Supports: cabinet structure – Removal facilitating magazine type – Stacked article type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-09-25
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
Removal facilitating magazine type
Stacked article type
C312S035000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293635
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to an exchangeable item magazine for a storage shelf comprising two side walls interconnected via webs, superimposed items being stacked therebetween, the side walls including lower-inwardly angled end sections for supporting the item stack.
A magazine of this type is known from DE 42 25 041 A1. This magazine is used in commissioning devices and is provided for storing items of the same type, such as sound carriers, books, boxes or the like, and is adapted to the dimensions thereof. Thus, a specific magazine must be used for respective items of different dimensions, whereby, disadvantageously, a corresponding number of different magazines is required or has to be kept on stock.
The invention has as its object to provide a magazine of the initially defined type, which can quickly and simply be adapted to the dimensions of different items.
In a magazine of the afore-mentioned type, this object is achieved in that the mutual distance of the side walls is adapteable to the width of the items by aid of the webs and that at least on one side wall, at least one guide rail extending in parallel to the side walls and capable of engaging the item stack over the height thereof is mounted to be displaceable in the direction of the depth of the item. In this manner, the magazine can quickly be adapted to the dimensions of the items. Thus it is also possible in an advantageous manner that the items are filled into the magazines already at the producer's, and the filled magazines then are delivered or can be stored ready for delivery at any time, only a small number of differently sized magazines (e.g. only two different sizes) being required.
It is also advantageous if a guide ledge is arranged within the guide rail so as to be displaceable in direction of the height of the items. Thus it is also possible to quickly define the height of a discharge opening formed by the guide ledge and provided for the lowermost item by means of the displaceable guide ledge or adapt it to the height of the items, respectively.
A particularly suitable and simple connection between the side walls consists in that the webs are releasably connected with at least one side wall. This also allows for a quick assembly of the magazine.
To adapt the magazine to the width of the items, an advantageous embodiment consists in that the webs have pre-determined breaking points transversely to their longitudinal direction so as to obtain different lengths thereof, whereby a targeted breaking down of the webs to a pre-determined length is enabled.
A particularly suitable, stable, breaking-resistant embodiment of the webs can be obtained by making the webs of glass-fiber-reinforced plastics material; preferably, the webs have V-shaped notches as pre-determined breaking points on at least one flat side thereof, so that then nevertheless the webs may simply be broken to length without the aid of a tool.
To connect the webs with the side walls in a stable manner, it is provided for the webs to have indentations which can form a positive connection with corresponding projections provided on the side walls.
It has proven particularly suitable if the projections are formed within hollow sections at the side walls into which the webs are insertable and fixable, and if the webs are fixable in the hollow section by means of a wedge. By this embodiment, a structurally stable assembly of the magazine is attained.
To allow for a rapid adaptation of the magazine to the depth of the items, it is advantageous if the guide rail is connected with the (respective) side wall via a snap connection.
In this respect, an advantageous embodiment consists in that pins attached to the guide rail are provided as snap connections, which are each capable of being snapped into a respective indentation of several rows of corresponding indentations provided in the side wall. By this sunk arrangement of the indentations in the side wall the risk of damaging the package of the item or the item itself by projecting parts is eliminated.
A structurally simple and suitable arrangement of the indentations can be obtained in that the indentations are formed in ledges which are arranged in holes of the side walls.
To secure the guide rail in its position transversely to the side-walls, it is also advantageous if the pins have a head which is widened in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail.
In a further development of the magazine it is provided that the guide ledge is held in its respective position within the guide rail in positive connection, whereby a discharge opening of precisely defined height is provided for the lowermost item.
According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the guide rail is formed with a generally C-shaped cross-section and comprises a transverse member between its legs which is abutted by the guide ledge and which includes bores to accommodate one or several pin(s) resiliently attached to the guide ledge, whereby the guide ledge is held in positive connection and displaceable within the guide rail and is fixable therein.
It is particularly suitable in this context if the guide ledge comprises a hole in which a resilient tongue is arranged which carries the pin(s) so that the connection between the guide rail and the guide ledge can be released by hand by bending back the resilient tongue.
It has also proven particularly suitable if the guide ledge is angled at its lower end thereby forming an inclined ramp portion. In this manner, the uppermost item is particularly gently aligned in the direction towards discharge when being pushed out of the magazine in case its forward front side should be upright.
It is also advantageous if bristle bundles are attached at the lower end of the guide ledge. In this manner it can be prevented that the items slide out of the magazine automatically, particularly if only a few items are left in the magazine.
For an additional adaptation of the magazine to the width of the items it is advantageously provided that a slide rail extending in parallel to the guide rail is detachably mounted on the side wall in the region of the rear side of the magazine. This makes it possible to either provide a slide rail in each side wall or merely in one side wall or none at all.
For further adapting the magazine to the depth of the items, it is also suitable if, at the rear side of the magazine, an adjustment lever is pivotably mounted on a shaft and fixable in its position.
To facilitate handling of the magazine, it is also advantageous if a handle is attached on at least one side wall.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2272682 (1942-02-01), Srodulski
patent: 3409110 (1968-11-01), Baum
patent: 42 25 041A (1994-02-01), None
patent: 0 165 918 A (1985-12-01), None
patent: 969871 (1964-09-01), None
Cuomo Peter M.
Hansen James O.
Knapp Logistik Automation Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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