DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FIXING THE RUNNING RAILS OF A HIGH-BAY STORAGE RACK

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for fastening two guide rails for a transport carriage to a plurality of fastening tabs that project upwards from a support structure. The fastening tabs are spaced apart from one another in the intended longitudinal direction of the guide rails and are arranged such that an outer side of the first guide rail can be placed simultaneously against a first group of the plurality of fastening tabs, and an outer side of the second guide rail can be placed simultaneously against a second group of the plurality of fastening tabs. A distance in the transverse direction between a fastening tab of the first group and a fastening tab of the second group is adapted to an intended track width of the guide rails.

[0002] Such guide rails are used particularly within high-bay warehouses for storing and conveying pallets (see, for example, DE 200 08 073 U1, DE 299 05 013 U1, DE 20 2006 010 489 U1, or DE 20 2017 004 863 U1). Such high-bay warehouses typically have storage channels into which loaded pallets can be loaded and unloaded using a transport trolley. Within the storage channels, there are typically longitudinally spaced crossbeams from which the fastening tabs protrude upwards.

[0003] To secure the guide rails, they are placed on the trusses so that one outer side of the guide rail rests against the respective mounting brackets. For subsequent connection, it was generally known in the prior art to manually drill holes through the mounting brackets and the adjacent guide rail, and then manually screw the mounting brackets to the guide rails. A disadvantage of this solution is that it is very complex and therefore expensive due to the manual drilling and screwing processes.

[0004] In principle, it was known to pre-drill both the fastening lugs and the guide rails, thus at least eliminating the drilling effort. However, this approach requires the positioning of the holes and the fastening lugs to be carried out with very tight tolerances, which also entails considerable effort. Document DE 103 34 846 A1 discloses a rail replacement train for removing old rails laid on sleepers and replacing them with new rails. Document DE 21 2018 000 090 U1 also discloses a rail laying machine for urban rail transport technology, which has two lifting and running carriages, a connecting support beam for connecting the lifting and running carriages, a crawler mechanism, and a support structure.

[0005] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for securing two guide rails for a transport carriage to a plurality of fastening brackets, which at least partially avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. According to the invention, the device comprises: at least one roller for rolling the device on a running surface of the running rails pre-aligned in the intended longitudinal direction, a positioning unit with at least one first inner positioning element for bearing against an inner surface of the first running rail and with a second inner positioning element for bearing against an inner surface of the second running rail, a connecting unit which is designed to establish a connection between the fastening tabs and the respective running rails when the device is placed on the two pre-aligned running rails.

[0006] First, some of the terms used in this description will be explained. When a guide rail is pre-aligned, this means that the guide rail is placed on the support structure and its outer side rests against the mounting brackets, or at least there is only a small gap between the outer side and the mounting brackets.

[0007] A transverse direction is a direction perpendicular to the intended longitudinal direction of the guide rails, which runs within a guide rail plane and is preferably aligned horizontally.

[0008] The term fastening bracket is to be understood broadly and includes all structures projecting upwards from the support structure that enable the alignment and fixing of a guide rail to the support structure.

[0009] The device according to the invention can comprise a drive device for moving the device along the guide rails pre-aligned in the intended longitudinal direction. The drive device can, for example, comprise a user-operable handwheel designed to transmit torque to at least one of the rollers. It is also possible for the drive device to enable automatic drive of the device, for example, with the aid of an electric motor.

[0010] With the aid of the device according to the invention, the guide rails can be connected to the fastening tabs in a significantly simpler manner. It has been recognized that the guide rails, which are not yet fastened but merely placed on the support structure and pre-aligned along the fastening tabs, can already be used to accommodate the device according to the invention and enable the device to move along the guide rails. In particular, the device can drive onto a longitudinal section of the previously unfastened and merely pre-aligned guide rails located at the beginning of the guide rails, wherein the at least one roller rolls along the guide rail and in the process transfers the weight of the device to the guide rail. The guide rail is thereby pressed onto the support structure serving as a base and thus held in position.

[0011] At the same time, the inner positioning elements, which bear against the respective inner surfaces of the guide rails, enable precise alignment of the guide rails relative to the fastening tabs by either pressing the guide rails outwards against the fastening tabs (if the guide rails are not yet precisely aligned in the longitudinal section in question) or (if the guide rails in the section in question are already in the intended position and in particular are already resting against the fastening tabs) by at least preventing the guide rails from moving inwards from their intended position during a subsequent connecting process. In particular, during the process of connecting the fastening tab to the guide rails, the inner positioning elements prevent the connecting unit acting on the fastening tab and the guide rail from pressing the guide rail inwards.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least two rollers spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction, so that each roller can roll on one of the guide rails. Preferably, at least two pairs of rollers are provided. The weight of the device can thus be evenly distributed over a larger longitudinal section into both rails, ensuring a firm, force-locking connection between the support structure and the guide rails even before the connection between the fastening tab and the guide rail is established.

[0013] The device according to the invention can, in particular, enable automation of the connection process. For this purpose, the device can have a sensor unit designed to detect whether a longitudinal position of the connection unit corresponds to a longitudinal position of a fastening tab. The sensor unit can, for example, have a contact sensor for detecting mechanical contact between the contact sensor and the support structure and / or the fastening tab. It is also possible for the sensor unit to have an optical sensor for detecting a longitudinal position. Preferably, the drive device (if it is designed to automatically drive the device) and / or the connection unit are controllable based on a signal from the sensor unit.With the aid of the drive device configured to automatically drive the device, the device in this embodiment can be moved automatically in the longitudinal direction based on a signal received from the sensor unit until the connecting unit is at the same longitudinal position as the fastening tab. The connecting unit can then be controlled to perform a connection process between the fastening tab and the guide rail.

[0014] In one embodiment, the positioning unit comprises at least one outer positioning element for contact with an outer surface of the guide rail. The outer positioning element can be designed to encompass the guide rail. In particular, the outer positioning element can be opposite one of the inner positioning elements in the transverse direction. Several outer positioning elements can also be provided, each opposite one of the inner positioning elements. Preferably, at least one outer positioning element is present for each of the guide rails. A clear distance measured in the transverse direction between opposing inner and outer positioning elements can in particular correspond to a thickness of the guide rail measured in the transverse direction.With the help of the outer positioning elements, the position of the guide rails can be fixed even more precisely during the movement of the device and during a connection process, thus increasing alignment accuracy. In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening points that can be created by the connection unit are located within one plane. The outer positioning element preferably rests on the guide rail above the fastening plane. This prevents collision of the outer positioning element with a fastening tab.

[0015] In one embodiment, the drive device is designed to transmit torque to the roller. The device can have an electrical and / or pneumatic energy storage device. The energy storage device can be designed to operate the drive unit and / or the connecting unit.

[0016] Preferably, at least one of the outer and / or inner positioning elements is formed by a guide roller. The guide roller can be designed to roll along an inner or outer surface of the guide rail. The guide rollers enable precise positioning of the guide rails in a simple manner and are also low-wear.

[0017] The connecting unit can have an outer connecting tool designed to act on a fastening tab from the outside during a connecting process in order to connect it to a running rail. Furthermore, the outer connecting tool can be designed to exert a force on the fastening tab from the outside during the connecting process. Furthermore, the connecting device can have an inner connecting tool located transversely opposite the outer connecting tool, which is designed to exert counterpressure on a section of the running rail and / or to push this section transversely outwards. If the running rail was not yet aligned with absolute precision shortly before the connection was made, even more precise positioning can be achieved using the connecting tools.It is also possible for the fastening tab to be moved into a final position relative to the support structure during the connection process (for example by bending or (plastic and / or elastic) deformation of the fastening tab). The inner and / or outer connection tool can be hydraulically and / or pneumatically driven. The connection unit can also have a pressure control for controlling the inner and / or outer connection tool. The pressure control is preferably configured to measure a counterpressure counteracting a movement of the connection tools and to trigger a connection process if the counterpressure exceeds a threshold value. This is based on the idea that the counterpressure increases significantly when the fastening tab and guide rail abut each other in the final position. The connection accuracy can be significantly increased in this way.The connecting unit is preferably designed to create a joint between the fastening tab and the guide rail. Welded or riveted joints, for example, are suitable joints. The joint is preferably a clinch joint. The outer connecting tool can comprise a punch, and the inner connecting tool can comprise a die. The die is designed to bear against an inner surface of the guide rail from the inside during the connecting process or to be pressed against the inner surface, and the punch is designed to be pressed against the fastening tab from the outside.

[0018] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising: a high-bay warehouse with a support structure and at least one storage channel, two guide rails to be fastened within the storage channel and a device according to the invention for fastening two guide rails for a transport carriage to a plurality of fastening straps.

[0019] The support structure has a plurality of cross members spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the storage channel, on which the plurality of upwardly projecting fastening tabs are positioned such that an outer side of a first of the running rails can be placed simultaneously on a first group of the plurality of fastening tabs and an outer side of a second of the running rails can be placed simultaneously on a second group of the plurality of fastening tabs, wherein a distance in the transverse direction between a fastening tab of the first group and a fastening tab of the second group is adapted to an intended track width of the running rails.A distance, viewed in the transverse direction, between the outer ends of the first and second inner positioning elements is adapted to the intended track width such that the outer surfaces of the guide rails are pressed against respective fastening tabs during a movement of the device along the intended longitudinal direction of the guide rails or the guide rails are at least prevented from moving inwards in the transverse direction.

[0020] The arrangement according to the invention can be further developed by further features already described above in connection with the device according to the invention. The advantages already described above in connection with the device according to the invention also apply to the arrangement according to the invention.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the guide rails are formed by C-profiles whose open sides face inward when aligned as intended. Furthermore, the running surface of the guide rail is preferably formed by an inner bottom surface of the C-profile. Using the inner bottom surface of a C-profile as the running surface enables a space-saving arrangement of the rollers inside the C-profile. Furthermore, an outer wall of the C-profile can be used to create the joint.

[0022] In one embodiment, the high-bay warehouse comprises at least two storage channels and at least one transport aisle into which the storage channels open. The arrangement can further comprise a transfer device which is designed to receive the device according to the invention and is movable along the transport aisle such that the device can be driven onto the transfer device from a first of the storage channels and, after subsequent movement of the transfer device, can be driven into another of the storage channels. A transfer device movable within a transport aisle is generally known from the prior art for the purpose of moving a lifting truck, which is designed to lift pallets (and any transport goods located thereon), from one storage channel to another storage channel and / or moving the pallet to a removal position.Since the transfer device is preferably also usable for moving the device according to the invention, the device can be moved to another storage channel after a pair of guide rails has been secured within a first storage channel in order to attach another pair of guide rails there. Furthermore, it can be provided that the device according to the invention can be moved into an elevator with the aid of the transfer device, with which the device can be moved to another high-bay warehouse level. In this way, the device according to the invention can move within the entire high-bay warehouse in order to secure corresponding pairs of guide rails in all storage channels and all high-bay levels of the high-bay warehouse.

[0023] The invention further relates to a method for securing two guide rails for a transport carriage to a plurality of fastening tabs. The fastening tabs protrude upward from a support structure, are spaced apart from one another in the intended longitudinal direction of the guide rails, and are arranged such that an outer side of the first guide rail can be simultaneously applied to a first group of the plurality of fastening tabs, and an outer side of the second guide rail can be simultaneously applied to a second group of the plurality of fastening tabs. A transverse distance between a fastening tab of the first group and a fastening tab of the second group is adapted to a designated track width of the guide rails. The method comprises the following steps: a) Placing a first of the guide rails on the support structure in such a way that an outer side of the guide rail is pre-aligned along the first group of fastening tabs; b) Placing a second of the guide rails on the support structure in such a way that an outer side of the guide rail is pre-aligned along the second group of fastening tabs; c) Exerting a downward force onto a longitudinal section of the guide rails pre-aligned according to steps a) and b) in such a way that the longitudinal section of the respective guide rail is pressed onto the support structure and fixed in a force-fitting manner;d) introducing a positioning unit with a first inner positioning element and a second inner positioning element into a space located in the longitudinal section between the guide rails in such a way that the first inner positioning element comes to rest on an inner surface of the first guide rail and the second inner positioning element comes to rest on an inner surface of the second guide rail, wherein the pre-aligned guide rails are pressed outwards against the respective fastening tabs or the guide rails are at least prevented from moving inwards in the transverse direction; e) establishing a connection between a fastening tab located in the longitudinal section and an outer side of one of the guide rails, wherein the fastening tabs are grasped from the outside to establish the connection.

[0024] The method according to the invention can be further developed by further features that have already been described above in connection with the device according to the invention or in connection with the arrangement according to the invention. The advantages already described above in connection with the device or arrangement also apply to the method according to the invention.

[0025] In particular, it can be provided that the method according to the invention is carried out using a device according to the invention. The above-mentioned method step c) can be carried out in particular by a movement of the device according to the invention in the longitudinal direction, so that the downward force is exerted on the longitudinal section of the guide rails by the device. At the same time, method step d) can also be carried out during the movement of the device according to the invention in the longitudinal direction, in that the inner positioning elements press the guide rails outwards during the movement or at least prevent an inward movement of the guide rails.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, in step e), two fastening tabs located opposite one another in the transverse direction are connected to the guide rail essentially simultaneously. Simultaneously establishing the connection with opposing fastening tabs results in a symmetrical force being exerted, which improves dimensional accuracy.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, after establishing the connection in a first longitudinal section of the guide rails, steps c) to e) are repeated in an adjacent second longitudinal section in order to connect a fastening tab, which is spaced apart in the longitudinal direction from the fastening tab already connected to the guide rail, to the guide rail. For this purpose, the device according to the invention can, in particular, be moved in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1: a three-dimensional side view of a plane of a high-bay warehouse according to the invention and two devices according to the invention that are positioned in storage channels of the high-bay warehouse; Figure 2: a three-dimensional side view of a device according to the invention for fixing guide rails to fastening brackets; Figure 3: a front view of the device according to the invention of the Figure 2 ; Figure 4: the Figure 3 illustrated section B in an enlarged view; Figure 5: a cross-sectional view of a guide rail; Figure 6: the Figure 1 Illustrated section A in an enlarged view; Figure 7: a three-dimensional view of a device according to the invention, which is placed on a transfer device.

[0029] Figure 1shows a three-dimensional side view of a level of a high-bay warehouse 30 according to the invention. The high-bay warehouse 30 has further, essentially identically constructed levels arranged below and above the level shown. Within each level, there are a plurality of storage channels 31 and a transport aisle 32. The storage channels 31 each open into the transport aisle 32. The high-bay warehouse also comprises a support structure comprising vertical beams 21 and crossbeams 20 connected thereto. Upwardly facing fastening tabs 13 protrude from the crossbeams 20.

[0030] In each bearing channel 31 there are two guide rails 14, some of which are already attached to the fastening tabs 13 and some of which are only pre-aligned along the fastening tabs 13. In Figure 1Also illustrated are two devices 12 according to the invention for fixing the guide rails 14 to the fastening tabs 13, each of which is located in one of the storage channels 31. The devices 12 have rollers with which they roll on the guide rails. The devices 12 are thus movable within the storage channels. Two transfer devices 33 are also illustrated within the transport aisle 32. A device 12 can be moved from one storage channel 31 onto a transfer device 33. The transfer device 33 can then be moved along the transport aisle 32 to bring the device 12 to another storage channel 31. The transfer device 33 has a rotating unit that enables the device 12 to be rotated by 180°. In this way, the device 12 can move into storage channels 31 located on both sides of the transport aisle 32 with its front end pointing forward.Even though two devices 12 and two transfer devices 33 are illustrated here, a single device 12 and a single transfer device 33 are sufficient to secure the guide rails in all storage channels of the rack storage level. An elevator may also be present at the end of a transport aisle 32 (in . Figure 1 (not shown) with the aid of which the device 12 can be moved to another level of the high-bay rack 30. Accordingly, the entire high-bay warehouse can in principle be served with the aid of a single device 12.

[0031] The device 12 can be moved into a storage channel 31 as soon as two guide rails 14 are placed on the cross members 20 and pre-aligned, without the guide rails 14 being connected to the fastening tabs. A guide rail 14 is pre-aligned when the outer sides of the guide rail 14 are aligned approximately parallel to a group of fastening tabs 13, with only a small distance or possibly even contact between the outer side and the fastening tabs 13. With the aid of the device 12 according to the invention, the guide rails 14 are fully aligned when driving onto the guide rails 14 and then connected to the fastening tabs 13.

[0032] Figure 2shows a three-dimensional side view of a device 12 according to the invention for fixing a pair of guide rails 14 to two groups of fastening tabs 13. The device 12 comprises a frame structure 22, which is connected to rollers 17 for rolling on the guide rails 14. A distance between the fastening tabs 13, viewed in the transverse direction, is adapted to a track width of the device 12. When moving into a storage channel 31, the respective rollers 17 roll on a running surface of the first guide rail 14 and on a running surface of the second guide rail 14. At least some of the rollers 17 are rotatably driven by a drive device. The drive device in the present case has a handwheel 37 that can be actuated by an operator (see Figure 3 ) to transmit torque to the rollers 17.

[0033] The device also includes inner guide rollers 18 for each of the guide rails 14, which come into contact with the inner surfaces of the respective guide rails 14 when the device 12 moves onto the pre-aligned guide rails 14. The two pre-aligned guide rails 14 are thereby pushed outward and thereby aligned or at least prevented from inward movement by the inner guide rollers 18. The inner guide rollers 18 can be considered internal positioning elements.

[0034] The device further comprises a plurality of outer guide rollers 19. Each outer guide roller 19 is positioned transversely opposite an inner guide roller 18 such that a clear distance, viewed transversely, corresponds to a thickness of the guide rail 14. The outer guide rollers 19 can be considered external positioning elements. When the device 12 moves onto the pre-aligned guide rails 14, the outer guide rollers 19 come into contact with an outer surface of the respective guide rail 14, so that an outward movement of the respective guide rail 14 is prevented by the outer guide roller 19.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a front view of a device 12 according to the invention. Figure 4 shows the Figure 3illustrated section B in an enlarged view. The device 12 is located on two guide rails 14, which rest on a plurality of cross members 20. Of the cross members, Figures 3 and 4 only one is visible. Two upwardly projecting mounting brackets 13 are fixed to the cross member 20. The clear distance between the mounting brackets 13, measured in the transverse direction (i.e., along the cross member 20), is adapted to the track width of the device 12.

[0036] The device 12 comprises a connecting unit 16 designed to produce clinch connections. For each of the guide rails 14, the connecting unit 16 has a connecting arm 161, 162 designed to engage the fastening tabs 13 from the outside. A punch 163 is arranged on each connecting arm 161, 162 (see Figure 4). In addition, the connecting unit 16 comprises a die 164 on each side, which is positioned near an inner surface 142 of the respective guide rail 14. When producing a clinch connection, the respective punch 163 and the respective die 164 are pressed towards and against each other in order to plastically deform the material of the fastening tab 13 and the guide rail 14 and thereby join the connecting partners together in a basically known manner. If there is still a small distance between a guide rail 14 and a fastening tab 13 shortly before the clinch connection is produced, the two connecting partners 13, 14 are pressed together and precisely aligned by the elements 163, 164 moving towards each other.Punch 163 and die 164 are preferably controlled by a hydraulic control which detects a counterpressure acting on the elements during the above-mentioned movement of the elements and triggers the clinching process when a pressure threshold value is exceeded (which signals the meeting of the guide rail and the fastening tab).

[0037] The guide rails 14 are each designed as a C-profile and are aligned so that the open sides of the C-profiles face inwards. The C-profiles each comprise an outer surface 141, an inner surface 142, an inner bottom surface 143, and an outer bottom surface 145 (see Figure 5 ). The inner base surface 143 forms the running surface of the guide rail 14, on which the rollers 17 roll. The outer base surface 145 of the guide rail 14 rests on the cross members 20.

[0038] In the enlarged view of the Figure 4It can be seen that two inner guide rollers 18 of the device 12 are positioned at different heights and are connected to each other by a vertical shaft 181. The interconnected inner guide rollers 18 thus engage the guide rail at different heights, thereby preventing the guide rail 14 from tilting.

[0039] The outer guide rollers 19 are positioned above a connection plane defined by the clinch connections, so that the outer guide rollers 19 can roll above the fastening tabs 13 on the guide rail 14.

[0040] Figure 6 shows the Figure 1illustrated section A in an enlarged view. In this view, the vertical support 21 and the cross member 20 connected thereto are shown, to which a fastening tab 13 is fixed. A guide rail 14 is placed on the cross member 20 and pre-aligned such that an outer surface of the guide rail 14 rests against the fastening tab 13. The device 12 is in a position in which a connecting arm 161 of the connecting unit 16 is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 14 at the level of the fastening tab 13. Starting from this position, the punch of the connecting arm 161 can be pressed against the fastening tab 13, the outer surface 142 of the guide rail 14 and against the die located there (in Figure 6 not visible) to create a clinch connection between the fastening tab 13 and the guide rail 14.

[0041] Figure 7shows a three-dimensional view of a device 12 according to the invention, which is mounted on a transfer device 33. The transfer device 33 comprises a plurality of rollers 34, which are designed to roll on two mutually parallel guide rails 35 of the transport aisle 32 (see also Figure 1). The transfer device 33 is thereby movable along the transport aisle 32. The transfer device 33 also comprises two guide rails 36, the cross-section of which is essentially identical to the guide rails 14. The device is placed on the guide rails 36. The guide rails 36 are aligned such that a corresponding movement of the transfer device 33 along the transport aisle 32 can create a transition from the guide rails 36 to a pair of guide rails 14 located within a storage channel 31, which allows the device 12 to move from the transfer device 33 onto the guide rails 14 located in the storage channel 31. The transfer device 33 preferably comprises a drive that enables automatic movement of the transfer device 33 along the transport aisle 32. It is also possible for the transfer device 33 to be moved manually within the transport aisle.The rotating unit for rotating the device 12 by 180° can also be driven automatically or manually.

Claims

1. Apparatus (12) for fixing two running rails (14) for a transport vehicle to a plurality of fastening brackets (13), said fastening brackets projecting upwards from a supporting structure (20, 21) and being spaced apart from one another in the intended longitudinal direction of the running rails (14) and being arranged in such a way that an outer side of the first running rail (14) is able to be made to abut against a first group of the plurality of fastening brackets (13) simultaneously and an outer side of the second running rail (14) is able to be made to abut against a second group of the plurality of fastening brackets (13) simultaneously, wherein a spacing between a fastening bracket (13) of the first group and a fastening bracket (13) of the second group in a transverse direction is adapted to an intended track width of the running rails (14), characterized in that the apparatus has: - at least one running roller (17) for rolling of the apparatus on a running surface (143) of the running rails (14) which have been pre-aligned in the intended longitudinal direction, - a positioning unit having at least one first inner positioning element (18) for abutment against an inner surface (142) of the first running rail (14) and having a second inner positioning element (18) for abutment against an inner surface (142) of the second running rail (14), - a connecting unit (16) which is configured to produce a connection between the fastening brackets (13) and the respective running rails (14) when the apparatus has been mounted onto the two pre-aligned running rails (14).

2. Apparatus (12) according to Claim 1, further comprising a drive device for moving the apparatus (12) along the running rails (14) pre-aligned in the intended longitudinal direction, wherein the drive device is preferably configured to transmit a torque to the running roller (17).

3. Apparatus (12) according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sensor unit for detecting whether a longitudinal position of the connecting unit (16) corresponds to a longitudinal position of a fastening bracket (13), wherein the drive device and / or the connecting unit are preferably controllable on the basis of a signal of the sensor unit.

4. Apparatus (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the positioning unit further comprises an outer positioning element (19) for abutment against an outer surface (141) of the running rail (14), wherein the outer positioning element (19) is preferably situated opposite one of the inner positioning elements (18) in the transverse direction.

5. Apparatus (12) according to Claim 4, in which fastening points able to be produced by the connecting unit (16) lie within a plane, wherein the outer positioning element (19) abuts against the first or second running rail (14) above the fastening plane.

6. Apparatus (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising a preferably electrical and / or pneumatic energy store for operating the drive device and / or the connecting unit.

7. Apparatus (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which at least one of the outer and / or inner positioning elements (18, 19) is formed by a guide roller which is configured to roll on an inner surface (142) or outer surface (141) of the running rail (14).

8. Apparatus (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the connecting unit (16) has an outer connecting tool (163) which is configured to act on a fastening bracket (13) from the outside for the purpose of producing the connection, wherein the connecting unit (16) is preferably configured to produce a joining connection between the fastening bracket (13) and the running rail (14), wherein the joining connection is furthermore preferably a clinching connection.

9. Arrangement comprising: - a high-bay warehouse (30) having a supporting structure (20, 21) and having at least one storage channel (31), - two running rails (14) to be fastened within the storage channel (31), and - an apparatus (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the supporting structure (20, 21) comprises a plurality of crossmembers (20) which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the storage channel (31) and on which the plurality of upwardly projecting fastening brackets (13) is positioned in such a way that an outer side (141) of a first one of the running rails (14) is able to be made to abut against a first group of the plurality of fastening brackets (13) simultaneously and an outer side (141) of a second one of the running rails (14) is able to be made to abut against a second group of the plurality of fastening brackets (13) simultaneously, wherein a spacing between a fastening bracket (13) of the first group and a fastening bracket (13) of the second group in a transverse direction corresponds to an intended track width of the running rails (14), and wherein a distance, as seen in the transverse direction, between the outer ends of the first and second inner positioning elements (18) is adapted to the intended track width in such a way that, during a movement of the apparatus along the intended longitudinal direction of the running rails (14), the outer surfaces of the running rails (14) are pressed against respective fastening brackets (13) or the running rails (14) are at least prevented from carrying out a movement directed inwards in the transverse direction.

10. Arrangement according to Claim 9, in which the running rails (14) are formed by C profiles, the open sides of which are directed inwards when the orientation is as intended.

11. Arrangement according to Claim 10, in which the running surface (143) of the running rail (14) is formed by an inner base surface of the C profile.

12. Arrangement according to one of Claims 9 to 11, in which the high-bay warehouse (30) has at least two storage channels (31) and at least one transport passage (32) into which the storage channels (31) open out, wherein the arrangement (12) further has a transfer device (33) which is configured for receiving the apparatus (12) and which is movable along the transport passage (32) in such a way that the apparatus (12) is able to be moved from a first one of the storage channels (31) onto the transfer device (33) and, after subsequent movement of the transfer device (33), is able to be moved into another one of the storage channels (31).

13. Method for fixing two running rails (14) for a transport vehicle to a plurality of fastening brackets (13), said fastening brackets projecting upwards from a supporting structure (20) and being spaced apart from one another in the intended longitudinal direction of the running rails (14) and being arranged in such a way that an outer side (141) of the first running rail (14) is able to be made to abut against a first group of the plurality of fastening brackets (13) simultaneously and an outer side (141) of the second running rail (14) is able to be made to abut against a second group of the plurality of fastening brackets (13) simultaneously, wherein a spacing between a fastening bracket (13) of the first group and a fastening bracket (13) of the second group in a transverse direction is adapted to an intended track width of the running rails (14), comprising the following steps: a) placing a first one of the running rails (14) onto the supporting structure (20) in such a way that an outer side (141) of the running rail (14) is pre-aligned along the first group of fastening brackets (13); b) placing a second one of the running rails (14) onto the supporting structure (20) in such a way that an outer side (141) of the running rail (14) is pre-aligned along the second group of fastening brackets (13); c) exerting a downward force on a longitudinal section of the running rails (14) that have been pre-aligned according to steps a) and b), in such a way that the longitudinal section of the respective running rail (14) is pressed onto the supporting structure (20); d) introducing a positioning unit, having a first inner positioning element (18) and a second inner positioning element (18), into an intermediate space, situated in the longitudinal section, between the running rails (14) in such a way that the first inner positioning element (18) comes to abut against an inner surface (142) of the first running rail (14) and the second inner positioning element (18) comes to abut against an inner surface (142) of the second running rail (14) and the pre-aligned running rails (14) are in the process pressed outwards against the respective fastening brackets (13) or the running rails (14) are at least prevented from carrying out a movement directed inwards in the transverse direction; e) producing a connection between a fastening bracket (13) situated in the longitudinal section and an outer side (141) of a running rail (14), wherein the fastening brackets (13) are engaged around from the outside for the purpose of producing the connection.

14. Method according to Claim 13, in which, in step e., two fastening brackets (13) situated opposite one another in the transverse direction are connected to the running rail substantially simultaneously.

15. Method according to Claim 13 or 14, in which steps c. to e. are repeated in a longitudinal section which is adjacent to the original longitudinal section in the intended longitudinal direction of the running rails (14), in order to connect to the running rail (14) a fastening bracket (13) that is spaced apart in the longitudinal direction from the fastening bracket (13) already connected to the running rail.