Reinforced metallic shelf for modular shelves structure

Abstract

 A reinforced metallic shelf for a modular shelving structure, comprising a support plate (2) with an upper surface (3), a lower surface (4) and an inwardly folded peripheral edge (5) having longitudinal sections (6', 6") substantially parallel and mutually joined by opposed transverse sections (7', 7"), and at least one substantially transverse reinforcement member (8) adapted to be associated with the lower surface (4), having opposed ends (9', 9") which are adapted to be anchored to the longitudinal sections (6', 6").

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally finds application in the civil or industrial furniture industry and particularly relates to a reinforced metallic shelf for modular shelves structures.

Background art

[0002] Modular metallic shelves, either of light-duty type for home and office use or of heavy-duty type for industrial warehouses, are known to comprise a plurality of vertical posts, with one or more shelves fixed thereto.

[0003] Shelves have a substantially horizontal bearing surface with folded peripheral edges having means for anchorage to the posts, which may be of either screw-and-nut or interlock type.

[0004] Shelves are anchored to the posts at the corners, such that, when assembled, the individual shelves act as fixed beams at both ends.

[0005] Any load laid on the bearing plate causes a substantially central bending stress or deflection, which consequently deforms the shelf and, if the maximum design load is exceeded, it may even lead to a plastic deformation of the material or even failure.

[0006] Particularly, in prior art shelves, the folded edge is often deformed at the central areas of the longer sections, thereby leading to bending that not only affects aesthetic quality but also reduces the load capacity and may initiate a stress crack.

Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a reinforced metallic shelf for modular shelves structures, that ensures high strength and relative cost effectiveness.

[0008] A particular object is to provide a reinforced metallic shelf for modular shelves structures that has an increased load capacity as compared with prior art shelves having the same length.

[0009] Another object is to provide a metallic reinforced shelf for modular shelves structures that avoids edge deformation and prevents aesthetic quality degradation.

[0010] These and other objects as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a reinforced metallic shelf for modular shelves structures, as defined in claim 1.

[0011] This particular configuration will increase the load capacity of the shelf and particularly prevent the longitudinal sections of the edge from bending and deforming at the center line.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of the shelf according to the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelves structure comprising a shelf of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of a shelf of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a broken-away side view of the shelf of FIG. 2 as taken along a transverse plane;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the shelf of Fig. 2 as taken along a longitudinal plane;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the shelf of Fig. 2.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0014] Referring to the above mentioned figures, a shelf of the invention, generally designated by numeral 1, will be used in a known modular shelves structure, not shown herein, in addition to one or more similar and/or traditional shelves.

[0015] The shelves structure is preferably a light metal structure intended for home or office use.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the shelves structure S comprises at least four substantially vertical posts 1, 1', 1", not all of which are necessarily formed according to the present invention, which are anchored at their corner areas to the posts M, in a substantially horizontal position, and in vertically offset relationship.

[0017] A shelf 1 of the invention comprises a main support plate 2 having an upper surface 3 and a lower surface 4 which are substantially planar and parallel, and an inwardly folded peripheral edge 5 having a pair of longitudinal sections 6', 6" substantially parallel and mutually joined by a pair of opposed transverse sections 7', 7", also parallel to each other and orthogonal to the longitudinal sections 6', 6".

[0018] The longitudinal sections 6', 6" are substantially similar, and the transverse sections 7', 7" are also substantially similar. Therefore, for simplicity, both the longitudinal sections and the transverse sections, and their parts, will be designated by the corresponding number without the superscript index.

[0019] According to a peculiar feature of the invention, the shelf 1 comprises at least one substantially transverse reinforcement member, which is adapted to be stably or removably associated to the lower surface 4 of the support plate 2.

[0020] As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the reinforcement member 8 is placed in a substantially central position with respect to the support plate 2, although further configurations may be provided, with multiple reinforcement members associated with the lower surface 4 in offset positions.

[0021] Particularly, the reinforcement member 8 has a length z substantially equal to or smaller than the width w of the support plate 2, allowing it to be anchored at both opposite ends 9', 9" to the longitudinal sections 6 of the edge 5.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, each longitudinal section 6 of the folded edge 5 may have an outer vertical wall 10 substantially perpendicular to the main support plate 2, and an inner vertical wall 11, which are parallel and transversely offset.

[0023] The inner wall 11 is preferably shorter than the outer wall 10 and joined thereto by a substantially horizontal wall 12, i.e. a wall substantially perpendicular to the other two.

[0024] Furthermore, as is known in the art, the outer wall 10 may have one or more holes 13 and/or slots 14 at the corner portions of the edge 5, which are adapted to be aligned with corresponding holes F and/or slots formed in the posts M, allowing the shelves structure S to be assembled using appropriate screw connection members V or the like.

[0025] Conveniently, both transverse sections 7 of the edge 5 may be formed substantially like the longitudinal sections 6 with respective holes 15 and/or slots 16, for allowing connection with the posts M.

[0026] Of course, the screw connection members V may be replaced by interlock means or the like, in typical modular shelving configurations.

[0027] The substantially horizontal wall 12 of each longitudinal section 6 is equipped with anchor means 17 for removable anchorage of the reinforcement member 8 to the support plate 2.

[0028] Preferably, the anchor means 17 are of the screw coupling type or the like, comprising at least one through hole 18 formed in each of the horizontal walls 12 of the longitudinal sections 6 and are adapted to be aligned with corresponding through or blind seats 19 formed at the ends 9', 9" of the reinforcement member 8.

[0029] Thus, with screws 20 are introduced into the mutually aligned pairs of holes 18 and seats 19, the reinforcement member 8 may be held in forced contact with the lower surface 4 of the support plate 2, as shown in Fig. 4 and, in greater detail, in Fig. 5, thereby enhancing the reinforcing effect.

[0030] In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the anchor means may be of a type that does not involve screw coupling, e.g. interlock or interference-fit means.

[0031] Fig. 6 shows that the inner vertical wall 11 of each longitudinal section 6 has a substantially central recess 21, for receiving a respective end 9', 9" of the reinforcement member 8 and retaining it in the longitudinal direction as well as in a direction orthogonal to the support plate 2.

[0032] Preferably, the reinforcement member 8 is a metal section bar having an upper surface 22 adapted to contact the inner surface 4 of the support plate 2 and a lower face 23 adapted to contact the substantially horizontal wall 12 of the longitudinal sections 6.

[0033] Particularly, the presence of undercuts 21 will allow the reinforcement member 8 to be positioned with its lower face 23 abutting the horizontal walls 12 of the longitudinal sections 6.

[0034] Therefore, the longitudinal sections 6 will be reinforced particularly at the points in which buckles or plastic deformations occur in prior art shelves.

[0035] In the preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention that is shown in the figures, the reinforcement member 8 substantially has a box-like shape, with a substantially Ω-shaped cross section, having lateral wings 24, 25 designed for abutment against the lower surface 4 of the support plate 2.

[0036] This arrangement was found to be particularly effective in that the presence of the wings 24, 25 increases the contact surface between the reinforcement member 8 and the support plate 2, thereby increasing the resistance opposed by the reinforcement member 8 and hence the load capacity of the shelf 1.

[0037] Also, due to the Ω-shape, the reinforcement member 8 is particularly light and free of any risk of sticking or deflection of its side walls.

[0038] Furthermore, the reinforcement member 8 will have a substantially constant height h, close to the minimum distance d, which is also constant, all along its length z, between the upper free margin 26 of the inner vertical wall 11 of the longitudinal sections 6 and the inner surface 4 of the support plate 2.

[0039] Therefore, the longitudinal sections 6 will act as guides for sliding insertion of the reinforcement member 8 to the conveniently arranged position.

[0040] Particularly, the reinforcement member 8 may be placed against the lower surface 4 of the support plate 2, with the ends 9', 9" being subsequently inserted into the guides defined by the longitudinal sections 6 to be slidingly carried to the undercuts 21, with the seats 19 being aligned with the holes 18 on the edge 5.

[0041] Finally, as the screws are tightened 20, the horizontal walls 12 will be forced into contact with the upper face 23 of the reinforcement member 8.

[0042] The above disclosure clearly shows that the invention fulfills the intended objects and particularly meets the requirement of providing reinforced metallic shelf for a modular shelves structure.

[0043] The shelf of the invention is susceptible to a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

[0044] Particularly, the dimensions of the shelf may be selected as needed, with no particular limitation. By way of example and without limitation, the shelf may have a length 1 ranging from 50 cm to 150 cm and a width w ranging from 30 cm to 80 cm. For instance, the plan size of the shelf may be 90cmx40cm or 90cmx60em.

[0045] While the shelf has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1. A reinforced metallic shelf for modular shelves structures, comprising a main support plate (2) with an upper surface (3), a lower surface (4) and an inwardly folded peripheral edge (5), wherein said folded edge (5) has a pair of longitudinal sections (6', 6") which are joined together by a pair of transverse sections (7', 7"), said folded edge (5) having at least one first outer vertical wall (10) substantially perpendicular to said main plate (2) and at least one second intermediate horizontal wall (12) substantially perpendicular to the first (10), at least one substantially elongate reinforcement member (8) being provided, which is adapted to be associated with said lower surface (4) in a substantially central transverse position, said reinforcement member (8) having opposed ends (9', 9") which are adapted to be anchored to said longitudinal sections (6', 6"), and anchor means (17) for removable anchorage to said main plate (2), wherein said reinforcement member (8) is a metal section bar having an upper surface (22) adapted to contact said inner surface (4) of said support plate (2) and a lower face (23) adapted to contact a respective intermediate horizontal wall (12) of said longitudinal sections (6', 6"), characterized in that said reinforcement member (8) has a substantially Ω-shaped cross section with lateral wings (24, 25) designed for abutment against said lower surface 4 of said support plate 2, said reinforcement member (8) having a length (z) substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the width (w) of the support plate (2), allowing it to be anchored at both of said opposite ends (9', 9") to said longitudinal sections (6', 6"), and having a substantially constant height (h), close to the minimum distance (d), which is also constant, all along its length (z), between the upper free margin (26) of said inner vertical walls (11) of said longitudinal sections (6', 6") and said inner surface (4) of said support plate (2).

2. A shelf as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said folded edge (5) further has a third inner vertical wall (11) parallel and inwardly offset with respect of the first (10).

3. A shelf as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said inner vertical wall (11) of each of said longitudinal sections (6', 6") has a substantially central recess (21).

4. A shelf as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of said end portions (9', 9") is adapted to be introduced into a respective recess (21) of each longitudinal section (6', 6").

5. A shelf as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said anchor means (17) comprise at least one through hole (18) formed in said substantially horizontal wall (12) of said longitudinal sections (6', 6") and adapted to be aligned with corresponding seats (19) formed at the ends (9', 9") of said reinforcement member (8) for the passage of anchor means (17) of the screw type or the like.

Drawing