GB2067706A - Pallet rack joint - Google Patents

Abstract

A beam (3) is connected to a stanchion (5) by means of a connecting member (17) at the end of each beam (3) with hooks (20) to engage openings (14) in the stanchion (5). A part (21) of each hook (20) is inclined to vertical and engages an inclined edge (16) of the opening (14) with a wedging action, while a depending portion (22) of each hook (20) has an edge (24) inclined to the vertical in a plane normal to that of edge (16) to engage a lower edge (15) of the opening (14) with a wedging action. This prevents longitudinal and transverse movement of the beam (3) relative to the stanchion (5). A crank locking pin (25) engaging the connecting member (17) and the opening (14) in the stanchion prevents the beam (3) being accidentally detached from the stanchion (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A joint for connecting structural steel components The present invention relates to a joint for connecting structural components and in particular, structural components used generally in pallet racks. The invention also relates to a pallet rack incorporating the joint.

Pallet racks, in general, are assembled from vertical transverse frameworks joined by horizontal beams releasably engaging the frameworks. Each transverse frame includes a pair of vertical stanchions joined by transverse cross members either welded or screwed to the stanchions. Hooks are provided at each end of the beams to engage openings in the stanchions, so that the beams may be readily and easily secured to the stanchions at any desired height, while at the same time being detachable from the stanchions.

It is essential, that each joint between a beam and stanchion be secured to avoid longitudinal and transverse movement of the beam relative to the stanchion to provide a rigid structure when assembled. Furthermore, each joint should be secured against the beam becoming detached from the stanchion as a result of an accidental knock. For convenience, it is desirable that the joints should be of simple construction and readily and easily assembled.

The present invention is directed towards providing a joint for structural components of the type hereinbefore described.

According to the invention there is provided a joint for connecting structural components of the type including at least one substantially vertical stanchion and one substantially horizontal beam, wherein the stanchion includes a longitudinal front member having a front face, a rear face and a side face and a row of openings communicating between the front and rear faces, each' opening being of polygonal shape having at least a hook engaging side edge and a hook. engaging lower edge, and the beam has a connecting member attached thereto, the connecting member having adjacent inner front and side bearing faces to bear on the front and side faces respectively of the stanchion, and a hook engaging one of the openings, the hook having a depending portion joined by a shank to the front bearing face, an inclined face of the shank adjacent the inner side bearing face for co-operating with the side edge of the opening, the inclined face diverging downwardly relative to the side bearing face to define therewith a truncated wedge shaped gap to engage the stanchion with a wedging action, and a locking means to retain the hook in engagement with the opening.

Preferably, the hook engaging side edge of each opening is inclined and diverges outwardly from the hook engaging lower edge towards the side face of the front member of the stanchion, the angle of in inclination of the side edge substantially corresponding so that of the inclined face of the shank of the hook.

Preferably, an inner edge of the depending portion of the hook diverges downwardly relative to the inner bearing face to engage the lower edge of one of the openings with a wedging action.

In one embodiment of the invention the depending portion of the hook is spaced apart from the inner bearing face.

Preferably three hooks project from the front bearing face of the connecting member.

In another embodiment of the invention the locking means is provided by a releasable locking pin slidable in an access hole in the bearing face into one of the openings in the stanchion adjacent the top edge of the opening.

The invention also provides a pallet rack incorporating the joint in which each stanchion has two longitudinal rows of openings, and each beam has a connecting member at each end thereof, the bearing face of the connecting member projecting axially from the beam.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a pallet rack incorporating a joint according to the invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the joint of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front view of the joint of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the joint of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a front view of portion of the joint of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a rear view of the portion of the joint of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a side view of the portion of the joint of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a front view of a part for the joint of Fig.

1,and Fig. 9 is a side view of the part for the joint of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1 there is provided a pallet rack according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The pallet rack 1 comprises vertical transverse frameworks 2, two of which are shown, releasably joined by horizontal beams 3 of steel box section by joints 4 according to the invention.

The joints 4 will be described in detail below.

Each framework 3 comprises a pair of vertical stanchions 5 of steel. The stanchions 5 are of substantially box section having a pair of flanges 30 forming a longitudinal slot 6 for receiving the ends of transverse steel cross members 7 to form the framework 2. A row of holes 31 in each flange 30 engage screws 8 for fixing the cross members 7 to the stanchions 5 at any desired height.

Alternatively if desired the ends of the cross members 7 could be welded into the slots 6.

Needless to say, any other means of joining the cross members 7 to the stanchions 5 could be used for example, welding.

One side of each stanchion 4 forms a front member 9 having a front face 10, a rear face 11 and side face 12 which coincide with sides 13 of the stanchion. Two longitudinal rows of openings through the front member 9 are provided for forming part of each joint 3. Each opening 13 has a hook engaging lower edge 15 5 and hook engaging inclined side edge 16.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 9 each joint 4 for connecting a beam 3 to a stanchion 5 includes a connecting member 17 of angle sections steel welded to an end of the beam 3. It can be seen from Fig. 1 that a connecting member 17 is welded to each end of the beams 3. The connecting member 17 has adjacent inner front and side bearing faces 1 8 and 19, which bear on the front and side faces 10 and 12 respectively of the stanchion 5.

Three hooks 20 are formed on the front bearing face of the connecting member 17 by punching and bending the material of the cross member 17.

The hooks 20 engage three openings 14 in the stanchion 5. A shank 21 of each hook 20 supports a depending portion 22. The shank 21 is inclined and diverges downwardly relative to the side bearing face 1 9 to form therewith a truncated wedge shaped gap 23. This can most clearly be seen in Fig. 6. The inclined shank 21 engages the side edge 1 6 of the opening 14 so that portion of the stanchion 5 is wedged within the gap 23. This prevents longitudinal movement of the beam 3 relative to the stanchion 5.

The depending portion 22 of each hook 20 has a divergent inner edge 24 (see Figs. 4 and 7) which engages the lower edge 15 of the opening 14 with a wedging action. This avoids transverse movement of the beam 3 relative to the stanchion 5.

A locking means to retain the hooks 20 in engagement with the openings 14 is provided by a cranked locking pin 25 of steel material. The locking pin 25 is slidable in an access hole 26 in the connecting member 1 7. The locking pin 25 is releasably retained in the access hole 26 by a head portion 27 and a free leg 28 which depends in the opening 14. The access hole 26 is so positioned in the connecting member 1 7 that the locking pin enters the opening 14 adjacent a top edge 29. This can clearly be seen in Fig. 4.

Needless to say, the locking pin 25 prevents the hooks 20 accidentally disengaging the openings 14, if, for example, a beam 3 were lifted accidentally by the fork of a forklift truck.

To assemble the pallet rack the beams 3 are offered up to the transverse framework 5 at the desired height by the joints 4. The hooks 20 of each connecting member 17 are entered in the corresponding openings 14. The beams 3 are then lowered, thus the shanks 21 and the inner edges 24 of the hooks 20 are respectively engage the corresponding side and lower edges 16 and 15 of the opening 14. Thereby secure the joints 4 are formed. The locking pins 25 are inserted in one access hold 21 of each connecting member 17, to depend in the opening 14. Accordingly the hooks are prevented from being accidentally withdrawn.

If desired a locking pin 25 may be inserted into more than one access hole 26 in each connecting member 17.

Needless to say, to disconnect a beam 3 from a pair of stanchions 5 the pins 25 are withdrawn from the access holes 26 and the beam 3 is raised so that the hooks 20 clear the lower edges 1 5 of the openings 14. The hooks 20 are then withdrawn.

It will be appreciated that instead of having a cranked portion to prevent the locking pin from sliding out of the access holes, a pin of any other suitable type could have been used, for example, a.

split pin or the like. Indeed any other suitable locking means to prevent the beams from being accidentally disengaged from the stanchions could be used.

It will also be appreciated that although the lower portion of one side edge of each opening in the stanchion is inclined this is not necessary.

provided the side edge is provided with an abutment projecting into the opening, which the shank of the hook may engage with a wedging action.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that although a connecting member having three hooks has been described any suitable number of hooks could be provided. In fact, one hook on each connecting member would be adequate. It will further be appreciated that it is not necessary for the hooks to be formed on the connecting members by punching and bending. In fact, the hooks could be formed separately and either welded or screwed to the connecting member. It will also be appreciated that instead of the connecting member being of angle section, the inner side bearing face could be formed by an end section of a beam.

It will further be appreciated that instead of two rows of openings being provided on each stanchion one row of openings would be adequate, for example, for stanchion forming end frameworks for a pallet rack.

Although the joint has been described for use with particular types of structural components it is envisaged that it could be used for any other suitable type of structural components.

Claims (11)

1. A joint for connecting structural components of the type including at least one substantially vertical stanchion and one substantially horizontal beam, wherein the stanchion includes a longitudinal front member having a front face, a rear face and a side face and a row of openings communicating between the front and rear faces, each opening being of polygonal shape having at least a hook engaging side edge and a hook engaging lower edge, and the beam having a connecting member, the connecting member having adjacent inner front and side bearing faces to bear on the front and side faces respectively of the stanchion, and a hook for engaging one of the openings, the hook having a depending portion joined by a shank to the front bearing face, an inclined face of the shank adjacent the inner side bearing face for co-operating with a side edge of the opening, the inclined face diverging downwardly relative to the side bearing face to define therewith a truncated wedge shaped gap to engage the stanchion with a wedging action, and a locking means to retain the hook in engagement with the opening.

2. A joint as claimed in Claim 1 in which the hook engaging side edge of each opening is inclined and diverges outwardly from the hook engaging lower edge towards the side face of the front member of the stanchion, the angle of inclination of the side edge substantially corresponding to that of the inclined face of the shank of the hook.

3. A joint as claimed in either Claims 1 or 2 in which an inner edge of the depending portion of the hook diverges downwardly relative to the inner bearing face for engaging the lower edge of one of the openings with a wedging action.

4. A joint as claimed in Claim 3 in which the depending portion is spaced apart from the inner bearing face.

5. A joint as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which three hooks project from the front bearing face of the connecting member.

6. A joint as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the locking means is provided by a releasable locking pin slidable in an access hole in the bearing face into one of the openings in the stanchion adjacent the top edge of the opening.

7. A joint as claimed in Claim 6 in which the locking pin has a head at one end and is cranked intermediate its end to depend in the opening.

8. A joint as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the connecting member is provided by an elongated member of angle, section the inner faces of the section forming the adjacent bearing faces, and each hook is formed by punching and bending the material of the connecting member.

9. A pallet rack incorporating the joint of any of the Claims 1 to 8 in which each stanchion has two longitudinal rows of openings, and each beam has a connecting member at each end thereof, the bearing faces of the connecting members projecting axially from the beam.

10. A joint for connecting structural components substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A pallet rack substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1.