Patent ID: 6510955
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: F16B

Abstract:
A locking apparatus to be mounted on an end plate connector installed on a vertical frame column of a storage rack to restrict upward movement of the end plate connector, the frame column having a plurality of linearly disposed notches at points along the height of the frame column, the notches on the frame each having a top and a bottom, at least one overlapping connector mounted on the end plate connector, each overlapping connector being capable of entering the top of each notch on the frame column when the end plate connector is attached to the frame column, and each overlapping connector also being incapable of entering or withdrawing from the bottom of each notch after the end plate connector is attached to the frame column, said locking apparatus comprising:a vertical lever including an inside face which is adjacent one surface of the end plate connector when the end plate connector is mounted on the vertical frame column, a locking pin and a tension support both extending from said inside face of said vertical lever; said tension support having a protruding end extending through the end plate connector when said vertical lever is installed on the end plate connector, a tension device mountable on said tension support so as to create a force which biases said inside face of said vertical lever toward the one surface of the end plate connector when said locking apparatus is installed on the end plate connector; said locking pin extending through the end plate connector when said locking apparatus is installed on the end plate connector, said locking pin having a length which causes it to extend through the top of a notch of the frame column when the overlapping connectors of the end plate connector are positioned at the bottom of respective notches of the frame column, said locking pin restricting upward movement of each overlapping connector toward the top portion of each notch, thereby preventing withdrawal of each overlapping connector from each notch; the length of said locking pin allowing said locking pin to be removed from the notch on the frame column when said vertical lever is pulled away from the one face of the end plate connector against said tension device, thereby allowing upward movement of each overlapping connector toward the top portion of each notch and allowing withdrawal of each overlapping connector from each notch.