Centering and supporting interface and storage rack comprising such interface

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a centering and support interface (1), which is mechanical and comprises:-an upper first support portion (2) configured to abut against an upper portion of a vertical face of a column,-a lower second support portion (6) configured to abut against a lower portion of the vertical face of said column,-a support portion (4) configured to support the column, -a first bearing portion (2) comprising an upper support surface (FS) configured to ensure support of a load (W),-a connecting and centering portion (3) connecting the first bearing portion (2) and a proximal end (40) of the support portion (4), the connecting and centering portion having an upper guide surface (FG), the upper guide surface ensures the centering of the load towards the support part (4) by the movement of the load due to gravity,-a reinforcing part (5) connecting the support part (4) and the second bearing part (6).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a centering and support interface that is mechanical and configured to be fixed so as to be cantilevered laterally from the uprights of a storage rack in order to ensure centering and support of the load on said storage rack.

[0002] The load may comprise containers, and products or articles contained in or on the containers. Typically, such a load may have a mass less than or equal to 100 kg per container, in particular per box. The load may further comprise containers supporting the products or articles, such as pallets. Such a load may then be much heavier than 100 kg, and for example weigh up to 1 ton or more.

[0003] Container is understood to mean any type of container or support capable of receiving and storing products or objects, such as in particular boxes, pallets or boxes of any type and shape, without this list being exhaustive.

[0004] The present disclosure further relates to a storage rack comprising:

[0005] - a vertical structure comprising a set of vertical columns,

[0006] - Typically, a spacer system comprising one or typically several spacer devices distributed along the height of the vertical structure, one or each spacer device mechanically interconnecting the uprights, and in particular:

[0007] - One or more pairs of mechanical interfaces according to the present disclosure.

[0008] One or each pair of interfaces comprises a first interface and a second interface which cantilever relative to the column. The support portions of the first interface and the second interface are oriented towards each other, and the support portions are configured to ensure:

[0009] - The load inserted and placed between the first interface and the second interface is centered by the connection of the two interfaces and the action of the centering part, thereby forming an inclined slope, and then

[0010] -Supporting a load supported by two supporting parts of two interfaces, respectively, on both sides of the load.

[0011] The present disclosure further relates to a storage system comprising a storage rack according to the present disclosure and one or more containers configured to be supported in the storage rack, one or each container being supported by a support portion of an interface of a pair of interfaces.

[0012] The present disclosure is particularly applicable in the field of storage systems, which include at least one storage rack equipped with at least one interface according to the present disclosure, at least one container capable of being stored on the rack, and a conveying system including at least one automated guided vehicle, which is capable of grabbing the container and placing it in the rack. Technical Field

[0013] The present disclosure belongs to the field of warehouses comprising storage racks. Storage racks conventionally comprise a vertical structure formed by a set of vertical columns, usually in the form of vertical metal sections.

[0014] Spacer means, such as crosspieces or similar, connect the uprights. These spacer means are distributed along the height of the vertical structure and ensure the stability of the storage rack. The spacer means leave a plurality of free storage spaces in between along the height of the storage rack, which are configured to support loads stacked to different height levels in the rack between the rack uprights.

[0015] For this purpose, several pairs of mechanical interfaces are fixed to the uprights in order to ensure the centering and support of the various loads in the various storage spaces.

[0016] Throughout this application, "mechanical interface" specifically refers to a mechanical connection device in the context of the present disclosure, whereas the term "bracket" more generally refers to a mechanical connection device within the framework of the prior art. Background Art

[0017] In the prior art known to the applicant, the mechanical connection means connecting the rack to the load are usually in the form of brackets, which conventionally each comprise a cross section having three parts, namely:

[0018] - an upper supporting portion configured to rest flat against two coplanar sides of two uprights, thereby ensuring attachment of the bracket by means of attachment means, typically rivets,

[0019] a support portion which extends substantially cantilevered from the upright, generally horizontally or nearly horizontally and thus substantially perpendicularly to the first support portion, said support portion terminating in a free edge,

[0020] - A connecting and centering portion connecting the bearing portion and the support portion, the connecting portion comprising a guide surface inclined towards the support portion.

[0021] The supports each extend longitudinally in a horizontal direction X and vertically in a vertical direction Z. The aforementioned cross section in three parts is determined in a plane parallel to YZ. The inclined guide surface forms a ramp configured to ensure centering of the load due to gravity, in particular when the load is deflected in the horizontal direction Y during its unloading.

[0022] Such stents according to this prior art are conventionally obtained in one piece by preforming, usually by roll-forming techniques on metal sheets, the three parts of the stent.

[0023] This geometry in three parts (support part, support part and connecting part) is systematic in the field of storage systems, which include shelves and are served by a conveyor system including an automated guided vehicle, which is able to grab objects and place them in the shelves. Such storage systems have the acronym ASRS for "Automated Storage and Retrieval System".

[0024] Such a storage system is disclosed in particular by document WO 2019 / 072432 filed by the present applicant.

[0025] As can be seen in the figures of document WO 2019 / 072432, each bracket is formed integrally from a preformed metal sheet, and its cross-section consists of the three aforementioned parts used to attach the bracket, center the load and finally support the centered load.

[0026] As disclosed in document WO2019 / 072432, an automated guided vehicle is configured to remove containers of products or items supported by racks in a storage rack and transport them to another location, typically to another storage location or an order preparation station where the items are intended to be collected in order to assemble an order for an end customer.

[0027] For this purpose, the automated guided vehicles may include robots having means for moving and guiding in the warehouse. These robots can move longitudinally in the aisles separating two shelves, i.e. "shelving" robots capable of moving on the warehouse floor and capable of carrying large loads, or in a preferred manner, robots capable of moving on the floor and also having mechanical climbing means allowing them to move vertically on the shelves.

[0028] In this last configuration, the robot may have a chassis equipped with climbing members. Typically, at least two motorized gears are configured to mesh with the links of a substantially taut roller chain, or with the teeth of a rack extending along the uprights of the shelf. The gears may typically have an axis that is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive wheels of the cart.

[0029] As disclosed in WO 2019 / 072432, the trolley of the automated guided vehicle further has a clamping device, which includes a support member movable relative to the chassis, and the clamping device is configured to move from a retracted loading position for holding a box on the chassis of the vehicle to an extended unloading position, in which the support member is typically accommodated on the chassis, and in which the movable support member extends cantilevered from the chassis to unload / put down the box, typically unloading / placing it on a pair of several pairs of brackets of the storage rack.

[0030] Therefore, the autonomous robot may also have a mobile and orienting member that enables it to move in three dimensions. In addition to the two planar dimensions usually associated with the floor on which the robot moves, there is also a vertical third dimension associated with the shelf on which the robot can climb up and down. In this configuration, the robot has a mobile and climbing member that enables it to move vertically by climbing up and down along the warehouse shelves. Examples of this technology appear in, for example, the document WO2018 / 189110, and also in WO 2020 / 056175, EP 3 288 865 and WO 2022 / 089811.

[0031] The present disclosure is in no way limited to storage systems that include automated carriers of this type that move in three dimensions.

[0032] Therefore, from the perspective of the movement of the automated guided vehicle, its path can be only two-dimensional, meaning in a plane. For this purpose, the autonomous vehicle has a mobile and directional member that enables such movement in these two dimensions. The floor of a warehouse, or more generally, the floor of a storage and retrieval system, can constitute the plane on which the autonomous vehicle moves. An example illustrating this technology can be obtained in patent application WO 2007 / 149712. According to another known configuration, the shelves arranged in the warehouse define a flat surface at their top, and the autonomous vehicle can also move around on the flat surface. For example, patent application WO 2015 / 104263 illustrates this technology.

[0033] The present applicant operates such storage and conveying systems, and more particularly, storage and conveying systems that include automated carriers that move in three dimensions.

[0034] As a non-limiting indication, the container may be a box having a bottom wall and four side walls and generally having dimensions of 650 mm x 450 mm (length by width). The box may have different heights. The length (650 mm) generally extends parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the rack, i.e. in the depth direction of the storage rack, parallel to the insertion or extraction direction during loading or unloading operations.

[0035] A pair of brackets may be sized to support a single box. Each bracket in the pair of brackets then typically has a length slightly greater than the length of the box (650 mm). A pair of brackets may also be sized to support two side-by-side boxes in two positions offset along the length of the brackets. Each bracket then typically is sized to have a length slightly greater than twice the length of the box (650 mm x 2, which is 1300 mm).

[0036] Such storage and conveying systems (including automated guided vehicles) are typically configured to support "light" loads, ie 30 to 40 kg per box, typically 34 kg under operating conditions.

[0037] A pair of racks used to support a single box must be able to support a load of 34 kg and the repeated loading / unloading operations associated with this load, while a pair of racks used to support two boxes adjacent to each other must be able to withstand a double load of 68 kg and the repeated loading / unloading operations associated with this load.

[0038] Such storage and transport systems, and in particular the storage racks loaded with such boxes, must further be able to support the load under safe buffer conditions, taking into account that the mass of the products contained in the boxes may increase when the fire extinguishing system sprays water on the storage racks supporting the boxes filled with the products. Under safe buffer conditions, it is generally considered that the boxes and the products (contained in the boxes) soaked with water can reach a load of 100 kg. This mass increase can be observed in particular when the products or items contained in the containers have packaging of water-retaining materials, usually cardboard or similar materials capable of absorbing large amounts of water.

[0039] A pair of brackets used to support a single box must be able to support a load of 100 kg, while a pair of brackets used to support two boxes next to each other on the brackets must be able to withstand a load of 200 kg under safe cushioning conditions.

[0040] Therefore, the sheet material forming the stent is usually designed to be thick enough to obtain stent robustness that meets the following specifications:

[0041] - not only under operating conditions, in order to avoid degradation / deformation of the racks during use, typically fatigue under repeated stresses during operations of loading and unloading loads (i.e. boxes filled with products) on the racks, usually by robots, but also

[0042] - Under safety buffer conditions, in order to take into account the increase in mass caused in particular by water spraying.

[0043] According to the aforementioned bracket design of the prior art (the cross section consists of three parts), a metal sheet (usually steel) with a thickness of about 2 mm (or more) is therefore usually provided in order to meet such specifications. This thickness to meet such specifications enables the bracket to have a linear density greater than or equal to 1.8 kg / m, typically between 1.8 kg / m and 2.4 kg / m, in the longitudinal direction X of the bracket. According to the observations of the inventors of the present case, these brackets can represent almost half of the weight of the storage rack (i.e., including the vertical structure with vertical columns, the spacer device and the bracket).

[0044] In general, there is a continuing need to reduce the amount of metal used to manufacture storage racks, with the goal of saving money as well as reducing the inherent environmental impact.

[0045] However, from document DE 10 2016 120 869 a mechanical and support interface formed by a one-piece body is known, obtained by roll-forming a metal sheet until a tubular metal section is obtained, which makes it possible to improve the properties in terms of rigidity, in particular for a "triangular hollow" metal section. In particular, in order to obtain a hollow metal section, the roll-forming process makes it possible to connect two ends of the metal sheet, each consisting of a first edge of the sheet and an opposite U-shaped second edge, which surrounds the first edge and closes the hollow metal section. The two connected ends form a projection towards the rear of the interface, perpendicular to the support part, which projection is configured to pass through a recess formed in the column.

[0046] DE 10 2016 120 869 thus discloses a supporting and centering interface comprising:

[0047] - inclined connection and centering parts,

[0048] - Support part,

[0049] - Strengthening part,

[0050] - a (single) supporting portion configured to bear against the vertical face of the upright in a continuous manner along the height of the upright.

[0051] According to the findings of the present inventors, the length of the unfolded sheet based on this interface of the metal section with the closed section is significant.

[0052] Also known from document ES1 073 137 U is an interface comprising:

[0053] - a one-piece body obtained by folding a metal sheet and shaping a first portion, a connecting and centering portion, a supporting portion and a reinforcing portion terminating in a second portion, the different portions being delimited by folding / bending lines,

[0054] - Two supporting flanges which ensure the attachment of the body to the two uprights of the shelf.

[0055] From document CH 551 327 (A) is also known a support interface formed by a metal section from a metal sheet (or sheets), said support interface having a closed cross section except at the base with a continuous slit between two edges intended to engage with an attachment element. Thus, the preformed sheet / roll-formed sheet defines a centering portion, a support portion and a reinforcement portion delimited by folding / bending lines parallel to one another.

[0056] According to the observation of the inventor of this case, in the two documents ES1 073 137 U and CH 551 327 (A), the preformed sheet that defines the supporting part, the centering part and the reinforcing part and forms an integral body cannot be directly fixed to the surface of the pillar, but can only be fixed with the help of specific attachment parts of the interface, namely the supporting flange of ES1 073 137 U, or the attachment element of CH 551 327. Summary of the invention

[0057] The present disclosure significantly improves this situation.

[0058] According to a first aspect, a centering and supporting interface is proposed, which is mechanical and configured to be fixed so as to be cantilevered laterally from an upright of a rack, so as to ensure centering and supporting of a load on said rack, said upright extending in a vertical direction Z1, said interface comprising:

[0059] - an upper first supporting portion configured to bear against an upper portion of a vertical face of said upright, said upper first supporting portion being intended to ensure the attachment of said interface to said upright,

[0060] - a lower second supporting portion configured to bear against a lower portion of the vertical face of the column,

[0061] a support portion comprising an upper support surface configured to ensure support of said load, said support portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end while increasing in distance from said first support portion and from said second support portion,

[0062] a connecting and centering portion connecting the first bearing portion and the proximal end of the support portion, the connecting and centering portion having an upper guide surface which ensures the centering of the load towards the support portion by the movement of the load due to gravity,

[0063] - A reinforcement portion connecting the distal end of the support portion and the second bearing portion to form a reinforcement leg.

[0064] The features set out in the following paragraphs may be implemented optionally. The features may be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0065] According to one embodiment, the interface is made of metal, typically steel, and has a linear density in the longitudinal direction X1 less than or equal to 1.5 kg / m, in particular between 0.8 kg / m and 1.3 kg / m.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the interface comprises an integrally formed body, the body being formed by a preformed metal sheet, the preformed metal sheet extending continuously so as to be formed in sequence from top to bottom along the direction of the column:

[0067] - said first supporting portion,

[0068] - the connecting and centering part,

[0069] - the supporting portion,

[0070] - the reinforcement portion, and

[0071] - said second supporting portion.

[0072] The first bearing portion, the connecting and centering portion, the supporting portion, the reinforcing portion and the second bearing portion are respectively delimited by mutually parallel folding / bending lines in the metal sheet, the folding / bending lines being oriented in the longitudinal direction of the interface, the folding / bending lines comprising:

[0073] - a first folding / bending line, which is situated between said first supporting portion and said connecting and centering portion,

[0074] - a second folding / bending line between the connecting and centering portion and the supporting portion,

[0075] - a third folding / bending line, which is between the supporting portion and the reinforcing portion,

[0076] - a fourth folding / bending line between said reinforcement portion and said second supporting portion.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the metal sheet is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, typically between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. Specifically, the thickness of the metal sheet is less than or equal to 1 mm, more specifically between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the unfolded length of the metal sheet in a cross section perpendicular to the folding / bending line is between 170 mm and 210 mm.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the first supporting part and / or the second supporting part comprises several attachment lugs, which are configured to ensure attachment of the metal segment by inserting one or more attachment lugs into one or more of the attachment openings of the metal segment, the metal segment forming a column having the attachment openings.

[0080] According to one embodiment, at least one of the downwardly directed lugs is configured to hook into an attachment opening and is provided with an anti-lifting device comprising an elastic tooth configured to abut an upper edge of the attachment opening to prevent unhooking of the attachment lug.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the first bearing portion and / or the second bearing portion comprises an opening for an attachment member, such as a rivet.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the first supporting portion is double-skinned, obtained by folding the metal sheet onto itself, the attachment opening passing through both skins.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion are coplanar, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion extend in a plane X1Z1 parallel to the vertical plane of the column, and the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion rest on the column at two positions on the column, and the two positions are offset along the vertical direction Z1 of the column.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the connecting and centering portion extends from the first bearing portion to the proximal end of the support portion in a direction inclined at an angle A1 between 25° and 45°, for example 33°, relative to the vertical direction Z1, thereby ensuring that the guide surface is inclined downwards towards the support portion.

[0085] According to one embodiment, said connection and centering portion extends from said first bearing portion to a proximal end of said support portion in a direction inclined at an angle A10 between 45° and 65° relative to a horizontal direction Y1 , direction Y1 being perpendicular to said first and second bearing portions.

[0086] According to one embodiment, said support portion extends from said proximal end to its distal end obliquely downwards at a non-zero angle A2 between 0° and 5° with respect to a horizontal direction Y1 , which is perpendicular to said first and second supporting portions.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement portion extends downwardly from the distal end of the support portion to the second supporting portion at an angle A3 between 5° and 30° relative to a horizontal direction Y1 while being closer to the second supporting portion, the direction Y1 being perpendicular to the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the interface extends longitudinally in a horizontal direction X1 parallel to the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, and the interface along the direction X1 comprises:

[0089] - an open first end configured to allow the insertion or removal of the load by movement of said load along the direction X1 ,

[0090] a closed second end comprising a stop member projecting upwards from the connecting and centering portion and / or from the supporting portion and configured to stop the load during its insertion along the direction X1 .

[0091] According to one embodiment, the stop member comprises:

[0092] a first stop formed by a lug of the metal sheet, the first stop protruding from the connecting and centering portion via a folding / bending line between the first stop and the connecting and centering portion,

[0093] - a second stop formed by a lug of the sheet metal, the second stop protruding from the portion via a folding / bending line extending between the second stop and the supporting portion. Advantageously, the lug forming the first stop and the lug forming the second stop have two overlapping portions of the lugs fixed to each other by at least one connection point fixing the lugs to each other, which is generally obtained by welding, riveting (crimping) or stapling.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the interface may consist of an integrally formed body formed from a preformed metal sheet.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the interface may consist of the following five parts in a cross section observed in a plane parallel to plane Y1Z1:

[0096] - said first supporting portion,

[0097] - the connecting and centering part,

[0098] - the supporting portion,

[0099] - the reinforcement portion, and

[0100] - said second supporting portion.

[0101] According to one embodiment, said second supporting portion extends between said fourth folding / bending line and a lower free edge of said preformed metal sheet.

[0102] According to one embodiment, said first supporting portion extends between said first folding / bending line and an upper free edge of said preformed metal sheet.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion extend outwardly from the first folding line and from the fourth folding line, respectively, in two opposite directions.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the cross section of the preformed metal sheet in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the folding / bending line is an open cross section.

[0105] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a storage rack comprising:

[0106] - a vertical structure comprising a set of vertical columns,

[0107] - a spacer system comprising one or more spacer devices distributed along the height of the vertical structure, the one or more spacer devices mechanically interconnecting the columns,

[0108] - One or more pairs of interfaces according to the present disclosure, a pair of interfaces or each pair of interfaces comprising:

[0109] a first interface, which is fixed to at least two uprights of the vertical structure by means of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion,

[0110] a second interface, which is fixed to at least two other uprights of the vertical structure by means of the first and second supporting parts,

[0111] And wherein the supporting parts belonging to the first interface and the second interface respectively and the connecting and centering parts are oriented toward each other and are configured to ensure: the load inserted and placed between the first interface and the second interface is centered by the action of the connecting and centering parts of the two interfaces, and the load supported by the two supporting parts of the two interfaces is supported on both sides of the load.

[0112] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a storage system for a warehouse, comprising a container and at least one storage rack according to the present disclosure, wherein the storage rack comprises a plurality of docking interfaces distributed along the height of the storage rack, and each container is configured to be supported simultaneously and respectively by a support portion of the first interface and a support portion of the second interface on both sides of the container. The storage system may have a conveying system comprising at least one automated guided vehicle, wherein the conveying system is configured to grab a container and place it in the storage rack.

[0113] According to one embodiment of the storage system, the vertical structure of the storage rack, in particular at least one of the uprights, comprises a toothed rack extending along the height of the vertical structure, or a tensioning chain extending along the height of the vertical structure. The at least one automated guided vehicle has a chassis carrying a mechanism for traveling on a horizontal surface, such as a floor, and a climbing member comprising at least one gear, the at least one gear being configured to mesh with the toothed rack or a link of the tensioning chain, so as to enable the automated guided vehicle to climb up and down along the vertical structure of the storage rack.

[0114] The at least one automated guided vehicle may include a deployable loading / unloading system configured to:

[0115] - loading a container from a retracted first position above the chassis to an extended second position in which the container is centered and then supported by resting on both the first and second interfaces, or

[0116] - Retrieving a container resting on a first interface and a second interface of a pair of interfaces from said second position and loading it into said retracted first position.

[0117] The present disclosure has particular application to loads comprising one or more containers held by a pair of mechanical interfaces supporting the one or more containers, each supported container being up to 100 kg. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0118] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0119] Figure 1A

[0120] [ Figure 1A ] is a schematic front view of a storage rack according to the present disclosure, which includes a pair of mechanical interfaces according to the present disclosure, the pair of mechanical interfaces including a first interface and a second interface, the first interface and the second interface are mechanical and oriented toward each other and are configured to ensure guidance and support of a load such as a container (empty or filled with products).

[0121] Figure 1B

[0122] [ Figure 1B ]yes Figure 1A A top view of the storage rack.

[0123] Figure 2A

[0124] [ Figure 2A ] is a view of one embodiment of a mechanical interface according to the present disclosure, the mechanical interface being obtained from a metal sheet 0.6 mm thick (plus or minus 0.05 mm), the mechanical interface comprising, from top to bottom:

[0125] - a first supporting part, in particular a double-skinned one,

[0126] -Connecting and centering parts,

[0127] - Support part,

[0128] - Strengthening part,

[0129] - A second supporting portion.

[0130] Figure 2B

[0131] [ Figure 2B ]yes Figure 2A Detailed view of a first supporting portion obtained by folding the sheet onto itself so as to form a double skin, said first supporting portion comprising openings through the two skins for attachment by rivets.

[0132] Figure 3A

[0133] [ Figure 3A ] is a view of one embodiment of a mechanical interface according to the present disclosure, the mechanical interface being obtained from a metal sheet 0.8 mm thick (plus or minus 0.05 mm), the mechanical interface comprising, from top to bottom:

[0134] - a first supporting part having a surface layer

[0135] -Connecting and centering parts,

[0136] - Support part,

[0137] - Strengthening part,

[0138] - A second supporting portion.

[0139] Figure 3B

[0140] [ Figure 3B ]yes Figure 3A Detailed view of a first support portion having a skin, the first support portion comprising openings for attachment by rivets.

[0141] Figure 4

[0142] [ Figure 4] is a perspective view of a mechanical interface according to a third embodiment, wherein the mechanical interface comprises a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion, wherein the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion particularly respectively comprise a first attachment lug configured to be inserted into a first upper opening of a vertical metal segment and a second attachment lug configured to be inserted into a second lower opening, wherein the first supporting portion is particularly provided with an elastic toothed member of an anti-lifting device, wherein the elastic toothed member engages with an upper edge of the first opening so as to prevent untimely detachment from the first attachment lug.

[0143] Figure 5A

[0144] [ Figure 5A ] is a perspective view of a (straight) interface with a length of 1315 mm according to a first embodiment, wherein the interface is configured to support two containers, in particular two boxes (650 mm×450 mm) along the length of the interface.

[0145] Figure 5B

[0146] [ Figure 5B ] is a detailed view showing the fixation at the riveting point (or welding point) between the folded lug of the first stop member extending the connecting and centering part and the folded lug of the second stop member extending the supporting part.

[0147] Fig. 6A

[0148] [ Fig. 6A ] is a perspective view of a (straight) interface of a certain length, which is configured to support two containers, especially two boxes (650mm×450mm) along the length of the interface.

[0149] Figure 6B

[0150] [ Figure 6B ] is a detailed view showing the folded tab of the first stop extending the connecting and centering portion and the folded tab of the second stop extending the supporting portion, wherein the first stop and the second stop overlap.

[0151] Fig. 7A

[0152] [ Fig. 7A ] is a perspective view of a (straight) interface with a length of 657 mm according to a third embodiment, the interface being configured to support a single container, in particular a single box (650 mm×450 mm) along the length of the interface.

[0153] Figure 7B

[0154] [ Figure 7B] is a detailed view showing the folded lug of the first stop extending the connecting and centering portion and the folded lug of the second stop extending the supporting portion, wherein the first stop and the second stop partially overlap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0155] The accompanying drawings and the following description mainly contain essential and certain elements. Therefore, they will not only serve to provide a better understanding of the present disclosure, but also facilitate the definition of the present disclosure when appropriate.

[0156] Therefore, the present disclosure relates to a centering and supporting interface 1 which is mechanical and configured to be fixed so as to be cantilevered laterally from uprights M1 , M2, M3, M4 of a rack extending in a vertical direction Z1 so as to ensure centering and supporting of a load W on the rack.

[0157] exist Figure 1A In general, the horizontal direction X1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the mechanical interface 1 , and the horizontal direction Y1 extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction X1 .

[0158] exist Figure 1A In the figure, a pair of two interfaces 1 is represented, each interface 1 includes:

[0159] - an upper first supporting portion 2 configured to bear against the upper portion of the vertical face of the upright, said upper first supporting portion being intended to ensure the attachment of said interface to said upright,

[0160] - a lower second supporting portion 6 configured to bear against the lower portion of the vertical face of the column.

[0161] The first support portion 2 is typically fixed to the column by an attachment member such as a rivet or by an attachment lug described below. The second support portion 6 is not necessarily fixed to the column and can simply rest on the column. However, the second support portion can typically be fixed to the column by an attachment member such as a rivet or by an attachment lug.

[0162] Each interface 1 may typically be fixed to a pair of posts, namely a first post M1 (or M3) and a second post M2 (or M4), in longitudinally offset positions along the interface 1. The interface may be coupled to the two posts at respective longitudinal ends of the mechanical interface 1.

[0163] The first supporting part 2, i.e. the upper part, intended to ensure the attachment of the interface to the pillars is then configured to abut against both pillars simultaneously, on the upper part of the vertical face of the first pillar M1 (or M3) and on the upper part of the vertical face of the second pillar M2 (or M4).

[0164] The second support portion 6 , ie the lower portion, is configured to abut against both pillars ( M1 and M2 or M3 and M4 ) simultaneously on the lower portion of the vertical face of the first pillar M1 (or M3 ) and on the lower portion of the vertical face of the second pillar M2 (or M4 ).

[0165] According to one embodiment, the first supporting portion 2 and the second supporting portion 6 may be coplanar, and the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion extend in a plane X1Z1 parallel to the vertical plane of the column M1 (or M2), M3 (or M4), and the first supporting portion 2 and the second supporting portion 6 rest on the column (especially the first column M1 or the second column M2) at two positions on the column, and the two positions are offset along the vertical direction Z1 of the columns M1 and M2.

[0166] The height of the mechanical interface which can extend between the first support part 2 and the second support part 6 is typically between 7 cm and 11 cm, in particular between 8 cm and 10 cm, and is for example 89.2 mm ( Figure 2A ) or 93.3mm( Figure 3A ).

[0167] This interface further comprises a support portion 4 comprising an upper support surface FS configured to ensure support of a load W. The support portion 4 extends from a proximal end 40 and a distal end 4 , while being distal to the first bearing portion 2 and the second bearing portion 6 .

[0168] The support portion 4 can extend downwardly obliquely from the proximal end 40 to the distal end 41 at an angle A2 strictly greater than 0°, typically between 0° and 5°, in particular between 1° and 3°, for example 2°, relative to the horizontal direction Y1. The choice of a non-zero angle is particularly important for centering the load to be stored on the shelf. The direction Y1 is perpendicular to the first support portion 2 and the second support portion 6. The length of the support portion 4 from the proximal end 40 to the distal end 41 can be between 2 cm and 6 cm, in particular between 3 cm and 5 cm, for example 4 cm.

[0169] The interface 1 also has a connecting and centering portion 3 connecting the first bearing portion 2 and the proximal end 40 of the support portion 4. The connecting and centering portion 3 has an upper guide surface FG which ensures centering of the load towards the support portion 4 via its displacement due to gravity.

[0170] For this purpose, the connecting and centering portion 3 can extend from the first bearing portion 2 to the proximal end 40 of the support portion 4 in a direction inclined at an angle typically between 25° and 45°, for example 33°, relative to the vertical direction Z1, thereby ensuring that the guide surface FG is inclined downwardly towards the support portion 4.

[0171] In particular, the connection and centering portion 3 may extend from the first support portion 2 to the proximal end 40 of the support portion 4 in a direction inclined at an angle A10 between 45° and 65° relative to a horizontal direction Y1, the direction Y1 being perpendicular to the first support portion 2 and the second support portion 6. The size of the connection and centering portion 3 in the direction Y1 may be between 25 mm and 60 mm, for example Figure 2A 32.1 mm in the example, or 55 mm in an example not shown.

[0172] In all cases, the angle of inclination A10 between the connection and centering portion 3 and the horizontal direction Y1 is greater than the angle of inclination A2 between the support portion 4 and the horizontal direction Y1 , said angle of inclination A2 being zero or preferably non-zero.

[0173] During an unloading operation, in the case of poor centering, the guide surface FG cooperates with the load W so as to move said load along the direction Y1 , moving it away from the uprights connected to the first and second supporting portions 2 , 6 .

[0174] It is worth noting that the reinforcement part 5 connects the distal end 41 of the support part 4 and the second support part 6 to form a reinforcement leg. The size of the interface in the direction Y1 can be between 50 mm and 90 mm, in particular between 60 mm and 80 mm, for example Figure 2A and 3A This size is measured between the distal end 41 of the support portion (even the area where the reinforcing portion 5 and the distal end 41 join) on the one hand and a plane passing through the first bearing portion 2 and the second bearing portion 6 on the other hand.

[0175] The reinforcing portion 5 can extend downwardly from the distal end 41 of the support portion 4 to the second support portion 6 at an angle A3 between 5° and 30° relative to the horizontal direction y1, while being closer to the second support portion 6, especially when the direction Y1 is perpendicular to the first support portion 2 and the second support portion 3.

[0176] Generally speaking, in a cross-sectional view in a plane parallel to plane Y1Z1, the mechanical interface includes or consists of the following five parts:

[0177] - a first supporting part 2,

[0178] -Connection and centering part 3,

[0179] - support part 4,

[0180] - Strengthening section 5, and

[0181] - A second supporting portion 6 .

[0182] This design of the interface 1 with five parts according to the present disclosure makes it possible to significantly reduce the mass of the mechanical interface compared to the three-part design of the bracket of the prior art in order to comply with the defined specifications, in particular regarding the maximum mass of the load under operating and / or safety buffer conditions.

[0183] By way of example, with regard to applications for mechanical interfaces for supporting containers, in particular boxes (650 mm x 450 mm), and in order to comply with the aforementioned conditions, i.e. a maximum of 34 kg under operating conditions and a maximum of 100 kg under safety buffer conditions: for 100 kg, it is advantageously possible to obtain a linear density less than or equal to 1.5 kg / m, in particular between 0.8 kg / m and 1.3 kg / m, along the length of the interface in direction X1.

[0184] These linear density values ​​are to be compared with the linear density of a bracket according to the prior art, which must be greater than or equal to 1.8 kg / m, typically between 1.8 kg / m and 2.4 kg / m, along the longitudinal direction X of the bracket, in order to meet these same specifications. This is a considerable improvement, since for the same effect and for the same material of the interface / bracket (typically metal, typically steel, in particular galvanized steel with a density between 7 and 8, typically 7.8), the mass of the interface according to the present disclosure can advantageously be twice as light as that of a bracket according to the prior art.

[0185] The mechanical interface 1 may comprise (or consist of) an integrally formed body formed from a preformed metal sheet that extends continuously so as to be formed, generally in cross section (in a plane parallel to the plane Y1Z1), in the direction of the pillars M1, M2, M3, M4, generally from top to bottom:

[0186] - a first supporting part 2,

[0187] -Connection and centering part 3,

[0188] - support part 4,

[0189] - Strengthening section 5, and

[0190] - A second supporting portion 6 .

[0191] and:

[0192] the first supporting portion 2 and the second supporting portion 6 extend outwardly from the first folding line 23 and from the fourth folding line 56 respectively in two opposite directions, i.e. in an upward direction from the first folding line 23 for the first supporting portion 2 and in a downward direction from the fourth folding line 56 for the second supporting portion,

[0193] - The cross section of the preformed metal sheet in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the folding / bending line is an open cross section.

[0194] In general, and as shown in particular by the example in the figures, the first supporting portion 2, the connecting and centering portion 3, the supporting portion 4, the reinforcing portion 5 and the second supporting portion 6 are delimited respectively by mutually parallel folding / bending lines 23, 34, 45, 56 of a metal sheet (generally steel, in particular galvanized steel), oriented along the longitudinal direction X1 of the interface, said mutually parallel folding / bending lines comprising:

[0195] a first folding / bending line 23 , which is situated between the first supporting part 2 and the connecting and centering part 3 ,

[0196] a second folding / bending line 34 between the connecting and centering part 3 and the supporting part 4,

[0197] a third folding / bending line 45 , which is between the supporting portion 4 and the reinforcing portion 5 ,

[0198] A fourth folding / bending line 56 , which is situated between the reinforcement portion 5 and the second supporting portion 6 .

[0199] The mechanical interface according to the present disclosure, in particular the formation of the fold / bend lines 23 , 34 , 45 , 56 , can generally be obtained by cold roll forming techniques and in particular at a relatively low cost.

[0200] The metal sheet may have a thickness less than or equal to 1.5 mm, typically between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. Specifically, the metal sheet has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm, more specifically between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. Figure 2A and 2B One embodiment of a mechanical interface is shown having a thickness of 0.6 mm plus or minus 0.05 mm. Figure 3A and 3B Another embodiment of a mechanical interface is shown having a thickness of 0.8 mm plus or minus 0.05 mm. Figure 2A , 2B Both examples 3A and AB allow the aforementioned specifications to be met (supporting containers such as 650 mm x 450 mm boxes, each box with a maximum of 34 kg under operating conditions and a maximum of 100 kg under safety buffer conditions).

[0201] These thickness values ​​are to be compared with the minimum thickness of 2 mm of the prior art stents, while meeting the same specifications. Thus and as an example, compared to the prior art having a thickness value of 2 mm, Figure 3A and 3B The thickness value of 0.8 mm according to the present disclosure is reduced by a ratio equal to 2.5.

[0202] It is worth noting that according to the present disclosure, the unfolded length of the sheet in a cross section perpendicular to the folding / bending lines 23, 34, 45, 56 may be typically between 170 mm and 210 mm. This range of values ​​is to be compared with the unfolded length of the sheet in a cross section perpendicular to the folding / bending lines of a stent according to the prior art, which is actually lower, but only by a ratio of 1.5.

[0203] It can be appreciated that the gain in thickness reduction according to the designs in the present disclosure (typically 2.5) as a ratio is much higher than the ratio of the increase in the deployed length of the sheet (typically 1.5). Therefore, the advantageous desired mass loss due to the thickness reduction according to the present disclosure largely outweighs the undesirable mass gain due to the increased deployed length, which advantageously allows a reduction in mass to be achieved and allows, for example, a linear density of 0.8 kg / m to 1.3 kg / m according to the present disclosure to be compared with a range of between 1.8 kg / m and 2.4 kg / m in the prior art, while still meeting the specifications set forth above.

[0204] In general, the first supporting part 2 and / or the second supporting part 6 can usually be fixed to the uprights M1, M2, M3, M4, or even to other rods of the shelf by means of attachment means such as rivets. For this purpose, the first supporting part 2 and / or the second supporting part 6 comprises an opening O2 for the attachment means such as rivets.

[0205] According to one embodiment, the first supporting portion 2 may be double-skinned, obtained by folding the metal sheet onto itself, wherein the attachment opening O2 passes through both skins. This embodiment allows reinforcing the first supporting portion, in particular against the risk of deformation / tearing of the sheet at the contact area between the interface and the attachment means. Figure 2B This embodiment is shown for indicative purposes in , where the thickness of the metal sheet is only 0.6 mm while still complying with the aforementioned specifications. This embodiment has particular application when there is a risk of deformation / tearing of the single-layer first supporting part at the attachment point.

[0206] According to one or more embodiments, and in particular as shown in the figures, the second supporting portion 6 may extend between the fourth folding / bending line 56 and the lower free edge of the preformed metal sheet.

[0207] According to one embodiment, the first supporting portion 2 extends between the first folding / bending line 23 and the upper free edge of the preformed metal sheet.

[0208] According to one embodiment, the mechanical interface 1 extends longitudinally along a horizontal direction X1 parallel to the first support portion 2 and the second support portion 6, and the interface 1 along the longitudinal direction X1 may include:

[0209] an open first end E1 configured to allow the insertion or removal of a load by moving it along the direction X1, in particular by sliding it on a connecting and centering portion and / or by sliding it on a supporting portion,

[0210] a closed second end E2 comprising stop members B3 , B4 projecting upwards from the connection and centering portion 3 and / or from the support portion 4 , configured to ensure the stopping of the load during its insertion along the direction X1 .

[0211] exist Figure 1B In the embodiment, a load W, in particular a container, is inserted between a pair of interfaces 1A, 1b by moving the load along X1 in a direction directed from a first end E1 towards a second end E2 of the interface 1. It will be noted that the insertion of the load, in particular a container, is carried out from one face of the shelf at one side of the open first end E1, which is open in the sense that the first end E1 does not have any stop member at this end. The stop members B3, B4 at the second end E2 are for safety purposes to ensure that the load is stopped.

[0212] It is worth noting that the stop members B3, B4 may include:

[0213] a first stop B3 formed by a tab of sheet metal which projects from the connecting and centering part 3 via a folding / bending line between the first stop B3 and the connecting and centering part 3,

[0214] - A second stop B4 formed by a tab of sheet metal which projects from the supporting portion 4 via a folding / bending line extending between the second stop B4 and said portion.

[0215] The folding / bending lines between the first stop B3 and the connecting and centering portion 3 or between the second stop B4 and the supporting portion 4 are usually oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction X1 of the interface 1 .

[0216] The lug forming the first stop B3 and the lug forming the second stop B4 may have two lug portions that overlap, in particular in the direction Y1 and in the direction Z1. According to an advantageous embodiment, the two lugs forming the two stops B3 and B4 are fixed to each other by at least one connection point that fixes the lugs to each other, which is generally obtained by welding, riveting (crimping) or stapling. This connection point that fixes the lugs of the stops to each other strengthens the mechanical interface 1.

[0217] According to one embodiment, the first supporting part 2 and / or the second supporting part 6 comprises several attachment lugs 7, which are configured to ensure the attachment of a metal segment by inserting one or more attachment lugs into one or more of the attachment openings of the metal segment, wherein the metal segment forms a column having attachment openings along its height.

[0218] These lugs 7, which are usually formed integrally from a metal sheet, are oriented downwards and are configured to hook into the attachment openings of the pillars. Therefore, the pillars M1, M2, M3, M4 can usually take the form of metal sections. Each interface 1, 1a, 1b, in particular the right interface or the left interface, can have two pairs of lugs, wherein the first pair of lugs 7 is configured to hook into two attachment openings at two height levels in the first pillar M1 (or M3), and the second pair of lugs 7 is configured to hook into two attachment openings in the second pillar M4 (or M5). The two lugs in each pair of lugs are located on the first support part 2 and the second support part 6, respectively, as can be seen in FIG. Figure 7B as an indication.

[0219] According to one embodiment, at least one of the downwardly directed lugs 7 is configured to hook into an attachment opening and may advantageously be provided with an anti-lifting device comprising an elastic tooth 8, such as may be provided in Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the elastic toothed member is configured to abut against the upper edge of the attachment opening to prevent unhooking of the attachment lug 7. The elastic toothed member 8 can generally be formed integrally with a metal sheet.

[0220] The present disclosure further relates to a storage rack comprising:

[0221] - a vertical structure comprising a set of vertical columns M1 , M2, M3, M4, usually in the form of vertical metal sections,

[0222] - Typically, a spacer system comprising one or more spacer devices distributed along the height of the vertical structure, said one or more spacer devices mechanically interconnecting the columns M1, M2, M3, M4

[0223] - One or more pairs of interfaces 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0224] A pair or each pair of interfaces comprises:

[0225] a first interface 1A, fixed to at least two uprights M1 , M2 of the vertical structure by means of a first supporting part 2 and a second supporting part 6 ,

[0226] A second interface 1B, fixed to at least two other uprights M3 , M4 of the vertical structure by means of a first supporting portion 2 and a second supporting portion 6 .

[0227] The two interfaces 1A and 1B, ie a left interface and a right interface, are oriented longitudinally along a direction X1 and are generally symmetrical with respect to each other in a central symmetry plane between the two interfaces 1A and 1B.

[0228] The supporting portion 4 and the connecting and centering portion 3, which are parts of the first interface 1A and the second interface 1B respectively, are oriented toward each other and are configured to ensure: the load W inserted and placed between the first interface 1A and the second interface 1B is centered by the action of the connecting and centering portion 3 of the two interfaces 1A, 1B, and the load supported by the two supporting portions 4 of the two interfaces 1a, 1b are supported on both sides of the load W.

[0229] The present disclosure further relates to a storage system for a warehouse, comprising a container and at least one storage rack according to the present disclosure and at least one conveying system, wherein the storage rack comprises a plurality of docking ports distributed along the height of the storage rack, and the at least one conveying system comprises one (or more) automated guided vehicles, and the conveying system is configured to grab the container and place it in the storage rack.

[0230] Each container is configured to be supported simultaneously and separately by the support portion 4 of the first interface 1A and the support portion 4 of the second interface 1B on both sides of the container.

[0231] The automated guided vehicle may have means for movement and position recognition in the storage system. Specifically, it may have two-dimensional means for movement on a horizontal surface, and / or three-dimensional movement means. According to the latter variant, the vehicle can then be moved vertically along the shelf columns.

[0232] For this purpose, the vertical structure of the storage rack, in particular at least one of the uprights, may comprise a rack CR1 , CR2 extending along the height of the vertical structure, or a tensioning chain extending along the height of the vertical structure.

[0233] The automated guided vehicle has a chassis and a climbing member, wherein the chassis in particular carries a mechanism for traveling on the floor, and the climbing member includes at least one gear, which is configured to engage with the racks CR1, CR2 or the links of the tensioning chain so that the automated guided vehicle can climb up and down along the vertical structure of the storage rack.

[0234] The automated guided vehicle includes a deployable loading / unloading system configured to:

[0235] - loading the container from a retracted first position above the chassis to an extended second position in which the container is centered and then supported by resting simultaneously on the first interface 1A and the second interface 1B, or

[0236] - Taking out the container resting on the first 1A interface and the second 1B interface of the pair of interfaces 1A, 1B from the second position and loading it into the retracted first position.

[0237] The interface according to the present disclosure, or the storage rack according to the present disclosure, or the system for conveying a load W according to the present disclosure is particularly applied to a load comprising one or more containers held by a pair of mechanical interfaces supporting one or more boxes, each supported container weighing a maximum of 100 kg, in particular under safe buffer conditions.

[0238] The load comprises containers in the form of containers, each weighing a maximum of 34 kg in operating conditions and, for loads with safety buffers, a maximum of 100 kg. The load with safety buffers for the interface holding two boxes of 650 mm x 450 mm in size and variable height may therefore reach 200 kg in the case of water filling after triggering the automatic sprinkler system.

[0239] It should be understood that, although the interface according to the present disclosure has been described above primarily in its application as a support for low loads (less than 100 kg per container, in particular per box), the present disclosure is by no means limited to supporting light loads, but is also suitable for supporting heavier loads such as pallets, since it also allows a significant gain in mass to be achieved.

[0240] Reference numerals list

[0241] -1. Mechanical interface,

[0242] -1a, 1b. The first and second interfaces,

[0243] -2. The first supporting part,

[0244] -3.Connection and centering parts,

[0245] -4. Support part,

[0246] -40, 41. proximal and distal ends (of the support part), -5. reinforcement part,

[0247] -6. The second supporting part,

[0248] -23. First folding / bending line,

[0249] -34. Second folding / bending line,

[0250] -45. Third folding / bending line,

[0251] -56. Fourth fold / bend line,

[0252] -7. Attachment lugs,

[0253] -8. Elastic toothed member (anti-lifting device),

[0254] -FS. Support surface (support part 4),

[0255] - FG. Guide surface (connection and centering part 5),

[0256] -E1. First end (open),

[0257] - E2. Second end (closed),

[0258] -B3. Stopper (connection and centering part),

[0259] -B4. Stopper (support part),

[0260] -M1, M2, M3, M4. Columns,

[0261] -ETR. Spacer device,

[0262] -O2. Attachment opening.

Claims

1. A centering and support interface (1) which is mechanical and configured to be fixed so as to be cantilevered laterally from a column (M1, M2, M3, M4) of a shelf in order to ensure the centering and support of a load (W) on said shelf, one or more columns extending in a vertical direction Z1, said interface (1) comprising: - an upper first supporting portion (2) configured to bear against the upper portion of the vertical face of the upright, the upper first supporting portion being intended to ensure the attachment of the interface to the upright, - a lower second supporting portion (6) configured to bear against the lower portion of the vertical face of the column, - a support portion (4) comprising an upper support surface (FS) configured to ensure support of said load (W), said support portion (4) extending from a proximal end (40) to a distal end (41) while increasing in distance from the first support portion (2) and from said second support portion (6), a connecting and centering portion (3) connecting the first bearing portion (2) and the proximal end (40) of the support portion (4), said connecting and centering portion having an upper guide surface (FG) which ensures the centering of the load towards the support portion (4) by the displacement of the load due to gravity, - a reinforcing portion (5) connecting the distal end (41) of the support portion (4) and the second bearing portion (6) to form a reinforcing leg, The interface (1) comprises an integrally formed main body, the main body being formed by a preformed metal sheet, the preformed metal sheet extending continuously so as to be formed in sequence from top to bottom along the direction of the pillars (M1; M2; M3; M4): - said first supporting portion (2), - the connecting and centering part (3), - said supporting portion (4), - said reinforcement portion (5), and - said second supporting portion (6), and wherein the first supporting portion (2), the connecting and centering portion (3), the supporting portion (4), the reinforcing portion (5) and the second supporting portion are respectively delimited by mutually parallel folding / bending lines (23, 34, 45, 56) of the metal sheet, the mutually parallel folding / bending lines being oriented along the longitudinal direction of the interface, the mutually parallel folding / bending lines comprising: - a first folding / bending line (23) between said first supporting portion (2) and said connecting and centering portion (3), - a second folding / bending line (34) between the connecting and centering portion (3) and the supporting portion (4), - a third folding / bending line (45) between said supporting portion (4) and said reinforcing portion (5), - a fourth folding / bending line (56) between said reinforcing portion (5) and said second supporting portion (6), And wherein the first supporting portion (2) and the second supporting portion (6) are coplanar, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion extend in a plane X1Z1 parallel to the vertical plane of the column (M1, M2), the first supporting portion (2) and the second supporting portion (6) rest on the column at two positions on the column, and the two positions are offset along the vertical direction Z1 of the column (M1, M2).

2. The interface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interface is made of metal, typically steel, and has a linear density in the longitudinal direction of less than or equal to 1.5 kg / m, in particular between 0.8 kg / m and 1.3 kg / m.

3. An interface according to claim 1 or 2, which consists of an integrally molded body, the body being formed from a preformed metal sheet.

4. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The thickness of the metal sheet is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, typically between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

5. The interface according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thickness of the metal sheet is less than or equal to 1 mm, in particular between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

6. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The unfolded length of the metal sheet in a cross section perpendicular to the folding / bending lines (23, 34, 45, 56) is between 170 mm and 210 mm.

7. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first supporting part (2) and / or the second supporting part (6) comprises several attachment lugs (7), which are configured to ensure the attachment of the metal segment by inserting one or more attachment lugs into one or more of the attachment openings of the metal segment, the metal segment forming a column having the attachment openings.

8. The mechanical interface according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one of the downwardly directed lugs (7) is configured to hook into an attachment opening and is provided with an anti-lifting device comprising an elastic tooth (8) configured to abut against an upper edge of the attachment opening to prevent unhooking of the attachment lug (7).

9. The mechanical interface according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The first support portion (2) and / or the second support portion (6) comprises an opening (O2) for an attachment member, such as a rivet.

10. The mechanical interface according to claim 9, characterized in that The first supporting part (2) is double-skinned, obtained by folding the metal sheet onto itself, the attachment opening passing through both skins.

11. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which consists of the following five parts in a cross section observed in a plane parallel to plane Y1Z1: - said first supporting portion (2), - the connecting and centering part (3), - said supporting portion (4), - said reinforcement portion (5), and - said second supporting portion (6).

12. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The connecting and centering portion (3) extends from the first bearing portion (2) to the proximal end (40) of the support portion (4) in a direction inclined at an angle A1 between 25° and 45°, for example 33°, relative to the vertical direction Z1, thereby ensuring that the guide surface (FG) is inclined downwardly towards the support portion (4).

13. The interface according to claim 12, characterized in that: The connecting and centering portion (3) extends from the first supporting portion (2) to the proximal end (40) of the support portion (4) in a direction inclined at an angle A10 between 45° and 65° relative to a horizontal direction Y1, the direction Y1 being perpendicular to the first supporting portion (2) and the second supporting portion (6).

14. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The support portion (4) extends from the proximal end (40) to its distal end (41) at a downward inclination at a non-zero angle A2 between 0° and 5° relative to a horizontal direction Y1, and the direction Y1 is perpendicular to the first supporting portion (2) and the second supporting portion (6).

15. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The reinforcing portion (5) extends downwardly from the distal end (41) of the support portion (4) to the second supporting portion (6) at an angle A3 between 5° and 30° relative to a horizontal direction Y1, while being closer to the second supporting portion (6), the direction Y1 being perpendicular to the first supporting portion (2) and the second supporting portion (3).

16. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which extends longitudinally in a horizontal direction X1 parallel to the first supporting portion (2) and the second supporting portion (6), and the interface comprises along the direction X1: - an open first end ( E1 ) configured to allow the insertion or removal of the load by movement of said load along the direction X1 , - a closed second end (E2) comprising a stop member (B3, B4) projecting upwards from the connecting and centering portion (3) and / or from the supporting portion (4) and configured to stop the load during its insertion along the direction X1.

17. The interface according to claim 16, characterized in that: The stop member (B3, B4) comprises: a first stop (B3) formed by a lug of the metal sheet, said first stop protruding from said connecting and centering portion (3) via a folding / bending line between said first stop (B3) and said connecting and centering portion (3), - a second stop (B4) formed by a lug of said metal sheet, said second stop protruding from said portion via a folding / bending line extending between said second stop (B4) and said supporting portion (4), And wherein the lug forming the first stop (B3) and the lug forming the second stop (B4) have two overlapping parts of the lugs (B3, B4), and the two overlapping parts are fixed to each other by at least one connection point that fixes the lugs to each other, which is usually obtained by welding, riveting (crimping) or stapling.

18. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The second supporting portion (6) extends between the fourth folding / bending line (56) and the lower free edge of the preformed metal sheet.

19. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or 11 to 18, characterized in that: The first supporting portion (2) extends between the first folding / bending line (23) and the upper free edge of the preformed metal sheet.

20. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that: The first support portion (2) and the second support portion (6) extend outwardly from the first folding line (23) and from the fourth folding line (56) in two opposite directions, respectively.

21. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that: A cross section of the preformed metal sheet in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the folding / bending line is an open cross section.

22. A storage rack comprising: - a vertical structure comprising a set of vertical columns (M1, M2, M3, M4), - a spacer system comprising one or more spacer devices (ETR) distributed along the height of the vertical structure, said one or more spacer devices mechanically interconnecting said columns (M1, M2, M3, M4) - one or more pairs of interfaces (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, a pair of interfaces or each pair of interfaces comprising: a first interface (1a) fixed to at least two uprights (M1, M2) of the vertical structure via the first supporting part (2) and the second supporting part (6), a second interface (1b) fixed to at least two other uprights (M3, M4) of the vertical structure via the first supporting part (2) and the second supporting part (6), The supporting parts (4) and the connecting and centering parts (3) respectively belonging to the first interface (1a) and the second interface (1b) are oriented toward each other and are configured to ensure that: a load (W) inserted and placed between the first interface (1a) and the second interface (1b) is centered by the connecting and centering parts (3) of the two interfaces (1a, 1b), and the load (W) supported by the two supporting parts (4) of the two interfaces (1a, 1b) is supported on both sides of the load (W).

23. A storage system for a warehouse, comprising a container and at least one storage rack according to claim 22, wherein the storage rack comprises a plurality of docking interfaces distributed along the height of the storage rack, and each container is configured to be supported simultaneously and separately on both sides of the container by the support portion (4) of the first interface (1A) and the support portion of the second interface (1b).

24. The storage system of claim 23 having a conveyor system including at least one automated guided vehicle configured to grab a container and place it in a storage rack.

25. The storage system according to claim 24, It is characterized in that The vertical structure of the storage rack, in particular at least one of the columns, comprises a rack (CR1, CR2) extending along the height of the vertical structure, or a tensioning chain extending along the height of the vertical structure, and wherein the at least one automated guided vehicle has a chassis carrying a mechanism for traveling on a horizontal surface such as a floor, and a climbing member comprising at least one gear configured to mesh with the rack (CR1, CR2) or a link of the tensioning chain so as to enable the automated guided vehicle to climb up and down along the vertical structure of the storage rack, the automated guided vehicle comprising a deployable loading / unloading system configured to: - loading a container from a retracted first position above the chassis to an extended second position in which the container is centered and then supported by resting simultaneously on the first interface (1A) and the second interface (1B), or - Retrieving the container resting on the first interface (1a) and the second interface (1b) of a pair of interfaces (1a, 1b) from the second position and loading it into the retracted first position.

26. Use of an interface according to any one of claims 1 to 21, a storage rack according to claim 22, or a system for conveying a load (W) according to any one of claims 23 to 25 for a load comprising one or more containers held by a pair of mechanical interfaces supporting the one or more containers, each supported container weighing a maximum of 100 kg.

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