# US 2014/0193227 A1 · Retail supply system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193227 A1 - Document ID: US20140193227A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/144,840 - Filed: 2013-12-31 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2005-12-07 - Inventors: Walter Winkler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193227A1 ## CPC - B65G 65/00: Loading or unloading (of vehicles B65G67/00) - G07F 11/165: {using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements} - A47F 10/00: Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for (conveyor aspects B65G; building aspects E04H; coin-freed apparatus G07F) - A47F 10/02: for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets (A47F10/06 takes precedence; hand-carts B62B; baskets B65D) - B65B 5/04: Packaging single articles - B65G 1/0435: {with pulling or pushing means on either stacking crane or stacking area} - B65G 1/06: with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level (B65G1/12 takes precedence) - B65G 47/5109: {first In - First Out systems: FIFO} - B66F 9/07: Floor-to-roof stacking devices, e.g. "stacker cranes", "retrievers" - G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management - G07G 1/00: Cash registers - B65G 2201/02: Articles - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07G: REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS ## Abstract An automatic system for replenishing display shelves in retail businesses. The display shelves each including a shelf board having a conveyor belt circulating around the respective shelf board. Each of the display shelves further including a stop bar and a removable fall-off guard at respective front and rear sides of the display shelves to prevent goods from falling off the display shelves and, wherein, the display shelf is designed to cooperate with a shelf-stocking vehicle such that the fall-off guard is automatically opened when the display shelves are refilled by the shelf-stocking vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-67. (canceled) ### Claim 68 A shelf-stocking vehicle for transporting goods, especially a plurality of different individual pieces to a shelf comprising: a transport surface for receiving the goods; movement means for moving the vehicle; and drive means for driving the movement means or the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is equipped such that it can automatically move along a predetermined route, and the transport surface can be aligned two-dimensionally along two directions of spatial coordinates relative to the shelf, wherein, assigned to the transport surface, are handling means for the goods placeable on the transport surface, wherein, with the aid of the handling means, the goods can be propelled parallel to the transport surface towards the shelf and vice-versa, and wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle comprises a frame, which is formed into parts with an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part comprises the movement means and drive means, while the lower part has the transport surface and the handling means, and wherein the upper and lower parts are arranged so as to be movable relative to each other. ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein the handling means comprise at least one of a pusher for pushing the goods over the transport surface and of a conveyor belt, which is provided on the upper side of the transport surface and is guided in a type of endless loop over end faces and at an underside of the transport surface. ### Claim 70 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein the handling means comprise at least one of gliding and guide elements for conveyor belts. ### Claim 71 (depends on 69) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 69, wherein several conveyor belts are provided parallel to each other, which may be driven independently of each other. ### Claim 72 (depends on 69) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 69, wherein the handling means have at least one drive roll for a conveyor belt. ### Claim 73 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein at least one transition element is provided for extending the transport surface along the pushing direction of the handling means or opposite thereto to form a pushing surface. ### Claim 74 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein the movement means have at least one of running wheels and carrying wheels for interaction with a running rail. ### Claim 75 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein the drive means have a drive belt disk for interaction with a toothed belt. ### Claim 76 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle comprises a rope, belt or strap drive for moving upper and lower parts to each other. ### Claim 77 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein at least one of the handling means, the drive means and other movable components have a drive, comprising an electric motor. ### Claim 78 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein sidewalls are provided peripherally around the transport surface to protect the goods, said sidewalls extending at right angles to the transport surface and having one or two opposing, closable openings for receiving and dispensing the goods, wherein a gap between the transport surface and at least two sidewalls is provided through which a conveyor belt is transported. ### Claim 79 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein a goods protection cover is provided opposite the transport surface, said cover protecting the goods by wedging when the upper and lower parts close together. ### Claim 80 (depends on 79) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 79, wherein the goods protection cover has an elastic material on the goods side. ### Claim 81 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein at least one movable bracing element is provided for lateral bracing against adjacent walls, shelves and the like during transfer of the goods to a shelf or for wedging the shelf-stocking vehicle between two opposing shelves. ### Claim 82 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle is designed such that at least one of the transport surface and the handling means are moveable relative to at least one of a frame of the shelf-stocking vehicle and the movement means. ### Claim 83 (depends on 82) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 82, wherein the transport surface is slidable parallel to the transport surface. ### Claim 84 (depends on 68) The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with claim 68, wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle is fitted with a drive by means of which external components can be driven.