U.S. patent application number 11/550971 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for storage rack sliding frame apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNIVERSAL DISPLAY & FIXTURES COMPANY. Invention is credited to Stephen Donnell, Stanley Hawkins, Tim Stover.
Application Number | 20080093319 11/550971 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39316936 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080093319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stover; Tim ; et
al. |
April 24, 2008 |
Storage Rack Sliding Frame Apparatus
Abstract
A storage rack apparatus incorporating a sliding frame
apparatus. The frame apparatus is adjusted in a generally vertical
direction by the application of vertical force and secured in
position by the removal of such vertical force.
Inventors: |
Stover; Tim; (Sanger,
TX) ; Hawkins; Stanley; (Highland Village, TX)
; Donnell; Stephen; (Toronto, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
901 Main Street, Suite 3100
Dallas
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
UNIVERSAL DISPLAY & FIXTURES
COMPANY
Lewisville
TX
|
Family ID: |
39316936 |
Appl. No.: |
11/550971 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 15/00 20130101;
A47F 5/0081 20130101; A47B 97/001 20130101; G09F 15/0087
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.26 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/10 20060101
A47F005/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a generally vertical member; a frame
slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a
generally vertical direction; and a positioning fixture constantly
engaged with the vertical member and the frame and adapted to allow
continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of
movement.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture is
adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a
generally vertical force.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture is
adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a
generally vertical force.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a guide
sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a generally
horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a stop fixture
positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff
member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a means
for bearing display elements.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture
comprises a biasing element.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture
comprises a magnet.
10. An apparatus, comprising: a rack assembly; a generally vertical
member attached to the rack assembly; a frame slideably engaged
with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical
direction; and a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the
vertical member and the frame and adapted to allow continuous
adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture is
adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a
generally vertical force.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture is
adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a
generally vertical force.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a guide
sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a generally
horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a stop fixture
positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff
member.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a means
for bearing display elements.
17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture
comprises a biasing element.
18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture
comprises a magnet.
19. An apparatus, comprising: a generally vertical member; a frame
slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a
generally vertical direction; and a positioning fixture adapted to
allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally
vertical force.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the positioning fixture is
constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame so as to
allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of
movement.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the positioning fixture is
adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a
generally vertical force.
22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the frame comprises a guide
sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
23. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a generally
horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a stop fixture
positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff
member.
25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the frame comprises a means
for bearing display elements.
26. The apparatus of claim 19, where the positioning fixture
comprises a magnet.
27. An apparatus, comprising: a rack assembly; a generally vertical
member attached to the rack assembly; a frame slideably engaged
with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical
direction; and a positioning fixture adapted to allow adjustment of
the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the positioning fixture is
constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame so as to
allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of
movement.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the positioning fixture is
adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a
generally vertical force.
30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the frame comprises a guide
sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
31. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a generally
horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a stop fixture
positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff
member.
33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the frame comprises a means
for bearing display elements.
34. The apparatus of claim 27, where the positioning fixture
comprises a magnet.
35. A method comprising the steps of: providing a display shelf
within the storage rack; providing a storage shelf within the
storage rack vertically spaced from the display shelf; and
providing a screen that is movable between a first position at
least partially hiding the storage shelf from view and a second
position providing access to the storage shelf, wherein the screen
is movable solely by application of a generally vertical force and
stops moving anywhere between the first and second positions upon
the cessation of the generally vertical force.
36. An apparatus, comprising: a rack assembly having a generally
vertical member; means for slideably engaging a frame with respect
to the generally vertical member for generally vertical movement
between a first location and a second location; means for fixing
the position of the frame at any position between the first and
second positions.
37. An apparatus, comprising: a generally vertical member; an upper
standoff member and a lower standoff member connected to the
vertical member; and a frame slideably engaged with the vertical
member for movement in a generally vertical direction defined by
the upper and lower standoff members, wherein the frame comprises:
a generally vertical guide sleeve through which the vertical member
extends; and a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the
vertical member and adapted to allow the frame to be continuously
adjustable within a defined range of vertical movement, wherein the
positioning fixture comprises a magnet and biasing element and is
adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a
generally vertical force and to fix the position of the frame in
the absence of the force.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a storage rack
apparatus and, more particularly, to a storage rack having a
sliding frame assembly, the vertical position of which can be
adjusted and secured by the mere application and removal of a
vertical force, respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a storage rack
apparatus comprising a sliding frame assembly according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0003] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the sliding frame
assembly of the storage rack apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0004] FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of the sliding frame
assembly of FIG. 2.
[0005] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective back view of a portion of
the sliding frame assembly depicted in FIG. 3.
[0006] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective back view of a portion of
the sliding frame assembly depicted in FIG. 4.
[0007] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but includes an
exploded view of the positioning fixture depicted in FIGS. 4 and
5.
[0008] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the positioning fixture
depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, detached from the sliding frame assembly
depicted in FIG. 3.
[0009] FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation/partial sectional view of
a portion of the sliding frame assembly depicted in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the figure refers, in
general, to a storage rack apparatus 10 featuring a sliding frame
assembly 60. The storage rack apparatus is based on a storage rack
assembly 12 comprising a pair of interconnected vertical upright
assemblies 13 and 14. Vertical upright assembly 13 comprises two
parallel vertical uprights, front upright 16 and rear upright 18,
set on footpads 40 and 42, respectively. The vertical uprights 16
and 18 are interconnected by an upper horizontal crosspiece 24, a
lower horizontal crosspiece 26, an upper diagonal crosspiece 32,
and a lower diagonal crosspiece 34. Vertical upright assembly 14
similarly comprises two parallel vertical uprights, front upright
20 and rear upright 22, set on footpads 44 and 46, respectively.
The vertical uprights 20 and 22 are interconnected by an upper
horizontal crosspiece 28, a lower horizontal crosspiece 30, an
upper diagonal crosspiece 36 (not shown), and a lower diagonal
crosspiece 38.
[0011] Vertical upright assemblies 13 and 14 are interconnected by
a front horizontal member 50 and a rear horizontal member 52 to
create a storage bay wide enough to accommodate two conventional
pallets placed side-by-side. A side horizontal member 54 extends
generally between vertical uprights 16 and 18 and a corresponding
side horizontal member (not shown) extends generally between
vertical uprights 20 and 22. The side horizontal members are long
enough to accommodate the depth of a conventional pallet. The
horizontal members 50 and 52, and horizontal member 54 and a
corresponding horizontal member (not shown), support a generally
horizontal storage shelf, not shown, wide enough and deep enough
for two conventional pallets to be stored side-by-side.
[0012] A display shelf 58 is disposed beneath the pallet storage
shelf at a height that allows customers to view and/or retrieve
products. The space under the display shelf 58 is sufficient for
storage of two additional pallets, placed side-by-side between the
vertical upright assemblies 13 and 14.
[0013] The sliding frame assembly 60 comprises a frame 62 slidably
engaging vertical guides 64 and 66, which are composed, at least in
part, of a ferritic material. The vertical guide 64 is connected to
the front upright 16 by mounting brackets 72 and 76 and is set off
from the front upright by standoff members 74 and 78, which extend
horizontally between the vertical guide and the mounting brackets
72 and 76, respectively. The vertical guide 66 is similarly
connected to the front upright 20 by mounting brackets 68 and 80
and is set off from the front upright by standoff members 70 and
82, which extend horizontally between the vertical guide and the
mounting brackets 68 and 80, respectively.
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings, the frame 62
comprises a rectangular screen 84 having channeled receptacles 84a
for receiving flat display inserts 86a and 86b. The frame 62
further comprises a pair of spaced parallel horizontal frame
members 88 and 90 that are generally the length of the distance
between the vertical guides 64 and 66. The screen 84 is connected
to the horizontal frame members 88 and 90 by a pair of spaced
parallel vertical J-channel frame members 92 and 94 (FIG. 5) that
extend the length of the distance between the horizontal frame
members 88 and 90, so that the four frame members form a generally
rectangular assembly defining a generally vertical plane. A
V-shaped diagonal frame member 104 extends generally from the
distal ends of the horizontal frame member 88 to the midpoint of
the horizontal frame member 90. The screen 84 generally conceals
the horizontal frame members and the diagonal frame member 104 from
frontal view. Frame grip handle 106 is attached at the midpoint of
the horizontal frame member 90.
[0015] Upper guide sleeves 96 and 98 are connected to the distal
ends of the horizontal frame member 88 and substantially cap the
ends of the horizontal frame member. Lower guide sleeves 100 and
102 are connected to the distal ends of the horizontal frame member
90 and substantially cap the ends of the horizontal frame member.
The upper guide sleeves 96 and 98 are aligned with the lower guide
sleeves 100 and 102, respectively, to form axially spaced pairs of
sleeves. The guide sleeves are oriented parallel to the vertical
J-channel frame members 92 and 94 so that the vertical guide 66
extends through the lower guide sleeve 100 and the upper guide
sleeve 96 and the vertical guide 64 extends through the lower guide
sleeve 102 and the upper guide sleeve 98.
[0016] Stop fixtures 114 and 116 are attached to the upper guide
sleeves 96 and 98, respectively, just above the midpoint of the
rear face of each of the upper guide sleeves. Positioning fixtures
110 and 112 are attached to the upper guide sleeves 96 and 98,
respectively, just below the stop fixtures 114 and 116,
respectively, on the rear face of each of the upper guide sleeves.
Referring to FIG. 5, the stop fixture 114 comprises a stop angle
134 and a stop 136. The stop angle 134 is bent at a ninety degree
angle, with one section attached to, and extending downward
parallel to, the rear face of the upper guide sleeve 96 and the
other section extending perpendicularly away from the upper guide
sleeve. The stop 136 is mounted on the top horizontal surface of
the stop angle 134 and is disposed between the stop angle and the
standoff member 82. The stop 136 extends to a height greater than
that of the top of the upper guide sleeve 96. The stop fixture 116
is substantially identical to the stop fixture 114 in composition
and relative placement and therefore will not be described in
detail.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the positioning fixture 110
comprises a mounting arm 120, nuts 122a and 122b, compression
springs 126a and 126b, a magnet 128, and bolts 132a and 132b. In an
exemplary embodiment, the magnet 128 may comprise an industrial
magnet such as, for example, a Master Magnetics, Inc. LM50B Super
Latch Magnet, which is rated at fifty pounds. The mounting arm 120
comprises sections 140, 142, and 144 of a single, continuous
member, the three sections being defined by two ninety degree
angles such that the mounting arm is step-like in shape. The
section 140 is parallel to the section 144, with the section 142
extending perpendicularly between the sections 140 and 144. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, when the mounting arm 120 is attached to
the upper guide sleeve 96, the section 140 is attached to, and
extends along and parallel to, the rear face of the upper guide
sleeve so that the top edge of the section 140 generally meets the
bottom edge of the stop angle 124. The section 142 of the mounting
arm 120 extends perpendicularly from the section 140 and away from
the upper guide sleeve 96 to form a generally horizontal surface.
The section 144 of the mounting arm 120 extends perpendicularly
downward from the section 142 to form a generally vertical surface
parallel to the section 140.
[0018] As suggested by FIG. 6 and shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, when the
positioning fixture 110 is in an assembled condition the bolts 132a
and 132b extend through holes 130a and 130b, respectively, of the
magnet 128, the springs 126a and 126b, respectively, and holes 124a
and 124b, respectively, of the section 144 of the mounting arm 120.
The bolts 132a and 132b are secured by the nuts 122a and 122b,
respectively. Referring to FIG. 7, when the positioning fixture 110
is in an assembled condition and the mounting arm 120 is
disconnected from the upper guide sleeve 96, the magnet 128 can
move, unopposed, along the bolts 132a and 132b within a range
defined by the heads of the bolts and a point located the distance
of the free length of the springs 126a and 126b from the interior
face of the mounting arm 120. The magnet 128 can also move, in
opposition of the biasing force exerted by the springs 126a and
126b, along the bolts 132a and 132b between a distance the free
length of the springs from the interior face of the mounting arm
120 and a distance the length of the solid height of the springs
from the interior face of the mounting arm. The springs 126a and
126b can move freely along the bolts 132a and 132b, respectively,
between the mounting arm 120 and the magnet 128 when the magnet is
a distance greater than the springs' free length from the mounting
arm.
[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8, which show the positioning
fixture 110 in an assembled condition and connected to the upper
guide sleeve 96, the section 142 of the mounting arm 120 is long
enough for the magnet 128, the bolts 132a and 132b, and the springs
126a and 126b to be disposed between the section 144 of the
mounting arm and the vertical guide 66. The springs 126a and 126b
are compressed between the section 144 of the mounting arm 120 and
the magnet 128. The surface of the magnet 128 is in contact with
the rear face of the vertical guide 66. The bolts 132a and 132b
extend beyond the holes 130a and 130b, respectively, toward the
upper guide sleeve 96, such that the heads of the bolts are
disposed generally halfway between the holes and the upper guide
sleeve. The positioning fixture 112 is substantially identical to
the positioning fixture 110 in composition and relative placement
and therefore will not be described in detail.
[0020] In operation, and with reference to FIG. 1, the storage rack
assembly 10 houses two pallets of goods A stored side-by-side on
the horizontal storage shelf supported by the horizontal members 50
and 52 and the horizontal member 54 and the corresponding member
(not shown). The display shelf 58 contains displays or products
intended for viewing and selection by customers. Two additional
pallets of goods B are stored side-by-side in the space underneath
the display shelf 58, in between the vertical upright assemblies 13
and 14. The sliding frame assembly 60 is in its assembled condition
and positioned in front of the pallets of goods A at least
partially hiding such goods behind the screen 84.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, with continuing reference to FIG. 1,
the vertical guides 64 and 66 mounted to the vertical uprights 16
and 20, respectively, provide a rigid track at any point along
which the frame 62 may be positioned and secured. The vertical
guides 64 and 66 restrict horizontal movement of the frame 62 and
allow for generally vertical adjustment of the frame 62 within a
defined range, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. Referring to
FIGS. 3-5, with continuing reference to FIG. 2, the upper limit of
vertical adjustment of the frame 62 is defined by the points of
interaction between the stop fixtures 114 and 116 with the standoff
members 82 and 78, respectively, such that the screen 84 at least
partially hides the pallets of goods A from view. The lower limit
of vertical adjustment for the frame 62 is defined by the point of
interaction between the lower guide sleeves 100 and 102 and the
standoff members 70 and 74, respectively, such that the screen 84
at least partially hides the pallets of goods B from view.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and FIG. 8, the positioning fixtures
110 and 112, in their assembled condition, interact with the
vertical guides 66 and 64, respectively, to maintain the position
of the frame 62 along the vertical guides. FIGS. 5 and 8 further
illustrate the interaction of the positioning fixture 110 and the
vertical guide 66. The magnet 128 of the positioning fixture 110
contacts the vertical guide 66 which, as described above, is
composed, at least in part, of a ferritic material. The positioning
fixture 112, comprising, in part, its own magnet (not shown), is
substantially identical to the positioning fixture 110 in
operation. The attractive force exerted on the vertical guides 66
and 64 by the magnets of the positioning fixtures 110 and 112,
respectively, increases the static friction between the magnets and
vertical guides such that the magnitude of that static friction is
greater than the magnitude of the downward force represented by the
combined weight of the frame 62. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the
springs 126a and 126b, which are compressed between the magnet 128
and the inner face of the section 144 of the mounting arm 120,
exert a constant biasing force on the magnet 128 in the direction
of the vertical upright 66 to ensure contact between the magnet and
the vertical upright.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the height of the frame 62 is
continuously adjustable and can be fixed at any point along the
range defined by the vertical uprights 64 and 66 and the standoff
members 74 and 78 and 70 and 82, respectively. The position of the
frame 62 is adjusted by applying to the frame, most effectively at
the frame grip handle 106 (FIG. 3), an adjusting vertical force
equal to or greater than that of the force required to overcome the
static friction between the vertical uprights 64 and 66 and the
magnets of the positioning fixtures 110 and 112, respectively, and
then continuously applying an adjusting vertical force the
magnitude of which is greater than that of the opposing sliding
friction between the vertical uprights 64 and 66 and the magnets,
respectively. The position of the frame 62 is secured merely by
ceasing the application of the adjusting vertical force. The static
friction between the magnets and uprights secures the frame at the
height at which the adjusting vertical force was removed.
[0024] As can be appreciated, the continuous adjustability of the
frame 62 along the vertical uprights 64 and 66, as well as the
instantaneous securing of the frame upon removal of the adjusting
vertical force, provide flexibility in utilization of the frame and
facilitate quick access to the space behind the frame. The static
friction created by the interaction of positioning fixtures 110 and
112 and vertical uprights 66 and 64, respectively, eliminates both
the need for a means of incrementally adjusting the height of the
frame to preset, fixed positions and the need for an
operator-manipulated means of securing the frame at the
aforementioned positions.
[0025] It is understood that variations may be made in the
foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For
example, the positioning fixtures 110 and 112 may be altered to
include securing means other than magnets and springs, such as
counterbalance forces or slip friction rollers.
[0026] Furthermore, the storage rack assembly 12 to which the
sliding frame assembly 60 is mounted may be replaced with a storage
rack assembly having an alternative configuration. For example, the
configuration of the storage rack assembly 12 may be altered to
include multiple storage bays, each sharing one or more vertical
upright assemblies or horizontal members with another storage bay.
Moreover, the specific arrangement of frame members 88, 90, 92, and
94 can be altered to include additional frame members or the design
of the frame 62 can be altered to give the frame a different shape,
size, or orientation.
[0027] Still further, although the screen 84 is described as
comprising channeled receptacles for receiving the flat display
inserts 86a and 86b, it is understood that this screen may be
removed or replaced with a screen having an alternate configuration
comprising a generally solid panel or a different number of display
spaces and utilizing alternative methods of attaching display
elements. Moreover, the display inserts 86a and 86b may be replaced
with display elements having alternate geometric and dimensional
properties.
[0028] Furthermore, although the sliding frame assembly 60 is
described as comprising the vertical guides 64 and 66, standoff arm
pairs 74 and 78 and 70 and 82, respectively, mounting bracket pairs
72 and 76 and 68 and 80, respectively, and guide sleeve pairs 98
and 102 and 96 and 100, respectively, it is understood that, in
some embodiments, the sliding frame assembly may comprise more or
fewer vertical guides, and thus more or fewer pairs of guide
sleeves, standoff members, and mounting brackets. For example, the
storage rack apparatus 10 may comprise multiple storage bays as
described above and the sliding frame assembly 60 comprising a
single vertical guide and a single pair of guide sleeves through
which the single vertical guide extends, such that the frame
straddles the vertical upright and conceals two storage bays.
[0029] Still further, the guide sleeve pairs 96 and 100 and 98 and
102 may be replaced, at each end of the frame 62, by any number of
guide sleeves of sufficient length or placement to stabilize the
frame against forces that would otherwise cause the frame to rotate
about an axis generally passing through the vertical guides 64 and
66
[0030] Any foregoing spatial references such as, for example,
"upper," "lower," "above," "below," "rear," "between," "vertical,"
"horizontal," etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and
can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
this invention as defined in the following claims. Additionally, in
claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the
structures described herein as performing the recited function and
not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent
structures.
[0031] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and
described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution
is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances,
some features of the embodiments may be employed without a
corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate
that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner
consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.
* * * * *