U.S. patent application number 12/931183 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for load support system.
Invention is credited to Bin Bing Song.
Application Number | 20120187065 12/931183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46543391 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120187065 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Song; Bin Bing |
July 26, 2012 |
Load support system
Abstract
A load support system or shelf system includes vertical supports
and at least two horizontally extending beams attached to the
vertical supports. The cross-section of a beam is L-shaped, and the
joists extend along and rest upon a relieved horizontal surface of
each of the beams. A plurality of spaced-apart cross trusses are
affixed to each of the joists to form a unitary, open lattice for
supporting loads. The number and spacing of the cross trusses can
be adjusted to securely support the load designed to be
accommodated by the system, but the number of trusses can be
minimized to correspondingly reduce the weight and cost of the
system.
Inventors: |
Song; Bin Bing; (Romeoville,
IL) |
Family ID: |
46543391 |
Appl. No.: |
12/931183 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/191 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/021 20130101;
A47B 55/00 20130101; A47B 57/40 20130101; A47B 47/021 20130101;
A47B 57/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/191 |
International
Class: |
A47B 55/00 20060101
A47B055/00 |
Claims
1. A load support system comprising, in combination: at least two
horizontally extending beams for attachment to vertical support
means, the beams having confronting, continuous L-shaped cross
sections; and a load support module comprising at least two joists,
each joist adapted to extend along and rest upon a relieved
horizontal surface of one of the L-shaped beams, and a plurality of
spaced-apart cross trusses, each truss being affixed to each of the
joists to form a unitary, open lattice for supporting loads.
2. The load support system according to claim 1 wherein the number
of cross trusses forming the lattice and the spacing between the
cross trusses are selected in accordance with the load which the
system will support.
3. The load support system according to claim 1 including from two
to twelve substantially evenly spaced cross trusses.
4. The load support system according to claim 1 including from four
to six substantially evenly spaced cross trusses.
5. The load support system according to claim 1 wherein at least
some of the cross trusses have an inverted U-shaped
cross-section.
6. The load support system according to claim 5 wherein the cross
truss inverted U-shaped cross-section includes a depressed
intermediate strengthening section.
7. The load support system according to claim 6 wherein said
intermediate strengthening section includes opposed downwardly
extending arms away from a bight and an interconnected web portion
affixed to and extending between the strengthening section
arms.
8. The load support system according to claim 1 wherein said the
joists are shorter than the beams upon which they rest.
9. The load support system according to claim 1 further including
an adjustable attachment means for attaching the beams to the
vertical support means in any one of a range of vertically spaced
apart positions.
10. A rigid, unitary support structure adapted for use in
conjunction with a pallet support rack comprising: a) at least two
substantially parallel side support joist members; and b) a
plurality of substantially parallel cross trusses immovably
connected at opposed ends thereof to at least one of the side
support joist members whereby the support structure, when mounted
on the support rack, is capable of supporting a load and is
removable from a load support system as a single unit.
11. The rigid, unitary support structure according to claim 10
wherein the number of cross trusses and the spacing between the
cross trusses are selected in accordance with the weight of the
load that the pallet support rack will support.
12. The rigid, unitary support structure according to claim 10
including from two to twelve substantially evenly spaced cross
trusses.
13. The rigid, unitary support structure according to claim 10
including from four to six substantially evenly spaced cross
trusses.
14. The rigid, unitary support structure according to claim 10
wherein at least some of the cross trusses have an inverted
U-shaped cross section.
15. The load support system according to claim 14 wherein the cross
truss inverted U-shaped cross-section includes a depressed
intermediate strengthening section.
16. The load support system according to claim 15 wherein said
intermediate strengthening section includes opposed downwardly
extending arms away from a bight and an interconnected web portion
affixed to and extending between the strengthening section
arms.
17. The load support system according to claim 10 wherein said the
joists are shorter than the beams upon which they rest.
18. The load support system according to claim 10 further including
an adjustable attachment means for attaching the beams to the
vertical support means in any one of a range of vertically spaced
apart positions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to load support and
load storage systems, and more particularly to a rigid, unitary
support structure adapted for use in conjunction with a pallet
support rack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various adjustable load support or shelving systems are
commercially available. The shelving arrangements in these systems
can be permanently or temporarily adjusted to accommodate loads of
various sizes and shapes.
[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,325 to Zagotta et al. shows
a pallet rack beam retainer that includes individual channel-shaped
load-bearing cross members positioned in a spaced, parallel
arrangement. The ends of the cross members are seated on a ledge
extending along the length of outer rail members and are held in
position by a retaining bracket. This document does not disclose a
unitary grid structure.
[0004] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,034 to Seiz shows a load
support structure including a set of individual parallel, spaced,
load-bearing cross members, the ends of which are placed on ledges
that extend along the length of the rails and are secured to a
respective ledge with an interlocking flange arrangement. This
document also does not disclose a unitary grid member.
[0005] The load support systems of the prior art do not include a
unitary grid structure that can be formed to minimize the number of
system components used and to correspondingly minimize the cost and
weight of the system. A removable grid structure formed of
inter-connected (preferably, welded) cross members would provide
additional support under a pallet stored on a typical warehouse
pallet rack system.
[0006] It is desired to provide a load bearing system that can be
customized not only in its spatial configuration but also in the
number, size and shape of the various components.
[0007] It is also desired to provide a system that securely
supports a load of predetermined size, shape and weight with a
minimum number of system parts at minimum expense and with maximum
ease of construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, a removable unitary
(preferably, welded) grid structure includes a plurality of cross
members or trusses joined by side rails or joists to support a
pallet or other load. The grid structure is supported along the
beams of a pallet rack. In a preferred embodiment, the grid
structure includes from four to six parallel, evenly spaced cross
trusses that are attached (preferably, by welding) to two joists at
their ends in a grid arrangement, although from two to twelve cross
trusses can be provided.
[0009] More specifically, the load support system according to the
present invention comprises, in combination, at least two
horizontally extending beams for attachment to vertical support
means, the beams having confronting, continuous L-shaped cross
sections, and a load support module, the module comprising at least
two joists each adapted to extend along and rest upon a relieved
horizontal surface of one of the L-shaped beams; and a plurality of
spaced-apart cross trusses, each truss being affixed to each of the
joists to form a unitary, open lattice for supporting loads. The
number of cross trusses forming the lattice and the spacing between
the cross trusses are selected in accordance with the load which
the system will support. It is preferred that the joists are
shorter than the beams upon which they rest. An adjustable
attachment means is included for attaching the beams to the
vertical support means in any one of a range of vertically spaced
apart positions.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, at least some of the cross
trusses have an inverted U-shaped cross-section. The cross truss
inverted U-shaped cross-section can include a depressed
intermediate strengthening section. The intermediate strengthening
section includes opposed downwardly extending arms away from a
bight and an interconnected web portion affixed to and extending
between the strengthening section arms.
[0011] The load support system of the present invention includes a
unitary grid structure that can be formed to minimize the number of
system components used and to correspondingly minimize the cost and
weight of the system. In particular, a removable grid structure
formed of welded cross members provides additional support under a
pallet stored on a typical conventional pallet rack system. The
grid structure can be positioned and removed from the load support
system as a single unit.
[0012] The load bearing system described and claimed herein can be
customized not only in its spatial configuration but also in the
number, size and shape of the various components. The system
securely supports a load of predetermined size, shape and weight
with a minimum number of parts at minimum expense and with maximum
ease of construction.
[0013] Other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and upon reference to
the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the drawings, which comprise a portion of the present
disclosure:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a horizontal support or shelf
module made in accordance with the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the system including the
horizontal support module, associated support beams and supporting
columns;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the support module or shelf
member shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the support module or
shelf member shown in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the support module or
shelf member shown in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially
in the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 3; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially
in the plane of line 7-7 in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] While the invention will be described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it should be understood that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the particular embodiment shown
and described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
accompanying claims.
[0023] The present invention relates to a unitary load-bearing grid
structure removably supportable along the beams of a conventional
pallet rack. In a preferred embodiment, the grid structure includes
a plurality of cross members joined at their respective ends (for
example, by welding) to a pair of side rails which removably engage
horizontal support beams of a conventional pallet rack structure.
The cross members can comprise five parallel, evenly spaced bars
connected at their respective ends to a pair of spaced-apart side
rails. The grid structure provides additional support for materials
stored on a typical warehouse pallet rack system.
[0024] FIGS. 1-5 show a load support system 10 comprising front and
rear vertical supports 12, at least two horizontally extending
beams 14 for attachment between the front vertical supports and the
rear vertical supports, respectively, and conventional side braces
(not shown). The location of the beams 14 on the front and rear
supports 12 can be determined in a conventional manner at any of a
range of vertically separated positions by a corresponding range of
apertures 16 and corresponding inter-engaging pins, tabs, hooks or
end plates (not shown).
[0025] In accordance with the invention, a rigid, unitary support
structure comprising a support or shelf module 18 includes at least
two substantially parallel side support joist members 20 and a
plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel pallet support
bars or cross trusses 22 affixed to each of the joists 20 to form a
unitary, open lattice 18 for supporting loads. The shelf module
provides for ease of set-up and storage, more uniform spacing of
the cross trusses 22 and thus more uniform support of the load. A
plurality of cross trusses 22 can be provided--for example, from
two to twelve trusses with four to six trusses being more
preferred, and five trusses being most preferred, depending on the
required load capacity. Most importantly, the shelf module 18 can
be positioned and removed from the support structure as a single
unit.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, each horizontally extending beam 14
preferably defines an L-shape in cross section, and each joist
member 20 is adapted to extend along and rest upon a relieved
horizontal surface 24 of one of the beams 14. It is an advantage of
the invention that this open lattice 18 need not necessarily be
affixed directly to the horizontal beams 14. The shelf module 18 is
preferably dimensioned so that the module essentially snap-fits
into the space between the beams 14. Thus, one shelf module can be
substituted for another based on the use requirements.
[0027] As suggested in FIG. 6, the joist members 20 can be square
U-shaped channels formed of any appropriate steel, other metal or
other material. As shown in FIG. 7, the cross trusses 22 preferably
have an inverted U-shaped cross-section. To further strengthen
these trusses, the cross truss inverted U-shaped cross-sections can
each include a depressed intermediate strengthening section 28.
This intermediate strengthening section 28 includes opposed
portions 30 extending away from a longitudinally extending channel
32 and an intermediate connector web portion 34 affixed to and
extending between strengthening sections 36. The width and depth of
a cross truss can be increased or decreased based on the required
load bearing capacity.
[0028] In accordance with one of the advantages of the present
invention, the number of cross trusses 22 are selected, and the
spacing of those trusses 22 with respect to one another are
provided, in accordance with predetermined design criteria based
upon the size, shape, load and other known factors characterizing
the load to be supported by the system. By minimizing the number of
cross trusses 22 utilized, the amount of material and consequent
material expense involved in creating the load system can be
minimized. Depending on the load requirements, one shelf module 18
with more or less cross trusses can be substituted for another
shelf module.
[0029] It will also be noted from FIG. 2 that the joist members 20
can be shorter than the beams 14 upon which the joist members 20
rest. This permits the modular load supporting lattice 18 to be
shifted horizontally so as to be placed most effectively; and also
to minimize the amount of steel or other material involved in the
manufacture of the system.
[0030] In addition, the various components can be formed of
galvanized steel or any other suitable material and can include a
powder coat finish as may be required for the particular use.
[0031] The foregoing description and drawings of the present
invention are illustrative and are presented by way of example. As
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of shelving design
and manufacture, various modifications can be made in the
configuration and construction of the invention without departing
from the spirit and scope thereof.
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