GB2233545A - Storage rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage rack comprises two generally ladder-like side frames 2L and 2R (on which shelves 8 may be supported) connected together by a connector assembly 5u which is comprised of a tie rail 6 welded to tubular ends 7 which locate over vertical rails of the side frames. Bracing members 15 may be provided for added rigidity. <IMAGE>

Description

RACK UNIT The present invention relates to a storage rack.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage rack which is easy to manufacture and construct.

According to the present invention there is provided a rack unit comprising two substantially vertical side frames each having two vertically extending side rails connected by at least one horizontal bar, at least one connector assembly for connecting the side frames together and a shelf extending between and supported on a bar of each side frame wherein the connector assembly comprise a tie rail having securely affixed to each end thereof, a tube, and the tubes of the connector assembly are located over a portion of the side rails at the opposite ends of the tie rail.

Preferably the rack unit comprises two of said connector assemblies, one at the upper ends of the side frames and one at the lower ends. The connector assemblies are preferably of metal and the tie rails are preferably fixed to the tubes associated therewith by welding.

Preferably also each side frame comprises a plurality of horizontal bars, and the rack unit may comprise two or more shelves supported on the bars.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rack unit may be braced by at least one bracing member extending between the side frames. Such a bracing member may comprise a bracing rail which has a length greater than the spacing between the side frame members and which has terminal rail engaging formations for engagement over the side rails of the frame members. These formations are so disposed relative to the bracing rail that with the rail engaging formations in position on the side rails of the frame members, the bracing rail extends at an angle relative to the horizontal between the side frame members. The rail engaging formations may for example be generally U-shaped.

The rack unit may comprise two adjacent bays which are defined by three of the side frames. The intermediate side frame is connected to a first one of the other side frames by a first connector assembly and to a second one of the other side frames by a second connector assembly. The tubular end of the second connector assembly is dimensioned to locate (on the side rail of the intermediate frame) over a tubular end of the first connector assembly. This tubular end of the second connector assembly may include a slot in which the tie rail of the first connector assembly is received.

The invention will be further described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates an assembled rack unit; Fig. 2 illustrates a connector assembly for use in the rack unit of Fig 1; and Fig. 3 illustrates bracing members for use in the rack unit of Fig. 1.

As shown in solid lines in Fig. 1, a single bay rack unit 1 comprises left and right substantially vertical ladder-like frames 2L and 2R respectively, which frames each comprise substantially vertical square section side rails 3 connected by a plurality of horizontal rungs 4. As will be appreciated from Fig. 1, the side rails each have an upper spigot portion 3u which extends above the level of the highest rung 4 and a lower portion 31 extending beneath the lowest rung. In the construction illustrated in Fig.

1, the ladder-like frames 2R and 2L are each formed on upper and lower halves which are joined together by spigot and socket joints as shown. It is however perfectly possible for each frame 2R and 2L to be formed in one piece.

The two side frames are joined together by upper and lower connector assemblies 5u and 51 respectively, each of which comprises a rail 6 having welded to each end thereof a short length of square section tubing 7 whereof the cross-sectional size of the bore is slightly greater than that of the side rails 3.

To assemble the rack unit, the connector assemblies 5u and 51 are located in position on the side frames 2L and 2R as shown in the drawing. More particularly, the tube sections 7 of the upper connector assembly 5u are located over the projecting sections 3u of the upper ends of the two rear rails 3. Similarly the lower connector assembly 51 is located in position at the lower ends 31 of the rear rails 3.

A shelf 8 may be supported on two rungs of the same level. Such a shelf may have two U-shaped brackets 9 welded to its ends which are hooked over the rung 4.

Obviously as many shelves 8 as desired may be provided on the rack unit.

As thus far described, the rack has a single bay (as defined between side frames 2R and 2L).

An extra bay may be added by making use of the features of the first aspect of the invention. The extra bay is provided by means of an additional side frame 2A which is connected (in the manner described below) to side frame 2R by means of upper and lower connecting rail assemblies 10 (see Fig. 2).

Each such assembly 10 has a rail 11 joining two square section tubes 12 and 13. Tube 12 is formed with a slot 14 extending from one end of the tube in that face which is opposite the rail 11. The width of slot 14 is slightly greater than the external thickness of rail 6, and furthermore the internal cross-section of tube 12 is such that it is capable of fitting over a tube 7.

The manner in which the connecting assembly 10 is used to connect side frames 2A and 2R will be clear from Fig. 2 from which it will be seen that the tube 12 is fitted over tube 7 with the rail 6 of the latter being received within the slot 14 of the former.

In providing the extra side frame 2A, bracing members 15 (see also Fig. 3) may be provided as shown. Each such bracing member 15 comprises a rail 16 joining two U-shaped brackets 17. The rails 16 are of a length greater than rail 11 and are angled relative to the brackets 17 such that may locate as shown between the side frame 2R and 2A to provide bracing for the rack unit, in the two-bay unit illustrated in Fig. 1, it is only necessary to provide bracing between the two side frames 2A and 2R, although the bracing could of course be alternatively provided between side frames 2R and 2L.

The units illustrated and described are easy to assemble and have a substantial degree of rigidity in the assembled condition. Furthermore such units are readily demountable.

Claims (8)

1. A rack unit comprising two substantially vertical side frames each having two vertically extending side rails connected by at least one horizontal bar, at least one connector assembly for connecting the side frames together and a shelf extending between and supported on a bar of each side frame wherein the connector assembly comprise a tie rail having securely affixed to each end thereof, a tube, and the tubes of the connector assembly are located over a portion of the side rails at the opposite ends of the tie rail.

2. A rack unit as claimed in claim 1 comprising two of said connector assemblies, one at the lower end of the side frames and one at the upper end of the side frames.

3. A rack unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each connector assembly is of metal.

4. A rack unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the or each tie rail is fixed to the tubes associated therewith by welding.

5. A rack unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 braced by at least one bracing member extending between the side frames, the bracing member comprising a bracing rail which has a length greater than the spacing between the side frame members and which has terminal rail engaging formations for engagement over the side rails of the frame members, said formations being so disposed relative to the bracing rail that with the rail engaging formations in position on the side rails of the frame members the bracing rail extends at an angle relative to the horizontal between the side frame members.

6. A rack unit as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rail engaging formations are generally U-shaped.

7. A rack unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising two adjacent bags defined by three of said side frames with the intermediate side frame connected to a first one of the other side frames by a first said connector assembly and to a second one of the other of said side frames by a second connector assembly wherein a tubular end of the second connector assembly locates on a side rail of the intermediate frame over a tubular end of the first connector assembly.

8. A rack unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said tubular end of the second connector assembly has a slot in which the tie rail of the first connector assembly is received.