Loading rack

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to loading racks and more particularly to a rack adapted for the stacking of cylindrical objects in discrete layers with their major axes presented horizontally.

Heretofore, the handling of cylindrical objects, such as pipe and the like for storage and shipping, has proved difficult in the art. One expedient heretofore adopted has been the presentation of the objects in a vertical manner necessitating relatively elevated lateral support members for the load and occasioning expected difficulties in both loading and unloading.

Another expedient has been the pyramid stacking of such objects but, understandably, this arrangement necessitates a sacrifice of costly space. Additionally, by such an arrangement, the units must be individually handled for unstacking. Furthermore, to the present time there has not been devised an efficient manner in which cylindrical objects may be effectively stored on loading pallets and thus denying the utilization of a customary expedient in the field of material handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a loading rack for cylindrical objects and being adapted for presenting the same with their major axes parallel to the support surface and disposed in discrete layers of like extent.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rack of tiie character stated which is adaptable for removable mounting upon loading pallets whereby the stacked cylindrical objects may be efficiently handled and transported as a unitary pallet load.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rack of the character stated which incorporates handle portions so as to facilitate manipulation of said racks so that a supported load may be efficaciously transported.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a rack of the character stated which incorporates means for interlocking engagement with an underlying or superimposed rack for stabilizing the multitier load.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rack of the character stated which embodies recess-forming elements for individually accepting a portion of the supported object.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rack of the character stated which is easily arranged in assembled operative position and as easily disassembled; which rack may be stored in minimum space when in disuse; the utilization of which does not necessitate securement to a pallet but which will be stabilized by the load; and which rack is capable of withstanding appreciable jarring forces without disruptins the load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loading pallet having disposed thereon racks constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention; a supported layer of cylindrical objects is shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the rack.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rack shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. S is a perspective view of another form of loading rack constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further form of loading rack constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the handle portion of a loading rack of the present invention illustrating another form of rack-interengaging means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, 1 generally designates a conventional loading pallet having a deck 2, comprised of a plurality of boards 3 which latter are suitably secured, as by nailing, upon a plurality of stringers 4 spaced apart longitudinally of pallet 1. Fixed upon the upper surface of deck 2, adjacent the related edges I thereof, is a plurality of longitudinal cleats or blocks 5 and a plurality of transverse cleats or blocks 6; said blocks 5, 6 defining a loading zone a for cylindrical objects as indicated generally at C, such as, for example, artillery shells, pipe sections and the like. It should be understood, however, that although the present invention is described hereinbelow for use in conjunction with cylindrical objects, the same could be readily adapted for utilization with elongated objects of cross section other than circular.

Disposed upon deck 2 in axially parallel relationship to cleats S along each longitudinal side of pallet 1, and spaced inwardly of the adjacent cleats S, are racks A. Said racks A are of identical construction and are presented in transversely aligned relationship for cooperatively engaging corresponding end portions of the objects to be received so that in usage, the rack of the present invention is utilized in pairs. The lower end extremities of each rack A are disposed adjacent the end face of the proximate transverse cleat 6 which latter serves as a detent for preventing said racks from moving relatively toward each other.

With reference being made to FIG. 2, it will be seen that each rack A comprises a unitary elongated, narrow base 7 formed as from flat steel bar stock, and at each end of said base there is mounted an upstanding end member 8 which latter embodies a vertical web 9 and an upper and lower horizontal flange 10, 11, respectively. Flange 11 of each end member 8 is fixed, as by welding, upon the upper surface of base 7. Continuous with upper horizontal flange 10 is a short leg 12 depending from its inner end in substantially parallel, spaced apart relationship with respect to the associated web 9. Rigid with upper flange 10 is an upwardly extending pin or stud 13, while lower flange 11 and the underlying portion of base 7, are drilled to present a continuous vertical opening 14 (see FIG. 4) having a diameter slightly greater than that of pin 13 for purposes presently appearing.

Mounted upon base member 7 the full extent thereof between end members 8, is a plurality of upwardly opening Ushaped sections IS each being formed from flat metal bar stock and each having substantially parallel side portions 16, , 16' which, in their lower portions, are continuous with a substantially semicircular or arcuate bottom portion 17 which latter is fixed on its undersurface to base 7, as by welding, at 18. The said U-shaped sections are in side-by-side relationship with the outer surface of their side portions 16,16' being fixed as by welding to the confronting outer portions of the adjacent sections IS; and with the legs 12 of each mounting member being fixed to the confronting surface of the adjacent side portion of the proximate U-shaped section IS. It will thus be seen (FIG. 2) that the endmost U-shaped sections 15 are spaced from the adjacent web 9 of the proximate end member 8 a distance adequate for extension of an_; operator’s hand therethrough with the related web 9 serving as a grip. Thus, end members 8, by their unique configuration, coordinate with the adjacent U-shaped section IS to present handle portions for promoting facile handling of said racks A.

As may best be seen in FIG. 1, racks A are arranged in spaced apart paired relationship with the U-shaped sections IS of each being transversely aligned for supportedly receiving end portions of a cylindrical object C extending between racks A. The side portions 16,16' and bottom portion 17 of each section IS are so related to the diameter of the object C to be supported as to snugly receive same yet permit of ease of insertion and withdrawal. Thus, the distance between said portions 16,16' may be slightly greater than the diameter of object C and with the radius of bottom portion 17 being substan3,590,752 tially the same or slightly, relatively greater. It is also to be noted that the depth of each section 15, that is the distance between the upper ends of said portions 16,16' and the base of bottom portion 17, is greater than the diameter of object C to be received for purposes presently appearing.

Accordingly, objects C are received within the aligned Ushaped sections 15 until the racks A are full. With reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the end faces of the object C abut against cleats 5 and are thus restrained against undesired axial shifting. The imposition upon said racks A of the load developed by the layer of objects C, serves to stabilize racks A against unauthorized movement so that there is no need for providing positive means for securing the lowermost racks A to pallet 1. It is apparent that, if desired, a suitable fastener, such as a nail, screw, or the like, could be utilized for such means by extension through apertures 14 of said racks A.

A second layer of objects C may be presented upwardly of the lowermost layer by superimposing a rack A upon each underlying rack A, disposed upon deck 2. Thus, the apertures 14 in the overlying rack will receive the pins 13 in the underlying rack so as to effect a union therebetween. After the development of such second layer, additional racks A may be applied so as to carry the load to whatever number of layers might be needed.

By the structure of racks A, a multitiering arrangement may be achieved of cylindrical objects wherein the latter are not subjected to the weight of any objects in overlying tiers. The load is thus transmitted through racks A to pallet 1, thereby assuring full protection of objects C against crushing or other damage. By reason of the development of handle portions through the relationship of end members 8 to the adjacent components of each rack A, racks A may be easily handled for disposition into operative position or for removal therefrom. Furthermore, and of importance, is the fact that said racks A : thus are adapted to facilitate handling of the objects in layerby-layer manner. With a workman at each end of the load and holding the ends of the two racks, an entire layer may be easily transported or otherwise handled in such manner as might be desired. t

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that the racks of the present invention present effective means for the shipping and storing of cylindrical objects as well as to adapt the conventional industrial loading pallet for accommodating loads of cylindrical objects wherein maximum economy of the loading ⁴⁵zone is achieved. Racks A are economically manufactured and being of identical construction, do not require time consuming matching of lefts and rights, but, do allow for ready replacement.

Referring now to FIG. 5, D designates another form of loading rack constructed in accordance with the present invention which is adapted for utilization independently of a loading pallet. Rack D is fabricated of relatively heavy gauge strap or bar ...._______ stock and incorporates a base member 20, a plurality of up- .. object’s comprising a b^member' wardly opening U-shaped sections 21 secured upon said base ....

member 20 and end members 22 all of which are of like configuration and function as base member 7, sections 15, and end members 8, respectively, of loading rack A hereinabove described. Mounted on the underface of base member 20 adjacent its opposite end portions, is a channel-shaped member 23 having a web 24 parallel to, and downwardly spaced from, base 20, upstanding side portions 25 with outwardly directed flanges 26 at the upper end of side portions 25 for flatwise securement to the underface of base member 7 as by welding 65 or the like. Each member 23 thus cooperates with the related base member 20 to define an opening 27 the axis of which is normal to the longitudinal axis of base member 20 for receiving the forks of a conventional forklift truck. Intermediate channel-shaped members 23, a support block 28 may be af- 70 fixed to base member 7 so as to reinforce the central portion thereof when under load.

Turning now to FIG. 6, E designates a further form of loading rack which is also constructed for use independent of a loading pallet. Rack E incorporates a base 20', U-shaped sec- 75 tions 21' and end members 22' which structurally and functionally correspond to base member 20, sections 21 and end members 22 of rack D hereinabove described. Secured to base member 20' adjacent each of its ends and substantially intermediate its ends for extension downwardly therefrom in a fork-receptacle 29; each being of quadrilateral configuration having upper and lower parallel members 30,30' and parallel end sections 31,31'. The longitudinal axes of upper and lower , members 30 are perpendicular to the long axis of base member 20' so as to direct the opening 32 defined by said members and sections lengthwise of base member 20'. Thus, fork-receptacles 29 are aligned and so presented for receiving a fork of a conventional forklift truck. Thereby, rack E may be supported thereon in a stable manner so that a forklift truck could easily maneuver and handle a pair of loaded racks or a full loaded tier of such racks. Affixed to base member 20' substantially intermediate its length and depending therefrom may be a blocklike support 33 for buttressing the central portion of said racks E under the load. .

Referring now to FIG. 7, 38 designates an end member for utilization with loading racks A, D and E hereinabove described being adapted for replacement of end members 8, 22,22', if desired.

Said end member 38 incorporates a web 39 and upper and lower horizontal flanges 40,41' said latter being suitably secured, as by welding, to the adjacent underlying base member such as 7. Continuous with upper flange 41 is a short leg 42; all of the aforesaid components of end member 38 being substantially identical with the corresponding components of end member 8 hereinabove described. Integrally formed with upper horizontal flange 40, and substantially centrally thereof, is an upward projection 43 of generally exteriorly rounded contour and internally opening downwardly, toward lower flange 41. Formed within the confronting portions of base member 7 and lower horizontal flange 41, in vertical alignment with projection 43, is a similar projection 44 extending, hump fashion, above flange 41 and opening downwardly through said flange 41 and base member 7. The inner diameter of projection 44 is slightly greater then the outside diameter of projection 43 so that in superimposing loading racks, the projections 43 on the end members 38 of the under loading rack may be received within the projections 44 of the immediately above loading rack so as to bring about a stable interengagement.

It is to be understood that there are numerous other means which may be utilized for interconnecting loading racks, one above the other, then those particular expediencies herein ₅θ described. However, it is recognized that the same would clearly fall within the spirit of this invention.