Storage Rack Decking
The decking comprises a first support rail and a second support rail parallel to each other. Each support rail has an upper rail surface and a plurality of female engagement sockets. The support rails support a plurality of deck members. Each deck member has an upper deck surface, a first male engagement end and a second male engagement end. Each male engagement end has a lower profile than the upper deck surface by at least the distance between the upper rail surface and the top of the female engagement sockets. The first male engagement end of each deck member is inserted into a female engagement socket of the first support rail. The second male engagement end of each deck member is inserted into a female engagement socket of the second support rail. The upper rail surface is about flush with the upper deck surface in the assembled decking.
Storage rack systems typically comprise a series of vertical columns with braces installed across adjacent pairs of columns. Horizontal step beams link braced pairs of columns to form a storage framework. The horizontal step beams are spaced at vertical intervals to create multi-tiered storage bays. Various types of decking have been used to create storage shelves onto which product may be stored or displayed on storage bays.
SUMMARYDecking is provided for storage rack systems. Suitable storage rack systems comprise a plurality of vertical columns and a plurality of horizontal step beams that define at least one storage bay. Each step beam has a lip onto which the decking is mounted to form a storage shelf. The decking comprises a first support rail and a second support rail parallel to each other. Each support rail has an upper rail surface and a plurality of female engagement sockets. The support rails support a plurality of deck members. Each deck member has an upper deck surface, a first male engagement end and a second male engagement end. Each male engagement end has a lower profile than the upper deck surface by at least the distance between the upper rail surface and the top of the female engagement sockets. The first male engagement end of each deck member is inserted into a female engagement socket of the first support rail. The second male engagement end of each deck member is inserted into a female engagement socket of the second support rail. The upper rail surface is about flush with the upper deck surface in the assembled decking.
The deck members may be secured to the support rails at the engagement locations if required. The size and spacing of the deck members may be varied as required by the particular application.
Those skilled in the art will realize that this invention is capable of embodiments that are different from those shown and that details of the structure of the decking can be changed in various manners without departing from the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as including such equivalent embodiments as do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.
For a more complete understanding and appreciation of this invention, and its many advantages, reference will be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, some of the reference numerals are used to designate the same or corresponding parts through several of the embodiments and figures shown and described. Corresponding parts are denoted in specific embodiments with the addition of lowercase letters. Variations of corresponding parts in form or function that are depicted in the figures are described. It will be understood that generally variations in the embodiments can be interchanged without deviating from the invention.
As can be best understood by comparing
The deck members 26 may be secured (not shown) to the first support rail 22 or the second support rail 24 by spot welds, glue, rivets, screws, nails, or any other appropriate method. In the assembled decking the upper rail surface 23 is about flush with the upper deck surface 27.
The size and spacing of the deck members 26, their male engagement ends 30 and 32, and the corresponding female engagement sockets 28 and 29 are determined by the requirements of the particular application. Fire safety codes in many jurisdictions require that at least 50% of the surface of storage rack shelves or decking must be open space in industrial and commercial settings to allow for the passage of fire suppressants to lower level storage areas in multi-tiered storage bays. The components of the decking 10, including the first and second support rails 22 and 24 and the deck members 26 can be made out of any appropriate material such as stainless steel, steel, aluminum, or plastic.
As can be best understood by comparing
This invention has been described with reference to several preferred embodiments. Many modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such alterations and modifications in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents of these claims.
Claims
1. Decking for a storage rack system, the storage rack system comprising a plurality of vertical columns and a plurality of horizontal step beams that define at least one storage bay, each step beam having a lip onto which the decking is mounted to form a storage shelf, the decking comprising:
- a first support rail and a second support rail parallel to each other, said first support rail and said second support rail each having an upper rail surface and a plurality of female engagement sockets;
- a plurality of deck members, each deck member having an upper deck surface, a first male engagement end and a second male engagement end, said first male engagement end and said second male engagement end having a lower profile than said upper deck surface by at least the distance between said upper rail surface and the top of said female engagement sockets;
- said first male engagement end of each deck member inserted into a female engagement socket of said first support rail;
- said second male engagement end of each deck member inserted into a female engagement socket of said second support rail; and
- said upper rail surface is about flush with said upper deck surface.
2. The decking of claim 1 wherein said plurality of deck members is secured to said first and second support rails.
3. The decking of claim 1 wherein said plurality of deck members is secured to said first and second support rails by at least one of rivets, spot welds, glue, screws, or nails.
4. The decking of claim 1 further comprising a cap mounted on top of the decking.
5. The decking of claim 1 further comprising a cap mounted on top of the decking, said cap comprises one of a perforated sheet, an expanded metal mesh, or an extruded wire mesh.
6. The decking of claim 1 in which said deck members are sized and spaced to create an at least 50% open area rack deck.
7. The decking of claim 1 in which said first and second support rails and said deck members are made of one of stainless steel, steel, aluminum, or plastic.
8. The decking of claim 1 wherein said deck members are solid beams.
9. The decking of claim 1 wherein said upper deck surface is perforated.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 17, 2008
Inventor: Jakie J. Shetler (Cochranton, PA)
Application Number: 11/623,423
International Classification: A47B 96/02 (20060101); A47F 5/00 (20060101);