GB2107574A - Shelving units - Google Patents

Abstract

In a shelving unit composed of uprights and cross beams the beams have cross sections which include at least two vertical webs and at least one horizontal web, the ends of the vertical webs bearing hooked tongues 15 for engagement with vertical slots in the upright, and the horizontal web bearing at its end a tab 11 for engagement with an aperture in the upright. A locking member 16 of fork like form may be interposed between the rear face of the upright and the inserted hooks. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Constructional assembly for shelving units The invention relates to a constructional assembly for shelving units, particularly suitable for the storage of bulky objects, for example, car-body or coachwork components, which assembly consists of main elements in the form of rectangular frames and also connecting elements in the form of longitudinal and/or transverse stays. Both the posts and transoms of the rectangular frames, and also the stays, are formed of sheets of metal section members. The posts of the rectangular frames, on the one hand, and the longitudinal and transverse stays, on the other hand, are equipped with coupling elements, with the aid of which it is possible, from the main parts and the connecting parts, to assemble shelving units of variable size and formation with releasable holding connections.

While the posts of the rectangular frames preferably consist of sheet metal section members which are G-shaped in cross-section, the transoms thereof are preferably formed from sheet metal section members of C-shaped cross-section.

A constructional assembly for shelving units of this type is known from German Gebrauchsmuster 76 21 152 and German Offenlegungsschrift 26 31 976. In these cases, the C-section transoms comprise notches at their ends in the region of the stays, the ends of the posts being engaged in these notches and welded therein to the flanges of the transoms.

Due to the welded connections between the posts and transoms, which are advantageously carried out as a multiple spot-welding, the rectangular frames forming the main elements of the shelving constructional assembly are certainly given a high dimensional stability. Nevertheless, the rigid connections between the posts and the transoms of the frames are disadvantageous as regards their transport and storage. In fact, related to their actual weight, the rectangular frames not only necessitate a comparatively large space or volume for their storage and transport, but in addition they are also relatively sensitive to deformation and damage, as a result of stresses due to impact, which are unavoidable while they are being stored and transported.

The present invention seeks to avoid these disadvantages which are peculiar to the rectangular frames of the known shelving constructional assemblies. The invention accordingly seeks to provide a shelving constructional assembly of the type as indicated, which comprises dismantlable, and thus space-saving, damage-proof, storable and transportable rectangular frames, which can, however, be put together easily, safely and in dimensionally stable form for the construction of the shelving units, before they are fitted with the longitudinal and/or transverse stays to form shelving units capable of being used.

According to the present invention the ends of the transoms, which are preferably Cshaped in cross-section, are each provided, suitably both on the horizontal web and on the two vertical flanges, with a projecting lug or tab and at least the tabs provided on the flanges have a hook-like formation, the posts comprise near their ends and in at least one of the narrow walls of the section, a horizontal engagement slot and two vertical engagement slots for the lugs of the transoms, and the transoms and the posts are capable of being latched to one another in form-locking manner and/or braced relatively to one another by means of fork-like clamping elements, which can be brought, on the inside of the post, into plug-like engagement with the hook-like lugs.

We have found that an advantage of this arrangement is that the rectangular frames which are releasably assembled from the posts or uprights and the transoms by means of the clamping elements are given practically the same stability and support capacity as that obtained with the known shelving construction asssemblies finished by the use of welded connections.

In a preferred form of the invention the tab or lug which is on the web of the transoms lies in the same plane with the web, whereas the lugs which are on their flanges are arranged cranked inwardly from the plane of the flanges. Not only does this feature guarantee that there is a reliable positional alignment between the transoms and the posts of the rectangular frames, but there are also formed relatively large, mutual bearing surfaces which are braced relatively to one another when the clamping elements are driven in. The clamping elements can also be made very stable and be arranged securely in the posts or uprights against undesirable deformations.It has proved to be particularly advantageous, if the fork-like clamping elements comprise plates adapted as regards their breadth to the internal width of the posts, which plates are provided with two adjacent engagement slots in spaced relation for the hook-like lugs of the transoms, adjoining which slots are abutment surfaces for the free ends of the hook-like lugs. It is possible in this way for each transom end to be brought into safe holding connection with the adjoining post end by a single additional element and for the tensile forces as thus produced to be introduced over a large surface into the posts and transoms.

In many cases it may also be advantageous if the abutment surfaces are formed by formations acting advantageously in wedge-like manner and provided on the plates and if the clamping elements are provided with a handle bent out from the end of the plate.

Even with the existence of a fitting clearance or play occurring as a result of manufac ture between the cooperating functional elements, the formations provided on the clamping elements ensure in a simple manner a play-free and rigid assembly of the rectangular frames, while the handles formed on the clamping elements substantially facilitate the manipulation capacity thereof at the time of assembly and dismantling.

As compared with the releasable coupling connections consisting of hook-shaped latching tongues and latching slots cooperating therewith and provided, with the known shelving constructional assemblies between the posts of the rectangular frames and also the longitudinal and/or transverse stays, the coupling connections according to the invention between the posts and the transoms of the rectangular frames have the important advantage that, as a result of using the clamping elements, they remain securely in engagement in any direction of force which may occur even in the event of shocks due to considerable load variations - and consequentiy cannot become disengaged in any undesirable manner.

One form of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rectangular frame according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the rectangular frame according to Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrow II; Figure 3 is a simplified diagrammatic view from the front of a shelving unit assembled from several rectangular frames and also longitudinal stays or cross members; Figure 4 is a view to a larger scale and partly in section of the point of connection, as shown by IV in Fig. 1, between an upright and a cross-bar or transom of the rectangular frame; Figure 5 is a section along the line V-V of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is a view, in the direction of the arrow VI in Fig. 4, of the end of an upright of the rectangular frame;; Figure 7 is a front view of a clamping element, as capable of being used for the coupling of a transom and a post of the rectangular frame; and Figure 8 is the developed projection of a sheet metal cut-out member, as it is used for the production of a transom for the formation of rectangular frames.

Shown in simplified diagrammatic form in Fig. 3 of the drawing is a shelving unit 1, which is assembled from several, for example three, rectangular frames 2 and also longitude nal cross-members 3 and/or shelves which interconnect the said frames. According to Fig. 1, each of the rectangular frames 2 is formed of two upright posts 4 and two transoms 5 by which these posts are connected together at their top and bottom ends.

In this arrangement, each of the posts 4 consists of a sheet metal section member, which is substantially G-shaped in cross-section, as will be seen from Figs. 2 and 5, and comprises latching tongues 6 which are arranged spaced at certain intervals on its two longitudinal sides, it being possible for the longitudinal and/or also transverse stays 3 and possibly also shelves to be releasably suspended in the said tongues.

The transoms 5 of the rectangular frames 2, on the other hand, consist of sheet metal section members which are substantially Cshaped in cross-section, as indicated in Fig. 1.

In at least one of their narrow sides, the posts 4 are each provided, close to their two ends, with two longitudinal slots 7 extending parallel to one another and lengthwise of the posts, and also a transverse slot 8, as will be clearly seen from Figs. 4 to 6. The longitudinal slots 7 are at a certain distance 9 from the outer longitudinal edges of the posts 4, while the length of the transverse slot 8 is such that its ends are likewise spaced from these longitudinal edges of the posts at a distance corresponding approximately to the distance 9.

The ends of the transoms 5, which are Cshaped in cross-section, are provided on their horizontal web 10 with a projecting lug or tab 11 and comprise, on each of the two vertical flanges 1 2, a projecting lug or tab 1 3. While the tab 11 has a profile which is substantially rectangular and extends in the same plane with the web 10, the tabs 1 3 connected to the flange 1 2 are provided in continuation of inwardly directed cranked portions or shoulders 1 4 of the flanges 12, as a result of which they extend parallel to the flanges 1 2 and have a hook-like contour.

When the transoms 5 are assembled with the posts 4 to form the rectangular frame 2, the hook-like tabs 1 3 of the transoms 5 are caused to engage in the longitudinal slots 7 of the posts, while the tab 11 thereof in each case engages in the transverse slot 8 of the posts 4, as is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The cranked portions or shoulders 14 which are directed inwardly at right-angles from the flanges 1 2 of the transoms 5 are thus applied as abutments against that narrow side of the posts 4 which has the longitudinal slots 7 and the transverse slot 8, as can be clearly seen from Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

Due the the particular arrangement of the longitudinal slots 7 and of the transverse slot 8 in the posts 4, on the one hand, and of the tabs 11 and 1 3 on the transoms 5, on the other hand, it is assured that, when assembling the rectangular frames 2, the hook-like tabs 13, always directed with their free ends 1 5 towards the open ends of the posts 4, are engaged in these latter.

For producing the rigid and permanently form-locking connection between the posts 4 and the transoms 5, which connection can, however, also be released again at any time, when required, clamping elements 1 6 are provided, such as those which can be seen in Figs. 4 and 7. In these Figures, these clamping elements 1 6 comprise a plate 17, which has two recesses 18 which are open towards the free end, so that three fork-like prongs, i.e. two outer prongs 1 9 and one inner prong 20 are formed on the plate. The width of the two recesses 1 8 is given a somewhat larger dimension than the width of the longitudinal slots 7 in the ends of the posts 4 and their spacing from one another is also slightly smaller than the spacing between the longitudinal slots 7 in the ends of the posts 4.

Above the recesses 18, the plate 1 7 comprises abutment surfaces 21, which coact with the inside surfaces of the free ends 1 5 of the hook-like tabs 1 3. Bordering the plate 1 7 is a cranked portion 22, which serves as hand grip for the clamping element.

The width 23 of the clamping elements 1 6 is matched to the internal width of the posts 4, so that they can be introduced easily and safely via the open ends into the posts 4. The plate 1 7 then comes with its recesses 1 8 into the region of the hook-like tabs 13, as will be apparent from Fig. 4, and the abutment surfaces 21 thereof pass behind the inwardly directed surfaces of the free end 1 5 of these hook-like tabs 13, as can likewise be seen from Fig. 4.By a slight, for example, wedgelike, forming of the abutment surfaces 21 away from the plane of the plate 17, the result which can be achieved is that a tensioning force is exerted on the hook-like tabs 1 3 and thereby the cranked portions or shoulders 14 of the transoms 5 are drawn tightly over a relatively large area against the outer narrow side of the posts 4, while the clamping force produced by the clamping elements 1 6 is introduced over a large area into that wall of the post 4 which serves for its bearing or support. A safe and permanently rigid connection of the posts 4 and the transoms 5 to form a rectangular frame 2 is thereby assured.

The clamping elements 1 6 can be easily driven in by striking them with a hammer, the blows being directed on to the cranked portion 22 serving as a handle.

When necessary, it is also possible for the clamping elements 1 6 to be relatively easily freed. This in fact may be achieved by inserting a lever-like tool with one end beneath the handle 22 of the clamping elements 16, supported on the free end of the post 4 and actuating the tool by applying force to its other end, for example, also by hammer blows.

Fig. 8 illustrates what stamped contours the ends of the cut-out sheet metal members are to have, so that, by different folding and bending operations, the transoms 5 can be produced with substantially C-shaped crosssection for the rectangular frames 2.

It is self evident that the rectangular frames 2, each consisting of two posts 4 and two transoms 5, on account of their symmetrical formation, with reference to both a vertical mean plane and a horizontal mean plane, can be erected as desired for establishing the shelving units. In other words, as regards the load capacity of the rectangular frames 2, which of the two transoms 5 is arranged near the floor or distant from the floor is immaterial.In each case, the uncoupling of the transoms 5 and the posts 4 is in fact prevented, because their position relatively to one another is fixed, not only by the tabs 11 and 1 3 which engage in the slots 7 and 8, but their relative position is additionally also safeguarded by the clamping elements 1 6 which absorb the tensile forces, as long as the clamping elements 1 6 are not loosened by application of an external force. However, an unintentional loosening of the clamping elements is practically impossible, because these latter are accommodated completely inside the cavity of the posts 4.

In conclusion, it is also to be mentioned that the posts 4 do not necessarily have to consist of a sheet metal section member which is G-shaped in cross-section and the transoms do not necessarily have to consist of a sheet metal section member which is Cshaped in cross-section, but when necessary also another cross-sectional form can be employed. All that is essential is that the posts 4 are provided with engagement slots 7 and 8 and the transoms 5 are formed with engaging lugs or tabs 11 and 13, and that releasable clamping elements are used as additional tensioning connecting members between the posts 4 and the transoms 5, the said elements coacting with the hook-shaped lugs 1 3.

Claims (11)

1. Constructional assembly for shelving units comprising main elements in the form of rectangular frames and connecting elements in the form of longitudinal and/or transverse stays and intermediate shelves, in which both posts and transoms of the rectangular frames and also the stays comprise sheet metal section members, and in which firstly the posts of the rectangular frames and secondly the longitudinal and/or transverse stays or shelves comprise coupling elements for the production of releasable holding connections, and wherein the ends of the transoms are each provided, both on a substantially horizontal portion and on two substantially vertical portions with a projecting lug or tab and at least the lugs provided on the substantially vertical portions have a hook-like formation wherein the posts comprise, near their ends and in at least one of the walls of the section, a substantially horizontal engagement slot and two substantially vertical engagement slots for the lugs of the transoms and wherein the transoms and the posts are capable of being latched to one another in form-locking manner and/or braced relatively to one another by means of fork-like clamping elements which can be brought, on the inside of the post into plug-like engagement with the hook-like lugs or tabs.

2. Constructional assembly according to claim 1, wherein the posts are of G-shaped cross-section.

3. Constructional assembly according to claim 2, wherein the slots of the posts are in a narrow wall of the posts.

4. Constructional assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transoms are of C-shaped cross-section.

5. Constructional assembly according to claim 4, wherein the projecting lugs or tabs are provided on a substantially horizontal web portion and on the two substantially vertical flanges on the C-shaped cross-section transoms.

6. Constructional assembly according to claim 5, wherein the tab which is on the web of the transoms lies in the same plane as the web, while the tabs which are on their flanges are arranged cranked inwardly from the plane of the flanges.

7. Constructional assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fork-like clamping elements comprise plates which are adapted in their width to the internal width of the posts and which are provided with two adjacent engagement slots in spaced relation for the hook-like tabs of the transoms, adjoining which slots are abutment surfaces for the free ends of the hook-like lugs or tabs.

8. Constructional assembly according to claim 7, wherein the abutment surfaces are formed by formations acting advantageously in wedge-like manner and provided on the plates.

9. Constructional assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the clamping elements are provided with a handle bent out from the end of the element.

10. Constructional assembly according to any one of the preceding claims adapted for the storage of bulky objects, such as car body or coachwork components.

11. Constructional assembly substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings and described herein with reference thereto.