Abstract:
A improved storage rack for tires includes a pallet and frame assembly removably mounted on the pallet. The frame assembly uses a combination spring loading and clipping as a securing device for mounting on the pallet. Also, the frame assembly permits the pallets to be more easily stacked and unstacked.

Description:
This invention relates to a tire storage rack, and more particularly to a tire storage rack capable of storing a larger number of tires in the same or a lesser amount of floor space. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Storage space is always at a premium. Storage of tires is especially difficult. There must be an adequate number of warehouses to store the tires for delivery to the various retailers or commercial users while at the same time keeping the cost down. The storage space is expensive. It is desired to effectively use storage space, and thereby minimize, the cost of storing items in the storage space. 
     Typically, a tire warehouse is a huge building. Tires take up space. The tire warehouse or other building must have a sufficient height to accommodate such storage. This huge building makes it difficult to keep records and store the appropriate amount of tires in the appropriate place for the appropriate use at the appropriate time. 
     Currently, there is a limitation on the height of a stack of tires. The current storage racks do not maximize the use of the height of the warehouse. With this problem, the various solutions involved such building more warehouse space or stacking too many tires in the other warehouse serves to make recovery of desired tires difficult. 
     With warehousing of tires, not only must the tires be stored, but they must also be accessible. Any device, which can simplify this matter and permit the tires to be more accessible while in storage, provides great advantages. 
     When tires are stacked above a certain, separation sheets are required between each tire in the stack of tires. The sheet stabilizes stack, by preventing sliding or stacking between touching tires. Sticking renders it difficult to retrieve a tire. Sliding may cause the stack to fall. 
     Pallets are known to stabilize stacks of tires. However, the pallets of the prior art tend to create almost as many problems as they solve. 
     Typically, tires are stored on pallets with an X-shaped rack thereon to support the various tires. The X-shaped rack suffers from a variety of defects. The X-shaped rack limits the number of tires that can be stored on the pallet. The X-shaped rack is difficult to move and difficult to store. However, at the current time, the X-shaped rack is the state of the art. 
     Typically, this X-shaped rack must have the X-shaped frame nailed on the pallet, in order to support the tires thereon. This structure makes the pallet difficult to move and disassemble. Moving is required for stored tires. Disassembly is required to store pallets not in use. 
     Also, the height of the X-shaped tire storage rack limits the number of tires, which can be stored thereon. With the nailing of the X-shaped tire storage rack to the wood pallet, disassembly and reassembly of the frame becomes difficult. The nails always cause problems from a disposal standpoint. Great care must be taken in assembling and reassembling the tire storage racks so that the nails do not get lost or otherwise misused. Thus, this tire storage rack has a number of difficult problems. 
     Additionally, the X-shaped tire storage rack makes the storage of one pallet on another pallet of tires by stacking very difficult. Great skill is required from a forklift driver in stacking and unstacking pallets, which support tires. 
     With the consideration of FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, the X-shaped frame  108  of the prior art on a pallet  110  provides some storage. The X-shaped frame  108  is secured to pallet  110  by nails  112  through nailed foot  116 . Slip sheet  114  between tires  106  is almost required in order to provide stability to the stack  104  of tires  106 . 
     Removal of nails  112  is required to disassemble the X-shaped frame  108 . Loss of nails  112 , without proper disposal or recovery, creates a hazard anywhere, but especially in a workplace. With using and removing nails  112 , damage to pallet  110  is almost inherent. Thus, the pallet  110  with the X-shaped frame  108  leaves a lot to be desired as a tire storage device. 
     Accordingly, it is very desirable to improve the storage of tires. Such an improvement can have a great economic value and improve safety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision a tire storage rack having a pair of connected H-shaped frames on a pallet. 
     A further objective of this invention is the provision of a stackable tire storage rack. 
     Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a tire storage rack to eliminate separation sheets between tires. 
     A still further objective of this invention is the provision tire storage rack, which supports additional tires. 
     Another objective of this invention is the provision of a tire storage rack, which is easily assembled. 
     Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a tire storage rack, which is easily disassembled. 
     Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of a tire storage rack, which is easily stored. 
     Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of an improved method of storing tires. 
     A further objective of this invention is the provision of a rack to permit tires to be easily recovered from storage. 
     Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a tire storage rack, which is easily movable in a storage facility. 
     Still a further objective of this invention is the provision of a tire storage rack, which more efficiently uses the height of the warehouse or other storage facility. 
     These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a method and improved storage for tires including a pallet and frame assembly removably mounted on the pallet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts an X-shaped frame  108  of the prior art on a pallet  110 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts a nailed foot  116  for X-shaped frame  108  of the prior art on a pallet  110 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of barred frame  120  for the tire storage rack  100  of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of H-shaped frame  200  for the tire storage rack  100  of this invention. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the yoke foot  160  for H-shaped frame  150 . 
     FIG. 6 depicts a perspective, exploded view of H-shaped frame  150  for the tire storage rack  100  of this invention. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a side view of ladder frame  200  for the tire storage rack  100 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a perspective view and a side view of lever foot  168  with protrusion edge  220  for storage rack  100  of this invention. 
    
    
     Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The tire storage device of this invention includes a pallet with a pair of H-shaped frames connected by a bar. The H-shaped frames clip onto the pallet at the base clip. The base clip is a squared, U-shaped member, which fits easily over the pallet arms and permits the frame to be locked thereon. 
     With the prior art tire rack being about 125 centimeters (about 50 inches) tall, one embodiment of this invention has an overall height of about 150 centimeters (60 inches). A more preferred embodiment has an overall height of about 180 centimeters (72 inches). 
     The double goal post of the H-shaped frame, forming one embodiment of the tire storage rack, being connected on each end, permits storage of up to eleven more tires on each rack with an increase in height of about 25 centimeters. Thus, great advantages are obtained because the increase in tire storage capability results without a corresponding or proportional use of space. 
     More particularly, the frame has a first tall arm and a second tall arm. The frame is braced about two thirds of the way up the rack with another brace or bar being on top. The top bar clicks or snaps onto the opposing H-shaped frames at each end thereof. In this fashion, the entire frame cooperates with the pallet and becomes stronger. 
     Also, the side bar connecting the two H-shaped frames together clips onto the top of the frame. Such secure clipping mechanisms, without the use of nails, provide for an easily disassembled and reassembled rack. Thus, if storage for tire is needed, the rack can be easily reassembled and loaded. The support snaps onto the H-shaped frame. In this fashion, the frame is rendered stronger and more usable. 
     Additionally, the side bar connecting the two H-shaped frames together clips onto the top of the frame. Again, such clipping mechanisms provide for an easily disassembled and reassembled rack without the use of nails. Thus, if storage for tires is needed, the tire storage rack of this invention can be easily reassembled and loaded. 
     With the ladder frame of the most preferred rack, not only can the storage rack support double the number of automobile tires, it can alternatively support eight truck tires, instead of the standard six tires. The ladder frame thus provides a great increase in storage space with a minimal increase in height. Thus, the height of the warehouse can be used more efficiently. 
     In a preferred form of attaching either frame to the pallet, the yoke foot actually has a protruding edge from the base thereof. This protruding edge extends from the yoke foot base up to about 2.5 centimeters (about 0.9 inch). This protruding edge of the yoke foot base sticks out and extends toward the inside of the pallet, so, that when the yoke foot sits down on the frame, the protruding edge locks under the inside boards—the second board in on each side. 
     With the protrusion edge, along with the spring capability of the frame itself, it is unnecessary to nail the iron of the frame to the wood of the pallet anymore. That little protrusion edge sticks out about 2.5 centimeters each side on the inside of the frame at the foot and locks under the board. This edge combined with the spring loaded factor really locks the frame on the pallet securely. It is a matter of just pulling on the frame to get it off of the pallet. But since the frame locks itself in once it is put on the pallet, the combination of the spring and the protrusion edge eliminates the nailing requirement. 
     The two (2) additional bars going horizontal on the ladder frame side are actually going to be smaller and either rounded or squared but only about 2.54 centimeters (one inch) in diameter and are really for support for the passenger tires to be laced on the pallet. With automobile tires laced on the pallet, greater storage is achieved in the same floor space, without spacer sheets. 
     Instead of increasing a pallet quantity from 24 to 28 automobile tires on a prior art pallet to 35 tires per pallet for one embodiment of this invention, the preferred embodiment of this invention permits double the storage of automobile tires with about a fifty percent increase height. So the H-shaped frame and the ladder frame make better use of warehouse height. 
     The other good quality about the tire storage rack of this invention, especially the preferred embodiment, it is that it is a universal type pallet, that is one size fits all. Truck tires fit on this pallet. Automobile tires are laced on this pallet. Both types of tires work out very well. 
     With the ladder frame and the H-shaped frame, stacking of tire loaded pallets becomes easier. The framing is easier to sight and stack from a fork lift truck. Such assemblies are also easier to unstack and provide access to tires. 
     The various pieces of the support frame in this matter may be bolted, welded, snap-fitted, or otherwise secured together. The snap-fitted procedure is preferred, for ease of assembly and disassembly. Ease of assembly and disassembly is a major advantage of the tire storage rack  100 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the barred frame  120  of the tire storage rack  100  is depicted. Bar assembly  122  of barred frame  120  is secured to pallet  110 . Bar assembly  122  includes two side bars  124  connected by a top bar  126 . Cross bar  128  interconnects top bars  126 , in order to add strength to bar assembly  122 . Between pallet  110  and the cross bar  128 , a sturdy frame mounted on pallet  110  provides a tire storage rack  100  of this invention. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, an H-shaped frame  150  is depicted in combination with pallet  110 , as a preferred version of tire storage rack  100 . H-shaped frame  150  includes two goal post frames  152 . Each goal post frame  152  is formed by a pair of lateral bars  156  secured to a cross bar. The H-shaped frame  150  or goal post shape provides the structure and support therefor. Connecting each goal post frame  152  is cross bar  154 . With the cross bar  154  connecting each end of the goal post frame  152 , a strong support for the frame  152  is accomplished. 
     By making a comparison between the prior art FIG. 1 with the X-shaped frame  108  and the H-shaped frame of FIG. 4, great advantages are seen. With no increase in floor space, and possibly a slight increase in height, up to thirty one tires can be stored on the pallet of FIG. 4 instead of the twenty eight tires of FIG.  1 . 
     Adding FIG. 5 to the consideration, at the base of either H-shaped frame  150  and specifically lateral bar  156  or barred frame  120  or side bar  124  is yoke foot  160 . Yoke foot  160  is U shaped and has a first U-side  162  and a second U-side  164 . Between the U-shaped member, that is yoke foot  160 , may fit the pallet board  166 . 
     Both yoke foot  160  on the lateral bar  156  or yoke foot  160  on the side bar  124 , may have a temporary wider separation during attachment to pallet  110 , as each yoke foot  160  is applied to pallet  110 . After mounting on pallet  110 , a spring-like action caused by the temporary widening helps support H-shaped frame  150  on pallet  110  by a spring-like action. 
     The yoke foot  160  is just wide enough to receive the pallet board in a clamping fashion. Referring back to FIG. 4, there is a spring type relation between cross bar  154  and each lateral bar  156  or each side bar  124  of FIG.  3 . Thus, the spring like motion permits the yoke feet  160  to be separated and applied to the pallet or wood base  166 . The spring like motion strengthens the hold of the H-shaped frame  150  on the pallet  110  and eliminates the necessity for nailing. 
     Adding FIG. 6 to the consideration, on an opposing end of either side lateral bar  156  and oppositely disposed from yoke foot  160  is square plug  170 . Square plug  170  is a male member adapted to be received by socket  180  in the cap cross bar  154 . As cap cross bar  154  receives square plug  170  into socket  180 , each H-shaped frame  150  is thus supported and rendered strong for the purpose of supporting the tires  106 , as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Furthermore, FIG. 7 with ladder frame of additional support assembly  190  provides improved storage adds an extra bar above the by including additional support assembly  190 . Support assembly  190  includes a bottom support bar  192  closest to pallet  110 . Above bottom support bar  192  is middle support bar  194 . Above middle support bar  194  is top brace  196 . Yet, the spring like motion strengthens the hold of the ladder assembly  190  on the pallet  110  and also eliminates the necessity for nailing as in H-shaped frame  150 , above cited. 
     In fact up to eight truck tires may be stored thereon, while up to 56 automobile tire may be stored thereon. Thus, a storage unit interchangeable between truck tires and automobile tires is provided. More efficient use of warehouse space is achieved. 
     With FIG.  8  and FIG. 9, lever foot  168  has a protrusion edge  220 . Protrusion edge  220  for storage rack  100  of this invention fits under a board  102  of pallet  110 . This structure combined with the spring load aspects of ladder frame  190  and H-shaped frame  150  provides the strong hold on the pallet  110 . 
     This great advantage in storage makes better use of warehouse space and permits more efficient use of track space. With the yoke foot  160  and the arrangement of either the H-shaped frame  150  or the barred frame  120 , it is more feasible to stack pallets on top of each other. The H-shaped frame  150  or the barred frame  120  permits such stacking in a more efficient manner as opposed to the standard difficulty in stacking the X-shaped frame or other tires of the prior art. 
     This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
     Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.