FIELD OF THE INVENTION

La present invention relates to a support element for slab-shaped objects, in particular large-dimension slabs, such as for example slabs made of ceramic material, or other materials for construction, with dimensions of up to and beyond 3000x1600 mm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In order to be shipped and stored, these slabs, generally packaged in packs of slabs, are positioned horizontally on support benches or crates, with a certain number of slab packs being superposed on one another or inclined on wooden racks.

This solution presents various drawbacks. Firstly, the number of packs of slabs that can be placed on each bench is limited because of the considerable weight of each slab, which does not allow superposing a large number of slabs due to the risk of breakage or damage to the slabs at the bottom of each group of slabs. Further, the benches have large plan dimensions, equal at least to the dimensions of the slabs placed on them, and are therefore difficult to shift. The large dimensions of the benches and the crates, together with the limited number of slabs that can be positioned on each bench, do not enable adequate exploitation of the storage spaces and the transport spaces, limiting the quantity of slabs that can be stored or transported for each square metre of surface available for storage or for shipping. Further, the large dimensions of the crates and racks when empty also incur high shipping costs for the end user.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a support for slab-shaped objects which obviates the above-described drawbacks and enables optimising exploitation of the space available for storage or transport of slab-shaped objects, maximising the quantity of objects that can be stored or transported, for each square metre of surface available for storage or transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is attained with a support element according to claim 1. With the support element of the invention, the number of slab-shaped elements that can be arranged on the support element can be maximised without any risk of damaging the objects themselves because of their weight. The number of slab- shaped elements which can be arranged on a support element according to the invention depends only on the dimensions of the support element and the thickness of the slab-shaped elements.

In fact, with the structure of the support element of the invention it is possible to arrange the slab-shaped objects, or the packs of slab-shaped objects, vertically on the support element, i.e. rested on the support element by a side thereof, i.e. flanked on their edges. This involves each slab-shaped object being subjected only to their own weight and not having to support the weight of other slab-shaped objects, so that the accumulated weight of the slab-shaped objects no longer constitutes a limit to the number of the slab-shaped objects which can be arranged on a support element according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some examples of embodiments of a support element according to the invention are described in the following purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a support element according to the invention;

figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the support element illustrated in figure 1 ;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support element according to the invention;

figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support element illustrated in figure 3;

figure 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a support element according to the invention;

figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the support element illustrated in figure 5; figure 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a support element according to the invention;

figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the support element illustrated in figure 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following a description is given, in general terms, of a support element (1 , 10, 20, 30) for slab-shaped objects, object of the present invention, comprising: a base (2) on which the slab-shaped objects can be arranged; and a rest element (7) for the slab-shaped objects, which can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the base (2) and be coupled removably to the base (2). The base (2) comprises a plurality of longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b, 4) which defines a rest base for the base (2). The plurality of longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b, 4) comprises a first lateral longitudinal member (3), a second lateral longitudinal member (3a) and a central longitudinal member (4). The longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b, 4) are interconnected by a plurality of cross members (5, 6); the plurality of cross members (5, 6) comprises a pair of central cross members (5) and a pair of lateral cross members (6). The plurality of cross members (5, 6) is interconnected by a plurality of longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f); the plurality of longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b, 4) comprises a first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and a second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a). The rest element (7) comprises at least two uprights (8, 8a; 18) interconnected by at least a further cross member (12; 13; 13a, 13b; 14; 14a; 14b); the at least a further cross member comprises a further upper cross member (12), at least a further intermediate cross member (13; 13a; 13b) and at least a further lower cross member (14; 14a, 14b). A lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and a lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) extend beyond the at least a further lower cross member (14; 14a, 14b) and are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert, respectively, in a first space (16) defined between the central cross members (5) and the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11), and in a second space (17) defined between the central cross members (5) and the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a). The lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and a lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) are provided with respective appendages (23, 23a); the appendages (23, 23a) are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in respective grooves (20, 20a) of the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a).

A further embodiment is described in the following. The pair of lateral cross members (6) comprises a first cross member (6a) and a second cross member (6b), while the pair of central cross members (5) comprises a third cross member (5a) and a fourth cross member (5b) which face one another and are arranged between the first cross member (6a) and the second cross member (6b); the pair of lateral cross members (6) and the pair of central cross members (5) are arranged on the first lateral longitudinal member (3), on the second lateral longitudinal member (3a) and on the central longitudinal member (4); the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) comprises a first further lateral longitudinal member (111) and a second further lateral longitudinal member (112), while the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) comprises a third further lateral longitudinal member (111a) and a fourth further lateral longitudinal member (112a); both the first further lateral longitudinal member (111) and the third further lateral longitudinal member (111a) are arranged above the first cross member (6a) and above the third cross member (5a); both the second further lateral longitudinal member (112) and the fourth further lateral longitudinal member (112a) are arranged above the second cross member (6b) and above the fourth cross member (5b); the first further lateral longitudinal member (111) and the second further lateral longitudinal member (112) are aligned with one another, superposed on the first lateral longitudinal member (3) and separated from one another by the distance (D) existing between the third cross member (5a) and the fourth cross member (5b); the third further lateral longitudinal member (111a) and the fourth further lateral longitudinal member (112a) are aligned with one another, superposed on the second lateral longitudinal member (3a) and separated from one another by the distance (D) existing between the third cross member (5a) and the fourth cross member (5b).

Once the rest element (7) is released onto the base (2), with a simple vertical movement that advantageously determines a removable coupling between the rest element (7) and the base (2), to the first upright (8) and the second upright (8a), any movement in the horizontal plane is prevented, without any need to use other fastening means, for the reasons set out in the following. The third cross member (5a) and the first further lateral longitudinal member (3), on one hand, and the fourth cross member (5b) and the second further lateral longitudinal member (3a), on the other hand, prevent the movement of the first upright (8) with respect to a first horizontal direction (Y), while the groove (20) fashioned in the first lateral longitudinal member (3) prevents the movement of the first upright (8) with respect to a second horizontal direction (X), which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (Y).

The third cross member (5a) and the third further lateral longitudinal member (111a), on one hand, and the fourth cross member (5b) and the fourth further lateral longitudinal member (112a), on the other hand, prevent the movement of the second upright (8a) with respect to the first horizontal direction (Y), while the groove (20a) fashioned in the second lateral longitudinal member (3a) prevents the movement of the second upright (8a) with respect to the second horizontal direction (X).

The rest element (7) then joints in the base (2), realising a removable coupling, which prevents any movement of the rest element (7) in the horizontal plane. Only the raising of the rest element (7) is allowed for decoupling the rest element (7) from the base (2).

The removable coupling of the rest element (7) to the base (2) is particularly stable and sturdy, due to the fact that the contact surfaces between the rest element (7) and the base (2) are maximised, which minimises the force per unit of surface which is transmitted from the rest element (7) to the base (2): in fact, the rest element (7) inserts, via the appendages (23, 23a) and the lower portions (22, 22a) of the uprights (8, 8a), along the whole thickness of the base (2), contacting all the components making up the layers in height of the base (2), i.e. the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a), the cross members (5, 6) and the further lateral longitudinal members (11 , 11 a).

A further embodiment is described in the following. The third cross member (5a) comprises a first lateral surface (50), the fourth cross member (5b) comprises a second lateral surface (51), the third cross member (5a) and the fourth cross member (5b) are arranged in such a way that the first lateral surface (50) and the second lateral surface (51) are facing one another. The first further lateral longitudinal member (111) comprises a first end surface (52), the second further lateral longitudinal member (112) comprises a second end surface (53); the first further lateral longitudinal member (111) and the second further lateral longitudinal member (112) are arranged in such a way that the first end surface (52) and the second end surface (53) are facing one another. The first further lateral longitudinal member (111) and the third cross member (5a) are arranged in such a way that the first end surface (52) and the first lateral surface (50) are aligned so as to abut a first side (22b) of the lower portion (22) of the first upright (8); the second further lateral longitudinal member (112) and the fourth cross member (5b) are arranged in such a way that the second end surface (53) and the second lateral surface (51) are aligned so as to abut a second side (22c) of the lower portion (22) of the first upright (8), which is opposite the first side (22b) of the lower portion (22) of the first upright (8).

A further embodiment is described in the following. The third further lateral longitudinal member (111a) comprises a third end surface (54), the fourth further lateral longitudinal member (112a) comprises a fourth end surface (55); the third further lateral longitudinal member (111a) and the fourth further lateral longitudinal member (112a) are arranged in such a way that the third end surface (54) and the fourth end surface (55) are facing one another. The third further lateral longitudinal member (111a) and the third cross member (5a) are arranged in such a way that the third end surface (54) and the first lateral surface (50) are aligned so as to abut a first side (22d) of the lower portion (22) of the second upright (8a). The fourth further lateral longitudinal member (112a) and the fourth cross member (5b) are arranged in such a way that the fourth end surface (55) and the second lateral surface (51) are aligned so as to abut a second side (22e) of the lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8), which is opposite the first side (22d) of the lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a).

Specific embodiments will now be described, with reference to the figures of the drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a support element (1) according to the invention.

The support element (1) comprises a base (2) to which a rest element (7) is associated, substantially perpendicular to the base (2), destined to provide a rest for large-dimension slab-shaped objects, for example up to 3300x1600 mm, for example single or packaged slabs in packs including a plurality of slabs, for example slabs made of a ceramic material, or other construction materials. The slab-shaped objects, or packs of objects having a slab shape, can be arranged vertically on the base (2), i.e. rested on the base (2) on a side, and be supported by the rest element (7), to which they can be fixed by gluing and/or by strapping.

The base (2) comprises a plurality of longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4), for example a central longitudinal member (4), a first lateral longitudinal member (3) and a second lateral longitudinal member (3a), for example substantially parallel to one another, which, in their entirety, define a rest base for the base (2). The longitudinal members can also be arranged not parallel to one another, for example inclined with respect to one another, or even intersecting, the number and the arrangement of the longitudinal members having to define a stable rest plane for the base (2).

The longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4) are interconnected by a plurality of cross members (5, 6), for example positioned above the longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4), for example a pair of central cross members (5) and a pair of lateral cross members (6). The cross members (5, 6) are in turn interconnected by a plurality of further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15), for example positioned above the cross members (5, 6).

The further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15) can comprise a first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and a second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a), which connect the central cross members (5) with the lateral cross members (6), and at least a further central longitudinal member (15) interposed between the first pair of lateral longitudinal members (11) and the second pair of lateral longitudinal members (11a).

A first space (16) is defined between the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and the central cross members (5), and a second space (17) is defined between the central cross members (5) and the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a). The first space (16) and the second space (17) are destined to house parts of the rest element (7) so as to removably couple the rest element (7) and the base (2), as will be explained in greater detail in the following.

The rest element (7) comprises at least a first upright (8) and a second upright (8a) interconnected by at least a further cross member (12, 13, 14), for example, a further upper cross member (12), a further intermediate cross member (13) and a further lower cross member (14). Corner members (9) can be arranged between the further intermediate cross member (13), the further lower cross member (14) and the uprights (8, 8a), able to reinforce the connection between the further cross members (13, 14) and the uprights (8, 8a).

A lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and a lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) extend beyond the further lower cross member (14) and are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in the first space (16) and in the second space (17), respectively, for removably coupling the rest element (7) to the base (2). The lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and the lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) can be respectively provided with appendages (23, 23a). The appendages (23, 23a) are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in respective grooves (20, 20a) of the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a), for increasing the stability of the coupling between the rest element (7) and the base (2).

When the rest element (7) is coupled to the base (2), the further lower cross member (14) rests on the further central longitudinal member (15).

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of a support element (10) according to the invention. Parts of the support element (10) corresponding to parts of the support element (1) are indicated using the same reference numerals.

The support element (10) comprises a base (2) to which a rest element (7) is associated, substantially perpendicular to the base (2), destined to provide a rest for large-dimension slab-shaped objects, for example up to 3300x1600 mm, for example single or packaged slabs in packs including a plurality of slabs, for example slabs made of a ceramic material, or other construction materials.

The slab-shaped objects, or packs of objects having a slab shape, can be arranged vertically on the base (2), i.e. rested on the base (2) on a side, and be supported by the rest element (7), to which they can be fixed by gluing and/or by strapping.

The base (2) comprises a plurality of longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4), for example a central longitudinal member (4), a first lateral longitudinal member (3) and a second lateral longitudinal member (3a), for example substantially parallel to one another, which, in their entirety, define a rest base for the base (2). The longitudinal members can also be arranged not parallel to one another, for example inclined with respect to one another, or even intersecting, the number and the arrangement of the longitudinal members having to define a stable rest plane for the base (2).

The longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4) are interconnected by a plurality of cross members (5, 6), for example positioned above the longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4), for example a pair of central cross members (5) and a pair of lateral cross members (6). The cross members (5, 6) are in turn interconnected by a plurality of further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15a, 15b) positioned above the cross members (5, 6).

The further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15a, 15b) can comprise a first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and a second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) which connect the central cross members (5) with the lateral cross members (6), two further intermediate longitudinal members (15a, 15b) interposed between the first pair of lateral longitudinal members (11) and the second pair of lateral longitudinal members (11a).

A first space (16) is defined between the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) ands the central cross members (5), a second space (17) is defined between the central cross members (5) and the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a). The first space (16) and the second space (17) are destined to house parts of the rest element (7) so as to removably couple the rest element (7) and the base (2), as will be explained in greater detail in the following. The rest element (7) comprises at least a first upright (8) and a second upright (8a) interconnected by at least a further cross member (12, 13, 14), for example, a further upper cross member (12), a further intermediate cross member (13) and a further lower cross member (14). Corner members (9) can be arranged between the further intermediate cross member (13), the further lower cross member (14) and the uprights (8, 8a), able to reinforce the connection between the further cross members (13, 14) and the uprights (8, 8a).

A lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and a lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) extend beyond the further cross member (14) and are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in the first space (16) and in the second space (17), respectively, for removably coupling the rest element (7) to the base (2). The lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and the lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) can be respectively provided with appendages (23, 23a). The appendages (23, 23a) are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in respective grooves (20, 20a) of the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a), for increasing the stability of the coupling between the rest element (7) and the base (2).

When the rest element (7) is coupled to the base (2), the lower cross member (14) rests on the further central longitudinal members (15a, 15b).

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of a support element (20) according to the invention. Parts of the support element (20) corresponding to parts of the support elements (1 and 10) described in the foregoing are indicated using the same reference numerals.

The support element (20) comprises a base (2) to which a rest element (7) is associated, substantially perpendicular to the base (2), destined to provide a rest for large-dimension slab-shaped objects, for example up to 3300x1600 mm, for example single or packaged slabs in packs including a plurality of slabs, for example slabs made of a ceramic material, or other construction materials.

The slab-shaped objects, or packs of objects having a slab shape, can be arranged vertically on the base (2), i.e. rested on the base (2) on a side, and be supported by the rest element (7), to which they can be fixed by gluing and/or by strapping.

The base (2) comprises a plurality of longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b), for example a first lateral longitudinal member (3), a second lateral longitudinal member (3a), a central longitudinal member (4), a first intermediate longitudinal member (4a), interposed between the first lateral longitudinal member (3) and the central longitudinal member (4), and a second intermediate longitudinal member (4b), interposed between the second lateral longitudinal member (3a) and the central longitudinal member (4) all the longitudinal members being substantially parallel to one another and defining, in their entirety, a rest base for the base (2). The longitudinal members can also be arranged not parallel to one another, for example inclined with respect to one another, or even intersecting, the number and the arrangement of the longitudinal members having to define a stable rest plane for the base (2).

The longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b) are interconnected by a plurality of cross members (5, 6) located above the longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b), for example a pair of central cross members (5) and a pair of lateral cross members (6). The cross members (5, 6) are in turn interconnected by a plurality of further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15, 15a, 15b) positioned above the cross members (5, 6).

The further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15, 15a, 15b) can comprise a first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) a second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) and a pair of further central longitudinal members (15) which connect the central cross members (5) with the lateral cross members (6), a first further intermediate longitudinal member (15a) interposed between the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and the pair of further central longitudinal members (15) and a second intermediate longitudinal member (15b) interposed between the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) and the pair of further central longitudinal members (15).

A first space (16) is defined between the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and the central cross members (5), a second space (17) is defined between the central cross members (5) and the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) and a third space (19) is defined between the central cross members (5) and the pair of further central longitudinal members (15). The first space (16), the second space (17) and the third space (19) are destined to house parts of the rest element (7) so as to removably couple the rest element (7) and the base (2), as will be explained in greater detail in the following.

The rest element (7) comprises a first upright (8), a second upright (8a) and a central upright (18), interposed between the first upright (8) and the second upright (8a). The uprights (8, 8a and 18) are interconnected by a plurality of further cross members (12, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b), for example a further upper cross member (12), a further first intermediate cross member (13a) and a further second intermediate cross member (13b), at least a first further lower cross member (14a), preferably a pair of further lower cross members (14a), and at least a second lower cross member (14b), preferably a pair of further lower cross members (14b). Corner members (9) can be arranged between the further intermediate cross members (13a, 13b), the further lower cross members (14a, 14b) and the uprights (8, 8a and 18), able to reinforce the connection between the further cross members (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) and the uprights (8, 8a and 18).

A lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and a lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) extend beyond the further lower cross members (14a, 14b) and are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in the first space (16) and in the second space (17), respectively, for removably coupling the rest element (7) to the base (2). The lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and the lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) can be respectively provided with appendages (23, 23a). The appendages (23, 23a) are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in respective grooves (20, 20a) of the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a), for increasing the stability of the coupling between the rest element (7) and the base (2). The central upright (18) can be provided with a lower portion (18a) which extends beyond the further lower cross members (14a and 14b) and is conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in the third space (19) and, possibly, in a groove (21) of the central longitudinal member (4) so as to increase the stability of the coupling between the rest element (7) and the base (2).

When the rest element (7) is coupled to the base (2), the further lower cross members (14a, 14b) rest on the further central longitudinal members (15) and on the further intermediate longitudinal members (15a, 15b).

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a support element (30) according to the invention. Parts of the support element (30) corresponding to parts of the support elements (1 , 10 and 20) described in the foregoing are indicated using the same reference numerals.

The support element (30) comprises a base (2) to which a rest element (7) is associated, substantially perpendicular to the base (2), destined to provide a rest for large-dimension slab-shaped objects, for example up to 3300x1600 mm, for example single or packaged slabs in packs including a plurality of slabs, for example slabs made of a ceramic material, or other construction materials.

Objects having a slab shape, or packs of objects having a slab shape, can be arranged vertically on the base (2), i.e. rested on the base (2) on a side, and be supported by the rest element (7), to which they can be fixed by gluing and/or by strapping.

The base (2) comprises a plurality of longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b), for example a first lateral longitudinal member (3), a second lateral longitudinal member (3a) and a central longitudinal member (4), a first intermediate longitudinal member (4a) interposed between the first lateral longitudinal member (3) and the central longitudinal member (4) and a second intermediate longitudinal member (4b) interposed between the second lateral longitudinal member (3a) and the central longitudinal member (4), all the longitudinal members being substantially parallel to one another and defining, in their entirety, a rest base for the support element (20). The longitudinal members can also be arranged not parallel to one another, for example inclined with respect to one another, or even intersecting, the number and the arrangement of the longitudinal members having to define a stable rest plane for the support element (20).

The longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b,) are interconnected by a plurality of cross members (5, 6), positioned above the longitudinal members (3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4b), for example by a pair of central cross members (5) and a pair of lateral cross members (6). The cross members (5, 6) are in turn interconnected by a plurality of further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) positioned above the cross members (5, 6).

The further longitudinal members (11 , 11a, 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) can comprise a first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11), a second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) and a pair of further central longitudinal members (15) which connect the central cross members (5) with the lateral cross members (6), a first group, for example a first trio, of further intermediate longitudinal members (15a, 15c, 15d) interposed between the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and the pair of further central longitudinal members (15), and a second group, for example a second trio, of further intermediate longitudinal members (15e, 15f, 15b), interposed between the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) and the pair of further central longitudinal members (15).

A first space (16) is defined between the first pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11) and the central cross members (5), a second space (17) is defined between the central cross members (5) and the second pair of further lateral longitudinal members (11a) and a third space (19) is defined between the central cross members (5) and the pair of further central longitudinal members (15). The first space (16), the second space (17) and the third space (19) are destined to house parts of the rest element (7) so as to removably couple the rest element (7) and the base (2), as will be explained in greater detail in the following.

The rest element (7) comprises a first upright (8), a second upright (8a) and a central upright (18), interposed between the first upright (8) and the second upright (8a). The uprights (8, 8a and 18) are interconnected by a plurality of further cross members (12, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b), for example a further upper cross member (12), a further first intermediate cross member (13a) and a further second intermediate cross member (13b), at least a first further lower cross member (14a), preferably a pair of further lower cross members (14a), and at least a second lower cross member (14b), preferably a pair of further lower cross members (14b). Corner members (9) can be arranged between the further intermediate cross members (13a, 13b), the further lower cross members (14a, 14b) and the uprights (8, 8a and 18), able to reinforce the connection between the further cross members (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) and the uprights (8, 8a and 18).

A lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and a lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) extend beyond the further lower cross members (14a, 14b) and are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in the first space (16) and in the second space (17), respectively, for removably coupling the rest element (7) to the base (2). The lower portion (22) of the first upright (8) and the lower portion (22a) of the second upright (8a) can be respectively provided with appendages (23, 23a). The appendages (23, 23a) are conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in respective grooves (20, 20a) of the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a), for increasing the stability of the coupling between the rest element (7) and the base (2). The central upright (18) can be provided with a lower portion (18a) which extends beyond the further lower cross members (14a and 14b) and is conformed and dimensioned so as to be able to insert in the third space (19) and, possibly, in a groove (21) of the central longitudinal member (4) so as to increase the stability of the coupling between the rest element (7) and the base (2). When the rest element (7) is coupled to the base (2), the further lower cross members (14a, 14b) rest on the further central longitudinal members (15) and on the further intermediate longitudinal members (15a, 15b 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f).

The rest element (7) can be arranged in the central position on the base (2), along an axis (A) of the base (2), or can be arranged in an offset position with respect to the axis (A) of the base (2), parallel to the axis (A).

Both the base (2) and the rest element (7) can be made in a single piece, or each of them can comprise two or more parts, assemblage to one another, for example by the final user.

As the base (2) and the rest element (7) are assemblage by the end user, shipping costs and the number of transport journeys to be carried out to deliver a same number of parts are considerably reduced, with a significant advantage in environmental terms.

The base (2) and the rest element (7) can be made of any material suitable for supporting the weight of the objects arranged on the support element (1 ; 10; 20; 30) and the stresses to which it can be subjected during transport. Suitable materials might be, for example, wood, plastic or metal.

With particular reference to figure 6, the pair of lateral cross members (6) comprises a first cross member (6a) and a second cross member (6b), while the pair of central cross members (5) comprises a third cross member (5a) and a fourth cross member (5b) which face one another and are arranged between the first cross member (6a) and the second cross member (6b); the pair of lateral cross members (6) and the pair of central cross members (5) are arranged on the first lateral longitudinal member (3), on the second lateral longitudinal member (3a) and on the central longitudinal member (4). The pair of further central longitudinal members (15) comprises a first further central longitudinal member (150) and a second further central longitudinal member (151); the first further central longitudinal member (150) is arranged above the first cross member (6a) and above the third cross member (5a), and the second further central longitudinal member (151) is arranged above the second cross member (6b) and the fourth cross member (5b); the first further central longitudinal member (150) and the second further central longitudinal member (151) are aligned with one another and separated from one another by the distance (D) existing between the third cross member (5a) and the fourth cross member (5b). The third cross member (5a) comprises a first lateral surface (50), the fourth cross member (5b) comprises a second lateral surface (51), the third cross member (5a) and the fourth cross member (5b) being arranged in such a way that the first lateral surface (50) and the second lateral surface (51) are facing one another. The first further lateral longitudinal member (150) comprises a fifth end surface (56), the second further central longitudinal member (151) comprises a sixth end surface (57), the first further central longitudinal member (150) and the second further central longitudinal member (151) being arranged in such a way that the fifth end surface (56) and the sixth end surface (57) are facing one another; the first further central longitudinal member (150) and the third cross member (5a) are arranged in such a way that the fifth end surface (56) and the first lateral surface (50) are aligned so as to abut a first side (18b) of the lower portion of the central upright (18) and the second further central longitudinal member (151) and the fourth cross member (5b) are arranged in such a way that the sixth end surface (57) and the second lateral surface (51) are aligned so as to abut a second side (18c) of the lower portion of the central upright (18), which is opposite the first side (18b) of the lower portion of the central upright (18).

The respective grooves (20, 20a) of the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a) preferably have a depth (P) that is equal to the height of the lateral longitudinal members (3, 3a).