NL2008968C2

NL2008968C2 - Method for preassembling and placing of shelving units, and assembly of interconnected shelving units.

Info

Publication number: NL2008968C2
Application number: NL2008968A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Hendrik Stamhuis
Original assignee: Holding Stamhuis B V
Priority date: 2012-06-08
Filing date: 2012-06-08
Publication date: 2013-12-10
Also published as: DK2671473T3; PT2671473T; ES2655790T3; EP2671473B1; EP2671473A1; PL2671473T3

Description

5

P31223NL00/RR

Title: Method for preassembling and placing of shelving units, and assembly of interconnected shelving units.

The invention relates to the field of free-standing adjustable shelving units for departments stores on the shelves of which all kinds of articles can be displayed, stored and/or offered for sale. With free standing it is meant that such shelving units are able to stand upon a floor all by themselves with merely a set of pillars and/or forwardly projecting 10 foot organs provided at or near lower ends of such pillars, without needing additional support from for example a wall or the like. With adjustable it is meant that the shelves can be supported upon forwardly projecting brackets which can be releasably coupled at various heights to the pillars. Such free-standing adjustable shelving units are commonly available and known in many variants.

15 For example EP-0 873 703 shows a free-standing adjustable shelving unit known in the field under the branch name “TegometaN”. This shelving unit comprises a pair of supporting pillars made out of rectangular hollow metal profiles of which front walls are perforated with a double row of slots. The pillars extend in the vertical direction and are positioned interspaced from each other in a sideways direction at a distance of 20 approximately 1 m. At or near lower ends of the two pillars, height adjustable foot organs are provided which are releasably hooked with suitably shaped hook organs in respective ones of the lowermost slots and which project in a forward direction. In between the two pillars a number of back panel elements are releasably hooked with suitable hook organs in respective ones of the slots. The back panel elements are positioned one above the other, 25 extend in the vertical direction and together form a substantially closed rear wall. Brackets are releasably hooked at a plurality of heights into respective ones of the slots. Those brackets project in a forward direction. Shelves are releasably hooked with their outer ends over each pair of levelled brackets and extend in the horizontal direction. The back panel elements, brackets and shelves are all made out of suitably bent metal plate material.

30 When it is desired to place this shelving unit at the floor of a department store, then firstly the pillars, foot organs, back panel elements, brackets and shelves are transported disassembled towards the department store. Subsequently the shelving unit is assembled there on site, that is to say directly there upon the floor where it is aimed to be standing. Depending on available lengths inside the department store, the shelving unit can be 35 expanded in both sideways directions with additional sets of pillars, back panel elements, brackets and shelves. Since the slots of each pillar are designed to support two respective sets of back panel elements and brackets side by side, each pillar is able to support back -2- panel elements and shelves extending from the pillar in opposite sideways directions. For this the slots in this particular case are made as H-shaped slots. Each vertical slot leg is able to take up both a hook organ of a back panel element and a hook organ of a bracket side by side. Thus, if necessary, a total of two sets of hook organs can be releasably coupled into 5 the left and right vertical slot legs of each H-shaped slot. With this the H-shape of each slot as it were connects a pair of elongated vertically orientated slots with each other, which makes it possible to only perform one cutting operation per slot. Since the vertical slot legs of each H-shaped slot are interspaced, a fixed distance is being formed in between left and right sets of hook organs. This is necessary in order to be able to guarantee that precisely 10 sufficient clearance is left free between two adjacent brackets in order for being able to releasably hook the shelves with their outer ends over the brackets without leaving a clearance between the adjacent levelled shelves. It is noted that each foot organ is provided with a double set of hook organs which are releasably hooked into both the left and right vertical slot legs of their respective ones of the H-shaped slots. This provides stability in the 15 sideways direction for the foot organ relative to their pillar.

A disadvantage with this known type of shelving unit is that it is only possible to preassemble a single shelving unit and that it is not possible to already expand this during preassembling. An expanded set simply would become too big to get it transported. This makes it necessary to perform the expanding operation of a single shelving unit at the floor 20 of a department store. In the alternative one can also try to preassemble a number of such single shelving units, transport those by the piece towards the department store and there position them interspaced at very precise distances from each other at the floor such that a set of intermediate back panel elements, brackets and shelves can be hooked between them. Such a precise interspaced positioning however is difficult and time-consuming.

25 Furthermore, the coupling of the intermediate components in between them still requires a substantial amount of assembling work to be done at the department store, for which the time, space and personnel are not always available. Also the intermediate components then need to be transported separately towards the store, which also requires time, space and personnel.

30 Instead of using pillars with a double row of vertical slot legs forming part of H-shaped slots, it is also known to use pillars with other shapes, forms and dimensions of mounting openings for foot organs, back panel elements and brackets. For example it is also known to provide the pillars with a pair of distinctive rows of vertically orientated rectangular slots. See WO 2006/032222 in which vertically orientated rectangular slots are provided in pairs which 35 have been separated by means of a forwardly projecting web. Each row then is intended to be used for a distinctive set of brackets for supporting shelves extending in both sideways directions.

-3- A disadvantage here also is that it is not possible to preassemble a large expanded shelving unit at another location and then transport it to a store.

Another type of known free-standing adjustable shelving unit, which is known from for example US 3,484,810, has two pillars with brackets mounted at certain heights, of which the 5 pillars and brackets are positioned at one quarter and three quarters along the length of shelves supported upon the brackets. Thus the shelves project sideways in opposite directions with quarters of their lengths past by the pillars and extend with the remainder of their length in between the pair of pillars. Each of those pillars comprises a single row of vertically orientated rectangular slots for the brackets to be releasably coupled thereto. This 10 type of shelving unit can be preassembled at a certain location and then be transported towards a store. If a larger length of floor space needs to be covered, then it is possible to preassemble a plurality of those shelving units, transport them towards the store and there place them side by side on the floor.

A disadvantage here however is that no back panel elements are provided but merely 15 a cross of hinged connection organs. Even if one would try to replace those connection organs by back panel elements or if one were to try to mount back panel elements in front or behind those connection organs, then this would only be possible during preassembling for those back panel elements which come to extend in between the pillars of each unit. A number of back panel elements, that is to say those ones which need to come to extend in 20 between pillars of two adjacent units, then still could need to be mounted to the shelving units until they were positioned at their aimed location on the floor of the store. This is a difficult and time-consuming operation. For example the sideways projecting shelf quarters stand in the way and need to be dismantled. Also an accurate positioning of the units is required for the back panel elements to fit in. Another disadvantage is that this type of 25 shelving unit is not compatible with the “Tegometall”-type of shelving unit. This is particularly disadvantageous since the “TegometaN”-type of shelving unit at present is widespread and one of the most used systems.

The present invention aims to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages at least 30 partly or to provide a usable alternative. In particular the invention aims to provide a user-friendly shelving unit of the free-standing and adjustable type which is compatible with shelving units of the “TegometaN” type, and which makes it possible to quickly and efficiently be able to preassemble, transport and set up those shelving units in a department store.

This aim is achieved by means of a method for setting up shelving units in a 35 department store according to claim 1. The method comprises the step of preassembling free-standing adjustable shelving units which each have a pair of interspaced vertical supporting pillars, forwardly projecting foot organs, cross-connection elements extending in -4- between the pillars, forwardly projecting supporting brackets, and shelves extending in between the brackets. Preferably but not necessarily back panel elements are used as cross-connection elements. Simple cross-bars or the like can also be used as cross-connection elements. Subsequently the preassembled shelving units are transported by the 5 piece to a department store, where at least two of such preassembled shelving units are placed side by side on a floor of the department store in such a way that a right one of the pair of supporting pillars of a first shelving unit and a left one of the pair of supporting pillars of a second shelving unit come to stand against each other. Then those left and right ones of the pairs of supporting pillars are connected with each other by means of one or more pillar 10 coupling organs.

This method offers the big advantage that the only mounting step which needs to be taken at the floor of the department store itself is to place the pillar coupling organs in between the abutting pillars. This is an easy step which does not require specific skills and which can be performed rather quickly. Another advantage is that now for the first time it is 15 possible to start to fully preassemble, transport and set up shelving units already having back panel elements as cross-connection elements extending over the entire length of the units and with pillars positioned truly at the outer ends of the units instead of at intermediate positions. Also the positioning of the units relative to each other on the floor has become simple. The separately transported units only need to be placed with two pillars coming to 20 stand abutting against each other. A certain specific interspacing between two units is no longer required, nor is it required to couple cross-connection elements, back panel elements, brackets and/or shelves in the store in between two pre-assembled units. The main action that needs to be taken at the store is to connect the units with each other. For this relative cheap, simple and compact pillar coupling organs can be used.

25 A store can now very quickly be furnished with shelving units. If desired even the pricing labels and other display or advertising material can already be put upon the shelves and back panel elements during preassembling thereof. For example the front edge of the shelves under the articles to be placed there upon may be used to display the name, product number, pricing, and other information about the articles. Inside the store one only has to 30 connect the respective units with each other and put articles on the shelves.

In an advantageous embodiment shelving units are preassembled and transported by the piece which have lengths in the sideways direction of between 0.5-2 meter, in particular substantially 1 meter. This can be obtained by using cross-connection elements, like the mentioned back panel elements, and shelves, which have lengths in the sideways direction 35 of between 0.5-2 meter, in particular substantially 1 meter. This medium length of the unit makes it possible to easily transport it over the road by means of a truck towards a store and there move it towards an aimed floor location without having difficulties in passing through -5- through small spaces like corridors and door openings.

In a preferred embodiment at least one of the pillar coupling organs acts upon upper ends of the two adjacent pillars. This provides stability for the assembly of units and is an easily reachable place for a workman. In a preferred embodiment the pillars are formed by 5 hollow profiles such that U-shaped connection organs can be placed with two leg portions inside adjacent upper ends of the hollow profiles.

In addition or in the alternative it is also possible to have at least one foot coupling organ act upon adjacent foot organs, in particular by means of U-shaped connection organs having two legs gripping over wall parts of the foot organs. This provides sideways stability, 10 locally for the foot organs, and in o broader perspective for the assembly of units. Also the foot organs are easily reachable for a workman.

The pillar coupling organ and/or the foot coupling organ may comprises a spring clamp, in particular a steel spring clamp. This offers some flexibility during mounting and can easily be taken away again when it is desired to reposition or disassemble one or more of 15 the shelving units.

In a further embodiment a filling strip is placed in between each pair of adjacent and levelled shelves of connected units. This filling strip has a length which is substantially equal to the width or depth of the shelves. Advantageously the filling strip is able to fill up a gap which may remain between adjacent shelves. Thus the strip enlarges the available shelving 20 area and prevents small articles, dust and the like to accumulate in between the shelves which otherwise could easily form infection hazards there.

Preferably the filling strip is made out of the same material as the shelves, in particular out of metal plate material. In a variant other materials can also be used for the strips like plastic. The strips preferably have a width which lies between 15-30mm, in 25 particular approximately 23mm.

In a preferred embodiment the invention is used with specifically designed pillars. Those supporting pillars are then designed to releasably couple the cross-connection elements, brackets and shelves of solely one respective shelving unit thereto. For this those specifically designed pillars each have a single row of mounting means positioned one 30 beneath the other. The mounting positions of each supporting pillar are then designed to releasably couple the cross-connection elements, brackets and shelves of solely one respective shelving unit thereto.

The supporting pillars can be made out of various materials, can have all kinds of cross-sections, and can be made massif or hollow. Preferably each supporting pillar is made 35 out of a substantially rectangular hollow profile, in particular made out of metal, wherein a front wall of each hollow profile is perforated with a single row of vertically orientated elongated slots as mounting means. Thus it is possible keep the specifically designed pillar -6- compatible with present shelving unit systems and to even re-use various components which already may be in the possession of a client, for example “TegometaN” type of back panel elements, brackets and shelves. By using this specifically designed type of pillar, the gaps arising in between pairs of adjacent levelled shelves can be kept relative small. Furthermore 5 the specifically designed type of pillar can be kept slender and lightweight since it no longer has to be able to support two distinctive sets of back panel elements, brackets and shelves.

In a variant the invention can also be used for already existing types of shelving units having pillars with doubly-purposed slots perforated in hollow profiles thereof, like the ones of “TegometaN”. By fully pre-assembling those already existing types of shelving units, then 10 transporting them to a store and there place them side by side with a right one of the supporting pillars of a first shelving unit and a left one of the supporting pillars of a second shelving unit standing against each other, it is also possible to releasably connect those left and right ones of the supporting pillars with each other by means of one or more pillar coupling organs. In this case however a relative broad filling strip is needed to fill up the gap 15 which arises in between pairs of adjacent levelled shelves.

The foot organs can form an integral part of the pillars or be fixedly or releasably connected to the pillars. For example the foot organs can be releasably coupled to same mounting means provided on the pillars for mounting the cross-connection elements, back panel elements and brackets to. In the alternative the pillar can also be coupled with a lower 20 end to a complementary coupling part of the foot organ, for example by means of insertion.

Further advantageous embodiments are stated in the dependent subclaims.

The invention also relates to an assembly of two shelving units of a free-standing adjustable type, and to a pillar, a filling strip and a connection organ for use in such an assembly.

25 The invention shall be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1a-e schematically shows the steps of preassembling one single shelving unit according to the invention;

Fig. 2 schematically shows the placing and interconnecting of two of the shelving 30 units of fig. 1e side by side on a floor;

Fig. 3 schematically shows an enlarged view of the connecting of the pillars of the shelving units of fig. 2;

Fig. 4 schematically shows an enlarged view of the connecting of the foot organs of the shelving units of fig. 2; 35 Fig. 5 schematically shows the placing of bottom edge plates, bottom shelves, filling strips and upper edge plates;

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of fig. 5 and -7-

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the filling strip of fig. 5.

In fig. 1a a pair of interspaced L-shaped supporting organs are shown of which pillars been given the reference numeral 1 and of which foot organs have been given the reference 5 numeral 2. The foot organs 2 are fixedly connected to the lower ends of the pillars 1, in particular by means of welding. The pillars 1 are placed upright and extend in the vertical direction. The foot organs 2 project forwardly in the horizontal direction. Each pillar 1 is formed by a hollow metal rectangular profile of which at least a front wall is perforated with a single row of rectangular slots 3. The pillar has a length L1 of between 1000-1500mm. The 10 front and back wall of the pillar 1 has a width A of approximately 20mm, whereas the side walls of the pillar 1 have a width B of approximately 80mm. The slots 3 are vertically orientated and have their longitudinal axes extend in the vertical direction while each having a length Y of approximately 29mm. Further the slots 3 each have a width X of approximately 6mm. The slots 3 lie at intervals Z of approximately 50mm from each other.

15 The foot organs 2 are partly made out of the same metal hollow profile as the one which is used for the pillars 1. This hollow profile part 2’ at its lower side is provided with height adjustable threaded feet 2” (see fig. 4) which can screwed to a bigger or lesser degree into complementary threaded openings in the profile 2’. At the upper side of the hollow profile 2’ a mounting strip 2”’ is mounted. This mounting strip 2”’ is made out of steel 20 plate material having a thickness of approximately 3mm. The upper sides of the mounting strips 2”’ are provided with a number of small slits 5 and a large slit 6 of which the functions shall be explained later on. The foot organs 2 and mounting strips 2”’ project forwardly with a length L2 of approximately 400-500mm relative to the pillars 1.

Fig. 1b shows that as a next step a number of back panel elements 8 are hooked into 25 the slots 3. The back panel elements 8 have lengths L3 of approximately 1m. The back panel elements 8 are made out of steel plate which at opposite edge sides is provided with backwardly bent hook organs.

Fig. 1c shows that as a next step a bottom shelf 10 is placed upon the foot organs 2. The bottom shelf 10 is made out of steel plate material and has downwardly bent 30 circumferential side walls.

Fig. 1d shows that as a next step pairs of brackets 12 are hooked into the slots 3.

The brackets 12 are made out of steel plate material which at one of their outer ends have pairs of hook organs. The hook organs of the brackets 12 fit into respective ones of the slots 3 in which hook organs of the back panel elements 8 are already seated. Together the hook 35 organs fit side by side without too much play into these slots 3. That is to say the slots 3 have widths X which substantially correspond to the thicknesses of both hook organs added together.

-8-

Fig. 1e shows that as a next step shelves 14 are placed upon the brackets 12. The shelves 14 are made out of steel plate material and have downwardly bent circumferential side walls. Advantageously the bottom shelf 10 and the shelves 14 can be the same.

Thus a shelving unit 15 is obtained which is able to stand free upon a floor without 5 needing further support, and of which the heights of the respective shelves 14 can easily be adjusted by taking out pairs of brackets 12 and hooking them into other ones of the slots 3.

A plurality of such shelving units 15 can be fully preassembled at a certain location, for example inside a factory, and then be transported separately by the piece towards another location, in particular a floor of a department store.

10 Fig. 2 shows that two of such units 15 have been placed side by side against each other. In this position at least parts of the adjacent pillars 1 and adjacent foot organs 2 abut against each other.

Fig. 2 and 3 shows that as a next step a U-shaped steel spring clamp 18 has been inserted from above into the adjacent hollows of the upper end parts of the pillars 1. With 15 this the clamp 18 firmly presses the two pillars 1 against each other.

Fig. 2 and 4 shows that as a next step a U-shaped steel spring clamp 20 has been placed over the adjacent mounting strips 2”’, and in particular at the position of the slits 6 thereof. For being able to do this, the bottom shelves 10 needed to be temporarily removed. With this the clamp 20 firmly clamps the two foot organs 2 against each other.

20 Owing to the clamping actions of the clamps 18 and 20, the units 15 are firmly connected with each other at lower and upper sides. If desired additional coupling organs may be provided which for example are positioned at lower levels along the adjacent pillars 1.

Fig. 5 shows that as a next step the bottom shelves 10 are put back in place again, 25 and that bottom edge plates 22 are releasably placed between the floor and the bottom shelves 10 such that they close of the spaces underneath the bottom shelves 10 and in between the pairs of interspaced foot organs 2 of the units 15. Furthermore, upper edge plates 23 are releasably placed on top of the units 15 such that they close of the spaces behind the back panel elements 8 and in between the pairs of interspaced pillars 1 of the 30 units 15.

More importantly fig. 5, and also fig. 6 in more detail, show that filling strips 25 are releasably placed in between each pair of shelves 10, 14. The filling strips 25 are made out of steel plate material which at its front end has a downwardly bent front wall 26, and which at its back end has two downwardly bent lips 27. Together the front wall 26 and the lips 27 35 make it possible to click the filling strip 25 in between the shelves 10, 14. Thus an assembly of two firmly interconnected shelving units 15 is obtained which is ready for use and which -9- can be expanded in a similar manner with other preassembled shelving units as many times as is desired.

Besides the embodiment shown numerous variants are possible. For example the various components may be given other shapes and dimensions, and may be made out of 5 other materials. The pillars may not only be equipped at their front walls with slots but also at their back walls. This makes it possible to mount brackets at both sides of the pillars and thus to provide shelves at both sides. Instead of releasably mounting the back panel elements into the slots provided in the front walls of the pillars, it is also possible to provide the side walls of the pillars with suitable mounting means with which the back panel elements 10 can be releasably coupled. The slots in the front walls then would be exclusive for the brackets to be hooked into them. The slots can also have other shapes and dimensions. Instead of slots it is also possible to provide other types of complementary mounting means between the pillars and the brackets. Instead of back panel elements forming a closed rear wall other types of panels can be releasably coupled to the pillars, for example ones with a 15 plurality of openings for hanging articles or the like upon. Instead of using spring clamps other kinds of pillar coupling organs and/or foot coupling organs can be used, for example coupling pens or bolts which can be inserted into suitable openings provided in the pillars and/or foot organs.

Thus the invention provides an economic shelving system which can easily and 20 efficiently be preassembled in compact and easy to handle units at a location elsewhere from the floor of a department store where an assembly of such units is needed. The various components of the inventive system can advantageously be designed such that they even can be made fully compatible with components of other shelving systems without having to be confronted with a lesser functionality or quality.

25 30 35

Claims

1. Werkwijze voor het opzetten van schapeenheden in een warenhuis, omvattende de stappen: 5. voorassemblage van de schapeenheden zodanig dat vrijstaande instelbare eenheden verkregen zijn die elk een paar verticale steunstaanders, naar voren toe uitstekende voetorganen, een of meerdere dwarsverbindingselementen, in het bijzonder achterwandelelementen, die zich uitstrekken tussen de staanders, naar voren toe uitstekende steunbeugels, en schappen die zich uitstrekken tussen de beugels omvatten; 10. het stuksgewijs naar het warenhuis transporteren van ten minste twee van dergelijke voorgeassembleerde schapeenheden; en het naast elkaar op een vloer van het warenhuis plaatsen van de ten minste twee voorgeassembleerde schapeenheden; gekenmerkt door 15 het naast elkaar plaatsen van de ten minste twee voorgeassembleerde schapeenheden met een rechter steunstaander van het paar steunstaanders van een eerste schapeenheid en een linker steunstaander van het paar steunstaanders van een tweede schapeenheid tegen elkaar aanstaand, en het losmaakbaar met elkaar verbinden van deze linker en rechter 20 steunstaander van de betreffende paren steunstaanders door middel van één of meer staanderkoppelorganen.Method for setting up shelf units in a department store, comprising the steps of: 5. pre-assembly of the shelf units such that free-standing adjustable units are obtained, each of which is a pair of vertical support posts, forward-facing foot members, one or more cross-connecting elements, in particular rear wall elements that extend between the uprights, support brackets protruding forward, and shelves extending between the brackets; 10. transporting at least two of such pre-assembled shelf units to the department store; and placing the at least two pre-assembled shelf units side by side on a floor of the department store; characterized by juxtaposing the at least two pre-assembled shelf units with a right support upright of the pair of support uprights of a first shelf unit and a left support upright of the pair of support uprights of a second shelf unit facing each other, and releasably connecting these to each other left and right support uprights of the respective pairs of support uprights by means of one or more upright coupling members.

2. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1, omvattende de stap van het plaatsen van een van de tweede koppelorganen binnenin naast elkaar gelegen boveneinden van holle profielen 25 die de linker en rechter steunstaander van de steunstaanders vormen.2. Method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step of placing one of the second coupling members within adjacent upper ends of hollow profiles 25 which form the left and right support uprights of the support uprights.

3. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1 of 2, omvattende de stap van het naast elkaar plaatsen van de ten minste twee voorgeassembleerde schapeenheden met een rechter voetorgaan van de voetorganen van de eerste schapeenheid en een linker voetorgaan van 30 de voetorganen van de tweede schapeenheid ten elkaar liggend, en het losmaakbaar met elkaar verbinden van deze linker en rechter voetorgaan van de betreffende voetorganen door middel van één of meer voetkoppelorganen.3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of placing the at least two pre-assembled shelf units next to each other with a right foot member of the foot members of the first shelf unit and a left foot member of the foot members of the second shelf unit and releasably connecting said left and right foot members to each other of said foot members by means of one or more foot coupling members.

4. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende de stap 35 van het losmaakbaar plaatsen van een vulstrip tussen twee aangrenzende schappen die op gelijke hoogte gepositioneerd zijn aan de betreffende met elkaar verbonden schapeenheden. EP -11 -A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of releasably placing a filler strip between two adjacent shelves positioned at the same height on the respective mutually connected shelf units. EP-11 -

5. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende de stap van het gebruiken van steunstaanders die zijn ingericht om de dwarsverbindingselementen, beugels en schappen van slechts één betreffende schapeenheid daaraan te koppelen.A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of using support posts that are adapted to connect thereto the transverse connecting elements, brackets and shelves of only one relevant shelf unit.

6. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende de stap van het plaatsen van consumenteninformatie zoals prijslabels op de schappen tijdens voorassemblage van de schapeenheden.A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of placing consumer information such as price labels on the shelves during pre-assembly of the shelf units.

7. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende het 10 voorassembleren en vervolgens transporteren van betreffende schapeenheden met lengtes in de zijdelingse richting van in hoofdzaak 1 meter.7. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising pre-assembling and subsequently transporting relevant shelf units with lengths in the lateral direction of substantially 1 meter.

8. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de stap van het voorassembleren van de schapeenheden omvat: 15. het nemen van een paar steunstaanders, waarbij elke steunstaander vervaardigd is uit een in hoofdzaak rechthoekig hol profiel, waarbij een steunvoetorgaan voorzien is aan of nabij een ondergelegen einde van de steunstaander, welk voetorgaan naar voren toe uitsteekt, en waarbij ten minste een voorwand van elke steunstaander geperforeerd is met een aantal langwerpige sleuven die voorzien zijn op verschillende hoogtes; 20. het met tussenruimte op een afstand in een zijdelingse richting van elkaar plaatsen van het paar steunstaanders; het losmaakbaar koppelen, in het bijzonder door middel van inhaken van één of meer dwarsverbindingselementen, in het bijzonder achterwandelementen, in betreffende sleuven van het paar op afstand van elkaar liggende steunstaanders zodanig dat 25 zij zich daartussen in uitstrekken; het losmaakbaar koppelen, in het bijzonder door middel van inhaken, van ten minste een paar steunbeugels in betreffende sleuven van het paar op afstand van elkaar liggende steunstaanders zodanig dat de beugels naar voren toe uitsteken; en het losmaakbaar koppelen, in het bijzonder door middel van inhaken, 30 van een schap aan het paar beugels zodanig dat het schap door de beugels gedragen wordt en zich met een langsrichting tussen de beugels in uitstrekt.A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of pre-assembling the shelf units comprises: 15. taking a pair of support posts, each support post being made of a substantially rectangular hollow profile, a support foot member being provided on or near a lower end of the support post, which foot member protrudes forward, and wherein at least one front wall of each support post is perforated with a number of elongated slots provided at different heights; 20. spacing the pair of support posts spaced apart in a lateral direction from each other; releasably coupling, in particular by hooking in one or more transverse connecting elements, in particular rear wall elements, into respective slots of the pair of spaced-apart support posts such that they extend therebetween; releasably coupling, in particular by means of hooking in, at least one pair of support brackets into respective slots of the pair of spaced apart support posts such that the brackets protrude forward; and releasably coupling a shelf to the pair of brackets, in particular by means of hooking in, such that the shelf is supported by the brackets and extends with a longitudinal direction between the brackets.

9. Samenstel van twee schapeenheden van een vrijstaand aanpasbaar type omvattende: 35. een eerste en tweede paar op afstand van elkaar liggende steunstaanders, waarbij elke steunstaander voorzien is van een voetorgaan aan of nabij een ondergelegen einde van de steunstaanders, welke voetorganen naar voren toe uitsteken en EP - 12- waarbij een voorwand van elke steunstaander een aantal montageposities voorzien heeft op verschillende hoogtes; dwarsverbindingselementen, in het bijzonder achterwandelementen, losmaakbaar gekoppeld met betreffende montageposities en zich in een zijdelingse richting 5 uitstrekkend tussen elk paar op afstand van elkaar liggende steunstaanders; paren steunbeugels losmaakbaar gekoppeld met betreffende montageposities en naar voren toe uitstekend; en schappen die losmaakbaar gekoppeld zijn met de paren steunbeugels en zich daartussen in uitstrekken; 10 met het kenmerk, dat een rechter steunstaander van het eerste paar steunstaanders van een eerste schapeenheid van de schapeenheden en een linker steunstaander van het tweede paar steunstaanders van een rechter schapeenheid van de schapeenheden tegen elkaar aan staan en losmaakbaar met elkaar verbonden zijn door middel van één of meer 15 staanderkoppelorganen.An assembly of two shelf units of a freestanding adaptable type comprising: 35. a first and second pair of spaced support posts, wherein each support post is provided with a foot member at or near a lower end of the support posts, said foot members forward protruding and EP-12- wherein a front wall of each support stand has a number of mounting positions provided at different heights; transverse connecting elements, in particular rear wall elements, releasably coupled to respective mounting positions and extending in a lateral direction between each pair of spaced-apart support posts; pairs of support brackets releasably coupled to respective mounting positions and projecting forward; and shelves releasably coupled to the pairs of support brackets and extending therebetween; 10, characterized in that a right support stand of the first pair of support stands of a first shelf unit of the shelf units and a left support stand of the second pair of support stands of a right shelf unit of the shelf units abut against each other and are detachably connected to each other by means of one or more upright coupling members.

10. Samenstel volgens conclusie 9, waarbij elk staanderkoppelorgaan twee beendelen omvat die geplaatst zijn binnenin bovengelegen einden van holle profielen die de steunstaanders vormen. 20An assembly according to claim 9, wherein each upright coupling member comprises two leg portions disposed within upper ends of hollow profiles forming the support uprights. 20

11. Samenstel volgens conclusie 9 of 10, waarbij een rechter voetorgaan van de voetorganen van de eerste schapeenheid en een linker voetorgaan van de voetorganen van de tweede schapeenheid tegen elkaar liggen en losmaakbaar met elkaar verbonden zijn door middel van een of meer voetkoppelorganen. 25An assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a right foot member of the foot members of the first shelf unit and a left foot member of the foot members of the second shelf unit lie against each other and are releasably connected to each other by means of one or more foot coupling members. 25

12. Samenstel volgens conclusie 11, waarbij elk voetkoppelorgaan twee beendelen omvat die geplaatst zijn over twee aangrenzende voetorganen.12. Assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein each foot coupling member comprises two leg parts which are placed over two adjacent foot members.

13. Samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies 9-12 waarbij elk 30 staanderkoppelorgaan en/of voetkoppelorgaan een veerklem omvat, in het bijzonder een stalen veerklem.13. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 9-12, wherein each upright coupling member and / or foot coupling member comprises a spring clamp, in particular a steel spring clamp.

14. Samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies 9-13, waarbij een vulstrip losmaakbaar geplaatst is tussen twee aangrenzende en op gelijke hoogte liggende 35 schappen van respectieve schapeenheden. EP - 13-14. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 9-13, wherein a filling strip is releasably placed between two adjacent and level shelves of respective shelf units. EP - 13

15. Samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies 9-14, waarbij de montageposities van elke steunstaander gevormd zijn door een enkele rij montagemiddelen die onder elkaar gepositioneerd zijn.Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 9-14, wherein the mounting positions of each support post are formed by a single row of mounting means positioned below each other.

16. Samenstel volgens conclusie 15, waarbij de montageposities van elke steunstaander zijn ingericht om de dwarsverbindingselementen, beugels en schappen van slechts een betreffende schapeenheid daaraan losmaakbaar te koppelen.An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the mounting positions of each support post are adapted to releasably couple the transverse connecting elements, brackets and shelves of only one relevant shelf unit thereto.

17. Samenstel volgens conclusies 15 en 16, waarbij elke steunstaander 10 vervaardigd is uit een in hoofdzaak rechthoekig hol profiel, en waarbij een voorwand van elk hol profiel geperforeerd is met een enkele rij langwerpige sleuven als montagemiddelen.17. Assembly as claimed in claims 15 and 16, wherein each support post 10 is made from a substantially rectangular hollow profile, and wherein a front wall of each hollow profile is perforated with a single row of elongated slots as mounting means.

18. Samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies 9-17, waarbij de beugels en buitengelegen einden van de schappen voorzien zijn van complementaire 15 schapkoppelmiddelen zodanig dat de schappen niet uitsteken buiten een paar op afstand van elkaar liggende steunstaanders van de respectieve schapeenheden in de zijdelingse richting.18. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 9-17, wherein the brackets and outer ends of the shelves are provided with complementary shelf coupling means such that the shelves do not protrude outside a pair of spaced-apart support posts of the respective shelf units in the lateral shelf units direction.

19. Samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies 9-18, waarbij de betreffende schapeenheden lengtes hebben in de zijdelingse richting van in hoofdzaak 1 20 meter.19. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 9-18, wherein the relevant shelf units have lengths in the lateral direction of substantially 1 meter.

20 Steunstaander voor gebruik in een werkwijze of samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies.Support stand for use in a method or assembly according to one of the preceding claims.

21. Vulstrip voor gebruik in een werkwijze of samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies.A filler strip for use in a method or assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

22. Staander-orgaan voor gebruik in een werkwijze of samenstel volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies. 30 EP 35Upright member for use in a method or assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. EP 35