Patent Abstract:
A modular floor for manual storage systems consists of floor modules joined to create a longitudinal path of any desired length for supporting a wheeled carriage for movement therealong. Each floor module comprises a pair of parallel rails that are independently vertically adjustable by means of leveling screws in transverse rail supporting beams. The ends of the rails are notched and tongue and grooved to provide vertical and horizontal alignment of the ends of adjoining rails. The modular floor includes sturdy and neat ramps extending transversely on each side thereof. The invention further includes an anti-tip device composed of plates secured to the carriages and having lips that slide along and cooperate with a member fixed to the modular floor to prevent the carriages from tipping in the direction of longitudinal movement.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention. 
     This invention pertains to mobile storage systems, and more particularly to apparatus for supporting a mobile storage system moveable carriage. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art. 
     It is known to use mobile storage systems in offices and libraries to conserve valuable floor space. Mobile storage systems usually include various combinations of stationary and longitudinally moveable storage units. The moveable storage units normally consist of a carriage mounted on wheels for rolling longitudinally along tracks or rails embedded in the building floor. Power for moving the carriage may be supplied either manually or through electric motors and associated circuits. 
     Although embedding the system rails in the floor is generally satisfactory, that construction does present some disadvantages. One disadvantage is the difficulty involved when releveling the rails after the initial installation. Releveling is required occasionally because even rails that are initially installed in a level attitude become non-level with time as the building floor shifts or sags. Another disadvantage of prior rail systems is that their installation in the floor is permanent. Consequently, if the office or library is to be remodeled and the mobile storage system relocated, it is a major task to rip the rails out of the floor and reinstall them at the new location. Since the movable carriages are typically quite high and long but relatively narrow in the direction of movement, they present a potential tipping problem. Various devices have been developed to reduce or eliminate the possibility of tipping, but the prior devices are usually quite complicated and costly to manufacture and install. 
     Thus, a need exists for a mobile storage system having an inexpensive and reliable anti-tip device and rails that are quickly and easily installed and maintained in the their original condition. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a mobile storage system is provided that includes a vertically adjustable modular floor for supporting the system movable carriages together with a simplified device for preventing carriage tipping in the direction of carriage motion. This is accomplished by apparatus that includes a series of longitudinally connectible floor modules comprised of a number of elongated frames for supporting the system rails and an anti-tip plate that hooks under an associated modular floor member. 
     The elongated frames are supported on the building floor by independently adjustable leveling screws. The frames are placed transversely under the rails, which are supported on the frames near the ends thereof and close to the leveling screws. To provide proper transverse spacing of the rails and also to maintain them in an upright attitude, the rails are joined to the opposite edges of flat horizontal panels. Several frames are fastened to a panel, thereby tying rails, panel, and frames together into a floor module. The modules are connectible longitudinally to create rails of desired length. The modules are preferably connected by means of simple clips joining the end frames of adjacent modules to each other. 
     The leveling screws are adjustable vertically independently of each other. Consequently, each rail may be adjusted vertically along a relatively short length thereof without effecting the level condition of the rest of the rail. To provide accurate horizontal alignment of abutting rails on adjacent modules, the rail ends are manufactured with cooperating tongue and grooves. Additionally, the rail ends are formed with cooperating notches and steps that aid in initial vertical alignment and that allow leveling of the abutting rail ends independently of each other. To enhance the appearance and safety of the modular floor of the present invention, attractive removeable ramps are included that slope downwardly and outwardly from each rail to the adjacent floor surface. The ramps are sufficiently strong and rigid to support a person standing on them next to the moveable carriage. 
     Further in accordance with the present invention, the mobile storage system includes a simple but effective device that prevents carriage tipping in the direction of longitudinal motion along the rails. The anti-tip device comprises one or more flat plates secured to the moveable carriage and having an outwardly turned lip. The lip slidingly hooks under the top leg of a sideways facing channel firmly fastened longitudinally to one end of the frame outboard of and parallel to one of the rails. Thus, if a carriage accidentally tends to tip, the lip of the anti-tip plate would contact and be restrained by the channel to thereby prevent tipping. To limit carriage movement along the modular floor, carriage stops are fastened at desired locations on the channel. 
     Other objects, aims, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a mobile storage system that includes the modular floor of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially broken top view of the modular floor of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view, partially in section, taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded top view of the connection between adjacent floor modules; and 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 5. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile storage system 1 is illustrated that includes the present invention. The mobile storage system is particularly useful for storing books and similar items in offices and libraries, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to mobile storage applications. 
     The mobile storage system 1 includes one or more mobile storage units 3 that move horizontally along a fixed path. Each mobile storage unit 3 comprises a carriage assembly 5 supported by a plurality of wheels 7, as is known in the art. The mobile storage unit 3 may be rolled by means of conventional manual or power mechanisms. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the wheels 7 roll longitudinally along the rails 9 of a modular floor 11. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the modular floor 11 is composed of any desired number of modules 12. Each module 12 comprises a pair of parallel rails 9 supported above the building floor 13 by a number of interior frames 15 and end frames 17 placed transversely to the rails. Each frame 15 and 17 includes an elongated generally U-shaped beam 21 and 19, respectively. The interior beams are preferably manufactured with two outwardly extending flanges 22. The beams are supported at both ends on the floor 13 by leveling screws 23. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the leveling screws 23 comprise a foot portion 25 of relatively large diameter that contacts the floor, a square shank 27, and a threaded end 29. To provide adequate support for the beams on the leveling screws, the center section of each beam, as, for example, center section 31 of end beams 17, is provided with reinforcing pads 33 welded thereto. The pads 33 and beams center section 31 define threaded openings for receiving the leveling screw threaded ends 29. Each leveling screw threaded end preferably is formed with a slot 35 in the end face thereof. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rails 9 are located adjacent the leveling screws 23 near the ends of the frames 15 and 17. It is preferred that the leveling screws be placed outboard of the rails. Vertical adjustment of a frame by means of a leveling screw directly affects the vertical position of the rail adjacent the leveling screw without affecting the entire rail, thus simplifying the rail leveling process. To maintain the rails in a parallel and upright attitude, they are secured by any suitable means to a structural wood panel 37. The rails 9 are wleded to cross frames 15 and 17. Cap screws 39 are used to attach the panel 37 to the frames 15 and 17, thus tying the beams, rails, leveling screws and panel into a module 12. 
     To enable the leveling screws 23 to be placed as closely as practical to the longitudinal ends of the modules 12, the end beams 19 are formed with only one outwardly extending flange 41, FIG. 4. To longitudinally join two modules, generally U-shaped spring clips 43 are placed over the unflanged legs 45 of adjacent end beams 17 at both ends thereof. Thus, a modular floor 11 of any length may be created for supporting the mobile storage units 3 by longitudinally joining the necessary number of modules. 
     After the modular floor 11 has been assembled and leveled, the wheels 7 of the mobile storage units 3 are placed on the rails. As best seen in FIG. 3, because the leveling screws 23 are outboard of the rails, the leveling screws are accessible with the mobile storage unit on the rails. Thus, the rails may be releveled at any time without removing the carriage from the modular floor or moving the carriage to a new location along the rails. 
     The present invention is also concerned with the accurate alignment of the rails 9 of adjoining floor modules 12. For that purpose, the ends of the rails are manufactured with cooperating notches and tongue and grooves. Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, it will be noticed that the left end of each rail terminates in a centrally located tongue 47. The tongue 47 is sized to closely fit within a centrally located groove 49 cut vertically in the right end of each rail. Thus, when modules are longitudinally joined, the rails of the adjacent modules are accurately aligned horizontally. To aid in aligning the rail ends to each other in the vertical direction, the left end of each rail is provided with an undercut notch 50 for receiving an associated step 51 in the right end of each rail. Accordingly, the rails of adjoining modules are quickly alignable vertically upon initial installation, and only final leveling by means of the leveling screws 23 is required. 
     Further in accordance with the present invention, the modular floor 11 in combination with the carriages 5, include a device 53 for preventing tipping of the carriages in the direction of movement. In the illustrated construction, the anti-tip device 53 comprises a plate 55 welded or otherwise firmly secured vertically to one end of each carriage. Two plates may be employed if the width of the carriage is relatively great. The lower end of the plate is bent outwardly to create a horizontal lip 57. The lip 57 slides within the recess 59 and adjacent to the top leg 63 of a channel 61 that is mounted longitudinally to the outer ends of the frames 15 and 17. The channel top legs 63 function to restrain the lip and thus prevent tipping of a moving and top heavy carriage if an object is placed on a rail in the carriage path. 
     It will be noticed that the channel 61 partially covers the leveling screws 23 on the side of the module 12 having the anti-tip device. To cover the leveling screws on the ends of the frames 15 and 17 on the side opposite the carriage anti-tip device, each floor module 12 includes a ramp 65. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the ramp 65 is formed with a generally flat plate portion 67 terminating at one end in a bent over hook 69. End 70 of the plate portion 67 rests on the floor 13. The hook 69 is retained on the outer ends of the beams 19 and 21. For that purpose, the beams are fabricated with upturned tabs 71 at one end of the beam top sections 31. Thus, the ramps 65 safely cover the leveling screws, but they are easily removed from the tabs 71 to provide access to the leveling screws when it is desired to relevel the rails. Substantially identical ramps 65&#39; are employed on the side of the modular floor having the anti-tip device 53. To retain the hooks 69&#39; of the ramps 65&#39;, two or more short longitudinally spaced receptacles 73 are attached to the channel 61 of each module. To provide a neat appearance to the modular floor, the ramp hooked ends bent over portions 74 and 74&#39; contact the outer edge of a rail 9 and the channel 61, respectively. Consequently, there are a minimum number of gaps in the module to collect dirt or give an unsightly appearance. In addition to the aesthetic properties of the ramps, they also are sturdily designed so as to permit a person to walk on them. 
     To limit the longitudinal movement of the mobile storage units along the rails 9, a simple but effective stop device 75 is fastened to desired locations on the modular floor 11. In the preferred embodiment, each stop device 75 comprises a plate 77 screwed or similarly fastened to the top leg 63 of the channel 61 so as to overhang the end of the top leg. See FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. A generally U-shaped carriage stop 79 is installed over the plate 77 in the path of the anti-tip plate 55. Preferably, the carriage stop 79 is retained by a gripping action created by spring legs 81 that are forced apart and slipped over the plate 77. In that manner, the travel limits in two directions of the carriages 5 may be easily set at any desired location on the modular floor, as, for example, near the ends of the modular floor as shown in FIG. 1, or at an intermediate location along the modular floor as shown in FIG. 4. 
     Without description, it is thought that the advantages to be gained from the disclosed embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is contemplated that various modifications and changes may be made to the modular floor of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4