Profile rail for locker system

Abstract

A profile rail (1) is provided for forming a locker system (2) having a plurality of lockers (21, . . . , 26). The profile rail (1) is formed to integrate a locking mechanism (31) of one of the lockers (21) within the profile rail (1). The profile rail (1) comprises a lamella device (11) to cover the integrated locking mechanism (31; 32). The lamella device (11) is arranged to be displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal extension (L) of the profile rail (1). The lamella device (11) can be retained at a retaining site (12) of the profile rail (1) against longitudinal displacement.

Claims

1. A profile rail (1) for forming a locker system (2) having a plurality of lockers (21, . . . , 27), each of the lockers (21, . . . , 27) being formed by a plurality of walls (212, 212, 221, 2124) and having an open front to permit access to the respective locker (21, . . . , 27), the profile (1) rail being adjacent the open front of at least first and second of the lockers (21, . . . , 27) that are adjacent one another, wherein the profile rail (1) comprises: at least two profile legs (17-1, 17-2) with an intervening space (18) delimited by the at least two profile legs (17-1, 17-2); a locking mechanism (31) in the intervening space (18) delimited by the at least two profile legs (17-1, 17-2); and a lamella device (11) to cover the locking mechanism (31), the lamella device (11) being arranged to be displaceable in a direction of a longitudinal extension (L) of the profile rail (1) to access the locking mechanism (31), and wherein the lamella device (11) can be retained at a retaining site (12) of the profile rail (1) against longitudinal displacement.

2. The profile rail (1) of claim 1, wherein the lamella device (11) comprises a plurality of lamella elements (11-1, . . . , 11-6) arranged so as to be displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal extension (L) of the profile rail (1), the plurality of lamella elements (11-1, 11-6) being configured for an at least partially mutually overlapping arrangement, to create a substantially opening-free side cover (14) of the profile rail (1).

3. The profile rail (1) of claim 1, wherein the profile rail (1) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

4. The profile rail (1) of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two profile legs (17-1) comprises at least one opening for forming a locking mechanism entrance (311), so that a bolt can be inserted through the at least one locking mechanism entrance (311) into the locking mechanism (31) to form locking with the locking mechanism (31).

5. The profile rail (1) of claim 1, wherein the profile rail (1) comprises a guide groove (15-1, 15-2) for guiding the lamella device (11) along the longitudinal extension (L) of the profile rail (1).

6. The profile rail (1) of claim 1, wherein the lamella device (11) is displaceable only along the longitudinal extension (L) of the profile rail (1) and is not removable in another direction from the profile rail (1).

7. The profile rail (1) of claim 1, wherein the retaining site (12) of the profile rail (1) is arranged outside of the lockers (21, 26).

8. A locker system (2) having a plurality of lockers (21, . . . , 26), and at least one profile rail (1, 1.sup.1) according to claim 1.

9. A profile rail (1) for forming a locker system (2) having a plurality of lockers (21, . . . , 27), the profile rail (1) forming a part of a side wall (282) of the locker system (2), the side wall (282) subdividing the locker system (2) into a first region (2-A) and a second region (2-B), the first region (2-A) comprising at least one first locker (21) and the second region (2-B) comprising at least one second locker (24), that is arranged horizontally adjacent to the at least one first locker (21), the profile rail (1) being formed to integrate a locking mechanism (31) of one of the lockers (21) within the profile rail (1), wherein the profile rail (1) comprises: a lamella device (11) to cover the integrated locking mechanism (31), the lamella device (11) being arranged to be displaceable in a direction of a longitudinal extension (L) of the profile rail (1), and wherein the lamella device (11) can be retained at a retaining site (12) of the profile rail (1) against longitudinal displacement.

10. The profile rail (1) of claim 9, wherein the profile rail (1) comprises at least two profile legs (17-1, 17-2) to integrate the locking mechanism (31) in an intervening space (18) delimited by the at least two profile legs (17-1, 17-2).

11. The profile rail (1) of claim 9, wherein the integrated locking mechanism (31) is assigned to the at least one second locker (24), a substantially opening-free rear side (16) of the profile rail (1) points to an inner space of this second locker (24), and the lamella device (11) of the profile rail (1) points to an inner space of the first locker (21).

12. A locker system (2) for forming a locker system (2) having a plurality of lockers (21, . . . , 27), and at least one profile rail (1), the profile rail (1) being formed to integrate a locking mechanism (31) of one of the lockers (21) within the profile rail (1), wherein the profile rail (1) comprises: a lamella device (11) to cover the integrated locking mechanism (31), the lamella device (11) being arranged to be displaceable in a direction of a longitudinal extension (L) of the profile rail (1), and wherein the lamella device (11) can be retained at a retaining site (12) of the profile rail (1) against longitudinal displacement, wherein a side wall (282) of the locker system (2) sub-divides the locker system (2) into a first region (2-A) and a second region (2-B), and wherein the first region (2-A) comprises at least one first locker (21) and the second region (2-B) comprises at least one second locker (24), that is arranged horizontally adjacent to the at least one first locker (21), and the profile rail (1) forming a part of the side wall (282).

13. The locker system (2) of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism (31) integrated into the profile rail (1) is assigned to the at least one second locker (24), a substantially opening-free rear side (16) of the profile rail (1) points to an inner space of this second locker (24), and the lamella device (11) of the profile rail (1) points to an inner space of the at least one first locker (21).

14. The locker system (2) of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism (31) integrated into the profile rail (1) is assigned to the at least one first locker (21), a substantially opening-free rear side (16) of the profile rail (1) points to an inner space of the at least one second locker (24), and the lamella device (11) of the profile rail (1) points to an inner space of the at least one first locker (24).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of an exemplary locker system having an exemplary profile rail having lamella elements that have not been displaced.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of the locker system, wherein a first lamella element has been displaced.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of the locker system, wherein the first lamella element and a second lamella element have been displaced.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of the locker system, wherein a plurality of lamella elements have been displaced.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary profile rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of an exemplary locker system 2 having two exemplary profile rails 1 and 1′. The profile rails 1 and 1′ are constructed so as to be essentially identical to one another; the following description refers solely to the profile rail 1. What is said in regard to the profile rail 1 applies mutatis mutandis to the profile rail 1′, as well.

(7) The profile rail comprises a lamella device 11, which has a plurality of lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6. The profile rail 1′ likewise comprises a lamella device 11′, which has a plurality of lamella elements 11′-1 to 11′-7.

(8) In FIG. 1, the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 and 11-1 to 11′-7 have not been displaced, but in FIG. 2, only the lamella element 11-1 has been displaced, while in FIG. 3, the lamella elements 11-1 and 11-2 have been displaced, and in FIG. 4, the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-5 have been displaced. FIG. 5 illustrates the profile rail 1 in a cross-sectional view. In all of the drawings, the lamella elements 11′-1 to 11′-7 of the profile rail 1′ are not displaced.

(9) The following refers to all of FIGS. 1 to 5.

(10) The locker system 2 is, for example, a packing station for temporary storage of shipping goods. The locker system 2 comprises a plurality of lockers 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27. The lockers 25 and 26 can only be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the locker 27 can only be seen in FIG. 4.

(11) The locker 21 is delimited by a ceiling element 211, a rear wall element 212, a ceiling element 221, and a side wall element 2124. The drawings do not depict an opposing side wall element nor a locker door.

(12) The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the other lockers 22 to 27. Thus, for example, the locker 22 is delimited by the ceiling element 221, a rear wall element 222, a side wall element 2223, and another ceiling element 251. The locker 24 is delimited by a ceiling element 241, a side wall element 243, and a ceiling element 231; the locker 23 is delimited by the ceiling element 231, a side wall element 233, and by the side wall element 2223 as well as another ceiling element 261, etc.

(13) The two ceiling elements 211 and 241 may form an integrated locker roof, and need not necessarily be elements that are separated from one another. The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the rear wall elements 212, 222, and 252, which may form, for example, an integrated rear wall of the locker system 2 and need not be configured as components that are separate from one another. This also applies to the side wall elements 2124, 2223, 2526, 243 and 233; for example, both side wall elements 2124, 2223, and 2526 are part of a first side wall 282, and the side wall elements 243 and 233 are part of a second side wall 292.

(14) The profile rail 1 constitutes another part of the first side wall 282, and the profile rail 1′ constitutes another part of the second side wall 292. A side cover 14 of the profile rail 1 points to the inner spaces of the lockers 21, 22, and 25, and a rear side 16 of the profile rail 1 (see FIG. 5) points to the inner spaces of the lockers 24, 23, 26, and 27. The side cover 14 of the profile rail is provided by the lamella device 11, as shall be described in greater detail below.

(15) The first side wall 282, which includes the profile rail 1, thus delimits a first region 2-A of the locker system 2 from a second region 2-B of the locker system 2. The lockers 21, 22, and 25 are arranged one above the other in the first region 2-A. These lockers shall also be referred to as first lockers 21, 22, and 25 below. In the second region 2-B of the locker system 2, the lockers 24, 23, 26, and 27 are arranged one above the other; these lockers shall also be referred to as second lockers 24, 23, and 26 below.

(16) A first locking mechanism 31 (see FIG. 3) is assigned to the second locker 24, and a second locking mechanism 32 (see FIG. 4) is assigned to the second locker 23. The first locking mechanism 31 and the second locking mechanism 32 are both integrated within the profile rail 1, as shall be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5.

(17) The profile rail 1 comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section, which is defined by two profile legs 17-1 and 17-2 and by the rear side 16 of the profile rail 1. The two profile legs 17-1 and 17-2 and the rear side 16 of the profile rail 1 delimit an intervening space 18. Within this intervening space 18, the two locking mechanisms 31 and 32 are arranged, only the first locking mechanism 31 being outlined in the cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 5.

(18) Complete coverage of the two locking mechanism 31 and 32 is provided by the lamella device 11. The lamella device 11 comprises the aforementioned lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6, which are arranged so as to be displaceable along the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the profile rail 1.

(19) In order to displace the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 along the direction of the longitudinal extension L, guiding means in the form of guiding grooves 15-1 and 15-2 with which the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 engage are provided on the profile legs 17-1 and 17-2. Such a construction ensures that the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 of the lamella device 11 can be displaced only along the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the profile rail 1, and are not movable in any other direction. In particular, the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 cannot be removed laterally from the profile rail 1. The two locking mechanisms 31 and 32 are thereby integrated in a tamper-proof manner within the profile rail 1.

(20) In the embodiments illustrated, the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 are formed in an approximately rectangular shape and a substantially planar fashion. However, the present invention is not limited to such a shape of the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6. For example, the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 are formed so as to each be complementary to the profile rail 1, and each have an approximately U-shaped cross-section which can engage with the intervening space 18. In this variant, instead of the guide grooves 15-1 and 15-2, it would be possible for overhangs configured in parallel to the rear side 18 to be provided on the profile legs 17-1 and 17-2, the overhangs guiding the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 along the longitudinal extension of the profile rail 1 on the one hand, and preventing any different form of movement of the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 on the other hand.

(21) The detailed design of the locking mechanisms 31 and 32 is presently less relevant. The locking mechanisms 31 and 32 need not be configured identically to one another. For example, the locking mechanisms 31 and 32 are each configured as locks.

(22) To lock, for example, the second locker 24, a door (not shown in the drawings) is locked. With a swinging motion of the locker door, a bolt or other such locking element built into the locker door is inserted through a locking mechanism entrance 311 into the locking mechanism 31, in order to form a releasable locking there with the locking mechanism 31. The locking mechanism entrance 311 is formed, for example, of an opening provided on the profile leg 17-1, as shown schematically in FIG. 5. The profile leg 17-1 of the profile rail 1 forms at once a front side 13 of the profile rail 1. For the second locking mechanism 32, a second locking mechanism entrance 321 is provided at a corresponding location.

(23) So long as service access to the locking mechanisms 31 and 32 is not needed, then none of the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 is displaced. Rather, the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 are readily arranged overlapping with one another, so as to create the substantially opening-free side cover 14. In addition, the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 are retained at a retaining site 12 of the profile rail against displacement in the direction of the longitudinal extension. Longitudinal displacement in the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the profile rail is consequently impossible. Such retention can be ensured by, for example, screwing the first lamella element 11-1 to the profile leg 17-2 at the retaining site 12. The state in which the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 are not displaced is illustrated in FIG. 1.

(24) If the first locking mechanism 31 or the second locking mechanism 32 then needs to be serviced, then the retention at the retaining site 12 can be released and the first lamella element 11-1 can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the profile rail 1, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2. The displacement of the first lamella element 11-1 creates a first opening 13-1, which offers a view of the rear side 16 of the profile rail 1. In order to gain access to the first locking mechanism 31, the second lamella element 11-2 now needs to be displaced. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. Displacement of the second lamella element 11-2 forms a second opening 13-2, which permits access to the first locking mechanism 31. In this state, the first locking mechanism 31, which (as stated) is assigned to the second locker 24, can therefore be serviced or replaced from the interior of the first locker 21. After completion of the work, the lamella elements 11-1 and 11-2 can be displaced back in order to protect the locking mechanism 31 against attempts at tampering.

(25) If the second locking mechanism 32 needs to be serviced or replaced, then all of the corresponding lamella elements 11-1 to 11-5 found thereabove must, corresponding to the foregoing, be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the profile rail 1. This state is illustrated in FIG. 4. Displacement of these lamella elements 11-1 to 11-5 forms a third opening 13-3 that permits access to the second locking mechanism 32. Here, the access to the second locking mechanism 32, which is assigned to the second locker 23, takes place from the interior of the first locker 22.

(26) In the embodiments described above, the access to the respective locking mechanism 31, 32 of a given locker takes place from a respective adjacent locker. It would also be possible, however, as has been explained in the general part of the description, for the locker system 2 to be conceived such that after the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 have been displaced, the access to the locking mechanism takes place from the interior of the locker to which the locking mechanism is also assigned. The locker system 2 can in principle implement both arrangement variants.

(27) In any event, access to the locking mechanisms 31 and 32 is only possible if the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 of the lamella device 11 of the profile rail 1 are displaced. The lamella elements 11-1 to 11-5 are (apart from the first lamella element 11-1) preferably not screwed onto the profile rail 1. It would also not be possible to remove the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 laterally from the profile rail 1. Access to a locking mechanism without displacement of the lamella elements 11-1 to 11-6 would therefore require the destruction of a respective lamella element, which would generate a substantial expenditure for a third party. Therefore, the proposed solution is largely tamper-proof.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(28) 1, 1′ Profile rails 11, 11′ Lamella devices 11-1, . . . , 11-6 Lamella elements of the lamella device 11 11′-1, . . . , 11′-7 Lamella elements of the lamella device 11′ 12 Retaining site 13 Front side of the profile rail 1 13-1 First opening 13-2 Second opening 13-3 Third opening 14 Side cover of the profile rail 1 15-1, 15-2 Guide groove 16 Rear side of the profile rail 1 17-1, 17-2 Profile legs of the profile rail 1 18 Intervening space L Direction of the longitudinal extension of the profile rail 1 2 Locker system 2-A First region of the locker system 2 2-B Second region of the locker system 2 21, 22, 25 First lockers 23, 24, 26, 27 Second lockers 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261, 271 Ceiling elements 212, 222, 252 Rear wall elements 2124, 2223, 2526, 233, 243 Side wall elements 282 First side wall 292 Second side wall 31, 32 Locking mechanisms 311, 321 Locking mechanism entrances