Stacking storage arrangement

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stacking storage arrangement with at least one container receiving space and a loading space arranged below the container receiving space, a frame arrangement between the container receiving space and the loading space, and a stand at at least one corner of the loading space, which is connected to the frame arrangement by at least one connecting device.

[0002] Such a stacking storage arrangement is known, for example, from EP 3 782 930 A1. This type of stacking storage arrangement serves to accommodate a large number of containers. The containers are stacked, and each stack is then arranged in a container receiving space.

[0003] A similar stacking storage arrangement, which has the features of the preamble of claim 1, is known from EP 3 782 928 A1.

[0004] In the present invention, the loading and unloading of containers into the container receiving area is performed from below through the loading area. When loading a container, it is moved by a loading vehicle through the loading area to a position below the container receiving area. The container is then lifted until it enters the receiving area. If a container (or a stack of containers) is already located in the receiving area, the container or stack already present is also lifted when the new container is lifted, resulting in a stack of two or more containers. This stack is then placed on a holding device, which is often arranged on the frame assembly.

[0005] To ensure lateral stability of the stack of containers, a stand is positioned at at least one corner of the container receiving area. Often, such a stand is located at each corner or at diagonally opposite corners of the container receiving area. The stand must be vertically oriented. It can, for example, rest on the frame assembly. Frequently, adjacent stands at a certain distance from the frame assembly are further connected by additional cross braces.

[0006] GB 2 456 877 A shows a fastening system in which two profiles arranged perpendicular to each other can be connected by a connecting device which has two elements which can be clamped to the two profiles and bridge an angle between the two profiles.

[0007] US 2009 / 0000235 A1 shows an embodiment in which two profiles arranged perpendicular to each other can be connected by an angle element, wherein the angle element has a chamfered central part.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of enabling a stable alignment of the stand to the frame arrangement in a simple manner.

[0009] This problem is solved in a stacking arrangement of the type mentioned above by the connecting device bridging an angle between the frame arrangement and the stand and clamping against the frame arrangement, wherein the frame arrangement has at least two frame elements with different thicknesses, and wherein the connecting device has at least two different clamping areas adapted to the different thicknesses.

[0010] With such a connecting device, a triangle is created in the area between the uprights and the frame assembly that is practically impossible to deform. The connecting device is relatively easy to assemble. It is clamped to the frame assembly, meaning that there is no need to insert joining elements through bores in the connecting device and the frame assembly. This significantly simplifies the assembly of the connecting device. The manufacture of the frame assembly and its components is also greatly simplified. They can, for example, be produced by casting. No complex post-processing is required. The uprights can be reliably connected to the frame in a simple manner. According to the invention, the frame assembly comprises at least two supports of different thicknesses, with the connecting device having at least two different clamping areas adapted to the different thicknesses.

[0011] The containers to be housed in the container receiving area often have a rectangular base. Accordingly, it is advantageous to design the container receiving area with a rectangular horizontal cross-section as well. The frame arrangement then has the first frame elements on the long side and the second frame elements on the short side of the rectangular base. The shorter, second frame elements on the short side can be made slightly thicker than the first frame elements on the long side. If the connecting device then has two different clamping areas adapted to the different thicknesses, the same type of connecting device can be used for connecting the upright to the first frame elements as well as for connecting the upright to the second frame elements. Thus, only one type of connecting device is required.This also saves costs.

[0012] Preferably, the frame assembly has a recess for each connecting device into which the connecting device engages. Such a recess can be formed during the manufacturing of the frame assembly. In addition to the clamping action, the recess also allows for...

[0013] The connection also involves a certain degree of positive locking between the connecting device and the frame assembly. Accordingly, the clamping force required for the clamping connection can be kept relatively low.

[0014] Preferably, the connecting device encompasses part of the frame assembly in a U-shape. For example, the connecting device can rest on a top surface of the frame assembly and simultaneously engage in the recess.

[0015] Preferably, the frame assembly includes beams. The recess is designed as a through-opening in a beam connected to an angle bracket, and a joining element connecting the beam to the angle bracket is accessible through the through-opening. The recess designed as a through-opening can then simultaneously be used to mount joining elements that connect the beam to the angle bracket.

[0016] Preferably, the connecting device has two connecting elements that abut a portion of the frame assembly from opposite sides. The use of two connecting elements simplifies assembly. One simply needs to position the two connecting elements on both sides of the frame assembly and then clamp them against each other.

[0017] Preferably, the connecting elements are clamped against the frame assembly by at least one threaded bolt. A threaded bolt is a known joining element that can be easily used to clamp the connecting elements against the frame assembly. For this purpose, it is only necessary to drill aligned holes in both connecting elements through which the threaded bolt can be inserted. Further machining is often unnecessary.

[0018] Preferably, the stand has a rail arrangement into which the connecting device engages. The rail arrangement allows a certain degree of movement of the connecting device along the stand, so that adjustment of the connecting device in the direction of gravity, i.e., along the longitudinal extent of the stand, can be easily achieved.

[0019] It is preferred that the rail arrangement has a dovetail profile and the connecting device has a matching mating profile. A dovetail profile allows movement of the connecting device along the upright. However, it prevents movement of the connecting device perpendicular to the upright, i.e., out of the rail arrangement. The profile used under the dovetail profile should be one in which the mating profile inside the upright has a greater width perpendicular to a direction of movement than the profile further out.

[0020] Preferably, the rail assembly has two profiles with which the connecting device is connected. This is particularly advantageous if the connecting device has two connecting elements. In this case, each connecting element can be arranged in a profile of the rail assembly. The two connecting elements can then be mounted separately, which simplifies assembly. They can also each be individually aligned so that they can interact as desired.

[0021] Preferably, the connecting device has at least one threaded bolt that clamps the connecting device against the rail assembly. This also generates a clamping force between the connecting device and the stand. Once the connecting device is clamped against the rail assembly, movement of the connecting device relative to the stand is prevented.

[0022] Preferably, the connecting device has at least one first threaded bolt that clamps the connecting device against the frame assembly and at least one second threaded bolt that clamps the connecting device against the rail assembly. This allows the clamping of the connecting device against the rail assembly (i.e., against the stand) and against the frame assembly to be decoupled. This, in turn, simplifies assembly.

[0023] It is preferred that the clamping areas are formed by recesses of varying depths in the connecting device. Each recess can then encompass a U-shaped area of ​​the frame arrangement, i.e., either an area of ​​the first frame elements or an area of ​​the second frame elements.

[0024] It is preferred that the clamping areas are arranged offset along the connecting device. This simply means that the connection between the connecting device and the stand is made at different height positions, i.e., positions in the direction of gravity or along the extension of the stand, depending on the desired clamping area.

[0025] Preferably, the connecting device is designed with zinc or aluminum die-cast components as the main part. All contours of the connecting elements can be produced during the die-casting of zinc or aluminum elements. The elements of the frame assembly can also be designed as castings.

[0026] The invention is described below with reference to a preferred embodiment in conjunction with a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a stacking storage arrangement, Fig. 2 an enlarged view of a position where a stand is connected to a frame arrangement, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a profile of a rail arrangement and Fig. 4 a modified embodiment of Fig. 3 .

[0027] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows, very schematically and without further details, a stacking storage arrangement 1 with several container receiving areas 2 and a loading area 3 located below the container receiving areas 2. A frame arrangement 4 is arranged between the container receiving areas 2 and the loading area 3. Uprights 5 are arranged on the frame arrangement 4 and are connected to each other by transverse struts 6 and longitudinal struts 7 at a distance from the frame arrangement 4.

[0028] The frame arrangement 4 has an opening 8 for each container receiving space 2, through which the container receiving space 2 is connected to the loading space 3.

[0029] In the present case, stands 5 are arranged at each corner of the container receiving areas 2. However, this is not strictly necessary.

[0030] The container receiving spaces 2 are designed to each hold a stack of containers, with each stack containing at least one container. Stable storage of the container stacks is achieved by a horizontal orientation of the frame arrangement 4 and a vertical orientation of the uprights 5. The uprights 5 must be connected to the frame arrangement 4 in a stable and precisely aligned manner. Fig. 2 shows the elements used for this purpose.

[0031] The frame assembly 4 comprises longitudinal beams 9 and transverse beams 10. The longitudinal beams 9 are longer than the transverse beams 10 and have a slightly smaller thickness. The longitudinal beams 9 and the transverse beams 10 are each connected to an angle bracket 11. A retaining flap 12 is pivotably mounted on the angle bracket 11 about a horizontal axis. The retaining flap 12 serves to secure the bottom container of a stack of containers or a single container in the container receiving space 2, so that the loading area 3 below the container receiving space 2 remains clear.

[0032] The longitudinal beam 9 has two recesses designed as through-openings 13, 14. In each of these through-openings 13, 14, a joining element 15, 16 in the form of a screw is arranged, the screws 15, 16 connecting the longitudinal beam 9 to the angle element 11.

[0033] Similarly, the crossbeam 10 has two recesses designed as through-openings 17, 18. In each through-opening 17, 18, a joining element designed as a screw 19, 20 is arranged, which connects the crossbeam 10 to the angle element 11.

[0034] A connection between the upright 5 and the crossbeam 9 of the frame arrangement 4 is effected by a connecting device 21, which in this case has two connecting elements 23, 24. The upright 5 has a rail arrangement 25 with two profiles 26, 27, each of the two connecting elements 23, 24 engaging in one of the profiles 26, 27. Each of the profiles 26, 27 allows the respective connecting element 23, 24 to be displaced longitudinally along the upright 5, but prevents the respective connecting element 23, 24 from being pulled out of the upright 5 transversely to the longitudinal direction. The profiles 26, 27, of which two possible embodiments are shown by way of example in the Figs. 3 and 4 The profiles shown have an internal width B1 within the upright that is greater than a width B2, at which the connecting elements 23, 24 extend from the upright 5. For the sake of simplicity, the profiles 26, 27 are collectively referred to as "dovetail profiles", even though, for example, the one shown in Fig. 4 The profile shown resembles a "hammerhead". It is also possible to design the arrangement so that the projection is located on the upright 5 and the groove on the connecting elements 23, 24.

[0035] The two connecting elements 23, 24 are mirror-symmetrical. Each connecting element 23, 24 has a recess 28 in the area of ​​the longitudinal beam, which encompasses a U-shaped section of the longitudinal beam 9 between the recess 13 and the upper surface 29 of the longitudinal beam 9. The connecting elements 23, 24 also have a second recess 30, which is described in connection with the crossbeam 10.

[0036] The two connecting elements 23, 24 are connected to each other by a first threaded bolt 31, which clamps the two connecting elements 23, 24 against the longitudinal beam 9, thus generating a clamping force between the connecting device 21 and the longitudinal beam 9. Furthermore, the two connecting elements 23, 24 are connected to each other by a second threaded bolt 32, which clamps the connecting elements 23, 24 against the rail arrangement 25 and thus against the stand 5.

[0037] For assembly, the two connecting elements 23, 24 are inserted into the profiles 26, 27 of the rail arrangement 25, for example from one end face of the upright 5, and then moved longitudinally along the upright 5 until the recesses 28 can engage the corresponding area of ​​the crossbeam 9 between the recess 13 and the top surface 9. The two threaded bolts 31, 32 are then used to clamp the two connecting elements 23, 24 towards each other in one direction. In this way, the connecting device 21 between the upright 5 and the longitudinal beam 9 is fixed and ensures that the upright 5 is aligned at the desired angle to the longitudinal beam 9. Ideally, this angle is exactly 90°.

[0038] Between the upright 5 and the crossbeam 10, a further connecting device 33 is arranged, which is constructed in the same way as the connecting device 21. For the connecting device 33, the upright has a rail arrangement 34 with two profiles 35, 36. The connecting device has two connecting elements 37, 38, each of which engages in one of the profiles 35, 36 of the rail arrangement 34. The profiles 35, 36 are designed in the same way as the profiles 26, 27 of the rail arrangement 25.

[0039] The connecting elements 37, 38 are mirror-symmetrical and have the recess 30 in the area of ​​the crossbeam 10, which has been described in connection with the connecting elements 23, 24. The recess 30 is offset along the connecting device 33 relative to the recess 28. The recess 30 has a greater depth than the recess 28. This takes into account the fact that the crossbeam 10 has a greater thickness than the longitudinal beam 9. Accordingly, the profiles 35, 36 of the rail arrangement 34 can have the same spacing from each other as the profiles 26, 27 of the rail arrangement 25.

[0040] The connecting elements 37, 38 are mounted in the same manner as the connecting elements 23, 24. The connecting elements 37, 38 are engaged with the profiles 35, 36 on the upright 5 and can then be moved along the longitudinal extent of the upright 5 until the recess 30 can encompass a U-shaped area between the recess 17 of the crossbeam 10 and a top surface 39 of the crossbeam 9. Once this is achieved and the upright 5 has been aligned with the crossbeam 10 at the desired angle (ideally also 90°), two threaded bolts 40, 41 can be used to clamp the two connecting elements 37, 38 against the crossbeam 10 on one side and against the rail assembly 34 on the other.Since the recesses 13, 14; 17, 18 are designed as elongated recesses, the recesses 30 of the connecting device 33 and the recesses 28 of the connecting device 21 can be arranged at different distances from the stand 5 without affecting the stability of the connection between the stand 5 and the frame arrangement 4 with longitudinal beam 9 and cross beam 10.

[0041] The stand 5 can be designed as a profile element, which is produced, for example, by extrusion. The rail arrangements 25, 34 can be produced simultaneously during this manufacturing process.

[0042] The longitudinal beam 9 and the transverse beam 10 can be formed as sheets of iron or another material with a thickness ranging from 5 mm to 35 mm, in which the recesses 13, 14, 17, 18 can be produced by punching. The connecting elements 23, 24, 37, 38 can be formed as zinc or aluminum die-cast parts. Only the two threaded bolts 31, 32; 40, 41 may require the creation of suitable bores or holes, which can be created during the casting of the connecting elements 23, 24, 37, 38.

[0043] Overall, a connection between the stand 5 and the frame assembly 4 is made possible safely with few parts and little effort.

Claims

1. Stacking storage arrangement (1) comprising at least one container receiving space (2), a loading space (3) arranged below the container receiving space (2), a frame assembly (4) between the container receiving space (2) and the loading space (3), and a stand (5) at at least one corner of the container receiving space (2) which is connected to the frame assembly (4) by at least one connecting device (21, 33), characterized in that the connecting device (21, 33) bridges an angle between the frame assembly (4) and the stand (5) and abuts the frame assembly (4) in a clamping manner, wherein the frame assembly (4) comprises at least two beams (9, 10) having different thicknesses, wherein the connecting device (21, 33) comprises at least two different clamping areas adapted to the different thicknesses.

2. Stacking storage arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame assembly (4) has a recess (13, 14; 17, 18) for each connecting device (21, 33), in which the connecting device (21, 33) engages.

3. Stacking storage arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting device (21, 33) engages in a U-shaped manner around part of the frame assembly (4).

4. Stacking storage arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the frame assembly (4) has supports (9, 10), the recess (13, 14; 17, 18) is formed as a through-opening in a support (9, 10) which is connected to an angle element (11), and a joining element (15, 16; 19, 20) connecting the support (9, 10) to the angle element (11) is accessible through the through-opening.

5. Stacking storage arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting device (21, 33) has two connecting elements (23, 24; 37, 38) which rest against a region of the frame assembly (4) from opposite sides.

6. Stacking storage arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting elements (23, 24; 37, 38) are clamped against the frame assembly (4) by at least one threaded bolt (31, 40).

7. Stacking storage arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stand (5) has a rail system (25, 34) in which the connecting device (21, 33) engages.

8. Stacking storage arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the rail assembly (25, 34) has a dovetail profile (26, 27; 35, 36) and the connecting device (21, 33) has a mating profile that fits it.

9. Stacking storage arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the rail assembly (25, 34) has two profiles (26, 27; 35, 36) to which the connecting device (21, 33) is connected.

10. Stacking storage arrangement according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the connecting device (21, 33) comprises at least one threaded bolt (32, 41) which braces the connecting device (21, 33) relative to the rail assembly (25, 34).

11. Stacking storage arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting device comprises at least one first threaded bolt (31, 40) that braces the connecting device (21, 33) with respect to the frame assembly (4), and at least one second threaded bolt (32, 41) which clamps the connecting device (21, 33) with respect to the rail assembly (25, 34).

12. Stacking storage arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the clamping regions are formed by recesses (28, 30) of different depths in the connecting device (21, 33).

13. Stacking storage arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the clamping areas are arranged in an offset manner along the connecting device (21, 33).

14. Stacking storage arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the connecting device (21, 33) is formed with zinc or aluminum die casting as the main component.