Expandable, large capacity, computer printout storage rack with work surface
United States Patent [191 Clark et al.  
 [ Apr. 29, 1975 EXPANDABLE. LARGE CAPACITY,  
 COMPUTER PRINTOUT STORAGE RACK WITH WORK SURFACE [75] Inventors: John P. Clark. Elmhurst; Frank .1.  
 Malcik. Berwyn; Jack H. Michaelis. Elmhurst. all of ill.  
 [73] Assignec: Swingline. lnc., Long Island City,  
  221 Filed: Feb. 16, 1973 211 Appl.No.:333,339  
 [52] US. Cl. l08/ll4; BIZ/257 SK [5i 1 Int. Cl A47b 3/00 [58] Field of Search IDS/114, 64, 89; 3lZ/257 AC. 257 SK. l08. ll l; 311/46, 148  
 I56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS &#39;-)7I 7l)7 lU/l9lU Waters [UH/l l4 l.96h &#39;-)28 7/l934 HIS/64 1.529.649 ll/IQSK) 108/] I4 2.875.008 2/l959 108/64 3.l73.385 3/l965 ltlS/ll-l X 3.332.374 7/l967 Ferdinand et al Zl l/l4i&#39;l 3.5U6 l38 4/l970 Travis 2| l/l48 3506,!38 4/l970 Travis v 2i l/l48 3.630387 iii/1973 Wehener 2| H46 31155.59 4/]972 Held 2| l/l48 3.7291199 4/l973 Kritske .i 2] H46 3.734.032 5/I973 Kouachk 2! H148 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 847.757 7/l970 Canada 3|2/265 l.l8(1.503 4/1970 United Kingdom 3 Ill/265 Primary Examiner- Paul R. Gilliam Allnrm), Agent, or Firm-Pennie &amp; Edmonds [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a filing rack for supporting bound volumes of loose-leaf sheets and the like in suspended condition on parallel supporting cross pieces which together with an array of hollow uprights define the rack structure. The rack is horizontally expandable in any direction to conform to virtually any space layout requirements. The rack is also provided with a specially constructed means for mounting a top structure such as a work shelf atop each of the various rack sections in a neat and convenient manner.  
 4 Claims. 11 Drawing Figures EXPANDABLE, LARGE CAPACITY, COMPUTER PRINTOUT STORAGE RACK WITH WORK SURFACE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to free standing selfsupporting filing cabinets and racks for the storage and retrieval of bound volumes of printed information such as business records, computer print-out data sheets and other records susceptible to binding in individual volumes. More particularly, this invention relates to filing racks of the type in which bound volumes can be supported independently of each other in a cabinet or rack which permits the volumes to be individually removed by sliding each laterally out of the storage cabinet or rack.  
  Presently available filing rack constructions of the type described are for the most part elaborate in construction, costly and relatively difficult to assemble. Also. such racks are commonly custom built to satisfy the existing layout and space requirements of a particular customer. Often such filing racks or cabinets are complexly assembled or they are heavy and bulky and do not admit of easy removal or relocation in the event that space and/or layout requirements should change. Moreover, many filing racks commonly in use have a fixed storage capacity and configuration and thus do not generally lend themselves to convenient expansion or reduction of existing capacity or to a change in configuration by the user without undertaking costly and time consuming replacement of the existing unit with a new one. The present invention was conceived in an effort to construct a filing rack which would overcome the drawbacks of existing filing rack or cabinet constructions.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A filing rack constructed according to the teachings of the present invention includes an array of hollow uprights and a plurality of cross-pieces extending in a predetermined pattern between the uprights with the uprights and cross-pieces being connected together into a self-supporting unitary structure by male and female connection means. In the presently preferred construction the array includes at least two spaced apart rows each having a plurality of spaced apart uprights with the uprights in each row being disposed opposite the uprights in a parallel row; the uprights of each row and the oppositely disposed uprights of parallel rows being interconnected at various vertical levels by the crosspieces extending perpendicularly to the uprights to form a series of open compartments. With the aid of suitable holding means supported by selected crosspieces in each compartment so formed, bound volumes may be conveniently stored and retrieved. The mating male and female connector means of the presently preferred construction is disposed internally of the hollow uprights and each cross-piece consists of a round rod with one end formed with male threads and the other end formed with female threads. With this arrangement, the uprights in each row are tied together at each level to form the rack simply by consecutively connecting the female end of one rod to the male end of another rod inside one of the uprights; the meeting rod ends extending from opposite directions into the uprights through a pair of aligned holes formed in opposite sides of the upright. To prevent movement of the uprights relative to the connecting rods, the meeting ends of adjoining rods are provided with shoulders which engage the exterior surface of the respective upright when the meeting ends are matingly joined.  
  According to the present invention the tiling rack is further provided with a specially constructed means for mounting a top structure as, for example. a table top shelf or working surface. This means, in construction. includes a plug member which may be press fitted into the upper end of all or selected uprights in the rack. The plug member carries a pin means by which the top structure can be quickly and conveniently attached and detached to the rack structure. In the construction shown herein, this pin means includes a dowel which is receivable in a centrally located hole in the plug member and an appropriately located hole in the top structure. In the event the top structure is formed in adjoining sections, the plug member may, according to this invention. be equipped with a laterally extending portion mounting a second dowel receivable in an appropriately located hole in the undersurface of the top structure section adjoining the top structure section positioned directly atop the plug member. In the event two or more top structure sections adjoin the section mounted directly atop the plug member, an equal number of laterally extending portions may be included to provide individual support for each of the adjoining top structure sections.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a multi-compartment rack structure according to the present invention showing a manner in which bound volumes of records can be stored therein and a manner in which they can be retrieved therefrom.  
  FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view. partially broken away, showing in more detail the structural aspects of a suitable suspension system which may be mounted on the rack structure of this invention for the purpose of supporting the bound volumes.  
  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single compartment rack structure according to the present invention.  
  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rack structure shown in FIG. 1 but with the bound volumes removed to more clearly show the structural features of the rack.  
  FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but showing additional rack sections each having a separate top structure adjoining the top structure of the main section of the rack.  
  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an outside corner upright of the rack shown in FIG. I.  
  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 7-7 in FIG. 4 showing the junction between an upright and the two commonly directed cross-pieces extending thereinto.  
  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the circled area 8 in FIG. 5 showing the joint between two commonly directed adjoining top structure sections of the rack.  
  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of circled area 9 in FIG. 5 showing a joint structure between two perpendicularly diverging top structure sections which adjoin a common top structure section of the rack.  
  FIG. I0 is a bottom perspective view of the plug member utilized in the joint structure shown in FIG. 8.  
  FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the plug member used in the joint structure shown in FIG. 9.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference initially to FIG. 1, the rack structure shown includes a plurality of storage compartments formed by an array of uprights 8 and interconnected cross-pieces 9. Each compartment holds a plurality of bound volumes 3 of computer printout sheets 4 containing data or other information. As shown, each of the bound volumes 3 is supported in a hanging condition by a suspension system 5 which, in turn, is supported on parallel cross-pieces of the rack structure as shown. The suspension system 5 shown in the drawings is of the type which permits each bound volume to be removed from its compartment in the rack structure by sliding it longitudinally in a direction parallel to its spine; two volumes being shown partially removed from the rack. The suspension system 5 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 wherein it will be seen that it includes a first elongated support member 6 which is mounted on parallel crosspieces 9a, 9b of the rack structure. The suspension system further includes a second elongated support member 6a which is slidable within an open ended channel 7 formed in support member 6. The suspension system forms no part of the present invention and is shown in the drawings only for the purpose of illustrating a manner in which a rack structure constructed according to the present invention may be usedv The suspension system is the subject matter ofa commonly assigned copending US. Pat. application, Ser. No. l4l,l83, filed May 7, I971; reference being hereby made to said copending application for a more detailed description of the suspension system.  
  With reference now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that a filing rack constructed according to the present invention includes, as mentioned previously, a plurality of square hollow uprights 8 and cross-pieces 9 consisting of round rods in the constructions shown in the draw ings. In the construction shown, uprights 8 are arranged in parallel rows with uprights in each row disposed opposite to the uprights in the parallel row. The crosspieces extend the uprights perpendicularly with respect to the uprights and are located at various vertical levels depending upon the quantity and size of the compartments to be formed. As shown, the rack in FIG. 1 has nine rectangular compartments.  
  As is best shown in FIG. 7, each cross-piece has a male and female end, the male end is reduced in diameter and provided with external threads 10. The female end is bored and provided with internal threads 11. The male and female ends of the cross-pieces extend into one of the uprights through an appropriate located hole in the respective upright. As shown in FIG. 7, the uprights and cross-pieces are connected together into a unitary self-supporting structure by mating the male end of one cross-piece to the female end of an adjacent commonly directed cross-piece internally of the respective upright; entry of the cross-piece ends into the upright being provided by a pair of aligned holes 13 formed opposite each other in the upright wall. For example. the male end of cross-piece 9a is matingly joined to the female end of cross-piece 9h inside up right 8a; cross-pieces 9a, 9b extending from opposite directions into upright 80 through aligned holes 13a. 13b formed in opposite sides of upright 8a. As also shown in FIG. 7, the end of each crosspiece is provided with a shoulder 12 (e.g., shoulders 12a, 13b on cross-pieces 9a, 9b respectively) which engages the external surface of the respective upright when the meeting ends of adjacent cross-pieces are matingly threaded together as shown. These shoulders ensure a firm connection between the upright and the adjacently dis posed meeting cross-pieces.  
  The cross-pieces extending into a corner upright is secured thereto by essentially the same male and female connection means just described; the only difference being the male or female connection, as the case may be, for a particular cross-piece is formed by a stub rod 14 which is provided with the appropriate male or female threads. As shown in FIG. 6, the male stub rod 14a is provided with a screw driver slot 14c in its head 14b to facilitate its connection to the female end of the meeting cross-piece 90. Although not shown in the view of FIG. 6, the female stub rod 14c is similarly provided with a screw driver slot to facilitate its connection with the male end of connecting piece 9e. The stub rods are also used at any other place in the rack where it is inappropriate to join two full length crosspieces together. as for example at the joint between cross-piece 9d and upright 8a in FIG. 4.  
  Each of the rack constructions shown in the drawings is equipped with base plates 16 secured in place be tween adjacent uprights by means of nuts 16a and bolts 16b extending through aligned holes in the respective uprights and end plate 16(- of each base plate. The base plates provide a greater degree of stability to the entire rack structure than would otherwise be provided in their absence and they enhance the appearance of the rack. In the single-compartment construction shown in FlG. 3, each upright is equipped with a caster 17 to provide portability.  
  The rack structure shown in FIGS. and 4 is provided with a single piece top structure consisting of a flat shelf 20. For purposes of connecting shelf 20 to the upper ends of the hollow uprights 8, a specially constructed connector means is provided. This means includes, as best shown in FIG. 6, a plug member 21 which has a cap 22 and a shank 23. The plug is insertable within the end of each upright simply by pressing it into place; the dimensions of the shank 23 being such that a relatively snug fit is provided. A hole 24 is formed centrally in the cap 22 of plug 2]. In the construction shown this hole receives one end of dowel 25 the other end of which is received in an appropriately located hole in the undersurface top shelf 20.  
  The rack structure shown in FIG. 5 includes, as its main section, the rack structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 but further includes two additional three compartment sections la and 1b. The top structure for the rack shown in FIG. 5 includes the shelf 20 for main section 1 together with individual top shelves 20a and 20b for each of the additional sections Ia, lb. As shown top shelves 20a and 20b each adjoin the main top shelf 20 in abutting relationship at the end of the main rack section with shelves 200 and 20b extending perpendicularly with respect to each other to form a L-shaped configuration. Thus, corner upright 8e of the main section of the composite rack forms a common support for all three top shelves. And, uprights 8f is common to top shelves 200 and 20 as shown.  
  For the purpose of connecting top shelf 20a of rack section la in substantially abutting relationship to the end of top shelf 20, the plug member for the common uprights is provided with a laterally extending support portion 30 as is best shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The laterally extending portion 30 includes a cantilevered platform 31, a leg element 32 depending from platform 31 and a gusset 33 connected between the platform and leg element as shown. The leg element 32 is spaced from shank 23 of plug 21 by a distance approximately equal to the wall thickness of the hollow uprights. Thereby, with the plug disposed within the upright, the leg 32 engages, relatively tightly, the external surface of the upright. Platform 3] mounts an upstanding dowel 26 which is removably receivable in an appropriately located hole in the undersurface of top shelf 200.  
 For the purpose of connecting top shelves a, 20b  
  and 20 to the common upright 80, the plug 21 is equipped with two laterally extending portions of identical construction to the one previously described extending perpendicularly with respect to each other to underlie the top shelves 20a and 20b as shown. It will also be noted that the leg element of the portions 30 are joined together about the corner of common upright 82 thus forming a composite leg element disposed in substantially surface-to-surface contact with the external surface of the common upright.  
  With a filing rack constructed according to the present invention several advantages are provided. First the storage capacity of the rack can be easily and quickly expanded or reduced. Secondly, the rack may be conveniently fit into virtually any office layout and it may assume virtually any directional configuration, such as T-shaped, L-shaped, etc. The rack is also easily assembled and disassembled, lightweight, and attractive in appearance. Finally the space consumed by the structural components of the rack itself is minimal thus resulting in optimum utilization of available space strictly for storage purposes.  
 We claim:  
 1. A filing rack comprising:  
 a. an array of hollow uprights;  
 b. a plurality of cross-pieces extending in a predetermined pattern between the uprights, each end of each of said cross-pieces extending into an upright;  
 c. first connection means integral with the internally disposed end of a cross-piece, which extends into one of the uprights;  
 (1. second connection means for mating with said first connection means and integral with an element which extends through said hollow upright for mating with and connection to said first connection means, said connection with said first connection means being internal of a common upright;  
 e. plug means insertable into the upper end of a selected hollow upright;  
 f, a first hole disposed in said plug;  
 g. a first pin disposed in said first hole and extending from said plug element;  
 h. a laterally extending portion extending outward from and integral with said plug element;  
 i. a second hole disposed in said laterally extending portion;  
 j. a second pin disposed in said second hole and projecting upward from the laterally extending portion;  
 k. a leg element integral with said plug extending substantially parallel to the external surface of the common upright and in substantially surface to surface contact with the external surface of the common upright;  
 . cantilever means for supporting said extending portion secured to said leg element and said laterally extending portion;  
 m. top structure; and n. a plurality of mating holes in said top structure,  
  said mating holes disposed over said first and second pins for mating with said first and second pins. 2. A filing rack as in claim 1, wherein said element which extends through said hollow upright is one of said plurality of cross-piecesv 3. A filing rack as in claim I, wherein said first and second connection means further include a shoulder on each end ofeach cross-piece engaging the external sur face of its respective upright when said first and second connection means are joined.  
  4. A filing rack as in claim 3, wherein said first and second connection means include mating screw threads formed in the ends of the cross-piecev