US3642146A

US3642146A - Rack

Info

Publication number: US3642146A
Application number: US23383A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Frazier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-03-27
Filing date: 1970-03-27
Publication date: 1972-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-15
Also published as: DE2049286B2; GB1308069A; DE2049286A1

Abstract

A pallet rack in which the upright members have slots to receive tongues of a shelf beam connecter, and the shelf beam connecter embraces the upright by its sidewall and by integral offset fingers; the tongues are held against disengagement by pivotable latches which are engageable and disengageable from the tongues.

Description

United States Patent Frazier Feb. 15, 1972 RACK 3,292,888 12/1966 Fischer ..248/228 X [72] Inventor: Donald Frazier, R.D.#1, Mendham Road, gggggg 9/1969 "211/176 Far Hills NJ. 07931 1 H1970 Frazier ..21l/176 3,510,010 5/1970 Gasner ..2l U176 [22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 23,383

[52] US. Cl 211/176, 108/56 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 5/10 [58] Field ofSearch "211/177, 176, 184; 248/228; 108/51, 54, 56

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,278,043 10/1966 Kimpton ..21l/176 X Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. AttorneyPopper, Bains, Bobis & Gilfillan [57] ABSTRACT A pallet rack in which the upright members have slots to receive tongues of a shelf beam connecter, and the shelf beam connecter embraces the upright by its sidewall and by integral offset fingers; the tongues are held against disengagement by pivotable latches which are engageable and disengageable from the tongues.

13 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures l 1 I ll 8 24 PATENTEBFEB 1 5 2 SHEET 1 OF 3 33 I I I a g I u FIG. I u [go 2|/ \1 24 I N VE OR DONALD FR ER ATTORNEY PATENTEBFEB15 I972 SHEET 2 3 FIG. 4

FIG. 8

mvE DONALD FRAZER 811% B ATTORNEY PATENTEBFfH 15 I972 3. 642. 146

SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR. DONALD F RAZIER P W EA m- RACK Field oflnvention This invention relates generally to pallet racks, and particularly to pallet racks in which shelf beams are easily adjustable, and the load does not tend to deform the rack.

Prior Art Pallet racks are in wide use in industry for receiving and holding pallets upon which bulky and heavy materials are held in storage. The shelf beams are frequently bolted in place and must be unbolted in order to change position. Height adjustments are cumbersome, time consuming, and require the application of tools in order to lock the shelves in place, or to unlock them in order to adjust them. Many shelf beam connecters for racks have downwardly extending, deflected fingers, so that downward movement is required to put them in place, and they must be lifted up to remove them. In some racks, the shelf beam connecters are permanently riveted in place so that adjustment cannot be made. What is perhaps the greatest difficulty arises from shelf beam connecters that exert torque on the uprights, tending to twist and deform them, so that the rack may lean, or twist and even become top heavy and collapse.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It has been found that a novel rack, utilizing a novel shelf beam connecter, can be provided which overcomes many of the disadvantages of known racks. Such a novel rack may include a connecter member for engagement with a vertical member, a front wall on the connecter member, an integral sidewall on the vertical edge of the front wall, an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall and a latch member engaged with the tongue.

A shelf beam connecter according to the invention may inelude a connecter member having a front wall, an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall and an integral tongue on the front wall in general parallelism to the sidewall, deflected toward the sidewall. Such a shelf beam connecter is invertable so that each shelf can be set at each of two different heights. The shelf beam connecter may be connected and disconnected merely by horizontal movements to engagement and disengagement with an upright. The shelf beam connecter exerts little torque on an upright, but rather exerts a sheer stress, so that the rack does not twist'or lean. A novel auxiliary latch is pivotably engaged and disengaged from a tongue on the connecter, with the result that, the shelf beam connecter is easily secured in place against disengagement, and may be easily unlatched for adjustment. Offset fingers engage the flange of the upright and prevent pivoting in the opposite direction, so a completely stable rack is provided.

DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings in detail:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelf beam rack, with one of the beams inverted;

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of a shelf beam connecter;

FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the shelf beam connecter;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a U-upright;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an I-upright;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view ofa latch;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the latch;

FIG. 8 is an opposite side elevational view of the latch;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the shelf beam connecter engaged with an I-upright;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views showing the latch and a tongue, with an arrow indicating the direction of movement of the latch to engage with the tongue for pivotable latching;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view showing the latch moved to latching position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the latch engaged with the tongue, the arrow showing the direction of pivotable movement of the latch, for latching;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view ofa .I-hook used to lock the connecter and upright together; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the latch seated in latching position on the tongue.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail, the rack utilizes an upright or vertical column 1 1 which may take several different forms, such as an I-beam 12 or a U-beam 13. A foot or pedestal 14 is welded to the bottom of the column 11 to provide stability. The column is provided with slots 15 in the ,web 16. A slot 15 is positioned adjacent to each flange 1'97 on the web 16, for cooperative engagement with a connecter.

The connecter 10 has a front wall 18. There is a first sidewall 19 extending perpendicular and rearwardly on one vertical edge of the front wall. On the opposite vertical edge of the front wall 18, there is a short, perpendicular second sidewall 20, from which pairs of tongues 21 extend in the same vertical plane as the second sidewall 20. These tongues 21, are cooperative with pairs of slots in the web 16, and enter them and extend beyond the web. The front wall 18 is provided with two groups of three intersecting cuts 22, which define fingers 23. The fingers 23 are deflected inwardly from the front wall 18 to engage the flange l7, and this way provide stability, and prevent wavering and rocking. A shelf beam 24 is welded to the connector 10. The shelf beam 24 may be attached at the top of the sidewall 19, of the connector 10 by being welded thereto. The connector 10 may then be reversed, providing a high or a low position for the shelf beam 24, on either of which, objects maybe stored. It is to be noted that in either of these two positions of the shelf beam assembly, the supporting strength of the shelf is equal. It is also to be noted that any vertical force exerted on the shelf beam does not unseat it. With the holes in the upright 11 on 4 inch centers, the reversal of the shelf permits adjustment on 2-inch centers.

For retaining the shelf beam connecter 19 in engagement with the upright 11, the tongues 21 must be held against disengagement from web 16. This is accomplished by pivotable latch 25, that may be easily engaged or disengaged from the tongues 21. Each tongue 21 has a slot 26 at its outer end. The latch 25 is mounted pivotably in the slot 26 by being positioned on its side as shown in FIG. 10. The first side 27, on the main wall 28 has a cut which defines an inturned lug 29. This lug 29 is moved into slot 26 as indicated by the arrow between FIGS. 10 and 11, and the latch 25 assumes the position shown in FIG. 13. The latch 25 is pivoted downwardly (note arrow in FIG. 12) so that its first side 9 embraces the tongue 21, and the main wall 28 rests on the top of the tongue 21. The arcuate edges 30 will slide by the web and the latch will be in abutment by its flat ends 31, with the web 16, preventing the tongue 21 from disengaging from the slots 15 in the web. By pivoting the latch 25, and withdrawing the lug 29 from the slot 26, the tongue can be withdrawn from the upright 11 to reposition the shelf beam 24 with the greatest of ease.

A second means for latching the (.I-hook) connecter 10 to an upright 11 is shown in FIG. 14. This means eliminates the necessity for a latch 25. A hole 3 is provided in the shelf beam 24, adjacent to the connector 10. A J -hook 33 is passed through the hole 3, so that the one end 34 embraces the flange 17 of the upright l 1. A nut 35 is applied to the other end of the J-hook 33 and the shelf beam 24 is firmly locked place. While the .I-hook 33 is less convenient than the latch 25 in that a wrench is required for adjusting the shelf beam 24, nevertheless it may prove satisfactory where no adjustment of the level of the shelf beam is going to be required.

What is claimed is:

l. A rack comprising a. a vertical member,

b. a web on the vertical member,

c. a flange on the web,

d. a connecter member engageable with the vertical member,

e. a front wall on the connecter member in abutment with a vertical edge of the flange,

f. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall,

g. an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall,

h. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall,

i. the sidewall positioned in abutment with the side of the flange on the web,

j. the offset finger in abutment with the opposite side of the flange on the web,

k. the tongue passed through a hole in the web;

1. a pivotable latch member engageable and disengageable with the tongue,

m. a main wall on the latch member,

n. an integral first sidewall on the main wall,

0. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall,

p. an integral second sidewall on the main wall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall,

q. a portion of the second sidewall opposite to the bent portion, cut away to allow the bent portion to be inserted into the slot of the tongue.

. A rack comprising a vertical member,

a web on the vertical member,

a flange on the web,

a connecter member engageable with the vertical member,

a front wall on the connecter member in abutment with a vertical edge of the flange,

an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall,

an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, an integral offset finger on the front wall deflected toward the sidewall,

. the sidewall positioned in abutment with the side of the flange on the web,

j. the end of the offset finger in abutment with the opposite side of the flange on the web,

k. the tongue passed through a hole in the web.

3. A rack according to claim 2 and further including a vertical member engaged with the connecter member, a J-bolt with the vertical member at one end and the opposite end passed through the shelf beam secured thereto. 4. A rack comprising a. a connecter member for engagement with a vertical member, a front wall on the connecter member,

an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall, a latch member engaged with the tongue. A rack comprising a connecter member for engagement with a vertical member, a front wall on the connecter member,

an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall,

an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, e. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall, f. a latch member engaged with the tongue, g. a main wall on the latch member,

h. an integral first sidewall on the main wall,

i. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall,

j. an integral second sidewall on the main wall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall,

k. a portion of the second sidewall opposite to the bent portion, cut away to allow the bent portion to be inserted into the slot of the tongue.

6. A shelf beam connecter comprising a. a connecter member having a front wall b. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall,

c. an integral tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall,

d. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall.

7. The shelf beam connecter according to claim 6 and a shelf beam connected thereto.

8. The shelf beam connecter according to claim 6 and a slot in the tongue.

9. The shelf beam connecter according to claim 7 and a slot in the tongue.

10. The shelf beam connecter according to claim 8 and a pivotable latch engaged with the slot.

1 1. A shelf beam connecter latch comprising a. a latch member having a main wall,

b. an integral first sidewall on the main wall,

c. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall,

d. an integral, second sidewall on the main wall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall,

e. a portion of the second sidewall opposite to the bent portion cut away to allow the bent portion to be inserted in a slot.

12. A shelf beam connecter latch comprising a. a connecter member having a front wall,

b. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the frontwall,

c. an integral torque tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall,

d. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall,

e. a slot in the tongue,

f. a latch member having a main wall,

g. an integral first sidewall on the main wall,

h. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall,

i. an integral second sidewall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall,

j. a portion of the second sidewall, opposite to the bent portion, cut away to allow the bent'portion to be inserted in the slot in the tongue, i r

k. the bent portion ofthe first sidewall inserted into the slot in the tongue, x

l. the latch member pivotable on the bent portion in the slot, to position its main wall, first and second sidewalls astride the tongue to block the withdrawal of the tongue from the hole in a web.

13. A rack comprising:

a. a connecter member,

b. a front wall on the connecter member,

c. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall,

d. at least one tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall,

e. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall,

f. the end of the integral, offset, deflected finger and the sidewall defining between them a space to receive a flange of a vertical member, i

g. the tongue on the connecter positioned to be] passed through the web of a vertical member.

Claims

1. A rack comprising a. a vertical member, b. a web on the vertical member, c. a flange on the web, d. a connecter member engageable with the vertical member, e. a front wall on the connecter member in abutment with a vertical edge of the flange, f. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, g. an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, h. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall, i. the sidewall positioned in abutment with the side of the flange on the web, j. the offset finger in abutment with the opposite side of the flange on the web, k. the tongue passed through a hole in the web; l. a pivotable latch member engageable and disengageable with the tongue, m. a main wall on the latch member, n. an integral first sidewall on the main wall, o. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall, p. an integral second sidewall on the main wall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall, q. a portion of the second sidewall opposite to the bent portion, cut away to allow the bent portion to be inserted into the slot of the tongue.

2. A rack comprising a. a vertical member, b. a web on the vertical member, c. a flange on the web, d. a connecter member engageable with the vertical member, e. a front wall on the connecter member in abutment with a vertical edge of the flange, f. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, g. an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, h. an integral offset finger on the front wall deflected toward the sidewall, i. the sidewall positioned in abutment with the side of the flange on the web, j. the end of the offset finger in abutment with the opposite side of the flange on the web, k. the tongue passed through a hole in the web.

3. A rack according to claim 2 and further including a. a vertical member engaged with the connecter member, b. a J-bolt with the vertical member at one end and the opposite end passed through the shelf beam secured thereto.

4. A rack comprising a. a connecter member for engagement with a vertical member, b. a front wall on the connecter member, c. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, d. an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, e. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall, f. a latch member engaged with the tongue.

5. A rack comprising a. a connecter member for engagement with a vertical member, b. a front wall on the connecter member, c. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, d. an integral slotted tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, e. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall, f. a latch member engaged with the tongue, g. a main wall on the latch member, h. an integral first sidewall on the main wall, i. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall, j. an integral second sidewall on the main wall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall, k. a portion of the second sidewall oppositE to the bent portion, cut away to allow the bent portion to be inserted into the slot of the tongue.

6. A shelf beam connecter comprising a. a connecter member having a front wall b. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, c. an integral tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, d. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall.

8. The shelf beam connecter according to claim 6 and a slot in the tongue.

9. The shelf beam connecter according to claim 7 and a slot in the tongue.

11. A shelf beam connecter latch comprising a. a latch member having a main wall, b. an integral first sidewall on the main wall, c. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall, d. an integral, second sidewall on the main wall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall, e. a portion of the second sidewall opposite to the bent portion cut away to allow the bent portion to be inserted in a slot.

12. A shelf beam connecter latch comprising a. a connecter member having a front wall, b. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, c. an integral torque tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, d. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall, e. a slot in the tongue, f. a latch member having a main wall, g. an integral first sidewall on the main wall, h. a portion of the first sidewall bent into general parallelism with the main wall, i. an integral second sidewall opposite and generally parallel with the first sidewall, j. a portion of the second sidewall, opposite to the bent portion, cut away to allow the bent portion to be inserted in the slot in the tongue, k. the bent portion of the first sidewall inserted into the slot in the tongue, l. the latch member pivotable on the bent portion in the slot, to position its main wall, first and second sidewalls astride the tongue to block the withdrawal of the tongue from the hole in a web.

13. A rack comprising: a. a connecter member, b. a front wall on the connecter member, c. an integral sidewall on a vertical edge of the front wall, d. at least one tongue on the front wall in general parallelism with the sidewall, e. an integral offset finger on the front wall, deflected toward the sidewall, f. the end of the integral, offset, deflected finger and the sidewall defining between them a space to receive a flange of a vertical member, g. the tongue on the connecter positioned to be passed through the web of a vertical member.