Storage rack for storing elongate goods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage rack (10) for storing elongated articles (24), such as aluminium profiles or gutters, having a housing (11) defined by opposite side walls (12) for accommodating a plurality of trays (15) in which the elongated articles are accommodated, having a first operating opening (16) provided at an end face (13) of the housing (11), and having a conveying device (14) for automatically conveying the trays (15). The storage rack (10) has a second operating opening (17) provided on a side wall (12) of the housing (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage rack for storing elongated goods, such as aluminum profiles or gutters, having a housing defined by opposite side walls for accommodating a plurality of pallets in which elongated goods are accommodated, having a first service opening provided at an end face of the housing, and having a conveying device for automatically conveying the pallets. The invention also relates to a stacking frame for such a storage rack.

[0002] Such a storage rack is referred to as a vertical lift or vertical carousel. The storage rack has a housing on which a service opening is provided. Through the service opening, a warehouse keeper deposits and retrieves stored goods. The stored goods are placed on a pallet, which is then transported by the conveying device to a storage space provided in the housing of the storage rack. Such a vertical lift is described in EP 0 722 894 A1, which has two spaced-apart shelves and a conveying device located therebetween.

[0003] For a warehouse keeper, depositing elongated goods, such as aluminum profiles or gutters having a length of 3 to 5 meters, through the service opening of the storage rack is often difficult to accomplish, since the length of the elongated goods can cause the service opening or the pallet to be blocked. Damage to the stored goods can also result therefrom. In addition, targeted retrieval of stored goods can result in unwanted stored goods being retrieved first.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a storage rack of the type mentioned in the introduction, which enables simple and ergonomic depositing of elongated goods.

[0005] In particular, the storage rack according to the invention is characterized in that it has a second service opening, wherein the second service opening is provided on the side wall of the housing.

[0006] The second service opening enables the warehouse keeper to access the pallets from the side, whereby he is able to insert and retrieve elongated goods along the longitudinal direction. This is advantageous, since the elongated goods can be deposited manually by a single warehouse keeper. By virtue of the delivery via the second service opening, blocking of the stored goods and resulting damage is avoided. It is thus possible to deposit and retrieve elongated goods in a simple, targeted and ergonomic manner.

[0007] The second service opening can be provided on the side wall such that it is possible to access the pallets on the working surface in the first service opening. Alternatively, the second service opening can be provided such that it is possible to access the pallets on the conveying device.

[0008] The end face extends along the longitudinal direction of the storage rack. The transverse direction extends along the side wall. Typically, the storage rack has a greater scale in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.

[0009] Advantageously, the storage rack has a plurality of storage spaces formed by carrier shelves which are located above one another and are spaced apart and are arranged in pairs at opposite side walls of the housing for accommodating the trays, wherein the trays can be transported to or retrieved from the storage spaces by means of the conveying device. Such a storage rack is referred to as a vertical lift. Thus, the surface above the first service opening can additionally be used for storage. Primarily, such a storage rack is characterized by a fast access time in the case of a high storage density of the goods, in particular large parts.

[0010] Alternatively, the storage rack can be configured as a vertical conveyor with a circulating conveying device. In this case, the storage goods are conveyed to the first service opening by the circulating movement of the conveying device. Such a vertical conveyor is also commonly referred to as a Paternoster.

[0011] Advantageously, the storage rack has a stacking frame for accommodating elongated goods, which are accommodated on the trays. The additional stacking frame is designed such that it can be placed on the tray. In this case, the base of the tray can be adapted to fit onto the upwardly protruding side walls of the tray, so that the stacking frame rests reliably on the tray. The stacking frame makes it possible for the storage goods not to roll or slide off the tray, in particular during transport by means of the conveying device.

[0012] To this end, the stacking frame can have a vertically upwardly protruding lateral limiting bar. In an advantageous embodiment, the stacking frame has a plurality of lateral and opposite limiting bars. They can also have stabilizing webs which connect the limiting bars to one another, thereby increasing the rigidity.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment, the stacking frame can be coupled to the tray. This coupling can comprise a detachable connection, for example a screw, a bolt, a tension lock for quick connection or other suitable means. By means of the coupling, it is ensured that the stacking frame does not tip over the tray.

[0014] Advantageously, the stacking frame has support arms for supporting the elongated goods. Furthermore, by arranging the support arms above one another, it is made possible to store the elongated goods in the stacking frame in a multi-layered manner. At the same time, the stacking frame thus has only a small weight and additionally increases the storage density. The support arms can be supported between two opposite lateral limiting bars.

[0015] Advantageously, the stacking frame has an insert element, in particular a roller, which supports the elongate goods. This thus facilitates depositing and retrieving the elongate goods on and from the stacking frame. The insert element can comprise a roller, or only a cover consisting of a material for protecting the elongate goods against damage, such as scratching. For example, a plastic with high anti-friction properties, such as Teflon or POM, can be used as the material for the cover. Furthermore, such an insert element can also be provided on each support arm of the stacking frame. This facilitates moving the stored goods in particular easily and gently to the material.

[0016] Advantageously, the stacking frame has a separate compartment. The separate compartment makes it possible to retrieve the elongate goods individually. In order to define the compartments, separate defining means can be provided, which are connected to the support arms respectively. Furthermore, the elongate goods are not damaged by the stacking of the elongate goods.

[0017] Advantageously, the second service opening has an insert element which supports the stored goods during depositing and retrieving. The insert element can be formed by the lower edge of the service opening or an additionally installed means. The insert element makes it easier for the warehouse manager to insert the elongate goods. The insert element can comprise one or more rollers, or only a cover consisting of a material with good anti-friction properties. For example, a plastic such as Teflon or POM can be used as the material for the cover.

[0018] Advantageously, the second service opening can be closed by a closing means, in particular a roller blind, or a manually or automatically movable closing member. The closing means increases the safety of the operation, since it is not possible to enter from the side during normal operation. It is thus not possible to enter this area unintentionally.

[0019] Embodiments of the storage rack and the stacking frame according to the application, which are shown schematically in the accompanying drawings, are described below. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 a first embodiment of the storage rack according to the application is shown in perspective view;

[0021] Figure 2 a stacking frame of the storage rack according to the application is shown; Figure 1

[0022] Figure 3 a part of the storage rack according to the application is shown in perspective view; and

[0023] Figure 4 a side view of a second embodiment of the storage rack according to the application is shown.

[0024] Figure 1 ​A perspective view of a storage rack 10 for storing elongated goods 24, such as aluminum profiles or gutters, which are approximately 2 to 5 meters in length, is shown.

[0025] The storage rack 10, which is configured as a vertical lift, comprises two racks 34, 35, which are arranged at a distance from one another and are both enclosed by the housing 11. The racks 34, 35 have side walls 12 which are oriented parallel to one another. As Figure 4 is shown, a plurality of storage spaces 32 are provided in each rack 34, 35, which have spaced-apart carrier shelves 31 located above one another. The storage spaces 32 are configured for accommodating a pallet 15 on which storage goods or elongated goods 24 are stored. A conveying shaft 33 is located between the racks 34, 35 in which a conveying device 14 can be moved up and down. By means of the conveying shaft 33, the controllable conveying device 14 can place a pallet 15 in a storage space 32 or remove a pallet 15 from a storage space 32.

[0026] In order to load or remove storage goods 24 by a warehouse keeper, the storage rack 10 has a first service opening 16 and a second service opening 17. The latter is shown enlarged in Figure 3 .

[0027] The first service opening 16 is provided at an end face 13 of the storage rack 10, which extends in the longitudinal direction L of the storage rack 10. The first service opening 16 has a work surface 16a onto which a pallet 15 can be inserted for loading onto and / or removing from the conveying device 14. The warehouse keeper can then manually place storage goods in the pallet 15 through the first service opening 16. The storage rack 10 can also have a plurality of first service openings 16. They can be arranged side by side and / or respectively on both sides of opposite racks 34, 35.

[0028] The second service opening 17 is provided on a side wall 12 of the storage rack 10 and extends in the transverse direction Q. Through the second service opening 17, it is possible to make lateral contact with the work surface 16a of the first service opening 16.

[0029] The second service opening 17 has an insertion element 18, which supports the elongated goods 24 during storage and retrieval. The insertion element 18 is arranged at a higher level relative to the work surface 16a. In Figure 1 , the insertion element 18 is shown as a roller, while Figure 3 the insertion element 18 in is shown as a cover of the lower edge of the second service opening 17.

[0030] In addition, the second service opening 17 has a closure device 19, which can close the access to the work surface 16a. The closure device can be configured as a roller blind.

[0031] As Figure 3 and 4 shown, the stacking frame 20 is arranged on the pallet. The stacking frame 20 is shown separately in Figure 2 . It can be fastened to the pallet 20 by means of coupling means.

[0032] As Figure 2 shown, the stacking frame 20 has longitudinally spaced support arms 21 and lateral limiting bars 25, which form storage compartments 23 for elongated goods 24. The shown limiting bars 25 are connected by means of stabilizing webs 26. As Figure 4 shown, the support arms 21 can additionally be arranged on top of each other. Furthermore, additional limiting bars 25 forming multiple compartments 23 can be arranged on the support arms 21. To facilitate depositing and removing the elongated goods 24, the stacking frame 20 can have insertion elements 22. For example, the latter can be configured as rollers, or simply comprise a cover consisting of a plastic material with good anti-friction properties, such as PTFE or POM. The cover can be applied to each support arm 21.

[0033] Figure 4 The shown storage rack 10 can be considered Figure 1 and 3 another possible structure of the storage rack 10. Identical or functionally identical parts can have the same reference numerals.

[0034] In this embodiment of the storage rack 10, a second service opening 17a, 17b is assigned to each of the shelf 34 and the shelf 35. They are separated by the conveying shaft 33 and arranged side by side on the side wall 12.

[0035] Using the second service opening 17, the warehouse manager is able to insert or retrieve the elongated goods 24 into or from the storage rack 10 in a particularly ergonomic manner. Since the elongated goods 24 are conveyed along their longitudinal direction, damage to the elongated goods 24 is avoided. The stacking frame 20 facilitates the orderly depositing of the elongated goods 24.

[0036] List of reference numerals

[0037] 10 storage rack

[0038] 11 housing

[0039] 12 side wall

[0040] 13 end face

[0041] 14 conveying device

[0042] 15 pallet

[0043] 16 first service opening

[0044] 16a work surface

[0045] 17 second service opening

[0046] 17a, 17b second service opening

[0047] 18 insertion element

[0048] 19 closure device

[0049] 20 stacking frame

[0050] 21 support arm

[0051] 22 insertion element

[0052] 23 compartment

[0053] 24 elongated goods

[0054] 25 lateral limiting rod

[0055] 26 stabilizing web

[0056] 30 operating element

[0057] 31 carrier bracket

[0058] 32 storage space

[0059] 33 conveying shaft

[0060] 34 goods rack

[0061] 35 goods rack

[0062] L longitudinal direction

[0063] Q transverse direction

Claims

1. A storage rack (10) for storing long goods (24), It has a housing (11) defined by opposing side walls (12) for accommodating a plurality of pallets (15) in which elongated goods are accommodated; It has a first service opening (16) disposed at the end face (13) of the housing (11); and It has a conveying device (14) for automatically conveying the pallet (15); Its features are, The storage rack (10) has a second service opening (17). The first service opening (16) has a working surface (16a) into which the tray (15) can be inserted for loading onto and / or removing from the conveyor (14). The second service opening (17) is provided on the side wall (12) of the housing (11) so as to allow access to the tray (15) on the working surface (16a) in the first service opening (16).

2. The storage rack (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple storage spaces are formed by support brackets (31) located above and spaced apart from each other, and arranged in pairs on opposite sidewalls (12) of the housing (11) for accommodating the trays (15), wherein the trays (15) can be conveyed to or retrieved from the storage spaces by the conveying device (14).

3. The storage rack (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage rack is configured as a vertical conveyor belt with a circulating conveyor (14).

4. The storage rack (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stacking frame (20) for accommodating long goods is mounted on the pallet (15).

5. The storage rack (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stacking frame (20) can be connected to the tray (15).

6. The storage rack (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stacking frame (20) has a support arm (21) for supporting long cargo.

7. The storage rack (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stacking frame (20) has an insertion element (22), which is in particular a roller on which long goods are supported.

8. The storage rack (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stacked frame (20) has individual compartments (23).

9. The storage rack (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second service opening (17) has an insertion element (18) for supporting stored goods.

10. The storage rack (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second service opening (17) can be closed by a closing device (19), particularly a roller shutter or closing member.

11. A stacking frame (20) for use in a storage rack (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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