GB2585746A

GB2585746A - Rack system and rack side wall for a rack system

Info

Publication number: GB2585746A
Application number: GB2005955.6A
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: GB2585746B; GB202005955D0

Abstract

The rack side wall 1 has a front and rear rack post 3,4 which form the load-bearing structure, where, a traverse spar 6 is connected in form-fitting, push-fit fashion to a top and/or bottom side of the posts 3,4. The rack side wall 1 may be part of a system with a tray or shelf attached to the side wall 1, and may be used in a utility vehicle. The traverse 6 may be plugged into the posts 3,4 or screwed. There may be holes in a side parts of the posts 3,4, which may be in a raster or grid. The tray or shelf may be screwed to the holes. There may be an attachment region 5, for example a T-shaped slot or an airline rail, in an outer wall of the posts 3,4 that may be used to attach an additional side wall or to attach payload-securing means.

Description

Rack system and rack side wall for a rack system The invention relates to a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, having at least one rack side wall to which at least one system component is fixed.

The invention also relates to a rack side wall for a rack system according to 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 connecting struts, shelves, 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.

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 component" is to be understood to mean a component fixed to the vehicle, for example a body component, a strut or else a wall panelling part fixedly installed on the body, or a correspondingly fixed rail or the like.

The rack side walls used in the known rack systems, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, have a substantially single-piece construction with a normally uniform depth and different heights.

The single-piece construction gives rise to a stable structure.

There is nevertheless a demand to further improve the structure.

Owing to customer demands and the conditions arising from the structural space of the utility vehicle, it is necessary to provide rack side walls of different heights, which results in a corresponding variety of parts.

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 par-ticularly 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 at the rear side of the rack side wall, though may basically be provided at any position of the rack side wall, for example also at the front side or at a side surface.

Also known from the prior art are rack systems with profile elements which are fixed between two rack side walls and which may have an attachment region with a T-shaped slot. Here, the T-shaped slot extends along a longitudinal axis of the profile element. A slot nut can be inserted as required into the T-shaped slot. The T-shaped slot has an opening through which a screw can be inserted and screwed together with a thread or a threaded bore of the slot nut inserted into the T-shaped slot, in order to fix connecting elements, stiffening elements or other additional components.

In this way, it is for example also possible for connecting pieces for the securing of payloads to be fixed to the T-shaped slot.

It is also known from the prior art to equip the rack system with lashing rails which have holes for the fixing of payload-securing means. Merely by way of example, reference is made in this regard to EP 1 950 091 A2.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a rack system having a rack side wall which has a stable structure and a low weight and is furthermore easy to install.

The present invention is also based on the object of providing a rack side wall for a rack system, which rack side wall has a stable structure and a low weight and is furthermore easy to install.

The object is achieved with regard to the rack system by means of the features of Claim 1 and with regard to the rack side wall 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 invention is however not limited to this.

The rack system according to the invention has at least one rack side wall to which at least one system component is fixed. Here, the rack side wall according to the invention has a front rack post and a rear rack post which form the load-bearing structure of the rack side wall, wherein, for the connection of the rack posts, at least one traverse is provided which is connected in form-fitting fashion to a top side of the rack posts and/or to a bottom side of the rack posts.

By virtue of the fact that the rack side wall has a load-bearing structure composed of a front rack post and of a rear rack post, and at least one traverse is provided which is connected in form-fitting fashion to a top side of the rack post or to a bottom side of the rack post, a particularly stable structure is realized which simultaneously has a low weight.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby two traverses are provided, wherein one traverse is connected in form-fitting fashion to the top side of the rack posts, and one traverse is connected in formfitting fashion to the bottom side of the rack posts.

By virtue of the fact that two traverses are provided which are fixed in form-fitting fashion to the ends of the rack posts, connection which can bear particularly high loads is realized. A form-fitting connection can furthermore be produced easily during the installation process.

It is advantageous if the traverses are plugged in form-fitting fashion into the top sides and/or the bottom sides of the rack posts.

A form-fitting connection by virtue of the traverses being plugged from above into the top side or from below into the bottom side of the rack posts can be installed in a particularly advantageous manner.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the rack posts have engagement openings at the top sides and/or at the bottom sides, and screws are provided in order to screw the traverses to the engagement openings.

By virtue of the fact that the rack posts have engagement openings, it is particularly advantageously possible for screws to be used in order to screw the traverses, which preferably have correspondingly aligned bores, to the engagement openings. It has been found to be sufficient here for the rack posts to have in each case one engagement opening, and thus for the traverses to be screwed at in each case one end to in each case one of the rack posts by means of one screw, which is screwed into the engagement opening.

In one refinement of the invention, provision may be made whereby, for the screw connection of the traverse to an associated rack post, in addition to the screw that engages into the engagement opening, a screw running obliquely with respect to the former screw is provided.

Through the use of an additional screw which runs obliquely with respect to the screw that is screwed into the engagement opening, a particularly stable connection is realized. Such a screw connection is particularly suitable for forming a stable rack side wall.

It is advantageous if holes are formed in side parts of the rack posts.

By virtue of the fact that the side pads of the rack posts form holes, it is possible for system components, transverse struts, accessory parts or the like to be fixed in a particularly simple manner. It is furthermore also possible for individual lashing points, for example with receptacles for airline fittings, to be fixed to the holes. Here, the individual lashing points may be fixed or screwed into the holes and, on their front side, have one, possibly also two receptacles for the insertion of an airline fitting.

The individual lashing points may possibly also be formed such that a slot nut can be inserted.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the holes in the side pads of the rack posts are arranged in a raster.

Formation of holes arranged in a raster in the side parts has proven to be particularly suitable. It is preferable for two or three rows of holes to be formed in the side parts of the rack posts, wherein the holes of a row are arranged in each case with the same spacing.

It may suffice for the rack posts to have holes in each case on one of their two side parts. It is however preferable if both side parts of the rack posts each have holes.

Side parts are to be understood to mean those parts of the rack posts which, when the rack posts or the rack side wall have or has been integrated into a rack system, extend from a front rack post or from a front side of the rack system in the direction of a rear rack post or in the direction of a rear side of the rack system (and vice versa for the rear rack post). The side parts of the rack posts run orthogonally with respect to a front side of the rack system.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the system components are screwed to holes formed in the side parts, preferably using self-tapping screws.

It has been found that a fixing of system components to the holes is particularly suitable in order to firstly fix the system components in a reliable manner and secondly further stabilize the rack system as a whole, because the system components can thus produce a connection between two adjacent rack side walls, and, furthermore, the system components also connect the front rack post to the rear rack post.

Self-tapping screws may preferably be used for the fixing. Other configurations are however also possible here. For example, provision may also be made whereby the system components are riveted.

It is advantageous if the rack posts are formed as profile elements.

An embodiment of the rack posts as profile elements has proven to be particularly suitable.

It is advantageous if the rack posts are formed from metal, preferably aluminium. It is furthermore advantageous if the traverses are formed from plastic.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the front rack post and/or the rear rack post have an attachment region in an outer wall.

An outer wall of the front rack post is to be understood to mean a forwardly oriented wall of the front rack post, which wall, when the rack side wall has been integrated into a rack system, forms a part of the front wall of the rack system.

An outer wall of the rear rack post is to be understood to mean a rearwardly oriented wall of the rear rack post, which wall, when the rack side wall has been integrated into a rack system, forms a part of the rear wall of the rack system.

The formation of an attachment region in the front rack post and in the rear rack post has various advantages. It is thus possible for payload-securing elements, accessory parts, slot nuts and the like to be fixed to the rack posts. In a particularly preferred embodiment, provision may also be made whereby an additional side wall part is fixed in particular to the rear rack post but also to the front rack post, as will be presented in more detail further below. In particular, the attachment regions in the outer wall of the rear rack post may also be used for the fixing of strut elements, for example a fastening angle bracket, which produces a connection between the rear rack post and a positionally fixed component, in particular a rail, which is embedded into a side wall of a utility vehicle.

The attachment regions in the rack posts may be of identical or else different form. This may be dependent on what function the attachment regions are intended to perform. It may in particular be suitable for the front rack post to be configured such that payload-securing elements can be fixed thereto, for which purpose an embodiment as an airline rail, or at least with receptacles which correspond to the receptacles of airline rails, may be suitable. In the case of the rear rack post, it may be advantageous to provide only a T-shaped slot in the attachment region.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the attachment region is provided for the fixing of at least one additional side wall part, which can be installed with a front side on the attachment region of the front rack post and/or of the rear rack post in order to lengthen the depth of the rack side wall.

By means of the 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 ex-ample. 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 also be configured such that at least one additional side wall part is installed onto the front side of one of the rack side walls in order to lengthen the depth of the rack side wall. Here, provision may also be made whereby side wall parts are installed both on the front side and on the rear side.

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 palette, 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 rack side wall, 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 rack side wall 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 ele-ment is fixed to an attachment region on the rear side of the rack side wall 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.

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 rear side and/or to the front side of the rack side wall 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 front rack post and the rear rack post extend in a vertical direction from a bottom side of the rack side wall to a top side of the rack side wall without any bends.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the attachment region of the front rack post and/or of the rear rack post is designed for the fixing of payload-securing means.

The attachment region may be of any desired form in order to fix known payload-securing means.

It is advantageous if the attachment region extends over the entire length of the rack post.

This embodiment has proven to be advantageous in order, in the most flexible manner possible, to be able to fix payload-securing means or slot nuts to the attachment region and in particular to be able to fix the side wall parts at any desired height. The same also applies to the strut elements for fixing, for example, the rear rack post to a positionally fixed component.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the attachment region has a T-shaped slot which extends in a vertical direction and which serves preferably for the fixing of slot nuts.

The formation of a T-shaped slot has proven to be particularly suitable in particular for fixing slot nuts, to which further accessory parts, functional elements or even payload-securing means are then fixed. Here, it is also possible for multiple slot nuts to be inserted into the T-shaped slot.

It is advantageous if an insert element with a lashing point for a payload-securing means is fixed in the T-shaped slot, wherein the insert element is detachably connected to the rack post.

Provision may particularly advantageously be made whereby an insert element with a lashing point, preferably a single lashing point, for a payload-securing means is fixed in the T-shaped slot. Here, the insert ele-ment may preferably have only exactly one lashing point, for example one receptacle, into which a commercially available airline fitting can be inserted.

It is thus possible not only for slot nuts to be fixed in the T-shaped slot, but also for a lashing point for a commercially available payload-securing means to be fixed by means of the insert element.

Here, it is also possible for multiple insert elements to be fixed in the T-shaped slot.

The insert element may be fixed for example by means of spreading elements, or itself by means of a slot nut, in the T-shaped slot.

Provision may be made whereby the insert element has a width such that the insert element cannot be pulled out through the opening of the T-shaped slot. In this case, provision is made for the insert element to be pushed into the T-shaped slot at an end side and to be fixed in the desired position in the T-shaped slot by means of the spreading elements.

Alternatively, provision may be made whereby the insert element is configured such that the insert element is inserted through the opening of the T-shaped slot itself and is subsequently fixed in the T-shaped slot by means of the spreading elements, which are spread for example as a result of screws being screwed in.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby recesses are formed into the outer wall along the T-shaped slot, wherein the recesses in each case enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received.

It has proven to be advantageous if the T-shaped slot has recesses which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces, in particular so-called airline fittings, to be received. Here, the attachment region may preferably also be formed entirely or partially as an airline rail.

In one refinement of the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby multiple recess arrangements are formed in 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, 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 the outer wall 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 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 also be used in the context of the solution according to the invention if the recesses are formed as airline holes, which is preferably the case.

The solution in which provision is made whereby multiple recess arrangements are formed along the T-shaped slot, wherein a free spacing remains between two adjacent recess arrangements, has numerous advantages in relation to the prior art.

Firstly, 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 the recesses, for example airline holes, provided according to the invention 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.

Secondly, the variant has the advantage that, between the recess arrangements, there remain free portions, 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 fastening facility, for example in order to fix accessory parts, stiffening elements, struts or even system components. The attachment region can thus be universally utilized without the need to accept limitations with regard to the securing of payloads.

In order to achieve the above-stated advantages, it is not necessary for all rack posts to be equipped with the recess arrangement. It may suffice, in particular also for the securing of payloads, for a proportion of the rack posts of the rack system to be equipped with recess arrangements. The other rack posts may be of conventional design, preferably such that they likewise have a T-shaped slot, although this too is optional.

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.

It is basically also possible, if recess arrangements are to be provided, for individual recess arrangements to also have only one or more than two recesses. The number of recesses of the recess arrangements need not imperatively always be identical. It is however advantageous if the rack posts 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.

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

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby 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 into the T-shaped slot.

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 an additional side wall part 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 con-nection, 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 Li and two opposite second sides have an identical length L2, and wherein the length Li 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 Li 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 Li, 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. 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 L1, 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 L1, 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 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 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 Li, 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 and, by means of a rotation in the T-shaped slot, secured against being pulled out again.

In one refinement of the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby a cover is mounted onto the traverse which is attached to the top sides of the rack posts, which cover extends over the entire length of the traverse.

The cover may cover the top side of the rack posts in a flush and visually advantageous manner.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby a strut element is provided for the fastening between the front rack post and the rear rack post of the rack side wall, wherein the strut element has a main body which has a front side and a rear side spaced apart from the front side in a thickness direction of the main body, and wherein the strut element has two connecting devices which project laterally from the main body and which serve for the attachment of the strut element to the front and to the rear rack post of the rack side wall, wherein the connecting devices are formed such that, in a first orientation of the strut element, in which the front side is oriented forwards, the spacing of the front side of the main body from an outer surface of the side parts of the front and of the rear rack post in the thickness direction differs from a spacing of the rear side of the main body from the outer surface of the side pads of the front and of the rear rack post in the thickness direction in a second orientation of the strut element, in which the rear side is oriented forwards.

By means of the formation of the connecting devices which project laterally from the main body, the optional strut element is formed such that it can be attached, preferably plugged in, in two different orientations between the front and the rear rack post, wherein the respectively forwardly oriented surface of the main body is arranged differently far forward relative to the rack post to which said strut element is attached. By means of this embodiment of the connecting element, said connecting element can be used in a flexible manner, whereby the flexibility or variability of the rack system as a whole is increased, as presented below.

In a highly advantageous refinement of the invention, provision may be made whereby, in the first orientation, the front side of the main body runs substantially in the same plane as the outer surface of the outwardly directed side parts of the front and of the rear rack post.

This yields a smooth transition between the strut element and the outer surface of the outwardly directed side parts of the rack post, which not only contributes to a more favourable appearance of the rack system but also reduces the risk of objects becoming entangled at the transition between the strut element and the rack post. In particular, it is possible for the strut to be configured such that rack side surfaces possibly arranged above and below the strut element, and/or a likewise optional module plate, can be supported and stabilized by the strut element.

In order to ensure the above-described relative arrangements of the front and of the rear side of the main body relative to the rack post by means of the structure of the connecting devices, provision may furthermore be made whereby the extent to which that edge of the connecting devices which faces towards the front side is spaced apart from the front side in the thickness direction of the main body differs from the extent to which that edge of the connecting device which faces towards the rear side is spaced apart from the rear side in the thickness direction of the main body.

A further advantageous configuration of the invention may consist in that the connecting devices have two connecting lugs which project from the main body. In this way, a degree of flexibility of the connecting devices can be achieved which allows clamping of the strut element in the rack posts.

Here, if the two connecting lugs are connected by means of a connecting element to the main body, then the elasticity of the connecting devices can be yet further increased.

A further advantageous configuration of the invention may consist in that the two connecting lugs are arranged with a spacing to one another and are connected to one another by means of a web extending from the connecting element. Owing to this spacing of the connecting lugs to one another, these can, when they are correspondingly plugged into a suitable region of the rack post, be pressed in the direction of one another, whereby the respective connecting device is jammed in the rack post and serves for securely holding the strut element on the rack post.

This effect is further intensified if the spacing between the connecting lugs increases proceeding from the web.

In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, provision may be made whereby the main body has, proceeding from a top side and/or from a bottom side, a receiving slot for an areal element, which slot adjoins the front side. This allows areal elements, for example panels, rack side parts, module plates or the like, to be received in the strut element, whereby such areal elements can in principle be received at any desired height of the rack posts.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the front rack post and/or the rear rack post forms a fastening projection extending over the entire length of the rack post.

The formation of a fastening projection which extends over the entire length of the rack post has proven to be particularly suitable in order to be able to clamp or arrange or fix the strut element.

The length of the rack post is to be understood to mean the extent of the rack post from a bottom side to a top side.

The fastening projection may basically be of any desired form. It has however proven to be particularly advantageous if the fastening projection is formed in the shape of a part of a circle, or in the shape of three-quarters of a circle, as viewed in cross section.

It is advantageous if the top side and the bottom side of the fastening projection are configured so as to form in each case one of the engagement openings for the screws for the fixing of the traverse.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby at least two strut elements are arranged on the front and on the rear rack post so as to run one above the other in a vertically offset manner.

In this way, additional areal elements can be arranged in any desired regions on the rack side wall between two strut elements, in which elements there may for example be situated at least one cutout for the insertion of parts laterally into the rack system.

It is preferable for a module plate to be fixed between the strut elements, or for the rack side wall to have a free space between the strut elements.

A free space may be suitable in order to enable material or items of equipment to be introduced laterally, that is to say through the otherwise closed rack side surface.

The cutout may for example be used for allowing parts to be received in the rack system which are intrinsically too long to be positioned therein. The cutout or the cutouts in the areal element may in particular also be used for the storage of long parts, or also for receiving items of equipment, such as for example brooms or shovels.

For this purpose, the cutout may be connected to a corresponding long-parts holder, for example a pipe, which extends in a width direction, preferably between two rack side walls of the rack system. The pipe may preferably be provided as a plastics pipe, for example with a diameter of 75 mm to 110 mm, for the storage of long parts. Here, a closure cover may also be provided, preferably with a bayonet fastener, in order to close the cutout.

The formation of a module plate may be advantageous in order to easily form, for example, cutouts for a long-goods holding device, for example for pipes or cables, or a cutout for the leadthrough of a work plate.

In the context of the invention, provision may be made whereby the module plate has one, two or more preferably circular cutouts, into which a device for long-parts storage, preferably the abovementioned pipe or the abovementioned pipes, are inserted. At the end averted from the cutout, the pipe may be closed by means of an end cover.

In one refinement of the invention, provision may be made whereby the rack system has, in two adjacent rack side walls, in each case one areal element equipped with cutouts, preferably a module plate, wherein the cutouts receive in each case one end of a device for long-parts storage, in particular in each case one end of a pipe.

For stable fixing, provision may be made whereby a fastening element is fixed to at least one rack side wall, which fastening element connects the long-goods holding device to the two rack posts of the rack side wall.

In an optional configuration which may however also constitute an independent invention, provision may be made whereby an internal slide is inserted into the device for long-parts storage, in particular the pipe, which slide is preferably movable in guided fashion in a longitudinal direction of the pipe between the two ends of the pipe. For this purpose, provision may be made whereby a cable is fixed to the slide, which cable enables the slide to be pulled towards the pipe opening or towards the cutout. During driving operation, parts can be braced by means of the slide against the closure or the end cover of the pipe opening, and thus secured. Furthermore, by pulling on the cable, the long parts that have been placed into the pipe can be pulled toward the pipe opening in order to be removed there. A winding facility with cable fixing means may be provided in the closure or in the end cover.

The cutout in the module plate may for example also be used for allowing a work plate to project out of the rack side wall, for example in order for a vice to be fastened on said work plate, which vice can then be operated from outside the rack system.

The work plate may be fixed in the rack system such that it can be pulled out of the rack side wall or out of the cutout of the module plate in a continuously variable manner or in a raster. For the pulling-out and for the guidance and/or for the storage of the work plate, a frame structure may be provided which is preferably fixed between two adjacent rack side walls, wherein it is preferably the case that, at one rack side surface, the work plate projects out of the rack side surface through the cutout in the module plate. Provision may be made whereby the work plate, when it is not required, is retracted between the two rack side walls completely, or preferably such that a front edge of the work plate protrudes outwards through the cutout in the module plate only slightly beyond the rack side wall.

By means of the two strut elements, it is possible for an areal element, for example a panel, to be provided only up to a particular height, and for a free space to be generated below or above this, which free space allows lateral access to the rack system or to the parts situated therein.

In a highly advantageous configuration of the invention, provision may be made whereby at least two strut elements are arranged spaced apart one above the other in a vertical direction, wherein a free space remains between the strut elements. In this way, the rack system or a rack bay is laterally accessible through the free space, and materials and items of equipment can be placed in.

In a further configuration of the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby an areal element, in particular a rack side surface or a panel, is plugged into a receiving slot on a top side of one of the strut elements, and/or an areal element, in particular a rack side surface or a panel, is plugged into a receiving slot on a bottom side of one of the strut elements.

By means of this configuration, the strut element can serve as a delimitation for the areal element, such that, for example, a free space can be formed above and/or below the strut element. Without the strut element, an areal element situated above a free space would for example slip down.

In a further configuration of the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby at least one strut element can be attached, preferably can be plugged in, between the rack posts such that a rear side of the strut element is oriented forwards and a rack side surface runs between the rack posts, in particular in order to form a panel, wherein the rear side of the strut element lies against an inner side of the rack side surface.

This configuration has the advantage that the strut element can stabilize the rack side surface and, in particular, a surface is formed by the strut element, into which surface screws can be screwed in order, for example, to fix accessory parts to the rack side surface.

The rack side surface may in particular be a rack side surface of the rack system which forms a lateral outer wall of the rack system.

In a further configuration of the invention, provision may be made whereby an accessory part, in particular a holding element, is fixed to an outer side of the rack side surface, wherein the accessory part is fixed, preferably screwed, through the rack side surface to the strut element.

It is thus easily possible for accessory parts to be fixed to the areal element, which itself is formed preferably as a thin sheet-metal part or plastics part.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby at least one fastening plate is provided which is fixable by means of a fastening element 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 and a bottom side of the fastening plate, wherein the stiffening plate is preferably additionally fixed to the system component.

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 rack post. 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 of the stiffening plate 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.

Provision is preferably made whereby the stiffening plate is additionally fixed to a system component.

The system component may be a shelf, a storage tray, a drawer, a flap, a receptacle for a case or else a transverse 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, for example a horizontally running transverse strut or else a shelf, are fixed in the conventional manner between the rack side walls, which system components then extend in a horizontal direction from 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 rack post. A reinforcement of the rack system by means of stiffening plates which are fixed to the rear side of the rack side wall 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.

It is advantageous is at least two rack side walls are connected to one another by means of the system components and/or transverse struts.

Such a construction has proven to be particularly suitable.

It is explicitly pointed out that the embodiment of the rack post with an attachment region and in particular the presented possibilities for the fixing of an additional side wall part and/or of a stiffening plate and/or of a connecting element is merely an, albeit advantageous, optional configuration of the solution according to the invention.

As highlighted, for the fixing of a slot nut in the T-shaped slot, a configuration of the inner surface of the outer wall of the rack posts with webs is particularly suitable, in particular in conjunction with a corresponding configuration of the slot nut with corresponding grooves. The illustrated possibilities for fixing in particular an additional side wall part, a connecting element or else a stiffening plate to the T-shaped slot is however not restricted to the T-shaped slot having webs. A slot nut may basically also be fixed in a known manner without the T-shaped slot having corresponding webs.

The embodiment of the T-shaped slot with webs is however particularly suitable for realizing the most stable possible fixing.

The statements relating to the fixing of the side wall part, of the connecting element and of the stiffening plate are however to be understood as meaning that these can also be realized without the T-shaped slot having webs or the slot nut having corresponding grooves.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby at least one of the profile elements of the rack system, in particular a profile element which is integrated in a horizontally running manner into the rack system and which in particular runs parallel to the front wall of the rack system and is fixed between two front rack posts, has, at its bottom side, a groove extending in a longitudinal direction, into which groove an LED luminaire or an LED band is inserted.

It has been found that particularly good illumination is realized if an LED luminaire, for example an LED band, an LED strip or an LED rail, is inserted into a groove on the bottom side of one of the profile elements. Here, the groove extends preferably over the entire length or at least approximately over the entire length of the profile element.

The present disclosure relating to the rack system is also applicable as disclosure for a rack side wall for a rack system. All features disclosed with regard to the rack system may also be used individually or in any desired combination for an advantageous rack side wall.

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 side view of the rack system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the rack system according to the invention in a second embodiment; Figure 3 shows a perspective rear view of the rack system according to the invention in a third embodiment; Figure 4 shows a perspective front view of a detail of a rack system; Figure 5 shows a further perspective illustration of a detail of a rack system; Figure 6 shows a perspective side view of the rack system illustrated in Figure 1 with an additional side wall part; Figure 7 shows a further perspective side view of the rack system illustrated in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective illustration from above of an additional side wall part which is installed on an attachment region of a rear rack post; Figure 9 shows a cross section through an additional side wall part which is installed on a rear rack post of a rack side wall, wherein a region is illustrated in which the installation by means of a slot nut, a screw and a U-shaped fastening element can be seen; Figure 10 is a further cross-sectional illustration through the side wall part and the rear rack post of the rack side wall; Figure 11 shows a longitudinal section through the rear rack post in an attachment region, with an illustration of a slot nut which has been inserted into a T-shaped slot of the attachment region; Figure 12 is a perspective illustration of a side wall part; Figure 13 is an enlarged illustration of one of the stiffening plates illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 14 shows a section as per the line XIV-XIV in Figure 13; Figure 15 shows a longitudinal section, as per the line XV-XV in Figure 14, through the rear rack post of a rack side wall, with an illus-tration of a slot nut which has been inserted into a T-shaped slot of the attachment region; Figure 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of two fastening plates which are used in each case for the installation of two stiffening plates; Figure 17 shows a perspective illustration of a front side of a stiffening plate; Figure 18 shows a perspective side view of the stiffening plate as per Figure 17; Figure 19 shows a perspective illustration of a bottom side of a fastening plate, Figure 20 shows a perspective plan view of an outer wall of a rack post with an illustration of a recess arrangement formed along a T-shaped slot; Figure 21 shows a diagrammatic front view of an outer wall of a rack post with an illustration of three recess arrangements; Figure 22 shows a section as per the line XXII-XXII in Figure 21; Figure 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of a connecting piece for insertion into a T-shaped slot in an outer wall of the rack post; Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a top side of a slot nut in a first embodiment; Figure 25 shows a side view of a slot nut from a viewing direction XXV in Figure 24; Figure 26 shows a perspective view of a bottom side of the slot nut as per Figure 24; Figure 27 shows a view of a top side of a slot nut in a second embodiment; Figure 28 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 29 is a perspective illustration of a traverse for connecting a rear rack post to a front rack post; Figure 30 shows a side view of the traverse as per Figure 29; Figure 31 shows a cross section through the traverse as per Figure 29 in an installation situation in which the traverse connects a front rack post to a rear rack post; Figure 32 is a detail illustration of a connection of the traverse to the top side of a front rack post; Figure 33 is an illustration of the connection of the traverse to the upper end of a front and of a rear rack post; Figure 34 is an exploded illustration of a rack side wall with two rack posts, two traverses and a rack side surface; Figure 35 is a perspective illustration of a rack side wall with two rack posts and two traverses; Figure 36 shows a view of the outer side of a rack side wall; Figure 37 shows a view of an inner side of the rack side wall illustrated in Figure 36; Figure 38 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 39 is a perspective illustration of a rack side wall with different positioning of two optional side wall parts in relation to Figure 38; Figure 40 shows a perspective view of a strut element; Figure 41 shows a further perspective view of the strut element as per Figure 40; Figure 42 shows a plan view from above of the strut element as per Figure 40; Figure 43 shows a view of the front side of the strut element as per Figure 40; Figure 44 shows a view of the rear side of the strut element as per Figure 40; Figure 45 shows a part of a rack system into which two strut elements have been inserted; Figure 46 is an enlarged sectional illustration of the rack system from Figure 45; Figure 47 shows a further part of a rack system into which two strut elements have been inserted; Figure 48 is an enlarged illustration from Figure 47; Figure 49 shows a section through a strut element which is connected, in a second orientation, to a rack post of the rack system; Figure 50 shows a view of an inner side of a rack side wall, wherein a strut has been inserted between the front and the rear rack posts; Figure 51 shows a view of an outer side of a rack side wall from Figure 51, without an illustration of a rack side surface; Figure 52 shows a view as per Figure 51 with an illustration of a rack side surface; and Figure 53 is a further perspective illustration of a rack system, wherein two strut elements have been inserted into a rack side wall, between which strut elements there is fixed a module plate which has a cutout for the leadthrough of a work plate.

Rack systems, in particular for installation into utility vehicles, are basically known from the prior art, for example from EP 2 157 884 B1, DE 10 2012 204 883 Al and DE 10 2004 104 117A1, for which reason only the elements that are of interest for the description of the invention will be discussed in more detail below.

The rack system according to the invention may preferably be a rack which has one or more rack side walls, between which there are fastened one or more supports, and/or system components, which are preferably shelves, trays, functional elements or struts.

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.

As can be seen from the figures, the rack system according to the invention has at least one rack side wall 1. In the exemplary embodiments, the rack system has two or three rack side walls 1.

In the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 51 and 52, additional side wall parts 2 have furthermore been optionally installed onto the rack side wall 1.

The configuration of the rack side walls 1, illustrated in more detail below, with side wall pads 2, stiffening plates or connecting elements, and the use of slot nuts and payload-securing means, is optional; in the context of the invention, what is essential is the solution according to the invention illustrated in more detail further below, which arises from the features of Claim 1.

The rack side walls I have a front side la and a rear side 1b.

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 side walls 1.

If a lengthening of the rack side walls 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 lb and/or onto the front side la of a rack side wall 1.

The rack side wall 1 has a front rack post 3 and a rear rack post 4, which form the load-bearing structure of the rack side wall 1.

The rack posts 3, 4 each have an attachment region 5. The attachment region 5 can perform various functions, and may for example be provided for fixing the side parts 2 as illustrated in Figures 6 to 11 and 38 and 39.

The attachment region 5 may take various forms, which will be presented in more detail further below.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments, the rack side wall 1 with the rack posts 3, 4 is formed as a pillar structure. For the connection of the front rack post 3 to the rear rack post 4, at least one traverse 6 is provided which is connected in form-fitting fashion to a top side or a bottom side of the rack posts 3, 4. In the exemplary embodiment, two traverses 6 are provided, wherein one traverse 6 is connected to the top side of the rack posts 3, 4 and one traverse 6 is connected to the bottom side of the rack posts 3, 4, as illustrated in the figures, in particular also in detail in Figures 29 to 39.

According to the invention, provision is made whereby the traverses 6 are connected in form-fitting fashion to the top side of the rack posts 3, 4 and to the bottom side of the rack posts 3, 4. In the exemplary embodiment, for this purpose, provision is made whereby the traverses 6 are formed such that they can be plugged in form-fitting fashion into the top sides and bottom sides of the rack posts 3, 4. For this purpose, as can be seen in particular from Figures 29 to 32, provision is made whereby the traverse 6 has, at its ends 6a, projections which can be plugged into a correspondingly formed free space at the top side or at the bottom side of the rack posts 3, 4.

Provision may be made whereby the rack side wall 1 additionally has a rack side surface 7, which serves in particular for the purposes of panelling. A rack side surface 7 is illustrated for example in Figures 34 and 36 and 37. The use of a rack side surface 7 is optional in the exemplary embodiment. The rack side wall 1 has the required stability even without a rack side surface 7. Here, provision may be made whereby the rack side surface 7 also extends only over a part of the height of the rack side wall 1, as illustrated for example in Figure 53, or whereby the rack side surface 7 is divided into multiple partial surfaces.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack side surface 7 is formed from a thin metal sheet, which preferably has a hole pattern which is illustrated but not designated in any more detail in the figures.

Provision may be made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 are of identical form.

Provision may however also be made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 are of different form.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 are of substantially identical form.

In particular, provision may be made whereby only one of the rack posts 3, 4 has an attachment region 5, and/or whereby the attachment regions 5 of the rack posts 3, 4 are configured differently.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 have different depths, as can be seen for example from Figures 33 and 47 and from a comparison of Figure 49, which shows a section through a front rack post 3, and Figure 28, which shows a section through a rear rack post 4. This arises from the fact that the front rack post 3 is lengthened in the depth direction by a chamber 9. Such a configuration has proven to be advantageous.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the traverses 6 that are provided for the bottom side and the top side of the rack side wall 1 are of identical form.

As can be seen from the figures, the rack posts 3, 4 have engagement openings 10 at the top sides and/or at the bottom sides. Here, screws 11 are provided for screwing the traverse 6 to the engagement openings 10. As can be seen in particular from Figures 31 and 32, provision is made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 have in each case one engagement opening 10 at the top side and at the bottom side, and, for the fixing, a screw 11 is provided which is correspondingly screwed into the one engagement opening 10. For this purpose, the traverse 6 may have a corresponding bore.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 each have a fastening projection 12 which extends over the entire length of the rack post 3, 4 and which forms the engagement openings 10 at its upper and lower ends.

The fastening projection 12 is preferably formed as a three-quarter circle as viewed in cross section, as is correspondingly identically illustrated for example in Figures 28 and 49 for the front and the rear rack post 3, 4. Here, provision is made whereby the fastening projection 12 is positioned approximately centrally, preferably exactly centrally, in a width direction of the rack posts 3, 4, as illustrated in the figures. The fastening projection 12 has a spacing to the side parts 3a, 4a of the rack posts 3, 4. This makes it possible, as presented in more detail below on the basis of Figures 40 and 53, for a strut element 13 to be arranged or clamped be-tween one of the side parts 3a, 4a and the respectively associated fastening projection 12.

As illustrated in the figures, provision is made whereby the traverse 6 is mounted in form-fitting fashion onto the rack posts 3, 4 and is additionally screwed by means of the screws 11 to engagement openings 10 in the rack posts 3, 4. The traverse 6 thus connects the rack posts 3, 4. To increase stability, provision may be made, as illustrated in Figures 31 and 32, whereby in each case one screw 14 which runs obliquely in relation to the screws 11 is additionally screwed in in order to connect the rack posts 3, 4 to the traverse 6.

As can be seen for example from Figures 1 to 4 and also 6 and 7 or 36 and 37, a cover 15 may be mounted on the top side of the rack side walls 1. Here, the cover 15 may cover the traverse 6 from above.

The cover 15 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 15 extends over the entire depth of the rack side walls 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 15 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 16 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 10, and the cover plates 16 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 16 to be screwed to the engagement openings 10 using a screw (not illustrated). Use may possibly also be made of covers 15 which also cover the top side of the side wall parts 2.

Figure 38 illustrates, by way of example, a rack side wall 1 which is made up of two rack posts 3, 4 which are connected to one another at their top side and at their bottom side by means of a traverse 6. The rack side wall 1 illustrated in Figure 38 may additionally have a rack side surface 7 (not illustrated). Figure 38 shows an embodiment in which a side wall part 2 is fixed to the front rack post 3 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 38 that a side wall part 2 is also installed on the rear rack post 4. 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 39 shows a different configuration in relation to Figure 38. Provision is in turn made whereby a side wall part 2 is fixed to the front rack post 3 in the upper region. A side wall part 2 is likewise fixed to the rear rack post 4, 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 38 and 39, whereby the rack side wall 1 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 system components 8, 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.

The use of a rack side surface 7 fixed between the rack posts 3, 4 may also be dependent on whether the rack side wall 1 forms an outer wall of the rack system or an intermediate wall. As illustrated for example in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 53, it is possible, in particular in the case of an intermediate wall of the rack system, to dispense with the use of panelling by means of a rack side surface 7.

For the fixing of the rack side surfaces 7, provision may be made whereby the side parts form an abutment surface 17 against which an edge region or an edge surface of the rack side wall 7 can lie in a flush manner. This is diagrammatically illustrated for example in Figures 9, 28 and 49. The abutment surface 17 may preferably be formed by means of a suitable set-back portion on the outer surface of the side parts 3a, 4a, as illustrated in the figures, such that the rack side surface 7, when it has been inserted between the rack posts 3, 4, runs in a plane with the side parts 3a, 4a, that is to say the outer surface of the side surface 3a, 4a and an outer surface of the rack side surface 7 run in one plane.

Provision may possibly also be made whereby the side parts 3a, 4a form a slit into which an edge of the rack side surface 7 can be plugged.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiments, the side parts 3a, 4a of the rack posts 3, 4 may form holes 18. Here, the holes 18 are arranged in a raster in the side parts 3a, 4a. It is preferable for both side parts 3a, 4a of a rack post 3, 4 to have holes 18.

The holes 18 are preferably arranged in multiple rows in the side parts 3a, 4a, wherein the rows extend from a top side to a bottom side of the rack posts 3, 4, and the holes 18 of a row have in each case a uniform spacing, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments. Provision may furthermore be made whereby holes are also formed in the abutment surface 17 of the side parts 3a, 4a, which holes preferably serve for the screw connection of the rack side surface 7.

The side parts 3a, 4a preferably have two rows of holes 18, wherein a row of holes is additionally formed in the abutment surfaces 17. It is advantageous if the system components 8 are screwed to holes 18 formed in the side parts 3a, 4a, preferably using self-tapping screws which are not illustrated in any more detail.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 are formed as rack posts, preferably as extruded profiles. In the exemplary embodiment, the rack posts 3, 4 are formed from metal, preferably from aluminium.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments, the rack posts 3, 4 each have an outer wall 3b, 4b and two side parts 3a, 4a. It is however preferable if the rack posts 3, 4, at their rear side averted from the outer wall 3b, 4b, have no rear wall which connects the ends of the side walls 3a, 4a. The rear side of the rack posts 3, 4 is thus open. However, at least one intermediate wall is provided, which is illustrated in the figures but not designated in any more detail and which, spaced apart from the free ends of the side walls 3a, 4a, runs preferably orthogonally with respect to the side walls 3a, 4a and connects the side walls 3a, 4a.

Here, the intermediate wall runs preferably parallel to the outer wall 3b, 4b. The side walls 3a, 4a thus project orthogonally from the intermediate wall in the direction of the rear side of the rack posts 3, 4, such that the side walls 3a, 4a have free ends for the attachment of the (optional) rack side surface 7 and/or of system components 8. Here, the system components 8 are fixed preferably using the holes 18.

If the attachment region 5 has a T-shaped slot presented in more detail further below, the intermediate wall may preferably form a rear wall of the T-shaped slot.

The rear rack post 4 preferably has an intermediate wall.

The front rack post 3 has preferably two intermediate walls running parallel to one another, which, together with the side parts 3a, form the chamber 9.

As already presented, the front rack posts 3 and the rear rack posts 4 have in each case one attachment region 5 in an outer wall 3b, 4b.

The attachment region 5 may perform various functions and have various configurations, which are however all optional, though may be advantageous, as presented below.

The attachment region 5 may be formed or suitable for the fixing of at least one connecting element 19, as illustrated in Figures Sand 28. The connecting element 19 may preferably be formed as a fastening angle bracket, wherein one end of the connecting element 19 is fixed to the attachment region 5 of a rear rack post 4, and the other end is fixed to a positionally fixed component 20. The positionally fixed component 20 may, in the exemplary embodiment, be any desired component fixed with respect to the vehicle, for example a body component, a side wall of the utility vehicle, a strut part or, as illustrated in Figure 5, a rail, which is in turn fixed, in a manner fixed with respect to the vehicle, to a wall of the utility vehicle 21. This configuration is particularly suitable, but the invention is not restricted to this. The attachment region 5 may particularly advantageously also be provided for the fixing of the optionally provided side wall part 2.

This will be presented below in particular on the basis of Figures 6 to 12 and also 38 and 39.

As can be seen from the figures, the side wall parts 2 have, on their rear side 2b, an attachment region 22. The attachment region 22 may serve preferably (inter alia) for the fixing of at least one of the connecting elements 19 in order to fix the additional side wall part 2, if appropriate, to the positionally fixed component 20 as has already been described with regard to a configuration without additional side part 2.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the attachment region 22 on the rear side 2b of those side wall parts 2 which are fastened to the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 are of identical form to the attachment region 5 on the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1, at least with regard to the configuration provided for the fixing of the connecting element 19. In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the attachment regions 5, 22 are identical.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 6 and 7, the side wall parts 2 extend only over a portion of the height of the rack side walls 1. It is however basically also possible for the side wall parts 2 to extend over the entire height of the rack side wall 1. It is also possible for the rack side wall 1 to be equipped with two or more side wall pads 2. It is basically also possible for only a proportion of the rack side walls 1 to be equipped with one or more side wall parts 2, the arrangement of which, with regard to the height of the rack side walls 1, may in this case be adapted in each case to the installation situation.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the side wall parts 2 are fixable to the rear side lb and/or to the front side la of the rack side walls 1 in a continuously variable manner, or in a raster, in a vertical direction.

In the exemplary embodiment, the front side la and the rear side lb of the rack side wall I extend in a vertical direction from a bottom side of the rack side wall 1 to a top side of the rack side wall 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the front side 12 and the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 are, as already described, provided by the front rack post 3 and by the rear rack post 4 respectively, which run linearly without bends, such that the weight forces can be introduced in a particularly simple manner into a floor (not illustrated in any more detail) of the utility vehicle. Here, the rack posts 3, 4 are arranged orthogonally or perpendicularly on the floor.

As can also be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the side wall parts 2 are preferably formed and installed such that the side wall parts 2 do not dissipate any weight forces via the bottom side thereof, that is to say the bottom side of the side wall part 2 is not connected to the floor of the utility vehicle. The weight forces of the rack system are dissipated through the rack posts 3, 4. It is basically also possible for weight forces to be dissipated via the bottom side of the side wall part, though this is not necessary.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiment, the side wall parts 2 have a wall thickness which is substantially identical to the rack side wall 1.

As can be seen from Figures 8 to 11, the side wall parts 2 are, by way of their front side 2a, connected in form-fitting fashion by means of a slotand-key connection to the attachment region 5 on the rear rack post 4. For this purpose, the front side 2a of the side wall parts 2 has an installation region 23 which is of complementary form with respect to the attachment region 5 of the rack side walls 1.

In the exemplary embodiments, the attachment region 5 both in the front rack post 3 and in the rear rack post 4 is configured so as to extend over the entire length of the rack post 3, 4. Here, the attachment region 5 in the front rack post 3 and in the rear rack post 4 may be provided for the fixing of payload-securing means 24, as illustrated by way of example but in a non-limiting manner in Figure 23, and for the fixing of slot nuts 25, which may be configured in a variety of advantageous embodiments as illustrated for example in Figures 24 to 27 but also in the conventional manner.

Here, the slot nuts 25 may be provided for the fixing of various elements, for example of the additional side parts 2, of the connecting elements 19 or of stiffening plates 26, as will be presented in more detail further below.

The specific configuration of the slot nuts 25 and also of the use thereof for the fixing of the above-stated elements is optional in the context of the invention The attachment region 5 may preferably have a T-shaped slot 27 which extends in a vertical direction and which is preferably provided for the fixing of the slot nuts 25. The slot nuts 25 may be formed in a known manner or particularly advantageously as illustrated in Figures 24 to 27.

An optional configuration or use of the T-shaped slot 27 for the fixing of the optionally provided additional side wall parts 2 will be presented below on the basis of Figures 8 to 12 and also 38 and 39.

On the side wall 2 or in the installation region 23 of the side wall 2, there may be formed a key 28 which engages in form-fitting fashion into the T-shaped slot 27 of the rear rack post 4. Here, the key 28 engages into an opening region of the T-shaped slot 27 so as to realize a form fit.

The fixing of a side wall part 2 to the front side la of one of the rack side walls 1 may be realized analogously. All features described in the exemplary embodiment with regard to the fixing of a side wall part to the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 are also suitable for the fixing of the side wall part 2 to the front side la of the rack side wall 1, without this being explicitly presented once again in each case.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby slot nuts 25 may be used for the fixing of the side wall part 2 in the T-shaped slot 27 of the rack side wall 1.

The slot nut 25 is formed such that it can be inserted into the T-shaped slot 27 from the front, that is to say through the opening of the T-shaped slot 27.

The slot nut 25 provided in the exemplary embodiment has, as can be seen in particular from Figures 24 to 26, 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, the slot nut 25 is preferably formed as follows. Provision is made whereby two opposite sides 25b have an identical length Li and two opposite sides 25c have an identical length L2, wherein the length Li is shorter than the length L2, wherein the angles between two adjacent sides 25b, 25c do not form a right angle.

The spacing between the two sides 25c or the orthogonal with respect to the sides 25c is dimensioned such that the spacing is smaller than the width of the opening in the front wall of the T-shaped slot 27. It is thereby possible to insert the slot nut 25 into the T-shaped slot 27 through the opening. By means of a corresponding rotation of the slot nut 25 in the T-shaped slots 27, it can then be achieved that the relatively short sides 25b (with the length Li) bear against side surfaces within the T-shaped slot 27. The rotated end position of the slot nut 25 in the T-shaped slot 27 is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 8 to 11.

As an alternative to the illustration in Figures 24 to 26, provision may also be made whereby the slot nut 25 has bevelled corners. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 26 by dashed lines. In this case, provision is then made whereby the slot nut 25 lies by way of the surface illustrated by dashed lines against the side surfaces within the T-shaped slot 27, that is to say the slot nut 25 is, for this purpose, rotated further than is illustrated in Figure 9. An embodiment of the slot nut 25 without the bevelling of the corners illustrated by dashed lines is however preferred, because this results in a larger contact area between the top side 25a of the slot nut 25 and the inner side of the front wall, provided with the opening, of the T-shaped slot 27.

A configuration of the slot nut 25 as illustrated in Figures 24 to 26 offers the advantage of an optimized bearing area/contact area between the top side 25a of the slot nut and the inner surface 27a of the T-shaped slot 27, 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. A configuration of the slot nut 25 with bevelled corners, as illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 26, reduces the bearing area/contact ar-ea but has the effect that the slot nut 25 can be rotated in further, whereby the height of the slot nut 25 in the T-shaped slot 27 is reduced, such that two slot nuts 25 can be positioned one above the other in a more closely adjacent manner in the T-shaped slot 27.

As illustrated, the slot nut 25 has two parallel-running grooves 29 on the top side 25. Here, the grooves 29 run parallel to the two short sides 25b (with the length Li) of the slot nut 25. Furthermore, as illustrated in the figures, provision is made whereby an inner surface 27a, facing towards the top side 25a of the slot nut 25, of the T-shaped slot 27 has two parallel-running webs 30. Here, the grooves 29 in the slot nut 25 are adapted to the webs 30 in the T-shaped slot 27. As illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 and analogously in Figures 14 and 28, the webs 30 engage into the grooves 29 when the slot nut 25 has been installed in the T-shaped slot 27. This yields a form-fitting connection, whereby the bending-open of the T-shaped slot 27 is also prevented, and a securing action against undesired rotation (loosening), in particular during driving operation of the utility vehicle, is realized.

As can also be seen from Figures 24, 26 and 27, the slot nut 25 has a thread 31 for a screw element 32.

As can also be seen in particular from Figure 12, the front side 2a of the side wall part 2 is equipped with a bore 33 for the leadthrough of the screw element 32. The screw element 32 can thus be inserted through the front bore 33 in order that it can be screwed to the slot nut 25 or to the thread 31 of the slot nut 25. In order to facilitate the screwing of the screw element 32 to the thread 31, a corresponding bore 34 is formed into the rear side 2b of the side wall part 2, which bore is positioned such that the central axes of the bores 33, 34 run at least approximately coaxially. The bore 34 serves for the introduction of a screwdriver, by means of which the screw element 32 inserted through the front bore 33 can then be manipulated.

As can also be seen in particular from Figures 8 to 10, a U-shaped fastening element 35 is provided for the installation of the side wall part 2 onto the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1. The U-shaped fastening element 35 is in this case configured such that the limbs 36 of the U-shaped fastening element 35 adjoin the inner side of two side surfaces 37, which run with a spacing to one another, of the side wall part 2 when the U-shaped fastening element 35 has been positioned and screwed to the slot nut 25.

Furthermore, the U-shaped fastening element 35 is configured such that a base 38 of the U-shaped fastening element 35 adjoins the inner side of the front side 2a of the side wall part 2 when the side wall part 2 has been installed onto the rack side wall 1 by means of the U-shaped fastening element 35.

In a particularly advantageous configuration for the fixing of payload-securing means 24 in the attachment region 5, provision may be made whereby recesses 39 are formed into the T-shaped slot 27, wherein the recesses 39 in each case enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot 27 in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces 40, as illustrated for example in Figure 23, to be received.

The attachment region 5 may in this case also be formed as an airline rail.

In a particularly advantageous configuration, provision may be made whereby multiple recess arrangements 41 are formed in an outer wall 3b, 4b of the rack posts 3, 4 along the T-shaped slot 27, wherein the recess arrangements 41 each have at least two recesses 39 arranged offset in a longitudinal direction. Here, provision is made whereby, between two adjacent recess arrangements 41, there remains a free portion z in which no recesses 39 which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot 27 are formed into the outer wall 3b, 4b, 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 39 of one of the recess arrangements 41.

A diagrammatic configuration of an advantageous embodiment of recess arrangements 41 is illustrated in Figures 20 and 21. In the exemplary embodiments, the recess arrangements 41 preferably each have exactly two recesses 39. Here, it is however basically possible for individual recess arrangements 41 to have a different number of recesses 39.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses 39 of the recess arrangement 41 preferably have a diameter of 20 mm and are arranged in a raster of 25 mm. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 21. Here, the raster spacing x amounts to 25 mm. The diameter of a recess 39 preferably amounts to 20 mm. As can likewise be seen in Figure 21, the free portion z is larger than the extent y of two mutually adjoining recesses 39 of one of the recess arrangements 41.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses 39 are formed preferably as airline holes.

In the exemplary embodiment, the spacing between two recess arrangements 41 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 41 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 41 amounts to 100 mm +1-25 mm.

Figure 23 illustrates a connecting piece 40 by way of example. The connecting pieces 40 are configured such that they can be inserted through the recesses 39 into the T-shaped slot 27. Such connecting pieces 40 are basically known from the prior art. In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting piece 40 is formed as a so-called airline fitting, in particular for the securing of payloads.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby preferably the front rack post 3 is equipped with the recess arrangements 41.

The rear rack post 4 preferably has no recess arrangements 41.

A fastening device which is particularly suitable for the securing of payloads can be seen from Figure 5, wherein at least two front rack posts 3 and one transverse strut 42, which is fixed to the two front rack posts 3 and which extends in a horizontal direction, has a recess arrangement 41.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the recesses 39 of the recess arrangement 41 are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall 3b and 4b respectively.

Figure 20 shows a detail of an outer wall 3b, 4b of one of the rack posts 3, 4 with a cross section through one of the recesses 39 of the recess arrangement 41.

Figure 20 illustrates only the outer wall 3b, 4b of the rack posts 3, 4. In Figure 20, however, provision is made whereby the rack posts 3, 4 are formed as extruded profiles, such that further wall parts run below the illustrated outer wall 3b, 4b, for example in the manner illustrated in Figure 28 with regard to the rear rack post 4.

Analogously, Figures 21 and 22 show only the outer wall 3b, 4b of a rack post 3, 4 in order to illustrate the recess arrangement 41 and the recess 39. The configuration of the rack posts 3, 4 of the outer wall 3b, 4b can be adapted to the respective requirements in order to form a rack post.

The attachment region 5 of the rear rack post 4 may particularly advantageously also be used for the fixing of stiffening plates 26, as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 3 and Figures 13 to 19. For this purpose, the stiffening plate 26 may preferably have, at one of its side edges 26a, an angled portion 43 which is insertable into the T-shaped slot 27.

For the fixing of the stiffening plate 26, a fastening plate 44 is provided which is fixable by means of a fastening element 10 to the slot nut 25 inserted into the T-shaped slot 27.

The angled portion 43 at the first side edge 26a of the stiffening plate 26, and the insertion thereof into the T-shaped slot 27, can be seen particularly clearly when Figures 13, 14, 17 and 18 are viewed together.

The first side edge 26a of the stiffening plate 26 is thus fixed between a bottom side 44a of the fastening plate 44 and the attachment region 5. As a result of the fixing of the fastening plate 44 to the slot nut 25, the stiffening plate 26 is thus fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region Sand the bottom side 44a of the fastening plate 44. The fastening plate 44 clamps the stiffening plate 26.

Additionally, the stiffening plate 26 is fixed to one of the system components 8, as can be seen in particular from Figures 3, 4 and 7 In the exemplary embodiment, it is preferable for at least two or even more stiffening plates 26 to be provided.

In the exemplary embodiment, each stiffening plate 26 is fixed in the T-shaped slot 27 by means of one, preferably by means of two or even more fastening kits, which each have one of the fastening plates 44, one of the slot nuts 25 and one of the fastening elements 45.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the fastening elements 45 are formed as screw elements. It is advantageously also conceivable for the fastening element 45 or the screw element to be used for fastening one end of a connecting part, for example of an angle bracket or the like, thereto, wherein the other end of the connecting part is to be fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to the vehicle, for example to a wall or to a rail integrated in or fastened to the wall.

Figure 19 shows a particularly advantageous configuration of the fastening plate 44. Here, provision is made whereby the fastening plate 44 has projecting elevations 46 on its bottom side 44a. Here, there may be one elevation 46, but preferably two or more, particularly preferably an even number of elevations 46. The elevations 46 may also be referred to as feet.

The elevations 46 can have the effect that the fastening plate 44, when it has been fixed to the slot nut 25, is supported on the attachment region 5 or on an outer wall 26a of the T-shaped slot 26. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 14.

Provision may furthermore be made whereby the elevations 46 extend into complementary recesses 47 of the stiffening plate 26 (see Figures 16, 17 and 18).

The elevations 46 may basically have any desired shape. It has however proven to be advantageous if the elevations 46 have a cross section which deviates from a circular shape, preferably an oval, polygonal, in particular rectangular cross section, possibly with rounded edges, as illustrated in Figure 19. The complementary recesses 47 in the stiffening plate 26 may in this case have a correspondingly adapted shape, for example the shape of an elongated hole, such that the elevation 46 can be connected in form-fitting fashion to the recess 47.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made, as illustrated in figure 19, whereby the fastening plate 44 has multiple elevations 46, which are arranged to both sides of and symmetrically with respect to a vertical central axis X which runs parallel to a longitudinal axis of the T-shaped slots 27 when the fastening plate 44 has been fixed to the slot nut 25.

The symmetrical arrangement about the central axis X firstly makes it possible for the fastening plate 44 to be able to be supported in a stable and uniform manner on the attachment region 5 or on the outer wall 27b of the T-shaped slot 27. Secondly, this configuration also makes it possible for two stiffening plates 26, in each case one to the left and one to the right of the central axis X, to be easily installed by means of the fastening plate 44.

As can be seen from Figures 14 and 19, a pedestal 48 is formed on the bottom side 44a of the fastening plate 44, which pedestal extends into an opening of the T-shaped slot 27.

Here, the pedestal 48 is configured such that, when the fastening plate 44 has been fixed to the slot nut 25, a longitudinal gap remains between a longitudinal side 48a of the pedestal 48 extending into the opening of the T-shaped slot 27 and a longitudinal edge of the opening of the T-shaped slot 27, into which longitudinal gap the angled portion 43 of the stiffening plate 26 is inserted in form-fitting fashion.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pedestal 48 is preferably configured such that the angled portion 43 of in each case one stiffening plate 26 can be inserted in form-fitting fashion between the two longitudinal edges of the opening of the T-shaped slot 27 and the respectively adjoining longitudinal sides 48a of the pedestal 48. It is thus also possible for two stiffening plates 44 to be easily fixed in form-fitting fashion between the pedestal 48 and an adjoining longitudinal edge of the opening of the T-shaped slot 27.

In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening plate 44 has a width greater than the width of an opening of the T-shaped slot 27. In the exemplary embodiment, the width of the fastening plate 44 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 5.

Figure 16 shows a particularly advantageous installation of two fastening plates 26. Here, provision is made whereby the stiffening plates 26 are inserted with their respective angled portions 43 into a common T-shaped slot 27. Here, the two stiffening plates 26 are fixed together with at least one fastening plate 44, in Figure 16 with two fastening plates 44, in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region 5 and the bottom side 44a of the fastening plate 44. Each of the fastening plates 44 thus fixes two stiffening plates 26. Here, it is basically also possible, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 16, for only one fastening plate 44 to be provided in order to fix the two fastening plates 26.

It is basically also possible for more than just two fastening plates 44 to be provided in order to fix the stiffening plates 26.

In the exemplary embodiment as per Figure 16, provision is furthermore made whereby one of the two stiffening plates 26 is fixed to a first system component 8 and the other stiffening plate 26 is fixed to a second system component 8.

The stiffening plates 26 may be screwed, riveted, clipped or adhesively bonded to the system component 8. Any other connecting technique is also conceivable. The stiffening plates 26 and the system components 8 may, for the fixing of the stiffening plates 26 to the system component 8, have a row of bores 49, 50 arranged in the same raster. The bores 49 in the stiffening plate 26 can thus be easily brought into alignment with the bores 50 in the system component 8 in order to fix the stiffening plate 26.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the recesses 47, provided for receiving the elevations 46, in the stiffening plate 26 are arranged in the region of the first side edge 26a equipped with the angled portion 43 and are preferably formed as elongated holes. Here, the bores 18 in the stiffening plate 26 are arranged in the region of a second side edge 26b running at right angles to the first side edge 26a, and are preferably of circular form.

As can be seen from Figures 17 and 18, in the exemplary embodiment, the stiffening plate 26 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 26c of the stiffening plate 26 has a stiffening angled portion 61. In the installed state, that is to say when the stiffening plate 26 has been fixed, the stiffening angled portion 61 projects from the stiffening plate 26 in a direction averted from the rack system. The orientation of the stiffening angled portion 61 is thus opposite to the orientation of the angled portion 43.

Figures 41 to 53 show an optional but advantageous use of strut elements 13.

Figures 47 to 51 show various views of a strut element 13 which serves for the connection of the rack posts 3 and 4.

The strut element 13 has a main body 51, which in turn has a front side 51a and a rear side 51b which is spaced apart from the front side 51a in the thickness direction denoted by "x". Here, the terms "front side 51a" and "rear side 51b" are selected here purely at random, because, as will be described in more detail below, the strut element 13 can can be installed in two orientations between the rack posts 3 and 4. Here, not only the front side 51a but also the rear side 51b can be directed forward, that is to say towards the outer side of the rack side wall 1 of the rack system. The "thickness direction" x denotes the shortest of the three side lengths of the strut element 13, that is to say the direction perpendicular to planes in which the front side 51a and the rear side 51b lie. The length and the height of the strut element 13 are not designated in any more detail in the figures but are readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Two connecting devices 52 project from the main body 51 in each case in the direction of the length of the strut element 13, which connecting devices serve for attaching the strut element 13 to the rack posts 3 and 4.

The two connecting devices 52 projecting laterally from the main body Si are formed such that, in a first orientation of the strut element 13, in the case of which the front side 51a of the main body 51 is directed forward, the spacing of the front side 51a of the main body 51 from an outer sur-face of the side parts 3a, 4a of the rack post 3 or 4 as viewed in the thickness direction x differs from a spacing of the rear side 51b of the main body 51 from an outer surface of the side pads 3a, 4a of the rack post 3 or 4 as viewed in the thickness direction x in a second orientation of the strut element 13, in which the rear side 51b of the main body 51 is oriented forwards, that is to say towards the outer surface of the rack side wall 1.

This difference can be seen from a comparison of Figures 47 and 48, on the one hand, with Figure 49, on the other hand. Here, Figures 47 and 48 show the first orientation, in which the front side 51a of the main body 51 of the strut element 13 is oriented forwards, that is to say towards the outer side of the rack side wall 1 of the rack system. By contrast, in the second orientation of the strut element 13 as illustrated in Figure 49, the rear side 51b of the main body 51 of the strut element 13 is oriented forwards, that is to say towards the outer surface of the rack side wall 1 of the rack system.

It can be seen here that, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, in the first orientation illustrated in Figures 47 and 48, the front side 51a of the main body 51 runs substantially in the same plane as the outwardly directed outer surfaces of the side parts 3a and 4a of the rack posts 3 and 4 respectively. By contrast, in the second orientation of the strut element 13 as per Figure 49, the forwardly pointing rear side 51b of the main body 51 of the strut element 13 is offset rearward in relation to the outwardly directed outer surfaces of the side parts 3a and 4a of the rack post 3, 4.

While it is the case in the first orientation of the strut element 13 that a smooth surface is accordingly realized, it is possible in the second orientation for a rack side surface 7, for example a panel, to be arranged in front of the strut element 13. In this case, the strut element 13 is thus not visible from the outside (other than through any bores in the rack side surface 7).

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the strut element 13, the extent to which that edge 52a of the connecting devices 52 which faces towards the front side 51a is spaced apart from the front side 51a in the thickness direction x of the main body 51 differs from the extent to which that edge 52b of the connecting device 52 which faces towards the rear side 51b is spaced apart from the rear side 51b in the thickness direction x of the main body Si.

As can be seen for example in Figure 47, the main body 51 has, at a bottom side 51d and likewise at a top side 51c, a receiving slot 53 which adjoins the front side 51a and which serves for receiving the rack side surface 7.

If the strut element 13 is in the first orientation, as illustrated in Figures 45 to 48, the rack side surface 7 can engage into the receiving slot 53, resulting in secure hold for the rack side surface 7. This can be utilized in particular if, as illustrated in Figures 45 or 47, two strut elements 13 are arranged one above the other in a vertical direction, that is to say in a longitudinal direction of the rack posts 3 and 4, and a module plate 54 is arranged between the strut elements 13. In the present case, the module plate 54 has multiple cutouts 54a, through which long-goods holding de-vices 55 illustrated for example in Figure 45 can be inserted The usability of the rack system can be greatly enhanced in this way.

In the exemplary embodiment, the long-goods holding device 55 is formed as a pipe, for example as a plastics pipe, with a diameter of 50 to 200 mm, preferably 75 mm to 110 mm. In the exemplary embodiment, provision may be made whereby the pipes 55 are fixed between two adjacent rack side walls 1. For the fixing of the pipes or of the long-goods holding device 55, additional fastening elements 55a may be provided, by means of which the ends of the pipes 55 are fixed, for example screwed, to the respectively associated rack posts 3, 4 of a rack side wall 1. It may be sufficient here for one of the rack side walls 1 to be equipped with the module plate 54 with the cutouts 54a. In particular if the other side wall is formed as a rack intermediate wall, a rack side surface 7 can possibly be omitted at this location.

Additionally or alternatively, provision may also be made whereby a work plate 56 illustrated in Figure 53 is led through the cutout 54a of the module plate 54. The work plate 56 may extend through a corresponding cutout 54a to the outside of the rack system and be equipped there, for example, with a vice. It is also possible for a frame for the guidance and fastening of the work plate 56 to be provided between the two rack side walls 1, as illustrated in Figure 45. Here, provision may be made in particular whereby the work plate 56 can be pulled out of the rack system, and pushed in again, through the cutout 54a.

Figure 45 shows a preferred use of two strut elements 13, between which a module plate 54 has been inserted, as already described above. The module plate 54 may be formed as any desired module plate with cutouts 54a for pipes, work plates or the like, for example.

Provision may alternatively or additionally also be made whereby two strut elements 13 are arranged spaced apart from one another in a vertical direction, for example as illustrated in Figure 45, wherein a free space remains between the strut elements 13, that is to say no module plate 54 is inserted. In this case, the strut elements 13 then serve for creating a free space.

The strut elements 13 may also serve for stabilizing, or holding in position, rack side walls 7 which are arranged above or below one of the strut elements 13, by virtue of the rack side walls 7 being pushed into receiving slots 9 of the strut elements 13. It is thus possible, for example, to prevent a rack side wall 7 which is arranged above one of the strut elements 13 from slipping downward and thus closing the desired free space again.

It is basically also possible to use only one strut element 13 in order to form a free space below the strut element 13. For example, provision may be made whereby a free space remains proceeding from a bottom side of the rack side wall 1 up to a defined height of the rack side wall 1, for example by virtue of the lowermost rack side wall illustrated in Figure 45 being omitted.

As can be seen in particular in Figures 47 to 51, the connecting devices 52 have in each case two connecting lugs 57 projecting laterally from the main body 51. The connecting lugs 57 are connected by means of a connecting element 58 to the main body 51. In the present case, the connecting element 58 that connects the two connecting lugs 57 to the main body 51 constitutes the elongation of one of the two connecting lugs 57. Furthermore, the two connecting lugs 57 are arranged with a spacing to one another and are connected to one another by means of a web 59 proceeding from the connecting element 58. In this way, an approximate Y shape of the connecting devices 52 is realized. Here, the spacing between the connecting lugs 57 increases proceeding from the web 59.

It can furthermore be seen in Figure 48 that the connecting devices 52 can be clamped in each case between the outer of the two side parts 3a of the front rack post 3, and analogously the outer of the two side parts 4a of the rear rack post 4, and the inwardly projecting fastening projection 12 of the respective rack post 3 or 4.

By means of the above-described embodiment of the connecting devices 52, these have a certain degree of elasticity, whereby the two connecting lugs 57 are pressed together as they are pushed in between the side part 3a or 4a and the respective fastening projection 12, and clamping of the strut element 13 against the respective rack post 3 or 4 is thus realized. This applies also if the strut element 13 is installed in its second orientation, as per Figure 49, on the rack post 3 or 4.

If the strut element 13 is attached in its second orientation between the rack posts 2 and 3, any elements can be attached to the strut element 13. In the illustrations as per Figures 50, 51 and 52, an accessory part, formed in this case as a U-shaped holding element 60, has for example been screwed to the strut element 13.

An attachment of additional components to the strut element 13 is basically also possible when the strut element 13 is situated in its first orientation.

Figure 50 shows a view of an inner side of the rack side wall 1, wherein the rack side wall 1 has a rack side surface formed as a panel 7. The strut element 13, which is oriented in the second orientation, runs along the inner side of the rack side wall 1. Here, provision is made whereby the strut element 13 lies with its rear side 51b against the inner side of the rack side wall 7, as can also be seen from Figure 50. In this way, firstly, the rack side wall 7 is stabilized, and secondly, it is thus possible for an accessory part 60, for example the holding element 60 illustrated in Figures 50 to 52, to be screwed from the outside to the rack side surface 7. The rack side surface 7 is generally formed as a thin sheet-metal part or possibly also as a plastics part and has a thickness which is generally not sufficient to fix an accessory part, in particular a holding element 60 for cables, for example.

The holding element 60 is screwed or fixed through the rack side surface 7 to the strut element 13. This is illustrated in Figure 51 (with the rack side surface 7 not being shown).

Figure 52 shows a view from the outside of the rack side wall 1, wherein the rack side wall 1, as is also the case in Figure 50, has a rack side surface formed as a panel 7. The holding element 60 lies against the rack side surface 7. As can be seen when viewing Figures 51 and 52 together, the holding element 60 is screwed, preferably by means of screws which are not designated in any more detail, through the rack side wall 7 to the strut element 13.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is preferably made whereby the main body 51 has three flat wall parts running parallel to one another, specifically a wall part which forms the front side 51a, a wall part which forms the rear side 51b, and a wall part which runs in a plane-parallel manner between the front side 51a and the rear side 51b. Orthogonally running stiffening webs may be formed between the wall parts in order to form a stable and nevertheless lightweight main body Si.

The strut element 13 may be composed preferably of plastic.

It is basically possible for any desired number of strut elements 13 to be used between two rack posts 3, 4 which jointly form the load-bearing structure of the rack side wall 1, for example in order to fix accessory parts 60, create free spaces or use module plates 54 which have cutouts 54a.

Claims

Patent Claims 1 Rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, having at least one rack side wall (2) to which at least one system component (8) is fixed, characterized in that the rack side wall (1) has a front rack post (3) and a rear rack post (4) which form the load-bearing structure of the rack side wall (1), wherein, for the connection of the rack posts (3, 4), at least one traverse (6) is provided which is connected in form-fitting fashion to a top side of the rack posts (3, 4) and/or to a bottom side of the rack posts (3, 4).
2. Rack system according to Claim 1, characterized in that two traverses (6) are provided, wherein one traverse (6) is connected in form-fitting fashion to the top side of the rack posts (3, 4), and one traverse (6) is connected in form-fitting fashion to the bottom side of the rack posts (3, 4).
3. Rack system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the traverses (6) are plugged in form-fitting fashion into the top sides and/or the bottom sides of the rack posts (3, 4).
Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rack posts (3, 4) have engagement openings (10) at the top sides and/or at the bottom sides, and screws (11) are provided in order to screw the traverses (6) to the engagement openings (10).
Rack system according to Claim 4, characterized in that for the screw connection of the traverse (6) to an associated rack post (3, 4), in addition to the screw (11) that engages into the engagement opening (10), a screw (14) running obliquely with respect to the former screw is provided.
6. Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that holes (18) are formed in the side parts (3a, 4a) of the rack posts (3, 4).
7. Rack system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the holes (18) in the side parts (3a, 4a) of the rack posts (3, 4) are arranged in a raster.
8. Rack system according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the system components (8) are screwed to holes (18) formed in the side parts (3a, 4a), preferably using self-tapping screws Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rack posts (3, 4) are formed as profile elements.10. Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rack posts (3, 4) are formed from metal, preferably aluminium.11 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the front rack post (3) and/or the rear rack post (4) has an attachment region (5) in an outer wall (3b, 4b).12 Rack system according to Claim 11, characterized in that the attachment region (5) is provided for the fixing of at least one additional side wall part (2), which can be installed with a front side (2a) on the attachment region (5) of the front rack post (3) and/or of the rear rack post (4) in order to lengthen the depth of the rack side wall (1).13 Rack system according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the attachment region (5) of the front rack post (3) and/or of the rear rack post (4) is designed for the fixing of payload-securing means (24) 14 Rack system according to any of Claims 11, 12 and 13, characterized in that the attachment region (5) extends over the entire length of the rack post (3, 4).15. Rack system according to any of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the attachment region (5) has a T-shaped slot (27) which extends in a vertical direction and which serves preferably for the fixing of slot nuts (25).16 Rack system according to Claim 15, characterized in that an insert element with a lashing point for a payload-securing means (24) is fixed in the T-shaped slot (27), wherein the insert element is detachably connected to the rack post (3, 4) 17 Rack system according to Claim 16, characterized in that recesses (39) are formed into the outer wall (3b, 4b) along the T-shaped slot (27), wherein the recesses (39) in each case enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot (27) in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces (40) to be received.18 Rack system according to Claim 17, characterized in that the attachment region (5) is formed as an airline rail.19 Rack system according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that multiple recess arrangements (41) are formed into the outer wall (3b, 4b) along the T-shaped slot (27), wherein the recess arrangements (41) each have at least two recesses (39) which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction, wherein, between two adja-cent recess arrangements (41), there remains a free portion (z) in which no recesses (39) which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot (27) are formed into the outer wall (3b, 4b), 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 (39) of one of the recess arrangements (41).Rack system according to any of Claims 15 to 19, characterized in that an inner surface (27a) of the outer wall (3b, 4b) in which the T-shaped slot (27) is formed has, at least in certain portions, two parallel-running webs (30).21 Rack system according to Claim 20, characterized in that a top side (25a) of the slot nut (25) has at least two parallel-running grooves (29), and the webs (30) on the inner surface (27a) of the outer wall (3b, 4b) engage into the grooves (29) of the slot nut (25) when the slot nut (25) has been installed into the T-shaped slot (27).22 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 21, characterized in that a cover (15) is mounted onto the traverse (6) which is attached to the top sides of the rack posts (3, 4), which cover extends over the entire length of the traverse (6).23. Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 22, characterized in that a strut element (13) is provided for the fastening between the front rack post (3) and the rear rack post (4) of the rack side wall (1), wherein the strut element (13) has a main body (51) which has a front side (51a) and a rear side (51b) spaced apart from the front side (51a) in a thickness direction of the main body (51), and wherein the strut element (13) has two connecting devices (52) which project laterally from the main body (51) and which serve for the attachment of the strut element (13) to the front and to the rear rack post (3, 4) of the rack side wall (1), wherein the connecting devices (13) are formed such that, in a first orientation of the strut element (13), in which the front side (51a) is oriented forwards, the spacing of the front side (51a) of the main body (51) from an outer surface of the side parts (3a, 3b) of the front and of the rear rack post (3, 4) in the thickness direction differs from a spacing of the rear side (51b) of the main body (51) from the outer surface of the side parts (3a, 4a) of the front and of the rear rack post (3, 4) in the thickness direction in a second orientation of the strut element (13), in which the rear side (51b) is oriented forwards.24 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the front rack post (3) and/or the rear rack post (4) forms a fastening projection (12) extending over the entire length of the rack post (3, 4).Rack system according to Claim 23 or 24, characterized in that at least two strut elements (13) are arranged one above the other in a vertical direction between the rack posts (3, 4), wherein a module plate (54) is fixed, or the rack side wall (7) has a free space, between two strut elements (13).26 Rack system according to Claim 25, characterized in that the module plate (54) has a cutout (54a) in particular for a long-goods holding device (55) or for the leadthrough of a work plate (56).27 Rack system according to any of Claims 15 to 26, characterized in that at least one fastening plate (44) is provided which is fixable by means of a fastening element (45) to the slot nut (25) inserted into the T-shaped slot (27), and wherein at least one stiffening plate (26) is provided which, at a first side edge (26a), has an angled portion (43) which is insertable into the T-shaped slot (27), wherein the stiffening plate (26) is, as a result of the fixing of the fastening plate (44) to the slot nut (25), fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region (5) and a bottom side (44a) of the fastening plate (44), wherein the stiffening plate (26) is additionally fixed to the system component (8).28 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 27, characterized in that two rack side walls (1) are connected to one another by means of system components (8) and/or transverse struts (42).29. Rack side wall (1) for a rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 28.