Abstract:
An inclined panel for mounting industrial bins that allows the bins to hang at an angle such that the interior of the bin is more easily accessible by production personnel is presented. The inclined panel has an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of louvers formed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and a mounting surface. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°. A rack system using such a panel is also presented. The rack system may also include one or more end caps at the ends of the panels. The rack system may incorporate a wheeled base or the panels may be mounted on a fixed wall.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Rack systems for industrial bins are often used in industrial assembly facilities. Typically, the bins include hooks or cleats on the vertical rear surface of the bin and the cleats are connected with louvers on a metal plate. The louvers in the rack systems are vertical and bins are mounted to the rack such that they are horizontal and the contents of the bins are accessible from the front or top. There is a very large installed base of bins and rack systems where the rack systems include a planar louvered panel with bins mounted in a level orientation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an inclined panel for mounting industrial bins, is presented that incorporates a panel having an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of louvers formed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and a mounting surface. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°. 
         [0003]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a rack system for industrial bins is presented incorporating an upstanding support structure; at least one louvered panel at an angle of 10°-25° from vertical; and a plurality of louvers formed on the louvered panel. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°. The invention may also include an end cap at least one end of each panel and typically at either end of each panel. The rack system may incorporate a wheeled base the panels may be mounted on a fixed wall. 
         [0004]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention a rack system for industrial bins incorporating a movable base unit; an upstanding support structure mounted to the base unit; a plurality of louvered panels mounted on the support structure and angled at 10°-25° from vertical; a plurality of louvers formed on each louvered panel; and at least one industrial bin mounted on one or more of the louvers is presented. Typically, the rack system includes a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louvered panel which spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and the many embodiments thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a side plan view of the inclined louvered panel of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a side plan view, in detail, of the louver formed in the panel of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of the inclined panel and rack system of one embodiment of the present invention with industrial bins mounted thereon; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a isometric view of the inclined panel and rolling rack system of one embodiment of the present invention with industrial bins mounted thereon; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded isometric view of a louvered inclined panel of the present invention with an endcap; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an isometric view of a louvered inclined panel of the present invention with an endcap; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a rear isometric view of a louvered inclined panel of the present invention with an endcap; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an isometric view of an endcap panel support suitable for use with the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an side plan view of an endcap panel support suitable for use with the present invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present invention will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0016]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
         [0017]    Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1A  shows an inclined louvered rack system  10  for mounting industrial bins in accordance with the present invention. The rack system  10  includes louvered surface  12  top mounting surface  20  and bottom mounting surface  18 . A separation plate  22  spaces the louvered surface  12  from a generally upright support structure. The louvered surface  12  includes a number of louvers  14 . The louvered surface  12  is angled from vertical by an angle α. The α is generally about 10°-25° while an angle of 10°-15° is preferable. The inclined louvered rack system  10  as shown in  FIG. 2  is generally mounted to a set of uprights or a vertical support panel. A inclined louvered rack system may have a number inclined panels separated by the distance of top and bottom mounting surfaces  18 ,  20  or top and bottom mounting surfaces  18 ,  20  may be overlapped for a denser fit of the bins positioned on the panel assembly. 
         [0019]    An individual louver  14  is shown in  FIG. 1B  in which louver extensions are cut from the sheet steel of panel  12  and are generally spaced approximately 5 cm apart. A generally inverted U-shape cut 5 cm wide and 6 cm high is made in the sheet steel for each louver  14  and the tab of the panel is deflected 1-3 mm from the plane of the panel  12  to form the upwardly extending louver  14  and bend  16  leaving a orifice  14   a  in panel  12 . The louver  14  may be linked to a downwardly facing lip on the industrial bin. 
         [0020]    A rack system of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 , in which uprights  40  are shown with louvered panels  10  mounted on either side of uprights  40  by top and bottom mounting surfaces  20 ,  18 . The louvered surface  12  and louvers  14  provide support for industrial bins  42 ,  44  and other devices may be hung from the louvers  14 . The louvered surface  12  is typically screwed or bolted to uprights  40 . Typically, two or three upright supports  40  may be used. In the event that three upright supports  40  (one at each edge of the panel and one at the center of the panel) are used, it may not be necessary to use support members  60  at each upright. As shown, a number of bins  42 ,  44  may be mounted on the panel depending on the size of the bins and desired density. The bins include a cleat  46 ,  48  on the back surface  50  of each bin. The cleat  46 ,  48  fits over louvers  14  so that the rear of the bin  50  contacts louvers  14  and hangs generally perpendicular to the louvered surface  12 . The panel  10  may also be mounted to a wall or other upright surface. The bins may be formed of any suitable material, such as: polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, SMMA (styrene methyl methacrylate, acrylic blend), or HIPS high impact polystyrene or other such materials commonly used in the manufacturing of polymeric parts and/or parts made by common forming techniques. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a rack assembly in accordance with the present invention. The uprights  40  are mounted on platform  64 , which may include wheels  66  or braces  62 . A number of louvered panels  10  are mounted to the uprights  40 . As shown a wide variety of bins  42 ,  44  may be mounted to the louvered panels  10 . Various bins  42 ,  44  may include lids, any number of different widths, depths and heights, as well as any other equipment that could be mounted on a vertical rack system. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows the end of louvered panel  10  and endcap  60 . The endcap  60  may be mounted to the panel by plastic pins, pop-in fasteners, screws or rivets. The end cap  60  is generally triangular and includes one or more orifices  64  which is bolted or riveted to separation plate  22 , louvered surface  12  and potentially mounting surface  18  to form a structural portion of the rack assembly by inhibiting the flexing of the pane when heavy items are placed in the bins mounted to the louvers  14  on the panel  10 . Panel  10  includes top and bottom mounting surfaces  20 ,  18  each including orifices  18 ′,  20 ′ by which panel  10  is typically screwed or bolted to a vertical surface or uprights. The louvered surface  12  and louvers  14  provide support for industrial bins and other devices. Also shown are mounting holes  12 ′ for end caps on the distal ends and for a central support member (not shown) mounted in the central section of the panel. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5A  shows the front of a louvered panel  10  in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen a 12×5 grid of louvers  14  may be used, although any suitable configuration is possible. Also included are orifices  20 ′ in mounting panel  20  and orifices  18 ′ in mounting panel  18  for mounting panel  10  to a vertical surface or uprights. Also shown are mounting holes  12 ′ for end caps  60  on the distal ends of mounting panel  10  and for a central support member  60  mounted in the central section of panel  10 . Typically, a single central support  60  is used in longer panels or high load applications. Any number of central supports  60  may be used depending on load and length of panel  10 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 5B  shows the rear of a louvered panel  10  in accordance with the present invention. A grid of louvers  14  on louvered surface  12  is provided. Also included are orifices  20 ′ on mounting panel  20  and orifices  18 ′ in mounting panel  18  for attaching panel  10  to a vertical surface or uprights. Also shown are end caps  60  on the distal ends of mounting panel  10  and central support member  60  mounted in the central section of panel  10 . Typically, a single central support  60  is used in longer panels or high load applications. Any number of central supports  60  may be used depending on load and length of panel  10 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 6A  shows an endcap  60  also referred to as a central support member  60  suitable for use with the present invention. The central support member  60  is generally triangular with sides  72 ,  74  and hypotenuse  76  such that first side  74  contacts louvered panel  12 , second side  72  contacts separation plate  22  and the hypotenuse contacts the upright support or surface upon which the panel is hung. The apex of the central support member points downward. The first side  74  of central support member  60  includes first and second depressions  80  in the face with mounting holes  82  that mate with screws or rivets  62  to the louvered panel  12 . The second side  72  of the central support member  60  generally includes a first depression  80  with a mounting hole  82  that mates with a screw or rivet  62  to separation plate  22 . The interior of the central support member includes a number of reinforcing walls  78  to provide rigidity and structural integrity. The central support member may also include a surface  70  spanning the sides  72 ,  74 ,  76  and reinforcing walls  78  to provide additional stiffness. The central support member  60  is typically plastic and may be injection molded or formed by any other suitable method. The central support member may also be formed of steel. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a plan view of a central support member suitable for use with the present invention showing first side  74  of central support member  60  and first and second depressions  80  in the face with mounting holes  82  that mate with screws or rivets  62  to the louvered panel  12 . 
         [0027]    The present invention should not be considered limited to the specific examples described herein, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures and devices to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification.