WO2013049515A1

WO2013049515A1 - Rack device

Info

Publication number: WO2013049515A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/057835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zsolt CSERNUS; Csaba GYOZO; Attila Peter
Original assignee: Carrier Corporation
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2012-09-28
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: CN103826500A; EP2760313B1; CN103826500B; EP2760313A1

Abstract

A rack device (2) for placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture, comprising a first load distributing element (4); a second load distributing element (24); and a supporting element (16) arranged between the first load distributing element and the second load distributing element, the supporting element being configured to be fixed to the underside of the upper furniture; the first load distributing element comprising a lower contact portion (6), configured to rest against a first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion (8) extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; the second load distributing element comprising a lower contact portion, configured to rest against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element.

Description

RACK DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a rack device for placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture, to an arrangement of a first upper sales furniture placed onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device, and to a method of placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sales furnitures of different types to be provided with goods to be presented and sold are known, for example sales furnitures with front access commonly referred to as sales cabinets and sales furnitures with top access commonly referred to as sales islands. Such sales furnitures are commonly used in retail and wholesale.

[0003] Sometimes such sales furnitures have to be moved between different locations, for example if a supermarket is rebuilt or sales furnitures are moved from one location to another. In particular, when the original packaging material of a sales furniture is already scrapped and no longer existent the transportation of such sales furnitures is expensive and inefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to improve the efficiency of transportation of sales furnitures while keeping the costs low.

[0005] Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a rack device for placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture, comprising a first load distributing element; a second load distributing element; and a supporting element arranged between the first load distributing element and the second load distributing element, the supporting element being configured to be fixed to the underside of the upper furniture; the first load distributing element comprising a lower contact portion, configured to rest against a first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; the second load distributing element comprising a lower contact portion, configured to rest against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; further comprising means for adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element.

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include an arrangement of a first upper sales furniture placed onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device, the first and second rack devices comprising, respectively, a first load distributing element; a second load distributing element; a supporting element arranged between the first load distributing element and the second load distributing element; the supporting element of the first rack device being fixed, at a first position of width of the furnitures, to the underside of the first furniture; the first load distributing element of the first rack device comprising a lower contact portion resting, at a first position of width of the furnitures, against a first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; the second load distributing element of the first rack device comprising a lower contact portion, resting, at a first position of width of the furnitures, against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; the supporting element of the second rack device being fixed, at a second position of width of the furnitures, to the underside of the first furniture; the first load distributing element of the second rack device comprising a lower contact portion resting, at a second position of width of the furnitures, against a first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; the second load distributing element of the second rack device comprising a lower contact portion, resting, at a second position of width of the furnitures, against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; the first and second rack devices comprising, respectively, means for adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device, the method comprising lifting the first upper sales furniture above the second lower sales furniture; arranging, at a first position of width of the furnitures, a first rack device, comprising a supporting element and first and second load distributing elements, between the first upper sales furniture and the second lower sales furniture, by fixing the supporting element to the underside of the first furniture; by fastening the first load distributing element of the first rack device in a position in which a lower contact portion of the first load distributing element rests against a first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the first load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at one end of the supporting element, by fastening the second load distributing element in a position in which a lower contact portion of the second load distributing element rests against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the second load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at another end of the supporting element; and by adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element such that the first upper sales furniture is positioned safely above the second lower sales furniture; and arranging, at a second position of width of the furnitures, a second rack device, comprising a supporting element and first and second load distributing elements, between the first upper sales furniture and the second lower sales furniture, by fixing the supporting element to the underside of the first furniture; by fastening the first load distributing element of the second rack device in a position in which a lower contact portion of the first load distributing element rests against a first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the first load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at one end of the supporting element, by fastening the second load distributing element in a position in which a lower contact portion of the second load distributing element rests against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the second load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at another end of the supporting element; and by adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element such that the first upper sales furniture is positioned safely above the second lower sales furniture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below with reference to the figures, wherein:

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a rack device in the non- assembled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0010] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an arrangement of a first upper sales furniture placed onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device corresponding to the rack device of Fig. 1, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The term "sales furniture" is to be understood as including sales furnitures of any type, particularly sales furnitures with front access, sales furnitures with top access, sales furnitures with or without doors, etc.

[0012] Further, the term "sales furniture" is meant to include sales furnitures of the refrigerated type no matter how the refrigeration is effected, for example refrigerated sales furniture comprising at least an expansion device and an evaporator of a vapor compression cycle or refrigerated sales furnitures comprising thermoelectric cooling elements like Peltier elements.

[0013] Refrigerated sales furnitures, as a matter of course, are not refrigerated during transportation, so that the term "refrigerated" is to be understood that they are capable of providing refrigeration when having arrived at the destination and when being prepared for operation, in particular connected accordingly.

[0014] Typically, refrigerated sales furnitures include, in addition to appropriate cooling elements, in particular at least an expansion device and an evaporator and correspond- ing refrigerant conduits in case of a vapor compression cycle type refrigerated sales furniture or a thermoelectric cooling element in case of a thermoelectric cooling type refrigerated sales furniture, appropriate insulation means, for example insulated walls, an insulated bottom and the like, and such refrigerated sales furnitures have a comparably high weight.

[0015] The present invention is by no way limited to refrigerated sales furnitures, but also includes sales furnitures of the non-refrigerated type. However, refrigerated sales furnitures are, due to their higher weight which makes conventional transportation difficult and inefficient, particularly suited to be placed onto each other by means of a rack device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0016] In the lower left corners of Figs. 1 and 2 the axes of coordinates x, y and z are depicted. In the following description the terms "width", "front" and "rear" are to be understood with respect to axis x, the terms "height", "up" and "down" are to be understood with respect to axis z, and the terms "length", "left" and "right" are to be understood with respect to axis y.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a rack device 2 in the non- assembled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The rack device 2 of Fig. 1 comprises - from right to left - a first load distributing element 4, a supporting element 16 and a second load distributing element 24.

[0019] The first load distributing element 4 comprises - from bottom to top - a lower contact portion 6 and an arm portion 8, the arm portion 8 including a substantially upright arm portion part 10 and a substantially horizontal arm portion part 12. The lower contact portion 6 has a lower contact surface which shape is designed to follow a first side portion of a lower sales furniture (not shown in Fig. 1) and to rest against such first side portion of the lower sales furniture. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the lower contact surface of the lower contact portion 6 forms an angle with a plane spanned by the axes x and y.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the lower contact surface is of substantially rectangular shape with a larger width as compared to the width of the arm portion 8 and with a bent lower end that grips around a corresponding first side portion of the lower furniture (not shown in Fig. 1).

[0021] The size of the lower contact surface of the lower contact portion 6 is sufficient for a good load distribution onto a sufficient load bearing area of the lower sales furni- ture and sufficient to keep the rack device 2 in a stable position and to avoid tilting in a front and rear direction.

[0022] The substantially upright arm portion part 10 comprises in the embodiment of Fig. 1, a lower oblique portion, whose main direction is orthogonal to the part of the lower contact surface of the lower contact portion 6 to which it attaches, and a longer upright portion extending substantially in an upper z-direction. The lower end of the substantially upright arm portion part 10 attaches to the lower contact portion 6 at a position corresponding to the middle of its width and at its upper left end portion. The substantially upright arm portion part 10 is of such height that a sufficient distance between the upper end of the lower sales furniture and the bottom of the upper sales furniture is ensured (see Fig. 2).

[0023] The lower end of the substantially upright arm portion part 10 is connected tightly to the lower contact portion 6, for example they can be welded together. As an alternative, the lower contact portions 6 can comprise or form an exchangeable part with the lower contact surface and a fastening part onto which the exchangeable parts can be mounted, so that individual lower contact portion parts can be mounted depending on the type of the lower sales furniture and in particular depending on the shape of the side portion thereof, to which the lower contact portion part is intended to rest against.

[0024] At the upper end of the substantially upright arm portion part 10 the substantially horizontal arm portion part 12 attaches and extends in a direction to the left. This substantially horizontal arm portion part 12 is provided at least its middle to end portion with horizontal through holes 14 extending from back to front through the same.

[0025] The substantially upright arm portion part 10 and the substantially horizontal arm portion part 12 are firmly connected together, for example they can be welded together. The contour of the substantially upright arm portion part 10, in a sectional cut through a plane spanned by axes x and y, and the contour of the substantially horizontal arm portion part 12, in a sectional cut through a plane spanned by axes x and z, has the form of a rectangle with an hollow core so as to reduce the weight of the first load distributing element.

[0026] The second load distributing element 24 substantially corresponds to the first load distributing element 4, with the first exception that it is arranged in a position mirrored with respect to a mirror plane spanned by axes x and z and positioned to the left from the supporting element 16, with the second exception that the upper end of the substantially upright arm portion part 30 and the left end of the substantially horizontal arm portion part 32 are not firmly connected to each other, but rather movably connected to each other by a hinge 36 so as to allow for a pivoting movement of the substantially upright arm portion part 30 and the lower contact portion 26 with regard to the pivoting axis of the hinge 36 lying substantially in an X-direction, and with the third exception that a tensioning screw 38 with its first end being attached to the inner side of the substantially upright arm portion part 30 and with its second end being attached to the underside of the substantially horizontal arm portion part 32 is provided in addition.

[0027] In particular, the first end of the tensioning screw 38 is attached to an upper region of the inner side of the substantially upright arm portion part 30, and the second end of the tensioning screw 38 is located considerably spaced apart from the hinge 36. The tensioning screw 38 can be of any kind, and it allows for a movement of the substantially upright arm portion part 30 and the lower contact portion 26, in a strict sense, around the hinge 36 along a circular arc, whose innermost and outermost positions are defined by the tensioning screw 38.

[0028] By sliding the substantially horizontal arm portion parts 12 and 32 into the main body 18 of the supporting element 16 the lower contact portions 6 and 26 can roughly be brought into the desired positions corresponding to the opposing side portions of the lower sales furniture. The desired positions of the lower contact portions 6 and 26 are spaced apart from each other by a desired distance, which distance substantially corresponds to the distance between the first side portion of the lower furniture to which the lower contact portion 6 is intended to rest against and the opposite second side portion of the lower furniture to which the lower contact portion 26 is intended to rest against.

[0029] Since the substantially upright arm portion part 30 and the lower contact portion 26 are in practice moved in a substantially narrow angular range around 0°, seen with respect to the z-axis, the lower contact portion 36 can be moved, by turning the tensioning screw 38, substantially in a left-right direction and hence into the direction towards and away from the opposite lower contact portion 6.

[0030] The supporting element 16 has a main body 18 with the shape of a bar having a cross-section, seen in a plane spanned by axes x and z, of a rectangle with a hollow core. [0031] The first load distributing element 4, the supporting element 16 and the second load distributing element 24 are positioned in Fig. 1 such that the substantially horizontal arm portion parts 12 and 32 of the first and second load distributing elements 4 and 24 and the main body 18 of the supporting element 16 align in a direction corresponding to the y-axis.

[0032] The inner contour of the main body 18 of the supporting element 16 corresponds to or is slightly greater than the outer contour of the substantially horizontal arm portion parts 12 and 32 so that the substantially horizontal arm portion parts 12 and 32 can be slid, from right and left, into the main body 18 of the supporting element 16 and have only minimum clearance.

[0033] The supporting element 16 comprises close to its left and right side ends horizontal through holes 22 extending through its main body 18 in a front-back x-direction. These horizontal through holes 22 are arranged such that, if the substantially horizontal arm portion parts 12 and 32 are slid into the main body 18 to appropriate positions, they can align with corresponding through holes 14 and 34 of the substantially horizontal arm portion parts 12 and 32, and any fastening means like pins, screws, nuts or the like can be mounted to extend through the aligning through holes 22 and 14 so as to fasten the first and second load distributing elements 4 and 24 firmly together with the supporting element 16.

[0034] The supporting element 16 is further provided with lugs or brackets 20 that, in the non-limiting embodiment of Fig. 1, are arranged at the front and rear faces of the main body 18 such that their upper sides align with the upper surface of the main body 18 of the supporting element 16. By putting appropriate screws from below through such lugs or brackets 20 such that their upper end, in particular their thread, protrudes out in an upward direction, an upper sales furniture can be firmly fixed to the supporting element 16 and hence to the entire rack device 2.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an arrangement 40 of a first upper refrigerated sales furniture 42 placed onto a second lower refrigerated sales furniture 50 by means of a first rack device 58 and a second rack device 60, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The first upper refrigerated sales furniture 42 and the second lower refrigerated sales furniture 50 are, in the non-limiting embodiment of Fig. 2, of the same type, shape and size. The first rack device 58 and the second rack device 60 correspond to the rack device 2 as explained with respect to Fig. 1.

[0037] The refrigerated sales furnitures 42 and 50 comprise, respectively, a substantially rectangular main body 44, 52, surrounded by insulating walls, a substantially rectangular lower bottom machine part 48, 56 surrounded by walls whose outer dimensions are a little smaller than the outer dimensions of the main body 44, 52, a surrounding frame 46, 54 at the upper end of the main body 44, 52, which surrounding frame 46, 54 protrudes outwardly in a sideward direction, with respect to the outer surfaces of the walls of the main body 44, 52, and which surrounding frame 46, 54 has a form corresponding to the lower contact surfaces of the lower contact portions 6 and 26 of the rack devices 58, 60, and an upper rim with oblique, transparent walls that are located inwardly, with respect to the surrounding frame 46, 54.

[0038] The bottom machine parts 48, 56 comprise appropriate cooling elements, as described above. At the bottom of the bottom machine parts 48, 56 there are provided rolls for moving the respective refrigerated sales furniture 42, 50.

[0039] The refrigerated sales furnitures 42 and 50 are of the top access type which are commonly referred to as refrigerated sales islands. The goods presentation spaces of the refrigerated sales furnitures 42, 50 that are refrigerated in operation of the refrigerated sales furnitures 42 and 50 can well be seen.

[0040] Although the sales furnitures 42 and 50 of Fig. 2 are formed as refrigerated sales islands with top access and without doors, it is to be understood that any other sales furnitures as described above can be mounted together, as shown, to form an arrangement of a first upper sales furniture placed onto a second lower sales furniture by means of first and second rack devices.

[0041] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the first rack device 58 is positioned at a first position of width of the refrigerated sales furniture 42, 50 corresponding approximately to a position of one third of the entire width of the refrigerated sales furniture 42, 50, and, likewise, the second rack device 60 is arranged at a second position of width corresponding approximately to two thirds of the entire width of the refrigerated sales furnitures 42 and 50.

[0042] When placing the first upper refrigerated sales furniture 42 onto the second lower refrigerated sales furniture 50, at first the first upper refrigerated sales furniture 42 is lifted above the second lower refrigerated sales furniture 50. This can be done by any appropriate lifting means, particularly by a forklift.

[0043] Then the rack devices 58, 60 are arranged at the first and, respectively, second positions of width between the first upper and the second lower refrigerated sales furniture 42 and 50.

[0044] The procedure is identical for both rack devices 58, 60 and, for brevity, is only explained with respect to the first rack device 58.

[0045] At first, the supporting element 16 is fixed to the underside of the first upper furniture 42 for example by means of screws. Then the first load distributing element 4 is slid into the supporting element 16 from the right to a position in which the lower contact portion 6 rests against a first side portion of the lower furniture 50. This first side portion is hidden in the perspective view of Fig. 2 by the upper refrigerated sales furniture 42.

[0046] Likewise, the second load distributing element 24 is slid into the supporting element 16 from the left to a position in which the lower contact portion 26 rests against a second side portion of the lower furniture 50. The second side portion being opposite to the first side portion can well be seen in Fig. 2.

[0047] Subsequently, the arm portions 8,28, in particular the substantially horizontal arm portion parts 12, 32 of the first load distributing element 4 and the second load distributing element 24, are fixed by pins, screws or the like, that are moved through the through holes 14, 22, 34, against the supporting element 16.

[0048] Then, the tensioning screw 38 (which can be seen in Fig. 2) is finally adjusted such that the rack device 58 is firmly mounted between the opposite side portions of the second lower refrigerated sales furniture 50.

[0049] This procedure is repeated or carried out in parallel with the second rack device 60.

[0050] Finally, the first upper refrigerated sales furniture 42 is positioned safely above the second lower refrigerated sales furniture 50.

[0051] During the procedure as described above, the first upper refrigerated sales furniture 42 can be kept in the lifted position, particularly by the fork lift, such that the load of the first upper refrigerated sales furniture 42 does not or at least does not fully rest on the second lower refrigerated sales furniture 50. [0052] After having arranged and adjusted the rack devices 58, 60 accordingly, the lifting means, particularly the forklift, can be removed, such that the load of the upper refrigerated sales furnitures 42 fully rests over the rack devices 58 and 60 on the lower refrigerated sales furniture 50.

[0053] By the exemplary embodiments, as described above, sales furnitures and in particular refrigerated sales furnitures can be put on top of each other without the need of packaging.

[0054] In most cases, sales furnitures, in particular refrigerated sales furnitures, are transported by means of trucks or containers, and according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, as described above, the number of sales furnitures that can be loaded into a truck or a container is doubled, which significantly reduces the transportation costs and ensures an efficient and cost-effective transportation of such sales furnitures. Therefore an efficient and cost-effective two-layer shipping concept of sales furnitures, in particular refrigerated sales furnitures, is provided.

[0055] Further, the rack device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention is of surprisingly simple construction and can be manufactured at low costs. The costs involved with doubling the transporting efficiency is low, the rack devices can be used again and again many times and can easily be customized to match with different types of sales furnitures.

[0056] By sliding the load distributing elements into the supporting element to individual positions to attain the desired distance between the lower contact portions thereof, sales furnitures of different width can be put onto each other.

[0057] By exchanging the lower contact portions the rack device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention can easily and rapidly changed to fit to any shape of the side portions of the lower sales furniture.

[0058] In most cases it is sufficient to have means for adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element only at one of the load distributing elements of a rack device as described herein. However, it is also possible to provide such means for adjusting the lower contact portion of the load distributing element at both load distributing elements of a rack device. [0059] The method of placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, can be carried out easily, the only thing that is needed is a conventional lifting device, like a forklift.

[0060] The side portions of the lower furniture against which the lower contact portions of the rack devices rest must of course be of sufficient stability and rigidity in order to carry the load of the sales furniture put on top, which as the inventors have discovered, is however the case for the vast majority of sales furnitures, in particular refrigerated sales furnitures.

[0061] The load distributing elements and the supporting element should be made of a material of sufficient strength and hardness, for example metal. The lower contact surfaces of the lower contact portions can be provided with a damping material like felt or rubber so as to protect the surface of the side portions of the lower sales furniture from being scratched or damaged.

[0062] The supporting element can also be called support and the load distributing elements can also be called consoles. The load distributing element comprising the means for adjusting can be called adjustable removable console and the other load distributing element without means for adjusting can be called removable console. The lower contact portion can also be called adapter. The support can be fixed to the bottom of the upper furniture wherein into it from both sides the consoles can be fixed. On one side there is the adjustable removable console what is helping to ensure proper fixation. On the other side there is the removable console. The adapter at the end of the consoles can be designed to any shape that follows the construction of the body of the lower sales furniture.

[0063] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Rack device for placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture, comprising:

a first load distributing element;

a second load distributing element; and

a supporting element arranged between the first load distributing element and the second load distributing element, the supporting element being configured to be fixed to the underside of the upper furniture;

the first load distributing element comprising a lower contact portion, configured to rest against a first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element;

the second load distributing element comprising a lower contact portion, configured to rest against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element;

further comprising means for adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element.

2. Rack device of claim 1, wherein at least the supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements are of rod-like cross section having an outer contour, wherein the supporting element is at least partially hollow with an inner contour corresponding substantially to the outer contour of the supporting element- sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements, and wherein the supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements are slid into the at least partially hollow supporting element.

3. Rack device of claim 2, further comprising fastening means for fastening the supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements to the supporting element.

4. Rack device of claim 3, wherein the fastening means are formed as pins, screws or nuts extending through holes provided in the supporting element and the slid in supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements.

5. Rack device of claim 1, wherein the supporting element comprises lugs or brackets provided with holes in order to be fixed to the underside of the first furniture.

6. Rack device of claim 1, wherein the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements comprise, respectively, a first substantially upright part connected to the lower contact portion and a second part whose main direction corresponds substantially to the main direction of the supporting element.

7. Rack device of claim 6, wherein in the load distributing element comprising the means for adjusting its lower contact portion, the first substantially upright part and the second part of the arm portion are connected by means of a hinge so that the substantially upright part and the lower contact portion can be pivoted with regard to the load distributing element.

8. Rack device of claim 7, wherein the means for adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element are formed as tensioning screw with one end being attached to the inner side of the first substantially upright part of the arm portion and with the other end being attached to the underside of the second part of the arm portion of the load distributing element whose lower contact portion is to be tightened.

9. Rack device of claim 1, wherein the lower contact portion of the first load distributing element has a lower contact surface with a contour corresponding to the outer surface of the first side portion of the lower furniture, and the lower contact portion of the second load distributing element has a lower contact surface with a contour corresponding to the outer surface of the second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture.

10. Rack device of claim 1, wherein the lower contact portions of the first and second load distributing elements are exchangeable in order to fit to different types of lower furnitures.

11. Rack device of claim 1, wherein the width of the lower contact portions of the first and second load distributing elements, measured in a direction orthogonally to a plane in which the supporting element and the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements lie, is wider than the width of the supporting element and/or the width of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements so as to provide for a sufficient size of contact surface.

12. Arrangement of a first upper sales furniture placed onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device,

the first and second rack devices comprising, respectively, a first load distributing element; a second load distributing element; a supporting element arranged between the first load distributing element and the second load distributing element;

the supporting element of the first rack device being fixed, at a first position of width of the furnitures, to the underside of the first furniture;

the first load distributing element of the first rack device comprising a lower contact portion resting, at a first position of width of the furnitures, against a first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element;

the second load distributing element of the first rack device comprising a lower contact portion, resting, at a first position of width of the furnitures, against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element;

the supporting element of the second rack device being fixed, at a second position of width of the furnitures, to the underside of the first furniture;

the first load distributing element of the second rack device comprising a lower contact portion resting, at a second position of width of the furnitures, against a first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element;

the second load distributing element of the second rack device comprising a lower contact portion, resting, at a second position of width of the furnitures, against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture, and an arm portion extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element; the first and second rack devices comprising, respectively, means for adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element

13. Arrangement of claim 12, wherein at least the supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements are of rod-like cross section having an outer contour, wherein the supporting element is at least partially hollow with an inner contour corresponding substantially to the outer contour of the supporting element- sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements, and wherein the supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements are slid into the at least partially hollow supporting element.

14. Arrangement of claim 13, further comprising fastening means for fastening the supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements to the supporting element.

15. Arrangement of claim 14, wherein the fastening means are formed as pins, screws or nuts extending through holes provided in the supporting element and the slid in supporting element-sided parts of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements.

16. Arrangement of claim 12, wherein the supporting element comprises lugs or brackets provided with holes in order to be fixed to the underside of the first furniture.

17. Arrangement of claim 12, wherein the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements comprise, respectively, a first substantially upright part connected to the lower contact portion and a second part whose main direction corresponds substantially to the main direction of the supporting element.

18. Arrangement of claim 17, wherein in the load distributing element comprising the means for adjusting its lower contact portion, the first substantially upright part and the second part of the arm portion are connected by means of a hinge so that the substantially upright part and the lower contact portion can be pivoted with regard to the load distributing element.

19. Arrangement of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element are formed as tensioning screw with one end being attached to the inner side of the first substantially upright part of the arm portion and with the other end being attached to the underside of the second part of the arm portion of the load distributing element whose lower contact portion is to be tightened.

20. Arrangement of claim 12, wherein the lower contact portion of the first load distributing element has a lower contact surface with a contour corresponding to the outer surface of the first side portion of the lower furniture, and the lower contact portion of the second load distributing element has a lower contact surface with a contour corresponding to the outer surface of the second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture.

21. Arrangement of claim 12, wherein the lower contact portions of the first and second load distributing elements are exchangeable in order to fit to different types of lower furnitures.

22. Arrangement of claim 12, wherein the width of the lower contact portions of the first and second load distributing elements, measured in a direction orthogonally to a plane in which the supporting element and the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements lie, is wider than the width of the supporting element and/or the width of the arm portions of the first and second load distributing elements so as to provide for a sufficient size of contact surface.

23. Method of placing a first upper sales furniture onto a second lower sales furniture by means of a first rack device and a second rack device, the method comprising:

lifting the first upper sales furniture above the second lower sales furniture;

arranging, at a first position of width of the furnitures, a first rack device, comprising a supporting element and first and second load distributing elements, between the first upper sales furniture and the second lower sales furniture, by fixing the supporting element to the underside of the first furniture; by fastening the first load distributing element of the first rack device in a position in which a lower contact portion of the first load distributing element rests against a first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the first load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at one end of the supporting element, by fastening the second load distributing element in a position in which a lower contact portion of the second load distributing element rests against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the second load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at another end of the supporting element; and by adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element such that the first upper sales furniture is positioned safely above the second lower sales furniture; and

arranging, at a second position of width of the furnitures, a second rack device, comprising a supporting element and first and second load distributing elements, between the first upper sales furniture and the second lower sales furniture, by fixing the supporting element to the underside of the first furniture; by fastening the first load distributing element of the second rack device in a position in which a lower contact portion of the first load distributing element rests against a first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the first load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at one end of the supporting element, by fastening the second load distributing element in a position in which a lower contact portion of the second load distributing element rests against a second side portion of the lower furniture opposite the first side portion of the lower furniture and in which an arm portion of the second load distributing element extending from the lower contact portion to the supporting element is fixed at another end of the supporting element; and by adjusting the lower contact portion of one of the load distributing elements substantially into the direction of the lower contact portion of the other load distributing element such that the first upper sales furniture is positioned safely above the second lower sales furniture.

24. Method of claim 23, wherein during the arranging steps the first upper sales furniture is kept in a lifted position so that its load does at least not fully rest on the second lower sales furniture and wherein after the arranging steps the first upper sales furniture is no more lifted.