Shelving System and Improved Support Post for Same

Abstract

Improved support posts are disclosed for shelving systems comprising one or more shelves spaced and supported by the support posts. Improved shelving systems comprising such support posts also are disclosed. The disclosed support posts have strengthening ribs extending longitudinally along their inside surface. The improved support posts and shelving systems incorporating the improved support posts have greater strength and rigidity with little added cost or weight of material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shelving assembly comprising multiple shelves and multiple support posts supporting and spacing the shelves from each other, wherein each of at least some of the shelves has a plurality of sockets, each socket being configured to receive an end of a corresponding one of the support posts, and wherein each of at least some of the posts is a tubular post with an outside surface, an inside surface, and multiple, circumferentially spaced, strengthening ribs extending longitudinally along the inside surface of the post. 
     
     
         2 . The shelving assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the support posts is a tubular post with an outside surface, an inside surface, and multiple, circumferentially spaced, strengthening ribs extending longitudinally within the post along the inside surface of the post. 
     
     
         3 . The shelving assembly of  claim 1  wherein the cross-sectional size and shape of each of the tubular posts is uniform along its entire length. 
     
     
         4 . The shelving assembly of  claim 1  wherein the outside surface of each of the tubular posts is smooth and uniformly circular in cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         5 . The shelving assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the tubular posts consists of a unitary extruded plastic tube. 
     
     
         6 . The shelving assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the strengthening ribs of each tubular post extends radially toward the centerline of the tubular post a distance less than the circumferential dimension of the strengthening rib. 
     
     
         7 . The shelving assembly of  claim 1  wherein all of the strengthening ribs of each tubular post have the same size and configuration and are spaced uniformly around the circumference of the inside surface of the tubular post. 
     
     
         8 . The shelving system of  claim 1  wherein all of the tubular posts have the same size and shape. 
     
     
         9 . A support post for supporting a shelf in a shelving assembly comprising multiple shelves and multiple support posts, wherein the support post is tubular with an outside surface, an inside surface, and multiple, circumferentially spaced, strengthening ribs extending longitudinally along the inside surface of the post. 
     
     
         10 . The support post for supporting a shelf in a shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cross-sectional size and shape of the tubular posts is uniform along its entire length. 
     
     
         11 . The support post for supporting a shelf in a shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the outside surface of the tubular posts is smooth and uniformly circular in cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         12 . The support post for supporting a shelf in a shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the tubular posts consists of a unitary extruded plastic tube. 
     
     
         13 . The support post for supporting a shelf in a shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein each of the strengthening ribs of the tubular post extends radially toward the centerline of the tubular post a distance less than the circumferential dimension of the strengthening rib. 
     
     
         14 . The support post for supporting a shelf in a shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein all of the strengthening ribs of the tubular post have the same size and configuration and are spaced uniformly around the circumference of the inside surface of the tubular post.