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Device for retaining panelsRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Special Article, PlatelikeDevice for retaining panels description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060196838, Device for retaining panels. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to cases or racks for storing panels, particularly glass panels. The invention also relates to a method for storing said panels. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] Racks for glass panels usually receive the panels leaning against one another in a near-vertical fashion. FIG. 1 illustrates an A-frame and FIG. 2 a L-frame, both of which are well known. When these frames are used with different sized panels, the larger panels are usually placed first against the frame, with progressively smaller panels in front. Because the panels are leaning one against another, getting access to the panels placed at the rear generally involves moving all the panels in front, which increases manipulation time and effort as well as the risk of damaging one or several panels. [0005] U.S. application Ser. No. 10/798,452 filed Mar. 12, 2004 by the applicants of the present application discloses a rack for holding such panels so as to allow access to any panel without the need to displace the other panels. The panels are retained in a vertical position by arms extending from a rear structure, and locking mechanisms are used to maintain the arms in contact with the panels. However, the locking mechanisms add a level of complexity to accessing the panels, and represent movable parts that can require maintenance or repairs. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved rack for storing panels which allows easy access to a desired panel. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved rack for storing panels. [0008] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a rack for storing panels in which retaining members can be locked in place with a simple locking mechanism. [0009] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method for storing panels. [0010] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided 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. [0011] Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of the present invention and in which: [0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a frame for holding panels in accordance with the prior art; [0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second frame for holding panels in accordance with the prior art; [0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rack for holding panels in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially exploded view of an arm and part of the rack of FIG. 3; [0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the arm of FIG. 4, in a locked position without a panel; and [0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of the arm of FIG. 4, showing in plain lines the arm in a locked position prior to engagement to a panel and in broken lines the arm engaged to the panel. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0019] The present invention is an improvement of the rack disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/798,452 filed Mar. 12, 2004 by the applicants of the present application, which is incorporated herein by reference. [0020] Referring to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of a rack for holding panels 11 such as glass sheets or sealed glass panel units is generally indicated at 10. The rack 10 comprises a base 12 supported by four (4) vertical posts 14. The vertical posts 14 are preferably tubular members having a square cross-section. Loop members 16 are provided under the base 12 to be engaged by a fork of a lift truck such as to ease the handling of the rack 10. Two (2) of the vertical posts 14, located at the rear side of the base 12, support a rear structure 18 extending vertically from the base 12. Continue reading about Device for retaining panels... Full patent description for Device for retaining panels Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device for retaining panels patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Device for retaining panels or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Desk organizers Next Patent Application: Consolidated and coordinated gift wrap display Industry Class: Supports: racks ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Device for retaining panels patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13969 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
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