Post coupler

Abstract

A coupler for coupling two posts end-to-end has ninety degree flanges and two reverse wrap ends. The coupler is slid one-half way over the ends of one formed post, comprising two flanges, with the reverse wrap holding the post flanges. Another flanged post is inserted into the coupler to engage the end of the first post, the coupler holding the posts end-to-end. An alternate embodiment coupler is disclosed.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A post coupler for coupling together ends of two angular formed posts, each having two post flanges disposed at an angle to each other and each flange having reverse bend flanges along edges thereof defining a gap between its flange and its respective reverse bend flange, said reverse bent flanges directed inwardly with respect to the included angle of the flanges of the post, said coupler comprising:
 two coupler flanges oriented at an angle with respect to each other at approximately the same angle as the post flanges to each other;   said coupler being insertable into said gaps at ends of two respective posts for coupling two posts together; and   the coupler being inserted within the reverse bent flanges respectively, with the two posts inserted over and capturing the coupler for securing the lower end of an upper post to the upper end of the lower post.   
     
     
         6 . A coupler as in  claim 5  wherein said coupler has two opposed ends, each of said ends comprising tapered edges for facilitating insertion into said gaps. 
     
     
         7 . A coupler as in  claim 5  including apertures indexible with apertures of said posts. 
     
     
         8 . A coupler as in  claim 5  including at least one detent in one of said coupler flanges for securing said coupler in a position in a post. 
     
     
         9 . A coupler as in  claim 5  wherein said coupler has two respective ends, one end disposed in said gaps of one post and another end in said gaps of another post, coupling said posts together. 
     
     
         10 . A unitary post comprising:
 a first angularly formed post having at least two flanges disposed at an angle to each other;   a second angularly formed post having at least two flanges disposed at an angle to each other;   a coupler;   said coupler comprising at least two flanges disposed at an angle to each other;   said coupler having first and second ends;   flanges of a first end of said coupler operatively engaging the flanges of said first post;   flanges at a second end of said coupler operative engaging the flanges of said second post;   said coupler coupling said first and second posts in a unitary post.   
     
     
         11 . In a shelving unit, at least two angularly formed vertically oriented aligned posts, each having two post flanges disposed at an angle to each other with each post flange having a thickness and an elongated edge, an end of one post proximate an end of another post, and a post coupler for coupling together ends of said posts, wherein said coupler comprises:
 a pair of connected coupler flanges, each coupler flange having an interior surface defining an included angle with respect to the interior surface of the other coupler flange, and each coupler flange having an outside surface;   each one of said coupler flanges having a respective additional flange extending from and along end positions of said coupler flanges;   each said respective additional flange comprising a reverse bend flange extending alongside the respective coupler flange from which the respective reverse bend flange is extended and from proximate but short of one end of a coupler flange to proximate but short of another end thereof, the outside surface of the respective coupler flange facing the respective reverse bend flange;   a gap defined by and between each said respective reverse bend flange and said outside surface of the respective coupler flange from which the reverse bend flange extends, said gap having a width approximately equal to said thickness of a single post flange, and less than twice the thickness of said single post flange and being sized to accept one of the flanges of a single one of the two angularly formed posts therein, wherein one end of the coupler is configured to receive one of the two angularly formed posts and the other end of the coupler is configured to receive the other one of the angularly formed posts to permit the two posts to be secured in an abutting, end-to-end vertically oriented relationship with one another; and   said first and second end portions of said coupler flanges engaging respective flanges of said posts, with said reverse bend flanges of the coupler extending outwardly around edges of respective flanges of said two posts.   
     
     
         12 . In a shelving unit having:
 a vertical post comprising at least two post members disposed end-to end;   a post connector for holding said ends together;   said post members having ends defining post flanges with inwardly facing surfaces at a first angle to each other and outer surfaces and having elongated edges;   said post connector having two connector flanges disposed at a second angle to each other such that said connector flanges are parallel to said post flanges;   reverse bend flanges on said post connector wrapped around edges of said post members and onto said outer surfaces of said post member flanges, respectively;   said post members having a plurality of apertures therealong for receiving shelf support means;   said post connector having a plurality of apertures therealong, wherein;   post connector apertures aligning with apertures of said post members when said post members are in abutting vertical orientation and respective abutting ends of said post members are each held together by portions of said post connector.   
     
     
         13 . A unit as in  claim 12  further including a post member engaging detent on said post connector, said detent engaging an outer surface of an adjacent post flange. 
     
     
         14 . A coupler for coupling two post sections together to form a single composite post of both post sections, each post section comprising a pair of post flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween and each post flange having an outer edge, said coupler comprising:
 two coupler flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween, each such flange having extended end portions comprising end portions of said coupler proximate said bend between said two coupler flanges and extending longitudinally from opposite ends of said coupler beyond other second end portions of said coupler flanges oriented proximate outer edge portions thereof,   said extended end portions defining coupler ends;   a reverse bend flange connected to each coupler flange along said outer edges thereof and extending therealong to said second end portions of said coupler flanges, terminating short of said first end portions of said coupler flanges and said coupler ends.   
     
     
         15 . A coupler for coupling two post sections, of the same angular configuration, together to form a single composite post of both post sections, each post section comprising a pair of post flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween and each post flange having an outer edge, said coupler comprising:
 two coupler flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween, each such flange having extended end portions comprising end portions of said coupler proximate said bend between said two coupler flanges and extending longitudinally from opposite ends of said coupler beyond other second end portions of said coupler flanges oriented proximate outer edge portions thereof,   said extended end portions defining coupler ends;   a reverse bend flange connected to each coupler flange along said outer edges thereof and extending therealong to said second end portions of second coupler flanges, terminating short of said first end portions of said coupler flanges and said coupler ends,   said reverse bend flanges for wrapping around outer edges of post flanges of both post sections; and   at least one detent in each reverse bend flange extending into a gap between a respective said reverse bend flange and a respective coupler flange for engaging a post section when a post section is inserted between said reverse bend flange and said coupler flange.