Tubular mezzanine and conveyor support structures and stiffener brackets for assembly thereof
AssigneeRoach Manufacturing Corporation
InventorsMichael W. Roach, Sr., Christopher E. Kain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interlocking system of tubular members is provided for support of conveyors and mezzanines, each tubular member having cutouts and slots for assembly with other of the tubular members to form elbow joints, tee joints and cross joints, and stiffener brackets to reinforce the interlocking joints to form a strong support structure without the need for welding. A mezzanine conveyor assembly is also provided that includes a support structure constructed of non-welded interlocking tubular members reinforced with stiffener brackets, with a mezzanine/platform and at least one conveyor supported on the support structure.
Claims19
A support structure for at least one of a conveyor and a mezzanine comprising:
- a plurality of elongated interlocking tubular members, each tubular member having four sides and a substantially rectangular lateral cross section, said four sides including an inner side and an outer side joined by two adjoining sides, the inner side and two adjoining sides of a first tubular member defining a cutout configured to interlock with a complementary cutout defined by the inner and adjoining sides of a second tubular member to which the first tubular member is interlocked in a perpendicular relationship;
- a pair of stiffener brackets, each bracket having a planar body with apertures therein, a first bracket positioned on the outer side of the first tubular member and a second bracket positioned on the outer side of the second tubular member when the tubular members are interlocked with said apertures in alignment;
- fastening members inserted through said apertures and secured so as to clamp the two brackets and the first and second tubular members together;
- and
- said plurality of tubular members when interlocked and clamped with said stiffener brackets and fastening members including at least one support surface selected from the group consisting of a conveyor support surface for supporting at least one conveyor in an operable configuration and a mezzanine support surface for supporting at least one mezzanine in an operable configuration.
A conveyor and mezzanine assembly comprising:
- a support structure including,
- a plurality of elongated interlocking tubular members, each tubular member having four sides and a substantially rectangular lateral cross section, said four sides including an inner side and an outer side joined by two adjoining sides, the inner side and two adjoining sides of a first tubular member defining a cutout configured to interlock with a complementary cutout defined by the inner and adjoining sides of a second tubular member to which the first tubular member is interlocked in a nested perpendicular relationship to form a joint, one of said tubular members being oriented vertically and having a lower end supported on a floor or comparable support surface;
- a pair of stiffener brackets placed on opposite sides of the joint, each bracket having a planar body with apertures therein, a first bracket positioned on the outer side of the first tubular member and a second bracket positioned on the outer side at the second tubular member when the tubular members are interlocked with said apertures in alignment;
- and
- fastening members inserted through said apertures and secured so as to clamp the two brackets and the first and second tubular members together to complete the joint;
- a mezzanine/platform supported on said support structure at a height above the floor;
- and
- one or more conveyors supported on said support structure and being inclined to extend from an upper end adjacent said mezzanine/platform to a lower end adjacent the floor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.