Supports: racks – Elements
Patent
1999-08-11
2000-05-09
Gibson, Jr., Robert W.
Supports: racks
Elements
211151, 211175, 31233444, A47F 500
Patent
active
060591307
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to rack storage systems. It is concerned with racks having platforms or shelves which can be slid or rolled out from storage to access positions, these access positions being on opposite sides of a frame which supports the platform. A common arrangement is to have racks in parallel, forming aisles between them, and the platforms can be moved out into either aisle on opposite sides of its supporting frame.
It is important that when the platform is centred within the frame that it should be held immobile. It is also necessary that it should be releasable from either side so that it can be pulled out into the appropriate aisle. Thirdly, there should be means limiting the outward travel of the platform, and fourthly, when it is pushed back in again, the platform should be automatically arrested at the central, storage position.
It is the aim of this invention to provide a stop system that will meet these requirements.
According to the present invention there is provided a stop system for a platform which is movable horizontally from a centred position within a supporting frame to project to one side or the other of the frame, the frame carrying latches which co-operate with first and second pairs of stops on the sides of the platform, the first pair providing abutments adjacent opposite ends of the platform facing outwardly of the frame against which the respective latches engage when the platform is centred and having ramps facing inwardly of the frame to engage and temporarily lift the latches on return of the platform to the centred position, and the second pair being disposed to engage the respective latches when the platform is moved outwardly of the frame and thereby limit the outward travel of the platform.
Preferably, the latches are at diagonally opposed positions with respect to the centred platform. This means that one stop from each pair is on one side of the platform, and the other stop from each pair is on the other side.
Preferably, the frame carries a third pair of stops positioned at opposite sides of the platform so that, when the platform is arrested in either moved out position by a latch on one side engaging one of the second pair of stops, the stop of the third pair on the opposite side engages a further abutment provided by a stop of the first pair.
As will be more apparent later, this guards against any tendency of the platform to skew when arrested by a stop at one side only.
Conveniently, each latch includes a bar pivoted off centre about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of movement of the platform, so that the inner end of the bar falls to bear on the adjacent side of the platform. In practice, this inner end may have a projection parallel to the pivot axis, this projection being the part which actually engages the platform and the stops. Each projection may be equipped with a roller to run over the platform and ramp.
The outer end of each latch bar may be provided with a handle which is pulled down to release the platform. It can and indeed should be released when the platform has moved out a bit.
Preferably, a shallow detent is provided positively to locate each latch at the base of the associated abutment on the first pair of stops. This will help to eliminate any rattle.
For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a movable platform forming part of a rack storage system,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detail of a corner of the platform,
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a platform and part of its supporting frame with the platform centred in a storage position,
FIG. 4 is a side elevation corresponding to FIG. 2 with the platform moved out into one projecting position, and
FIG. 5 is a side elevation corresponding to FIG. 2 but with the rack moved out into the opposite projecting position.
A platform 1 is of square or rectangular form and is carried by rollers 2 on intermediate horizontal sliding or rolling
REFERENCES:
patent: 3465897 (1969-09-01), Schumann
patent: 5513941 (1996-05-01), Kulas et al.
patent: 5598934 (1997-02-01), Krummell et al.
patent: 5641082 (1997-06-01), Grainger
patent: 5848731 (1998-12-01), Allen
patent: 5873473 (1999-02-01), Pater
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