Rack for containers

Abstract

A rack for securing containers includes a plurality of bays into which one or more containers are received. The rack includes an upper section and a lower section defining a bay therebetween. The bay has a concave support surface for supporting an object. A plurality of columns connect the upper section to the lower section. The upper section and the lower section each include a plurality of complementary interlocking members aligned with the plurality of columns, such that the interlocking members on the upper section would interlock with the interlocking members on the lower section of a similar rack stacked thereon. Each bay may include a resilient member, such as an expandable clamp or a resilient bumper.

1 . A rack layer comprising:
 an upper section and a lower section defining a bay therebetween, the bay having a concave support surface for supporting an object;   a plurality of columns connecting the upper section to the lower section; and   the upper section and the lower section each including a plurality of complementary interlocking members aligned with the plurality of columns, such that the interlocking members on the upper section would interlock with the interlocking members on the lower section of a similar rack layer stacked thereon.   
   
   
       2 . The rack layer of  claim 1  further including a resilient member adjacent the bay for contacting the object supported therein. 
   
   
       3 . The rack layer of  claim 2  wherein the resilient member is an inflatable clamp adjacent the bay for selectively locking the object in the bay. 
   
   
       4 . The rack layer of  claim 2  wherein the resilient member has an I-beam cross-section. 
   
   
       5 . The rack layer of  claim 2  wherein the resilient member is retained by a clip removably secured to the rack. 
   
   
       6 . The rack layer of  claim 1  wherein the interlocking members of the upper section each have a peripheral support surface configured to contact a peripheral support surface of the interlocking members of the lower section of the similar rack layer stacked thereon. 
   
   
       7 . The rack layer of  claim 6  wherein the upper section includes a plurality of upper ribs extending upwardly, and wherein the support surfaces of the upper section are disposed below the plurality of upper ribs. 
   
   
       8 . The rack layer of  claim 7  wherein the lower section includes a plurality of lower ribs extending downwardly, and wherein the support surfaces of the lower section are disposed below the plurality of lower ribs. 
   
   
       9 . The rack layer of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of columns includes a plurality of outer columns, each having a curved inner wall and a plurality of ribs extending outwardly therefrom. 
   
   
       10 . The rack layer of  claim 1  further including complementary alignment sleeves formed on the upper section and the lower section. 
   
   
       11 . The rack layer of  claim 10  wherein the alignment sleeves do not transfer weight between stacked rack layers. 
   
   
       12 . The rack layer of  claim 1  wherein the upper section and the lower section are formed separately and connected to one another. 
   
   
       13 . A rack layer comprising:
 an upper section and a lower section defining a bay therebetween, the bay having a concave support surface for supporting an object;   a plurality of columns connecting the upper section to the lower section; and   a resilient member connected to one of the upper section and the lower section and extending into the bay.   
   
   
       14 . The rack layer of  claim 13  wherein the resilient member has an I-beam cross section. 
   
   
       15 . The rack layer of  claim 13  further including a removable clip securing the resilient member to the upper section or the lower section. 
   
   
       16 . The rack layer of  claim 13  wherein the resilient member has a flange portion and a body portion, at least one finger on the upper section or the lower section disposed between the flange portion and the body portion to retain the resilient member. 
   
   
       17 . The rack layer of  claim 16  further including a removable clip having a finger disposed between the flange portion and the body portion to retain the resilient member. 
   
   
       18 . A rack comprising:
 an upper layer and a lower layer, each having an upper section and a lower section connected by a plurality of columns and at least one bay defined therein, each bay having a concave support surface for supporting an object; and   the upper section of the lower layer and the lower section of the upper layer each including a plurality of complementary support surfaces aligned with the plurality of columns, such that the support surfaces on the upper section of the lower layer support at least substantially all weight of the upper layer.   
   
   
       19 . The rack layer of  claim 18  wherein the upper section of the lower layer includes a plurality of upper ribs extending upwardly, and wherein the support surfaces of the upper section of the lower layer are disposed below the plurality of upper ribs. 
   
   
       20 . The rack layer of  claim 19  wherein the lower section of the upper layer includes a plurality of lower ribs extending downwardly, and wherein the support surfaces of the lower section of the upper layer are disposed below the plurality of lower ribs. 
   
   
       21 . The rack layer of  claim 18  wherein the upper section and the lower section of each layer are formed separately and connected to one another.