AU2015201181A1

AU2015201181A1 - A pallet shelving, storage and retrieval arrangement and a method of handling palleted items within a warehouse

Info

Publication number: AU2015201181A1
Application number: AU2015201181A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lance Malcolm Vater
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-06
Filing date: 2015-03-06
Publication date: 2015-09-24
Also published as: AU2021102796A4

Abstract

A pallet shelving arrangement including a shelf structure with a lateral breadth of at least two pallets. A pallet carrying dolly supportable on respective opposing rails of a track arrangement with the shelving, such that when the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is supported on the track arrangement and a first pallet is placed on the pallet carrying dolly arrangement at a front access side of the shelf structure, the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is slidable upwards along an incline of the track arrangement to at least a depth of one pallet to allow for a second pallet to be storable in front of the first pallet within the shelf structure. I~ftl31W CA___ I0 Rs * -

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE 2015201181 - There are 11 pages of Drawings - The page numbering starts with "2" A PALLET SHELVING, STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL ARRANGEMENT AND A METHOD OF HANDLING PALLETED ITEMS WITHIN A WAREHOUSE TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD [001] This invention relates to a unique integrated shelving, storage and retrieval arrangement and more particularly to a pallet shelf arrangement that will enable optimum use of space within a warehouse such that the number of vertically stackable pallets stored within the shelving arrangement can be maximised given the available floor area within the warehouse. BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION [002] It is well recognised in the industry that storage space is of prime importance and pallets within the warehouse need to be arranged to maximise the total number of items storable within any given floor area but also done so efficiently and capabilities for placement and retrieval of the pallet goods. [003] For the most part pallets are moved throughout the warehouse by way of forklifts, hand trucks or similar other material handling devices which for the most part have a pair of generally parallel tines which are inserted beneath the support deck of the pallet, allowing the pallet to be lifted, transported and placed into various shelving levels within the constructed shelfing arrangement of the warehouse. [004] For the conventional warehouse these kinds of pallet shelving arrangements include a rack system with a number of horizontal shelves with a depth of a standard pallet or thereabouts, wherein then the pallets are vertically arranged by placing them onto the shelves, one above the other. [005] Vertically stacking pallets, as would be expected, will increase the number of pallets storable in a given floor area. Nonetheless as these conventional rack systems are simply a pallet wide, or double if rear and front 2 access is available, as one moves across the floor area of the storage facility, laneways need to be created so that the forklifts and so forth can move along the respective aisles to access the pallets within the requisite racking and/or shelving. [006] It would be advantageous to be able to better utilise these individual levels of the shelving arrangement to support more than just the single pallet. [007] While it may be possible to increase the depth of the shelving arrangement so as to accommodate two or more pallets back to back, problems arise when trying to place the pallet in position within a shelving arrangement with increased depth when the locating of that pallet will be greater than a single pallet, if the tines of the forklift are to get access to the pallet. [008] The reason being is that it is the tines of the forklift that need to extend the pallet out and insert it into the shelf structure. [009] For the most part these tines are of a length comparable with the size of a standard pallet which in the industry is an appropriate thing given that it would be risk adverse for forklift trucks to have extended forklift tines sticking way out beyond the pallet as the forklift manoeuvres its way throughout the warehouse. [010] Therefore there needs to be a way in which pallets can be positioned within horizontal shelving of the overall rack arrangement within the warehouse at a greater depth than just the conventional one pallet, so that not only can pallets be vertically stacked one upon the other in separate horizontal shelves but they can also be at depths beyond just the single first pallet within the respective horizontal shelves. [011] Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide for a pallet shelf arrangement that will allow storage and retrieval of pallets within horizontal shelving beyond the depth of a single pallet dimension from an access side of the shelving wherein the manoeuvring and effective positioning of pallets at a 3 depth of greater than a conventional pallet within the horizontal shelves of the racking arrangement will be done so efficiently and with the capabilities of storage at a higher density than would otherwise be expected to be stored using conventional racking arrangements in a given floor area within a warehouse. [012] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a complete reading of the following specification. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [013] In one form of the invention there is provided a pallet shelving arrangement, said arrangement including; [014] a shelf structure having a plurality of vertical support posts spaced adjacently in at least a parallel front access side and a parallel rear storage side wherein each vertical spaced post of the front access side is aligned with a corresponding vertical support post of the rear storage side; [015] a lateral breadth for the shelf structure between respective vertical support posts of the front access side and the rear storage side of at least a two pallet length; [016] a pair of horizontal depth support beams, wherein each horizontal depth support beam is clampable between corresponding front access side and the rear storage side vertical support posts; [017] a series of cross member beams supported on the pair of horizontal depth support beams; [018] said cross member beams providing support for a track arrangement wherein said track arrangement includes two opposing rails configured along the lateral breadth dimension between the respective front access side and the rear storage side vertical upright support posts, said series of cross member beams supported on the pair of horizontal depth support beams at an 4 incremental elevation relative to another cross member beam so as to place the opposing rails of the track arrangement at an incline between the front access side and the rear storage side vertical support posts, [019] a pallet carrying dolly arrangement including a frame structure supporting a pair of wheels on each side of the frame structure, wherein each pair of wheels are supportable on respective opposing rails of the track arrangement, such that when the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is supported on the track arrangement and a first pallet is placed on the pallet carrying dolly arrangement at the front access side of the shelf structure, the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is slidable upwards along the incline of the track arrangement to at least a depth of one pallet to allow for a second pallet to be storable in front of the first pallet within the shelf structure. [020] In preference the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is slidable upwards along the incline of the track arrangement to at least a depth of one pallet within the shelf structure by being pushed by the tines of a forklift. [021] In preference the pallet carrying dolly arrangement includes a brake arrangement to prevent the pallet carrying dolly arrangement from sliding off the track arrangement and/or from sliding back from the rear storage side of the shelving structure. [022] In preference the pallet carrying dolly arrangement brake arrangement includes an extension piece from frame structure of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement that is adapted to engage a cross member beam wherein the engagement between the extension piece of the frame structure and the cross member beam prevents any further slidable movement of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement. [023] In preference the series of cross member beams supported on the pair of horizontal depth support beams at an incremental elevation relative to another cross member beam so as to place the opposing rails of the track arrangement 5 at an incline between the front access side and the rear storage side vertical support posts includes a plurality of prop supports, wherein the prop supports height placed on each cross member beam are incrementally greater from the front access side to the rear storage side of the shelf structure. [024] An advantage of such an arrangement is that the storage facility of this improved pallet shelving arrangement will not only rely upon optimising floor space with conventional vertical stacking of pallets one upon the other within discreet horizontal shelves, but advantageously the depth of each horizontal shelf will be able to be extended beyond that conventional depth of a single pallet, as rather than being restricted by the length of the forklift tines being able to lift a pallet at a greater depth beyond the single pallet dimension, in this unique storage facility shelving arrangement, a pallet can first of all be placed upon the pallet carrying dolly where the track arrangement will then allow the pallet to be pushed away from that front position within the horizontal shelf thereby keeping that space then available for a further pallet to be then positioned in. [025] The conventional forklift or other material handling device that requires the use of tines engaging the pallet will not need to be modified in any way and there will be no unnecessary requirement of having to access a pallet rack from both the front and the rear of the shelfing structure because through this unique arrangement that has the track and the pallet carrying dolly included, it is now possible to push the pallet positioned upon the dolly away from the front of the horizontal shelf thereby making that front location available for the subsequent placement of another pallet. [026] Advantageously the depth of shelving can now be increased well beyond the conventional requirements that are restricted by the ability of the forklift tines being able to reposition the pallet appropriately within the horizontal shelves. 6 [027] The ability to incorporate a track arrangement utilising the pallet carrying dolly means that pallets can be positioned upon the track and dolly arrangement and pushed away from the front of the horizontal shelves. [028] As the actual depth of the shelving arrangement now can be increased, there is no need for so many laneways and aisles between rows of shelving where pallets are stored. [029] The track and the pallet carrying dolly will allow simple manoeuvring and proper positioning of the pallets at a depth of greater than one conventional pallet within the horizontal shelving of the overall shelf structure which will increase warehouse efficiency and improved capabilities allowing storage of high density palleted product than would otherwise be expected. [030] An advantage of such an arrangement is that by introducing an inclined orientation will allow for the pallet carrying dolly once it is pushed back to a depth beyond a conventional pallet to then be rollable back out under the general force of gravity rather than any drive means when the pallet needs to be retrieved at a later time. The brake arrangement prevents the pallet carrying dolly arrangement however sliding off the track arrangement. [031] In an alternative form of the invention rather than having props that create the incline for the tracking arrangement the depth support members connecting the laterally aligned corresponding vertical support posts of the front access side and the rear storage side are slightly inclined. [032] In preference the pallet carrying dolly includes a raised support so that the pallet can be aligned when it is on the track arrangement so that the pallet does not rest or be stored at an incline. [033] Advantageously the introduction of this additional raised support on the pallet carrying dolly counteracts the effect of the incline which has been introduced into the tracking arrangement. 7 [034] A tilted forward pallet may not only look unsightly but it can also once again waste valuable back to back storage space by tilting forward and hence by introducing the raised support upon the pallet carrying dolly so as raise the pallet at one end slightly to the other end will compensate for the inclines so that the pallet and its contents rest substantially flat upon the pallet carrying dolly. [035] In preference there is a series of intermediate vertical support posts between the corresponding aligned vertical support posts of the front access side and the rear storage side of the shelf structure. [036] As is to be expected, as the depth of the horizontal shelf increases in order to maintain integrity of a load bearing overall shelf structure, further intermediate vertical support posts can be included as part of the shelf structure. [037] In preference each vertical support post, depth support member, cross beam member and the rails of the track arrangement are of the same configuration. [038] In preference each vertical support post, depth support member, cross beam member and the rails of the track arrangement have a cylindrical tubing shape configuration. [039] Advantageously, the shelving structure as well as the actual track arrangement itself can all be formed from the same tubing and piping arrangement wherein each vertical support member, depth support member or cross member of the track arrangement can be cut and assembled as required from the same tubing or piping. [040] In preference each wheel of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement includes a peripheral rim profile that matches the peripheral profile of the cylindrical tubing shape configuration of the rails of the track arrangement to which said wheels slide thereupon. 8 [041] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the shelving arrangement is such that each horizontal shelf is accessible via a forklift from the front access side and rear storage side of a row of shelving and wherein the depth of each horizontal shelf would be at least three or more pallets in size. [042] As introduced above, while a horizontal shelf could be of a depth of two pallet widths, wherein a forklift would have to access the front or rear side as the tines of a conventional forklift will only allow engaging the pallet at a depth of one pallet, in this preferred embodiment the tracking arrangement would allow for a pallet to be placed on one side of the row of shelving to then be pushed across along the tracking system towards the other side, so effectively there can be a whole backlog of pallets resting on a corresponding pallet carrying dolly being pushed along the tracking arrangement throughout a horizontal level of the shelving structure from one side to the other wherein advantageously then the horizontal shelving arrangement accessible from both the front and the rear can be of a depth of greater than simply two conventional pallet widths. [043] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a series of preferred embodiments will be presented with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [044] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the pallet being slide from the front access side into the storage side of the shelf structure. [045] Figure 2 is a top view of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention. [046] Figure 3 is a side view of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement and notably the brake arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 9 [047] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a further preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [048] Figures 1 illustrates part of a shelf structure shown generally as (10). The front access side vertical support posts (12) are aligned with corresponding rear storage side vertical support posts (14). [049] Vertical support posts (12) and (14) are aligned parallel across as a front row side (11) and the rear storage side (13) by way of the depth support beam members (16) that interconnects the rear and front rows of the vertical support posts (12) and (14). [050] While not shown intermediate support posts that can be included along the depth and the amount of intermediate vertical support posts that would link the laterally aligned vertical support posts (12) and (14) of the front access and the rear storage will be dependent on the actual depth of the horizontal shelving arrangement which in the preferred embodiment discussed with respect to Figure 1 has a depth to accommodate two pallets wherein no rear access is available to a forklift due from the rear storage side (13). [051] As will be discussed in greater detail in relation to Figure 4, a depth in each horizontal shelving of three or more pallets across the lateral depth of the horizontal shelving at each level can be made when rear and front access by a forklift or the like is available. [052] The introduction of the tracking arrangement which in the preferred embodiment includes rails (22) and (24), which in this embodiment are of the same configuration as the associated vertical support posts (12) (13), depth support posts (16) and cross members (17) (18) and (19) to which the track arrangement rails (22) and (24) rest thereupon, these rails (22) and (24) allow the load bearing dolly shown generally as (26) and the respective wheels (28) to 10 rest thereupon the rails (22) and (24) so that when the pallet (9) is placed upon the pallet carrying dolly (26) the pallet (9) can then be slid along the rails (22) and (24) so as to be originally placed from the from access side (11) towards the rear storage side (13) shown generally by way of arrow (21). [053] Using conventional material handling equipment for pallets that would rely upon forklifts having tines of restricted dimensions would not allow the lifting of the pallet (9) beyond one general pallet dimension. [054] Advantageously with this invention, through the unique use of the track arrangement that includes the rails (22) and (24) which can engage with the wheels (28) of the dolly (26) which is supporting the pallet (9) thereon, the pallet with its stacked goods positioned on the pallet carrying dolly (26) can be slid back away from the front section of the shelving arrangement so that a further pallet can then rest there in front of the pallet (9). [055] In this embodiment the cross member beam members (18) and (19) include incremental height props (27) and (29) to put the incline into the rails (22) and (24). [056] Figures 2 and 3 show views of the pallet carrying dolly (26). The frame (31) supports the wheels (28). The extension shown as (32) act as a brake engaging arm when on the track arrangement by engaging with the cross member beam so to prevent the pallet carrying dolly (26) from sliding off the track arrangement. Levelling blocks or segments shown by way of (33) and (34) can assist to level the pallet on the pallet carrying dolly (26) when the pallet carrying dolly (26) is on the incline of the track arrangement. [057] It needs to be kept in mind that the track arrangement could include any type of combination between the wheel and the rails but in the preferred embodiment the peripheral profile (35) of the wheels (28) matches the peripheral profile of the rails of the track arrangement. 11 [058] A variety of configurations can exist but what is essential to this invention is the simple reliance on a pair of rails which are able to support the wheels of the pallet carrying dolly so that a pallet can be slid away from the front section of the horizontal shelving of an overall shelf structure so as to allow another pallet to be placed there in front. [059] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4 the general idea of the invention is expanded upon further wherein the overall shelf structure shown as a section generally with the number (40) would include a series of support posts (41) and (43) which make up a whole series of interconnected columns, each having their own horizontal shelves as you move up vertically along the columns making up the row of shelving. [060] Nonetheless the actual depth of each column for every horizontal shelf can be increased well and above those from conventional shelving arrangements due to the introduction of the track arrangement (47), which will allow pallets (51), (52), (53) and (54) positioned upon the respective pallet carrying dolly (46) being able to be slid across the depth of the horizontal shelving represented by arrows (42) and (44) from one side (48) to the other (49) and so forth in this further embodiment of the invention. 12

Claims

1. A pallet shelving arrangement, said arrangement including; a shelf structure having a plurality of vertical support posts spaced adjacently in at least a parallel front access side and a parallel rear storage side wherein each vertical spaced post of the front access side is aligned with a corresponding vertical support post of the rear storage side; a lateral breadth for the shelf structure between respective vertical support posts of the front access side and the rear storage side of at least a two pallet length; a pair of horizontal depth support beams, wherein each horizontal depth support beam is clampable between corresponding front access side and the rear storage side vertical support posts; a series of cross member beams supported on the pair of horizontal depth support beams; said cross member beams providing support for a track arrangement wherein said track arrangement includes two opposing rails configured along the lateral breadth dimension between the respective front access side and the rear storage side vertical upright support posts, said series of cross member beams supported on the pair of horizontal depth support beams at an incremental elevation relative to another cross member beam so as to place the opposing rails of the track arrangement at an incline between the front access side and the rear storage side vertical support posts; a pallet carrying dolly arrangement including a frame structure supporting a pair of wheels on each side of the frame structure, wherein each pair of wheels are supportable on respective opposing rails of the track arrangement, such that when the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is supported on the track 13 arrangement and a first pallet is placed on the pallet carrying dolly arrangement at the front access side of the shelf structure, the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is slidable upwards along the incline of the track arrangement to at least a depth of one pallet to allow for a second pallet to be storable in front of the first pallet within the shelf structure.

2. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 1 wherein the pallet carrying dolly arrangement is slidable upwards along the incline of the track arrangement to at least a depth of one pallet within the shelf structure by being pushed by the tines of a forklift.

3. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 2 wherein the pallet carrying dolly arrangement includes a brake arrangement to prevent the pallet carrying dolly arrangement from sliding off the track arrangement and/or from sliding back from the rear storage side of the shelving structure.

4. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 3 wherein the pallet carrying dolly arrangement brake arrangement includes an extension piece from frame structure of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement that is adapted to engage a cross member beam wherein the engagement between the extension piece of the frame structure and the cross member beam prevents any further slidable movement of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement.

5. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 1 wherein the series of cross member beams supported on the pair of horizontal depth support beams at an incremental elevation relative to another cross member beam so as to place the opposing rails of the track arrangement at an incline between the front access side and the rear storage side vertical support posts includes a plurality of prop supports, wherein the prop supports height placed on each cross member beam are incrementally greater from the front access side to the rear storage side of the shelf structure. 14

6. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 1 wherein the pallet carrying dolly arrangement includes a prop or member at one end, and/or a pair of props or members at opposing ends of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement so that the pallet through the use of the prop or member at one end, and/or a pair of props or members at opposing ends can be configured so that the pallet does not rest or be stored at an incline while on the pallet carrying dolly arrangement.

7. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 1 wherein there is a series of intermediate vertical support posts between the corresponding aligned vertical support posts of the front access side and the rear storage side of the shelf structure.

8. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 1 wherein each vertical support post, depth support member, cross beam member and the rails of the track arrangement are of the same configuration.

9. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 8 wherein each vertical support post, depth support member, cross beam member and the rails of the track arrangement have a cylindrical tubing shape configuration.

10. The pallet shelving arrangement of claim 9 wherein each wheel of the pallet carrying dolly arrangement includes a peripheral rim profile that matches the peripheral profile of the cylindrical tubing shape configuration of the rails of the track arrangement to which said wheels slide thereupon. 15