Abstract:
The present invention relates to an end stop bracket for a longitudinal mobile shelving track adapted to moveably support a mobile shelving unit thereabove, the end stop bracket including a main body shaped to cap an end of said longitudinal track, a means of attachment to the end of the longitudinal track, and a means of reducing impact loads resulting from contact between the mobile shelving unit and the end stop bracket.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of International Patent Application PCT/AU2008/001205, filed on Aug. 18, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an end stop bracket adapted to be mounted to the end of a mobile shelving track for capping the end of the track and absorbing shelving unit impact. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mobile shelving systems typically include a plurality of mobile shelving units which are moveable along spaced apart tracks, with each individual shelf unit being a tall and narrow structure having an array of horizontal shelves. 
     Typically, a track will include an end stop bracket so that a runner which supports the shelving unit thereabove, which slideably engages the track, and which is not able to move beyond the track ends. There is a problem with existing end stop brackets known to the present inventor, in that, often the force of impact from the runner when moved toward the end of the track dislodges or damages the bracket. This can lead to further damage over prolonged use and further impact, including the rollers (which are typically suspended from the runner) becoming offset from the center of the tracks upon which they traverse, and the ends of the track lifting from the ground. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed an end stop bracket for a longitudinal mobile shelving track adapted to moveably support a mobile shelving unit there above, the end stop bracket including a main body shaped to cap an end of said longitudinal track, a means of attachment to the end of the longitudinal track and a means of reducing impact loads resulting from contact between the mobile shelving unit and the end stop bracket, the means of reducing impact loads being in the form of a plurality of transversely extending ribs forming an elastomeric buffer to absorb the impact load when the mobile shelving unit is urged towards the end stop bracket. 
     Preferably said longitudinal track includes a hollow profile, and the means of attachment is in the form of elongate joining pins adapted to be received in the hollow profile and locked thereto using fastening means. 
     In preference the fastening means is in the form of at least one locking bolt adapted to engage coaxially aligned apertures extending through the joining pin and a lowermost surface associated with the hollow profile, from the underside of said track. 
     In preference the longitudinal track includes a hollow profile, and the plurality of transversley extending ribs form of a stop portion extending outwardly from the main body which corresponds substantially with the shape of at least part of the track hollow profile. 
     In preference the stop portion is shaped correspondingly with a central channel of the track and is adapted to be snug fit inside the central channel. 
     In preference the stop portion includes an upper robust portion, the plurality of ribs being suspended therefrom. 
     In preference the track is extruded and is substantially triangular in cross section. 
     Preferably the main body is also substantially triangular in shape. 
     In preference the longitudinal track and the end stop bracket are constructed of steel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of a mobile shelving track and runner assembly. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an underside perspective view of the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of the runner and cross members forming part of the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the runner and cross members shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the track forming part of the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the track shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a track end stop bracket in accordance with the present invention, forming part of the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross sectional view of the mobile shelving track and runner assembly of  FIG. 1 , without the cross members attached. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the cross sectional view of  FIG. 10  showing the way in which the ramp section is mounted to the track. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. 
     While the present invention is directed specifically towards an end stop bracket for a mobile shelving track assembly, as shown in  FIG. 9 , other components which form part of a complete mobile shelving system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are also described. 
     A track and runner assembly  10  for mobile shelving is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The assembly  10  comprises one or more longitudinal tracks  12 , a longitudinal runner  14  configured to slideably engage each track  12  and to support a shelving unit (not shown), otherwise known as a compactus, there above, and transverse cross members  16  for connecting two or more runners  14  together. A typical shelving unit is adapted to be mounted above two runners  14  slideable along two tracks  12  which are spaced apart by a distance corresponding approximately with the length of the shelving unit. 
     The runner  14  of the present invention is shown most clearly in  FIGS. 5-6 . The runner  14  is substantially in the form of an inverted U-shaped extrusion, having a primary channel  18  extending there along adapted to accommodate one or more roller cartridges  20 , and four slots  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  extending along right, left and top sides thereof. In particular, slot  22  extends along the left side of the runner  14 , slot  24  extends along the right side, and slots  26  and  28  extend along the upper side of the runner  14 . The slots  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  are preferably in the form of T-slots, shaped like so to accommodate square nuts  30  having internal threads. This provides for fast, versatile construction because the nut  30  provides an anchor point for external items at any point along the runner  14 . 
     Once the nut  30  is moved to a desired position, the item, which typically includes a mounting aperture  32 , is moved into position so that the aperture  32  and nut  30  become coaxially aligned. A screw  34  is used to extend through the aperture  32 , through the slot  22 ,  24 ,  26  or  28 , and into the nut  30  for threaded engagement therewith. Extending centrally along the top of the primary channel  18  is a further slot  36  providing a further mounting means for the roller cartridges  20  and end brackets  38 , as will become apparent. 
     The runner  14  has been designed so that no additional post-processing of the extrusion is required after it has been cut, i.e. no drilling, slotting, etc. 
     The following description relates to examples of items which are mountable to the runner  14 . Some of these are necessary items, for example, the transverse cross members  16 , but others are not necessarily essential, such as a locking bracket  40  for example. It is to be understood that other items which are not shown and described herein, could also be mounted to the runner  14 , for example, sensors (not shown), motors (not shown), mechanical drive devices, and the like. 
     Mounted above the runner  14  are one or more clips  42  configured for engagement with a corresponding receiving means located beneath the shelving unit, such as a correspondingly shaped aperture (not shown), for example. Clip  42  includes a mounting portion  44  having a mounting aperture  46  extending therethrough, and a second portion  48  upstanding from the mounting portion  44  and doubled over for engagement with the corresponding receiving means. The clips  42  are fixed to the runner  14  using a screw  34  adapted to extend through aperture  46  to thereby engage a nut  30  located within slot  28 , as described above. In the embodiment shown, there are two spaced apart clips  42  for each runner  14 . 
     Two cross members  16  are adapted to extend between runners  14  on spaced apart tracks  12  to provide the required support for each shelving unit. The cross members  16  are in the form of substantially I-shaped extrusions having slots  50 ,  52  and  54  on left side, right side and top sides thereof, respectively. In preference the slots  50 ,  52  and  54  are also substantially in the form of T-slots engageable by bolt/nut connections as described above, when mounting external items thereto. 
     Each cross member  16  is coupled to the runner  14  using hollow, triangular shaped brackets  56  at the junction therebetween. The perpendicular walls of the bracket  56  include outwardly extending projections  58  being shaped to fit snugly within the side slots  52  and  22  of both the cross member  16  and the runner  14  respectively. The projections  58  are ribbed to facilitate insertion through the slots and so that any impact loads on the bracket  56  are reduced. 
     Also located on the perpendicular walls of the bracket  56  are mounting apertures  32 . The mounting apertures  32  on the bracket  56  are positioned to fix the cross member  16  in a perpendicular arrangement relative to the runner  14 , that is, each perpendicular wall of the bracket  56  is mounted to the cross member  16  and runner  14  respectively. Again, nuts  30  and screws  34  are preferably used for connecting the respective components. 
     In order for the runner  14  and hence the shelving unit to be slideable along the track  12 , the runner  14  must also include means of housing the roller cartridges  20  mentioned above. The present invention provides that the primary channel  18  of the runner  14  accommodates one or more roller cartridges  20 . 
     Each roller cartridge  20  is also of an inverted U-shaped configuration and of a size to fit inside the runner primary channel  18 . The top side of the cartridge  20  includes two spaced apart mounting apertures  32 , so that when the cartridge  20  is positioned in a desired location along the channel  18 , it can be secured using self-tapping screws  34  extending through the apertures  32  and into slot  36 . Such a configuration means that the roller cartridge  20  may be fitted to the runner  14  without the need for drilling. Typically, each shelving unit will include a roller cartridge  20  at the longitudinal ends of each runner  14 , however, there may be circumstances where more are required, and the runner primary channel  18  may accommodate for this. 
     The roller cartridge  20  includes larger, co-axially aligned apertures  60  extending through its side walls. A pin  62  which extends through the apertures  60  is used to maintain a roller  69  inside the cartridge  20 . The roller  69  is rotatable about the pin  62  and allows the runner  14  and hence the shelving unit to move relative to the track  12 , as will become apparent. 
     Also mountable to the runner  14  are end brackets  38  as mentioned. Not only are the end brackets  38  used to cap off the ends of the runner  14 , they are configured to prevent the shelving unit from tilting. Each end bracket  38  is in the form of a rigid housing having an internal structure which corresponds substantially in shape with the cross section of the runner extrusion, so that it may engage an end thereof. A self-tapping screw  34  is used to fix the end bracket  38  in place, the screw  34  extending through an uppermost aperture  32  of the end bracket  38 , and into the runner slot  36 . At the base of the end bracket  38  are two transversely extending shoulders  64  which when engaged with the track  12  (as described below), are designed to prevent the shelving unit from toppling over. The end bracket  38  therefore constitutes the anti-tilt means of the assembly  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-8  in particular, it can be seen that the track  12  is also made up of an extruded length of metal and includes a hollow profile. The track  12  comprises generally a base  66 , internal walls  68 ,  70 ,  72  and  74 , and external walls  76  and  78  which are each integrally formed. The external walls  76  and  78  at upper ends of the track  12  extend a short distance inwardly, past internal walls  70  and  72 . The base  66  and the external walls  76  and  78  form a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape; however, because the external walls fall short of meeting at an apex, they define a central channel  80  extending along the track  12 . 
     The internal geometry of the track  12 , in particular the high, hollow profile, allows for robust but unobtrusive track joining, and should remove the need for installers to use glue and fit fasteners with high precision, as will become apparent. 
     The inside surface of internal walls  70  and  72  are shaped to perform two functions. Firstly, at a lowermost region of the channel  80 , the internal walls  70  and  72  define a V-shaped guide  82 , which is the surface upon which the rollers  69  are supported. The rollers  69  engage the guide  82  centrally with both edges of the roller  69  contacting the guide. The weight of the shelving unit on the roller  69  retains it in the desired position, and allows sufficient friction for it to rotate smoothly across the guide  82 . In order to prevent wear, and to strengthen the guide  82 , retaining beads (not shown) retain crinoline strips, generally made of steel, along the V-shaped guide  82 . 
     Secondly, disposed above the V-shaped guide  82  are opposed recesses  84  for accommodating shoulders  64  associated with the end bracket  38 . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that when the assembled runner  14  is positioned above the track  12 , with the shelving unit supported there above, any lateral movement of the shelving unit would be restricted by the shoulders  64 , because they are prevented from upward movement by the upper ends of the external walls  76  and  78 . Accordingly, tilting of the shelving units is prevented. This is particularly important when the shelving units have significant weight on the top shelves making them prone to such movement. 
     Between internal walls  68  and  70 , and internal walls  72  and  74 , hollow regions  86  are defined. The hollow regions  86  are adapted to accommodate joining pins  88  which are used to join two track ends together. The hollow regions  86  also accommodates pins  90  ( FIG. 9 ) associated with an end stop bracket  92  of the track  12 . Therefore, the end stop bracket  92  is mounted to the end of the track  12  using two joining pins  90  associated therewith, while for joining two segments of track  12  together, individual joining pins  88  are used, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In both cases, the joining pins  88  and  90  include a plurality of apertures  94  spaced apart there along, and are adapted to be inserted into the hollow regions  86  of the track  12  until they are in co-axial alignment with apertures  96  ( FIG. 7 ) extending through the base  66  of the track  12 . Self-tapping screws  34  are once again used to engage the coaxial apertures  94 ,  96  and thereby secure the components together. 
     The end stop bracket  92 , as its name suggests, is adapted to be mounted to the end of a track  12 . For example, there could be three or four track segments joined to form a single track, wherein the two endmost track segments include end stop brackets  92  for preventing the runner  14  from travelling beyond the tracks. An enlarged view of the end stop bracket  92  is shown in  FIG. 9  and it can be seen that it comprises a substantially triangular shaped housing  98 , joining pins  90  extending outwardly from an internal bracket plate  100 , and a stop portion  102  extending between the joining pins  90  and into channel  80  when the end stop bracket  92  is mounted to the track  12 . 
     The stop portion  102  includes a plurality of ribs  104  which provide an elastomeric buffer for reducing impact loads. Shelving units when moved generate a significant amount of force due to their weight and therefore require that the track end stops be robust enough to dampen such force upon impact. The end stop bracket  92  also includes anti-tilt shoulders  106  as per the runner end brackets  38 . 
     The height of the track  12  also needs to be maintained level along its length. It is also preferable for the height of the track  12  to also be easily adjustable even after assembly. One or more packers  108  shown most clearly in  FIG. 2  and the cross sectional views, are used to achieve this. Each packer  108  is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a 3×2 matrix of apertures  110  extending therethrough. One row of three apertures  110  on the packer  108  includes elevated square surrounding portions  112 . The adjacent row of three apertures  110  include locating means  111  for engaging the elevated square surrounding portions  112  of a second packer  108  positioned there beneath. Each adjacently stacked packer  108  is rotated by 180 degrees relative to the other. 
     One or more packers  108  (depending on the desired height) are adapted to sit beneath the joining pins  90  at the ends of the track  12 , as well as beneath the joining pins  88  at one or more joints between track segments. The apertures  110  are designed to accommodate the head portions of the self-tapping screws  34  which engage the joining pins  88  and  90 . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any number of stacked packers  108  could be added or removed to increase or decrease height of a particular section of track  12 . 
     A further advantage to the improved stiffness characteristics of the track extrusion is that it allows for wider spacing of the packers  108  along the track  12 . 
     The assembly  10  includes a plurality of optionally attachable ramp sections  114 . These are used to provide a smooth surface over the track  12  and prevent the track  12  from forming a tripping hazard. Each ramp section  114  includes a substantially rectangular body  116  having a hook section  118  at one end thereof, and a straight edge  120  at the opposed end adapted to lie substantially flush with the ground when assembled. The ramp section body  116  includes a plurality of ribs  122  on its upper surface for gripping purposes. There are reinforcing members  124  positioned below the body  116  which are advantageous because they reduce the overall weight of the ramp section and maintain strength. The hook section  118  extends downwardly from the body  116 , then inwardly and upwardly with respect to the track  12 . 
     The track extrusion is also designed to accommodate the ramp sections  114 . Turning now to  FIGS. 10-11 , between the lower end of the external walls  76  and  78 , and the internal walls  68  and  74  respectively, there are defined receiving channels  125  for engaging the hook section  118  of each ramp section  114 . In particular, each ramp section  114  is configured to engage the receiving channels  125  by way of a rotatable snap-fit.  FIG. 12  illustrates this process, whereby the hook section  118  is inserted into the receiving channel  125  and then urged upwardly while rotating edge  120  of the body downwardly until the hook section  118  is snap-fit in place. This ramp pivot geometry is designed to allow removal and refitting of ramps (for re-levelling purposes) without having to lift up or up-end the track  12 . 
     A rubber tube  126  is also inserted between the rounded end of the external walls  76  and  78  and the junction between the downwardly and inwardly extending surfaces of the hook section  118 . The tube  126  provides a down-force and minimises ramp “kick-up” which could create a tripping hazard A further advantage to the rubber tube  126  is that it also acts as a flexible joiner, assisting in handling and simultaneous fitting of multiple ramp sections to the track  12 . 
     The ramps  114  are optional as the track extrusion has been designed to be aesthetic and safe even if used without ramps  114 . 
     Finally, the runner  14  is able to be locked at different positions along the track  12 . A locking bracket  40  is shown in the drawings which is also engageable to an upper slot  28  of the runner  14 , as well as the side slots, by means described above. The locking bracket  40  includes a housing  128  mounted to the runner  14 , the housing  128  defining a vertical chamber extending downwardly alongside the runner  14  to the track  12 . The chamber includes a vertical aperture  130 . When the shelving unit is to be locked, the runner  14  is moved along the track  12  until the vertical aperture  130  becomes co-axially aligned with an aperture  132  that has been pre-drilled into the track  12 . Once aligned, a locking pin  134  can be inserted through the co-axially aligned apertures  130  and  132 , into the hollow region  86  where it rests on the base  66 , thereby locking the runner  14  to the track  12 . 
     A jig  136  is provided for forming the pre-drilled apertures  132  in the track  12 . The jig  136  is an elongate structure mountable to the track  12  in a transverse arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1 . The jig  136  includes a downwardly extending section  138  at its centre which extends inside channel  80 , as well as downwardly extending sections  140  at ends thereof which abut with the external walls  76  and  78  of the track  12 . On opposed ends of the jig  136  are apertures  144  and  146 . 
     The jig  136  is first adapted to be mounted to the track  12  so that aperture  144  is positioned over a desired point to be drilled. The purpose of this smaller aperture  144  is to mark the track  12  with a suitable tool (not shown), the mark acting as a locating guide for a drill bit or the like used to drill a hole through the track  12 . The jig  136  is then demounted from the track  12 , rotated by 180 degrees, and mounted to the track  12  again so that the larger aperture  146  extends over the marked point. A drill (not shown) can then be used to drill a hole through the track  12  where marked. 
     It is to be understood that the design of some of the components shown and described could change where necessary. For example, where there is a mechanical driving means associated with the runner  14 , one of the track external walls  78  would extend a greater distance outwards from the channel  80  and include a flat upper surface (not shown) for accommodating a drive wheel (not shown). Such a track would therefore include a further hollow region  86 . In such circumstances, the same packers  108  could be used but simply rotated by 90 degrees so that instead of extending longitudinally relative to the track  12 , it would extend transversely. 
     Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. 
     In any claims that follow, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprising” is used in the sense of “including”, i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.