GB1604231A - Shelving or the like structures - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SHELVING OR THE LIKE STRUCTURES (71) We, LINK 51 LIMITED, a British Company of Haldene House, Halesfield, Telford, in the County of Salop, 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 is concerned with improvements relating to shelving or the like structures, and in particular to connectors, hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified, for use in securing together in mutually perpendicular relationship two elongate support members of a shelving or like structure.

A conventional connector of the kind specified is of rectangular L-shape in cross section, comprising two mutually perpendicular flanges.

Pressed through one of said flanges, so as to project from an interior face of said flange (that is, projecting into a prism, two sides or which are defined by the flanges) are a number of tongues, or tangs. In the use of such a connector in for example the securing of a horizontal support member (conventionally referred to as a "beam") to a vertical support member (conventionally referred to as a "strut"), both support members being of hollow rectangular cross section, there will be provided in one side face of the vertical strut a number of apertures, whose spacing is equal to the spacing between the tangs.The connector is secured for example by welding across an end face of the horizontal beam by engagement therewith of an exterior face of the other flange in an orientation such that the tangs extend downwardly; thereafter, the interior faces of both the flanges are brought into close proximity with two side faces of the strut, and the beam is lowered sa that the tangs enter the apertures, and load bearing support for the beam is provided through the tangs to the strut.

One of the problems encountered in the use of conventional connectors of this kind is that over-loading the beam tends to shear the tangs.

One way in which the load bearing strength of the connector may be increased, is by increasing the thickness of the tangs. Since the connector is conventionally formed by rolling or otherwise forming strip metal, this tends to be somewhat wasteful, since the thickness of both flanges must be increased, and metal of increased thickness is thus provided where it is not needed. In addition however the pressing of tangs from metal of increased thickness does not increase the strength of the tangs pro rata, since stress lines tend to be set up in the tangs.

An alternative way of increasing the load bearing strength of the connector is by increas ing the length of at least the flange providing the tangs, enabling a larger number of tangs to be used. This however tends to make the beam, when connectors have been welded to both ends thereof, somewhat more difficult to handle.

This invention provides a connector of the kind specified and comprising first, second and third inter-connected flanges, the first and second flanges extending parallel, generally at right angles to the third flange, and lying in closely abutting relationship, a plurality of tangs being pressed through the first and second flanges so as to project from an interior face of the first flange.

The interior face of the first flange is that face which together with an adjacent face of the third flange, defines two adjacent sides of a prism.

Thus, in its simplest form, the connector is of L cross section, one of the limbs, being that through which the tangs are pressed, being of double thickness.

In this manner, the load bearing strength of the connector may substantially be increased in an economical way. Since the first and second flanges lie in abutting relationship, when the tangs are pressed therefrom, some movement will take place between the two portions of metal which are pressed out to provide each tang, minimising the stress produced as com- pared with for example the pressing out of a tang from a single thickness of metal equal to the combined thicknesses of the first and second flanges.

In the use of the connector in for example the securing of a load bearing horizontal beam between two vertical struts, a connector of this kind will be secured to the opposite ends of the horizontal beam, an exterior face of either the single thickness or double thickness limb being abutted against the end of the horizontal beam, with the tangs extending downwardly, and the connectors welded to the beam.

A further problem encountered in the use of such conventional connectors is that there is at present a tendency to use horizontal beams the horizontal transverse dimension of which is larger than the corresponding dimension of the vertical strut. As the conventional connector is required to abut against the side face of the vertical strut, such a connector cannot wholly cover the end of the horizontal beam. An entrance to the interior of the beam is thus provided, which is sufficiently large to allow vermin or insects to gain admittance, yet which is insufficient to enable the beam to be cleaned on the interior.

Thus, advantageously a connector of the kind set out in the last preceding paragraph but 5 also comprises a fourth flange integral with the second flange, said fourth flange lying in a plane parallel to, and extending from the first and second flanges in a direction opposite to the third flange.

In this manner, the overall width of the connector may be increased, enabling the connector to be secured to an end face of a horizontal beam whose transverse horizontal dimensions (or whose largest transverse horizontal dimension) is greater than the corresponding dimension of the vertical suut. Thus, the connector may be of T cross section, the central limb of which, being that through which the tangs are pressed, being of double thickness. In the use of the connector, the exterior face of the cross piece will conveniently be secured by welding to the end face of a horizontal beam.

This invention also provides a method of manufacturing a connector of the kind specified in which a rectangular strip of metal is formed (e.g. by rolling or pressing) in a way such as to provide a first flange, a second flange integral with the first flange and extending therefrom at an angle of 360" thereto, said first and second flanges lying in back-to-back abutting relationship, and a third flange also integral with the first flange and extending therefrom at an angle of 90" thereto, and pressing a plu rality of tangs through the first and second flanges so as to project from an interior face of the first flange.

Preferably the strip of metal is of such a width, and is sc. formed, as to provide a fourth flange integral with the second flange and ex tending therefrom at an angle of 90" thereto, said fourth and third flanges being substantially co-planar.

Advantageously, the strip is cut, to provide said connector, before the tangs are pressed through the first and second flanges, but if desired, the strip may be so cut after the tangs are pressed through the first and second flanges.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of part of a shelf structure which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected to illustrate this invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a conventional connector in the connecting of a horizontal beam to a vertical strut; FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of said con ventional connector; FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of a connector in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing the use of said connector which is the preferred embodiment of this invention in use in the securing of a horizontal beam to a vertical strut; FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the connector in close proximity to the vertical strut, immediately prior to the two entering operative relationship;; FIGURE 6 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 5, and FIGURE 7 is a schematic perspective view of a shelf support which may be mounted between two horizontal beams, secured to vertical struts by the use of connectors in accordance with this invention.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional connector 6 of L-shape in cross section, and is used in the securing of a horizontal cross beam 12 to a vertical strut 14, the strut 14 being provided, through at least one side thereof, with a number of uniformly-spaced apertures 16.

In use, the connector 6 is welded to an end face of the beam 12 in the orientation shown, with the outer face of the limb 8 of the connector abutting against the end face of the beam 12 and tangs 10 projecting through an inner face of the limb 9 lengthwise of the connector, in a downward direction. The beam 12, together with the connector 6, is presented to the strut 14 so that the limbs 8 and 9 em brace the two sides of the strut as shown, and the tangs 10 enter into two of the apertures 16, at a desired height of the beam 12.

The apertures 16, and thus the tangs 10, are located, as is desirable, on an interior of the frame structure of which the beam 12 and strut 14 form part. The beam 12 is however of such a cross section as to provide a ledge 13, upon which a load-bearing shelf may be located, and the largest transverse horizontal dimension of the beam 12 (b) is in fact larger than the corresponding dimension (a) of the strut 14. Thus, the end face of the beam 12 is completely covered by the limb 8 of the connector, and closing of this opening would require special provision.

The connector which is the preferred em bodiment of this invention (denoted by the number 20) is formed by a rolling operation from mild steel suip, and comprises first, second, third and fourth flanges 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively.

The first and second flanges 22 and 24 are folded together in back to back relationship, (i.e. extending at an angle of 300 to one another) and the third and fourth flanges 26 and 28 extend from the flanges 22 and 24 at an angle of 90 thereto, respectively, lying generally in a common plane which extends at right angles to the plane of abutting relationship of the flanges 24 and 24.

Pressed through the flanges 22 and 24 are three tangs 30, each tang being provided by a portion (30a, 30b) derived from one of the flanges. The spacing of the tangs is similar to the spacing between the apertures 16' of the vertical suut 14', and when the outer faces 27, 29 of the third and fourth flanges are abutted against the end face of the cross beam 12', the strut may be engaged between the flanges 22 and 26, and the tangs 30 lowered into three of the apertures 16'.

In a method of manufacturing the connector, which is the preferred embodiment of this invention, a strip of mild steel of indeterminate length is formed by a rolling operation into the desired cross section, and a number of such connectors are cut from the strip, to a desired length. Such a cutting operation may be carried out before or after the tangs are pressed through the flanges 22 and 24.

As will be appreciated from figure 4, the connector 20 may be secured to the beam 12' to wholly close the end thereof, despite the horizontal transverse dimension (c) of the beam 12' being larger than the corresponding dimension (a) of the strut 14'.

If desired, small clips 36 (figure 4) may be inserted through apertures 32 in the connector, and into corresponding apertures in the strut, to restrain the beam against vertical upward movement.

It will of course be appreciated that whereas in the preferred embodiment, the tangs are pressed from central portions of the flanges 22 and 24, in accordance with this invention the tangs may be pressed from an outer edge portion of the flanges 22 and 24.

Figure 7 illustrates part of a shelf structure which comprises two horizontally-spaced beams (only one of which, numbered 50, being shown in the drawing), each of said beams comprising an inwardly-directed and upwardly-facing ledge 52, said beams being secured to vertical struts by connectors in accordance with the invention.

Mounted on the ledges 52 of the two beams, and extending therebetween is a shelf support comprising a plurality of supporting sections 54, each supporting section comprising a plurality of flat root portions 56, a plurality of flat crest portions 58, said root portions 56 lying in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane in which of the crest portions 58 lie, and a plurality of sloping portions 60 extending between the crest and root portions at included angles of between 30 and 80 , preferably between 45" and 65 , and advantageously about 60". Each section 34 also comprises end flanges 62, extending downwardly from an end-most crest portion 58 at right angles thereto.Thus, each section terminates, at either side, with a crest portion, and a downwardly-extending flange portion.

In use, several sections 54 are positioned on the ledges 52 of the two beams, and adjacent end flanges are brought into abutting relationship and may be secured together by the use of clips (not shown).

Alternatively, each section may terminate, at one side, with a crest portion, and a downwardly extending flange portion, and at the other side, with a root portion, and an upwardly extending flange portion. In such circumstances, adjacent flanges may be secured together in overlapping relationship.

The sections 54 are formed by the continuous rolling of sheet metal, the sections being cut to desired lengths (vis, the dimension extending widthwise of the shelf structure).

The shelf support provided in this manner has high load bearing capability, and is provided conveniently and relatively inexpensively.

Attention is drawn to the specification of patent application 31493/80 (Serial No.

1,604,232) which has been divided from the present application.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A connector of the kind specified and comprising first, second and third inter-con necked flanges, the first and second flanges extending parallel, generally at right angles to the third flange, and lying in closely abutting relationship, a plurality of tangs being pressed through the first and second flanges so as to project from an interior face of the first flange.

2. A connector according to Claim 1, being of L cross section, one of the limbs being of double thickness.

3. A connector according to Claim 1 comprising a fourth flange integral with the second flange, said fourth flange lying in a plane parallel to, and extending from the first and second flanges in a direction opposite to the third flange.

4. A connector according to Claim 3 which is of T cross section, the central limb of which is of double thickness.

5. A method of manufacturing a connector of the kind specified in which a rectangular strip of metal is formed in a way such as to provide a first flange, a second flange integral with the first flange and extending therefrom at an angle of 360" thereto, said first and second flanges lying in back to back abutting relationship, and a third flange also integral with the first flange and extending therefrom at an

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. bodiment of this invention (denoted by the number 20) is formed by a rolling operation from mild steel suip, and comprises first, second, third and fourth flanges 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively. The first and second flanges 22 and 24 are folded together in back to back relationship, (i.e. extending at an angle of 300 to one another) and the third and fourth flanges 26 and 28 extend from the flanges 22 and 24 at an angle of 90 thereto, respectively, lying generally in a common plane which extends at right angles to the plane of abutting relationship of the flanges 24 and 24. Pressed through the flanges 22 and 24 are three tangs 30, each tang being provided by a portion (30a, 30b) derived from one of the flanges. The spacing of the tangs is similar to the spacing between the apertures 16' of the vertical suut 14', and when the outer faces 27, 29 of the third and fourth flanges are abutted against the end face of the cross beam 12', the strut may be engaged between the flanges 22 and 26, and the tangs 30 lowered into three of the apertures 16'. In a method of manufacturing the connector, which is the preferred embodiment of this invention, a strip of mild steel of indeterminate length is formed by a rolling operation into the desired cross section, and a number of such connectors are cut from the strip, to a desired length. Such a cutting operation may be carried out before or after the tangs are pressed through the flanges 22 and 24. As will be appreciated from figure 4, the connector 20 may be secured to the beam 12' to wholly close the end thereof, despite the horizontal transverse dimension (c) of the beam 12' being larger than the corresponding dimension (a) of the strut 14'. If desired, small clips 36 (figure 4) may be inserted through apertures 32 in the connector, and into corresponding apertures in the strut, to restrain the beam against vertical upward movement. It will of course be appreciated that whereas in the preferred embodiment, the tangs are pressed from central portions of the flanges 22 and 24, in accordance with this invention the tangs may be pressed from an outer edge portion of the flanges 22 and 24. Figure 7 illustrates part of a shelf structure which comprises two horizontally-spaced beams (only one of which, numbered 50, being shown in the drawing), each of said beams comprising an inwardly-directed and upwardly-facing ledge 52, said beams being secured to vertical struts by connectors in accordance with the invention. Mounted on the ledges 52 of the two beams, and extending therebetween is a shelf support comprising a plurality of supporting sections 54, each supporting section comprising a plurality of flat root portions 56, a plurality of flat crest portions 58, said root portions 56 lying in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane in which of the crest portions 58 lie, and a plurality of sloping portions 60 extending between the crest and root portions at included angles of between 30 and 80 , preferably between 45" and 65 , and advantageously about 60". Each section 34 also comprises end flanges 62, extending downwardly from an end-most crest portion 58 at right angles thereto.Thus, each section terminates, at either side, with a crest portion, and a downwardly-extending flange portion. In use, several sections 54 are positioned on the ledges 52 of the two beams, and adjacent end flanges are brought into abutting relationship and may be secured together by the use of clips (not shown). Alternatively, each section may terminate, at one side, with a crest portion, and a downwardly extending flange portion, and at the other side, with a root portion, and an upwardly extending flange portion. In such circumstances, adjacent flanges may be secured together in overlapping relationship. The sections 54 are formed by the continuous rolling of sheet metal, the sections being cut to desired lengths (vis, the dimension extending widthwise of the shelf structure). The shelf support provided in this manner has high load bearing capability, and is provided conveniently and relatively inexpensively. Attention is drawn to the specification of patent application 31493/80 (Serial No. 1,604,232) which has been divided from the present application. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A connector of the kind specified and comprising first, second and third inter-con necked flanges, the first and second flanges extending parallel, generally at right angles to the third flange, and lying in closely abutting relationship, a plurality of tangs being pressed through the first and second flanges so as to project from an interior face of the first flange.

2. A connector according to Claim 1, being of L cross section, one of the limbs being of double thickness.

3. A connector according to Claim 1 comprising a fourth flange integral with the second flange, said fourth flange lying in a plane parallel to, and extending from the first and second flanges in a direction opposite to the third flange.

4. A connector according to Claim 3 which is of T cross section, the central limb of which is of double thickness.

5. A method of manufacturing a connector of the kind specified in which a rectangular strip of metal is formed in a way such as to provide a first flange, a second flange integral with the first flange and extending therefrom at an angle of 360" thereto, said first and second flanges lying in back to back abutting relationship, and a third flange also integral with the first flange and extending therefrom at an

angle of 90" thereto, and pressing a plurality of tangs through the first and second flanges so as to project from an interior face of the first flange.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein a strip of metal is of such a width, and is so formed, as to provide a fourth flange integral with the second flange and extending therefrom at an angle of 90" thereto, said fourth and third flanges being substantially co-planar.

7. A method according to one of claims 5 and 6 wherein the strip is cut, to provide the said connector, before the tangs are pressed through first and second flanges.

8. A connector of the kind specified, con struted and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of manufacturing a connector of the kind specified, when carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.