GB2143122A - Storage deck - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage deck for use e.g. in a garage comprises leg frames (1, 2) to be located against side walls of the garage, and a deck frame (3) to be supported on the leg frames above the bonnet or boot of a car using the garage. The deck frame (3) includes tubular side members (8, 9) which project beyond the decking material (20) and telescopically receive spigots (15,16) of the leg frame (2). The projecting ends of the side rails can be cut to adjust the overall length of the storage deck. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Storage Deck This invention relates to table frames particularly suitable for use as storage decks or the like.

It is well known in both domestic and commercial premises to install shelves extending between two parallel opposed walls, such as in an alcove or the like. Usually, the shelves are supported on battens fixed to the walls, or (especially in the case of adjustable height shelves) by vertical support members fixed to the walls. The installation of such shelves or other storage decks is either labour-intensive and timeconsuming, in that the shelves have to be cut to the desired length on site, or alternatively is expensive if shelves pre-fabricated to the desired size are purchased.

Another problem with conventional arrangements is that the shelves or decks are usually supported by the walls, and there can be problems in fixing battens or the like to walls to provide adequate support. This particular problem can be overcome by building a self-supporting unit with side uprights standing on the floor, but again the assembly and installation of these is time-consuming and expensive.

I have now devised a way of providing a shelf or storage deck extending between a pair of opposed walls whereby the problems associated with prior proposals are reduced or overcome.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a kit for assembly into a table frame which comprises a pair of leg frames, each leg frame comprising a bar having a leg dependent from each end, and a deck frame which is engageable at each end with the respective leg frames to form a table frame, the kit being such that the overall length of the table frame can be adjusted during assembly thereof.

The kit of the invention has three ready-made frame components. Two of these are leg frames and the third is a deck frame which, on assembly, engages at each end a leg frame and forms a horizontal support frame. The three frame members are preferably so made that they can be readily and securely engaged together during assembly to form a strong free-standing table frame. Thus, the assembly of the kit is a relatively simple and speedy operation.

An important feature of the invention is that the overall length of the table frame can be adjusted during assembly of the table frame without affecting the subsequent engageability of the deck frame with the leg frames. This adjustability feature is important because it makes the kit versatile for use in a range of alcove sizes.

The length adjustment can be provided in a variety of ways. For example, where (as is preferred) the frame members of the invention are of metal tube, the deck frame can be made in two parts telescopically received together (the tubular metal of one part sliding within that of the other part). Whilst this arrangement can be used, it is not preferred partly because it can result in a weakness in the deck frame side members (by poor fitting of the telescopic joints) and also because it prevents the deck frame being supplied to the user with a cover panel affixed thereto (described more fully hereinafter).

One way in which I prefer to provide for length adjustment of the deck frame is as follows. The deck frame, which is usually rectangular and composed of a pair of spaced side rails and a pair of end rails, is formed with its two side rails extending at one end of the frame, beyond the respective end rail. These projecting ends are engageable with the respective leg frame. The length of the deck frame can then be reduced as required by cutting the projecting ends to reduce their length, the projecting ends remaining after cutting still be engageable with the leg frame.

This manner of length adjustment has the advantages that it is simple to use, economic and does not weaken the load-bearing deck frame.

A further advantage of this type of length adjustment is that the deck frame can be supplied with a cover or support material fixed thereon to provide a support surface on the assembled table frame. Thus, the support material conveniently extends across the deck frame (from one side member to the other) and between the opposed end members. The support material may be of any suitable type, e.g. of wood, plastic or of metal mesh, depending on the intended use.

The engagement between the leg frames and the ends of the deck frame can be provided in a number of ways. For example, the deck frame can be provided with two (or more) downwardly extending spigots at one end, to engage in suitable sockets formed on the leg frame. Where the preferred length adjustment arrangement described above is used, the respective leg frame may have a short horizontal projection at each corner to engage telescopically with the cut projecting side members of the deck frame.

Whilst, in the interests of safety, the table frame may finally be bolted or otherwise firmly locked in the assembled condition, the frame members are preferably so shaped as to positively engage without the use of any extra fixing members.

Another way in which adjustability in length can be achieved is by providing, on one leg frame, a pair of parallel horizontally projecting members, i.e. members extending at right angles from the top of each leg, which members engage telescopically with the side rails of the deck frame. In order to give this arrangement adequate strength, either the deck frame side rails, or the leg frame horizontal members (whichever forms the outer sleeve for receiving the other telescopically), may be pre-drilled with a series of bolt holes. When the length of the assembled frame has been chosen, the holes may be through-drilled and bolts inserted. In a highly preferred feature of this arrangement, the leg frame horizontal members are received telescopically within the deck frame members and extend therein beyond the end rail of the deck frame, to ensure adequate strength.The resulting assembly has rigidity due partly to the bolted telescoping joint and partly to the rigid right angle joints between the legs and the horizontal projecting members of the leg frame.

The table frame assembled from a kit of the invention has a large number of uses, particularly for providing storage decks. In one particular aspect of the invention, the kit is designed to provide a table frame especialiy suited for use in domestic garages. Thus, the length of the legs of the leg frames will be such that, when the table frame is assembled across the end of the garage remote from the door(s), either the bonnet or the boot, or even the passenger compartment of a car or other vehicle can safely pass beneath the horizontal deck frame.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a view of one embodiment of kit of the invention, partly assembled; Figures 2 and 3 illustrate two alternative arrangements for engaging the deck frame with one of the leg frames; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of another kit of the invention assembled.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows two leg frames, 1 and 2, and a deck frame 3. The frames are made of tubular steel which (as illustrated) is of rectangular cross-section. Leg frame 1 comprises two leg members 4, 5, and a horizontal bar 6. Deck frame 3 consists of two side rails 8, 9, two end members 10, 11 and a central supporting cross-member 1 2.

At the right-hand side of Figure 1, deck frame 3 is shown assembled to and engaged with leg frame 1. Deck frame 3 has a downwardly projecting spigot (not shown) at each end of member 10, the respective spigots being received in the open top ends of legs 4 and 5.

At the left-hand side of Figure 1, the side rails 8, 9 of frame 3 project beyond end member 11 and it is by cutting these that the overall length of frame 3 is adjusted. Leg frame 3 includes two legs 12, 13, a horizontal bar 14, and at each corner a projecting stub 1 5, 16. Stubs 1 5 and 16 are telescopically engageable with the ends of side rails 8, 9.

Wire mesh 20 is provided over frame 3 to provide a support surface.

In a preferred way of assembling the kit of Figure 1 in, for example, a garage, leg frame 1 is first located adjacent a wall and may, for added safety, be secured to the wall. The deck frame is then trimmed to size as necessary and leg frame 2 assembled therewith. The combination of deck 3 and frame 2 is then placed in position and deck 3 engaged with leg frame 1. Leg frame 2 may then be fixed to the wall.

Figure 2 shows (in simplified form) one leg 30 of a leg frame, made of rectangular section steel tube, and a side rail 31 and end rail 32 of a deck frame. Raii 31 has a short spigot 34 which is snugly receivable in the top open end 33 of leg 30, to engage the deck frame to the leg.

Figure 3 is generally similar to Figure 2, except that a sleeve member 40 is attached to leg 30 to receive spigot 34.

In Figure 4, two different leg frames are used.

The first 50 (right-hand side), is the same as in Figures 1 and 2, and receives a downwardly extending spigot 51 from deck frame 52. The other leg frame 53 has two horizontal projecting members 54 (from the top of each leg). These are telescopically received in the extending side rails 55 of deck frame 52. Deck frame 52 is the same as shown in Figure 1, with side rails 55 extending beyond end rail 56. The end portions of each side rail 55 are drilled with holes 57. On assembly, the two leg frames 50 and 53 are braced apart against the respective walls, and then horizontal members 54 drilled through holes 57, to receive bolts or pins.

Claims (8)

1. A kit for assembly into a table frame which comprises a pair of leg frames, each leg frame comprising a bar having a leg dependent from each end, and a deck frame which is engageable at each end with the respective leg frames to form a table frame, the kit being such that the overall length of the table frame can be adjusted during assembly thereof.

2. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the deck frame comprises a pair of spaced side rails which, at least at one end of the deck frame, engage with the leg frame at that end, and wherein the length of the deck frame can be reduced by cutting the side rails at said one end, the cut ends of the side rails still being engageable with the leg frame.

3. A kit according to claim 2, wherein the deck frame includes a support material fixed thereon to provide a support surface, and the support material stops short of said one end of the deck frame.

4. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the deck frame telescopically engages the leg frame at least at one end of the deck frame, and wherein the outer telescopic member of at least one of the telescopic connections is pre-formed with a plurality of holes whereby, during installation of the table frame, the inner telescopic member thereat may be drilled through at least one of the pre-formed holes for insertion of a locking member.

5. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the leg frames includes a pair of horizontally extending spigots which are telescopically received within tubular side rails of the deck frame.

6. A kit according to claim 5, wherein the deck frame includes at least one cross member secured to the side rails in the zone of telescopic engagement.

7. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein one end of the deck frame includes depending spigots which telescopically engage tubular legs of one of the leg frames.

8. A kit for assembly into a table frame, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.