The invention relates to an expansion joint (10) for connecting regions of a rail-based grid storage system (50, 50′, 50″; 104, 104′, 104″), the expansion joint (10) comprising: a first rail element (12) and a second rail element (11), the rail elements (12, 11) being elongate and configured to slide relative to one another in a longitudinal direction in a junction area where they overlap, the expansion joint (10) having a profiled upper surface that defines one or more tracks (27′, 27″) for supporting container handling vehicles (200, 300, 400), the tracks (27′, 27″) extending from the first rail element (12) through the junction area to the second rail element (11), wherein in the junction area, each rail element (11, 12) provides a portion of the or each track (27′, 27″) of the profiled upper surface so that there is a transition extending along the expansion joint (10) from the first rail element (12) to the second rail element (10) for the or each track (27′, 27″). The invention further relates to an automated storage and retrieval system comprising said expansion joint (10) and a method of connecting regions (50, 50′, 50″; 104, 104′, 104″) of a rail-based grid storage system and/or delivery rail system using one or more of the expansion joints (10).

A modular bridging system comprises a channel configured to receive a portion of an elongate rail, the channel being configured to receive the elongate rail substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the modular bridging system; a rail fastener securing the received rail within the channel; a leg receiver configured to receive an elongate leg section; and a leg fastener securing the received leg section such that the received leg section and the elongate rail are configurable to be temporarily affixed in place in relation to each other, wherein a securing point of the fastener is adjustable along a plurality of points along each leg section.

A modular bridging system comprises a channel configured to receive a portion of an elongate rail, the channel being configured to receive the elongate rail substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the modular bridging system; a rail fastener securing the received rail within the channel; a leg receiver configured to receive an elongate leg section; and a leg fastener securing the received leg section such that the received leg section and the elongate rail are configurable to be temporarily affixed in place in relation to each other, wherein a securing point of the fastener is adjustable along a plurality of points along each leg section.

A modular bridging system comprises a channel configured to receive a portion of an elongate rail, the channel being configured to receive the elongate rail substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the modular bridging system; a rail fastener securing the received rail within the channel; a leg receiver configured to receive an elongate leg section; and a leg fastener securing the received leg section such that the received leg section and the elongate rail are configurable to be temporarily affixed in place in relation to each other, wherein a securing point of the fastener is adjustable along a plurality of points along each leg section.

A rail securing mechanism comprises an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion, the outer wall portion and inner wall portion configured to retain a portion of a rail; a recess between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion; and a rail securing assembly at least partially disposed between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion. The rail securing assembly comprises a medial bar at least partially disposed within the recess; a tightening bolt; one or more outer wedge pieces; and one or more inner wedge pieces disposed between the one or more outer wedge pieces and the medial bar. Rotating the tightening bolt causes at least one of the one or more outer wedge pieces or inner wedge pieces to protrude from the recess into a space between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion.

A rail securing mechanism comprises an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion, the outer wall portion and inner wall portion configured to retain a portion of a rail; a recess between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion; and a rail securing assembly at least partially disposed between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion. The rail securing assembly comprises a medial bar at least partially disposed within the recess; a tightening bolt; one or more outer wedge pieces; and one or more inner wedge pieces disposed between the one or more outer wedge pieces and the medial bar. Rotating the tightening bolt causes at least one of the one or more outer wedge pieces or inner wedge pieces to protrude from the recess into a space between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion.

An expansion joint for connecting regions of a grid structure including a plurality of tracks includes first and second track elements being elongate, each of the first and second track elements having an interface portion arranged to slide relative to each other in a longitudinal direction to provide a double track including two parallel track surfaces extending from the first track element to the second track element suitable for guiding two wheeled load handling devices across the expansion joint.

An expansion joint for connecting regions of a grid structure including a plurality of tracks includes first and second track elements being elongate, each of the first and second track elements having an interface portion arranged to slide relative to each other in a longitudinal direction to provide a double track including two parallel track surfaces extending from the first track element to the second track element suitable for guiding two wheeled load handling devices across the expansion joint.

A fish plate clamp for unloading rails 1. The fish plate clamp includes a support element (11, 12) with a first piece (11) and a second piece (12) each one located on a face of the rail (1). Each piece of the support element (11, 12) includes an internal mortise (13) in the area of the web (3) of the rail (1). The fish plate clamp also includes a gripping element (14) located in an internal mortise (13) of the support element (11, 12). The internal mortises (13) have an inclined surface (15) in a manner that, when the gripping element (14) moves along the length of the inclined surface (15) of the internal mortise (13) in the direction of the pull of the rail (1), the gripping element (14) latches onto the web (3) of the rail (1).

A fish plate clamp for unloading rails 1. The fish plate clamp includes a support element (11, 12) with a first piece (11) and a second piece (12) each one located on a face of the rail (1). Each piece of the support element (11, 12) includes an internal mortise (13) in the area of the web (3) of the rail (1). The fish plate clamp also includes a gripping element (14) located in an internal mortise (13) of the support element (11, 12). The internal mortises (13) have an inclined surface (15) in a manner that, when the gripping element (14) moves along the length of the inclined surface (15) of the internal mortise (13) in the direction of the pull of the rail (1), the gripping element (14) latches onto the web (3) of the rail (1).