Retail supply system

Abstract

An automatic system for replenishing display shelves in retail businesses. The display shelves each including a shelf board having a conveyor belt circulating around the respective shelf board. Each of the display shelves further including a stop bar and a removable fall-off guard at respective front and rear sides of the display shelves to prevent goods from falling off the display shelves and, wherein, the display shelf is designed to cooperate with a shelf-stocking vehicle such that the fall-off guard is automatically opened when the display shelves are refilled by the shelf-stocking vehicle.

1 - 67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . A shelf-stocking vehicle for transporting goods, especially a plurality of different individual pieces to a shelf comprising:
 a transport surface for receiving the goods;   movement means for moving the vehicle; and   drive means for driving the movement means or the vehicle,   wherein the vehicle is equipped such that it can automatically move along a predetermined route, and the transport surface can be aligned two-dimensionally along two directions of spatial coordinates relative to the shelf,   wherein, assigned to the transport surface, are handling means for the goods placeable on the transport surface, wherein, with the aid of the handling means, the goods can be propelled parallel to the transport surface towards the shelf and vice-versa, and   wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle comprises a frame, which is formed into parts with an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part comprises the movement means and drive means, while the lower part has the transport surface and the handling means, and wherein the upper and lower parts are arranged so as to be movable relative to each other.   
     
     
         69 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein the handling means comprise at least one of a pusher for pushing the goods over the transport surface and of a conveyor belt, which is provided on the upper side of the transport surface and is guided in a type of endless loop over end faces and at an underside of the transport surface. 
     
     
         70 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein the handling means comprise at least one of gliding and guide elements for conveyor belts. 
     
     
         71 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 69 , wherein several conveyor belts are provided parallel to each other, which may be driven independently of each other. 
     
     
         72 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 69 , wherein the handling means have at least one drive roll for a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         73 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein at least one transition element is provided for extending the transport surface along the pushing direction of the handling means or opposite thereto to form a pushing surface. 
     
     
         74 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein the movement means have at least one of running wheels and carrying wheels for interaction with a running rail. 
     
     
         75 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein the drive means have a drive belt disk for interaction with a toothed belt. 
     
     
         76 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle comprises a rope, belt or strap drive for moving upper and lower parts to each other. 
     
     
         77 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein at least one of the handling means, the drive means and other movable components have a drive, comprising an electric motor. 
     
     
         78 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein sidewalls are provided peripherally around the transport surface to protect the goods, said sidewalls extending at right angles to the transport surface and having one or two opposing, closable openings for receiving and dispensing the goods, wherein a gap between the transport surface and at least two sidewalls is provided through which a conveyor belt is transported. 
     
     
         79 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein a goods protection cover is provided opposite the transport surface, said cover protecting the goods by wedging when the upper and lower parts close together. 
     
     
         80 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 79 , wherein the goods protection cover has an elastic material on the goods side. 
     
     
         81 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein at least one movable bracing element is provided for lateral bracing against adjacent walls, shelves and the like during transfer of the goods to a shelf or for wedging the shelf-stocking vehicle between two opposing shelves. 
     
     
         82 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle is designed such that at least one of the transport surface and the handling means are moveable relative to at least one of a frame of the shelf-stocking vehicle and the movement means. 
     
     
         83 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 82 , wherein the transport surface is slidable parallel to the transport surface. 
     
     
         84 . The shelf-stocking vehicle in accordance with  claim 68 , wherein the shelf-stocking vehicle is fitted with a drive by means of which external components can be driven.