BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective, broken-away view of a storage system formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a yoke assembly formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a yoke assembly formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the yoke assembly shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arm;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the arm shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a partially cross-section partially broken-away portion of the arms shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an arm end cap;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the end cap shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the end caps shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a front plate;
FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the front plate shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a rear surface view of the front plate shown in FIGS. 12 and 13;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the front plate shown in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of front plate formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a rear plate formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a rear plate formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the rear plate shown in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is an end view of the rear plates shown in FIGS. 18 and 19;
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a yoke assembly formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a top view of a front plate formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the front plate shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is an end view of the front plates shown in FIGS. 22 and 23;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a frame formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 26 is a broken-away end view of the frame shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the frame shown in FIGS. 25 and 26;
FIG. 28 is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing a yoke assembly assembled to a frame;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a fully-assembled yoke assembly;
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a yoke assembly;
FIGS. 31 and 32 are perspective views of yet further embodiments of a yoke assembly formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of a yoke assembly formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a container supported by two yoke assemblies formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a shelf supported by two yoke assemblies formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a yoke assembly formed in accordance with the present invention that includes welded hook-arms;
FIG. 37 is a side elevational view of the yoke assembly shown in FIG. 36;
FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of rear plate formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 39 front elevational view of the rear plate shown in FIG. 38, with a threaded nut assembled to a centrally disposed through-hole;
FIG. 40 is a side elevational view of the rear plate shown in FIG. 39;
FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the rear plate shown in FIG. 39;
FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a locking-wheel formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of the locking-wheel shown in FIG. 42; and
FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a shelf supported by a yoke assembly formed in accordance with the present invention that includes welded hook-arms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a storage system 2 formed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes one or more arms 4, a yoke assembly 6, and a frame 8. More particularly, hook-arm 4 is often formed from a rod or the like having a polygonal cross-sectional profile, and comprises a first hook-end 12, a first shank 14, an elbow 16, a second shank 18 and a second hook-end 20. In one preferred embodiment, hook-arm 4 comprises a hexagonal cross-sectional profile (FIG. 6). A sleeve 24 is disposed over first hook-end 12 and second hook-end 20 that is often formed from a soft and resilient material, such as, an elastomeric polymer or rubber, but may also comprise a harder and stiffer plastic material (FIGS. 7-10).
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, yoke assembly 6 includes a front plate 30 and a rear plate 32. In one preferred embodiment, front plate 30 and rear plate 32 may be releasably fastened together with a locking-wheel 34 (FIG. 3). Turning first to FIGS. 11-20, front plate 30 has a front face 36, a rear face 38, and a rearwardly projecting, annular flange 40. Often, a plurality of through-holes 42 communicate between front face 36 and rear face 38. In one embodiment, through-holes 42 are sized and arranged so as to accept threaded fasteners 44 within complementarily threaded bushings 45. In another embodiment, a central through-hole 46 is located within a central recess 49 on front face 36a of a front plate 30a that is sized and shaped to accept locking-wheel 34. Referring once again to front plate 30 and now to FIGS. 14-15, a plurality of channels are defined within rear face 38, including one or more channels 50 that are arranged transversely, one or more channels 52 that are arranged at an angle relative to channels 50, and at least one channel 54 that is arranged longitudinally. Each channel 50,52,54 is defined by a faceted portion of rear face 38 (FIGS. 14 and 17). Transverse channel 50 defines opening 56 and longitudinal channel 54 defines openings 58 within annular flange 40. In one embodiment, each of transverse channels 50 share a common opening 60 with an angled channel 52 defined within annular flange 40. Each of channels 50, 52, and 54 have a cross-sectional profile that closely matches the cross-sectional profile of hook-arm 4. In one preferred embodiment, each of channels 50, 52, and 54 have a partially or semi-hexagonal cross-sectional profile.
Referring to FIGS. 18-20, rear plate 32 has a front face 65, an upper off-set flange 67, and a lower off-set flange 69. A plurality of through-holes 72 are defined in rear plate 32 in a pattern that is complementary to the pattern of through-holes 42 in front plate 30. Often, through-holes 72 are defined within upper off-set flange 67 and lower off-set flange 69. Through-holes 72 are sized and arranged so as to accept threaded fasteners 44. In some embodiments, front face 65 of rear plate 32 is substantially planer and smooth, with upper and lower off-set flanges 67,69 arranged in recessed parallel relation to the surface of front face 65. In other embodiments, a plurality of channels are defined within front face 65a.
Referring to FIG. 17, in one embodiment central through-hole 76 is defined through front face 65a that is sized and shaped to accept a threaded fastener 44a that passes through a central through-bore 71 defined in locking-wheel 34 and central through-hole 46 located within a central recess 49 of front plate 30a. The plurality of channels defined in front face 65a often include one or more channels 80 that are arranged transversely, one or more channels 82 that are arranged at an angle relative to channels 80, and at least one channel 84 that is arranged longitudinally. Transverse channels 80 define openings 86 and longitudinal channel 84 define openings 88. In one embodiment, two transverse channels 80 share a common opening 90 with angled channels 82 (FIGS. 22-24). Each of channels 80, 82, and 84 have a cross-sectional profile that closely matches the cross-sectional profile of hook-arm 4. In one preferred embodiment, each of channels 80, 82, and 84 have a partially or semi-hexagonal cross-sectional profile.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 25-28, frame 8 is typically formed as an elongate, often extruded panel having a rear wall 100 with spaced apart, parallel side walls 102,104 that project outwardly from spaced-apart longitudinal edges 106,108. Face walls 110,112,114, and 116 are disposed in spaced relation to rear wall 100 and in co-planar spaced relation to one another so as to define at least three slots 120,122, and 124. More particularly, face walls 110 and 112 project inwardly from the respective ends of parallel side walls 102,104 while face walls 114 and 116 sit a top parallel beams 126,128 and 130,132. In this way, slots 120,122, and 124 form three parallel passageways that run the length of frame 8.
A storage system 2 formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is assembled in the following manner. One or more arms 4 are arranged and positioned so that either shank 18 or shank 14 is located between a front plate 30 and a rear plate 32. In this position, each arm 4 is aligned in parallel, coaxial relation with one of channels 50 for vertical assembly (FIGS. 28-31 and 34-35), channels 52 for an angled assembly (FIG. 33), or channel 54 for a horizontal assembly (FIG. 32). Likewise, when front plate 30a and rear plate 32a are used, each arm 4 is aligned in parallel, coaxial relation with one of channels 80 for vertical assembly (FIG. 3), channels 82 for an angled assembly, or channel 84 for a horizontal assembly. Once in this position, front plate 30,30a is moved toward rear plate 32,32a until rear face 36 of front plate 30 engages front face 65 of rear plate 32. Once in this position, fasteners 44 may be inserted through openings 42 or 46 so as to complete yoke assembly 6. If arms 4 are positioned within angled channels 52 or transverse channels 50, one end of arm 4 will exit yoke assembly 6 via common openings 60.
A fully-assembled yoke assembly 6 may be positioned upon a frame 8 in the following manner. With arms 4 positioned within yoke assembly 6, yoke assembly 6 is moved toward frame 8 until upper offset flange 67 enters slot 120. In this position, upper recessed flange 67 is cammed into position against the inner surface of face wall 110. Once in this position, lower recessed flange 69 may be inserted in slot 122 such that it is captured behind face wall 112 and adjacent to beam 126. Yoke assembly 6 assembled to frame 8 is free to slide longitudinally along slots 120,122 so that yoke assembly 6 and arms 8 may be positioned at any location along the length of frame 8. Once in position, one or more yoke assemblies 6 may be grouped to form a support for one or more items directly (FIG. 1) or as an intermediate support structure for a container (FIG. 34) or a shelf (FIG. 35).
The present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments although optional modifications may be carried out by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in one embodiment a rear plate 125 has a front face 126, an upper off-set flange 129, and a lower off-set flange 131 (FIGS. 36-44). A through-hole 134 is centrally defined in rear plate 125 adjacent to an off-set, cantilevered tab 138 that projects outwardly from a rear face 139 of rear plate 125. Through-hole 134 is sized and arranged so as to accept a threaded nut 140. In some embodiments, front face 126 of rear plate 125 includes weld islands 142, with upper and lower off-set flanges 129,131, arranged in recessed parallel relation to the surface of front face 126. Upper off-set flange 129 also includes a downwardly projecting cantilevered tab 145, that is formed as a punched-out portion of front face 126. A locking-wheel 150 includes a threaded stem 153 that projects outwardly from the rear face of a pressure-plate 156 (FIGS. 36-37 and 42-43). Pressure-plate 156 may include finger-grips 159 to aid in rotating locking-wheel 150 into and out of threaded engagement with threaded nut 140. Hook-arms 160 may have a variety of shapes and configurations, and are often permanently fastened to front face 126, via spot welds or the like on weld islands 142.
Referring to FIGS. 25-27 and 43, rear plate 125 is assmbled to frame 8 by positioning upper off-set flange 129 so that downwardly projecting cantilevered tab 145 is cammed into position against the inner surface of face wall 110. As this occurs, cantilevered tab 138 is cammed into position against the inner surface of face wall 114 and downwardly projecting lower off-set flange131 is cammed into position against the inner surface of face wall 116. From this arrangement, and without locking-wheel 150 fully engaged with frame 8, rear plate 125 may be slid along frame 8 to a preferred or desired position. Once in position, threaded stem 153 of locking-wheel 150 is threaded into nut 140, and tightened by rotating finger-grips 159 so that the rear surface of pressure-plate 156 engages frame the front face of frame 8 so as to cause at least cantilevered tab 138 to elastically deform and thereby grip frame 8.
It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.
Patent Application
20070251904
