FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to mobile shelving that can support a weight without requiring additional tracks.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Mobile shelving systems are popular means for reducing the floor area needed for storage. Typically a series of rows of shelving bays are mounted abutting each other thus eliminating the space needed for aisle ways between the shelving bays. The shelving bays are mounted on tracks so that when access is required to a particular shelving bay the shelving bays can be moved along the track to open up an aisle way.

[0003] The shelving bays can be moved by hand or driven by electric motors, with electric operation being preferred, especially for large systems which may be too heavy to move manually.

[0004] Depending on the use of the shelving the span of shelving between tracks has to be engineered to support the weight capacity in the shelving especially so that the shelving does not sag between the tracks. Alternatively more tracks are required that adds to the obvious cost and expense of installation.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a strengthening support for mobile shelving that overcomes the above problems or at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first aspect the invention comprises a mobile shelving system including external vertical supports and a plurality of shelves extending between the supports;

a back sheet located towards the bottom of the shelving system and attached to the vertical supports;

a cover sheet extending upwardly from the first back sheet to the top of the shelving system;

wherein the back sheet is a steel plate to be attached to the vertical supports.

[0007] In preference the back sheet is approximately 3 m thick steel that strengthens the shelving unit from sagging in the middle, acting as an I-beam. [0008] In preference the mobile shelving system includes a central support to which are attached the back sheet and the cover sheet.

[0009] In preference the cover sheet extends across the hole back of the shelving system covering the back sheet.

[0010] In preference the shelving system is double width and double sided, the back sheet and the cover sheet located in between the two sides.

[0011] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRI EF DESCRIPTION OF TH E DRAWINGS

[0012] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summa ry of the I nvention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical shelving system;

[0014] Figure 2 is a close up view of the shelving system according to the present embodiment;

[0015] Figure 3 is a close up view illustrating the attachment of a steel plate to the system;

[0016] Figure 4 is a close up view illustrating the attachment of the steel plate to a vertical support; a nd

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified a nd/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0019] Thus illustrated in Figure 1 a typical mobile shelving system 10 having vertical supports 12 extending between which are multiple shelves 14 (some of which may be fixed). The supports 12 are mounted on runners 16 that engage tracks 18. At the back of the shelving unit is a cover plate/sheet 20. Some of the shelves, if not all, may be adjustable in height by engaging slits 22 in the supports 12.

[0020] Figures 2-5 illustrate the present invention. Thus the shelving system still includes vertical supports 12 but it also includes a central support 24 so that there are effectively two shelves extending horizontally within the shelving unit. Typically the central support would also include a runner engaging a track but this is costly. Accordingly there is provided a thick steel plate 26 extending from the bottom of the shelving system upwardly to a particular height. Such a configuration is desirable when for example the shelving system is used to support items of significant weight. The steel plate is attached to both the external vertical supports and the central support effectively providing an I-beam configuration ensuring the shelving does not sag and removing the need for a central track system. The attachments can be well known means such as a bolt and nut as shown in the Figures.

[0021] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a 3mm thick steel plate/sheet in the lower part of the back panels to create an I Beam effect. It has particular application to a double sided / double width mobile shelving unit. The effect of this is to eliminate the middle track along with the middle runners. At the same time there is no deflection or sagging in the middle of the bays.

[0022] Whilst the above description and the drawings illustrated a steel plate in the lower part of the back panels and then a cover plate extending from the end of the steel plate to the top of the shelving system it may very well be that the cover plates extend all the way down the back of the shelving systems and the steel plate extending in between covers of adjoining shelves so as to be hidden from view for aesthetic purposes.

[0023] The steel plate may also extend all the way up the back of the shelving system or there may indeed be several steel plates positioned up the back of the shelving system.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0024] The drawings include the following integers.

10 mobile shelving system

12 vertical supports

14 shelves 16 runners

18 tracks

20 cover plate

22 slits

24 central support

26 steel plate

[0025] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred em bodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0026] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "com prises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.