GB2121273A

GB2121273A - Shelf dividers and clamps

Info

Publication number: GB2121273A
Application number: GB08312598A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Flint
Original assignee: Linvar Ltd
Current assignee: Linvar Ltd
Priority date: 1982-06-05
Filing date: 1983-05-06
Publication date: 1983-12-21
Also published as: GB8312598D0; GB2121273B

Abstract

A shelf divider is secured to the shelf by a clamp in such manner as to require no adaptation of the shelf per se, the clamp comprising a first pair of jaws for gripping the shelf edge and a second pair of jaws for gripping the end edge of the divider. As shown (Figs. 5, 6) the first jaws are wide (24, 28) and the second jaws are separated only by narrow gap 23. The recess 22 accommodates a complementary enlargement on the divider. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shelf dividers and clamps The invention relates to shelf dividers and clamps, that is to say partitions whereby the storage space on a shelf may be divided up into sections of variable width, for example in- order to separate articles of different kinds.

Shelf dividers are usually provided with projections whereby they may be secured to shelves, which means that holes have to be punched in the shelves, and the location of the dividers is limited by the positions of the holes.

The invention provides a clamp for securing a shelf divider to a shelf comprising an aperture for embracing and contacting both sides of the divider, and a fastener for flexing around and engaging an edge of the shelf. Preferably, the aperture comprises a neck opening so that the aperture can embrace a flange on an edge of the divider and the neck opening can contact the sides of the divider.

The invention includes a shelf divider comprising a web having an end, a base and a flange on the adjacent upright edge, both the base and the flange being wider than the thickness of the web; and a clamp according to the invention.

Preferably, a base and flange are provided at both ends of the web so that two clamps can secure the divider completely to the shelf. Anyway, the divider can be mounted by the clamps without bolts or other fastening means, and so can easily be positioned at any desired location on the shelf.

A shelf divider according to the invention may be fabricated out of metal such as steel, or die cast, but is preferably injection moulded from plastics material, for example polypropylene or an ABS resin. The divider may be made of variabie length for adaptation to shelves of different width.

A number of upright strengthening ribs across the divider may be spaced along the length of the divider, and flanges may be similarly positioned, so that the divider may be moulded into a desired length and fastened on a shelf of standard width.

Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shelf divider according to the invention excluding the clamp; Figures 2 and 2a are opposite end elevations of the divider of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan of the divider of Figures 1 and 2 with a part-section at the left hand end; and Figures 4 to 7 are respectively end, side, top, and side (flexed) views of a clamp for use in the divider of Figures 1 to 3.

With particular reference to Figure 1 , the divider comprises a web 10 having a base 12 at both ends and extending all along the bottom. The web 10 also has a rim 14 at the front (left hand) end and extending along the top and merging with transverse strengthening ribs 1 5. At both ends, and adjacent a number of ribs 15, the web 10 is provided with flanges 16 on the upright edge adjacent the base 12. At the intermediate flanges 16, the web can be moulded to a reduced length to provide an upright edge adjacent the base 1 2.

The base 12 and the flanges 16 are wider than the web 10 is thick. In Figure 1, there is indicated in broken lines how the divider may be made of greater height by adjusting the dimensions of the mould in which it is formed. The divider may in this way also be made of greater or less length.

With particular reference to Figure 5, the clamp has an aperture 22 for embracing the flange 1 6; the aperture 22 having a neck opening 23 (Figure 6) for contacting the side faces of the web 10. Below the aperture 22, the clamp has a face 24 for contacting the base 1 2. The fastener also comprises a shank 26 for contacting an edge of the shelf to which it is to be applied, and a lug 28 for contacting the underside of the shelf, the shank 26 and the lug 28 together making a fastener for engaging the shelf.

The clamp is applied by placing the aperture 22 over the flange 16, and lowering until the face 24 contacts the base 1 2. The shank 26 is then flexed so that the lug 28 moves under the shelf and fastens the divider in position.

Shelf dividers according to the invention are particularly suitable for use with sheet-metal shelves having folded-over edges of the kind used in offices, warehouses, workshops, factories, and generaily as industrial, commercial or domestic furniture.

1. A clamp for securing a shelf divider to a shelf comprising an aperture for embracing and contacting both sides of the divider, and a fastener for flexing around and engaging an edge of the shelf.

2. A clamp according to claim 1 in which the aperture comprises a neck opening so that the aperture can embrace a flange on an edge of the divider and the neck opening can contact the sides of the divider.

3. A clamp for securing a shelf divider to a shelf as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 of the drawings.

4. A shelf divider comprising a web having an end, a base and a flange on the adjacent upright edge, both the base and the flange being wider than the thickness of the web; and a clamp according to any preceding claim.

5. A shelf divider as herein described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Shelf dividers and clamps The invention relates to shelf dividers and clamps, that is to say partitions whereby the storage space on a shelf may be divided up into sections of variable width, for example in- order to separate articles of different kinds. Shelf dividers are usually provided with projections whereby they may be secured to shelves, which means that holes have to be punched in the shelves, and the location of the dividers is limited by the positions of the holes. The invention provides a clamp for securing a shelf divider to a shelf comprising an aperture for embracing and contacting both sides of the divider, and a fastener for flexing around and engaging an edge of the shelf. Preferably, the aperture comprises a neck opening so that the aperture can embrace a flange on an edge of the divider and the neck opening can contact the sides of the divider. The invention includes a shelf divider comprising a web having an end, a base and a flange on the adjacent upright edge, both the base and the flange being wider than the thickness of the web; and a clamp according to the invention. Preferably, a base and flange are provided at both ends of the web so that two clamps can secure the divider completely to the shelf. Anyway, the divider can be mounted by the clamps without bolts or other fastening means, and so can easily be positioned at any desired location on the shelf. A shelf divider according to the invention may be fabricated out of metal such as steel, or die cast, but is preferably injection moulded from plastics material, for example polypropylene or an ABS resin. The divider may be made of variabie length for adaptation to shelves of different width. A number of upright strengthening ribs across the divider may be spaced along the length of the divider, and flanges may be similarly positioned, so that the divider may be moulded into a desired length and fastened on a shelf of standard width. Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shelf divider according to the invention excluding the clamp; Figures 2 and 2a are opposite end elevations of the divider of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan of the divider of Figures 1 and 2 with a part-section at the left hand end; and Figures 4 to 7 are respectively end, side, top, and side (flexed) views of a clamp for use in the divider of Figures 1 to 3. With particular reference to Figure 1 , the divider comprises a web 10 having a base 12 at both ends and extending all along the bottom. The web 10 also has a rim 14 at the front (left hand) end and extending along the top and merging with transverse strengthening ribs 1 5. At both ends, and adjacent a number of ribs 15, the web 10 is provided with flanges 16 on the upright edge adjacent the base 12. At the intermediate flanges 16, the web can be moulded to a reduced length to provide an upright edge adjacent the base 1 2. The base 12 and the flanges 16 are wider than the web 10 is thick. In Figure 1, there is indicated in broken lines how the divider may be made of greater height by adjusting the dimensions of the mould in which it is formed. The divider may in this way also be made of greater or less length. With particular reference to Figure 5, the clamp has an aperture 22 for embracing the flange 1 6; the aperture 22 having a neck opening 23 (Figure 6) for contacting the side faces of the web 10. Below the aperture 22, the clamp has a face 24 for contacting the base 1 2. The fastener also comprises a shank 26 for contacting an edge of the shelf to which it is to be applied, and a lug 28 for contacting the underside of the shelf, the shank 26 and the lug 28 together making a fastener for engaging the shelf. The clamp is applied by placing the aperture 22 over the flange 16, and lowering until the face 24 contacts the base 1 2. The shank 26 is then flexed so that the lug 28 moves under the shelf and fastens the divider in position. Shelf dividers according to the invention are particularly suitable for use with sheet-metal shelves having folded-over edges of the kind used in offices, warehouses, workshops, factories, and generaily as industrial, commercial or domestic furniture. CLAIMS

5. A shelf divider as herein described with reference to the drawings.