WO1998049923A1 - Beam end connector - Google Patents

Beam end connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998049923A1
WO1998049923A1 PCT/GB1998/001266 GB9801266W WO9849923A1 WO 1998049923 A1 WO1998049923 A1 WO 1998049923A1 GB 9801266 W GB9801266 W GB 9801266W WO 9849923 A1 WO9849923 A1 WO 9849923A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
securing means
connector
bridge
upright
hook
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/001266
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Norman Brooks
Original Assignee
Dexion Group Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dexion Group Limited filed Critical Dexion Group Limited
Priority to AU72230/98A priority Critical patent/AU7223098A/en
Publication of WO1998049923A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998049923A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A47B57/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
    • A47B57/30—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports
    • A47B57/40—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports consisting of hooks coacting with openings

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a connector for racking systems comprising securing means on a beam adapted to secure the beam to an upright member of a racking system, said securing means comprising a bridge portion and a shear hook portion.
  • Such connectors are well known in the art of racking systems.
  • An example of such a connector is that sold under the Speedlock IV trade mark, which is illustrated in PCT/IB95/00322.
  • the hook portion is dimensioned so as to be narrower than the slot on the upright with which it engages to enable a speedy connection.
  • the hooks have a pitch of 75 mm and a length of 32.5 mm.
  • the upright slot has a length of 35 mm and the bracket a thickness of 4 mm.
  • the connector is made from the metal blank in a four stage process.
  • the first stage comprises piercing the blank to allow the securing means to be formed.
  • the bridge and hook portion are then formed in three separate actions.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a beam connector which retains the ease of use of the known connector yet is simpler, cheaper and quicker to produce and which results in less material wastage.
  • a connector for racking systems comprising at least one securing means on a beam adapted to secure the beam to an upright of a racking system, which securing means is pressed out of a web of the beam and comprises a bridge portion and a hook portion, which hook portion is adapted to engage a corresponding slot on the upright, wherein the bridge portion and the hook portion are dimensioned such that both the bridge and the hook are adapted to provide a shear function in the installed position.
  • the bridge and hook are adapted to be pressed out in a single stage, preferably without any cutting.
  • the securing means are juxtaposed and may have a substantially trapezoidal outline.
  • the length of the securing means is equal or greater than the length of the slot in the upright.
  • the depth of the bridge portion corresponds to the width of the web of the upright.
  • the beam is provided with a plurality of securing means, which preferably align with one another.
  • the securing means have a pitch of 50 mm and a length of 25.5 mm.
  • the connector of the invention is advantageous over the prior art connector because it can be formed in a single stage. This reduces the production time required and also reduces the wear on the stamping tool considerably, which will further reduce costs and wastage. Furthermore as there is no need for a cutting stage prior to stamping, the connector will not suffer the weakening associated with cutting and will hence be stronger. Additionally there will be a reduction in the amount of waste material produced, which will again reduce costs as disposal costs are reduced, if not eliminated.
  • the reduction in the pitch of the securing means enables more hooks per unit length to be produced, which can be used to give either an improved performance or the same performance in a shorter length, thereby saving costs.
  • the connector of the invention also enables the hook portion to be given a shear function, i.e. it is adapted to fit the upright slot, thereby enhancing performance .
  • Figure 1 shows a side view of the connector
  • Figure 2 shows a front view of the connector
  • Figure 3 shows a rear view of the connector mounted in a slot of an upright of a racking system.
  • Figure 1 shows a side view of the web 1 of a connector of a beam of a racking system.
  • the connector securing means which protrudes from the plane of the web, comprises an upper bridge portion 2 and a lower hook portion 3.
  • the bridge portion is continuous at the upper and lower edges with the web 1 and arcs symmetrically between these two points .
  • the bridge 2 protrudes from the plane of the web 1 such that its apex is slightly greater than the width of the web 1. In the installed position the apex of the bridge is substantially co-planar to the rear surface plane of the upright, in which it is mounted.
  • the hook portion 3 is continuous with the web 1 at its upper end only.
  • the hook portion 3 comprises a first section, joined to the web, which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the web 1 and a second section which extends away from the plane of the web, at a small angle, typically 10° .
  • the length of the first section corresponds to the height of the apex of the bridge.
  • the separation between the surface of the second portion facing the web and the web itself is thus greater than the height of the bridge and is thus adapted to engage behind a lower edge of a slot of an upright member.
  • the second portion extends away from the plane of the web to facilitate the introduction of the securing means into the slot.
  • Figure 2 shows a front view of the connector securing means which have a substantially trapezoidal outline.
  • the upper, bridge portion 2 is continuous with the web at its upper and lower edges and pressed out at the two vertical edges .
  • the hook portion is continuous with the web at only its upper edge.
  • Figure 3 shows a rear view of the connector mounted in a slot of an upright of a racking system.
  • the slot 4 of the upright member of the racking system has substantially the same trapezoidal outline as the securing means.
  • the length of the slot 4 is slightly shorter than the length of the securing means. This gives the advantage that it is harder to dislodge the securing means than in the known systems.
  • the securing means can be inserted into the slot due to the arcuate bridge portion, which slides against the upper edge of the slot as the hook portion is lowered into place.
  • a beam lock such as the bent nail type, is used to more securely hold the beam in position.
  • the angles of the vertical edges are substantially identical to those of the bridge and hook portions of the securing means.
  • both the hook portion and the bridge portion provide a shear function.
  • the dimensions of the primary shear element, the bridge portion can be reduced.
  • the thickness of the material can also be reduced from 4 mm of the known connector to 3 mm without impairing performance.
  • Exemplary dimensions for the connector are a pitch of 50mm and a length of 25.5 mm, the length of the securing means being defined as the distance from the upper edge of the bridge portion to the free end of the hook portion.
  • the slot would be 25 mm in length (the distance from the upper to the lower horizontal edges). In an alternative embodiment suitable for smaller loads, both the connector and the slot have a length of 22.5 mm.
  • each beam end will be provided with a plurality of aligned securing means, typically four.
  • the connector can be produced in a single stage using a progression type tool.
  • Use of a single stage in a progression type tool is desirable because it is simpler and cheaper and reduces wastage compared to the known prior art system.
  • a further advantage of such a method of manufacture is that the connector can be made in right- and left hand pairs using the same tool, which reduces the tooling costs associated with the production.

Abstract

A beam end connector for pallet racking comprising at least one securing means, which securing means comprises a bridge portion (2) and a hook portion (3), both of which are adapted to provide a shear function. The bridge and hook portions are also juxtaposed so that they can be formed with a single stamp.

Description

Beam End Connector
The invention relates to a connector for racking systems comprising securing means on a beam adapted to secure the beam to an upright member of a racking system, said securing means comprising a bridge portion and a shear hook portion.
Such connectors are well known in the art of racking systems. An example of such a connector is that sold under the Speedlock IV trade mark, which is illustrated in PCT/IB95/00322.
With the Speedlock IV connector the hook portion is dimensioned so as to be narrower than the slot on the upright with which it engages to enable a speedy connection. With the Speedlock IV system the hooks have a pitch of 75 mm and a length of 32.5 mm. The upright slot has a length of 35 mm and the bracket a thickness of 4 mm.
The connector is made from the metal blank in a four stage process. The first stage comprises piercing the blank to allow the securing means to be formed. The bridge and hook portion are then formed in three separate actions.
Whilst this connector has proved successful over the last twenty years, its production is relatively expensive, time consuming and involves a certain amount of undesirable wastage of materials.
The present invention seeks to provide a beam connector which retains the ease of use of the known connector yet is simpler, cheaper and quicker to produce and which results in less material wastage.
According to the invention there is provided a connector for racking systems comprising at least one securing means on a beam adapted to secure the beam to an upright of a racking system, which securing means is pressed out of a web of the beam and comprises a bridge portion and a hook portion, which hook portion is adapted to engage a corresponding slot on the upright, wherein the bridge portion and the hook portion are dimensioned such that both the bridge and the hook are adapted to provide a shear function in the installed position.
Preferably the bridge and hook are adapted to be pressed out in a single stage, preferably without any cutting. Preferably, the securing means are juxtaposed and may have a substantially trapezoidal outline. Preferably the length of the securing means is equal or greater than the length of the slot in the upright. Preferably the depth of the bridge portion corresponds to the width of the web of the upright. Preferably, the beam is provided with a plurality of securing means, which preferably align with one another. In a preferred embodiment the securing means have a pitch of 50 mm and a length of 25.5 mm.
The connector of the invention is advantageous over the prior art connector because it can be formed in a single stage. This reduces the production time required and also reduces the wear on the stamping tool considerably, which will further reduce costs and wastage. Furthermore as there is no need for a cutting stage prior to stamping, the connector will not suffer the weakening associated with cutting and will hence be stronger. Additionally there will be a reduction in the amount of waste material produced, which will again reduce costs as disposal costs are reduced, if not eliminated. The reduction in the pitch of the securing means enables more hooks per unit length to be produced, which can be used to give either an improved performance or the same performance in a shorter length, thereby saving costs. The connector of the invention also enables the hook portion to be given a shear function, i.e. it is adapted to fit the upright slot, thereby enhancing performance .
An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a side view of the connector; Figure 2 shows a front view of the connector and Figure 3 shows a rear view of the connector mounted in a slot of an upright of a racking system.
Figure 1 shows a side view of the web 1 of a connector of a beam of a racking system. The connector securing means, which protrudes from the plane of the web, comprises an upper bridge portion 2 and a lower hook portion 3. The bridge portion is continuous at the upper and lower edges with the web 1 and arcs symmetrically between these two points . The bridge 2 protrudes from the plane of the web 1 such that its apex is slightly greater than the width of the web 1. In the installed position the apex of the bridge is substantially co-planar to the rear surface plane of the upright, in which it is mounted. The hook portion 3 is continuous with the web 1 at its upper end only. The hook portion 3 comprises a first section, joined to the web, which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the web 1 and a second section which extends away from the plane of the web, at a small angle, typically 10° . The length of the first section corresponds to the height of the apex of the bridge. The separation between the surface of the second portion facing the web and the web itself is thus greater than the height of the bridge and is thus adapted to engage behind a lower edge of a slot of an upright member. Furthermore the second portion extends away from the plane of the web to facilitate the introduction of the securing means into the slot.
Figure 2 shows a front view of the connector securing means which have a substantially trapezoidal outline. The upper, bridge portion 2 is continuous with the web at its upper and lower edges and pressed out at the two vertical edges . The hook portion is continuous with the web at only its upper edge.
Figure 3 shows a rear view of the connector mounted in a slot of an upright of a racking system. The slot 4 of the upright member of the racking system has substantially the same trapezoidal outline as the securing means. The length of the slot 4 is slightly shorter than the length of the securing means. This gives the advantage that it is harder to dislodge the securing means than in the known systems. The securing means can be inserted into the slot due to the arcuate bridge portion, which slides against the upper edge of the slot as the hook portion is lowered into place. In practice a beam lock, such as the bent nail type, is used to more securely hold the beam in position.
However, the angles of the vertical edges are substantially identical to those of the bridge and hook portions of the securing means. This means that in the installed position both the hook portion and the bridge portion provide a shear function. As the hook and bridge portions are thus both used to provide the shear function, the dimensions of the primary shear element, the bridge portion, can be reduced. This in turn enables the overall size of the securing means to be reduced, which enables the pitch to be reduced and the entire securing means to be produced in a single stage with a single strike of a stamping tool. The thickness of the material can also be reduced from 4 mm of the known connector to 3 mm without impairing performance. Exemplary dimensions for the connector are a pitch of 50mm and a length of 25.5 mm, the length of the securing means being defined as the distance from the upper edge of the bridge portion to the free end of the hook portion. The slot would be 25 mm in length (the distance from the upper to the lower horizontal edges). In an alternative embodiment suitable for smaller loads, both the connector and the slot have a length of 22.5 mm.
In use the connector is provided on a beam end of a pallet racking system. Generally, each beam end will be provided with a plurality of aligned securing means, typically four.
The connector can be produced in a single stage using a progression type tool. Use of a single stage in a progression type tool is desirable because it is simpler and cheaper and reduces wastage compared to the known prior art system. A further advantage of such a method of manufacture is that the connector can be made in right- and left hand pairs using the same tool, which reduces the tooling costs associated with the production.

Claims

Claims
1. A connector for racking systems comprising at least one securing means on a beam adapted to secure the beam to an upright of a racking system, which securing means is pressed out of a web (1) of the beam and comprises a bridge portion (2) and a hook portion (3), which hook (3) portion is adapted to engage a corresponding slot (4) on the upright, characterised in that the bridge portion (2) and the hook portion (3) are dimensioned such that both the bridge and the hook are adapted to provide a shear function in the installed position.
2. A connector according to Claim 1, characterised in that the bridge (2) and hook (3) are adapted to be pressed out in a single stage.
3. A connector according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the securing means have a substantially trapezoidal outline.
4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterised in that the length of the securing means is equal to or greater than the length of the slot (4) in the upright.
5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterised in that the depth of the bridge portion (2) corresponds to the width of the web (1) of the upright.
6. A beam having a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , characterised in that the connector comprises a plurality of aligned securing means.
PCT/GB1998/001266 1997-05-02 1998-04-30 Beam end connector WO1998049923A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU72230/98A AU7223098A (en) 1997-05-02 1998-04-30 Beam end connector

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9709043.5 1997-05-02
GB9709043A GB2324709B (en) 1997-05-02 1997-05-02 Beam end connector

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998049923A1 true WO1998049923A1 (en) 1998-11-12

Family

ID=10811786

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/001266 WO1998049923A1 (en) 1997-05-02 1998-04-30 Beam end connector

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU7223098A (en)
GB (1) GB2324709B (en)
WO (1) WO1998049923A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202010005116U1 (en) * 2010-04-16 2010-07-01 Visplay International Ag Hanging device for the presentation of objects

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2001727A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-02-07 Dexion Comino Int Ltd Connection means for framework structures
GB2118669A (en) * 1982-04-29 1983-11-02 Puebla Luisa Lostao Improved device for joining structure
EP0263009A1 (en) * 1986-09-15 1988-04-06 Société dite: ALSER Société Anonyme Connecting piece between the beam and upright of a rack
DE8424579U1 (en) * 1984-08-18 1988-06-23 Galler Kg, 8650 Kulmbach, De
WO1995030358A1 (en) 1994-05-06 1995-11-16 Dexion Holding Gmbh Locking element for a plug-in stand or rack

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB977355A (en) * 1962-06-29 1964-12-09 Dexion Ltd Improvements relating to storage racking
GB1190375A (en) * 1966-08-08 1970-05-06 Dexion Ltd Improvements relating to Connections between Structural Components
GB1287394A (en) * 1970-04-28 1972-08-31 Strong Block Spa Improvements in stand and shelving frame structures
NO144435C (en) * 1977-07-28 1981-08-26 Dexion Comino Int Ltd CONNECTION DEVICE.
IT1124967B (en) * 1979-11-13 1986-05-14 Metalgamma Snc Di L G Belloni REFINEMENTS FOR METAL SHELVING
GB2079586B (en) * 1980-07-11 1985-07-10 Link 51 Ltd Shelving structure
US4928834A (en) * 1988-06-06 1990-05-29 Vesper Corporation Safety beam lock

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2001727A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-02-07 Dexion Comino Int Ltd Connection means for framework structures
GB2118669A (en) * 1982-04-29 1983-11-02 Puebla Luisa Lostao Improved device for joining structure
DE8424579U1 (en) * 1984-08-18 1988-06-23 Galler Kg, 8650 Kulmbach, De
EP0263009A1 (en) * 1986-09-15 1988-04-06 Société dite: ALSER Société Anonyme Connecting piece between the beam and upright of a rack
WO1995030358A1 (en) 1994-05-06 1995-11-16 Dexion Holding Gmbh Locking element for a plug-in stand or rack

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2324709B (en) 2001-12-05
GB2324709A (en) 1998-11-04
GB9709043D0 (en) 1997-06-25
AU7223098A (en) 1998-11-27

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