US1996515A - Shelf supporting means - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1935. R, F HOWELL l SHELF1 SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Jan. 13, 1933 ATTORNEY drawn from the upright. It will be noted that my brackets not only enable bolts to be eliminated but also permit the adjustment of shelves without any work on the exterior of the frame or withdrawal of any parts therefrom, the brackets being readily shiftable within the frame from one position to another. 1

It will further be seen that my brackets effectively reinforce the shelving and framework. In prior practice, wherein the shelves were secured to the uprights by bolts or clips, it has frequently been found necessary to provide specialreinforcement members in the ends of the shelves. It has been ascertained in this connection that buckling of the .shelves ismost likely to occur in the end portions thereof between the uprights. Through my invention, however, the need for special reinforcingmembers is obviated since the brackets extend between the uprights, and the ends of the shelves rest upon'the brackets. Standard shelves are also frequently provided with return flanges extending inwardly from their flanges for reinforcing purposes, but such return flanges may be omitted when my invention is employed.. Furgether, and that the rigidity of the framework isincreased with increase of the weight applied to the brackets. The extended bearing between the legs 9 and theY uprights I contributes substantially to the prevention of weaving. From Fig. 3 it will also be seen that the edge of each leg portionfS adjacent' the asociated flange l" further serves to limit relative movement between the bracket and frame, and it will be apparentV that' the space between said edge and said flange may be as small as desired; as, for example, by increasing the width of the leg 9.

In the embodiment illustrated, the brackets are shown as of such dimension that when the studs thereof are engaged with a pair of holes 2 in adjacent uprights, the shelf supported thereon is in the same position as though bolted to the holes immediately above the holes engaged by said studs. The relation of the shelf to the holes aforesaid may, of course, be varied if desired. Also, if desired, the shelves at the top and bottom of the uprights may be bolted thereto in the customary manner, and the intermediate shelves supported from the uprights through my brackets 1. Any desired number of intermediate shelves may, of course, be provided depending upon the 'height of the uprights and spacing of the holes 2.

The terms andexpressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various Amodifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

1. Shelving supporting means comprising a y pair of angle uprights having apertures therein,

bracket means for supporting a shelf between `said uprights and comprising a flat bar of metal bent throughout its entire width intermediate its ends to provide a at horizontal shelf-receiving portion, said bar comprising flat portions extending upwardly and downwardly respectively from opposite ends of said horizontal shelfreceiving portion, the downwardly extending portion aforesaid bearing with its flat side against a side of theassociated angle upright, said downwardly extending portion having a projection engaging one of the said apertures in the associated upright, the portion of said projection received in said aperture being of less width than said aperture, and said projection having an extension adapted tooverlie a portion of the upright adjacent said aperture, said downwardly extending portion further projecting below said projection for engagement with a side of said angle upright below said aperture and opposite that engaged by theextension of said projection.

2. Shelving` supporting means as defined by claim 1, wherein said apertures are round holes with its flatjside against a sideV of said angle upright, a projection from said vdownwardly extending portion of said element engaging one of said apertures and provided with an extension adapted to overliea portion of theupright adjacent said aperture,.-said downwardly extending portion further projecting belowv said projection for engagement with a side of said angle upright below Asaid aperture and opposite that .engaged by the extensiontof said projection.

4. Shelving supporting means comprising a Vpair of angle uprights having `apertures therein,

bracket means for supporting a shelf between said uprights, said means comprising downwardly extending members parallel to said uprights and contiguous thereto, each of saidmembers being formed of metal bent throughout its entire width intermediate its ends 'to provide a flat horizontal shelf-receiving portion, each of said members also comprising flat portions extendving upwardly and downwardly respectively from opposite ends of said horizontal shelf-receiving portion, the downwardly extending portion aforesaid bearing with its flat side against a side of the associated angle upright, said downwardly extending portion having'a projection engaging one of the said'apertures in the associated upright, the portion of 'said projection received in said aperture being of less width than said aperture,'and said projection having an extension adaptedv to overlie Va portion of the upright adjacent said aperture, said downwardly extendingiportion further projecting below said projection for engagement with a side of said vangle Vupright below said aperture and opposite that engaged by the extension of said projection.

' REGINALD F. HOWELL.

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