EP2394532A1

EP2394532A1 - Modular shelf for racks

Info

Publication number: EP2394532A1
Application number: EP11004743A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano Bettini
Original assignee: Rosss SpA
Current assignee: Rosss SpA
Priority date: 2010-06-14
Filing date: 2011-06-10
Publication date: 2011-12-14
Also published as: ITFI20100128A1; IT1401876B1

Abstract

Modular shelf for racks, developing mainly longitudinally and formed by at least one module comprising a plane (13) in metal sheet, developing mainly longitudinally and presenting on its own surface a plurality of through apertures (18) for water outflow. The shelf provides that said through apertures (18) are formed by transverse slits whose inner edges (18A) are turned downwards to form stiffening ribs for the shelf.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of metal shelving; more in particular its object is a shelf for metal rack, designed particularly, although not exclusively, for environments provided with fire sprinkler systems. A further object of the invention is a rack using a plurality of said shelves.

State of the Art

As it is well known, the shelving systems in stores such as supermarkets and the like are usually formed by a frame comprising a base and a pair of uprights, onto which pairs of cantilever shelves for supporting the ends of shelves for resting goods are fixed. These shelves are made from a single continuous plane made of metal sheet and stiffened in longitudinal direction (i.e. in the direction in which the bracket extends) by iron bars made integral with the lower face of the plane.
These shelves present a significant disadvantage when they must be used in environments with fire sprinkler systems, that today are used in most part of stores and warehouses. When these fire sprinkler systems are actuated, the shelves are invested by the water discharged from the top by nozzles arranged on the ceiling. In these systems it is fundamental that the water achieves very fast what is burning. Obviously the shelves, being continuous, constitute a barrier for the water that must achieve parts below the shelves.
At the present time, to solve this drawback shelves have been designed in the form of wire shelves constituted by longitudinal wires welded to transverse wires. The "grid" resulting from joining these wires practically defines apertures downwards, which allow water outflow. Obviously, wire shelves are particularly expensive due to both the operations for welding the wires and the necessary subsequent zinc coating.
US-A-2010/0000952 discloses a shelving with shelves presenting elongated transverse apertures. Adjacent shelves are joined together through welded joints. Welding is a complex process and the joint between shelves cannot be reversed. The other joining systems described, even if reversible, are complex and expensive and require supplementary components, such as rivets, screws or nails.
US-A-3,832,957 discloses a shelving, wherein adjacent shelves, provided with apertures, are reciprocally joined along the longitudinal edges through male-female joints that can be obtained through molding. More in particular, the joining systems provide for shaped eyelets and pins with a stem and a head, which insert into one another. Due to the particular shape of the joining means, the shaving must be produced in plastic.

Object and summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a shelf for racks, and the corresponding rack, which solves the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular allows the outflow of the water of fire fighting systems and at the same time can be produced at low cost.
A further significant object is to provide a particularly strong shelf.
Not least, a further object of the present invention is to provide a shelf and a rack using this shelf, presenting such modular characteristics to allow particularly flexible production and use thereof.
This and other objects, that will be clearer below, are obtained through a modular shelf for racks, developing mainly longitudinally and formed by at least one module comprising a plane in metal sheet, developing mainly longitudinally. This plane presents, on its surface, a plurality of through apertures, shaped like slits, for water outflow.
In the preferred embodiment, the internal edges of said slits are advantageously turned downwards so as to form stiffening ribs for stiffening the shelf. These slits are advantageously obtained through drawing, which allows the edges to be turned downwards to create a stiffening "crown" or "bank" against bending.
These slits are advisably elongated in transverse direction, advisably orthogonal relative to the longitudinal development of the shelf.
Advantageously, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the shelf comprises at least two said modules arranged adjacent to on another according to a direction transverse to the modules. Each module is provided with stiffening longitudinal portions near at least one of the two longitudinal sides of the plane, to said plane being associated connecting means for connecting a rack to the supports. The at least two said modules are arranged adjacent to each other according to a direction transverse to the modules.
With this configuration a shelf is obtained, composed by longitudinal modules, which are arranged transversally adjacent, perforated in a through manner, and present singularly a more limited depth relative to the overall depth of the bracket, with the longitudinal sides of the plane practically forming longitudinal stiffening ribs. Practically, each module corresponds to a "longitudinal band" of a traditional shelf and the corresponding longitudinal flanks correspond to the stiffening bars of these traditional shelves, all with through slits allowing optimal water outflow.
Advisably, in a preferred embodiment, the stiffening longitudinal portions of each module are formed by both the longitudinal sides thereof.
Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment, the modules present reciprocal connecting means, designed to allow both to cooperate for bending, which are preferably embodied by one or more appendixes projecting in transverse direction from a front or back longitudinal side of a module, and one or more complementary seats obtained undercut on a back or front longitudinal side of an adjacent module flanking in the longitudinal direction, in which seat said appendix is designed to be inserted according to a direction substantially transverse and/or orthogonal to the substantially vertical face corresponding to a longitudinal side.
Practically, the modules are flanked in transverse direction to form a single support plane for the goods. Thanks to the appendixes of a module inserted in the seats of the adjacent module, when an object is arranged on the plane the bending occurring on the more loaded module is also transmitted to the adjacent module, thus avoiding the formation of substantial steps or discontinuities in the interface between the modules.
As previously stated, also the transverse through apertures, obtained on the plane of the module and allowing water outflow, contribute to the stiffening of the shelf, as they are produced through drawing, i.e. the inner edges of these apertures (presenting an extension elongated in the transverse direction) are turned downwards constituting practically transverse stiffening elements.
In the preferred embodiment, each module is advantageously produced with a single metal sheet adequately bent or shaped without the need for expensive welding operations and subsequent galvanization.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall be more apparent from the description of a preferred, although not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated by way of non limiting example in the attached tables of drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a front axonometric 3/4 view from the top of a rack with shelves according to the invention;
figure 2 is a front axonometric 3/4 view from the top of three modules composing a shelf according to the invention;
figure 3 is a back axonometric 3/4 view from the top of the three modules of figure 2;
figure 4 is a cross section of a front module of a shelf according to the invention;
figure 5 is a cross section of a back module of a shelf according to the invention;
figure 6 is a cross section of a portion of a shelf according to the invention related to the joining of two modules.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

With reference to the aforementioned figures, a rack with shelves according to the invention is indicated as a whole with number 10, while the shelves are indicated with number 11.
The rack 10 comprises a base formed by two crossbeams 10A with feet for resting on the ground and a lower surface 10B fixed to the crossbeams. At the ends of the crossbeams two uprights 10C are fixed, to which, through insertion in adequate notches defined along them, supports for shelves 11 are fixed, for example brackets 10D.
In particular, the brackets 10D project onto the uprights and support for their length the longitudinal ends of the shelves 11, as better explained below.
Each shelf 11 according to the invention is composed by at least one module practically constituting the whole shelf. As in the example being described, the modular system can provide for using at least two modules 12 with mainly longitudinal development and adjacent in transverse direction, i.e. according to the depth of the shelf. In figure 1 the shelves are formed each by two modules. As stated, the shelves can be also formed by more than 2 modules. For instance, in figure 2 and 3 three modules are shown that can form a shelf 11.
Each module 12 of a shelf 11 comprises a rectangular plane 13, with mainly longitudinal development, delimited by two longitudinal sides, respectively a front side 14A and back side 14B, extending downwards from the plane 13 (see in particular figures 4 to 6). Advantageously, the module is preferably produced in a single piece of bent sheet. The plane 13 represents the upper face of a rectangular body of metal sheet with longitudinal edges or portions bent in correspondence of the long edges of the plane to obtain the longitudinal sides 14A and 14B of the module. These longitudinal sides 14 are practically stiffening longitudinal ribs or portions for the shelf and limit the bending thereof.
In particular, the profile in cross section of the longitudinal sides 14A and 14B is formed as a whole by a portion bent in various manner, which presents an "L" profile, i.e. presents a first part that extends as a whole downwards from the plane and a subsequent second part extending as a whole from the first part towards the opposite longitudinal side.
The modules 12 composing the shelf, if they are two, three or other number, present altogether the same shape and longitudinal length and are adjacent to one another in longitudinal direction, i.e. in the direction of depth of the shelf. The modules are adjacent to one another so that the back longitudinal side 14B of a module is into contact with the front longitudinal side 14A of the module arranged at the back.
Adequately, reciprocal connecting means are present for connecting modules 12 adjacent in transverse direction, designed to allow both to cooperate for bending. In particular, in this embodiment these means are embodied by a plurality of appendixes 15 projecting from the front longitudinal side 14A in direction orthogonal to this side, i.e. in transverse direction, and designed to be inserted in complementary seats 16 obtained undercut on the back longitudinal side 14B (see figure 6). Obviously, appendixes and seats can be inverted, i.e. obtained respectively on the back and front side, or they can be combined, i.e. there can be both appendixes and seats on a side. Both the appendixes 15 and the seats 16 are obtained from the sheet.
Practically, the coupling appendixes/seats allows the modules to cooperate when stressed by a vertical load. For instance, when goods rest on the front module 12', or partly on the front module 12' and partly on the module immediately at the back, but with the centre of gravity on the front module, the weight rests mainly on this latter, giving a certain deformation to the module. If means such as the appendixes/seats are not present, the front module 12' would deform much more than the back module, thus creating an unacceptable discontinuity on the surface of the shelf. The appendixes 15 with the respective seats 16 on the contrary allow the back module to follow the deformation of the front module, thus avoiding discontinuity.
The module forming the frontest part of the shelf (i.e. the part more exposed towards the access area of the shelf), also defined front module 12A', is provided, on its front longitudinal side, with housing means for housing information elements of the displayed products, such as cardboard labels. In particular these housing means are for instance constituted by a longitudinal pocket 17 opened at the front and delimited by two C-shaped opposite portions 17A determining an undercut for holding the label. The pocket 17 is obtained in a single piece with the sheet forming the plane 13 and the sides 14, and is obtained by bending the longitudinal portion forming the front longitudinal side 14A. Obviously, on this latter there are no appendixes 15 or seats 16, as this side shall not be coupled to a module. The back longitudinal side 14B of this front module 12' presents seats 16 to allow connection with a back module.
If only two modules 12 compose the shelf 11, there are a front module 12' and a back module 12". In the case of a shelf 11 with three modules 12, there are a front module 12', a back module 12" and an intermediate module 12'" to be arranged between the front and the back module. This latter therefore presents on the front longitudinal side 14A the appendixes 15 and on the back longitudinal side 14B the seats 16. Preferably, for production convenience, the back module 12" is equal to the intermediate module 12"'. Practically, only the front module 12' differs from the other modules due to the presence of the display pocket 17. Obviously, it is possible to use as front module also a module like the back one, when it is not necessary to have display pockets in a single piece with the module.
In the case of a single module forming the shelf, housing means for housing information elements of the displayed products are obviously arranged on the single front longitudinal side.
According to the invention, on the plane 13 of each module 12 there are through apertures 18. Adequately, these apertures 18 are formed by transverse slits, preferably in the shape of elongated eyelets, which are drawn, i.e. present their internal edges 18A turned downwards so as to form stiffening ribs for stiffening the shelf. These apertures allow water outflow downwards. Drawing of the apertures gives greater stiffness to the module and therefore to the whole shelf.
It should be noted that these transverse slits 18 of a module are parallel to one another and present the same length. Advantageously they present a development substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal development of the shelf.
It should be also noted that each transverse slit 18 has a width greater than the distance from an equal respective adjacent transverse slit.
On the flanks 19 of each module 12 are present connecting means for connection to the brackets 10D of the rack 10, that are embodied in this example by a wing 20 L-folded downwards defining a transverse nip opened downwards and whose bottom forms the support for a complementary portion of bracket 10D. Practically each bracket 10D is formed by a "square" in metal sheet with thin upper edge designed to be inserted inside the nip defined by the wing 20. Its bottom abuts against and rests on the upper edge of the bracket. When two or more modules 12 are arranged transversally adjacent, the nips defined by the respective wings 20 related to a same flank are aligned to one another for insertion and abutment of the bracket.
On the sheet plane 13 of each module 12 a plurality of through holes 21 is provided, obtained along the longitudinal sides 14A and 14B of the module. These holes 21 are designed to house positioning pins 22A for positioning transverse dividing elements 22 of the shelves, allowing maintaining the goods separated on them. In figure 4 the scheme is shown in dotted line of a portion of a dividing element 22.
Advantageously, when the positioning pins 22A are inserted in respective holes, the free end of these pins is at a height equal to or greater than the lower edge 14A' of the front longitudinal side 14A of the front module 12', thus preventing a user from accidentally impacting the free ends of the pins causing injuries to the hands or to the goods to be displayed. Adequately, as the height of the longitudinal sides of all the modules is substantially the same, the positioning pins 22 cannot project below the shelf.
It is understood that what illustrated purely represents possible non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, which may vary in forms and arrangements without departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. Any reference numbers in the appended claims are provided for the sole purpose of facilitating the reading thereof in the light of the description hereinbefore and the accompanying drawings and do not in any way limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

Modular shelf for racks, developing mainly longitudinally, formed by at least two modules, each of which comprises a plane (13) in metal sheet, developing mainly longitudinally and presenting on its own surface a plurality of through apertures (18) for water outflow, shaped like elongated slits, wherein: said at least two modules (12; 12'; 12"; 12"') are arranged adjacent according to a direction transverse to the modules; each of said modules is provided with stiffening longitudinal portions near at least one of the two longitudinal sides (14A, 14B) of the plane (13), to said plane (13) being associated connecting means (20) for connecting to supports (10D); said at least two modules (12) are arranged adjacent according to a direction transverse to said modules and present reciprocal connecting means (15, 16), designed to allow both to cooperate for bending, said reciprocal connecting means being obtained from the metal sheet forming the modules.
A shelf as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the internal edges (18A) of said slits (18) are turned downwards so as to form stiffening ribs for stiffening the shelf.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said slits (18) are obtained through drawing.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that the slits (18) of said at least one module are shaped like elongated eyelets.
A shelf as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said through apertures (18) are formed by transverse slits.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said transverse slits (18) of said at least one module are parallel to one another and present the same length.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said transverse slits (18) of said at least one module present a development substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal development of the shelf.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that each transverse slit (18) has a greater width relative to the distance from an equal respective adjacent transverse slit.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that each said module (12) comprises two of said stiffening longitudinal portions forming respectively the front side (14A) and the back side (14B) of the module (12).
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that each said module (11) is produced in a single piece of metal sheet.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said reciprocal connecting means (15, 16), designed to allow an adjacent pair of modules (12) to cooperate for bending, comprise at least one appendix (15) exiting in transverse direction from a front or back longitudinal side (14A, 14B) of a module (12), and a complementary seat (16) obtained undercut on a back or front longitudinal side (14B, 14A) of an adjacent module flanking in the longitudinal direction, in which seat said appendix (15) is designed to be inserted according to a direction substantially transverse and/or orthogonal to the substantially vertical face corresponding to a longitudinal side (14B, 14A).
A shelf as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said at least one appendix (15) and said complementary seat (16) are obtained through plastic deformation of the metal sheet forming the respective module (12; 12'; 12"; 12"').
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that the module (12') forming the frontest part of the shelf (11) is provided, on the front longitudinal side (14A), with housing means (17) for housing information elements of the displayed products, and is provided, on the back longitudinal side (14B), with said at least one appendix (15) and/or said at least one insertion seat (16) for a complementary appendix (15), so as to allow connection with complementary seats (15) or appendixes (16) of a module (12"-12"') placed side by side posteriorly.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized by comprising at least one intermediate module (12"') to be arranged between a module (12') forming the frontest part of the shelf and a module (12") forming the most rear part of the front shelf, said intermediate module (12"') being provided on the front and back longitudinal sides (14A, 14B) with said at least one appendix (15) and/or said at least one seat (16) to allow connection with adjacent modules.
A shelf as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said connecting means (20) for connection to the brackets (10D) of a rack (10) comprise on the end flanks (19) of said module (11) a wing (20) L-folded downwards and defining a transverse nip open downwards and whose bottom forms the support for a complementary portion of bracket (10D).
A rack (10) comprising a base (10A) and uprights (10C) from which project supporting brackets (10D) for supporting shelves (11) as claimed in one or more of the previous claims.
A rack as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said modules (12) forming said shelves (11) comprise on the plane in metal sheet (13) a plurality of through holes (21) obtained along the longitudinal sides (14A, 14B) of the modules and designed to house positioning pins (22A) for positioning transverse dividing elements (22) of the shelves, each dividing element (22) comprising at least one pair of said pins (22A) to be arranged on respective of said holes (21) of a shelf that are aligned transversally, when said pins (22A) are in said holes (21), the end of the pins (22A) is at a greater height relative to the lower edge (14A') of the front longitudinal side (14A) of the front module (12').
A rack as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein at least one shelf (11) comprises at least two modules (12; 12'; 12"; 12"'), one of said modules comprising two series two lines of holes, one along each of the longitudinal edges of the module (12; 12'; 12"; 12"') and housing means (17) for housing information elements of the displayed products along one of said longitudinal edges; the other of said modules comprising one single line of holes along one of the longitudinal edges.