Shelf system

• US 7,269,467 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Inventors: Schildknecht, Susanne
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight; Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang; Sunray
• Application Number:
  US10/389,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20040104653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: 312/9.3, 312/319.5, 312/34.12, 312/34.11, 312/34.9, 312/352, 198/353, 221/90, 221/91, 700/244, 700/243, 700/60, 700/231
• US Class Current: 700/60
• 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 comprising:

a control computer;

computer-controlled compartment displays, wherein the computer-controlled compartment displays indicate a number of articles to be taken out of/placed into the compartment;

a plurality of sliding shelves, each having at least one display element in their frontal area for order picking data;

data connection means to connect the at least one display element to the control computer for these display elements,

whereby the data connection means exchanges data between the at least one display element and the control computer irrespective of the relative position of the shelf vis-à

-vis the other components of the shelf system, and

wherein the sliding shelves are connected to the shelf system by a pressure-generating device that automatically slides the shelves out of and back into the shelf system.

2. The shelf system according to claim 1, wherein 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, wherein at least sections of the cable are laid in an armored conduit.

4. The shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the shelves are mounted so as to slide in a guide rail.

5. The shelf system according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the shelves are connected to at least one pressure-generating device.

6. The shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-generating device is a spring element.

7. The shelf system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-generating device comprises a gas pressure element.