Shelving unit with invertible shelf beams

Abstract

Shelving unit (100), comprising: at least four vertically aligned shelving posts (110); at least two shelf beams (10), each connected along a width direction (X'-X') to two plug-in shelf posts (110); and at least one shelf (120) which is held by the two shelf beams (10), where each shelf beam comprises (10): an elongated first shelf beam section (20) which has a first surface (22) and a second surface (24) opposite the first surface (22); an elongated second shelf beam section (30) which extends from a first edge region (26a) of the first shelf beam section (20) and forms a first angle (α) with the first shelf beam section (20) at its first surface (22); and an elongated third shelf beam section (40) which extends from a second edge region (26b) of the first shelf beam section (20) and forms a second angle (β) with the first shelf beam section (20) at its first surface (22), wherein at least one connecting element (12) is formed at each of the lateral end regions (28a, 28b) of the second surface (24) of the first shelf beam section (20), which protrudes from the second surface (24), wherein the second shelf beam section (30) has a first receiving surface (32) which in a first operating state defines a first receiving area for a shelf (120) of a boltless shelving unit (100), wherein the third shelf beam section (40) has a second receiving surface (42) which in a second operating state defines a second receiving area for a shelf (120) of a boltless shelving unit (100), and wherein the first angle (α) between the first shelf beam section (20) and the second shelf beam section (30) is substantially 90° and the second angle (β) between the first shelf beam section (20) and the third shelf beam section (40) is between 0° and 90°, wherein each shelf beam (10) is connected to two plug-in shelf posts (110) by means of its connecting elements (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shelving unit with an invertible shelf beam.

[0002] Boltless shelving units are frequently used for storing goods, especially in warehouses. These units are advantageous for storage because they are easy to assemble, relatively inexpensive, and durable. Furthermore, the stored goods are easily accessible, which is beneficial when goods need to be frequently removed from the shelves for use or redistribution. Boltless shelving units typically consist of four vertically oriented metal uprights and several horizontally arranged shelves on which the goods are stored. Optionally, the shelves can be fitted with wooden or metal panels to provide a continuous storage surface.

[0003] Unlike traditional wooden shelves, boltless shelving systems are easier to assemble because each upright has multiple openings into which a connecting element, usually a rivet head, is inserted. One or more connecting elements are attached to the shelves or to elongated support beams, which can be used in combination with the shelves. Therefore, boltless shelving systems often do not require additional bolts, screws, or other support structures for assembly.

[0004] Another advantage of boltless shelving is that the shelves can be easily mounted at different heights and removed from the shelving unit as needed. This allows goods of various sizes to be stored in a single unit without any problems.

[0005] Conventional boltless shelving systems only allow for horizontal mounting of the shelves. While this makes storing goods straightforward, it can be quite cumbersome when the shelving is full, especially if items need to be retrieved from the back of a shelf. In such cases, items located at the front of the shelf must first be moved aside or even removed to access those at the back. Conventional boltless shelving systems lack the ability to adjust the shelf height to improve the accessibility of stored goods.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide means for increasing the flexibility of a plug-in shelving system, in particular the shelves of a plug-in shelving system, in order to improve the accessibility of goods in a plug-in shelving system.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a shelving unit comprising at least four vertically oriented shelving uprights, at least two shelf beams, each connected along a width direction to two shelving uprights, and at least one shelf which is supported by the two shelf beams, wherein each shelf beam comprises an elongated first shelf beam section having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, an elongated second shelf beam section extending from a first edge region of the first shelf beam section and forming a first angle α with the first shelf beam section at its first surface, and an elongated third shelf beam section extending from a second edge region of the first shelf beam section and forming a second angle β with the first shelf beam section at its first surface.wherein at least one connecting element is formed at each of the lateral end regions of the second surface of the first shelf beam section, which projects from the second surface, wherein the second shelf beam section has a first receiving surface which, in a first operating state, defines a first receiving area for a shelf of a boltless shelving unit, wherein the third shelf beam section has a second receiving surface which, in a second operating state, defines a second receiving area for a shelf of a boltless shelving unit, and wherein the first angle α between the first shelf beam section and the second shelf beam section is substantially 90° and the second angle β between the first shelf beam section and the third shelf beam section is between 0° and 90°, wherein each shelf beam is connected to two boltless shelving unit uprights by means of its connecting elements.

[0008] The three elongated shelf beam sections extend along a width direction of the shelf beam, which corresponds to a width direction of a plug-in shelf in both the first operating state and the second operating state, parallel to each other.

[0009] Furthermore, at least one connecting element extends from the second surface of the first shelf beam section to enable a connection between the shelf beam and the shelving unit in a known manner, namely by the connecting element engaging in one of the multiple openings of a shelving unit upright. Consequently, by mounting two shelf beams to a shelving unit, a stable support for a shelf can be created. Each of the two shelf beams defines a receiving area for a shelf, on which at least one edge section of the shelf is placed or engages.

[0010] According to an important feature of the present invention, the shelf beams of the shelving unit according to the invention can be used in a first operating state or in a second operating state. Both operating states refer in this context to a state of the shelving unit in which goods can be stored by means of a shelf supported by the shelf beam.

[0011] The first operating state refers to the shelf arrangement in a boltless shelving unit described earlier, i.e., a horizontally flat shelf arrangement. In this first operating state, the second shelf beam section points upwards along the vertical direction of the shelf beam to define the first support area for a shelf. Since the first angle α between the first and second shelf beam sections is essentially 90°, and the first shelf beam section is vertically oriented, a horizontally flat first support area is consequently created.

[0012] In contrast, in the second operating mode, the third section of the shelf beam points upwards along the vertical axis of the shelf beam to define the second support area for a shelf. Since the second angle β is less than 90°, a vertically oriented first section of the shelf beam consequently creates a second support area inclined relative to the horizontal. When a shelf is placed on the third section of the shelf beam, it is aligned according to the inclination of this section. All goods, especially boxes, crates, and / or other containers, are thus easily visible to a user of a shelving unit assembled according to the second operating mode. Furthermore, the stored goods, particularly those at the rear of the shelf, are easy to remove and, if necessary, can be placed back on the shelf without difficulty.

[0013] To transfer the shelf beam from the first operating state to the second operating state, or vice versa, the connecting elements of the first shelf beam section can be released from the openings of the plug-in shelf posts and the shelf beam can then be rotated 180° with respect to an axis that runs orthogonally to the width direction of the shelf beam and through its center point, thus inverting it, so that the second shelf beam section points upwards along the height direction of the shelf beam.

[0014] It should be noted at this point that, in the context of the present invention, the term "shelf" includes not only conventionally used flat panels, for example wooden panels, or grid bars, but also boxes, crates or other containers which have a storage surface that is sufficiently large to allow items to be placed on the first receiving area as well as on the second receiving area of ​​the second shelf beam section or the third shelf beam section in the first operating state or in the second operating state.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second angle β between the first shelf beam section and the third shelf beam section can be between 15° and 75°, preferably between 30° and 60°. This allows the inclination of the shelf to be adjusted by means of a support provided by the shelf beam, depending on the size and desired orientation of the goods to be stored.

[0016] Optionally, the second shelf beam section can extend along the entire first edge of the first shelf beam section, running from the first end to the second end of the second shelf beam section. Furthermore, the third shelf beam section can extend at least partially along the second edge of the first shelf beam section, also running along the width of the shelf beam. This creates the largest possible receiving areas for receiving or supporting a shelf in both the first and second operating states.

[0017] To increase the stability of the connection between the shelf beam and the shelving uprights of the shelving unit, two connecting elements can be provided at each lateral end. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the number of connecting elements and their position at each lateral end of the first shelf beam section can be adjusted depending on the size or height of the shelf beam, in order to allow the shelf beam to be used with shelving units of different sizes.

[0018] In this context, the two connecting elements can be spaced apart from each other at each lateral end along a vertical direction of the shelf beam, running from the first edge to the second edge of the first shelf beam section. The distance between the two connecting elements corresponds, in particular, to the distance between two adjacent openings of a shelving upright in a shelving system.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one connecting element can have a head section at its projecting end, which is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of a shelving upright of a shelving unit. The head section can, for example, have the form of a rivet head, which is dimensioned such that it can be inserted into an opening of a shelving upright in order to form a stable engagement with the shelving upright in a known manner.

[0020] To attach the shelf beam or the shelving unit according to the invention to a designated fastening element, e.g., to a wall, the first shelf beam section can include at least one opening. The fastening element can be, for example, a suitably designed hook, a pin, a screw, or the like, which can engage in the opening of the first shelf beam section. It is also conceivable that such a fastening element is formed on the shelf beam itself.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second shelf beam section can include at least one projection. This projection can, in particular, extend from the receiving surface of the second shelf beam section to form a lateral boundary for a shelf of a boltless shelving unit in the first operating state. This lateral boundary prevents the shelf from slipping in the first operating state.

[0022] To simplify the production of the shelf beam, the first, second, and third shelf beam sections can be integrally connected. For example, the second and third shelf beam sections can be formed by appropriately bending elongated edge sections of the first shelf beam section.

[0023] Preferably, the shelf beam, and thus its three sections, can be made of aluminum. Aluminum is particularly suitable for manufacturing the shelf beam due to its durability and relatively low weight. Alternatively, however, the shelf beam can also be made of other suitable materials, especially metals or wood.

[0024] The shelving uprights of the shelving system according to the invention can, in particular, be shelving uprights of the type described above, i.e., shelving uprights which comprise a plurality of openings into which a connecting element of a shelf beam can each be inserted. Optionally, the shelving system can be stabilized by at least one lateral shelf beam, which is arranged along a depth direction of the shelving system between two adjacent shelving uprights.

[0025] In the shelving unit according to the invention, the two shelf beams can now be used – as already described – in the first operating state or in the second operating state. In both the first and the second operating states, the two shelf beams are mounted along the width direction of the shelving unit between two shelving unit uprights, so that the two shelf beams are arranged on opposite sides of the shelving unit along its depth direction and consequently define a recess for the shelf.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shelf, in its supported state, can define a shelf plane, wherein the shelf plane is parallel to the horizontal in the first operating state of the shelving unit, and wherein the shelf plane is inclined relative to the horizontal in the second operating state of the shelving unit. The shelf plane thus extends, in both operating states, particularly parallel to the orientation or inclination of the shelf. The inclination of the shelf, and consequently of the shelf plane, in the second operating state is defined by the second angle β between the first shelf beam section and the third shelf beam section.

[0027] In the initial operating state of the shelving unit, the two uprights can be arranged at the same height along one vertical axis of the unit and connected to the uprights in such a way that the first support surface of the second shelf section of each upright serves as a support area for a shelf. As already mentioned, the two uprights thus form a flat support for the shelf. The height of the uprights can be freely selected and, in particular, determined by the size or height of the goods to be stored.

[0028] Accordingly, in the second operating state of the shelving unit, the two shelf beams can be positioned at different heights along the vertical axis of the unit and connected to the uprights in such a way that the second mounting surface of the third shelf section of each beam serves as a mounting area for a shelf. In this context, the third shelf section of the first beam, which is positioned lower along the vertical axis of the unit, acts as a stop for the shelf, ensuring it is securely held in place. The second, higher beam, or rather its third shelf section, also serves as a mounting area for the shelf. In this second operating state, the third shelf sections of both beams point upwards along the vertical axis of the unit, while the second shelf sections point downwards.

[0029] The difference in height between the two shelf beams results in a slanted shelf in the shelving unit. All stored goods, especially crates, boxes, and / or containers, are therefore easily visible, accessible, and placeable for the user.

[0030] To increase the storage capacity of the shelving unit, it can comprise multiple uprights and multiple shelves, with each set of two uprights and one shelf defining one shelf level. Preferably, the shelving unit can comprise ten uprights and five shelves. In other words, the shelving unit can accommodate five shelves. It is also conceivable that the shelving unit could comprise more than five shelves.

[0031] In principle, at least one shelf can be arranged using the shelf beams according to the first operating state, and at least one further shelf can be arranged using the shelf beams according to the second operating state. Alternatively, all shelves of the shelving unit can be arranged according to either the first or the second operating state.

[0032] Furthermore, it is possible, particularly in the second operating state, for more than one shelf, i.e., two or more shelves, to be supported by two shelf beams. This is especially true if the shelf does not occupy the full width of the shelving unit along its width. In the second operating state, for example, several boxes, crates (especially beverage crates), and / or containers can be supported by two shelf beams.

[0033] Furthermore, in addition to the conventional vertical configuration with four vertically oriented shelving posts, the shelving system according to the invention can also be provided in other configurations. For example, a butterfly configuration can be provided, in which two pairs of four shelving posts each extend upwards from a common base at intervals from one another.

[0034] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, a shelf comprises at least partially OSB (oriented strand board) wood. The use of OSB wood is advantageous because it is durable and can withstand high loads. Alternatively, the shelf can also comprise medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or metal panels.

[0035] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of an exemplary embodiment when considered together with the accompanying figures, which in particular show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a conventional shelving unit; Fig. 2 a first perspective view of a shelf beam of a plug-in shelf according to the invention; Fig. 3 a second perspective view of the shelf beam of the plug-in shelving unit according to the invention; and Fig. 4 a perspective view of the shelving unit according to the invention.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional shelving unit 100 for storing goods (not shown). The shelving unit 100 comprises four vertically arranged uprights 110, extending along a vertical direction Y'-Y', and a plurality of horizontally arranged shelves 120, extending along a horizontal direction X'-X' and a vertical direction Z'-Z'.

[0037] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the shelves 120 each comprise a panel, for example a wooden panel, to provide a continuous surface for storing goods. Furthermore, each of the shelving uprights 110 comprises a plurality of openings 112. The openings 112 are designed to accommodate connecting elements of the shelves or – as described later – the connecting elements 12 of the shelf beam 10, which is located in the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows in detail how to create a stable connection between the shelf 120 or the shelf beam 10 and the plug-in shelf posts 110. Fig. It is further indicated in 1 that each shelf 120 defines a shelf level 122.

[0038] With the in Fig. The shelving post 110 shown in section 1 can now be connected using the aforementioned shelving post openings 112, which are located in the Fig. 2 and Fig. The 3 shelf beams 10 shown are connected. The shelf beam 10 comprises an elongated first shelf beam section 20, which has a first surface 22 and a second surface 24 opposite the first surface 22. On the second surface 24, two connecting elements 12 project from each lateral end region 28a, 28b formed along the width direction XX of the shelf beam. These connecting elements are designed to connect to the openings 112 of the shelving uprights, as described above. The connecting elements 12, which are in Fig. As can be seen in section 3, this includes a head section in the shape of a rivet head.

[0039] The shelf beam 10 further comprises an elongated second shelf beam section 30 and an elongated third shelf beam section 40. The second shelf beam section 30 extends from an edge region 26a of the first shelf beam section 20, thereby forming a first angle α between the first surface 20 and the second shelf beam section 30. This first angle α is essentially 90°, so that the second shelf beam section 30 is oriented orthogonally to the first shelf beam section 20.

[0040] To find one in Fig. To create the first operating state of the shelving unit 100 shown in Figure 1, two shelf beams 10 are connected to the shelving unit uprights 110 such that the two shelf beams are arranged at the same height on opposite sides of the shelving unit 100. Consequently, the second shelf beam sections 30 each form a first receiving surface 32, which in the first operating state defines a first receiving area for a shelf 120 of a shelving unit 100. The shelf 120 can then be inserted into the shelving unit 100. Fig. They can be arranged on the shelving unit 100 as shown in section 1.

[0041] Furthermore, the shelf beam 10 comprises an elongated third shelf beam section 40, which extends from a second edge region 26b of the first shelf beam section 20 and forms a second angle β with the first shelf beam section 20 at its first surface 22. This second angle β is between 0° and 90°, preferably between 30° and 60°, whereby the third shelf beam section 40 is inclined relative to the vertical direction YY of the shelf beam.

[0042] This inclination of the third shelf beam section 40 is now in a second operating state of the shelving unit 100, which is in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates how this is used to position a suitably inclined shelf 120 on the shelving unit. To accommodate a shelf 120, the third shelf beam section 40 has a second receiving surface 42, which in the second operating state defines a second receiving area for a shelf 120 of a shelving unit 100.

[0043] To convert the shelf beam 10 from the first operating state to the second operating state, or vice versa, its connecting elements 12 simply need to be detached from the connections with the openings 112 of the shelving posts 110, and the shelf beam 10 rotated 180° about an axis that runs orthogonally to the width direction XX through its center point, thus inverting it. The connecting elements 12 can then be reconnected to corresponding openings 112 of the shelving posts 110.

[0044] In the second operating state, there are two shelf beams 10 each, as in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the arrangement at different heights along the vertical direction Y'-Y' of the shelving unit 100. A rear shelf beam 10 along the depth direction Z'-Z' of the shelving unit is positioned higher than a front shelf beam 10, so that a shelf 120 – or as shown in Figure 4 – is arranged at different heights along the vertical direction Y'-Y' of the shelving unit 100. Fig. Figure 4 shows a beverage crate containing goods 124 in the form of bottles - which can be picked up and held by both second receiving surfaces 42 of the third shelf beam section 40.

[0045] To ensure a stable and secure support for a shelf 120 or a box 120, a first projection 34 or a second projection 44 can be formed on both the second shelf beam section 30 and the third shelf beam section 40.

[0046] Out of Fig. Finally, it becomes clear from Figure 4 that, due to the inclined orientation of the beverage crates 120, each individual bottle 124 is easily accessible and therefore easy to remove. Conversely, bottles 124 or goods for storage in the shelving unit 100 can also be placed in the beverage crates 124 particularly easily, since no other goods 124 need to be moved aside or removed from the shelving unit 100 to store further goods 124.

[0047] The in Fig. The shelving unit 100 shown in Figure 4 has a plurality of shelf beams 10, with each pair of shelf beams 10 defining a shelf level 122, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates this. The two lowest shelf beams 10 are arranged according to the second operating state, allowing beverage crates 120 to be stored at an angle on the lowest shelf level 122. The beverage crates 120 can be stored as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 4 shows, for example, bottles 124 which are particularly easy to reach for a user of the plug-in shelf 100 due to the inclined orientation of the beverage crates 124.

[0048] The other pairs of shelf beams (10) are in Fig. 4 arranged according to the first operating state, so that a total of four horizontally flat aligned shelves 120 are comprised of the shelving unit 100. The number and arrangement height of the shelf beams 10 are freely selectable for both the first and second operating states, depending on the type and size of the goods 124 to be stored, and can be flexibly adjusted. Reference symbol list 10 shelf beams 12 Connecting element 20 first shelf beam section 22 first area 24 second area 26a, 26b first and second marginal area 28a, 28b first and second end range 30 second shelf beam section 32 first recording area 34 first lead 40 third shelf beam section 42 second recording surface 44 second lead 100 shelving units 110 shelving posts 112 Shelving post opening 120 shelf 122 shelf levels 124 items in storage XX shelf beam width direction YY shelf beam height direction X'-X' Shelving unit width direction Y'-Y' plug-in shelf height direction Z'-Z' Shelving unit depth direction

Claims

[1] Shelving unit (100), comprising: at least four vertically aligned shelving posts (110); at least two shelf beams (10), each connected along a width direction (X'-X') to two plug-in shelf posts (110); and at least one shelf (120) which is held by the two shelf beams (10), where each shelf beam comprises (10): an elongated first shelf beam section (20) which has a first surface (22) and a second surface (24) opposite the first surface (22); an elongated second shelf beam section (30) which extends from a first edge region (26a) of the first shelf beam section (20) and forms a first angle (α) with the first shelf beam section (20) at its first surface (22); and an elongated third shelf beam section (40) which extends from a second edge region (26b) of the first shelf beam section (20) and forms a second angle (β) with the first shelf beam section (20) at its first surface (22), wherein at least one connecting element (12) is formed at each of the lateral end regions (28a, 28b) of the second surface (24) of the first shelf beam section (20), which protrudes from the second surface (24), wherein the second shelf beam section (30) has a first receiving surface (32) which in a first operating state defines a first receiving area for a shelf (120) of a boltless shelving unit (100), wherein the third shelf beam section (40) has a second receiving surface (42) which in a second operating state defines a second receiving area for a shelf (120) of a boltless shelving unit (100), and wherein the first angle (α) between the first shelf beam section (20) and the second shelf beam section (30) is substantially 90° and the second angle (β) between the first shelf beam section (20) and the third shelf beam section (40) is between 0° and 90°, wherein each shelf beam (10) is connected to two plug-in shelf posts (110) by means of its connecting elements (12). [2] Shelving unit (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second angle (β) between the first shelf beam section (20) and the third shelf beam section (40) is between 15° and 75°, preferably between 30° and 60°. [3] Shelving unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second shelf beam section (30) extends along a width direction (XX) of the shelf beam (10), which runs from the first end region (28a) to the second end region (28b) of the second shelf beam section (30), along the entire first edge region (26a) of the first shelf beam section (20), and wherein the third shelf beam section (40) extends along the width direction (XX) of the shelf beam (10) at least partially along the second edge region (26b) of the first shelf beam section (20). [4] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two connecting elements (12) are formed at each lateral end region (28a, 28b). [5] Shelving unit (100) according to claim 4, wherein the two connecting elements (12) are spaced apart from each other at each lateral end region (28a, 28b) along a height direction (XX) of the shelf beam (10) which runs from the first edge region (26a) to the second edge region (26b) of the first shelf beam section (20). [6] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one connecting element (12) has a head section at its protruding end which is designed to be inserted into a corresponding opening (112) of a shelving unit post (110) of the shelving unit (100). [7] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first shelf beam section (20) comprises at least one opening. [8] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second shelf beam section (30) comprises at least one first projection (34). [9] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first shelf beam section (20), the second shelf beam section (30) and the third shelf beam section (40) are integrally connected to each other. [10] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf beam (10) is made of aluminium. [11] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf (120) in its supported state defines a shelf level (122), wherein the shelf level (122) in the first operating state of the plug-in shelving unit (100) runs parallel to the horizontal, and wherein the shelf level (122) is inclined relative to the horizontal in the second operating state of the plug-in shelving unit (100). [12] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the first operating state of the shelving unit (100), two shelf beams (10) are arranged at the same height along a vertical direction (Y'-Y') of the shelving unit (100) and are connected to the shelving unit uprights (110) in such a way that the first receiving surface (32) of the second shelf beam section (30) of each shelf beam (10) serves as a receiving area for a shelf (120). [13] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the second operating state of the shelving unit (100), two shelf beams (10) are arranged at different heights along a vertical direction (Y'-Y') of the shelving unit (100) and are connected to the shelving unit uprights (110) in such a way that the second receiving surface (42) of the third shelf beam section (40) of each shelf beam (10) serves as a receiving area for a shelf (120). [14] Shelving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelving unit (100) comprises a plurality of shelf beams (10) and a plurality of shelf boards (120), wherein two shelf beams (10) and one shelf board (120) define a shelf level. [15] Shelving unit (100) according to claim 14, wherein the shelving unit (100) comprises ten shelf beams (10) and five shelf boards (120).

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