Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
  • B25H1/00—Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby

Definitions

• the framework structure 100 comprises upright members 102 and a storage volume comprising storage columns 105 arranged in rows between the upright members 102.
• storage columns 105 storage containers 106, also known as bins, are stacked one on top of one another to form stacks 107.
• the members 102 may typically be made of metal, e.g. extruded aluminum profiles.
• the upright members 102 of the framework structure 100 may be used to guide the storage containers during raising of the containers out from and lowering of the containers into the columns 105.
• the stacks 107 of containers 106 are typically self-supporting.
• Each prior art container handling vehicle 201,301,401 comprises a vehicle body 201a,301a,401a and first and second sets of wheels 201b, 201c, 301b, 301c,401b,401c which enable the lateral movement of the container handling vehicles 201,301,401 in the X direction and in the Y direction, respectively.
• first and second sets of wheels 201b, 201c, 301b, 301c,401b,401c which enable the lateral movement of the container handling vehicles 201,301,401 in the X direction and in the Y direction, respectively.
• the first set of wheels 201b,301b,401b is arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the first set 110 of rails
• the second set of wheels 201c,301c,401c is arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the second set 111 of rails.
• each storage column 105 can be identified by its X and Y coordinates.
• the storage volume of the framework structure 100 has often been referred to as a grid 104, where the possible storage positions within this grid are referred to as storage cells.
• Each storage column may be identified by a position in an X- and Y- direction, while each storage cell may be identified by a container number in the X -, Y- and Z -direction.
• Each prior art container handling vehicle 201,301,401 comprises a storage compartment or space for receiving and stowing a storage container 106 when transporting the storage container 106 across the rail system 108.
• the storage space may comprise a cavity arranged internally within the vehicle body 201a,401a as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and as described in e.g. WO2015/193278A1 and WO2019/206487A1 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Fig. 3 shows an alternative configuration of a container handling vehicle 301 with a cantilever construction.
• a container handling vehicle 301 with a cantilever construction.
• Such a vehicle is described in detail in e.g. NO317366 , the contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference.
• the cavity container handling vehicle 201 shown in Fig. 2 may have a footprint that covers an area with dimensions in the X and Y directions which is generally equal to the lateral extent of a storage column 105, e.g. as is described in WO2015/193278A1 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• the term 'lateral' used herein may mean 'horizontal'.
• the cavity container handling vehicles 401 may have a footprint which is larger than the lateral area defined by a storage column 105 as shown in Fig. 1 and 4 , e.g. as is disclosed in WO2014/090684A1 or WO2019/206487A1 .
• the rail system 108 typically comprises rails with grooves in which the wheels of the vehicles run.
• the rails may comprise upwardly protruding elements, where the wheels of the vehicles comprise flanges to prevent derailing. These grooves and upwardly protruding elements are collectively known as tracks.
• Each rail may comprise one track, or each rail 110,111 may comprise two parallel tracks.
• each rail in one direction e.g. an X direction
• each rail in the other, perpendicular direction e.g. a Y direction
• Each rail 110,111 may also comprise two track members that are fastened together, each track member providing one of a pair of tracks provided by each rail.
• WO2018/146304A1 illustrates a typical configuration of rail system 108 comprising rails and parallel tracks in both X and Y directions.
• a majority of the columns are storage columns 105, i.e. columns 105 where storage containers 106 are stored in stacks 107.
• storage columns 105 there are special-purpose columns within the framework structure.
• columns 119 and 120 are such special-purpose columns used by the container handling vehicles 201,301,401 to drop off and/or pick up storage containers 106 so that they can be transported to an access station (not shown) where the storage containers 106 can be accessed from outside of the framework structure 100 or transferred out of or into the framework structure 100.
• such a location is normally referred to as a 'port' and the column in which the port is located may be referred to as a 'port column' 119,120.
• the transportation to the access station may be in any direction, that is horizontal, tilted and/or vertical.
• the storage containers 106 may be placed in a random or dedicated column 105 within the framework structure 100, then picked up by any container handling vehicle and transported to a port column 119,120 for further transportation to an access station.
• the transportation from the port to the access station may require movement along various different directions, by means such as delivery vehicles, trolleys or other transportation lines.
• the term 'tilted' means transportation of storage containers 106 having a general transportation orientation somewhere between horizontal and vertical.
• the first port column 119 may for example be a dedicated drop-off port column where the container handling vehicles 201,301,401 can drop off storage containers 106 to be transported to an access or a transfer station
• the second port column 120 may be a dedicated pick-up port column where the container handling vehicles 201,301,401 can pick up storage containers 106 that have been transported from an access or a transfer station.
• a workbench comprising a workstand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the set of individual platforms are positioned under the workbench when in their storage position. This advantageously allows a workbench to be usable ergonomically by users of different heights with the platforms being stored, preferably fully, under the workbench.
• the platforms 10 are configured to be pulled out singly (as one platform 10' is shown accordingly), with each platform being self-supporting for example with the guiding arrangement 12 supporting the platform 10' on the floor 6 such that only the platform of the desired height may be extended.
• a platform 10' when extended, a platform 10' is stacked upon the other platforms below it in order that the platform of the desired height is suitably supported.
• the platforms 10 of the workstand 3 operate in a similar manner to the platforms of Figs. 5a - 5c .
• the platforms 10 are shown in their storage positions stacked upon one another.
• the platforms 10 are configured to be moved - pulled out from the storage position of Fig. 6a (only in this embodiment located away from the workbench 2 and not located underneath the workbench 2 as according to Fig. 5 ) -like a drawer into the usable position of Fig. 6b or c (manually, for example using a handle, or by means of a motor and gear drive - not shown).
• the stack of platforms 10 can be arranged to be stored vertically as shown in Fig. 7a .
• the platforms 10 in this embodiment are arranged in parallel next to each other, vertically or upright at an angle of 90° to the horizontal floor 6.
• One or more of the platforms 10 are configured to be tilted or rotated about guiding arrangement 12, here a pivot or hinge, into a usable position Fig. 7b (again manually or by means of a motor drive - not shown).
• a desired height of the platforms is their usable position may be achieved by pivoting a suitable number of platforms 10.
• the platforms 10' are stacked upon each other - and the respectively lower platform may (but not necessarily must) support the respective next one above (as it is the case in the shown embodiment).
• Figs. 8a to 8c and 9a to 9c show slight variations to the arrangement as shown in Figs. 5a to 5c .
• a workbench 2 is shown with an access opening 13 on the worksurface 8.
• the access opening 13 allows a user access, for example, to containers delivered to the workbench 2.
• the workbench 2 has a workstand 3 comprising a set of three individual platforms 10 arranged in their storage position under the workbench 2. It will be understood that that any number of platforms may be provided depending on the degree of adjustment required.
• the platforms may each be of the same thickness or may be of different thicknesses.
• Each of the platforms has a handle 14 for extending one or more of the platforms to a usable position.
• Fig. 8b the platforms 10 are shown in a staggered extended state. Such a configuration may allow for gradual, stepped access to the uppermost platform 10 upon which a user will stand in use.
• the guiding arrangement 12 is provided on the longitudinal opposing side edges of each platform 10 and may for example comprise rails. The guiding arrangement can serve to maintain alignment between the platforms 10 and the workstation 2 to allow for a stable and fixed platform for a user..
• Fig 8c shows the middle platform 10' in an extended usable position with a user/operator 15 at the desired height with respect to the worksurface 8 of the workbench 2.
• the guiding arrangement 12 may allow for a cantilevered configuration of a platform 10' without additional support.
• a workbench 2 is shown with an access opening 13 on the worksurface 8.
• the access opening 13 allows a user access, for example, to containers delivered to the workbench 2.
• the workbench 2 has a workstand 3 comprising a set of three platforms 10 arranged in their storage position under the workbench 2. It will be understood that that any number of platforms may be provided.
• the platforms may each be of the same thickness or may be of different thicknesses.
• Each of the platforms has a handle 14 for extending one or more of the platforms to a usable position.
• Fig. 9b the platforms 10 are shown in a staggered extended state. Such a configuration may allow for gradual, stepped access to the uppermost platform 10 upon which a user will stand in use.
• the guiding arrangement 12 in this example are extensions extending vertically downwards from the longitudinal opposing side edges of each platform 10, which extend to and rest of the ground in order to support each platform. The extensions can be seen to nest around an adjacent platform.
• the guiding arrangement can serve to maintain alignment between the platforms 10 and the workstation 2 to allow for a stable and fixed platform for a user.
• Fig 9c shows the middle platform 10' in an extended usable position with a user/operator 15 at the desired height with respect to the worksurface 8 of the workbench 2.
• the guiding arrangement 12 supports the platform 10' on the ground such that only the desired platform 10' need be extended.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)

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Citations (10)

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• 2024
  • 2024-01-22 EP EP24153038.5A patent/EP4588621A1/fr active Pending
  • 2024-12-12 WO PCT/EP2024/085885 patent/WO2025157504A1/fr active Pending

Patent Citations (10)

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