This invention relates to shelving units and more particularly, to tie members, such as tie bars and tie rods, used in shelving units for connecting horizontal front and rear shelf-supporting beams.
Shelving units are commonly used for storing various items in a space-efficient manner. Typical shelving units may include four vertical supporting posts, any suitable number of horizontal front and corresponding horizontal rear shelf-supporting beams extending respectively between the front pair and rear pair of posts, and a corresponding number of shelves resting on and supported by the pairs of front and rear beams. Such shelving units may be constructed at least partially of sheet metal or formed steel components and are commonly referred to as steel shelving or storage units.
As loads are applied to such shelving units, such as by loading heavy items onto the shelves thereof, the front and rear horizontal beams are susceptible to undesirable twisting or torqueing, in cross-section, out of their positions, particularly when strained beyond their capacity to remain in their design position. This twisting presents undesirable structural responses and could lead to shelving unit failure. For example, undue twisting of the front and rear horizontal shelf-supporting beams could separate the supporting inter-connection of the shelves to the beams, allowing the beams to pull away from the shelves thereby letting them drop, or could separate the beam ends from the corner posts thereby catastrophically destroying the shelving unit.
Some attempts have been made to address these issues by positioning a tie bar between each pair of horizontal front and rear horizontal shelf-supporting beams. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,375,102 discloses shelving units with such tie bars. However, prior art tie bars have a variety of drawbacks. For example, such tie bars offer no direct torque resistance to upper portions of the shelf-supporting beams of the shelving units. As a result, shelving units constructed with such tie bars continue to suffer from undesirably low load-bearing capacities.
It would therefore be desirable to provide tie members for shelving units that improve the structural integrity and load-bearing capacities of the shelving units.
In one embodiment, a tie bar for connecting two horizontal beams includes first and second elongate walls arranged parallel to each other, and a third elongate wall arranged perpendicular to the first and second elongate walls and coupled to a lateral side of each of the first and second elongate walls. The tie bar further includes at least one pair of hook elements positioned at terminal ends of at least one of the first, second, or third elongate walls. Each of the hook elements includes a depending tab configured to be received by an elongate slot of a horizontal beam of a shelving unit.
In one embodiment, the first and second elongate walls are side walls, the third elongate wall is a top wall, and the at least one pair of hook elements includes first and second hook elements positioned on the third elongate wall. The first and second elongate walls may each include end extensions extending longitudinally beyond the terminal ends of the third elongate wall and the end extensions may each be configured to be received within an interior space of the corresponding horizontal beam. In addition or alternatively, the first and second elongate walls may each include recesses extending inwardly at or near the terminal ends of the third elongate wall and the recesses may each be configured to receive a portion of a flange of the corresponding horizontal beam.
In another embodiment, the first and second elongate walls are top and bottom walls, respectively, the third elongate wall is a side wall, and the at least one pair of hook elements includes first and second hook elements positioned on the second elongate wall. The at least one pair of hook elements may further include third and fourth hook elements positioned on the first elongate wall. In addition or alternatively, the third elongate wall may include end extensions extending longitudinally beyond the terminal ends of the first elongate wall and the end extensions may each be configured to be received within an interior space of the corresponding horizontal beam. The third elongate wall may include recesses extending inwardly at or near the terminal ends of the first elongate wall and the recesses may each be configured to receive a portion of a flange of the corresponding horizontal beam. The tie bar may further include first and second extending tabs positioned at and extending longitudinally beyond the terminal ends of the first elongate wall. Each of the first and second extending tabs may include an opening for receiving a pin configured to securely couple the first elongate wall to the corresponding beam. The first elongate wall may be free of any depending tabs.
In another embodiment, a shelving unit includes such a tie bar.
In another embodiment, a shelving unit includes at least one front horizontal shelf-supporting beam including at least one first flange, at least one first elongate slot, and at least one first interior space. The shelving unit also includes at least one rear horizontal shelf-supporting beam including at least one second flange, at least one second elongate slot, and at least one second interior space. The shelving unit further includes a tie bar connecting the at least one front and rear horizontal shelf-supporting beams. The tie bar includes first and second elongate walls arranged parallel to each other, a third elongate wall arranged perpendicular to the first and second elongate walls and coupled to a lateral side of each of the first and second elongate walls, and at least one pair of hook elements positioned at terminal ends of at least one of the first, second, or third elongate walls. Each of the hook elements includes a depending tab received by one of the at least one first or second elongate slots.
In one embodiment, the first and second elongate walls are top and bottom walls, respectively, the third elongate wall is a side wall, and the at least one pair of hook elements includes first and second hook elements positioned on the second elongate wall. The at least one pair of hook elements may further include third and fourth hook elements positioned on the first elongate wall. In addition or alternatively, the third elongate wall may include end extensions extending longitudinally beyond the terminal ends of the first elongate wall and the end extensions may each be received within one of the at least one first or second interior spaces. The third elongate wall may include recesses extending inwardly at or near the terminal ends of the first elongate wall and the recesses may each receive a portion of one of the at least one first or second flanges. The shelving unit may further include first and second extending tabs positioned at and extending longitudinally beyond the terminal ends of the first elongate wall. Each of the first and second extending tabs may include an opening for receiving a pin configured to securely couple the first elongate wall to the corresponding beam. The first elongate wall may be free of any depending tabs.
Various additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of one or more illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the one or more embodiments of the invention.
With reference to
As shown in
The illustrated shelving unit 10 includes a plurality of shelves for carrying items, including at least one horizontal wire shelf 24 and at least one horizontal solid shelf 26, each supported by a corresponding pair of front and rear horizontal shelf supporting beams 14, 16. In the embodiment shown, two horizontal wire shelves 24 and one horizontal solid shelf 26 are provided, such that a total of three pairs of front and rear horizontal shelf supporting beams 14, 16 are used. However, it will be appreciated that any number of shelves 24, 26 and corresponding front and rear horizontal shelf supporting beams 14, 16 may be used, as may be desired.
As best shown in
In this regard, and with reference to
In the embodiment shown, two generally peripheral tie bars 12a and a single generally central tie bar 12b may be used to connect each pair of beams 14, 16. Referring now to
As shown, each peripheral tie bar 12a includes first and second hook elements 56a, 58a at or near respective terminal ends of the top wall 42a. In this embodiment, the hook elements 56a, 58a each include a depending tab 60a extending downwardly from the respective terminal end of the top wall 42a for engagement with one of the slots 40 of one of the beams 14, 16. The illustrated tabs 60a extend downwardly along and are narrowly spaced apart from the ends of the first and second side walls 44a, 46a. As shown, the end extensions 48a, 50a extend longitudinally beyond the respective hook elements 56a, 58a and corresponding tabs 60a.
In the embodiment shown, a plurality of vertically and/or horizontally extending embossments or ribs 62a are provided on the tie bar 12a for improving the stiffness and rigidity of the tie bar 12a. While three horizontal ribs 62a and two vertical ribs 62a are positioned on portions of each of the side walls 44a, 46a, including the end extensions 48a, 50a, of the illustrated tie bar 12a, it will be appreciated that any number and/or size of ribs 62a may positioned on any suitable portion of the tie bar 12a in any suitable orientation. For example, the ribs 62a may be positioned on surfaces different from those illustrated. It will be appreciated that the ribs 62a may be formed through a pressing operation or using any other suitable method of formation.
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As best shown in
Referring now to
As shown, the central tie bar 12b includes first and second hook elements 56b, 58b at or near respective terminal ends of the top wall 42b. In this embodiment, the hook elements 56b, 58b each include a depending tab 60b extending downwardly from the respective terminal end of the top wall 42b for engagement with one of the slots 40 of one of the beams 14, 16. The illustrated tabs 60b extend downwardly along and are narrowly spaced apart from the ends of the first and second side walls 42b, 44b.
In the embodiment shown, a plurality of vertically and/or horizontally extending embossments or ribs 62b are provided on the tie bar 12b for improving the stiffness and rigidity of the tie bar 12b. While three horizontal ribs 62b are positioned on portions of each of the side walls 44b, 46b of the illustrated tie bar 12b, it will be appreciated that any number and/or size of ribs 62b may positioned on any suitable portion of the tie bar 12b in any suitable orientation. For example, the ribs 62b may be positioned on surfaces different from those illustrated. It will be appreciated that the ribs 62b may be formed through a pressing operation or using any other suitable method of formation.
Similar to the tabs 60 of the peripheral tie bars 12a, and as best shown in
As best shown in
In the embodiment shown, the same slots 40 on the beams 14, 16 may be used for attaching either of the illustrated tie bars 12a, 12b thereto. In other embodiments, dedicated slots (not shown) may be provided for each of the different configurations of tie bars 12a, 12b.
Referring now to
In this regard, each beam 14, 16 may include at least one aperture such as a tapered aperture or keyhole 72 provided in the horizontal lower flange 36. In the embodiment shown, the keyhole 72 includes a large portion 74 and a small portion 76, the purposes of which are discussed below.
In the embodiment shown, the tie rod 70 includes an elongated body 78 having downwardly angled end portions 80, 82 terminating in radially enlarged portions 84, 86. In one embodiment, the downwardly angled end portions 80, 82 may be at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the elongated body 78. The radially enlarged portions 84, 86 may each be of sufficiently small width to pass vertically through the large portions 74 of the keyholes 72, and of sufficiently large width to be unable to pass vertically through the small portions 76 of the keyholes 72, as discussed below.
In use, the radially enlarged portions 84, 86 of the tie rod 70 are inserted into and received by the large portions 74 of the corresponding keyholes 72 of the respective front and rear beams 14, 16. The radially enlarged portions 84, 86 may then be moved below the respective small portions 76 of the keyholes 72 in order to lock the tie rod 70 in place. In this regard, the tie rod 70 may be constructed of a sufficiently flexible material to allow manipulation of the end portions 80, 82 for positioning the radially enlarged portions 84, 86. Each beam 14, 16 may include any number of keyholes 72, wherein each keyhole 72 of the front beam 14 is configured to be positioned opposite a corresponding keyhole 72 of the rear beam 16 when in use so that the radially enlarged portions 84, 86 of the tie rod 70 may be selectively inserted into opposing keyholes 72 of a pair of front and rear beams 14, 16 to connect the front and rear beams 14, 16 and resist motion of the lower portions of the beams 14, 16 away from each other to avoid undesirable outward twisting of the lower portions of the beams 14, 16. The positioning of the tie rod 70 along the respective front and rear beams 14, 16 may be selected based on the locations of the keyholes 72 therealong. For example, the keyholes 72 may be configured so that one or more tie rods 70 may be positioned below and/or longitudinally offset from any of the tie bars 12a, 12b along the respective beams 14, 16.
Referring now to
In this regard, each beam 14, 16 may include at least one aperture such as an L-shaped aperture 172a provided in the horizontal lower flange 36. In the embodiment shown, the aperture 172a includes a laterally extending leg 174a and a longitudinally extending leg 176a which terminates in a notch 177a, the purposes of which are discussed below.
In the embodiment shown, the tie rod 170 includes an elongated body 178 having downwardly curved end portions 180, 182 terminating in J-shaped hook portions 184, 186. In one embodiment, the J-shaped hook portions 184, 186 may define an approximately 360° turn relative to the elongated body 78. The J-shaped hook portions 184, 186 may each be of sufficiently small width and length to pass vertically through the lateral legs 174a of the apertures 172a, and of sufficiently large length to be unable to pass vertically through the notches 177a of the apertures 172a, as discussed below.
In use, the J-shaped hook portions 184, 186 of the tie rod 170 are inserted into and received by the lateral legs 174a of the corresponding apertures 172a of the respective front and rear beams 14, 16 (
Referring now to
In use, the J-shaped hook portions 184, 186 of the tie rod 170 are inserted into and received by the large portions 174b of the corresponding apertures 172b of the respective front and rear beams 14, 16 (
In the embodiment shown, a plug 88 may be selectively and removably positioned in the aperture 172b to further secure the corresponding J-shaped hook portion 184, 186 in place and thereby assist in preventing unintentional dislodgment of the tie rod 170. To this end, the illustrated plug 88 is constructed of a resilient material and is sized and shaped to provide an interference fit with at least a portion of the aperture 172b. For example, the plug 88 may be generally trapezoidal for providing an interference fit with the large portion 174b of the aperture 172b, and may include an at least partially curved finger extension 90 configured to be received in the notch 177b and to engage the end 180, 182 of the tie rod 170 when the J-shaped hook portion 184, 186 is snapped in place in the notch 177b. The illustrated plug 88 includes a trapezoidal base 92 and a plurality of walls 94 extending upwardly therefrom. A flange 96 extends around at least a portion of the lower periphery of the plug 88 for engaging a bottom surface of the lower horizontal flange 36 of the respective beam 14, 16. While the illustrated flange 96 is discontinuous or interrupted, it will be appreciated that the flange 96 may alternatively extend continuously around the entire lower periphery of the plug 88. In the embodiment shown, the plug 88 further includes a flexible tab 98 positioned at or near an upper end of one of the walls 94.
In use, each plug 88 may be aligned below the respective aperture 172b after the J-shaped hook portion 184, 186 has been properly positioned in the corresponding notch 177b, and may then be moved upwardly into the apertures 172b, as shown in
Each plug 88 may be selectively removed from the aperture 172b to facilitate removal of the corresponding tie rod 170, such as during disassembly of the shelving unit 10 or rearrangement of the tie rod 170. To this end, the flexible tab 98 of the plug 88 may be depressed to a flexed state to allow the plug 88 to pass downwardly through the respective aperture 172b and thereby release the plug 88. The tie rod 170 may then be canted to position the hook portions 184, 186 in the large portions 174b of the apertures 172b thereby allowing the hook portions 184, 186 to be easily removed from the apertures 172b for removal and/or repositioning of the tie rod 170 at another location along the same or different pair of beams 14, 16.
Referring now to
Each of the tie bars 112 is an elongated member including parallel top and bottom walls 142, 143, and a side wall 146 extending between and perpendicular to lateral sides of the top and bottom walls 142, 143 such that the tie bar 112 has a generally C-shaped cross section (
As shown, each tie bar 112 includes first and second upper hook elements 156a, 158a at or near respective terminal ends of the top wall 142, and first and second lower hook elements 156b, 158b at or near respective terminal ends of the bottom wall 143. In this embodiment, the upper hook elements 156a, 158a each include a depending tab 160a extending downwardly from the respective terminal end of the top wall 142 for engagement with one of the upper slots 40a of one of the beams 14, 16. Similarly, the lower hook elements 156b, 158b each include a depending tab 160b extending downwardly from the respective terminal end of the bottom wall 143 for engagement with one of the lower slots 40b of one of the beams 14, 16. The illustrated lower depending tabs 160b are each angled so as to form an acute angle relative to the bottom wall 143. For example, the lower depending tabs 160b may be angled at approximately 70° relative to the bottom wall 143. As shown, the end extensions 150 extend longitudinally beyond the respective upper hook elements 156a, 158a and corresponding tabs 160a and terminate at or near the respective lower hook elements 156b, 158b and corresponding tabs 160b, and the lower tabs 60b extend longitudinally beyond the upper tabs 60a.
In the embodiment shown, a plurality of vertically and/or horizontally extending embossments or ribs 162 are provided on the tie bar 112 for improving the stiffness and rigidity of the tie bar 112. While a total of three horizontal ribs 162 are positioned on the top, bottom and side walls 142, 143, 146 of the illustrated tie bar 112 along substantially the entire lengths thereof, it will be appreciated that any number and/or size of ribs 162 may positioned on any suitable portion of the tie bar 112 in any suitable orientation. For example, the ribs 162 may be positioned on surfaces different from those illustrated. It will be appreciated that the ribs 162 may be formed through a pressing operation or using any other suitable method of formation. Furthermore, the ribs 262 may extend upwardly or downwardly from the walls (e.g., downwardly on the bottom wall).
As best shown in
As best shown in
Thus, the illustrated tie bar 112 couples to the front and rear horizontal shelf supporting beams 14, 16 at both the upper shelf supporting flange 34 and the lower horizontal flange 36. In this manner, the tie bar 112 may provide the benefits of the tie bars 12a, 12b as well as the benefits of the tie rods 70, 170. In one embodiment, one or more tie bars 112 may be used alone or in conjunction with one or more tie bars 12a, 12b and/or tie rods 70, 170 for improving the structural integrity of the shelving unit 10.
Referring now to
Each of the tie bars 212 is an elongated member including parallel top and bottom walls 242, 243, and a side wall 246 extending between and perpendicular to lateral sides of the top and bottom walls 242, 243 such that the tie bar 212 has a generally C-shaped cross section (
As shown, each tie bar 212 includes extending tabs 260a which extend longitudinally beyond the terminal ends of the top wall 242 within the same plane as the top wall 242, and which each include an aperture 261. Each tie bar 212 also includes first and second hook elements 256, 258 at or near respective terminal ends of the bottom wall 243. In this embodiment, the hook elements 256, 258 each include a depending tab 260b extending downwardly from the respective terminal end of the bottom wall 243 for engagement with one of the lower slots 40d of one of the beams 14, 16. The illustrated depending tabs 260b are each angled so as to form an acute angle relative to the bottom wall 243. For example, the depending tabs 260b may be angled at approximately 70° relative to the bottom wall 243. As shown, the end extensions 250 extend longitudinally beyond the respective upper tabs 260a and terminate at or near the respective hook elements 256, 258 and corresponding tabs 260b, and the lower tabs 260b extend longitudinally beyond the upper tabs 260a.
In the embodiment shown, a plurality of vertically and/or horizontally extending embossments or ribs 262 are provided on the tie bar 212 for improving the stiffness and rigidity of the tie bar 212. While a total of three horizontal ribs 262 are positioned on the top, bottom and side walls 242, 243, 246 of the illustrated tie bar 212 along substantially the entire lengths thereof, it will be appreciated that any number and/or size of ribs 262 may positioned on any suitable portion of the tie bar 212 in any suitable orientation. For example, the ribs 262 may be positioned on surfaces different from those illustrated. It will be appreciated that the ribs 262 may be formed through a pressing operation or using any other suitable method of formation. Furthermore, the ribs 262 may extend upwardly or downwardly from the walls (e.g., downwardly on the bottom wall).
As best shown in
As best shown in
Thus, the illustrated tie bar 212 couples to the front and rear horizontal shelf supporting beams 14, 16 at the lower horizontal flange 36, and is supported by and optionally coupled to the upper shelf supporting flange 34. In this manner, the tie bar 212 may provide the benefits of the tie bars 12a, 12b as well as the benefits of the tie rods 70, 170. In one embodiment, one or more tie bars 212 may be used alone or in conjunction with one or more tie bars 12a, 12b, 112 and/or tie rods 70, 170 for improving the structural integrity of the shelving unit 10.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of various embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Thus, the various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/477,723, filed Mar. 28, 2017 (pending); U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/577,492, filed Oct. 26, 2017 (pending); U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/610,210, filed Dec. 24, 2017 (pending); and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/640,908, filed Mar. 9, 2018 (pending), the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62640908 | Mar 2018 | US | |
62610210 | Dec 2017 | US | |
62577492 | Oct 2017 | US | |
62477723 | Mar 2017 | US |