Flue spacer

Abstract

A flue spacer, suitable for providing a flue space in a storage rack, having a transversely extending spacer surface, a first leg extending from a first end of the spacer surface, a first tab extending from the first leg, a second leg extending from a second end of the spacer surface, a second tab extending from the second leg, and at least one resilient member between the first and second tabs. The resilient member is adapted to allow the first and second tabs to be moved towards one another and apply a restoring force to urge the first and second tabs away from one another. The first and second tabs are adapted to attach the spacer surface to at least two storage rack uprights such that the spacer surface is offset from the storage rack uprights to form a vertical flue space within the storage rack.

1 . A flue spacer for providing a flue space in a storage rack, the flue spacer comprising:
 a transversely extending spacer surface;   a first leg extending from a first end of the spacer surface;   a first tab extending from the first leg;   a second leg extending from a second end of the spacer surface;   a second tab extending from the second leg;   at least one resilient member provided between the first and second tabs, the resilient member being adapted to allow the first and second tabs to be moved towards one another and apply a restoring force to urge the first and second tabs away from one another;   wherein the first and second tabs are adapted to attach the spacer surface to at least two storage rack uprights such that the spacer surface is offset from the storage rack uprights to form a vertical flue space within the storage rack.   
   
   
       2 . The flue spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a tubular rod, and the first and second legs comprise bent and flattened end portions of the tubular rod. 
   
   
       3 . The flue spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a generally linear surface. 
   
   
       4 . The flue spacer of  claim 3 , wherein the generally linear surface has a circular profile. 
   
   
       5 . The flue spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab is slidably attached to the first leg, and the resilient member comprises a spring connecting the first tab to the first leg. 
   
   
       6 . The flue spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a first member and a second member telescopically positioned within the first member, and the resilient member comprises a spring positioned between the first member and the second member. 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . A flue spacer for providing a flue space in a storage rack, the flue spacer comprising:
 a transversely extending spacer surface;   a first leg extending from a first end of the spacer surface;   a first tab associated with the first leg such that it is movable relative to the spacer surface, the first tab being adapted to engage a first storage rack upright;   a second leg extending from a second end of the spacer surface;   a second tab associated with the second leg, the second tab being adapted to engage a second storage rack upright;   at least one resilient member provided between the first tab and the spacer surface, the resilient member being adapted to allow the first tab to be moved towards the second tab, and to apply a restoring force to urge the first tab away from the second tab; and   wherein the first and second tabs are adapted to attach the spacer surface to the first and second storage rack uprights such that the spacer surface is offset from the storage rack uprights to form a vertical flue space within the storage rack.   
   
   
       9 . The flue spacer of  claim 8 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a tubular rod, and the first and second legs comprise bent and flattened end portions of the tubular rod. 
   
   
       10 . The flue spacer of  claim 8 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a generally linear surface. 
   
   
       11 . The flue spacer of  claim 10 , wherein the generally linear surface has a circular profile. 
   
   
       12 . The flue spacer of  claim 8 , wherein the first tab is slidably attached to the first leg, and the resilient member comprises a spring connecting the first tab to the first leg. 
   
   
       13 . The flue spacer of  claim 12 , wherein the first tab comprises a sleeve that slidably fits over a flattened end portion of the first leg, and the spring is connected to the sleeve at a first end of the spring, and to the flattened end portion of the first leg at a second end of the spring. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A shelving system comprising:
 at least two storage rack uprights;   at least one shelf suspended on the storage rack uprights; and   a flue spacer comprising:
 a transversely extending spacer surface, 
 a first leg extending from a first end of the spacer surface, 
 a first tab associated with the first leg, 
 a second leg extending from a second end of the spacer surface, 
 a second tab associated with the second leg, and 
 at least one resilient member provided between the first and second tabs, the resilient member being adapted to allow the first and second tabs to be moved towards one another and apply a restoring force to urge the first and second tabs away from one another, 
 wherein the first and second tabs are adapted to attach the spacer surface to the at least two storage rack uprights such that the spacer surface is offset from the storage rack uprights to form a vertical flue space adjacent the at least one shelf. 
   
   
   
       16 . The flue spacer of  claim 15 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a tubular rod, and the first and second legs comprise bent and flattened end portions of the tubular rod. 
   
   
       17 . The flue spacer of  claim 15 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a generally linear surface. 
   
   
       18 . The flue spacer of  claim 15 , wherein the first tab is slidably attached to the first leg, and the resilient member comprises a spring connecting the first tab to the first leg. 
   
   
       19 . The flue spacer of  claim 15 , wherein the spacer surface comprises a first member and a second member telescopically positioned within the first member, and the resilient member comprises a spring positioned between the first member and the second member. 
   
   
       20 . (canceled)