
improvement over prior art and incorporates unique, novel and cost
effective design features which distinguish the invention over the
existing art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of this
invention to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for
the repair, reinforcement and protection of damaged upright support
members of typical storage rack systems.
[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention, a storage rack
reinforcement and repair unit comprises a C-shaped, hot-cast,
structural steel channel attached at one end to an oversized
U-shaped base or floor plate. Said channel having a plurality of
strategically placed, and precisely spaced, holes along its length
for engaging the pre-stamped deck adjustment holes of typical
storage rack upright support members. Said U-shaped floor plate and
said C-shaped channel having dimensions designed to nestably wrap
around the exterior dimensions of typical storage rack upright
support members.
[0008] An important advantage of the present invention is the
provision of a storage rack reinforcement and repair unit which can
be effectively used to repair, reinforce and protect damaged
upright support members of typical warehouse-type storage rack
systems without having to disassemble the storage rack or remove
product(s) or other stored items from the shelves or decking of the
storage rack in order to effectuate the repair operation.
[0009] Another important advantage of the present invention is the
provision of a storage rack reinforcement and repair unit that does
not require the removal or replacement of damaged upright support
members or cross brace members.
[0010] Another advantage of the present invention is the provision
of a storage rack reinforcement and repair unit that substantially
reduces the cost for repairing damaged upright support members.
[0011] A further advantage of the present invention resides in the
ability to install and use the invention on virtually any damaged
upright storage rack support member, regardless of the extent of
damage to the support member.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is the provision
of a storage rack reinforcement and repair unit that does not
require the cutting of the old or damaged upright support members
in order to effectively install and use the invention.
[0013] Another advantage of the present invention is the provision
of a storage rack reinforcement and repair unit for repairing and
reinforcing damaged upright support members that provides much
greater protection from future damage to said support members.
[0014] Another advantage of the present invention resides in its
ability to be retrofitted to any existing upright storage rack
support member.
[0015] A further advantage of the present invention resides in the
ability to use the device to straighten damaged storage rack
support members during the installation and repair operation.
[0016] A further advantage of the present invention is the
provision of a storage rack reinforcement and repair unit that does
not require cutting, heating or welding to effectively install and
use the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will be apparent from the following more
particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings in which reference characters refer to
the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the invention shown fully deployed and attached to an upright
support member of a typical storage rack assembly.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a damaged upright support
member of a typical storage rack assembly.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the base plate and
structural channel of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in an
uninstalled configuration.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a prospective side angle view of the embodiment of
FIG. 1 showing the device in a fully deployed and attached
configuration.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a prospective rear view of the embodiment of FIG.
1 showing the device in a fully deployed and attached
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1
shows a storage rack reinforcement and repair unit 100 designed for
use in repairing, reinforcing and protecting damaged upright
support members 201 of typical commercial or industrial
warehouse-type storage rack assemblies 200.
[0024] The storage rack reinforcement and repair unit 100 of FIG. 1
comprises a channel member 10 having a C-shaped cross-section; said
channel member 10 being attached at one end to a U-shaped base
plate member 20.
[0025] As best seen in FIG. 3, the U-shaped base plate member 20
comprises a flat structural steel plate 21 having a top side 22 and
a bottom or floor side 23 and having an essentially square-shaped
section 24 centrally removed from said plate 21 at one edge 25.
[0026] The removal of said square-shaped section 24 from said plate
21 creates the overall U-shape of said plate member 20 and forms an
internal recessed edge 26 situated between a pair of internal
parallel edges 27. Said base plate member 20 having dimensions
extending substantially beyond the external cross-sectional
dimensions of said channel member 10. The base plate member 20
further comprises a plurality of mounting holes 28 spacably
positioned along the perimeter of said plate 21 for use in
attaching or securing said base plate member 20 to the floor of a
warehouse building or other structure.
[0027] The C-shaped channel member 10, by definition, has three
sides comprising a face panel 11 and two side panels 12 and having
a top end 13 and a bottom end 14. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3 &
5, the face panel 11 of said channel member 10 further comprises a
plurality of strategically placed, and precisely spaced, attachment
holes 15 along the length of said channel member 10. Said
attachment holes 15 are designed for aligning with, and for
engagement of, the pre-stamped adjustment holes 202 of a rack
support member 201 during the installation of the storage rack
reinforcement and repair unit 100. As best viewed in FIG. 3, the
bottom end 14 of said channel member 10 is rigidly attached, as by
welding, to the top side 22 of the steel plate 21 of said U-shaped
base plate member 20 along the internal recessed edge 26 and along
a portion of the internal parallel edges 27 of said steel plate 21
as shown so as to cause said channel member 10 to extend
perpendicularly and vertically from said base plate member 20. The
internal cross-sectional dimensions of the channel member 10 are
designed to align with the dimensions of the recessed edge 26 and
the parallel edges 27 of said steel plate 21 as shown. As best seen
in FIGS. 4 & 5, the internal cross-sectional dimensions of the
channel member 10 and the dimensions of the square-shaped section
24 of the U-shaped plate member 20 are designed to wrap around and
nestably accommodate the external cross-sectional dimensions of
said storage rack support member 201.
[0028] In order to use the invention to repair, reinforce and
protect the damaged support member 201 of a typical storage rack
assembly 200, the storage rack reinforcement and repair unit 100
thus formed is first bolted to the floor utilizing the mounting
holes 28 of said of said base plate member 20. The unit 100 is
bolted to the floor at the precise location occupied by, or
previously occupied by, said damaged storage rack support member
201. Once the unit 100 has been firmly bolted to the floor, the
channel member 10 of said unit 100 is then used to leverage the
damaged support member 201 into alignment with said channel member
10 and thereby cause said support member 201 to nestably engage the
side panels 12 and face panel 11 of said channel member 10. Once
the damaged support member 201 is properly aligned with, and
engaged by, the channel member 10 and base plate member 20 of said
unit 100, the support member 201 is then bolted to said channel
member 10 utilizing the attachment holes 15 situated along the face
panel 11 of said channel member 10.
[0029] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
alterations in form, detail and construction may be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *