Abstract:
The invention relates to a system for operating storage units. The inventive system enables quick storage and removal therefrom and exhibits an optimum redundancy capacity. In order to counteract shortfalls in individual shelf operation devices, the inventive load receiving means acts as a support for a system for operating storage units, especially high shelf storage units, comprising means for mechanical connection to shelf unit, a lift device and a device arranged thereon for the transversal movement of loads, whereby the means for connection to a shelf unit has an electric drive unit with a pinion gear, driving a toothed rack and the toothed rack is arranged and embodied in such a way that when the pinion gear is rotated said toothed rack moves laterally outside the load receiving means, and the toothed racks are respectively provided with means which protrude from the ends thereof above the load receiving means, engaging into corresponding receiving devices on the shelf units.

Description:
This application is a National Stage application of co-pending PCT applications PCT/EP02/12451 filed Nov. 7, 2002; PCT/EP02/12452, filed Nov. 7, 2002; PCT/EP02/12453, filed Nov. 7, 2002 and PCT/EP02/12454, filed Nov. 7, 2002, and which also claims priority of German Patent Application No. 101 54 787.0, filed Nov. 8, 2001. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD AND BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is a system for feeding storing units, in particular high rack units, by the assistance of a rack feeding device that always provides appropriate ground clearance beneath a load receiving means. 
     For realizing rationalization effects in storage logistics, efforts have been undertaken to comprise individual storing units in space and to thus increase storage capacities. In order to be, nevertheless, capable of achieving favorable access times, i.e. storing and transferring times, it is necessary to provide, in addition to the designing of appropriate rack units, systems and concepts that enable the storing and transfer of goods of varying dimensions, varying weight and distribution of gravity in a target and time-orientated manner, and to provide appropriate redundancy capacities to safeguard against a possible failure of these rack feeding devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for feeding storing units which, on the one hand, is capable of achieving short storing and transferring times and, on the other hand, comprises an optimum redundancy capacity to encounter a failure of individual rack feeding devices as good as ever possible. 
     This object is solved by the system for feeding storing units, in particular high rack stores, in accordance with the invention, consisting of a plurality of rack units that are designed and arranged in a room such that at least one equidistant alley is formed, further consisting of at least one rack feeding device that consists of a traversing means movable on rails in longitudinal direction of the alleys; a control unit for controlling the movement of the traversing means; means for determining the position of the traversing means in the alley; a load receiving means in accordance with the invention hanging on cables beneath the traversing means; means for determining the position of the load receiving means vis-à-vis the traversing means; means for mechanically connecting the load receiving means with a rack unit. 
     Advantageous further developments of the present invention are characterized in the subclaims. 
     The system for feeding storing units in accordance with the invention substantially consists of individual rack feeding devices with two dynamic components each, the traversing means and the load receiving means, as well as a static component, the rack store consisting of individual rack store units of any length and extension. 
     The two dynamic components are connected with one another via dimensionally instable connecting elements, for instance steel cables, chains, or the like. 
     As statically fixed component of the system according to the invention, a plurality of rack units, preferably high rack store units, are provided which are separated from one another by equidistant alleys and can be arranged in rooms of almost any size. 
     Functioning Principle of the System According to the Invention 
     By means of the system according to the invention, any goods can be efficiently stored in and transferred from a store and, due to the possibility of arranging a plurality of rack feeding devices in one rack alley and of also operating them simultaneously, short access time and thus high efficiency is achieved. 
     After the building up of the high rack units, with both the number of storing units positioned on top of each other and the length of the storing units and the number of the respective alleys being optional, the rack feeding devices are arranged in the appropriate alleys. 
     Due to the existing ground clearance beneath each traversing means and load receiving means it is possible to provide a traversing means with load receiving means arranged thereon at every single level. 
     In a high rack store that comprises, for instance, 5 rack units and 6 rack levels, it is, for instance, possible to arrange a maximum of 6 rack feeding devices each in the 4 equidistant alleys and, in the case of need, to operate all 6 rack feeding devices in correspondence with a control program, so that a total of 24 rack feeding devices is available. 
     In accordance with the invention, the storing of loads of any design, i.e. loads of varying sizes, varying weight and varying dimensions, is performed as follows:
         1. Receiving of the load by means of a lifting device that is integrated in the load receiving means, wherein a shifting means allowing a transversal movement of the load is positioned at the lifting device;   2. “Centering” of the load on the load receiving means;   3. Simultaneously/subsequently to “2.”—Calculating of a traversing path starting out from the instant position to the target place;   4. Starting to move the traversing means in the direction of the target place;   5. Controlling of the course of motions of the traversing means and of the load receiving means;   6. Arrival at the target place (e.g. target rack unit), wherein both the traversing means and the load receiving means have completely terminated their course of motions;   7. Locking of the load receiving means on the level of the target rack unit by per-forming a positive or frictional connection with the adjacent rack units;   8. Rising of the load by means of the lifting device;   9. Transversal movement of the load by means of integrated shifting means;   10. Placing of the load in the appropriate target rack unit;   11. Lowering of the lifting device and reversion of the transversal movement;   12. Releasing of the anchoring in the rack unit;   13. Optional signal of readiness for the next storing/transferring order.       

     In accordance with the invention, all rack feeding devices positioned in an alley are coordinated via an appropriate control means, i.e. a control system knows, due to appropriate sensor units, the respective state of movement and place of each rack feeding device at any time and is thus capable of preventing a collision of rack feeding devices that are moving simultaneously in an alley. To this end, each rack feeding device possesses control electronics that determine the state of movement or rest via appropriate sensors or measuring means and transmits same to a central control unit. 
     For determining the respective state of movement, a rack feeding device comprises a control unit that is preferably positioned in the traversing means and controls or regulates both the drive of the traversing means and the drive of the cable coils. 
     Furthermore, the traversing means comprises means to determine the relative position of the load receiving means hanging on the ropes vis-à-vis the traversing means, wherein the dynamic change of position of the load receiving means is in particular determined on the basis of the movement of the traversing means. 
     The relative position of the load receiving means is, for instance, possible via a distance measurement between the traversing means and the load receiving means, or via appropriate angle measurements of the two units relative to one another, with the measurements being of the optical, mechanical, or electrical type. 
     Since the measurement results with respect to the relative position of the load receiving means vis-à-vis the traversing means are implemented in appropriate calculation algorithms so as to avoid undesired oscillation situations of the load receiving means, a correspondingly high precision and quick determination of the measured value is required. A preferred determination of the measured value is, for instance, achieved by means of the goniometry method and appropriate goniometry devices, which are described in DE 101 22 142.8. 
     Due to the control means that is preferably integrated in the traversing means, it is possible to move each rack feeding device between the starting and the target place such that substantially no pendulum oscillations of the load receiving means arise, but that merely one single amplitude oscillation arises, i.e. the load receiving means, due to its inertia, starts moving later than the traversing means and thus follows the traversing means. On braking of the traversing means the deceleration is controlled such that the load receiving means comes to stop at the target place substantially simultaneously with the traversing means. 
     Due to the fact that the control system permanently knows the precise position of the traversing means and of the load receiving means hanging thereon, all the relative movements in an alley can be reliably adjusted with respect to one another, so that a collision of individual traversing means with load receiving means can be avoided. 
     By the arrangement of a plurality of traversing means in one rack alley it is possible to replace failed track feeding devices at least partially in their function, so that accessibility to the loads and goods stored can always be guaranteed. 
     Only on failure of the uppermost rack feeding device can the goods stored in the uppermost level no longer be accessed. On failure of a rack feeding device thereunder it is, however, always possible to fulfill the tasks from a rack feeding device positioned thereabove, so that even a total failure of several rack feeding devices will not result in a substantial restriction of the availability of the goods stored, unless the uppermost rack feeding device is affected. 
     First Component Traversing Means 
     The load receiving means hangs on dimensionally instable connecting elements, for instance steel cables, chains, or the like, on a traversing means. Every single traversing means is rail-bound on a particular level of the storage system according to the invention, which it never leaves. 
     Only for storing or transferring the loads or for transporting to remote store units may appropriate rails also be positioned outside the rack store units. The following units are integrated in the traversing means:
         control unit;   drive unit for the traversing means;   drive unit for the cable coils;   guiding unit for rail guidance       

     In accordance with the invention, a control unit is integrated in every traversing means, and all control units of the traversing means available in one alley are connected with one another via appropriate communication interfaces. The communication of the individual control units may, for instance, be performed wireless via a radio signal, or in an optical manner. The coordination and adjustment of the course of motions of the respective rack feeding devices is advantageously performed by a central control unit. This central control unit may be positioned stationary at a rack unit or else in a mobile manner at a selected traversing means. 
     In addition to appropriate means for receiving corresponding movement data, each control unit comprises at least one processor with a computer program stored therein, by means of which, on the basis of the position data determined for the traversing means and the load receiving means, the course of motions of these two units to the target place is controlled. 
     Control Unit 
     In order to avoid undesired oscillating motions of the load receiving means during movement, various methods may be performed. In the scope of a control loop it is, for instance, possible to compare actual values with corresponding desired values of a course of motions of the load receiving means calculated pursuant to the criteria of optimum control, and to perform a continuous control. 
     With another method it is possible, starting out from an actual position of the load receiving means, to always calculate a new traversing path and to determine the cable lengths at the cable coils and the deceleration or acceleration of the traversing means accordingly. 
     To avoid oscillating motions, the system according to the invention may have an influence on at least two setting parameters: the acceleration or deceleration of the traversing means and the modification of the cable length in the front or rear region of the load receiving means. 
     The program algorithms stored in the control unit modify, according to need (i.e., for instance, taking into account the present state of the system, in particular the position and velocity of the load receiving means, the position of the target place, the position and velocity of the other traversing means in the alley, the present cable lengths, and the cable lengths at the target place), the parameters velocity and acceleration of the traversing means and the cable lengths, where necessary each in the front and rear regions of the load receiving means. 
     Path Measuring Device for Traversing Means 
     For determining the respective position of the traversing means, appropriate path measuring systems are provided on the traversing means or in the track unit serving to transport the traversing means, respectively, said path measuring systems enabling to determine the precise position of each traversing means in an alley. These path measuring systems may, for instance, be based on appropriate induction sensors, or may, by means of laser beams that are reflected by a reference plate, determine data that are transmitted to the control unit for further processing. From the data of the position determination or modification, respectively, such obtained, the velocity and acceleration/deceleration and their modification can be calculated by means of appropriate data processing programs, so that the relative state of movement of the traversing means vis-à-vis the rack unit is always known. Other path measuring systems that are based on an optical functioning are also possible. 
     Drive Unit of the Traversing Means 
     In order to guarantee a reliable drive of the traversing means, these are expediently equipped with wheels, so that a corresponding force/moment transmission on a rail can be performed. 
     Expediently, at least two pairs of wheels (i.e. in a front region and a rear region) are provided at the traversing means, with both pairs of wheels advantageously being designed to be driven so as to be able to realize a reliable drive performance even with heavy loads. 
     Advantageously, the rail is provided with a substantially plane surface on which the drive wheels can roll. It is, however, also possible to design the rails as gear rods, so that appropriate gearwheels are used for driving. 
     Furthermore, it is possible to perform the driving of the traversing means via appropriate conveyor belts. If the drive unit is, for instance, integrated in a rack unit and the traversing means is driven via appropriate drive belts or bands, the loading weight to be accelerated or decelerated, respectively, can be reduced by the mass of the drive unit. 
     The traversing means according to the invention is driven by at least one electric motor that transfers, via appropriate gear rods, the driving torque to at least two driving wheels and thus accelerates or decelerates the traversing means. Advantageously, at least one side of the traversing means according to the invention is guided over an appropriate rail guiding, so that track fidelity within a certain tolerance is guaranteed over the entire length of the rail. 
     Cable Coils at the Traversing Means 
     For rising and lowering of the load receiving means, four coils are expediently provided on which the dimensionally instable connecting element is wound up. In order to always guarantee an orientation of the load receiving means that is desired in correspondence with the control, at least two cable coils are driven synchronously; expediently, the two rear and front cable coils each are synchronized. It is, however, also possible to only position two coils at the traversing means, for instance, to reduce the weight or to avoid means for synchronizing the cable coils. 
     Inertia Brake 
     The load receiving means is fixed to the traversing means at four dimensionally instable connecting elements, preferably steel cables, and the respective length of extension can be determined by cable length transmitters that are integrated in the respective cable coils as well as by an appropriate goniometry device. To avoid, however, damage of the individual mechanical elements in the load receiving means by an undesired collision of the load receiving means with the traversing means, an appropriate device is provided at the load receiving means and at the traversing means, said device effecting a reliable deceleration and stopping of the cable coils. 
     This inertia brake consists of two components, a first component positioned at the traversing means and a second component provided at the load receiving means. 
     The first component advantageously consists of a truncated conical recess and a switching device positioned thereabove in the center, said switching device being directly connected to the current supply of the electrically driven cable coils. The second component has a truncated conical body that is positioned, supported by a spring, on a bolt and rests substantially with positive fit in the truncated conical recess after having been inserted therein. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the inertia brake according to the invention, a sleeve-like device incorporating electrical switching elements is provided at the traversing means, and a mandrel-like device is positioned as a counterpart at the load receiving means, said mandrel-like device successively actuates the corresponding electrical switching elements on penetrating into the sleeve-like device and thus, on arriving at a particular switch, completely stops the drive of the cable coils. 
     Expediently, these switches may be designed as magnetic switches that are positioned around the periphery of the sleeve-like device and thus successively trigger corresponding contacts on penetration of the mandrel-like device. A program means connected therebehind evaluates these contact signals and successively decelerates the drives of the cable coils, so that these have come to a stop on a complete penetration of the mandrel-like device in the sleeve-like device. A mechanical abutment contact may expediently be provided additionally, said abutment contact abruptly stopping the drives of the cable coils on a complete penetration of the mandrel-like device. 
     Second Component Load Receiving Means 
     The load receiving means consists of a plurality of assemblies, the lifting device, the device for transversal moving, and the arresting means. 
     Lifting Device 
     To realize the required lifting motion, the load receiving means comprises a lifting device in accordance with the invention. In order to be able to reliably and safely place the load on the load receiving means, possibly a rack store unit, and on any transfer place, it is necessary to lift or lower, respectively, the load appropriately. 
     As a technical prerequisite for a reliable and safe lifting and lowering of a load it has to be ensured that both the load receiving, i.e. the lifting of the load, is effected with a slowly increasing lifting force, and the lowering of the load is also performed without any jerks, i.e. with a continuous decreasing of the lifting force, so that also sensitive loads such as pallets with glasses or sensitive electronic devices will not be damaged by possible impacts during lowering or lifting. 
     When providing a lifting device it is, due to the restricted space capacity on the load receiving device, necessary to realize the lifting device with as small dimensions as possible and to keep the weight low so as to maximally exhaust the loading capacity of the load receiving means. 
     In accordance with the invention, the lifting device is realized by an eccentric disc that is driven via a shaft. 
     Expediently, a load carrying platform is formed at the load receiving means, said load carrying platform being, at its bottom, mounted on eccentric discs and comprising a lateral guidance, preferably via appropriate pins running in oblong holes or through prisms sliding in appropriate angular recesses. 
     By an appropriate contour design of the eccentric discs it is possible to optimally adapt the respective lowering and lifting velocity since the course of motions can be influenced by the shaping of the eccentric disc. 
     A plurality of such eccentric discs is expediently arranged below the load carrying platform, so that the load is distributed substantially regularly to the corresponding eccentric disc. 
     In another embodiment of the lifting device according to the invention it is possible to use, instead of the eccentric discs, so-called cams or camshafts that similarly lift or lower the load, respectively. 
     In a further embodiment of the lifting device according to the invention, the lifting or the lowering may be effected via an appropriate hydraulic or pneumatic device. Here, it must always be taken care that smooth lifting and lowering is performed via appropriate balancing means. 
     In particular with hydraulically or pneumatically operated lifting devices there is the danger that loads with an eccentric center of gravity charge the individual lifting devices with different strength and that smooth lifting or lowering will thus not be possible. 
     In a further embodiment of the lifting device according to the invention, a lifting or lowering motion can be performed via a gear rod with an appropriate pinion, or a plurality of gear rods and appropriate pinions. A smooth lifting or lowering motion also has to be taken care of here so as to avoid especially a canting of the gear rods with the pinions. 
     In a further embodiment of the lifting device according to the invention, spindles, preferably four spindles, are arranged below the load carrying platform, and the rotation of the individual spindles relative to one another is adjusted via a coupling means, so that a smooth lifting or lowering motion can be guaranteed. 
     Device for Transversal Movement 
     In order to store or transfer the load positioned on the load receiving means in/from the corresponding store units, i.e. to transport load from a place positioned laterally next to the load receiving means onto the load receiving means, it is necessary to integrate a device for transversal movement in the load receiving means. 
     In accordance with the invention, a horizontally shiftable platform is arranged on the load receiving means, on which push elements that are engaging each other like a telescope are designed such that small dimensions exist in the state of rest, on the one hand, and that both sides of the load receiving means can be equally fed in the load-receiving state, on the other hand. The static loading of the push elements will have to be introduced in the load receiving means such that a reliable and safe operation can be ensured even when the transversal shifting means has been extended to its maximum. 
     Advantageously, the transversal shifting means is constructed of a multiplicity of individual elements adapted to be telescoped and operatively interconnected via drive elements, wherein these drive elements can expediently be cables, tie rods, or other dimensionally instable drive elements. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the transversal shifting device according to the invention, the drive of the individual elements is performed via gear rods and appropriate pinions, with the gear rods being provided as movable elements and being driven via appropriate pinions. 
     Advantageously, a lateral distance is to be bridged by the transversal shifting means which corresponds at least to the breadth of the load receiving means according to the invention, advantageously even exceeds this dimension. 
     Arresting Means 
     After having arrived at a target place in a store rack unit or a corresponding transfer/store unit, the load receiving means according to the invention is connected with both directly adjacent store rack units via an appropriate mechanical arresting means such that a transfer or storing of loads, in particular heavy loads, becomes possible. The load receiving means will have to be connected with the respective store rack units such that also dynamic forces, although unintentionally, for instance an oscillating of the load due to immovable parts, can always be absorbed since the arresting means according to the invention reliably fixes the load receiving means to the rack units during transfer and storage. 
     Advantageously, the respective arresting means consist of two complementary components, a first component provided at the store rack units as receiving means, and a second component being arranged at the load receiving means. 
     In accordance with the invention, the load receiving means is fixed with at least two, preferably four arresting means, wherein the arresting means are advantageously pushed into appropriate receiving units that are designed like claws, and remain there. The spreading of the arresting means is expediently performed via suitable devices such as gear rods and pinions, pneumatic/hydraulic means, or swiveling devices adapted to perform an appropriate locking. The following technical side conditions have to be met with the design of the arresting means:
         radial centering assistance;   axial centering assistance;   vertical degree of freedom;   vertical assumption of force.       

     In accordance with the invention, four arresting means are provided at the load receiving means, each of which has a maximum distance to the others and which are designed to be synchronously lockable in pairs so as to avoid a canting of the load receiving means between the store rack units. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       A preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention will be explained in more detail in the following by means of drawings. The drawings show: 
         FIG. 1  a schematic side view of the rack feeding device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  a schematic sectional view through the drive unit of the traversing means; 
         FIG. 3  a schematic sectional view of the cable coils on the traversing means; 
         FIG. 4  a schematic sectional view through the traversing means with cable coils and drive unit; 
         FIG. 5  a sectional view through the lateral guidance of the traversing means; 
         FIG. 6   a  a sectional representation of the lifting device; 
         FIG. 6   b  a top view of the lifting device; 
         FIG. 7  a schematic side view of the device for transversal movement in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 8   a  a side of the arresting means; 
         FIG. 8   b  a top view of the arresting means; 
         FIG. 9   a  a schematic side view of the inertia brake; 
         FIG. 9   b  a sectional representation of the inertia brake; 
         FIG. 10   a  a schematic side view of the rack and the rack feeding devices on a single rack with the other racks removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 10   b  a schematic top view of the rack and the rack feeding system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The rack feeding device  1  according to the invention shows, in accordance with  FIG. 1 , the traversing means  100  with the load receiving means  200  hanging underneath on cables  141   a ,  141   b . The traversing means  100  with the schematically represented control unit  120  is mounted to be movable on rails  164 , with the rails  164  being arranged in the respective rack units (not illustrated) at different levels. 
     In addition to the steel cables  141   a  to  141   d  ( 141   a  and  141   b  are illustrated) there exists a connection between the traversing unit  100  and the load receiving means  200  via the goniometry system  170   a ,  170   b , which is effected by means of dimensionally instable connecting means  171   a ,  171   b.    
     In order to obtain a certain clearance for the transport of the load  50 , stationary rod-like devices  172  are positioned on the load receiving means  200 , to which the dimensionally instable connecting elements  171   a ,  171   b  are inseparably fastened. 
     In the state of the traversing means  100  and of the load receiving means  200  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the load receiving means  200  is positioned at a distance below the traversing means  100 , so that the inertia brake  150  does not have any effect. When the cable coils  142   a ,  142   b  are actuated and wind up the cable  141   a  and  141   b  further than in the state shown, the inertia brake  150  is activated, and on obtaining a certain distance between the load receiving means  200  and the traversing means  100 , the drive of the cable coils  142   a ,  142   b  will be stopped. 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic sectional representation of a drive unit of the traversing means  100 . The electric drive  132  that is illustrated in part is connected to a transmission  131 , and the drive moment is transferred from the transmission  131  to the drive wheels  165   a ,  165   b  by means of gear rods  133   a ,  133   b.    
     The gear rods  133   a ,  133   b  are advantageously designed as cardan rods and are thus adapted to offset certain differences in level between the rails  164  and the drive wheels  165   a ,  165   b  arranged thereon. 
     For lifting and lowering the load receiving means  200 , at least two pairs of cable coils  142   a ,  142   b  ( 142   c ,  142   d  are not illustrated) are arranged on the traversing means  100 , on which four cables  141   a ,  141   b ,  141   c , and  141   d  are wound up. The cables  141   a ,  141   b ,  141   c , and  141   d  are expediently connected inseparably with the load receiving means  200 , and the cable coils  142   a ,  142   b  are synchronized with one another via a drive  144 , and the cable coils  142   c ,  142   d  are also synchronized with one another via an appropriate drive (not illustrated). 
     The respective cable coil drives are, like the drive of the traversing means  132 , controlled by the control unit  120 . In the sectional representation according to  FIG. 4 , the arrangement of the drive unit  130  with the respective components (drive unit  132 , transmission  131 , gear rods  133   a ,  133   b ), and the cable coils  142   a ,  142   b  and their drive  144  are illustrated together with the control unit  120 . 
     In the detailed view according to  FIG. 5 , the lateral guidance of the traversing unit  100  is shown, which is arranged in the front and rear region of the traversing means  100 . For lateral guidance, the rail arrangement  164  comprises a rail bead  162  leading vertically downwards, at which two guide wheels  161   a ,  161   b  adhere to. These guide wheels  161   a ,  161   b  are mounted on bolts  166  via appropriate roller bearings  163 , which are connected via a fastener sheet  167  to the traversing means  100 . By the lateral guidance of the traversing means it is prevented that the drive wheels  165   a ,  165   b ,  165   c ,  165   d  leave the rails  164  or collide with individual rack units. 
     The lifting device  210  integrated in the load receiving means  200  comprises four eccentric discs  211   a ,  211   b ,  211   c , and  211   d  that are arranged in pairs on shafts  216 ,  217 . For driving the shafts  216 ,  217 , they each comprise pinions  213   a ,  213   b  that are connected with one another by means of drive chain  214  and are jointly driven by the drive unit  212  via an appropriate drive chain  215 . 
     When the drive unit  212  is set in motion, it drives the drive chain  215 , so that the shaft  17  is directly set in rotation and simultaneously sets the shaft  216  in rotation via the drive chain  214 . Both rotational motions of the shafts  216  and  217  are synchronized by the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 6 , so that the rotational motions of the eccentric discs  211   a ,  211   b ,  211   c ,  211   d  are also taking place synchronously. 
     In order to ensure a lateral guidance of the load carrying platform  219 , appropriate guiding elbows  218   a ,  218   b  are provided at the two opposite sides of the load carrying platform  219 . Expediently, a rail element of trapezoid design, which is arranged at the load carrying platform  219 , runs over guidance rolls  220   a ,  220   b ,  220   c ,  220   d  that are illustrated in  FIG. 6  and are positioned on the frame of the load receiving means  200 , so that merely a degree of freedom in the vertical direction exists for the movement of the load carrying platform  219 . 
     In the device for transversal movement  230  illustrated schematically in  FIG. 7 , the individual elements  231 ,  232 , and  233  are, for reasons of clarity, represented on different levels and not—as technically realized—on one level. 
     The three individual elements  231 ,  232 ,  233  each are connected with one another via dimensionally instable connecting elements  234  and  235 . The lowermost level illustrated in  FIG. 7 , which is designated as individual element  231 , is arranged on the load carrying platform  219  and rigidly connected therewith. 
     The individual element  232  is positioned inside the individual element  231  and is connected therewith via the connecting element  234 . The individual element  233  is positioned inside the individual element  232  and is connected therewith via the connecting element  235 . 
     The connecting element  235  consists of two branches, each of which is connected to the individual element  231  and the individual element  233 , and is deflected via direction changing elements  236  that are arranged at the individual element  232 . The connecting element  234  that is designed as drive element consists of one branch only and connects the individual elements  232  and  231  with one another. The connecting element  235  is also deflected via appropriate direction changing elements  237  that are arranged at the respective end of the individual element  231 . 
     On rotation of the drive element  238  in the direction indicated by the arrow, the connecting element  234  is deflected via the direction changing element  237  also in the direction of the arrow and exerts a force on the individual element  232 , so that this also starts to move in the direction of the arrow. 
     By the movement of the individual element  232  in the direction of the arrow, the connecting element  235  is also conveyed by the direction changing elements  236 , so that the individual element  233  also starts to move in the direction of the arrow. As soon as the drive  238  stops, the respective transversal movement of the individual elements  232  and  233  is also stopped, and the individual elements  232 ,  233  start to move in the opposite direction when the direction of rotation of the drive  238  is reversed. Expediently, the connecting elements  234 ,  235  are designed as a chain. 
     The arresting means  250  according to  FIG. 8  shows two elements  251   a ,  251   b  that are designed in the form of arbors, comprising at their one end a gear rod profile each and at their other end arresting elements  253   a ,  253   b ,  254  adapted to engage in corresponding arresting means receiving means  255  positioned at the rack units  2 . 
     In accordance with  FIG. 8 , the arresting means are formed of two pyramid-truncated bodies  253   a ,  253   b  each, the tapered faces of which are connected with one another via a cylindrical body  254 . The surface shells of the pyramid-truncated bodies  253   a ,  253   b  serve as a centering assistance for the corresponding arresting means receiving elements  255 . On actuation of the drive  252 , the arbor-like elements  251   a ,  251   b  perform an opposite movement and spread the arresting means  253   a ,  253   b ,  254  into the arresting means receiving elements  255 , so that the load receiving means  200  is positively connected with the thus adjacent rack units  2  (not illustrated). 
     In order to be able to detect the time of arresting, the drive  252  is, for instance, equipped with an appropriate momentum sensor, or sensors report a corresponding touching contact between the arresting means receiving elements and the cylindrical body, so that the drive  252  receives a corresponding signal and stops a further spreading of the arbors  251   a  and  251   b.    
       FIG. 9  illustrates the inertia brake  150  according to the invention, which prevents a collision of the load receiving means  200  with the traversing means  100 . To this end, a bolt  157  is positioned at a suitable position on the load receiving means  200 , said bolt being preferably welded to the load receiving means  200 . 
     A truncated conical body  151  is slidingly arranged at the bolt  157 , with a support of the truncated conical body  151  being performed via a coil spring  156 , and the movability of the truncated conical body  151  being ensured via a sliding bushing  153  and a disc  155   a  positioned directly thereto. 
     In order to prevent loosening of the truncated conical body  151  from the bolt  157 , the truncated conical body  151  is secured with a disc  155   b  and a corresponding nut  158 . A sensor  159  is positioned adjacent to the truncated conical body  151 , said sensor being aligned and designed such that a vertical movement of the truncated conical body  151  triggers a corresponding signal that is processed in the control unit. 
     A truncated conical recess  152  is formed at the traversing unit  100 , the contour of which is the complementary of the truncated conical body  151 . In the case of a corresponding vertical movement of the load receiving means  200 , the truncated conical body  151  immerses, on achieving a certain distance between the load receiving means  200  and the traversing means  100 , in the truncated conical recess  152  and snuggles thereagainst with positive fit. 
     By the sliding bearing of the truncated conical body  151  on the bolt  157 , there is effected, on continuation of the vertical movement of the load receiving means  200 , a shifting movement on the bolt  157 , opposite to the spring force of the coil spring  156 , so that the truncated conical body  151  performs a relative movement vis-à-vis the sensor  159 . The signal produced by this movement of the truncated conical body is processed in the control unit  120  and results in a stopping of the cable coil drives  144 . 
     In order to nevertheless effect a reliable stopping of the cable coil drives  144  on failure of the sensor  159 , a switching element  161  is furthermore provided, said switching element  161  being arranged at the traversing means  100  such that, on a further vertical movement of the load receiving means  100 , the nut  158  that is positioned on the bolt  157  abuts on a switching arm  160  and abruptly interrupts the electrical supply of the coil drives. 
       FIG. 10   a  shows a schematic side view of the rack  900  and the rack feeding system.  FIG. 10   b  shows a top view of the rack, the rack feeding system and alley  901 .