INCLINED PANEL FOR INDUSTRIAL BINS AND INCLINED RACK SYSTEMS

Abstract

An inclined panel for mounting industrial bins that allows the bins to hang at an angle such that the interior of the bin is more easily accessible by production personnel is presented. The inclined panel has an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of louvers formed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and a mounting surface. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°. A rack system using such a panel is also presented. The rack system may also include one or more end caps at the ends of the panels. The rack system may incorporate a wheeled base or the panels may be mounted on a fixed wall.

Description

BACKGROUND

Rack systems for industrial bins are often used in industrial assembly facilities. Typically, the bins include hooks or cleats on the vertical rear surface of the bin and the cleats are connected with louvers on a metal plate. The louvers in the rack systems are vertical and bins are mounted to the rack such that they are horizontal and the contents of the bins are accessible from the front or top. There is a very large installed base of bins and rack systems where the rack systems include a planar louvered panel with bins mounted in a level orientation.

SUMMARY

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an inclined panel for mounting industrial bins, is presented that incorporates a panel having an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of louvers formed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and a mounting surface. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a rack system for industrial bins is presented incorporating an upstanding support structure; at least one louvered panel at an angle of 10°-25° from vertical; and a plurality of louvers formed on the louvered panel. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°. The invention may also include an end cap at least one end of each panel and typically at either end of each panel. The rack system may incorporate a wheeled base the panels may be mounted on a fixed wall.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a rack system for industrial bins incorporating a movable base unit; an upstanding support structure mounted to the base unit; a plurality of louvered panels mounted on the support structure and angled at 10°-25° from vertical; a plurality of louvers formed on each louvered panel; and at least one industrial bin mounted on one or more of the louvers is presented. Typically, the rack system includes a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louvered panel which spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and the many embodiments thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a side plan view of the inclined louvered panel of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a side plan view, in detail, of the louver formed in the panel of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the inclined panel and rack system of one embodiment of the present invention with industrial bins mounted thereon;

FIG. 3 illustrates a isometric view of the inclined panel and rolling rack system of one embodiment of the present invention with industrial bins mounted thereon;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a louvered inclined panel of the present invention with an endcap;

FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric view of a louvered inclined panel of the present invention with an endcap;

FIG. 5B illustrates a rear isometric view of a louvered inclined panel of the present invention with an endcap;

FIG. 6A illustrates an isometric view of an endcap panel support suitable for use with the present invention; and

FIG. 6B illustrates an side plan view of an endcap panel support suitable for use with the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.

FIG. 1A shows an inclined louvered rack system 10 for mounting industrial bins in accordance with the present invention. The rack system 10 includes louvered surface 12 top mounting surface 20 and bottom mounting surface 18. A separation plate 22 spaces the louvered surface 12 from a generally upright support structure. The louvered surface 12 includes a number of louvers 14. The louvered surface 12 is angled from vertical by an angle α. The α is generally about 10°-25° while an angle of 10°-15° is preferable. The inclined louvered rack system 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is generally mounted to a set of uprights or a vertical support panel. A inclined louvered rack system may have a number inclined panels separated by the distance of top and bottom mounting surfaces 18, 20 or top and bottom mounting surfaces 18, 20 may be overlapped for a denser fit of the bins positioned on the panel assembly.

An individual louver 14 is shown in FIG. 1B in which louver extensions are cut from the sheet steel of panel 12 and are generally spaced approximately 5 cm apart. A generally inverted U-shape cut 5 cm wide and 6 cm high is made in the sheet steel for each louver 14 and the tab of the panel is deflected 1-3 mm from the plane of the panel 12 to form the upwardly extending louver 14 and bend 16 leaving a orifice 14a in panel 12. The louver 14 may be linked to a downwardly facing lip on the industrial bin.

A rack system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2, in which uprights 40 are shown with louvered panels 10 mounted on either side of uprights 40 by top and bottom mounting surfaces 20, 18. The louvered surface 12 and louvers 14 provide support for industrial bins 42, 44 and other devices may be hung from the louvers 14. The louvered surface 12 is typically screwed or bolted to uprights 40. Typically, two or three upright supports 40 may be used. In the event that three upright supports 40 (one at each edge of the panel and one at the center of the panel) are used, it may not be necessary to use support members 60 at each upright. As shown, a number of bins 42, 44 may be mounted on the panel depending on the size of the bins and desired density. The bins include a cleat 46, 48 on the back surface 50 of each bin. The cleat 46, 48 fits over louvers 14 so that the rear of the bin 50 contacts louvers 14 and hangs generally perpendicular to the louvered surface 12. The panel 10 may also be mounted to a wall or other upright surface. The bins may be formed of any suitable material, such as: polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, SMMA (styrene methyl methacrylate, acrylic blend), or HIPS high impact polystyrene or other such materials commonly used in the manufacturing of polymeric parts and/or parts made by common forming techniques.

FIG. 3 shows a rack assembly in accordance with the present invention. The uprights 40 are mounted on platform 64, which may include wheels 66 or braces 62. A number of louvered panels 10 are mounted to the uprights 40. As shown a wide variety of bins 42, 44 may be mounted to the louvered panels 10. Various bins 42, 44 may include lids, any number of different widths, depths and heights, as well as any other equipment that could be mounted on a vertical rack system.

FIG. 4 shows the end of louvered panel 10 and endcap 60. The endcap 60 may be mounted to the panel by plastic pins, pop-in fasteners, screws or rivets. The end cap 60 is generally triangular and includes one or more orifices 64 which is bolted or riveted to separation plate 22, louvered surface 12 and potentially mounting surface 18 to form a structural portion of the rack assembly by inhibiting the flexing of the pane when heavy items are placed in the bins mounted to the louvers 14 on the panel 10. Panel 10 includes top and bottom mounting surfaces 20, 18 each including orifices 18′, 20′ by which panel 10 is typically screwed or bolted to a vertical surface or uprights. The louvered surface 12 and louvers 14 provide support for industrial bins and other devices. Also shown are mounting holes 12′ for end caps on the distal ends and for a central support member (not shown) mounted in the central section of the panel.

FIG. 5A shows the front of a louvered panel 10 in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen a 12×5 grid of louvers 14 may be used, although any suitable configuration is possible. Also included are orifices 20′ in mounting panel 20 and orifices 18′ in mounting panel 18 for mounting panel 10 to a vertical surface or uprights. Also shown are mounting holes 12′ for end caps 60 on the distal ends of mounting panel 10 and for a central support member 60 mounted in the central section of panel 10. Typically, a single central support 60 is used in longer panels or high load applications. Any number of central supports 60 may be used depending on load and length of panel 10.

FIG. 5B shows the rear of a louvered panel 10 in accordance with the present invention. A grid of louvers 14 on louvered surface 12 is provided. Also included are orifices 20′ on mounting panel 20 and orifices 18′ in mounting panel 18 for attaching panel 10 to a vertical surface or uprights. Also shown are end caps 60 on the distal ends of mounting panel 10 and central support member 60 mounted in the central section of panel 10. Typically, a single central support 60 is used in longer panels or high load applications. Any number of central supports 60 may be used depending on load and length of panel 10.

FIG. 6A shows an endcap 60 also referred to as a central support member 60 suitable for use with the present invention. The central support member 60 is generally triangular with sides 72, 74 and hypotenuse 76 such that first side 74 contacts louvered panel 12, second side 72 contacts separation plate 22 and the hypotenuse contacts the upright support or surface upon which the panel is hung. The apex of the central support member points downward. The first side 74 of central support member 60 includes first and second depressions 80 in the face with mounting holes 82 that mate with screws or rivets 62 to the louvered panel 12. The second side 72 of the central support member 60 generally includes a first depression 80 with a mounting hole 82 that mates with a screw or rivet 62 to separation plate 22. The interior of the central support member includes a number of reinforcing walls 78 to provide rigidity and structural integrity. The central support member may also include a surface 70 spanning the sides 72, 74, 76 and reinforcing walls 78 to provide additional stiffness. The central support member 60 is typically plastic and may be injection molded or formed by any other suitable method. The central support member may also be formed of steel.

FIG. 6B is a plan view of a central support member suitable for use with the present invention showing first side 74 of central support member 60 and first and second depressions 80 in the face with mounting holes 82 that mate with screws or rivets 62 to the louvered panel 12.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the specific examples described herein, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures and devices to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification.

Claims

1. An inclined panel for mounting industrial bins, comprising:

a panel having an upper edge and a lower edge;

a plurality of louvers formed on the panel;

a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and

a mounting surface.

2. The inclined panel of claim 1, further comprising;

a second mounting surface.

3. The inclined panel of claim 2, wherein the first mounting surface is connected to the separation plate and the second mounting surface is connected to the lower edge of the panel.

4. The inclined panel of claim 3, wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-25°.

5. The inclined panel of claim 1, wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°.

6. A rack system for industrial bins, comprising:

an upstanding support structure;

at least one louvered panel at an angle of 10°-25° from vertical; and

a plurality of louvers formed on the louvered panel.

7. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, further comprising:

a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louvered panel.

8. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, further comprising:

a mounting surface connected to the panel and fixing the louvered panel to the support structure.

9. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°.

10. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 13°-15°.

11. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, further comprising an end cap at at least one end of each panel.

12. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, further comprising end caps at either end of each panel.

13. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, further comprising a wheeled base upon which the upstanding support structure is mounted.

14. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, wherein the upstanding support structure is a fixed wall.

15. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, further comprising at least one central support member mounted between the louvered panel and the upstanding support structure.

16. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 15, wherein the central support member is generally triangular.

17. A rack system for industrial bins, comprising:

a movable base unit;

an upstanding support structure mounted to the base unit;

a plurality of louvered panels mounted on the support structure and angled at 10°-25° from vertical;

a plurality of louvers formed on each louvered panel; and

at least one industrial bin mounted on one or more of the louvers.

18. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 17, further comprising:

a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louvered panel.

19. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°.

20. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 17, further comprising an end cap at at least one end of each panel.