Structural self-supporting system

Claim 2

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said boxlike structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; said interconnecting means including a plurality of generally horizontally-positioned, parallel pairs of said support members completing said box-like structure; and strengthening means interconnecting a parallel pair of support members for preventing said support members from rotating, including a tie strap whose central portion extends between said parallel support members with an L-shaped section at each end positioned around one of said parallel support members in rotation preventing engagement therewith.

Claim 3

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright Sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; said interconnecting means including a plurality of generally horizontally-positioned, parallel pairs of said support members completing said box-like structure; and strengthening means interconnecting a parallel pair of support members for increasing the weight capacity of said supports and comprising a channel member of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a bottom wall and spaced side walls, said channel member being slotted at its ends along the junction of the bottom wall with the side walls, enabling the ends of said channel member to receive said support members in holding engagement.

Claim 4

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright Sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; said interconnecting means including a plurality of generally horizontally-positioned, parallel pairs of said support members completing said box-like structure; and strengthening means interconnecting a parallel pair of support members for increasing the weight capacity of said supports and comprising a channel member of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a bottom wall and spaced side walls, said channel member being slotted at its ends along the junction of the bottom wall with the side walls, enabling the ends of said channel member to receive said support members in holding engagement.

Claim 5

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a first generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said first box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a second like, box-like structure joined to said first box-like structure with the adjacent uprights of each box-like structure being joined together in abutting relationships by means of a tie plate, said tie plate having a plurality of pairs of headed projections formed therein, one pair of headed projections being positioned in each of said adjacent upright members.

Claim 6

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a first generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said first box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a second like, box-like structure joined to said first box-like structure with the adjacent uprights of each box-like structure being joined together in abutting relationships by means of a tie plate, said tie plate having a plurality of pairs of headed projections formed therein, one pair of headed projections being positioned in each of said adjacent upright members.

Claim 7

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and an adjacent member to which the box-like structure is joined by means of a connector member of L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, the ends of said connector member having inturned end plate members formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said plate members having headed projections within the cross-sectional configuration securing one end of said support device to one of said uprights and the other end thereof to said adjacEnt member.

Claim 8

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and an adjacent member to which the box-like structure is joined by means of a connector member of L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, the ends of said connector member having inturned end plate members formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said plate members having headed projections within the cross-sectional configuration securing one end of said support device to one of said uprights and the other end thereof to said adjacEnt member.

Claim 9

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a set of angled support members, each having an opening for positioning one edge of a shelf therein, said angled support member containing a side wall having headed projections thereon securing said angled support member to two of said uprights, a bottom wall integral with the bottom edge of said side wall and extending generally perpendicular therefrom, and an angled wall extending from the top edge of said side wall toward said bottom wall and being spaced therefrom to define said opening.

Claim 10

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a set of angled support members, each having an opening for positioning one edge of a shelf therein, said angled support member containing a side wall having headed projections thereon securing said angled support member to two of said uprights, a bottom wall integral with the bottom edge of said side wall and extending generally perpendicular therefrom, and an angled wall extending from the top edge of said side wall toward said bottom wall and being spaced therefrom to define said opening.

Claim 11

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; and at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; one set of said support members being of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration whereby shelving members having side edges of L-shaped configuration can be positioned on said support members, the L-shaped edges of said shelving members nesting in said U-shaped portion of said support members.

Claim 12

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; and at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; one set of said support members being of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration whereby shelving members having side edges of L-shaped configuration can be positioned on said support members, the L-shaped edges of said shelving members nesting in said U-shaped portion of said support members.

Claim 13

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support membEr and said upright members; and at least one cleat member of L-shaped cross-sectional configuration having intersecting side walls and which is secured to one section of an upright member by headed projections positioned on one wall of said cleat, the other wall of said cleat having openings for insertion of headed projections of another support member therein.

Claim 14

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support membEr and said upright members; and at least one cleat member of L-shaped cross-sectional configuration having intersecting side walls and which is secured to one section of an upright member by headed projections positioned on one wall of said cleat, the other wall of said cleat having openings for insertion of headed projections of another support member therein.

Claim 15

A structural self-supporting system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said other support member secured to said cleat is positioned in the same plane as a support member secured directly to said upright member.

Claim 16

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a wall bar fixedly spacing the box-like structure from a support surface, said wall bar having a generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration with in-turned end plates at each end thereof substantially perpendicular to the axis of said bar, one of said end plates having a pair of headed projections positioned in the openings formed in one of said uprights, and the other end plate being secured to said support surface.

Claim 17

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a wall bar fixedly spacing the box-like structure from a support surface, said wall bar having a generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration with in-turned end plates at each end thereof substantially perpendicular to the axis of said bar, one of said end plates having a pair of headed projections positioned in the openings formed in one of said uprights, and the other end plate being secured to said support surface.

Claim 18

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a first generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; a second like, box-like structure adjacent said first box-like structure; and a section of raised decking positioned between said box-like structures, said decking being positioned between a pair of support members, each of said support members being defined by a side wall having headed projections secured to an upright member, a bottom wall extending in a plane generally perpendicular to said side wall, and a top-angled wall extending from the side wall, said top and bottom walls being integral with said side wall and extending towards each other with a spacing between said top and bottom walls defining an opening into which said decking is inserted.

Claim 19

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a first generally box-like structure, each of said upright members having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section, and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; a second like, box-like structure adjacent said first box-like structure; and a section of raised decking positioned between said box-like structures, said decking being positioned between a pair of support members, each of said support members being defined by a side wall having headed projections secured to an upright member, a bottom wall extending in a plane generally perpendicular to said side wall, and a top-angled wall extending from the side wall, said top and bottom walls being integral with said side wall and extending towards each other with a spacing between said top and bottom walls defining an opening into which said decking is inserted.

Claim 20

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members Having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a plurality of vertically spaced shelves positioned on said support members in planes generally perpendicular to said upright members, said shelves having openings extending therethrough, and dividers positioned in said openings to form a shelf divider system, said dividers being formed of rods extending through said openings in a plane generally parallel to said uprights, and one end of said rods having a curved portion for securing said rods to one of said shelves.

Claim 21

A structural self-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of axially-extending upright members arranged to form a generally box-like structure, each of said upright members Having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a first section and a second section formed in a plane generally perpendicular to said first section; a row of spaced openings in each section extending axially thereof, each of said openings comprising an enlarged central portion and a reduced portion contiguous therewith; means for interconnecting said uprights and completing said box-like structure, including elongated support members each having a surface parallel to one of said upright sections and an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said openings; at least one headed projection extending from said surface adjacent each end of a support member, insertion of said headed projections on one of said support members into openings of spaced-apart upright members providing a rigid interconnection between the support member and said upright members; and a plurality of vertically spaced shelves positioned on said support members in planes generally perpendicular to said upright members, said shelves having openings extending therethrough, and dividers positioned in said openings to form a shelf divider system, said dividers being formed of rods extending through said openings in a plane generally parallel to said uprights, and one end of said rods having a curved portion for securing said rods to one of said shelves.