U.S. patent application number 14/585178 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-14 for adaptable bracket assembly for facilitating storehouse flue space.
The applicant listed for this patent is ROBERT CONSAUL. Invention is credited to ROBERT CONSAUL.
Application Number | 20160007740 14/585178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55066027 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160007740 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CONSAUL; ROBERT |
January 14, 2016 |
ADAPTABLE BRACKET ASSEMBLY FOR FACILITATING STOREHOUSE FLUE
SPACE
Abstract
The general purpose of the new vertical adaptable bracket
assembly is to provide a pallet rack load stop system wherein a
novel bracket combines with existing beams to easily create a load
stop for use on all storage levels of pallet racks, including at
top-level near fire sprinkler system components where specified
clearance is required by law.
Inventors: |
CONSAUL; ROBERT; (SAN
FRANCISCO, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CONSAUL; ROBERT |
SAN FRANCISCO |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55066027 |
Appl. No.: |
14/585178 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62022212 |
Jul 9, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 19/40 20130101;
B65G 1/02 20130101; A47B 97/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/44 20060101
A47B057/44; B65D 19/40 20060101 B65D019/40; A47B 57/34 20060101
A47B057/34; A47B 47/02 20060101 A47B047/02; A47B 47/03 20060101
A47B047/03 |
Claims
1. An adaptable bracket assembly for facilitating storehouse flue
space, comprising: a first end unit for attachment to a horizontal
pallet rack beam, said first end unit having a top and two
sides--and inner and an outer side--and said first end means having
a horizontal beam attachment means; a second end unit for
attachment to one or more vertical beams, such as vertical pallet
rack beams or Unistrut channels, said second end unit having two
parallel sides positioned at least 3 inches relative to one
another, each side being a plate and each said plate having a
plurality of holes complimentary to those of the opposing plate,
said holes being large enough to accommodate 3/8-inch bolts; and a
connection means for connecting the first and second end units to
each other.
2. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner side
of the first end unit contains one or more bolt holes and the
second end unit further comprises a third plated side being
attached perpendicularly to said sides, said third side having bolt
holes complementary to those of said inner side of the first end
unit; and the connection means being one or more bolts connecting
the first and second end means through said complementary bolt
holes.
3. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the connection
means is welding, where the two sides of the second end unit are
welded perpendicularly to the outside vertical edges of the inner
side of the first end means.
4. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the horizontal
beam attachment means is a bolt-on means, where the inner and outer
sides of the first end unit are each of such a length that they
extend below a standard horizontal pallet rack beam when the
adaptable bracket assembly is in use, and wherein the horizontal
beam attachment means is one or more corresponding bolt-size hole
in each of the two sides of the first end unit.
5. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the horizontal
beam attachment means is a clip-on means, where the outer side of
the first end means is of a length approximately equal to the width
of a standard horizontal pallet rack beam and where a horizontal
flange is attached longitudinally and perpendicularly to the bottom
edge of the outer side, such that the flange extends toward the
inner side of the first end means.
6. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 5 further comprising
bumpers, which may be rubber or foam or a comparable substance, and
which are adhered to the inside surfaces of the inner and outer
sides of the first end unit.
7. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the horizontal
beam attachment means is a clamp-on means, where a clamp having a
clamping mechanism and a receiving mechanism each attached to the
bottom portion of either the inner side or outer side of the first
end unit and positioned such that the clamping mechanism can be
secured to the receiving mechanism.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application for Patent Ser. No. 62/022,212, filed on Jul. 9, 2014,
entitled "VERTICAL ADAPTABLE BRACKET ASSEMBLY FOR PALLET RACKS,"
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The general purpose of the new vertical adaptable bracket
assembly is to provide a pallet rack load stop system wherein a
novel bracket combines with existing beams to easily create a load
stop for use on all storage levels of pallet racks, including at
top-level near fire sprinkler system components. The primary
benefit of the new vertical bracket is that it prevents goods
stored on pallets from interfering with government-required
sprinkler systems and other regulations related to large-scale
storage of product, such as in warehouses. The current invention
improves on previous products in that it imposes space restrictions
on both lateral and longitudinal flue space for upper levels of
storage pallets to facilitate compliance with fire codes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The general purpose of the new bracket assembly is to
provide a simple, yet versatile and adaptable mechanism for
restricting the distance between loaded pallets and between a
top-rack pallet and the ceiling. In general, the bracket assembly
secures to a horizontal beam in a similar fashion as a vertical
pallet rack beam is connected to a horizontal pallet rack beam. The
vertical bracket assembly can be attached to a horizontal beam such
that the bracket is angled either perpendicular to the top of the
horizontal beam or perpendicular to the side of the horizontal
beam. By attaching perpendicular to the top, the new vertical
bracket serves to prevent pallets, including goods stored thereon,
from interfering with the storage house's fire sprinkler
system.
[0006] By attaching perpendicular to the side, the new vertical
bracket serves to prevent overhanging pallets, including goods
stored thereon, from being positioned too close to each other. Many
government fire codes require a minimum of six (6) inches of
clearance between pallets of product and the nearest storage house
wall for fire sprinkler effectiveness. The same is true for pallets
of product on racks that are situated back-to-back. Likewise, there
must be six inches of clearance between pallets of product on
horizontally adjacent rows. One vertical load stop bracket, for
example, can be used to protect and maintain flue space on both
sides of pallet racks that are set back to back by preventing
overhanging pallets and product from being positioned closer than
six inches from one another.
[0007] The sum of these advantages unify with the novel device for
ensuring adequate spacing between pallets and between pallets and
the walls and ceiling of a storage house, resulting in an invention
that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even
implied by any of the prior art support, either alone or in any
combination thereof.
[0008] These, together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty characterizing the invention,
are described with particularity in the claims herewith. A more
comprehensive understanding of the features, operation and uses of
the invention may be gleaned from reference to the enclosed
drawings and descriptive matter further illustrating the preferred
embodiments of the invention.
[0009] The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the
invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited in its application to the details of construction and to
the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description and drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
It should be further understood that the phraseology and
terminology applied herein merely serve the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of one embodiment of the
new bracket assembly as attached to a single horizontal beam and
two, back-to-back vertical beams.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment, a
clip-on embodiment, of the new bracket assembly.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of one embodiment of the new
bracket assembly.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the new bracket assembly in use.
[0014] FIGS. 5A-5D collectively illustrate the various views of the
"clip-on" embodiment of the new bracket assembly.
[0015] FIGS. 6A-6E collectively illustrate the various views of the
"bolt-on" embodiment of the new bracket assembly.
[0016] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an exploded perspective view and a
perspective view, respectively, of another embodiment of the new
adaptable bracket assembly being comprised of two end pieces that
are bolted together to form a single bracket.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the new
bracket assembly as in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of one embodiment of the
new bracket assembly 1 as attached to a single horizontal beam 4
and two, back-to-back vertical beams 6. The new bracket assembly as
used on a pallet rack up against a wall to protect items and
maintain space required between pallets and a wall for government
heath, food safety and fire code requirements. The new bracket
assembly 1 attaches via an interlocking end 2 to a horizontal load
stop beam 4. The new adaptable bracket assembly 1 further attaches
via a securing end 3a, 3b to two vertical pallet rack beams 6 via
standard bolts 7. Said bracket assembly can be further secured to
the upper horizontal beam by bolting the two sides of the
interlocking end 2 using one or more standard bolts 5. In the
depicted embodiment, the sides of the interlocking end 2 extend
below the depth of the horizontal beam 4, and the securing bolt is
positioned below the horizontal beam.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment, a
clip-on embodiment, of the new bracket assembly 13 showing the
rubber padding 9 attached and aligned parallel to the opposing
interior sides of the interlocking end 2. The rubber helps prevent
slippage or sliding of the bracket. Also depicted are the bolt
holes 10 in the respective sides of the securing end 3a, 3b.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of one embodiment of the new
bracket assembly. As depicted, two adaptable bracket assemblies 13
are positioned between pallets of product 11. One adaptable bracket
13 can be used to protect and maintain flue space as shown on both
sides of pallet racks that are set back-to-back. Pallet racks of
product 11 are separated by the fire code-required 6-inch
longitudinal flue space 14. Pallet racks of product 11 are
separated from the ceiling by the fire code-required 3-inch
longitudinal flue space when vertical beams 6 are attached to the
securing end of the adaptable bracket assembly 13.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the new bracket assembly in use. As depicted, two adaptable bracket
assemblies 13 are attached to two vertical pallet rack beams 16 via
one end and to a horizontal pallet rack beam 12 via the other end.
Pallets of product 11 are depicted for reference.
[0022] FIGS. 5A-5D collectively illustrate the various views of the
"clip-on" embodiment of the new bracket assembly. FIG. 5A shows the
top view of the clip-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly. As
depicted, 3/8-inch holes 10 enable bolts to hold the securing end
3a, 3b of the bracket assembly to standard 3-inch by 1.5-inch or
3-inch by 3-inch vertical beams (not depicted).
[0023] FIG. 5B shows the side view of the clip-on embodiment of the
new bracket assembly having rubber padding 9 attached and aligned
parallel to the opposing interior sides of the interlocking end
2.
[0024] FIG. 5C shows the bottom view of the clip-on embodiment of
the new bracket assembly having rubber padding 9 attached and
aligned parallel to the opposing interior sides of the interlocking
end 2.
[0025] FIG. 5D shows the front view of the clip-on embodiment of
the new bracket assembly having rubber padding 9 attached and
aligned parallel to the opposing interior sides of the interlocking
end 2.
[0026] FIGS. 6A-6E collectively illustrate the various views of the
"bolt-on" embodiment of the new bracket assembly. FIG. 6A shows the
top view of the clip-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly. As
depicted, 3/8-inch holes 10 enable bolts to hold the securing end
3a, 3b of the bracket assembly to standard 3-inch by 1.5-inch or
3-inch by 3-inch vertical beams.
[0027] FIG. 6B shows the side view of the bolt-on embodiment of the
new bracket assembly having a standard bolt 5 and nut 23 secured
through bolt holes 20 in opposing sides of the interlocking end 2.
In use, the bolt 5 passes beneath the horizontal beam to which the
bracket assembly is attached, locking the bracket assembly in
place.
[0028] FIG. 6C shows the bottom view of the bolt-on embodiment of
the new bracket assembly having bolt holes 20, 21 in each of the
opposing sides of the interlocking end 2.
[0029] FIG. 6D shows the front view of the bolt-on embodiment of
the new bracket assembly having bolt holes 20 in the inner side of
the interlocking end 2.
[0030] FIG. 6E shows the rear view of the bolt-on embodiment of the
new bracket assembly having bolt holes 20 in the outer side of the
interlocking end 2.
[0031] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an exploded perspective view and a
perspective view, respectively, of another embodiment of the new
adaptable bracket assembly being comprised of two end pieces that
are bolted together to form a single bracket. FIG. 7A shows the
interlocking end 2 of the bracket 1 having a bolt hole 24 in both
sides of the interlocking end 2. The securing end 3a, 3b is
fortified by a plate 8 attached perpendicularly to the two sides
3a, 3b of the securing end. The plate 8 has a bolt hole (not
depicted). FIG. 7B shows the interlocking end 2 and the securing
end 3a, 3b connected by a bolt 5 and nut 23 passing through the
bolt holes in the plate 8 of the securing end and the two sides of
the interlocking end 2.
[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the new
bracket assembly as in use. The interlocking side 2 of the bracket
assembly is depicted as positioned on a horizontal pallet rack beam
4, being secured via a bolt 5 and nut 23 passing through the two
sides of the interlocking end 2 and passing below the horizontal
pallet rack beam 4. The securing end 3a, 3b of the bracket is shown
as bracketing two vertical beams 6 and is secured to said vertical
beams via bolts 25 and nuts 26 that each pass through complementary
bolt holes in each side of the securing end 3a, 3b and each of the
vertical beams 6.
[0033] As to further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. With respect to the above description
then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of this invention, to include
variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships
to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention, the use of which results in a new adaptable bracket
assembly for pallet racks.
[0034] Although the description presented heretofore contains
specificities for the benefit of illustration, these should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but rather as
illustrative examples of some of the several embodiments. Thus, the
scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended
claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples
provided.
* * * * *