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US 2024/0156253 A1Published application
Rack systems
AssigneePipp Mobile Storage Systems, Inc.
InventorThomas A. French
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Storage and grow rack systems include splice joints for stacking and joining upright posts, structural support beams with integral drainage, and studs or rivets providing releasable attachment of cross members to upright posts.
Claims15
A storage rack post system comprising:
- an upper upright post and a lower upright post configured to be stacked end-to-end, wherein said upright posts are generally C-shaped including a base leg and a pair of side legs, said side legs defining a longitudinal slot therebetween;
- a splice base having first and second legs angled relative to one another, said first leg defining a plurality of spaced-apart openings, wherein said splice base is sized and shaped for longitudinal insertion into respective ends of said upright posts, with said first leg of said splice base aligned with said longitudinal slots of said upright posts;
- a splice plate defining a plurality of spaced-apart openings that align with said spaced-apart openings of said splice base;
- and
- a plurality of fasteners configured for insertion through respective corresponding ones of said spaced-apart openings of said splice base and said splice plate;
- wherein said lower upright post is securable to said upper upright post by inserting an upper end of said splice base into said upper upright post, inserting a lower end of said splice base into said lower upright post, arranging said upright posts adjacent one another in end-to-end alignment, and securing said splice plate to said splice base with said fasteners so that a portion of one of said side legs of each of said upright posts is gripped between said splice plate and said splice base.
3 more elements
A structural support beam for a grow rack system, said structural support beam comprising:
- an upright front wall;
- a splash guard panel extending rearwardly from an upper end of said front wall;
- a sloped bottom panel extending rearwardly from a lower end of said front wall, said bottom panel defining a drain opening at a lower end thereof;
- an upright rear wall extending upwardly from a rear end of said bottom panel, wherein said rear wall extends upwardly a shorter distance from said bottom panel than does said front wall;
- and
- a pair of upright end walls coupling respective opposite ends of said front and rear walls to each other and to respective opposite ends of said sloped bottom panel;
- wherein said structural support beam is configured to support a plant support tray resting on an upper edge of said upright rear wall, and to channel water runoff from said plant support tray to said drain opening.
4 more elements
A storage rack comprising:
- a pair of hollow upright posts in horizontally spaced arrangement, each of said upright posts defining a plurality of keyhole openings in vertically spaced arrangement, said keyhole openings having upper portions and lower portions that are open to said upper portions, said lower portions having smaller widths than said upper portions, and said upright posts having a wall thickness at said keyhole openings;
- a cross beam having opposite end portions configured for coupling to said upright posts;
- and
- a stud at each end portion of said cross beam, said stud configured to releasably couple to one of said upright posts at said keyhole openings, each of said studs comprising:
- a head portion disposed along a front surface of said cross beam;
- a shank extending rearwardly from said head portion and through said cross beam, said shank having a diameter that is less than or equal to the width of said lower portions of said keyhole openings;
- and
- a tail portion having a larger diameter that the diameter of said shank, said tail portion having a diameter that is greater than the width of said lower portions of said keyhole openings and less than the width of said upper portions of said keyhole openings;
- wherein said tail portion is spaced apart from a rear surface of said cross beam by a distance equal to or greater than said wall thickness of said upright posts so that said shank is exposed between said tail portion and said rear surface of said cross beam;
- wherein said cross beam is securable to said upright posts by insertion of said tail portions of said studs into said upper portions of respective ones of said keyhole openings of said upright posts, and lowering said shanks into said lower portions of said keyhole openings.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.