GB2141019A - Adjustable rack - Google Patents

Abstract

The storage rack comprises a frame work having at least one cross member 14 from which project support arms 16. Each of the support arms 16 is releasably clampable to a cross member 14. Preferably the support arm 16 terminating clamping means 18 comprising an angle bracket 20 terminating in oppose flanges 22 through which a bolt 24 may be passed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adjustable rack This invention relates to an adjustable rackforthe storage of elongate parts.

Vertical storage frames or racks are availableforthe storage oftimber, rigid plastics, laths, boards, metal extrusions, bars and tubes. These may have an elongate, generally A-shaped framework from which project a number of arms on which the elongate parts to be stored are placed. The arms are conventionally fixed to cross-members on the framework by means of welding, or are bolted through fixed position holes, and thus the spacing between the arms is fixed at the outset. Long rigid parts will obviously need less supportthan shorteror moreflexible parts and in orderforthe racks to accommodate all sorts of different parts to be stored, close spacing of arms is normal leading to unnecessary weightand expense.

Furthermore such racks, being fixed, are not readily adaptable to changing circumstances.

The invention seeks to provide storage rack improved in these respects.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a storage rack which comprises a framework having at least one cross memberfrom which project support arms, each of the support arms being releasably clampable on the cross member.

The support arms maythus be released and removed from the cross member or the clamping mechanism may be slackened and spacing within adjacent arms adjusted atwill. Bythis means, onlythe number of arms necessaryforthe storage of a particular part need be provided, and the overall numberof arms provided with a given rack may be reduced.

Preferably, the cross member is L-shaped in section and the clamping means is generallytriangular in configuration with a single bolt forming one side of the triangle. This provides an extremely stable clamp ing arrangement and yet is easily released for adjustment or removal.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa general perspective view of a vertical rack storage frame; and Figure 2 is a partial end elevational view of support arm in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a vertical rack generally designated 10 comprises an A-shaped frame 12 with cross members 14 carrying support arms 16. Parts to be stored are laid on the support arms 16.

In accordance with the invention the support arms 16terminate in clamping means 18 comprising an angle bracket20terminating in opposed flanges 22 through which a bolt 24 may be passed. The clamping means 18fits about a cross member 14 which, in this case, is L-shaped in section.

Tightening of the bolt 24 draws the opposite flanges 22 towards one another and ensures a firm stable attachment of the arm 1 6to the cross member 14.

Slackening the bolt 24allowsthe position of the arm 16 to be adjusted, and removal of the bolt 24 allows the arm to be removed completely.

The device ofthe invention extendstheversatility of vertical rackstorageframes in a simple and economical manner. Naturally, aswell as laterai adjustabilitythe device of the invention gives a degree of vertical adjustability also: for example, a row or part-row of arms 16may be removed to accommodate wide items such as boards or sheets of glass.

1. Storage rackwhich comprises a frame work having at least one cross memberfrom which project support arms, each ofthe support arms being releasably clampable on the cross member.

2. A rack as claimed in claim 1 in which the cross member is L-shaped in section and the clamping means is generallytriangular in configuration with a single boltformimg one side of the triangle.

3. A rack as claimed in claim 2 in which the clamping means comprises an angle bracket terminating an opposed flanges through which a belt may be passed.

4. A storage rack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Adjustable rack This invention relates to an adjustable rackforthe storage of elongate parts. Vertical storage frames or racks are availableforthe storage oftimber, rigid plastics, laths, boards, metal extrusions, bars and tubes. These may have an elongate, generally A-shaped framework from which project a number of arms on which the elongate parts to be stored are placed. The arms are conventionally fixed to cross-members on the framework by means of welding, or are bolted through fixed position holes, and thus the spacing between the arms is fixed at the outset. Long rigid parts will obviously need less supportthan shorteror moreflexible parts and in orderforthe racks to accommodate all sorts of different parts to be stored, close spacing of arms is normal leading to unnecessary weightand expense. Furthermore such racks, being fixed, are not readily adaptable to changing circumstances. The invention seeks to provide storage rack improved in these respects. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a storage rack which comprises a framework having at least one cross memberfrom which project support arms, each of the support arms being releasably clampable on the cross member. The support arms maythus be released and removed from the cross member or the clamping mechanism may be slackened and spacing within adjacent arms adjusted atwill. Bythis means, onlythe number of arms necessaryforthe storage of a particular part need be provided, and the overall numberof arms provided with a given rack may be reduced. Preferably, the cross member is L-shaped in section and the clamping means is generallytriangular in configuration with a single bolt forming one side of the triangle. This provides an extremely stable clamp ing arrangement and yet is easily released for adjustment or removal. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa general perspective view of a vertical rack storage frame; and Figure 2 is a partial end elevational view of support arm in accordance with the invention. Referring to the drawings, a vertical rack generally designated 10 comprises an A-shaped frame 12 with cross members 14 carrying support arms 16. Parts to be stored are laid on the support arms 16. In accordance with the invention the support arms 16terminate in clamping means 18 comprising an angle bracket20terminating in opposed flanges 22 through which a bolt 24 may be passed. The clamping means 18fits about a cross member 14 which, in this case, is L-shaped in section. Tightening of the bolt 24 draws the opposite flanges 22 towards one another and ensures a firm stable attachment of the arm 1 6to the cross member 14. Slackening the bolt 24allowsthe position of the arm 16 to be adjusted, and removal of the bolt 24 allows the arm to be removed completely. The device ofthe invention extendstheversatility of vertical rackstorageframes in a simple and economical manner. Naturally, aswell as laterai adjustabilitythe device of the invention gives a degree of vertical adjustability also: for example, a row or part-row of arms 16may be removed to accommodate wide items such as boards or sheets of glass. CLAIMS

1. Storage rackwhich comprises a frame work having at least one cross memberfrom which project support arms, each ofthe support arms being releasably clampable on the cross member.

2. A rack as claimed in claim 1 in which the cross member is L-shaped in section and the clamping means is generallytriangular in configuration with a single boltformimg one side of the triangle.

3. A rack as claimed in claim 2 in which the clamping means comprises an angle bracket terminating an opposed flanges through which a belt may be passed.

4. A storage rack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.