US3194408A

US3194408A - Adjustable storage rack and beam constructions therefor

Info

Publication number: US3194408A
Application number: US229385A
Authority: US
Inventors: John C Kimpton
Original assignee: Palmer Shile Co
Current assignee: Palmer Shile Co
Priority date: 1962-10-09
Filing date: 1962-10-09
Publication date: 1965-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1982-07-13
Also published as: GB952576A

Description

July 13, 1965 J. c. KlMPTON 3,194,408

ADJUSTABLE STORAGE RACK AND BEAM CONSTRUCTIONS THEREFOR A nnnuunnnonubmmlnuuonqnu Filed Oct. 9, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 j u 2 l 1 D D 3 D A? w 3 A g 4 mg? l D U U D D V D D 3// /4 U U U D D g D D D U U U U I 1 u unannounced y 13, 1955 J. KIMPTON 3,194,408

ADJUSTABLE STORAGE RACK AND BEAM CONSTRUGTIONS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 9, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Q75Z71 61/5 1777 77.

7mm @QZ? July 13, 1965 J. c. KIMPTON ADJUSTABLE STORAGE BACK AND BEAM CONSTRUCTIONS THEREFOR Filed Oct; 9, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 MD H.

QBH

- INVENTOR. -75Z7r 6'. Kim 172 072 B v ./4 p

United States Patent O ADJUSTABLE STORAGE RACK AND BEAM CONSTRUCTIONS THEREFOR John C. Kimpton, Livonia, Mich., assignor to Palmer- Shile Company, Detroit, .Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 229,385

11 Claims. (Cl. 211-177) This invention relates to adjustable storage racks and beam constructions therefor. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved adjustable storage racks which may be assembled to accommodate various types of material to be stored in stacked condition, and the configuration of rail or beam members used in such racks.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved adjustable storage rack which greatly reduces both manufacturing and shipping costs for a rack of specified capacity, and permits increased capacity in a rack fabricated with a specified amount of metal.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved adjustable storage rack construction in which, for

a specified capacity, beam members of less cross-sectional height may be used, thus decreasing the total necessary height for each storage level and in some cases permitting the addition of an extra storage level in each rack section.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved beam member construction which has increased resistance to deflective and torsional forces, and which is also useful in racks used for storing different types of merchandise requiring identification.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved beam member construction for storage racks which increases manufacturing economy.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of several sections of the novel storage rack embodying the present invention and showing the same in assembled relationship;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one section of the rack illustrated in FIG. 1 taken in the direction of the arrows 22 and illustrating the relative length and width of a typical section;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG.-4 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the beam members illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the beam member shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4 and showing the cross-sectional configuration of the beam member;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the beam member illustrating the dimensional ratio ranges of beam members embodying the invention; and 1 FIGS. 8A and 8B ,set forth tabulations of test results which facilitate a comparison of conventional channel section beams with beams embodying the present invention.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises an adjustable storage rack havinga plurality of vertical 3,194,408 Patented July 13, 1965 "ice end units of identical shape and a plurality of horizontal beam members, the latter being provided in the desired number and lengths as required for the particular installation. The end units each have front and rear posts connected by cross members and are adapted to be placed in horizontally spaced relationship in accordance with the lengths of the beam members, the various components of the end units preferably being formed of steel or other structural materials having sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted thereon. The ends of the beam members have connecting means for attachment to the front and rear posts at any of various desired levels, the vertical spacing of the beam members being chosen in accordance with storage requirements.

The beam portion of each beam member may be formed from fiat or sheet steel, or other suitable structural material having a substantially constant thickness, and has a novel cross-sectional configuration. This configuration comprises upper and lower horizontal flange portions, a vertical web portion between and spaced from the flange portions and disposed between imaginary vertical planes connecting the edges of the flange portions, and two inclined web portions, one connecting the upper edge of the verticalweb portion with one edge of the upper flange portion, and the other connecting the lower edge of the vertical web portion with one edge of the lower flange portion. Preferably, the horizontal distance between a flange portion edge connected to the vertical web portion and an imaginary extension of the vertical web portion is between 40% and of the total beam width. The height of the vertical web portion is preferably between 20% and 60% of the total beam height. The total width of the beam is between 25% and 65% of the total beam height.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a storage rack embodying the present invention is generally indicated at 11 and comprises a plurality of end units generally indicated at 12, and beam members generally indicated at 13. Each end unit 12 comprises front and rear generally channel sectioned

posts

14 and 15 with cross braces 16 and diagonal braces 17 connecting the

posts

14 and 15 to form a rigid unit. The height of the

posts

14 and 15 is such that each end unit 12 may fit within the vertical confines of a warehouse or other storage area. The

posts

14 and 15 are provided with vertically spaced slotted portions 18 pressed outwardly from the web portions of the posts without removing material therefrom for mounting a plurality of beam members 13 at the desired height, as shown in FIGURE 1.

Each beam member 13 comprises an elongated member having a novel cross-sectional configuration, described hereinafter in greater detail, and connecting members 19 and 21 secured to opposite ends thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. Each connecting member is of generally L- shaped cross section, as shown in FIG. 5, having one flange secured to the end of the beam 13. The other flange of each connecting member has a plurality of downwardly extending post-engaging teeth 22, as shown in FIG. 4. The connecting members 19 and 21 are of opposite hands, as shown in FIG. 5, and are adapted to interlock with the

posts

14 and 15 in a manner described in detail in United States Patent No. 3,044,633, issued July 17, 1962, to E. A. Baker, Jr. and assigned to the

t

3,1 assignee of the present invention. When so assembled, the storage rack '11 may be formed in adjacent sections as shown in FIGURE 1, the sections being interconnected in thateachpost 14'or 15 may receive connecting members 19 and 21 of the beam members '13 fextending'in both directions therefrom. When sorassembled, the beam members are rigidly interlocked with the end units due 7 to the engagement of the, teeth 22 in the slots 18 which hold the connecting members against the posts; The

7 heights of the beam members 13 in each section of stor-v age rack 11 may be chosen to suit individual requirements,

material or that is, in accordance with the height of the merchandise to be stored on the rack. a

As shown in FIG; 2, no front-to-rearinterconnecting means are normally provided between the beam members 13 secur'edto the front and rear posts Hand livexcept,

This facilitates quick assembly and disassembly of the storage racks, but places a requirement. on the" beam members'that they be of suflicient strength to Withstand the interconnecting means provided by the end units 12.?

distributed along the entire length of the

beam members

7, 13,'with the result that the bending and torsional loads on the beam members are quite severe.v lt may'also be observed (see FIGURE 1) that as the height of each a beam member cross section incerases, the free space avail-s able for storage between the beam members decreases. In accordance with the present invention, each beam member 13 is provided with'a novel cross-sectional-configuration which is of special adv'antagein combination with the'other components of the storage rack -11.

The construction of each beam member. 13 is shown in web portion 26 and a lower inclinedweb portion 27, these portions being 'faired into each' other by curved connecting radii portions.

as equidistantly spaced from the flange portions 23;arid

24. The upper inclined web portion 26 connects the upper edge of the vertical web portion 25 withtone edge of the upper flange portion 23 .while the lower inclined web portion 26 connects the lower edge of the-vertical web'portion 25 with one edge of the lower flange portion 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the'web

portions

26 and 27 are connected to'the edges of the flange portion 23 Y -The flange portions 23 and 24 are'in vertically spaced relationship, being contained'between imaginaryvertical planes, indicated at 28' and 29,." In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the vertical web portion25is:shown and 24, respectively, which lie in the vertical plane 281 Thehorizontal distance A between plane 28and an irn'aginary extension of the web portion 25 'is'between 40%, and 65% of the total width Ffof the beam 13. ITheheight B of the web portion 25 is between 20% and of the total height D of thebeam 13. The total vWidth F of'the V beam 13 is preferablybetween 25% and of its total.

height DJ 7 a A'beam having the characteristics. when subjected to loads of the type norless'resistance to deflection and twisting forcesd For specified capacity requirements, substantially less metal and a' lesser total height D have been found necessary cross-sectional configuration 7 V p p 65, V above-described construction has a I been found to exhibit substantially improved load-carrying when vusing the novel; beam (configuration as compared with conventional'shapes.

As an examplejor a conventional channels'ection-beam' f memberfof the cross-sectional shape shown in FIGrSA ;having a l-spaln or total length of 106 inches and a rated or safe capacityof 5800-pounds per pair of beams, the:

following dimensions and other characteristics werefound 1' necessary:

10 Span: 106 11101168.;

- sectioned inches (height) X 3 inched wrath ha, 7

Rated capacity per pair: 5800 lbs. j r

gauge. :7 r Blank size: 10%; inches X 106 Weight perbeam: 56.9lbs. V V 'Maxirnum'twist at rated load: 6.5 v

Maximum deflection atratedloadfOlBQl ihches i tefq gan s; 1;

A beamof ltle in'ch sp'anhand 6 Q00t pounds rated capac-{ ity formed of the same imetal and embodying the novel f 3 ot the presentinventienhad the following characteristics:

I Span: 106 inches;

Rated capacity'per pair'zl6000 'lbs.

Sect-ion:'4 /2 -inches i tyx Zin-clies (width) x No.7

gauges: V V Blank size 6 8%; inches X'1'06' inches X No.7 gauge. 1 Weight perbeam:.4' 5;9 lbs; A i Twistatratedload: 23.; c Deflection atratedloadi0330inch. I 1 7 Thus, each conventional ,bearn mernber, weighed '11 V i pounds more than one constructed, according {to theI invention; required /2 inch; more 'clearancetwisted 4.51 '1 and-deflected only 0.029, inchfil'es siat 7 more atr-ated load; rated l'oad.-

V In FIGS: 'SA'ancl SBthere areset tforth tabulatiohs of test results which facilitate a further'comparis'on of'corh s ventional channel section: beams iwithbeam s embodying 1 the, present inven tion.- Each of beams listed in FIG- URES 8A and 8B was rnanufa'ctu'red fromihot rolled 7 commercial quality, II.S.;s t andard gaugeinild'steelihavinggj w n Arsrtdesi tihh r 0-1917. ra xhm i thpahor beamseac h 108 inches'in length,and .;for1nedl of Z-gaug'e'j;

steel with the above mention'ed specifications so'as tohave, j

a conventional channel section illustrated in FIGQsA with a heighttA). of 4 /2 inchesya-nd a widthtB) of'2 /Iinehes. 2 Werefound to have a yield point per pair;of56,6'Q0" pounds I andeach bearnweighed 5.470 pounds pertddtlf A-pa'irofi I p v v beams 108 inches longformedfoffi-gauge steel Withvt'he, same above-mentioned specifications sons to have a cross sectional configuration "embodying the preseru i invention and a height A of 3 6 inches and a wi'dth. (B), or 1% inchestw ere found-to haveia yield point of 6,600 pounds per pair and eag hibeam'iweighed 4.25s; suhds3p r*mhh Thus,the@bearns embodying; the presentinventionihad the same capacity as thek onventionali ehannelisection beams, b 'iwa r 1 /1 inches less-than that of'theconventional; ea'rns and V the beams embodying the present inventionmeighed 1.212 c e I poundslperfoot less thanthe conventional: channel sec tiorr'beams. Ihus a nine-foot beam embodying the pres-r ent: invention weighedi10.,908: pounds; 1$sthan the con-J ventional-bearn; Assuming; for example, that each 'sec- 7 tion of the rackillustrated in FIGURE 1 had; three]? shelves, sixbearnsrwould be requiredand-stheibearns em-. Q bodying the present invention require 65.'44 8 pound's'.less steel per section of .threeshelvesuthan the conventionalj V beamsthaving the same capacity. Other," comparisons as, 1- to the advantages of the presentjinvention may: be readily made-by referringto FIGS48Aand8Bj.

following the principles of the invention, and for a specified capacity, less metal will be required, thus reducing both manufacturing and shipping costs. The decrease in required beam height will increase the total available storage space in each rack section, and, in some installations, this would permit the addition of another level in each section, thereby increasing the total volume available for storage, or in the alternative permit a reduction in the total number of sections and the floor space required. The recess defined by the

web portions

25, 26, 27 provided when beam 13 is constructed as shown in FIGURE 7, also affords a protected area for labels for identifying the rack openings and the material stored therein.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A beam comprising first and second spaced parallel flanges, the outer surface of at least one of said flanges having two laterally spaced coplanar areas near the flange edges simultaneously engageable by a load extending across said beam, a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with one edge of said second flange.

Z. A beam comprising first and second spaced parallel flat flanges, a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined Web portion connecting the other edge of said web central portion with one edge of said second flange.

3. A beam comprising first and second spaced parallel flanges, the outer surface of at least one of said flanges having two laterally spaced coplanar areas near the flange edges simultaneously engageable by a load extending across said beam, a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a sub stantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with the corresponding edge of said second flange.

4. A beam comprising first and second spaced parallel flat flanges, a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with the corresponding edge of said second flange.

5. A beam comprising first and sec-ond spaced parallel flat flanges a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with one edge of said second flange, said central web portion being laterally spaced from one of said pairs of corresponding flange edges approximately 40% to 65% of the distance between said pairs of corresponding flange edges, the width of said central web portion being approximately 20% to 60% of the total size of said beam cross section between the outer surfaces of said flanges.

6. A beam comprising first and second spaced parallel flat flanges, a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with one edge of said second flange, the distance between the opposite pairs of corresponding flange edges being approximately 25% to 65% of the total size of said beam cross section between the outer surfaces of said flanges.

7. A beam formed from initially flat metal stock comprising first and second spaced parallel flat flanges, a web comprising a central Web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with the corresponding edge of said second flange.

8. A beam formed from initially flat metal stock comprising first and second spaced parallel flat flanges, a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined Web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with one edge of said second flange, the distance between the opposite pairs of corresponding flange edges being approximately 25% to 65% of the total size of said beam cross section between the outer surfaces of said flanges.

9. A beam formed from initially flat metal stock comprising first and second spaced parallel flat flanges, a web comprising a central web portion perpendicular to and between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said central web portion being spaced a substantial lateral distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting one edge of said central web portion with one edge of said first flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the other edge of said central web portion with the corresponding edge of said second flange, the distance between the opposite pairs of corresponding flange edges being approximately 25% to 65 of the total size of said beam cross section between the outer surfaces of said flanges, the width of said central web portion being approximately 20% to 60% of the total size of said beam cross section between the outer surfaces of said flanges.

10. A beam member for use in conjunction with an adjustable storage rack comprising a beam and connecting members secured to the opposite ends of said beam, said beam having upper and lower flat horizontal flanges, a web comprising a vertical web portion between said flanges and spaced therefrom, said vertical web portion being spaced a substantial horizontal distance from both pairs of corresponding flange edges, a first inclined web portion connecting the upper edge of said vertical web portion with one edge of said upper flange, and a second inclined web portion connecting the lower edge of said vertical web portion with the corresponding edge of said lower flange.

11. A rack construction comprising a plurality of end units each having front and rear posts and cross members v sponding edge of said lower flange.

connecting said posts'pto form a rigid'unit,;front and rear beam members connecting frontwand rear posts, respectively, ofadjace'nt end: u nits, eachfbe'arn member cornt prisinga-bearn having connecting members at opposite,

ends thereof adapted vto be removably mounted on;said front or "rear posts, each beam having-upper and lower flat horizontalifianges, a .webf comprising 'am'vertical web portion between said-flanges and spacedtherefrom; said;

Vertical :web portion beingspaced a substantial horizontal distancerfrom both-pairs'of corresponding flange edges,

a first inclined Web portionyoonnecting the uppe edge .of said vertical web portion with one edge of Said lipp'er flange, and a second inclined Web portion connecting the lower edge of 'said vertical web portion with the corre-' gnereren e -caenw h nxammer UNITED; STATES amranrsq i C AUD ALE oy-Primary Exami r."