Supports: racks – Shelf type – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-09-04
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Shelf type
Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283313
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular shelf system comprised of upright standards or posts and horizontal shelf panels. More particularly this invention concerns a stiffener for such a shelf system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A standard modular shelf system is formed by four identical standards normally made of sheet metal and each formed with a row of attachments, and a plurality of normally rectangular shelf panels. The standards are set vertically at corners of the panels where they are attached to the panels. The result is a shelf system that can be modified, expanded, and taken down and reassembled relatively easily.
While such a shelf system is carrying a considerable load, it has little lateral strength and therefore needs to be stiffened if it is to withstand any type of lateral load. Thus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,517 of Schafer stiffeners are used. The simplest stiffener is one or more diagonal struts secured between the standards. Alternately panels can be used which are connected to the standards and extend vertically. Such panels not only stiffen the system, but form a side or back wall for the shelves, making the systems somewhat easier to use than purely open shelving.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved stiffened shelf system.
Another object is the provision of such an improved shelf-system stiffener which is of simple construction, takes up little space, and is easy to install.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pair of back-to-back shelf systems each have a plurality of horizontal and polygonal shelf panels and respective front and back vertical standards at corners of the panels and each formed with a vertical row of holes. Each of the back standards of one of the systems is closely juxtaposed with a respective one of the back standards of the other system. A stiffener has according to the invention a vertical and rigid center panel lying between the systems and having a pair of opposite and upright end edges each at two of the back standards. Respective pairs of oppositely directed hook flanges project from each of the end edges with each hook flange projecting toward a respective one of the back standards. A respective downwardly directed hook is provided on one of each of the pairs of hook flanges projecting through one of the holes of the respective standard and a respective upwardly directed hook is provided on each of the other of the pairs of hook flanges projecting through one of the holes of the respective standard.
Such a stiffener is first hooked by means of its downwardly directed hooks to the back of one shelf system so as to rigidify and close the back of that shelf system. Then the back of another shelf system is set down on the stiffener to rigidify this system and close its back. The result is a two-sided shelf system that is extremely stable, much more stable than two standard shelf systems standing back-to-back.
According to the invention each standard is formed with a full-length groove having a floor formed with the respective row of holes. Thus the hook flange engages deeply into this groove, further increasing the stability of the system. Furthermore each end edge is provided with a generally U-section hook strip having a short flange fixed to the respective end edge and a long flange engaged in the respective groove and formed with the respective hook. In addition each end edge has an outer mounting flange lying between and fastened to the respective hook strip and an inner mounting flange fixed to the center panel. Adjacent back standards are therefore only spaced apart by the thickness of the three metal plates—the floors of the two hook strips and the short flange of the edge flange—so the system is also fairly compact.
The center panel in accordance with the invention is formed with horizontal corrugations and the inner mounting flange is formed as a row of tabs secured to the corrugations.
Each flange according to the invention is formed with a vertical row of such hooks and the hooks of one flange of each pair of flanges are offset vertically from the hooks of the other flange of the respective pair of flanges. Each hook flange is unitary with the respective hooks.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3871525 (1975-03-01), Al-Dabbach et al.
patent: 3999875 (1976-12-01), Simon
patent: 4030612 (1977-06-01), Gray
patent: 4064996 (1977-12-01), Shillum
patent: 4067445 (1978-01-01), Derclaye
patent: 4142637 (1979-03-01), Kraiss
patent: 4423817 (1984-01-01), Monjo-Rufi
patent: 4648517 (1987-03-01), Schafer
patent: 4742782 (1988-05-01), Miller
patent: 4949648 (1990-08-01), Miller
patent: 5161701 (1992-11-01), Berny
patent: 5295446 (1994-03-01), Schafer
Chin-Shue Alvin
Dubno Herbert
Fritz Schafer GmbH
Purol Sarah
Wilford Andrew
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