Patent ID: 8267262

Claim:
A racking system comprising: an upright column having a channel-shaped cross section and including a front member, first and second side members extending from said front member, first and second connecting members extending from said first and second side members, respectively, third and fourth side members extending from said first and second connecting members, respectively, and first and second lip members extending from said third and fourth side members, wherein said front member and said first and second side members cooperate to form a substantially rectangular front portion, and wherein said first and second lip members extend outwardly from said third and fourth side members, respectively, and generally away from each other; a substantially cylindrical rigid outer shell including a substantially “C” shaped cross section having first and second ends defining a slotted opening, said first and second ends being disposed between said rectangular front portion of said upright column and said first and second lip members such that said first and second ends are spaced apart from said rectangular front portion and said first and second lip members when the column protector device is in a non-impacted state; and a resiliently compressible inner liner shaped to fit within said outer shell between said outer shell and said rectangular front portion of said upright column and including a “U” shaped channel configured to receive said rectangular front portion of said upright column, said resiliently compressible inner liner directly contacting said rectangular front portion and said outer shell in the non-impacted state such that said inner liner maintains said first and second ends of said outer shell spaced apart from said first and second lip members in the non-impacted state.