Abstract:
A rack truss for use in forming shelf-type storage racks which may be assembled at the site using bolts and/or which includes reinforcement at the lower level of the rack truss.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/341,262 filed on Jan. 27, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present inventions relate generally to improved shelf-type storage racks. More particularly, the present inventions relate to rack trusses that are bolted together for ease of shipment and assembly and/or which are reinforced at the bottom to prevent damage to the trusses by, among other things, lift trucks during loading or unloading.  
         [0003]     Shelf-type storage racks are well known in the storage and warehouse industries. Such racks typically include at least four columns, two in the front or access aisle and two in the back. Lateral beams interconnect the pairs of front columns and pairs of back columns. The lateral beams, in conjunction with optional cross members between the lateral beams, form shelves used for storage of pallets and their loads. Typically, there is a shelf approximately 48 inches from the ground and then shelves above the lowest shelf spaced approximately every 48 inches, or for other loads at load required increments.  
         [0004]     Each pair of front and back columns are provided with transverse support beams that interconnect the front and back columns. Diagonal support braces between the front and back columns may also be provided for increased strength, rigidity and stiffness. Each pair of front and back columns and the associated beams and braces are typically referred to in the industry as rack trusses. Each pair of opposing rack trusses, and their interconnecting lateral beams, form a typical shelf-type storage rack. The racks may be placed side-by-side and/or back-to-back in arrays to form the desired storage rack system.  
         [0005]     The components that form the storage rack trusses, such as the transverse supports and diagonal support braces, are typically welded together and painted at the fabrication site and then shipped to the storage facility where they are installed for use. For example, the transverse supports and any diagonals are typically welded to the front and back columns to form the rack truss. Once at the storage facility, the lateral beams interconnecting each opposing pair of trusses are installed by welding or bolting (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,091). The bottom of the columns of the rack trusses may be placed directly on the warehouse floor. Because the trusses are fabricated prior to shipping and installation, known rack trusses are somewhat difficult to handle during assembly, take-up more space during shipping and can be difficult to paint. In addition, because the rack trusses are welded prior to shipment and assembly, the truss components cannot be easily replaced if damaged after installation.  
         [0006]     In use, the pallets and their loads are placed on or removed from the shelves using a fork lift truck. Experience has shown that the bottom portion of the rack truss and particularly, the bottom 4-6 inches of the truss, take the most abuse. For example, the bottom portion of the front columns at the access aisle, are often bumped by pallets or the forks of a lift truck during the placement or removal of pallets and their loads. This can result in, among other things, a weakened rack structure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present inventions preserve the advantages of known storage racks and storage rack trusses and also provide new features and advantages. For example, the present inventions provide storage racks and rack trusses that may be bolted together at the site making shipping and assembly more efficient and/or which provide reinforcement in the lower portion of the truss to resist abuse from forks of fork trucks and the like.  
         [0008]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bolted truss for use in forming storage racks is provided having at least one front column having an interior face and at least one rear column having an opposing interior face. The invention also includes a plurality of stubs secured (by bolting or welding) to the interior face of the front column and a series of stubs secured (by bolting or welding) to the interior face of the rear column, as well as a plurality of transverse beams having a front and back end which are placed between the front and rear columns. The front end of the transverse beam is bolted to the stub on the front column and the rear end is bolted to the stub on the rear column. The preferred stubs may also have a vertical member on approximately the centerline of the front and/or rear column when connected thereto and to which the transverse beams and any diagonals may be attached. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the stubs may be removably secured to said columns by bolts or the like. A foot that is secured (by bolting or welding) to the bottom of said columns may also be provided.  
         [0009]     In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bolted storage rack truss system is provided with at least one front column having an interior face and a series of holes through said face, and at least one rear column having an opposing interior face and a series of holes through said face. The invention also includes a plurality of transverse beams having a front and back end which are placed between the front and rear columns, the front end of the transverse beam being adapted to be secured to the front column through the holes on the front column and the rear end of the transverse beam being adapted to be secured through the holes on the rear column. In addition, a preferred embodiment of the present invention may provide that the transverse beams are bolted or otherwise removably secured directly to the columns.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment of the present invention, a bolted truss for use in forming storage racks is provided including at least one front column having an interior face and at least one rear column having an opposing interior face. A plurality of stubs secured to the interior face and a flange of the front column and a series of stubs similarly secured to the interior face and a flange of the rear column, with the stubs on the front and rear columns opposing each other. The embodiment may also include a plurality of transverse beams having a front and back end which are placed between the front and rear columns, the front end of which is bolted to the stub on the front column and the rear end of which is bolted to the opposing stub on the rear column. The stubs and transverse beams may be formed of structural angles. In addition, at least one diagonal brace may also be provided which is attached to the stubs. A preferred embodiment of the present invention may also include a truss reinforcement means.  
         [0011]     Another embodiment of the present inventions is a reinforced truss for use in storage racks including at least one front column having an interior face and at least one rear column having an opposing interior face. An embodiment may also include a horizontal locking tab secured to the inside face of the front column and a vertical locking tab spaced rearwardly from said front column; a horizontal locking tab secured to the inside face of the rear column; and, a horizontal stiffening member including a front end and a rear end, having a vertical support leg spaced rearwardly from the front end, the front end of the horizontal stiffening member capable of being bolted to the horizontal locking tab of the front column, and the rear end capable of being bolted to the horizontal locking tab on the rear column, and the vertical support leg capable of being bolted to the vertical locking tab. The preferred embodiment may also include a vertical locking tab is provided on the rear column and a vertical support leg is provided on the rear end of horizontal support leg such that the rear vertical support leg may be bolted to the rear vertical locking tab. This preferred embodiment may also have means for assembling the rack truss using bolts, including the stubs and/or feet.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present inventions to provide a rack truss, all or portions of which may be assembled by bolts or other on site fastening means.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present inventions to provide a rack truss that provides reinforcement of the columns at the lower portion of the truss.  
         [0014]     Additional object of the present inventions is to provide a rack truss that is assembled using bolts and/or which provides reinforcement of the columns at the lower portion of the truss.  
         [0015]     Yet another object of the present inventions is to provide a bolted truss that self-aligns during assembly of the upright portion of the truss.  
         [0016]     Yet an additional object of the present inventions is to provide a bolted and/or reinforced rack truss that can be used for drive-in rack systems.  
         [0017]     Still another object of the present inventions is to provide a bolted and/or reinforced rack truss that can be used for push-back rack systems.  
         [0018]     A still further object of the present inventions is to provide a rack truss having stubs that may be removably secured to the columns for on site assembly or welded thereto.  
         [0019]     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a bolted and/or reinforced rack truss, the shelves of which may be vertically spaced from each other as appropriate for the particular storage situation, particularly when the stubs are bolted to the columns as permitted by on site assembly.  
         [0020]     Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide feet or bases for the columns that may be removably secured for on site assembly or welded thereto.  
         [0021]     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide stubs having vertical faces to which the transverse beams and any diagonals may be secured.  
         [0022]     Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide transverse beams that may be bolted or otherwise removably secured to the columns, without the need for stubs.  
         [0023]     A further object of the present inventions is to provide a rack truss that is easy to fabricate, paint, ship, assemble and install.  
       INVENTOR&#39;S DEFINITION OF THE TERMS  
       [0024]     The terms used in the claims of this patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     The stated and unstated features and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the various views, and in which:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bolted rack truss of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a stub of an embodiment of the present invention shown on the bottom portion of the front column of the truss;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a transverse beam of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a diagonal brace of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a stub of the present invention shown on the base portion of the front column of the truss with a preferred embodiment of a transverse beam and diagonal brace shown in the installed position;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a stub of the present invention shown on an intermediate portion of the front column with a preferred embodiment of a transverse beam and diagonal brace shown in an installed position;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a truss reinforcement of the present invention shown installed at the bottom of the truss between the front and back columns;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the front portion of a preferred embodiment of the truss reinforcement of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the rear portion of a preferred embodiment of the truss reinforcement of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of a preferred transverse reinforcement beam of a preferred embodiment of the truss reinforcement of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bolted truss of the present invention showing an alternative embodiment of a diagonal brace of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12A  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a stub of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a stub of  FIG. 12A ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 12C  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a stub of  FIG. 12A ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 13A  is a top plan view of an unformed blank of an alternative preferred embodiment of a stub of the present invention, the embodiment being particularly useful in applications where it is to be bolted to the column;  
         [0041]      FIG. 13B  is a top view of a formed stub of the embodiment of  FIG. 13A ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 14A  is a front view of another preferred stub embodiment of the present inventions;  
         [0043]      FIG. 14B  is a side view of the stub of  FIG. 14A ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 14C  is a top view of the stub of  FIG. 14A ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 15A  is a front view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a foot of the present invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 15B  is a side view of the foot of  FIG. 13A ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 15C  is a top view of the foot of  FIG. 13A ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 16A  is a front view of an end of a preferred embodiment of a transverse beam of the present invention, the embodiment being particularly useful in applications where no stub is used to secure the transverse beam; and  
         [0049]      FIG. 16B  is a top plan view of an unformed blank of an end of the preferred transverse beam of  FIG. 16A . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0050]     Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best representative examples of the inventions claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the embodiments and preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, purpose, structure or result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.  
         [0051]     A preferred embodiment of the bolted truss of the present invention is shown generally as  20  in  FIG. 1 . The preferred components of preferred truss  20  are shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and  11 - 16 . A preferred embodiment of the lower truss reinforcement of a bolted truss  20  is shown generally as  50  in  FIG. 7 . Preferred components of preferred lower reinforcement  50  are shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that bolted truss  20  inventions may be used alone or in combination with truss reinforcement inventions  50 . Similarly, truss reinforcement inventions  50  may be used alone or in combination with the bolted truss  20  inventions.  
         [0052]     By reference to  FIGS. 1-6 ,  12 - 14  and  16 , bolted truss  20  includes a front column  22  and a rear column  24 . A plurality of transverse beams  26  and diagonal braces  30  are also provided between front column  22  and rear column  24 . In the preferred embodiment, columns  22  and  24  are made from structural channels having a web  21  and flanges  23  and  25 . A series of holes  49  may also be provided on columns  22  and  24  to which stubs  40  may be bolted or otherwise attached as hereinafter described (see e.g.,  FIGS. 1-2  and  5 - 9 ). Alternatively, the ends of transverse beam  26  may be modified as hereinafter described (see FIGS.  16 A-B), so that they may be bolted to columns  22  and/or  24 . Finally, holes  49  may also be used to secure the lateral beams (not shown) between columns.  
         [0053]     The bottom of front column  22  may be provided with a foot  35  and the bottom of rear column  24  may also be provided with a foot  36 . Feet  35  and  36  may be used to secure truss  20  to the floor and may also be incorporated into the truss reinforcement  50  inventions, as hereinafter described. An alternative embodiment of feet  35 / 36  is shown in  FIGS. 15A, 15B  and  15 C, which may be bolted or otherwise secured to the bottom of columns  22  and/or  24 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that a wide variety of structural members may be used to practice the present inventions. The above described components are typically bolted together as hereinafter described to form bolted truss  20 , although some components, such as stub  40 , may be welded to columns  22  and  24 , if desired or appropriate for the application.  
         [0054]     In one embodiment, a series of stubs  40  are provided on the inside face of front column  22 . Rear column  24  is also provided with a series of stubs  40  which are mounted on the opposing inside face of rear column  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 2, 5  and  6 , stub  40  is welded or otherwise secured to the interior of front column  22  along flange  23  and web  21 . Stubs  40  on rear columns  24  are similarly mounted. In one embodiment, stubs  40  are formed from structural angles having a horizontal leg  41  and a vertical leg or face  42 , which is provided with a hole  43 . The horizontal leg  41  of stub  40  is notched  44  so that it can be securely attached to the inside surface of flange  23  of column  22  by welding or other well known means.  
         [0055]     Similarly, the interior of rear column  24  is provided with a series of stubs  40  that oppose, either at the same or different elevation from the floor depending upon the type and spacing of shelves desired, stubs  40  on front column  22 . Stubs  40  on front column  22  and rear column  24  are used to secure transverse beams  26  as well as diagonal braces  30 , as hereinafter described. Again, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that stubs  40  may be formed from a wide variety of structural components, as well as formed from plating and the like, consistent with the inventions.  
         [0056]     For example, in the preferred embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 12A, 12B  and  12 C, stub  40  includes a vertical face or member  42  having a hole  43 . Support legs  46 , having slots  48  are also provided. In this embodiment, the support legs  46  of stub  40  may be bolted to the interior face of web  21  of column  22  through slots  48  on supports legs  46  and holes  49  through column  22 . Alternatively, support legs  46  may be welded to web  21  and/or flange  23  as appropriate under the circumstances. When installed, stub  40  provides a vertical member  42  having a hole  43  to which transverse beam  26  and any diagonal brace  30  may be secured. In this manner, it is typically not necessary to notch or modify the ends of transverse beam  26  and/or diagonal brace  30 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the embodiment of stub  40  shown in FIGS.  12 A-C may be formed from a plate that is cut and bent to the desired shape. Stub  40  is attached to rear column  24  in the same manner as described for front column  22 .  
         [0057]     Another preferred embodiment of stub  40  is shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . Unlike the embodiment of FIGS.  12 A-C, this embodiment does not have offset support legs  46 . In this embodiment, a plate is cut in the shape shown in  FIG. 13A . Tab A is then bent at approximately 90° into the page of  FIG. 13A , Tab B is bent at approximately 90° out from the page of  FIG. 13B , and then Tab C is bent approximately 90° in the opposite direction of Tab A. The result is a stub  40  as shown from the top in  FIG. 13B . The resulting stub  40  may be bolted or welded to columns  23  and  24  as desired. This embodiment is particularly useful for attachment with bolts. Yet another embodiment of stub  40  is shown in  FIGS. 14A, 14B  and  14 C. This embodiment is cut from a structural member, such as a wide flange. It may be bolted or welded to columns  22  and  24  as desired. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments of stub  40  are acceptable in accordance with the present inventions.  
         [0058]     Preferred transverse beam  26  is formed from a structural angle having a vertical leg  27  and a horizontal leg  28 . A series of holes  29  are provided, one in the center and one at each end (see  FIG. 3 ). Diagonal brace  30  is also preferably formed from a structural angle. It includes a vertical flange  31 , a horizontal flange  32  and three holes  33 , one at each end and one in the center. The horizontal flange  32  of each end of brace  30  has a notch  34  in the horizontal flange  32  so that it may be secured to stub  40 . However, depending upon the embodiment of stub  40  desired, it may not be necessary to notch or otherwise modify transverse beam  26 .  
         [0059]     In addition, another preferred embodiment of the present invention may be provided that does not require the use of stubs  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the end or ends of the transverse beam  26  may be modified so that it may be connected directly to, for example, the web  21  of front column  22  and/or rear column  24 . As shown in  FIG. 16A , either or both ends of transverse beam  26  may be provided with tabs  67  having holes or slots  68 . Transverse beam  26  may then be bolted or otherwise secured to front column  22  and/or rear column  24  through the holes  49  in web  21  and slots  68  of tabs  67 .  
         [0060]     A preferred embodiment of transverse beam  26  and its end(s) may be formed using a plate, an end of which is shown in  FIG. 16B . As shown in  FIG. 16B , one way to form the right tab  67  on the right side is to fold tab  67  into the page by approximately 90° and folding the left tab  67  approximately 90° out of the page along the dotted line. Leg  28  of transverse beam  26  is then bent approximately 90° into the page, with the result being preferred end as shown in FIGS.  16 A-B. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the end of transverse beam  26  may be formed in a variety of ways or may be cut from structural members. In the embodiment shown, a hole  29  is provided in vertical member  27  so that a diagonal brace  30  may be attached thereto.  
         [0061]     As a result of the unique aspects of the present invention, the truss components, such as columns  22  and  24  and their associated stubs  40 , transverse beams  26  and/or diagonal brace  30  may be fabricated and shipped to the site prior to assembly. Once at the site, transverse beams  26  are installed between front and back columns  22  and  24  by bolting one end of transverse beam  26  to stub  40  on the front column  22  through holes  43  on stub  40  and holes  29  at one end of transverse beams  26 . The other end of transverse beams  26  is attached to stub  40  of rear column  24  in the same way. Preferably, vertical leg  42  of stub  40  is parallel to and faces vertical leg  27  of transverse beams  26  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Alternatively, depending upon the embodiment of stub  40  that is used, it too may be bolted to columns  22  and  24  at the site or welded to the columns prior to shipment. Or as yet another alternative, transverse beam  26  may be bolted to front and/or rear columns  22 / 24  as shown in FIGS.  16 A-B. The embodiments having the stubs  40  or transverse beams  26  bolted to columns  22  and/or  24  are particularly useful in situations, among others, where it may be desirable to vary shelf height, etc.  
         [0062]     Diagonal brace  30  may be installed on a stub  40  of front column  22  and a stub  40  that is two stubs  40  higher in on back column  24  as shown in  FIG. 1 . One end of diagonal brace  30  is secured between vertical leg  42  of stub  40  and vertical leg  27  of transverse beam  26  using a bolt through holes  43 ,  33  and  29  of the respective members. Notch  34  on horizontal flange  32  of diagonal brace  30  enables the horizontal flange  32  to clear the horizontal leg  41  of stub  40 . The other end of diagonal brace  30  is attached to stub  40  of rear column  24  in the same manner. The center of diagonal brace  30  is then attached to the center of the next higher transverse beam  26  using a bolt through center holes  33  of diagonal brace  30  and center holes  29  of transverse beam  26  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0063]     In a preferred form of installation and structural components (horizontal flange  41  of stub  40 , one end of vertical flange  31  of diagonal brace  30  and horizontal flange  28  of transverse beam  26 ), the entire interior face between flanges  23  of front and rear columns  22  and  24  is filled (see e.g.,  FIG. 6 ). This configuration provides increased strength. It also reduces the potential for twisting of the components.  
         [0064]     A preferred alternative to the above arrangement of diagonal brace  30  is also appropriate and is shown in  FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, a diagonal brace  30  is provided diagonally between each pair of transverse beams. For example, one end of diagonal brace  30  is secured on a stub  40  of front column  22  as described above. The other end of diagonal brace  30  is attached to the next higher stub  40  of rear column  24 , also in the same manner as described above. Of course, in this embodiment, there is no need for center holes  33  of diagonal brace  30  or center holes  29  of transverse beam  26 .  
         [0065]     The bottom of columns  22  and  24  may be provided with feet  35  and  36 . A preferred embodiment of feet  35 / 36  is shown in FIGS.  15 A-C. In this embodiment, an upright  37  is provided that may include slots  39 . A base portion  38  is provided which is at an approximately 90° angle to upright  37 . Base  38  may include holes for attachment to the floor. Preferred feet  35 / 36  may be secured by welding to the inside faces of columns  22 / 24  or may be bolted thereto using slots  39  or other apertures. Thus, preferred feet  35 / 36  may be installed prior to shipment or at the site. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that foot  35  and/or  36  may be formed from a variety of materials and/or take on a variety of configurations consistent with the present inventions.  
         [0066]     A preferred embodiment of the truss reinforcement  50  inventions may generally be seen by reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . Truss reinforcement  50  includes a stiffening beam  51  formed from a structural channel having a horizontal web  52  and two vertical flanges  53 . A hole  54  is provided on the front end of stiffening beam  51  and a hole  55  is provided on the back end of stiffening beam  51  to function as hereinafter described. A vertical support leg  56  is attached to the underside of stiffening beam  51  generally toward the front of member  51 . Vertical support leg  56  is formed from a structural channel member having a web  57  and two flanges  58 . A hole  59  is provided on web  57  to function as hereinafter described.  
         [0067]     The bottom of front column  22  is provided with a horizontal locking tab  60  (see  FIG. 8 ). In a preferred embodiment, horizontal locking tab  60  is made from a piece of a structural angle having a vertical flange  61  and a horizontal flange  62 . Vertical flange  61  is welded to the inside of web  21  of front column  22  between flanges  23  and  25 . Horizontal flange  62  is provided with a hole  63  that is designed to mate with hole  54  on the front stiffening member  51 .  
         [0068]     A vertical locking tab  64  is also provided in association with front column  22 . Vertical locking tab  64  may be formed from or attached to front foot  35  of front column  22 . Vertical locking tab  64  includes a hole  65  that is designed to mate with hole  59  on web  57  of vertical support leg  56 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that vertical locking tab  64  is spaced from front column  22  the same distance as vertical support leg  56  such that the web  57  of support leg  56  mates with vertical locking tab  64 .  
         [0069]     Rear column  24  is provided with a horizontal locking tab  60  (see  FIG. 9 ) that opposes horizontal locking tab  60  on front column  22 . The horizontal locking tab  60  on rear column  24  also includes a vertical flange  61  attached to inside web  21  of front column  24  and a horizontal flange  62 . A hole  66  is provided on horizontal flange  62  that is designed to align with hole  55  on the rear end of stiffening beam  51 .  
         [0070]     Horizontal stiffening member  51  is installed by placing the front end on horizontal locking tab  60  and bolting them together through holes  54  of stiffening member  51  and holes  63  of horizontal locking tab  60 . Similarly, the rear end of horizontal stiffening member  51  is placed on horizontal locking tab  60  which is then bolted through holes  55  and  66 . Vertical support leg  56  is bolted to vertical locking tab  64  through its holes  65  and hole  59  on the web  57  of vertical support leg  56 . In addition to providing extra strength to prevent abuse to the lower front column  22 , when vertical support leg  56  is attached to vertical locking tab  64 , the front  22  and rear  24  columns are brought into proper vertical alignment. Thus, the present inventions also provide a means for self-alignment of the truss columns  22  and  24  during assembly.  
         [0071]     In an alternative embodiment of truss reinforcement  50 , the lower portion of front column  22  is provided with the same components as rear column  24 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Specifically, like rear column  24 , front column  22  is provided with a horizontal locking tab  60  having a bolt hole  66 . In this embodiment, horizontal stiffening member  50  does not require a vertical support leg  58  or a vertical locking tab  64 . Thus, horizontal stiffening member  51  is installed between the columns  22  and  24  and bolted at each end to horizontal locking tab  60 . This embodiment is particularly useful in, but not limited to, drive-in rack systems.  
         [0072]     It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the truss reinforcement inventions  50  may be practiced using a wide variety of structural members other than the types of members shown in the preferred embodiment. In addition, a vertical support leg  56  and a vertical locking tab  64  may be provided on the rear end of stiffening beam  51  and rear column  24 . Such an arrangement, while acceptable, is not generally preferred because most of the abuse during loading and unloading occurs to the lower portion of front column  22 .  
         [0073]     The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in or the scope of the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present inventions have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the claimed invention.  
         [0074]     Various features of the present inventions are set forth in the following claims.