Abstract:
A rack for receiving an object to be supported is disclosed. The rack has a pair of parallel corner profiles ( 1 ) each having two legs ( 2, 3 ) connected at an angle along an edge. A groove ( 4 ) extends parallel to the edge and has a longitudinal portion ( 5 ) which extends through the edge and which is inclined with respect to the two legs ( 2, 3 ). It also has a transverse portion ( 6 ) formed at the base of the longitudinal portion ( 5 ) and extending to both sides thereof with respective first and second portions ( 13, 13 ′). Bolts ( 44 ) engage each of the longitudinal portions ( 5 ) of the grooves ( 4 ). Sliding blocks ( 20 ) positioned in the transverse portions ( 6 ) cooperate with the bolts for fastening the object to be supported to the frame. The sliding blocks ( 20 ) each having a first region ( 27 ) and a second region ( 27 ′) being in contact with respective ones of the two portions ( 13, 13 ′), wherein the two portions ( 13, 13 ′) of the transverse portion ( 6 ) and the contacting two regions ( 27, 27 ′) of the sliding block ( 20 ) are both inclined towards each other so as to produce a formfit connection between the sliding block ( 20 ) and the transverse portion ( 6 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a rack for supporting an object. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A rack of this kind is disclosed in EP 0 166 095. 
     It is the object of the invention to form such a rack for supporting an object so as to enhance the load-bearing capacity thereof. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This object is achieved by a rack comprising a pair of parallel corner profiles ( 1 ) each having two legs ( 2 ,  3 ) connected at an angle along an edge, a groove ( 4 ) extending parallel to the edge and having a longitudinal portion ( 5 ) which extends through the edge and which is inclined with respect to the two legs ( 2 ,  3 ) and a transverse portion ( 6 ) formed at the base of the longitudinal portion ( 5 ) and extending to both sides thereof with respective first and second portions ( 13 ,  13 ′), bolts ( 44 ) engaging each of the longitudinal portions ( 5 ) of the grooves ( 4 ) and sliding blocks ( 20 ) positioned in the transverse portions ( 6 ) and cooperating with the bolts for fastening the object to be supported to the frame, the sliding blocks ( 20 ) each having a first region ( 27 ) and a second region ( 27 ′) being in contact with respective ones of the two portions ( 13 ,  13 ′), characterized in that the two portions ( 13 ,  13 ′) of the transverse portion ( 6 ) and the contacting two regions ( 27 ,  27 ′) of the sliding block ( 20 ) are both inclined towards each other so as to produce a formfit connection between the sliding block ( 20 ) and the transverse portion ( 6 ). 
     Advantageously, the two legs of the corner profile do nto bend up even under high loads because the form-fit produced between both portions of the groove and the corresponding regions of the sliding block cooperates in stabilizing the connection. 
    
    
     Embodiments will be described with reference to the Figures. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the Figures: 
     FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a corner profile and of a part of a support platform mounted thereto; 
     FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a groove and a sliding block; 
     FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a sliding block; 
     FIG. 4 a  shows a cross-section of a groove; 
     FIGS. 4 b - 4   d  show cross-sections of three different sliding blocks; 
     FIG. 5 a  shows a cross-section of a groove; 
     FIGS. 5 b - 5   d  show cross-sections of three different sliding blocks; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective representation of an inventive rack; and 
     FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a corner profile and of a part of a support platform mounted thereto according to a further embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIG. 1, an elongate corner profile  1  comprises two legs  2 ,  3 . A groove  4  extends in longitudinal direction of a corner profile  1  at the inner corner thereof. The groove  4  is formed by a longitudinal portion  5  extending through the inner corner of the corner profile  1  and being inclined with respect to the two legs  2 ,  3 , and of a transverse portion  6  extending transversely to the longitudinal portion at a base thereof. The longitudinal portion  5  includes an angle of about 45° with each of the two legs  2 ,  3 , and the transverse portion  6  includes an angle of about 90° with the longitudinal portion  5 . The transverse portion  6  is symmetrically formed and arranged with respect to a center plane  7  of the longitudinal portion  5  extending in longitudinal direction. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal portion  5  is defined by two first side walls  8 . The transverse portion  6  is defined by front walls  9  contiguous with the first side walls  8 , second side walls  10  contiguous with the front walls  9  and a back wall  11  connecting the two second side walls  10 . Each front wall  9  comprises a first wall portion  12 , which is contiguous with the corresponding first side wall  8  and extends perpendicular to the center plane  7 . The first wall portions are followed by a first portion  13  and a second portion  13  each facing away from the center plane  7  and including therewith an angle a of about 135°. Hence, the two portions  13 ,  13 ′ include an angle α of about 90°, viewing towards the longitudinal portion  5 . The first portions  13 ,  13 ′ are each followed by a second wall portion  14  extending perpendicular to the center plane  7  up to the corresponding second side wall  10 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a sliding block  20  is arranged within the groove  4 . The sliding block  20  is symmetric with respect to the center plane  7 . FIG. 2 shows the sliding block  20  as a screw nut removed from the groove  4 . As shown in FIG. 2, the sliding block  20  is substantially formed as a right parallel epiped and comprises two side faces  22 , a bottom face  23 , a top face  23 ′ and a front and back face. An internal screw tread  21  extends in the center of the sliding block parallel to the center plane  7  from the bottom face  23  to the top face  23 ′. The width of the transverse portion  6  of the groove  4  slightly exceeds the width of the sliding block  20  such that the sliding block  20  can easily slide along the groove  4  in longitudinal direction thereof. The depth of the transverse portion  6  and the groove  4  exceeds the height of the sliding block  20 . Two spaced parallel channel-shaped recesses  24  are formed in the bottom face  23  of the sliding block  20 . Each recess  24  is defined by a first surface  25  oriented parallel to the center plane  7 , a second surface  26  contiguous with the first surface  25  at a right angle thereto and a first and second region  27 ,  27 ′, respectively, contiguous thereto and each including an angle β of about 45° with the center plane  7 . The two regions  27 ,  27 ′ therefore include an angle β of about 90°, viewing towards the longitudinal portion  5 . The maximum spacing of the two regions  27 ,  27 ′ in a direction perpendicular to the center plane  7  is smaller than the maximum distance between the two portions  13 ,  13 ′ in direction perpendicular to the center plane  7  and greater than the minimum distance between the two portions  13 ,  13 ′ in direction perpendicular to the center plane  7 . The angles a and b are chosen to add up to substantially 180°. Thus, the angles α and β are substantially equal. This ensures a surface contact between the two portions  13 ,  13 ′ and the two regions  27 ,  27 ′ resting thereon when assembled. The top face  23 ′ is rounded so as to allow the sliding block  20  to be easily inserted into the groove  4  at any position. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a mounting portion  40  of a support platform  41  comprises a corner having two perpendicular walls  42 . A bore  43  is provided in the corner of the walls  42  for passing a bolt  44  therethrough. A round rod  45  having a bore or slot  46  is arranged in the corner between the walls  42 . The cross-section of the round rod  45  contacts each wall  42  at a respective contact point. 
     In operation, the sliding block  20  is inserted transversely into the groove  4  at a desired place in such a way that the two regions  27 ,  27 ′ extend substantially parallel to the two portions  13 ,  13 ′. This can easily be done because the depth of the groove  4  is greater than the height of the sliding block  20  and the top face  23 ′ is rounded. Thereafter, the bolt  44  is passed through the bore or the slot  46  of the round rod  45 , the bore  43  and the longitudinal portion  5  and screwed into the internal screw thread  21  of the sliding block  20 . This causes the walls  42  to contact the legs  2 ,  3  and the two regions  27 ,  27 ′ to core into surface contact with the two portions  13 ,  13 ′. Hence, a force acts towards the center plane  7  and counteracts a tendency of the legs  2 ,  3  of the corner profile to be bent apart which considerably stabilizes the corner profile  1 . The round rod  45  causes the suspension fores to be uniformly apportioned to both walls  42  and therefore to both legs  2 ,  3 . 
     It is essential that the two portions  13 ,  13 ′ are oriented relative to the longitudinal portion  5  such that using an adapted sliding block  20  a force oriented towards the longitudinal portion  5  is produced in assembled state and that at the same time the two portions  13 ,  13 ′ are non-positively interconnected. 
     In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sliding block  20  comprises a single recess  28  which is defined by a rear surface  29  arranged perpendicular to the center plane  7  and two laterally adjacent regions  27 ,  27 ′. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the sliding block  20  may comprise the recesses  24  or the recess  28  in the bottom face  23  as well as in the top face  23 ′. This facilitates assembling the rack because it is not necessary to pay attention to an orientation of the bottom face  23  towards the front walls  9  when inserting the sliding block  20  into the groove. 
     In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a , the front wall  9  is shaped as a cylinder segment  30  in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the groove, the cylinder segment  30  being directly contiguous with the first side wall  8 . The cylinder segment  30  is connected with the second side wall  10  by a third wall portion  31  extending perpendicular to the center plane  7 . The portion of the cylinder segment  30  oriented away from the center plane  7  forms a first and a second portion  13 ,  13 ′. The matching sliding block  20  comprises, as shown in FIG.  4   b , two hollow cylinder segments  34  formed in the bottom face  23  in a direction transversely to the center plane and matching the cylinder segments. The cylinder segments  30  and hollow cylinder segments  34  are formed as regular cylinder segments. The radius of the cylinder segments  30  and their distance correspond substantially to the radius of the hollow cylinder segments  34  and their distance, respectively. 
     In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 4 d , the sliding block  20  comprises a single recess  28  which is defined by a rear surface  29  and first and second regions  27 ,  27 ′ contiguous therewith. The curvature of the two regions  27 ,  27 ′ and their distance correspond to the curvature of the two portions  13 ,  13 ′ and the distance therebetween. Alternatively, the bottom face  23  as well as the top face  23 ′ may comprise the recess  28  or the two hollow cylinder segments  34 , as shown in FIG. 4 c.    
     The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 a  comprises a fourth wall portion  32  instead of the cylinder segment  30  shown in FIG.  4 . The fourth wall portion  32  is formed as an isosceles triangle. In this embodiment, the legs of the fourth wall portion  32  adjacent to the corresponding third wall portion  31  form the first and second portion  13 ,  13 ′. The two portiosn  13 ,  13 ′ include an angle a of about 120° with the center plane  7 . As shown in FIG. 5 b , the sliding block  20  comprises two triangular recesses  24 ′. The recesses  24 ′ each have a first and second region  27 ,  27 ′ oriented towards the center plane  7  and including an angle b of about 60° with the center plane. 
     In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 5 c , the sliding block  20  has a single recess  28 ′ which is defined by a rear wall  29 ′ and two regions  27 ,  27 ′ adjacent thereto. Alternatively, both the bottom face  23  and the top face  23 ′ of the sliding block  20  may comprise the single recess  28  or the two recesses  24 ′, as shown in FIG. 5 d.    
     Although the transverse portion  6  and the sliding block  20  have been described as being symmetric with respect to the center plane  7 , this is not essential but the transverse portion  6  and the sliding block  20  may also be asymmetric with respect to the center plane  7 . 
     Preferably the angle a is in a range of 110° to 160° and the angle b is in a range of 70°-20°. The angles a and b are chosen so as to add up to a value of substantially 180°. The angles α and β are therefore preferably in a range of 20°-70°. 
     FIG. 6 shows an example of an application of the inventive rack. The two corner profiles  1  are mounted on two sustainers  60  each having rollers  61  screwed thereto. The support platform  41  and a drawer  62  are attached to the two corner profiles  1  by means of any of the sliding blocks  20  shown in the FIGS. 1-5 inserted into a matching groove  4 . Due to the high stability no sway bracing between the corner profiles  1  is required. 
     The corner profiles can be formed as extruded profiles consisting for example of aluminum. 
     A further embodiment is shown in FIG.  7 . The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that the groove  4  shown in FIG.  4  and the sliding block  20  shown in FIG. 4 a  are provided within the corner profile  1  and that the round rod  45  is replaced by a wedge  50 . The wedge  50  comprises a bore  51  receiving the bolt  44 . The sides  52  of the wedge  50  facing the walls  42  sit close to the walls  42 . 
     The grooves  4  and sliding blocks  20  shown in FIGS. 1 to  5  effect a non-positive interlocking connection between the two portions of the transverse portions  6  and the two contacting regions of the sliding blocks  20  which stiffens the entire profile.