Apparatus for a Pallet Rack

Abstract

An apparatus for a pallet rack includes a column including a tubular member for vertical support. A base plate is joined to a bottom end of the column for anchoring the apparatus to ground. A top cap including a u-shaped structure is joined to a top portion of the column for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack. An angle bracket is joined to the column including a horizontal pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane. A horizontal bracket is joined to the column including a vertical pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for vertical support;   means for anchoring the apparatus to ground;   means for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack;   means for joining, at a pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane; and   means for joining, at a pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means for securing said anchoring means to ground. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means for deflecting impacts from equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means for indicating caution to equipment operators. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus comprising:
 a column comprising a tubular member for vertical support;   a base plate joined to a bottom end of said column for anchoring the apparatus to ground;   a top cap comprising a u-shaped structure joined to a top portion of said column for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack;   an angle bracket joined to said column comprising a horizontal pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane; and   a horizontal bracket joined to said column comprising a vertical pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising anchor bolts for securing said base plate to ground. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising an angled deflection plate joined to a front lower portion of said column for deflecting impacts from equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising bright color paint applied to the apparatus for indicating caution to equipment operators. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said top cap is joined to the vertical support with bolts. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said horizontal pivot point and said vertical pivot point comprise bolts. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said angled deflection plate is joined to said column by welding. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said column is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said angled deflection plate comprises a right angle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said angled deflection plate substantially covers said front lower portion. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first column comprising a tubular member for vertical support;   a first base plate joined to a bottom end of said first column for anchoring the apparatus to ground;   a first top cap comprising a u-shaped structure joined to a top portion of said first column for joining to a first vertical support of a pallet rack;   an angle brace;   a first angle bracket joined to said first column comprising a horizontal pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a first end of said angle brace, and for enabling said angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane;   a horizontal brace;   a first horizontal bracket joined to said first column comprising a vertical pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a first end of said horizontal brace, and for enabling said horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane;   a second column comprising a tubular member for vertical support;   a second base plate joined to a bottom end of said second column for anchoring the apparatus to ground;   a second top cap comprising a u-shaped structure joined to a top portion of said second column for joining to a second vertical support of a pallet rack;   a second angle bracket joined to said second column comprising a horizontal pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a second end of said angle brace, and for enabling said angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane; and   a second horizontal bracket joined to said first column comprising a vertical pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a second end of said horizontal brace, and for enabling said horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising anchor bolts for securing said base plate to ground. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a first angled deflection plate joined to a front lower portion of said first column and a second angled deflection plate joined to a front lower portion of said second column for deflecting impacts from equipment. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising bright color paint applied to the apparatus for indicating caution to equipment operators. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said first column and said second column are rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said first angled deflection plate and said second angled deflection plate comprise right angles.