Shelving Support Bracket for a Storage Rack
A support bracket configured to be detachably connected to a vertical support post of a shelving unit and a crossbeam extending between two shelving units is provided. In one embodiment, the support bracket includes a first body portion having a front surface and a rear surface, a second body portion having a front surface and a rear surface, at least one interlocking member extending rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion, the at least one interlocking member configured to detachably engage at least one of a plurality of openings in the vertical support member, and at least one aperture in the second body portion, the at least one aperture configured to detachably receive at least one interlocking member on the crossbeam.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Application Nos. 61/804,599 and 61/804,612, both filed on Mar. 22, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to brackets configured to be detachably connected to a shelving unit and support shelves.
BACKGROUNDStorage racks and shelving units are commonly used to store a variety of different articles, such as tools and equipment in a garage (e.g., drills, brooms, shovels, extension cords, etc.), in an organized and readily accessible manner. Typical storage racks include left and right end support units and front and rear crossbeams extending between the end support units. Together, corresponding front and rear crossbeams extending between the end support units define a frame configured to support a shelf for storing various articles. Typically, each end support unit includes front and rear vertical support members and cross braces, both horizontal and diagonal, interconnecting the front and rear vertical support members.
One common type of storage rack known in the art is a “boltless” rack, in which at least some of the members of the rack are configured to be assembled without the use of permanent mechanical fasteners. In some conventional boltless racks, the members of the end support units are permanently coupled together, such as by welding or riveting, and the crossbeams are detachably connected to the vertical support members of the end support units. Typically, the vertical support posts include a series of apertures, such as wedge-shaped slots or keyhole-shaped openings, configured to detachably receive interconnecting members, such as rivets or lances, on opposite ends of the cross beams. Accordingly, boltless racks are configured to permit easy assembly and disassembly of the storage rack or shelving unit without the use of tools, and to permit compact and economical shipment of the unit. An example of a boltless shelving unit is shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/360,543, entitled “Modular Rack Assembly,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Typically, storage capacity is limited by the number of storage racks, and additional storage racks had to be purchased to increase the user's storage capacity. However, purchasing a large number of storage racks can be cost prohibitive. Additionally, the space between existing storage racks is typically unused or underutilized space.
Attempts have been made to solve the problem of unused or underutilized space between existing storage racks. For example, U.S. Patent Application 2009/0241812A1 to Liu discloses a shelf that is extendable along a left and right direction. However, extending the Liu shelf requires complicated assembly of many pieces including a plurality of bamboo-shaped pipes, clamping pieces, several different types of bolts, and seamless cone sleeves. Furthermore, extending the shelf may be physically burdensome for some users because it requires steps of tightening bolts.
Another approach uses an extendable shelf assembly. For example, European Patent No. 1030576 to Hardy discloses an extendable shelf where the shelf frame can slide between a plurality of fixed positions along an extender. While Hardy's slidable shelf may enable a user to use a space in a flexible manner, Hardy fails to contemplate using the extendable shelf to connect between existing shelves. Furthermore, sliding shelves and their installation can be cost-prohibitive.
Thus, there is still a need for a shelf assembly system, which enables a user to utilize or convert space between two storage racks into usable storage space more efficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to support brackets configured to increase the storage capacity of spaced-apart storage racks. The present invention is directed to brackets configured to be detachably connected to a vertical support post of a shelving unit and a crossbeam. In one embodiment, the bracket includes a first body portion having a front surface and a rear surface, a second body portion having a front surface and a rear surface, at least one interlocking member extending rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion, the at least one interlocking member configured to detachably engage at least one of a plurality of openings in the vertical support member, and at least one aperture in the second body portion, the at least one aperture configured to detachably receive at least one interlocking member on the crossbeam. In one embodiment, the first body portion is substantially co-planar with the second body portion. In one embodiment, the first body portion is coupled to the second body portion along an adjoining portion. In another embodiment, the first body portion is non-planar with the second body portion, and the adjoining portion defines a step between the first and second body portions.
In one embodiment, the at least one interlocking member includes an upper interlocking member and a lower interlocking member, and each of the interlocking members includes a shaft having a first diameter protruding rearward from the first body portion, the shaft having an interconnected end coupled to the first body portion and a free end opposite the interconnected end, and a head having a second diameter coupled to the free end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the at least one aperture in the second body portion includes an upper aperture and a lower aperture, wherein the upper aperture includes an arcuate notch in an upper edge and the lower aperture includes a keyhole-shaped opening. In one embodiment, the interconnected ends of the shafts are plastically deformed to couple the interlocking members to the first body portion. In another embodiment, welds couple the interconnected ends of the shafts to the first body portion.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
Embodiments of support brackets according to the present invention are described with reference to the following figures. The same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
The present invention relates to support brackets configured to be detachably connected to boltless shelving units. The brackets of the present invention are configured to increase the storage capacity of two closely spaced storage racks by utilizing or converting the space between the two storage racks into usable, organized storage space. In particular, the brackets are configured to increase the storage capacity of the existing storage racks by supporting crossbeams and shelves extending between the two shelving units. The support brackets are preferably repositionable along the shelving units such that the height of the shelves and the spacing between adjacent shelves can be selected to accommodate various shaped and sized articles, such as tools and other equipment commonly stored in a garage.
Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in
With continued reference to
For each of the two storage racks 100, 101 illustrated in
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Still referring to
In the illustrated embodiment of
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The left and right support brackets 116, 117 may be formed from any suitable process, such as stamping, pressing, machining, molding, or rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing. In one embodiment, the interlocking members 147, 148 are welded to the rear surface 145 of the first body portion 140. In an alternate embodiment, the shaft portions 149 of the interlocking members 147, 148 are inserted through openings in the first body portion 140 of the brackets 116, 117 and the interconnected ends 157 of the shaft portions 149 are deformed, such as by bucking with a rivet gun, to couple the interlocking members 147, 148 to the first body portion 140, as illustrated in
With reference now to the flowchart illustrated in
The method 200 also includes a step 215 of detachably connecting the brackets 116, 117 to the desired locations along the vertical support posts 106, 107 of the storage racks 100, 101. To attach the brackets 116, 117 to the keyhole-shaped openings 113 in the vertical support posts 106, 107 of the storage racks 100, 101, the method 200 includes a step 220 of inserting the head portions 150 of the rivet interlocking members 147, 148 into the larger, upper circular opening 114 portions of the desired keyhole openings 113, and a step 225 of translating the brackets 116, 117 downward until the head portion 150 of the rivet interlocking members 147, 148 are aligned with the smaller elongated opening 115 portions of the keyhole openings 113, as illustrated in
The method 200 also includes a step 230 of detachably connecting the crossbeams 132, 133 to the support brackets 116, 117. To attach the crossbeams 132, 133 to the apertures 151, 152 in the brackets 116, 117, the method 200 includes a step 235 of inserting the head portion 139 of the lower rivet interlocking members 137 on the crossbeams 132, 133 into the larger, upper circular opening 153 portions of the lower keyhole-shaped apertures 152 in the brackets 116, 117. The method 200 also includes a step 240 of translating the crossbeams 132, 133 downward until the shaft portions 138 of the upper rivet interlocking members 137 on the crossbeams 132, 133 are seated in the lower end of the arcuate notches 151 in the support brackets 116, 117 and the shaft portions 138 of the lower rivet interlocking members 137 on the crossbeams 132, 133 are seated in the smaller elongated opening 154 portions of the lower keyhole-shaped apertures 152 in the support brackets 116, 117, as illustrated in
While in one embodiment, the method 200 of installing and using the brackets 116, 117 may include each of the steps described above and shown in
While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to exemplary embodiments thereof, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention, as set forth in the following claims. Although relative terms such as “outer,” “inner,” “upper,” “lower,” “below,” “above,” “vertical, “horizontal” and similar terms have been used herein to describe a spatial relationship of one element to another, it is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the various elements and components of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
Claims
1. A support bracket configured to be connected to a vertical support post of a shelving unit and a crossbeam, the support bracket comprising:
- a first body portion having a front surface and a rear surface;
- a second body portion having a front surface and a rear surface;
- at least one interlocking member extending rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion, the at least one interlocking member configured to detachably engage at least one of a plurality of openings in the vertical support post; and
- at least one aperture in the second body portion, the at least one aperture configured to detachably receive at least one interlocking member on the crossbeam.
2. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein the first body portion is substantially co-planar with the second body portion.
3. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein the first body portion is coupled to the second body portion along an adjoining portion.
4. The support bracket of claim 3, wherein the first body portion is non-planar with the second body portion, and wherein the adjoining portion defines a step between the first and second body portions.
5. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one interlocking member comprises an upper interlocking member and a lower interlocking member, each of the interlocking members comprising:
- a shaft having a first diameter protruding rearward from the first body portion, the shaft having an interconnected end coupled to the first body portion and a free end opposite the interconnected end; and
- a head having a second diameter coupled to the free end of the shaft, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.
6. The support bracket of claim 5, wherein the at least one aperture in the second body portion comprises an upper aperture and a lower aperture, the upper aperture comprising an arcuate notch in an upper edge and the lower aperture comprising a keyhole-shaped opening.
7. The support bracket of claim 5, wherein the interconnected ends of the shafts are plastically deformed to couple the interlocking members to the first body portion.
8. The support bracket of claim 5, wherein welds couple the interconnected ends of the shafts to the first body portion.
9. A system configured to convert a space between a first storage rack and a second storage rack into usable storage space, each storage rack comprising front vertical support members and rear vertical support members, the system comprising:
- a front crossbeam having opposing ends, each of the opposing ends of the front crossbeam having at least one interlocking member;
- a rear crossbeam having opposing ends, each of the opposing ends of the rear crossbeam having at least one interlocking member;
- first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, each support bracket comprising: a first body portion having a front surface and a rear surface; a second body portion having a front surface and a rear surface; at least one interlocking member extending rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion, the at least one interlocking member configured to detachably engage at least one of a plurality of openings in the vertical support members; and at least one aperture in the second body portion, the at least one aperture configured to detachably receive at least one of the interlocking members on the crossbeams.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the first body portion is substantially co-planar with the second body portion.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the first body portion is coupled to the second body portion along an adjoining portion.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the first body portion is non-planar with the second body portion, and wherein the adjoining portion defines a step between the first and second body portions.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the at least one interlocking member comprises an upper interlocking member and a lower interlocking member, each of the interlocking members comprising:
- a shaft having a first diameter protruding rearward from the body portion, the shaft having an interconnected end coupled to the first body portion and a free end opposite the interconnected end; and
- a head having a second diameter coupled to the free end of the shaft, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one aperture in the second body portion comprises an upper aperture and a lower aperture, the upper aperture comprising an arcuate notch in an upper edge and the lower aperture comprising a keyhole-shaped opening.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein:
- the upper and lower interlocking members on the first support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the front vertical support members of the first storage rack;
- the upper and lower interlocking members on the second support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the front vertical support members of the second storage rack;
- the at least one interlocking member on one of the opposing ends of the front crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the first support bracket;
- the at least one interlocking member on the other one of the opposing ends of the front crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the second support bracket;
- the upper and lower interlocking members on the third support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the rear vertical support members of the first storage rack;
- the upper and lower interlocking members on the fourth support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the rear vertical support members of the second storage rack;
- the at least one interlocking member on one of the opposing ends of the rear crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the third support bracket; and
- the at least one interlocking member on the other one of the opposing ends of the rear crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the fourth support bracket.
16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a shelf supported by the front and rear crossbeams.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 24, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 25, 2014
Applicant: Silverack, LLC (Brea, CA)
Inventor: Harry R. Taylor (Whittier, CA)
Application Number: 14/223,297
International Classification: A47B 45/00 (20060101); A47B 96/06 (20060101);