WO2008028231A1

WO2008028231A1 - A method and apparatus for adjusting the height of mobile shelving tracks

Info

Publication number: WO2008028231A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Maurice Parker; George Giles Campbell; David Malcolm Gordon
Original assignee: Glidestore Freetrack Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-05
Filing date: 2007-09-05
Publication date: 2008-03-13

Abstract

The present invention is for an adjustable track for use with a plurality of mobile shelving units and includes a track generally of a uniform cross-section shape wherein the track is adapted to receive a track height adjustment screw and foot. The screw foot is adapted to receive a plurality of spacer blocks, and the screw foot and spacer blocks are adapted to receive a spacer to thus adjust the height of a mobile shelving unit track with respect to the ground. Typically the height adjustability is of the order of some 20 mm that enables for a quite long track to be adjusted for a horizontally consistent height.

Description

A method and apparatus for adjusting the height of mobile shelving tracks

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting the height of mobile shelving tracks for mobile shelving. In particular, an apparatus for the adjustment of the mobile shelving track height so as to ensure the. efficient movement of the mobile shelving units across the tracks and a method of using and installing such a device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile shelving tracks are required to be aligned and adjusted to compensate for uneven floors. These tracks must be of equal relative height at all points longitudinally along the length of the track for mobile shelving units to move efficiently across the tracks. Any deviation from the desired height of the tracks will result in different amounts of force being required to move the shelving units laterally and may result in a shelving unit moving on its own accord due to force of gravity. Both these situations are undesirable and may result in damage to either property or persons. As a result, various methods of adjusting the height of mobile shelving tracks have been implemented to ensure the safe and consistent movement of mobile shelving units.

Traditionally, track height adjustment was achieving using a plurality of thin metal plates or shims. These shims were placed and secured underneath the track according to how many individual shims were required to achieve the desired track height. In cases where the floor is particularly uneven, a large number shims is required. These shims are visually unappealing and also difficult and laborious to install as the tracks must be raised for the correct number of shims to be placed and retained in the desired position.

Track height can also be adjusted using adjustable height legs placed at regular intervals along the length of the track. These leges are generally adjusted by raising the track and screwing the legs to the desired height. Such a device presents further problems as the maximum adjustment height is the fixed length of the screw and the track needs to be raised for adjustment. Typically, the installation of a mobile shelving system requires that the tracks are laid and adjusted before the mobile shelving units are installed. After this initial set up the tracks require re-adjustment. Therefore, these prior art methods of adjustment, requiring an installer to raise the tracks in order to access the adjustment device with the mobile shelving units installed, are difficult, time consuming, and can result in inaccurate levelling.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.

For the purposes of the specification the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning. Also a reference within the specification to a document or to prior use is not to be taken as an admission that the disclosure therein constitutes common general knowledge in Australia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a height adjustment device, used to adjust the height of a mobile shelving unit track, comprising: a plurality of spaced apart mobile shelving unit tracks, whereby said track has generally uniform cross section; said track adapted to receive a track height adjustment screw and foot; said screw foot adapted to receive a plurality of spacer blocks; and wherein said screw foot and spacer blocks are adapted to receive a spacer.

In a further form of the invention there is proposed an adjustable track for use with a plurality of mobile shelving units comprising: a track generally of a uniform cross-section shape; the track adapted to receive a track height adjustment screw and foot; the screw foot adapted to receive a plurality of spacer blocks, the screw foot and spacer blocks adapted to receive a spacer to thus adjust the height of a mobile shelving unit track with respect to the ground.

Preferably said track height adjustment screw is adapted to be screwed from above the track and received by said screw foot below said track. Preferably said track height adjustment screw has a hex key type screw head.

Preferably said cylindrical spacer blocks are of a fixed height and are used to raise the track in multiples of said fixed height.

Preferably said cylindrical spacer blocks raise the track by multiples of a fixed height of 20mm.

Preferably said adjustment screw raises said track over a range of 0 to 20mm.

Preferably said cylindrical spacer blocks include a raised upper surface and a raised lower surface adapted to engage with said raised upper or lower surfaces of another cylindrical spacer block, so as to retain said spacer blocks laterally.

Preferably said rased upper surface of said cylindrical spacer block is adapted to engage with a raised lower surface of said screw foot, retaining said spacer block laterally.

Preferably said cylindrical spacer block has a projection adapted to assist with the placement of said cylindrical spacer block underneath said track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a mobile shelving system track;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a mobile shelving system track;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a mobile shelving system track without the upper track moulding; Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a mobile shelving system track termination;

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a mobile shelving system track end cap; and

Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the height adjustment mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of an extruded mobile shelving system track 10 and a cross section of the base of a mobile shelving unit 12 traversing the track. The extruded track 10 comprises; an upper track moulding 14, a lower steel track 16, a joiner plate 18, adjustable ramps 20, a cylindrical spacer block 22, a cylindrical screw foot 24, and a height adjustment screw 26.

The upper track moulding 14 is adapted to be received by the lower steel track 16 and shaped so as to disperse the load, from a mobile shelving unit, to a large surface area on the ground. The upper track moulding 14 contains; a ribbed upper surface 28, a ratchet mechanism 30 on the underside of the upper track moulding to engage the adjustable ramp 20, ribs 32 adapted to transfer any loading on the upper surface of the track moulding to the lower steel track and the ground, channels 34 for the retention of an anti-tilt flange 36, and central channel 38 adapted to receive a mobile shelving unit roller 40.

The central channel 38 has a V shaped configuration to reduce the contact surface area between the roller 40 and the channel 38. The roller 40 engages the channel centrally with both edges of the roller contacting the channel. The weight of the mobile shelving unit on the roller retains it in the desired position and allows sufficient friction for it to rotate smoothly as the shelving unit traverses the track. The V shaped central channel 38 produces a reduced amount of friction whilst engaging the roller, providing for ease of movement and a reduction in noise. In order to prevent wear and strengthen the upper track moulding central channel 38, retaining beads 42 retain a crinoline strip 44 on each side of the V shaped channel. The inclusion of the crinoline strips 44, generally made of steel, allow for the simplified profile of the upper track moulding 14 hence improving mouldability and ensuring a flatter more stable track. The strips 44 can be inserted, between the retaining beads 42, from either end of the upper track moulding 14.

In order to prevent the toppling of a mobile shelving unit in the lateral direction, the shelving unit has an anti-tilt flange 36 adapted to be retained within the upper track moulding anti-tilt channel 34. The anti-tilt flange 36 is part of an extrusion and is a C shaped flange depending from one of two spaced apart vertical flanges 46. The anti-tilt flange 36 is only required to engage with one of the two vertical flanges 46, as one point of contact is sufficient to prevent the attached mobile shelving unit from toppling. The mobile shelving unit is attached to the extrusion comprising an upstanding stiffening web 48 and a horizontal stiffening web 50, of which, the two spaced apart vertical flanges 46 depend from.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the extruded mobile shelving system track 10, with the extruded base of mobile shelving unit 12 traversing the track. From this figure it can be seen that the extruded track 10 comprises an upper track moulding 14 that is placed over the lower steel track 16 and retained in position. This retention is achieved using a fastener or clip arrangement. The track 10 has a plurality of adjustable ramps 20, with as many used as required to protect the length of the track. The ramps 20 also have a ribbed underside to reduce weight and maintain strength.

Also shown is the ribbed upper surface 28 of the upper track moulding 14. These parallel ribs open outwards to ensure efficient cleaning and assist with the brushing away of any debris located in the grooves between the ribs. The outer edge of the ribbed upper surface is rounded and tapered so as to neatly fit over the adjustable ramps 20, thus reducing the size of the Hp formed and the likelihood of the upper track moulding being lifted. The rounding and tapering of the ribbed upper surface 28 is also envisaged to be adapted to receive an extruded strip used to cover the steelwork should the adjustable ramps not be used.

Figure 3 shows perspective view of one length of lower steel track 16 being joined to a joiner plate 18. Another length of lower steel track 16 would then be joined using the fastening holes 52 supplied in the joiner plate and the weld nuts 54 on the steel track 16. It is also envisaged that an alternate fastening arrangement can be made for ease of assembly, whereby, the weld nuts are applied to the joiner plate 18 or alternatively, rivets are used in fixed holes located on both the plate and track. Both the joiner plate and the track are formed as pressed metal parts in fixed lengths reducing tooling and manufacturing costs.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of one end of an extruded mobile shelving system track 10, with an end cap 56 in place covering any exposed steel work. Figure 5 shows the end cap 56 with an insert 58, shaped so that it is retained with the central channel 38 of the upper track moulding 14 with an interference fit. End cap screw holes 60 allow for the further retention of the end cap 56 and these screws are adapted to be retained by the lower steel track 16 regardless of where the steel track was cut.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the height adjustment mechanism. A combination of cylindrical spacer blocks 22 and a height adjustment screw 26 are used to adjust the height of the mobile shelving track 10. The spacers are stackable and are used to raise the track height whenever an adjustment height of more than 20mm and less than 60mm is required. The spacer blocks 22 contain a raised edge, adapted to receive another spacer block to assist with the location and fitting of multiple spacers. The raised edge is sufficient to hold the spacer 22 in position if the system is bumped during installation or use. Also, a tab 62 located on the spacer block 22 is adapted to assist with the alignment and placement of these spacers. An adhesive backed foam rubber disk 64 is used where the floor surface does not have a deformable floor covering, such as carpet, and is used to accommodate minor variations in the angle of floor surface. The rubber disk 64 can be applied to the base of a spacer block 22, as shown in this figure, or applied directly to the screw foot 24.

For a finer track height adjustment of up to 20mm, a height adjustment screw 26 and screw foot 24 are used. The screw 26 has a hex key and is used to positively drive the track 10 to the desired height. The screw is retained in position and restrained from coming out of the track, whilst being rotated, using a washer 66 and a star-washer 68. The height adjustment screw 26 allows an installer to adjust and fine tune the final 20mm of track height without having to raise the track. This ability to adjust the track height from above the track is particularly advantageous in mobile shelving systems as after the initial installation the tracks settle and track height must be re-adjusted accordingly. Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable track for use with a plurality of mobile shelving units comprising: a track generally of a uniform cross-section shape; the track adapted to receive a track height adjustment screw and foot; the screw foot adapted to receive a plurality of spacer blocks, the screw foot and spacer blocks adapted to receive a spacer to thus adjust the height of a mobile shelving unit track with respect to the ground.

2. An adjustable track as in claim 1 wherein the track height adjustment screw is adapted to be screwed from above the track and received by said screw foot below said track.

3. An adjustable track as in claim 2 wherein the track height adjustment screw has a hex key type screw head.

4. An adjustable track as in claim 1 wherein the spacer blocks are cylindrical and are of fixed height to raise the track in multiples of said fixed height.

5. An adjustable track as in claim 4 wherein the cylindrical spacer blocks raise the track by multiples of a fixed height of 20mm.

6. An adjustable track as in claim 1 wherein the adjustment screw raises said track over a range of 0 to 20mm.

7. An adjustable track as in claim 4 wherein the cylindrical spacer blocks include a raised upper surface and a raised lower surface adapted to engage with said raised upper or lower surfaces of another cylindrical spacer block, so as to retain said spacer blocks laterally.

8. An adjustable track as in claim 7 wherein the rased upper surface of said cylindrical spacer block is adapted to engage with a raised lower surface of said screw foot, retaining said spacer block laterally.

9. An adjustable track as in claim 8 wherein the cylindrical spacer block has a projection adapted to assist with the placement of said cylindrical spacer block underneath said track.