Shelving unit

Abstract

Support bracket (1) for a shelf (P), in particular a shelf of the kanban type, of a shelving unit (S), extending along a main axis (X) and comprising an interconnection portion (2), connected, during use, to an upright (M) of the shelving unit (S) and a support portion (3), adjacent to the interconnection portion (2) along the main axis (X), comprising a housing seat (3a) configured to support an end portion (E) of the shelf (P) of the shelving unit (S). The housing seat (3a) defines a curved path inside which, during use, the end portion (E) of the shelf (P) is slidable and rotatable.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shelving unit.

[0002] The present invention is therefore applicable in the field of storage of articles. "Articles" can be understood as objects of various types, loose or contained in special containers such as, for example, boxes.

[0003] The present invention finds particular application in the area of the shelving units of the kanban type.

[0004] Kanban shelving units usually consist of inclined tracks or slightly inclined levels on which articles are placed. The articles are set on the highest side of the track and, thanks to gravity, slide towards the opposite side, where they can be easily accessed for pick-up.

[0005] In particular, a specific type of shelving units for "gravity" storage envisages using a plurality of storage tracks equipped with freely rotating rollers that allow products arranged at a point at a higher elevation of the track to slide without interruption towards a point at a lower elevation of the same track.

[0006] This type of shelving unit also allows that when a product is withdrawn, the next product tends to assume the position of the removed product, thus allowing to maximise the space occupied by the products and facilitate the withdrawal of the next product according to a First In First Out type of logic: An alternative consists in shelving units of the push-back type, in which the products are inserted at a lower elevation and the products slide in depth by thrust in opposition to the force of gravity to allow a Last In First Out type of logic.

[0007] Generally, the known racks (or shelving units) are arranged in such a way as to define semi-horizontal or inclined planes.

[0008] However, there may be a need to modify the arrangement of a shelf, switching it from horizontal to inclined or vice versa, or making it necessary to modify the inclination.

[0009] Unfortunately, given the finite sizes of the racks, a rack already set up for horizontal use cannot be inclined, and conversely, a horizontally arranged inclined rack would take up more space than permitted, thus generating unwanted encumbrances.

[0010] Devices are known that allow the inclination of the rack or shelf to be changed, but these are difficult to manufacture or install and are also expensive from a production point of view and / or from a point of view of installation costs.

[0011] Other known support brackets for shelves are also disclosed in US 2015 / 183360 A1, KR 2022 170032 A and DE 4 436 690 A1.

[0012] The technical task of the present invention is thus to provide a shelving unit which is able to overcome the drawbacks that have emerged from the prior art.

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a shelving unit which allows an easy change of inclination of the shelf.

[0014] Therefore, a further object of the present invention is to provide a shelving unit which is inexpensive and easy to install.

[0015] The specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a shelving unit comprising the technical features disclosed in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0016] The specified technical task and the specified objects are achieved by a shelving unit for supporting articles, for example boxes or containers, comprising a main structure comprising uprights arranged in a double row, a plurality of shelves, in particular of the kanban type, set at different heights relative to the uprights of the main structure, a plurality of brackets, a respective plurality of fastening means configured, during use, to fasten the interconnection portion to an upright of a shelving unit and a respective plurality of constraining means configured, during use, to constrain the support portion to the end portion of the shelf.

[0017] The bracket comprises an interconnection portion, connected, during use, to an upright of the shelving unit, and a support portion, adjacent to the interconnection portion along the main axis, comprising a housing seat configured to receive through insertion an end portion of the shelf of the shelving unit.

[0018] The housing seat defines a curved path inside which, during use, the end portion of the shelf is slidable and rotatable.

[0019] Advantageously, the bracket allows the end portion of the shelf to move with a rotational and translational movement inside the housing seat. In this way, the shelf can be rotated and can be adjusted relative to a further upright that would otherwise not be reachable due to the limited sizes of the shelf itself.

[0020] Each shelf has four end portions, each connected or connectable to a respective upright.

[0021] Each end is connected by means of fastening means to respective brackets, in turn connected by means of fastening means to respective uprights.

[0022] In a configuration of use, an inclination of each shelf relative to a horizontal configuration, coinciding with a zero inclination of the shelf, can be adjusted through the fastening of a row of a pair of end portions at a different height of respective uprights, and a respective rotational and translational movement of each end portion inside the respective housing seat.

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of an embodiment of a shelving unit.

[0024] Such a description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided solely for illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a bracket; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a shelf provided with a plurality of brackets of Figure 1; Figure 2A is a detail of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a shelving unit subject-matter of the present invention.

[0025] With reference to the appended figures, 1 indicates in its entirety a support bracket for a shelf "P" of a shelving unit "S" which, for simplicity of description, will be referred to below as the bracket 1.

[0026] In particular, the shelving unit "S" has shelves "P" of the kanban type.

[0027] The bracket 1 has a substantially linear extension. Therefore, the bracket 1 extends along a main axis "X".

[0028] During use, the bracket 1 can be connected to an upright "M" of the shelving unit "S". The upright "M" is perforated and the holes are distributed along the entire height (i.e., length) of the upright "M" defining the levels on which to mount the bracket 1.That is, holes arranged at the same height of two or more uprights "M" define a level.

[0029] The bracket 1 comprises an interconnection portion 2, connected, during use, to an upright "M" of the shelving unit "S".

[0030] Preferably, the interconnection portion 2 has at least two connection holes 2a configured to achieve, in an assembled configuration of the bracket 1, a connection with the upright "M" by means of specific fastening means "F". Preferably, the two connection holes 2a are arranged in opposing portions of the interconnection portion 2 relative to a median portion of the interconnection portion 2 itself. Preferably, the interconnection portion 2 has a planar conformation. In other words, the interconnection portion 2 is defined by the shape of a plate or other plate-like element.

[0031] The bracket 1 further comprises a support portion 3 adjacent to the interconnection portion 2 along the main axis "X".

[0032] The support portion 3 comprises a housing seat 3a configured to receive by insertion an end portion "E" of the shelf "P" of said shelving unit "S". The housing seat 3a defines a curved path inside which, during use, the end portion "E" of the shelf "P" is slidable and rotatable.

[0033] Thus, the housing seat 3a defines a curved path, preferably shaped like a "U" or a circumferential arc, inside which the end portion "E" can translate following the path itself or rotate on itself.

[0034] Preferably, in an assembled configuration of the bracket 1, the end portion "E" is constrained during the movement by means of special constraining means "V" to the housing seat 3a.

[0035] Preferably, the support portion 3 also comprises a housing hole 3b defining a rotation axis for the end portion "E" of the shelf.

[0036] Preferably, the housing hole 3b defines a centre of rotation of the curved path (i.e. the end portion "E") and the curved path is created in the form of a circumferential arc hence having the housing hole 3b as its centre. In other words, the housing hole 3b (together with a respective constraining means "V") constrains the end portion "E" through rotation by imparting to it a rotation about an axis defined by the housing hole 3b itself while sliding along the housing seat 3a.

[0037] Preferably, the housing hole 3b and the housing seat 3a are defined in opposing portions of the support portion 3 relative to a median portion of the support portion 3.

[0038] Preferably, the support portion 3 has a planar conformation. In other words, the support portion 3 is defined by the shape of a plate or other plate-like element.

[0039] Preferably, the interconnection portion 2 and the support portion 3 lie and extend on respective planes parallel to each other.

[0040] Preferably, the interconnection portion 2 and the support portion 3 are connected to each other via a connection wall 4.

[0041] Even more preferably, the connection wall 4 has an inclined position relative to the planes in which the interconnection portion 2 and the support portion 3 lie and extend. In other words, the connection wall 4 extends transversely to the planes in which the interconnection portion 2 and the support portion 3 lie.

[0042] Preferably, the interconnection portion 2, the support portion 3 and the connection wall 4 define a single body.

[0043] Advantageously, the bracket 1 allows to obtain a tool which is easy to install and which allows a simplified adjustment of the shelf "P" so as to be able to obtain a desired inclination thereof which is different from the horizontal one.

[0044] The present disclosure further relates to a support kit for a shelf "P" of a shelving unit "S", which is not part of the present invention, comprising a plurality of brackets 1 as described above.

[0045] The kit further comprises a respective plurality of fastening means. The fastening means "F" is configured, during use, to fasten the interconnection portion 2 of a bracket 1 to an upright "M" of a shelving unit "S". Fastening means "F" can be understood as screws, bolts and other similar means that can be inserted inside the respective connection holes 2a and the respective holes of the upright "M" to achieve a stable connection between the bracket 1 and the upright.

[0046] The kit further comprises a respective plurality of constraining means "V" configured, during use, to constrain the support portion 3 to the end portion "E" of the shelf "P". Constraining means "V" can be understood as screws, bolts and other similar means which can be inserted inside the housing seat 3a and which are constrained by the end portion "E". In particular, the constraining means "V" defines a sliding element inside the housing seat 3a so as to allow a rotational sliding of the shelf "P". Advantageously, the above kit is inexpensive and intuitive to install, even in pre-existing shelving units. That is, the kit can also be understood as an "upgrading kit" for existing shelving units.

[0047] The present invention relates to a shelving unit "S" for supporting articles, for example boxes or containers, comprising a main structure comprising uprights "M" arranged in a double row and transverse elements "T" arranged to connect uprights "M" of one row with respective uprights "M" of an adjacent row.

[0048] The shelving unit "S" also comprises a plurality of shelves "P" set at different heights relative to the uprights "M" of the main structure. It should be noted that the crossbars "T" are mounted parallel relative to one side of the shelves "P" where the end portions "E" are present.

[0049] The shelving unit "S" further comprises a plurality of brackets 1 as described above, a respective plurality of fastening means "F" configured, during use, to fasten the interconnection portion 2 to an upright "M" and a respective plurality of constraining means "V" configured, during use, to constrain the support portion 3 to the end portion "E" of the shelf "P".

[0050] The shelves "P" are therefore set at different levels relative to the respective rows of uprights "M" and have a generally square or rectangular shape. In particular, each shelf "P" has four end portions "E", each connected or connectable to a respective upright "M".

[0051] Each end portion "E" is connected by means of fastening means "F" to respective brackets 1 which in turn are connected by means of fastening means "V" to respective uprights "M".

[0052] In a configuration of use, an inclination of each shelf "P" can be adjusted through the fastening of a row of a pair of end portions E at a different height of respective uprights M, and a respective rotational and translational movement of each end portion E inside the respective housing seat 3a.

[0053] The above inclination can be adjusted relative to a horizontal configuration coinciding with a zero inclination of the shelf "P". In other words, a zero inclination coincides with an inclination in which the shelves "P" are connected to parallel holes of the respective uprights "M" of both the first and second row.

[0054] Therefore, an inclination of the shelf "P" is achieved through lifting of two end portions "E" by reversibly connecting the respective brackets 1 on holes defined in raised levels of a first row of uprights "M".

[0055] Since all the end portions "E" of the shelf are fitted with brackets 1, a user wishing to change an inclination of the shelf "P" will simply have to disconnect the respective brackets 1 from a row of uprights "M" and lift (or lower) them and fasten them at a different height of the upright "M". In this way, all the end portions "E" will move rotationally and translationally in their respective housing seats 3a in order to thus adjust the inclination thereof.

[0056] Preferably, each shelf "P" can be inclined by an inclination of up to 30° relative to the horizontal configuration. That is, the sliding of the shelf "P" inside the housing seat 3a allows the end portions "E" free from the brackets 1, to be reconnected to the uprights "M" of the first row as long as the inclination of the end portions "E" themselves is comprised within 30° relative to the horizontal configuration.

[0057] Advantageously, the present invention is capable of overcoming the drawbacks which have emerged from the prior art.

[0058] Advantageously, the present invention allows to easily change an inclination of the shelf.

[0059] Advantageously, the brackets 1 are inexpensive and easy to install, thus allowing to obtain an inexpensive shelving unit "S" and easily customisable as regards the inclinations of the shelves "P".

Claims

1. A shelving unit (S) for supporting articles, for example boxes or containers, comprising: - a main structure comprising uprights (M) arranged in rows of two; - a plurality of shelves (P), in particular of the kanban type, set at different heights relative to said uprights (M) of the main structure; - a plurality of brackets (1) for a shelf (P), in particular a shelf of the kanban type, of said shelving unit (S), each bracket (1) extending along a main axis (X) and comprising: - an interconnection portion (2), connected, during use, to an upright (M) of said shelving unit (S); - a support portion (3), adjacent to the interconnection portion (2) along the main axis (X), and comprising a housing seat (3a) configured to support an end portion (E) of the shelf (P) of said shelving unit (S); wherein the housing seat (3a) defines a curved path inside which, during use, the end portion (E) of the shelf (P) is slidable; - a respective plurality of fastening means configured, during use, to fasten the interconnection portion (2) to an upright (M); - a respective plurality of constraining means (V) configured, during use, to constrain the support portion (3) to the end portion (E) of the shelf (P); wherein each shelf (P) has four end portions (E), each connected or connectable to a respective upright (M), each end portion (E) being connected by means of constraining means (V) to respective brackets (1) which are in turn connected by the fastening means to respective uprights (M); wherein, in a configuration of use, an inclination of each shelf (P) relative to a horizontal configuration, coinciding with a zero inclination of the shelf (P), can be adjusted through the fastening of a row of a pair of end portions (E) at a different height of respective uprights (M), and a respective rotational and translational movement of each end portion (E) inside the respective housing seat (3a).

2. The shelving unit (S) according to claim 1, wherein each shelf (P) can be inclined by an inclination of up to 30° relative to said horizontal configuration.

3. The shelving unit (S) according to claim 1, wherein said support portion (3) further comprises a housing hole (3b) defining a rotation axis for said end portion (E) of the shelf (P).

4. The shelving unit (S) according to claim 3, wherein said housing hole (3b) defines a centre of rotation of said curved path and wherein said curved path is created in the form of a circumferential arc.

5. The shelving unit (S) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said interconnection portion (2) has at least two connection holes (2a) configured to achieve, in an assembled configuration of said bracket (1), a connection with said upright (M) by means of specific fastening means (F).

6. The shelving unit (S) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said interconnection portion (2) and said support portion (3) lie and extend in respective planes parallel to each other.

7. The shelving unit (S) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said interconnection portion (2) and said support portion (3) are connected to each other by means of a connection wall (4).

8. The shelving unit (S) according to claims 6 and 7, wherein said connection wall (4) has an inclined position relative to said planes in which said interconnection portion (2) and said support portion (4) lie and extend.

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