Connector for modular rack assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9833066-B2
Application number	US-201615008212-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2016
Priority date	Jan 21, 2015
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

A rack assembly has two support frames and at least one shelf that are secured to the support frames by connecting assemblies. Each connecting assembly comprises a well secured to a medial surface of each vertical tube of the support frame, and a hook that extends from each end of each shelf, with each hook having an opening extending therethrough. The connecting assembly also includes a connector that is seated inside each well, each connector having a top plate that has an elongated opening, the connector also having a body that is sized and configured to fit inside a well, the body defining two wings with a space between the wings, and wherein each wing has a bump positioned in the center of the inner surface of each wing that faces the space. Each hook is inserted through the elongated opening of a corresponding connector with the bump on each wing fitted inside the opening of the hook to retain the hook inside the body of the connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rack assembly, comprising two support frames, each support frame comprising two identical vertical tubes and at least one horizontal tube for connecting the two vertical tubes, and at least one shelf positioned between the two support frames and coupled to the support frames by at least one connecting assembly, wherein each connecting assembly comprises:
a well secured to a, medial surface of each vertical tube;
a hook that extends from each end of each shelf; and
a connector that is seated inside each well, each connector having a top plate that has an elongated opening, the connector also having a body that is sized and configured to fit inside the well, with the body defining two wings with a space between the wings; and
wherein each hook is inserted through the elongated opening of a corresponding connector and is seated inside the space.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hook includes a first coupling mechanism, and the body includes a second coupling mechanism, with the first coupling mechanism engaging the second coupling mechanism when the hook is inserted through the elongated opening of a corresponding connector.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein each wing has a bump positioned in the center of the inner surface of each wing that faces the space.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein each hook has an opening, and the bump on each wing is fitted inside the opening of the hook when the hook is inserted through the elongated opening of a corresponding connector.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein each wing has a U-shaped flap cut therefrom, and the bump is positioned in the center of the inner surface of each flap that faces the V-shaped space.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body extends below the top plate in a recessed manner such that a flange is defined between the walls of the body and outer edges of the top plate.

7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the top plate is sized and configured so that the flange sits on the top of top edges of the well.

8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the space is a V-shaped space.

9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein a lip extends along the bottom edge of each wing, with each wing resiliently biased against an inner wall of the well.

Assignees

• Seville Classics Inc
• Seville Classics Inc

Inventors

• Hsu Li-Han

Classifications

• A47B47/0083 Primary

  with four vertical uprights (for units mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/045) · CPC title

• A47B96/021

  Structural features of shelf bases · CPC title

• A47B96/024

  characterised by support bracket location means, e.g. fixing means between support bracket and shelf (A47B96/028 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47B47/0058

  Horizontal connecting members without panels · CPC title

• A47B96/06

  Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves ({A47B96/022 takes precedence; } aspects of adjusting height or inclination A47B57/00 {; brackets for the display of articles A47F5/08}) · CPC title