Caster assembly suited for use with modular racks

Abstract

A modular, low cost pallet and shelf assembly with one or more removable caster assemblies is disclosed. The caster assemblies each comprise a first member, the first member having one or more first member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more first matching features of a vertical support member of a shelf assembly; a second member, the second member having one or more second member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more second matching features of the vertical support member; and a wheel assembly, coupleable to the first member and the second member. In one embodiment, the caster assembly includes a horizontal member disposed distal from the wheel that interfaces with a securing member to bear at least a portion of the weight of the rack assembly and to stabilize the caster when mounted to the rack assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 169,493, filed Jun. 29, 2005 by Jeffrey Salmanson and Jon R. Dickey and entitled “MODULAR LOW COST SHELF ASSEMBLY,” now issued as U.S. Pat. No. X,XXX,XXX, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 772,048, filed Feb. 4, 2004 by Jeffrey Salmanson and Jon R. Dickey and entitled “MODULAR LOW COST SHELF ASSEMBLY”, and issued Aug. 9, 2005 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,943, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 388,860, filed Mar. 14, 2003 by Jeffrey Salmanson and Jon R. Dickey and entitled “MODULAR LOW COST SHELF ASSEMBLY” and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,292, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 829,589, filed Apr. 9, 2001, for “MODULAR LOW COST PALLET AND SHELF ASSEMBLY,” by Jeffrey Salmanson and Jon R. Dickey now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,466, which is a continu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention discloses a racking system using a modular pallet and shelving assembly. This racking system is easily constructed and broken down, and which uses conventional, standardized, and readily available hardware. The design of the present invention directs the weight of the rack to a metal structure advantageously placed in relation to the pallet. Even when used with a commonly available wooden pallet, this design is exceptionally strong, allowing the unit to be lifted and transported with a forklift or pallet jack. This system provides an efficient system for delivering material and products to the marketplace (or to warehouses for later retail sales) without damage. The present invention also allows material and products to be removed from trucks by forklift, and placed directly on retail display.

[0010] Because the present system also utilizes reusable metal shelving, it can be easily broken down. This allows the system to be reused on site, disposed of by selling the racking system as a complete package, or in its component parts, or simply returned to the shipper or manufacturer for re-use. Further, because the design of the present invention is both simple and strong, the system can be more space efficiently constructed to take advantage of the available truck container space.

Problems solved by technology

There are several problems associated with the aforementioned procedures.

Unloading and loading the corrugated boxes is a labor-intensive procedure, often resulting in damage to the products and / or the corrugated boxes.

It is also common for the products to be damaged when the corrugated boxes (which are typically stacked during storage and transportation) collapse.

Another problem with these procedures is that the corrugated boxes are not generally reusable, and must be broken down and disposed of by the retail outlets.

Alternative wood racking systems, such as those employed in nurseries, do not solve this problem.

These racking systems are also difficult to transport, require labor intensive procedures to unload transported products and display them at a retail level, and cannot be broken down easily at the retail outlet.

These devices are also typically held together with nails, which further complicate their disassembly and storage, and make any return to the manufacturer generally unprofitable.

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