Abstract: A demountable shelving unit with welded crossbar supports, open-channel upright supports, and channel support features. The welded crossbar supports and diagonal supports are slidably received within open-channel upright supports. Upper and lower crossbar supports include upright insertion blocks that are captured within the upright supports and horizontal connectors that extend through slots in the upright supports to connect two upright supports together to form an end unit. Shelf units are connected between two end units to create an assembled shelf. For a typical shelving unit, only eight bolts are needed to assemble each end unit and the shelf units attach to the end units with rivet-type quick disconnect fasteners that fit within teardrop shaped sockets in the upright supports. This results in a demountable shelf that can be assembled quickly and easily with only sixteen bolts per shelving unit.

Abstract: A demountable shelving unit with welded crossbar supports, open-channel upright supports, and channel support features. The welded crossbar supports and diagonal supports are slidably received within open-channel upright supports. Upper and lower crossbar supports include upright insertion blocks that are captured within the upright supports and horizontal connectors that extend through slots in the upright supports to connect two upright supports together to form an end unit. Shelf units are connected between two end units to create an assembled shelf. For a typical shelving unit, only eight bolts are needed to assemble each end unit and the shelf units attach to the end units with rivet-type quick disconnect fasteners that fit within teardrop shaped sockets in the upright supports. This results in a demountable shelf that can be assembled quickly and easily with only sixteen bolts per shelving unit.

Abstract: A readily assembled and disassembled static structure such as a scaffolding or a rack for shelving, bracing or the like is composed of a plurality of elongated metallic support members fastened together in a predetermined precise arrangement. Each support member contains at least one row in a longitudinal direction of identically sized holes in the shape of a polyhedron having four sides or a multiple thereof. The support members are fastened together using a bolt which has an unthreaded portion adjacent the head of the bolt adapted to engage the shaped holes, and a nut threaded onto said bolt. The end of the bolt includes an extension beyond the threads which can be struck with a hammer during disassembly of the support without causing damage to the threads. Channels and angle bracing preferably are used as the support members of the invention although other elongated members can likewise be assembled in the same manner according to the teachings herein. The support members can be joined at 45.degree. or 90.

Abstract: A post protector which is placed around a portion of a column to be protected from impact or shock loading. The post protector is fastened to the floor and non-destructively absorbs impacts from objects which would otherwise impact the column. The post protector comprises an elongated portion which is placed adjacent and around the column. A flange is also provided which extends from the elongated portion and is fastened to the floor via openings through the flange. Fasteners are inserted through the openings which anchor the post protector to the floor. The flange also includes an elastic membrane which allows the post protector to elastically move upon impact whereby the post protector non-destructively absorbs the impact force of an object.

Abstract: An improved connection for a rack system joining together first and second elongated structural members in transverse relationship. The first member has a plurality of longitudinally spaced aligning holes, each of which include an inside bearing surface, while the second member consists of at least one fastening hole and one load bearing wedge action seating lug. The seating lug is spaced from the fastening hole a distance equal to the longitudinal spacing between aligning holes in the first member. The seating lug is adapted to extend within one of the aligning holes in the first member to position another aligning hole in registry with the fastening hole in the second member. A bolt or other fastener means is then protruded through the fastening hole and the other aligning hole. A cam means on the seating lug engages the inside bearing surface of one of the aligning holes moving the first and second members into side-by-side contact when the fastener is tightened.

Abstract: A steel shelving clip supports shelves by the bottom of the shelf flange, increasing the load carrying ability of the shelf. The clip has a support tab forming the bottom of a U-shaped slot which contains the vertical flange of a shelf. The clip also has a protuberance engaging an aperture in the shelf flange locking the shelf in the engaged position.

Abstract: An improved gate assembly for a guard-railing around a mezzanine storage area comprised of a U-shaped gate member mounted on a horizontal axis and pivotally movable between a first position wherein a barrier portion of the gate member traverses an opening in the guard railing and a second position wherein the barrier portion is removed from the opening.

Abstract: A key for use with knock-down shelving units which can be fixedly assembled with the vertical posts of the unit before they're hoisted into vertical position and enables easy assembly of the horizontal beams therewith. The key includes a vertical shank with a pair of hooks projecting outwardly from the shank intermediate its ends and then upwardly in the form of a hook projection. The lower side of each hook adjacent the shank is provided with a downwardly opening notch which will wedgingly lock with the walls of the vertical post at the lower end of the slots therein. The lower side of each hook slopes downwardly from the shank to assist in assembly of the key with the vertical posts.

Abstract: A prefabricated storage shelf which can be easily and quickly assembled, disassembled or modified. The vertical posts have a plurality of equally spaced tabs struck from the walls of the post and which tabs have: a gusset formed at the base thereof for increasing the section modulus of the tab; a shape to aid insertion into the openings of horizontal beams; and, a pimple for retaining the horizontal beams in assembled position. Horizontal beams are provided which can be inverted to mate with different thicknesses of lumber forming the shelf. Brackets are provided for coacting with horizontally extending beams.

Abstract: A structural member primarily intended for the horizontal and vertical load carry members of industrial storage racks. The member is hollow and has an internal reinforcing web extending across the interior in the plane of the maximum anticipated bending stress and abutting against the walls of the member. The walls on each side of the web are so formed as to provide a pair of opposed channels or grooves on the inside of the member which receive the edges of the web and provide lateral support therefor to prevent the web from buckling sideways under bending stresses in the plane of the web. These edges are preferably spot welded to the walls of the member. When the member is to be used in a storage rack, it is preferably generally rectangular in cross-section with the corners facing the front being angled at approximately 45.degree.