Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of storage racking, and particularly to pallet racking systems of the type used in storage facilities. The present disclosure is especially concerned with an apparatus for use in accessing a racking system, such as during assembly or erection of such a racking system, but also during quality assurance checks and/or maintenance of the racking system. Thus, the disclosure also relates to an associated method of accessing a racking system, as well as to a method of assembling a racking system.

[0002] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the present disclosure in relation to a pallet racking system used for warehouses. It should be appreciated, however, that the apparatus and method of this disclosure are not limited to this application only and may be used for accessing other types of structures in a range of locations or contexts.

Background Art

[0003] Any reference to or discussion of background art, including to any documents, herein is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure only and is not to be considered as an admission that such background art forms part of the state of the art or is widely known or forms a part of the common general knowledge in the relevant field in Australia or in any other country at the date of this application.

[0004] Large retail entities, such as general stores, supermarkets and online retailers, typically hold or store large quantities of goods at a central warehouse or logistics centre. From there, the goods are then distributed to branch warehouses or retail stores within the retail network, or to customers directly. As will be appreciated, the goods inventory and the volume of products can be enormous.

[0005] It is a basic logistic and economic necessity that a warehouse of a given size should hold as much stock as possible for maximal storage efficiency. It is also a logistic and economic necessity that the goods are able to be arranged quickly in the storage facility and retrieved quickly from the storage facility when an order is received. To cope with these logistic demands, order picking systems, such as in US Patent No. 8,827,619, have been developed for order picking goods stored in rack warehouses.

[0006] There are many varieties of racking for the storage of goods in horizontal rows with multiple levels, often extending tens of metres in height, and up to 40 or 50 metres high. The racks typically comprise a frame or framework of structural or load-bearing members or beams. In this regard, most racks comprise rectangular frameworks defined by interconnected vertical members and horizontal members, which may optionally be strengthened or reinforced by diagonal and/or horizontal braces. The frame or framework may, for example, be provided in modules to be combined and interconnected with one another. During assembly, the modules may be lifted into place using a crane and then secured to one another to form the racking. Metal, timber, or wire mesh decking may provide a flat surface for supporting goods in the racking. Alternatively, or in addition to the decking, roll-formed channel members provided in or on the frame may be configured to support pallets bearing the goods. The racking frames may be secured at ground level by footings or footplates bolted to the warehouse floor and wall ties connected to the warehouse walls may provide lateral support and stability.

[0007] Depending on the configuration of the racking system, goods may be arranged on the racks and retrieved by a number of different systems. Drive-in systems utilise a forklift to put goods directly onto racks. Other systems use forklifts to place or remove goods on wheeled carts running on rails located on the rack frame. Another system uses heavy-duty rolling carriages on the racks to automatically mobilise pallets of goods.

[0008] Very narrow aisle (VNA) racking systems use racks in a tighter configuration to enhance space utilization within a warehouse. This kind of configuration is often used in conjunction with a guided reach-truck system for arrangement of the goods on the racks. The advantages of VNA racking systems include an improved use of available space and an associated increase in the speed of accessing and retrieving goods (i.e. , “picking”).

[0009] As noted above, the assembly of a racking system typically involves using one or more cranes to lift frame members and/or modules into position with respect to one another, where they then need to be rigidly secured or anchored in position. In doing so, the installation and securing of the frame members or modules is generally carried out manually. To this end, scissor lifts or small mobile cranes (e.g., cherry pickers) have been used to transport and elevate workers to appropriate access points where they then bolt together the structural members of the frame modules to form the racking system. When VNA racking systems are used, there are limitations on the physical size of the scissor lifts or cranes that can be used. As a result, the maximum working height they will typically achieve is limited to about 10 metres. A problem therefore arises if the desired racking height exceeds that range of elevation.

[0010] In some cases, therefore, workers have been required to climb the racking as it is assembled to elevated heights. As will be appreciated, working at heights in such a way not only involves obvious occupational health and safety concerns but also requires workers with highly specialised training and skills. Safety measures, such as harnesses and fall protection, are therefore required for the workers in such an environment by the occupational health and safety laws. And depending on how those safety measures are designed and implemented, they may significantly limit worker mobility and increase the time and cost of assembling the racking system.

Summary

[0011] In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a new apparatus and a new method for accessing and/or for assembling a racking system, especially a racking system of substantial height for large storage facilities.

[0012] It would be helpful for embodiments of the disclosure to substantially overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the disadvantages of the known arrangements or at least to provide a useful alternative to known arrangements.

[0013] According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for accessing a racking system, comprising a platform or other support structure adapted to be mounted or suspended in an elevated position adjacent the racking system, and at least one safety enclosure supported on the platform (or structure) for accommodating at least one worker, the safety enclosure being movable relative to the platform I structure, wherein the safety enclosure is configured for movement from the platform / structure in the elevated position onto the racking system.

[0014] In the context of its use with the racking system, the apparatus may preferably be in the form of an access device, such as an access cradle, for at least one worker to use during assembly of the racking system or during a quality assurance check or during maintenance of the racking system. In this regard, as the frame of the racking system is assembled, for example by frame modules of vertical and horizontal beams or structural members being stacked upon one another and rigidly secured (e.g., bolted) together by workers, the apparatus disclosed enables one or more workers to move up to a suitable elevated position adjacent the racking system and then to move from the platform of the apparatus onto the racking system in the safety enclosure. That is, the safety enclosure accommodating the one or more workers is configured to move from the platform onto the racking system for access to parts of the racking system that were not accessible by the worker(s) from the platform.

[0015] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the platform includes or defines a path of movement for the safety enclosure from the platform onto the racking system. In this context, the platform may also define a path of movement for the safety enclosure from the racking system back onto the platform. Preferably, the platform includes at least one rail or track which forms or defines the path of movement of the safety enclosure onto the racking system. In this regard, the platform preferably includes two parallel rails or tracks which define the path of movement of the safety enclosure onto the racking system. The at least one rail or track on the platform may be configured and arranged for alignment with one or more corresponding rails or tracks on the racking system when the platform is mounted or suspended in the elevated position adjacent the racking system. In this way, the safety enclosure is able to move or travel along the at least one rail or track on the platform and transition or pass onto the aligned corresponding rail(s) or track(s) on the racking system.

[0016] In an embodiment, the safety enclosure has a base upon which the at least one worker is supported and a barrier that surrounds or encompasses a workspace for accommodating the worker(s) on the base. In this way, a worker is preferably able to stand within the safety enclosure and to be surrounded by a safety barrier that will provide support for the worker and inhibit or prevent the worker from inadvertently falling from the safety enclosure. Preferably, therefore, the barrier will have an adequate height above the base, e.g., in the range of about 1 metre to 1.5 metres above the base, and will therefore reach at least to about a waist height of the worker(s) and more preferably to about chest height of the worker(s).

[0017] In an embodiment, the safety enclosure includes one or more lateral stabilisers on laterally opposite sides thereof to prevent unwanted lateral tipping of the enclosure in the event that a lateral force is applied to the barrier. In particular, in the event that a worker within the safety enclosure were to lose balance and to fall or lean heavily against the barrier of the enclosure, the lateral stabilisers are configured to withstand the force imparted to the safety enclosure by the worker’s mass and impact and to resist any undesired tipping of the safety enclosure from its position on the path of movement, e.g., on the rails(s) or track(s) of the platform or the racking system. Each lateral stabiliser is preferably provided in the form of a guide that is designed to abut or engage a part of a respective rail or track of the platform or of the racking system.

[0018] In an embodiment, the safety enclosure is configured for rolling engagement with the platform for rolling movement onto the racking system from the platform in the elevated position. The safety enclosure is thus also configured for rolling movement from the racking system back onto the platform. To this end, the safety enclosure preferably includes a plurality of main rollers or wheels for rolling engagement with the platform to support rolling movement of the safety enclosure between the platform and the racking system. In this regard, at least three, and preferably at least four, main rollers or wheels are mounted in spaced apart relation along each of two opposite sides of a base of the safety enclosure. This way, although a small gap may exist between each rail or track on the platform and each corresponding aligned rail or track on the racking system, the presence of more than two wheels spaced apart along each side of the safety enclosure means that the gap will not substantially affect the balanced or even rolling of the safety enclosure, and the enclosure will smoothly traverse the gap without disruption to the travel of the safety enclosure. It will be appreciated that, while rolling movement of the safety enclosure is highly preferred, other forms of movement (e.g., sliding movement) are also contemplated by this disclosure. Each safety enclosure is therefore configured to be independently mobile relative to the platform and the racking system. Each safety enclosure may, for example, be in the form of a wheeled trolley.

[0019] In an embodiment, the safety enclosure has a plurality of guide rollers or guide wheels for rolling engagement with the platform to guide the movement of the safety enclosure between the platform and the racking system. The guide rollers or guide wheels are arranged to rotate about axes that are oriented non-parallel to rotational axes of the main rollers or wheels, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the rotational axes of the main rollers or wheels. In this way, the guide rollers or wheels are configured and arranged to resist or prevent any skewing of the safety enclosure along the path of movement; e.g., to resist any skewing as it rolls along on the rails or tracks.

[0020] In an embodiment, the platform includes a plurality of mounting arms, each of which is configured for engagement with a frame of the racking system to secure and/or to hold the platform mounted or suspended in an elevated position adjacent a racking system. The mounting arms thus operate to mount the apparatus to the frame of the racking system, such that it is supported on and by the frame of the racking system. That is, the mounting arms operate to create a fixed platform - i.e., fixed to the frame of the racking system - for stably and securely supporting the workers who are working on the racking system, e.g., during assembly or checking or maintenance of the racking system.

[0021] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of mounting arms is movable between a retracted, non-use position and an extended position for engagement with the frame of the racking system. Each of the plurality of mounting arms is preferably configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position, e.g., to pivot through an angle of about 90 degrees. However, telescopic (e.g., axial) movement of the mounting arms between the retracted position and the extended position is also conceivable. Each mounting arm preferably has an electric motor to drive the movement (e.g., pivoting movement) between the retracted position and the extended position. The movement of the mounting arms between the retracted and extended positions desirably occurs substantially in a plane of the platform or its deck structure or within the thickness of the platform or its deck structure. This applies regardless of how the movement occurs - e.g., whether it involves pivoting or telescopic movement.

[0022] In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the mounting arms is configured to receive and to engage with a structural member or beam of the frame of the racking system, preferably with a horizontally extending structural member or beam of the frame. To this end, each of the mounting arms preferably includes a holder at an end region thereof configured to receive and engage with a horizontally extending structural member or beam of the frame of the racking system. Each holder is preferably downwardly open to receive the horizontally extending structural member or beam of the frame from below. The mounting arms are thus configured to be lowered onto the structural member or beam of the frame of the racking system to receive and engage therewith. In this regard, the platform has or forms a deck structure upon which the at least one safety enclosure is supported, and each of the plurality of mounting arms preferably extends laterally and substantially horizontally from the deck structure in the extended position.

[0023] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for accessing a racking system, comprising a platform adapted to be mounted or suspended in an elevated position adjacent the racking system, at least one safety enclosure which is supported on the platform for accommodating at least one worker, and a plurality of mounting arms, each of which is configured for engagement with a frame of the racking system to secure or to hold the platform mounted or suspended in the elevated position adjacent the racking system. The platform has or forms a deck structure upon which the at least one safety enclosure is supported, and each of the plurality of mounting arms is movable between a retracted, non-use position and an extended position in which it extends laterally and substantially horizontally from the deck structure for engagement with a frame of the racking system.

[0024] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the apparatus includes a suspension frame rigidly connected with and extending upwardly from the platform from which the platform is adapted to be suspended by cables. The apparatus further comprises at least one cable hoist provided on the suspension frame for raising and lowering the platform via the cables. Preferably, the suspension frame comprises two upright suspension structures at laterally opposite sides of the platform, and each of the upright suspension structures includes a cable hoist for raising and lowering the platform via the cables.

[0025] According to a further aspect, the disclosure provides a method of accessing a racking system using an apparatus according to any one of the embodiments described above, especially during assembly or checking or maintenance of a racking system, the method comprising steps of: raising the apparatus to locate the platform in an elevated position adjacent the racking system, mounting or securing the platform to the racking system in the elevated position; and moving a safety enclosure accommodating a worker from the platform along a path of movement provided or defined by the platform onto the racking system in the elevated position.

[0026] In a related aspect, the disclosure provides a method of assembling a racking system using an apparatus according to any one of the embodiments described above, the method comprising steps of: raising or elevating the apparatus to locate the platform in an elevated position adjacent the racking system; mounting or securing the platform to the racking system in the elevated position; and moving a safety enclosure with a worker from the platform along a path of movement provided or defined by the platform onto the racking system in the elevated position, whereby the worker can assemble a frame of the racking system.

[0027] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the step of mounting the platform in the elevated position includes aligning one or more rails or tracks on the platform providing or defining the path of movement with one or more corresponding rails or tracks on the racking system when the platform is in the elevated position.

[0028] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the step of mounting the platform in the elevated position includes moving a plurality of mounting arms from a retracted, non-use position to an extended position extending substantially horizontally outward from the platform for engagement with a frame of the racking system, and lowering the platform such that a holder at an end region of each mounting arm receives and engages with a horizontally extending structural member or beam of the frame of the racking system.

[0029] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the step of moving the safety enclosure from the platform onto the racking system includes rolling the safety enclosure along at least one rail or track that forms or defines the path of movement of the safety enclosure onto the racking system. The step of moving the safety enclosure may be performed by manual movement of the safety enclosure, e.g., by one or more worker accommodated in the safety enclosure, or by motorised movement of the safety enclosure.

[0030] In an embodiment, the step of raising the apparatus to locate the platform in an elevated position adjacent the racking system includes hoisting the apparatus suspended by cables. The step of hoisting the apparatus may be performed using one or more cable hoists, preferably driven by an electric motor.

[0031] In an embodiment, any one or more of the steps of: (i) raising the apparatus to locate the platform in an elevated position adjacent the racking system, and (ii) mounting the platform in an elevated position to the racking system, is performed or controlled via a control device provided on the platform.

[0032] According to yet another aspect, the disclosure provides an access cradle for accessing a racking system, the access cradle configured to be mounted or suspended in an elevated position adjacent the racking system with at least one safety enclosure supported thereon for accommodating one or more workers, the safety enclosure being configured for movement or travel from the access cradle in the elevated position onto the racking system.

[0033] In an embodiment, the access cradle includes or defines a path of movement for the safety enclosure from the access cradle onto the racking system, and preferably from the racking system back onto the access cradle. To this end, the access cradle may have at least one rail or track which forms or defines the path of movement of the safety enclosure onto the racking system. For example, this may include two parallel rails or tracks defining the path of movement of the safety enclosure onto the racking system. The at least one rail or track on the access cradle is configured for alignment with one or more corresponding rails or tracks on the racking system when the access cradle is mounted or suspended in the elevated position adjacent the racking system.

[0034] In an embodiment, the access cradle has a plurality of mounting arms, each mounting arm being configured for engagement with the racking system to secure and/or to hold the access cradle mounted or suspended in the elevated position adjacent the racking system.

[0035] Advantages provided by embodiments of the apparatus and the method of the present disclosure may include the following: (i) improved occupational health and safety for workers accessing or assembling racking systems; (ii) improved access to elevated racks in large storage facilities; (iii) easier assembly of relatively high racking systems, and (iv) suitability for situations in which scissor lifts or cranes may be impractical.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0036] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and advantages thereof, exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference signs identify or designate like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of frame modules in a stacked arrangement forming columns of a racking system and an access apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in use with a worker accessing a frame structure of the racking system during its assembly; Fig. 2 is a front view of frame modules in Fig. 1 being assembled and interconnected to form a racking system using an access apparatus according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the racking system in Figs. 1 and 2 during assembly with an access apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in use;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an access apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure shown in use during assembly of a racking system;

Fig. 5 is a further perspective view of the access apparatus of Fig. 4 shown in use during assembly of a racking system;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the access apparatus of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the region labelled “A” in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the access apparatus in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of a mounting arm of the apparatus;

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the region labelled “B” in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a movable safety enclosure of the apparatus of Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the access apparatus in Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure shown in use during assembly of a racking system; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 13.

[0037] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate particular embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Other embodiments and many of the attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as they become better understood with reference to the following detailed description. [0038] It will be appreciated that common and/or well understood elements that may be useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are not necessarily depicted in order to facilitate a more abstracted view of the embodiments. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale relative to each other. It will also be understood that certain actions and/or steps in an embodiment of a method may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrences while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.

Detailed Description Of The Embodiments

[0039] With reference firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, during the assembly of a racking system R, end frame modules M and structural members V, H that will together form a frame F of the racking system R are lifted into place and positioned with respect to one another using a crane C. Each of the end frame modules M is a preassembly of vertical structural members or pillars V and horizontal structural members or beams H. Each base end module will typically include footings, such as footplates P, which can be anchored or bolted to a floor of the warehouse in which the racking system R is erected. Once two or more end modules M are in position and securely bolted to the warehouse floor, an apparatus 1 of the present disclosure can be deployed to bring workers W to an elevated position adjacent the frame F to access the racking system R and to secure and interconnect the vertical and horizontal structural members V, H of the modules M with respect to one another. As this process progresses, additional structural members V, H and end frame modules M may be lifted into position using the crane C to be secured by the workers W accessing the frame F of the racking system R at that particular height or elevation. To this end, the access apparatus 1 of the disclosure is placed in a suitable elevated position for the workers W to access the frame F and to secure the modules M and the structural members V, H relative to one another and to the rest of the frame. The elevated position of the access apparatus 1 is then adjusted as the assembly progresses with a height of the access apparatus 1 gradually increasing when assembly of the lower parts of the frame F have been completed.

[0040] With reference now to Figs. 4 to 12 of the drawings, a first embodiment of the apparatus 1 for accessing the racking system R will be described in detail. The access apparatus 1 of this embodiment is designed for accessing the racking system R from an aisle A formed within the frame F of the racking system R, as shown in Fig. 3. As seen in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the access apparatus 1 is located in an elevated position in the aisle A mounted on the respective horizontal structural members or beams H1 , H2 between the vertical structural members or pillars V1 of a first module M1 and the vertical structural members or pillars V2 of an opposite second module M2. The apparatus 1 comprises a platform 10 and a suspension frame 20 rigidly connected to the platform 10 that extends upwards from the platform 10 and from which the platform 10 is adapted to be suspended by cables. To this end, the suspension frame 20 comprises two upright suspension structures 21 at laterally opposite sides of the platform 10. Each suspension structure 21 is formed as a framework of interconnected structural elements 22 (typically of steel), and each of the upright suspension structures 21 includes a cable hoist 23 for raising and lowering the platform on suspended cables 24 (only partially shown). As can be seen in Figs. 6 and 12, a control console 25 is provided in a central region 11 of the platform 10 at which a worker W may control the various operations of the apparatus 1 , including the raising and lowering of the platform 10 via each of the cable hoists 23.

[0041] As is particularly apparent from drawing Figs. 4 to 6, the apparatus 1 further includes two safety enclosures 30 supported on the platform 10 on opposite sides of the central region 11 , with each of the safety enclosures 30 being designed to accommodate at least one worker W. A single safety enclosure 30 is shown separately in Fig. 11 of the drawings and can be seen to include a base 31 upon which a worker W can stand and be supported and a barrier 32 formed as a railing secured to the base 31 that surrounds or encompasses a workspace 33 that accommodates the worker W standing on the base 31 . In this way, when a worker W stands in the workspace 33 of the safety enclosure 30, he or she is surrounded by the safety barrier 32 which provides support for the worker W and inhibits or prevents the worker falling from the enclosure 30. The barrier 32 therefore preferably has a height of about 1 to 1 .5 metres above the base 31 and reaches at least to about a waist height of the worker W, and more preferably to about a chest height of the worker W. It will also be appreciated that the safety enclosure 30 (typically of steel) is configured for movement, and specifically, for rolling engagement, with respect to the platform 10. For this reason, the safety enclosure 30 includes a plurality of main rollers or main wheels 34 (e.g., of an engineering plastic, like polyamide (PA, nylons)) rotatably mounted to the base 31 (e.g., on axles) to support the rolling movement of the safety enclosure 30. That is, four main rollers or wheels 34 are spaced apart along each of two opposite sides of the base 31 , as can be seen in Fig. 11 . [0042] With reference to Figs. 4 to 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that platform 10 of the apparatus 1 has a deck structure 12 (typically of steel) and includes a pair of parallel rails or tracks 13 on each opposite side of the central region 11 . Each of the parallel rails or tracks 13 is formed as a C-section member or a channel profile member for receiving and guiding the rolling engagement and travel of each safety enclosure 30 on its main rollers or wheels 34. The rails or tracks 13 provided on the platform 10 are configured and arranged for alignment with complementary rails or tracks T on each level of the racking system R when the platform 10 is mounted or suspended in its elevated position adjacent the racking system R. In this connection, each rail or track T provided on the frame F of racking system R is formed as a Z-purlin or Z-section member. Thus, the lower flange and central vertical web of each C-section rail or track 13 on the platform 10 is configured for substantial alignment with the lower flange and central vertical web of the corresponding Z-section rail or track T on the racking system frame F. This way, each safety enclosure 30 is designed for rolling movement along its respective rails or tracks 13 from the platform 10 in the elevated position onto the aligned rails or tracks T of the racking system R. The safety enclosure 30 further includes guide rollers or wheels 35 in rolling engagement with the platform 10 for guiding the movement of the safety enclosure 30 along the respective rails or tracks 13, T. As seen in Figs. 7 and 11 , the guide rollers or guide wheels 35 (e.g., again, of engineering plastic) are arranged at the forward and rearward ends of the base 31 of each safety enclosure 30 to rotate about axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the rotational axes of the main rollers or wheels 34. The guide rollers or wheels 35 are thus configured and arranged for rolling engagement with the central web of each respective rail or track 13, T and they operate to resist or prevent misalignment or skewing of the safety enclosure 30 as it travels the along the path of movement in those rails or tracks 13, T.

[0043] Accordingly, the apparatus 1 enables one or more worker W (e.g., one worker in each safety enclosure 30) to move to a suitable elevated position adjacent the racking system R on the platform 10 and then to move from the platform 10 onto the frame F of the racking system R in the safety enclosure 30. In other words, each safety enclosure 30 having one or more worker W accommodated therein is configured to move from the platform 10 onto the racking system R so as to provide access to parts of the frame F of the racking system R that were not accessible by the worker(s) W from the platform 10. Before the safety enclosures 30 may be released for movement off the platform 10 onto the frame F of the racking system R, however, the platform 10 must be stably located and secured in the correct position adjacent the racking system R To achieve this, the apparatus 1 employs a plurality of mounting arms 40.

[0044] With reference to drawing Figs. 8, 9 and 12, each of the four mounting arms 40 comprises a steel member or strut 41 with an inverted U-shaped holder or saddle 42 at a free end thereof. Each mounting arm 40 is pivotally hinged to the deck structure 12 of the platform 10 via a cylindrical sleeve 43 and a pivot pin 44 at its opposite fixed end. Each mounting arm 40 is thus pivotally moveable between a retracted or non-use position generally parallel to a side of the deck structure 12 and an extended position oriented at about 90 degrees substantially horizontally outwards from the side of platform 10. Each mounting arm 40 has an electric motor 45 and transmission to drive its pivotal movement between the retracted position and the extended position and the operation of mounting arms 40 via the electric motors 45 is controlled remotely at the control console 25.

[0045] The holder or saddle 42 at the free end of each mounting arm 40 is configured to receive and engage with a horizontally extending structural member H of the frame F of the racking system R. The mounting arms 40 are thus configured to be lowered onto the structural members or beams H of the frame F of the racking system R to receive and engage therewith. In use, therefore, the access apparatus 1 is raised in the aisle A of the racking system R via the cable hoists 23 towards a desired elevated position with each of the mounting arms 40 in its retracted position. The raising of the apparatus 1 is stopped when the platform 10 is a little above the horizontal structural members H1 , H2 of the frame F which represent the desired elevated position. Each of the mounting arms 40 is then pivoted to its extended position and the platform 10 is very gradually lowered via the cable hoists 34 while a worker W makes small manual adjustments to the position of the platform 10 in order for the holder or saddle 42 of each mounting arm 40 to align with the respective horizontal structural members or beams H1 , H2 of the frame F and in order for the rails or tracks 13 on the platform 10 to align with the corresponding rails or tracks T on the racking system R. When the inverted U-shaped holders or saddles 42 of the mounting arms 40 receive and seat upon the horizontal beams H1 , H2 of the frame F, the platform 10 is then securely mounted adjacent the racking system R in the desired elevated position. In this way, the mounting arms 40 operate to mount and fix the access apparatus 1 to the frame F of the racking system, such that it is supported on and by the frame F of the racking system R. That is, the mounting arms 40 operate to securely fix the platform 10 to the frame F of the racking system R for stably and securely supporting the workers W working on the racking system R, e.g., during assembly or maintenance of the racking system. For this reason, once all four of the mounting arms 40 are set and engaged with the horizontal beams H1 , H2 of the frame F via the holders or saddles 42, the tension in the cables 24 can be fully released via the hoists 23.

[0046] With the platform 10 of the access apparatus 1 securely fixed to the frame F of the racking system R via the mounting arms 40 and with respective rails or tracks 13, T on the platform 10 and the racking system R aligned, the movable safety enclosures 30 may now be released for movement onto the racking system R. Although a small gap G, e.g. of about 50 mm to 100 mm, may exist between the rails or tracks 13 on the platform 10 and the corresponding aligned rails or tracks T on the racking system R, respectively, the fact that there are four main wheels 34 mounted in spaced apart relation along each of the opposite sides of the base 31 of the safety enclosure 30 (e.g., at intervals of about 150 mm to 500 mm) means that the gap G will not noticeably affect a balanced and even rolling of the safety enclosure 30 along the rails or tracks 13, T as the safety enclosure traverses the gap. The enclosure 30 will smoothly traverse the gap G without disrupting the travel of the safety enclosure 30.

[0047] With reference to drawing Figs. 6, 7 and 11 , it will be appreciated that each safety enclosure 30 includes two lateral stabilisers 36 on each of two laterally opposite sides thereof to prevent unwanted lateral or sideways tipping of the enclosure 30 in the event that a lateral force is applied to the barrier 32. Each lateral stabiliser 36 is provided in the form of a guide comprising metal strip on an upright of the barrier railing 32 and is designed to extend around and/or to abut an upper flange of the Z-purlin or Z-section of the rail or track T on the racking system R. In this way, if a worker W within the safety enclosure 33 were to lose balance and to fall against the barrier 32 of the enclosure 30, the lateral stabiliser 36 is configured to engage the Z-purlin or Z-section of rail or track T on the racking system R and so withstand the force imparted to the safety enclosure 30 by the mass and impact of the worker W and to resist any undesired tipping of the safety enclosure 30 from its position on the rails or tracks T of the racking system R. It will be noted from Fig. 11 that one or more of the stabilisers 36 (e.g., preferably each stabiliser) may include a fixing mechanism 50 with a lever 51 and a depending stopper 52 for fixing the safety enclosure 30 in a desired position on the rail or track T. To this end, the lever 51 is configured to press the stopper 52 into frictional engagement with the upper flange of the Z-purlin or Z-section to fix the safety enclosure 30 against rolling movement. [0048] With reference to drawing Figs. 8 and 10, it will be seen that each of the safety enclosures 30 includes a locking mechanism 37 for locking the safety enclosure 30 fixed in position on the platform 10 when the apparatus 1 is not secured to the frame F of the racking system R via the mounting arms 40. In other words, the locking mechanism 37 is a further safety measure to prevent unwanted rolling of the safety enclosures 30 when a desired elevated position of the platform 10 has not yet been reached. The locking pin 38 cooperates with a retaining recess 14 formed between two sloped camming surfaces 15. The sloped camming surfaces 15 are configured to interact with a free end of the locking pin 38 during return of the safety enclosure 30 to its original position on the platform 10. The actuator pedal 39 is adapted to raise and thereby to release the locking pin 38 from the retaining recess 14 when the pedal is depressed. This provides for a convenient and easy operation of the locking mechanism 37 by a worker W standing in the workspace 33 of the safety enclosures 30.

[0049] Referring now to Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings, a second embodiment of the apparatus 1 for accessing the racking system R will be described. Many of the features of this embodiment are the same or correspond directly to the features of the apparatus 1 described above with reference to Figs. 4 to 12. For the sake of economy, therefore, those features will not be described again here in detail. It will be appreciated, however, that the same or corresponding reference signs in the drawings designate or identify the same or corresponding features in each of the embodiments. The following description of this second embodiment will therefore concentrate on the main areas of difference.

[0050] The embodiment of the apparatus 1 for accessing the racking system R seen in Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings is designed for use at one side or face of the frame F of the racking system R, as shown Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, as opposed to being for use in an aisle A between two sections of the frame F. For example, this embodiment is particularly useful in the early stages of erecting and assembling the frame F of the racking system R, when end frame modules M are first being erected.

[0051] As seen in Fig. 13, the access apparatus 1 is in an elevated position supported on the respective horizontal structural members or beams H1 , H2 of first and second end frame modules M1 , M2. As before, the access apparatus 1 comprises a platform 10 and a suspension frame 20 rigidly connected to the platform 10 that extends upwards from the platform 10 and from which the platform 10 is adapted to be suspended by cables 24 (only partially shown). The suspension frame 20 comprises two suspension structures 21 upstanding at opposite sides of a central region 11 of the platform 10. Each suspension structure 21 is again a framework of structural elements 22 (typically of steel), and each suspension structure 21 includes a cable hoist 23 for raising and lowering the platform on the cables 24. As before, the access apparatus 1 includes two safety enclosures 30 (only one of which is shown), which are supported on the platform 10 on opposite sides of the central region 11 , each of the safety enclosures 30 being designed to accommodate at least one worker W. The safety enclosures 30 are essentially as described above and are designed for rolling movement from the platform 10 onto the racking system R and back onto the platform 10 via rails or tracks 13, 13’, Ts, TL.

[0052] Because the apparatus 1 (e.g., access cradle) of this embodiment is designed for use at one side or face of the frame F of the racking system R, the rails or tracks 13, 13’ on the platform 10 are open only from one side of the platform 10 - namely, the side facing the racking system R. The opposite side of the platform 10 is blocked and secured by a safety barrier 16 formed by fixed railings. The ‘open’ side may optionally include a gate member provided as a hinged railing 17 which may be pivotable in a vertical plane between an open and a closed position (shown in Fig. 13). As will be appreciated, such movable railings 17 may also be provided on the platform 10 of the apparatus or access cradle 1 in the embodiment in Figs. 4 to 6. Further, while the apparatus 1 again includes mounting arms 40 for stably locating and securing the platform 10 in the correct position adjacent the racking system R for the safety enclosures 30 to move onto the frame F of the racking system R, only two mounting arms 40 are provided; i.e., both of which are on the side of the platform 10 facing the racking system R. For this reason, the elevated position of the platform 10 adjacent the racking system R in this embodiment is also maintained by the cables 24 via the hoists 23. That is, the two mounting arms 40 and the hoists 23 cooperate to maintain the platform 10 stably and securely fixed at the desired elevated position.

[0053] It will also be noted that the rails or tracks 13, 13’ provided on the platform 10 in pairs for each of the safety enclosures 30 to travel along have different lengths in this embodiment. Specifically, one rail or track 13’ of the pair is longer than the other. This is because the pairs of rails or tracks Ts, TL of the end frame modules M1 , M2 also have different lengths, namely a shorter rail or track Ts combined with a longer rail or track TL. As a result, the apparatus 1 of this embodiment is suspended somewhat spaced or offset from the vertical structural members V1 , V2 of the frame F of the racking system R, but the differing lengths of the rails or tracks 13, 13’ provided on the platform 10 are selected to match and complement the rails or tracks Ts, TL of the end frame modules M1 , M2. As such, when the rails or tracks 13, 13’, Ts, TL are aligned, a gap G of only about 30 mm to about 100 mm will exist between the respectively aligned rails or tracks 13-TL and 13’-Ts and a smooth movement or travel of the safety enclosures 30 is still provided.

[0054] It will be appreciated by skilled persons that structurally relevant components of the apparatus 1 , including the platform 10 (including deck structure 12, rails/tracks 13, and railings 16, 17), the suspension frame 20 (including the suspension structures 21 ), and the safety enclosure 30 (including the base 31 and barrier railings 32) will be formed of rigid and robust elements, preferably comprised of metal, such as steel or aluminium, or the like.

[0055] For purposes of this specification, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “interior”, “exterior”, “right”, and “left”, and derivatives thereof, as used herein shall be understood with respect to the ordinary or in-use orientation of the apparatus of this disclosure. It will be understood, however, that the apparatus may have other orientations such that a corresponding adaptation to the terminology may be required. It will also be understood that the specific apparatuses and methods shown in the accompanying drawings and described herein are exemplary embodiments of the concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Also, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature or component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations.

[0056] It will further be appreciated that the term “platform” as used herein in respect of the apparatus of this disclosure generally refers to a support structure, but it need not be limited to a horizontal support structure and it also need not be limited to or include a generally plane surface or floor.

[0057] Although specific embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art that a variety of alternative and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that each exemplary embodiment is an example only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those persons skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0058] Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments specifically described herein. By way of example, a skilled person will readily appreciate that the apparatus of the invention is not limited to being made from any particular material discussed in the embodiments. Rather, the skilled person will appreciate that a range of suitable materials exist, and the skilled person can select a material based upon the known mechanical properties of that material which make it suitable for use in this apparatus.

[0059] It will also be appreciated that the terms "comprise", "comprising", "contain", "containing", "have", "having", and any variations thereof, as used in this document are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, so that the method, device, apparatus, or system described herein is not limited to those features or integers or parts or steps recited but may include other features or integers or parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such method, device, apparatus, or system. Further, the terms "a" and "an" used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, reference to positional terms, such as “lower” and “upper”, as used in the above description are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by a skilled person in the appropriate context. [0060] Drawing reference signs

R racking system 20 suspension frame

F frame of racking system 21 suspension structure

M end frame module 22 structural element

W worker 23 cable hoist

C crane 24 cable

V vertical structural member or pillar 25 control console

H horizontal structural member or beam 30 safety enclosure

P footing or footplate 31 base

A aisle 32 barrier

M1 first module 33 workspace

M2 second module 34 main roller or main wheel

VI vertical structural member or pillar 35 guide roller or guide wheel

H1 horizontal structural member or beam 36 lateral stabiliser

V2 vertical structural member or pillar 37 locking mechanism

H2 horizontal structural member or beam 38 locking pin

T rail or track 39 actuator pedal

Ts rail or track 40 mounting arm

TL rail or track 41 member or strut

G gap 42 holder or saddle

I access apparatus or access cradle 43 sleeve

10 platform 44 pivot pin

I I central region 45 electric motor

12 deck structure 50 fixing mechanism

13 rail or track 51 lever

13' rail or track 52 stopper

14 retaining recess

15 camming surface

16 fixed railing

17 hinged railing