Upright support configuration for a pallet racking system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an upright reinforcing assembly for use with a pallet racking system, and racking system incorporating the same. The support configuration consists of an upright support and attached a bracket containing two L-shaped platforms which form a pocket. The upright support configuration is placed between two frame assemblies to support the beam, which is held in the pocket created by the bracket, thereby providing additional support to the beam and preventing rotation, bowing or distortion of the beam. Such a configuration lowers the cost of pallet racking as lower capacity beams can be used, or otherwise less frame assemblies are required in the racking.

1 . A pallet racking system including:
 a frame assembly including a width and a depth dimension, said width dimension being defined by two outer upright frame assemblies, said frame assembly further including one or more cross beams extending horizontally between said two outer upright frame assemblies, wherein substantially aligned cross beams along the depth dimension of the racking system are adapted to support one or more pallets; and   at least one additional upright support disposed on a front or rear side of a first one of said cross beams between the two outer frame assemblies, said additional upright support having at least one bracket configured to assist in supporting said first cross beam.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first cross beam is of a length sufficient to accommodate two side by side and spaced apart pallets. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 2  wherein said additional upright support and associated bracket is disposed approximately halfway between said upright frame assemblies to thereby assist in supporting said first cross beam; and wherein said first cross beam is adapted to support two pallets on opposed sides of said bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said bracket includes a main body configured to be secured to the additional upright support. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 4  wherein said bracket further includes a base support surface extending outwardly from said main body to thereby support said first cross beam. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 5  wherein said additional upright support is disposed rearwards of said first cross beam, and the base support surface extends forwardly from said main body. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 5  wherein said base support surface is horizontal. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 6  wherein said base support surface includes a curvature along its length adapted to correspond with a curvature along said first cross beam when pallets are supported on either side of said bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 8  wherein said base support surface further includes rounded off edges. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 5  wherein said bracket further includes an upright support surface for preventing said first cross beam from movement along said depth dimension relative to said additional upright support. 
     
     
         11 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said system includes a plurality of vertically spaced cross beams extending between pairs of spaced apart upright frame assemblies disposed along the depth dimension of the racking system. 
     
     
         12 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 11  wherein the cross beams are substantially aligned along said depth dimension such that racked pallets are supported and moveable along the aligned cross beams. 
     
     
         13 . The pallet racking system as defined in  claim 12  wherein the cross beams that are substantially aligned along said depth dimension form a slight angle for facilitating movement of the racked pallets by gravity along said depth dimension. 
     
     
         14 . A reinforcing assembly for a frame system having a frame assembly with a width and a depth dimension, said width dimension being defined by two outer upright frame assemblies, said reinforcing assembly further including one or more cross beams extending horizontally between said two outer upright frame assemblies, wherein substantially aligned cross beams along the depth dimension of the racking system are adapted to support a load, said upright support assembly including:
 at least one additional upright frame member disposed on a front or rear side of a first one of said cross beams between the two outer frame assemblies, said additional upright frame member having at least one bracket configured to assist in supporting said first cross beam and load.   
     
     
         15 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 14  wherein said frame system is a pallet racking system and said load is in the form of one or more pallets. 
     
     
         16 . The A reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 15  wherein said first cross beam is of a length sufficient to accommodate two side by side and spaced apart pallets. 
     
     
         17 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 16  wherein said additional upright support and associated bracket is disposed approximately halfway between said upright frame assemblies to thereby assist in supporting said first cross beam with two pallets on opposed sides of said bracket. 
     
     
         18 . The A reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 15  wherein said bracket includes a main body configured to be secured to the additional upright support. 
     
     
         19 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 18  wherein said bracket further includes a base support surface extending outwardly from said main body to thereby support said first cross beam. 
     
     
         20 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 18  wherein said additional upright support is disposed rearwards of said first cross beam, and the base support surface extends forwardly from said main body. 
     
     
         21 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 19  wherein said base support surface is horizontal. 
     
     
         22 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 19  wherein said base support surface includes a curvature along its length adapted to correspond with a curvature along said first cross beam when pallets are supported on either side of said bracket. 
     
     
         23 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 22  wherein said base support surface further includes rounded off edges. 
     
     
         24 . The reinforcing assembly as defined in  claim 19  wherein said bracket further includes an upright support surface for preventing said first cross beam from movement along said depth dimension relative to said additional upright support.