Shelf Constructions

Abstract

Shelves provided with edge constructions which increase the rigidity and load bearing capability of the shelf. In one embodiment, the two longitudinal edges of the shelf are bent into tubular channels with the free edges returned to the underside of the shelf. In another embodiment, similar to the first, the outermost edges of the tubular channels are of I-beam shape cross section. In a third embodiment, similar to the second, the longitudinal channels are of I-beam shape cross section except that the free edges are not returned to the underside of the shelf.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 607,741, filed Jan. 6, 1967, now abandoned.

Description

The present invention relates to new and improved shelf constructions capable of being used for storage in industrial facilities, stores, homes and other places where objects are to be stored.

It is quite common in the manufacture of metal shelves for the cost of the raw materials to be as high as 75 percent of the total cost of the shelves. Accordingly, various attempts have been made in the past to reduce the amount of raw materials needed in shelf constructions. For example, shelves have been constructed with thinner component parts. Others have been made with fewer vertical support posts. Generally, these cost saving efforts have resulted in weaker shelf units.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved shelf constructions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide shelf constructions which are capable of bearing heavy loads.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide shelf constructions which may be fabricated from lightweight metals with no sacrifice in their load bearing capability.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide shelf constructions which have an attractive appearance.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide shelf constructions which are simple in construction and which may be fabricated at a reasonable cost.

Briefly, one preferred embodiment of a shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention has a main surface upon which objects are placed for storage and a pair of tubular channels bent downward from an extending along the longitudinal edges of the main surface. Additionally, a second pair of channels is provided along the transverse edges of the main surface and these channels are provided with inturned edge pro portions which bear against the bottom surfaces of the tubular longitudinal channels at the corners of the shelf. The main surface of the shelf may be ribbed to increase the load bearing capability of the shelf and to prevent "oil canning"--the popping up of a thin metal after it has been depressed.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a shelf having a main surface and a pair of tubular channels extending along the longitudinal edges of the main surface, wherein the outermost edges of the tubular channels are of I-beam shape cross section.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a shelf having a main surface and a pair of I-beam channels extending along the longitudinal edges of the main surface. This embodiment differs from the second in that the innermost edges of the channels are not carried back to the underside of the main surface to form channels of tubular configuration.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention with portions of the shelf cut away;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a portion of the shelf of FIG. 1 inverted from its position in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are isometric views at reduced scale which illustrate different ribbing patterns which may be employed on shelves constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of a shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention has a main surface 10 upon which objects are to be placed for storage. Extending along each of the longitudinal edges of the main surface 10 is a tubular channel 12. These channels 12 are integral with the main surface 10 and consist of U-channels extending downwardly from the main surface. In particular, each of the tubular channels 12 includes a base 13, the underside of main surface 10, and a pair of vertical sides 14 and 15 extending therebetween. The arrangement is such that the free edges of sides 15 are returned to the underside of the main surface 10 and secured along the line of contact by suitable means, for example, electrical welding.

Extending along the transverse edges of the main surface 10 is a second pair of channels 16. Channels 16 also are integral with the main surface 10 and consist of L-channels extending downwardly from the main surface. In particular, each of the channels 16 has a base 17, the underside of main surface 10, and a vertical side 18 extending therebetween. The bases 17 of the transverse channels 16 are turned inwardly so as to bear against the bottom or outer surfaces of the tubular channels 12 at the corners of the shelf. This is most clearly illustrated in the inverted view of FIG. 2. The bases 17 are secured to the outer surfaces of the tubular channels 12 at the points of contact by suitable means, for example, electrical welding.

In order to increase the load bearing capability of the shelf and to prevent "oil canning," the main surface 10 is ribbed. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ribbing pattern includes a number of grooves 19 of trapezoidal shape in cross section, which are disposed parallel to the longitudinal edges of the main surface 10 and extend from one transverse edge to the other.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate different ribbing patterns which may be employed on shelves constructed in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 3, the areas of the main surface 30 between the longitudinal edges of the shelf and the free edges of the inner vertical sides of the tubular longitudinal channels again are ribbed parallel to the longitudinal edges of the shelf. The remaining area of the main surface is ribbed obliquely to the longitudinal edges of the shelf, for example, at a 45.degree. angle. In FIG. 4, the areas of the main surface 40 between the longitudinal edges of the shelf and the free edges of the inner vertical sides of the tubular longitudinal channels again are ribbed parallel to the longitudinal edges of the shelf. The remaining area of the main surface is ribbed parallel to the transverse edges of the shelf.

The shelves illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 preferably are fabricated from a light gage, high tensile strength steel. For example, the material may be 22 gage (0.027 to 0.030) half hard cold-rolled steel.

The shelves illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 may be fabricated in the following manner. Starting with coil stock, the material is first uncoiled and straightened. Next, the straightened material is supplied to continuous cold-roll forming machinery where the tubular longitudinal channels and the rib patterns are formed. This cold roll forming takes place over a length approximately equal to the desired length of the shelf. Short lengths of the material, corresponding to the material required for the transverse channels, are left unrolled at each end of the rolled lengths. After the roll forming operation, the free edges of the inner vertical sides of the tubular longitudinal channels are welded to the underside of the main surface. Next, the material is cut to proper length. The transverse channels then are bent downwardly and inwardly beneath the longitudinal channels. Finally, the bases of the transverse channels are welded to the bases of the longitudinal channels at the corners of the shelf.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of a shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention. This shelf differs from those previously described primarily by the construction of the outermost edges of the tubular channels and the construction of the transverse channels.

As in the shelves previously described, the shelf in FIG. 5 includes a main surface 50 and a first pair of tubular channels 52 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 5) extending along the longitudinal edges of the main surface. The channels 52 are bent downwardly from the longitudinal edges of the main surface 50 and are bent further to return the free edges to the underside of the main surface. In particular, each of the tubular channels 52 has a first section of I-beam cross section which includes a first portion 53 bent to extend inward of the shelf from a longitudinal edge of the main surface to form an edge 54 bent over upon itself, a second portion 56 bent to extend from portion 53 in a direction normal to the underside of the main surface to form an outer vertical side, a third portion 57 bent to extend outward of the shelf from side 56, and a fourth portion or base 60 bent to extend from portion 57 inward of the shelf and in a direction parallel to the main surface to from a second edge 58 bent over upon itself. Base 60 extends to a point inwardly beyond vertical side 56 and is bent upward to form an inner vertical side 62 which extends upward to the underside of the main surface of the shelf. A horizontal flange 64 is provided at the top of vertical side 62 and is arranged to bear against the underside of the main surface 50. The flange 64 is secured to the underside of the main surface 50.

The transverse channel 66 is U-shaped and includes upper and lower horizontal flanges 68 and 70, respectively, joined together by a web 72. The upper horizontal flange 68 has two regions 73 which are offset or depressed which are aligned with grooves 74 of a ribbing pattern on the main surface 50.

The shelf illustrated in FIG. 5 is assembled by passing the upper horizontal flange 68 of the transverse channel 66 between the underside of the main surface 50 and the top of inner vertical side 62 of the tubular longitudinal channel 52 and by passing the lower horizontal flange 70 of the transverse channel beneath the base 60 of the tubular longitudinal channel. The components are dimensioned so that they fit together snugly. In order to accommodate the upper horizontal flange 68, the bent upper portion of the vertical side 62 is provided with a slot 62a at each end to receive the flange 68. Once the transverse channel 66 has been inserted in the manner described, the lower horizontal flange 70 is welded to the base 60 of the tubular longitudinal channels at the corners of the shelf. Because of the depressions in the upper horizontal flange 68 of the transverse channel 66, the upper surface of the transverse channel bears against the underside of the main surface 50 along substantially the entire length of the channel 66.

It should be noted that the ribbing pattern need not extend over the entire area of the main surface of the shelves illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. For example, the shelf in FIG. 5 may be provided with only three longitudinally disposed grooves at each of the longitudinal edges of the shelf.

Another advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that vertical side 56 and edges 54 and 58, in combination, provide support means for labels if desired. In FIG. 5 a label 80 is shown by dash lines, illustrating the preferred method of supporting supporting the label. As illustrated the label is bowed and supported along its longitudinal edges by edges 54 and 58.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. This embodiment differs from the one illustrated in FIG. 5 in that the channels 81 and 82 which extend along the longitudinal edges of main surface 84 are not of tubular configuration. The innermost edges, vertical sides 86 and 88, are not carried back to the underside of main surface 84. In certain applications, the I-beam cross section of channels 81 and 82 will provide sufficient strength and rigidity to the shelf to avoid the need for extending sides 86 and 88 to the underside of the main surface and securing these sides to the underside of the main surface.

As most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, extending along the transverse edges of main surface 84 is a pair of L-channels bent downward from the main surface. Each L-channel has a vertical side 90 and 92 and a horizontal base 94 and 96. The L-channels extend between the outermost edges of the shelf. Horizontal bases 94 and 96 are positioned to bear against the bottom surfaces of I-beam channels 81 and 82 and are secured to these channels at the points of contact by suitable means, for example, welding.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A shelf having a main surface and a pair of channels of I-beam shape cross section formed along the longitudinal edges of said main surface, each of said channels including a first portion bent to extend inward of said shelf from a longitudinal edge of said main surface, a second portion bent to extend from said first portion in a direction normal to the underside of said main surface, a third portion bent to extend outward of said shelf from said second portion, and a fourth portion bent to extend from said third portion inward of said shelf to said second portion and in a direction parallel to said main surface, the juncture of said first and said second portions in contact with and bearing against said underside of said main surface and a said fourth portion in contact with and bearing

2. A shelf according to claim 1 wherein said fourth portion of said channel extends inward of said shelf beyond said second portion and is bent to form a fifth portion extending from said fourth portion toward said underside of said main surface in a direction parallel to sa said second

3. A shelf according to claim 2 wherein said fifth portion of said channel

4. A shelf having a main surface; a first pair of channels bent downwardly from the longitudinal edges of said main surface and further bent to return the free edges thereof to the underside of said main surface to form a pair of tubes along said longitudinal edges of said main surface, each of said channels of said first pair including a first portion bent to extend inward of said shelf from a longitudinal edge of said main surface, a second portion bent to extend from said first portion in a direction normal to said underside of said main surface, a third portion bent to extend outward of said shelf from said second portion, a fourth portion bent to extend from said third portion inward of said shelf to beyond said second portion and in a direction parallel to said main surface, and a fifth portion bent to extend from said fourth portion to said underside of said main surface, the juncture of said first and said second portions in contact with and bearing against said underside of said main surface and said fourth portion in contact with and bearing against the juncture of said second and said third portions; and a second pair of channels of U cross section extending along the transverse edges of said main surface, each of said U-channels having an upper horizontal flange positioned beneath and bearing against the underside of said main surface and a lower horizontal flange positioned beneath and bearing against said fourth

5. A shelf comprising: a main surface; a pair of tubular channels extending along the longitudinal edges of said main surface and beneath said main surface, each of said tubular channels having a first section of I-beam-shaped cross section and a second section in the form of a wall inward of said first section and extending between the lower flange of said I-beam shaped first section and the underside of said main surface, the upper and lower ends of the web of said I-beam-shaped first section in contact with and bearing against the upper and lower flanges, respectively, of said I-beam-shaped first section: and a second pair of channels of U-shaped cross section extending along the transverse edges of said main surface, each of said U-shaped channels having an upper horizontal flange positioned beneath and bearing against said underside of said main surface and a lower horizontal flange positioned beneath and bearing against the bottom surfaces of said lower

6. A shelf comprising: a main surface; and a pair of tubular channels extending along the longitudinal edges of said main surface and beneath said main surface, each of said tubular channels having a first section of I-beam-shaped cross section and a second section in the form of a wall inward of said first section and extending between the upper and lower flanges of said I-beam-shaped first section, the upper and lower ends of the web of said I-beam-shaped first section in contact with and bearing against the upper and lower flanges, respectively, of

7. A shelf according to claim 6 wherein each of said second sections of said tubular channels also includes a horizontal portion bent away from the upper end of said walls and inward of said shelf from said tubular

8. A shelf according to claim 7 wherein said horizontal portions are secured to the respective upper flanges of said tubular channels.