AU5437101A - Pallet tipper - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

r Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: J C B J Truswell Pty Limited [ACN 002 749 644] John C Truswell 76 Mandoon Road, GIRRAWEEN NSW 2145 Stewart Grosse Hopson Avenue, CAMDEN NSW 2570 Address for service in Australia: WALLINGTON-DUMMER PO Box 297, Rydalmere NSW 7101 (12 Clarke Street, Rydalmere NSW 2116) Invention Title: Pallet Tipper *Details ofAssociated Provisional Application: Australian Provisional Application No. PQ8836 filed 13 July 2000 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us J I 2 PALLET TIPPER The present invention relates to a pallet tipper and, more particularly, to a pallet tipper suited to the tipping of pallets, pallet cages and the like.

BACKGROUND

Because pallets are of a standard size it is not unusual for further structures to be built upon the pallet to take advantage of the construction of the pallet itself whereby the pallet can be conveniently moved around by forklifts and the like.

~In one form a fence structure is built around the periphery of a pallet so as to form a cage with an open top.

Such arrangements effectively become an open topped container 15 that can be easily moved around by forklift.

ooooo A problem with such arrangements is that whilst it can be simple and safe to put objects into the structure it can :°•ooo difficult to take the same objects back out of the structure, for example where the sides of the container are a 20 metre or more in height thereby making it difficult for many people to reach in and down to the bottom of the structure.

In this circumstance it would be helpful if a mechanised arrangement were made available for emptying objects from the 3 container obviating the need for people to reach into the container to retrieve objects therefrom.

It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided a pallet tipper for tipping a pallet or like palletbased device; said pallet tipper comprising: Pallet engagement means; Tipping means for moving the engagement means ooeoo between a pallet engaging position and a pallet emptying position by means of a substantially rotating motion of the engagement means about a 15 predetermined axis of rotation.

ooeoo S- Preferably said axis of rotation moves from a first axis position to a second axis position during movement of said engagement means between said pallet engaging position and said pallet emptying position.

Preferably said tipping means comprises an overcentre tipping mechanism.

Preferably said tipping means incorporates at least one roller operating within a roller guide.

4- Preferably said tipping means incorporates a pivot and link mechanism with no roller or roller guide.

Preferably said first axis position lies on a first side of a pallet tipper support structure.

Preferably said second axis position lies on a second side of said pallet tipper support structure.

Preferably said pallet engaging position is located on said first side of said pallet tipper support structure.

Preferably said pallet emptying position is located on said second side of said pallet tipper support structure.

Preferably said pallet emptying position orients said pallet at 1350 relative to its position when engaged on said pallet engagement means at said pallet engaging position.

Preferably said pallet emptying position orients said 1. 5 pallet at 1800 relative to its position when engaged on said ",,pallet engagement means at said pallet engaging position.

Preferably said pallet emptying position orients said pallet at 2250 relative to its position when engaged on said pallet engagement means at said pallet engaging position.

20 In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a pallet tipper as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to what is shown in Figs. 1 to 5 or Figs. 6 to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a generalised, exploded view of a pallet tipper according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a detailed side view of the pallet tipper of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows section views through the upper roller and lower roller of the pallet tipper of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view from a first side of the pallet tipper support structure of the pallet tipper of Fig. 1; S"Fig. 5 is a side section view of the pallet tipper of Fig. 1 taken through the line BB shown in Fig. 4; 15 Fig. 6 is a generalised, diagrammatic view of a pallet .ooooi tipper according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a side view of the pallet tipper of Fig. 6 showing a number of operational positions at and between a pallet engaging position and a pallet emptying position; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the pallet tipper of Fig.

7; Fig. 9 is a side view of the pallet tipper of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a rear view (from a first or loading side) of the pallet tipper of Fig. 7; and

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6 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a pallet incorporating fenced sides adapted for use with the pallet tipper of either Fig. 1 or Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figs. 1 to 5 and, initially with particular reference to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a pallet tipper 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment pallet tipper 10 comprises a pallet tipper support structure 11 having a first side 12 at which a pallet 13 or like palletised containment structure (refer Fig. 11) is receivable at and engagable with pallet engagement means which, in this instance, comprise tynes 14 15 adapted to slide into tyne engagement portions 15 of pallet eeoc 13 or like palletised containment structure when located at pallet engaging position 16.

The pallet tipper support structure 11 further includes a second side 17 at which a pallet emptying position 18 is located. The pallet tipper support structure 11 incorporates a first extended base portion 19 on first side 12 and a second extended base portion 20 on second side 17 for the purpose of stabilising the pallet tipper 10 against unwanted movement when pallet 13 is in pallet engaging position 16, 7 pallet emptying position 18 or any position in between during operation.

In this instance pallet tipper support structure 11 incorporates an arcuate guide portion 21 in which a top or leading roller 22 moves between pallet engaging position 16 (shown in Fig. 2) and pallet overcentre tipping position 23 (shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2).

Leading roller 22 is attached, as illustrated, to a carriage 24 to which tynes 14 are affixed as generally illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Carriage 24 further includes a trailing roller adapted to ride along a top, outside portion of arcuate guide portion 21 including riser portion 26.

Left and right carriages 24 are interconnected by carriage connector strut 27. In this instance the carriage connector strut 27 is pivotally connected to a piston 28 of ram 29 which, in turn, is connected to a base portion of the pallet tipper support structure 11.

Tynes 14 extend from respective left and right carriages 24 as generally illustrated in both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

In use, ram 29 can be hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically operated. Initially piston 28 is in a lowered position within ram 29 whereby tynes 14 extending from carriage 24 are at a pallet engaging position as illustrated 8 in Fig. 2. A pallet 13 or like palletised containment structure (for example as illustrated in Fig. 11) is slid onto tynes 14 thereby to be located at the pallet engaging position 16. Ram 29 is then energised causing piston 28 to extend upwardly therefrom thereby urging carriage connector strut 27 upwardly and hence urging carriages 24 upwardly. By virtue of the pivotal connection between piston 28 and carriage connector strut 27, carriages 24 may change orientation as leading rollers 22 move initially upwardly and then forwardly within arcuate guide portion 21 until leading rollers 22 encounter barrier 30 at a top end portion of the arcuate guide portion 21.

The arrangement is such that as leading rollers 22 move *e towards barriers 30 trailing rollers 25 encounter and climb an exterior portion of riser portion 26 which is shaped such that trailing rollers 25 and hence a trailing portion of carriages 24 are urged outwardly and upwardly from arcuate guide portion 21 so as to assist if not initiate a rotation of carriages 24 about carriage connector strut 27.

At this point in the movement of carriages 24 the carriage structure 31 complete with pallet 11 will have adopted the intermediate position designated R in Fig. 1.

From here, further urging upwardly of piston 28 causes trailing rollers 25 to lift clear of riser portion 26 as e 9 carriage structure 31 continues a pivoting motion about leading rollers 22 about axis XX as marked in Fig. 1.

Continued urging of piston 28 upwardly ultimately leads carriage structure 31 to adopt the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2 and labeled S. At this point an interior base portion (not shown) of a pallet 13 or like structure attached to tynes 14 will have adopted a position which is rotated approximately 1350 with respect to its position at the start of the movement at pallet engaging position 16.

This inclination is sufficient to dislodge most if not all objects which would have been located on or in the pallet/pallet structure 13 at the start of the movement from the pallet engaging position 16 and culminating in the pallet emptying position 18 and otherwise denoted as S in Fig. 2.

It will be observed that initial rotation of carriage structure 31 about leading rollers 22 is about an axis ZZ, which axis of rotation moves during the movement of carriage "structure 31 from the first axis position ZZ through to second axis position XX.

The pallet 13 can be returned to the pallet engaging position 16 by a reversal of the movement of piston 28 within ram 29.

With reference to Figs. 6 to 10 there is illustrated a pallet tipper 110 according to a second embodiment of the 10 invention. In the drawings like components which correspond with components of the first embodiment are numbered as for the first embodiment and preceded by the numeral 1. So, for example, pallet tipper 10 of the first embodiment becomes pallet tipper 110 of the second embodiment and pallet 13 becomes pallet 113 for the second embodiment.

With particular reference to Figs. 6 and 7 there is illustrated a pallet tipper 110 having a pallet tipper support structure 111, an upstanding portion of which supports a tyne support and rotation structure 142 from which subtends pallet engagement means in the form of tynes 114.

As for the first embodiment a first side 112 is defined at the pallet engaging position 116 and a second side 117 is defined at pallet emptying position 118. Also as for the first embodiment the pallet tipper support structure 111 includes a first extended base portion 119 on first side 112 and a second extended base portion 120 on second side 117.

c o• In this instance the tyne support and rotation structure 142 is activated for rotation by ram 125 having piston 128 extendable therefrom. Ram 129 is pivotally attached to first extended base portion 119 whilst an end portion of piston 128 is pivotally attached to an elbow portion of bent link 143 as illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

11 A first end 144 of bent link 143 is pivotally attached to upstanding portion 141 as illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig.

7. A second end 145 of bent link 143 is pivotally attached to strut link 146 which, in turn, is pivotally attached to connector link 147 which, in turn, is pivotally attached to a top portion of upstanding portion 141, again as illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

The arrangement is such that, in use, upward and outward urging of piston 128 from ram 129 causes rotation of bent link 143 about axis XX. Subsequent further urging of piston 128 causes further rotation of bent link 143 together with the attached tynes 114 resulting in the tyne support and rotation structure 142 moving over centre line ZZ (illustrated in Fig. 6) to an overcentre position which ultimately results in pallet 113 being rotated to a position 1800 to a pallet emptying position 118 at 1800 from its orientation when at the pallet engaging position 116.

In this embodiment axis XX comprises a first axis of rotation whilst axis SS intersecting with centre line ZZ oeeee forms a second axis of rotation.

Pallet 113 can be returned to the pallet engaging position 116 by a reversal of operation of piston 128 within ram 129.

12 As for the first embodiment ram 129 can be hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically operable.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

For example, with particular reference to the first embodiment of the invention, arcuate guide portion 21 can be slidably mounted on an elongate support structure such as, for example, a piece of RHS whereby the location of arcuate guide portion 21 on the pallet tipper support structure 11 can be varied upwardly or downwardly thereby to adjust the height at which the pallet 13 is tipped relative to a surface upon which the pallet tipper 10, 110 is located.

1 5 Also, for example, with appropriate adjustment and o*oo choice of component dimensions other angles of the pallet 13, 113 can be achieved at the pallet emptying position including up to 2250 relative tot he pallet engaging position of the pallet 13, 113.

S

Claims (11)

1. 2. The pallet tipper of Claim 1 wherein said axis of 0: rotation moves from a first axis position to a second axis position during movement of said engagement means between said pallet engaging position and said pallet emptying position. 15 3. The pallet tipper of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said tipping means comprises an overcentre tipping mechanism.
2. 4. The pallet tipper of any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said tipping means incorporates at least one roller *-.-*operating within a roller guide. e S 20 5. The pallet tipper of any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said tipping means incorporates a pivot and link mechanism with no roller or roller guide. 14
3. 6. The pallet tipper of Claim 2 wherein said first axis position lies on a first side of a pallet tipper support structure.
4. 7. The pallet tipper of Claim 2 or Claim 6 wherein said second axis position lies on a second side of said pallet tipper support structure.
5. 8. The pallet tipper of any previous claim wherein said pallet engaging position is located on said first side of said pallet tipper support structure.
6. 9. The pallet tipper of any preceding claim wherein said pallet emptying position is located on said second side of said pallet tipper support structure. .9,
7. 10. The pallet tipper of any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein e said pallet emptying position orients said pallet at 1350 relative to its position when engaged on said pallet engagement means at said pallet engaging ~position.
8. 11. The pallet tipper of any previous claim wherein said 2pallet emptying position orients said pallet at 1800 relative to its position when engaged on said pallet engagement means at said pallet engaging position.
9. 12. The pallet tipper of any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein said pallet emptying position orients said pallet at 2250 relative to its position when engaged on said 15 pallet engagement means at said pallet engaging position.
10. 13. A pallet tipper as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to what is shown in Figs. 1 to
11. 14. A pallet tipper as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to what is shown in Figs. 6 to J C B J TRUSWELL PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys "WALLINGTON-DUMMER *0 Dated this 1 3 t h day of July 2001. g S. S