EP0517617A1 - Modular shelving - Google Patents

Abstract

This modular shelving comprises, in combination:   - vertical tubular uprights (1), the lower and upper ends of which are provided with means (12,13) for conical fitting;   - horizontal crosspieces (2), the ends (18) of which are provided with means (20,21) for conical fitting;   - horizontal longitudinal members (3), at least some of which are provided at at least one end with means (24,25) for conical fitting;   - shelves (6) or other similar supports, which can be positioned horizontally between the longitudinal members (3) and the crosspieces (2);   - feet (7) for support on the ground. <??>Application to the storage of foodstuffs. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a modular shelving structure which can be used more particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of industry and services related to food and catering.

Shelving is already known, in particular for food products, produced by means of vertical ladders connected to each other at several levels by horizontal beams, on which removable shelves are placed, receiving products to be stored. Such shelving, made of metal only, can have any desired length; on the other hand, their height is fixed by the dimensions of the scales.

Furthermore, there are known removable shelves made by means of molded plastic elements. More particularly, these elements comprise on the one hand horizontal plates, on the other hand tubular uprights interposed between superimposed trays, fitting devices being provided between the trays and the uprights. It is understood that such shelves can have any desired height; on the other hand, the length of this kind of shelves is limited to that of a tray. In addition, the tubular conformation of the uprights does not allow an interlocking of these uprights with the plates leading to a very rigid assembly.

The present invention aims to provide an improved shelving, which combines the advantages of the two types of embodiment mentioned above without including the disadvantages, and thus the object of the invention is to provide modular shelving, the length and height of which can be modified. , which is entirely achievable with molded plastic elements, with rigid assembly of these elements together, while respecting the standards relating to the food sector.

• des montants tubulaires verticaux, dont les extrémités inférieure et supérieure sont pourvues de moyens d'emboîtement conique ;
• des traverses horizontales, dont les deux extrémités sont pourvues de moyens d'emboîtement conique, aptes à coopérer avec les moyens analogues prévus sur les montants tubulaires ;
• des longerons horizontaux qui, au moins pour une partie d'entre eux, sont pourvus à au moins une de leurs extrémités de moyens d'emboîtement conique, aptes à coopérer avec les moyens analogues prévus sur les montants tubulaires et sur les traverses ; et
• des clayettes, plateaux, bacs et/ou autres supports similaires amovibles, aptes à prendre place horizontalement entre les longerons et les traverses précités.

To this end, the modular shelving object of the present invention essentially comprises, in combination:

• vertical tubular uprights, the lower and upper ends of which are provided with conical interlocking means;
• horizontal crosspieces, the two ends of which are provided with conical interlocking means capable of cooperating with the similar means provided on the tubular uprights;
• horizontal beams which, at least for part of them, are provided at at least one of their ends with conical fitting means, capable of cooperating with similar means provided on the tubular uprights and on the crosspieces; and
• shelves, trays, trays and / or other similar removable supports, capable of taking place horizontally between the beams and the aforementioned crosspieces.

There is thus produced, by assembling uprights, crosspieces and longitudinal members, a three-dimensional structure whose length and height can be freely chosen, with several levels of shelves or other supports receiving the products to be stored. The interlocking means connecting the uprights, the crosspieces and the longitudinal members allow, thanks to their conical conformation, an assembly of all the elements with wedging effect, ensuring the rigidity of the structure and its mechanical resistance even for supported loads of significant weight. In addition, the conical interlocking means allow simple assembly without tools, with the additional advantage that the conical shapes themselves provide guidance and adjustment of the elements relative to each other at the time of their assembly. . All of these elements, whether they are uprights, crosspieces, rails or shelves, can be produced in molded plastic, with their conical interlocking means coming directly from molding at the respective ends.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each tubular upright has an outer wall connected, by radial fins, to an inner tubular part provided, at its lower end, with a male interlocking cone and, at its upper end , a female interlocking cone. By these means, the upright sections are assembled as well with each other as with the ends of the crosspieces and the side members, provided with similar conical interlocking means.

Advantageously, each cross member comprises, at its two ends, a female interlocking cone surmounting a male interlocking cone with the same vertical axis, the two ends of the cross member being offset downward relative to the median part of this cross member, so as to provide at the two ends of said cross member of the housing capable of receiving the ends of the side members, the height of these housing being preferably equal to that of the side members at their ends.

• des longerons "de base" dont les deux extrémités sont l'une et l'autre pourvues de moyens d'emboîtement conique, avec un cône femelle surmontant un cône mâle de même axe vertical ;
• des longerons en "demi-ponts" dont une seule extrémité est pourvue de moyens d'emboîtement conique, avec un cône femelle surmontant un cône mâle de même axe vertical, l'extrémité opposée de ces longerons étant pourvue de moyens d'accrochage prévus pour coopérer avec des moyens d'accrochage complémentaires portés par une extrémité d'un autre longeron ; et
• des longerons en "ponts" dont aucune extrémité n'est pourvue de moyens d'emboîtement conique, mais dont les deux extrémités sont pourvues de moyens d'accrochage prévus pour coopérer avec des moyens d'accrochage complémentaires portés par une extrémité d'un autre longeron.

As regards the horizontal beams, these preferably include:

• "base" side rails, the two ends of which are both provided with conical interlocking means, with a female cone surmounting a male cone with the same vertical axis;
• longitudinal members in "half-bridges", one end of which is provided with conical interlocking means, with a female cone surmounting a male cone with the same vertical axis, the opposite end of these longitudinal members being provided with hooking means provided for cooperate with complementary attachment means carried by one end of another spar; and
• longitudinal members in "bridges", no end of which is provided with conical interlocking means, but the two ends of which are provided with hooking means designed to cooperate with complementary hooking means carried by one end of another spar.

These hooking means can be produced in the form of ribs and complementary grooves, of generally vertical direction, formed at the ends of the longitudinal members concerned, with at least partially conical configurations.

Thanks to the previous provisions, the following possibilities are offered:
The "base" side members are directly fitted at the ends of two crosspieces located at the same level, so as to produce rigid rectangular frames in which the shelves or other supports will be housed.

The "bridge" side members make it possible to connect two "base" side members resting on cross members. The "half-bridge" beams are hooked on one side to one end of the "base" beam resting on a cross member, and are fitted on the other side directly to a cross member.

It is thus possible to produce shelves of any desired length, from unitary elements in very limited numbers. It should be noted that the invention makes it possible not only to assemble a linear shelving unit of indefinite length, but also, thanks to additional hangings of the same type as those previously defined, to produce departures at right angles.

The modular shelving object of the invention may also include auxiliary elements such as feet on the ground, preferably adjustable in height, each provided at their upper end with conical fitting means capable of cooperating with the similar means provided at the ends of the crosspieces or at the base of the uprights.

• Figure 1 est une vue en plan par dessus d'un premier exemple de réalisation du rayonnage modulaire conforme à la présente invention ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en plan par dessus d'un second exemple de réalisation de rayonnage selon l'invention ;
• Figure 3 est une vue en bout d'un rayonnage modulaire selon l'invention ;
• Figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée, partielle, montrant les principaux éléments d'un rayonnage conforme à l'invention et illustrant leur principe d'assemblage ;
• Figure 5 est une vue en bout d'un montant tubulaire de ce rayonnage ;
• Figure 6 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du montant, suivant VI-VI de figure 5 ;
• Figure 7 est une autre vue en coupe longitudinale de ce montant, suivant VII-VII de figure 5 ;
• Figure 8 est une vue en coupe verticale de l'extrémité d'une traverse ;
• Figure 9 est une vue en coupe verticale de l'extrémité d'un longeron "de base", avec indication sommaire d'un longeron adjacent accroché sur cette extrémité ;
• Figure 10 est une vue en coupe verticale de l'extrémité d'un longeron en "pont" ;
• Figure 11 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un pied d'appui au sol.

In any case, the invention will be better understood, and other characteristics will be highlighted, with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of this modular shelving:

• Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a first embodiment of the modular shelving according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a plan view from above of a second embodiment of shelving according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is an end view of a modular shelving according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view, partial, showing the main elements of a rack according to the invention and illustrating their principle of assembly;
• Figure 5 is an end view of a tubular upright of this shelving;
• Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the amount, according to VI-VI of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is another view in longitudinal section of this amount, along VII-VII of Figure 5;
• Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the end of a cross;
• Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the end of a "base" beam, with summary indication of an adjacent beam hung on this end;
• Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the end of a "bridge"spar;
• Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of a support leg on the ground.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a modular shelving according to the invention comprises vertical uprights 1, horizontal crosspieces 2, horizontal beams of several types 3,4 and 5, shelves 6 and feet on the ground 7. The assembly of these elements together makes it possible to constitute rigid and resistant three-dimensional structures, of freely chosen length and height, with several levels of shelves 6 receiving products to be stored. Thus, it is possible in particular to produce a linear shelving unit of indefinite length (FIG. 1), or a shelving unit which seen in plan from above has an "L" shape, with a start at a right angle (FIG. 2).

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, each vertical upright 1 has a general tubular conformation, with a cruciform horizontal section, its outer wall 8 having vertical flat faces, or slightly inclined according to the requirements of demolding. The outer wall 8 the upright 1 is connected, by radial fins 9, to an inner tubular part 10 with a vertical axis 11. The inner tubular part 10 is provided, at its lower end, with a male interlocking cone 12. This inner tubular part 10 is also provided, at its upper end, with a female interlocking cone 13, complementary to the male interlocking cone 12.

Thus, the vertical uprights 1 can be assembled to each other by conical interlocking, with wedging effect, to form more or less tall columns, as shown in Figure 3. These uprights 1 can also be assembled, according to the same principle conical fitting, with the horizontal elements, namely the cross members 2 and the side members 3 or 4, described in detail below. It will be noted that an additional nesting is provided by the outer wall 8, thanks to corresponding arrangements 14 and 15, provided, respectively, at the base and at the top of this wall 8. Furthermore, as shown in particular in FIG. 6, some of the radial fins 9 can be extended downwards, being delimited by a lower edge 16 of different inclination from the others, to form prominent parts allowing angular immobilization of the upright 1 relative to another element provided with a provision complementary (see below).

With reference to FIGS. 3,4 and 8, each horizontal crosspiece 2 has a rectilinear middle part 17, and two symmetrical ends 18 which are offset downwards with respect to the middle part 17.

This middle part 17 has a transverse section in an inverted "U" shape, giving it a hollow structure; transverse reinforcing ribs 19 are provided at intervals, along the length of said middle portion 17.

Each end 18 of the cross-member 2 comprises a female interlocking cone 20, surmounting a male interlocking cone 21 with the same vertical axis 22. These cones 20 and 21 correspond to those 12 and 13 of the uprights 1.

Like the crosspieces 2, the horizontal beams 3,4 and 5 have an inverted "U" cross section, giving them a hollow structure, transverse reinforcement ribs 23 being provided at intervals along their length - see FIGS. 9 and 10 According to the arrangements provided at the ends, there are three types of spars here:
"Base" beams 3 have, at both of their ends, conical interlocking means in the form of a cone female 24 surmounting a male cone 25 with the same vertical axis 26, as shown in FIG. 9. These two cones 24 and 25 correspond to those 12 and 13 of the uprights 1 and to those 20 and 21 of the crosspieces 2.

Longers in "half-bridges" 4 have, at only one end, conical interlocking means in the form of a female cone surmounting a male cone of the same vertical axis, the arrangement here being identical to that of the ends of the longitudinal members "basic" 3. In these "half-bridge" beams 4, the other end is provided with hooking means, described in detail below.

Longers in "bridges" 5 have no means of conical interlocking at their two ends, which are both provided with hooking means, identical to those of the spars in "half-bridges" 4.

As shown in FIG. 10, representing one end of a "bridge" spar 5, these attachment means can be produced in the form of a "T" groove 27. Complementary attachment means, in the form of a "T" rib 28, are provided at the ends of the "base" beams 3, as well as at the end also provided with conical interlocking means for the beams in "half-bridges" 4 - see FIGS. 4 and 9. The grooves 27 and the ribs 28 have a general vertical direction, and have conical configurations, at least for some of them.

The ends 18 of each cross member 2, being offset downward, provide housings 29 able to receive the ends of the side members. In particular, these housings 29 receive the end of "base" beams 3, provided with a male cone 25 which fits into the female cone 20 of the corresponding end of the cross member 2, the height of the housings 29 being equal to that of the side members 3 at their ends. Thus one can achieve, by the assembly of two crosspieces 2 and two "base" beams 3, a horizontal rectangular frame whose upper surface is perfectly flat.

Such a rectangular frame is designed to receive a shelf 6, of corresponding shape and dimensions. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper edges of the cross members 2 and the side members 3 (as well as the other side members 4 and 5) have rebates 30 and 31, receiving the edges of the shelf 6.

Several identical rectangular frames, arranged one above the other, are joined to each other at their four angles by columns formed by means of uprights 1 nested. We anticipate, by example, two or three uprights 1 superimposed, between two consecutive frames, according to the desired vertical spacing between the shelves 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, and if we consider the lower upright 1 of a column formed by two or three uprights, the male interlocking cone 12 of this upright 1 is engaged in the female cone 24 of the end of a beam 3. This female cone 24 is provided with a diametrical slot 32, allowing the angular immobilization of the upright 1 considered. As for the upper upright 1 of the column in question, its female nesting cone 13 receives the male cone 22 from the corresponding end 18 of a cross member 2.

After completion of a first shelving module, as described above, this module can be extended by using "half-bridge" beams 4 and / or "bridge" beams 5, to form one or more other modules located in alignment with the first, exemplary embodiments being given by FIGS. 1 and 2. The abovementioned attachment means, formed by the grooves 27 and complementary ribs 28, allow the beams 3, 4 and 5 to be joined together. of the different types located on the same level.

In addition, as illustrated in Figure 2, some beams 2 may include other hooking means 33 located laterally at an intermediate point of their length. These attachment means 33 make it possible to produce a start at a right angle, with one or more additional modules oriented perpendicular to the main alignment.

Although a rack produced as described above can rest directly on the ground, provision is still advantageously made for feet on the ground 7, adjustable in height, visible in FIGS. 2, 4 and 11. Each leg 7 is designed, in its middle and upper parts, in the same way as the uprights 1; it has in particular at its upper end a female nesting cone 34, capable of receiving the male cone 22 from the end 18 of a cross member 2. In its lower part, the foot 7 is provided with a screw jack 35 , whose thread 36 is set back relative to the lower end of the foot 7 for reasons of hygiene and aesthetics. This thread 36 cooperates with a thread 37 also recessed on the inner tubular part 38 of the foot 7. Thanks to the feet 7, possibly topped directly by uprights 1, the first shelf 6 is placed at a sufficient height, in particular to be it- same convenient access and also to allow cleaning of the floor, while the cylinders 35 allow compensate for defects in the flatness of the floor on which the shelving is installed.

For reasons of hygiene and aesthetics, the elements described above are supplemented by covers, not shown, closing off the unused functional parts of these elements. Thus, suitable plugs can close off the entrances of the unused nesting cones, in particular on the side rails placed in the upper position, and flat covers can be fitted on certain hooking ribs 28 at the ends of the side rails 3 and 4, or hide the attachment means 33 for unused right angle feeders.

All the elements of the shelving can be produced in molded plastic, whether they are the uprights 1, the crosspieces 2, the beams 3, 4 and 5, the shelves 6, the legs 7 or the covers. The plastic used is advantageously polypropylene loaded with glass fibers. The interlocking cones 12,13,20,21,24,25 and 34, and the hooking means 27,28,33 come directly from molding with the corresponding elements. The interlocking cones can be made either with open or closed ends.

The modular shelving according to the invention can be used in particular in cold rooms and kitchens, for the storage of food products. Depending on the uses, the shelves 6 are replaceable by trays or trays or other similar removable supports, also taking place in the rectangular frames formed by the cross members and by the side members, and also made of molded plastic. The characteristics of the various constituent elements of this shelving make it conform to the prescriptions and recommendations in force in the food sector.

As is obvious, and as appears from the above, the invention is not limited to the only embodiment of this modular shelving which has been described above, by way of example; it embraces, on the contrary, all variants of execution and application respecting the same principle, whatever in particular the shape details of the various elements, the accessories possibly provided, the overall configuration with or without feeds to right angle given to the shelving, and the field of use of this shelving.

Claims (15)

Modular shelving, characterized in that it essentially comprises, in combination: - vertical tubular uprights (1), the lower and upper ends of which are provided with conical interlocking means (12,13); - horizontal crosspieces (2), the two ends of which (18) are provided with conical interlocking means (20,21), capable of cooperating with similar means provided on the tubular uprights (1); - horizontal beams (3,4,5) which, at least for part of them, are provided at at least one of their ends with conical interlocking means (24,25), able to cooperate with the means analogues provided on the tubular uprights (1) and on the crosspieces (2); and - Shelves (6), trays, trays and / or other similar supports, able to take place horizontally between the beams (3,4,5) and the aforementioned crosspieces (2). Modular shelving according to claim 1, characterized in that the uprights (1), the crosspieces (2), the side members (3,4,5) and the shelves (6) are made of molded plastic, with their means of conical fitting (12, 13,20,21,24,25) coming directly from molding at the respective ends. Modular shelving according to claim 2, characterized in that each tubular upright (1) has an outer wall (8) connected, by radial fins (9), to an inner tubular part (10) provided, at its lower end, with 'a male interlocking cone (12) and, at its upper end, a female interlocking cone (13). Modular shelving according to claim 3, characterized in that the external wall (8) of each tubular upright (1) has at its base and at its top, corresponding arrangements (14,15) for an additional nesting. Modular shelving according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that some of the radial fins (9) of each upright (1) are extended downward to form protruding parts (16) allowing angular immobilization of the upright (1) relative to to another element provided with a complementary provision (32). Modular shelving according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each crosspiece (2) comprises, at its two ends (18), a female interlocking cone (20) surmounting a interlocking cone male (21) of the same vertical axis (22), the two ends (18) of the cross member 2 being offset downward relative to the middle part of this cross member (2), so as to provide at the two ends (18) of said crossmember (2) of the housings (29) capable of receiving the ends of the side members (3,4). Modular shelving according to claim 6, characterized in that the height of the housings (29) located at the ends (18) of each cross member (2) is equal to that of the side members (3,4,5) at their ends. Modular shelving according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the horizontal beams comprise: - "base" side rails (3), the two ends of which are both provided with conical interlocking means, with a female cone (24) surmounting a male cone (25) with the same vertical axis (26 ); - longitudinal members in "half-bridges" (4) of which only one end is provided with conical interlocking means, with a female cone (24) surmounting a male cone (25) with the same vertical axis (26), the end opposite of these beams (4) being provided with hooking means (27) provided to cooperate with complementary hooking means (28) carried by one end of another beam; and - side members in "bridges" (5) of which no end is provided with conical interlocking means, but the two ends of which are provided with hooking means (27) designed to cooperate with complementary hooking means ( 28) carried by one end of another spar. Modular shelving according to claim 8, characterized in that the above-mentioned hooking means are produced in the form of ribs (28) and complementary grooves (27), of generally vertical direction, formed at the ends of the side members (3,4, 5) concerned, with at least partially conical configurations. Modular shelving according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it also comprises hooking means (33) located at an intermediate point of certain beams (2), and designed to cooperate with hooking means (27, 28) carried by one end of another beam, to make departures at right angles. Modular shelving according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the crosspieces (2) and the side members (3,4,5) have an inverted "U" cross section, reinforcing ribs transverse (19,23) being provided at intervals along their length. Modular shelving according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the upper edges of the crosspieces (2) and the side members (3,4,5) have rebates (30,31), capable of receiving the edges d '' a shelf (6) or similar. Modular shelving according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it also comprises support feet on the ground (7), preferably adjustable in height, each provided at their upper end with conical fitting means (34) able to cooperate with similar means (12, 21) provided at the ends of the crosspieces (2) or at the base of the uprights (1). Modular shelving according to claim 13, characterized in that each support leg on the ground (7) is provided with a screw jack (35), the thread (36) of which cooperates with a tapping (37) of a part inner tubular (38) of the foot (7), the thread (36) and the thread (37) being set back from the lower end of the foot (7). Modular shelving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it also comprises covers suitable for closing unused functional parts, such as interlocking cone inlets or hooking means (28, 33) located on beams (3,4).

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