GB2129674A - Shelving - Google Patents

Abstract

In a shelving system the shelf is supported by a tapered collar C which is clamped to a smooth post P. The collar C comprises a sleeve 4 having a parallel side slit 5. The sleeve 4 has a base part having an external parallel thread 6 and a nut 8 with an internal tapered thread wall 9 is used to engage the collar C to the post P. The sleeve 4 tapers upwardly to form finger parts 7 for wedging engagement with the flared portion 3 of the tube 2 of the shelf connector 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shelving The invention relates to shelving and in particularto shelving of the type in which upright posts are provided and shelves are adjustably mounted on these posts.

It is known to locate on the post a collar, and to engage a shelf part with the collar to engage the shelf and the post. The collar may be received in grooves or indentations formed in the post: this is unsightly and can attract dirt and bacteria which is undesirable especially where foodstuffs are to be placed on the shelves. It is also known to provide collars which can befitted onto smooth surfaced posts and such collars tend to have separate or external fixing devices by which they are held to the post. For example, a fixing screw may be received in a hole in the collar or a separate rubber ring may be interposed between the collar and the post.

It is an object ofthe invention to provide a collar four shelving which can be used on smooth posts of different diameters and which is simple in construction and operation, and more attractive in appearance and efficient in use.

According to one aspect the invention provides a shelf system comprising a plurality of upright posts and at least one shelf, the shelf having mounting parts mounted on collars located on the posts, each collar comprising a split sleeve having an internal smooth surface, the sleeve comprising a base part having an external thread and an upper part engaged with the mounting part ofthe shelf, and a nut having an internal thread engaged with the base part and urging the collar base part to the post by urging the two sides ofthe sleeve towards each other.

It is an important feature ofthe invention that the post surface is not marked or scored and the engagement ofthe internal thread ofthe nut and the external thread on the outside ofthe collar allows the collarwith a smooth internal surface to contact the smooth surface ofthe postwithout marking the post surface.

Most preferably the external thread ofthe base part has parallel threads and the internal thread ofthe nut has tapered threads.

Preferably the collar is arranged so that the upper part is spaced apart from the base part and is engaged with the mounting part of the shelf a distance from the base part. The double spaced apart engagement increases the grip of the collar and shelf to the post which is an important advantage, especially when the shelving is movable, as in a mobile trolley.

In a preferred feature, the upper part of the collar comprises upstanding spring finger-like portions adapted to abutthe postand shaped to engagethe mounting part of the shelf in dwnward wedging manner so that an increase in load on the shelf tends to increase the engagement ofthe shelfto the post.

The mounting parts of the shelf preferably comprise cornertubular elements adapted to be slid on to the finger-like portions of the collar.

The invention includes the collar itself and in combination with the nuttherefor.

In orderthatthe invention may be well understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure lisa vertical sectional view of part of a shelving system ofthe invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a collar of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view thereof; and Figure 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of the nut of Figure 1.

The shelving system comprises a shelf S having depending mounting corner connectors 1 each secured bya collarCto a post P. Each connector 1 comprises a tube 2 which has a lower outwardly flared portion 3. The post is a metal cylinder having a smooth outer surface.

The collar C comprises a sleeve 4formed, preferably die cast, of metal, alloy, plastics orthe like. As shown in Figure 2, a parallel side slit5 extends the length of the sleeve 4. The sleeve 4 has a base part having an external parallel thread 6. The sleeve 4tapers upwardly to form finger parts 7 for wedging engagement with the flared portion 3 ofthetube 2 of the shelf connector 1.

A nut 8 comprises a metal annulus having an internal hole with a tapered thread wall 9. As shown in Figure 4, the nut has flats 10 for engagement by hand or spanner.

In use, the sleeve 4is slid on to the post Pto the required position. The diameter of the post may vary widely and this will be tolerated by the sleeve, the slit 5 opening as required. The nut 8 is then threaded on to the threaded end 6 ofthe sleeve 4, the sides ofthe slit 5 closing to urge the sleeve into tight engagement with the post. The sleeve is thus anchored at its lowered to the post P without marking the surface thereof and the finger portions 7 are in tight engagement with the post P. A shelf S is then lowered on to the collar to cause the shelf support 1 to engage the spring fingers 7 in wedging manner. In this way, the shelf is caused to engage the posts in a tight manner, the engagement being so tightthatthe assembly may be part of mobile equipment, e.g. a trolley.When it is desired to adjust the lever of the shelf, the shelf is removed and the nut is rotated to remove the collar away from the post, the collar is repositioned and the nut then retightened.

The invention is capable of variation beyond the embodiment shown in the drawings. The collar and the nut may have a knurled or like surface for improved gripping. The nut wall may have flats for engaging a spanner.

1. A shelf system comprising a plurality of upright posts and at least one shelf, the shelf having mounting parts on collars located on the posts, each collar comprising a split sleeve having an internal smooth surface, the sleeve comprising a base part having an external thread and an upper part engaged with the mounting part of the shelf, and a nut having an internal thread engaged with the base part and urging

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Shelving The invention relates to shelving and in particularto shelving of the type in which upright posts are provided and shelves are adjustably mounted on these posts. It is known to locate on the post a collar, and to engage a shelf part with the collar to engage the shelf and the post. The collar may be received in grooves or indentations formed in the post: this is unsightly and can attract dirt and bacteria which is undesirable especially where foodstuffs are to be placed on the shelves. It is also known to provide collars which can befitted onto smooth surfaced posts and such collars tend to have separate or external fixing devices by which they are held to the post. For example, a fixing screw may be received in a hole in the collar or a separate rubber ring may be interposed between the collar and the post. It is an object ofthe invention to provide a collar four shelving which can be used on smooth posts of different diameters and which is simple in construction and operation, and more attractive in appearance and efficient in use. According to one aspect the invention provides a shelf system comprising a plurality of upright posts and at least one shelf, the shelf having mounting parts mounted on collars located on the posts, each collar comprising a split sleeve having an internal smooth surface, the sleeve comprising a base part having an external thread and an upper part engaged with the mounting part ofthe shelf, and a nut having an internal thread engaged with the base part and urging the collar base part to the post by urging the two sides ofthe sleeve towards each other. It is an important feature ofthe invention that the post surface is not marked or scored and the engagement ofthe internal thread ofthe nut and the external thread on the outside ofthe collar allows the collarwith a smooth internal surface to contact the smooth surface ofthe postwithout marking the post surface. Most preferably the external thread ofthe base part has parallel threads and the internal thread ofthe nut has tapered threads. Preferably the collar is arranged so that the upper part is spaced apart from the base part and is engaged with the mounting part of the shelf a distance from the base part. The double spaced apart engagement increases the grip of the collar and shelf to the post which is an important advantage, especially when the shelving is movable, as in a mobile trolley. In a preferred feature, the upper part of the collar comprises upstanding spring finger-like portions adapted to abutthe postand shaped to engagethe mounting part of the shelf in dwnward wedging manner so that an increase in load on the shelf tends to increase the engagement ofthe shelfto the post. The mounting parts of the shelf preferably comprise cornertubular elements adapted to be slid on to the finger-like portions of the collar. The invention includes the collar itself and in combination with the nuttherefor. In orderthatthe invention may be well understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure lisa vertical sectional view of part of a shelving system ofthe invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a collar of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view thereof; and Figure 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of the nut of Figure 1. The shelving system comprises a shelf S having depending mounting corner connectors 1 each secured bya collarCto a post P. Each connector 1 comprises a tube 2 which has a lower outwardly flared portion 3. The post is a metal cylinder having a smooth outer surface. The collar C comprises a sleeve 4formed, preferably die cast, of metal, alloy, plastics orthe like. As shown in Figure 2, a parallel side slit5 extends the length of the sleeve 4. The sleeve 4 has a base part having an external parallel thread 6. The sleeve 4tapers upwardly to form finger parts 7 for wedging engagement with the flared portion 3 ofthetube 2 of the shelf connector 1. A nut 8 comprises a metal annulus having an internal hole with a tapered thread wall 9. As shown in Figure 4, the nut has flats 10 for engagement by hand or spanner. In use, the sleeve 4is slid on to the post Pto the required position. The diameter of the post may vary widely and this will be tolerated by the sleeve, the slit 5 opening as required. The nut 8 is then threaded on to the threaded end 6 ofthe sleeve 4, the sides ofthe slit 5 closing to urge the sleeve into tight engagement with the post. The sleeve is thus anchored at its lowered to the post P without marking the surface thereof and the finger portions 7 are in tight engagement with the post P. A shelf S is then lowered on to the collar to cause the shelf support 1 to engage the spring fingers 7 in wedging manner. In this way, the shelf is caused to engage the posts in a tight manner, the engagement being so tightthatthe assembly may be part of mobile equipment, e.g. a trolley.When it is desired to adjust the lever of the shelf, the shelf is removed and the nut is rotated to remove the collar away from the post, the collar is repositioned and the nut then retightened. The invention is capable of variation beyond the embodiment shown in the drawings. The collar and the nut may have a knurled or like surface for improved gripping. The nut wall may have flats for engaging a spanner. CLAIMS

1. A shelf system comprising a plurality of upright posts and at least one shelf, the shelf having mounting parts on collars located on the posts, each collar comprising a split sleeve having an internal smooth surface, the sleeve comprising a base part having an external thread and an upper part engaged with the mounting part of the shelf, and a nut having an internal thread engaged with the base part and urging the collar base part to the post by urging thetwo sides ofthe split sleeve towards each other.

2. Asystem according to Claim 1, in which the external thread ofthe sleeve base part has parallel threads and the internal thread ofthe nut has tapered threads.

3. Asystem accordingtoClaim 1 orl,inwhichthe upper part ofthe collar is engaged with the mounting part ofthe shelf at a location spaced apartfrom the base ofthe collar.

4. A system according to Claim 3, in which the collar has upstanding finger-like portions adapted to abutthe post and shaped to engage the mounting part ofthe shelf in downward wedging manner so that an increase in load on the shelf tends to increase the engagement of the shelf to the post.

5. For use in a system according to any of Claims 1 to 4, a collar comprising a split sleeve having a smooth internal surface, the sleeve comprising a base part having an external thread, and an upper part comprising upstanding spring finger-like portions.

6. Acollaraccordingto CiaimSinwhich the external thread ofthe base part has parallel threads.

7. A collar according to Claim 5 or 6, incombina- tion with a nutforthe base part, the nut having an internal thread.

8. A collar according to Claim 7, in which the internal thread ofthe nut comprisestapered threads.

9. Ashelfsystem and collar substantially as described with reference to the drawings.