Patent ID: 8424694
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: A47B,A47F

Abstract:
1. A lightweight cross beam for a storage rack having a length of at least about 96 inches and a Z-style cross sectional configuration comprising: a generally vertical upper wall having upper and lower edges; a generally horizontal support wall having inner and outer edges extending inwardly from the lower edge of the upper wall; an angled intermediate wall having inner and outer edges that extends downwardly and outwardly from the inner edge of the generally horizontal wall; a generally vertical lower wall having upper and lower edges that extends downwardly from the outer edge of the angled wall; a generally horizontal bottom wall having inner and outer edges that extends inwardly from the lower edge of the lower wall; and a generally vertical inner wall that extends upwardly from the inner edge of the bottom wall, an upper and lower rivet extending outwardly from each of the generally vertical upper wall and lower wall respectively at each end of the cross beam, wherein the width of the upper wall is about 9/16 inch, the width of the generally horizontal support wall is about 1 ¼ inch, the angle between the generally horizontal support wall and the angled wall is about 60° , the upper and lower walls are generally in the same vertical plane, and the distance between the centers of the upper and lower rivets at each end of the cross beam is 3 inches, wherein the storage rack is configured to support up to approximately 2,000 pounds when the cross beam is made of a single sheet of steel having a thickness of no more than about 16 gauge, and wherein the storage rack is configured to support up to approximately 3,000 pounds when the cross beam is made of a single sheet of steel having a thickness of no more than about 14 gauge.