Modular Storage Rack

The present invention relates to a modular, lightweight, non-corrosive, easy to construct storage rack or shelving unit. The storage rack is designed to be used for the storage of corrosive products such as liquid chemicals. The storage of such products inherently demands a shelving unit which is structurally strong, and not affected by the corrosive action of the stored products. Further, the shelving unit should provide easy access to the products stored. Further, it is desirable that the storage rack be lightweight and easy to assemble and disassemble for the purposes of cleaning the storage site. In the past, various combinations of metal shelving have been used for such storage and have been found to be unsatisfactory in providing the safe, clean chemical storage desired.

The present invention provides a sleek, modular shelving unit which is constructed of a plastic resin and will not corrode or rust. The storage rack is designed to provide easy access to the products being stored and allows those products to be dispensed from their position of storage. The storage rack is lightweight, strong and safe and can be easily constructed and disassembled to provide for ease of cleaning. The storage rack comes in a plurality of stacked modules which may be assembled or disassembled to provide any height or structure desired for the product storage.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage rack of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a shelving member of the storage rack of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the shelving member of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the shelving member of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view along line 5--5 of FIG. 2.

The present invention provides a modular dispensing rack or storage rack which can be used to organize corrosive product storage, such as liquid chemicals. The storage rack is unique in that it provides a modular set of shelves which can be constructed to provide shelving units of any height or size. These shelving units are specifically designed to provide a safe, sturdy foundation upon which to rest product dispensing members having dispensing faucets.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a plurality of shelving members 10 constructed of a plastic resin such as, but not limited to, polypropylene. The shelving members 10 include a generally square shelf unit 12 having leg receptors 14 positioned in the four corners of the shelf unit 12. The leg receptors 14 are hollow, defining an upper receptor 14' and a lower receptor 14", and have a specified interior diameter D. Located at the mid way point of each leg receptor 14 is a stop ring 16 of smaller diameter d. A solid membrane or webbing 24 extends across the space defined within the smaller diameter d of the stop ring 16 and separates the upper receptor 14' from the lower receptor 14".

The present invention further provides tubular legs 18 having an outside diameter D' designed to mate with the interior diameter D of the leg receptors 14. The mating tolerance between D and D' is provided close enough to create a friction fit assembly when the legs 18 are inserted into the leg receptors 14. During assembly the legs 18 slide through the interior diameter D of the leg receptor 14 until engagement with the stop ring 16. The shelf units 12 are stacked in a vertical orientation by placing legs 18 in each of the upper leg receptors 14' of a first shelf unit 12a. A second shelf unit 12b is then placed upon the four upright legs 18 by inserting those legs 18 into the lower leg receptors 14" of the second shelf unit 12b. Another set of four legs 18 may then be placed in the upper leg receptors 14' of the second shelf unit 12b to receive and support a third shelf unit 12c, if desired. Thus, a storage rack of any desired height may be constructed. The legs 18 may be provided in various lengths to offer desired versatility in shelving heights. Also the tubular legs 18 may be extended above the uppermost shelf unit 12e, if desired, to facilitate the support of extraneous mechanical units or piping and the like. As a further alternative embodiment, the tubular legs 18 may be affixed to the lower leg receptors 14" of the first shelf unit 12a to raise the first shelf unit 12a off the floor in a higher desired position. Such an embodiment will facilitate ease of cleaning and sanitation under the storage rack. There are no nuts, bolts, or screws for use in the construction of the storage rack of the present invention. Therefore, disassembly of the storage rack to facilitate cleaning of the storage area is facilitated.

Each shelf unit 12 has a set of four knockout plugs 20 spaced throughout the shelf unit 12. The knockout plugs 20 are designed to be removed and inserted into any unused and therefore remaining open leg receptors 14 after construction of the storage rack is completed. The knockout plugs 20 have an outside diameter designed to provide an edge which, when in position, is flush with the outside diameter of the leg receptors 14. See FIGS. 4 and 5. The knockout plugs further include an inner ridge 21, the diameter of which is the same as the diameter D' of the legs 18, intended to provide a friction fit with the interior diameter D of the leg receptors 14 when the plug 20 is engaged with the leg receptors 14. It is preferable that the plugs 20 be placed in the leg receptors 14' of the uppermost shelf unit 12e to provide a finished look to the top of the rack. The plugs 20 are also preferably inserted into the leg receptors 14" of the lowermost shelf unit 12a to serve as a spacer between the floor and the shelf unit 12a thereby further assisting in providing for case of cleaning and sanitation of the storage area under the rack. The knockout plugs 20 provide a finished look to the modular storage rack when fully assembled.

A stop lip 22 is positioned at the back of each shelf unit 12 to facilitate the storage of product containers on the unit. The product containers are then pushed onto the shelf unit until they reach the stop lip 22. This prevents the product containers from being pushed off of the rear of the shelf unit 12 and further facilitates the positioning of the product containers within the shelf unit 12.

Other variations on the preferred embodiment may be envisioned after reviewing the drawings and this specification. However, this description of the preferred embodiment is intended to be solely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting upon the scope and content of the following claims.