Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The invention relates to a corner structure for
shelving systemsO More specifically, the invention relates to
such a corner structure particularly useful for shelving systems
as described in Canadian Patent 1,030,905, Champagne, 78-05-09.
When mounting removable shelves on corner posts in a
shelvin~ system, the stresses at the corners of the shelves
present problems as discussed in U.S. Patent 3,874,511, Maslow,
April 1, 1975. The Maslow patent teaches one solution to these
problems which is particularly adapted to one type of shelving
system. The solution comprises the use of a corner support,
however, the corner support as taught and claimed in the Maslow
patent is not suitable for mounting on corner posts or for use
in shelving systems as tau'ght and claimed in the'Champagne patent
supra.
- It is therefore an object of the invention to provide'
a corner support which is adapted to the corner posts and
shelving systems of the type taught in the Champagne patent
supraO
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a
corner support for a shelving system: said shelving system
including a corner post at each corner thereof, and a holding
means on each said corner post, each said holding means includ-
ing, at one end thereof, upwardly extending side arms defining
respective, vertically spaced, sets of notches, and at least one
shelf having generally truncated corners and a downwardly depend-
ing portion at at least each corner thereof: said corner support
comprising: a generally triangular shape when seen in top view:
a rear end coextensive with one side of the triangular shape; a
front end coextensive with another side of the triangular
shape, vertically spaced bars disposed across said rear end,
the spacing between said bars corresponding to the spacing
between said sets of notches: and means at said front end for
receiving a respective depending portion at a respective corner
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of said shelf: whereby, each corner support i9 held at and
supported by a respective holding means, and, in turn, holds and
supports a respective corner of said shelf.
The invention will be better understood by an exam-
ination of the following description together with the accom-
panying drawings in which:
Figure 1 i9 an exploded perspective view of the novel
corner support and one corner of a shelving
system in which it is adapted to be used,
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the corner -
support and
Figure 3 is a top view of one corner of an assembled
system. ~-
Figure 1 illustrates a corner support, shown generally
at 1, and a corner post of a shelving system on which the support
is adapted to be used, shown generally at 3. The corner post
includes, as taught in the Champagne patent, a plurality of
spaced indentations 5. The detachable part 7 of a holding means,
as taught in the patent, includes mating protrusions 9. Ex-
tending from 7 at one end thereof are upwardly extending sidearms 11 defining respective notches 13. As can be seen, the
notches are horizontally spaced to define sets of notches, and
the sets are vertically spaced.
Referring to Figure 2, the rear end of the corner
support comprises means for engaging the holding means on the
corner posts. In the Figure 2 embodiment, the means are horiz-
ontally extending bars 15 disposed in vertically extending slots
17. The spacing between slots 17 corresponds to the horizontal
spacing of the notches. The bars are vertically spaced by a
distance equal to the vertical spacing between the sets of
notches 13, and the bars are adapted to be disposed in respective
notches to thereby be held at and supported by the holding means
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on the corner posts. As will be apparent, a separate corner
support will be placed at each corner of the shelving system and
each corner support will be held and supported at each corner in
the same way as illustrated herein.
The corner support 1 is of generally triangular shape
when seen in top view, and it includes portions 16 adjacent
the rear end thereof which portions 16 are thickened in the
vertical dimension of the support. The thickened portions are
to provide extra strength at the portions of maximum stress.
Groove 19 extends horizontally across the front face of
the corner support between spaced lips 24 as shown in Figure
2. The groove 19 consists of end indentations 21 separated by
a flat surface 22. Screw hole 23 is centrally located in the
flat surface 22.
Also forming a part of the corner support is clamping
member 25. The clamping member includes inwardly inclined end
portions 27 separated by flat central portion 29. Hole 31 is
centrally located in portion 29.
The corner support is adapted to support a shelf 33,
only a corner of which is shown in Figures 1 and 3. As seen
in these Figures, each corner of the shelf is of generally trun-
cated shape, and the shelf includes a downwardly depending skirt
portion 34. Extending from the truncated ends of each corner
are protrusions 35 which are adapted to mate with indentalions
21 as seen in Figure 3. The protrusions are separated by flat
surface 37 which includes centrally located hole 39.
When assembled, as shown in Figure 3, holes 31, 39
and 23 line up as do also portions 27, 35 and 21 and 29, 37
and 22. Screw 41 passes through the holes 31 and 39 and is
screwed into the screw hole 23. The engagement of the end
portions 27, 35 and 21 adds strength to the shelf at the corners
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thereof, i.e., the points of maximum stress.
Several modifications could be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention. Thus, instead of vertical
slots 17 at the rear of the support, the bars 15 could be dis-
posed in a horizontal groove which would extend all the way
across the rear of the support, although the illustrated
arrangement is preferred as it is stronger and sturdier. In
addition, the edges of the indentations 21 could be rounded
instead of having a pointed edge as shown. In this case, the
edges of 35 would be similarly rounded.
Thus, although a single embodiment has been discussed,
this was for the purpose of illustrating, but not limiting the
invention. Various modifications, which will come readily
to the mind of one skilled in the art, are within the scope of
the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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