US3858527A

US3858527A - Support base for a storage receptacle

Info

Publication number: US3858527A
Application number: US404143A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anton Reis
Original assignee: LIENHARD AG
Current assignee: LIENHARD AG
Priority date: 1971-06-11
Filing date: 1973-10-09
Publication date: 1975-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-07

Abstract

For lifting storage receptacles, a support base for the storage receptacle is provided on each of its side walls with openings through which a lifting member can be inserted. Further, a guide member is located within the support base for guiding the lifting member into position. Another opening is also formed in the support base to receive a securing rod which prevents drawers, shelves and the like from being displaced as the support base and storage receptacle are lifted.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Rels 1 1 Jan. 7, 1975 15 1 SUPPORT BASE FOR A STORAGE 2,444,326 6/1948 Baker et al. 211/72 X RECEPTACLE 2,705,120 3/1955 Owen 1 108/56 2,967,080 1/1961 Nelson 3l2/2l6 17 1 Inventor: Anton R918, Er n wi z rl n 3,602,157 8/1971 Cohen 108/57 3,638,586 2/1972 Elshout 108/58 [73] Asslgnee' L'enhard Eden Swltzerland 3,699,902 10/1972 Allgeyer 108/58 [22] Filed: Oct. 9, 1973 Primar ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam 21 A 1. N .140 Y I pp 0 4,143 Assistant Examiner-Andrew M. Calvert Related US. Application Data Attorney, Agent, or FirmToren, McGeady and [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 260,561, June 7, 1972, stanger abandoned.

57 ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 1 J H 1971 SW rl nd 8551/71 For l1ft1ng storage receptacles, a support base for the Ze a storage receptacle is provided on each of its side walls with openings through which a lifting member can be I a s s s s 4 s 4 s v a nf-S s q "-li s s s s s 1e 0 earc position. Another opening is also formed in the support base to receive a securing rod which prevents drawers, shelves and the like from being displaced as [5 6] uNlTE g gggg gs giiENTs the support base and storage receptacle are lifted.

924,225 8/1909 Feely 312/216 10 Claims 3 Drawing Figures Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,527

2 Sheets-Sheetl Patented Jan. 7, 1975 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Fig.3 r

1 SUPPORT BASE FOR A STORAGE RECEPTACLE This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 260,561 filed June 7, 1972 now abandoned SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a support structure for a storage receptacle, such as shelves or drawers in which workpieces and tools are stored and,more particularly, it concerns the arrangement of a support base for a storage receptacle which can accommodate the lifting members of lift trucks and the like.

In the production of various types of machines and equipment, it is important from a practical and economical point of view to provide adequate storage of and ready accessibility to workpieces or tools which are necessary in producing the machines or equipment. Therefore, the arrangement of storage facilities for parts and prepared sub-assemblies and also for tools and other devices used in the production operation, are of great importance in affording efficient and economical production operations. Advantageously, the structure and organization of the storage arrangements are adapted to the particular item being produced. If production must be shifted from one item-to another, then it is advantageous if the storage arrangement can be rearranged for adaptation to the new item to be produced. Therefore, it is important to be able to disassemble an existing storage arrangement and, after a predetermined time interval, to reassemble the storage arrangement at the same location or at another location.

At thepresent time, it is common practice to construct storage facilities of standarized or modular storage units, such as stands, frames, shelves, chests of drawers and the like. When a storage facility is to be rearranged, it is particularly advantageous if th storage facilities canbe picked-up and moved in their entirety and positioned at another location.

To permit the transportof various types of storage facilities, it has been known to provide devices for the storage units, particularly as supports for such units, which make it possible to insert the lifting member of a lift vehicle, such as the fork lift on a forklift truck, into the support so that individual storage units can be lifted and moved by a lifting vehicle and reassembled at a different location.

One of the known devices involves the provision of shaped guides adjacent the bottom of a storage unit into which the lifting member or lifting fork can be inserted. However, these devices have been disadvantageous, because it has been possible only to insert the lifting member into one or two sides of the storage unit.

I With such an arrangement, the storage unit must be positioned so that the lifting member can be inserted into the guides. Due to the high costs involved in the assembly of a storage arrangement, there has been the tendency to utilize the storage space involved as completely as possible. However, when attempting to attain complete utilization of the storage space, it often occurs that lifting vehicles for transporting individual storage units cannot be positioned for lifting and moving the unit without first repositioning or dismantling the storeage units. If ready access for lifing and transporting the storage units is not aviliable, then any rearrangement of a storage arrangement becomes more costly and involves a loss of valuable production time.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention, to provide a support base for a storage receptacle or unit so that a lifting vehicle can approach any side Y of the support base for carrying out the required lifting and transporting operation.

In accordance with the present invention, a support base for a storage unit or receptacle is provided with at least four upright side walls and each of the side wallshas an opening or openings through which the lifting member of a lift vehicle can be inserted.

In such an arrangement of a support base, it is possible for a lift vehicle to approach the most accessible side for lifting the storage unit and transporting it to another location.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a cover plate extending across the upper ends ofthe side walls which provides a bearing surface for the bottom of the storage receptacle mounted on the support base. The coverplate protects the bottom of the storage receptacle, which normally is formed of a relatively thin sheet metal, from damage by the lifting member or due to buckling.

To assure the proper orientation of the lifting member within the support base, a guide member is provided within the support base in the path of the lifting member as it is inserted through the openings in the side walls. Preferably, the guide member has a cylindrical shape and has a diameter of a sufficient size to fit between the arms of a lifting member so that proper guidance can be provided. The diameter of the guide member is selected to afford a reasonable amount of play between the guide member and the lifting member. By means of the guidemember the lifting member is properly positoned when it is inserted and it avoids any oblique or slanted orientation of the lifting member.

It is advantageous if the side walls of the support base are aligned with the side surfaces of the storage receptacle. When the sides of the base and the receptacle are aligned, the base and receptacle form a unit which provides good stability, especially when a plurality of such receptacles are stacked one upon the other.

Another important feature of the invention is that the base can be detachably secured to the storage receptable so that it can be removed from the receptacle when it is not in use.

In addition to the openings for the lifting member, other openings can be provided for hooking a securing member into the support base and the storage receptacle for holding drawers, trays and the like in position when the storage unit is lifted and moved.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support base, embodying the present invention, for a storage receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along theline 11-11 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic sectional representation of a safety device for use with the support base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1, the lower half of a storage receptacle 1 is shown in dashed lines mounted on a support base 2. The storage receptacle can be any of a number of different types of storage members such as a chest of drawers, a shelf stand, a rack and the like. The base member 2 is formed from a single piece of sheet metal by cutting and bending it into the desired configuration. The base member has four upright side walls laterally enclosing a space within the support base. A cover plate extends across the upper ends of each of the side walls and defines the upper end of the space formedwithin the side walls. Each of the side walls has a pair of openings 3 so that a lifting member, such as a lift fork, can be inserted through any one of the side walls into the space within the support base for lifting the base and the storage receptacle mounted on it.

As shown in FIG. 1, the side walls 4 of the support base are aligned with the side surfaces of the storage receptacle 1. However, it is also possible to inset the side walls 4 of the support base 2 relative to the side surfaces of the support receptacle so that the support base has a smaller base surface than that of the receptacle.

As indicated in FIG. 2, a cylindrically shaped guide member 6 is positoned within the space defined by the side walls 4 and extends downwardly from the cover plate 5 defining the upper end of the space. The guide body is spaced evenly between the projections of the openings 3 to prevent the lifting member from being inserted obliquely into the support base. The cylindrical shape of the guide body is particularly suitable for guiding the ends of the lifting member, such as a forkshaped member, as it is inserted through the openings 3 into the support base.

Thelower ends of the side walls 4 have an inwardly bent portion 7 and an upwardly bent edge 8 spaced inwardly from the side walls. The inwardly bent portion 7 form the bottom support surface for the support base while the upwardly bent edges 8 provide a reinforcement for the bottom support surface. Accordingly, the support surface for the base is very stable since its bearing contact with the floor or other surface only takes place in the region adjacent to the lower ends of the side walls 4.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, openings 9 are provided through the cover plate 5 for securing the support base 2 to the bottom of the storage receptacle 1 by means of bolts and the like.

Further, in addition to the openings 3 through which the lifting member is inserted, at least one of the side walls has an additional opening 10 spaced between the two openings 3, note FIG. 1. Preferably, the opening 10 is provided in the side wall 4 aligned with the front side of the storage receptacle. In FIG. 3 a safety device is shown inserted into the opening 10 and the device consists of an upright securing rod 11 with a first holding angle 12 movably positioned on its lower end and a second holding angle 13 rigidly secured to its upper end. Each of the first and second holding angles l2, 13 has a first part extending transversely to the elongated direction of the securing rod 11 and a second right angle part secured to one end of the first part spaced from the securing rod. As shown in the drawing, the second 4 holding angle l 3 is secured below a lid 15 on the storage receptacle 1 and the first holding angle is movably positionable for insertion through the opening 10 and then for downward movement by its right angle part into engagement with the inner surface of the side wall below the opening. A drawer 14 is contained in the storage receptacle 1 and its drawer pull bears against the securing rod 11 so that during lifting and transport the drawer is locked in place. A similar arrangement of the securing rod 11 can be provided for holding shelvesand other storage surfaces in position as the storage unit is moved. The arrangement of the opening 10 is particularly advantageous for the use of the securing rod 11, since it is unnecesssry to provide any special structure for the lid 15 or the base of the storage receptacle l for receiving the securing rod.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of theinventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is: v

1. A storage receptacle, such as a chest of drawers, which can be lifted or picked up by a lifting vehicle, such as a fork lift truck, comprising a storage member, a support base for said storage member especially constructed for stacking and transportation purposes, said support base comprising a rectangular planar closed surface upper cover plate, an upright side wall secured to and extending downwardly from each of the peripheral sides of said cover plate, the lower ends of said side walls being bent inwardly to form a narrow marginal support strip along the bottom of said side walls with said support strip being substantially parallel relative to said cover plate and arranged to provide a hollow rectangular base surface, the inner sides of said support strip being bent upwardly toward said cover plate with the upper end of the upwardly bent inner sides being spaced below said cover plate and forming reinforcement for the support strip, said side walls forming in combination with said cover plate and support strip a space closed laterally and at its top, each of said side walls having openings therethrough for accomodating the lifting member of the lifting vehicle with the lifting member being inserted through the openings in one of the side walls into the laterally closed space so that the lifting member can be inserted along any of the side walls of said support base, and a guide member positioned within the closed space formed by said support base for guiding the lifting member as it is inserted through the openings in one of said side walls.

2. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support base is formed of a single piece of sheet metal cut and bent to form said cover plate, side walls and support strip.

3. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a bottom member extends across the lower end of said storage member, said cover plate disposed in surface contact with said bottom member of said storage member and arranged to form a support for said storage member mounted on saidsupport base.

4. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said side walls has apair of laterally spaced symmetrically arranged openings therethrough v pair of laterally spaced openings for the lifting member, and a securing member arranged to be adjustably securable in said additional opening and to extend upwardly from said support base for securing said storage member.

6. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said storage member has at least one openable drawer, said securing member comprises an elongated securing rod having an upper end and a lower end, a first angle-shaped holding member movably secured onto said securing rod adjacent its lower end, a second angle-shaped holding member rigidly secured to said securing rod and spaced from said first holding member toward the upper end of said securing rod, said first holding member having a first part movably mounted on and extending outwardly from said securing rod and a second part attached to said forst part at a location spaced outwardly from said securing rod and bent angularly to said first part, said second part being arranged for insertion through the additional opening in said side wall of said support base for effecting a hooking engagement with said support base, and said second holding member shaped to provide a hook-like engagenient with said storage member above the drawer in said storage member so that said securing rod extending between said first and second holding members 6 forms a guard for preventing outward displacement of the drawer in said storage member.

7. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide body is cylindrically shaped and is positioned centrally within the laterally enclosed space extending downwardly from said cover plate to at least the lower ends of the openings through said side walls.

8. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said guide member is arranged for use with a fork-shaped lifting member and has a diameter corresponding approximately to the open space between the adjacent side surfaces of the fork-shaped lifting members and its diameter is reduced by an amount for affording play between said guide member and the lifting member.

9. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said side walls are arranged to align with the side surfaces of storage member mounted on said support base.

10. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support base is detachably securable to said storage member and said cover plate has openings therethrough and means insertable through the openings in said cover plate for securing said support base to said storage member.

Claims

3. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a bottom member extends across the lower end of said storage member, said cover plate disposed in surface contact with said bottom member of said storage member and arranged to form a support for said storage member mounted on said support base.

4. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said side walls has a pair of laterally spaced symmetrically arranged openings therethrough for accommodating the lifting member.

5. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 4, wherein an additional opening is formed in the upper portion of at least one of said side walls between the pair of laterally spaced openings for the lifting member, and a securing member arranged to be adjustably securable in said additional opening and to extend upwardly from said support base for securing said storage member.

6. A storage receptacle, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said storage member has at least one openable drawer, said securing member comprises an elongated securing rod having an upper end and a lower end, a first angle-shaped holding member movably secured onto said securing rod adjacent its lower end, a second angle-shaped holding member rigidly secured to said securing rod and spaced from said first holding member toward the upper end of said securing rod, said first holding member having a first part movably mounted on and extending outwardly from said securing rod and a second part attached to said forst part at a location spaced outwardly from said securing rod and bent angularly to said first part, said second part being arranged for insertion through the additional opening in said side wall of said support base for effecting a hooking engagement with said support base, and said second holding member shaped to provide a hook-like engagement with said storage member above the drawer in said storage member so that said securing rod extEnding between said first and second holding members forms a guard for preventing outward displacement of the drawer in said storage member.