Connecting device for modular metal shelving props

Abstract

A device for connecting modular metal shelving units, comprising at least two props (1) and at least one connecting element (2), for mutual coupling of the two props (1). Each prop (1) comprises central couplings (14), first distal couplings (16) and second distal couplings (17), and each of the couplings (14,16,17) comprises a central coupling (11) and a first adjustment slot (12). The connecting element (2) comprises a first grouping (21) of pins (20), which can be inserted into the first distal couplings (16) of a prop (1), and a second grouping (22) of pins (20), which can be inserted into the second distal couplings (17) of another prop (1). The first adjustment slot (12) of the first distal couplings (16) is diametrically opposed to the first adjustment slots (12) of the central couplings (14) and the second distal couplings (17).

Claims

1. A connecting device for modular metal shelving props, to form a frame of a modular shelving system, the connecting device comprising: at least two props, each comprising: central couplings, located in a central sector of the prop, first distal couplings, located at one end of the prop, and second distal couplings, located at the other end, in which each of the central couplings, the first distal couplings, and the second distal couplings comprises a keyhole slot defined by a central opening and a first adjustment slot extending perpendicularly from the central opening, and at least one connecting element, for mutual coupling of the two props consecutively, comprising a metal plate with a front face from which pins start, in which the connecting element comprises: a first grouping of pins, insertable in the first distal couplings of a prop, and a second grouping of pins, which can be inserted into the second distal couplings of another prop, the device being characterized in that the first adjustment slots of the first distal couplings are diametrically opposed to the first adjustment slots of the central couplings and the second distal couplings, in order to facilitate a coupling with the connecting element.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1 characterized in that the connecting element further comprises stiffening ribs.

3. The connecting device according to claim 2 characterized in that: the pins are arranged in line with a central longitudinal axis of the plate, and the stiffening ribs are located in the vicinity of two opposite perimeter edges of the plate, parallel to the central longitudinal axis on which the pins are aligned.

4. The connecting device according to claim 1 characterized in that: the central opening has a circular geometry, and each of the pins has a cylindrical geometry, and is looped off by an adjusting head with a circular geometry, which can be inserted into the central opening.

5. The connecting device according to claim 1 characterized in that each of the props is made up of an L-shaped profile comprising: a first wing, and a second wing, angled towards the first wing, in which each of the wings comprises the central couplings, the first distal couplings, and the second distal couplings, and in which the central couplings, the first distal couplings, and the second distal couplings of the first wing are aligned parallel to and coincide with the respective central couplings, first distal couplings, and second distal couplings of the second wing.

6. The connecting device according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one of the central couplings, the first distal couplings, and the second distal couplings further comprises a second adjustment slot, which extends perpendicularly from the central opening in a direction diametrically opposite to that of the first adjustment slot.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following:

(2) FIG. 1.—Shows a top view of the device's connecting element, showing its main constituent elements.

(3) FIG. 2.—Shows a bottom perspective view of the connector in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3.—Shows a perspective view of a prop according to a first preferential realization of the device.

(5) FIG. 4.—Shows a frontal perspective view of the first stage of a coupling sequence of two consecutive props, according to the first realization, with intermediation of the connecting element.

(6) FIG. 5.—Shows a frontal perspective view of the second stage of a coupling sequence of two consecutive props, with intermediation of the connecting element.

(7) FIG. 6.—Shows a front perspective view of two consecutive props connected by the connecting element.

(8) FIG. 7.—Shows a rear perspective view of FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8.—Shows a front perspective view of two consecutive props, according to a second preferential realization, coupled to each other by means of the connecting element.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(10) A detailed explanation of a preferred embodiment of the object of the present invention is provided below with the aid of the aforementioned figures.

(11) The connecting device for modular metal shelving props described is intended to form a mechanical coupling between consecutive props, when assembling the frame of a modular metal shelf. For this purpose, the device comprises at least two props (1) and at least one connecting element (2) for a longitudinal mutual coupling of the two props (1).

(12) As can be seen from the attached figures, each of the props (1) consists of an L-shaped profile, with an outer face (3), intended to face outwards, an inner face (4), intended to face inwards, a central sector (5) and two ends (6), located on two opposite sides of the central sector (5) respectively.

(13) Thus, the profile that makes up a prop (1), shown in FIG. 3, comprises a first wing (7) and a second wing (8), angled with respect to the first wing (7). In this preferential design, the angle (9) between the wings (7,8) is 90°.

(14) Each of the wings (7,8) comprises a plurality of couplings (10), aligned longitudinally so that, as can be seen in FIGS. 4-8, the couplings of the first wing (7) are aligned parallel to and coincide with the respective couplings (10) of the second wing (8).

(15) Each of the coupling (10), which are through-hung to each of the wings (7,8), comprises a keyhole slot defined by a central coupling or central opening (11), of essentially circular geometry, from which a first straight adjustment slot (12) starts perpendicularly. In a second preferred embodiment of the device, shown in FIG. 8, the couplings (10) additionally comprise a second straight adjustment slot (13) which extends perpendicularly from the central coupling (11) in a direction diametrically opposite to that of the first adjustment slot (12).

(16) In both cases, the couplings (10) of each of the props (1) include central couplings (14), located in the central sector (5) and configured to join horizontal trays (15), first distal couplings (16), located at one end (6), and second distal couplings (17), located at the other end (6).

(17) Thus, to form a frame, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, two props (1) are arranged in close contact at their respective ends (6), with the first distal couplings (16) of one of the props (1) arranged consecutively to the second distal couplings (17) of the other prop (1).

(18) On the other hand, the connecting element (2) of the props (1), shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is made up of a metal plate of essentially elongated geometry, which has a front face (18), aimed to be confronted to the inner face (4) of the prop (1), and a rear face (19), opposite to the front face (18).

(19) From the front face (18), pins (20), which can be inserted into the distal couplings (16,17), and which, as illustrated in the above-mentioned figures, are arranged aligned on a central longitudinal axis of the plate. The pins (20) comprise a first grouping (21), intended to be inserted into the first distal couplings (16) of one prop (1), and a second grouping (22), intended to be inserted into the second distal couplings (17) of the other prop (1).

(20) In this preferential implementation, the connecting element (2) comprises four pins (20), two of which form the first grouping (21) while the other two pins (20) form the second grouping (22).

(21) The connecting element (2) also includes lateral stiffening ribs (23), which in this preferential design are located near two opposite perimeter edges of the plate, parallel to the central longitudinal axis on which the pins (20) are aligned.

(22) As can be seen in the attached figures, in the preferential design of the connecting element (2), the pins (20) have an essentially cylindrical geometry, each one being topped off by an adjusting head (24), which has a circular geometry and a slightly larger diameter than that of the cylinder body.

(23) In the first preferred embodiment of the device, shown in FIGS. 3-7, the first adjustment slots (12) of the first distal couplings (16) have a direction diametrically opposite to that of the first adjustment slot (12) of the central couplings (14) and the second distal couplings (17), to facilitate coupling with the coupling element (2).

(24) FIGS. 4-6 show the coupling sequence of two consecutive props (1), with two connecting elements (2) intermediate, to form the frame of a modular metal rack according to the first preferential realization of the device described. Thus, this sequence begins with the placement of each of the connecting elements (2), confronted by their respective front faces (18) with the inner face (4) of the first wing (7) and the second wing (8), to proceed with the coupling of the pins (20) of the first grouping (21) to the pins of the first distal couplings (16) of one of the props (1).

(25) This coupling is carried out by inserting the head (24) into the central coupling (11), and then sliding each of the plates through the respective first adjustment slots (12), until the heads (24) of these pins (20) of the first grouping (21) are pressed and retained inside the first distal couplings (16) of this prop (1).

(26) Thus, with the connecting elements (2) attached to the first prop (1), the second distal couplings (17) of the other prop (1) are then attached to the pins (20) of the second groupings (22), which remain free until now, by inserting the heads (24) into the respective central couplings (11), as shown in FIG. 5.

(27) After this insertion, adjustment takes place between the two props (1) by sliding each of the plates through the respective first adjustment slots (12) of the second distal couplings (17) until these pins (20) of the second groupings (22) are pressed into and retained within the second distal couplings (17) of the other prop (1), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.