Patent Grant
8955700
The present application relates to the field of tire storage. More particularly, the present application relates to a portable tire rack.
Currently, when tires are stored in large volumes, such as in a warehouse, they are stored on tire racks or general purpose racks. Such racks may be anchored to the floor or a wall, and are known to be as high as 16 feet and hold six stacked rows of tires. To transport tires from a large volume storage area, the tires are removed from the rack and placed on a shipping pallet. Alternatively, tires may be placed in shipping racks. Known shipping racks hold two stacked rows of tires.
In one embodiment, a tire rack includes a base having a plurality of apertures in a bottom surface, and a plurality of posts extending from a top surface of the base. Each of the plurality of posts has a reduced diameter portion having dimensions corresponding to the apertures in the bottom surface of the base. The tire rack further includes a plurality of side bars. Each side bar extending between two of the plurality of posts, and each side bar having a plurality of apertures. The tire rack also has a plurality of crossbars. Each crossbar extends between two of the plurality of side bars, wherein each crossbar has a first end removably received in an aperture of a first side bar and a second end removably received in an aperture of a second side bar. The plurality of crossbars are configured to receive a plurality of tires in an upright position.
In another embodiment, a tire rack system includes a first base, and a first plurality of posts extending from a top surface of the first base, where each of the plurality of posts having a reduced diameter portion. The tire rack system also includes a second base having a plurality of apertures in a bottom surface that removably receive the reduced diameter portions of the first plurality of posts. A second plurality of posts extend from a top surface of the second base. The tire rack system also includes a plurality of side bars, with each side bar extending between two of the plurality of posts, and each side bar having a plurality of apertures. The system also has plurality of crossbars, with each crossbar extending between two of the plurality of side bars. Each crossbar has a first end removably received in an aperture of a first side bar and a second end removably received in an aperture of a second side bar. The plurality of crossbars are configured to receive a plurality of tires in an upright position.
In yet another embodiment, an insert is provided for a rack system having at least a pair of front posts, a pair of rear posts, a plurality of front elongated crossbars extending between the pair of front posts, and a pair of rear elongated crossbars extending between the pair of rears posts. The insert includes a pair of opposing side beams. Each side beam has a front, inverted stair-shaped abutment and a rear, inverted stair-shaped abutment. The insert also includes a pair of elongated crossbeams extending between the opposing side beams.
In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention.
In the drawings and description that follows, like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.
The tire rack 100 further includes a plurality of side bars 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the tire rack has three side bars 130 on each side, including a top right side bar 130a extending from the front right post 120f-r to the back right post 120b-r, a middle right side bar 130b extending from the front right post 120f-r to the back right post 120b-r below the top right side bar 130a, and a lower right side bar 130c extending from the front right post 120f-r to the back right post 120b-r below the middle right side bar 130a. Similarly, the left side includes a top left side bar (not shown), a middle left side bar (not shown), and a lower left side bar (not shown) at elevations corresponding to the side bars on the right side. In alternative embodiments, any number of side bars may be employed.
In one embodiment, the side bars 130 are permanently affixed to the posts 120 by welding, epoxy or other adhesives, or by fasteners, such as bolts, screws, pins, nails, and other known fasteners. In an alternative embodiment, the side bars 130 are removably connected to the posts 120.
Each side bar 130 includes a plurality of apertures 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the top right side bar 130a and the middle right side bar 130b each have four square-shaped apertures 140. The bottom right side bar 130c has 12 square-shaped apertures 140, including four primary apertures 140a and eight secondary apertures 140b. It should be understood that the side bars on the left side have apertures in corresponding positions and orientations. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the top right side bar and the middle right side bar each have two square-shaped apertures and the bottom right side bar has six square-shaped apertures, including two primary apertures and four secondary apertures. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), each side bar may include any number of apertures. In still other alternative embodiments (not shown), the apertures may be rectangular, circular, oval-shaped, or any other geometric shape.
The apertures 140 are dimensioned to removably receive crossbars 150 that extend lengthwise across the base 110. The apertures 140 of the top and middle side bars 130a,b and the primary apertures 140a of the bottom side bars 130c are angled and positioned such that the crossbars 150 are oriented to receive a plurality of tires. The secondary apertures 140b of the bottom side bars 130c may be in any position and orientation.
The base 110 also includes a plurality of apertures 160 in both the front, back and sides. In one embodiment, the apertures 160 of the base 110 are sized and positioned to receive a fork of a forklift.
In one embodiment, the base 110, posts 120, side bars 130 and crossbars 150 are all constructed of carbon steel. In alternative embodiments, one or more of these components are constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, iron, other metals or alloys, or a polymeric material.
In one embodiment, the apertures 140 in the side bars 130 and the apertures 160 in the base 110 are laser-cut. In an alternative embodiment, the apertures may be punched, saw-cut, flame-cut, plasma-cut or molded.
After the crossbars 150 are removed from the upper and middle side bars 130a,b and placed in the secondary apertures 140b of the lower side bar, the upper portions 120U of the posts 120 are folded down lengthwise. In one embodiment, the hinged connection between the upper portion 120U and the lower portion 120U includes a locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the posts 120 in one of an upright position (as shown in
After the posts 120 are placed in a downward position, stack posts 170 may be removably attached to the lower portions 120L. In the illustrated embodiment, the stack posts 170 are dimensioned to be received in apertures of a base of another tire rack, such that a plurality of tire racks may be stacked as shown in
When it is desired to use the tire racks 110, they may then be unstacked. The stack posts 170 are removed and the posts 120 are moved to the upright position. The crossbars 150 are then removed from the secondary apertures 140b of the lower side bar and placed back in the upper and middle side bars 130a,b. The tire rack 110 is then ready to receive tires.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the posts are unitary, and do not include separate upper and lower portions. Instead, the entire post is permanently affixed to the base by welding, epoxy or other adhesives, or by fasteners, such as bolts, screws, pins, nails, and other known fasteners. Likewise, the crossbars may also be permanently affixed to the side bars by welding, epoxy or other adhesives, or by fasteners, such as bolts, screws, pins, nails, and other known fasteners. In such an embodiment, the tire rack would not be stackable in the manner shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, each side bar 130 supports four crossbars 150 arranged to hold two rows of tires T. Accordingly, the tire holds six rows of tires T. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), additional crossbars are employed to provide additional support for the tires. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), each side bar supports two crossbars arranged to hold a single row of tires. Such an embodiment would hold three rows of tires.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tire rack 100 is dimensioned to hold nine tires T in each row. Accordingly, the tire rack 100 has a capacity of 54 tires T. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the tire rack may be dimensioned to hold a greater or lesser number of tires.
In one specific embodiment, the tire rack 100 is 102 inches (2.6 meters) tall, 96 inches (2.4 meters) wide, and 62 inches (1.6 meters) deep. The base 110 has a height of 4 inches (10 centimeters) and may be referred to as a “low profile base.” The lower side bar 130c and its primary apertures 140a are positioned such that the lowest point of the primary apertures is 0.75 inches (19 millimeters) above the base 110. The primary apertures 140a are further positioned such that the lowest point of a 30-inch (76-centimeter) diameter tire held by the lower crossbars 150 would be 0.25 inches (6 millimeters) above the top of the base 110. It should be understood, however, that this specified embodiment is merely exemplary, and that any dimensions may be selected as desired.
In one embodiment, the pockets 180 are dimensioned to receive a fork of a forklift. In one specific embodiment, the centerlines of each pocket 180 on a given side are spaced apart by a distance of 32 inches (81 centimeters). In alternative embodiments, the pockets may be spaced by any distance. In another alternative embodiment, the pockets may be omitted.
With continued reference to
In one embodiment, the tire racks 100 may be loaded into and unloaded out of a trailer of a truck with a forklift, by inserting the forks of the forklift into the pockets of the base 110. The tire racks 100 may be loaded into and unloaded out of a trailer of a truck while they are holding a plurality of tires T. In other words, it is not necessary to remove the tires T from the racks 100 for loading or unloading purposes.
In one embodiment, the lower side bars 130c, primary apertures 140a, and associated crossbars 150 are positioned such that they may hold 30-inch (76-centimeter) diameter tires such that the bottom of each tire is 0.13 inches (3 millimeters) above the top of the base 110. Further, the middle side bars 130b and associated apertures 140 and crossbars 150 are positioned such that, when a 30-inch (76-centimeter) diameter tire is inserted into the crossbars 150 associated with the lower sidebars 130c, the top of the tire clears the bottom of the crossbars 150 associated with the middle side bar 130b by 0.13 inches (3 millimeters). Additionally, the middle side bars 130b and associated apertures 140 and crossbars 150 are positioned such that such that they may hold 30-inch (76-centimeter) diameter tires. Further, the upper side bars 130a and associated apertures 140 and crossbars 150 are positioned such that, when a 30-inch (76-centimeter) diameter tire is inserted into the crossbars 150 associated with the middle sidebars 130b, the top of the tire clears the bottom of the crossbars 150 associated with the top side bar 130a by 0.13 inches (3 millimeters). Additionally, the top side bars 130a and associated apertures 140 and crossbars 150 are positioned such that such that they may hold 27-inch (69-centimeter) diameter tires. Further, the top side bars 130a and associated apertures 140 and crossbars 150 and the posts 120 and reduced dimension portions 195 are positioned such that, when a first tire rack 100a is stacked on a second tire rack 110b, when a 27-inch (69-centimeter) diameter tire is inserted into the crossbars 150 associated with the middle sidebars 130b of the second rack 100b, the top of the tire clears the bottom of the base 110a of the first rack 100a by 0.13 inches (3 millimeters). However, it should be understood that this embodiment is exemplary, and other dimensions and positions of components may be employed.
In one embodiment, the tire racks 100 may be stacked or unstacked with a forklift, by inserting the forks of the forklift into the pockets of the base 110. The tire racks 100 may be stacked or unstacked while they are holding a plurality of tires T. In other words, it is not necessary to remove the tires T from the racks 100 for stacking purposes.
In one known embodiment, a rack or stacks of racks is mounted to a mounting plate. The mounting plate may be fixed to a floor surface, using known fixing means, such as bolts, screws, nails, pegs, adhesive, and welding. The mounting plate may have posts located in positions corresponding to the posts 120 of the rack 100 and dimensioned to be received in the bottom apertures 190 of the base 110.
In one known embodiment, at least one rack includes casters that extend from one or more posts at a position above the base. The casters may be configured to engage a caster from another rack. Alternatively, the casters may be configured to receive a crossbar that extends from one rack to another.
In one known embodiment, multiple stacks of three racks are disposed in a storage area. At least two of the storage racks are spaced apart by a distance of 84 inches (213 centimeters) to allow a user or a device clearance for removing a tire from a rack or placing a tire in the rack.
In the tire rack 200, an adjustable rail 210 is slidably attached to each of the posts 120 by a plurality of fasteners 220. Exemplary fasteners include bolts and screws. In one particular embodiment, the fasteners 220 are flange bolts having a gripping surface that performs a locking function.
In the illustrated embodiment, fasteners 220 are fixed to the posts 120 and the adjustable rail 210 is moved up or down to a desired height. When the desired height is reached, the fasteners 220 are tightened, thereby fixing the adjustable rail 210 in place. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the rails 220 have a plurality of detent positions, so the rail may be easily moved to a plurality of desired positions. In another alternative embodiment, the rails 210 have a plurality of apertures (not shown) that can be aligned with the fasteners 220 at a plurality of different heights. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the posts 120 and the rails 220 both have a plurality of corresponding apertures. The corresponding apertures may be aligned at a desired height, and the rail 210 is fixed in place with a fastener that passes through the corresponding apertures.
In the illustrated embodiment, lower side bars 130c are directly attached to the posts 120. However, upper side bars 130a and middle side bars 130b are not directly attached to the posts 120, but are instead attached to the rails 210. The side bars 130a,b may be fixedly or removably attached to the rails 210. Further, the side bars 130a,b may be directly connected to the rails 210, or they may be connected via intervening connectors.
It should be understood that the rails 210 may be placed at a desired height before the side bars 130a,b are attached to the rails 210. Alternatively, the side bars 130a,b may be attached to the rails 210 first. In such an embodiment, the side bars 130a,b and front and back rails 210 may be moved as a unit. Similarly, the crossbars 150 may also be attached to the side bars 130 prior to adjustment, in which case, the side bars 130a,b, crossbars 150, and all rails 210 may be moved as a unit.
In
In
While the apertures 240a,b are shown as circular, it should be understood that they may be square, rectangular, or take any geometric shape. Further, while the apertures 240a,b are shown as disposed at the top of each slot 230a,b, it should be understood that they may be located at any position along the slot.
In one embodiment, the rail 210 is constructed of carbon steel. In alternative embodiments the rail may be constructed of stainless steel, iron, aluminum, or other metals.
In one known embodiment, the rail 210 is formed from sheet stock by laser cutting the slots 230 and apertures 240 and bending the sheet stock in a brake press to form the rail 210. In alternative embodiments, the slots 230 and apertures 240 of the rail 210 may be punched, saw-cut, flame-cut, or plasma-cut. In other alternative embodiments, the rail may be formed by other bending methods or by molding.
In the tire rack 300, side bars 310 are solid and do not include apertures. Instead, a plurality of extensions 320 are connected to the side bars. Each of the plurality of extensions 320 includes an aperture configured to receive an end of one of the crossbars 150. The extensions 320 may be welded, bolted, or otherwise affixed to the side bars 320.
In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture of the extension 320 defines an open-ended spanner shape. The aperture if configured to receive the square-shaped crossbar 150. In the illustrated embodiment. The open-ended spanner shape and aperture is laser cut. Alternatively the spanner shape and aperture may be punched, saw-cut, flame-cut, or plasma-cut. The spanner shape may also be forged or molded. In alternative embodiments (not shown) the extension 320 is ring shaped, and the aperture is a hole extending therethrough.
Supportive side bars 330 are also disposed between the side bars 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the supportive side bars 330 are substantially parallel to the side bars 310. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the supportive side bars are disposed at an acute angle relative to the side bars. In one particular embodiment (not shown), the supportive side bars are criss-crossed.
With continued reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the lower side bars do not include secondary apertures, such as those shown in
The tire rack 300 further includes a base 350. The base 350 is substantially the same as the base 110 of the tire rack 100, except it does not include apertures in the side. Instead, the sides are open. However, it should be understood that the base 110 illustrated above may be employed with this embodiment.
The insert 500 includes a pair of opposing side beams 510. Each side beam 510 has a front, inverted stair-shaped abutment 510a and a rear, inverted stair-shaped abutment 510b. The insert further includes a pair of elongated crossbeams 520 extending between the opposing side beams.
The elongated crossbeams 520 have substantially rectangular cross sections. Each of the elongated crossbeams 520 is angled to receive a tread of a tire. In one embodiment, the elongated crossbeams 520 are constructed of 2-inch square tubes that are bolted to the side beams 510. In alternative embodiments, the crossbeams may be circular, rectangular, or take any geometric shape. In another alternative embodiment, the crossbeams may be welded or otherwise affixed to the crossbeams. In yet another alternative embodiment, the side beams may have apertures that receive the crossbeams.
To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or components.
While the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1015182 | Herbin | Jan 1912 | A |
| 1099849 | Hammond | Jun 1914 | A |
| 1198431 | Forsyth | Sep 1916 | A |
| 2403324 | Anderson | Jul 1946 | A |
| 2679321 | Koeferl | May 1954 | A |
| 2699911 | Chase et al. | Jan 1955 | A |
| 2956763 | D'Arca | Oct 1960 | A |
| 3322286 | Sylvester | May 1967 | A |
| 3499398 | Murray | Mar 1970 | A |
| 3557966 | Skubic | Jan 1971 | A |
| 3606023 | Edmunds | Sep 1971 | A |
| 3665869 | Howe | May 1972 | A |
| 5141114 | Cate et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5228821 | Gleffe et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5692625 | Filipescu et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5718441 | Kern et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5833074 | Phillips | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5924577 | Gessert | Jul 1999 | A |
| 6279763 | Bush | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 7044065 | Arai et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7178680 | Botner | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7270236 | Angeletti et al. | Sep 2007 | B2 |
| 7802526 | Brady et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
| 8002128 | Kern et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| 8210374 | Harpole | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8244400 | Cottone et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| 20020088766 | Flores | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20040020887 | Jersey et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20060091096 | Velez et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
| 20080217276 | Brady et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
| 20080237168 | Harpole | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20090120887 | Meehan | May 2009 | A1 |
| 20110180505 | Noniewicz et al. | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| 20110253656 | Vermeer | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20130001179 | Harpole | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 7-21587 | Apr 1995 | JP |
| 2546543 | Aug 1996 | JP |
| 10166805 | Jun 1998 | JP |
| 10226406 | Aug 1998 | JP |
| 200041804 | Feb 2000 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Written Opinion and International Search Report, Corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/053910 filed Aug. 29, 2011; Authorized Officer Kim, Jin Ho; dated Apr. 23, 2012. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120074084 A1 | Mar 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61387694 | Sep 2010 | US |
