US 4,064,996 AGranted

Rack system

AssigneeRobert L. Shillum

InventorRobert L. Shillum

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Abstract

The invention provides a combination of a post and an end connector for use in a rack system to support shelves and the like. The posts have first and second side ribs extending longitudinally and center portions extend between the side ribs. Each center portion defines longitudinally spaced slots and the side ribs are disposed symmetrically to either side of the center portions. The end connector has a channel shape adapted to fit snugly over a side rib of one of the posts. Coupling elements extend from the channel shape and each has a cantilever portion and a downward projection dependent from an end of the cantilever portion. The projection defines a rearward face inclined downwardly and rearwardly for engagement with a rearward side of the center portion of the post after engaging the coupling element in the post. Consequently a downward force on the end connector will result in a wedging action as the rearward faces of coupling elements ride on the center portion thereby drawing the end connector into firm and snug engagement with the corresponding side rib of the post.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A rack system comprising:

a plurality of upright support frames, each support frame including at least one post having first and second side ribs extending longitudinally, and a centre portion extending between the side ribs and defining longitudinally spaced slots, the side ribs being symmetrically disposed to either side of the centre portion and each side rib including an outer portion lying generally perpendicularly to a plane containing the centre portion, a front portion lying generally parallel to the centre portion, and a side portion extending from the front portion to the centre portion at a small angle of divergence with the outer portion;
and
shelf support elements adapted to be releasably attached to the support frames for extending horizontally in pairs between adjacent support frames to support a shelf in a horizontal position, each shelf support element comprising:
a stringer and a pair of opposite-handed end connectors attached one to each of the ends of the stringer for engagement with the posts of two adjacent support frames, each end connector having a channel shape adapted to fit over a side rib of one of the posts, the channel shape being defined by first and second side portions diverging from one another be said small angle for respective surface-to-surface contact with said outer portion and said side portion, and a front portion extending between these side portions and proportioned such that with said surface-to-surface contact there is a clearance between this front portion and said front portion of said rib, the end connector being attached to the stringer by the first portion and further comprising first and second coupling elements extending rearwardly from the second portion for engagement in said slots, each of the coupling elements having a cantilever portion and a downward projection dependent from an end of the cantilever portion, the downward projection having a forward face inclined downwardly and rearwardly for engagement with a rearward side of the centre portion of one of the posts upon engaging the coupling elements in such a post, whereby a downward force on the end connector will result in a first wedging action as the rearward faces of the coupling elements ride on the centre portion thereby drawing the end connector into firm and snug engagement with the corresponding side rib of the post and a complementary second wedging action as said face-to-face engagement causes frictional locking between the post and the end connector, this second wedging action being allowed by said clearance between the respective front portion of the ribs and end connector.

1 more element

In combination, a post and an end connector for use in a rack system to support shelves and the like, the post having first and second side ribs extending longitudinally and a centre portion extending between the side ribs and defining longitudinally spaced slots, the side ribs being symmetrically disposed to either side of the centre portion and each side rib including an outer portion lying generally perpendicularly to a plane containing the centre portion, a front portion lying generally parallel to the centre portion, and a side portion extending from the front portion to the centre portion at a small angle of divergence with the outer portion;

the end connector having a channel shape adapted to fit over a side rib of the post, the channel shape being defined by first and second side portions diverging from one another by said small angle for respective surface-to-surface contact with said outer portion and said side portion, and a front portion extending between these side portions and proportioned such that with said surface-to-surface contact there is a clearance between this front portion and said front portion of the rib, the end connector further comprising first and second coupling elements extending rearwardly from the second portion for engagement in said slots, each of the coupling elements having a cantilever portion and a downward projection dependent from an end of the cantilever portion and having a forward face inclined downwardly and rearwardly for engagement with a rearward side of the centre portion of the post upon engaging the coupling element in the post whereby a downward force on the end connector will result in a first wedging action as the rearward faces of the coupling elements ride on the centre portion thereby drawing the end connector into firm and snug engagement with the corresponding side rib of the post and a complementary second wedging action as said face-to-face engagement causes frictional locking between the post and the end connector, this second wedging action being allowed by said clearance between the respective front portions of the rib and end connector.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.