BARREL RACK

Abstract

A barrel rack is provided for supporting a plurality of barrels thereon, and preferably also for being stacked atop barrels to stabilize them and permit the support of additional barrels. The barrel rack is preferably a unitary member molded of synthetic material, and may be symmetrical about a horizontal plane extending through its center. It is provided with a plurality of cradle beds which support the barrel in an elevated position and permit the circulation of air around the barells stored thereon. The barrel rack may receive casters permitting the barrel rack to be used as a transport device for moving barrels received thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a rack configured for holding barrels. More particularly, it is concerned with a barrel rack which may be constructed of synthetic resin molded as a unitary member and which provides for improved air circulation around the stored barrels

2. Description of the Prior Art

Barrels are traditionally constructed of wood staves and panels at the head, and have circumscribing metal bands. When used for storing and aging wine and spirits, the barrels are stored on their sides and it is important for air to be able to contact the wood. Thus, wooden barrels require different storage and handling as compared to metal or synthetic resin drums where the drum surfaces are intended to be impermeable to air. Also, barrels differ from drums in their configuration—where drums are substantially cylindrical, barrels are configured with a maximum circumference around the belly at the longitudinal center of the barrel, with reduced circumferences around the head at each end. For these reasons, typical synthetic resin storage racks are configured to with substantial contact between the storage rack and the drum, but are not suitable for storing barrels. While steel storage racks for barrels are known, they also present drawbacks in having surfaces which may rust, accumulate debris and are difficult to clean, may influence the flavor of wine stored in the wooden barrels, or have sharp edges which may damage barrels during placement or workers who are handling the barrels or performing other tasks such as sampling the contents or performing cleaning operations.

Thus, there has developed a need for an improved barrel rack which overcomes some or all of these drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved storage rack which maybe molded of synthetic resin and presents substantial advantages over storage racks for barrels as presently available. The barrel rack hereof is lightweight, economical to construct, and highly adaptable for storing and moving barrels.

Broadly speaking, the barrel rack of the present invention may include a unitary, preferably symmetrical structure molded of synthetic resin, most preferably rotationally molded of high density polyethylene (HDPE) as a single, unitary member. The barrel rack may include spaced apart, generally parallel first and second cradle walls each presenting arcuate barrel-receiving beds. The cradle walls may be configured with one or a plurality of barrel-receiving beds for holding either one or a plurality of barrels. The cradle walls may be connected by connecting members, and when the barrel rack is configured to receive a plurality of barrels thereon, may be provided with intermediate supports extending across the region between the cradle walls and connecting them. The cradle walls may also include feet which most preferably extend both upwardly and downwardly in normal operation. The feet, which may be located at the corners of the cradle walls and may be located also between the corners of the cradle walls, most preferably include flat supporting surfaces. These supporting surfaces may include openings which permit receipt and attachment of casters, tie down attachments, or other hardware such as for connecting together adjacent barrel cradles.

In especially preferred embodiments, the barrel rack hereof may be configured with cradle walls, connecting members and intermediate supports which facilitate lifting of the barrel rack by fork lifts and the like. Preferred embodiments may also facilitate stacking of the barrel racks by providing cradle beds which support and are complementally configured with the barrel surface, with longitudinally extending connecting members and intermediate supports which are spaced from the barrel or barrels received thereon or onto which the barrel rack is placed in order to avoid interference with the surface of differently configured barrels and to promote air circulation therearound. Thus, when one or more barrel racks and their barrels are stacked, the barrel rack is complementally configured to the barrels to be received thereon, and uses the barrel as structural supports when the barrel racks are vertically stacked. Especially preferred embodiments may include beams and be configured for supporting a multiplicity of barrels thereon.

Barrel racks in accordance with the present invention may be configured and constructed to provide the following advancements over the prior art:

• • A barrel rack which promote improved air contact with barrels and air flow around barrels stored on the rack;
  • A barrel rack which may be molded of synthetic resin to improve the ability to maintain cleanliness and to facilitate turning of the barrels received on the rack by minimizing friction between the rack and the barrel;
  • A barrel rack which is symmetrically configured so that top to bottom reversal is enabled;
  • A barrel rack which can be stacked with a minimum of material by using the barrels between racks as structural components, thereby avoiding rack-to-rack contact when used in a stacked relationship;
  • A barrel rack which provides enhanced structural stability to avoid twisting, tipping or deformation;
  • A barrel rack which can be molded of synthetic resin to avoid sharp corners or edges which may snag on equipment, damage barrels or injure workers;
  • A barrel rack which can receive casters for enabling use of the barrel rack to transport barrels, and can receive tie-downs or other attachments to resist seismic events;
  • A barrel rack which is sanitary, without trap areas, and facilitates cleaning both of the rack and the area beneath the barrel and around the barrel rack;
  • A barrel rack which is formed as a unitary member in a single molding process;
  • A barrel rack which may be configured as a unitary member to support or be positioned in between four barrels; and
  • A barrel rack which facilitates sampling of barrels received on the rack through the bung hole by separating the barrels and a large open area above and below the connecting members.

These and other advantageous features and benefits will be recognized by those skilled in the art with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a barrel rack hereof, showing opposed first and second cradle walls having barrel-receiving beds, connecting members extending between the cradle walls, and an intermediate support;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the barrel rack of FIG. 1, the rear view being a mirror image thereof, showing the provision of air-circulation ports and posts on the cradle walls;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the barrel rack of FIG. 1, the left side being a mirror image thereof, showing the provision of recesses above and below the connecting members to facilitate cleaning and sampling of barrels stored on the barrel racks;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 1 but showing barrels received on beds of the cradle walls and casters fitted to the bottom of the cradle walls permitting use of the barrel rack as a barrel cart;

FIG. 5 is a bottom rear isometric of the barrel rack of FIG. 4 view partially exploded with regard to two casters to show holes in feet at the bottom of stanchions and the bottom of a post along the bottom of one of the cradle walls;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing two barrel racks of FIG. 1 each carrying two barrels, the barrel racks being stacked one atop another with two of the supported barrels between the barrel racks;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and to show the recesses along the connecting members and the lowermost part of the barrel-receiving beds and through a portion of one of barrels to show the bung and bung hole;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 to show the relative positions of the cradle walls, connecting members and intermediate support at the belly of the barrels supported thereon;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the barrel rack hereof provided with casters for use as a barrel cart, wherein the connecting members are not provided with a recess;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 9, without the casters or the barrels positioned on the beds;

FIG. 11 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 9, the left side being a mirror image, and the front and rear views being identical to the elevational view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the barrel rack hereof provided with a plurality of intermediate supports and tapered beds on cradle walls;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12, with a portion of a barrel of complemental configuration to the cradle beds shown in broken lines;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a barrel rack similar to that shown in FIG. 12, but without the upright stanchions and having differently configured connecting members;

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, with a portion of a barrel of complemental configuration to the cradle beds shown in broken lines;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a barrel rack which is configured for supporting four barrels in spaced relationship as illustrated, and having a multiplicity of cradle walls, connecting members, with intermediate supports and beams which position the cradle walls parallel to one another with respective ones of their cradle beds in longitudinal alignment;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the barrel rack of FIG. 16 without the barrels positioned thereon, and showing the cradle walls, connecting members, intermediate supports and beams;

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17, showing two of the barrels in broken lines, the barrels being supported by respective cradle beds in longitudinal alignment and longitudinally spaced from one another;

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 17 showing examples of pairs of upper and lower cradle beds being mirror images of one another and additional longitudinally extending cradle beds configured complemental to the barrel surfaces formed in the connecting members and intermediate supports; and

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the barrel rack of FIGS. 16-19, the top plan view being substantially identical, showing the spacing between the cradle walls and between the longitudinally extending beams and longitudinally extending connecting members and intermediate supports, and the arcuate and tapered configuration of the cradle beds, connecting members and intermediate supports.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, a barrel rack 20 may be advantageously rotationally molded in a unitary, symmetrical configuration of synthetic resin such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) as a single, one-piece unit and configured to receive one or a plurality of barrels 22. The barrel rack 20 as shown in the drawing is configured for receiving two barrels 22 thereon, but could also be constructed in an elongated configuration for receiving three, four or more barrels as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The barrels 22 may be of different shapes and sizes (e.g. 30 gal., 50 gal., 59 gal. or other sizes) and the dimensions of the barrel rack 20 when molded maybe changed so as to advantageously receive and retain a barrel of a selected size.

Barrels 22 typically stored on the barrel rack 20 may be of different materials or configurations, but most typically would be barrels 22 used for storing wine, spirits or the like. Such barrels 22 are traditionally made of wood such as oak but may be made of other materials, having a barrel sidewall 24 of longitudinally extending staves 26 retained by chine hoops 28 and quarter hoops 30. The barrels 22 are configured with a belly 32 which is of the greatest diameter and circumference and located typically midway between the heads 34 located at the longitudinal ends of the barrel 22 and which enclose each end of the barrel sidewall 24. The diameter and circumference of the barrel 22 at the chine hoops 28 is less than the diameter and circumference measured at the belly 32. A bung hole 36 is provided to extend through the barrel sidewall 24 for filling and sampling the barrel 22, with a stopper or bung 38 removably inserted into the bung hole to retain the liquid contents. The use of wood such as oak for the staves 26 and heads 34 means that the barrel 22 generally holds the liquid contents, such as wine, without leakage, but the wood is slightly permeable to air, and it is desirable that air circulate around the wood barrel during storage of the contents to properly store and age the liquid therein.

The barrel rack 20 includes first cradle wall 40, an opposed second cradle wall 42 positioned in parallel, spaced relationship thereto, and longitudinally extending connecting members 44 and 46 extending between and interconnecting the parallel and spaced apart first and second cradle walls 40, 42. In addition, where the barrel rack 20 is configured for retaining a plurality of barrels 22, a longitudinally extending intermediate support 48 may be provided which extends transverse to the first and second cradle walls 40 and 42 and interconnects them, and extends generally parallel to the connecting members 44 and 46 and perpendicular to the first and second cradle walls. The barrel rack 20 is most preferably symmetrical about a plane extending through the center line C of the barrel rack 20.

As shown in the drawings, the first and second cradle walls 40, 42 may have an identical configuration, and in this arrangement each of the cradle walls 40 and 42 include a pair of cradle frames 50 and 50a connected by a bridge 52. The cradle frames 50 and 50a of cradle wall 40 have respectively first and second upper arcuate barrel-receiving beds 54 and 54a and also first and second lower arcuate barrel-receiving beds 56 and 56a which are preferably configured complemental to the surface of the barrel sidewall 24 of the barrel 22 to be received thereon or, when inverted, to be supported by such a barrel sidewall 24. Similarly, the cradle frames 50 and 50a of cradle wall 42 have respectively third and fourth upper arcuate barrel-receiving beds 54b and 54c and also third and fourth lower arcuate barrel-receiving beds 56b and 56c, which are also configured complemental to the surface of the barrel sidewall 24 of the barrel 22 on which the cradle beds of the barrel rack 20 may be supported as shown in FIG. 6 or, when inverted, to support the barrel sidewall 24. In use, one of the beds of each cradle frame (here beds 54 and 54a of cradle wall 40, beds 54b and 54c of cradle wall 42) would be uppermost to receive a barrel 22 thereon, where the other beds (here as shown beds 56 and 56a of first cradle wall 40 and beds 56b and 56c of second cradle wall 42) would face a supporting surface such as a floor, or is configured for stacking atop another similarly configured barrel 22 so that the other bed rests on the barrel sidewall 24 therebeneath as shown in FIG. 6.

The cradle frames 50 and 50a are also provided with an upright stanchion 58, having feet 60 at each end. The feet 60 preferably have a substantially flat end 62 and may be provided either as a closed end, with an opening 64, or with a removable punch-out defined by lines of weakening, for example by reduced thickness or scoring. Removal of the punch-outs permit the user to later select which locations may be provided with openings 64 by removal of the punch-outs. The openings 64 permit insertion of casters 66, or alternatively to receive hardware such as eyes or tabs for connecting to hold-down cables or connections to permit attachment to adjacent, similarly configured barrel racks 20. Airflow to the barrels 22 received on the beds 54, 56 is facilitated by providing air-circulation ports 68 having rounded edges which are located between the beds 54 and 56 and between the stanchions 58 and the bridge 52. The ports 68 arc preferably sized to be greater in area than the area between the lower bed 56, 56a, 56b, or 56c, and a flat supporting surface therebeneath. The beds 54 of the cradle frames 50 also have an inboard crest 70 which is substantially co-planar with the flat end 62 of the feet 60 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 8 which provides additional support and stability across the cradle walls 40, 42 as both the feet 60 and the crest 70 are designed to engage a relatively flat supporting surface such as a floor. The crest 70 and the edges of the beds 54, 56 are rounded, rather than presenting a sharp edge, to avoid damage to barrels 22 and personnel working in the area.

The bridges 52 which extend between the cradle frames 50 are most preferably of a height less than the distance between the feet 60 of one cradle frame 50. Opposed posts 72 and 74 each have flat ends 62 and extend upwardly and downwardly from the respective top surface 76 and bottom surface 78 of the bridges 52 of each of the cradle walls 40, 42 in alignment with the intermediate support 48 in their normal orientation during use. The posts 72 and 74 also may each have an opening 64, or be provided with a removable punch-out defined by lines of weakening, for example by reduced thickness or scoring. As with the feet 60, removal of the punch-outs permit the user to later select which locations maybe provided with openings 64 by removal of the punch-outs. The openings 64 permit the insertion of casters 66 or other hardware as noted above. The extension of the posts above and below the respective top and bottom surface not only provides additional supporting locations for the cradle walls 40 and 42 but also permits mounting of casters and hardware such as tabs, eyes or other fittings for attaching cables and the like for use as hold-downs. The posts 72 and 74 permit the use of cable or rope loops around the posts for stabilizing or holding down the barrel rack 20. Surfaces 80, 82 lie on either side of post 72, and surfaces 84, 86 lie on either side of post 74. The surfaces 80, 82, 84 and 86 provide for spacing between side-by-side adjacent barrels 22 as may be seen in FIG. 8, and are preferably flat with smooth rounded edges 88 and corners 90 to facilitate cleaning. The top and bottom surfaces 92, 94 of the intermediate support 48 are preferably flat with rounded edges for ease of cleaning and avoiding sharp corners which could cause damage to the barrels 22 or personnel working in the area.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting members 44 and 46 may he configured with recesses 96, 98 on their respective upper and lower surfaces 100, 102. Structural strength in the connection between the connecting members 44 and 46 and the first and second cradle walls 40, 42 is provided by shoulders 104 which have a greater height than the height of a stretcher 106 which extends therebetween, the recesses 96 and 98 being located along the upper and lower surfaces of the strecher 106 and between the shoulders 104. The recesses facilitate access to the bung 38 and bung hole 36 of the stored barrels 22 for activities such as sampling the liquid contents of the barrels 22 when barrels 22 and barrel racks 20 are stacked as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. Alternatively as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the connecting members 44a and 46a of the barrel racks 20a, where like numbers are used to indicate like structures in relation to barrel rack 20, may be provided without recesses 96, 98 such that the stretcher 106 is of greater height and strength and extends substantially the entire width of the barrel rack between the first and second cradle walls 40, 42. The barrel rack 20a can be used in stacked arrangement as in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 but sampling of the contents through the bung hole 36 is still possible, but more difficult.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a further embodiment of the barrel rack 20b, where like reference numbers are used to indicate like structures in relation to barrel racks 20 and 20a. In the barrel rack 20b, a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel intermediate supports 48a and 48b are provided. While, like the intermediate support 48 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 10, the intermediate supports 48a and 48b extend parallel to connecting members 44a and 46a and are unitary and integral with the cradle walls (here cradle walls 40a and 42a), instead of being positioned generally equidistant from the connecting members 44 and 46 and 44a and 46a, the intermediate supports 48a and 48b are positioned laterally of posts 72 and 74 and adjacent the respective air-circulation ports 68. The intermediate supports 48a and 48b also have a narrower width and a shorter upright dimension than the intermediate support 48 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 10. In addition, the first and second cradle walls 40a and 42a are somewhat modified from those of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-11. In this regard, first upper barrel-receiving bed 54′, second upper barrel-receiving bed 54a′, third upper barrel-receiving bed 54b′ and fourth upper barrel-receiving bed 54c′, as well as first lower barrel-receiving bed 56′, second lower barrel-receiving bed 56a′, third lower barrel-receiving bed 56b′ and fourth lower barrel-receiving bed 56c′, which are of a common configuration, are still arcuate, but have a tapering configuration which narrows from an inner edge 108 of each of the beds to an outer edge 110 of each of the beds. As a result, inner edge 108 is slightly lower at the bottom of the arc which it provides than the outer edge 110, wider at the respective angled inboard side edges 112 and outboard side edges 114, and has a greater length than the outer edge 110. It may also be noted that instead of a generally linear crest 70 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, the barrel rack 20b has shoulders 116 with a widened transverse surface 118.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the barrel rack 20c which is similar to the barrel rack 20, 20a and 20b and the same reference characters are used to identify like features. The barrel rack 20c is a lighter weight barrel rack using less material than barrel racks 20, 20a and 20b. The first and second cradle walls 40c and 42c are relatively thinner, and as such, the first, second, third and fourth upper cradle beds 54″, 54a″, 54b″, and 54c″, as well as first, second, third and fourth lower cradle beds 56″, 56a″, 56b″, and 56c″, while still arcuate and tapered from interiorly to exteriorly as with the cradle beds shown and described in regard to those shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, are also thinner as shown in FIG. 15 and have less surface area and have a crest 70 proximate the connecting members 44c and 46c respectively. The bridges 52c between the respective cradle frames 50b and 50c of each cradle wall 40c and 42c barrel rack 20c are also thinner and do not include upright posts. The longitudinally extending intermediate supports 48a and 48b are substantially the same as shown and described with regard to those of the barrel rack 20b of FIGS. 12 and 13, and thus are spaced from each other on the bridges 52c and positioned adjacent the ports 68. The connecting members 44c and 46c are similar to those shown and described in regard to the embodiment 20b of FIGS. 12 and 13, but the shoulders 104c are enlarged while leaving the stretcher 106c of a shorter longitudinal extent but still having upper surface 100 and lower surface 102 providing respective open areas or recesses 96, 98 for access to the barrels 20 stored thereon.

FIGS. 16 through 20 show a yet further embodiment of the barrel rack 20d. The barrel rack 20d is also most preferably rotationally molded as a single, unitary member of synthetic resin such as HDPE, and designed to receive up to four barrels 22 thereon and be used in stacked relationship in the same manner as shown for barrel rack 20 in FIG. 6. The barrel rack 20d shares many structural features in common with the barrel racks 20, 20a, 20b and 20c and like numbers are used to show similar features.

Being configured to support or, when stacked as shown in the manner shown in FIG. 6, be supported by up to four barrels 22 as shown in FIG. 16, the barrel rack 20d includes additional cradle walls, longitudinally extending intermediate supports, and longitudinally extending connecting members. As seen in FIG. 16, the barrel rack 20d includes ports 68a in the connecting members as well as in the cradle walls to facilitate access to the bungs 38 of the barrels 22 during storage. The barrel rack 20d is also symmetrical about a horizontal plane extending through its center line C.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 through 20, the barrel rack 20d includes first cradle wall 40d, second cradle wall 42d, third cradle wall 142d and fourth cradle wall 140d, First and fourth cradle walls 40d and 140d are essentially mirror images of one another, and second and third cradle walls 42d and 142d are essentially mirror images of one another. Each of the cradle walls 40d, 42d, 142d and 140d include cradle frames 50d and 50d′ having ports 68 and upper and lower cradle beds, and are connected to each other by bridges 52d. Each of the cradle beds are configured to be arcuate and have barrel supporting surfaces which are tapered and complemental to a barrel surface 24 which has a shape which has a greater diameter at the belly 32 than proximate the two heads 34 of a barrel 22. Thus, the first cradle wall 40d includes arcuate first and second upper cradle beds 54′″ and 54a′″ and opposite and respectively vertically aligned arcuate first and second lower cradle beds 56″, the second cradle wall 42d includes arcuate third and fourth upper cradle beds 54b′″ and 54c′″ and opposite and respectively vertically aligned arcuate third and fourth lower cradle beds 56b′″ and 56c′″, the third cradle wall 142d includes arcuate fifth and sixth upper cradle beds 54d′″ and 54e′″ and opposite and respectively vertically aligned arcuate fifth and sixth lower cradle beds 56d′″ and 56e′″, and the fourth cradle wall 140d includes arcuate seventh and eighth upper cradle beds 54f′″ and 54g′″ and opposite and respectively vertically aligned arcuate seventh and eighth lower cradle beds 56f′″ and 56g′″. The cradle beds are also aligned whereby the first, third, fifth and seventh cradle beds are longitudinally aligned, and the second, fourth, sixth and eights cradle beds are longitudinally aligned. As shown the edges of the upper cradle beds are narrower and higher proximate the outboard surface of the first and fourth cradle walls presenting a trapezoidal shaped substantially flat surface 144 on the shoulders 116 and feet 60 similar to surface 118. Similarly, the edges of the lower cradle beds are narrower and lower proximate the outboard surface of the first and fourth cradle walls also presenting a flat, trapezoidal shaped surface on the feet 60. The edges of the upper cradle beds of the second and third barrel walls 42d and 142d are narrower facing one another so that the barrel supporting surfaces on the upper cradle beds taper downwardly and outwardly (i.e. widen) toward the first and fourth barrel walls 40d and 140d respectively, while the barrel supporting surfaces (or, in this orientation, the surfaces which would rest on barrels positioned therebelow) of the lower cradle beds of the second and third barrel walls 42d and 142d taper upwardly and outwardly toward the first and fourth barrel walls 40d and 140d respectively.

The first and second barrel walls 40d and 42d are spaced apart and connected by first and second connecting members 44d and 46d and also by first and second intermediate supports 48d and 48e. Similarly, the third and fourth barrel walls 142d and 140d are spaced apart and connected by third and fourth connecting members 44d′ and 46d″ and also by third and fourth intermediate supports 48f and 48g. The first and second connecting members are parallel to one another and to the first and second intermediate supports therebetween, and the third and fourth connecting members are parallel to one another and to the third and fourth intermediate supports therebetween. The first and third connecting members are in longitudinal alignment, the second and fourth connecting members are in longitudinal alignment, the first and third intermediate supports are in longitudinal alignment, and the second and fourth intermediate supports are in longitudinal alignment.

First, second, third and fourth beams 150, 150a, 150b and 150c extend between, space apart, and connect the second barrel wall 42d and 142d. The beams are parallel to one another, and their length is sufficient to ensure spacing between the heads 34 of barrels stored in longitudinal alignment thereon. First beam 150 is longitudinally aligned with the first connecting member 44d and the third connecting member 44d′, the second beam 150a is longitudinally aligned with the first and third intermediate supports 48d and 48f, the third beam 150b is longitudinally aligned with the second and fourth intermediate supports 48e and 48g, and the fourth beam 150d is longitudinally aligned with the second and fourth connecting members 46d and 46d′.

As with the barrel racks 20, 20a, 20b and 20c discussed above, the barrel rack 20d also provides open areas or recesses to permit air circulation around the barrel 22 stored thereon or on which the barrel rack 20d rests. In barrel rack 20d, the is accomplished by sloping the longitudinal surfaces 152 of the first, second, third and fourth connecting members inwardly to narrow the height thereof toward their respective opposite intermediate supports, and also sloping the intermediate supports so that their height narrows in a direction toward their corresponding and opposite connecting member as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19. In addition, separation is maintained between the connecting members and intermediate supports and the supported barrels (and also barrels on which the barrel rack 20d rests) by and also narrowing the height of the connecting members and the intermediate supports so that their height is less proximate the ports 68a and greater proximate the respective barrel wall to which they are connected. This configuration, illustrated in FIG. 18, helps to maintain a clearance from the barrel surface 24 of differently configured barrels, so that different barrel shapes may be accommodated. While the broken line of FIG. 17 illustrates a barrel, it is to be appreciated that the broken line shows the barrel outline at its greatest dimension, and that would be midway between a connecting member and an intermediate support. Thus, the surface of a supported barrel is recessed and separated from the upper surface 100d of the connecting members and of the upper surface 92d of the intermediate supports, and the surface of a barrel 22 which supports a barrel rack 20d when used in a stacked relationship is separated from the lower surface 102d of the connecting members and from the lower surface 94d of the intermediate supports.

As may be seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 9, the barrel racks 20 and 20a can be used as barrel carts to transport barrels 22 when casters 66 are mounted to the legs of the stanchions, shoulders and posts. Holes may similarly be provided in the shoulders and legs of the barrel racks 20b, 20c and 20d. Such casters 66 may also be mounted to the barrel rack 20b. This provides a stable, mobile platform for the barrel racks which increases their utility. Also, it may be appreciated that the barrel racks hereof are symmetrical, such that either the upper or lower cradle bed of any of the barrel racks hereof, may be placed uppermost (i.e. inverted from the orientation shown) because each is symmetrical about centerline C, and the other bed conforms with a barrel 22 positioned therebelow when the barrel racks are stacked. Moreover, either cradle wall 40, 42 may be positioned in a front facing position, such that great flexibility of use is provided by flipping or rotating the barrel rack 20. The barrel racks 20, 20a and 20b can be moved by fork lifts with filled barrels 22 while retaining aesthetic appeal. Barrels 22 placed on the synthetic resin barrel racks 20 have less frictional engagement with the racks than in conventional metal racks, making turning of the barrels 22 while resting on the beds 54, 56 so that the bung hole 36 faces up easier due to the smooth surface and the low frictional engagement. The use of synthetic resin for the unitary molded barrel rack avoids the need for welding and grinding welded surfaces, as well as painting to avoid corrosion, and the resilient synthetic resin resists denting or similar damage so that repair by painting or the like is avoided. The smooth surfaces and rounded corners facilitate cleaning. The barrel racks 20, 20a and 20b are lower in weight than comparable steel racks, reducing transportation costs.

Claims

1. A barrel rack adapted for holding a plurality of barrels above a supporting surface, said barrel rack comprising:

a first cradle wall having laterally spaced first and second upper cradle beds each respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface;

a second cradle wall having laterally spaced third and fourth upper cradle beds each respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface;

a first connecting member extending between and interconnecting the first and second cradle walls and integrally formed therewith;

a second connecting member oriented substantially parallel to and extending between and interconnecting the first and second cradle walls and integrally formed therewith;

at least one intermediate support positioned intermediate and substantially parallel to the first connecting member and the second connecting member and extending between and interconnecting the first cradle wall and the second cradle wall and integrally formed therewith,

wherein the first connecting member, the second connecting member, and the at least one intermediate support position the first cradle wall opposite to the second cradle wall in spaced relationship with said first and second upper cradle beds longitudinally aligned respectively with said third and fourth upper cradle beds whereby a barrel received on said first and third upper cradle beds or said second and fourth upper cradle beds is retained against lateral movement respective to the barrel rack.

2. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second cradle walls include a plurality of feet having substantially flat surfaces thereon for engagement with a supporting surface.

3. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, including a plurality of wheels mounted to each of said first and second cradle walls.

4. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said first cradle wall includes laterally spaced first and second lower cradle beds, each of said first and second lower cradle beds being substantially a mirror image of said first and second upper cradle beds and respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface, said first upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said first lower cradle bed, and said second upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said second lower cradle bed;

said second cradle wall includes laterally spaced third and fourth lower cradle beds, each said third and fourth lower cradle beds being substantially a mirror image of said third and fourth upper cradle beds and respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface, said third upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said third lower cradle bed, and said fourth upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said fourth lower cradle bed; and wherein

said first lower cradle bed and said third lower cradle bed are substantially longitudinally aligned and said second lower cradle bed and said fourth lower cradle bed are substantially longitudinally aligned.

5. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second upper cradle beds are arranged on a first upwardly-facing surface of said first cradle wall and said first and second lower cradle beds are arranged on a first downwardly-facing surface of said first cradle wall, and wherein said third and fourth upper cradle beds are arranged on a second upwardly-facing surface of said second cradle wall and said third and fourth lower cradle beds are arranged on a second downwardly-facing surface of said second cradle wall, and wherein each of said first and second upwardly facing surfaces and each of said first and second downwardly facing surfaces includes a plurality of feet each having a flat surface adapted for engaging a supporting surface.

6. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said first and second cradle walls includes structure defining at least one opening therein, said at least one opening of said first cradle wall being positioned vertically between said first upwardly-facing surface and said first downwardly-facing surface of said first cradle wall and said at least one opening of said second cradle wall being positioned vertically between said second upwardly-facing surface and said second downwardly-facing surface of said second cradle wall.

7. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said first and second cradle walls includes at least a first and a second opening therein, said first opening of said first cradle wall being positioned intermediate and substantially equidistant between said first upper cradle bed and said first lower cradle bed, said second opening of said first cradle wall being positioned intermediate and substantially equidistant between said second upper cradle bed and said second lower cradle bed, said first opening of said second cradle wall being positioned intermediate and substantially equidistant between said third upper cradle bed and said third lower cradle bed, and said second opening of said second cradle wall being positioned intermediate and substantially equidistant between said fourth upper cradle bed and said fourth lower cradle bed.

8. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second cradle walls includes portions extending downwardly from said first and second connecting members, whereby said first and second connecting members are elevated above the supporting surface when the barrel rack is placed thereon.

9. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second cradle walls includes portions extending upwardly from said first and second connecting members.

10. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second cradle walls include a pair of cradle frames corresponding to respective cradle beds, said cradle frames being integrally foamed with and connected by bridges positioned intermediate the cradle frames and laterally spacing the cradle frames and their corresponding cradle beds on a cradle wall from one another.

11. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 10, wherein the bridges of each of said first and second cradle walls include upwardly extending posts positioned respectively intermediate the first and second cradle beds and intermediate the third and fourth cradle beds and downwardly extending posts positioned between the cradle frames of each of said cradle walls, wherein each of said first and second cradle walls include a plurality of feet having substantially flat surfaces thereon for engagement with a supporting surface, and wherein said downwardly extending posts include substantially flat surfaces which are substantially co-planar with the substantially flat surfaces of said feet.

12. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting members each include an upper and a lower surface, and wherein each of said first and second connecting members include an opening positioned between the upper and lower surface and between the first and second cradle walls.

13. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second upper cradle beds of said first and second cradle walls has an interior edge and an exterior edge, and wherein said interior edge is positioned lower that and slopes upwardly to the exterior edge.

14. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 13, wherein each of said first and second upper cradle beds of said first and second cradle walls has an inboard edge relatively more proximate a respective one of the connecting members and an inboard edge relatively more proximate the at least one intermediate support than the outboard edge, and wherein the inboard edge and the outboard edge of a respective cradle bed arc oriented to intersect whereby a portion of each of the respective inboard and outboard edges proximate the exterior edge of a respective cradle bed are more proximate one another than a portion of the respective inboard and outboard edges proximate the interior edge of the said respective cradle bed.

15. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, the first cradle wall including an upwardly extending stanchion positioned between said first and second upper cradle beds, and said second cradle wall including an upwardly extending stanchion positioned between said third and fourth cradle beds, wherein said stanchions include surfaces having holes therein.

16. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a third cradle wall having laterally spaced fifth and sixth upper cradle beds each respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface;

a fourth cradle wall having laterally spaced seventh and eighth upper cradle beds each respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface;

a third connecting member extending between and interconnecting the third and fourth cradle walls and integrally formed therewith;

a fourth connecting member extending between and interconnecting the third and fourth cradle walls and integrally formed therewith;

at least another intermediate support positioned intermediate and substantially parallel to the third connecting member and the fourth connecting member and extending between and interconnecting the third cradle wall and the fourth cradle wall and integrally formed therewith;

a plurality of beams extending between and interconnecting said second and third cradle walls in spaced relationship to one another;

wherein the third cradle wall is oriented substantially parallel to the first, second and fourth cradle walls; and

wherein the third connecting member, the fourth connecting member, and the at least another intermediate support position the third cradle wall opposite to the fourth cradle wall in spaced relationship with said fifth and sixth upper cradle beds longitudinally aligned respectively with said seventh and eighth upper cradle beds whereby a barrel received on said fifth and seventh upper cradle beds or said sixth and eighth upper cradle beds is retained against lateral movement respective to the barrel rack.

17. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 16, wherein the third connecting member is substantially longitudinally aligned with the first connecting member, wherein the fourth connecting member is substantially longitudinally aligned with the second connecting member; and wherein the third cradle wall is substantially parallel to said second cradle wall and spaced therefrom by said plurality of beams.

18. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 17, wherein the first upper cradle bed is longitudinally aligned with the third, fifth and seventh upper cradle beds, and the second upper cradle bed is longitudinally aligned with the fourth, sixth and eighth upper cradle beds.

19. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 18, wherein:

said first cradle wall includes laterally spaced first and second lower cradle beds, each of said first and second lower cradle beds being substantially a mirror image of said first and second upper cradle beds and respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface, said first upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said first lower cradle bed, and said second upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said second lower cradle bed;

said second cradle wall includes laterally spaced third and fourth lower cradle beds, each said third and fourth lower cradle beds being substantially a mirror image of said third and fourth upper cradle beds and respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface, said third upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said third lower cradle bed, and said fourth upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said fourth lower cradle bed;

said third cradle wall includes laterally spaced fifth and sixth lower cradle beds, each of said fifth and sixth lower cradle beds being substantially a mirror image of said fifth and sixth upper cradle beds and respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface, said fifth upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said fifth lower cradle bed, and said sixth upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said sixth lower cradle bed;

said fourth cradle wall includes laterally spaced seventh and eighth lower cradle beds, each said seventh and eighth lower cradle beds being substantially a mirror image of said seventh and eighth upper cradle beds and respectively configured to complementally mate with at least a portion of a barrel surface, said seventh upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said seventh lower cradle bed, and said eighth upper cradle bed being positioned in substantially the same vertical plane, aligned vertically above and spaced from said eighth lower cradle bed; and

wherein said fifth lower cradle bed and said seventh lower cradle bed are substantially longitudinally aligned and said sixth lower cradle bed and said eighth lower cradle bed are substantially longitudinally aligned.

20. A barrel rack as set forth in claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of beams is longitudinally aligned with said first connecting member and said third connecting member and wherein at least another of said plurality of beams is aligned with said at least one and said at least another of said intermediate supports.