WELDLESS SHELF SUPPORT BEAMS AND SHELVING UNITS UTILIZING SAME
A shelf support beam for use in a shelving unit to support a shelf. The support beam includes a first end and a second end at opposite longitudinal ends of the shelf support beam between which a structural member extends. The structural member has a C-shaped cross-section and includes a web separating a top flange configured to support the shelf from a bottom flange. The support beam further includes a tab located at each of the first and second ends of the structural member. Each tab includes a pair of securing fingers that are angled relative to a plane disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shelf support beam such that each securing finger is angled inwardly toward a center of the structural member. The support beam further includes an enforcement tab formed in the web at each of the first and second ends of the structural member.
1 . A method of manufacturing a shelf support beam for use in a shelving unit to support a shelf, comprising:
cutting a blank from a sheet of material, the blank comprising a body that extends between a first end and an opposite second end and including a tab located at each of the first and second ends;
punch-forming at least one securing finger in each tab; and
roll-forming the body of the blank into a structural member of the shelf support beam with a roll-forming machine, the structural member comprising a C-shaped cross-section and including a web separating a top flange that is configured to support the shelf from a bottom flange;
wherein the at least one securing finger is punch-formed before the body of the blank is roll-formed.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising punch-forming the at least one securing finger including a stiffening rib in each tab.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one securing finger comprises a pair of securing fingers.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising punch-forming an enforcement tab in the body of the blank at each of the first and second ends before the body of the blank is roll-formed.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the roll-forming machine includes one or more grooved rolls, the method further comprising:
receiving the at least one securing finger by the grooved rolls.