Floating interface device for a storage rack, transport and storage system, and method of mounting such a device.

Abstract

TITLE: Floating interface device for a storage rack, transport and storage system, and method of mounting such a device.Floating interface device (1) intended to allow the ascent of a vehicle (V) along a storage device, the device (1) comprising: A vertical upright (M) having at least one attachment interface (3), A vertical rack (4) comprising at least two floating rack sections (41, 42) stacked vertically on top of each other, the rack (4) having a toothed face (5) configured to cooperate with climbing means (6) of a vehicle (V), each floating rack section (41, 42) comprising at least one attachment member (7), and in which said attachment interface (3) and said attachment member (7) make it possible to hold the floating sections (41, 42) against the vertical upright (M) while allowing their vertical movement to be free to cancel the vertical play (J) between them, the floating sections (41, 42) resting by the action of gravity on the ground. Figure for abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Floating interface device for a storage rack, transport and storage system, and method of mounting such a device. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to systems for transporting and storing articles in automated warehouses, in particular equipped with vehicles capable of climbing vertically on storage racks to search for and grasp receptacles containing stored articles. Prior art

[0002] Such storage racks are commonly equipped with racks, fixed vertically on uprights generally composed of metal profiles. These racks have the function of allowing automated vehicles to climb onto the storage racks using suitable climbing means, for example by means of a toothed wheel configured to mesh with the rack. The term "rack" designates any elongated element having notches or teeth.

[0003] Such racks are therefore of considerable length, the storage racks being able for example to measure more than 12 meters high. The racks, generally made of plastic, cannot be manufactured in a single piece which would be too fragile and difficult to handle for their transport as well as for their assembly on the upright. In addition, such dimensions would involve significant costs to control manufacturing dispersions. It is therefore known to manufacture racks in several sections of reduced sizes, the manufacture and assembly of which are easier to carry out.

[0004] These sections are substantially identical and have a continuous toothed surface from one section to the next, so as to easily form an uninterrupted rack when the sections are individually fixed to the upright one above the other.

[0005] This known configuration implies the existence and dimensioning of a functional clearance between each section. Indeed, the inevitable dispersion of manufacturing of the sections causes a predictable variation in the length from one section to another, which could hinder their assembly on the upright. This well-known type of clearance, generally of the order of a tenth of a millimeter, presents little difficulty in being dimensioned correctly.

[0006] On the other hand, the use of storage racks equipped with such racks in various parts of the world implies that the sections must be able to be mounted for different environmental conditions, particularly for large variations in humidity and temperature levels, for example between 5% and 95% humidity, and from 0°C to 40°C. The same system must indeed be able to be used in different more or less extreme conditions, which may in particular involve elongation or shrinkage of the sections by expansion, of the order of half a millimeter or even a millimeter. It is very difficult to size a functional clearance to effectively absorb these unpredictable dimensional fluctuations. Indeed, the thermal expansion of a plastic rack section can be at least ten times greater than the expansion undergone by a steel section of the same length (the solution of steel or metal sections is ruled out as a result of their excessively high manufacturing cost).In the event of shrinkage, additional play may therefore form between two sections, or conversely, in the event of expansion, the sections may push against each other and it is possible to obtain a buckling phenomenon. In addition, plastic sections absorb moisture and swell or shrink depending on the humidity level, which can induce a discontinuity between two consecutive sections (which can reach a millimeter for example on a 200mm long section) and thus create in places offsets between two toothed surfaces of consecutive sections, the rack thus formed may then be discontinuous. Or, in the same way, a buckling phenomenon may be observed due to a high humidity level (for example above 50%). Such deformations can generate noise and premature wear of the climbing equipment and the rack when automated vehicles climb onto storage racks.

[0007] It is therefore necessary to find a solution to effectively manage the dimensional variations of the rack sections resulting from the environmental conditions in which they are implemented. Summary

[0008] The present disclosure improves the situation.

[0009] There is provided, according to the present disclosure, a floating interface device for enabling a vehicle to ascend along a storage device, such as a storage rack, the interface device comprising: - A vertical amount presenting at least one hanging interface, - A vertical rack comprising at least two floating rack sections stacked vertically on top of each other, the rack having a continuous toothed face from one section to the other, and being configured to cooperate with climbing means of a vehicle, each floating rack section comprising at least one attachment member, and in which said attachment interface and said attachment member comprise guide means forming a sliding connection between said section and the upright vertical, and allowing the floating sections to be held against the vertical upright while allowing the floating sections to move freely vertically so as to eliminate the vertical play between them, the floating sections then being in contact with each other to form a vertical stack, said stack resting by the action of gravity on the ground or on a fixed part of the upright, or on a separate part fixed to the upright.

[0010] In this way, the functional clearances between the sections are naturally cancelled, by the action of gravity, which will cause the sections to maintain contact with each other, regardless of the dimensional fluctuations of the sections due to environmental conditions. Indeed, since the vertical translation of the sections is left free, if the sections swell or shrink under the action of humidity, this will always induce an elongation or a shrinkage of the rack, but its toothed surface will remain continuous because the functional clearance between the sections will remain zero naturally.

[0011] The features set out in the following paragraphs may, optionally, be implemented, independently of one another or in combination with one another:

[0012] According to an improvement, the stack of floating sections rests by the action of gravity on a lower base fixedly mounted on the upright. Indeed, the rack being intended to allow the vertical ascent of a vehicle approaching from a horizontal surface such as the ground, it may be appropriate, according to one embodiment, to provide that the lower end of the rack comprises a particular part, such as a lower base. Such a base, according to yet another embodiment, may be adapted to facilitate the reception of the vehicle and its climbing means.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the floating interface device: - the at least one attachment interface of the upright comprises a vertical slot comprising a widened part, - and the at least one attachment member comprises a rod extending in horizontal projection from a floating section and comprising at its end an enlarged head, each enlarged head being configured to be inserted into the enlarged part of each vertical slot and each rod being configured to slide vertically along each slot, the enlarged head having a dimension wider than the slot and making it possible to hold the rack section against the upright while allowing its vertical movement along the slot according to a limited stroke permitted by the slot. Such an embodiment constitutes a technical solution that is easy to implement, and one of the main advantages of which is to offer great speed of assembly, as well as minimal adaptation of the existing sections.

[0014] According to a second embodiment of a floating interface device according to the present disclosure: - the at least one attachment interface of the upright comprises a vertical rail having two lateral projections extending on either side of the upright, and the at least one attachment member comprises a pair of two internal grooves hollowed out in the section, the grooves being configured to accommodate each of the two lateral projections the cooperation between the two lateral projections and the two internal grooves allowing the floating section to be held against the upright while allowing its vertical movement along the rail. Such an embodiment also constitutes a technical solution that is easy to implement, requiring only minimal adaptation of the existing sections.

[0015] According to an improvement of the previous embodiment, each floating section comprises two parts configured to assemble together, each part comprising two internal grooves, the assembly of the two parts together around the vertical rail allowing the two internal grooves to engage on the two lateral projections of the vertical rail and thus form the means for guiding in translation each floating section on the vertical upright. Such a characteristic allows the sections to be brought to any height of the vertical rail to engage with the lateral projections.

[0016] According to an improvement, the floating sections comprise one or more fixing clips and one or more notches, the at least one clip of a first section being configured to be inserted into the at least one notch of a second section when they are stacked on top of each other. The vertical translation being left free, this makes it possible to limit the relative distance between two sections, if one of them is stressed in the direction opposite to that of gravity.

[0017] According to an improvement, the floating sections comprise one or more protrusions and one or more counterforms, the at least one protrusion of a first rack section being configured to fit into the at least one counterform of a second section when they are stacked on top of each other. Such an improvement makes it possible to control the lateral play between the sections and therefore their alignment with the upright, which facilitates the movement of a vehicle along the rack by limiting, in a transverse direction, the continuity defects of the latter.

[0018] According to an improvement, the floating sections are made of plastic, and are obtained by molding, to thus have an economical and easy-to-use part. In addition, the use of a mold and such a material allows flexibility in the manufacture of the sections, which can for example occasionally be made smaller. or larger depending on the specific need of the device on which they are mounted.

[0019] According to an improvement, the rack sections are stacked on top of each other by a plane contact between a single first surface of a first section and another single second surface of a second section. Such a configuration is optimal for canceling the functional play between two sections. The contact surface at the end of a section being unique, it is simple to produce and to control.

[0020] In addition, these unique first and second surfaces may be in relief relative to the surrounding surfaces at the ends of the first and second sections, which makes it possible to avoid hyperstatic contact between the two parts. The surrounding surfaces of the two sections which are then facing each other are then spaced apart by a functional clearance and do not participate in the contact.

[0021] According to an improvement of the embodiments which comprise a lower base, the latter comprises a height-adjustable fixing system on the vertical upright. Such an arrangement makes it possible to adjust the height of the lower end of the rack stack, and thus to be able to wedge the attachment members of the sections to be stacked in coincidence with the attachment interfaces of the upright, which can be offset relative to each other. Indeed, however precise it may be, the manufacturing process for these rack sections, which is generally an injection molding process, does not make it possible to absolutely guarantee the production of strictly identical parts. These differences (in this Application we will speak of “manufacturing dispersion”) contribute to the aforementioned offset phenomenon, in combination with possible deformations linked to temperature and humidity.For example, if several sections are stacked which have a maximum height rating, there is a risk that a section will no longer be able to be mounted from a certain height, unless the lower end of the stack of sections is slightly lowered. Conversely, if several sections are stacked which have all been manufactured with a minimum height rating, it may be necessary to raise the lower base to compensate for the addition of all these manufacturing defects.

[0022] According to an improvement of the previous embodiment, the adjustable fixing system of the base comprises an oblong orifice on the vertical upright, and an adjustment rod on the base configured to be inserted and slide vertically in the oblong orifice, the adjustment rod comprising a clamping means making it possible to block the vertical movement of the base relative to the vertical upright at a determined height. This embodiment constitutes an easy-to-implement solution for adjusting the height of the lower base, which also has the advantage of being removable, and therefore adjustable to different heights as many times as necessary.

[0023] According to an improvement, said lower base is formed by the last section at the lower end of the stack of floating sections which form the vertical rack, said last section being a section fixed relative to the upright, and on which the toothed face of the rack extends continuously. In a case where it is not necessary to provide a part with a particular design at the lower end of the rack, provision is made to be able to mount a section fixedly on the upright, using the fixing means known from the state of the art.

[0024] According to an improvement, each floating section may comprise two lateral shoulders which each form a guide track configured to cooperate with a lateral guide means of the vehicle, each lateral shoulder comprises at one end an end surface intersecting a direction of elongation of the floating section, said end surface being inclined relative to a plane normal to the direction of elongation of the section so that one end of the guide track comprises a bevel.

[0025] The present disclosure also relates to a storage rack comprising one or more floating interface devices as previously described, said vertical upright(s) of the one or more floating interface devices extending parallel to each other, and being held together by a bracing system.

[0026] The present disclosure further relates to a transport and storage system comprising a storage rack as previously described, and at least one vehicle comprising a chassis, carrying climbing means, comprising one or more motorized toothed wheels configured to ensure the movement of the vehicle along the uprights of the floating interface devices of the storage rack, when ascending or descending by transforming a rotational movement of the toothed wheel(s) into a translational movement of the vehicle along the uprights by the meshing of the teeth of the toothed wheel on the toothed face of the rack of each floating interface device.

[0027] According to an improvement of the transport and storage system described above, the storage rack is configured to support a plurality of receptacles, said storage rack comprising a plurality of pairs of mechanical interfaces which are fixed to the uprights of the floating interface devices, distributed along the height of the rack to form several storage cells, each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising: - a first interface fixed to at least two uprights of the vertical structure, cantilevered from the two uprights - a second interface fixed to at least two other uprights of the vertical structure, cantilevered from the two other uprights and wherein support portions of the first interface and the second interface are oriented toward each other in cantilevered manner of the uprights, configured to provide support for a receptacle supported by the two support portions of the two interfaces on both sides of the receptacle, and wherein the vehicle includes a deployable loading / unloading system configured to: - load a receptacle from a first retracted position above the chassis to a second deployed position for which the receptacle is simultaneously supported on the first interface and the second interface, or - extract a receptacle from the second position resting on the first interface and the second interface of a pair of interfaces and load it into the first retracted position.

[0028] According to an improvement, the vehicle comprises a disengaging mechanism configured to move the toothed wheel(s) of the climbing means of the vehicle from an engaged position for which the first teeth of the rack and the second teeth of the toothed wheel are engaged, to a disengaged position for which the toothed wheel(s) carrying the second teeth, on the one hand, the rack, on the other hand, are separated with escapement of the teeth of the rack from the toothed wheel and in which the vehicle comprises means for rolling on a horizontal surface, allowing the vehicle to move on the horizontal surface in said disengaged position, once the vehicle is separated from the floating interface device of the storage rack.

[0029] According to an improvement, the toothed wheel is articulated along the axis of rotation on a support of the vehicle, and the vehicle is equipped with a guidance system comprising a guidance member, such as a support roller, or a sliding pad, cooperating with a guide wall of said upright of said floating interface device, and in which the guidance system is configured so that the cooperation of the guidance member against the guide wall ensures that the first teeth of said at least one rack and the second teeth of the toothed wheel are kept engaged.

[0030] The present disclosure also relates to a method of mounting a floating interface device as previously described, or belonging to a storage rack or to a transport and storage system as previously described, the method comprising the following steps: - engagement of said attachment member of a first section among said at least two floating sections with said attachment interface of the vertical upright, and sliding of the first section downwards until it stops against the ground, or against a fixed part of the upright, or against a part fixed to the upright; - engaging said attachment member of a second section among said at least two floating sections above the first section, with said attachment interface of the vertical upright, and sliding the second section downwards until it stops against said first section.

[0031] According to an improvement, when the floating interface device comprises a lower base, the mounting method comprises a first preliminary step of fixing the lower base to the upright, the step of engaging said attachment member of a first section comprising sliding the first section downwards until the first section abuts against the lower base. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l

[0033] [Fig.l] shows an amount equipped with a rack according to one embodiment, in cooperation with a climbing means of a vehicle. Fig. 2

[0034] [Fig.2] shows a detail of a floating interface device in the mounting position according to one embodiment. Fig. 3

[0035] [Fig.3] shows an XY sectional view of a floating interface device according to one embodiment. Fig. 4

[0036] [Fig.4] shows in detail a floating interface device in the mounted position, according to one embodiment. Fig. 5

[0037] [Fig.5] shows a detail of one embodiment of the floating interface device. Fig. 6

[0038] [Fig.6] shows an XY sectional view of one embodiment, in the mounted position. Fig. 7

[0039] [Fig.7] shows an XY sectional view of one embodiment, in the mounting position. Fig. 8

[0040] [Fig.8] shows an assembly between two floating sections according to one embodiment. Fig. 9

[0041] [Fig.9] shows another view of an assembly between two floating sections according to one embodiment. Fig. 10

[0042] [Fig. 10] shows an adjustable fixing system for a base according to one embodiment. Fig. 11

[0043] [Fig. 11] shows a storage rack according to one embodiment. Description of the embodiments

[0044] Reference is now made to [Fig. 1], which shows a vertical upright M having the function of participating in the structure of a storage rack, which is intended to receive and store receptacles containing articles or objects. The upright M is further configured to allow the ascent of a vehicle V equipped with one or more climbing means 6 visible in the figure (the vehicle is not shown). To this end, the upright M is equipped with a rack 4 which has a toothed surface 5 configured to cooperate with a toothed wheel RD of the climbing means.

[0045] We define an orthogonal reference frame X, Y, Z, in which the vertical direction Z corresponds to the direction of elongation of an amount M, and the two directions X and Y form a plane normal to the amount M.

[0046] In the case of use in an automated warehouse, the vehicle V is configured to, upon approaching the rack 4 by horizontal movement, for example on the ground, engage its toothed wheel RD on the toothed surface 5 of the rack 4 to initiate a vertical movement along the upright M, and thus retrieve a receptacle stored on the storage rack. The vehicle has rolling means for performing horizontal movements, for example on the ground, or a structure extending horizontally, in a plane normal to an upright M of a storage rack.

[0047] Still with reference to [Fig.l], for the reasons detailed above, the rack 4 comprises at least two sections 41, 42, which may be substantially identical. Each section comprises a portion of the toothed surface 5 of the rack 4 so that it remains continuous from one section to the other, and each section has means for mounting on the upright M.

[0048] According to an improvement, each floating section 41, 42 can be made of a plastic material, by molding. Each section 41, 42 as well as the toothed surface 5 can form a single piece.

[0049] Indeed, the upright M may comprise one or more attachment interfaces 3, and each section may comprise one or more attachment members 7, which are configured to cooperate with one or more attachment interfaces of the upright M to form a sliding connection in a vertical direction Z, between each floating section 41, 42 and the upright M.

[0050] The function of such mounting means is to block, or at least to limit the movements in the X and Y directions of the floating sections 41, 42 relative to the upright M, while allowing the vertical translation of the sections by a connection slide in the Z direction along the upright M. This translation may or may not be limited in space, in particular by the dimensioning of the attachment interfaces 3 or the attachment members 7, according to different embodiments. The vertical translational travel may be, for example, of the order of 40 mm.

[0051] The vertical translation of the floating sections 41, 42 remaining permitted once mounted on the upright M, these can be stacked on top of each other, subject to providing a fixed part at the lower end of the stack, for example the ground, or a fixed structure on which the upright is fixed, or even a fixed part integral with the upright which can act as a stop, or even a fixed added part on the upright, such as a lower base 8 which can, in a particular embodiment, have design features to allow and / or facilitate the gearing of the toothed wheel RD on the toothed surface 5 of the rack 4.

[0052] This “floating” configuration permitted by the sliding connection therefore allows the sections to rest against each other by the simple action of gravity, and thus to cancel the vertical functional clearance J between each pair of sections, whatever the amplitude of the manufacturing dispersion of the different parts or their expansion with respect to the temperature and / or ambient humidity. The “floating” design guarantees such cancellation of the functional clearance, in particular during operation of the rack, over time in order to take into account variations in expansion of the parts, in particular due to changes in temperature, and / or variations in swelling in particular due to variations in humidity.

[0053] Indeed, [Fig.2] to 4 show a first embodiment of a floating interface device according to the present disclosure.

[0054] Each section may comprise at least one attachment member 7 comprising a rod 71 which can extend horizontally, projecting, for example in the direction X, from the floating section 41, 42, the attachment member may also comprise an enlarged head 72. Said head is said to be “enlarged” in the sense that it has at least one radial dimension which is greater relative to the axis X than the same dimension at the rod. In other words, the enlarged head, at its junction with the rod, forms at least one protuberance in a direction radial to the direction of elongation of the rod. According to one embodiment, the attachment member is integral with the section.

[0055] On the other hand, each upright M may comprise a hooking interface comprising a vertical slot 31, which may extend in a substantially rectilinear manner along the direction Z, the slot comprising at least one widened portion 32. The portion is said to be “widened” in the sense that it has a width, when measured in a direction normal to the direction of elongation of the slot, greater than that of the slot.

[0056] The amount M may comprise two flat longitudinal parts which can be derived of two opposite folds in the direction of elongation of the upright M to form surfaces for receiving the hooking interfaces 3. The hooking interfaces can be obtained, for example, by punching or by laser or water jet cutting in these flat receiving surfaces.

[0057] Each enlarged head 72 is sized to fit into each slot 31 by their enlarged portion 32, each enlarged portion 32 being larger than each enlarged head 72, and each slot being of smaller width than each enlarged head 72, or than the protuberance formed by each enlarged head 72. In this way, the enlarged head being inserted into the slot, the floating section 41, 42 can slide downwards in a vertical direction Z along the slot, the rod and the enlarged head making it possible to block the movements of the section in the X and Y directions, while leaving free vertical translation along the slot.

[0058] Each slot can be positioned and sized on the upright so that it can easily receive the attachment members of each section. For example, in the case where a section 41, 42 comprises two pairs of two attachment members 7 one above the other, the widened parts 32 of the slots 31 will be spaced on the upright by the same distance as the attachment members, so that they are easily brought opposite the widened parts of the slots for insertion therein. In another example, it is also possible to provide that one pair of attachment members 7 is first inserted into a pair of slots, then that one uses the translation to bring the other pair of attachment members 7 opposite the widened parts of another pair of slots.

[0059] In addition, the stroke of each slot may be sized to allow a vertical translation stroke sufficient to bring a second section into abutment on a first section already positioned. In other words, each slot may be large enough for a second section 42, which translates downwards to join a first section 41, to come into abutment on the first section 41 before abutting against the lower end of the slot 31, and thus prevent unwanted play from being created between two sections 41, 42 and therefore between two portions of toothed surface 5 of rack 4. The length of the slot may typically be between 40 mm and 60 mm.

[0060] Or again, if it is a first section to be positioned, each slot may be sized to allow a vertical translation stroke sufficient to bring this first section into abutment against the ground, or against a fixed part of the upright M, or even against a separate part fixed to the upright, for example a lower base 8.

[0061] Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the floating interface device according to the present disclosure.

[0062] The at least one attachment interface 3 of the upright may comprise a vertical rail 33, the latter may comprise at least two lateral projecting parts 34 which extend on either side of the upright M. The two lateral projections 34 may be integral with the vertical rail 33, the latter may itself be integral with the upright M, the whole being able for example to be formed by a metal profile. The two lateral projections may be the result of a bend in the direction of elongation of the upright M to form two opposite planar longitudinal parts, in a plane YZ, and which move away from each other in a transverse direction Y.

[0063] The at least one attachment member 7, on each section, may comprise two internal grooves 73, parallel, typically facing each other. Advantageously, the number of internal grooves 73 and the number of lateral projections 34 are equal. The two grooves 73 are advantageously hollowed out in the section, but may also be obtained by adding one or more complementary parts on the section 41, 42. The two internal grooves 73 are configured to receive the two lateral projections 34 of the vertical rail 33.

[0064] Advantageously, if there are two lateral projections 34 on either side of the vertical rail 33, there are then two opposite internal grooves 73 on the section 41, 42, configured so that the section can be slid onto the upright by cooperation between the grooves of the section and the lateral projections of the vertical rail of the upright.

[0065] By cooperation between the grooves of the section and the lateral projections of the vertical rail of the upright, a sliding connection is then obtained, in the direction of elongation of the upright M in the vertical direction Z. This sliding connection makes it possible to maintain translational mobility in the vertical direction Z of the section, while preventing any other movement, in particular in X and Y directions of the section. In this way, a first section can be made to slide downwards to a stop element such as the ground, or a fixed part of the upright M, or even a separate part fixed to the upright, for example a lower base 8. A second upright can then be made to slide downwards until it comes into abutment on the first section already positioned.

[0066] In this case, in order to be able to make the grooves cooperate with the lateral projections, it is necessary to slide the section from one end, in particular the upper end of the lateral rail and slide it downwards to the stop element.

[0067] This operating method may present practical drawbacks linked to the height of the amount, since it requires, for all the floating sections, and in particular for the very first sections: - insert the two lateral projections 34 of the vertical rail 33 into the grooves 33 of the section, at the upper end of the rail, then - slide the different floating sections of this upper end until they stop.

[0068] This is why, in a particular embodiment, each section may comprise two parts 411, 412 configured to assemble together, the sliding connection being formed by the assembly of the two parts around the vertical rail 33. The two lateral projections 34 may be penetrated into the two grooves 33 of the section during assembly, and typically regardless of the height position of the section following the height of the vertical rail 33.

[0069] According to a particular embodiment, each of the two parts can represent one half of the amount, when the latter is divided in its length, along the toothed surface 5. The two parts are advantageously identical. It is understood by "identical" that they could come from the same mold. Such a characteristic is economically advantageous for their manufacturing process, as well as to avoid assembly errors, which always remain inevitable when handling two different parts. Each part can comprise in particular one of the two internal grooves 73, and the two parts comprise assembly means, for example clips and associated notches, and are configured to assemble by bringing one towards the other in the transverse direction Y.

[0070] Generally, each part may comprise a portion of the toothed surface 5 of the rack 4, when viewed along the width direction of the teeth of the toothed surface 5, with a first portion of the toothed surface 5 of the rack, (for example a first half) on a first part and a second portion of the toothed surface 5 (for example a second half) on a second part. Once the two parts 411, 412 of the floating section 41, 42 are assembled to each other, the first portion of the toothed surface and the second portion of the toothed surface of the rack extend along the transverse direction to reconstitute the rack teeth. This assembly “around” the vertical rail comprising the lateral projections 34 allows the two internal grooves 73 to engage on the lateral projections 34.The blocking of the two parts by the assembly means then makes it possible to form the means of guiding the section 41, 42 in translation.

[0071] Such a two-part embodiment makes it possible to mount the sections at any height of the vertical rail 33, without necessarily having to slide the section 41, 42 through one end of the vertical rail 33. This facilitates mounting, in particular on significant heights of vertical rails 33.

[0072] A floating interface device according to the present disclosure makes it possible, by allowing the action of gravity, to cancel the vertical clearances between each pair of superimposed sections 41, 42. But if the own weight of each section is sufficient to cancel this clearance, it is possible that in the event of an upward stress, two sections move away from each other. Such a stress may come from the movement of a vehicle along the rack 4, which may induce an upward force on a section, for example the action of its own climbing means. This can harm the stability of vehicles that will subsequently travel on this section, but also lead to an increase in noise volume when vehicles pass over the section, or finally cause vibrations that could alter the structure of the rack in its entirety.

[0073] Thus, an embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 is provided in which each floating section may comprise one or more coupling means, for example fixing clips 10 and notches 11, configured to cooperate with each other to limit the distance of a first section relative to a second. We only speak of limitation because, for functional reasons of assembly, there may remain a functional clearance between the stop surface of the clip and the corresponding notch. The distance of one section relative to the other may therefore be limited to the size of this clearance.

[0074] These coupling means may be made in one piece with the section, and molded with it.

[0075] It is also possible, according to a particular embodiment, for the coupling means to comprise clamping means without operating play, for example by plastic or elastic deformation, to completely block the relative distance of one section from another.

[0076] According to one embodiment, each section may comprise: - At its lower end, at least one notch, - At its upper end, at least one clip, so that a first section can accommodate the at least one clip of a second section which could be brought against it from above.

[0077] In order to be able to control the lateral play between two superimposed sections, it may be provided, according to an embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, that the floating sections 41, 42 comprise one or more protrusions 12 and one or more counterforms 13, the at least one protrusion 12 of a first floating section 41 being configured to be inserted into the at least one counterform of a second section 42 when they are stacked on top of each other. These protrusions and counterforms comprise lateral functional surfaces, that is to say planes normal to the lateral direction Y, configured to come into contact with each other in the event of lateral movement, so as to limit the relative movement between the sections in this direction. In the same way as for the coupling means, the movement may be limited to the functional play.The clips 12 and counterforms 13 can be arranged on the section, on either side of the teeth of the rack in the transverse direction Y.

[0078] According to one embodiment, these protuberances and counterforms are made in one piece with the section, and are molded with it.

[0079] Still with reference to Figures 8 and 9, according to one embodiment, two lateral shoulders 43, 44 may be provided on either side of the toothed surface 5, each forming a guide track 45, 46, configured to cooperate with a lateral guide means of the vehicle V, for example a roller or a guide shoe coming into contact with the guide track 45, 46, for example by rolling. Such guide means contribute in particular to the proper maintenance of the vehicle during its movement along the rack, as well as in the event of the rack being shared by two vehicles. It is indeed possible for two vehicles to move on the same rack, each using their own climbing and guiding means.In a particular embodiment, the toothed wheels RD of each climbing means 6 of each vehicle occupy a first and a second part of the toothed surface 5, the two parts being separated by a wall 47 participating in the guidance of the toothed wheels. Such a wall 47 can for example extend in the direction of elongation of the sections 41, 42, and divide the rack 4 into two rack parts side by side, which can each be used by a separate vehicle V.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the contact between two sections 41, 42 can be made by a flat support at their ends, produced by a single first surface 14 of a first section 41 and a single second surface 15 of a second section 42. Any other surface of the first and second sections 41, 42 which are opposite each other once they are stacked, then produce a functional clearance between the two sections 41, 42. The first surface 14 and the second surface 15 can correspond to flat surfaces formed at the ends of a portion of the section serving as a base for the toothed surface 5 of the sections. The first surface 14 and the second surface 15 of each section can extend, at most, over the width of the teeth when seen in the transverse direction, for example from one lateral shoulder 43, 44 to the other.

[0081] To this end, according to one embodiment, the first 14 and second 15 surfaces can then project from the end of their corresponding section, for example made on a relief arranged at the end of each section (visible in Figures 8 and 9). In this way, a first section 41 will rest by gravity on the second section 42 by a plane contact between the first 14 and second 15 surfaces, while leaving a functional clearance between the other surrounding surfaces of the two ends. In the case where the first and second sections have coupling means such as clips and notches, and / or protuberances and counterforms, these surrounding surfaces can be the surfaces at the base of these elements, from which they are made. These surrounding surfaces can in particular be the surfaces at the end of the lateral shoulders 43, 44.

[0082] According to one embodiment, when each floating section 41, 42 comprises two lateral shoulders 43, 44 which each form a guide track 45, 46 configured to cooperate with a lateral guide means of the vehicle V, each lateral shoulder 43, 44 comprises at one end an end surface S intersecting a direction of elongation of the floating section 41, 42. When two sections 41, 42 are stacked, and are in contact by plane support on a functional surface provided for this purpose, the end surfaces S of the two lateral shoulders of the two successive sections are then opposite each other and separated by a clearance. The guide track 45, 46 formed by these shoulders is then locally discontinuous. Such a clearance can cause a jump of a lateral guide means configured to remain in contact with this guide track.It may be provided according to one embodiment that said end surface S is inclined relative to a plane XY normal to the direction of elongation of the section 41, 42 so that one end of the guide track 45, 46 comprises a bevel, i.e. a biased edge, which forms an edge which is not perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the guide track. Thus, such a bevel has the effect of allowing the lateral guide means, which may have a width substantially equal to that of the track, or at least greater than the width of the clearance between two guide tracks, to always maintain contact with a surface of a guide track to avoid creating a “jump” of the lateral guide means, for example if it had to cross a clearance arranged perpendicular to its advance path.

[0083] According to a particular embodiment shown in [Fig. 10], the lower base 8, which can constitute the lower end of the rack 4, on which the first floating section can rest, comprises a height-adjustable fixing system 81 on the vertical upright M. The attachment interfaces 7 on the upright M being arranged at determined heights, it may be impossible to mount a section depending on the size of these and their stacking, which, at a certain height, may no longer coincide with the intended attachment interface. The size of the sections may in particular vary depending on the manufacturing dispersion of the parts. Such a possibility of adjusting the lower base 8 makes it possible to adjust the height of the stack in order, if necessary, to raise or lower it to make the attachment members of the section coincide with a corresponding attachment interface.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the adjustable fixing system 81 of the lower base 8 may comprise an oblong orifice 82, for example a through orifice and made on the upright M by punching or by laser or water jet cutting, the elongation direction of which is vertical along the upright M, as well as an adjustment rod 83 projecting horizontally from the lower base 8, the adjustment rod 83 being configured to be inserted and slide vertically in the oblong orifice 82. The adjustment rod 83 may also comprise a clamping means 84 making it possible to block at a determined height the vertical translational movement of the base 8 along the orifice oblong.

[0085] Such tightening can for example be obtained by cooperation between a nut, of a larger dimension than the oblong orifice, and a threaded surface on the adjustment rod 83, the screwing of the nut making it possible to exert a tightening pressure at a determined height between the lower base 8 and the upright M to make them integral with each other. Such a solution is thus removable and reusable. It is for example possible to unscrew the nut to restore its vertical mobility to the lower base 8 and to readjust the height adjustment.

[0086] The lower base 8 may have particular shapes and functions that differentiate it from the floating sections. For example, it may be made of a different material, and / or be reinforced by its dimensions since its function may be to provide the “attack” point for the vehicle and its climbing means. To this end, it may have particular arrangements to enable the vehicle to secure and stabilize its engagement, for example by lateral openings allowing counter-support means, such as rolling rollers, to pass through at the rear of the upright, or any other means provided to improve the transition of the vehicle to a vertical movement along the upright.

[0087] Furthermore, the lower base 8 may be a section similar to those which form the vertical stack to form the rack. This may, in a particular embodiment, have fixing means to be fixedly mounted on the upright, in a “non-floating” manner, that is to say without any movement being permitted, including vertical translation. For example, such fixing means may be clips, screws, or any other means known to those skilled in the art.

[0088] The present disclosure also relates to a storage rack RK, shown in [Fig.l 1], comprising one or more floating interface devices as described above. Such a storage rack RK may comprise a vertical structure comprising several uprights M extending vertically, parallel to each other, and held together by a bracing system. The bracing system may comprise connecting crosspieces between the uprights, bracing, or the like.

[0089] The present disclosure also relates to a transport and storage system comprising such a storage rack RK and at least one vehicle V comprising a chassis, carrying climbing means 6, comprising one or more motorized toothed wheels RD configured to ensure the movement of the vehicle V along the uprights M of the floating interface devices of the storage rack RK, when climbing or descending by transforming a rotational movement of the toothed wheel(s) RD into a vertical translational movement of the vehicle V along the uprights M by the meshing of the teeth of the toothed wheel RD on the toothed face 5 of the rack 4 of each floating interface device 1.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the storage rack RK can be configured to support a plurality of receptacles RC, the storage rack RK comprising a plurality of pairs of mechanical interfaces which are fixed to the uprights M of the floating interface devices 1, distributed along the height of the rack RK to form several storage cells, each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising: - a first interface ITA fixed to at least two uprights M of the vertical structure, cantilevered from the two uprights - a second ITB interface fixed to at least two other uprights M of the vertical structure, cantilevered from the other two uprights and wherein support portions of the first ITA interface and the second ITB interface are oriented towards each other in cantilever of the uprights, configured to provide support for an RC receptacle supported by the two support portions of the two interfaces on both sides of the receptacle, and wherein the vehicle V comprises a deployable loading / unloading system configured to: - Load a receptacle from a first retracted position above the chassis to a second deployed position for which the receptacle is simultaneously supported on the first interface and the second interface, or - Extract a receptacle from the second position resting on the first interface and the second interface of a pair of interfaces and load it into the first retracted position.

[0091] The vehicle V, in such a transport and storage system, may comprise a disengagement mechanism configured to move the toothed wheel(s) RD of the climbing means 6 of the vehicle from an engaged position for which first teeth of the rack 4 and second teeth of the toothed wheel RD are engaged, to a disengaged position for which the toothed wheel RD or the toothed wheels RD carrying the second teeth on the one hand, the rack 4 on the other hand, are separated with escapement of the teeth of the rack from the toothed wheel and in which the vehicle V comprises means for rolling on a horizontal surface, allowing the movement of the vehicle V on the horizontal surface in said disengaged position, once the vehicle V is separated from the floating interface device 1 of the storage rack RK.

[0092] The toothed wheel RD can be articulated along an axis of rotation on a support of the vehicle V, and in which the vehicle V is equipped with a guidance system comprising a guidance member, such as a support roller, or a sliding pad, cooperating with a guide wall of the upright M of the floating interface device 1, and in which the guidance system is configured so that the cooperation of the guidance member against the guidance wall ensures that the first teeth of said at least one rack 4 and the second teeth of the toothed wheel RD. The lower base 8 may include openings allowing the guide member to pass through and thus allow it to perform, at the rear of the upright, its counter-support function.

[0093] The present disclosure also relates to a method for mounting a floating interface device 1 as described above, or belonging to a storage rack RK or to a transport system as described above, the method comprising the following steps: - engagement of said attachment member 7 of a first section 41 among said at least two floating sections 41, 42 with said attachment interface 3 of the vertical upright, and sliding of the first section 41 downwards until it stops against the ground, or against a fixed part of the upright M, or against a part fixed to the upright M; - engaging said attachment member 7 of a second section 42 among said at least two floating sections 41, 42 above the first section 41, with said attachment interface 3 of the vertical upright M, and sliding the second section 42 downwards until it stops against said first section 4L

[0094] When the first and second floating sections 41, 42 comprise coupling means, the method may comprise a final step of bringing the coupling means of the first and second floating sections 41, 42 into cooperation. For example, if they are clips and notches, it may comprise a final step of snapping the clips into the notches to limit the relative distance of the two sections 41, 42.

[0095] According to a particular embodiment, in particular when the floating interface device 1 comprises a lower base 8, the assembly method may comprise a first preliminary step of fixing the lower base 8 to the upright M, and in which the step of engaging said attachment member 7 of a first section 41 comprises sliding the first section 41 downwards until the first section 41 abuts against the lower base 8. Industrial application

[0096] The present technical solutions can be applied in particular to systems for transporting and storing articles in automated warehouses, in particular equipped with vehicles capable of climbing vertically onto storage racks to search for and pick up stored articles. List of reference signs

[0097] - 1: Device - 3: Hook interface - 4: Vertical rack - 5: Toothed surface - 6: Climbing methods - 7: Hanging organ - 8: Lower base - 10: Fixing clips -11: Notches - 12: Protuberances - 13: Counterform - 14: First surface - 15: Second surface -31: Vertical slit - 32: Extended part - 33: Vertical rail - 34: Lateral projection - 41: First floating section - 42: Second floating section - 43, 44: Lateral shoulders - 45, 46: Guide tracks - 47: Wall - 71: Stem - 72: Enlarged head - 73: Inner groove - 81: Adjustable fixing system 82: Oblong orifice - 83: Adjusting rod - 84: Clamping means - 411, 412: Two parts - ITA: First interface - ITB: Second interface - RK: Storage rack - RD: Gear wheel - M: Amount - S: End surface - J: Vertical functional clearance between two sections - V: Vehicle

Claims

1.

2.

3. Claims Floating interface device (1) intended to allow the ascent of a vehicle (V) along a storage device, such as a storage rack, the interface device (1) comprising: - A vertical amount (M) having at least one hanging interface (3), - A vertical rack (4) comprising at least two floating rack sections (41, 42) stacked vertically on top of each other, the rack (4) having a toothed face (5) continuous from one section to the other, and being configured to cooperate with climbing means (6) of a vehicle (V), each floating rack section (41, 42) comprising at least one attachment member (7), and wherein said hooking interface (3) and said hooking member (7) comprise guide means forming a sliding connection between said section and the vertical upright, and making it possible to hold the floating sections (41, 42) against the vertical upright (M) while allowing free vertical movement of the floating sections (41, 42) so as to cancel the vertical play (J) between them, the floating sections (41, 42) then being in contact with each other to form a vertical stack, said stack resting by the action of gravity on the ground or on a fixed part of the upright (M), or on a separate part fixed to the upright (M). Floating interface device (1) according to the preceding claim in which said stack of floating sections (41, 42) rests by the action of gravity on a lower base (8) fixedly mounted on the upright (M). A floating interface device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein: - the at least one attachment interface (3) of the upright comprises a vertical slot (31) comprising a widened part (32), - and the at least one attachment member (7) comprises a rod (71) extending in horizontal projection from a floating section (41, 42) and comprising at its end an enlarged head (72), each enlarged head (72) being configured to fit into the enlarged portion (32) of each vertical slot (31) and each rod (71) being configured to slide vertically along each slot (31), the enlarged head (72) having a dimension wider than the slot (31) and making it possible to hold the rack section (41, 42) against the upright (2) while leaving its vertical movement free along the slot (31) according to a limited stroke permitted by the slot (31).

4. Floating interface device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: - the at least one attachment interface (3) of the upright comprises a vertical rail (33) having two lateral projections (34) extending on either side of the upright (M), - and the at least one attachment member (7) comprises a pair of two internal grooves (73) hollowed out in the section, the grooves (73) being configured to accommodate each of the two lateral projections (34), the cooperation between the two lateral projections (34) and the two internal grooves (73) making it possible to hold the floating section (41, 42) against the upright (2) while allowing its vertical movement along the rail (33) to be free.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, in which each floating section (41, 42) comprises two parts (411, 412) configured to assemble together, each part (411, 412) comprising one of the two internal grooves (73), the assembly of the two parts (411, 412) together around the vertical rail (33) allowing the two internal grooves (73) to engage on the two lateral projections (34) of the vertical rail (33) and thus form the means for guiding in translation each floating section (41, 42) on the vertical upright (M).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating sections (41, 42) comprise one or more fixing clips (10) and one or more notches (11), the at least one clip (10) of a first section (41) being configured to fit into the at least one notch (11) of a second section (42) when they are stacked on top of each other.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the floating sections (41, 42) comprise one or more protuberances (12) and one or more counterforms (13), the at least one protrusion (12) of a first rack section (41) being configured to fit into the at least one counterform (13) of a second section (42) when they are stacked on top of each other.

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which the floating sections (41, 42) are made of plastic, and are obtained by molding.

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the rack sections (41, 42) are stacked on top of each other by a plane contact between a single first surface (14) of a first section (41) and another single second surface (15) of a second section (42).

10. Device (1) according to claim 2 alone or taken in combination with one of claims 3 to 9 in which the lower base (8) comprises a height-adjustable fixing system (81) on the vertical upright (M).

11. Device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the adjustable fixing system (81) of the base (8) comprises an oblong orifice (82) on the vertical upright (M), and an adjustment rod (83) on the base (8) configured to be inserted and slide vertically in the oblong orifice (82), the adjustment rod (83) comprising a clamping means (84) making it possible to block the vertical movement of the base (8) relative to the vertical upright (M) at a determined height.

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 in combination with claim 2, wherein said lower base (8) is formed by the last section at the lower end of the stack of floating sections (41, 42) which form the vertical rack (4), said last section being a section fixed relative to the upright, and on which the toothed face (5) of the rack (4) extends continuously.

13. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which each floating section (41, 42) comprises two lateral shoulders (43, 44) which each form a guide track (45, 46) configured to cooperate with a lateral guide means of the vehicle (V), each lateral shoulder (43, 44) comprises at one end an end surface (S) intersecting a direction of elongation of the floating section (41, 42), said end surface (S) being inclined relative to an XY plane normal to the direction of elongation of the floating section (41, 42) of such that one end of the guide track (45, 46) comprises a bevel.

14. Storage rack (RK) comprising one or more floating interface devices according to one of claims 1 to 13, said vertical upright(s) (M) of the one or more floating interface devices extending parallel to each other, and being held together by a bracing system.

15. Transport and storage system comprising a storage rack (RK) according to claim 14 and at least one vehicle (V) comprising a chassis, carrying climbing means (6), comprising one or more motorized toothed wheels configured to ensure the movement of the vehicle along the uprights (M) of the floating interface devices of the storage rack (RK), when ascending or descending by transforming a rotational movement of the toothed wheel(s) (RD) into a translational movement of the vehicle (V) along the uprights (M by the meshing of the teeth (D2) of the toothed wheel (RD) on the toothed face (5) of the rack (4) of each floating interface device.

16. A transport and storage system according to claim 15, wherein the storage rack (RK) is configured to support a plurality of receptacles (RC), said storage rack (RK) comprising a plurality of pairs of mechanical interfaces which are fixed to the uprights (M) of the floating interface devices, distributed along the height of the rack (RK) to form several storage cells, each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising: - a first interface (ITA) fixed to at least two uprights (M) of the vertical structure, cantilevered from the two uprights - a second interface (ITB) fixed to at least two other uprights (M) of the vertical structure, cantilevered from the other two uprights and in which support portions of the first interface (ITA) and the second interface (ITB) are oriented towards each other cantilevered from the uprights,configured to provide support for a receptacle (RC) supported by the two support portions of the two interfaces on both sides of the receptacle, and wherein the vehicle (V) comprises a, deployable loading / unloading system configured to: - load a receptacle from a first retracted position above the chassis to a second deployed position for which the receptacle is simultaneously supported on the first interface and the second interface, or - extract a receptacle from the second position supported on the first interface and the second interface of a pair of interfaces and load it in the first retracted position.

17. A transport and storage system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the vehicle (V) comprises a disengagement mechanism configured to move the toothed wheel(s) (RD) of the climbing means (6) of the vehicle from an engaged position for which the first teeth (D1) of the rack and the second teeth (D2) of the toothed wheel (RD) are engaged, to a disengaged position for which the toothed wheel (RD) or the toothed wheels (RD) carrying the second teeth (D2), on the one hand, the rack, on the other hand, are separated with escapement of the teeth of the rack from the toothed wheel and wherein the vehicle (V) comprises rolling means (Ro) on a horizontal surface, allowing the movement of the vehicle (V) on the horizontal surface in said disengaged position, once the vehicle (V) is separated from the floating interface device of the storage rack (RK).

18. Transport and storage system according to one of claims 15 to 17, in which the toothed wheel (RD) is articulated along the axis of rotation (AR) on a support (S) of the vehicle (V), and in which the vehicle (V) is equipped with a guidance system comprising a guidance member (OG), such as a support roller, or a sliding pad, cooperating with a guide wall (PG) of said upright of said floating interface device, and in which the guidance system is configured so that the cooperation of the guidance member (OG) against the guide wall (PG) ensures a holding in engagement between the first teeth (D1) of said at least one rack and the second teeth (D2) of the toothed wheel (RD).

19. Method for mounting a floating interface device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, or belonging to a storage rack (RK) according to claim 14 or belonging to a transport system according to one of claims 15 to 18, the method comprising the steps following: - engagement of said attachment member (7) of a first section (41) among said at least two floating sections (41, 42) with said attachment interface (3) of the vertical upright, and sliding of the first section (41) downwards until it stops against the ground, or against a fixed part of the upright (M), or against a part fixed to the upright (M); - engaging said attachment member (7) of a second section (42) among said at least two floating sections (41, 42) above the first section (41), with said attachment interface (3) of the vertical upright (M), and sliding of the second section (42) downwards until it stops against said first section (41).

20. Mounting method according to the preceding claim, in which the floating interface device (1) is according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in combination with claim 2, comprising a first preliminary step of fixing the lower base (8) to the upright (M), and in which the step of engaging said attachment member (7) of a first section (41) comprises sliding the first section (41) downwards until the first section (41) stops against the lower base (8).

Images