Nesting Rack

Abstract

To provide a nesting rack capable of storing a stored article with high stability.SOLUTION: A nesting rack 1 has a plurality of stages of shelf frame bodies 2A-2C spaced in a vertical direction supported on front, rear, left and right columns 11-14 extending in the vertical direction and stores stored objects placed on each of the shelf frame bodies 2A-2C. Each of the shelf frame bodies 2A-2C includes: a pair of left and right side arms 3, 3 spaced in a horizontal direction and extending in a longitudina; direction; and a rear beam 4 extending in a horizontal direction and connecting both rear ends in a state of being mounted between the rear ends of both the side arms 3, 3. At each of the shelf frame bodies 2A-2C, top faces 3a, 3a of both the side arms 3, 3 and a top face 4a of the rear beam 4 are continuous within the same horizontal plane as a placing surface S on which the stored objects are placed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nesting rack used in factories, warehouses, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, nesting racks (also called Nesracks, Nestainers, Teners, etc.) used to store items in factories, warehouses, etc. can be stacked in a nested manner when not in use for compact storage, and have the advantage of allowing for effective use of space depending on the increase or decrease in the number of items stored (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-199347 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-213504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Furthermore, nesting racks have the advantage that they can be moved using a forklift or the like while still containing stored items, but it is desirable that the stored items be stored stably so that they do not move unexpectedly.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a nesting rack that can stably store objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides the following means.

[0007] 1) A nesting rack in which a plurality of shelf frames spaced apart in the vertical direction are supported by vertically extending front, rear, left and right support columns, and items to be stored are placed on each of the shelf frames, Each shelf frame body includes a pair of left and right side arms spaced apart in the left-right direction and extending in the front-rear direction, and a rear beam extending in the left-right direction and spanning rear ends of the side arms to connect the rear ends together, In each of the shelf frames, the upper surfaces of the side arms and the upper surface of the rear beam are continuous in the same horizontal plane as a loading surface on which items to be stored are placed.

[0008] 2) A nesting rack as described in the preceding paragraph 1, in which the rear beam is supported by the left and right rear pillars with at least a portion of each of the left and right rear pillars fitted into a fitting recess formed by a notch in the rear surface of the rear beam. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention has the following advantages.

[0010] In the preceding paragraph 1, in each shelf frame of the nesting rack, the upper surfaces of the left and right side arms and the upper surface of the rear beam are continuous in the same horizontal plane as the loading surface on which the stored items are placed, so that the stored items placed on this loading surface have high stability, allowing the stored items to be stored stably.

[0011] In the above paragraph 2, the rear beam is supported by both rear supports with at least a portion of each of the left and right rear supports of the nesting rack fitted into the fitting recesses on the rear surface of the rear beam, so that the rear beam is firmly supported by both rear supports, thereby improving the strength of the rear beam. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nesting rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a front view of the rack. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a side view of the rack. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a plan view of the rack. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rack showing a state in which a pallet of stored objects (shown by a two-dot chain line) is placed on each shelf frame of the rack. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the racks stacked in a nested manner. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a nesting rack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a nesting rack according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The nesting rack 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "rack 1") according to the first embodiment of the present invention is made of metal (e.g., steel) and is used to store multiple items 30 (see Figure 3) in factories, warehouses, etc. As shown in Figures 1 to 2C, it is configured symmetrically, with multiple shelf frame bodies 2A to 2C spaced apart vertically and supported by four pillars (i.e., left front pillar 11, right front pillar 12, left rear pillar 13, and right rear pillar 14) that extend parallel to each other in the vertical direction, so that each of the height positions can be changed.

[0015] In the first embodiment, the shelf frames 2A to 2C have three levels, including a lowest level (bottom level), a middle level, and an uppermost level.

[0016] This rack 1 is generally installed on a floor surface 40, and as shown in Fig. 3, stored items 30 are placed on the front sides of each of the shelf frames 2A to 2C, thereby storing the stored items 30 in the rack 1. In this first embodiment, the stored items 30 include a pallet 30a (shown by a two-dot chain line), and the main body (not shown) of the stored item 30 is mounted on the pallet 30a.

[0017] The work of placing the stored articles 30 on each of the shelf frames 2A to 2C is generally carried out by a forklift or the like, and the rack 1 is also generally moved by a forklift or the like.

[0018] Furthermore, in this rack 1, the height positions of the bottom, middle and top shelf frames 2A to 2C can be changed according to the height of the articles 30 to be stored.

[0019] Furthermore, when not in use, the racks 1 are stored by being stacked one on top of the other as shown in FIG.

[0020] 1 to 2C, in this rack 1, each of the support posts 11 to 14 is made of a rectangular pipe material with a substantially square cross section. A plurality of engagement holes 15 are drilled in the front and rear walls of each of the support posts 11 to 14, spaced equally apart in the vertical direction. A plurality of through holes 16 with a circular cross section are drilled in the left and right walls of each of the support posts 11 to 14, spaced equally apart in the vertical direction.

[0021] A floor contact member 17 having a recess that opens downward is fixedly provided at the lower end of each of the pillars 11 to 14. A receiving member 18 having a convex portion that protrudes upward is fixedly provided at the upper end of each of the pillars 11 to 14. When stacking multiple racks 1 upward, the convex portion of the receiving member 18 of each of the pillars 11 to 14 of the lower rack 1 is fitted into the concave portion of the floor contact member 17 of each of the pillars 11 to 14 of the upper rack 1, thereby stacking the upper rack 1 without causing misalignment with the lower rack 1.

[0022] Each shelf frame 2A-2C is symmetrically configured and specifically comprises a pair of left and right side arms 3, 3 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction, and a rear beam 4 that extends in the left-right direction between the rear ends of the side arms 3, 3 and is arranged in a bridged state between the rear ends of the side arms 3, 3, connecting these rear ends. Each side arm 3, 3 and rear beam 4 are made of a rectangular pipe material with a substantially square cross section. The side arms 3, 3 and rear beam 4 are connected (formed) into a substantially U-shaped frame shape in plan view that opens forward so that the upper surfaces 3a of the side arms 3, 3 (the hatched areas in FIG. 1) and the upper surface 4a of the rear beam 4 (the hatched areas in FIG. 1) are continuous in the same horizontal plane.

[0023] In each shelf frame 2A to 2C, the upper surfaces 3a of both side arms 3, 3 and the upper surface 4a of the rear beam 4 form a loading surface S on which the stored item 30 is placed; that is, the stored item 30 is placed in contact with these upper surfaces 3a, 3a, 4a (see Figure 3).

[0024] Furthermore, in the shelf frames arranged above the bottom shelf frame 2A, i.e., the middle shelf frame 2B and the top shelf frame 2C, no other frame members (frames, etc.) that make up the shelf frame are present in the inner space surrounded by the side arms 3, 3 and the rear beam 4. This reduces the weight of each shelf frame 2B, 2C.

[0025] In the bottom shelf frame 2A, the front ends of both side arms 3, 3 are connected to each other via a front beam 5 made of a rectangular pipe material with a roughly square cross section that extends in the left-right direction while being spaced apart from each other, thereby connecting (forming) both side arms 3, 3, rear beam 4, and front beam 5 into a roughly rectangular frame shape in plan view. No other frame members (frames, etc.) that make up the shelf frame 2A are present in the inner space surrounded by both side arms 3, 3, rear beam 4, and front beam 5. This reduces the weight of the shelf frame 2A.

[0026] Furthermore, as described above, in the lowest shelf frame body 2A, the two side arms 3, 3, the rear beam 4 and the front beam 5 are connected (formed) in a roughly square frame shape when viewed from above. Therefore, when moving the rack 1 using a forklift, by inserting the forks of the forklift into the space below the lowest shelf frame body 2A from the front side and lifting it, the rear beam 4 and the front beam 5 will rest on the forks, and the rack 1 can be moved reliably and stably using the forklift.

[0027] Next, the structure of each of the shelf frames 2A to 2C will be described in detail below.

[0028] In each of the shelf frames 2A to 2C, left and right bracket plates 4b, 4b having a generally U-shaped cross section with an upward opening are fixedly provided at the left and right ends of the rear beam 4.

[0029] Then, with the rear end of the left side arm 3 fitted into the left bracket plate 4b, the rear end of the left side arm 3 is connected to the left bracket plate 4b with a bolt and nut b1, thereby connecting the rear end of the left side arm 3 and the left end of the rear beam 4 to each other.

[0030] In addition, with the rear end of the right side arm 3 fitted into the right bracket plate 4b, the rear end of the right side arm 3 is connected to the right bracket plate 4b with a bolt and nut b1, thereby connecting the rear end of the right side arm 3 and the right end of the rear beam 4 to each other.

[0031] As a result, as described above, both side arms 3, 3 and the rear beam 4 are connected (formed) into a generally U-shaped frame shape in plan view that is open forward.

[0032] Next, the connection structure between the top shelf frame 2C and the support columns 11-14 will be described below. Here, the top shelf frame 2C and the middle shelf frame 2B are the same, that is, they have the same configuration. Furthermore, the connection structure between the top shelf frame 2C and the support columns 11-14 is also the same as the connection structure between the middle shelf frame 2B and the support columns 11-14.

[0033] In the uppermost shelf frame 2C, a left attachment member 3b is fixedly provided at the front end of the left side arm 3 for detachably attaching the front end of the left side arm 3 to the left front support column 11. A right attachment member 3b is fixedly provided at the front end of the right side arm 3 for detachably attaching the front end of the right side arm 3 to the right front support column 12.

[0034] Each of the left and right mounting members 3b, 3b includes a support frame portion 3c made of a rectangular pipe material with an approximately square cross section that protrudes outward from the front end of the corresponding side arm 3, and a bracket plate 3d with an approximately U-shaped cross section that is formed at the tip of the support frame portion 3c and opens rearward. Each bracket plate 3d extends in the vertical direction. The corresponding front support pillars 11, 12 are fitted into each bracket plate 3d, 3d, and multiple engagement claws 3f (see Figure 2A) cut and formed in each bracket plate 3d, 3d so as to protrude downward engage with multiple engagement holes 15 located at the desired height position of the corresponding front support pillars 11, 12 in a detachable manner, thereby supporting the front end portions of each side arm 3, 3 by the corresponding mounting members 3b, 3b at the desired height position of the corresponding front support pillars 11, 12.

[0035] The upper surfaces 3ca, 3ca of both support frame portions 3c, 3c are continuous in the same horizontal plane with the upper surfaces 3a, 3a of both side arms 3, 3 and the upper surface 4a of the rear beam 4, and the upper surface 3ca of the support frame portion 3c can also function as a mounting surface S.

[0036] Furthermore, to prevent the engagement claws 3f, 3f of each bracket plate 3d, 3d from accidentally disengaging from the engagement holes 15, 15 of the corresponding front support pillars 11, 12, lock pins r1, r1 (see Figure 2A) are inserted removably through through holes 3g, 3g drilled in each bracket plate 3d, 3d and through holes 16, 16 in the front support pillars 11, 12.

[0037] The rear surface 4e of the rear beam 4 is formed in a flat shape that continues in the left-right direction. Left and right bracket plates 4c, 4c, each having a roughly U-shaped cross section that opens rearward, are fixedly provided by welding or the like near the left and right ends of the rear surface 4e of the rear beam 4. Each bracket plate 4c extends in the vertical direction.

[0038] The left rear support 13 is fitted into the left bracket plate 4c, and multiple engagement claws 4f (see Figure 2A) cut and formed in the left bracket plate 4c so as to protrude downward engage with multiple engagement holes 15 located at the desired height position of the left rear support 13 in a detachable manner, thereby supporting the left end of the rear beam 4 at the desired height position of the left rear support 13 via the left bracket plate 4c.

[0039] In addition, the right rear support 14 is fitted into the right bracket plate 4c, and multiple engagement claws 4f (see Figure 2A) cut and formed in the right bracket plate 4c so as to protrude downward are releasably engaged with multiple engagement holes 15 located at the desired height position of the right rear support 14, thereby supporting the right end of the rear beam 4 at the desired height position of the right rear support 14 via the right bracket plate 4c.

[0040] Furthermore, to prevent the engagement claws 4f, 4f of each bracket plate 4c, 4c from accidentally disengaging from the engagement holes 15, 15 of the corresponding rear support pillars 13, 14, lock pins r2, r2 (see Figure 2A) are inserted removably through through holes 4g, 4g drilled in each bracket plate 4c, 4c and through holes 16, 16 in the rear support pillars 13, 14.

[0041] The connection structure between the shelf frame 2B on the middle level and the support columns 11 to 14 is the same as the connection structure between the shelf frame 2C on the top level and the support columns 11 to 14 as described above. Moreover, above the uppermost shelf frame 2C, a space is formed surrounded by the upper parts of the bracket plates 3d, 3d, 4c, 4c that support the uppermost shelf frame 2C on the supports 11-14.

[0042] Next, the connecting structure between the bottom shelf frame 2A and the support posts 11 to 14 will be described below.

[0043] On the bottom shelf frame 2A, left and right bracket plates 5b, 5b having a generally L-shaped cross section that opens upward and forward, are fixedly attached to the front ends of the left and right side arms 3, 3. The front beam 5 extends left and right within the bracket plates 5b, 5b, and is positioned so that both left and right ends protrude outward beyond the side arms 3, 3, and the front beam 5 is joined to the bracket plates 5b, 5b with bolts and nuts b2, b2. This connects the front ends of the side arms 3, 3 to each other via the front beam 5.

[0044] The upper surface 5a of the front beam 5 is continuous with the upper surfaces 3a, 3b of both side arms 3, 3 and the upper surface 4a of the rear beam 4 in the same horizontal plane, and the upper surface 5a of the front beam 5 can also function as a mounting surface S.

[0045] A left bracket plate 5d having a generally U-shaped cross section and opening rearward is fixedly provided to the left end of the front beam 5. The left bracket plate 5d extends in the vertical direction. The left front support 11 is fitted into the left bracket plate 5d, and multiple engagement claws 5f (see Figure 2A) cut and formed in the left bracket plate 5d to protrude downward engage with multiple engagement holes 15 located at the desired height position of the left front support 11 in a detachable manner, thereby supporting the left end of the front beam 5 at the desired height position of the left front support 11. It is supported at a desired height on a pillar 11.

[0046] Furthermore, to prevent the engagement claw 5f of the left bracket plate 5d from accidentally disengaging from the engagement hole 15 of the left front support 11, the left front support 11 is releasably connected to the left bracket plate 5d by a bolt-nut b3 that connects the through hole 5g drilled in the left bracket plate 5d with the through hole 16 of the left front support 11.

[0047] A right bracket plate 5d having a generally U-shaped cross section and opening rearward is fixedly provided to the right end of the front beam 5. The right bracket plate 5d extends in the vertical direction.The right front support 12 is fitted into the right bracket plate 5d, and multiple engagement claws 5f (see Figure 2A) cut and formed in the right bracket plate 5d so as to protrude downward engage with multiple engagement holes 15 located at the desired height position of the right front support 12 in a detachable manner, thereby supporting the right end of the front beam 5 at the desired height position of the right front support 12.

[0048] Furthermore, to prevent the engagement claw 5f of the right bracket plate 5d from accidentally disengaging from the engagement hole 15 of the right front support 12, the right front support 12 is connected to the right bracket plate 5d by a bolt-nut b3 that connects the through hole 5g drilled in the right bracket plate 5d with the through hole 16 of the right front support 11.

[0049] Left and right bracket plates 5c, 5c having a generally U-shaped cross section and opening rearward are fixedly provided near the left and right ends of the rear surface of the rear beam 4.

[0050] The left rear support 13 is fitted into the left bracket plate 5c, and multiple engagement claws 5h (see Figure 2A) cut and formed in the left bracket plate 5c so as to protrude downward engage with multiple engagement holes 15 located at the desired height position of the left rear support 13 in a detachable manner, thereby supporting the left end of the rear beam 4 at the desired height position of the left rear support 13.

[0051] In addition, the right rear support 14 is fitted into the right bracket plate 5c, and multiple engagement claws 5h (see Figure 2A) cut and formed in the right bracket plate 5c so as to protrude downward are releasably engaged with multiple engagement holes 15 located at the desired height position of the right rear support 14, thereby supporting the right end of the rear beam 4 at the desired height position of the right rear support 14.

[0052] Furthermore, to prevent the engagement claws 5h, 5h of each bracket plate 5c, 5c from accidentally disengaging from the engagement holes 15, 15 of the corresponding rear support pillars 13, 14, the rear support pillars 13, 14 corresponding to each bracket plate 5c, 5c are detachably connected by bolts and nuts b4, b4 (see FIG. 2A) that communicate with through holes 5i, 5i (see FIG. 2B) drilled in each bracket plate 5c, 5c and through holes 16, 16 of the corresponding rear support pillars 13, 14. Further, below the lowest shelf frame 2A, a space surrounded by the lower parts of the bracket plates 5d, 5d, 5c, 5c that support the lowest shelf frame 2A on the supports 11-14 is formed.

[0053] Furthermore, in the bottom shelf frame 2A, guide base members 6, 6 formed by bending a metal plate are fixedly provided on the undersides of the left and right side arms 3, 3. The middle portions of the left and right side arms 3, 3 in the front-to-rear direction are connected to the left and right front supports 11, 12 via left and right guide stays 7, 7 extending obliquely upward and forward from the middle portions of the side arms 3, 3 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0054] When multiple racks 1 are stacked in a nested manner, as shown in Figure 4, the left and right guide base members 6, 6 of the upper rack 1 are placed on the left and right side arms 3, 3 of the lowest shelf frame body 2A of the lower rack 1, and the left and right guide stays 7, 7 of the upper rack 1 are arranged on and parallel to the left and right guide stays 7, 7 of the lower rack 1.

[0055] 1, in the nesting rack 1 of the first embodiment, in each shelf frame 2A to 2C, the upper surfaces 3a, 3a of the left and right side arms 3, 3 and the upper surface 4a of the rear beam 4 are continuous in the same horizontal plane as the loading surface S on which the stored items 30 are placed, so that the stored items 30 placed on this loading surface S have high stability. Therefore, the stored items 30 can be stored stably. Therefore, for example, when the rack 1 is moved by a forklift or the like with the stored items 30 stored therein, the stored items 30 can be prevented from moving unexpectedly.

[0056] 5, in the nesting rack 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in each shelf frame 2A to 2C, fitting recesses 4j, 4j having a generally U-shaped cross section that opens rearward are locally cut out near each left and right end of the rear surface 4e of the rear beam 4. Approximately the front half of the corresponding rear support columns 13, 14 is fitted into each fitting recess 4j, 4j via the corresponding bracket plates 4c, 4c, and in this state, the rear beam 4 is supported at a desired height position on both rear support columns 13, 14 via the bracket plates 4c, 4c, as in the first embodiment.

[0057] The other configurations of this rack 1A are the same as those of the rack 1 of the first embodiment.

[0058] According to the rack 1A of the second embodiment, the rear beam 4 is supported by both rear supports 13, 14 with at least a portion of the approximately front half of each of the left and right rear supports 13, 14 fitted into the corresponding fitting recesses 4j, 4j of the rear surface 4e of the rear beam 4, so that the rear beam 4 is firmly supported by both rear supports 13, 14. Therefore, the strength of the rear beam 4 is high, and each of the shelf frames 2A to 2C has a high load capacity.

[0059] The depth D of the fitting recess 4j is not limited, and in particular, when the width of the rear beam 4 is W (mm), D is preferably in the range of 15 mm to W / 2. Furthermore, the width W of the rear beam 4 is preferably in the range of 0.8 to 1.2 times the width of each rear support 13, 14.

[0060] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0061] For example, in the first embodiment described above, the number of levels of the shelf frame of the rack 1 is three, consisting of the lowest level (bottom level), the middle level, and the top level, but in the present invention, the number of levels of the shelf frame is not limited to three. For example, in the present invention, the number of levels of the shelf frame may be two, consisting of the lowest level (bottom level) and the top level, as in the nesting rack 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 6, or may be four or more levels, although this is not shown.

[0062] Furthermore, in the present invention, the length of the support posts to be used is not limited, and the length of the support posts to be used can be selected depending on the number of shelves in the shelf frame, the height of the items to be stored, and the like.

[0063] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is particularly desirable that all of the shelf frame bodies on multiple tiers of the rack are supported on supports so that their height positions can be changed, but this is not limited to this.In addition, for example, only the shelf frame bodies arranged above the lowest shelf frame body among the multiple tiers of shelf frame bodies (in the first embodiment above, the middle shelf frame body 2B and the top shelf frame body 2C) may be supported on supports so that their height positions can be changed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] The present invention can be used in nesting racks used in factories, warehouses, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1: Nesting rack 2A~2C: Shelf frame body 3: Sidearm 3a: Top of side arm 4: Rear beam 4a: Top of rear beam 4j:Mating recess 5: Front beam 11~14: Support 30: Items to be stored 30a: Palette S: Placement surface

Claims

[Claim 1] A nesting rack in which a plurality of shelf frame bodies spaced apart in the vertical direction are supported by front, rear, left, and right support columns extending in the vertical direction, and items to be stored are placed on each of the shelf frame bodies for storage, Each shelf frame body includes a pair of left and right side arms spaced apart in the left-right direction and extending in the front-rear direction, and a rear beam extending in the left-right direction and spanning rear ends of the side arms to connect the rear ends together, In each of the shelf frames, the upper surfaces of the side arms and the upper surface of the rear beam are continuous in the same horizontal plane as a loading surface on which stored items are placed, Each shelf frame body of the plurality of stages includes a bracket plate into which each support post is fitted, and is supported by each support post in a height position changeable manner with the corresponding support post fitted into each bracket plate, Each of the bracket plates extends in the vertical direction, A space surrounded by lower parts of the bracket plates that support the lowest shelf frame on the support posts is formed below the lowest shelf frame of the plurality of shelf frames, A nesting rack in which a space is formed above the top shelf frame of the multiple shelf frame bodies, surrounded by the upper parts of each of the bracket plates that support the top shelf frame body on each of the supports.

Images