U.S. patent number 3,835,793 [Application Number 05/371,070] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-17 for rigid structure for shelving unit.
This patent grant is currently assigned to JCN Wire Industries Ltd.. Invention is credited to Norman H. Goddard.
United States Patent |
3,835,793 |
Goddard |
September 17, 1974 |
RIGID STRUCTURE FOR SHELVING UNIT
Abstract
The invention relates to a novel rigid structure for a
knock-down shelving arrangement. The structure includes two side
frame members which include shelf-retaining means at the ends of
the structure. The retaining means at each end face each other and
comprise a plurality of retaining units. Each unit consists of a
shelf-supporting protrusion, a resilient shelf-locking portion, and
a shelf-clearing portion. The space between a pair of facing
clearing portions is greater than the width of the shelf and the
space between a pair of locking portions is less than this width.
The space between a pair of protrusions is substantially less than
the shelf width. Thus, a shelf can be inserted into the structure
through the end of the structure in the space between clearing
portions. It is then locked into place by forcing it into the
locking space, and the supporting portion supports the shelf when
it is carrying a load. With this arrangement, shelves can be spaced
closely one on top of the other, and it is possible to remove a
bottom or middle shelf without removing the shelves above or below
the bottom or middle shelf.
Inventors: |
Goddard; Norman H. (Chateauguay
Center, Quebec, CA) |
Assignee: |
JCN Wire Industries Ltd.
(Quebec, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23462345 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/371,070 |
Filed: |
June 18, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/109;
211/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
55/02 (20130101); A47B 57/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
57/08 (20060101); A47B 55/00 (20060101); A47B
55/02 (20060101); A47B 57/00 (20060101); A47b
057/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/111,109,110,107,106
;211/182,134,148,71 ;248/249,250 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Zugel; Francis K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Swabey; Alan Mitchell; Robert
E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A knock-down shelving arrangement comprising:
a pair of upstanding laterally spaced parallel frame members having
upstanding end portions;
spacing bars extending between said frame members holding the same
in said spaced parallel relation;
shelf retaining means on said upstanding end portions, the
retaining means on one frame member facing those on the other and
each comprising an elongated resilient integral member fixedly
secured to said upstanding end portions at vertically spaced
positions;
said shelf retaining members, between said spaced positions, being
spaced from said upstanding end portions and comprising lowermost
protrusions configured to support a shelf resting thereon and
integral upstanding resilient portions adjacent said lowermost
portions and positioned to resiliently press against the edges of a
shelf resting on said protrusions to hold the same in position,
said resilient portions merging into more widely spaced portions
above said resilient portions and which are spaced apart a distance
greater than the width of a shelf on said protrusions whereby a
shelf resting on said protrusions may be slid upwardly along said
resilient portions to a position between said more widely spaced
portions and then withdrawn endwise from said frame members without
restraint.
2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein facing pairs of
protrusions of adjacent side frame members are at the same height
and are also at the same height as corresponding pairs of
protrusions of the other side frame members, whereby a shelf
supported by corresponding pairs of said units is horizontally
disposed.
3. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said side frame
members comprise tubular pipes shaped to form a closed loop.
4. A structure as defined in claim 1, and comprising spacing bars
at the top and bottom of both said ends of said structure.
5. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said spacing bars
comprise tubular pipes;
rod means, threaded at both ends, extending through said bar and
through openings in said side frame members adjacent said bar;
nut means, threadedly engaging the threads of said rod, mounted on
the ends of said rod for securing said spacing bars to said side
frame members.
6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said spacing bars
comprise tubular pipes;
plug means, having internal threads, being placed in the ends of
each said spacing bars;
openings in said side frame members adjacent the ends of said
spacing bars;
and screw means, extending through said openings and threadedly
engaging said plugs to secure said spacing bars to said side frame
members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rigid structure for a knock-down
shelving arrangement. More specifically, this invention relates to
such a structure wherein it is possible to remove shelves from the
end thereof when the structure is in its standup position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Knock-down shelving units are known as can be seen, for example, in
U.S Pat. No. 2,919,817, Maslow, Jan. 5, 1970. The problem with
these units is that, in order to remove a shelf, it is necessary to
tilt the shelf. Thus, the shelves must have large spaces between
them if it is to be possible to remove a middle shelf without first
removing the shelves above it. This prevents the most efficient
utilization of the unit.
If the shelves are closely spaced one on top of the other, it is
necessary to remove all shelves on top of a middle shelf before the
middle shelf can be removed.
In addition, because the unit is supported by cross members at its
ends, shelves must be removed through the sides of the unit. This
can be inconvenient because it is necessary to manipulate the shelf
along the full length thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The rigid structure, in accordance with the invention, will permit
the removal of shelves from the ends of the structure without any
requirement for tilting the shelves. In addition, the structure is
sturdy and capable of withstanding a great deal of physical
abuse.
In accordance with the invention, a rigid structure for a
knock-down shelving arrangement comprises:
TWO SIDE FRAME MEMBERS;
SPACING BARS SPACEDLY SEPARATING SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS AT EACH
END OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS TO DEFINE ENDS OF SAID RIGID
STRUCTURES;
SHELF-RETAINING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE END PORTIONS OF SAID FRAME
MEMBERS, THE SHELF-RETAINING MEANS OF ADJACENT END PORTIONS FACING
EACH OTHER;
SAID SHELF-RETAINING MEANS COMPRISING SHELFSUPPORTING
PROTRUSIONS.
Preferably, the frame members comprise tubular pipes shaped to form
a closed loop. Alternatively, the frame members could comprise
square pipes joined to form a rectangle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood by an examination of the
following description together with the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the structure with shelving mounted
therein;
FIG. 2 is a partial end view partially broken away to illustrate
the shelf-retaining means of the invention as well as securing
means for the spacing bars;
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative means for securing the spacing
bars; and
FIG. 4 shows how the structure can be secured to a dolly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to FIG. 1, the rigid structure, indicated generally
at 1, includes side frames 3 and 5, joined together by spacing bars
7 and 9 at one end and 11 and 13 at the other end. The bars 7 and
11 connect the top ends of the frames while the bars 9 and 13
connect the bottom ends of the frames. The frames can comprise
tubular pipes shaped to form closed loops as shown in the drawing.
However, the frame can also comprise rectangular pipes joined to
form a rectangle. Although the frames are shown in the drawing as
integral members, it is, of course, possible to make them in parts
joined as by sleeve and rod connections. Such sleeve and rod
arrangements would be advantageous in that the side frames could be
broken down for ease of shipping.
THe spacing bars can also be tubular or square pipes and the means
for securing the spacing bars is discussed below relative to the
descriptions of FIGS. 2 and 3.
Shelves 15 and 17 are supported in the structure by the
shelf-retaining means 19 and 21 at one end and 23 and 25 at the
other end. The construction of the shelfretaining means is
discussed below. The entire structure can be mounted on a dolly to
make the entire arrangement movable.
The rigid structure is preferably made of a sturdy metal such as
steel or aluninum as is well known in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the shelf-retaining means 23 and 25 are
shown to be facing each other and consisting of a plurality of
paired shelf-supporting units. Each facing pair of units comprises
a pair of shelfsupporting protrusions 23a and 25a. Each pair of
such protrusions will, of course, be at the same height on the side
frames so that shelves supported by a pair of protrusions will be
horizontally disposed. It will also be appreciated that the spacing
between the facing ends of the protrusions will be substantially
less than the width of the shelves they support.
Immediately above each protrusion is a resilient shelf-engaging
portion 23b. The spacing between the facing surfaces of the
portions 23b is slightly less than the width of the shelves, so
that a shelf must be forced in between a pair of resilient engaging
members. Because of the resiliency of these members, when a shelf
is forced into the space between them, the portions 23b will push
outwards against the shelf and lock it into place.
The retaining means is secured to the side frames by a plurality of
weld points 24, 26. The weld points are immediately above the
resilient portions 23b, 25b, and immediately below shelf-clearing
portions 23c, 25c. The spacing between the facing surfaces of the
portions 23c, 25c is slightly greater than the width of the
shelves.
As is obvious, each shelf-retaining unit comprises a clearing
portion, a resilient portion and a protrusion.
In FIG. 2, shelf 15 is shown in broken lines adjacent a pair of
shelf-clearing portions and shelf 17 is shown adjacent a pair of
resilient retaining portions.
The rod 7 can be secured to the frame by a rod and bolts
arrangement consisting of a rod 29, threaded at both ends, and nuts
31 and 33 threadedly secured to the ends of the rod. An alternative
means for securing the spacing bar is shown in FIG. 3 and consists
of plugs 35, 37, inserted in the ends of the bar, and mating screws
39, 41. The plugs are usually made of a plastic material and
include internal threads to receive the threads of the screws 39
and 41. The bar may also be welded to the side frames but of
course, with the welded arrangement, the structure is less of a
knock-down arrangement than with the bolting or screwing means. As
will be apparent, the side frames will contain openings to receive
the bolts or screws of the appropriate arrangements.
The structure can be mounted on a dolly in a manner shown in FIG.
4. Specifically, a nut and bolt arrangement which secures the
caster to the dolly, can be extended to secure the structure to the
dolly. The caster plate 43 contains openings for receiving nut and
bolt arrangements 45 and 47. These arrangements also pass through
openings in the side of the dolly 27a and the bottom of the side
frame 7a. The caster wheel 49 is rotatably attached to the plate 43
as is well known in the art.
In operation, the structure is used as follows:
To ship the structure, it is knocked down into its component parts.
When the side frames consist of integral tubular pipes, the
component parts comprise the two side frames, four spacing bars,
shelving units, and a dolly. Both the dolly and the frames can be
made to break down further by rod and sleeve arrangements as
described above. Also, if the frame is made of square pipe, then it
will normally be made of separable parts which can be broken
down.
The shelf-retaining means can be mounted on the frames at the
factory.
The structure can be easily assembled by the user with the aid of
only simple wrenches and screw drivers, depending on the particular
embodiment used.
After the structure is assembled, the shelves are placed in
position as follows.
A shelf is inserted into the structure through an end thereof in
the space between the shelf-clearing portions immediately above the
protrusion which will support the shelf. The shelf is then forced
down into the space between a pair of resilient portions. This will
lock the shelf in position and restrain vertical and horizontal
movement under no load conditions. When a load is placed on the
shelf, the resilient members will contract under the force of the
load and the shelf would tend to move downward. However, the
protrusions will prevent substantial downward movement and support
the loaded shelves.
It can be seen that the retaining means must be made of material
strong enough to support a load, but resilient enough to provide
the locking function of the portions 23b, 25b. Preferably, heavy
steel wire having a diameter of some one-fourth inch is used.
To remove a shelf, it is merely necessary to force the shelf out of
the space between the resilient portions and into the space between
the portions 23c, 25c. As this space is greater than the width of
the shelf, the shelf can now be slid out through the end of the
structure. Thus, the shelf does not have to be tilted, nor do
adjacent shelves above have to be removed.
It can thus be seen that the inventive structure permits a much
closer spacing between shelves one on top of the other, and a
convenient and simple method for removing the shelves from the
structure.
Although several embodiments have been described above, this was
for the purpose of illustrating, but not limiting, the invention.
Various modifications which will come readily to the mind of one
skilled in the art are in the scope of the invention as defined in
the appended claims.
* * * * *