Storage rack having support seam with outer, generally arcuate, indicia-receiving surface

• US 5,492,231 A
• Filed: 11/18/1994
• Issued: 02/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unarco Material Handling Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unarco Material Handling Incorporated
• Inventors: Clark, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAN, KO HUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/341,761
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 211/183, 211/189, 211/191, 211/186, 211/192, 211/187, 40/642, 40/299, 108/107, 108/108, 108/109
• US Class Current: 211/183
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/00 Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture doors E06B
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/1441 Horizontal struts
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/00 Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places in oil wells E21B29/08, A62C35/00; in mines or tunnels E21F5/00 ; for nuclear reactors G21C9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/58 Pipe-line systems
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/60 wet, i.e. containing extinguishing material even when not in use
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/02 Storage devices furniture A47B; shop fittings A47F
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1371 with data records
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1375 the orders being assembled on a commissioning stacker-crane or truck
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/94 against fire fire protection of partitions E04B2/7403, E04B2/7409; supporting constructions for ceilings having the capability of expansion in case of fire E04B9/08; fire-fighting A62C, e.g. fire prevention or containment A62C2/00; impregnation of wood or similar materials B27K; fireproof paints C09D5/18; fireproofing materials C09K21/00; flame-resistant papers D21H5/0002; coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings, in general E04F13/00; fireproof doors E06B5/16; firebreak devices for pipes or the like passing through walls F16L5/04; protection of pipes by means of non-inflammable material F16L57/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/204 specially adapted to be attached to a shelf or the like

Abstract

A support beam for a storage rack has a tubular profile, which defines a ledge opening upwardly and inwardly, and which defines a generally flat, indicia-receiving surface facing outwardly and either downwardly or upwardly at an angle from about 20° to about 70° relative to a vertical plane. Alternatively, the tubular profile may define two such surfaces defining an obtuse angle relative to each other, namely an upper surface at an angle from about 20° to about 45° relative thereto and a lower surface at an angle from about 45° to about 70° relative thereto, or a generally arcuate, indicia-receiving surface having a suitable measurement. The indicia-receiving surface enables a person who is standing, or who is sitting on a lift truck, to have a generally perpendicular line of sight to such surface. The support beam may also be used in combination with a properly positioned fire extinguishing device to extinguish a fire in a supported load. When the fire extinguisher is activated, the fluid that is discharged impinges off the indicia-receiving surface, which may be inclined or curved, and onto the load.

Claims

1. A storage rack positioned on a support surface and comprising a support beam formed from sheet steel and welded so as to have a tubular profile, having a top edge and a bottom edge, and having a substantially horizontal wall, which defines a load-supporting surface at the top edge of the support beam, the support beam having an outer wall, which extends between the top and bottom edges of the support beam, the outer wall defining an outer, generally arcuate, indicia-receiving surface, which has a peripheral measurement equal at least to approximately one third of a peripheral measurement along the outer wall, between the top and bottom edges, the peripheral measurements being made along the tubular profile.

2. The storage rack of claim 1 wherein the indicia-receiving surface extends to the bottom edge so as to enable a person who is standing on the support surface, or who is sitting on a lift truck supported by the support surface, to have a line of sight generally perpendicular to the indicia-receiving surface.

3. The storage rack of claim 1 wherein the support beam is formed in one piece and welded so as to have the tubular profile.