Grooved Storage Bin Rails for Secure Wire Shelf Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular knock-down shelving systems lack secure storage solutions for bins, leading to potential sliding and falling issues, which can cause damage and injury.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system with intersecting wire rods and posts, featuring storage bins with a guide system on the bottom surface, including aligned grooves to secure the bins in place and allow for easy access by pivoting, preventing sliding and falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional storage bins are placed on shelves, then storage organization is improved, but the bins may slide or fall off causing damage and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the wire rod with groove system) that mediates between the storage bin and the shelf. The groove in the wire rod engages with the rim of the storage bin, creating a secure connection that prevents sliding and falling while maintaining easy access to contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimensional constraint by incorporating a groove in the wire rod that engages with the bin rim. This creates a third dimension of constraint (vertical engagement) in addition to the horizontal shelf surface, preventing the bin from sliding off the shelf edge.
2Reliability
If storage bins are secured to shelves, then bin stability is improved, but access to contents becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic securement system where the bin can be easily inserted onto the wire rod groove and just as easily removed when needed. The groove engagement provides stable securing during normal use but allows for quick, tool-free removal and repositioning, maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire rod groove system is designed to automatically secure the bin through simple placement onto the shelf. The groove geometry self-aligns with the bin rim, requiring no additional fastening actions or tools from the user, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving securement.
3Ease of manufacture
If wire rods are used for shelving, then assembly ease is improved, but bin security is insufficient without additional features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wire rod structure by incorporating a groove feature into the rod itself. This segmentation of function (the groove as a separate security feature integrated into the rod) maintains the simplicity of the wire rod assembly while adding the necessary security capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the security function into the existing wire rod structure by forming a groove directly in the rod. This combines the structural support function and the security retention function into a single integrated component, maintaining assembly simplicity while improving bin security.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving system has a plurality of shelves, with each shelf having a plurality of intersecting wire rods. The shelving system also has a plurality of posts connected to the shelves and separating the shelves. A storage bin is adapted for use with the shelving system. The storage bin has a bottom wall, at least one side wall, an interior space enclosed by the at least one side wall and the bottom wall, and a plurality of rails provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall. Each rail has a groove, with the groove of each of the rails aligned to form a row of grooves. The storage bin is seated on one of the shelves, with one of the wire rods in the one of the shelves positioned in the row of grooves to maintain the storage bin at a desired position on the shelf.