GB2585745A

GB2585745A - Shelving system and commercial vehicle with a shelving system

Info

Publication number: GB2585745A
Application number: GB2005954.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dahner Jürgen; Geiger Bernd
Original assignee: Bott GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Bott GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-04-27
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-23
Also published as: GB2585745B; GB202005954D0

Abstract

A rack system, suitable for installation into a utility vehicle, with a multiplicity of system components 8 which have a front side 8a provided for the operation of the components 8. The system also has at least one rack outer wall 100 having a load-bearing structure composed of a front rack post 5 and a rear rack post 6. At least two system components 8 are fixable to the posts 5,6 in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another. Also disclosed is at least one second rack side wall 1 to which the components 8 are additionally fixable. The posts 5,6 of the wall 100 form in each case one first vertically running fastening surface (101, Figure 3) in order to fix the components 8 in a first orientation such that the front sides 8a are oriented substantially parallel to a front side of the system. Further, the posts 5,6 form one second fastening surface (102, Figure 3) running in an inclined manner to the first surface (101, Figure 1), in order to fix the components 8 in a second orientation such that the front sides 8a are oriented substantially parallel to the outer wall 100.

Description

Rack system and utility vehicle havind a rack system The invention relates to a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, with a multiplicity of system components which have a front side provided for the operation of the system components, and with at least one rack outer wall having a load-bearing structure composed of a front and of a rear rack post, as per the preamble of Claim 1.

The invention furthermore relates to a utility vehicle having a rack system as per the preamble of Claim 29.

Rack systems of this type are commonly used as installation kits for service vehicles for the storage and provision of tools, small parts and the like. In this way, it is the intention to realize efficient working by means of a provision of materials and tools in a manner individually adapted to processes, wherein it is the intention for the available stowage space to be utilized in the most effective manner possible and for the rack system to be as stable as possible.

The rack systems known from practice which are installed in service vehicles are made up of rack side walls, between which system components, such as for example cases, boxes, storage trays, drawers, flaps or the like, are arranged The known rack systems may have two, three or even more rack side walls. This is dependent primarily on the length of the rack system, the provided system components or fixtures, and the raster dimension.

Depending on their positioning in the rack system, the rack side walls are in the form of an outer wall or an intermediate wall. The rack systems, when installed in a utility vehicle, are commonly positioned so as to run along a longitudinal side of the utility vehicle and/or on the rear wall of a driver's cab. Such positioning has proven to be advantageous with regard to the effective utilization of the available space and good operability of the rack system.

The rack systems may have different lengths and thus possibly also different numbers of rack side walls and different heights, wherein the height of a rack system may also vary, in particular may become taller or shorter over an extent.

Depending on the installation situation of the rack system in a utility vehicle, provision may be made whereby the rack system has only one outer wall that is visible to the user, and the other outer wall may adjoin, or is concealed by, a side surface of the utility vehicle.

In addition to the rack system, in the normal situation, standing on and being fixed to the vehicle floor, it is also possible for connecting elements to be provided in order to fix the rack system to a positionally fixed component.

In the context of the invention, if the rack system is fixed in a utility vehicle or more generally in a vehicle, the expression "positionally fixed com-ponent" is to be understood to mean a component fixed to the vehicle, for example a body component, a strut or else a wall panel part fixedly installed on the body, or a correspondingly fixed rail or the like.

It is known from the prior art that the rack side walls have an attachment region, which can perform various functions.

For example, one end of the connecting element may be fixed to the attachment region, whereas the other end of the connecting element is screwed fixedly in position or fixedly to the vehicle. This gives rise to particularly high stability of the rack system if the latter is installed in a vehicle.

The attachment region of the rack side walls may also be used for other purposes.

The attachment region is normally formed on the rear side of the rack side wall, though may basically be provided at any position of the rack side wall, for example also on the front side or on a side surface.

The different installation spaces of individual utility vehicles and the different equipment options make it necessary for the manufacturers of rack systems to stock a relatively large number of different rack side walls in order to allow for the corresponding installation situation or the demands of the customer.

A particular requirement consists in that, not only do the rack systems have different heights, but also the system components used in the rack system are widely varied and can be configured by the customers.

The different installation spaces, the specific demands of the customers and also the different heights and widths that the rack systems may have make it necessary to stock a relatively large number of different rack side walls. This results in corresponding costs.

The prior art has disclosed rack systems, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, which have a multiplicity of system components with a front side for the operation of the system components, for example in order for the system components to be able to be opened and closed or in order for these to be pulled out of and pushed back into the rack system. Such system components may in particular be drawers, boxes, cases, in particular cases for tools and/or small parts, storage trays or flaps. In order to facilitate the work of the user of the rack system to the greatest possible degree, the system components must be positioned on the rack system in order that they are grouped in a sensible manner and easily accessible to the user.

The prior art has disclosed rack systems in which the rack outer wall is formed by a load-bearing structure composed of a front and of a rear rack post. Here, at least two system components are fixable to the rack posts in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another, that is to say above and below one another. Here, at least one second rack side wall is provided, to which the system components are additionally fixed. Here, the second rack side wall may be formed as an intermediate wall or as an outer wall of the rack system. The system components are commonly fixed by each being screwed or riveted in the region of their four corners to the rack outer wall and to the second rack side wall.

In the case of the rack systems from the prior art, it is not imperatively necessary for the system components to be fixed directly to a second rack side wall. Provision may also be made whereby struts, in particular horizontally running struts or shelves, are fixed to the second rack side wall, to which struts or shelves the system components are then fixed. The system components may be fixed directly to the second rack side wall or else via fastening elements, for example fastening angle brackets.

An arrangement of the system components such that they are arranged in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another is to be understood in particular to mean that the system components are arranged in the manner of a tower, wherein other elements, for example struts, or functional elements which have no front side for the purposes of operation may also be arranged vertically between two system components. The rack systems known from the prior art may have a multiplicity of system components which may be arranged both adjacent to one another, in particular if the rack system has one or more intermediate walls, and also one above the other. The rack system may thus have multiple "towers" of system components.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a rack system which permits a particularly variable and efficient arrangement of the system components.

The present invention is also based on the object of providing a utility vehicle having a rack system, which is usable in a particularly advantageous manner.

The object is achieved with regard to the rack system by means of the features of Claim 1 and with regard to the utility vehicle by means of the features of Claim 29.

The rack system according to the invention is particularly suitable for installation into a vehicle, in particular into a utility vehicle.

The rack system according to the invention has a multiplicity of system components which have a front side provided for the operation of the system components. The rack system according to the invention furthermore has a rack outer wall with a load-bearing structure composed of a front and of a rear rack post. At least two system components are fixable or fixed to the rack posts in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another. The rack system furthermore has at least one second rack side wall, to which the system components fixed to the front and rear rack posts of the rack outer wall are additionally fixable or fixed.

According to the invention, provision is made whereby the rack posts of the rack outer wall form in each case one first vertically running fastening surface in order to fix the system components in a first orientation such that the front sides of the system components are oriented substantially parallel to a front side of the rack system, and wherein the rack posts of the rack outer wall form in each case one second fastening surface, running in an inclined manner relative to the first fastening surface, in order to fix the system components in a second orientation such that the front sides of the system components are oriented substantially parallel to the rack outer wall.

The configuration according to the invention of the rack system makes it possible for the system components which have a front side provided for operation to be fixed in at least two orientations in the rack system, such that operation of the system components is possible from a front side of the rack system, or -alternatively -the system components are arranged such that the front side is oriented parallel to the rack outer wall, whereby said system components can be operated from said side of the rack system.

The configuration according to the invention of the rack posts such that they form a first vertically running fastening surface and a second vertically running fastening surface, which fastening surfaces run in an inclined manner with respect to one another, significantly increases the variability of the rack system, and improves operability. The inventors have found that it is advantageous if at least a proportion of the system components can be operated from the rack outer wall and a proportion of the system components can be operated in the conventional manner from the front side of the rack system.

The embodiment according to the invention of the rack posts now makes it possible for the system components to be easily fixed as desired and in accordance with demand, without the need for structural modifications for this purpose.

A demand for fixing the system components in two orientations may occasionally exist in the case of the rack systems, in particular in the case of rack systems that are used in utility vehicles. A particular advantage of the rack system according to the invention consists in that, owing to the fact that the system components are fixed in the second orientation such that the front side of the system components are oriented substantially parallel to the rack outer wall, the rack system can also be operated from outside the utility vehicle. Rack systems are commonly arranged in utility vehicles such that their rear walls run parallel to a longitudinal side of the utility vehicle and a rack outer wall is oriented parallel to, and is covered by, a tailgate or a rear door of the utility vehicle. Provision may also be made whereby the rack systems are arranged parallel to a rear wall of a driver's cab. In this case, the rack outer wall commonly runs parallel to a side wall of the utility vehicle, and is commonly covered by a side door.

If the tailgate or the rear door or the side door of the utility vehicle is opened, the rack outer wall is accessible, and the system components fixed in the second orientation can thus be operated, for example pushed in or pulled out, from outside the vehicle. Such an arrangement may in particular also be suitable for fixing, in the second orientation, system components which are formed as cases, for example as tool cases. Such tool cases can then be easily removed from the rack system, and pushed in again, by the user. For this purpose, the user does not have to climb into the interior space of the utility vehicle, as has hitherto been the case.

An arrangement of system components in the second orientation may also be suitable for other system components which have a front side provided for operation, for example also for drawers for example for small parts or the like.

The rack system according to the invention provides the user with a particularly large amount of freedom with regard to the decision as to how the system components should be fixed.

The configuration according to the invention of the front and of the rear rack posts with a first and a second vertically running fastening surface makes it particularly easily possible for the user to fix the system components in accordance with demand.

Provision is commonly made whereby the system components, in the first and second orientations, are positioned so as to be rotationally offset with respect to one another by in each case 90 degrees, though other angular dimensions are also possible here.

The feature whereby the system components are oriented substantially parallel to the front side of the rack system or substantially parallel to the rack outer wall is to be understood to mean that said system components preferably run parallel to the front side or to the rack outer wall. It is however also possible, in particular owing to tolerances or if a slight angle of preferably at most +1-10 degrees in relation to the front side or the rack outer wall is advantageous for operability, for the front side to run not exactly parallel but only substantially parallel to the front side or to the rack outer wall.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible in particular for the system components, for example drawers, to be planned and installed so as to be alternately offset by 90 degrees.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible for a proportion of the system components, possibly also all system components, which are fixed to the rack outer wall to be positioned such that the system components, for example drawers, can be opened from the outside, that is to say when the user is situated outside the vehicle.

In the context of the invention, provision may be made whereby all system components fixed to the front and to the rear rack post are fixed in the second orientation. Provision may also be made whereby all system components are fixed in the first orientation to the front and to the rear rack post. In the context of the solution according to the invention, it is however suitable in particular for the system components to be fixed in the first and in the second orientation to the front and to the rear rack post.

The configuration according to the invention of the first and of the second vertically running fastening surface makes it possible in particular for guides, for example guide rails, of the system components to be fixed to the first or to the second vertically running fastening surfaces such that the system components are fixable, and correspondingly operable, in the first or in the second orientation. The system components can thus, owing to corresponding fixing of the guides or of the guide rails of the system components, be opened and closed for example in a longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle or transversely with respect thereto.

The guides, in particular guide rails or guide bars, thus run in the first orientation from a front side of the rack system to a rear side of the rack system. In the second orientation, the guides or the guide rails or guide bars run in a longitudinal direction of the rack system, and thus orthogonally with respect to the first orientation.

The formation of guides or guide rails or guide bars is suitable in particular if the system components are drawers, boxes, storage trays or else cases which can be pushed into the rack system in a rail-guided manner.

The rack system according to the invention is commonly positioned in the utility vehicle such that system components, for example drawers, are opened and closed, or operated, in the direction of the interior space. The system components that are fixed in the second orientation are in this case opened and closed, or operated, in the longitudinal direction of the rack system. If the rack system is arranged parallel to the longitudinal wall of the utility vehicle, the system components fixed in the second orientation are operated in the longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle, such that, when a tailgate or rear door is open, a user of the rack system can operate the system components from outside the utility vehicle. If the rack system is arranged on a rear wall of the driver's cab and thus extends orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle, the system components fixed in the second orientation can possibly likewise be operated from outside the utility vehicle if a corresponding side door of the utility vehicle is opened.

The operation, in particular opening or closing or pulling-out or pushing-in, of the system components in the second orientation is preferably performed by means of a movement running orthogonally with respect to the surface of the rack outer wall.

The operation, for example opening or closing or retraction or extension, of the system components that are fixed in the first orientation is preferably performed by means of a movement in a direction orthogonal with respect to the surface of the front side of the rack system.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby multiple system components are arranged in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another, wherein a first group of system components having at least one system component are oriented in the first orientation and a second group of system components having at least one system component are oriented in the second orientation.

Optimum variable utilization of the rack system is achieved by virtue of a first group of system components being fixed in the first orientation and a second group of system components being fixed in a second orientation to the front and to the rear rack post of the rack outer wall. It is preferable for each group of system components to have at least one, particularly preferably at least two, system components.

It is advantageous if the fastening surfaces are formed with bores, arranged in a raster, for the fixing of the system components.

The formation of the fastening surfaces with bores or holes arranged in a raster permits simple and variable fixing of the system components, for which purpose the system components preferably have corresponding rails or bore arrangements, which are preferably of uniform design, or corresponding rails for use with the system components are provided.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the second rack side wall is formed as an intermediate wall or as an outer wall of the rack system and preferably has a load-bearing structure composed of a front and of a rear rack post, wherein the rack posts of the second rack side wall form in each case at least one vertically running fastening surface in order, together with the rack outer wall, to fix at least two system components in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another.

In the context of the solution according to the invention, provision may be made whereby the second rack side wall is formed as an intermediate wall or as an outer wall.

It has proven to be advantageous if the second rack side wall also has a construction composed of a load-bearing structure composed of a front and of a rear rack post, which rack posts each form at least one vertically running fastening surface in order to fix at least two system components in a vertically offset manner, that is to say above and below one another.

The system components arranged in a vertically offset manner on the rack outer wall can thus easily be additionally fixed to the rack posts of the second rack side wall. The system components are preferably fixed in the region of their four corners to the rack posts of the rack outer wall or to the rack posts of the second rack side wall or to the fastening surfaces thereof.

It is alternatively also possible for the second rack side wall to be formed as a single side wall surface and for the system components to be fixed to any desired point on the rack side wall, for example also between the front and rear ends thereof. It has however proven to be suitable if the second rack side wall also has a front and a rear rack post with in each case at least one fastening surface, and the front and the rear rack post form a load-bearing structure of the second rack side wall.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby at least one of the rack posts of the second rack side wall forms, for the fixing together with the rack outer wall, only one vertically running fastening surface to which the system components are, in accordance with their orientation, fixable directly or via a fastening element.

In the context of the invention, provision may be made whereby one or both of the rack posts of the second rack side wall form in each case only one vertically running fastening surface, which serves for the fixing together with the rack outer wall. The system components can then, in accordance with their orientation, be fixed to said one vertically running fastening surface directly or via a fastening element, for example a fastening angle bracket. In the context of this configuration, it may be advantageous if the front and the rear rack post are, in a uniform manner, each formed with exactly only one fastening surface, which serves for the fixing together with the rack outer wall.

The inventors have recognized that, in order to fix the system components in two orientations, it is sufficient for the rack posts of the rack outer wall to have a configuration with two vertically running fastening surfaces. For the second rack side wall, it suffices for the rack post thereof to have only one vertically running fastening surface, which serves for the fixing together with the rack outer wall.

In particular if the second rack side wall is formed as an intermediate wall, the rack posts of the second rack side wall may each also form a further fastening surface, which is in an orientation rotated through 180 degrees and which serves for the fastening of further system components together with a further rack side wall. In this way, a second tower of system components can be fastened.

According to the invention, provision may also be made whereby at least one of the rack posts of the second rack side wall forms a first vertically running fastening surface, in order to fix the system components in the first orientation, and a second vertically running fastening surface, in order to fix the system components in a second orientation.

By virtue of at least one of the rack posts of the second rack side wall, for example the front rack post or the rear rack post, or preferably both rack posts, having a first vertically running fastening surface and a second vertically running fastening surface, the system components can be fixed, preferably fixedly screwed or riveted, directly to the rack posts in the first or in the second orientation. This yields a particularly stable connection, which is furthermore easy for the technician to produce.

An embodiment of the second rack side wall with rack posts which form in each case two vertically running fastening surfaces is suitable in particular if the second rack side wall forms a (second) outer wall of the rack system.

It is advantageous if the second rack side wall, in an embodiment as a rack outer wall, forms a first fastening surface, in order to fix the system components in the first orientation, and a second vertically running fastening surface, in order to fix the system components in the second orientation or in a third orientation, wherein the third orientation is oriented so as to be rotationally offset by 180 degrees in relation to the second orientation, and the front sides of the system components are, in the third orientation, oriented parallel to the second rack side wall.

If the second rack side wall is formed as an outer wall, it is possible, in particular if no further intermediate walls are provided, for provision to be made whereby the second rack side wall formed as outer wall has a first and a second vertically running fastening surface. It is thus possible for the system components to be easily fixed in the intended first and the second orientation. It is furthermore possible for the system components to also be fixed in a third orientation, wherein the system components, in the third orientation, are oriented so as to be rotationally offset by 180 degrees in relation to the second orientation, such that the front sides of the system components are, in a third orientation, oriented parallel to the second rack side wall. Such a rack system can thus have system components which are accessible from the front side of the rack system, and system components which can be operated from both outer walls, preferably in each case rotationally offset with respect to the front side by 90 degrees. A corresponding rack system can thus have system components which are operable from the front and system components which are operable from the left or from the right.

If the rack system is positioned such that the rear side of the rack system is accessible, it is possible, using the first vertically running fastening surfaces, for the system components to also be fixed in a fourth orientation. Here, the rack system is accessible from four sides.

It is basically also possible for the rack system to be positioned with the (second) outer wall at a side wall of the utility vehicle, such that the front side, the rear side and the (first) rack outer wall are accessible. In this case, the rack system can then have system components which are accessible in the first, in the second and in the fourth orientation.

A configuration of particular interest may also arise by virtue of the rack system having two outer walls but no intermediate wall. Here, provision may be made whereby the outer walls have in each case one front rack post and one rear rack post with in each case two fastening surfaces. It is thus possible to equip the rack system with system components which are accessible in up to four orientations, depending on whether the rack system is arranged in a free-standing manner or adjoins one or two side walls of the utility vehicle.

If the second rack side wall is formed as an intermediate wall, provision may be made whereby, in addition to the rack outer wall according to the invention, a second rack outer wall is also provided, which, analogously to the rack outer wall according to the invention, likewise permits an arrangement of the system components in a first or a second orientation, in this case in relation to the second rack outer wall, whereby the rack system is then, as a whole, likewise operable from three orientations.

In the context of the invention, provision may be made whereby a rack system is to be formed with two outer walls and with one or more intermediate walls, wherein the second rack side wall forms an intermediate wall, and is to be positioned in a utility vehicle such that the rack system is accessible from all sides. In this case, provision may then be made whereby at least one of the "towers" of system components, which are fixed to the rack outer walls, are accessible from three sides, that is to say from a front side of the rack system, from a rear side of the rack system and from the rack outer wall. The front parts of the system components are then oriented correspondingly.

Rack systems are commonly preferably positioned at a wall of the utility vehicle. "Free-standing positioning" is less expedient because the stability in the event of a crash is thereby impaired.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the rack system has two outer walls and at least one intermediate wall, wherein the second rack side wall forms the at least one intermediate wall, and at least one of the outer walls is formed by a rack outer wall which has rack posts with first and second fastening surfaces in order to fix the system components in the first and in the second orientation.

The above-stated configuration is particularly suitable for forming a rack system with three or more rack side walls, which form outer walls and intermediate walls.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby both outer walls are formed by a rack outer wall, which rack outer walls have rack posts with first and second fastening surfaces in order to fix the system components in the first and in the second and in a third orientation, wherein the third orientation is oriented so as to be rotationally offset by 180 degrees in relation to the second orientation.

The above-stated construction has proven to be particularly suitable in order to fix system components in the first, in the second and in a third orientation in the case of both outer walls of the rack system.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the rack posts are designed such that system components are fixable to the rack posts from a lower end as far as an upper end.

By means of the above-stated configuration, the entire length of the rack posts and thus the entire height of the rack system can be utilized in order to fix system components.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby panels are fixable entirely or in certain portions between the front rack post and the rear rack post of the rack outer wall and/or of the second rack side wall.

By means of the panels, the rack system is provided with particularly high stability. In particular in the case of the second rack side wall, it is possible, if this is provided as an intermediate wall, for one panel to be provided which extends over the entire length and width of the rack side wall and which is preferably fixed to the rack posts.

In the case of the one or more rack outer walls, provision may be made whereby a panel is used preferably in those regions in which the system components are oriented in the first orientation, that is to say with the front part parallel to the front side of the rack system.

The rack system is thus firstly provided with greater stability, and secondly, that side surface of the system component which runs parallel to the rack outer wall is concealed or covered.

The panel or the panel parts may perform visual and/or stabilizing functions for the rack system.

It is advantageous if the at least one rack outer wall and/or the at least one second rack side wall are formed as pillar profiles.

An embodiment of the rack outer wall and/or of the at least one second rack side wall as a pillar profile has proven to be particularly suitable in order to fix the system components in the first and in the second orientation in accordance with demand. By means of the pillar profile, the rack outer wall or the rack side wall is provided with particularly high stability and an advantageous simple construction, which in particular also reduces the weight of the rack system.

It is advantageous if regions of the fastening surfaces of the rack posts in which the bores are formed have greater wall thicknesses, or a thickening, in relation to those regions of the fastening surfaces in which no bores are formed.

The inventors have recognized that it is sufficient for the rack post to have a greater wall thickness, or a thickening, in the region of the fastening surfaces in which bores are formed. This is not necessary in other regions, such that, in this way, the material costs can be reduced and also the weight of the rack system can be reduced. The greater wall thickness, or the thickening, makes it possible for the screws to be able to be screwed into a correspondingly deeper thread, or for a larger contact area to be provided for riveting or the like.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the second fastening surfaces have in each case at least two different wall thicknesses.

The formation of the fastening surfaces with at least two different wall thicknesses makes it possible for the fastening surface to be formed so as to be thicker in the region in which this is advantageous for stability reasons, in particular in order to fix the system components, in particular by screw connection. A smaller wall thickness can be provided in other regions for the purposes of saving material and weight.

It is advantageous if the system components are formed as drawers, cases, boxes, storage trays or flaps.

The above-stated configuration of the system components is particularly suitable for the solution according to the invention, because such system components typically have a front side which permits operation of the system component.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the system components in the embodiment as drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays comprise guide rails which are fixable to the fastening surfaces in order to fix the drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays in the intended orientation.

The embodiment of the system components with guide rails as presented above is particularly suitable in order to fix the system components to the fastening surfaces in the desired orientation and operate said system components, in particular pivot said system components up and in particular push said system components into and pull said system components out again from the rack system. Here, provision may be made whereby the guide rails are configured such that the system components can be completely removed, in particular if the system components are cases, in particular tool cases or corresponding boxes.

A particularly advantageous construction of the front and/or of the rear rack posts for the rack outer wall and/or possibly the second rack side wall arises from the fact that the fastening surfaces are each formed by an outer wall of the rack post. Here, provision may be made whereby the outer walls, which form the fastening surfaces, are oriented at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to one another and adjoin one another.

The rack posts may preferably be of substantially square or rectangular form as viewed in cross section. Here, two rack posts which adjoin one another may preferably have outer walls which are oriented at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to one another and which form the first and the second fastening surfaces. The other two outer walls of a substantially square or rectangular rack post may be configured in any desired manner. It is also conceivable that the rack post -as viewed in cross section -is bevelled in the corner situated opposite the corner at which the two fastening surfaces converge. Said corner typically forms an outer corner of the rack system, and a bevel in said region thus reduces the space requirement, improves the visual appearance and reduces the risk of a user bumping into the rack system. The two remaining outer walls or further outer wall surfaces may, in particular if a bevel is provided, have further functional regions.

A rack post which substantially has a rectangular or square shape as viewed in cross section is regarded as being substantially rectangular or square even if it has bevelled corners, in particular in the manner presented above.

The rack posts according to the invention for the rack outer wall may preferably be formed as a corner post of the rack system, in particular as a bevelled corner post.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby at least one of the rack posts and/or a profile element arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a horizontal direction has, in an outer wall, an attachment region with a T-shaped slot, wherein the T-shaped slot extends along a longitudinal axis of the rack post and/or of the profile element.

The attachment region with the T-shaped slot may serve for fixing connecting pieces, for example hooks, eyelets, lashing straps, slot nuts, attachment parts, struts, connecting elements or the like.

The T-shaped slot may be a conventional T-shaped slot or else may be a so-called airline rail.

In the context of the invention, provision is preferably made whereby that outer wall of the rack post which is equipped with the T-shaped slot is an outer wall which does not form either of the two fastening surfaces. The T-shaped slot is thus preferably formed in a third outer wall of the rack post, wherein the rack post in turn preferably has a rectangular or square shape as viewed in cross section.

When the rack post has been integrated into the rack system, that outer wall of the rack post which is equipped with the T-shaped slot preferably forms an outer wall of the rack system which runs parallel to the front side of the rack system, or which runs parallel to the rack outer wall, and which is in each case oriented outwards.

It is also possible for both outer walls to be equipped with an attachment region with a T-shaped slot.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby multiple recess arrangements are formed into the outer wall along the T-shaped slot, wherein the recess arrangements each have at least two recesses which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction, wherein the recesses each enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements, there remains a free portion in which no recesses which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot are formed into the outer wall, wherein the free portion has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses of one of the recess arrangements.

By virtue of the fact that multiple recess arrangements are formed into one of the outer walls of the rack post and/or of the profile element along the T-shaped slot, the recess of which recess arrangements in each case enlarges an opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received, it is easily and reliably possible for the T-shaped slot of the attachment region to be used inter alia also for securing a payload. Hooks, eyelets or the like, to which lashing straps are attached or attachable, may be fastened to the connecting pieces which are inserted through the recesses and fixed in the T-shaped slot. The lashing straps may also, in a known manner, be connected directly or integrally to the connecting pieces.

Corresponding connecting pieces, in particular for the securing of payloads, are well known from the prior art. The connecting pieces may preferably be formed as airline fittings, in particular for the securing of payloads.

It is in particular possible for all known fittings that are known in conjunction with airline rails to be used if the recesses are formed as airline holes, which is preferably the case.

By virtue of multiple recess arrangements being formed along the T-shaped slot, wherein a free spacing remains between two adjacent recess arrangements, numerous advantages arise in relation to the prior art The inventors have recognized that, in particular for the securing of payloads, it is not necessary for so-called airline holes to be provided in a close raster, as they are formed in the case of known airline rails. For the securing of payloads, it is sufficient for recesses, for example airline holes, to be provided at relatively large intervals. This reduces the production costs, because, in particular, the formation of the recesses, preferably of the airline holes, is expensive.

The described solution has the advantage that, between the recess arrangements, there remain free portions, remain that is to say portions in which the outer wall does not have any recesses which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot. The T-shaped slot thus remains unchanged in the free portions, such that, in accordance with demand, slot nuts can be inserted into the free portions in order to provide a second alternative fas-tening facility, for example in order to fix accessory parts, stiffening elements, struts or even system components. The solution can thus be universally utilized without the need to accept limitations with regard to the securing of payloads.

A further advantage consists in that the rack posts, which form the load-bearing structure of the rack system, can simultaneously also be used for the securing of payloads, that is to say no additional components are required for this purpose. This can be easily achieved by virtue of rack posts which have a T-shaped slot in an outer wall being equipped with the recess arrangements It is not necessary for all rack posts of the rack outer walls and/or of the second rack side wall to be equipped with the recess arrangements. It may be sufficient, in particular also for the securing of payloads, for a proportion of the rack posts and/or the horizontally running profile element, possibly also multiple profile elements, to be equipped with the recess arrangements. The other rack posts or further profile elements may be of conventional design, preferably such that they likewise have a T-shaped slot, though this is not imperative.

The rack posts and the profile element can be easily stocked in the required lengths. It is furthermore possible for the rack posts and possibly the profile element to be cut to the desired length, such that rack systems with different heights and widths can be easily realized without the need to stock a multiplicity of different rack posts and profile elements.

It is advantageous if the recess arrangements each have exactly two recesses. Such a configuration has proven to be particularly suitable. A formation of two recesses, in particular if these are airline holes, is particularly suitable for receiving the connecting pieces known from the prior art, in particular airline fittings.

Provision may also be made whereby individual recess arrangements also have only one or more than two recesses. The number of recesses of the recess arrangements need not be identical. It is however advantageous if the rack posts and possibly the profile element each have recess arrangements of identical form, preferably each with exactly two recesses. It is furthermore advantageous if the spacing between the recess arrangements is identical in each case.

It is advantageous if the recesses of the recess arrangements each have a diameter of 20 mm and are arranged in a raster of 25 mm.

The above-stated dimensions have proven to be particularly suitable, in particular if the recesses are airline holes. Here, a raster of 25 mm is to be understood to mean the spacing from the central point of one recess to the central point of the adjacent recess of the same recess arrangement, measured in each case in the axial direction or longitudinal direction of the T-shaped slot. It is self-evidently also possible for a larger raster dimension to be selected while maintaining the diameter.

It is advantageous if the spacing between two recess arrangements amounts to at least 50 mm, preferably at least 75 mm and particularly preferably at least 90 mm, and amounts to very particularly preferably 100 mm.

The particularly preferred spacing of 100 mm, wherein a range from 76 mm to 125 mm may also be provided here, has proven to be suitable, because, in this way, it is possible for a relatively large number of recesses, in particular airline holes, to be omitted, without this leading to a relevant limitation with regard to the securing of payloads, in particular with regard to the lashing-down of articles.

It is advantageous if the spacing between two recess arrangements amounts to less than 300 mm, preferably less than 250 mm, furthermore preferably less than 200 mm and very particularly preferably less than 150 mm.

The above-stated maximum spacings that are preferably provided may in particular be combined with the above-stated minimum spacings that are preferably provided so as to form suitable spacing ranges, for example such that the spacing between two recess arrangements amounts to at least 50 mm but less than 300 mm.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby at least one of the front rack posts of the rack system, in particular a rack outer wall, is equipped with the recess arrangements, and/or whereby at least one profile element arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a horizontal direction is equipped with the recess arrangements.

It has been found to be advantageous to utilize in particular the front side of the rack system for the securing of payloads.

By virtue of the front and/or rear rack post having an attachment region, the rack posts are advantageously provided with a further functionality.

The advantageous formation of an attachment region that can be used for the securing of payloads is not limited to this being formed on the front side of the rack system. It is basically possible for the attachment region to be formed at any desired point on the rack posts or on the profile elements, that is to say also laterally or on the rear side.

The profile element may be installed into the rack system so as to run horizontally or diagonally, at an angle or vertically, such that the attachment region also runs correspondingly.

It is advantageous if two front rack posts of the rack system and at least one horizontally running profile element which is arranged on the front side and which is fixed to the two front rack posts form a fastening device, wherein the rack posts and the profile element are each equipped with recess arrangements.

A fastening device that is made up of two front rack posts and of the described vertical profile elements arranged in between is particularly suitable in order to permit the securing of a payload in an individual and flexible manner. Furthermore, the rack posts and the profile element make it possible to additionally also fix yet further attachment elements or also connecting elements to the front side, using slot nuts, for example.

It is advantageous if the rack posts and/or profile elements equipped with the recess arrangements are formed as extruded profiles.

A formation of the rack posts and/or of the profile elements as extruded profiles is particularly suitable, in particular in order to be able to easily provide rack posts and profile elements in different lengths.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the recesses of the recess arrangements are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall.

It has been found that the recesses of the recess arrangements can be formed into the outer wall of the rack posts and/or of the profile elements in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner by virtue of these being milled and/or drilled into the outer wall or into the T-shaped slot.

It is advantageous if two front rack posts of the rack system are connected on the front side of the rack system by means of a horizontally running profile element which is formed as a transverse strut and which is equipped with the recess arrangements.

The rack posts may preferably be formed as extruded profiles, in particular as aluminium extruded profiles.

It is advantageous if an inner surface of the outer wall equipped with the T-shaped slot has, at least in certain portions, two parallel-running webs.

It is furthermore advantageous if a slot nut for insertion into the T-shaped slot is provided, wherein a top side of the slot nut has at least two parallel-running grooves, and the webs on the inner surface of the outer wall engage into the grooves of the slot nut when the slot nut has been installed in the T-shaped slot.

The above-stated configuration is suitable both for rack posts or profile elements which have only a T-shaped slot and for rack posts or profile elements which have a T-shaped slot and additionally recess arrangements.

The inventors have recognized that, by means of a configuration of a slot nut with at least two parallel-running grooves which engage into corresponding parallel-running webs on the inner surface of the outer wall of the T-shaped slot, a particularly stable connection is realized which is suitable for accommodating high forces. The safety of the rack system in the case of use in a utility vehicle, in particular in the event of an accident, is thus greatly increased. Here, not only do the channels in the slot nut lead, in conjunction with the webs on the inner surface of the outer wall, to an increase in stability, but a bending-open of the T-shaped slot or of the opening of the T-shaped slot is also prevented.

The grooves in the slot nut and the webs on the inner surface of the outer wall of the T-shaped slot advantageously form a form fit.

A further advantage of the grooves in the slot nut in conjunction with the webs on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot also consists in that this configuration results in a securing action against undesired rotation or detachment, which is advantageous in particular during driving operation owing to the vibrations arising therein. Furthermore, the grooves in the slot nut and the webs result in a large and stable bearing area.

The webs, which are formed on the inner surface of the outer wall of the T-shaped slot, may also be any desired elevations, in particular also beads.

The slot nut may be used for the installation of any desired components. The slot nut may in particular be used for the installation of connecting elements, for example fastening angle brackets or wall attachment systems, for the fastening of stiffening plates, or else for the attachment of additional components. The slot nut is also particularly suitable for fastening a side wall part, presented in more detail further below, to the rack side wall.

The slot nut makes it possible for the elements that are to be fastened to be fixed in any desired position along the T-shaped slot of the attachment region and to also be easily released again as required.

It is advantageous if the webs are formed on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot such that in each case at least one web runs to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

By virtue of the fact that in each case at least one web runs to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot, the result is a particularly stable connection, and, in particular, a form fit is generated which substantially prevents bending-open of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

It is preferable for two webs to be formed on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot, wherein in each case exactly one web runs to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

It is advantageous if the grooves are formed in the top side of the slot nut such that in each case at least one groove runs to both sides of a threaded bore of the slot nut.

By virtue of the fact that in each case at least one groove runs to both sides of a threaded bore of the slot nut, the result is a particularly good connection to correspondingly arranged webs on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot. Provision is preferably made whereby the slot nut has two grooves, and in each case one groove runs to both sides of the threaded bore of the slot nut.

The grooves are preferably formed in the top side of the slot nut such that the grooves engage into webs on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot, which webs run to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

Provision may be made whereby the slot nut has the shape of a parallelogram in plan view, wherein two opposite first sides have an identical length L1 and two opposite second sides have an identical length L2, and wherein the length L1 is shorter than the length L2, and wherein the angles between adjacent sides do not form a right angle.

A slot nut with the form presented above can be inserted in a particularly advantageous manner into the T-shaped slot by virtue of the slot nut being rotated such that the second long sides L2 run parallel to the opening edges of the T-shaped slot. After being inserted into the T-shaped slot from the front, the slot nut can then be rotated, preferably such that the first short sides L1 of the slot nut lie against opposite side surfaces of the inner wall of the T-shaped slot.

The rotation of the slot nut can be realized in a particularly advantageous manner by virtue of a screw being inserted or screwed into the threaded bore of the slot nut. A rotation of the screw causes the slot nut to initially also rotate until the latter comes to bear, by way of its first (short) sides L1, against the side surfaces of the inner wall of the T-shaped slot, and thus a further rotation of the slot nut is prevented.

The spacing between the two second sides with the length L2, that is to say an orthogonal with respect to the two second sides which has the length L2, is preferably dimensioned so as to be smaller than the width of the opening of the T-shaped slot in the outer wall, though the spacing between the two second sides which has the length L2 is preferably also selected so as to correspond to at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, particularly preferably at least 70%, very particularly preferably at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of the width of the opening. It is ensured in this way that the slot nut can firstly be inserted through the opening in the outer wall into the T-shaped slot, but secondly also that a suitably large bearing area is provided between the slot nut and the inner surface of the outer wall, which bearing area ensures a good introduction of forces from the slot nut into the outer wall.

The oblique form of the slot nut has the effect that, after the rotation of the slot nut into the installed position, an optimized bearing area is available between the slot nut and the outer wall of the rack post or of the profile element. This has proven to be particularly suitable in order to produce a stable and load-bearing connection, which is of particular significance in particular for use in a utility vehicle and in the event of an accident.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the grooves run at least approximately parallel to the two first sides, with the length L1, of the slot nut.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the grooves run parallel to the two first sides, with the length Li, of the slot nut, in order to fix the slot nut in the T-shaped slot in a stable manner. Here, it is also advantageous if the slot nut is configured such that the two first sides lie against side walls in the T-shaped slot, or run at least adjacent and parallel to said side walls, when the grooves engage into the webs of the T-shaped slot.

By virtue of the fact that the grooves run at least approximately parallel, or parallel, to the two first sides, with the length Li, of the slot nut, it is possible, by means of the angle profile between the first sides and the second sides, to set the orientation in which the slot nut is positioned in the T-shaped slot when the grooves engage into the webs. If the first sides run at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the second sides, then it is the case that, when the grooves engage into the webs, the slot nut is oriented in the T-shaped slot such that the second sides run orthogonally between the side walls of the T-shaped slot, and the slot nut thus has an extent in the axial direction of the T-shaped slot, or has a height in the T-shaped slot, which corresponds to the length Li of the first sides. If the first sides run in an inclined manner in relation to the second sides, then the bearing or the contact area between the top side of the slot nut and the inner surface of the outer wall of the rack post or of the profile element is enlarged. Here, the slot nut is arranged in the T-shaped slot in an oblique orientation and thus occupies a greater axial length, or a greater height, in the T-shaped slot.

Provision may be made whereby the two first sides, with the length Li, of the slot nut have a bevel. It is advantageous if the two bevels are formed at two diagonally opposite corners of the slot nut.

A configuration of the slot nut such that the two first sides, with the length 1_1, are equipped with bevels has the effect that the height of the slot nut, that is to say the axial extent of the slot nut in the T-shaped slot, is reduced. It is thereby possible for two slot nuts to be able to be positioned one above the other in a more closely adjacent manner in the T-shaped slot.

An advantage of a slot nut with the described shape of a parallelogram without bevels consists in that, in this way, an optimized bearing area/contact area between the top side of the slot nut and the inner surface of the T-shaped slot is created, whereby the introduction of force is optimized. The connection is thus particularly stable, which is of importance in particular in the event of a crash.

The slot nut may also, in a plan view, have the shape of a rectangle. Such a configuration is expedient in particular if the slot nut can be inserted into the T-shaped slot at a face end of the T-shaped slot. In this case, it is normally not necessary to rotate the slot nut in the T-shaped slot Provision may be made whereby, on the top side of the slot nut, there is formed a pedestal which extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot when the slot nut is fixed in the T-shaped slot.

The formation of a pedestal which extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot has the advantage that the slot nut can additionally be supported on the opening edges of the opening of the T-shaped slot. Here, provision may be made whereby the pedestal first enters the opening of the T-shaped slot when the slot nut is braced or fixed in the T-shaped slot by a fastening means, for example a screw, such that the grooves engage into the webs.

Provision may furthermore be made whereby the slot nut has a width smaller than the width of the opening of the T-shaped slot and the slot nut has a length greater than the width of the opening of the T-shaped slot. By means of this configuration of the slot nut, the slot nut can in a particularly advantageous manner be inserted through the opening of the T-shaped slot into the T-shaped slot and, by means of a rotation in the T-shaped slot, secured against being pulled out again.

It is advantageous if at least one fastening plate is provided which is fixable by the fastening means to the slot nut inserted into the T-shaped slot, and wherein at least one stiffening plate is provided which, at a first side edge, has an angled portion which is insertable into the T-shaped slot, wherein the stiffening plate is, as a result of the fixing of the fastening plate to the slot nut, fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region of the rack post and the bottom side of the fastening plate.

By means of the stiffening plate, it is possible for the rack system to be stabilized in a simple manner. It is preferable for multiple stiffening plates to be installed in a height-offset manner on the rear side of the rack side wall. It is possible for multiple stiffening plates to be inserted into one T-shaped slot.

It is particularly advantageous that, by means of the T-shaped slot and the slot nut, it is possible for the height at which the stiffening plate is to be installed to be set to virtually any desired value. It is thus not necessary to stock a multiplicity of stiffening elements, and it is rather possible for the stiffening plates to be installed at the desired position independently of the installation situation and also independently of the size or height of the rack system.

An advantageous method for the installation of the stiffening plates provides for the slot nut to firstly be positioned in the desired position in the T-shaped slot. This may be realized by virtue of the slot nut being introduced at a face end, preferably at an upper or a lower end, into the T-shaped slot. It is however also possible for the slot nut to be introduced into the T-shaped slot through the opening extending in the axial direction along the T-shaped slot, and for the slot nut to then be positioned at the desired point in the T-shaped slot by means of a corresponding rotation. The stiffening plate is subsequently inserted, by way of the angled portion provided at one of its side edges, into the T-shaped slot. The fastening plate is subsequently mounted onto the attachment region, preferably such that a part of the fastening plate extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot. That side edge of the stiffening plate which is equipped with the angled portion is thus situated between the bottom side of the fastening plate and the attachment region or the outer wall. By virtue of the fastening plate being fixed by means of the screw element to the slot nut inserted into the T-shaped slot, the stiffening plate arranged in between is fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region and the bottom side of the fastening plate. The angled portion extends preferably at least over a length of at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least over 80%, of the length of the side edge The angled portion may possibly be divided into multiple partial angled portions.

The stiffening plate is thus preferably fixed in form-fitting fashion in the T-shaped slot owing to the angled portion, and additionally fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region and the bottom side of the fastening plate. The fastening plate may clamp the stiffening plate. By means of the form-fitting connection between slot nut, stiffening plate and fastening plate, the number of fastening means can be minimized, and the stiffness can be maximized.

Here, provision is preferably made whereby a part of the fastening plate, as presented in more detail further below, extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot such that the angled portion is fixed in form-fitting fashion not only by means of a longitudinal edge of the opening of the T-shaped slot but also by means of that part of the fastening plate which extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the stiffening plate is additionally fixed to a functional component, for example to a shelf, to a storage tray or to a strut or to an element, which is fastened immovably to the rack system, of a system component.

The system component may be a receptacle for a case, a box or a drawer. The functional component may also be a connecting strut running preferably in a horizontal direction, or a horizontally arranged profile element of the rack system.

The directional terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are to be understood in the context of the invention, unless stated otherwise, as a directional term that applies when the rack system is installed in a known manner, that is to say for example the rack side walls stand orthogonally on a base and thus extend vertically upward. Then, the system components are fixed in the conventional manner between the rack side walls, which system components then extend in a horizontal direction from a rack outer wall or one rack side wall to an adjacent further rack side wall, and in so doing possibly span a horizontal plane.

It is advantageous if at least two or more stiffening plates are provided.

A particularly high degree of stability of the rack system can be achieved if two or more stiffening plates are provided, for example three, four or even more than four stiffening plates.

It is advantageous if the stiffening plate is installed on an attachment region on the rear side of the rear rack post. A reinforcement of the rack system by means of stiffening plates which are fixed to the rear side of the rear rack post has proven to be particularly suitable. It is however basically also possible for the stiffening plates to be installed so as to run on the front side of the rack system or else parallel to the extent of the rack side walls.

Provision may be made whereby, to extend the depth of the rack outer walls and/or of the rack side walls (hereinafter referred to collectively in this regard as rack side wall or rack side walls), at least one additional side wall part is provided, wherein the at least one side wall part is fixed by means of the at least one slot nut in the T-shaped slot of an attachment region formed on the front and/or on the rear rack post.

By means of the additional side wall part, the rack system can be easily adapted to different installation spaces. The side wall part makes it possible for the rack side wall to be extended with regard to its depth, such that identical rack side walls can be used for different types of utility vehicles, for example. Furthermore, in accordance with the customer demand, a rack system with a normal or with an increased depth can be used without the need to stock rack side walls of different depths.

The increase of the depth makes it possible, for example, to use deeper trays or shelves.

A particular advantage of the side wall part also consists in that the installation situation in a specific utility vehicle can be allowed for. In those regions of the utility vehicle in which a greater depth is available owing to the structural space, the rack system can have a depth which is correspondingly increased by means of the additional side wall part, whereas, in other regions, the rack system has a "normal" depth, which is defined by the depth of those rack side walls which are not extended by means of a side wall part.

It is particularly advantageously also possible here for the depth to be varied along the height of a rack side wall through the use of the additional side wall part. Accordingly, in that region in which the installation space of the utility vehicle is restricted, for example owing to a wheel arch, the rack side wall can, in the lower region, have a normal depth (without additional side wall part). Above the wheel arch, the side wall part may then be installed onto the rack side wall in order to lengthen the depth of the rack side wall in that region.

This results in a reduction of variants, because there is no longer a need for stepped rack side walls, or it is no longer necessary to stock rack side walls with different depths. It is also no longer necessary for the rear region of the rack side wall, or the rear rack post, to be redirected by means of a cumbersome structure with transverse strut parts and angle pieces in order to adapt the course of the rack side wall, for example in the lower region of the rack side wall, to a locally restricted structural space.

The side wall part can be used on the rear side of the rack side wall in accordance with demand and at any desired height and in any desired length.

The rack system may be configured such that the at least one additional side wall part is installed on the front rack post in order to lengthen the depth of the rack side wall in a forward direction. Here, provision may also be made whereby side wall parts are installed both on the front side and on the rear side of the rack side wall in order to lengthen the rack side wall in a forward direction and in a rearward direction.

By virtue of an additional side wall part being installed on at least a front side of one of the rack side walls of the rack system, the rack system can be particularly advantageously adapted to specific installation situations or to the requirements of the user. For example, it is possible for the rack system to be configured such that, in the lower region at the front side, a free space remains such that a pallet can be slid into the vehicle. For this purpose, it may be advantageous if the rack system has a set-back portion in the lower region at the front side, but becomes wider again in the upper region, in particular above the height of the pallet, in order to provide corresponding stowage space. This can be achieved by virtue of an additional side wall part being attached in the upper region to the front side of one or more rack side walls.

It is advantageous if the side wall part has, on a rear side, an attachment region for permitting the fixing of at least one connecting element in order to connect the side wall part to the positionally fixed component.

By virtue of the side wall part having an attachment region on its rear side, the side wall part and thus the rack side wall connected thereto, or the entire rack system, can be easily fixed to a positionally fixed component or a component fixed with respect to the vehicle. Cumbersome structures for a transition from the rack side wall to the positionally fixed component, which is normally a side wall part of the vehicle, preferably a rail attached thereto, if the rack system is installed in a utility vehicle, are thus avoided. The side wall part is generally in any case already situated in the immediate vicinity of the component fixed with respect to the vehicle, such that a connection can be produced in a structurally simple manner.

It is advantageous if the attachment region on the rear side of the side wall part is of identical design to the attachment region on the rear side of the rear rack post, at least with regard to the configuration provided for the fixing of the connecting element.

By means of this configuration, it is possible for the connecting elements that can be used for the direct connection of the rear rack post to a positionally fixed component to also be used for the connection of the side wall part to the positionally fixed component. The multiplicity of parts for the rack system is thus further reduced.

The rack system may be connected by means of at least one connecting element to the positionally fixed component, wherein the connecting element is fixed to an attachment region on the rear side of the rear rack post and/or to an attachment region on the rear side of the side wall part.

Provision may be made whereby the side wall part extends only over a portion of the height of the rack side wall or of the rack posts.

Such a configuration is expedient in particular in order to be able to optimally allow for the installation situation in a utility vehicle. Often, in the case of a rack side wall, the installation situation varies over the height of the rack side wall, such that a particularly advantageous adaptation to the installation situation is possible by means of a side wall part which extends only over a portion of the height of the rack side wall.

It is advantageous if the side wall part is fixable to the rack post in a continuously variable manner, or in a raster, in a vertical direction.

Such a configuration has proven to be particularly suitable for making it possible to individually determine the installation position of the side wall part.

It is advantageous if the rack posts extend in a vertical direction from a bottom side to a top side without any bends.

A particularly advantageous rack post, in particular a front and/or a rear rack post of the rack outer wall, is realized by virtue of two outer walls, which are preferably oriented at right angles with respect to one another, of the rack post forming the first and the second fastening surface, and a third outer wall of the rack post, which is preferably oriented oppositely to the second fastening surface, forming the attachment region with the T-shaped slot. The further outer walls of the rack post may be of any desired form, preferably without functional regions, but possibly also with a further attachment region.

The front rack post may preferably be integrated into the rack system such that the outer wall, formed with the attachment region, of the front rack post forms, or runs parallel to, a part of the front side of the rack system. The rear rack post may preferably be integrated into the rack system such that the outer wall, formed with the attachment region, of the rear rack post forms, or runs parallel to, a part of the rear side of the rack system.

A utility vehicle according to the invention has at least one rack system with a multiplicity of system components which have a front side provided for the operation of the system components. Furthermore, the utility vehicle according to the invention has at least one rack outer wall and at least one second rack side wall running parallel to said at least one rack outer wall. At least two system components are fixed in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another between the rack outer wall and the second rack side wall.

In the case of the utility vehicle according to the invention, provision is made whereby the system components are fixed in at least two orientations, wherein the system components, in a first orientation, are oriented such that the front side of the system components is oriented substantially parallel to a front side of the rack system, and wherein the system components, in a second orientation, are oriented such that the front parts of the system components are oriented substantially parallel to the rack outer wall.

By virtue of the system components being fixed in at least two orientations, the utility vehicle is provided with a rack system whose system components can, as already described above, be operated from at least two directions.

According to the invention, in the case of the utility vehicle, provision may be made whereby the rack system is arranged in the utility vehicle such that the system components, in the second orientation, can be operated from outside the utility vehicle when a rear door of the utility vehicle is open.

According to the invention, in the case of the utility vehicle, provision may be made whereby the rack system is arranged in the utility vehicle such that the system components, in the second orientation, can be operated from outside the utility vehicle when a side door of the utility vehicle is open.

The above-stated configuration, which may also be provided in combination, that is to say such that the utility vehicle has a rack system which can be operated from the rear door and a rack system which can be opened from the side door, results in a particularly advantageous construction. The user no longer needs to climb into the interior space of the vehicle in order to remove system components of importance to the user, for example a tool case, from the rack system.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby at least a proportion of the system components that are arranged in the second orientation are formed as drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays, and the drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays can, from outside the utility vehicle, be pulled out of the rack system by means of a movement in a longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle.

Such an orientation of the system components is suitable in particular if the rack system is installed with its longitudinal side parallel to a longitudinal side of the utility vehicle.

If the rack system has been installed parallel to a wall that separates the driver's compartment from the interior space of the utility vehicle, provision is preferably made whereby the system components can be operated transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle in the second orientation, such that the system components can be pushed into the rack system and pulled out again by a user standing outside a side door of the utility vehicle.

In both cases, provision is made whereby the movement for the pushing-in or pulling-out is a movement running orthogonally with respect to the surface of the rack outer wall.

The advantages of the utility vehicle according to the invention emerge analogously from the statements made above and below with regard to the rack system. The utility vehicle according to the invention, and the rack system installed into the utility vehicle, may be combined in any desired manner with, or may have, all of the features described above and below.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended figures. The figures show multiple features of the invention in combination with one another. A person skilled in the art is however self-evidently capable of also considering said features independently of one another and possibly combining them to form further expedient sub-combinations, without the person skilled in the art having to perform an inventive step for this purpose.

In the figures: Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of the rack system in a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of a rack post of a rack outer wall of the rack system; Figure 3 shows a perspective rear view of the rack post as per Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective front view of a detail of the rack system in a second embodiment; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a detail of a rack system as per Figure 1 with an illustration of struts for connecting a front and a rear rack post of the rack side walls to one another and with an illustration of a connecting element for fixing the rear rack post of an outer wall of the rack system to a side wall of a utility vehicle; Figure 6 shows a perspective plan view of an outer wall of a rack post, into which a T-shaped slot with a recess arrangement has been formed; Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic front view of an outer wall of a rack post with an illustration of a T-shaped slot with three recess arrangements; Figure 8 shows a cross section through a rack post; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a connecting piece for insertion into a T-shaped slot in an outer wall of a rack post; Figure 10 is an enlarged illustration of a rear side of the rack system, wherein a stiffening plate has been fixed to the rear rack post by means of a slot nut; Figure 11 shows a section as per the line XI-XI in Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a top side of a slot nut in a first embodiment; Figure 13 shows a side view of a slot nut from a viewing direction XIII in Figure 12; Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a bottom side of the slot nut as per Figure 12; Figure 15 shows a view of a top side of a slot nut in a second embodiment; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional illustration for illustrating the fixing of a connecting element as per Figure 5 by means of a slot nut illustrated in section; Figure 17 is a perspective illustration of a strut for connecting two rack posts (not illustrated) to one another; Figure 18 shows a cross section through the strut as per Figure 17 in an installation situation in which the strut connects a front and a rear rack post of the rack system to one another; Figure 19 shows a side view of a rack side wall with a front rack post and with a rear rack post, on which in each case one optional side wall part has been fixed or mounted; Figure 20 is a perspective illustration of a rack side wall with different positioning of two optional side wall parts in relation to Figure 19; Figure 21 shows a perspective front view of a detail of the rack system in a third embodiment; Figure 22 is a diagrammatic illustration of a view from above of a rack system with two outer walls, wherein the second rack side wall according to the invention forms the second outer wall; and Figure 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of an outline of a utility vehicle into which two rack systems have been integrated.

Rack systems, in particular for installation into utility vehicles, are basically known from the prior art, for example from EP 2 157 884 61, DE 10 2012 204 883 A1 and DE 10 2004 104 117A1, for which reason only elements that are of interest for the description of the invention will be discussed in more detail below.

Utility vehicles with a rack system are likewise basically known from the prior art.

The rack system according to the invention is not limited to use in a utility vehicle or in a vehicle, but is particularly suitable for this purpose. The exemplary embodiment described below is to be understood accordingly. The exemplary embodiment also serves for the description of a utility vehicle according to the invention.

As can be seen from the figures, the rack system according to the invention illustrated in the exemplary embodiments has at least one rack outer wall 100 according to the invention and one second rack side wall 1. In the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 1 and 5, rack systems with two outer walls and one intermediate wall are illustrated by way of example. Only one of the outer walls of the rack system (the left-hand outer wall in the exemplary embodiment) is formed as a rack outer wall 100 according to the invention. The second outer wall and the intermediate wall are formed as second rack side walls 1.

The rack outer wall 100 is not illustrated in the exemplary embodiment as per Figure 4. The illustration however shows a second rack side wall 1 in an embodiment as an intermediate wall and as a (second) outer wall of the rack system, both of which are denoted by the reference designation 1.

The exemplary embodiment as per Figure 21 illustrates a detail of a rack system which shows a rack outer wall 100 and an intermediate wall of the rack system, which intermediate wall is formed by the second rack side wall 1.

The exemplary embodiment as per Figure 22 illustrates a rack outer wall 100 and a second rack side wall 1, wherein the second rack side wall 1 forms an outer wall of the rack system.

In the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 19 and 20, additional side wall parts 2 have been optionally installed onto the rack outer wall 100 or the rack side wall 1.

The configuration of the rack side walls 1 or of the rack outer walls 100, illustrated in more detail below, with side wall parts 2, stiffening plates or connecting elements, and the use of slot nuts, is optional; in the context of the invention, what is essential is the solution according to the inven-tion illustrated in more detail further below, which arises in particular from the configuration according to the invention of the rack outer wall 100.

The rack outer walls 100 have a front side 100a and a rear side 100b.

The second rack side wall 1 analogously has a front side la and a rear side lb. The side wall parts 2 have a front side 2a and a rear side 2b.

The side wall parts 2 serve for lengthening the depth of the rack outer wall 100 or of the rack side wall 1 If a lengthening of the rack outer wall 100 or of the rack side wall 1 is desired, provision is made whereby the side wall parts 2 are installed by way of their front side 2a onto the rear side 100b or lb, and/or onto the front side 100a or la, of a rack outer wall 100 or of a rack side wall 1 respectively.

As will be presented in more detail further below, the rack outer walls 100 or the rack side wall 1 preferably have/has an attachment region 3. The attachment region 3 may be configured such that it can serve for the fastening of the side wall parts 2.

The attachment region 3 is not limited to being fixed to a specific component, for example to the side wall part 2 illustrated in Figures 19 and 20.

The attachment region 3 may be configured so as to be suitable for the fixing of any desired components and system components by means of the T-shaped slot and the slot nut, presented in more detail further below.

The attachment region 3 may also, as illustrated in Figures Sand 16, be designed for the fixing of at least one connecting element 4 or of a fastening angle bracket.

According to the invention, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack outer wall 100 has a load-bearing structure composed of a front rack post 5 and of a rear rack post 6.

Panels 7 or panel parts 7a may be arranged entirely or in certain portions between the rack posts 5, 6, which panels or panel parts form a rack side surface 7 or rack side surface parts.

The use of panels 7 or panel part 7a for forming rack side surfaces or rack side surface parts is optional.

The rack side wall 1 may basically be of any desired construction, though provision is made in the exemplary embodiment whereby the second rack side wall 1 also has a load-bearing structure composed of a front rack post 5 and of a rear rack post 6, between which a panel 7 can be arranged.

In the exemplary embodiment, the front side 100a of the rack outer wall 100 is formed by the front rack post 5 and the rear side 100b of the rack outer wall 100 is formed by the rear rack post 6. Analogously, in the exemplary embodiment, the front side 1a of the rack side wall 1 is formed by a front rack post 5 and the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 is formed by a rear rack post 6.

As will be presented in more detail further below, the design of the rack posts 5, 6 may differ depending on whether these are parts of the rack outer wall 100 or of the second rack side wall 1. This applies in particular if the second rack side wall 1 is designed as an intermediate wall, as illustrated for example in Figure 1.

It is basically also possible for the rack side wall 1 to be formed as a single piece, or for at least one of the rack posts 5, 6 to be formed as a single piece with a part or the entirety of the panel 7. An embodiment of the rack side walls 1 composed of two rack posts 5, 6 and a panel 7 or a rack side surface has however proven to be particularly suitable with regard to a reduction of variants and an inexpensive and also stable construction of the rack side wall 1.

The rack posts 5, 6 are preferably formed as extruded profiles, in particular as aluminium extruded profiles.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, the rack system has a multiplicity of system components 8 with a front side 8a provided for the operation of the system components 8.

According to the invention, at least a proportion of the system components 8 of the rack system is fixed to the front rack post 5 and to the rear rack post 6 of the rack outer wall 100 and of the second rack side wall 1. Here, the system components 8 are arranged in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another, that is to say above and below one an-other, and thus form a tower of system components 8. It is also possible for other elements to be provided between the system components 8 arranged above and below one another.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the rack system has two outer walls, between which there is situated the second rack side wall 1, which is formed as an intermediate wall. In the exemplary embodiment as per Figure 1, provision is made whereby only one of the outer walls of the rack system (the left-hand outer wall) is formed as a rack outer wall 100 and has the fastening surfaces according to the invention presented in more detail further below. The second outer wall of the rack system is of any desired design and may possibly also be configured analogously to the second rack side wall 1.

The exemplary embodiment as per Figure 4 illustrates a detail of the rack system which shows an outer wall and an intermediate wall, which are both formed by the second rack side wall 1. The second outer wall of the rack system, which is designed as a rack outer wall 100, is not shown in Figure 4.

The rack outer wall 100 and the rack side wall 1 may be of identical form. At the least, the rack outer walls 100 and the rack side walls 1 however differ in terms of the configuration of the rack posts 5, 6, in particular if the rack side wall forms an intermediate wall of the rack system.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made according to the invention whereby the system components 8 are fixed, in the manner presented in more detail further below, between the rack outer wall 100 according to the invention and the second rack side wall 1. Here, for the solution according to the invention, it is not relevant whether the second rack side wall 1 is formed as an intermediate wall or is itself formed as an outer wall of the rack system. This is not of primary importance for the underlying solution according to the invention.

The exemplary embodiment is to be understood in the sense that, unless stated otherwise, all features mentioned with regard to the rack outer wall 100 may also be realized in the case of the second rack side wall 1. In particular, the exemplary embodiment is to be understood in the sense that, if only the rack outer wall 100 is discussed with regard to an exemplary embodiment, this can also apply analogously to the second rack side wall 1.

As can be seen in particular when viewing Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 8 together, the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack outer wall 100 have in each case one first vertically running fastening surface 101 in order to fix the system components 8 in a first orientation such that the front sides 8a of the system components 8 are oriented substantially parallel to a front side of the rack system. Furthermore, the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack outer wall 100 form in each case one second fastening surface 102, running in an inclined manner relative to the first fastening surface 101, in order to fix the system components 8 in a second orientation such that the front sides 8a of the system components 8 are oriented substantially parallel to the rack outer wall 100.

As can be seen in particular from Figure 1, multiple system components 8 are arranged in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another. A first group of system components 8 having at least one system component are oriented in the first orientation and a second group of system components having at least one system component 8 are oriented in the second orientation.

In the exemplary embodiments, the fastening surfaces 101, 102 are formed with bores 28, arranged in a raster, for the fixing of the system components 8.

In the exemplary embodiments of the rack system illustrated in Figures 1, 5 and 21, the second rack side wall 1 is formed as a rack intermediate wall. Here, the second rack side wall 1 has in each case one front rack post 5 and one rear rack post 6. Here, however, provision is made whereby the two rack posts 5, 6 of the second rack side wall 1 form in each case only one vertically running fastening surface 1c, in order, together with the rack outer wall 100 or the rack posts 5, 6 thereof, to fix system components 8 in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another.

Here, provision is made whereby the system components 8 are, in accordance with their orientation, fixable to the rack posts 5, 6 of the second rack side wall 1 directly or via a fastening element 11 or a fastening angle bracket. A fastening element 11 is illustrated by way of example in Figure 21.

In the exemplary embodiments as per Figures 1, 5 and 21, the fastening surfaces lc of the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack side wall 1 run in a plane-parallel manner with respect to the fastening surfaces 101 of the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack outer wall 100. It is thus possible for the system components 8, in the first orientation, to be fixed directly, for example by virtue of guide rails 8b of the system components 8 being fixed directly.

In order to fix the system components 8 in the second orientation, the use of additional fastening elements 11 is provided in the exemplary embodiments as per Figures 1, 5 and 21.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiments as per Figures 1, 5 and 21, the rack posts 5, 6 of the second rack side wall 1 also have a further fastening surface lc. Said further fastening surface however does not serve for fixing together with the rack outer wall 100, but is rather provided for the fixing of further system components 8 to the side averted from the first fastening surface lc. At this location, in the exemplary embodiments as per Figures 1, 5 and 21, an outer wall of the rack system is provided, but not with rack posts which have second fastening surfaces 101, 102, because, in the exemplary embodiments, it is the intention for the system components 8 to be fixed only in the first orientation on this side.

It is however basically possible for the (second) outer wall to also be formed as a rack outer wall 100 with the rack posts 5, 6 configured according to the invention, such that it is also possible for system components 8 to be fixed in two different orientations between the (second) outer wall and the intermediate wall of the rack system as per Figures 1 and 5. In this case, the system components 8 are then oriented in a total of three different orientations, specifically toward the front side of the rack system and toward the left (second orientation) and toward the right (third orientation, in relation to the rack system).

In the exemplary embodiments as per Figures 1 and 5, only one of the outer walls of the rack system is designated as rack outer wall 100, be-cause the second outer wall is not equipped with the rack posts 5, 6 according to the invention with two fastening surfaces 101, 102.

The exemplary embodiment as per Figure 22 diagrammatically illustrates a design of a rack system in which the rack system has two outer walls but no intermediate wall. The second rack side wall 1 is thus formed as an outer wall. Here, in the exemplary embodiment as per Figure 22, provision is made whereby the second rack side wall 1 is formed identically to the rack outer wall 100. That is to say, the second rack side wall has rack posts 5, 6 which have two fastening surfaces lc and ld, by means of which the direct fixing of the system components 8 in two different orientations is possible.

However, as an alternative to the illustration shown in Figure 22, provision may basically also be made whereby that outer wall of the rack system which is formed by the second rack side wall 1 has only one fastening surface 1c. In this case, the fixing may be performed as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 22.

Figure 22 shows a configuration which makes it possible for the system components 8 to be fixed in four orientations. The four orientations are designated as I, II, Ill and IV in the exemplary embodiment as per Figure 22. It is thus possible for the rack system as illustrated in Figure 22 to be operated in four different orientations, that is to say the front sides 8a of the system components 8 are oriented in four different orientations and can be pulled out in the direction of the arrows, for which purpose it is sufficient for the rack posts 5, 6 to each have two fastening surfaces 101, 102, or 1c and 1d.

Proceeding from the exemplary embodiment as per Figure 22, it is furthermore also easily conceivable for intermediate walls to also be incorporated between the two outer walls of the rack system.

In the exemplary embodiments, it is basically also possible for the system components 8, rather than being arranged in the first orientation, in the case of which the front side 8a of the system components 8 runs parallel to the front side of the rack system, to also be arranged in an orientation rotated through 180 degrees, such that the front side 8a of the system components 8 runs parallel to a rear wall of the rack system (orientation IV). This may be advantageous in particular if it is the intention for the rack system to be arranged in a free-standing manner, or the rack system is accessible from the front side and from the rear side.

Figure 22 shows, by way of dashed lines, the arrangement of a system component 8, for example a drawer, in the first orientation (orientation l), wherein the system component 8 has two guide rails 8b. Here, a guide rail 8b is fixed to the first fastening surface 101 of the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack outer wall 100. The other guide rail 8b is fixed to the fastening surfaces lc of the rack posts 5, 6 of the second rack side wall 1.

Figure 22 furthermore shows, by way of example by means of the solid line, the fixing of a system component 8 in the second orientation (orientation II). The system component 8, for example in turn a drawer, may in this case in turn have two guide rails 8b. Here, one guide rail 8b is fixed to the two rear rack posts 6 of the rack outer wall 100 or of the rack side wall 1, more specifically to the second fastening surfaces 102 formed thereon and to the fastening surface 1d. The other guide rail 8b is fixed to the two front rack posts 5, more specifically to the second fastening surfaces 102 and ld formed thereon.

The system components 8 may also, in particular if the rack system as per Figure 22 is arranged in a free-standing manner, be installed such that the front sides thereof are oriented in the direction III or in the direction IV.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiments, provision is preferably made whereby the rack posts 5, 6 are designed such that system components 8 are fixable to the rack posts 5, 6 from a lower end as far as an upper end.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 1 and 5, panels 7 or panel parts 7a may be provided. The panel parts 7a may serve in particular for covering the rack outer wall 100 at those points at which the system component 8 is oriented with its front side 8a parallel to the front side of the rack system. Analogously, in the case of the system components 8 being oriented in the second orientation, the panel parts 7a serve for covering the front side of the rack system in the corresponding region.

In the exemplary embodiment, the system components 8 are formed preferably as drawers, cases, in particular tool cases, boxes, storage trays or flaps, and may possibly have guide rails 8b. If guide rails 8b are provided, provision is made whereby these are fixed to the provided fastening surfaces 101, 102, 1c and 1d.

Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of a particularly preferred rack post. The front and the rear rack posts 5, 6 may in this case preferably be of identical form. Figure 2 shows the front view of a front rack post 5. The illustrated front rack post 5 can preferably be used as a rear rack post 6 if it is rotated such that the top side illustrated in Figure 2 is oriented downward.

The rack system according to the invention may be connected by means of the connecting element 4 to a positionally fixed component 9 or a component fixed with respect to the vehicle, preferably to a rail which is embedded in a wall 10 of the utility vehicle.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiments, at least one of the rack posts 5, 6 and/or a profile element 200 which is arranged on the front side of the rack system and which extends in a horizontal direction has, in an outer wall 201, an attachment region 3 with a T-shaped slot 12. Here, the T-shaped slot 12 extends along a longitudinal axis of the rack post 5, 6 or of the profile element 200.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby all of the rack posts 5, 6 have a corresponding T-shaped slot 12, which is formed in an outer wall 201 of the rack posts 5, 6. In the context of the exemplary embodiments, it is however also possible for only a proportion of the rack posts 5, 6 to be equipped with a corresponding T-shaped slot 12.

In the context of the exemplary embodiment, provision may also be made whereby only the front rack posts 5 or only the rear rack posts 6 are equipped with a T-shaped slot 12.

The formation of a T-shaped slot 12 in the case of profile elements 200 or in the case of rack posts 5, 6 is basically known. However. particular advantages nevertheless arise here in particular in combination with the rack posts 5, 6 according to the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, provision is furthermore made whereby a proportion of the rack posts 5, 6 and/or at least one of the profile elements 200 has a specifically designed T-shaped slot 12, described in more detail further below, with recess arrangements 202.

A T-shaped slot 12 with multiple recess arrangements 202, as will be presented in more detail further below, may be provided in the case of a proportion, or in the case of all, of the rack posts 5, 6. Here, it is also possible for a proportion, or all, of the front rack posts 5 and/or a proportion, or all, of the rear rack posts 6 to be equipped with a recess arrangement 202. The formation of recess arrangements 202 is particularly suitable in the front rack posts 5, as will be presented in more detail further below, though this configuration is not restricted to this.

The concept of the recess arrangement 202 will be presented below on the basis of a profile element 200 illustrated in more detail in Figure 4. This is however merely an example. All statements made below with regard to the profile element 200 also apply analogously to the rack posts 5, 6, without this explicitly being mentioned.

The attachment region 3, formed in the outer wall 201, of the profile elements 200 has a T-shaped slot 12, as can be seen from the figures. Here, the T-shaped slot 12 extends along a longitudinal axis of the respective profile element 200. The T-shaped slot 12 preferably extends over the entire length of the respective profile element 200.

The attachment region 3 formed with the T-shaped slot 12 may basically be formed at any desired point of the profile element 200 and extend over any desired length. Here, the profile element 200 may be arranged such that its attachment region 3 is situated on the front side of the rack side wall 1 and/or on the rear side of the rack side wall 1. The profile element 200 may however also be oriented such that the attachment region 3 is situated laterally and/or on the top side and/or possibly also on the bottom side of the rack side wall 1. Furthermore, the profile element 200 may be used as a load-bearing element by connecting two rack posts, for example two front rack posts 5, to one another. In this case, the profile element 200 runs substantially in a vertical direction.

Figure 4 shows two front rack posts 5 and a horizontally running profile element 200 which is arranged on the front side of the rack system and which is fixed to the two front rack posts 5, which rack posts and profile element collectively form a fastening device, preferably for the securing of payloads. It is basically also possible for two or more horizontally running profile elements 200 to be provided in the illustration as per Figure 4 In the outer wall 201 of the profile elements 200, multiple recess arrangements 202 are formed along the T-shaped slot 12. The recess arrangements 202, which can be seen particularly clearly from Figures 4 and 7, have at least two recesses 203 which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction. Here, the recesses 203 in each case enlarge an opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces 13 to be received.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 4 to 7, a free portion z remains between two adjacent recess arrangements 202, in which free portion no recesses 203 which enlarge the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 are formed into the outer wall 201. Here, the free portion z has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses 203 of one of the recess arrangements 202.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recess arrangements 202 preferably each have exactly two recesses 203. Here, it is however basically possible for individual recess arrangements 202 to have a different number of recesses 203.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses 203 of the recess arrangement 202 preferably have a diameter of 20 mm and are arranged in a raster of 25 mm. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 7. Here, the raster spacing x amounts to 25 mm. The diameter of a recess 203 preferably amounts to 20 mm. As can likewise be seen in Figure 7, the free portion z is larger than the extent y of two mutually adjoining recesses 203 of one of the recess arrangements 202.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses 203 are formed preferably as airline holes.

In the exemplary embodiment, the spacing between two recess arrangements 202 amounts to at least 50 mm, preferably at least 75 mm and particularly preferably at least 90 mm. Here, in the exemplary embodiment, the spacing between two recess arrangements 202 amounts to less than 300 mm, preferably less than 250 mm, furthermore preferably less than 200 mm and very particularly preferably less than 150 mm.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is preferably made whereby the spacing between two recess arrangements 202 amounts to 100 mm +/-25 mm.

Figure 9 illustrates a connecting piece 13 by way of example. The connecting pieces 13 are configured such that they can be inserted through the recesses 203 into the T-shaped slot 12. Such connecting pieces 13 are basically known from the prior art. In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting piece 13 is formed as a so-called airline fitting, in particular for the securing of payloads.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby at least one front rack post 5 is equipped with the recess arrangements 202, and/or whereby at least one profile element 200 arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a horizontal direction is equipped with the recess arrangements 202.

A fastening device which is particularly suitable for the securing of payloads emerges, as already presented, from Figure 4. In Figure 4, two front rack posts 5 and a horizontally running profile element 200 which is fixed to the two front rack posts 5 are equipped with a T-shaped slot 12 with recess arrangements 202.

The horizontally running profile element 200 in Figure 4 also serves, in the exemplary embodiment, as a transverse strut, and may thus also be a part of a load-bearing structure of the rack system. The same also applies to the illustration as per Figure 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the recesses 203 of the recess arrangement 202 are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall 201.

Figure 6 shows a detail of an outer wall 201 of one of the profile elements 200 with a cross section through one of the recesses 203 of the recess arrangement 202.

Figure 6 illustrates only the outer wall 201 of the profile element 200. Provision is however also made in Figure 6 whereby the profile element 200 is formed as an extruded profile, which preferably serves as a transverse strut, such that further wall parts can run below the illustrated outer wall 201.

The detail of the outer wall 201 illustrated in Figure 6 may also represent an outer wall 201 of one of the rack posts 5, 6, in particular of a front rack post 5. In this case, too, it is to be noted that further wall parts run below the illustrated outer wall 201, for example in the manner illustrated with regard to the rear rack post 6 of the second rack side wall 1 in Figure 16. In particular, provision may be made whereby further wall parts run below the illustrated outer wall 201, as illustrated with regard to the rack posts 5,6 of the rack outer wall 100 and shown for example in Figures 2,3 and 8 Analogously, Figure 7 shows only the outer wall 201 of a profile element 200 or of a rack post 5, 6, in order to illustrate the recess arrangement 202 or the recess 203. The configuration of the profile element 200 or of a rack post 5, 6, which is preferably an extruded profile, below the outer wall 201 may in this case be adapted to the respective requirements, as already described above.

The illustration of the connecting piece 13 in Figure 9 is to be understood merely as an example. The basic construction of a connecting piece 13 of said type, in particular in a configuration as an airline fitting, is familiar from the prior art. It is furthermore also known from the prior art how such connecting pieces 13 are introduced into recesses 203 and fastened in the T-shaped slot 12.

It is pointed out that preferably all of the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack system are formed as extruded profiles. In the context of the invention, it is however not necessary for all rack posts 5, 6, or alternatively or additionally all transverse struts, to be formed with recess arrangements 202.

Those profile elements 200 and/or those rack posts 5, 6 which do not have recess arrangements 202 may preferably nevertheless have a T-shaped slot 12, or form an attachment region 3. This is particularly suitable in order to be able to introduce slot nuts into the T-shaped slot 12, as presented below.

Provision may also be made whereby profile elements 200 and/or rack posts 5, 6 are formed without a T-shaped slot 12.

In particular in the exemplary embodiments, provision is preferably made whereby all of the profile elements 200 have a T-shaped slot 12, and preferably at least one of the profile elements 200 and/or one of the rack posts 5, 6 has the recess arrangement 202. It is preferable for all of the front rack posts 5 to be formed with the recess arrangements 202.

In the context of the invention, it is preferable for the rack posts 5, 6 to have attachment regions 3 for the fastening of system components, side wall parts 2, connecting elements 4 or stiffening plates 34 (see Figure 10) described in more detail further below. For this purpose, the recess arrangements 202 are basically also suitable for the fastening of the above-stated elements. The recess arrangements 202 are however particularly suitable for the securing of payloads, in particular if use is made of connecting pieces 13 which are formed as airline fittings. Since it is normally not necessary for all of the rack posts 5, 6 or transverse struts to be equipped so as to be suitable for the securing of payloads, it is possible, in the case of a rack system, for provision to be made whereby only a proportion of the rack posts 5, 6 or of the transverse struts is equipped with the recess arrangements 202. The recess arrangement 202 can be omitted in the case of the other rack posts. Such rack posts may then preferably have an attachment region 3 which has only a T-shaped slot 12, without recess arrangements 202 being formed therein preferably by drilling or milling. The rack posts 5, 6 in which no recess arrangements 202 are formed may also preferably be extruded profiles.

It is possible to omit recess arrangements 202 in the attachment regions 3 in particular on those rack posts 5, 6 to which only side wall parts 2, connecting elements 4 or stiffening plates presented in more detail further below are to be attached.

Yet further advantageous embodiments of the rack system will be presented in more detail below.

The attachment region 3 equipped with recess arrangements 202, or else a T-shaped slot 12 of an attachment region 3 without recess arrangement 202, is particularly advantageously also suitable for the fastening of side wall parts 2 as illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 19 and 20. For this purpose, the side wall parts 2 may, by way of their front side 2a, be connected in form-fitting fashion by means of a slot-and-key connection to the attachment region 3 for example on the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 and/or on the rear side 100b of the rack outer wall 100. For this purpose, the front side 2a of the side wall parts 2 has an installation region (not illustrated) which is of complementary form with respect to the T-shaped slot 12 of the attachment region 3 of the rack side walls 1 and/or of the rack outer walls 100. For this purpose, in the case of the side wall parts 2, a key (not illustrated) may be provided which engages in form-fitting fashion into the T-shaped slot 12 of the attachment region 3.

The fixing of a side wall part 2 to the front side la of one of the rack side walls 1 and/or to the front side 100a of the rack outer wall 100, as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, may be performed analogously.

A particularly advantageous use of a slot nut 15 that may optionally be used in the context of the solution according to the invention will be presented below.

It is pointed out that, where a specific configuration of the rack side wall 1 is referred to below, this also applies equally to the rack outer wall 100, without this being correspondingly stated throughout.

The slot nut 15 may be used for the fixing of the side wall part 2 in the T-shaped slot 12 of the rack side wall 1. The slot nut 15 may analogously also be used in order to fix other components in the T-shaped slot 12, in which regard reference is also made to the exemplary embodiments and usage examples below.

The slot nut 15 is preferably formed such that it can be inserted into the T-shaped slot 12 from the front, that is to say through the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, the slot nut 15 may preferably be formed as illustrated in particular in Figures 12 to 14, that is to say the slot nut 15 may have the shape of a parallelogram in plan view, wherein this preferably excludes the special forms of a parallelogram, specifically a rectangle or a square.

In the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 12 to 14, the slot nut 15 is preferably formed as follows. Provision is made whereby two opposite first sides 15b have an identical length Li and two opposite second sides 15c have an identical length L2, wherein the length L1 is shorter than the length L2, and wherein the angles between two adjacent sides 15b, 15c do not form a right angle.

The spacing between the two second sides 15c or the orthogonal with respect to the second sides 15c is dimensioned such that the spacing is smaller than the width of the opening 14 in the front wall of the T-shaped slot 12. It is thereby possible to insert the slot nut 15 into the T-shaped slot 12 through the opening 14. By means of a corresponding rotation of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12, it can then be achieved that the first (relatively short) sides 15b (with the length Li) bear against side surfaces within the T-shaped slot 12. The rotated end position of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12 is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 11 and 16.

The embodiment of the slot nut 15 as an oblique slot nut, or such that said slot nut has the shape of a parallelogram in plan view (as described above and illustrated in Figures 12 to 14), is particularly suitable for providing a large bearing area or contact area within the T-shaped slot 12.

It is however basically also possible to use a slot nut 15 which has a rectangular shape in plan view, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 15.

Provision may be made whereby a top side 15a of the slot nut 15 has at least two parallel-running grooves 16; this is illustrated inter alia in Figures 12, 13 and 15 with regard to the three embodiments of the slot nut 15 illustrated therein.

The outer wall 201, in which the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 is formed, of the profile elements 200 may be configured such that an inner surface 101a, facing toward the top side 15a of the slot nut 15, of the outer wall 201 has, at least in certain portions, two parallel-running webs 17 which engage into the grooves 16 of the slot nut 15 when the slot nut 15 has been installed in the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is (optionally) made whereby the webs 17 are formed on the inner surface 201a of the outer wall 201 equipped with the T-shaped slot 12 such that in each case at least one web 17 runs to both sides of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is furthermore made whereby the grooves 16 in the slot nut 15 are formed in the top side 15a of the slot nut 15 such that in each case at least one groove 16 runs to both sides of a threaded bore 18 of the slot nut 15.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the grooves 16 run at least approximately parallel to the two first sides 15b, with the length Li, of the slot nut 15.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is preferably also made in all embodiments whereby the first sides 15b of the slot nut 15 lie against side walls of the T-shaped slot 12, or at least run adjacent to said side walls, when the slot nut 15 is situated in the end position in the T-shaped slot 12, that is to say when the slot nut 15 has been correctly inserted.

Provision may be made whereby the two first sides 15b, with the length Li, of the slot nut 15 have a bevel 150.

A bevel 150 is diagrammatically illustrated by way of the dashed lines in Figure 14. The two bevels 150 are preferably formed, as illustrated in Figure 14, at two diagonally opposite corners of the slot nut 15.

In the variant illustrated by way of dashed lines in Figure 14, provision is also made whereby the slot nut 15 lies with the non-bevelled part of the first sides 15b against the side walls within the T-shaped slot 12 when the slot nut 15 has been correctly installed into the T-shaped slot 12.

Since, in the end position that the slot nut 15 assumes in the T-shaped slot 12, provision is made whereby the grooves 16 engage into the webs 17 and the webs 17 run preferably in an axial direction or along the central axis of the T-shaped slot 12 or of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12, this thus yields an optimum arrangement of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12.

It is basically self-evidently also possible for the slot nut 15 to be formed with a different course of the grooves 16, for example such that the grooves 16 run parallel to the bevel 150 of the two first sides 15b, whereby the positioning of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12 then correspondingly changes.

An embodiment of the slot nut 15 as illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 14 has the advantage that the height of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12 is reduced, such that two slot nuts 15 can be positioned one above the other in a more closely adjacent manner in the T-shaped slot 12.

For most usage situations, it will however be preferable to omit a bevel 150, because the bevel 150 reduces the bearing/contact area between the top side 15a of the slot nut 15 and the inner surface 201a of the outer wall 201 of the profile elements 200. It is however preferable for the bearing area/contact area to be kept as large as possible in order that the introduction of force is optimized, which proves to be particularly advantageous in particular in the event of a crash.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a further advantageous configuration of the slot nut 15 with a pedestal 151. The pedestal 151 is formed on the sur-face 15a of the slot nut 15 and extends partially into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 when the slot nut 15 has been installed into the T-shaped slot 12. Here, the pedestal 151 may surround a part of the threaded bore 18. In plan view, the pedestal 151 may preferably have the shape of a parallelogram, wherein the sides of the pedestal 151 run parallel to the first sides 15b and to the second sides 15c respectively, as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 15. A rotation of the slot nut 15 into the T-shaped slot 12 is thus facilitated, or is not impeded.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the pedestal 151 is pulled into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 as a result of the slot nut 15 being fixed in the T-shaped slot 12 by a fastening means 19, for example a screw element.

This is diagrammatically illustrated for example in Figures 11 and 16.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the slot nut 15 preferably has a width smaller than the width of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the slot nut 15 has a length greater than the width of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

As illustrated in Figures 11 and 16, the webs 17 engage into the grooves 16 when the slot nut 15 has been installed in the T-shaped slot. This yields a form-fitting connection, whereby the bending-open of the T-shaped slot 12 is also prevented, and a securing action against undesired rotation (loosening), in particular during driving operation of the utility vehicle, is realized.

As can be seen from Figures 5 and 17 to 20, the rack side walls 1 have, at the top side, a strut 26 running in a horizontal direction. The strut 26 serves for increasing the stability of the rack side wall 1 or of the rack outer wall 100 if this is formed from two rack posts 5, 6 and possibly a panel 7 or a rack side surface.

Figure 17 illustrates the strut 26 on its own.

As illustrated in Figure 18, provision is made whereby the strut 26 is mounted in form-fitting fashion onto the rack posts 5, 6 and is additionally screwed by means of screws 24 to the engagement openings 27 in the rack posts 5, 6. The strut 26 thus connects the rack posts 5, 6. To increase stability, provision may be made, as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 18, whereby in each case one screw 25 which runs obliquely in relation to the screws 24 is additionally screwed in in order to connect the rack posts 5, 6 to the strut 26.

In the exemplary embodiments, provision is made whereby the rack side wall 1 or the rack outer wall 100 has in each case two struts 26 for connecting the rack posts 5, 6, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. It is however also possible for only one strut 26 to be provided. The strut 26 may also be omitted entirely. It is also possible for the rack posts 5, 6 to be connected in some other way.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 1 and 4, a cover 30 may be mounted on the top side of the rack side walls 1. Here, the cover 30 may cover the strut 26 from above.

The cover 30 may, in the region of its front side, that is to say in the region of the front side la of the rack side wall 1, be shaped so as to form a hook in order for a coat or a bag, for example, to be hung thereon. This constitutes an independent invention, wherein the applicant reserves the right to file a divisional application directed to this.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 30 extends over the entire depth of the rack side walls 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 30 has a length selected such that it does not also cover the top side of the optional side wall parts 2. In the exemplary embodiment, separate cover plates 31 are provided for covering the top side of the side wall parts 2, which cover plates can be mounted from above onto the side wall parts 2. In the exemplary embodiment, provision may be made here whereby the side wall parts 2 likewise have engagement openings, and the cover plates 31 are configured so as to have connecting elements which engage in form-fitting fashion into the engagement opening. It is self-evidently also possible for the cover plate 31 to be screwed to the engagement openings using a screw (not illustrated). Use may possibly also be made of covers 30 which also cover the top side of the side wall parts 2.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby those side wall parts 2 which are attached to the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 have no bores for the fastening of the system components 8 corresponding to the bores 28 in the rack posts 5, 6. Although the side wall parts 2 may basically also have corresponding bores 28, it has however been found that this is not necessary, such that corresponding bores 28 in the side wall parts 2 can be omitted. The system components 8, or else other functional elements such as for example trays or shelves, can be fas-tened in a reliable and stable manner by means of the bores 28 in the rack posts 5, 6, such that an additional screw connection of said elements with the aid of bores 28 in the side wall parts 2 is not necessary. In the context of the invention, provision is however preferably made whereby, in order to increase the stability or in order to stiffen the rack system, the system components 8 and/or the functional elements are also screwed to the side wall parts 2, for which purpose use may preferably be made of self-tapping screws (not illustrated). In the exemplary embodiment, in order to improve the screw connection, provision is made here whereby the side wall parts 2 have slots 29 running in a vertical direction, into which slots the screws for the fastening of the system components 8 and/or of the functional elements, such as for example shelves and trays, can then be screwed. Those side wall parts 2 which are fastened to the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 can be produced particularly inexpensively owing to the omission of the bore 28.

The inventors have recognized that it is advantageous if those side wall parts 2 which are installed on the front side la of one of the rack side walls 1 have bores 28' which are preferably implemented in the same raster as the bores 28 in the rack posts 5, 6. Here, the bores 28' are situated in the side surfaces of the side wall part 2 and serve for the additional screw connection of, for example, functional elements, for example trays, which are arranged between two rack side walls 1 or rack outer walls 100. A screw connection of these functional elements and/or of system components 8 to those side wall parts 2 which are installed on the front side la of one of the rack side walls 1 has proven to be particularly advantageous in order to increase the stability of the rack system, in particular also in the event of a crash.

In the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, provision is therefore preferably made whereby those side wall parts 2 which are installed onto the front side la have bores 28', whereas, in the case of those side wall parts 2 which are installed onto the rear side lb of the rack side walls 1, it is advantageous if these only have grooves 29 (as described).

Figure 19 illustrates, by way of example, a rack side wall 1 or a rack outer wall 100 which is made up of two rack posts 5, 6 which are connected to one another at their top side and at their bottom side by means of a strut 26. The rack side wall 1 may additionally have a panel 7 (not illustrated). Figure 19 shows an embodiment in which a side wall part 2 is fixed to the front rack post 5 in the upper region. Here, the fixing is performed such that, by means of the side wall part 2, the depth of the rack side wall 1 is lengthened only in an upper region. By virtue of the fact that a free space remains below the side wall part 2, a pallet can advantageously be slid into the utility vehicle.

It is also illustrated in Figure 19 that a side wall part 2 is also installed on the rear rack post 6. Here, the installation is likewise performed in the upper region of the rack side wall 1, such that a free space remains below the side wall part 2, which free space can be occupied for example by a wheel arch.

Figure 20 shows a different configuration in relation to Figure 19. Provision is in turn made here whereby a side wall part 2 is fixed to the front rack post 5 in the upper region. A side wall part 2 is likewise fixed to the rear rack post 6, but is fixed there in the lower region, such that a free space remains above the side wall part 2.

In a manner which is not illustrated in any more detail, provision may also be made, in Figures 19 and 20, whereby the rack side wall 1 or the rack outer wall 100 is equipped with a side wall part 2, or with multiple side wall parts 2, only on the front side or only on the rear side.

It has been found that, by virtue of the functional elements, for example trays or shelves, also being screwed to the side wall parts 2, it is possible to achieve a particularly high degree of stability for the rack system, and this has a positive effect in particular in the event of a crash.

A further advantageous use of the rack posts 5, 6 in conjunction with a slot nut 15 will be presented below. Here, provision is made whereby the rack posts 5, 6 are, as already described above, equipped with webs 17 on the inner surface 201a of the outer wall 201, which webs interact with grooves 16 of the slot nut 15.

It is basically also possible for rack posts 5, 6 which have no recess arrangements 202 to have such a configuration.

As is likewise mentioned above, the formation of webs 17 in the region of the attachment regions 3 is optional but advantageous.

Particularly advantageous stiffening of the rack system arises as a result of the configuration illustrated in Figure 10.

The rack system as per Figure 10 has a fastening plate 33, which is fixable by a fastening means 19 to the slot nut 15 inserted into the T-shaped slot 12.

The rack system as per Figure 10 furthermore has at least one stiffening plate 34 which, at a first side edge 34a, has an angled portion 35 which is insertable into the T-shaped slot 12.

The angled portion 35 at the first side edge 34a of the stiffening plate 34, and the insertion thereof into the T-shaped slot, can be seen particularly clearly when Figures 10 and 11 are viewed together.

The first side edge 34a of the stiffening plate 34 is preferably fixed between a bottom side 33a of the fastening plate 33 and the attachment region 3.

As a result of the fixing of the fastening plate 33 to the slot nut 15, the stiffening plate 34 is fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region 3 and the bottom side 33a of the fastening plate 33. The fastening plate 33 clamps the stiffening plate 34.

Additionally, the stiffening plate 34 is fixed to a functional element 32 or to an immovable part of a system component 8.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is preferable for at least two or even more stiffening plates 34 to be provided.

The attachment region 3 for the fixing of the stiffening plate 34 is, in the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 10 and 11, formed on the rear rack post 6. It is however basically also possible for the attachment region 3 to be formed on the front rack post 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby at least two rack posts 6 have an attachment region 3; it is preferable for all rack posts 6 of a rack system to be formed with an attachment region 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, each stiffening plate 34 is fixed in the T-shaped slot 12 by means of one, preferably by means of two or even more fastening kits, which each have one of the fastening plates 33, one of the slot nuts 15 and one of the fastening means 19.

The fastening plate 33 preferably has projecting elevations 36 on its bottom side 33a. Here, there may be one elevation 36, but preferably two or more, particularly preferably an even number of elevations 36. The elevations 36 may also be referred to as feet.

The elevations 36 can have the effect that the fastening plate 33, when it has been fixed to the slot nut 15, is supported on the attachment region 3 or on the outer wall 201. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 11.

Provision may furthermore be made whereby the elevations 36 extend into complementary recesses 37 of the stiffening plate 34 (see Figure 10).

The elevations 36 may basically have any desired shape. It has however proven to be advantageous if the elevations 36 have a cross section which deviates from a circular shape, preferably an oval, polygonal, in particular rectangular cross section, possibly with rounded edges. The complementary recesses 37 in the stiffening plate 34 may in this case have a correspondingly adapted shape, for example the shape of an elongated hole, such that the elevation 36 can be connected in formfitting fashion to the recess 37.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made (in a manner which is not illustrated) whereby the fastening plate 33 has multiple elevations 36, which are arranged to both sides of and symmetrically with respect to a vertical central axis which runs parallel to a longitudinal axis of the T-shaped slot 12 when the fastening plate 33 has been fixed to the slot nut 15.

The symmetrical arrangement about the central axis firstly makes it possible for the fastening plate 33 to be able to be supported in a stable and uniform manner on the attachment region 3 or on the outer wall 201. Secondly, this configuration also makes it possible for two stiffening plates 34, in each case one to the left and one to the right of the central axis, to be able to be easily installed by means of the fastening plate 33.

As can be seen from Figure 11, a pedestal 38 is formed on the bottom side 33a of the fastening plate 33, which pedestal extends into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

Here, the pedestal 38 is configured such that, when the fastening plate 33 has been fixed to the slot nut 15, a longitudinal gap remains between a longitudinal side 38a of the pedestal 38 extending into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 and a longitudinal edge 14a of the opening of the T-shaped slot 12, into which longitudinal gap the angled portion 35 of the stiffening plate 34 is inserted in form-fitting fashion.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pedestal 38 is preferably configured such that the angled portion 35 of in each case one stiffening plate 34 can be inserted in form-fitting fashion between the two longitudinal edges 14a of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 and the respectively adjoining longitudinal sides 38a of the pedestal 38. It is thus also possible for two stiffening plates 34 to be easily fixed in form-fitting fashion between the pedestal 38 and an adjoining longitudinal edge 14a of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening plate 33 has a width greater than the width of an opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the width of the fastening plate 33 corresponds at least approximately to the width of the rear side 1a of the rack side wall 1 or to the width of the attachment region 3.

It is advantageous, as illustrated in Figure 10, if the stiffening plate or plates 34 are also fixed to one of the functional elements 32. The stiffening plates and the functional elements 32 may, for the fixing of the stiffening plates 34 to the functional element 32, have a row of bores 39, 40 arranged in the same raster (see Figure 10).

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the recesses 37, provided for receiving the elevations 36, in the stiffening plate 34 are arranged in the region of the first side edge 34a equipped with the angled portion 35 and are preferably formed as elongated holes. Here, the bores 39 in the stiffening plate 34 are arranged in the region of a second side edge 34b running at right angles to the first side edge 34a, and are preferably of circular form.

As can be seen from Figure 10, in the exemplary embodiment, the stiffening plate 34 is preferably of triangular form, or has a triangular area.

In the exemplary embodiment, in order to increase the stiffness, provision is furthermore made whereby a third side edge 34c of the stiffening plate 34 has a stiffening angled portion 41. In the installed state, that is to say when the stiffening plate 34 has been fixed, the stiffening angled portion 41 projects from the stiffening plate 34 in a direction averted from the rack system. The orientation of the stiffening angled portion 41 is thus opposite to the orientation of the angled portion 35. This is correspondingly illustrated in Figure 10.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the stiffening plate 34 has a cutout 42 or a set-back portion in a corner in which the first and the second side edge 34a, 34b converge.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the slot nut 15 is produced from metal, preferably a cast steel. In the exemplary embodiment, provision may be made whereby the fastening plate 33 is likewise formed from metal, in particular a cast steel, but preferably from plastic.

As already mentioned, Figures 2 and 3 show particularly advantageous configurations of the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack outer wall 100. The rack posts 5, 6 of the rack side wall 1 may be of identical form to these, in particular if the rack side wall 1 forms an outer wall of the rack system, as illustrated in Figure 22.

The rack posts 5, 6 have a substantially rectangular cross section.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the rack posts 5, 6 have a first fastening surface 101 in order to fix the system components 8 in the first orientation. Furthermore, the rack posts 5, 6 have a second fastening surface 102 in order to fix the system components 8 in a second orientation. The fastening surfaces 101, 102 preferably adjoin one another and are oriented at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to one another.

The fastening surfaces 101, 102 have a multiplicity of bores 28 arranged in a raster. The fastening surfaces 101, 102 are of thickened form in those regions in which the bores 28 are arranged, in order to permit a stable fastening. For this purpose, the second fastening surface 102 has a thickening 102a in the region of the bores 28. The wall thickness of the fastening surface 102 is thus increased in the region of the bores 28 in relation to the wall thickness of the second fastening surface 102 in which no bores 28 are arranged.

As already presented, the rack posts 5, 6 have, on an outer wall 201, an attachment region 3 with a T-shaped slot 12 extending over the full height of the rack posts 5, 6. Here, the T-shaped slot 12 has recess arrangements 202 with the recesses 203 already described.

The outer wall 201 with the T-shaped slot 12 adjoins the fastening surface 101. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer wall 201 runs in a plane-parallel manner, but so as to be oriented oppositely, in relation to the second fastening surface 102.

As can also be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the rack posts 5, 6 have a further wall surface 103 which adjoins the second fastening surface 102 and which preferably runs at right angles to the latter. Provision is made whereby the wall surface 103 has a bevelled surface 103a which connects the further wall surface 103 to the outer wall 201.

In the exemplary embodiment, the outer wall 201 runs preferably in a plane-parallel manner in relation to a front side of the rack system, if the rack post is formed as a front rack post 5. Here, the further wall surface 103 runs in a plane-parallel manner in relation to the surface of the rack outer wall 100.

The outer wall 201 runs in a plane-parallel manner in relation to a rear wall of the rack system, if the rack post is formed as a rear rack post 6. Here, the further wall surface 103 runs, in turn, in a plane-parallel manner in relation to the surface of the rack outer wall 100.

As can also be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the rack posts 5, 6 have an engagement opening 27 into which screws 24, as already mentioned, can be screwed in order to screw the struts 26 to the rack post. Furthermore, the strut 26 is adapted to the top side of the rack posts 5, 6 such that the strut 26 can be mounted in form-fitting fashion.

As can likewise be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the rack posts 5, 6 have, at the top side, a vertically running slot 43 which serves for receiving a reinforcement rib (not illustrated in any more detail) of the strut 26.

It is optionally illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 that the T-shaped slot 12 has a depression 12a which may be provided for creating more space for the screwing-in of a screw for the slot nut (not illustrated).

Figure 8 is an illustration, similar to Figures 2 and 3, of the rack posts 5, 6 in a plan view.

Figure 23 shows, in a plan view, the interior space of a utility vehicle into which two rack systems 1000, 1001 have been integrated. Here, the utility vehicle has a rear door 44 and a side door 45.

A first rack system has been installed in the utility vehicle such that an outer wall 100 of the rack system is arranged in a plane-parallel manner in relation to the rear door 44 when the rear door 44 is closed. Here, provision is made according to the invention whereby the rack outer wall 100 has rack posts 5, 6 which form a first and a second fastening surface 101, 102 in order to fix the system components 8 in a first and in a second orientation, such that a first group of system components 8 can be operated from outside the utility vehicle when the rear door 44 or the side door is open, and a second group of system components 8 can be operated from the interior space of the utility vehicle.

By way of its rear side, the rack system 1000 illustrated in Figure 23 adjoins a wall 10 of the utility vehicle, which wall forms a longitudinal side of the utility vehicle. Provision is made whereby the rack system 1000 likewise has a rack outer wall 100 at the end averted from the rear door 44, such that system components 8 can be easily installed in two orientations in this region, too. Also provided are two intermediate walls, which are each formed by the second rack side wall 1. The rack side wall 1 likewise has rack posts 5, 6. These however only have fastening surfaces 1c, to which the system components 8 can, in the first orientation, be attached directly and can, in the second orientation, be attached via fastening elements 11, as is also illustrated in Figure 21. Here, the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack side wall 1 have in each case two fastening surfaces 1c, in order that system components 8 are fastenable in each case to both sides of the rack posts 5, 6. The rack system 1000 thus has a total of three "towers" of system components 8.

The second rack system 1001 illustrated by way of example in the utility vehicle is arranged such that its rear side runs parallel to a rear wall of a driver's cab, such that the rack outer wall 100 is accessible from outside the utility vehicle when a side door 45 is correspondingly open.

Claims

Patent claims 1 Rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, with a multiplicity of system components (8) which have a front side (8a) provided for the operation of the system components (8), and with at least one rack outer wall (100) having a load-bearing structure composed of a front rack post (5) and of a rear rack post (6), wherein at least two system components (8) are fixable to the rack posts (5, 6) in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another, and with at least one second rack side wall (1), to which the system components (8) are additionally fixable, characterized in that the rack posts (5, 6) of the rack outer wall (100) form in each case one first vertically running fastening surface (101) in order to fix the system components (8) in a first orientation such that the front sides (8a) of the system components (8) are oriented substantially parallel to a front side of the rack system, and wherein the rack posts (5, 6) of the rack outer wall (100) form in each case one second fastening surface (102), running in an inclined manner relative to the first fastening surface (101), in order to fix the system components (8) in a second orientation such that the front sides (8a) of the system components (8) are oriented substantially parallel to the rack outer wall (100).
Rack system according to Claim 1, characterized in that multiple system components (8) are arranged in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another, wherein a first group of system components having at least one system component (8) are oriented in the first orientation and a second group of system components having at least one system component (8) are oriented in the second orientation.
Rack system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening surfaces (101, 102) are formed with bores (28), ar-ranged in a raster, for the fixing of the system components (8).
4. Rack system according to any of Claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the second rack side wall (1) is formed as an intermediate wall or as a rack outer wall and preferably has a load-bearing structure composed of a front rack post (5) and of a rear rack post (6), wherein the rack posts (5, 6) of the second rack side wall (1) form in each case at least one vertically running fastening surface (1c) in order, together with the rack outer wall (100), to fix at least two system components (8) in a vertically offset manner with respect to one another.
5. Rack system according to Claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the rack posts (5, 6) of the second rack side wall (1) forms, for the fixing together with the rack outer wall (100), only one vertically running fastening surface to which the system components (8) are, in accordance with their orientation, fixable directly or via a fastening element (11).
6. Rack system according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one of the rack posts (5, 6) of the second rack side wall (1) forms a first vertically running fastening surface (1c), in order to fix the system components (8) in the first orientation, and a second vertically running fastening surface (1d), in order to fix the system components (8) in a second orientation.
Rack system according to any of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the second rack side wall (1), in an embodiment as an outer wall, forms a first fastening surface (1c), in order to fix the system components (8) in the first orientation, and a second vertically running fastening surface (1d), in order to fix the system components (8) in the second orientation or in a third orientation, wherein the third orientation is oriented so as to be rotationally offset by 180 degrees in relation to the second orientation, and the front sides (8a) of the system components (8) are, in the third orientation, oriented parallel to the second rack side wall (1).
8. Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rack system has two outer walls and at least one intermediate wall, wherein the second rack side wall (1) forms the at least one intermediate wall, and at least one of the outer walls is formed by a rack outer wall (100) which has rack posts (5, 6) with first and second fastening surfaces (101, 102) in order to fix the system components (8) in the first and in the second orientation.
9. Rack system according to Claim 8, characterized in that both outer walls (100) are formed by a rack outer wall (100), which rack outer walls have rack posts (5, 6) with first and second fastening surfaces (101, 102) in order to fix the system components (8) in the first and in the second and in a third orientation, wherein the third orientation is oriented so as to be rotationally offset by 180 degrees in relation to the second orientation.
Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rack posts (5, 6) are designed such that system components (8) are fixable to the rack posts (5, 6) from a lower end as far as an upper end.
11 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that panels (7) or panel pads (7a) are fixable entirely or in certain portions between the front rack post (5) and the rear rack post (6) of the rack outer wall (100) and/or of the second rack side wall (1).
12 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one rack outer wall (100) and/or the at least one second rack side wall (1) are formed as pillar profiles.
13 Rack system according to any of Claims 3 to 12, characterized in that regions of the fastening surfaces (101, 102) of the rack posts (5, 6) in which the bores (28) are formed have greater wall thicknesses, or a thickening (102a), in relation to those regions of the fastening surfaces (101, 102) in which no bores (28) are formed.
14 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the second fastening surfaces (102) have at least two different wall thicknesses.
Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the system components (8) are formed as drawers, cases, boxes, storage trays or flaps.
16 Rack system according to Claim 15, characterized in that the system components (8) in the embodiment as drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays comprise guide rails (8b) which are fixable to the fastening surfaces (101, 102) in order to fix the drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays in the intended orientation.
17 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the rack posts (5, 6) and/or a profile element (200) arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a horizontal direction has, in an outer wall (201), an attachment region (3) with a T-shaped slot (12), wherein the T-shaped slot (12) extends along a longitudinal axis of the rack post (5, 6) and/or of the profile element (200).
18. Rack system according to Claim 17, characterized in that multiple recess arrangements (202) are formed in the outer wall (201) along the T-shaped slot (12), wherein the recess arrangements (202) each have at least two recesses (203) which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction, wherein the recesses (203) each enlarge an opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces (13) to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements (202), there remains a free portion (z) in which no recesses (203) which enlarge the opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) are formed into the outer wall (201), wherein the free portion (z) has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses (203) of one of the recess arrangements (202).
19 Rack system according to Claim 18, characterized in that the recess arrangements (202) each have exactly two recesses (203) Rack system according to Claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the recesses (203) of the recess arrangements (202) each have a diameter of 20 mm and are arranged in a raster of 25 mm.21 Rack system according to any of Claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the spacing between two recess arrangements (202) amounts to at least 50 mm, preferably at least 75 mm and particularly preferably at least 90 mm, and amounts to very particularly preferably 100 MM.22 Rack system according to any of Claims 18 to 21, characterized in that at least one of the front rack posts (5) is equipped with the recess arrangements (202).23 Rack system according to any of Claims 18 to 22, characterized in that two front rack posts (5) of the rack system and at least one horizontally running profile element (200) which is arranged on the front side and which is fixed to the two front rack posts (5) form a fastening device, wherein the rack posts (5, 6) and the profile element (200) are each equipped with recess arrangements (202).24 Rack system according to any of Claims 18 to 23, characterized in that an inner surface (201a) of the outer wall (201) equipped with the T-shaped slot (12) has, at least in certain portions, two parallel-running webs (17).Rack system according to Claim 24, characterized in that at least one slot nut (15) for insertion into the T-shaped slot (12) is provided, wherein a top side (15a) of the slot nut (15) has at least two parallel-running grooves (16), and the webs (17) on the inner surface (201a) of the outer wall (201) engage into the grooves (16) of the slot nut (15) when the slot nut (15) has been installed in the T-shaped slot (12).26 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the at least one rack outer wall (100) is formed from a front rack post (5) and a rear rack post (6) and at least one strut (26), wherein the strut (26) connects the rack posts (5, 6) to one another at the top side and/or at the bottom side.27 Rack system according to Claim 26, characterized in that at least the front rack post (5) has, at the top side, a slot (43) which extends in a vertical direction and which serves for receiving a reinforcement rib of the strut (26).28 Rack system according to Claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the strut (26) is connected in form-fitting fashion and/or by means of screws (24, 25) to the front rack post (5) and/or to the rear rack post (6).29 Utility vehicle having at least one rack system (1000, 1001) having a multiplicity of system components (8), which have a front side (8a) provided for the operation of the system components (8), and having at least one rack outer wall (100) and at least one second rack side wall (1) running parallel to said at least one rack outer wall, wherein at least two system components (8) are fixable in a vertical-ly offset manner with respect to one another between the rack outer wall (100) and the second rack side wall (1), characterized in that the system components (8) are fixed in at least two orientations, wherein the system components (8), in a first orientation, are oriented such that the front side (8a) of the system components (8) is oriented substantially parallel to a front side of the rack system, and wherein the system components (8), in a second orientation, are oriented such that the front parts (8a) of the system components (8) are oriented substantially parallel to the rack outer wall (100).Utility vehicle according to Claim 29, characterized in that the at least one rack system (1000, 1001) is arranged in the utility vehicle such that the system components (8), in the second orientation, can be operated from outside the utility vehicle when a rear door (44) and/or a side door (45) of the utility vehicle is open.31 Utility vehicle according to Claim 30, characterized in that at least a proportion of the system components (8) that are arranged in the second orientation are formed as drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays, and the drawers, cases, boxes or storage trays can, from outside the utility vehicle, be pulled out of the rack system (1000, 1001) by means of a movement in a longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle.