CA2009846A1 - Frame assembly - Google Patents
Frame assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2009846A1 CA2009846A1 CA 2009846 CA2009846A CA2009846A1 CA 2009846 A1 CA2009846 A1 CA 2009846A1 CA 2009846 CA2009846 CA 2009846 CA 2009846 A CA2009846 A CA 2009846A CA 2009846 A1 CA2009846 A1 CA 2009846A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tab
- lug
- shelf
- support
- posts
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Assembled Shelves (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A frame assembly, which is especially well-suited for shelving, is provided with four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another. Each support wall defines a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug. Four shelf support members are carried by the posts for supporting a separate and generally horizontally disposed, removable shelf. The shelf support members are arranged in a rectangular configuration. Each shelf support member includes an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of the support walls of one of the corner support posts and includes another attachment portion positioned adjacent one of the support walls of another of the corner support posts. Each shelf support member attachment portion includes at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to the attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of shelf support material around the tab free distal end. The tab is received in one of the lug passages.
A frame assembly, which is especially well-suited for shelving, is provided with four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another. Each support wall defines a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug. Four shelf support members are carried by the posts for supporting a separate and generally horizontally disposed, removable shelf. The shelf support members are arranged in a rectangular configuration. Each shelf support member includes an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of the support walls of one of the corner support posts and includes another attachment portion positioned adjacent one of the support walls of another of the corner support posts. Each shelf support member attachment portion includes at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to the attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of shelf support material around the tab free distal end. The tab is received in one of the lug passages.
Description
2~0~ 6 FRAME ASSEMBLY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a frame assembly which is particularly well-suited for use with shelving, tables and the like that may be sold in a knocked-down form for assembly by the purchaser without the use of separate fasteners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
AND
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART
There are presently available a wide variety of frame assemblies for use with storage shelving systems, tables and the like. Some such assemblies are available with corner support posts having keyhole-~ 15 shaped slots for receiving rivet members projecting i~ outwardly from a shelf flange or shelf support beam.
Although such frame assemblies do not require the use of separate fasteners, the outwardly projecting members at each end of the shelf flange or support beam are relatively massive compared to the thickness of the sheet metal that is conventionally used for fabrication of the components. ~ -Typically, each shelf is carried by four flanges or support beams which are supported at each corner. For heavy load conditions, the conventional- - -rivet and keyhole slot shelving assemblies employ two relatively massive, vertically aligned, projecting rivet -~
members on each end of each shelf flange or shelf support beam.
In the conventional shelving assemblies, the two rivets on each end of the shelf flange or shelf support beam are each received in a separate keyhole-shaped slot on the support post. Accordingly, in a frame assembly with four corner support posts, there are sixteen relatively massive rivet members required f~r .
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2009~34~
supporting one shelf. It would be desirable to provide an improved frame assembly and connection structure ~ which requires less stock material and which would be i less expensive to manufacture.
In order to provide a tight and rigid connection, each projecting rivet must be properly ¦ seated at the bottom of each keyhole-shaped slot. It has been found that proper seating of pairs of i vertically aligl~ed projecting rivets in the keyhole slots can be difficult to achieve. Owing to manufacturing tolerances and twisting of components during packaging, shipping, and handling, and/or owing to misalignment during assembly, one of the two rivets may bottom out in the seated position in its keyhole slot prior to the other rivet of the pair being properly seated in its keyhole slot. Further, owing to the relatively massive structure of each projecting rivet, and owing to the relative rigidity of the support post material around the keyhole slot, little or no deformation occurs to accommodate the seating variation.
Accordingly, the connection may remain somewhat loose.
It would be desirable to provide an improved frame assembly in which the connection between the support post and the shelf flange or support beam is relatively tight and rigid notwithstanding some initial misalignment which might have resulted from manufacturing tolerances and/or inadvertent bending or twisting of the components prior to assembly.
The conventional frame assemblies that employ projecting rivets or other relatively massive, outwardly projecting members necessarily have an increased overall thickness dimension equal to the rivet length.
Typically, the rivet length greatly exceeds the thickness of the remaining portion of the beam or other member from which the rivet projects.
- ~
i3 2(~09B4~i The outwardly projecting rivets can interfere with the placement of adjacent frame assemblies close to each other. When such frame assemblies are used with shelving systems, it may be desirable to attach, or at least locate, two shelving systems side-by-side. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide an improved frame assembly that would accommodate such side-by-side placement so as to reduce the space between the assemblies and to permit them to be connected together relatively rigidly.
The outwardly projecting rivets are -undesirable in other respects too. When a conventional rivet and slot frame assembly is packaged and shipped in an unassembled condition, the projecting lengths of the rivets on each beam end must be accommodated by the packaging. Another disadvantage is that the outwardly pro~ecting members on each beam end provide the ~-potential for snagging or otherwise interfering with ~ -other components during packaging, during removal from -~
; 20 the package, and during assembly. -;
It would be desirable to provide an improved frame assembly which could employ reduced thickness `
shelf support beams having a reduced probability of snagging or of otherwise interfering with other ~ -components. It would be advantageous if such an improved frame assembly would permit rapid installation and, when used with shelving, would easily facilitate shelf elevation changes. -Some conventional frame assemblies are -typically fabricated to be shipped in a knocked down - condition and asssmbled by the customer on site.
Typically, the corner support posts of such frame assemblies are provided in shorter length sections (e.g., three feet) for being connected together in an end-to-end relationship to form a longer combination ",.,,., -200!~
corner support post. Some such conventional frameassemblies used in shelving systems require a shelf to be positioned at the end-to-end joint of each corner support post. The shelf is used to connect, or help connect, the two shorter support posts and to provide sufficient rigidity for the overall structure. While this may provide a generally satisfactory way of connecting two shorter length support posts together, the requirement that a shelf be located right at that post connection may be an undesirable feature in many applications. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved knock-down frame assembly in which two shorter length corner support posts could be joined together in an end-to-end relationship without requiring the placement of a shelf right at the connection of the two posts.
When frame assemblies are used to support relatively high loads, it is desirable that the assembly be relatively rigid and provide good resistance to -swaying, bending, and buckling. Accordingly, it would advantageous to provide an improved frame assembly in which connections between the corner support posts and the cross members (e.g., shelves or shelf support beams) are relatively strong, rigid, and capable of withstanding the moments and~forces imposed at the conneetions.
- It would also be beneficial if an improved frame assembly could be used with generally flat, planar shelves that would not require unitary extending flanges or connection members which would otherwise increase the overall thickness dimension of the shelf. Further, it would be beneficial if such a shelf could be provided with means for securing its position in the shelving acse bly and for reducing the tendency of shelf support , .
200~8a~
members to deflect or bend outwardly when subjected to relatively high loads from the shelf.
Finally, it would be desirable if such an ¦ improved frame assembly could be provided with means for readily accommodating relative movement of the somponents as they are moved into the final assembled ~ positions and for facilitating the completion of ¦ connections between the components while providing generally tight, rigid, and strong connections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a frame assembly is provided with support posts which each include a support wall. Preferably, each post has a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another. Each support wall defines a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug. Preferably, each lug is relatively small and smooth, and each lug projects inwardly only a very small amount in the preferred embodiment, typically 0.14 inch in a contemplated commercial product embodying the invention.
The frame assembly also includes cross members connecting the support posts. When the frame assembly is used in a preferred embodiment as a part of shelving system, the cross members include at least one set of four shelf support members for supporting at least one .!
shelf at a desired elevation on four corner support posts. The four shelf support members are arranged in a rectangular configuration and are connected to the four corner support posts to provide a rigid structure.
Each cross member or shelf support member includes an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of the support walls of one of the corner support posts and includes another attachment portion positioned -:, r, ., `' 2~09~34~
adjacent one of the support walls of another of the corner support posts. Each shelf support member attachment portion includes at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to the attachment S portion to project downwardly in the absence of shelf support material around the tab free distal end. The tab is received in one of the lug passages on the corner support posts.
In the preferred form of the invention, two such tabs are provided in spaced-apart vertical registration to provide a particularly effective and ~ -strong connection. Preferably, the upper tab is somewhat longer than the lower tab. This aids in assembly by permitting one to concentrate first on inserting the distal end of the longer tab into its lug passage. Further, the distal end of the tab is preferably tapered along its side edges and along at least one face.
The passage defined within the lug is preferably provided with an internal curved wall or other means for reducing at least one dimension of the passage cross section so that it is somewhat smaller than the corresponding cross sectional dimension of the uninserted tab above the tapered distal end. Therefore, in order to fully insert the tab, some force must be applied.
For example, the shelf support member may be driven downwardly by pounding on it with a mallet. This causes each tab to enter into the reduced cross section lug passage and to be deformed. This provides a tight engagement. Where two vertically aliqned tabs are provided at each joint, the deformation of the tabs accommodates initial misalignment and/or manufacturing tolerances so that both t~bs are subjected, a~beit ~ ;~
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unequally, to some deformation. This results in a relatively tight and rigid connection.
In a preferred form of the invention, each support post is provided in sections or segments to permit the assembly components to be packaged in an unassembled condition in a smaller package. Typically, a lower corner support post and an upper corner support post are provided for each corner of the assembly and l are aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a frame assembly which is particularly well-suited for use with shelving, tables and the like that may be sold in a knocked-down form for assembly by the purchaser without the use of separate fasteners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
AND
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART
There are presently available a wide variety of frame assemblies for use with storage shelving systems, tables and the like. Some such assemblies are available with corner support posts having keyhole-~ 15 shaped slots for receiving rivet members projecting i~ outwardly from a shelf flange or shelf support beam.
Although such frame assemblies do not require the use of separate fasteners, the outwardly projecting members at each end of the shelf flange or support beam are relatively massive compared to the thickness of the sheet metal that is conventionally used for fabrication of the components. ~ -Typically, each shelf is carried by four flanges or support beams which are supported at each corner. For heavy load conditions, the conventional- - -rivet and keyhole slot shelving assemblies employ two relatively massive, vertically aligned, projecting rivet -~
members on each end of each shelf flange or shelf support beam.
In the conventional shelving assemblies, the two rivets on each end of the shelf flange or shelf support beam are each received in a separate keyhole-shaped slot on the support post. Accordingly, in a frame assembly with four corner support posts, there are sixteen relatively massive rivet members required f~r .
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2009~34~
supporting one shelf. It would be desirable to provide an improved frame assembly and connection structure ~ which requires less stock material and which would be i less expensive to manufacture.
In order to provide a tight and rigid connection, each projecting rivet must be properly ¦ seated at the bottom of each keyhole-shaped slot. It has been found that proper seating of pairs of i vertically aligl~ed projecting rivets in the keyhole slots can be difficult to achieve. Owing to manufacturing tolerances and twisting of components during packaging, shipping, and handling, and/or owing to misalignment during assembly, one of the two rivets may bottom out in the seated position in its keyhole slot prior to the other rivet of the pair being properly seated in its keyhole slot. Further, owing to the relatively massive structure of each projecting rivet, and owing to the relative rigidity of the support post material around the keyhole slot, little or no deformation occurs to accommodate the seating variation.
Accordingly, the connection may remain somewhat loose.
It would be desirable to provide an improved frame assembly in which the connection between the support post and the shelf flange or support beam is relatively tight and rigid notwithstanding some initial misalignment which might have resulted from manufacturing tolerances and/or inadvertent bending or twisting of the components prior to assembly.
The conventional frame assemblies that employ projecting rivets or other relatively massive, outwardly projecting members necessarily have an increased overall thickness dimension equal to the rivet length.
Typically, the rivet length greatly exceeds the thickness of the remaining portion of the beam or other member from which the rivet projects.
- ~
i3 2(~09B4~i The outwardly projecting rivets can interfere with the placement of adjacent frame assemblies close to each other. When such frame assemblies are used with shelving systems, it may be desirable to attach, or at least locate, two shelving systems side-by-side. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide an improved frame assembly that would accommodate such side-by-side placement so as to reduce the space between the assemblies and to permit them to be connected together relatively rigidly.
The outwardly projecting rivets are -undesirable in other respects too. When a conventional rivet and slot frame assembly is packaged and shipped in an unassembled condition, the projecting lengths of the rivets on each beam end must be accommodated by the packaging. Another disadvantage is that the outwardly pro~ecting members on each beam end provide the ~-potential for snagging or otherwise interfering with ~ -other components during packaging, during removal from -~
; 20 the package, and during assembly. -;
It would be desirable to provide an improved frame assembly which could employ reduced thickness `
shelf support beams having a reduced probability of snagging or of otherwise interfering with other ~ -components. It would be advantageous if such an improved frame assembly would permit rapid installation and, when used with shelving, would easily facilitate shelf elevation changes. -Some conventional frame assemblies are -typically fabricated to be shipped in a knocked down - condition and asssmbled by the customer on site.
Typically, the corner support posts of such frame assemblies are provided in shorter length sections (e.g., three feet) for being connected together in an end-to-end relationship to form a longer combination ",.,,., -200!~
corner support post. Some such conventional frameassemblies used in shelving systems require a shelf to be positioned at the end-to-end joint of each corner support post. The shelf is used to connect, or help connect, the two shorter support posts and to provide sufficient rigidity for the overall structure. While this may provide a generally satisfactory way of connecting two shorter length support posts together, the requirement that a shelf be located right at that post connection may be an undesirable feature in many applications. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved knock-down frame assembly in which two shorter length corner support posts could be joined together in an end-to-end relationship without requiring the placement of a shelf right at the connection of the two posts.
When frame assemblies are used to support relatively high loads, it is desirable that the assembly be relatively rigid and provide good resistance to -swaying, bending, and buckling. Accordingly, it would advantageous to provide an improved frame assembly in which connections between the corner support posts and the cross members (e.g., shelves or shelf support beams) are relatively strong, rigid, and capable of withstanding the moments and~forces imposed at the conneetions.
- It would also be beneficial if an improved frame assembly could be used with generally flat, planar shelves that would not require unitary extending flanges or connection members which would otherwise increase the overall thickness dimension of the shelf. Further, it would be beneficial if such a shelf could be provided with means for securing its position in the shelving acse bly and for reducing the tendency of shelf support , .
200~8a~
members to deflect or bend outwardly when subjected to relatively high loads from the shelf.
Finally, it would be desirable if such an ¦ improved frame assembly could be provided with means for readily accommodating relative movement of the somponents as they are moved into the final assembled ~ positions and for facilitating the completion of ¦ connections between the components while providing generally tight, rigid, and strong connections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a frame assembly is provided with support posts which each include a support wall. Preferably, each post has a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another. Each support wall defines a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug. Preferably, each lug is relatively small and smooth, and each lug projects inwardly only a very small amount in the preferred embodiment, typically 0.14 inch in a contemplated commercial product embodying the invention.
The frame assembly also includes cross members connecting the support posts. When the frame assembly is used in a preferred embodiment as a part of shelving system, the cross members include at least one set of four shelf support members for supporting at least one .!
shelf at a desired elevation on four corner support posts. The four shelf support members are arranged in a rectangular configuration and are connected to the four corner support posts to provide a rigid structure.
Each cross member or shelf support member includes an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of the support walls of one of the corner support posts and includes another attachment portion positioned -:, r, ., `' 2~09~34~
adjacent one of the support walls of another of the corner support posts. Each shelf support member attachment portion includes at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to the attachment S portion to project downwardly in the absence of shelf support material around the tab free distal end. The tab is received in one of the lug passages on the corner support posts.
In the preferred form of the invention, two such tabs are provided in spaced-apart vertical registration to provide a particularly effective and ~ -strong connection. Preferably, the upper tab is somewhat longer than the lower tab. This aids in assembly by permitting one to concentrate first on inserting the distal end of the longer tab into its lug passage. Further, the distal end of the tab is preferably tapered along its side edges and along at least one face.
The passage defined within the lug is preferably provided with an internal curved wall or other means for reducing at least one dimension of the passage cross section so that it is somewhat smaller than the corresponding cross sectional dimension of the uninserted tab above the tapered distal end. Therefore, in order to fully insert the tab, some force must be applied.
For example, the shelf support member may be driven downwardly by pounding on it with a mallet. This causes each tab to enter into the reduced cross section lug passage and to be deformed. This provides a tight engagement. Where two vertically aliqned tabs are provided at each joint, the deformation of the tabs accommodates initial misalignment and/or manufacturing tolerances so that both t~bs are subjected, a~beit ~ ;~
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,.
9~
unequally, to some deformation. This results in a relatively tight and rigid connection.
In a preferred form of the invention, each support post is provided in sections or segments to permit the assembly components to be packaged in an unassembled condition in a smaller package. Typically, a lower corner support post and an upper corner support post are provided for each corner of the assembly and l are aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry.
3 lo A splice plate is provided for connecting the 1 upper and lower corner support posts together. The splice plate has a planar central portion spanning the two abutting ends of the upper and lower corner support posts and has two oppositely directed planar legs. One of the legs projects into one of the upper corner support post lug passages and the other of the legs projects into one of the lower corner support post lug passages.
Each leg of the splice plate may have the same configuration as the configuration of shelf support member attachment tabs. Thus, a transverse cross sectional dimension of each uninserted leg may be somewhat larger than the corresponding dimension of the support post lug passage so that each leg has to be forced into the passage with sufficient force to cause a deformation of the leg to provide a relatively tight and rigid joint.
In the preferred form of the invention, a shelf is provided for being disposed on the cross members or shelf support members. Preferably, the shelf has a bottom surface with a pair of side margins, a front margin, and a rear margin. The shelf defines a downwardly open channel in the bottom surface along the rear margin and defines a downwardly open channel in the bottom surface along the front margin.
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201~ 34~S
A shelf support member along the front of the assembly includes an inwardly extending flange for supporting the front margin of the shelf. Another shelf support member along the rear of the assembly includes an inwardly extending flange for supporting the rear margin of the shelf. Each front and rear shelf support member also includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the flange for being received in one of the downwardly open channels defined in the shelf. This structure functions to locate and retain the shelf and provides increased rigidity in the shelf support member which lessens the tendency of the shelf support member to bend, twist, or bow outwardly.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shelving support assembly of the present invention with a ~-plurality of shelves being supported at various elevations;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view;
FIG. 3 is an end elevational view;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view; -~
FIG. 5 is a bottom view;
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 6-6 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective ~-view of the components shown in FIG. 6;
' , .:
., .
.
.
Z~0~346 FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 8-8 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 9-9 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view taken generally along plane 10-10 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged, elevational view of the splice plate taken generally along the plane 11-11 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view similar to FIG. 6 but showing intermediate positions of the components prior to final completion of the joint;
FIG. 13 is a more greatly enlarged, perspective view of the upper portion of the structure shown in FIG. 12, but showing the final position of the components in the completed joint; and FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged view taken generally along the plane 14-14 in FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only one specific form as an example of the use of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
The frame assembly of the present invention is designated in FIG. 1 generally by the reference numeral 10. The frame assembly 10 is shown supporting a plurality of shelves 12 so as to function as a shelving assembly or shelf unit. Five shelves 12 are shown, but it will be appreciated that a fewer or greater number of . ' .' .
2C~ 8~ ;
shelves may be employed. In a contemplated commercial embodiment of the invention, each shelf 12 is fabricated from a suitable particle board material.
Four vertical corner posts 14 are arranged with each one of the posts 14 at a different one of four corners of the assembly. Each post 14 is positioned ~ adjacent a corner of each of the shelves.
¦ In the preferred embodiment illustrated, wherein the assembly 10 has an overall height of about 6 feet, each corner support post 14 includes a lower corner support post 16 and an upper corner support post 18 which are aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry and connected together by means described in detail hereinafter.
All of the lower corner support posts 16 are identical, and all of the upper corner support posts 18 i are identical to the lower corner support posts 16. The structure of the upper and lower corner support posts is -next described with reference to the upper corner support post 18 illustrated in the enlarged views in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.
The post 18 has a pair of support walls 22 ~-which are at generally right angles to one another.
Each support wall 22 defines a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs 30. As best illustrated in FIG. 8, each lug 30 defines a vertical passage 40 adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug. In a contemplated commercial embodiment, the posts 18 (and the posts 16) are each fabricated from cold rolled steel having a thickness of between about 0.055 inch and about 0.065 inch. Each lug 30 is formed to define the passage 40 with a depth of about 0.08 inch and a width of about 0.375 inch. Preferably, as best illustrated in FIG. 14, the passage 40 in each lug 30 is , -, ~,~
., ' .' ,................................................................... .
2~0~8~t~
-- 11 -- . .
defined, in part, by two internal radii or curves 41 so that the passage 40 is not a true rectangle.
A novel means is provided for connecting the lower corner support posts 16 to the upper corner support posts 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In particular, a pair of splice plates 44 are provided to join a lower corner support post 16 to an upper corner support post 18. Each splice plate 44 includes a planar central portion 46 spanning the two abutting ends of the lower and upper corner support posts 16 and 18, respectively. Each splice plate 44 also includes two oppositely directed planar legs 48. One of the legs 48 projects upwardly into one of the upper corner support post lug passages and the other of the legs 48 projects downwardly into one of the lower corner support post lug passages. Preferably, each leg 48 projects beyond the end of the receiving lug 30. The splice plate 44 permits the upper and lower corner support posts to be joined together without the use of threaded fasteners or other types of fasteners that project perpendicularly to the lengths of the support posts.
To facilitate assembly, the distal end of each leg 48 has an end surface 51 and an angled surface 50 on one side (FIGS. 9 and 11) for guiding the leg into the passage behind the lug 30. The surface 50 is on the side of the plate 44 facing against the post wall 22 and prevents the leg 48 from hanging up on the edge of the wall 22 at the lug aperture 40. Insertion of the leg 48 into the lug passages is further facilitated by the side edges 52 of each leg 48 which are angled inwardly at the distal end of the leg (FIG. 6).
Inwardly of the distal end of each leg 48, the leg cross section is generally rectangular. The transverse cross sectional thickness, in a contemplated commercial embodiment, is about 0.06 inch, and the ~ ._ 2~
length is about 0.375 inch. The receiving lug passage 40, owing to its curved sections 41, has a length that is somewhat less than 0.375 inch along one side of the passage. Thus, when the leg 48 is fully inserted into the lug passage 40, a portion of the leg 48 on each front edge will be engaged and sheared or deformed somewhat by the curved sections 41 of the lug passage 40 so as to effect a tight engagement.
Each shelf 12 is held in position on the assembly 10 by means of four cross members or shelf support members -- a pair of parallel front and rear shelf support members 60 (FIG. 1) and a pair of side shelf support members 62. Each shelf support member 60 and 62 has two ends, and each end is adapted to be positioned adjacent, and connected to, a wall 22 of one of the corner support posts 16 or 18. The end region of each shelf support member 60 and 62 may be characterized ~ -as an attachment portion or an attachment end portion and, in the preferred embodiment, is generally planar.
Each attachment end portion includes at least one tab 71 for being received in one of the lug passages as illustrated in FIG. 6. The tab 71 has a free distal end and is connected to the attachment portion at a connection region (at the base of the tab opposite the distal end). Each tab projects downwardly in a cut-out region which is characterized by the absence of shelf support material around the tab free distal end.
Preferably, the tab 71 projects beyond the bottom of the lug 30.
In a preferred embodiment, increased rigidity in the connection is achieved by providing a second tab 72 which projects downwardly from a second connection region and is defined by the absence of shelf support material around the tab except at its connection region.
The first and second tabs are preferably coplanar and in ;~
2~ 4~;
vertical registry. The second tab 72 is received in one of the passages of another one of the lugs 30. The tab 72 preferably projects beyond the bottom of the lug 30.
Each tab 71 and 72 preferably has the same configuration as the legs 48 of the splice plate 44.
i Thus, each tab 71 and 72 has an end surface 51 and an j angled surface 50 on one side facing the post wall 22.
The surfaces 51 and 52 are analogous to the splice plate ~i end surface 51 and angled surface 50, respectively, and function to facilitate insertion of the tab into one of l the lug passages. Similarly, each tab 71 and 72 has j angled side edges 52, analogous to the side edges 52 of the splice plate leg 48, to facilitate insertion of the tab into one of the lug passages.
Preferably, as best illustrated in FIG. 12, the upper tab 71 is somewhat longer than the lower tab 72. In a contemplated commercial embodiment, the upper tab 71 is 1/16th inch longer than the lower tab 72.
Thus, during insertion of the tabs 71 and 72 into the -~
lugs 30, a person may initially concentrate on inserting the distal end of the upper leg 71 into the mating lug 30. After the distal end of the upper leg 71 has begun to enter the aperture 40 of the lug 30 (FIG. 12), then the distal end of the lower tab 72 begins to enter into its lug aperture, and a person may concentrate on guiding the lower tab 72 properly into position without regard to the upper lug 71 which has already entered into its lug aperture.
The transverse cross section of each tab 71 and 72 inwardly of the tapered distal end is generally rectangular in the preferred embodiment. In a ~` contemplated commercial embodiment, the rectangular ~-~, cross section of the non-tapered part of each tab 71 and 72 has a thickness of about 0.06 inch and a length of ~-, 35 about 0.375 inch. The two outer edges of each tab 71 '~`
:
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.
-2~ 846 and 72 will thus project beyond the curved sections 41 of the aperture 40 defined in the lug 30. This is illustrated in FIG. 14 by the dashed line corners on each end of the tab 72. In order to fully insert the tab 71 into its lug 30, the outer edges of the tab 71 must be deformed or sheared upwardly as the tab 71 is slid down into the lug 30. This results in material 77 being sheared upwardly towards the top or base of the tab 71 as illustrated in FIG. 13. This provides a relatively tight connection which results in a relatively rigid frame assembly. ~-The interference fit and the deformable engagement of each tab 71 and 72 has been found to provide another important advantage. Specifically, when two tabs 71 and 72 are employed at a joint at one end of the shelf support member, it is desirable that each tab 71 and 72 be properly seated and engaged within its respective lug 30. This better distributes the ~oint loading over the two tabs and insures that both tabs are effective to provide a tight connection which prevents looseness or rocking of one of the tabs relative to the other at the connection.
This would be difficult to achieve with normal manufacturing tolerances if each tab 71 and 72 was designed to fit easily, in~its lug 30 without being deformed into engagement therewith. Any misalignment or manufacturing dimensional variation could result in one of the tabs being fully received in its lug and bottomed out therein without the other tab being fully seated.
To avoid this potential problem, and to permit the use of greater manufacturing tolerances, the use of the tabs 71 and 72 with a cross sectional dimension that is slightly larger than the corresponding dimension of the receiving lug passage results in deformation of both tabs 71 and 72. One tab might deform slightly more than , ' " '~ ' `, ' , ,, 2~0~
the other tab, but there is sufficient deformation of each tab so that each tab i8 tightly engaged within its lug to provide a rigid joint.
In some applications, where excessively heavy loading conditions are encountered, it may be desirable to provide each end of the shelf support members 60 and 62 with three or more tabs similar to the tabs 71 and 72. In such an embodiment using three tabs, the height of each support member would be increased, and a first, upper tab would be provided in the same position as tab 71 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. A second or middle tab would be provided below the first tab and would be defined by a cut-out portion of the support member in generally the same manner as for the tab 71 illustrated in FIG. 7. Finally, a third or bottom tab would be provided along the bottom margin of the support member in generally the same orientation as the tab 72 illustrated in FIG. 7. All three tabs would be in vertical registry.
Each shelf support member 60 and 62 preferably also includes an inwardly extending flange 82 for supporting a margin of the shelf 12. The front and rear shelf support members 60 each further includes an upturned vertical lip 84. The lip 84 serves to position and restrain the shelf 12 as will next be described.
Each shelf 12 is adapted to be supported on the flanges 82 of the shelf support members 60 and 62, -~
and the shelf 12 includes means for receiving the upturned lip 84 of the front and rear shelf support members 60. Specifically, each shelf 12 has a bottom surface 88, a pair of side margins, a front margin, and a rear margin. FIG. 7 illustrates one side margin 91 and the rear margin 92. The shelf 12 defines a downwardly open channel 97 in the bottom surface 88 for receiving the lip 84 of the rear shelf support member .
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60. The shelf 12 also includes an identical channel 97 along the 6helf front margin (not visible in FIG. 6 and 7) for receiving the lip 84 of the front shelf support member 60.
In the preferred embodiment, the upturned lip 84 on the front and rear shelf support members 60 is intermediate the ends of each shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of the shelf support member. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the inwardly -projecting flanqe 82 at each end of the shelf support member 60 presents a generally horizontally disposed flat surface beyond the upturned lip 84. One can easily push down with one's fingers on this flat surface at the end of the shelf support member without interference from the lip 84. This may help during assembly to insure that the tabs 71 and 72 are properly received within the lugs 30. In addition, if desired or necessary, a mallet or other striking implement could be used on the flange 82 at the end of the shelf support member 60 to drive the tabs 71 and 72 into tight engagement with the lugs 30.
To further increase the rigidity of each shelf ~-support member 60 and 62, the shelf support members each are provided with an inwardly projecting lower flange 87 (FIGS. 6 and 7).
Other forms of shelves may be employed, including metal shelves without channels 97 EÇ~ se.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, each -~
corner support post 16 and 18 includes a plurality of ~
vertically spaced apertures 96. When a shelving - i-assembly employing these corner support posts is placed ~ adjacent another identical shelving assembly in side-by-; side relationship, the adjacent corner support posts can be secured together with a suitable fastener such as a screw and nut or the like. Also, the shelving assembly . :
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2~
may be secured to a vertical surface, such as a wall or the like, with one or more fasteners extending through the apertures 96.
The apertures 96 may also be employed to 5 accommodate fasteners for securing one or more panels or enclosure covers to the sides of the shelving assembly.
For example, peg board panels could be secured to the 6ides of the shelving assembly with expansion fasteners or screws and nuts. Since the corner support post lugs 10 30 project outwardly only a relatively small distance, such panels are relatively tight fitting to the shelving assembly. Such a tight fitting relationship is not possible with some conventional shelving assemblies that employ more massive, outwardly projecting rivets to 15 mount the shelves or shelf support members to the support posts.
To provide a finished appearance and to provide a shield on the corners of the support posts, a cap 98 is preferably mounted to the top of each upper ;
20 corner support post 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
The cap 98, in a contemplated commercial embodiment, is -preferably fabricated from polypropylene in the form of an L-shaped member having a channel for being slid over the top of the corner support posts and held thereon by ~ -25 a friction fit. An identical cap 98 is also preferably mounted to the bottom of each lower corner support post 16 (FIG. 1) and functions to reduce the likelihood of scratching the floor or other horizontal support surface upon which the assembly is disposed.
The frame assembly of the present invention has been found to provide a relatively efficient structure for supporting downwardly acting static loads.
Thinner gauge metal can be used for the corner support posts and helf support e~bers while still providing .~ , 2G09~4~
high load capacity. Owing to the unique joint structure, the frame assembly is relatively rigid.
It is contemplated that relatively deep shelving ~e.g., say four feet deep) and relatively wide shelving ~e.g., say eight feet) can be readily accommodated with the frame assembly of the present invention. Further, a wire member or rod member could be readily adapted for adding increased rigidity or 6tiffness at intermediate points in the structure.
When the frame assembly of the present invention is used with shelving, it can be provided with short, stackable ~upport post sections which can be secured together end-to-end. If shelving or other cross ~; members are to be provided at various elevations, the locations of such shelving or other cross members do not depend upon the end-to-end joint between two vertically stacked support post sections. Thus, the frame assembly of the pre~ent invention offers great versatility.
Further, the fact that no shelf must be placed at the end-to-end joint of the vertical support post sections simplifies assembly. During assembly, a person~;
~; may concentrate on making the end-to-end joint between post sections without having to also simultaneously ~
worry about positioning and connecting a shelf or other- `
cross member to the posts at that same location.
The frame assembly of the present invention ~ may be employed in other structural articles, such as -~ tables, workbenches, chairs, work supports, wall units, and the like. Since exterior cross bracing is not ;~ 30 required, the frame assembly offers ready access from all sides of the assembly. Since the assembly requires~- -only a few different components, manufacturing and `~ packaging costs are reduced, and the components can be ~ relatively quickly assembled.
2~09~34~
When the frame assembly of the present invention is used in structures other than shelving assemblies, the shelf support beams (beams 60 and 62 described above with reference to FIG. 1) may be replaced with other ~uitable cross members having attachment portions and tabs as previously described.
Such cross members may support another horizontal member (e.g., a table top) or may function solely as intermediate structural members. Also, other members or components could be secured to such cross members.
A preferred form of the frame assembly has been tested as a prototype of a contemplated commercial shelving assembly and has been found to provide a strong and rigid assembly capable of supporting at least 6,000 pounds of load uniformly distributed over five shelves.
The tested assembly is 72 inches high, 36 ; --inches wide, and 18 inches deep. Each shelf is fabricated from 1/2 inch thick particle board.
Each corner support post 16 and 18 of the ~ -tested as~embly is three feet long and has the shape illustrated in the Figures. The configurations of each shelf support member 60 and 62 and of each splice plate 44 are as shown in the Figures.
The width of each right angle support wall 22 of each corner post 16 and 18 is 1.437 inch. Each post 16 and 18 is fabricated from hard cold rolled steel having a thickness between 0.055 inch and 0.065 inch.
The shelf support members 60 and 62 are each fabricated from 0.060 inch thick hard cold rolled steel.
The height of each shelf support member 60 and 62 is 2.312 inch from the bottom surface of the lowest part of the lower flange 87 to the top surface of the upper flange 82. The lip 84 of each member 62 projects upwardly an additional 0.125 inch. The upper flange 82 of each membee 60 and 62 extends inwardly 0.375 inch .
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from the outer surface of the member. The lower flange 87 of each member 60 and 62 extends inwardly and upwardly 0.250 inch from the member outer surface at an angle of 10 degrees from the horizontal.
Each splice plate 44 is also fabricated from 0.060 inch thick hard cold rolled steel. The height and width of the splice plate central portion 46 are 1-3/16 inch and 1 inch, respectively.
Each post lug 30 pro~ects outwardly 0.140 inch. The lugs 30 are vertically spaced on 1-1/2 inch centers. Each lug passage 40 has a generally rectangular cross section measuring 0.375 inch by 0.080 inch with the two corners formed by the curved sections 41 having a radius of 0.062 inch.
Each leg 48 and tab 71 and 72, inwardly of the tapered end, has a rectangular cross section that is 0.375 inch wide and 0.060 inch thick. Each leg 48 and tab 71 has a length of 0.500 inch. Each tab 72 has a length of 0.437 inch. The end surface 51 of each tab - -and leg is 0.030 inch thick. The last 0.187 inch length of each tab and leg is defined by the angled side edges 52 which merge with the surface 51 through a 3/32 inch radius on each end of the surface 51. The last 0.093 ~ -inch length of each tab and leg is defined on one face by the angled surface 50. ,! Thus, the angled side edges 52 are longer than the angled surface 50.
- Each aperture 96 has a diameter of 0.265 inch, and the apertures 96 are vertically spaced on 6 inch -centers. Each aperture 96 is equidistant between ~ -adjacent lugs 30.
It will be readily apparent from the foregoing -; detailed description of the invention and from the illustrated embodiment thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from ~ `
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20~98~6 the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.
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Each leg of the splice plate may have the same configuration as the configuration of shelf support member attachment tabs. Thus, a transverse cross sectional dimension of each uninserted leg may be somewhat larger than the corresponding dimension of the support post lug passage so that each leg has to be forced into the passage with sufficient force to cause a deformation of the leg to provide a relatively tight and rigid joint.
In the preferred form of the invention, a shelf is provided for being disposed on the cross members or shelf support members. Preferably, the shelf has a bottom surface with a pair of side margins, a front margin, and a rear margin. The shelf defines a downwardly open channel in the bottom surface along the rear margin and defines a downwardly open channel in the bottom surface along the front margin.
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A shelf support member along the front of the assembly includes an inwardly extending flange for supporting the front margin of the shelf. Another shelf support member along the rear of the assembly includes an inwardly extending flange for supporting the rear margin of the shelf. Each front and rear shelf support member also includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the flange for being received in one of the downwardly open channels defined in the shelf. This structure functions to locate and retain the shelf and provides increased rigidity in the shelf support member which lessens the tendency of the shelf support member to bend, twist, or bow outwardly.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shelving support assembly of the present invention with a ~-plurality of shelves being supported at various elevations;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view;
FIG. 3 is an end elevational view;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view; -~
FIG. 5 is a bottom view;
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 6-6 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective ~-view of the components shown in FIG. 6;
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Z~0~346 FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 8-8 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 9-9 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view taken generally along plane 10-10 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged, elevational view of the splice plate taken generally along the plane 11-11 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view similar to FIG. 6 but showing intermediate positions of the components prior to final completion of the joint;
FIG. 13 is a more greatly enlarged, perspective view of the upper portion of the structure shown in FIG. 12, but showing the final position of the components in the completed joint; and FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged view taken generally along the plane 14-14 in FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only one specific form as an example of the use of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
The frame assembly of the present invention is designated in FIG. 1 generally by the reference numeral 10. The frame assembly 10 is shown supporting a plurality of shelves 12 so as to function as a shelving assembly or shelf unit. Five shelves 12 are shown, but it will be appreciated that a fewer or greater number of . ' .' .
2C~ 8~ ;
shelves may be employed. In a contemplated commercial embodiment of the invention, each shelf 12 is fabricated from a suitable particle board material.
Four vertical corner posts 14 are arranged with each one of the posts 14 at a different one of four corners of the assembly. Each post 14 is positioned ~ adjacent a corner of each of the shelves.
¦ In the preferred embodiment illustrated, wherein the assembly 10 has an overall height of about 6 feet, each corner support post 14 includes a lower corner support post 16 and an upper corner support post 18 which are aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry and connected together by means described in detail hereinafter.
All of the lower corner support posts 16 are identical, and all of the upper corner support posts 18 i are identical to the lower corner support posts 16. The structure of the upper and lower corner support posts is -next described with reference to the upper corner support post 18 illustrated in the enlarged views in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.
The post 18 has a pair of support walls 22 ~-which are at generally right angles to one another.
Each support wall 22 defines a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs 30. As best illustrated in FIG. 8, each lug 30 defines a vertical passage 40 adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug. In a contemplated commercial embodiment, the posts 18 (and the posts 16) are each fabricated from cold rolled steel having a thickness of between about 0.055 inch and about 0.065 inch. Each lug 30 is formed to define the passage 40 with a depth of about 0.08 inch and a width of about 0.375 inch. Preferably, as best illustrated in FIG. 14, the passage 40 in each lug 30 is , -, ~,~
., ' .' ,................................................................... .
2~0~8~t~
-- 11 -- . .
defined, in part, by two internal radii or curves 41 so that the passage 40 is not a true rectangle.
A novel means is provided for connecting the lower corner support posts 16 to the upper corner support posts 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In particular, a pair of splice plates 44 are provided to join a lower corner support post 16 to an upper corner support post 18. Each splice plate 44 includes a planar central portion 46 spanning the two abutting ends of the lower and upper corner support posts 16 and 18, respectively. Each splice plate 44 also includes two oppositely directed planar legs 48. One of the legs 48 projects upwardly into one of the upper corner support post lug passages and the other of the legs 48 projects downwardly into one of the lower corner support post lug passages. Preferably, each leg 48 projects beyond the end of the receiving lug 30. The splice plate 44 permits the upper and lower corner support posts to be joined together without the use of threaded fasteners or other types of fasteners that project perpendicularly to the lengths of the support posts.
To facilitate assembly, the distal end of each leg 48 has an end surface 51 and an angled surface 50 on one side (FIGS. 9 and 11) for guiding the leg into the passage behind the lug 30. The surface 50 is on the side of the plate 44 facing against the post wall 22 and prevents the leg 48 from hanging up on the edge of the wall 22 at the lug aperture 40. Insertion of the leg 48 into the lug passages is further facilitated by the side edges 52 of each leg 48 which are angled inwardly at the distal end of the leg (FIG. 6).
Inwardly of the distal end of each leg 48, the leg cross section is generally rectangular. The transverse cross sectional thickness, in a contemplated commercial embodiment, is about 0.06 inch, and the ~ ._ 2~
length is about 0.375 inch. The receiving lug passage 40, owing to its curved sections 41, has a length that is somewhat less than 0.375 inch along one side of the passage. Thus, when the leg 48 is fully inserted into the lug passage 40, a portion of the leg 48 on each front edge will be engaged and sheared or deformed somewhat by the curved sections 41 of the lug passage 40 so as to effect a tight engagement.
Each shelf 12 is held in position on the assembly 10 by means of four cross members or shelf support members -- a pair of parallel front and rear shelf support members 60 (FIG. 1) and a pair of side shelf support members 62. Each shelf support member 60 and 62 has two ends, and each end is adapted to be positioned adjacent, and connected to, a wall 22 of one of the corner support posts 16 or 18. The end region of each shelf support member 60 and 62 may be characterized ~ -as an attachment portion or an attachment end portion and, in the preferred embodiment, is generally planar.
Each attachment end portion includes at least one tab 71 for being received in one of the lug passages as illustrated in FIG. 6. The tab 71 has a free distal end and is connected to the attachment portion at a connection region (at the base of the tab opposite the distal end). Each tab projects downwardly in a cut-out region which is characterized by the absence of shelf support material around the tab free distal end.
Preferably, the tab 71 projects beyond the bottom of the lug 30.
In a preferred embodiment, increased rigidity in the connection is achieved by providing a second tab 72 which projects downwardly from a second connection region and is defined by the absence of shelf support material around the tab except at its connection region.
The first and second tabs are preferably coplanar and in ;~
2~ 4~;
vertical registry. The second tab 72 is received in one of the passages of another one of the lugs 30. The tab 72 preferably projects beyond the bottom of the lug 30.
Each tab 71 and 72 preferably has the same configuration as the legs 48 of the splice plate 44.
i Thus, each tab 71 and 72 has an end surface 51 and an j angled surface 50 on one side facing the post wall 22.
The surfaces 51 and 52 are analogous to the splice plate ~i end surface 51 and angled surface 50, respectively, and function to facilitate insertion of the tab into one of l the lug passages. Similarly, each tab 71 and 72 has j angled side edges 52, analogous to the side edges 52 of the splice plate leg 48, to facilitate insertion of the tab into one of the lug passages.
Preferably, as best illustrated in FIG. 12, the upper tab 71 is somewhat longer than the lower tab 72. In a contemplated commercial embodiment, the upper tab 71 is 1/16th inch longer than the lower tab 72.
Thus, during insertion of the tabs 71 and 72 into the -~
lugs 30, a person may initially concentrate on inserting the distal end of the upper leg 71 into the mating lug 30. After the distal end of the upper leg 71 has begun to enter the aperture 40 of the lug 30 (FIG. 12), then the distal end of the lower tab 72 begins to enter into its lug aperture, and a person may concentrate on guiding the lower tab 72 properly into position without regard to the upper lug 71 which has already entered into its lug aperture.
The transverse cross section of each tab 71 and 72 inwardly of the tapered distal end is generally rectangular in the preferred embodiment. In a ~` contemplated commercial embodiment, the rectangular ~-~, cross section of the non-tapered part of each tab 71 and 72 has a thickness of about 0.06 inch and a length of ~-, 35 about 0.375 inch. The two outer edges of each tab 71 '~`
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-2~ 846 and 72 will thus project beyond the curved sections 41 of the aperture 40 defined in the lug 30. This is illustrated in FIG. 14 by the dashed line corners on each end of the tab 72. In order to fully insert the tab 71 into its lug 30, the outer edges of the tab 71 must be deformed or sheared upwardly as the tab 71 is slid down into the lug 30. This results in material 77 being sheared upwardly towards the top or base of the tab 71 as illustrated in FIG. 13. This provides a relatively tight connection which results in a relatively rigid frame assembly. ~-The interference fit and the deformable engagement of each tab 71 and 72 has been found to provide another important advantage. Specifically, when two tabs 71 and 72 are employed at a joint at one end of the shelf support member, it is desirable that each tab 71 and 72 be properly seated and engaged within its respective lug 30. This better distributes the ~oint loading over the two tabs and insures that both tabs are effective to provide a tight connection which prevents looseness or rocking of one of the tabs relative to the other at the connection.
This would be difficult to achieve with normal manufacturing tolerances if each tab 71 and 72 was designed to fit easily, in~its lug 30 without being deformed into engagement therewith. Any misalignment or manufacturing dimensional variation could result in one of the tabs being fully received in its lug and bottomed out therein without the other tab being fully seated.
To avoid this potential problem, and to permit the use of greater manufacturing tolerances, the use of the tabs 71 and 72 with a cross sectional dimension that is slightly larger than the corresponding dimension of the receiving lug passage results in deformation of both tabs 71 and 72. One tab might deform slightly more than , ' " '~ ' `, ' , ,, 2~0~
the other tab, but there is sufficient deformation of each tab so that each tab i8 tightly engaged within its lug to provide a rigid joint.
In some applications, where excessively heavy loading conditions are encountered, it may be desirable to provide each end of the shelf support members 60 and 62 with three or more tabs similar to the tabs 71 and 72. In such an embodiment using three tabs, the height of each support member would be increased, and a first, upper tab would be provided in the same position as tab 71 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. A second or middle tab would be provided below the first tab and would be defined by a cut-out portion of the support member in generally the same manner as for the tab 71 illustrated in FIG. 7. Finally, a third or bottom tab would be provided along the bottom margin of the support member in generally the same orientation as the tab 72 illustrated in FIG. 7. All three tabs would be in vertical registry.
Each shelf support member 60 and 62 preferably also includes an inwardly extending flange 82 for supporting a margin of the shelf 12. The front and rear shelf support members 60 each further includes an upturned vertical lip 84. The lip 84 serves to position and restrain the shelf 12 as will next be described.
Each shelf 12 is adapted to be supported on the flanges 82 of the shelf support members 60 and 62, -~
and the shelf 12 includes means for receiving the upturned lip 84 of the front and rear shelf support members 60. Specifically, each shelf 12 has a bottom surface 88, a pair of side margins, a front margin, and a rear margin. FIG. 7 illustrates one side margin 91 and the rear margin 92. The shelf 12 defines a downwardly open channel 97 in the bottom surface 88 for receiving the lip 84 of the rear shelf support member .
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60. The shelf 12 also includes an identical channel 97 along the 6helf front margin (not visible in FIG. 6 and 7) for receiving the lip 84 of the front shelf support member 60.
In the preferred embodiment, the upturned lip 84 on the front and rear shelf support members 60 is intermediate the ends of each shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of the shelf support member. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the inwardly -projecting flanqe 82 at each end of the shelf support member 60 presents a generally horizontally disposed flat surface beyond the upturned lip 84. One can easily push down with one's fingers on this flat surface at the end of the shelf support member without interference from the lip 84. This may help during assembly to insure that the tabs 71 and 72 are properly received within the lugs 30. In addition, if desired or necessary, a mallet or other striking implement could be used on the flange 82 at the end of the shelf support member 60 to drive the tabs 71 and 72 into tight engagement with the lugs 30.
To further increase the rigidity of each shelf ~-support member 60 and 62, the shelf support members each are provided with an inwardly projecting lower flange 87 (FIGS. 6 and 7).
Other forms of shelves may be employed, including metal shelves without channels 97 EÇ~ se.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, each -~
corner support post 16 and 18 includes a plurality of ~
vertically spaced apertures 96. When a shelving - i-assembly employing these corner support posts is placed ~ adjacent another identical shelving assembly in side-by-; side relationship, the adjacent corner support posts can be secured together with a suitable fastener such as a screw and nut or the like. Also, the shelving assembly . :
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may be secured to a vertical surface, such as a wall or the like, with one or more fasteners extending through the apertures 96.
The apertures 96 may also be employed to 5 accommodate fasteners for securing one or more panels or enclosure covers to the sides of the shelving assembly.
For example, peg board panels could be secured to the 6ides of the shelving assembly with expansion fasteners or screws and nuts. Since the corner support post lugs 10 30 project outwardly only a relatively small distance, such panels are relatively tight fitting to the shelving assembly. Such a tight fitting relationship is not possible with some conventional shelving assemblies that employ more massive, outwardly projecting rivets to 15 mount the shelves or shelf support members to the support posts.
To provide a finished appearance and to provide a shield on the corners of the support posts, a cap 98 is preferably mounted to the top of each upper ;
20 corner support post 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
The cap 98, in a contemplated commercial embodiment, is -preferably fabricated from polypropylene in the form of an L-shaped member having a channel for being slid over the top of the corner support posts and held thereon by ~ -25 a friction fit. An identical cap 98 is also preferably mounted to the bottom of each lower corner support post 16 (FIG. 1) and functions to reduce the likelihood of scratching the floor or other horizontal support surface upon which the assembly is disposed.
The frame assembly of the present invention has been found to provide a relatively efficient structure for supporting downwardly acting static loads.
Thinner gauge metal can be used for the corner support posts and helf support e~bers while still providing .~ , 2G09~4~
high load capacity. Owing to the unique joint structure, the frame assembly is relatively rigid.
It is contemplated that relatively deep shelving ~e.g., say four feet deep) and relatively wide shelving ~e.g., say eight feet) can be readily accommodated with the frame assembly of the present invention. Further, a wire member or rod member could be readily adapted for adding increased rigidity or 6tiffness at intermediate points in the structure.
When the frame assembly of the present invention is used with shelving, it can be provided with short, stackable ~upport post sections which can be secured together end-to-end. If shelving or other cross ~; members are to be provided at various elevations, the locations of such shelving or other cross members do not depend upon the end-to-end joint between two vertically stacked support post sections. Thus, the frame assembly of the pre~ent invention offers great versatility.
Further, the fact that no shelf must be placed at the end-to-end joint of the vertical support post sections simplifies assembly. During assembly, a person~;
~; may concentrate on making the end-to-end joint between post sections without having to also simultaneously ~
worry about positioning and connecting a shelf or other- `
cross member to the posts at that same location.
The frame assembly of the present invention ~ may be employed in other structural articles, such as -~ tables, workbenches, chairs, work supports, wall units, and the like. Since exterior cross bracing is not ;~ 30 required, the frame assembly offers ready access from all sides of the assembly. Since the assembly requires~- -only a few different components, manufacturing and `~ packaging costs are reduced, and the components can be ~ relatively quickly assembled.
2~09~34~
When the frame assembly of the present invention is used in structures other than shelving assemblies, the shelf support beams (beams 60 and 62 described above with reference to FIG. 1) may be replaced with other ~uitable cross members having attachment portions and tabs as previously described.
Such cross members may support another horizontal member (e.g., a table top) or may function solely as intermediate structural members. Also, other members or components could be secured to such cross members.
A preferred form of the frame assembly has been tested as a prototype of a contemplated commercial shelving assembly and has been found to provide a strong and rigid assembly capable of supporting at least 6,000 pounds of load uniformly distributed over five shelves.
The tested assembly is 72 inches high, 36 ; --inches wide, and 18 inches deep. Each shelf is fabricated from 1/2 inch thick particle board.
Each corner support post 16 and 18 of the ~ -tested as~embly is three feet long and has the shape illustrated in the Figures. The configurations of each shelf support member 60 and 62 and of each splice plate 44 are as shown in the Figures.
The width of each right angle support wall 22 of each corner post 16 and 18 is 1.437 inch. Each post 16 and 18 is fabricated from hard cold rolled steel having a thickness between 0.055 inch and 0.065 inch.
The shelf support members 60 and 62 are each fabricated from 0.060 inch thick hard cold rolled steel.
The height of each shelf support member 60 and 62 is 2.312 inch from the bottom surface of the lowest part of the lower flange 87 to the top surface of the upper flange 82. The lip 84 of each member 62 projects upwardly an additional 0.125 inch. The upper flange 82 of each membee 60 and 62 extends inwardly 0.375 inch .
21N~B~
from the outer surface of the member. The lower flange 87 of each member 60 and 62 extends inwardly and upwardly 0.250 inch from the member outer surface at an angle of 10 degrees from the horizontal.
Each splice plate 44 is also fabricated from 0.060 inch thick hard cold rolled steel. The height and width of the splice plate central portion 46 are 1-3/16 inch and 1 inch, respectively.
Each post lug 30 pro~ects outwardly 0.140 inch. The lugs 30 are vertically spaced on 1-1/2 inch centers. Each lug passage 40 has a generally rectangular cross section measuring 0.375 inch by 0.080 inch with the two corners formed by the curved sections 41 having a radius of 0.062 inch.
Each leg 48 and tab 71 and 72, inwardly of the tapered end, has a rectangular cross section that is 0.375 inch wide and 0.060 inch thick. Each leg 48 and tab 71 has a length of 0.500 inch. Each tab 72 has a length of 0.437 inch. The end surface 51 of each tab - -and leg is 0.030 inch thick. The last 0.187 inch length of each tab and leg is defined by the angled side edges 52 which merge with the surface 51 through a 3/32 inch radius on each end of the surface 51. The last 0.093 ~ -inch length of each tab and leg is defined on one face by the angled surface 50. ,! Thus, the angled side edges 52 are longer than the angled surface 50.
- Each aperture 96 has a diameter of 0.265 inch, and the apertures 96 are vertically spaced on 6 inch -centers. Each aperture 96 is equidistant between ~ -adjacent lugs 30.
It will be readily apparent from the foregoing -; detailed description of the invention and from the illustrated embodiment thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from ~ `
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20~98~6 the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.
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Claims (37)
1. A frame assembly for shelving comprising:
a set of four lower corner support posts and a set of four upper corner support posts, each post having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, said lower and upper corner support posts being arranged in vertically aligned pairs with one of said lower corner support posts being aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry with, and being disposed below, one of said upper corner support posts, each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each said lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
eight splice plates arranged in pairs with each pair joining one of said vertically aligned pairs of lower and upper corner support posts, each said splice plate having (1) a planar central portion spanning the two abutting ends of one of said vertically aligned pairs of said lower and upper corner support posts and (2) two oppositely directed planar legs with one of said legs projecting into one of said upper corner support post lug passages and with the other of said legs projecting into one of said lower corner support post lug passages;
at least one set of four shelf support members carried by said corner support posts in a rectangular configuration at a common elevation for each supporting a portion of a generally horizontally disposed shelf extending from said corner support posts;
a shelf supported by said one set of four shelf support members; and each said shelf support member extending between one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said shelf support member having two planar end portions with each end portion being disposed adjacent one of said corner support post support walls, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a first planar tab projecting downwardly from a first connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said first tab except at said first connection region, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a second planar tab projecting downwardly from a second connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said second tab except at said second connection region, said first and second planar tabs being coplanar and in vertical registry, each said tab being received in one of said lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the uninserted tab to be disposed therein, each said tab having an angled side surface on one side extending from the tab distal end and having two angled side edges extending from the tab distal end toward said tab connection region and beyond said angled side surface, said angled side surface and angled side edges defining a tapered end configuration to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
a set of four lower corner support posts and a set of four upper corner support posts, each post having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, said lower and upper corner support posts being arranged in vertically aligned pairs with one of said lower corner support posts being aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry with, and being disposed below, one of said upper corner support posts, each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each said lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
eight splice plates arranged in pairs with each pair joining one of said vertically aligned pairs of lower and upper corner support posts, each said splice plate having (1) a planar central portion spanning the two abutting ends of one of said vertically aligned pairs of said lower and upper corner support posts and (2) two oppositely directed planar legs with one of said legs projecting into one of said upper corner support post lug passages and with the other of said legs projecting into one of said lower corner support post lug passages;
at least one set of four shelf support members carried by said corner support posts in a rectangular configuration at a common elevation for each supporting a portion of a generally horizontally disposed shelf extending from said corner support posts;
a shelf supported by said one set of four shelf support members; and each said shelf support member extending between one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said shelf support member having two planar end portions with each end portion being disposed adjacent one of said corner support post support walls, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a first planar tab projecting downwardly from a first connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said first tab except at said first connection region, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a second planar tab projecting downwardly from a second connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said second tab except at said second connection region, said first and second planar tabs being coplanar and in vertical registry, each said tab being received in one of said lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the uninserted tab to be disposed therein, each said tab having an angled side surface on one side extending from the tab distal end and having two angled side edges extending from the tab distal end toward said tab connection region and beyond said angled side surface, said angled side surface and angled side edges defining a tapered end configuration to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
2. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which each said lug has two curved wall sections defining two arcuate edge regions of said passage;
each said tab has two corner edges for being deformed by said lug curved wall sections;
all of said first tabs are identical;
all of said second tabs are identical;
said first tabs are longer than said second tabs;
all of said splice plate legs are identical;
and each said tab and leg projects through its receiving lug.
each said tab has two corner edges for being deformed by said lug curved wall sections;
all of said first tabs are identical;
all of said second tabs are identical;
said first tabs are longer than said second tabs;
all of said splice plate legs are identical;
and each said tab and leg projects through its receiving lug.
3. A frame assembly for shelving comprising:
corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another;
shelf support members carried by said posts for each supporting a portion of a generally horizontally disposed shelf extending from said corner support posts;
each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
and each said shelf support member extending between one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said shelf support member having two planar end portions with each end portion being disposed adjacent one of said corner support post support walls, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a first planar tab projecting downwardly from a first connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said first tab except at said first connection region, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a second planar tab projecting downwardly from a second connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said second tab except at said second connection region, said first and second planar tabs being coplanar and in vertical registry, each said tab being received in one of said lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the uninserted tab to be disposed therein, each said tab having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another;
shelf support members carried by said posts for each supporting a portion of a generally horizontally disposed shelf extending from said corner support posts;
each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
and each said shelf support member extending between one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said shelf support member having two planar end portions with each end portion being disposed adjacent one of said corner support post support walls, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a first planar tab projecting downwardly from a first connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said first tab except at said first connection region, each said shelf support member planar end portion having a second planar tab projecting downwardly from a second connection region and being defined by an absence of shelf support material around said second tab except at said second connection region, said first and second planar tabs being coplanar and in vertical registry, each said tab being received in one of said lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the uninserted tab to be disposed therein, each said tab having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
4. The assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which said first tabs are longer than said second tabs.
5. The assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which the distal end of each said tab has an angled surface on one side for facilitating guiding the tab into one of said lug passages.
6. The assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which the side edges of each said tab are angled inwardly at the distal end of the tab to facilitate insertion of the tab into one of said lug passages.
7. The assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which each said shelf support member includes a third planar tab projecting downwardly from a third connection region and being defined by an absence of material around said third tab except at said third connection region, said third, second, and first planar tabs being coplanar and in vertical registry, said third tab being received in one of said lug passages.
8. The assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which at least some of said corner support posts each define a plurality of vertically spaced apertures for accommodating fasteners for connecting the posts to adjacent posts of another shelving assembly.
9. The assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which each said shelf support member includes an inwardly projecting lower flange along the bottom margin of the shelf support member.
10. The assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which four of said shelf support members are provided at a common elevation for supporting one generally horizontally disposed shelf extending from the corner support posts;
said four shelf support members include a pair of parallel front and rear shelf support members and a pair of parallel side shelf support members;
each said front and rear shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting a margin of one of said shelves and includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the upper flange for being received in a downwardly open channel defined in said one shelf; and each said upper flange and lip extends along said shelf support member intermediate the ends of said shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of said shelf support member.
said four shelf support members include a pair of parallel front and rear shelf support members and a pair of parallel side shelf support members;
each said front and rear shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting a margin of one of said shelves and includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the upper flange for being received in a downwardly open channel defined in said one shelf; and each said upper flange and lip extends along said shelf support member intermediate the ends of said shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of said shelf support member.
11. The assembly in accordance with claim 10 in which each said side shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting a side margin of said one shelf.
12. A frame assembly for shelving comprising:
a set of four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another;
a set of four shelf support members carried by said posts at a common elevation for each supporting a portion of a generally horizontally disposed shelf extending from said corner support posts;
each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
and each said shelf support member extending between one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts to define a rectangular frame for supporting said shelf, each said shelf support member having two end attachment portions with each end attachment portion being disposed adjacent one of said corner support post support walls, each said shelf support member end attachment portion including a first tab having a distal free end and being connected to said attachment portion at a first connection region to project downwardly from the first connection region in the absence of shelf support material around said first tab except at said first connection region, each said shelf support member end attachment portion including a second tab having a dista1 free end and being connected to said attachment portion at a second connection region to project downwardly from the second connection region in the absence of shelf support material around said second tab except at said second connection region, said first and second tabs being in vertical registry and each tab being received in one of said lug passages.
a set of four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another;
a set of four shelf support members carried by said posts at a common elevation for each supporting a portion of a generally horizontally disposed shelf extending from said corner support posts;
each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
and each said shelf support member extending between one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts to define a rectangular frame for supporting said shelf, each said shelf support member having two end attachment portions with each end attachment portion being disposed adjacent one of said corner support post support walls, each said shelf support member end attachment portion including a first tab having a distal free end and being connected to said attachment portion at a first connection region to project downwardly from the first connection region in the absence of shelf support material around said first tab except at said first connection region, each said shelf support member end attachment portion including a second tab having a dista1 free end and being connected to said attachment portion at a second connection region to project downwardly from the second connection region in the absence of shelf support material around said second tab except at said second connection region, said first and second tabs being in vertical registry and each tab being received in one of said lug passages.
13. The assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which all said tabs have an identical configuration.
14. The assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which the distal end of each said tab has an angled surface on one side for facilitating guiding the tab into one of said lug passages.
15. The assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which the side edges of each said tab are angled inwardly at the distal end of the tab to facilitate insertion of the tab into one of said lug passages.
16. The assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which each said shelf support member end attachment portion includes a third tab having a distal free end and being connected to said end attachment portion at a third connection region to project downwardly from said third connection region in the absence of shelf support material around said third tab except at said third connection region, said third, second, and first tabs being in vertical registry, said third tab being received in one of said lug passages.
17. The assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which at least some of said corner support posts each define a plurality of vertically spaced apertures to accommodate fasteners for connecting the posts to adjacent posts of another shelving assembly.
18. The assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which said four shelf support members include a pair of parallel front and rear shelf support members and a pair of parallel side shelf support members;
each said front and rear shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting a margin of one of said shelves and includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the upper flange for being received in a downwardly open channel defined in said one shelf; and each said upper flange and lip extends along said shelf support member intermediate the ends of said shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of said shelf support member.
each said front and rear shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting a margin of one of said shelves and includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the upper flange for being received in a downwardly open channel defined in said one shelf; and each said upper flange and lip extends along said shelf support member intermediate the ends of said shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of said shelf support member.
19. The assembly in accordance with claim 18 in which each said side shelf support member includes an inwardly extending flange for supporting a side margin of said one shelf.
20. The assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which each said shelf support member includes an inwardly projecting lower flange along the bottom margin of the shelf support member.
21. A frame assembly comprising:
four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, each said support post support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug; and four cross members carried by said posts and being arranged in a rectangular configuration, each said cross member including an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and including another attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said cross member attachment portion including at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of cross member material around said tab free distal end, said tab being received in one of said lug passages.
four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, each said support post support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug; and four cross members carried by said posts and being arranged in a rectangular configuration, each said cross member including an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and including another attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said cross member attachment portion including at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of cross member material around said tab free distal end, said tab being received in one of said lug passages.
22. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 in which each said lug passage has a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the uninserted tab to be disposed therein, each said tab having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
23. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 in which each said attachment portion is at an end of the cross member;
each said attachment portion is generally planar; and the tab contained in said attachment portion is also planar.
each said attachment portion is generally planar; and the tab contained in said attachment portion is also planar.
24. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 in which the distal end of each said tab has an angled surface on one side for facilitating insertion of the tab into one of said lug passages.
25. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 in which each said tab has angled side edges to define a taper at the distal end of the tab to facilitate insertion of the tab into one of said lug passages.
26. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 in which each said cross member attachment portion includes another tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of material around said other tab free distal end, said other tab being received in one of said lug passages
27. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 in which at least some of said corner support posts each define a plurality of vertically spaced apertures for receiving fasteners for connecting the posts to adjacent posts of another frame assembly.
28. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 further including a shelf for being supported on said cross members, said shelf having a bottom surface with a pair of side margins, a front margin, and a rear margin.
29. The assembly in accordance with claim 28 in which said shelf defines a downwardly open channel in the bottom surface along said rear margin and defines a downwardly open channel in the bottom surface along said front margin;
said four cross members include a pair of parallel front and rear shelf support members and a pair of parallel side shelf support members;
each said front and rear shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting a front and rear margin;
respectively, of said shelf and includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the upper flange for being received in one of said downwardly open channels defined in said shelf; and each said upper flange and lip extends along said shelf support member intermediate the ends of said shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of said shelf support member.
said four cross members include a pair of parallel front and rear shelf support members and a pair of parallel side shelf support members;
each said front and rear shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting a front and rear margin;
respectively, of said shelf and includes an upturned vertical lip projecting from the upper flange for being received in one of said downwardly open channels defined in said shelf; and each said upper flange and lip extends along said shelf support member intermediate the ends of said shelf support member and terminates short of the ends of said shelf support member.
30. The assembly in accordance with claim 29 in which each said side shelf support member includes an inwardly extending upper flange for supporting one of said side margins of said shelf.
31. The assembly in accordance with claim 29 in which each said shelf support member includes an inwardly projecting lower flange spaced below said upper flange.
32. The assembly in accordance with claim 21 in which each said cross member includes an inwardly projecting lower flange along the bottom margin of the cross member.
33. Components for a frame assembly comprising:
four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, each said support post support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug; and four cross members for being carried by said posts when arranged in a rectangular configuration, each said cross member including an attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and including another attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said cross member attachment portion including at least one tab that (a) has a free distal end, (b) is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of cross member material around said tab free distal end, and (c) is adapted to be received in one of said lug passages.
four corner support posts each having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, each said support post support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug; and four cross members for being carried by said posts when arranged in a rectangular configuration, each said cross member including an attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and including another attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said cross member attachment portion including at least one tab that (a) has a free distal end, (b) is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of cross member material around said tab free distal end, and (c) is adapted to be received in one of said lug passages.
34. The assembly in accordance with claim 33 in which each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the tab disposed therein, each said tab having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
35. Components for a frame assembly comprising:
a set of corner support posts each having a support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug; and cross members for being carried by and connecting said posts, each said cross member including an attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said post support walls and including another attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said post support walls, each said cross member attachment portion including at least one tab that (a) has a free distal end, (b) is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of cross member material around said tab free distal end, and (c) is adapted to be received in one of said lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the uninserted tab to be disposed therein, each said tab having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
a set of corner support posts each having a support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs which each define a vertical passage extending the height of the lug; and cross members for being carried by and connecting said posts, each said cross member including an attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said post support walls and including another attachment portion for being positioned adjacent one of said post support walls, each said cross member attachment portion including at least one tab that (a) has a free distal end, (b) is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of cross member material around said tab free distal end, and (c) is adapted to be received in one of said lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the portion of the uninserted tab to be disposed therein, each said tab having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said tab is deformed into tight engagement with said lug.
36. A frame assembly comprising:
a set of four lower corner support posts and a set of four upper corner support posts, each post having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, said lower and upper corner support posts being arranged in vertically aligned pairs with one of said lower corner support posts being aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry with, and being disposed below, one of said upper corner support posts, each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each said lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
eight splice plates arranged in pairs with each pair joining one of said vertically aligned pairs of lower and upper corner support posts, each said splice plate having (1) a planar central portion spanning the two abutting ends of one of said vertically aligned pairs of said lower and upper corner support posts and (2) two oppositely directed planar legs with one of said legs projecting into one of said upper corner support post lug passages and with the other of said legs projecting into one of said lower corner support post lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding transverse cross sectional dimension of the splice plate leg portion to be disposed therein, each said leg having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said leg is deformed into tight engagement with said leg: and four cross members carried by said posts and being arranged in a rectangular configuration, each said cross member including an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and including another attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said cross-member attachment portion including at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of shelf support material around said tab free distal end, said tab being received in one of said lug passages.
a set of four lower corner support posts and a set of four upper corner support posts, each post having a pair of support walls at generally right angles to one another, said lower and upper corner support posts being arranged in vertically aligned pairs with one of said lower corner support posts being aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry with, and being disposed below, one of said upper corner support posts, each said support wall of each said support post defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each said lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
eight splice plates arranged in pairs with each pair joining one of said vertically aligned pairs of lower and upper corner support posts, each said splice plate having (1) a planar central portion spanning the two abutting ends of one of said vertically aligned pairs of said lower and upper corner support posts and (2) two oppositely directed planar legs with one of said legs projecting into one of said upper corner support post lug passages and with the other of said legs projecting into one of said lower corner support post lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional dimension less than the corresponding transverse cross sectional dimension of the splice plate leg portion to be disposed therein, each said leg having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said leg is deformed into tight engagement with said leg: and four cross members carried by said posts and being arranged in a rectangular configuration, each said cross member including an attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of one of said corner support posts and including another attachment portion positioned adjacent one of said support walls of another of said corner support posts, each said cross-member attachment portion including at least one tab that has a free distal end and that is connected to said attachment portion to project downwardly in the absence of shelf support material around said tab free distal end, said tab being received in one of said lug passages.
37. A frame assembly comprising:
a set of lower corner support posts and a set of upper corner support posts, each post having a support wall, said lower and upper corner support posts being arranged in vertically aligned pairs with one of said lower corner support posts being aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry with, and being disposed below, one of said upper corner support posts, each said post support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each said lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
splice plates arranged with one splice plate joining one of said vertically aligned pairs of lower and upper corner support posts, each said splice plate having (1) a planar central portion spanning the two abutting ends of one of said vertically aligned pairs of said lower and upper corner support posts and (2) two oppositely directed planar legs with one of said legs projecting into one of said upper corner support post lug passages and with the other of said legs projecting into one of said lower corner support post lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional area dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the uninserted splice plate leg portion to be disposed therein, each said leg having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said leg is deformed into tight engagement with said leg; and cross members carried by and connecting said posts to form a frame.
a set of lower corner support posts and a set of upper corner support posts, each post having a support wall, said lower and upper corner support posts being arranged in vertically aligned pairs with one of said lower corner support posts being aligned in vertical end-to-end abutting registry with, and being disposed below, one of said upper corner support posts, each said post support wall defining a plurality of vertically spaced, inwardly projecting lugs, each said lug defining a vertical passage adjacent the lug and extending the height of the lug;
splice plates arranged with one splice plate joining one of said vertically aligned pairs of lower and upper corner support posts, each said splice plate having (1) a planar central portion spanning the two abutting ends of one of said vertically aligned pairs of said lower and upper corner support posts and (2) two oppositely directed planar legs with one of said legs projecting into one of said upper corner support post lug passages and with the other of said legs projecting into one of said lower corner support post lug passages, each said lug passage having a transverse cross sectional area dimension less than the corresponding initial transverse cross sectional dimension of the uninserted splice plate leg portion to be disposed therein, each said leg having a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into one of said lug passages wherein said portion of said leg is deformed into tight engagement with said leg; and cross members carried by and connecting said posts to form a frame.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US46036490A | 1990-01-03 | 1990-01-03 | |
| US(460,364) | 1990-01-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2009846A1 true CA2009846A1 (en) | 1991-08-12 |
Family
ID=23828412
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2009846 Abandoned CA2009846A1 (en) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-02-12 | Frame assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2009846A1 (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-02-12 CA CA 2009846 patent/CA2009846A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |