AU726905B2 - Improved shelf mounting system and bracket - Google Patents

Description

M/UM 1 2a8/91 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: ec 8@ 0 0 0* 0* 0 0 0**0 *000 Invention Title: IMPROVED SHELF MOUNTING SYSTEM AND BRACKETS The following statement Is a full description of this invention, Including the best method of performing it known to us 1 IMPROVED SHELF MOUNTING SYSTEM AND BRACKETS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system for mounting metal shelving supports to posts of the type used for retail display, storage, and similar purposes.

BACKGROUND ART A variety of arrangements have been proposed and used for mounting shelving. The present invention is concerned with an arrangement in which upright posts with shaped apertures are joined to horizontal beams by means of metal brackets having engaging tabs for insertion into the apertures of the upright posts.

In an existing form, marketed by the applicant as METROSHELFTM, the posts bear circular apertures along their sides which are engaged by brackets having two engagement tabs of tapering profile. Such brackets are not particularly secure and may be disengaged by the application of force in an i upward direction, especially when unloaded. In order to prevent accidental disengagement of the brackets retaining pins are inserted through the bracket after assembly. However, it has been the experience of retailers that the pins may be removed inadvertently thereby rendering the shelving potentially unstable. Further, it is inconvenient to fit many pins during installation and the removal of numerous pins during dismantling of the structure is laborious.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an easily assembled, economical shelf mounting system which does not require additional restraint elements to secure the joins between brackets and posts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a system for mounting shelving is provided which includes a) a plurality of substantially upright posts having at least one wall with apertures formed through, each aperture being adapted to accept a securing tab, 2 b) a plurality of substantially horizontal members having a bracket attached at least one end, said brackets having securing tabs for operatively engaging apertures in said posts, said securing tabs characterised by i) A stopper section projecting from a flat surface of said bracket ii) A locking portion contiguous to the distal end of said stopper section said locking portion lying parallel to or converging towards said flat surface and having a minimum distance to said flat surface less than the wall thickness of said post, iii) An entry portion contiguous to the end of said locking portion opposite said stopper section being angled away from said surface and having a tapered, filleted or chamfered free end to facilitate entry into said apertures, wherein the horizontal members and upright posts are operatively joined by the gripping of said post wall between said locking portion and said flat surface of said bracket.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 15 An illustrative embodiment will shortly be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which Figure 1 is an assembly drawing of a bracket incorporating three engagement tabs and with a beam attached.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 1.

20 Figure 3 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 1

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Figure 4a is an enlargement of one of securing tabs shown in Figure 3 Figure 4b is a front view of the securing tab shown in Figure 4a.

ee**!Figure 5 is an assembly drawing of a mounting post.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a mounting post bracket and beam showing the alignment of the bracket with the mounting post prior to assembly.

Figure 7 depicts a cross section of a post and bracket when joined.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 1 it can be seen that a bracket 2 incorporating three securing tabs 4 is welded to at least one end of a beam 16. In the illustrative embodiment the three securing tabs are formed by stamping them out of the bracket material and then bending them to a desired form, to be described shortly, thereby leaving three holes 10 in the bracket.

Alternatively rather than stamping the tabs out of the bracket they could be formed at a location removed from the bracket and then attached to it by a joining process such as welding. The use of preferably three engagement tabs provides a considerable improvement in stability and engagement security over a two lug system as in the prior art.

The beam 16 is welded to the bracket and in the present embodiment is of rectangular cross section although other sections for example or "U" would also be suitable. The bracket includes an angle 18 which adds to its strength and also to the rigidity of the assembled post and beam structure.

Referring now to Figure 2 a plan view of the assembly of Figure 1 is shown.

Figure 3 depicts a front view of Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 5 a preferred embodiment of a post used in the present inventive system is illustrated. The post is of triangular form though 99 with two flanges 30, 32 which make an angle with sides 26 and 28 respectively S 15 matching that of the angle 18 of the bracket 2. Each of sides 26 and 28 bear a column of rectangular apertures 24. The apertures are each large enough to accommodate a securing tab 4 and the pitch between them corresponds to the 9*9999 pitch between the securing tabs of the bracket 2.

reference to Figures 4a and 4b the preferred configuration of 20 securing tab 4 is depicted. The tab includes a stopper portion 45 which projects outwards from the surface of the bracket. The stopper portion has an upper surface 44 which resists disengagement of the tab as will be explained shortly and a lower surface 46 by which the tab rests upon the lower edge of one of the apertures 24 of the post. From Figure 4a it can be seen that each tab 4 has two angled parts, an entry portion or tip 38, to facilitate initial alignment and engagement and a second locking portion 36. Although the entry portion is depicted as being shaped for easy entry of the tab into the apertures 24 of the post 20 it is emphasised that the entry portion could be of any shape adapted to easily enter the apertures, for example a chamfered or filleted tip would also be acceptable. Illustratively, entry portion 38 is at an angle of degrees outward from bracket 2 and locking portion 36 is at an angle degrees towards the bracket.

The securing tab is of dimensions such that its width 42 is less than that of the apertures 24 of post 28. In its non-engaged state there will be a minimum distance 40 between the locking surface and the bracket which is less than the thickness of the post's walls.

Referring to Figure 7 a cross section through a bracket when joined to a post by means of a securing tab is depicted. It can be seen that upon engagement into apertures 24 of the post side 28 locking surface 36 is forced into hard contact with the side 28 of post 20 thereby generating a restraining static frictional force which resists motion of the bracket relative to the post, and so disengagement In particular the hard contact of the locking surface 36 against the post side 28 secures the bracket and beam against the accidental application of an upward force. The tab features a horizontal upper surface 44 to oo .resist accidental disengagement should sufficient upward force be applied to the bracket to overcome the retaining action of locking surface 36 against post 15 side wall 28. Should even greater security be required then this may be achieved by flanging the upper outer edge of the aperture as shown at item 00 of Figure 7.

The two angle configuration of the securing tab facilitates straightforward placement and joining of beam to post. The precise angles and curves of the S 20 tabs may of course vary, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. The entry part for example could be angled at less than 30 degrees in the case of tabs constructed from a more rigid material the precise mechanical arrangement is dependent on the materials used and the intended duty of the shelving.

The present invention may also be implemented using beams which are removable from the brackets however an integral construction is preferred.

Furthermore, although the system has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment in which the entry portion of the tabs point downwards other orientations are also possible, for example the tabs could be orientated parallel to the ground.

Claims (10)

1. A system for mounting metal shelves including a) a plurality of substantially upright posts having at least one wall with apertures formed through, each aperture being adapted to accept a securing tab, b) a plurality of substantially horizontal members having a bracket attached at least one end, said brackets having securing tabs for operatively engaging apertures in said posts, said securing tabs characterised by i) A stopper section projecting from a flat surface of said bracket ooooo C S ii) A locking portion contiguous to the end of said stopper section distal to said bracket, said locking portion lying parallel to or converging towards said flat surface and having a minimum distance to said flat surface less than the wall thickness of said post, iii) An entry portion contiguous to the end of said locking portion opposite said stopper section being angled away from said surface and having a tapered, filleted or chamfered free end to facilitate entry into said apertures, wherein the horizontal members and upright posts are operatively joined :i by the gripping of said post wall between said locking portion and said flat surface of said bracket.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said brackets includes three securing tabs.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said posts include at least one flange said flange making an angle with said post wall. 6

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of substantially horizontal members are of a rectangular cross section. The system of claim 3 wherein the bracket includes an angle which complements the angle between said flange and said post wall.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said apertures have a flanged outer edge adapted to retain said securing tab.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said stopper section projects normally from said flat surface of said bracket.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said locking portion converges towards said flat surface at an angle of 10 degrees.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said entry portion is angled away from said surface at an angle of 30 degrees. The system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal members and brackets form an integral construction.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal members are detachably attached to said brackets. Qlo D 12. A system for mounting metal shelves including a plurality of substantially upright posts having at least one wall with apertures formed through, each aperture being adapted to accept a securing tab, and a plurality of substantially horizontal members having a bracket attached at least one end, said brackets oo. o0 00: o 000 °0 having securing tabs for operatively engaging apertures in said posts substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 2 0 t h day of September 2000 METRO PRODUCTS CO PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS UNIT 1, THE VILLAGE, RIVERSIDE CORPORATE PARK

39-117 DELHI ROAD NORTH RYDE NSW 2113 AUSTRALIA PNF:CA P5861AU00 e* e **a .p*o*