WO2022073685A1

WO2022073685A1 - Mobile rack for storing goods

Info

Publication number: WO2022073685A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/073573
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willem Schreurs
Original assignee: Nedcon B.V.
Priority date: 2020-10-09
Filing date: 2021-08-26
Publication date: 2022-04-14
Also published as: DE102020126475A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile rack for storing goods, comprising four vertical supports (2) at the rack corners and shelves positioned at different heights, the bottommost shelf of which has a vertical distance from the surrounding floor so that a lifting and transporting vehicle can drive beneath said bottommost shelf, the other shelves each consisting of four struts (30), which are fastened to the supports (2), and a goods base. Each support (2) is an angled profile element consisting exclusively of two profile legs (21) at a right angle to each other, each profile leg being provided with openings (18), which form a longitudinal pattern, for the interlocking fastening of the struts (30). Each strut (30) consists of an elongate center portion (31) and end portions (32) at both ends. At least two interlocking-connection elements (35A, 35B) are formed on each end portion (32), for fastening the end portion to the profile leg (21) in question. The interlocking-connection elements are located at different heights and form an interlocking connection together with openings (18) in the profile leg (21), which openings are likewise located at different heights.

Description

Mobile shelving for goods storage

The invention relates to a mobile shelf for storing goods, with four vertical supports at the corners of the shelf, each of which is provided at its lower end with a foot for support on the surrounding ground, and with shelves arranged at different heights, of which

- the bottom shelf forms a horizontal plane on at least part of its underside, which is at a vertical distance from the surrounding floor so that a lifting and transport vehicle can drive underneath it,

- the other shelves each consist of four horizontal struts attached to the supports and a goods support.

Such mobile shelves are increasingly used in modern warehouse logistics when it comes to the distribution of a large number of sometimes very different goods such. B. of textile goods. The concept is to be able to move or relocate multi-storey shelves, in which the individual goods are stored sorted or unsorted, between different locations within a warehouse, resulting in greater flexibility in goods handling. in. The shelves are moved by a special lifting and transport vehicle (so-called shuttle) driving under such a shelf and then lifting the entire shelf and moving it in an upright position to another location in the storage area and setting it down again. Raising the extent mobile shelf assumes that there is enough vertical space below the bottom shelf of the shelf that the lifting and transport vehicle can get there and by lifting the lower shelf at the same time the whole shelf is able to raise.

Concepts of this kind are known in principle, but the structural design of the shelves is often complex, using many parts and also those individual shelf parts whose manufacture is complex and expensive. The final assembly of each shelf also requires many assembly steps, which also increases the costs until the mobile shelf is ready for use. In addition, too little attention is paid to the fact that the requirements for the individual Shelves are different in such a mobile shelf. This is because the bottom shelf requires additional strength and stability, which is necessary in order to be able to lift it and thus the entire shelf including the goods stored there. This criterion is irrelevant for the other shelves.

The invention is therefore based on the task of creating a mobile shelf for the storage of goods, which can be produced with little effort overall, with this effort including both the individual components of the shelf and the effort involved in assembling the components until they are received of the entire shelf.

This problem is solved by a mobile shelf for storing goods with the features of patent claim 1.

The shelf is characterized in that each vertical support is an angle profile, which consists exclusively of two mutually perpendicular profile legs, the profile legs each being provided with a longitudinal grid-forming openings for positive attachment of the struts. Each strut consists of an elongated central section and end sections at both ends, with at least two form-fitting elements being formed on each end section for its attachment to the respective profile leg of the support. The at least two form-fitting elements are arranged at different heights and together with openings on the profile leg, which are also arranged at different heights, they form a form-fitting connection.

The shelf designed in this way can be produced ready for use with little overall effort, this effort including both the individual components of the shelf and the effort for assembling the components to obtain the complete shelf.

Another advantage is that many identically designed parts are used to assemble the shelf. The four vertical supports are in one piece, identical and can be interchanged as required. The horizontal struts can all be designed identically for a shelf with a square base and can be interchanged with one another as desired.

Various advantageous configurations of the mobile shelf are defined in more detail in the dependent claims

According to one embodiment of the shelf, the struts have an L-shaped profile cross section on their central section, which is composed of a vertical first line kel and a second leg on which the product support is supported. The second leg preferably ends where the middle section merges into the respective end section.

It is also proposed that the end sections, with the exception of the areas around the form-fitting elements, be designed flat.

With regard to the design of the struts, it is advantageous in terms of production if the sum of the width of the first leg and the width of the second leg is equal to the height of each of the end sections.

It is also proposed that the upper of the at least two form-fitting elements be arranged at a height above and that the lower of the at least two form-fitting elements be arranged at a height below the second leg.

In order to avoid an unintentional loosening of the shelves upwards, an opening can be formed on each end section of the strut in addition to the form-fitting elements, which is aligned with a round hole on the respective profile leg. This opening in the end sections is preferably located at a height between the form-fitting elements, ie below the upper form-fitting element and above the lower form-fitting element. This opening is preferably also a round hole.

A connecting element is used as a securing element, which is simultaneously pushed through the opening or the round hole in the end section and through the round hole in the support arranged behind it. This connecting element is preferably a screw, but can also be a safety bolt or a rivet.

With regard to the vertical supports, it is proposed that the openings forming the longitudinal grid alternate with the round holes on the profile legs of the supports. This applies to both profile legs of the respective support.

It is also proposed that the form-fitting elements are hooks which at least partially extend into the openings on the profile legs. The hooks are preferably designed to be open at the bottom, with their hook end sections being on the outside and the end sections of the struts being on the inside of the respective profile leg of the support. Each hook is preferably composed of two hook end sections, which together form a pair, and a web which is arranged between them and runs transversely to the longitudinal extension of the strut. The web is materially connected at both ends to the end section of the strut, which leads to a significantly higher strength of the hook and also to the fact that the sheet metal from which the strut is made by stamping and cold forming can be thinner than conventional.

With regard to the positive-locking structure into which the hooks engage, it is proposed that the openings forming the longitudinal grid each have a contour in the shape of a “T”, with at least the vertical longitudinal bar of the “T” being designed to become narrower towards the bottom.

With regard to the stable lower shelf, it is proposed that this is a solid plate or a plate provided with material-saving recesses with a rectangular edge, the vertical supports being arranged at the four corners of the edge. The underside of the slab extends at least in a central area of the slab in a uniform horizontal plane, the underside of the slab being located at the level of the horizontal plane or higher on those portions of the rectangular edge which are between the supports. This prevents the lift and transfer vehicle from snagging on structures on the underside of the lower shelf once the racking has been moved and if the lift has not been lowered sufficiently.

For a material-saving and yet stable design of the lower shelf, it is proposed that the plate forming this floor made of tubes, e.g. B. rectangular tubes, is composed, preferably in the design as a welded construction.

Finally, it is proposed that the plate forming the lower shelf is screwed to the two profile legs of all vertical supports, with the screw connection leading through the round holes in the profile legs.

A preferred embodiment of the mobile shelf is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show in it:

1 shows a perspective view of a mobile shelf for storing goods;

FIG. 2 shows the region of the lower shelf for the shelf according to FIG. 1; 3 shows the area of the lower shelf, but here without the goods support;

4 shows the area of one of the other shelves in a side view;

5 shows a horizontal strut which is part of the other shelves;

Figure 6 shows details of the connection of the end of the horizontal brace to a vertical support of the shelf;

Fig. 7 also details the connection of the end of the strut to the support;

8 shows one of the two end sections of the strut;

9 also shows one of the two end sections of the strut.

The shelf 1 shown in its entirety in FIG. 1 is a mobile shelf in that it is intended to be moved completely to another location in a usually extensive warehouse. The concept consists in being able to move or relocate the multi-storey shelf 1, in which the individual goods are stored sorted or unsorted, between different locations within the warehouse, thereby achieving greater flexibility in goods turnover. in. The shelving 1 can be moved by driving a special lifting and transport vehicle (so-called shuttle) under the shelving 1 and then lifting the entire shelf and moving it in an upright position to another location in the storage area and setting it down again. Raising the shelf 1 requires that there is sufficient vertical space below the bottom shelf 10 of the shelf 1 for the lifting and transport vehicle to drive there and by lifting the lower shelf 10 to be able to raise the entire shelf 1 at the same time.

The shelf 1 is rectangular in plan and consists primarily of four supports 2 at the corners of the shelf, the particularly stable lower shelf 10 and, in the exemplary embodiment, two further shelves 11, 12. The number of further shelves can also be greater than two.

Each shelf 10, 11, 12 is provided with a large-area goods support 15 for storing goods, this goods support 15 being either a large-area, closed plate is or, as in the embodiment described here, a horizontal lattice structure. The goods support 15 can also be in several parts.

Each vertical support 2 is an angle profile with an L-shaped profile cross-section and consists exclusively of two mutually perpendicular profile legs 21 of the same width. All four supports 2 are designed identically and are therefore interchangeable as desired.

Each of the two profile legs 21 of the support 2 has a vertically arranged longitudinal grid of repeating openings. The longitudinal grid is identical on both profile legs 21. The openings are alternately specially contoured openings 18 in the shape of a "T" and round holes 19. The longitudinal grid is such that the T-shaped contoured openings 18 are each equally spaced from one another, that the round holes 19 are each equally spaced from one another, and that in addition the distances between consecutive openings 18 are equal to the distances between consecutive round holes 19.

The openings are missing on the partial length of the support 2 arranged below the shelf 10 in order to make the support 2 more stable on this partial length.

Each support 2 is provided at its lower end with a foot 22 for support on the surrounding ground. The foot 22 includes a plate 23 resting flat on the surrounding ground, which reduces the sensitivity of the lower ends of the supports 2 to deformation, especially in the event of accidental displacement of the shelf on a possibly rough surrounding ground. A sensor element can be integrated into at least one of the feet 22, by means of which the exact position of the foot 22 can be detected, in order to enable the automatic control of the shelf 1 by the shuttle in a more targeted manner.

The flat goods supports 15 are used to store goods that can be completely different in type and size. Such a so-called "chaos storage" is part of many modern logistics concepts. The information about which individual goods are currently stored where is only available in a central computer, which also controls the loading and unloading of the goods on individual mobile shelves, as well as the movement of the mobile shelves from one location to another.

To move the shelf 1, the vehicle already mentioned drives under the shelf 1 in such a way that the vehicle comes to a standstill directly under the bottom shelf 10. The vehicle is equipped with a lifting mechanism. If this lifts, a support plate form of the lifting mechanism from below against the shelf 10 and raises it. In this way, since the bottom shelf 10 is rigidly anchored to the vertical supports 2, the entire shelf 1 is raised, e.g. B. by 2 - 10 cm. In the raised state, the shelf 1, including the goods stored on it, is then moved to another location in the storage area. For this purpose, the lifting and transport vehicle is able to take any desired direction, even by cornering and fully automatically controlled, in order to ultimately be able to reach any location within the warehouse and set down the shelf 1 there.

In order to enable driving under the shelf 10, its underside is in a horizontal plane E, which is a sufficient height of z. B. should have 15 - 30 cm above the surrounding ground.

The lower shelf 10 is screwed to all supports 2. For the greatest possible rigidity of the connection, the shelf 10 is screwed to both profile legs 21 of each support 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shelf 10 is preferably screwed to each of the two profile legs 21 of each support 2 using two screws 26 which, arranged one above the other, lead through round holes 19 in the profile legs 21 .

The lower shelf 10 can be designed as a stable, for example solid plate. In order to save weight and material, however, it is preferred that the shelf 10 is a plate composed of profiles and preferably closed tubes, here in the form of a welded horizontal framework construction. In the exemplary embodiment, the plate consists of six rectangular tubes 27a, 27b, of which four tubes 27a form a frame corresponding to the base area of the shelf 1, and two further tubes 27b are welded into this frame. The two centrally arranged tubes 27b offer sufficient strength to be gripped from underneath by the support platform of the lifting and transport vehicle, with the result that the shelf 1 is lifted.

However, other arrangements, divisions and connections of the tubes 27a, 27b are also possible.

Despite its basic construction as a horizontal framework composed of rectangular tubes 27a, 27b, the lower shelf 10 is designed in such a way that its underside extends in the uniform horizontal plane E at least in a central region. It is important that the underside of the floor rests on those sections of the rectangular edge of the Floor, which are located between the vertical supports 2, is arranged at least level with the horizontal plane E or higher. This prevents the lifting and transport vehicle from getting caught on structures on the underside of the shelf 10 after the rack 1 has been moved and if the lift has not been lowered sufficiently.

The remaining shelves 11, 12, which are arranged at different heights, are of identical construction, this construction being different from the construction of the lower shelf 10. This is because the other shelves 11, 12 have the sole purpose of storing goods and are not dimensioned to withstand lifting forces acting from below.

In the uppermost part of the shelf 1 there is no further shelf for goods, rather there is an additional horizontal brace 13 of the supports 2 to increase the stability of the shelf against twisting in relation to the shelves 11, 12 are explained in more detail.

Each of the other shelves 11, 12 consists of four of these horizontal struts 30, which extend between the vertical supports 2, and of the flat goods support 15, which is preferably designed as a lattice structure. The goods support 15 lies on all four at the same time to ensure that the weight forces are evenly distributed aspire 30 on.

The horizontal struts 30 rest against the profile legs 21 of the supports 2 from the inside and each consist of an elongated middle section 31 and end sections 32 at both ends of the strut 30. For a rectangular and non-square base area of the shelf, two of the struts 30 can have a longer, and two of the struts 30 have a comparatively shorter middle section 31 . The end sections 32, however, are designed identically for all four struts 30.

Alternatively, a design is also possible in which the end sections 32 of the horizontal struts 30 do not rest against the profile legs 21 of the supports 2 from the inside, but from the outside.

On the two end sections 32 of each strut 30, two positive-locking elements 35A, 35B are formed for fixing the strut 30 on the inside of the respective profile leg 21. The second form-fitting element 35B is located at a higher level on the shelf than the first form-fitting element 35A. The positive-locking elements 35A, 35B arranged at different heights are each identically designed hook structures that are open at the bottom. Together with one of the T-shaped openings 18 in the respective profile leg 21, the hook structure forms a form fit. For this purpose, the T-shaped openings 18 in the profile legs 21 are also arranged at different heights.

In the exemplary embodiment described here, the positive-locking elements 35A, 35B are present twice on each end section 32. For an even higher connection strength, it is possible to form three such positive-locking elements one above the other on each end section 32 and to engage in the corresponding openings 18 of the support 2 .

In addition to the positive-locking elements 35A, 35B, each end section 32 is provided with a round opening 39 which, when the strut 30 is mounted, is aligned with one of the round holes 19 on the respective profile leg 21 .

The round opening 39 is arranged at a height between the interlocking elements 35A, 35B, ie below the upper interlocking element 35B and above the lower interlocking element 35A. The opening 39 is also a round hole, so that a connecting element 40 can be inserted through the opening 39 and through the round hole 19 at the same time. This connecting element 40 is preferably a safety bolt, but can also be a screw or a rivet.

The positive-locking elements 35A, 35B formed in one piece on the end sections 32 are hooks which are designed to be open at the bottom and which partially extend into the respective T-shaped openings 18 in the profile legs 21 . In the exemplary embodiment, the hooks each have two hook end sections 41 , 42 which are located on the outside of the profile leg 21 , while the end sections 32 of the struts 30 are located on the inside of the profile leg 21 .

Each form-fitting element 35A, 35B is composed of the two common hook end sections 41, 42 forming a pair and a web 43 arranged between them and running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the strut 30. Unlike the hook end sections 41, 42, the web 43 is at both ends materially connected to the end section 32, which leads to a significantly higher strength of the interlocking elements 35A, 35B and also to the fact that the sheet metal from which the strut 30 is made by stamping and cold forming can be thinner than conventional. The T-shaped openings 18 and the area immediately around this opening 18 serve as an abutment for the hook-shaped form-fitting elements 35A, 35B. Each of these openings 18 has the shape of a "T", with the vertical longitudinal bar of the "T" becoming narrower towards the bottom is designed, and the horizontal crossbar of the "T" is designed to become shorter from top to bottom. This design of the opening 18 simplifies the insertion of the struts 30 from above, and thus facilitates the assembly of the shelf 1 overall.

The four struts 30 have an L-shaped profile cross section on their middle section 31 . This consists of a first leg 36, which is in the same vertical plane as the two end sections 32, and a second leg 37, on the top of which the goods support 15 is supported with its edge. The horizontal second leg 37 is shorter than the strut 30 as a whole. The horizontal leg 37 ends where the middle section 31 of the strut merges into the respective end section 32 .

The two end sections 32 of the struts 30 are flat, with the exception of the respective area around the form-fitting elements 35A, 35B, and they extend in the same vertical plane as the first leg 36.

For simple and inexpensive production of the strut 30, it is advantageous that the sum of the width B1 of the first leg 36 and the width B2 of the second leg 37 is equal to the height H of the two end sections 32, as shown in FIG is. This allows the strut 30 to be made from a rectangular piece of sheet steel, the second leg 37 being produced by bending this section of sheet metal through 90°.

FIG. 9 also shows that the upper form-fitting element 35B is arranged at a height above and the lower form-fitting element 35A is arranged at a height below the bent leg 37 .

Reference List

1 shelf

2 support

10 shelf

11 shelf

12 shelf

13 brace

15 warehouses

18 opening

19 round hole

21 profile legs

22 feet

23 plate

26 screw

27a pipe

27b tube

30 strut

31 middle section

32 end section

35A form-locking element, below

35B Interlocking element, above

36 vertical legs

37 legs horizontal

39 opening

40 fastener

41 hook end section 42 hook end section

43 footbridge

B1 width B2 width

E horizontal plane

H Height of end section

Claims

Claims Mobile shelving for storing goods, with four vertical supports (2) at the corners of the shelving, which are each provided at their lower end with a foot (22) for support on the surrounding floor, and with shelves (10, 11, 12), of which

- the bottom shelf (10) forms a horizontal plane (E) on at least part of its underside, which is at a vertical distance from the surrounding floor so that a lifting and transport vehicle can drive underneath it,

- The remaining shelves (11, 12) each consist of four horizontal struts (30) fastened to the supports (2) and a goods support (15), characterized in that each vertical support (2) is an angle profile, which consists exclusively of consists of two profile legs (21) at right angles to one another, each of which is provided with openings (18) forming a longitudinal grid for positively locking attachment of the struts (30), and that each strut (30) consists of an elongated middle section (31) and end sections ( 32) at both ends, with at least two form-fitting elements (35A, 35B) being formed on each end section (32) for its attachment to the respective profile leg (21), which are arranged at different heights and together with openings (18) on the Profile legs (21), which are also arranged at different heights, form a form fit. Mobile shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that the struts (30) on their central portion (31) have an L-shaped profile cross section, which is composed of a vertical first leg (36) and a second leg (37) on which the Goods support (15) is supported. Mobile shelf according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second leg (37) ends where the middle section (31) merges into the respective end section (32). 4. Mobile shelf according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end sections (32) are designed flat with the exception of the areas around the form-fitting elements (35A, 35B).

5. Mobile shelf according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the sum of the width (B1) of the first leg (36) and the width (B2) of the second leg (37) is equal to the height (H) of each the end sections (32).

6. Mobile shelf according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the upper of the at least two form-fitting elements is arranged at a height above, and the lower of the at least two form-fitting elements at a height below the second leg (37).

7. Mobile shelf according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an opening (39) is formed on each end section (32) in addition to the form-fitting elements (35A, 35B), which leads to a round hole (19) on the profile legs (21). flees.

8. Mobile shelf according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening (39) is formed between the form-fitting elements (35A, 35B).

9. Mobile shelf according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by a connecting element (40) inserted through the opening (39) and through the round hole (19).

10. Mobile shelf according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the profile legs (21) of the supports (2) alternate with the longitudinal grid forming openings (18) with the round holes (19).

11. Mobile shelf according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the form-fitting elements (35A, 35B) are hooks which extend at least partially into the openings (18) on the profile legs (21).

12. Mobile shelf according to claim 11, characterized in that the hooks are designed to be open at the bottom and their hook end sections (41, 42) are on the outside of the respective profile leg (21). - 15 -

13. Mobile shelf according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each hook is composed of two hook end sections (41, 42) which together form a pair and a web (43) arranged between them and running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the strut (30), the web (43) being materially connected to the end section (32) at both of its ends.

14. Mobile shelf according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings (18) forming the longitudinal grid each have a “T”-shaped contour, with at least the longitudinal bar of the “T” being designed to become narrower towards the bottom.

15. Mobile shelf according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom shelf (10) is a solid plate or one provided with material-saving recesses with a rectangular edge, at the four corners of which the supports (2) are arranged so that the underside of the slab extends at least in a central area of the slab in the uniform horizontal plane (E) and that the underside of the slab on those portions of the rectangular edge located between the supports (2) is level with the horizontal plane (E) or is placed higher.

16. Mobile shelf according to claim 15, characterized in that the lower shelf (10) forming plate is composed of several tubes (27a, 27b), preferably in the design as a welded construction.

17. Mobile shelf according to Claim 16 in conjunction with Claim 7, characterized in that the plate is screwed to the two profile legs (21) of all vertical supports (2), the screw connection passing through the round holes (19) in the profile legs (21) passes through.