US818595A - Store-service apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED APR, 24, 1906.

E. W. WILCOX.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR.24.1905.

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PATBNTED APR. 24, 1906.

V E. W. WILGUX. STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-241905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 818,595. PATENTED'APR. 24, 1906.

E, W. WILCOX.

v, STORE SERVICE APPARATUS. 'APPLICATION MLBD ma. 21;, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 ffl @fyi/f2 No. 818,595. PATENTED APR. 2x1, "i905 E, W. WL-C'OX.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.24,1905.

SPRlNGFlELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

EVERETT WV. XVILCOX, OF

STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

Speeication of Letters Patent.

Pntented April 24, 190B.

Application tiled March 24., 1905. Serial No. 251.766.

To .ff/7 'mh/ffii.. ifv 'frz/fry concern: l

Be it known that I, Evnnn'r'r W. WiLCox, l a citizen ofthe United States of America, and Il n resident of Springfield, in the county of' llauipden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new und useful Improvements in Store-Service Apparntuses, of which the following is n full, clearI and exact description.

This invention relates to shelves and shelv- 'ig-supports, and more especially to that class thereof in which the shelves are suppended at their opposite ends by endless cables that pass around upper end lower pairs of grooved pulleys nud bynieans of which the upper shelves niny be quickly moved within reach of the operator.

.t lending object of this invention to provide :i strongly-braced and self-supporting structure to sustiiin the shelving and constructed so ns to permit of quick assemblage by reason ol' the interchangeable und simple orgnniziition of the parts, permitting of its erection in places varying greatly in height of ceiling und extent of wall-space.

Other objects are attained bythe improved -able construction, the shelf supporting and adjusting means, novel operating mechanism for rnising and lowering the shelves, and by other devices and equipments hereinafter set forth.

ln the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is n front eltwation of several tiers of shelves embodying my improvements as adapted, for instance, for library purposes. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a set or tier of slielving as adapted for store or factory uses, the structurel supports, one of the cables, and wheels therefor being seen in elevation. Fig. i! is a perspective view of a pair of upper stayrod clamps. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper wheel-supporting bracket. Fig. 5 is a. perspective view of the lower wheel supporting nud adjusting bars. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the hanger-supporting guard. Fig. 7 is n perspective View of the base-plate and its clamp-sockets. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a` roble-button, showing the parts thereof assembled. Fig. t) is a perspective View of the parts of a cable-button in separated relations to each other and to a Fig. 10 is a vertical secbeud in the cable. tion similar to Fig. 2, but of the lower p0r- :ind on a lnrger seele.

lion ol' the npplinnces of the ndjncent Fig ll is n front elevation lower end portions of two sets of shelving.

Fig. l2 is a perspective view of a lockingclamp for uniting the shelf ends to their hangers. Fig. 13 is a perspective view ol :i

chimp for uniting the central portion of a shelf to centrally-supportedhangers therefor. Fig. 14 is a` longitudinal sectional view of the worm-shaft operating ratchet and drum; and Fig. 15 is an end view of the same, the end plate of the drum being removed.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the views.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a tier or set of shelves at each end of which are n pair of vertical shelf-supporting columns B and B. These pairs of columns rest on baseplates i), fastened to they floor, and the lower ends of the columns are securely clamped in upwardly-open sockets b', which are formed nt opposite portions of the brise-plates. The length of these base-plates and the distance apart thereon of the clamping-sockets b are sullicieut to afford n stable support for the columns of each pnir.

That each pair of columns comprised in and located nt each end of the shelving of zi tier may be maintained nt their proper distance from each other the bese-plate sockets b have formed thereon clamp-supports b2, which receive and rigidly hold the extremities ofthe colunin-uiiiting stay-rods b3, which extend between two pairs of the columns for one tier of shelving.

At the upper end portion of each of the airs of columns B and B are clamp-collars i, which have formed thereon chimp-supports e, (similar to those indicated by b on the base-plates,) which receive and hold the ends of the upper stay-rods c'.

Truss-like frames or brackets D, having clamp-collars d formed on the extren'iitics thereof, imite the u )per portions of euch pair of columns B and and contribute to the rigidity of and help to maintain the said columns in their upright iositions. ter of these brackets are rigidly provided short studs d', which carry thereon the grooved wheels or pulleys E. Near the lower portion of the columns and nd'ustnbly nttached thereto by claiiip-eollnrs j' are bracket-bars f, having shaft-bearings j" formed therein and nt `the middle portions thereof. Supported in these benringsj" and extending from those of ont.` pair of columns to those on the other is n shaft G. Groovewheels H, which may be identical iu size sind In thccen- IOO bles are provided construction to the wheels lil, are mounted on shaft G at points thereon directly below and in coincidingplanes with the wheels E.

l l represent endless cables (their ends being spliced or otherwise suitably joined).

` posite runs'orfpo'rtions of the cablesfora tier bars J, the ends of which are connected to certain of the of shelving are tubular shafts or cable-buttons i by longbolts e', (see Fig.` 11,)

Vserrations ornotches t'-, and

which are passed through .the cableebuttons andthence into theI o` en ends yof the tubular bars J a distance sul icient to insure a firni engagement thercwith,.and to preventfany spreading apart of the. cables l the bolts e are pinned at c to the said bars J.

thereof and adjacent the cables I are two depending bars or shelf-hangers l. These hangers lx are of such'length as to permit the lower or depending end of each to clear the next shalt J. Une edge portion l of each oi the hangers'li is provided with rounded each end of the shelves vli is provided with locking attachments for connect-ing and maintaining said shelves at any desired heighten the hangers li by engagement with said-notches lc. Ylieferring to Figs. 10, 11. and l2, this shelf-locking attachment, comprises a llanged cleat poi'- tion c, on which the ends of' the shelves L rest and are secured thereto by screws lf2. A recessed block fr, formed centrally on cleat lc', is provided at its closed side with a notched surface ist, which (-i-ngages the notches lr: of

hanger K. A removable retaining-clamp Z, having one. side Aportion Zand the angular end. extensions l2 l, is adapted to be slipped about. the block lr after the desired point of engagement with hanger K has been determined', and by then tightening the set-screw in the end extension Z2 the notched portions of bar K and the block ki ares'iinrnovably engaged and held together.

That the cables and1 the buttons secured thereon may always have ay close engagement with thcnotched pulleys. E and Il a cablel tightening screw O is provided on and has a screw-threatleii engagement with a bar O, that is secured` to the columns B by clampeollars o, and this bar 0 slightly above theV lower wheelsupporting bar F. To effect a tightening of the cable by this means, the clamp-collars of bar F are 'irst iooseimd, and the clamp-collars o ol' bar U being lof-.lied to the columns :i powerlul livotallyai-` tached to each of the bars J and at either end is secured in placel i downward setting of the bar F is effected by the screvi O. This means for adjusting or tightening the cables is provided on both coluinns B and B of a set of shelving; but as the stretch of wire cables is slight the aniount of adjustment necessary is correspon(lingl)r slight.

In case the shelves are installed in places where great weight is to be carried thereon a curved supporting-guideway P for the cablebuttons to ride on is provided under the wheels H, the ends of this curved support being provided with clamp-collars p, which lock the saine to the columns, and thereby carry the weight of the' shelves suspended from their cable-buttons, as before described, and prevent any disengagement of any of the cable-buttons from the wheel-notches h.

The construction of the cables for a set of shelvingisas follows: The number of shelfhangers to be employed havin(r been deterniined, the.A two pairs of cables or the set of 'shelving are cut to the required length and their 'ends carefully spliced or united, care being taken `to insure accuracy. The cable- 'buttons that are next secured to the cables are, as seen in Fig. E), niade in two halves or sections iz'and i, and the adjoining faces of these button-sections are each provided with halfarcund seinicirenlar grooves i* and The manner of attaching these' sections together and to the cable consists in pressing a curved bend, as X, of the cable intothe grooves of one section and then securing the other section thereto by a screw i", as shown in Fig. S. 1f desired, the central portion of the shelves L niay also be supported and prevented frein sagging by a substantially similar hanger and shelf-locking device to those above described for the shelf ends.

Referring to Figs. 10, 1 1, and 13, M is a double-arm hanger, the two depending inern' bers 4m united at the top by a yoke portion m', which is supported on the hanger bar or shaft J. Notches 'm2 on the depending nieinbers m m are engaged by the notches n of removable blocks N of shelf-attachment devices N. .Each shelf-attachinent device consists of a flanged portion n, on which the shelf rests, and of ahanger guide or casing at', one end of which is angularly inclined and receives between said cnd and the inclosed notched hanger the notched block N, Fig. 13. The angular or beveled side of this block N has a groove ai formed thereon, which receives the point of the set-screw n", which has screw engagement through the angularly-incl-ined side of hanger-guide ai, whereby the hanger-guide n2, hangenarni m, and notched bloc N are all rigidly locked together.

rThe means for operating the cable-Wheels, and thereby elevating 'orl lowering a tier et the shelving, as desired and as` illustrated in liigs. 1, 2., l0, and l of the drawings, is 'through a \,vorni-andgeaij connection. 'Ik

vizir.:-

llaving thus described mv invention, what l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- Y l. ln a movable shelving apparatus, opposite side supporting structures, upper and lower pairs ol wheels rotatabtvv mounted on veac-h structure, endless cables provided to run around the side pairs ot wheels, a plurality oi' shelves and shelf-supports having swinging connections with the courses orruns of the cables, and means for vertically adjusting the shelves relatively to the. cables.

, 2. l'n a movable shelving apparatus, opposite sidesupporting structures, upper and lower pairs oi wheels rotatably mounted on said structures, endless cables provided to run around side pairs of the wheels,bars horizontally carried between course-s ot' the oppositely-located cables, hangers journaled on said cross-bars and depending therebelow, shelf-supports vertically adjustable on the depending hangers, andmeans for locking A theshelf-supports in their adjusted positions.

vided with teeth, shelf-sup Orts vertically adjustable on the depending hangers, and having teeth engaging those ofthe hangers, and means for confining the shelf-su ports in their interlocked positions, relative y to the hangers,

4. 1n anapparatus of the character described, o iposite side supporting structures, upper an mounted on said structures, endless cables providedto run around side pairs of thel wheels, bars horizontally7 carried between courses of the oppositelvlocated cables, hangers journaled on said cross-bars and having separated depending members'provided with teeth, shelf supports comprising horizontal shelf-supporting portions and upright )ortions `each com rising a )art havin"v l .s s

teeth 7c" and separated cheek members angularly arranged relatively to said part lr, and adapted to embrace and engage the depend.- ing members of the hangers, and a threesided part l having a set-screw substantially as described.

'5. In an apparatus ot' the character described, opposite side sup `/orting structures, upper and lower pairs oi wheels rotatablyv mounted on said structures, endless cables provided to run around side pairs of -the wheels, bars l'aorizontally`carried between courses ot thc oppositcly-located cables, hangers journaled on said cross-bars and ha ving separalcd depending members provided lower pairs ot' wheels rotatably with teeth, shelf-supports comprising horizontal shelf-supporting portions and upright portions comprising a part 7c3 having teeth, k* and separated cheek members angularly arranged relatively to said part 7f3 and adapted to embrace and engage thedf `ending members of the hangers. and constructed with edge recesses 7c, and a three-sided part lkhaving a set-screw Pfand adapted for an. interlocking engagement by said cheek .members in said recesses le, substantially as described.

6. in an apparatus of the character described, opposite side supporting structures, each comprising baselates having front-torear arrangements an columns or osts having lower endl connections with, an supports von, said base-plates, and a transversernernber D comprising the divergent arms term1' nating in contractible collars (l for embracing and adjustably engaging the upper portions of the columns of a pair, an upper carrierwheel j-ournaled on each lower carrier-wheel and lower sup ort therefor sustained by said columns, en les` cabes provided to run around the side r irs of wheels, and a plurality of shelves an: sheltsupportshaving swinging connection with the opposite courses or runsy of the cables.

7,'. In an apparatus of the; character described, opposite side supporting structures, each comprising base-plates having front-torear arrangements and rovided with upwardly-opening socketed ossee, constructed with the transverse sockets b2 and means for constricting the walls thereof, the stay-rods b having their extremities confined in said sockets b2 and extending from the one side structure to the other, columns or posts having the lower ends thereof received in said socketed bosses, and transverse members uniting the upper portions of the columns ot' each side pair,upper and lower pairs of wheels rotatabl;T mounted, on each of said sidestructures, endless cables provided to run around the side pairs of wheels, and a plnralitj)r of shelves and shelf-supports having swinging connections with the opposite cours-es or runs of the cables.

8f. In an apparatus of the character described,'opposite side supporting structures, each comprising base-plates having 'front-torear arrangements and provided with'upwardluv-opening socketed bosses, constructed with the transverse sockets b2 and means for constricting the walls'thereof, stay-rods b3 having their extremities .confined in said sockets and extending from the one side structure to the other, columns or posts having thi` lower ends thereoireceived in said sockctcd bosses, and transverse Vmembers 'uniting the upper portions of the columns, of

each side pair, clamp-collars C and means for conlining them on the upper portions of the columns having horizontal sockets, and stavrods c :utilis-tabl)v coniiucd in said horizontal appliance D, and a sockets and extending from those of one side structure to the other, upper and lower pairs of wheels rotatably mounted on cach of said side structures, endless-cables rovided to run around the side pairs of w reels, and a plurality of shelves and shelf-supports having swinging connections with theopposite courses or runs of the cables.

9. In a store-service apparatus of the character described, opposite side supporting structures, upper and lower pairs of wheels rotatably mounted on each structure, endless cables provided to run around the side pairs of wheels, hangers having swinging connections with the courses or runs of the cables, and depending members, a plurality ot' shelf-supports connected with said depending members, and shelves on said supports.

10, In a store-service apparatus of the character described, opposite supporting structures, upper and lower pairs of wheels rotatably mounted on each structure, endless cables provided to run around the side pairs of wheels, bars J supported horizontally by, and between, the runs of the oppositely located cables, hangers K having swinging connections with said bars near the cables, and intermediately-arranged hangers M, each comprising depending front and rearwardly located members 7n, m, and a uniting upper portion engaged with an intermediate portion of a bar J, a'series of shelf-supports on, and adjustably connected to respective sets olf said hangers, and shelves on said supports.

ll. ln an apparatus of the character described, oppositelylocated end structures each comprising a front and rearwardly located column, wheel-carrying members transversely connecting the pairs of columns, one thereof being verticallyr adjustable relatively to said columns, and means for confining such member in its adjused position, a member connected to, and extending between, the columns of a pair, and a device mounted thereon and operable relatively to the adjustable wheel-carrying member to impart its adjusting movement thereto, cables for runs around the Wheels, bars J extending between the runs of the different cables, hangers and shelf-supports, and shelves thereon.

12. ln an apparatus of the character described, oppositely-located end structures each comprising a front and rearwardly located column, wheel-carrying members D F, transversely connecting the pairs oi' columns, the one F thereof being vertically adjustable relatively to said columns, and means for contining such member in its adjusted position, a bar O having collar-provided ends, and confinement devices, and connected to the columns ol a pair, and a screw (l engaging through said bar (Y and coacting with the adjustable wheel-carrying bar l", cables'fcr runs around the wheels, bars J extending bctween the runs of the diilerent cables, hangers and shelf-supports, and shelves thereon.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, opposite end structures, cable-supporting wheels thereon, one adjustable vertically relatively to the other, endless cables running around the upper and lower wheels comprised in each end pair, hangers supported for swinging movements by, and relatively to, the cables, and a plurality ol shelf-supports, individually vertically adjustable on each hanger, and shelves carried by pairs ci* said shelf-supports.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, opposite end supporting structures, adjustable toward each other, and upper and lower stay-rods extending between and adjustably connected to said end supporting structure, cable-supporting wheels on said end structures, endless cables running around the upper and lower wheels in each end pair, hangers supported for swinging movements by, and relatively to, the cables, a plurality of shelf-supports individually vertically adjustable on each hanger and shelves carried by oppositely-located pairs of said shell-supports.

15. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, opposite end structures, one adjust.- able toward and from the other and upper and lower stay-rods extending between und adjustably connected to the end structures, cable-supporting wheels on said end structures, one adjustable vertically relatively to the other, endless cables ruiming around the upper and lower wheels (,woniprised in euch end pair, bars J supported horizontally between the runs ofthe endwise opposite cables, hangers supported for snnwing movements on said bars, a plurality of shell-,supports individually adjustably connected on said hangers, and shelves on pairs of the said sheltsupports.

16, In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, opposite end structures and cablesupporting wheels thereon, one oi said cablesupporting wheels having a worm-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith, endless cables running around the up )er and lower wheels comprised in each end pair, hangers supported for swinging movements by, and relatively' to, the cables, shelves carried by and extending between the opposite hangers of each pair thereof, a support vertically adjustableon one of thcend structures and having journals for a shaft which is carried thereby and which has a worin in mesh with the said worm-wheel.

17. ln an` apparatus of the character described, opposite end structures, cach coluprising a iront and a rearwardly located column aud means of transverse connection therefor, and cable-supporting wheels mounted Jfor rotation on said end structures, and

IOO

one ol said cable-supporting wheels having a hrm-heel connected to rotate as onelherewith. endless cables running around the upper and vlower wheels comprised in each end pair. hangers supported l'or swinging movements b \',and relat'ivelvto,theeables,shelves carried by and extending between the opposite hangers til-each pair tliereol', transverse supporting-bar lt lia-vinglr thi` clamp-collars r at the ends thereof to embrace the columns ol om` oiI the end strut-tures, and ineans for ell'et'tingl the eonlinenient of said 'clamp-eollars on said columns, and said bar havingr horizontal iournal-bearings, a worin-shalt supported b v and extended through said bearings and having a worin in iiiesh with the norm-wheel, and means for rotating the worin-shalt.

1S. ln an apparatus ol" the elia 'acier described, opposite end struetures, and cablesupporting wheels, one ol" said cable-supporting wheels having a worin-wheel eoi'ineeted to rotate as one therewith, endless cables and a plurality of shelves carried thereby, a shaft horizontalliv niountedat 'one end ol" the'apparatus, and having a. worin in mesh with the said worm-wheel, and a drinn` mounted on the worin-shaft, pawl-mid-ratchet devices having,r intervening connections between the drtn and the worin-shaft, a lever, and a cable connected with thelever and having winding engagement about said drinn.

19. ln an apparatus of the 'character described, opposite end structures, and cablesupporting wheels, one of said lCable-supporting` wheels having a worm-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith, endless cables and a plurality of shelves carried thereby, a lshal't/ horizontallymounted at one end of the apparatus, and having a worin-in mesh with thel said worin-wheel, and a drum mounted on th-e worin-shaft, pawl-and-ratchet devices having intervening connections between the drinn and the worin-shaft, a lever, a cable, one portion of which is connected to said lever, and another portion thereof having a winding engagenientabout said drum, and a cable section-having a winding engagement with said drnni, and having a portion depending therebelow and carrying akweight.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, opposite end structures, and cablesupportiiig wheels, one of said cable-supportyin; wheels having a worin-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith7 endless cables and a plurality of shelves carried thereby, a shalt horizontally inountedat one end of the apparatus, and having a worin inmesh with the said worin-wheel, a foot-lever and means actuated thereby for intermittently rotating the worin-shaft in a given direction, and a bracket or foot-support projecting `from the one end structure at a place s'on'iewhat above, the Hoor and adjacent the said foot-iev 21. In an apparatus of the character dol scribed, opposite end strueturesfand cablesupport ingl wheels,l one ol said cable-supporting wheels having a worm-wheel connected i to rotate as one therewith, endless cables and I a plurality ol' shelves carried thereby, a shaft 7o horizontally mounted at one end of the apparatus` and havingr a worin in iiiesh with the said brin-wheel, and a device mounted on the worin-shaft and comprising a ratchetwlteel in non-rotatable engagement with the 75 shaft and a rotatable drum-shell having a pawl pivoted thereon, alid yengaging said f ratchet-wheel, a lever and a cable connected with said lever and having a winding engagementabou t said drinn and means for exerting 8o a retraeting or rreversing force on said drum.

`22. ln an apparatus of the character described, opposite end-structures, and cablesupporting wheels, one of said cable-supporting' wheels having a Worin-wheel connected 85 to rotate asA one therewith, endless cables andv a plurality of shelves carried thereby, a shaft horizontally mounted at one end ofthe appa.- ratus, and having'a worin in mesh with the said worm-wheel, and a device mounted on` 9o the worin-shaft and comprising a sleeve having a ratchet-wheel, in non-rotatable engagement with the shaft, and' a drum-shell surrounding and rotative relatively .to 'the said sleeve, and havinga pawl pivoted thereon 95 and engaging said ratchet-wheel ofthe sleeve, a foot-lever and a cable therewith connected and having a winding engagement about said drum. I

23. -In an apparatus ofthe character de- :oo scribed, opposite end structures, and cablesupporting wheels, one of said cable-supporting Wheels having a worin-wheel connected to rotate as one therewith, the endless cables and a plurality o'l shelves carried thereby, a shaft ro 5 horizontally mounted at one end ofthe apparatus, and having a worm in mesh with the said worm-wheel, and 'a device mountedon the worm-shaft andcomprising a sleeve having a rib-and-groove engagement with the' no worm-shaft, and removable therefrom, and endwise reversible relatively thereto, a ratchet-Wheel provided on said sleeve, and a druin-shell rotative about the sleeveuand having pawl, pivoted thereon, and engaging 115 said ratchet-wheel, a latch for retaining the l sleeve and shell in place onV the worm-shaft, a lever, anda cable connected with's'aid lever and having a winding engagement about said drum, and means for exerting a retracting or 1 2o reversing yf o'rceonrsaid drum, 'l

24. In an apparatus of the 'character-de-` serib ed opposite supporting structures, upper and lower .pairs of peripherally recessed i wheels rotatably mounted on each structure, '1 z 5 endless cables provided to run around the wheels, and having buttons connected at intervals thereon, hangers arranged iniopposite pairs and4 horizontal cross-bars having at their extremities, supporting connections A13o M015, tubular 'muts J Within the 01111 tumbling tlc buttons, rodsj und tubular nmls QUESOS.

emtus u Uw cham' G. R. DH1

ELL.

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