Offset pallet-rack safety net system

Abstract

A material-rack system comprises an offset safety netting, a perimeter cable suspension system for the netting, offset brackets to anchor the perimeter cable suspension system away by adjustable amounts, and vertical extension posts that bolt to the face of the upper frame parts of a pallet rack. The curtain netting is supported around its edges by attachments to taut wire ropes that are supported by the offset brackets. Such offset brackets slip over the vertical frame parts of the pallet rack. The brackets are always flush ended with the netting, and include several mounting points for the frame attachment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to material-handling systems, and more particularly to safety netting systems that protect workers and customers in the aisles below pallet shelves. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Shelves and racks are a convenient way to store items, and can maximize floor space when palleted material is stored many levels high. A typical warehouse retail store, e.g., The Home Depot, has material racks that are two, three, and four levels high. Heavy items, like backup store inventory on a pallet, are placed and fetched from high above by a forklift. These heavy items can weigh anywhere from ten to two hundred pounds. [0005] Heavy items placed 10-20 feet high above aisles in material racks and on shelves can present a significant and not-so-rare personal injury risk. Shaking, bumping, and poorly stacked items can come tumbling down and hurt people below, or at a minimum damage the product....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] An advantage of the present invention is that a safety netting is provided that does not get snagged by people or equipment in the aisle ways.

[0013] Another advantage of the present invention is that a safety netting is provided that is easy to install.

[0014] A further advantage of the present invention is that safety netting systems are provided that are simple to operate.

[0015] The above and still further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Problems solved by technology

Heavy items placed 10-20 feet high above aisles in material racks and on shelves can present a significant and not-so-rare personal injury risk.

Shaking, bumping, and poorly stacked items can come tumbling down and hurt people below, or at a minimum damage the product.

Conventional safety products can be expensive to buy, and difficult to work with or install.

But the way the netting is secured and constructed can mean opening the net to access the shelf is made very difficult, in some cases requiring a technician to climb high above and use hand tools to open and / or close the net.

Such prior art offset brackets are not adjustable in how far they offset the netting from the face of the pallet rack because they U-bolt to the front faces of the framing.

The way these are attached to the framing further does not provide maximum rigidity to keep the netting cables taut.

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