Shelving Support Bracket for a Storage Rack

Abstract

A support bracket configured to be detachably connected to a vertical support post of a shelving unit and a crossbeam extending between two shelving units is provided. In one embodiment, the support bracket includes a first body portion having a front surface and a rear surface, a second body portion having a front surface and a rear surface, at least one interlocking member extending rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion, the at least one interlocking member configured to detachably engage at least one of a plurality of openings in the vertical support member, and at least one aperture in the second body portion, the at least one aperture configured to detachably receive at least one interlocking member on the crossbeam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support bracket configured to be connected to a vertical support post of a shelving unit and a crossbeam, the support bracket comprising:
 a first body portion having a front surface and a rear surface;   a second body portion having a front surface and a rear surface;   at least one interlocking member extending rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion, the at least one interlocking member configured to detachably engage at least one of a plurality of openings in the vertical support post; and   at least one aperture in the second body portion, the at least one aperture configured to detachably receive at least one interlocking member on the crossbeam.   
     
     
         2 . The support bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first body portion is substantially co-planar with the second body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The support bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first body portion is coupled to the second body portion along an adjoining portion. 
     
     
         4 . The support bracket of  claim 3 , wherein the first body portion is non-planar with the second body portion, and wherein the adjoining portion defines a step between the first and second body portions. 
     
     
         5 . The support bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interlocking member comprises an upper interlocking member and a lower interlocking member, each of the interlocking members comprising:
 a shaft having a first diameter protruding rearward from the first body portion, the shaft having an interconnected end coupled to the first body portion and a free end opposite the interconnected end; and   a head having a second diameter coupled to the free end of the shaft, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.   
     
     
         6 . The support bracket of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one aperture in the second body portion comprises an upper aperture and a lower aperture, the upper aperture comprising an arcuate notch in an upper edge and the lower aperture comprising a keyhole-shaped opening. 
     
     
         7 . The support bracket of  claim 5 , wherein the interconnected ends of the shafts are plastically deformed to couple the interlocking members to the first body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The support bracket of  claim 5 , wherein welds couple the interconnected ends of the shafts to the first body portion. 
     
     
         9 . A system configured to convert a space between a first storage rack and a second storage rack into usable storage space, each storage rack comprising front vertical support members and rear vertical support members, the system comprising:
 a front crossbeam having opposing ends, each of the opposing ends of the front crossbeam having at least one interlocking member;   a rear crossbeam having opposing ends, each of the opposing ends of the rear crossbeam having at least one interlocking member;   first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, each support bracket comprising:
 a first body portion having a front surface and a rear surface; 
 a second body portion having a front surface and a rear surface; 
 at least one interlocking member extending rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion, the at least one interlocking member configured to detachably engage at least one of a plurality of openings in the vertical support members; and 
 at least one aperture in the second body portion, the at least one aperture configured to detachably receive at least one of the interlocking members on the crossbeams. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the first body portion is substantially co-planar with the second body portion. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the first body portion is coupled to the second body portion along an adjoining portion. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the first body portion is non-planar with the second body portion, and wherein the adjoining portion defines a step between the first and second body portions. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth support brackets, the at least one interlocking member comprises an upper interlocking member and a lower interlocking member, each of the interlocking members comprising:
 a shaft having a first diameter protruding rearward from the body portion, the shaft having an interconnected end coupled to the first body portion and a free end opposite the interconnected end; and   a head having a second diameter coupled to the free end of the shaft, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one aperture in the second body portion comprises an upper aperture and a lower aperture, the upper aperture comprising an arcuate notch in an upper edge and the lower aperture comprising a keyhole-shaped opening. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the upper and lower interlocking members on the first support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the front vertical support members of the first storage rack;   the upper and lower interlocking members on the second support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the front vertical support members of the second storage rack;   the at least one interlocking member on one of the opposing ends of the front crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the first support bracket;   the at least one interlocking member on the other one of the opposing ends of the front crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the second support bracket;   the upper and lower interlocking members on the third support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the rear vertical support members of the first storage rack;   the upper and lower interlocking members on the fourth support bracket are detachably connected to two keyhole-shaped openings in one of the rear vertical support members of the second storage rack;   the at least one interlocking member on one of the opposing ends of the rear crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the third support bracket; and   the at least one interlocking member on the other one of the opposing ends of the rear crossbeam is detachably connected to the upper and lower apertures in the fourth support bracket.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a shelf supported by the front and rear crossbeams.