The present invention relates to a flue system for use with a storage rack.
Storage racks are oftentimes used in warehouses and similar settings, such as in the backrooms of retail stores, to store articles on pallets that are arranged in vertical columns. Likewise, articles may be stored on racks in a variety of other manners without the use of pallets. The columns are often placed close together to maximize storage space and, consequently, there is little to no space between the columns to form an air passage. Even if air passages are formed between adjacent columns, the pallets or articles may be offset or otherwise positioned so as to obstruct the air passage.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a flue system for use with a storage rack. The storage rack includes at least one first support beam at a first end of the storage rack and at least one second support beam at a second, opposite end of the storage rack wherein the support beams are spaced apart to define a storage area. The flue system includes first and second brackets, with the first bracket being coupled to the first support beam and the second bracket being coupled to the second support beam. The first side panel extends between the first and second ends of the storage rack, and includes a first end removably coupled to the first bracket and a second end removably coupled to the second bracket. A second side panel extends between the first and second ends of the storage rack, and includes a first end removably coupled to the first bracket and a second end removably coupled to the second bracket. The first and second side panels are spaced apart to define a passageway extending through the storage rack.
In another embodiment the invention provides a system for conveying smoke through a storage rack. The storage rack includes at least two first support beams at a first end of the storage rack and at least two second support beams at a second, opposite end of the storage rack wherein the support beams are spaced apart to define a storage area. The system includes a first flue system removably coupled to at least one first support beam and at least one second support beam. The first flue system extends between the first and second ends of the storage rack, wherein the first flue system defines a first passageway extending through a portion of the storage rack. The system also includes a second flue system removably coupled to at least one first support beam and at least one second support beam. The second flue system extends between the first and second ends of the storage rack and the second flue system defining a second passageway extending through a portion of the storage rack. The second flue system is positioned above the first flue system such that the first passageway and the second passageway are substantially aligned to define a main passageway. Further, the system includes support means for supporting the second flue system on the first flue system. The support means are coupled to an upper end of the first flue system and are configured for supporting a lower end of the second flue system.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 6, 6A-6C, 7 and 8 illustrate steps for assembling the flue system shown in
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The flue system 10 includes a pair of spaced apart side panels 22, 26 that extend from a front to a back of the storage rack. Referring to
The flue system 10 includes a number of support brackets 38 that fit over the lateral beams 14 of the storage rack to support and space apart the side panels 22, 26. In the illustrated embodiment, six support brackets 38 are used to couple the flue system 10 to the rack. Three brackets 38 are positioned at each end of the flue system 10, each bracket for coupling to a vertically adjacent lateral beam 14 of the rack. The side panels 22, 26 extend from brackets 38 positioned on one side of the rack to brackets positioned at the opposite side of the rack.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3A-3D and 3E, each support bracket 38 forms a U-shaped portion 42 that snugly fits over the lateral beams 14 of the storage rack. The U-shaped portion 42 includes a first portion 42A that is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the lateral beam 14, a second portion 42B that is positioned adjacent an inner surface of the lateral beam 14, and a central portion 42C extending therebetween. A horizontal flange portion 46 extends outwardly from the second portion 42B of the U-shaped portion 42, i.e., generally towards a center of the storage rack. A pair of spaced apart slots 50, 54 extend from a free edge 46A of the flange portion 46 towards the second portion 42B. Each slot 50, 54 receives an outermost vertical wire rod 34A on each side panel 22, 26. The slots 50, 54 are spaced apart to maintain a pre-determined distance between the two panels 22, 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 50, 54 are about 6 inches apart to thereby define a 6 inch wide passageway 18 between the two panels 22, 26. The slots 50, 54 are sized and configured to receive the vertical wire rods 34A located at the ends of each side panel 22, 26 so that when the side panels 22, 26 are placed in the bracket slots 50, 54, the horizontal wire rods 30 on the side panel 22, 26 adjacent to the bracket 38 will rest on an upper surface 58 of the flange portion 46 to support the panel 22, 26 on the bracket 38. In the illustrated embodiment, each slot 50, 54 has a width of about 0.25 inches. It should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that the bracket 38 and slots 50, 54 may be sized and configured to accommodate any number of sized lateral beams and side panels.
The flue system 10 also includes a number of support hooks 62 that are attached to an upper horizontal rod 30A of each side panel 22, 26. The support hooks 62 receive a lower horizontal rod 30B of a flue system (not shown) stacked upon the illustrated flue system 10 to support the upper flue system and align the passageways 18 of the flue systems 10. In the illustrated embodiment, four support hooks 62 are used to support a stacked flue system. Referring to FIGS. 1, 4A-4C and 5A-5C, each support hook 62 is generally U-shaped and formed from a wire rod. In the illustrated embodiment, each hook 62 is welded to the upper horizontal rods 30A of the side panels 22, 26 with its open end facing upwardly to keep the hook 62 in position. In a further embodiment, other securing means may be used, such as glue or adhesive. Each hook 62 receives the upper horizontal rod 30A of each side panel 22, 26 of the flue system 10 and the lower horizontal rod 30B of each side panel 22, 26 of the stacked flue system. It should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that other hook or bracket means may be used to stack a second flue system upon the illustrated flue system 10. Although two support hooks 62 are shown per side panel 22, 26 in
Referring to
In some assemblies, a second flue system is needed to extend a height of the passageway 18 to a ceiling of the facility or at least to a top of the storage rack. The second flue system is coupled to the lower storage rack following the steps shown and described above with respect to
Referring to
It should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that the flue systems 110 and 210 shown in
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/764,726, entitled “Flue System for Storage Racks”, filed Feb. 2, 2006 by Philip D. Wyatt and Rodney R. Garringer.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60764726 | Feb 2006 | US |