Patent Application
20130015156
The embodiments herein relate generally to a system for providing an economic and effective support for large volume stackable items, such as boxes of hard copy files.
For many years, boxes have been stored on steel shelving designed to accommodate loads particular to boxes of files, as well as other items having similar space and/or weight constraints. Numerous types of shelving supports have been used in the past and are used presently, from corrugated sheets to discrete cross bars that span across support beams. The beams may be placed spaced apart or adjacent. Several configurations of discrete cross bars are exemplified by those shown in
Often, a storage rack system consists of posts and support beams, where the support beams span the posts to support the shelving. In some cases, the support beams include slots or holes to permit secure engagement of the shelving supports to the support beams, as shown in certain embodiments of
While the available cross bars of today work generally effectively, they are lacking in certain respects, whether it be weight-related or cost-related. Many present cross bars are not economic to manufacture because they require a relatively large amount of material to withstand the load intended. With the cost of metal material continuing to rise, a more economic cross bar design is needed. Embodiments of the present invention solve at least this problem.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a cross bar is provided for bearing a load across a span of distance between at least two horizontal supports in a storage system. The cross bar comprises first and second generally flat members each comprising a first surface configured to accept the placement of items for storage thereon. A transition section is provided between the first and second generally flat members, where the transition section is defined by a generally flat second surface positioned generally within a plane that is generally parallel to and spaced from the first surface of each of said generally flat members. The first and second flat members each comprise a plurality of slotted openings that may be defined by ridges depressed downwardly from the first surfaces surrounding each of said openings.
In one embodiment, tabs are provided at a first and second end of the cross bar, where the tabs are configured to mate with corresponding openings in supports within the storage rack system. The tabs may be positioned within or adjacent to the transition section. In another embodiment, pilot holes are provided at the first and second ends of the cross bar, preferably in the second surface of the transition section, where a mechanical connection may be utilized to secure the cross bar to the supports beams of the storage rack system.
The cross bars of the present invention may be utilized individually, or in combination with one or more other of such cross bars, to span the beam supports within the storage rack system so that the single cross bar or combined cross bars serve to provide a generally surface upon which archival items may be stored for later retrieval. The configuration of the embodiments contemplated herein provide a more economic approach to bearing loads placed upon them over the prior art cross bars.
The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.
By way of example, and referring to
In one embodiment, the first and second generally flat sections 114, 116 are separated by a transition section 124 that links one flange 120 of the first generally flat section 114 with one flange 120 of the second generally flat section 116. In this embodiment, the transition 124 is configured to present a valley between the first and second generally flat sections 114, 116; i.e., the transition is configured so as to be positioned generally within a plane that is generally parallel to and spaced from the first surface of each of said generally flat members.
Preferably, the first and second generally flat sections 114, 116 comprises slotted openings 128 that serve to reduce the amount of material presented by the first and second generally flat sections 114, 116, while maintaining suitable stability and weight-bearing capacity. The slots 128 may be cut out of the surfaces 118 or punched through the surfaces. The specific size and shape of the slots 128 may be determined by the load the cross bar 112 is designed to carry when balanced against the amount of material necessary to sustain the load. Indeed, it may be desired to employ a plurality of more circular openings rather than slotted openings. Reducing weight while maintaining strength, however, is important to ensure suitable load-bearing effectiveness.
In one embodiment, cross bar 112 further comprises means for engaging a storage rack system, which in this embodiment comprises tabs 130 positioned in a manner that permits the cross bar 112 to be positioned on shelving support and minimize migration of the shelf. Referring to
Referring to
Spaced at opposing ends of the transition is a different means for engaging the cross bar 312 to a generic storage rack system. In
The material that may be used for the cross bars of the present invention are not limited to any particular type of material, and may comprises one of various metals that have sufficient tensile and compressive load-bearing capabilities, including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. The cross bars may be manufactured by one of any number of available techniques that permit the formation of the configurations that present generally flat surfaces with openings as described herein.
A person of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but may reflect variations that embody the improved invention. For example, another embodiment may comprise three or more generally flat sections each separated by a transition section. Other variations are contemplated as well, such that the invention should be construed according to the claims as presented below.
