Shelf system

• US 20040104653A1
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Inventors: Schildknecht, Susanne
• Granted Patent: US 7,269,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/352
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1371 with data records
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1373 for fulfilling orders in warehouses

Abstract

A shelf system with computer-controlled compartment displays, whereby the displays indicate a number of articles to picked out of the compartment. The shelf system has a plurality of sliding shelves in that the shelves have at least one display element in their frontal area for order picking data. The shelf system is configured in such a way that a data exchange between the display elements and the control computer can take place irrespective of the relative position of the shelf vis-à-vis the other components of the shelf system.

Claims

1. A shelf system with computer-controlled compartment displays, whereby the computer-controlled compartment displays indicate a number of articles to be picked out of the compartment, characterized in that the shelf system comprises a plurality of sliding shelves, in that the shelves each have at least one display element in their frontal area for order picking data, and in that the shelf system comprises data connection means which serve to connect the display elements to a control computer for these display elements, whereby the connection elements are configured in such a way that a data exchange between the display elements and the control computer can take place irrespective of the relative position of the shelf vis-à

-vis the other components of the shelf system.

2. The shelf system according to claim 1, characterized in that the data connection means is a data line having a length that allows a connection to the control computer even when the shelves are completely pulled out.

3. The shelf system according to claim 2, characterized in that at least sections of the cable are laid in an armored conduit.

4. The shelf system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelves are mounted so as to slide in a guide rail.

5. The shelf system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the shelves are connected to a device that automatically slides the shelves out of or back into the shelf system.

6. The shelf system according to claim 5, characterized in that at least some of the shelves are connected to at least one pressure-generating device.

7. The shelf system according to claim 6, characterized in that the pressure-generating device comprises a spring element.

8. The shelf system according to one or both of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the pressure-generating device comprises a gas pressure element.