Shelving connector

Abstract

A connector is provided for securing two members together. The connector includes an opening formed in one member and a tab extending from the other member. Either the opening or the tab is tapered for frictional engagement with the other when the members are joined.

1 . A connector apparatus for securing two members together and comprising: 
 an opening formed in one member;    a tab extending from the other member;    one of said opening and said tab being tapered for frictional engagement with the other when the members are joined.    
   
   
       2 . A connector apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said tab includes a substantially flat surface; and    said substantially flat surface is in clamping engagement with the one member when the members are joined.    
   
   
       3 . A connector apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said one of said opening and said tab includes first and second sides, said first and second sides being tapered.    
   
   
       4 . A connector apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said one of said opening and said tab further includes a top edge and a bottom edge, said first and second sides being tapered inwardly from said bottom edge to said top edge.    
   
   
       5 . A connector apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said one of said opening and said tab is a trapezoid shaped opening, said tab being wedged into said trapezoid shaped opening when the members are joined.    
   
   
       6 . A connector apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said tab includes a proximal portion integral with an adjacent, substantially planar portion of the other member;    said tab further includes an upwardly extending portion integral with said proximal portion;    said proximal portion includes at least one bend portion, said bend portion being configured to cause said upwardly extending portion of said tab to be in clamping engagement with the one member when the members are joined.    
   
   
       7 . A method of securing two members together without using discrete fasteners, wherein one member includes a plurality of openings, and another member includes a plurality of extending tabs, said method comprising the steps of: 
 aligning the members so the openings and the tabs are in register with one another;    inserting the tabs through aligned ones of the holes; and    moving at least one member relative to another and thereby wedging the tabs into frictional engagement with the openings so as to join the members to one another.    
   
   
       8 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of: 
 clamping the two members together when moving them relative to one another when the tabs are disposed within the openings.    
   
   
       9 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the tabs have a flat surface and wherein the step of clamping includes the step of: 
 engaging said flat surface with the member having an opening therein.    
   
   
       10 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the opposing sides of the opening are tapered and the opening has substantially parallel top and bottom edges thereby creating substantially trapezoid shaped openings; and 
 wherein said step of securing said two members includes wedging said tabs into the opening between said tapered opposing sides.    
   
   
       11 . A shelving unit comprising: 
 at least two columns disposed in spaced apart relationship with one another;    at least one shelf support, each said shelf support extending between and connected to each one of a pair of said columns;    each of said columns having one of a plurality of openings formed therein and a plurality of tabs extending therefrom;    each said shelf support having the other of said plurality of openings formed therein and said plurality of tabs extending therefrom;    one of said openings and said tabs being tapered for frictional engagement with aligned ones of the other of said tabs and said openings when each said shelf support is joined with each one of said pair of said columns.    
   
   
       12 . A shelving unit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 each said shelf support includes a top flange.    
   
   
       13 . A shelving unit as recited in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 each said shelf support further includes a bottom flange and a web, said top and bottom flanges being angled relative to said web.    
   
   
       14 . A shelving unit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 each said shelf support further includes a web having a bottom edge;    said openings are formed in said web and at least one of said openings in each said shelf support open onto to said bottom edge.