GB2585747A

GB2585747A - Rack system, profile element and method for producing a profile element

Info

Publication number: GB2585747A
Application number: GB2005956.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dahner Jürgen; Geiger Bernd
Original assignee: Bott GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Bott GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-04-27
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-23
Also published as: GB2585747B; GB202005956D0; GB2585747A8

Abstract

The profile element 100 has, in an outer wall 101 a T-shaped slot 12 extending a longitudinal axis. Recesses 103 offset in a longitudinal direction in the outer wall 101 enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot 12 to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received. The recesses 103 are arranged in sets 102 of at least two, with a free portion between recess sets 102 having an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses 103 of one of the recess arrangements 102. Also disclosed is a method for producing the profile element 100 and a rack system having a load-bearing structure composed of at least one of the profile elements 100. The rack system may be installed in a utility vehicle with the profile elements 100 being either horizontal or vertical. The recesses 103 may be airline holes.

Description

Rack system, profile element and method for producing a profile element The invention relates to a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, having a load-bearing structure composed of profile elements, wherein at least one profile element has, in an outer wall, an attachment region with a T-shaped slot, wherein the T-shaped slot extends along a longitudinal axis of the profile element.

The invention furthermore relates to a profile element composed of an extruded profile for forming a front rack post of a rack side wall of a rack system, as per the preamble of Claim 16.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a profile element for forming a front rack post of a rack side wall of a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, according to which method the profile element is formed from an extruded profile which has, in an outer wall, an attachment region with a T-shaped slot, as per the preamble of Claim 17.

Rack systems of this type are commonly used as installation kits for service vehicles for the storage and provision of tools, small parts and the like. In this way, it is the intention to realize efficient working by means of a provision of materials and tools in a manner individually adapted to processes, wherein it is the intention for the available stowage space to be utilized in the most effective manner possible and for the rack system to be as stable as possible.

The rack systems known from practice which are installed in service vehicles are made up of rack side walls, between which system components, such as for example connecting struts, shelves, storage trays, drawers, flaps or the like, are arranged. Here, the known rack systems normally also have a rack rear wall in order to increase the stability of the rack system.

The known rack systems may have two, three or even more rack side walls. This is dependent primarily on the length of the rack system, the provided system components or fixtures, and the raster dimension.

In addition to the rack system, in the normal situation, standing on and being fixed to the vehicle floor, it is also possible for connecting elements to be provided in order to fix the rack system to a positionally fixed component.

In the context of the invention, if the rack system is fixed in a utility vehicle or more generally in a vehicle, the expression "positionally fixed component" is to be understood to mean a component fixed to the vehicle, for example a body component, a strut or else a wall panel part fixedly installed on the body, or a correspondingly fixed rail or the like.

It is known from the prior art that the rack side walls have an attachment region, which can perform various functions.

For example, one end of the connecting element may be fixed to the attachment region, whereas the other end of the connecting element is screwed fixedly in position or fixedly to the vehicle. This gives rise to par-ticularly high stability of the rack system if the latter is installed in a vehicle.

The attachment region of the rack side walls may also be used for other purposes.

The attachment region is normally formed on the rear side of the rack side wall, though may basically be provided at any position of the rack side wall, for example also on the front side or on a side surface.

The prior art has disclosed rack systems, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, which have a load-bearing structure composed of profile elements, wherein at least one profile element has, in an outer wall, an attachment region with a T-shaped slot. Here, the T-shaped slot extends along a longitudinal axis of the profile element. A slot nut can be inserted as required into the T-shaped slot. The T-shaped slot has an opening through which a screw can be inserted and screwed together with a thread or a threaded bore of the slot nut inserted into the T-shaped slot, in order to fix connecting elements, stiffening elements or other additional components.

In this way, it is for example also possible for connecting pieces for the securing of payloads to be fixed to the T-shaped slot. In utility vehicles, it is often the case that equipment and also material is transported which cannot be accommodated in the rack system. Such articles are therefore normally secured, standing on the floor, against displacement. Here, the securing is generally realized by means of lashing straps by means of which the material to be secured is fixed in the vehicle. Here, the lashing straps are fixed either to rails, which are fixed with respect to the vehicle, or to the rack system.

The fixing of the lashing straps to the rack system is performed at the attachment regions which extend along the longitudinal axis of the respective profile element.

It is duly possible, as described, for the T-shaped slot in the attachment region of a profile element to be utilized for the fixing of the lashing straps, for which purpose corresponding connecting pieces are inserted into the T-shaped slot. It has however proven to be advantageous to use, for the fixing of the lashing straps, airline rails, into which so-called airline fittings can be inserted easily and in a relatively flexible manner with regard to positioning and can be fixed in a stable manner.

It is also known from the prior art to equip the rack system with lashing rails which have no T-shaped slot and which are not airline rails. Merely by way of example, reference is made in this regard to EP 1 950 091 A2.

The airline rails known from the prior art constitute a reliable and relatively flexible facility for fixing lashing straps for the securing of payloads. It is however a disadvantage that the airline rails are more expensive than conventional profile elements with a T-shaped slot, and furthermore, it is possible only to a limited extent, or it is not possible in a sufficiently reliable manner, to fix conventional slot nuts in the airline rail.

The different installation spaces of individual utility vehicles and the different equipment options make it necessary for the manufacturers of rack system to stock a relatively large number of different rack side walls in order to allow for the corresponding installation situation or the demands of the customer.

A particular requirement consists in that, not only do the rack systems have different heights, but also the system components used in the rack system are widely varied and can be configured by the customer.

The different installation spaces, the specific demands of the customer and also the different heights and widths that the rack systems may have make it necessary to stock a multiplicity of different airline rails if this system is to be used for the securing of payloads. This results in corresponding costs.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a rack system which makes it possible in a simple and inexpensive manner to also use the rack system for the securing of payloads.

The present invention is also based on the object of providing a profile element composed of an extruded profile for forming a front rack post of a rack side wall of a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, which profile element can also be used in a simple and inexpensive manner for the securing of payloads.

The present invention is furthermore based on the object of providing a method for producing a profile element for forming a rack post of a rack side wall of a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, which method makes it possible in a simple and inexpensive manner to also use the profile element for the securing of payloads.

The object is achieved with regard to the rack system by means of the features of Claim 1, with regard to the profile element by means of the features of Claim 16, and with regard to the method by means of the features of Claim 17.

The rack system according to the invention is particularly suitable for installation into a vehicle, in particular into a utility vehicle. The rack system according to the invention has a load-bearing structure composed of profile elements, wherein at least one profile element has, in an outer wall, an attachment region with a T-shaped slot, wherein the T-shaped slot extends along a longitudinal axis of the profile element.

According to the invention, provision is made whereby multiple recess arrangements are formed in the outer wall along the T-shaped slot, wherein the recess arrangements each have at least two recesses which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction, wherein the recesses each enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements, there remains a free portion in which no recesses which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot are formed into the outer wall, wherein the free portion has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses of one of the recess arrangements.

By virtue of the fact that multiple recess arrangements are formed into the outer wall along the T-shaped slot, the recess of which recess arrangements in each case enlarges an opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received, it is easily and reliably possible for the T-shaped slot of the attachment region to be used also for securing a payload. Hooks, eyelets or the like, to which lashing straps are attached or attachable, may be fastened to the connecting pieces which are inserted through the recesses and fixed in the T-shaped slot. The lashing straps may also, in a known manner, be connected directly or integrally to the connecting pieces.

Corresponding connecting pieces, in particular for the securing of payloads, are well known from the prior art. The connecting pieces may preferably be formed as airline fittings, in particular for the securing of payloads.

It is in particular possible for all known fittings that are known in conjunction with airline rails to also be used in the context of the solution according to the invention if the recesses are formed as airline holes, which is preferably the case.

The solution according to the invention, in which provision is made whereby multiple recess arrangements are formed along the T-shaped slot, wherein a free spacing remains between two adjacent recess arrangements, has numerous advantages in relation to the solutions of the prior art.

Firstly, the inventors have recognized that, in particular for the securing of payloads, it is not necessary for so-called airline holes to be provided in a close raster, as they are formed in the case of known airline rails. For the securing of payloads, it is sufficient for the recesses, for example airline holes, provided according to the invention to be provided at relatively large intervals. This reduces the production costs, because, in particular, the formation of the recesses, preferably of the airline holes, is expensive.

Secondly, the solution according to the invention has the advantage that, between the recess arrangements, there remain free portions, that is to say portions in which the outer wall does not have any recesses which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot. The T-shaped slot thus remains unchanged in the free portions, such that, in accordance with demand, slot nuts can be inserted into the free portions in order to provide a second alternative fastening facility, for example in order to fix accessory parts, stiffening elements, struts or even system components. The solution according to the invention can thus be universally utilized without the need to accept limitations with regard to the securing of payloads.

A further advantage of the rack system according to the invention consists in that the profile elements which form the load-bearing structure of the rack system can simultaneously also be used for the securing of payloads, that is to say no additional components are required for this purpose. This can be easily achieved by virtue of the known profile elements, which have a T-shaped slot in an outer wall, being equipped with the recess arrangements.

In the context of the solution according to the invention, it is not necessary for all profile elements to be equipped with the recess arrangement provided according to the invention. It may suffice, in particular also for the securing of payloads, for a proportion of the profile elements, according to the invention at least one of the profile elements, to be equipped with the recess arrangements according to the invention. The other pro-file elements may be of conventional design, preferably such that they likewise have a T-shaped slot, though this is not imperative.

The profile element according to the invention can be easily stocked in the required lengths. It is furthermore possible for the profile elements to be cut to the desired length, such that rack systems with different heights and widths can be easily realized without the need to stock a multiplicity of different profile elements.

It is advantageous if the recess arrangements each have exactly two recesses. Such a configuration has proven to be particularly suitable. A formation of two recesses, in particular if these are airline holes, is particularly suitable for receiving the connecting pieces known from the prior art, in particular airline fittings.

It is basically also possible in the context of the invention for individual recess arrangements to also have only one or more than two recesses. The number of recesses of the recess arrangements need not imperatively always be identical. It is however advantageous if the profile elements each have recess arrangements of identical form, preferably each with exactly two recesses. It is furthermore advantageous if the spacing between the recess arrangements is identical in each case.

It is advantageous if the recesses of the recess arrangements each have a diameter of 20 mm and are arranged in a raster of 25 mm.

The above-stated dimensions have proven to be particularly suitable, in particular if the recesses are airline holes. Here, a raster of 25 mm is to be understood to mean the spacing from the central point of one recess to the central point of the adjacent recess of the same recess arrangement, measured in each case in the axial direction or longitudinal direction of the T-shaped slot. It is self-evidently also possible for a larger raster dimension to be selected while maintaining the diameter.

It is advantageous if the spacing between two recess arrangements amounts to at least 50 mm, preferably at least 75 mm and particularly preferably at least 90 mm, and amounts to very particularly preferably 100 mm.

The particularly preferred spacing of 100 mm, wherein a range from 76 mm to 125 mm may also be provided here, has proven to be suitable, because, in this way, it is possible for a relatively large number of recesses, in particular airline holes, to be omitted, without this leading to a relevant limitation with regard to the securing of payloads, in particular with regard to the lashing-down of articles.

It is advantageous if the spacing between two recess arrangements amounts to less than 300 mm, preferably less than 250 mm, furthermore preferably less than 200 mm and very particularly preferably less than 150 mm.

The above-stated maximum spacings that are preferably provided may in particular be combined with the above-stated minimum spacings that are preferably provided so as to form suitable spacing ranges, for example such that the spacing between two recess arrangements amounts to at least 50 mm but less than 300 mm.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby at least one profile element arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a vertical direction is equipped with the recess arrangements, and/or whereby at least one profile element arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a horizontal direction is equipped with the recess arrangements.

It has been found that, with the solution according to the invention, in particular the front side of the rack system can be utilized for the securing of payloads. The front side of the rack system is easily accessible to the user, in particular compared to the attachment regions formed on the rear side of the rack system, though these may basically also be used, or correspondingly formed, for the securing of payloads in the context of the solution according to the invention.

The solution according to the invention is not restricted to the attachment region that can be used for the securing of payloads being formed on the front side of the rack system. It is basically possible for the attachment region to be formed at any desired point on the profile elements, that is to say also laterally or on the rear side. The profile element may furthermore be installed into the rack system so as to run horizontally or diagonally, at an angle or vertically, as a load-bearing element, such that the attachment region also runs correspondingly.

It is advantageous if two vertically running profile elements arranged on the front side of the rack system and at least one horizontally running profile element which is arranged on the front side and which is fixed to the two vertical profile elements form a fastening device, wherein the the profile elements are each equipped with recess arrangements.

A fastening device that is made up of two vertically running profile elements and of the described vertical profile elements arranged in between is particularly suitable in order to permit the securing of a payload in an individual and flexible manner. Furthermore, the profile elements according to the invention make it possible to additionally also fix yet further attachment elements or also connecting elements to the front side, using slot nuts, for example.

It is advantageous if the profile elements equipped with the recess arrangements are formed as extruded profiles.

Formation of the profile elements as extruded profiles is particularly suitable for realizing the solution according to the invention, in particular for also making it possible to easily provide profile elements with different lengths.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the recesses of the recess arrangements are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall.

It has been found that the recesses of the recess arrangements can be formed into the outer wall in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner by virtue of these being milled and/or drilled into the outer wall or into the T-shaped slot.

It is advantageous if the rack system has at least one rack side wall, wherein two of the profile elements are formed as rack posts of the rack side wall, between which a rack side surface is arranged.

This yields a particularly suitable structure. It is particularly suitable if the rack side wall is formed as a pillar profile.

The formation of the profile elements as rack posts is particularly suitable. Here, the profile elements however need not all be equipped with the recess arrangement according to the invention. According to the invention, it suffices for at least one of the profile elements to be equipped with the recess arrangement according to the invention, preferably at least one profile element which forms a front rack post. The other rack posts may possibly likewise be formed from profile elements with the recess arrangements according to the invention. It may however be expedient if in particular the rear rack posts situated at the rear side of the rack system are formed from profile elements which duly have a T-shaped slot, but do not have the recess arrangements according to the invention, in the outer wall.

The expression "profile element" does not mean that all profile elements are equipped with the recess arrangement according to the invention, though they may be configured correspondingly. Those profile elements which do not have the recess arrangement according to the invention may preferably have a T-shaped slot, though this is also not imperative. Consideration may also be given to a configuration of the profile elements, as part of the load-bearing structure, which do not have a T-shaped slot.

It is furthermore advantageous if the rack system has two rack side walls, and the front rack posts at the front side are connected by means of a horizontally running profile element which is formed as a transverse strut and which is equipped with the recess arrangements.

Formation of the rack side walls from in each case two rack posts and a rack side surface arranged in between has proven to be particularly suitable in order to construct the rack side wall in a stable manner and also in order to introduce the acting weight forces of the rack system reliably into the floor, in particular a vehicle floor. Here, the weight forces are dissipated primarily, preferably exclusively, via the rack posts.

The rack posts may preferably be formed as extruded profiles, in particular as aluminium extruded profiles.

By virtue of the rack side wall being formed from two rack posts, between which a rack side surface can be arranged, the flexibility of the rack system according to the invention is further increased. Provision may possibly also be made whereby the depth of the rack side walls is varied in that, between the rack posts, a rack side surface is inserted which has a suitable depth, that is to say a suitable extent, from the front rack post to the rear rack post in order to provide different system depths.

It is advantageous if an inner surface of the outer wall of the profile elements in which the T-shaped slot is formed has, at least in certain portions, two parallel-running webs.

It is furthermore advantageous if a slot nut for insertion into the T-shaped slot is provided, wherein a top side of the slot nut has at least two parallel-running grooves, and the webs on the inner surface of the outer wall engage into the grooves of the slot nut when the slot nut has been installed in the T-shaped slot.

The above-stated configuration is suitable both for profile elements which have only a T-shaped slot and for profile elements which have a T-shaped slot and the recess arrangements according to the invention. In both cases, an advantageous rack system is realized, wherein a formation of the webs in the case of the profile elements which have the recess arrangements according to the invention is particularly suitable.

The inventors have recognized that, by means of a configuration of a slot nut with at least two parallel-running grooves which engage into corresponding parallel-running webs on the inner surface of the outer wall of the T-shaped slot, a particularly stable connection is realized which is suitable for accommodating high forces. The safety of the rack system in the case of use in a utility vehicle, in particular in the event of an accident, is thus greatly increased. Here, not only do the grooves in the slot nut lead, in conjunction with the webs on the inner surface of the outer wall, to an increase in stability, but a bending-open of the T-shaped slot or of the opening of the T-shaped slot is also prevented.

The grooves in the slot nut and the webs on the inner surface of the outer wall of the T-shaped slot advantageously form a form fit.

A further advantage of the grooves in the slot nut in conjunction with the webs on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot also consists in that this configuration results in a securing action against undesired rotation or detachment, which is advantageous in particular during driving operation owing to the vibrations arising therein. Furthermore, the grooves in the slot nut and the webs result in a large and stable bearing area.

The webs, which are formed on the inner surface of the outer wall of the T-shaped slot, may also be any desired elevations, in particular also beads.

The slot nut may be used for the installation of any desired components. The slot nut may in particular be used for the installation of connecting elements, for example fastening angle brackets or wall attachment systems, for the fastening of stiffening plates, or else for the attachment of additional components. The slot nut is also particularly suitable for fastening a side wall part, presented in more detail further below, to the rack side wall.

The slot nut makes it possible for the elements that are to be fastened to be fixed in any desired position along the T-shaped slot of the attachment region and to also be easily released again as required.

It is advantageous if the webs are formed on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot such that in each case at least one web runs to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

By virtue of the fact that in each case at least one web runs to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot, the result is a particularly stable connection, and, in particular, a form fit is generated which substantially prevents bending-open of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

It is preferable for two webs to be formed on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot, wherein in each case exactly one web runs to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

It is advantageous if the grooves are formed in the top side of the slot nut such that in each case at least one groove runs to both sides of a threaded bore of the slot nut.

By virtue of the fact that in each case at least one groove runs to both sides of a threaded bore of the slot nut, the result is a particularly good connection to correspondingly arranged webs on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot. Provision is preferably made whereby the slot nut has two grooves, and in each case one groove runs to both sides of the threaded bore of the slot nut.

The grooves are preferably formed in the top side of the slot nut such that the grooves engage into webs on the inner surface of the T-shaped slot, which webs run to both sides of the opening of the T-shaped slot.

Provision may be made whereby the slot nut has the shape of a parallelogram in plan view, wherein two opposite first sides have an identical length Li and two opposite second sides have an identical length L2, and wherein the length Li is shorter than the length L2, and wherein the angles between adjacent sides do not form a right angle.

A slot nut with the form presented above can be inserted in a particularly advantageous manner into the T-shaped slot by virtue of the slot nut being rotated such that the second long sides L2 run parallel to the opening edges of the T-shaped slot. After being inserted into the T-shaped slot from the front, the slot nut can then be rotated, preferably such that the first short sides Li of the slot nut lie against opposite side surfaces of the inner wall of the T-shaped slot.

The rotation of the slot nut can be realized in a particularly advantageous manner by virtue of a screw being inserted or screwed into the threaded bore of the slot nut. A rotation of the screw causes the slot nut to initially also rotate until the latter comes to bear, by way of its first (short) sides Li, against the side surfaces of the inner wall of the T-shaped slot, and thus a further rotation of the slot nut is prevented.

The spacing between the two second sides with the length L2, that is to say an orthogonal with respect to the two second sides which has the length L2, is preferably dimensioned so as to be smaller than the width of the opening of the T-shaped slot in the outer wall, though the spacing between the two second sides which has the length L2 is preferably also selected so as to correspond to at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, particularly preferably at least 70%, very particularly preferably at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of the width of the opening. It is ensured in this way that the slot nut can firstly be inserted through the opening in the outer wall into the T-shaped slot, but secondly also that a suitably large bearing area is provided between the slot nut and the inner surface of the outer wall, which bearing area ensures a good introduction of forces from the slot nut into the outer wall.

The oblique form of the slot nut has the effect that, after the rotation of the slot nut into the installed position, an optimized bearing area is available between the slot nut and the outer wall of the profile element. This has proven to be particularly suitable in order to produce a stable and load-bearing connection, which is of particular significance in particular for use in a utility vehicle and in the event of an accident.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the grooves run at least approximately parallel to the two first sides, with the length Li, of the slot nut.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the grooves run parallel to the two first sides, with the length Li, of the slot nut, in order to fix the slot nut in the T-shaped slot in a stable manner. Here, it is also advantageous if the slot nut is configured such that the two first sides lie against side walls in the T-shaped slot, or run at least adjacent and parallel to said side walls, when the grooves engage into the webs of the T-shaped slot.

By virtue of the fact that the grooves run at least approximately parallel, or parallel, to the two first sides, with the length Li, of the slot nut, it is possible, by means of the angle profile between the first sides and the second sides, to set the orientation in which the slot nut is positioned in the T-shaped slot when the grooves engage into the webs. If the first sides run at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the second sides, then it is the case that, when the grooves engage into the webs, the slot nut is oriented in the T-shaped slot such that the second sides run orthogonally between the side walls of the T-shaped slot, and the slot nut thus has an extent in the axial direction of the T-shaped slot, or a height in the T-shaped slot, which corresponds to the length Li of the first sides. If the first sides run in an inclined manner in relation to the second sides, then the bearing or the contact area between the top side of the slot nut and the inner surface of the outer wall of the profile element is enlarged. Here, the slot nut is arranged in the T-shaped slot in an oblique orientation and thus occupies a greater axial length, or a greater height, in the T-shaped slot.

Provision may be made whereby the two first sides, with the length L1, of the slot nut have a bevel. It is advantageous if the two bevels are formed at two diagonally opposite corners of the slot nut.

A configuration of the slot nut such that the two first sides, with the length L1, are equipped with bevels has the effect that the height of the slot nut, that is to say the axial extent of the slot nut in the T-shaped slot, is reduced. It is thereby possible for two slot nuts to be able to be positioned one above the other in a more closely adjacent manner in the T-shaped slot.

An advantage of a slot nut with the described shape of a parallelogram without bevels consists in that, in this way, an optimized bearing area/contact area between the top side of the slot nut and the inner surface of the T-shaped slot is created, whereby the introduction of force is optimized. The connection is thus particularly stable, which is of importance in particular in the event of a crash.

The slot nut may also, in a plan view, have the shape of a rectangle. Such a configuration is expedient in particular if the slot nut can be inserted into the T-shaped slot at a face end of the T-shaped slot. In this case, it is normally not necessary to rotate the slot nut in the T-shaped slot.

Provision may be made whereby, on the top side of the slot nut, there is formed a pedestal which extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot when the slot nut is fixed in the T-shaped slot.

The formation of a pedestal which extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot has the advantage that the slot nut can additionally be supported on the opening edges of the opening of the T-shaped slot. Here, provision may be made whereby the pedestal first enters the opening of the T-shaped slot when the slot nut is braced or fixed in the T-shaped slot by a fastening means, for example a screw, such that the grooves engage into the webs.

Provision may furthermore be made whereby the slot nut has a width smaller than the width of the opening of the T-shaped slot and the slot nut has a length greater than the width of the opening of the T-shaped slot. By means of this configuration of the slot nut, the slot nut can in a particularly advantageous manner be inserted through the opening of the T-shaped slot and, by means of a rotation in the T-shaped slot, secured against being pulled out again.

It is advantageous if at least one fastening plate is provided which is fixable by the fastening means to the slot nut inserted into the T-shaped slot, and wherein at least one stiffening plate is provided which, at a first side edge, has an angled portion which is insertable into the T-shaped slot, wherein the stiffening plate is, as a result of the fixing of the fastening plate to the slot nut, fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region of the profile element and the bottom side of the fastening plate.

By means of the stiffening plate, it is possible for the rack system to be stabilized in a simple manner. It is preferable for multiple stiffening plates to be installed in a height-offset manner on the rear side of the rack side wall. It is possible for multiple stiffening plates to be inserted into one T-shaped slot.

It is particularly advantageous that, by means of the T-shaped slot and the slot nut, it is possible for the height at which the stiffening plate is to be installed to be set to virtually any desired value. It is thus not necessary to stock a multiplicity of stiffening elements, and it is rather possible for the stiffening plates to be installed at the desired position independently of the installation situation and also independently of the size or height of the rack system.

An advantageous method for the installation of the stiffening plates provides for the slot nut to firstly be positioned in the desired position in the T-shaped slot. This may be realized by virtue of the slot nut being introduced at a face end, preferably at an upper or a lower end, into the T-shaped slot. It is however also possible for the slot nut to be introduced into the T-shaped slot through the opening extending in the axial direction along the T-shaped slot, and for the slot nut to then be positioned at the desired point in the T-shaped slot by means of a corresponding rotation. The stiffening plate is subsequently inserted, by way of the angled portion provided at one of its side edges, into the T-shaped slot. The fastening plate is subsequently mounted onto the attachment region, preferably such that a part of the fastening plate extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot. That side edge of the stiffening plate which is equipped with the angled portion is thus situated between the bottom side of the fastening plate and the attachment region or the outer wall. By virtue of the fastening plate being fixed by means of the screw element to the slot nut inserted into the T-shaped slot, the stiffening plate arranged in between is fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region and the bottom side of the fastening plate. The angled portion extends preferably at least over a length of at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least over 80%, of the length of the side edge. The angled portion may possibly be divided into multiple partial angled portions.

The stiffening plate is thus preferably fixed in form-fitting fashion in the T-shaped slot owing to the angled portion, and additionally fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region and the bottom side of the fastening plate. The fastening plate may clamp the stiffening plate. By means of the form-fitting connection between slot nut, stiffening plate and fastening plate, the number of fastening means can be minimized, and the stiffness can be maximized.

Here, provision is preferably made whereby a part of the fastening plate, as presented in more detail further below, extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot such that the angled portion is fixed in form-fitting fashion not only by means of a longitudinal edge of the opening of the T-shaped slot but also by means of that part of the fastening plate which extends into the opening of the T-shaped slot.

According to the invention, provision may furthermore be made whereby the stiffening plate is additionally fixed to a system component.

The system component may be a shelf, a storage tray, a drawer, a flap, a receptacle for a case or else a connecting strut, running preferably in a horizontal direction, or a horizontally arranged profile element of the rack system. The directional terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are to be understood in the context of the invention, unless stated otherwise, as a directional term that applies when the rack system is installed in a known manner, that is to say for example the rack side walls stand orthogonally on a base and thus extend vertically upward. Then, the system components, for example a horizontally running connecting strut or else a shelf, are fixed in a conventional manner between the rack side walls, which system components then extend in a horizontal direction from one rack side wall to an adjacent further rack side wall, and in so doing possibly span a horizontal plane.

It is advantageous if at least two or more stiffening plates are provided.

A particularly high degree of stability of the rack system can be achieved if two or more stiffening plates are provided, for example three, four or even more than four stiffening plates.

It is advantageous if the stiffening plate is installed on an attachment region on the rear side of the rack side wall. A reinforcement of the rack system by means of stiffening plates which are fixed to the rear side of the rack side wall has proven to be particularly suitable. It is however basically also possible for the stiffening plates to be installed so as to run on the front side of the rack system or else parallel to the extent of the rack side walls.

Provision may be made whereby, to extend the depth of the rack side wall, at least one additional side wall part is provided, wherein the at least one side wall part is fixed by means of the at least one slot nut in the T-shaped slot of an attachment region formed on the front side or on the rear side of the rack side wall.

By means of the side wall part, the rack system can be easily adapted to different installation spaces. The side wall part makes it possible for the rack side wall to be extended with regard to its depth, such that identical rack side walls can be used for different types of utility vehicles, for example. Furthermore, in accordance with the customer demand, a rack system with a normal or with an increased depth can be used without the need to stock rack side walls of different depths.

The increase of the depth makes it possible, for example, to use deeper trays or shelves.

A particular advantage of the side wall part also consists in that the installation situation in a specific utility vehicle can be allowed for. In those regions of the utility vehicle in which a greater depth is available owing to the structural space, the rack system can have a depth which is correspondingly increased by means of the additional side wall part, whereas, in other regions, the rack system has a "normal" depth, which is defined by the depth of those rack side walls which are not extended by means of a side wall part.

It is particularly advantageously also possible here for the depth to be varied along the height of a rack side wall through the use of the additional side wall part. Accordingly, in that region in which the installation space of the utility vehicle is restricted, for example owing to a wheel arch, the rack side wall can, in the lower region, have a normal depth (without additional side wall part). Above the wheel arch, the side wall part may then be installed onto the rack side wall in order to lengthen the depth of the rack side wall in that region.

This results in a reduction of variants, because there is no longer a need for stepped rack side walls, or it is no longer necessary to stock rack side walls with different depths. It is also no longer necessary for the rear region of the rack side wall, or the rear rack post, to be redirected by means of a cumbersome structure with transverse strut parts and angle pieces in order to adapt the course of the rack side wall, for example in the lower region of the rack side wall, to a locally restricted structural space.

The side wall part can be used on the rear side of the rack side wall in accordance with demand and at any desired height and in any desired length.

The rack system may also be configured such that at least one additional side wall part is installed onto the front side of one of the rack side walls in order to lengthen the depth of the rack side wall. Here, provision may also be made whereby side wall parts are installed both on the front side and on the rear side.

By virtue of an additional side wall part being installed on at least a front side of one of the rack side walls of the rack system, the rack system can be particularly advantageously adapted to specific installation situations or to the requirements of the user. For example, it is possible for the rack system to be configured such that, in the lower region at the front side, a free space remains such that a pallet can be slid into the vehicle. For this purpose, it may be advantageous if the rack system has a set-back portion in the lower region at the front side, but becomes wider again in the upper region, in particular above the height of the pallet, in order to provide corresponding stowage space. This can be achieved by virtue of an additional side wall pad being attached in the upper region to the front side of one or more rack side walls.

It is advantageous if the side wall part has, on a rear side, an attachment region for permitting the fixing of at least one connecting element in order to connect the side wall part to the positionally fixed component.

By virtue of the side wall part having an attachment region on its rear side, the side wall part and thus the rack side wall connected thereto, or the entire rack system, can be easily fixed to a positionally fixed component or a component fixed with respect to the vehicle. Cumbersome structures for a transition from the rack side wall to the positionally fixed component, which is normally a side wall part of the vehicle, preferably a rail attached thereto, if the rack system is installed in a utility vehicle, are thus avoided. The side wall part is generally in any case already situated in the immediate vicinity of the component fixed with respect to the vehicle, such that a connection can be produced in a structurally simple manner.

It is advantageous if the attachment region on the rear side of the side wall part is of identical design to the attachment region on the rear side of the rack side wall, at least with regard to the configuration provided for the fixing of the connecting element.

By means of this configuration, it is possible for the connecting elements that can be used for the direct connection of the rack side wall to a positionally fixed component to also be used for the connection of the side wall part to the positionally fixed component. The multiplicity of parts for the rack system is thus further reduced.

The rack system may be connected by means of at least one connecting element to the positionally fixed component, wherein the connecting element is fixed to an attachment region on the rear side of the rack side wall and/or to an attachment region on the rear side of the side wall part.

Provision may be made whereby the side wall part extends only over a portion of the height of the rack side wall.

Such a configuration is expedient in particular in order to be able to optimally allow for the installation situation in a utility vehicle. Often, in the case of a rack side wall, the installation situation varies over the height of the rack side wall, such that a particularly advantageous adaptation to the installation situation is possible by means of a side wall part which extends only over a portion of the height of the rack side wall.

It is advantageous if the side wall part is fixable to the rear side and/or to the front side of the rack side wall in a continuously variable manner, or in a raster, in a vertical direction.

Such a configuration has proven to be particularly suitable for making it possible to individually determine the installation position of the side wall part.

It is advantageous if the rear side and/or the front side of the rack side wall extends in a vertical direction from a bottom side of the rack side wall to a top side of the rack side wall without any bends.

It is explicitly pointed out that the above-presented possibilities of the fixing of an additional side wall part and/or of a stiffening plate and/or of a connecting element is only one, albeit advantageous, optional configuration of the solution according to the invention, in particular in order to highlight that the free portion along the T-shaped slot can particularly advantageously be used for fixing various elements.

As highlighted, for the fixing of a slot nut in the T-shaped slot, a configuration of the inner surface of the outer wall of the profile element with webs is particularly suitable, in particular in conjunction with a corresponding configuration of the slot nut with corresponding grooves. The above-presented possibility for fixing in particular an additional side wall part, a connecting element or else a stiffening plate to the T-shaped slot is however not restricted to the T-shaped slot having webs. A slot nut may basically also be fixed in a known manner without the T-shaped slot having corresponding webs.

The embodiment of the T-shaped slot with webs is however particularly suitable for realizing the most stable possible fixing.

The above statements relating to the fixing of the side wall part, of the connecting element and of the stiffening plate are however to be understood as meaning that these can also be realized without the T-shaped slot having webs or the slot nut having corresponding grooves.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby at least one of the profile elements, in particular a profile element which is integrated in a horizontally running manner into the rack system and which in particular runs parallel to the front wall of the rack system, has, at its bottom side, a groove extending in a longitudinal direction, into which groove an LED luminaire or an LED band is inserted.

It has been found that particularly good illumination is realized if an LED luminaire, for example an LED band, an LED strip or an LED rail, is inserted into a groove on the bottom side of one of the profile elements. Here, the groove extends preferably over the entire length or at least approximately over the entire length of the profile element.

A profile element according to the invention composed of an extruded profile for forming a front rack post of a rack side wall of a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, wherein the profile element has, in an outer wall, an attachment region with a T-shaped slot, wherein the T-shaped slot extends along a longitudinal axis of the profile element, emerges from Claim 16.

The profile element according to the invention according to Claim 16 is configured such that multiple recess arrangements are formed in the outer wall along the T-shaped slot, wherein the recess arrangements each have at least two recesses which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction, wherein the recesses each enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements, there remains a free portion in which no recesses which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot are formed into the outer wall, wherein the free portion has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses of one of the recess arrangements.

The advantages of the profile element according to the invention emerge analogously from the statements made above and below. The profile el-ement according to the invention may be combined in any desired manner with all features described above and below.

A method according to the invention for producing a profile element for forming a rack post of a rack side wall of a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, according to which method the profile element is formed from an extruded profile which has, in an outer wall, an attachment region with a T-shaped slot, wherein the T-shaped slot extends along the longitudinal axis of the profile element, emerges from Claim 17.

The method according to the invention as per Claim 17 is configured such that multiple recess arrangements are formed into the outer wall along the T-shaped slot, wherein the recess arrangements each have at least two recesses which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction and which are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall, wherein the recesses are milled and/or drilled such that the recesses each enlarge an opening of the T-shaped slot in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements, there remains a free portion in which no recesses which enlarge the opening of the T-shaped slot are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall, wherein the free portion has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses of one of the recess arrangements.

The advantages of the method according to the invention emerge analogously from the statements made above and below. The method according to the invention may be combined in any desired manner with all features described above and below.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended figures. The figures show multiple features of the invention in combination with one another. A person skilled in the art is however self-evidently capable of also considering said features independently of one another and possibly combining them to form further expedient sub-combinations, without the person skilled in the art having to perform an inventive step for this purpose.

In the figures: Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of the rack system in a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the rack system in a second embodiment; Figure 3 shows a perspective rear view of the rack system in a third embodiment; Figure 4 shows a perspective front view of the rack system in a fourth embodiment, Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a detail of a rack system, with an illustration of a strut for connecting two rack posts, formed from profile elements, of a rack side wall to one another, and with an illustration of a connecting element; Figure 6 shows a perspective plan view of an outer wall of the profile element according to the invention, with an illustration of a recess arrangement formed along a T-shaped slot, Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic front view of an outer wall of the profile element according to the invention, with an illustration of three recess arrangements; Figure 8 shows a section as per the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a connecting piece for insertion into a T-shaped slot in an outer wall of the profile element according to the invention; Figure 10 is an enlarged illustration of one of the stiffening plates illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 11 shows a section as per the line XI-XI in Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a top side of a slot nut in a first embodiment; Figure 13 shows a side view of a slot nut from a viewing direction XIII in Figure 12; Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a bottom side of the slot nut as per Figure 12; Figure 15 shows a view of a top side of a slot nut in a second embodiment; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional illustration for illustrating the fixing of a connecting element as per Figure 5 by means of a slot nut illustrated in section; Figure 17 is a perspective illustration of a strut for connecting two rack posts (not illustrated) to one another; Figure 18 shows a cross section through the strut as per Figure 17 in an installation situation in which the strut connects two rack posts, formed by profile elements, of the rack system to one another; Figure 19 shows a side view of a rack side wall with a front rack post and with a rear rack post, on which in each case one optional side wall part has been fixed or mounted; and Figure 20 is a perspective illustration of a rack side wall with different positioning of two optional side wall parts in relation to Figure 19.

Rack systems, in particular for installation into utility vehicles, are basically known from the prior art, for example from EP 2 157 884 81, DE 10 2012 204 883 A1 and DE 10 2004 104 117A1, for which reason only the elements that are of interest for the description of the invention will be discussed in more detail below.

The rack system according to the invention may preferably be a rack which has one or more rack side walls, between which there are fastened one or more supports, which are preferably shelves, trays, functional elements or struts.

The rack system according to the invention is not limited to use in a utility vehicle or in a vehicle, but is particularly suitable for this purpose. The exemplary embodiment described below is to be understood accordingly.

As can be seen from the figures, the rack system according to the invention illustrated in the exemplary embodiments has at least one rack side wall 1. In the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 1 and 5, three rack side walls 1 are illustrated by way of example. In the exemplary embodiments as per Figures 2 to 4, in each case two rack side walls 1 are illustrated.

In the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 19 and 20, additional side wall parts 2 have furthermore been optionally installed onto the rack side walls 1.

The configuration of the rack side walls 1, illustrated in more detail below, with side wall parts 2, stiffening plates or connecting elements, and the use of slot nuts, is optional; in the context of the invention, what is essential is the solution according to the invention illustrated in more detail further below, which arises from the configuration according to the invention of the profile elements.

The rack side walls 1 have a front side 1a and a rear side 1 b.

The side wall parts 2 have a front side 2a and a rear side 2b.

The side wall parts 2 serve for lengthening the depth of the rack side walls 1.

If a lengthening of the rack side walls 1 is desired, provision is made whereby the side wall parts 2 are installed by way of their front side 2a onto the rear side 1b and/or onto the front side la of a rack side wall 1.

The rack system according to the invention has a load-bearing structure composed of profile elements 100. Here, the profile elements 100 have an attachment region 3 in an outer wall 101. The attachment region 3 may be configured such that it can serve for the fixing of the side wall parts 2.

The attachment region 3 is not limited to being fixed to a specific component, for example to the side wall part 2 illustrated in Figures 19 and 20.

The attachment region 3 may be configured so as to be suitable for the fixing of any desired components and system components by means of the T-shaped slot and the slot nut, presented in more detail further below.

The attachment region 3 may also, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 16, be designed for the fixing of at least one connecting element 4 or of a fastening angle bracket.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack system, as illustrated, has at least one rack side wall 1, wherein two of the profile elements 100 are formed as rack posts 5, 6 of the rack side wall 1, between which a rack side surface 7 is arranged.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the rack side wall 1 has a front rack post 5 and a rear rack post 6, which are formed in each case from the profile elements 100.

It is basically also possible for the rack side wall 1 to be formed as a single piece, or for at least one of the rack posts 5, 6 to be formed as a single piece with a part or the entirety of the rack side surface 7. An embodiment of the rack side walls 1 composed of two rack posts 5, 6, which are provided by profile elements 100, and a rack side surface 7 has however proven to be particularly suitable with regard to a reduction of variants and an inexpensive and also stable construction of the rack side wall 1.

The profile elements 100 which form the rack posts 5, 6 are preferably formed as extruded profiles, in particular as aluminium extruded profiles.

The rack system according to the invention may be connected by means of the connecting element 4 to a positionally fixed component 9 or a component fixed with respect to the vehicle, preferably to a rail which is embedded in a wall 10 of the utility vehicle.

In the exemplary embodiments, provision may be made whereby at least one of the horizontally running profile elements 100 has, at its bottom side, an LED slot 11 extending in a longitudinal direction, into which LED slot an LED luminaire (not illustrated in any more detail), for example an LED band, an LED rail or an LED strip, is inserted. A corresponding LED slot 11 is illustrated for example in Figure 4.

The attachment region 3, formed in the outer wall 101, of the profile elements 100 has a T-shaped slot 12, as can be seen from the figures. Here, the T-shaped slot 12 extends along a longitudinal axis of the respective profile element 100. The T-shaped slot 12 preferably extends over the entire length of the respective profile element 100.

The attachment region 3 formed with the T-shaped slot 12 may basically be formed at any desired point of the profile element 100 and extend over any desired length. Here, the profile element 100 may be arranged such that its attachment region 3 is situated on the front side of the rack side wall 1 and/or on the rear side of the rack side wall 1. The profile element 100 may however also be oriented such that the attachment region 3 is situated laterally and/or on the top side and/or possibly also on the bottom side of the rack side wall 1. Furthermore, the profile element 100 may be used as a load-bearing element by connecting two rack posts, for example two front rack posts, to one another. In this case, the profile element 100 runs substantially in a vertical direction.

Figure 4 shows two vertically running profile elements 100 arranged at the front side of the rack system, and a horizontally running profile element which is arranged on the front side and which is fixed to the two vertical profile elements 100, which profile elements together form a fastening device, preferably for the securing of payloads. It is basically also possible for two or more horizontally running profile elements 100 to be provided in the illustration as per Figure 4.

In the outer wall 101 of the profile elements 100 according to the invention, multiple recess arrangements 102 are formed along the T-shaped slot 12. The recess arrangements 102, which can be seen particularly clearly from Figures 4 and 7, have at least two recesses 103 which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction. Here, the recesses 103 in each case enlarge an opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces 13 to be received.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 4 to 7, a free portion z remains between two adjacent recess arrangements 102, in which free portion no recesses 103 which enlarge the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 are formed into the outer wall 101. Here, the free portion z has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses 103 of one of the recess arrangements 102.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recess arrangements 102 preferably each have exactly two recesses 103. Here, it is however basically possible for individual recess arrangements 102 to have a different number of recesses 103.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses 103 of the recess arrangement 102 preferably have a diameter of 20 mm and are arranged in a raster of 25 mm. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 7. The raster spacing x amounts to 25 mm in this case. The diameter of a recess 103 preferably amounts to 20 mm. As can likewise be seen in Figure 7, the free portion z is larger than the extent y of two mutually adjoining recesses 103 of one of the recess arrangements 102.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses 103 are formed preferably as airline holes.

In the exemplary embodiment, the spacing between two recess arrangements 102 amounts to at least 50 mm, preferably at least 75 mm and particularly preferably at least 90 mm. Here, in the exemplary embodiment, the spacing between two recess arrangements 102 amounts to less than 300 mm, preferably less than 250 mm, furthermore preferably less than 200 mm and very particularly preferably less than 150 mm.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is preferably made whereby the spacing between two recess arrangements 102 amounts to 100 mm +/-25 mm.

Figure 9 illustrates a connecting piece 13 by way of example. The connecting pieces 13 are configured such that they can be inserted through the recesses 103 into the T-shaped slot 12. Such connecting pieces 13 are basically known from the prior art. In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting piece 13 is formed as a so-called airline fitting, in particular for the securing of payloads.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby at least one profile element 100 arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a vertical direction is equipped with the recess arrangements 102, and/or whereby at least one profile element 100 arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a horizontal direction is equipped with the recess arrangements 102.

A fastening device which is particularly suitable for the securing of payloads emerges, as already presented, from Figure 4, wherein at least two front rack posts 5 are formed by the profile elements 100 according to the invention, and furthermore a profile element 100 according to the inven-tion is fixed to the two front rack posts 5 and extends in a horizontal direction. Here, both the profile element 100 running in a horizontal direction and the two profile elements 100 which form the front rack posts 5 each have the recess arrangements 102 according to the invention.

The horizontally running profile element 100 in Figure 4 also serves, in the exemplary embodiment, as a transverse strut, and is thus also a part of a load-bearing structure of the rack system according to the invention. The same also applies to the illustration as per Figure 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the recesses 103 of the recess arrangement 102 are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall 101.

Figure 6 shows a detail of an outer wall 101 of one of the profile elements 100 with a cross section through one of the recesses 103 of the recess arrangement 102.

Figure 6 illustrates only the outer wall 101 of the profile element 100. In Figure 6, however, provision is made whereby the profile element 100 is formed as an extruded profile, which preferably serves as rack post 5, 6 or as transverse strut, such that further wall parts run below the illustrated outer wall 101, for example in the manner illustrated in Figure 16 with regard to the rear rack post 6.

Analogously, Figures 7 and 8 show only the outer wall 101 of a profile element 100 according to the invention in order to illustrate the recess arrangement 102 and the recess 103. The configuration of the profile element 100, which is preferably an extruded profile, below the outer wall 101 may in this case be adapted to the respective requirements, for example in order to form a rack post or realize a transverse strut.

The illustration of the connecting piece 13 in Figure 9 is to be understood merely as an example. The basic construction of a connecting piece 13 of said type, in particular in a configuration as an airline fitting, is familiar from the prior art. It is furthermore also known from the prior art how such connecting pieces 13 can be introduced into recesses 103 and fastened in the T-shaped slot 12.

It is pointed out that preferably all of the rack posts 5, 6 of the rack system are formed as extruded profiles. In the context of the invention, it is however not necessary for all rack posts 5, 6, or alternatively or additionally all transverse struts, to be formed by profile elements 100 according to the invention with recess arrangements 102.

The rack system according to the invention has a load-bearing structure composed of profile elements 100. Here, it is however not necessary for all profile elements 100 to also have a configuration according to the invention with recess arrangements 102. In the context of the solution according to the invention, it is basically sufficient for at least one of the profile elements 100 to have the recess arrangements 102 according to the invention. Formation of the front rack posts 5 and of at least one transverse strut by means of profile elements 100 with the recess arrangements 102 according to the invention (as illustrated in Figure 4) is however particularly suitable.

Those profile elements 100 which do not have recess arrangements 102 according to the invention may preferably nevertheless have a T-shaped slot 12, or form an attachment region 3. This is particularly suitable in order to be able to introduce slot nuts into the T-shaped slot 12, as presented below.

In the context of the solution according to the invention, it is however basically also possible for profile elements 100 to be formed without a T-shaped slot 12.

In the context of the solution according to the invention, in particular in the exemplary embodiments, provision is however made whereby all profile elements 100 have a T-shaped slot 12, and additionally at least one of the profile elements 100 has the recess arrangement 102 according to the invention. It is preferable for all of the front rack posts 5 to be formed by profile elements 100 with the recess arrangements 102 according to the invention.

In the context of the invention, it is preferable for in particular the rack posts 5, 6 to each be formed as profile elements 100 which have attachment regions 3 for the fastening of system components, side wall parts 2, connecting elements 4 or stiffening plates 34 (see Figures 3 and 10) described in more detail further below. For this purpose, the recess arrangements 102 according to the invention are basically also suitable for the fastening of the above-stated elements. The recess arrangements 102 according to the invention are however particularly suitable for the securing of payloads, in particular if use is made of connecting pieces 13 which are formed as airline fittings. Since it is normally not necessary for all of the rack posts or transverse struts to be equipped so as to be suitable for the securing of payloads, it is possible, in the case of a rack system according to the invention, for provision to be made whereby only a proportion of the rack posts or of the transverse struts are equipped with the recess arrangements 102 according to the invention. The recess arrangement 102 can be omitted in the case of the other rack posts. Such rack posts may then have an attachment region 3 which has only a T-shaped slot 12, without recess arrangements 102 being formed therein preferably by drilling or milling. The rack posts 5, 6 in which no recess arrangements 102 are formed may also preferably be profile elements 100 formed as extruded profiles.

It is possible to omit recess arrangements 102 in the attachment regions 3 in particular on those rack posts 5, 6 to which only side wall parts 2, connecting elements 4 or stiffening plates presented in more detail further below are to be attached.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if, in a rack system, at least two front rack posts 5 are formed as a profile element 100 with attachment regions 3 according to the invention with recess arrangements 102, and preferably also a transverse strut which connects the rack posts 5 is formed as a profile element 100 according to the invention with an attachment region 3 with recess arrangements 102, as illustrated in Figure 4.

Yet further advantageous embodiments of the rack system according to the invention will be presented in more detail below.

The attachment region 3 equipped according to the invention with recess arrangements 102, or else a T-shaped slot 12 of an attachment region 3 without recess arrangement 102, is particularly advantageously also suitable for the fastening of side wall parts 2 as illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 19 and 20. For this purpose, the side wall parts 2 may, by way of their front side 2a, be connected in form-fitting fashion by means of a slot-and-key connection to the attachment region 3 for example on the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1. For this purpose, the front side 2a of the side wall parts 2 has an installation region (not illustrated) which is of complementary form with respect to the T-shaped slot 12 of the attachment region 3 of the rack side walls 1. For this purpose, in the case of the side wall parts 2, a key (not illustrated) may be provided which engages in form-fitting fashion into the T-shaped slot 12 of the attachment region 3.

The fixing of a side wall part 2 to the front side la of one of the rack side walls 1, as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, may be performed analogously.

A particularly advantageous use of a slot nut 15 that may optionally be used in the context of the solution according to the invention will be presented below.

The slot nut 15 may be used for the fixing of the side wall part 2 in the T-shaped slot 12 of the rack side wall 1. The slot nut 15 may analogously also be used in order to fix other components in the T-shaped slot 12, in which regard reference is also made to the exemplary embodiments and usage examples below.

The slot nut 15 is preferably formed such that it can be inserted into the T-shaped slot 12 from the front, that is to say through the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, the slot nut 15 may preferably be formed as illustrated in particular in Figures 12 to 14, that is to say the slot nut 15 may have the shape of a parallelogram in plan view, wherein this preferably excludes the special forms of a parallelogram, specifically a rectangle or a square.

In the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 12 to 14, the slot nut 15 is preferably formed as follows. Provision is made whereby two opposite first sides 15b have an identical length Li and two opposite second sides 15c have an identical length L2, wherein the length L1 is shorter than the length L2, wherein the angles between two adjacent sides 15b, 15c do not form a right angle.

The spacing between the two second sides 15c or the orthogonal with respect to the second sides 15c is dimensioned such that the spacing is smaller than the width of the opening 14 in the front wall of the T-shaped slot 12. It is thereby possible to insert the slot nut 15 into the T-shaped slot 12 through the opening 14. By means of a corresponding rotation of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12, it can then be achieved that the first (relatively short) sides 15b (with the length Li) bear against side surfaces within the T-shaped slot 12. The rotated end position of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12 is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 11 and 16.

The embodiment of the slot nut 15 as an oblique slot nut, or such that said slot nut has the shape of a parallelogram in plan view (as described above and illustrated in Figures 12 to 14), is particularly suitable for providing a large bearing area or contact area within the T-shaped slot 12.

It is however basically also possible to use a slot nut 15 which has a rectangular shape in plan view, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 15.

According to the invention, provision is made whereby a top side 15a of the slot nut 15 has at least two parallel-running grooves 16; this is illustrated inter alia in Figures 12, 13 and 15 with regard to the three embodiments of the slot nut 15 illustrated therein.

The outer wall 101, in which the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 is formed, of the profile elements 100 may be configured such that an inner surface 101a, facing toward the top side 15a of the slot nut 15, of the outer wall 101 has, at least in certain portions, two parallel-running webs 17 which engage into the grooves 16 of the slot nut 15 when the slot nut 15 has been installed in the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is (optionally) made whereby the webs 17 are formed on the inner surface 101a of the outer wall 101 equipped with the T-shaped slot 12 such that in each case at least one web 17 runs to both sides of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is furthermore made whereby the grooves 16 in the slot nut 15 are formed in the top side 15a of the slot nut 15 such that in each case at least one groove 16 runs to both sides of a threaded bore 18 of the slot nut 15.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the grooves 16 run at least approximately parallel to the two first sides 15b, with the length L1, of the slot nut 15.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is preferably also made in all embodiments whereby the first sides 15b of the slot nut 15 lie against side walls of the T-shaped slot 12, or at least run adjacent to said side walls, when the slot nut 15 is situated in the end position in the T-shaped slot 12, that is to say when the slot nut 15 has been correctly inserted.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the two first sides 15b, with the length L1, of the slot nut 15 have a bevel 150.

A bevel 150 is diagrammatically illustrated by way of the dashed lines in Figure 14. The two bevels 150 are preferably formed, as illustrated in Figure 14, at two diagonally opposite corners of the slot nut 15.

In the variant illustrated by way of dashed lines in Figure 14, provision is also made whereby the slot nut 15 lies with the non-bevelled part of the first sides 15b against the side walls within the T-shaped slot 12 when the slot nut 15 has been correctly installed into the T-shaped slot 12. Since, in the end position that the slot nut 15 assumes in the T-shaped slot 12, provision is made according to the invention whereby the grooves 16 engage into the webs 17 and the webs 17 run preferably in an axial direction or along the central axis of the T-shaped slot 12 or of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12, this thus yields an optimum arrangement of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12.

It is basically self-evidently also possible for the slot nut 15 to be formed with a different course of the grooves 16, for example such that the grooves 16 run parallel to the bevel 150 of the two first sides 15b, whereby the positioning of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12 then correspondingly changes.

An embodiment of the slot nut 15 as illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 14 has the advantage that the height of the slot nut 15 in the T-shaped slot 12 is reduced, such that two slot nuts 15 can be positioned one above the other in a more closely adjacent manner in the T-shaped slot 12.

For most usage situations, it will however be preferable to omit a bevel 150, because the bevel 150 reduces the bearing/contact area between the top side 15a of the slot nut 15 and the inner surface 101a of the outer wall 101 of the profile elements 100. It is however preferable for the bearing area/contact area to be kept as large as possible in order that an introduction of force is optimized, which proves to be particularly advantageous in particular in the event of a crash.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a further advantageous configuration of the slot nut 15 with a pedestal 151. The pedestal 151 is formed on the surface 15a of the slot nut 15 and extends partially into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 when the slot nut 15 has been installed into the T-shaped slot 12. Here, the pedestal 151 may surround a part of the threaded bore 18. In plan view, the pedestal 151 may preferably have the shape of a parallelogram, wherein the sides of the pedestal 151 run parallel to the first sides 15b and to the second sides 15c respectively, as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 15. A rotation of the slot nut 15 into the T-shaped slot 12 is thus facilitated, or is not impeded.

According to the invention, provision may be made whereby the pedestal 151 is pulled into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 as a result of the slot nut 15 being fixed in the T-shaped slot 12 by a fastening means 19, for example a screw element.

This is diagrammatically illustrated for example in Figures 11 and 16.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the slot nut 15 preferably has a width smaller than the width of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the slot nut 15 has a length greater than the width of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

As illustrated in Figures 11 and 16, the webs 17 engage into the grooves 16 when the slot nut 15 has been installed in the T-shaped slot. This yields a form-fitting connection, whereby the bending-open of the T-shaped slot 12 is also prevented, and a securing action against undesired rotation (loosening), in particular during driving operation of the utility vehicle, is realized.

As can be seen from Figures 5 and 17 to 20, the rack side walls 1 have, at the top side, a strut 26 running in a horizontal direction. The strut 26 serves for increasing the stability of the rack side wall 1 if this is formed from two rack posts 5, 6 and a rack side surface 7. Here, in the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby, in this embodiment, at least one of the rack posts 5, 6 is formed by a profile element 100 according to the invention.

Figure 17 illustrates the strut 26 on its own.

As illustrated in Figure 18, provision is made whereby the strut 26 is mounted in form-fitting fashion onto the rack posts 5, 6 and is additionally screwed by means of screws 24 to the engagement openings 27 in the rack posts 5, 6. The strut 26 thus connects the rack posts 5, 6. To increase stability, provision may be made, as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 18, whereby in each case one screw 25 which runs obliquely in relation to the screws 24 is additionally screwed in in order to connect the rack posts 5, 6 to the strut 26.

In the exemplary embodiments, provision is made whereby the rack side wall 1 has in each case two struts 26 for connecting the rack posts 5, 6, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. It is however also possible for only one strut 26 to be provided. The strut 26 may also be omitted entirely. It is also possible for the rack posts 5, 6 to be connected in some other way.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 1 to 4, a cover 30 may be mounted on the top side of the rack side walls 1. Here, the cover 30 may cover the strut 26 from above.

The cover 30 may, in the region of its front side, that is to say in the region of the front side la of the rack side wall 1, be shaped so as to form a hook in order for a coat or a bag, for example, to be hung thereon. This constitutes an independent invention, wherein the applicant reserves the right to file a divisional application directed to this.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 30 extends over the entire depth of the rack side walls 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 30 has a length selected such that it does not also cover the top side of the optional side wall parts 2. In the exemplary embodiment, separate cover plates 31 are provided for covering the top side of the side wall parts 2, which cover plates can be mounted from above onto the side wall parts 2. In the exemplary embodiment. provision may be made here whereby the side wall parts 2 likewise have engagement openings, and the cover plates 31 are configured so as to have connecting elements which engage in form-fitting fashion into the engagement opening. It is self-evidently also possible for the cover plate 31 to be screwed to the engagement openings using a screw (not illustrated). Use may possibly also be made of covers 30 which also cover the top side of the side wall parts 2.

As can be seen diagrammatically from Figures 1 to 5, it is possible in a known manner for system components 32 or functional elements, such as for example shelves, trays, flaps, struts, guide rails for cases or the like, to be fastened between the rack side walls 1. Here, provision is made whereby the rack posts 5, 6 have bores 28 which are arranged in a raster and to which functional elements, such as for example trays, can be screwed at any desired height. The bores 28 are designated by way of example in Figures 1, 19 and 20.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby those side wall parts 2 which are attached to the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1 have no bores for the fastening of the functional elements, for example trays, corresponding to the bores 28 in the rack posts 5, 6. Although the side wall parts 2 may basically also have corresponding bores 28, it has however been found that this is not necessary, such that corresponding bores 28 in the side wall parts 2 can be omitted. The functional elements, such as for example trays or shelves, can be fastened in a reliable and stable manner by means of the bores 28 in the rack posts 5, 6, such that an additional screw connection of said elements with the aid of bores 28 in the side wall parts 2 is not necessary. In the context of the invention, provision is however preferably made whereby, in order to increase the stability or in order to stiffen the rack system, the functional elements are also screwed to the side wall parts 2, for which purpose use may preferably be made of self-tapping screws (not illustrated). In the exemplary embodiment, in order to improve the screw connection, provision is made here whereby the side wall parts 2 have slots 29 running in a vertical direction, into which slots the screws for the fastening of the functional elements, such as for example shelves and trays, can be screwed. Those side wall parts 2 which are fastened to the rear side lb of the rack side wall I can be produced particularly inexpensively owing to the omission of the bore 28.

The inventors have recognized that it is advantageous if those side wall parts 2 which are installed on the front side la of one of the rack side walls 1 have bores 28' which are preferably implemented in the same raster as the bores 28 in the rack posts 5, 6. Here, the bores 28' are situated in the side surfaces of the side wall part 2 and serve for the additional screw connection of functional elements, for example trays, which are arranged between two rack side walls 1. A screw connection of these functional elements to those side wall parts 2 which are installed on the front side la of one of the rack side walls 1 has proven to be particularly advantageous in order to increase the stability of the rack system, in particular also in the event of a crash.

In the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, provision is therefore made whereby those side wall parts 2 which are installed onto the front side la have bores 28', whereas, in the case of those side wall parts 2 which are installed onto the rear side 1b of the rack side walls 1, it is advantageous if these only have grooves 29 (as described).

Figure 19 illustrates, by way of example, a rack side wall 1 which is made up of two rack posts 5, 6 which are connected to one another at their top side and at their bottom side by means of a strut 26. The rack side wall 1 may additionally have a rack side surface 7 (not illustrated). Figure 19 shows an embodiment in which a side wall part 2 is fixed to the front rack post 5 in the upper region. Here, the fixing is performed such that, by means of the side wall part 2, the depth of the rack side wall 1 is lengthened only in an upper region. By virtue of the fact that a free space remains below the side wall part 2, a pallet can advantageously be slid into the utility vehicle.

It is also illustrated in Figure 19 that a side wall part 2 is also installed on the rear rack post 6. Here, the installation is likewise performed in the upper region of the rack side wall 1, such that a free space remains below the side wall part 2, which free space can be occupied for example by a wheel arch.

Figure 20 shows a different configuration in relation to Figure 19. Provision is in turn made whereby a side wall part 2 is fixed to the front rack post 5 in the upper region. A side wall part 2 is likewise fixed to the rear rack post 6, but is fixed there in the lower region, such that a free space remains above the side wall part 2.

In a manner which is not illustrated in any more detail, provision may also be made, in Figures 19 and 20, whereby the rack side wall 1 is equipped with a side wall part 2, or with multiple side wall parts 2, only on the front side or only on the rear side.

It has been found that, by virtue of the functional elements, for example trays or shelves, also being screwed to the side wall parts 2, it is possible to achieve a particularly high degree of stability for the rack system, and this has a positive effect in particular in the event of a crash.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, provision is made whereby at least one of the rack posts 5, 6 is formed by the profile element 100 according to the invention.

A further advantageous use of the profile elements 100 according to the invention in conjunction with a slot nut 15 will be presented below. Here, provision is made whereby the profile elements 100 are, as already described above, equipped with webs 17 on the inner surface 101a of the outer wall 101, which webs interact with grooves 16 of the slot nut 15.

It is basically also possible for rack posts 5, 6 which have no recess arrangements 102 to have such a configuration.

In the context of the solution according to the invention, it is also possible that the profile elements 100 with the recess arrangements 102 according to the invention have no webs 17, and only those rack posts 5, 6 which have a conventional attachment region 3 without recess arrangements 102 have webs 17 As is likewise mentioned above, the formation of webs 17 in the region of the attachment regions 3 is optional but advantageous.

Particularly advantageous stiffening of the rack system arises as a result of the configuration illustrated in Figures 3 and 10.

The rack system as per Figures 3 and 10 has a fastening plate 33, which is fixable by a fastening means 19 to the slot nut 15 inserted into the T-shaped slot 12.

The rack system as per Figures 3 and 10 furthermore has at least one stiffening plate 34 which, at a first side edge 34a, has an angled portion 35 which is insertable into the T-shaped slot 12.

The angled portion 35 at the first side edge 34a of the stiffening plate 34, and the insertion thereof into the T-shaped slot, can be seen particularly clearly when Figures 10 and 11 are viewed together.

The first side edge 34a of the stiffening plate 34 is preferably fixed between a bottom side 33a of the fastening plate 33 and the attachment region 3.

As a result of the fixing of the fastening plate 33 to the slot nut 15, the stiffening plate 34 is fixed in force-fitting fashion between the attachment region 3 and the bottom side 33a of the fastening plate 33. The fastening plate 33 clamps the stiffening plate 34.

Additionally, the stiffening plate 34 is fixed to one of the system components 32.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is preferable for at least two or even more stiffening plates 34 to be provided.

The attachment region 3 for the fixing of the stiffening plate 34 is, in the exemplary embodiment as per Figures 3, 10 and 11, formed on the rear side lb of the rack side wall 1. The rear rack post 6 preferably forms the attachment region 3. It is however basically also possible for the attachment region 3 to be formed at some other location, for example on the front side la of the rack side wall 1, in particular on the front rack post 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby at least two rack side walls 1 have an attachment region 3; it is preferable for all rack side walls 1 of a rack system to be formed with at least one attachment region 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, each stiffening plate 34 is fixed in the T-shaped slot 12 by means of one, preferably by means of two or even more fastening kits, which each have one of the fastening plates 33, one of the slot nuts 15 and one of the fastening means 19.

The fastening plate 33 preferably has projecting elevations 36 on its bottom side 33a. Here, there may be one elevation 36, but preferably two or more, particularly preferably an even number of elevations 36. The elevations 36 may also be referred to as feet.

The elevations 36 can have the effect that the fastening plate 33, when it has been fixed to the slot nut 15, is supported on the attachment region 3 or on the outer wall 101. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 11.

Provision may furthermore be made whereby the elevations 36 extend into complementary recesses 37 of the stiffening plate 34 (see Figure 10).

The elevations 36 may basically have any desired shape. It has however proven to be advantageous if the elevations 36 have a cross section which deviates from a circular shape, preferably an oval, polygonal, in particular rectangular cross section, possibly with rounded edges. The complementary recesses 37 in the stiffening plate 34 may in this case have a correspondingly adapted shape, for example the shape of an elongated hole, such that the elevation 36 can be connected in formfitting fashion to the recess 37.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made (in a manner which is not illustrated) whereby the fastening plate 33 has multiple elevations 36, which are arranged to both sides of and symmetrically with respect to a vertical central axis which runs parallel to a longitudinal axis of the T-shaped slot 12 when the fastening plate 33 has been fixed to the slot nut 15.

The symmetrical arrangement about the central axis firstly makes it possible for the fastening plate 33 to be able to be supported in a stable and uniform manner on the attachment region 3 or on the outer wall 120. Secondly, this configuration also makes it possible for two stiffening plates 34, in each case one to the left and one to the right of the central axis, to be easily installed by means of the fastening plate 33.

As can be seen from Figure 11, a pedestal 38 is formed on the bottom side 33a of the fastening plate 33, which pedestal extends into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

Here, the pedestal 38 is configured such that, when the fastening plate 33 has been fixed to the slot nut 15, a longitudinal gap remains between a longitudinal side 38a of the pedestal 38 extending into the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 and a longitudinal edge 14a of the opening of the T-shaped slot 12, into which longitudinal gap the angled portion 35 of the stiffening plate 34 is inserted in form-fitting fashion.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pedestal 38 is preferably configured such that the angled portion 35 of in each case one stiffening plate 34 can be inserted in form-fitting fashion between the two longitudinal edges 14a of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12 and the respectively adjoining longitudinal sides 38a of the pedestal 38. It is thus also possible for two stiffening plates 34 to be easily fixed in form-fitting fashion between the pedestal 38 and an adjoining longitudinal edge 14a of the opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening plate 33 has a width greater than the width of an opening 14 of the T-shaped slot 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the width of the fastening plate 33 corresponds at least approximately to the width of the rear side la of the rack side wall 1 or to the width of the attachment region 3.

It is advantageous, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 10, if the stiffening plate or plates 34 are also fixed to one of the system components 32. The stiffening plates and the system components 32 may, for the fixing of the stiffening plates 34 to the system component 32, have a row of bores 39, 40 arranged in the same raster (see Figure 10).

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the recesses 37, provided for receiving the elevations 36, in the stiffening plate 34 are arranged in the region of the first side edge 34a equipped with the angled portion 35 and are preferably formed as elongated holes. Here, the bores 39 in the stiffening plate 34 are arranged in the region of a second side edge 34b running at right angles to the first side edge 34a, and are preferably of circular form.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 10, in the exemplary embodiment, the stiffening plate 34 is preferably of triangular form, or has a triangular area.

In the exemplary embodiment, in order to increase the stiffness, provision is furthermore made whereby a third side edge 34c of the stiffening plate 34 has a stiffening angled portion 41. In the installed state, that is to say when the stiffening plate 34 has been fixed, the stiffening angled portion 41 projects from the stiffening plate 34 in a direction averted from the rack system. The orientation of the stiffening angled portion 41 is thus opposite to the orientation of the angled portion 35. This is correspondingly also illustrated in Figure 10.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the stiffening plate 34 has a cutout 42 or a set-back portion in a corner in which the first and the second side edge 34a, 34b converge.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the slot nut 15 is produced from metal, preferably a cast steel. In the exemplary embodiment, provision may be made whereby the fastening plate 33 is likewise formed from metal, in particular a cast steel, but preferably from plastic.

Claims

Patent Claims 1 Rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, having a load-bearing structure composed of profile elements (100), wherein at least one profile element (100) has, in an outer wall (101), an attachment region (3) with a T-shaped slot (12), wherein the T-shaped slot (12) extends along a longitudinal axis of the profile element (100), characterized in that multiple recess arrangements (102) are formed into the outer wall (101) along the T-shaped slot (12), wherein the recess arrangements (102) each have at least two recesses (103) which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction, wherein the recesses (103) each enlarge an opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces (13) to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements (102), there remains a free portion in which no recesses (103) which enlarge the opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) are formed into the outer wall (101), wherein the free portion (z) has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses (103) of one of the recess arrangements (102).
Rack system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recess arrangements (102) each have exactly two recesses (103).
3. Rack system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recesses (103) of the recess arrangements (102) each have a diameter of 20 mm and are arranged in a raster of 25 mm.
4. Rack system according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the recesses (103) are formed as airline holes.
Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spacing between two recess arrangements (102) amounts to at least 50 mm, preferably at least 75 mm and particularly preferably at least 90 mm, and amounts to very particularly preferably 100 MM.
6. Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spacing between two recess arrangements (102) amounts to less than 300 mm, preferably less than 250 mm, furthermore preferably less than 200 mm and very particularly preferably less than 150 mm.
7. Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connecting pieces (13) are formed as airline fittings, in particular for the securing of payloads Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one profile element (100) arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a vertical direction is equipped with the recess arrangements (102), and/or in that at least one profile element (100) arranged on the front side of the rack system and extending in a horizontal direction is equipped with the recess arrangements (102).Rack system according to Claim 8, characterized in that two vertically running profile elements (100) arranged on the front side of the rack system and at least one horizontally running profile element (100) which is arranged on the front side and which is fixed to the two front vertical profile elements (100) form a fastening device, wherein the profile elements (100) are each equipped with recess arrangements (102).Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the profile elements (100) equipped with the recess arrangements (102) are formed as extruded profiles.11 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the recesses (103) of the recess arrangements (102) are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall (101) 12. Rack system according to any of Claims 1 toll, characterized in that an inner surface (101a) of the outer wall (101) of the T-shaped slot (12) has, at least in certain portions, two parallel-running webs (17).13 Rack system according to Claim 12, characterized in that a slot nut (15) for insertion into the T-shaped slot (12) is provided, wherein a top side (15a) of the slot nut (15) has at least two parallel-running grooves (16), and the webs (17) on the inner surface (101a) of the outer wall (101) engage into the grooves (16) of the slot nut (15) when the slot nut (15) has been installed in the T-shaped slot (12).14 Rack system according to any of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the rack system has at least one rack side wall (1), wherein two of the profile elements (100) are formed as rack posts (5, 6) of the rack side wall (1), between which a rack side surface (7) is arranged.Rack system according to Claim 14, characterized in that the rack system has two rack side walls (1), and the front rack posts (5) at the front side are connected by means of a horizontally running profile element (100) which is formed as a transverse strut and which is equipped with the recess arrangements (102).16 Profile element (100) composed of an extruded profile for forming a front rack post (5) of a rack side wall (1) of a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, wherein the profile element (100) has, in an outer wall (101), an attachment region (3) with a T-shaped slot (12), wherein the T-shaped slot (12) extends along a longitudinal axis of the profile element (100), characterized in that multiple recess arrangements (102) are formed into the outer wall (101) along the T-shaped slot (12), wherein the recess arrangements (102) each have at least two recesses (103) which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction, wherein the recesses (103) each enlarge an opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces (13) to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements (102), there remains a free portion in which no recesses (103) which enlarge the opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) are formed into the outer wall (101), wherein the free portion (z) has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses (103) of one of the recess arrangements (102).17 Method for producing a profile element (100) for forming a front rack post (5, 6) of a rack side wall (1) of a rack system, in particular for installation into a utility vehicle, according to which method the profile element (100) is formed from an extruded profile which has, in an outer wall (101), an attachment region (3) with a T-shaped slot (12), wherein the T-shaped slot (12) extends along the longitudinal axis of the profile element (100), characterized in that multiple recess arrangements (102) are formed into the outer wall (101) along the T-shaped slot (12), wherein the recess arrangements (102) each have at least two recesses (103) which are arranged offset in a longitudinal direction and which are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall (101), wherein the recesses (103) are milled and/or drilled such that the recesses (103) each enlarge an opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) in order to allow corresponding connecting pieces (13) to be received, wherein, between two adjacent recess arrangements (102), there remains a free portion (z) in which no recesses (103) which enlarge the opening (14) of the T-shaped slot (12) are milled and/or drilled into the outer wall (101), wherein the free portion (z) has an axial length which corresponds at least to the axial length of the extent of two mutually adjoining recesses (103) of one of the recess arrangements (102).