GB2437912A

GB2437912A - Shelf bracket and support structure

Info

Publication number: GB2437912A
Application number: GB0622707A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shen-Jung Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-12
Filing date: 2006-11-15
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-15
Also published as: GB0622707D0; GB2437912B; FR2900806B3; NL1032740C1; TWM298928U; CA2568259C; CA2568259A1; US20070262037A1; FR2900806A3; DE202006015331U1

Abstract

Shelf brackets 40 cooperate with vertical supports 30 to accommodate shelving that can be adjusted easily in height. The vertical support includes an elongate groove 32 on a front mounting surface 31 and a number of wider insertion openings 34 spaced along the groove. In addition a plurality of pairs of insert slots 33 are arranged along the length of the support with the slots arranged on either side of the groove. The brackets 40 are formed from U-shaped metal section with embedding grooves on an upper surface for retaining and positioning a shelf. The rear of each bracket has two lugs 44 that engage with slots 33. Above the lugs are two outwardly extending flange elements 43 that can be passed through openings 34. The brackets have a waisted portion 42 that cooperate with the sides of groove 32. The bracket can be adjusted by lifting up the front of the bracket to disengage lugs 44 from slots 33 and enable the bracket to slide up or down the groove.

Description

IMPROVED RACK FIXTURE STRUCTURE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved rack fixture structure, and more particularly to a design of a rack having a support rod, a longitudinal groove, an inserting groove, and a plurality of pairs of insert slots on both lateral positions to go with an insert end of a partition bracket, ai embedding guide portion, a latching plate and an inserting latch plate, such that the partition bracket can be displaced and adjusted appropriately under the guidance of the longitudinal groove, and simple embedding, latching and positioning effects can be achieved, so as to increase or decrease the quantity of partition brackets and provide a simple and easy way of making interval adjustments.

Description of the Related Art

In general, the design of a rack for displaying merchandises or storing household miscellaneous objects mainly adopts pre-made support rods to combine and assemble partitions onto the rack, and then a shelf partition is set across the partition bracket to constitute the basic functional structure of a rack, and the partition brackets are used to support and holding the shelf partition and maintain the stability of objects placed on the shelf partition. In the meantime, the relation between the partition brackets and the support rods is adjusted to make an interval adjustment of the shelf partition, so as to make the most appropriate interval adjustment according to the requirements of the actual disposition of the objects.

Referring to Figs. I and 2 for the assembling of the support rods and the partition brackets of a rack, the support rod 10 has a plurality of pairs of vertical insert slots 11 disposed equidistantly with each other, and the partition bracket 20 has a pair of insert plates 21 disposed at the upper edge of an insert end of the partition bracket 20, and an embedding groove 22 is disposed at the lower edge of the interface between the insert plate 21 and the partition bracket 20, and a pair of embedding latch plates 23 are protruded from a slightly lower position of the insert plate 21 at an insert end of the partition bracket 20, and the distance between the pair of insert slots 11 and the embedding latch plates 23 matches with the distance of the insert slots 11 of the support rod 10, such that the insert plate 21 at the insert end of the partition bracket 20 is inserted into the insert slot 11 of the support rod 10, and then the partition bracket is turned downward slightly to insert the embedding latch plate 23 at a lower end into the insert slot 11'. while the embedding groove 22 at a lower edge of the insert plate 21 is embedded into the lower edge of the insert slot 11, so as to complete the insertion of the partition bracket 20 and the support rod 10. The partition bracket 20 is provided for setting the shelf partition across, when it is necessary to adjust the interval of the shelf partitions, and the partition brackets 20 are taken out from the support rod 10, if it is necessary to select an appropriate position of an insert slot 11 for a new assembling and insertion, so as to achieve the function of adjusting the interval of the shelf partitions.

In view of the assembling of support rods and partition brackets for a traditional rack, the structure is simple and easy, but the assembly adopts simple latches and insertions, and the partition brackets must be removed completely from the insert slots of the support rod if it is necessary to adjust the position of the shelf partition, and an appropriate insert slot is selected for a reinstallation. As to the overall operation, the procedure is very troublesome and inconvenient, and such design is definitely not an ideal design.

Since the partition brackets and the support rods are inserted and combined in a simple manner, and the inserting direction of these components is one-way, therefore the level of secured connection is not high enough. As a result, the partition brackets may be deformed or the partition brackets may even separated from the support rods if the weight of objects disposed on the shelf partition is too heavy. The objects on the rack may fall down or get damaged, and thus the prior arts require further improvements.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the foregoing shortcomings of the present invention, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience on the related field to conduct extensive experiments and modifications and finally an improved rack fixture structure in accordance with the present invention.

Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an improved rack fixture structure, such that the interval of a shelf partition can be adjusted without completely taking out the partition brackets from the support rods, but simply sliding and adjust the latch to quickly and conveniently complete positioning and adjust the position of the partition bracket, so as to achieve the best operating convenience.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a structural design, such that when the partition brackets and the support rods are inserted and assembled, a double latching and positioning effect can be achieved, so as to greatly enhance the secure connection between the partition brackets and the support rods.

To achieve the foregoing objectives, the structural design of the present invention comprises: a longitudinal groove disposed on an assembling surface of a support rod of a rack; an inserting groove with larger dimensions disposed separately on predetermined upper and lower positions of the longitudinal groove; a plurality of pairs of insert slots disposed on both lateral positions of the longitudinal groove situated at the assembling surface of the support rod; an embedding guide portion disposed at an insert end of the partition bracket and having dimensions matched with the width of the longitudinal groove of the support rod, such that the width of the latching plates extended from both sides of the embedding guide portion falls between the longitudinal groove and the inserting groove; and two inserting latch plates capable of extending outward and inserted backward and disposed at an insert end of the partition bracket, such that the interval between two inserting latch plates matches precisely with the width of the insert slot width. The inserting groove disposed at upper and lower sections of the support rod is provided for inserting an embedding guide portion of the partition bracket, limiting the position of the longitudinal groove and stably adjusting an elevation and a displacement under the guidance of the longitudinal groove, and an appropriate position of the insert slot is selected for embedding the inserting latch plate of the partition bracket, so as to maintain the positioning relation between the partition bracket and the support rod. If it is necessary to adjust the position of the partition bracket, the partition bracket is lifted slightly upward to separate the inserting latch plate from the insert slot, and make appropriate displacement and adjustment of the partition bracket under the guidance of the longitudinal groove. In the adjusting process, it is not necessary to take the partition bracket out from the support rod, and thus making the application simpler and easier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a partial structure of a traditional rack; Fig. 2 is schematic view of a partial structure of a traditional rack; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a structure of a partition bracket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a partial structure of a partition bracket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a dissembled structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a partially dissembled structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic view of inserting a partition bracket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a partial structure being inserted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a structure of a partition bracket being inserted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a schematic view of adjusting upper and lower positions of a partition bracket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to Figs. 3, 5, and 10 for schematic views of a structure of the invention, Figs. 4, 6 and 8 for schematic views of a partial structure of the invention, and Figs. 7 and 9 for schematic views of a structure of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a structural design of the invention uses a plurality of support rods 30 for inserting a plurality of partition brackets 40 respectively, and the partition brackets 40 are used for retaining a shelf partition (not shown in the figure), so as to constitute the basic functional structure of a rack.

The support rods 30 are rectangular hollow rods, each having a longitudinal groove 32 disposed on an assembling surface 31 at a front end of the support rod 30, and two lateral positions disposed at the longitudinal groove 32 of the support rod 30 having a plurality of pairs of insert slots 33, and the longitudinal groove 32 having a plurality of inserting grooves 34 with larger dimensions and maintaining an appropriate distance from upper and lower positions of the longitudinal groove 32, such that and three or four sets of insert slots are reserved at corresponding upper and lower positions of the inserting groove. Further a leaning surface 35 is disposed at a rear side of the support rack 30 and having a plurality of bolt holes at predetermined position at the rear side of the learning surface 35, such that the support rod 30 can be secured onto a wall or a door by a screw bolt 37, if needed.

The partition brackets 40 are made by shaping a metal sheet and have an appropriate quantity of embedding grooves 41 disposed at the top edge of the partition bracket 40 for retaining and positioning a shelf partition, and an embedding guide portion 42 extended from an insert end of the partition bracket 40, and forming an appropriate drop of level between the embedding guide portion 42 and a lateral surface of the partition bracket 40, such that the dimensions of the embedding guide portion 42 match the width of the longitudinal groove 32 of the support rod 30, and the embedding guide portion 42 has a latching plate 43 extended separately towards both sides, and the width of the latching plate 43 falls between the longitudinal groove 32 and the inserting groove 34, and an insert end of the partition bracket 40 proximate to both sides of the lower section has an inserting latch plate 44 extended outward and inserted backward and the interval of two inserting latch plates 44 match precisely with the width of the insert slot 33; With the foregoing structural design, the partition bracket 40 is installed and combined with the support rod 30 by building an inserting groove 34 with larger dimensions at upper and lower sections of the support rod 30 for successfully inserting the latching plates 43 on both sides of the embedding guide portion 42 of the partition bracket 40, and moving the partition bracket 40 slightly upward or downward and using the latching plate 43 and both sides of the longitudinal groove 32 of the support rod 30 for embedment and position limitation, such that the position of the embedding guide portion 42 is limited into the longitudinal groove 32, and the partition bracket 40 limit the longitudinal groove 32 and stably adjust the elevation and displacement under the guidance of the longitudinal groove 32. An appropriate position of an insert slot 33 is selected for latching the inserting latch plate 44 on both sides of the partition bracket 40, so as to maintain the positioning relation between the partition bracket 40 and the support rod 30. The secure insertion of the inserting latch plate 44 of the partition bracket 30 into the insert slot 33 can prevent shaking and the internal sides of the latching plate 43 is pressed by both sides of the embedding guide portion 42 at the upper end of the partition bracket 40, and the external side of the inserting latch plate 44 of the lower section is latched, so as to give a double internal and external positioning effect, so that the overall connection can be more secure and the structure will not be deformed or fallen apart by external forces.

If it is necessary to adjust the interval of the partition of the rack, the partition bracket 40 is lifted slightly to separate the inserting latch plate 44 from the insert slot 33 on both sides of the support rod 30, but both side plates 43 of the embedding guide portion 42 of the partition bracket 40 are still limited to both sides of the longitudinal groove 32 of the support rod 30, such that the partition bracket 40 can be secured and limited in the longitudinal groove 32 under the guidance for making an appropriate displacement and adjustment. In the adjusting process, it is not necessary to separate the partition bracket 40 from the longitudinal groove 32 of the support rod 30, but the partition bracket 40 can be slid and adjusted to an appropriate position simply and easily, and after the inserting latch plate 44 at a lower section can be inserted into an expected insert slot 33, the partition bracket 40 and the support rod 30 can be adjusted and positioned quickly, so as to achieve the effect of adjusting the shelf partition interval, and meet the requirements of placing objects on the rack.

In view of the description above, the fixture structure for the support rod and the partition bracket of the rack is designed with a support rod longitudinal groove, an insert slot disposed separately on two lateral positions, an inserting groove disposed separately at upper and lower ends of the rack to go with the design of a latching plate at an embedding guide portion. an insert end of a partition bracket and an inserting latch plate, such that partition bracket can make appropriate displacement and adjustment under the guidance of the longitudinal groove and obtain a simple embedding, latching and positioning effect, such that the quantity of the partition bracket can be increased or decreased and the interval can be adjusted simply and easily. When the partition bracket is adjusted and operated, it is not necessary to remove the partition bracket from the support rod. The adjusting operation can be made in a simple, easy and secured manner, and the double internal and external latching and positioning effect can greatly enhance the secured connection between the partition bracket and the support rod, so as to overcome the existing problems and shortcomings.

In summation of the above description, the improved rack fixture structure of the present invention definitely improves the connection of support rods and partition brackets of the rack and the design of insert slots and inserting grooves on both sides of the longitudinal groove of the support rod not only provides a more secure connection, but also makes the adjustment of the partition bracket easier, and thus the present invention can achieve the expected objective and enhance the performance over the prior art. The invention further complies with the patent application requirements and is duly filed for the patent application.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. An improved rack fixture structure, comprising a plurality of pre-made support rods inserted and connected respectively to a plurality partition brackets, and said partition brackets being provided for retaining a shelf partition to constitute the basic functionaL structure of a rack, characterized in that: said support rods are rectangular hollow rods, each having a longitudinal groove disposed on an assembling surface at a front end of said support rod, and two lateral positions disposed at the longitudinal groove of the support rod having a plurality of pairs Qf insert slots, and said longitudinal groove having a plurality of inserting grooves with a larger dimension and disposed at predetermined upper and lower positions, provided for said partition bracket to be inserted from said inserting groove to said longitudinal groove of said support rod, and an appropriate insert slot being selected for inserting and positioning said partition bracket; said partition brackets, having an embedding guide portion extended from an upper section of said insert end, and forming an appropriate drop of level between said embedding guide portion and a lateral surface of said partition bracket, such that the dimensions of said embedding guide portion match the width of said longitudinal groove of said support rod and said embedding guide portion has a latching plate extended separately towards both sides, and the width of said latching plate falls between said embedding groove and said inserting groove, and said insert end of said partition bracket includes an inserting latch plate that can be extended outward and inserted backward and disposed on both sides of a lower section, and the interval between said two inserting latch plates matches precisely with the width of insert slots of said longitudinal groove disposed on the combining surface of said support rod and situated at said two lateral positions; thereby, said inserting grooves disposed at upper and lower sections of said support rod are provided for inserting an embedding guide portion of said partition bracket, limiting the position of said longitudinal groove and stably adjusting the elevation and displacement under the guidance of said longitudinal groove, and an appropriate position of said insert slot is selected for inserting said partition bracket, so as to maintain a positioning relation between said partition bracket and said support rod, and if it is necessary to adjust the position of said partition bracket, said partition bracket is lifted slightly to separate said inserting latch plate from said insert slot, so that appropriate displacement and adjustment of said partition bracket can be made under the guidance of said longitudinal groove, and in an adjusting process, it is not necessary to remove said partition bracket from said support rod to achieve a simple and easy operation.

2. The improved rack fixture structure of claim 1, wherein said inserting groove of said support rod is installed such that an appropriate distance is maintained between said inserting groove and upper and lower limit positions of said longitudinal groove, and three or four sets of insert slots are reserved at corresponding upper and lower positions of said inserting groove.

3. The improved rack fixture structure of claim 1, wherein said support rod includes a leaning surface disposed at a rear side of said support rack and having a plurality of bolt holes at predetermined positions, such that said support rod can be secured onto a wall or a door, if needed.

4. The improved rack fixture structure of claim 1, wherein said partition bracket includes an appropriate number of embedding grooves disposed at the top edge of said partition bracket for retaining and positioning a shelf partition.

5. The improved rack fixture structure of claim 1, wherein said support rod is a metal rectangular hollow rod and said partition brackets are brackets made by stamping and shaping a metal sheet.

6. An improved rack fixture structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings 7. An improved rack or shelving assembly, comprising a plurality of elongate support members and a plurality of brackets connectable to said support members with said brackets being for retaining at least one shelf to form the basic functional structure of a rack or shelving, characterized in that each said support member is a rectangular-sectioned tubular member or a channel member having a longitudinal groove or slot in a front surface of said support member, and a plurality of pairs of insert slots along two lateral regions of the longitudinal slot, said longitudinal slot having at least a pair of insertion recesses providing for enabling part of said bracket to be inserted into said insertion recess and said longitudinal slot of said support member, and an appropriate insertion slot being selectable for insertion and positioning said bracket; said partition brackets each having an insertion or guide portion extended from an upper portion of an insertion end and forming an appropriate reduction of width between said insertion or guide portion and a lateral surface of said bracket such that the dimensions of said guide portion match the width of said longitudinal groove of said support member to be displaceable therealong, and said guide portion has a retaining latching plate extending, separately towards each side and the width of each said retaining latching plate is such that, in use, the outer edge terminates between the sides of groove or slot and the outer sides of said adjacent insertion recess, and said insertion end of each said bracket also includes on both sides of a lower portion, an insertion or locating latch plate that extends outwardly and rearwardly, and the spacing between said two locating latch plates corresponds to the width of the pairs of insert slots located outwardly of said longitudinal groove or slot such as to be locatable therein.