Adaptable bracket assembly for facilitating storehouse flue space

Abstract

The general purpose of the new vertical adaptable bracket assembly is to provide a pallet rack load stop system wherein a novel bracket combines with existing beams to easily create a load stop for use on all storage levels of pallet racks, including at top-level near fire sprinkler system components where specified clearance is required by law.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An adaptable bracket assembly for facilitating storehouse flue space, comprising:
 a first end unit for attachment to a horizontal pallet rack beam, said first end unit having a top and two sides—and inner and an outer side—and said first end means having a horizontal beam attachment means;   a second end unit for attachment to one or more vertical beams, such as vertical pallet rack beams or Unistrut channels, said second end unit having two parallel sides positioned at least 3 inches relative to one another, each side being a plate and each said plate having a plurality of holes complimentary to those of the opposing plate, said holes being large enough to accommodate ⅜-inch bolts; and   a connection means for connecting the first and second end units to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The adaptable bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the inner side of the first end unit contains one or more bolt holes and the second end unit further comprises a third plated side being attached perpendicularly to said sides, said third side having bolt holes complementary to those of said inner side of the first end unit; and the connection means being one or more bolts connecting the first and second end means through said complementary bolt holes. 
     
     
         3 . The adaptable bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the connection means is welding, where the two sides of the second end unit are welded perpendicularly to the outside vertical edges of the inner side of the first end means. 
     
     
         4 . The adaptable bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is a bolt-on means, where the inner and outer sides of the first end unit are each of such a length that they extend below a standard horizontal pallet rack beam when the adaptable bracket assembly is in use, and wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is one or more corresponding bolt-size hole in each of the two sides of the first end unit. 
     
     
         5 . The adaptable bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is a clip-on means, where the outer side of the first end means is of a length approximately equal to the width of a standard horizontal pallet rack beam and where a horizontal flange is attached longitudinally and perpendicularly to the bottom edge of the outer side, such that the flange extends toward the inner side of the first end means. 
     
     
         6 . The adaptable bracket assembly of  claim 5  further comprising bumpers, which may be rubber or foam or a comparable substance, and which are adhered to the inside surfaces of the inner and outer sides of the first end unit. 
     
     
         7 . The adaptable bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is a clamp-on means, where a clamp having a clamping mechanism and a receiving mechanism each attached to the bottom portion of either the inner side or outer side of the first end unit and positioned such that the clamping mechanism can be secured to the receiving mechanism.