Universal flow track system

Abstract

The present invention features a universal, low profile, expandable flow track system that can be drop-load mounted to almost any supporting frame or pallet rack. The flow track system of the invention features a flow track that mounts flush with its end supports, and is infinitely adjustable along both the horizontal axis and depth axis of the storage frame. The flow track is quickly assembled to, adjusted upon, and removed from, the storage frame.

Description

RELATED PATENTSThis application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,412, issued Dec. 12, 1995, for FLOW RACK SYSTEM.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains to material storage tracks and, more particularly, to an improved, extendable flow track storage system that is universally adaptable to, and infinitely adjustable about, most skeletal storage frames, with the aid of universal retaining elements.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe above-identified U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,412 relates to a new flow track storage apparatus that is adjustable in all three orthogonal planes. The flow track component of the apparatus was designed to seat within a toothed retainer bar that mechanically mounts to the horizontal end supports of a warehouse pallet rack. The flow track is horizontally adjustable along the entire retainer bar and, hence, along the entire horizontal dimension of the pallet rack. This is accomplished by seating the flow track within particular retainer bar slots. The flow tr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a universal flow rack system that can be fixtured to almost any supporting frame of a storage system without tools. The flow rack system of the invention features a flow track which has a roller conveying surface. The flow track comprises two elongated side rails that rotatably support a series of periodic, elongated, spaced-apart rollers therebetween. The flow track is fitted with stand members fixedly disposed across the elongated side rails at each distal end. The stand members are substantially parallel to the rollers and are designed to add bracing to the ends of the elongated, side rails. The stand members are also designed to function as supporting members, so that the flow track can be adjustably attached to the supporting frame of a pallet rack and provide a low profile.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a flow track conveying and storage system that is easily adjustable and that can be secured upon a storage frame or pallet rack without the need for tools.

Problems solved by technology

These prior art, commonly used rails could never properly support heavy loads, even with heavy, mid-support bracing.

The rails were never practical, despite their low cost, which was essentially their only appeal.

Therefore, the economy that is originally perceived with this system is, in actuality, deceptive.

Their frequent replacement more than counterbalances any initial savings.

The above-mentioned flow track system, on the other hand, was well received by the industry, but four major disadvantages remained: (1) it required horizontal toothed retainer bars; (2) the retainer bars required mechanical attachment to the frame, which was both laboriously expensive and time consuming; (3) the flow track system had no facility to extend itself in depth beyond a single frame support; and (4) the flow tracks had a high profile.

This seriously reduced the tier density and the vertical storage space.

Top surface mounting of track members on top of support beams meant that several additional inches of vertical space in each tier were wasted.

Averaged over many tiers of storage throughout the facility, this high profile method of support wasted space and resulted in a sizable loss of storage capacity.

Considering that the object of any storage scheme is to provide high-density storage within a facility, it was obvious that the flow track of the aforementioned patent was not a complete solution to efficiently storing materials in maximum storage facilities.

No system had ever furnished this capability.

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