RACK AND SHELVING SYSTEM, AND METHOD AND APPARATUSRACK AND SHELVING SYSTEM, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF

摘要

A novel method and apparatus is disclosed for the production of single plane ladder-type rack strip material in which wire cross bar elements are Tee-welded to the inside surface portions of opposed, parallel side elements formed of similar wire material. The welding procedure involves contacting the cross bar element centrally with an electrode of a first polarity and contacting the wire side elements on opposite sides with electrodes of a second polarity. During the welding operation, current flows substantially equally from the first electrode in opposite directions through the opposite weld interfaces to the opposed second electrodes. By observing physical symmetry in the electrical supply at opposite sides, equalization of current flow is optimized so that the emerging rack strip product is flat and straight, suitable for commercial marketing. By forming the rack strip elements in a single plane, the elements can be formed into a wide variety of modular components for the assembly of a variety of useful rack and shelving structures. Novel forms of mounting and connecting blocks are also disclosed.