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US 6,948,900 B1Granted
Flow rack
AssigneeLife Time Systems, LLC
InventorLarry D. Neuman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wire flow rack system including a longitudinal wire, a roller wire, a roller and an optional cap. The roller wire is joined with and transverse to the longitudinal wire and includes an unsupported free end that projects beyond the longitudinal wire. The roller defines an axial bore, and is positioned on the free end so that the it is free to rotate about the roller wire. A end element, for example, a cap, can be joined with the free end to prevent the roller from disengaging the free end. The cap can be friction fit with the free end and easily, manually replaceable relative to the free end, without the use of tools.
Claims20
A wire flow rack system for handling articles comprising:
- at least two substantially parallel longitudinal wires separated from one another by a first distance and lying in a first plane over which the articles flow;
- at least two substantially parallel transverse wires joined with and transverse to the at least two longitudinal wires, each of the transverse wires of a first length that is greater than the first distance so that the transverse wires extend beyond the at least two longitudinal wires, at least one of the transverse wires bent upward relative to the first plane beyond at least one of the at least two longitudinal wires to form an upwardly extending transverse wire portion;
- a bumper wire joined with the upwardly extending transverse wire portion, the bumper wire extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal wires, whereby the bumper wire forms a boundary for guiding the articles over the first plane;
- a roller wire joined with and transverse to the at least two longitudinal wires, the roller wire positioned between the at least two transverse wires, the roller wire extending beyond at least one of the two longitudinal wires to form a first free end of a second length;
- a one-piece plastic roller of a generally cylindrical shape, having a width, and defining an axial bore, the roller rotatably mounted to the first free end by positioning the axial bore over the first free end of the roller wire, the second length being greater than the roller width so that a first free end portion extends beyond the roller, whereby the roller provides a rolling surface over which the articles flow;
- and
- a cap including a flange, the cap substantially only frictionally engaging the first free end portion, whereby the cap is manually removable from the first free end portion, wherein the flange is adapted prevent the roller from disengaging the first free end of the roller wire.
4 more elements
A wire rack system for handling articles comprising:
- a longitudinal wire;
- a roller wire transverse to and fixedly joined with the longitudinal wire, the roller wire extending beyond the longitudinal wire to form a first free end of a first length;
- a bumper wire coupled to and aligned with the longitudinal wire, the bumper wire forming a boundary that guides the articles generally over the longitudinal wire;
- a roller of a generally cylindrical shape, having a width, and defining an axial bore, the axial bore positioned over the first free end of the roller wire so that the roller is free to rotate on the free end, wherein the roller wire first length is at least about half as great as the roller width, wherein the roller provides a rolling surface over which the articles flow;
- and
- means for preventing the roller from disengaging the first free end of the roller wire, the preventing means manually removable from the first free end.
3 more elements
A wire rack comprising:
- a longitudinal wire;
- a transverse wire joined with and transverse to the longitudinal wire;
- a roller wire joined with and transverse to the longitudinal wire, the roller wire adjacent the transverse wire, the roller wire including an unsupported free end that projects beyond the longitudinal wire;
- a roller defining an axial bore, the roller positioned on the free end so that the free end is at least partially inserted in the axial bore;
- and
- an end element replaceably joined with the free end to prevent the roller from disengaging the first free end of the roller wire, wherein the roller is free to rotate about the free end between the longitudinal wire and the end element.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.