Industrial rack

Abstract

An industrial rack device, comprising an upright support member, at least a pair of shelf beams supported by the upright support member, and at least one shelf connected to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams; wherein a pair of upright support members is located at one end of the rack device, and another pair of upright support members is located at the opposite end of the rack device; and each shelf beam of the at least one shelf beam is attached to two opposite upright members of the upright support member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structural support device, and more particularly, to an industrial rack device and an industrial rack system including the rack device. Background Art

[0002] Shelves or rack systems are useful for a variety of applications, such as providing a support structure for storing various items. There is a need to improve industrial rack systems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved industrial rack system. The improved industrial rack system includes an industrial rack device, comprising:

[0004] Upright support members;

[0005] At least a pair of shelf beams supported by the upright support members;

[0006] At least one shelf connected to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams;

[0007] Wherein one pair of the upright support members is located at one end of the rack device, and another pair of the upright support members is located at the opposite end of the rack device;

[0008] Wherein each of the at least a pair of shelf beams is attached to two opposite upright members of the upright support members.

[0009] Preferably, each of the at least one shelf is composed of a wire cover plate, and the wire cover plate is connected to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams at the middle of the opposite sides of the wire cover plate.

[0010] Preferably, each of the at least a pair of shelf beams includes a "C" - shaped groove engaged with the wire cover plate.

[0011] Preferably, the "C" - shaped groove is located at about one - third of the top of the shelf beam.

[0012] Preferably, the "C" - shaped groove is set back into the shelf beam.

[0013] Preferably, the wire cover plate includes two wires on the inner side and the outer side of the wire cover plate, and one of the inner wires helps to lock the wire cover plate in the shelf beam.

[0014] Preferably, each of the at least a pair of shelf beams includes a transverse groove attached to the shelf beam and used to support the wire cover plate.

[0015] Preferably, the shelf beam includes a sinking groove, and the sinking groove allows the wire cover plate to contact the shelf beam.

[0016] Preferably, the wire cover plate is foldable.

[0017] Preferably, a hole is formed in the center of the sinking groove, and the hole allows a welding nut applied to the wire cover plate to be firmed into the wire cover plate and prevents the wire cover plate from moving from one side to the other side.

[0018] Preferably, the hinge contacts the wire cover plate and prevents the wire cover plate from moving from one side to the other side.

[0019] Preferably, the rack device includes detachable mounting feet, and the mounting feet are detachably attached to the bottom of each of the upright members.

[0020] Preferably, the feet have internally upwardly curved tabs, and the tabs are located outside a corresponding one of the upright members.

[0021] Preferably, a locking piece formed of an extended wire can be inserted into the frame of the wire cover plate.

[0022] Preferably, the industrial rack device is made of all-steel structure.

[0023] Preferably, the industrial rack device includes at least one square tube located below each shelf in the at least one shelf, and the square tube is attached to opposite shelf beams.

[0024] Preferably, one end of the square tube is pre-assembled to one of the shelf beams, and the other end of the square tube can rotate relative to one of the shelf beams.

[0025] Preferably, one of the shelf beams includes a groove into which a hole in one of the shelf beams is inserted, and the square tube can be hidden in the groove for packaging / delivery.

[0026] Preferably, the industrial rack device includes at least one support rod, and one end of the support rod is attached near the upper edge of one of the upright members and extends obliquely to be attached near the lower edge of the other of the upright members.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one support rod includes opposite first and second support rods.

[0028] Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an industrial rack system with enhanced strength and stability. The industrial rack system includes an industrial rack device, and the industrial rack device includes: upright support members, at least a pair of shelf beams supported by the upright support members, and at least one shelf connected to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams, wherein a pair of the upright support members is located at one end of the rack device, and another pair of the upright support members is located at the opposite end of the rack device, and each of the at least one shelf beam is attached to two opposite upright members of the upright support members.

[0029] These and other objects of the present invention can be achieved in one or more embodiments of the present invention described herein.

[0030] One embodiment of the present invention includes a rack device, which includes: upright support members, at least a pair of shelf beams supported by the upright support members, and at least one shelf connected to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams, wherein a pair of the upright support members is located at one end of the rack device, and another pair of upright support members is located at the opposite end of the rack device, and each of the at least one shelf beam is attached to two opposite upright members of the upright support members.

[0031] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of manufacturing a rack device, comprising the steps of:

[0032] Providing four upright support members, wherein a pair of the upright support members is located at one end of the rack device, and another pair of the upright support members is located at the opposite end of the rack device;

[0033] Providing at least a pair of shelf beams;

[0034] Attaching each of the at least one shelf beam to two opposite upright members of the upright support members;

[0035] Providing at least one shelf and connecting the shelf to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rack device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view of the rack device of

[0038] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a front view of the rack device of

[0039] Figure 3A is along Figure 3Cross-sectional view of the racking device taken along line A-A;

[0040] Figure 3B is taken from Figure 3A Partial enlarged view of the racking device of part B;

[0041] Figure 3C is taken from Figure 3A Partial enlarged view of the racking device of part C;

[0042] Figure 4 is Figure 1 Top view of the racking device;

[0043] Figure 4D is taken from Figure 4 Partial enlarged view of the racking device of part D; and

[0044] Figure 5 is Figure 1 Partial perspective view of the racking device;

[0045] Figure 6 Perspective view of the racking device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 is Figure 6 Another perspective view of the racking device;

[0047] Figure 8 is Figure 6 Another perspective view of the racking device;

[0048] Figure 9 is Figure 6 Perspective view of the components of the racking device;

[0049] Figure 10 is Figure 6 Partial perspective view of the racking device;

[0050] Figure 10A is Figure 6 Perspective view of the components of the racking device;

[0051] Figure 11 is Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of the shelf beam of the racking device;

[0052] Figure 12 Cross-sectional view of the shelf beam of the racking device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 13 Cross-sectional view of the shelf beam of the racking device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 14 Perspective view of the racking device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 15 is Figure 12 another perspective view of the racking device; and

[0056] Figure 16 is Figure 12 another perspective view of the racking device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] An industrial racking device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 - 4D and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The racking device 10 includes a plurality of shelves 20 connected to shelf beams 21, and the shelf beams 21 are supported by four upright support members 11, 12, 13, 14. A pair of upright members 11, 12 are located at one end of the device 10, and another pair of upright members 13, 14 are located at the opposite end of the device 10, as Figure 1 shown.

[0058] Each shelf 20 consists of a waterfall-shaped wire cover plate that is connected to a pair of shelf beams 21 located on opposite sides of the wire cover plate 20. Each shelf beam 21 is attached to two opposite upright members - upright members 11 and 13 or upright members 12 and 14.

[0059] Each shelf beam 21 has a cross-sectional profile as shown by the reference numeral 1 in Figure 3B . A "C"-shaped locking groove is located at approximately the upper one-third of the beam 21 and is generally designated by the reference numeral 3 in Figure 3B . The "C"-shaped groove 3 of the shelf beam 21 engages with the wire cover plate 20 and forms a strong bond between the wire cover plate 20 and the shelf beam 21 when bearing a load. The groove 3 in the beam 21 makes contact and forms a mechanical bond when the shelf bears a load. Therefore, the thickness of the shelf beam 21 and the lateral support of the wire cover plate can be made of lighter materials. The load applied to the shelf 20 is more evenly distributed over the entire beam 21 rather than at a specific point.

[0060] The waterfall-shaped wire cover plate 20 includes an additional wire on the inner side, which helps with the mechanical connection between the beam 21 and the wire cover plate 20. Traditional waterfall-shaped wire cover plates have a single wire strip applied at the outermost edge to protect end users from potential harm. The waterfall-shaped wire cover plate 20 of the racking device 10 includes wire strips 2 on both sides (inner and outer). The outer strip protects the user, and the inner strip helps lock the wire cover plate 20 into the shelf beam 21.

[0061] The "C"-shaped locking groove 3 of the shelf beam profile 1 is set back into the beam 21 so that the outermost edge of the waterfall-shaped wire cover plate 20 does not protrude beyond the large face of the shelf beam 21. The set-back in the beam 21 protects the customer from harm.

[0062] Figure 3B The total height of the "C"-shaped groove 3, as indicated by the reference numeral 4 in the drawings, allows the beam 21 and the wire cover plate 20 to bend under load and still remain engaged with the beam 21. The shelf beam 21 and the wire cover plate 20 bend at different rates. Therefore, there must be a certain amount of clearance to allow the bending to occur.

[0063] As Figure 3B shown, the transverse groove 5a supports the wire cover plate 20. The transverse groove 5a can be attached to the shelf beam 21 with rivets, which allows the frame to bend to a certain point and the wire cover plate support groove not to pop out, thus giving the overall structure greater strength. As Figure 3B shown, the beam 21 includes a recessed groove 5b, which allows the wire cover plate 20 to contact the shelf beam 21.

[0064] As Figure 3C shown, a hole 5c is formed in the center of the wire cover plate support groove, which allows a welding nut applied to the collapsible wire cover plate 20 to be installed into the cover plate 20 and prevents the wire cover plate 20 from moving from one side to the other. This is especially helpful in preventing unnecessary movement of the wire cover plate 20 when large and heavy objects slide from one side to the other.

[0065] As Figure 4D shown, the hinge 6 contacts the wire cover plate 20 and prevents the grille from moving from one side to the other, keeping the cover plate 20 square. The hinge 6 helps save space.

[0066] The rack device 10 may include removable mounting feet 30, which are removably attached to the bottom of each of the upright members 11, 12, 13, 14. Each foot 30 has an internal upwardly curved tab located outside the upright member and can be mounted to the floor and then the rack applied thereon. Preferably, the material used for the feet 30 is more than twice the thickness of each of the uprights 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0067] As Figure 5 shown, a locking tab 25 formed of an extended wire can be inserted into the frame of the plate 20, which helps to hold the plate 20 in place. According to another embodiment, the tab 25 can be made into a loop through which a bolt can be positioned, which allows the removal of the plate support in the case of using a single wire plate structure instead of a hinged / foldable wire plate.

[0068] Preferably, the rack device is made of all-steel structure. The rack device 10 is further described in the appendix attached hereto.

[0069] The rack device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is in Figure 6 - 13Shown and generally designated by reference numeral 100. Preferably, the rack device 100 has dimensions of 77 inches × 24 inches × 72 inches. The rack device 100 includes a plurality of shelves 120 connected to shelf beams 121, and the shelf beams 121 are supported by four upright support members 111, 112, 113, 114. A pair of upright members 111, 112 are located at one end of the device 100, and another pair of upright members 113, 114 are located at the opposite end of the device 100, as Figure 6 shown.

[0070] Each shelf 120 consists of a waterfall-shaped wire cover plate that is connected to a pair of shelf beams 121 located on opposite sides of the wire cover plate 120. Each shelf beam 121 is attached to two opposite upright members - upright members 111 and 113 or upright members 112 and 114.

[0071] As Figure 7 shown, three square tubes 122 are located below each shelf 120 and are attached to the opposite shelf beams 121 to stabilize the beams 121. A detailed view of the square tubes 122 is as Figure 9 shown. One end of the square tube 122 can be pre-assembled to the long shelf beam 121 with bolts and nuts, as Figure 10 and Figure 10A shown. During assembly, the end of the square tube that is not pre-assembled to the shelf beam 121 is pulled out and attached to the opposite beam 121 with bolts and nuts, as Figure 10 shown. To facilitate inserting the bolts into the beam 121, a plastic slot can be inserted into the holes in the beam 121, as Figure 10A shown, and the square tube 122 can be hidden in the beam 121 for packaging / delivery to reduce the packaging size and delivery cost.

[0072] The device 100 includes a pair of support rods 141, 142. One end of the first support rod 141 is attached near the upper edge of the upright beam 112 and extends obliquely to be attached near the lower edge of the upright beam 111. One end of the second support rod 142 is attached near the upper edge of the upright beam 114 and extends obliquely to be attached near the lower edge of the upright beam 113.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, each shelf beam 121 has a cross-sectional profile as shown by reference numeral 101 in Figure 11 . The beam profile 101 provides space to accommodate the square tube 122 and is more capable of withstanding deformation. The beam profile 101 also provides improved strength and simplifies the rolling process. In an alternative embodiment, each shelf beam 121 can have a cross-sectional profile as shown by reference numeral 102 in Figure 12 . In another embodiment, each shelf beam 121 can have a cross-sectional profile as shown by reference numeral 103 in Figure 13The cross-sectional profile shown by reference numeral 103 in the drawings.

[0074] The rack device 100 may include detachable mounting feet 130, which are detachably attached to the bottoms of each of the upright members 111, 112, 113, 114. Each foot 130 has an internally upwardly curved tab located outside the upright member and can be mounted to the floor, and then the rack is applied thereon.

[0075] The rack device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 14 - 16 and is generally shown by reference numeral 200. The device 200 is structurally similar to the previously described device 10, but the device 200 has dimensions of 48 inches × 24 inches × 47 inches. The rack device 200 includes a plurality of shelves 220 connected to shelf beams 221, and the shelf beams 221 are supported by four upright support members 211, 212, 213, 214. A pair of upright members 211, 212 are located at one end of the device 100, and another pair of upright members 213, 214 are located at the opposite end of the device 200, as Figure 14 shown.

[0076] Each shelf 220 is composed of a waterfall-shaped wire cover plate, which is connected to a pair of shelf beams 221 located on the opposite sides of the wire cover plate 120. Each shelf beam 221 is attached to two opposite upright members - the upright members 211 and 213 or the upright members 212 and 214.

[0077] As Figure 15 shown, two square tubes 222 are located below each shelf 120 and are attached to the opposite shelf beams 221 to stabilize the beam 121. The device 200 may include a pair of support bars 241, 242. One end of the first support bar 241 is attached near the upper edge of the upright beam 212 and extends obliquely to be attached near the lower edge of the upright beam 211. One end of the second support bar 242 is attached near the upper edge of the upright beam 214 and extends obliquely to be attached near the lower edge of the upright beam 213.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, each shelf beam 221 has a cross-sectional profile shown by reference numeral 101 in Figure 11 the drawings. The beam profile 101 provides space to accommodate the square tube 222 and is more capable of withstanding deformation. The beam profile 101 also provides improved strength and simplifies the rolling process. Alternatively, each shelf beam 221 may have a cross-sectional profile shown by reference numeral 102 in Figure 12 or Figure 13 the cross-sectional profile shown by reference numeral 103 in the drawings.

[0079] The rack device 200 may include detachable mounting feet 230 that are removably attached to the bottom of each of the upright members 211, 212, 213, 214. Each foot 230 has an internal upwardly curved tab that is located outside of the upright member and can be mounted to the floor and then the rack applied thereon.

[0080] The above describes a rack device and a method of manufacturing the same. Various changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope thereof. The above description of the embodiments and best mode of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and not for limitation.

Claims

1. An industrial rack device, comprising: An upright support member; At least a pair of shelf beams supported by the upright support member; At least one shelf, connected to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams; Wherein a pair of the upright support members are located at one end of the rack device, and another pair of the upright support members are located at the opposite end of the rack device; Wherein each of the at least a pair of shelf beams is attached to two opposite upright members of the upright support member; Each of the at least one shelf is composed of a wire cover plate, and the wire cover plate is connected to a pair of the at least a pair of shelf beams on the opposite sides of the wire cover plate; Each of the at least a pair of shelf beams includes a "C"-shaped groove engaged with the wire cover plate; The "C"-shaped groove is set back into the shelf beam; and The wire cover plate includes two wires on the inner and outer sides of the wire cover plate, and one of the wires on the inner side helps to lock the wire cover plate in the shelf beam.

2. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein the "C"-shaped groove is located at about one-third of the top of the shelf beam.

3. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least a pair of shelf beams includes a transverse groove attached to the shelf beam and for supporting the wire cover plate.

4. The industrial rack device according to claim 3, wherein the shelf beam includes a sunk groove, and the sunk groove allows the wire cover plate to contact the shelf beam.

5. The industrial rack device according to claim 4, wherein the wire cover plate is foldable.

6. The industrial rack device according to claim 5, wherein a hole is formed in the center of the sunk groove, and the hole allows a welding nut applied to the wire cover plate to be installed into the wire cover plate and prevents the wire cover plate from moving from one side to the other side.

7. The industrial rack device according to claim 6, wherein a hinge contacts the wire cover plate and prevents the wire cover plate from moving from one side to the other side.

8. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein the rack device includes detachable mounting feet, and the mounting feet are detachably attached to the bottom of each of the upright members.

9. The industrial rack device according to claim 8, wherein the feet have internally upwardly curved tabs located outside of a corresponding one of the upright members.

10. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein, A locking piece formed by an extended wire can be inserted into the frame of the wire cover plate.

11. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein the industrial rack device is made of all-steel structure.

12. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein the industrial rack device includes at least one square tube located below each of the at least one shelf, and the square tube is attached to opposite shelf beams.

13. The industrial rack device according to claim 12, wherein one end of the square tube is pre-assembled to one of the shelf beams, and the other end of the square tube can rotate relative to one of the shelf beams.

14. The industrial rack device according to claim 13, wherein, One of the shelf beams includes a slot that receives one of the shelf beams, and the square tube can be hidden in the slot for packaging / delivery.

15. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein, The industrial rack device includes at least one support rod, one end of which is attached near the upper edge of one of the upright members and extends obliquely to be attached near the lower edge of the other upright member.

16. The industrial rack device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support rod includes opposite first and second support rods.

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