US3265455A - Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor - Google Patents

Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
US3265455A
US3265455A US443119A US44311965A US3265455A US 3265455 A US3265455 A US 3265455A US 443119 A US443119 A US 443119A US 44311965 A US44311965 A US 44311965A US 3265455 A US3265455 A US 3265455A
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United States
Prior art keywords
flange
shelf
shelving
flanges
shelves
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US443119A
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English (en)
Inventor
Irwin J Ferdinand
Dale R Lopatka
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Hirsh Manufacturing Co SA Co
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Hirsh Manufacturing Co SA Co
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Priority to US443119A priority Critical patent/US3265455A/en
Priority to NL6601063A priority patent/NL6601063A/xx
Priority to FR47515A priority patent/FR1466043A/fr
Priority to GB3802/66A priority patent/GB1131262A/en
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Publication of US3265455A publication Critical patent/US3265455A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B47/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements
    • A47B47/02—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements made of metal only
    • A47B47/021—Racks or shelf units
    • A47B47/024—Racks or shelf units with shelves between uprights without separate horizontal shelf supports
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B47/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements
    • A47B47/02—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements made of metal only
    • A47B47/03—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements made of metal only with panels separate from the frame

Definitions

  • FIG. l4 F 1 I I I9 -I f I f .0 f r] I I I. I8 21+- I j I 258 L258 +
  • the present invention relates to knockdown steel shelving of the type embodying vertically spaced horizontally disposed rectangular shelves which are releasably secured at their corners to vertical upright supports or corner posts. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel shelving unit wherein both the shelves and the corner posts are of improved design so that, individually, they inherently possess a high degree of weight bearing strength and rigidity and are so interrelated that when the parts are assembled with one another, they provide a novel rugged interfitting relationship of excellent appearance which is of great strength against buckling or side sway.
  • the invention also is concerned with novel corner fastening means whereby the four corner regions of the various shelves are quickly and easily secured to the adjacent corner posts in rigid relationship that results partly from the interrelated design of the shelves and corner posts and partly from the provision of a concealed novel clamping means whereby the interfitting shelves and corner posts are drawn hard against one another. Still further, the invention is concerned with a novel arrangement of cabinet hardware whereby the steel shelving of the present invention may, by the application of such hardware, be expanded to a cabinet design with the normally open four 7 sides thereof, boxed in, so to speak, and with sliding door panels being provided at the front of the shelving.
  • the shelves which are associated with knockdown shelving of the type under consideration preferably are provided with downturned marginal strengthening flanges of plural thickness or full box design.
  • corner clips small strutlike reaction brackets (commonly referred to as corner clips) which extend at an angle of 45 between adjacent marginal flanges as shown in said application.
  • corner clips small strutlike reaction brackets
  • These reaction brackets underlie the respective corner region of the shelves and have centrally located holes therein which are aligned with cooperating holes in the adjacent corner posts so that fastening bolts which are passed through the holes will serve to draw the posts inwardly of the shelves in a diagonal direction into corner notches which are provided for their reception.
  • corner clips involved must be designed to fit the flanges between which they extend and since, in several designs of the shelving the longitudinal flanges of the shelves differ from the transverse flanges, right and left hand types or corner clips must be supplied, and some difliculty is encountered therefrom in erecting the shelving despite painstaking directions which are supplied in the instruction sheets accompanying such shelving.
  • the present invention is designed to overcome many of the limitations that are attendant upon the construction and use of present day steel knockdown shelving now on the market designed for household consumer use and, toward this end, the invention contemplates the provision of a novel shelving unit which offers advantages over present day shelving units, both functionally and from the standpoint of appearance and ease of assembly and erection.
  • the shelves are provided with full box-type marginal longitudinal flanges, three of which are rigidified by the provision of coextensive longitudinally extending ribs therealong.
  • the fourth wall of each box flange incorporates a double thickness of sheet metal.
  • extreme rigidity is offered in the long direction of the shelves.
  • the corners of the shelves are notched or cut-away to expose the end edges of the thus rigidified box flanges and the exposed ends thereof are designed for clamping cooperation with the corner posts.
  • the corner posts themselves are of three-quarter box desi n, i.e., channel shaped with the webs of the channels rigidified by coextensive ribs.
  • the channel webs oppose the ends of the box flanges on the shelves and fastening means are provided for drawing the ribbed webs of the corner posts hard and directly against the open ends of the box flanges.
  • the ribs of the corner posts bear against the edges of the double thickness walls of the box flange and also against the end edges of the ribs 0n the walls which oppose the double thickness walls so that workhardened portions of the shelf flanges and work-hardened portions of the adjacent corner posts cooperate with each other to assimilate the full tightening pressure of the fastening devices and, moreover, when the fastening devices are drawn tight, the metal of the corner posts in the vicinity of the ribs is self seating in the metal of the box flanges so that a direct rigidity is affected between the box flanges and corner posts which hasnot been present heretofore with earlier knockdown shelving employing diagonal corner clips. With such extreme rigidity between the corner posts and the longitudinal box flanges of the shelves, longitudinal rocking of the assembled shelving
  • the invention further contemplates the provision of a novel form of corner fastening means whereby the upright corner posts are securely clamped against the end edges of the box flanges as set forth above.
  • the clamping direction is a right angle one as distinguished from the acute angle one of the diagonal direction of clamping associated with shelving which employs corner bracing clips and it involves the use of a novel T-nut construction which cooperates with a fastening bolt which preferably is in the form of a coarse thread sheet metal screw.
  • the T-nut is in the form of a small spring tempered sheet metal stamping which fits through a pair of aligned slots provided in the side walls of the associated box flange so that the T-nut effectively spans transversely across and through the box flange.
  • the fastening screw associated with the T-nut is passed through one of a series of vertically spaced holes provided in the web portion of the channel-like corner post and it projects longitudinally into the open end of the box-flange and finds threaded engagement with a hole formed in the T-nut.
  • the corner post is drawn directly against the open end of the box flange.
  • the hole in the sheet metal T-nut presents an on-edge helical thread upset in the direction against the load thereon for cooperation with the fastening screw and thus it is essential that the T-nut be inserted through the slots in the box flange so that the proper on-edge relationship will obtain.
  • co-operation means on the T-nut and box flange are provided which assures proper T-nut insertion.
  • Means also are provided for latching the T-nut in position within the slots provided for it in the box flange so that after a preliminary insertion of the T-nut it can be either withdrawn or forced to its full limit within the box flange. When forced to its full limit it will not become dislodged during handling of the associated shelf as when manipulating the shelf into position against the various corner posts preparatory to applying the fastening screws. Thereafter, little occasion will arise requiring removal of the T-nut even if it is desired to change the elevation of a given shelf inasmuch as the T-nut once properly installed cooperates only with the shelf for reaction purposes and does not change its position in the box-flange, although the fastening screw may be moved to different locations along the corner post.
  • the shelving unit of the present invention Insofar as the ability to convert the shelving unit of the present invention to a cabinet-type structure, no modification whatsoever of the basic shelving components is required and, by the addition to, and installation upon, the basic erected steel shelving, of the cabinet hardware of the present invention, the shelving unit may be expanded into a cabinet structure having side and rear enclosure panels with sliding door panels at the front of the various units Which cooperate to make up the shelving assembly and a double height cabinet can also be accomplished like a book case if desired.
  • the cabinet hardware of the present invention includes a novel door frame which interlocks with the front edge regions of adjacent superimposed horizontal shelves proper, the frame itself being of the knockdown type and having associated therewith novel corner fastening means whereby the horizontal components thereof may be secured to the vertical components at the corners of the frame.
  • Sliding doors are provided within the door frame and these run in tracks or guideways which are of more or less conventional design.
  • End panels are provided for enclosing the ends of the shelving units and these are receivable without hardware fittings or any modification whatsoever of the basic shelving components.
  • the cabinet hardware includes retaining rails for a back panel and these retaining rails interlock with the front edge regions of adjacent superimposed horizontal shelves proper in a manner similar to that in which the front door frame interlocks with such shelves. All of the cabinet hardware is capable of assembly, both upon itself and upon the erected basic shelving, utilizing only fastening screws to effect the assembly.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner region of a shelving unit constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the horizontal plane indicated by the line 22 of FIG. 1 and in the direction of thearrows;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary inside or underneath perspective view of the corner region shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating the manner of installation of certain corner fastening means associated with the shelving unit of the invention
  • FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view taken substantially on the horizontal plane indicated by the line 55 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows and illustrating certain self-seating relationships which exist between the corner posts and shelves of the shelving unit;
  • FIG. 6 is an assembled sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and taken substantially on the horizontal plane indicated by the line 66 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a T-nut employed as an element of the fastening means of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of the T-nut of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is an end view of the T-nut of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of the T-nut of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of T-nut capable of being employed in connection with the invention.
  • FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing the modified T-nut of FIG. 12 substituted in the assembly.
  • FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a complete shelving unit showing the cabinet hardware of the present invention operatively installed thereon the original unit thus being expanded into a cabinet-like structure;
  • FIG. 14 is a front view of the structure shown in FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 15 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the corner region of a door frame employed in connection with the cabinet hardware of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the vertical plane indicated by the line 1616 of FIG. 15, but with the parts assembled and with the fastening screw in position;
  • FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 1717 of FIG. 14, the view being limited to the door frame structure at the front of the shelving;
  • FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 1818 of FIG. 14, the view being limited to the door frame structure at the front of the shelving;
  • FIG. 19 is an enlar ed fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 1Q19 of FIG. 14;
  • FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 202il of FIG. 14, the view being limited to the rear panel support at the rear of the shelving;
  • FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along the line 21-21 of FIG. 14, the view being limited to the rear panel support at the rear of the shelving.
  • FIG. 1 wherein one corner region of a shelving unit constructed according to the present invention has been fragmentarily illustrated, the unit involves in its general or anization a series of four corner posts, only one of which has been illustrated and designated in its entirety at 10, and two or more shelves, one of which has been illustrated and designated in its entirety at 12.
  • the various corner posts and shelves 112 are identical.
  • the shelves 12 and corner posts 10 are rigidly secured together in their operative assembled relationship by means of counterpart fastening devices each of which includes a T-nut 14 and a fastening bolt 16 in the form of an elongated sheet metal screw.
  • the T-nut 14 constitutes a reaction member for assimilating the thrust of the fastening screw which serves to clamp the corner post It) rigidly to the shelf 12 in a manner that will be made clear presently.
  • the shelf 12 is generally of rectangular configuration and it includes a horizontal planar supporting or body portion 21 having downturned transversely extending marginal flanges 22 and downwardly and longitudinally extending marginal flanges 24.
  • the transverse flanges 22 are single thickness flanges and are provided with reentrant reverse ends (FIG. 4) 2-6 at their lower edges for reinforcing purposes.
  • each flange 24 is box flanges and, as best seen in FIG. 4, each flange includes inside and outside walls 28 and 30 respectively, a bottom wall 32 and a dual thickness top wall 34.
  • the walls 28 and 30 are reinforced by spaced apart reinforcing ribs 36, while the bottom wall 32 is reinforced by a single central rib 38.
  • This rib 38 constitutes an important feature of the present invention in that it cooperates with a counterpart rib on the corner post 10 in a manner and for a purpose that will be made clear presently.
  • the upper edge region of the box flange 24 projects a slight distance above the horizontal plane of the planar body portion 2t of the shelf 12 by reason of a vertical connecting flange 40 between the body portion and top wall 34, the flange 4t constituting a marginal restraining flange to prevent supported objects from rolling or sliding from the upper surface of the shelf.
  • the four ribs 36 are inwardly rolled ribs while the rib 38 in the bottom wall 32 is an outwardly rolled rib.
  • the four corners of the shelf 12 are notched or cut-away as indicated at 42 (FIG. 4)- for reception of selected regions of the corner posts therein in a manner that also will be described in detail subsequently.
  • Each post is of rolled sheet metal construction, preferably of heavier gauge metal than that of the shelf 12 and comprises a main body portion of channel-shape cross section including side walls 50 and 52 and a connecting web 54.
  • the web is provided with a series of vertically spaced holes 56 therethrough for selective reception of the fastening screw 16 to the end that the shelf 12 may be secured to the post 10 at selected elevations therealong.
  • the side wall 50 is provided with a narrow laterally turned trim flange 58.
  • the side wall 52 is provided with a comparatively wide reentrant trim flange 62 which terminates in a lateral bearing flange 64- which is preferably overformed approximately 3.
  • the vertical corner post 10 is adapted to seat within the corner notch 42 with the web 54 of the channeLshaped body portion opposing and bearing against the adjacent open end or rim of the box flange 24 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the web 54 is formed with a central coextensive outwardly rolled rib 66 (FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive) which makes a seat for the web when the post It? is drawn against the box flange 24.
  • the manner in which the rib 66 cooperates with the rib 38 on the bottom wall of the box flange 24 and with the dual thickness top wall 34 constitutes one of the important features of the present invention.
  • the trim flange 58 When the corner post 10 is in its operative position within the notch 42 (FIGS. 1 and 2), the trim flange 58 overlies the outside face of the depending flange 22. Similarly, the trim flange 62 overlies the outside wall 31) of the box flange 24 and the bearing flange 64 opposes this Wall in close proximity thereto.
  • the previously mentioned fastening device including the T-nut 14 and fastening screw 16 are provided.
  • the T-nut 14 projects through and is anchored in a pair of transversely registering slots 7% and 72 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) formed in the outside and inside walls 30 and 28 respectively and is designed for threaded engagement with the fastening screw 16 which is passed through one of the holes 56 in the channel web 54 and enters the open rim or end of the box flange 24 endwise as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the T-nut 14 is of sheet metal construction and, as shownin FIGS. 8 to 11 inclusive, it is in the form of a stamping having a flat generally rectangular body or shank portion 74 provided with marginal side flanges 76 which are split longitudinally as at 78 to form retaining latch fingers St? which extend at a small angle to the planes of the flanges 76.
  • the fiat shank portion 74 is the working portion which engages the edges of the slots "iii and 72 for reaction purposes.
  • the T-nut is preferably formed from spring steel stock so that the latch fingers 8ft retain their small angle bias but are capable of being deflected inwardly to permit entry of the body portion of the T-nut into and through the slot 70, after which the fingers 80 will again become spread apart to retain the T-nut in position against a dislodgment from the box flange 24.
  • the T-nut 14 is further provided with a T-head 82 which bears against the outside face and the outer wall 70 of the box flange 24 when the T-nut is in its installed position.
  • the head 82 has spring ends 83 thereon which are inclined out of the general plane of the head Siland deflect slightly when the T-nut is thrust home with force to provide clearance for the latch fingers 80 to attain their latching positions.
  • the ends 83 serve to properly center the T-nut in position between the two walls 28 and 30 so that when the fastening screw 16 is tightened, the adjacent edge of the outside wall will not oppose the nar-' row area of the body portion of the T-nut at the base of the T-head 80, such area being unsupported by the side flanges 76.
  • the spring ends 83 limit the extent to which the T-nut may be pushed into the slots 70 and 72.
  • the body of shank portion 74 of the T-nut is formed with an opening 84 therethrough of keyhole design and the marginal region 86 of this opening is progressively outstruok or raised to provide a helical edge 88 (FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 11) which is offset bodily away from the working face of the body portion 74 to constitute a oneturn tooth designed for threaded cooperation with the threaded fastening screw 16. Since the fastening screw 16 may enter the opening 84 for proper on-edge cooperation with the helical edge 88 by extending axially of the opening in one direction only, a blocking ear or flange 90 (FIG. 4) projects partially across the slot '70 from one side thereof and allows entry of the T-nut 14 in only the proper position of orientation.
  • the T-nut 14 When the T-nut 14 is operatively installed within the box flange 24, it will assimilate the pulling force of the threaded clamping or fastening screw 16, thus constituting a reaction element for the screw.
  • the reaction force of the T-nut is, in turn, balanced on and assimilated by corresponding side edges of the slots 70 and 72 in the side walls 30 and 28 respectively.
  • the T-nut 14 will first be operatively installed in the box flange 24. This operation may be effected by aligning the body portion 74 of the T-nut with the registering slots '70 and '72 so that the side flanges 7 6 straddle the blocking flange 91B and thereafter forcing the T-nut endwise through the slot 70 until the T-head engages the outside face of the side wall 313 of the box flange 2 4.
  • the spring ends 83 and latch fingers 8% will yield to allow entry of the T-nut through the slot 711 and, after the fingers have passed through the slot, they will snap into locking position as shown in FIG. 9. Thereafter the T-nut may not be removed from its installed position and the shelf 12 may be handled without danger of the T-nut falling from its installed position preparatory to application of the fastening screw 16.
  • the proper hole 56 in the corner post 10 is then selected for the desired shelf elevation and the fastening screw 16 is passed endwise through this hole and caused to enter the adjacent open end of the box flange 24 and make threaded engagement with the thread-providing opening 84 of the previously installed T-nut.
  • Tightening of the fastening screw with the aid of a suitable tool such as a screwdriver will bring the rib 66 of the corner post into register and engagement with bot-h the dual thickness top Wall 34 of the box flange 24 and the rib 38 in the bottom wall thereof, while at the same time the trim flanges 58 and 6 2 (FIG. 2) will assume their overlying relationship with respect to the flanges 22 and 24 as previously described, the trim flange 6-2 serving to conceal the head 82 of the T-nut 14.
  • the vertical extent of the slots 70 and 72 is substantially equal to the distance between the center lines of the two horizontally extending ribs 36 on the walls and 28 so that the opposite ends of the slots lie directly at the apices of the ribs.
  • the trim flange 62 conceals the head portion 82 of the T-nut 14 and because the head of the fastening screw 16 is disposed deep within the channel portion of the vertical corner post 10, all portions of the composite fastening mean-s are substantially concealed from view. Although the head of the fastening screw 16 may be seen when the shelving is viewed on end through a small limited angu lar range of viewing, such viewing of the shelving is seldom available when the shelving is put to use.
  • the spring fingers 8 3 on the T-head 82 of the T-nut 14 serve to prevent the adjacent edge region of the outside wall 30 of the box flange 24 from registering with or opposing the narrow area near the base of the T-head when the fastening screw 16 is drawn taut.
  • a more positive means for preventing the T-nut from being pushed too far through the slots 71) and 72 is provided in connection with the modified form of T-nut 114 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Additionally, means are provided in connection with the T-nut 114 for insuring that the T-nut will be pushed sufficiently far into the registering holes 71? and 72 and remain so positioned that the distal edge of the T-nut remote from the T-hea-d will register with the inside wall 28 so that the latter may assimilate the lateral thrust of the T-nut when the fastening screw 16 is drawn taut.
  • the T-nut 114 of FIGS. 11 and 12 is similar in many respects to the T-nut 14 and therefore, in order to avoid needless repetition of description, corresponding reference numerals, but of a higher order, have been applied to the various corresponding parts as between the disclosures of FIGS. 2 and 8, and FIGS. 12 and 13, these two pairs of views being similar in their disclosures.
  • the T-nut 114 remains substantially the same as the T-nut 14 except for the addition to the T-nut 1 14 of an inclined outwardly extending flange 175 along the edge of the body portion 174 remote from the T-head 182, and also the addition of a transverse rib 177 on the body portion 174 near the base of the T-head 182.
  • the inclined flange interlocks with one side edge of the slot 72 and prevents axial shifting of the T-nut outwardly of the shelf 12.
  • the rib 1'77 interlocks with one side edge of the slot 7t and prevents inward movement of the T-nut 114 at the time of installation to such an extent that the edge of the slot 71? might become misaligned with the main body portion 174 and oppose or register with the narrow area of the body portion 174 near the base of the T-head and which is not reinforced by the side flanges 175.
  • the spring fingers 183 do not exert a centering function on the T-nut as a whole. However, their inclination prevents them from protruding unduly from the surface of the outside flange 30 so that they are unlikely to con-.
  • T-nut 114 functions in a manner similar to the T-nut 14.
  • the T-nuts 14 and 114 are, obviously, useable interchangeably with the illustrated shelving of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 13 to 21, inclusive illustrate the cabinet hardware by means of which the primary shelving just described may be expanded quite easily into a cabinet-type structure by closures for the normally open sides thereof.
  • closure means are provided whereby a door frame'200 may be applied to the front of any given shelving unit and supported on the upper edge of flange 40 on the lower shelf and the lower or bottom wall or edge 32 of a flange 40 on the upper shelf of a selected pair of vertically spaced shelves 12 respectively.
  • a pair of sliding door panels 202 and 204 are utilized to form a closure for the normally open front of the shelving.
  • the door frame 261) will be of such height and the installation thereof made so that the frame bridges the distance between the extreme uppermost shelf and the extreme lowermost shelf in the series of shelves.
  • any two shelves 12, including adjacent shelves, if desired, may be thus bridged by the door panels 2&2 and 2tl4.
  • the completed cabinet will have two enclosed intermediate shelves within the same. The presence or absence of intermediate shelves is a matter of choice and does not affect the nature of the installation.
  • the cabinet hardware further includes a pair of steel retaining channels or rails 206 and 208 (FIGS. 20 and 21) for a back panel closure 210, and end panel closures 212 for closing the openings at the normally open ends of the shelving the nature and installation of which will be described subsequently.
  • the panels 212 are receivable in the shelving structure without the use of retaining hardware as will also be described presently.
  • the front panel closure includes a door frame 200 comprising a horizontally disposed upper and lower compound rolled steel frame members 214 and 216 and vertically dis posed side [frame members 218 and 220.
  • the upper and lower frame members 214 and 216 are identical and there fore a description of one of them will sufiice for the other. However, in the utilization of these two frame members the respective vertical orientations thereof are reversed, the lower member 210 being turned 180 end for end with respect to the upper member 214.
  • the lower horizonta door frame member 216 is generally of S-shaped channel configuration in cross section and it includes a downwardly facing hook portion 222 which hooks over the front upstanding top wall 34 of the raised or upwardly pnojecting portion of the front box flange 24 of the lowermost shelf 12, and an oppositely upwardly facing cradle or channel portion 224 which lies outside the confines of the shelving unit as a whole.
  • the frame member 216 is substantially coextensive with the width or extent of the shelving unit.
  • the hook portion 222 includes an inside leg 226 which lies flush with the flange 40, an outside leg 228 which lies flush against the wall 30 of the box flange 24, and a flat connecting bight portion 230 which rests upon the top wall '34.
  • the channel portion 224 includes an outside leg 232, an inside leg which is the previously mentioned common leg 228, and a connecting bight portion 234.
  • the tbight portion 234 constitutes the top wall of the downwardly facing hook portion 222, while the bight portion 234 constitutes the bottom wall of the upwardly facing cradle portion or channel 224.
  • the upper horizontal door frame member 214 is identical with the lower door frame member 216 but is inverted so that the hook portion 222 may hook under the bottom wall 32 of the box flange 24 of the uppermost shelf 12 and so that the channel portion 224 establishes a downwardly facing channel which opposes the upwardly facing channel established by the corresponding channel portion of the lower door frame member 216.
  • the two opposing channels serve to support and confine therebetween the two sliding door panels 202 and 204, together with certain guide rail and cushioning structure whereby the two door panels are maintained in their respective offset planes of horizontal sliding movement, cradle portion 224 (FIGS. 15 and 18) having a narrow inturned retaining flange 236 for this purpose.
  • Each side member 218 is generally of Z-shape configuration in transverse cross section and includes a relatively wide outer flange 240, a narrow inner flange 242 and a connecting frame 244 defining a channel similar to channel 224.
  • the outer flange 240 is provided with a reversely turned marginal flange 246.
  • the respective inner flanges 242 are received in clamped relationship between the front box flanges 24 of the shelves and the flanges 64 of the front corner posts 10.
  • Novel corner fastening means are provided at each of the four corners of the door frame 200 each [fastening means constituting a connection 'between one of the horizontal frame members and an adjacent vertical frame member.
  • One of these corner fastening means is shown in detail in FIG. 15.
  • the outside flange 240 of the side frame member 218 and the outside flange 232 of the bottom frame member 216 are each mitered at 45 as indicated at 256) and 252 respectively, and the two inturned flanges 246 and 236 are likewise mitered as at 254 and 256 respectively so that when the adjacent ends of the two frame members 218 and 216 are brought together in their proper relationship, the miters mate to provide a flush and hair line joint indicated at 258 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
  • the joint 258 is reinforced and maintained secure by means of a backing reinforcement in the form of a bracket 266 which is suitably spot welded or otherwise permanently secured to the side frame member 218.
  • the bracket 269 includes a flat rectangular base plate 262 secured to the inside face of the connecting flange 244, a laterally turned side flange 264 secured to the outside leg 232 of the member 218, and a shelf portion 234 of the cradle portion 224 of the frame member 216 by means of a pair of spacer tabs 268.
  • the shelf portion 266 is formed with a threaded hole 270 in the central region thereof, this hole registers vertically with a tapered hole 272 formed in the bight portion 234 of the cradle portion 224 (FIG. 16).
  • a V-head sheet metal screw 274 passes through the two holes 270 and 272 and draws the two adjacent ends of the frame members 216 and 218 together.
  • corner fastening means disclosed in FIG. 15 and described above is duplicated at each of the three other corners of the door frame 200.
  • FIGS. l7, l8 and 19 The sliding door arrangement which is associated with the assembled door frame 20%) is best illustrated in FIGS. l7, l8 and 19.
  • the two sliding doors 2'92 and 294 are held in their proper offset sliding relationship at the top and bottom of the door frame by antifriction guide members 275 which may be formed of a suitable plastic material and each provides a pair of guide channels 276 and 278 for the two doors 202 and 204 respectively.
  • the guide channels provide vertical clearance whereby the doors can be inserted in the top channel, raised to clear the bottom channel, pushed in at the bottom channel for slidable support.
  • the base portion 284) of the upper guide member 265 is fixedly secured to the bight portion 234 of its respec tive cradle portion 224 by means of an elongated strip of adhesive tape 282, both sides of which are of an adhesive nature.
  • the base portion of the lower guide member is similarly secured to its respective bight portion 234 by two such strips of tape 284 between which there is sandwiched a spacer strip 286 which is provided for the purpose of maintaining the elevation of the guide member sufliciently high that equal exposure of the two members 275 at the top and bottom of the door frame will occur for appearance purposes.
  • the end panels 212 may be rabbeted at their vertical side edges as indicated at 291) in FIG. 19 so that these side edges will fit behind the trim flanges 58 associated with the vertical corner posts 1! ⁇ in securely clamped relationship, when the screws 16 are tightened, the fastening screws 16 serving to draw these trim flanges against the edges if the panels 212 and in turn, hold the latter against the end edges of the shelves 12.
  • the panels 212 may terminate flush with the upper surface of the uppermost shelf 12 as shown in FIG. 13, or they may be full-height panels which terminate flush with the extreme upper ends of the corner posts If No cabinet hardware is required for holding these end panels 212 in position, the fastening screws 16 being the sole panel-clamping means employed.
  • the back panel 210 can like the door frame be slipped edgewise into place just before the last rear post 10 is assembled and thereafter the panel is held in position between two generally Z-shaped steel channel strips 301? and 392 of identical configuration but inverted to each other in their respective positions.
  • the lower strip 302 presents an inverted hook portion 304 which hook over the top wall 34 of the rear box flange 24 on the lowermost shelf 12 and an upright cradle channel portion 306 which supports the lower edge of the'back panel 211).
  • the upper strip 300 presents an upright hook portion 304 which hooks under the bottom wall 32 of the rear box flange 24 and an inverted cradle channel portion 306 which opposes the cradle portion of the lower strip 302 and confines the upper edge of the back panel 210.
  • the two strips 300 land 3192 constitute the sole vertical supporting means for the back panel while the facing overformed flanges 64 of the rear corner posts 10 wedge and prevent horizontal and rearward displacement at the side edges thereof.
  • the uppermost shelf 12 is installed upon the four corner posts 10 so that it lies an appreciable distance below the horizontal plane of the upper ends of the corner posts.
  • a table-type top 310 of rectangular design may be positioned on the upper ends of the four corner posts and secured thereto in any suitable manner or, alternatively, allowed to rest thereon by gravity.
  • the uppermost shelf 12 thus constitutes an intermediate storage shelf immediately below the table top 3 10.
  • the end panels 212 may extend upwardly to the level of the table top 3 10 or they may terminate flush with the uppermost shelf 12 as shown.
  • the uppermost shelf 12 may be disposed substantially in the horizontal plane of the upper ends of the four corner posts with their ends closed and the height of the side panels 212 and the back panel 210, as well as the door frame 200, may be such as to effect complete enclosure of the space within the shelf outlines.
  • the herein described cabinet hardware lends itself readily to multiple installation on superposed shelf units.
  • the upwardly projecting portion of the box flange 24 is available for reception thereover of the hook portion 222 of a second door frame assembly which may be installed immedi ately above the illustrated door frame assembly without interference by the latter.
  • downwardly projecting portion of the box flange 24 as shown in FIG. 18 is available for reception thereunder of the hook portion :222 of a lower door frame assembly, the shelves being spaced to accommodate the double height cabinet.
  • a steel shelving unit including a pair of vertical front corner posts having trim flanges, upper and lower vertically spaced horizontal shelves secured at their front corners to said corner posts, the front edges of said shelves in combination with said trim flanges of the corner posts defining a rectangular front access opening communicating with the interior of the shelving, a rectangular door frame including upper and lower horizontal frame members extending between said corner posts and vertical side frame members extending between the two shelves and having inner flanges alongside said vertical side frame members disposed in supported relation between aid trim flanges and front edges of said shelves, means for securing the upper horizontal frame member to the front edge region of the upper shelf, in mutually supported relationship, means for securing the lower horizontal frame member in supported relation to the front edge region of the lower shelf, said upper frame member presenting a downwardly facing channel portion and said lower frame member presenting an upwardly facing channel portion opposed to said downwardly facing cradle portion, an anti-friction guide strip disposed in each cradle portion and substantially coextensive therewith, each
  • upper and lower horizontal frame members and vertical side frame members the upper frame member defining an elongated narrow horizontal top Wall, the lower frame member defining an elongated narrow horizontal bottom wall, the side frame members each defining a narrow elongated vertical side wall, each vertical side Wall being disposed in edge-to-edge abutting relationship with an adjacent horizontal wall, each of said walls being formed with an inwardly extending front flange with all of said flanges lying in a common vertical plane, the end regions of said flanges being relieved on a 45 bias with the adjacent relieved edges abutting each other in edge-to-edge relationship, and means for rigidly securing each pair of abutting wall edges together in their respective edgeto-edge relationship, said means comprising an attachment bracket including a base plate welded in face to face relationship to the associated vertical wall, a laterally turned vertical flange on said base plate disposed in face-to-face relationship against the adjacent front flange on said associated vertical
  • an adjustable knock down sheet metal shelving unit the combination of vertically spaced generally rectangular horizontally disposed shelves each having a flat shelf portion and a vertical flange portion along one edge extending an appreciable distance above and below the shelf portion, elongated upright corner posts secured to the shelves in shelf supporting relationship, each corner post having a trim flange portion overlapping respective end portions of said flange portions of the vertically spaced shelves, a rectangular sheet metal door frame supported by said flange portions including upper and lower horizontal frame members and vertical side frame members, the upper frame member defining an elongated narrow horizontal top wall marginally terminating in a reentrant channel portion encompassing the lower edge of the flange portion of the upper shelf, the lower frame member defining an elongated narrow horizontal bottom wall marginally terminating in a reentrant channel portion received and resting on the upper edge of the flange portion of the lower shelf, the side frame members each defining a narrow elongated vertical side wall having a marginal flange on one side resting against the faces of said depending
  • each shelf member being provided with a marginal flange which has a depending portion projecting downwardly an appreciable distance below the general plane of the shelf,
  • corner posts being of uniform crosssectional contour throughout their lengths and having horizontally extending trim flanges overlapping the ends of said projecting flange portions to define a space between them and an opening between the shelf flanges to the shelf area between said shelves,
  • a closure for said opening including a closure member disposed in the plane of said trim flanges and having vertical marginal edges received in said spaces and 14 engaged in supported relationship by said trim flanges and shelf flanges against relative movement in any horizontal direction,
  • each shelf being provided with a longitudinal margmal vertical flange which has portions projecting upwardly and downwardly appreciable distances above and below the general plane of the shelf,
  • corner posts having trim flanges overlappmg the ends of said projecting flange portions to define therewith an opening that provides access to the space between said shelves,
  • a closure assembly for closing said opening including channel members having channel portions disposed in the plane of said trim flange-s and opening towards each other and also hook portions in the plane of the vertical flanges engaging the projecting flange portions which define the top and bottom of said openings,
  • the combination comprising a knockdown sheet metal shelving unit having upper and lower vertically spaced horizontally disposed rectangular shelves supported upon upright corner posts,
  • the lower shelf being provided with a front marginal upstanding flange portion which projects upwardly an appreciable distance above the general plane of the shelf and the upper shelf being provided with a front marginal downwardly projecting flange portion which projects downwardly an appreciable distance below the general plane of the shelf,
  • corner posts and shelf flanges defining a cage-like shelving structure having a normally open front exposing the interior of the structure
  • a closure assembly for closing said open front including upper and lower horizontal sheet metal channel members,
  • the upper channel member having an upwardly facing hook portion along one edge engaging th d wardly projecting flange portion of the upper shelf
  • the lower channel member having downwardly facing hook portion along one edge engaging the upwardly projecting flange portion of the lower shelf
  • said channel members having channels along their other edges opening toward each other
  • each shelf being provided with a depending marginal flange having a portion which projects upwardly a slight distance above the general plane of the shelf,
  • corner posts and shelves defining a cage-like shelving structure with openings at the front and back which expose the space between the shelves
  • a closure assembly for closing one of said openings of said shelving unit and comprising a rectangular door frame including upper and lower horizontal sheet metal frame members and vertical frame members disposed between said trim flanges,
  • the upper frame member being provided with a downwardly facing channel portion and a substantially coextensive upwardly facing hook portion encompassing the depending flange of the upper shelf,
  • the lower frame member being provided with an upwardly facing channel portion opposing said downwardly facing channel portion and a substantially coextensive downwardly facing hook portion encompassing said upwardly projecting flange portion of the lower shelf,
  • the combination comprising a knockdown sheet metal shelving unit having upper and lower vertically spaced horizontally disposed rectangular shelves supported upon upright corner posts having trim flanges,
  • each shelf being provided with a depending marginal flange having its upper edge portion exposed above the general plane of the shelf,
  • said corner posts and shelves defining a cage-like shelving structure with openings at the front and back which expose the space between the shelves, a closure assembly for closing one of said openings of said shelving unit comprising a plurality of doors 5 and a rectangular door frame for supporting doors movably therewithin and including upper and lower horizontal sheet metal frame members engaging the vertical faces of said flanges and vertical side frame members disposed between said trim flanges, the upper frame member being provided with a downwardly facing channel portion and a substantially coextensive upwardly facing hook portion encompassing the depending flange of the upper shelf, the lower frame member being provided with an upwardly facing channel portion opposing said downwardly facing channel portion and a downwardly facing portion engaging said upper edge portion of the lower shelf in supported relationship, said vertical frame members having laterally extending flange elements disposed between said trim flanges and said vertical faces of said shelf flanges and being held thereby against lateral and outward movements with respect to the shelves under action of said movement of the doors.

Landscapes

  • Assembled Shelves (AREA)
US443119A 1965-01-28 1965-01-28 Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor Expired - Lifetime US3265455A (en)

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US443119A US3265455A (en) 1965-01-28 1965-01-28 Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor
NL6601063A NL6601063A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1965-01-28 1966-01-27
FR47515A FR1466043A (fr) 1965-01-28 1966-01-27 Rayonnage démontable en acier et structure pour le transformer en armoire
GB3802/66A GB1131262A (en) 1965-01-28 1966-01-27 Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor

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US443119A US3265455A (en) 1965-01-28 1965-01-28 Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor

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US3265455A true US3265455A (en) 1966-08-09

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GB (1) GB1131262A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3438688A (en) * 1967-09-18 1969-04-15 Hirsh Mfg Co Sa Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor
US3639026A (en) * 1970-07-27 1972-02-01 Hirsh Co Steel shelving closure
US4836625A (en) * 1987-04-13 1989-06-06 221241 Alberta Ltd. Console structure
US5228762A (en) * 1990-05-18 1993-07-20 Transrack Metal cabinet frame
US5807008A (en) * 1995-12-01 1998-09-15 Schroff Gmbh Fastening device
US20050127802A1 (en) * 2003-12-15 2005-06-16 Henry Chen Sectional cabinet

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK149875C (da) * 1975-06-20 1987-05-18 Loegstrup Steel Kvistgaard A S Tredimensional, sammenskruelig rammekonstruktion

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US1487856A (en) * 1919-06-27 1924-03-25 Hauserman Co E F Metallic bin, shelving, and the like
US1897568A (en) * 1929-07-15 1933-02-14 Lyon Metal Products Inc Merchandising table
US2004727A (en) * 1932-09-10 1935-06-11 Adlake Co Sash construction
US2424217A (en) * 1941-03-12 1947-07-22 Lyon Metal Products Inc Sheet metal storage cabinet
US2867859A (en) * 1954-10-18 1959-01-13 Designware Ind Inc Sliding panel hardware
US2877511A (en) * 1957-09-30 1959-03-17 Jr Gilbert A Viola Sliding door track
US2939589A (en) * 1957-01-11 1960-06-07 Hirsh Mfg Co Sa Steel shelving
US2990067A (en) * 1958-10-01 1961-06-27 Harbor Metal Products Corp Shelf structure
US3169811A (en) * 1961-06-28 1965-02-16 Bulman Corp Store fixture
US3169810A (en) * 1961-05-19 1965-02-16 Reflector Hardware Corp Knockdown counter merchandising and storage units
US3182771A (en) * 1963-12-16 1965-05-11 Loup Engineering Corp Corner joinder of channelled frames

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1487856A (en) * 1919-06-27 1924-03-25 Hauserman Co E F Metallic bin, shelving, and the like
US1897568A (en) * 1929-07-15 1933-02-14 Lyon Metal Products Inc Merchandising table
US2004727A (en) * 1932-09-10 1935-06-11 Adlake Co Sash construction
US2424217A (en) * 1941-03-12 1947-07-22 Lyon Metal Products Inc Sheet metal storage cabinet
US2867859A (en) * 1954-10-18 1959-01-13 Designware Ind Inc Sliding panel hardware
US2939589A (en) * 1957-01-11 1960-06-07 Hirsh Mfg Co Sa Steel shelving
US2877511A (en) * 1957-09-30 1959-03-17 Jr Gilbert A Viola Sliding door track
US2990067A (en) * 1958-10-01 1961-06-27 Harbor Metal Products Corp Shelf structure
US3169810A (en) * 1961-05-19 1965-02-16 Reflector Hardware Corp Knockdown counter merchandising and storage units
US3169811A (en) * 1961-06-28 1965-02-16 Bulman Corp Store fixture
US3182771A (en) * 1963-12-16 1965-05-11 Loup Engineering Corp Corner joinder of channelled frames

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3438688A (en) * 1967-09-18 1969-04-15 Hirsh Mfg Co Sa Knockdown steel shelving and cabinet hardware therefor
US3639026A (en) * 1970-07-27 1972-02-01 Hirsh Co Steel shelving closure
US4836625A (en) * 1987-04-13 1989-06-06 221241 Alberta Ltd. Console structure
US5228762A (en) * 1990-05-18 1993-07-20 Transrack Metal cabinet frame
US5807008A (en) * 1995-12-01 1998-09-15 Schroff Gmbh Fastening device
US20050127802A1 (en) * 2003-12-15 2005-06-16 Henry Chen Sectional cabinet

Also Published As

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NL6601063A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-07-29
GB1131262A (en) 1968-10-23

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