US3432147A - Decking construction with rail members - Google Patents

Description

March 11, 1969 K. D. SCHREYER EI'AL 3,432,147

DECKING CONSTRUCTION WITH RAIL MEMBERS Filed April 5. 1967 m, R) Q) I Q INVENTOR. KENNETH o. SCHREYER H [k G a W BY DAVID W MEE L N 0 m) &

A T TOR NE United States Patent DECKING CONSTRUCTION WITH RAIL MEMBERS Kenneth D. Schreyer, Doylestown, and David W. Meehl,

Hatboro, Pa., assignors to Standard Pressed Steel (10.,

Jenkiutown, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Apr. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 628,637

US. Cl. 25659 Int. Cl. E0411 17/14; E04b 1/18 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates, in general, to decking constructions and, in particular, to an arrangement wherein a single structural member may serve as a combination kick-plate and support for a flooring and handrails.

In double and multiple deck shelving, aisles or walkways are required on the second and higher levels for access to shelves on these levels. For an outside aisle or one which has shelves on one side only, the flooring on that side of the aisle opposite from the shelves must be supported by suitable means. In addition, a kick-plate and handrails must be provided along this side of such an aisle to prevent individuals from falling off.

A major factor in the cost of decking constructions is the cost of raw materials. Accordingly, a reduction in the weight and the number of the component parts of such constructions results in a savings in their manufacture. In addition, the fewer the component parts, the easier and quicker a decking construction may be assembled or disassembled.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved decking construction in which a single structural member serves as a combination kick-plate, flooring support and handrail support. As a result, three functions are served by this member. In contrast, most deckings which are commercially available at the present time employ two or three parts for these three functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination kick-plate and flooring and handrail support for a decking which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate.

Briefly, a decking construction according to the present invention includes a channel having a pair of flanges joined together by a web with the web being disposed vertically. A plurality of flooring support beams are secured to the channel and extend horizontally from the channel. Extending across these support beams is a flooring. A plurality of rail members, secured to the channel, extend vertically upward from the channel.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

FIGURE 1 shows a typical double deck shelving unit in which the present invention may be employed; and

FIGURES 2 and 3 are perspective views, taken from opposite directions, of a decking construction according to the present invention.

The shelving unit in FIGURE 1 is seen to have shelves 10 and 12 on ground level and shelves 14 and 16 on the second level. In order to have access to shelves 14 and 16, a flooring 18 is provided. A staircase 20 leads from ground level to the second level.

Flooring 18, in the form of a grating, is supported from kick- plates 22 and 23 which extend between posts 24. The kick-plates extend along the outside edges of the outside aisles on the second level. The kick-plates serve to prevent an individual on the grating 18 from sliding oif of the edge. Extending vertically from the kick- plates 22 and 23 are rail members 26 which prevent an individual from falling ofi' of the second level.

FIGURES 2 and 3 show in greater detail the arrangement of the kick-plate 22, a rail member 26 and the grating 18. The kick-plate is seen to be a channel having a pair of flanges 22a and 22b joined together by a web 220. The channel is disposed with web 22c being vertical. Kickplate 22 rests upon plates 28 at the tops of posts 24 and is secured to these plates by U-bolts 30 which extend around the kick-plate and through plates 28.

Extending horizontally from kick-plate 22 and secured to this kick-plate is a plurality of grating support beams 32, each in the form of a channel. In particular, the webs 320 of channels 32 are positioned against the lower flange 22b of kick-plate 22. Channels 32 are secured to the kickplate by U-bolts 34 which extend around the kick-plate and through webs 32c. Grating 18 extends across the webs 32c and may be secured to beams 32 by suitable means such as by clips 36. FIGURE 2 indicates how web 22c rises above the top of grating 18 to protect against an individual slipping off of the edge of the grating.

Rail member 26 also is secured to kick-plate 22 and extends vertically upward fromthe kick-plate. Specifically, rail member 26 includes two vertical rail posts 26421 and a handrail 26b. The vertical rail posts extend across the free edges of flanges 22a and 22b and are secured to the kick-plate 22 by U-bolts 38 which extend around the kick plate and through the rail posts.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention it will 'be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A decking construction comprising:

a channel having upper and lower flanges joined together by a web, said channel disposed with said web being vertical;

a plurality of flooring support beams secured to said channel and extending horizontally firom said lower flange of said channel;

a plurality of flooring members extending across said flooring support beams;

and a plurality of rail member secured to said channel and extending vertically upward from said channel.

2. A decking construction according to claim 1 wherein the flooring members are gratings.

3. A decking construction according to claim 1 wherein the flooring support beams and the rail members are secured to the channel by U-bolts.

4. A decking construction according to claim 4 wherein Y the rail members include vertical posts and horizontal handrails and said vertical posts extend upward across the FOREIGN PATENTS free edges of the flanges of the channel. 979 0,81 1950 France 5. A decking construction according to claim 2 wherein 984099 1951 France the flooring support beams are channels. 1351399 1963 France.

References Cited 5 JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,053,462 9/1936 Chaplin 52648 52 263 2,830,509 4/1958 Bustin 52l80

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