Traverse for a shelf with support elements for panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a cross member (1) for a shelf (10) for supporting at least one panel (2) of the shelf (10), wherein the cross member (1) has a side surface (4) running parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) of the cross member (1) and at least one receiving element (5) for fastening the panel (2), and the receiving element (5) is arranged on the side surface (4) and has a section (6) which is at a distance (7) from the side surface (4) and extends to a free-standing end (8) of the receiving element (5), and the receiving element (5) is formed from a material of the cross member (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cross member for a shelf and a shelf with a cross member and at least one panel.

[0002] Many types of shelves are known from the prior art. For example, European patent application EP 0 273 345 A2 discloses a shelf, in particular a panel shelf, with longitudinal and / or transverse beams suspended and / or attached between upright shelf posts as supporting elements.

[0003] WO 00 / 27 733 A1 discloses a shelf with panels, which can be inserted into recesses in crossbeams. Claws of the crossbeams engage in lateral recesses in the panels. WO 2010 / 022 448 A1 discloses a shelving system with panels that can be inserted into recesses in crossbeams from above.

[0004] EP 2 392 230 B1 describes a shelf with a shelf panel which has one horizontal and two vertical legs, the horizontal leg having a recess, the recess extending in the direction of extension of the panel completely up to the end of the vertical legs of the panel, the horizontal leg being inclined at the edge of the recess, pointing away from the end of the panel in the direction of the area between the vertical legs.

[0005] US Pat. No. 5,310,066 A describes a cantilever rack with support columns, cross members, and panels. A rear and a front cross member are mounted on the support columns, with the front cross members having brackets for the panels. The brackets are U-shaped and made of the same material as the front cross members.

[0006] DE 602 21 445 T2 describes a system for detachably suspending shelves, drawers, or the like from a wall or standing on the floor. The system comprises at least two substantially vertically positioned support elements having slots or grooves and plate-shaped supports designed to hold the shelves, drawers, or the like. These supports can be inserted into selected slots or grooves to suspend the supports from the support elements by means of at least one hook-shaped portion protruding from one end of each support.

[0007] US 2021 / 0 022 493 A1 describes a shaped support element comprising a downwardly directed U-shaped body, a first flat end, and a first attachment tab. The first attachment tab has one end integrally connected to the first flat end and another end extending downwardly to at least partially receive a first support surface of a first support beam. Furthermore, the support element comprises a second flat end and a second attachment tab with one end integrally connected to the second flat end and another end extending downwardly to at least partially receive a second support surface of a second support beam.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a crossbar for a shelf and a shelf with a crossbar. The objects underlying the invention are achieved with the features of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0009] A cross member for a shelf is proposed for supporting at least one panel of the shelf. The cross member has a side surface running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross member and at least one receiving element for fastening the panel. The receiving element is arranged on the side surface and has a section. The section is spaced from the side surface and extends to a free-standing end of the receiving element. The section can run parallel or obliquely to the side surface. Furthermore, the receiving element is formed from a material of the cross member. The receiving element has a recess running in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and open upwards for receiving the panel in the perpendicular direction.

[0010] When the cross member is installed in the shelf, the longitudinal axis of the cross member runs, for example, in a horizontal first plane of the shelf, with the side surface of the cross member preferably running perpendicular to the first plane. Because the section of the receiving element is at a distance from the side surface, there is space for inserting a fastening element of the panel to fasten the panel to the receiving element. The fastening element can be inserted vertically from top to bottom into the space between the receiving element and the side surface. According to the invention, the receiving element is formed from the material of the cross member. Forming the receiving element from the material of the cross member can be implemented, for example, by pressing, in particular punching.

[0011] In this case, "out-forming" means that the receiving element was part of the side surface before it was formed. The material of the cross member thus corresponds to the material of the receiving element, and the receiving element is still partially connected to the cross member. It is possible, for example, that the receiving element was bent out of the side surface of the cross member by a mechanical process and, for example, was thereby partially separated from the side surface.

[0012] Because the receiving element is formed from the material of the cross member, it does not need to be mounted to the side surface using additional fasteners. This saves material and eliminates an assembly step, namely mounting the receiving element to the side surface. The free-standing end of the receiving element can reduce warping of the cross member material on the side surface during molding. In particular, the free-standing end can reduce any stress peaks that may arise in the cross member material as a result of molding. This minimizes the risk of any material weakening, and maximizes the overall stability of the cross member.

[0013] The upwardly open recess allows a panel leg, which points downward when installed, to be inserted into the recess in such a way that one end of the panel engages with the receiving element. In particular, edges of the recess can block the panel's movement once it is inserted into the receiving element. In this case, the panel can no longer "slip" laterally, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cross member.

[0014] According to a further development, two of the receiving elements are arranged on the side surface, wherein the free-standing ends of the two receiving elements lie in a second plane that runs parallel to the side surface. The free-standing ends of the two receiving elements are spaced apart within the second plane. Because the two receiving elements lie within the second plane, the end of the panel can be inserted into both receiving elements simultaneously. The two receiving elements ensure a more secure attachment of the end of the panel to the crossbeam compared to attaching the end with only one receiving element. In particular, the two receiving elements together can block movement of the panel and minimize the risk of the panel tilting about its longitudinal axis in the event of unfavorable loading.

[0015] The panel can be attached even more securely to the two receiving elements if each of the two receiving elements has a recess. The panel, particularly the end of the panel that is to be attached to the cross member, advantageously has a U-shaped cross-section. The U-shaped cross-section is formed by two legs that point downwards when the panel is installed and a horizontal leg that connects the two downwardly directed legs. The two downwardly directed legs can be inserted into or received by the two recesses when the panel is attached to the cross member.

[0016] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the recesses of the two receiving elements each have edges facing each other, and these edges are inclined towards each other. This allows the legs of the U-shaped end of the panel to be pressed together or apart when the panel is inserted into the recesses, resulting in contact pressure between the edges and the downwardly directed legs. This contact pressure can create a secure hold of the end of the panel in the recesses. Advantageously, the edges of the recesses are designed such that they form a respective locking lug in the lower region of the recesses, into which a respective recess of the downwardly directed leg of the panel can engage.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the cross member has an opening (a hole, so to speak) which is formed by shaping the receiving element out of the material of the cross member. Because the opening is present due to the shaping of the receiving element, the cross member has a belt above the opening which increases the stability of the cross member in an area around the receiving element. This embodiment represents a particular improvement over a variant in which the panel is inserted into a recess which is machined directly into the side surface from above. The belt now created in the proposed cross member by shaping the receiving element reduces deformation of the cross member when the panel is loaded in the installed state.

[0018] In a further embodiment, two of the receiving elements are arranged on the side surface (in particular as described above), with the cross member having two of the openings. The two openings are spaced apart, forming a web between the openings. The web particularly stabilizes the chord of the cross member running above the web. This can further increase the stability of the cross member.

[0019] In a special embodiment, the cross member has at least one corner region at which a side edge of the receiving element directly adjoins the side surface and from which onwards the receiving element is formed from the material of the cross member or the side surface (one could also say at which or via which the receiving element is connected to the side surface). In this embodiment, the cross member has a relief recess in the corner region in addition to the recess in the side surface resulting from the forming, i.e. in addition to the opening. The side edge of the receiving element leads in particular from the free-standing end to the side surface, with the side edge abutting the side surface. In particular, the receiving element, in particular the side edge, begins in the corner region.

[0020] A corner area is understood to be, in particular, a zone around the beginning of the side edge, which also includes parts of the side surface that are spaced from the side edge. The relief recess can, in particular, reduce a notch effect that can occur when a vertical load acts on the receiving element. Furthermore, the relief recess can reduce notch stresses that can arise when the receiving element is formed from the material of the cross member.

[0021] According to one possible embodiment, the relief recess can have a round shape. In the simplest case, the relief recess is designed in the form of a bore. In a further embodiment, the relief recess can have a spoon shape in a cross-section that runs parallel to the side surface, with an elongated slot and a round end adjacent to the slot. In this embodiment, the slot borders the corner region and extends away from the corner region and the free-standing end of the receiving element. The elongated slot has the effect of preventing the formation of a notch during molding, which can normally cause extremely high stresses when molding the receiving element. The relief recess is advantageously created before molding.Preferably, the relief recess is machined into the cross member by punching with a tool having the cross-sectional shape of the relief recess.

[0022] Furthermore, a shelf with a cross member and at least one panel is proposed. The cross member can be designed according to one of the variants mentioned above. At least the cross member has a side surface running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross member and at least one receiving element for fastening the panel. The receiving element is arranged on the side surface and has a section. The section is at a distance from the side surface and extends to a free-standing end of the receiving element. Furthermore, the receiving element is formed from a material of the cross member. The receiving element has a recess running in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and open upwards for receiving the panel in the perpendicular direction.

[0023] Examples of the proposed traverse are explained in more detail using the following figures. The schematic shows: Fig. 1 a shelf with a crossbar and panels; Fig. 2 a first perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown cross member with two receiving elements for attaching a panel of the shelf; Fig. 3 a plan view of a side wall of the Fig. 1 shown traverse; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the two in Fig. 2 shown receiving elements; Fig. 5 a variant of the Fig. 1 panels shown; Fig. 6 another possible arrangement of the two Fig. 2 shown receiving elements to each other; Fig. 7 which in Fig. 1 shown traverse with additional to those in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown receiving elements.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a shelf 10 with a cross member 1. The cross member 1 has a longitudinal axis 3 which runs parallel to a first plane 20. The shelf 10 has at least one further cross member which, for the sake of clarity, is not shown in Fig. 1. The further cross member is arranged within the plane 20 opposite the cross member 1 and runs parallel to the cross member 1. Panels running parallel to the first plane 20, including a panel 2, are attached to the cross member 1 and to the further cross member. The cross member 1, and preferably also the further cross member, is attached to vertical shelf supports 102 of the shelf 10. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the panels, in particular panel 2, run perpendicular to the cross member 1 within the first level 20. With the help of the shelf 10, for example, several containers 100 can be stored.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the cross member 1. The cross member 1 has a side surface 4 running parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 and at least one receiving element 5 for fastening the panel 2. The receiving element 5 is arranged on the side surface 4 and has a section 6. The section 6 has a first distance 7 from the side surface 4 and extends to a free-standing end 8 of the receiving element 5. In the case of the Fig. 2, the section 6 runs parallel to the side surface 4. The first distance 7 can be, for example, 5 to 15 mm, preferably 8 mm. According to the invention, the receiving element 5 is formed from a material of the cross member 1. In particular, the receiving element 5 is produced by pressing and punching a first tool, which is placed on a further side surface of the cross member 1 opposite the side surface 4. The first tool can be pressed or punched through the cross member 1, in particular in a direction that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3, in order to form the receiving element 5 from the material of the cross member 1.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows the traverse 1 in a projected view in a Fig. 2 shown viewing direction AA. In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the receiving element 5 has a recess 9 which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3 and open at the top. A direction 30 which is aligned exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is shown in Fig. 3 and runs vertically in the room when the shelf 10 is set up. The upwardly open recess 9 serves to receive the panel 2 in the direction 30, whereby the panel 2 is moved from top to bottom in the direction 30 in order to place one end of the panel 2 in the recess 9. The recess 9 running essentially in the direction 30 can, as in Fig. 3, also form an angle of approximately 10 degrees to the direction 30.

[0027] At the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the variant of the cross member 1 shown in Figure 3, two receiving elements, namely the receiving element 5 and a further receiving element 15, are arranged on the side surface 4. The further receiving element 15 has, analogously to the receiving element 5, a Fig. 4. Likewise, the further receiving element 15 has a section 16 running parallel to the side surface 4, which has the first distance 7 from the side surface 4. Analogously, the section 16 extends to the free end 18.

[0028] The free-standing ends 8, 18 of the two receiving elements 5, 15 lie in a second plane 40, which runs parallel to the side surface and has the first distance 7 from the side surface. Within the second plane 40, the free-standing ends 8, 18 have a second distance 32, as shown in Fig. 3. The second distance 32 can be, for example, 1 to 2 cm.

[0029] Fig. 3 further shows that the additional receiving element 15 also has a recess 19. In the variant of the receiving elements 5, 15 shown in the figures, mutually facing edges 11, 21 of the recesses 9, 19 of the two receiving elements 5, 15 are inclined toward each other. This is clearly illustrated by an angle 31, the first leg 31a of which is designed as an extension of a first edge 11 of the recess 9 and the second leg 31b of which is designed as an extension of a first edge 21 of the recess 19. The angle 31 can be, for example, 20 to 25 degrees, advantageously 23 degrees.

[0030] As shown in the figures, the cross member 1 has a Fig. 4, which is formed by molding the receiving element 5 out of the material of the cross member 1. Furthermore, in the variants shown in the figures, the cross member 1 has a second opening 42, which is formed by molding the further receiving element 15 out of the material of the cross member 1. The first opening 41 has a third distance 43 from the second opening 42. The third distance 43 forms a web 44, which extends between the openings 41, 42 in the vertical direction parallel to the second plane 40.

[0031] Fig. 3 further shows that the cross member 1 has at least a first corner region 34, at which a first side edge 35 of the receiving element 5 directly adjoins the side surface 4. In particular, the receiving element 5 is formed from the material of the cross member 1 starting at the corner region 34. The cross member 1 has a relief recess 36 in the corner region 34. The relief recess 36 can be understood as an additional recess in addition to the first opening 41.

[0032] The relief recess 36 advantageously has a round shape and can be formed as a bore. The bore advantageously has a diameter of more than 5 mm. In particular, the relief recess 36 has a spoon shape in a cross-section extending parallel to the side wall 4 in the material of the cross member 1, with an elongated slot 37 and a round end 38 adjacent to the slot 37. The slot 37 borders the corner region 34 and extends away from the free-standing end 8.

[0033] Fig. Figure 5 shows a possible embodiment of the panel 2 in a perspective view obliquely from below. In this embodiment, the panel 2 is designed in the form of a U-shaped profile. The U-shaped profile is formed by a first leg 51 and a second leg 52 of the panel 2, which are connected by a Fig. 5 not shown horizontal legs of the panel 2 are connected to each other. The first and second legs 51, 52 run parallel to each other from top to bottom when the panel 2 is attached to the cross member 1. Furthermore, Fig. 5 a container 101 which in Fig. 1 from below. The container 101 rests on an upper side of the panel 2.

[0034] To attach a first end 53 of the panel 2 to the cross member 1, the first end 53 is pushed from top to bottom in direction 30 into the two receiving elements 5, 15. The edges 11, 21 of the two receiving elements 5, 15 serve as guide edges. Because the two edges 11, 21 are inclined towards each other, the two legs 51, 52 are pressed together when the first end 53 moves from top to bottom into the receiving elements 5, 15. This creates a force that pushes the two legs 51, 52 apart after a respective opening of the first leg 51 and the second leg 52 has passed a locking lug 61 of the receiving element 5 or a locking lug 62 of the further receiving element 15. Pressing the two legs 51, 52 apart causes the legs 51, 52 to spring back into their original shape, thereby ensuring a secure fit of the first end 53 of the panel 2 in the receiving elements 5, 15.The locking lugs 61, 62 result from a corresponding course of the edges 11, 21 of the receiving elements 5, 15.

[0035] Because the free-standing ends 8, 18 have the second distance 32 from one another and, in particular, are free in space with respect to the side surface 4, when the panel 2 is inserted into the receiving elements 5, 15, a subsequent interaction occurs between the receiving elements 5, 15 and the legs 51, 52 of the panel 2. Because the ends 8, 18 are free-standing and are not connected to one another as in a U-shaped holder, as described, for example, in the above-mentioned US 5310066A, the receiving elements 5, 15 can move away from one another within the second plane 40 when the legs 51, 52 are pressed down along the edges 11, 21. This allows the two legs 51, 52 to be pressed together less tightly to engage the openings of the legs 51, 52 in the locking lugs 61, 62. This makes it possible to make the panel 2 more rigid, thus enabling a higher load-bearing capacity of the panel 2.

[0036] For example, the wall thickness of the legs 51, 52, and in particular of the horizontal leg, can be dimensioned to be greater. However, if the panel 2 is not dimensioned to be thicker, moving the free-standing ends 8, 18 apart results in easier insertion of the first end 53 into the receiving elements 5, 15. This is due to the fact that a combined spring stiffness, which acts when the legs 51, 52 are pressed down along the edges 11, 21 and results from the elastic behavior of the legs 51, 52 and the elastic behavior of the receiving elements 5, 15, is lower than a spring stiffness resulting solely from the elastic behavior of the two legs 51, 52. Easier insertion of the panel 2 into the receiving elements 5, 15 naturally facilitates the assembly of the panels of the shelf 10.

[0037] Fig. 6 shows a further variant of the cross member 1, in which the free-standing ends 8, 18 of the two receiving elements 5, 15 are not as in the Fig. 2 to 5, but in the same direction, for example upwards, as in Fig. 6. The two openings 41, 42 are as in the Fig. 1 to 5, are arranged at a distance from one another. However, the two receiving elements 5, 15 are formed from the material of the cross member 1 in such a way that a common height line 60 results, from which the two receiving elements 5, 15 are formed from the material of the cross member 1. This can have the advantage, for example, that several relief bores 64 can be produced more easily, since they are located next to one another at the same height, which runs parallel to the common height 60.

[0038] Furthermore, in Fig. 6, the relief holes 64 are at a greater distance from an upper edge 65 of the cross member 1. This can, under certain circumstances, result in a greater stability of a belt 66, which results when the receiving elements 5, 15 are formed in the upper area of ​​the cross member 1. Also, a possible weakening of the material of the cross member 1, which can occur when the receiving elements 5, 15 are formed, can be shifted to an area which has a greater distance from the belt 66 than in the Fig. 1 to 5 shown variant of traverse 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the Fig. 6, especially with higher loads through panel 2, better load transfer into the cross member 1, since no shear forces occur, but rather compressive forces in the area of ​​a transition between the receiving elements 5,15 and the cross member 1.

[0040] Fig. Figure 7 shows a possible embodiment of the cross member 1 in the form of an asymmetrical U-profile. The U-profile is formed by a first leg 71 and a second leg 72, which is shorter than the first leg 71, and a horizontal leg 73. The horizontal leg 73 connects the two legs 71, 72. The first leg 71 has the Fig. 1 to 6 shown side surface 4 and one in Fig. 7 concealed additional side surface. Fig. Figure 7 shows how not only the panel 2, but also a further panel 22 is attached to the crossbeam 1. The further panel 22 is attached to the crossbeam 1 in a manner analogous to the panel 2 by means of two further receiving elements, which are designed analogously to the receiving elements 5, 15.

[0041] The horizontal leg 73 can, in particular, form a support surface for the wheels of a storage and retrieval vehicle, such as a rack shuttle. Sideways slipping of the wheels is prevented by the two legs 71, 72, so that the U-profile forms a trough for the storage and retrieval vehicle. The cross member 1 bears at least part of the weight of the storage and retrieval vehicle. Because the panel 2 is supported by the receiving elements 5, 15 and not by a hypothetical slot in the cross member 1 running downwards from the upper edge 65, the cross member 1 is more stable in an upper region of the first leg 71, particularly in the region of the belt 66. This allows significant material savings to be achieved in the form of a reduced material thickness of the cross member 1, even with constant loads acting on the panel 2 from the rack shuttle or a container.

Claims

[1] Cross member (1) for a shelf (10) for supporting at least one panel (2) of the shelf (10), wherein the cross member (1) has a side surface (4) running parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) of the cross member (1) and at least one receiving element (5) for fastening the panel (2), and the receiving element (5) is arranged on the side surface (4) and has a section (6) which is at a distance (7) from the side surface (4) and extends to a free-standing end (8) of the receiving element (5), and the receiving element (5) is formed from a material of the cross member (1), wherein the receiving element (5) has a recess (9) running in the direction substantially vertical to the longitudinal axis (3) and open upwards for receiving the panel (2) in the vertical direction. [2] Traverse (1) according to claim 1, wherein two of the receiving elements (5, 15) are arranged on the side surface (4), wherein the free-standing ends (8, 18) of the two receiving elements (5, 15) lie in a plane (40) which runs parallel to the side surface (4) and have a distance (32) from one another within the plane (40). [3] Traverse (1) according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the two receiving elements (5, 15) each have the recess (9, 19), wherein mutually facing edges (11, 21) of the recesses (9, 19) of the two receiving elements (5, 15) are inclined towards each other. [4] Traverse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the traverse (1) has an opening (41) which is formed by molding the receiving element (5) out of the material of the traverse (1). [5] Traverse (1) according to claim 4, wherein two of the receiving elements (5, 15) are arranged on the side surface (4), wherein the traverse (1) has two of the openings (41, 42), wherein the two openings (41, 42) have a distance (43) from one another, so that a web (44) is formed between the openings (41, 42). [6] Traverse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one corner region (34) at which a side edge (35) of the receiving element (5) directly adjoins the side surface (4) and from which the receiving element (5) is formed out of the material of the traverse (1), wherein the traverse (1) in the corner region (34) has a relief recess (36) in addition to the recess in the side surface (4) resulting from the forming. [7] Traverse (1) according to claim 6, wherein the relief recess (36) has a round shape or in cross-section has a spoon shape with an elongated slot (37) and a round end (38) adjacent to the slot (37), wherein the slot (37) is adjacent to the corner region (34) and extends away from the corner region (34) and the free-standing end (8). [8] Shelf (10) with at least one cross member (1) and at least one panel, wherein the cross member (1) has a side surface (4) running parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) of the cross member (1) and at least one receiving element (5) for fastening the panel (2), and the receiving element (5) is arranged on the side surface (4) and has a section (6) which is at a distance (7) from the side surface (4) and extends to a free-standing end (8) of the receiving element (5), and the receiving element (5) is formed from a material of the cross member (1), wherein the receiving element (5) has a recess (9) running in the direction substantially vertical to the longitudinal axis (3) and open upwards for receiving the panel (2) in the vertical direction.

Images