Shelving system with clamp connectors

Abstract

A shelving system is comprised of one or more shelves of rectangular outline, each shelf having an open-ended post receiving channel secured in each corner thereof. The post receiving channel is transversely oriented with respect to a support surface of the shelf and has a vertical opening facing inwardly of the shelf. The post has spaced-apart arresting formations on an outer wall portion thereof. A clamp is provided and has a clamping jaw with one or more connecting formations for interlocking with the arresting formations of the post. A latch urges the clamping jaw against an inner wall portion of the support post which projects in the vertical opening of the post receiving channels whereby the one or more connecting formations engage with the one or more arresting formations. The latch maintains a constant locking pressure against the clamping jaw to immovably secure the shelf to the support post at a desired position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shelving system and wherein shelves are clampingly secured to corner posts by clamps which are latched and unlatched by a lever to provide a sturdy and easy-to-assemble shelf assembly

BACKGROUND ART

Various shelf assemblies are known wherein a plurality of shelves are connectable to support posts. One major problem of such shelf assemblies is that they are difficult and time-consuming to assemble in order to secure a rigid connection of the shelf with the support posts. Often, a hammer or such other device is necessary in order to engage the connection of brackets with the support posts. Being difficult to assemble, they are also difficult to disassemble, if additional shelves need to be added to a shelf assembly. Most of the shelves are connected to the post by sliding corner connectors from the top of the posts and therealong. Usually, if a shelf is to be added, the other shelves need to be displaced to provide a different shelf spacing.

A still further problem with shelf assemblies of the above-described type is that during assembly of the shelving to the post it is often necessary to lay at least two posts on the floor surface and hold the shelves vertically thereover to effect the connections. Once all the shelves have been connected to two of these posts, then the other two posts are laid on the floor and the semi-assembled assembly is then placed over those two posts wherein the connectors have to be engaged at corresponding spacings to the already engaged two posts. This creates misalignment of shelves and waste of time in assembling and disassembling the shelf assembly in order to obtain proper alignment of the shelves with the posts. Skilled personnel is usually required to assemble these shelf assemblies. Still further, some of the shelf assemblies are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye due to the construction of the support posts and the clamping devices.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a shelving system which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a shelving system which is easy to assemble and which provides a secure clamping connection of the shelves to the support posts.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a shelving system wherein the shelves are easy to assemble and disassemble from the posts and wherein additional shelves can be added by easily displacing already assembled shelves in a simple, effective and quick manner.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a shelving system which can be assembled with the post disposed vertically and the shelves connected horizontally and without the use of tools and by a non-expert person.

According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a shelving system which comprises one or more shelves of rectangular outline. Each shelf has an open-ended post receiving channel in each corner thereof. The post receiving channel is transversely oriented with respect to a shelf support surface of the shelf and has a vertical opening facing inwardly of the shelf. The channel is shaped to receive a support post in close fit therethrough with an inner wall portion of the support post facing the vertical opening. The inner wall has spaced-apart arresting formations on an outer surface thereof. A clamp having a clamping means is provided with one or more connecting formations for interlocking with the arresting formations. A latch is provided for urging the connecting formations against the inner wall portion of the support post with the one or more connecting formations in engagement with one or more of the arresting formations. The latch maintains a constant locking pressure against the clamping means to immovably secure the shelf to the support post at a desired position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a corner of a shelving system illustrating a shelf connected to a corner support post by a clamp as constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating the clamp in an engaged position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the clamp in a disengaged position;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned perspective view showing a further version of the clamp connecting a shelf to a corner post and herein illustrating the clamp in a disengaged position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 but wherein the clamp is shown in an engaged position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the clamp parts in an exploded condition;

FIG. 6 is a perspective top view showing the clamp of FIGS. 3 to 5 in an engaged position to secure a shelf to a corner support post;

FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view showing a shelving assembly comprising a plurality of shelves connected to four corner posts with the clamps of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment wherein the post receiving channel is formed by a pair of wires shaped to form an open U and wherein the clamp is a flat clamping plate with the pivotal arm being permanently pivotally secured to a transverse wire rod;

FIG. 9 is a section view illustrating a further variation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 and wherein the post receiving channel is a U-shaped member similar to that as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment and wherein the clamp is a separate wire rod member having a clamping wire rod member shaped to define connecting formations;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wire rod clamping member;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, partly fragmented, showing the clamp in a disengaged position;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing the clamp in an engaged position;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment and wherein the clamping member is constituted by a rectangular wire rod member secured to a pair of parallel straight wire rods of the wire rod latch; and

FIG. 16 is a further perspective view showing the latch in an engagement position similar to that shown in FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 7, there is shown generally at 10 a shelf assembly which comprises one or more shelves 11 of rectangular outline and secured to four corner support posts 12. The present invention concerns the clamp assemblies 13 which secure the shelves 11 to the corner support posts and for ease of illustration the drawings only show a corner portion of the shelves together with their clamp assemblies. It is noted that a clamp assembly 13 is provided in all four corners of a shelf.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a clamp assembly 13 connected to a corner support post 12. As hereinshown, each shelf 11 has an open-ended post receiving channel 14 secured in each corner thereof by welding. The shelf as hereinshown is a wire-rod shelf having a plurality of horizontal wires 15 spot-welded to transverse reinforced transverse ribs 16, also formed of wires welded together. Accordingly, the post receiving channel 14 is welded to some of these steel rods. As illustrated, the post-receiving channel 14 is transversely oriented with respect to the support surface 17 of the shelf 11. The post receiving channel 14 also has a vertical opening 18 as better seen from FIG. 2, which faces inwardly of the shelf. The post receiving channel 14 also has a transverse cross-section which is configured for receiving the support post 12 in close fit therethrough.

As hereinshown, the support post 12 has an oval-like cross-section which defines opposed parallel side walls 19 and convex end walls 20 and 20′. Arresting formations 21, in the form of transverse notch depressions, are formed at the apex of the inner convex end wall 20. The support post is also fabricated of steel.

As illustrated, when the support post 12 is received within the post receiving channel 14, an inner wall portion of the end wall 20 of the post projects outwards of the vertical opening 18. The clamp assembly 13 is provided with a clamping jaw 22 which is provided on an inner surface thereof with connecting formations 23 as shown in FIG. 3 for interlocking with the arresting formations 21. Accordingly, the connecting formations 23 have the same spacing as the arresting formations 21.

The clamping jaw 22 is connected to a latch 24 which urges the clamping jaw 22 against the convex end wall 20 of the support post with the connecting formations in engagement with the arresting formations. This latch 234, when in a closed or engaged position, as shown in FIG. 1, maintains a constant locking pressure against the clamping jaw 22 to immovably secure the shelf 11 to the support post 12 at a desired position therealong.

As hereinshown, the latch 24 is provided with a pivotal arm 25 whereby to engage and disengage the connecting formations 23 from the arresting formations 21 and hence disconnecting the clamping jaw 22 from the support post 12. The clamping jaw has a concave shape to embrace the convex end wall 20 of the support posts. As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the latch and clamping jaw 22 are removably secured to the shelf and the post.

The pivotal arm 25 is pivotally secured at one end thereof to an end pivot connection 26 secured to a projecting rib 27 welded to the clamping jaw 22. A bracing arm 28 is pivotally connected to the pivotal arm 25 at a further pivot connection 29 spaced from the end pivot connection 26. The bracing arm 23 has a shelf-engaging end constituted by a U-shaped notch 30 formed in the free end 31 of the bracing arm and dimensioned to receive a wire rod, herein wire rod 32 of the shelf thereacross. When the latch is in the engaged position, as shown in FIG. 1, the bracing arm is in alignment with the connecting rib 27 and the end pivot connection 26 and further pivot connection 29 are in horizontal alignment. The bracing arm 28 is also dimensioned whereby to apply this constant pressure and is therefore positioned to apply a constant force against the clamping jaw 22 when disposed in disalignment. In order to disconnect the latch, it is simply necessary to lift the pivotal arm, as shown in FIG. 2, to remove the clamping pressure.

As hereinshown, the clamping jaw 22 is also provided with guide ribs 33 which maintain the clamping jaw in alignment in that these guide ribs are disposed on opposed sides of wire rods, herein wire rod 34.

As is also illustrated in FIG. 2, the pivotal arm 25 is provided with a flexible retention means in the form of a spring clip 35 which is shaped to snappingly engage a wire rod, herein wire rod 36 when the arm is urged to an engaging position, as shown in FIG. 1.

With reference now to FIGS. 3 to 6, there is shown another embodiment of the construction of the latch 24 and herein designated by reference numeral 24′. The latch 24′ is separate from the clamping jaw 22″. As hereinshown, the post receiving channel 14′ is also of U-shaped cross-section and defines post parallel side walls 40 and 40′ and a concave end wall 41. The clamping jaw 22′ is formed as a concave clamping wall, similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is provided with the one or more connecting formations 23. The side walls of the clamping jaws are provided with outer projecting tabs 42 which are received in respective guide slots 43 formed in the parallel side walls 40 and 40′ of the post receiving channel 14′. Accordingly, the clamping jaw 22 is movably connected to the post receiving channel.

The latch 24′ is herein formed as an integrally casted or injected part and defines a cam formation 45 at an actuating end thereof opposite the pivotal arm 25′. When the arm 25′ is displaced to a shelf engaging position, as shown in FIG. 4, the cam applies a clamping force against the clamping jaw 22′ as thereinshown. The clamp 24′ is further provided with a U-shaped cavity 46 under the pivotal arm 25′ adjacent the cam formation 45 for snap engagement with a wire rod, herein wire rod 47 of the shelf 11 and this wire rod 47 constitutes a pivot connection. As hereinshown, when the latch is in the engaged position (see FIG. 4) the pivotal arm 25 lies below the support surface 17 of the shelf 11 to prevent accidental disengagement of the latch by goods placed on the shelf. As hereinshown, the clamping jaw 22″ is dimensioned to fit between the opposed side 2alls 40 and 40′ of the post receiving channel 14′ in an unobstructive manner to permit the concave surface 48 of the clamping jaw to embrace the convex end wall 20 of the support post 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, post receiving channel 12 is provided with outwardly sloping end edges 12″ and the clamping jaw has a concave clamping surface 39 having opposed inner wall end portions disposed for sliding displacement on the outwardly sloping end edges 12″ when urged thereon by the latch 24.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, there is shown a further modification of the clamp. As hereinshown, the clamp assembly 50 is comprised of a flat clamp plate 51 which is provided with a projecting tab 52 in a rear face 53 thereof whereby to receive a pivot pin 54 secured to a free end 55 of the pivotal arm 56 thereof. The pivotal arm 56 has a connecting pivotal sleeve 57 secured transversely thereof whereby to secure the pivotal arm 56 to a transverse wire rod 58 of the wire shelf 60. The pivotal arm has an offset intermediate section 59 to locate the free end 61 closely spaced below the upper surface of the wire shelf 60.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the flat clamping plate 51 has a flat end wall or clamping face 62 which is provided with one or more of the connecting formations, herein formation 63 for interlocking with the arresting formations 21 formed in the support post 12. By depressing the free end 61 of the pivotal arm 56 in the direction of arrow 64, the clamping plate 51 is retracted from its engagement with the support post 12. This permits the support post 12 to be displaced within the open-ended post receiving channel formed in each corner of the wire shelf 60.

As hereinshown, the open-ended post receiving channel 70 is constituted by a pair of parallel spaced wire rods 71 and 71′ bent to form a U-shaped channel when viewed from above or below the wire shelf 60 whereby to receive the support post 12 in close fit therein. The two wire rods 71 and 71′ are formed from a single rod having an intermediate wire rod section 72 and define opposed parallel side wire sections, one side wire section denoted by reference numeral 71 and 71′ and the other one denoted by reference numeral 71″ and 71′″. The wires also define a concave end wire section 73 and shaped for close fit about the curved edge wall 12′ of the support post. The clamping plate 51 may also be provided with notches 74 and 74′ to loosely receive the wire rods 71, 71′ and 71″, 71′″ therein to guide the plate and to retain it in position during its actuation by the pivotal arm.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the post receiving channel is similar to that as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 and wherein the post receiving channel is a U-shaped clamp secured to the corners of the shelf by welding. The channel has opposed parallel side walls 80 and 80′, as better seen from FIG. 10 and a concave end wall 81. As better illustrated from the exploded view of FIG. 10, the clamping plate 51 is provided with outer projecting tabs 82 in opposed side edges 83 thereof. These projecting tabs are received in respective guide slots 84 provided in the parallel side walls 80 and 80′ of the post receiving channel whereby to guidingly displace the clamping plate 51 from an engaged to a disengaged position by the actuation of the pivotal arm 56. The guide slots 54 are curved or angulated guide slots to guide the displacement of the flat clamp plate 51.

It can readily be seen that with the shelving system as described herein, shelves are easily connected and disconnected from the support post 12. To construct a shelf assembly as shown in FIG. 7, it is merely necessary to first dispose the post within the post-receiving channels 14 and each of the corners of the shelf and to engage the clamping jaw at a desired position with respect to the arresting formations 21. Although not illustrated, numbers can be disposed or stamped in the side walls 19 of the connecting posts adjacent these arresting formations. If these formations are spaced apart one inch then one inch interval markings would appear therein whereby to make it easy to connect the shelves to the posts whereby the shelves are perfectly parallel to one another between the posts. To connect the shelf, it is merely necessary to engage the latches. Additional shelves are positioned from the top of the posts and secured at a desired elevation with respect thereto. If it is necessary to add more shelves after an assembly has been in use, then one needs to merely displace some or all of the shelves already assembled and thereafter to introduce a new shelf from the top end of the post. This is easily accomplished with this latching system. To disassemble a shelving system, the shelves are easily disconnected from the post and they can be removed one at a time from the top end. On the other hand, the shelves could be disengaged from the bottom end and just slid down the post one on top of each other. With all of the latches in the disengaged position, the post can then be pulled out with the shelves stock-piled one on top of the other. Accordingly, this system is easy to assemble and disassemble and does not require extra tools or skilled personnel in order to fabricate a shelving system utilizing the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 14, there is shown a further embodiment of the clamp 90 and as hereinshown the clamp has a latch section 91 having a hook end 92 for securing at its free end a clamping means, herein constituted by a wire rod clamping member 93. The clamping member 93 is illustrated at FIG. 12 and it is constituted by a single wire rod which is bent in S-shape to define opposed half sections 94 and 94′ angled with respect to one another and to a connecting transverse straight wire section 95. The opposed straight wire sections 96 and 96′ constitute the connecting formations. As shown in FIG. 11, the hook end 92 of the latch 91 is secured about this connecting transverse straight wire section 95.

The latch 91 is also a wire-rod latch formed of a single wire rod bent in two sections to provide a pair of closely spaced equal length wire rods 97 and 97′ and each defining a hook 98 and 98′ at its free end to constitute the hook end 92. The latch 91 has a clamping formation 99 for engaging a transverse edge of the shelf which is spaced forwardly of the vertical opening and herein constituted by the transverse wire rod 36.

The clamping formation 99 is constituted by an upward bend in the latch rods 97 and 97′ and this bend is spaced a predetermined distance from the wire rod clamping member 93. This upward bend merges into a substantially transverse handle formation 100 integrally formed therewith and at the opposed end of the latch. The predetermined distance of the upward bend from the clamping member 93 is calculated in relation to the distance between the inner wall portion 20 of the support post 12 and the transverse wire rod 36 whereby an outer face 101, see FIG. 13, of the bend or clamping formation 99 can be clamped under pressure over a forward face 102 of the transverse wire rod 36 by applying a downward pressure against the handle formation 100 in the direction of arrow 102, as shown in FIG. 13, to pressure clamp the connecting formations 96 and 96i into the arresting formations 21 as shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the distance of the intermediate rod sections 91 is such that when the connecting formations 96 and 96′ are resting in the arresting formations 21, the curved section 104 of the wire rods 97 and 97′ just below the clamping formation 99 rests against the transverse wire rod 36, as better shown in FIG. 13 and by applying the downward clamping pressure in the direction of arrow 102 this urges the latch 91 downward into the top surface of the shelf 11 and clamps under pressure the connecting formations into the arresting formations 21 with this pressure remaining applied due to the rigidity of the steel wire rods. As can be seen in FIG. 14 with the clamp in engagement, the handle portion 100 lies within the surface of the shelf thereby providing no obstruction. It is also easy to disengage the clamp by simply engaging the free end 105 of the clamp and lifting it out of engagement with the transverse wire rod 36.

With reference now to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown a further embodiment of the wire rod clamping member and herein constituted by a rectangular wire rod member 110. The wire rod member is formed by a wire rod which is bent to form opposed parallel horizontal wire sections 111 and 111′ and opposed parallel vertical wire sections 112 and 112′. The horizontal sections 111 and 111′ are spaced and dimensioned to clamp into opposed ones of a pair of the arresting formations 21 of the support posts 12, as previously described.

The rectangular wire rod member 110 is secured to the wire rod latch 100 as previously described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14 but wherein the wire rods 97 and 97′ have been flattened at their free end to form a flat connection shoe 113 and 113′ respectively to secure to a respective one of the parallel vertical wire rod sections 112 and 112′ by means of welding. This provides a very rigid connection and prevents any movement of the wire rod clamping member with the latch.

It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodiment described herein. Although the shelves as hereinshown are illustrated as wire rod shelves, it is to be understood that the shelves could be fabricated from plastic materials or they may have a solid support surface. Other obvious modifications become apparent to a personnel skilled in the art from a reading of the present specification.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising one or more shelves of rectangular outline, each shelf having an open-ended post receiving channel in each corner thereof, said post receiving channel being transversely oriented with respect to a support surface of said shelf and having a vertical opening facing inwardly of said shelf, said channel being shaped to receive a support post in close fit therethrough with an inner wall portion of said support post facing said vertical opening, said inner wall having spaced-apart arresting formations on an outer surface thereof, a clamp having clamping means provided with one or more connecting formations for interlocking with said arresting formations, and a latch for urging said connecting formations against said inner wall portion of said support post with said connecting formations in engagement with one or more of said arresting formations, said latch maintaining a constant locking pressure against said clamping means to immovably secure said shelf to said support post at a desired position.

2. A shelving system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamping means is a clamping jaw.

3. A shelving system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said latch has a pivotal arm whereby to engage and disengage said connecting formations with said arresting formations.

4. A shelving system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said clamp is removably securable to said shelf.

5. A shelving system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said clamp is pivotally and permanently secured to said shelf by a pivotal connection to a wire rod of said shelf.

6. A shelving system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pivotal arm is pivotally secured at one end thereof to an end pivot connection projecting from an outer surface of said clamping jaw, a bracing arm pivotally connected to said pivotal arm at a further pivot connection spaced from said end pivot connection, said bracing arm having a shelf engaging end for detachable connection to an engageable element of said shelf disposed in a plane substantially aligned with a central pivot axis of said end pivot connection.

7. A shelving system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pivotal arm is further provided with flexible retention means to engage said pivotal arm with an element of said shelf when said pivotal arm is in a shelf engaging position.

8. A shelving system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said shelf is a wire-rod steel shelf, said bracing arm shelf engaging end being constituted by a U-shaped notch formed in a free end of said bracing arm and dimensioned to receive a wire rod of said shelf thereacross.

9. A shelving system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said flexible retention means is a spring clip shaped to snappingly engage a wire rod of said steel shelf.

10. A shelving system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support post has an oval-like cross-section defining opposed parallel side walls and convex end walls, said post receiving channel having a U-shaped cross-section defining opposed parallel side walls and a concave end wall, said clamping jaw having a concave clamping surface provided with said one or more connecting formations, said inner wall portion being an inner wall portion of an inner one of said convex end walls.

11. A shelving system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said arresting formations are transverse notch depressions formed at the apex of inner wall portions, said connecting formations being one or more transverse ribs formed in said concave clamping surface.

12. A shelving system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pivotal arm is pivotally secured to a pivot connection of said shelf spaced adjacent said clamping jaw, said latch having a cam formation at an actuating end thereof opposite said pivotal arm, said arm when displaced to a shelf engaging position causing said cam to apply a clamping force against said clamping jaw.

13. A shelving system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said shelf is a wire-rod steel shelf, said pivotal arm having a U-shaped cavity under said pivotal arm forwardly of said cam formation for snap-engagement with a wire rod to constitute said pivot connection, said pivotal arm lying below said support surface when said latch is in said shelf engaging position.

14. A shelving system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said post receiving channel has a U-shaped cross-section defining opposed parallel side walls and a concave wall, said clamping jaw has a concave clamping end wall provided with said one or more connecting formations, said side walls of said clamping jaws having outer projecting tabs received in respective guide slots disposed in said parallel side walls of said post receiving channel.

15. A shelving system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said arresting formations are transverse notch depressions formed at the apex of inner wall portions, said connecting formations being one or more transverse ribs formed in said concave clamping surface.

16. A shelving system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said latch is a one-piece latch detachably securable to said shelf adjacent said clamping jaw.

17. A shelving system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said opposed parallel side walls of said post receiving channel have outwardly sloping end edges, said clamping jaw concave clamping surface having opposed inner wall end portions disposed for sliding displacement on said outwardly sloping end edges when urged thereon by said latch.

18. A shelving system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said channel is constituted by a pair of parallel spaced wire rods bent to form a U-shaped channel when viewed from above or below said shelf whereby to receive in close fit therein said support post, said support post having an oval-like cross-section defining opposed parallel side walls and convex end walls, said U-shaped channel defining opposed parallel side wire sections and concave end wire sections, said clamping jaw is a flat clamping plate having a flat clamping surface provided with said one or more connecting formations.

19. A shelving system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said flat clamping plate is provided with a pair of spaced notches in opposed parallel vertical side edges thereof for receiving in sliding fit therein a respective one of said parallel spaced wire rods of said opposed parallel side wire sections.

20. A shelving system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said post receiving channel has a U-shaped cross-section defining opposed parallel side walls and a concave end wall, said clamping jaw being a flat clamping plate having a flat end wall provided with said one or more connecting formations, said side walls of said clamping plate having outer projecting tabs received in respective guide slots disposed in said parallel side walls of said post receiving channel whereby to guidingly displace said clamping plate from an engaged to a disengaged position by the actuation of said pivotal arm.

21. A shelving system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said guide slots are curved guide slots.

22. A shelving system as claimed in claim 3 wherein there are provided four of said support posts secured to respective post receiving channels secured in each corner of a plurality of said shelves.

23. A shelving system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamping means is a wire rod clamping member shaped to provide said one or more connecting formations as spaced transverse straight rod sections.

24. A shelving system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said wire rod clamping member is secured to a free end of said latch, said latch having a clamping formation for engaging a transverse edge of said shelf spaced forwardly of said vertical opening.

25. A shelving system as claimed in claim 24 wherein said clamping formation is constituted by an upward bend in said latch spaced a predetermined distance from said wire rod clamping member, said upward bend merging into a substantially transverse handle formation integrally formed therewith at an opposed end of said latch.

26. A shelving system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said shelf is a wire-rod shelf constructed of transversely connected wire rods, said transverse edge being a transverse wire rod of said shelf.

27. A shelving system as claimed in claim 26 wherein said latch is a wire-rod latch, said predetermined distance of said upward bend being calculated in relation to a distance between said inner wall portion of said support post and said transverse wire rod whereby an outer face of said bend of said wire-rod latch can be clamped under pressure over a forward face of said transverse wire rod by applying a downward pressure against said handle formation to pressure clamp said connecting formations into said arresting formations of said post.

28. A shelving system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said wire-rod clamping member is formed by a single wire rod bent in S-shape with opposed half sections of said S-shape being angled with respect to one another and to a connecting transverse straight wire section.

29. A shelving system as claimed in claim 28 wherein said wire-rod latch is formed by a single wire rod bent to provide a pair of closely spaced equal length wire rods.

30. A shelving system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said pair of wire rods have a hook formed at said free end to engage said connecting transverse straight wire section of said wire-rod clamping member.

31. A shelving system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said wire rod clamping member is secured to a free end of said latch, said clamping member being a rectangular wire rod member having opposed parallel horizontal wire sections and opposed parallel vertical wire sections, said horizontal sections being spaced and dimensioned to clamp into opposed ones of a pair of said arresting formations of said post.

32. A shelving system as claimed in claim 31 wherein said latch has a clamping formation for engaging a transverse edge of said shelf spaced forwardly of said vertical opening.

33. A shelving system as claimed in claim 32 wherein said clamping formation is constituted by an upward bend in said latch spaced a predetermined distance from said wire rod clamping member, said upward bend merging into a substantially transverse handle formation integrally formed therewith at an opposed end of said latch.

34. A shelving system as claimed in claim 33 wherein said shelf is a wire-rod shelf constructed of transversely connected wire rods, said transverse edge being a transverse wire rod of said shelf.

35. A shelving system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said latch is a wire-rod latch, said predetermined distance of said upward bend being calculated in relation to a distance between said inner wall portion of said support post and said transverse wire rod whereby an outer face of said bend of said wire-rod latch can be clamped under pressure over a forward face of said transverse wire rod by applying a downward pressure against said handle formation to pressure clamp said horizontal wire sections of said clamping member into said arresting formations of said post.

36. A shelving system as claimed in claim 35 wherein said vertical wire sections of said clamping member are welded to a free end of a pair of parallel straight wire rods of said wire rod latch.