V-shaped nestable tray rack

Abstract

Rack or frame may be substantially V-shaped. The substantially V-shaped configuration enhances the strength and nestability of the rack. The rack may be an oven rack with a lifting element suited for being lifted by oven rack lifting equipment. Rack may accommodate one or more objects, such as trays, per level. Nested racks greatly reduce storage space requirements.

1 . A rack, comprising: 
 a) a left upright frame;    b) a right upright frame spaced from said left frame;    c) a connector extending between and connecting the left upright frame and the right upright frame;    d) a left connector element extending from a front portion of the left upright frame to the connector;    e) a right connector element extending from a front portion of the right upright frame to the connector; and    f) the connector, the left connector element, and the right connector element defining a V-shaped structural member.    
     
     
         2 . A rack as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) the left connector element extends at an acute angle relative to said left upright frame.    
     
     
         3 . A rack as defined in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 a) the right connector element extends at an acute angle relative to said right upright frame.    
     
     
         4 . A rack as defined in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 a) the left connector element extends at an angle less than about 60° relative to the left upright frame.    
     
     
         5 . A rack as defined in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 a) the left connector element extends at an angle of about 30° relative to the left upright frame.    
     
     
         6 . A rack as defined in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 a) the left connector element extends at an angle less than about 30° relative to the left upright frame.    
     
     
         7 . A rack as defined in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 a) the right connector element extends at an angle of about 30° relative to the right upright frame.    
     
     
         8 . A rack as defined in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 a) a lifting element configured for being lifted by a lifting device is provided.    
     
     
         9 . A rack as defined in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) the lifting element is provided on an upper portion of the rack.    
     
     
         10 . A rack as defined in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 a) the lifting element includes a leg extending transversely to the left frame.    
     
     
         11 . A rack as defined in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 a) the leg extends substantially parallel to the left frame.    
     
     
         12 . A rack as defined in  claim 11 , wherein: 
 a) the lifting element includes a C-channel, and the leg is a portion of the C-channel.    
     
     
         13 . A rack as defined in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 a) the lifting element includes an S-channel, and the leg is a portion of the S-channel.    
     
     
         14 . A rack as defined in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 a) the lifting element includes an inverted L-channel, and the leg is a portion of the inverted L-channel.    
     
     
         15 . A rack as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) the left and right upright frames and the left and right connector elements define a mouth; and    b) the mouth is configured for nesting with at least one rack of the type having a connector and left and right frames and left and right connector elements defining a V-shaped structure.    
     
     
         16 . A rack as defined in  claim 15 , wherein: 
 a) the mouth is configured for nesting with at least two racks of the type having a connector and left and right frames and left and right connector elements defining a V-shaped structure.