TECHNICAL AREA OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a new "picking truck protector" that protects pallet racking and similar (in storage areas and wherever equivalent shelving systems are used) from collision damage. When automatically controlled picking robots are not used and picking from shelves is by way of forklift trucks (often referred to as picking trucks), said trucks have an operator. As the trucks are manually controlled by an operator, unintentional collision damage to shelving systems occurs. It is in the nature of the matter that the truck operator concentrates on the load and that unintentional bumps and collisions into/with all parts (but particularly the legs) of the shelving for the loads are common.

THE INVENTION'S BACKGROUND

In warehouses and other equivalent facilities for storing items and products, various types of multi-level pallet racking are often used. Optimisation of floor surfaces has resulted in the picking trucks used in putting and picking goods being given ever less turning space while, at the same time, the requirements for efficiency and increased speed often stress the truck operators. In collisions (especially with pallet racking legs), accidents can occur if the legs or other parts of the pallet racking are damaged so that they collapse entirely or so that parts fall out and over the truck and its operator.

Many different solutions aimed at reducing or preventing the described damage have come onto the market. The most common protection today is to secure angle irons to the floor so that they stop the truck when it contacts the protection. Some type of expansion bolt is used to bolt these angle irons to the floor. As they take up the entire force when the truck hits the protection, it is common for the bolts to come loose with repeated collisions. Consequently, after a while, new holes must be drilled and the protection moved to match up with these.

Other available solutions are to protect each racking leg via an extra plate, or similar, secured as a cladding to the leg. This method is described in, amongst other texts, American patent US 4,113,110. Another solution on the market is a guard around the racking leg. This is described in American patent US 6,672,017 B2.

The two solutions detailed immediately above protect only against collisions with racking legs. However, there is also a need to protect against collisions with other parts of shelving systems (e.g. shelves). There is also a need to protect other areas from truck movement. An example of this is where there is manual picking, weighing or other form of human handling. Protection that is secured to the floor provides good marking of where personnel are protected from, for example, picking trucks. If the protection is made up of flat surfaces and not, as is common today, angle irons that present an edge, the risk of accidents through tripping over the protection is less. Fences are also used to enclose work areas. As these fences are unintentionally driven in to, they eventually look rather unappealing because each collision damages them. Although they look appealing and protective when erected, these fences are often of a weak design. When they have suffered damage and become deformed, they do not give a serious and positive impression. They become crooked and bent. Sometimes, pieces break off, thereby making the fence itself a hazard risk.

THE INVENTION'S PURPOSE AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

By employing a new approach to how the kinetic energy of a vehicle (normally a picking truck) should be taken up, the present invention aims to eliminate several disadvantages of the above-described solutions. This new approach is to let the truck's kinetic energy be gradually dissipated by having the truck "climb" up a protector. Simply put, providing an incline. Braking occurs by exploiting the truck's low ground clearance and having the chassis climb the incline formed by a protector, the latter being made of a suitable material and comparable to an upside down angle iron or an upside down V-profile secured to the floor. See figure 2. A great advantage of this is that the stress on the bolt that holds the protector is minimal in comparison with that occurring in common protection with a secured profile that must instantaneously brake all the kinetic energy on contact with the protection - see figure 1. By having the truck climb the profile, the truck's weight presses against the profile. The latter rests on the floor. A truck's ground clearance is usually between 30 and 50 mm. Protectors can be adapted to this or to any other of the clearance ranges of such vehicles. Provided that the "incline" principle is retained, several different designs can be used for protectors. For softer braking, said incline can be relatively extended along the truck's sides. DETAILS OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a common form of protection that uses an angle iron. Figure 2 shows an invention as per the present application. Figure 3 shows some examples of construction elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED DESIGN OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows the principle of commonly used L-profile protection (3) that is fitted to the floor via a bolt (4). The number of bolts (4) holding a profile can vary greatly depending on truck size, floor materials and profile design. Here, the kinetic energy (2) of the truck (1) has to be handled by the profile (3) and the bolt/bolts (4) that secure the profile to the floor. As all the truck's kinetic energy (2) has to be taken up instantaneously, the inherent stress is extremely disadvantageous for the profile (3) and bolt (4). The bolt (4) is subjected to great stresses and lifting forces. The stop can be compared to a total stop and is uncomfortable for the operator. Furthermore, the stop can present a danger of the load falling off and of unnecessary vibrations arising in the truck.

Figure 2 shows the new approach of transforming kinetic energy into potential energy by forcing the truck up an inclined plane. When a truck (1) with kinetic energy (2) comes into contact with a truck protector (7) that has an inclined plane profile, the truck (1) and its mass are forced up the plane of the profile of the truck protector (7). This has great advantages, particularly for the bolt (4) - there is no transfer to the bolt (4) of any moment that tends to lift it out of the floor. The kinetic energy (2) is dissipated throughout the time that the truck is forced to move upwards, is lifted and comes to a stop.

Figure 3 illustrates a few different parts and profiles that may be included in the system, there being really no limitation - profiles can be produced as needs arise. Figure 3a shows a cross section of one design example. Figure 3b shows a schematic representation of a longitudinal section (but length can be entirely in accordance with needs or in certain selected standard lengths). Figures 3c and d show sections with 90 degree angles. Figures 3e and f show soft, rounded profiles. Finally, figure 3g shows a bow-shaped profile. The truck protector can be used in other contexts than picking trucks - anywhere there is a need to protect areas from any type of vehicle that can cause damage through unintentional entry into such areas.

Profile colour schemes can be varied at will. Commonly used colour schemes are yellow or yellow and black stripes. Reflective coatings may be advantageous in certain applications.