Component for a storage system

A cover for a support beam in a storage system includes a plate; an abutment portion extending upwards from the plate; and a guide projection formed on the upper surface of the plate and extending at an angle to the abutment portion. The plate further includes at least one positioning projection formed in a side of the plate and extending along the guide projection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. National Phase application of PCT/GB2019/050170, filed Jan. 22, 2019, which claims priority to Great Britain Patent Application No. 1801047.0, filed Jan. 23, 2018, the disclosures of each of these applications being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an assembly of a storage system. In one aspect, it relates to a cover for mounting on a support beam in stock control systems well-known for use, for example, in manufacturing and medical facilities or as vending machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In typical automated stock control systems, a storage cabinet comprises a plurality of latched drawers held between panels fixed between support beams. Articles to be supplied to users are provided in the drawers or compartments of the drawers. Examples of such articles include cutting tools and the like used with machine tools; other manufacturing tools and components; drugs, needles and other medical items; and legal documents. A control system allows a user to access the required article by unlatching the drawer containing the required article. The drawer is then pulled out from the home position (where no compartments are exposed) to the extent that the compartment containing the article is exposed, when the drawer is latched again to prevent further opening of the drawer.

In a known system, each panel includes a control mechanism for the drawers. The control mechanism on all panels is centrally connected to a system controller by means of cabling. The cabling runs along the surface of the support beams between the panels. At the time of assembly or re-configuring of the system, the panels may be added or moved from one point to another along the support beams. To mount a panel between an upper and a lower support beam, it is necessary to hold the panel above the cabling so that it aligns with engagement extensions provided on the support beams. Once aligned, a screw is inserted through a hole at the top of the panel to fix it to the engagement section in the upper beam and a screw is then inserted at the bottom of the panel to fix it to the bottom support beam. Understandably, this is very fiddly and can lead to the cabling becoming damaged. When there are several beams and several levels of panels within the cabinet, the task of assembling can become cumbersome.

Moreover, as the panels can easily misalign with respect to the support beams during mounting, it is very difficult for a single person to keep them aligned while fixing the screws. Therefore, to carry out the task efficiently, two people are needed in the existing system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to address the problems of the prior art system. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover for a support beam comprising: a plate; an abutment portion extending upwards from the plate; and a guide projection formed on the upper surface of the plate and extending at an angle to the abutment portion.

Advantageously, such a cover when mounted on a support beam in a storage system aids in assembling the storage system by allowing a panel to be fitted between the support beams via the guide projection formed on the cover. Moreover, the cover protects the surface of the support beam from damage during assembly.

Preferably, the plate further comprises at least one positioning projection formed in a side of the plate and extending along the guide projection.

Preferably, the plate further comprises a line of weakness extending along the surface of the plate, between the abutment portion and the guide projection, such that the plate can be broken into two parts along the line of weakness.

Preferably, the plate further comprises a fixing hole formed in the plate adjacent the line of weakness.

Preferably, the plate further comprises at least one engagement protrusion, extending outwards from a side of the plate, adapted to engage with the back of the support beam.

Preferably, the plate further comprises a cabling hole formed in the plate, wherein the cabling hole is adapted to allow a cable with a plug to pass through.

Preferably in that, the plate further comprises a plug socket formed in the plate such that the plug can fit into the plug socket.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising: a panel adapted to be mounted between a first support beam and a second support beam; and the cover as described above adapted to be mounted on the surface of the support beams.

Preferably, the panel is adapted to slide onto the cover mounted on the first support beam along the guide projection such that the top end of the panel abuts the positioning projection formed in the cover mounted on the second support beam; and the panel is further adapted to abut the abutment portion formed in an adjacent cover when the panel is turned in a direction away from the guide projection.

Preferably, the panel comprises engagement extensions adapted to engage with corresponding fixing tabs on the support beams upon turning the panel onto the cover mounted on the first support beam.

Preferably, the panel further comprises a guide block on one side and a support on the other side.

Preferably, the panel is adapted to hold a storage unit between the guide block on one side of the panel and the support on the other side of an adjacent panel.

Preferably, the guide block comprises means for controlling and monitoring the movement of the storage unit.

Preferably in that, the guide block is adapted to connect to a controller through cabling running along the surface of the support beams, and the cover is adapted to cover the cabling on the surface of the support beams.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a support beam comprising: a base plate; at least one abutment portion extending upwards from the base plate; and at least one guide projection formed on the upper surface of the base plate and extending at an angle to the abutment portion.

Preferably, the base plate further comprises at least one positioning projection formed in a side of the base plate and extending along the guide projection.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fixing a panel between a first support beam and a second support beam, the method comprising: mounting one or more covers on the surface of the support beams; sliding the panel along a guide projection, formed in the cover mounted on the first support beam; rotating the panel in a direction away from the guide projection until it abuts an abutment portion formed in an adjacent cover such that engagement extensions formed in the panel aligns with corresponding engagement features formed in the support beams; and fixing the panel to the support beams by fastening means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following specification, the terms front, back, rear, left, right, top, bottom, upper, lower and like terms will be used consistently with the arrangement shown inFIG. 1. In particular, the expression height corresponds to a dimension from top to bottom, width corresponds to a dimension from left to right and depth corresponds to a dimension from front to back. However, it is not limited to this orientation.

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of a storage system1according to the present invention. In the system1, a housing100is provided with a frame comprising a plurality of panels101held upright between a plurality of support beams102extending in the width direction of the housing100. The panels101and the support beams102are positioned such that several drawers (not shown) stacked on top of each other can be held between two adjacent panels101. The system1has a modular design, therefore it can be configured to hold as many drawers of variable size as desired. The panels101can be fixed at different points on the support beams102to accommodate drawers of single, double, or triple width and/or height. The support beams102are each provided with a plurality of covers103mounted on the surface of each of the support beams102. These covers103provide support for fixing the panels101between the support beams102(described in more detail below).

The housing100also has a system controller104mounted thereto. Cabling may extend from the system controller104down to the side of the storage system1and along the support beams102to a circuit board provided in each of the panel101. Although not shown, side and back plates are mounted to the housing100to prevent unauthorised access to the drawers and any control electronics.

FIG. 2shows a detailed view of the panel101. In the present embodiment, the panel101comprises an upright201, which is substantially L-shaped in cross-section and is formed by a front plate extending in the width direction and back plate extending in the depth direction. The top and bottom ends of the panel101have engagement extensions202a,202bto engage with the support beams102. The panel also includes a hook204at the bottom of its back surface to abut the back of the support beam102.

The panel101further comprises guide blocks205for holding drawers in a stacked arrangement with the drawers stacked above one another. As shown inFIG. 2, each panel101can hold up to four drawers arranged above one another on four guide blocks205. The panel101also includes corresponding supports206(seeFIG. 5) provided on the other side of the panel101. A drawer is held between two adjacent panels101such that it is supported by the guide block205on the right-hand side panel101and the corresponding support206on the adjacent left-hand side panel101(as shown inFIG. 1). Furthermore, the panel101includes control means207comprising a latch mechanism207aand sensors207b. In the present embodiment, a solenoid and a solenoid flap constitute the latch mechanism207aand a group of LEDs and light receivers constitute the sensors207b. The latch mechanism207aand the sensors207bprotrude through windows provided in the guide block205. The control means207monitors when the drawer is in its fully closed position, the distance the drawer moves, and the direction of movement of the drawer. The control means207is connected to the system controller104through cabling connected to a control port208.

The panel101is also provided with a manual latch override system activated by an override handle209pivotally mounted to an over-ride bar (not shown). By depressing the override handle209, the over-ride bar is lifted to unlatch all latch mechanism207amounted to the panel101.

The use of latch mechanism and sensors to monitor the movement of the drawers is well known in the art. Also, it is to be understood that any suitable control means may be used for the same purpose.

FIG. 3shows a detailed view of the support beam102. In the present embodiment, the support beam102comprises a horizontal base plate301with an upright back wall and upright side walls. Location holes302are formed in the back wall at predetermined intervals. At corresponding intervals, fixing tabs303project upwards from the front edge of the base plate301. Each of the fixing tabs303is provided with at least two mounting holes303a,303b. The panel101abuts the support beam102by engaging the hook204at the bottom of its back surface with a respective location hole302. A screw or a bolt is passed through the lower engagement extension202bat the bottom end of the panel101and the upper mounting hole303aof the corresponding fixing tab303in a lower support beam102. The top of the panel101is fixed to an upper support beam102by passing a screw or a bolt through the upper engagement extension202aat the top end of the panel101and the lower mounting hole303bof the corresponding fixing tab303of the upper support beam102.

FIG. 4shows a perspective view of the cover103for the support beam102. In one embodiment, the cover103comprises a plate401, which is substantially rectangular and is formed as a unitary component. It is to be understood that the plate401can be of any suitable shape and formed of any material. The plate401has an abutment portion402formed along one side403of the plate401. The abutment portion402extends upwards from the side403of the plate401up to a few centimeters in height. The abutment portion402has reinforcement sections402aprojecting outwards from the inner surface of the abutment portion402and meeting the surface of the plate401. The abutment section402can be formed on any other side or on the surface of the plate401, and can extend either along the entire side or part-way along it, for example along the middle. The abutment portion402could also be formed as two separate walls on either ends of the side403. It is to be noted that the reinforcement sections402aare optional and the abutment portion402may be strengthened by other means.

The plate401further comprises a guide projection404formed on the surface of the plate401. In the present embodiment, the guide projection404protrudes outwards from the surface of the plate402and extends as a thin strip along the surface of the plate401. The guide projection404lies at an angle to the abutment portion402such that it slopes down towards the front face of the abutment portion402. In other words, the guide projection404extends diagonally along the surface of the plate401between sides405and406.

The plate401also comprises a line of weakness407formed on the surface of the plate401and disposed between the abutment portion402and the guide projection404. In the present embodiment, the line of weakness407is formed adjacent the side403and extends orthogonally between the sides405and406of the plate401. The line of weakness407can be made by slicing out some material from the surface of the plate401or by any other surface weakening method. The strength of the plate401along the line of weakness407is substantially lower than the rest of the plate so that it can be easily broken off along the line of weakness407to split the plate401into two parts. The plate401further comprises a fixing hole408formed in the surface of the plate401adjacent the line of weakness408and between the line of weakness407and the guide projection404.

The plate401further comprises engagement protrusions409extending outwards from a side of the plate401. In the present embodiment, two engagement protrusions409a,409bare formed along the side405. The engagement protrusion409ais formed adjacent the abutment portion402and the engagement protrusion409bis formed adjacent the guide projection404. The positioning of the engagement protrusions409a,409bis such that when the plate401is broken into two parts along the line of weakness407, the engagement extension409band the fixing hole408are contained in the part having the guide projection404and the engagement protrusion409ais contained in the part having the abutment portion402. It is to be understood that the fixing hole408and/or the engagement protrusions409are optional, and other engagement means can be provided in the plate401.

The plate401further comprises a cabling hole410formed as a cut-through section in the plate401. In the present embodiment, the cabling hole410is disposed between the abutment portion402and the guide projection404and astride the line of weakness407. The cabling hole410is dimensioned such that a cabled plug can pass through it. The plate401also comprises a plug socket411which is also formed as a cut-through section in the plate401. In the present embodiment, the plug socket411is disposed adjacent the guide projection404and in line with the cabling hole410. The plug socket411is dimensioned such that it hold the cabled plug drawn out of the cabling hole410.

Furthermore, the plate401comprises positioning projections412a,412bformed in the plate401. In the present embodiment, the positioning projection412aextends in the same line as the guide projection404and the positioning projection412bformed at a short distance apart. The positioning projections412a,412bare formed such that when the plate401is broken along the line of weakness407, the positioning projections412a,412bare contained in the part having the guide projection404.

A plurality of covers103are mounted onto the support beams102a,102bto cover the upper surfaces of the support beams102. The cover103is pushed onto the support beam102, between the adjacent fixing tabs303, until the engagement protrusions409a,409bengage with corresponding engagement notches304a,304bformed in the support beam102. The engagement protrusions409have sloped edges (as shown inFIG. 4) which allow them to easily slide into the engagement notches304and once engaged they are firmly locked in place. The covers103are mounted over the cabling (not shown) that runs along the upper surface of each support beam102to protect it. Cabling attached to a plug is pulled out through the cabling hole410. Underside of each cover103is provided with projections or cable guides to prevent the cover103from resting directing onto the cabling.

One or more panels101are fitted between the support beams102after the covers103are mounted on both the upper support beam102aand the lower support beam102b.FIG. 5shows the panel101being inserted between the upper support beam102aand the lower support beam102bonto the surface of the cover103mounted on the lower support beam102b. In the present embodiment, the panel101is slid onto the cover103mounted on the lower support beam102balong the guide projection404. The guide projection404provides a mounting guide for the bottom end of the panel101.

To fit the panel101between the support beams102a,102b, the panel101is aligned such that the upper part of the panel101which extends above the topmost guide block205is in contact with the positioning projections412a,412bon the upper support beam102a, and the bottom face of the panel101below the lowermost guide block205is in contact with the top face of the cover103on the lower support beam102b. The lower left side face of the panel101remains in contact with the guide projection404on the cover103. The panel101is then slid inwards at an angle along the right-hand side of the guide projection404on the cover103such that the top engagement extension202aof the panel101abuts the positioning projections412a,412b. Since the guide projection404slopes to the left-hand side of a user facing the unit, the user can easily slide the panel101along the guide projection404using his left hand, maintaining the contact until the lower back of the panel101abuts the back of the support beam102b. The user can then use his left hand to turn the panel101to the right, using the back of the panel101as a pivot point, until the rear of the panel101hits the left-hand side of the abutment portion402formed in an adjacent cover103. With this, the top and the bottom engagement extensions202a,202bof the panel101are positioned over and aligned with the corresponding fixing tabs303a,303bin the upper and lower support beams102a,102b(as shown inFIG. 6). The user can then fit screws or bolts through these holes using his right hand.

In this way, the panel101is easily positioned and fixed between the support beams102a,102b, without damaging the cabling. After fixing the panel101, the cabled plug that has been fed though the cabling hole410can then be connected to the control port208provided at the bottom of the panel101.

The leftmost covers103do not need to provide an abutment for a further panel101to the left. To save space, therefore, the left-hand side of the leftmost cover103can be broken off along the line of weakness407. When the cover103is split into two parts, the part containing the abutment portion402is discarded. However, this leads to loss of the engagement protrusion409a. Therefore, the fixing hole408is provided to allow a screw fixing to the support beam102as an additional way of fixing in the absence of the removed engagement protrusion409a.

The storage system1is configurable to hold drawers of different sizes. When a double or triple width drawer is being fitted, the covers103are still fitted without gaps all the way along the support beams102. However, no panel101is fitted to at least one of the covers103. Moreover, for consistency of assembly and to assist with further in-field reconfiguration, unused cabling is still pulled though the cabling hole410of the unused cover103. To prevent this unused cabling with the plug from interfering with the running of the bottom drawer, the plug is fitted into the plug socket411in the cover103. This does not provide an electrical connection but only serves to hold the plug and the cabling away from the moving drawers above.

The use of the cover103on the support beam102in this manner provides significant advantages in terms of safety and convenience. For example, where a large unit with several levels of panels101are to be fixed between a plurality of support beams102, it is possible to efficiently fit the panels101by placing them onto the covers103without having to worry about the cabling underneath. Moreover, a single person can alone fit a panel101between the support beams102because of the aid provided by the guide projection404and positioning projections412a,412bformed in the cover103. This saves considerable manhours in configuring a unit and overall makes the process much more efficient and less likely to damage the cabling. Furthermore, by providing the line of weakness407in the cover103, it is possible to use the same cover103for the leftmost section of the beam thereby saving space and manufacturing costs.

Those skilled in the art will recognise that the cover103of the present invention has a wide variety of different applications, from storage units to other systems where a panel is to be fixed between two beams. For example, such covers are suitable for use in modular telecoms equipment or power backup units.

The foregoing description has been given by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The relative position of the panels101and the support beams102can be altered such the support beams are positioned vertically and the panels are held horizontally between the beams. Also, depending on the application, the panels may be held at an angle between the beams. In the cover103, the use of reinforcement sections402aon the abutment portion402are optional, so are the engagement protrusions409aand fixing hole408. Moreover, their respective dimensions, shape and positions in the cover103can be varied. For example, the abutment portion402could be made thicker or provided as a separate part fixed onto the cover103by fastening means. Also, instead of having the engagement protrusions409, one or more fixing holes can be formed in the cover103to fix it to the support beam102. Furthermore, it is also possible that the cover103is integral with the support beam103. In that case, the features such as the guide projection404and the positioning projections412are provided on the base plate301itself. Moreover, there will be no need to form the features such as the line of weakness407, the fixing hole408, and the engagement protrusions409.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognise and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the scope of the present invention.