[0001] The present invention concerns a shelving system for warehouses or the like.
[0002] In particular the present invention relates to metallic shelving including vertical
up-rights which support, at a pre-fixed height, a plurality of transversal supporting
elements, capable of being assembled as required, to which it is possible to couple
shelves or the like. This shelving allows the variation, with great facility, of both
the extension thereof in longitudinal and transversal directions, and the distance,
in a vertical direction, between one shelf and another.
[0003] Shelving of this type is used to make big self-carrying warehouses in which the trellis
structure of the shelving supports directly the lateral walls and the overhead covering
of the building.
[0004] This method presents the advantage of reducing the manufacturing costs remarkably
because it makes the best of the available soil surface and the available volume and
additionally eliminates the costs relating to the construction of the building. The
warehouse made in this way must be able to sustain, in addition to the weight of the
stored material, the weight of the covering pre-fab panels, and must also be able
to withstand the external stresses due to, for example, the weight of snow deposited
on the roof or to the force of the wind acting on the covering panels.
[0005] Other prior art shelving is of particular robustness being capable of supporting
such stresses. They are constituted by bolted or welded shoulders made with two identical
pressed steel up-rights connected to each other by diagonals and cross-pieces to which
the stringers are attached. This is a mixed solution in which the cross-pieces and
diagonals are bolted to the up-rights to form the shoulders while the stringers are
attached to the up-rights by means of specially pre-formed brackets.
[0006] The up-rights are substantially "C" shaped and present a plurality of frontal notches
for the attachment of the stringers and of lateral holes for fixing, by means of bolts,
the diagonals and cross-pieces. The section of such up-rights is generally symmetrical
and the notches and lateral holes are equidistant from each other.
[0007] The up-rights constructed in accordance with this prior art technique present therefore,
a multitude of holes and notches which, apart from weakening the structure, are also
the source of uneconomical working residues.
[0008] The connection of the stringers to the up-rights is obtained, in the prior art technique,
by means of an "L" shaped bracket which embraces the vertical up-right on two sides
and that presents a plurality of engaging tongues which are inserted into the frontal
notches of the up-right itself.
[0009] The bracket is generally soldered directly onto the extremity of the stringer but
solutions also exist in which the bracket presents a plug-shaped protrusion which
is inserted into the slotted extremity of the stringer, which protrusion has the same
internal profile.
[0010] The shelving constructed in accordance with prior art techniques however presents
the drawback of not being in itself particularly rigid and robust.
[0011] To rigidify the up-rights, prior art techniques increase the thickness thereof or
the number of folds necessary for the making of said up-rights, envisaging longitudinal
recesses and protrusions both on the frontal part and the lateral parts thereof. Such
recesses or protrusions however present the drawback of taking up space along the
external surface of the up-right, thus reducing the useful bearing surface of the
brackets.
[0012] To rigidify the connection between the bracket and the up-right, prior art techniques
lengthen the bracket to increase the number of engaging tongues inserted into the
notches made on the up-rights, increasing at the same time, the surface of the bracket
resting against the up-right.
[0013] Prior art techniques differ the form of the engaging tongues of the bracket according
to the load which they have to support. In fact, stressing the bracket results in
the highest engaging tongue exerting a traction load on the notch while the lowest
tongue exerts a compressing force on the notch.
[0014] By shaping appropriately both, the sides of the engaging tongues and the form of
the notch, it is possible to limit the rotation of the bracket with respect to the
up-right.
[0015] Prior art techniques also slightly incline a side of the frontal notches of the up-right
with respect to the axis of the up-right itself in such a way that with the increase
of the load the bracket tends to slide downwards and become closer to the up-right
obtaining so an increased connection. This solution requires however, the creation
of notches of increased size further weakening the up-right. A further drawback of
prior art techniques is due to the small bearing surface existing between the base
of each engaging tongue and the base of the corresponding notch.
[0016] It therefore occurs that the engaging tongue and the notch are incised and with the
continued presence over time of the load being sustained, one or the other yields
completely.
[0017] The aim of the present invention, as characterised in the appended claims, is therefore
to eliminate the drawbacks above mentioned by supplying an extremely robust and stable
shelving system which can be made up in a rational and economical manner.
[0018] A further aim of the present invention is to envisage the manufacturing of up-rights
with a minimal thickness with respect to the up-rights of prior art techniques with
the same carrying capacity and overall dimensions.
[0019] A still further aim of the present invention is to ensure a coupling between the
bracket and the up-right bringing the bracket closer to the frontal surface of the
up-right with the increase in the load without deforming the bracket as a result.
[0020] A jet still further aim is to divide the load uniformly on all the engaging tongues
of the same bracket avoiding the formation of dangerous incisions at the same time.
[0021] Finally, an aim of the present invention is to limit the loss of carrying capacity
consequential to the reduction of the useful section due to the presence of frontal
slits and lateral holes carried out in the up-rights.
[0022] A final aim is to make available a coupling between the up-right and the bracket
which does not present anaesthetic and dangerous projections and lumps towards the
exterior of the shelving.
[0023] From a construction point of view, the shelving system, the subject of the present
invention, is characterised by the presence of a vertical groove disposed frontally
on the up-right designed to interact with a corresponding opposing element of the
bracket to avoid the relative rotation between the bracket and the up-right.
[0024] The opposing element can be created analogously to the groove, envisaging a rib along
the length of the bracket or can, more simply, be constituted by small portions jutting
out of the bracket itself.
[0025] Advantageously, a receding central part is envisaged on the frontal surface of the
up-right.
[0026] The brackets preferably present a section including a "U" shaped tract in such a
way that at least three of the internal surfaces thereof rest against the up-right.
[0027] Advantageously the engaging tongues of the brackets present their lower edge inclined
with respect to the plane of the bracket.
[0028] Also advantageously the holes effected laterally on the up-right present a ring-shaped
reinforcement around each of the holes. Such reinforcement is preferably obtained
through drawing.
[0029] Also advantageously, the frontal slits of the up-right are obtained by means of cuts,
deformations and foldings of the metal plate. The slids present a thickness of the
base of the notch greater than the thickness of the up-right, this can be obtained
by folding the lower edge of the slid.
[0030] Thanks to this particular arrangement it is possible to obtain an extremely economical
shelving system which resolves in a safe and compact way the job of sustaining even
very heavy loads. In particular, this solution completely eliminates the material
residues due to the effecting of the holes and slits in the up-right, exploiting instead
such residues to rigidify the structure. Further advantages and characteristics of
the present invention will become more evident in the detailed description which follows,
made with reference to the attached drawings which represent a form of the embodiment
thereof being purely by way of non-limiting example in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the coupling between the up-right and the bracket;
Figure 2 shows a section across the up-right and the bracket;
Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the up-right and the bracket
during the insertion phase;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the bracket;
Figure 5 shows an enlarged detail of one of the engaging tongues of the bracket;
Figure 6 shows the coupling between the up-right and a couple of cross-pieces and
diagonals.
[0031] With reference to the appended drawings 1 denotes a pressed steel up-right the same
being substantially vertical.
[0032] The section of the up-right 1 is substantially "C" shaped and includes a frontal
wall 2 and two lateral walls 3, parallel and symmetrical to each other. The frontal
wall 2 shows a plurality of slits 4 which are mutually spaced.
[0033] A bracket 7 has a bearing surface 8 counter-shaped with respect to a corresponding
portion of the external surface of the up-right 1. The bracket 7 is also fitted with
a plurality of engaging tongues 9 placed on a same vertical plane, capable of being
attached to the slits 4 for the removable coupling of the brackets 7 to the up-right
1.
[0034] The up-right 1 shows, along its frontal wall 2, a couple of grooves 10, parallel
to each other, having a longitudinal development with respect to the axis of the up-right
1 (see Figures 2 and 3).
[0035] The transversal section of each of the grooves 10 is substantially shaped in the
form of a right-angled triangle and one of its bases 15 is placed perpendicularly
to the plane of the frontal wall 2.
[0036] The bracket 7 shows, along its internal surface, corresponding opposing elements
12 shaped as protrusions 13. These protrusions 13, clearly evident in Figures 2 and
3, are formed in the shape of a fin 14 protruding from the plane of the bracket 7.
This configuration presents the notable advantage that it can be carried out in an
extremely simple and economical manner by pressing a part of the surface of the bracket
7 towards the interior. The task of the groove 10 interacting with the protrusion
13 is to stiffen the coupling of the bracket 7 to the up-right 1 avoiding the relative
rotation between the bracket 7 and the up-right 1. In fact, at the first hint of the
rotation of the bracket 7 as a result of a load on a joist 6, the protrusion 13 is
rested on the base 15 of the wall of the groove 10 thus preventing any further rotation.
[0037] The protrusions 13 are placed, in the illustrated example, in correspondence with
the first two engaging tongues 9, towards the top of the bracket 7; as is clearly
visible in Figure 4.
[0038] The frontal wall 2 of the up-right 1 presents a marked recess 20 in the form of a
"U" formed by a base wall 21 and two receding sides 22. The base wall 21 is placed
parallelly to the frontal wall 2 while the sides 22 are placed in such a way as to
form an obtuse angle α with the base 21.
[0039] The slits 4 are placed on the base wall 21 near to the sides 22. Figure 3 shows very
clearly the slit 4 which is obtained by cutting and folding partially downwards the
metal plate of the up-right 1 in such a way as to form a lower edge 23 inclined in
accordance with an acute angle β with the axis of the up-right 1. Figure 5 further
shows the configuration of the slit 4 and of the engaging tongues 9 which show a lower
bearing edge 11 inclined in accordance with the same acute angle β. The lower edge
23 of the slits 4 is therefore folded and inclined towards the interior part of the
up-right 1 in the same angle β ensuring a good sustain to the engaging tongue 9 in
the slit 4.
[0040] In particular it is noted that the lower edge 23 shows a bearing base for the engaging
tongue 9 which is notably greater than the simple thickness d of the material of the
up-right 1.
[0041] This particular configuration of the slit 4 also presents the advantage that it can
be made by drawing.
[0042] The inclined surface of the engaging tongue 9 thus tends to cause the engaging tongue
9 to slide, and with it, the bracket 7, pressing the same against the up-right 1.
[0043] This configuration whereby the engaging tongue 9 rests on an inclined wall avoids
the problem of incisions present when a projection is borne by a flat edge.
[0044] It is therefore extremely important that the lower bearing edge 11 of the engaging
tongue 9 is made and folded with extreme precision to make the best of the whole bearing
surface.
[0045] The folded lower edge 23 of the slit 4 has thus an increased bearing surface and
ensures so that the bearing behaves like a (very rigid) spring which is elastically
deformed according to the load to which it is subjected. This therefore ensures the
uniform distribution of the load on all the engaging tongues 9 of the same bracket
7.
[0046] The brackets 7 present a transversal section substantially shaped in the form of
a squared and elongated "S".
[0047] In this way the bracket 7 embraces the up-right 1 along four of the walls thereof.
[0048] The bracket 7 therefore shows a central wall 16 from which project the engaging tongues
9 which are situated practically in the same plane as the wall 16. This ensures an
excellent distribution of forces from the tongue 9 to the bracket 7.
[0049] In Figure 2 is clearly visible an edge 17 of the bracket 7, slightly folded towards
the exterior, namely the part opposite to the up-right 1 which has the aim of facilitating
the insertion of the bracket 7 in the seat thereof of the up-right 1.
[0050] It is further to be noted that the opposing extremity 18 of the bracket 7 does not
protrude in any way and therefore does not pose any danger for operating staff.
[0051] This configuration of the up-right 1 and of the brackets 7 permits the extremely
effective exploitation of the limited space available on the frontal wall 2 of the
up-right 1 and permits the positioning at the same height, of two facing brackets
7.
[0052] The slight inclination of the side 22 of the recess 20 of the up-right 1 ensures
an excellent contact between the bracket 7 and the up-right 1 and also facilitates
the insertion phase of the bracket 7 on the up-right 1 since it ensures the presence
of a moderate play in the first insertion phase which is then completely recuperated
when the bracket 7 has reached the lower position thereof.
[0053] The up-right 1 also shows a plurality of holes 19 made along the lateral wall 3 for
connection with other up-rights 1. The holes 19 are fitted with a ring-shaped reinforcement
25 in the form of a funnel the same being preferably obtained by means of drawing.
The aim of such ring-shaped reinforcements 25 is substantially not to weaken the lateral
wall 3 of the up-right 1.
[0054] The presence of such reinforcements 25 which does not weaken the lateral wall 3 of
the up-right 1 permits the creation of a lateral recess 26 of wide dimensions which
facilitates the operation of assembling the shelving during which it is necessary
to insert and screw up bolts (not illustrated) or the like into the holes 19 for the
connection with cross-pieces 27 or diagonals 28.
[0055] It is noted therefore, that contrary to what happens with prior art shelving, the
structure of the up-right 1 is not weakened by the presence of lateral holes 19 and
of the frontal slits 4.
[0056] Indeed, the material which would normally be considered as working residue is here
used in an extremely rational way, contributing to the strengthening of the structure
of the shelving.
[0057] For this reason the up-rights 1 made according to the present invention can be made,
with the same dimensions and the same resistance, with thinner materials with respect
to that used in prior art techniques.
[0058] The saving in terms of materials obviously makes itself felt as well in the economical
nature of the solution described here.
[0059] With the present invention it is therefore possible to make extremely robust shelving
in an extremely effective and cheap way.
[0060] The invention is susceptible to numerous variations or changes without falling outside
the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, all details can be replaced by technically
equivalent elements.
1. A shelving system comprising:
- at least one up-right (1) substantially vertical, formed by a frontal wall (2) and
at least one lateral wall (3), presenting along the height thereof a plurality of
mutually spaced slits (4);
- at least one bracket (7) having a surface (8) counter-shaped with respect to a portion
of the external surface of the up-right (1) and also having at least one engaging
tongue (9) capable of being engaged in the slits (4), for the removable coupling of
the bracket (7) to said up-right (1), characterised in that it also comprises stiffening
means (5) operatively connected between the up-right (1) and to the bracket (7), to
avoid the relative rotation between the bracket (7) and the up-right (1).
2. Shelving as in claim 1, characterised in that said rigidifying means (5) include a
groove (10) having a longitudinal development with respect to the axis of the up-right
(1) predisposed to interact with a corresponding opposing element (12).
3. Shelving as in claim 2, characterised in that said groove (10) is obtained along the
frontal wall (2) of the up-right (1) and the opposing element (12) is placed on the
bracket (7).
4. Shelving as in claim 2, characterised in that the opposing element (12) comprises
at least one protrusion (13) obtained in the bracket (7) protruding towards the internal
part of the bracket (7) itself.
5. Shelving as in claim 1, characterised in that the frontal wall (2) of the up-right
(1) shows a receding part (20) on the base thereof being placed the slits (4).
6. Shelving as in claim 5, characterised in that said receding part (20) comprises a
substantially "L" shaped transversal section having a base wall (21) parallel to the
frontal wall (2) and a receding side (22) forming an obtuse angle α with the base
(21).
7. Shelving as in claim 6, characterised in that the bracket (7) comprises a transversal
section substantially "U" shaped so to embrace the up-right (1) along three sides.
8. Shelving as in claim 6, characterised in that the bracket (7) comprises a transversal
section substantially in the form of a squared and elongated "S" embracing the up-right
(1) along four sides.
9. Shelving as in claim 8, characterised in that the bracket (7) comprises a central
wall (16) from which project the engaging tongues (9).
10. Shelving as in claim 1, characterised in that a lower bearing edge (11) of the engaging
tongues (9) is inclined according to an acute angle (β) with respect to the axis of
the up-right (1).
11. Shelving as in claim 10, characterised in that a lower edge (23) of each slit (4)
is inclined in the direction of the internal part of the up-right (1).
12. Shelving as in claim 1, characterised in that a lower edge (23) of each slit (4) is
thicker than the thickness (d) of the up-right (1).
13. Shelving as in claim 1, characterised in that a lower edge (23) of each slit (4) is
folded and inclined towards the interior of the up-right (1).
14. Shelving as in claim 1, characterised in that the up-right (1) presents along the
lateral wall (3) a plurality of holes (19) having a ring-shaped reinforcement (25)
for the connection with other elements (27,28) of the shelving system.
15. Shelving as in claim 14, characterised in that the ring-shaped reinforcement (25)
is obtained by drawing of the up-right (1).