GB2187933A

GB2187933A - Cantilever racking system

Info

Publication number: GB2187933A
Application number: GB08606921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: J Holden
Original assignee: ATOL INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Current assignee: ATOL INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date: 1986-03-20
Filing date: 1986-03-20
Publication date: 1987-09-23
Also published as: GB8606921D0

Abstract

A cantilever racking system 10 has a central column 12 and side arms 14. The column 12 has a base comprising one part 16 fixed in manufacture and extending beneath the side arms 14 and a second, releasably attachable, part 18 which when in place, extends on the opposite side of the central column to the first part 16. The system of the invention easily converts from a single to a double sided racking system. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cantilever racking This invention relates to cantilever racking and in particular relates to a removable base support for use in cantilever racking.

Cantilever racking, in which support arms project on either one or both sides of a central column, is widely used for storage since fork lift trucks and the like have easy access to stored items in the racks. Such racking is particularly useful for the storage of timber and lengths of steel.

Such racking can be double sided which implies access may be gained to the support arms on either side of the central column in which case the base of the column must be made free standing, or the systems can be single sided having arms on one side only of the central column in which case the racking is adapted to fit up against a wall or the like.

The choice of single or double sided racking systems will depend on the space available and its layout. In most cases both double and single sided systems will be required to make the most economical use of space. Since double and single sided systems are manufactured independently this multiplies manufacturing costs. Furthermore, since double sided systems do not stack easily they are expensive to transport.

The invention seeks to provide a racking system which simply and easily converts from one form to the other and thus overcomes or reduces the problems referred to above.

According to the present invention there is provided a cantilever racking system having a central column and side arms in which the column has a base comprising one part fixed in manufacture and extending beneath the side arms and a second releasably attachable part which, when in place, extends on the opposite side of the central column to the first part.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, cantilever racking is manufactured as if it were all to be single sided and where double sided racking is specified the second part of the base may be attached to the racking so as to make the columns double sided. in the latter event, additional side arms extending over the second part of the base may also be affixed if desired.

In the customary manufacture of cantilever racking the base would be welded to the central column. The first part of the base in the racking of the invention may also be welded.

However, the second part of the base is to be releasably attached, preferably by means of nuts and bolts. Since the greatest tensile stress occurs towards the lower portion of the second part of the base it is preferred to concentrate the bolts in this area.

The invention will describe further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial sectional side view of the lower part of the central column and base of a racking system in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end view in direction of arrow A in figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view on a reduced scale of the complete system.

Referring to the drawings, a cantilever racking system generally designated 10 comprises a central column 12, side arms 14 and a fixed base 16. The base 16 is affixed to the bottom of the central column 12 in the customary manner, for example by welding. With this configuration the unit can be employed as a single sided system for use, for example, alongside walls or other supports.

In accordance with the invention a second part 18 of the base is provided which is removably attachable to the first part 16 and, when in place, enables the system 10 to be double sided.

The removable part 18 of the base comprises an I-section steel member 20 having a central web 22 to which is welded an end plate 24. The end plate 24 is strengthened and stiffened by means of additional webs 26 welded both to the plate 24 and to the central web 22.

Three pairs of bolt hoies 28 are provided for receiving bolts for clamping the member 18 to the bottom portion of the central column 12. Since the tensile forces are greater towards the lower portion of the base part 18 and column 12 the bolt holes 28 are grouped more towards the lower portion of the base, about the strengthening webs 26.

Thus, in use, the system shown in figure 3 can be manufactured according to conventional means (apart from the provision of the part 18) and used without the part 18 as a single sided rack. However, where a double sided rack is required the part 18 may be attached to the base 16 of each central coi- umn 12 in order to convert a single sided to a double sided rack. If desired further support arms 14 can also be bolted on extending in the same general direction as the part 18 to provide a complete double sided rack. If reqirements change the rack can be dismantled and used in the single sided configuration once again. The rack of the invention simplifies manufacturing since only one form of rack is manufactured and this is converted to free standing where necessary by the user and transport costs are reduced since the single sided version manufactured stacks much more easily on transporting vehicles. The system is also much more versatile for the user allowing flexibility in planning racking layouts.

1. A cantilever racking system having the central column side arms in which the column

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cantilever racking This invention relates to cantilever racking and in particular relates to a removable base support for use in cantilever racking. Cantilever racking, in which support arms project on either one or both sides of a central column, is widely used for storage since fork lift trucks and the like have easy access to stored items in the racks. Such racking is particularly useful for the storage of timber and lengths of steel. Such racking can be double sided which implies access may be gained to the support arms on either side of the central column in which case the base of the column must be made free standing, or the systems can be single sided having arms on one side only of the central column in which case the racking is adapted to fit up against a wall or the like. The choice of single or double sided racking systems will depend on the space available and its layout. In most cases both double and single sided systems will be required to make the most economical use of space. Since double and single sided systems are manufactured independently this multiplies manufacturing costs. Furthermore, since double sided systems do not stack easily they are expensive to transport. The invention seeks to provide a racking system which simply and easily converts from one form to the other and thus overcomes or reduces the problems referred to above. According to the present invention there is provided a cantilever racking system having a central column and side arms in which the column has a base comprising one part fixed in manufacture and extending beneath the side arms and a second releasably attachable part which, when in place, extends on the opposite side of the central column to the first part. Thus, in accordance with the invention, cantilever racking is manufactured as if it were all to be single sided and where double sided racking is specified the second part of the base may be attached to the racking so as to make the columns double sided. in the latter event, additional side arms extending over the second part of the base may also be affixed if desired. In the customary manufacture of cantilever racking the base would be welded to the central column. The first part of the base in the racking of the invention may also be welded. However, the second part of the base is to be releasably attached, preferably by means of nuts and bolts. Since the greatest tensile stress occurs towards the lower portion of the second part of the base it is preferred to concentrate the bolts in this area. The invention will describe further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial sectional side view of the lower part of the central column and base of a racking system in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end view in direction of arrow A in figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view on a reduced scale of the complete system. Referring to the drawings, a cantilever racking system generally designated 10 comprises a central column 12, side arms 14 and a fixed base 16. The base 16 is affixed to the bottom of the central column 12 in the customary manner, for example by welding. With this configuration the unit can be employed as a single sided system for use, for example, alongside walls or other supports. In accordance with the invention a second part 18 of the base is provided which is removably attachable to the first part 16 and, when in place, enables the system 10 to be double sided. The removable part 18 of the base comprises an I-section steel member 20 having a central web 22 to which is welded an end plate 24. The end plate 24 is strengthened and stiffened by means of additional webs 26 welded both to the plate 24 and to the central web 22. Three pairs of bolt hoies 28 are provided for receiving bolts for clamping the member 18 to the bottom portion of the central column 12. Since the tensile forces are greater towards the lower portion of the base part 18 and column 12 the bolt holes 28 are grouped more towards the lower portion of the base, about the strengthening webs 26. Thus, in use, the system shown in figure 3 can be manufactured according to conventional means (apart from the provision of the part 18) and used without the part 18 as a single sided rack. However, where a double sided rack is required the part 18 may be attached to the base 16 of each central coi- umn 12 in order to convert a single sided to a double sided rack. If desired further support arms 14 can also be bolted on extending in the same general direction as the part 18 to provide a complete double sided rack. If reqirements change the rack can be dismantled and used in the single sided configuration once again.The rack of the invention simplifies manufacturing since only one form of rack is manufactured and this is converted to free standing where necessary by the user and transport costs are reduced since the single sided version manufactured stacks much more easily on transporting vehicles. The system is also much more versatile for the user allowing flexibility in planning racking layouts. CLAIMS

1. A cantilever racking system having the central column side arms in which the column has a base comprising one part fixed in manufacture and extending beneath the side arms and a second column releasably attachable part which, when in place, extends on the opposite of the central column to the first part.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the first part is fixed to the column by welding.

3. A system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the second part of the base is fixed to the column by means of nuts and bolts.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 in which the lower portion of the second part of the base has the greater concentration of bolts.

5. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which he second part of the base comprises an I section steel member having a central web to which is welded an end plate.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 in which the end plate is strengthened and stiffened by means of additional webs welded both to the end plate and the central web.

7. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which additional support arms are bolted on extending in the same general direction to the second part of the base to provide a complete double sided rack.

8. A cantilever racking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.