EP1699314A1 - Schnellverstellstützsystem mit eingeschlossenem oder integriertem keil - Google Patents

Schnellverstellstützsystem mit eingeschlossenem oder integriertem keil

Info

Publication number
EP1699314A1
EP1699314A1 EP03787023A EP03787023A EP1699314A1 EP 1699314 A1 EP1699314 A1 EP 1699314A1 EP 03787023 A EP03787023 A EP 03787023A EP 03787023 A EP03787023 A EP 03787023A EP 1699314 A1 EP1699314 A1 EP 1699314A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
support
locking mechanism
collar
support post
wedge member
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03787023A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert J. Welch
James D. Hill
Jeffrey C. Olson
Robert R. Steele
Cheryl Kniffin
Katherine Mcgillivray
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Intermetro Industries Corp
Original Assignee
Intermetro Industries Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Intermetro Industries Corp filed Critical Intermetro Industries Corp
Priority to EP06019249A priority Critical patent/EP1817980A2/de
Publication of EP1699314A1 publication Critical patent/EP1699314A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B57/00Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
    • A47B57/06Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves
    • A47B57/26Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves consisting of clamping means, e.g. with sliding bolts or sliding wedges
    • A47B57/265Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves consisting of clamping means, e.g. with sliding bolts or sliding wedges clamped in discrete positions, e.g. on tubes with grooves or holes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B57/00Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
    • A47B57/30Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports
    • A47B57/54Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports consisting of clamping means, e.g. with sliding bolts or sliding wedges
    • A47B57/545Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports consisting of clamping means, e.g. with sliding bolts or sliding wedges clamped in discrete positions, e.g. on tubes with grooves or holes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an item-supporting structure that can be used to support shelving or other elements for carrying or supporting any desired item. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support assembly for use in, for example, a knock-down shelving system, to adjustably support shelves.
  • knock-down shelving systems having adjustable height shelves and so-called "knock-down" type shelving systems are known, and each has utility in many applications.
  • a knockdown shelving system with adjustable height shelves may be used in food service, industrial, commercial, hospital, and similar fields for storage of any desired items.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,111 (Maslow) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,508 (Maslow), which are assigned to the assignee of the subject invention.
  • the adjustable shelving system disclosed in these patents has achieved great commercial success under assignee's trademark SUPER ERECTA SHELF.
  • This shelving system uses a plurality of cylindrical support posts provided with a series of equally spaced, annular grooves on its outer surface.
  • a basic shelving system might include four support posts to support one or more formed- ire shelves, with each shelf having a frusto-conically-shaped collar at each comer for receiving a support post.
  • a two-piece interlocking sleeve fits around the support post.
  • the sleeve features a rib on its interior surface for engaging one of the grooves on the support post and has a frusto-conically-shaped outer surface, which is widest at the bottom, designed to complement the shape of the shelf collars.
  • the support posts fitted with sleeves are received in the collars of each shelf to assemble the shelving system. When assembled, the weight of the shelf creates a radially-inwardly directed force between the collars and sleeves. This force brings the sleeves into a locking relation with the posts and creates a wedging force between the collars and sleeves.
  • This shelving system uses hanger brackets to permit easy installation and adjustment of the shelves without requiring the disassembly of the entire shelving system or the use of tools.
  • This shelving system is known commercially under the trademark QWIKSLOT SHELF, and the patent is also assigned to the assignee of the subject invention.
  • the QWTKSLOT SHELF shelving system uses support posts formed with a plurality of elongated slots at regular vertical intervals for receiving the hanger brackets.
  • the slotted support post can also have annular grooves as discussed above in the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system.
  • a notch in each hanger bracket receives a truncated comer of a shelf.
  • the hanger brackets used in the QWIKSLOT SHELF shelving system allow for easy adjustment of the shelves.
  • a potential drawback in some applications is that shelves secured by means of the hanger brackets do not provide the heavy-duty load bearing capacity of other shelving systems, such as the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system.
  • the slots in the posts are not acceptable in some food service applications.
  • Still another type of successful shelving system sold and marketed under the trademark METROMAX features a "knock-down" configuration that uses triangular support posts.
  • Such a system is the subject of U.S. Pats. No. 4,811,670, No. 4,964,350, No. 5,271,337, and No. 5,279,231, which also are assigned to the assignee of the subject invention.
  • a comer assembly for securing each comer of a shelf to the triangular support post includes a wedge member, a comer bracket structurally associated with the shelf and a collar.
  • the wedge member snap-fits on the support post, and the collar and comer bracket form a sleeve around the support post.
  • the formed sleeve fits against the support post and wedge member and supports the shelf by a wedging force.
  • the shelving systems in U.S. Pats. No. 4,964,350, No. 5,271,337, and No. 5,279,231, feature modular shelves in combination with the triangular support posts.
  • the modular shelves include a rectangular shelf frame formed from two end beams connected to two side beams.
  • a center beam may be inserted between the end beams, parallel to the side beams, to increase the load-bearing capacity of the system.
  • a plurality of plastic shelf mats are adapted to be snap-fit onto the shelf frame.
  • the shelf frame is secured to the support post by comer assemblies comprised of a corner portion of the end beam, a wedge member and a separate collar.
  • a sleeve formed by the comer portion and the collar is seated on the support post and wedge member and secured by a wedging action.
  • Two lock cylinders lock the collar to the comer portion to secure the sleeve.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,009 and No. 6,113,042 each of which are incorporated herein by reference and are similarly assigned to the assignee of the subject invention, feature a support system for supporting a member on a support post.
  • the support system of these two patents is sold and marketed under the trademark SUPER ADJUSTABLE SUPER ERECTA and the former patent also relates to a system sold under the mark METROMAX-Q.
  • These patents feature a wedge assembly having a tapered face mountable on the support post, a collar, secured to the member to be supported, for example shelves, and a locking mechanism rotatably supported by the collar.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates one comer of a shelving system utilizing the support assembly in accordance with the METROMAX-Q system.
  • a wire shelf frame 10 is positioned on an elongated support post 12 by a corner support assembly 14.
  • the comer support assembly 14 is comprised of a collar 16 and a locking mechanism, or flipper, 18 rotatably mounted to the collar.
  • the flipper is shown in its unlocked position.
  • the corner support assembly is secured between an end outer rail 24 and a side outer rail 24' which form part of the shelf frame 10.
  • a tapered wedge member 20 is positioned on the post where the shelf frame is to be secured. With the flipper in the closed position, the wedge member is compressed against the support post 12, and the comer support assembly 14 surrounds the support post and wedge member like a sleeve and is seated thereon to support the shelf frame with a wedging force.
  • the flipper and shelf will move downwardly relative to the wedge thereby to increase the force with which the wedge member engages the post.
  • the wire shelf frame 10 is part of a modular shelf that is formed by securing the outer rails 24 and 24' to the comer support assemblies 14 by conventional means such as welding.
  • the outer rails 24 and 24' will be secured between four comer support assemblies to comprise the wire shelf frame.
  • Each outer rail includes a top rail 26, a bottom rail 28 and a snake-like rail 30 secured between the top and bottom rails for stability.
  • One or more transverse rails can be secured between parallel outer rails for additional support and to increase the load-bearing capacity of the shelf.
  • FIG. 2 is an isolated view of the collar 16 as used in an exemplary disclosed embodiment of the METROMAX-Q system.
  • the collar 16 includes a cylindrical shaft 34, preferably non-rotatable, secured between " two lateral sides 36 for rotatably supporting the flipper 18.
  • a rear section of the collar 16 joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides is contoured to fit the outward-facing shape of the post 12.
  • the post has a generally triangular cross-section.
  • the rear side is thus shaped to have a straight portion 35 angled from each lateral side and joined by a rounded apex 37.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary locking mechanism, or flipper 18 as used in the METROMAX-Q system.
  • the flipper which is preferably integrally formed, has an upper end 41 and lower end 43. Further, the top end has a flat portion 47 and a rounded portion 49, with the rounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 40 for receiving and containing the shaft 34 of the collar 16.
  • the lower end includes a flat manipulating portion 42 that can be grasped by the user.
  • a rear face 44 of the flipper which extends at an angle from the flat portion 47 and cannot be seen in FIG. 3, is shaped to complement the shape of the wedge member 20, which in this embodiment is substantially flat.
  • the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
  • the preferred material for the flipper is a rigid molded plastic such as, for example, reinforced nylon.
  • FIG. 4A shows an example of a wedge member 20 used in the METROMAX-Q system.
  • the wedge member 20 is designed to clip onto an interior face of the support post 12.
  • the wedge member includes a front portion 45 flanked by two contoured lips 47 for clipping, or snap-fitting, the wedge member onto the support post.
  • detent means such as internal beads, or ribs, 46 are provided on the internal surface of the wedge member and are spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing of grooves on the support post.
  • the configuration of the internal beads is designed to mate with the configuration of the grooves in the support post.
  • the internal beads provide vertical support when they are seated in the grooves of a support post.
  • additional vertical support is provided by a wedge action provided by the flipper in the locked position.
  • the wedge member 20 maybe clipped on to the support posts at any incremental height, and further may be translated up and down to any other incremental height.
  • a cut-out 48 can be provided in the front portion 45 to view optional height increment numbers on the support post for vertically aligning the wedge member with wedge members on other support posts.
  • the outer surface of the front portion is substantially flat to correspond to the substantially flat rear face 44 of the flipper.
  • the front portion is also slightly tapered from its upper end to its lower end, such that the lower end is wider and extends toward an interior of the shelving system.
  • the support post 12 has a generally right equilateral triangular cross-section, which can also be described as a triangular cross-section.
  • a right-angled apex 50 and two flat exterior sides 52 face the exterior of the shelving system, and interior angled apexes 54 and an interior side 56 of the support post face the interior of the shelving assembly.
  • the triangular geometry of the support post provides multi-directional stability, particularly in the directions of critical stress forces, i.e., in a direction parallel to the edges of the shelf.
  • the support post includes a plurality of horizontal grooves 58 that are preferably, but not necessarily, evenly spaced in the longitudinal direction of the post.
  • the grooves receive the internal beads 46 of the sleeve.
  • each support post 12 can be fitted with an end cap and the bottom end with a caster, a vertically-adjustable foot, an end cap, etc.
  • the bottom end of the supporfp ⁇ st canbe fitted with a stem receptacle for threadably receiving a leveling leg.
  • the METROMAX-Q system has been very successful and has provided users with an extremely easy to use yet sturdy adjustable mechanism for member support, in particular supports for heavy duty shelving requirements. This system can be improved so as to be even more convenient if a system can be devised in which the securing wedging action can be provided without using a separate wedge that may come loose from the other components of the comer support assembly.
  • a support mechanism can be provided that has the advantages of the METROMAX-Q system mentioned above, while at the same time having the wedge, or structure that performs the wedging function of the wedge's inclined plane structure, inseparable or less readily separable from the other components of the comer support assembly.
  • the present invention will be described with reference to a shelving system.
  • this invention relates to a support assembly capable of use in many types of support systems.
  • the support system can support shelves, as described below in greater detail, and other elements for carrying a wide variety of items.
  • the support system can support combinations of shelving, drawers, work surfaces, racks, bins, hooks and the like.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelf support assembly that can be quickly and easily adjusted. [0029] It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf support assembly that is statically secured to the shelving system to provide substantial load-bearing capacity.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a shelf support assembly that is readily adaptable to various types of support posts.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a support assembly that ensures a secure fit to a support post without the need for wedges that my come loose during adjustment, assembly or disassembly.
  • a support system comprising a support post having a tapered face; and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post.
  • the support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means against the tapered face of the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting.
  • the locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the tapered face of the support post when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the tapered face of the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.
  • a system for supporting a member comprising a support post having a longitudinal axis and a tapered face; and support means adapted to be secured to the member, for supporting the member to the support post.
  • the support means forms a sleeve around the support post and seated on the support post on the tapered face thereof.
  • the support means includes a locking mechanism that is actuatable between a first position compressing the tapered face and supporting the member and a second position not compressing the tapered face.
  • a support system comprises a support post, a wedge assembly having a tapered portion, mounted on the support post, and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. Also provided is securing means for securing the wedge member and the support means to one another.
  • the support means can include a locking mechanism having a first position for press-fitting against the wedge assembly and a second position for releasing the press-fitting.
  • a support system comprising a support post; a wedge member, having a tapered portion, located on the support post, the wedge member having a securing portion; and support means for adjustably supporting a supported member to the support post.
  • the support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the wedge member against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting.
  • the locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the wedge member when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the wedge member when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.
  • the locking mechanism cooperates with the securing portion of the wedge member so that the wedge member and the support means remain engaged with one another even when the support means is in the second position.
  • a system for supporting a member comprises a support post, a collar secured to the member to be supported, and a locking mechanism.
  • the locking mechanism has a first surface for abutting the support post in a first, unlocked position, and a second surface for, in a second unlocked position, press-fitting against the support post.
  • the locking mechanism may be mounted to the collar, and may be actuatable between a first position compressing the support post and a second position not compressing the support post.
  • a support system comprising a support post; and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post.
  • the support means includes a locking mechanism, which includes an integrally formed wedging member.
  • the locking mechanism is movable between a first position for press-fitting the wedging member against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting.
  • the wedging member has a surface that abuts the support post when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a shelving system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system
  • FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a wedge member in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system
  • FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the support post shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the METROMAX-Q system;
  • FIG. 5 A a partial perspective view of the support post/support assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 5B is perspective view of the collar shown in FIG. 5 A in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the flipper shown in FIG. 5 A in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 A is a perspective view of the support post in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6B is top plan view of the support post shown in FIG. 6 A in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 7A is a partial side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the support post and comer assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 7B is a partial top plan view of the support post and comer assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention
  • FIGS. 8 A and 8B are a perspective view and top plan view, respectively, of a support post in accordance with a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a support post/support assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a support post/support assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention with a sleeve;
  • FIGS. 11 A-1 and 11 A-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of the present invention, as manufactured by the hydro-forming process;
  • FIGS. 11B-1 and 11B-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of the present invention, as manufactured by the pultrusion process;
  • FIGS. 11 C-l and 11 C-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of the present invention having a D- shaped cross-section, as manufactured by the hydro-forming process;
  • FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a support post according to a variation of the first aspect of the present invention, as manufactured by the rolled-form process;
  • FIGS. 11E-1 and 11E-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a support post according to the variation of the first aspect of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2, as manufactured by the hydro-forming process;
  • FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a first embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention;
  • FIGS. 13 A and 13B are partial perspective views of the support assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;
  • FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member, and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a second embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 15A and 15 B are partial perspective views of the support assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;
  • FIGS. 16 A, 16B and 16C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member, and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a third embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 17A and 17B are partial perspective views of the support assembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;
  • FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member and flipper in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention
  • FIGS. 19A and 19B are partial perspective views of the support assembly in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;
  • FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member, and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 21 A and 21B are partial perspective views of the support assembly in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the second aspect of the second aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;
  • FIGS. 22A and 22B are perspective views of a collar and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a first embodiment of a third aspect of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 23 A and 23B are partial perspective views of a support assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;
  • FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C are perspective views of a collar, flipper and support pin, respectively, in accordance with the second embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 25 A and 25B are partial perspective views of a support assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;
  • FIGS. 26A and 26B are perspective views of a collar and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a third embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 27A and 27B are partial perspective views of a support assembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively.
  • the support assembly of the present invention can ideally be incorporated into a knock-down shelving system that includes a plurality of support posts for supporting one or more shelves at comer support assemblies thereof.
  • the shelving system may include a structure to provide an inclined plane surface for use, in combination with a comer support stmcture, to provide a wedging force to support the shelves in relation to the support posts.
  • the inclined plane stmcture can be provided by means of inclined plane structures formed integrally with the support post and to which the comer assembly engages to effect a press fit, a snap-on wedge member with detent means for adjustably locating the wedge member at predetermined heights on the support post and having securing means for trapping the wedge member within a corner support assembly, or an inclined plane stmcture integrally formed within the structure of the comer support assembly itself.
  • each comer support assembly features a collar, which is structurally associated with the shelf, and a locking mechanism, or flipper, rotatably supported by the collar and actuatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the corner support assemblies allow the shelf to translate relative to the support posts.
  • the flippers when the flippers are locked, the collars are secured to each respective post, by a wedging action, against inclined plane portions of the support post.
  • the post is formed with a sawtooth or other appropriate profile to provide the inclined plane, or tapered, portions of the post.
  • the flipper and collar, in the locked position are secured tightly against an inclined portion of the post, obviating the need for a discrete wedge member.
  • each comer support assembly includes a collar, flipper and wedge member.
  • the flippers When the flippers are locked, the collars are secured against the wedge members and the support posts by a wedging action, the wedge member and collar of each comer support assembly being structured such that the wedge member is captured within the comer support assembly.
  • the flipper, or flipper in combination with the collar are structured so as to perform the inclined plane function and provide a securing wedging action against the post, in the locked position.
  • the shelving system generally includes a plurality of support posts, e.g., four, arranged to support one or more shelves at comer assemblies thereof.
  • the support assembly of the present invention can be used in various types of support systems, e.g., cabinets, closets, etc., with a shelving system being only one example thereof.
  • the support assembly can be used in conjunction with many shelf embodiments and is not limited to use with a comer of a shelf or, for that matter, a comer of any supported member.
  • the support assembly is structurally associated with a wire shelf frame designed to be fitted with plastic shelf mats.
  • the support assembly of the present invention will be readily adaptable to many other shelf embodiments including, but not limited to, a wire shelf or a solid sheet metal shelf.
  • the present invention generally relates to an improved support system that builds on the advantageous structures introduced by the METROMAX-Q system described above in relation to FIGS. 1-4.
  • a wedge member is used that provides an inclined plane surface to provide a tight rigid joint between the post and the support assembly, including the collar and the flipper.
  • the wedge member may become separated during adjustment, assembly/disassembly or shipping.
  • the inclined plane surface is advantageously integrally formed in one of the post, flipper or collar, or it is attached thereto, i.e., captured, so that it does not become loose.
  • the support post itself is formed so as to have integrally formed tapered portions extending therefrom, which themselves provide the function of the inclined plane, that is, the function performed by the wedge member in the METROMAX-Q system.
  • a wedge member is used to provide the function of the inclined plane, but unlike in the METROMAX-Q system, the wedge member is formed so as to be captured, in various ways described and illustrated in detail below, within the stmcture of the collar and/or flipper.
  • the flipper and/or collar is provided with stmcture that performs the inclined plane function of the wedge, obviating the need for a distinct wedge member.
  • the locking mechanism, or flipper will be shown variously as having a rounded lower portion or an elongated lower portion forming a handle. Such depictions are for illustrative purposes only. As will be understood, the lower portion of the locking mechanism, or flipper, may be in any embodiment rounded, flat, or elongated, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 5 A and 5B show a support means or assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
  • support post 112 which may be formed in a number of cross- sectional shapes, materials and manufacturing methods, to be discussed below in detail, is shaped so as to have a sawtooth profile, with tapered protruding faces 120.
  • the tapered faces 120 are tapered outwardly from the post from top to bottom to form plural inclined planes.
  • An exemplary vertical support post 112 in accordance with the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As best seen in FIG. 6B, in this embodiment the support post 112 has a generally triangular cross-section.
  • each support post 112 can be fitted with an end cap and the bottom end with a caster, a vertically-adjustable foot, an end cap, etc.
  • the bottom end of the support post can be fitted with a stem receptacle for threadably receiving a leveling leg. This applies to all embodiments and all aspects of the present invention.
  • the support post 112 has a sawtooth profile and includes, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of inclined plane tapered faces 120.
  • the tapered faces 120 preferably, but not necessarily, are spaced evenly vertically along the post.
  • Each tapered face 120 comprises an outwardly tapered longer face 128, and an inwardly tapered shorter face 129.
  • the collar 116 and locking mechanism, or flipper 118 together form a sleeve or comer support assembly 114 that fits over the support post.
  • the flipper 118 preferably is of a construction substantially similar to the flipper of the METROMAX-Q system described in detail above. As in that system, the flipper 118 is mounted on the collar 116 to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 134. The flipper is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position.
  • the rear face of the flipper directs an inward radial compression force against the inclined plane tapered face 120 to effect a press- fitting of the support assembly 114 against the tapered face 120.
  • the tapered shape of the tapered face 120 creates an inwardly directed force by the weight of the shelf assembly to provide a wedging action between the comer support assembly and the tapered face 120. Movement of the flipper to the unlocked, or second, position releases the press-fitting.
  • the collar 116 includes a securing means comprising a cylindrical shaft 134, preferably non-rotatable, secured between two lateral sides 136 for rotatably supporting the flipper 118.
  • a rear section of the collar 116 joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides is contoured to fit the outward-facing shape of the post 112.
  • the post has a generally triangular cross-section as discussed in detail above.
  • the rear side of the collar 116 is thus shaped to have a straight portion 135 angled from each lateral side and joined by a rounded apex 137.
  • the rear side of the collar can easily be shaped to have any configuration, such as D-shaped, to match the shape of the support post.
  • FIG. 5C illustrates the flipper 118 in accordance with a first embodiment of the subject invention.
  • the flipper which is preferably integrally formed, has an upper end 141 and lower end 143. Further, the top end has a flat portion 147 and a rounded portion 149, with the rounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 140 for receiving and containing the shaft 134 of the collar 116.
  • a preferably flat transition portion 148 exists between the flat and rounded portions 147 and 149, respectively.
  • the primary difference of the flipper in this embodiment from that shown in FIG. 3 is that its bottom end 143 is rounded instead of flat. That is, the lower end 143 includes a preferably rounded manipulating portion 142 for grasping by the user.
  • a rear face 144 of the flipper which extends at an angle from the flat portion 147, and which cannot be seen in FIG. 5C, is shaped to complement the shape of the tapered portion 120, which in this embodiment is substantially flat in the horizontal direction.
  • the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
  • the preferred material for the flipper is a rigid molded plastic such as, for example, reinforced nylon.
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate how the collar support assembly 114 is secured to the support post 112.
  • the outer rails 24 and 24' have been deleted in FIG. 7A but are shown to be secured to the lateral sides 136 of the collar 116 in FIG. 7B.
  • the comer support assembly 114 is positioned over a selected tapered face 120 of the support post.
  • the collar 116 and flipper 118 together form a sleeve that fits over the tapered face of the support post.
  • the rear face 144 of the flipper directs an inward radial compression force against the tapered face 120.
  • the tapered shape of the tapered face 120 creates a wedge action between that face and the flipper for supporting the shelf assembly. It will be appreciated that the greater the weight on the shelf, the greater the downward force and thus the greater the wedging force.
  • FIG. 7 A will also be referred to in discussing two salient features of the present invention.
  • the first feature relates to the ability of the flipper to easily and quickly release the wedging action between the comer support assembly and the tapered face 120. This frees the shelf to slide up or down the support posts.
  • the closed flipper 118 is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction of arrow a to its unlocked position as represented by the dashed lines. By pivoting the flipper about the shaft 134 in this manner, the compression force between the flipper 118 and the tapered face is released. Actuation of the flipper by the user thus allows for quick and reliable releasing of the wedging action.
  • Another salient feature of the invention is directed to the ability of the flipper to allow the comer support assembly to slide over the support post having the tapered faces 120.
  • the flipper 118 normally hangs, by gravity, in substantially the same position shown in solid lines in FIG. 7A, i.e., with the lower end 143 directed downwardly.
  • the lower (andwidef) " end of the tapered face will initially contact the flat portion 147 of the upper end of the flipper, causing it to rotate counter-clockwise about the shaft 134 in the direction of arrow a.
  • FIGS. 8 A and 8B illustrate a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention in which a support post 112a has a D-shaped cross- section.
  • the support post 112a has a generally D-shaped cross-section.
  • Arcuate cross-sectional portion 226 extends rearwardly from lateral sides 224, all of which face the exterior of the shelving system.
  • FIG. 9 A comer support assembly suitable for use with the support post having the D-shaped cross-section is illustrated in FIG. 9.
  • the collar 116 includes a cylindrical shaft 134, preferably non-rotatable, secured between two lateral sides 136 for rotatably supporting the flipper 118a.
  • a rear section of the collar 116 joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides is contoured to fit the outward-facing shape of the post 112a.
  • the post has a generally D-shaped cross-section.
  • the rear side of the collar 116 is thus shaped to have a rounded apex angled from each lateral side so that the collar secures tightly against the arcuate outer portion of the post 112a.
  • the flipper 118a functions in exactly the same way as flipper 118 discussed above except that flipper 118a is shown having a extended handle 320, which allows a user to grasp the flipper more easily, and requires less pull force to open.
  • the flipper 118a has the same shapes and characteristics as disclosed in the previous embodiment and is rotatably secured about the cylindrical shaft 134 on the collar 116.
  • the flipper having the extended handle may be used in the comer support assembly discussed previously, and the flipper discussed in those figures may be used in the comer assembly for the support post having the D-shaped cross-section, without departing from the inventive concept.
  • the support posts and/or collars may be made of chrome-plated steel. Such chrome plating tends to have a relatively high coefficient of friction such that when the flipper is released from the locked position, it may be difficult to move the shelf to a new desired position. Therefore, the corner support assembly of the present invention maybe provided with an optional fitting sleeve 321, that fits on the outer portion of the post between the comer support assembly and the post.
  • FIG. 10 shows the comer assembly of FIG. 9 with a sleeve 321 placed between the collar and the support post.
  • the fitting sleeve 321 has a curved portion 331, an upper lip 332 and a lower lip 332a.
  • the upper land lower lips secure the sleeve in the collar, preventing it from translating vertically with respect to the collar.
  • the sleeve is preferably made of a resin material having a relatively low coefficient of friction that may more easily be slid on the post when the flipper is released to ease adjustment of the location of the shelf.
  • the comer assembly of FIG. 10 is identical to that shown in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that a fitting sleeve can be used to make adjustment of shelf location easier in any embodiment of any aspect of the present invention, and will function exactly as described above.
  • Support posts in accordance with the first aspect can be of a variety of cross-sections and can be manufactured by a variety of different methods.
  • the posts are preferably made of steel, other appropriate metal, or composites such as those formed by the pultmsion process for support posts.
  • the drawings are consistent with a manufacturing method using the well-known roll-form technique, in which posts are formed by rolling the metal into a generally tube-shaped configuration and welding the edges together.
  • FIG. 11 A-1 illustrates a support post in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention made by the well-known hydro-forminging manufacturing method is similar to blow molding in which the material from which the post is formed is expanded outwardly under pressure into the contour of a mold cavity in the shape of the final post. In all other respects, such a support post would work as described above.
  • FIG. 11A-2 is a top plan view of such a hydro-formed support post.
  • a fitting sleeve may be used to reduce friction between the collar and post when the location of a shelf is to be adjusted.
  • the sleeve for any of these embodiments will be substantially the same as the fitting sleeve shown in FIG. 10.
  • the post also can be formed by use of a pultmsion process.
  • a pultmsion process a set of fibers are pulled through a resin bath and then through a heated die giving the profile its shape. After the die the profile is cooled by air or water and cut into desired lengths.
  • FIG. 11B-1 An exemplary support post in accordance with the first aspect and manufactured using the pultmsion die process is shown in FIG. 11B-1.
  • FIG. 11B-2 is a plan view of such a support post.
  • a sleeve may be used to reduce friction between the collar and post to facilitate shelf adjustment.
  • FIGS. 1 lC-1 and 11C-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of the present invention formed by the hydro-forming process. In all significant respects, such a post operates exactly like the post shown in FIGS. 8 A and 8B. As in the other embodiments, a sleeve may be used to reduce the friction between the collar and post to aid shelf adjustment.
  • FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2 A variation of the support post in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2.
  • each tapered face instead of the tapered faces being flat in the horizontal direction, as in the previously described embodiments, each tapered face has a lower tapered portion 1249, and a central, vertically-oriented raised upper tapered portion 1250.
  • a locking mechanism having a flat rear face such as those described above, would only abut and compress the surface of the raised upper portion 1250.
  • FIGS. 11E-1 AND 11E-2 are perspective and plan views respectively of the variation illustrated in FIGS. 11D-1 AND 11D-2, respectively, except formed by the hydro-forming manufacturing process. In all other respects, the post would function the same way as the variation illustrated in FIGS. 11D-1 AND 11D-2.
  • the inclined plane is provided by means of a distinct wedge member that is secured by a collar and flipper that provides, in the locked position, a compression force to force the wedge member against an interior face of the support post.
  • the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis of a shaft formed in the collar.
  • the flipper is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position.
  • the rear face of the flipper directs an inward radial compression force against the wedge member.
  • the wedge member is tapered to be thicker at the lower end thereof. This tapered shape creates an inwardly directed force by the weight of the shelf assembly to provide a wedging action between the comer support assembly and the wedge member.
  • the wedge member in accordance with the second aspect and the embodiments thereof advantageously includes stmcture forming a securing portion that ensures that the wedge member is trapped within the comer support assembly and will not slip out of the comer support assembly when the comer support assembly is in an unlocked position, for example during adjustment, assembly or disassembly of shelves using the comer support assembly.
  • FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper in accordance with a first embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12B illustrates a wedge member 200 designed to clip onto an interior face of the support post 128.
  • the wedge member includes a front portion 145 flanked by two contoured lips 147.
  • detent means such as internal beads, or ribs, are provided on the internal surface of the wedge member and are spaced at intervals corresponding to spacing of grooves on the support post 128 just as in the wedge member of the METROMAX-Q system, shown in FIG. 4.
  • the support post 128 is of the same or substantially similar stmcture to that of the METROMAX-Q system, having a substantially flat inner surface with horizontal grooves spaced apart vertically, as is visible in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 12C illustrates a flipper in accordance with this embodiment.
  • the flipper has an upper end and a lower end.
  • the upper end has a flat portion and rounded portion, with the rounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity for receiving the shaft 134 of the collar.
  • internal beads are provided on the wedge member 200 to mate with the configuration of the grooves in the support post.
  • the number, size and shape of the internal beads may be varied for a number of reasons including, for example, the size of the wedge member, the size of the spacing of the grooves in the support posts, and the shelving application.
  • the internal beads provide vertical support when they are seated in the grooves of a support post. To further secure the wedge member on the support posts, additional vertical support is provided by a wedge action as discussed below. It will therefore be appreciated that the wedge member 200 may be located on to the support posts at any incremented height, and further may be translated up and down to any other incremented height.
  • An advantageous feature of the wedge member 200 in accordance with this embodiment is the presence of two molded in studs 148, one at each lateral side of the wedge.
  • the studs can be made of a material different from the wedge member, such as metal, installed securely in the wedge member in any known manner.
  • the collar in the first embodiment of the second aspect is substantially the same as in the first aspect of the present invention, except for the presence of collar channels 320 on each lateral face of the collar. When the comer support is assembled, the studs 148 are positioned within the collar channels 320 allowing the wedge member 200 to move vertically with respect to the collar, but constrained by the presence of the studs within the channels.
  • the flipper in the unlocked position, the flipper is raised and the studs are positioned securely within the channels 320.
  • the collar may move vertically somewhat relative to the wedge member and/or post during the locking process, but such relative movement is constrained by the capture of the studs in the channels.
  • the capture of the wedge member as described above advantageously prevents the wedge member from coming loose of the overall comer support assembly.
  • FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate a collar, wedge member and flipper, respectively, for a comer support system in accordance with a second embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.
  • a wedge member 400 is provided that has a molded in spring 423 and guide slots 430.
  • the wedge member 400 has a front portion 420 flanked by two contoured lips 422.
  • the top of the wedge member includes an overhanging support lip 424.
  • the collar has shaft 134 that functions as in the other embodiments to allow the open cylindrical cavity of the flipper 118 to rotate thereabout.
  • the collar has an additional wedge support pin 134a.
  • the overhanging support lip 424 of the wedge member 400 is positioned so as to overhang the wedge support pin 134a.
  • the lip 424 also has an inwardly projecting detent 425 for capturing the pin 134A.
  • Guide slots 430 are provided on the wedge member 400 to mate with guide portions 480 on the flipper 118, best shown in FIG. 14C.
  • the flipper guide portions 480 move radially within to engage the corresponding guide slots 430, and the front face of the flipper exerts a radial compression force against the molded in spring 423 and the wedge member in general.
  • the wedge member is tapered to provide an inwardly directed wedging force when the weight of the shelves is applied thereto.
  • FIGS. 16 A, 16B and 16C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper in accordance with a third embodiment of the second aspect.
  • the wedge member 500 is provided with molded in studs 524 at the top and bottom of lateral sides thereof.
  • the studs may comprise other materials, such as metal studs, screws or rivets, embedded securely within the lateral sides of the wedge member.
  • the wedge member in accordance with this embodiment is designed to work with the standard METROMAX-Q collar and flipper, shown in FIGS. 16A and 16C, respectively, which will not be described further.
  • the studs 524 provide the wedge member 500 in accordance with the present embodiment an advantage over the prior art wedge member in that they allow the wedge member to follow the collar during, for example, height adjustment of shelves, because the wedge is trapped within the support assembly by the positioning of studs above and below the collar. This positioning prevents the wedge from slipping out of the comer support assembly during vertical adjustment of the support assembly.
  • the studs in use are positioned so as to rest above and below the collar to prevent the wedge from slipping above or below the level of the collar, especially in the unlocked position in which the wedge member may become loose.
  • the wedge member, collar and flipper in this modification operate substantially as in the METROMAX-Q system discussed above.
  • FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the second aspect.
  • the wedge member 600 in accordance with this embodiment is generally of the same shape as the wedge member shown in FIG. 16B, except that it has molded in leaf springs 624 on lateral sides thereof, and a camming structure 630 protruding from the front face of the wedge member.
  • the collar in this embodiment is " provided with spring receiving slots 625 having a width narrower than that of the corresponding leaf springs 624 on the wedge member.
  • the flipper is substantially the same as in previous embodiments except for the presence of two molded in fingers 632 at the center of a top edge of the flipper.
  • the fingers 632 are configured to face one another with a gap therebetween sufficiently large to be accommodated by and move reciprocatingly within inner channel portions 631 of the camming stmcture 630, upon assembly of the comer support.
  • the lateral leaf springs 624 are seated in the spring receiving slots 625 and being seated therein function generally to keep the wedge connected to the collar.
  • the leaf springs 624 are under tension only when the flipper is in the unlocked position. As seen in Fig.
  • the leaf springs exert a force against the inner edge of each spring receiving slot 625 in reaction to a force exerted by the flipper tending to pull the wedge member 600 away from the post.
  • the flipper pulls the wedge member 600 away from the face of the support post when the flipper is in the unlocked position because the movement of the flipper to the unlocked position causes the fingers 632 to move downwardly, toward the shallower lower ends of the inner channel portions 631 of the camming stmcture 630. Because the lower ends of the channels are shallower, the downward movement of the fingers in the channels creates a force that tends to pry the wedge member 600 away from the support post. However, this motion also places the leaf springs under tension, in which they exert a force to oppose that created by the prying of the flipper.
  • FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
  • a wedge member 700 has molded in springs 705 on lateral sides of the wedge member.
  • the collar 702, shown in FIG. 20A, has embossed channels 704 on lateral sides thereof to receive and slidably engage the springs 705 when the comer support is assembled, but is in other respects similar to the METROMAX-Q collar.
  • the wedge member 700 also has grooves 710 adapted to accept conesponding molded portions 730 formed in the top of the flipper 718, as best seen in FIG. 20C.
  • the flipper 718 has a handle and an upper end. The upper end has a flat portion 719 and a rounded portion 719a, with the rounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 721 for receiving and containing the shaft 134 of the collar 702.
  • the flipper in the assembled comer support, the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
  • the molded portions 720 of the flipper rotate within the grooves 700 and the flipper exerts an inwardly-directed compression force to press the wedge member securely against the support post, while at the same time placing the springs under tension.
  • moving the flipper to the locking position also may cause the wedge member to move upwardly, but the movement is constrained by the presence of the ends of the captured springs within the channels.
  • the presence of the ends of the springs within the channels also tends urge the main body of the wedge member 700 away from the support post when the flipper is in the unlocked position, the tension of the springs being at least partially relieved when the compression force exerted by the flipper is removed.
  • the present invention in accordance with a third aspect includes the inclined plane functionality in a system using support posts of the type used in the METROMAX-Q system, but without the need for a distinct wedge member. This is accomplished by forming the inclined plane structure in the flipper or in the collar.
  • FIGS. 22 A and 22B illustrate a collar 800 and flipper 801, respectively, in accordance with this embodiment.
  • the collar 800 has bumps 820 formed in lateral sides thereof, but is otherwise similar to the METROMAX-Q collar described above, having a cylindrical shaft 134 extending between lateral sides of the collar.
  • the bumps 820 function to mate with conesponding recesses, or detents, on the flipper 801.
  • the flipper 801 has a front face 813 that conforms to the shape of the inner face of the support post.
  • the flipper 801 also has an overhanging lip 812 having ears 840 protruding therefrom.
  • the ears have recesses 840a molded therein.
  • a channel 815 is defined by the inner side of the lip 812 and an inner wedging surface 816.
  • the inner wedging surface 816 is tapered preferably at an angle about a four degrees from vertical.
  • the shaft 134 is positioned within the channel 815 to allow the flipper to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 134.
  • the flipper 801 is held in the open position by the bumps 820 on the collar being seated in the recesses 840 A of the flipper 801.
  • the flipper 801 is moved downwardly, which forces the flipper to rotate around the shaft 134, causing the front face 813 of the flipper to be urged agamst the inner face of the support post by a compression force, caused by the fact that the thickness of the flipper is greater between the inner wedging surface 816 and the front face 813 than between the top of the channel 815 and the top of the flipper 801. Because of this difference, a radial compression force is created when the thicker portion of the flipper is wedged within the space between the shaft 134 and the front face of the post, which occurs whenever the flipper is moved to the locked position, as can be seen in FIGS. 23 A and 23B.
  • FIGS. 24 A, 24B and 24C illustrate a collar 900, a flipper 901 and a support pin 902, respectively, in accordance with a second embodiment of the third aspect.
  • the collar 900 has a cylindrical shaft 134 and bumps 908.
  • the collar also has channels 906 that ran generally vertically in the lateral sides of the collar but are angled or inclined upwardly inwardly toward the back of the collar.
  • the flipper 901 in accordance with this aspect has an extended handle 910 for ease of locking and unlocking.
  • the flipper 901 has a front surface 907 that is curved so as to mate with, in the locked position, the curved inner face of the support post.
  • the flipper 901 is integrally molded so as to provide a trough 905, in which will rest, when the comer support is in the unlocked position in the assembled state, the cylindrical shaft 134.
  • the flipper 901 also includes recesses 904 in ears 903.
  • the upper portion of the flipper has a cylindrical cavity 909 extending therethrough.
  • a flipper pin 902 is, in the assembled state, installed in the cylindrical cavity.
  • the pin 902 may be made of two parts 902a and 902b and have end caps 913.
  • the flipper 901 is positioned such that the cylindrical shaft 134 of the collar 900 rests in the trough 905.
  • Each part of the flipper pin then is inserted through the respective channels 906 and secured together with the flipper's cylindrical cavity.
  • the end caps 913 thus rest outside the collar trapping the flipper and collar together.
  • FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a collar and flipper in accordance with a third embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention.
  • the collar 1000 in accordance with this embodiment includes an inward offset 1002 on each lateral side thereof. As will become more clear, the offset allows for easy assembly of the collar and flipper to form the comer support assembly.
  • the collar 1000 also includes L-shaped channels 1001 along each lateral side. Each channel has a shorter horizontally oriented channel portion located at an upper end of the channel, and a longer generally vertically oriented channel portion. The generally vertically oriented channel portions are angled or inclined upwardly inwardly toward the back of the collar. As best seen in FIG.
  • the flipper 1118 in accordance with the present aspect is similar to the flipper shown in FIG. 24B except that in FIG. 26B the flipper is shown with a pin already installed into a cylindrical cavity not visible in this view.
  • the flipper has end caps 1011 extending from each side of a top portion thereof. The end caps are the ends of the installed pin, as discussed above.
  • the flipper also has ears 1015 each having tabs 1016 and a trough 1008 extending across an upper portion of the flipper.
  • a front face 1100 is shaped so as to mate with an inner surface " of the " support post. [0130]
  • the offset 1002 and the horizontally oriented portions of the channels 1001 cooperate to enable the collar and flipper to be easily assembled into the comer support.
  • support system of the present invention has been described above in use with substantially triangular-shaped and D-shaped support posts, support posts of other shapes can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated that the underlying principles of the invention can be used to provide a collar that is contoured to fit around a support post of many shapes and fitted with a rotatable flipper also contoured to complement the outer surface of a wedge member engaged with the " support post, " " or ' the tapered face of the support post.
  • posts for use in the second and third aspects of the present invention also can be of a generally round cross-section. When such posts are used in those aspects, the face of the wedge member, or of the wedging portion, is curved, for example, concavely, to conespond to the curvature of the surface of the post.
  • an advantage of the present invention is that it allows a user to quickly and easily change the height of the supported item, e.g., a shelf, to accommodate a variety of shelving applications. Moreover, since the support system allows the shelf frame to slide over the wedge member mounted on the support posts, height adjustment is easy and can be done without tools or without having to remove adjacent shelves. The shelf-aligning feature of the invention further eases assembly and/or adjustment of the shelving system. And, since the structure providing the inclined plane is trapped within the support assembly, or integrally formed in the support post, there are no loose wedges to contend with.

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EP03787023A 2003-11-21 2003-11-21 Schnellverstellstützsystem mit eingeschlossenem oder integriertem keil Withdrawn EP1699314A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06019249A EP1817980A2 (de) 2003-11-21 2003-11-21 Schnell einstellbares Stützsystem mit einem integralen oder gefangenen Keil

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2003/037399 WO2005060791A1 (en) 2003-11-21 2003-11-21 Quick adjust support system with trapped or integral wedge

Related Child Applications (1)

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EP06019249A Division EP1817980A2 (de) 2003-11-21 2003-11-21 Schnell einstellbares Stützsystem mit einem integralen oder gefangenen Keil

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EP1699314A1 true EP1699314A1 (de) 2006-09-13

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EP03787023A Withdrawn EP1699314A1 (de) 2003-11-21 2003-11-21 Schnellverstellstützsystem mit eingeschlossenem oder integriertem keil

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EP (1) EP1699314A1 (de)
AU (1) AU2003295813A1 (de)
CA (1) CA2557313A1 (de)
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6113042A (en) * 1997-07-16 2000-09-05 Metro Industries, Inc. Self-adjusting support system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2005060791A1 *

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CA2557313A1 (en) 2005-07-07
WO2005060791A1 (en) 2005-07-07

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