Method for constructing a carton flow bed rack and carton flow bed rack

Abstract

A method for constructing a carton flow bed rack (1) includes specifying a number of levels of the carton flow bed rack (1). The method also includes specifying whether and where each level has a load end, and/or an unload end, and/or a stop end. The method further includes specifying at least one of a height, a width, and a depth of the carton flow bed rack and providing and dimensioning components for assembling the carton flow bed rack according to the specifications.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a carton flow bed rack (1), comprising the steps of: specifying a number of levels of the carton flow bed rack (1); specifying whether and where each of the levels comprises a load end, and/or an unload end, and/or a stop end; specifying at least one of a height, a width, and a depth of the carton flow bed rack (1); transmitting said specifications regarding the carton flow bed rack (1) to a component-station; at the component-station, selecting the required components from standardized components the components required to assemble the carton flow bed rack (1); dimensioning the selected components according to said specifications; and at an assembly-side, assembling the carton flow bed rack (1) from the selected and dimensioned components.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the height, the width, and/or the depth of the carton flow bed rack (1) are specified within a continuously variable scaling, and wherein the dimensioned components are produced at the component-station.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the height, the width, and the depth of the carton flow bed rack (1) is specified within a predetermined scaling for each of the three dimensions; and the components for assembling the carton flow bed rack (1) are provided and dimensioned according to said specifications from the standardized components.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the height, the depth, and/or the width of the carton flow bed rack (1) is specified within the predetermined scaling of at most 5 cm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the components are produced at a component-station in a roll form process.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: selecting, dimensioning and assembling at least one support pole (70) according to the specified height; and/or selecting, dimensioning and assembling at least one side beam (20) according to the specified depth for each of the levels of the carton flow bed rack (1); and/or selecting, dimensioning and assembling at least one end beam (30; 40) for each of the specified load ends, for each of the specified unload ends, and/or for each of the specified stop ends according to the specified width.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein: selecting at least one unload tray (50) and assembling the selected at least one unload tray (50) at a specifiable inclination angle at each of the specified unload ends of the carton flow bed rack (1); and/or selecting at least one wheel track (60) for transporting loads within one of the levels of the carton flow bed rack (1) and assembling the selected at least one wheel track (60) at each of the load ends of the carton flow bed rack (1); and/or selecting, dimensioning and assembling at least one intermediate beam (80) for supporting a wheel track (60) and/or an unload tray (50) according to the specified width; and/or selecting and assembling at least one mounting device (10) for connecting each of the end beams (30; 40) to at least one of the side beams (20); and/or selecting and assembling at least one support device (90) for connecting each of the side beams (20) to at least one of the support poles (70); and/or selecting and assembling at least one side cap (22) at each end of the side beams (20); and/or selecting and assembling at least one end cap (33) at each end of the end beams (30; 40).

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of specifying an inclination angle of at least one unload tray (50) at each of the unload beams (30) of the carton flow bed rack (1) from at least two different inclination angles.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps: specifying a number of wheel tracks (60) at each of the load beams (40) of the carton flow bed rack (1); and/or specifying a number of intermediate beams (80) for each of the levels of the carton flow bed rack (1).

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of specifying the beam-height of each of the end beams (30; 40) of the carton flow bed rack (1); and/or further comprising the step of specifying a vertical distance between two adjacent levels of the levels of the carton flow bed rack (1) within a predetermined scaling of at most 5 cm.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: dimensioning the selected components at the component-station according to the transmitted specifications regarding the carton flow bed rack (1); and transporting the selected and dimensioned components to the assembly-side.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transporting the selected components to the assembly-side; and dimensioning the selected components at the assembly-side according to said specifications regarding the carton flow bed rack (1).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 a perspective view of a carton flow bed rack wherein beams are connected by a mounting device.

(2) FIG. 2 an enlarged detail view of the carton flow bed rack of FIG. 1, an unload beam supporting an unload tray.

(3) FIG. 3 a perspective view of an end cap of the end beam.

(4) FIG. 4 a perspective view of a support pole with a support device of the carton flow bed rack of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 a perspective rear view of a side beam with parts of a mounting device connecting the side beam to an end beam.

(6) FIG. 6 a perspective view of an intermediate beam connected to a side beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a carton flow bed rack 1, in particular a modular carton flow bed rack. Not all but only some elements of the carton flow bed rack 1 are shown to enable a better view of its different components.

(8) The carton flow bed rack 1 is supported by at least one support pole 70 arranged in a substantially vertical direction. A stand 71 of the support pole 70 abuts the floor and supports the weight of the carton flow bed rack 1 at least partially. The carton flow bed rack 1 may comprise multiple support poles 70, in particular at least four support poles 70 arranged at the four corners of the substantially cubic carton flow bed rack 1.

(9) The support pole 70 is connected to at least one side beam 20. The side beam 20 is implemented as a support beam and aligned in a substantially horizontal direction. Herein, the side beam 20 may be arranged at an inclination angle of about 1 to about 10, e.g. of about 5, from its upper side at the load end to its lower side at the unload end. The side beam 20 is aligned substantially perpendicular to the support pole 70. FIG. 1 shows only a single side beam 20 at a far side of the carton flow bed rack 1. In the carton flow bed rack 1, a corresponding side beam at the opposite side of the carton flow bed rack 1, namely the side facing the viewer of FIG. 1, is omitted. Furthermore, the carton flow bed rack 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises only a single level, similar to a rack comprising a single shelf. However, different embodiments of the carton flow bed rack may comprise a plurality of levels arranged substantially above each other in a vertical direction. In these carton flow bed racks, the at least one support pole 70 may support a plurality of side beams 20 arranged above each other. Each level may comprise two side beams 20, arranged at opposite lateral sides of the level.

(10) The carton flow bed rack 1 comprises three different support beams connected by two mounting devices 10. At a first end of the side beam 20, in particular at its unload end, the side beam 20 is connected to an unload beam 30. The unload beam 30 is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction and substantially perpendicular to the side beam 20.

(11) At the opposite end of the side beam 20, in particular at its load end, the side beam 20 is connected to a load beam 40. The load beam 40 is arranged substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the side beam 20.

(12) At each of said two ends of the side beam 20, a mounting device 10 is arranged to enable the connection with the respective end beam, namely the load beam 40 or the unload beam 30. In other words, two mounting devices 10 are arranged at and/or attached to the two ends of the side beam 20.

(13) Between the load beam 40 and the unload beam 30, the carton flow bed rack 1 comprises at least one intermediate beam 80 arranged substantially parallel to both the load beam 40 and the unload beam 30. The side beam 20, the load beam 40, the unload beam 30, and the intermediate beam 80 define and support a single level of the carton flow bed rack 1.

(14) Between the load beam 40 and the intermediate beam 80, the carton flow bed rack 1 comprises at least one wheel track 60. The wheel track 60 comprises a plurality of wheels 62 and/or rolls arranged within a guide rail 61 that support transporting a load, in particular a parcel and/or a carton, loaded onto the wheel track 60 at the load beam 40. The wheel track 60 is shown truncated and may be implemented longer, in particular some meters long. The wheel track 60 may comprise an inclination from the load side towards the intermediate beam 80.

(15) Supported by both the intermediate beam 80 and the unload beam 30, an unload tray 50 is arranged. The unload tray 50 abuts the wheel track 60 at the intermediate beam 80. A load, which is loaded onto the wheel track 60 at the load beam 40, may be transported by gravity on the inclined wheel track 60 to the intermediate beam 80 where it is transferred to the unload tray 50. The unload tray 50 is arranged in a tilted manner comprising an inclination that enables a sliding movement of a load from the higher end of the unload tray 50, arranged at the intermediate beam 80, towards the lower end of the unload tray 50, arranged at the unload beam 30. At said lower end of the unload tray 50, the unload beam 30 may provide a stop that limits further transportation of the load. Thus, the load may rest upon the unload tray 50 until it is unloaded at the unload beam 30.

(16) The load beam 40 and the unload beam 30 are provided as end beams of the carton flow bed rack 1. The side beam 20, the load beam 40 and the unload beam 30 provide support beams of the carton flow bed rack 1.

(17) Different carton flow bed racks may comprise a plurality of wheel tracks 60 arranged substantially parallel to each other and/or a plurality of unload trays 50 in the same level. In these carton flow bed racks, a plurality of loads, in particular parcels and/or cartons, may be loaded at the load side in parallel, namely the side which ends at the load beam 40. The shown carton flow bed rack 1 supports loading cartons from one side (the load side) and unloading them from the opposite side (the unload side) of the carton flow bed rack 1. This build of the carton flow bed rack is referred to as FIFOfirst in first out.

(18) In different embodiments, carton flow bed racks may support loading and unloading at the same side. These builds of the carton flow bed rack are referred to as LIFOlast in first out. The invention may be implemented as a LIFO and/or as a FIFO carton flow bed rack. A LIFO carton flow bed rack may be implemented without any unload tray 50, because each level of the carton flow bed rack will be loaded and unloaded at the same end beam. Therefore, in a LIFO carton flow bed rack, the loads may only be supported by wheel tracks 60 arranged between both opposite end beams. In another embodiment of a FIFO carton flow bed rack without unload tray, the loads may also be only supported by wheel tracks 60 between the load beam(s) and the respective unload beam(s).

(19) At the ends of the side beam 20, the mounting devices 10 are arranged to enable the connections to the end beams 30, 40. Here, the mounting devices 10 may be identical. The mounting device 10 comprises an attachment plate 11 that is arranged with a first flat side facing the side beam 20. The mounting device 10 further comprises an eccentric stud 15 inserted into a through-hole of the attachment plate 11 and into an opening 21 of the side beam 20. The side beam 20 comprises a plurality of such openings 21 arranged substantially equidistantly from each other in a substantially horizontal direction along its substantially vertically aligned flat surface.

(20) As shown in FIG. 1, the load beam 40 is arranged at the load end of the side beam 20 at a different height than the unload beam 30 at the unload end of the side beam 20. In the shown embodiment of the carton flow bed rack 1, the unload beam 30 is arranged lower than the load beam 40. However, both different height positions and/or installation heights of the respective end beams 30, 40 are supported and enabled by identical mounting devices 10.

(21) At the support pole 70, a support device 90 is arranged. The support device 90 is fixed to the support pole 70 at a specified height and supports the side beam 20. The carton flow bed rack 1 may comprise a plurality of support poles 70, in particular at least two support poles 70 supporting each side beam 20. Usually, no support poles 70 are arranged at the load end and at the unload end to enable free access to these ends. However, in different embodiments, support poles 70 may be arranged to also support at least one of the end beams, namely the unload beam 30 and the load beam 40. In particular in LIFO-racks, support poles may be arranged at the stop beam where no access to the loads is required.

(22) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail view of the carton flow bed rack 1 of FIG. 1, namely an end of the unload beam 30 supporting the unload tray 50. The unload beam 30 is provided as an at least partially hollow profile, wherein the cross section of the unload beam 30 is mostly hollow and at least partially surrounded by the, e.g., metallic structure forming the unload beam 30. The implementation of the beam as at least partially hollow profile increases the stability of the respective beam.

(23) The unload beam 30 comprises a notch 34 at its inner side, namely its side facing towards the center of the respective level of the carton flow bed rack 1. At its upper, lower, and outer surface, the unload beam 30 is substantially closed. The notch 34 extends along the whole inner side of the unload beam. In other words, the notch 34 is as long as the carton flow bed rack 1 is wide.

(24) The notch 34 provides a rest for a protrusion shield 52 of the unload tray 50. The protrusion shield 52 is arranged at an end of the unload try 50 facing the unload side of the carton flow bed rack 1 and protrudes into the notch 34. The protrusion shield 52 of the unload tray 50 rests on a lower rim of the side beam 30 adjoining the notch 34.

(25) At its inner side, the unload beam 30 further comprises a plurality of lower recesses 31 and a plurality of upper recesses 32. The lower recesses 31 are arranged as slots within the lower rim of the unload beam 30. The upper recesses 32 are arranged as slots within an upper rim adjoining the notch 34. The recesses 31, 32 are used to connect the unload beam 30 to the side beam 20 via the mounting device 10.

(26) Both the upper recesses 32 and the lower recesses 31 are equidistantly spaced apart from each other along the width of the carton flow bed rack 1, namely along the whole inner side of the unload beam 30. The recesses 31, 32 are spaced apart by an end beam scaling S.sub.E. Said end beam scaling S.sub.E corresponds to a substantially horizontal length measured from a center of one recess 31, 32 to a center of each adjoining recess 31, 32. The end beam scaling S.sub.E may be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 2 cm, in particular from about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm.

(27) The unload beam 30 is provided from a standardized component, namely from a standardized end beam comprising a small beam-height. Said standardized end beam is dimensioned according to a specified width of the carton flow bed rack 1. The width of the carton flow bed rack 1 may be specified within a predetermined width scaling, corresponding to the end beam scaling S.sub.E. After the desired width of the carton flow bed rack 1 is specified, one of the standardized end beams may be cut, truncated, and/or dimensioned to suffice said specified width. Thus, the unload beam 30 is provided.

(28) To enable safe assembly of the carton flow bed rack 1, the width may only be specified within said predetermined width scaling of the carton flow bed rack 1, which depends on the end beam scaling S.sub.E. Thus, in the assembled carton flow bed rack 1, the recesses 31, 32 of all unload beams 30 (corresponding to dimensioned standardized end beams) comprise predetermined distances to the ends of the unload beam 30 and may, thus, be safely connected via the mounting devices 10 to their respective side beams 20.

(29) The unload tray 50 is provided as a substantially flat sheet comprising an inclination from an upper tray end arranged at the intermediate beam 80 towards a lower tray end arranged at the unload beam 30. At the lower tray end, a step is provided within the unload tray 50 forming a stop shield 51. The stop shield 51 serves as a stop for any load arranged on top of the unload tray 50. The stop shield 51 is aligned within a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the unload tray arranged at the inclination. The inclination of the unload tray 50 may be specified when planning the carton flow bed rack 1.

(30) The unload tray 50 is provided from a standardized component, namely from a standardized unload tray. Said standardized unload tray is dimensioned according to a specified width of the carton flow bed rack 1. The width of the carton flow bed rack 1 may be specified within a predetermined width scaling, corresponding to the end beam scaling S.sub.E. After the desired width of the carton flow bed rack 1 is specified, one of the standardized unload trays may be cut, truncated, and/or dimensioned to suffice said specified width. Thus, the unload tray 50 is provided.

(31) At a lateral end of the unload beam 30, an end cap 33 is provided closing the hollow profile of the unload beam 30. Without the end cap 33, the lateral side would be open, similar to the lateral end of the load beam 40 facing the viewer in FIG. 1. The end cap 33 closes the lateral end of the side beam 30 and may be implemented as plastic component.

(32) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the end cap 33 of the end beam 30. The end cap 33 comprises a main body 33M and an upper body 33U which is connected to the main body 33M via a connection 33C. The end cap 33 may be provided as a standardised component for closing the lateral ends of the end beams which may comprise two different beam-heights.

(33) For an end beam comprising a first, e.g. small, beam-height (as the unload beam 30), the main body 33M is sufficient to close its lateral end. Therefore, the upper end 33U is not required and may be folded back as shown in FIG. 3.

(34) For an end beam comprising a second, e.g. large, beam height (as the load beam 40 shown in FIG. 1), the main body 33M is insufficient to close its lateral end. For closing the load beam 40, the upper end 33U is not folded back but arranged as an extension of the main body 33M to enlarge the area that the end cap 33 may close.

(35) Even though not shown in a separate figure besides FIG. 1, the load beam 40 is also provided from a standardized component, namely from a standardized end beam comprising the large beam-height. The standardized end beam comprising the large beam-height is formed similar to the standardized end beam comprising the small beam-height from which the unload beam 30 is provided.

(36) Thus, similar to the unload beam 30, at its inner side, the load beam 40 comprises a plurality of lower recesses 41 and a plurality of upper recesses 42. The lower recesses 41 are arranged as slots within a lower rim of the load beam 40. The upper recesses 42 are arranged as slots within an upper rim adjoining a notch 44. The recesses 41, 42 are used to connect the load beam 40 to the side beam 20 via the mounting device 10.

(37) Both the upper recesses 42 and the lower recesses 41 are equidistantly spaced apart from each other along the width of the carton flow bed rack 1, namely along the inner side of the load beam 40. The recesses 41, 42 are spaced apart by the end beam scaling S.sub.E which may be the same as the end beam scaling S.sub.E of the unload beam 30.

(38) The standardized end beam from which the load beam 40 is provided, is dimensioned according to a specified width of the carton flow bed rack 1. After the desired width of the carton flow bed rack 1 is specified, one of the standardized end beams with the large beam-height may be cut, truncated, and/or dimensioned to suffice said specified width. Thus, the load beam 40 is provided. To enable safe assembly of the carton flow bed rack 1, the width may only be specified within said predetermined width scaling of the carton flow bed rack 1, which depends on the end beam scaling S.sub.E. Thus, the recesses 41, 42 of all load beams 40 corresponding to dimensioned standardized end beams comprise predetermined distances to the ends of the load beam 40 and may, thus, be safely connected via the mounting devices 10 to their respective sides beams 20.

(39) Similar to the load beam 40 and the unload beam 30, also stop beams and load/unload beams in FIFO-racks may be provided from these two standardised end beams with the, e.g., two different beam-heights. The standardized end beams with the larger beam-height maybesides the already mentioned beam-heightbe substantially identical to the standardized end beams with the small beam-height. However, the standardized end beam with the larger beam-height may comprise a slightly larger upper rim and, thus, a slightly larger inner side facing the center of the respective level.

(40) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the support pole 70 with the support device 90 of the carton flow bed rack 1. The support pole 70 is supported at its lower base by the stand 71 which may be implemented as a flat metallic plate. The stand 71 supports a substantially vertically arranged profiled rail 72 which may be implemented as at least partially hollow profile.

(41) Along its (substantially vertical) length, the profiled rail 72 comprises a plurality of support openings 73. These support openings 73 are equidistantly spaced apart from each other by a first pole scaling S.sub.P1 along the height of the carton flow bed rack 1. Said first pole scaling S.sub.P1 corresponds to a substantially vertical length measured from a center of one of the support openings 73 to a center of an adjoining support opening 73. The first pole scaling S.sub.P1 may be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, in particular from about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm.

(42) The support pole 70 is provided from a standardized component, namely from a standardized support pole. Said standardized support pole is dimensioned according to a specified height of the carton flow bed rack 1. The height of the carton flow bed rack 1 may be specified within a predetermined height scaling, corresponding to the first pole scaling S.sub.P1. After the desired height of the carton flow bed rack 1 is specified, one of the standardized support poles may be cut, truncated, and/or dimensioned to suffice said specified height. Thus, the support pole 70 is provided. To enable safe assembly of the carton flow bed rack 1, the height may only be specified within said predetermined width scaling of the carton flow bed rack 1, which depends on the first pole scaling S.sub.P1.

(43) In some embodiments, the height of the carton flow bed rack may not be specified but is predetermined, e.g. according to standard working heights.

(44) At the support openings 73, the support device 90 is fixed to the support pole 70 by fixtures 93. The fixtures 93 may be implemented as screws and may be inserted into side slits 95 of a support plate 91 of the support device 90. The support plate 91 may be bent to cling to the outer surface of the profiled rail 72. At least some of the side slits 95 may be spaced apart from each other at the first support scaling S.sub.P1 to enable easy assembling with the fixtures 93.

(45) A main part of the support plate 91 may be arranged at an inner side of the profiled rail 72 facing the center of the carton flow bed rack 1. The side slits 95 and the fixtures 93 may be arranged at a side of the profiled rail 72 not facing the center of the carton flow bed rack 1. Thus, space for the loads on the different levels of the carton flow bed rack 1 is freed.

(46) The support plate 91 may comprise a plurality of front slits 96 in the side facing the center of the carton flow bed rack 1. These front slits 96 are equidistantly spaced apart from each other by a second pole scaling S.sub.P2 along the height of the carton flow bed rack 1. Said second pole scaling S.sub.P2 corresponds to a substantially vertical length measured from a center of one of the front slits 96 to a center of an adjoining front slit 96. The second pole scaling S.sub.P1 may be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, in particular from about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm.

(47) The predetermined height scaling of the carton flow bed rack 1 may depend either on the first pole scaling S.sub.P1, the second pole scaling S.sub.P2, or both.

(48) The front slits 96 provide grip for a bracket 92 of the support device 90. The bracket 92 protrudes from the support plate 91 inwards towards the center of the carton flow bed rack 1. An upper part of the bracket 92 forms an upper surface and, thus, a support for the side beam 20. The side beam 20 may be fixed to the bracket 92 by a fixture 94, e.g. a screw.

(49) The carton flow bed rack 1 may comprise one support device 90 for each of its levels at each support pole 70. In other embodiments, the support plate 91 extends substantially along the whole height of the profiled rail 72. Here, a single support device 90 at each support pole 70 suffices comprising a bracket 92 for each level. In some embodiments, the front slits 96 are provided at the inner side of the profiled rail 72, thus providing direct access for the brackets 92 without support plate 91.

(50) The vertical distance between the levels of the carton flow bed rack 1, the number of levels, and/or the height of the carton flow bed rack 1 may be specified with respect to the first and second pole scaling S.sub.P1 and S.sub.P2.

(51) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an outer side of the side beam 20 with a parts of the mounting device 10 connecting the side beam 20 to the unload beam 30 (which is omitted in FIG. 5).

(52) As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting device 10 comprises an attachment plate 11 that is arranged with a first flat side facing the side beam 20. The mounting device 10 further comprises an eccentric stud 15 inserted into a through-hole of the attachment plate 11 and into an opening 21 of the side beam 20. The side beam 20 comprises a plurality of such openings 21 arranged substantially equidistantly from each other in a substantially horizontal direction along its substantially vertically aligned flat surface. The openings 21 are spaced apart by a side beam scaling S.sub.S. Said side beam scaling S.sub.S corresponds to a substantially horizontal length measured from a center of one of the openings 21 to a center of an adjoining opening 21. The side beam scaling S.sub.S may be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, in particular from about 2 cm to about 3 cm.

(53) At the unload end of the side beam 20 facing the unload beam 30, a side cap 22 is arranged. The side beam 20 is provided as an at least partially hollow profile, wherein the cross section of the side beam 20 is mostly hollow and at least partially surrounded by the e.g. metallic structure forming the side beam 20. The implementation of the profile as at least partially hollow increases the stability of the respective beam. The mounting device 10 is arranged within the hollow profile of the side beam 20.

(54) In FIG. 5, only the tip at an insertion end of the eccentric stud 15 is shown protruding from the back side of the side beam 20. The eccentric stud 15 is turned into a position wherein pins at its tip prevent the eccentric stud 15 from moving out of the opening 21 against an insertion direction. To enable an easy insertion of the insertion end of the eccentric stud 15, the openings 21 are substantially circular shaped comprising wing-like extensions that enable access for the pins of the eccentric stud 15.

(55) FIG. 5 further shows engaging elements 12 of the attachment plate 11 protruding past the side cap 22 of the side beam 20 into the hollow profile of the unload beam 30 where they support the weight of the unload beam 30. In the assembled state, the engaging elements 12 engage into the recesses 31, 32 of the unload beam 30 or the recesses 41, 42 of the load beam 40.

(56) The side beam 20 is provided from a standardized component, namely from a standardized side beam. Said standardized side beam is dimensioned according to a specified depth of the carton flow bed rack 1. The depth of the carton flow bed rack 1 may be specified within a predetermined width scaling, corresponding to the side beam scaling S.sub.S. After the desired depth of the carton flow bed rack 1 is specified, one of the standardized side beams may be cut, truncated, and/or dimensioned to suffice said specified depth. Thus, the side beam 20 is provided. To enable safe assembly of the carton flow bed rack 1, the depth may only be specified within said predetermined depth scaling of the carton flow bed rack 1, which depends on the side beam scaling S.sub.S. Thus, in the assembled carton flow bed rack 1, the openings 21 of all side beams 20 (corresponding to dimensioned standardized side beams) comprise predetermined distances to the ends of the side beam 20 and may, thus, be safely connected via the mounting devices 10 to the end beams 30 and 40.

(57) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the intermediate beam 80 connected to the side beam 20. The intermediate beam 80 is provided as at least partially hollow profile from a standardized component, namely from a standardized intermediate beam. Said standardized intermediate beam is dimensioned according to a specified width of the carton flow bed rack 1. As already mentioned, the width of the carton flow bed rack 1 may be specified within a predetermined width scaling, corresponding to the end beam scaling S.sub.E. After the desired width of the carton flow bed rack 1 is specified, one of the standardized intermediate beams may be cut, truncated, and/or dimensioned to suffice said specified width. Thus, the intermediate beam 80 is provided.

(58) At a predetermined distance from at least one of its ends, at least one a bottom slit 81 is cut into the dimensioned intermediate beam, so that the dimensioned intermediate beam 80 may be set on a lower rim of the side beam 20 as shown in FIG. 6. Here, the intermediate beam 80 provides support for both the wheel tracks 60 and the unload tray 50. The intermediate beam 80 may comprise at least one protrusion 82 at its end facing the side beam 20, e.g. arranged between the bottom slit 81 and its lateral end. The protrusion 82 extends substantially downwards and is arranged within one of a plurality of holes 24 provided at a lower side of the side beam 20. Thus, a lateral sliding movement of the intermediate beam 80 on the lower rim of the side beam 20 is prevented.

(59) To construct the carton flow bed rack 1, some specification are made, e.g. a width, a depth, a height, an inclination for the unload trays 50, and/or a number of level is specified. Afterwards, said specifications are transmitted to a component-station comprising the standardised components. The required standardised components are selected at the component-station and transported to an assembly-side. The standardised components are dimensioned according to the specifications, either at the component-station or at the assembly-side. At the assembly side, the dimensioned components are assembled to construct the carton flow bed rack 1.

(60) In an alternative embodiment, the individual components are produced at their specified dimension, e.g. length. Here, no standardised components are required. Thus, the components may be provided with less, e.g. only the required, attachment means arranged at predetermined, e.g. constant, distances to the respective end of the components. In particular, the side beam 20 may comprise less (e.g. only the required) openings 21 at its ends. The unload beam 30 may comprise less (e.g. only the required) recesses 31, 32 at its ends. The load beam 40 may comprise less (e.g. only the required) recesses 41, 42 at its ends. Also, the support pole 70 and/or the support plate 91 may comprise less (e.g. only the required) support openings 73, side slits 95, and/or front slits 96. The predetermined distances of the attachment means 21, 31, 32, 41, 42, 73, 82, 95, and/or 96 at the respective components may be part of predetermined rack-settings that may be considered when specifying the carton flow bed rack.

(61) However, this rack may be provided with identical components, some of which may be standardised, e.g. the same mounting devices 10, side caps 22, end caps 33, etc. Furthermore, also some of the parts of the other components may be identical and, e.g., standardised, e.g. the wheels 62 of the wheel tracks 60, the brackets 92 of the support devices 90, etc.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(62) 1 carton flow bed rack 10 mounting device 11 attachment plate 12 engaging element 15 eccentric stud 20 side beam 21 opening 22 side cap 23 lower rim 24 hole 30 unload beam 31 lower recess 32 upper recess 33 end cap 33C connection 33M main body 33U upper body 34 notch 40 load beam 41 lower recess 42 upper recess 50 unload tray 51 stop shield 52 protrusion shield 60 wheel track 61 guide rail 62 wheel 70 support pole 71 stand 72 profiled rail 73 support openings 80 intermediate beam 81 bottom slit 82 protrusion 90 support device 91 support plate 92 bracket 93 fixture 94 fixture 95 side slit 96 front slit S.sub.E end beam scaling S.sub.P1 first pole scaling S.sub.P2 second pole scaling S.sub.S side beam scaling