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Adjustable parts storage rack

Adjustable parts storage rack description/claims

The present invention is directed to a rack for temporarily storing and transporting parts, such as automotive body panels. More particularly, the present invention is directed to such a rack that is adjustable for use with parts of varying size and or shape.

Part storage racks of various types and designs would be well known to those skilled in the art. Such racks may include individual shelves or compartments on/within which parts are stored. Other similar racks may include various styles of parts hangers that permit parts to be suspended within the confines of the rack frame. These racks are generally employed to store parts on a temporary basis, such as until they are needed in an associated manufacturing process.

Certain embodiments of such racks may be stationary in nature. Other embodiments may be mobile, which typically allows for the towing thereof to a desired location via a tow motor or some other powered means. In this latter embodiment, a rack may be loaded with a number of parts at a first location, such as at or near the point of manufacture, and subsequently transported to another location associated with their ultimate use.

At least with respect to a manufacturing environment, it can be easily understood that a multitude of different parts may need to be stored and/or transported in this manner. Due to the often dissimilar nature of the size and/or shape of such parts, however, a number of specialized racks are generally required for this purpose.

While such a scenario may be typical to many manufacturing (and non-manufacturing) environments, it is particularly common in the vehicle manufacturing industry. Consequently, while it is to be understood that the present invention is in no way limited to such use, for purposes of simplicity, a vehicle manufacturing setting will be used hereafter with respect to describing the present invention.

Obviously, the manufacturing of a vehicle requires a multitude of different individual components. While some of these components may be similar in size and/or shape, most are not. Even related components may be sufficiently dissimilar as to require separate, dedicated parts storage racks. For example, the various panels that make up a common vehicle body can be quite dissimilar in size and/or shape—often necessitating the use of dedicated parts racks for each one thereof.

This situation can be further complicated when a single facility manufactures more than one model of vehicle, in which case multiple dedicated racks may, for example, be required for even the same body panel (e.g., hood, fender, etc.) of different vehicle models. Consequently, it is evident that the requirement for different parts storage racks can quickly grow to a significant level.

This is problematic for several reasons. First, and perhaps most obvious, is the cost involved to manufacture such racks. That is, the more racks required, the greater the acquisition cost. Further, in addition to the initial manufacturing cost, dedicated parts racks typically must be modified each time there is a sufficiently significant change to the parts that such racks are designed to store. With respect to vehicle manufacturing, this situation almost certainly occurs at each new model introduction, but may also occur more frequently, such as at the time of the intermediate redesigns that most vehicle manufacturers now undertake. In some cases, a redesigned part may be sufficiently different in size and/or shape so as to require an entirely new rack; or at least a substantially new portion thereof.

In addition to the costs associated with part rack acquisition or modification, such racks can also occupy significant floor space in a factory or other setting. Consequently, a greater number of racks will require a greater amount of floor space—whether the racks are in use or not. Still further, the use of multiple racks requires familiarity therewith by workers to ensure that the proper rack is used with a particular part. The use of a greater number of racks may also lead to inefficiency, as workers will likely be required to spend more time sorting through, moving and staging the racks in order to ensure that the proper rack is available when needed.

Therefore, it can be understood that a parts storage rack that can be easily adjusted to accommodate a variety of different parts would be highly desirable for a number of reasons. A parts storage rack of the present invention provides such sought after adjustability.

An adjustable parts storage rack of the present invention provides for at least 2-dimensional adjustment of part storage position. Further, a number of relocatable and/or interchangeable part supports can be associated with the rack to maximize the flexibility thereof.

One exemplary parts storage rack of the present invention includes a substantially rectangular frame comprising a substantially horizontally-oriented base or floor, a number of corner posts extending vertically upward from the base, and a number of horizontally-oriented frame members extending between the corner posts so as to form a framework having a rear and two opposed sides of substantially open nature. In this particular embodiment, the front of the rack is completely open in order to maximize accessibility—although such is not required. This rack is substantially rectangular in overall shape, although other shapes are also possible.

A number of vertical support members may be arranged between two spaced apart and horizontally-oriented lateral positioning members along the rear side of the rack. The vertical support members may be moved along the length of the horizontally-oriented lateral positioning members, but vertical movement of the vertical support members is generally constrained thereby.

Preferably, each vertical support member includes a plurality of holes or other features that extend along some length thereof. These features are provided for assistance with the releasable retention of one or more part support elements to the vertical support structures. For example, in one embodiment, each vertical support member may have one or more part support arms releasably affixed thereto by a novel latching mechanism. The part support arms may extend forward from the vertical support members toward the front of the rack. Such part support arms may be used, for example, to hang certain vehicle body panels through an aperture therein.

The part support structures employed may thus be moved vertically along the length of the vertical support members, and temporarily secured at a desired position. Additionally, at least some of the vertical support members may also be moved along the horizontally-oriented lateral positioning members to which they are attached. Still further, the part support structures employed may be designed to position associated parts along yet a third dimension within the storage rack. As such, a wide variety of two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally selectable part support positions may be achieved, which can allow a storage rack of the present invention to be used with a number of different parts.

Preferably, but not necessarily, a storage rack of the present invention also includes wheels or some other element(s) that permits the rack to be moved between locations. In this manner, a storage rack of the present invention can be loaded in one location and moved to another location for unloading. A storage rack of the present invention may be adapted to be pulled, pushed, and/or lifted by any appropriate machinery (e.g., tow motor, tugger, forklift, etc.) known to those of skill in the art. A storage rack of the present invention may also be adapted so as to be stackable with other racks, whether such racks or of like or different design. A storage rack of the present invention may also have many other features, at least some of which are described in more detail with respect to the exemplary embodiment discussed below.

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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