A rack system (SR) for the storage of rolls of a rolling mill comprising:
- a support frame (Cha) configured to support several racks (Rac), distributed over the length of the support frame at different positions along the length of the rack, the support frame (Cha) comprising a first support (Cha1), and a second support (Cha2), respectively fastened to the ground in parallel, the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2) leaving a free clearance (IT) therebetween, arranged below the level of the racks bearing on the support frame (Cha),
- at least one first rack (Ra1) and one second rack (Ra2) configured to rest by bearing on the support frame Cha, by resting simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), at two opposite edges of the first rack (Rac1) at two positions over the length of the first rack and at two opposite edges of the second rack (Rac2) at two positions over the length of the second rack (Rac2), said second rack (Rac2) arranged at an intermediate position on said support frame (Cha) along the length of the support frame (Cha),
- wherein
- at least said first rack (Ra1) is configured to pass from a storage position (PS) for which said first rack (Rac1) rests bearing simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Ch2) up to a transport position (PT) for which the first rack (Rac1) is configured to be stowed in the free clearance (IT), below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on said support frame (Cha) at the intermediate position,
- a motor-driven handling system (SM), is configured to move in said free clearance between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), said handling system (SM) comprising:
- a frame (SMCH) provided with drive means configured to circulate between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), along the length of the support frame,
- lifting means (SML) configured to ensure the support of at least the first rack (Rac1) in said transport position (PT),
- and wherein said handling system (SM) is configured to ensure, starting from said storage position (PS) of the first rack (Rac1) simultaneously bearing on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2):
- /a/a passage of the first rack (Rac1) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack (Rac1), enabling stowage thereof in the free clearance (IT)
- /b/a descent of the first rack (Rac1) in the free clearance (IT) between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), in a lowered position below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support frame (Cha) at said intermediate position, and
- /c/a joint movement of the handling system (SM) and of said first rack (Rac1) supported by the lifting means (SML) in the lowered position of the first rack, through a movement of the handling system along the length of the frame so as to move the first rack (Rac1) below the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support frame (Cha) at said intermediate position starting from a first side (C1) of the second rack (Rac2) and up to an opposite second side (C2).