GB2114641A - Panel bedring hooks - Google Patents

Abstract

A panel 10 is formed with a plurality of tongues 12 which are displaced from the general plane of the panel and each include a generally flat upright portion 14 which is integrally connected to the remainder of the panel through a connecting portion 16. Each such tongue is reinforced by one or more ribs 18 which extend between the underside of the connecting portion 16 and the adjacent part of the plate 10, such ribs conveniently being pressed out in the same operation as that in which the tongue is formed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Panel structure This invention relates to panel structures of the kind sometimes referred to as "louvre panels" and having a plurality of tongues spaced forwardly from one face thereof to engage with a downwardly opening recess provided at the upper rearward edge of a bin or container, for example as described in British patent specification No.

1,539,372, so as to support such containers releasably on the panel.

In use, several such containers may be carried on such a panel at various positions, the containers being simply hooked onto the tongues.

Conventionaily, such panels are formed as flat metal sheets with the tongues pressed out therefrom The containers may typically vary in size between some 10 centimetres square or less, up to some 40 centimetres square, or more. The larger sizes may carry loads of several kilogrammes and accordingly can impose a substantial strain on a supporting panel, Likewise, collectively a large number of small containers can also impose a substantial strain on the panel.

However, the loading capacity of such panels is quite limited, so that the tongues themselves may become bent and unusable after a relatively short period of service, or the entire panel may become deformed, in both cases making it difficult for bins to be securely and safely assembled therewith.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved panel structure having increased load bearing capacity.

According to the invention we provide a panel structure for supporting a plurality of containers each provided with a downwardly opening recess at the upper rearward edge thereof, the panel structure comprising a generally planar panel having pressed out therefrom a plurality of tongues arranged in aligned rows and/or columns, each adapted to extend generally vertically upwardly in use and enter the recesses of such containers, each tongue comprising an upright portion and a transverse connecting portion whereby the upright portion is connected to the flat panel, wherein each connecting portion has one or more reinforcing ribs extending between it and the adjacent part of the panel below the upright portion.

Conveniently, such ribs are pressed out from the panel in a single operation together with the tongue itself. The ribs may be of generally V shape in section, or alternatively they may be of U shape or rectangular.

Preferably, each tongue is formed with two such ribs at points spaced inwardly from the lateral ends of the tongue, although according to the length of the tongue, there may be only one such rib, or more than two in some cases.

Additionally at least the vertical margins of the panel may be formed with an offset flange, which is arranged parallel to the plane of the panel itself and spaced therefrom rearwardly, that is to say in the direction away from the tongues. Such offset flanges serve to stiffen the panel and also may afford mounting points whereby the panels can be secured to a supporting structure.

Depending on the width of the panel, one or more vertically extending grooves may be formed at intervals across its width to serve as further strengthening for the panel. Such grooves are conveniently formed as flat bottomed recesses including a web which is coplanar with said offset flanges and may also afford additional mounting points.

The upper and lower margins of the panel may be recessed to allow overlap with a similar vertically adjacent panel.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 show a portion of a panel structure in front elevation, and FIGURE 2 shows a corresponding side view.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, one embodiment of panel structure in accordance with the invention comprises a rectangular panel 10 which is formed from a flat metal panel.Tongues 12 are pressed out from the metal panel and dre typically arranged in aligned rows and columns as shown. Each tongue 12 includes a generally flat upright portion 1 4 which is spaced forwardly from and disposed parallel to the panel 10. The upright portion of the tongue is integrally united with the remainder of the panel by means of a generally transversely extending connecting portion 16, which is most conveniently radiused so as to merge smoothly with the upright portion of the tongue.

In order to strengthen the tongue 1 2, two vertically extending ribs 1 8 are formed to extend between the underside of the connecting portion 1 6 and the adjacent part of the plate 10, beneath the upright portion 14. The ribs can conveniently be pressed out in the same operation as that in which the tongue itself is formed, by the use of a suitably shaped tool. In the embodiment illustrated, the ribs 1 8 are of generally V shape in section, and are hollow internally. However, other sectional shapes, such as U shape or rectangular may be employed.

Typically the width of each tongue may be of the order of 5 centimetres, in which case the two ribs 18 may be spaced approximately 1.5 centimetres apart in the mid region of each tongue. However, in any case where the tongues are of reduced width, it would be possible to form a single reinforcing rib 18, and conversely if tongues of a greater width are employed, three or more such ribs could be formed as necessary.

It will be appreciated that the provision of the ribs 1 8 serves substantially to increase the strength of the tongues 12, so as to increase their load bearing capacity. However, since they are formed in the same operation as the tongues themselves, such additional strength is provided without significant additional cost, since no additional material is used, and no further manufacturing operations are required.

Accordingly, it becomes possible in accordance with the invention to increase the load bearing capacity of a panel formed from metal sheet of a given gauge, or alternatively to use metal of a thinner gauge to obtain the same load bearing capacity.

Preferably, the vertical margins of the panel 10 are formed with rearwardly offset flanges 20, which extend parallel to the main face of the panel 10 and are connected thereto by a transversely extending web 22 which reinforces the edges of the panel against bending. Holes 24 for the reception of fastening elements whereby the panel can be secured to a supporting structure may conveniently be formed in the flanges 20..

If desired, and depending particularly on the overall width, the panel 10 may also be formed with one or more vertically extending channels which. serve as reinforcements at positions spaced inwardly from the vertical margins. Typically, one centrally positioned channel is formed as a flat bottomed recess 30 of generally rectangular shape, including a rearwardly displaced web 32 which is coplanar with the flanges 20 and can engage a supporting structure on which the panel is mounted.

As illustrated, the web 32 of the recess may be formed with holes 34 for the reception of fastening elements.

As well as or instead of vertical recesses 30, the panel may afford transversely extending recesses.

To enable such panels to be overlapped in vertically adjacent relation, one horizontal margin may be recessed slightly as shown at 26.

Claims (11)

1. A panel structure for supporting a plurality of containers each provided with a downwardly opening recess at the upper rearward edge thereof, the panel structure comprising a generally planar panel having pressed out therefrom a plurality of tongues arranged in aligned rows and/or columns, each adapted to extend generally vertically upwardly in use and enter the recesses of such containers, each tongue comprising an upright portion and a transverse connecting portion whereby the upright portion is connected to the flat panel, wherein each connecting portion has one or more reinforcing ribs extending between it and the adjacent part of the panel below the upright portion,

2. A panel structure according to Claim 1 wherein said ribs are pressed out from the panel in a single operation together with the tongue itself.

3. A panel structure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said ribs are of generally V-shape in section.

4. A panel structure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said ribs are of generally U-shape in section.

5. A panel structure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said ribs are of generally rectangular shape in section.

6. A panel structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each tongue is formed with two of said ribs at respective points spaced inwardly from the lateral ends of the tongue.

7. A panel structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least the vertical margins of the panel are formed at intervals across its width to serve as further strengthening for the panel.

8. A panel structure according to Claim 7 wherein one or more vertically extending grooves are formed at intervals across its width.

9. A panel structure according to Claim 8 wherein said grooves are formed as flat bottom recesses including a web which is co-planar with said offset flanges.

10. A panel structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper or lower margin of the panel is recessed to allow overlap with a similar vertically adjacent panel.

11. A panel structure according to Claim 1 and substantial;y as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.