Space-saving rack

Abstract

A rack for transporting and storing carriers includes a base, rolling members connected to the base, a frame, and a bumper portion. The base may include projecting portions extending outward relative to the corner regions of the frame. The frame extends upwardly from the base and includes supports for supporting carriers. The supports have metal surfaces for contacting the carriers. The bumper portion is disposed on at least a peripheral portion of the rack and is formed of plastic. A first elongated restraining member may be provided to inhibit carriers from being removed from the frame.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rack for transporting and storing carriers, comprising: 
 a base;    rolling members connected to the base;    a frame extending upwardly from the base, the frame including a plurality of supports for supporting carriers, wherein the supports have metal surfaces for contacting the carriers; and    a bumper portion on at least a peripheral portion of the rack, wherein the bumper portion is formed of plastic.    
     
     
         2 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the base is an integral member formed of plastic.  
     
     
         3 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper portion is at least one of disposed on and formed as an integral part of a peripheral portion of the base.  
     
     
         4 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the carriers are sheet pans and the supports are configured to support sheet pans.  
     
     
         5 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the supports are configured such that only the metal surfaces contact the carriers.  
     
     
         6 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the supports include wire runners.  
     
     
         7 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper portion is at least one of disposed on and formed as an integral part of a peripheral portion of the base.  
     
     
         8 . The rack of  claim 7 , wherein the frame includes a handle, and the bumper portion is at least one of disposed on and formed as an integral part of the handle.  
     
     
         9 . The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a top connector, wherein the top connector is an integral member formed of plastic and the frame extends upwardly into and is fixed to the top connector.  
     
     
         10 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper portion is at least one of disposed on and formed as an integral part of a peripheral portion of the top connector.  
     
     
         11 . A rack for transporting and storing carriers, comprising: 
 a frame including a plurality of supports for supporting carriers, the frame having corner regions within which the carriers can be positioned;    a base supporting the frame, the base including projecting portions extending outward relative to the corner regions of the frame; and    rolling members connected to the projecting portions.    
     
     
         12 . The rack of  claim 11 , wherein the carriers are sheet pans and the supports are configured to support sheet pans.  
     
     
         13 . The rack of  claim 11 , wherein the supports include wire runners.  
     
     
         14 . The rack of  claim 11 , wherein the projecting portions include outriggers.  
     
     
         15 . The rack of  claim 11 , wherein the rolling members are positioned on outermost areas of the projecting portions.  
     
     
         16 . The rack of  claim 11 , wherein the rolling members are positioned on the projecting portions at a distance that is at least about 1.3 times a width of the frame.  
     
     
         17 . The rack of  claim 11 , including four corner regions and four projecting portions.  
     
     
         18 . A rack for transporting and storing carriers, comprising: 
 a base;    rolling members connected to the base;    a frame extending upwardly from the base, the frame including a plurality of supports for supporting carriers; and    a first elongated restraining member extending substantially vertically, wherein the first elongated restraining member is moveable substantially horizontally between a hold position in which the first elongated restraining member inhibits carriers from being removed from the frame and an unload position in which the first elongated restraining member permits carriers to be removed from the frame, and the first elongated restraining member is automatically maintained in the hold and unload positions in a manner that permits the first elongated restraining member to later be removed.    
     
     
         19 . The rack of  claim 18 , wherein the carriers are sheet pans and the supports are configured to support sheet pans.  
     
     
         20 . The rack of  claim 18 , wherein the supports include wire runners.  
     
     
         21 . The rack of  claim 18 , wherein the first elongated restraining member includes a bar that extends substantially vertically along the frame.  
     
     
         22 . The rack of  claim 18 , wherein the first elongated restraining member pivots between the hold position and the unload position.  
     
     
         23 . The rack of  claim 18 , further comprising a top connector, wherein the frame extends upwardly into and is fixed to the top connector, and the first elongated restraining member is pivotally connected to the base and to the top connector.  
     
     
         24 . The rack of  claim 18 , further comprising a maintaining member that maintains the first elongated restraining member in the hold position.  
     
     
         25 . The rack of  claim 18 , further comprising a second elongated restraining member positioned on a side of the frame opposite to the first elongated restraining member.  
     
     
         26 . A rack for transporting and storing sheet pans, comprising: 
 a first side panel including wire runners for supporting sheet pans;    a second side panel including wire runners for supporting sheet pans; and    a connector that connects the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the connector is configured to be moveable from an open position in which the first wire side panel is located a maximum distance from the second wire side panel to a folded position in which the first wire side panel is located a minimum distance from the second wire side panel.    
     
     
         27 . The rack of  claim 26 , wherein the connector includes a first fixed base member connected to the first wire side panel, a second fixed base member connected to the second wire side panel, and a moveable base member hingedly connected to the first and second fixed base members.  
     
     
         28 . A rack of  claim 27 , wherein the connector includes a first fixed top member connected to a top of the first wire side panel, a second fixed top member connected to the top of the second wire side panel, and a moveable top member hingedly connected to the first and second fixed top members.