US3840124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Knock-down storage frame, components therefor, and method of assembly
Assignee: Triax Co
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Filing: 1972-10-27
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1992-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A structural unit such as for instance a storage framework composed of a plurality of storage frame components assembled into a storage rack for use in warehousing systems. The framework comprises generally vertical column members which in certain embodiments may be of hollow thin wall, polygonal configuration in horizontal cross section. Connecting members including load carrying means are spaced vertically along the columns and define the storage volumes in the storage rack. The load carrying means comprise assemblies including elongated members extending laterally relative to the columns. Actuatable fastener means connect the connecting members including the load carrying assemblies to the columns, and means are provided for prestressing certain of the members by deforming the latter at their connections with the other members and in the vicinity of the fastener means upon tightening of the latter, whereby a highstrength, rigid assembly is produced. The component parts of the rack assembly may be fabricated, and their manufacture, preparation and handling for assembly at a location of use wherein they are fastened into position, is materially enhanced. A novel method is also disclosed for connecting component parts of the storage rack into a highly rigid storage rack assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 W Atwater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:11
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B96/00; A47B96/14; A47B96/1441; A47B47/00; A47B47/02; A47B47/021; A47B47/027; F; F16; F16B; F16B12/00; F16B12/40; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
In a structural unit comprising a storage rack for a warehousing system, including a travel zone running alongside said storage rack for movement of a mechanical load carrier therein, operable for depositing loads into and withdrawing loads from the storage rack, said storage rack comprising a plurality of generally vertical load supporting column members disposed in generally parallel longitudinal rows including a row of longitudinally spaced travel zone columns adapted for disposal along the travel zone and a row of longitudinally spaced outer columns spaced laterally outwardly respectively from said travel zone columns, a plurality of connecting members extending between respective pairs of said travel zone columns and said outer columns and extending generally laterally from the respective column members and being connected thereto by actuatable fastener means, at least one of said column members comprising a substantially planar face including a deformable web-like portion, prestressing means comprising a spacer section attached to at least certain of said connecting members and oriented into confronting generally engaged relation with said substantially planar face of a respective of said column members at the respective of said connections, said spacer section including laterally spaced column engaging portions and an intermediate recess portion disposed in confronting relation to said face of said respective column member, said fastener means extending through said recess portion into coacting attached relation with said respective column member, said web-like portion being deformed by said fastener means outwardly toward the confronting member of the connection and into said recess portion, whereby the fiber stress in said web-like portion is changed during deformation from bending stress to tensil stress, prestressing said web-like portion at the respective of said connections, whereby the rigidity of the connection is enhanced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
In a structural unit comprising a storage rack for a warehousing system, including a travel zone running alongside said storage rack for movement of a mechanical load carrier therein, operable for depositing loads into and withdrawing loads from the storage rack, said storage rack comprising a plurality of generally vertical load supporting column members disposed in generally parallel longitudinal rows including a row of longitudinally spaced travel zone columns adapted for disposal along the travel zone and a row of longitudinally spaced outer columns spaced laterally outwardly respectively from said travel zone columns, a plurality of connecting members extending between respective pairs of said travel zone columns and said outer columns and extending generally laterally from the respective column members and being connected thereto by actuatable fastener means, at least one of said column members comprising a substantially planar face including a deformable web-like portion, prestressing means comprising a spacer section attached to at least certain of said connecting members and oriented into confronting generally engaged relation with said substantially planar face of a respective of said column members at the respective of said connections, said spacer section including laterally spaced column engaging portions and an intermediate recess portion disposed in confronting relation to said face of said respective column member, said fastener means extending through said recess portion into coacting attached relation with said respective column member, said web-like portion being deformed by said fastener means outwardly toward the confronting member of the connection and into said recess portion, whereby the fiber stress in said web-like portion is changed during deformation from bending stress to tensil stress, prestressing said web-like portion at the respective of said connections, whereby the rigidity of the connection is enhanced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said columns is of hollow polygonal configuration in horizontal cross section, said spacer section being rigidly attached to the associated connecting member and oriented in generally confronting parallel relation to said face of the associated column member, the associated fastener means extending into anchored relation with said web-like portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein certain of said connecting members comprise a foot section including an elongated horizontally oriented member connected at each of its ends to one of said spacer sections, each said spacer section having said recess portion thereon for deforming the confronting column member thereinto upon tightening actuation of the associated fastener means, and one of the last mentioned spacer sections including means extending laterally therefrom and encompassing the associated column member and anchoring the foot section to the column member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein certain of said connecting members comprise a top cap section including an elongated horizontally oriented cross member having said spacer sections one at each end thereof, each of said spacer sections including said recess portion thereon for deforming the confronting column member thereinto upon tightening actuation of the associated fastener means, and a cap portion connected to one of said end spacer sections and in overlapping relation to the top of the associated column member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 1 including a diagonal brace extending between a pair of said zone and said outer columns, said brace including an elongated cross member disposed at a diagonal with a spacer section secured to a respective end of said cross member, each said spacer section including said recess portion thereon, for deforming the confronting column member therein upon tightening actuation of the associated fastener means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein certain of said connecting members comprise load support assemblies attached to and extending between pairs of said zone and said outer columns, each of said load support assemblies comprising generally horizontal load support members, and one of said spacer sections being disposed adjacent each end of the respective load support assembly, each of said end spacer sections having said recess portion thereon for deforming the confronting column member upon tightening actuation of the associated fastener means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least certain of said columns each comprises said web-like portion, said spacer section comprising a formed plate-like member secured to an end of the respective connecting member, with said spaced column engaging portions disposed at the lateral extremities of the plate and engaging the confronting surface of said web-like portion, said recess portion having an aperture therethrough through which the respective of said fastener means extends, said fastener means comprising a shank extending through said recess portion and coupling said web-like portion to said plate, the deformation of the web-like portion comprising conical-like bulging of the web-like portion outwardly adjacent the shank of the respective fastener means, the bulge of the web-like portion contacting the confronting surface of the recess portion of the spacer section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 7 wherein said columns comprise thin wall tubing of generally square configuration in horizontal cross section, said column engaging portions of said plate engaging said web-like portion of the respective column at substantially the juncture of the confronting column web with the side walls of the column, whereby said bulging of the column web commences generally adjacent the side walls of the respective column.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said column members comprises said web-like portion, said fastener means includes an elongated shank interlocked adjacent one end thereof with the respective web-like portion, the latter being bulged outwardly into conical-like configuration circumferentially relative to said shank and toward the respective spacer section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structural unit in accordance with claim 9 wherein said shank is welded to the respective web-like portion of the associated column member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |