Storage Rack Connector Bracket and Stabilizer - (SafeRacks & other brands with 1 Inch /25.4mm diameter pipes)

This design includes three sizes of connecting brackets for storage racks or shelves used in garages, kitchens, restaurants, storage rooms, etc., and which have metal frame tubes/pipes that are 1 inch (25.4mm) in diameter. These brackets serve two functions:

• They hold together two adjacent racks, to provide more stability linking two or more racks together; and
• They add strength and load capacity for individual shelf brackets by acting as stops to reduce the chance of a shelf bracket failing at the connecting point due to excessive loads on the shelf (many of these style shelving units have weight restrictions; some as low as 50 lbs./28 kg), though this claim of adding additional load capacity has not been tested and is only an assumption.

These racks are commonly sold in this diameter pipe in North America. This model was specifically designed to fit SafeRacks brand racks that are sold in Costco warehouses in the U. S. All three designs hold the racks close together, but maintain a 1-2mm gap to prevent metal on metal contact/touch points (quieter when loading/unloading shelves).

There are three models, depending on the thickness of the body material and the screw length needed, as follows:

• 5 x 30mm (assumed strongest design) - cap screw head and nut are recessed or inset.
• 5 x 20mm (assumed medium strength design) - cap screw head is exposed, the nut is recessed or inset.
• 5 x 16mm (assumed lightest strength design) - cap screw head and nut are mostly recessed or inset.

Note: as is common with measuring screws and bolts, the listed measurement refers to the length of the threads (and shank, if not fully threaded), not the full length, which includes the head, typically, the head of a hex cap head screw will measure an additional 4-5mm.

Although the 5x16mm model is considered to be the ‘weakest’ design, it is still sufficiently strong. I installed all three sizes and they all seem sufficiently strong for their intended use. I installed the 5x30mm size on my racks, but after printing out and installing the other sizes (for the photo), I think that in hindsight I would have gone for the 5x16mm size. They print faster, used less filament, and I think the overall design goes better with the rounded pipes and hardware of the rack.

I printed with PETG at 100% infill with no supports.