GB1585947A

GB1585947A - Collapsible shelf

Info

Publication number: GB1585947A
Application number: GB21125/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Schaefer Fabriken fur La GmbH
Current assignee: Schaefer Fabriken fur La GmbH
Priority date: 1977-06-01
Filing date: 1978-05-22
Publication date: 1981-03-11
Also published as: SE7806218L; IT7823856A0; FR2392627A1; FR2392627B1; IT1095917B; CH630581A5; DE2724636C2; DE2724636A1

Abstract

A dismountable shelving unit is to be provided which permits a variety of types of storage and can be used both as compartmental storage shelving and as pallet storage shelving, it being possible to install transverse walls (33) and longitudinal walls. The shelving unit has uprights (1) consisting of hollow profiles of T-shaped cross-section which have recesses (15, 16) and (17, 18) arranged with a grid-type distribution in their web (11) and on the insides (14) of their flanges (10) in the longitudinal direction as coupling contacts for the suspension of longitudinal members (2 and 3) and cross-members (4 and 5) and the like. The recesses (15, 16) on the insides (14) of the flanges, which are of keyhole-like design, extend, with their constricted opening part (16), obliquely downwards and towards the web (11) of the upright (1). By contrast, the recesses in the web (11) consist of slits (17) which have a circular widening (18) approximately halfway along their length. In this arrangement, the web (11) consists of two parallel legs (12) which define between them a gap (13) which is open towards the free ends but is at least capable of being widened. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) COLLAPSIBLE SHELF (71) We, FRITZ SCHAFER GESELL- SCHAFT MIT BESCHRVNKTER HAFTUNG, Fabrikem für Lager-und Betriebseinrichtungen, Salchendorf bei Neunkirchen, Kreis Siegen, a German company, of Fritz Schäfer Strasse 20, 5908 Neunkirchen, West Germany, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a shelf structure suitable for storing articles.

In practice there is a demand for a shelf structure which can be assembled in a warehouse for example to provide storage for various kinds of articles. It often occurs, for example, that shelves for supporting pallets are required in the same structure as shelves providing pigeon holes for receiving smaller articles. Furthermore it is desirable to be able to divide the shelf structure into separate sections by means of transverse or longitudinal partitions or to fit doors to some of these sections to form lockable cupboards.

According to the present invention we provide a shelf structure including a plurality of elongate hollow metal posts and other component members connectable therewith to form with the posts a rigid support structure, wherein the cross-section of each post normal to its length is of a hollow T shape with the web of the T defined by two parallel spaced apart portions, these portions and the parts of the post from which the portions extend being provided with apertures at spaced intervals along their length for receiving connecting means connecting the other component members to the post, and wherein the apertures in the web comprise slots having a circular widened portion centrally of their length, and the apertures in the parts of the post from which the portions extend are keyhole shapes with the narrow part of the opening at the bottom and inclined inwardly towards the web of the post.

The keyhole-shaped recesses in the flanged portions of the posts enable longitudinal struts to be suspended between two adjacent posts, the application of a load resulting in a stabilization bracing effect between posts and longitudinal struts. In this structure the longitudinal struts, in the zone in which they are secured, impede neither the addition of transverse struts nor the insertion of partition bases and transverse walls, because these items can in each case be fixed in position by the re recesses present in the web of the posts.The special design of the said recesses in the web of the posts and also that of the web itself, moreover, enable partition bases, cross members and transverse walls to be installed without impeding one another, because they enable partition wall supports to be inserted or locating screws to be taken through the recesses as required.

In many cases, it has been found of advantage for the walls belonging to the flanges and situated parallel to the web to be provided with round holes spaced apart at least over a part of their length adjacent one end of the post. That wall of the hollow post which is opposite the web may likewise be provided with small round holes, at least adjacent the upper end thereof.

According to a further preferred charac teristic of the invention at least some of the other component members are elongate members each provided at their ends with angle pieces which are arranged transverse thereto with one flange of the angle piece parallel to the length of the elongate member, said one flange being fitted with at least one stud with an enlarged head which can engage with a keyhole-shaped recess of a post. Furthermore, that flange of the angle piece bearing the stud can also be provided with at least one hole of which the distance from the stud corresponds to the spacing of the keyhole-shaped recesses in the posts.A lock bolt, for example, can be placed through the said hole and suspended into one of the said keyhole shaped recesses of the posts, after which, by tightening the nut, the elongate members can be secured firmly to the posts.

The invention also preferably provides that at least some of the said other components are spacing members which have bifurcated end portions which can pass fork-wise around the outside of the web of a post, and are provided with round holes by which they can be secured in the circularly widened portions of the slots by means of set screws and nuts.

A further type of said other components may be cross members consisting of sheet metal sections each including a portion enclosing an acuteangle in cross-section provided with a flange along each of its longitudinal edges, the flanges being situated in the same plane and being provided at least at opposite ends with a hole by which they can be secured in the circularly widened portion of a slot in the web of a post by means of a locating screw and nut. This type of cross member can advantageously be used as a load member in pallet-type shelf systems. In such cases it is of advantage if one flange is spaced from the acuteangled portion by an intermediate wall part, making an obtuse angle with both the flange and the acute-angled portion.

At least some of the said component members may be transverse wall members which can be inserted by their longitudinal edges in the gap between the spaced apart portions of the web of the posts when the shelves are being assembled. It is preferable that the transverse wall members should be provided, in the vicinity of their longitudinal edges, with holes having the same spacing as that of the slots provided in the web, said holes at least forming round holes but preferably taking the form of slots with circularly widened portions.

At least some of the component members may be longitudinal wall members, of which the edges are bent at right angles to the walls, and which, at least in the vicinity of their corners, are provided with locating tabs extending coplanar with the wall beyond the bent edges. Preferably, the belt longitudinal edges of the longitudinal walls can be placed against walls of the posts which are situated parallel to the web, and are provided with holes by which they can be secured in the holes of these walls, e.g.

by means of locating screws and nuts. The locating tabs likewise, may be provided with holes by which the longitudinal wall member can be secured, e.g. by means of self-tapping screws, in the holes present in the wall facing the web of the post.

The invention may also provide supports for partition members which can be suspended in the slots in the posts and in the transverse wall members.

In shelf systems according to the invention a foot plate may be provided which can be inserted in the hollow space provided at the lower end of each post, by means of a coupling bracket, the said bracket being provided in its parallel side pieces with holes by which it can be secured, e.g. by means of a locating screw and nut, in the holes present in the side walls of the post which are parallel to the web. In this system the foot plate may be provided with a number of holes for the insertion of securing screws for the base and also with further holes in which bottom lining plates can be secured by means of raised studs. The said lining plates preferably have slots open at the edges igto which, when the plates are pushed under the foot plates, the securing screws can be inserted.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood it will now be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a shelf structure having a pigeon-hole-type store and a pallet store in combination; Figure 2 is a side view of the shelf structure of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction shown by the arrow II; Figure 3 is a side view of the shelf structure of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction shown by the arrow III; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a post for the collapsible shelf structure shown in conjunction with further shelf assembly elements belonging thereto; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a post for the collapsible shelf structure shown in conjunction with various other shelf assembly elements; ; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an end part of a transverse member for the collapsible shelf structure; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the corner portion of a rear wall for the shelf structure; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of further individual components used in the assembly of the shelf structure.

Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings show a shelf structure having a combination of a pigeon-hole-type store and a pallet store.

The shelf structure consists basically of a number of identical posts 1, of which there may be six, and which can be interconnected by a large number of different components. It can be seen from the figures, for example, that each of the pair of left-hand shelf posts 1 is connected with one of a pair of central shelf posts 1 by means of two horizontally extending members 2. On the other hand, each cen- tral shelf post 1 is connected with one of a pair of right-hand shelf posts 1 by two loadbearing horizontal members 3.

It can be seen from Figures 2 and 3 that the rear shelf posts are connected to the front shelf posts by spacing members 4 andlor load-bearing cross members 5.

The load-bearing cross members 5 can also be seen in Figure 1.

It can also be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that the shelf posts 1 can be interconnected by criss-crossed tension members 6 and that partition bases 7 can be inserted between the shelf posts 1.

Pallets 8 can be supported on the loadbearing members 3 and the load-bearing cross members 5 in the shelf structure, while other articles, such as transparent storage boxes 9, can be deposited on the partition bases 7.

From Figures 4 and 5 it can be seen that each shelf post 1 is of hollow T-shaped cross-section, with side portions 10, 14 and 19 together enclosing a rectangular hollow space, while the web 11 consists of two parallel portions 12 which define a gap 13.

Keyhole,shaped apertures 15 are punched out of the walls 14 on opposite sides of the portions 12. The apertures in each wall are arranged one above another as viewed in the longitudinal direction, and at equal distances apart, and they are so arranged that the narrowed opening part 16 of each aperture is at the bottom and is inclined towards the web 11.

In each of the two side portions 12 of the web 11, longitudinal slots 17 are situated in spaced relation one above another; each slot is provided about half-way along its length with a circular widened portion 18.

The walls 19 which are situated parallel to the web 11 of each post 1 are provided at least in the vicinity of the lower end of the post, with round holes 20, while small round holes 22 are provided in the rear wall 21 of each of the posts 1.

The keyhole-shaped apertures 15 can be engaged by the load-bearing longitudinal members 3 and/or the longitudinal spacing members 2 by means of studs 23 with enlarged heads which are indicated in Figures 4 and 5 and are seen more clearly in Figure 6. These studs 23 are on angle pieces 24 which are rigidly connected, e.g.

by welding, to the ends of the members 2 and 3, in such a way that they extend transversely to the members 2 and 3. The studs 23 are in each case located on the interior surfaces of those flanges 25 of the angle pieces which extend parallel to the longitudinal planes of the members 2 and 3. By inserting the studs 23 in the keyhole-shaped apertures 15 of the posts lj thanks to the oblique disposition of the narrowed slot part 16, the angle pieces 24 are braced against the walls 19 of the posts 1, so that the longitudinal members and the posts are interconnected without any play between them.

It is also possible for those flanges 25 of the angle pieces 24 which carry the studs 23 to be provided with a hole spaced from the studs 23 by a distance corresponding to the separation of the keyholershaped apertures 15. A set screw such as a locking screw can be inserted through this hole and can be introduced by its head into a keyholeshaped aperture 15, after which a nut can be screwed onto it, thus preventing accidental displacement between the longitudinal members 2 and 3 and the posts 1.

Both the spacer members 4 and the loadbearing cross members 5 can be secured to the posts by means of nuts 28 and locating screws 27 extending through the circular widened portions 18 of the slits 17 provided in the web 11 of the posts 1, as may be clearly seen from Figures 4 and 5. In this case it is of advantage for the spacing members 4 to pass round the outside of the web 11 of the posts 1. For this purpose the spacer members 4 are provided at their ends with bifurcated portions 29.

The load-bearing cross members 5 each consist of a sheet metal section which includes a portion 5a enclosing an acuteangle in cross-section, the longitudinal edges of which are linked to flange 30 through integral wall part 32 and to flange 31 respectively. The flange 30 forms an obtuse angle with wall part 32, while the wall part 32 also forms an obtuse angle with the portion 5a. The holes for the insertion of the locating screws 27 are provided at the ends of the two flanges 30 and 31, so that the connection between the load-bearing cross member 5 with the web of the posts 1 is provided by the flanges 30 and 31.

If the shelves are to be provided with transverse walls 33 these can be introduced with their longitudinal edges into the gap 13 which is between the two parts 12 of the web 11 of the posts 1.

In this case the walls 33 are provided, along their longitudinal edges, with holes 34 which preferably take the form of slots with a circular widened portion half-way along. This enables the walls to be connected, without any difficulty and possibly together with the load-bearing cross members 5, to the posts 1, by means of locating screws 27 and nuts 28.

Supports 35 for partition bases 7 can likewise be arranged to engage the slots 17; the partition bases 7 then rest on the supports. The partition base supports 35 can equally well be mounted in the slots even if a transverse wall 33 extends into the gap 13, because the said transverse wall 33 is provided with apertures 34 which give unimpeded passage to the base supports 35.

If longitudinal walls 37 (Figure 1) are to be provided between the posts 1 of a shelf structure, e.g. so that a shelf already having transverse walls 33 will assume the character of a cupboard by the addition of a rear wall, then use is made of longitudinal walls 37 which are provided, on their upright edges, with edges 38 bent aside at an angle. These angular edges 38 may then be provided with holes which can be aligned with the holes 20 in the posts, so that securing screws can be inserted through these holes. The bent edge 38 then comes to rest against a side wall 19 of the posts 1.

It is of particular advantage, however, for the longitudinal walls 37 to be provided with locating tabs 39 which are situated in their plane and which are produced by "notching" them out of the bent edges 38. These locating tabs are provided with holes 40 through which self-tapping screws can pass and be screwed into the holes 22 of the posts 1. This construction thus represents a further possible method of connecting the longitudinal wall 37 to the posts 1.

It has also been found of advantage to provide the lower ends of the posts 1 with foot plates 41 (Figure 8). These foot plates are provided, on the top, with a bracket 42 which can be inserted from below into the hollow space of the posts 1.

The two side parts 43 of the bracket 42 have holes 44, and these holes 44 can be aligned with the holes 20 provided in the lower end of the post. The foot plate 41 can be connected to the posts 1 in a simple manner by means of a locating screw 45.

The foot plate 41 can be provided with holes 46 which can be used to accommodate screws 47 secured in the base.

To enable the foot plate 41 to be adjusted in height it is of advantage to use bottom lining plates 48. These bottom lining plates 48 are provided, on their top surface, with raised studs 49 which can interact with locating holes 50 in the foot plates 41 in order to secure the parts firmly in position. The bottom lining plates may also be provided with slots 51 open at the edge, so that they can be pushed into position underneath the foot plates 41 when the latter are already resting on the securing screws 47 for the partition bases. For the said partition, base securing screws 47 enter the open-edged slots 51 without any difficulty.

The construction just described for a collapsible shelf system can be varied in numerous ways. For example, combinations of pigeon-hole-type storage systems and pallet type storage systems can be constructed. It is also possible, however, to provide shelf systems similar to cupboards.

In all cases the components used for the formation of the shelves can be interconnected at any desired point without impeding one another.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A shelf structure including a plurality of elongate hollow metal posts and other component members connectable therewith to form with the posts a rigid support structure, wherein the cross-section of each post normal to its length is of a hollow T shape with the web of the T defined by two parallel spaced apart portions, these portions and the parts of the post from which the portions extend being provided with apertures at spaced intervals along their length for receiving connecting means connecting the other component members to the post, and wherein the apertures in the web comprise slots having circular widened portion centrally of their length, and the apertures in the parts of the post from which the portions extend are keyhole shaped with the narrow part of the opening at the bottom and inclined inwardly towards the web of the post.

2. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein those walls of the head of the T which are parallel to the web have round holes therein spaced apart at least over a part of their length adjacent one end of the post.

3. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein that wall of the head of the T which is opposite to the web has small round holes formed therein at least adjacent the upper end thereof.

4. A shelf structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least some of said other component members are elongate members and are each provided at their ends with angle pieces which are arranged transverse thereto with one flange of the angle piece parallel to the length of the elongate member, said one flange being fitted with at least one stud with an enlarged head which can engage with a keyhole-shaped recess of a post.

5. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 4, wherein that flange of the angle piece which bears the stud is also provided with at least one hole of which the distance from the stud corresponds to the separation of the keyhole-shaped recesses in the posts.

6. A shelf structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least some of said other components are spacing members which have bifurcated end por

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. can equally well be mounted in the slots even if a transverse wall 33 extends into the gap 13, because the said transverse wall 33 is provided with apertures 34 which give unimpeded passage to the base supports 35. If longitudinal walls 37 (Figure 1) are to be provided between the posts 1 of a shelf structure, e.g. so that a shelf already having transverse walls 33 will assume the character of a cupboard by the addition of a rear wall, then use is made of longitudinal walls 37 which are provided, on their upright edges, with edges 38 bent aside at an angle. These angular edges 38 may then be provided with holes which can be aligned with the holes 20 in the posts, so that securing screws can be inserted through these holes. The bent edge 38 then comes to rest against a side wall 19 of the posts 1. It is of particular advantage, however, for the longitudinal walls 37 to be provided with locating tabs 39 which are situated in their plane and which are produced by "notching" them out of the bent edges 38. These locating tabs are provided with holes 40 through which self-tapping screws can pass and be screwed into the holes 22 of the posts 1. This construction thus represents a further possible method of connecting the longitudinal wall 37 to the posts 1. It has also been found of advantage to provide the lower ends of the posts 1 with foot plates 41 (Figure 8). These foot plates are provided, on the top, with a bracket 42 which can be inserted from below into the hollow space of the posts 1. The two side parts 43 of the bracket 42 have holes 44, and these holes 44 can be aligned with the holes 20 provided in the lower end of the post. The foot plate 41 can be connected to the posts 1 in a simple manner by means of a locating screw 45. The foot plate 41 can be provided with holes 46 which can be used to accommodate screws 47 secured in the base. To enable the foot plate 41 to be adjusted in height it is of advantage to use bottom lining plates 48. These bottom lining plates 48 are provided, on their top surface, with raised studs 49 which can interact with locating holes 50 in the foot plates 41 in order to secure the parts firmly in position. The bottom lining plates may also be provided with slots 51 open at the edge, so that they can be pushed into position underneath the foot plates 41 when the latter are already resting on the securing screws 47 for the partition bases. For the said partition, base securing screws 47 enter the open-edged slots 51 without any difficulty. The construction just described for a collapsible shelf system can be varied in numerous ways. For example, combinations of pigeon-hole-type storage systems and pallet type storage systems can be constructed. It is also possible, however, to provide shelf systems similar to cupboards. In all cases the components used for the formation of the shelves can be interconnected at any desired point without impeding one another. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A shelf structure including a plurality of elongate hollow metal posts and other component members connectable therewith to form with the posts a rigid support structure, wherein the cross-section of each post normal to its length is of a hollow T shape with the web of the T defined by two parallel spaced apart portions, these portions and the parts of the post from which the portions extend being provided with apertures at spaced intervals along their length for receiving connecting means connecting the other component members to the post, and wherein the apertures in the web comprise slots having circular widened portion centrally of their length, and the apertures in the parts of the post from which the portions extend are keyhole shaped with the narrow part of the opening at the bottom and inclined inwardly towards the web of the post.

tions which can pass around the web of a post and are provided with round holes by which they can be secured in the circularly widened portions of the slots by means of locating screws and nuts.

7. A shelf structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least some of said other components are cross members consisting of sheet metal sections each including a portion enclosing an acute-angle in cross-section provided along each of its longitudinal edges with a flange, the flanges being situated in the same plane and being each provided at least at opposite ends with a hole by which it can be secured in the circularly widened portion of a slot in thel web of a post by means of a locating screw and nut.

8. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 7, wherein one flange is spaced from the acute-angled portion by an intermediate wall part making an obtuse angle with both the flange and the acute-angled portion.

9. A shelf structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least some of said component members are wall members which can be inserted with their longitudinal edges in the gap between the spaced apart portions of the web of the posts, and the wall members are provided in the vicinity of their longitudinal edges with holes having the same spacing as slots in the web, said holes comprising a circular hole portion.

10. A shelf structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least some of the component members are wall members having edges bent at right angles to the walls and which, at least in the vicinity of their corners, have locating tabs extending coplanar with the wall beyond the bent edges.

11. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 10, wherein the bent longitudinal edges of the wall members can be placed against walls of posts which are situated parallel to the web and are proz vided with holes by which they can be secured in the holes in the said walls.

12. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 9, wherein the locating tabs have holes by which the wall member can be secured in the holes present in the wall facing the web of the post.

13. A shelf structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein supports for partition members are pro^ vided which can be suspended in the slots in the posts, and in the transverse wall members.

14. A shelf structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a foot plate is provided which can be inserted by means of a coupling bracket in the hollow space provided at the lower end of each post, the said bracket being provided in parallel side pieces with holes by which it can be secured in the holes present in the side walls of the post which are parallel to the web.

15. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 14, wherein the foot plate has a number of holes for the insertion of securing screws for the base and also further holes in which bottom lining plates can be secured by means of raised studs.

16. A shelf structure in accordance with claim 15, wherein the bottom lining plates have slots which are open at the edges and into which the securing screws can be inserted.

17. A shelf structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.