I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a support structure that can be used to support shelving or other elements for carrying or supporting any desired item. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support assembly for use in, for example, a knock-down shelving system to adjustably support shelves.
The support assembly of the present invention ideally can be incorporated into a knock-down shelving system that includes a plurality of support posts for supporting one or more shelves at corner support assemblies thereof. The shelving system will include a sleeve or wedge member and a collar adapted to be secured to a generally cylindrical support post, that is one that is circular when viewed in radial cross-section. The sleeve has an inner surface that is configured to embrace the support post and an outer surface formed with a first axially outwardly inclined wedge portion and at least one second axially outwardly inclined wedge portion that, when viewed in such radial cross-section, extends at an angle to the first portion. Additionally, the collar is adapted to be secured to a member to be supported and to embrace the sleeve. The collar has a first wedge surface formed to mate with the first portion of the outer surface of the sleeve and at least one second wedge surface formed to mate with the second portion of the outer surface of the sleeve. Thus, when the sleeve embraces the post and the collar embraces the sleeve, axial loading of the collar in one direction causes the first wedge surface to mate with the first portion of the outer surface of the sleeve and the second wedge surface to mate with the second portion of the outer surface of the sleeve, thereby urging the sleeve toward the post in at least two generally radial directions.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Shelving systems having adjustable height shelves and so-called “knock-down” type shelving systems are known, and each has utility in many applications. For example, a knock-down shelving system with adjustable height shelves may be used in the food service, industrial, commercial, hospital, and similar fields for storage of desired items.
One type of a well known knock-down shelving system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,424,111 and 3,523,508 both to Maslow, and is manufactured and sold by InterMetro Industries Corporation, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a company related to the assignee of the present invention. The shelving system disclosed in these patents has achieved great commercial success under the InterMetro trademark SUPER ERECTA SHELF®, and incorporates a plurality of cylindrical support posts each formed with a series of equally spaced, annular grooves on its outer surface. A basic shelving system might include four such posts to support one or more formed-wire shelves, with each shelf having a frusto-conically-shaped collar at each corner for receiving a support post. A two-piece interlocking sleeve fits around the support post. The sleeve features a rib on its interior surface for engaging one of the grooves on the support post and has a frusto-conically-shaped outer surface, which is widest at the bottom, designed to complement the shape of the shelf collars. The support posts fitted with sleeves are received in the collars of each shelf to assemble the shelving system. When assembled, the weight of the shelf and any items stored on it creates a radially-inwardly directed wedging force between the collars and sleeves, which brings the sleeves into tight contact with the posts.
Another type of commercially successful shelving system, sold and marketed under the trademark METROMAX® by InterMetro Industries, features a “knock-down” structure that incorporates triangular support posts. Such a system is the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,811,670; 4,946,350; 5,271,337; and 5,279,231.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,670, a corner assembly for securing each corner of a shelf to the triangular support post includes a wedge member, a corner bracket structurally associated with the shelf, and a collar. The wedge member snap-fits onto the support post, and the collar and corner bracket form a sleeve that may fit around the wedge and support post, thereby to support the shelf by a wedging force.
The shelving systems shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,964,350; 5,271,337; and 5,279,231 feature modular shelves in combination with the triangular support posts. The modular shelves include a rectangular shelf frame formed from two end beams connected to two side beams. A center beam may be inserted between the end beams, parallel to the side beams, to increase the load-bearing capacity of the system. A plurality of plastic shelf mats are adapted to be snap-fit onto the shelf frame. The shelf frame is secured to the support post by corner assemblies comprised of a corner portion of the end beam, a wedge member and a separate collar. A sleeve formed by the corner portion and the collar is seated on the support post and wedge member and secured by a wedging action. Two lock cylinders lock the collar to the corner portion to secure the sleeve.
Still another type of commercially successful shelving system manufactured and sold by InterMetro Industries is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,042 (Welsch). In one embodiment, this system includes a two-piece wedge assembly configured to embrace a circular support post. The wedge assembly is formed of a sleeve and a wedge that are snap-fit or otherwise joined together about the support post. The wedge has a single planar wedge surface that tapers outwardly from its upper end to its lower end, such that the lower end is wider, and extends toward the interior of the shelving system. A collar, having a rear section that outwardly inclines from top to bottom to complement the slope of the single wedge surface, is seated on the wedge assembly and secured by wedging action.
(Each of the patents mentioned above is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.)
Despite the significant utility and commercial success of the above-described shelving systems, a need exists for an even more highly stable shelving system, utilizing a cylindrical support post, that is easily assembled and has shelves that are easily adjusted to different heights without the need for special tools, and in which the shelves are secured in a static manner to provide a load carrying capacity suitable for heavy-duty use. In particular, it is desirable to provide a system in which a support member can be secured to a cylindrical support post so as to provide stability and rigidity in multiple radial directions relative to the axis of the post.