AU2011238097B2

AU2011238097B2 - Support frame for racks

Info

Publication number: AU2011238097B2
Application number: AU2011238097A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ulrich Bohnacker
Original assignee: Tegometall International AG
Current assignee: Tegometall International AG
Priority date: 2010-04-07
Filing date: 2011-04-07
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-07
Also published as: ZA201207380B; RU2536222C2; UA105572C2; TN2012000463A1; WO2011124383A1; AU2011238097A1; EP2555990A1; CA2793384C; CN102869581A; MY159713A; SG184135A1; JP2013530108A; MX2012011014A; DE202010004600U1; CL2012002760A1; CN102869581B; AR081106A1; US20130082018A1; JP5567207B2; PH12012501855A1

Abstract

A support frame to be laid on a pair of cross-members (16) of a rack has at least two U-section rails (12) and a plurality of C-section rails (11) running transversely thereto, of which the flanges (14) are joined to the central webs of the U-section rails (12). The distance between the U-section rails (12) of the support frame is dimensioned such that said rails fit exactly between the two cross-members (16) of the storage rack. The central webs of the C-section rails (11) are perforated, wherein at least some of the holes (17) have rims (18) projecting from the surface of the C-section rails (11), which faces away from the U-section rails (12).

Description

SHELF SUPPORT FRAME Field of Invention 5 The present invention relates to a combination of a storage shelf having vertical columns and cross-members connecting them, and a support frame. Background of Invention 10 For supporting pallets in storage shelves, it is common to use bars extending in the depth direction of the shelf, which bars are individually placed on pairs of cross-members of the shelf. If the pallets are not lowered onto the bars not vertically and with sufficient accuracy there is a danger for the bars to slip and fail to support the pallets properly. 15 DE 43 01 475 Al discloses a support structure for a storage shelf in which a specifically constructed profile beam is fixedly connected to the shelf cross members to support pallets. 20 WO 2009/114256 Al discloses a pallet constructed of metal profile members. It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above described difficulties, or to at least provide a useful alternative. 25 Summary of the invention According to the present invention, there is provided a combination of a storage shelf having vertical columns and two cross-members connecting them, and a support frame comprising at least two U-profile bars and a plurality of C-profile 30 bars extending transversely thereto and having flanges connected to the centre webs of the U-profile bars, wherein the space between the U-profile bars of the -2 support frame is so dimensioned that they just fit between said cross-members of the storage shelf, and wherein the center webs of the C-profile bars have holes at least some of which are embossed to form rims protruding from the surface of the C-profile bars facing away from the U-profile bars. 5 One or more of the above problems are preferably met by the above-described support frame. The fixed connection of C-profile bars, which serve to support goods to be stored, to U-profile bars extending perpendicularly thereto creates a unit which can be simply laid on the shelf cross-members and, if the spacing 10 between the U-profile bars is properly selected, results in an arrangement of the C-profile bars which practically cannot move in the depth direction of the shelf. The support frame may be assembled at the site, thereby reducing transportation expenditure. Features of the support frame prevent the frame from being distorted 15 in a parallelogram manner. Features of the support frame may not only results in a saving of material and weight but also forms a safety measure. Slippage of the stored goods is preferably counteracted. 20 Features of the support frame may achieve a spatial fixation of the support frame, wherein the C-profile bars supporting the stored goods do not extend beyond the given depth of the shelf. 25 Features of the support frame may be of advantage with respect to the stability of the support frame in case a pallet is lowered in a tilted manner. Features of the support frame may, ensure a stable positioning of the support frame which does not slip in the depth direction of the shelf. 30 Brief description of the drawings H:\tld\lierwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\5450736_1 doc-1 /09/2013 -3 Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 a plan view of a support frame; 5 Figure 2 a side view of the support frame taken from below in Figure 1; Figure 3 a side view taken from the left in Figure 1; Figure 4 an enlarged end view of a C-profile bar; and Figure 5 an enlarged cross-section of a part of the perforated C-profile bar. 10 Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the Invention The support frame shown in the drawings consists of a plurality, five in the example shown, of C-profile bars 11 extending parallel to one another, and two U profile bars 12 extending perpendicularly thereto. At the locations designated by 15 13, the mutually facing flanges 14 (Fig. 4) of the C-profile bars 11 are connected by means of screw bolts and nuts to the centre webs 15 of the U-profile bars 12 which face upward in Fig. 2. In the side view of Fig. 3, two cross-members 16 of a storage shelf are shown in 20 cross-section. The mutual spacing of the U-profile bars 12 of the support frame is so dimensioned that they come to lie inside the shelf cross-members 16 so closely that they substantially prevent the support frame from moving in the depth direction of the shelf. At the same time, they ensure that the support frame can be placed onto cross-members 16 only in such a manner that the C-profile bars 11, 25 which serve to receive goods to be stored, specifically pallets, extend in the depth direction of the shelf and the overall frame is held in its plane with the proper angular orientation. In addition, the U-profile bars 12 determine the amount by which the C-profile bars 11 extend beyond the cross-members 16 in the depth direction of the shelf, thereby ensuring that the C-profile bars 11 lie within the 30 space available for the overall shelf.

H:\tid\lntenvoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\5450736_I.doc-1 I/09/2013 -4 In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, two C-profile bars 11 are disposed closely together near either end of the U-profile bars 12 whereas there is a greater spacing between the C-profile bars 11 in the central area of the support frame. Both lateral portions of the support frame are thereby given high stability so that, in 5 case a pallet is lowered in a tilted manner, sufficient load-bearing capacity is available on the respective side of the support frame. The centre webs of the C-profile bars 11 are provided with a plurality of holes 17. The holes 17 not only reduce the material usage and weight of the support frame 10 but also provide fire a protection by passing sprinkler water. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a part of the holes 17 are embossed upward to form rims 18 protruding form the surface of the C-profile bars 11 facing away from the U-profile bars 12, which rims prevent or at least impede slippage of the goods 15 stored on the support frame. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or 20 group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an 25 acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A combination of a storage shelf having vertical columns and two cross members connecting them, and a support frame comprising at least two U-profile 5 bars and a plurality of C-profile bars extending transversely thereto and having flanges connected to the centre webs of the U-profile bars, wherein the space between the U-profile bars of the support frame is so dimensioned that they just fit between said cross-members of the storage shelf, and wherein the center webs of the C-profile bars have holes at least some of which are embossed to form rims 10 protruding from the surface of the C-profile bars facing away from the U-profile bars.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the flanges of the C-profile bars are screwed to the centre webs of the U-profile bars.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein at least some of the C-profile bars 15 have both of their flanges screwed to the U-profile bars .

4. The combination of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the C-profile bars is greater than the space between the U-profile bars

5. The combination of any preceding claim, wherein the space between two C profile bars is smaller near either end of the U-profile bars than in the central area 20 of the support frame.

6. A combination of a storage shelf having vertical columns and two cross members connecting them, and a support frame, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.