US3602374A

US3602374A - Cantilever rack

Info

Publication number: US3602374A
Application number: US813630A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard F P Alabaster
Original assignee: Westeel Rosco Ltd
Current assignee: Jannock Ltd
Priority date: 1969-04-04
Filing date: 1969-04-04
Publication date: 1971-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-31

Abstract

A cantilever rack including a column of rectangular cross section, two opposed, substantially parallel sidewalls of which are each formed with a series of vertically spaced apertures. The apertures formed in one of the sidewalls are each in alignment with one of the apertures formed in the opposed sidewall with a pin slidably inserted through a selected one of the pairs of aligned apertures and through holes formed in bearing washers which are disposed a spaced distance from each of the apertured sidewalls of the column, a channel-shaped connection bracket embracing the column with the flange portions of the bracket disposed between the bearing washers and the apertured sidewalls of the column and the pins passing, as a clearance fit, through openings formed in these flange portions of the bracket. The flange portions of the bracket present outwardly directed, reflexly bent edge portions which bear against bearing edge faces presented by the washers, these reflexly bent edge portions and bearing edge faces being inclined, in a downward direction, away from the web portion of the connection bracket so that loading on a load supporting arm, which projects from the web portion of the bracket, urges the web portion against the column by downward movement of the reflexly bent edge portions relative to the bearing edge faces, during which movement the pin continues to pass as a clearance fit through the openings in the flange portions of the bracket.

Description

United States. Patent [72] inventor Leonard F. P. Alabaster Georgetown, Ontario, Canada 2|] Appl. No. 813,630 [22] Filed Apr. 4, 1969 [45] Patented Aug.31, 1971 [73] Assignee Westeel-Rosoo Limited Toronto, Ontario, Canada [54] CANTILEVER RACK 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Fig.

[52] U.S.Cl .Q 211/176, 211/177, 248/243 [51] lnt.Cl A47t'5/l0, E04g 3/08 [50] Field otSearch 211/176, .177, 148, 134; 248/243, 346, 44, 2.45, 235; 108/144',107,106, l08;211/107,110,111

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,212,648 10/1965 Bakeretal 211/176X 3,251,478 5/1966 Frazier..... 211/176 3,335,992 8/1967 Frazier..... 248/245 3,371,798 3/l968 DAltrui 248/243 X Primary -Examiner-Ramon S. Britts AttorneyMaybee and Legris ABSTRACT: A cantilever rack including a column of rectangular cross section, two opposed, substantially parallel sidewalls of which are each formed with a series of vertically spaced apertures. The apertures formed in one of the sidewalls are each in alignment with one of the apertures formed in the opposed sidewall with a pin slidably inserted through a selected one of the pairs of aligned apertures and through holes formed in bearing washers which are disposed a spaced distancefrom each of the apertured sidewalls of the'column, a channel-shaped connection bracket embracing the column with the flange portions of the bracket disposed between the bearing'washers and the aperture'd sidewalls of the column and the pins passing, as a clearance fit, through openings formed in these flange portions of the bracket. The flange portions of the bracket present outwardly directed, reflexly bent edge portions which bear against bearing edge faces presented bythe washers, these reflexly bent edge portions and bearing edge faces being inclined, in a downward direction, away from the web portion of-the connection bracket so that loading on a load supporting arm, which projects from the web portion of 'the bracket, urges the web portion against the column by downward movement of the reflexly bent edge portions relative to the bearing edge faces, during which movement the pin continues to pass as a clearance fit through the openings in the flange portions of the bracket.

PATENTEU AUG31 I97! 3302.374

SHEET 1 BF 2 I N VENT OR.

' LEONARD F. P. ALABASTER BY 6 r ATTORN EYS PATENTEU M1831 19m 3602.374

Y SHEET 2 or 2 INVENTOR. LEONARD E P. ALABASTER ATTORNEYS CANTILEVER RACK This invention is concerned with cantilever racks which are racks comprising substantially vertical columns to which the inner ends of load supporting arms are operatively connected, the outer ends of the arms being, of course, free so that the entire weights of the loads, such as pipes, tubes and rods, which may be disposed on the arms are transferred to the vertical columns through the connections between the columns and the inner ends of the arms. The load supporting arms are removably connected to the columns so that the number of arms secured to each column, and also the positions of the arms on the columns, may preferably be varied to suit the dif- Y ferent requirements of of differentuses and also the varying requirements of each individual user, such racks being primarily intended for industrial and commercial use. A further aspect of such racks is that access to the loads operatively supported on the load supporting arms may be obtained from both the front and the sides of the racks.

There have hitherto been proposed various constructions of such cantilever racks but these hitherto proposed constructions of racks have been found, in practice, to suffer from a number of disadvantages which it is a primary object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate. Thus, for example, many of these hitherto proposed constructions of racks suffer from the disadvantage that, with a load supporting arm removably connected to the column, a degree of pivotal movement of the arm, in a substantially vertical plane, is permitted with the result that when a load is operatively supported by the arm the weight of the load causes the arm to pivot to a position in which the load supporting surface of the arm is downwardly inclined in the direction from the connection of the arm to the column, thereby creating the risk that the load, particularly where it is of circular cross section as in the case of metal rods, will slide off the arm and fall to the floor or other structure on which the rack is mounted. it is, therefore, a further object of the present invention to provide a cantilever rack in which the, or each, load supporting arm is operatively urged towards the adjacent sidewall of the column thereby to avoid the existence of a gap between the load supporting arm and the column and thus avoid the above-mentioned pivotal movement of the arm relative to the column.

By operatively urging the load supporting arm into secure frictional engagement with the adjacent sidewall of the column there is also achieved the advantage that a portion of the weight of the load operatively supported on the arm is transferred to the column through the frictional engagement between the load supporting arm and the column.

One hitherto proposed construction which achieves the above advantages is that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,212,648 which issued on Oct. 19, 1965 to Baker Jr. et al. this being the most relevant prior art of which the inventor is aware. Baker Jr. et al. disclose a construction in which the inner end of a' load supporting arm is secured to the web portion of a channel-shaped connection bracket, the flange portions of the bracket operatively embracing two opposed sidewalls of a column, and a pin being slidably inserted through apertures formed in the flange portions of the bracket and through a selected one of pairs of aligned apertures formed in the abovementioned sidewalls of the column. The apertures in the flange portions of the bracket have edges which are engaged by the pin and which extend downwardly and away from the load supporting am so that the weight of a load on the arm causes the web portion of the bracket to be urged against the column.

This construction of Baker Jr. et al. suffers, however, from the disadvantage that since the weight of the load operatively supported by the arm is transferred to the column through the inclined edges of the apertures in the flange portions of the bracket and the engaging surfaces of the pin, and thence through the pin and the engaging edges of the column defining the appropriate apertures therein, it is necessary to form the flange portions of the bracket of a considerable thickness in order to transfer the weight to the pin without buckling the flange portions of the bracket or otherwise damaging the inclined edges of the apertures therein, the weight which must be so transferred being frequently of a considerable magnitude. The flange portions of the bracket could, of course, be formed of the required thickness to prevent such buckling or damage, without increasing the thickness of the web portion of the. bracket, by manufacturing the bracket as a casting. Such a process is, however, relatively expensive, while the alternative process of forming the bracket from sheet suffers from the disadvantages that it results inevitably in the web portion of the bracket being of greater thickness than is required, with a resultant wastage of material, and in more powerful equipment being required to form the right-angled bends between the web and flange portions than would otherwise be the case. I

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cantilever rack which achieves the advantages of the construction disclosed by Baker Jr. et al. in that the load supporting arm is operatively urged towards the column, without the above mentioned disadvantages of the construction by Baker Jr. et al.

In the construction disclosed by Baker Jr. et al. the pin is, furthermore, of rectangular cross-sectional shape whereas, with reference to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as hereinafter specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the pin orpins incorporated therein are-each of circular cross section, but may be of any other desired cross-sectional form. It is, accordingly, a further object of the preferred embodiment of the present invention hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide a cantilever rack in which the pin or pins are each of the most economical cross-sectional form, such as of circular cross section.v

lt isalso an object of the preferred embodiment of the present invention hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide a cantilever rack in which bearing contact areas, corresponding to the contact areas constituted by the engagement of the pin and the appropriate edges of the apertures in the flange portions of the bracket in the construction of Baker Jr. et al. are of greater relative extent than said contact areas in the construction of Baker Jr. et al. with the result that damage to the bearing contact areas in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is less likely to cause jamming than is equivalent damage to the contact areas in the construction of Baker Jr. et al.

A cantilever rack according to the present invention comprises acolumn having a pair of opposed, sidewalls, bearing washers mounted one on each of said sidewalls of the column, and a lead supporting arm having two spaced flange portions projecting from one end thereof. The flange portions are disposed adjacent to the bearing washers in embracing relationship with said sidewalls of the column. Each flange portion includes a portion thereof which projects from the plane of the flange portion and which is preferably constituted by a reflexly bent edge portion of the flange portion, a side face of said projecting portion of the flange portion being contactible with a bearing edge face presented by the adjacent, bearing washer. There is thus provided, between said side face of the projecting'portion of each flange portion and the bearing edge face of the adjacent bearing washer, a bearing contact area. This area is independent of the thickness of the flange portion and is inclined, in a downward direction, away fromlsaid one end of the load supporting arm from which the flange portions project so that loading on the load supporting arm urges said one end of the load supporting arm against the column by downward movement of the projecting portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers. Y

in order that the invention may be more clearly understood and more readily carried into effect, the same will now, by way of example, be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cantilever rack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, part of the assembly being shown, for clarity, in an exploded condition;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a portion of a cantilever rack according to the invention, the view showing a part of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fully assembled side view of the portion of the cantilever rack shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view, drawn for clarity to an enlarged scale, of a further portion of a cantilever rack according to the invention, this view again showing a further part of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, denotes generally each of two cantilever racks which together comprise a cantilever rack assembly. It is to be understood, however, that cantilever rack assemblies according to the invention may, of course, comprise more than two such racks 10.

The cantilever racks 10 are each of identical construction and only one of these racks 10 will, therefore, be hereinafter described in detail.

Each rack 10 comprises a substantially vertical, hollow column 11 formed of two identical channel-shaped members 12 each of which has a web portion 13, two spaced parallel flange portions 14 and lip portions 15 which project inwardly from the edges of the flange portions 14 remote from the web portion 13, the lip portions 15 of each member 12 each being securely connected, as by welding, to a corresponding lip portion 15 of the other member 12 so that the column 11 is of rectangular cross section having a pair of opposed, substantially parallel first sidewalls constituted by the web portions 13 and a further pair of opposed, substantially parallel second sidewalls constituted by the flange portions 14. For convenience, the sidewalls constituted by the web portions 13 will hereinafter be referred to as the sidewalls 13 and the sidewalls constituted by the flange 14 will hereinafter be referred to as the sidewalls 14.

While, as is hereinbefore stated, the sidewalls 14 are, in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, substantially parallel to one another, it is to be understood that, in alternative embodiments (not shown) of the invention, the sidewalls 14 may be convergent, preferably in the upward direction, so that the widths of the sidewalls 13 are tapered in the substantially vertical, longitudinal direction of the column 11.

Bearing washers 16 constituted by flat plates are provided, these washers 16 being adapted to be mounted one on each of the sidewalls 13 of the column 11. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, each washer 16 is disposed a spaced distance from the sidewall 13 on which it is adapted to be mounted, and the washers 16 are mounted on the sidewalls 13 of the column 11 by means of a pin 17 which is slidably insertable through holes 18 formed in the washers l6 and through a selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced aperture means formed in the column 11 and extending between the sidewalls 13 thereof, the vertically spaced aperture means each being constituted by a pair of apertures formed in the sidewalls 13 of the column 11 and by the intervening space within the hollow column 11 the apertures in each of the sidewalls 13 thus constituting a series of vertically spaced apertures, each of which is in alignment with a corresponding one of the series of apertures in the other of the sidewalls 13. Of the aligned apertures constituting each aligned pair thereof only one, which is denoted by the reference numeral 19, is visible in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

20 denotes generally a load supporting arm having two spaced, substantially parallel flange portions 21 projecting from one end i.e. the inner end 22, of the arm 20, the arm 20 being hollowand of rectangular cross section, with the depth of the arm 20 progressively decreasing from the inner end 22 i to the outer end 23 thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the flange portions 21 constitute part of a channel-shaped connection bracket which is denoted generally by the reference 24, and which comprises, in addition to the flange portions 21, a web portion 25 to which the inner end 22 of the arm 20 is secured as by welding, the web portion 25 thus effectively constituting the inner end of the arm 20. The flange portions 21 are adapted to be disposed between the sidewalls 13 of the column 1 I and the bearing washers 16, and in embracing relationship with the sidewalls 13, aligned openings 26 being formed in the flange portions 21 of the bracket 24 so that the pin 17 may operatively pass, as a clearance fit, through the openings 26.

Each flange portion 21 of the bracket 24 includes a portion 27 thereof which projects from the plane of the flange portion 21, each portion 27 preferably being in the form of an outwardly directed bearing portion which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, is constituted by a reflexly bent edge portion of the flange portion 21.

Each bearing washer 16 presents a hook member 28 which projects from the upper end. of a bearing edge face 29 presented by the washer 16, the hook member 28 comprising a first portion 30 which projects substantially at right angles to the bearing edge face 29 and a second portion 31 which projects, from the end of the portion 30 remote from the face 29, in a downward direction substantially parallel to the face 29.

The hook member 28 is adapted to be disposed in supported engagement with the upper end of the reflexlybent edge portion 27 of the adjacent flange portion 21 of the connection bracket 24, as is shown most clearly in FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings. Thepurpose of the hook member 28 is hereinafter more fully described with reference to the method of assembly of the rack.

When the rack is in the assembled condition, the bearing edge face 29 of each bearing washer 16 is in contact with the inner face of the reflexly bent edge portion 27 of the adjacent flange portion 21 of the bracket 24 so as to provide, between said inner face and the bearing edge face 29 of the adjacent washer 16, a bearing contact area which is independent of the thickness of the flange portion 21 and is inclined, in a downward direction, away from the web portion 25 of the bracket 24, as shown by the chain-dotted line 32 in FIG. 3.

As is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, each rack 10 includes a base structure which is denoted generally be the reference numeral 33, one of the base structures 33 being illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4. With particular reference to FIG. 4, each base structure 33 comprises two channel-shaped support members 34 each of which has an upper flange 35, a lower flange 36 and an interconnecting web 37. The webs 37 are rigidly interconnected in spaced relationship by angle members 38 which are spaced apart in the iongitudinal direction of the base structure 33 and are secured to the webs 37 by, for example, welding. Reinforcing plates 39 are secured, as by welding, to each of the members 34, the plates 39 being disposed between the web 37 and lips 40, which are inwardly directed from the edges of the upper and lower flanges 35,36, and between the upper and lower flanges 35,36 of each member 34.

Two angle bars 41 are secured, as by welding, one to each of the sidewalls 13 of the column 11 at the lower end of the column 11, each angle bar 41 comprising a first portion 42, which is secured to the respective sidewall 13 of the column 11, and a second portion 43 which projects substantially at right angles to the respective sidewall 13 of the column 11. Reinforcing angle members 44 interconnect the angle bars 41.

The lower end of the column 11 together with the first portions 42 of the angle bars 41 are disposed between the webs 37 of the members 34, with the second portions 43 of the angle bars 41 in supported engagement on the upper flanges 35. Holes 45 which are formed in the upper flanges 35 are positioned in alignment with the holes 46 formed in the second portions 43 of the angle bars 41, a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies, one of which is illustrated ,in FIG. 4 and is constituted by thebolt 47 and the nut 48, together preferably with a washer 49, securely interconnecting the second portions 43 of the angle bars 41 and the upper flanges 35 of the support members 34 through the aligned

holes

45,46.

Such a base structure 33 in which nut and bolt assemblies,

such as that denoted by the

reference numerals

47,48, are used has the advantage that, by removing the nut and bolt assemblies, transportation of the column 11 separate from the base structure is facilitated and also the versatility of the rack is increased since, for example, there is permitted ready removal of the column 11 from a first location at which it is operatively connected to one fixed base structure to a second location at which it is operatively connected to a further fixed base structure thereby to accommodate varying requirements of the user.

With particular reference again to FlG. l of the drawings, a bracing structure denoted generally by the reference numeral 50 interconnects the column 11 of the racks 10. The structure 50 comprises spaced upper and

lower framework members

51 and 52, respectively, spaced side framework members 53 and diagonally disposed bracing members 54, the

framework members

51, 52 and 53 each being constituted by a channelshaped member and the

members

51 and 52 each being secured in back-to-back relationship to the members 53 to form a substantially rectangular framework. The end portions of the diagonally disposed bracing members 54 are secured to the members 53 adjacent to the

members

51 and 52.

Projecting lugs 55 are secured, as by welding, to the sidewalls 13 of each column 11, nut and bolt assemblies constituted by nuts 56 and bolts 57 securely interconnecting the ends of the upper and

lower framework members

51,52 with the lugs 55 through

apertures

58 and 59 formed in the ends of the

members

51 and 52 and in the lugs 55, respectively.

The method of removably connecting the load supporting arm to the column 11 can most conveniently be described with reference to FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings. With particular reference to this Figure, each bearing washer 16 is first mounted with the hook member 28 presented thereby in supported engagement with the upper end of the reflexly bent edge portion 27 of one of the flange portions 21 of the connection bracket 24, and the flange portions 21 are then disposed in embracing relationship with the sidewalls 13 of the column 11, the vertical position of the connection bracket 24, and also of course of the load supporting arm 20, being adjusted until the openings 26 in the flange portions 21 are in alignment with the selected one of the pairs of aligned apertures formed in the. sidewalls 13 of the column 11. The hook members 28 thus enable the connection bracket 24, together with the load supporting arm 20, and the bearing washers 16 to be mounted in the above-described manner as a single unit, rather than as three separate units as would be the case if no members 28 were provided. This feature therefore facilitates the assembly of the rack particularly where the operation is, of necessity, performed under adverse working conditions.

The pin 17, which as is illustrated in FIG. 2 is preferably constituted by a bolt, is then passed through the aligned holes 18 in the washer 16, the openings 26 in the flange portions 21 of the bracket 24, and the appropriate apertures 19 in the sidewalls 13 of the column 11, a nut 60 being threadedly secured to the screw-threaded portion of the pin 17 to retain the pin in position.

The pin 17, the holes 18, the openings 26 and the apertures in the sidewalls 13 of the column 11, which apertures include of course the apertures 19, are all of circular form, the pin 17 being of such a diameter that it is a sliding fit through the holes 18 and the apertures in the side walls 13 of the column 11, but the openings 26 being of such diameter that the pin 17 is a clearance fit therein such as to permit downward movement of the reflexly bent edge portions 27 of the flange portions 21 of the bracket 24 relative to the bearing edge faces 29 of the washers 16, caused by loading on the arm 20, to urge the web portion of the bracket 24 against the appropriate sidewall 14 of the column 11 without there being any contact between the pin 17 and the flange portions 21 of the bracket 24. It is to be understood, however; that the pin 17, together with the holes 18 and the apertures, which include the apertures 19, in the sidewalls 13 of the column 1 1, may be of other than circular form, the form of the openings 26 being immaterial provided that it permits the above-mentioned clearance fit of the pin 17 within the openings 26. The pin 17 is preferably of the most economic cross-sectional form available.

Thus, the present invention permits the load supporting arm 20, and more specifically the web portion 25 of the bracket 24, which as previously stated effectively constitutes the inner end of the arm 20, operatively to be urged into secure frictional engagement with the column ll'thereby resulting in a portion of the weight of the load supported on the arm 20, such as the load 61 illustrated in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 1 or the load 62 illustrated in FIG. 3, being transmitted through said frictional engagement to the column 11, and also thereby preventing downward pivotal movement of the load supporting arm 20, without there being any possibility of the pin 17 buckling the flange portions 21 or otherwise damaging the edges of the openings 26 therethrough, this latter advantage being of course achieved as a result of the fact that there is no contact between the pin 17 and the flange portions 21 so that no increase in the thickness of these flange portions 21 is required as in the case of the prior art hereinbefore referred to. If necessary, the thickness of the bearing washers 16 may, of course, be increased in order to accommodate the load which is transferred between the washers l6 and the pin 17, but since the washers 16 are of planar form such an increase in the thickness thereof does not result in the above-discussed disadvantages which result from increasing the thickness of the flange portions 21 of the bracket 24.

Furthermore, since the bearing contact area between the inner face of the reflexly bent edge portion 27 of each flange portion 21 of the bracket 24 and the bearing edge face 29 of the adjacent washer 16 is of considerable extent, there is little likelihood of jamming operatively occurring even if this contact area is damaged by, for example, indentation of said inner face or of said bearing edge face 29.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has hereinbefore been specifically described with reference to the removable connection of only one load supportingarm 20 to each column 11, it will be understood that, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of two or more such arms may be so connected in vertically spaced relationship to each column 11, and an additional arm or arms 20 may also be so connected to each column 11 to project from the side face 14 thereof opposite to the side face 14 from which the first-mentioned arm or arms 20 project.

lclaim:

1. A cantilever rack comprising a column having a pair of opposed, substantially parallel sidewalls, vertically spaced aperture means being formed in the column and extending between said sidewalls thereof, at least one channel-shaped connection bracket comprising two spaced, substantially parallel flange portions which are formed with openings and which are interconnected by a web portion, a load supporting arm one end of which is secured to the web portion of the connection bracket, bearing washers formed with holes, and a pin which is slidably insertable through the holes in the bearing washers, the openings in the flange portions of the connection bracket and a selected one of the aperture means in the column, with the bearing washers disposed a spaced distance from said sidewalls of the column and with the flange portions of the connection bracket disposed between said sidewalls of the column and the bearing washers and in embracing relationship with said sidewalls of the column, each flange portion of the connection bracket presenting an outwardly directed bearing portion which is contactible with a bearing edge face presented by the adjacent bearing washer so as to provide, between the bearing portion of each flange portion and the bearing edge face of the adjacent bearing washer, a bearing contact area which is inclined, in a downward direction, away from the web portion of the connection bracket whereby loading on the load supporting arm urges the web portion of the connection bracket against the column by downward movement of the bearing portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers, and the pin being a clearance fit within the openings in the flange portions of the connection bracket such that, during said downward movement of the bearing portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers, there is no contact between the pin and the flange portions of the connection bracket.

2. A cantilever rack according to claim 2, wherein the outwardly directed bearing portion of each flange portion of the connection bracket comprises a reflexly bent edge portion of said flange portion.

3. A cantilever rack according to claim 2, wherein each of the bearing washers presents a hook member which projects from the upper end of the bearing edge face of the washer for supported engagement with the upper end of the bearing portion of the adjacent flange portion of the connection bracket.

4. A cantilever rack according to claim 2, including a base structure comprising two channel-shaped support members each having an upper flange, a lower flange and an interconnecting web, the webs of the support members being rigidly interconnected in spaced relationship, two angle bars having first portions which are secured one to each of said sidewalls of the column at the lower end of the column and second portions which project substantially at right angles to said sidewalls of the column, and a plurality of nut and bolt assem blies which interconnect the second portions of the angle bars and the upper flanges of the support members, with the lower end of the column and the first portions of the angle bars disposed between the webs of the support members.

5. A cantilever rack assembly comprising a plurality of racks according to claim 2, wherein a bracing structure connects the column of each rack to the column of one of the remaining racks, the bracing structure comprising spaced upper and lower framework members, spaced side framework members, the framework members, each of which is constituted by a channel-shaped member, being interconnected substantially in the form of a rectangular framework, and diagonally disposed bracing members secured to the framework members, projecting lugs being secured to said sidewalls of each column, and nut and bolt assemblies securely interconnecting the ends of the upper and lower framework members with the lugs.

6. A cantilever rack comprising a hollow column having a pair of opposed, substantially parallel first sidewalls and a pair of opposed, substantially parallel second sidewalls, the column being of substantially rectangular cross section; a series of vertically spaced circular apertures formed in one of the first sidewalls and a further series of vertically spaced circular apertures formed in the other of the first sidewalls, each aperture being in alignment with one of the apertures in the other series of apertures; at least one channel-shaped connection bracket comprising two spaced, substantially parallel flange portions which are formed with circular openings and which are interconnected by a web portion; a load supporting arm one end of which is secured to the web portion of the connec tion bracket; bearing washers formed with circular holes; and a circular pin which is slidably insertable through the holes in the bearing washers, the openings in the flange portions of the connection bracket and a selected pair of the aligned apertures in the first sidewalls of the column, with the bearing washers disposed a spaced distance from the first sidewalls of the column and with the flange portions of the connection bracket disposed between the first sidewalls of the column and the bearing washers and in embracing relationship with the first sidewalls of the column; each flange portion of the connection bracket presenting an outwardly directed reflexly bent edge portion which is adapted to contact a bearing edge face presented by the adjacent bearing washer, with said reflexly bent edge portion and said bearing edge face being inclined, in

a downward direction, away from the web portion of the connection bracket whereby loading on the load supporting arm urges the web portion of the connection bracket against the column by downward movement of the reflexly bent edge portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers; the pin which is a sliding fit within the holes in the bearing washers and the apertures in the first sidewalls of the column being a clearance fit within the openings in the flange portions of the connection bracket such that, during said downward movement of the reflexly bent edge portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers, there is no contact between the pin and the flange portions of the connection bracket; and each of the bearing washers presenting a hook member which projects from the upper end of the bearing edge face of the washer for supported engagement with the upper end of the reflexly bent edge portion of the adjacent flange portion of the connection bracket.

7. A cantilever rack according to claim 7, including a base structure comprising two channel-shaped support members each having an upper flange, a lower flange and an interconnecting web, the webs of the support members being rigidly interconnected in spaced relationship, two angle bars having first portions which are secured one to each of the first sidewalls of the column at the lower end of the column and second portions which project substantially at right angles to the first sidewalls of the column, and a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies which interconnect the second portions of the angle bars and the upper flanges of the support members, with the lower end of the column and the first portions of the angle bars disposed between the webs of the support members.

8. A cantilever rack assembly comprising a plurality of racks according to claim 7, wherein a bracing structure connects the column of each rack to the column of one of the remaining racks, the bracing structure comprising spaced upper and lower framework members, spaced side framework members, the framework members, each of which is constituted by a channel-shaped member, being interconnected substantially in the form of a rectangular framework, and diagonally disposed bracing members secured to the framework members, projecting lugs being secured to the first sidewalls of each column, and nut and bolt assemblies securely interconnecting the ends of the upper and lower framework members with the lugs. I

9. A cantilever rack comprising a column having a pair of opposed sidewalls, bearing washers mounted one on each of said sidewalls of the column, and a load supporting arm having two spaced flange portions projecting from one end thereof, the flange portions being disposed adjacent to the bearing washers in embracing relationship with said sidewalls of the column, and each flange portion including a portion thereof which projects laterally from the plane of the flange portion and a side face of which is in contact with a bearing edge face presented by the adjacent bearing washer so as to provide, between said side face of the projecting portion of each flange portion and the bearing edge face of the adjacent bearing washer, a bearing contact area which is independent of the thickness of the flange portion and which is inclined, in a downward direction, away from said one end of the load supporting arm from which the flange portions project whereby loading on the load supporting arm urges said one end of the load supporting arm against the column by downward movement of the projecting portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers.

10. A cantilever rack comprising a column having a pair of opposed, substantially parallel sidewalls, bearing washers mounted one on each of said sidewalls of the column with each washer disposed a spaced distance from the sidewall of the column on which it is mounted, and a load supporting arm having two spaced, substantially parallel flange portions projecting from one end thereof, the flange portions being disposed between said sidewalls of the column and the bearing washers and in embracing relationship with said sidewalls of the column, and a portion of each flange portion being thickness of the flange portion and which is inclined, in a downward direction, away from said one end of the load supporting arm from which the flange portions project whereby loading on the load supporting arm urges said one end of the load supporting arm against the column by downward movement of the outwardly directed portion of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers.

Claims

4. A cantilever rack according to claim 2, including a base structure comprising two channel-shaped support members each having an upper flange, a lower flange and an interconnecting web, the webs of the support members being rigidly interconnected in spaced relationship, two angle bars having first portions which are secured one to each of said sidewalls of the column at the lower end of the column and second portions which project substantially at right angles to said sidewalls of the column, and a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies which interconnect the second portions of the angle bars and the upper flanges of the support members, with the lower end of the column and the first portions of the angle bars disposed between the webs of the support members.

6. A cantilever rack comprising a hollow column having a pair of opposed, substantially parallel first sidewalls and a pair of opposed, substantially parallel second sidewalls, the column being of substantially rectangular cross section; a series of vertically spaced circular apertures formed in one of the first sidewalls and a further series of vertically spaced circular apertures formed in the other of the first sidewalls, each aperture being in alignment with one of the apertures in the other series of apertures; at least one channel-shaped connection bracket comprising two spaced, substantially parallel flange portions which are formed with circular openings and which are interconnected by a web portion; a load supporting arm one end of which is secured to the web portion of the connection bracket; bearing washers formed with circular holes; and a circular pin which is slidably insertable through the holes in the bearing washers, the openings in the flange portions of the connection bracket and a selected pair of the aligned apertures in the first sidewalls of the column, with the bearing washers disposed a spaced distance from the first sidewalls of the column and with the flange portions of the connection bracket disposed between the first sidewalls of the column and the bearing washers and in embracing relationship with the first sidewalls of the column; each flange portion of the connection bracket presenting an outwardly directed reflexly bent edge portion which is adapted to contact a bearing edge face presented by the adjacent bearing washer, with said reflexly bent edge portion and said bearing edge face being inclined, in a downward direction, away from the web portion of the connection bracket whereby loading on the load supporting arm urges the web portion of the connection bracket against the column by downward movement of the reflexly bent edge portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers; tHe pin which is a sliding fit within the holes in the bearing washers and the apertures in the first sidewalls of the column being a clearance fit within the openings in the flange portions of the connection bracket such that, during said downward movement of the reflexly bent edge portions of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers, there is no contact between the pin and the flange portions of the connection bracket; and each of the bearing washers presenting a hook member which projects from the upper end of the bearing edge face of the washer for supported engagement with the upper end of the reflexly bent edge portion of the adjacent flange portion of the connection bracket.

8. A cantilever rack assembly comprising a plurality of racks according to claim 7, wherein a bracing structure connects the column of each rack to the column of one of the remaining racks, the bracing structure comprising spaced upper and lower framework members, spaced side framework members, the framework members, each of which is constituted by a channel-shaped member, being interconnected substantially in the form of a rectangular framework, and diagonally disposed bracing members secured to the framework members, projecting lugs being secured to the first sidewalls of each column, and nut and bolt assemblies securely interconnecting the ends of the upper and lower framework members with the lugs.

10. A cantilever rack comprising a column having a pair of opposed, substantially parallel sidewalls, bearing washers mounted one on each of said sidewalls of the column with each washer disposed a spaced distance from the sidewall of the column on which it is mounted, and a load supporting arm having two spaced, substantially parallel flange portions projecting from one end thereof, the flange portions being disposed between said sidewalls of the column and the bearing washers and in embracing relationship with said sidewalls of the column, and a portion of each flange portion being laterally outwardly directed from the plane of said flange portion with a side face of said outwardly directed portion being in contact with a bearing edge face presented by the adjacent bearing washer so as to provide, between said side face of the outwardly directed portion of each flange portion and the bearing edge face of the adjacent bearing washer, a bearing contact area the magnitude of which is dependent on the thickness of the bearing washer but independent of the thickness of the flange portion and which is inclined, in a downward direction, away from said one end of the load supporting arm from which the flange portions project whereby loading on the load supporting arm urges said one end of the load supporting arm against the column by downward movement of the outwardly directed portion of the flange portions relative to the bearing edge faces of the bearing washers.