SUPPORT BEAM AND SHELVING SYSTEM USING IT

Abstract

The invention relates to a support beam (1) and a shelving system. The support beam (1) comprises: a first vertical element (11); a second vertical element (12), positioned with the first vertical element (11) in a shared vertical plane; a horizontal element (13) connected to the first vertical element (11); a connecting element (14) connected to the horizontal element (13) and to an upper end (121) of the second vertical element (12), the connecting element (14) having a diagonal orientation such that the connecting element (14) is inclined downwards towards the second vertical element (12);and an extension element (15) having a first end (151) and a second end (152) and which is connected to a lower end (122) of the second vertical element (12) at the second end, the extension element (15) having a first straight part (153) extending from the first end, and an angle between an extension direction of the first straight part (153) and that of the second vertical element (12) being between 0 and 145 degrees. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1A;

Description

Title of the invention: SUPPORT BEAM AND SHELVING SYSTEM USING THEREOF FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a beam structure and a storage device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support beam and a shelving system using the support beams for various shelving systems in order to increase the efficiency of load bearing and bulk transport.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Boltless or riveted shelving systems are commonly used to store a variety of items in a space-saving and compact manner, and are a popular storage option for any warehouse, factory, home, or garage due to their versatility and industrial strength. Typical shelving systems, such as the example shown in US Patent No. 8424694, may include four vertical corner posts, any suitable number of horizontal support beams spanning between pairs of posts, and corresponding shelves resting on and supported by the pairs of horizontal support beams. In addition, boltless shelving systems are designed to be easy to assemble (i.e., requiring only minimal tools) and to allow for quick and easy adjustments and reconfiguration of the shelving systems.

[0004] However, many boltless shelving systems, including the aforementioned prior art systems, have insufficient load-bearing capacity or require diagonal bracing on the sides of the shelving system, which limits the usable space of the shelving system and the accessibility of the stored items. Therefore, there is a need for an optimal beam for use in a shelving system with high load-bearing capacity and increased accessibility. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide devices that enable various shelving system beams to increase the efficiency of load bearing and bulk transport. Embodiments of the present invention can be freely combined with each other provided they are not mutually exclusive.

[0006] The present invention relates to a support beam for supporting a shelving unit. It comprises: a first vertical element; a second vertical element, positioned with the first vertical element in a shared vertical plane; a horizontal element connected to the first vertical element; a connecting element connected to the element horizontal and at an upper end of the second vertical element, the connecting element having a diagonal orientation such that the connecting element is inclined downwards towards the second vertical element; and an extension element having a first end and a second end and which is connected to a lower end of the second vertical element at the second end, the extension element having a first straight part extending from the first end, and an angle between an extension direction of the first straight part and that of the second vertical element being between 0 and 145 degrees.

[0007] Preferably, a material of the support beam may include a metal or a plastic material.

[0008] Preferably, the extension element may also include a second straight part extending from the second end.

[0009] Preferably, the first straight part and the second straight part can be parallel.

[0010] Preferably, the extension element may also include a U-shaped section between the first straight part and the second end.

[0011] Preferably, the extension element may also include at least one arc section between the first straight part and the second end.

[0012] Preferably, the extension element may also include at least one point of curvature between the first straight part and the second end.

[0013] Preferably, the extension element may also include a flat part perpendicular to the second vertical element between the first end and the second end.

[0014] Preferably, the first vertical element and the second vertical element at both ends of the support beam may further include an opening, respectively, for riveting, notching or bolting.

[0015] Preferably, the horizontal element and the connecting element can be cut at two ends of the support beam at an angle that is not perpendicular to the support beam.

[0016] The present invention also relates to another support beam for supporting a shelving unit. It comprises: a first vertical element; a second vertical element, positioned with the first vertical element in a shared vertical plane; a horizontal element connected to the first vertical element; a connecting element connected to the horizontal element and to an upper end of the second vertical element, the connecting element having a curved shape; and an extension element having a first end and a second end and which is connected to a lower end of the second vertical element at the second end, the extension element having a first straight portion extending from the first end, and an angle between a the direction of extension of the first right part and that of the second vertical element being between 0 and 145 degrees.

[0017] Preferably, a material of the support beam may include a metal or a plastic material.

[0018] Preferably, the curved shape of the connecting element may include at least one point of inflection.

[0019] Preferably, the extension element may further comprise a second straight part extending from the second end.

[0020] Preferably, the first straight part and the second straight part can be parallel.

[0021] Preferably, the extension element may also include a U-shaped section between the first straight part and the second end.

[0022] Preferably, the extension element may also include at least one arc section between the first straight part and the second end.

[0023] Preferably, the extension element may include at least one point of curvature between the first straight part and the second end.

[0024] Preferably, the extension element further comprises a flat part perpendicular to the second vertical element between the first end and the second end.

[0025] Preferably, the first vertical element and the second vertical element at both ends of the support beam may further include an opening, respectively, for riveting, notching or bolting.

[0026] Preferably, the horizontal element and the connecting element can be cut at two ends of the support beam at an angle that is not perpendicular to the support beam.

[0027] The present invention relates to a shelving system. It comprises: a plurality of corner posts; a plurality of beams, each beam being configured to be coupled in an adjustable manner to a pair of corner posts and at least one of the beams being the support beam mentioned above; and at least one shelf configured to rest on at least two beams.

[0028] Preferably, the shelving system may further include at least one fixing beam fixed to two opposing support beams.

[0029] Without limiting the present invention, the support beams are technically advantageous compared to the prior art because they can support more weight for the same quantity of material. Furthermore, the packaging volume of a shelving system intended for shipping and handling can be reduced by approximately 50-70%. In some embodiments, the reduction can be as much as 15%. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] [Fig. 1 A] is a side view of a support beam according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] [Fig.1B] shows a rear perspective view of the first embodiment.

[0032] [Fig. IC] shows a front perspective view of the first embodiment.

[0033] [Fig. 1D] shows another front perspective view of the first embodiment with four openings cut into the support beam.

[0034] [Fig. 1E] shows a rivet fixed in each of the openings to connect the support beam.

[0035] [Fig.2] is a side view of a support beam according to a second mode of realization of the present invention.

[0036] [Fig.3] is a side view of a support beam according to a third mode of realization of the present invention.

[0037] [Fig.4A] is a side view of a support beam according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] [Fig.4B] is a side view of the support beam of the fourth embodiment which has a flat lower part.

[0039] [Fig.5] is a side view of a support beam according to a fifth mode of realization of the present invention.

[0040] [Fig. A] is a side view of a support beam according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] [Fig. B] is a side view of a variant of the support beam according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] [Fig.7] is a side view of a support beam according to a seventh mode of realization of the present invention.

[0043] [Fig.8] is a side view of a support beam according to an eighth mode of realization of the present invention.

[0044] [Fig.9] is a side view of a support beam according to a ninth mode of realization of the present invention.

[0045] [Fig. 10] shows a support beam with cutouts at both ends.

[0046] [Fig. 11] shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a system shelves.

[0047] [Fig. 12] shows how a support beam is fixed to a corner post.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT MODES

[0049] The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments.

[0050] Reference is made to Figures 1A-1C. [Fig. 1A] is a side view of a support beam 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, [Fig. 1B] shows a rear perspective view of the first embodiment, and [Fig. 1C] shows a front perspective view of the first embodiment. The support beam 1 is a long, straight object, and its direction of extension is perpendicular to [Fig. 1A]. In order to enlarge the local features, a portion of the support beam 1 between two of its ends is omitted and not drawn. Dashed lines in Figures 1B and 1C indicate the limits of the omitted portion. The elements of the support beam 1 mentioned below are defined in [Fig. 1A]. It is understood that any element is also a long, straight object connected to another to form the support beam 1 as a single unit. In [Fig.[lA], dotted lines are used to distinguish one element from another connected element.

[0051] In this embodiment, the support beam 1 for supporting a shelf assembly comprises a first vertical element 11, a second vertical element 12, a horizontal element 13, a connecting element 14, and an extension element 15. The second vertical element 12 is not directly connected to the first vertical element 11. Instead, the second vertical element 12 is positioned with the first vertical element 11 in a shared vertical plane. Thus, the first vertical element 11 and the second vertical element 12 can come into contact with a plane of a corner post of a shelf, such that the support beam 1 is able to be attached to the corner post. For ease of explanation, the second vertical element 12 has an upper end 121 and a lower end 122.

[0052] The horizontal element 13 is connected to the first vertical element 11. The connecting element 14 is connected to the horizontal element 13 and to the upper end 121 of the second vertical element 12. In this embodiment, the connecting element 14 has a diagonal orientation, such that the connecting element 14 is inclined downwards towards the second vertical element 12. The angle 0 between the horizontal element 13 and the connecting element 14 can be variable.

[0053] The extension element 15 has a first end 151 and a second end 152. The second end 152 of the extension element 15 is connected to the lower end 122 of the second vertical element 12. The extension element 15 also includes a first straight portion 153 extending from the first end 151. In this embodiment, the extension element 15 takes the form of a hook thanks to the first straight portion 153, which increases rigidity against bending and torsion when the support beam 1 is assembled in a shelving system. An extension direction of the first straight portion 153 is represented by a dashed arrow, and an extension direction of the second vertical element 12 is shown. The lines indicated by a solid arrow are parallel. The angle between the two directions is 0 degrees. According to the present invention, the angle can range from 0 to 145 degrees. Other embodiments will include various examples of the first straight section 153 to show different angles. The lower part of the support beam 1 is arched.

[0054] According to the present invention, the following situations may apply. The total length of the support beams from one end to the other may be from 1 to 10 feet. The beam width may be from 1 to 6 inches. The thickness of the support beams may be uniform along their entire length and may be from 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. Regarding the material, according to the present invention, in all embodiments described, it may be, but is not limited to, metal, plastic, or any other rigid material.

[0055] The support beam 1 can be attached to a corner post to form part of the shelving system by welding. However, this is not the only way to proceed. The support beam 1 can be further processed to be bolted, riveted, or notched to the corner post, or in any other manner. Reference is made to Figures 1D and 1E. [Fig. 1D] shows another front perspective view of the support beam 1 in the first embodiment, with four openings drilled in the support beam 1, and [Fig. 1E] shows a rivet fixed in each of the holes to connect the support beam 1. Each of the first vertical element 11 and the second vertical element 12 at two ends of the support beam 1 has an opening 20, respectively, for riveting, notching, or bolting. There are four openings 20 shown in [Fig. 1D].Rivets 21 are fixed in the openings 20 in the first vertical element 11 and the second vertical element 12. The rivets 21 can be replaced by bolts to fix the support beam 1 to the corner post. The difference between the rivets 21 and the bolts is that the former are fixed into the support beam 1, while the latter are only applied when fixing. For a better understanding, please refer to [Fig. 12]. The rivets 21 located at one end of a support beam 200 can be fixed to the pear-shaped holes 110 on the same corner post 100 to reinforce the stability of the shelving system, maintaining the vertical alignment of the support beam 200 with the corner post 100.Alternatively, these rivets 21 can be attached to the pear-shaped holes 110 on separate corner posts 100 to extend the length of a single corner post, allowing multiple shelving systems to be stacked one on top of the other.

[0056] Reference is made to [Fig. 2]. This is a side view of a support beam 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, most of the elements of the support beam 2 are the same as the Corresponding elements of the support beam 1. To simplify the explanation, the same symbols refer to the same element in different drawings and embodiments. Unless certain design features are modified, the details of the elements mentioned will not be repeated. In the second embodiment, the extension direction of the first straight section 153, represented by a dashed arrow, and the extension direction of the second vertical element 12, represented by a solid arrow, are no longer parallel. The angle between the two directions is greater than 0 degrees, for example, 30 degrees. The extension element 15 can still be shaped like a hook by means of the first straight section 153 in order to increase rigidity against bending and torsion in service.

[0057] Reference is made to [Fig. 3]. This is a side view of a support beam 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the design of the extension element 15 differs from that of the extension element 15 in the two preceding embodiments. The extension direction of the first straight section 153, represented by a dashed arrow, and the extension direction of the second vertical element 12, represented by a solid arrow, are perpendicular to each other. The angle between the two directions is 90 degrees. The extension element 15 takes on an L-shape thanks to the first straight section 153 and can also contribute to increasing rigidity against bending and torsion. The first straight section 153 is parallel to the horizontal element 13 and shorter than it. The first straight section 153 of [Fig.3] is rotated more than degrees (approximately 60 degrees) counterclockwise relative to [Fig.2]. In practice, the angle between the two directions can be even greater, up to the upper limit of 145 degrees mentioned above.

[0058] Reference is made to [Fig. 4A]. This is a side view of a support beam 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The extension element 15 of the support beam 4 further comprises a second straight portion 154 extending from the second end 152. The first straight portion 153 and the second straight portion 154 are parallel. This makes the hook shape deeper. In addition, the extension element 15 has a U-shaped section 155 between the first straight portion 153 and the second end 152. The corresponding portion of the U-shaped section 155 in the first embodiment takes the form of an arc. The U-shaped section 155 may have arcs of the same diameter at the corners. In one variant, the corners may also be right angles. Reference is made to [Fig. 4B]. This is a side view of a variant of support beam 4 which has a flat lower part.In particular, the U-shaped section 155 becomes a flat part 155' with a straight segment. The flat part 155' is perpendicular to the . second vertical element 12 between the first right part 153 and the second end 152.

[0059] Reference is made to [Fig. 5]. This is a side view of a support beam 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The extension element 15 of the support beam 5 has a curved section 156 replacing the U-shaped section 155 in the previous embodiment. The extension element 15 has at least one point of curvature between the first straight portion 153 and the second end 152. In this embodiment, there are two points of curvature indicated by two arrows. This forms discontinuous planes in the appearance of the curved section 156.

[0060] Reference is made to [Fig. 6A]. This is a side view of a support beam 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The extension element 15 of the support beam 6 has three arcuate sections 157 replacing the curved section 156 between the first straight portion 153 and the second end 152 in the previous embodiment. According to the present invention, the number of arcuate sections 157 is at least one. This could give a wavy appearance to the lower part of the support beam 6. According to the present invention, the arcuate sections 157 can also be located between the first straight portion 153 and the U-shaped section 155. Reference is made to [Fig. 6B]. This is a side view of a variant of the support beam 6. It makes the hook wavy.

[0061] Reference is made to [Fig. 7]. This is a side view of a support beam 7 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The extension element 15 of the support beam 7 has an inclined straight section 158 which replaces the three arc sections 157 of the previous embodiment. The lower part of the support beam 7 is curved at a certain angle. The distance between the second vertical element 12 and the first straight section 153 in the embodiment may be shorter than that of the horizontal element 13. It should be emphasized that the acute angles illustrated in Figures 4B, 5 and 7 are not exclusively limited to sharp shapes; they may also include angles that are smoothly curved on the outside and / or inside, similar to the smooth angles of the extension element 15 illustrated in [Fig. 4A].Furthermore, the first end 151 of the extension element 15 is not limited to a flat rectangular shape; it may have a concave or convex surface or also exhibit a slight curvature inwards and / or outwards, forming a tail-shaped part.

[0062] Reference is made to [Fig. 8]. This is a side view of a support beam 8 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except for the design of the connecting element 14. In the present embodiment, the connecting element 14 is connected to the horizontal element 13 and at the upper end 121 of the second vertical element 12. The connecting element 14 has a curved shape. As shown in [Fig. 8], the connecting element 14 can be further separated into a first segment 141 and a second segment 142, which have an inflection point marked by a star between them.

[0063] According to the present invention, the curved shape of the connecting element 14 may have more than one inflection point. For the design with multiple inflection points, reference is made to [Fig. 9]. This is a side view of a support beam 9 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is another design of the connecting element 14. The connecting element 14 can further be separated into a first segment 141, a second segment 142, a third segment 143, and a fourth segment 144. There are therefore three inflection points in this embodiment. It should be noted that the variants of the extension element 15 can also be applied to the eighth and ninth embodiments.

[0064] To facilitate the assembly of a shelving system using the support beams mentioned above, additional treatments can be applied to both ends of the support beam. Reference is made to [Fig. 10]. It shows a support beam with cutouts at both ends. The horizontal element 13 and the connecting element 14 are cut at both ends of the support beam at an angle that is not perpendicular to the support beam. The first vertical element 11 and the second vertical element 12 are not affected. Consequently, the resulting cutting plane is not the cross-section of the support beam. In other words, a normal direction of the cutting plane at each end is not parallel to an extension direction of the support beam. As shown in [Fig.

[10] The two ends of the support beam are progressively cut inwards at the horizontal element 13 and the connecting element 14. In addition, a portion of the extension element 15 at both ends of the support beam is removed. These processes create openings on the side of the support beam so that the rivet or bolt can be installed. This also prevents the support beam from interfering with corners during assembly.

[0065] Reference is made to [Fig. 11]. It shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a shelving system 10. The shelving system 10 comprises a number of corner posts 100, a number of beams 200, and at least one shelf 300. In this embodiment, four corner posts 100, sixteen beams 200, and four shelves 300 are used for illustrative purposes. This forms a rectangular shelf with four layers. In practice, the number of each element is not limited by [Fig. 11]. A larger number of beams 200 and shelves 300 can form the shelving system 10 with more layers.

[0066] In some embodiments, a layer of the shelving system may comprise more than one shelf 300. For example, the layer may include at least two shelves 300. In this embodiment, each shelf may be shorter than the beam length. This allows for an increased height on a lower layer. For example, if only one of the shorter shelves is used in a layer, an area of ​​said layer will be open so that taller items can be placed in a lower layer and pass through said open area.

[0067] The corner posts 100 can be made by bending a strip of hard metal, forming two long straight plates joined at a right angle. In order to fix the beams 200, a number of pear-shaped holes 110 are formed on each corner post 100. The locations of the pear-shaped holes 110 on all the corner posts 100 must be identical. The length of the corner posts 100 is not limited.

[0068] According to the present invention, the type of beams is not limited. Conventional beams not described in the present invention may be used. However, at least one of the beams 200 must be the support beam mentioned above. The lengths of the beams 200 are not limited. In this embodiment, two types of beams 200 with different lengths are used. Each beam 200 is configured to be flexibly coupled to a pair of corner posts 100. Figure 12 shows how the support beam 200 is attached to the corner post 100. In this particular embodiment, all the beams are support beams of a single type from the first embodiment. Two rivets 21 at one end of the beam 20 pass through two corresponding pear-shaped holes 110 in the corner post 100 and are then wedged inside them. On the [Fig.

[12] It is evident that the cutouts at the ends of the beams 200 prevent the beams 200 from interfering with each other at the corner, as indicated by a dotted circle. When the beams 200 are securely fixed to the corner posts 100 and a basic structure of the shelving system 10 is formed, the shelf 300 can rest on at least two beams 200. According to the present invention, the shelf 300 generally needs to be supported by four beams 200 for maximum load.

[0069] In some cases, if the length of the beams 200 is too great, their rigidity is insufficient to resist the bending moment caused by the load on the shelf 300. To solve this problem, as shown in [Fig. 11], the shelf system 10 can further include at least one fixing beam 400. The fixing beam 400 can be attached to two opposing beams 200 on the same layer, preferably at the center of the beams 200. In this embodiment, four fixing beams 400 are used, one for every two long beams 200 of each layer.

[0070] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications can be made to it without departing from the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, the figures shown in this utility certificate application are drawn to scale, including angles, dimensional ratios, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are purely representative. In some embodiments, the descriptions of the invention described in this document using the term "comprising" include embodiments that could be described as "essentially consisting of" or "consisting of".

[0071] Although the invention has been described in terms of what are currently considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the scope of the invention, which should be interpreted as broadly as possible to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Claims

Demands

1. Support beam (1) for supporting a shelf assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a first vertical element (11); a second vertical element (12), positioned with the first vertical element (11) in a shared vertical plane; a horizontal element (13) connected to the first vertical element (11); a connecting element (14) connected to the horizontal element (13) and to an upper end (121) of the second vertical element (12), the connecting element (14) having one of a diagonal orientation such that the connecting element (14) is inclined downwards towards the second vertical element (12) and a curved shape;and an extension element (15) having a first end (151) and a second end (152) and which is connected to a lower end (122) of the second vertical element (12) at the second end, the extension element (15) having a first straight part (153) extending from the first end (151), and an angle between an extension direction of the first straight part (153) and that of the second vertical element (12) being between 0 and 145 degrees.;

2. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a material of the support beam (1) comprises a metal or a plastic material.

3. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension element (15) further comprises a second straight part (154) extending from the second end (152).

4. Support beam (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first straight part (153) and the second straight part (154) are parallel.

5. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension element (15) further comprises a U-shaped section (155) between the first straight part (153) and the second end (152).

6. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension element (15) further comprises at least one arc section (157) between the first straight part (153) and the second end (152).

7. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension element (15) further comprises at least one point of curvature between the first straight part (153) and the second end (152).

8. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension element (15) further comprises a flat part (155') perpendicular to the second vertical element (12) between the first straight part (153) and the second end (152).

9. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the first vertical element (11) and the second vertical element (12) at two ends of the support beam (1) further has an opening (20), respectively, for riveting, notching or bolting.

10. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal element (13) and the connecting element (14) are cut at two ends of the support beam (1) at an angle which is not perpendicular to the support beam (1).

11. Support beam (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (14) has a curved shape and the curved shape of the connecting element (14) includes at least one point of inflection.

12. Shelving system (10), characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of corner posts (100); a plurality of beams (1), each beam (1) being configured to be squeezably coupled to a pair of corner posts (100) and at least one of the beams (1) being the support beam according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and at least one shelf (300) configured to rest on at least two beams (1).

13. Shelving system (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least one fixing beam (400) fixed on two opposing support beams (1).

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