GB2472616A

GB2472616A - A fixing body

Info

Publication number: GB2472616A
Application number: GB0914080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Wareing Shaw
Original assignee: NIRVANA ENGINEERING
Current assignee: NIRVANA ENGINEERING
Priority date: 2009-08-12
Filing date: 2009-08-12
Publication date: 2011-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-12
Also published as: GB2472616B; GB0914080D0

Abstract

A fixing body 9 for attaching at least one rail 6 to a frame member 15 comprises an engagement means 10, 11, preferably integral to the fixing body, for engaging with the rail(s). The engagement means may comprise a first 10 and preferably a second 11 formation, preferably a tab, provided on the fixing body. The fixing body may comprise attachment means for attaching it to the frame member. The rail may comprise at least one cooperating formation such as an aperture for engagement with the formation of the fixing body, the cooperating formation preferably located such that, when the rail is placed end-to-end with another rail, the distance between the rails is equal to the distance between the two formations of the fixing body. The fixing body may be used in a rack for batteries.

Description

A fixing body The present invention relates to a fixing body, and particularly although not exclusively to a fixing body for a rack for batteries. The present invention also relates to a rail, and particularly although not exclusively to a rail for a rack for batteries. The present invention also relates to an assembly, and particularly although not exclusively to an assembly for a rack for batteries. The present invention also relates to a rack, and particularly although not exclusively to a rack for batteries.

Many industries/facilities require a back-up emergency power supply in order to maintain power in the event of a failure of the mains power supply. Examples of such industries/facilities include hospitals, military installations and power stations.

Typically, this back-up power supply is provided by a large number of batteries, stored in a rack. Different industries/facilities require different numbers of batteries and have different sizes and configurations of space available to house such racks.

Therefore, there is a need for such racks to be flexible in terms of their size, configuration and capacity.

Current racks, for storing back-up power supply batteries, comprise a number of shelves provided at different heights in a stack. Each shelf is formed by a number of horizontal runners, disposed adjacent to each other and extending in parallel in a length-wise direction. Each end of the runners is supported by a vertical support frame and, where required, further support frames are provided along the length of the runners.

The required length of each runner is dependent on the size and number of the batteries required to be stored in the rack. In addition, the number of support frames needed, and therefore the position and number of holes to be drilled into the runners for attachment to the support frames, is dependent on the weight of the batteries.

Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture bespoke runners depending on the storage requirements of the rack. This results in high manufacturing costs and long lead times that are too long for customer requirements.

In addition, in order to fUlfil the necessary storage requirements, runners often must be relatively long. This results in high transport costs and difficulties in handling on site.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing body for attaching at least one rail to a frame member wherein the fixing body comprises an engagement means for engaging with at least one rail.

The engagement means is preferably for releasably engaging with at least one rail.

As the fixing body comprises said engagement means, a separate fastener is not required in order to engage the fixing body with at least one rail. This provides for easy and quick engagement of the fixing body with at least one rail.

Preferably the engagement means is integral to the fixing body.

Preferably the engagement means comprises at least one formation provided on the fixing body. The at least one formation may be a tab, protrusion, lip, or the like.

More preferably, the engagement means comprises first and second formations provided on the fixing body.

The first and second formations of the fixing body may be spaced apart. In this case, the first and second formations of the fixing body are preferably spaced apart in a longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the engagement means is for engaging with first and second rails. In this case, the fixing body is preferably arranged such that when first and second rails are engaged with the engagement means, they are attached to each other by the fixing body.

This is advantageous in that separate fasteners are not required in order to attach the first and second rails together. This provides for easy and quick attachment of the two rails.

Preferably the fixing body comprises an attachment means, enabling the fixing body to be attached to a frame member.

The fixing body is preferably a plate. In this case, the plate is preferably provided with first and second tabs provided at each of its two ends, to form the first and second formations of the fixing body.

The fixing body is preferably provided with an aperture.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a rail comprising an engagement means for engaging with a fixing body according to the first aspect of the invention.

Where the engagement means of the fixing body comprises at least one formation provided on the fixing body, the rail preferably comprises at least one co-operating formation for engagement with the at least one formation of the engagement means.

Where the engagement means of the fixing body comprises said first and second formations, the at least one co-operating formation of the rail is preferably located such that when the rail is disposed in end to end relation with another said rail, the distance between the respective at least one co-operating formations of the rails is substantially equal to the distance between the first and second formations of the fixing body.

In this case, the at least one co-operating formation of the rail is preferably located at a distance from an end of the rail that is substantially equal to half the distance between the first and second formations of the fixing body.

Accordingly, the fixing body may be engaged with the respective at least one co-operating formations of the rails and another said rail disposed in end to end relation therewith, such that the rails are attached to each other by the fixing body. Thus, where the fixing body comprises said attachment means, the rails may be attached to each other and to a frame member by the fixing body.

Where the engagement means of the fixing body comprises said first and second formations, the rail preferably comprises first and second cooperating formations for engagement with the first and second formations of the fixing body.

The first and second cooperating formations of the rail are preferably provided towards an end of the rail. Preferably a pair of said first and second co-operating formations are provided towards each end of the rail.

The first and second co-operating formations of the rail may be spaced apart. In this case, the first and second co-operating formations are preferably spaced apart in a longitudinal direction.

Where the first and second formations of the engagement means of the fixing body are spaced apart, the first and second co-operating formations of the engagement means of the rail are preferably spaced apart by substantially the same amount as the first and second formations of the engagement means of the fixing body.

Thus, where the fixing body comprises said attachment means, the rail may be attached to a frame member by the fixing body such that an end of the rail forms a free end', i.e. not connected to an adjacent rail.

The above arrangement is advantageous in that identical fixing bodies may be used to attach the rail to the frame member, such that an end of the rail forms a free end', and to attach an end of the rail to an adjacent end of another said rail.

Where the fixing body is provided with an aperture, the rail is preferably provided with a first aperture, which is coincident with the aperture in the fixing body when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second cooperating formations of the rail respectively.

The rail is preferably provided with a second aperture, which is coincident with the aperture in the fixing body when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with respective first co-operating formations of the rail, and another said rail.

Preferably the second aperture intersects an end of the rail.

More preferably, the rail is provided with a slot which extends in the longitudinal direction, from a first end that is coincident with the aperture in the fixing body when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the, first and second cooperating formations of the rail respectively, to a second end that is coincident with the aperture in the fixing body when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with respective first co-operating formations of the rail, and another said rail.

Preferably the slot intersects an end of the rail.

The at least one co-operating formation may be an aperture, recess, groove or the like.

The at least one co-operating formation of the rail is preferably a slot. The slot preferably extends substantially in a lateral direction, preferably substantially across the width of the rail.

Where the rail comprises said first and second co-operating formations, they are preferably first and second parallel slots. Said slots are preferably formed by laser cutting.

The first and second formations of the fixing body are preferably first and second tabs which extend in parallel directions.

Due to the above arrangement, when the first and second tabs of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first slots of the rail and another said rail, said rails are automatically aligned with each other such that their lengths extend in the same direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a fixing body according to the first aspect of the invention, a rail according to the second aspect of the invention and a frame member, wherein the engagement means of the fixing body is engaged with the rail and the fixing body is attached to the frame member.

Where the engagement means of the fixing body comprises said first and second formations, and the rail comprises said first and second co-operating formations, the first and second formations of the engagement means are preferably engaged with the first and second co-operating formations of the rail respectively.

The frame member preferably comprises an aperture.

In this ease, and where the fixing body is provided with an aperture, the first and second formations of the fixing body, the aperture in the fixing body and the aperture in the frame member are preferably arranged such that when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second cooperating formations of the rail respectively, they may be disposed either side of the frame member such that when they are in abutment with or spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the frame member, the aperture in the fixing body is coincident with the aperture in the frame member.

The assembly preferably comprises first and second rails according to the second aspect of the invention. Where the engagement means of the fixing body comprises said first and second formations, the respective at least one co-operating formations of the first and second rails are preferably located such that when the first and second rails are disposed in end to end relation to each other, the distance between the respective at least one cooperating formations of the first and second rails is substantially equal to the distance between the first and second formations of the fixing body.

Accordingly, the fixing body may be engaged with the respective at least one co-operating formations of the rails, to engage with the first and second rails.

Thus, where the fixing body comprises said attachment means, the first and second rails may be attached to each other and to a frame member by the fixing body.

The first and second formations of the fixing body are preferably engaged with the respective at least one cooperating formation of the first and second rails.

Where the first and second rails comprise said first and second cooperating formations, the respective first co-operating formations of the first and second rails are preferably located such that when the first and second rails are disposed in end to end relation to each other, the distance between the respective first cooperating formations of the first and second rails is substantially equal to the distance between the first and second formations of the fixing body.

S The first and second formations of the fixing body are preferably engaged with the respective first co-operating formations of the first and second rails.

The first and second formations of the fixing body, the aperture in the fixing body and the aperture in the frame member are preferably arranged such that when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first cooperating formations of the first and second rails, they may be disposed either side of the frame member such that when they are in abutment with or spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the frame member, the aperture in the fixing body is coincident with the aperture in the frame member.

The above arrangement is advantageous in that when the fixing body is used to attach the rail to the frame member, such that an end of the rail forms a free end', or to attach an end of the rail to an adjacent end of another said rail, the aperture in the fixing body is automatically aligned with the aperture in the frame member.

The frame member preferably has a plurality of said apertures, spaced in a lateral direction. This allows for the lateral separation of the rails to be adjusted, in order to accommodate batteries of different widths.

The attachment means may ifirther comprise a fastener, which is engageable with the coincident apertures in the fixing body, the rail, and the frame member, to attach the rail to the frame member. Any suitable fastener may be used, for example a threaded bolt or a rivet (including a plastic rivet).

The assembly is preferably for a rack for batteries.

The rail, the frame member and the fixing body may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the fixing body may be made from steel, composite or wood.

As a further example, the rail and the frame member may be formed from a composite material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rack comprising an assembly according to the third aspect of the invention.

Preferably the rack comprises a plurality of assemblies according to the third aspect of the invention, connected in side-by-side relation.

The rack is preferably for batteries.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example. to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rack according to the present invention with enlarged views of sections of the rack; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of section B of the rack shown in Figure 1 where a second rail of the rack is shown attached to a frame member in a first position; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of section C of the rack shown in Figure 1 where a first rail of the rack and the second rail of the rack are shown attached to a frame member in a second position; Figure 4 shows a partial plan view of a rail of the rack shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in section C of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a view, corresponding to that of Figure 2, of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows a view, corresponding to that of Figure 2, of a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 shows a view, corresponding to that of Figure 3, of a fourth embodiment of the invention; Referring now to Figures 1 to 8, there is shown a rack I for batteries.

The rack 1 comprises three support frames 2, spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, Each support frame comprises a pair of upright frame members 3 connected by vertically spaced horizontal frame members 4.

Horizontal frame members 4 that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction are connected to each other by respective pairs of horizontal rails 5 spaced apart in a lateral direction.

Ends of the horizontal rails that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction are attached to each other and to a horizontal frame member by a fixing body 9.

Each rail is formed from steel and has a generally square cross-sectionS The horizontal rails are for supporting batteries for a back up power supply.

Figure 3 shows first and second rails 6, 7 disposed in end to end relation to each other.

Adjacent ends of the first and second rails 6, 7 are attached to each other and to a horizontal frame member 22 by a fixing body in the form of a fixing plate 9.

The fixing plate 9 is generally rectangular in plan fonn and has first and second ends.

The fixing plate 9 is folded at its first and second ends to form first and second tabs 10, 11. The first tab has inner and outer faces 25, 26 and the second tab has inner and outer faces 27, 28.

The fixing plate 9 is provided with a threaded aperture 12 disposed centrally thereon.

The first and second rails 6, 7 are provided towards each of their ends with first and second slots 13, 14. The slots extend, in the lateral direction, across substantially the width of each rail, and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The first slot 13 has an inner face 29 and an outer face 30. The second slot 14 has an inner face 31 and an outer face 32.

With regard to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5, the widths of the first and second slots 13, 14 of the first and second rails 6, 7 and the thickness of the first and second tabs 10, 11 is such that when the first or second tabs 10, 11 are inserted into the first or second slots 13, 14, the inner and outer faces of the respective tab are in abutment with the inner and outer faces of the respective slot.

Respective lateral axes 33, 34 of the first and second slots 13, 14 are spaced apart, in the longitudinal direction, by substantially the same amount as respective vertical central axes 35, 36 of the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9, Thus, the first and second tabs may be inserted into the first and second tabs of the second rail.

This allows an end 16 the second rail 7 to be connected to a horizontal frame member 15 in a first position, as shown in Figure 2, in which the end 16 of the second rail forms a 4free end', i.e. it is not connected to an adjacent rail.

Referring to Figure 4, each end 20 of the first and second rails 6, 7 is provided with a slot 17 that extends in the longitudinal direction from a first end 19 to a second end 18, provided at the end 20 of the respective rail 6, 7. The first end 19 of the slot 17 is coincident with the aperture 12 in the fixing plate 9 when the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate are engaged with the first and second slots 13, 14 of the rail 6, 7 respectively, i.e. for attachment of the rail to the frame member in the first position.

Referring to Figure 2, to attach the end 16 of the second rail 7 to the horizontal frame member 15 in the first position, the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9 are inserted into the first and second slots 13, 14 respectively in the second rail 17.

The first and second tabs 10, 11 protrude from the first and second slots 13, 14 respectively.

Each horizontal frame member is provided with a plurality of apertures 20, spaced along a laterally extending central axis of the horizontal frame member 15.

The second rail 7 and the fixing plate 9 are then placed over the horizontal frame member 15, such that the protruding first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate are disposed either side of the horizontal frame member 15.

Due to the arrangement of the first and second slots 13, 14, the aperture 12 in the fixing plate 9 and the apertures 20 in the horizontal frame member 15, the aperture 12 in the fixing plate 9 is aligned with a chosen said aperture 20 in the horizontal frame member 15 when the first and second tabs 10, 11 are disposed either side of the horizontal frame member 15 and spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the horizontal frame member 15.

Accordingly, the first and second tabs 10, 11 facilitate alignment of the aperture 12 in the fixing plate 9 with a chosen aperture 20 in the horizontal frame member 15 when the second rail 7 is attached to the horizontal frame member 15 in the first position.

A threaded bolt 21 is then inserted through the aligned apertures 20, 12 in the horizontal frame member 15 and the fixing plate 9 and the first end 19 of the longitudinal slot 17 in the second rail 7. In this way, the fixing plate 9 acts to clamp the second rail 7 and the horizontal frame member 15 together.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the lateral axis 33 of the first slot 13 of each of the first and second rails 6, 7 is located at a distance in the longitudinal direction from the end of the respective rail that is substantially equal to half the distance, in the longitudinal direction, between the respective vertical axes 35, 36 of the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9.

Due to this arrangement, the distance between the respective the lateral axes 33 of the first slots 13, provided at adjacent ends of the first and second rails 6, 7, is substantially equal to the distance between the respective vertical axes 35, 36 of the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9, as shown in Figure 3.

This allows the adjacent ends of the first and second rails 6, 7 to be connected to a horizontal frame member 22 in a second position, as shown in Figure 3, in which the adjacent ends of the rails 6, 7 are attached to each other, as well as to the horizontal frame member 22 by the fixing body 9.

Referring now to Figure 3, to attach adjacent ends of the first and second rails 6, 7 to the horizontal frame member 22 in the second position, the rails 6, 7 are positioned end to end. With this arrangement, the respective longitudinally extending slots 17 provided at adjacent ends of the rails 6, 7 are coincident with each other and the respective second ends 18 of each slot 17 intersect.

The first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9 are inserted into the respective first slots 13 of the adjacent ends of the first and second rails 6, 7. The first and second tabs 10, 11 protrude from the respective first slots 13.

The first and second rails 6, 7 and the fixing plate 9 are then placed over the horizontal frame member 22, such that the protruding tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9 are disposed either side of the horizontal frame member 22.

Due to the arrangement of the respective first slots 13, the aperture 12 in the fixing plate 9 and the apertures 20 in the horizontal frame member 22, the aperture 12 in the fixing plate 9 is aligned with a chosen said aperture 20 in the horizontal frame member 22 when the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing body 9 are disposed either side of the horizontal frame member 22 and spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the horizontal frame member 22.

Accordingly, the first and second tabs 10, 11 facilitate alignment of the aperture 12 in the fixing plate 9 with a chosen aperture 20 in the horizontal frame member 22 when the first and second rails 6, 7 are attached to the horizontal frame member 22 in the second position.

A threaded bolt 23 is then inserted through the aligned apertures 20, 11 in the horizontal frame member 22 and the fixing plate 9 and the intersecting second ends 18 of the longitudinal slots 17 in the rails 6, 7. In this way, the fixing plate 9 acts to clamp the rails 6, 7 and horizontal frame member 22 together. Other fasteners may be used in place of the threaded bolt, for example rivets (including plastic rivets) may be used.

Because the respective first slots 13 of each of the rails 6, 7 extend in parallel directions, and since the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9 extend in parallel directions, when the first and second tabs 10, ii of the fixing plate 9 are inserted into the respective first slots 13 of the first and second rails 6, 7, the first and second rails 6, 7 are automatically aligned in the same direction.

For the reasons discussed below, it will be appreciated that, for the fixing plate to attach the end 16 the second rail 7 to the horizontal frame member 15 in the first position (in which the end 16 of the second rail forms a free end'), the respective widths of one or more of the first and second slots in the rail may be substantially greater than the thickness of the first and second tabs. In addition, the respective lateral axes 33, 34 of the first and second slots 13, 14 may not be spaced apart by substantially the same amount as respective vertical axes 35, 36 of the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9.

Referring to Figure 6, which shows a second embodiment of the invention, the distance between the respective inner faces 29, 31 of the first and second slots 13, 14 of the second rail 7 and the distance between the respective inner faces 25, 27 of the first and second tabs 10, Il is such that when the first and second tabs 10, 11 are inserted into the first and second slots 13, 14 respectively, the inner faces 29, 31 of the first and second slots 13, 14 are respectively in abutment with the inner faces 25, 27 of the first and second tabs 10, 11. In this way, even though the respective widths of one or more of the slots 13, 14 are substantially greater than the thickness of the tabs 10, 11, relative movement between the fixing plate 9 and the rail 7 is prevented, allowing the fixing plate 9 to attach the rail 7 to the horizontal frame member.

Similarly, referring to Figure 7, which shows a third embodiment of the invention, the distance between the respective outer faces 30, 32 of the first and second slots 13, 14 of the second rail 7 and the distance between the respective outer faces 26, 28 of the first and second tabs 10, 11 is such that when the first and second tabs 10, 11 are inserted into the first and second slots 13, 14 respectively, the outer faces 30, 32 of the first and second slots 13, 14 are in abutment with the outer faces 26, 28 of the first and second tabs 10, 11. In this way relative movement between the fixing plate 9 and the rail 7 is prevented, allowing the fixing plate 9 to attach the rail 7 to the horizontal frame member.

It will also be appreciated, for the reasons discussed below, that for the fixing plate to be able to attach adjacent ends of the first and second rails 6, 7 to the horizontal frame member in a second position, in which the adjacent ends are attached to each other, the respective widths of one or more of the respective first slots 13 in the first and second rails 6, 7 may be substantially greater than the thickness of the first and second tabs 10, 11. In addition, the lateral axes 33 of the respective first slots 13 of the first and second rails 6, 7 do not have to be spaced apart by substantially the same amount as the respective vertical axes 35, 36 of the first and second tabs 10, 11 of the fixing plate 9.

Referring to Figure 8, which shows a fourth embodiment of the invention, the distance between the respective outer faces 30 of the first slots 13 of the first and second rails 6, 7 and the distance between the respective inner faces 25, 27 of the first and second tabs 10, 11 is such that when the first and second tabs 10, 1 1 are inserted into the respective first slots 13 respectively, the outer faces 30 of the respective first slots 13 are in abutment with the inner faces 25, 27 of the first and second tabs. In this way, even though the respective widths of the respective first slots 13 is substantially greater than the thickness of the tabs 10, 11, relative movement between the fixing plate 9 and the first and second rails 6, 7 is prevented, allowing the fixing plate 9 to attach the first and second rails 6, 7 to the horizontal frame member and to each other.

Furthermore, although the rack shown in Figure 1 comprises three support frames, connected by horizontal rails, it will be appreciated that the rack may comprise additional (or fewer) support frames and respective horizontal rails, connected in end to end relation, depending on the desired length of the rack.

It will also be appreciated that the other pairs of rails in the rack, attached in end to end relation, are substantially the same as the first and second rails 6, 7 and the adjacent ends of the rails are attached to each other and to a respective horizontal frame member by a respective fixing plate 9.

The above embodiment is described by way of example. Many variations are possible without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A fixing body for attaching at least one rail to a frame member, wherein the fixing body comprises an engagement means for engaging with at least one rail.
2. A fixing body according to claim I wherein the engagement means is integral to the fixing body.
3. A fixing body according to either of claims I or 2 wherein the engagement means comprises at least one formation provided on the fixing body.
4. A fixing body according to claim 3 wherein the at least one formation is a tab.
5. A fixing body according to either of claims 3 or 4 wherein the engagement means comprises first and second formations provided on the fixing body.
6. A fixing body according to any preceding claim wherein the fixing body comprises an attachment means, enabling the fixing body to be attached to a frame member.
7. A rail comprising an engagement means for engaging with a fixing body according to any preceding claim.
8. A rail according to claim 7 comprising an engagement means for engaging with a fixing body according to any of claims 3 to 5 or claim 6 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the rail comprises at least one co-operating formation for engagement with the at least one formation of the fixing body.
9. A rail according to claim 8 comprising an engagement means for engaging with a fixing body according to claim 5 wherein the at least one co-operating formation of the rail is located such that when the rail is disposed in end to end relation with another said rail, the distance between the respective at least one co-operating formation of the rails is substantially equal to the distance between the first and second formation of the fixing body.
10. A rail according to claim 9 wherein the at least one co-operating fonnation of the rail is located at a distance from an end of the rail that is substantially equal to half the distance between the first and second formations of the fixing body.
11. A rail according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the at least one co-operating formation is an aperture.
12. A rail according to any of claims 8 to 11 comprising an engagement means for engaging with a fixing body according to claim 5, wherein the rail comprises first and second cooperating formations for engagement with the first and second formations of the fixing body.
13. A rail according to claim 12 wherein the first and second co-operating formations of the rail are spaced apart by substantially the same amount as the first and second formations of the fixing body.
14. A rail according to either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the rail is provided with a first aperture which is coincident with an aperture in the fixing body when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second cooperating formations of the rail and a second aperture which is coincident with the aperture in the fixing body when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first co-operating formations of the rail and another said rail.
15. An assembly comprising a fixing body according to any of claims 1 to 6, a rail according to any of claims 7 to 14 and a frame member, wherein the engagement means of the fixing body is engaged with the rail and the fixing body is attached to the frame member.
16. An assembly according to claim 15 comprising a fixing body according to claim 5 and a rail according to claim 12, wherein the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second co-operating formations of the rail.
17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first and second formations of the fixing body, an aperture in the fixing body and an aperture in the frame member are arranged such that when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second cooperating formations of the rail, they may be disposed either side of the frame member such that when they are in abutment with or spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the frame member, the aperture in the fixing body is coincident with the aperture in the frame member.
18. An assembly according to either of claims 15 or 16 comprising first and second rails according to claim 12 and a fixing body according to claim 5, wherein the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first co-operating formations of the first and second rails.
19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the first and second formations of the fixing body, an aperture in the fixing body and an aperture in the frame member are arranged such that when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first cooperating formations of the first and second rails, they may be disposed either side of the frame member such that when they are in abutment with or spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the frame member, the aperture in the fixing body is coincident with the aperture in the frame member.
20. A rack comprising an assembly according to any of claims 15 to 19.
21. A rack comprising a plurality of assemblies according to any of claims 15 to 19 connected in side-by-side relation.
22. A fixing body substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
23. A rail substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. An assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A rack substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I. A rail and a fixing body for attaching the rail to a frame member, the fixing body comprising at least one fonnation, wherein the rail comprises at least one co-operating formation that is engageable with the at least one formation of the fixing body.2. A fixing body and rail according to claim 1 wherein the fixing body comprises first and second formations.3. A fixing body and rail according to claim 2 wherein the rail comprises first (\J and second co-operating formations spaced apart by substantially the same r amount as the first and second formations of the fixing body.LU r4. A fixing body and first rail according to either of claims 2 or 3 and a second said rail, wherein the rail comprises first and second co-operating formations located such that when the first rail is disposed in end to end relation with the second rail, the distance between the respective first co-operating formations of the first and second rails is substantially equal to the distance between the first and second formations of the fixing body.5. A fixing body and first and second rails according to claim 4 wherein the at least one co-operating formations of the first and second rails are each located at a distance from an end of the respective rail that is substantially equal to half the distance between the first and second formations of the fixing body.6. A fixing body and first and second rails according to claim 5 wherein the fixing body is provided with an aperWre, the first rail is provided with a first aperture which is coincident with the aperture in the fixing body when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second cooperating formations of the rail and a second aperture which is coincident with the aperture in the fixing body when the first and second o 10 formations of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first co-operating formations of the first and second rails. (4 rIf) 7. A fixing body and rail according to any preceding claim wherein the fixing r body comprises an attachment means, enabling the fixing body to be attached to a frame member.8. A fixing body and rail according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one co-operating formation of the rail is an aperture.9. A fixing body and rail according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one formation of the fixing body is a tab.10. An assembly comprising a fixing body and rail according to any preceding claim and a frame member, wherein the at least one formation of the fixing body is engaged with the at least one co-operating formation of the rail and the fixing body is attached to the frame member.11. An assembly according to claim 10 comprising a fixing body and rail according to either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second co-operating formations of the rail.12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first and second formations of o 10 the fixing body, an aperture in the fixing body and an aperture in the frame member are arranged such that when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the first and second cooperating formations of LI) the rail, they may be disposed either side of the frame member such that when r they are in abutment with or spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the frame member, the aperture in the fixing body is coincident with the aperture in the frame member.13. An assembly according to claim 10 comprising a fixing body and a first rail according to either of claims 3 or 4 and a second said rail, wherein the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first co-operating formations of the first and second rails.14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first and second formations of the fixing body, an aperture in the fixing body and an aperture in the frame member are arranged such that when the first and second formations of the fixing body are engaged with the respective first cooperating formations of the first and second rails, they may be disposed either side of the frame member such that when they are in abutment with or spaced by substantially the same distance from each respective side of the frame member, the aperture in the fixing body is coincident with the aperture in the frame member.15. A rack comprising an assembly according to any of claims 10 to 14.o 10 16. A rack comprising a plurality of assemblies according to any of claims 10 to 14 connected in sideby-side relation. (4 rLI) 17. A fixing body substantially as described herein with reference to the r accompanying drawings.18. A rail substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.19. An assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.20. A rack substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.