GB2535295A

GB2535295A - Shelving structure

Info

Publication number: GB2535295A
Application number: GB1521772.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicolas Blanco Manuel; Perez Amandi Alejandro
Original assignee: Tecni Global Rack S L
Current assignee: Tecni Global Rack S L
Priority date: 2015-01-23
Filing date: 2015-12-10
Publication date: 2016-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-10
Also published as: ES1135937U; GB2535295B; ES1135937Y; GB201521772D0; FR3031926B3; FR3031926A3

Abstract

A shelving structure formed by vertical struts (1) arranged in two parallel planes, located transversely in pairs in coinciding positions; a stringer (2) is located between each pair of vertical struts at the same height in coinciding pairs of struts. There is at least one shelf (3) between every two consecutive stringers located at the same height. Each shelf (3) has a planar grating of metal rods (5 and 6, Fig. 2) crossing one another in perpendicular directions, and at least two reinforcement plates (7, Fig. 2) under the grating perpendicular to the stringers (2), which support and are attached by one of their edges to the rods of the grating. The plates (7, Fig. 2) have anchoring pins (8, Fig. 4) at their ends and the stringers (2) have vertical grooves (10, Fig. 4) facing the reinforcement plates (7, Fig. 2), sized for receiving the anchoring pins (8, Fig. 4). The parts are easy to manufacture and are readily put together to form the shelf unit. An advantage of the grid structure is that it is easy to see, for below, what is stored on them; but at the same time the load bearing capacity is large.

Description

SHELVING STRUCTURE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shelving structure, of the type formed by a series of vertical struts facing one another in parallel pairs, a metal stringer between each pair of facing struts, and a shelf fixed between every two consecutive stringers located at the same height.

The shelving structure of the invention is intended for serving as product storage means in warehouses and especially for the storage of products contained in boxes.

Background of the Invention

Different systems for the storage of boxes containing different products are known today, based on shelving structures of the type indicated above, in which the shelves are formed based on transverse support profiles running between every two consecutive stringers located at the same height and defining the support surface for the boxes. The assembly formed by every two stringers and shelf assembled between said stringers forms a storage shelf or level.

Several solutions are known for securing the transverse support profiles to the stringers. The stringers are generally formed by metal profiles provided with holes or grooves in which the transverse support profiles are fixed, preventing their movement in the plane of storage, in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. In the event that the transverse support profile has holes or grooves, they will allow being able to perform in the attachment with the stringers a fixing that furthermore prevents the vertical movement of said support profiles in the event of upward vertical stresses (for example by wind suction in assembly phases).

Shelving structures corresponding to the discussed constitution are described, for example, in ES2154859, ES2244356 and ES1077626.

In all cases, a C-or U-shaped metal profile is used as a solution for the transverse support profiles, with the opening facing downwards, the support surface for the boxes defining the bottom. Each shelf will be made up of 2, 3 or more profiles, depending on the weight of the boxes, with the following drawbacks: -The or Li-shaped transverse support profiles are very opaque at each level of the shelving structure, as they dose part of the vertical passage section. In contrast, it is desirable to keep the maximum vertical section in each shelf free so as to allow maximum circulation of water from the fire-fighting system, if needed.

Since the transverse support profiles are C-or U-shaped, for the anchoring thereof to the stringer it must have openings on two of its walls (the upper wall and the inner side wall), which means that the section of the stringer is weakened in its most effective part, which is the edge defined between said walls (it must be taken into account that the stringers are generally formed by thin-wall profiles that must work under bending and that the fixing of each transverse support profile requires two openings in the stringer (one on each wing) and that each shelf requires 2 or 3 transverse support profiles).

The transverse support profiles, formed by metal profiles, are usually fairly lightweight, which means that if they are not fixed vertically to the stringer (through engagement flanges or additional mechanical elements, such as rivets), in the event of upward thrusts, for example the wind during the assembly phase, readily lose their position. To prevent this risk, it is possible to fix the transverse support profiles, which requires a considerable amount of assembly time and manual labor.

Description of the Invention

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the problems described by means of a shelving structure of the type initially indicated, formed such that it has on each shelf less opacity or closure in the vertical section and it allows assembling and disassembling shelves in a simple, rapid and safe manner, achieving very strict tolerances which are required when the boxes must be handled with automatic handling equipment.

According to the invention, the shelves of the shelving structure are made up of a planar grating, based on metal rods, and of at least two reinforcement plates running under the grating, perpendicular to the stringers of the shelving structure, which plates support and are attached by one of their edges to the rods of the grating.

The grating will are formed by metal rods running, with respect to one another, according to two, preferably perpendicular, directions, being attached to one another at the ssing points.

The attachments of the components of the shelves, rods and reinforcement plates, will preferably be performed by means of electric resistance welding.

The number and section of the rods forming each grating will be determined by the dimensions and weights that the shelves must withstand. Likewise, the number of stiffening plates and the section, height and thickness thereof will be determined by the dimensions and weights that the shelves must withstand.

The reinforcement plates of the gratings have anchoring pins at their ends. In turn, the stringers are provided, in facing walls, with vertical grooves sized and positioned for receiving the anchoring pins of the plates.

According to a possible embodiment. the stringers are formed by profiles that are limited, along their facing side surfaces, by respective walls comprising the grooves for the anchoring pins of the reinforcement plates. The profiles can have a tubular, square or rectangular section, or they can have an inverted or an inverted hollowed-out section.

The anchoring pins of the reinforcement plates of the shelves are formed by an axial prolongation of the plate, from the ends thereof, which prolongation has a transverse notch from the lower edge thereof having a width at least equal to the thickness of the wall of the stringers. The anchoring pins with the described constitution are introduced through the vertical grooves of the stringers, the transverse notch of the pins mounted on the lower edge of the grooves of the stringers, thereby achieving a securing system preventing unwanted movements of the shelves in the longitudinal or transverse direction, while at the same time it prevents raising the shelves with respect to the stringers.

According to a possible embodiment, the planar grating can project from the end of the reinforcement plates, at least on one side, in portions running and supported on the stringers.

The shelves with the described constitution an be provided with a protective treatment, for example zinc plating or pre-ga!vani ing, which will depend on the type of steel used in the rods and reinforcement p The stringers of the shelving structure will be formed by open-or cioseo section steel profiles, having variable dimensions depending on the load they must withstand, Any known system can be used to fix the stringers to the vertical struts. The profiles forming the stringers will be provided with transverse grooves coinciding with the reinforcement plates of the gratings for receiving the anchoring pins thereof. These grooves will be located exclusively on the wall that is located on the side of the shelves for receiving the anchoring pins thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The attached drawings show as non-limiting embodiment of a shelving structure formed according to the invention, where: Figure 1 shows a front elevational view of the shelving structure, in a sector limited between two vertical struts.

Figure 2 corresponds to detail A of Figure 1, on a larger scale.

Figure 3 shows a section view of one of the shelves of the shelving structure, taken along section line Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

Figure 4 corresponds to detail B of Figure 3, on a larger scale.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

The shelving structure of the invention has a known general constitution based on vertical struts arranged in two parallel alignments, the struts facing one another in pairs.

Figure 1 shows a front elevational view of a sector or opening of the shelving structure limited by a front pair of struts (1), behind which and in a position coinciding with same another pair of struts (1) will be arranged.

Stringers (2) run between each pair of struts (1), said stringers (2) being fixed to the struts (1) by any system, Shelves (3) are arranged between the stringers (2) of the front and rear pair of struts (1) for supporting boxes (4) containing items or products to be stored.

The shelves (3) are farmed by composite gratings based on metal rods (5 and 6) running according to two perpendicular directions, and they are attached to one another by means of welding, for example by electric resistance welding. The gratings are furthermore provided with tower reinforcement plates (7) running perpendicular to the stringers (2) and also perpendicular to the grating formed by the rods (5 and 6), also being attached to the rods (6) by means of electric resistance welding.

The number and section of the rods (5 and 6) making up each grating, as well as the number and section of the plates (7) will depend on the weight that the shelves (3) must withstand.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the reinforcement plates (7) extend, from at least one of the ends thereof, into an anchoring pin (8), coplanar with the plate (7) which has from the lower edge thereof a groove (9) having a width equal to or greater than the thickness of the wall of the profiles making up the stringers (2), in turn, these profiles have, in the wall facing the side taken up by the shelf (3), vertical grooves (10) sized and positioned for receiving the anchoring pins (8), which are mounted, through the lower transverse notch (9), on the lower edge of the vertical grooves (10). This system allows achieving perfect securing of the shelves (3) in the stringers (2), preventing possible longitudinal or transverse movements of said shelves with respect to the stringers, as well as vertical disengagement.

The grating making up each shelf can be extended, from the end of the reinforcement plates (7), in portions (11) supported on the stringers (2) and can be finished in sectors (12 and 13) projecting from said stringers and are curved or bent perpendicularly in the same description or in the opposite direction, the sector (13) serving as a stop for stored boxes.

The shelving structure with the described constitution has the following advantages: The constitution of the shelves (3) based on gratings considerably reduces opacity in each load level, obtaining a passage section exceeding 90%, far better than conventional solutions in which the shelves (3) are formed by profiles running between the stringers (2). Due to this very low opacity, maximum circulation of water from the fire-fighting system in the case of fire is assured,and furthermore the shelves present negligible resistance to accidental vertical thrusts due, for example, to wind in the assembly phase. For fixing each shelf (3) to the stringers (2) anchoring pins (8) are designed in the reinforcement plates (7) and grooves (10) are designed in the stringers (2), coinciding with the positions of the plates (7). The arooves (10) are located exclusively in the central part of the vertical wall of the stringer (2) located on the side of the shelf (3), whereby the reduction of efficacy and resistance in the stringer is minimal. These grooves assure that the shelves (3) stay in their longitudinal and transverse position, The vertical load will be transmitted from the shelves to the stringers (2) through the portions (11) supported on said stringers, such that the grooves (10) and pins (8) will not withstand shearing stress due to the stored load.

The system for supporting the shelves in the stringers (2) through the portions (11) of the gratings and the system for anchoring through the pins (8) in the grooves (2) make it easier to place the shelves, entailing a savings in time in the assembly of the shelving structure.

It is impossible for the bottom of the boxes to give way cr for the boxes to be open at their base since these are shelves formed by a grating based on electrically welded rods, defining a virtually continuous support surface.

Claims

CLAIMS1.-A shelving struct ip of a series according to two parallel planes and located transversely arranged in coinciding positions; a stringer (2) that runs and between each pair of vertical struts, located at the same height in coinciding pairs of struts: and at least one shelf (3) arranged between every two consecutive stringers located at the same height, characterized in that each shelf (3) is formed by: -A planar grating of metal rods (5 and 6) crossing with one another according to two perpendicular directions; At least two reinforcement plates (7) running under the grating, perpendicular to the stringers (2), which rest and are attached at one of the edges thereof to the rods of the grating; which plates (7) have at their ends of anchoring pins (8) and which stringers (2) have vertical grooves (10) facing the reinforcement plates (7), sized for receiving the anchoring pins (8) of said plates.
2.-The shelving structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the rods (5 and 6) of the grating and the reinforcement plates (7) are attached to one another by means of welding.
3.-The shelving structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the stringers (2) are formed by profiles that are limited, along their facing surfaces, by respective walls comprising the grooves (10) for the anchoring pins (8) of the reinforcement plates (7).
4.-The shelving structure according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the anchoring pins (8) of the reinforcement plates (7) are formed by an axial prolongation of the plate, from at least one of its ends, provided with a transverse notch (9) from the lower edge thereof, having a width at least equal to the thickness of the wall of the stringers (2).
5.-The shelving structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the gratings formed by the rods (5 and 6) project off the end of the reinforcement plates (7) in portions (11) running and supported on tne string (2) 6,-The sheivino structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the portion (1 ij of the gratings formed by the rods (5 and 6) projecting from the end of the reinforcement plates (7) are finished in sectors (12-13) projecting from the stringers and are bent perpend cularly, 7' The shelving structure according to claim 6, characterized in that sectors 12 and 13 are bent perpendicularly in the same direction.8.-The shelving structure according to claim 0, characterized in that the sectors 12 and 13 are bent perpendicularly in opposite directions.