Chain storage rack

Abstract

A chain storage rack includes chain link holding cradles which are arranged to receive chain master links. The chain holding cradles include arms which are arranged to slide on mounting plates so as to change the width of the chain holding cradle and accommodate differently sized chain master links. The mounting plates are angled with respect to each other, so as to allow for an increase in depth of the chain holding cradle as the width increases.

Description

“CHAIN STORAGE RACK”Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a rack for storing chains in an industrial environment. It is envisaged that the chains to be stored may be in the order of 32mm chains having a 10m length, with the rack being able to support up to 1000kg in weight of chain.Background to the Invention

[0002] It is frequently necessary to store chains, such as chain sling assemblies used in cranes and other rigging equipment. It is known to do so in a rack, which comprises bays in which a chain can be stored. Each bay has a hook or pin above the bay on which a chain master link or end fitting can be located.

[0003] Depending on the size and weight of the chain and associated components, a pin or hook may not be sufficient to safely hold the chain.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a chain storage rack which allows for use through a wide range of chain sizes and weights.Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a chain storage rack including at least one link holding cradle located above a chain receiving bay, the link holding cradle having a first arm mounted onto a first mounting plate and a second arm mounted onto a second mounting plate, the position of the first arm being adjustable relative to the first mounting plate in order to allow for adjustment in the size of the cradle, the cradle having a lateral direction defining a width of the cradle and a forward direction defining a depth of the cradle, the lateral direction and the forward direction both being horizonal, characterised in that each of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate is angled relative to the lateral direction such that the depth of the cradle increases away from a centreline of the cradle.

[0006] It is preferred that the position of the second arm is adjustable relative to the second mounting plate.

[0007] Each of the first arm and the second arm may have a rear wall, a side wall, and a front wall, with the rear wall being angled at an obtuse angle relative to the side wall such that when the rear wall is mounted to a respective mounting plate the side wall is oriented in the forward direction.

[0008] The chain storage rack has a vertical direction perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the forward direction. Each of the first and second mounting plates is preferably angled relative to the vertical direction, such that a top edge of each mounting plate is located forward of a bottom edge of the mounting plate.

[0009] Each of the first and second mounting plates is preferably spaced from a mounting member.

[0010] The chain storage rack may include at least one upper longitudinal bar on which the mounting member may be located. It is preferred that the upper longitudinal bar is square in cross section. It is also preferred that the upper longitudinal bar is rotated relative to a base of the chain storage rack, such that that upper longitudinal bar has an upper surface which is inclined relative to the horizontal. The upper longitudinal bar preferably extends across the chain storage rack in the lateral direction.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment the chain storage rack includes two upper longitudinal bars which are spaced relative to each other in the forward direction, and rotated in opposite directions such that the respective upper surfaces are inclined towards each other.

[0012] Each upper longitudinal bar may include a plurality of aperture pairs which define an anchoring point extending through the upper longitudinal bar in the forward direction. It is preferred that the aperture pairs are sized such that an aperture on an outer face is larger than the corresponding aperture onan inner face of the upper longitudinal bar. In this way a pin can be located in the anchoring point, with the pin being secured to the inner face of the upper longitudinal bar. Advantageously, this prevents crushing of the upper longitudinal bar.

[0013] It is preferred that the chain storage rack is provided with a plurality of link holding cradles and a plurality of chain holding pins, with the aperture pairs of the longitudinal supporting bars being arranged to support both link holding cradles and chain holding pins according to the requirements of a user.

[0014] The upper longitudinal bars are preferably supported by a supporting frame at either lateral end. It is preferred that each supporting frame is arranged to pivot about a lower end thereof for transportation purposes.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment the upper longitudinal bars are connected to each other by at least two end connecting members, one end connecting member being located at each lateral end. The end connecting members are preferably formed from channel members, such that each end connecting member can be located over a corresponding supporting bar on the respective supporting fame. It will be appreciated that the end connecting member can be removed prior to pivoting of the supporting frame.

[0016] Each supporting frame preferably includes inclined side bars, that is, is generally “A” shaped, with the inclined side bars being joined at an upper end thereof by a horizontal supporting bar. It is preferred that the chain storage rack includes an end plate which is sized to locate over the side bars of a supporting frame.

[0017] The end plate preferably includes cutout portions, each of which is angled about a horizontal axis to provide an inclined surface to which pins can be affixed.

[0018] It is preferred that the chain storage rack includes a plurality of chain receiving bays. In a preferred embodiment the chain receiving bays are separated by dividers. The chain storage rack may have a plurality of divider receiving locations.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a chain link holding cradle, the chain link holding cradle having a first arm mounted onto a first mounting plate and a second arm mounted onto a second mounting plate, the position of the first arm being adjustable relative to the first mounting plate in order to allow for adjustment in the size of the cradle, the cradle having a lateral direction defining a width of the cradle and a forward direction defining a depth of the cradle, the lateral direction and the forward direction both being horizonal, characterised in that each of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate is angled relative to the lateral direction such that the depth of the cradle increases away from a centreline of the cradle.

[0020] It will be appreciated that preferred features of the chain link holding cradle of the second aspect of the invention are as described above.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 is a front perspective of a chain storage rack in accordance with the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a front perspective of the chain storage rack of Figure 1 , showing the position of chain master links within chain link holding cradles of the chain storage rack;

[0024] Figure 3 is a rear perspective of the chain storage rack of Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 4 is a plan view of the chain storage rack of Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective of a chain link holding cradle from within the chain storage rack of Figure 1 , shown at a relatively large size;

[0027] Figure 6 is a perspective of the chain link holding cradle of Figure 5, shown at its smallest size;

[0028] Figure 7 is a side view of the chain link holding cradle of Figure 5;

[0029] Figure 8 is a plan view of the chain link holding cradle of Figure 5;

[0030] Figure 9 is a rear perspective of a supporting bracket and mounting plates from within the chain link holding cradle of Figure 5;

[0031] Figure 10 is a plan view of an arm from within the chain link holding cradle of Figure 5;

[0032] Figure 11 is a front view of the arm of Figure 10;

[0033] Figure 12 is a perspective of a side bracket within the chain storage rack of Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 13 is a perspective of a supporting frame within the chain storage rack of Figure 1 ; and

[0035] Figure 14 is a pin from within the chain storage rack of Figure 1 .Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0036] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a chain storage rack 10 with a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 14. The chain storage rack 10 has a forward direction 16, a lateral direction 17, and a vertical direction 18.

[0037] The lower portion 12 is formed by a series of rectangular bays 20 formed above a wheeled base 21 . The wheeled base 21 is rectangular, having a long edge 22 oriented in the lateral direction 17 and a short edge 23 oriented in the forward direction 16.

[0038] The lower portion 12 has side walls 24 extending above each long edge 22 of the wheeled base 21 and end walls 26 extending above each short edge 23 of the wheeled base 21 . The lower portion 12 has a longitudinally aligned centre wall 28 located midway between the side walls 24. Dividers 30 extend between each side wall 24 and the centre wall 28 in order to form the rectangular bays 20.

[0039] The side walls 24 are connected to the end walls 26 by means of corner posts 31 .

[0040] Each side wall 24 and the centre wall 28 includes a plurality of paired bolt receiving apertures 29. The arrangement is such that the dividers 30 extend between a pair of bolt receiving apertures 29 on a side wall 24 and a corresponding pair of bolt receiving apertures 29 on the centre wall 28. The bolt receiving apertures 29 define a possible divider receiving location. In this way the number and size of rectangular bays 20 can be chosen to suit particular applications.

[0041] The upper portion 14 has a supporting frame 32 at each lateral end of the chain storage rack 10. A supporting frame 32 is shown in Figure 13. The supporting frame 32 is generally A-shaped, having an upper supporting bar 34 which extends in the forward direction 16; two inclined side bars 36 which extend downwardly and away from the upper supporting bar 34 at an angle of about 120° relative to the upper supporting bar 34; a bracing bar 38 parallel to the upper supporting bar 34 extending between respective midpoints of the side bars 36; and two lower extensions 40, each of which extends downwardly from an outer edge of a respective side bar 36 at an angle of about 150°; that is, the lower extensions 40 are perpendicular to the upper bar 34 and extend in the vertical direction 18.

[0042] Each lower extension 40 has a vertically aligned bolt receiving slot 42 extending upwardly from a lower end thereof, and a bolt receiving aperture 44 located directly above the bolt receiving slot 42.

[0043] A corner post 31 is shown in Figure 11 . The corner post 31 includes an L-shaped lower portion 45, a generally square section central portion 46 and a channel shaped upper portion 48. The arrangement is such that the lower portion 45 is arranged to be bolted to a long edge 22 and a short edge 23 of the wheeled base 21 , the central portion 46 is arranged to provide anchoring points for both a side wall 24 and an end wall 26, and the upper portion 48 is arranged to receive a lower extension 40 of the supporting frame 32.

[0044] The corner post 31 is located such that the upper portion 48 is open in the lateral direction 17, towards an opposing corner post 31. The upper portion 48 has an upper pair of bolt holes 50 and a lower pair of bolt holes 52 extending in the forward direction 16 across the upper portion 48. The arrangement is such that when the supporting frame 32 is located with its lower extensions 40 within the upper portions 48 of two corner posts 31 , a holding bolt 54 can be passed through the lower pair of bolt holes 52 and the bolt receiving slot 42. With a holding bolt 54 in place within each of the lower extensions 40, the supporting frame 32 can be raised and lowered by the length of the bolt receiving slot 42. Moreover, the supporting frame 32 can be raised from the central portion 46 and rotated about holding bolts 54 to allow the supporting frame 32 to be laid in a horizontal position across the lower portion 12 for transport.

[0045] When the supporting frame 32 is raised to a vertical position, fixing bolts 56 can be passed through the upper pair of bolt holes 50 and bolt receiving apertures 44, thus fixing the supporting frame 32 in the erected position shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0046] An upper frame 60 is arranged to extend in the lateral direction 17 along the chain storage rack 10.

[0047] The upper frame 60 has two end connecting members 62, and two upper longitudinal bars 64. The upper longitudinal bars 64 are connected by the end connecting members 62 and by cross bars 65 spaced along the length of the upper frame 60. The cross bars 65 are parallel to the end connecting members 62. Each upper longitudinal bar 64 is formed from a square section beam, with an upper surface 66, an inner side surface 68 and an outer side surface 70. The upper longitudinal bar 64 is fixed to the end connecting members 62 such that the upper surface 66 is inclined at an angle of about 12° towards a centre line of the upper fame 60. It will thus be appreciated that the respective upper surfaces 66 of the two upper longitudinal bars 64 are inclined towards each other. It will also be appreciated that the outer side surface 70 is inclined to face upwardly by about 12°, and the inner side surface 68 is inclined to face downwardly by about 12°.

[0048] The end connecting members 62 are formed by channels having a downwardly oriented open face. Each end connecting member 62 is arranged to locate over an upper supporting bar 34 of the supporting frame 32, and to be bolted into position.

[0049] Each of the upper longitudinal bars 64 has a plurality of fixing apertures pairs spaced along its length. Each of the fixing aperture pairs has a fixing aperture 123 in the inner side surface 68 opposed to a fixing aperture 125 in the outer side surface 70. Each fixing aperture pair 123, 125 defines an anchoring point.

[0050] In the embodiment of the drawings, a plurality of link holding cradles 72 are spaced along one upper longitudinal bar 64, secured in the anchoring points, and a plurality of pins 74 are located along the other upper longitudinal bar 64, secured in the anchoring points.

[0051] As shown in Figures 5 to 111 , each link holding cradle 72 has a mounting member 82 which is formed from a square sectioned channel, arranged to locate over the upper surface 66, inner side surface 68 andouter side surface 70 of an upper longitudinal bar 64. The mounting member 82 has two securing apertures, spaced so as to align with two adjacent anchoring points along the upper longitudinal bar 64.

[0052] A first mounting plate 84 and a second mounting plate 86 are each fixed to the mounting member 82 by means of respective supporting members 88. Each mounting plate 84, 86 has a top edge 90, an inner edge 92, a bottom edge 94 and an outer edge 96. Each supporting member 88 extends generally in the forward direction from a lower edge of the mounting member 82, on the outer side surface 70, to the bottom edge 94 of the mounting plate 84, 86. The first and second mounting plates 84, 86 are spaced from the mounting member 82, and extend generally upwardly and forwardly. The first and second mounting plates 84, 86 are angled relative to the vertical direction 18 at an angle of about 12°. The top edge 90 of each mounting plate 84, 86 is thus located slightly forward of the bottom edge 94 of the mounting plate 84, 86.

[0053] The first mounting plate 84 is inclined towards the second mounting plate 86 when seen in plan view, as in Figure 8, such that the inner edge 92 of each of the first and second mounting plates 84, 86 is relatively close to the mounting member 82 and the outer edge 96 of the mounting plate is relatively spaced from the mounting member 82. The first mounting plate 84 is angled relative to the lateral direction 17 at an angle of about 10°. Similarly the second mounting plate 86 is angled relative to the lateral direction 17 at an angle of about 350°. The first mounting plate 84 is therefore angled relative to the second mounting plate 86 at an angle of about 20°. It is anticipated that an angle between the first mounting plate 84 and second mounting plate 86 of between 10° and 40° is likely to produce a useful effect.

[0054] Upper and lower locating slots 102 extend across each of the first and second mounting plates 84, 86.

[0055] A first arm 104 is bolted to the upper and lower locating slots 102 of the first mounting plate 84. The first arm 104 has a rear wall 106 including vertically spaced bolts 108, a side wall 110 which extends away from the rear wall 106, a front wall 112 which partially closes off the first arm 104, and a sloped floor 114 extending downwardly from the side wall 110.

[0056] The rear wall 106 is angled at an obtuse angle relative to the side wall 110. The obtuse angle is arranged such that when the rear wall 106 is fixed to a mounting plate 84, 86 the side wall 110 extends in the forward direction. The obtuse angle in thus about 100°.

[0057] A second arm 116 is bolted to the upper and lower locating slots 102 of the second mounting plate 86, and is a mirror image of the first arm 104.

[0058] The arrangement is such that a chain master link 120 can be located in the link holding cradle 72, with sides of the chain master link 120 being located against the side walls 110 of the first and second arms 104, 116, and a lower portion of the chain master link 120 being supported by the sloped floors 114. The chain master link 120 is prevented from tilting forwards by the front walls 112.

[0059] As will be appreciated with reference to Figure 8, the chain master link 120 is spaced from the mounting member 82, and also not constrained by material about the midline of the link holding cradle 72. In this way, a chain master link 120 with chains and hooks connected thereto can be readily accommodated.

[0060] The spacing between the first arm 104 and the second arm 116 can be varied by sliding of the arms 104, 116 along their respective upper and lower locating slots 102. In this way, chain master links 120 of varying size can be readily accommodated. This can be seen, for instance, in a comparison between Figure 5 and Figure 6. It will be appreciated that the width of the cradle, defined between respective side walls 110, increases asthe arms 104, 116 are slid away from each other. At the same time, the depth of the cradle defined between the mounting member 82 and the arms 104, 116 increases due to the relatively angled mounting plates 84, 86

[0061] A pin 74 is shown in Figure 14. The pin 74 has a main shaft 122, and a threaded outer portion 124 which is of smaller diameter than the main shaft 122. The fixing aperture 123 in the inner side surface 68 of the longitudinal upper bar 64 is slightly larger than the threaded outer portion 124 of the pin 74 and smaller than the main shaft 122 of the pin 74, allowing the threaded outer portion 124 to extend through the fixing aperture in the inner side surface 68. The fixing aperture 125 in the outer side surface 70 of the longitudinal upper bar 64 is slightly larger than the main shaft 122 of the pin 74. The pin 74 can thus be secured in an anchoring point with a nut 126 engaged with the threaded outer portion 124, the nut 126 acting to clamp the pin 74 about the inner side surface 68. The pin 74 extends through the outer side surface 70 and projects outwardly and slightly upwardly. It will be appreciated that this arrangement prevents a crushing force acting against the upper longitudinal bar 64, which would occur if the fixing apertures 123, 125 were the same size.

[0062] The chain storage rack 10 includes an end plate 130. The end plate 130 is generally trapezoidal in shape, with inclined side walls 132 having channels arranged to locate over the side bars 36 of a supporting frame 32. In this way the end plate 130 can be lifted on and off the supporting frame 32 without additional fixing being required.

[0063] The end plate 130 includes a plurality of cutout portions 134. Each cutout portion 134 is generally rectangular, with cuts being made along sides and a base thereof so as to leave the cutout portion 134 connected to the end plate 130 along one horizontal bend. The cutout portion 134 can be bent upwardly and away from the end plate 130. Pins 74 fixed to each cutout portion 134 thus extend away from the end plate 130 and are inclined upwardly.

[0064] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1. A chain storage rack 10 including at least one link holding cradle 72 located above a chain receiving bay 20, the link holding cradle 72 having a first arm 104 mounted onto a first mounting plate 84 and a second arm 116 mounted onto a second mounting plate 86, the position of the first arm being adjustable relative to the first mounting plate in order to allow for adjustment in the size of the cradle, the cradle having a lateral direction 17 defining a width of the cradle and a forward direction 16 defining a depth of the cradle, the lateral direction and the forward direction both being horizonal, characterised in that each of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate is angled relative to the lateral direction such that the depth of the cradle increases away from a centreline of the cradle.

2. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the position of the second arm is adjustable relative to the second mounting plate.

3. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm has a rear wall 106, a side wall 110, and a front wall 112, with the rear wall being angled at an obtuse angle relative to the side wall such that when the rear wall is mounted to a respective mounting plate the side wall is oriented in the forward direction.

4. A chain storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chain storage rack has a vertical direction 18 perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the forward direction, and wherein each of the first and second mounting plates is angled relative to the vertical direction, such that a top edge 90 of each mounting plate is located forward of a bottom edge 94 of the mounting plate.

5. A chain storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second mounting plates is spaced in the forward direction from a mounting member 82.

6. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 5, wherein the chain storage rack includes at least one upper longitudinal bar 64 on which the mounting member is located.

7. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upper longitudinal bar is square in cross section.

8. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the upper longitudinal bar is rotated relative to a base of the chain storage rack, such that the upper longitudinal bar has an upper surface 66 which is inclined relative to the horizontal.

9. A chain storage rack as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the upper longitudinal bar preferably extends across the chain storage rack in the lateral direction.

10. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 8 wherein the chain storage rack includes two upper longitudinal bars which are spaced relative to each other in the forward direction, and rotated in opposite directions such that the respective upper surfaces are inclined towards each other.

11. A chain storage rack as claimed in as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein the upper longitudinal bar includes a plurality of aperture pairs 123, 125 which define an anchoring point extending through the upper longitudinal bar in the forward direction.

12. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the aperture pairs are sized such that an aperture 125 on an outer side surface 70 is larger than the corresponding aperture 123 on an inner side surface 68 of the upper longitudinal bar.

13. A chain storage rack as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the upper longitudinal bar is supported by a supporting frame 32 at either lateral end.

14. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 13, wherein the supporting frame is arranged to pivot for transportation purposes about bolt 54 passing through a bolt receiving slot 42.

15. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the chain storage rack has two upper longitudinal bars 64 connected to each otherby at least two end connecting members 62, one end connecting member being located at each lateral end of the longitudinal bars 64, the end connecting members being preferably formed from channel members, such that each end connecting member can be located over a corresponding supporting bar 34 on a respective supporting fame.

16. A chain storage rack as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein each supporting frame includes inclined side bars 36, with the inclined side bars being joined at an upper end thereof by a horizontal supporting bar 34.

17. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 16, wherein the chain storage rack includes an end plate 130 which is sized to locate over the side bars of a supporting frame.

18. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 17, wherein the end plate includes cutout portions 134, each of which is angled about a horizontal axis to provide an inclined surface to which pins 74 can be affixed.

19. A chain storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chain storage rack includes a plurality of chain receiving bays 20.

20. A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 19, wherein the chain receiving bays are separated by dividers 30.21 . A chain storage rack as claimed in claim 20, wherein the chain storage rack has a plurality of divider receiving locations 29.

22. A chain link holding cradle 72, the chain link holding cradle having a first arm 104 mounted onto a first mounting plate 84 and a second arm 116 mounted onto a second mounting plate 86, the position of the first arm being adjustable relative to the first mounting plate in order to allow for adjustment in the size of the cradle, the cradle having a lateral direction 17 defining a width of the cradle and a forward direction 16 defining a depth of the cradle, the lateral direction and the forward direction both being horizonal, characterised in that each of the first mounting plate and the second mountingplate is angled relative to the lateral direction such that the depth of the cradle increases away from a centreline of the cradle.

23. A chain link holding cradle as claimed in claim 22, wherein the position of the second arm is adjustable relative to the second mounting plate.

24. A chain link holding cradle as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm has a rear wall 106, a side wall 110, and a front wall 112, with the rear wall being angled at an obtuse angle relative to the side wall such that when the rear wall is mounted to a respective mounting plate the side wall is oriented in the forward direction.

25. A chain link holding cradle as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the chain storage rack has a vertical direction 18 perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the forward direction, and wherein each of the first and second mounting plates is angled relative to the vertical direction, such that a top edge 90 of each mounting plate is located forward of a bottom edge 94 of the mounting plate.

26. A chain link holding cradle as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein each of the first and second mounting plates is spaced in the forward direction from a mounting member 82.

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