Supports: racks – Elements
Patent
1994-03-24
1996-07-30
Gibson, Jr., Robert W.
Supports: racks
Elements
211187, 211191, A47F 500
Patent
active
055403409
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to racking and in particular to racking storage systems commonly referred to as pallet racking.
Pallet racking comprises a number of upright frames and a number of cross beams supported at least at one end by an upright frame. Additional fittings may be used to adapt the pallet racking for storage of a variety of articles such as drums, timber, piping, crates, etc.
Each upright frame comprises two uprights, upper and lower cross members and a number of diagonal braces extending between the two uprights. Each upright may comprise a single post or a number of posts connected by longitudinally extending joining means.
Typically each post is made of metal of a specified gauge and is manufactured in a rolling mill operation. In manufacture it is preferable to utilise a cross-section, or profile, which maximises the load bearing capability of the post for the gauge of metal selected. An additional consideration in selecting the profile, or profiles, to be used is that it may be desirable to connect posts of different load bearing capabilities. The profile or profiles selected should be such that compressive loads may be efficiently transmitted between the longitudinally joined posts without causing an increased likelihood of one of the posts buckling.
Numerous solutions to one or both of these problems have been proposed in the past and a wide variety of profiles are currently used in racking and storage systems, none of which are entirely satisfactory.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a new form of profile for use in racking.
According to a first aspect the invention consists in a post for racking comprising a front wall, first opposed side wall portions extending rearwardly from the front wall, and second opposed side wall portions extending rearwardly of and substantially parallel to the first side wall portions being joined thereto by inwardly inclined portions, the front wall being provided with a longitudinally extending rearwardly directed trough, and a first and a second series of spaced apertures disposed on opposite sides of the trough.
An advantage of a post according to the invention is that the trough strengthens the post, particularly by increasing resistance of the front wall to buckling.
Preferably the trough is centrally located in the front wall and is equi-spaced between the first and second series of apertures.
In a preferred form the second side wall portions may be spaced apart by a distance equal to the width of a diagonal brace which may be secured between the second side wall portions when the post is incorporated in a racking storage system.
Preferably each second side wall portion is provided with a series of apertures, the apertures in each portion being opposed and adapted to receive a bolt or other fixing means to secure a brace to the post.
The second side wall portions may each be provided with an outwardly projecting flange extending from a rear edge of the second side wall portion.
In one form of the post each inwardly inclined portion may be substantially parallel to the front wall. Alternatively it may be angled relative to the front wall.
In a preferred embodiment the first and second series of apertures may be arranged such that apertures in the first and second series are aligned. Advantageously each aperture may have a shape which is symmetrical about a transverse axis. This has a particular advantage in that a post having such apertures may be reversible which means that the orientation of the post is not critical during construction of the upright frame thereby facilitating construction of the racking storage system.
In one preferred form the apertures may have an elongated octagonal shaped perimeter.
It may be desirable to manufacture a range of posts having varying load bearing capabilities. A problem which has been encountered with existing ranges of posts is that whilst a connector joined to a cross beam may interlock securely with one post in the range it may interlock less securely with another post in the same range having a
REFERENCES:
patent: 4074812 (1978-02-01), Skubic et al.
patent: 4648157 (1987-03-01), Schafer
patent: 4729484 (1988-03-01), McConnell
patent: 5350074 (1994-09-01), Rosenband
patent: 5377851 (1995-01-01), Asano et al.
Betteley Colin E.
Betteley Nicholas
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Stakapal Limited
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