Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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A track assembly for mobile shelving
The present invention relates to a track assembly for mobile shelving units
and, in
particular, to a hollow profile track assembly having superior stiffness
characteristics and
improved levelling and anti-tilt means associated therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mobile shelving systems typically comprise a plurality of shelving units which
are
equipped with rollers to traverse along spaced apart tracks, each individual
shelf unit being a tall
and narrow structure having an array of horizontal shelves.
The overall design and configuration of existing track extrusions is fraught
with
problems. Firstly, such tracks typically include a plurality of exposed
external edges and
protrusions which pose a safety risk in the form of a tripping hazard to
persons stepping over the
track. Such protrusions are also visually unappealing. These problems are
exacerbated when side
ramps are not installed. Secondly, the strength and stiffness characteristics
of existing tracks are
often not desirable, particularly when the shelving units supported there
above are of a
significant weight. Thirdly, existing track extrusions are not well designed
as they involve
external joining methods which often require glue and fit fasteners to be used
with high
precision. Significant amounts of material are also used in their manufacture,
resulting in
significant expense.
There exist fixed mobile shelf covers for addressing some of these issues,
however, they
typically require the track to be fixed to the floor. Fixed mobile shelving
tracks have a number of
inherent problems, including damage caused to the floor, the inability to re-
use or re-locate the
tracks, as well as further disadvantages in respect of additional costs and
additional installation
time.
A further known problem with existing shelving, and their engagement with the
tracks, is
that when heavy items are placed on the higher shelves the structure becomes
unstable. This
instability, combined with the shelving unit being subjected to uneven lateral
forces whilst being
moved, can result in them toppling over in the direction of movement. Such
occurrences can
result in extensive damage to the shelf and surrounding property, as well as
harm to persons
located within the vicinity of the shelf. Anti-tilt devices have been
implemented and used on
mobile shelving systems to prevent shelving units from toppling over. However,
prior art devices
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known to the present inventor present a number of problems. One such problem
is that they are
often mounted above the shelving units, or on or near the track, in a visually
unappealing, and
again, obtrusive manner.
Finally, existing means of adjusting the height of mobile shelving tracks is
cumbersome
and often not practical. Traditionally, track height adjustment means in the
form of stackable
shims are visually unappealing, and difficult and laborious to install. This
is because the tracks
need to be raised for the correct number of shims to be placed there under.
Furthermore, the
installation of mobile shelving systems requires that the tracks are laid and
adjusted before the
mobile shelving units are installed. After this installation set up, the
tracks often require re-
adjustment. The prior art methods of adjustment do not allow for quick and
simple re-
adjustment.
There is therefore a need for an improved track assembly for mobile shelving
systems
which is relatively cheap to manufacture and assemble, is unobtrusive whilst
maintaining a
superior stiffness, and which has an improved levelling and anti-tilt means.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some
of the
aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a track extrusion for
mobile
shelving, said track extrusion characterised by a longitudinally extending
hollow region inside
the track extrusion configured to receive a joining means at a longitudinal
end thereof and
thereby facilitate the unobtrusive joining of said track extrusion with a
further mobile shelving
component The track hollow profile provides for increased strength and
stiffness characteristics
as well as allowing for robust yet unobtrusive track joining.
Preferably said track extrusion is substantially triangular in cross section
and has a central
upper channel extending between two diagonally extending external walls, and
two hollow
regions disposed on transverse sides of said central channel and below the
external walls, said
two hollow regions adapted to receive two joining means.
Preferably said further mobile shelving component is in the form of a second
track
extrusion, and said joining means is in the form of an elongate joining pin
having a first end
adapted to be received and locked in the hollow region of said track
extrusion, and a second end
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adapted to extend longitudinally outwardly from said track extrusion to be
received in the hollow
region of said second track extrusion.
In preference each joining pin is lockable in each track extrusion hollow
region using at
least one locking bolt adapted to engage coaxially aligned apertures extending
through the
joining pin and a lowermost surface associated with the hollow region, from
the underside of the
track extrusion.
Preferably said locking pin apertures are positioned such that when two track
extrusions
are joined together, they abut at their ends and thereby form flush diagonally
extending external
walls.
In preference said track assembly further includes one or more packers adapted
to sit
beneath the joint between the first and second track extrusions, wherein the
height of the joint is
determined by the number of packers therebeneath.
Preferably each packer is rectangular and is adapted to sit longitudinally
beneath said
joint.
In preference said track extrusion includes an outwardly extending body on one
side
thereof for supporting further mobile shelving components, in which case said
packer is
rectangular and adapted to sit transversely beneath the joint
Preferably each packer includes a 3x2 matrix of apertures, and a means of
engaging an
adjacently stacked packer. In preference the apertures of an uppermost packer
are positioned and
configured to accommodate head portions of said locking bolts.
In a further aspect of the invention the mobile shelving component is in the
form of an
end bracket, and said joining means is in the form of at least one elongate
joining pin integrally
formed with said end bracket and adapted to be received and locked in the
hollow region of said
track extrusion.
Preferably each joining pin is lockable in each track extrusion hollow region
using at
least one locking bolt adapted to engage coaxially aligned apertures extending
through the
joining pin and a lowermost surface associated with the hollow region, from
the underside of the
track extrusion.
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In preference said locking pin apertures are positioned such that when the end
bracket is
joined to the track extrusion, it abuts with the track extrusion end.
In preference said track assembly further includes one or more packers adapted
to sit
beneath the end of the track, wherein the height of the joint is determined by
the number of
packers therebeneath.
Preferably each packer is rectangular and is adapted to sit longitudinally
beneath the track
end.
Preferably each packer includes a 3x2 matrix of apertures, and a means of
engaging an
adjacently stacked packer.
In preference the apertures of an uppermost packer are positioned and
configured to
accommodate head portions of said locking bolts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of
this
specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and,
together with the
description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a mobile shelving track
and runner assembly,
in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates an underside perspective view of the mobile
shelving track and runner
assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the mobile shelving track and runner
assembly of Figure
1;
Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the mobile shelving track and runner
assembly of Figure
1;
Figure 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the runner and cross
members forming part of
the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of Figure 1;
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Figure 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the runner and
cross members shown
in Figure 5;
Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the track forming part
of the mobile shelving
track and runner assembly of Figure 1;
5 Figure 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the track shown
in Figure 7;
Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a track end stop bracket
forming part of the
mobile shelving track and runner assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of the mobile shelving
track and runner assembly
of Figure 1, without the cross members attached; and
Figure 11 illustrates the cross sectional view of Figure 10 showing the way
in which the
ramp section is mounted to the track.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying
drawings.
Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are
possible, and
changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the
spirit and scope
of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the
drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.
Whilst the present invention is directed specifically towards a track assembly
for mobile
shelving, other components which form part of a complete mobile shelving
system according to
a preferred embodiment of the invention are also described.
A track and runner assembly 10 for mobile shelving is shown in Figures 1-4.
The
assembly 10 comprises one or more longitudinal tracks 12 according to the
present invention, a
longitudinal runner 14 configured to slideably engage each track 12 and to
support a shelving
unit (not shown), otherwise known as a compactus, thereabove, and transverse
cross members 16
for connecting two or more runners 14 together. A typical shelving unit is
adapted to be mounted
above two runners 14 slideable along two tracks 12 which are spaced apart by a
distance
corresponding approximately with the length of the shelving unit.
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The runner 14 is shown most clearly in Figures 5-6. The runner 14 is
substantially in the
form of an inverted U-shaped extrusion, having a primary channel 18 extending
there along
adapted to accommodate one or more roller cartridges 20, and four slots 22,
24, 26 and 28
extending along right, left and top sides thereof. In particular, slot 22
extends along the left side
of the runner 14, slot 24 extends along the right side, and slots 26 and 28
extend along the upper
side of the runner 14. The slots 22, 24, 26 and 28 are preferably in the form
of T-slots, shaped
like so to accommodate square nuts 30 having internal threads. This provides
for fast, versatile
construction because the nut 30 provides an anchor point for external items at
any point along
the runner 14.
Once the nut 30 is moved to a desired position, the item, which typically
includes a
mounting aperture 32, is moved into position so that the aperture 32 and nut
30 become coaxially
aligned. A screw 34 is used to extend through the aperture 32, through the
slot 22, 24, 26 or 28,
and into the nut 30 for threaded engagement therewith. Extending centrally
along the top of the
primary channel 18 is a further slot 36 providing a further mounting means for
the roller
cartridges 20 and end brackets 38, as will become apparent.
The runner 14 has been designed so that no additional post-processing of the
extrusion is
required after it has been cut, i.e. no drilling, slotting, etc.
The description in the following paragraphs relate to examples of items which
are
mountable to the runner 14. Some of these are necessary items, for example,
the transverse cross
members 16, but others are not necessarily essential, such as a locking
bracket 40 for example. It
is to be understood that other items which are not shown and described herein,
could also be
mounted to the runner 14, for example, sensors (not shown), motors (not
shown), mechanical
drive devices, and the like.
Mounted above the runner 14 are one or more clips 42 configured for engagement
with a
corresponding receiving means located beneath the shelving unit, such as a
correspondingly
shaped aperture (not shown), for example. Clip 42 includes a mounting portion
44 having a
mounting aperture 46 extending there through, and a second portion 48
upstanding from the
mounting portion 44 and doubled over for engagement with the corresponding
receiving means.
The clips 42 are fixed to the runner 14 using a screw 34 adapted to extend
through aperture 32 to
thereby engage a nut 30 located within slot 28, as described above. In the
embodiment shown,
there are two spaced apart clips 42 for each runner 14.
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Two cross members 16 are adapted to extend between runners 14 on spaced apart
tracks
12 to provide the required support for each shelving unit. The cross members
16 are in the form
of substantially I-shaped extrusions having slots 50, 52 and 54 on left side,
right side and top
sides thereof, respectively. In preference the slots 50, 52 and 54 are also
substantially in the form
of T-slots engageable by screw/nut connections as described above, when
mounting external
items thereto.
Each cross member 16 is coupled to the runner 14 using hollow, triangular
shaped
brackets 56 at the junction therebetween. The perpendicular walls of the
bracket 56 include
outwardly extending projections 58 being shaped to fit snugly within the side
slots 52 and 22 of
both the cross member 16 and the runner 14 respectively. The projections 58
are ribbed to
facilitate insertion through the slots and so that any impact loads on the
bracket 56 are reduced.
Also located on the perpendicular walls of the bracket 56 are mounting
apertures 32. The
mounting apertures 32 on the bracket 56 are positioned to fix the cross member
16 in a
perpendicular arrangement relative to the runner 14, that is, each
perpendicular wall of the
bracket 56 is mounted to the cross member 16 and runner 14 respectively.
Again, nuts 30 and
screws 34 are preferably used for connecting the respective components.
In order for the runner 14 and hence the shelving unit to be slideable along
the track 12,
the runner 14 must also include means of housing the roller cartridges 20
mentioned above. The
present invention provides that the primary channel 18 of the runner 14
accommodates one or
more roller cartridges 20.
Each roller cartridge 20 is also of an inverted U-shaped configuration and of
a size to fit
inside the runner primary channel 18. The top side of the cartridge 20
includes two spaced apart
mounting apertures 32, so that when the cartridge 20 is positioned in a
desired location along the
channel 18, it can be secured using self-tapping screws 34 extending through
the apertures 32
and into slot 36. Such a configuration means that the rollers may be fitted to
the runner 14
without the need for drilling. Typically, each shelving unit will include a
roller at longitudinal
ends of each runner 14, however, there may be circumstances where more are
required, and the
runner channel 18 may accommodate for this.
The roller cartridge 20 includes larger, co-axially aligned apertures 60
extending through
its side walls. A pin 62 which extends through the apertures is used to
maintain a roller 69 inside
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the cartridge 20. The roller 69 is rotatable about the pin 62 and allows the
runner 14 and hence
the shelving unit to move relative to the track 12, as will become apparent
Also mountable to the runner 14 are end brackets 38 as mentioned. Not only are
the end
brackets 38 used to cap off the ends of the runner 14, they are configured to
prevent the shelving
unit from tilting. Each end bracket 38 is in the form of a rigid housing
having an internal
structure which corresponds substantially in shape with the cross section of
the runner extrusion,
so that it may engage an end thereof. A self-tapping screw 34 is used to fix
the end bracket 38 in
place, the screw 34 extending through an uppermost aperture 32 of the bracket
38, and into the
runner slot 36. At the base of the end bracket 38 are two transversely
extending shoulders 64
which when engaged with the track (as described below), are designed to
prevent the shelving
unit from toppling over. The end bracket 38 therefore constitutes the anti-
tilt means of the
assembly 10.
The track 12 of the present invention is shown in Figures 7-8 in particular.
It can be seen
that the track 12 is also made up of an extruded length of metal and includes
a hollow profile.
The track 12 comprises generally a base 66, internal walls 68, 70, 72 and 74,
and external walls
76 and 78 which are each integrally formed. The external walls 76 and 78 at
upper ends of the
track 12 extend a short distance inwardly, past internal walls 70 and 72. The
base 66 and the
external walls 76 and 78 form a substantially triangular cross-sectional
shape, however, because
the external walls fall short of meeting at an apex, they define a central
channel 80 extending
along the track 12.
The internal geometry of the track 12, in particular the high, hollow profile,
allows for
robust but unobtrusive track joining, and should remove the need for
installers to use glue and fit
fasteners with high precision, as will become apparent.
The inside surface of internal walls 70 and 72 are shaped to perform two
functions.
Firstly, at a lowermost region of the channel 80, the internal walls 70 and 72
define a V-shaped
guide 82, which is the surface upon which the rollers 69 are supported. The
rollers 69 engage the
guide 82 centrally with both edges of the roller 69 contacting the guide. The
weight of the
shelving unit on the roller retains it in the desired position, and allows
sufficient friction for it to
rotate smoothly across the guide. In order to prevent wear, and to strengthen
the guide, retaining
beads (not shown) retain crinoline strips, generally made of steel, along the
V-shaped guide 82.
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Secondly, disposed above the V-shaped guide 82 are opposed recesses 84 for
accommodating shoulders 64 associated with the end bracket 38. Those skilled
in the art would
realise that when the assembled runner 14 is positioned above the track 12,
with the shelving unit
supported thereabove, any lateral movement of the shelving unit would be
restricted by the
shoulders 64, because they are prevented from upward movement by the upper
ends of the
external walls 76 and 78. Accordingly, tilting of the shelving units is
prevented. This is
particularly important when the shelving units have significant weight on the
top shelves making
them prone to such movement.
Between internal walls 68 and 70, and internal walls 72 and 74, hollow regions
86 are
defined. The hollow regions 86 are adapted to accommodate joining pins 88
which are used to
join two track ends together. The hollow regions 86 also accommodates pins 90
associated with
an end stop bracket 92 of the track 12. Therefore, the end stop bracket 92 is
mounted to the end
of the track 12 using two joining pins 90 associated therewith, while for
joining two segments of
track 12 together, individual joining pins 88 are used, as shown in Figure 1.
In both cases, the joining pins 88 and 90 include a plurality of apertures 94
spaced apart
there along, and are adapted to be inserted into the hollow regions 86 of the
track 12 until they
are in co-axial alignment with apertures 96 extending through the base 66 of
the track 12. Self-
tapping screws 34 are once again used to engage the coaxial apertures and
thereby secure the
components together.
The end stop bracket 92, as its name suggests, is adapted to be mounted to the
end of a
track 12. For example, there could be three or four track segments joined to
form a single track,
wherein the two endmost track segments include end stop brackets 92 for
preventing the runner
14 from travelling beyond the tracks. An enlarged view of the end stop bracket
92 is shown in
Figure 9 and it can be seen that it comprises a substantially triangular
shaped housing 98, joining
pins 90 extending outwardly from an internal bracket plate 100, and a stop
portion 102 extending
between the pins 90 and into channel 80 when the bracket 92 is mounted to the
track 12.
The stop portion 102 includes a plurality of ribs 104 which provide an
elastomeric buffer
for reducing impact loads. Shelving units when moved generate a significant
amount of force
due to their weight and therefore require that the track end stops be robust
enough to dampen
such force upon impact The end stop bracket 92 also includes anti-tilt
shoulders 106 as per the
runner end brackets 38.
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The height of the track 12 also needs to be maintained level along its length.
It is also
preferable for the height of the track 12 to also be easily adjustable even
after assembly. One or
more packers 108 shown most clearly in Figure 2 and the cross sectional views,
are used to
achieve this. Each packer 108 is substantially rectangular in shape and
includes a 3x2 matrix of
5 apertures 110 extending there through. One row of three apertures 110 of
the packer 108
includes elevated square surrounding portions 112. The adjacent row of three
apertures 110
include locating means 111 for engaging the elevated square surrounding
portions 112 of a
second packer 108 positioned therebeneath. Each adjacently stacked packer 108
is rotated by 180
degrees relative to the other.
10 One or more packers 108 (depending on the desired height) are adapted to
sit beneath the
joining pins 90 at the ends of the track 12, as well as beneath the joining
pins 88 at one or more
joints between track segments. The apertures 110 are designed to accommodate
the head
portions of the self-tapping screws 34 which engage the joining pins 88 and
90. Those skilled in
the art would realise that any number of stacked packers 108 could be added or
removed to
increase or decrease the height of a particular section of track 12.
A further advantage to the improved stiffness characteristics of the track
extrusion is that
it allows for wider spacing of the packers 108 along the track 12.
The assembly 10 includes a plurality of optionally attachable ramp sections
114. These
are used to provide a smooth surface over the track 12 and prevent the track
12 from forming a
tripping hazard. Each ramp section 114 includes a substantially rectangular
body 116 having a
hook section 118 at one end thereof, and a straight edge 120 at the opposed
end adapted to lie
substantially flush with the ground when assembled. The ramp section body 116
includes a
plurality of ribs 122 on its upper surface for gripping purposes. There are
reinforcing members
124 positioned below the body 116 which are advantageous because they reduce
the overall
weight of the ramp section and maintain strength. The hook section 118 extends
downwardly
from the body 116, then inwardly and upwardly with respect to the track 12.
The track extrusion is also designed to accommodate the ramp sections 114.
Turning now
to Figures 10-11, between the lower end of the external walls 76 and 78, and
the internal walls
68 and 74 respectively, there are defined receiving channels 125 for engaging
the hook section
118 of each ramp section 114. In particular, each ramp section 114 is
configured to engage the
receiving channels 125 by way of a rotatable snap-fit. Figure 12 illustrates
this process, whereby
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the hook section 118 is inserted into the receiving channel 125 and then urged
upwardly while
rotating edge 120 of the body downwardly until the hook section 118 is snap-
fit in place. This
ramp pivot geometry is designed to allow removal and refitting of ramps (for
re-levelling
purposes) without having to lift up or up-end the track 12.
A rubber tube 126 is also inserted between the rounded end of the external
walls 76 and
78 and the junction between the downwardly and inwardly extending surfaces of
the hook
section 118. The tube 126 provides a down-force and minimises ramp "kick-up"
which could
create a tripping hazard. A further advantage to the rubber tube 126 is that
it also acts as a
flexible joiner, assisting in handling and simultaneous fitting of multiple
ramp sections to the
track 12.
The ramps are optional as the track extrusion has been designed to be
aesthetic and safe
even if used without ramps 114.
Finally, the runner 14 is able to be locked at different positions along the
track 12. A
locking bracket 40 is shown in the drawings which is also engageable to an
upper slot 28 of the
runner 14, as well as the side slots, by means described above. The locking
bracket 40 includes a
housing 128 mounted to the runner 14, the housing 128 defining a vertical
chamber extending
downwardly alongside the runner 14 to the track 12. The chamber includes a
vertical aperture
130. When the shelving unit is to be locked, the runner is moved along the
track 12 until the
vertical aperture 130 becomes co-axially aligned with an aperture 132 that has
been pre-drilled
into the track 12. Once aligned, a locking pin 134 can be inserted through the
co-axially aligned
apertures 130 and 132, into the hollow region 86 where it rests on the base
66, thereby locking
the runner 14 to the track 12.
A jig 136 is provided for forming the pre-drilled apertures 132 in the track
12. The jig
136 is an elongate structure mountable to the track 12 in a transverse
arrangement as shown in
Figure 1. The jig 136 includes a downwardly extending section 138 at its
centre which extends
inside channel 80, as well as downwardly extending sections 140 at ends
thereof which abut with
the external walls 76 and 78 of the track 12. On opposed ends of the jig 136
are apertures 144
and 146.
The jig 136 is first adapted to be mounted to the track 12 so that aperture
144 is
positioned over a desired point to be drilled. The purpose of this smaller
aperture 144 is to mark
the track 12 with a suitable tool (not shown), the mark acting as a locating
guide for a drill bit or
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the like used to drill a hole through the track 12. The jig 136 is then
demounted from the track
12, rotated by 180 degrees, and mounted to the track 12 again so that the
larger aperture 146
extends over the marked point. A drill (not shown) can then be used to drill a
hole through the
track 12 where marked.
It is to be understood that the design of some of the components shown and
described
could change where necessary. For example, where there is a mechanical driving
means
associated with the runner, one of the track external walls 78 would extend a
greater distance
outwards from the channel 80 and include a flat upper surface (not shown) for
accommodating a
drive wheel (not shown). Such a track would therefore include a further hollow
region 86. In
such circumstances, the same packers 108 could be used but simply rotated by
90 degrees so that
instead of extending longitudinally relative to the track 12, it would extend
transversely.
In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where
the context
requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word
"comprising" is
used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be
associated with further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
