Abstract:
An improved storage rack system having a pick deck that allows for easy access to loads on pallets by order pickers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to improved storage racks and, in particular, to storage racks having an improved pick deck for allowing easy access to loads stored on pallets by warehouse personnel.  
           [0002]    Well known, shelf-type storage racks typically include at least four columns rigidly connected by cross beams positioned in transverse relation to the columns forming what are commonly known as storage rack trusses. The racks may be arranged as a pair of back-to-back arrays with each array facing an access aisle. Typically, racks have pick decks located adjacent to the access aisle where pallets, their loads and/or portions of their loads may be accessed by warehouse personnel who are typically referred to as order pickers.  
           [0003]    In the grocery sector, for example, loads of products are shipped from the manufacturer to a wholesaler on pallets, which are often stored by the wholesaler on shelf-type storage racks. Order pickers at the wholesaler then typically unload (or pick) only portions of a load for ultimate shipment to a retail store. The columns of standard rack storage systems are typically spaced 96 inches apart and 44 inches deep. Standard pallets are typically 40 inches wide by 48 inches deep. Thus, in many instances, two pallets are stored side-by-side on the rack, the loads of which are accessible by an order picker from the access aisle.  
           [0004]    However, because of the configuration of the standard and known pick decks of standard rack systems, access to the load on the pallet can be difficult and cumbersome.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention preserves the advantages of the various known rack storage systems and also provides new features and advantages. For example, the present invention provides a rack storage system having a pick deck that allows easy access by order pickers to the products stored on pallets.  
           [0006]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, diagonal pallet support beams span diagonally between front and rear columns of adjacent storage rack trusses. One diagonal beam spans from the front column of one truss to the rear column of the adjacent truss. A second diagonal beam consists of two beam sections spanning from the other front and rear columns to the center of the first diagonal beam. At the rear of the pick deck, a safety beam spans the diagonal pallet support beams at almost deck depth. In this manner, two pallets may be placed laterally on the pick deck against the rack trusses leaving approximately 16 inches between the two pallets. The diagonal pallet support beam arrangement allows order pickers to step between the side-by-side pallets (up to almost half of their depth), which makes it easier to reach the goods on the pallets and particularly the rear of the pallet. The rear support beam eliminates the possibility of the pallets tipping as they are unloaded.  
           [0007]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved pick deck for rack storage systems that permit easy access to loads stored on pallets by order pickers.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety beam that prevents pallets from tipping over as they are unloaded.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pick deck for rack storage systems that is useful in a variety of storage applications, including, but not limited to, the grocery sector.  
           [0010]    A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved pick deck that can be retrofitted into existing rack storage systems or installed into new storage rack systems.  
         INVENTOR&#39;S DEFINITION OF THE TERMS  
         [0011]    The terms used in the claims of this patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The stated and unstated features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the various views, and in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a typical storage rack truss system, including a preferred embodiment of a pick deck of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1 with portions of the storage rack truss system removed for clarity, and including two representative pallets and loads shown in phantom view;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 2 with all of the storage rack truss system removed for clarity, and including two representative pallets and loads shown in phantom view; and,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of the beam arrangement of a typical prior art pick deck. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiment or best representative example of the inventions claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, purpose, structure or result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.  
         [0018]    An improved pick deck for a rack storage system is shown generally as  10  in FIGS.  1 - 3 . By reference to FIG. 1, a storage rack truss system  12  includes a number of spaced, parallel columns  14 , transverse beams  16  interconnecting the columns as well as support braces  18 . These components form the standard storage rack trusses  12 . Lateral support beams  19  may also be provided.  
         [0019]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, pick deck  10  consists of diagonal pallet support beam  20  that spans from a front (for example, right) column  14  of rack system  12  to the rear (for example, left) column  14  of the adjacent rack system truss  12 . Another diagonal support beam  22  consists of one section  23  spanning from the other front (for example, left) column to the center of diagonal pallet support beam  20  and a second section  24  spanning from the center of diagonal support beam  20  to the other rear (for example, right) column  14 . Diagonal pallet support beams  20  and  22  form the principal pallet supports of pick deck  10 .  
         [0020]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a safety beam  26  may also be provided. Safety beam  26  spans the rear of diagonal support beams  20  and  22  at almost the depth of pick deck  10 . The function and operation of the present invention  10 , including safety beam  26 , will be hereinafter described.  
         [0021]    It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that diagonal pallet support beams  20  and  22  (including both sections  23  and  24  of diagonal support beam  22 ) may be attached to rack structure  12  by a variety of well known means, such as bolts, welding and the like. In addition, although channel structural members are shown and used for many of the components in the preferred embodiment of the support structure  12  and other assemblies, it will be understood that a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes (including rectangular, square, round tube and hot-rolled I and S beam cross-sections) may also be used for the support structure and other components and assemblies of the present invention.  
         [0022]    The features, advantages and operation of the present invention may best be seen by reference to FIGS.  2 - 3 . Two representative pallets and their loads  30  (as shown in phantom line) are placed upon pick deck  10 . As previously indicated, the columns  14  of a standard rack storage system are typically spaced 96 inches apart. Standard pallets  30  are typically 40 inches wide by 48 inches deep. Thus, when pallets  30  are placed as far apart laterally as possible on pick deck  10 , there remains approximately 16 inches of space between the pallets  30 . This space, in conjunction with the novel pick deck  10  arrangement with diagonal support beams  20  and  22  of the present invention, enables an order picker to step between the side-by-side pallets to almost one-half of their depth. This makes it much easier to reach the loads on the rear of the pallet. In addition, as portions of the load are being removed from a pallet, an order picker will usually start at the front of the pallet. As a result, the rear of the pallet may become heavier than the front. Tip over is prevented by safety beam  26 .  
         [0023]    Finally, the prior art pick deck  9  is shown in FIG. 4. Because the prior art pick deck  9  consists of two lateral support beams  8  and two or more transverse cross beams  7 , it is not possible to step between the pallets to reach the loads.  
         [0024]    The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present inventions have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the claimed invention.  
         [0025]    Various features of the present inventions are set forth in the following claims.