Low profile flow track storage module

• US 6,102,185 A
• Filed: 12/15/1997
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unex Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unex Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Neuwirth, Frank J., Pfeiffer, Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Application Number:
  US08/990,676
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 193/35 R, 198/340, 198/502.1, 414/274, 414/276, 211/187
• US Class Current: 193/35.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/023 Arrangements of article supporting rollers on racks
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 13/11 Roller frames

Abstract

A low profile flow track is described for use in storage facilities, such as warehouses. The flow track requires no assembly upon the pallet rack frame, and does not add appreciable height to the space allotted between the pallet rack beams for storing containers and other items. The flow track has an end plate that is positioned just one inch on top of the horizontal support surface of the pallet rack beam. The end plate is secured to the sides of the flow track, and side plates are specially contoured to provide support upon the step profile of the pallet rack beam.

Claims

1. A low profile flow track that is drop loaded upon a support surface of distally disposed support beams of a storage frame, said low profile flow track comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rollers; and

a pair of spaced-apart side rails that rotatively support said plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rollers, each of said side rails having a contoured section disposed upon distal ends thereof, each of said contoured sections having a cut-out portion that steps down about, and is compatible with, a profile of said support beams, whereby said low profile flow track can be drop loaded upon said storage frame with a low profile that projects above and below said support surface of each of said support beams.

2. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said contoured sections is curvilinear.

3. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a pair of end plates secured at distal ends of said side rails.

4. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 3, wherein each of said pair of end plates includes a pair of flange members defining a slot for an identification tag.

5. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 3, wherein each of said pair of end plates includes means defining a product end stop.

6. A low profile flow track that is drop loaded upon a support surface of distally disposed support beams of a storage frame, said low profile flow track comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rollers; and

a pair of spaced-apart side rails that rotatively support said plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rollers, each of said side rails having a curvilinear contour disposed upon distal ends thereof, each contour having a cut-out portion that steps down about, and is compatible with, a step profile of said support beams, whereby said low profile flow track can be drop loaded upon said storage frame.

7. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a pair of end plates secured at distal ends of said side rails.

8. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 7, wherein each of said pair of end plates includes a pair of flange members defining a slot for an identification tag.

9. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 7, wherein each of said pair of end plates includes means defining a product end stop.

10. A low profile flow track that is drop loaded upon a support surface of distally disposed support beams of a storage frame, said low profile flow track comprising a pair of spaced-apart side rails that rotatively supports a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rollers, each of said side rails having a contoured section disposed upon distal ends thereof, each of said contoured sections having a cut-out portion that steps down about, and is compatible with, a matching cross-sectional shape of said support beams, whereby said low profile flow track can be drop loaded upon said storage frame with a low profile.

11. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 10, wherein each of said contoured sections is curvilinear.

12. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a pair of end plates secured at distal ends of said side rails.

13. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 12, wherein each of said pair of end plates includes a pair of flange members defining a slot for an identification tag.

14. The low profile flow track in accordance with claim 12, wherein each of said pair of end plates includes means defining a product end stop.

15. A low profile flow track that is drop loaded upon a support surface of distally disposed support beams of a storage frame, said low profile flow track comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rollers; and

a pair of spaced-apart side rails that rotatively supports said plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rollers, each of said side rails having an end surface section disposed upon distal ends thereof, each of said end surface sections having a cut-out portion that steps down about, is compatible with, and is matching with a profile of, said support beams, whereby said low profile flow track can be drop loaded upon said storage frame with a low profile that projects above and below said support surface of each of said support beams.

16. A low profile flow track that is drop loaded upon a support surface of distally disposed support beams of a storage frame, said low profile flow track comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart rollers; and

a pair of side rails that rotatively supports said plurality of spaced-apart rollers, each of said side rails having an end section disposed upon distal ends thereof, each of said end sections having an L-shaped surface that is compatible with, and which matches a step profile of, said support beams, whereby said low profile flow track can be drop loaded upon said storage frame with a low profile that projects above and below said support surface of each of said support beams.