EP1151700A1

EP1151700A1 - Support assemblies

Info

Publication number: EP1151700A1
Application number: EP01304060A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alan James Sanders; Simon Richard Andrews; Jack Ingram
Original assignee: Rotadex Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Rotadex Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-06
Filing date: 2001-05-03
Publication date: 2001-11-07
Also published as: GB0010909D0

Abstract

A support assembly for stationery files or the like, comprising a base 11, a central support column 13 extending vertically in use from the base, a plurality of platforms 14 supported by the column 13 in spaced relationship along the length of the column, and, wherein the support column 13 is formed from a plurality of axially aligned inter-engaged tubular modules 24, each module 24 having at one axial end an externally tapered region 25, and, at its opposite axial end an internally tapered region 26, the internally and externally tapered regions 25, 26 being of mating configuration whereby first and second modules 24 can be inter-engaged by introducing the external taper region 25 of one module 24 into the internal taper region 26 of the other module 24.

Description

This invention relates to support assemblies, primarily, but not exclusively, support assemblies for providing a multi-tier, rotatable support for a plurality of box files or lever-arch files.
A known support assembly includes an elongate centre column secured at one end to a base structure whereby the column can stand vertically, and a plurality of circular platforms mounted on the column in vertically spaced relationship, each circular platform being capable of rotation about the column and being shaped to receive a plurality of box or lever-arch files.
For storage and supply purposes it is desirable that such support assemblies can be flat-packed but the elongate centre column presents certain difficulties. Firstly different column lengths are needed for different support assembly heights necessitating the stocking of columns of different lengths for supply to customers, and secondly, the elongate column needed for most assemblies dictates a much larger flat-pack than is necessitated by the remaining components of the assembly.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a support assembly comprising a base, a central support column extending vertically in use from the base, a plurality of platforms supported by the column in spaced relationship along the length of the column, and, wherein the support column is formed from a plurality of axially aligned inter-engaged, preferably-tubular, modules, each module having at one axial end an externally tapered region, and, at its opposite axial end an internally tapered region, the internally and externally tapered regions being of mating configuration whereby first and second modules can be inter-engaged by introducing the external taper region of one module into the internal taper region of the other module.
Preferably in each module the largest diameter end of the external taper region is of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the module whereby an external, circumferentially extending, radial shoulder is defined at the junction of the external taper region with the remainder of the tubular module, and, the internal and external tapers of adjacent modules are such that when an external taper region is introduced into the internal taper region of the next adjacent module, and the modules are fully inter-engaged so that their internal and external tapers bind against one another, said radial shoulder is spaced axially from the adjacent axial end of the mating module.
Desirably an annular bearing member for supporting a platform of the assembly is retained axially relative to the column by encircling the external taper region of a module and being engaged between the radial shoulder of that module and the axial end surface of the mating module.
One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a fully assembled support assembly, Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the inter-engagement of adjacent modules of the support column of the assembly of Figure 1, Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the construction of a platform of the assembly of Figure 1, and Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 show sequential stages in the construction of the assembly of Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings, the support assembly includes a base member 11 conveniently having casters 12 permitting mobility of the assembly in use.
Upstanding from the base member 11 is an elongate, tubular, steel support column 13 of circular cross-section and disposed on the column 13 and spaced along the length thereof are four horizontal file support platforms 14. A dust cover 15 optionally is secured to the upper, free-end of the column 13 to overlie the platforms 14.
Each platform 14 is supported on a bearing collar 16 secured to the column 13 in a manner to be described hereinafter.
As is apparent from Figures 3 to 6 each platform 14 comprises a pressed steel disk 17 having a central, plunged aperture 18, the plunging operation defining an axial bush 19 upstanding from the plate 17 around the aperture 18. The disk 17 has an upturned lip at its outer periphery to enhance the rigidity of the disk. Four pressed steel dividers 21 having tabs along one edge are engaged with the disk 17 by introducing the tabs into corresponding slots formed in the disk 17. A circular bearing cap 22 is then engaged with the dividers 21 and is secured to the dividers 21 by screws (not shown), the bearing cap 22 having a centrally disposed aperture receiving a moulded synthetic resin bearing bush 23. In the fully assembled platform the bearing bush 23 is coaxial with the bush 19 and the column 13 extends through both the bush 19 and the bush 23 of the platform.
The column 13 of the support assembly illustrated in Figure 1 is formed as four identical modules 24 each of which comprises a relatively short length of steel tube of circular cross-section each module being provided at one axial end with an externally tapered region 25 and being provided at its opposite axial end with an internally tapered region 26.
The taper angle of the region 25 of each module 24 is equal to the taper angle of the region 26 of each module 24 so that modules can be inter-engaged to define the column 13 by inserting the external taper region 25 of one module into the internal taper region 26 of the next adjacent module and pushing the modules axially together until the external taper of the region 25 of the first module binds against the internal taper surface of the region 26 of the next adjacent module.
The base member 11 consists of a plurality of legs projecting radially outwardly from a central hub, the hub having an internal taper region equivalent to the region 26 of a module so that the lower most module of the column can have its region 25 introduced into the hub of the base unit as if the hub of the base unit was in fact an adjacent column module.
The shaping of each region 25 is such that at the point of largest diameter, where the region 25 merges with the remainder of its module 24, the maximum diameter of the region 25 is less than the outside diameter of the module 24 and thus a radially outwardly extending circumferential shoulder 27 is defined. A similar shoulder 28 is defined internally of each module 24 at the junction of the taper surface of the region 26 with the inner cylindrical surface of the module.
The taper angles of the regions 25 and 26 are so chosen that when a region 25 binds within the region 26 of the next adjacent module, the shoulder 27 of the one module is spaced axially from the axial end surface 29 of the next adjacent module. Similarly the axial end surface of the region 25 of the one module will be spaced from the shoulder 28 of the next adjacent module. It will be recognised that the spacing of the shoulder 27 from the parallel shoulder 29 defined by the end surface of the next adjacent module 24 provides a circumferential groove in the column at the junction of adjacent modules of the column. Each such groove is used to retain a respective bearing collar 16 in position on the column 13.
As is apparent from Figure 2 each bearing collar 16 is generally in the form of a moulded synthetic resin circular annulus of square or rectangular cross-section having an inwardly protruding, integral, radial flange 16a adjacent one axial end. The internal diameter of the flange 16a is less than the external diameter of the modules 24 but greater than the external diameter of the base of the groove defined at the junction of adjacent modules. The internal diameter of the remainder of the collar 16 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the modules 24 and the axial dimension of the flange 16a is less than the width of the groove defined at the junction of interconnected modules 24. It will be recognised therefore that when assembling first and second modules 24 the external taper region 25 of one of the modules 24 can be threaded through a collar 16 whereupon after engagement of the region 25 in the region 26 of the next adjacent module 24, the collar 16 is held to the assembled column by the flange 16a of the collar being engaged in the external groove of the column. The collar 16 seats on the axial end surface 29 of the module 24 and if desired it could be arranged that the internal diameter of the flange 16a be such that it binds on the taper region 25 of the other module 24. However, this is not essential since the engagement of the collar 16 on the shoulder 29 provides the necessary axial location of the collar relative to the column.
During assembly of the column the lower most module 24 is introduced into the boss of the base member 11, locating a collar 16 on the upper end surface of the boss of the member 11. An assembled platform is then threaded over the upstanding module 24 with its bearing cap 22 uppermost so that the underside of the platform rests on the upper face of the collar 16. A next module 24 is then engaged with the internal taper region 26 at the upper free end of the previous module, a further collar 16 being interposed between the shoulder 27 and the shoulder 29. The next platform is then assembled in place and the process is repeated until the fourth module has been assembled and the fourth platform has been put in place. If desired the dust cover 15 can then be assembled to the upper free end of the fourth module 24 or alternatively the upper end of the column can be closed by a blanking plug.
It will be recognised that the platforms 14 can rotate around the columns since they are simply seated on the moulded synthetic resin collars 16.
The provision of the column 13 in the form of four modules greatly simplifies storage and packaging of the support assembly components, and it will be recognised that from a manufacturer's point of view a range of assemblies can be provided from a set of common components. For example, a twin platform assembly would use two modules 24 and a base, and additional modules 24, platforms 14, and collars 16 can be provided to increase the height of the assembly up to a maximum safe height for the design of base member 11.
In one example the steel tube from which the modules 24 are constructed is 51 millimetres external diameter and has a wall thickness of 3.25 millimetres. The length of each module 24 is 465 millimetres and the length of the region 25 from the shoulder 27 to the free end of the region 25 is 65 millimetres and the radial width of the shoulder 27 is 1 millimetre. The wall thickness of the region 25 at its minimum diameter free-end is 1 millimetre, and the taper angle of the outer surface of the region 25 is approximately 1°. The same dimensions apply to the internal taper at the opposite end of the module.
The tapering regions 25 and 26 may be formed by a turning operation, although other procedures for forming such tapers are possible. The open end of each region 26 and the base hub may be chamfered to assist introduction therein of a region 25.
It will be recognised that while the invention has been described in relation to one particular form of support assembly variations of that support assembly within the scope of the invention is possible. Furthermore the invention resides in a support column for use in such a support assembly, and to the combination of a plurality of modules and bearing collars for use in such a support assembly.

Claims

A support assembly for stationery files or the like, comprising a base (11), a central support column (13) extending vertically in use from the base, and a plurality of platforms (14) supported by the column in spaced relationship along the length of the column, and characterised in that the support column (13) is formed from a plurality of axially aligned inter-engaged modules (24), each module having at one axial end an externally tapered region (25), and, at its opposite axial end an internally tapered region (26), the internally and externally tapered regions being of mating configuration whereby first and second modules can be inter-engaged by introducing the external taper region of one module into the internal taper region of the other module.
A support assembly as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the largest diameter end of the external taper region (25) of each module (24) is of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the module whereby an external, circumferentially extending, radial shoulder (27) is defined at the junction of the external taper region with the remainder of the tubular module, and, the internal and external tapers of adjacent modules are such that when an external taper region is introduced into the internal taper region of the next adjacent module, and the modules are fully inter-engaged so that their internal and external tapers bind against one another, said radial shoulder (27) is spaced axially from the adjacent axial end (29) of the mating module.
A support assembly as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that an annular bearing member (16) for supporting a platform (14) of the assembly is retained axially relative to the column by encircling the external taper region (25) of a module and being engaged between the radial shoulder (27) of that module and the axial end surface (29) of the mating module.
A support assembly as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that each bearing member (16) supports a respective platform (14) for rotation about the axis of the support column (13).
A support assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 characterised in that each bearing member (16) is in the form of a synthetic resin collar.
A support assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said modules (24) are tubular.