Supports: racks – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-11-13
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315136
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the field of knockdown structural shelving systems, and more particularly to shelving systems utilizing interconnecting members which can be formed into a self leveling shelving system for storing a plurality of storage bins.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 C.F.R. 1.97 & 1.98
Structural shelving systems and specifically tubular member systems have been known for use in various applications. The manner in which members have been joined and the shelving systems have been the subject of several patents of which I am aware. Typically, the shelving systems have different connectors, assembly line type uses and work station uses. The shelving systems usually have common elements of vertical posts, horizontal beams, an interior shelf or load bearing beams, and in modular or knockdown shelving the systems can be easily assembled and disassembled.
The Cronin patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,299 discloses a joint for tubular members wherein one or more tubular members are received in apertures of another tubular member with one of the received tubular members being an expandable sleeve internally mounted such that the rotation of a screw expands the sleeve internally preventing withdrawal of the received member. Other patents describe assemblies for fastening members.
The Alkalay patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,081 discloses a uniform shelving system, and the Kreider patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,719 discloses a tubular structural system with specific diameters and location of apertures to create a structural support system.
The Noble patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,412 discloses a modular parts supply rack composed of tubular members and an adjustable shelf system using T-connectors. The modular system uses tubular members that are all the same length, and the T-connectors allow the shelves to be adjusted.
The Mefford patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,361 discloses an ergonomic storage rack for holding pallets. The rack allows for storage of pallets above and below the rack, and provides an access area for a worker to enter. The structure is a post and beam, with arcurate beams connected to the posts via a plate connector.
The United Kingdom patent to Osthoff, No. 1,025,347 and the Lawman patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,430 disclose shelving systems provided with tubular members having square shaped cross-sections and which are interconnected by passing one tube through an opening of another tube. The '430 patent shows the use of a screw of bolt for fastening the tube interconnection.
The Phillips patent, U.S. Pat. No. 1,747,026 discloses a tubular shelving system designed for displaying and holding piece goods or bolts of cloth. The posts are braced to each other, and the system uses a adjustable connector.
Thus, most of the shelving systems either involve a fastener or the shelving system is codependent on fasteners. Each shelving system relies on the connectors for either rigidity or for a change in structure. Most of the prior art deals with center posts connected to each other through a connector member or shelving and a fastener.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides an improvement for storing storage bins. The shelving system comprises (1) outer vertical posts; (2) inner vertical posts (3) horizontal crossbars; (4) slide rails; (5) mounting rails; (6) mounting brackets; (7) fasteners; (8) dimples; and (9) apertures. The horizontal crossbars are supported by the inner vertical and outer vertical posts. The horizontal crossbars are placed through apertures located on the inner vertical posts until each side is stopped by a dimple. The horizontal crossbars are supported by the outer vertical posts by being placed through apertures located on the outer vertical posts and are fastened to the outer vertical post. The horizontal crossbars are spaced in horizontal pairs between the vertical posts. The slide rails are supported by the horizontal crossbars by being placed through the apertures in the horizontal crossbars and are fastened to the horizontal crossbar. The slide rails are spaced in horizontal pairs between the horizontal crossbars. The horizontal crossbars and the slide rails form a shelves. The horizontal crossbars are smaller in diameter than the vertical posts, allowing the horizontal crossbars to slide through the apertures in the inner vertical posts and for the outer vertical posts to slidably receive the horizontal crossbars in the apertures located on the outer vertical posts. The slide rails are smaller in diameter than the horizontal crossbars, allowing the horizontal crossbars to slidably receive the slide rails in the apertures located on the horizontal crossbars. The shelving system is self leveled because the slide rails are not attached to the inner vertical posts.
Preferably, the slide rails are positioned at a midpoint of each horizontal crossbar located between each vertical post. The apertures located on the vertical posts are preferably positioned so that the vertical spacing between each pair of horizontal crossbars provides an adequate height within which to place a common plastic storage bin. Each pair of vertical posts are preferably positioned so that the horizontal spacing between each pair of vertical posts provides an adequate width within which to place a common plastic storage bin.
The mounting rails are supported by being placed in the apertures of the back vertical posts and are attached to the back vertical posts using a fastener. The mounting bracket is attached to a support mechanism or wall. The mounting rails are placed in the mounting bracket and are attached to the mounting bracket using a fastener. Preferably all of the fasteners are screws, and when fastening an outer member to an inner member, the screw is fastened perpendicular to the inner member.
The shelving system is designed to provide efficient shelving space to hold a plurality of common sized storage bins. The slide rails connecting the horizontal crossbars are structurally designed to hold storage bins in an ergonomic and efficient manner. The lack of a center connector to the inner vertical posts allows an open framework, and the shelving system is self leveling. The present invention not only self levels, but uses a wall mounting bracket to provide additional support once the shelving system has self leveled. The use of the shelving system specifically for storage bins allows for an efficient shelving system that takes up a minimum of space.
According to the present invention, the use of slide rails provides an aesthetically pleasing open framework, and reduces the friction between the storage bin and the shelving system. Thus, the storage bins may be fully loaded but can be easily removed from the shelving system due to the reduced resistance. Furthermore, the dimples located on the horizontal crossbar make the attachment of the shelving system simple, by providing a frame of reference to place the vertical posts.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shelving spaces are only slightly larger in height and width than the storage bins. Furthermore, the knockdown shelving unit may be bundled in a small package for sale, due to the smaller diameter of horizontal crossbars which fit inside the horizontal crossbars. Also, the use of a single slide rail creates a simple and lightweight shelving system.
Preferably, the structure of this invention is comprised of eight vertical posts arranged in pairs with four to the front and four in the back. The outer pair of vertical posts are connected to a horizontal crossbar, and the inner pair of vertical posts have the horizontal crossbars placed through an aperture in the post. There are eight horizontal crossbars arranged in pairs with four to the front and four to the back. Each pair of horizontal crossbars are interconnected with a slide rail located at the midpoint on the horizont
Baldoni Albert L.
Zipay Bernard S.
Chin-Shue Alvin
Mahler, Esquire Eric N.
Purol Sarah
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