Device for retaining panels

Abstract

A rack for storing at least one panel, comprising a base having a top surface, a rear structure vertically extending from the base, at least one support in at least one of the top surface of the base and the rear structure for supporting the panel in a vertical position, and at least one arm including a connecting member connecting the arm to the rear structure, a retaining member engaging a top edge of the panel to retain the panel in the vertical position, and a flexible portion between the connecting member and the retaining member. A method using the rack defined hereinbefore. Said improved rack and method allow easy access to a desired panel.

1 . A rack for storing at least one panel, comprising: 
 a base having a top surface;    a rear structure vertically extending from the base;    at least one support in at least one of the top surface of the base and the rear structure for supporting the panel in a vertical position; and    at least one arm including: 
 a connecting member connecting the arm to the rear structure;  
 a retaining member engaging a top edge of the panel to retain the panel in the vertical position; and  
 a flexible portion between the connecting member and the retaining member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical position is substantially perpendicular to the rear structure.  
   
   
       3 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm is vertically slidable with respect to the rear structure.  
   
   
       4 . The rack according to  claim 3 , wherein the arm can be locked at various heights.  
   
   
       5 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear structure includes at least one vertical bar and the connecting member includes a slot receiving the vertical bar, the slot allowing a sliding motion of the connecting member with respect to the vertical bar at a first inclination of the connecting member, and the slot providing frictional contact between walls thereof and the vertical bar at a second inclination of the connecting member to prevent the sliding motion and lock the arm at a desired height.  
   
   
       6 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear structure includes at least two horizontal bars.  
   
   
       7 . The rack according to  claim 6 , wherein the arm is supported between two of the horizontal bars.  
   
   
       8 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support includes at least one horizontal groove in the top surface of the base for receiving a bottom edge of the panel.  
   
   
       9 . The rack according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one horizontal groove extends substantially perpendicularly to the rear structure.  
   
   
       10 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support includes at least one vertical groove in the rear structure for receiving a rear edge of the panel.  
   
   
       11 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the top edge of the panel is engaged in a groove extending along a bottom surface of the retaining member.  
   
   
       12 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the panels are glass panels.  
   
   
       13 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion is bent when the retaining member is engaging the top edge of the panel.  
   
   
       14 . A method for storing a panel within a rack having a base, a rear structure, and at least one flexible arm extending from the rear structure over the base, the method comprising the steps of: 
 sliding the flexible arm with respect to the rear structure until a first distance between a retaining member of the flexible arm and the base is smaller than a height of the panel;    bending the flexible arm about the rear structure to raise the retaining member until a second distance between the retaining member and the base is greater than the height of the panel;    placing the panel in a vertical position on the base in a support of the rack aligned with the retaining member; and    lowering the retaining member to engage and retain the panel.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the flexible arm remains at least partially bent after the step of lowering the retaining member.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the flexible arm includes a connecting member with a slot defined therein, the slot slidably receiving a vertical bar of the rear structure, and the step of sliding the flexible arm includes sliding the connecting member with respect to the vertical bar.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising a step of locking a height of the flexible arm with respect to the rear structure by inclining the connecting member to bring walls defining the slot into frictional contact with the vertical bar such as to prevent the sliding of the connecting member.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the flexible arm remains at least partially bent after the step of lowering the retaining member, forcing the inclination of the connecting member to lock the flexible arm against the panel.