US3325017A

US3325017A - Library post structure

Info

Publication number: US3325017A
Application number: US504912A
Authority: US
Inventors: Tucker Frank Philip
Original assignee: ESTEY CORP
Current assignee: ESTEY CORP
Priority date: 1965-10-24
Filing date: 1965-10-24
Publication date: 1967-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-13

Description

F. P. TUCKER 3,325,017

LIBRARY POST STRUCTURE June 13, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1965 20 4Z\FIG. 3. I0Y

INVENTOR F. PHILIP TUCKER y 2- fi M I ATTORNEY.

June 13, 1967 F. P. TUCKER LIBRARY POST STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 24, 1965 FIG. 4.

2 SheetsSheet INVENTOR F. PHILIP TUCKER ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,325,017 LIBRARY POST STRUCTURE Frank Philip Tucker, Oceanport, NJ. Estey Corporation, 1 Catherine St, Red Bank NJ. 07701) Filed 0st. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,912 14 Claims. (Cl. 211148) The present invention is broadly concerned with an improved library post structure, or shelf-supporting base assembly. The invention is more particularly concerned with a unique base supporting assembly having high structural strength, and wihch may be readily and efficiently assembled (and disassembled), positioned and leveled at the desired location with a minimum use of fasteners, screws, bolts and the like.

The shelf assembly of the present invention comprises an interrelated combination of particular unique base elements used with a vertical column, especially in combination with an alignment and stress distribution pin. One of the features of this invention is the tapered pin which expands and grips the sections of the column, and acts as a fulcrum for the scissor action.

This occurs by reason of the fact that when adjustment screws are raised, and the shelves are loaded, the base sections of the column are forced downwardly and act on the pin.

In the art it is well known to use various types of construction for shelving, particularly for library book stacks and open shelf filing equipment. An object of this invention is to design a post and shelf having ease of construction, strength, and ready accessibility. Another object is to have the base assembly of a type and design which can be readily dismantled and reassembled for movement to a new location, and to provide a scissor action into the pin Operating as a fulcrum.

With the foregoing and other objects in view as will appear from a reading of the following specification and claims, the invention resides in the novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction and process of manufacture hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be further understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many and various forms, some of which are illustrated in the laccompanying drawing and photographs, and that the structural details or particular steps of the method here in set forth may be varied to suit particular purposes and still remain within the inventive concept.

Referring to the figures:

FIGURE 1 shows in some detail the various elements of the assembly.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the assembly, while FIG- URE 3 is a bottom view of the assembly.

FIGURE 4 illustrates an end view of the assembly, while FIGURE 5 is a view 55 of FIGURE 4 looking upwardly.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 1, a first base element 14) is shown along with a second base element 20. These base elements are designed to be positioned along and on a supporting floor. In essence, these base elements comprise metal channel structures preferably having a generally flat upper surface and flat sides, and an inner and outer end. The height of the top surface of the base element may be somewhat greater at the inner end than at the outer end. Leveling means, such as knobs or adjusting screws 21 and 11, are provided at or near the outer ends of the base elements 20 and so as to adjust the same with respect to floor irregularities.

A first vertical element 40 is intergrally extruded or "Ice rigidly affixed to base element 10, and extends vertically upward therefrom at its inner end. Element 40 is characterized by having a width about one-half the width of the top surface of the base element. Vertical element 40 has a lip 41, extending longitudinally along its inner surface. Lip 41 is characterized by having a recessed area 42 in the lower end thereof.

Second base element 20 is characterized by having a second vertical element 50 integral with or rigidly attached thereto, which extends vertically therefrom at its inner end. Element 50 has a lip 51 which extends from its inner surface and a recess 52.

In the assembly the respective elements are placed so that lip 41 will abut against lip 51. Pin alignment and stress distribution element 30 is positioned in the area formed by the recess 42 in lip 41 and in recess 52 in the lower end of lip 51.

A vertically extending column or tube 70 is positioned about the abutting

vertical elements

40 and 50 in order to securely position and aflix the leg elements one to the other. This vertical column or tube 70 may be of any length desired to support the necessary shelf brackets. Bracket elements and have latching means 81 and 91 at one end thereof which are adapted to seat in slots 71 of the columns or tube 70. Brackets =80 and 90 prefenably have upwardly extending retaining

lips

82 and 92 at their outer end thereof in order to provide support and security for the shelves.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the assembly wherein similar parts are designated with the numbers of FIG- URE 1. First base element 10 and second base element 20 are shown positioned along the floor securely attached one to the other by means of vertical column 70 shown positioned about their

vertical elements

40 and 50.

Brackets

80 and 90 are shown attached to vertical column 70 which brackets support shelves and 100.

FIGURE 3 shows in some detail adjusting means such as knobs or adjusting screws 11 and 21 positioned on the lower side of

base elements

10 and 20. Alignment or stress equalization pin 30 is shown positioned in the circular area formed by

recesses

42 and 52 in the lower area of lip-s 41 and 51. This pin is preferably tapered and expands the

base elements

10 and 21, and further acts as a hinge point for the scissor-like action of 10 and 20 when load is imposed on column 70. Alignment pin 30 is also desirable since it serves to increase ease of erection and distributes the load stress between the first base element 10 and the second base element 20. It is also preferred that

recesses

42 and 52 be tapered so as to secure a vertical cone cavity or recess. Thus, as pin 30 is seated a very tight fitting is secured between the respective elements which, if desired, may be readily disassembled.

FIGURE 4 shows a modification of the assembly wherein a plurality of brackets are used in the upwardly extending locking-supporting column 70.

Brackets

80 and 90

support shelves

110 and 100, while brackets and support shelves and 150, respectively. The entire assembly is supported by means of leveling screws 11 and 21.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view through 5-5 showing

vertical elements

40 and 50 and

abutting lips

41 and 51. The respective vertical elements are securely locked in position by vertical extending supporting column 70.

It is to be understood that the structure usually comprises a plurality of the supporting assembly units described. The units may be spaced at any desirable distance about as, for example, from about 3 to 10 to 15 feet. While the respective dimensions may be varied greatly depending upon environmental conditions and usage, one desirable assembly is to have the respective base elements about 9 to 14 inches as, for example, about 11 /2 inches along the floor. The height of the inner end of the base elements should be about 2 to 4 inches above the floor while the height at the outer end should be about 1% to 2% inches above the floor. The width of these base elements may be from about 2 to 4 inches as, for example, about 2 /2 inches.

As pointed out heretofore, it is preferred that the widths of the vertical elements which are extruded or rigidly aflixed to the base elements be about one-half of the width of the base elements as, for example, about 1% to 2 /2 inches wide. These vertical elements preferably should extend about two inches beyond the ends of the base elements proper. The dimensions of the column or pose 70 should be such as to snugly fit about the respective elements extending vertically from the base elements. The heights of the vertical elements of

bases

10 and 20 may vary appreciably but it is preferred that the heights be about to 12 inches as, for example, about 9 inches. The recesses provided in the bottom of the lip sections so as to receive the expanding and hinge pin element, are preferably from about 1 to 3 inches in length preferably about 3 inches, and a diameter from about /s to inch, such as about inch.

The geometric configuration of the base elements and the vertical elements may be varied widely, and are designed to secure maximum mechanical strength with minimum weight. The upright column or post is preferably of a rectangular cross section having slots adapted to receive shelf supporting brackets.

What is claimed is:

1. Shelf-supporting assembly which comprises in combination (l) a first base element adapted to be positioned along a supporting floor and having an inner end and an outer end, (2) a second base element adapted to be positioned along said supporting floor and having an inner end and an outer end, (3) a first vertical element rigidly afiixed to said inner end of said first base element and extending vertically from said first base element, said first vertical element characterized by a width less than the width of said first base element, (4) a second vertical element rigidly affixed to said inner end of said second base element and extending vertically from said second base element, said second vertical element characterized by a width less than the width of said second base element, (5) a vertical supporting tube positioned about said first and said second vertical elements, and (6) brackets affixed to said vertical tube for supporting trays thereon, and wherein said first vertical element and said second vertical element overlap within said vertical supporting tube.

2. Assembly as defined by claim 1 wherein said vertical elements are characterized by having vertical lips extending therefrom, which lips abut within said vertical supporting tube.

3. Assembly as defined by claim 2 wherein said lips are recessed near the bottoms thereof and wherein a (7) pin is positioned within said recess.

4. Assembly as defined by claim 3 wherein said recess is a vertical cone cavity, and wherein said pin is of a cylindrical configuration.

5. Shelf-supporting assembly which comprises in combination, (1) a first base element adapted to be positioned along a supporting floor, (2) a second base element adapted to be positioned along said supporting floor, the longitudinal axes of said base elements lying in the same vertical plane, (3) a first vertical element rigidly afiixed to said first base element and extending vertically therefrom and being to the right of said vertical plane, (4) a second vertical element rigidly affixed to said second base element and extending vertically therefrom and being to the left of said vertical plane, (5) a vertical supporting tube, the lower end of which is positioned about said first and said second vertical elements, and (6) brackets afiixed to said vertical tube for supporting trays thereon.

6. Assembly as defined by claim 5 wherein said first vertical element and said second vertical element overlap within said vertical supporting tube.

7. Assembly as defined by claim 6 wherein said vertical elements are characterized by having vertical lips extending therefrom, which lips abut within said vertical supporting tube.

8. Assembly as defined by claim 6 wherein said lips are recessed near the bottoms thereof and wherein a (7) pin is positioned within said recess.

9. Assembly as defined by claim 6 wherein said recess is a vertical cone cavity, and wherein said pin is of a cylindrical configuration.

10. Assembly as defined by claim 4 wherein the pin within said recess is about 3 inches in length and about /4 inch in diameter.

11. A structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pin snugly contacts said vertical elements and expands them against the vertical tube and acts as a fulcrum for a scissor action between the two base elements.

12. A structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pin snugly contacts said vertical elements and expands them against the vertical tube and acts as a fulcrum for a scissor action between the two base elements.

13. A library post structure comprising two base elements each having notched inner sections, integral up standing legs on each of said bases adjacent to said notched section, each of said legs fitting in the notched section of the complementary base element, and a tube slidable over said legs holding the legs in registry.

14. A post structure as set forth in claim 11 where said legs are provided with a tapered semicircular groove in the bottom thereof, and a pin in said groove which acts as a fulcrum for the scissor action of the base elements when loading pressure is placed thereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,009,581 11/1961 Stewart 287189.36 3,127,020 3/1964 Bibb 211148. 3,186,561 6/1965 Strassle 287189.36 3,186,668 6/1965 Story 248158 3,206,150 9/1965 Lang et al 248-l58 ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

5. SHELF-SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION, (1) A FIRST BASE ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED ALONG A SUPPORTING FLOOR, (2) A SECOND BASE ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED ALONG SAID SUPPORTING FLOOR, THE LONGITUDINAL AXES OF SAID BASE ELEMENTS LYING IN THE SAME VERTICAL PLANE, (3) A FIRST VERTICAL ELEMENT RIDIGLY AFFIXED TO SAID FIRST BASE ELEMENT AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY THEREFROM SAID BEING TO THE RIGHT OF SAID VERTICAL PLANE, (4) A SECOND VERTICAL ELEMENT RIGIDLY AFFIXED TO SAID SECOND BASE ELEMENT AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY THEREFROM AND BEING TO THE LEFT OF SAID VERTICAL PLANE, (5) A VERTICAL SUPPORTING TUBE, THE LOWER END OF WHICH IS POSITIONED ABOUT SAID FIRST AND SAID SECOND VERTICAL ELEMENTS, AND (6) BRACKETS AFFIXED TO SAID VERTICAL TUBE FOR SUPPORTING TRAYS THEREON.