U.S. patent application number 10/676980 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for componentry assembled free standing wire rack.
Invention is credited to Fred D. Oberhaus.
Application Number | 20070210025 10/676980 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38477868 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070210025 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oberhaus; Fred D. |
September 13, 2007 |
Componentry assembled free standing wire rack
Abstract
A metallic or hard plastic storage rack including end frames,
formed of vertical rods, and a series of cross rods, integrated
into a pair of complete end frames, that support the end of
shelving spanning the distance between the two. The shelving is
formed of a series of longitudinal rods, and shelf forming lateral
rods, which are bent down at their front and back edges, to add
structural strength to each formed shelf, as it is pressure fit for
interconnection within the end frames, and for resting upon the
cross rods, during assembly of the erected rack.
Inventors: |
Oberhaus; Fred D.;
(Chesterfield, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul M. Denk
Ste. 170
763 S. New Ballas Road
St. Louis
MO
63141
US
|
Family ID: |
38477868 |
Appl. No.: |
10/676980 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60416423 |
Oct 7, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/181.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/13 20130101; A47B
55/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/181.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/14 20060101
A47F005/14 |
Claims
1. A componentry assembled free standing wire rack including a pair
of end frames, each end frame incorporating at least one cross rod
arranged horizontally therein, the cross rod of each end frame
being fixed at same relative height with respect to each end frame,
provided in a wire rack, at least one shelving provided for
inserting partially into the end frames, and resting upon the
horizontally disposed cross rods, to provide for shelving
intermediate a pair of spaced end frames, each shelving upon
inserting with in the end frames, being pressured bias downwardly
within the end frame and resting upon each of the respective cross
rods when assembling the free standing wire-rack.
2. The wire rack of claim 1 wherein said end frames provided with
spaced vertical rods, the cross rods connecting to said vertical
rods in the wire rack assembly.
3. The wire rack of claim 2 wherein said shelving provided for
forced and pressure fitting between the vertical rods, to furnish
stability in the erection of the free standing wire rack when
assembled.
4. The wire rack of claim 3, wherein each shelving has a pair of
end rods provided at each end of the shelving, the pair of end rods
at each end having a space therein between approximating or
slightly greater than the thickness of each vertical rod, to
provide, for pressured biasing of the shelving within each end
frame when erected into a free standing wire rack.
5. The wire rack of claim 4 and including at least one brace
extending between the end frames to structurally support the wire
rack when assembled.
6. The wire rack of claim 5 wherein more than one brace is provide
within the assembled wire rack, and extending between a pair of end
frames.
7. The wire rack of claim 6 wherein a pair of braces are diagonally
arranged.
8. The wire rack of claim 7 wherein the diagonally arranged braces
between the end frames cross each other when installed within the
assembled wire rack.
9. The wire rack of claim 2 wherein the vertical rods of each end
frame incorporates an upper cross rod extending between and
connecting with said vertical rods.
10. The wire rack of claim 2 wherein the vertical rods of each end
frame end with an upper tip, a connecting sleeve provided for
inserting upon and mounted extending upwardly from the upper end of
each vertical rod, said connecting sleeve provided for reception of
the lower end of a vertical rod of an end frame arranged thereabove
and thereon providing for vertical stacking of the wire racks one
upon the other.
11. The wire rack of claim 3, wherein the each shelving is
rectangularly configured for extending between the end frames in
which said shelving mounts.
12. The wire rack of claim 3, wherein each shelving is square in
configuration, and connecting between a pair of end frames in the
assembled wire rack.
13. The wire rack of claim 3, wherein each shelving has bends
integrally extending downwardly along its front and back edges, to
provide for a greater forced pressure fit in connecting of the
shelving within the end frames of the wire rack when assembled.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims priority to
the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/416,423,
which was filed on Oct. 7, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Numerous types of wire racks, and all types of shelving
racks, are available in the prior art. These types of racks are
used for storing of various types of goods. Most of these types of
racks are generally supported upon the floor, some may be
suspended, or others may be applied to a wall or other vertical
surface, and generally disclose a plurality of integral shelving,
for use for storing almost any goods, including tools, hardware,
lumber, canned goods, and any of a variety of materials. In
addition, there are numerous publications and embodiments for
shelving that maybe appended directly to the wall, wherein a
support means, such as a bracket, will adhere the shelving directly
to the wall, generally through the usage of some type of fastening,
and then secures a series of cantilevered shelves off of the
support means, to readily dispose a plurality of shelving for
storage and suspension of a variety of goods, as previously alluded
to.
[0003] It is, therefore, the improvement of the current invention
to provide a uniquely designed component formed rack, generally
constructed of wire materials, and can be immediately assembled
from its flattened and storage condition into an erected shelving,
for resting upon the floor, ground, or the like, and be readily
stable for supporting a variety of the type of, items and other
household goods as previously referred to herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention related generally to a storage rack,
assembled from a variety of wire formed components, which when
assembled, and braced together, affords a series of shelving
readily disposed for accepting any of a variety of goods for
storage and resting thereon, in preparation for usage. This
invention contemplates the formation of a wire rack, that includes
one or more shelving, usually fabricated from metal wire, and which
is integrated together by means of pressure fit, fasteners, or the
like, into a unified structure, when erected, wherein a series of
shelves connect by pressure fit into end frames, to form a storage
type of multi-shelved rack. Various rods are spanned across the
back of the rack, in order to provide stability, and to sustain the
erection of the rack, once the shelving has been applied
thereto.
[0005] The rack includes a series of end frames, generally formed
having at least a pair of vertical support rods, and further
includes a variety of transverse support rods, and onto which the
shelving is located, as the rack is being assembled. Each of the
end frames may have an upper integral or connected cross rod, to
add stability to each end frame, when erected, and to also function
as a handle, when the rack is shifted from one place to another. In
addition, the bottom of each vertical support rod may include a
cap, or other foot, in the assembled structure.
[0006] Each of the shelving includes a series of longitudinal rods,
and further includes a series of shelf forming rods, that are
soldered, welded, or otherwise secured to the longitudinal rods
when forming each individual shelf. In addition, each shelf
includes a lower longitudinal rod, at both the front and back of
the shelves, with the shelf forming rods being bent downwardly, at
both their front and back edges, and soldered or welded into place
with the lower longitudinal rods, to add structural support and
strength to each shelving, at the front and back locations, and to
afford further structural strength to the shelf, as when laden with
stored goods or material.
[0007] The back of each of the end frames includes a connecting
means therewith, and to which a diagonal brace may connect, in
order to add to the structural strength and erectness of the end
frames, supporting their shelves, when the rack is assembled.
[0008] It is significant that all of the various components as
defined herein, when the rack is disassembled, or initially
fabricated, can be layered into a generally flattened
configuration, for storage, shipment, or when displayed for sale,
at the retail level. But, when purchased by a consumer, the rack
can be assembled, erected, into a multi-shelved wire rack, for
immediate usage, in a minimum of time and effort.
[0009] It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to
provide shelving, supported by end frames, and which may be rested
upon the floor or other surface, but yet have full stability to
furnish instant storage for items located thereon.
[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a supporting
shelf, formed into a rack, wherein the shelving is pressure fitted
within its various end frames, in order to initially provide
structural support for the erected rack, when assembled.
[0011] Still another object of this invention is to provide the
fabrication of a supporting shelf that may be formed into a
multi-shelved rack, for support upon the floor.
[0012] Another object is to provide shelving, which may be stored
in a flattened condition, to facilitate its storage, transfer, or
display in the marketplace.
[0013] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
supporting shelf which may be applied on the floor, and held into
position by means of various components, such as end frames, as
when assembled at the site of usage, simply by holding the end
frames in a vertical position and applying the shelving in a
pressure fit thereto.
[0014] Still another object of this invention is to provide a
portable type of shelving that may be instantly and quickly
assembled into a multi-shelved rack, held together by back bracing,
into a very secure and stably erected rack.
[0015] Other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in
the art upon reviewing the description of the preferred embodiment
provided herein.
[0016] Other various components may bemused in the structure of
this storage rack, within the scope of the invention as defined
herein, after a review of this summary of the invention, and when
further considered in conjunction with the description of the
preferred embodiment, in light of the drawings accompanying this
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 provides an isometric view of the storage rack of
this invention, as erected;
[0018] FIG. 2 provides an isometric back view of the erected rack
of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the rack showing one of the
shelves being coupled with its respective end frames, during
erecting of the storage rack;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the end relationship
of the pressure fit of the end of a shelf into its end frame, when
assembled;
[0021] FIG. 5 provides an isometric view of the further modified
storage rack of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] In referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, the
isometric view of the shown rack 1 is readily disclosed. The rack
includes a series of end frames 2 and 3, and has a series of
shelving 4 applied thereto, which in the preferred embodiment,
undertakes a pressure fit within the end frames, when assembled.
Actually, while only two of the shelving are shown in FIG. 1,
obviously, since there are a series of lateral or cross bracings 5
associated with each end frame, as many shelves can be applied to
the end frames, as there are cross rods or braces provided. Hence,
for the end frames shown in FIG. 1, four shelves could be applied
to the shown structure. Obviously, other quantities of cross rods
could be applied; the height of the end frames could be increased,
or decreased, to accommodate more or less of the shown shelving
4.
[0023] Also as can be seen, the vertical rods 6, and the back of
vertical rod 7, for each end frame, are integrated together through
the cross rods 5, in addition to the upper rod 8, which upper rod 8
may be integrally formed of the end frame, or held thereto by means
of a series of connecting sleeves 9, as noted. Thus, when the cross
rod 8 is integrally formed of the front and back vertical rods 6
and 7, the rod 8 may function as a handle, for movement of the
rack, when assembled.
[0024] Also noted connecting with the back vertical rod 7, is a
diagonal brace 10, which may have a coined end 11 at each end, so
as to be secured to the rods 7 by means of any type of a fastener,
or a nut and bolt combination, to secure the diagonal brace in
place. In addition, a second diagonal brace extending in an
opposite direction may connect between the coined fastening areas
12 formed of the back vertical rods 7, as can be noted. Thus,
double stability can be provided through the use of pair of
diagonal braces that cross each other at an approximate midpoint,
to furnish very secure interconnection of the rack together, when
assembled. In addition, it is likely that the diagonal braces 10
may be formed of two sections, as at 13 and 14, and interconnected
together by means of a fastener 15, at their midpoint. Hence, the
advantages of this type of a formation for the diagonal braces
allows for the pair of diagonal braces, when they cross each other
at the middle of the back of the erected rack, can all be held at
their approximate midpoint, as shown at 15, by one fastener, to
further add stability to the erected rack, as assembled.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a back view of the component formed rack 1, and
further discloses the relationship of the diagonal bracing, as can
be noted. The second diagonal bracing will connect between the
coined areas 12, as can be noted.
[0026] In the assembly of each of the shelves 4 to their respective
end frames 2 references are made to the exploded view for the rack,
during a stage of its assembly, as shown in the exploded view. When
erected, each of the end frames 2 will be held substantially
vertically, apart from each other at a space approximating the
length of the shelving 4. At this time, each end of the shelves
will be pressure fit within their respective end frames, and come
to rest upon the proximate cross rods 5, as can be noted. All four
of the shelving will be applied to the end frames 2, in this
manner. In addition, as can be seen, the diagonal brace 10 formed
of the shown rods 13 and 14 are connected together at their
midpoint, by means of the fastener 15, and secured in place against
the back vertical rods 7, by means of the fasteners 11, as can be
noted.
[0027] The concept of pressure fitting the shelving within the end
frames, for the purpose of adding initial stability and sustained
support, for the rack, as erected, can be seen in FIG. 4. The
vertical rods 6 and 7, for each end frame, extend upwardly, and the
ends of each of the shelves 4 are pressure fit between the rods 6
and 7, as the shelving is forced downwardly into its mating
pressure connection. Each of the shelving 4 is fabricated, at its
approximate ends, having a pair of closely aligned shelf forming
rods 16 and 17, having a space therebetween approximating the
diameter of each of the vertical rods 6 and 7, so as to provide
clearance for the vertical rods to locate between the bent down
ends of the shelf forming rods 16 and 17, to allow for that
pressure engagement. Thus, this is all the interconnection needed
to hold the shelving in place, and to provide a fully stabilized
rack, when assembled, although obviously, other forms of fastening,
such as clips, connectors, or the like, could supplementally be
used for holding the shelves to their respective end frames, when
assembled, if desired.
[0028] Each of the shelves, as can be noted, as in FIG. 3, includes
a series of longitudinal rods 18, with a central longitudinal rod
19 provided intermediate of the shelving therein, to add stability
at this location to each shelf. In addition, there are a series of
lower longitudinal rods 20, arranged at the front and back edges of
the formed shelf. In addition, there are a series of those shelf
forming rods 21, which are spaced apart substantially
symmetrically, along the length of each shelf, and welded to their
various longitudinal rods, as can be noted. The shelf rods 21, at
both their front and back edges, bend downwardly, as can be seen at
22, and weld to the lower longitudinal rods 20, to add further
structural strength at these locations, to each shelf, in order to
support any heavier type of items that may be stored thereon,
during usage of the assembled rack.
[0029] FIG. 5 discloses the storage rack, in a slightly modified
format, and an isometric view, disclosing a free standing wire rack
of lesser with dimensions. As noted, it includes a series of
shelving 25-27, but obviously, more or less number of shelves could
be utilized, in the construction of this rack. In fact, the end
frames 28 and 29 show various with a variety of cross bracings, as
seen in 30, any one of these cross bracings as provided with in the
end frames, on a leveled condition, are capable of holding one of
the shelving, as in 25, within the assembly of the standing wire
rack.
[0030] In addition to the forgoing, and while the shelving 25-27,
or even the shelving 4 as previously described, are shown as being
configured of wire components, obviously, some segment of the
shelving surface could be fabricated from other materials such as
wood, plastic, or the like and still function in the manner of
shelving for constructing the free standing wire rack of this
invention, for usage.
[0031] Once again, the shelving 25, etc. is designed having just a
slightly greater dimension than the width between the legs, as in
31 and 32, of each end rack, in order to provide for the pressured
fit of the shelving within their end frames, when forming or
stabilized rack, during assembly. In addition, the upper ends of
the end frames, 33, include a cross rail as in 34, and which are
designed for use as handles, or the like. Or, it could be that
these upper portions may terminate in an upper tip for the rods 31
and 32, similar to that as previously shown and described to the
end frames having connecting, sleeves 9, as previously shown in
FIG. 1, so that a series of these types of racks could be stacked,
one upon the other, rather than incorporating a upper rod 8, or 34
as explained herein. Thus, these wire racks could be stacked
ceiling high, one upon the other, through the use of connecting
sleeves 9.
[0032] Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this
invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the
summary and description of the invention as provided herein. Such
variations or modifications, if within the spirit of this
invention, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the
principle of this development as explained herein. The description
and the disclosure of the preferred embodiment are provided herein
for illustrative purposes only.
* * * * *