GB1575807A

GB1575807A - Free-standing shelving system

Info

Publication number: GB1575807A
Application number: GB1446176A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Hemmings & Co Ltd C
Current assignee: Hemmings & Co Ltd C
Priority date: 1977-04-07
Filing date: 1977-04-07
Publication date: 1980-10-01

Description

(54) NEW OR IMPROVED FREE-STANDING SHELVING SYSTEM (71) We, C. HEMMINGS & OMPANY LIMITED, a British Company of Stoney Lane, Rainhill, Prescot, Lancashire L35 9LL, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement-: This invention relates to a free-standing shelving system, and has for its object to provide a shelving structure the component parts whereof may be quickly and easily assembled to provide a rigid, free-standing, shelving structure without the aid of extraneous fastening means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a shelving structure, comprising four corner posts supporting at different levels unitary rectangular shelf support frames each having inwardly directed flanges or flange parts receiving and supporting shelves, each frame being attached to each corner post by a support member mounted on the corner post at the required level.

Preferably said corner posts are composed of tubular metal, e.g. mild steel, of square or rectangular cross-section and the support members, which may be separable from the unitary support frames, may comprise collars which are slidably mounted on the corner posts and adapted to be located in required positions by lock screws.

According to one embodiment said sup port members comprise a pair of brackets which are attached to said collars to extend horizontally therefrom at right angles one to the other.

In an alternative embodiment, said brackets, or certain of the same, are fixed, e.g. welded or brazed, in position whereby the shelves are located at fixed vertical distances apart.

The invention also comprehends a set of parts for use in the erection of a shelving structure as referred to above.

The invention is further described with the aid of the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example only various embodiments.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shelving structure according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable support member for fitting on a corner post.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a rectangular shelf supporting frame.

Figure 4 is a section on A-A of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section similar to that of Figure 4 but of an alternative form of shelf supporting frame.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of a corner post incorporating fixed brackets.

Referring to said drawings, and first to Figures 1-4, the numeral 10 (Figure 1) generally denotes a free-standing shelving structure which comprises in this instance four shelves 11 supported by corner posts 12. Each corner post 12 is provided at each shelf level with a support member comprising a pair of horizontally extending brackets 13 attached to a collar 18 and set at right angles one to the other as clearly shown in Figure 2. The posts 12 are composed of square section tubular metal, preferably protected metal, and the collars 18 carrying the brackets 13 are a sliding fit thereon being fixedly located in required position by lock screws 19.

Detachably located at each level on said pairs of brackets 13 is a rectangular shelf support frame 14 (Figure 3), formed from sheet metal and comprising side and end inverted channel members 15 having inwardly directed flanges 16. The members 15/16 are mitred and secured one to the other and by gusset plates 17. The channels 15 of said frames 14 are dimensioned so as to be friction-tight fits upon the brackets 13 thereby to hold the four corner posts 12 rigidly in position.

The shelves 11 may be of any suitable material, e.g. a suitable plastics, or timber, or they may be of metal sheeting the edges whereof are turned through two right angles to provide an all-round stiffening flange.

Said shelves are arranged to seat upon the flanges 16 of the framing 14, and the arrangement is such that the upper surfaces of the shelf units 11 and frames 14 are coplanar.

Referring to Figure 5, this illustrates an alternative form of shelf supporting frame 14a. In this instance the frame 14a is comprised of square section tubular metal components 20 joined to form a rectangle, and having lower web portions at each corner cut away to allow of the said frame being engaged with the brackets 13 on the corner posts 11. Angle section bars 21 are secured along each side and end component 20 to provide a seating for the shelf 11.

Referring to Figure 6, this illustrates a corner post 12 having brackets 13 which are welded or brazed to the corner posts 12.

Resilient end stop members 22, 23 (Figure 1) e.g. of a rubber or plastics composition may be fitted in the upper and lower ends of the corner posts 12.

It will be seen that the invention provides an assemblage of parts which for storage and transport purposes occupies the minimum of space. When required for use the component parts can be quickly and easily assembled to provide a rigid free-standing shelving structure without the aid of tools (other than a screw-driver) or extraneous fixing means.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A shelving structure, comprising four corner posts supporting at different levels unitary rectangular shelf support frames each having inwardly directed flanges or flange parts receiving and supporting shelves, each frame being attached to each corner post by a support member mounted on the corner post at the required level.

2. A shelving structure, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rectangular support frames are separable from their respective support members.

3. A shelving structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said support members or certain of same are adjustably locatable on said corner posts.

4. A shelving structure, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said support members or certain of same are permanently fixed in position on said corner posts.

5. A shelving structure, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said support members comprise collars secured to and around respective said posts.

6. A shelving structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each support member comprises a pair of brackets extending horizontally at right angles one to the other.

7. A shelving structure, as claimed in claim 6, as appendant to claim 2, wherein said support frames are formed from sheet metal and comprise side and end inverted channel members, and inwardly directed flanges, said inverted channels being fitted upon the brackets on the corner posts whereby said posts are held rigidly in position.

8. A shelving structure, as claimed in claim 6, as appendant to claim 2, wherein said rectangular support frames are composed of rectangular section tubular metal, the lower webs of the tubular metal components of said frame being cut away at each corner of said frame to provide inverted channels for engaging the brackets on the corner posts and said tubular metal components being provided with angle section bars on their inner surfaces for supporting the shelves.

9. A shelving structure, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said shelves are arranged to seat upon the flanges of the support frames with their upper surfaces coplanar with the upper surfaces of said support frames.

10. A shelving structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A set of parts for use in erecting shelving structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. to be friction-tight fits upon the brackets 13 thereby to hold the four corner posts 12 rigidly in position. The shelves 11 may be of any suitable material, e.g. a suitable plastics, or timber, or they may be of metal sheeting the edges whereof are turned through two right angles to provide an all-round stiffening flange. Said shelves are arranged to seat upon the flanges 16 of the framing 14, and the arrangement is such that the upper surfaces of the shelf units 11 and frames 14 are coplanar. Referring to Figure 5, this illustrates an alternative form of shelf supporting frame 14a. In this instance the frame 14a is comprised of square section tubular metal components 20 joined to form a rectangle, and having lower web portions at each corner cut away to allow of the said frame being engaged with the brackets 13 on the corner posts 11. Angle section bars 21 are secured along each side and end component 20 to provide a seating for the shelf 11. Referring to Figure 6, this illustrates a corner post 12 having brackets 13 which are welded or brazed to the corner posts 12. Resilient end stop members 22, 23 (Figure 1) e.g. of a rubber or plastics composition may be fitted in the upper and lower ends of the corner posts 12. It will be seen that the invention provides an assemblage of parts which for storage and transport purposes occupies the minimum of space. When required for use the component parts can be quickly and easily assembled to provide a rigid free-standing shelving structure without the aid of tools (other than a screw-driver) or extraneous fixing means. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A shelving structure, comprising four corner posts supporting at different levels unitary rectangular shelf support frames each having inwardly directed flanges or flange parts receiving and supporting shelves, each frame being attached to each corner post by a support member mounted on the corner post at the required level.