Modular rack system

Abstract

A modular rack for holding workpieces includes a plurality of modules. The modules can include at least one base member, a first module having a horizontal workpiece support member, at least one structural support member, and a first connection mechanism, and a second module including a horizontal workpiece support member, at least one structural support member, and a second connection mechanism. The first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism are engagable with one another to connect the first module to the second module to provide a selectively adjustable, multi-level workpiece support.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to modular racks for holding workpieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During complex processes such as home construction, it is frequently necessary to perform an incremental procedure on a workpiece, then set the workpiece aside for a predetermined time. A prime example is in the painting of trim pieces, which are typically painted on-site, then set aside while drying. One complication in this practice is that construction sites usually lack suitable space for setting aside workpieces while drying.

[0003] Racks are known for a variety of purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,637 to Dodge sets forth a paint rack for use in a vehicle body shop including a frame mounted on wheels, which are repositionable wheels for use or storage as desired. The frame may be fixed or adjustable, both vertically and horizontally.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,069 to Stroobants is directed to a rack assembly for use in supporting articles for processing, cleaning, painting and paint stripping, the rack assembly being comprised of modular components which can be conveniently assembled. The modular components can be assembled in various patterns depending on the shape of the articles to be painted and can be conveniently and compactly stored when not in use.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,758 to Curran deals with a multiple door paint rack system for consolidating doors and shutters for spray painting and storing in an organized assembly. The system includes an elongated base member, a first support member secured vertically to one end of the base member, a second support member secured vertically to the opposite end, a cross beam slidably secured between the support members by an adjustable securing pin vertically adjustable, and a sliding swivel support assembly slidably secured to the elongated base member and the cross beam.

[0006] Another example is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,015 to Mink, directed to a mini-blind cleaning rack wherein a downwardly extending “U” shaped frame is provided, including a plurality of telescoping members defining the legs and base of the “U” shaped member. The terminal ends of the legs are further provided with positioning feet slidingly receiving extension legs for effecting stability of the organization. A plurality of upwardly directed clamps are slidably and adjustably positionable upon the overlying base of the “U” shaped framework with a second pair of clamps slidably and fixedly securable and downwardly directed mounted to a cross-bar adjustably positionable upon the spaced parallel legs of the “U” shaped framework. The unit accordingly accommodates and extends a mini-blind work piece between the pairs of clamps wherein the clamps may be extended to accommodate varying lengths and positioned upon the respective base and cross-bar of the apparatus to accommodate varying widths of mini-blinds.

[0007] Although these arrangements offer some advantages over simply leaning workpieces against a wall, they are complex and relatively expensive. It can be seen from the foregoing that the need exists for a simple, inexpensive modular rack system that provides fabrication and installation advantages, overcoming the deficiencies of known arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] These and other objects are achieved by providing a modular rack for holding workpieces including a first module having a horizontal workpiece support member, at least one structural support member, and a first connection mechanism. A second module includes a horizontal workpiece support member, at least one structural support member, and a second connection mechanism. The first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism are engagable with one another to connect the first module to the second module to provide a selectively adjustable, multi-level workpiece support.

[0009] The features of the invention believed to be patentable are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a modular rack system incorporating the principles of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of a modular rack incorporating the principles of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a support member forming part of a modular rack incorporating the principles of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a support member forming part of a modular rack incorporating the principles of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a support member forming part of a modular rack incorporating the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a modular rack system 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The rack system 10 includes a first support unit made up of a first module 12, a second module 14, and a third module 16. A second support unit of the rack system 10 includes a first module 18, a second module 20, and a third module 22. The support units are constructed to support workpieces W1, W2, and W3.

[0016] The first module 12 includes a pair of base members having a vertical upright portion 12a secured to a horizontal base portion 12b. The base members 12b form a base for the base members to be placed on a floor or other horizontal support surface. The base members are shown as being mounted interior of the vertical upright portion, but it is also contemplated that the base members can be reversed to place the horizontal base portion exterior of the vertical upright portion to widen the footprint of the rack system. Casters C or other rolling mechanisms can be provided to enhance the mobility of the rack system. The second module 14 includes a horizontal workpiece support member 14a supported between a pair of structural support members 14b, 14c. The third module 16 includes a horizontal workpiece support member 16a supported between a pair of structural support members 16b, 16c. The horizontal workpiece support members can be provided with a telescoping width adjustment with detents as shown, constructed as such mechanisms are known per se. The second support unit includes modules 18, 20, and 22 configured similarly to modules 12, 14, and 16.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the modules 12, 14, 16 include connection mechanisms. When the support members are fabricated from annular tubular material, the connection mechanisms can be configured as extensions 24, 26 coming out of the respective modules 14, 16. The extensions 24, 26 have exterior cross-sections designed to fit within inner cross-sections of adjacent structural support members as shown. Supplemental support bars B can be provided to afford additional structural rigidity to the rack system 10. The support bars B are at least long enough to extend through each of the modules 12, 14, and 16, and have an external cross-section selected to slide into and through the interior cross-sections of the extensions 24, 26.

[0018] The first horizontal workpiece support member can be secured to the first horizontal workpiece support member at a first vertical distance V1 from an end of the pair of first structural support members. The second horizontal workpiece support member is secured at a second vertical distance V2 from an end of the pair of second structural support members. If it is desirable for a particular application, the first vertical distance V1 can be different from the second vertical distance V2 in order to provide selectively adjustable, multi-level workpiece supports.

[0019] The workpiece support members and structural support members can be provided with a variety of cross-sections, circular or polygonal. The modules shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have generally square cross-section. FIG. 3 shows a generally circular cross-section, while FIGS. 4 and 5 show polygonal cross-sections, triangular and octagonal, respectively. The system 10 can be fabricated from any suitable material, depending in large part upon the intended use of the system. If heavy workpieces such as doors are contemplated, extruded tubular aluminum or tube steel are suitable material choices, while a plastic material such as extruded thermoplastic or PVC could be used for lighter workpiece applications such as light trim. The cross-sectional size of the support members will depend upon the material chosen, taking into consideration manufacturing considerations and the specific rack application.

[0020] The present invention permits a wide range of adjustability to a drying rack system. Varying heights can be accommodated by selection of horizontal workpiece support location. Varying widths can be accommodated by providing the horizontal workpiece supports with telescoping width adjustments. The modules can be provided with color-coding or other indicia to make height coordination simple. Any volume of workpieces can be dealt with by providing as many modules as necessary. The modules are simply and easily assembled by slip-fitting into one another.

[0021] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular rack for holding workpieces, the rack comprising the following:

at least one base member;

a first module including a horizontal Workpiece support member, at least one structural support member, and a first connection mechanism; and

a second module including a second horizontal workpiece support member, at least one structural support member, and a second connection mechanism;

whereby the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism are engagable with one another to connect the first module to the second module to provide a selectively adjustable, multi-level workpiece supports.

2. A modular rack in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structural support members comprise pairs of vertically oriented, parallel rigid support members located at opposite ends of the respective horizontal workpiece support members.

3. A modular rack in accordance with claim 2, wherein the structural support members are fabricated from annular tubular material having an interior cross-section.

4. A modular rack in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first connection mechanism comprise extensions from the structural support members, the extensions having a cross section adapted to fit within the interior cross-section of the structural support members.

5. A modular rack in accordance with claim 2, wherein the structural support members have a generally square cross-section.

6. A modular rack in accordance with claim 2, wherein the structural support members have a generally round cross-section.

7. A modular rack in accordance with claim 2, wherein the structural support members have a polygonal cross-section.

8. A modular rack in accordance with claim 7, wherein the structural support members have a generally octagonal cross-section.

9. A modular rack in accordance with claim 2, wherein the structural support members are fabricated from a metallic material.

10. A modular rack in accordance with claim 9, wherein the structural support members are fabricated from aluminum.

11. A modular rack in accordance with claim 2, wherein the structural support members are fabricated from a plastic material.

12. A modular rack for holding workpieces, the rack comprising the following:

at least one base member;

a first module including a first horizontal workpiece support member, a pair of first structural support members secured to opposite ends of the first horizontal workpiece support member, and a first connection mechanism, the first horizontal workpiece support member being secured to the first horizontal workpiece support member at a first vertical distance from an end of the pair of first structural support members; and

a second module including a second horizontal workpiece support member, a pair of second structural support members secured to opposite ends of the second horizontal workpiece support member, and a second connection mechanism, the second horizontal workpiece support member being secured to the second horizontal workpiece support member at a second vertical distance from an end of the pair of second structural support members, the second vertical distance being different from the first vertical distance;

whereby the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism are engagable with one another to connect the first module to the second module to provide a selectively adjustable, multi-level workpiece support.

13. A modular rack in accordance with claim 12, wherein the first and second structural support members are fabricated from annular tubular material having an interior cross-section.

14. A modular rack in accordance with claim 13, wherein the first connection mechanism comprise extensions from the first structural support members, the extensions having a cross section adapted to fit Within the interior cross-section of the structural support members.

15. A modular rack in accordance with claim 12, wherein the structural support members have cross-section selected from a group consisting of generally square, round, and octagonal.

16. A modular rack in accordance with claim 12, wherein the structural support members are fabricated from a metallic material.

17. A modular rack in accordance with claim 16, wherein the structural support members are fabricated from aluminum.

18. A modular rack in accordance with claim 12, wherein the structural support members are fabricated from a plastic material.

19. A method of assembling a modular rack for holding workpieces, the method comprising the following steps:

providing at least one base member;

providing a first module including a first horizontal workpiece support member, a pair of first structural support members secured to opposite ends of the first horizontal workpiece support member via a first connection mechanism;

providing a second module including a second horizontal workpiece support member, a pair of second structural support members secured to opposite ends of the second horizontal workpiece support member via a second connection mechanism; and

engaging the first connection mechanism with the second connection mechanism to connect the first module to the second module to provide a selectively adjustable, multi-level workpiece support.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the steps of providing first and second modules comprise securing the first horizontal workpiece support member to the first horizontal workpiece support member at a first vertical distance from an end of the pair of first structural support members, and securing the second horizontal workpiece support member to the second horizontal workpiece support member at a second vertical distance from an end of the pair of second structural support members, the second vertical distance being different from the first vertical distance.