Coupling device for light-duty metal set of shelves

Abstract

 A coupling device for light-duty metal sets of shelves provided with uprights with which the shelves are associated directly, the device having a male component (14;103;203;314) that is formed directly on, or fixed to, a shelf (13;102;202;313) or an upright (12;101;201;312) and is constituted by a bracket (15;103;204;320) in which at least one portion is joined to the element from which it protrudes and has an inclined arrangement; the bracket has a transverse dimension that tapers along the direction for insertion in a corresponding and complementarily shaped female component (22;104;205;328) formed directly on the complementary component of the set of shelves or on an element that is fixed thereto.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling device particularly but not exclusively useful for light-duty metal sets of shelves.

[0002] Metal sets of shelves that can be assembled on site are currently widely used in the industrial and commercial field as well as in households.

[0003] Such sets of shelves are used either to support miscellaneous lightweight items, such as for example ornaments, books, etcetera, but are also used to support items that are heavier and most of all moved frequently.

[0004] Despite their wide variety of constructive types, said so-called "light-duty" sets of shelves are currently substantially constituted by uprights, possibly reinforced with cross-members, whereon the metallic shelves are fixed by means of coupling devices.

[0005] Currently commercially available sets of shelves substantially have two different coupling devices.

[0006] A first coupling device substantially entails the use of bolts insertable in holes formed in the uprights and in the shelves.

[0007] This coupling device, despite performing its task, is not free from drawbacks, the first one residing in the considerable complexity of the assembly operations, and of the optional disassembly operations, that it entails.

[0008] Furthermore, in sets of shelves whereon the stored items are moved often, the tightness of the bolts tends to decrease in the course of time and must be restored periodically, with an obvious waste of time and possibly, in the commercial and industrial field, of labor.

[0009] In order to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks, a second coupling device substantially provides for cantilevered brackets that are formed directly either in the shelf or in the uprights.

[0010] Such cantilevered brackets fit in appropriately provided holes, which are also formed in the uprights or in the shelves.

[0011] This second coupling device, despite being easy to assemble and disassemble, has drawbacks that can be substantially identified at a structural level.

[0012] The bracket, in view of its cantilevered structure and because of the mechanism for its insertion in the corresponding hole, in fact undergoes, during use, considerable shearing stresses that considerably limit its overall load-bearing capacity.

[0013] A principal aim of the present invention is to provide a coupling device for light-duty metal sets of shelves that solves the drawbacks described above in conventional devices, particularly by combining very easy assembly and disassembly of said sets of shelves, considerable mechanical strength, and a substantially complete lack of shearing stresses, which would severely compromise the maximum load that could be supported.

[0014] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device the execution whereof entails production costs and times that are competitive with respect to conventional coupling devices.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device that is reliable over time and does not require maintenance.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device that can be easily adapted to the various types of set of shelves provided particularly for various fields of use.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device that can be manufactured with conventional technologies and can be assembled even by unskilled personnel having no particular technical knowledge.

[0018] This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a coupling device for light-duty metal sets of shelves provided with uprights with which the shelves are associated directly, characterized in that it comprises a male component formed directly on, or fixed to, a shelf or an upright and constituted by a bracket in which at least one portion is joined to the element from which it protrudes and has an inclined arrangement with respect to said element, said bracket having a transverse dimension that tapers along the direction for insertion in a corresponding and complementarily shaped female component formed directly on the complementary component of the set of shelves or on an element that is fixed thereto.

[0019] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of three embodiments thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a metal set of shelves of the light-duty type;

figure 2 is a lateral view of the corner portion of a shelf in a first embodiment of the present invention;

figure 3 is a top view of the shelf portion of figure 2;

figure 4 is a view of the shelf portion of figures 2 and 3 assembled to an upright;

figure 5 is a partially sectional side view of the parts to be coupled between the upright and the shelf in a second embodiment of the present invention;

figure 6 is a top view of the parts of figure 5;

figure 7 is a partially sectional side view of the parts to be coupled between the upright and the shelf in a third embodiment of the present invention;

figure 8 is a top view of the shelf portion of figure 7;

figure 9 is a front view of the upright portion of figure 7;

figure 10 is a perspective view of a detail of the set of shelves of figure 1, in which a plurality of coupling devices according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention are shown;

figure 11 is a perspective view of a detail of the fourth embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention;

figure 12 is a lateral view of the detail of figure 11;

figure 13 is a partially sectional lateral view of a coupling device according to the invention in the operating configuration.

[0020] With particular reference to figures 1 to 4, a coupling device for light-duty metal sets of shelves, according to the invention, is used in a first embodiment in a set of shelves generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and is generally designated by the reference numeral 11.

[0021] The set of shelves 10 has, in this case, uprights 12 with an L-shaped cross-section and shelves designated by the reference numeral 13.

[0022] The coupling device 11 comprises, in this first embodiment, a male component that is generally designated by the reference numeral 14 and is formed by cutting and plastic deformation from the edge of a corresponding shelf 13.

[0023] Each one of the male components 14 comprises a bracket 15 protruding from the corresponding shelf 13 and having ends 16 and 17 monolithically joined to said shelf.

[0024] The bracket 15 is constituted, in this case, by a strip that is curved at the ends 16 and 17 and in which the convex portion protrudes with respect to the corresponding shelf 13.

[0025] On the whole, the bracket 15 is arranged, when the set of shelves 10 is assembled, in a direction diverging downwards (angle α).

[0026] A median portion 18 of the bracket 15 is substantially flat and two mutually opposite teeth 19 protrude from said portion, said teeth being arranged along a straight line that is substantially perpendicular to the line along which said bracket 15 lies.

[0027] Furthermore, the bracket 15 has lateral edges that form an angle diverging upwardly and the bisecting line whereof is the vertical (angle β), so that an end portion 20, related to the end 16, located in an upward region when the set of shelves 10 is assembled, is transversely larger than an end portion 21 related to the end 17 and arranged downwardly when the set of shelves 10 is assembled.

[0028] The median portion 18 is inclined, when the set of shelves 10 is assembled, with respect to the corresponding shelf 13 so as to diverge downwardly from said shelf.

[0029] A coupling device 11 furthermore comprises a female component, generally designated by the reference numeral 22, which in this case is formed in the corresponding upright 12.

[0030] More specifically, in each one of the uprights 12 there is provided a plurality of female components 22 arranged mutually in succession along two vertical directions, each direction being related to a corresponding wing of the respective upright 12.

[0031] Each one of the female components 18 is constituted by a slotted hole comprising an insertion section 23, to be arranged upwards, the transverse dimensions whereof are adapted to allow the easy insertion of the bracket 15, the transverse dimension whereof is also set by the corresponding teeth 19.

[0032] The slotted hole is shaped so as to taper sharply, starting from the insertion section 23, so as to form an anchoring section 24 where the teeth 19 perform their fixing action when the bracket 15 is inserted.

[0033] The anchoring section 24 tapers in a linear fashion and is arranged with respect to the insertion section 23 so as to form an interference-fit coupling with a corresponding bracket 15.

[0034] It should also be noted that said interference-fit coupling, in addition to substantially completely eliminating shearing stresses, causes heavy loads arranged on a shelf 13 to produce self-locking of the coupling device 11.

[0035] The slotted hole related to the female component 22 is arranged, as regards its overall longitudinal extension, in a substantially vertical direction when the set of shelves 10 is assembled.

[0036] With particular reference to figures 5 and 6, a coupling device for light-duty metal sets of shelves, according to the invention, is generally designated by the reference numeral 100 in a second embodiment.

[0037] The device 100 is applied, in this case, together with a plurality of other similar devices, to a set of shelves that comprises uprights 101 with which shelves 102 are associated.

[0038] The device 100, in this second embodiment, is constituted by a tab 103 protruding in a cantilevered manner so as to diverge from a corresponding upright 101 (angle α'), its free edge being directed upwards upon assembly.

[0039] In practice, a plurality of tabs 103 are formed in each one of the uprights 101 by cutting and plastic deformation.

[0040] The tab 103 is shaped so as to taper towards its free edge, which is therefore narrower than the region where it is connected to the upright, so that it can be easily inserted in a corresponding female component, generally designated by the reference numeral 104, that is formed in a corresponding shelf 102.

[0041] In this case, the female component 104 is constituted by a pocket that is formed by a strip 105 obtained by cutting and plastic deformation from a respective shelf; its convex portion protrudes outwardly with respect to the plane formed by the edge of said shelf. Said pocket is larger at the bottom than at the top, and therefore its lateral resting regions for the tab 103 form, like the edges of said tab, an acute angle in an upward direction (angle β').

[0042] In this embodiment, studs are formed at the edge of the set of shelves 102 proximate to the pockets formed thereon, so as to form raised portions 107 adapted to stabilize the coupling between the upright 101 and a corresponding shelf 102, producing an interference fit with, and thus acting by friction against, the internal surface of said upright 101.

[0043] In particular, in this case the upright 101 has an L-shaped cross-section that is shaped particularly so as to form longitudinal cavities 108 that are shaped so as to produce interference fit with the raised portions 107.

[0044] It should be noted that in this case the particular shape of the tab 103 causes said tab to enter the corresponding female element 104 formed in the corresponding shelf and causes the approach thereof, as well as the interference fit of its edge with respect to the internal surface of the strip 105 that constitutes said female component 104.

[0045] With particular reference to figures 7 to 9, a coupling device for light-duty metal sets of shelves, according to the invention, in a third embodiment thereof, is generally designated by the reference numeral 200.

[0046] The device 200, in this case, is applied to a set of shelves provided with uprights 201 with which shelves 202 are associated.

[0047] The device 200 comprises a male component that is generally designated by the reference numeral 203 and is connected to a corresponding shelf 202; said male component is constituted by two symmetrical vertical wings 204 the free edges whereof are opposite to each other and are folded so as to diverge downwardly from the plane from which they protrude (angle α'').

[0048] The wings 204 are formed by cutting and plastic deformation directly from the edge of the corresponding shelf 202.

[0049] Furthermore, the cut of the part that becomes the free edge once deformation has occurred is diagonal with respect to the vertical direction, so that the final overall bulk of the male component 203 tapers substantially downwards (angle β'').

[0050] The male component 203 can be inserted in one of a plurality of female components 205 (holes) that are formed in one of the wings of a respective upright 201; said female component is constituted by a through hole having a substantially trapezoidal shape.

[0051] More specifically, the hole 205 tapers downwards so as to match the taper of the male component 203, so that when the corresponding set of shelves 202 is mounted on corresponding uprights 201, any load placed thereon increases the interference fit between the free edge of the wings 204 and the edge that forms the corresponding hole 205.

[0052] With particular reference now to figures 10 to 13, a coupling device for metal shelves, according to a fourth embodiment, is generally designated by the reference numeral 311 and comprises, in this case, a male component that is generally designated by the reference numeral 314 and is formed by cutting and plastic deformation from an L-shaped plate 315 to be fixed by welding at appropriately provided spots 316 on a corresponding corner of a corresponding shelf 313.

[0053] More specifically, two male components 314 are formed in each individual plate 315 at each one of its wings 317 and 318.

[0054] Furthermore, the wing 318 has a chamfered corner 319 acting as a reference for the correct fixing, by welding, of said wing to the corresponding shelf 313.

[0055] Each one of the male components 314 comprises a bracket 320 protruding from the corresponding plate 315, its ends 321 and 322 being monolithically joined to said plate.

[0056] The bracket 320 is constituted, in this case, by a strip 323 that is curved at the ends 321 and 322, so that its convex portion protrudes with respect to the plate 315, and is obtained from said plate by cutting and plastic deformation.

[0057] As a whole, the bracket 320 is arranged vertically when the set of shelves is assembled.

[0058] A median portion 324 of the bracket 320 is substantially flat, and two mutually opposite teeth 325 protrude therefrom and are arranged along a straight line that is substantially perpendicular to the line along which said bracket 320 lies.

[0059] Furthermore, the bracket 320 has an end portion 326, related to the end 321, which is the upper end when the set of shelves is assembled; the transverse dimensions of said end portion being larger than those of an end portion 327 related to the end 322, which is the lower end when the set of shelves is assembled.

[0060] Furthermore, the median portion 324 is inclined, along a substantially vertical direction, when the set of shelves is assembled, with respect to the relative arrangement of the corresponding plate 315, so as to diverge downwards therefrom.

[0061] A coupling device 311 also comprises a female component, generally designated by the reference numeral 328, which in this case is formed in the upright 312.

[0062] More specifically, in each one of the uprights 312 there is provided a plurality of female components 328 that are arranged in mutual succession along two vertical directions, each direction being related to a corresponding wing of the respective upright 312.

[0063] Each one of the female components 328 is constituted by a slotted hole 329 comprising an insertion section 330, to be arranged upwards, the transverse dimensions whereof being indeed adapted to allow the easy insertion of the bracket 320, the transverse dimensions whereof being also determined by the corresponding teeth 325.

[0064] The slotted hole 329 is shaped so as to taper sharply, starting from the insertion section 330, so as to form an anchoring section 331 in which the teeth 325 perform their fixing action when the bracket 320 is inserted.

[0065] The anchoring section 331 tapers in a linear fashion, in the opposite direction with respect to the insertion section 330, so as to provide interference-fit coupling with a corresponding bracket 320.

[0066] It should also be noted that said interference-fit coupling, in addition to substantially completely eliminating shearing stresses, causes heavy loads placed on a shelf 313 to produce self-locking of the coupling device 311.

[0067] When the set of shelves is assembled, the slotted hole 329 is arranged substantially vertically in its overall longitudinal extension.

[0068] In practice, it has been observed that the present invention has solved the intended aim and objects.

[0069] In particular, it should be noted that the coupling device according to the invention, despite being very simple and quick to assemble and disassemble without damaging its components, ensures stable anchoring to the set of shelves, since it is self-locking when heavy objects are positioned; indeed, said objects, by bearing on the corresponding brackets, increase the interference forces that said brackets perform with the anchoring section.

[0070] The coupling is in fact performed through the action of a double inclination of the components (produced by their arrangement and/or tapered configuration), so that during snap-action coupling between the upright and the shelf there is provided a double intervention of forces acting in mutually perpendicular directions that are at right angles to the insertion direction.

[0071] It should also be noted that the device can be assembled even by unspecialized personnel and that it can be produced with great economy of scale due to the simplicity of the machining operations it entails.

[0072] Another remark regarding the present invention relates to the fact that it entails, due both to its easy and quick production and to its basic structural simplicity, extremely low costs that are in any case competitive with respect to conventional devices.

[0073] The present invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations that are within the scope of the inventive concept; thus, for example, both the male and the female components can be conveniently swapped, according to the element from which they are obtained, with respect to what has been described above.

[0074] The materials and the dimensions may be any according to the requirements.

[0075] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A coupling device for light-duty metal sets of shelves provided with uprights with which the shelves are associated directly, characterized in that it comprises a male component that is formed directly on, or fixed to, a shelf or an upright and is constituted by a bracket in which at least one portion is joined to the element from which it protrudes and has an inclined arrangement with respect to said element, said bracket having a transverse dimension that tapers along the insertion direction of a corresponding and complementarily shaped female component formed directly on the complementary component of the set of shelves or on an element that is fixed thereto.

2. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that said bracket is constituted by a strip that is curved at least proximate to its ends, which are both fixed to the element from which it extends, so that its convex portion protrudes with respect to said element.

3. A coupling device according to claim 2, characterized in that said strip is formed by cutting and plastic deformation from the element from which it protrudes and is arranged approximately vertically when the set of shelves is assembled.

4. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that a median portion of said bracket is substantially flat and that two mutually opposite teeth protrude therefrom.

5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the end portion of said bracket that lies upward when the set of shelves is assembled is transversely larger than the transverse dimensions of a lower end portion arranged opposite to said teeth.

6. A coupling device according to claim 4, characterized in that said median portion is inclined along a substantially vertical direction when the set of shelves is assembled, so as to diverge from the element on which it is formed.

7. A coupling device according to claim 4, characterized in that said female component is constituted by a slotted hole comprising an insertion section and an anchoring section that tapers starting from said insertion section and wherein said teeth perform their fixing action.

8. A coupling device according to claim 7, characterized in that said anchoring section tapers in a linear fashion in the opposite direction with respect to said insertion section, so as to provide an interference-fit coupling with said corresponding bracket.

9. A coupling device according to claim 8, characterized in that said slotted hole is arranged along a vertical axis when the set of shelves is assembled.

10. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that said bracket is constituted by a tab protruding so as to diverge in a cantilevered fashion from the element from which it protrudes, its free edge directed upwards upon assembly being adapted to enter a female component that is constituted by a pocket formed in the element that anchors to the element from which said tab protrudes.

11. A coupling device according to claim 10, characterized in that said tab is formed by cutting and plastic deformation from the element from which it protrudes and is shaped so as to taper towards its free end.

12. A coupling device according to claim 10, characterized in that said pocket is constituted by a strip that is formed by cutting and plastic deformation of the element from which it protrudes, so that its convex portion protrudes towards the outside of said element.

13. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that said bracket is constituted by two vertically arranged symmetrical wings the free edges whereof are opposite to each other and folded so as to diverge from the plane from which they protrude.

14. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that said female component is constituted by a slotted hole lying substantially vertically and having an approximately trapezoidal shape that tapers downwards upon assembly.

15. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises stabilizing elements adapted to interfere with the surface of the element with which the element to which they are fixed is associated.

16. A coupling device according to claim 15, characterized in that said stabilizing elements are constituted by studs, folds, or grooves formed by plastic deformation or by applied contoured clips.

17. Coupling device according to claim 16, characterized in that the element that anchors to the element with which said stabilizing elements are associated is shaped so as to form hollows the internal surfaces whereof cooperate with said stabilizing elements so as to perform stabilization by friction.

18. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that said bracket is formed in a metal plate to be welded to the upright or to the shelf.

19. A coupling device according to claim 18, characterized in that said metal plate is L-shaped, a corresponding one of said brackets being formed at each one of its wings.

20. A coupling device according to claim 18, characterized in that said metal plate is spot-welded to the shelf or upright.

Drawing