Supports: racks – Shelf type – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-03
2001-05-01
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Shelf type
Knockdown
C248S242000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223916
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the interconnection of components of mechanical assemblies, and is directed more particularly to a retainer for fixing a shelving crossbar to a shelving post, a shelving assembly including the retainer, and a method for fixing a shelving crossbar to a shelving post.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of shelving assemblies, it is known to attach shelves and reinforcing crossbars to hollow posts by inserting hook portions on the shelves and crossbars into vertical slots in the posts. The slots are of a length sufficient to accept the entire hook portion, but once the hook portion is inside the post, only a limited part of the hook portion is actually disposed in the slot, leaving a large portion of the slot unoccupied, contributing to a looseness or abundance of “play” in the structure of assembled units. Once the shelves are loaded with books, equipment, or the like, the weight stabilizes the shelf hook portions in the post slots. However, the crossbars, which are intended to add to the structural stability of the assembled unit, are only loosely connected to the posts.
Thus, there is a need for an arrangement similar to the known arrangement described above, and therefore easy to assemble, but including means for stabilizing the interconnection of the crossbars and the posts.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a retainer for use in shelving assemblies for securing the crossbars to the posts such that the crossbar hook portions are substantially immovable in the post slots.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a shelving assembly in which the crossbar hook portions are substantially immovably fixed in the post slots.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for fixing a shelving crossbar to shelving posts in such a manner as to prevent substantial movement of the crossbar hook portions in the post slots.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the present invention are addressed by the provision and use of a novel shelving crossbar retainer for retaining a crossbar having a lengthwise edge surface, the crossbar having a hook portion on an end thereof adapted for insertion into a vertical slot in a post for supporting shelving and the crossbar, the post being hollow and having a horizontal slot disposed therein for alignment with the crossbar edge surface. The crossbar retainer comprises a body portion for disposition on the crossbar edge surface proximate the end of the crossbar, attachment structure extending from the body portion for locking engagement with the crossbar edge surface for securing the body portion to the crossbar, and a tab extending from the body portion and adapted to extend beyond the crossbar end for disposition in the post horizontal slot, whereby to secure the crossbar hook portion substantially immovably in the post vertical slot.
The objects of the present invention are further addressed by the provision and use of a novel shelving crossbar assembly. The assembly comprises a crossbar having a lengthwise edge surface, a hook portion on an end thereof, and a post for supporting shelving and supporting the crossbar, the post being hollow and having a vertical slot therein for receiving the crossbar hook portion, and the post having a horizontal slot disposed in alignment with the crossbar edge surface. The assembly further includes a retainer comprising a body portion positioned on the crossbar edge surface proximate the crossbar end, attachment structure extending from the body portion and lockingly engaged with the crossbar edge surface, thereby fixing the body portion to the crossbar, and a tab extending from the body portion and beyond the crossbar end and protruding through the horizontal slot and into the hollow post. The crossbar hook portion is thereby substantially immovably fixed in the vertical slot.
The objects of the present invention are still further addressed by the provision of a novel method for fixing a shelving crossbar to a shelving post, the crossbar having an edge surface extending lengthwise thereof, and having a hook portion on an end thereof for insertion into a vertical slot in a post for supporting shelving and the crossbar, the post being hollow and having a horizontal slot disposed therein for alignment with the crossbar edge surface. The method comprises the steps of inserting the crossbar hook portion into the post vertical slot, such that a portion of the hook portion is disposed in the post, and a second portion of the hook portion rests on a lower end of the vertical slot, providing a retainer comprising a body portion having a hole therethrough, and a tab extending from the body portion, placing the retainer body portion on the crossbar edge surface and moving the body portion toward the post to cause the retainer tab to enter the post horizontal slot, providing a fastener which is receivable by the body portion hole and engageable with the crossbar edge surface, and moving the fastener through the body portion hole and into the crossbar through the edge surface thereof, to fix the retainer to the crossbar with the retainer tab in the post horizontal slot, substantially preventing movement of the crossbar hook portion in the post vertical slot.
The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts and method steps, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular devices, assembly, and method embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
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Novosad Jennifer E.
Pandiscio & Pandiscio
Stodola Daniel P.
LandOfFree
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